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Lot 351
A Second World War Service Backpack, containing water bottle and mess tins, dated 1941. A Pair of Second World War Ammunition Webbing Pouches, dated 1943, standard pattern.A Pair of Home Guard Ammunition Pouches, mounted on a brown leather belt with bayonet frog.A Great War Sam Browne, with ammunition pouch dated 1915. (lot)
Lot 857
* A Casualty Crimea Medal to Sergeant J. Matthewman, Connaught Rangers, Killed in Action whilst taking cover under an ammunition waggon, 17.10.1854, Crimea 1854-56, one clasp, Alma (Serjt James Matthewman. 88th Regt), officially impressed in serif capitals, pawnbrokers marks to reverse therefore nearly extremely fine Sergeant James Matthewman, served in the Crimea with The Connaught Rangers, on the morning of 17th October 1854 the first bombardment opened upon Sebastopol, and was kept up continuously all day; the Malakhoff Tower was knocked to pieces, and the batteries in front of it were shut up in a few hours. In the afternoon two French magazines exploded, which made their fire slack; in our Right Attack an ammunition waggon was blown up, killing and wounding men; part of the 88th was out as a covering party and had a great many killed and wounded; among the former were a sergeant and two privates, who were, poor fellows, blown to atoms at the explosion of the ammunition waggon under which they had taken refuge as a safe place. (1)
Lot 1058
* Prussia, Iron Cross 2nd Class, good very fine, together with a Second World War Period German Red Cross Mountain Rescue Badge, red enamel cross bearing Swastika, cream enamelled roundel `Deutsch. Rotes Kreuz., Alp.Rettungsdienst`, reverse `Ges.Gesch`, and a German ammunition box, with Waffen stamp, contains ammunition belt links and starter tab, plus a Soviet DP machine gun, metal ammunition box, contains three deactivated drum magazines (4)
Lot 206
WWI - Royal Naval Air Service. Pilot`s flying log book for Flight Sub Lieutenant Herbert Rutter Simms R.N.A.S., 17th August 1915 to 2nd May 1916,twenty-three double page spreads completed in manuscript, aircraft flown include Avro, Curtiss, Bristol, Caudron and Morane biplanes, numerous remarks concerning bad or bumpy landings, engine troubles, etc., good landings beginning in October, patrolling in November and bomb dropping in December and later `Fighting patrol to Ostend. Sighted four submarines. Attacked seaplane on way home. Gun stuck. Got it going & attacked again. When all my ammunition was gone Boche turned away for home` (24th January), `Bombed submarine off Ostend. It just saved itself by diving missed it by seconds` (23rd January), `Fighting patrol to Ypres. Shot a Boche down by Dixmude` (29th February), `Attacked seaplane N.E. of Zeebrugge five miles out to sea, three trays ammunition. Seaplane in plum nose dive & observer jumped out at 3,000 feet. Bombs blew up when machine hit water` (24th April), orig. printed linen boards with name and rank inscribed to upper cover, a little rubbed and soiled, 8vo, together with a contemp. newscutting concerning the death of R.N. Sims, a mimeographed admiralty letter dated 14th May 1916 concerning the same and a three page biography reprinted from `The British Roll of Honour`, orig. printed wrappers, vertical fold, slim 4to Sub-Lieutenant H. R. Sims, R.N., was the eldest son of Alderman D. R. Sims, of Chipping Norton. He was born in 1891 and died of Ostend on 5th May 1916 after being shot down by a German torpedo boat whilst engaging a German aircraft off Ostend. His body was recovered from the sea and buried with full military honours in the cemetery at Chipping Norton. His name lives on through the eponymous Sims Gliders, a number of which he constructed between 1908 and 1910.(4)
Lot 259
* Pritchard (David). `Hammer Blow`, Having expended all his ammunition, Sgt. Pilot Ronnie Fokes of 92 Squadron, shadows the stricken `Yellow 7` and its pilot Uffz R. Hammer moments before their participation in the `Battle of Britain` was to end. Having sustained major damage to its cooling system `Yellow 7` crash-landed on the 30th September 1940, at Pelsham House, Peasmarsh, Sussex,49 x 67 cm, signed in pencil by three distinguished pilots including R.L. Jones, together with eight similar prints including Wong (Ronald), `Defending the Eyes of Freedom`, Battle of Britain Reunion RAF Lakenheath, July 17, 1998, signed in pencil by the artist and R.L. Jones, 41 x 61 cm, (limited edition 90/250), all unframed (9)
Lot 260
* Pritchard (David). `Hammer Blow`, Having expended all his ammunition, Sgt. Pilot Ronnie Fokes of 92 Squadron, shadows the stricken `Yellow 7` and its pilot Uffz R. Hammer moments before their participation in the `Battle of Britain` was to end. Having sustained major damage to its cooling system `Yellow 7` crash-landed on the 30th September 1940, at Pelsham House, Peasmarsh, Sussex,49 x 67 cm, signed in pencil by three distinguished pilots including R.L. Jones, together with various similar prints including Nutkins (Geoff), `Beach head patrol`, Flight Lieutenant Tony Cooper of No. 64 Squadron in his Submarine Spitfire MKVB (BL370) and his wing man patrol the D-Day beaches, June 1944, signed in pencil by the artist and by Tony Cooper, 41 x 58 cm, all unframed (9)
Lot 261
* Pritchard (David). `Hammer Blow`, Having expended all his ammunition, Sgt. Pilot Ronnie Fokes of 92 Squadron, shadows the stricken `Yellow 7` and its pilot Uffz R. Hammer moments before their participation in the `Battle of Britain` was to end. Having sustained major damage to its cooling system `Yellow 7` crash-landed on the 30th September 1940, at Pelsham House, Peasmarsh, Sussex,49 x 67 cm, signed in pencil by three distinguished pilots including R.L. Jones, together with similar prints including Coulson (Gerald), `Rhapsody in Blue`, Spitfire prototype K5054, resplendent in its new blue finish, banks high above the clouds on an early test flight in March 1936, signed in pencil by the artist and R.L. Jones and another distinguished pilot, presentation copy, 41.5 x 52 cm, all unframed (8)
Lot 235
A Dinky No.152b, Reconaissance Car, post-war, olive drab, ridged hubs, good condition, unboxed; Dinky No.152a, Light Tank, post-war, olive drab, complete with chain tracks, good-fair condition, unboxed; Britains No.1263, Royal Artillery Gun, light green, good condition (lacking ammunition), boxed, the box good; and assorted other military models by Dinky (6) and Britains (1), variable condition, all unboxed, (10).
