Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of six awarded to Major W. E. M. Wetherell, Bedfordshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, on post-1937 riband; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt: W. E. M. Wetherell, Bedford Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Cpt. W. E. M. Wetherell Bedfd. Rgt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: W. E. M. Wetherell. Bedf: R); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. E. M. Wetherell) toned, good very fine (6) £600-£800

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For valuable service rendered in connection with the War.’

William Edward May Wetherell was born on 1 July 1872, the son of Colonel R. M. Wetherell, and was educated at Cheltenham College. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Bedfordshire Regiment on 17 January 1894, and was promoted Lieutenant on 31 August 1896. He served in South Africa during the Boer War, taking part in operations in the Cape Colony, south of the Orange River, including the actions at Colesburg from 1 January to 12 February 1900; operations in the Orange Free State from February to May 1900 and operations in the Orange River Colony from May 1900 to May 1902. Promoted Captain on 15 May 1901, he was temporarily attached to the Army Service Corps for supply duties, and for the latter part of operations in South Africa he served on the Staff. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1914, before transferring to the Reserve of Officers. He was subsequently employed during the Great War as an Instructor at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on the Army Gymnastic Staff, was advanced Major, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1919 Birthday Honours’ List.

Sold with copied Medal Index Card; medal roll extracts; and other copied research.