A post-War O.B.E., Great War ‘Salonika’ M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle group of six awarded to Second Lieutenant L. B. Greaves, South Wales Borderers, late Royal Fusiliers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (P.S.2720 Pte. L. B. Greaves, R. Fus.) middle initial officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. L. B. Greaves.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, 2nd type, Fifth Class breast badge, with crossed swords, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, very fine and better (6) £1,600-£2,000

O.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1950:
‘For missionary educational services in the Gold Coast’.

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 25th September 1918, during the ascent of Point 1472. He led the advance of the mountain scouts over the precipitous and thickly wooded ground, and when within 1,500 yards of the objective silenced enemy rifle and machine-gun fire with the help of Lewis guns, and continued to advance. His skill and judgement contributed greatly to any success achieved by his battalion. As battalion Intelligence Officer, he has previously done good work on patrol duty.’

Serbian Order of the White Eagle, Fifth Class with Swords London Gazette 16 January 1920.

Lionel Bruce Greaves was born in Cardiff in 1895, and won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1914, but in November of that year attested for the 21st (4th Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 November 1915, and later as a Lance-Corporal in the 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers on 4 August 1916, he served with the 8th Battalion in Salonika. After a spell in hospital with Malaria in November 1917 he recovered, and on 25 September 1918, the 8th Battalion, as part of 65th Brigade, with the 67th Brigade in support, was ordered to attack Point 1472 near Lake Doiran. Lieutenant Greaves and the battalion scouts rushed a rocky knoll which was believed to be Point 1472 but was nearly 1000 yards N.W. of it. The regimental history continues: ‘This position was quickly made good, despite considerable opposition from riflemen and machine guns, which Lieutenant Greaves’ skilful handling of his Lewis guns soon overcame’. For his bravery and leadership in action, Greaves was awarded the M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle.

In civilian life Greaves had a keen interest in the church and missionary work and between 1922-1932 was Vice-Principal of the Wesley College, Kumasi, (Gold Coast), Ghana. During the period he wrote many articles and several books on Faith and Central Africa. For another five years he was a supervisor at various Methodist Schools in Africa, then Educational Advisor to Non-Roman Missions in East Africa until 1947, when he returned to management of Methodist Schools. In 1946 he had survived a plane crash, when the small plane he was travelling in was forced to land in the bush and he and the other passengers and pilot had to wait several days to be rescued.

Between 1947-1950 he was General Manager of Methodist Schools, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in June 1950. He returned to the UK with his family in the mid-1950’s and continued his writing and research. After living in London for some time, his family emigrated to New Zealand, where he died in 1984.

Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card notes that the recipient’s 1914-15 Star was initially issued named ‘L. V. Greaves’, and was returned in September 1921 to be corrected to ‘L. B. Greaves’.

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