116863 Preisdatenbank Los(e) gefunden, die Ihrer Suche entsprechen

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 copy clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence Medal (3), one contemporarily engraved ‘W. Roberts 2040/1 H.G.’; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal (2), one with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45 (5), one officially impressed ‘VX73253 G. F. Rowlands’; another impressed ‘Boots style’ ‘Flt Lt. C. E. Mc.Cormac R.A.F.’; another in named card box of issued, addressed to ‘Miss B. Woodhouse, 6 Hillfield Road, West Hampstead, London NW6’, with ticker tape entitlement slip, and Air Council enclosure; another a Canadian issue in silver; Africa Service Medal, officially impressed ‘187305 J. Human’; India Service Medal; New Zealand War Service Medal; Australia Service Medal, officially impressed ‘VX73253 G. F. Rowlands’; South Africa Medal for War Service, good very fine and better (18) £100-£140 --- Sold with a Women’s Land Army Certificate of Service to accompany one of the Defence Medals, named to Kathleen M. Walter, with her service period from 27 August 1942 to 26 January 1946; and some 13th Coventry Battalion, Home Guard insignia, with identity tag named to ‘D. Brown’; and a Desert Rat cloth badge.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. B. Bird, Royal Army Medical Corps Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914 Star, with clasp (Major. E. B. Bird. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. E. B. Bird.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, unnamed as issued, with integral top riband bar; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with silver star emblem on riband, mounted as worn and housed in a Spink, London, leather case; together with a set of six related miniature awards, the TD lacking top riband bar, this mounted for display, generally very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1927. Elliot Beverley Bird was born on 24 March 1881, the only son of George Bird, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and was educated at Cheltenham College and Trinity College, Dublin. Commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps, he served during the Great War with both the 26th Field Ambulance and the 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance on the Western Front from 6 November 1914, and was advanced Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. For his services during the Great War he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22 June 1915; 21 January 1917; 24 December 1917; and 25 May 1918), and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 19 June 1919). Remaining in the Territorial Force post-War, Bird was confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1925 (London Gazette 3 November 1925). In civilian life he was Hon. Radiologist at the Royal Portsmouth Hospital and the War Memorial Hospital at Gosport; and a Consultant Radiologist at Petersfield Cottage Hospital. A keen yachtsman, he was a member of the Royal Albert yacht Club, Southsea, and the Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Portsmouth. He changed his name by deed poll to Steeds-Bird in 1926, and died on 16 May 1945. Sold with a file of copied research.

A Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major D. A. McCurdy, Otago Regiment, late New Zealand Army Postal Service The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, on 2nd type riband; 1914-15 Star (15/67 Mjr. D. A. McCurdy. N.Z.E.F.); British War and Victory Medals (15/67 Major D. A. McCurdy. N.Z.E.F.); New Zealand War Service Medal, privately named (Capt. D. A. M. McCurdy); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration, G.V.R., hallmarked London 1921 (Major D. A. McCurdy, O.B.E., Otago Regt.); New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal (Lieut. (Temp. Capt) D. A. McCurdy. U.L. (V) 1918) mounted as worn, generally good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1919: ‘For valuable services in connection with the war. - Captain, N.Z. Army Postal Services.’ O.B.E.(Military) London Gazette 12 February 1919: ‘Major, New Zealand Forces.’

Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S4-237374 Pte. -A.S. Sjt.- H. Cutler. R.A.S.C.) minor abrasions to high relief points, very fine £60-£80 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 22 February 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with the War (Home)’ Henry Cutler was born in 1888 and attested for the Army Service Corps on 26 April 1915, serving with the 793rd Company during the Great War at Home. The 793rd Company was a Horse Transport Company, formed at Kensington Palace, London, employed in local duties. Cutler was disembodied on 13 November 1919; he did not serve overseas and this is his sole medallic entitlement for the Great War. Sold with the recipient’s Certificate of Disembodiment; and copied research.

Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1416 Actg. L. Dfdr. Haidar Beg. 22/Cavy.); Indian Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (523 Pen. L-Dfdr. Subh Ram, 20 Lrs.) contact marks, polished, nearly very fine and better (2) £60-£80

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2826 Serjt. Major Peter Kenny 1st. Battn. 11th. Foot) with contemporary top silver riband bar, minor edge bruising, good very fine £100-£140 --- For the recipient’s son’s medals, see Lot 170.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1988. D. Sharp. 31st. Regt.) suspension claw loose, number partially double-struck, very fine £80-£100 --- David Sharp was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in 1823 and attested for the 40th Foot on 20 July 1841. He transferred to the 31st Foot on 1 November 1844, and was discharged to pension on 8 September 1863, after 22 years and 51 days’ service, of which 5 years and 10 months were spent in India; 3 months in the Ionian Isles; 1 year in the Crimea; 10 months in Malta; 1 year and 1 month in Gibraltar; 4 months in South Africa; and 2 years and 7 months in China. Upon retirement he was ‘in possession of the Bronze Star for Maharajpoor; the Medal for the Crimea with clasp for Sebastopol; the Turkish Medal; the Medal for China and clasp for Taku Forts; and the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct’ (service papers refer). Sold with copied record of service.

Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (4) (24259443 Sgt S J Webb REME; 23968732 WO2 W G Taylor REME; 24083131 WO2 M J Holding REME; 758675 W.O. Cl. 1. J. F. Baillie. R.E.M.E.) last with official corrections, generally very fine (4) £60-£80

Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (12 Sjt: E. W. Hewett. Hants: Yeo.) extremely fine £100-£140 --- E. W. Hewett served with the Hampshire Yeomanry, and was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 163 of 1 July 1910.

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (Lt. G. G. Wahlstrand. R.E.M.E.) very fine £70-£90 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1946: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in the Mediterranean theatre.’ George Graham Walhstrand was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Green Howards in December 1940, transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in August 1941. He advanced to Temporary Captain in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in October 1942, and retired as Honorary Captain in 1946 (awarded Efficiency Medal London Gazette 14 October 1949).

Army Emergency Reserve Efficiency Medal, E.II.R. (22532272. Cfn. R. G. Bell. R.E.M.E.) very fine £70-£90

The Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Gold Medal awarded to Captain Sir Alexander R. Glen, K.B.E., D.S.C., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Geographical Society, Patron’s Gold Medal, 54mm, gold (9ct, 95.24g), the obverse featuring the bare head of George VI facing left, the reverse featuring Minerva standing left, holding wreath and map, with globe and sextant on ground, ‘Ob Terras Reclusas’ above, the edge engraved ‘Lieutenant Alexander R. Glen, R.N.V.R., 1940.’; together with the recipient’s Exploration of Polar Regions Bruce Medal for Valuable Services, 50mm, bronze, the edge engraved ‘Alexander Glen 1938’, nearly extremely fine (2) £6,000-£8,000 --- Sir Alexander (Sandy) Richard Glen was born in Glasgow on 18 April 1912, the son of a Glasgow ship-owner, and was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Geography. He first travelled to the Arctic in 1932, as part of an eight man crew of a 45ft fishing boat owned by a Cambridge law don; legend has it that Glen accepted the invitation to accompany the expedition under the misapprehension that it was an invitation to a debutante ball. Setting sail from King’s Lynn (with Glen still in his white tie and tails), the crew ventured to Spitzbergen, and completed 4,000 miles of sailing and two months of surveying. The following year Glen led a more official 16 man Oxford University summer expedition to Spitzbergen to carry out topographical and geological surveys, spending some winter months with the Lapps of northern Sweden. He returned to Spitzbergen the following summer with the author Evelyn Waugh amongst the team (who nearly drowned when a glacier thawed). In 1935 he led another Oxford University expedition, establishing a research station on the ice cap of North East Land, and carried our research in glaciology, geology, and radio propagation in high latitudes. In 1937 he wrote a book about the expedition, entitled ‘Under the Pole Star’. For his expeditions and scientific work in the Arctic Glen was awarded the prestigious Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1940; at the age of 28 he was (and is) the youngest recipient of the medal. He was also awarded the Polar Medal (London Gazette 10 February 1942: ‘For good services with the Oxford University Arctic Expedition to North East Land in 1935 and 1936’) and received the Bruce Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1938. After going down from Oxford Glen worked in investment banking in New York and London. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938, and posted to Naval Intelligence he worked with Ian Fleming under its Director, Admiral John Godfrey. Inevitably, in later life it was rumoured that Glen was perhaps an inspiration for James Bond, but Glen himself always denied the link: ‘I don’t think it is true for a moment; I’m far too gentle, too law-abiding.’ In January 1940 Glen was posted to Belgrade as assistant naval attaché at the British legation, where he met his future wife, the Serbian Baroness Zora (Zorica) de Collaert. Following the bombing of Belgrade in 1941 the British legation left and made their way home via Kotor, Albania, Italy, Vichy France, and Spain. He then worked on the staff of Rear-Admiral Philip Vian in 1941 helping to evacuate Norwegian and Russian coalminers and trappers in the Arctic Circle, and he spent some time protecting Spitzbergen from a German invasion. In the early summer of 1942, he took part in two 27-hour reconnaissances of Spitzbergen by Catalina flying boats of Coastal Command, based in the Shetlands. He then joined a 70-strong joint British-Norwegian force sent by boat, which was sunk by a Luftwaffe raid as they arrived in Spitzbergen harbour. As the survivors struggled ashore, Glen remembered where to find the frozen corpses of 60 slaughtered pigs, and they lived off these, washed down with abandoned German brandy and champagne. Glen later served with distinction with the Russian Army in eastern Europe in 1943-44, sabotaging traffic on the River Danube to disrupt oil supplies to Germany. He also took part in various clandestine and dangerous operations in Yugoslavia with Fitzroy Mclean, in support of Marshal Tito. He ended the War on the British staff in Athens. For his services during the Second World War he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942 (London Gazette 27 October 1942), and a Second Award Bar in 1945 (London Gazette 20 February 1945). He was also awarded the Norwegian and Czechoslovakian War Crosses, and was created a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St. Olav (London Gazette 9 May 1944). Post-War, Glen joined the ship-broking business of Clarksons, eventually rising to become the firm’s Chairman. Remaining in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he was advanced Captain in the Supply and Secretariat Branch on 30 June 1955, and served as a Member of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society periodically from 1945 to 1962. Appointed C.B.E. in 1964 (London Gazette 1 January 1964), he was advanced K.B.E. in 1967 (London Gazette 1 January 1967), and went on to hold various positions in the travel and hotel sector, including the Chairmanship of the British Tourist Authority. Amongst other public appointments he became Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He published his memoirs ‘Footholds Against a Whirlwind’, in 1975, and co-wrote (with Leighton Bowen) ‘Target Danube, a River not quite too far’ in 2002. He died on 6 March 2004. The Sandy and Zorica Glen Charitable Settlement (Charity no. 326311) is a grant making charity that supports a small range of charities in helping to develop leadership qualities in the young via exploration trips and other outdoor activities; and encouraging the conservation of heritage works of art. For the recipient’s group of twelve miniature awards, see Lot 618.

