A Shetland Islander and' World Wars' veteran of the Merchant Navy medal group of 3: Boatswain William Odie. B.E.M., Merchant Navy late Royal Naval Reserve

- British Empire Medal (Civil Division) EIIR issue (William Odie)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (701L. W. Odie. Act. L.S. R.N.R.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (701L. W. Odie. Act. L.S. R.N.R.)

The recipient's family name 'Odie' is unique, as the only medal recipient of the British Armed Forces to earn and receive campaign medals for the Great War. The recipients younger elder brother, John Odie, was also the unique recipient of that surname to earn and receive medals for service with the Mercantile Marine during the Great War!

The medals sold together with:

- Red leatherette 'Royal Mint' case of issue for the B.E.M.. Contained in cardboard outer carton as issued
- Card box of issue, for the Great War medals. This named and with name of medals on the lid.

Medals verification: The recipients British Empire Medal and Great War medals confirmed as entitled per below following cited references. Additionally the recipient was entitled to a spread of Second World campaign stars and War Medal, however the recipient - like a great many other veterans - never bothered to claim the unnamed Second World War medals to which he was entitled for his far-flung overseas voyages 1939-45

- British Empire Medal: Published in London Gazette issue of 1960
- British War & Interallied Victory Medals: ADM 171/123

The preamble to the published award of the British Empire Medal is quote below:

Quote,

CENTRAL CHANCERY OF THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD

St. James's Palace, London S.W.I.

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased, on the occasion of the Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday, to approve the award of the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) to the undermentioned:.....

William ODIE, Boatswain, Merchant Navy General Service. (Aberdeen.)

Unquote.

William Odie. third son, of John Odie (Crofter & Carter) and Jane Catherine Odie (nee Williamson) was a native of, Burravoe, Isle of Yell, Shetland, where he was born on, 26 December 1896 (recipient's RNR service records refer). Gilbert first enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve on, 25 January 1915. Prior to the Great War, William had been employed as a 'Gig Driver'. After enrolment, James was initially rated 'Seaman' and later became Acting 'Leading Seaman'. The recipients service papers show that he was a qualified 'Gunner' (Gun-Layer) with the standard 3 Pounder Vickers Gun, that Defensively Armed Merchant Ships were equipped with. Basis several postings to 'H.M.S. Excellent' - the Royal Navy 'Gunnery School' - at Portsmouth, England, William Odie was evidently a well qualified 'Gunner'. Significantly, during the Great War, William, s recorded to have served as 'Leading Gunner' aboard the the Motor Vessel 'Glenbrook' (Shetland's Roll of Honour and Roll of Service refers)

M.V. Glenbrook: Was a merchant vessel built at South Shields in 1909, that was registered in the same year at Newcastle, as it's 'Home Port'. A ''Steam Coaster', the 'Glenbrook' was a steel hulled vessel of 251 Gross Tonnage.The Nottage Maritime Institute have in their museum collection a painting from the Great War era, that depicts the S.S. Glenbrook under surface attack by a German submarine - whether the Gunner depicted in the painting returning fire, is Leading Gunner William Odie is not currently known - but may have been!

Quote (https://www.nottage.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/january-2024-newsletter.pdf)

There have been some notable recent donations to the Nottage collection during the past six months some of which we have touched on briefly in the last edition of the newsletter. In August Ms Helen Fowler very generously gave us a beautiful and interesting painting of a small coaster called Glenbrook. This little 250 ton ship is depicted in wartime grey paint as she was on 27 March 1916 when she was attacked by a German submarine. The U-Boat opened fire on the Glenbrook with rifles, but the steamer fought back with the little gun on her stern. Although the gun was only a 3 pounder (or possibly a 6 pounder), she saw off the enemy and got back home safely to survive the war and trade for many years afterwards. The great uncle of Helen’s mother was one of the crew of the Glenbrook at the time, which is how she came to have it and donate it to the Nottage. It is hoped that the picture and the full story will go on display some time during the coming season.

Unquote

Post-1919, William Odie had a long career as a Merchant Seaman, that included multiple 'deep sea' voyages across the globe, including service during the Second World War - the Board of Trade 'Merchant Seaman' records have multiple files pertaining to his the numerous international voyages. William Odie, married schoolteacher Robina 'Ruby' Smith at Shetland in 1946.Years later, and then resident in Aberdeen, Scotland, 'Bosun' William Odie, was decorated with the British Empire Medal as a mark of recognition of his many decades of service in the British Merchant Navy. William Odie is recorded to have died at Aberdeen, Scotland, on,4 March 1972

Service sheets and Board of Trade Merchant Navy service cards (including with photo ID) are extant and accessible at The National Archives

For a detailed summary of Shetland's contribution and experiences during the Great War, we would refer clients to the excellent PDF resource produced by the Shetland Library, by cutting and pasting below link / address:

https://www.shetland.gov.uk/downloads/file/1344/the-fighting-forces-secondary-resources-information-sheets-for-s1-s6

The medals all pristine - and never worn - and a choice condition group, to a Shetlander, from the Isle of Yell

Condition: EF

Code: 24139