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General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24225245 Pte. C. P. Brady Glosters) clasp facing slightly bent, otherwise extremely fine £400-£500 --- Christopher Patrick Brady was born on 13 June 1952 and attested for the Gloucestershire Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion in Northern Ireland. He was killed by an I.R.A. bomb on 17 July 1973. On this date eight members of the Regiment were on patrol in the Divis Flats, West Belfast. One the top floor the soldiers were inspecting an electricity box- upon opening it a cardboard box was spotted with black tape and two wires coming from it. Almost immediately the 20lb explosion was initiated, and four of the soldiers were injured, two fatally, including Brady. The bomb had been linked by cable to a battery on the ground floor, and was detonated by two youths. Brady was one of five members of the Gloucestershire Regiment who was killed on active service in Northern Ireland. He is buried in Efford Cemetery, Plymouth.

Three: Private G. Mills, 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was reported missing, presumed dead following heavy bombardments and massed enemy infantry attacks between Gheluvelt and Zandvoorde on 31 October 1914 1914 Star (6940 Pte. G. Mills R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6940 Pte. G. Mills. R. War. R.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- George Mills was born at Birmingham and resided at Newbold-on-Avon, Warwickshire. He attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment in 1899 or 1900 and served with the 2nd Battalion as part of the 22nd Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 October 1914. Mills was reported missing, presumed dead, on 31 October 1914 following the desperate clashes with the advancing Germans south east of Ypres between Gheluvelt and Zandvoorde: ‘Took part in counter-attack (29th) - held up by heavy fire and forced to dig in. Held positions under heavy bombardment. Forced to withdraw (31st) and ordered to hold new line at all costs. Charles Lethbridge Kingsford records that part of the battalion was surrounded and cut off. Battalion strength in the evening being just over 100. Trenches were under constant attacks - servants, cooks etc. being put into the line.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers.) The War Diary of the 22nd Brigade gives a broader context: ‘31st October 1914 - Hard fighting. The enemy’s guns opened fire about 7am and increased in intensity up until 2pm against the trenches of the 22nd Brigade and the Battalions in position in rear. many trenches became untenable for infantry, some of whom were withdrawn into the reserve trenches. About 2pm numbers of enemy infantry were seen advancing from the east, south of Gheluvelt and also in masses through the woods north of Zandvoorde. 2nd Brigade on the right of 22nd Brigade withdrew, thus uncovering the right of the 1st South Staffords who were already heavily attacked in front, the enemy worked around in rear of the South Staffords who were therefore obliged to withdraw having heavy casualties as also did the 2nd Warwicks who withdrew at the same time. 21st Brigade also retreating, a new line was occupied about 200 yards east of the Veldhoek cross roads through the G of Gheluvelt and R of Basherville River, 400 yards westwards and thence towards Kleinzillebeke.’ (22nd Brigade War Diary refers). Private George Mills was the husband of Mary Elizabeth Mills of 71 Sycomre Road, Aston, Birmingham and having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

The Coronation pair awarded to Police Constable W. Hirons, City of London Police, who won an Olympic Gold Medal for Great Britain in Tug of War at the 1908 London Olympics Coronation 1902, City of London Police, bronze (P.C. W. Hirons.); Coronation 1911, City of London Police (P.C. W. Hirons.) very fine and better (2) £300-£400 --- William Hirons was born on 15 June 1871 and attested for the City of London Police. A member of the City of London Police Tug of War team, he represented Great Britain at the 1908 London Olympics, and was part of the Gold Medal winning Tug of War team. He died on 5 January 1958.

The Coronation Medal awarded to Police Constable F. H. Merriman, City of London Police, who won an Olympic Gold Medal for Great Britain in Tug of War at the 1908 London Olympics Coronation 1911, City of London Police (P.C. F. H. Merriman.) nearly extremely fine £200-£300 --- Frederick Harris Merriman was born on 18 May 1873 and attested for the City of London Police. A member of the City of London Police Tug of War team, he represented Great Britain at the 1908 London Olympics, and was part of the Gold Medal winning Tug of War team. He died on 27 June 1940.

Three: Sergeant A. J. Ellesmere, 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Territorial Force), who was shot dead by a sniper whilst observing from trenches at Douve, Flanders on 29 May 1915 1914-15 Star (2835 L. Sjt. A. J. Ellesmere. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2835 Sjt. A. J. Ellesmere. R. War. R.) with named Record Office transmittal letter; Memorial Plaque (Arthur John Ellesmere) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £140-£180 --- Arthur John Ellesmere was born at Rugeley, Staffordshire in 1880 and was a Motorman with Birmingham Corporation Tramways by civilian occupation. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he attested for the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment (Territorial Force) at Birmingham and served with them on the Western Front as part of the 143rd Infantry Brigade of the 48th Division from 22 March 1915. Serving with ‘E’ Company he was, ‘shot dead by a sniper in France on the 29 May 1915 only the day after he had received promotion to full Sergeant for meritorious services. His promotion had been extremely rapid owing to his great bravery and other splendid soldierly qualities, and his readiness to volunteer for any dangerous enterprise.’ (Birmingham Weekly Post, 17 July 1915 refers). He was the husband of Edith Ellesmere, of 13, Park Grove, Wordsworth Road, Small Heath, Birmingham and is buried in La Plus Douve Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Sold together with a hand written letter to the recipient’s widow from Captain Stratford Ludlow, 1/8 Royal Warwicks., dated 29 May 1915, containing the following further detail: ‘Sergeant Ellesmere was killed this afternoon at 2.45pm by a sniper whilst observing and his death was absolutely instantaneous and painless. He was an excellent soldier and an awfully popular N.C.O. and his loss to my Company will be the greatest it could have been. He had earned rapid promotion and was made full Sergeant on the day before his death. He was a man who would always volunteer for any risky job and he did not know what fear was.’

A rare Great War ‘1914’ ‘Warrant Officer’s’ M.C. group of four awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant, later Second Lieutenant, T. H. Crabb, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment); commissioned in the field in February 1916 after 16 years in the ranks, he died the following month from wounds received in action in the Ypres Salient on 18 March 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (7799 C.Q.M. Sjt. T. H. Crabb. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. T. H. Crabb.); together with Royal Fusiliers Cap Badge with apparent bullet-hole piercing, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. Thomas Henry Crabb was born in 1881 in the Parish of St. Mary, London and attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 25 January 1900. Posted to the 3rd Battalion, the following ten years saw him advanced steadily through the ranks whilst stationed successively in Gibraltar, Egypt, Bermuda, South Africa, and Mauritius. Having extended his service in 1909 to ‘such time as shall complete 21 years service’, he returned home in September 1910 and was posted to the 4th Battalion. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Company Quartermaster Sergeant Crabb disembarked with his battalion at Le Havre on 13 August 1914 as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps. With a full war establishment of 992 men, comprising 734 reservists, the 4th Royal Fusiliers were among the first of the B.E.F. battalions to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. After a fighting withdrawal south to trenches at Inchy, the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers on 26 August. They were in reserve positions during the Battle of Le Cateau but saw hard fighting at the Marne, the Aisne, La Bassée (Neuve Chapelle), Messines and First Ypres, the battalion war diary recording a staggering total loss of 1900 men and 50 officers killed, wounded, missing or sick by the end of November. Having been promoted Company Sergeant Major on 1 October 1914, Crabb’s designation of rank was altered to Warrant Officer Class II on 29 January 1915. He was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Field during the period up to 20 November 1914 (the date of French’s original despatch referred to in the London Gazette of 17 February 1915) and his Military Cross, gazetted the following day, was undoubtedly for the same period although, in common with all these early awards it was announced under the general heading ‘for services rendered in connection with operations the field’. Crabb was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 23 September 1915 and commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Field on 14 February 1916. Just over one month later, on 18 March 1916, he died at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, from wounds received in action in the Ypres salient as his battalion prepared for the attack on the St. Eloi craters. He was the son of Thomas and Albertina Gabb; husband of Charlotte Crabb, of 30, Vicarage Lane, Romford Rd., Stratford, London and a native of Stamford Hill, London. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Note: The recipient’s service papers contain a communication from the War Office to the recipient’s widow regarding arrangements for the despatch of gallantry awards to deceased officers. The awards mentioned are the Military Cross and a ‘Russian Decoration.’

The 1914 Star awarded to Private W. Collins, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was presumed killed at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10270 Pte. W. Collins. 4/R. Fus.) good very fine £80-£120 --- William Collins was born at Kensington, London and resided at Chelsea. He attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1903 at Kensal Rise and following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where together with the 4th Middlesex they faced the first German attacks counting among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. After a fighting withdrawal south to trenches at Inchy, the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers on 26 August. They were in reserve positions during the Battle of Le Cateau but still suffered some casualties. The British War and Victory Medal Roll records Collins as presumed dead on 26 August 1914 and the CWGC officially records Collins date of death also to be 26 August 1914, however the British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects states ‘death presumed 29 October 1914’. He was the husband of Elizabeth Collins, and having no known grave is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

The Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. to Ship’s Steward A. E Tull, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (340905 A. E. Tull, Sh. Stewd. H.M.S. Hyacinth) good very fine £80-£120 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 15 June 1917. Albert Edward Tull was born on 10 September 1880 in Gosport, entering naval service on 31 October 1895. Advanced Ship’s Steward on 13 January 1904, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 8 October 1913. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Hyacinth from the outbreak of War to 14 November 1917, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal and Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette on 15 June 1917). He transferred to the Officers’ Section on 29 January 1919. Sold with copied service record.

Five: Sergeant W. Bridges, 1st (The King’s) Dragoon Guards, attached 1st Life Guards, who was present with the Life Guards at the time of their action on Zandvoorde Ridge, 30 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6153 L. Cpl. W. Bridges. 1/D.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (1DG-6153 Cpl. W. Bridges. 1-D. Gds.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (19597 Sgt. W. Bridges, 1 K.D. Guards.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (William Bridges) in fitted case of issue, together with related glazed framed Central Chancery forwarding certificate for the last, dated 17 March 1950, nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- I.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1950: ‘Postman, Higher Grade, London Postal Region.’ William Bridges was born in May 1889 at Camberwell, London and attested for the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards in 1906. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he was recalled from the reserve and attached to the 1st Life Guards, entering France with them at Zeebrugge on 9 October to form part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. Bridges would have been present during the famous action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October, described in the War Diary by Captain the Hon. E. H. Wyndham in the following understated fashion: ‘Zandvoorde - Oct. 30. 6am - Heavy bombardment of position opened. At 7.30am position was attacked by large force of infantry. This attack proved successful owing to greatly superior numbers. Regiment retired in good order about 10am except C Squadron on left flank from which only about 10 men got back. Remainder of Squadron missing.’ A number of reservists from the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards serving with the 1st Life Guards can be identified among those killed at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914. ‘Kavanagh’s 7th Cavalry Brigade was at the very centre of a most determined attack, supported by some 250 guns, delivered by the first of the new German Reserve divisions. These consisted in large part of ‘the flower of the youth of Germany, middle- and upper class students’, under military-age volunteers, hardly trained but burning with patriotism. Their assault fell chiefly upon the Household Cavalry’s elementary trench lines at Zandvoorde. The artillery barrage dropped on these and on the zone immediately behind them from 6.45 till 8 a.m. It and the following onslaught were so ferocious and concentrated that two squadrons and a machine-gun section suffered almost total extinction. Ernest Hook, a surviving Lifeguardsman, recalled that there was ‘no protection from the shelling as our trenches were on the forward slope and in full view of the enemy and although our gunners put up a great show, they were no match for Jerry’s heavy stuff. We could see their infantry in great masses about 1,000 yards away. Just about then I was hit by a shell that nearly took my left arm off and my officer sent me to the rear. It was the end of the war for me.’ (A History of the British Cavalry 1816-19 volume 7 by the Marquess of Anglesey refers). Medical records show that Bridges was hospitalised suffering from frostbite on 24 November 1914 and transferred two days later to an Ambulance Train. He was married in Peckham on 21 February 1915, shortly after which the following article (cutting with lot) appeared in a local newspaper: ‘Ypres Hero Married in Peckham - A pretty wedding took place on Sunday at All Saints’ Church, North Peckham, between Trooper W. Bridges, of the 1st Life Guards and Eleanor Maud Bridges of Graylands Rd. Peckham. Both parties are well known in the locality and more than ordinary interest was shown in the event, because of the safe homecoming of the bridegroom, whose remarkable escapes at Ypres were reported in the “South London Press” some weeks ago.’ Bridges advanced to the rank of Sergeant during the war and returned to his parent unit - the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards - which sailed back to India in October 1917. The Regiment was garrisoned at Meerut until October 1918 when it moved to Risalpur. On 2 May 1919 Afghan troops seized control of wells on the Indian side of the border. The Afghan Amir Amanullah was warned to withdraw, but his answer was to send more troops to reinforce those at the wells and to move other Afghan units to various points on the frontier. The 1st King’s Dragoon Guards were mobilised on 6 May and, forming part of the British Indian Army's 1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade, served throughout the Third Anglo-Afghan War. They saw action at the Khyber Pass and notably, on 16 May 1919 at Dakka – a village in Afghan territory to the west of the Khyber Pass - where the regiment made one of the last recorded charges by a British horsed cavalry regiment. Sold with a glazed framed painting of a mounted soldier of the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards, 37cm x 43cm including frame; a framed photograph of the recipient on horseback in sergeant’s uniform, taken in India; an OHMS envelope addressed to the recipient, dated 1942; another envelope addressed to recipient, dated 1939; newspaper cutting regarding the recipient’s wedding in February 1915.

