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Click here to subscribeVintage Action Man Olympic Champion, on blond painted head doll, track suit, top and bottoms, singlet, shorts, running shoes, javelin, join broken (common with this piece) discus, shot, Olympic torch, medal, display stand and information leaflet, in excellent original condition, a very nice example! Est £100-150 £100r 7-11
Three Action Man Dressed Dolls, brown flocked hair, eagle eyes doll, with Parachute regiment uniform, original jacket, trousers, boots, SLR rifle, modern issue webbing, scarf and beret, blond flocked hair, eagle eyes doll, with Red Devil Parachutist outfit, parachute and pack, jump suit, crash helmet, goggles, reserve parachute pack, boots (missing door flap on parachute pack) and blond flocked hair, gripping hands doll with Turbo copter,all in good to excellent condition.(3 items)
Action Man Boxed Vintage Adventurer by Palitoy, Cat No.34053 with realistic brown hair/beard, gripping hands, contents: Action man Figure, sweater, trousers, plastic dressing cap,L364 Important yellow card, how to dress the action man, L575 instruction leaflet, 1976 No.10 Equipment manual and L259 star card, doll is in excellent original condition, rubber hands have hardened, outer original box is near mint, National Association of Toy Retailers golden Award sticker.
Boxed Original Palitoy Action Man SAS Key Figure, circa 1980, brown flocked hair, eagle eyed, gripping hands, doll, with combat suit, flak jacket, anti-flash hood, gas mask, boots, Heckler & Koch SMG machine gun, doll and uniform are in excellent condition, outer card box is good, with edge/age wear, crease to one non picture side, one inner tab to box has a tear.
Action Soldier Vintage Action Man by Palitoy 1964, with original box , cat no 93530000, black painted head, doll in very good condition, cracks to both lower legs near knee, uniform is excellent, identity tag, with Army manual, Equipment manual, star card, box is in fair original condition, missing one inner tab, sellotaped one end, plus Action Man Action Command Form, you free Action Man with our compliments letter, Action Man is here 45rmp vinyl single, official wooden kit locker box, with boots, helmet, M! Rifle, .45 pistol, holster, bayonet, field telephone, belt, fatigue cap, canteen and ness tin, box is in good original condition, some rusting to catch.
A Quantity of Vintage Action Man Clothes and Accessories, including Ski Patrol, complete, with nice transfer on helmet, Medic set complete, M1 Rifle, three belts, helmet netting, foliage, grenades, field jacket, cartridge belt, ammo box and machine gun on tripod, bivouac sleeping bag, cape, field telephone, beachhead assault flame thrower ,MP helmet, 45 pistol, holster and belt, Bazooka with two shells, basic army fatigues shirt & trousers, map with case, British army helmet, trousers & tunic, two pairs of boots, radio set, ten equipment manuals, Brutus leaflet, The Royal Canadian Mounted police uniform complete, with leaflet (fading to jacket & trousers) and Action Man Action Command Form, you free Action Man with our compliments letter. (A Lot.)
Four Action Man Dressed Dolls, Action Soldier, on blond flocked hair eagle eyed doll, (missing strap on SLR) blond flocked hair, gripping hands doll, with Royal Marines combat uniform, equipment webbing, Tank regt beret, (missing strap on SLR) Tank Commander, on beared hard hands doll, (beret missing badge) and British Infantryman brown flocked hair, eagle eyed doll, all in good condition.(4 items)
Palitoy Vintage Action Man Boxed Helicopter Pilot, 34033 brown flocked hair, eagle eyed, gripping hands doll, in excellent original condition, with, scarf, military flight suit, helmet & visor, face mask and boots, plastic dressing cap, L830 instruction leaflet,L920 star card, half of poster, original sharpshooter box, is in good condition, some age/edge wear, with vintage £6.99 price label.
Three Vintage Action Man Dressed Dolls, blond flocked hair, hard hands doll, with commando jacket, trousers and hat, boots, Stirling sub machine gun, with amo clip, holster and belt with Lebel revolver, blond flocked hair/beard, hard hands doll, with British Infantry outfit (missing VC medal & amo clip) and blond flocked hair, hard hands doll, with Dragon German Stormtrooper outfit, webbing, rifle, original helmet, with strap and stickers, all in good to excellent condition.(3 items)
Three Vintage Action Man Soldiers of the Century Uniforms, German Stormtroopers set, complete 1st issue, helmet complete with perfect decals, unbroken Schmeiser, with iron cross, French Resistance Fighter, with Croix de guerre medal, knife, shoulder holster, Lebel revolver, jeans, jumper (split to seam in jumper) beret, 7.65 submachine gun and Russian, complete with Order of Lenin medal, two equipment manuals and three Intelligence manuals. (A Lot.)
Action Man Boxed Vintage Soldier by Palitoy, Cat No.34052 with realistic blond hair, gripping hands, contents: Action man Figure, beret, sweater, trousers, boots, khaki belt, scarf, SLR Rifle, plastic dressing cap, L575 instruction leaflet, 1975 No.9 Equipment manual and L514 star card, doll is in excellent original condition, one rubber hand has hardened, outer original box is very good, some age/edge wear. National Association of Toy Retailers golden Award sticker and vintage Woolworths price label £3.75.
