Territorial Decoration of Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur O'Brien Ffrench Blake, 10th Battalion (Yeomanry), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment)

Silver medal with an open-work royal cypher for King George V, 'GRV', surmounted by a crown, within an oval oak wreath; suspended from a green ribbon with a vertical yellow stripe in the centre.

The Territorial Decoration was a long and efficient service awarded to Territorial Force and the Territorial Army personnel for a minimum of 20 years commissioned service, with service in the ranks counting half and war service counting double.

During World war One (1914-1918) Lieutenant-Colonel Ffrench Blake served as a Squadron Commander with the Royal East Kent Yeomanry at Gallipoli ('W' Beach, Cape Helles), and then in Egypt and Palestine.

He was transferred to command 2/5 Battalion Hampshire Regiment in April 1918 and in August 1/4 Battalion Wiltshire Regiment.

From a medal group awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur O'Brien Ffrench Blake, 10th Battalion (Yeomanry), The Buffs (East Kent Regiment).

From the collection of the former Buffs Regimental Museum.