Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War civil C.B.E., Great War D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Collins, Royal Army Service Corps, Chairman and Managing Director of publishing firm, William Collins, Sons & Co. Ltd.

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, complete with top bar, slight enamel damage; 1914-15 Star (Capt., A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Lt. Col.); Portugal, Republic, Military Order of Aviz, Knight’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, gilt slip bar on ribbon, some enamel damage; generally good very fine (6) £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Army Service Corps.

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C.B.E. (civil) London Gazette 2 June 1943. ‘Lieutenant-Colonel, D.S.O. For services in organising hospitality to overseas Forces.’

D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918. ‘T./Maj., A.S.C.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917; 24 December 1917; 25 May 1918.

Portugal, Order of Aviz, Commander, London Gazette 16 January 1920. ‘Temporary Major, D.S.O., Royal Army Service Corps.’



William Alexander Collins was born on 26 March 1873, the eldest son of A. G. Collins of Skelmorlie. He was educated at Temple Grove and Harrow. Joining the A.S.C. in 1915, he served in France and Flanders from 21 May 1915 until the end of the war. During the course of the war he attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel and was appointed A.D. of Supply and Transport in 1918, was three times mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. and Order of Aviz. In later life he held the posts of Chairman and Managing Director of William Collins, Sons & Co. Ltd, Publishers; Chairman and Managing Director, Castell Bros. Ltd.; Director of Clydesdale Bank Ltd.; and Director of the Scottish Board of the Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co. During the Second World War he was awarded the civil C.B.E. for his services in providing hospitality to overseas forces. Lieutenant-Colonel Collins died on 3 September 1945.

With copied m.i.c., gazette extracts and other research.