Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Western Front’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Whitehead, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. H. M. Whitehead.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Comdt. Herbert M. Whitehead.); France, Third Republic, Order of Agricultural Merit, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, obverse centre loose on last, and this with enamel damage, otherwise generally very fine and better (6) £300-£400

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘For valuable service rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’

French Order of Agricultural Merit, Chevalier London Gazette 17 October 1919.

Herbert Mansfield Whitehead was born in Kent on 25 May 1875, the son of Sir Charles Whitehead, and was educated at Tonbridge and Christ’s College, Cambridge. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the 1st Nottinghamshire (Robin Hood) Rifle Volunteer Corps on 14 November 1894, and having been advanced captain in the 7th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters (Territorial Force), he resigned his commission on 21 November 1909. Following the outbreak of the Great War he re-joined his old unit and served on the staff of the 59th Division in both Ireland during the troubles and on the Western Front. For his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 30 December 1918) and created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Promoted lieutenant-colonel on 29 July 1920, he relinquished his commission the following year.

In civilian life Whitehead served as Divisional Surveyor to Staffordshire County Council, and was awarded the Jubilee Medal in 1935 as ‘Engineer and Surveyor, Channock Rural District Council.’ He died on 17 October 1935.

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