Order of the Indian Empire, Companion Badge, awarded to Colonel C B Stokes, 3rd Skinner's Horse

Gold and enamel badge with suspension ring and dark blue riband. The badge is formed of a gold relief portrait bust of Queen Victoria in a central roundel within a circlet of blue enamel with the inscription, 'Imperatricis Auspiciis' (Under the auspices of the Empress), in gold lettering; on a rose enamelled in red and green, surmounted by a crown.

Colonel Claude Bayfield Stokes (1875-1948) was an Indian army officer and diplomat. He served in India and was an intelligence officer with Dunsterforce during World War One (1914-1918). He commanded the first detachment of the British Army to go to Baku, arriving on 4 August 1918. Stokes was appointed High Commissioner in Transcaucasia from 1920 to 1921.

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire was an order of chivalry established in Queen Victoria's reign, in 1878. Companion (CIE) was the lowest of three classes.

From a collection of orders and medals awarded to Colonel C B Stokes, 3rd Skinner's Horse, 1895-1937 (c).