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Lot 236
Home Guard Ammunition Pouches And Belt Setconsisting pair of khaki webbing, square shape pouches. The top flaps secured by a tab and press stud. Rear brace straps and two belt loops. Internal, small ammunition clip pouches. Both dated 1942. Together with a pair of shoulder straps dated 1942 .. Brown leather belt with brass buckle ... Rear webbing belt slider to secure the braces. Faint date stamp 1942. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 232
Two American Ammunition Beltsconsisting light khaki tan webbing, M1918, nine pouch cartridge belt. Blackened front hook buckle. Internal issue stamp dated 1919 ... WW1 pattern, light khaki tan webbing, ten pouch grenade belt. Blackened front hook buckle. 2 items. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 234
1937 Pattern Officer's Webbing Beltconsisting webbing belt ... Pair of shoulder straps ... Revolver holster ... Pistol ammunition pouch ... Compass case and compass ... Binocular case ... Map case ... Officer's side bag. Some items blancoed. Various wartime dates. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 285
Part Set Of 1908 Pattern Webbing Equipmentconsisting wide waist belt with rear brass tabs and brass front buckle ... Pair of five, small ammunition pouches ... Pair of webbing cross straps ... Bayonet frog ... Blue enamel waterbottle with felt covering, complete in its webbing cradle ... Small pack ... Large backpack. Various blanco shades and dates. Good set. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 235
1937 Pattern Other Ranks Webbing Equipmentconsisting webbing belt .. 2 shoulder straps ... Bayonet frog ... Entrenching tool carrier. Steel head and wooden handle ... Pair of rectangular ammunition pouches ... Military hose respirator ... Pair of black ammunition boots. Various dates. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 254
American WW2 Browning M1917 HMG Ammunition Box13 x 4 1/2 x 8 inch, green painted, rectangular, wooden ammunition box. Lift up lid with canvas handle. Steel hinge and end catch. Together with 2 x webbing canvas, ammunition belts dated 1943 and 1944. Clean condition. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY
Lot 509
6.25inch sighted barrel, scroll engraved cylinder and frame, stamped with the serial no. 2003, spur trigger guard, cylinder and hinged back plate ejecting to the right side, chequered varnished wooden grips, the butt with lanyard ring. Designed by Alexandre Guerriero, Count de St Angelo the ejecting cylinder system was patented in Great Britain in 1863 and France in 1866, however the basis of this mechanism was later copied by Smith & Wesson. See page 102 Pinfire Pistols, Revolvers and Ammunition Handbook by Steve Jordan.
Lot 510
3inch two-stage tapering barrels, border and scroll engraved frame marked LF 1078 and Lefaucheux Paris, under hammer, ring trigger, two-piece wooden grips, the butt with lanyard ring, the breech face marked LEFAUCHEUX BREVETE INV 424. See page 10 Pinfire Pistols, Revolvers and Ammunition Handbook by Steve Jordan. Circa 1850.
Lot 522
4.75inch sighted octagonal plated barrel with tramline decoration, border engraved plated cylinder stamped with the manufacturer's details, border engraved plated frame, loading gate on the right side, two-piece wooden grips, the butt with lanyard ring. See page 37 Pinfire Pistols, Revolvers and Ammunition Handbook by Steve Jordan.
Lot 538
3.5inch sighted barrel with proof marks for the Quai Fragnee Works in Liege, blued cylinder, serial no. 115493 to the left side of the frame, loading gate on the right side, folding trigger, two-piece wooden grips. See page 21 of The Pinfire Revolver Pistol and Ammunition Handbook by S. Jordan.
Lot 539
3.5inch sighted barrel, the cylinder with Belgian proofs, loading gate on the right side, the right side of the frame stamped with the serial no. 150 and a crown over AD, folding trigger, two-piece chequered wooden grips, ejector rod. See page 64 of The Pinfire Revolver Pistol and Ammunition Handbook by S. Jordan.
