The Orders & Medals of Sir John Leche K.C.M.G. O.B.E.

[Kev in Deva]

Hallo Gents,

The start price must have been ridiculosly LOW,

any opinions, welcome please.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/The-Orders-Medals-of...1QQcmdZViewItem

Sir John Leche 1889-1960

You are looking at probably the most important Group of Orders and Decorations on Ebay at the present time!

We are reluctantly putting this fabulous group on the market, as we have recently greatly enhanced our collection of our specialist field of interest, and need to recoup a major ammount to continue with this investment.

''From Who Was Who 1951-1960''

Sir John Leche was born on 21st November 1889 at Carden Park, Chester. He was educated at Eton and The Royal Military College Sandhurst. He entered the 12th Lancers in 1910; retired and entered Special Reserve of the same regiment, 1913; served European War, in France, August 1914-June 1919, General Staff Officer 3 (Intelligence) (O.B.E. military, Crown of Belgium, 1914 Star and Bar, BWM & Victory and Allied Medals, mentioned in dispatches twice, 1935 Jubilee and 1937 Coronation); entered Diplomatic Service, 1919, and has served in Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Foreign Office, Berne, Madrid, Guatemala; Charge d'Affaires as Minister Plenipotentiary, to Spanish Republican Govt., Valencia and Barcelona, 1937-1938; Minister and Consul-General to Central America, 1939-1945; Ambassador to Chile 1945-1949; retired, 1950. Formerly Captain Regular Army Reserve of Officers. Address: Stretton Hall, Malpas Cheshire. Club: White's. Died 12 May 1960.

'Times' Obituary 1960

Sir John Leche, K.C.M.G. O.B.E., formally British Ambassador to Chile, died at his home, Stretton Hall, Malpas, Cheshire, yesterday. He was 70.

John Hurleston Leche was born on November 21, 1889, the eldest surviving son of Mr, John Hurleston Leche, of Carden Park, Chester, and Kathleen, daughter of C. D. Hudson, M.P. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst and then joined the 12th Lancers, with whom he served in France from 1914 to 1919, receiving the military O.B.E., the Order of the Crown of Belgium and two mentions in dispatches for his services.

After the war he entered the Diplomatic Service and after serving in Spain, Brazil, Argentina and elsewhere was promoted in 1937 to the difficult post of Charge d'Affaires to the Spanish Republican Goverment at Valencia and later Barcelona. From 1939 to 1945 he was the very popular Minister to the Central American Republics with the exception of Costa Rica and Panama, with head-quarters in Guatemala. Here in his last year he gave sanctuary for some days in his Legation to the deposed president of Guatemala, General Ubico, and his wife until they could be smuggled out of the country to New Orleans, and by this humanitarian act no doubt saved the fallen dictator's life. For the ensuing four years he was Ambassador to Chile.

Leche was a man of fine and upstanding presence, an excellent Spanish and French scholar, a discerning gourmet and himself a very good cook. His hospitality was proverbial. He was made C.M.G. in 1937 and K.C.M.G. 1n 1949.

He married first in 1916 Amy Violet. daughter of Colonel C. W. Unthank, of Intwood Hall, Norwich, by whom he had one daughter. After her death he married, secondly, Helen Morris, daughter of F. A. Janney, of Philadelphia, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. She died in 1952, and the following year he married Mrs. Helen Margaret Kerrison, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel R. C. Donaldson-Hudson, D.S.O. She died in 1957.

This is a fantastic group and comes with minatures as well as the neck ribbon for the K.C.M.G.

Sir John Leche would have known many famous (and infamous) historical figures, such as Franco and Von-Ribbontrop, its even likely that he might of met Hitler and Mussolini. He would have certainly known all the leaders of the wartime South American countries like Peron.

This will appeal to many collecters, investors and institutions. There is still much research to be undertaken for the eventual owner of this wonderful group.

E-mail for addition pics if required.

Many thanks for your time in reading this. (S.F.A. July 3rd 2007).

Kevin in Deva

Edited July 3, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Jacky]

Wonder what kind the engraving is?

Any pictures of the engravings??

[Kev in Deva]

Hi Jacky

I have sent the seller a message asking about the engraving / naming of the medals. waiting for a reply.

Kevin in Deva

[ccj]

Well the price won't be low when the hammer falls.

Ostensibly a very nice, rare group.

[Kev in Deva]

Seems the seller is to busy contemplating what he will be spending the money on to answer simple questions

Kevin in Deva

[Jacky]

Or the answer may be too complicated for him/her, as one might find the medals UNNAMED, thus any provenance that this group belonged to this particular man may lack!!

They have now added a CMG star, but where is the breast star?? If they have almost all his medals, why not his breaststar of the KCMG? now it's a mere CMG, which might open other possibilities concerning the decorandee.

I'm still wondering whether the group is named, and then whether it's officially engraved or not.

Edited July 6, 2007 by Jacky

[Kev in Deva]

Finally a reply from the seller:

Hi, Sorry I did'nt think to photograph the rims but they are certainly genuine. What exactly do you need to know? I can explain by email any specifics. The medals are back in the bank at present so I will need to get them out again on Monday. Will email you when available.

Regards Steve @ Cotswoldcoinco.

Kevin in Deva

Edited July 7, 2007 by Kev in Deva

[Kev in Deva]

Hi Kevin, Could you please tell us your email address so we can send you the pics of the medals.

The Mons Star is named 2nd Lieut J. H. Leche. 12th Lrs. The BWM and Victory are named as Capt. J. H. Leche 12th Lancers.

We scaned the Mons Star but the photos of the other two are indistinct. But don't worry everything is as it should be.

Regards Steve

Slowly like pulling teeth, the requested information is forthcoming.

The current bid is up to: ?1,070.50

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Picture sent by seller:

The Mons Star is named 2nd Lieut J. H. Leche. 12th Lrs.

Kevin in Deva.

[Kev in Deva]

Final Sale Price for this group was:

?3.000,00 GB. POUNDS OR EUR 4.426,46

Kevin in Deva.