JAMES BOND ‘THE SPY WHO LOVED ME’, 1977 – TWO EARLY DIRECTOR’S SCRIPTS BY RICHARD MAIBAUM (2)Twoseparate mimeographed typescripts of Richard Maibaum’s screenplay, bothdifferent versions; one entitled The Spy Who Loved Me, Draft Screenplay,Richard Maibaum and dated Nov.5,1975, 154 pp. in grey card covers,contained in a red imitation leather binder; the other entitled The SpyWho Loved Me, Richard Maibaum, undated, the title page inscribed inblack ink in an unidentified hand Mr Lewis Gilbert and annotated with asmall arrowhead symbol, 129 pp. in buff card covers, contained in a blackimitation leather binder; Both screenplays share a number of key plot elements woven around a threat to the West from a mysterious evil force with the ability to use satellite technology to detect and capture submerged nuclear submarines; and involving interference with the world’s oil supplies using nuclear submarines, adapted super tankers and oil platforms; in both, a new look SPECTRE, run by a group of young idealists all under the age of 30, are headed by a character called [Elroy] Kronk, who kills ‘Number One’ the old wheelchair-bound SPECTRE leader; then, backed by Jaws and six other International terrorists they overthrow the SPECTRE old guard. Kronk takes control for his own fiendish ends; both scripts feature a dramatic fight finale between Jaws and 007 in which 007 triumphs aided by electro-magnetic assistance; significant characters both scripts share include: steel-teethed-assassin Jaws, beautiful Russian agent Anya Amasova, General Gogol her KGB boss, new SPECTRE ‘Number One’ Kronk; and Gita, a tall beautiful assassin with a lethal butterfly pin brooch; shared locations include: Sardinia, Geneva and Egypt; Key differences between the two scripts include: the location of the first appearance of Jaws, in the script dated 1975 [red binder] this occurs in Egypt in the ‘City of the Dead’, and in the undated script [black binder] in Prague where a lot of this script’s early action takes place; apart from a number of location and character variations, the most notable difference between the two scripts is that only the undated script [black binder] features the ‘Underwater Car Sub’ over a 20 page action sequence [pp.68-88]. In this script the car is a new model Ford modified by Q and delivered by him to Bond in Oslo.Richard Maibaum was the penultimate writer in the order of twelve different scriptwriters Cubby Broccoli employed to tackle the screenplay for The Spy Who Loved Me until he got the script he wanted. Maibaum worked on all but three of the Bond Films from Dr No (1962) to Licence to Kill (1989), and is the co-author with Christopher Wood of the final draft screenplay for The Spy Who Loved Me. The two scripts in this lot, both early variants of the final script, are a particularly interesting record of the development of this screenplay. It is fascinating to note which elements, included here, were omitted or adapted for use in the final version: -Firstly, the overthrow of SPECTRE’S `Number One’: In both scripts Number One is described as a heavy imposing man seated in a mechanised wheelchair which, in the dated script [red binder], has a mini communication system in its arm. In the undated script [black binder], Number One has a white cat on his lap. The new arch-villain Kronk manipulates Number One’s chair so that it and its occupant (without the cat) plunges to his death out of the window of the high-rise building. It is then that Kronk introduces his young radical supporters, described in the undated script as his ‘family’, and named in both as: Jaws, Gita (tall and beautiful), Marco, Rolz (American), Kazi (Japanese), Turner (a black) and Djabi (Arab terrorist type). Interestingly, in the undated script [black binder] Kronk is a woman disguised as a bald-headed, bespectacled man. Kronk’s coterie of young idealists are said to have represented members of the Red Brigade, the Baader-Meinhof Gang, the Black September Organization and the Japanese Red Army. Their aim was to form a new SPECTRE no longer interested in blackmail and extortion, but intent on destroying civilization by capturing a nuclear submarine and wiping out the world’s oil fields. This plot line of Maibaum’s with the young SPECTRE radicals was regarded by Cubby Broccoli as being too politically controversial at the time, and was consequently dropped from the final storyline;- Another significant difference between the two scripts is the appearance of the ‘ Underwater Car Sub’ in one and not the other. Q himself is reportedly killed off in the dated script [red binder] going down with a nuclear sub, an incident recounted to 007 by Moneypenny when, due to Q’s absence, she’s sent to delivers Bond’s reconnaissance kit to him at Oslo airport. In the undated script [black binder], Q himself meets 007 off the Oslo night train and delivers a new model Ford sports car with numerous vital modifications. The cars underwater features are not specified in the dialogue between the two, and become obvious when pursued by SPECTRE hoodlums on a death-defying cliffside rode, Bond with Anya beside him drives off the end of a jetty into the sea; it is during this ‘Underwater Car Sub’ sequence in the undated script that the two agent lovers believe they are going to die as they are trapped deep beneath the sea in the malfunctioning sub with only three hours of oxygen left. Bond removes two miniature bottles of Armagnac ‘27 from inside the car door and they toast each other: “To the spy who loved me”, Anya’s toast to Bond in English, Bond’s to her in perfect Russian. [pp.87-88]. In the dated script, the two agents make the same toast with the same vintage Armagnac following the dramatic action finale at the villain’s oil refinery [p.107]. In both instances they are of course miraculously saved. ConditionReport: Red binder script: Overall very good. Grey card cover has small tear to front edge, and some folding at edges of corners on both front and backBlack binder script: Overall very goodFootnote: The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), the tenth in the Eon Productions official 007series, initiated a number of records for the James Bond franchise. It wasCubby Broccoli’s first solo 007 venture without co-producer Harry Saltzman, andhe was determined that it should become the biggest and best Bond yet. From the outset, the film’s path to successwas beset with numerous difficulties and the screenplay itself went throughmore adaptations and revisions than any production during the 40-year historyof 007 on screen. Problems began with Ian Fleming’s source material for thefilm’s title. Like the movie, it was Fleming’s tenth Bond novel in order,however it represented a departure from Fleming’s usual 007 format in that itis told from the viewpoint of a young Englishwoman who only meets the famousspy in the last few chapters of the book. For this reason, Fleming never wantedthis book to be sold as a film project. His estate, however, gave Broccolipermission to use the novel’s title only. The book and film do also share onesignificant common element – Jaws, whois loosely based on Fleming’s villain, `Horror’, who had steel-capped teeth.Nevertheless, the screenplay for The Spy Who Loved Me is considered tobe the first Bond film whose story is completely original. After a visit toRussia, Broccoli devised a plot for a new story which suited the film’s title and focused on a beautifulRussian agent who falls in love with James Bond. It is said that twelve different screenwriters worked on fifteen separate drafts for the screenplay over a period of three years, in one of the most fiendishly complicated film pre-production processes in Eon’s history. Considering the quantity of different variants of the screenplay here in Lewis Gilbert’s personal film...
