Lord Brabourne, Governor of Bengal, a fine presentation photograph with his wife

Lord Brabourne, GCSI, GCIE, MC. Photographed as Governor of Bengal, 1939, wearing the robe, chain and insignia of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India with his wife, Doreen, Lady Brabourne. The large double portrait photograph [11½ x 8½ ins] is signed Doreen, Feb 1939 and is double mounted, the outer one of which is signed Johnston & Hoffmann, Calcutta. It is framed in contemporary hard wood [19 x 14ins overall] fitted on the reverse with wooden strut stand, rings for hanging, and leather wall protectors. The arched top has a gilt brass monogram BD beneath a baron’s coronet. Michael Knatchbull-Hugesson [he dropped the Hugesson], 5th Baron Brabourne [1895 – 1939] served WW1 in the Royal Artillery and in the RAF, was mentioned in despatches several times, and awarded a Military Cross when serving in the Daradanelles. He married Lady Doreen Browne, daughter of the 6th Marquess of Sligo and their second son [7th baron] married Lady Patricia Mountbatten. In the absence of the Viceroy Lord Linlithgow in England Brabourne was briefly acting Governor General. He had previously been Governor of Bombay. Doreen, Lady Brabourne, CI, is  seated in a throne chair next to her husband and is wearing her Imperial Order of the Crown of India [awarded only to women], the British War Medal and Jubilee and Coronation medals. The signature and date are particularly poignant as Lord Brabourne died in office on the 23rd February The photograph seems never to have been removed from the frame because the 20 screws holding the back in place appear completely untouched since they were put together. may12/8