NAM.1998-11-130-1

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Military Division; breast badge, in silver gilt, with Hallmarks for London 1919. From a medal group awarded to Major Godfrey Douglas Giles, mounted together on a brooch fitting as worn. Born in India in 1857, Giles joined the Army in 1876, Bombay Staff Corps; served in 2nd Afghan War with 1st Scinde Horse; Giles was seconded to the Egyptian Gendarmerie in 1883 and commanded the cavalry of Baker’s expedition into the Sudan in 1884; the force was overwhelmed by Dervish forces at El Teb. Giles managed to get attached to the 10th Hussars, part of the British reinforcement force under Graham which defeated the forces of Osman Digna at Trinkitat (2nd Battle of El Teb) and Tamai in 1884. His experiences in the Sudan became the source material for his artistic career post 1884. Giles studied in Paris; his first major work (one of two pictures of Tamai) was a success at the Royal Academy Exhibition in 1885. ‘The Graphic’ employed Giles, now a Captain in the Loyal Suffolk Hussars (Imperial Yeomanry), as a special artist during the Boer War; he was present at the Relief of Kimberley and the Capture of Cronje. During World War One Giles served as a home-based Gunner Territorial.

Boer War (1899-1902)

Tamai, Battle of, 1884 (1st Sudan War 1883-1885), El Teb, Battle of, 1884 (1st Sudan War 1883-1885), Trinkitat, Battle of, 1884 (1st Sudan War 1883-1885), Suakin, Expedition to, 1885 (1st Sudan War 1883-1885)