Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An exceptional ‘Edward VIII’ O.B.E., ‘Ypres 1918’ M.C. with ‘North Russia 1919’ Second Award Bar, and ‘Western Front 1917’ M.M. group of nine awarded to Captain W. M. Harrington, Cameronians, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps 

The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 1st type, the reverse with ‘Jubilee’ hallmark for 1935; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar; Military Medal, G.V.R. (13121 Cpl. W. M. Harrington, 13/K.R.R.C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (33279 L.Cpl. W. M. Harrington. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. M. Harrington.); War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted court-style for display, some polishing to the earlier medals, otherwise nearly very fine or better (9) £3,000-£4,000

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals, the Property of a Lady.

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Dix Noonan Webb, June 1998.

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1936: ‘Captain William Maurice Harrington, M.C., M.M., Regular Army Reserve of Officers, Staff Quartermaster, Gold Coast Regiment, Royal West African Frontier Force.’

M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919: ‘2nd Lt., M.M., K.R.R.C., attd. 18th Bn. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty from 30th September to 3rd October 1918, south-east of Ypres. He was slightly wounded in the attack on the first day, but continued with his task under heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, afterwards assisting to bring in a badly wounded officer from a position in front of the line, although fired on by snipers. He remained at duty the whole period.’

M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 21 January 1920: ‘Immediate awards for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in North Russia conferred by Maj.-Gen. C. C. M. Maynard, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., in pursuance of the powers vested in him by His Majesty:- ‘Lt. William Maurice Harrington, M.C., M.M., K.R.R.C.
For coolness and gallantry on patrol on the night of 4/5th July, 1919, north of Kapaselga. He led a patrol of 6 other ranks to within three hundred yards of the enemy main position, and under heavy fire maintained his position until he had noted the position of the enemy trenches. This information was of great importance to the artillery barrage next day.’

M.M. London Gazette 9 July 1917.

William Maurice Harrington served in France and Flanders as a Private, Army Service Corps, attached 3rd Cavalry Division, from 6 October 1914. He subsequently transferred to the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, winning the M.M. with the 13th Battalion before being commissioned into the 18th Battalion, K.R.R.C. He died on 23 January, 1940, at which time he is shown as serving as a Captain with the Cameronians.

Sold with the original Edward VIII warrant for the O.B.E., dated 5th February 1936.