A Small Collection of Queen’s South Africa and Queen’s Mediterranean Medals

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Sir George V. Fiddes, G.C.M.G., K.C.B., formerly Political Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, 1900, and afterwards Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (G. V. Fiddes, C.B, Esq. Secty: to C.C.) toned, extremely fine £300-£400 --- G.C.M.G. London Gazette 12 February 1917. K.C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1912. C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1905. K.C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1919. C.B. London Gazette 8 January 1901. George Vandeleur Fiddes was born at Great Yarmouth on 4 September 1858, and was educated at Dulwich College and at Brasenose College, Oxford, where he gained a second-class degree in Classical Moderations in 1879. He entered the Colonial Office in 1881 and was promoted to First Class Clerk in 1896, after long service as private secretary to the Earl of Onslow, Lord Pirbright, and Sir Richard Meade, He went on to be appointed as Imperial Secretary and Accountant to Sir Alfred Milner, High Commissioner for South Africa 1897-1900, and as Political Secretary to the Commander-in-Chief, South Africa, 1900. He was also Secretary to the Transvaal Administration, 1900-02, and returned to the Colonial Office as Principal Clerk in 1902. He became Assistant Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1909, and was Permanent Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies from 1916-21. Sir George Fidddes died on 22 December 1936.