Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ O.B.E. group of three awarded to Major W. J. Holdich, West Yorkshire Regiment, later Labour Corps and Royal Army Service Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver (hallmarks for London 1917), on Civil Division riband; British War and Victory Medals, with tailor’s copy M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. J. Holdich.) gilding almost all lacking on OBE, otherwise nearly extremely fine (3) £140-180

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

William Jeffkins Holdich was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Prince of Wales’s Own West Yorkshire regiment on 22 December 1915, and served with the 1st and 3rd Battalions in France during the Great War. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 June 1916, he was appointed Adjutant, with the rank of temporary Captain, in the Labour Corps on 18 January 1918. Twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 30 December 1918 and 10 July 1919), he was also created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He subsequently served during the Second World War with the Royal Army Service Corps, and was promoted Major on 15 January 1942.