1914 Star, 1 Clasp - 5th AUG.-22nd NOV. 1914 (2. LIEUT: R.M. SYNGE. C. GDS:); British War Medal (LIEUT. R.M. SYNGE.); Victory Medal (LIEUT. R.M. SYNGE.); and Japan: Order of the Rising Sun, V Class (in silver with white, green and violet enamels, red glass cabochon on both sides, a 3-5-3 configuration in the Paulonia flowers designating it as V class, measuring 45.5 mm (w) x 72 mm (h) inclusive of its Paulonia flowers and laterally-pierced ball suspension). Naming is officially impressed on the First War Trio. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, dark patina on the BWM, the enamels intact on the Order of the Rising Sun, very light contact, original ribbons, the Mons Clasp having come away from the ribbon, with the stitching on the ribbon remaining in place and the clasp independent of the ribbon, near extremely fine. In their personalized presentation case, pebbled exterior on all sides, inside lid in white satin, padded, maker marked "A.W. Baldwin & Sons LONDON" in gold-coloured ink and recipient stamped in black ink "R.M. SYNGE" above, violet velvet medal medal, wear evident in the fabric overlying the hinged area, case better than very fine.
Footnote: Robert Millington Synge was born on February 26, 1894, the son of Francis Julian Synge and Mary Auchmuty Tucker. He was educated at Eton College, Windsor, Berkshire and at Trinity College, Oxford University, Oxford, Oxfordshire. Synge was a Cadet and was to be 2nd Lieutenant, the announcement appearing in the London Gazette 28879 of Tuesday, August 25, 1914, page 6698. He was confirmed in the rank of 2nd Lieutenant with the Coldstream Guards, Supplementary to Regular Units or Corps, the announcement appearing in the London Gazette 28945 of Tuesday, October 20, 1914, page 8402. 2nd Lieutenant Robert Millington Synge, Coldstream Guards, disembarked for service in the European theatre on October 13, 1914 and while in action, was wounded twice. He concluded his First World War service in the rank of Lieutenant. His Index Card confirms that he was entitled to the 1914 Star with Mons Clasp, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. After the war, he became a Captain with the Coldstream Guards. Captain Robert Millington Synge, Coldstream Guards (Special Reserve) is acknowledged under the heading "Decorations Conferred by His Majesty the Emperor of Japan", as having been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, V Class, the announcement appearing in the Fifth Supplement to the London Gazette 32201 of Tuesday, January 18, 1921, on Friday, January 21, 1921, page 573. He married Christabel Etrenne Liddell, the daughter of Charles Lyon Liddell and Margaret Emily Gresham Leveson-Gower, on July 25, 1922, the couple later having three children: Pamela Mary Synge (May 16, 1923 - July 31, 1987), Allen John Millington Synge February 15, 1930 - February 23, 2007) and Gillian Frances Synge (July 1, 1933 - ). Robert Millington Synge died on May 2, 1964, at the age of 70.