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JAMES BOND ‘THE SPY WHO LOVED ME’, 1977 – TWO DIRECTOR’S SHOOTING SCRIPTS AND PRODUCTION PAPERWORK REGARDING THE OPENING SKI PARACHUTE JUMP STUNT (3)Lewis Gilbert’s mimeographed typescriptshooting script entitled The Spy Who Loved Me, Revised Final Shooting Scriptwith copyright details Copyright of Danjaq S.A., dated 23August,1976, the title page inscribed at the top in ballpoint pen with asequence of 10 numbers 2403886804, 133 pp. a few pages annotated inpencil, black and blue ballpoint pen in an unidentified hand; this scriptincluding 60 yellow and pink coloured pages of later script revisions datingbetween 14 September – 6 December 1976, one yellow page dated 20thSeptember 1976 depicting an intimate scene between Bond and Anya on thesleeper train, inscribed at the top in green ink Lewis Gilbert in anunidentified hand, in bright blue card covers, the front cover inscribed LewisGilbert in black felt pen in an unidentified hand and numbered 56 atthe top right; and-Another mimeographed typescript shootingscript entitled The Spy Who Loved Me, Final Shooting Script withcopyright details Copyright of Danjaq S.A, dated 12 July 1976, 142unbound pp. including 56 coloured pages of script revisions dated 30.7.76; and - Lewis Gilbert’s xeroxed copy of amimeographed typescript Memo on Eon Productions Ltd headed stationery, fromJohn Glen to Cubby Broccoli, dated Wed. 4th Aug.76 tellinghim that he’s enclosing a xerox of a letter from Rick Sylvester [stunt skierfor the famous opening ski jump parachute sequence] giving details of skiequipment used, and telling Broccoli that he’d brought back: “ one complete setof skis, poles, bindings and goggles, plus the parachute…and the original skisuit…as a reference” adding that thesame red ski boots with their sophisticated binding will need to be ordered forRoger Moore” and “a special haversack will have to be made or adapted.”;- The Memo stapled to the enclosed 2pp.xeroxed letter from Rick Sylvester which states: “…I think it would be onlyfair to use the same ski equipment, in the close ups with Roger Moore, that Iused in the actual jump, even though they weren’t photographed closely enoughto reveal the markings and details. Certain personnel at the various companieswent out of their way to get the equipment to me in time for the jump, onrelatively very short notice (unavoidably as the planning so closely precededthe actual filming) and during their off season when their stocks are verylow…I’d guess they would be willing to supply the gear at no charge, as itsappearance in the film would naturally be of promotional value to them…”- A call sheet dated 6 August 1976; and ahandwritten list of timings and actor’s names in black ink in an unidentifiedhand including; “Felicity York – Arab Girl” In his autobiography All My Flashbacks,Gilbert recalled how it was Michael Wilson’s idea to use a dramatic ski jumpsequence in the film. He’d seen an ad in Playboy magazine which had aphoto of a young man skiing off the edge of a mountain over water. They trackedthe skier, Rick Sylvester, down in Canada and invited him to England to discussthis stunt. On arrival Sylvester informed them that the photo they’d seen was afake, he’d been photoshopped in over the sea, however he said he could do itfor real and knew exactly the right mountain for it. The precipice Bond was togo over, had to be dead vertical. The spot Sylvester chose for the stunt wasAsgard Peak on Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic. The ski chase that lead upto the jump was shot elsewhere in Switzerland. When it was time to leave forCanada in July 1976, it was second unit director John Glen who set off withRick. They had to wait five weeks for the optimum conditions for this immenselydangerous stunt. Even with perfect conditions Sylvester had to reach the rightspeed in order to project himself clear of the precipice. He did and down hefell until, at the last moment, he pulled the cord to a parachute concealed onhis back, which when opened revealed a Union Jack (Christopher Wood’s cleverdetail). Despite the parachute opening successfully, Rick was still in immensedanger, as Gilbert recounts: “As soon as the parachute opened, Rick had tojettison his skis. What he didn’t bargain for was the skis shooting straightupwards. They missed the parachute by a matter of inches. If they had becomeentangled…that would have meant an end to Rick, who was only 24..”. AlthoughRick was contracted to do two jumps, everything that was needed was captured inthe first take, and one of the most memorable openings to any Bond film was inthe can. It’s interesting to note that in both these final versions of the script, the arch-villain’s name has been changed from Stavros. In the Final Shooting Script dated 12 July 1976 it is Markos Landros, a SPECTRE character in previous script versions, who was their chief drug trafficker in north Africa. And in the Revised Final shooting script dated 27 August 1976 it has become Karl Stromberg, the name that was used in the film. Also, in both scripts all references to SPECTRE have also been removed. These amendments were made on the instruction of Cubby Broccoli in order to avoid threatened legal action from Kevin McClory who owned the film rights to Thunderball and was planning a new Bond adaptation of it. Broccoli had insisted that the name Stavros was changed due to its similarity to Ernst Stavro Blofeld’s middle name, and that all references to SPECTRE were taken out. These two elements had been introduced into the Bond universe with Thunderball and by removing them, Cubby hoped to dodge the pending legal issues. Footnote:The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), the tenth in the Eon Productions official 007series, initiated a number of records for the James Bond franchise. It wasCubby Broccoli’s first solo 007 venture without co-producer Harry Saltzman, andhe was determined that it should become the biggest and best Bond yet. From the outset, the film’s path to successwas beset with numerous difficulties and the screenplay itself went throughmore adaptations and revisions than any production during the 40-year historyof 007 on screen. Problems began with Ian Fleming’s source material for thefilm’s title. Like the movie, it was Fleming’s tenth Bond novel in order,however it represented a departure from Fleming’s usual 007 format in that itis told from the viewpoint of a young Englishwoman who only meets the famousspy in the last few chapters of the book. For this reason, Fleming never wantedthis book to be sold as a film project. His estate, however, gave Broccolipermission to use the novel’s title only. The book and film do also share onesignificant common element – Jaws, whois loosely based on Fleming’s villain, `Horror’, who had steel-capped teeth.Nevertheless, the screenplay for The Spy Who Loved Me is considered tobe the first Bond film whose story is completely original. After a visit toRussia, Broccoli devised a plot for a new story which suited the film’s title and focused on a beautifulRussian agent who falls in love with James Bond. It is said that twelve different screenwriters worked on fifteen separate drafts for the screenplay over a period of three years, in one of the most fiendishly complicated film pre-production processes in Eon’s history. Considering the quantity of different variants of the screenplay here in Lewis Gilbert’s personal film script archive, it appears that just over half of the fifteen screenplay versions are represented between lots 13-18. Looking through the different variations of treatments and screenplays for The Spy Who Loved Me, a large proportion of which are represented in this collection, in the words of film historian Steven Jay Rubin they : “…offer a textbook look at script development…the material is priceless, since it allows the reader to see how...
Jewad Selim (Iraq, 1919-1961)Man and Horse oil on board, framedsigned 'Jewad Selim' and dated '1956' in Arabic (lower right), executed in 195643.9 x 59cm (17 5/16 x 23 1/4in).Footnotes:Provenance:Property from the collection of the renowned architects Nizar Jawdat (1920-2017) and Ellen Jawdat (1921-2020), acquired directly from the artist,thence by descent to the present ownersExhibited:Fourth exhibition of the Baghdad Modern Art group, April 13 - 19, 1956, Institute of Fine Art, Baghdad.'At the end of each day – Jawad sat in the living room surrounded by our sons, filling sheet after sheet of a small pad of paper with nimble drawings of wild animals in action – tigers, monkeys, crocodiles, elephants and even some imaginary creatures. And as his pencil flew across the paper, he held the children spellbound with tales woven around his jungle beasts. It was his way to relax, and the boys urged him not to stop, even long after their bedtime'Memoirs of Ellen Jawdat, mother of the present owners''You draw on paper, crescents and signs that lead the traveller to your heart, arousing hope in Baghdad, who invited you into her mornings like a woman full of desire. You called your pictures by her name, like a lover who searches in the corners of memory for friendly signs, a square or a rectangle, a suggestion of a palm tree or a coffee pot, or the faces of tired women in love, hovering between al-Risafa and al-Karkh, between the beginning and the end of a dream ?' - Dia Azzawi 'A Homages to Jewad Selim'Painted when Jewad Selim was firmly recognised as one of the leading luminaries of the Iraqi art scene, Arab with Horse is a rare and captivating composition which participated in the landmark fourth exhibition of the Baghdad Modern Art Group in 1956, a demonstration of the remarkable longevity, appeal, and success of the group which Selim himself co-founded. One of Selim's most enthralling works, 'Man and Horse', is a stunning combination of the artistic dexterity and tonal richness of Selim's work, with thematic and aesthetic inspiration drawn from his ever-present subject matter: the rich landscape of urban life in Baghdad . 'Man With Horse', with its free flowing, curvilinear forms, appears to have a lively and spontaneous feel, a trait Lorna Selim attributed to Jewad's creative process, which was to know exactly what he wanted to paint before picking up his brush and often completing works in just a few hours. Jewad's innovation of integration of Iraqi and European ideas creates a work that is a perfect fusion of styles. The two figures meet heads in a tender, thoughtful embrace, they bear round faces with large open eyes and simply delineated noses, not unlike figures of the two European masters Modigliani and Picasso which Selim so admired. Block colours, abstract fauna and shapes fill the ground, curiously blending visual cues both from European Modernism and from the decoration on medieval figural lustre ceramics of the Abbasid era. After painting his most mature works in the 1950s, the artist gave up painting and focussed on sculpture, the culmination of which was his Monument for Freedom in Tahrir Square in Baghdad of 1960-61. This was the largest monument built in Iraq in 2500 years '. The time frame presented by the President was unrealistic and the project did not run smoothly. Immense pressure was put on Jewad to finish his work and he suffered a heart-attack. He died one week later on 23rd January 1961 at the age of just forty-one, leaving a wife and two young daughters.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
The Avengers: A Mimeographed Contract for The Avengers,1967,six pages, a mimeograph of Diana Rigg's contract dated 20th April 1967, for Diana Rigg to play Emma Peel in the latest series of The Avengers, from I.C. Howard to Mr E.W. Wilford of Elstree Studios, accompanied by a provenance certificate, 8 1/4in x 11 3/4in (21cm x 30cm)Footnotes:This contract was negotiated in the same year Diana Rigg discovered that she was 'being paid less than the camera man' on set. This contract was therefore drawn up to reflect her work and considerable star power. Rigg's goal was never about beating male co-stars' salaries, but being paid the same for the same amount of work - a battle which she won.Diana Rigg took over as the new partner of John Steed in 1965, after Honor Blackman had left the series to star in Goldfinger (1964). Rigg's portrayal of 'Emma Peel' was celebrated for its comic touch, action sequences and style. Emma Peel's costumes became an icon of 1960's fashion, and Rigg's contract shrewdly stipulates that 'she may buy such costumes and the like which have been tailored to fit her' at a reduced price.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Regimentally Important 1827 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword of General Sir William O’Grady Haly KCB, 47th (The Lancashire) Regiment, Later Commander of British Troops in Canada and Who Led His Men in Gallant Action at Inkerman During the Crimean War, Resulting in Him Being Cut Down But Rescued, Resulting in the Regiments first Victoria Cross Being Awarded to Private John McDermond, regulation blade by Henry Wilkinson etched with owner’s family crest, name, rank, regiment and Decr. 1850 at the forte, and with crowned VR, 47, and battle honours St Sebastian, Tarifa, Ava, Peninsula and Vittoria amidst scrolling foliage, regulation iron hilt, wire bound fish skin covered grip, in unusual Afghan style scabbard with iron mounts and covered with leather. Overall 90cms, blade 75cms. Generally good condition, age worn overall, blade shortened, scabbard leather fragile and incomplete. Major General William Haly, Ensign 1828, Lieut. 1831, Capt. 1834, Major 1846, Lt Col 1850, Colonel 1854 (present at Battles of Alma [charger killed], Inkerman [received 4 bayonet wounds], capture of Balaklava, siege and fall of Sevastopol. Lt Col commanding the 47th 1857. 1868 commanding a division of the 38th Foot in the Bengal Army. He became the commander of British troops in Canada in 1873, Promoted to Colonel of the 47th regiment from 1875 until his death in 1878. Louis William Desanges painted the heroic action in which Haly was rescued by Private McDermond. The Duke of Lancaster’s Own Regimental museum gives the following details about Private McDermond, “John McDermond was probably born in Clackmannan in 1828. He was attested into the 47th (The Lancashire) Regiment in Glasgow in October 1846. He won the first VC to be awarded to a member of the 47th Regiment at the Battle of Inkerman during the Crimean War. The Commanding Officer of the 47th, Lieutenant Colonel O’Grady Haly, led a charge against an attacking Russian column. After cutting down three, he was himself unhorsed, bayonetted in the leg, and surrounded by the enemy. Seeing his plight, several soldiers rushed to his aid and McDermond, standing over his Colonel , killed the man who had wounded him and fought off the Russians while Haly was helped back to the British line. John McDermond’s award of the Victoria Cross was posted in the London Gazette on 24 February 1857. He was presented with his medal by Major General Sir James Scarlett on the parade ground at Southsea, Hampshire, on 12 March 1858. McDermond served with the 47th for just under 16 years, seeing overseas service in the Ionian Islands, Malta, Turkey, Gibraltar and Canada. He was invalided out of the Army in 1862, aged 34, after being injured on board ship while in transit to Canada. John McDermond appears to have had a difficult life after leaving the army. He died in Glasgow, of Typhus, just four years later, in 1866, leaving destitute a wife and two very young children, the youngest of whom was born just weeks before his death. He is buried in an unmarked grave in the Eastern Necropolis, Glasgow. The location of his Victoria Cross is not known. However, in December 2015, a metal detectorist unearthed what appears to be a Victoria Cross medal from the mud of the Thames foreshore in London. It bears the date of the Battle of Inkerman – 5 November 1854. Only two Inkerman VC’s are unaccounted for. If genuine, there is therefore a 50% possibility that this medal is John McDermond’s. The Thames VC is currently held in the National Army Museum in London.
The WWI DCM group to Private E.G. Forrest, Gloucestershire Yeomanry, who on 19 September 1918 at Nahr-El-Falik galloped at a column of vehicles with drawn sword and captured the entire column consisting of 36 wagons, 4 officers and 100 men Distinguished Conduct Medal, GVR (235124 Pte E.G. Forrest. 1/1 Glouc: Yeo:) 1914-15 Star (2043. Pte. E.G. Forrest Glouc. Yeo) British War and Victory Medals (2043 Pte. E.G. Forrest. Glouc. Yeo.) Defence Medal Special Constabulary Long Service & G.C., GVR (Edward G. Forrest.), generally good very fine, with a copied drawing of the action incorporated into a Christmas card which is modernQty: (6)Footnote: DCM London Gazette 25 February 1920 'For conspicuous gallantry and initiative. This man when on patrol on the 19th September 1918, noticed a column of wagons moving north from Nahrel Falik. He at once galloped at the column with drawn sword and captured the entire column, consisting of 36 wagons, four officers, and 100 men. Pte. Forrest, acting on his own initiative, showed great pluck in charging, single-handed, what turned out to be an ammunition column.' Private Edward G. Forrest (1896-1982) was born in Horfield, Bristol. He served with the Gloucestershire Yeomanry in the Egyptian Theatre from 20 April 1915. Forrest remained with a small party in Egypt so that he could look after the horses while the Regiment sailed for Gallipoli. He was one of the few officers and men who had mobilized with the regiment in 1914 to take part in the major parade on entering Aleppo on 27 October 1918. Forrest was demobbed on 16 April 1919 and returned to the family business as a baker.
Corgi Toys The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Gun Firing Thrush Buster (497). Example in metallic blue with plastic wing lights. Action in working order. Boxed, with ring and with display insert. Some age wear to display insert. Outer box damaged, end flaps missing to one end. Vehicle VGC-Mint very minor chips, baseplate marked with pen marking. £80-120
SIR GEORGE SITWELL's EXECUTORS v SISTER LISA BOZENMAYER. A group of five typescript letters, includes two facsimile copies, 1955. Correspondence between Sister Lisa Bozenmayer, a German nurse, Sir Osbert Sitwell, and his Italian Advocate Mr. Ferdinando Bosi, and Zurich Advocate Dr. Hans Berger. The letters relate to a financial settlement of 10,000 lira offered to Miss Bozenmayer by the executors and heirs of Sir George Sitwell. Sister Lisa Bozenmayer explains in her detailed letter the reasons for declining their offer, and tells her story of time spent caring for Sir George in Italy and Switzerland during the early years of the war from 1939-1942. comprises: Sister Lisa Bozenmayer, to Dr. Hans Berger, (unnamed recipient), February 15, 1955. a facsimile copy typescript letter, 3pp., typed to single sides of three leaves, 109 lines, the address Florence, 22 Vicolo S. Marco vecchio to top r.h., 'Dear Sir, Il Signor Avvocato Bosi communicated to me Sir Osbert Sitwell's and your decision to offer me L. 10.000., for not recognising the last will of Sir George Sitwell. I thank you and Sir Osbert very much for this offer, but feel obliged to answer that i am not in a position to accept alms . . . But I will tell you about Sir George and myself it may help you to get a clearer understanding of this legacy . . .', In September 1939 Sister Lisa, being of German nationality, was granted permission by the German consul to nurse Sir George Sitwell in Florence. 'I found there, in a cold room, a very miserable terribly smelling man in desperate conditions . . . , Sister Lisa takes command of the dire situation and her patient, 'Sir George I have been called to nurse you and I will do my best to get you into a better state, but we have to make a pact' . . . 'From this time Sir George and I became great friends . . . You know Sir George is not an easy man, in fact he did not like anyone . . . he began to talk to me about leaving a small sum to me to remember him . . . This Sir George told me over and over again, but I refused all the time to accept it . . In the winter 1941-42, Mr Woog . . . ordered us to come to Switzerland, he presented himself to me as a relation of Sir George; he called Sir George 'Uncle' . . telling me that he was administrating Sir George's great fortune. But Sir George said he is a swindler, don't believe him, he wants to get at my money . . .', Sir George and Sister Lisa were forced by Mr. Woog to make a long, difficult journey together from Florence to Switzerland, . . . 