155742 Preisdatenbank Los(e) gefunden, die Ihrer Suche entsprechen

Three: Private W. Briggs, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date his battalion suffered over 750 officers and men killed or wounded, the greatest number of casualties to a single battalion on the first day of the Battle 1914-15 Star (21057 Pte. W. Briggs. W. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (21057 Pte. W. Briggs. W. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (Willie Briggs) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (4) £400-£500 --- Willie Briggs was born in Pudsey, Yorkshire, and attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment in Leeds. He served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 September 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On this date the Battalion was involved in an attack on Fricourt. Two companies moved forward at zero hour on the left of the assault, and cleared the enemy front lines with little loss. The supporting companies, however, met heavy fire, machine-guns having been brought from the dug-outs. The Regimental history records that the latter were almost annihilated, with total casualties of 22 officers and approximately 750 other ranks, the most casualties of any Battalion on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Briggs was amongst those killed, and is buried in Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, France. Sold with copied research.

Three: Private C. R. Cramb, Royal Scots Fusiliers 1914-15 Star (17150 Pte. C. R. Cramb. R. Sc. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (17150 Pte. C. Cramb. R.S. Fus.) nearly very fine Pair: Private W. Flynn, Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Gaza on 20 August 1917 British War and Victory Medals (41182 Pte. W. Flynn. High. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private T. Hall, Monmouthshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (4783 Pte. T. Hall. Monmouth. R.) good very fine (7) £70-£90 --- Christopher R. Cramb attested for the Royal Scots Fusiliers and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 August 1915. He was additionally awarded a Silver War Badge. William Flynn attested for the Highland Light Infantry at Glasgow and served with the 1st/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion during the Great War in Egypt and Palestine. He was killed in action on 20 August 1917, and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery.

Three: Private G. H. M. Fendt, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (9279 Pte. G. H. M. Fendt. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9279 Pte. G. H. M. Fendt. D. of Corn. L.I.) nearly very fine Five: Captain T. F. Wilson, Royal Scots, who was wounded at Arrras during the Great War, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Army Council enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘T. F. Wilson, Esq., 50 Windham Square, Portobello, Midlothian’, extremely fine One: Sergeant A. W. Burlock, M.M., Royal Garrison Artillery Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. A. W. Burlock, 16, Carisbrook Close, Enfield, Middlesex’; together with a silver presentation cross, the obverse central roundel engraved ‘Five Years Service’, the reverse engraved ‘Alfted Burlock, Staff Sergeant, 6.3.05’, very fine (10) £80-£120 --- George Harold Montague Fendt attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 19 July 1909, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 December 1914. He was discharged on account of sickness on 11 April 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, no. B336507. He died in Fulham, London, on 22 October 1952. Sold with copied research. Thomas Fotheringhame Wilson was born in Edinburgh o 19 May 1883 and attested for the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots (Territorial Force) on 17 September 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 February 1915, being advanced Colour Sergeant with the appointment of Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 27 July 1915. He suffered as gun shot wound to his left forearm at Rochincourt, Arras, on 1 March 1917, and for his services during the Great War was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (London Gazette 18 January 1919). Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Scots on 2 September 1939, and relinquished his commission on 27 November 1948, being granted the honorary rank of Captain. Sold with copied research. Alfred W. Burlock attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force) and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 March 1915. Advanced Warrant Officer Class II, and appointed Battery Sergeant Major, for his services during the Great War he was awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette 14 September 1916). He was additionally awarded a Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 137 of 1915. Sold with copied research.

The 1914-15 Star trio awarded to Private N. W. Player, 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, who won the D.C.M. for gallantry in the trenches near Nasiriyah, Mesopotamia, on 24 July 1914 1914-15 Star (1942 Pte. N. W. Player. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1942 Pte. N. W. Player. Hamps. R.) good very fine (3) £80-£120 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 9 October 1915: ‘For conspicuous bravery on the 24th July, 1915, near Nasiriyah (Mesopotamia). Private Player was one of the two first to enter the enemy’s trenches in advance of his Regiment, and his courage and devotion to duty set a fine example to all ranks.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 April 1916. Sold with copied research.

Three: Private H. McIntosh, Naval Labour Company, Army Service Corps, later Royal Marines, who was severely injured in an explosion at le Harve on 7 May 1915 1914-15 Star (SS-8843 Pte. H. Mc Intosh, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Deal 8272 -S- Pte. H. Mc Intosh. R.M.) good very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Henry McIntosh attested for the Army Service Corps Naval Labour Company in Edinburgh on 9 April 1915, and served during the Great War in France from 22 April 1915. Two weeks later, on 7 May 1915, he was admitted to hospital with severe burns and shock. His injuries occurred that day when he was working in the hold of the S.S. Hambleton Grange unloading crates containing cans of petrol at the port of le Harve. None of the men in the hold were experienced stevedores and none had any experience in unloading petrol. Many of the cans had been damaged and were leaking, and the fumes were already filling the hold. Eventually a spark, probably caused from the studs in their boots, ignited the vapour leading to an explosion. One man was killed and six, including McIntosh, were injured. Discharged back to duty on 29 May 1915, McIntosh continued to serve with the Army Service Corps at the port of le Harve until the Admiralty took over responsibility and he was transferred to the Royal Marine Labour Corps on 2 February 1917, subsequently serving with no. 35 Naval Labour Company. He was finally demobilised on 20 March 1919. Sold with copied research.

Four: Lieutenant Colonel F. B. Binney, Royal Flying Corps, Royal Air Force and Royal Artillery, a BE2c pilot who flew with 1 and 12 Squadrons on the Western Front, and was the latter squadron’s first loss of the war, when he was shot down, wounded, and taken POW during the Battle of the Loos, 26 September 1915 - having just bombed a train from 500ft 1914-15 Star (Capt. F. B. Binney. R.F.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major. F. B. Binney. R.A.F.); Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, generally good very fine (4) £400-£500 --- Frank Burgess Binney was born in 1887, and was the son of Thomas Binney of Guiness Court, Tolleshunt D’Arcy, Essex. He was educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military Academy. Binney was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in July 1908, and advanced to Lieutenant in July 1911. He undertook a course as a pupil at the Bristol School at Brooklands, and was granted his Aviator’s Certificate (No. 736), 16 February 1914. Binney transferred as Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in August 1914, and advanced to Temporary Captain and Flight Commander in February 1915. He served as a pilot with 1 Squadron in the French theatre of war from March 1915, before transferring to 12 Squadron at St. Omer later that year. Binney commanded ‘C’ Flight, and was the senior flight commander. The Squadron was mainly engaged on long-range reconnaissance, and was heavily involved in the preparations for the Battle of Loos. The opening artillery bombardment for which commenced on 21 September, including special bombing operations conducted by the Second and Third Wings and 12 Squadron. These attacks were directed at trains on the move, especially in cuttings, and commenced on 23 September – two days before the infantry attack. 12 Squadron undertook three attacks on the opening day and participated in further attacks over the next five days. It was during one of these raids on 26 September that the squadron experienced its first casualty when Binney (in BE2c 1744) was shot down by anti-aircraft fire and forced to land behind German lines after bombing a train from 500ft. Binney was wounded in the left lung, and after having landed nose first south of Phalempin, was taken prisoner of war. His report, written 3 August 1918, gives the following: ‘I was employed dropping bombs on the enemy’s railway communications in a given area. I descended to 150 feet to drop my bombs on a moving train consisting of an engine and a single carriage. Bombs fell alongside the train but I do not think I actually hit it. The train stopped but I could not see any damage. I started to rise again when I was wounded, first on my right shin and then in the upper part of my right thigh. One of the aileron control cables of the aeroplane was cut. I fainted three times in the air. On coming to the second time, I found myself at a height of about 300 feet and in a spinning nose dive. To right the aeroplane I cut off the engine. I fainted again before I could put it on again. When I came to the third time I was laying on the ground surrounded by the enemy.’ Binney was repatriated 14 June 1918, and advanced to Honorary Major in December of the same year. After repatriation he wrote a detailed report on German Hospitals and POW Camps - based on his own experience, and reports from others (photocopy of which included with the lot). Binney was appointed to a permanent commission in the R.A.F. in 1919, before returning to the Royal Artillery the following year. He advanced to Lieutenant Colonel in March 1936, retired in July 1939, and died in 1964. Sold with comprehensive copied research, including a photographic image of recipient, and a photographic image of recipient’s aircraft having crashed and being surrounded by German troops.

Three: Lieutenant H. L. C. Aked, Royal Flying Corps, late West Yorkshire Regiment, who served as an F.E.2b Observer with 20 Squadron, and was forced down and taken POW after combat with the German Ace Leutnant W. Frankl at Zandvoorde, 21 May 1916 1914-15 Star (Lieut: H. L. C. Aked. W. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. L. C. Aked. R.A.F.) VM officially renamed, generally good very fine (3) £300-£400 --- Henry Leslie Cautley Aked was born in 1896, and was a native of Harrogate, Yorkshire. He was educated at Radley, and won a scholarship to study a Magdalene College, Cambridge, however he chose to take a commission in the 3/8th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment instead. Aked initially served during the Great War with the 1/8th (Leeds Rifles) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 6 November 1915. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps the following year, and after training as an Observer was posted for operational flying to 20 Squadron (F.E.2b’s) Clairmarais, France. Aked flew with Captain C. E. H. James as his pilot, and on 21 May 1916 they were escorting a reconnaissance patrol when they were engaged in aerial combat by two enemy aircraft. They were forced down by the German Ace Leutnant Wilhelm Frankl (Pour le Merite, and credited with 20 victories) at Zandvoorde. Both Aked and James were taken prisoner of war, and the former was repatriated 18 November 1918. Aked relinquished his commission in January 1919, and after the war he studied at University College, Oxford. In later life he resided at Forest Manor, Knaresborough. Aked was a well-known figure in the Bradford wool and textile trade, and was the Managing Director of Robert Aked & Son - the later being in business for over a hundred years. He died in London in March 1962. A number of documents relating to Aked are held by the University of Leeds Library. Sold with extensive copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.

Three: Captain C. H. L. Coney, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served as an R.E.8 Observer with 63 Squadron in the Mesopotamian theatre of war 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. C. H. L. Coney. N. Staff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. H. L. Coney. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, VM officially renamed, generally good very fine or better (3) £160-£200 --- Charles Herbert Law Coney was born in Pucklechurch, Gloucestershire in September 1889. He was employed as an Engineer prior to the Great War, and initially served with the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Coney was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps as a Lieutenant, and qualified as an Observer in June 1917. He was immediately posted to 63 Squadron in Mesopotamia. Having arrived at Basra in August, the Squadron was plagued by disease and intense heat. It was not until 10 September that the first two aircraft had been assembled and were ready to fly. The Squadron’s R.E.8’s were based at Samarra, and attached to the First Indian Corps during its advance on Kirkuk and Mosul. Coney advanced to (Temporary) Captain in November 1917, and was subsequently appointed as Honorary Captain.

Pair: Private G. Eaton, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment), who was killed in action on the Western Front on 10 October 1917 British War and Victory Medals (202272 Pte. G. Eaton. The Queen’s R.); Memorial Plaque (George Eaton) nearly extremely fine (3) £80-£120 --- George Eaton was born at Stanlake, and attested for the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey Regiment) at Witley, Oxfordshire. He served with the 3rd/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 10 October 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Three: Private F. Leach, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (1409 Pte. F. Leach. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (1409 Pte. F. Leach. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Three: Private G. J. Millwood, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 September 1916 1914-15 Star (16372 Pte. G. J. Millwood. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (16372 Pte. G. J. Millwood. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (6) £100-£140 --- Frederick Leach attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915. He was disembodied on 4 February 1917. George Jack Millwood was born at Shoreditch, Middlesex, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Battersea. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from July 1915, and was killed in action on 3 September 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Pair: Private S. Cooper, Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 March 1918 British War and Victory Medals (29403 Pte. S. Cooper. Som. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Sidney Cooper) very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Sidney Cooper was born at Witney, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry at Oxford. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 29 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Pair: Captain H. C. Vereker, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, who was the pilot of Handley Page 0/100 1463 which was captured intact by the Germans, 1 January 1917 - a much documented incident which led to not only the new aircraft falling into the hands of the enemy enroute to the French theatre, but also the plans for it as well as a full crew. Vereker despite attempts to escape at the last minute was taken prisoner of war along with four others. He was subsequently mentioned in despatches ‘For valour whilst in captivity’ British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. H. C. Vereker. R.A.F.) good very fine or better (2) £400-£500 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December 1919: ‘For gallantry whilst Prisoners of War in escaping, or attempting to escape, from captivity, or for valuable services rendered in the prison camps of the enemy.’ Vereker’s service papers give ‘For valour whilst in captivity.’ Henry Connell Vereker was born in April 1895, a native of Somerset, and was a Corporal in the O.T.C. 1906-1912, before becoming a Despatch Rider, Divisional Engineers, Royal Naval Division. He joined the Royal Naval Air Service, as Flight Sub Lieutenant, 16 April 1915. Vereker trained as a pilot at Redcar and Eastchurch, and having advanced to Flight Lieutenant was posted to the Handley Page Squadron at R.N.A.S. Manston in July 1916. Vereker was to fly Handley Page 0/100 1463, 1 January 1917, in what was to become a ‘well documented disaster... [which] delivered a new twin-engined British heavy bomber directly into the hands of the enemy. Two attempts had been made to fly the Handley Page to France in December [1916], but each had been turned back by engine problems. The 1st January was a foggy, wintery day, but another attempt was made, only this time the machine lost its way and was forced to land in enemy territory. It landed at the aerodrome of Flieger Abteilung (A) 208 at Chalandry. The amazed members of this unit found themselves in possession of not only a new bomber type but also comprehensive performance documentation. This 0/100 was subsequently flown and tested by the Germans until it was crashed at Johannisthal aerodrome on the 22nd April 1917.’ (The Sky Their Battlefield, by T. Henshaw refers) More detail is given in Bloody Paralyser – The Giant Handley Page Bombers of the First World War, by R. Langham: ‘Before the operational career of the Handley Page bombers had even started, the Germans were to know all they needed to know about the design itself. When HPs 1462 and 1463 attempted to fly from Manston to Villacoublay on the first day of 1917, despite HP 1462 making the journey with no problems, HP 1463 landed 12 miles behind German lines, delivering a fully intact brand-new Handley Page 0/100 complete with two officers and three air mechanics to a German airfield at Chalandry. One version of events is that the pilot, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Henry Connell Vereker, ran back to the aircraft in an attempt to take off, but as his head and shoulders were just inside the fuselage he was pulled down again by a German. The men were interrogated and then spent the rest of the war as prisoners. As well as the aircraft itself, there were technical reports and other paperwork that proved interesting to the Germans, and, after being dismantled and transported to Germany, 1463 was reassembled and flown by the Imperial Air Service, complete with insignia. It was written off in a crash on 22 August that year, apparently due to the cabling for the ailerons being reassembled incorrectly. There were claims later that the Handley Page design was used as a basis for the Gotha G.IV and G.V bombers, a myth that still exists today. Apart from a very basic likeness in design, i.e. both being large, twin-engine biplane bombers, there were no real similarities in the two designs.’ Vereker, along with Lieutenant S. R. Hibbard, Airmen Kennedy, Wright and Higby were all taken prisoner of war. Vereker was repatriated at the cessation of hostilities, and advanced to Captain in the Royal Air Force. He re-engaged as Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in May 1940. Sold with extensive copied research, including several photographic images of recipient in uniform.

Three: Lieutenant C. E. G. Gill, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who flew with 34 and 139 Squadrons on the Italian Front, and was forced down and taken prisoner of war, 23 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. E. G. Gill. R.A.F.); Italy, Kingdom, War Cross, silver, unnamed as issued, generally good very fine or better (3) £300-£400 --- Italy, War Cross London Gazette 8 February 1919. Cecil Ernest Gaspar Gill was born in May 1897, the son of the Reverend A. T. Gill of West Wittering Vicarage, near Chichester, Sussex, and was educated at St. John’s School, Leatherhead. He was one of 11 children, 5 of whom served during the Great War, and also the younger brother of the Arts and Crafts movement sculptor Eric Gill. Gill was commissioned Second Lieutenant in Cambridgeshire Regiment, and advanced to Lieutenant in July 1917. He transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in the same year, and advanced to Flying Officer in the Royal Air Force in March 1918. After carrying out training, Gill was posted as a pilot to 34 Squadron (Bristol F.2b’s) at Villaverla, northern Italy in May 1918. The Squadron was primarily tasked with reconnaissance and bomber operations, and was heavily engaged in air fighting on the Piave against the Austrian offensive which started on 15 June 1918. On the second day of the offensive Gill and his Observer’s (Lieutenant T. Newey) aircraft was badly shot up and damaged by anti-aircraft fire. Gill transferred to the newly formed 139 Squadron (Bristol F.2b’s), also at Villaverla, in July 1918. He was flying with Newey on a reconnaissance, 23 August 1918, when his aircraft gear was shot away. Gill was forced to land, and both he and his observer were taken prisoner of war. He was repatriated in November 1918, and discharged in April 1919. In later life he was both ordained, and became a doctor of medicine. Sold with extensive copied research.

