Bidspirit auction | An most interesting, attributed MBE

An most interesting, attributed MBE and Italian Croce di Guerra awards for service in Italy during the First World War to a scion of the well-known Benson family, whose firm J W Benson Ltd manufactured high quality clocks and watches in the UK during the 19th and 20th centuries. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Military Division) badge of the 5th Class Member (MBE), in Royal Mint case of issue, together with the original bestowal document named to: Temporary Lieutenant (Acting Captain) Trevor Gaulter Benson. Italian Croce Al Merito Di Guerra (War Merit Cross), Victor Emanuel III cypher. Trevor Gaulter Benson was born on 5 March 1893, the second of three children of Alfred Benson, Managing Director of J W Benson Ltd, and his wife Florence. Educated at Eton College, Trevor Benson clearly had a sense of duty and national service. Despite his wealthy family background, following the outbreak of WW1 he was sworn in as a Metropolitan Police Special Constable, Warrant Card No 0013518, at Barnstead on 14 August 1914 and volunteered to join the BRCS, serving in that capacity in France as an ambulance driver with a VAD and later transferring to the RAMC. At some early stage, his potential officer qualities must have been recognised and he was commissioned in due course into the Army Service Corps . He spent the latter period of the war on the Italian front as an RASC/MT officer where his undoubtedly outstanding service was rewarded by the MBE and the Italian Croce di Guerra, both in 1919. For his WW1 service he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, named to the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John (BRCS & OstJ) and the British War Medal and Victory Medal named to him as Capt RASC. Unfortunately the whereabouts of these medals is not known, although it is understood that his Victory Medal is in the custody of a collector in Australia. He received both the MBE and the Italian Croce di Guerra in 1919 for his services in Italy. The MBE is accompanied by the original bestowal document dated 1 January 1919, bearing the signature of King George V (note: these bestowal documents are now scarce and infrequently accompany the awards) together with copy MIC, medal rolls and LG entries for MBE and Croce de Guerra, a biographical note on the Benson family and other research notes. Good Very Fine (GVF) condition.