'we had a little apartment to ourselves and tried not to come into contact with anybody . . . after two months Woog told me he could no longer get permission for me to stay and that I had to leave. I cant tell you the despair of Sir George, we cried together . . . the day before I left Sir George told Woog to call a notary he wanted to have a paper made out for me, I again told him not to do it, but he said 'Sister Lisa: these last years of my life have been good for me, because you have been with me: you have been my family and my protection . . . and many things more . . . '. Sir George gave the order for 2500 lira to be paid to Sister Lisa monthly, and signed the document given to him by Mr. Woog. Sister Lisa bid a sad farewell to Sir George Sitwell, '. . . he took my hand and kissed me (hardly to believe of Sir George, much as Sir Osbert describes in his books). I left Sir George with a broken heart and it took me months to get over this tragedy . . . Only back at Florence I saw that Woog had interchanged the terms monthly and annuity . . .So you will understand that I cannot accept alms for what I have done for Sir George. It was his heart's desire that I should have this money. . . If Sir Osbert can't do it for his father, I feel very sorry . . . and will ask him to be so kind as to buy for the money you offered me a bunch of red roses in my name for Sir George . . . I am sure nobody knew this poor man as I did . . P.S. I would be much obliged to you, if you would send this memorial on to Sir Osbert Sitwell, Sister Lisa Bozenmayer (facsimile signature); Mr. Ferdinand Bosi, Italian Advocate, to Dr. Hans Berger, 17 February, 1955. a copy of a typescript letter, 1pp., typed to one side of a single leaf, 26 lines, with the firms Florence address top l.h., 'Dear Colleague, . . . I am sorry to be compelled to bother you with this further communication on the part of Miss Bozenmayer . . . I find it difficult to separate the behaviour of nurses, nuns and physicians from the sinister influence of the man Woog that resulted in the impossibility of establishing any contact with Sir George . . . all I can say is there is no last will or codicils or any other testimony provision left by Sir George concerning a legacy in favour of Miss Bozenmayer . . . ' Mr. Ferdinand Bosi, states that the document shown to him by Miss Bozenmayer is typewritten, not in Sir George's handwriting, only bears his signature certified by a notary, and is deprived of any validity either as a legacy or an obligation. He concludes there is no reason on the part of Sir Osbert to continue, Bosi advises, ' . . . a brief concise note from you addressed to me which I may show to Miss Bozenmayer will, I hope, leave to her a door open for action, if any, against Mr. Woog's successors', with Mr. Bosi's facsimile signature below; Dr. Hans Berger, Zurich Advocate, to Mr. Ferdinando Bosi, Italian Advocate, 2nd March, 1955. Autograph typescript letter, 1pp., single leaf, 6 lines, the firms printed address at top, 'Dear Colleague . . . ', Dr. Berger acknowledges receipt of Mr. Bosi's letter of 17th February with enclosures, and advises his colleague he will be passing these on to Sir Osbert. . . .'I am of your opinion that you write to Miss Bozenmayer that under the present circumstances you cannot do anything else. For this purpose I am enclosing you an official letter which you may show to Miss Bozenmayer'. the letter unsigned by Hans Berger; Dr. Hans Berger, Zurich Advocate, to Mr. Ferdinando Bosi, Italian Advocate, 2nd March, 1955. Autograph typescript letters, 1pp., single leaf, 16 lines, the firms printed address at top, . . . Dr. Berger states that Sir George's executors and heirs are not in a position to pay any claims which are not legally established, made against them dating from the time when Sir George was robbed by Mr. Woog, . . . 'Despite this fact a lump sum of lire 10,000. - has been offered to Miss Bozenmayer without being obliged to do so. If Miss Bozenmayer does not wish to accept this payment I cannot do anything else. I must leave her to try to get compensation from the heirs of Mr. Woog who has apparently misled her as he did also Sir George'. the letter unsigned by Hans Berger; Dr. Hans Berger, Zurich Advocate, to Sir Osbert Sitwell, The St. Regis Hotel, New York, 2nd March, 1955. Provenance: The Sitwell Family Library, Weston Hall.(Qty. 5)Click here for full description. Condition Report: the letters paperclipped together, some rust marks to top l.h. corners of the letters from the paper clip. Condition Report Disclaimer
A collection of Palitoy Action Man items comprising three figures, a partial Action Soldier box, an Official Equipment Manual leaflet, various clothes and accessories, together with a Kenner Six Million Dollar Man Steve Austin figure, a Mego Happy Days Fonz and a Mattel Barbie Ken doll, playworn.
A Great War 1914 ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Major J. E. S. Woodman, Lancashire Fusiliers, late West India Regiment, who was killed in action at Loos in September 1915 whilst attached to the 12th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers; he was personally decorated by H.M. The King on his visit to the front, 2 December 1914 Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Ashanti Star 1896, unnamed as issued; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Sierra Leone 1898-99 (Cap: J. E. S. Woodman. 3/W.I.R.:); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, N. Nigeria 1903-04 (Captain J. E. S. Woodman. Lanc: Fus.); 1914 Star (Capt: J. E. S. Woodman. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. E. S. Woodman.) the Great War medals in their named card boxes of issue and registered OHMS transmission envelope; Memorial Plaque (James Edward Somerville Woodman) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope of issue; Memorial Scroll ‘Major James E. S. Woodman, D.S.O. 2nd Lan. Fus. attd. 12 Northumberland Fusiliers’, in transmission tube, light contact marks to the three pre-Great War awards, these good very fine; the Great War awards extremely fine (9) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 1 December 1914: ‘Captain James Edward Somerville Woodman, 2nd Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. Commanded three companies of his regiment in attack on Le Touquet, and afterwards commanded the section of defence which included that village.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 4 December 1914 and 17 February 1915. James Edward Somerville Woodman was born at Clifton on 26 July 1870, the son of Commander C. E. S. Woodman, R.N. From Sandhurst he was commissioned into the West India Regiment as 2nd Lieutenant on 7 January 1891, becoming Lieutenant in January 1893, and Captain in January 1898. He served with the West India Regiment in the Ashanti Expedition, 1895-96 (Star), and took part in the operations in Sierra Leone, 1898-99, with the Mendiland Expedition (Medal with clasp). In 1900 he transferred to the 4th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers and served in West Africa (N. Nigeria), 1903-04, and took part in the operations in Bassa Province against the Okpotos (Medal with clasp). From July 1909 to March 1912, he held the Adjutancy of the King’s Own Malta Regiment of Militia. Woodman served in the European War with the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers from 22 August 1914, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order for gallantry at Le Touquet. He was decorated by the King, 2 December 1914, on the occasion of His Majesty’s visit to the Expeditionary Force. ‘Captain Woodman went to France with the 2nd Battalion, and at the battle of Ligny, on August 26th, he at once, by his cool, imperturbable leading, proved himself a brave and capable officer. Before our artillery had come up and when the Germans were pressing he, with Captain Spooner and Lieutenant Cross, rallied a large number of men from different Companies and made a stand on the second ridge. He took part in the battles of the Aisne and the Marne, and those who served under him believe that he had a charmed life. Men fell around him, but he remained unscathed. At Le Touquet where Colonel Butler commanded a mixed force, Captain Woodman was in command of the Battalion, and led the attack on the village. For this he received the Distinguished Service Order. He was promoted Major. Major Woodman was present at all the actions up to May 2nd, 1915, when he suffered from the infamous German gas attack. In consequence of this he was sent to England, and for a short time commanded a detachment of the 3rd Battalion at Withernsea. He was subsequently appointed second in command of the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, and with this Battalion he met his death in France between the 25th and 27th September, 1915. A soldier of studious habits, he found pleasure in the study of languages. He was thorough in all that he undertook. Reserved in manner, it was the reserve that comes to one who has felt the bitterness of disappointment in some of the tenderest relationships of life. With those under him he was strict and not very genial, and yet they were devoted to him, with an absolute confidence. During the winter of 1914-15 he was selected to take temporary command of the Monmouths, and in the short time he was there he impressed all ranks with his qualities as a commanding officer.’ (The Lancashire Fusiliers Annual for 1915 refers) Woodman was promoted to Major on 1 September 1915 and was killed in action in the battle of Loos on 26 September 1915. The Officer Commanding the 12th Northumberland Fusiliers wrote: ‘Major Woodman was with us through the bad time the battalion had on Saturday, 25 September, and after orders were received to take the German trenches by assault on the morning of Sunday, 26 September, he came up the hill with us and encouraged the men in the charge. The men could not run up the hill without a rest to get their breath again, and it was then that Major Woodman sat up and put up his field glasses to look at the enemy’s position. He was immediately shot through the heart, and fell over on his side. He was a brave and gallant officer, and you have the satisfaction of knowing that he died at the head of the battalion, facing the foe. We suffered very badly; only seven of our officers remained with the battalion after the charge, and of these only two were unhit. We all deplore Major Woodman’s loss, as he was a man of very wide experience, and was of the greatest help to us. One of the last things he did was to tell my servant to get back down the hill, as the boy had been wounded in the wrist, but still was going on.’ Sold with the following original documents: M.I.D. certificates dated 8 October 1914 and 14 January 1915 (F.M. Sir John French’s despatches of those dates); another related M.I.D. certificate for ‘Lieut. C. E. T. Woodman, 20th Hussars’, dated 7 November 1917 (F.M. Haig); Royal Warrant for the D.S.O., dated 28 November 1914, and signed by Kitchener, together with a copy of the Statutes and War Office enclosure letter; various registered envelopes addressed to his next of kin; and copied research.
The Peninsula War medal awarded to Corporal John Duffy, 50th Foot, who was wounded in the right hip in the action at the Pass of Maya in July 1813; he later emigrated to Australia where he worked and resided in Sydney, and died there in August 1867, “an old and respected colonist” who was buried in the Petersham Cemetery, Sydney Military General Service 1793-1814, 7 clasps, Fuentes D’Onor, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (J. Duffy, Corpl. 50th Foot) nearly extremely fine £3,600-£4,000 --- Provenance: Hamilton Smith Collection, Glendining’s, March 1927; Needes Collection, Glendining’s, February 1930; Elson Collection, Glendining’s, September 1963; Dix Noonan Webb, July 2016. John Duffy was born in the Parish of Drumand, near Randlestown, County Antrim, and enlisted for the 50th Foot at Hastings, Sussex, on 27 May 1810, aged 18 years, for limited service of 7 years. He was discharged at Londonderry on 26 May 1817, ‘his period of service having expired and his being further rendered incapable of service in consequence of a gun shot wound received 25 July 1813 at the Pass of Maya in the right hip.’ He was admitted to an out-pension at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 25 June 1817, and appears tom have been married in the same year. He emigrated to Australia with his family in about 1828. They had nine children, at least three of whom died in childhood. By 1854, if not before, he was employed as a messenger at the Crown Law Office in Macquarie Street, Sydney, where he resided with his family. In noting his death on 8 August 1867, the Sydney Morning Herald described him as “an old and respected colonist”, an apt description for a reliable man who had spent nearly 40 years in New South Wales. He was buried in the Petersham Cemetery in Sydney, along with his wife who pre-deceased him by five months. Sold with copied discharge papers and copied Pension Certificate from the Commissariat Office, New South Wales, Sydney, confirming Duffy’s intention to reside at Sydney [and collect his pension there] and notes that he died on 8 August 1867, together with other research and photographs of his headstone.
A very rare Second War ‘Normandy’ M.M. and post-War 1946 ‘Java’ Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Corporal W. H. Bartle, Royal Army Medical Corps attached 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion: having been decorated for making repeated journeys into the open to bring in casualties at Bois de Bavent in Normandy on 18 June 1944, he added a Bar to his award for his subsequent gallantry in charge of stretcher bearers when his section was ambushed and pinned down in the open at Tembalang, Java in March 1946 Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (7403502 Cpl. W. H. Bartle. R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the first with minor contact marks, otherwise generally good very fine and better (5) £5,000-£7,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Normandy’. The original recommendation states: ‘At Bois de Bavent on 18 June 1944 this NCO was a stretcher bearer with a company which raided a strong enemy post. The enemy fire was heavy and accurate and several casualties were suffered. Cpl Bartle showed no regard whatsoever for his own safety and made repeated journeys into the open to bring in casualties. The CSM was killed beside him by a mortar bomb in a forward position. He was not killed instantly and hoping to save him Bartle worked his way back, got another bearer and went forward again to try and bring him back. When the raiding party returned Bartle found that two casualties had not been brought back so he immediately joined a party that was going out to bring them in. He showed the party the way out and back and left them under cover while he did the final locating of the casualties himself. His sense of duty was outstanding.’ M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 1 August 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Far East.’ The following details are extracted from the report by Lt. Col. Pine-Coffin of the 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion’s action at Tembalang, Java in March 1946: ‘Late in the month [March] they ran into a bit of trouble and on one of their patrol actions a section got pinned in the open as it was approaching a wood which was occupied by Indonesians. Sgt. ..., one of the veterans of the battalion who had been through all its actions with it, was killed at once and several others were wounded. Meanwhile the Independent Para Company, which was working round a flank, also ran into difficulties and suffered four fatal casualties. The extrication of the troops from this position involved the use of the artillery and some tanks and took most of the day but fortunately was carried out without further loss. Excellent work was done while the section was pinned in the open by Cpl. McCormick of the platoon and Cpl. Bartle who was in charge of the stretcher bearers, both of whom moved about freely and did very valuable work. Both were later decorated for their work; McCormick being awarded the MM and Bartle a bar to the MM which he had already won in Normandy.’ William Henry Bartle was born on 4 September 1920 at Nottingham. He served during the Second World War with the Royal Army Medical Corps and having passed the Parachute Training School long course at Ringway in September 1943 he was posted to 225 Parachute Field Ambulance. Corporal Bartle was attached to 7th Battalion Parachute Regiment and dropped with them at 00.45 hours into Normandy on ‘D-Day’ 6 June 1944. He was awarded the M.M. for gallantry in Normandy on 18 June 1944 for making repeated journeys into the open to bring in casualties. After the Japanese surrender, the 7th Battalion, as part of the 5th Parachute Brigade, was posted to the Far East, arriving in Singapore on 21 September 1945 as part of XV Corps, the island’s garrison. By 17 December the brigade was moved again, sent as reinforcements to assist the Indian division on Java. The brigade's mission was to restore law and order and disarm the Japanese military forces in the area. They were told to expect to remain in Java until relieved by units of the Royal Netherlands Army. Under the command of the 23rd Indian Infantry Division, the brigade carried out Operation Pounce, clearing Batavia and surrounding region of dissidents. In January 1946 they were moved to garrison Semarang. At the time Semarang’s population of around 210,000 was a mixture of Indonesians, Chinese, Koreans, Dutch and Japanese. During the fighting before the brigade's arrival considerable damage had been caused to the town's infrastructure which the brigade's engineers and medics were tasked to rectify. To protect the inhabitants from Indonesian nationalists whose stated aim was to "slaughter all the Dutch and Chinese", the brigade's three battalions established a defensive perimeter around the outskirts of the town. To assist with security, a Japanese battalion was rearmed and given a sector of the defences to man. Corporal Bartle was awarded a Bar to his M.M. when, on 24 March 1946, the 5th Parachute Brigade Mortar Battalion attached to a 22 Independent Parachute Company patrol was ambushed by dissident Indonesian nationalist troops outside a wood at Tembalang, near Semarang. With the section pinned down in the open and taking casualties, Bartle did excellent work in charge of stretcher bearers, moving about freely as the extrication of the troops from the position took most of the day. The 5th Brigade remained in Semarang until relieved by the Dutch 'T' Brigade Group on 26th April 1946, and then returned to Singapore. Sold with a letter from the Army Medal Office confirming that no GSM was ever issued to Bartle.