Palitoy Vintage Action Man Boxed Helicopter Pilot, 34059 blond flocked hair, gripping hands figure, in excellent original condition, with, flying helmet, flying suit, scarf and boots, plastic dressing cap, L575 instruction leaflet,L513 star card, original box in near mint condition, with National Association of Toy Retailers golden Award sticker.
Waterloo 1815 (John Edwards, Gunner, Royal Horse Artillery) fitted with original steel clip and later silver straight bar suspension, edge bruising, nearly very fine £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Sold with a hand-written note that reads: ‘Jordan 1900. It is with all sincerity that I offer my father’s Waterloo Medal which I hope will be accepted by Mrs. Naylor of Leighton Hall for her past and present kindness to me. [Signed] John Edwards.’ Two men with the name John Edwards served as Gunners in the Royal Horse Artillery during the Waterloo Campaign. This medal is believed to be that awarded to the Gunner John Edwards who served in Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Hew Ross’s “A” (‘Chestnut’) Troop at Waterloo, on the basis that he came from Newtown, Montgomeryshire, barely five miles from the Leighton Hall referred to the letter of provenance referred to above. A letter from this man addressed to his brother, dated Saint Deinanens [sic - St. Dennis], France, on 14 July 1815, was published in The Waterloo Archive, edited by Lieutenant-Colonel M. E. S. Laws: ‘Brother, I reseved your Kind Letter and I am Happy to Hear from you and with Plesur. I take up my pen to informe you That I am in Good Helth at present and I hope you and your wife and family are the same. After wee marched from Birmingham to Warley wee remained theire but a short time, the rout came for us. We marched to Woolwich and were fitted out for pursuing searvice and messing. Happy I was we were reddy in 14 Dayes then wee embarked at Ramsgate and after a plesunt passage of 24 oures at sea were landed at hostend in Flanderes. Flanderes is a very fine cunterey and very fine Groves and Riveres and one of the finest Knells in the woorld, wee marched through Brussels and Gent and other fine townes. It was at Brussels where Louis the 18th was. I seed him there 2 or 3 times. Wee Remained ther 12 Dayes. The Rout came at 11 o'Clock on that Evning of the 15 June. wee marched all that night and it rained verrey hard all that night the action of the 16th begun before we could get up. wee were soon a nuff to see the King's Life Guards and 7th and 1st Germany and Scotch Greys charge the french and they lost about 400 smothered in a Bogg. The 16th and 17th it rained verrey hard and we were at camp with our Horses in our hands and nothen in our aversacks. At 8 o'clock on the 18th Jun the general action begun on our right flank. Our troop was posted in the senter right and left of the main road. 3 guns one side and 8 on the other. Wee been at the tread they put us whare they thought there would be more danger. At about 9 o'clock the french brought 28 gunnes opposite our gunnes and then the game began, harmies and troops (illegible). Every man that never seed a bullet would a thought that the world was at a end. about half-past 10 o'clock the French Emperial Guardes dressed in steel armour back and brest plates, they way about 32 pounds, charged up the maine road till they came within 600 yardes they extended rite and left of the road. Wee fired case shot at them and swep them of like a swathe of grass before a syth. The ground was cuvered with men and horses in 5 minutes. Wee limbered up but before wee could move one yard the french was all round us. Me and four more of our Gunners left the gun and formed up with the 1st German Horse and charged the french cavallery, wee swept through the four times. With a good horse and a sharpe sord I caused 5 of them to fall to the ground. My horse reseved 4 cuts as I could not guard my horse and my self at one time. I have the onner of waren a blue and red ribbon as a marke of that day. Wee soon got either gun in action againe, only 4 men to man her and up to our knees in mud. Colonel Ross lost 5 horses shot under him. My gun was struck several times with the french shots. The prussians came up at 6 o'clock and then the charge was sounded from Right to Left. The french left behind them 2 hundred and ten guns and 7 hundred waggons, and the ground covered with men and horses four or five miles. Louies the 18 marched over the ground that day after and I seed him pass through the town to Parris on the 7th of this month. John Edwards P.S. My account may not be quite so great as you have it in England - so my papper is dun and I must give over. Pleased to give my best respects to your wife and Little John and Margaret. I should be verrey happy if you will send directions to Catherine where to writte to me. I should be verry happy of reseving a letter from her. I have sent to mother and my unkel but I have lost Richards directions. my cuzen was to send word back when you reseve this hand and I may know you have got it. This town is 6 miles from Paris. everything is very cheep Brandy 1-6 a bottle and a wine 0.0.10 pence a bottle. So l remain your loving Brother.’ Sold with copied research.
