Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Lot 3893    Session 15 (7.30pm Thursday)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Australian Groups

Estimate $9,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $8,500

TRIO: Egypt Medal 1882-89, (undated reverse), - clasp - Suakin 1885; Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, - two clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State; Khedive's Star 1884-6. Capt: L.H.Kyngdon, N.S.W.Infy. on first medal, Capt. L.H.Kyngdon, N.S.W.Art: on second medal last medal unnamed as issued. First medal engraved, second medal impressed. Court mounted, one ribbon short and one with stain mark, contact marks on first two medals, otherwise very fine.

Ex Chris Thomas Collection.

Leslie Herbert Kyngdon was born on 10Jul1860 at Exeter, Somerset, England, the son of a medical doctor. His family emigrated to Sydney in 1878. On 30Jun1880 he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the New South Wales Volunteer Forces being promoted to Lieutenant in 1881 and Captain in 1884. During his service in Soudan in 1885 he served as Captain commanding D Coy NSW Infy Bn and participated in the advance on Tamai. On 12Nov1885 he transferred to the permanent forces, NSW Artillery, as Lieutenant with promotion to Captain in 1891. In 1896 he was on 6-months detachment to the Royal Artillery in England and upon his return he was appointed Adjutant, 2nd Garrison Division.

He was released for service in South Africa as a Special Service Officer with the Royal Artillery from January to December 1900 and then served in Cape Colony and the Orange River Colony. On his return he served in 1902-5 as Staff Officer in Queensland, Western Australia and NSW being promoted to Major in February 1905. He then held the following positions - Commander of Thursday Island in 1906-8; Company Officer in RAA NSW 1908-9; Commander RAA (Coastal Defences) in Queensland then Victoria and finally NSW in 1912-16 being promoted to Lt Colonel in November 1910; promoted Colonel in April 1916; Inspector of Coastal Defences until June 1919 when he became temporary Chief of Ordnance; placed on Retired List in November 1919 with honorary rank of Brigadier General.

Much respected by all who met him, Kyngdon was nicknamed 'Gruffy'. In his biography there is mention of his pet dog, a bitch named Nettle. The dog would sleep at the entrance to the officers' mess until the last officer arrived home and then go and wake up her master who would note the time. The next morning Kyngdon would seek out the tiredest looking of his officers and ask why he had stayed out so late the night before. He never married and after retirement lived at the Athenaeum Club, Melbourne until his death on 11Apr1923 at Mount St Evins Hospital, Fitzroy. He was buried at Brighton Cemetery.

With research including Officer's Record of Service.