A Second War 1942 ‘North Africa’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant R. Miller, Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, who was decorated for multiple acts of gallantry during the Western Desert Campaign in June and July 1942 and was subsequently taken P.O.W. following Operation Agreement - the amphibious raid on Tobruk, September 1942 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4342485 Cpl. R. Miller. R. North’d Fus.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4342485 Fsr. R. Miller. R. North’d Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £2,000-£2,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 24 September 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Throughout the whole of the period during which his team has been in action this N.C.O. has shown a complete disregard for personal safety. At Sollum, during the rearguard action, four enemy tanks appeared at 2000 yards. Cpl. Miller immediately engaged them with his section, and during the firing stood high on the parapet the better to observe the results and the strike of his bullets, destroying their carrier observation post before the tanks withdrew. Later that day the position was shelled and mortared for a period of nearly two hours; Corporal Miller’s cheerful bearing and nonchalant attitude towards the shelling did much to maintain the confidence and morale of his Section. At Garawla, on 28 June 1942, a column pushed out on a destructive raid and was halted by a heavy enemy barrage. His machine-gun section immediately went into action, and for a period of roughly half an hour was subject to heavy machine-gun and shell fire. Corporal Miller immediately told his No. 1 to get down from the gun, which was mounted on a truck, and himself took over the firing. He maintained his fire despite this heavy fire until ordered to stop by the O.C. Column. Later investigation proved that his truck had been hit four times during this action. Again, during the action west of Barrel Hill, a large enemy gun was spotted at a range of 1800 yards. The Section immediately took this on frontally - thus allowing the other Section to get into action on the flank. Heavy enemy fire, both Breda and Anti-tank, were returned on Corporal Miller’s Section. Here again this N.C.O., with complete disregard of personal safety stood high up to observe the results of his fire. When the return fire became extremely fierce, Corporal Miller took over the job of No. 1 until ordered to cease firing. On 18 July 1942, on Hill 64, the enemy subjected that area to several hours shelling. During the whole of that time Corporal Miller’s cheerful courage was reflected in his Section.’ Richard Miller served with the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers in Palestine during the Arab Revolt, 1936-39 (medal and clasp) and subsequently in North Africa during the Second World War with the 1st Battalion. He was wounded in Cyrenaica (Eastern Libya) on 24 November 1941 during Operation Crusader following which his battalion spent some time refitting in Egypt. As the Axis launched their new offensive at Gazala in late May 1942, the 1st Battalion was ordered back to the desert only to be driven back over the following weeks from Tobruk into Egypt with the rest of the British and Commonwealth forces. Corporal Miller distinguished himself during the retreat firstly at Sollum in late June where Miller’s Z Company remained as a rearguard following the withdrawal of the rest of his battalion to Mersa Matruh. After 24 hours this force also evacuated to rejoin the battalion. Then, on 28 June at Garawla, just east of Mersa Matruh, the 151st Infantry Brigade, with Z Company, 1st R.N.F., under command, was ordered out into the desert to the south to ‘smash the enemy’s Lines of Communication’ as they were rapidly by-passing the defences. Here Miller again displayed great bravery with his machine-gun section in a prolonged fire fight. The following month, during the first Battle of El Alamein, Miller distinguished himself twice more under heavy fire, at Barrel Hill and at Hill 64. Shortly after Miller’s M.M. recommendation was approved on 18 August 1942, his unit - 14 Platoon, Z Company, 1st Royal Northumberland Fusiliers - was selected to participate in Operation Agreement together with a combined force of S.A.S., Long Range Desert Group, Royal Marines and the Palestinian Special Interrogation Group (in German uniform) also supplemented by one company of Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. The main objective was the destruction of the oil storage facility on the south side of Tobruk Harbour. Although Miller was among the few men who got ashore, the raid itself was a disaster with losses in both personnel and equipment amounting to three warships, seven M.T.B.s, a few dozen other small craft and several hundred soldiers and Royal Marines killed or taken prisoner. The regimental history takes up the story of these ill-fated events with respect to Miller’s machine-gun platoon: ‘The raiding party left Alexandria in motor torpedo boats on 11 September and arrived off Tobruk on 13 September after two very unpleasant days at sea. Surprise, essential to the success of the operation, was not effected. As a result Sergeant Miller’s section alone succeeded in landing. After evading capture for a considerable time, all but one of its members contracted dysentery and were compelled to surrender. The one man to escape, Corporal Wilson, after many adventurous experiences in and around Tobruk, regained the British lines two months later after the Battle of El Alamein. The remainder of the Platoon had no alternative to returning to Alexandria, which, despite being heavily dive- bombed en route, they reached safely.’ (The History of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the Second World War by Brigadier C. N. Barclay C.B.E., D.S.O.). Besides being named in the Regimental History, Miller is also mentioned in the books ‘Tobruk Commando’ by Gordon Landsrough and ‘Massacre at Tobruk’ by Peter C. Smith. Having gone into the bag at Tobruk, Sergeant Miller was transported to Italy where he was initially held prisoner of war at No. 70 Camp, Monturano, Parma. He was subsequently transferred to Stalag IV-B at Mülberg, Germany for the remainder of the war. Sold together with a copy of Corporal Wilson’s escape report from National Archives file WO201/740 describing the Tobruk raid his subsequent evasion, and the Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the recipient’s M.M., named to ‘4342485 Cpl. R. Miller, M.M., The Royal Northumberland Fusiliers.’
A Second War 1945 ‘Arakan operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner S. A. Roast, Royal Artillery, attached No. 1 Commando, for the bloody battle of Hill 170 near Kangaw after which ‘the bodies of 340 of the enemy lay in an area no more than 100 yards square’: his M.M. recommendation contains many similarities to that for the V.C. awarded for the same action to his mortally wounded Troop commander Lieutenant G. A. Knowland Military Medal, G.VI.R. (11268880 Gnr. S. A. Roast. R. A.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘On the 31 January 45 at Hill 170 near Kangaw, Gunner Roast was No. 1 on the Bren gun in the foremost weapon pit of his position which was constantly being rushed and grenaded. His No. 2 on the gun was wounded early in the action, and two other men who subsequently came in to act as No. 2 were either killed or wounded. Gunner Roast carried on firing on his own in spite of being on the forward slope by himself with a Japanese Medium Machine Gun facing him only 20 yards away. He only withdrew when the battle had finished and his position was taken over by relieving troops. He had fired over seventy magazines. It was largely due to his high sense of duty that the position was not over-run.’ Stanley Albert Roast, from Maryport, Cumberland, served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War. He was attached to No. 1 Commando unit from 23 July 1943 and served with them as part of 3 Commando Brigade, 15 Corps, at the time of the above engagement at Kangaw. The Battle for Hill 170 at Kangaw, for which Roast was awarded the M.M. and Lieutenant Knowland was awarded the Victoria Cross, has been described as one of the bloodiest battles of the war. The Japanese in fact later admitted that it was their heaviest action of the Burmese Campaign. On the last day, 31 January 1945, the Japanese made a determined attempt to capture the Hill, starting their attacks at 6am and not ending until 6pm. Troops from other Commandos came and fought side by side with No. 1 Commando and the Brigade succeeded in holding the Hill at the heavy cost of 45 killed, and 90 wounded. A comparison of Roast’s M.M. recommendation and Knowland’s stirring V.C. citation - published in the London Gazette on 12 April 1945 just a few days before Roast’s M.M., - makes it clear that both men were fighting in close proximity in the foremost areas of the action that day. Further testimony to the ferocity and point blank nature of the engagement is to be found in The Green Beret by Hilary St. George Saunders: ‘So the battle raged all day, the Japanese alternating fits of frenzied digging with massed counter-attacks. Lieutenant G. A. Knowland (Royal Norfolk Regiment), an officer of No. 4 Troop of No. 1 Commando, was conspicuous in the defence. At the head of twenty four men he beat off the first attack delivered by, it was estimated, three hundred Japanese. He moved from trench to trench with ammunition for those who needed it, firing his rifle and throwing grenades. Discovering that the crew of one of his Bren guns had all been killed or wounded, he maintained the gun in action until a fresh crew could arrive, and in order to obtain a better field of fire, stood on top of the trench and fired it from the hip. The diversion thus created enabled stretcher-bearers to bring back the wounded, and these included the new Bren gun team who were all hit before they could reach the position. Lieutenant Knowland therefore continued to keep the gun in action alone. A new attack developed. To meet it he changed his weapon for a 2-inch mortar, and firing this, like the Bren gun, from the hip, killed six Japanese with his first bomb. Having used up all his ammunition he withdrew a short distance, laid hold of a rifle and continued to engage the enemy. The Japanese made a final desperate charge. Knowland flung away the rifle, picked up a Tommy gun and sprayed the attackers with it from a range of ten yards. A bullet struck him and he fell mortally wounded. His action saved the day. The Japanese made no further progress and were soon checked by counter-attacks and by fire from the guns of the landing craft at the beach. Knowland was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Nevertheless they remained upon part of the hill, nor could No. 3 Troop of No. 1 Commando, and ‘X’ Troop of No. 42 (Royal Marine) Commando dislodge them. The Japanese maintained three machine guns in position and with these beat off another attack by No. 6 Troop of No. 1 Commando, which lost half its men. The Bren guns were manned unceasingly, casualties being replaced as they occurred. At one gun twelve men were shot down one after the other. ‘It came to a point,’ says Private L. J. Greenslade, who was there, ‘where a man who was climbing up the hill with ammunition or supplies was the next minute being brought down on a stretcher.’ The one Sherman tank left, one of its periscopes shot away, rumbled down the hill to replenish its ammunition and petrol. It returned and opened fire on the Japanese at the north end of the hill, where its shells, bursting about fifty yards ahead of the exhausted remnants of No. 4 Troop of No. 1 Commando, checked the enemy. So the battle raged until darkness fell upon white men and yellow, both alike utterly spent, each clinging to their part of the blood-soaked hill. In the short tropic twilight Thunderbolts attacked and inflicted heavy casualties. This was the end. The Japanese had shot their bolt. That night they withdrew and on the next day No. 5 Commando was able to clear the hill. The bodies of three hundred and forty of the enemy lay in an area no more than a hundred yards square. Among the Japanese corpses was one with a green beret on its head, and two mules, their hooves shod with rubber pads. Presumably they had been used for carrying heavy weapons over the chaung at night. The three Commandos had lost heavily; five officers and forty other ranks had been killed, and six officers and eighty-four other ranks wounded. Immediately after the battle Lieutenant-General Christison, commanding the 15th Indian Corps, of which the 3rd Commando Brigade formed part, issued a special order of the day. The reputation of the brigade, he said, ‘for indifference to personal danger, for ruthless pursuit in success, and for resourceful determination in adversity’ had been an inspiration to all their comrades in arms. ‘The battle of Kangaw,’ he finished, ‘has been the decisive battle of the whole Arakan campaign, and that it was won was due very largely to your magnificent courage on Hill 170.’
