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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 639

A Second World War C.B.E. and American Legion of Merit group of ten awarded to Brigadier C. Knowles, Royal Signals, late Rifle Brigade, who was wounded during the Great War and who earned 'mentions' in Palestine and during the Second World War, latterly being Commander of the Vienna Garrison

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. C. Knowles.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, Palestine, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. C. Knowles.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander's neck Badge, the reverse officially named 'Cyril Knowles', with neck riband and in its case of issue, mounted court-style as worn where applicable, the B.W.M. with officially re-impressed naming, very fine (10)

C.B.E. London Gazette 1 February 1945. The recommendation covers his services with 8 Corps HQ from February 1943 and their work in France. It notes how forward in battle Knowles is and that he is regularly under shell and mortar fire.

[O.B.E.] London Gazette 9 September 1942. An award for services with 4 Line of Communication Signals from November 1941. The recommendation notes his previous service in the Western Desert and states he was responsible for communications from the Libyan frontier to Agedabia. During the withdrawal from Cyrenaica he was forward with the 4th Indian Division.

American Legion of Merit London Gazette 17 October 1946. The award for his work as Chief Signal Officer of 8 British Corps and thence Chief Signal Officer, HQ British 2nd Army, June 1944-May 1945.

Cyril Knowles was born on 2 June 1899 and was educated at Ampleforth and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 24 April 1918, he served on the Western Front with the 6th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and was wounded on 2 November 1918. Although various sources state a 'mention', it does not appear to have been published in the London Gazette and was thus likely a War Office 'B' Brought to Notice, before serving in Iraq. Seconded to the Royal Signals in 1924, he was transferred on 6 July 1927. He was again mentioned during the Palestine operations (London Gazette 22 December 1939, refers) before a most active time during the Second World War. He earned himself the O.B.E., C.B.E., and Legion of Merit besides being mentioned on no less than three occasions (London Gazette 22 December 1940, 1 April & 8 July 1941, refer respectively). He was present for the visit of HRH The Princess Royal to Guards Armoured Divisional Signals in October 1943 and Commanded the Vienna Garrison from 1949-51. Retired in 1952 he was made a JP in Monmouthshire and died in 1970; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£420