A Second World War M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Harold “Polly” Parrott, Indian Army, late Somerset Light Infantry

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War Medal 1914-20 (8944 Pte., Som. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (8994 Sgt., 2 Bn. Som. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War and India Service Medals; Jubilee 1935, these unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (S-Condr., I.A.O.C.) mounted for display, some contact marks, very fine and better (13)
£300-360

M.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943. ‘Captain (temporary Major), Indian Army Ordnance Corps’

Harold Parrott was born in Gibraltar on 3 September 1892, the son of Patrick and Martha Parrott. A Weaver by occupation, he enlisted into the 4th Battalion East Lancashire (T.F.) on 17 February 1909 and thence attested for the 1st Battalion Liverpool Regiment on 15 November 1909. He transferred to the 1st Battalion Somerset Light Infantry in March 1910. In September 1911 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion and was posted to Tientsin on peace keeping duties during the Chinese Revolution, 1911-12. In October 1913 he was posted to India, subsequently serving in the operations on the N.W. Frontier during 1919. Promoted to Sub-Conductor in August 1923; he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1928 and Jubilee Medal in 1935. On 7 November 1935 he was advanced to Conductor and on 12 April 1939 he was commissioned a Lieutenant and Assistant Commissary. On 15 June 1938 he married Dorothy Stuart at Allahabad. During 1940-41 he served in Sudan as Deputy Assistant Director of Ordnance Services (Personnel) with the rank of Acting Major. Returning to India in November 1941, he was appointed a Temporary Captain, December 1941-March 1942; Acting Captain, March-July 1942, and then Acting Major. Major Parrott was awarded the M.B.E. in June 1943. In November 1944 he was appointed Acting Lieutenant-Colonel and retired on 1 June 1946. Harold Parrott died at Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia on 12 February 1953.

With a quantity of copied research; four related miniature dress medals; together with a silver plaque, 100 x 77mm., inscribed, ‘In Loving Memory of Polly, Ashes of the late Major H. Parrott M.B.E., Born Gibraltar 3rd Sept. 1892; Died Bulawayo, S.R. 12th Feb. 1953. A loyal soldier a faithful and loving husband. They do not die, the ones we dearly love and by their love we surely find our lives are blest.’