Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A 1946 ‘Military Division’ M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Senior Commissioned Master at Arms W. E. Gillings, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (221774. W. E. Gillings, Sh. Cpl. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (221774 W. E. Gillings. Sh. Cpl. 1 R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (221774. W. E. Gillings, R. P. O. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Hawkins.) contact marks overall, generally nearly very fine (7) £200-240

M.B.E. London Gazette 13 June 1946.

William Edward Gillings was born in Southwold, Suffolk, in May 1887. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in May 1905, and advanced to Ship’s Corporal 2nd Class in June 1913. Service during the Great War included with H.M.S. Agamemnon, April 1914 - November 1917. During the latter period she was engaged as part of the Channel Fleet covering the transport of the B.E.F. to France, and as part of the British Dardanelles Squadron supporting the landings during the Dardanelles Campaign and shelling Turkish targets.

Gillings was awarded his L.S. & G.C. in May 1920, and advanced to Master at Arms in June 1921. He was ‘Shore Pensioned’ in May 1927, and re-engaged for service as Master at Arms (Pensioner) in November 1939. He was appointed Temporary Acting Warrant Master at Arms in November 1941, before advancing to Temporary Acting Commissioned Master at Arms. Gillings was discharged as Temporary Acting Senior Commissioned Master at Arms in November 1945.