The Carol Benton Collection of Miniature Medals

The mounted group of nine miniature dress medals attributed to Oscar Humfrey, Chauffeur to the Royal Family, Royal Household Faithful Service, G.V.R.; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver; Denmark, King’s Medal of Recompense, Christian X, silver; Spain, Order of Isabella the Catholic, silver cross; France, Medal of Honour, silver; Belgium, Royal Household Medal, Albert I, silver, with silver ‘A’ on ribbon, mounted Court style, nearly extremely fine (9) £150-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Carol Benton Collection of Miniature Medals.

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Oscar Humfrey was born in 1878 and entered Royal service as a ‘motor driver’ to the Prince and Princess of Wales, later King George V and Queen Mary on 20 July 1908. In 1913 he became a ‘Royal Mews Motor Engineer’ until he was pensioned in 1936 following the death of King George V. However he did not fully retire but acted as Chauffeur to Queen Mary until 1939. In his retirement in West Norfolk, Queen Mary would visit him when she was in residence at Sandringham. He died in 1971.

Humfrey was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in October 1919, ‘For services in driving their Majesties from Balmoral to London during the Railway strike October 1919’. the Royal Family were having their traditional holiday at Balmoral and would normally travel to and from there by train. A national railway strike being called, they decided to return to London by car. Taking two days and travelling 547 miles, Humfrey safely drove the King and Queen to London.

In another incident on 23 May 1939, ‘Humfrey was at the wheel’ driving Queen Mary, when the royal car was hit by a lorry. The car was overturned and the Queen suffered shock and bruising and also injured her eye. Workmen nearby broke open the uppermost door to free the occupants and they were taken to a nearby house and given tea whilst a replacement vehicle was arranged. Half an hour later Queen Mary and her companions were able to leave; in response to cheers from the gathered crowd, Queen Mary was able to bow in acknowledgement.

Sold with copied research and a large but damaged photograph of Humfey driving King George V and Queen Mary.