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Click here to subscribeThe grouped medals of squadron Leader F. V Copperwheat, R.A.F Volunteer Reserve, to include a 1918 British War medal, Merchantile Marine medal, etc (8) together with the recipient’s Despatch notice, dated 11th June 1942, a 1940 commission certificate, WW2 period aviator’s European map and a copy of The Freedom of The City of London, all sold alongside the recipients kit / ammunition case with stencilled name lettering (group).
Grouping of American WW2 Aircraft Instruments, including a type C-1 Indicator Turn instrument with specifications decal to the reverse; US Radio Control Box BC-434-A, with specification and manufactures plaque to the edge, rear panel absent exposing the workings; Aircraft gun turret ammunition feed motor, with side specification plate by The Glenn L Martin Company, used in Lancasters, Liberators and Mitchell & Douglas A20 bomber aircraft; Type B-7 Aircraft Cockpit Lamp assembly box with moving switch; RAF Spitfire aircraft compass. Various conditions. (5 items)
A Webley MkVI .177 Cal. Co2 air pistol Ser. No. 15C11896. This "As New" example in the matt black finish, with six cartridges and a complete modern Sam Browne including holster and ammunition pouch. NB As a post 1939 air weapon the restrictions of the Crime Reduction Act apply to the sale and delivery of this item. Face to face collection only.
James Bond - From Russia With Love - Official Attaché Case Replica by S.D. Studios, No. 025 of 100. Contents including two hidden daggers with ejection mechanism (one on each side), Magnetic Talcum Powder Container, concealed Gold Sovereigns (10 on each strap), Rounds of Ammunition (plastic replica and deactivated) concealed in hidden brass tube (one missing), original SD Studios folder containing mission paperwork and operating instructions, all in leather briefcase. Overall 47 x 33 x 13 cm. Background - This Attaché Briefcase is seen as the Holy Grail in Bond collecting. This is an official release. The designers took all the measurements from the original film prop and created this replica. It is believed that a lot less than 100 were produced.
A collection of Dinky Toys military diecast vehicles to include 151b 6-Wheel Covered Wagon (x2), 162b Ammunition Trailer, 162c 18 Pounder Gun, 162a Light Dragon Tractor, 161b Anti-Aircraft Gun on trailer and 153a Jeep, together with pre-war Dinky aeroplanes 60r Empire Flying Boat 'Cambria' and 63b Seaplane, Tri-ang Minic clockwork Jeep and a Britains anti-aircraft gun (11)
Letters of a British Soldier in Ireland and India (Second Anglo-Sikh War).Binkley (George C.) [John Curtis], A superb collection of sixty-eight letters written by a soldier of the 61st (South Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot between 1843 and 1849. Most letters are addressed to his sister in Nottingham and give an interesting and detailed account of life in the army at that time, unusually from an enlisted soldier’s perspective. Binkley, a Nottingham man, had left work in Birmingham due to illness and in 1843 moved to Cork where poverty drove him to enlist in the 35th Foot. The countryside was ‘in an uproar’ and he witnessed hangings and floggings. Drafted for India, he unsuccessfully tried to persuade doctors that he was unfit for overseas duty. He was transferred to the 61st Foot in 1844 and set sail only to be diverted back to Ireland after 44 days at sea, in 1845 he sailed again from Cork to Calcutta, arriving on October 29th. On the 622 mile march from Calcutta to Cawnpore, 3 to 4 men died every day, increasing on some days to 8 or 9 men, women or children, most deaths arising from ‘brain fever’ as well as cholera and ‘cramps’. Camels and Elephants carried the baggage. On the way he witnessed an arranged tiger fight which lasted 2 hours until one was killed.In 1846 he was promoted sergeant and in 1846 was given charge of the Officers’ Mess with 64 black servants under his command. He reports that since arriving in India, the Regiment has lost 242 men, women and children.In 1847 he married Louisa, the widow of the regimental tailor.In 1848 he took part in the Second Sikh War, describing a number of battles including Runge Nunle and Marrarah where forts was taken and destroyed and Ramnagar where the enemy ‘proved almost too much for us and in about one hour we lost two of our ammunition wagons and one cannon and about 40-50 of our men killed and wounded’. Moving on to Mukeawall, the British lost about 70-80 killed and wounded. In February 1849, he wrote of Chillianwallah where, against the Sikhs, ‘we fought the hardest battle that was fought in India and in 3 or 4 hours thousands and thousands lay dead and dying on the fields. The British Army lost 2,357 fighting men, killed and wounded on that day’. The enemy were thought to have lost, killed and wounded, some 26-27 thousand. Darkness prevented retrieval of the dead and wounded ‘and in the morning these were missing and most likely were carried away by wolves, jackals or some other beasts of prey’. In May 1849, he gave details of the battle of Goojrat, estimating not less than 10 or 12 thousand dead or dying over the part of the field he crossed. He discusses the 14th Light Dragoons who after a very brave charge at Chillianwallah, appeared to have lost their nerve and ‘turned 2 or 3 times but were afraid to retreat on account of some artillery who were behind them and who swore they would fire grape into them if they turned again.’ ‘I have frequently spoken to one or other of them and they all appear to be in the same cry that the Sikhs are too good horse and swordsmen for them. And their swords have an edge as sharp as any razor and the weight of them would take a man’s head off without applying the least weight to it.’ Binkley arrived in Peshawar on the 28th May 1849 where the heat (117*F in the shade) caused many deaths. He received news that his wife had given birth to a daughter but fell ill with a liver abscess and died on December 4th 1849 at the age of 29 having never seen his daughter (who died the following year). There is also a letter from Binkley’s Sgt. Major advising of his death and four letters from his wife.Manuscript ink on paper, seventy-two letters:, three one-page, nine two-page, forty-five three-page, thirteen four-page, two five-page. Eight letters from Birmingham, two franked lettersheets (FL) and six stamped and franked lettersheets (SFL), Thirty-two letters from Ireland (Cork, Youghall, Templemore, Cashel, Buttervant and Dunmanway), twenty FL, ten SFL, one with franked envelope.One letter from the Northern Atlantic, on board the Duke of Bedford.Twenty-six letters from India (Dum Dum, Cawnpore, Tuttyghur, Umbellah, Jullunder, Pershawar), sixteen FL. One letter with original artwork depicting a sergeant under the battle colours of the South Goucestershires, sent after his promotion to sergeant, signed lower corner. Sgt. Major’s Letter, Peshawar, black edged.Wife’s letters, one FL.Eleven India franked envelopes loosely inserted.Letters stitch-bound on tabs in large folio.Note: Early letters are signed G. C. Binkley or Geo. C. Binkley, in later letters after October 1846 the first letter of the signature changes, possibly to 'J'. A paper on the letters, titled ‘The Letters of John Curtis Binkley, 1843-1849’ was written by Dr Peter Beattie and appeared in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Vol 61, No. 245 (Spring 1983). Letters, draft papers and offprints are included with the lot.
