Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An early Great War M.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel the Earl of Gosford, Coldstream Guards, who was wounded in both the Boer War and in the Great War, and subsequently joined the New York Police Department

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Lieut: A. C. M. B. Lord Acheson. C. Gds:), unofficial rivets between State and date clasps; 1914 Star (Lieut: Viscount Acheson. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. Viscount Acheson.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, silver; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1916, bronze, with palm on riband, mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £1600-2000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Members of the Nobility and The Royal Household.

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M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915.

Archibald Charles Montague Brabazon Acheson, 5th Earl of Gosford, was born on 26 May 1877, the eldest son of the 4th Earl of Gosford, and his wife Lady Louisa Montague, daughter of the 7th Duke of Manchester. Taking the courtesy title of Viscount Acheson, he was educated at Harrow, before receiving a commission into the Coldstream Guards, serving with them in South Africa during the Boer War. He took part in the advance on Kimberley, including the operations at Belmont, Enslin, and Modder River, 28 November 1899, and was wounded at the latter action. He subsequently served during operations in the Orange Free State, March to May 1900, and during operations in the Orange River Colony, May 1900 to October 1901. On the outbreak of the Great War he rejoined his old Regiment from the General Reserve of Officers on 5 August 1914, and served with them on the Western Front from September 1914 until January 1915. Wounded on 26 September 1914, and on 27 January 1915, he subsequently recovered from his wounds, and served on the Staff from 7 June 1915 until 31 December 1917, and then as Assistant Adjutant General at the War Office from 1 January 1918 until 31 March 1919. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the Military Cross and French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 21 April 1917); received the Brevets of Major and Lieutenant-Colonel; and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915).

Lord Gosford married firstly the American heiress Miss Mildred Carter, only daughter of Mr. John Carter, United States Minister at Bucharest, at St. George’s, Hanover Square, London, on 21 June 1910, with whom he had two sons and three daughters. Upon the death of his father on 11 April 1922 he succeeded to the Earldom as 5th Earl of Gosford, as well as the subsidiary titles of Viscount Acheson, Viscount Gosford, Baron Acheson, and Baron Gosford. In 1927 he left his wife and went to New York City where, having obtained a divorce, he married Mrs. Beatrice Breese, daughter of Mr. Arthur Clafin, of New York, on 1 October 1928. He subsequently set up a wine shop in Manhattan, and also joined the New York City Police Department. He died on 20 March 1954, and was succeeded to the Earldom by his eldest son Archibald, Viscount Acheson. The title is extant, with the present earl being the recipient’s grandson.