An extremely well-documented Great War F2b Observer’s pair awarded to Lieutenant R. J. Gregory, 20 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was shot down, wounded and taken prisoner of war near Armentières, 5 June 1918 British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. J. Gregory. R.A.F.) BWM with official corrections, very fine £300-£340 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2003. Robert John Gregory was born in February 1899 and was educated at the Brighton, Hove and Sussex Grammar School prior to becoming a medical student at St. George’s Hospital, Hyde Park, London. Enlisting in the 2nd Artists Rifles, circa 1916-17, he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a Cadet in September of the latter year and attended assorted training establishments until joining 105 Squadron as a 2nd Lieutenant that December. The advent of 1918 witnessed further training at an Observer and Air Gunnery School and in late May Gregory was posted to 20 Squadron, a fighter-bomber unit operating in F2Bs out of Boisdinghem. And by 5 June he was able to write home about his first operational experiences as an Observer: ‘Well, having got a regular pilot and “bus” now, have properly started my duties. That was quite a “cushy” little start the other night after I wrote to you, the clouds forming a very effective screen to hide us from view from the ground, so that we were not troubled very much by “Archies”. It was a most beautiful effect, too, as you can imagine, to be sailing along a mile or two above the clouds, with little gaps here and there through which you could see the ground miles beneath you ... Was on a show again this morning in which we properly “put the wind up” old Jerry and his gas bags. It was quite a sport although “Archie” was rather busy. Am starting off on another in about an hour’s time, so you see they keep us pretty busy. But, then you see, we are absolutely THE Squadron - that really is fact and we were specially congratulated by General Salmond on our record for last month. Everyone who gets posted to this squadron usually considers it quite an honour - I do. Well, will say good-bye for the present ...’ Just an hour or two after penning these words, Gregory was shot down, wounded and taken P.O.W. He and his pilot, Lieutenant E. A. Magee, had been brought down in the vicinity of Armentieres, the incident being described by Gregory in a letter home to his sweetheart: ‘Well, isn’t this just the absolute limit? Strange to say I had never considered the possibility and if you ask me now how I got here, I don’t really know very definitely as we came down with a most “beautiful” crash, over some nice high trees from a height of about three miles or so in not many more minutes, which smashed the old “bus” up into matchwood and gave me a most “beautiful” knock on the head, which kept me most “beautifully” quiet for about three days. Ged Magee, my pilot, was none the worse for our little splash and is with me now. All I can remember is having a “scrap” with some German planes in the course of which we had our own engine, petrol tanks (how it was they didn’t catch fire I don’t know. They do that about 9 times out of every 10, when they get shot) and about half of our control wires shot away, then a most sickening three mile drop quite out of control until a few hundred feet above the ground when Magee managed to check the speed a bit. All the time we were falling we were having lead pumped into us like the deuce! The way it dodged all round the two of us was most marvellous. I had a group of about 20 shots about three inches in front of me and about 30 or 40 within a few inches of my head; apparently I am wanted to fight in the next war, unless it is that I am too good to die yet (I think it must be that, don’t you?!!!) ...’ Gregory ended the War in an Officer’s P.O.W. camp near Pillau in East Prussia and was repatriated in mid-December 1918. Among previous camps he had frequented was Karlsruhe, scene of the most famous P.O.W. breakout of the Great War. Released from the Royal Air Force in February of the following year, he returned to his studies and qualified in medicine in February 1924. Gregory married his wartime sweetheart, Violet Webb, in October 1925 and set up practice in Luton, where he died in July 1940, aged 41 years. Sold with an impressive run of original correspondence, the majority being handwritten letters, with related envelopes, from the recipient to his sweetheart for the period January 1918 until his release from captivity at the end of the year, the latter with German stamps and occasional censorship - often of a humorous nature and rarely without useful observations and overall content; also old copy correspondence appertaining to the recipient being posted missing in June 1918, including a letter from his C.O., Major E. Johnston (‘Your son was Observer in a machine which was one of nine engaged in an offensive fighting patrol. As far as I can gather, his machine became slightly detached from the patrol and four enemy machines were seen just behind it. Our machine then spun down and was lost sight of ...’); three wartime photographs; Buckingham Palace letter for returning P.O.Ws; Protection Certificate (Officer), dated 15 February 1919; Medical Registration Certificate for L.R.C.P., London, 5 February 1924; and assorted newspaper cuttings.

Pair: Lieutenant V. W. H. Hillyard, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Camel pilot who flew on the Western Front with 70 Squadron, and was wounded and taken prisoner of war east of Aveluy Wood, 18 May 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. V. W. H. Hillyard. R.A.F.) generally very fine or better (2) £200-£240 --- Victor William Hugh Hillyard was born in June 1896, and was a native of Dublin. He was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, and after training was posted as a pilot to 70 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) in France in February 1918. Hillyard carried out an offensive patrol on 18 May 1918, and was last seen in combat east of Aveluy Wood going west. He was subsequently reported missing in action, and confirmed as wounded and as a prisoner of war. Hillyard was repatriated in December 1918.

Pair: Lieutenant H. Kirby, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was a F.E.2.d pilot with 20 Squadron, and was shot down over France and taken POW, 12 May 1917. He was subsequently mentioned in despatches for gallantry whilst in captivity British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. Kirby. R.A.F) mounted for wear, BWM with official corrections, toned, nearly extremely fine (2) £200-£240 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December 1919: ‘For gallantry whilst Prisoners of War in escaping, or attempting to escape, from captivity, or for valuable services rendered in the prison camps of the enemy.’ Harold Kirby was a native of Coventry, and his brother Hugh served as Captain with the Royal Air Force during the Great War. Kirby was commissioned Second Lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. After carrying out training as a pilot, he was posted for operational flying to 20 Squadron (F.E.2d’s) in France, April 1917. Kirby took off on a bombing operation at 6.34am, 12 May 1917. He was shot down and forced to land with his Observer Sergeant T. E. Wait. The aircraft was captured, and both airmen were taken prisoner of war. Kirby was repatriated in January 1919.

Pair: Lieutenant G. F. Lane, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was wounded in action on 5 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. F. Lane. R.A.F.); together with a Masonic Jewel, gilt and enamel, edge bruising to BWM, otherwise good very fine and better (3) £100-£140 --- George Frederick Lane was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 21 October 1917, and served with 85 Squadron during the Great War over the Western Front. ‘On 5 October 1918 Captain MacGregor and Lieutenant Lane dropped 6 25lb bombs on Hautmont Station and in spite of very heavy machine gunfire from the ground continued to shoot at troops and transport around the sidings, causing many casualties, until Lieutenant Lane was badly wounded in the leg. However, he succeed in returning and landing his machine safely.’

Pair: Second Lieutenant A. Tapping, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served as a Handley Page O/400 pilot with 215 Squadron, Independent Force, and was taken prisoner of war during ‘Black September’ 1918 British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. A. Tapping. R.A.F.) remnants of adhesive to reverse of BWM, generally good very fine £200-£240 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001. Alfred Tapping was born in December 1894, and was a native of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, where he worked as a motor mechanic. Tapping initially enlisted as a Private in the 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, before transferring to the Royal Air Force as a Cadet at the beginning of 1918. Tapping was posted as a pilot to 215 Squadron (Handley Page O/400’s) as part of Independent Force operating from France. He was reported missing in action whilst on night bombing operations at Courcelles, 14/15 September 1918. Tapping and his two other crew members were all confirmed as being taken prisoner of war, and he was repatriated upon the cessation of hostilities. The month of September 1918 was known as ‘Black September’ due to the large number of losses suffered by the Allied Air Forces.