Dinky group of Pre-War Military models. (1) No.162 18-Pounder Field Gun Unit - Light Dragon Tractor has mild fatigue to rollers, which although not noticeable have expanded just enough to prevent the tracks moving, Ammunition Limber fatigued & missing rear tow hook, Field Gun has fatigue to both hubs otherwise free from visible fatigue - Fair to Good Plus in Fair faded & stained box complete with original inner card packing tray & 08/40 print date; (2) No.160 Royal Artillery Personnel - Poor to Fair (2 figures fatigued) in Good box with 05/40 print date; (3) 150 Royal Tank Corps Personnel - set includes an additional Driver - N.C.O. figure missing both hands & some other figures are fatigued - Poor to Fair in Fair box base only (missing lid). (3)
Dinky Group of Post War Military Vehicles. (some duplication) including 2 x 151a Medium Tank - (1) military green base; (2) black base (gun barrel incomplete); 2 x 152a Light Tank - both complete with aerial - (1) military green base; (2) black base & tracks; 162b Ammunition Limber; and 163 18-Pounder Field Gun - Good to Excellent unboxed. (6)
A Quantity of Uniforms, including a post-Second World War Civil Defence black wool greatcoat, a Norwegian Army officer's uniform of jacket and trousers, a civilian black evening jacket and trousers, various replica uniforms made for a pageant/re-enactment, a quantity of military boots including mess wellingtons, ammunition and combat boots etc.(2 boxes)
South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (T A Morris RNSTS SA II RFA Fort Austin) nearly extremely fine £500-£700 --- Launched in 1978, the newly commissioned RFA Fort Austin proved an adept stores and ammunition ship during the Falklands War. Present during the landing at San Carlos Water, her deep magazines were utilised outside of Falkland Island territorial waters for the safe storage and return home of the WE.177 nuclear weapon, thus fulfilling Britain’s obligations as laid down by the Treaty of Tlatelolco on 14 February 1967.
A fine General Service Medal awarded to Colour Sergeant Major G. Hall, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), who was awarded the M.M. in 1943 for eliminating two enemy snipers in the Tunisian desert General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (4610108 W.O. Cl.2. G. Hall. M.M. D.W.R.) pawn-broker’s mark to obverse, minor official corrections, nearly extremely fine £140-£180 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. The official recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. was Platoon Sergeant in one of the Companies which attacked the Bou Aukaz feature. During the night 5/6 key ammunitions ran short and at first light Sergeant Hall went out to contact the Company on the Da Brarim feature with a view to replenishing the ammunition supply of his Company. In spite of failure by a previous Company who were driven back by heavy machine gun fire, Sergeant Hall achieved his objective and brought back both ammunition and his party complete. Later, Sergeant Hall went out to stalk a pair of snipers who were installed in a rock built “sangar”. He manoeuvred himself into position with a Piat mortar and having broken up the “sangar” with accurate mortar fire, he disposed of the snipers. Sergeant Hall’s conduct throughout the battle was an inspiring example to his men.’ George Hall served in India from 1933 until 1935 with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding). Transferred as Sergeant to the 1st Battalion, he was decorated with the Military Medal for gallantry displayed in North Africa in the spring of 1943. At this time the Afrika Korps under General Erwin Rommel was in full retreat, the Germans relying heavily upon mines and sniping to ‘buy time’ and enable as many troops as possible to escape northwards through Tunisia. Aided by the Ultra code-breakers, British and Allied troops forced an enemy surrender in May 1943. Promoted Colour Sergeant Major, Hall witnessed further service in Palestine during the insurgency.
Pair: Quartermaster Sergeant F. A. Simpson, Imperial Yeomanry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose, as issued (578 Q.M.S. F, A. Simpson. 9th. Coy. 3rd. Imp: Yeo:); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (578 Q.M.S. F. A. Simpson) number and rank unofficially re-engraved on both, good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- Francis Arthur Simpson was born in Hull in 1871. A timber merchant, he attested at Sheffield for the Imperial Yeomanry on 6 January 1900 serving in South Africa with the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry from 28 January 1900 to 17 June 1901. Initially appointed Private, his Army Service Record notes that he was raised Corporal and saw action at Lindley, Oliphant’s Nek and at Rhenoster River. The latter held strategic importance as the location of a temporary railway bridge as well as being the location of food and ammunition stores; repeatedly attacked by the Boers, it proved a particularly tempting target which the British attempted to protect via a series of trenches and blockhouses. Further advanced Sergeant, Simpson was invalided home and discharged at his own request on 17 July 1901. There is no evidence that he ever held the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. Sold with the original and rare Spink & Son fitted case of issue for the Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal, this damaged and separated at hinges, and a small Norton & District Cricket League 9ct. gold and enamel fob, by Fattorini, 6.16g, engraved to reverse ‘N & D C L 1909 D.G.N.’
