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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 510

A Great War 'Special Service' O.B.E. pair awarded to Lieutenant A. W. S. Reeve, Royal Naval Reserve, decorated for his part as Executive Officer aboard the Managem in dropping agents 'behind the lines'

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st Type breast Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. A. W. S. Reeve. R.N.R.), good very fine (2)

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 April 1919. The original recommendation states:

''Special Service in connection with intelligence acquisition in Palestine, Syria and Karamania.'

Arthur William Simms Reeve was born on 30 August 1887 at Brancaster Staithe, Norfolk. Gaining his Second Mate Certificate in April 1908, he was made Master in June 1913 and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 27 July 1917, being made Lieutenant on 27 July 1918. Reeve served as Executive Officer aboard H.M.S. Managem, which served to drop agents behind the Turkish lines during the Great War, in the period February 1917-October 1918. Captain Weldon's Hard Lying gives further detail and his work also includes an image with Reeve features. Due to the nature of the work of his vessel, it is no surprise the award was made in Peacetime. His Service Record relates the award for '...valuable services in connection with the prosecution of the War.'

Pepper was demobilised on 24 July 1919 and he died at Brighton in 1965.

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Sold for
£500

Starting price
£230