Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Great War ‘Flag Captain’s’ C.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain G. N. Ballard, Royal Navy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, complete with neck cravat in its Garrard & Co Military division case of issue; China 1900, no clasp (Lieut. G. N. Ballard, R.N., H.M.S. Hermione.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Commr. G. N. Ballard, R.N., H.M.S. Philomel; 1914-15 Star (Commr. G. N. Ballard, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. N. Ballard. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, generally very fine or better (8) £600-£800 --- C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 30 June 1919: ‘For valuable services as Flag Captain to the Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands.’ Admiral F. Brock’s recommendation for the C.B.E. states: ‘This officer was, at my request, appointed to Longhope as Flag Captain in 1916, having previously held a command at sea during the war. In a scattered command like that of the Orkneys and Shetlands it was naturally necessary for me to be absent from Longhope during long periods, during which important events might occur. I always felt that, with Cdr Ballard available at the Base, the situation would be satisfactorily dealt with. His duties as Flag Captain were extremely arduous, and undoubtedly largely tended to the efficiency and convenience of the fleet, and the main base of the fleet. I consider that I was fortunate in obtaining the services of an officer of such sound common sense for these duties, which he carried out exceptionally well under most arduous conditions.’ George Norman Ballard was born in London on 17 January 1874, and entered Britannia training ship on 15 January 1887. Appointed Midshipman, February 1889; Sub-Lieutenant, February 1893; Lieutenant, June 1895; Commander, June 1906; Acting Captain, July 1916; Captain (retired), October 1922. He was a Lieutenant in Hermione on the China station from April 1898 to August 1901. He was appointed Lieutenant in command of Zephyr in June 1902, and was held to blame for a collision between Zephyr and Majestic in July 1902, but owing to his inexperience no action was taken. Appointed to the command of Philomel on the East Indies station in September 1911, Ballard was engaged in anti-gunrunning operations in the Persian Gulf and received expression of appreciation of the Indian Government for the manner in which punitive measures on the Tangistan Coast in June 1913 were carried out. He was next in command of Halcyon in the North Sea from August 1914 until July 1916, when he was appointed as Flag Captain to Admiral Brock, Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands, an appointment he held until April 1919. Sold with copied record of service and detailed log of Philomel’s operations on the coast of Tangistan.