‘During the campaign he performed many deeds of bravery, foremost among which may be specially noted - saving the life of the late Admiral (then Captain) Lushington, R.N., when that officer was unhorsed and surrounded by the enemy; and the splendid deed of heroism for which Her Majesty decorated him with the Victoria Cross, protecting at the imminent risk of his life the wounded soldiers and sailors at the Lankester Battery on the great day of Inkerman. Three times were the English forced by overwhelming numbers to evacuate this work, and the dead and wounded lay in heaps; at length, notwithstanding the order to retire, Mr Gorman, with four other brave fellows, stood their ground until reinforcements arrived, and this important post was saved.’ The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 1882 The fine Crimean War Naval Brigade V.C. group of four awarded to Seaman James Gorman, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Albion, who was decorated for his gallantry while defending the Right Lancaster Battery at the Battle of Inkermann on 5 November 1854 when, declining the order to withdraw and leave the wounded, he proceeded to mount the defence works banquette and, using the weapons of the disabled who he was protecting, helped repel the Russian advance ‘not trusting any Ivan to get in bayonet range of the wounded’ - his award would be listed in the notable 24 February 1857 issue of the London Gazette containing the first ever awards of the Victoria Cross and his well documented later life confirms him to have been the first Australian resident to hold the V.C. Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar inscribed ‘Seaman James Gorman’, the reverse centre of the cross dated ‘5 Nov. 1854.’; Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Jas. Gorman. Lead. Sean. H.M.S. Albion.) naming officially engraved by Hunt & Roskell as issued to the entire ship’s crew of Albion and delivered on board, 30 December 1855; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, pierced with small ring and silver loop suspension, the three campaign medals fitted with contemporary matching chased silver ribbon buckles, pins removed from the Crimean pair, all contained in an old red leather and gilt tooled case, approx. 145mm x 60mm x 22mm, the lid embossed ‘Rewards for Valour. James Gorman. V.C.’, the interior with gilt tooling and velvet lining, two brass hasp catches, one end section of case missing, the medals with some light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (4) £200,000-£260,000 --- V.C. London Gazette 24 February, 1857: ‘Thomas Reeves, Seaman, James Gorman, Seaman and Mark Scholefield, Seaman. At the Battle of Inkermann, 5 November 1854, when the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked, these three seaman mounted the Banquette, and under a heavy fire made use of the disabled soldiers’ muskets, which were loaded for them by others under the parapet. They are the survivors of five who performed the above action. (Letter from Sir S. Lushington, 7th June, 1856)’ Note: The Victoria Crosses awarded to Reeves and Scholefield are both held in the Lord Ashcroft Collection at the Imperial War Museum in London. James Gorman was born in London, the son of Patrick Gorman, a nurseryman and his wife Ann (née Furlong) who were married at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster on 29 June 1829. Giving his date of birth as 21 August 1834, he was assigned on 2 March 1848 to the training ship H.M.S. Victory, Admiral Nelson’s former flagship, as a Boy Second Class, having been one of the first 200 boys to be accepted as apprentices into the Royal Navy (many years later on his marriage certificate Gorman would state his year of birth as 1835 and his father’s Christian name as James, discrepancies which are not accounted for). In September 1848 he transferred with 69 other apprentices to the 10 gun brig sloop, H.M.S. Rolla, in which ship the boys were required to cruise in the Channel until declared fit to serve aboard regular naval vessels. Gorman impressed his instructors to the degree that he was retained beyond his allotted time to act as an instructor for the next intake of apprentices, following which he was briefly appointed to H.M.S. Dragon before joining H.M.S. Howe, remaining with her until 12 July 1850. After a short stay in floating barracks, Gorman, now standing 5 feet 2 inches, with blue eyes, light brown hair and a ruddy complexion, joined H.M.S. Albion as a Boy 1st Class on 13 July 1850. Promoted Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class on 13 May 1852, just two months later he was advanced again to Able Seaman and, remaining in Albion, he would serve in this rank during the Crimean War as a member of the Naval Brigade. The Naval Brigade in the Crimea Orders for the invasion of the Crimea were received by Lord Raglan on 16 July 1854 and by early November, the allied army, having landed unopposed at Kalamita Bay, 28 miles north of Sebastopol between 14 and 18 September, had already inflicted heavy losses on the Russian Army at the Battle of Alma on 20 September and engaged them once more with indecisive results on the 25 October at Balaklava while continuing to lay siege to the port of Sebastopol. In the meantime, it had become evident from the lack of Russian naval ambition that the Royal Navy could play a larger role in the campaign and on 17 October a largely unsupported and decidedly unsuccessful naval bombardment of Sebastopol port’s coastal and harbour defences was conducted while in terms of land operations, a Naval Brigade, eventually numbering 2400 sailors, 2000 marines and nearly 160 guns, was formed for shore service. ‘The navy’s main work ashore consisted in supporting the allied artillery pounding the Russian defences or in counter-battery work. Placed under Captain Stephen Lushington, commander of Albion, seconded by Captain William Peel of the Diamond, the Naval Brigade was initially camped on Victoria Ridge, near the Woronzoff Road, just over 2 miles south of Sebastopol harbour. Its first job was simply to employ teams of ‘bluejackets’ to manhandle from the busy harbour of Balaklava the heavy siege guns and ammunition and the timber and materials necessary to construct gun emplacements. The distance was 6-8 miles, depending on the point in the front line and the men worked ceaselessly from 5.30am until after 6.30pm, often under fire. To increase the allies’ firepower ‘before Sebastopol’ heavy guns were removed from the major battleships: the powerful 8-inch guns of Albion and Retribution along with 32- and 68-pounders from Britannia, Agamemnon, Queen, Rodney, Diamond, Trafalgar, Bellerophon, Terrible, Vengeance and London; Beagle landed two of her Lancaster guns. Some ships like the Diamond which provided the first of the naval batteries under Captain Peel and immediately lost twenty 32-pounder guns, were just about stripped of their main armament. For each naval gun, the sailors brought ashore 150 rounds of shot and 30 of common shell and an appropriate supply of gunpowder. It was as Lyons recorded, a ‘Herculean’ task to get all this ordnance and ammunition ashore.’ (The Crimean War at Sea: The Naval Campaigns against Russia 1854-56 by Peter Duckers refers). The British siege positions before Sebastopol were divided into the ‘Right Attack’ and ‘Left Attack’, either side of the Victoria (or Worontzoff) ravine. The French siege positions lay between the coast near Sebastopol and then joined and secured the British left flank or ‘Left Attack’. Helping to reinforce the British right, the Naval Brigade added to the allied firepower by manning 17 guns in Chapman’s Batt...