Lot 403
A British Enfield 1875 MKII Deactivated Rifle, marked on side plate Made For The Society Of Miniature Rifle Clubs by C.G.Bonehill Birmingham, marked on barrel C.G.Bonehill Birmingham, Ammunition .22 Shot .795' BNP 8 Tons per square', barrel length 74cm, overall length 117cm, Purchaser must be over the age of 18 CONDITION REPORT No EU Deactivication certificate present Cocks and Dry Fires
Lot 1289
A collectable antique Webley 'Junior' .177 calibre Air pistol., serial No. 795. 8 5/8" long overall. Appeared to cock and fire normally at the time of lotting. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1300
A Crosman pneumatic Model 766 B.B./.177 American Classic rifle Serial No. 476364041 by the Crosman Arms Co., Firport, N.Y., U.S.A. 39 1/8" long overall with instructions and pellets. Appears to cock and fire normally, but power/pressure not tested. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1301
A BSA 'The Lincoln' under-lever .177 calibre air rifle, model 8761/04 Serial No. CS 54865, with leather and canvas gun slip. Appears to cock and fire normally, signs of age and considerable use. 43 1/2" approx. long overall. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1303
A BSA Scorpion .177 calibre air pistol serial No. P373, in original box with cocking aid, target stand, instructions, etc., 15 1/2" long overall. Unable to cock at the time of lotting. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1304
A Weihrauch 5.5 mm/.22 calibre HW 97 air rifle serial No. 2096075 with a "Nuprol" 4 x 32 EG back-lit cross-wire telescopic sight and camouflage patterned slip. 39 3/4" long overall. Trigger appears to require adjustment/attention as unable to cock at time of lotting. ****CORRECTION - WE WERE NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO FULLY COCK THE RIFLE, IT IS IN FULL WORKING ORDER AND REMARKABLY POWERFUL**** ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1305
A Feinwerkbau Oberndorf/N L.G. Mod. Feinwerbau 300S Cal. 4.5/.177 side-lever Target Air rifle Serial No. 211895. Appeared to cock and fire normally at the time of lotting. 43 1/8" long overall. Sold with a padded gun sleeve. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1306
A Webley & Scott Ltd Osprey C. 1975 .22 calibre air rifle serial No. 04147 with Optima 4 x 40 mm Wide Angle fully coated waterproof telescopic sight and sleeve. 43 1/8" long overall. Appeard to cock and fire normally at the time of lotting. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangement.
Lot 1307
A Chinese air rifle in camouflage colours 5.5 mm/.22 calibre, serial No. 110320291, fitted with an SMK 4 x 28 cross-wire telescopic sight. Appeared to cock and fire normally at the time of cataloguing. 42 1/2" long overall. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. It is an offence for a person under the age of 18 to purchase an air weapon or ammunition for an air weapon, Proof of age will be required on collection which should be by prior arrangment.
Lot 1308
A 12 bore box-lock double barrelled, double trigger side by side shotgun by W.W Greener having 28'' sleeved barrels, chequered stock and fore-end and unusual side safety lever, serial no 60494. 44 11/16" long overall. Appeared to cock and fire normally at the time of lotting. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT A CURRENT APPROPRIATE GUN LICENCE WILL BE REQUIRED AND IS TO BE PRODUCED TO THE AUCTIONEERS AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION, WHICH SHOULD BE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
Lot 1309
A double barrelled side by side 16 bore box-lock shotgun by German makers J.P. Sauer & Sohn, Suhl having 29 1/2'' barrels, chequered pistol grip and fore-end and a recoil pad to the nicely figured stock. LOP 14 1/4, serial no. 213216. Length overall 45 3/4". Appeared to cock and fire normally at the time of lotting. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT A CURRENT APPROPRIATE GUN LICENCE WILL BE REQUIRED AND IS TO BE PRODUCED TO THE AUCTIONEERS AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION, WHICH SHOULD BE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
Lot 1310
180 Gamebore 16 bore cartridges, in boxes. ****ALL WEAPONS AND/OR AMMUNITION MUST BE COLLECTED IN PERSON - NO POSTAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT A CURRENT APPROPRIATE GUN LICENCE WILL BE REQUIRED AND IS TO BE PRODUCED TO THE AUCTIONEERS AT THE TIME OF COLLECTION, WHICH SHOULD BE BY PRIOR ARRANGEMENT.
Lot 989
CLIFFHANGER (1993) - Heldon's (Denis Forest) Stunt DefTech 37mm Grenade Launcher and Ammunition PouchHeldon's (Denis Forest) stunt DefTech 37mm grenade launcher and ammunition pouch from Renny Harlin's Cliffhanger. Heldon held Hal Tucker (Michael Rooker) at gunpoint with his grenade launcher when his team captured Gabe Walker (Sylvester Stallone). Walker also wielded this style of grenade launcher in promotional images for the film.This lot consists of a black foam rubber stunt DefTech 6-shot rotary grenade launcher with nylon straps and metal mount points for affixing a submachine gun, as well as a black nylon pouch with hook-and-loop closures containing six black and silver-colour grenades. The lot exhibits a build-up of grime, pitting from the moulding process, and chipped paint. Dimensions: (largest) 78.75 cm x 20.5 cm x 18 cm (31" x 8" x 7") Ownership may be restricted in some countries; see replica firearm notice in Buyer's Guide.Estimate: £1,500 - 3,000 US View all lots from CLIFFHANGER (1993)Bidding for this lot will end on Saturday, November 11th. The auction will begin at 3:00PM BST and lots are sold sequentially via live auctioneer; tune in to the live streaming broadcast on auction day to follow the pace. Note other lots in the auction may close on Thursday, November 9th, Friday, November 10th or Sunday, November 12th.
