Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An M.V.O. group of four to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Robert Turnbull, Royal Engineers and Superintendent of the London and North Western Railway

The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘1118’; Coronation 1911, silver, unnamed; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., unnamed, hallmarks for London 1920, complete with top bar; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 1st issue (Sub. Sect. Ldr. Sir Robert Turnbull M.V.O.), mounted for display, good very fine and better (4) £300-350

Robert Turnbull was born on 21 February 1852, the son of Rev. Robert Turnbull, Vicar of Wybbunbury, Cheshire. Educated at Whitechurch Grammar School, Shropshire, he joined the London and North Western Railway in 1868. He was appointed Superintendent of the Southern Division of the L.& N.W.R. in 1885 and Assistant Superintendent of the Line in 1887. He held the post of Superintendent of the Line from 1893 to 1914, becoming General Manager in 1914 and joining the board of directors in 1915. For his services he was awarded the M.V.O. 5th Class (London Gazette 2 January 1911) and was knighted (London Gazette 20 May 1913). Holding the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the Engineer and Railway Staff Corps, R.E., he was awarded the T.D. (London Gazette 6 March 1923). Sir Robert Turnbull died on 22 February 1925.