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

The Second Afghan War medal to Colour-Sergeant John Yule, 72nd (Seaforth) Highlanders, mentioned in Lord Roberts’ despatch for being ‘first man up’ in the assault on the Takht-i-Shah, when he captured two enemy standards, but was sadly killed in action the following day in the attack on ‘Conical Hill’ Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Charasia, Kabul (1400 Cr. Sgt. J. Yule, 72nd Highrs.) hairline scratch in obverse field, otherwise brilliant extremely fine £2,600-£3,000 --- Following the massacre of the British embassy at Kabul in September 1879, the 72nd Highlanders were ordered to form part of the brigade under Brigadier-General T. D. Baker in the Kurram Division of the Kabul Field Force. On 6 October they were employed in the action at Charasia, as one of the two leading battalions in Baker’s outflanking movement, which contributed to the rout of the army of Kabul and the capture of nearly all its guns. Roberts entered Kabul on the 10th and the force prepared to go into winter quarters, but in the second week of December a local uprising took place under Mahomed Jan, who having welded together a strong and dangerous force of 45,000 men, began to occupy the surrounding heights. On the morning of the 13th, a force under Lieutenant-Colonel Gerald Money, consisting of the 72nd Highlanders, 3rd Sikhs and 5th Gurkhas, made a second attempt to assault the ‘craggy eminence’ atop the Takht-i-Shah, in conjunction with a force under Baker co-operating from the Beni Hissar side. The assault on the Takht-i-Shah could clearly be seen by General Roberts in the Sherpur Cantonment who wrote: ‘The slopes leading up to it were covered with huge masses of jagged rock, intersected by perpendicular cliffs, and its natural great strength was increased by breastworks, and stockades thrown up at different points. A brilliant charge by the combined troops now took place, the two Highland corps [72nd and 92nd] vying with each other for the honour of reaching the summit first. It fell to the 72nd, Colour Sergeant Yule of that regiment being the foremost man on the top. The enemy made a most determined stand, and it was only after a severe struggle and heavy loss that they were driven off the heights’. Besides being the first man on the summit, Yule also captured two Afghan standards, and received a mention in Roberts’ despatches (London Gazette 4 May 1880): ‘Colour-Sergeant John Yule, 72nd Highlanders, was the first man up, and captured two standards. This gallant non-commissioned officer was, I regret to say, killed on the following day.’ On the 14th, Yule was assigned to take part in the seizure and retention of Conical Hill during Baker’s storming of the Asmai Heights, to the east of Kabul. The hill was assaulted by sixty-four men of the 72nd, under Captain Nathaniel Spens, together with the Guides Infantry, all under Lieutenant-Colonel W. H. J. Clarke, and was successfully held despite repeated attempts to regain it by the Afghans. At length the enemy reassembled and, reinforced, came on in great numbers. Spens, accompanied by Colour-Sergeant Yule, volunteered to meet them at the head of a charge made by the Guides, and dashing headlong into the mass of the enemy, killed the front man before being cut down himself. Colour-Sergeant Yule was himself killed by a gunshot wound to the pelvis. John Yule had enlisted in the Aberdeen District as a Private with H.M. 72nd Highlanders on 18 May 1868, aged 21 years.

India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Chitral 1895 (907 Sepoy Mool Singh, 4th Kashmir Infy. I.S.T.) minor official correction to latter part of unit, minor edge bruise, cleaned, nearly extremely fine and rare £3,000-£4,000 --- Mool Singh, of the 4th (Raghunath) Regiment of Kashmir Light Infantry, Imperial Service Troops, was killed in action (gunshot) at Chitral Fort on 17 April 1895. On this day occurred an episode that particularly stands out amongst the numerous gallant actions fought by the men during the siege. The Chitralis were discovered constructing a mine by which means they were perilously close to breaching the fort with explosives, which event would have been disastrous for those inside the fort itself. Consequently a 'forlorn hope' was organised under Lieutenant Hurley with 40 men of the 14th Sikhs and 60 men of the Kashmir Infantry, with the object of destroying the mine. The party was let out of the Garden Gate of the fort just opposite the 'Summer House' at 4 p.m. 30 Pathans in the house were taken completely by surprise and after firing a few random shots they bolted down the garden wall. Two men of the Raghunath were killed in this initial attack. Work on the demolition of the mine was then started immediately while some of the Raghunaths and the Sikhs engaged the Pathans who had not withdrawn any farther than the end of the garden and were from there keeping up a continuously heavy fire on the 'Summer House'. The mine shaft was found outside the house behind the garden wall and 35 Chitralis were bayonetted in the mouth of the mine just as they rushed out in panic. Lieutenant Hurley succeeded in placing the charges and soon after 5 p.m. the mine was blown up and the fort saved in the nick of time. A total of 8 men were killed and 13 wounded in this short and daring action of which the share of the Kashmir Infantry was 5 killed, including Mool Singh, and 8 wounded.

Family Group: Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22994755 Pte. C. Burchill. Glosters.) in named card box of issue, with riband bar, good very fine Elizabeth Cross, silver (Cpl. G. B. Burchill Gloster R 19030887) in its fitted case of issue with provision for lapel miniature, extremely fine (2) £600-£800 --- Cedric Burchill was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1935. Gregory Brian Burchill was born in February 1929 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, and was the brother of the above. He joined his local regiment voluntarily before National Service came into effect, aged 18, with the Glosters and was stationed at Bulford Camp, Salisbury. He proceeded to Kingston, Jamaica on 17 August 1947 on S.S. Tilapa. The regiment had returned to the UK during 1949, then on 3 November 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War the 1st Battalion arrived in Korea. On 22 April 1951, at nightfall, the Chinese launched their Spring Offensive launching the Battle of Imjin. Burchill was at the time of the battle a member of “D” Company, 1st Battalion. During the first night his company was attacked, along with A company, by 07:30 A Company were outnumbered 6 to 1 and had been forced from their position on Castle Hill, an attempt to retake it failed during which Lieutenant Philip Curtis single-handedly destroyed an enemy machine gun position being posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross. The 23rd April led to the now half strength A Company retiring to Hill 235, which left D Company exposed, with one of their platoons having been badly mauled in the night-time fighting, they also withdrew to Hill 235. A and D company were relatively safe defending Hill 235 but B Company had retired to Hill 316, that night they were outnumbered 18 to 1 enduring 6 assaults, calling in artillery on their own position to break up the last of them, they were low on ammunition having fought all night and at 08:10 were forced to abandon their position, only 20 survivors made it over to Hill 235. The relief force of the Philippine 10th Battalion Combat Team with a number of 8th Hussars Tanks were trying to protect the Glosters from being encircled, but it was found unviable and the Brigade Commander withdrew them leaving the Glosters to fend for themselves. Abandoned and left without any support were the last remnants of the Glosters including Burchill, they bravely defended their position on Hill 235, any chance of retreat was impossible, also any airdrop supplies were unsuccessful. They held their position throughout the night of the 24th and into the 25th April, the next morning on the 25th, the 45th Field Regiment also withdrew its artillery support. The final decision was handed to the Glosters Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Carne, who “Gave the order to his company commanders to make for the British lines as best as they could.: Only the remnants of D Company under the command of Major Mike Harvey escaped successfully from the Hill and reached the safety of friendly lines after several days of travel, the rest of the battalion was taken prisoner including Lieutenant-Colonel Carne, and on this day Private Burchill was killed in the fighting. Hill 235 was renamed “Gloster Hill” in their memory, the battle resulted in 1,091 casualties to the 29th brigade, including 34 officers and 808 other ranks missing. Of the 1,091 casualties, 620 were from the Glosters, they mustered only 217 men on 27 April 1951, 522 of the soldiers had been taken as prisoners of war, but 180 were wounded and a further 34 died while in captivity. 59 soldiers of the Glosters were killed in action during the battle, including Private Burchill. On the Chinese side the 63rd Army had lost around 10,000 of their 27,000 strength. Private Burchill is buried in the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, Pusan, Korea.

A scarce A.G.S. Kenya medal awarded to Chief Inspector (Reserve) W. N. McKenzie, Kenya Police Air Wing, late Warrant Officer (pilot), Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed when his aircraft crashed during a supply drop mission to a Forest Tracking Patrol in the Aberdare Forest, 21 October 1954. An ex commercial pilot with vast experience, including having flown over 600 operational hours during the Mau Mau troubles Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (M.1064 C.I. (R). W. N. McKenzie.) good very fine £200-£240 --- William Nathaniel ‘Nat’ McKenzie was born in Perth, Australia in March 1925. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1943, and advanced to Warrant Officer. McKenzie served as a pilot and was discharged, 26 September 1945. He moved to South Africa after the war, and was initially employed as a commercial pilot. McKenzie subsequently served as a Chief Inspector (Reserve) of the Kenya Police Air Wing based in Nairobi. McKenzie served as pilot during the Mau Mau troubles, and was killed in an air crash, 21 October 1954. The following additional detail was given by The Western Australian, 22 October 1954: ‘William Nat McKenzie formerly of Perth was killed instantly when the aircraft he was piloting in anti Mau Mau operations in Kenya crashed in the Aberdare Forest, the Government announced today. A passenger in the supply drop aircraft Sergeant Cyril Derek Tuck of Bridport, Dorset was seriously injured. Mr. McKenzie a former commercial pilot and member of the Royal Australian Air Force had flown more than 600 hours on anti Mau Mau operations. The plane was dropping supplies to a forest tracking party. Mr. McKenzie leaves a widow.’

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major E. A. Smith, 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13428 Sjt:-A.C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (13428 C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); 1914-15 Star (13428 Pte. E. A. Smith. Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13428 W.O. Cl. 2. E. A. Smith. Bedf. R.) medals mounted for display, good very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919: ‘During period 25th February to 16/17th September, 1918, for gallantry and devotion to duty in the preparation for and during the course of an attack. He has at all times shown great coolness and power of control under fire and in difficult situations. His cheerfulness, disregard of personal safety, and persistent efforts for the well-being of his men have had a very beneficial effect on the men of his company.’ M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919. Ernest Alfred Smith was a native of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and served with the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The following notice was published under ‘Local War News’ in The Hertfordshire & Hemel Hempstead Gazette of 25 January 1919: ‘C.S.M. E. A. Smith, son of Mrs J. Smith of Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, who recently gained the M.M., has now been awarded the D.C.M. C.S.M. Smith was prior to the outbreak of the war engaged at Mr Green’s, High-street and joined up within a few days of the opening of hostilities. He has seen almost continuous service in France attached to the Royal Naval Division during the latter part of the campaign. The D.C.M. was won during an action last September in which all the officers were either killed or wounded. C.S.M. Smith carried on and came out of a successful engagement without a scratch.’ Sold with copied research including news cutting, gazette entries and Medal Index Card.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Lance Corporal L. Preston, 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, who was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry on the Western Front in 1916, and died of wounds received on the Western Front, 11 September 1917 1914-15 Star (21747 Pte L. Preston. 7/Can: Inf:); Memorial Plaque (Lewis Preston) in card envelope of issue; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (21747 L. Cpl. L. Preston D.C.M.) with recipient’s identity disc, very fine (lot) £240-£280 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry on several occasions, notably when he established a telephone station in the enemy’s trenches during an attack after entering with the attacking party. He had previously volunteered to go in as a bomber.’ Lewis Preston was born in Leeds, Yorkshire in November 1894, and was the son of Elizabeth Lucas (formerly Preston) of Tuxford, Saskatchewan, Canada. He served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, and died of wounds received on the Western Front, 11 September 1917. Private Preston is buried in the Weaste Cemetery, Salford, Lancashire.

The British War Medal awarded to Leading Seaman J. Brady, Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, a veteran of Gallipoli who was awarded the M.M. for bravery in France, and was wounded in action, 13 November 1916 British War Medal 1914-20 (T.Z.4594 J. Brady. L.S. R.N.V.R.) very fine £60-£80 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 March 1917. James Brady was born in November 1895, and he resided in Doncaster and was a miner by trade. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in May 1915, and was drafted to the Drake Battalion in September of the same year. He served in Gallipoli and the French theatre of war, and was wounded in action 13 November 1916. Brady was demobilised 10 March 1919.

The British War Medal awarded to Steward W. H. Waugh, Mercantile Marine, who was killed in action when the S.S. Normandy was torpedoed and sunk on 25 January 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (Wallace H. Waugh); Memorial Plaque (Wallace Helier Waugh) in card envelope; the BWM mounted for display purposes alongside a copy Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Wallace Helier Waugh was born in Jersey, Channel Islands, in 1872 and served during the Great War as a Steward in the Mercantile Marine. He was killed in action when the S.S. Normandy was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-90 in the English Channel 8 miles from Cap de la Hague, France, on 25 January 1918, whilst carrying general cargo and mail from Southampton to Cherbourg. A number of the crew were rescued by a French destroyer, but 14 men, including Waugh, were killed. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. Sold with copied research.

The British War Medal awarded to Acting Corporal R. Mutimer, M.M., 297th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 23 July 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (120334 A. Cpl. R. Mutimer. R.A.) good very fine £60-£80 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 July 1917. Ronald Mutimer was born in Middridge, Co. Durham, and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery at Whitehall, London on 24 June 1916. He served with the 297th Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 23 July 1917. He is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, France. Sold with copied research.

