Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An inter-War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain C. F. W. Wates, 35th (First Surrey Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, Royal Engineers, late 21st Battalion London Regiment and Rifle Brigade

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914 Star, with clasp (3777 L.Sjt. C. Waites [sic]. 3/Rif: Brig.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (3777 A.C.Sjt. C. F. W. Wates. Rif. Brig.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (3777 C. Sjt. C. F. W. Wates. Rif Brig); War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (6905435 W.O. Cl.II. C. F. W. Wates. Rif. Brig.) good very fine (8) £400-£500

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1939.

Charles Frederick William Wates attested for the Rifle Brigade in 1911, and served with the 3rd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. Appointed Acting Quartermaster, he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 21 December 1917), most probably for services during the 3rd Battle of Ypres. Advanced Colour Sergeant, he transferred to the 1st Battalion, and saw further service in Iraq and Mesopotamia, serving on operations as a Company Quartermaster Sergeant with ‘A’ Company. After further service in India, he was promoted Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant (Warrant Officer Class II) in 1927, and was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1929.

Wates retired from the Regular Army in 1931, and subsequently joined the Territorial Army, being commission Lieutenant and Quartermaster, 21st Battalion, London Regiment, on 13 February 1933. He later transferred to the Royal Engineers as a Quartermaster, serving with the 35th (First Surrey Rifles) Anti-Aircraft Battalion, and was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1939 New Year’s Honours’ List. Appointed local Captain prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, he relinquished his commission on 14 June 1941 having attained the age limit.

Sold with copied Medal Index Cards and other research, including a photographic image of the recipient