Orders, Decorations and Medals

An inter-war ‘Chemical Warfare School’ M.B.E., Great War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer T. O’Brien, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for 1927; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (16171 Sjt.-A.C.S. Mjr., 15/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914 Star, with clasp (16171 2 Cpl., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (16171 A.W.O. Cl. 2, R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1852065 W.O.Cl. II, D.C.M., R.E.); France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, small bronze palm on ribbon, mounted for wear, last with dented reverse, very fine (7) £1000-1200

M.B.E. London Gazette 4 June 1928. ‘’No.1852065 Warrant Officer Class II, Company Sergeant-Major, Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major, Thomas Coulthard O’Brien, D.C.M., Royal Engineers, Chemical Warfare School, Porton’.

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1918. ‘16171 Serjt. (A./C.S.M.) T. O’Brien, R.E. (Ealing, W.)’ ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in supervising the work of demolishing bridges over river and canal, and in organising parties to defend the canal bank. At one time he held a position with four men, in spite of heavy fire, and prevented the enemy from repairing one of the demolished bridges. He set a fine example of coolness and resource’.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 7 January 1919.

Corporal Thomas Coulthard O’Brien, 2 Field Company R.E., entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 5 November 1914. Sold with copied m.i.c. and gazette details.