The Victory Medal awarded to Lieutenant A. G. Sale, 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, King’s African Rifles, late Trooper, Piooneer Corps, who was killed in action leading his men during his first engagement - at Mwaika Hill, near Lake Victoria, German East Africa, 9 March 1915 Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. A. G. Sale.); Memorial Plaque (Alexander Gordon Sale) generally good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Alexander Gordon Sale was born in Barrow-on-Trent, Derbyshire in November 1894. He was the son of Richard Sale, J.P. and was educated at Horris Hill and Repton School. Whilst at the latter Sale gained colours in cricket and football, and was a Head of House, a School Prefect and a Sergeant in the O.T.C.. He travelled to British East Africa in February 1914, and was employed by Pauling & Co., Contractors for the Railway to the Magadi Soda Lake. Sale enlisted as a Trooper in the Pioneer Corps in British East Africa in August 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, King’s African Rifles in January 1915. Sale advanced to Lieutenant in March 1915, and was killed in action during his first action near Lake Victoria, German East Africa, 9 March 1915. The following was recorded in The Reptonian in May 1915: ‘His Commanding Officer, Colonel Graham, writes as follows, ‘Sale’s half company moved forward at the start of the fight to reinforce a party which was engaged in trying to keep the enemy from occupying a ridge which would have commanded the advance of the column. The ridge was somewhat broken and the men got rather scattered. Brook, who commanded Sale’s company, shortly after reached the same ridge, and after a few hours of the fight tried to find out from the men where Sale was. He was told by them that Sale had been seen at the far western end of the ridge or beyond, but shortly after found Sale lying dead not far from him. He had been shot through the top of the head and must have been killed instantaneously, probably at about 400 yards range. I rather think that he must have been moving about to collect his men or to find Brook: the fight at this time had reached a stationary point, each side holding opposite ridges. Nobody seems to have been near him when he was killed. We buried him with Military Honours at Mwaika Hill (near Lake Victoria) and later put up a cross before we finally left German East Africa. Sale had been only a very short time with the battalion and very soon endeared himself to his brother officers and men. He was very keen and always ready for any work; all of us were very sorry to lose him.’ Lieutenant Sale was one of three Lieutenants, a Sergeant Major and 9 Askari killed during the fighting for Mwaika Hill, 9 March 1915. A Distinguished Conduct Medal, and 2 African Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded for the action. Lieutenant Sale, and the other casualties were subsequently moved to the Dar es Salaam War Cemetery, Tanzania. He is also commemorated on the Repton School Memorial, and at St. Wystan’s Church, Repton.

A scarce Bomb and Mine Clearance G.S.M. awarded to Sapper S. J. Sullivan, 4 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers, who was killed whilst diffusing a mine at Horsey Gap beach, Norfolk, 31 July 1946 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Bomb & Mine Clearance 1945-49 (14037169 Spr. S. J. Sullivan. R.E.) good very fine £600-£800 --- Stanley James Sullivan was the son of Mr and Mrs S. Sullivan of Pontypool, Wales. He served with 4 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers and aged just 19 was killed whilst making a mine ‘safe’ at Horsey Gap beach, Norfolk, 31 July 1946. The following detail is provided by a local paper, 10 August 1946: ‘The mine which caused the deaths of three soldiers at Horsey last week exploded during the ‘rendering safe’ procedure... The dead soldiers were Corporal Arthur Frederick Rackett of Upper Yarborough Road, East Cowes, Isle of Wight; Sapper Walter Kenneth Gilbert of 71 Grenfell Park Road, St. Thomas, Swansea; and Sapper Stanley James Sullivan of 68 Woodlands, Pengawn, Pontypool. Sergeant John Upton, R.E. who was in charge of the mine-clearing party near Horsey Gap, said that he had left Corporal Rackett with instructions to carry on with the clearance while he spoke with another group of men some distance away. He then heard an explosion and, on going to the spot, saw a mine crater, with Gilbert and Rackett lying about 15 yards away. Gilbert was either dead of unconscious, but Rackett was conscious, though he was unable to say what had happened. Sullivan’s body was not found until ten minutes later and was 150 yards from the crater and clear of the actual minefield...’ Sapper Sullivan is buried in Trevethin (St. Cadoc) Churchyard, and commemorated on the Mundesely Bomb Disposal Memorial, Norfolk.

The G.S.M. Palestine 1945-48 awarded to Lance Corporal W. H. Clarkson, Royal Army Service Corps, who was killed in action serving in Palestine, 1 April 1948 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (10714236 Pte. W. H. Clarkson. R.A.S.C.) in named card box of issue, nearly extremely fine £200-£240 --- William Henry Clarkson was born in June 1908. He served with the Royal Army Service Corps in Palestine, and was killed in action serving there, 1 April 1948. He is buried in the Ramleh Military Cemetery, Palestine, and commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial Roll of Honour.

A fine Great War ‘Palestine Campaign’ May 1918 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private T. Lewis, 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who held a sniper’s post for two days and put ‘many of the enemy out of action’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7920 Pte. T. Lewis, 2/Leic. R.); 1914 Star, with copy slide clasp (7920 Pte. T. Lewis. 2/Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7920 Pte. T. Lewis. Leic. R.) polished, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919 [Egypt]: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty. During the operations on the 28-29 May 1918, he worked untiringly the whole time under fire. He persistently volunteered for any particularly dangerous work, and by daylight held a sniper’s post for two days, putting many of the enemy out of action. He has previously done excellent work on many occasions during four years of practically continuous service, and is always cool and reliable in action.’ Thomas Lewis was a native of Leicester and was serving with the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment at Ranikhet, India, when war was declared. Part of the Garhwal Brigade of the 7th (Meerut) Division of the Indian Army, the Division was sent to France and landed at Marseilles in October 1914. The Division took part in the battles of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, Aubers Ridge and Festubert in May 1915, and Loos in September 1915. In November 1915 the Division left France and landed at Alexandria in Egypt, and on to Basra, Mesopotamia, where it served until January 1918, 2/Leicesters now with 28th Indian Brigade but still part of the Meerut Division. During the spring and early summer of 1918, the Palestine front was relatively calm. There were, however, some minor actions as the E.E.F. sought to improve their position. Jerusalem had been captured in December 1917 and the Turks had retreated to a line north, running from the River Jordan to the Mediterranean. Arsuf was a small town about 15 miles north of Jaffa, very close to the Mediterranean coast and was the scene of Private Lewis’s D.C.M. action during the assault on Brown Ridge, near Arsuf on 28-29 May 1918. The Battalion War Diary reports: ‘28th May 1918. Battalion Headquarters established at Arsuf. Objectives of Battalion - Brown Ridge (C Coy supported by D Coy), Dud Post (A Coy supported by B Coy). These posts to be captured by surprise. 2045 assaulting Coys in position. 2055 Coys advance and assault position. Advance commenced on time. Dud Post was occupied without opposition. Considerable opposition was encountered at Brown Ridge. Several counter attacks were suitably dealt with. Owing to the activity and proximity of the enemy Brown Ridge could not be wired but the trench line about V10 C 2/2 was occupied and consolidated. 29th May 1918. At dawn the enemy were still holding strongly a line of rifle pits about V10 C 2/4, but our snipers accounted for several and forced the remainder to withdraw into Wadi. Enemy casualties estimated about 350. The advance came as a surprise to the enemy, who took about 1/2 hour to open his artillery fire. There was heavy enemy artillery fire at frequent intervals, mostly about Bedouin Knoll and Arsuf. Fortunately it came too late to do us much damage. Soon after dark C Coy captured the remainder of Brown Ridge under a very effective bombardment. The remainder of the night was spent by C and D Coys in wiring and consolidating the new position. All quiet on Dud Post.’ Sold with copied research including gazette entries, War Diary extracts and Medal Index Card.

A scarce I.G.S. 1936-39 casualty medal awarded to Private A. J. Presland, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, who was killed in action in the Khaisora Valley, on the North West Frontier of India, on 25 November 1936 India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (5881853 Pte. A. J. Presland. North’n R.) about extremely fine £400-£500 --- Albert John Presland was born in Tooting, London, on 23 September 1911 and attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment at Kingston-on-Thames on 30 September 1929. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 14 December 1932, and was killed in action in the Khaisora Valley, on the North West Frontier of India, on 25 November 1936. The 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, together with the 1/9th Gurkha Rifles, formed the main infantry element of the Razmak Column that was sent to the Khaisora Valley in late November 1936 to exercise the Government of lndia’s right to move troops through this area and quell any trouble that had recently been induced by the Faqir of lpi and the Toro Khel tribe of Wazirs. On 25 November reports were received that the Faqir had gathered a number of tribesmen (Wazirs and Mahsuds) at the village of Biche Kashkai, about 12 miles from the column at Damdil Camp. The Column was ordered to move to Biche Kashkai immediately. By midday the column had marched many miles up through the Kashkai river valley, but tribesmen had been spotted and had been engaged by artillery and machine guns. At this point the terrain became very narrow, with steep cliffs either side of the river and "A" company of the Northamptons, were ordered forward to set up piquets as the column advanced. Upon reaching the village of Dakai Kalia, the enemy were shelled out of the village, and the piqueting was taken up by "C" Company. It was while establishing no. 6 piquet under Lieutenant R. F .H. Philpot-Brookes, on the far side of Dakai Kalia, that Private Presland was killed at about 15.30 hours. Another Private of the same piquet was wounded, and a further 8 men were wounded throughout the day, with the objective of Biche Kashkai not being reached until the following day. Presland was the first of only three killed in actions that the battalion suffered during the entire campaign of 1936-37. He was buried with full military honours at the local cemetery at Bannu, Peshawar. Sold with a fine photograph album compiled by the recipient, with scenes of India and photographs of other soldiers of the Regiment; and copied research.

A Great War Western Front ‘Maretz, October 1918’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private G. D. Cobb, 1/5th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, late 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, who, despite having been wounded earlier, single-handed captured a German officer with a machine gun; he subsequently died of his wounds Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (39863 Pte. G. D. Cobb. 1/5 Glouc: R.) with flattened named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (23074 Pte. G. D. Cobb. York. R.) with flattened named card box of issue, together with Memorial Plaque (Granville Douglas Cobb) with Buckingham Palace enclosure and card envelope of issue, medals loose as issued, extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919: ‘For most conspicuous gallantry at Maretz on 9th October 1918. He entered a house with his platoon serjeant in which were a number of the enemy, of whom they forced fifteen to surrender, but an officer went back and appeared again with a machine-gun, which he was bringing into action through a window. He immediately rushed him single-handed, capturing him and the machine-gun. His fine action saved many casualties. He had been wounded immediately prior to this, but had refused to go to the dressing station. He set a splendid example to all ranks in his platoon.’ Granville Douglas Cobb served in France and Flanders with the 13th Yorkshire Regiment, and the 9th and 1/5th battalions of the Gloucestershire Regiment. He was awarded the D.C.M. for the greatest gallantry in rushing a house near Maretz [s.e. of Cambrai] and capturing single-handed a German officer with a machine-gun, despite having been previously wounded. He died of his wounds on 18 October 1918, and is buried in Serain Communal Cemetery Extension, Aisne, France. His death was reported in the Sheffield Weekly News, 2 November 1918: ‘COBB - Pte Granville Douglas, residing Maltby, late of Sheffield, officially reported died of wounds 18th October 1918 after being recommended for D.C.M. for gallant work on October 9th, 1918 - From his loving Brother and Sister-in-law, Harry and Minnie.’ Sold with photos of grave together with copied research including Medal Index Card, medal roll and War Diary extracts

The Korea Medal awarded to Lance Corporal W. D. Pugh, 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment, who was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry as a signaller at Naeoch’on in October 1951, when a comrade of his - Lance Corporal E. W. Poole - was recommended for the Victoria Cross, ultimately leading to the award of the Regiment’s first D.C.M. of the campaign Korea 1950-53, Canadian issue, silver (B-800203 W. D. Pugh) good very fine £400-£500 --- M.M. Canada Gazette 29 December 1951. The original recommendation states: ‘Private Pugh, 2nd Battalion, the Royal Canadian Regiment, showed initiative and extreme courage far beyond the call of duty, on 3 October 1951. Private Pugh, a Signaller with ‘B’ Company, was left at the Company Firm Base during an attack on a strongly held enemy position on the Naeoch’on Feature, Korea. He listened to the messages being passed by his company in the early stages of the battle. Shortly thereafter, the Company came under intense mortar and shell fire and he heard no further messages being passed. Private Pugh, rightly assuming that the Signaller with the Company Commander had become a casualty, without waiting for instructions, proceeded forward under intense enemy fire to join his Company Headquarters. On arrival, he quickly located the company 300 set which had been damaged by shell fire and endeavoured to re-establish communications in order that the hard-pressed company could call for supporting fire. However, the aerial had been blown from the set. Private Pugh ascertained the approximate area where the Signaller had been wounded, and without thought of his own safety crawled forward two hundred yards under intense fire to search for the aerial. Finding the spare aerial, he returned quickly, adjusted the aerial, netted the set and re-established communications. By his action it was possible for the Company Commander to call down tank and artillery supporting fire which silenced an enemy tank and enabled the company to move again. Private Pugh’s resourcefulness and devotion to duty under fire was an important factor in the success of the company attack and an inspiration to all ranks of Company ‘B’.’ Wilfred Denis Pugh was born in Toronto, Canada in November 1926. He enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment in August 1950, and served in the Far East from April 1951. Pugh advanced to Lance Corporal in October 1951, and was discharged in August 1952. The Regimental History gives the following additional detail behind his gallantry at Naeoch’on: ‘On the late afternoon of October 4th [sic] C Company of Second Battalion passed through D Company on Hill 187 and thrust on for about 500 yards to another crest. Here artillery fire was encountered. B Company, in similar fashion, having passed through the Patricias, began to work forward along a spur of high ground. It was pinned down and it owed its extrication to the gallantry of the attached artillery observer, his bombardier and Pte. W. D. Pugh, a company signaller who continued in the open after his officer was killed, relaying orders to the guns. The mortar and tank protective fire enabled the Company to withdraw from an untenable position. B Company incurred 13 casualties and the energy and courage of Cpl. E. W. Poole [recommended for the Victoria Cross] of the stretcher bearers, who searched the undergrowth for wounded and undoubtedly saved a number of lives, was recognised by the award of the first Distinguished Conduct Medal of the campaign.’ Sold with copied service papers and research.