Lot 352
A Rare Model of Soldier Standing To Attention With Ammunition Belt Over Shoulder by Carlton China, (Thetford), 125mm, See Robert Southall, Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty (The First World War through the eyes of the Heraldic China Manufacturers) Milestone Publications, 1982, p.12 Model of Tommy in Bayonet Attack by Arcadian China, (wrongly inscribed tommy throwing hand grenade!), (Maidenhead), 130mm, See Robert Southall, Take Me Back To Dear Old Blighty (The First World War through the eyes of the Heraldic China Manufacturers) Milestone Publications, 1982, p.11, Model of Highland Infantryman by Savoy China, with pack, rifle and bayonet, parian on round base, inscribed ïLuxemburg Invaded By Germans August 1914Í,165mm, Model of Soldier with Rifle by Willow Art China, inscribed ïOur Brave DefenderÍ, (Ashford), 132mm, (4).
Lot 220
A large collection of memorabilia relating to the career of Lieutenant Colonel `A Wright` TDACF, to include signed manuscript `The fog of war` by Major General Sir Hugh Tudor, K.C.B. C.B C.M.G., relating to his experiences impressions of an Artillery Officer doing the four years of the First World War, with inscription by Hugh Tudor, also in this lot many books and pamphlets to include Mountain Artillery, Army Lists, Regulations for the Territorial Army, Medical Documentation, Concealment in the field, Anti-aircraft command intelligence summaries, Atomic warfare (top secret), numerous photographs of Military personnel, Artillery, Tanks, Manoeuvers etc, also large quantity of ordinance survey maps, a George VI framed commission, folding up camp bed, ammunition case, water bottles etc (illustrated)
Lot 1125
A rare Albert medal group, to Capt. later Col. Hugh Clarke 1877-1944, incorporating Albert medal 2nd Class Land, 14 star, WM, VM lacking 1911 Coronation medal - ribbon present, Col. Hugh Clarke 1877 -1944 Royal Artillery Awarded medal for his part in saving Ferazapore in August 1906 when the Arsenal supply of 36 tonnes cordite caught fire in the next cell to 200 tonnes of gunpowder and a considerable amount of small arms ammunition, the team saved the situation despite the continual explosions and saved the town, thirteen Albert medals were awarded and the citation read `The conduct of these men showed an example of devotion to duty and heroic dis-regard to their personal safety which has seldom been equalled and perhaps never surpassed in the history of our Indian empire`, with copy of the citation Starting Price: £3200
Lot 342
A Maroon Painted Hardened Canvas Ammunition Carrier, of cylindrical bucket form, decorated with the royal coat of arms, with rolled leather handle; a Copper Powder Flask, the brass charger stamped James Dixon & Sons; a Copper Pistol Flask, embossed with foliage; a Leather Shot Flask; an Ajack Telescopic Gun Sight, and an Al Freeland sight mounting; two Socket Bayonets, with leather scabbards (af); Leather Backed Brass Chin Scales; a Small Quantity of Gun Repair Accessories
Lot 471
Royal Artillery Historically Important Northern Ireland ‘Helicopter Ambush’ Distinguished Flying Cross Group of Medals. Awarded to Staff Sergeant Shaun Anthony Wyatt DFC, Royal Artillery, attached Army Air Corps, who after a 5 machine gun provisional IRA helicopter ambush at the notorious Crossmaglen, was rewarded for his gallantry with the first ever award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to a NCO following the review of gallantry awards in 1993. Comprising: Distinguished Flying Cross (reverse EIIR 1994 and engraved Staff Sergeant S.A. Wyatt RA 1994’, General Service Medal clasp ‘Northern Ireland’ ‘24484937 SGT S.A. Wyatt’, South Atlantic Medal, with rosette ‘LBDR RA’, Gulf Medal, with clasp ‘16 Jan to 26 Feb 1991’ Sgt RA’, United Nations Cyprus Medal, United Nations UNPROFOR Medal, United Nations Former Yugoslavia Medal, Elizabeth II 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal, Regular Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal ‘WO.2 AAC’. The group is mounted court style as originally worn and can be seen worn in an accompanying photograph, taken at the wedding of WO 1 Wyatt ... The group is accompanied by an archive of material including: Copies of letters of congratulations on the award of the DFC ... original photographs, some showing at the seat of the Apache Attack Helicopter ... Various award certificate ... Service ID Dog Tags ... Various flying suit badges, including ‘Apache Longbow’ ... Distinctive blue flying suit of the Army Air Corps Blue Eagles Display team, of which W.O. 1 Wyatt flew as team leader in 1999. The announcement of the Distinguished Flying Cross appeared in the London Gazette on the 26th April 1994 and is listed as ‘Recognition of gallantry and distinguished services in Northern Ireland’. It