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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 326

The 'Indian Defence Force 1919' C.I.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. N. Moberly, Bombay Volunteer Rifles, later 15th Bombay Battalion, Indian Defence Force and Chief A.R.P. Warden, A.R.P. Felixstowe

The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Companion's (C.I.E. ) neck Badge, gold and enamel; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. C. N. Moberly.); Defence 1939-45; Delhi Durbar 1911; Indian Volunteer Forces Officers' Decoration, G.V.R. (Maj. C. N. Moberly 15th Bombay Bn I.D.F.); Jubilee 1935, the third and sixth loose, otherwise mounted as worn, good very fine (6)

C.I.E. London Gazette 12 September 1919.

Charles Noel Moberly was born at Clapham, London on 24 December 1880, the son of George and Sarah Moberly. Attending Rugby School between 1894-1898 he matriculated to study at Yorkshire College, Leeds between 1900-1902. During this time he specialised in electrical engineering, being listed as working with the British Electrical Engineering Company in 1898 and again later 1900-1903.

Becoming an Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in February 1903 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on 2 April 1904. Advanced Lieutenant very soon afterwards on 18 August 1904, Moberly joined the Bombay Electrical Supply Company as an Assistant Engineer while living at 81 Hornby Road, Bombay in 1906.

Transferring to 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on 1 April 1908 he married Kate Fottrell in Bombay on 8 August 1908. Moberly resigned his commission on 1 October 1908 and joined the Bombay Volunteer Rifles as a Captain the same day. In this role he attended the Delhi Durbar as Honorary Major in 1911, being confirmed upon the role as receiving his medal from the allotment of the Adjutant General.

Serving with the 1st Bombay Battalion, Indian Defence Force during the Great War the medal roll notes that Moberly was involved with 'Army Instruction (India)', he was advanced Major on 1 April 1917 whilst undertaking that task. Further promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 8 April 1919, the date was initially misprinted in the London Gazette as 8 April 1920 but later corrected. He was finally posted to the 15th Battalion, Bombay Battalion on 30 September 1920.

Leaving India Moberly settled in Felixstowe in 1939 where he appears on the census listed as Chief A.R.P. Warden, Felixstowe. His son George Edward Moberly was an R.A.F. pilot during the Battle of Britain with three kills, two during the Battle, but was shot down and killed over the channel on 26 August 1940. Moberly himself died on 1 January 1969 and Teddars Lees House, Etchinghill, Kent.

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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,600

Starting price
£950