A rare Great War ‘Gallipoli Mining Operations’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private Thomas Wilkinson, 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1381 Pte. T. Wilkinson. 4/E. Lanc.: Regt.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1381 Pte. T. Wilkinson. E. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (20014 Pte. T. Wilkinson, E. Lan. R.)medals unmounted, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 November 1915: ‘For conspicuous bravery on the 14th September, 1915, on the Gallipoli Peninsula. During mining operations, Private Wilkinson remained at his post in a mine gallery where the enemy’s shaft was expected to break through. When they succeeded in doing so, he shot the first Turk who appeared, and then assisted a Non-Commissioned Officer to lay and fire the charge, so destroying the enemy’s gallery. This was done at great personal risk’. Thomas Wilkinson landed with the 4th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment (T.F.) at Cape Helles on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 9 May 1915, and went into the line to the south-west of Krithia. There followed a period of routine trench warfare before the Battalion took part in the battle of Krithia on 4 June, suffering 212 casualties in killed, wounded and missing. During 6-13 August the battalion took part in the battle of Krithia Vineyard, suffering further heavy casualties before being withdrawn to re-organize. Much like the Western Front, Gallipoli saw mining and counter-mining operations by both sides and the 42nd Division formed a Mining Company, to which Private Wilkinson volunteered, being granted extra pay for this duty. September 1915 was a particularly active month for mining operations, with the Turks exploding mines on the 3rd, 15th, 18th, 21st, 22nd and 29th, all opposite an area of trenches on the Division’s right known as the ‘Gridiron’. On the left, at Fusilier Bluff, the Mining Company successfully put out protective galleries which negated the Turkish miners. Wilkinson was awarded the D.C.M. for services during these mining operations, possibly the only Gallipoli D.C.M. award to the the 4th Battalion. The battalion was withdrawn to Mudros on 17 October, returning to the Peninsula on 2 November, landing at W Beach and taking up positions at Y Ravine. The battalion remained on the Peninsula until the evacuations on 29 December, when they embarked on the Princess Alberta. They went on to serve in Egypt and Palestine in 1916, taking part in the battle of Romani, before moving, along with the rest of the 42nd Division, to the Western Front in March 1916, where they served for the remainder of the war. Sold with brass shoulder title and copied research.

A Great War ‘Capture of St Pierre Divion’ November 1916 D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant E. Freeman, 16th (Service) Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (Chatsworth Rifles) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (26771 Sjt: E. Freeman, 16/N. & D.R.); British War and Victory Medals (26771 Sjt. E. Freeman. Notts. & Derby. R.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 26 January 1917: ‘He pushed on rapidly, secured the entrances to the further dugouts, thereby preventing the escape of the garrison, and was instrumental in the capture of a large number of prisoners.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘St Pierre Divion, 13 November 1916’. Ernest Freeman enlisted into the 12th Battalion, Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment in 1915 and served in France with the 16th Battalion from March 1916. He was twice wounded, on 10th April and on 11th December, 1916, when he was shot through the left arm and repatriated to hospital in Scotland. The following extracts are taken from the Battalion War Diary for 13 November 1916: ‘On November 13th the Battalion was ordered to make a subsidiary attack from the South up the River Ancre in conjunction with a main attack by the 118th Infantry Brigade. The objective of the Battalion was a line running East from the Summer House and short of St Pierre Divion... A tank was to co-operate on our right. The Battalion successfully entered the German First Line trench, but here met with a certain amount of opposition and the right was held up. At 6.30 a.m. the reserve Company was sent up to reinforce the right. Their arrival helped to clear the situation and the Battalion advanced bombing & driving the enemy before them into their dugouts. The objective allotted to the Battalion was secured but nothing could stop our men, who advanced with the greatest dash and finally secured the whole of St Pierre Divion including the German Battalion Headquarters and the famous tunnel dugouts... 13 officers including the Battalion Commander and 720 Other Ranks were taken prisoners... White Star bombs (poison gas) were used for the first time and were found most effective in dealing with dugouts from which the enemy had been sniping or bombing... A large amount of booty fell into our hands but it was not possible to enumerate it.’ Sold with copied research including Gazette entries, War Diary extracts and Medal Index Card.

A Great War 1916 ‘Thiepval Ridge - Hessian Trench’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. Moir, 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), Canadian Infantry, who was also wounded in action at Armentieres, 27 February 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13394 Sjt: J. Moir. 5/Can: Inf: Bn:); 1914-15 Star (13394 Pte J. Moir. 5/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (13394 Sjt. J. Moir. 5. Can. Inf.) mounted as originally worn, generally very fine or better (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 24 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of his Company and organised the line, displaying great courage and initiative. Later, with an officer, he rescued a severely wounded man under very heavy fire.’ John Moir was born in Liverpool, England in April 1884. He served during the Great War with the 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Moir received a gun shot wound to the head and left arm at Armentieres, 27 February 1915, Moir died in June 1972, and is buried in the Mount Ida Cemetery, Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada. Sold with copied service papers.

A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Festubert’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Captain H. T. Cameron, Canadian Army Medical Corps Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (33303 Pte. H. T. Cameron. No. 3. F.A. 1/Can: Div:); 1914-15 Star (33303 Sjt. H. T. Cameron. Can: A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Hon. Capt. H. T. Cameron.) ‘Hon’ unofficially re-engraved; Coronation 1937 (Capt. H. T. Cameron) contemporarily impressed naming; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted court-style for display in this order, light contact marks, generally good very fine and better (7) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 September 1915: ‘For great bravery and devotion to duty on the night of 20-21 May 1915 at Festubert. He was the first to volunteer to assist in collecting the wounded at the orchard captured from the enemy, and which was still under a very heavy fire. The task was one of great difficulty and danger and of the party of eight men who undertook it, four were severely wounded.’ Herbert Thomas Cameron was born in Dundee, Scotland, on 24 May 1884 and having emigrated to Canada attested for the Field Ambulance Corps, Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 22 September 1914, having previously served for three years and six months in the Royal Army Medical Corps. He served with No. 3 Field Ambulance during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 February 1915, and for his gallantry at Festubert in May 1915 was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was advanced Staff Sergeant on 21 February 1916, and Sergeant Major on 4 August 1916, and was granted an honorary commission in the Canadian Army Medical Corps on 11 October 1917. Cameron was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1937 (confirmed in letter from the Canadian Chancellery), and following the outbreak of the Second World War was appointed Captain in No. 10 District Depot as Canadian Provost Corps, being seconded for duty as Quartermaster of Internment Camp ‘X’ on 16 December 1940. He later transferred to Internment camp ‘R’, again as Quartermaster, and was released from service on 16 August 1941. Sold with a large quantity of copied research.

A very rare Second War ‘Madagascar Operations’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Corporal H. Lyle, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who stormed a Vichy machine-gun position in the night attack on Antsirane the day following the landings in May 1942 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3126021 Cpl. H. Lyle, R. S. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the first with contact marks and edge bruise, and largely officially re-impressed naming, nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 June 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘During the night attack on Antsirane on 6 May 1942, this N.C.O. was leading his section which was fired on from a Pill Box on the east side of the road. He showed conspicuous gallantry and disregard for danger in entering the Pill Box and capturing over a dozen prisoners.’ Henry Lyle was born in Catrine, Ayrshire, on 9 October 1907, and was one of just four men awarded the D.C.M. for the opening phase of Operation Ironclad, the landings in Vichy-held Madagascar in May 1942, which was first large scale amphibious assault carried out by the British since the Dardanelles campaign. On 5 May 1942, with supporting fire from the Royal Navy’s “Force H”, troops of the 13th, 17th and 29th Infantry Brigades - the latter including 1st Battalion, the Royal Scots - and No. 5 Commando, the whole designated “Force 121”, landed in Courrier Bay, some 12 miles from the main objective, the Vichy naval base at Diego Suarez (actually situated to the east of the town proper, at Antsirane). The initial landings proceded without much difficulty, but later in the day strong resistance was encountered, and plans were accordingly set in motion to storm the enemy by night - here, then, Lyle’s encounter with a Pill Box at Antsirane. By dawn, the assault had been accomplished, but at a cost of 105 killed and 283 wounded, versus Vichy losses of 150 killed and 500 wounded. Following these operations, and the withdrawal of 13th and 17th Infantry Brigades, Lyle and 29th Brigade remained in occupation, and, with the Vichy French Governor steadfastly refusing to surrender, it became necessary to launch further strikes at selected points along Madagascar’s coast - thus the Royal Scots participating in another amphibious landing at Majunga in September. The Regiment was finally withdrawn in mid-October, shortly before the final surrender of the Vichy forces. Sold with copied research.

A rare Second War ‘Norwegian Coast 1940’ C.G.M. group of six awarded to Able Seaman R. H. Wellard, Royal Navy, whose gallantry when H.M.S. Pelican was dive bombed by enemy Ju-88s and severely damaged undoubtedly saved many lives and possibly the ship itself Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.VI.R. (S.SX. 22441 R. H. Wellard. A.B. H.M.S. Pelican) officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Ronal H. Wellard) mounted for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (6) £8,000-£12,000 --- C.G.M. London Gazette 25 June 1940: ‘For courage and resource in operations on the Norwegian Coast.’:- Able Seaman Ronald Harry Wellard, C/SSX 22441, H.M.S. Pelican.’ He received his decoration at an investiture on 18 March 1941. In his official report dated 29 April 1940 (ADM 199/476) Commander Lennox Boswell, D.S.O., R.N., stated: ‘I wish particularly to mention the work of Able Seaman Ronald Wellard C/SSX.22441, who at considerable risk to himself, took a firehose down below the burning remains of “Y” gun and put out a fire in the flat below. Several live rounds of 4” ammunition were lying in the wreckage, which could only be approached over the wrecked open end of the ship, and was hidden by smoke and steam. The condition of “Y” magazine (directly below the fire) was unknown at the time.’ H.M.S. Pelican was attacked and dive bombed by enemy Junker 88 aircraft on 22 April 1940, and severely damaged. This ship and her crew suffered perhaps the most serious damage and casualties of any Royal Navy ship that survived and then returned, after repair, to war service. An official Norwegian war history even describes her as bombed, split in two and sunk. The official Admiralty Restricted Book of Reference 1886 (2) on “H.M. Ships Damaged or Sunk by Enemy Action 3rd Sept. 1939 to 2nd Sept. 1945” describes the damage: ‘(i) One Direct Hit 250 lbs. delay action fused Bomb (ii) Two Near Miss 250 lbs. direct action fused Bombs. Time out of action: 7 months. Brief Account of Damage and Lessons Learned: Pelican was attacked by aircraft whilst proceeding off the Norwegian coast. The direct hit burst on impact with the quarter deck and exploded a number of depth charges stowed in the rails. As a result of the explosion the whole of the ship abaft ‘X’ mounting was destroyed. The near miss bombs caused severe splinter damage over a large area. Pelican was flooded from the plummer block compartments aft. Fighting Efficiency: Severely impaired. The vessel was immobilised and unseaworthy in rough weather. Half the ships armament was out of action.’ Further details of the crippling damage and casualties can be found in Commander Boswell’s report: Damage Caused: 38. Four bombs were released simultaneously. One burst 100 feet Green from ‘X’ gun, splinters causing casualties to Upper Deck personnel from ‘B’ gun aft, and riddling the ship’s side. 39. Another bomb seems to have burst on the depth charges in one set of rails; there were 11 in one and 12 in the other touching side by side, besides the usual 8 standing by the throwers close by. All depth charges had primers inserted with pistols set to “safe”. 40. The explosion of the depth charges created a pressure wave, which disintegrated the ship abaft station 114, and worked forward until it met the strong structure of “Y” gun support and the gland space; here it seems to have blown away both sides and the bottom of the ship. Meanwhile the quarterdeck forward of station 114 was curled up over “Y” and “X” guns, the curl starting about station 95. The after bulkhead of the plummer block compartment was sound (station 94 below the Lower Deck), and the after bulkhead of the Ward Room (station 92 above the lower deck). There were no splinter marks visible on the turned up portion of the Quarter Deck. 41. Both propellor shafts were bent down, the starboard some 14 feet, and the port some 9 feet. He confirms that “one quarter of the ship’s company had been killed, and there were a large number of badly wounded”. After commending the admirable behaviour of the survivors, he specifically mentions the gallantry of Able Seaman Ronald Wellard, as already quoted above. Ronald Harry Wellard was born at Dover, Kent, on 30 August 1918. He volunteered for a 12 year period in the Royal Navy on 13 September 1937, joining H.M.S. Pembroke on that date and advancing to Able Seaman on 13 February 1939. He joined H.M.S. Pelican on 17 June 1939, and continued in her until 21 February 1941. After the end of the Second World War, on 10 November 1945, Able Seaman Ronald Wellard, C.G.M. was released under Class A and enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve in which he served until March 1954. He also served as a Special Constable and received the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, and as a uniformed guard at a National Trust property in Kent. Sold with original photograph of Wellard holding his medals, original Certificate of Service and Gunnery History Sheet; together with copied research including full Admiralty report.

