Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of three awarded to Captain R. L. Way, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, Hallmarks for London 1919; British War and Victory Medals (Commr. R. L. Way. R.N.) mounted as worn and housed, together with the related miniature awards, in a fitted case, the lid embossed ‘R.L.W.’, good very fine (3) £160-£200

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War.’

Robert Lewis Way was born in Mayfair, London, on 29 September 1877, the son of Captain John L. Way, R.N. Commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 15 March 1897, he was promoted Lieutenant on 15 March 1899, and served as torpedo lieutenant in the battleship H.M.S. Magnificent from 16 July 1904 to 16 February 1907. Briefly on the staff in H.M.S. Vernon, he subsequently served as torpedo officer in H.M.S. Venerable in the Channel Squadron, before being appointed to H.M.S. Implacable as First and Torpedo Officer. After just over two years there, he then served in H.M.S. Carnarvon of the Home Fleet's Third Division as First and Torpedo Officer. Promoted Commander on 30 June 1912, he was appointed to the Second Destroyer Flotilla's depot ship, H.M.S. Blake as executive officer on 31 July 1912, and served there for almost the entire Great War, until being appointed to the command of H.M.S. Aquarius on 30 March 1918. Appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire at the end of the War, Way’s command of H.M.S. Aquarius ended on 17 February 1920 and he was placed on the books of H.M.S. Victory for unpaid time, before transferring to the Retired List on 23 March 1922. He was promoted Captain (retired) on 29 September 1922, on his 45th birthday, and died of bronchitis at Shoreham, Sussex, on 29 October 1928.