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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 907

A 1929 O.B.E. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel N. H. L. Watts, Indian Army

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st Type breast Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1928; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Maj. N. H. L. Watts.), the BWM with officially re-impressed naming; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Maj. N. H. L. Watts, 92/Punjabis.), second clasp loose upon riband; Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style as worn by Spink & Son, lacquered, very fine (5)

O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1929.

Nicholas Hugh Lawrence Watts was born on 8 June 1885 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 9 January 1904. Joining the Indian Army in March 1905, he was advanced Lieutenant in April 1906, Captain in January 1913 and Temporary Major in June 1917. Serving with the 92nd Punjabis during the Great War, his unit is noted as having served at the Battle of Orah on 21 January 1916, this being the day that Brigadier John Alexander Sinton and Jemadar Lala won themselves the Victoria Cross. Watts is noted as having arrived with a draft of men in May 1916 and moved to the rear Sennaiyat Trenches two days later. He was confirmed Major in January 1919 and was also 'mentioned' for his actions on the Afghanistan North West Frontier (London Gazette 1 November 1919, refers). Awarded his O.B.E. whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment, Watts was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1930 and was retired in January 1934; sold together with copied research.

The bestowal document for his O.B.E. was sold by DNW in February 2018, Lot 471.

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Sold for
£290

Starting price
£170