Hartley Colliery Medal 1862, 51mm, silver, the obverse featuring an angel looking on as two miners dig to uncover their comrades from the rubble;, the reverse inscribed in raised letters ‘Presented to those who risked their own lives in attempting to save the lives of their fellow workmen buried in Hartley Colliery, January 1862’, the edge engraved ‘Richard Johnston’, fitted with claw and straight silver bar suspension, with silver buckle brooch, with Wyon, London, case of issue, mounted for display in a wooden case with engraved hallmarked descriptive silver plates, together with a clay pipe and two leather pit tokens recovered from a dead miner, and a tooth from a pit pony killed in the disaster, nearly extremely fine £3,000-£4,000 --- On 10 January 1862 disaster struck at the New Hartley Colliery in Northumberland, leaving in its wake a death toll of some 202 miners. A cage carrying eight people proved too much weight for the massive pumping engine beam which, although weighing over 40 tons, gave way and tumbled down the shaft, carrying with it a mass of machinery and debris. Much of it came to rest a little over 400 feet from the surface on the immense oak beams which held the centre set of pumps in the shaft. The unwalled sides of the shaft collapsed, piling tons of rock and rubble on top of the initial fall, sealing the shaft. It took six days of dangerous and strenuous work by the rescuers to reach the men trapped by the fall, but all were found to be dead. One of the dead, by the name of James Armour, kept notes of the ordeal in a book whilst trapped underground. These notes were referred to in the official enquiry into the case ‘It appears to be certain from the date of the entry in the book found on the person of the overman, Armour, that all had died not later than the afternoon of the day following the accident, having fallen victims of the noxious gasses generated in the pit.’ Subsequent to the disaster there were many expressions of opinion in favour of some reward being made to the sinkers and others, who had so nobly risked their lives in their ill-fated attempts to rescue the entombed miners. In accordance with this widely expressed desire a special fund was instituted under the direction of a Committee with Mr T. G. Hurst as its secretary. At the outset it was determined that the testimonial should assume the form of a medal, and ultimately, Mr Wyon, of the Mint, whose designs had been approved by the committee, was engaged to execute the dies and strike the medals. A total of 1 gold and thirty seven silver medals were awarded. Richard Johnston was awarded a medal in silver, together with the sum of £17. The amount of money paid was a reflection of the amount of time their assistance was given; £30 being the highest and £4 the lowest.

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Alfred A. Whittingham, for Gallant Service 1s. Augt. 1916.) lacking integral top riband buckle, edge bruising, good very fine £200-£240 --- Alfred Alexander Whittingham, of the School Ship Indefatigable, was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s silver medal for his gallantry in ‘rescuing James Foy, aged 12, who was said to be deaf and dumb, from drowning in the Mersey near to Egremont Ferry on 1 August 1916. Foy was wading, and was apparently seized with a fit and collapsed in the water.’ (Birkenhead and Cheshire Advertiser, 5 August 1916 refers). Sold with copied research.

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Camp and Villaverde Medal for Saving Life at Sea, bronze, edge laser engraved ‘Specimen’, in original fitted case with integral top brooch bar, extremely fine £160-£200 --- The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Camp & Villaverde Medal was instituted in 1873 ‘to be awarded to those who were instrumental in saving life at sea’, and the first award was made to Mr. Rawson Post, mate of the George Hurlbut, for rescuing the crew of the barque Olive in a gale in the Atlantic on 12 April 1873. In total 37 silver and 8 bronze medals have been awarded, with the last award made in 1944. Sold with a letter from the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society, dated 5 November 2021, authenticating and explaining that this is one of four unnamed medals discovered in their archive and is now being sold to raise funds for the Society. Each of the four medals has been marked ‘Specimen’.

Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, silver, 2nd issue, silver, the reverse inscribed ‘M. E. Beale 7.8.44’, with integral top riband bar, good very fine £500-£700 --- Martin Edward Beale, a member of the 17th Wimbledon Scout Group, was awarded his Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross ‘for his gallantry in supporting until the arrival of a boat a man and a boy, the occupants of an overturned canoe, who were in danger of drowning at Bucks Mills, North Devon, 7 August 1944. Sold with a related cloth badge and a photographic image of the recipient.

A Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Third Class awarded to Sea Scout P. Willin, for Gallantry in attempting to save the life of a Rover Scout from drowning at Ystradfellte, 16 June 1940 Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd Class, 2nd issue, gilt, the reverse impressed, ‘P. Willin 16-6-40’, with integral top riband bar, in card box of issue, extremely fine £400-£500 --- Peter Willin, a Sea Scout, along with fellow Sea Scout Dennis Davey, were both awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross 3rd Class on 1 January 1941, for their gallantry in attempting to save a Rover Scout named Evans, from drowning at Ystradfellte, S. Powys, on 16 June 1940. An extract from The Recorder, of 27 June 1940 reported: ‘Heroic attempts by two Ilford County High School Boys to rescue an Aberdare boy from a dangerous mountain pool and their efforts to recover the body are described by a “Recorder” correspondent with the school at Aberdare, South Wales. The boys are Peter Willin and Dennis Davey, both fifteen years of age, and pupils at the Ilford County High School. They were members ... of a weekend Scout camp near Penderyn Falls, a local beauty spot, and Evans, the boy who was drowned, was clambering down the bank to get a closer look at the pool below, when he suddenly fell in. “I jumped from another ledge into the water,” said Willin, describing the incident to me. “The rest of the party had seen the accident and were hurrying down the bank, but it took them some time to reach us. Evans had gone under, probably due to the gum-boots he was wearing.” Davey, mentioning that the pool was very dangerous, as a stream poured into it from a mountain-side gully, added, “A chain of Scout belts was made and Peter, stripped to the waist and with his shoes removed, held these in his hand and dived with the hope of locating the body. We took in turns to do this.” Willin then went on to explain. “I dived in three times in all, the third time with a rope of clothes around my waist as the Scout belts were unsafe. Dennis dived twice, but neither of us could find Evans.” ... Of Davey and Willin, the coroner remarked, “They showed promptitude and presence of mind in their most brave attempt to recover Evans’ body from a very dangerous pool.”’ Willin was born in Ilford, Essex, on 5 September 1924. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force on 1 October 1943 and trained as a wireless mechanic. He served during the Second World War in the Middle East, being posted to Egypt on 25 November 1944 with the 3rd Signals Depot, then 216 Group. On 14 March 1945 he was posted to Army Middle East Signals School, then to Aboukir (107MU) and finally El Hamma in April 1947. Attaining the rank of AC1, he was released from service on 7 February 1948, and died at Rugby in December 1990.

A Second War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Leading Seaman E. R. Pitt, Royal Naval Reserve, late 9th Battalion, London Regiment, who was wounded in the Great War, and took part in H.M.S. Ayrshire’s epic voyage to Archangel in the Second World War Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.5704 D., E. R. Pitt. L.Smn. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (6739 Pte. E. R. Pitt. 9-Lond. R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Bar (5704D. E. R. Pitt. Smn. R.N.R.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Great War Silver War Badge, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 July 1941. Edward Robert Pitt was born in Wivenhoe, Essex, on 30 January 1899. During the Great War he served with the 9th Battalion London Regiment, but was severely wounded in 1917 and was discharged from the Army, being awarded a Silver War Badge. Enlisting in the Royal Naval Reserve, he served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Gavotte from 1940 to 1941, and H.M.S. Ayrshire from 1941 to 1945, both armed trawlers that served on the incredibly arduous and dangerous convoy duties in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. During this time the convoys were under constant threat and attack from German U-boats, surface ships, and air attack. Adding to this, the atrocious weather conditions to contend with, all on a relatively lightly armed and small ship, it really must have been as Churchill said; ‘the worst journey in the world’. The following is an extract account of his life and service as taken from documents held by his family: ‘He ran away from home at the age of 15 and joined the army going into the Rifle Brigade, but was found to be underage and was bought out by his grandmother. When he became of age he re-enlisted into the 9th London Regiment. His re-enlistment came at the time when some of the bloodiest battles of the Great War were being fought and he was severely wounded during one of these in 1917. He was then discharged from the Army. After the Great War he joined the Merchant Navy and travelled the World over... At the outbreak of the Second World War he was recalled to active service and served in the Royal Navy and became Leading Seaman on H.M.S. Gavotte, a converted trawler, this ship on convoy escort duties in the North Atlantic. He was Mentioned in Despatches in 1941. Between 1941 and 1945 he served in H.M.S. Ayrshire, this also being an armed trawler working on convoy duties between Scotland and Murmansk. He finished the War as a Chief Petty Officer, being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.’ A photograph within the group shows Pitt manning an anti aircraft gun aboard a trawler which would suggest this was one of his duties aboard ship. Given his previous Army service, this is quite likely. H.M.S. Ayrshire ‘In June 1942 Lieutenant Leo Gradwell was in command of the H.M.S. Ayrshire, a small (roughly 500 tons) converted fishing trawler forming part of the anti-submarine screening force for Admiralty convoy PQ-17 departing for Archangel in the Soviet Union with much needed war supplies on 27 June 1942. Arctic convoys at this time had to be concerned not only with Luftwaffe and U boat attacks but also the attentions of major German surface units, including the Tirpitz.  The convoy therefore had a heavy escort force following it in addition to a light close escort of destroyers, corvettes and trawlers such as the Ayrshire.  However, the heavy escort fell behind just as luck would have it, that air reconnaissance of German bases was prevented by bad weather. On 3 July, a reconnaissance plane finally made it to Trondheim, home of the Tirpitz, and found to the Admiralty's horror that the Tirpitz had gone, as well as her cruiser screen. With a large raiding force at sea, and unable to know precisely were it was, and with the heavy escort force too far away to reach the convoy in time, an order was given to scatter the convoy. What followed was largely a disaster: the Tirpitz never showed up; the Germans having thought the convoy was bait for a trap and turned away; and the scattered merchant ships were easy prey for both bombers and U boats. This is where the remarkable story of H.M.S. Ayrshire begins. With the convoy ordered to scatter Gradwell decided to head directly north towards the pack ice east of Svalbard, and persuaded three of the scattering freighters to follow him: the Panamanian registered Troubador, the Ironclad, and the United states registered Silver Swor. None of the three ships or their tiny escort had charts for this area, since it was well off the planned convoy route, and so Gradwell had to navigate their course using only a Sextant and a copy of The Times World Geographic Pocket Book. On reaching the pack ice, the unlikely flotilla became stuck fast in the ice unable to move. Gradwell took overall command as the senior naval officer present and organised the ships to defend themselves. Taking stock it was discovered that the Troubadour was carrying a cargo of bunkering coal and white paint. Gradwell ordered the paint supplies opened and soon all four vessels were painted white, with white sheets over the decks to camouflage them from Luftwaffe bombers. He also ordered the freighters to move around their deck cargo of Sherman tanks into defensive rings pointing outwards with their main guns loaded turning them into improvised gun turrets. After several days stuck fast the camouflage proved effective, in that they were never spotted or attacked. Finally, upon breaking free of the ice, Gradwell lead his three merchant ships across the Barents sea to the Matochkin Straight where they were met by a force of Soviet navy corvettes who accompanied the rag tag convoy to the port of Archangel, arriving on 25 July 1942.’ Sold with the recipient’s riband bars, cap badges, and identity tags; Mentioned in Despatches Certificate; photographs of the recipient, including one of him outside Buckingham Palace having been invested with his D.S.M.; a large amount of research including accounts of Pitt’s service; and other ephemera.

Arctic Medal 1875-76 (G. Smithers. Captns. Coxn. Pandora.) a little polished and some light marks, otherwise very fine and very scarce £5,000-£7,000 --- Only 60 Arctic 1875-76 medals issued to the officers and crew of Pandora. It is almost certain that this man is the same as the George William Smithers who was born at Southsea, Hampshire, on 17 September 1849. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in Boscawen on 22 September 1863, at the age of 14, having been at sea before this. On attaining 18 years he took a Continuous Service engagement for ten years. There is no record of his early career but, on 15 September 1871, he had left Duke of Wellington ‘for passage’, joined Repulse on 23 July 1872 and been transferred to Tenedos 27 November 1872, also ‘for passage’ to Boxer. He left Tenedos on 9 January 1873 to join Boxer ‘stationed at Vancouver Island’. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 9 January 1874 and received a second GCB on 17 September 1875, but then obtained his discharge by purchase on 8 October 1875, at a cost of £12. George Smithers joined Pandora seven months later on 16 May 1876, as Able Seaman and Captain’s Coxswain, and probably left her in early November 1876 after her return to Portsmouth on 3 November. Interestingly, Nares had been Captain of Boscawen when Smithers had been under training in her. Pandora was a private yacht owned and commanded by Commander Allen Young R.N.R. who wrote an account of his voyages The Two Voyages of the Pandora in 1875 and 1875 (London 1879), some extracts from which accompany this medal, together with other copied research.

