Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A sole entitlement British War Medal awarded to Gunner C. Reppke, Royal Garrison Artillery, late Royal Naval Reserve, a ‘conscientious objector’ who served in military communication on the island of Malta from 1916-17

British War Medal 1914-20 (81820 Gnr. C. Reppke. R.A.) good very fine £60-£80

Charles Reppke was born in Lossiemouth, Elginshire, in 1889, and worked at Glasgow fish market, his Army Service Record stating, ‘manager of a fishering [sic] business.’ The Aberdeen Daily Journal of 19 April 1916, notes:
‘Elgin Appeal Court
Conscientious Objections
The appeal of Charles Reppke, fishourer, Lossiemouth, whose case was before the court at last sitting, was again before the court. Mr. Jas. Young, solicitor, who stated the particulars of the case at last meeting, again went over them, while the appellant was also present. The appeal was refused and it was recommended that he be not called up before 9th May.’

Trained in telephony, Reppke briefly joined the trawler service before being conscripted into the Royal Garrison Artillery at the Citadel, Plymouth, on 23 May 1916. He served in Malta from 3 November 1916 to 12 December 1917, being discharged no longer physically fit for war service due to stomach inflammation. Awarded a Silver War Badge, he later joined the Campbeltown branch of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association and is recorded in The Scotsman in 1937 as ‘an expert on smoked kippers.’