Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Civil C.B. group of four awarded to Surgeon Captain R. W. Branthwaite, 15th London Regiment

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s breast badge, converted for neck wear, hallmarked London 1912; 1914-15 Star (Surg: Capt: R. W. Branthwaite. 15/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Surg. Capt. R. W. Branthwaite.) good very fine (4) £400-500

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916.

Robert Welsh Branthwaite was born in Birmingham on 27 May 1859, the son of Harrison Branthwaite, F.R.C.S., of Harlesdon. He received his medical education at Charing Cross Hospital Medical School and having qualified in 1880 as L.S.A., in the following year took the diploma of M.R.C.S. Eng., and later the L.R.C.P. Lond. In 1896 he graduated in medicine at Brussels with honours and also obtained the D.P.H. of the English Conjoint Board. In 1914 he was the first inspector appointed under the Mental Deficiency Act, and two years later he became Commissioner of the Board of Control. During the war Branthwaite rejoined his battalion, the Civil Service Rifles, in which he had held a commission for many years, and, having proceeded to France in March 1915, he saw considerable service, was mentioned in despatches, was wounded, and was finally incapacitated from further overseas’ service. At his retirement, when he received the C.B., he became Director of Medical Services at Stoke Park Colony, near Bristol, a noted mental handicap facility. He died at Clifton on 2 June 1929. Sold with copied research including two obituary notices.