A Fine Great War D.S.O. Group of Seven to The Reverend J.L.O.B. Findlay, Royal Army Chaplains Department, Who Was Attached to the 2nd Grenadiers in the Pursuit of De Wet and Latterly the Senior Chaplain of the Royal Tank Corps: In Retirement He Penned His Autobiography, "Fighting Padre"

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A Fine Great War D.S.O. Group of Seven to The Reverend J.L.O.B. Findlay, Royal Army Chaplains Department, Who Was Attached to the 2nd Grenadiers in the Pursuit of De Wet and Latterly the Senior Chaplain of the Royal Tank Corps: In Retirement He Penned His Autobiography, "Fighting Padre"

(a) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel
(b) Queen's South Africa, five clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Rev., C. to F.)
(c) 1914 Star, with bar (Rev., A.C.D.)
(d) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaf (Rev.)
(e) Greece, Order of the Redeemer, Fifth Class breast Badge, silver gilt and enamel
(f) Italy, War Cross, (a) with slightly chipped wreaths, (b) with re-affixed suspension, (e) badly chipped and with loose centres, otherwise generally about very fine or better, mounted as worn (7)

Lot Essay

D.S.O. London Gazette 3.6.1918.

The Reverend J.L.O.B. Findlay, D.S.O., was attached to the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards and served in the Harrismith District from March 1901 until the end of the War. He was recommended for an award by the senior Church of England Chaplain who mentioned him for 'Devotion to duty and conspicuous ability as a Chaplain' (War Office records refer).

Findlay was a Chaplain to the Forces from 1901 to 1925. During the Great War he took part in the retreat from Mons with French's "Contemptible Little Army" as a Chaplain in the 2nd Infantry Brigade and was later present at the Battle of Festubert. Following the Battle of Loos where he found himself 'mainly taking cover, hiding behind hillocks or in sunken roads; disgusted with myself when I saw gallant fellows pressing on and on' (Fighting Padre refers), he left France and served for the remainder of the War in Salonika and with the Army of the Black Sea. Created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Service Order, awarded two Foreign Orders and Mentioned in Despatches four times, he became the Principal Chaplain in Constantinople in 1920 and the Senior Chaplain of the Tank Corps between 1920-23. Fighting Padre is a lively and detailed autobiography which deals extensively with his military career.