Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 12
A Second War M.B.E. group of four awarded to Commandant C. H. Wilkinson, Grimsby Auxiliary Fire Service, late Royal Engineers
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; British War and Victory Medals (168833 Cpl. C. H. Wilkinson. R.E.); Defence Medal, mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £180-£220
M.B.E. London Gazette 18 April 1941.
The Recommendation states: ‘On several occasion the Grimsby Auxiliary Fire Service under the leadership of Commandant Wilkinson has rendered valuable assistance in the salvage of ships. When a trawler was in danger of foundering, Commandant Wilkinson and his men embarked in a tug and despite the darkness, heavy seas, and a strong wind, they succeeded in boarding the damaged vessel and got the water under control. Commandant Wilkinson is a courageous leader and has set a fine example to his men.’
Charles Henry Wilkinson ‘left school at the age of 12 to start work as an errand-boy, before joining the railways at the age of 17. He was elected to Grimsby Town Council in 1920 and served as Mayor in 1940-41. As Chairman of the Fire Brigade Committee in the late 1930s, he took a keen interest in the organisation of the first Auxiliary Fire Service, and became A.F.S. Commandant for Grimsby. His outstanding work, especially in going to the aid of damaged ships - he was in charge of the first team of firemen to “put to sea” during the War, when they brought in a distressed trawler and saved 31 lives - earned him an M.B.E. At one time Wilkinson was in charge of 1,000 firemen and 33 fire stations, in an area which included seven aerodromes. Appointed a magistrate in Grimsby in 1928, he became chairman of the bench in 1961. In 1957 he was made an honorary freeman of Grimsby, and in 1962 his native town gave him the only remaining honour it could offer, when he was appointed to the purely honorary post of High Steward. He died on 23 January 1964, aged 76.’ (Grimsby Evening Telegraph refers).
Sold with copied newspaper extracts, including a photograph of the recipient.
13
A post-War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 C. Blair, Royal Army Service Corps
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (S/57366 W.O. Cl. 1. C. Blair. M.B.E. R.A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (S/57366 W.O. Cl. 1. Blair. M.B.E. R.A.S.C.) last officially renamed, generally very fine (7)
£200-£240 M.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1951. The original recommendation states:
‘This Warrant Officer has been recommended previously for an M.B.E. in the New Years Honours Lists 1950 and 1951 and similarly for the Birthday List 1950.
The citations on these occasions were as shown below:
NEW YEAR 1950 “In recommending this Warrant Officer for the award of an M.B.E. I am of the view that it would indeed be difficult to find a case more deserving of consideration in time of peace.
He has been employed in A.G.8. since 1 April 1946, and has given outstanding service throughout this period. During the past year in particular he has been subjected to quite abnormal conditions, all of which he has overcome in the most exemplary manner.
Owing to reductions in staff the clerical work of the Branch has frequently been at breaking point, but on each occasion by his own personal example, initiative and untiring work Blair has averted a crisis.
He has been fighting personal ill-health or illness in his family throughout this period, has been uncomplaining and cheerful and the requirements of the Service have always been put before his own personal problems, acute though they have been.
To weld into a happy and hardworking team a mixed staff of military and civil servants, many of whom are over 60, is a remarkable achievement, which reflects the greatest credit on such a young Warrant Officer.
BIRTHDAY 1950
“S.S.M. Blair was most highly recommended for the award of a M.B.E. in the New Years Honours List 1950, in view of his outstanding service over many years, the extremely difficult circumstances under which he fulfilled his task as Chief Clerk, A.G.8. up to August 1949, and the success with which he had welded into a happy and hardworking team the mixed staff of military and civilian clerks comprising the establishment of A.G.8.
Since that period he has continued to render outstanding service, and his personal example, initiative and untiring devotion to duty have been maintained at the outstanding level on which the previous recommendation was made. Additionally he has devoted himself to the recreational interests of the personnel at Stanmore outside normal working hours.”
NEW YEAR 1951 As above with the addition of the following:
“S.S.M. Blair has continued to deserve the high praise given in these previous citations and I would most strongly recommend that he be given the award in recognition of his outstanding services since 1946.”’
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