Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War O.B.E. pair awarded to Colonel R. Matthews, Indian Army

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. R. Matthews, 39 C.I. Horse); mounted for display purposes together with an erased British War Medal 1914-20 and an erased Victory Medal 1914-19, light contact marks, good very fine (4) £200-£240

O.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1944.

Reginald Matthews was born on 14 June 1894 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the County of London Yeomanry on 24 February 1915. Promoted Lieutenant on 24 November 1916, he transferred to the Indian Army on 13 January 1918, and served initially with the 39th Central India Horse, before being appointed to the Army Remount Department. He was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 24 November 1941, and was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 1944.

Sold with the Bestowal Document for the O.B.E., named to Lieutenant-Colonel Reginald Matthews, Indian Army, and dated 8 June 1944; a portrait photograph of the recipient; a mounted group of six miniature awards, comprising O.B.E. (Military) 2nd type; British War and Victory Medals; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; and cap badge, sundry rank pips, and Army Remount Department insignia.