Lot 17
HMS KELLY BATTLE OF NORWAY GROUP TO CLARK AB RN1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, LSGC = J/87432 CH, B22521 A E Clark AB (official correction to 'ar' in Clark), Imperial Service Medal = Albert Edward ClarkCondition GVFAlbert Edward Clark was born in Tottenham, London in 1902. He joined the Royal Navy in April 1918.He joined HMS Kelly just as she was leaving the dry dock. Kelly was involved in one of the most famous actions of WW2. Captained by Louis Mountbatten, she took part in the battle of Norway in 1940. On the night of 9th / 10th May, she was torpedoed by E Boat S31. Due to the damage inflicted, Kelly was unable to operate under her own steam. She was towed back to Port by the tug Great Emperor. During the journey, which took four days, the ship was repeatedly attacked by E boats and by the Luftwaffe. The film 'In Which We Serve' starring Noel Coward was based on the story of HMS Kelly. It seems that Clark was possibly wounded during the action as he never again served on board a ship or a shore establishment. After leaving the Kelly, the next entry on his papers shows he was discharged on 8th January 1944. Which accounts for his Loyal Service badge. For his service during WW2, he was awarded the 1939 to 45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence Medal and end of War. The medals are in their original box with entailment slip. He was also awarded the Fleet reserve LSGC and a EII Imperial Service Medal, which comes with award certificate and box. The group comes with a number of photographs once showing him wearing a Bosnian whistle which is present with the group, pass for HMS Kelly. Three Neptune scrolls named to Clark are also included.A reformed character to get the LSGC, he was imprisoned for being AWOL in 1921 and punished in 1926, having his wages forfeited! The following report by Lord Louis Mountbatten, Captain (D); 5th Destroyer Flotilla, was submitted to the Admiralty on the 20th May 1940: "I had to decide how long to remain hunting this submarine without prejudicing my chance of rejoining the BIRMINGHAM before she made contact with the enemy. I knew from the aircraft sighting report that we were very near the position of this submarine and felt she should be destroyed if time permitted. When, however, at 2018/9 [9th May] an enemy report of four minelayers, three destroyers and one torpedo boat was received from aircraft, I immediately proceeded with the KANDAHAR at 32 knots to rejoin the BIRMINGHAM, who was only just in sight on the horizon and signalled that she had increased to 28 knots. At 2050/9 a destroyer was sighted on the horizon. She turned out to be the BULLDOG, who requested permission to join me, having lost her own force to the Northward after being ordered to sink a floating mine. She came in astern and was endeavouring to catch up. At 2052/9 a Dornier was sighted and fire opened.8. The visibility was fairly good to the Eastward and very good to the Westward, but hazy to the Northward. At about 2230/9 the visibility to port (i.e. to the Northward) became very bad, a bank of mist having formed. At 2242 I ordered speed to be reduced from 32 to 28 knots to allow the BULLDOG to catch up. At 2244 a blurred object was sighted by a number (including myself), about three to four cables on the port beam in the mist, and almost simultaneously I saw the track of a torpedo pass under the bridge.9. After an appreciable delay the torpedo exploded and the ship took up a list of some 12 to 13 degrees to starboard. Details of the damage and the immediate steps which were taken to control it are given in Appendix I.10. With the flames, smoke and escaping steam nothing more was seen of our assailant, nor of the KANDAHAR, who had been close astern. The BULLDOG, however, had been a mile astern and soon appeared in the gloom. I ordered her to drop depth charges to the Northward, being uncertain at this time in my own mind whether our assailant had beena submarine or a Motor Torpedo Boat. I later established beyond doubt that it was at least one, if not two, Motor Torpedo Boats, and since they were never in sight until after they had fired I feel sure that the Dornier we had been firing at had been directing them behind the fog bank by W/T.11. The BULLDOG obtained a good contact and fired a pattern, after which she returned to our aid. At this moment a large vessel appeared out of the fog at high speed, and just missed the BULLDOG. It is presumed that this was the BIRMINGHAM, as she made the "VF" reply on passing.12. The BULLDOG proceeded to take me in tow in the fog which had now become very thick. I consider that the handling of the BULLDOG was a supreme display of seamanship and ship-handling, in that she had the KELLY in tow and was proceeding ahead by 2340/9 less than one hour after the explosion and during which she had carried out a submarine hunt. (For this I consider the greatest credit to be due to her Commanding 0fficer, Lieutenant Commander J.P. Wisden).13. With an excessive bow trim and heavy list, and with the starboard gunwhale awash the KELLY was extremely cumbersome in tow but it was possible to bring hand steering into use, which was of some slight help. HMS Kelly under tow in the North Sea, as seen by one of the Coastal