is the only Distinguished Flying Cross listed. A detailed account of the incident that resulted in the award accompanies the group. During September 1993. then Staff Sergeant Wyatt was in command of a Lynx helicopter, along with another lynx, he was acting as an escort of a Puma Helicopter tasked with picking up troops at Crossmaglen South Armagh. All appeared to being going normal, the Puma call sign Puma 04 had landed when the escorts suddenly came under heavy machine gun fire. The IRA had set up a Helicopter ambush, using two heavy 12.7mm DSHK Machine guns and three GPMG light machine guns. Puma 04 was still on the ground when the two escorts dived to avoided fire, climbing briefly they once again were subjected to a hail of bullets. They dived and after about a minute all went quiet and the helicopters regrouped and were then joined by a further two Lynx. The armada of four turned to engage the enemy, the Lynx’s once again came under fire, this time from a flat bed truck, carrying the Heavy MG and flanked by two of the GPMG’s. The helicopters could not return fire until the lorry was clear of the built up area. Then followed a dash through country lanes, with exchanges of heavy fire, between the IRA and the Helicopter gunners. Eventually the lorry was abandoned resulting in it’s capture and the seizure of machine guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition and terrorist equipment. Warrant Officer Shaun Anthony Wyatt DFC was born in 1962 and started his military career as an Army Cadet and then joined the Junior Leaders Royal Artillery in 1978. He joined 21 (Gibraltar) Air Defence Battery 27 Field Regiment Royal Artillery and it was with this unit that he was mobilised for the Falklands War. He saw active service at the age of 20 Commanding a Blowpipe detachment, providing air defence for commandeered merchant ships and served onboard MV Contender Bezant and MV St. Edmund. After the war he returned to duties in Germany. In 1988 he was promoted Sergeant and saw service with the UN peacekeeping forces in Cyprus. In 1989 he applied for Pilot training and in October 1990 completed the fixed wing section of the training. In December 1990 he was posted in preparation for the 1st Gulf War, deployed on air defence duties. He was recalled to the UK to complete his Helicopter training, finishing in December 1991, winning the best fixed wing and best student awards. He then converted to the Lynx and was posted with 655 Squadron to Northern Ireland. In 1992 he became an aircraft commander and continued to fly operations in this capacity. Following the ambush, he was promoted to Warrant Officer class 2, rebadged as Army Air Corps and posted to Germany. 1995 saw he flying with 661 Squadron in Bosnia, originally peacekeeping sorties, these were soon changed to Armed Reconnaissance Patrols. Ending his tour he was posted to Gutersloh and successfully applied for a flying instructors course. He was then selected to fly with the Blue Eagles Helicopter display team 1997 and in 1999 as Team Leader. On completion of the display season he was promoted to Warrant Officer Class 1 and selected to convert to the Apache Attack Helicopter training at Fort Rucker in the USA. He then introduced the Westland Aircraft Company’s version of the type to the Army Air Corps. He then joined 673 Squadron and was appointed a Flight Commander. He left the Army after a 29 year career in 2007, to take up the post as a civilian flying instructor on the Apache.
Lot 545
Selection of WW1 Royal Artillery Medals. Comprising: 1914/15 Star ‘1222 Dvr T.C. Davies RFA’ GC ... British War Medals x 2 ‘91783 Gnr W.J. Fletcher RA’ ... ‘114200 Sjt C Knight RA’ ... Victory Medal ‘76960 Gnr H. Owens RA’. GC (4 items) Driver Davies landed in France on the 4th October 1915. Sergeant Charles Knight a resident of Lightwater was awarded the Military Medal, whilst serving with the 16th Divisional Ammunition Column. LG 20th August 1919.
Lot 559
Bronze Statue of a WW1 British Tommy Signed Sydney March. The British soldier is depicted full length wearing Brodie pattern steel helmet 1908 webbing equipment holding his rifle at the ready as his right hand reaches for an ammunition clip. The base is signed ‘Sydney March 1920’. GC Detail good and a good colour Height 10 inches.
Lot 400
Scarce Set of Sten/Officer 1937 Pattern Webbing consisting pair of `AM` dated 1941 triple Sten Gun magazine webbing pouches complete with 4 magazines ... 1937 pattern web belt ... Pair of cross straps ... Pair cross strap lower fixing straps ... Webbing binocular base ... Revolver holster ... Compass case ... Ammunition pistol case ... Officer’s small pack ... Waterbottle and full cradle. All items green blancoed. Together with Airborne pattern first aid bag dated 1944. Quantity.