Army Rifle Association Medal (2), silver, the reverse engraved ‘C. G. Wheatley, 7815209’; the second bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Hopton Cup 1920. No. 4 Platoon Team. A. Coy. 1st. Bn. Wilts Rgt. 2nd. in Army at Home Lieut. E. C. Clegg. M.C.’; together with a Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (W. Elliott 1st. R. Regt.) contemporarily re-engraved naming, plugged and fitted with a Crimea-style suspension, very fine (3) £70-£90

The Victorian General Officer’s Warrant appointing John Lawrence, 17th Lancers, a Major-General in Command of a Brigade. Warrant appointing John Lawrence, Esquire, to the temporary rank of Major-General while in command of a Brigade, from 24 July 1856, dated St. James’s 12 August 1856, folded with some consequent minor tearing, therefore reasonable condition £200-£240 --- John Lawrenson commanded the 17th Lancers in the Crimea 1854-55, including the cavalry affair of Bulganac and at the Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854, but missed the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava by only two days as a result of illness. He was appointed to the Command of the Heavy Brigade in July 1855, with the rank of Brigadier-General, and commanded the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Tchernaya. He succeeded Sir James Scarlett in December 1855 to the command of the British Cavalry in the East, and held that command until the return of the army from the Crimea the following year. Sold with two (unrelated) Bestowal Documents for the Tunisian Order of Nichan-Iftikhar (the original Arabic document, and the French translation); and copied research.

A Second War ‘Air Raid Precaution services’ M.B.E. group of four awarded to Brigadier Joseph Morrison, Teignmouth Civil Defence, late Indian Army The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; British War Medal 1914-20 (Maj. J. Morrison); Defence Medal (J. Morrison) Boots’ style impressed naming; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, together with two lapel badges ‘For Voluntary War Work in India 1914-19’ each in its H.M. Mint Calcutta case of issue, the lid of one stamped ‘Mrs. Morrison’, the first four mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £180-£220 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1943: ‘Brigadier Joseph Morrison (retired, Indian Army), Air Raid Precautions Officer and Officer-in-charge Report Centre, Civil Defence Service, Teignmouth. Since the outbreak of war Brigadier Morrison has given his whole time to the administration, training and direction of the A.R.P. services at Teignmouth, and has been successful in raising an organisation of outstanding merit. The Teignmouth services have been called upon to deal with many enemy raids in their own town as well as to undertake duty in reinforcement of the Civil Defence services at Exeter and Plymouth when raids have taken place at those cities. Brigadier Morrison’s coolness and imperturbability during the progress of air raids has been an example to all serving under him.’ Joseph Morrison was born on 10 December 1877, and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 17 March 1900; Lieutenant, 3 April 1901; Captain, 30 March 1911; Major, 16 October 1915. He served in Aden, 1903-04, during operations in the interior, and with the Indian Army in India during the Great War. Sold with confirmation of single British War Medal issued by the Government in India, and of the Coronation 1953 as Representative of the Officers’ Association, Teignmouth British Legion.

Renamed and Defective Medal: New Zealand 1845-66, undated reverse, naming extremely neatly erased; together with two silver shooting medal, the first an Army Rifle Association British Armies in France Medal for Skill with the Rifle, unnamed; the second a National Rifle Association Cottesloe Vase Prize Medal, unnamed; and two Dunkirk Commemorative Medals, the second of which is a cast copy, extremely fine (5) £100-£140

Renamed and Defective Medals (3): Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp, naming erased; Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse, naming erased; together with a copy General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East; three unofficial Jubilee and Coronation Medals, for 1887 in white metal, for 1911 in bronze; and for 1937 in white metal; a commemorative medal for the opening of Birmingham University 1909, gilt; Army Rifle Association Medal, bronze, ‘The Squadron Match, “B” Squadron 12th Lancers 1913 Private W. Spicer’; together with a silver Regimental prize medal, this unnamed; a Royal Horticultural Society Joseph Banks Bronze Medal, unnamed; and an Amateur Gardening Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Brig. Gen. B. C. Dent 1939’, in John Pinches, London, fitted case, generally nearly very fine and better (12) £80-£100 --- Sold with various parchment certificates and documents relating to Company Sergeant Major W. C. Milward, Worcestershire Regiment; ands other ephemera.

The mounted group of twelve miniature dress medals worn by Captain Sir Alexander R. Glen, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Civil) Knight Commander’s badge; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Polar Medal 1904, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver, 1 clasp, Arctic 1935-1936; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue; Norway, Kingdom, War Cross 1940-45, with bronze sword emblem to riband; Order of St. Olav, Military Division, Knight First Class badge; Czechoslovakia, Republic, War Cross 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (12) £1,000-£1,400 --- 1 of only 9 Polar Medals with clasp ‘Arctic 1935-1936’, all to members of the Oxford University Expedition to North East Land. K.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1967: Alexander Richard Glen, Esq., C.B.E., D.S.C., Chairman, Export Council for Europe, For services to Export. C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1964: Alexander Richard Glen, Esq., D.S.C., Chairman, H. Clarkson and Company Ltd. D.S.C. London Gazette 27 October 1942. D.S.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20 February 1945: ‘For courage and undaunted devotion to duty.’ Polar Medal (Silver) London Gazette 10 February 1942: ‘For good services with the Oxford University Arctic Expedition to North East Land in 1935 and 1936.’ Sir Alexander (Sandy) Richard Glen was born in Glasgow on 18 April 1912, the son of a Glasgow ship-owner, and was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Geography. He first travelled to the Arctic in 1932, as part of an eight man crew of a 45ft fishing boat owned by a Cambridge law don; legend has it that Glen accepted the invitation to accompany the expedition under the misapprehension that it was an invitation to a debutante ball. Setting sail from King’s Lynn (with Glen still in his white tie and tails), the crew ventured to Spitzbergen, and completed 4,000 miles of sailing and two months of surveying. The following year Glen led a more official 16 man Oxford University summer expedition to Spitzbergen to carry out topographical and geological surveys, spending some winter months with the Lapps of northern Sweden. He returned to Spitzbergen the following summer with the author Evelyn Waugh amongst the team (who nearly drowned when a glacier thawed). In 1935 he led another Oxford University expedition, establishing a research station on the ice cap of North East Land, and carried our research in glaciology, geology, and radio propagation in high latitudes. In 1937 he wrote a book about the expedition, entitled ‘Under the Pole Star’. For his expeditions and scientific work in the Arctic Glen was awarded the prestigious Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1940; at the age of 28 he was (and is) the youngest recipient of the medal. He was also awarded the Polar Medal and received the Bruce Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1938. After going down from Oxford Glen worked in investment banking in New York and London. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938, and posted to Naval Intelligence he worked with Ian Fleming under its Director, Admiral John Godfrey. Inevitably, in later life it was rumoured that Glen was perhaps an inspiration for James Bond, but Glen himself always denied the link: ‘I don’t think it is true for a moment; I’m far too gentle, too law-abiding.’ In January 1940 Glen was posted to Belgrade as assistant naval attaché at the British legation, where he met his future wife, the Serbian Baroness Zora (Zorica) de Collaert. Following the bombing of Belgrade in 1941 the British legation left and made their way home via Kotor, Albania, Italy, Vichy France, and Spain. He then worked on the staff of Rear-Admiral Philip Vian in 1941 helping to evacuate Norwegian and Russian coalminers and trappers in the Arctic Circle, and he spent some time protecting Spitzbergen from a German invasion. In the early summer of 1942, he took part in two 27-hour reconnaissances of Spitzbergen by Catalina flying boats of Coastal Command, based in the Shetlands. He then joined a 70-strong joint British-Norwegian force sent by boat, which was sunk by a Luftwaffe raid as they arrived in Spitzbergen harbour. As the survivors struggled ashore, Glen remembered where to find the frozen corpses of 60 slaughtered pigs, and they lived off these, washed down with abandoned German brandy and champagne. Glen later served with distinction with the Russian Army in eastern Europe in 1943-44, sabotaging traffic on the River Danube to disrupt oil supplies to Germany. He also took part in various clandestine and dangerous operations in Yugoslavia with Fitzroy Mclean, in support of Marshal Tito. He ended the War on the British staff in Athens. For his services during the Second World War he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942, and a Second Award Bar in 1945. He was also awarded the Norwegian and Czechoslovakian War Crosses, and was created a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St. Olav (London Gazette 9 May 1944). Post-War, Glen joined the ship-broking business of Clarksons, eventually rising to become the firm’s Chairman. Remaining in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he was advanced Captain in the Supply and Secretariat Branch on 30 June 1955, and served as a Member of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society periodically from 1945 to 1962. Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1964, he was advanced to Knight Commander in 1967, and went on to hold various positions in the travel and hotel sector, including the Chairmanship of the British Tourist Authority. Amongst other public appointments he became Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He published his memoirs ‘Footholds Against a Whirlwind’, in 1975, and co-wrote (with Leighton Bowen) ‘Target Danube, a River not quite too far’ in 2002. He died on 6 March 2004. Sold with the recipient’s Passport; Timex watch; and the empty case of issue for his K.B.E. set of insignia, by Garrard, London. The Sandy and Zorica Glen Charitable Settlement (Charity no. 326311) is a grant making charity that supports a small range of charities in helping to develop leadership qualities in the young via exploration trips and other outdoor activities; and encouraging the conservation of heritage works of art. For the recipient’s Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Gold Medal, and Royal Society of Edinburgh Bruce Medal, see Lot 587.

The mounted group of six miniature dress medals worn by Captain A. Flowers, Royal Field Artillery Military Cross, G.V.R.; India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R., mounted as worn, generally good very fine (6) £80-£100 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919: ‘For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders.’ The original Recommendation, as recorded in the 25th Divisional History, states: ‘During the whole period [4-8 November 1918], the work of the Divisional Ammunition Column under Lieutenant-Colonel Hope-Johnstone, with Captains Webb, Tacon, and Flowers in Command of Nos. 1, 2, and 3 Sections, has been most arduous and severe. Long distances, continuous moves, and large quantities of ammunition required at gun positions entailed a heavy strain on personnel and horses of this most important branch of the artillery. On no occasion did they fail to keep the batteries supplied with ammunition and the work of the drivers, very often carried out under most difficult conditions, usually at night and along heavily shelled roads, was beyond all praise.’ Arthur Flowers was born on 21 March 1873 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery, serving in the ranks for 23 years and 81 days. Advanced Warrant Officer Class I, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 8 November 1916, and was promoted Lieutenant and temporary Captain on 8 May 1918. Awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the final week of the War, he retired on 19 February 1920, and retained the rank of Captain.

An unattributed R.V.M. group of four miniature dress medals Royal Victorian Medal, E.II.R., silver; Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003; Jubilee 2002; Volunteer Reserves Service Medal, E.II.R., mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine An unattributed Second World War group of six miniature dress medals 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, mounted court-style as worn, of recent manufacture, nearly extremely fine as produced The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (2), C.B. (Military) Companion’s badge, gilt and enamel; C.B. (Civil) Companion’s badge, gilt; The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O. Commander’s badge, gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (3), C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type badge, gilt and enamel; C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type badge, gilt and enamel; O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type badge, gilt; Knight Bachelor’s Badge, skeletal type, gilt; Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), E.II.R., gilt and enamel; Albert Medal, 1st Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, gilt and enamel; Albert Medal, 1st Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, gilt and enamel; British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R.; Jubilee 2002, all of recent manufacture, generally nearly extremely fine as produced (22) £80-£100

Miniature Medals (22): Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Won July 7th. 1916, Killed in Action Oct 7th. 1916’; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R.; Air Force Cross, E.II.R.; Military Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19; General Service 1918-62 (2), no clasp [sic], G.VI.R.; 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R.; 1939-45 Star (2); Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 2nd issue; South Atlantic 1982; Jubilee 1977; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army; Air Efficiency Award, E.II.R., 2nd issue; Civil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R.; United States of America, Navy Expert Rifleman Medal, bronze, generally very fine (22) £60-£80 --- Sold with five King’s Badges for War Service; a Burma Star Association lapel badge; three Home Guard lapel Badges; and other miscellaneous items.

