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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 256

The British Military (Mission Greece) 1945 M.B.E. group of nine attributed to Brigadier C. V. Halden, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), who was further awarded the Greek D.S.M., he notably translated German Prisoner of War testimonies during the Second World War, served as A.D.C. to General Lindsell and later acted as Military Advisor to the British High Commission in Rhodesia

The Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, 2nd Type; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Efficiency Decoration G.VI.R. Territorial, engraved '1946' to reverse with second award Bar, G.VI.R.; Greece, Republic, Distinguished Service Medal, 1 clasp, 1940, mounted for wear, all very fine (9)

M.B.E. London Gazette 13 December 1945, the original recommendation states:

'Major HALDEN has held the appointment of Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General DAQMG, British Military Mission Greece BMM(G) since its formation in October 1944. He has worked continuously and indefatigably in planning and provision of equipment for the Greek Forces. During the revolution he often showed disregard of danger when visiting Greek units and ensuring that they were provide with their requirements. He has never spared himself his work, which has always been highly meritorious.'

T.D. London Gazette 5 December 1946.

Second Award Bar to T.D. London Gazette 22 August 1952.

Note the Greek Decoration does not seem to have been recorded in the London Gazette, however it is referred to in his obituary in the Regimental Magazine.

Cecil Valentine Halden was born in October 1911 at Musselburgh, East Lothian and was educated at Cranleigh Prep School and Berkhamstead School. He worked as a Junior Master at Belmont House Prep School when he enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Cameronians as a 2nd Lieutenant in December 1931. He was promoted Lieutenant in 1935 and Captain in June 1939. Two months later he served as Adjutant and not before long he was mobilised, first seeing service on the Suffolk coast, and then to Scotland.

Halden worked as an Instructor in Cambridge in the early summer of 1941, which proved pivotal as it was here that he met his wife, Phyllis while she was stationed at Corpus Christi College while working for the Ministry of Information. Later that year Halden was first deployed overseas and was given the rather vital role of interrogating German Prisoner of Wars based at camps in the Middle East. This role saw him travel to Syria, Suda, Persia and Libya, and also included a tour as A.D.C. to General Lindsell. After some time at Haifa, he returned to Cairo and was posted to Athens with the British Military Mission. He was stationed here for two and a half years during the Greek Civil War and it was out here he was promoted Major in October 1947. He was awarded the M.B.E. and Greek D.C.M. for his services here.

Come the turn of the decade, Halden was promoted Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, and then Temporary Colonel three years later in 1953. He served with the 1st Battalion, Cameronians in Gibraltar and had post war appointments in Pakistan, Fontainebleau, Rheindahlen. It was also at this time that Halden was allowed to go back to Cambridge to complete a languages degree at Pembroke College. For his final posting, he was sent to Rhodesia for three years between 1962 - 65 as Military Advisor to the British High Commission while also serving as Liaison Officer with the Rhodesian Forces.

Halden then retired from the Army in 1965 but was later granted the title of Honorary Brigadier. In his retirement, he became heavily involved in charity work and returned to his teaching roots, taking the post of French Master at Oakley Hall Prep School in Cirencester. He retired from here owing to ill health and later died in Somerset in March 1980.

Please note the Greek Decoration does not seem to have been recorded in the London Gazette, but it is referred to in his obituary in the Regimental Magazine; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240