A Great War ‘East African operations’ O.B.E., M.C. group of five awarded to Captain H. Carpenter, South African Service Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, reverse additionally engraved, ‘H. Carpenter, M.C. 1918’; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Lt., S.A.S.C.-M.T.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.) very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Late Bruce C Cazel Collection of British Campaign Awards.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 7 February 1919. ‘... for valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in East Africa’.

M.C. London Gazette 3 March 1917. ‘Capt., S.African, A.S.C.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He has at all times displayed great devotion to duty and enabled the troops to be fed at a critical time’.

Correction to the above in London Gazette 18 July 1917. ‘Capt., S.A.S. Corps’ ‘For conspicuous initiative and resource. He has consistently rendered invaluable service, and was responsible for providing food supply throughout a critical period’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 February 1917; 31 January 1919.

Henry Carpenter, a Motor Engineer by occupation, attested on 11 November 1914 as a Mechanic for service in German South West Africa. During 1915 he held the rank of Sergeant-Major and was later commissioned a Lieutenant. On completion of the German South West Africa campaign he was demobilised. Later the same year Carpenter attested for service in German East Africa and embarked on the S.S. Trent on 17 December 1917, arriving in East Africa on 23 December. Initially attached to the 2nd South African Ambulance for transport duties, in March 1916 he was appointed Motor Transport Officer with the Ammunition Column. Carpenter was promoted to Captain in September 1916. After a period of service in South Africa, December 1916-June 1917, he returned to British East Africa and was appointed Inspector of Mechanical Transport. In November 1917 he arrived at Lindi and took over the duties as Senior Motor Transport Officer, a post he held until December 1918 when he returned to South Africa. He was released from service on 10 January 1919. For his services during the war in East Africa he was awarded the O.B.E. and M.C.

With copied service papers, gazette extracts and other research including photographs.