France, Republic, A selection of French Medals, including Combatants Cross; Combatant Volunteers Cross (2); Combatant Resistance Volunteers Cross; Great War Commemorative Medal; Medal for Civilian Prisoners of the Great War; Second War Commemorative Medal, 3 clasps, Norvege, Afrique, Italie; Liberation Cross; Liberation Medal; Evaders Medal (2); Medal of the Resistance (2); Medal for those Deported during the Resistance; Medal for those Interned during the Resistance; Medal for the Resistance in the Occupied Departments of the Rhine and Moselle; Reconnaissance Medal; Refractaires Medal; Volunteer Service Medal; Verdun Commemorative Medal; Dunkirk Commemorative Medal; Levant Campaign Medal, 1 clasp, Levant; Colonial Medal, 1 clasp, Extreme-Orient; Italian Campaign Medal; Indochina Medal; Korea Medal; Middle East Medal; National Defence Medal; Security Operations Medal; Wound Medal; together with a Belgian Decoration for Artisans and Workers; a Belgian Commemorative Cross for the Veterans of Leopold I; a Belgian Franco-Prussian War Commemorative Medal; a Dutch Army Long Service Medal, in both full size and miniature; and a Dutch Atjeh Medal, some copies or later strikings, generally good very fine (lot) £160-£200

A fine Great War ‘1917’ FE2d and DH4 Ace’s M.C. group of three awarded to Major H. R. Harker, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force - a skilled Flight Commander with 57 Squadron, who extricated his bomber formation from a dog fight with a vastly superior numbered German force led by Lothar Von Richthofen, 30 April 1917. A veteran of such skirmishes during ‘Bloody April’, Harker went on to claim at least 5 Victories before tragically succumbing to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1919 Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved ‘1917 Awarded To 2nd Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) H. R. Harker. R.F.C. “Consistently Set A Splendid Example To His Brother Officers” Died 27.2.1919 Major In R.A.F.’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, mounted upside down (Capt. H. R. Harker. R.F.C.) mounted for display, good very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For nearly a year he has carried out extremely valuable work in taking aeroplane photographs and leading bombing raids far behind the enemy lines, often in the face of great opposition and trying weather conditions. On a recent occasion while returning from a successful bombing raid his formation was attacked by more than twice its number but by his fine offensive spirit and skilful leadership the enemy were dispersed. He has consistently set a splendid example to his brother officers.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 May 1919. Howard Redmayne Harker was born in May 1891, and was the son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Harker of Prestwich, Manchester. He was educated at Laurence House School, St. Annes-on-Sea, Rossall School and Manchester University. Harker had been a member of the university O.T.C., and upon leaving in 1913 was employed in the Experimental Department of the Royal Air Craft Factory. Eventually, despite deferment because of important war work, he successfully obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in April 1916. Harker gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 2945) in May 1916, and having completed his flying training advanced to Flying Officer the following month. He was posted for operational flying with the newly formed 57 Squadron (FE2d’s) to France, 16 December 1916. The Squadron were employed on fighter reconnaissance duties, and Harker achieved their first victory when flying with Second Lieutenant V. D. Fernauld (an American) as his observer, 24 March 1917. The Combat Report gives the following: ‘FE2d A/1954, armed with 2 Lewis guns, Pilot 2/Lt. H. R. Harker, Observer 2/Lt. V. D. Fernauld engaged a hostile aircraft at 1145, east of Lens, at 9,000ft. The H.A. was a signle seat tractor biplane with one or two fixed guns. The H.A. was engaged from above on his right side with the sun behind the FE2d. A burst of about 20 rounds was fired, from almost directly above the H.A. at a range of less than 50 yards, by the Oobserver. The tracer bullets were seen entering the engine and fuselage, and H.A. went down practically vertically, twisting about....’ The superiority of the German aircraft was to come to the fore the following month, known as ‘Bloody April’, when the Squadron lost a number of pilots in combat. Harker wrote home, 7 April 1917: ‘We are having quite a busy time of late for reasons which you will gather by the time you get this letter and see its date. We are engaged in the somewhat arduous and occasionally mildly exciting task of gaining what the politicians love to call ‘The supremacy of the air.’ I have for the third time been appointed acting Flight Commander and may possibly remain so this time. The man who relieved me of my temporary command the last time went over the line yesterday morning and the unkind Huns promptly shot him down and he landed within 50 yards of our outposts in front of the Hindenburg line. He is now in ‘Blighty’ I expect. He was luckier than the other four machines, which did not return all... This particular patrol were asked to do a well nigh impossible task which we have not been required to repeat so you need not think I am likely to follow them... It is somewhat parky in the upper atmosphere just now and many of us are suffering from mild frostbite...’ A ‘scrap’ with Lothar Von Richthofen Harker led a bombing formation, 30 April 1917, which had a brush with Lothar von Richthofen: ‘Forty minutes after his destruction of the 16 Squadron BE, Lothar Von Richthofen and his command, together with elements of Jasta 12, spotted a formation of FEs in the morning light. The FEs, led by Captain H. R. Harker (A6401), were from 57 Squadron. Earlier at 06.50 the British had spotted German fighters over Lécluse but, outnumbered as they were, had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew. At 07.00 over Vitry, they were approached by yet another formation of enemy scouts, six above them and three others at their own altitude. In the initial attack, two of the FE’s fell, one to Lothar, the other to the leader of Jasta 12, Adolf von Tutschek.... Another of the FE’s (A1966) was picked off by the three enemy scouts operating at the lower level.... An enemy machine was also hit, going down two miles SW of Douai. Yet another of the German planes went down under the fire of the FE’s, landing near to Vitry at 07.15. The German losses were soon more than made good by the arrival of reinforcements.... Still the Germans continued not to commit themselves to an all-out attack, a situation which allowed Harker and three other FE’s to edge their way slowly back to the British lines.’ (Under the Guns of the German Aces, by N. Franks and H. Giblin refers). It is highly likely that the above action is one the one referred to in the recipient’s M.C. citation. Harker advanced to Acting Captain and Flight Commander after ‘Bloody April’. The Squadron re-equipped with DH4’s in May 1917, and was tasked with long range bomber reconnaissance. It moved to Boisdinghem the following month, and joined the 27th Wing as part of V Brigade. The latter was employed in support of the British Army during the Ypres Offensive, and this new role seems to have suited Harker as he added at least another 4 enemy aircraft to his score between 18 June - 21 August 1917 (some sources credit him with 7 enemy aircraft shot down). Having completed his tour with 57 Squadron, Harker returned to the UK at the end of August 1917. Subsequent appointments included as Acting Squadron Commander of 3 I.T.S., and also instructing at No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping, R.A.F. Andover. He advanced to Acting Major in October 1918, and tragically succumbed to the then raging Spanish Flu pandemic, dying at the Officer’s Military Hospital at Tidworth, 27 February 1919. Major Harker was mentioned in despatches for his work at Andover, and this was posthumously gazetted. He is buried in the Southern Cemetery, Manchester. Sold with a large amount of copied research, including photographic images.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Captain H. F. Lodge, Royal Field Artillery for conspicuous gallantry near Escourt on 11 May 1917 Military Cross, G.V.R. unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. F. Lodge) very fine (3) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In spite of being subjected to heavy hostile fire he succeeded in extinguishing a fire. His gallant act undoubtedly saved a gun and a large quantity of ammunition from destruction.’ Humphrey Francis Lodge was born on 9 February 1886 in Longport, Staffordshire. He was educated at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire before moving to India to work as a Merchant, laterly with Messrs. Killick, Nixon & Co. of Bombay. He attested for the Bombay Light Horse in July 1908. Appointed Squadron Sergeant Major 5 November 1915, he was recommended for a commission by his Commanding Officer on 21 December 1915 stating ‘Squadron Sergeant Major H. F. Lodge is one of the very best Non-Commissioned Officers who has ever served in the Corps.’ He attested for the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner on 29 February 1916, whilst on leave with permission to join the Regular Army for the period of war, before being discharged to a commission on 6 July 1916. Serving on the Western Front, he received shrapnel wounds to his right buttock in July 1916. After recovery in the U.K. he rejoined 106 Battery in the Italian theatre, hence it would appear that his Military Cross could have possibly been awarded for the action in which he was wounded. Returning to India at the end of hostilities, he was appointed a Major in V (Bombay) Brigade, Royal Artillery, on its reconstitution on 1 October 1920. Sold with detailed copy research file.

United States of America, A selection of American Medals, including Distinguished Service Cross; Navy Cross; Silver Star (2); Distinguished Flying Cross (2); Soldiers Medal; Airman’s Medal; Bronze Star (2), one with oak leaf cluster emblem on riband; Purple Heart (2), the reverse of one named ‘Raymond J. Halligan’; Meritorious Service Medal, with gilt star emblem on riband; Air Medal (2); Joint Service Commendation Medal; Combat Readiness Medal; Army Good Conduct Medal (2); Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Army National Guard Achievement Medal (2); Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal; Allied Victory Medal; American Defense Service Medal (2); American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, with two bronze star emblems on riband; European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Victory Medal (2); Army of Occupation Medal (4), one no clasp, two with the single clasp ‘Asia’; and one with two clasps for ‘Japan’ and ‘Germany’; Medal of Humane Action; Korean Service Medal (2); Southwest Asia Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Antarctic Service Medal; Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal (2); Humanitarian Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; together with a Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, 1 clasp, 1960-; three Nigerian Medals; a Saudi Arabian Medal for the Liberation of Kuwait; a copy Irish General Service Medal 1917-21 with Comrac bar; and various other unofficial medals and riband bars, all unnamed except where stated, some copies or later strikings, generally good very fine (lot) £200-£240

Head-Dress Badges of the British Army. Two Volumes, by Arthur L. Kipling and Hugh L. King, published by Frederick Muller, London, Volume 1, 1973, 468pp, with index and various plates, hardback, with torn dust jacket; Volume II, 1979, 242pp, with index and various plates, hardback, with dust jacket, generally good condition and the definitive reference on the subject Regimental Badges. By Major T. J. Edwards, published by Gale and Polden, Aldershot, 1951, Fifth Edition, 358pp, with illustrations, hardback, with dust jacket, reasonable condition Shoulder Belt Plates and Buttons. By Major H. G. Parkyn, published by Gale and Polden, Aldershot, 1956, 341pp, with illustrations, hardback, lacking dust jacket, reasonable condition Scottish Regimental Badges. By W. H. and K. D. Bloomer, published by Arms and Armour Press 1973, 76pp, with index and illustrations, hardback, with dust jacket, reasonable condition Badges of the Highland and Lowland Regiments. By W. H. and K. D. Bloomer, privately published, 1982, 123pp, with illustrations, hardback, with dust jacket, reasonable condition First World War Canadian Infantry Badges. By W. K. Cross, published by the Charlton Press, Toronto, 1991, 374pp, with illustrations and prices, softback, good condition Officers’ Waist Belt Clasps 1855-1902. By Lelia B. Ryan, published by the Military Historical Society, 1994, 55pp, with illustrations, softback, good condition Twenty-Five Great Badges. By John Tanner, published by the Royal Air Force Museum, 1981, 32pp, with illustrations, softback, good condition (9) £80-£100

A Great War ‘North Russia’, Archangel Force M.C. group of three awarded to Captain J. Peter, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 17th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool) Regiment, for gallantry under heavy fire near Kodish on 7 February 1919 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War Medal 1914-20, naming erased, Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt. J. Peter.) VM with replacement ring suspension, good very fine (3) £500-£700 --- M.C. London Gazette 27 May 1919: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack on enemy positions near Kodish on 7 February 1919. Under heavy fire he attended to the wounded and placed them on sleighs. It was largely due to his fine conduct that the wounded were promptly evacuated and many lives saved.’ John Peter served during the Great War in North Russia from 12 October 1918.

