Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 253

(x) A post-war civil C.B.E., Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of six awarded to Major R. Yates, Royal Engineers, a tunnelling specialist who was also thrice mentioned in despatches

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (C.B.E.), Civil Division, Commander's neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its D.S. & S. case of issue; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved 'King's Birthday Honours. Capt. R. Yates. R.E. 174 Coy. June 1917'; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. R. Yates. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major R. Yates.), obverse and reverse centres of the D.S.O. somewhat recessed, otherwise very fine or better (6)

C.B.E. London Gazette 2 January 1951.

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 June 1919.

M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.

Robert Yates was embarked for France as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers in July 1915, likely as an early recruit to 174 Tunnelling Company, R.E., in which he was awarded his M.C. The Company was engaged in the Cuinchy sector at the time of his arrival and served for most of the war in the Ypres salient. Thus tours of duty in support of the Loos operations, and more specifically at Hulluch and Hill 70, and at the Copse and Double Crassier features.

He is also known to have subsequently served in 183 Tunnelling Company, R.E., which was formed at Rouen in October 1915 and played a significant role in the Somme offensive. The company later undertook offensive mining at Messines and therein might lie the background to Yates's D.S.O.

He was also mentioned in despatches on three occasions (London Gazettes 30 November 1915, 9 April 1917 and 16 March 1919, refer). And he added the C.B.E. to his accolades in January 1951, for his services as Deputy Chief Inspector of Mines in the Ministry of Fuel and Power; sold with his original M.I.D. certificates.

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

Estimate
£1,500 to £2,000

Starting price
£1200