Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Major James Barnett, Military Works Service

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (No. 7885 Sergt., M.W.S.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (S-Sgt., M.W.S.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (7885 S-Sgt., M.W.S.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed; Coronation 1937, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S-Sgt., M.W.S.) mounted court style for wear; together with a similar mounted set of miniature dress medals (M.B.E. missing; I.G.S. 1908 without clasp); Army Temperance Association India Medal, A.T.A.I.2 (Sergt. J. Barnett) silver; Royal Scots Prize Medal, silver, reverse inscribed, ‘Junior League 1905, A Coy. Lce. Cpl. Barnett’; Peace Medal 1919, bronze, unnamed, good very fine (18) £340-380

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Long Service Medals from the Collection formed by John Tamplin.

View
Collection

M.B.E. London Gazette 14 June 1945. ‘Major (Commissary) James Barnett, Indian Engineers

James Barnett was born in West Bromwich, Staffordshire. An Engine Driver by occupation and a member of the 1st Volunteer Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, he attested for service with the Royal Scots at Birmingham on 10 January 1902, aged 18 years, 2 months. With the 1st Battalion he served in South Africa, July 1902-March 1903, after which he was posted to India. He was transferred to the 2nd Battalion in January 1904, and in February 1909 he was transferred to the Indian Unattached List for employment with the Military Works Service. On 16 July 1909 he was placed on the Supernumerary List to the Establishment while a Student at Thomson College at Roorkee, and on the same day he was promoted to Sergeant. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in December 1912. During the Great War he served in Mesopotamia, May 1915-October 1916, and in East Persia, June 1919-March 1920. For his services in Mesopotamia he was mentioned in the despatches of Lieutenant-General Sir Percy Lake, K.C.B., K.C.M.G. Barnett was awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. with Gratuity in I.A.O. 792 of 1920. He was promoted to Sub-Conductor in the Military Engineering and Public Works Department in April 1920, and Conductor in the Military Engineering Service in February 1927. He was next promoted Lieutenant (Deputy Commissary) in October 1930, Captain (Deputy Commissary) in October 1933, and Major (Commissary) in October 1936. Barnett retired from the service on 1 November 1936. Prior to his retirement he was Personal Assistant to the Principal of the Thomson College of Civil Engineering at Roorkee in the Education Department. Barnett remained in India after his retirement, and served with the Indian Army when he was re-employed, June 1940-June 1944. Serving as a Major (Commissary) with the Indian Engineers, he was based at Lahore, June-December 1940, and Rawalpindi, December 1940-June 1944. For his wartime services he was awarded the M.B.E. His other medal entitlement for WW2 is unknown. Sold with riband bar and copied research.