Three: Acting Sergeant W. F. Freeman, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who fought with B Company in the Mons Salient on 23 August 1914, and was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Neuve Chapelle on 26 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10640 Pte. W. Freeman. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10640 A. Sjt. W. F. Freeman. R. Fus.) good very fine or better (3) £300-£400 --- William Frederick Freeman attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1903. Following the outbreak of the Great War he served with B Company of the 4th Battalion as part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps with the original British Expeditionary Force, arriving at Havre, France on 13 August 1914. Ordered to advance forward towards Mons with the rest of the expeditionary force, the battalion reached the Mons-Condé Canal on 22 August where B (or X) and C (or Y) Companies were positioned at a broad loop in the canal as it skirted around Mons, thus creating a salient which was far from ideal to defend. Here also were two bridges, a rail bridge and a road bridge, which, if captured by the Germans, would necessitate a withdrawal of the entire British front line for fear of being surrounded. Positioned then at the critical point, the following morning, 23 August 1914, they were the first British unit to face an infantry attack in the Great War as the Germans launched their assault at 9am, flinging four battalions at the railway bridge. F. Gaunt describes the scene facing the 4th Royal Fusiliers in the Mons Salient in his first hand account, The Immortal First: ‘Then came the sound of trumpets from the enemy’s lines, which was the order to advance, and they came on in vast numbers, ten to our one, and ten machine guns to a battalion to our two to a battalion. Each one of our men was equal to three of the enemy as regards shooting, the Germans firing from the hip, therefore causing the shot to go high. They were met by a very deadly fire from our two machine guns which were on the railway bridge...’ Despite the tremendous gallantry shown by the Battalion’s machine-gunners, especially Lieutenant M. J. Dease and Private S. F. Godley, casualties mounted steadily, and shortly after 1pm the orders came for the Battalion to withdraw from their dangerous position across 250 yards of exposed open ground swept by shrapnel and machine-gun fire. Private Godley alone remained at his gun, maintaining a covering fire until all the Battalion had been successfully evacuated with minimal additional casualties. For their supreme valour both Dease and Godley were subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross- the first V.C.s awarded during the Great War. Taking part in the retreat from Mons, the battalion then held reserve positions at Le Cateau and fought at the Marne and the Aisne in September 1914. Acting Sergeant Freeman was captured on 26 October 1914 at Neuve Chapelle during the Battle of La Bassée. The war diary for this date describes a failed night attack by the battalion which incurred high casualties. The very heavy losses in this period are also mentioned by Gaunt, ‘We had suffered very heavily during the Battle of La Bassée from 19th to the 25th. When the Roll was called we had a total of 345 men and 5 officers left out of 975, which was the total strength before going into the battle.’ (ibid) Freeman was held prisoner of war at Munster, Germany and arrived in Holland as an internee on 15 March 1918, finally being repatriated to London on 24 October 1918. He was then immediately admitted to 1 London General Hospital, Camberwell where he was described as wounded. Note: Freeman’s 1914 Star medal roll entry and Medal Index Card state that he was captured on 23 August 1914 at Mons but his Prisoner of War Records state his place and date of capture to be Neuve Chapelle, 26 October 1914. Sold together with two postcards sent by Freeman to his wife at 9 Nash Street, Abercynon, Glamorgan: The first, postmarked Isle of Wight, 13 August 1914, confirms his unit to be B Company, 4th Battalion and describes how everyone is ‘proper sunburnt’ from drill marching order parades but also in ‘the best of health and spirits’ and ‘shall be glad to get away from these barracks. we’ve had enough of Parkhurst.’ The second describes getting ashore at Havre and admits ‘we don’t know where we are for yet’.

A Presentation Striking of a Waterloo Medal awarded to Don Miguel Ricardo de Alava, who served as Spanish Commissioner with the rank of Lieutenant-General on Wellington’s Field Staff at the Battle of Waterloo; a Captain in the Spanish Navy, he had the unusual distinction of having served, on different sides, at both Trafalgar and Waterloo Waterloo 1815 (British Mint 8th January 1828. Viva Miguel) officially impressed in the usual style, fitted with conventional steel clip (at ‘ue’ of ‘Miguel’) and later split-ring suspension, edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Don Miguel Ricardo de Alava, while in exile in England, accompanied the Duke of Wellington to an audience with King George IV on 8 January 1828. The Duke introduced him as a close friend and a loyal ally of the British Crown and a special Waterloo medal was ordered from the Royal Mint in honour of the occasion. De Alava, who was born in Vittoria in 1770, holds the unusual distinction of having served at both Trafalgar and Waterloo on different sides. He began his service career in the Spanish Navy and rose to the rank of Captain. He transferred to the Army retaining the same rank and as an Officer of Marines he participated in the Battle of Trafalgar aboard the Santa Ana, the flagship of his uncle, Vice-Admiral Ignacio-Maria de Alava y Saenz de Navarete. At the 1809 Assembly in Bayonne he was prominent amongst those who accepted the new Constitution from Joseph Napoleon as King of Spain. Following the defeat of General Dupont at Bailen later that year, however, he joined the National Independence party who were allied with the British. He was appointed Commissary at the British headquarters by the National Cortes and Wellington, who regarded him with great favour, appointed him as one of his Aides-de-Camp. De Alava spent the remainder of the Peninsular War attached to Wellington’s staff, eventually attaining the rank of Brigadier-General. On the Restoration of Ferdinand VII in 1814 de Alava was initially jailed but swiftly released thanks to the influence of another uncle, the inquisitor Ethenard, and of Wellington. The King later appointed him as Ambassador to The Hague, geographically close to the impending Waterloo campaign. He returned to Wellington’s Field Staff as Spanish Commissioner with the rank of Lieutenant-General and was thus one of four allied Commissioners present at Waterloo. In 1819 de Alava was recalled to Spain in recognition of the kindness he showed to banished fellow countrymen. On the outbreak of the Revolution of 1820 he was chosen as the Province of Alava’s representative in the Cortes, soon achieving prominence within the party of the Exultados and becoming President in 1822. De Alava fought with the militia to maintain the authority of the Cortes against the rebels and when the French invaded Cádiz he was commissioned by the Cortes to negotiate with the Duc d’Angoulême, thereby assisting the Restoration of Ferdinand VII. No sooner had Ferdinand regained power than he reneged on his pledges towards a liberal police and de Alava was forced into exile (ultimately to England, where he remained until the death of Ferdinand in 1833). Following the death of Ferdinand, de Alava espoused the cause of Maria Christina against Don Carlos and was appointed Ambassador to London in 1834 and to Paris in 1835. Following the Insurrection of La Granja in 1836 he refused to sign the new constitution and retired to France, dying at Barèges in 1843. Note: A second example of this medal is known – a specimen without suspension but believed to be identically named.

Family Group: Three: Private H. J. Tillbrook, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle on 29 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10789 Pte. H. Tillbrook. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10879 Pte. H. J. Tillbrook. R. Fus.) good very fine Three: Acting Sergeant F. Tillbrook, 19th Hussars, later 9th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), who was killed in action on the Western Front on 25 March 1918 1914 Star (1662 Pte. F. Tillbrook. 19/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (1662 A. Sjt. F. Tillbrook. 19-Hrs.) good very fine Three: Private G. Tillbrook, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action near St. Quentin on 22 March 1918, the second day of the German Spring Offensive 1914-15 Star (4809 Pte. G. Tillbrook. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4809 Pte. G. Tillbrook. E. Surr. R.) good very fine Three: Sergeant W. Tillbrook, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment 1914-15 Star (4831 Pte. W. Tillbrook. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4831 Sjt. W. Tillbrook. E. Surr. R.) good very fine (12) £500-£700 --- Herbert James Tillbrook was born in 1882 at Wereham, Norfolk and attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Downham, Norfolk in 1903 or 1904. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. In late October 1914, the 4th Royal Fusiliers were involved severe fighting near Neuve Chapelle which resulted in the battalion strength being reduced to just 8 officers and 350 other ranks and subsequent to which, on 29 October, Private Tillbrook was reported missing and presumed dead. He was the son of James and Kezia Tillbrook of Wereham, Norfolk and, having no known grave, is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France. Frank Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1887 at Wereham, Norfolk and attested for the 19th Hussars at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in November 1907. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914 and having transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) on 27 June 1916, was killed in action on the Western Front whilst serving as an Acting Sergeant with the 9th Squadron on 25 March 1918. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Gilbert Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1889 at Wereham, Norfolk and served with the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915. He was killed in action at Frieres-Faillouël, south of St. Quentin, on 22 March 1918, the second day of Operation Michael - the German Spring Offensive. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. William Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1889 at Wereham, Norfolk and served with the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915, advancing to the rank of Sergeant. ALone amongst his brothers he survived the War, and was discharged Class Z on 6 February 1919.

Memorial Plaque (George Edward Bracey Stroud) mounted for display on a wooden base with plaque inscribed ‘George Edward Bracey Stroud who was lost at sea from H.M.S. Albemarle somewhere in the North Sea November 7th 1915’, nearly extremely fine £60-£80 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, November 2015 (when sold alongside his campaign medals). George Edward Bracey Stroud was born in St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex on 21 February 1887 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 22 September 1902. Advanced Able Seaman in December 1905, he served in the pre-dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Albemarle from December 1913 on into the Great War. In August 1914 the ship formed part of the 6th Battle Squadron, stationed at Portland. As part of the Channel Fleet they provided cover for the B.E.F. as it crossed over to France. In January the 6th Battle Squadron was based at the Nore before being dispersed later in the year. In October 1915 Albemarle underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard and in November 1915 the Albemarle was ordered to move to the Mediterranean with a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron. The ships left Rosyth on 6 November but encountered extremely heavy weather that night in the Pentland Firth. Albemarle, heavily loaded with spare ammunition, suffered severe damage - her forebridge and the personnel on it were washed overboard and her conning tower and superstructure were badly damaged and she was forced to return home for repairs. Stroud is recorded as having been ‘washed overboard and drowned during storm’ on 7 November 1915, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Memorial Plaque (Lancelot Philip Charles) nearly extremely fine £80-£120 --- Lancelot Philip Charles attested for the Honourable Artillery Company on 7 September 1914, and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 January 1915. Advanced Warrant Officer Class II, he was mortally wounded on 13 November 1916 during an attack on the enemy positions at Beaucourt, ‘charging, single-handed, a group of Huns who were holding a piece of trench on our left’, and died of his wounds the following day. He is buried in Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Sold with copied research.

Three: Private W. S. Blood, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres on 11 November 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (14576 Pte. W. Blood. 4/ R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-14576 Pte. W. S. Blood R. Fus.); Memorial Plaque (Warwick Spencer Blood) minor spots of verdigris otherwise good very fine or better (4) £260-£300 --- Warwick Spencer Blood was born in 1894 at Marylebone and was a resident of Kensington. He attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1911 at Hownslow and following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. Private Blood was killed in action with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 11 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. On this date his battalion was at Herenthage Wood with Zouaves on their left and the Northumberland Fusiliers on their right: ‘On the 11th came the last attempt of the Germans to cut through to the coast. The attack was expected; the battalion order issued before it took place is notable. The order, which was to be read to companies, ran as follows:— “It may be assumed that we are about to fight the decisive battle of the war. The German Emperor has arrived to command his troops in person, and Sir John French hopes that the British Army will prove to him that they are better men than the Germans. Both armies are composed of regiments more or less exhausted, and short of officers, and the result will depend very much on the prolonged energy of every soldier in the fight and the endurance shown during the next few days. Fire must be carefully controlled at night, men must assist to the last, be ready to cover every movement with fire, well aimed and well sustained, and there must be no straggling or straying from the platoons to which men belong. The C.O. hopes that every man will sustain the great reputation that the Royal Fusiliers have already made during this war. (Signed) G. O’Donel, Captain and Adjutant.” The morning dawned dull and misty, and about 6.30 a terrible shelling began, “much the most severe I (O’Donel) have ever seen.” It continued for two and a half hours. The front trenches were knocked to pieces, and many of the men were killed or buried. Routley, in command, tried to send back a report of the plight of his men, but it was impossible to live in such a bombardment. Then followed the infantry attack by the twelve battalions of the Guard Division. The 4th (Queen Augusta’s) Guard Grenadiers seem to have struck the Royal Fusiliers, and the little band of men received the first assault with the bayonet and hurled it back. Routley, about this time, was the only officer left, and he was wounded in the head. The Grenadiers delivered a second charge. Some of the men were driven from their trenches, and their appearance in the rear created a panic among the battalion supports, who appear to have been chiefly special reservists, a draft who arrived on the day before the battle and had not yet been organised into their platoons. Colonel McMahon went to them and tried to rally them. Suddenly he was seen to sink on one knee and begin to remove his legging as though hit in the leg. At that moment a shell burst close to him and killed him. He was a most gallant and distinguished officer, who impressed all who came into contact with him. “ A Royal Fusilier,” he said to the battalion on the eve of embarkation, "does not fear death. He is not afraid of wounds. He only fears disgrace; and I look to you not to disgrace the name of the regiment.” Not merely the battalion and the regiment, but the army as a whole, lost by his death. Part of the West Ridings had also been driven from their trenches, but a determined counter-attack on both sides of the Ypres-Menin road by the Sussex and Scots Fusiliers drove the German Guard back with heavy loss and partly restored the line. At 1:00 p.m. the remainder of the Royal Fusiliers were very much disorganised and scattered. In the evening only O’Donel and Second Lieutenant Maclean, with 50 men, could be collected.’ (The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War by H. C. O’Neill, O.B.E. refers) Private F. Gaunt of the 4th Fusiliers also spoke of the bombardment of the 11th November in his personal first hand record of the first hundred days of the Great War: ‘On Wednesday, the 11th, we were heavily bombarded by artillery, which started at daybreak (6 am) and continued right up to 11 o’clock without a stop. During this time my Commanding Officer, Brigadier-General MacMahon, D.S.O., was struck by two pieces of shrapnel on the head and killed. His last words were: ‘Don’t retire the Fusiliers!” About 9 am I was sitting down in the trench enjoying a bit of bread and Tickler’s plum jam, when I got struck by a piece of shrapnel close to the spine; but I could not get out of the trench, owing to it being shelled too heavily. About one hour afterwards a shell burst close to me, and I felt something burst in my ear, which I found out was the drum of the ear. At 11am the shells stopped, and then I was able to get out of the trench and have my wound dressed at the first dressing station, which was about two miles away; after that I had to walk four miles to the hospital, the road being heavily shelled while I was dragging along.’ (The Immortal First by F. Gaunt. refers) Warwick Spencer Blood was the son of James Warwick Blood and Clara Blood and having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Y.M.C.A. ‘Lena Ashwell Concert Party’ Badge, gilt and enamel, with pin-back suspension, good very fine, rare £60-£80 --- Lena Margaret Ashwell, Lady Simson was a British actress and theatre producer, who during the Great War was the first person to organise large-scale entertainment for the troops at the front. Partly due to the influence of her acquaintance Princess Helena Victoria, and her connections to the Y.W.C.A., she was given permission to take a group of entertainers to the Western Front to perform concerts for the troops, and to help raise morale. For her services during the Great War she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

