Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-War C.B.E., Great War 1918 ‘German Spring Offensive’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain F. C. Braby, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was twice wounded and Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, with miniature width neck riband, in Central Chancery case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Lt. F. C. Braby. 2/8th. Lan. Fus. Attd. 197 Inf. Bdg. H.Q. Somme France March 1918’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. F. C. Braby.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn, lacquered, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400

C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 2 June 1962: Frederick Cyrus Braby, Esq., M.C., D.L., Chairman, Industrial Coal Consumers Council.

M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a determined enemy attack under intense machine-gun fire. He collected all men in the vicinity and organised a successful defence. He checked and inflicted considerable casualties on the enemy, handling his men with skill and courage. Later in the day, he did good service in carrying important messages through heavy machine-gun fire to the rearguard.’
The Battalion War Diary additionally states: ‘For gallantry on 25 March 1918.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1918.

Frederick Cyrus Braby was born on 1 May 1897 and was educated at Charterhouse School and the University of Manchester. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers and served with the 2nd/8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 February 1917 (wounded twice, Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross). He saw further service post-War in the Territorial Army.

In civilian life Braby served as Director of the family firm Fredrick Braby and Co. Ltd., and was the firm’s Chairman from 1942 to 1965. He was President of the Engineering and Allied Employers’ London and District Association, and Chairman of the Industrial Coal Consumers’ Council and the British Non-Ferrous Metals Association. He was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Kent in 1955, and was a County Commissioner of the Boy Scouts Association for Kent from 1952 to 1967. In addition, he served on the committees of numerous Charitable organisations. For his services he was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1962. He died on 15 July 1983.

Sold with the recipient’s original Bestowal Document for the C.B.E., with accompanying correspondence from the Prime Minister’s office and the Central Chancery; original Document appointing the recipient a Deputy Lieutenant for the County of Kent; various newspaper cuttings; and much copied research, including Battalion War diary extracts and other ephemera.