Command aircraft that went to her assistance 11th May 194014. At about 0010/10 [10th May] the noise of a powerful internal combustion engine was heard, and almost immediately a very large white Motor Torpedo Boat appeared out of the fogand rammed the BULLDOG's starboard quarter. She then opened fire with a small pom-pom or large machine gun, but was evidently out of control as she next rammed the KELLY. She struck the KELLY at the break of the forecastle and charged down my starboard side, carrying away the whaler, motor boat and motor boat davits, and knocking guard-rails and the starboard torpedo davit overboard.15. She left behind some parts of her hull and a large clip of ammunition which was handed to the Admiralty Constructive Officer who inspected the ship on her arrival at the Tyne. Her engine was heard to stop, then splutter and finally die out, and although the fog was so dense that she could not be seen, she must certainly have sunk.16. Sometime later the noise of another Motor Torpedo Boat was heard in the fog. We all expected that this second Motor Torpedo Boat would be able to get the KELLY since it was clear that she would be able to sight me first in the fog, but I had machine guns and pom-pom manned in readiness. Fortunately, however, she disappeared without sighting the KELLY.17. The tow consisted of the BULLDOG's 3 1/2inch wire and two shackles of the KELLY's cable. By skilful handling the BULLDOG succeeded in making Westing clear of the danger zone at about 6 knots.18. At 0310/10 the KANDAHAR appeared by herself and at 0430/10 I stopped to allow her to put her starboard quarter alongside the KELLY's starboard quarter and take off my wounded and those men (chiefly of the engine room and wireless departments) who would not be required for fighting the ship, since all machinery was out of action. With no lighting or heating arrangements and a shortage of water and with the sick bay wrecked, the facilities for attending to the more seriously wounded on board the KELLY were not good.19. During the transfer of the wounded the first German aircraft appeared and all guns were in action in both ships as the wounded were carried over.View the rest of the story here.
Lot 21
THE HISTORICALLY IMPORTANT MEDAL GROUP TO VICE-ADMIRAL SIR ARTHUR FRANCIS PRIDHAM, K.B.E., C.B. as First Lieutenant on H.M.S. Marlborough, he rescued members of the Russian Royal Family and was A.D.C. to Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Military) Knight Commander's 2nd type set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Star, silver, silver-gilt, and enamelThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion's, neck badge, a silver-gilt example with enamel, complete with full ribbon1914/15 Star, correctly impressed Lieut. A. F. Pridham. R.N.British War Medal, correctly impressed, Lt. Commr. A.F. Pridham. R.N. Victory Medal, correctly impressed, Lt. Commr. A.F. Pridham. R.N.1939/45 StarDefence MedalWar Medal1935 Jubilee Medal1937 Coronation MedalRussia, Order of St. Stanislaus, 2nd Class neck badge with swords, by Eduard, St. Petersburg, 46 x 46mm., gold and enamel, with manufacturer's name on reverse, with some enamel loss to the laurel leaves in the wreaths on obverseAmerican Legion of Merit in case of issue, the reverse of the award is officially engraved 'Arthur Pridham'Condition V.F. and betterSold with the original citation for the American Legion of Merit, hand-signed by President Harry Truman; certificate for Legion of Merit, K.B.E. and C.B. Original Dogtag; a badge from his time as A.D.C. to King George 5th; Admiral Shoulder boards; silver guilt and gold bullion; admiral buttons; with three ribbon bars.Admiral Pridham was born in 1886 and joined H.M.S. Britannia - the Royal Navy's Officer training college on the banks of the river Dart at Dartmouth in 1901. H.M.S. Britannia was then 'a wooden wall' hulk. In 1910, he qualified as a Gunnery Officer. At the start of the First World War, he was gunnery officer of the light cruiser H.M.S. Weymouth and took part in the destruction of the German cruiser SMS Koninsberg, which was hiding in the Rufiji River in what is now Tanzania. The 1976 film 'Shout at the Devil' is a fictional account of this incident.In May 1916, he travelled to Rosyth to join the cruiser H.M.S. Defence, but she had sailed unexpectedly early for the Battle of Jutland, where she was lost with all hands. A lucky escape!In 1917, he joined the battleship H.M.S. Marlborough as First Lieutenant and Gunnery Officer. The ship was present at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet in 1918. Pridham was responsible for the disarming of the battleships SMS Konig and KaiserIn 1919 H.M.S. Marlborough was sent to Yalta Crimea to rescue Dowager Empress Maria Feodorovna and surviving members of the Russian Royal family. The ship arrived off Yalta on 7th April 1919, and whilst the Captain was ashore presenting a letter from Queen Alexandra (Edward VII's widow) to the Empress, Pridham was ordered to make arrangements for the embarkation and accommodation of the royal party. The first job was to build an improvised pier so as to avoid embarking passengers and their luggage over the beach. All the officers, including the Captain, were 'evicted' from their