A Great War ‘Army of the Black Sea’ O.B.E. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. Ainley, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (68841 Cpl., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (loose) (Lt. Col.); Serbia, Medal for Zeal, silvered bronze (68841 Sergt. R. Ainley, R.E.) good very fine (5) £300-400

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in the Balkans, and with the Army of the Black Sea’. ‘Lieut. (T./Lieut.-Col.) Gen. List’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 September 1919.

Serbia, Medal for Zeal London Gazette 9 March 1917. ‘68841 Corporal (acting Serjeant), Inland Water Transport, Royal Engineers’

Richard Ainley was born in Headingley, Leeds on 24 November 1881 and was educated at Blundell’s Preparatory, Morley and Headingley College, Leeds. Living at Preston, he enlisted on 6 April 1915, aged 32 years, 4 months. A Dock Inspector by occupation, he had previously served 5 years with the 14th King’s Hussars. As a Corporal in the Inland Water Transport Department of the Royal Engineers, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war in February 1915 and was in Serbia in November 1915. For his services there he was awarded the Serbian Medal for Zeal; his medal being presented at Salonika in December 1916. Ainley was discharged to a commission in the I.W.T. on 16 March 1917, being promoted to Temporary Lieutenant and Acting Captain from November 1917. He attained the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1918 and was employed as Assistant Director of Waterways. In 1919 he served at Constantinople as part of the Army of the Black Sea. He relinquished is appointment as Assistant Director and the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1919 and was struck off the strength of the Army of the Black Sea on 6 December 1919. For his services with the Army of the Black Sea, Ainley was mentioned in despatches and awarded the O.B.E. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers.