Miniature Medals from the Collection of Mark Cline

A mounted group of seven miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel W. F. Blaker, D.S.O., O.B.E., General Staff, late Royal Artillery

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., gold and enamel, with top bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, silver-gilt; 1914 Star; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1911, silver; France, Legion of Honour, 5th Class, silver, gold and enamel, mounted as worn, in Hunt & Roskell, London case, the lid inscribed in gilt, ‘Lt Col. W. F. Blaker.’ last with slight enamel damage, generally nearly extremely fine (7) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Miniature Medals from the Collection of Mark Cline.

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W. F. Riechwald was born on 9 April 1877. Commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in April 1898 and promoted to Lieutenant in February 1901 and Captain in November 1905. Served at the war Office on Military Intelligence Duties, 1906-07. Changed his name to Blaker (his wife’s maiden name) in 1913. Promoted to Major in October 1914. Served in France as G.S.O.2, Indian Cavalry Corps H.Q., 1915 and in Mesopotamia as G.S.O.2 Intelligence, 1916-18 and as G.S.O.1, 1919. Was G.S.O.1 at the War Office in 1920. Attained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in July 1918. For his wartime services he was three times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 14 November 1916; 12 March 1918; 21 February 1919) and awarded the D.S.O. (London Gazette 7 February 1918); he was additionally awarded the O.B.E. and Legion of Honour. Was a Gold Medallist of the United Services Institute for an essay, 1916-17, The Possibility of Utilizing India as a military asset to the Empire more in accordance with her size and population than at present. Became Military attaché at Athens in 1923. With copied service papers and research and a copied photograph of the recipient.