Lot 674
674
A Rare Burma Operations Gold D.S.O. Group of Six to Brevet-Major T.P. Cather, Royal Engineers, Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel; Afghanistan 1878-80, three clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (Lieut., R.E.); Kabul to Kandahar Star (Lieutt., Royal Engrs.); Egypt, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Capt., R.E.); India General Service 1854-95, two clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 [Last clasp loose on riband] (Captn., Rl. Engrs.); Khedive's Star 1884-6, the first with slightly chipped central wreaths and brooch-pin fitment to reverse of upper suspension bar, otherwise generally good very fine or better (6)
A Rare Burma Operations Gold D.S.O. Group of Six to Brevet-Major T.P. Cather, Royal Engineers, Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel; Afghanistan 1878-80, three clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (Lieut., R.E.); Kabul to Kandahar Star (Lieutt., Royal Engrs.); Egypt, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Capt., R.E.); India General Service 1854-95, two clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 [Last clasp loose on riband] (Captn., Rl. Engrs.); Khedive's Star 1884-6, the first with slightly chipped central wreaths and brooch-pin fitment to reverse of upper suspension bar, otherwise generally good very fine or better (6)

Details
A Rare Burma Operations Gold D.S.O. Group of Six to Brevet-Major T.P. Cather, Royal Engineers, Distinguished Service Order, V.R., gold and enamel; Afghanistan 1878-80, three clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (Lieut., R.E.); Kabul to Kandahar Star (Lieutt., Royal Engrs.); Egypt, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Capt., R.E.); India General Service 1854-95, two clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 [Last clasp loose on riband] (Captn., Rl. Engrs.); Khedive's Star 1884-6, the first with slightly chipped central wreaths and brooch-pin fitment to reverse of upper suspension bar, otherwise generally good very fine or better (6)

Lot Essay

D.S.O. London Gazette 26.11.1886 'For services in Burma'.
Brevet-Major Thomas Plunket Cather, D.S.O., was born in County Mayo in August 1850 and gazetted to the Royal Engineers as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1871. Arriving in India in late 1874, he witnessed extensive action in the Second Afghan War, first as an Assistant Field Engineer with 2nd Division, Peshawur Valley Field Force and in the Kurrum Valley Field Force, and latterly, under Roberts, in the march from Kabul to Kandahar, in the action of Charasia and in the final operations around Kandahar. Cather was thrice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 4.5.1880 and 3.12.1880 refer). Posted to the Sudan in March 1885, he raised and commanded, with the rank of Captain, a 'Special Corps of Labourers' at Suakin, but was shortly afterwards ordered to Burma. Cather was several times 'Mentioned' for his subsequent services in that Theatre of War, first by General Prendergast (London Gazette 22.6.1886 refers), then by the Governor-General of India in May 1886, and latterly by Sir George White on two occasions (London Gazettes 2.9.1887 and 15.11.1889 refer). Moreover, 'had he survived, his name would have been submitted to Her Majesty for the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel', in addition to the award of his D.S.O. (London Gazette 12.11.1889 refers). As it was, he died of fever in Mandalay in July 1889, having been given the Brevet of Major back in July 1887.