Orders, Decorations and Medals

An unusual Great War M.C. group of eight awarded to Brevet Major A. Orwin, Manchester Regiment, late Royal Engineers and Royal Artillery (Territorials)

Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Lieut. A. Orwin’; 1914-15 Star (82265 Spr. A. Orwin, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lieut. A. Orwin); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (Capt. A. Orwin, M.C., Manch. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1663313 Gnr. A. Orwin, (M.C.) R.A.), together with related Italian Altipiani Medal in silver, generally very fine or better (9) £1000-1200

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Arthur Orwin, who was born in August 1891, was a pre-war Territorial who was mobilised as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers in March 1915. He subsequently served in France and Flanders from August 1915 to June 1916, and, having been commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment in November of the latter year, from January to November 1917. Further active service ensued in Italy from November 1917 until the end of hostilities, where he was attached to 7th Divisional Signal Company, R.E. and won the M.C. He had earlier been mentioned in despatches for operations in France (London Gazette 21 December 1917 refers).

Having then received a regular commission in the Manchesters in March 1919, Orwin served with the 1st Battalion in Ireland during the troubles, and, following advancement to Captain in February 1927, as Adjutant, Auxiliary Forces of India, during the campaign of Burma 1930-32. Placed on the Retired List in August 1936, he was given the Brevet of Major on the Reserve of Officers in September 1939, on the renewal of hostilities, and served in the U.K. in his old regiment for the duration of the War.