Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Post War ‘Malaya’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Colonel J. B. Douglas, Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, O.B.E., Military, type 2; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., 1 clasp, Malaya (Lt. Col., R.E.M.E.); together with original named bestowal certificate for O.B.E.; Statutes of The Order and Buckingham Palace investiture invitation, good very fine or better (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Schweder Collection of Medals for Campaigns in Malaysia.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 30 October 1956. The original recommendation states: ‘As CREME of the newly raised and formed HQ 1st Federal Division with a small staff he has worked outstandingly in raising and training his own staff and attending to the needs of the division. He has set himself a very high standard and with initiative and drive he has created an efficient REME organisation in North Malaya including as it does soldiers of many races.

He has proved himself to be co-operative with all arms, always cheerful in face of difficulties and always ready to help and to make the best of what is available. An officer who has not spared himself in achieving his objectives of raising and training an efficient REME organisation in North Malaya. His work has been outstanding and an example to all ranks in the division.’

Colonel John Bell Douglas was born in August 1911, being commissioned into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in September 1937 in the rank of Lieutenant. He transferred to the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers in October 1942, with which unit he remained until his retirement in November 1959, by which time he had reached the rank of Colonel.