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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 233

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The Great War M.B.E. group of three awarded to Major R. F. Wykeham-Martin, Royal Engineers, a keen yachtsman and inventor of the 'Wykeham-Martin furling gear', still used on yachts today

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1918; British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major R. F. Wykeham-Martin.), about extremely fine (3)

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

Robert Fiennes Wykeham-Martin was born in Wiltshire in 1873, scion of a wealthy family - his grandfather owned Leeds Castle and were connected through marriage to the barons Cornwallis. Interested in all things practical and 'hands-on', Robert trained as an electrical engineer and developed a keen interest in yachting: purchasing a house in Marlow (on the banks of the River Thames) in the autumn of 1900, he subsequently built a Gaff Ketch (named White Moth) in his back garden - she was launched in 1903 and is still sailed today, being further credited with the development of the 'Wykeham-Martin furling gear', known in sailing circles as "a piece of British yachting history" and "the father of all roller furlers".

During the Great War, Wykeham-Fiennes was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant on 15 May 1916 (London Gazette 17 May 1916, p.4940 refers) and his Medal Index Card notes his entry into the Mesopotamian theatre of operations on 5 September that year. Likely a member of the Royal Engineers Inland Water Transport (thereby putting his skills to best use for the war effort) Wykeham-Finnes undoubtedly excelled, evidenced by his rapid promotion to Major, with a 'Mention' and an M.B.E. to boot. After demobilisation he returned home to Marlow, giving his address as Hawthorne Cottage, Bourne End; he died in 1968 at the grand old age of 95.

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Estimate
£200 to £300

Starting price
£160