A Second World War O.B.E. group of six awarded to Brigadier R. J. Wilkins, Sherwood Foresters, late Rifle Brigade and Royal Irish Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1914-15 Star (S-3943 Cpl., Rif. Bde.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed, mounted as worn, worn and better (6) £240-280

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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Robert James Wilkins was born on 5 September 1892. He served in the ranks of the Rifle Brigade before being commissioned into the Royal Irish Regiment in December 1915. He was promoted to Lieutenant in June 1918 and served as Acting Captain and Adjutant of the 1st Battalion, July 1918-March 1919. Wilkins served in France, 20 May 1915-November 1915; Egypt, May-July 1916; Salonika, July 1916-September 1917; and Egypt, September 1917-October 1918. He transferred to the Sherwood Foresters in August 1922, being promoted Captain, June 1925; and Brevet Major, July 1933. Transferred to the Reserve of Officers in June 1936. Rejoining in 1939, he was appointed War Substantive Lieutenant-Colonel and Temporary Brigadier in March 1942. Awarded the O.B.E. in 1944; he retired as an Honorary Brigadier in August 1945. Between the wars and after the Second War he was employed by the Territorial Association as Secretary. Appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire in 1947. In 1960 he was appointed Regional Liaison Officer of King George’s Jubilee Trust for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Rutland. He was also vice president of the Derbyshire branch of the British Red Cross Society and was for some years Treasurer of Derbyshire Cricket Club. Brigadier Wilkins died at his home at Windley Hall, Windley, Derbyshire in 1971. With copied research including copied group photograph which includes Wilkins.