Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.B. group of five awarded to Colonel C. B. Watkins, Royal Artillery

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Afghanistan 1878-801 clasp, Ahmed Khel (Lieut. C. B. Watkins, R.A.); 1914 Star (Col.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Bt. Col.) generally very fine or better (5) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late Alan Wolfe.

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Charles Bell Watkins was born on 13 August 1859, and was first commissioned as Lieutenant on 31 January 1878. He served shortly thereafter in the second Afghan war, being present in the engagements at Ahmed Khel, Urzoo and Ghuzni. His service thereafter was divided between postings at home in various Royal Horse Artillery units, after several years in both the Lancashire and Southern Divisions of the rRoyal Artillery. He was promoted Captain in May 1886 and Adjutant of the Southern Division R.A. in 1890. He was promoted to Major in May 1896, to Lieutenant-Colonel in September 1903, and to Brevet Major in September 1906, by which time he was commanding Royal Artillery at Meerut. He retired in September 1908 and was placed on the Reserve of Officers.

Recalled on the outbreak of war, Watkins was employed with Base Remounts in France and Belgium from 19 August until 30 November, 1914. Returning to England he was employed training the 66th East Lancashire Division Artillery. He was afterwards in command of the Guards Divisional Ammunition Column in France, Belgium and Germany, from May 1916 until April 1919. He was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 14 December 1917 and 21 May 1918) and awarded the C.B. Colonel Watkins died on 7 December 1929.

Sold with original Garrard & Co Ltd case of issue