Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An unusual Great War O.B.E. pair awarded to Commander F. W. Kershaw, Royal Naval Reserve and Merchant Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Transport Medal 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (F. W. Kershaw, In Command), good very fine (2) £800-1000

O.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918: ‘For services in connection with the War.’

Frederick William Kershaw was Master of the Orient Steam Navigation Company’s Orient while employed on transport duties at the time of the Boer War, and received his Medal and clasp from H.M. the King at an investiture held on 4 November 1903. His subsequent award of the O.B.E. - his sole medal entitlement for the Great War - was granted in respect of his services as Harbour Master at Gravesend (above quoted London Gazette refers). This, too, he received from the hands of the King, at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 6 November 1918. Kershaw relinquished his temporary commission as Commander, R.N.R. in October 1920.