An Unusual WW1 Medal Pair, 1953 Coronation Medal & Post War O.B.E Medal Group awarded to Athol Mark Buchanan Shephard, late 11th Bn King's Royal Rifle Corps.

Athol Mark Buchanan Shephard was born on the 1st of May 1887, at Epsom, Surrey. The son of a stockbrokers clerk, Athol worked in clerical roles before the outbreak of WW1, where he was to join the 11th Battalion, The King's Royal Rifle Corps, who experienced extensive fighting during the War.

The 11th Battalion fought during 1916 at the Battles of Mount Sorrel, Delville Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval, Le Transloy, 1917, the Battles of Langemarck, Menin Road Ridge, Polygon Wood, and the Cambrai Operations, 1918, the Battles of St Quentin, Rosieres, Selle, Valenciennes and Sambre.

Having survived the War, Athol went back to work as a clerk, and during WW2 he was employed as a Higher Clerical Officer for the Ministry of Housing.

There are two original letters written to Athol Shephard dated July 1952, whereby he is trying to get a family horse cloth, that was used by a relative, Mark Shephard, when he was involved in the visit of Queen Victoria & the Prince of Wales during a visit to Temple Bar on the 27th of February 1872, to be used again for the forthcoming Coronation of Queen Elisabeth II. It would appear that he was unsuccessful, but the letters make interesting reading.

Athol was awarded the O.B.E. on the 1st of January 1958, the London Gazette refers, whilst serving as a Senior Executive Officer for the Ministry of Housing and Government.

Athol Mark Buchanan Shephard passed away on the 30th of January 1980, at Leatherhead.

The medals are mounted for display, sold with copied research, the following ORIGINAL documents, two typed letters relating to the horse cloth, 1953 Coronation Medal award certificate, newspaper cutting announcing his award of the O.B.E., photograph & Royal Mint O.B.E. presentation case, and the medals are as follows -

Order of the British Empire, Officer's Breast Badge, 2nd Type, Civil Division, unnamed as issued; British War & Victory Medals, 56643 PTE. A.M.B. SHEPHARD. K.R.RIF.C.; 1953 Coronation Medal, unnamed as issued.

Condition, good very fine

Pte Shephard is not entitled to a 1914/15 Star