A fine Second War ‘Home Service’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. J. Street, 424 Battery, 138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, for gallantry in saving life during an action with a German Flying Bomb at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in November 1944 British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1073615 Sgt. Reginald J. Street. R.A.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (1073615 Sjt. R. J. Street. R.A.) good very fine (4) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 2 February 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The official recommendation states: ‘No. 1073615 W/Sgt. Reginald James Street, 424/138 H.A.A. Battery, R.A. During an action against flying bombs on 5th November [1944] Sgt. Street as No. 1 of No. 3 Gun continued to engage a flying bomb until the last possible moment, when he ordered his detachment to take cover. No sooner had they done this than the flying bomb made a direct hit on his gun. Sgt. Street’s immediate thought was was for the safety of his men and seeing Gunner Cook running about covered in burning oil he, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, plunged through a blazing ammunition shelter and pushed aside Gnr. Chamberlain, who was endeavouring to beat out Cook’s flaming clothes with his bare hands; he clasped the latter to him and enveloped him in his own greatcoat and succeeded in beating out the flames, thus saving Gnr. Cook’s life. His outstanding courage and heroism was a splendid example to all concerned.’ The War Diary of 138 H.A.A. Regiment for 5 November 1944 states: ‘ALDEBURGH 2020hrs 424 Bty. 1 Diver engaged. Rounds fired 31 BONZO 1 Cat “B” claim. This target was hit and set on fire coming in from the sea at zero feet it struck No. 3 gun at site S7 and broke up. The warhead did not explode. The fuel compartment was damaged and burning petrol spread over a large area. Casualties were 1 severe burns, 3 slight burns.’ Sold with copied recommendation and War Diary entry.
A fine Great War ‘Gallipoli Operations’ M.M. awarded to Battery Quartermaster Sergeant F. A. Granados, Royal Field Artillery, who was wounded in action on the peninsula and later suffered from nervous debility Military Medal, G.V.R. (10019 By: Q.M. Sjt: F. A. Granados. 368/By: R.F.A.) mounted with a hallmarked silver ‘1915’ riband bar, light contact marks, very fine £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916: ‘Gallipoli, 1915. - For excellent work in charge of the wagon line, supplying ammunition and looking after the horses.’ Francisco Antonio Granados was born on Portsea Island, Hampshire, in 1886, the son of Antonio and Emma Granados. Of Italian ancestry, Granados attested for the Royal Field Artillery around fifteen years of age and served in Egypt from 1 April 1915. Posted to Gallipoli with 368th Battery, 147th Field Artillery Brigade, 29th Division, he was wounded in action on 6 June 1915 and awarded the Military Medal alongside Sergeant H. Mackenzie, Corporal J. E. Hughes and Bombardier W. Rayner for bravery displayed in the field between May and August 1915. Evacuated home, it remains unclear whether he served again. Awarded a Silver War Badge, he was admitted to hospital on 26 April 1919 suffering from nervous debility – more commonly known today as shell shock. Transferred to Gateshead, he is later recorded at the War Hospital, St. Mary’s Asylum (Stannington), before being discharged permanently unfit from the Army on 28 May 1919.