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Algiers (T. S. Beauchant, 1st Lieut. R.M.) very neat engraved correction to ‘ant, 1st’, otherwise lightly toned, extremely fine £3,000-£4,000 --- Theophilus Samuel Beauchant was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines on 9 November 1805, and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on 22 September 1810. He served as a 1st Lieutenant Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Impregnable at the battle of Algiers in 1816, although the medal rolls incorrectly give his rank as 2nd Lieutenant in which rank it was originally issued. Originally assigned to 137 Company in the Plymouth Division, Beauchant transferred to 3 Royal Marine Artillery Company, Plymouth Division, on 1 February 1806. He was present at the second battle of Copenhagen, 2-7 September 1807, and received an injury there which left him deaf for life. Individual ships and stations are not recorded in the Navy lists at this time so it is not possible to say which particular vessel he was serving in at Copenhagen. However, R.M.A. parties were present in H.M. Ships Fury, Zebra, Aetna, Thunder and Vesuvius. Sometime in 1809, he was ‘employed on Special Service propaganda work on the French coast, under instructions from Commodore Owen of the Clyde frigate.’ He had been engaged, as he himself mentions in a personal statement of services sent into the Admiralty [now filed among the Secretary’s “In-Letters” at The National Archives] ‘for two months as a Volunteer in assisting to disseminate a knowledge of the affairs of Spain in France...’ Beauchant commanded the R.M.A. detachment of H.M.S. Hound in the Scheldt expedition of July-December 1809, and was afterwards sent to Cadiz with H.M.S. Hound to assist in the defence of that city, arriving there on 4 April 1810. He took part in the shelling of Forts San José and San Luis, 12-21 April, and was also present at the attack on the French fleet lying off Point St Mary on 23 November 1810. A ‘Boat Service’ clasp was authorised for this latter action but Beauchant had died before he was able to claim it. He was in action again on 2, 11, 13 and 31 of December 1810, and 5-6 March 1811. H.M.S. Hound remained at Cadiz until September 1812. He was placed in charge of training a detachment of R.M.A. from Chatham, at Woolwich in April-August 1813. In April 1814 he sailed to America in command of the R.M.A. detachment aboard H.M.S. Erebus, and while she was at Halifax, Nova Scotia, he was lent to H.M.S. Superb as a gunnery instructor. Beauchant was later to publish a book titled The Naval Gunner, essentially a highly technical account about ‘conducting the rocket service afloat, remarks on bomb vessels, fire ships etc.’, but with occasional reference to his personal services: ‘Nor must it be supposed that the author formed his opinion on theory alone. On the coast of America, the crew of the Superb 74, under the flag of Sir Henry Hotham, was brought to such a state of perfection in gunnery by the author, as few or none of His Majesty’s ships could boast of; and its apparent effect on the sailors was confidence in themselves, and an anxious wish to try their skill upon the enemy.’ He returned to Erebus in time to take part in the Potomac expedition of 17 August to 4 September 1814, and was present at the capture of Fort Washington on 28 August 1814, and also at the action at Baltimore on 13 September 1814. He would also have been entitled to the clasp for ‘The Potomac’ had he not died before being able to claim for it. In January 1816 he was placed in command of the R.M.A. detachment aboard H.M.S. Impregnable for the expedition to Algiers. In the battle on 27 August 1816, Impregnable suffered the greatest number of casualties of all the British ships present. A contemporary account of the hellish scenes in the ‘tween decks was penned a few days after the bombardment by Lieutenant John Whinyates, Royal Engineers, who was present throughout the day on the poop-deck of the Impregnable. In the early hours of the morning of 28 August, with the ship anchored out at sea and the night sky torn by the roar and flash of the storm, he chose to carry the lantern for Lieutenant Thophilus Beauchant, Royal Marine Artillery, who was making a round of the ship: ‘The horror of the spectacle is difficult to describe. On the middle deck the first thing we saw was eight men lying between two guns, each in the convulsed attitude in which he had expired. One man had one arm extended, the other close to his breast, both fists clenched in a boxing attitude, whilst his right leg lay by his side, having been cut in two by a cannon-ball close to the hip. Near him was another poor fellow extended on his belly, his face downwards, with his back exposed: between his shoulders was buried an 18-pound shot. Legs, arms, blood, brains and mangled bodies were strewn about in all directions. You could scarcely keep your feet from the slipperiness of the decks, wet with blood.’ (Gunfire in Barbary refers). Beauchant was placed on ‘reserved half pay’ on 3 May 1817, and afterwards settled in Falmouth, Cornwall, where he served as Burgess of the Borough of Falmouth in September 1822-23; Alderman in August 1825; Mayor 1827-29; and Justice October 1829-30. Two entries in ‘Officers who have held the position of Mayor’ state: ‘29 Sept 1827. Mr T. S. Beauchant an officer on half pay of the marines artillery, holding a commission of lieutenant in the Cornwall militia, and latterly a wholesale brewer. 29 Sept 1828. The majority being absent, Mr Beauchant held over. He has since quitted Falmouth for America.’ Of his departure to America, as stated above, little is known. His book, The Naval Gunner Containing A Correct Method Of Disparting Any Piece Of Ordnance ... Tables Of Ranges ... Remarks On Bomb Vessels, Fire Ships ... &c, was published by Devonport & Longmans & Co., London, in 1828. At some later point Beauchant moved to St Aubin, St Brelade, Jersey, and gives this address in his last Will and Testament, dated 20 September 1849. He died at Falmouth on 14 October 1849, the following obituary notice appearing in The West Britain & Cornwall Advertiser on 26 October: ‘Lately of Jersey Theophilus Beauchant, Esq, of Royal Marines Artillery was for many years first magistrate of Falmouth. During this period of office he materially improved acquirements; also the inhabitants are wholly indebted for the projecting of the classical school in that town, that by mismanagement, unfortunately frustrated the expectations he had nobly entertained of it being a public good. Mr Beauchant has left a widow and several children to lament their loss.’
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant T. Dickson, 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7878 L.Sjt: T. Dickson. 15/High: L.I.); 1914-15 Star (7878 Pte. T. Dickson. High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7878 Cpl. T. Dickson. High. L.I.) nearly very fine (4) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack. He went forward with one man to reconnoitre the enemy strong point which was holding up the attack, and then led his platoon with great dash and skill, mopping up the post and capturing three machine guns and fourteen prisoners. Throughout the advance he set a fine example of initiative and courage.’ Additionally annotated: ‘Ayette 2-3.4.18.’ Thomas Dickson attested for the Highland Light Infantry and served with the 1st Battalion, a regular army battalion based in India prior to the war, during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 January 1915. The battalion was part of the Sirhind Brigade, Lahore Division, and took part in the Battles of Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos in 1915 before transferring to Mesopotamia to fight against the Ottoman Empire, arriving in January 1916. At some point Dickson transferred to 15th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, a new army battalion, which served with 14th Brigade, 32nd Division. Landing at Boulogne on 3 January 1916, the battalion served the remainder of the war on the Western Front and at the time of the Armistice was east of Avesnes. It was while serving with this battalion that Dickson, by then a Lance-Sergeant, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at the capture of Ayette, during the German Spring Offensive, on 2-3 April 1918. The Battalion War Diary gives the following account: ‘2 April 1918: Preparations for the attack of Ayette were then hastened and Operations Order No 17 was issued. The CO held a conference of company commanders at 9am at Bn HQrs in Douchy and the details of the arrangements were thoroughly gone into. The enemy displayed little activity during the day and the preparatory work proceeded smoothly, all ranks displaying great energy and determination. The arrangements for artillery and M.G. support were most carefully made by 14th Inf Bde and these arrangements made known to all ranks. Orders were received that after completion of operations, the frontage held by D and B Coys of the 15th H.L.I. would be taken over by the 5/6th Royal Scots. Operational Order No 18 was issued. 3 April 1918: The operation was carried through in the most enthusiastic and determined fashion, all ranks being inspired with the greatest dash and gallantry and the village captured despite the large number of the enemy found to be in it. It was subsequently discovered that a Battalion and a M.G. Battn of the enemy were in the village. The Battalion commander and Adjutant being amongst the prisoners. Owing to the length of time taken to mop up the enemy cellars and dug outs in the village the relief of D and C Coys by the 5/6th Royal Scots had to be carried out during the fighting and this was successfully done, thanks to the fine spirit shown by the relieving troops. Our casualties were slightly heavier than at first thought, 5 officers and 180 OR’s killed wounded or missing.’ The appendix report in the War Diary on the action makes particular mention of the difficulties caused by enemy machine guns / strong points and the gallantry of the men in successfully tackling these. Sold with copied research.
