Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Civil Division’ C.B.E., Great War ‘Military Division’ O.B.E. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. C. Willmot, 4th Battalion, King’s African Rifles (Uganda Rifles), who served during the inter-War years as Director of Public Works, Uganda

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, suspension ring detached from crown but present; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. A. C. Willmot. Uganda T.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. A. C. Willmot); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (11) £700-£900

C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1941: Captain Arthur Charles Willmot, O.B.E., Director of Public Works, Uganda.

O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1920 (East Africa).

Arthur Charles Willmot was born on 21 July 1881 and was educated at Lancing College, Sussex, and Aspatia Agricultural College, Cumberland. He was appointed Assistant Surveyor, Uganda Protectorate, in 1907, and District Engineer, Public Works Department, the following year. In 1913 he was appointed Engineer-in-Charge of the construction of the Kampala to Port Bell Railway. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Uganda Transport Corps and served during the Great War in the East African campaign from 15 December 1914. Transferring to the 4th Battalion, King’s African Rifles (Uganda Rifles) on 26 May 1915, he was promoted temporary Captain on 1 November 1916, and was appointed Adjutant of the 4th Battalion, King’s African Rifles on 9 January 1917. For his services during the Great War was Mentioned in Despatches and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

Relinquishing his commission on 28 April 1919, Willmot remained in Uganda and was appointed Deputy Director of Public Works in June 1923, being promoted to Director of Public Works ten years later. Awarded both the 1935 Jubilee Medal and the 1937 Coronation Medal for his services as Director of Public Works he was appointed a Commander in the Civil Division of the Order of the British Empire in the 1941 New Year’s Honours’ List. He saw further service once more with the 4th Battalion, King’s African Rifles, during the Second World War, serving as Controller of Works and Transport in Eritrea, and was advanced to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Settling in Kenya following the Second World War, he died in 1953.