Portrait in Oils (c.1946): Major-General Ronald Cardew Duncan C.I.E., M.V.O., O.B.E., Commandant Jodhpur State Forces 1939-45, late Commandant 2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force)

The portrait is signed (named indistinct) and dated 1946

The dimensions  of the gilded wooden and plaster frame are approx:

Length: 81cm

Width: 68cm

Weight once packaged will be 'from' 10kg

The portrait shows the subject wearing the uniform of Major-General & Commandant of the Jodhpur State Forces. Note the distinctive 'pale blue; collar tabs, or 'Gorgets', the Jodhpur State Forces being one of the few if not the only Princely State Force to wear such collar tabs. He wears Major-General rank insignia on his shoulders, and Jodhpur State Forces pattern gilt buttons. The 12 x medal ribbons, are those worn in 1946 (he was later awarded a final medal in 1953, vis the Coronation Medal 1953). Behind the Major-Generals right shoulder is the distinctive features of the famous Mehrangarh Fort at Jodhpur, which together with date of painting might suggest a painting by a British India portrait artist

The recipient wrote the official history of the Jodhpur State Forces in the Second World War- which book is accessible for download

Major General Duncan's full medal entitlement was:

- C.I.E.: LG 13/06/46 (Lt-Col Ronald Cardew Duncan M.V.O., O.B.E. Commandant. Jodhpur State Forces)
- M.V.O.:  03/06/29 'In charge of Indian Orderly Officers in attendance on King George V
- O.B.E. (Military Division). 1st type breast badge H/M: LG 10/06/21 for 'Waziristan Operations'  
- IGS 1908 & 5 x clasps 'NWF 1908' 'Af NWF 1919' 'Waz 19-21' & 'NWF 1930-31': Who's Who confirm all
- 1914-15 Star: Awarded for service on North West Frontier in 1915 (refer IA List 'War Services')
- British War Medal: WO 372/6/114774. MIC confirms 1914-15 Star Trio issued by Gov't of India
- Allied Victory Medal. With 'MID' Oakleaves: MID's for Mespot 27/08/1918 & 12/01/1920 Brevet Major
- War Medal: 28 Days uniformed service 1939-45. Commandant Jodhpur State Forces 1939-45
- India Service Medal: 28 Days uniformed service 1939-45. Commandant Jodhpur State Forces WW2
- Jubilee Medal 1935: Medal Roll held on open shelves of The National Archives refer
- Coronation Medal 1937: Medal Roll held on open shelves of The National Archives refer
- Coronation Medal 1953: Was 'Gold Staff Officer' Medal Roll held on open shelves at TNA refer
- Nepal (Kingdom) The Most Refulgent Order of the Star of Nepal (3rd Class). Invested 30/01/1935

Unique: The recipient Major-General R. C. Duncan, C.I.E., M.V.O., O.B.E. is confirmed as being the only British, British Empire or Commonwealth person to have been awarded this combination of 13 x Orders, Medals & clasps, that includes an EDVII issue IGS 1908 with 5 x clasps, and the Third Class 'Nepal Tara' 

The below following biographical entry, appeared in the 'Who's Who' 1962 edition:

Quote,

DUNCAN, Lt.-Col. Ronald. Cardew, C.I.E. 1946 ; M.V.O. 1929 : O.B.E. ; late 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (F.F.) ; Maj.-Gen. Jodhpur State Forces; b. 9 September 1886 ; s. of Lieutenant-General J. Duncan : m. 1921, Brenda, d. of W. R. Davies, J.P., Camberley; one d. (one s. died of wounds).

Educ.; Wellington College ; Sandhurst. 2nd Lieut. 5th Gurkha Rifles. 1905 ; Captain, 1914 ; Bt. Major, 1918 ; Major, 1920 ; Lt.Col., 1981; Adjutant, 1913-16; served operations on N.W. Frontier India, 1908 (medal and clasp) ; European "War, 1914-18 ; Mesopotamia, G.S.0.3, 13th Division; Bde. Major, 42nd and 7th Infantry Brigades; G.S.0.2, G.H.Q. (despatches twice, Bt. Major, 1914-15 star, General Service medal, Victory medal) ; Brigade Major, 68th and 69th Infantry Brigades, Afghanistan, 1919 (clasp) ; Waziristan, 1919-21 (despatches, O.B.E., two clasps) ; N.W. Frontier, 1930 (clasp) ; Assistant Military Secretary, Northern Command, India, 1924 - 26 ; Brigade Major, Ambala Brigade, 1926-28 ; Officer in chari of King's Indian Orderly Officers, 1929 (M.V.O.) ; attached to Nepalese Mission to England, 1934 ; Star of Nepal, 3rd class ; Commandant Jodhpur State Forces, 1936-47 ; Hon. Col. 2nd Jodhpur Infantry, 1940-47 Member Chelsea Borough Council, 1949-56. Gold Staff Officer at Coronation, 1953. Has appeared in a number of films including: Three Cases of Murder, Front Page Story, Dangerous Voyage, Storm over the Nile, Touch and Go, Secret Tent, Seven Years in Tibet, Brothers-in-Law, Lucky Jim, North West Frontier. The Trials of Oscar Wilde. Publications: Letters of a Soldier to his Son ; Some Like the Hills ; The Large Sapphire ; Tomu from Tibet and other Dog Stories. Address: 2 Markham Street, Chelsea, S.W.3. T.: Kensington 3560 ; Rivermead Cottage, Shiplake-on-Thames, Oxon. T. : Wargrave 258

Unquote.

Dublin, Ireland, born Ronald Cardew Duncan, came from  a highly distinguished Indian Army family. Ronald was the son of Officiating Lieutenant-General John Duncan, an Indian Mutiny regimental veteran officer of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers who died at Poona, India in 1898 as Officiating General Officer Commanding Bombay Command. The main road from Poona to Kirkee was named Duncan Road after him, and three of his sons followed their father into the army. Major General H.C. Duncan was in the 9th Gurkha Rifles, Col. R.C. Duncan in the 5th Royal Gurkha Rifles (F.F.) and Major General Sir John Duncan served on the North West Frontier in the Royal Scots Fusiliers

Lieutenant John Andrew Cardew Duncan, Kings Company. 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, the Eton College educated only son of Major-General Ronald Cardew Duncan, 'Died-of-Wounds' during the battle and liberation of Aalten, Netherlands. A companion portrait of Lieutenant Duncan by the same artist is being sold separately on this website
 
In overall good condition. The frame has one small chip to top left plaster of frame - & opine easily coloured over - otherwise appears good

Reverse of frame with cable hanger attached to screw-in eyes on either side of frame

This item is not suitable for overseas delivery (unless buyer makes all their own courier arrangements)

Shipping quoted at check-out - is estimated / approximate, and reflects the bulk and special packaging materials that will be required to forward this item using Parcelforce service in the United Kingdom. 'If' he final cost exceeds the estimate amount quoted, the buyer will be invoiced for any additional amount

This item is sold as found and is not subject to any returns 

Condition: Used & Good (a/f)

Code: 26119