Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The O.B.E. attributed to G. H. J. Adlam, Esq., School Science Master and Editor of the School Science Review

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1932, in Garrard, London, case of issue; together with the related miniature award, nearly extremely fine £120-£160

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1934: George Henry Joseph Adlam, Esq., M.A., Senior Science Master, City of London School.

George Henry Joseph Adlam was born in Wells, Somerset, and was educated at Wells Cathedral Grammar School (where he was a chorister) and Wadham College, Oxford. He was employed as Senior Science Master at the City of London School from 1912, and for many years edited the School Science Review. It was for his services to this periodical that he was awarded the O.B.E., and he was invested with his insignia by H.M. King George V at Buckingham Palace on 28 February 1934. As his obituary noted ‘Adlam has let promotion go past him in order to devote his time and talents to the School Science Review. Indeed, its nurture has been his life’s devotion, and its present commanding position his great achievement. It is not too much to say that Adlam has done more to promote School Science than any man of his day. The Science Masters’ Association owes much to the School Science Review, and the School Science Review owes nearly everything to its Editor.’

Sold with the original Bestowal Document for the O.B.E., in Central Chancery envelope; Downing Street letters regarding the announcement of the award, and Central Chancery letter regarding the investiture (the investiture took place on 28 February 1934); the recipient’s Freedom of the City of London Parchment Scroll, in wooden tube; a portrait photograph of the recipient’ and a newspaper cutting from the Wells Journal containing the recipient’s obituary.

Sold also with the original Bestowal Document for the C.B.E. awarded to Adrian Ernest Forsyth-Thompson, Esq., Development Secretary, Seychelles, dated 11 June 1966, in Central Chancery envelope.