Three: Private W. C. Pottinger, 4th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, attached Dorsetshire Regiment, who died of wounds at Kut al Amara on 30 September 1915, the first man of the Battalion to die due to enemy action in the Great War 1914-15 Star (1127 Pte. W. C. Pottinger. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1127 Pte. W. C. Pottinger. Devon. R.) extremely fine (3) £160-£200 --- William Charles Pottinger was born in Withycombe Raleigh, Exmouth, Devon, in 1888. A farm labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the 4th (Territorial) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Embodied on 5 August 1914, he embarked with the 1/4th Battalion on the TS Nevasa at Southampton and disembarked at Karachi on 10 November 1914. A draft of 25 men from the Battalion, including Private Pottinger, under Lieutenant Snell, were attached to the 2nd Battalion, Dorset Regiment at Kut al Amara, Mesopotamia on 20 May 1915. He died of wounds at Kut al Amara on 30 September 1915, aged 28, and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. He is recorded as the first man from the 4th Battalion to die due to enemy action in the Great War. Sold with copied research.
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (William Wild.) clasp facing slightly buckled on left-hand side, otherwise nearly extremely fine £5,000-£7,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Glendining’s, November 1987. William Wild is confirmed on the roll as a Private, Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Temeraire (Captain E. Harvey) during the major fleet action off Cape Trafalgar between the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral P. C. de Villeneuve, on 21 October 1805. He is the only man with these names on the roll. ‘At Trafalgar she was the second ship in the weather line, closely following the Victory, and her share in the action was particularly brilliant. When the Victory was engaged with the Redoutable, the Temeraire came up to starboard of the French 74, and also engaged her. This was after Nelson had fallen, and the first broadside of the Temeraire checked an attempt at boarding the Victory which the French were about to make. The fight of the little two-decker against the pair of three-deckers was heroic. The top-men of the Redoutable flung down hand-grenades and fire-balls till they set fire to the deck, larboard forechains, starboard foreshrouds and foresail; one fire-ball rolled into the magazine among the powder barrels, and only the presence of mind of a master-at-arms saved the Temeraire from the fate of the Orient at the battle of the Nile. In the mean time a new antagonist, the French 80-gun ship Fougueux had come up on the starboard quarter of the Temeraire, which had been suffering also from the fire of the Neptune. She looked nothing but a cripple, and the Fougueux came up determined to board her. When less than fifty yards separated the vessels, the starboard broadside of the Temeraire crashed into the French ship, sweeping her rigging and upper works bare, leaving her whole side a mass of splinters. She drove into the Temeraire, was lashed fast, and twenty-eight men under Lieut. T. F. Kennedy sprang on to her deck—where the gallant French captain lay mortally wounded—and fought their way to the stump of the mainmast. In ten minutes they had the British colours hoisted, and the Fougueux—which unfortunately foundered in the subsequent gale, with the prize crew on board—was a prize of war to the Temeraire, which had also the Victory’s prize, the Redoutable, lashed to her. “Nothing could be finer,” wrote Lord Collingwood, than her conduct in the fight — “I have no words in which I can sufficiently express my admiration of it.” As the smoke of the battle cleared away she was seen lying dismantled and temporarily helpless, but with an enemy’s ship, equally helpless, a prize on each side of her. Her losses amounted to 121 killed and wounded, including 9 officers, while 43 of her crew perished in the prizes after the battle. She had her main top-mast, the head of her mizen-mast, her foreyard, and her fore and main topsail yards shot away; her fore and main-masts were so badly wounded as to be unfit to carry sail; while her bowsprit was shot through in several places. Her rigging of every sort was cut to pieces, and she was otherwise seriously damaged.’ (The Trafalgar Roll by Colonel R. H. Mackenzie refers) Wild was born in Amport, Hampshire. He enlisted in the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines, and his subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Goliath, Temeraire and Canada. Sold with copied research.
A scarce ‘double issue’ India General Service group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. A. Smith, 2/151st Native Infantry, late 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (Frontier Force) and 5th Punjab Infantry, Indian Army, who was wounded at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 12 March 1915, and was later Mentioned in Despatches India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1901-2 (Lieutt. A. A. Smith 5th. Pjb Infy); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Captn. A. A. Smith - 58th. Rifles.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. A. A. Smith, 58/Rfls. F.F.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. A. A. Smith.