Orders, Decorations and Medals

School of Military Engineering Fowke’s Medal, obv. high relief uniformed bust of Francis Fowke left; rev. within a stylized wreath of laurel, ‘Memorial Medal established by the officers of Royal Engineers as an Architectural Prize in the Corps’ (2nd Lieut. C. M. Browne, 1899) 58mm., 7mm. thick, silver, in case of issue, ref. B.H.M. 2940, Eimer 1581, edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Training Ship and Prize Medals.

View
Collection

Charles Michael Browne was born on 26 November 1878 and educated at the United Services College, Westward Ho! He joined the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in December 1897. At the School of Military Engineering Browne won the Fowke’s Medal for the year 1899. Promoted to Lieutenant in December 1900, he served in Waziristan 1901-02 for which he was awarded a medal and clasp. For his services in the operations against the Darwesh Khels, 1902, he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette June 1903) and created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 3 July 1903). He was promoted Captain in December 1906 and Major in October 1914. Major Browne served in the Great War, firstly as Adjutant, R.E., 1914-15, and then as Acting Lieutenant-Colonel, September 1916-May 1917 and then again in June 1917. He served in France and Flanders, 20 January 1915-17 April 1917 and 12 May 1917-11 November 1918, and was wounded. For his services he was four times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, 15 May 1917 and 11 December 1917), awarded the brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, awarded the C.M.G. in 1918 and awarded the French Legion of Honour 5th Class. Then in 1919 Lieutenant-Colonel Browne served in the Russian Relief Force, for which service he was again mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 3 February 1920) and awarded the Rusian Order of St. Anne, 2nd Class. Promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in 1922 and Colonel in 1929, he died on 29 August 1929. Sold with some copied research.