An inter-War ‘Mesopotamia 1920’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Major A. A. Russell, Indian Army and afterwards Indian Political Department Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. A. A. Russell.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, N.W. Persia, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. A. A. Russell); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Major A. A. Russell, Pol. Dept.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (7) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 10 August 1921 (Mesopotamia): ‘For conspicuously good leadership when sent out with his company on reconnaissance at Jubin, on 26 October 1920. About three miles out he met with strong opposition, and, taking advantage of the high ground, attacked the enemy, who were about a thousand to fourteen hundred strong, with field guns in front and at flank. After an engagement lasting for five hours he withdrew his company, bringing back his wounded, after obtaining very valuable information regarding the strength and dispositions of the enemy. By his initiative he thoroughly disheartened the enemy, and was largely responsible for their retreat on the following day.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 9 August 1921. Note: A duplicate group, comprising the five George V awards, is known to exist; given that this group also includes two later awards, it may well be that the George V awards in this group are replacement issues.

A Selection of South African Military Cap Badges c.1914-60. Including Engineers, Military Police, Army Service Corps, Chaplains Corps, First Reserve Brigade, Air Force, Prisons Deptartment; together with sundry collar badges, generally good condition (50+) £100-£140

A scarce inter-War ‘Palestine 1936’ M.C. group of eight awarded to Captain J. L. Gardner-Brown, Royal Horse Artillery Military Cross, G.V.R.; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. J. L. Gardner-Brown. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, generally very fine (8) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 6 November 1936: ‘For gallant and distinguished services rendered in connection with the emergency operations in Palestine during the period 15 April to 14 September 1936.’ ‘The first detachment [in action], later known as the Suicide Patrol, consisted of men from the Rocket Troop and B Battery, RHA, Cairo, under Lt. Gardner-Brown, RHA, and arrived at Sarafand in May. Their work was railway patrolling, and they had far more fighting in the seven weeks that they were there than anyone else in the country. For example, during June, they patrolled the Lydda-Tulkarm line by night, and had a battle on 17 nights out of 22. They did splendid work and put up a first class show and were extremely lucky in having only two casualties, Gardiner-Brown hit in the foot, and a gunner shot through the leg. Lieut. Gardiner-Brown has now been awarded the Military Cross.’ (Palestine 1936, The Journal of the Royal Artillery, vol. LXIV, no. 1 (April 1937), p. 76 refers)

A Selection of Air Force Insignia c.1940-60. Including cap badges for South Africa, Canada, Australia, Glider Pilot, Army Air Corps; Pilots badges for France, Poland, Portugal, Belgium, Spain, Italy; various other insignia to these Counties; a selection of American insignia, including a Sterling Silver Service Pilot’s badge; together with sundry collar and cloth badges, some copies, generally good condition (lot) £180-£220

A rare Second War ‘Battle of Venraij, October 1944’ M.C. and ‘River Escaut, May 1940’ M.M. group of six awarded to Major Frederick Bell, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5107913 Sjt. F. Bell. R. War. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation for an Immediate M.C., dated 23 October 1944, states: ‘Maj BELL commanded “D” Coy in the opening and subsequent phases of the battle for VENRAIJ. The initial role of this Coy on the 16th Octoberwas to make a bridge-head across a dyke through which the assaulting Coys in the attack proper would pass. The attack to make the bridge-head was a particularly difficult one. There was a great deal of opposition both from small arms and DF Mortar fire, and the approaches to and exits from the obstacle was strewn freely with Schu Mines. Maj BELL, in spite of known previous losses through Schu Mines, personally led his Coy to and across the obstacle at great risk to himself. On the other side his Coy was engaged by a tank or SP from a nearby farm. Mj Bell, by his personal action in visiting his forward Pl under heavy fire, directed PIAT and other fire upon the farm building which caused the enemy to withdraw. By this time he had lost in casualties his Second-in-Command and all his Pl officers. From then onwards he personally led the Coy, forming up in rear of the assaulting Coy. At each stage of the attack he was to be found up with the leading Pl calmly organising and supervising a plan for attack or re-organisation on the objective, quite regardless of personal risk, which was great owing to continuous enemy mortar and shell fire. Finally, on the objective in BRABANDER - Northern outskitrs of VENRAIJ, he personally supervised the layout of the whole of his Coy down to sec posts. His devotion to duty, calmness, courage, determination and cheerfulness throughout the operation, lasting from 0400 hrs until dusk were an example to all and were infectious.’ M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1940. According to Personal Diary of Captain L. T. Tomes, 2nd Batt. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, privately printed in 1946 (copy sold with Lot), Sergeant Bell was put up for the M.M. for the action at Hollain, River Escaut, on May 20th and 21st, 1940, and further good work later on up to the Battalion’s capitulation on the 28th May, 1940, in the action at Womhoudt, on the Dunkirk perimeter. Tomes was than a Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion. He was taken prisoner of war and wrote the diary ‘immediately I arrived in a permanent camp, from what I remembered from the War Diary which I had been keeping’ (accompanying letter from the author refers). Major Frederick Bell is listed as having been wounded in May 1945. Sold with a comprehensive selection of documents, news cuttings, a 3rd British Infantry Divisional commendation card for the attack on Le Blois 13th August 1944, case of issue for M.C. and accompanying named enclosure with card box and Registered envelope addressed to Major Bell, M.C., M.M., Purley, Surrey, Certificate of Service until discharged to a commission on 17 December 1940, Officers’ Release Book, his Royal Warwicks side cap, and a silver tankard, hallmarked London 1945, inscribed below regimental crest ‘Major F. Bell M.C. M.M. from all ranks of D. Company 2nd Batt Royal Warwickshire Regt British Liberation Army 1944-1945.’

A German Second World War Army Major-General’s Shoulder Board. A single stitch-on board for an Army Major-General, red base, intertwined gold and silver bullion silver weave with two rank pips to the lower part of the board, good condition £60-£80

German Second World War Army, Customs, and Police Shoulder Boards. Comprising Army 47th Grenadier Regiment, white piped; Army Leutnant officer, 89th Regiment, white piped; Army Machine Gun Unit No. 1, white piped; Army infantry oberst, white base; Army nco, crimson piped; Chemical warfare with Army Group School motif attached, slip-on; Army panzer nco, slip-on with gothic ‘S’ to centre; Army Panzer Grenadier mid war nco, nco candidate red strip at base; Army panzer hauptmann, gothic ‘P’ to centre, slip-on; Army parade tunic Infantry Regiment 18, stitch-on; Army mountain troops nco, slip-on; Army infantry, rare copper brown reconnaissance, one split to the board; Matched pair of slip-on M.36 boards, dark green centre with white piping, numeral number ‘1’ attached to each board, some moth damage to one of the boards; and Three customs and two police shoulder boards, generally good condition (19) £160-£200

German Second World War Army Trade Patches and Shoulder Boards. Comprising Army Artillery Observation Regiment 44; Cavalry Regiment No. 20 senior nco in a reconnaissance unit; Army Artillery Regiment 58 nco; Army pioneer nco, slip-on; Mid war plain grey green slip-on shoulder board, white infantry piped; Medical Hauptmann, slip-on board with medical motif; Army drivers qualification badge laid onto lozenge of cloth; Army motor transport nco trade patch with nco lace; Troop nco Saddler, yellow on green; Medical personnel, yellow on green; Radio operator, yellow on green; Armourer, yellow on green; Signallers arm patches: 3 infantry, white on green; 2 artillery, red on green; 1 cavalry yellow on green; 1 pioneer black on green; and an Army Statsgefreiter sleeve rank patch, grey on herringbone twill, generally good condition (20) £100-£140

Miscellaneous German Second World War Insignia. Comprising a Kuban Shield, minus its backing plate and minus its fitting pins; a Krim Shield, minus its backing plate, minus its fitting pins; a NSKOV cap badge, minus its fitting pins; a nice quality Kriegsmarine cap eagle with single pin fixing in anodised aluminium, Assmann maker marked, dated 41; a Political cap eagle in white metal with all three fixing pins present, RZM marked; an Army cap eagle, aluminium with three pins complete; a Luftwaffe cap eagle, both pins missing; and a Kriegsmarine gilded aluminium deck cap eagle, maker marked R S & S dated 40 but with single lapel pin fixing pin missing, generally good condition (8) £80-£100

German Second World War Insignia. Comprising a rare pair of NSDAP matched political collar patches for a rank of Abschnittsleiter at Reich level, crimson red base, yellow piping with metallic emblems attached with original RZM ticket on the reverse side; a Hitler Youth West Hessen Nassau district triangle; a Hitler Youth boys Niedersachsen triangle; a girl’s BDM arm patch in silver of Sudost Karnten; a rare SA flying unit with wing propeller on green background, complete with RZM ticket; two separate customs officials slip-on shoulder boards, one having glue attached where fitted to a collectors display board; a scarce SS arm lozenge for a former member of the Teno with the Teno insignia machine embroidered in grey; an attractive small silver bullion wire DDAC cap badge; and three pieces of army insignia, the Bevo woven Jager arm badge, the Bevo woven enlisted ranks edelweiss arm badge and a Bevo woven uncut from roll enlisted ranks arm badge, generally good condition (13) £200-£240

German Second World War Military and Political Insignia. Comprising a SA sports badge in Bevo weave; a very finely machine embroidered Old Comrades shield shaped arm patch still on its collectors display backing cloth; an unidentified Bevo woven sword through shield insignia, possibly an Old Conrades unit; a RAD enlisted ranks Bevo woven unit patch for Unit 27; a Bevo woven multi coloured arm patch for the Hitler Youth Fire Service; a Teno beautiful bullion weave silver on black arm badge; a silver and black Bevo woven NSKK arm eagle; a silver on brown combined NSKK arm eagle and Old Fighters chevron with RZM on the reverse side; a NSKK 2nd pattern drivers arm lozenge, silver on black, still adhered to a collectors display board; an Army late war triangular form Bevo woven grey on green breast eagle; a Kriegsmarine Coastal Artillery Bevo woven yellow on green overseas cap eagle; and an Army driver’s badge in silver on army field grey backing, generally good condition (13) £160-£200

German Second World War Military and Political Insignia. Comprising nine sleeve chevrons mixed Army, Luftwaffe and Marine in V formation; a SA Old Fighters chevron; five mixed single officers collar patches, artillery, mountain troops, cavalry, infantry and one with colour faded; a single enlisted mans cavalry Bevo woven collar patch; a Customs collar patch; a single Kriegsmarine tropical shirt shoulder board; an Army parade dress cuff ornament; a NSKK single shoulder board; an Army Regiment 36 stitch-on shoulder board with glue on the reverse; an Army pioneer nco slip-on shoulder board; an Army officers breast eagle with moth damage to the cloth edging; and an Army bullion officers cap wreath, generally good condition (24) £60-£80

