A VERY UNUSUAL O.B.E. Civil. 1914-15 Star Trio,(Bi-Lingual Victory) 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, War Medal & Coronation 1937.

To: Sgt H.D.SUTHERNS, 1st INFANTRY.
1st SOUTH AFRICAN INFANTRY IN THE GREAT WAR
1st South African Infantry Regiment
Agagiya, Egypt 1916
Somme 1916 Delville Wood
Le Transloy, Arras 1917
Scarpe 1917
Ypres 1917
Menin Road, Lys
Messines 1918
Kemmel 1918
Hindenburg Line, Cambrai 1918
Selle, France and Flanders 1916–1918

Later District Commissioner of Internal Affairs (Rhodesia)
Mr Sutherns was a close friend of IAN SMITH.

AN UNUSUAL medal group awarded to Rhodesian Internal Affairs District Commissioner, Hugh Sutherns OBE. Consisting of OBE, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, (Bi-Lingual) Victory Medal. To: Sjt H.D. Sutherns 1st Infantry. 1937 Geroge VI Coronation medal, Italy Star, 1939-45 Star and 1939-45 War Medal. Original case to O.B.E. Black military beret with the Rhodesian Lion hat badge and a plaque with Crest of Internal Affairs, Engraved: "Hugh Sutherns, District Commissioner Rhodesia 1949 to 1979"

Hugh Sutherns was a high office member of Rhodesia`s Internal Affairs department when in 1965 Mr Ian Smith declared UDI (Unilateral Declaration of Independence).

Rhodesia had formerly been a self governing British colony. However UDI was not recognized by the British Govenment who refused to accept the declaration. During this famous period of bitter dispute with the British Government, Sutherns and his department was highly active in the protection of Smith and the new government, shielding it from internal up risings and espionage and importantly protecting it from the spying agents of the suspicious British Government.

£745