Auction Catalogue

31 March 2010

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 592

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31 March 2010

Hammer Price:
£360

Three: Second Lieutenant B. O. Denham, Labour Corps, late 14th Battalion London Regiment, murdered by terrorists in Palestine, 26 April 1948.

1914 Star (1802 Pte., 14/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.) good very fine and better (3) £200-300

Private Bertram Owen Denham, 14th Battalion London Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 15 September 1914. After later serving with the Army Ordnance Corps he was commissioned into the labour Corps on 18 October 1917. A Jewish Member of the Freemasons, being a member of the Lodge of King Solomon’s Temple 4611, he assisted in the dedication of the Temporary Masonic Hall at Bezalel Street, Jerusalem, on 7 October 1937. He was also present in the last meeting of his Lodge in Jerusalem on 13 March 1948, before it was transferred back to London following the end of the British Palestine Mandate. Denham, in the Master’s Chair, was the only member present who had also been at the first meeting and consecration. He was a Founder of the Lodge and the first Junior Deacon of the Lodge. Denham was murdered by terrorists in Palestine on 26 April 1948.
An extract from The Times, 28 April 1948, reads, ‘.... Commander Leggatt was the second British civilian shot dead in Jerusalem in 24 hours. Near the Jerusalem Sports Club last night, Mr B. O. Denham, of the Public Works Depertment, who had been in Palestine since the first world war, was found dead. ....’


With copied m.i.c., extract from The Times, and masonic lodge history details.