Six: Chief Petty Officer S. Bennion, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.102723 S. Bennion. P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (J.102723 S. Bennion. P.O. H.M.S. Gallant.) minor edge bruise to last, otherwise extremely fine (6) £600-£800 --- Provenance: O. S. Lee Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004. M.I.D. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good services in the withdrawal of he Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.’ Samuel Bennion was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 14 March 1906 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in June 1921. He was awarded his Naval General Service 1915-62 Medal for services off Palestine in the destroyer H.M.S. Gallant, aboard which ship he was also awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1939. He served during the Second World War, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his services aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Grenade during the evacuation of Dunkirk on 29 May 1940. Bombed and set on fire, the Grenade drifted across the harbour, grounded and blew up. When subsequently asked by his skipper to furnish a formal account of the day’s proceedings, one of the Grenade’s Midshipmen wrote: ‘Dear Sir, There was a bloody great bang. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient Servant’. Fortuitously for posterity’s sake, a fellow officer, Lieutenant-Commander E. C. Peake, later left a more informative account: ‘The morning of 29 May was beautiful, warm, with brilliant sunshine, and a flat, calm sea. On the way over, there was heavy enemy air activity. And ample evidence of their success. Wreckage, corpses. I shall never forget a red-headed woman who floated face-down. Her handbag was beside her, right on station. We arrived at Dunkirk during the forenoon and berthed at the landward end of the pier, so that other small ships such as trawlers could berth astern of us. We expected to load and get back to England as soon as possible. But for some unknown reason whilst other ships filled up with troops we were kept empty. There was a rumour that the evacuation was to be called off, and that we were being kept to take off the General Staff. We remained alongside all the afternoon whilst other ships came and went. There was intense air activity the whole time, particularly from dive bombers ... The general level of noise was incredible - not only from gunfire and explosions but from hundreds of stray dogs which had been driven to the water-front. They were a pathetic sight. All of them were terrified. We suffered a few casualties on board during the afternoon, but no damage to the ship. At about 4 p.m. Stukas made a most determined attack on us and we were hit by a stick of bombs simultaneously. Two hit aft and one went straight down the foremost funnel, not touching the funnel casing and burst in Number One Boiler. I cannot remember where the fourth hit. Number One Boiler was directly below the bridge, and its bursting caused havoc on the bridge. Onlookers ashore told me afterwards that all went up about twelve to fifteen feet. I can assure anyone that being blown up is comparatively painless. It’s the coming down that hurts! As a result of the bombs, the ship was badly on fire and the engines out of action. I went round the ship to estimate the extent of the damage and reported to the captain that in my opinion, we should abandon and then cut her adrift. There was a strong tide running under the pier, and she would drift away from the pier. he agreed ... We abandoned ship and cut her adrift and, as I knew she would, she drifted to the other side of the harbour, grounded and eventually blew up ... Altogether, aboard Grenade, we had nineteen men killed and an unknown number wounded ...’ The original recommendation for Bennion’s Mention in Despatches states that he ‘ably backed Mr. Crew, displaying marked initiative and coolness’, the latter being the ship’s Schoolmaster, who in turn was recommended for ‘rescuing ratings in distress in the oil covered water, landing with a party of survivors in Dunkirk’, where he ‘took charge and eventually navigated an old motor boat back to England.’ Bennion was advanced to Temporary Commissioned Boatswain in March 1944. Sold together with the recipient’s original Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, this cut down in size and mounted in a (cracked) glazed frame, in named OHMS transmission envelope; a photograph album containing approximately 46 black and white photographs, many with annotations; a group photograph including the recipient as part of the winning team in the 1 mile Whalers Race at the Portland Regatta 1948; the recipient’s ‘On Active Service’ Bible; Admiralty enclosures for the Second War medals and the M.I.D. oak leaf; various postcard photographs; and other ephemera and copied research.

Five: Sergeant E. A. Wood, 11th Hussars, who was killed in action in North Africa on 7 August 1941 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4125394 Tpr. E. A. Wood. R.A.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5) £140-£180 --- Eric Archibald Wood, a native of Bromborough, Cheshire, attested for the Royal Armoured Corps and served with the 11th Hussars in pre-War Palestine, and subsequently during the Second World War in North Africa. He was killed in action on 7 August 1941- the Regimental War Diary gives the following account: ‘At 09:10 hrs on 7 August 1941 our line was in someway penetrated by two hostile armoured cars in between 2nd Troop (commanded by Sergeant Wood) and 1st Troop (commanded by Lieutenant Petch). They were unobserved by the later and appeared to the former to be friendly Marmon Herringtons. By the time this supposition was found to be extremely improbable, the enemy Armoured Cars had approached the rear of 2nd Troop on the open flank having come straight down the Boundary Track. The enemy Armoured Cars then attacked at great speed assisted by the close co-operation of a C.R. 42 which pointed out our Troops’ position. Our Troop was taken completely by surprise on an unexpected flank. The Troop Leader’s car and the Troop Corporal’s car were knocked out and caught alight. The enemy then made off west through the wire, taking Corporal Winterbottom and Troopers Crowther and Walburn with them as prisoners. 1st Troop, which took over the patrol, buried four bodies that night: Sergeant Wood and Troopers Coles, Manning, and Banbury.’ Wood is buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. Sold with copied War Diary extracts and other research.

Six: Chief Petty Officer J. A. Collis, Royal Navy, who was mentioned in despatches for services in H.M.S. Sheffield at the sinking of the Scharnhorst in December 1943 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; Burma Star; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.108896 J. A. Collis. P.O. H.M.S. Duncan.) good very fine (6) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 7 March 1944: ‘For gallantry, distinguished service and devotion to duty on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, and in H.M. Ships... Sheffield... during the action in which the Scharnhorst was engaged and sunk.’ Sold with original framed M.I.D. Certificate, dated 7 March 1944 (Chief Petty Officer James Albert Collis, H.M.S. Sheffield), together with named card box of issue for W.W.2 medals, two P.C. photographs of the recipient in uniform and two others of the Sheffield in action and of her 8-inch guns.

Five: Marine F. J. Norris, Royal Marines, who was wounded in service on 29 July 1944 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Director of Naval Pay and Pensions enclosure; together with the recipient’s original parchment Certificate of Service and a Certificate of Wounds and Hurts, dated 29 July 1944, the medals all official later issues, extremely fine Five: K. Cotterill, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, with named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. K. Cotterill, 45 Pinnox Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire’; together with an H.M. Destroyer naval cap tally, nearly extremely fine (10) £80-£120 --- Francis John Norris was born in Ayr on 5 April 1924 and joined the Royal Marines on 8 April 1942. He was injured in service on 29 July 1944, his Certificate of Wounds and Hurts stating ‘... was engaged in loading the main magazine in H.M. LCG(L) 10, with cases of cordite. He, together with Corporal Burns, were in the act of carrying and positioning a case of cordite which was accidentally caused to trap Norris’s fingers against a protruding angle iron, causing a fracture of the middle finger of the right hand.’ He was released Class ‘A’ Reserve on 31 May 1946. Sold with an original group photograph, and a large quantity of copied research, including a typed transcript of the recipient’s diary covering part of the Second World War.

Six: Pilot Officer H. Baker, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 33 operational sorties as a Halifax Wireless Operator with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, together with Bomber Command Commemorative Medal, Normandy Commemorative Medal and R.C.A.F. lapel ephemera, very fine (lot) £200-£300 --- Harold Baker was the son of Mr and Mrs E. J. Baker of 306 Emma Street, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, and after training as a Wireless Operator was posted to the UK at the end of the following year. Baker undertook subsequent training at No. 9 A.F.U., Llandwrog, No. 24 O.T.U., Honeybourne, and No. 1664 Conversion Unit, Dishforth. He was posted for operational flying with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron (Halifaxes) at Tholthorpe in June 1944. Baker flew in at least 33 operational sorties with the squadron, including: St. Martins; Bientque; Bamieres; Foret D’Eway; Thiverny; Nucourt; Caen; Ferfay; Hamburg; Eternois, 31 July 1944, ‘Good Prang. 16 x 500 Attacked By Me.109. Corkscrewed & Evaded’; Foret De Nieppe (2); Bois De Cassair; St. Leu D’Esserent; Le Hague; Foret De Chantilly; Foret De Mont Richard; Bons Tassilly; Brussels Aerodrome; Connantre Marshalling Yards; Marquise Mimoques; Le Havre; Castrop Rauxel; Osnabruck; Keil [sic], 15 September 1944, 1 x 2000 & 12 Cans. 12 Enemy Fighters Seen. Flak Hole in Nose. Good Prang. F/Lt. Motherwell Ditched. Picked Up 16.9.44’; Boulogne; Calais (2); Bottrop; Sterkrade; Bergen Norway, Submarines & Sub Pens; Dortmund and Bochum. Baker advanced to Pilot Officer, and after completing his tour was posted to Warrington for repatriation. Sold with the following related items and documents: Royal Canadian Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (4 May 1942 - 9 October 1944); R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, with named Certificate, dated 10 February 1945; WAG R.C.A.F. Brevet, and two cloth ‘Canada’ shoulder titles; a number of photographs of recipient in uniform, including in the background during a royal visit from the King; newspaper cuttings, Christmas Cards and other ephemera.

The 5th Battalion Essex Regiment (Territorial Force) Prior to the outbreak of the Great War, there were five Territorial Battalions in the Essex Regiment. The 5th Battalion had its headquarters in Chelmsford and recruited from the bulk of the present county of Essex, particularly the central and northern parts including large rural areas. The Battalion first fought at Gallipoli from August 1915 before serving in Egypt and Palestine, where it was heavily engaged in the First and Third Battles of Gaza in March and November 1917. In the Territorial Force renumbering, men serving with the Battalion (including the 2nd and 3rd lines which had been formed) were given numbers in the block commencing 250001. The following lots are listed in order of the recipient’s service number. Three: Sergeant A. J. Spurgeon, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was taken Prisoner of War at Arras on 28 March 1918 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion British War and Victory Medals (870 Sjt. A. J. Spurgeon. Essex R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (250038 Sjt. A. J. Spurgeon. 5/Essex R.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Alfred James Spurgeon was born at Enfield on 26 May 1891 and enlisted in the Essex Regiment at Walton-on-Naze on 27 November 1908. Appointed Lance-Corporal on 11 July 1911, he was promoted Acting Corporal on 26 July 1915, and Acting Sergeant on 28 July 1915. He was subsequently re-numbered 250038. Posted to 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment on 12 February 1918, he was captured at Arras on 28 March 1918, while serving with C Company, and was held Prisoner of War at Linberg, Germany for the remainder of the War. He was discharged on 19 July 1919, being awarded a Silver War Badge no. B283200, and was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 380 of October 1919. He died in Clacton, Essex, on 11 March 1941. Note: It is not clear why Spurgeon failed to receive the Territorial Force War Medal – either he had not committed to serving overseas by the deadline of 30 September 1914 or perhaps his eligibility was somehow overlooked.

