Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Persia, contemporarily engraved ‘Lt. Michael Willoughby. 4th. Rifles.’, nearly extremely fine £180-220

Michael Weekes Willoughby was was born on 18 March 1833, the son of Major-General M. F. Willoughby, Bombay Artillery, and was educated at Cheltenham College. Commissioned Second Lieutenant on 9 June 1849, he served in the Persian Expeditionary Force with the 4th Bombay Native Infantry (Rifle Corps), including the surrender of Bushire, and the bombardment and capture of the Forts of Mohumrah. Promoted Captain on 9 June 1861, he served with the Commissariat and Land Transport Corps in the Abyssinian campaign, and was Mentioned in Despatches: ‘Captain Willoughby proceeded to Egypt in August 1867, and was employed in taking up ships, superintending the dispatch of animals to Zoolla, and arranging for supplies for the force; he joined the force at Zoolla in the middle of January 1868, and was immediately ordered by his Excellency to return to Egypt on special duty connected with the requirements of the force; he returned to Zoolla at the beginning of March, since when he has carried out his duties, which were of a most responsible and arduous nature, with much judgement. He has rendered most valuable assistance for which he is deserving of great credit.’ (London Gazette 30 June 1868)

Promoted Major on 9 June 1869, and Lieutenant-Colonel on 9 June 1875, he was appointed Deputy Commissary-General, Bombay Staff Corps, on 21 May 1877, and promoted Brevet Colonel on 9 June 1880. He was created a Companion of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India in the 1885 Birthday Honour’s List (London Gazette 6 June 1885), whilst serving as Secretary to the Government of Bombay, Military and Marine Departments, and was promoted Major-General on 31 May 1890, achieving his ultimate rank of Lieutenant-General in 1893. He transferred to the Unemployed Supernumerary List on 9 June 1894, and was appointed Colonel of the 104th Wellesley’s Rifles, Indian Army, on 16 June 1914.