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1919-21 (Lt. Col. A. A. Smith 2-151 Infy.) last officially re-impressed, mounted for wear, generally very fine and better (6) £700-£900 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 22 January 1919. Alfred Aquila Smith was born on 2 January 1877, the eldest son of Dublin-born civil servant Vincent Arthur Smith, C.I.E, Indian Civil Service, in Allahabad, Bengal. Educated at Cheltenham College, he was commissioned in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment in February 1896 and transferred to a Regular Army in December 1897, being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the East Lancashire Regiment. Posted to the 2nd Battalion then serving in India, he was appointed to the Indian Staff Corps in February 1901 and attached to the 5th Bombay (Light) Infantry. He was subsequently appointed to 5th Punjab Infantry on 18 October 1901. At the time Smith joined the regiment it was engaged in a series of punitive expeditions against the Darwesh Khel Wazirs and Mahsuds of Waziristan which lasted up to February 1902, for which the clasp ‘Waziristan 1901-2’ was awarded. The following year the 5th Punjab Infantry became 58th Vaughan's Rifles (Frontier Force). Promoted Captain on 1 December 1906, Smith took part in the punitive operations in Mohmand country in 1908 and was present at the engagement at Kargha. In 1914 the 58th Rifles was stationed at Chaman on the border of Afghanistan, which served as an important trade point in the Baluchistan region. The Regiment was mobilised in August 1914 and Captain Smith was appointed to command the depot, along with Lieutenant J. O. Nicholls, which was then temporarily based at Chaman with the plan to move the depot to Multan shortly afterwards. He was sent to France to rejoin his unit in December 1914. There Smith witnessed the Indian Corps in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle; in misty conditions on 12 March 1915, the Germans launched a half-hearted assault which was easily repulsed at a cost of 70 Prisoners of War. According to the History of the 5th Battalion Smith was wounded during the engagement, alongside 11 Indian ranks killed. Marched back to billets in Paradis, the survivors later fought at Aubers Ridge before transferring to Egypt and then Palestine. Promoted Major, Smityh subsequently rejoined the battalion on 6 December 1917: ‘The 58th Rifles, now, on December 10th, received orders to join the 232nd Brigade then at Jimsu, where it arrived the same day after a march across a roadless, rain-sodden country, and on the 11th the 75th Division advanced its front to the line Midieh - Kh. Hamid - Budrus - Sheik Obeid Rahil in the XXIst Corps area, meeting with slight opposition in the process. On this day “C” Company under major A. A. Smith - who had only rejoined a few days previously from command of the regimental depot at Multan - supported a company of the 4th Devons in the capture of the Khurbat Zebdah Ridge, then passing through and taking Khurbat Hamid, after a short fight in which one man was killed and two wounded... On December 15th the Regiment was on the left of the Brigade in the storming of the very steep Khurbat Ibanneh position, taking prisoner 2 officers and 11 men; the casualties in the 58th from the 1st to 31st were 4 men killed and 18 wounded, whilst the captures totalled 3 officers, 25 men and one machine gun (ibid).’ Smith was promoted acting Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1918 and left the regiment to take over command of the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry, a newly raised infantry battalion. On 10 June, the 2nd Battalion, 151st Infantry joined the 29th Brigade, 10th (Irish) Division and remained with the division for the rest of the Sinai and Palestine Campaign, taking part in the Battle of Nablus (19–21 September 1918). Mentioned in Despatches for his services during the advance of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, Smith returned with his unit to India in early February 1919; there they were mobilised for service in the the Third Afghan War, forming part of the Thal Relief Column. Smith relinquished command on 10 June 1919 and the battalion was disbanded on 31 July 1920. He retired from the Indian Army on 3 June 1921 and died on in Chiswick, Middlesex, on 14 July 1930. Sold with extensive copied research.
A fine ‘Home Service’ 1940 B.E.M. awarded to Private J. T. Doran, South Lancashire Regiment, late Royal Navy British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (No. D/29808 Pte. John Thomas Doran, S. Lan. R.) nearly extremely fine £200-£240 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 11 March 1941: ‘For gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the night of the 28th/29th August, 1940, a soldier in Private Doran’s Company ran amok and was firing his rifle indiscriminately. Without any regard for his own personal safety, Private Doran was of invaluable assistance to his Company Commander in disarming the man. His action was most commendable.’ John Thomas Doran was born in Birkenhead on 15 June 1899 and served during the Great War as Boy 1st Class aboard the battlecruiser H.M.S. Indomitable from 15 February 1916. Present at the Battle of Jutland, he witnessed Indomitable land three strikes on Derfflinger and a further hit on the Seydlitz, before watching the magazines of her sister ship Invincible explode, killing 1026 officers and men. Transferred to Valiant and Highflyer, Doran was discharged from the Royal Navy in July 1920, his conduct and character described as ‘fair’ following a number of later misdemeanours. Taking employment as a general labourer, Doran later worked as a bricklayer’s labourer before serving with the 6th South Lancashire Regiment on Home Defence duties during the Second World War, protecting vulnerable sites in the area of the Mersey Estuary. It was at around this time that he carried out the brave deed which greatly assisted Lieutenant-Colonel G. W. Morriss, D.S.O., and resulted in the award of the B.E.M. Sold with copied research.
The British War Medal awarded to Captain A. S. Mather, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Pup pilot who served with 3 (Naval) Squadron, and was shot down by the German Ace Oberleutnant Adolf Ritter von Tutschek, on the Western Front on 1 May 1917. Mather was taken Prisoner of War, and interned in Germany for the remainder of the War British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. A. S. Mather. R.A.F.) good very fine £100-£140 --- Arthur Stuart Mather was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in February 1895. He was educated at the Central Secondary School Sheffield, prior to working a four-year engagement on the Inver Line. Mather was apprenticed as a Third Mate with the Inversnaid of Aberdeen between March 1911 and December 1915. Having advanced to Second Mate, he volunteered for service with the Royal Naval Air Service and was commissioned Temporary Flight Sub Lieutenant (on probation) in June 1916. Mather carried out initial training at Crystal Palace, Eastbourne and East Church, prior to being posted to East Fortune in November 1916, and then to Dover in March 1917. Mather was posted as a pilot for operational service with 3 (Naval) Squadron (Sopwith Pups) in France. He was shot down and taken Prisoner of War on 1 May 1917, whilst escorting a formation of FE2b’s on a reconnaissance to Cambrai. Mather was the 3rd ‘victory’ (of 27) for Pour Le Mérite winner Oberleutnant Adolf Ritter von Tutschek of Jasta 12. A photograph of him being made to pose next to his captured machine by the Germans is illustrated in I Chose The Sky by 3 Squadron contemporary L. H. Rochford. Mather claimed that he shot down an aircraft during the above combat, but it was not substantiated as he was taken Prisoner of War. An article that appeared in the Sheffield Daily Telegraph on 4 January 1919 gives the following: ‘Included in a number of officers recently returned from Germany, is Flight Lieutenant Arthur Stuart Mather, R.A.F., whose parents reside in Sharrow, Sheffield. Flight Lieutenant Mather was attached to the squadron of the renowned Commander Mulock, and was occupied in combating German pilots in May, 1917, when, after having brought down one German machine, he was made the target of other Hun pilots, one of whom shot the controls of Lieutenant Mather’s machine. As a result of this, he was obliged to descend behind the German lines. Since then he has had experiences of typical German treatment in the internment camps at Strohen and Bad-Colberg, but has arrived home physically fit, despite the rigours of life in Germany... The only favoured class is apparently the cynically brutal German officer. As an instance of this, Flight Lieutenant Mather states that the German sentries begged piteously for bread from the British officers... Flight Lieutenant Mather had many and varied experiences of Prussian militarism. On one occasion the Commandant of a camp brought out the armed guard, and ordered each German soldier to load his rifle, and take “mark” every British prisoner... The Commandant instructed the guard to shoot any man who laughed while the order was read a second time.’ Two of Mather’s brothers were killed whilst in service during the Great War, including one who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. Having been repatriated, Mather returned to his pre-War employment and served as the 4th Officer of the Minnekahda of Belfast, and sailed on the Trans-Atlantic line. He saw employment on a succession of ships, including the Manitou with whom he was active in the evacuation of British and Russian troops from North Russia in 1919. Mather gained his certificate of competency as a Master in the Merchant Service on 6 April 1923, and was frequently employed on the Trans-Atlantic route thereafter. He died in Sheffield in June 1976. Sold with memory stick, containing extensive copied research.
‘Throughout the Falklands campaign, the members of the Fleet Clearance Diving Teams lived and worked in atrocious conditions. Performing most of their bomb disposal and repair work at night during lulls in the air raids, they slept in cramped spaces in odd nooks of ships or ashore in damp, makeshift shelters. Much of their diving was conducted in dark fetid compartments surrounded by jagged steel edges, explosive debris and freezing water contaminated by oil, battery acid and raw sewage … ’ The Naval Review, November 2007 (Vol. 95, No. 4), refers. An outstanding Gulf of Suez mine disposal M.B.E., Falklands War bomb disposal D.S.C. group of ten awarded to Commander N. A. ‘Bernie’ Bruen, Royal Navy, who commanded a Fleet Clearance Diving Team in Operation ‘Corporate’ In the immediate wake of the death of a fellow bomb disposal specialist in H.M.S. Antelope, he successfully disposed of a 1,000 lb. UXB which had crashed through R.F.A. Sir Galahad’s port side and ended up in the battery room, wrapped in torn steel and surrounded by smashed carboys of acid: the device was carefully lowered on to a Gemini inflatable which was cushioned with boxes of cornflakes before being ditched at sea He also assisted with another 1,000 lb. UXB in the R.F.A. Sir Lancelot, a nerve wracking 22-hour-long operation in which he cleared away asbestos from inside the bomb’s fuse with a toothpick purloined from the ship’s dental surgery Nonetheless, as recounted in the pages of his autobiography, ‘Keep Your Head Down’, Bruen still found time to play his beloved violin and was nicknamed the ‘Falklands Fiddle’ for his performances during ‘raids, funerals and parties.’ He was, in fact, according to one of his old ratings, ‘mad as a box of frogs but a good bloke’ The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military), Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Service Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1982’ and additionally engraved ‘Lt N. A. Bruen’; General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Northern Ireland, Mine-Clearance-Gulf of Suez (Lt. N.A. Bruen, R.N.); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (Lt. N.A. Bruen NP 1890); Oman, Sultanate, Distinguished Service Medal; Dhofar Peace Medal, with Action Crown, engraved ‘Ra'ees N. A. Bruen RN - CO SNV l Mujahid 1980-82’; 10th Anniversary Medal, engraved ‘Ra'ees N. A. Bruen RN - CO SNV Al Mujahid’; 20th Anniversary Medal; 25th Anniversary Medal; United States of America, Expeditionary Medal, for services rendered to U.S. Forces at Diego Garcia during the Iranian Hostage Crisis 1979-80, mounted court-style, nearly extremely fine (10) £70,000-£90,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.B.E. London Gazette 15 June 1985: An award for mine clearance operations in the Gulf of Suez in 1984. D.S.C. London Gazette 8 October 1982: ‘During the evening of 25 May 1982, R.F.A. Sir Galahad was struck by a 1,000lb. bomb which failed to explode. Lieutenant Bruen, Officer in Charge Fleet Clearance Diving Team 3, was tasked to effect its removal. The bomb was lodged in a difficult position, surrounded by broken batteries which had splashed acid around the compartment. The decision was taken to raise the bomb to the vehicle deck and dispose of it overboard. This difficult and dangerous task was successfully completed by the team in the early hours of the following day. During the operation, Lieutenant Bruen showed great personal courage and impeccable leadership.’ Nigel Arthur ‘Bernie’ Bruen was born in Haverfordwest, Dyfed, on 20 November 1946, the son of Commander John Martin Bruen, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N. Educated at Wellington College and the Birmingham School of Dramatic Art, ‘Bernie’ worked as a stage manager and lighting engineer, ‘a splendid period of my life that I still look upon with fondness and pride.’ At length, however, and perhaps motivated by his father’s achievements in the Fleet Air Arm, he next applied to the Royal Navy for a short service commission as a helicopter pilot, passed his Admiratly Interview Board, and entered the R.N.C. Dartmouth in 1968. Flying, as it transpired, was not for him, but he did qualify as a naval diver. Having then enjoyed several seagoing appointments in the interim, some of them as gunnery officer, Bruen finally won a place on the Long Clearance Diving Course at H.M.S. Vernon. As recounted in Keep Your Head Down, he was ‘put through the mill in what is perhaps the most complete diving and mine warfare course in the world.’ Duly qualified, he joined the mine clearance ship Gavinton. He was also accepted as a member of the Royal Navy’s boxing squad: ‘My finest hour came when I drove from Rosyth to Portsmouth in seven hours and twenty-three minutes, through freezing fog, to contest the Royal Navy Open Championship with Nickie Croombes, the then European and Commonwealth silver medallist and considered to be the most dangerous man on the circuit. He beat me, of course, but we had the crowd on its feet and cheering us all the way to the dressing-room. It was the finest night of my life and a cracking fight … ’ Bruen was next posted to Diego Garcia as First Lieutenant of the Naval Party and fought his last boxing bout against ‘an American construction battalion steelworker who was eleven inches shorter, eleven pounds heavier and eleven years younger than I, and very handy.’ Bruen won, ‘but it was a very hard fight.’ Then, shortly before the outbreak of the Iran-Iraq war in 1980, he was attached to the Sultan of Oman’s Navy and given command of the patrol boat Al Mujahid, in which ‘we patrolled endlessly the entrance to the Gulf and kept safe passage for all.’ His return to the U.K. in 1982 was short-lived, however, on account of Argentina’s invasion of the Falklands. He was summoned to the Admiralty and ordered to hastily assemble a special group of divers and, as recounted in his autobiography, ‘before long we found ourselves en route for Ascension Island in the noisy cold belly of an R.A.F. Hercules transport, with the minimum of gear and a great feeling of adventure.’ Falklands – UXB D.S.C. Transferring to the R.F.A. Sir Bedivere at Ascension, Bruen and his diving team arrived in darkness in San Carlos Water on the night of the 23-24 May 1982, ‘the only light being the burning H.M.S. Antelope.’ The cause of Antelope’s death throes must have been of huge concern to the likes of Bruen: the detonation of a 1,000 lb. bomb which was being attended to by Warrant Officer John Phillips, R.E. and Staff Sergeant James Prescott, R.E., the latter being killed instantly. That concern was no doubt heightened when the Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot were likewise hit in another Argentinian raid on 25 May: two enemy 1,000 lb. bombs - one aboard the Sir Galahad and the other aboard the Sir Lancelot, had failed to explode. As commanding officer of Fleet Clearance Diving Team 3, he was ordered by his Senior Controller to deal with them. The truly heroic feats that followed lasted for eight and a half hours and 22 hours, and resulted in the award of his D.S.C., not least for dealing with the Sir Galahad UXB which lay in an acid-strewn compartment. Bruen has since written at length about both incidents but by way of summary, the following extract has been taken from a special feature that appeared in the Western Morning News on 14 February 2004: &lsqu...
