Lot 3653

Description

Sporting medals, (1895-1918), includes fob type in silver (28x29mm), with suspension loop, obverse, crossed oars on a wreath all on a shield background, inscribed, 'St Ign. Col' at top and '1895' at bottom, reverse inscribed, 'Treble Sculls/Juniors/G. Garvan'; cross style in silver (27.5x38mm), with suspension loop, obverse, elaborate central design featuring a wreath with shield in centre for engraving initials, reverse, crossed oars on a wreath, inscribed above, 'St Ign. Coll./Rowing Club', at sides, 'June/1895', at bottom, 'Junior Championship/Gerald U.Garvan'; cross style in silver (35x40mm), with suspension loop, obverse, central spade shaped shield for engraving initials, reverse, inscribed, 'School Pairs/Over 12/Won by/G.Garvan.'; medal in gilt with crossed oars as suspension (30x35mm), obverse inscribed, 'St Ign: Col:/Regatta 1896./College Fours/G.Garvan.', reverse, plain; Head Of The River Races badge, in silvered and enamel (approx 31x30mm), pin back, by Stokes & Sons, Melbourne; Athletic Association of the Great Public Schools of N.S.W., medal in bronze (51mm), by W.J.Amor, reverse inscribed, '1900/440 Yds/G.U. Garvan/S.G.S.'; also Aldershot Command Athletic Association, medal in silver (35mm), with suspension loop, obverse, King's crown in centre with wreath around, reverse, Command/Annual Athletic/Championships/August 1918/(inscribed) 'Throwing Mills Bomb/Lt G U Garvan'/Winner/(inscribed) '4th Res Dragoons'. The gilt issue and the last in cases, good very fine -nearly uncirculated. (7)

The St Ignatius College, Riverview, College Fours (senior pupils) was raced on the Lane Cove River on a course one mile long from the flag to the college wharf. The winning team was H.Cullinane, G.Garvan, T.Dillon, and E.D'Apice (stroke).

Gerald Ulick Garvan was the son of the late James Garvan and Mrs Mary G.Garvan of Buyuma, Bellevue Hill, Sydney. His father was at one time Minister for Justice and later Colonial Treasurer, also founder of Citizens' Life Insurance Coy that later became Mutual Life & Citizens' Insurance Coy. Gerald was in the Great Britain armed forces. He was awarded a Military Cross (London Gazette 24 August 1917, Yeo, attd S. Lanc. R). His younger brother, Lt E.W.Garvan, twice Mentioned in Despatches, was killed in action. Gerald had two brothers and six sisters, among them being a sister Claire who was awarded an OBE having been in charge of the Red Cross motor service in Sydney throughout the period of the war and demobilisation. His oldest brother Sir John Garvan was Managing Director of the MLC, a member of the Federal Board of Note Issue, Chairman of the Federal Break of Gauge Commission inquiring into the best scheme for uniform rail gauge for Australia, and also Chairman of the Commonwealth Bank.

Gerald Garvan died at Bordeaux, France on 18 February 1931.

See also lot 3656.