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Auction: 21002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 218

A Second War ‘1941’ O.B.E., Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.C. group of eleven awarded to Colonel R. W. W. Hills, Royal Indian Army Service Corps, late Royal Army Service Corps and Royal Fusiliers

Hills led a fine career and was mentioned in despatches for the Great War, as well as for the North West Frontier where he served as Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies, 1937-39

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd Type breast Badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. R. W. W. Hills. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Capt. R. W. W. Hills.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Lieut. R. W. W. Hills. R.A.S.C.); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Major R. W. W. Hills, R.I.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. Oak Leaf [sic], all Second War Medals privately engraved ‘Col. R. W. Hills.’; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, all housed in custom glazed Spink & Son display case, remnants of lacquer, generally nearly very fine or better (11)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 July 1941.

M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 December 1918 & 17 October 1939 (North West Frontier).

Reginald William Welfare Hills was born on 27 May 1894, the son of Jacob William Hills, a coal merchant of 121 Sunny Bank, Riverhead, Kent. By 1911 he was working for his father as a Clerk and living with his family at Bradbourne House, Riverhead. Upon the outbreak of the Great War, he served in the ranks for 147 days, before being appointed a Cadet in the O.T.C. Hills was commissioned Second Lieutenant (on probation) 5th Battalion, The Royal Fusiliers, in February 1915. He was confirmed in that commission in July of the same year, and served in the French theatre of war, May 1915-November 1918.

Hills advanced to Lieutenant in November 1916, and transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps in July of the following year. He advanced to Captain in October 1919, and having served on the North West Frontier for the first time Hills transferred to the Indian Army in May 1928. He was employed on the Staff, August 1926 - August 1930, and advanced to Major in October 1933.

Hills once again served on the North West Frontier, this time as Deputy Assistant Director of Supplies, July 1937 - August 1939 (M.I.D.). He served as Acting Lieutenant-Colonel, November 1939-February 1940, and as Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel from February 1940 (O.B.E.). Colonel Hills died in February 1962.

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Sold for
£1,500

Starting price
£950