Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Major H. S. Howarth, Royal Indian Engineers

British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. S. Howarth); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Lieut. H. S. Howarth. I.A.R.O.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, mounted court-style for display and housed alongside two photographic images of the recipient and biographical details in a glazed display frame, good very fine (6) £300-£400

Herbert S. Howarth was born in Millow, Cumberland, and was educated at Barrow Grammar School and the Cambourne School of Mines, Cornwall. Upon graduating from the School of Mines, he sailed for India and was employed in the Kolar goldfields, Mysore. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 5 January 1917, and was posted to No. 24 Field Company, Bombay Sappers and Miners. He served during the Great War in Basra, where he was attached to the Royal Engineers Works, and was Mentioned in Despatches for ‘distinguished and gallant services’ (London Gazette 12 January 1920).

Promoted Captain on 26 October 1921, Howarth relinquished his commission in 1922. He remained in India, working as Resident Engineer for a number of Indian Princely States, including the Maharajah of Jaipur, before resuming his military career, rejoining as a Captain in the Royal Indian Engineers on 13 January 1927. He served during the Second World War as a Major with M.G.R.E. Branch, HQ Tenth Army in Basra, and was promoted temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. He died in Seaford, Sussex in 1976.