Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Paymaster Commander C. C. Merry, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarked London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Ast. Clk. C. C. Merry, R.N., H.M.S. Gibraltar.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Asst. Paymr. C. C. Merry, R.N. H.M.S. Highflyer.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Payr. Lt. Cr. C. C. Merry. R.N.) mounted on card for display, good very fine (4) £500-£700

O.B.E. London Gazette 27 June 1919:
‘For valuable services as Secretary to Vice Admiral Sir Edmund R. Pears, K.B.E., C.B., in charge of the naval establishments at Invergordon.’

Colin Campbell Merry was born on 22 January 1884 and joined the Royal Navy as an Assistant Clerk on 15 July 1901; Assistant Paymaster and Secretary’s Clerk, June 1905; Acting Paymaster, November 1916; Paymaster, February 1917; Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander, January 1920. During the Great War he was secretary to Rear-Admiral R. H. Anstruther at Hong Kong, and to Rear-Admiral E. R. Pears at Cromarty. He was afterwards secretary to Vice-Admiral Sir Douglas Nicholson in the Reserve Fleet, 1922-23, before taking charge of supply duties at Port Edgar Base, having been promoted to Paymaster Commander in February 1923. In May 1925 he was appointed as secretary to Rear-Admiral P. H. Hall-Thompson, commanding Third Battle Squadron, Atlantic Fleet.

Sold with copied research including medal rolls and record of service.