Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Sergeant B. Adams, Grenadier Guards, who was wounded three times during the Great War, and was later Butler to H.R.H. the Duke of Kent

1914-15 Star (17656 Cpl. B. Adams. G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (17656 Sjt. B. Adams. G. Gds.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, the first four mounted court-style as worn, the last loose; together with two Order of the Knights of the Golden Horn Jewels, the first a Knight of the Order Jewel, silver and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘No.94 Knaresborough Encampment Kt. B. Adams Installed Oct 5th 1926’, with integral top riband device, the second an Attendance Jewel, silver, the reverse engraved ‘No.94 Knaresborough Encampment Comp. B. Adams for half year ending Jany to June 1926’, with four additional award bars, all named, covering the periods July to December 1926, January to June 1927, January to June 1929, and July to December 1929, with integral top riband device, good very fine (11) £160-£200

Bernard Adams attested for the Grenadier Guards and served with the 3rd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 October 1915. ‘He was wounded three times, at the Battle of the Somme, the first Battle of Cambrai, and finally during the last “push” shortly before the Armistice. During the latter part of the War he served under the command of Lord Harewood, thus coming under his notice for the first time, and after the War applied for a job at Goldsborough Hall, where Lord Harewood and the Princess Royal first lived after their marriage. He was there for nine years , before transferring to Harewood House as Under-Butler in 1931.’ (newspaper cutting with lot refers).

In 1935 Adams was appointed Butler to their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and was awarded the 1935 Jubilee Medal as part of the Duke and Duchess of Kent’s Household; two years later he was awarded the Coronation Medal whilst employed as a Messenger, Lord Chamberlain’s Department. For his services during the Great War he was also entitled to a Silver War Badge.

Sold with two postcard photographs of the recipient, and copied research; together with four Second War Medals, comprising 1939-45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, and War Medal 1939-45, attributed to the recipient’s son, who served in the Royal Air Force; together with five photographs of the Airman.