A Collection of Awards for the 1939-45 War

A Second World War M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Warrant Officer 1st Class W. R. Newman, Royal Artillery, late Grenadier Guards

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, the reverse of the arms privately engraved ‘2606703 W.O. I (R.S.M.) W. R. Newman, R.A.’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48, naming erased; Coronation 1937, engraved, ‘No. 2606703 C.S.M. Newman, W., 3rd G.G.’; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (2606703 W.O. Cl. II W. R. Newman, G. Gds.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, with Bar (2606703 W.O. Cl. I W. R. Newman, R.A.), mounted court-style as worn, together with a set of related dress miniatures, good very fine (9)
£350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the 1939-45 War.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 29 March 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘This Warrant Officer has had over 20 years service in the Regular Army (Grenadier Guards). He re-enlisted on the formation of this regiment in April 1939 and his experience as a drill instructor has been invaluable in the training both of intakes to the Regiment and of its original members - 1100 of whom have been commissioned sine the War began. His splendid bearing and keen sense of duty and discipline have been an example to all ranks. Since the Regiment has been overseas he has continued to carry out his duties with zeal and has at all times set a splendid example to all with whom he has come into contact. He has been largely responsible for running a series of courses for N.C.Os which has proved of great value to the Regiment generally.’

William Robert Newman was serving in 86 (H.A.C.) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A., at the time of the above cited deeds.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including M.B.E. warrant, dated 29 March 1945, and Buckingham Palace forwarding letter, dated 10 October 1946; his M.I.D. certificate, dated 22 March 1945; Coronation Medal 1937 certificate, in the name of ‘2606703 W.O. Cl. II W. Newman, Grenadier Guards’; copies of the London Gazettes listing his M.B.E. and “mention”; and a photograph album largely relating to his time in the Guards (approximately 50 images), including a fine run of Grenadiers’ group shots.