Family Group: Three: Private B. C. Mobley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (16877 Pte. B. C. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (16877 Pte. B. C. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private G. Mobley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 16 August 1917 British War and Victory Medals (4957 Pte. G. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (5) £80-£120 --- Benjamin C. Mobley attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915. He subsequently served in the Army Service Corps, with service No. M/279272, before transferring to the Army Reserve on 23 April 1919. George Mobley attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford and served with the 1st/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was killed in action on 16 August 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Three: Corporal J. Howard, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza, 2 November 1917 1914-15 Star 2934 Pte. J. Howard. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (2934 Cpl. J. Howard. Essex R.) good very fine The British War Medal awarded to Private H. W. Smith, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza, 2 November 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (3124 Pte. H. W. Smith. Essex R.) minor edge nicks, very fine (4) £60-£80 --- John Howard, a native of Great Holland, Kirby Cross, Essex, attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment and served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915. He was subsequently re-numbered 250665. Promoted Corporal, he was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917. Henry William Smith attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment and served with them during the Great War. He was subsequently re-numbered 250715. He was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917 (Essex Chronicle of 30 November 1917 refers).

Three: Acting Corporal J. G. Blunden, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the First Battle of Gaza, 26 March 1917 1914-15 Star (3137 Pte. J. G. Blunden. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (3137 A. Cpl. J. G. Blunden. Essex R.) good very fine (3) £50-£70 --- Joseph George Blunden was born at Little Clacton, Essex, on 22 May 1892 and attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, and was subsequently re-numbered 250721. He was wounded during the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917, and, having been promoted Acting Corporal, subsequently transferred to the 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment. He died in Little Clacton on 14 April 1979.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private A. Little, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action during the First Battle of Gaza, 26 March 1917 1914-15 Star (3152 Pte. A. Little. Essex R.) good very fine £40-£50 --- Alfred Little was born in Broxted, Essex, on 11 October 1895 and attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Chelmsford. He served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, and was subsequently re-numbered 250728. He was killed in action during the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917, and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (Challoner Ogle.) lightly polished, otherwise good very fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, February 1940. Challoner Ogle is confirmed as a Boy serving aboard the troopship H.M.S. Europa at Egypt. The recipient's distinctive name suggests a possible connection with a family that had served with distinction in the Royal Navy since the reign of Queen Anne. Sir Chaloner Ogle (1681-1750) was Admiral of the Fleet; his nephew Chaloner (1727-1816) also rose to Admiral and received a Baronetcy. The latter officer had two sons present in the Egypt Operations: Charles (another future Admiral of the Fleet) was in command of H.M.S. Greyhound; and Thomas, who as a Major in the 58th Regiment was killed in the boats at the landings.

The ‘Heavy Brigade’ Crimea Medal awarded to Private A. McMillan, 2nd Dragoons, who died at Scutari on 5 January 1855 Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (A. Mc.Millan. 2nd. Dragoons.) officially impressed naming, minor edge nicks, good very fine £1,600-£2,000 --- Alexander McMillan was born in Paisley and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons on 26 June 1839. He embarked with the regiment during April-June 1854 for service in the Crimea, and the muster rolls confirm that McMillan was on active duty with his regiment for the period 1 October to 20 December 1854, and it is most probable, therefore, that he took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, in which the Scots Greys had two men killed and fifty-six wounded. Seven men from the Regiment were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. McMillan was recorded sick at Scutari from 20 December 1854, and died there on 5 January 1855. It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that McMillan’s medal should technically have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including McMillan, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. Consequently many men of the 2nd Dragoons were officially issued with the Inkermann clasp. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol.

Pair: Acting Sergeant H. Thompson, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (26817 A-Sjt. H. Thompson. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private W. R. Costin, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (30807 Pte. W. R. Costin. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private A. H. Mason, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died in Salonika on 23 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (17737 Pte. A. H. Mason. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private E. Scarrott, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (19373 Pte. E. Scarrott. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); together with a British Legion lapel badge, edge wear and loss to service number on BWM, therefore good fine (8) £100-£140 --- Arthur Henry Mason was born at Churchill, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 May 1915, and later served in Salonika with the 7th Battalion. He died 23 October 1918, and is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.

Pair: Corporal F. W. Collens, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (19734 Cpl. F. W. Collens. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private E. Brightman, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (22565 Pte. E. Brightman. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private A. E. Brooks, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Salonika on 9 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (23803 Pte. A. E. Brooks. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private S. G. Hunt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (266665 Pte. S. G. Hunt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frederick William Collens, a native of Islington, London, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 18 September 1915, and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 January 1916. He later transferred to 2nd Battalion, and was wounded on 8 September 1918. He was discharged on 9 April 1919. Edward Brightman, a native of Great Linford, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 4 February 1916, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 July 1916. He subsequently transferred to the 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was demobilised on 11 March 1919. Albert Edward Brooks was born at Witney, Oxfordshire, and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War in Salonika, and was killed in action on 9 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece. Stanley George Hunt attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He suffered a gun shot wound to the right thigh on 8 September 1917, and subsequently transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private T. M. Clark, Royal Highlanders, who was killed in action at Tel-el-Kebir, 13 September 1882 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (792. Pte. T. M. Clark. R. Highrs:) minor edge nick, extremely fine £600-£800 --- Thomas M. Clark attested for the Royal Highlanders and was killed in action at Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September 1882, one of 13 members of the regiment either killed in action or died of wounds in the battle. Sold with copied muster lists.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Gunner G. Angus, Royal Artillery, who was killed in action at El Teb, 29 February 1884 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb (25356 Gunr. G. Angus, 6/1st Sco. Div. R.A.) some edge bruising, very fine £700-£900 --- G. Angus served with the 6/1st Scottish Division, Royal Artillery, and was killed in action at El Teb on 29 February 1884 - possibly the only man of the R.A. killed in action, with three others wounded. ‘I have referred to the cool deliberation and remarkable efficiency with which the 7-pounder naval guns were worked at El Teb by the 6th Battery 1st Brigade Scottish Royal Artillery, when opposed to the heavier Krupp guns of the enemy. These guns advance with the infantry and sustained several of the enemy’s desperate charges. On one occasion those brave blacks succeeded in spite of a storm of fire from artillery and infantry, in charging up to the guns and penetrating among the gun detachments. One was knocked down by a Gunner with a rammer, another with a blow on the face from a round case which he was carrying in his hand and a third shot with a revolver.’ (an account of the battle refers). Sold with copied medal roll extract.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private J. Pont, York and Lancaster Regiment, who was killed in action at Tamaai, 13 March 1884 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb_Tamaai (1948. Pte. J. Pont. Y & Lanc: R.) minor scratch to obverse field, nearly extremely fine £800-£1,200 --- J. Pont attested for the York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Tamaai, 13 March 1884.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private W. Howard, 5th Lancers, who was killed in action at Suakin, 22 March 1885 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (1770, Pte. W. Howard, 5th Lancers.) toned, nearly extremely fine and a rare casualty £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, April 1994. W. Howard attested for the 5th Lancers and was killed whilst on patrol from Suakin on 22 March 1885. Two squadrons of 5th Lancers were employed on scouting and patrol duties during the advance of Sir John McNeill's force which was so savagely mauled at Tofrek. The following account was taken from The History of the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers by Major W. T. Wilcox: ‘Early on the day during the advance from Suakin, Lieutenant Richardson of the 5th Lancers, with four of his men, had been sent on an officer’s patrol to the left of the line of advance. His horse getting knocked up after being out some hours, Richardson rode into Suakin about midday, and, on a fresh horse, returned to his patrol duties. Neither he nor his men were ever heard of again. They were no doubt cut off and slain by the Arabs during the course of the afternoon. Richardson's silver whistle was found sometime afterwards at a spot in the bush, some six miles from Suakin and a couple of miles south of the zariba. The whistle was distinctly marked with a spear thrust, and encrusted with blood; and it is only too evident that the patrol had been caught in the great Arab wave sweeping down from Tamai on the British force, and killed to a man. The only other traces found of the patrol were at the capture of Tamai, on the 3rd April, when a Lancer's scabbard and saddle were discovered.’ In addition to those mentioned above one other man of the 5th Lancers was killed at Tofrek.

