Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War ‘Civil Division’ O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major C. F. G Max-Muller, 22nd Armoured Car Company, Royal Tank Corps, Territorial Army, later King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who subsequently served as Head of Outside Broadcasts (Sound), British Broadcasting Corporation

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, reverse dated 1946, with integral top riband bar; United States of America, Bronze Star, the reverse named ‘Charles F. G. Max-Muller’, mounted for wear; together wit hthe related miniature awards, these similarly mounted as worn; ands the cases/ boxes of issue for the O.B.E., Coronation Medal; Efficiency Decoration; and Bronze Star, nearly extremely fine (7) £300-£400

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1954: Charles Frederick Grenfell Max-Muller Esq., Head of Outside Broadcasts (Sound), British Broadcasting Corporation.

M.I.D. London Gazette 20 December 1940.

Charles Frederick Grenfell Max-Muller was born in London on 22 January 1909, the son of Sir William Max-Muller, and was educated at Eton. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 22nd Armoured Car Company, Royal Tank Corps, Territorial Army, on 22 November 1930, and was promoted Lieutenant on 22 November 1933. Embodied on 1 September 1939, he served throughout the Second World War, predominately on the Staff, and for his services was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the American Bronze Star, the citation for the latter award stating:
‘Major Max-Muller was assigned to the Chaney Mission and later to the headquarters, European Theater of Operations, from August 1941 until approximately January 1943 as direct Liaison Officer from the War Office. During this period he was very instrumental in the establishment of the original Chaney Mission. By his extreme intelligence and tactful handling of many delicate situations which confronted the American Forces, he rendered service that was of extreme value to the Armed Services of the United States. He performed all the duties of a liaison officer in a very superior manner. Without the initiative, tireless energy, and exceptional personality of Major Max-Muller, the many contacts, so vital to the American war effort, would not have been established in such a short time, and the cordial relations established between the two nations would have been disastrously delayed.’

Promoted temporary Major, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (Territorial Army), Max-Muller was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1946 (London Gazette 19 June 1946), and was appointed to the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire in the 1954 New Year’s Honours’ List for his services with the British Broadcasting Corporation. He resigned his Territorial Army commission on 23 April 1955, retaining the honorary rank of Major, and died whilst on a cruise off Cairo on 17 January 1984.

Sold with copied research, including various photographic images of the recipient.