Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Second World War C.B.E., Great War M.C. group of seven awarded to Brigadier N. P. Procter, South Lancashire Regiment, late Middlesex Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., rev. inscribed, ‘A/Capt. N. P. Procter, Middx. Regt. 25/11/17’; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed, first extremely fine; others worn and better (5) £1000-1200

C.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1944. ‘Colonel (temporary Brigadier), late The South Lancashire Regiment (The Prince of Wales’s Volunteers)’.

M.C. London Gazette 18 July 1918. ‘2nd Lt. (A./Capt.), Middx. R.’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great courage and ability while in command of a most important post, and inspired his men with confidence by his splendid example under heavy fire’.

Neville Procter was born in Kensington, London on 24 December 1894, to Colonel Arthur Procter and his wife Mary. He was educated at Marlborough Colege and Keble College, Oxford, where he graduated with a B.A. degree. With the outbreak of war, Procter, aged 19 years, was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd battalion of the 10th Middlesex (Territorial Force) on 18 September 1914. With this battalion he served in Gallipoli, 8 August-25 December 1915. In 1916 the regiment served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. On 29 August 1916 Procter was appointed Temporary Captain. Serving in the Third Battle of Gaza, Procter was wounded and was awarded the Military Cross. In February 1918 he was seconded to the 21st Punjabis with whom he served until the end of October when he left Palestine for home at the end of the war. Promoted between the wars, he was advanced to Major in April 1938 and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in July the same year. With war imminent, Procter was transferred in April 1939 to the South Lancashire Volunteers and served with the B.E.F., October 1939-February 1940, when he was appointed to command the 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment. On 21 March 1941 he was appointed Acting Brigadier and served in Iceland until August 1942. During 1944/45 he was in command of various infantry brigades and during February-December 1945 was Deputy Commander of the 45th Division. For his wartime services he was awarded the C.B.E. After the war he was employed with the Royal West African Frontier Force from March 1946 and commanded the Leone and Gambia District until February 1949. He was placed on Retired Pay on 18 June 1949 and died on 23 December 1975. Sold with a quantity of copied research and an original group photograph which includes the recipient.