AN ULTRA SCARCE, & GREATLY INTERESTING VOLUNTEER OFFICER’S “COLONIAL & DOMINION” DECORATION
with the rare “VRI” MONOGRAM.
This is an incredibly scarce officer’s Colonial & Dominion Volunteer Officer’s Decoration with the almost never seen “VRI” Royal Monogram Initials variety.
(Normally just “VR” on the common British home version)
Awarded & Officially Engraved to:
SURGEON-MAJOR, G.F. DANSEY. MED STAFF CORPS 1867-95.
(George Frederick Dansey, M.R.C.S. England 1852)
Medical Health Officer for City of Sydney, 1869-1888.
Surgeon for The Sydney Battalion, Volunteer Rifles. 17th January 1874.
Of East Cleveland Street, Redfern, Sydney, NSW.
This is Major Dansey’s only medal entitlement.
He was born in Blandford Forum, Dorset in 1831.
He was initially married in the U.K. in May 1850 at Westminster, London as a 29 year old medical student, to a Miss Rebecca Mary Anne Carter who we believe was a house servant working in the residence where he lodged while at medical school. Ms Carter was illiterate.
The marriage produced a son and a daughter.
However the marriage failed after 12 years in 1862 due to his wife’s alleged multiple infidelity.
Dr Dansey filed for divorce in 1862 with the case being served as:
Dansey V Dansey, Schermer, Skinner & Chiner.
(Pauper Cause)
It’s pretty clear from surviving court papers that Dr George Dansey was in a bit of bother with the courts as he was apparently in default of a court order for maintenance or some type of post-matrimonial upkeep costs for his ex-wife who after the divorce is seen residing in the Chelsea work house, and a bench arrest warrant was issued for him.
The Poor Law Union Gazette from 1862-64 further stated that they were looking for Dr Dansey and a 20/- (£1) reward was offered for information as to his whereabouts. His ex-wife was without financial support as a resident of St Luke’s Workhouse, Chelsea.
She died, apparently of syphilis in the infirm womens’ block in 1864 two years after the court case.
Dr Dansey had clearly decided to entirely absent himself from the issue and promptly emigrated to Australia.
He then served there in the medical profession for many years, 18 of which were as an Army staff corps operative surgeon with the Australian & Colonial forces, which qualified him for this award.
He was based in Sydney, Australia and attained the rank of Surgeon-Lieutenant Colonel by the time he retired from Army service. He died age 83 in Sydney on 31st July 1914 (*just 4 days before the declaration of The Great War) and rests at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney in section AAA, Row 30.
An excellent & greatly interesting item which comes with a fascinating history and exceptional paperwork derived by our research team from various UK & NSW archives.
The exceptional papers include a copy of Lt/Col Dansey’s hand written last will & testament made in 1909.
The award is hallmarked “T” (London 1894) with makers mark “Crowned JG” (James Garrard)
As Struck with original ribbon & silver oak leaf top clasp.
A RARE ITEM
SOLD (EXPORT)
It’s pretty clear from surviving court papers that Dr George Dansey was in a bit of bother with the courts as he was apparently in default of a court order for maintenance or some type of post-matrimonial upkeep costs for his ex-wife who after the divorce is seen residing in the Chelsea work house, and a bench arrest warrant was issued for him.
The Poor Law Union Gazette from 1862-64 further stated that they were looking for Dr Dansey and a 20/- (£1) reward was offered for information as to his whereabouts. His ex-wife was without financial support as a resident of St Luke’s Workhouse, Chelsea.
She died, apparently of syphilis in the infirm womens’ block in 1864 two years after the court case.
Dr Dansey had clearly decided to entirely absent himself from the issue and promptly emigrated to Australia.
He then served there in the medical profession for many years, 18 of which were as an Army staff corps operative surgeon with the Australian & Colonial forces, which qualified him for this award.
He was based in Sydney, Australia and attained the rank of Surgeon-Lieutenant Colonel by the time he retired from Army service. He died age 83 in Sydney on 31st July 1914 (*just 4 days before the declaration of The Great War) and rests at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney in section AAA, Row 30.
An excellent & greatly interesting item which comes with a fascinating history and exceptional paperwork derived by our research team from various UK & NSW archives.
The exceptional papers include a copy of Lt/Col Dansey’s hand written last will & testament made in 1909.
The award is hallmarked “T” (London 1894) with makers mark “Crowned JG” (James Garrard)
As Struck with original ribbon & silver oak leaf top clasp.
A RARE ITEM
SOLD (EXPORT)