Lot 416
Two Slade Wallace 1888 Ammunition Pouches last pattern pouches post 1894 with outward opening top flap. Buff leather. Two rear belt loops riveted in place. External single round loops to the side seams. Internal buff leather loops to hold .303 ammunition. Various internal stamps. One pouch stained black. 2 items.
Lot 84
1914-15 Star (3) (57662 Gnr: J. Samways. R.F.A.; L-5682 Dvr: W. Middleton. R.F.A.; 1293, Cpl. A. Boyd, R.G.A.), good very fine and better (3) 57662 Gunner John Samways native of Chenny, Dorset served with the 26th Division, Ammunition Column, died on the Western Front 21.12.1915, Samways is buried in Mazargues War Cemetery, Marseilles, France
Lot 564
Britains: two 1726 Royal Artillery Ammunition Limbers in original boxes, one with tissue wrap and yellow lid label and one with white lid label, field-gun, dark green A.A. Gun on chassis and dark Army Six-Wheel Tipping Lorry with Driver (black tyres) VG-E, Lorry F-G, slight chipping, hook added (5)
Lot 70
A Dinky No.651, Centurion Tank, olive green, generally good condition; Dinky No.674, Austin Champ, olive green, good condition; Dinky No.641, Army 1 Ton Cargo Truck, olive green, fair condition; Dinky No.697, Field Gun Set (comprising Artillery Tractor, Ammunition Trailer and 25-Pounder Field Gun), olive green, good condition; and eight other Dinky military models, variable condition, all unboxed, (14).
Lot 481
DU MAURIER DAPHNE: (1907-1989) British Author. A delightful and fascinating correspondence collection between Daphne Du Maurier, her husband General Sir Frederick ‘Boy’ Browning (1896-1965) and Reginald and Gwenllyan Davies, comprising six A.Ls.S. and two T.Ls.S. from Du Maurier and two A.Ls.S. from Browning, 48 pages (total), 8vo, various places (Hampshire, Kent and Cornwall), 28th December 1937-25th July 1973. The correspondence commences with a letter from Daphne Du Maurier, stating that a poem arrived on Christmas Eve ‘and was the making of our Yuletide….it was read aloud amid hiccough and laughter. Spurred to make some return, I fell to and send you the enclosed. Boy says it’s the rudest thing he’s ever read, but knowing that satire is the breath of yours (and my) joint nostrils, I offer it to you with no apology!’ and continues with two long letters from Browning, explaining that he is trying to turn ‘civilians in uniforms’ into instructors and further stating ‘Daphne and I are living in a few corners of this house, the rest of our furniture stacked in the drawing room. Any moment I might be shot off to the pre-battle ground the other side so we rather live from day to day. Daphne is working hard looking after a large and scattered party of families of men in the regiment so has no time for writing stories….I expect you hear or read that so and so [Leslie Hore] Belisha’s speeches about the marvellous efficiency and preparedness of the Army. Just to quote one small case out of hundred where the bastard could be caught out and kicked out for greatly misleading everyone. It was hot till two weeks ago-six weeks after the B.E.F. arrived in France that Anti-Tank rifle ammunition was issued to the troops in the line, Battalions still have no mortar ammunition and I know the 2nd Battalion are 300 Bren gun magazines deficient-this in the first contingent who might have had to fight for their lives are now but for the Grace of God and the hesitations of “Old Nasty”, as Syd Walker (B.B.C.) calls him. Keep that to yourself if you can! But if not don’t mention the source of your information. Owing to the continued, systematic and dangerous undermining of discipline which has been going on for the last two years fostered by Belisha, enthusiastically acclaimed and spread by the yellow press and not fought against by the Generals at top, the national Army, including a good percentage of the regulars, are a fundamentally undisciplined lot, unsmart in the extreme, dirty, bad mannered and semi-trained which coupled with the general shortage of weapons etc. and chaos of expansion makes the British Army unfit for war against first class troops like the Germans. Thank God for (a) the French Army (b) the Maginot Line ( c ) the rows going on between Hitler and the generals. I tremble to think what would have happened if the British Army had been faced with a battle of Mons, le Cateau, first Ypres; they would never have survived it. We are a lot of bloody amateurs….but now we are strong in the air and Turkey are alongside, Musso will mind his p’s and q’s a bit….London is a most gloomy place and thank goodness I don’t have to go there very much, England is a very different place compared (to) the haven of rest it was in the last war…’ (27th November 1939) and in the second stating that he agrees with the principle of his correspondent’s pamphlet ‘and I think it would work once the foundations of international Christianity are laid. That…is the great problem which urgently requires as well worked out a scheme as yours to bring about. It’s indeed a big task and is nothing less than the fulfilment of the Prime Minister’s policy of appeasement, which in simpler language means a change of heart among all the peoples of the earth, the most urgent change being necessary among our own race! If you could work out a scheme (I daresay the Prime Minister is urgently employed on a like problem) to bring about this change of heart you would be putting the horse in its correct relation to the cart. This sounds most awfully damping and unappreciative of your excellent scheme but if you think in a detached and analytical manner, really cold bloodedly, of the sequence of essential requirements I’m certain you will agree with me….We like our new job and it will be very interesting and being an establishment and not a fighting unit will give me a mental relaxation and such….efficiency as one possesses can be concentrated on one or more or less direct line and not be pulled in all directions trying to make two or more ends meet!’ (3rd March 1940), the remaining correspondence from Du Maurier, stating, in part, ‘Boy is a Major-General, and commands the Airborne Division. He hobnobs daily with G.O.C.s-C.I.G.s and even Winston himself! He has endless planes at his disposal (he pilots his own!) and a staff car with a loud-speaker through which he commands the populace to remove themselves from his path. Whether he will so condescend to take luncheon with the Finance Officer of the British Council I cannot say, but I rather think he will. He is inclined to favour red revolution at the moment, and a sweeping away of all inhabitants of the War Office, Admiralty, Air Ministry, and other such rusty institutions. Possibly you could act as Financial Adviser to an underground movement. For myself, I am installed with my brood of three (yes, the son was a clever coup) down here in Fowey. We have a humble cottage, but thank God minions enough to save me stirring as much as a finger! Boy tells me I am the only woman in England who does absolutely nix towards the War Effort. I retaliate, rather conceitedly, that I am bringing more dollars into this country than any other member of my low profession! At the moment I am engaged upon a tome that will be almost as long (and far more tedious) as “Gone With The Wind”. I am glad you liked the play of “Rebecca”, but personally I thought Owen Nares over acted, and he gave me embarrassment. I have not seen it since its return to London from a lengthy tour. The last book “Frenchman’s Creek”, is shortly to be filmed in the U.S.A. I forgot to tell you that Boy spent a lightening fortnight in America, where, according to the papers here, he “fished and relaxed”! The reverse was the case, as you can imagine’ (Fowey, Cornwall, 23rd August 1942), ‘I can find nothing in Mr. W. H. Smiths’ shop in Fowey to compare with what the Tate Gallery can produce…..I spent a fortnight with my General on Salisbury Plain, or rather I spent a fortnight under the same roof but scarcely set eyes on him at all. Then I dashed up to London for my law-suit….I had to answer questions before an American Consul, and the answers were sent off to America. What has happened to them I don’t know. One question was “How many novels have I read in my life, and which was the first I ever read”! I replied “Peter Rabbit at the age of three” The whole thing was quite fantastic. Meanwhile, I work like one possessed at my novel of the moment. It is to be called “Hungry Hill”, and is endless.’ (Fowey, Cornwall, 18th October 1942), ‘To add to our labours, and yet in a sense to make them more enjoyable, we have just moved into this lovely derelict mansion, the original more or less of “Manderly” in Rebecca. Its been “let” to me for a song, but I have broken myself by installing electric light and other amenities. However, once we settle down it will be a heavenly lunacy, even if I spent all my time cutting trees for fires….Boy arrived for Christmas and….we managed to have the usual tree, plum puds, turkey for the children. The latter are getting lar
Lot 787
Pair: Private Sanjani, King’s African Rifles British War and Victory Medals (3660 Pte. Sanjani, 1/K.A.R.) mounted for wear, some edge bruising, nearly very fine (2) £40-60 Sanjani, of the Anyanja Tribe, from the village of Chisawo, from the district of Chiradzulu, enlisted into the King’s African Rifles on 16 February 1917, aged 25 years. He saw action against the German forces in Portuguese East Africa at Lioma, 30-31 August 1917. Von Lettow later said that ‘Lioma’ had been his ‘narrowest escape’. In the two day engagement he lost 17 Europeans killed, 11 captured, with about 200 Askaris and a large quantity of stores and ammunition. Sanjani was discharged as time expired on 29 January 1920. With copied service papers and other research.
Lot 808
A well-documented and important Second World War C.B.E., Great War Royal Naval Division Antwerp 1914 operations D.S.C. group of ten awarded to Air Commodore C. O. F. Modin, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Royal Marines and Royal Flying Corps, who was decorated for being among a handful of men to evade internment in Holland, witnessed further action with the R.N.D. in Gallipoli and the Dardanelles, and afterwards qualified as a pilot in the R.F.C.: an Air Commodore in Singapore by 1941, he was taken P.O.W. after an A.S.R. Launch was sunk by enemy aircraft - and his subsequent experiences as a prisoner, including witness statements of war crimes, are fully described in the extensive report he delivered on his liberation The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1914; 1914 Star, with slide-on clasp (Sub. Lieut. C. O. F. Modin, R.N.V.R., Benbow Bttn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. C. O. F. Modin, R.M.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, the Great War awards a little polished, otherwise generally very fine or better (10) £6000-8000 C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1941. D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January 1915. Charles Oscar Frithriof Modin was born in January 1889 and educated at Sevenoaks Grammar School and in France. A pre-war member of the London Division, R.N.V.R., who qualified as a Swedish interpreter in 1909, he was mobilised as a Sub. Lieutenant in August 1914 and, shortly afterwards, embarked for Dunkirk, and thence by rail to Fort No. 4 near Antwerp, with Benbow Battalion, Royal Naval Division. And it was in this capacity that he won his D.S.C., for withdrawing with a party of his men along the Dutch frontier and avoiding internment. An old typescript account of his journey to freedom, written by a fellow officer, is included, and from which the following extracts have been taken: ‘I shall never forget my nights at Fort 4. We didn’t know then what power was in front of us. But we did get our first knowledge of modern artillery as the German shells whizzed into us and over us. Mostly over us in Antwerp. What a sight behind us! There appeared to be a vast mileage of flames ... It was a bad night, especially when we found, at about 2 in the morning, that we had been left behind. The Division had retired, in accordance with plans, and the order hadn’t reached ‘B’ Company in Fort 4. Well, well - it was a bit of a blow, but somebody always fits into these starts. In this case it was M. [Modin]. What a small