A Great War 1918 ‘Béthune’ French Croix de Guerre group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant L. M. Schwabacher, 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), later attached Intelligence Corps 1914-15 Star (Stk-225 Pte. L. M. Schwabacher R. Fus.) first initial and last two letters of surname officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (Stk-225 A. Sjt. L. Maurice. R. Fus.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, all housed in an A. W. Baldwin fitted case, good very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 7 January 1919. The original citation (in French), dated 24 August 1918, states: ‘From 10 April 10 to 1 May, 1918, during the period when Bethune was being regularly and violently bombed, he showed courage and dedication in helping to evacuate the population to safety, despite the ever-present danger.’ Leslie Maurice Schwabacher (later Leslie Maurice) was born in 1895 in St. Pancras, London into a family of Jewish diamond merchants who settled in London in the 19th Century. He served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 July 1915 and was later attached to the Intelligence Corps, with which unit he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallant services during the civilian evacuation of Béthune in 1918. He changed his name to Leslie Maurice after the War and his British War and Victory Medals were issued under this name. Sold together with rare original Citation for French Croix de Guerre.

Family Group: A Great War ‘1916’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal F. H. Steward, 12th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was killed in action during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge between 31 July and 3 August 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (3125 Pte. F. H. Steward, 12/ R. Fus:); 1914-15 Star (G-3125 Pte. F. H. Steward. R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (GS-3125 Pte. F. H. Steward. R. Fus.) spot of verdigris to last, otherwise good very fine Pair: Private W. J. Steward, Durham Light Infantry and Labour Corps British War and Victory Medals (251587 Pte. W. J. Steward. Durh. L. I.) mounted as worn, minor edge cut to both,nearly very fine (6) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916. Frederick Herbert Steward was born in 1899 at Haggerston, Middlesex and resided at Stamford Hill. Serving with the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers from 1 September 1915, he was awarded the M.M. in 1916 and was killed in action between 31 July and 3 August 1917 during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. He was the son of Alfred and Louisa Steward and, having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. William John Steward, elder brother of the above, was born in 1889 at Shoreditch, London and died at Southend on Sea in 1974.

Four: Private S. Homer, 4th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment), late King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), who was killed in action at St. Jean, near Ypres on 27 April 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (7306 Pte. A. Homer, Rl: Lanc: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (26457 Pte. S. Homer. L’pool R.) with flattened named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (26457 Pte. S. Homer. L’pool R.) with flattened named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Samuel Homer) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure and torn outer envelope addressed to ‘Mrs. L. G. Homer, 1065 Tenth St., Trafford Park, Manchester.’; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Samuel Homer, Liverpool Regt.’, significantly torn down left side, in OHMS transmission tube, similarly addressed, medals and plaque nearly extremely fine or better (6) £300-£400 --- Samuel Joseph Homer was born in 1882 in Cheetwood, Manchester, Lancashire and attested for the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) in June 1900. He served with the 4th Battalion (Militia) in South Africa from September 1900 until July 1901 and was awarded the Q.S.A. with 3 clasps. Following the outbreak of the Great War Homer re-enlisted in the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) on 26 August 1914 (service number 3832). Posted to the 3rd Battalion, he was then discharged due to chronic pleurisy on 26 December 1914. Having subsequently successfully attested for the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), he disembarked for service on the Western Front with the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion on 7 April 1915. Less than 3 weeks later, on 27 April, he took part in an attack by his battalion from trenches north-east of St. Jean, outside Ypres. The War Diary records: ‘At 12 noon the Battalion formed up for the attack and assaulted the German positions, in support of 1/4th Gurkha Rifles.’ The History of the of the King’s Regiment by Everard Wyall states, ‘The King’s, splendidly led by their officers, advanced in short rushes, with the enemy pumping lead into them and men falling in heaps.’ In the fighting, the battalion lost 1 officer killed and 8 officers wounded whilst 375 other ranks were either killed, wounded or missing. Following the action, Homer was among the missing. He was presumed to have been killed on or since 27 April 1915 and his date of death for official purposes is given as 27 April 1915. He was the husband of Lily Homer and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold together with a photograph of the recipient in uniform in a glazed metal frame (glass cracked) 107mm x 178mm, with the badge of the The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) affixed to the lower part of the frame; another copy of the same portrait photograph, cut down, 65mm x 102mm; 2 smaller versions of the same portrait photograph, 1 cut down and contained within a circular glazed metal pendant frame (glass cracked), 31mm diameter; the recipient’s Liverpool Regiment cap badge; transmittal letters for Great War medals; War Office Army Form W.5132, informing the recipient’s widow that her late husband’s medals are available for issue; Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Badges awarded to the recipient’s daughter, Mildred Homer, metal and enamel (2), the first inscribed to the reverse, ‘M. L. Homer, 21.2.54’ and the second inscribed to the reverse ‘M. Homer. 29-6-57’; and 4 certificates named to the recipients daughter, Mildred L. Homer, for accomplishments in shorthand typing, ballroom dancing, typewriting, German and Air Raid Precautions.

Pair: Private A. G. Self, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action at Elouges during the Retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914 British War and Victory Medals (8921 Pte. A. G. Self. Norf. R.) the first dark toned, good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- Albert George Self was born in 1894 at South Lopham, near Thetford, Norfolk and attested for the 4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, (Territorial Force) in 1911. He joined the 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, Army Special Reserve at Diss, Norfolk in January 1913 and attested for the Regular Army in June 1913, being posted to the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Following the outbreak of the Great War Self travelled to France with the 1st Battalion as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in the original British Expeditionary Force, arriving at Havre on 16 August 1914. Having advanced to positions along the railway line south of the Mons Condé Canal on 23 August, his battalion was withdrawn to Dour on the 24th and later sent forward again to positions west of Elouges, with the battalion’s right on the Elouges-Quièvrain railway line and the 1st Cheshires occupying the ground west towards Audregnies. Attacked by a numerically superior enemy, Colonel Ballard ordered a retirement towards Bavai - an order which unfortunately failed to reach the Cheshires also under his command. The Norfolks lost 4 officers killed, 4 officers wounded and approximately 250 other ranks killed, wounded or missing but their short stand at Elouges and the sacrifice of the Cheshires had bought valuable time for the rest of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat from Mons. Private Self was among those killed. He was the son of James Self of Church Street, Diss, Norfolk, and is commemorated at Elouge Communal Cemetery, France.

Three: Private A. E. Moody, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action in the attack on the Chivy Spur, during the operations on the Aisne, on 14 September 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (8136 Pte. A. E. Moody. 1/Norf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8136 Pte. A. E. Moody. Norf. R.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Edward Moody) good very fine or better (4) £240-£280 --- Albert Edward Moody was born in 1893 at Plaistow, Essex and enlisted for the Norfolk Regiment in London in 1910. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front arriving at Havre on 16 August. Having advanced to positions along the railway line south of the Mons Condé Canal on 23 August, his battalion was withdrawn to Dour on the 24th and later sent forward again to positions west of Elouges, with the battalion’s right on the Elouges-Quièvrain railway line and the 1st Cheshires occupying the ground west towards Audregnies. Attacked by a numerically superior enemy, Colonel Ballard ordered a retirement towards Bavai - an order which unfortunately failed to reach the Cheshires also under his command. The Norfolks lost 4 officers killed, 4 officers wounded and approximately 250 other ranks killed, wounded or missing but their short stand at Elouges and the sacrifice of the Cheshires had bought valuable time for the rest of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat from Mons. The 1st Norfolks were in a holding position two days later at Le Cateau and the following month fought at the Marne and the Aisne. During the latter operations, Private Moody was killed in action on 14 September 1914 as the Battalion attacked the enemy positions on the Chivy Spur - over 100 men of the battalion were killed, wounded or reported missing as a result of this action. Private Moody was the son of George and Maria Moody of 13 Bathurst Avenue, Merton Park, Surrey. Initially he had no known grave and was named on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, Marne, France. His remains were later identified however and lie buried in Montcornet Military Cemetery, France. Sold together with the recipient’s damaged Imperial War Graves Commission Scroll (La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial).

The Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh First Class set of insignia bestowed upon Field Marshal Lord Grenfell, who served as Sirdar and Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Army 1886-92 Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, First Class set of insignia, by Kretly, Paris, comprising sash badge, 80mm including Crescent suspension x 62mm, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, maker’s cartouché on reverse, the star lacking from the suspension; Star, 94mm x 89mm, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, maker’s cartouché on reverse, with retaining pin and two additional support hooks, one of the hooks re-affixed, with short length of sash riband for display purposes, enamel damage to both, nearly very fine (2) £800-£1,200 --- Provenance: Spink, November 2011 (when sold alongside the recipient’s other Honours and Awards). Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh First Class London Gazette 18 May 1888: Colonel Sir Francis Wallace Grenfell, K.C.B. (holding local rank of Major-General whilst employed as Sirdar of the Egyptian Army).

Three: Corporal R. Gray, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action during the Battle of La Bassée on 30 October 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (7116 L. Cpl. R. Gray. 1/Norf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7116 Cpl. R. Gray. Norf. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £160-£200 --- Robert Gray was born at Snape, Suffolk in 1885 and attested for the Norfolk Regiment on 2 November 1905. In 1911 he was ranked Lance Corporal and stationed at Belgaum, India with the 2nd Battalion. Gray served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, arriving at Havre on 16 August. Having advanced to positions along the railway line south of the Mons Condé Canal on 23 August, the battalion was withdrawn to Dour on the 24th and later sent forward again to positions west of Elouges, with the battalion’s right on the Elouges-Quièvrain railway line and the 1st Cheshires occupying the ground west towards Audregnies. Attacked by a numerically superior enemy, Colonel Ballard ordered a retirement towards Bavai - an order which unfortunately failed to reach the Cheshires also under his command. The Norfolks lost 4 officers killed, 4 officers wounded and approximately 250 other ranks killed, wounded or missing but their short stand at Elouges and the sacrifice of the Cheshires had bought valuable time for the rest of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat from Mons. The 1st Norfolks were in a holding position two days later at Le Cateau and the following month fought at the Marne and the Aisne, suffering over 100 casualties in the attack on the Chivy Spur at the latter. Having moved north with his battalion in October to the La Bassée front, Corporal Gray was killed in action on 30 October 1914 during a period in which his Brigade had been holding a line just east of Festubert and Givenchy under heavy bombardments and infantry attacks. He was the son of Frederick and Mary Elizabeth Gray of Cross Street, Hoxne, Diss, Norfolk and, having no known grave, is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Three: Private T. J. Curtis, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action near La Bassée on 4 November 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (6459 Pte. T. J. Curtis. 1/Norf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6459 Pte. T. J. Curtis. Norf. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Thomas James Curtis was born in 1882 in East Runton, Norfolk and attested for the Norfolk Regiment at North Walsham on 27 January 1903. Recalled from the Reserve on the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 22 August 1914 and would have been with the first reinforcement group under Lieutenant A. C. O’Connor which joined the Battalion at Tournans, 20 miles south east of Paris, on 5 September. Ending its retreat, the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment fought at the Marne and the Aisne - suffering over 100 casualties in the attack on the Chivy Spur at the latter - and moved north in October to the La Bassée front. Private Curtis was killed in action on 4 November 1914 during a period in which the 15th Brigade had been holding a line just east of Festubert and Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée under heavy bombardments and infantry attacks. He was the husband of Hannah Curtis and having no known grave is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Family group: Three: Private H. Redding, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays), who was killed in action at the First Battle of Ypres on 5 November 1914 1914 Star (5554 Pte. H. Redding. 2/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2DG-5554 Pte. H. Redding. 2-D. Gds.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Gunner A. E. Redding, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action whilst serving his gun at the Battle of Arras on 16 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (60163 Gnr. A. E. Redding. R.A.) nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- Harry Redding was born in 1884 at Otterbourne, Hampshire and attested for the 2nd Dragoon Guards at Winchester in 1901. Mobilized as part of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1914 following the outbreak of the Great War, he arrived in France on 9 September 1914 and was killed in action on 5 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. He was the son of James and Olive Redding of 7 School Lane, Allbrook, Hampshire and is buried in Wulvergem Churchyard, Belgium. Albert Edward Redding, brother of the above, was born in 1891 at Otterbourne, Hampshire and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery on 26 October 1915. He served with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 17 May 1916 and was killed in action on 16 May 1917 whilst serving with 106 Siege Battery. The National Roll of the Great War states of him, ‘he played a prominent part in numerous engagements. He was in action at the first Battle of the Somme, and during the fighting at Arras was killed whilst serving his gun.’ He is buried in Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Both brothers are named on the Otterbourne and Allbrook War Memorial.

