Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Regimental Sergeant Major H. H. Warren, Devonshire Regiment, attached Imperial Camel Corps, who was awarded the Serbian Cross of Karageorge for distinguished service during the campaign with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force in 1916

1914-15 Star (7972 Sjt. H. H. Warren. Devon. R.); British War and Victory Medals (7972 W.O. Cl.1 H. H. Warren. Devon. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5608080 W.O. Cl. 1. H. H. Warren. Devon R.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the Star of Karageorge, Soldier’s Cross Second Class, with swords, silvered and gilt, reverse dated 1914-16, good very fine (5) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Serbian Cross of Karageorge, Second Class (with Swords) London Gazette 15 February 1917.

Henry Herbert Warren was born at Kingsbridge Lane, Ashburton, Devon on 15 June 1886. He attested for the Devonshire Regiment on 14 August 1905 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion at North Raglan Barracks, Devonport in November 1905. Appointed Lance Corporal in September 1906 and promoted Corporal in August 1908, he embarked at Plymouth in January 1909 and disembarked at Candia, Crete, part of the 2nd Battalion forming part of International Garrison Candia, Crete. Leaving Crete the battalion disembarked at Malta to be quartered at Imtarfa in July 1909. In the 1911 Census he is recorded as Corporal aged 24, 2nd Battalion St George’s Barracks, Malta. Stationed next in Egypt and appointed Lance Sergeant in June 1912, the 2nd Battalion moved to Abbyssieh Barracks, Cairo in 1913. Promoted Sergeant in March 1913 he extended his service to complete 12 years with the Colours in June 1913. He passed the course for Camel Corps Duties at Cairo in November 1913 and was posted Sergeant to the Permanent Staff Camel Corps School, Abbassia on 3 September 1914.

Promoted Regimental Sergeant Major in January 1916, Warren re-engaged for the Devonshire Regiment at Cairo to complete 21 years with Colours in July 1916. Awarded the Serbian Cross of Karageorge, Second Class for distinguished service during the campaign with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, he was subsequently taken on strength of the 2nd Battalion Camel Corps, Alexandria in April 1917 and was appointed Regimental Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion, Imperial Camel Corps in May 1917. Transferred to the Camel Corps and posted to the HQ and Administrative Centre in June 1917, he next served with HQ Camel Corps, Abbassia as Regimental Sergeant Major from September 1918, being approved for retention in the Egypt Expeditionary Force in July 1919. In the Absent Voters List 1919 for the Totnes Division he is recorded as from Rock Cottage, Ashburton, Sergeant Major Imperial Camel Corps, Cairo.

Having served overseas since 1909 Warren returned home on leave in April 1920; he was awarded the 1914-15 Star Devonshire Regiment attached Imperial Camel Corps School roll dated 4 March 1920 and the British War Medal and Victory Medal attached Imperial Camel Corps roll dated 17 March 1920. Returning from leave he was transferred back to the Devonshire Regiment as Regimental Sergeant Major and posted to the Depot, Exeter on 23 July 1920 prior to being posted again to the Camel Corps School, Abbassia, Egypt, as Regimental Sergeant Major in December 1920. Next employed as Superintending Clerk, HQ British Troops in Egypt in May 1921, in the 1921 Census he is recorded as residing at G.H.Q. Eden Palace Hotel, Cairo aged 35, R.S.M., Clerk, Devonshire Regiment. An attachment to ‘F’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery as Regimental Sergeant Major followed in April 1922 before being posted to the Home Establishment and appointed Regimental Sergeant Major to the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment at Alma Barracks, Blackdown in November 1923.

Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (without Gratuity) in 1924, Warren was posted to the Depot Devonshire Regiment as Regimental Sergeant Major in May 1925. Allowed to continue in the service beyond 21 years for one year in December 1925 he was finally discharged to pension on termination of engagement Regimental Sergeant Major on 13 August 1927 after a total service of 22 years. He died in Northampton on 31 October 1957, aged 71.

Sold with a copy of Imperial Camel Corps, an unofficial Great War history of the Imperial Camel Corps by Geoffrey Inchbald published in 1970 by Johnson Publications Ltd,166 pages with illustrations , hard back with original dust cover; copied service record; a postcard depicting a photographic image of Sergeant H. H. Warren, Camel Corps School, Abbassia 1915; seven further postcards of individual men from 2/Devons with camels at Abbassia,; a group photograph of the Camel Corps Companies (Gordon Highlanders, Devons and Suffolks) on parade at Abbassia; and further research.