cabins; the Captain was able to use his sea cabin, but all the others had to bed down where possible! As most of the cabins now accommodated twice their normal number, the provision of bedding became an issue, especially when it became apparent that the ship would have to embark more people than expected and many ladies.Even today, warships are not designed to carry passengers! In the event, some 84 men and women, including the Empress, were accommodated, including the Tsar's sister Xenia, 12 relations of the Tsar, including Prince Youssoupoff, who had been involved in the assassination of Rasputin, 11 royal children, plus 59 assorted courtiers and servants. Pridham comments in his book 'how concerned the Royal family was for their servants.' Over the next couple of days, some 200 tons of luggage was loaded. In order that he could carry out his duties conscientiously, Pridham spent much time with the Royal Family and effectively became an honorary A.D.C. to the Empress. As a result, he got to know members well, especially Grand Duchess Xenia, who remained a friend all her life. Before the passengers disembarked in Malta 2 weeks later, Pridham was not only awarded 'Order of St Stanislas' by the Empress. But he was given some very special gifts by her. After disembarkation, H.M.S. Marlborough returned to the Black Sea to support the White Russian army during the Civil War. A year later, she returned to Malta with General Denikin, the White leader, onboard.Later in life, he wrote the book 'Close of a Dynasty' about the rescue and events surrounding the Revolution and subsequent Civil War.In 1926, he was promoted to Captain, and after various staff appointments and commands, including H.M.S. Excellent - the Gunnery School - he was given the very prestigious command of the battlecruiser H.M.S. Hood in 1936, the Navy's pride and joy. Whilst on the Hood he wrote a paper entitled 'Notes to Young Officers', which was required reading for his officers. This was subsequently included in the training of Reserve officers in WW2. It is worth noting that much of what he wrote is still pertinent in today's Navy.Whilst he was a man of his time and somewhat of a martinet, he was also far-seeing: for instance, he encouraged the mixing of engine room crews and seamen, which was rare in those days. During his time in command, H.M.S. Hood was involved in the rescue of British citizens from the Spanish Civil War. He was renowned for mooring the Hood to head and stern buoys in Grand Harbour Valletta without the use of tugs.He was promoted to Rear Admiral in 1939. After a short spell as Flag Officer Humber, he was appointed to the Ordnance Board (responsible for independent advice on the development and design of ammunition and weapons for all 3 Services). He was subsequently promoted to Vice Admiral and, in 1942, became President of the Board. As a result, he worked closely with Lord Cherwell (Chief Scientific Advisor) and Winston Churchill. He had very good relations with his United States Armed Forces colleagues, which resulted in United States representatives joining the Board and British representatives on the U.S. equivalent. The story goes that when the Navy wanted to send him to Washington and relieve him with an army officer, Churchill said, 'Buggins turn, Pridham stays.' So he stayed in London!As a result of his war service, he was awarded the U.S. Legion of Merit (Commander) and Knighted(K.B.E.) The Citation for the Legion of Merit says inter alia, ' Admiral Pridham's action contributed towards establishing the supremacy of Allied weapons and munitions.'He died in 1975; his ashes, together with those of his wife, were committed to the deep from H.M.S. Jupiter off Portland by his grandson and grandson-in-law, both serving naval officers.
Lot 304
Guns Arms Armour Thies & Schmid Schwäbische Waffenauktionen GmbH - Erlaubnispflichtige Waffen (Militärische Ordonanzwaffen) : Repetier - Büchse Gewehr Winchester Mod. M 95 für Russland mit deutscher militärischer Abnahme des 1. W.K. Kal. 7,62 x 54mm R S.Nr. 283916 Herst.: Winchester Repeating Arms Co. New Haven Conn. U.S.A. Das vorliegende Gewehr Winchester Mod. 1895 im Kaliber 7,62 x 54mm R für Russland weist linkseitig am Lauf zwischen Visier und Gehäuse über dem Schaft folgende zweizeilige Bezeichnung auf: NICKEL STEEL BARREL ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKLESS POWDER und danach einzeilig 7,62mm. Auf der Laufoberseite am Laufansatz befindet sich den Stempel PW im Oval und an der rechte Seite eine weitere Bezeichnung im Rechteck. Das Gehäuse trägt linksseitig zweizeilig die Herstellerbezeichnung MANUFACTURED BY WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. NEW HAVEN CONN.U.S.A. PATENTED NOV. 5.95. NOV.12.95. AUG. 17.97. JAN. 25.98. AUG. 23.98. AUG. 6.1907 und auf der Gehäuseoberseite: PW im Oval und darunter 7,62 über M.M. sowie an der rechten Gehäuseseite nach dem Laufansatz quer zur Schussrichtung: X N 3 im Rechteck. Der Gehäusesteg im Bereich des Kolbenhalses trägt die nachstehende dreizeilige Beschriftung: MODEL 1895 WINCHESTER TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT OFF & FGN Der Gehäusesteg im Bereich des Kolbenhalses unter dem Repetiermechanismus weist die S.Nr. 283916 und danach den Buchstaben B auf. Der