Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War M.B.E. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 R. Watts, 2nd Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment, which unit formed the Machine-Gun Battalion of 49th Division in North-West Europe 1944-45

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star, these two privately inscribed, ‘R.S.M. R. Watts, M.B.E., 2/Kensingtons’; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.I., 1st issue, Territorial (6206755 W.O. Cl. I R. Watts, Kensingtons), together with a “Kensingtons” cap badge, unit officially corrected on the last, good very fine (7) £350-400

M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states:

‘R.S.M. Watts joined this battalion as a Territorial on its formation in Spring, 1939, and during his six years service has risen from Private soldier to the rank of Warrant Officer Class 1. To all the varied appointments he has held, whatever the rank, he has brought enthusiasm, drive and outstanding ability. He became R.S.M. shortly before the Battalion embarked for Normandy in June 1944 and has been a tower of strength throughout and since the campaign in North-West Europe. During the fighting, he lost no opportunity of visiting companies and platoons in action, and his cheerfulness and bearing were an example to all. When the Battalion, or any part of it, was concentrated he was tireless in his efforts to organise sport and entertainment as well as to discipline, turnout and drill at a high standard. His devotion to the Battalion and to the welfare of the men serving in it have earned for him the highest esteem and affection of all ranks.’

Richard Watts, who was from Poppleford, Devon, was awarded the Efficiency Medal in February 1947 (AO 68/8387 refers).