A Second War ‘Italian Campaign’ G.M. group of six awarded to Gunner J. Heaney, Royal Artillery, who entered a German minefield to save the life of a severely wounded Indian soldier; recognising the importance of haste, he repeatedly swam across a fast-flowing river, enabling his charge to receive hospital treatment in time to save his life George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (930511 Gnr. John Heaney, R.A.) officially re-impressed naming in small capitals; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- G.M. London Gazette 8 June 1945: ‘In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the 7th November 1944 on the bank of the River Savio, close to Cesena, an Indian other rank walked into a minefield and was blown up on a mine. Gunner Heaney saw the accident from the opposite bank, and as there was no bridge, and although the river was flowing very fast at this point, without hesitation he plunged in and swam across. He picked his way through the minefields, applied dressings to the wounds and swam back across the river, where both were pulled out in an exhausted condition by means of a rope. The river at this point was 150 feet wide and swift running. Gunner Heaney showed great endurance and superb disregard for his personal safety and by his action undoubtedly saved the life of the wounded man.’ John Heaney was born in Anfield, Liverpool, on 14 December 1913. A livestock transport motor-driver, he attested at Birkenhead for the Royal Artillery on 11 December 1939 and was posted to the 11th Field Training Regiment soon thereafter. Transferred to the 22nd Field Regiment 20 June 1940 and briefly attached to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 24 February 1941, he married Miss Winifred Knight at Hambledon, Hampshire, before being sent to North Africa on 11 March 1943 with the 22nd Field Company, Royal Engineers. Joining the First Army in Tunisia, Heaney was appointed Driver in Charge on 13 April 1943 and was present during Operation Vulcan when a final ground attack effectively ended the campaign against the Axis Forces with the surrender of nearly 250,000 German and Italian soldiers; at around the time of the capture of Djebel Bou Aoukaz, the Germans were down to just 69 operational tanks, including 4 Tiger Tanks, in the entire Tunisian beachhead. Admitted to No. 72 General Hospital at Souk Ahras from 26 June to 3 July 1943, reason unknown, Heaney was later admitted for a short time to No. 69 General Hospital at La Reunion, before being transferred to the 8th Convalescent Depot on 1 November 1943. Returned to to the 22nd Field Regiment on 29 March 1944, Heaney was posted to Italy midway through the Allied attacks upon Monte Cassino and the Gustav Defences. Here the Germans made excellent use of the mountainous topography and fast-flowing rivers, and successfully held back the British XIII Corps for months on end; it fell to the ingenuity of the Sappers at Amazon Bridge on the night of 12-13 May 1944 to finally make the decisive breakthrough, a scene later immortalised by the artist Terence Cuneo in his painting Crossing the Rapido. Advancing up the Adriatic Coast, the Allies captured Ravenna on 5 November 1944, but faced still opposition from troops of the German 10th Army, established upon the raised banks of the River Senio. In support of 4th Infantry Division, it was at this time that Heaney determined to save the life of an Indian soldier, his troubles likely made worse by extremely cold water and the onset of early winter conditions. Severe fighting along the spine of Italy would continue until the Gothic Line was finally breached in April 1945, barely one week before the formal German surrender on 8 May 1945 which ended the war in Europe. Admitted to hospital in Athens from 21 March to 7 April 1945, Heaney was struck off strength, Central Mediterranean Force, on 16 November 1945, and likely returned home to his wife in Hambledon. He remained in the Royal Artillery Reserve, but his health finally got the better of him in April 1952 when he was discharged medically unfit for further service. Sold with copied research.
Hasbro - Action Man - 13 Action man Dolls to include 2 vintage Action Men with flock hair, eagle eyes gripping hands and dynamic Bodies; Both play worn and damaged: 1 worn hair and 1 loose head. Other appear to be in a good condition; some missing clothing. Also include some loose accessories. Items not checked for completeness. (This does not constitute a guarantee) RG
Hasbro - Matchbox - McDonalds - Others - A pair of McDonald's 1999 TY Teenie Beanie Babies Special Edition Set, An Action Man Roller Extreme #89509 various Matchbox Originals vehicles and others. Items appear to be in a mostly excellent condition. Packing shows varying degrees of wear and / or damage. Contents not checked for completeness. (This does not constitute a guarantee) RG-2
Vintage 1964 Palitoy Action Man figures and accessories to include an early smooth haired figure and one with flocked hair alongside a US Trooper outfit, a German Paratrooper outfit, a Parachute Regiment outfit, a Special Operations tent with tables and chairs, Medic accessories. There is also a quanitity of clothing, uniforms, boots, helmets and weaponry including the Bazooka and Rifle Rack with the Action Man Motorcyle and Sidecar, Cherilea Tank and Cherilea Truck. All in good to fair condition with some age and play related wear to be expected, please study photographs carefully. (qty in one box)
Vintage 1964 Palitoy Action Man figures and accessories to include an original Eagle Eyes with flocked hair dressed in Royal Military uniform with hat, two undressed Action Man figures with flocked hair and painted eyes alongside a Mountain Rescue outfit with ladder, French Foreign Legion outfit, Crash Crew outfit, Sabotage equipment including inflatable raft and selection of dynamite, detonator, barrels and grenades, Royal Marines Explorations Team inflatable with exploration equipment and various other accessories. Assault Craft with untested battery operation, Jeep and Cherilea boxed transporter bridge to also be included. All in good to fair condition with signs of age and play related wear to be expected. Please view photographs carefully. (qty within one box)
Marvel UK The Titans (1976) #2-18, 21-27, 29, 30, 39, 45-50, 53, 55, 56, 58 together with Marvel UK The Avengers (1973) #3, DC Comics Firestorm the Nuclear Man (1978) #1 (1st appearance of Firestorm and Danton Black), Marvel Comics Captain Marvel (1979) #1 and two Star Wars Return of the Jedi Action Transfers Ewok Village and Sarlacc Pit, Ralph McQuarrie Return of the Jedi Prints (15 out of 20 from the portfolio) (one box)
A rare collection of 4 Action Men figures with clothing and accessories to include:- 1993 Rare Retro Hasbro Action Man - C-022E 1994 Rare Hasbro Action Man - C-023B 1996 Vintage Action Man figure with Brown flock hair and a Robo Grip/Gripper Arm 1977 Hasbro Vintage Action Man with moveable Eagle Eyes via button on the back of the neck Accessories and clothing to include German Peek Cap, grenades, body amour and guns.
Tennis Legend Bjorn Borg signed 1997 Australian Wimbledon tennis FDC plus 10 x 8 colour unsigned action photo. Swedish former world No. 1 tennis player. Between 1974 and 1981, he became the first man in the Open Era to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles with six at the French Open and five consecutively at Wimbledon. Borg won four consecutive French Open titles and is 6-0 in French Open finals. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Toys & Juvenalia - an assortment of Star Wars memorabilia comprising a pair of Disney Darth Vader and Stormtrooper figurines, boxed; a The Empire Strikes Back AT-AT all terrain armoured transport, unboxed; a Darth Vader Action Man figurine; an assortment of space ships including R2D2 ships; an assortment of 1990s and later Hasbro figurines, etc (qty)
Pedigree vintage Sindy, Pelham Puppets, Doctor Who and Action Man: Pedigree Sindy vintage brunette straight leg doll, head is wobbly, left arm is swingy, otherwise Good Plus, together with some Fair Plus to Good clothing; Pelham Puppets Mitzi, Good in Fair yellow box; Corgi Doctor Who Dalek and Cyberman, Mint, in Fair Plus to Good box; Palitoy Action Man ammo kit box storage carry case; (qty).
Mattel Barbie, Hasbro Action Man, Polly Pocket and other modern issue toys, includes: Mattel Princess Barbie 23474; Prince Rainbow Ken #26359; Kelly & Baby Pony #20346; Barbie Kitchen #67347, Barbie Scooter Fun #67486; Family Room #673498, assorted Barbie loose clothing. Hasbro Action Man modern issue clothing; Disney Princess on Ice; Mattel Polly Pocket; etc. Fair to Good Plus; (qty).
Mattel Barbie collectable modern teenage fashion dolls, etc: (1) Wedding Party Barbie deluxe set #13557; (2) Angel Princess #15911; (3) & (4) Flower Mania #28614; (5) Rapunzel Prince Ken #18080; (6) & (7) Chic #24658; (8) Tropical Splash Barbie #12451; (9) Tropical Splash Steven #12452; (10) Flashlight Fun Whitney #19671; (11) & (12) Barbie Club Lizzie calf and Charlotte piglet #67603-91; (13) Toys R Us Barbie #18895; (14) Rapunzel Barbie #17646; (15) Blossom Beauty Teresa #17035; (16) Hasbro Action Man Extreme miniatures pack; (17) - (19) Basic Fun Barbie Key Chains; (20) Mattel Winnie the Pooh figure; Excellent Plus to Near Mint, within Good to Excellent packaging; (20).
Palitoy - An unboxed 1978 stamped Action Man clothed in British infantry uniform. Item has a dynamic body, eagle eyes, flocked hair and gripper hands. Items appears to be in a over all good condition with signs of play; some marks and chips to the face. Lot also include some accessories including weapons, clothing and a play worn unboxed Scout Car; missing gun(This does not constitute a guarantee) RG-2
Action Man - Hasbro - Two boxed 12" Limited Edition 'James Bond' action figures. Lot consists of Hasbro James Bond 'Tomorrow Never Dies'; together with Hasbro James Bond 'Thunderball' (slightly dusty). Figures appear to be in Mint condition, housed in presentation boxes which appear Good with some general storage related wear. Both figures are unchecked for completeness. (2) (This does not constitute a guarantee) (K).
Action Man - Hasbro - Two boxed 12" Limited Edition 'James Bond' action figures. Lot consists of Hasbro AD406 James Bond 'Goldeneye'; together with Hasbro AD347 'The Spy Who Loved Me'. Figures appear to be in Mint condition, housed in presentation boxes which appear Good - Very Good with some general storage related wear. Both figures are unchecked for completeness. (2) (This does not constitute a guarantee) (K).
Palitoy - A boxed Action Man Machine Gun Emplacement set #34133. Overall items appears good-very good; some minor damage to the rear of the machine gun. (Beret accessory has replaces original helmet accessory). Box has some damage due to age and storage. (This does not constitute a guarantee) RG
Hornet (1963-64) 1-68 (incl. 1964 full year) wfgs: No 2 Catapult Skimmer, 3: Fast Action Football Photo Album, 4: Great Goals! Great Tries! Photo Album, 23: Hornet Wallet of International Cup Teams, 25: Chelsea, Celtic, Everton, Notts Forest Photo Cards. 26: Rangers, Birmingham, Sheffield Weds, Linfield Photo Cards. Starring The Truth About Wilson, Bouncing Briggs, Slade of the Pony Express, The Miracle Man from Mars and Deadline Dan, the Headline Man. From the Woodard Archive of British Comics. Nos 1-3 [fn-], 4, 33, 44, 47, 52, 57-61 [vg], balance [fn-/fn+] (68)
Double Action Pictorial 1 (The Buccaneers and Trail Town stories 1950s), Mirabelle TV Star Library/Dale Robertson 1, Television Picture Stories: The Deputy 3, Lawman 7, 11, Maverick 7, Man from Wells Fargo 9, 11, Have Gun Will Travel, Restless Gun (these last two are U.S. editions). Lion Picture Library: Captain Condor 6, 9. Western Picture Library (early 1960s) 39, 67, 69-74, 78-80, 82, 84, 88 and Whizzer and Chips 1 (1985) [vg-/fn] (27)
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