A rare Inter-War ‘Iraq campaign’ M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner William Watts, Royal Garrison Artillery, who served on detachment with the Royal Engineers (Inland Waterways Transport) as a Maxim gunner on the defence vessel Greenfly which ran aground on 10 August 1920 and remained under heavy attack for the next 12 days Military Medal, G.V.R. (1409443 Gnr. W. Watts. R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (40298 Gnr. W. Watts. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (40298 Gnr. W. Watts. R.A.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (40298 Gnr W. Watts. R.A.) mounted court-style for wearing, contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1921: ‘For bravery and devotion to duty during the period from the 10th to the 22nd August, 1920, on the defence vessel "Greenfly." Whilst under heavy fire, he displayed great coolness and courage, and inflicted severe casualties upon the enemy by his excellent handling of a Maxim gun.’ William Watts hailed from Olney, Buckinghamshire, and served as a Gunner in the Royal Garrison Artillery in Egypt from 24 July 1915. He afterwards served on attachment to the Royal Engineers (Inland Water Transport) in Iraq and Mesopotamia in operations against the insurgents from March 1919. Watts served as a Maxim gunner aboard the defence vessel Greenfly on the Euphrates river. The Greenfly Incident Whilst serving in Iraq, Watts served as a Maxim gunner aboard the defence vessel Greenfly on the Euphrates river. Under the command of Captain J. M. Roche, R.A., H.M. Gunboat Greenfly was one of 16 shallow-draught gunboats that formed the Tigris Flotilla. Like the other ships of the ‘Fly’ class, she had a displacement of 98 tonnes, was 126-feet long and 20 feet in the beam. However, in order to cope with the extreme variations in depth on both the Tigris and the Euphrates, her draught was only two feet. Her armament consisted of one 4-inch main gun, one 12-pounder, one 6-pounder, one 3-pounder, one 2-pounder anti-aircraft pom-pom, and four Maxim machine guns. As Ian Rutledge, in his book Enemy on the Euphrates recounts: ‘The crew consisted of two officers (Captain Roche and Second Lieutenant A. G. Hedger), and 20 infantrymen. Ordered to patrol the Euphrates north and south of Samawa, throughout July and early August 1920 she steamed up and down the river, engaging and destroying insurgent positions and strongholds wherever they were encountered. However, on 10th August, while heading down river to help defend the town and railway station of Khidr, Greenfly ran aground on a sandbank six miles from her destination. A sitting target for the insurgents, over the next week intense efforts were made to pull Greenfly off the sandbank, often in the face of accurate enemy fire, but without success and at the cost of rising casualties. On 20th August, as the insurgents’ fire became more intense, a final effort was made - her sister gunboat, H.M.S. Greyfly, accompanied by two launches, each carrying a company of Indian troops, managed to reach the Greenfly and made strenuous efforts to try and re-float the Greenfly. However, the mud of the Euphrates, whose water-level was rapidly falling, had closed further upon her, and she was stuck. Not wishing to see the Greenfly captured by the insurgents, the British had two options: to abandon and scuttle the gunboat, or to leave the crew onboard, additionally supported by an Indian escort, well equipped with rations and ammunition, ready for a second major rescue attempt as and when the necessary ships and special equipment could be assembled.’ The second option was chosen, and at this point Captain Roche left the gunboat to return to Khidr, leaving her under the command of Second Lieutenant Hedger. Rutledge continues: ‘By 30th September the situation on board the ship was getting desperate, and Hedger sent the following message, “Food is the great question on board, but if your arrangements are successful I expect that we shall be able to hang on. The condition of the crew is really very good considering the very severe shortage of rations that we have all experienced. Our spirits are still ‘up’ although at times we have all felt very depressed. I have lost one Indian and I have one British Other Rank severely wounded; besides these casualties I have one Indian wounded and 3 or 4 men sick owing to weakness caused by lack of food. Give us rations and we will have the heart and spirit to stick it out to the end.” It was to prove the last communication from the Greenfly. Precisely what happened to the crew and escort is a little vague. Only one body, that of a European, was ever found, and none of the crew or escort were ever seen again. The story goes that the ship was running out of food and despite efforts by the R.A.F. to supply the ship which failed, the Indian troops onboard the ship mutinied and killed Hedger and handed the ship over to the Iraq tribesmen who stripped the ship of her guns and remaining ammunition, and set her alight. Such was the conclusion of the court of inquiry held some months later, although it was stressed that ‘no absolute proof of this has been obtained’. The dates given in the citation above would seem to suggest that Watts left the ship on or shortly after the 22nd August. He does not appear to have been killed, unlike Lieutenant Hedger whose death is given as 10 October 1920 on the Basra Memorial. Captain Roche was awarded the M.C. in the London Gazette of 10 August 1921, Watts’ M.M. seemingly the only other award for this incident.
A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Neuve Chapelle’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private S. C. Climpson, 2nd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, whose actions at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 10-12 March 1915 are vividly portrayed and described in Deeds that Thrill the Empire Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9359 Pte. S. C. Climpson. 2/North: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9359 Pte. S. C. Climpson. 2/North’n R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (9359 Pte. S. C. Climpson. North’n. R.) nearly very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2007. D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915; citation published 30 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915. When communication was rendered impossible owing to damage to cable by shell and rifle fire, he in company with another man, repeatedly endeavoured to repair the line, and on failing to do so they brought back an important message from the trenches under heavy shell and machine-gun fire’. Stanton Charles Climpson attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 November 1914. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915- his and Private Luddington’s actions that day are vividly portrayed and described in a lengthy account in Deeds that Thrill the Empire: ‘In the forenoon of 10 March 1915 - the first day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle - the 24th Brigade, composed of the 1st Worcesters 2nd East Lancashires, 1st Sherwood Foresters, and 2nd Northamptons, which attacked on our left flank from the direction of the Neuve Chapelle-Armentières highway, fought their way to the north-east of the village, and towards 4:00 p.m. it began moving southwards towards the Aubers ride, by way of the hamlet of Pietre. Two privates of the Northamptons, Climpson and Luddington, were detailed to maintain communication with Brigade Headquarters, and were to lay out wire as the troops advanced, and to keep in touch with the commanding officer, in case of anything being required from Headquarters. They soon found that, laden as they were with coils of wire, it was very difficult to keep up with their battalion, and, when darkness fell, they lost touch with it altogether for some considerable time. They continued, however, to advance, laying out wire as they went, though they had only a very vague notion as to the direction they were taking. They passed several regiments and inquired of each of them the whereabouts of the Northamptons, but could get no definite information. Finally, in the dark, they overran the line along which our troops were entrenching themselves, and would have walked into the midst of the Germans, had not an officer caught sight of them and called them back. Returning to where our men were digging themselves in, they got under cover, fixed up their telephone, and established communication with Brigade Headquarters. It was only, however, maintained for about half an hour, the wire being broken by the spades of the men digging trenches, who could not see it in the dark. Climpson and his comrade went out to try and repair it but were unable to trace the ends, and were therefore obliged to make their way back to Brigade Headquarters and lay a fresh wire. The second one remained intact for about three hours, and when it was broken they were fortunately able to find and repair the break and to re-establish the communication. Some two hours later, that is to say at 6:30 a.m., it was broken again and, as it was almost daylight, any attempt to repair it would have meant almost certain death, they lay low until dusk and then ventured forth again. Once more they were unable to trace the ends, and consequently had to make another journey to Brigade Headquarters and lay a fresh one. This third wire was broken and repaired twice during the night, but was luckily in working order when, at about 5:30 a.m. on the morning of 12 March, the enemy, reinforced by the Bavarian and Saxon reserves, counter-attacked in determined fashion all along our front. The Northamptons were hard put to hold their guard, while their ammunition began to give out, and the telephone operators received orders to send the S.O.S. for reinforcements and ammunition. Scarcely had they despatched it, when the line was broken, and as, since it was now daylight, they could not repair it, they lay down to take what rest they could amid the roar of the battle. About 9:00 a.m. however, the adjutant of their battalion came up and inquired whether the line was working, and when told that it was not, asked them to take an urgent message back to Brigade Headquarters, which it was of the utmost importance should be delivered before 10:00 a.m. About 100 yards behind our trenches was a deep ditch and, with rifle and machine-gun bullets whistling past their heads, Climpson and Luddington spurted across the open and jumped into it, and into about five feet of water as well. Once in the ditch, however, they were comparatively safe, and making their way along it for about nine hundred yards, they found themselves in an old German communication trench, which was as full of water as the ditch. Another three hundred yards of walking - or rather of wading - brought them to the road running between Neuve Chapelle and Armentières. This, with the exception of the sprint from the trenches to the ditch, was the most dangerous part of their journey, since the road, which afforded but very little cover, was being heavily shelled, and for nearly half a mile they had to make their way along it with shrapnel bursting all about them. At length, with five minutes to spare, they reached their destination, soaked to the skin and so utterly exhausted that, as soon as they had delivered their message, they lay down and fell asleep’. Both Climpson and Luddington were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Climpson was later transferred to the Royal Engineers and was subsequently awarded the Silver War Badge.
Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (S. G. Poulter Toronto Naval Bde) officially impressed naming, good very fine and rare £700-£900 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2005. George Poulter is confirmed on the published roll as one of just 40 men of the Toronto Naval Brigade to receive the above described Medal and clasp. The crew forming the complement of the steam tug Rescue reported for duty on Sunday 3 June 1866, and by midday 4 June this ship's company had placed 67 tonnes of coal aboard, mounted a 32-pound gun on the main deck, and placed pyramidal piles of round shot projectiles conveniently alongside for quick action. A few days later a second vessel was chartered, the ferry steamer Michigan. Captain McMaster and his crew were relieved of duty aboard Rescue and sent to Toronto to fit out the Magnet for lake service. The Rescue and Michigan were henceforth to be manned by R.N. officers and ratings, respectively commanded by Lieutenants Henry J. Fairlie and F. W. B. H. M. Heron, both from H.M.S. Aurora. Each vessel was manned with about 7 other officers, 90 seamen and 22 marines, also from Aurora, all armed with rifles, cutlasses, revolvers and dirks. Each vessel now carried two Armstrong 9- and 12-pounders guns and full supplies of ammunition.
Five: Sergeant R. D. Cooper, Royal Horse Artillery, late Royal Field Artillery and Punjab Police 1914 Star (11584 Cpl. R. D. Cooper. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (11584 Sjt. R. D. Cooper. R.A.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Sergt. R. D. Cooper. Punjab Police); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (11584 Sjt. R. D. Cooper. R.H.A.) traces of lacquer to Delhi Durbar and LSGC medals, light contact marks, generally very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Richard Dunne Cooper was born in Bangalore, India, on 5 July 1887, the son of Pioneer Sergeant Thomas Cooper of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry. He attested at Aldershot for the Royal Regiment of Artillery on 14 July 1900, serving in South Africa from 1903 to 1908, and with No.3 Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery, at Ambala, India, from 1908 until 1912. Recorded in 1911 as Bombardier, he was awarded the Delhi Durbar medal for service with the Punjab Police whilst afforded the local rank of Police Sergeant. Returned briefly to Aldershot in 1912, Cooper mobilised with 83rd Battery, 11th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, on 31 August 1914. Arriving in Marseilles on 7 November 1914 with the Lahore Division of the Indian Corps, he moved up to Orleans, Abbeville, and then Busnes in freezing cold conditions. The War Diary entries at around this time show that conditions were little short of appalling in the southern Ypres sector. Promoted Sergeant, Cooper moved with his Battery to billets at Riel du Vinage from 1 to 5 March 1915, before marching to a position near Croix Barbee on 6 March 1915. Just a few days later he received a shell wound to the left arm, likely retaliation for the pounding of German machine gunners on the edge of Bois du Biez. He was evacuated soon thereafter, alongside six other men wounded in the same incident. Suitably recovered in England, Cooper spent the remainder of the war at Weedon Depot in Northamptonshire which housed a Troop of Artillery and the horses required to pull the guns. Designated an Army Equestrian School in 1922, Cooper took the opportunity to qualify rough rider before discharge on 13 January 1925. Building upon his short time with the Punjab Police, he is recorded in 1939 as living at Thurrock, Essex, and serving as a Sergeant in the War Office Constabulary. Sold with an attractive painted portrait photograph of the recipient astride his mount, circa 1913, in full dress R.F.A. uniform wearing his Delhi Durbar medal on his tunic, with the insignia of a gun layer above his Corporal’s stripes; and copied research.
