Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War Salonika operations C.B.E. group of five awarded to Captain C. H. Forbes, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (Mid., H.M.S. Conquest); British War and Victory Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf (Commr., R.N.); Swedish Order of the Sword, Knight’s breast badge, gold, silver-gilt and enamel, enamel work slightly chipped on upper arm of the first and reverse of the last, the third with officially corrected initials, otherwise good very fine or better (5) £800-1000

C.B.E. London Gazette 27 May 1919:

‘For valuable services as Divisional Naval Transport Officer, Salonika.’

Charles Hay Forbes was born in September 1873 and entered the R.N.C. Britannia in January 1887. Appointed a Midshipman in August 1889, shortly after joining H.M.S. Conquest, he was landed for service in the Naval Brigade sent to punish the Sultan of Witu in the following year, and gained advancement to Lieutenant in June 1896. And in January 1908, after a commission aboard the battleship Queen, he was made a Knight of the Swedish Order of the Sword by King Oscar II (his service record confirms).

Having then retired in the rank of Lieutenant in July 1909, Forbes was advanced to Commander on the Retired List in September 1913 and was recalled on the outbreak of hostilities in the following year. He did not, however, receive a posting overseas until early 1918, when he was appointed Divisional Naval Transport Officer in Salonika, in which capacity he clearly served with success, his service record noting special mentions for his ‘gallant conduct and distinguished services rendered during the period 11 March to 1 December 1918’, and for like services in the period 1 October 1918 to 1 March 1919. He was awarded the C.B.E. and advanced to Captain on the Retired List, but died in November 1919, his recently awarded distinction being forwarded to his widow in August 1920.