Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Captain Sir Oliver Lyle, Kt., late Highland Light Infantry, who was severely wounded in the fighting at Loos in September 1915

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Capt. O. Lyle, High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. O. Lyle), the last three official late claims, circa 1930, gilt on the first virtually removed through cleaning, otherwise generally very fine (4) £350-400

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Oliver Lyle, a scion of the Tate & Lyle family, was born in December 1890, the second son of John Lyle of Finnart House, Weybridge, and was educated at Uppingham and the University of London.

Embarked for France in mid-May 1915, as a Temporary Captain in the 11th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, he was severely wounded in the fighting at Loos on 25 September, the Highland Light Infantry Chronicle noting that he was one of very few officers to survive, crawling back to our lines with a foot wound and ‘several bullet holes through his clothing’. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916 refers).

Released from military service on account of his wounds, Lyle served in the Inventions Department at the Ministry of Munitions 1916-18, before returning to the family business as a Managing Director of Tate & Lyle after the War. Knighted for his services in promoting fuel efficiency (London Gazette 1 January 1954 refers), he became Vice-Chairman of Tate & Lyle and Silvertown Services in 1958, and published a government guide on the efficient use of steam power. Sir Oliver, who retired to Kemsing in Kent, died in February 1961.