Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War O.B.E. group of six awarded to Chief Engineer W. Braidwood, Merchant Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (William Braidwood); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally good very fine (6) £250-300

O.B.E. London Gazette 10 June 1944.

William Braidwood, who was born in Glasgow in October 1881, and obtained his 2nd Class Certificate in July 1905 and his 1st Class Certificate in March 1907, was - according to a family source - fortunate to survive the loss of three torpedoed ships in the Great War. The same source also states that he was aboard motor tanker Vaclite when she was torpedoed by the U-55 south-west of the Scilly Isles on 30 January 1940 - after two hours in the boats, the Master and crew, some of whom were wounded, were picked up by the Italian ship Pollenzo and landed at Barry. But it was for subsequent services as Chief Engineer in the S.S. Voco that Braidwood was awarded his O.B.E.; sold with original Ministry of Transport letter informing the recipient of the award of his O.B.E., together with a quantity of research, including Master’s report on the loss of the Vaclite, and a copied photograph of the recipient and his wife.