Repetierhebel trägt innseitig einen diversen Abnahmestempel. Die Waffe besitzt keinen Handschutz und der Unterring wurde professionell angepasst und im Weiteren ist ein kleines Stück des Hahnspornes abgebrochen. Der sehr schön im Original erhaltene Schaft weist an der linken Kolbenseite den Stempel X N 3 im Rechteck auf und darüber den Reichseigentumsstempel (stilisierter Adler mit umlaufender Beschriftung DEUTSCHES REICH Hinsichtlich der Verwendung von Fremdwaffen beim Reichsheer führt "Das deutsche Soldatenbuch" Deutschlands Wehr und Waffen im Wandel der Zeiten 2. Band - Herausgegeben von Major a.D. F.W. Deiß Verlag von Alwin Fröhlich in Leipzig 1926; auf Seite 188 an: ?"Außerdem fand man dort Gewehre amerikanischer Fertigung nach dem System Winchester, mit Blockverschluss und Hammerschloss, aber mit Mittelschaftsmagazin für die russische 7,62mm Munition. "! Russische Handfeuerwaffen wurden sowohl im Reichsheer des 1. Weltkrieges wie auch im 2. Weltkrieg als Beutewaffen bzw. Fremdwaffen in Verwendung genommen. Siehe hierzu: Kennblätter fremden Geräts -Heft 1- Handwaffen Vom 20.3.41 Oberkommando des Heeres Heereswaffenamt Die deutsche Bezeichnung für diese Waffe war Gewehr 255 (r) Die Schaftkappe weist im Anschlagbereich einen vertikalen runden federnden Schieber auf hinter dem sich eine Bohrung im Schaft verbirgt. Die Waffe befindet sich in einem schönem nrgl. Originalzustand nicht überarbeitet mit einer Brünierung welche bis zu 90% erhalten, und nur an den Anbauteilen und dem Gehäuse etwas berieben, ist. An der sehr selten anzutreffenden Waffe befindet sich der originale dazugehörende Gewehrriemen welcher sich ebenfalls in einem sehr schönen Zustand befindet. Die Waffe in Verbindung mit dem Reichseigentumsstempel stellte eine einmalige Rarität dar und befindet sich in einem sehr schönen, originalen Gesamtzustand. Erlaubnispflichtig. Thies & Schmid Schwäbische Waffenauktionen GmbH - Military Guns (License Required). : Repetier - Büchse Gewehr Winchester Mod. M 95 für Russland mit deutscher militärischer Abnahme des 1. W.K. Kal. 7,62 x 54mm R S.Nr. 283916 Manufact: Winchester Repeating Arms Co. New Haven Conn. U.S.A. The present rifle Winchester Mod. 1895 in caliber 7,62 x 54mm R for Russia has the following two-line inscription on the left side of the barrel between the rear sight and the housing above the stock: NICKEL STEEL BARREL ESPECIALLY FOR SMOKLESS POWDER and then 7.62mm in one line. On the top of the barrel at the barrel shoulder is the stamp PW in an oval and on the right side another inscription in a rectangle. On the left side of the barrel is the maker's mark in two lines MANUFACTURED BY WINCHESTER REPEATING ARMS Co. NEW HAVEN CONN.U.S.A. PATENTED NOV. 5.95. NOV.12.95. AUG. 17.97. JAN. 25.98. AUG. 23.98. AUG. 6.1907 and on the top of the case: PW in an oval and below it 7.62 above M.M. and on the right side of the case after the barrel lug across the direction of fire: X N 3 in a rectangle. The barrel rib in the area of the butt neck bears the following three-line inscription: MODEL 1895 WINCHESTER TRADE MARK REG. U.S. PAT OFF & FGN The case bridge in the area of the butt neck under the repeating mechanism has the S.No. 283916 followed by the letter B. The bolt action bears a miscellaneous acceptance mark on the inside. The gun has no handguard and the lower ring has been professionally fitted and furthermore a small piece of the hammer spur is broken off. The stock is beautifully preserved in its original condition and has the stamp X N 3 in a rectangle on the left side of the butt and the Reichseigentumsstempel (stylized eagle with inscription DEUTSCHES REICH) above it. Regarding the use of foreign weapons in the Reichsheer "Das deutsche Soldatenbuch" Deutschlands Wehr und Waffen im Wandel der Zeiten 2. Band - Herausgegeben von Major a.D. F.W. Deiß Verlag von Alwin Fröhlich in Leipzig 1926; on page 188 states: ... "Also found there were rifles of American manufacture after the Winchester system, with block breech and hammer lock, but with center shaft magazine for Russian 7.62mm ammunition. "! Russian handguns were taken into use both in the Imperial Army of World War 1 and in World War 2 as looted weapons or foreign weapons. See: Identification Sheets of Foreign Equipment - Booklet 1- Handguns From 20.3.41 High Command of the Army Army Weapons Office The German designation for this weapon was Gewehr 255 (r). The buttplate has a vertical round spring loaded slide in the bump stop area behind which is a hole in the stock. The rifle is in a beautiful original condition, not overworked with a finish which is up to 90% preserved, and only on the attachments and the housing a bit rubbed. On the very rare weapon is the original rifle sling which is also in a very nice condition. The weapon in conjunction with the Reich property stamp represented a unique rarity and is in a very nice, original overall condition. Erlaubnispflichtige Schusswaffe / License required Please note bidders should check if the item is permitted in their country of origin prior to bidding. All guns are antique firearms
Lot 108
