Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.M.G. group of three awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. F. Humby, D.S.O., Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, late commanding Dublin Imperial Yeomanry

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major J. F. Humby, Imp: Yeo:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Major J. F. Humby, Imp. Yeo.) mounted for display together with a good quality copy D.S.O., V.R. cypher, silver-gilt and enamels, light pawnbroker’s graffiti in obverse field of Q.S.A., otherwise good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

C.M.G. London Gazette 3 June 1916.

D.S.O. London Gazette 31 October 1902: ‘James Frederick Humby, Captain, 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry; Major, 3rd Battalion The Royal Irish Rifles. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.

James Frederick Humby was born on 21 July 1860, son of Fred Peter Humby, of Southbroom, Devizes, Wiltshire. He was educated in Paris. He joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, as Second Lieutenant, in 1891, and became Captain in 1896. He served in the South African War, 1900-2; commanded the 54th (Ulster) Imperial Yeomanry from February 1900. He took part in the operations in Orange Free State, February to May 1900; operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, July to 29 November 1900; operations in Orange River Colony and Cape Colony 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902. He was taken prisoner at Lindley with the 13th Battalion, but escaped 30 August 1900. He became Major in 1901, and commanded the 74th (Dublin) Imperial Yeomanry from June 1901; 8th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry from May 1902. He was twice mentioned in despatches; received the Queen's Medal with four clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Lieutenant Colonel J. F. Humby served in the European War in command of the 12th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment in France from 30 August 1915, and was created a C.M.G. in 1916 for his services.