Three: Captain and Adjutant R. E. Drake, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was mortally wounded during a successful attempt made by the battalion to capture a German battery at the Battle of the Marne on 8 September 1914, and was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (Capt: & Adjt: R. E. Drake. Linc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. E. Drake.) nearly extremely fine (3) £800-£1,200 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 20 October 1914. Robert Edward Drake, the son of the Rev. John Drake, was born at Great Wratting, Suffolk in 1878. He was educated at Lancing College, Sussex and was in the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (Militia) from 1899-1900. In April of the latter year he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, becoming Lieutenant in May 1902 and Captain in August 1912. He was appointed Adjutant of his battalion in November 1913 and following the outbreak of the Great War arrived in France as part of the original British Expeditionary Force on 13 August 1914. Having fought at Mons and Le Cateau, his battalion stopped retreating at Liverdy, outside Paris on 5 September and three days later had re-crossed the Marne and arrived at the village of Bezu. Here, Captain Drake was mortally wounded as C and D Companies attacked and captured German guns west of the village. The regimental history provides the following details: ‘Whilst the 1st Lincolnshire was halted in a field near Bezu, Lieut.-Colonel Smith, commanding the battalion, received a message from the Brigade, informing him that “a German battery was doing serious damage by shelling our column approaching the Marne,” and telling him to try and capture it. The country north of the Marne is very hilly and wooded. In fact, the 14th Brigade of the 5th Division, “was swallowed up by the woods for more than an hour.” (Official History Vol. 4 pp. 289, 290.) Lieut.-Colonel Smith, with two companies, C and D, worked through the woods west of Bezu, crept up to within one hundred and fifty yards of the guns and shot down the German gunners, and their escort, almost to a man. Dashing out of the thicket to secure the guns, however, they were fired upon by the 65th (Howitzer) Battery, and compelled again to seek cover with a loss of four officers [Drake killed and 3 wounded] and some thirty men killed or wounded. This unfortunate mistake arose from the 65th Battery believing that the German battery had been silenced by some other British artillery and that the men of the Lincolnshire were German gunners returning to their abandoned guns. The guns were removed by the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column next morning and removed to Coulommiers, whence they were despatched to England. One of the guns was formerly to be seen at the Royal United Service Institution, but was removed to the depot of the Regiment at Lincoln in 1928.’ (The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918 edited by Major-General C. R. Simpson, C.B. refers) Initially buried nearby by an unknown British officer, Drake’s remains were later exhumed and, having been formally identified by his Lincolnshire Regiment collar badges and spurs and his boots made by J. J. Lillington of 88 High St. Portsmouth, were re-interred in November 1920 in Bezu-le-Guery Communal Cemetery, France. A plaque to his memory is in St. Mary’s Church, Great Wratting.

Three: Private J. Clark, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action at Vailly during the Battle of the Aisne on 15 September 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7829 Pte. J. Clarke. [sic] 1/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7829 Pte. J. Clark. Linc. R.); Memorial Plaque (Joseph Clark) nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Joseph Clark was born in Tattershall, Lincolnshire and attested there for the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1906. He embarked for India with the 2nd Battalion in December 1908, was with the 1st Battalion at Aden in 1911 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. Having fought at Mons, Le Cateau, the Retreat from Mons, and the Marne, the 1st Lincolnshire Regiment crossed the Aisne at Vailly on 13 September and took up positions on the ridge south west of Rouge Maison Farm where, the following day, they were attacked by ‘wave after wave’ of the enemy. Major-General Simpson in his regimental history noted how many of the Battalion’s rifles had become clogged with mud, making rapid defensive fire difficult. After a successful counter attack by B and D Companies, supported by the 4th Royal Fusiliers, escalating casualty rates forced the battalion to fall back across the river to a railway cutting. Here the survivors were heavily shelled and later returned north of the river to Vailly. Over 180 officers and men were killed, wounded or missing as a result of the encounter. The following day, 15 October 1914, Private Clark was one of 5 men of the battalion officially regarded as having been killed as the battalion moved forward again to support positions north of Vailly. Joseph Clark’s positively identified remains were exhumed from an unmarked grave at Vailly-sur-Aisne on 7 March 1923 and reburied by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Vailly British Cemetery, France.

Three: Private F. Norman, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was reported missing, presumed dead, following a counter attack on Wytschaete on 1 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7865 Pte. F. Norman. 1/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7865 Pte. F. Norman. Linc. R.); Memorial Plaque (Frederick Norman) neat holes drilled in the plaque at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock for mounting, otherwise extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Frederick Norman was born in 1886 at Bow Brickhill, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1906. He served in the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 and was reported missing, presumed dead on or since 1 November 1914. His battalion had already fought and incurred heavy casualties (unusually for a single battalion) at all the major battles of 1914 - Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne, la Bassée, Messines and Armentières - prior to their taking part in a counter attack on Wytschaete on 1 November 1914 as the Battle of Messines began to merge with the First Battle of Ypres. Private Norman was deemed, for official purposes, to have been killed in action on 1 November 1914. The son of George and Annie Norman of Bow Brickhill, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, he has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

A superb Great War D.C.M. and Second Award Bar, M.M. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant W. A. Tapsell, 2nd Battalion, later 6th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was decorated with a trio of awards for gallantry on the Western Front in the summer of 1917. Commissioned in April 1918, he died five months later from wounds received in action with the 1st Battalion during the Second Battle of the Somme on 18 September 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (8624 Cpl. W. A. Tapsell. 6/Linc: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (8624 Cpl. W. A. Tapsell. 6/Linc: R.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8624 Pte. W. A. Tapsell. 2/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut. W. A. Tapsell.); Memorial Plaque (William Algernon Tapsell) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and torn OHMS transmission envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs Tapsell, 3 Grove Road, Abbey Wood, S.E.’; together with two riband bars, the first comprising D.C.M., M.M. and 1914 Star, the second D.C.M. and M.M., nearly extremely fine (6) £5,000-£7,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in assisting to dig out nineteen men who had been buried in a dug-out by a gas shell. Finding it impossible, owing to the darkness, to work in a gas helmet, at imminent risk of his life he removed his own, and by his efforts successfully extricated some of the men. The dug-out was full of lethal gas fumes, and six of the men affected subsequently died. He set a splendid example of fearless devotion and self-sacrifice.’ D.C.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of battalion scouts. Having been ordered to reconnoitre in front of our advancing patrols, his party came under heavy and unexpected rifle and machine-gun fire. In spite of this, however, after warning the patrols behind him, he continued to push forward until, owing to several casualties, further advance was impossible, whereupon he withdrew very skilfully with all his wounded back to our lines. Throughout the action he displayed splendid coolness and presence of mind and an utter disregard for personal safety. M.M. London Gazette 21 August 1917. William Algernon Tapsell was born at Abbey Wood, Kent and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1909. He was stationed at Aden with the 1st Battalion in 1911 and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion from 5 November 1914. Having transferred to the 6th (Service) Battalion - after their arrival on the Western Front in July 1916 - he was promoted to Acting Sergeant and decorated three times for gallantry in the summer of 1917, the first award to be gazetted, his Military Medal, almost certainly being awarded in respect of gallantry during the attack at Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917. This was quickly followed by a D.C.M. and a Second Award Bar to the D.C.M., both awards being published in the 17 September 1917 edition of the London Gazette. The following extract from the regimental history appears to reference the period relating to both awards, i.e. 17-27 July 1917: ‘Two days later [17 July 1917] the battalion [6th] took over the front-line trenches. The opposing lines were so close together that when our guns were engaged in shelling the enemy’s front line the Lincolnshire had to temporarily vacate their trenches. The enemy’s retaliation was both systematic and heavy: he used large quantities of gas shells and for several nights box respirators had to be worn continually. Raids were carried out all along the line at this period and one attempted by the Lincolnshire was unsuccessful, as the Divisional Artillery, on the point selected, prevented entry. Relief came on the 24th/25th July, but on the night of the 26th/27th July the battalion was back in the front line. It was reported on the 27th that the enemy had evacuated his front line; as the correctness of this information was doubted a very weak patrol was sent out by the Commanding Officer (Lieut-Colonel Gater) to verify it, which was met by heavy machine-gun and rifle-fire. Lieutenant Playle and five other ranks were wounded. The casualties would have been far heavier if the original report, based on aeroplane reconnaissance, had been accepted.’ (The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918 by C. R. Simpson refers) Lieutenant Playle received the M.C. for his gallantry in this period - his award was published in the same edition of the London Gazette as both of Tapsell’s D.C.M.s. Subsequently discharged to a commission on 19 April 1918, Tapsell died at No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen on 18 September 1918 from wounds received in action on 24 August 1918 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion at the Battle of Albert during the Second Battles of the Somme. The son of Algernon and Mary Jane Tapsell of 3 Grove Road, Abbey Wood, London, he is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. Sold together with a War Office Certificate of Death describing the recipient’s place and cause of death, dated 7 October 1918, and an original typewritten foolscap document detailing all three of the recipient’s gallantry awards including both D.C.M. citations and also announcing the presentation of said awards by ‘the General Officer Commanding Troops Woolwich, on Sunday, 20th. January, 1918.’- this in its OHMS envelope addressed to, ‘Mr A. Tapsell, 3 Grove Rd. Abbey Wood, London SE2.’

Three: Lance-Corporal W. H. Weekes, 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 4 January 1917 1914 Star, with clasp (9395 Dmr: W. H. Weekes. 1/Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9359 Pte. W. H. Weekes. Devon. R.); Memorial Plaque (William Henry Weekes) good very fine (4) £200-£240 --- William Henry Weekes was born in 1889 at Plymouth, Devon and attested for the Devonshire Regiment at Devonport in 1911. He served as a Drummer with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914. His battalion, in Jersey at the outbreak of war, initially served in France on the Lines of Communication but then saw action on the Aisne, and at the Battles of la Bassée and Armentières in 1914. Advanced Lance Corporal, Weekes was killed in action on the Western Front on 4 January 1917. He was the son of William and Rosina Weekes, of Yealmpton, Devon and is buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, France.

Three: Private E. Lefevre, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action during the 2nd Suffolks’ important stand at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7129 Pte. E. Lefevre. 2/ Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7129 Pte. E. Lefevre. Suff. R.) extremely fine (3) £300-£400 --- Ernest Lefevre was born in 1890 at March, Cambridgeshire and attested there for the Suffolk Regiment in 1905. He was stationed with the 1st Battalion in Egypt in 1911 and following the outbreak of the Great War, he landed with the 2nd Battalion at Havre on 15 August 1914. Having retreated from Mons on the night of 23 August, the battalion arrived at Le Cateau where, on the morning of 26 August, Lord Douglas Malise Graham (ADC to Divisional Commander) remarked to Major Peebles, ‘you are going to fight it out here’. Brigadier-General S. P. Rolt (Commander 14th Brigade) then informed the Battalion, ’You understand, there is to be no thought of retirement.’ Tenaciously holding on to the high ground overlooking Le Cateau from the west, the 2nd Suffolks played a crucial role during the battle in enabling the 5th Division to withdraw down the Roman Road to the south west later in the day. A substantial effort was made by the Germans to dislodge the Suffolks who were exposed to heavy gunfire from the German batteries to their front and their flanks and also infiltration by infantry around their flanks: ‘Many years later a German officer who fought with 7th Division of IV Corps recalled the stubborn resistance of 2/Suffolks and 2/KOYLI on the ridge to the south of Le Cateau - ‘I did not think it possible that flesh and blood could survive so great an onslaught. Our men attacked with the utmost determination, but again and again they were driven back by these incomparable soldiers.’ (The Mons Star by David Ascoli refers) Suffering heavy losses, the Suffolks were provided with re-enforcement and support, with great difficulty and high casualties, by the Argylls of 19th Brigade and the Manchesters of 14th Brigade. The Germans massed for a final attack at 2.30pm, and called upon the Suffolks to surrender. Attacks continued from the front and right flanks, but the battalion was only finally overrun when the Germans worked their way round to the rear of the Suffolks’ positions. The survivors got away to Bohain, and mustered for a roll call in St Quentin which only showed 2 Officers and 111 Other Ranks left. The majority of the losses were men who were wounded and taken prisoner; it is estimated that more than 500 men from the battalion became prisoners of war in this action. Private Lefevre was initially reported missing after the battle but he was never traced as a Prisoner of War and was later officially confirmed as being killed in action on 26 August 1914. He was the son of William and Clara Lefevre of March, Cambridgeshire and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Three: Private D. J. Sargeant, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action during the 2nd Suffolks’ important stand at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6610 Pte. D. Sargeant. 2/Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6610 Pte. D. Sargeant. Suff. R.) nearly very fine (3) £300-£400 --- David John Sargeant was born at Great Waldingfield, Suffolk and attested for the Suffolk Regiment at Sudbury in 1903. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he landed with the 2nd Battalion at Havre on 15 August 1914. Having retreated from Mons on the night of 23 August, his battalion arrived at Le Cateau where, on the morning of 26 August, Lord Douglas Malise Graham (ADC to Divisional Commander) remarked to Major Peebles, ‘you are going to fight it out here’. Brigadier-General S. P. Rolt (Commander 14th Brigade) then informed the Battalion, ’You understand, there is to be no thought of retirement.’ Tenaciously holding on to the high ground overlooking Le Cateau from the west, the 2nd Suffolks played a crucial role during the battle in enabling the 5th Division to withdraw down the Roman Road to the south west later in the day. A substantial effort was made by the Germans to dislodge the Suffolks who were exposed to heavy gunfire from the German batteries to their front and their flanks and also infiltration by infantry around their flanks: ‘Many years later a German officer who fought with 7th Division of IV Corps recalled the stubborn resistance of 2/Suffolks and 2/KOYLI on the ridge to the south of Le Cateau - ‘I did not think it possible that flesh and blood could survive so great an onslaught. Our men attacked with the utmost determination, but again and again they were driven back by these incomparable soldiers.’ (The Mons Star by David Ascoli refers) Suffering heavy losses, the Suffolks were provided with re-enforcement and support, with great difficulty and high casualties, by the Argylls of 19th Brigade and the Manchesters of 14th Brigade. The Germans massed for a final attack at 2.30pm, and called upon the Suffolks to surrender. Attacks continued from the front and right flanks, but the battalion was only finally overrun when the Germans worked their way round to the rear of the Suffolks’ positions. The survivors got away to Bohain, and mustered for a roll call in St Quentin which only showed 2 Officers and 111 Other Ranks left. The majority of the losses were men who were wounded and taken prisoner; it is estimated that more than 500 men from the battalion became prisoners of war in this action. Private Sargeant was confirmed killed in action at Le Cateau on 26 October 1914. He was the son of David and Alice Sargeant of The Foule, Blackheath, Colchester and the husband of the late Alice Maud Sargeant. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Family Group: Three: Private T. W. Mason, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star (7158 Pte. T. W. Mason. 2/Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7158 Pte. T. W. Mason. Suff. R.) good very fine Three: Private J. W. Mason, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was captured at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star (6823 Pte. J. W. Mason. 2/Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6823 Pte. J. W. Mason. Suff. R.) good very fine (6) £400-£500 --- Thomas William Mason was born in 1888 at Thetford, Cambridgeshire and attested for the Suffolk Regiment at Ely in 1905. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, landing at Havre on 15 August 1914. Having retreated from Mons on the night of 23 August, his battalion arrived at Le Cateau where, on the morning of 26 August, Lord Douglas Malise Graham (ADC to Divisional Commander) remarked to Major Peebles, ‘you are going to fight it out here’. Brigadier-General S. P. Rolt (Commander 14th Brigade) then informed the Battalion, ’You understand, there is to be no thought of retirement.’ Tenaciously holding on to the high ground overlooking Le Cateau from the west, the 2nd Suffolks played a crucial role during the battle in enabling the 5th Division to withdraw down the Roman Road to the south west later in the day. A substantial effort was made by the Germans to dislodge the Suffolks who were exposed to heavy gunfire from the German batteries to their front and their flanks and also infiltration by infantry around their flanks: ‘Many years later a German officer who fought with 7th Division of IV Corps recalled the stubborn resistance of 2/Suffolks and 2/KOYLI on the ridge to the south of Le Cateau - ‘I did not think it possible that flesh and blood could survive so great an onslaught. Our men attacked with the utmost determination, but again and again they were driven back by these incomparable soldiers.’ (The Mons Star by David Ascoli refers) Suffering heavy losses, the Suffolks were provided with re-enforcement and support, with great difficulty and high casualties, by the Argylls of 19th Brigade and the Manchesters of 14th Brigade. The Germans massed for a final attack at 2.30pm, and called upon the Suffolks to surrender. Attacks continued from the front and right flanks, but the battalion was only finally overrun when the Germans worked their way round to the rear of the Suffolks’ positions. The survivors got away to Bohain, and mustered for a roll call in St Quentin which only showed 2 Officers and 111 Other Ranks left. The majority of the losses were men who were wounded and taken prisoner; it is estimated that more than 500 men from the battalion became prisoners of war in this action. Private Mason was initially reported missing after the battle and there was a report of him being in Cambrai Hospital in January 1915 but he was never traced as a Prisoner of War and was later officially confirmed as being killed in action on 26 August 1914. He was the son of John and Eliza Mason, of Little Thetford, Ely, Cambridgeshire and having no known grave, he is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. James W. Mason, older brother of the above, was born in 1885 at Thetford, Cambridgeshire and attested for the Suffolk Regiment in 1904. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, landing at Havre on 15 August 1914, and was captured at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914. He was held prisoner of war at Doberitz.

Three: Private F. W. Lark, 1/4th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (Territorial Force), who was killed in action on the Somme on 15 July 1916 1914 Star (1890 Pte. F. W. Lark. 1/4 Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1890 Pte. F. W. Lark. Suff. R.; Memorial Plaque (Frank William Lark), mounted in a contemporary glazed, wooden frame, extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- Frank William Lark was born in 1895 at Beccles, Suffolk and enlisted for the 1/4th Suffolk Territorials at Ipswich in mid 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 November 1914 although no action was seen by the battalion before 14 December (not entitled to clasp). Lark was killed in action on 15 July 1916. On this date, his battalion, as part of the 98th Brigade, 33rd Division, moved north east from Fricourt/Mametz ‘in support during attack on Switch Trench (15/7) - ground taken and held immediately in front of Bazentin-le-Petit. Casualties - over 200.’ (Tracing British Battalions on the Somme by Ray Westlake refers) Private Lark was the son of Frederick Eade and Ellen Maria Lark of 2 Pearce Villas, Heneker Road, Ipswich and having no known grave is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Three: Private J. S. Hawkins, 1st Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somersetshire Light Infantry), who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Ligny, during the Battle of Le Cateau, on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (9373 Pte. J. S. Hawkins. 1/Som: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9373 Pte. J. S. Hawkins. Som. L.I.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- John Stanton Hawkins was born in 1893 in Devon and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry in 1912. Following the outbreak of the Great War he sailed for France with the 1st Battalion on 21 August 1914 and three days later, as part of Hunter-Weston’s 11th Brigade in General Snow’s 4th Division, arrived at Le Cateau. After marching forward 7 miles towards Briastre, the 1st Somersets occupied high ground towards Solesmes where they engaged a German Cavalry patrol and together with 11th Brigade assisted in covering the retreat of II Corps and 19th Brigade following the Battle of Mons. Withdrawn overnight, the 4th Division then took up new positions on the left flank of the 3rd Division coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau - Smith Dorrien declaring, ‘Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well.’ Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers. The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The situation on the right flank, the hills around the Le Cateau valley, was perilous from the start, as the Germans infiltrated during the night. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Hunter-Weston’s 11th Brigade spent most of the 26 August desperately holding the position in front of Ligny while coming under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. A feature of the fighting being the greater respect shown by the Germans for British rifle prowess than at Mons where they had suffered heavy casualties. New positions were established at the eastern end of Ligny in the afternoon and a first-aid post was set up at Haucourt Church where the wounded were taken. The 1st Somersets held the village of Ligny until about 4pm when they came under renewed heavy shell fire and were attacked by several enemy battalions. Although accurate rapid rifle fire, machine gun fire and artillery stopped this attack occasioning large numbers of German casualties, the 11th Brigade began to evacuate Ligny shortly afterwards and retired towards Maincourt with little further incident. The Somerset Light Infantry had suffered heavy casualties during the battle however: approximately 9 officers wounded, 19 other ranks killed, 150 wounded and 100 missing. Private Hawkins was amongst those reported missing in action. Having been captured by the Germans at Ligny on 26 August 1914 he was transported to Senne prisoner of war camp where he remained for most of the war. He was discharged on 1 May 1919 and died at Paignton, Devon in 1965. Sold with a copied portrait photograph of Hawkins in uniform taken at Senne prisoner of war camp on 3 January 1918.

Three: Private W. E. Lane, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), attached 1st Life Guards, who was present at the action on Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914 and was subsequently killed in action near Zwarteleen during the First Battle of Ypres on 6 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (8345 Pte. W. E. Lane. 6/D.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (D-8345 Pte. W. E. Lane. 6-D.Gds.); Memorial Plaque (William Edward Lane) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- William Edward Lane was born in 1894 at Leytonstone and attested for the Corps of the Dragoons of the Line at Stratford, London in September 1913. He was posted to the 6th Dragoon Guards on 17 January 1914 but following the outbreak of the Great War, he was attached to the 1st Life Guards, entering the Western Front with them at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914 to form part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. Lane would have been present during the famous action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October, described in the War Diary by Captain the Hon. E. H. Wyndham in the following understated fashion: ‘Zandvoorde - Oct. 30. 6am - Heavy bombardment of position opened. At 7.30am position was attacked by large force of infantry. This attack proved successful owing to greatly superior numbers. Regiment retired in good order about 10am except C Squadron on left flank from which only about 10 men got back. Remainder of Squadron missing.’ the Marquess of Anglesey, in Volume 7 of A History of the British Cavalry, gives the following account of the action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914: ‘Kavanagh’s 7th Cavalry Brigade was at the very centre of a most determined attack, supported by some 250 guns, delivered by the first of the new German Reserve divisions. These consisted in large part of ‘the flower of the youth of Germany, middle- and upper class students’, under military-age volunteers, hardly trained but burning with patriotism. Their assault fell chiefly upon the Household Cavalry’s elementary trench lines at Zandvoorde. The artillery barrage dropped on these and on the zone immediately behind them from 6.45 till 8 a.m. It and the following onslaught were so ferocious and concentrated that two squadrons and a machine-gun section suffered almost total extinction. Ernest Hook, a surviving Lifeguardsman, recalled that there was ‘no protection from the shelling as our trenches were on the forward slope and in full view of the enemy and although our gunners put up a great show, they were no match for Jerry’s heavy stuff. We could see their infantry in great masses about 1,000 yards away. Just about then I was hit by a shell that nearly took my left arm off and my officer sent me to the rear. It was the end of the war for me.’ Private Lane was killed in action on 6 November 1914 during an operation to support the 4th (Guards Brigade) near Zwarteleen following the retirement of some French in occupation of a section of trenches in the Brigade line. On this date, Wyndham’s War Diary contains the following entry: ‘3.15pm - ...Regiment advanced with D Squadron on left, 2 Troops of A Squadron on right, and 2 Troops of A Squadron in support. M.G. Section remained in reserve, the wooded nature of the country not lending itself to the successful employment of machine-guns in the advance. The advance was successfully carried out on left across open to within 150 yards of wood through first E in Zwarteleen. The right did not advance quite so far. Great difficulty was experienced by all units in keeping touch with Troops on either flank. This was due to thickly-wooded nature of the country. D Squadron were finally forced to retire to South edge of woods by machine-gun fire.’ Wyndham names 1 officer and 4 men (including Lane) killed during the action on 6 November and 21 officers and men wounded. The officer killed was his own brother, Lieutenant the Hon. W. R. Wyndham. William Edward Lane was the son of Mr and Mrs Frederick Lane of 7 Gladstone St., Leytonstone, London and having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Three: Private A. W. Giles, 1st Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somersetshire Light Infantry), who was killed in action at St. Yves, near Armentières, on 10 November 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8731 Pte. A. W. Giles. 1/Som: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8731 Pte. A. W. Giles. Som. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (3) £160-£200 --- Arthur William Giles was born in 1894 at Long Ditton, Surrey and, having attested for the Somerset Light Infantry at Stratford, Essex around 1909, is shown in the 1911 census as serving aged 16 years with the 1st Battalion, stationed at Verne Citadel Barracks, Portland. Following the outbreak of the Great War Giles landed at Havre, France with the 1st Battalion on 22 August 1914, his battalion being heavily engaged four days later near Ligny during the Battle of Le Cateau as part of the 11th Brigade in Snow’s 4th Division. They again saw action at the Marne and the Aisne, crossing the latter on 13 September and taking part in the attack on Bucy-de-Long. Committed once more the following month during the Battle of Armentières, the 1st Somersets notably took part in an attack on La Gheer from Ploegsteert Wood on 21 October in which they advanced via the eastern edge of the wood and cleared the enemy, who were Saxons, from the village at the point of the bayonet. Private Giles was killed in action on 10 November 1914, a date on which his battalion was occupying trenches north-west of St. Yves, between Armentières and Ypres. He is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.

