Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A post-War O.B.E. group of nine awarded to Colonel C. W. Hurley, Royal Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953; Jubilee 1977; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, the reverse officially dated ‘1946’, with companion set of nine miniature medals, both sets mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (10) £200-£260 --- O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 13 December 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 24 August 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 19 July 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ Clement Woods Hurley was born in 1916 at Benton, Northumbria, and educated as Douai school in Berkshire. He joined Northumberland Council straight from school, was articled to the clerk of the council and, in 1937, after five years’ apprenticeship, was officially admitted to the council’s staff. In the meantime, the young solicitor had joined the Territorial Army, and when war broke out he was called up. ‘I was evacuated from Dunkirk and later went out to the Middle East,’ he said. He was wounded, not badly, but both feet were injured and he remained forever a little lame. He served in the 50th (Northumbrian) Division and finished up a Colonel. From 1948, he was deputy clerk of the council for the next 21 years. In 1968 he became clerk, and clerk of the peace, and in 1973 he became chief executive of the council. He retired in 1977. Sold with various original documents including Warrants for O.B.E. and M.B.E.; M.I.D. Certificate; award certificates for Coronation 1953 and Jubilee 1977; Commission as 2nd Lieutenant in 72nd (Northumbrian) Filed Brigade R.A., dated 19 April 1938; certificate of Appointment as Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Northumberland, dated 1 June 1971; various Law Society certificates for Articles of Clerkship and Examination passes for Solicitor; together with copied research including news cuttings.