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Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 501

(x) A Second World War North-West Europe operations O.B.E. attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel W. A. Hildred, Royal Army Ordnance Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, the reverse contemporarily engraved 'Lt. Col. W. A. Hildred', nearly extremely fine

O.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states:

'This Officer joined 14/16 Army Ordnance Deopt in September 1944 from HQ 21 Army Group where he had already done excellent work. He took over No.1 M.T. Stores Sub Depot from an Officer who had given signs of being unable to carry the considerable load which the depot was then handling.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hildred quickly re-organised and revitalised Sub-Depot and inspired Officers and men to such extent that they were quickly able to carry out there work in maintaining the Armies and Lines of Communications with M.T. stores over the lengthening Lines of Communications. Subsequently in October 1944 this Officer was promoted Acting Lieutenant-Coloenl and appointed the DC00 of the Depot. He was then responsible for the technical working for the whole depot and for co-ordinating the operational issues for forward areas and for dealing with the many difficulties which were hampering the movement of stores. The cheerfulness and efficiency of this Officer during the appalling conditions with which the depot were faced during the winter months encouraged the other Officers and men to such an extent that apparently insurmountable difficulties were overcome and the forward troops were supplied with their requirements at all times.

Since February 1945 when the heavy load was taken from 14 Army Ordnance Depot, Lieutenant-Colonel Hildred has maintained his very high standard of organisation during the bulk clearance of R.M.A., and the outstanding devotion to duty, which he has displayed throughout, has never flagged.'

William Albert Hildred served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War and also recieved a mention in the dispataches (London Gazette, 9 August 1945, refers).

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