Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘1955’ Civil Division C.B.E., Second War Military Division O.B.E. group of five awarded to W. H. Eastwood, M.P., late Wing Commander, Southern Rhodesia Air Force, employed as Minister of Transport, 1958-62, in Sir Roy Welensky’s Federal Government of Rhodesia and Nyasaland

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, in Royal Mint case of issue; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal 1953; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (W. H. Eastwood. 8th Jan. 1935.) with integral top bronze riband buckle, in Elkington, London, fitted case of issue, generally very fine or better (5) £700-900

C.B.E. London Gazette 9 June 1955:

‘For public and political services in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland.’

O.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943.

Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal for saving life at Gordon’s Bay, South Africa on 8 January 1935 (RHS Case Number 52657).

William Hives Eastwood was born in Bethnal Great, London, in January 1891. He received a Wesleyan education in London, prior to travelling to South Africa in 1913. He settled in Southern Rhodesia in 1922, and started his own business. Eastwood served as a Councillor on Bulawayo City Council between 1928-31 and 1935-39. He entered politics in 1933, and represented Bulawayo Central as M.P. in the Southern Rhodesia Parliament, 1939-46.

Eastwood served during the Second War as Director of Supplies with the Rhodesia Air Training Group 1939-43, and as Wing Commander with the Southern Rhodesia Air Force (O.B.E. - 1 of 9 awarded to the Rhodesian Air Force for the Second War). After the war he represented Bulawayo District as M.P., 1949-53, and was the Southern Rhodesia Delegate at the Federal Conferences at Victoria Falls 1951, London 1952 and in 1953. Eastwood was elected Member of the Federal Parliament in December 1953, and represented Bulawayo Suburbs. He was appointed Minister of Transport and Works, November 1956, and served as Minister of Transport, 1958-62 (in January 1963 H.M. the Queen approved the title of "Honourable" for Eastwood). He died in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, in January 1971.

Sold with copied research and photographic image of recipient.