The Great War O.B.E. attributed to Lieutenant-Commander L. MacBrayne, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, in the disintegrated remains of the Garrard, London, case of issue, good very fine £100-£140

O.B.E. London Gazette 10 July 1919: Lieutenant-Commander (acting Commander) Laurence MacBrayne, R.N.V.R.:
‘For valuable services in connection with recruiting for the Royal Naval Division, and as Assistant to Divisional Coastwatching Officer, Clyde Area.’

Laurence MacBrayne was born in Glasgow in 1866 and was educated at Cheltenham College and Pembroke College, Cambridge. A partner in the family shipping company David MacBrayne, he was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 12 December 1903, and was promoted Lieutenant on 7 March 1904. Recalled for Great War service, with the rank of temporary Lieutenant on 9 February 1915, he was promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 25 May 1915, and served at home as Assistant to Divisional Coastwatching Officer, Clyde Area. For his services during the Great War was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He died in 1941.

For the recipient’s son’s medals, see Lot 169.