A Second War 1942 Malta ‘Immediate’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Stoker Petty Officer A. A. Gill, Royal Navy, for his gallantry during the bombing and sinking of H.M.S. Maori in the Grand Harbour, Valetta, on 12 February 1942 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (K.63381 A.A. Gill S.P.O.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K.63381 A. A. Gill. S.P.O. H.M.S. Defiance.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (7) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 12 May 1942. The original Recommendation, dated 20 February 1942, states: ‘When His Majesty’s Ship Maori was hit by a bomb at about 0115 on 12 February 1942, this rating was in charge of one of the Fire Parties under Chief Stoker Worrall. He showed great determination and courage in his efforts to check the spread of fire. When it became evident that further efforts in this direction were useless, he assisted in the shutting of water-tight doors and the lowering of boats. He was one of the last to leave the ship. He conducted himself throughout with exceptional zeal and devotion to duty and showed no regard for his personal safety when in great danger of being hit by splinters from exploding ready-use ammunition, thereby setting a fine example in accordance with the highest traditions of the Service.’ H.M.S. Maori (destroyer) served during the Second World War as part of the Mediterranean Fleet; she had been earlier involved in the pursuit and destruction of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, and served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla during the Battle of Cape Bon in December 1941. The Maori (Commander R. E. Courage, RN) was attacked by German aircraft and sank at her moorings in the Malta Grand Harbour on 12 February 1942; the commanding officer’s report adding the following: ‘H.M.S. Maori, while lying at No. 3 Buoy, Grand Harbour, was hit by a bomb in the Engine Room and Gearing Room... The attack was unexpected as the aircraft was not engaged by any ship or shore battery, with the result that nearly all the Officers and Ship’s Company were asleep at the time. A large fire developed rapidly in the vicinity of the Gearing Room, separating the Officers, who were all in the after part of the ship, from the Ship’s Company; and this fire grew and spread to the ready use ammunition lockers on the after superstructure, causing continuous explosions with flying splinters as round after round of ammunition exploded. Finally, a large explosion took place, probably caused by the Depth Charges in the War Head Magazine... The fact that the Officers were aft and the Ships Company forward, threw the responsibility of initiating the fighting of the fire onto the senior ratings. Chief Stoker C. J. Worrall... and Stoker Petty Officer A. Gill... showed outstanding efficiency and zeal and courage in organising and carrying out this duty.’ Miraculously, despite the loss of the ship, only one of the crew was killed. Maori was raised and scuttled off Malta on 15 July 1945; located a few hundred metres off the shore of Valletta, she is now a popular dive site. Sold with a contemporary H.M.S. Maori Christmas Card, inscribed ‘To My Darling Wife, Your Loving Hubby, with the Seasons Compliments, xxx’; and copied research.
Lot 120
The post-war C.B., Great War D.S.C. group of eleven awarded to Vice-Admiral M. H. A. Kelsey, Royal Navy, a veteran of Dogger Bank and Jutland, who went on to command the cruiser Naiad (1940-42) and battleship Warspite (1944), the latter commissions including extensive action in the Mediterranean and off Normandy, including his unique order in the annals of Naval gunnery on D-Day, 6 June 1944: ‘Fifty rounds 15-inch rapid fire’ The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1920; 1914-15 Star (S. Lt. M. H. A. Kelsey, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. M. H. A. Kelsey, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, generally very fine and better (11) £5,000-£6,000 --- Provenance: R. C. Witte Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007. C.B. London Gazette 10 June 1948. D.S.C. London Gazette 11 June 1919: ‘For distinguished services whilst in command of a destroyer.’ Marcel Harcourt Attwood Kelsey was born in February 1894 and attended Eastman’s, Winchester prior to entering the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in January 1907. Appointed Midshipman in the cruiser Good Hope in September 1911, he was advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in September 1914, while serving in Dryad. Then, in January 1915, he joined the destroyer Defender, in which ship he was present at Dogger Bank before removing to another destroyer, the Obdurate, in April 1916 - on this occasion as a newly promoted Lieutenant and “Jimmy the One”. A fellow officer in Obdurate later described Kelsey as ‘tall, blond and intrepid’, and ‘a polished product of the new Navy, trained to a strong sense of active duty’ - in point of fact ‘[h]e kept the ship’s company on the hop and, although they groused at times, he soon had them worked up to a fair state of war efficiency’. And this was fortuitous, for the Obdurate had a busy time at Jutland, participating in the 13th Destroyer Flotilla’s attack on German destroyers in the afternoon of 31 May 1916, during which she was hit by a 4.1-inch shell from the Regensburg, in addition to suffering a ‘burst’ 4-inch gun of