hero he was! And how some of us tried to fit in with him. That assembly in the dark. “Get’em together boys, we’ve got to get out of this somehow.” No maps, no knowledge. What a war! However, we did manage to pack ourselves together, and marched out in decent order from Fort 4. We left behind one Belgian officer of artillery (I salute that officer), who was the sole occupant. All his men had left him. And so back to Antwerp, a blaze of fire now in front of us. It was a dreadful march, with shells falling round us and whizzing over us all the time ... And so on, on. We fell in with a wretched little Belgian cyclist (we thought he was a spy) and collared him good and hearty. Anyhow, he didn’t want to guide us at all, but S. and I, with bayonets very near his left and right kidney, showed him a far better way. And so on to Antwerp ... The city was deserted. The oil tanks at Hoboken a mass of flames. The only bridge over the Sheldt (a pontoon one) sunk by Belgian gunfire. So there again, we were stuck again. Or were we? Good heavens, no! Why M., who didn’t know two words of French, got busy again and lo and behold, “Penny Steamers” and tugs appeared to take us to Fort St. Marie. It was here that I got my first wound in the War, a bit of shell that sliced my shin ... And so to Fort Marie we went, where the authorities were opening the sluices to flood the country. We disembarked, and then had to march, or walk, by which we arrived on the Belgo-Dutch frontier, where a lot of our troops were going into Holland, under orders, for internment. That was dreadful to see our fellows handing over their rifles, ammunition and equipment and so not to be lost for who knows how long? It wasn’t at all a nice idea after what we had struggled through, and didn’t appeal to M. or S., or myself at all, so we cheerfully revolted. This was rather disastrous, temporarily, because M. was promptly put under arrest for refusing to be interned ... A contretemps, this, which was soon overcome by M. and escort, silently and stealthily deserting the Dutch frontier, with about 25 other stouthearts, for pastures new. And so we met at the back of the village, in a Belgian soldiers’ billet, and eat and drank horse soup with those good lads. What a meal! It was the first, excepting raw sugar-beet, we had eaten for about four days ... But we had no maps and the idea was to get to a port - we had a very big palaver. We must keep together (this 30). We must keep near the Dutch frontier (We would not go over the Dutch frontier). And so on pave roads littered with refugees, Belgian soldiers, and every kind of “odd and end” you can imagine, we got through St. Gillaes, Waesse, Stekene, Moerbeke, a host of small villages, and then to Salzaete, where we got a train to Ostend. I believe it was the last train through, but I’ve never had this confirmed. And thus the small 30 arrived at Ostend to be welcomed by all the Staff there, and fed ... ‘ Having received his resultant D.S.C. at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 13 January 1915, Modin transferred to the Royal Marines and witnessed further active service with the R.N.D. in Gallipoli and the Dardanelles, but in 1916 he transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, qualifying for his Aviator’s Certificate in January 1917. Ending the War as a Captain in the Royal Air Force, he was posted to Felixstowe in 1920, at which station he was lucky to survive a flying accident that April, Seaplane No. 4044 crashing nose first into the sea about a mile from the beach - four members of crew were killed, including the well-known aviator Squadron Leader E. R. Moon, but Modin and a fellow officer survived with minor injuries. Advanced to Flight Lieutenant in November 1923, he went on to serve in aircraft carriers on attachment to the Fleet Air Arm. Steady promotion followed, too, and he was appointed a Group Captain in 1935, his early wartime appointments including service as Station C.O. of R.A.F. Feltwell, Norfolk, scene of at least two royal visits during his period of command, one by H.M. the King and another by H.R.H. the Duchess of Gloucester. Further appointments in Egypt, Malta and Iraq having followed, he was appointed C.B.E. and advanced to Air Commodore in March 1941, shortly before his arrival at H.Q. Singapore as Air Officer Administration. And it was here, after attempting to escape the Japanese in an R.A.F. launch, that he was taken P.O.W. on 15 February 1942, an incident neatly summarised by Christopher Shores and Brian Cull in Bloody Shambles (Volume II - the Defence of Sumatra to the Fall of Burma): During the afternoon of the 15th, one of the Air-Sea-Rescue launches (H.S.L. 105) which had departed Singapore with A.H.Q. Staff on board, including Air Commodore C. O. F. Modin, Group Captain E. B. Rice (former A.O.C. 224 Group), Wing Commander R. A. Chignell (former O.C. Kallang) and Squadron Leaders Wilf Clouston and Frank Howell, former commanders of 488 and 243 Squadrons respectively, was attacked seven times in the Banka Strait. A direct bomb hit after about 20 minutes severely damaged the craft, a splinter kill
Lot 812
The well-documented and remarkable Second World War M.B.E., Great War M.C. and Bar, D.F.C. group of nine awarded to Wing Commander J. H. Norton, Royal Canadian Air Force, late Essex Yeomanry, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, whose published account of his experiences in the Palestine campaign 1917-18 include frequent mention of personal encounters with Lawrence of Arabia - among them the occasion he flew the great man to a desert rendezvous and his direct part in one of his classic “Train Wrecking” operations The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse privately engraved, ‘Capt. John Hamilton Norton, France 1917, Bar Palestine 1918’; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘Flight Lieut. John Hamilton Norton, Palestine 1918’; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Capt. J. H. Norton, R.A.F.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1105 Pte. J. H. Norton, Essex Yeo.); Defence Medal 1939-45, silver; Canadian Voluntary Service Medal 1939-45, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oakleaf, silver, generally good very fine (9) £25000-30000 M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946. M.C. London Gazette 26 May 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He reconnoitred the enemy’s wire at the height of 300 feet, and brought back most valuable information. He has at all times displayed great courage and skill.’ Bar to M.C. London Gazette 22 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While he was carrying out observation for an important artillery shoot, two hostile aeroplanes endeavoured to interfere. These he at once attacked and drove off, afterwards continuing his observation for the shoot, during which two hostile emplacements were destroyed. His dash and determination contributed greatly to the success of the operation.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 8 February 1919: ‘On all occasions this officer displays gallantry and devotion to duty, notably on 29 July, when, in co-operation with our artillery, he carried out a shoot against two anti-aircraft pits. On approaching this target Captain Norton was wounded in the left foot; notwithstanding this, he continued the shoot, and succeeded in destroying both pits, thereby putting out of action two hostile guns.’ John Hamilton “Jocko” Norton was born in Southend, Essex in October 1896 and, after leaving school, was employed as an insurance broker at Lloyds of London. Enlisting in the Essex Yeomanry as a Trooper in August 1914, he was commissioned in the Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, via the Special List, that November, but remained employed in the U.K. until transferring to the Royal Flying Corps and gaining his Royal Aero Club Certificate in February 1916. France Posted to No. 12 Squadron out in France in July of the same year, he completed around 80 operational sorties before being transferred to No. 13 Squadron in March 1917, Army co-operation work that comprised bombing raids and spotting for the artillery, in addition to photography, and hazardous work, too, as evidenced by the following extracts taken from his Flying Log Book: 28 July 1916 - an attack on a bridge in the Somme region: ‘Bombs fell near railway track. A.A. very good. Lt. Watkins caught fire from direct hit. Own fuselage badly shot.’ 29 August 1916: ‘Bombed Bois de Loupart. Attacked by hostile machine - two rounds through cockpit, one through coat. Forced landing. Ran into telephone pole. Crashed machine’s wings dismantled.’ 15 September 1916: ‘Bombed Bapaume. Squadron came down to 500 feet. Tyson hit. Archie and Onions very bad. 20 hostile machines. Recrossed at 1000.’ 17 September 1916: ‘Bombed Marcoing station. Blew up large ammunition dump on railway line. Formation attacked south of Cambrai by about 40 hostile machines. Honey and Patterson lost. Four F.Es lost from escort.’ In March 1917, Norton transferred to No. 13 Squadron as a Flight Commander, which appointment quickly led to the award of his first M.C. for gallant work during the battle of Arras in the following month, namely the above cited low-level mission of which his Flying Log Book states: 7 April 1917: ‘Wire reconnaissance. Examined wire from 200-400 feet four miles behind line. Engine and machine badly hit by M.G. fire - awarded Military Cross.’ Just a couple of days later, on the 9th, his BE2e was hit by shellfire and he was compelled to make a crash-landing, though he and his Observer, Captain T. L. Tibbs, emerged unscathed from the wreckage. While on the 28th, during a contact patrol, his aircraft was attacked by five enemy machines, the resultant damage causing another rapid descent. But pilot and Observer once more emerged unscathed, Norton in fact going on to complete around 60 operational sorties before being ordered back to the U.K. to take up appointment as an instructor at the Central Flying School at Upavon in June. Palestine A brief home appointment in No. 62 Squadron having followed in August-September 1917, Norton was next posted to the Middle East, where he joined No. 113 Squadron in Palestine, a component, in common with No. 14 Squadron, of 5th Corps Wing. Moreover, his name appeared on a list of pilots attached to the following Routine Order: `The following officers are detached for special duty and will proceed immediately to headquarters of the Arab forces near Akabah. All officers upon arrival will report to Colonel T. E. Lawrence, or his representatives in Akabah, attached to the headquarters of Shereef Feisal, and will remain under their orders during forthcoming operations.` Thus ensued a memorable chapter in his active service career, a chapter described at length in a series of articles that were subsequently published in The Liberty magazine in America in 1934 - ‘I Flew Lawrence in War-Crazed Arabia, by Captain John H. Norton, as told by J. B. L. Lawrence’. As a result of lacking dates it would be difficult to corroborate these articles against his Flying Log Book, but the following extracts are illustrative of his encounters with Lawrence: On arrival at Lawrence’s Headquarters near Akabah ‘Lawrence came among us and greeted us heartily. I was to learn later that he never shook hands and hated to be touched in any way. Another amazing thing about the man that I noted from the first was that he never looked any one in the face. Instead he stared at one`s shoes intently .... I watched Lawrence carefully. His face interested me. It seemed to change with every word he spoke. It was the most mobile face I have ever seen. He couldn`t have been more than 27 or 28, yet I felt the force and strength of personality that I was to see accomplish so much later. His bluish-grey eyes, rather deeply set, reflected humour and at the same time were strangely hard. They seemed almost held in place by his unusually high cheek bones.` Under Lawrence’s watchful eye at a formal dinner with Feisal `The sheik beside me suddenly turned to me and grunted happily. Then he thrust in his fist and brought out the smoking liver. He handed it to me. I had my hands full. But a quick glance from Lawrence and a slight nod told me that I must not refuse. It was a gesture of friendliness. I took the liver and jammed it down my throat. It was no hard task - I was so hungry! Lawrence kept looking at me and signified by smacking his lips that I was to show pleasure at the gift. I smacked my lips and grunted. It pleased the sheikh so much that he offered me another bit and another ....` Piloting Lawrence and a “Train Wrecking” Mission ‘I was ready and waiting at dawn the next morning. During the night an army lorry had brought two little wooden boxes from the railway station for Lawrence, and he had thes
