Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Chaplain to the Forces the Reverend Prebendary H. C. Gaye, Army Chaplains’ Department

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt (hallmarks for London 1918); 1914-15 Star (Rev. H. C. Gaye. A.C.D.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Rev. H. C. Gaye.) good very fine (4) £500-700

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Chaplains formed by Philip Mussell.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919:
‘For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in France and Flanders.’

Herbert Charles Gaye was born in 1858, the son of the Reverend Charles Gaye, vicar of Ipswich, and was educated at the Felsted School, Essex, and at Scholæ Cancellarii, Lincoln, being ordained Deacon in 1881 and Priest in 1882. He served as Curate of Carlton-Colville 1881-85, Cobham 1885-89, and of Holy Trinity Guildford 1889-95, and as Vicar of Crewkerne 1897-1907, and was appointed a Prebendary of Wells Cathedral in 1903. Commissioned Chaplain to the Forces in November 1914, he was posted to the 20th Divisional Artillery in December 1914, and served with them on the Western Front from 20 July 1915. Appointed Senior Chaplain to the Forces, Dieppe Area, in June 1916, for his service during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 30 December 1918) and was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. ‘As a padre he earned and retained the esteem and goodwill of officers and men alike.’ (the recipient’s obituary, Pulman’s Weekly News refers). He died at Haven Cliffe, Seaton, on 25 August 1931.