WW1/WW2 British Army CBE medal group Lieutenant Colonel Sir Reginald Biddle

Description: The C.B.E., Knight's Bachelor, Order of St. John group of fourteen awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Reginald Biddle, Engineer and Railway Staff Corps, a 'Distinguished Jerseyman' whose post as Deputy Director of Ports at the Ministry of War Transport arranged the evacuation of the Island prior to German occupation, his impressive career also included rolls as Regional Director of the North Western Ports, Docks and Marine Manager at Southampton for British Rail and President of the Hampshire County Cricket Club.The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Civil Division, C.B.E., neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its original Garrard & Co. case of issue; Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 1st type breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1956, the pin marked '15', in its Royal Mint case of issue; The Order of St John of Jerusalem, breast Badge, silver and enamel; British War and Victory Medals, named Capt. R. P. Biddle., with M.I.D. oakleaves; Defence Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R, dated '1949' to the reverse; France, Republic, Legion d'honneur, enamel; United States of America, Republic, Medal of Freedom, with silver palme; Belgium, Republic, Order of the Leopard, enamel; France, Republic, Order of Commercial & Industrial Merit, enamel; Order of Academic Palmes, silver and enamel, mounted as worn minor enamel damage reverse of the Legion d'honneur, pitting and contact wear to campaign decorations, overall very fine (14). C.B.E. London Gazette 22 September 1944.Kt. B. London Gazette 23 July 1957.Legion d'Honneur London Gazette 12 August 1949.K. St. J. London Gazette 3 January 1947.Reginald Poulton Biddle was born at St. Helier, Jersey, on 4 December 1888, the son of Alfred and Kathleen Biddle. Educated at Saunders Academy, St. Helier, he later joined the London and South Western Railway Company in 1904, working with them at Bond Street, Jersey. Promoted within the Company in 1907, Biddle was transferred to the Southampton Office where he was to spend the rest of his career.Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on 20 November 1915 he entered the war in India in April 1916 and was promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917 and transferred to the Royal Engineers. Serving as an Embarkation Staff Officer from 6 April 1918 while stationed in India. Promoted Captain in this role while stationed on 21 January 1921. Joining the Territorial force Biddle relinquished the rank again on 29 April 1920 but was promoted back to Captain with the 5/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on 11 November 1922.Marrying Kathleen Baker, daughter of Frederick Baker the founder of Frederick Baker and Sons Limited, in 1922. Returning to work at Southern Railway Biddle survived the nationalisation to British Rail and by the 1930s he was promoted to the Docks and Marine Manager at Southampton. Promoted Major on 6 January 1937, as the Second World War loomed, he was to perform an important role throughout.Biddle's experience was to give him a role in the Ministry of War Transport. Further advanced Lieutenant-Colonel with the Royal Engineers on 8 May 1940 and appointed Deputy Director of Ports. This role gave him immense responsibilities throughout the war as Britain's need to effectively manage her resources and their arrival in the country became key, particularly food and ammunition. Notably this role allowed him to send a number of boats to Jersey prior to its occupation by the Germans and evacuate as many people as possible. He later wrote of his role in the exodus:'The whole of the resources of the Railway Company's staff and facilities were unreservedly placed at the disposal of the local authorities. Entirely on my own initiative I sent some of the Southern Railway Company’s steamers to the islands. They had only peacetime certificates to carry 12 passengers but between them they brought over nearly 3,000 evacuees.'Later appointed Regional Director of the North Western Ports Biddle was to hold this appointment for the rest of the war. Returning to Southampton he received a barrage of awards for his contribution to the war effort and was further admitted to the Order of St. John as a reward for his support over the war years. Retiring from British Rail in 1957 he was knighted that same year and later became a director of Woodrow International Ltd and Shepard and Hedger (Maple) Ltd. He was also President of Hampshire County Cricket Club and a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Trade. A lover of Jersey while Biddle ended his days in Southampton, he returned to the Island often and was a familiar face at the Battle of Flowers Festival where 'The Sir Reginald Biddle Trophy' was awarded. Biddle died at Southampton on 11 September 1970; sold together with copied research including an obituary in the Jersey Evening Post, the recipient's Who's Who 1965 entry and a copied photograph. Please view my other collector's items for sale. Overseas buyers, if you want to buy these and pay direct, this will mean you won't be paying import duty. Get in touch. I can combine postage, please just message me before payment and I can invoice you direct. If you are still bidding on items, let me know and we can discuss a later date for payment. If you have a problem with the transaction at any stage, please contact me, nothing I can do about a problem if you don't let me know first.

Price: 6500 AUD

Location: Stoneville, WA

End Time: 2024-08-04T14:17:39.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD