Staff at Nigel Ward & Co auctioneers are dealing with selling the contents of an historic house.

In the run-up to this sale they have had an extremely interesting time, albeit tinged with sadness, as they received instructions to carry out the clearance of Goytre Hall near Abergavenny, the property having been sold.

Nigel Ward said: ‘‘Out of choice it would have been our decision to conduct an “On the Premises Auction” at the property, however due to urgency, space and weather constraints, the decision was made to remove virtually the entire contents of this historic residence to our salerooms. ‘‘

Goytre Hall was the rural home of The Right Honourable Lord Peter Wynford Innes Rees Q.C.

Lord Rees, it is understood was educated at Stowe, served in the Scots Guards from 1945 to 1948, and later continued his education at Christ Church, Oxford.

In 1953 he was called to the bar and was appointed a Q.C. in 1969. In 1970 he became MP for Dover,.

In 1972 he was made Parliamentary Private Secretary to Geoffrey Howe before joining the executive of the influential 1922 Committee.

In 1979 he took up the post of Minister of State in the Treasury and was Chief Secretary to the Treasury from 1983 to 1985.

In 1987 he was created a Life Peer as Baron Rees of Goytre. He passed away in 2008.

Lord Rees was the only son of Major General Thomas Wynford Rees (also known as Dagger Rees) a Welsh Officer in the British Indian Army, who although only some 5 feet 5 inches tall had a formidable reputation for his brave actions at a time when leaders frequently still led at the front.

He was much decorated being awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross and was mentioned in despatches several times.

Between the wars he served a term as Private Secretary to the Governor of Burma Sir Charles Alexandra Innes, whose daughter Agatha Rosalie Innes he married in 1926.

In World War II he fought in the East Africa Campaign, the North Africa Campaign and the Burma Campaign and was awarded a Bar to his DSO and was mentioned in despatches twice.

The sale of the diverse range of effects from this family home, where the visitor book reveals visits from many a well known personalities, marks the end of an era and bears testimony to the history of the family, their travels and exploits.

Here arises the seldom occurring opportunity to secure a piece of our country’s colourful history.

The sale is being handled by Nigel #Ward & Co Auctioneers of Pontrilas online on February 17 and February 18.

Details of the contents in the sale can be found at www.nigel-ward.co.uk or by calling 01981 240140.

Interested buyers can view items on Thursday, February 16 from 9am to 1pm and from 2pm to 7pm and on the morning of the sale from 8am.