Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 March 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 1405

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20 March 2008

Hammer Price:
£600

The Second World War ‘N.W. Europe’ M.B.E. group of ten awarded to Captain W. M. Wilkins, Royal Artillery, late Rifle Brigade

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War and Victory Medals (5707 Pte., Rif. Brig.), extremely worn; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (..05993 Sjt., Rif. Brig.), worn; Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., Territorial, rev. dated ‘1960’; Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Capt., M.B.E., TD., CCF.), mounted as worn, very fine except where stated (20) £350-400

M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. ‘Captain (Quartermaster), Royal Regiment of Artillery’.

Recommendation states: ‘This officer has shown outstanding devotion to duty and his untiring efforts on behalf of the unit during the early stages of the campaign in obtaining all the requirements of the Regt under exceedingly difficult conditions and at a very critical time, were of immense value to the fighting efficiency of the Regt. His efforts were a major factor in keeping all the guns and complex Radar equipment in action in defence of vital installations in the beachhead. Since the Regt moved forward into Germany this officer has on more than one occasion been responsible for uncovering illegal activities by Germans and has shewn initiative, energy and keenness of a high order which have been an inspiration to all with whom he has come into contact’.

During the Great War and a period thereafter William M. Wilkins served in the Rifle Brigade. In the Second World War he was awarded the M.B.E. for his services with the 146th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A., part of 80 A.A. Brigade, during the period following the Normandy landings and the later campaign into Germany. Postwar he was appointed to the Brighton Grammar School Contingent of the Junior Training Corps (London Gazette 8 January 1946). In 1947 he was granted the honorary rank of Captain (Quartermaster) in place of the same War Substantive rank which he held (London Gazette 21 February 1947). He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1960 (London Gazette 19 January 1960). He retired from his post with the Brighton Grammar School Combined Cadet Force in 1970 (London Gazette 13 January 1970). Sold with copied gazette extracts, recommendation and other research. Also with ten prize medallions/medals for shooting, athletics and sports - two enamelled, some named.