Auction Catalogue

25 May 2022

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 205

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25 May 2022

Hammer Price:
£1,200

A well-documented Second War United States Bronze Star group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wood, General List and Control Commission Germany, also Metropolitan Police; together with a substantial archive of original documents and ephemera

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued; Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Sergt. Horace Wood); United States of America, Bronze Star, the reverse engraved ‘Horace Wood’, in case of issue, about extremely fine (7) £300-£400

United States of America Bronze Star London Gazette 15 August 1946.
The citation states: ‘Captain Horace Wood, British Army, for meritorious service in connection with military operations, from September 1944 to May 1945. As Public Safety Officer, 325th Civil Affairs Detachment, Captain Wood was largely responsible during the early days of liberation for the reorganization of local police, Gendarmerie, fire and civil defense services, and by his exceptional energy ands drive was instrumental in the maintenance of law and order in the port of Antwerp during months of crucial importance to the allied war effort in northwest Europe. His services have, throughout, reflected credit upon himself and the armed forces of the Allied Armies.’


Horace Wood was born on 12 February 1912 and joined the Metropolitan Police on 25 February 1935. Advanced Sergeant on 14 September 1942, he served during the Second World War on the General List in North West Europe, and having re-joined the Metropolitan Police on 3 March 1947 was seconded to the Control Commission in Germany. There he was responsible for various policing and traffic management matters, and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel. He retired from the Police to Pension on 28 March 1965, and is confirmed on the Silver Jubilee Medal roll as ‘Laterly Supervising Bailiff Grade II, Lord Chancellor’s Department’.

Sold with the following archive:

i) A large portrait of the recipient, oils on canvas
ii) Various portrait photographs of the recipient
iii) Various photographs of the recipient with other well-known personalities
iv) A presentation copy of the book ‘The Battle of Antwerp’, with letter of dedication
v) Various presentation photograph albums regadring police inspections in post-War Germany
vi) A large presentation scrap-book compiled to commemorate the introduction of a 30 km/h speed limit for Belgian lorries
vii) Various invitations, dinner menus, and other ephemera.