Pair: Corporal H. R. Purfitt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (17227 Cpl. H. R. Puffitt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) minor edge bruising, nearly very fine Pair: Private W. E. King, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (29409 Pte. W. E. King. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private L. A. Mott, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was wounded by gun shot on the Western Front on 3 October 1916 British War and Victory Medals (17801 Pte. L. A. Mott. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private W. J. Roberts, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27493 Pte. W. J. Roberts, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) traces of verdigris to VM, otherwise very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Leonard Alfred Mott, a native of Ballsall Heath, Birmingham, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He suffered a gun shot wound to the back and thigh on 3 October 1916.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private P. C. de Sconde, Kimberley Volunteer Regiment, who was killed in action at Israel’s Farm during the Relief of Mafeking on 16 May 1900 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State (890 Pte. P. C. de Sconde. Kimberley V.R.) nearly extremely fine and a scarce combination of clasps £500-£700 --- Philip Caspar de Sconde, a farrier from Kimberley, was born in Wynberg, Cape Colony, in 1853 and served in “H” Company, Kimberley Town Guard. He joined the Kimberley Volunteer Regiment, and was killed in action at Israel’s Farm during the Relief of Mafeking on 16 May 1900. At daylight on 16 May 1900, Mahon’s north-bound Relief Column made contact with Plumer’s south-bound Relief Column at Jan Masibi’s on the Molopo River, some 18 miles east of Mafeking. At 7:30 a.m. the combined force, numbering some 2,000 troops with 14 field guns, set out on the last lap to relieve Mafeking. Shortly before 2:00 p.m. the Boers made a last attempt to block the relief column at Israel’s Farm. British losses were 7 killed and 32 wounded. Mafeking was relieved the following day. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Private F. Baulcombe, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 5 October 1915 British War and Victory Medals (16090 Pte. F. Baulcombe. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private F. T. J. Malyon, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 27 October 1917 British War and Victory Medals (26713 Pte. F. T. J. Malyon. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private E. T. Skuce, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (28623 Pte. E. T. Skuce. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private W. G. Smith, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27461 Pte. W. G. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frank Baulcombe was born at Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Birmingham. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915, and was killed in action on 5 October 1915. He is buried at Rue-du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery, Laventie, France. Frederick Thomas James Malyon was born at Hitcham, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Maidenhead, Berkshire. He served with the 76th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 27 October 1917. He is buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private A. R. Butler, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who died in Egypt on 19 December 1915 1914-15 Star (2873. Pte. A. R. Butler, Middx. R.); Memorial Plaque (Archibald Rowland Butler) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope, very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Archibald Rowland Butler attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) at Willesden, Middlesex, and served with the 2nd/10th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 18 July 1915. He died on 19 December 1915, and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

The British War Medal awarded to Captain H. A. Wilson, a Canadian pilot who flew seaplanes with the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, and was awarded the A.F.C. in 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. H. A. Wilson, R.A.F.) dark toned, extremely fine £100-£140 --- A.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918. Hugh Allen Wilson was born on 4 July 1896, at Westmount, Quebec. He was a student of applied science at McGill University and was appointed Probationary Flight Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service at Ottawa on 9 May 1916. He received instruction at Crystal Palace in June 1916, at Eastbourne in July 1916, at Cranwell in August 1916, and was posted to Felixtowe Naval Air Station, for instruction, on 30 October 1916. He remained at Felixtowe throughout 1917 and was appointed Flight Lieutenant at the end of that year. He transferred as Captain to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, and as of September 1918 he was at Cat Firth Seaplane Station, Shetland Islands, and afterwards served with 231, 261 and 272 Squadrons of 23 Group until 24 March 1919, when he was posted to the Air Ministry.

The British War Medal awarded to 2nd Lieutenant H. C. Wood, Royal Air Force, a Canadian observer who was wounded in September 1918 and awarded the D.F.C. in June 1919 British War Medal 1914-20 (2/Lieut. H. C. Wood. R.A.F.) extremely fine £140-£180 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 July 1919. Henry Cawling Wood was a Canadian born observer with No. 48 Squadron, Royal Air Force, in the Poperinghe, Comines theatre of the Western Front. He was observer in a Bristol F2b which was shot up by anti-aircraft fire over Poperinghe on the evening of 6 September 1918, crash landing and injuring the pilot 2 Lt. Rycroft. Lieutenants Rycroft and Wood were both wounded on 30 September 1918, when their F2b was hit by machine gun fire from the ground.

Pair: Private A. Bowyer, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (267415 Pte. A. Bowyer. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private T. Finch, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 15 September 1916 British War and Victory Medals (24420 Pte. T. Finch. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private A. Glider, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (28986 Pte. A. Gilder. Oxf. &. Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private G. H. Lee, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27232 Pte. G. H. Lee. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) scratch to obverse of BWM, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Thomas Finch was born in Wigan, Lancashire, and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 15 September 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Pair: Private H. G. Cantwell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (201375 Pte. H. G. Cantwell. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private S. J. Childs, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (4793 Pte. S. J. Childs. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private W. Church, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (9007 Pte. W. Church. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private W. Hill, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 18 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (22908 Pte. W. Hill. Oxf & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (8) £120-£160 --- Herbert George Cantwell was born at Cowley, Oxford, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 25 January 1915. Following admission to hospital he transferred to the Labour Corps and renumbered 562036. His service papers also note service with the Dorset Regiment, Gloucester Regiment and the Wiltshire Regiment. He returned to the U.K. from France for demobilisation on 7 April 1919. Stephen James Childs attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with 2/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion during the Great War. William Church attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Asiatic theatre of War from 5 December 1914. William Hill was born at Chalfont St. Peters, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, serving initially with them during the Great War before later transferring to the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He died of wounds on 18 August 1918, aged 23, and is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Pair: Private C. H. Collicutt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (4990 Pte. C. H. Collicutt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); together with a small monogrammed hallmarked sterling silver fob medal, very fine Pair: Private A. J. Frampton, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (24989 Pte. A. J. Frampton. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) scratches to BWM obverse field, nearly very fine Pair: Private A. W. Rawlings, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 19 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (4901 Pte. A. W. Rawlings. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private H. J. Underwood, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (29444 Pte. H. J. Underwood. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (8) £100-£140 --- Charles Henry Collicutt attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was later compulsorily transferred to the 1st/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Albert William Rawlings was born in Oxford and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on the Somme on 19 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Pair: Private W. J. Hatton, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (26340 Pte. W. J. Hatton, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Walter James Hatton) very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Walter James Hatton was born at Bournemouth, Hampshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Slough, Buckinghamshire. He served with 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was missing, later presumed killed in action, on 3 May 1917, during the Battalion’s involvement in the Battles of Arras and the Scarpe. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Sgt. J. P. Scott R-63912) suspended from WW2 R.C.A.F. sterling silver and enamel Observer’s brevet wing badge, stamped Birks Sterling, with pin fitting, together with silver-gilt R.C.A.F. Operational wings, stamped Stephenson Sterling, with pin fitting, very fine (2) £200-£300 --- James Philip Scott, Sergeant (Air Observer) R.C.A.F., attached 22 Squadron R.A.F., was killed in action on 6 April 1942. He is buried in Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery. Sergeant Scott was navigator of Beaufort 1, N1016, OA-X, of 22 Squadron flown by Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, R.A.F.V.R., in a suicidal but successful low-level torpedo attack on the German battle-cruiser Gneisenau in Brest harbour on 6 April 1941. Having released his ‘fish’, crippling the Gneisenau, Campbell’s Beaufort came under heavy flak and was quickly shot down killing all four airmen. Campbell was subsequently awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the citation stating: ‘In recognition of most conspicuous bravery. This officer was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft of Coastal Command which was detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of 6th April 1941. The aircraft did not return but it is known that a torpedo attack was carried out with the utmost daring. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbour, protected by a stone mole bending around it from the west. On rising ground behind the ship stood protective batteries of guns. Other batteries were clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircle the outer harbour. In this outer harbour near the mole were moored three heavily-armed anti-aircraft ships, guarding the battle cruiser. Even if an aircraft succeeded in penetrating these formidable defences, it would be almost impossible, after delivering a low-level attack, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. This was well known to Flying Officer Campbell who, despising the heavy odds, went cheerfully and resolutely to the task. He ran the gauntlet of the defences. Coming in at almost sea level, he passed the anti-aircraft ships at less than mast-height in the very mouths of their guns and skimming over the mole launched a torpedo at point-blank range. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home his attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire on a course fraught with extreme peril, Flying Officer Campbell displayed valour of the highest order.’ It is virtually certain that Campbell, having released his torpedo, was almost immediately killed or wounded by the first predicted flak. When the aircraft was later salvaged the Germans found the body of ‘Jimmy’ Scott, the fair-haired Canadian, in the pilot’s seat usually occupied by Campbell. All four crew members were buried by the Germans in the grave of honour in Brest cemetery. Sold with copied record of service and other research including several copied news cuttings, one of which erroneously states that Scott was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Medal. It is surprising, though, that Campbell’s three crewmen did not at least receive a posthumous M.I.D.