A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant F. E. Hermann, 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Hull), East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials) who died on 17 November 1916 of wounds received in action on 13 November, the opening day of the Battle of the Ancre Military Medal, G.V.R. (1029 Cpl. F. E. Hermann. 10/ E. York: R.); 1914-15 Star (10-1029 Pte. E. F. Hermann. E. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10-1029 A. Sjt. E. F. Hermann. E. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (Frans Edgar Hermann) the whole contained in a contemporary bronze display frame, extremely fine (5) £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916. Frans Edgar Hermann was born in 1890 at Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire and attested for the 10th (Service) Battalion, (1st Hull), East Yorkshire Regiment on 11 September 1914. This unit, a Pals Battalion known as the ‘Hull Commercials’ made up of local clerks, teachers and businessmen, had been formed at Hull on 29 August by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding Territorial Force Association. Embarking on 8 December 1915 from Devonport, Hermann arrived with his battalion at Port Said, 22 December, to defend the Suez Canal at Qantara with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Moving to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, the battalion arrived at Marseilles on 7 March 1916 and proceeded with the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division to the Somme area on the Western Front. Hermann was appointed Lance Sergeant on 4 June 1916. Although fortunate to be in reserve for 1 July 1916, the 92nd (Hull Pals) Brigade would still hold the divisional frontage and the 10th Battalion were required to hold the front line from 24 June until ‘Z’ hour on the 1 July, the date for the start of the Somme offensive. Serre, their division’s objective, was one of the strongest of the German positions to be attacked - it being covered by defence works consisting of thick barbed wire entanglements, protected gun emplacements and elaborate deep dugouts which were not affected by the British bombardment. German retaliatory shells obliterated the front line and communication trenches, making movement by day extremely difficult, resulting in the death of Lieutenant Flintoff and eight other ranks of the battalion. The battalion history records that, as zero hour approached, the 10th Battalion’s preparations on the night of 30 June involved: ‘providing parties to cut “lanes” through our own wire to give our attacking troops a quick means of egress into No Man’s Land.’ After this the battalion pulled back to allow the attacking troops to come forward. The 92nd Brigade was pulled out of the line with the rest of the shattered 31st Division on 2 July and sent north to Bethune to refit. For his service during this period, Acting Sergeant Hermann was awarded the M.M. and he was promoted Acting Sergeant on 28 July. The Brigade then spent August and September with alternate spells in and out of the trenches South East of Richebourg L’Avoue with casualties continuing to mount in this supposedly quieter area. Duty in the line was marked by trench raids and occasional awards for bravery. A highly successful raid by the Hull Commercials on German trenches at Boar’s Head near Richebourg on the night of 18/19 September saw Hermann of C Company suffer multiple wounds: ‘The raid on the 18/19th was to be unorthodox. For a week prior to the raid the division had practised a non-offensive policy with the intention of duping the enemy into thinking that they had a peace-loving division opposite them. Lieutenant-Colonel Stapledon, in the face of opposition from his superiors, insisted that there should be no artillery prior to the attack; stealth would be used to position the troops and Bangalore torpedoes used at the last minute to open up the German wire. One officer and twenty five men from each company would take part under the command of Captain Lambert. In the report written after the raid the aims of the raid were stated as: ‘to enter enemy’s trenches, capture and kill any of the enemy, bomb his dugouts and do as much damage as possible.’ This was to be achieved by entering the enemy’s trenches at: ‘four separate points as silently as possible, with 4 parties, each party not to be more than 36 strong, enemy’s wire being cut by a bangalore torpedo at each point of entry, the moment before entry. ’ The four raiding parties waited in No Man’s Land until midnight when the Bangalore torpedoes went off and the raid started. C Company was in position at 11.57 and at midnight when the torpedo exploded rushed into the trench under the cover of the smoke. The party entered a bay occupied by four sentries, three of whom were killed and the other taken prisoner. Flank parties bombed their way down the trench while a third party bombed another trench (Kampe Strasse) causing the Germans to run down the trench and out into the open at the back of the trenches. At 12.10 the raiding party left the trenches leaving behind an estimated ten dead Germans with an unknown number wounded. C Company casualties were light, with one officer and three men slightly wounded. There was no enemy retaliation of any sort after the raid. The raid was a great success and congratulations were received from all quarters. Battalion orders for the 20th gave details of the compliments: ‘I should be glad if you will ask the G.O.C. 31st Division to convey to Brig. Gen. Williams, Commanding the 92nd Infantry Brigade, my congratulations to all ranks of the 10th East Yorkshire Regiment, under Major C.C. Stapledon, who took part in the successful raid carried out last night. The casualties inflicted on the enemy and the capture of prisoners and a machine gun, proved that the raid was not only prepared in the most careful manner, but that it was carried out with fine energy, determination, and gallantry by the officers and men of the East Yorkshire. The capture of the prisoners has enabled us to establish some identifications which are of the utmost importance at the present time to the whole of the allied armies. (signed) R. Haking, General Commanding, First Army.’ (Hull Pals - 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th (Service) Battalions of the East Yorkshire Regiment - A History of 92 Infantry Brigade 31st Division by David Bilton refers.) Having been wounded in action during the raid, Hermann was admitted to hospital at Wimereaux on 23 September 1916 with wounds to his left hand, neck and legs. Sufficiently recuperated, he rejoined his unit in the field back on the Somme on 9 November 1916 and was wounded again four days later on the opening day of the Battle of the Ancre during which the 10th provided flank guards and carrying parties as opposed to the 12th and 13th battalions who suffered terribly in the main attack to the north of Serre. Acting Sergeant Hermann died of his wounds on 17 November 1916. He was the son of Niels Christian Hermann and the husband of Elizabeth Mary Hermann of 5 Eldon Grove, Beverley Road, Hull and is buried in Couin British Cemetery, France.

Three: Corporal H. H. Shuttle, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (9734 Cpl. H. H. Shuttle. 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9734 Cpl. H. H. Shuttle. Bedf. R.); Memorial Plaque (Harold Henry Shuttle); Memorial Scroll, ‘Cpl. Harold Henry Shuttle, Bedfordshire Regiment’; together with a Bedfordshire Regiment cap badge, nearly extremely fine (5) £260-£300 --- Harold Henry Shuttle was born on 18 December 1894 at Chigwell, Essex and attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1911. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division, on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. “A” and “B” Companies engaged the enemy at Wasmes on 23 August 1914, coming under fire from enemy field guns, their shallow trenches offering little protection. The Battalion then reunited at Paturages on 24 August and beat off the advancing enemy whilst inflicting heavy casualties. Withdrawing to Bavai and then Le Cateau on 26 August, they then took up a position near Troisville facing Le Cateau-Cambrai road, the 5th Division holding the right of the line from a point halfway between Le Cateau and Reumont, to Troisville, with the 15th Brigade covering the left half of the line, just east of Troisville. As they waited for the inevitable onslaught, the men tried to deepen their trenches: ‘The mist started clearing mid morning and the first German guns opened up on the British positions. Although it started slowly, the bombardment gradually picked up pace and determination until the sheer scale of it almost overwhelmed the thin British lines. The weight of the German attack fell on the right and centre of the 5th Division’s lines, to the right of the Bedfordshires, which was II Corps most vulnerable flank with the least support. As the afternoon wore on, rifle and machine gun fire increased in intensity, especially on the right flank, and column after column of German infantry assaulted the British positions. In a replay of events at Mons, intense and accurate British rifle fire and field guns firing over open sights from positions alongside the infantry held the Germans back. During the assault, the Bedfords themselves were spared the attentions of the German Infantry and contented themselves with providing supporting fire to the units on their right when the opportunity arose... By 4pm the bulk of the 5th Division was already retiring and orders reached the Bedfordshires to ‘retire by bounds’ if possible. They were to make their rearguard action deliberately slow and ensure the advancing enemy paid dearly, thereby allowing the main body to get away as unmolested as possible. To their right the King’s Own Scottish Borderers retired and A, B and C Companies followed suit in small groups. D Company on the extreme left was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire but got away eventually, Captain William Wagstaff from D Company being wounded in the thigh during the withdrawal.’ (1st Bedfordshires Part 1: Mons to the Somme by Steven Fuller refers) The War Diary records casualties as being mercifully light - around 30 killed or wounded, Private Shuttle being among those killed. He was the son of Frederick and Emma Matilda Shuttle, of 5, Smeaton Road, Woodford Bridge, Essex and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Three: Private J. H. Chapman, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who died of wounds during the Battle of La Bassée on 22 October 1914 1914 Star (9527 Pte. J. H. Chapman. 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9527 Pte. J. H. Chapman. Bedf. R.); Memorial Plaque (John Henry Chapman) nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- John Henry Chapman was born in 1890 at Ely, Cambridgeshire and attested there for the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1910. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps, his battalion coming under fire at Mons on 23 August and also three days later in a stand at Troisville during the Battle of Le Cateau in which the 5th Division won 3 Victoria Crosses. After services on the Marne and the Aisne they were rushed north by train and bus towards Flanders and the opening of the Battle of La Bassée. Taking over trenches at Givenchy on 12 October, the 1st Bedfords suffered terribly, the War Diary for the 13 October stating: ‘13 October 1914. Heavy bombardment of trenches & village all day. About midday cannonade became terrific. Practically every house damaged & neighbourhood of church continually shelled. Our front trenches, in continuation of Dorsets, unable to hold on in afternoon after Dorsets were enfiladed & withdrew. Smoke of shells & dust of falling houses made it impossible to see clearly what was going on to flanks. Enemy attacked front & flanks & Battalion retired about 300 yards in rear of village & reformed on new line holding road to Pont Fixe in continuation of Dorsets. Norfolks on our left. Losses 7 officers & 140 other ranks.’ After a relative lull in the fighting, Chapman died of wounds on 22 October 1914 (1914 Star Medal Roll refers). The War Diary entry for 19 October provides the following insight into Private Chapman’s likely fate: ‘19 October 1914. Quiet. 'B' Company sent to join Cheshire Regiment on our left near Violaines. Subsequently at dawn on 22nd inst. were in support close to Cheshire front trenches when the latter were rushed by Germans, who came through on to 'B' Company. Lieutenants Coventry & Litchfield missing, believed to be killed. About 40 other ranks killed, wounded or missing.’ The War Diary entry for 22 October reports no further fatal casualties for the battalion that day and so it is likely that Chapman together with the Lieutenant Coventry, Second Lieutenant Litchfield and the 14 other men of the battalion whom the CWGC records as having died on 22 October were all killed or died of wounds received in B Company’s support of the 1st Cheshires at Violaines. He was the son of William Chapman, of 5, Nutholt Lane, Ely, Cambridgeshire and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Three: Private W. Clayden, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Gheluvelt during the First Battle of Ypres on 7 November 1914 1914 Star (7682 Pte. W. Clayden. 1/Bedf: R.) in named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (7682 Pte. W. Clayden. Bedf. R.) in slightly damaged named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Walter Clayden) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Walter Clayden was born in 1882 at Lexden, Essex and enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment at Colchester in September 1903. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps, his battalion coming under fire at Mons on 23 August and also three days later in a stand at Troisville during the Battle of Le Cateau in which the 5th Division won 3 Victoria Crosses. After services on the Marne, the Aisne and at the Battle of La Bassée, the 1st Bedfords took over trenches in a wood south of the Ypres-Menin road at Gheluvelt on 6 November. The following day the enemy gained part of the line on their left which was reclaimed in a counter attack the same day, the fighting coming at a cost of the lives of 49 men of the battalion, including that of Private Clayden. Another source notes the loss of 7 officers and 140 other ranks killed, wounded or missing on 7 November 1914. Bob Pigg of the 1st Bedford’s later wrote of this day: ‘The fighting at Ypres was terrible. We had eighteen days in the trenches and I can tell it put years on me. The first day we got there we had to do a charge, a thing I shall never forget. We lost 332. I saw as many as 12 buried in one grave.’ He was the wife of Agnes Laura Clayden of 55 Maidenburgh Street, Colchester, Essex and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Three: Drummer B. E. Robertson, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Gheluvelt during the First Battle of Ypres on 16 November 1914 1914 Star (9234 Dmr: B. E. Robertson, 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9234 Pte. B. E. Robertson. Bedf. R.) good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Bertram Ernest Robertson was born in 1892 at Slough, Berkshire and resided in Godalming, Surrey prior to attesting for the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1908. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps, his battalion coming under fire at Mons on 23 August and also three days later in a stand at Troisville during the Battle of Le Cateau in which the 5th Division won 3 Victoria Crosses. After services on the Marne, the Aisne and at the Battle of La Bassée, the 1st Bedfords took over trenches in a wood south of the Ypres-Menin road at Gheluvelt on 6 November. A section of the line on the left was lost to the Prussian Guard on the 7th and reclaimed at considerable cost (150 officers and men killed or wounded) in a counter attack the same day. Men continued to fall to the regular shelling and smaller German assaults over the following week with Drummer Robertson being one of five men of the battalion killed on 16 November 1914. He was the husband of Dorothy Rachel Robertson and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Three: Private T. Dennis, 2nd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who died as a result of a motor accident on 17 December 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (8547 Pte. T. Dennis, 2/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8547 Pte. T. Dennis. Bedf. R.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Dennis); Memorial Scroll ‘Pte. Thomas Dennis, Bedfordshire Regt.’; together with a photograph of the recipient in uniform, the whole contained in a contemporary glazed wooden frame, extremely fine (5) £140-£180 --- Thomas Stanley Dennis was born in 1887 at Clerkenwell, Middlesex and attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment at Stratford in 1906. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1914 and died on 17 December 1914 at Home Hospital, Landguard, Suffolk, from injuries sustained in a motor accident. His sole legatee was his sister, Mrs. Florence Louisa Prince, and he is buried in Felixstowe (Walton) Cemetery, Suffolk.

Three: Private G. Spriggs, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who died from wounds received in action near Bois Grenier during the Battle of Armentières on 26 October 1914 1914 Star (6879 Pte. G. Spriggs. 1/Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6879 Pte. R. Spriggs. Leic. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- George Spriggs was born in 1886 at Market Harborough, Leicestershire and attested for the Leicestershire Regiment at Leicester in 1903. He served in India with the 2nd Battalion from February 1905 and, extending his term of engagement to 12 years, remained there until January 1914 at which time he returned home to England. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Spriggs served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 9 September 1914, initially in trenches near Vailly, on the Aisne. Having moved forward to Bois Grenier, south of Armentières, on 18 October, his battalion relieved the West Yorkshire Regiment on 21 October at the Chemical Factory at Rue du Bois. Colonel Wylly in the regimental history notes that a report was then received from the Officer Commanding 1st Leicestershire that hostile shelling had compelled the battalion to evacuate a section of the line from just south of the Rue de Bois to Le Quesne and that his men were lying in the open along the railway line. The enemy then gathered in strength and attacked around the Le Quesne Distillery at dawn on 26 October. The regimental history now notes that the Leicester’s line was intact at Rue de Bois to the barricade at the level crossing south of the station and that ‘close hand-to-hand fighting took place throughout the day’. Casualties between 21 and 26 October were Officers: four killed or mortally wounded, five wounded; other ranks: 47 killed, 134 wounded; 106 missing - the largest number of casualties occurring on 25 October. Private Spriggs died on 26 October 1914 from wounds received in the above described fighting. He was the son of John and Mary Ann Spriggs, of 22, Bath St., Market Harborough and is buried in Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard Extension, France. He is also commemorated on the following memorials: St. Nicholas’s Churchyard Memorial, Little Bowden, Leicestershire; the Market Harborough Memorial, Leicestershire; St. Hugh’s Church Memorial, Market Harborough, Leicestershire; and the Cottage Hospital War Memorial, Market Harborough, Leicestershire.

Three: Private M. E. Layton, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who was wounded and taken prisoner of war on the Aisne in September 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9549 Pte. M. E. Layton. R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (9549 Pte. M. E. Layton. R. Ir. Regt.) good very fine or better (3) £200-£240 --- Michael E. Layton was born in 1889 at East Ham, Essex (some sources say Waterford, Ireland) and attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Stratford, Essex in July 1908. He deserted from His Majesty’s Service whilst garrisoned with the 2nd Battalion at Guernsey in 1911 but returned, seeing service with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. His battalion fought at Mons where they, ‘moved forward (23rd) and took part in fighting on the outskirts of Mons. Heavily engaged around the cemetery before falling back to Nouvelles. Casualties - Captains Mellor, Forbes, Second Lieutenants Gibbons and Shine killed or mortally wounded, 16 other ranks killed, 5 officers, 58 other ranks recorded as wounded or missing, Major Long and 226 other ranks missing, 1 officer taken prisoner.’ (British Battalion in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers). Following the Retreat from Mons, the 2nd Royal Irish began their advance to the Aisne on 6 September, crossing the river south of Vailly under heavy fire on 14 September. Private Layton suffered bullet wounds in both knees and was captured on 15 September. In common with many Irish prisoners, he was held prisoner of war at Limburg in Germany where the Germans concentrated Irish Prisoners from December 1914 in order to give the Irish nationalist Sir Roger Casement the opportunity to recruit men for his Irish Brigade.

Three: Private E. J. Slade, 1st (Royal) Dragoons, who was killed in action near Zillebeke during the First Battle of Ypres on 12 November 1914 1914 Star (6974 Pte. E. J. Slade. 1/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (D-6974 Pte. E. J. Slade. 1-Dns.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Edward James Slade was born at Camberwell, London and resided at Hoxton, London. He attested for the 1st Dragoons (Royals) in London and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front as part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division from 8 October 1914. Private Slade was killed in action on 12 November 1914, a date on which his regiment was occupying trenches under shell-fire south-east of Zillebeke, during the First Battle of Ypres. He was the son of Edward Robert and Mrs E. Slade of 6 Alsen Road, Holloway, London, and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

The 1914 Star awarded to Sergeant D. Walsh, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who was killed in action at Mons on 23 August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force’s first full day of fighting on the Western Front 1914 Star (4969 Sjt. D. Walsh. R. Ir: Regt.) good very fine £180-£220 --- Denis Walsh was born in 1875 at Cappoquin, County Waterford, Ireland and attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Dungarvon, County Waterford in 1893. He served with the 2nd Battalion on the North West Frontier and was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasps for Punjaub Frontier 1897-98 and Samana 1897. Following the outbreak of the Great War he sailed for France on 13 August as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion and, having landed at Boulogne, moved forward with his battalion as part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division into Belgium and on to St. Symphorien, just south-east of Mons, on 22 August. Advancing further the following morning, the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment took part in fighting on the eastern outskirts of Mons and were heavily engaged around the cemetery before they fell back to Nouvelles having sustained casualties of around 300 officers and men either killed, wounded or missing. Sergeant Walsh was initially reported missing on 23 August 1914 but was later confirmed killed in action. He was the son of Denis Walsh, of Affane, Cappoquin and the husband of Margaret Walsh (nee Lenane), of The Green, Villierstown, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, and is buried in St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Three: Corporal C. Burgess, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of the Aisne on 14 September 1914 1914 Star (7205 Cpl. C. Burgess. R. Ir: Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (7205 Cpl. C. Burgess. R. Ir. Regt.); Memorial Plaque (Charles Burgess) extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Charles William Burgess was born around 1883 at St. Andrews, Manchester and attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Guildford, Surrey in January 1902. He was stationed at Agra in India in 1911 with the 1st Battalion and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. Burgess would have been present for his battalion’s fighting at the Battle of Mons on 23 August where they were heavily engaged around the cemetery; at the rearguard action at Solesmes on 25 August; during the retreat at Caudry (Battle of Le Cateau) on 26 August; and at the success on the Marne, 6 to 12 September where over 540 prisoners were taken by the battalion. Whilst advancing towards the Aisne on the morning of 13 September, the battalion came under heavy shell-fire leaving Ancienne Wood. During the afternoon, they crossed the Aisne south of Vailly again under heavy fire and proceeded to St. Pierre. Corporal Burgess was killed in action the following day as the battalion took part in the fighting around the Chateau and in the woods on the high ground north of Vailly. He was the son of Thomas George and Eliza Ann Burgess and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Pair: Private W. J. Grinham, 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), who was killed in action near Kruiseecke, during the First Battle of Ypres, in October 1914 1914 Star (10111 Pte. W. J. Grinham. 2/York: R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (10111 Pte. W. J. Grinham. York. R.) good very fine (2) £120-£160 --- William James Grinham was born in London and attested for the Yorkshire Regiment on 8 January 1913. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was stationed with them in the Channel Islands at time of the outbreak of the Great War and returned with his battalion to Southampton on 28 August. The battalion joined the 21st Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst in September and arrived at Zeebrugge on 5 October. The 2nd Green Howards reached Ypres on 14 October 1914 and advanced to positions on the crossroads at Nieuwe Kruiseecke where, from 19 to 27 October, they held the line under heavy shellfire and continuous enemy attack. The War Diary of the 7th Division entry for the 23 October states ‘The tenacity of the battalion [2nd Green Howards] during this and the following days of heavy fighting was worthy of all praise. Though subjected to violent shell fire and continued infantry attacks, they fought steadily on. When blown out of one trench, they moved on to the next, and never wavered.’ The battalion was relieved temporarily by the Coldstream Guards on 27 October but A and C Companies were sent forward again on the 29th to support the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers near Zandvoorde along the Kruiseecke Ridge. Here, a breakthrough by the enemy prompted Colonel King to lead a counter attack in which former positions were reclaimed and an additional 200 yards gained. A withdrawal to positions near Gheluvelt then took place after 30 October. 17 year old Private Grinham was killed in action during this period of fighting. The Register of Soldiers’ Effects describes his death as being ‘near Ypres between 22 and 30 October 1914’; the Commonwealth War Graves Commission states his date of death to be 30 October 1914. He was the brother of Mr. Charles Grinham of 102 Cornwall Rd., Lambeth, London and having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Family Group: A Great War 1916 ‘Battle of Flers Courcelette’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal T. Craddock, 6th (Service) and 9th (Service) Battalions, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), who was killed in action during the attack on Le Sars on 7 October 1916 Military Medal, G.V.R. (10610 L. Cpl. T. Craddock. 9/York: R.); 1914-15 Star (10610 Pte. T. Craddock. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10610 Pte. T. Craddock. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Craddock) in card envelope and torn outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr T. Craddock, Clifton, Bedale, Yorkshire.’, extremely fine Three: Lance Corporal A. Craddock, 6th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, who died of wounds at Gallipoli on 18 August 1915 1914-15 Star (18201 Pte. A. Craddock. E. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (18201 Pte. A. Craddock. E. Lan. R.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Craddock) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr Craddock, Clifton Lodges, Bedale, Yorks.’, extremely fine Three: Gunner A. Craddock, 59th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, who died of disease at Alexandria, Egypt, on 23 August 1915 1914-15 Star (99386 Gnr. A. Craddock. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (99386 Gnr. A. Craddock. R.A.); Memorial Plaque (Amos Craddock) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr T. Craddock, Clifton Lodges, Bedale, Yorkshire.’, extremely fine (13) £800-£1,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 September 1916: ‘For great gallantry and devotion to duty on the afternoon of Sept. 19th 1916. During a hostile attack on Prue and Starfish Trenches (near Martinpuich) this man, though badly shaken by a bomb explosion, picked up German bombs, which were lying in the trench and attacked the enemy with them. For some time he held the trench quite alone; later he stood up on the parapet and directed fire on a party of the enemy. It was with difficulty that he was restrained from attacking them single handed, as he was under the impression that they had captured one of his officers who was wounded.’ Thomas Craddock was born in 1894 at Clifton, Bedale, Yorkshire, the son of Tobias and Isabella Craddock. He enlisted at Richmond, Yorkshire and served with the 6th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in Gallipoli theatre from 14 July 1915. Landing at Suvla Bay on the night of 6 August, the Battalion commenced an attack on Lala Baba, the first assault to be made by any unit of the New Army in Gallipoli. Made under conditions that, according to the Official History of the Great War, ‘would have tried the mettle of highly experienced troops’, the attack resulted in 16 officers and 250 other ranks becoming casualties by noon the next day. Withdrawn to Imbros in December due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather, the Battalion was evacuated to Alexandria on 7 February 1916 and was employed in defence of the Suez Canal. Having transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Craddock served with them on the Western Front in 1916 and was decorated for gallantry on 19 September in repelling an enemy attack on ‘C’ Company in Prue and Starfish Trenches near Martinpuich during the Battle of Flers Courcelette. On 7 October 1916, still on the Somme, he was killed in action during the 68th Brigade’s successful attack on Le Sars, where the 9th Green Howards captured the village up to the central crossroads amid hand-to-hand fighting. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with an original typed copy of the recipient’s M.M. citation signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Benfield des Voeux Wilkinson, Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, 23rd Division and a letter, hand-written and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. S. Prior, sent to the recipient’s mother, accompanying the recipient’s M.M. riband and expressing sympathies, together with its OHMS envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs Craddock, Clifton Lodge, Bedale, Yorks. England.’ Albert Craddock, brother of the above, was born in 1888 at Bedale, Yorkshire and enlisted during the Great War initially with the 3rd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn, Lancashire. Transferring to the 6th (Service) Battalion, he sailed with them on 14 June 1915 to serve in the Dardanelles Campaign. A member of the Battalion Pioneer Company, his 1914-15 Star medal roll entry gives a first and second date of disembarkation in the Gallipoli theatre - one on 29 June and the other on 1 August. He died of wounds at Gallipoli on 18 August 1915 and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Amos Craddock, brother of the above, was born in 1897 at Bedale, Yorkshire and enlisted during the Great War with the Royal Field Artillery at Richmond, Yorkshire. Posted to ‘A’ battery, 59th Brigade, he was ordered with his unit to the Gallipoli theatre, sailing from Liverpool in late June 1915 and first disembarking in Egypt on 14 July 1915. His Brigade landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on 6 and 7 August. Gunner Craddock died of disease on 23 August 1915 at the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Family Group: A Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major M. Higgin-Birket, Lancashire Fusiliers, a Boer War veteran who was wounded with the 2nd Battalion in 1914 and was three times Mentioned in Despatches for his services whilst on attachment as Cipher Officer with G.H.Q. Staff, British Salonika Force, 1915-17 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. M. Higgin-Birket, 5/Lanc: Fus:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Major M. Higgin-Birket. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major M. Hggin-Birket.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, Civil Division, Fourth Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, significant damage to blue pendalia enamel and upper right quadrant of red enamel; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star emblem on riband, generally very fine Four: Captain W. Higgin-Birket, Lancashire Fusiliers, who, having served with the 5th Battalion during the Boer War, was wounded and then missing, presumed killed, serving with the 2nd Battalion at the Battle of Armentières on 28 October 1914 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: W. Higgin-Birket, 5/Lanc. Fus:); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt. W. Higgin-Birket. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. Higgin-Birket.) edge bruise to QSA, very fine (11) £1,400-£1,800 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 15 March 1918: ‘For services in connection with the war in Salonika.’ Serbian Order of the White Eagle, Fourth Class London Gazette 7 June 1919. Myles Higgin-Birket was born in 1873 at Richmond, Surrey, the son of William Higgin-Birket and Elizabeth Hilbro Higgin-Birket of Birket Houses, Winster, Westmorland and was educated at Heversham Grammar School and University College School, Hampstead. Commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 5th and 6th Battalions, Lancashire Fusiliers on 28 March 1898, he was advanced Lieutenant, 30 November 1899 and Captain, 16 March 1901. He served with the 5th Battalion in South Africa, 1901-02 where he was present at the Operations in Orange River Colony, June to July 1901 and the operations in Cape Colony, July 1901 to May 1902, receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 5 clasps. He retired with the Honorary rank of Major on 10 May 1913 but rejoined for service with the Special Reserve as Captain (Hon. Maj. Ret.) in the 3rd Battalion of his old regiment, proceeding to France with the 2nd Battalion on 28 September 1914. Wounded on 12 November, Higgin-Birket returned to London and was attached to the Foreign Office, March to October 1915 before being posted to Salonika on attachment with the General Staff of the General Headquarters. For his services as Cipher Officer, G.H.Q., Salonika Force, Captain (Hon Major) Higgin-Birket was awarded the O.B.E., and personally decorated by the Crown Prince of Serbia with the Order of the White Eagle, 4th Class. For these services he was also three times Mentioned in General Milne’s Despatches (London Gazettes 6 December 1916; 21 July 1917; and 28 November 1917). After the war, from November 1918 to March 1920, he served as Camp Commandant G.H.Q. Salonika and G.H.Q. Army of the Black Sea, Constantinople. French Croix de Guerre unconfirmed. William Higgin-Birket, younger brother of the above, was born in 1878 at Richmond, Surrey. Commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 12 July 1900, he was promoted Lieutenant on 16 March 1901 and served with the 5th Battalion during the Boer War in South Africa, 1901-02, where he was present at the Operations in Orange River Colony, June to July 1901, and the operations in Cape Colony, July 1901 to May 1902, receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 4 clasps. Higgin-Birket was advanced Captain on 5 September 1903 and was still serving with the 5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on the outbreak of the Great War. Proceeding to France with the 2nd Battalion, he served with B Company on the Western Front from 14 September 1914. Having crossed the Aisne under heavy fire in September, his battalion, as part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Division, was engaged during the Armentiéres and Messines operations in October, Higgin-Birket first gaining mention in the Regimental History for his part in the attack on Le Touquet on 18 October: ‘Early in the morning, “B” (Captain W. Higgin-Birkett) and “C” (Captain R. Luker) Companies advanced on the left of the Le Bizet-Le Touquet road, with “A” Company in support and “D” Company in reserve. The village was strongly held, the houses were loopholed and trenches were dotted about over open ground outside the village. Moreover the enemy was able to bring a cross-fire of artillery and rifles from the east bank of the River Lys and from the loopholed buildings of Frélinghien. As a result, progress was very slow, “B” and “C” Companies lost touch and a platoon of “A” Company was sent up to restore contact. But the enemy’s fire was so heavy that it was found necessary to reinforce this platoon...’(The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918, Volume I, by Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C. refers) On 28 October 1914, Higgin-Birket was reported missing presumed killed after he had been wounded in leading his Company in a successful counter attack against German infantry of the XIII Corps divisions and Infantry regiments 107 and 179 from XIX Corps. The German units had infiltrated through ruined buildings and overrun a battalion of the 18th Brigade holding a salient east of the La Bassée–Armentières railway near Rue du Bois: ‘Again, scarcely had the relief been completed when, at 2am on the 28th, the enemy attacked the 2nd Essex Regiment on the right of the battalion, which went to its support and helped to repel the assault. A second attack was made on the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment of the 18th Brigade, but it was held up in the wire between the first and second lines of trenches and was driven back by a counter-attack launched by the East Yorkshire Regiment and “B” Company of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. The enemy’s losses were estimated to be at least 200 killed. The battalion’s losses during the day were 4 men killed and Captain W. Higgin-Birket and 7 men wounded. Higgin-Birket had been hit in the head and started to walk back to the dressing station alone; nothing was ever heard from him again.’ (ibid) Captain William Higgin-Birket has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Family group: Three: Acting Sergeant A. E. Luckett, 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who served in Gallipoli and was subsequently killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 1914-15 Star (1912 Pte. A. E. Luckett. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (1912 A. Sjt. A. E. Luckett. Lan. Fus.) nearly extremely fine Three: Private P. H. Luckett, 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action during the Third Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli, on 4 June 1915 1914-15 Star (2071 Pte. P. H. Luckett. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2071 Pte. P. H. Luckett. Lan. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (6) £400-£500 --- Arther Edward Luckett was born in 1891 at Camberwell, Middlesex, the son of William and Sarah Luckett of 11 Bedford Road, East Ham, Essex. He attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1909 and served with the 1st Battalion on Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 where they were engaged in actions at the Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights. The battalion suffered casualties of 33 officers and 584 other ranks during the campaign before it was finally withdrawn to Egypt in January 1916. Embarked for France in March 1916, the battalion remained with the 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the Somme. Acting Sergeant Luckett was killed in action serving with F Company during the battalion’s attack on the heavily fortified village of Beaumont-Hamel on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On 29 June the Divisional Commander Major General H. de .B. de Lisle had addressed the main body of the battalion and said, ‘to you has been set the most difficult task - that of breaking the hardest part of the enemies shell’. The battalion formed up at a sunken road part way towards their objective and began their assault following a huge artillery barrage and a massive mine being detonated at the Hawthorn redoubt. The setting off of the mine unfortunately alerted the Germans to the men formed up in the sunken road and subjected them to a tremendous cross fire from the front and both sides as they attacked. On 1 July 1916, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers suffered casualties of 7 officers killed and 14 wounded, 156 Other ranks killed and 298 wounded with 11 missing presumed dead. 4 Military Crosses and 8 Military Medals were won by the battalion that day. Having no known grave, Acting Sergeant A. E. Luckett is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Percy Harold Luckett, younger brother of the above, was born in 1893 and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1910. He served with the 1st Battalion on Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 and was killed in action on 4 June 1915 during the Third Battle of Krithia. The activities of the battalion that day can be summarised as follows: ‘British bombardment (4th) recorded as falling short and causing high casualties. Machine gun section put out of action. “A” and “B” Companies attacked in centre on Gully Spur 12 noon - heavy casualties from rifle and machine gun fire - most men hit while climbing parapet, few got forward not more than a few yards. “D” and “B’ Companies followed and also swept by fire. Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C. in his 1914-1918 history of the Lancashire Fusiliers records how Captain H. R. Clayton was killed while leading “D” Company, his body being found in the Turkish wire 2 months later. Relieved and to Pink House in reserve (6th). Casualties - 14 officers, 500 other ranks.’ (British Regiments at Gallipoli by Ray Westlake refers) Private P. H. Luckett is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Sold together with the following items: 2 studio portrait photographs of either A. E. or P. H. Luckett in Lancashire Fusiliers uniform. A studio portrait photograph of either A. E. or P. H. Luckett in Lancashire Fusiliers uniform, together with a woman (likely to be elder sister, Emily); studio portrait photograph of a soldier in tropical uniform wearing Q.S.A. with 4 clasps. (likely the recipients’ father, William Luckett. A man of this name served with the 18th Bn. (Sharpshooters) Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War and received the Q.S.A. with 4 clasps.); a letter written by A. E. Luckett (B Company, 1st Lancs. Fus.) to younger brother David, sent from Napier Barracks, Karachi, India, dated 8 January 1914; a letter written by P. H. Luckett (1st Lancs. Fus. attached 1 H.L.I.) to younger brother David, sent from Ambala City, India, dated 1 January 1914; Record Office transmittal letters for all 3 medals awarded to P. H. Luckett; Record Office transmittal letters for 1914-15 Star and BWM awarded to A. E. Luckett; outer OHMS envelope for medals addressed to ‘Mrs J. J. Luckett, 11 Bedford Rd. East Ham, London.’

