The Great War and I.G.S.M. ‘Waziristan 1919-21’ Group of 4 awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Gerald Bruce St. Pierre Bunbury, 2-21st Punjabi Regiment, late 13th Rajputs, Indian Army, who served in the East Africa campaign during the Great War and was wounded in action at the Battle of Tanga in early November 1914, comprising: 1914-15 Star (Maj. G. B. St. P. Bunbury, 13/Rajputs.); British War and Victory Medals, 1914-1919 (Major G.B. St.P. Bunbury.); India General Service, 1908-35, single clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (Major G.B. St.P. Bunbury, 2-21 Pjbis.); Group loose, with original named cardboard boxes of issue, and a matching set of miniatures, lightly toned, good extremely fine (8) Lieutenant-Colonel Gerald Bruce St.Pierre Bunbury (1883-1954) was born on 21 March 1883 in Woolwich, London, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel William St.Pierre Bunbury and his wife Lilian Bunbury (ne Ramsay). In 1901 he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned into the 13th Rajputs (The Shekhawati Regiment), Indian Army on 18 January 1902. Having seen service in India and in Hong Kong, he served as a Captain in the Great War with the 13th Rajputs, which formed part of the Indian Expeditionary Force B which was sent to engage the German locally trained forces based in German East Africa. Landing at Tanga late at night on 2 November 1914, during the early fighting the next day the Rajputs lost 5 officers to accurate German machine gun fire, which killed their Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel H. W. Codrington. Given these heavy losses to their officers, it is likely that much of the burden of command fell on Captain Bunbury and the remaining officers. Despite some remarkable instances of gallantry and coolness under fire, the attack at Tanga was not a success, and ultimately led to a fighting withdrawal from the original landing area on 5 November. Bunbury, who was wounded at Tanga, continued to serve with the 13th Rajputs and served in Waziristan in 1919-20, for which he received the I.G.A. with clasp. Bunbury was promoted from Major to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1928 before retiring on 17 March 1931. In his personal life he was married to Frances Mary Olivia Dixon daughter of Francis Peter Dixon J.P. (of Cumberland), with whom he had one son, Francis Ramsey St Pierre Bunbury (born 16 June 1910, later Brigadier). He died on 19 June 1954 and was buried in Frimley, Surrey. For the medals to his father and brother, see lots 810 and 831.

Estimate: GBP 200-300