The Memorial Plaque to Sapper R. Daniels, Australian Tunnelling Corps, who was killed in action on the Ypres Salient on 27 November 1916, within a week of arriving on the Western Front Memorial Plaque (Richard Daniels) polished, therefore nearly very fine £200-£240 --- Richard Daniels was born in London in 1894 and having emigrated to Australia attested for the Australian Imperial Force at Linda, Tasmania. A miner by occupation, he served with the 3rd Tunnelling Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 November 1916, and was killed in action on 27 November 1916, within a week of arriving on the Front. The unit War Diary for the date states: ‘Hostile activity in the Hill 70 area [in the Loos Salient] towards the last part of November was considerable. On 27 November 1916 while preparing to tamp gallery 21.DD, the charging of 17,500 lbs of ammonal having been completed, the enemy exploded a comonflet, which exploded our charge. Casualties were 1 Officer and 20 other ranks killed, and 8 other ranks mine gassed.’ Daniels is buried in Hersin Communal Cemetery Extension, France. He is the only man by the name ‘Richard Daniels’ recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll of Honour. Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.
This lot will be auctioned on Thursday, November 11th. The auction will begin at 3:00pm BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on November 9th or November 10th.Howard Hughes' (Terry O'Quinn) rocket pack blueprint and "Man Flies Without Plane!" newspaper from Joe Johnston's action-adventure film The Rocketeer. A blueprint was part of Hughes' secret file for the X-3 rocket design , and newspapers were distributed after Cliff (Bill Campbell) donned his Rocketeer pack for the first time to save a life at Bigelow's Air Circus.The blueprint shows a front and side view of the "HHAC ROCKET PACK CC-3". Dated "October 15,1983", the Los Angeles Examiner newspaper features the headline "Man Flies Without Plane! Rocketeer Thrills Crowd" and a photo of the Rocketeer flying over a crowd. Both show creasing, edge wear and signs of discolouration due to age. Dimensions (blueprint): 28 cm x 36 cm (11" x 14¼"); (newspaper): 58.5 cm x 44 cm (23" x 17¼") Estimate: £400 - 600 M
This lot will be auctioned on Tuesday, November 9th. The auction will begin at 3:00pm BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on November 10th or November 11th.A US space marine model miniature from Lewis Gilbert's Bond film Moonraker. Miniature versions of the US marines were used for certain shots during the laser battle in space against Drax's (Michael Lonsdale) space station guards. Created by renowned visual effects supervisor Derek Meddings, the model consists of an Action Man doll wearing a silver spacesuit decorated with small patches on both sleeves, and a vacuum-formed plastic chest pack and backpack featuring small tube-like components. "22" is written on the inside of the backpack, which has a missing top section. The plastic helmet features a transparent visor section which reveals the figure's face, and the hands are painted silver to create the appearance of gloves. The model is mounted on a black custom-made display stand. Some components are missing, including the feet, and the backpack's top right corner is slightly damaged. Signs of discolouration are present on parts of the suit, and the model exhibits paint wear. Dimensions (displayed): 43 cm x 12 cm x 16 cm (17" x 4¾" x 6¼") Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000 M
This lot will be auctioned on Tuesday, November 9th. The auction will begin at 3:00pm BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on November 10th or November 11th.Buzzsaw's (Gus Rethwisch) costume from Paul Michael Glaser's dystopian action film The Running Man. Buzzsaw wore his costume as he hunted Ben Richards (Arnold Schwarzenegger), before Richards bisected him with his own chainsaw.The costume consists of a helmet; a black vest; a black string top; a pair of black trousers labelled "Running Man Gus Rethwisch Buzzsaw"; a wide, silver-painted belt which reads "Buzzsaw" in large letters; a pair of leather boots; a pair of gloves; a pair of leather armguards; and a set of bolas. The gloves are not original and have been added to complete the costume. The "Buzzsaw" belt has two leather and metal attachments, one down each side, where he holstered his chainsaws. The bolas comprise of rope attached to a baseball and a softball, all of which are painted silver. The costume has some wear from production use and age, including scuffing and scratches on the belt, boots and bolas. Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000 M
This lot will be auctioned on Wednesday, November 10th. The auction will begin at 3:00pm BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on November 9th or November 11th.A Turbo Man comic book, a cereal box and a gift certificate from Brian Levant's Christmas comedy Jingle All The Way. Jamie (Jake Lloyd) read a comic in his bedroom, and a cereal box stood on the Langstons' kitchen table. A gift certificate was the prize in a radio competition.The custom-made comic book has gold-foil detailing and contains filler pages. The "Turbo Man Cereal" box shows the superhero eating cereal, and the certificate displays text which indicates the voucher can be swapped for an action figure. The lot shows minor wear and creasing. Dimensions (comic): 26.5 cm x 17.5 cm x 0.2 cm (10½" x 7" x¼"); (cereal box): 29.5 cm x 19.5 cm x 7 cm (11½" x 7¾" x 2¾"); (certificate): 13 cm x 25.5 cm (5¼" x 10") Estimate: £400 - 600 M
A TREEN BOXWOOD PRIMITIVE FIGURAL NUTCRACKER LATE 17TH / EARLY 18TH CENTURY with a lever action, in the form of a faun-like man with a flat face and pointed ears, sporting a bow tie with a frock coat and breaches 19.8cm high Provenance Upper Slaughter Manor, The Collection of Micheál and Elizabeth Feller. Catalogue Note See Woolley & Wallis, Furniture and Works of Art, 6th July 2016, lots 51, 54 and 55 and 4th July 2018 lot 66 for similar examples. Also, Jonathan Levi, 'Treen for the Table', p.168, pl.12/23 for a similar nutcracker.
1990s Issue Action Man and GI Joe by Hasbro, a boxed collection of figures, 27551 Operation A.T.A.K. (2), 27875 Street Racer, 27549 Kick Boxer, 12748 Night Creeper, 89518 DR X, 76538 Prof Gangrene and 76507 Mountain Bike Extreme, together with GI Joe 6111 Basic Training Grunt, 6089 Snake Eyes, G-E, Boxes F-G, (10)
1990s Issue Action Man and GI Joe by Hasbro, a boxed collection of figures, 12774 Street Combat, 27881 Ninja II, 12769 Special Forces, 11202 Mission Amazone, 12765 Metralla, 76516 Special Forces, 12808 Mission Extreme, 16156 Battle Force, 16155 Commando Sous Marin and 12752 Space Commando, G-E, Boxes F-G, (10)
A large collection of unsorted vintage Action Man figures and accessories including 8 complete figures (all with flock hair, some with gripping hands, 1 has a loose head), 4 Palitoy Action Man empty boxes, 12 Action Men that have head detached from body (mostly 'blue pant' type, all with flock hair, some with gripping hands). Accessories include boots, helmets, weapons, a stretcher, dinghy, military uniforms etc
4 vintage Action Man figures with flock hair,all fully dressed, including a 'Polar & Arctic' figure with gripping hand, German Stormtrooper (damaged rifle and hands, dusty), British Army officer with Sam Browne belt (no swagger stick, damaged hands) and USMC International figure (gripping hand)
7 vintage Action Man dolls and 2 other doll figures, all in military uniform, 6 have gripping hands (of which 2 have damage to hands). One is a German Kommendant with pistol in holster and Iron Cross medal. Lot includes additional clothing, weapons, 'Special Operations Kit' bag and other accessories. All unboxed (9)
Action Man; Three flock head Figures, two with 'blue pants', one in vintage 'Mountain and Arctic' uniform, the other in Tank Commander, both incomplete, together with a quantity of other uniform and accessories, four other Action Man flock head figures, all playworn and a/f, tank, helicopter, a/f, Cherilea motorcycle and sidecar etc, (a lot)
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