German Second World War Insignia. Comprising a set of Reichsheer infantry bandsmans swallows nests, complete with all their hooks; a mint uncut from roll scarce variation, white machine woven eagle on olive drab background vest eagle; an Army Bevo woven mid war grey on black triangular form Panzer breast eagle, machine cross hatched onto a section of black material; a Mid war Bevo woven army breast eagle, grey on green, still fitted to uniform cloth; a ragged late war grey on green Bevo woven breast eagle; a slightly shortened naval Bevo woven breast eagle with the tip of the left wing missing; a Panzer beret Bevo woven white on black national wreath attached to a small piece of cardboard; an Army officers bullion wire woven cap wreath with metallic central cockade; an Army pioneer Oberstleutnant shoulder board, slip-on; an Army senior nco model 36 slip-on shoulder board, Regiment No. 23 infantry white piping; a set of scarce Russian Volunteers with the German Army collar patches; and a small desk flag being a souvenir of Nuremberg with the Coat of Arms and the outline of Nuremberg to one side and swastika to the reverse side, generally good condition (14) £200-£240

German Second World War Insignia. Comprising a Krim Shield with all original finish remaining but minus its backing plate and material background cloth, all pins remaining; an unusual plaque for Berlin 1934, a non portable piece; a Hitler Youth drivers badge, beautiful Bevo weave in silver on red and white lozenge background; a RLB officials cap eagle with enamelled black swastika, maker marked with three fixing pins present; a Factory Protection Werkschutz cap eagle, marked ‘Ges Gesch’ with two pins fitted; a large post or railway eagle in gilt with one fixing pin missing; a SA M.29 type cap eagle with both fixing pins present; a DAF municipal tramway or private railway personnel cap insignia, both fixing pins present; and a group of 8 winter help work plastic coloured badges of the standards of the army, navy and air force, generally good conditon (16) £120-£160

‘In a fight against large odds he is perfectly happy and an excellent shot, he has on several occasions proved his capabilities under very trying circumstances and on one occasion, at considerable risk and very great discomfort, saved a machine from a forced landing by standing on the plane and holding together two ends of a petrol pipe.’ The superb and extremely rare Great War Royal Naval Division ‘Gallipoli and Western Front’ D.C.M., Royal Naval Air Service ‘North Sea Patrols’ D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer W. G. Chapman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, later Chief Mechanic, Royal Naval Air Service, who was awarded the D.C.M. for brave deeds with the Drake Battalion at Antwerp 1914, ashore at Cape Helles, 1915, and in France, 1916. Subsequently joining R.N.A.S. Great Yarmouth where, as an exceptional engineer and fearless crew member, Chapman displayed the utmost gallantry in action on numerous long distance flying boat patrols, 1917-18, often engaging in fights with enemy scouts and fast seaplanes; gallantry for which he was awarded the D.F.M. and was Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (Lond: 10-3044 Ch: P.O. W. G. Chapman. Drake Bn: 63/R.N.D.); Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (224573 Sergt.-Mech Chapman W. G., D.S.M. R.A.F.); 1914 Star (L.10/3044 W. G. Chapman, A.B. R.N.V.R. Drake Bttn R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (224573. Ch. Mech. W. G. Chapman. R.A.F.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with M.I.D. oak leaf, nearly extremely fine (7) £4,000-£5,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917, citation published 13 February 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work with the Division since its formation.’ Annotated Gazette states ‘Gallipoli’ and ‘France’. D.F.M. London Gazette 21 September 1918: ‘He has been a member of a seaplane crew on practically every long-distance patrol. He has taken part with zeal, gallantry, and coolness in numerous engagements with hostile aircraft.’ M.I.D. London Gazettes 1 May 1918 and 2 June 1943. Note: In common with their Royal Marine counterparts, when coming under Army command during integrated land operations, the N.C.O.s and men of the Royal Naval Division were unusual in their eligibility for both the D.C.M. and the D.S.M. This complexity is undoubtedly responsible for the erroneous post-nominals ‘D.S.M.’ being impressed on Chapman’s D.F.M. rather than ‘D.C.M.’. This administrative error was replicated in the London Gazette entry for his award. William George Chapman was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 10 April 1895 and was raised in Southwark, London. An electrical engineer by occupation, he joined the London Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 23 October 1913 and was mobilised for war on 2 August 1914, immediately seeing service in the North Sea. Posted as an Able Seaman to the 1st (Drake) Battalion of the newly formed Royal Naval Division on 22 August, he participated with the 1st Naval Brigade in the Antwerp operations during October 1914, making good his return to England the same month. Gallipoli Petty Officer Chapman embarked with ‘A’ Company of his battalion in February 1915 for ‘an operation in the Mediterranean’, arriving at Port Said, Egypt on 29 March. A week later he was re-embarked for Gallipoli where the Drake Battalion was landed at 8.30pm on 26 April onto the Cape Helles beaches barely won by the main landings the previous day. At 8am on 28 April, with the entire Naval Division now on land, the Drake Battalion - attached 87th Brigade, 29th Division (and the only battalion of the R.N.D. to be engaged that day) - was thrust into the assault inland towards Krithia and Achi Baba. Suffering heavy losses, the tired, demoralised and virtually leaderless troops were soon stopped by the resolute Ottomans and the First Battle of Krithia was all over by nightfall. Digging in just above the W Beach headland, the Drake Battalion were next involved in the successful repulsion of a Turkish counter attack on 1 May (Battle of Eski Hissarlik) and would be employed in further attempts to push inland on 6-8 May (Second Battle of Krithia), 4 June (Third Battle of Krithia) and the Action at Achi Baba Nullah on 12/13 July. All to no avail and at great cost. In fact, so numerically weakened had they become, the Naval Division played little part in the later struggles at Cape Helles in August and September. Finally, and somewhat anticlimactically, on 8 January 1916 the men of the Drake Battalion, together with the rest of the British Empire forces, left their trenches for the last time, returned to the beaches so hard won, and left the peninsula. Battle of the Ancre - D.C.M. The Royal Naval Division (now renumbered the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, comprising of the the 188th, 189th and 190th Brigades) was ordered to France in May 1916 as part of V Corps, 5th Army and so following four months peaceable employment in the Aegean, Chapman returned to the Western Front now in the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Disembarking at Marseille on 7 June 1916, the Division took it’s place in the fighting line between Lens and Vimy Ridge in the Angres-Souchez sector on the Western front. Here, the life of the Division was almost uniformly without incident and it was moved to the IV Corps training area in mid September. Two months later, the Royal Naval Division, commanded by the increasingly unpopular Major-General Shute, was thrown into the Battle of the Ancre, 13-18 November 1916, during the final stages of the Battle of the Somme, advancing along the River Ancre to capture Beaucourt. The Drake Battalion, of the 189th Brigade, lost half their effective strength in the opening stages of the attack, including their C.O. Lieutenant-Colonel Tetley killed, and many more were scattered. The remaining body of three officers and eighty petty officers and men now came under the command Colonel Freyburg of the Hood Battalion whose composite force went on to execute a series of brilliant advances before capturing Beaucourt Village. Freyburg was awarded the Victoria Cross: ‘Again at a critical moment in the battle Colonel Freyburg retrieved the situation by himself leading the assault, followed by a mixed detachment of his own men, details of Drake, Hawke, Nelson and H.A.C., and the 13th K.R.R.C. In a moment Beaucourt was ours, the garrison of eight hundred surrendering, almost without a pretence of resistance.’ (The Royal Naval Division by Douglas Jerrold refers). Jerrold goes on to state that ‘the success of the Hood and Drake Battalions was both brilliant and astonishing, and it was decisive’. However, it could scarcely redeem the severe losses suffered by the two Naval Brigades. For the Drake Battalion’s part, only three officers and some 280 petty officers and men survived the battle unwounded. Immediately after the Ancre, on 5 December 1916, Chapman was discharged to the R.N.A.S. as a C.P.O. Mechanic, having been rated exceptional in his assessment. He was awarded the D.C.M. (London Gazette 1 January 1917) for his gallantry with the Naval Division since its formation, the annotated gazette entry for the award stating ‘France’ with an additional side note stating ‘Gallipoli’. Whilst the timing of this D.C.M. is consistent with other Ancre awards, in later interviews Chapman would describe his D.C.M. as a Gallipoli award. It seems most correct, however, to take the citation at face value and regard it as a decoration for distinguished conduct...

German Second World War Miscellaneous Awards and Tinnies. Comprising a RAD woman’s 1937 pattern broach in bronze for a Jungfuhrin, and another in iron for an Arbeitsmaid; an interesting triangular form badge for the Juncker factory, individually numbered ‘975’ for a combating sabotage group; a circular airfield at Haley Pass individually numbered 43, hook missing on the reverse side, pin complete; a RAD tradition badge for Prussia and East Prussia in black and white enamels with both fixing pins present; an Army 12 year Long Service award with ribbon; a Luft Sports Hilft Deutschland badge in aluminium with fixing pins complete; five tinnies, for SA Gruppe Nordmark 1933; Braunsweig 1933 in red enamels, maker marked on the reverse side; Braunsweig 1933 identical to the enamel version but in tin; an unidentified 1924 Bavarian tinny; and a large circular bronze tinny with mobile swastika for the 3rd Verbandsturnsen, pin back suspension complete, generally good condition (12) £160-£200

German Second World War Army Award Certificates. Three award citations to Feldwebel Heinrich Burose, comprising an A5 size, non punch holed, folded once citation for the Wound Badge in Black to Heinrich Burose as a member of 4./Komp./J.R.251 date of award 19 February 1942 signed by Unit Doctor; a Wound Badge in Silver, non punch holed, folded once, slight foxing, A5 size to Oberfeldwebel Heinrich Burose now a member of 14./Gren.Rgt.67, with three award dates qualifying him for the Wound Badge in Gold but no gold certificate issued, date 28 November 1944 by an unidentified Unit Hauptmann; and a Winter Medal in the East, A5 size, non punch holed, folded once citation to Feldwebel Heinrich Burose in the same unit 14./Gren.Regt 67, date of award 21 February 1944, pencil signature of Colonel and Commander; together with a de-nazified example of the Wound Badge in Silver, good condition (4) £80-£100

A Great War 1914 ‘Battle of Armentières’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal W. H. Moreby, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who was also killed in action during the battle, 25 October 1914, and posthumously Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6457 Cpl W. H. Moreby. 1/Leic: Regt); 1914 Star, with loose clasp (6457 Cpl W. H. Moreby. 1/Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6457 Cpl. W. H. Moreby Leic. R.) generally good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917: ‘For gallantry on 25th October in the engagement at the railway crossing near the factory south of Rue de [sic] Bois.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. William Henry Moreby was born in Braunstone, Leicestershire, and attested for the Leicestershire Regiment at Leicester in August 1902. He advanced to Lance Corporal and transferred to the Army Reserve in March 1910. Moreby served as a Police Constable with the Leeds City Police, and then re-engaged for service with the 1st Battalion of his old regiment and served with them in the French theatre of war from 9 September 1914. Moreby served with ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment during the Battle of Armentières in October 1914. He both distinguished himself, and paid the ultimate sacrifice on the same day, when the Battalion were in action near the Chemical Factory south of Rue du Bois, 25 October 1914. The Regimental History gives the following for the 25/26th October: ‘At 6pm reports were received from O.C. Leicestershire Regiment that hostile shelling had compelled his battalion to evacuate this trench line from just south of the Rue du Bois to Le Quesne, that his men were lying in the open along the railway line and the the enemy’s infantry were massing in the area Le Quesne - Distillery and that he considered their attack imminent. The G.O.C. 16th I.B. and one company of the Buffs proceeded to the railway station, La Houssoie, HQ 1st Leicestershire Regiment, with the object of initiating a counter-attack. From reports on arrival such action was, however, considered impracticable, the enemy was in considerable strength, the night was very dark, and the ground very much broken. The enemy was undoubtedly in occupation of the large Distillery buildings and a group of houses east of the railway crossing south of the station. It was decided that the Leicestershire Regiment should continue to hold their ground immediately south of Rue du Bois, and bend back their line to the railway line about 250 yards off the Rue du Bois cross-roads, and continued the line along a deep ditch bordering the west of the railway to the railway crossing south of the station. At this point the defensive line was to cross the east of the railway along the bank of a shallow cutting about 18 inches deep through which the railway runs to a culvert about 500 yards south...’ The German attack came at dawn on 25 October, and raged against the Leicesters on the railway embarkment around La Houssoie station. Around the level crossing to the south, ‘D’ Company were overwhelmed with about 100 men being taken prisoner. By 9am the British forces had regained their lost trenches, and a bitter hand to hand fight ensued at the level crossing with the Germans engaging heavy artillery. The line was held throughout the day, and the casualties were two Officers wounded, 22 other ranks killed, 68 wounded and 98 missing. Corporal Moreby was amongst those killed in action, and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium as well as on the Leeds Town Hall Memorial, Yorkshire (a picture of him is also shown on the Regimental website).

