British Red Cross Society Balkan War Medal Montenegro Novelist Arthur Joyce Lunel Cary

An Important British Red Cross Society Balkan War 1912-13 Montenegro Birmingham 1912 silver hallmarked medal inscribed 'A.J. L.CARY:
Awarded to the Anglo-Irish Novelist and Political Officer Arthur Joyce Lunel Cary, known as Joyce Cary, he published his experiences during the Balkan War in his book 'Memoir of the Bobotes' in 1964. Very good condition, complete with original pin fittings, silk ribbon and contained in its original velvet lined fitted leather case.

Arthur Joyce Lunel Cary was born 1880 in Derry, Ulster. He was educated at Trinity College Oxford and in 1912 seeking adventure he volunteered his services as a stretcher-bearer during the Balkan War to the British Red Cross. During his time there he kept an illustrated record of his experiences, which was published after his death, Memoir of the Bobotes. Returning to England after a year in Montenegro, he joined the Nigerian political service and during the Great War served with a Nigerian regiment fighting in the German colony of Kamerun. This would inspire his short story "Umaru" published in 1921. In 1916 he was wounded at Mount Mora. Surviving the war he remained in Nigeria as a Political Officer, and in the late 1930’s became a film maker, this he continued during the Second World War. By the time of his death in 1957, he was recognised as one of the leading novelists in the world with an extensive list of books and films to his credit, his birthplace in Derry was in 2009 honoured with an Ulster History Circle Blue Plaque.

Code: 71012