The Memorial Plaque to Second Lieutenant H. C. Hurst, Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 28 September 1916 Memorial Plaque (Henry Cubbin Hurst) very fine £100-£140 --- Henry Cubbin Hurst attested during the Great War for the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and having been appointed Acting Corporal was commissioned into the Yorkshire Regiment. Serving with the 6th Battalion, he was killed in action on 28 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The Memorial Plaque to Second Lieutenant H. G. Ainsworth, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at Poelcappelle, during the Battle of Passchendaele, on 9 October 1917 Memorial Plaque (Herbert Green Ainsworth) traces of verdigris, very fine £100-£140 --- Herbert Green Ainsworth was born in Bolton on 7 June 1894. The son of Green Ainsworth, a director in a cotton spinning business, and his wife Lilian, he was educated at Bolton Grammar School. In February 1911, aged 16, he joined the Manchester & County Bank, a predecessor of the National Westminster Bank, at its Bolton branch. In November 1915, he served for a short time with Manchester University Officer’s Training Corps, before joining the London Regiment and was later commissioned into the Manchester Regiment. Second Lieutenant Ainsworth was serving with D Company, 2/9th Battalion, Manchester Regiment when he was killed in action on 9 October 1917 during the 66th (2nd East Lancashire) Division’s attack on Poelcappelle. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

The Memorial Plaque awarded to Lieutenant F. M. Shirriff, 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), Canadian Infantry, who was mentioned in despatches, and killed in action during the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9 April 1917 Memorial Plaque (Frank McNider Shirriff) good very fine £140-£180 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 1 June 1917. Francis/Frank McNider Shirriff was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada in February 1894. He was initially commissioned into the 79th Battalion (Manitoba), Canadian Infantry, before serving on the Western Front with the 25th Battalion (Nova Scotia Rifles), Canadian Infantry. Lieutenant Shirriff was killed in action during the first day of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, 9 April 1917, and is buried in the Thelus Military Cemetery, France.

Memorial Plaque (2) (Edward Henry Charles Kensington; George Taylor) first in card envelope of issue, very fine (2) £40-£50 --- Edward Henry Charles Kensington was born in Bredenbury, Saskatchewan, Canada in September 1896. He served as a Private with the 1st Depot Battalion, Saskatchewan Regiment in Canada, and died of Pneumonia, 5 December 1918. Private Kensington is buried in the Churchbridge Community Cemetery, Churchbridge, Saskatchewan. There are several men of the name ‘George Taylor’ who died in service during the Great War.

A Great War 1918 ‘Advance to Victory’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant T. McCaffrey, Royal Field Artillery, who had been earlier Mentioned in Despatches Military Medal, G.V.R. (6638. Sjt. T. McCaffrey R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (6638 Gnr. T. Mc.Caffrey R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6638. Sjt. T. McCaffrey R.A.) edge bruise to MM, contact marks, very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. Thomas McCaffrey attested for the Royal Field Artillery on 1 September 1914 and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 February 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with 71st Battery, 6th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, from 21 August 1918 to 6 October 1918, having been earlier Mentioned in Despatches. His Great War medals were sent to him at 69 West End, Park Street, Glasgow. Sold together with a detailed archive including a Great War period photograph of the recipient in uniform, his original certificate of transfer to the reserve, his Officer Commanding 2nd Divisional Certificate signed by Major General Pereira, C.B., C.M.G., congratulating him for his bravery and devotion to duty during operations from 21 August to 6 October 1918, the original envelope for his Great War medals, instructions for wearing his Mentioned in Despatches emblem, a Princess Mary Christmas Tin, and the recipient’s detailed hand-written diary from 10 August 1917 to 11 November 1918, most worthy of publication, including the following entries: ‘22.2.17: Hear rumours about a railway strike being threatened at home. God forbid! I think that some of these people who want to strike should have a spell out here. I think it would open their eyes a bit. The soldier and sailor are all right but it is the civilian who is lacking. Oh for a change round. I would work overtime all week just to get home. We have to work sometimes 25 hours every day. We don’t grumble (at least not aloud). People at home can go to a soft bed when they are finished. I wonder if they have ever slept out in the rain, too tired to move out of it.’ ‘25.10.17: Left Hill Top Farm at 5.15 a.m. arriving at 7.45 a.m. Germans shelled us from 10.30 a.m. till noon when he seemed to shorten his range, thank God. Had three direct hits on this Pill-Box of ours but no damage done or lives lost. Fritz gives us a terrible time. Our casualties are enormous including 3 officers killed. Major Sandford gets recommended for D.S.O. and Gough for M.C. and several Other Ranks are recommended also.’ ‘4.11.18: Fired barrage and the Germans had been gradually retiring. We were shelled all the previous night but had no casualties. Pulled forward to Villers Pol and it has rained for the last 4 days. I have been awarded the Military Medal on 31-1-18. I think it will please all the dear folk at home. Have just heard that we have captured in one show, over 20,000 prisoners and 2,000 guns, and also that Ghent has fallen. Everybody says that the war is nearly over. I am rather inclined to think so too.’

The V.C. group of nine miniature dress medals worn by Major-General E. H. Sartorius V.C., 59th Foot, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery at Sliah-jui, Afghanistan, on 24 October 1879, and who was gifted his miniature V.C. by his brother (and fellow V.C. recipient) R. W. Sartorius Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar contemporarily engraved ‘R. S. to E. S. 25.5.81’; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s badge, gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle; Jubilee 1887, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, silver; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp; Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, Fourth Class badge, silver, gold, and enamel, with rosette on riband; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted as worn and housed in a wooden box with plaque inscribed ‘Major General Euston Henry Sartorius, VC., G.C.B. [sic]’, green enamel damage to Medjidieh, generally very fine (9) £2,400-£2,800 --- V.C. London Gazette 16 May 1881: ‘For conspicuous bravery during the action at Sliah-jui, on the 24th October 1879, in leading a party of five or six men of the 59th Regiment against a body of the enemy, of unknown strength, occupying an almost inaccessible position on the top of a precipitous hill. The nature of the ground made any sort of regular formation impossible, and Captain Sartorius had to bear the first brunt of the attack from the whole body of the enemy, who fell upon him and his men as they gained the top of the precipitous pathway; but the gallant and determined bearing of this Officer, emulated as it was by his men, led to the most perfect success, and the surviving occupants of the hilltop, seven in number, were all killed. In this encounter Captain Sartorius was wounded by sword cuts in both hands, and one of his men was killed.’ Euston Henry Sartorius was born in Cintra, Portugal, on 6 June 1844, the younger son of Admiral Sir George Rose Sartorius, G.C.B., and the younger brother of Reginald William Sartorius V.C., C.M.G. Along with his brothers, he was educated at Victoria College, St. Helier, Jersey, then Woolwich, and later at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. First serving as an Ensign in the 59th Foot, he was gazetted Lieutenant on 29 June 1865. He served as a Staff Officer and Instructor at Sandhurst from December 1869 until 1874, during which time, on 29 June 1869 along with two other men, he helped to save three girls from drowning at Broadstairs, Kent, and was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze. When he left for India in 1874, he served as a Company Commander during the Second Afghanistan War, and for his gallantry at Shahjui on 24 October 1879 was awarded the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Irwin of the 59th, who was under Sartorius’ command, wrote of the action: ‘Captain Sartorius ordered his men to fix bayonets, and to clamber up. The hill was very steep, and when they got to within a few feet of the top the Afghans sprang up with a yell, and, sword in hand, slashing right and left, simply jumped down upon our fellows. For a few moments, all was confusion, friend and foe falling down together, but it was speedily all over. We had gained the hill, and the standards on it, not one of the enemy having escaped. We lost one man, and Captain Sartorius was wounded in both hands. The fanatics were splendid, though ferocious-looking scoundrels, and fought like fiends, having evidently made up their minds to die, and to do as much damage as possible before doing so.’ Sartorious was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria on 1 July 1881. Due to wounds received during his V.C. action, he partially lost the use of his left hand; unable to continue as an active field officer, he was appointed to a staff post at Aldershot. In the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War he was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General, responsible for base and communications, and was afterwards promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; was Mentioned in Despatches; and was awarded the Fourth Class of the Ottoman Order of Osmanieh. He was promoted Colonel in 1886, and was Assistant Adjutant-General in Portsmouth from 1891 to 1894. He then served as Military Attaché to Japan, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1896. Promoted Major-General in 1899, he retired in August 1901, although he continued to serve as a Colonel of a volunteer battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. The inscription on the reverse of the Victoria Cross ‘R. S. to E. S.’, presumably refers to the fact that Euston Sartorius was gifted his miniature V.C. by his brother Reginald Sartorius, himself a recipient of the V.C. during the Ashantee War. The Sartorius brothers are one of only four sets of brothers to both be awarded the Victoria Cross (the others being C. J. S. and H. H. Gough; G. N. and R. B. Bradford; and A. B. and V. B. Turner).

The O.B.E., R.R.C. group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Principal Matron Miss Ida Walden, Territorial Force Nursing Service, later Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type badge, gilt; Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), E.II.R. [sic], silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq; India General Service 1908-35, no clasp [sic - entitled to the clasp Waziristan 1921-24]; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn on two riband bars, the Great War trio on one bar, and the remainder on a second bar, generally very fine (11) £140-£180 --- O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 23 December 1947: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On the night of 4 April 1947, 2 Combined Military Hospital Meiktila (Burma) held 299 patients accommodated in semi-permanent bashas. As a result of a typhoon which hit the hospital area at about 1800 hours, all these bashas were raised to the ground within a period of two hours. Despite the fact that a large proportion of the patients were bed cases, no casualties were sustained and by the following morning all the patients were accommodated in alternative berths, with treatment resumed. This very credible performance was largely due to Principal Matron Ida Walden, R.R.C., who immediately preceded to the hospital at considerable risk of falling timber and, ignoring the fact that the Sisters’ Mess and quarters were already partly destroyed and would obviously lead to the loss of personal kit and possessions, commenced supervising the evacuation of patients. Her leadership and tireless energy, combined with her continued cheerfulness in the face of adversity, acted as an inspiration and won the admiration of all the medical staff and patients, and was largely responsible for avoiding what otherwise might have been a disaster.’ R.R.C. London Gazette 15 November 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘In hospitals in the operational area she has by her efficient and energetic action done good work in raising the standard of nursing and morale of the personnel in a lonely station and done much good work for the comfort of patients.’ Miss Ida Jane Walden was born in October 1889 and served during the Great War with the Territorial Force Nursing Service, serving on board the hospital ship Britannic, (the sister ship of the Titanic), sailing back and forth to Gallipoli to evacuate the wounded. Subsequently posted to India, she saw further service in Iraq, Kurdistan, Persia and Burma, and for her gallantry and service in Burma during and immediately after the Second World War she was awarded both the O.B.E. and the R.R.C. She was latterly assistant matron of Nakuru War Memorial Hospital in Kenya, and then Matron of the Mombasa and Coast European Hospital in Kenya. She retired to Worthing and died in June 1979, a few short months before her 90th birthday. Sold with copied research. Note: Great War M.I.D. unconfirmed.

A mounted group of forty-two miniature dress medals representative of the medals worn by H.M. King Hussain of Jordan Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom, Order of Hussein bin Ali; Order of the Renaissance; Hashemite Star; Military Gallantry Medal; Order of the Star of Jordan; Order of Independence; Order of Military Merit; Medal for the Battle of Karama 1968; Medal for the Great Ramadan War 1973; Silver Jubilee Medal 1977; Iraq, Kingdom, Order of the Hashemite Collar; Morroco, Kingdom, Order of El Mohammed I; Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile; Iraq, Republic, Order of the Two Rivers; Syria, Republic, National Order of Ummayad; Lebanon, Republic, Order of Merit; Tunisia, Republic, Order of Independence; Oman, Sultanate, Order of Oman; Saudi Arabia, Order of Abdul Aziz Al Saud; Yemen, Kingdom, Order of Ma’arib; Libya, Republic, Order of the Grand Conqueror; Iran, Empire, Order of Pahlavi; Great Britain, The Royal Victorian Order; Greece, Kingdom, Order of the Redeemer; France, Fifth Republic, Legion of Honour; Germany, Federal Republic, Order of Merit; Malaysia, Federation, Order of the National Crown; Pakistan, Republic, Order of Pakistan; Spain, Kingdom, Order of Isabella the Catholic; Romania, Republic, Order of the Twenty Third of August; Mexico, Republic, Order of the Aztec Eagle; Philippines, Republic, Order of Sikatuna; Japan, Empire, Order of he Chrysanthemum; Austria, Second Republic, Order of Merit; Yugoslavia, Republic, Order of the Grand Star of Yugoslavia; Italy, Republic, Order of Merit; Great Britain, Order of the Bath (Military Division); Netherlands, Kingdom, Civil Order of Merit of the Netherlands Lion; Spain, Kingdom, Order of the Golden Fleece, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, mounted for wear, about extremely fine and a remarkable set (42) £1,500-£2,000 --- Owing to the completeness and the rarity of some of the miniatures in this group, it would appear likely that this group of miniatures was mounted with the intention that it would be worn by H.M. King Hussain (who doubtless would have had various miniature groups both for wear and in reserve).