Three: Private A. D. Pettengall, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star (2024 Pte. A. D. Pettengall. 2/Lan. Fus.) with torn OHMS outer envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs C. Pettengall, 45 Benwell Rd. Drayton Park, Holloway, London’; British War and Victory Medals (2024 Pte. A. D. Pettingall [sic]. Lan. Fus.) with flattened named lid of card box of issue and torn OHMS outer envelope, similarly addressed; Memorial Plaque (Albert Daniel Pettengall) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £280-£320 --- Albert Daniel Pettengall was born in 1892 in Marylebone, London and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury, Lancashire in February 1910. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he entrained with ‘A’ Company of the 2nd Battalion for Southampton on 21 August and embarked on the S.S. Saturnia, arriving at Boulogne, France on 23 August 1914 as part of the 12th Brigade in General Snow’s 4th Division. The following day the battalion travelled by train to Bertry then marched to Ligny. Here on 25 August they were ordered to advanced to Viesly but later withdrew during the night to positions just north-west of Ligny before coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau, declaring, ‘Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well.’ Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers. The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Snow now set up his Division HQ at the village of Haucourt with 12th Brigade furthest forward on the left near Esnes and Longsart and the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers on a line of high ground near Longsart Farm between Haucourt and Wambaix. Coming under attack during the early morning of 26 August, they suffered heavy casualties but, managing to rally, held the extreme left of the British line until the B.E.F. was able to retreat, only later falling back to positions on a ridge south-west of Haucourt. Six officers of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers were recorded killed at Le Cateau but Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C., in the War Diary of the Lancashire Fusiliers was uncertain of the number of other ranks killed. Some 3 officers and 86 other ranks had been wounded and 6 officers and 402 other ranks were listed as missing. Private Pettengall was later confirmed among the dead. He was the son of John and Charlotte Pettengall of 45 Benwell Road, Drayton Park, Holloway, London and having no know grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. Sold together with the following items of ephemera: the recipient’s ‘Soldiers’ Small Book’; an envelope, post dated 13 Sep 13 addressed to ‘Pte A. Pettengall, No. 2024. D Company, 2nd Lanc. Fusiliers, Military Hospital, Dover’; Record Office letters of transmission for 1914 Star, Victory Medal and 1914 Clasp; the recipient’s parent’s marriage certificate; and a poignant letter written by the recipient to his mother on 21 August 1914, five days before his death: ‘Dear Mother, I write these few lines to let you know I am going to embark for the front probably tonight. We shall probably be going over the water tonight. You must not upset yourselves over me but keep up the best spirits as it is a thing that cannot be helped and I only hope that I shall come back safe to you. I will write whenever it is possible for me to do to you so as to let you know how I am getting on. This is to give you no anxiety. When you write to me put the address I have written on top of the letter then it will find me wherever I am. Give my best love to Dad and Jacky also my dear little sister whose photo I am taking with me and I hope I shall come back to you for good. From your loving son, Albert. xx P.S. Good bye and God Bless you all. Forgive me for all my past wrongs so I can go happy and easy at mind. From Albert. Write soon for I do not know when I shall get your letter and keep up best of spirits all of you. Good bye for the present.’

Three: Private J. Street, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, a Boer War veteran who was killed in action at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6494 Pte. J. Street. 2/Lan: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (6494 Pte. J. Street. Lan. Fus.) very fine (3) £200-£240 --- James Street was born at Heaton Norris, Lancashire and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers at Bury, Lancashire in 1898. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Boer War in South Africa (Q.S.A. with 5 clasps and K.S.A. with 2 clasps). Following the outbreak of the Great War, Street entrained with the 2nd Battalion for Southampton on 21 August 1914 and embarked on the S.S. Saturnia, arriving at Boulogne, France on 23 August 1914 as part of the 12th Brigade in General Snow’s 4th Division. The following day the battalion travelled by train to Bertry then marched to Ligny. Here on 25 August they were ordered to advanced to Viesly but later withdrew during the night to positions just north-west of Ligny before coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau, declaring, ‘Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well.’ Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers. The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Snow now set up his Division HQ at the village of Haucourt with 12th Brigade furthest forward on the left near Esnes and Longsart and the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers on a line of high ground near Longsart Farm between Haucourt and Wambaix. Coming under attack during the early morning of 26 August, they suffered heavy casualties but, managing to rally, held the extreme left of the British line until the B.E.F. was able to retreat, only later falling back to positions on a ridge south-west of Haucourt. Six officers of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers were recorded killed at Le Cateau but Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C., in the War Diary of the Lancashire Fusiliers was uncertain of the number of other ranks killed. Some 3 officers and 86 other ranks had been wounded and 6 officers and 402 other ranks were listed as missing. Private Street was confirmed among those killed in action. He was the son of James and Alice Street, of 154, Stockport Rd., Cheadle, Cheshire and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.

Three: Private J. Murphy, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who died of wounds near Ste. Marguerite, on the Aisne, on 17 September 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (217 Pte. J. Murphy. 2/Lan: Fus.) in named card box of issue with transmission letter; British War and Victory Medals (217 Pte. J. Murphy. Lan. Fus.) in named card boxes of issue with transmission letters; Memorial Plaque (John Murphy) extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- John Murphy was born in 1885 and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1904. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 August 1914, and died of wounds at a Field Ambulance near Ste. Marguerite on 17 September 1914. Four days earlier his battalion had crossed the Aisne under heavy shell-fire at Venizel from where they advanced via Bucy-de-Long and through Ste. Marguerite to a wood just east of the village. From here they held positions under rifle and machine-gun fire from enemy trenches in front of Chivres and the western slopes of the Chivres Spur until relieved that night by the 2nd Manchesters. The battalion had sustained casualties of over 100 officers and men either killed, wounded or missing as a result of the operation. John Murphy was the husband of Catherine Foster (formerly Murphy) and is buried in the North East corner of Ste. Marguerite Churchyard, France.

A large collection of magazines, annuals and comics, including Giles, Andy Capp, Gambols, Fosdyke Saga, Doctor Who Classic Comics, The Sphere, etc.

A framed monochrome engraving, 1914-1919 A Record of Those Members of the Staff of the London Joint City and the Midland Bank Who Gave Their Lives For Their Country

Seven Royal Albert Beatrix Potter figures all with original boxes including Hunca Munca, Jemima Puddleduck, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Mr Jackson and Peter Rabbit and others as pictured - NO RESERVE

A collection of 7inch singles by various artists including The Who, The Animals, Sam Cooke, Roy Orbison and many more. Also includes some 78rpm records - NO RESERVE

A box of LPs, 7 inch singles and DVDs. Various artists including The Who, Black Sabbath, David Bowie and others - NO RESERVE