Lot 818
A good Great War Battle of the Somme M.C. group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant J. A. B. Paul, East Surrey Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company, who was killed in action in October 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved, ‘2nd Lieut. John Andrew Bowring Paul, 7th East Surrey Regt., Ovillers, 1916, 29th July, 2nd Aug., 13th Aug., Killed at Geudecourt 10th Oct. 1916’; 1914-15 Star (2384 Pte. J. A. B. Paul, H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. J. A. B. Paul), the whole contained in an old wooden display case, the outer lid set with the recipient’s Memorial Plaque (John Andrew Bowring Paul), and the interior including an inlaid portrait photograph and East Surrey’s cap badge, generally extremely fine (6) £1800-2200 M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of a working party. When a shell burst in an ammunition store, causing many casualties, he rescued and bound up several wounded men at great risk from exploding bombs. Later, on two occasions, he rescued officers under heavy fire.’ This incident took place on 29 July 1916, as related in the regimental history of the East Surrey Regiment: ‘On the night of the 29th, C Company sustained thirty-two casualties through an 8-in. shell landing in the Brigade advanced store containing bombs, S.A.A., VŽry lights and rockets. Several men were badly burnt by the VŽry lights and rockets, but only a few bombs exploded. 2nd Lieut. J. A. B. Paul, who was in charge of the working party, showed great coolness in extricating his men from their dangerous position, and for this and other gallant acts was subsequently awarded the Military Cross.’ John Andrew Bowring Paul was killed in action on 10 October 1916, while serving on attachment to the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment - ‘He was an absolutely fearless officer and a great loss to the Battalion’. The son of William and Phoebe Paul of Lorne Lodge, Sutton, Surrey, he was 22 years of age, but has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. Sold with original illuminated memorial scroll, Buckingham Palace forwarding message for the Memorial Plaque and War Office forwarding letter for his campaign awards, this dated 10 November 1921.
Lot 64
A good Great War 1914 ‘Fromelles’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant Thomas Ledington, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8795 Sjt., 2/R. W. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8795 Sjt., 2/R. W. Fus.) initial given as ‘E’ on this medal; British War and Victory Medals (8795 A.W.O.Cl.2., R. W. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (4178905 C.Q.M. Sjt., D.C.M., R. W. Fus.) surname spelt ‘Leddington on last medal, some edge bruising and contact wear and a little polished, therefore nearly very fine (5) £1200-1500 D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915 ‘For gallant services rendered near Fromelles, although wounded, continued at his post, and later brought up ammunition under fire on two occasions.’ Thomas Ledington served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c. Both the author Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves also served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Great War.
Lot 101
Three: Lieutenant W. F. R. Dobie, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action on 14 December 1914 and posthumously mentioned in despatches 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut., Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (3) £500-600 M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915. William Findlay Robertson Dobie was born in 1887 and was educated at George Watson’s College. He was killed in action in France and Flanders on 14 December 1914 and is buried in Irish House Cemetery, Kemmel, Belgium. The following in relation to the action in which Dobie was killed is extracted from The Life of a Regiment, The Gordon Highlanders in The First World War 1914-1919, by Cyril Falls: ‘The 8th Brigade attacked with the 1st Gordon Highlanders on the right against Maedelstede Farm, on the Kemmel-Wytschaete Road. The artillery of three divisions took part in the preliminary bombardment, but, for lack of ammunition, it lasted only three-quarters of an hour. The advance begun at 7:45am, was at once met by heavy rifle and machine-gun fire. Some men of one of the leading companies of the 1st Gordons were seen to jump into a trench 300 yards from the British line. Then followed an eclipse of vision common in the operations of that war. No one returned with news; no one could get forward to obtain any. It wasn’t until 3:55pm that the report came through that a line of men was lying fifty yards short of the German trench.’ The losses of the 1st Gordon Highlanders in this action were heavy with three officers, including Lieutenant Dobie missing believed killed, four officers wounded, 51 other ranks killed, 123 wounded and 69 missing.
Lot 124
Five: Warrant Officer Louis Crossley, Army Service Corps 1914 Star, with clasp (M-26784 Sjt., A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M-26784 T.W.O.Cl.1., A.S.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (M-14272 W.O.Cl.1., R.A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (M-14272 W.O.Cl.1., R.A.S.C.) good very fine (5) £160-180 Army L.S. & G.C. awarded in Army Order 150 of 1927. Louis Crossley served in France and Flanders with No. 2 Ammunition Park, A.S.C. from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.
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