Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War ‘Tobruk’ 1941 M.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. Power, Southern Rhodesian Territorial Force, attached Cheshire Regiment, late Liverpool Regiment, Machine Gun Corps, and Royal Engineers, who, for his gallantry in the Western Desert, December 1940 to February 1941, was originally recommended for the D.S.O.

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1941 and later privately engraved ‘Lt. Colonel W. H. Power.’; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. H. Power.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Southern Rhodesia, reverse contemporarily engraved ‘T/Lt./Col. William H. Power, M.C.’, with integral top riband bar, very fine and better an a rare combination (8) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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M.C. London Gazette 8 July 1941:
‘In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period December 1940 to February 1941.’

The Recommendation, originally for a Distinguished Service Order, states: ‘During the operations in Egypt and Libya between December 1940 and February 1941 Major Power commanded his Company with considerable success. His example and energy inspired his men. At Tobruk he was one of the first to cross the anti-tank obstacle on his front, and always, as on this occasion, he never hesitated to expose himself to danger. That his company so successfully carried out the tasks demanded of it, in support of the infantry throughout the operations, was due to his command and leadership.’

William Henry Power was born in Crewe, Cheshire, on 14 May 1892 and was educated at the Crewe Academy, before being employed with the London and North-Western Railway from 1906 to 1914. Following the outbreak of the Great War he attested for the Liverpool Regiment on 2 September 1914. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Cheshire Regiment on 8 July 1915, transferring to the Liverpool Regiment on 3 August of that year, and then to the Machine Gun Corps on 22 November 1915. He served with the Machine Gun Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from May 1916, transferring to the Royal Engineers on 23 January 1917. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917, and served with the Military Mission to Siberia from January to November 1919 whilst holding the acting rank of Captain. He Relinquished his commission on 4 January 1920, and was granted the honorary rank of Captain.

Emigrating to Southern Rhodesia as a Railway Engineer in February 1927, he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Territorial Force Mechanical Transport Section on 13 July 1928, and served with the Southern Rhodesian Territorial Force during the Second World War, being awarded the Military Cross for his services in the Western Desert whilst attached as a War Substantive Major to the Cheshire Regiment. He was advanced to his ultimate rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 11 February 1942, and was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1943 (Southern Rhodesia Government Gazette 16 July 1943).

Power was awarded the Southern Rhodesia Royal Visit Medallion in his capacity as Mechanical Superintendent, Bulawayo, Rhodesia Railways. The Royal Party travelled throughout South Africa and Rhodesia in the White Train, and Power presumably had a significant role to play in this aspect of the tour. He retired in 1955, and died in Pietermaritzburg on 25 February 1970.

Approximately 103 Efficiency Decorations for Southern Rhodesia were awarded between 1933 and 1967, of which only 2 were awarded to an M.C. recipient.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.

For the recipient’s Southern Rhodesia Royal Visit Medallion, see the following lot (Lot 19).