A fine American group of ten awarded to Colonel F. A. Flynn, United States Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served with the Dwina Wing in North Russia, was wounded whilst fighting the Bolsheviks, and was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne with Swords United States of America, Allied Victory Medal 1917-19; American Defense Service Medal 1941; American Campaign Medal 1941-45; World War II Victory Medal 1941-45; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Great Britain, British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. A. Flynn. R.A.F.); together with a duplicate Victory Medal (Lieut. F. A. Flynn. R.A.F.); France, Third Republic, Commemorative Medal for the Great War 1914-18, generally very fine and better (10) £600-£800 --- Frank Anthony Flynn was born in San Francisco, California, on 21 May 1896, a United States citizen, and attested for the Royal Flying Corps at Toronto, Ontario, on 2 October 1917 having previously, by his own admission, ‘served as Second Lieutenant in the United States Cavalry at the beginning of the War.’ Appointed an Air Mechanic Third Class, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 1 February 1918, and was initially posted as an Instructor with the 85th Training Squadron, Canada. However, at the end of February he was granted four weeks’ sick leave and he returned home. On 3 March, while at Tallaferro Field, Fort Worth, Texas, Flynn took an air cadet from Los Angeles on a flight and when 400 feet from the ground the machine went into a tailspin. The controls refused to work, and the machine started to drop. There aircraft struck the ground in a newly ploughed field which may have saved their lives, the air cadet, who was in the front seat, received a broken arm and two broken ribs, while Flynn received a broken nose. Recovering, Flynn proceeded to England and served with the 33rd Training Squadron, before receiving an operational posting to the 20th (Bristol) Fighter Squadron in France. He was subsequently attached to the Dwina Wing for service in North Russia, and was wounded whilst fighting the Bolsheviks, whilst doing some low level flying over the lines. In the California Honour Roll, War History Department for the First World War, Flynn describes his service thus: ‘My work consisted partly in chasing down submarines on the East Coast of England; the work was rather monotonous except for a stray Hun patrol or Zep, and through our vigilance we kept these rather scarce. later I went to France and my work consisted of escorting bombers, which I was just getting warmed up to, when the armistice was declared. I then answered the call for volunteers to Russia and certainly worked hard up there, bombing the Bolshevik positions and dumps and doing considerable artillery observation for the Army and Navy; it was for good work along this line that I received the Russian Order of St. Anne with crossed swords. Whilst observing some gun positions I stopped a machine gun bullet in my leg, thus concluding my war in Russia.’ A study of the Royal Air Force casualty cards confirms that Flynn was not wounded from ground fire, in fact he was wounded while flying over the Bolshevik position while trying to reload an automatic pistol, when it discharged, and he shot himself in the leg. He was admitted into the 53rd Stationary Hospital at Archangel, Russia and he was repatriated to the Royal Air Force Hospital at Eaton Square, London in August 1919. On 27 November he departed from Southampton for New York, and whilst en route he was transferred to the unfit list. For his services during the Great War the American authorities officially approved him to wear the British War Medal, the (British) Victory Medal, and the Russian Order of St. Anne (US Service record confirms), although, given the political situation in Russia at the time, and the lack of available insignia, it is possible that he never physically received the Russian insignia. After completing his legal studies in San Francisco, Flynn enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps Reserve on 6 July 1923, and was advanced First Lieutenant on 12 June 1926. On 17 September 1928, he was co-pilot of an aircraft which was en route from Mines Field at Los Angeles to Crissy Field, San Francisco when their gasoline was getting dangerously low. They circled over the city of Tulare in the dark searching for a landing field when they crashed in an alfalfa field north of the city. The aircraft struck the ground and plunged through the telephone wires along the railway, entirely destroying service between Tulare and Points North and the plane immediately caught fire, however both men escaped. After this mishap, he returned to duty and was promoted to the rank of Captain on 18 May 1930, being rated a Pilot from 27 July 1931. He remained with the reserves while working as a lawyer (Attorney) in his civilian life, specialising in aviation law, defending airlines from liability claims. He applied for a Purple Heart on 27 October 1932; however, his application was rejected as he received his wound as a member of the British Expeditionary Force and not with the American Expeditionary Force. Flynn was promoted to the rank of Major on 18 October 1935, and the following year, on 30 May 1936, endured another crashed landing: Chosen to pilot the plane to scatter the ashes of a comrade, and air ace, ‘Tex’ Frolich, over Chrissy Field, Flynn had only just completed the memorial service when suddenly his motor failed when at approximately 400 feet. With hundreds of picnickers in the park, Flynn skilfully manouvered the plane to avoid hitting anyone and landed between some trees; at the time he was noted in the local newspapers as having risking his own life to avoid killing others. Flynn saw further service during the Second World War, and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 22 June 1943. serving with 461st American Air Force Base, San Francisco, California and 464th American Air Force Base McChord Field, Washington D.C, as executive officer. Reverting to the Reserve following the cessation of hostilities he was promoted Colonel on 22 July 1949, finally retiring, unfit for further duties, on 31 January 1956, after 32 years’ service. He died at San Rafael, California on 12 April 1980, aged 84. Sold with various N. S. Meyer, New York, silver Wings; an R.F.C. and R.A.F. cap badge; and other metal and cloth insignia; as well as extensive copied research (both hard copies and on a memory stick), including a photographic image of the recipient.

A Great War 1917 ‘French theatre’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant H. C. Saunders, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, who was later commissioned in the British Columbia Regiment and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. Saunders served on the Western Front as a Sopwith Camel pilot with 46 Squadron, and was killed in action as a result of aerial combat near Epehy, 18 September 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (629366 Sjt: H. C. Saunders. 47th/Can: Inf:) nearly very fine £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. led his platoon into action when his Officer became wounded. He was in charge of the left flank of his company during six counter attacks. By skilfully organising rifle grenades and bombing sections and exercising proper fire control, and by his own example, courage and initiative his platoon inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy.’ Herbert Clement Saunders was born in Kingston, Ontario, Canada in August 1885. He was the son of Doctor H. J. Saunders, and was employed as a Civil Engineer prior to the war. Saunders attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force in June 1915, and served with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry in the French theatre of war (entitled to Great War pair). He advanced to Sergeant, and subsequently served with the 72nd Battalion (Seaforth Highlanders of Canada), before being commissioned into the British Columbia Regiment and transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, 11 March 1918. Saunders was posted for operational service as a pilot with 46 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) and reported missing in action, 18 September 1918. Lieutenant Saunders was later confirmed as a killed in action as a result of an aerial combat east of Hesbecourt near Epehy, when he was seen going down in flames at 11.50 am. He is buried in Templeux-le-Guerard British Cemetery, Somme, France. Sold with copied service papers.

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Company Quarter-Master Sergeant F. E. W. Smith, 102nd Battalion (North British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (703218 Sjt. F. E. W. Smith, 102/Can. Inf.); British War Medal 1914-20 (703218 C.Q.M. Sjt. F. E. W. Smith, 102-Can. Inf.); Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased, polished overall, thus good fine (3) £280-£340 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1919. Francis Edgar Wolsey Smith was born in Victoria, British Columbia in July 1876 and enlisted in the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in January 1916. Embarked for the U.K. he subsequently joined the 102nd Battalion Canadian Infantry in France in August 1916 and was advanced to Sergeant in February 1917. The award of his M.M. was confirmed in a Corps Order dated 4 December 1918 - among others listed as having received gallantry awards in the relevant announcement in his unit’s war diary is Lieutenant G. Lyall, who was awarded the V.C. Smith was discharged in Canada as a C.Q.M. Sergeant in June 1919, aged 42 years; sold with copied research, including service record.

A Second War 1945 ‘Burma Operations’ M.M. group of six awarded to Gunner H. G. Simpson, 9th Field Reigment, Royal Artillery, for repeated gallantry in the face of artillery shelling and sniper fire whilst employed at artillery observation posts - one of which being a church spire, which he occupied during the heavy fighting around the Japanese bunker positions at Nabet in February 1945. Subsequently, on two separate occasions, he went out into open group to rescue wounded men - one of which being his observation post officer, whom he carried back to safety under sniper fire Military Medal, G.VI.R. (876352 Gnr. H. G. Simpson. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Inspr. H. G. Simpson.) light contact marks overall, very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 15 January 1946: ‘For continuously gallant service. During the period from 16th February 1945 to 15th May 1945, Gunner (Driver Mechanic) Simpson H. G. was employed as observation post assistant, always doing far more that his fair share of work under arduous conditions in close contact with the enemy. At all times he showed great devotion to duty and acted with great coolness under fire with outstanding bravery. During the four days fighting round Nabet from 4th February 1945 to 7th February 1945 the enemy, realising that the church spire was the only observation post in the area from which they could be observed, harassed the church with artillery fire gaining a fair percentage of hits. Except for meals, Gunner (Driver Mechanic) Simpson H. G. insisted on manning the church spire continuously throughout the hours of daylight. His complete disregard for his own safety whilst being shelled enabled him to observe enemy gun flashes and so fix their location. His unremitting observation of the area resulted in many worthwhile targets being engaged, and no movement of the enemy or chance of inflicting casualties on him being missed. Again he was on the gun position near Talngon on 6th March, 1945 when it was heavily shelled. Without hesitation he went out into the open and helped carry in wounded men and then returned still under fire to fetch in some equipment. On another occasion near Sigaung on 11th March, 1945 his observation post officer was wounded whilst crossing an open field, Gunner Simpson immediately went to his aid and though himself under continuous sniping fire carried him back to safety. Throughout this period Gunner Simpson continuously thrust himself forward volunteering for extra work and taking upon himself responsibilities well beyond his rank. He at all times showed devotion to duty of a very high order and was continually exposing himself to enemy fire with complete disregard for his own safety and with the greatest courage. His complete lack of thought for himself, his dash and intrepid example was an inspiration throughout the whole period to all who came into contact with him and worthy of the highest praise.’ Huntly Gordon Simpson was a native of Penrhiw, Bala, Wales. Sold with a family photograph of the recipient.

A Second War M.M. group of three awarded to Fusilier A. Ridley, 7th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was taken prisoner of war at St. Valery-en-Caux, 12 June 1940, took part in sabotage whilst imprisoned at Warthelager, and developed gastric ulcers whilst being forced to work in the coal mines at Katowitze Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4607656 Fsr. A. Ridley. R. North’d. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (3) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 February 1946. Arnold Ridley was born in August 1909, and was a native of Plymouth. He enlisted in August 1925, and served during the Second War with the 7th Battalion, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in France from October 1939. The Battalion served as part of the 51st (Highland) Division, initially stationed near the Maginot Line and then withdrawing towards north west of France. Ridley was taken prisoner of war when the Battalion was trapped at St. Valery-en-Caux, 12 June 1940. He was imprisoned at a number of camps including: Warthelager, July 1940 - April 1943; Posen, April - August 1944 and the mining camp at Katowitze, August - November 1944 (during which period he developed gastric ulcers, whilst working in the coal mine). According to his M.I.9 debrief, Arnold took part in sabotage whilst imprisoned, ‘set fire to 2 barns at Warthelager station abut 1.1.41.’ Sold with the following related items and documents: P.O.W. Camp identity tags; silver prize medal, obverse engraved ‘A. Ridley’, reverse engraved ‘2nd D.W.R. Inter Coy. Boxing Winner D.M.G. Coy.’; bronze prize medal for Boxing in the Deccan District, India; named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.M.

