Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Post-War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain C. R. Ward, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Capt. C. R. Ward. M.B.E. R.E.); Efficciency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militia (Lt. C. R. Ward. R.E.) light contact marks, good very fine (7) £280-£320

M.B.E. London Gazette 2 January 1956.

The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has been entirely responsible for all military movement within the Colchester area since October 1953. During the whole of that time he has been a tower of strength both to Movements Branch H.Q. Eastern Command and to East Anglian District H.Q. He has faithfully fulfilled the Director of Movements requirement that the army should obtain the best possible form of travel.
In addition to his normal duties, he has been responsible during the last two years for the movement to and from Buckenham Tofts Combined Cadet Force Camp of some 9000 Cadets. This has necessitated constant liaison between the Military and Railway Authorities and the schools concerned. Due to his untiring efforts and personal tact, the movement of these Cadets in both years has been successfully completed without a single hitch.
During the recent railway strike, Captain Ward was a key member of the Operations Room of East Anglian District H.Q. During the whole of this period, he remained almost constantly on duty and, apart from his movement roll, played a full part in controlling the many allied military tasks connected with this operation within the district. At all times his conduct has been in keeping with the highest traditions of the Army.’
 
Clifford Richard Ward attested for the Royal Engineers 18 April 1939. He served in France with Number 2 Movement Control Group from September 1939 till June 1940; in Durban with Imperial Movement Control Centre from November 1940 till December 1941 and thence to Middle East. Having been advanced to Staff Sergeant he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 18 February 1942 into the General List. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 November 1942 into the newly formed Movement Control Section, Royal Engineers, serving in Palestine, the Levant, and the Canal Zone until July 1944. Released from Military Service on 21 January 1946, he was soon after recalled for Military Service on 19 November 1946, and was awarded his Efficiency Medal in November 1947 (London Gazette 7 November 1947). He served with Movement Control in Egypt from December 1947 till August 1953 and was promoted Captain on 17 December 1948; he next served with Eastern Command Movement Area from October 1953 till July 1957, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1956 New Year’s Honours’ List. Ward subsequently served with Movement Control Singapore from August 1957 till August 1960; and then with Movement Control Bristol Channel Ports from November 1960 till August 1961. He relinquished his Commission on 24 September 1961 and was granted the Honorary rank of Captain.

Note: Ward’s papers show service in Egypt from 1947 to 1953- it is therefore most likely that he would have been entitled to the clasp Canal Zone to his General Service Medal.