Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 227

The Great War M.B.E. and Mayor's Jewel of Stretford, Manchester group of three awarded to Superintendent J. W. Willoughby, Salford Special Constabulary

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Civil Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., with additional service clasps 'The Great War 1914-18' and 'Long Service, 1929' (Supt. John W. Willoughby. M.B.E.); Mayor's Jewel for the Borough of Stretford, the obverse with the Coat of Arms in silver-gilt and enamel, reverse engraved 'Borough of Stretford. Presented by The Council to Councillor John William Willoughby MBE JP in Commemoration of his Mayorality 1939-40', by Fattorini, silver-gilt and enamel, with hallmarks to reverse, mounted as worn, good very fine (3)

M.B.E. London Gazette 8 January 1919.

John William Willoughby was born at 5 Back Frederick Street No. 2, Salford on 4 April 1873 and was a plumber by trade. By 1911 he was living at 161 Trafford Road and had his own firm of plumbers. He served with the Special Constabulary during the Great War and into the 1920's in Stretford and eventually rose to become Mayor during the Second World War, was listed as a Master Plumber and was also being a Justice of the Peace, Member of the Plumber's Company and a Freeman of the City of London

A vital centre of industry which produced Lancaster Bombers, Stretford was a tempting target for German bombing raids. The heaviest raids of the Manchester Blitz occurred on the nights of 23 & 24 December 1940, when 684 people were killed and more than 2,000 injured as the Luftwaffe dropped 467 tons of high explosive over the two nights. In Stretford, 73 people were killed and many more injured, while the Metropolitan-Vickers works were badly damaged. Manchester United's nearby football ground at Old Trafford was bombed not only on 23-24 December but also in March 1941, and was not operational again until 1949. Willoughby would certainly have been a present and active throughout in his capacity. He died on 13 October 1945.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240