A scarce Great War ‘German East Africa’ O.B.E. and D.C.M. group of five awarded to Major F. W. Gardner, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who was also twice mentioned for services in East Africa

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarks for London 1919; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3926 Condr: F. W. Gardner. A.O.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major F. W. Gardner.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S-3926 Condr: F. W. Gardner. A.O.C.) mounted as worn on a ‘home fabricated’ wearing bar, dark toned, good very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800

O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 7 February 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in East Africa. Dated 1st January 1919.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1918: ‘3926 Cdr. (now A.C.O. and Hon. Lt.) F. W. Gardner, A.O.C. (Aldershot). (E. AFRICA)
‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has rendered at all times most valuable service, and has efficiently carried out his responsible duties with the utmost zeal and devotion to duty.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 7 March 1918 (Major-General A. R. Hoskins, Commanding-in-Chief, East Africa Forces); and 31 January 1919 (Lieutenant-General J. L. Van Deventer, Commanding-in-Chief, East Africa Forces, despatch of 30 September 1918).

Frederick William Gardner first served during the Great War as a conductor in the Army Ordnance Corps in East Africa but his Medal Index Card gives no date for his entry into this theatre. His promotion to Assistant Commissioner of Ordnance with the honorary rank of lieutenant was announced in the London Gazette of 14 December 1917. He at some time was further promoted to Acting Deputy Commissioner of Ordnance with honorary rank of captain, and to Deputy Commissioner of Ordnance with honorary rank of major. Gardner was recommended for his L.S. & G.C. medal on 1 January 1918, and this was announced in Army Order 11 of 1918.

Sold with original Warrant for O.B.E., two original M.I.D. certificates, and A.O.C. certificates for the award of the D.C.M. and first mention in despatches; together with copied research including D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, various gazette notices including Van Deventer’s despatch of 30 September 1918.