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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 327

A rare Boer War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel G. E. Tuson, 16th (The Queen's) Lancers

Tuson was the scion of a famous Australian family, who was a most gallant officer who first saw active service on the North-West Frontier of India - being in receipt of a scarce I.G.S. 1895 to his unit - and then in the Boer War, when he earned a D.S.O., a 'mention' and was wounded in action at Klip Drift on Valentine's Day 1900; he gamely returned to the fold during the Great War and served on the Western Front, adding a further 'mention' to his laurels

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, top riband bar adapted for mounting; India General Service 1895-1908, 2 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Lieutt. G. E. Tuson.16th Lcrs.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Driefontein (Capt. G. E. Tuson, D.S.O., 16 Lcrs.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. G. E. Tuson. D.S.O. 16/Lcrs.); 1914-15 Star (Major G. E. Tuson. D.S.O. 16/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. G. E. Tuson.), good very fine and a remarkable combination to this famous Regiment (7)

3 D.S.O.'s awarded to the 16th (The Queen's) Lancers.

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901 & 20 May 1918.

George Edward Tuson was born at Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia on 29 June 1871. His father, George Tuson, was a well-known banker and industrialist in Queensland and it is understood that young Tuson was educated privately in this period. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 16th Lancers in October 1890, being advanced Lieutenant on 31 July 1894, and served on the North-West Frontier of India, 1897-98 (Tochi), as Regimental Commandant and Transport Officer from 9 July-November 1897. He was in receipt of a scarce Medal and 2 clasps named to the unit, for they were not present in strength.

Tuson was duly promoted Captain on 9 October 1899 and served with distinction during the Boer War. He shared in the advance on Kimberley, the Relief of Kimberley - being wounded in action at Klip Drift on Valentine's Day 1900 - and operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900. He was present in the operations at Paardeberg (17-26 February); actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain) and Zand River; operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill (11 & 12 June); operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, August-September 1900; operations in Orange River Colony, July to 29 November 1900), including actions at Bethlehem (7 July) and Wittebergen (1-20 July); operations in Orange River Colony 30 November 1900 to February 1901, and March to June 1901; operations in Cape Colony, February and March 1901, and June 1901 (D.S.O. & 'mention', Queen's Medal & 5 clasps, King's Medal & 2 clasps).

Tuson was promoted Major in May 1903 and retired in June 1909. With the outbreak of the Great War, he was swiftly recalled to his old Regiment and served with them in France as a Major from 17 July 1915, being advanced Colonel on the Staff and adding another 'mention' for good measure before War's end.

Having been married to Isabel Bright-Williams at Marylebone in September 1912, they had issue of a daughter, born July 1913, and son. The family settled in East Africa at Upper Narossura, Eldama Ravine, Kenya and were heavily involved in farming there. The Colonel was President of the Ravine Farmers' Association, Vice President of the East Africa Turf Club, Member of the Rift Valley Sports Club. He died at Nairobi on 9 December 1935.

Sold together with a fine archive of original material including:

i)
Warrant for the D.S.O., dated 26 September 1901, together with M.I.D. Certificate, dated 7 April 1918.

ii)
Finely rebound photograph album, with a series of large-format images of the 16th Lancers, scenes of India, polo etc.

iii)
Small-format photograph album covering the Boer War, binding loose, water damaged in places but a valuable unpublished resource.

iv)
A number of original photographs and documents, together with a cloth bound book of research.

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Estimate
£7,000 to £9,000

Starting price
£6000