A Collection of Medals to The Royal Engineers

A Malaya operations O.B.E. group of seven to Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Close, Royal Engineers

The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 2nd type; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Lt. Col., R.E.); Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, good very fine and better (7) £350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to The Royal Engineers.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 25 October 1955: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1 January to 30 June 1955.’

James Stevens Close was born in August 1907, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel F. M. Close, R.E. (see Lot 216). Commissioned into his father’s Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1927, he graduated with honours in mechanical and natural science at Trinity Hall, Cambridge in 1930, gaining advancement to Lieutenant in September of the same year. His pre-war appointments included service in Gibraltar and a stint as an Instructor back at the R.M.A., Woolwich, promotion to Acting Major following soon after the advent of hostilities.

Close served on the Staff in the U.K. between November 1942 and October 1943, and as D.A.Q.M.G. from July 1944, was appointed a substantive Major in September of the latter year, and ended the War as an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel on active service in North West Europe. He was mentioned in despatches for ‘gallant and distinguished service’ in the latter theatre (London Gazette 4 April 1946).

The post-war era witnessed his promotion to substantive Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1950 and his appointment as Acting Quarter-Master General out in Malaya during the emergency from April 1952 to March 1955, service that resulted in the award of an O.B.E. Close ended his career with a posting at Eastern Command back in the U.K. and retired in May 1958.