A good Second War ‘North West Europe 1944’ D.C.M. awarded to Acting Sergeant W. F. Trevis, 179th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, for extraordinary conduct during the battle for Hill 112 whilst in command of the Observation Posts of his Battery over a period of 12 hours for the most part of which he was under enemy mortar and shell fire Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (1126866 A. Sjt. W. F. Trevis. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first on its original investiture pin, extremely fine (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 21st December 1944. Presented personally by Field-Marshal Montgomery on 24 November 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On 9 July 1944, this N.C.O. was acting as O.P.A. to Major Mapp who was commanding the Battery in support of the infantry at Chateau de Fontaigne. Major Mapp was killed in the morning and both O.Ps were deployed and pinned to the ground. Bombardier Trevis at Battalion H.Q. then took command and assumed the Major’s responsibilities, co-ordinated the work of the O.Ps and brought down fire whenever required by the Battalion. The officer who crawled up from the gun area to relieve him was wounded and it was not until 2000 hrs that another officer could be made available. Bombardier Trevis therefore commanded the Battery for a period of twelve hours for the greater part of which he was under enemy mortar and shell fire. During this period it was entirely due to his own efforts that the artillery support for the Battalion did not fail, and the information he passed continuously to the Regiment was of immediate value to the Divisional Artillery and to 214 Infantry Brigade. He did a job which would have been a credit to any Battery Commander.’ Awarded for the battle of Hill 112, which Field-Marshal Rommel considered to be “The most important hill in Normandy, for whoever has control of it has control of all around it” and of which Lieutenant-General Horrocks said, “Hill 112 is the cornerstone of the Normandy Campaign.” William Frederick Trevis of Rye Park, Hoddesdon, ‘joined the Army in September 1941. He was previously vice-chairman of the St Cuthbert Parochial Church Council, and a member of the Men’s Club committee. Since the award [of the D.C.M.] he has been promoted to sergeant.’ (News cutting refers). Sold with substantial background information on the battle for Hill 112.

An unusual Second War ‘Invasion of the South of France’, Operation Dragoon D.S.M. group of six awarded to Petty Officer Rigger J. J. Wright, Royal Navy, a Fleet Salvage crane driver from H.M.S. Byrsa who rescued two cranes under close range enemy mortar fire at Toulon Docks Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. Rigger J. J. Wright. C/JX. 583600) mounted on original investiture pin; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 27 March 1945: ‘For distinguished service and gallantry during the invasion of the South of France - Petty Officer John Joseph Wright, C/JX. 583600.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On 24 August 1944 in a narrow street approaching Toulon docks two mobile 15 ton cranes in Wright’s charge became the target of close range enemy mortar fire. One crane was immediately hit, but Wright first turned the undamaged crane and then in full view of the enemy ran back and turned the other and brought it to safety. His outstanding courage and coolness undoubtedly saved these valuable and irreplaceable pieces of equipment.’ Description of action on recommendation dated 6 December 1944: ‘Operation “Dragoon”. Moving up of advanced salvage parties and equipment from the landing beaches to points of Toulon and Marseilles.’ John Joseph Wright was a skilled mechanic who volunteered and joined the Royal Army Service Corps at Chatham on 25 October 1939, and was sent as a driver to Egypt on 12 November 1939, at Abbassie Barracks, Heliopolis. He was driver to Generals Wilson, Stone, O’Connor and Sir James Marshall Cornwall and served in Egypt, Corsica, Italy, Southern France, Belgium and Germany. On 7 December 1942 he volunteered for the Royal Navy and was accepted. He was posted to the Royal Navy Fleet Salvage branch and was in a party of 30 Officers and men of H.M.S. Byrsa during the invasion of Southern France, holding the rank Petty Officer Rigger (crane driver). There were two of these 15 ton vehicles, the other driven by his brother. After the landings they were held up by a German Fortress at St. Tropez and were under heavy mortar fire. His brother was in trouble with his crane, so he drove to him and let him drive his vehicle, whilst under fire he got the other one started. He picked up two men from the Salvage Fleet, who were sheltering from mortar shells, and took them to safety. He finished his service on H.M.S. Lynx. After the war he lived at his home town of Strood, Rochester, and worked for some time at Chatham Dockyard. Sold with some copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant R. S. Lane, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (65630 Sjt: R. S. Lane. 126/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (65630 Cpl. R. S. Lane. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. S. Lane.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Reginald S. Lane) light contact marks, good very fine (6) £360-£440 --- M.M. London Gazette 6 January 1917. Reginald Surrey Lane was born at Godshill, Isle of Wight, on 8 December 1891 and attested for the Royal Engineers on 26 January 1915. Advanced Corporal on 7 July, he served with the 126th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 September 1915, and was promoted Sergeant on 29 March 1916. Awarded the Military Medal, most likely for operations on the Somme, he returned to the United Kingdom to attend an Officer Cadet course on 26 August 1917, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 15 December 1917. In 1920 he is listed as a Lieutenant in Palestine with the 42nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He served during the Second World War with the Special Constabulary on the Isle of Wight, and died in June 1972. Sold with copied research.

The unique Second War 1942 S.B.S. ‘Operation Reservist - attack on Oran Harbour’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D. C. Ellis, 2 Special Boat Service, late King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, a veteran of Dunkirk, who served with 101 Troop, No. 6 Commando prior to joining the S.B.S. for the raid on the Vichy French held Oran Harbour. Paired in a Folbot with the S.B.S. raid commander, Major H. V. Holden-White, Ellis launched from H.M.S. Walney into the night, 8 November 1942. The Oran Harbour attack was the first British-American Combined Operation of the Second World War, which also produced a superb Victoria Cross for Walney’s Captain, F. T. Peters, and was described by Winston Churchill as ‘The finest British naval engagement since Trafalgar.’ Holden-White and Ellis launched mini torpedoes from their canoe against a submarine and a destroyer, seemingly hitting the latter, prior to be being captured and taken prisoner of war whilst trying to escape from the harbour. Having been repatriated, Ellis was posted for further S.B.S. service under the command of 136 Force (S.O.E.), and served in India, Ceylon and Burma, 1944-47 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4032370 Sjt. D. C. Ellis. K.S.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, last 2 mounted in wrong order, generally very fine (6) £12,000-£15,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 April 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa.’ The original recommendation, which is best read in-conjunction with his commanding officer’s [Captain H. V. Holden-White] own recommendation for the Military Cross, states: ‘Oran Landings. Assault on port by H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland - 8th November, 1942. Was Captain Holden-White’s partner in the Folbot, he displayed coolness and courage in directing his Officer on to the target and later, when by himself, he salvaged and re-floated the damaged Folbot, almost under the eyes of a French sentry.’ Holden-White’s M.C. recommendation states: ‘Was in Command of the Special Boat Section Unit, which was detailed to carry out dangerous and delicate operations in-conjunction with assault on the port of Oran. He was in charge of the party operating from H.M.S. Walney in folbots and displayed courage and initiative of a high order in attacking with small torpedoes a French destroyer which was leaving the port, and it is believed that one hit on the vessel was obtained.’ Derek Charles Ellis enlisted as a Boy in the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at Shrewsbury in May 1935. He transferred to the 1st Battalion the following year, and served with the B.E.F. in France, 24 September 1939 - 8 June 1940. Ellis was posted to No. 6 Commando (Special Service Brigade) in May 1941, before transferring to the Special Boat Service in April 1942. He was to become part of the newly formed 2 SBS, which was gathered from a nucleus of 101 Troop, 6 Commando and new recruits such as Holden-White. Their billet was a private hotel in a suburb of Ardrossan, Scotland, and from here they learned all things according to the gospel of ‘Jumbo’ Courtney. Ellis had been part of 101 Troop, and had taken part in a reconnaissance 22/23 November 1941: ‘At Dover 101 Troop were mostly engaged in helping the Royal Navy destroy floating mines by rifle fire, but two canoe pairs were used to make a reconnaissance on the night of 22/23 November 1941. This was in preparation for a raid the next night by a hundred men from No. 9 Commando on a coastal gun battery at Houlgate near the mouth of the river Seine. Lieutenant Smith and Corporal Woodhouse overturned in surf and were captured, while Corporal D. C. Ellis and Private Lewis missed the rendezvous and paddled back across the Channel to England. However, they had gathered sufficient information to confirm that LCA’s (landing-craft assault) could land on the beach.’ (SBS In World War Two, The Story of the Original Special Boat Section of the Army Commandos by G. B. Courtney refers) Operation Reservist In the second week of October 1942, Holden-White was summoned to Lord Mountbatten’s Combined Operations Headquarters in Whitehall. There ‘was something big on. Hush-hush. Destination secret for now, but the SBS had an important role to play. Holden-White gleaned enough information to guess that an attack was planned on the Vichy French and that SBS canoeists would be launched at the head of a sea-borne onslaught which, even for one quite new to the service, seemed to nullify what he assessed to be the section’s greatest asset, operating clandestinely.’ (SBS The Inside Story of the Special Boat Service by J. Parker refers) The above - Operation Reservist - was to be a subsidiary part of Operation Torch, the massive invasion of North Africa in November 1942. The SBS operation was to be part of the amphibious assault on Oran, 8 November 1942. The Vichy French held harbour which was heavily protected by shore batteries and contained a number of the surviving vessels of the Vichy French Navy: ‘Opposition inland was judged correctly to be minimal, but the Vichy naval chiefs were still smarting over the sinking of part of the French fleet at Oran by the British in 1940 and would take drastic measures to protect their remaining vessels. Oh, and one other thing, said Courtney. The SBS had the honour of testing a new weapon, a mini-torpedo designed to be fired from canoes, which would hopefully cut down on the need for limpet mines whose clamping was always a hazardous business. A few days later Harry [Holden-White] and Lieutenant E. J. A. ‘Sally’ Lunn went to an experimental station in Hampshire to see a demonstration of the mini-torpedoes. A stock of them was being prepared which, they were assured, would be dispatched with an officer to Gibraltar, where they would be collected by the SBS en route to wherever they were going (then still a secret). The day of embarkation came. Harry took five pairs of SBS canoeists to Greenock, where they loaded their stores, weapons and canoes aboard two converted American coastguard cutters now under the Royal Navy flag and named H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland. Three pairs [including Ellis] led by Holden-White boarded Walney while Sally Lunn headed the other two in Hartland. Orders were now clear. They were to join a large convoy at Gibraltar, protected by destroyers and submarines. There, the two ships would pick up 400 American troops, who were to mount a sea-borne assault on Oran harbour and hold it until reinforcements arrived from inland. The SBS role in all of this was to go in first, blowing up shipping in the harbour with the still-experimental mini-torpedoes. Each pair of canoeists was to be given two torpedoes, which they were to release towards suitable targets as soon as feasibly possible. The torpedoes were to be collected in Gibraltar, they were told, where an office would explain all. Harry takes up the story: “Well, that was the first thing to go wrong. When we got to Gib, there was no bloody officer to explain it all, no bloody instructions, and the baby torpedoes were in bits. Luckily, I had Sergeant-Major J. Embelin with us, who was a demolition expert, and he was able to assemble them. But we still had only a vague idea about range and so on... Another problem for us was launching the canoes from ships. Normally, SBS crews are floated off submarines or lowered from MTBs. These cutters gave us a drop of eight to ten feet and our flimsy folbots could have been damaged. So on the way out we decided to practise and unpacked the canoes we had brought aboard in kitbag...