A Second War M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant F. Boothman, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who at the capture of Kervenheim, Germany, went to the aid of casualties despite extremely intense gun-fire and succeeded in bringing in the wounded men at great risk to himself, 1 March 1945 Military Medal G.VI.R. (4348892 Sjt. F. Boothman. Linc. R.) with named Buckingham Palace enclosure, and card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, about extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The original Recommendation, for an immediate award, states: ‘On March 1st 1945 this NCO, normally a Carrier Platoon NCO, was attached to “A” Company 2 Lincolns as an additional stretcher bearer NCO for the operation connected with the capture of Kervenheim, in conjunction with 1 Royal Norfolks. During the advance to the village one platoon of the Company suffered several casualties from German machine gun fire whilst crossing an exposed length of road. Sjt Boothman with his fellow Stretcher Bearers went to the aid of these casualties immediately, although the machine gun fire was extremely intense, and he had previously been told to wait until the firing thinned. At great risk to himself, and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he succeeded in bringing in the wounded men. For his bravery coolness and fine example to his fellow Stretcher Bearers I strongly recommend this NCO be granted an immediate award of the Military Medal.’ From the withdrawal of the BEF in France and Belgium in 1940 (which saw around 75% of the battalion captured at Poperinge) and the evacuation at Dunkirk, to the 1944 Normandy landings, Caen, the Normandy Bocage and the campaign through Belgium and Holland, the 2nd Battalion The Lincolnshire Regiment had, by early 1945, seen more fighting in the Second World War than most British Army battalions. Crossing from Holland into Germany, the 2nd Lincolns were to be next engaged in Operation Veritable, the clean up of the last remaining pockets of German resistance in the area west of the Rhine. On 1 March 1945, with other infantry, the 2nd Lincolns took part in the night capture of the village of Kervenheim; it was here on this day that Pte. J. Stokes, 2nd KSLI, won a posthumous Victoria Cross for his conspicuous gallantry in launching three consecutive attacks on German strongpoints until brought down by his wounds. The 2nd Lincolns suffered several casualties of their own and had little time for rest or food before, just the following afternoon, they were ordered into attack again, the objective this time being the village of Winnekendonk, about 2 miles south of Kervenheim, which they famously took with a frontal attack across open country. It was two successful battles within the space of 24 hours for the battalion and the regimental history appears not to distinguish between them as regards the awarding of honours. The History of the 10th Foot 1919-1950 by Major-General J. A. A. Griffin D.S.O. recounts the assault on Winnekendonk and concludes by attributing Boothman’s M.M. award also to this action: ‘Immediately the Battalion emerged from the cover of the woods, which had screened the start line, it met heavy machine-gun fire from the right flank, combined with considerable mortar and shell-fire. Anti-tank guns of varying calibres concentrated on the tanks, and the battle was on. One Churchill was knocked out, another had its turret blown off. A third accounted for the S.P. gun causing the damage. Two German Mark IV tanks were also destroyed. Twelve hundred yards of open ground had to be crossed before the cover of buildings was reached, and the Battalion surged forward under pitiless fire. Many fell including Major P. H. W. Clarke, M.C., killed by a grenade as he moved from platoon to platoon cheering on his men, but the remainder did not waiver. By twenty minutes past six the road junction at the near approach to the village had been reached. But still the parachutists fought back grimly. Snipers fired from first floor windows, and Spandaus shot through loopholes made in the walls at ground level. Now the light was going fast, and the infantry and tanks went into the village in billows of smoke, punctuated by orange flashes of the enemy 88’s, and criss-crossed in all directions by red lines of tracer. It was a great and terrible spectacle. By this time the Battalion had really got its teeth in and was not to be denied, and while Battalion Headquarters itself was fighting its way into a house, the leading company had reached the centre of the town. “C” Company headquarters, with Major G. C. A. Gilbert, M.C., in charge, found a Boche bazooka team stalking through the back gardens towards them. They held their fire until the leading man was only five yards away and then let fly. Eight Germans met sudden death. Savage fighting continued until the parachutists had had enough. It is reckoned that thirty were killed and fifty wounded; eighty surrendered, and the following morning, when the village was finally cleared, seventy more gave themselves up. The Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Firbank, received a bar to his D.S.O. for this action, and Captain P. Smith, who was twice wounded during the battle and was evacuated, much to his disgust, the second time, was awarded an M.C. Sergeant Nicholson of “B” Company, Sergeant Boothman of “S” Company, Corporal Spye of “D” Company and Private Connor of “C” Company were all awarded the M.M.’

A ‘Volturno Disaster’ Sea Gallantry Medal group of three awarded to R. Hunt, Mercantile Marine Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (Rexford Hunt. Volturno. 9th. October. 1913.) in embossed case of issue; British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Rexford Hun) both in named card boxes of issue, extremely fine (3) £500-£700 --- Rexford Hunt was born at Fleetwood on 23 March 1896, and was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver whilst serving in the S.S. Asian on the occasion of the Volturno disaster of 9-10 October 1913. He subsequently served in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War, and was awarded his Master’s Certificate on 2 June 1919. He died in Gravesend on 7 October 1939. The Volturno, a British steamer, chartered by the Uranium Steamship Co. of Rotterdam, and bound thence to New York, was engulfed by fire in mid-Atlantic during a heavy gale. Of the 657 on board, 521 were saved by a fleet of eleven steamers that sped to her aid. Heavy seas interfered with the launching of boats, but the difficulty was eventually overcome by the use of oil; those who perished were mostly lost in the boats. The hull of the Volturno was eventually found by a Dutch steamer and scuttled as a dangerous derelict. Numerous awards were made for this famous rescue, including 78 Sea Gallantry Medals in Silver to crew members of the six British vessels, of which 7 were awarded to the crew of the Asian, as well as a piece of plate to her Master, and binocular glasses to her Chief Mate. In addition the Board of Trade also awarded 152 silver Sea Gallantry Medals (Foreign Services) to the crews serving on foreign vessels at the rescue. Sold with copied research.

A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Corporal R. J. McCarthy, Royal Canadian Air Force, for rescuing two fellow airman from a burning aircraft hangar at Sydney, Nova Scotia, on 15 February 1945, the fire fuelled by over 2,000 gallons of gasoline British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (R.174521 Cpl. Raymond J. Mccarthy. R.C.A.F.) nearly extremely fine £240-£280 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 8 May 1945; citation published Canada Gazette 5 May 1945: ‘On February 15, 1945, the explosion of a depth charge demolished a hangar and precipitated a violent fire which raged with great fury owing to some two thousand gallons of gasoline contained in the tanks of aircraft in the hangar. The hangar and contents were almost completely destroyed in 30 minutes. When the explosion occurred Corporal McCarthy was working in the ammunition room of the hangar. Although severely injured himself, this non-commissioned officer, completely disregarding his own safety, directed and assisted in the rescue of two of his companions who were critically injured and trapped in the debris of the demolished room where ammunition was exploding. In the face of very great danger and despite his own injuries, this non-commissioned officer displayed great courage and presence of mind in helping to rescue two fellow airmen. Only when ordered to hospital did he leave the scene of the explosion.’ The Rev. Raymond Joseph McCarthy was born in Lancaster, New Brunswick, on 20 October 1921, and attested for the Royal Canadian Air Force at Moncton on 16 June 1942. At the time of the act of gallantry for which he was awarded the British Empire Medal was serving as a Corporal at R.C.A.F. Station, Sydney, eastern Canada. He was presented with his medal on 17 August 1949. Ordained Priest on 8 December 1954, he served as a Priest in Guyana for ten years, before returning to Canada in 1966, and devoting the rest of his priestly life to chaplaincy work in New Brunswick. He died at St. John, New Brunswick, on 3 April 1975. Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.

Pair: Major-General Albert Goldsmid, 12th Light Dragoons, one of the first Jewish officers to serve in the British Army Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive (A. Goldsmid, Cornet 12th Lt. Dgns.); Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. Albert Goldsmid. 12th Light Dragoons) contemporarily re-engraved naming in upright serif capitals, fitted with replacement ring suspension, this with contact pitting and edge bruising, fine, both dark toned, suspension post on first in need of re-affixing, otherwise good very fine (2) £3,000-£4,000 --- Albert Goldsmid was born in 1794, the son of Benjamin Goldsmid, who, with his brother, occupied an important financial position in the City of London at the end of the eighteenth century. Albert and his brother, Lionel Prager Goldsmid, established a new tradition in the family by entering the Army, an example which was followed later by other members of the family. Albert entered the army on 30 April 1811, as a Cornet in the 12th Light Dragoons, aged 17, his commission purchased, as indeed were all his subsequent positions up to the rank of Major, either ‘by purchase’ or ‘by paying the difference’. Promoted to Lieutenant in the regiment on 20 February 1812, he went on active duty in Spain in May, where he continued to serve until the close of the war in April 1814. He was present at the cavalry affairs of Castrajon, Quintare de Puerta, and Monasterio, and at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, and Nive, and was awarded the silver medal and four clasps. Throughout the Peninsula the 12th Light Dragoons served with distinction under Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. F. C. Ponsonby. At Castrajon, the 12th safeguarded Wellington from a French attack. Goldsmid lost two horses during the campaign, and was present at the siege of St Sebastian but did not qualify for that clasp. The 12th was known for consistently volunteering for outpost duty and had the honour of being the advance guard of the Army on its entry into Bordeaux. “The 12th can boast of never losing a man by surprise nor a man deserted it tried by court martial, a magnificent record”, wrote Vandeleur. With the escape of Napoleon from Elba, the regiment was ordered to France in April 1815, and quartered at Oudenarde as part of Major-General Vandeleur’s Brigade along with the 11th and 16th Light Dragoons. On 8 May the Brigade moved to Denderwinde and was in place at Enghien on 16 June. On 18 June at Waterloo, Ponsonby had orders to act on his own discretion and he led a charge of the 12th Light Dragoons against a body of French infantry to relieve the Union Brigade. Whilst the charge of the 12th L.D. was successful in achieving its objective, they were in turn attacked by French Lancers during which Colonel Ponsonby was severely wounded and a considerable number of men were killed or wounded, almost a squadron. It was an expensive affair, though Wellington called it ‘beautiful’. Captain Barton’s squadron, in which Goldsmid served, charged again towards the end of the day, sabreing and capturing a sizeable body of enemy infantry. At Waterloo the 12th had three officers and 43 other ranks killed, and two officers and 58 other ranks wounded or missing. Goldsmid was briefly placed on the half-pay of the 72nd Foot in 1816, but was able to obtain a Captaincy in his old regiment on 22 February 1816, by paying the difference, and in the following year the 12th was converted to a lancer regiment, becoming the 12th (or Prince of Wales’s) Royal Regiment of Lancers. He was again placed on half-pay on 26 October 1820, this time to the 60th Regiment, but transferred to the 34th Regiment on 22 December 1825, and finally retired as a Major unattached on 10 January 1826. He was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel on 23 November 1841; Colonel, 20 June 1854; and Major-General, 26 October 1858. Major-General Albert Goldsmid, one of the first Jewish officers in the British Army, died in London on 6 January 1861. Sold with copied research including colour portrait of an oil painting of Captain Goldsmid in Light Dragoon uniform wearing his Waterloo medal, circa 1816-17, originally published in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research (Vol. 22, 1943-44).

Four: Colour-Sergeant Thomas Smith, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who received a gun shot wound at the attack on D’Jebail on 12 September 1840 Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (Thomas Smith.); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (T. Smith. Color. Serjt. R.M. 22 Yrs,.); St. Jean d’Acre 1840, silvered bronze, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200 --- Thomas Smith was born in the Parish of ‘Burbeigh’ [Burbage], near Marlborough, Wiltshire, on 20 November 1820, and attested for the Royal Marines at Portsmouth on 31 December 1838, having been enlisted two days earlier by ‘Sergeant Major Johnson Royal Marines’ two days earlier for a Bounty of three pounds. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 October 1844, and to Sergeant on 16 March 1849 (whilst on board Trincomalee but not confirmed) until 16 August 1850, when he reverted to Corporal until 26 August 1851, when he was promoted to Colour Sergeant. During this period his Attestation papers record that he ‘served during the operations on the Coast of Syria in 1840 in 1840 and has the War Medal for that service with Syria Clasp and Turkish Medal [Private R.M., H.M.S. Hastings (Z/466)] - received a gun shot wound at the attack on D’Jebail on the 12 Sept. 1840 - Served in the Baltic during the Ruffian War and has the medal for that service - also served with the Provl. Batt. in China and present at the Capture of Canton in 1857 and destruction of the Chinese junks in Fatshan Creek. Served on board H.M.S. Cruizer & present at the attack of the Taku Forts in 1858, 1859 & 1860. 101 Co. Thomas Smith, Color Sergt. R.M.L.I. is entitled to reckon five Good Conduct Badges or five pence a day towards increase of Pension. 3 Medals & 1 Clasp.’ During his period of service Thomas Smith served afloat aboard Hastings, 27 May 1839 to 28 May 1842 [Syria operations]; Pique & Dee, 17 June 1842 to 9 April 1844; Trincomalee, 12 August 1847 to 16 August 1850; Duke of Wellington & Neptune, 20 October 1853 to 8 September 1855 [Baltic operations]; and Cruiser, 16 August 1856 to 1 May 1861 [China operations]. He was discharged from R.M. barracks at Forton, Gosport, on 11 May 1867, with a total service, including 8 years in the United Kingdom, of 22 Years 37 days and would have received his L.S. & G.C. medal at this time [roll for R.M. recipients is incomplete and his name is not amongst those found but is clearly so entitled; he is also entitled to the China medals with clasp for Canton 1857]. Note that the ‘3 Medals & 1 Clasp’ mentioned in his statement of service would not be including his L.S. & G.C. medal which he received after his discharge. Sold with copied Attestation papers and confirmation for all medals.

Three: Sergeant William Wilkinson, 2nd (Tombs) Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Gunner W: Wilkinson 1st Brigade H:A:); Punjab 1848-49, no clasp (Corpl. W. Wilkinson, 2nd Tp. 1st Bde. H. Arty.) suspension re-affixed; India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Sergt. W Wilkinson 2nd Tp. 1st Bde. Bengal, H.A.) the second with edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (3) £1,200-£1,600 --- This troop of the Bengal Horse Artillery is remembered in the Army today as 143 Battery (Tombs Troop) R.A., after Henry Tombs, one of the great outstanding officers of the Bengal Horse Artillery, whose Victoria Cross group of medals was sold in these rooms in December 2017. William Wilkinson was a labourer from Skipton, Yorkshire, who attested at Manchester on 20 March 1843, and sailed for India that year in the British Sovereign. He served in 2nd Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery throughout the Sutlej campaign of 1845-46, including the battles of Moodkee, Ferozeshuhur and Sobraon, in the Punjab campaign of 1848-49, and on the North West Frontier in actions against the Mohmands and other Hill tribes in 1851-52. On leaving the service he took up a post as a Conductor in the Public Works Department, Punjab, and his name appears in the Indian Army and Civil List from 1863 to July 1870. Sold with research including copied letter from Wilkinson in July 1870 to his old general requesting written confirmation that he (Wilkinson) had served on the North West Frontier, and copy of the subsequent roll stating medal ‘Sent to him 18/4/71’.