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (F.O. G. C. Hooey, D.F.C. R.A.F. 65525) very fine £100-£150 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 28 April 1942: ‘P.O. Gilbert Campbell Hooey (65525) R.A.F.V.R., 97 Squadron.’ An immediate award with group citation of one award of the D.S.O., eight awards of the D.F.C., and ten awards of the D.F.M.: ‘On the 17th April 1942, a force of twelve Lancaster heavy bombers [6 each from 44 and 97 Squadrons] was detailed to deliver an attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany. To reach this highly important military target and return, a most daring flight of some 1,000 miles over hostile country was necessary. Soon after entering enemy territory and whilst flying at a very low level the force was engaged by 25 to 30 enemy fighters. Later, the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite this formidable opposition 8 of the bombers succeeded in reaching the target and in delivering a successful attack on the factory. The following officers and airmen who participated, in various capacities, as members of the aircraft crews, displayed courage, fortitude and skill of the highest order.’ In addition to the above awards, Acting Squadron Leader J. D. Nettleton, 44 Squadron, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Gilbert Campbell Hooey, from Trenton and Toronto was commissioned from the ranks in April 1941 and flew Lancasters with No. 97 Squadron. He was killed in action on the night of 24/25 August, 1942, when pilot of Lancaster R5537 OF-B on a raid against Frankfurt. His aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt. Walter Loos, 1,/NJG1) and crashed near the Trappist Abbey at Westmalle (Antwerpen). All seven crew are buried at Westmalle Churchyard. Sold with research.

Pair: Private G. Longley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (7747 Pte. G. Longley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) light staining to VM, nearly very fine Pair: Private O. Morgan, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 7 April 1917 British War and Victory Medals (6748 Pte. O. Morgan, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) minor edge bruise to VM, good very fine Pair: Private A. J. Searle, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (20498 Pte. A. J. Searle. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) BWM partially officially re-impressed, some verdigris traces to reverse of VM, otherwise very fine Pair: Private R. Smith, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (7773 Pte. R. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (8) £100-£140 --- Oswald Morgan was born at St. Pancras, Middlesex, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Cardiff. He served with the 2nd/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 7 April 1917. He is buried in Tertry Communal Cemetery, France. He was the son of Morgan Morgan and Jessie Morgan, of Cardiff.

The group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Colonel St. G. L. Steele, C.B., 2nd Bengal Lancers, Indian Army The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold and enamels, complete with gold ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Waziristan 1894-5; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98; China 1900, no clasp; British War and Victory Medals; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Khedive’s Star, undated; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, display mounted, good very fine (11) £200-£300 --- C.B. London Gazette 19 June 1911: ‘On the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation’. St. George Loftus Steele was born on 31 March 1859, son of Major-General A. Loftus Steele. Educated at Marlborough College, he entered the Indian Army in 1878. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bengal Cavalry, he served in Egypt at the action of Kassassin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal and Clasp, Bronze Star). Appointed Captain in the Indian Staff Corps in 1889, he served on the North East Frontier of India in the Manipur Expedition together with Lieutenant C. J. W. Grant, I.S.C., who gained the only V.C. during this campaign. Steele was mentioned in despatches (Medal and Clasp). Still on the frontier following the attack by the Waziris on the Afghan Boundary Delimitation Party, under the command of Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, Steele was again in action gaining the Clasp to his medal. Having been previously promoted to Captain in his regiment, the 2nd Bengal Lancers, he found himself once again in the sands of the Sudan on the Dongola Expedition in 1896 with the Commissariat Transport Department of the Egyptian Army (Queen’s Sudan Medal and Egyptian Sudan Medal). He next served on the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, once again under Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, and was once again mentioned in despatches for his services as a Section Commandant on the Line of Communication (Medal and two Clasps). As a Major he next served with the British Contingent of the China Expeditionary Force 1900-01, being mentioned in despatches for good service in duties connected with the communications (Medal). Promoted to Colonel on 1 June 1907, he was subsequently Assistant Quartermaster General to the 1st Peshawur Division and was present during the King’s visit to Delhi for the Durbar in 1911 (Durbar Medal), also receiving the C.B. in the King’s Birthday Honours of that year. In 1914 he held the position of Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General on the Staff of the Indian Army. He was sent on special duty to Canada and U.S.A., 1917-18, and, being fluent in Russian, was sent to Vladivostok in 1918 as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General. In the following year he was appointed Commissioner for Holland (Russian P.O.W. Camps) with the British Red Cross Society. Colonel Steele retired from the army in 1919 after a military career spanning more than 40 years, much of which was in the Field. He latterly resided at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and died there on 13 July 1936, aged 78. For the recipient’s full size awards, see Lot 78.

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals worn by Corporal A. W. Currie, M.C., 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers Military Cross, E.II.R.; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp; Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal 2003; Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) 2001; Jubilee 2002; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994, E.II.R., mounted court style as worn, nearly extremely fine (7) --- M.C. London Gazette 23 April 2004: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Iraq during the period 1st April to 30th September 2003.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Currie was commanding a Fire Team in a Multiple, located at the Al Uzayr Security Force Base, Maysan Province, Southern Iraq on the night of 8th August 2003 when he was instructed by his Platoon Commander to deploy his team, augmented by the Quick Reaction Force, to investigate the continued and heavy weapons fire that was coming from the Southern quarter of the town. At 2115hrs Corporal Currie’s team advanced through the narrow streets and was engaged by a Heavy Machine Gun position. They immediately returned fire and began to suppress the position. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Multiple deployed to reinforce the Team, taking up positions to the South of Corporal Currie. A total of 5 enemy positions were identified; 2 machine gun and 3 rifle positions with an estimated 25 enemy at ranges less than 150 metres. During the subsequent battle Corporal Currie continuously pushed forward in order maintain contact with the enemy positions and came under effective fire on several occasions, from both small arms and machine gun fire. At around 2145 hrs Corporal Currie once again came under heavy gunfire and assessing his position to be untenable repositioned his team behind a large building to give them some cover from fire. Identification of enemy positions in the darkness was proving to be very difficult and an illumination round was called for. Corporal Currie moved forward, exposing his position in order to draw enemy fire and identify their positions. Judging that shock action would have a salutary effect Corporal Currie immediately led his men on a frontal assault into heavy small arms and machine gun fire. During the assault an unexpected enemy appeared between Corporal Currie’s team and the first position. Corporal Currie killed this enemy and maintained the momentum of the assault; clearing two buildings and wounding a further 2 enemy. The team recovered one RPG launcher, two RPG rounds and three rifles with 1000 rounds of ammunition from the buildings. Corporal Currie’s selfless courage and inspirational leadership during this action were instrumental in the success of this assault and the withdrawal and capture of the enemy who were engaging them. He led his men tirelessly, often placing himself in extreme danger to allow his men to better identify targets and engage them. For this exceptional example of leadership in the face of the enemy Corporal Currie deserves public recognition.’ Sold together with an original letter of congratulations from the Right Honourable John Reid M.P., Hamilton North and Bellshill Constituency, dated 14 May 2004. For the recipient’s full size awards, see Lot 86.

Pair: Private G. Reed, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, later King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, attached Herefordshire Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 1 November 1918 1914-15 Star (11046 Pte G. Reed. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (11046 Pte. G. Reed. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private A. C. Allen, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Salonika on 20 November 1916 British War and Victory Medals (13785 Pte. A. C. Allen. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private F. Hall, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (31443 Pte. F. Hall. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private J. Mayo, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (15029 Pte. J. Mayo. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- George Reed attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 May 1915, before transferring to the 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He died of wounds on 1 November 1918, whilst attached to the 1st/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment, and is buried in Harlbeke Military Cemetery, Belgium. Albert Charles Allen was born at Hampstead Norris, Newbury, Berkshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War in Salonika, and was killed in action on 20 November 1916. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. John Mayo, a native of a resident of Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 4 September 1914, and served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915. He was discharged due to wounds on 23 December 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B275089.

Three: Lance-Corporal J. Harling, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War during the retreat from Dunkirk in June 1940 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (5378266 Pte. J. Harling. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- J. Harling attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Battalion in Burma 1930-32. Transferring to the Army Reserve, he was recalled for service in the Second World War, serving with the 1st Battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War in June 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, and held at Camp 20B, Marienburg (Malbork), Poland.

Three: Private A. Ayris, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action during the retreat to Dunkirk on 28 May 1940 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (5379574 Pte. A. Ayris. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Arthur Ayris, a native of Bicester, Oxfordshire, was born in 1912 and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, serving with the 2nd Battalion in Burma. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, he served with them during the Second World War as part of the British Expeditionary Force, and was killed in action in the retreat to Dunkirk, on 28 May 1940. He is buried in Comines (Komen) Communal Cemetery, Belgium.

