A post-War K.C.M.G., Second War C.B.E. group of nine awarded to Sir A. John Gardener, H.M. D...

A post-War K.C.M.G., Second War C.B.E. group of nine awarded to Sir A. John Gardener, H.M. Diplomatic Service, who served as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Garrison Artillery during the Great War, and as a Political Officer (with the rank of Colonel) during the Second World War in the Syrian Campaign; he later served as Ambassador to Afghanistan and Syria The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, K.C.M.G. Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; and breast Star, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, with gold retaining pin, with both full and miniature width neck ribands, in Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co., London, case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (2. Liut. A. J. Gardener.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, good very fine and better (10) £1,800-£2,200 --- K.C.M.G. London Gazette 10 June 1954: Alfred John Gardener, Esq., C.M.G., C.B.E., Her Majesty’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Damascus. C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1949: Alfred John Gardener, Esq., C.B.E., Head of the Establishment and Organisation Department of the Foreign Office. C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1944: Alfred John Gardener, Esq., His Majesty’s Consul at Shiraz. Sir (Alfred) John Gardener was born in Exeter on 6 February 1897 and was educated at Heles School, Exeter, and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He attested for the Army Service Corps in 1916, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from that year, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery (Special Reserve) on 31 August 1917. He joined the Consular Service in 1920, and served in various posts in the inter-War years in South Persia, Morocco, Syria, and the United States of America. In June 1941 Gardener served as Political Officer during the Syrian Campaign with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was subsequently promoted Colonel. Post-War he served in the Foreign Officer from 1946 to 1949, before being appointed H.M. Ambassador to Afghanistan 1949-51, and to Syria 1953-56. He retired in 1957 and was appointed a Justice of the Peace in Devon in 1959. He died on 16 March 1985.