her own. Nonetheless, she managed to stop and pick up three survivors from the Ardent. Kelsey removed to the Valentine in November 1917, in which ship he remained actively employed until the War’s end, a period that witnessed at least one action with a U-Boat patrol and, ultimately, the award of his D.S.C. Advanced to Commander in June 1930 and to Captain in December 1936, he was serving at the Admiralty as Deputy Director of Personnel by the renewal of hostilities. In April 1940, however, he was given command of the cruiser Naiad, in which capacity he would see a great deal of action in the Mediterranean, and serve on the staff of Rear-Admirals Vian and King, in addition to acting at other times as S.N.O. of 15th Cruiser Squadron. Naiad was heavily employed in the operations leading to the evacuation of Greece and Crete in April-May 1941, and took several hits off the latter place on 22 May: ‘The light cruiser Naiad had two turrets put out of action, and near misses caused several of her compartments to be flooded and her speed to be reduced to 17 or 18 knots. In the course of ten minutes there were 36 misses, and during a period of two hours 181 bombs were counted. Only two of her turrets remained in action ... ’ Added to which, she lost 7 men killed and a further 31 wounded. Having then fought an engagement with a French destroyer off Beirut, the Naiad was involved in several further engagements in December 1941, among them the action off Bardia, in which the Barham was lost, and the bombardment of Derna. In January 1942, Kelsey was appointed Commodore at Freetown, but he returned to sea with command of the battleship Warspite in March 1944, a commission that would witness significant support being lent to the Normandy landings, not least on D-Day itself, when she was one of the very first ships to engage the enemy ashore, her 15-inch broadsides silencing the enemy coastal batteries at Benerville and Villerville - the latter target was treated to no less than 73 rounds of 15-inch, 9 of them resulting in direct hits. A few days later, off the “Gold” area, Kelsey had occasion to issue his famous command: ‘Fifty rounds 15-inch rapid fire’, an ‘order which must be unique in the annals of British naval gunnery’. Unsurprisingly, his target, a large concentration of enemy troops and tanks hidden in woodland, rapidly dispersed! That evening, the Warspite returned to Portsmouth to embark still more ammunition, following which she journeyed to Rosyth to replace her worn guns - this entailing the first passage of the Dover Straits by a capital ship since the famous ‘Channel Dash’ back in 1942. The German batteries on ‘the whole French coast were ablaze with their gun flashes’, luckily, however, without effect. Back off Brest by late August, Kelsey got his new guns into action on behalf of the Americans, Warspite firing 147 rounds of 15-inch high explosive, and 66 armour-piercing shells, on the 25 alone - she, too, was subjected to heavy fire from enemy batteries, but was only hit by a few shell splinters. In the following month, off Le Havre, she engaged enemy gun positions at her maximum range of 32,000 yards, assisted by our aircraft spotting for her, and wiped out a troublesome 6.7-inch battery. Better still, she lent valuable assistance to the Royal Marines during the subsequent Walcheren operations, but this proved to be the last time her 15-inch guns were fired in anger, and Kelsey came ashore in early 1945 to take up the post of Commodore, Chatham. He had, meanwhile, been Mentioned in Despatches for ‘Neptune’ (London Gazette 28 November 1944 refers). Advanced to Rear-Admiral in January 1946, and awarded the C.B. in the Birthday Honours List of 1948, he was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Vice-Admiral in the following year. His last post had been as Flag Officer, Malta, where he oversaw the clearing of Valetta Harbour, in addition to boarding operations in connection with immigrant ships trying to run the blockade of Palestine. The Admiral died in 1965. Sold with a fine run of original ship’s ‘flimsies’ 1911-40 (approximately 40).
Lot 121
A Second War ‘D-Day’ D.S.C. group of five awarded to Acting Commander L. R. Curtis, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who commanded Assault Group J4 during Operation Neptune Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’ and privately engraved, ‘Commander L. R. Curtis, R.N.V.R., Ouistreham, June 6th’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, lacquered, good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2006. D.S.C. London Gazette 28 November 1944. M.I.D. London Gazette 8 June 1944. Leonard Rupert Curtis was appointed a Temporary Sub Lieutenant in the “Wavy Navy” in January 1942. Advanced to Lieutenant in April 1942, he joined the landing craft training base Copra in September 1943, which appointment culminated in his appointment to the command of Assault Group J4 on D-Day, a unit comprising the 200th and 201st L.C.I. (S.) Flotillas which landed at “Queen Red” and “Queen White” beaches near Ouistreham. Curtis appears in the acknowledgements of numerous D-Day histories, but no-one was closer to him at the initial landing stage than Lord Lovat, who ‘borrowed’ his bunk during the Channel crossing: ