The Jack Webb Collection of Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Captain W. C. Knight, Lincolnshire Regiment, late Cadet Sergeant-Instructor, 1st City of London Rifle Volunteers and City of London Imperial Volunteers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (967 Pte. W. C. Knight, C.I.V.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. C. Knight.) edge bruise to QSA, nearly very fine or better (4) £300-£400

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

View
Collection

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in France’

William Collins Knight was born in Wandsworth, London in 1878. He joined the 1st City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1896 and was a Cadet Sergeant-Instructor in that unit, while civilly employed as a clerk in the drapery trade, when he volunteered for the City of London Imperial Volunteers in 1900. He served in the Infantry Battalion of the C.I.V. during the Boer War. An article in the City Press, 14 November 1900, reports on a dinner for 6 returning C.I.V.s (including Knight) employed by the Sun Fire Insurance Company.

Following the outbreak of the Great War, Knight was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant in the 9th (Reserve) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment on 10 December 1914 and promoted Temporary Captain, attached 10th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment on 1 April 1916, serving on the Western Front from 2 April 1917. Transferring to H.Q. Staff, Fourth Army, he was Mentioned in Field Marshal Haig’s Despatch of 16 March 1919 (London Gazette 8 July 1919), and for his services during the Great War was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.