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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 477

(x) Three: Engineer Lieutenant-Commander R. W. Whitehead, Royal Navy, who was mentioned for his services in 1918 and later worked as Chief Engineer of the Military Works Service supplying the Wazir Field Force from 1919-20

1914-15 Star (Eng. S. Lieut. R. W. Whitehead. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Eng. Lt. Cr. R. W. Whithead. R.N.), good very fine (3)

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1919, the original recommendation quoted in his service papers states:

'Mentioned in dispatches for C in C British Salonika, for gallant conduct and distinguished services rendered during the period from 1st March to the 1st October 1918.’

Robert Wood Whitehead was born on 10 July 1883 and educated at Blyth Secondary School (1891-96) and Rutherford College, Newcastle (1896-98). Before joining Armstrong College, Newcastle for a Mechanical Engineering diploma (1898-1903) and finished his schooling at The Marine School South Shields, earning a 1st class B.O.T. certification (1907). During those last qualifications he was also apprenticed to the R.W. Hawthorn & Leslie St. Peters Works, Newcastle.

Whitehead was employed as a Marine Engineer with W. Milburn & Co., London and was later appointed Chief Engineer with the Australind Steam Navigation Company, London from 1904-1912. Travelling to Australia in 1912 he took work as Marine Engineering Overseer with the Public Service Board of New South Wales. This made him responsible for maintaining and reconditioning the dredgers, tugs, pilot vessels and other assorted harbour craft at Newcastle, Australia, a role which required him to run a staff of three hundred.

On the outbreak of the Great War, Whitehead travelled to Britian to offer his services and was commissioned Engineering Sub-Lieutenant on 15 July 1915. Posted initially to Victory he undertook courses on Internal Combustion Engines, Turbines and Oil Fuel before being posted to Neptune on 22 August. This battleship was stationed with the Grand Fleet at the time at saw no real action while Whitehead was with her. He was transferred to the Acacia class minesweeper Marigold in October, he remained there until 1917.

Promoted Engineer Lieutenant on 17 January 1917 Whitehead was ordered to the submarine depot ship St. George in the Mediterranean. The vessel was serving the 2nd Submarine Flotilla at the time although she also helped to service other Royal Navy warships and merchant ships.

The end of the war saw Whitehead taking a new position with the Military Works Service in India. Signing a two year contract in 1919 he served as Chief Engineer at the Dera Ismail Khan Works with the effective rank of Captain, Royal Engineers, supporting the Wazir Field Force. This role saw him in charge of seven separate plants which fed 6 military stations with a staff of three hundred workers.

Settling in South Africa with his family in 1959, Whitehead died at Cape Town in 1970; sold together with naval service papers and a typed biography.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£160

Starting price
£100