Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. Col. F. B. Lecky. D.S.O. R.H.A.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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Frederic Beauchamp Lecky was born on 11 October 1858, son of John Frederic Lecky, DL, of Ballykealey, Tullow, County Carlow. He was educated at Uppingham School, and at the R.M.A., Woolwich, and entered the Royal Artillery on 31 January 1878. He took part in the Egyptian Expedition of 1882, and was present at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal and clasp, and Bronze Star). He became Captain on 24 March 1886, and Major on 1 April 1896. He served in the South African War of 1899-1902, and was present at the Relief of Kimberley; at the operations in the Orange Free State, from February to May 1900, including operations at Paardeberg (17 to 26 February); at the actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Vet River (5 and 6 May) and Zand River; at operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 and 12 June); at operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, from July to 29 November 1900, including actions at Reitvlei and Belfast (26 and 27 August); at operations in the Transvaal, 30 November 1900 to January 1902, and March to 31 May 1902; and at operations in Orange River Colony, January to March 1902. He was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 16 April 1901); received the Queen's Medal with six clasps; the King's Medal with two clasps; and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 19 April, 1901): "Frederic Beauchamp Lecky, Major, Royal Artillery. In recognition of services during the recent operations in South Africa". The Insignia were presented by the Duke of Cornwall and York 14 August 1901. He became Lieutenant Colonel 17 August 1903; was given the Brevet of Colonel 17 August 1908; and retired with the rank of Colonel 17 August 1908.

Lecky’s group of medals, less this K.S.A., was sold by Spink in 1983 and offered by Dixon’s in 1994.