Boer War interest, a very rare piece of Boer military equipment, rudimentary chest webbing/ammunition waistcoat belonging to a Boer soldier, constructed from canvas and leather, 20 ammunition pouches for clips of five 7.92 Mauser rounds arranged in two rows of 10, the canvas pouches with no base so that the tips of the rounds would protrude from the bottom, leather flaps to hold the rounds in place, fastened by a mixture of brass buttons and studs marked 'Simplex Patent', a pocket is sewn to each of the suspension straps and also have leather flaps fastened by brass buttons, the webbing slips over the head and is fastened around the waist at the back by a large buckle, inside one of the pockets is a piece of notepaper with the name 'R. Schalkwyk' and an address written on it, in the other pocket are two lengths of loose cotton, the webbing was taken from a Boer prisoner of war by Major W. Penrose, also included is a large clasp knife, the knife is stamped 'TAKEN FROM A BOER PRISONER BY MAJOR W. PENROSE-17TH MAY 1900', it is not known where the prisoner was taken or if the two items were from the same man but 17th May was the date of the Relief of Mafeking and there were Boer prisoners taken during an attack on the 12th May by Field Cornet Eloff, as regards the note in the webbing, we have been able to find five Boers by the name of Schalkwyk who were taken prisoner during the conflict but none with the initial 'R' though it is possible that the note refers to another person and not the prisoner himself, it is also not known how complete the POW records are, it is certainly worthy of further research, Major Penrose was a relative, possibly Great Uncle, of Alexander .P.D. Penrose whose medals are also in this auction but his details, including regiment, are unknown to the current family, he is also related by marriage to the Coke family whose items are also in this auction, the items come direct from family (a Boer ammunition waistcoat can be seen on the Australian War Memorial website and were apparently popular with Boer Commandos)
Belt of Second World War .30-03 Link Ammunition, cartridge cases and projectiles, bases stamped with U.S. manufacturers DEN (Denver Ordnance Plant), F A (Frankford Arsenal), R A (Remington Arms), S L (St Louis Ordnance Plant), T W (Twin Cities Ordnance Plant), all dated between 1941 and 1943, 48 rounds, inert
Zulu War items brought back as souvenirs by the scion of a distinguished military family, the items include the top section of a wooden staff/support (mgobo) of a Zulu cowhide shield, the section has a white metal collar fixed a third of the way down bearing the inscription 'W. Anderson, Royal Artillery, Zululand' (see photographs for comparison against a complete shield), length 38.5 cm, the greater part of the shield has sadly been lost over time, the other items are a Zulu Iwisa or knobkerrie club, the bulbous head with flattened top, 55cm long, and another Zulu Iwisa, the seven sided facetted head above a tapering shaft, the items belonged to Colonel William Christian Anderson, Royal Artillery, Colonel Anderson was born 16th November 1857, his father, also William Christian, a Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers who served in the Crimean War, died at Devonport on the 7th August 1857 three months before the birth of his son, Anderson was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in January 1877, he served in the Zulu War campaign in 1879 with 'O' Battery, 6th Brigade, Royal Artillery, this battery was sent to South Africa as part of the reinforcements following the disaster at Isandlwana and was split up on arrival with many used as Ammunition Column troops throughout the rest of the army, consequently Anderson was granted the South Africa Medal (1880) without clasp, as a Captain he later served in the Sudan with the Suakin Expeditionary Force as Aide De Camp to the General commanding between 20th February 1885 and 13th June 1885 and would have been present at the battles of Hasheen on 20th March 1885 and Tafrek on the 22nd March, for this service he was issued the Egypt Medal (1882-89) with clasp 'Suakin 1885', Anderson continued his service with the Royal Artillery being promoted to Brevet Colonel in 1906 and retired in 1908, in 1914 on the outbreak of war he rejoined the army and was placed in command of 79th Brigade Royal Field Artillery consisting of 247, 248, and 249 Batteries RFA, part of the 17th (Northern) Infantry Division, in July 1916 the Division fought in the Battle of the Somme sustaining heavy casualties and in April 1917 at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, Colonel Anderson is believed to have fallen sick in France and transported back to the UK passing away at York Hill War Hospital, Glasgow, on 28th June 1917, he is buried at Cadder Cemetery, Bishopbriggs, in Glasgow, records show him entitled to the 1914-15 Star, 1914-1918 British War Medal, and Victory Medal, his grandfather was Major General William Cochrane Anderson R.A. 1794-1865, who was present at the Siege of Flushing in 1809 and fought at Waterloo, his uncle, Maj. Gen. John Richard Anderson CB, born in 1821, served in the 1st Opium War in China in 1842 at the Battle of Chinkiang and subsequent operations including the demonstration before Nanking. In the Crimea, as a Captain, he was the Officer in Command of the 9th Battery, Royal Artillery, attached to the Light Division at the Battle of the Alma, the capture of Balaclava, and the Siege of Sebastopol, and was named in General Orders by Lord Lucan. During the Indian Mutiny, as a Major, he commanded the artillery at the storm and siege of a town in the State of Oudh under Brigadier General Hope Grant. He commanded 'F' Battery, Royal Horse Artillery at the Siege of Lucknow and other minor engagements, and was named four times in General Orders by Lord Clyde (General Sir Colin Campbell) and the Governor General of India.), both of the last mentioned gentlemen brought back souvenirs from their campaigns and it seems William Christain followed in that family tradition, the items have come directly from Colonel Andersons family, (3)
