Orders, Decorations and Medals

The remarkable Great War ‘Italian Front’ M.C. group of eight awarded to Major R. W. B. Sims, General List, late Royal Marine Artillery and Northumberland Fusiliers

Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Major); Royal Navy L.S. &. G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Sergt. No.1981 R.M.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (Sjt-Mjr., Noth’d. Fus.); Belgium, Order of the Crown, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, enamel to obverse centre and most of reverse centre lost; Belgium, Croix de Guerre (2), both with ‘A’ cypher reverse, mounted as worn, very fine and better except where stated (8) £1000-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

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M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918. ‘for distinguished conduct in connection with military operations in Italy’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 December 1917.

Belgian, Order of the Crown, Chevalier London Gazette 21 August 1919.

Belgian, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 21 August 1919; 4 September 1919.

Robert William Benjamin Simms was born on 11 August 1865. As a young man he joined the Royal Marines and served in the Royal Marine Artillery. He was subsequently promoted Sergeant, and in that rank was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. In the April 1898 edition of The Globe and Laurel he is shown as a Sergeant Instructor wearing his medal. On the formation of the 3rd Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers in 1900, Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor Simms transferred to the Army and to that battalion, being promoted to Sergeant-Major in June 1900. He was discharged to a pension in April 1906. On the outbreak of the Great War, Simms rejoined the Army. He was appointed Temporary Quartermaster with the honorary rank of Lieutenant on 28 October 1914, serving with the Portsmouth (later 14th) Battalion Hampshire Regiment. He was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant on 30 November 1914 and Temporary Captain on 11 March 1917. Temporary Captain Sims was transferred to the General List, and appointed an Assistant Provost-Marshal (graded as Staff Captain) on 21 April 1917. Temporary Captain Sims was mentioned in Haig’s despatch of 7 November 1917. He was then awarded the M.C. for services in Italy. The 41st Division with whom he had been serving had been sent to the Italian Front in November 1917; it later returned to the Western Front in March 1918.

On 1 May 1918 Sims was promoted to Temporary Major. As such he was awarded the Belgian Order of the Crown and twice awarded the Croix de Guerre. During the period 23 February-1 March 1920 he held the appointment of Deputy Assistant Provost Marshal. On 1 July 1920 he was appointed a Camp Commandant, holding this appointment until he was released. Temporary Major Simms relinquished his commission, retaining his rank of Major on 10 November 1920. He was awarded the M.S.M. and Annuity by the Army Orders 16 of 31 January 1935. Major Sims died on 17 October 1955.

Sold with original M.I.D. Certificate; Croix de Guerre Award Document, dated 27 February 1920; an associated letter, dated Brussels, 12 October 1921; full copied research and several copied photographs.