Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A ‘Palestine operations’ O.B.E. and K.P.M. group of seven awarded to Major W. F. Wainwright, District Superintendent, Palestine Police

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarked London 1919, the reverse arms engraved ‘Maj. W. F. Wainwright’; King’s Police Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Distinguished Service (Mjr. William F. Wainwright, O.B.E., Dist. Supt. of Police, Palestine.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. F. Wainwright); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (Dist. Supt. W. F. Wainwright. O.B.E. Pal. Police.) minor correction to last two letters of ‘Police’; Coronation 1937; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Mr. W. F. Wainwright) naming re-engraved in running script, tarnished but generally very fine (7) £1,400-£1,800

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1924: ‘W. F. Wainwright, District Commandant of Police, Southern District, Palestine.’

K.P.M. London Gazette 2 January 1939: ‘Major W. F. Wainwright, O.B.E., District Superintendent, Palestine Police. For prolonged Service extending over 39 years distinguished by exceptional ability and merit.’

William Frederick Wainwright was born on 30 June 1881. He served in the Indian Police from 1899 until 27 July 1916, when he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Welsh Horse, later attached Pembroke Yeomanry. He served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force and Palestine from November 1916 to 31 October 1918. He was promoted to Lieutenant in January 1918 and is listed as Major, T.A. Reserve, in 1924 list. He joined the Palestine Police Force on 1 September 1920, as one of four senior aides to the Commandant of Police, Percy B. Bramley, O.B.E., K.P.M. He was therefore one of the first British Officers in the Force and with the rank of District Commandant was placed in charge of the Southern District with his headquarters at Jaffa. On 1 April 1926 he was promoted to District Superintendent of Police and, on 7 May 1926, transferred to the Jerusalem District where he remained until he retired in 1939.