The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

City of London Imperial Volunteers for South Africa 1899-1900 Medallion, 76mm, bronze, the obverse featuring a seated female figure with sword, presenting the freedom of the city to a uniformed man in the City Imperial Volunteers, the reverse featuring the radiant sun of the British Empire shining behind a hill which is surmounted by a tall staff flying the Union Flag and C.I.V. Flag, guarded by two guns, the edge inscribed in large capitals ‘C. O. Greenwell, Lieut. C.I.V.’, in fitted and embossed case of issue, nearly extremely fine £260-£300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918.

Charles Okey Greenwell was born in Marylebone, London on 30 May 1861 and initially attested for the Honourable Artillery Company in 1879. An article in the City Press 23 June 1900 states that ‘he acted as City Marshall during the interval between the retirement of Sir Simeon Stuart, Bart. and the appointment of Captain Stanley.’ He served in No. 1 Company of the Mounted Infantry, City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War, and was commissioned Lieutenant in the C.I.V. in August 1900. He transferred as a Captain to the 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 30 December 1900, and was later attached to the 3rd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry. For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 29 July 1902).

At the outbreak of the Great War, Greenwell was re-appointed Captain in the 3rd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 8 August 1914 and served with them on the Western Front from 17 August 1915. For his services with the British Expeditionary Force in France during the Great War he was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. After the war he was employed at Staff G.H.Q., 3rd Echelon as Captain and then relinquished his appointment in the temporary rank of Major.