Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ O.B.E. group of three awarded to Major W. C. Reid, 32nd Lancers, Indian Army, who was also Mentioned in Despatches; he later served as Commandant of the Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Military Police

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt. W. C. Reid, 32/Lncrs.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Maj. W. C. Reid.) mounted court-style together with the riband for the Victory Medal with M.I.D. oak leaves; together with the recipient’s related group of four miniature dress medals and riband bar, all housed in a Spink, London, fitted case, gilding somewhat rubbed on OBE, generally very fine (3) £400-£500

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Mesopotamia.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919 (Mesopotamia).

Walter Clarke Reid was born in London, Ontario, on 12 April 1881, and was educated at Huron College School and the Royal Military College. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on the Unattached List on 27 August 1902, and was appointed to the Indian Army on 28 January 1904. Posted to the 32nd Lancers, he was promoted Lieutenant on 27 November 1904, and Captain on 27 August 1911. He was appointed Assistant Commandant, Burma Military Police Battalion at Taunggyi on 10 April 1912, before reverting to Regimental duty in 1914, and served with the 32nd Lancers during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 August 1914 to 15 June 1917. Promoted Major on 27 August 1917, he saw further service in Mesopotamia from 14 August 1918, and for his services there was Mentioned in Lieutenant-General Sir W. R. Marshall’s Despatch of 7 February 1919, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Post-War, Reid was appointed Squadron Commander of the 32nd Lancers on 1 January 1919, and then Commandant of the Myitkyina Battalion, Burma Military Police, on 24 May 1923. He retired on 23 October 1928, and died in Canada on 4 June 1934.

Sold with the following related items:
i) The recipient’s Mess Jacket, waistcoat, and sash, these severely moth damaged
ii) A hallmarked silver cigar box, the lid engraved with the bade of the 32nd Lancers; together with a small vesta box
iii) The recipient’s Journal for the Summer of 1907, spent on a Bear-hunting trip with a friend called Hogg to Chamba in the foothills of the Himalayas, type-written with a good selection of photographs, including various photographs of the various Bears that the recipient bagged, the first few pages water damaged, and the spine and front cover board missing
iv) Four original studio portrait photographs of the recipient; together with a photograph of the recipient mounted on a horse
v) 32nd Lancers unit insignia; and copied research.