Three: Sergeant F. H. Line, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 9 October 1916 1914-15 Star (14781 Pte. F. H. Line. Oxf. & Bucks: L.I.) naming double-struck in parts; British War and Victory Medals (14781 Sjt. F. H. Line. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Frederick Herbert Line was born at Sherington, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 9 October 1916, a few days after the Battalion’s attack on Rainbow Trench and Bernafay Wood. He is buried at Grove Town Cemetery Meaulte, France. Sold together with a postcard photograph of the recipient in uniform, dated to the reverse ‘Oct. 1915’.

The British War Medal awarded to Private W. Jackson, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died in India on 7 October 1916 British War Medal 1914-20 (20927 Pte. W. Jackson. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Walter Jackson) good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- Walter Clarence Victor Jackson attested initially for the Worcestershire Regiment, before transferring to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with the 1st Garrison Battalion during the Great War in India. He died on 7 October 1916, and is buried at Trimulgherry Cantonment Cemetery, India. Note: The British War Medal is the recipient’s sole entitlement; he did not qualify for the Victory Medal.

The British War Medal awarded to Private J. T. Richards, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 April 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (20305 Pte. J. T. Richards. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (John Thomas Williams) very fine (2) £80-£120 --- John Thomas Williams was born at Winson Green, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Birmingham. He served as a Bugler with the 2nd/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 28 April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

A Victorian C.B. group of four awarded to General H. H. Maxwell, Bengal Artillery, who served as Interpreter to Shannon’s Naval Brigade during the Indian Mutiny and was severely wounded in the thigh at the action of Khodagunge in January 1858 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold (18 ct., hallmarks for London 1873) and enamel, complete with all original fixings and integral gold riband buckle; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (2nd. Lieut. H. H. Maxwell 4th Co. 4th. Bn. Beng Arty.) fitted with contemporary smooth back-plate and gold bar suspension, with top gold riband pin; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (1st. Lieut. H. H. Maxwell. 4th. Troop 3rd. Bde. Beng. Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Relief of Lucknow (Capt. H. H. Maxwell. “Shannon” Naval Brigade.) the campaign medals all slightly later issues, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a rare group (4) £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, September 1994. C.B. London Gazette 24 May 1873. Henry Hamilton Maxwell was born on 3 March 1824, and entered Addiscombe on 7 August 1840. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery on 10 June 1842, and served during the Gwalior Campaign of 1843-44, being present at Battle of Maharajpoor. Promoted to First Lieutenant, he saw further service during the First Sikh War as Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General of Artillery, and was Mentioned in Despatches. Whilst on furlough to Europe Maxwell joined the Turkish Contingent, and was present under Omar Pasha, at the battle of Oltenitza, and the Russian attacks on Kalafat during the winter of 1853-54. Returning to India he was posted to the Artillery of General Havelock's Force and then appointed to Shannon’s Naval Brigade under Captain Peel R.N. to serve as interpreter. Severely wounded at the action of Khodagunge on 2 January 1858 by a musket ball in thigh, Mate Edmund Verney of the Shannon in his letter home states, ‘When Maxwell fell, Dr. Grant galloped forward to dress his wound under heavy fire.’ He was also mentioned by Lord Roberts in Forty-One Years in India: ‘The Interpreter of the Naval Brigade Henry Maxwell, a brother officer of mine who had been standing close to me was very badly wounded in the leg.’ For his services during the Indian Mutiny Maxwell was Mentioned in Despatches and listed in the Governor General’s Order No. 1546 of 1857). Promoted Brevet Major on 27 June 1857, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 24 March 1858, he was advanced to Colonel on 6 October 1872, and was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the following year’s Birthday Honours’ List. Promoted to Major-General on 1 March 1876, and to Lieutenant-General on 2 October 1877, he transferred to the Unemployed Supernumerary List on 1 July 1881, and was promoted to General on 23 May 1883. He died in Rome, Italy on 28 May 1892. Note: Maxwell’s name appears on the medal roll of H.M.S. Shannon and he is one of only 2 officers and 27 men to receive the single clasp Relief of Lucknow. For the medals awarded to Captain H. J. Hughes, who took over as Interpreter of Shannon’s Naval Brigade after Maxwell was wounded, see Lot 143.

The superb Egyptian War C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel D. Hammill, Gordon Highlanders, who led the 1st Gordons in the charge of the Highland Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir, and again commanded the regiment at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai, and in the Nile Expedition The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1857, maker’s mark ‘WN’ for William Neale, complete with swivel-ring gold bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 4 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut-Col. D. Hammill. 1/Gord: Highrs.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, Third Class neck badge, silver, gold and enamels; Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, the first with chipping to obverse wreath, otherwise very fine or better (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: A. J. Henderon Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2007. Denzil Hammill was born at New Brighton, Cheshire, on 11 July 1840, and was commissioned as an Ensign into the 75th Regiment on 16 January 1858. He rose steadily through the ranks to that of Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1880, when he succeeded to the command of the 1st Gordons. He served throughout the Egyptian War of 1882 in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, when the Highland Brigade stormed the trenches in the dark, the 1st Gordons between the Camerons and the Black Watch, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, who jumped their horses over the parapet amidst a hail of fire from the enemies trenches. For his services during the campaign he was mentioned in despatches, made a Companion of the Bath and received the 3rd Class of the Medjidie. Hammill next served in the Soudan Expedition under Sir Gerald Graham in 1884, again in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai; ‘surely soldiers never saw a finer sight than the Gordons presented when, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, both mounted, they advanced over the rifle pits to storm the battery at Teb.’ Hammill was again mentioned in despatches and received the brevet of Colonel. He subsequently commanded the 1st Gordons in the Nile Expedition in 1884-85 and with the River Column under Major-General Earle. In addition to his other honours, Hammill received the Egyptian medal with four clasps and the Khedive’s Bronze Star. He retired and was made Honorary Major-General in October 1885. Sold with full research and muster details.

The 1911 Coronation C.B. group of eleven awarded to Colonel St. G. L. Steele, 2nd Bengal Lancers, Indian Army The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut: St. G. L. Steele. 2nd Bengal Cavy.); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Waziristan 1894-5 (Capt. St. G. L. Steele S.C.); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Cpt. St. G. L. Steele Cmt. Trnspt Dpt E.A.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Captn. St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl: Lcrs:); China 1900, no clasp (Major St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl. Lcrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Col. St. G. L. Steele.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Colonel St. G. L. Steele, A.Q.M.G., 1st Pesh. Div.) privately named; Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp (Capt. St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl. Lcrs.) the last ten mounted court-style for display, the second with contact pitting from star, good fine, otherwise generally very fine and better (11) £2,000-£2,600 --- C.B. London Gazette 19 June 1911: ‘On the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation’. St. George Loftus Steele was born on 31 March 1859, son of Major-General A. Loftus Steele, and was educated at Marlborough College and later the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1878 and transferred to the Indian Army in 1880. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bengal Cavalry, he served in Egypt at the action of Kassassin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal and Clasp, Bronze Star). Appointed Captain in the Indian Staff Corps in 1889, he served on the North East Frontier of India in the Manipur Expedition together with Lieutenant C. J. W. Grant, I.S.C., who gained the only V.C. during this campaign. Steele was mentioned in despatches (Medal and Clasp). Still on the frontier following the attack by the Waziris on the Afghan Boundary Delimitation Party, under the command of Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, Steele was again in action gaining the Clasp to his medal. Having been previously promoted to Captain in his regiment, the 2nd Bengal Lancers, Steele found himself once again in the sands of the Sudan on the Dongola Expedition in 1896 with the Commissariat Transport Department of the Egyptian Army (Queen’s Sudan Medal and Egyptian Sudan Medal). He next served on the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, once again under Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, and was once again mentioned in despatches for his services as a Section Commandant on the Line of Communication (Medal and two Clasps). As a Major he next served with the British Contingent of the China Expeditionary Force 1900-01, being mentioned in despatches for good service in duties connected with the communications (Medal). Promoted to Colonel on 1 June 1907, Steele was subsequently Assistant Quartermaster General to the 1st Peshawur Division and was present during the King’s visit to Delhi for the Durbar in 1911 (Durbar Medal), also receiving the C.B. in the King’s Birthday Honours of that year. In 1914 he held the position of Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General on the Staff of the Indian Army. He was sent on special duty to Canada and U.S.A., 1917-18, and, being fluent in Russian, was sent to Vladivostok in 1918 as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General. In the following year he was appointed Commissioner for Holland (Russian P.O.W. Camps) with the British Red Cross Society. Colonel Steele retired from the army in 1919 after a military career spanning more than 40 years, much of which was in the Field. He latterly resided at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and died there on 13 July 1936, aged 78. For the recipient’s miniature awards, see Lot 500.