A remarkable collection of medals belonging to Brigadier-General Cecil Faber Aspinall-Oglander has sold for an impressive £30,000 at a Salisbury auction, significantly surpassing initial estimates.
Aspinall-Oglander, who resided at Nunwell Estate in Brading from 1927 until his death in 1959, was one of Sir Ian Hamilton’s most trusted aides during the challenging Gallipoli campaign in World War I. His bravery and leadership were recognised with over a dozen mentions in despatches.
The medal set included several prestigious honours, such as:
- The Most Honourable Order of the Bath
- The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George
- The Distinguished Service Order
- The Delhi Durbar Medal 1911
- The French Legion of Honour
- The Siamese Order of the White Elephant
Known for his military grit, Aspinall-Oglander was a no-nonsense leader. During the Gallipoli campaign, he famously told a severely wounded soldier to remain where he was. When the soldier caught up anyway, Aspinall-Oglander said, “I ordered you not to come.” The soldier replied defiantly, “I can still pull a trigger, sir.”
After retiring to the Isle of Wight, Aspinall-Oglander undertook the significant task of writing the official history of the Gallipoli campaign, completing a work that others had struggled to finish. During World War II, he commanded the 20th (East Wight) Battalion of the Hampshire Home Guard.
The full medal group was auctioned at Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Saleroom on May 1st. Initially expected to sell for between £6,500 and £7,500, the lot far exceeded these predictions, achieving a hammer price of £24,000 plus a £6,000 buyer’s premium, resulting in a total of £30,000.
Originally published by UKNIP.