A Second War ‘Normandy, June 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of eleven awarded to Sergeant R. Hey, 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3386258 Sjt. R. Hey. Durh. L.I.). ; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with additional service bar (Lt. R. Hey MM CCF.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944. The recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states: ‘On 14 June 1944 one and a half companies of the Battalion captured the village of Lingevres. Sergeant Hey’s platoon was ordered to occupy a ridge just forward of the village while the rest of the force was in a reverse slope position in rear. This platoon was attacked repeatedly for a period of seven hours and eventually had four tanks between them and the main position. The platoon did not waver at any time and continued to fight on when surrounded. This was largely due to Lieutenant Dunn, the platoon commander, and when he was killed, due to Sergeant Hey the platoon sergeant. He showed great personal courage and was an inspiration to the men in the platoon. By holding his platoon in this position he was largely responsible for enabling the rest of the force to hold on until relieved by another Battalion.’ Robert ‘Bob’ Hey was born in 1920 and enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn on 3 March 1939. He transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers in December 1942, and to the Durham Light Infantry on 30 March 1943, serving with them in the Middle East and North Africa until 7 November 1943, when he returned Home. He served with the 9th Battalion in the North West Europe campaign from 3 June to 11 August, 1944. Transferring to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in June 1949, he served with that regiment in East Africa, with the British Army of the Rhine, Korea and Japan until 28 May 1953, when he rejoined the Durham Light Infantry in Korea, serving there until 16 August 1953. He afterwards served with M.E.L.F. and at Home until 2 March 1961, when he was discharged in the rank of WO1 (R.S.M.) from the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. An accompanying news cutting (undated) reporting his memorial service states: ‘Later he worked with the army cadets at Barnard Castle School for 23 years, and in semi-retirement he drove for Carters Cabs in the town. He lived at Dial House at Whorlton crossroads and later at Stainton Grove. He went to live at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in 1990. Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service (confirming service medals), metal identity disc, various R.A.O.B. certificates and D.L.I. Association membership cards.

A fine Second War ‘Battle of Wadi Akarit, V.C. action’ Immediate M.M. awarded to Corporal James Ginty, 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, for gallantry in the attack on the Gabes line in April 1943; he was killed in action in January 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2992110 Cpl. J. Ginty. A. & S.H,); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1943. The recommendation for the Immediate award of the M.M. states: ‘On 6 April 1943 in the attack on the GABES line, Corporal Ginty led his section with outstanding gallantry and dash and set an example which was an inspiration to his men. Both the attack and the re-organisation took place under sustained and accurate shelling and small arms fire but he remained completely calm and regardless to danger. His example was followed by his men who moved with the greatest self control. When the objective was captured, Cpl. Ginty was ordered to take his section forward of the rest of the platoon and dig in. The platoon was suffering considerable shelling and some sniping from a German post on his right but Cpl. Ginty calmly led his men forward, selected a position and began digging. Later he was ordered to rejoin the platoon and again he led his section without haste or sign of fear to its fresh position. The complete control and lack of fear shown by the section both on this occasion and throughout the day was an inspiration to the rest of the platoon and was due entirely to the personal example and leadership of Cpl. Ginty.’ The battle of Wadi Akarit took place in a narrow coastline strip between the sea and the coastal towns of Gabes and El Hamma. Between these was the Gabes gap. The Wadi Akarit ran across the gap at the coastal end and to the Roumana Ridge inland and to the west. On 6 April 1943, in the attack upon the Wadi Akarit position, the task of breaking through the enemy minefield and anti-tank ditch to the East of the Roumana feature and of forming the initial bridgehead for a Brigade of the 51st Highland Division was allotted to the 7th Battalion of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Lorne Campbell. It was for gallantry in this attack the Lieutenant-Colonel Lorne Campbell won the Victoria Cross and Corporal Ginty the Military Medal. James Ginty was killed or died on 17 January 1944, aged 21. He was the son of Martin and Ellen Ginty, of Selby, Yorkshire, and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery.

A fine Second War ‘Normandy Landings, June 1944’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal R. E. Jermey, 224th Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 6 Airborne Division H.Q at Le Bas de Ranville Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7377858 Cpl. R. E. Jermey. R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On 9 June 1944 Divisional Headquarters at 1073 (France 1/100,000, Sheet 7F) was heavily shelled and mortared from 1920 to 2030 hours. About 20 casualties were sustained. Corporal Jermey, after attending to one of these casualties who was bleeding badly from a leg wound, carried the casualty on his own, using the Firemans Lift, to the Main Dressing Station, 500 yards away as no vehicles with stretchers were available at the time. Although shells were literally bursting all round him he never faltered. On two occasions he and his patient were knocked down by the blast of the shells but he collected his patient and carried on immediately. In this case he undoubtedly saved the patient’s life as the nature of the wound was such that immediate surgical interference was necessary. His complete disregard for personal safety combined with his coolness and determination has been an example to all ranks.’ D-Day June 1944 - Airborne Landings On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Corporal Robert Jermey, Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, leapt into the void from the Dakota carrying him and other elements of R.A.M.C. airborne personnel and successfully parachuted into the apple orchards of Normandy, France. There then ensued a hectic time of setting up a Casualty Clearing Station and dealing with numerous Airborne casualties which inevitably streamed in from the Airborne and Airlanding troops desperately trying to hold their various outlying positions. Three days after the initial invasion, 6th Airborne Divisional HQ came under intense German artillery and mortar fire, during which Corporal Jermey, his position straffed by exploding shells, courageously left cover to go to the aid of a stricken comrade who was badly wounded in the legs. With complete disregard to his own safety, he firstly applied field dressings then despite shells falling to left and right, hoisted the man onto his back and although knocked down twice from the blasts of exploding shells he, encumbered by the dead weight of his stricken comrade, finally managed to cover the 500 yards to the comparative safety of the Casualty Collection Post and in so doing, certainly saved the man’s life. For his outstanding bravery, he was rewarded with the well earned award of the Military Medal. 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, D-Day - Operation Mallard At 03:35, the 6th Airborne Division headquarters landed by glider in the landing-zone cleared by sappers. Only a few gliders missed the landing-zone, due to the poor weather and errors in navigation. Once the headquarters staff and accompanying airborne troops had been gathered together, the headquarters was moved to the Le Bas de Ranville area and set up there. Contact was established with the headquarters of 5th Parachute Brigade at 05:00, and with the headquarters of 3rd Parachute Brigade at 12:35, and the division linked up with 1st Special Service Brigade as it advanced from the invasion beaches at 13:53. Mallard was the final wave of the 6th Airborne Division’s landings and consisted of 220 Horsa and Hamilcar gliders, carrying the 6th Airlanding Brigade and other units. The gliders arrived at their landing-zone, coming under heavy small-arms and mortar fire from nearby German positions as they landed. Casualties were light and within ninety minutes the glider-borne troops had gathered at their rendezvous points. By 00:00 7 June, the entire 6th Airborne Division had been fully deployed on the eastern flank of the invasion beaches (with the exception of 12th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment – part of 6th Airlanding Brigade – that was due to arrive by sea on 7 June). The division ended the day with the 3rd Parachute Brigade holding a 4-mile (6.4 km) front, with 9th Parachute Battalion at Le Plein, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion at Les Mesneil, and the 8th Parachute Battalion in the southern part of the Bois de Bavent. The 5th Parachute Brigade had the 12th Parachute Battalion occupying Le Bas de Ranville, and the 13th Parachute Battalion holding Ranville, while the 7th Parachute Battalion had been moved into reserve. The 6th Airlanding Brigade was poised to commit its two battalions to extend the bridgehead. The 1st Special Service Brigade, which had temporarily came under the command of the division, was holding villages to the north and north-east of DZ N. The 6th Airborne Division suffered a total of 800 casualties between 5 June and 7 June, out of the 8,500 men deployed. Robert Jermey was born on 8 August 1917, and later lived at South Wigston, Leicestershire. His occupation in 1939 was that of a carpenter at Lewes Prison, Sussex. He had previously seen active service in North Africa before being selected for Airborne training. He died in July 1993, aged 75, at Brentwood, Essex. The Airborne R.A.M.C. units attached to 6th Airborne Division on 6 June 1944, were 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance RAMC, 224 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC, and 225 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC

An inter-War ‘Royal Tour of India’ R.V.M. group of three awarded to Private T. Clare, Army Service Corps Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued, in case and outer card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (M-339655 Pte. T. Clare. A.S.C.) in named card box of issue, extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- R.V.M. in silver awarded 11 March 1922. Thomas Ferguson Clare was employed by Crossley Motors, and served as Chauffeur to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales during his 1922 Tour of India.

A scarce Great War Medal of the Order of the British Empire and M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant-Major William Coates, Expeditionary Force Canteens, Army Service Corps, for courage and devotion to duty under fire in France Medal of the Order of the British Empire, (Military) unnamed as issued; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (367481 S. Mjr: W. Coates. Exp: F. Cntns:); British War and Victory Medals (A-367481 A.W.O. Cl.1. W. Coates. A.S.C.) mounted as worn, toned, nearly extremely fine (4) £400-£500 --- O.B.E. Medal (Military) London Gazette 11 June 1918: ‘For services in connection with the War, in which great courage or self-sacrifice has been displayed:- Coates, Serjeant-Major William, Expeditionary Force Canteens. For courage and devotion to duty while carrying on canteen work under shell fire.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918: ‘367481 S./M. W. Coates, Exped’y Force Canteens (Streatham Hill). [FRANCE]

A Second War B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. B. Richardson, Royal Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1534788 Sgt. John B. Richardson, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (John B. Richardson) good very fine (8) £300-£400 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 8 June 1944. The original Recommendation, dated 29 February 1944, states: ‘Sergeant John Booth Richardson has worked in this General Headquarters since its formation in September 1942 as N.C.O. in charge of civilian employees and has been of the utmost value in maintaining the efficiency and use of buildings, including 76 offices and 26 Officers’ or Sergeants’ Messes. The general cleanliness of the area covered by G.H.Q. buildings and the various camps has been his responsibility and he has carried out all duties allotted to him cheerfully and conscientiously. During this period nearly 3,000 Iraqi civilians of all grades have been satisfactorily employed in various duties and on an average 400 permanently employed. He has all along been of the greatest assistance to the Officer in charge of Civilian Employment in controlling the civilian staff of G.H.Q. and has throughout performed an uninspiring and arduous duty with the utmost zeal and never failing good spirit and tact.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 29 November 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy. John Booth Richardson attested for the Royal Artillery and served with the Light Anti Aircraft Unit during the Second World War. Sold with the recipient’s named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the B.E.M.; original M.I.D. Certificate; and various riband bars. Sold together with the following family medal Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Colin J. Richardson) extremely fine Colin J. Richardson was the brother of John Booth Richardson.

