Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A 1899 ‘Arakan Hill Tracts’ C.I.E., Great War ‘Italy Operations’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Greenstreet, Special List, late Indian Police Service, who served during the Great War as Assistant Provost Marshal and Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 2nd type breast badge, gold and enamel, with integral top brooch bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, clasp carriage altered to accommodate clasps in this order, as usual, with bottom roses on top clasp trimmed (Reginald Hawkins Greenstreet, District Superintendent of Police) re-engraved in running script; 1914 Star (Lt. Col. R. H. Greenstreet.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. R. H. Greenstreet.) mounted as worn and housed in a fitted glazed display case, contact marks to IGS, this very fine; the rest better (6) £1,400-£1,800

C.I.E. London Gazette 3 June 1899.

O.B.E. London Gazette 18 November 1918:
‘For distinguished service in connection with military operations in Italy.’

Reginald Hawkins Greenstreet was born on 20 July 1858 and joined the Punjab Police in 1883. He transferred to Burma in 1887 as a district superintendent of police, and later served as a district magistrate and political officer, commanding the military police in the Arakan Hill Tracts. For his services in this latter role he was created a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1899.

Greenstreet subsequently served as officiating private secretary to the lieutenant-governor, and retired from the service in 1906. During the Great War he served on the staff as assistant provost marshal, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, Special List, on the Western Front from 10 October 1914, and subsequently as deputy assistant quartermaster general in Italy. For his services during the Great War was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 7 October 1918 and 6 January 1919) and was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He died on 8 September 1930.

For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 532.