2nd century A.D. Comprising two lentoid-section, one a lead glans, and another in stone. Cf. Marchant, D.J., Roman weaponry in the province of Britain from the second century to the fifth century AD, Durham, 1991, fig.26, for similar; Schinco, G., Small, A.M., 'A previously unknown siege of Botromagno/Silvium: the evidence of slingshots from Gravina in Puglia (Provincia di Bari, Puglia)' in Papers of the British School at Rome, 2019, pp.1-52, figs.36, 37. 121 grams total, 47-58 mm (1 3/4 - 2 1/4 in.).Ex Simmons Gallery, London E11, UK, in the 1990s. From a North London collection.Both the missiles seem to be of ovoid type, type Ia of the Völling classification. The pair finds parallels with examples unearthed at Ham Hill, Somerset, UK. The sling (funda) with its lead missiles (plumbea pondera or glandae) and stone (lapides) was used by special funditores, illustrated on Trajan’s Column where they are simply dressed in broad tunics with no armour, but carry a shield. A fold in their cloak, or sagulum, acted as an ammunition bag. The effectiveness of the slingers was unquestionable and much appreciated, especially against elephants. Celsus, writing towards the end of the 2nd century A.D., described how a slingshot wound was more dangerous and harder to treat than one inflicted by an arrow. [2, No Reserve]
Crescent Toys 2154 Saladin Armoured patrol set to include - Saladin armoured tank, Ammunition trailer and field gun - all finished in military green with plastic hubs - with shells attached to sprue - conditions are generally Excellent Plus to Near Mint (require very light cleaning) in a Fair orange and white striped Lift off lid box with blue base
Dinky Pre-War 162 18-Pounder Field Unit" set - to include (1) 162a dragon Light Tractor, (2) 162b Ammunition Trailer and (3) 162c Field gun - conditions are generally Fair to good in a Good blue presentation lift off lid box with early "Hudson Dobson" red label "Meccano Company of America Inc" - comes with correct inner packing piece
Dinky 697 Military Field Gun Set to include - Artillery Tractor, with figure driver, Ammunition trailer and Field gun all finished green including rigid hubs and treaded tyres - Good Plus to Excellent Plus in a Good Plus blue and yellow lift off lid picture box (small mark on side tape has been removed) with inner packing piece
Corgi Military pair (1) 906 Saladin Armoured Car - green including wheels, with some red missiles attached to sprue and (2) 907 SDKFZ Rocket launcher - grey including ammunition trailer, with some loose red rockets - conditions are generally Excellent (do require very light dusting) in Fair and Good Plus window boxes See-Photo (2)
Crescent Toys 2154 Saladin Armoured patrol set to include - Saladin armoured tank, Ammunition trailer and field gun - all finished in military green with plastic hubs - with some loose shells - conditions are generally Excellent Plus to Mint (require very light cleaning) in a Excellent orange and white striped Lift off lid box with blue base
Dinky 697 Military Field Gun Set to include - Artillery Tractor, with figure driver and windows, Ammunition trailer and Field gun all finished green including late issue plastic hubs with treaded tyres - Good Plus to Excellent Plus in a Good Plus blue and yellow lift off lid picture box with inner packing piece
Corgi Military pair (1) 908 AMX 30D Recovery tank - green including plastic rollers with black rubber tracks with figures (opened packing) and (2) 909 "Desert Rats" set to include Quad tractor, Ammunition Trailer and field gun, all desert sand finish with red missiles attached to sprue - conditions are generally Excellent to Near Mint (require very light dusting) in Good Striped window boxes (2)
Perkussionsflinten2-tlg., beide Italien, 19. Jh., die eine mit schnell herausnehmbarem oktagonalem 720 mm Lauf mit glatter Seele im Kaliber 13 mm, eisernes Perkussionsschloss außen korrodiert, Halbschaft aus Nussholz mit Munitionsfach im Hinterschaft, Beschläge aus Messing, eiserner Ladestock mit Messingdopper, aufstellbares Schützenvisier am Schloss nachträglich montiert, Länge 116 cm, die andere mit oktagonalem 660 mm Lauf mit glatter Seele im Kaliber 11 mm und eingesetztem Messingkorn, eisernes Perkussionsschloss mit Rankengravur, Lauf und Schloss schwarz brüniert, zweigeteilter Nussbaumvollschaft mit Messingnase, eiserner Ladestock mit Messingdopper, Munitionsfach im Schaft, Abzugshebel und Beschläge in Messing gearbeitet, Länge 108 cm, bei beiden Schlossinnenleben ungeprüft, Mechanik gangbar, Branding auf dem Schaft, mit Alters- und Gebrauchsspuren, anbei Wartungseisenstab, Wartungsreinigungsstab sowie ein nicht zugehöriger HinterschaftPercussion shotguns2 pieces, both Italy, 19th c., one with quick-release octagonal 720 mm barrel with smooth bore in 13 mm calibre, iron percussion lock corroded on the outside, walnut half stock with ammunition compartment in the butt stock, brass mountings, iron ramrod with brass tip, adjustable rear sight retrofitted to the lock, length 116 cm, the other with octagonal 660 mm barrel with smooth bore in 11 mm calibre and inset brass front sight, iron percussion lock with vine engraving, barrel and lock blued black, two-piece walnut full stock with brass nose, iron ramrod with brass tip, ammunition compartment in the stock, trigger and fittings worked in brass, length 108 cm, both locks untested, action operable, branding on the stock, with signs of age and use, enclosed maintenance iron rod, maintenance cleaning rod and a buttstock not belonging to it
BEAMISH VICTOR: (1903-1942) Irish Group Captain, a fighter pilot and flying ace of World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain. A rare D.S., F V Beamish, one page, folio, n.p., 18th September 1940. The partially printed document, completed in Beamish’s hand, is a Combat Report (RAF Form 1151, marked Secret) providing details of one of the pilot’s aerial engagements and victories over the Isle of Sheppey during the Battle of Britain, the narrative stating, in part, ‘I took off after 249 Sqdn…..The Sqdn. was then at 21,000…..The 109’s were camouflaged exactly to match our Spitfires & were only noticeable by the square wing tail & the black cross beneath the wings at close range…..I immediately attacked the….109 & got a couple of good bursts into it. Its undercarriage dropped down & it poured out a lot of smoke & lost height rapidly. This was seen by P G Barton (249 Sqdn) from above……& he watched it down to within a few feet from the ground but then had to continue formation with his squadron. I then got another good burst into another 109 and was then set upon by three other 109s. My ammunition was almost gone, & I got out of a hot corner, after a few circles’. Autographs of Beamish are rare in any form as a result of him being killed in action during World War II at the young age of 38. A few small, minor tears to the edges, one only very slightly affecting one word of text, and some light age wear, about VG
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