A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Festubert’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. Mills, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, who was also wounded in action during the Battle, and awarded the Russian Cross of the Order of St. George, Fourth Class Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6548 Cpl. J. Mills. 2/Sco: Gds:); 1914 Star, with loose clasp (6548 Cpl J. Mills. S. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (6548 Cpl. J. Mills. S. Gds.) light contact marks overall, generally very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 16th May, 1915, at Festubert, when, after the German front line had been taken and many wounded were lying between the British and German trenches, he repeatedly went out during the day under a heavy shell fire, which was killing many of the wounded, and carried back wounded men until he was himself hit. His gallant conduct undoubtedly saved many lives.’ Russia, Cross of the Order of St. George, Fourth Class London Gazette 25 August 1915. James Mills enlisted in the Scots Guards in June 1906, and transferred to the Army Reserve in May 1913. He rejoined the Colours, 4 August 1914, and served with the 2nd Battalion in the French theatre of war from 7 October 1914. Mills distinguished himself during the Battle of Festubert, when the Battalion moved to ‘Hinges 12th May. Moved forward 15th and took part in attack north of Festubert. Casualties - 10 officers, 401 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.’ (British Battalions on the Western Front January to June 1915, by R. Westlake refers). Mills advanced to Sergeant, and was discharged due to sickness, 9 July 1917 (entitled to Silver War Badge). He subsequently joined the 57th A/T Regiment, 13 February 1940.

A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Festubert’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Bandsman, later Sergeant, W. Black, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (72 Bndsmn: W. Black. 2/R. War: R.); 1914 Star, with loose clasp (72 Bndsmn: W. Black. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (72 Pte. W. Black. R. War. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5094060 Sjt. W. Black. D.C.M. R. War. R.) generally very fine or better (5) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry on the 16th May, 1915, at Festubert, when, with his corporal, he continually went over the parapet, and assisted to carry in wounded men under heavy fire.’ William Black served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 4 October 1914. Black distinguished himself during the Battle of Festubert, when the Battalion moved ‘to Locon 12th [May], support trenches north of Rue de Cailloux 15th. Took part in Battle of Festubert. War Diary records that the ‘companies advanced with great dash and quickness and arrived at desired objective.’ Forced to withdraw later due to enfilade fire. Holding captured German line at dusk 16th. Relieved 18th and to billets at Vendin-lez-Bethune. Casualties during fighting totalled 207 killed, wounded and missing.’ (British Battalion on the Western Front January to June 1915, by R. Westlake refers).

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private J. Hobson, 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, late Royal Army Medical Corps, with whom he served in Gallipoli Military Medal, G.V.R. (R-40903 Pte J. Hobson. 4/K.R.Rif:C.) recipient’s address additionally engraved on edge ‘66 Potternewton Lan Chapel Allerton Leeds’, pawnbroker’s mark in obverse field, very fine £160-£200 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1919. James Hobson initially served during the Great War with the Royal Army Medical Corps in Gallipoli from 20 May 1915. He subsequently transferred to the 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps and served with them in the French theatre of war.

An important Crimea and Indian Mutiny group of four awarded to Major J. C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders, much of whose ‘active service correspondence’ survives in the Regimental Museum: it was he who supported the mortally wounded Brigadier Adrian Hope in his arms during the disastrous attack against Fort Rooyah in April 1858, a selfless act that nearly resulted in his own demise, with both his bonnet and kilt being shot through Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol, the reverse of each privately engraved ‘20th. September 1854’, ‘25th October 1854’, and ‘8th September 1855’ respectively (Capt. J. C. Ross Grove, 42d Royal Highlanders) contemporary engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow, the reverse privately engraved ‘14th March 1858’ (Capt. J. C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders) ‘C. Ross’ privately corrected; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, the reverse with contemporary and privately engraved inscription, ‘Captain J. C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders’, enamel damage to Crescent suspension; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die, a contemporary tailor’s copy by ‘J.B.’ (Captain J. C. Ross Grove, 42nd Royal Highlanders) contemporary engraved naming, all fitted with contemporary top silver riband bars or buckles and housed in a fitted leather case, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine (4) £2,400-£2,800 --- Joseph Charles Ross Grove was commissioned into the Black Watch as an Ensign in September 1851, and was advanced to Lieutenant in May 1854. As verified by relevant sources, and his own surviving correspondence, he served throughout the Eastern Campaign of 1854-55, and participated in the Kertch and Yenikale expeditions, in addition to the battles of Alma and Balaklava. The following account, taken from a letter home, describes his experiences at Alma on 20 September 1854: ‘Meanwhile, the First Division (our own), deployed on our side of the river and were ordered to lie down to avoid the shell and shot which came like hail amongst us. Many of us had narrow escapes but only three men were knocked over then. In half an hour after we deployed we got the order to advance. We crossed the river and got into a vineyard. The whistling of the bullets was perfectly astonishing. The thickness of the foliage, the river, half a dozen dykes to cross and five or six houses broke us completely. I am now speaking of my cause. We formed line as quickly as possible under a most fearful fire of shot, shell, grape and canister, and musketry. How we escaped I know not. Immediately we got into order we opened fire and continued advancing up a tremendous steep brae so rapidly that their artillery could not get our range - we were only two hundred yards from full regiments and a battery of seven guns! So the heavy shot now went over our heads ... We now came up with the 79th which were, I am sorry to say, wavering. We broke through them - cheering, they gave way to us, saying “Let them go they are mad.” We were now with fixed bayonets and were ordered to cease firing. The Duke and Sir Colin Campbell were with our Colonel riding in front, waving their swords. Oh it was splendidly exciting and we cheered again and again, and then went laterally and determinedly up the hill as quick as we could march. It was too steep to double. The fire was as heavy as ever. When we came within 50 yards of the top of the hill we cheered. They gave us a parting volley and scuttled down the other side. We then got to the top of the heights. We were the first regiment of the Army who gained the position!’ It would seem Ross Grove’s obvious enthusiasm added to his reputation in the ranks, a contention supported by the following extract from the memoirs of a fellow Black Watch veteran: ‘There was another duty to perform, which was no joke. That was to take down the shot and shell to the batteries through the open ground, exposed to all the fire that came out of Sebastopol, as we could not drag the waggon in the trenches. I was twice on that duty - once under Captain M’Leod, now Sir John, and once under Captain Ross Grove. I will say there could not have been better officers for that duty. They were cool and collected, and both nights there was a tremendous fire kept up, and the Russians were firing what was called “happy family” - that was a cluster of small shell that were sent in one gun together.’ Ross Grove himself refers to at least one near squeak in the trenches before Sebastopol in a letter home dated 31 July 1855: ‘On Thurday afternoon a shell burst in the air almost 100 yards from me. I saw a fragment coming straight at me. I considered for a moment and determined not to move. If I had done so I would have lost my left arm. The piece in descending smacked a man’s thigh and I calculate would have caught me about the elbow. We are too much used to these things now for them to affect us. It was amputated next day and he is doing well ... after a beef broth pudding and a glass of port and some brandy and water I enjoyed bed tremendously.’ Again before Sebastopol, in the final operations against the Redan, we find Ross Grove experiencing further close shaves: ‘The minute after we got to our ground I had my men posted. We were so close we had to crawl on our bellies and speak in a whisper without daring to lift a head or move a joint, for about 200 of the enemy’s riflemen discovered us and kept up a fearful fire of musketry on us. I can only attribute my preservation to the Almighty. I got up for one moment and immediately a ball struck where I had been. This continued up to lunch, when all of a sudden the firing ceased and we came to the conclusion that something was going to be done. A thought came over me that the enemy had evacuated the place and it might be a grand thing to enter the Redan by oneself and return to Sir Colin and say it was ours. It had hardly entered my brain before there was a rumbling in the earth and then a fearful explosion followed by others in quick succession. We were all nearly killed. The stones from the batteries falling round us like hail. The enemy at midday saved us the trouble of storming her. The bitter cold that night I shall never forget ...’ For his services in the Crimea Ross Grove was awarded the Fifth Class of the Ottoman Order of Medjidie and was advanced to Captain. Seeing further service during the Great Sepoy Mutiny he witnessed extensive active service, not just in the engagements at Cawnpore and elsewhere which led to the fall of Lucknow - when he was present at the assault on the Martiniere and on “Bank’s Bungalow” - but afterwards in several of the “mopping up” operations fought by the Highland Brigade under Brigadier Adrian Hope, not least the attack on Fort Rooyah in March 1858. Ross Grove’s part in this action is mentioned in several relevant accounts, the unenvious task of commanding the storming party largely falling on his shoulders, in his capacity as C.O. of No. 8 Company: ‘The rebels were prepared to evacuate the fort, and they had intended to fire a few rounds and retreat. But, when they saw the British general sending his infantry in skirmishing order against the face which could be defended, they changed their minds and determined to show fight. Meanwhile, Walpole had ridden up to a company of the 42nd that was in advance, commanded by Captain Ross Grove, and had directed that officer to extend and pass through the wooded ground in his front; then to close on the fort, hold the gate, and prevent the enemy from escaping. Another company o...

Three: Colour-Sergeant Alexander Goodbrand, 79th Highlanders Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (2680. Color. Serjt. Alexr. Goodbrand. 79. Cameron. Highlanders.) regimentally impressed naming as usual for the Highland Brigade; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (Colr. Sergt. Alexr. Goodbrand, 79th Highlanders) fitted with Crimea suspension; France, Second Empire, Médaille Militaire, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, gilt worn and chips to enamel on last, first with light contact marks, otherwise about very fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Medaille Militaire: ‘For good and gallant conduct at the Battles of the Alma and Balaklava, and in the trenches before Sebastopol.’ One of six such awards to the non-commissioned officers and men of the 79th Highlanders for the Crimean War. Alexander Goodbrand left the Army March 1857 and was afterwards for a period Colour-Sergeant and Drill Instructor to the 1st Aberdeenshire Militia. In 1874 he took up a position in the Natal Government Railway, becoming Point station master at Durban. In his application to join the railways he stated: ‘I have served in the Army for nearly 10 years and was with the 79th Highlanders throughout the whole of the Crimean Campaign, including the Battles of the Alma, Balaklava, Expedition to Kertch and siege of Sebastopol. Crimean Medal with 3 clasps, Turkish Medal and French Medal with mention for good & gallant conduct. Held the rank of Colour Serjeant from 20 Sept. 1854 till the date of my discharge on the 31st March 1857. Since leaving the Army I have had large experience in business - chiefly in London. I am competent to undertake any description of Office Work.’ Alexander Goodbrand died at Durban on 26 May 1892, aged 61, his profession being described as that of ‘Accountant N.G.R.’