Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War Middle East ‘Mersa Matruh’ O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Colonel A. O. Bekenn, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was later Mentioned in Despatches for Burma

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, reverse officially dated 1945, with integral top riband bar, mounted for wear, the Stars lightly gilded, good very fine (7) £300-£400

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 April 1941:
‘In recognition of distinguished services in the Middle East during the period August 1939 to November 1940.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant-Colonel Bekenn has carried out the duties of Senior Medical Officer Mersa Matruh in addition to command of the Field Ambulance. He has shown energy and devotion to duty to a commendable degree. I attribute the very satisfactory state of the health of the garrison in no small measure to his efforts.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 July 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’

Alexis Oswald Bekenn was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Army) in June 1925, and was advanced Major in August 1939. He served during the Second World War in North Africa, and then in Burma, and was advanced temporary Lieutenant Colonel in August 1941, and temporary Colonel in April 1945. He was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in that latter year (London Gazette 12 April 1945), and retired having reached the age limit on 25 June 1954, being granted the honorary rank of Colonel.

Sold with the recipient’s two original commission documents; original M.I.D. Certificate in OHMS transmission envelope, with M.I.D. award notification card and later War Office letter; various photographs, including various of the recipient being presented with the riband for the OBE; and copied research.