Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War C.M.G., O.B.E. group of six awarded to J. R. W. Parker, Esq., who served as Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Falkland Islands and High Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territories 1976-80

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Spink, London, case of issue, minor enamel damage to reverse central medallion; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued, all mounted for display together with a London Scottish cap badge, and a Commonwealth Parliamentary Association lapel badge, good very fine (6) £600-£800

C.M.G. London Gazette 31 December 1977.

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1968.

James Roland Walter Parker was born in 1919 and started government service with the Ministry of Labour in 1938. He served with the London Scottish during the Second World War and though he lost half a leg, as a result of war injury, it did not adversely affect his future career. After the war he resumed his duties with the Ministry of Labour until seconded to the Foreign Office in 1966. Subsequent postings took him to Nigeria, Fiji, Gambia and South Africa until, on 16 December 1976, he was appointed Governor and Commander in Chief of the Falkland Islands and High Commissioner for the British Antarctic Territories. His posting coincided with a time of increasing tensions in relations with Argentina, culminating in the Argentinean Invasion shortly after he had left office.

Whilst involved in early implementation of some of the recommendations made in Lord Shackleton’s report on the Falkland Islands, Parker was also interested in the more remote areas of his territory and described his annual visits to South Georgia and the British Antarctic Territories as ‘one of the main blessings of the job’. He retired as Governor on 26 February 1980, and was succeeded in post by Rex Hunt. He died in November 2009.

Sold with the original bestowal documents for both the C.M.G. and the O.B.E., these both mounted in glazed display frames; together with the original Central Chancery envelopes for both certificates; Central Chancery letters for the C.M.G.; and original telegram informing the recipient of the award of the C.M.G. (addressed ‘Personal for Governor’).