Four: Admiral R. P. Cator, Royal Navy, the only R.N. officer to receive an officially impressed medal for Azoff Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Azoff, Sebastopol (Lieut. R. P. Cator, R.N.) officially impressed naming, but with engraved correction to second initial [from ‘I’]; China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1858, unnamed as issued; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 5th class, silver, gold and enamels; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, contemporary tailor’s copy by ‘J.B.’, dark toned, light contact marks and chips to red enamel, otherwise good very fine (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- Ralph Peter Cator was born on 19 May 1829, at Bangalore in the Kingdom of Mysore, India, eldest son of Peter Cator, of Beckenham, Kent, Barrister-at-Law, who was for thirteen years Registrar of the Supreme Court of Madras. He was nephew of Major-General William Cator, C.B., Director-General of Artillery, and of Vice-Admiral B. C. Cator; and first cousin of J. B. Cator, R.N. He entered the Royal Navy on 22 May 1843, on board the Castor, in which frigate he was employed for four and a half years, chiefly on the China and New Zealand stations (also entitled to New Zealand medal dated 1845-46 - his name is shown on the medal roll but this medal is never mentioned in his services in the Navy List right up to his death and has never been seen on the market. The Admiral is, however, depicted wearing a New Zealand medal in a portrait held in the collection of the Defence Academy of the U.K.). He served off the coast of Africa, where, in 1850 whilst in command of the pinnace of Philomel, he made prize of the Brazilian brigantine Condor off the river Louisa Loanga, for which he was mentioned for his judgement and gallantry. In January 1853 he was appointed to the Rodney, and, in August 1854, to the command of the Danube, steam tender to the ship last named, and in September 1855 to the Rodney again. In command of the Danube he performed much valuable service. He assisted in landing the army in the Crimea, and in embarking the wounded after the battle of the Alma; he was in attendance on the allied fleets during the attack on the forts of Sebastopol, 17 October 1854; and in April 1855, he aided in embarking the Turkish troops under Omar Pasha at Eupatoria. He also accompanied the expedition to Kertch, where he was again employed in landing troops; and entering the Sea of Azoff with the flotilla under the orders of Captain Edmund Moubray Lyons, he contributed to the destruction of a vast accumulation of stores belonging to the Russian Government at Taganrog, Marioupol, and Gheisk, 3, 5 and 6 June; rendering, at Taganrog, good service with a 24-pounder howitzer and rockets, and evincing merit, which was mentioned with praise in the despatches of the senior officer. On the night of 16 June, prior to the unsuccessful attack on Malakhoff and Redan, the Danube was engaged in pouring a shower of rockets on the sea defences and town of Sebastopol. As First-Lieutenant of the Furious he was attached to the Naval Brigade at the storming of the city of Canton in December 1857, on which occasion he assisted Captain Osborn in burning the houses in the vicinity of the North Gate, a service executed under sharp fire and with considerable difficulty, the houses containing little or no inflammable matter. His conduct during the operations against Canton was brought to the notice of the Commander-in-Chief, by whom he was mentioned for his services on shore (while belonging to the Calcutta) as Senior Lieutenant of the 2nd division of small-arm men at the destruction of the Chinese fortifications at the entrance of the Peiho River, 20 May 1858. He was rewarded with the rank of Commander in September 1858, and advanced to Captain in 1866, to Rear-Admiral in 1882, and to Vice-Admiral in 1888. He was A.D.C. to the Queen from December 1879 to December 1882, and the inventor of a “fog alarm buoy” which was approved by the Admiralty and issued to the Fleet. He was advanced to full Admiral in May 1894. Admiral Cator died in Chelsea, London, on 30 July 1903 and is buried in Northwood Cemetery. Cator’s officially impressed Crimea medal is the only such example issued to an R.N. officer with the clasp for Azoff. Rodney was one of the four ships to which officially impressed medals were issued but Cator was the only officer to be detached for service in the Sea of Azoff from any of those ships. Sold with copied research and Liverpool Medal Company catalogue entry offering these four medals for sale circa 1980-85.

English School 1615 Portrait of Sir Robert Naunton (1563-1635), aged fifty-two, half-length, wearing a black doublet and linen ruff Inscribed Anno Dni1615/Ætatis 52 (centre left), Loquebar detestimonius tuis in conspectu Regnum, et non confundebar/Ps 119.46. (upper centre), Serpentum Princeps Paradisi cana volueris,/Nauntoni hic galeam protegit, haec clypeum,/Et caput, et pectus simul o simul armet et ornet. /Conslium PRVDENS, candida SIMPLICITAS (upper right), The Serpents King, the three white birds of Paradise/This NAUNTONS helmet, theis his shield do patronize/O let his head be crownd and armd wth Counsails Wise/His heart wth faire and spotles ingenuities (centre right) and charged with sitter's coat of arms (upper right) Oil on panel 68.5 x 50.9cm; 27 x 20in Provenance: Probably by descent from the sitter to William Leman, Leatheringham; His son-in-law Thomas Rede, Beccles; By descent to his grandson Robert Rede (1794-1852), Beccles, by 1814; By descent to his son-in-law Admiral T. P. Thompson (d.1892), by 1868; The property of the late Sir Thomas Sopwith (1888-1989) by the late 1890s; And by family descent Literature: James Caulfield, Memoirs of Sir Robert Naunton, Knt....(London, Smeeton and Caulfield, 1814), p.50 Exhibited: London, South Kensington Museum, Third Exhibition of National Portraits, 1868, no.664 Engraved: Simon van de Passe, c.1616-1621; Robert Cooper, 1814 Sir Robert Naunton was an English writer and politician, who was Secretary of State from 1617 to 1623. His account of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I was published posthumously under the title Fragmenta Regalia.

Nicholaes Maes (Dutch 1634-1693) Portrait of Josias Ingelbrechts (1645-1685), three-quarter length, wearing a Japanese rok, laced shirt and lilac cloak, standing in a landscape; Portrait of Maria Reyniers (1654-1721), three-quarter length, wearing a red dress and pearl necklace and earrings, seated in a landscape A pair, the former signed Maes (lower right); the latter signed and dated Maes 1680 (lower right) Both oil on canvas 57.3 x 44cm; 22½ x 17¼in; 57.3 x 43.9cm 22½ x 17¼in (2) Provenance: Probably by descent to the sitter's son, Adriaan Ingelbrechts (b.1682), who married Sara Reyniersz van Tarelink in 1710; The Van Tarelink Collection; The Van Drogenhorst Collection; The Van Iddekinge Collection; J. van de Kasteele, The Hague; F. Muller, Amsterdam, Van Iddekinge van Drogenhorst Sale, 27 November 1906, lot 18, where purchased by Oppers (1000 florins); F. Muller, Amsterdam, 13 April 1920, lot 30, where purchased by a Spanish realtor (400 florins); F. Muller, Amsterdam, 6-8 December 1960, lot 141 (16,000 florins); Sotheby's, London, 29 November 1961, lot 104, to Fitzgerald (£1,450); Sotheby's, London, 3 December 1969, lot 101 (£3,100); Richard Green, London, 1970; The Power Collection; And by family descent Literature: Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of the Most Eminent Dutch painters..., vol.VI (London, 1916), pp.529-530, nos.197&198; 'Maria', in Walther Bernt, Die Niederländischen Maler und Zeichner des 17. Jahrhunderts (Munich 1979), no.768; Werner Sumowski, Gemälde der Rembrandt-Schüler, vol.III (Landau, 1983-1994), nos.1429&1430; León Krempel, Studien zu den datierten Gemälden des Nicolaes Maes (1634-1693) (Petersberg, 2000), p.327, nos.A225&A226 The present pair were painted the year before the sitters' marriage on 14 October 1681. Josias Ingelbrechts was a sugar factory owner (suikerraffinadeur) on the Prinsengracht in Amsterdam.

JOHN PIPER (1903-1992); gouache and oil 'Abstract Study', inscribed to label verso with date 1962/63, 13.5 x 12.5cm, framed and glazed. (D) Provenance: private collection UK. Purchased Art Auctions Ltd ,2016, lot 146. Professor P Manzareli (who built the murals for which this is a study). Milne & Moller Fine Art. Katherine House Gallery. Private collection Scotland.Additional InformationThis lot qualifies for Artist Resale Rights. For further information, please visit http://www.dacs.org.uk or http://artistscollectingsociety.org

HELEN LAYFIELD BRADLEY MBE (1900-1979); oil on board, 'We Went To Gather Holly in the Enchanted Garden', signed lower left, 20 x 25cm, bears label verso 'We went to gather holly in the enchanted garden. Sometimes Mother, the aunties and Miss Carter (who wore pink) would go to see how Grandpa was getting along at Blackpool and also to take over Christmas gifts for him. When there was snow, the enchanted garden was very beautiful and was so different from Oldham and our village of Lees, there we had huge mills and streets and people hurrying to work, my clogs and the women in shawls and no trees and holly full of red berries, there was only Spring Rake and the year was 1907', with original bill of sale from The Unicorn Gallery on Wilmslow for the sum of £820, dated 15th March 1975, framed. (D)Additional InformationThe main image is in good condition with strong colours, the frame has light wear and scuffs. 

HENRI GAUDIER BRZESKA (1891-1915); ink sketch, study of an eagle, monogrammed and dated '13 lower right, 31.5 x 25cm, framed and glazed.  PROVENANCE; purchased from Ron Slaven who in turn purchased from Turner Fine Art, a copy of a letter dated 4th February 2002 states that "The drawings belonged to M. Henry Downs of Smith & Co. of Bristol and Cardiff, and they were passed to Mrs A.E. Hunt of Ebury Court, Ebury St., London'. Sold with a copy of the original receipt from Ron Slaven dated 20th July 2002. 

HENRI GAUDIER BRZESKA (1891-1915); ink drawing, figures and two street lights, monogramed and dated '13 lower left, 23 x 34cm, framed and glazed.  Provenance: purchased from Ron Slaven who in turn purchased from Turner Fine Art, and a copy of a letter dated 4th February 2002 states that "The drawings belonged to M. Henry Downs of Smith & Co. of Bristol and Cardiff, and they were passed to Mrs A.E. Hunt of Ebury Court, Ebury St., London'. Sold with a copy of the receipt from Ron Slaven, dated 7th March 2004.Additional InformationOne slight damp spot to the lower left hand side of the image, otherwise image is clean and bright. Frame with some wear and scuffs to the gesso. 

An oil on panel portrait of Tim Bobbin, late 18th century, in a gilt frame, 26.5 x 24.5cm.Footnote: Thought to be a famous local character called Tim Bobbin from the Rochdale and Blackburn area of East Lancashire. He was born in 1708 and lived his adult life in Rochdale. A painter, caricaturist, satirist, a dialect poet and writer who styled himself as the Lancashire Hogarth.The vendor came from that area originally and he was informed by his ancestors that this was Tim Bobbin.

A taxidermy leopard skin rug. Late 19th century, 191 x 124cm.Provenance: this was shot in South Africa in the late 19th century by the vendors ancestor who was a Cornish Mine Captain.

Trench art- pair of similar military caps fashioned from brass 18Ib shell cases, each having Welsh Prince of Wales Feathers badges ('Stick it Welsh',the final words of a wounded Welsh Officer who was rescued by a fellow Officer awarded the VC for his actions). First World War, 10cm diameter approx. (2)(B.P. 21% + VAT)

An early to mid-nineteenth century Staffordshire black and white transfer-printed T Walker puzzle jug, c. 1830-50. It is decorated with scenes of a tiger hunt to each side and the face of the jug reads; May good attend each honest heart, and all who act a generous part, Have communion with few, be familiar with one, deal justly with all, speak evil to none. 17 cm tall. (1) Condition: 6 cm hairline from rim. J

JAMES BOND INTEREST: Three James Bond novels by Fleming (Ian), comprising: CASINO ROYALE, first edition, third impression (considered the rarest Cape impression, with less than 1,000 copies printed), black cloth boards, red embossed heart to cover, red embossed title to spine, neat pen inscription to front endpaper, DJ, unclipped price 10s 6d net, front flap with reviews and "Jacket devised by the author", rear flap blank, rear panel with author's portrait and biography, Jonathan Cape, London 1954; DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER, first edition, first printing, black cloth boards, diamond embossed front cover with silver embossed diamond vignette, silver embossed title to spine, plain white endpapers, lacking DJ, Jonathan Cape, London 1956; and THE SPY WHO LOVED ME, first edition, first printing, black cloth boards, embossed dagger with silver blade to cover, silver title to spine, red endpapers, lacking DJ, Jonathan Cape, London 1962