Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

School of Military Engineering Haynes Medal 1898, by F. Bowcher, obverse: bust of the officer facing right, ‘Captain A. E. Haynes, R.E., 1861-96’; a bridged chasm in high relief, ‘Field Fortification S.M.E.’ (2nd Lieut. E. M. Sinauer, R.E., 1906), 56mm., bronze, in fitted case of issue, extremely fine £50-70

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Prize, Training Ship, Nursing & Other Medals from the James N. Spencer Collection.

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The Haynes Medal was named after Captain A. E. Haynes, R.E., who as a junior officer was selected by Colonel Charles Warren to accompany him on the Palmer Search Expedition in 1882 and in the Bechuanaland Expedition of 1884-85. He was Assistant Instructor in Survey at the School of Military Engineering from 1889 to 1894. In 1896, while taking the 43rd Company to Mauritius, he with his company joined the Matabeleland Expedition. Haynes was killed in the successful attack on the Matabele stronghold. A subscription was raised by his family in order to erect a monument in Rochester Cathedral. The balance of the fund was used to provide a bronze medal to a Sapper in each party of recruits going through the Field Work Course at the School of Military Engineering.

Esmond Moreton Sinauer was born on 8 August 1885 and entered the Royal Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1905. Promoted Lieutenant in 1908, he was employed with the Egyptian Army, January 1908-December 1912, serving in South Kordofan during 1910, for which he was awarded the Khedive’s Sudan Medal with clasp. Promoted to the rank of Captain in 1914, he served throughout the Great War. For his services he was awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 3 June 1916) and was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915 & 7 July 1919), received the 1914 Star with clasp, British War and Victory Medals and held the rank of Acting-Major, 9 May 1917-5 December 1918. After the war he was employed at the War Office as Deputy Assistant Director of Railways and Roads, June 1919-January 1921. Promoted Major in 1922, he was employed as Deputy Assistant Director of Fortifications and Works at the War Officer from March 1922.