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Auction: 15002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 108

An Interesting M.B.E. to 'King of the Keys' Mr. B.R. Young, Kent Home Guard
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, good very fine, with the recipient's named Home Guard Service Certificate

M.B.E. London Gazette, 2.6.1973 Bernard Rosser Young, Chairman and Managing Director, Selected Toys, Didcot
'For services to Export.'

Mr. Bernard Rosser Young, M.B.E., (1906-86), was born in Knockholt, Kent, and after leaving school founded, with Sydney Marks, Marks and Young Dart Co. Ltd., a company which produced dartboards; at the outbreak of the Second War the company, which by this stage employed over 100 people, was converted to the War effort, making parts for aircraft fuselages. Young served in the Kent Home Guard, 10.1 - 13.6.1942, until in summer 1942 he was convicted alongside Sydney Marks of tax evasion and subsequently served six months in H.M.P. Wormwood Scrubs; whilst in prison he developed gangrene in his legs; being disabled he then became a key cutter for the criminal trade, earning the sobriquet 'The King of the Keys', and was heavily involved in the black market. In 1962 he sold his share in MYD to Sydney Marks, and founded his own business Selected Toys Limited; when his company was given the Queen's Award for Industry he was awarded the M.B.E. for services to Export.

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Sold for
£140