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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 579

An unusual and well-documented M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major S. Kingsley, Royal Artillery, who served as an instructor with 210 British Liaison Unit, British Military Mission to Greece from 1944-45

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Greece, Kingdom, Medal for Outstanding Acts 1940, with crown, sold together with a comprehensive archive of original material, good very fine (7)

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

'It has been mainly due to the energy and ability of this officer that the present twelve Greek Army Training schools have been put into operation so quickly. His efforts have been a major factor in overcoming the initial difficulties incumbent in starting this great training enterprise.

His knowledge of the Greek [SIC] has been a vital factors, Major Kingsley has never spared himself and his enthusiasm has been unbounded, resulting in a real contribution to the war effort.


Sidney Kingsley was born in London on 19 November 1913 and qualified as a solicitor in 1937, immediately setting up his own practice as a Partner in Kingsley Napley. He was still performing this role when the war began in 1939 and joined an officer training unit from which he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 23 August 1941.

He certainly saw active service, being mentioned in the Diary of James D. Hearn attending a Battery Christmas Dinner in Cairo in 1942. Later posted to 'E' Instructional Team of the British Military Mission to Greece Kingsley's Obituary in The Independent makes reference to secret missions in Greece, stating "One understands that he caused much disruption and many problems behind German lines."

Unfortunately little other evidence remains of this although Kingsley was certainly heavily involved in training the Greek Army in the later phases of the war joining 210 British Liaison Unit. There he served as Deputy Assistant Adjutant & Quartermaster General until the end of the war.

Returning to his firm after the war Kingsley thrived there, getting married to Rhoda Friedman in 1957. He continued to run the firm successfully until 1976 when he partially retired but became carried on as a consultant until his death at London on 1- September 1992; sold together with copied research and a large archive of original material comprising:

i)
An original folder containing movement and casualty forms.

ii)
One portrait photograph.

iii)
A photograph of the Royal Greek Army General Training Centre & School Section signed by the participants and addressed to the recipients.

iv)
Bestowal Documents for the M.B.E. and Medal for Outstanding Alts named to the recipient.

v)
Documents of issue named to the recipient relating to the M.B.E.

vi)
A copy of the General Routine Orders for the MEF dated 28 December 1945, with the recipient's name handwritten upon it.

vii)
A Greetings card in Greek.

viii)
A Royal Artillery Memorial Service order of service for Greece 1945.

ix)
A large collection of loose photographs.

x)
Riband bar corresponding to the recipient's awards.

xi)
A Greek G.T.C.&S. reunion menu dated 23 May 1944, signed by the participants.

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Estimate

Starting price
£210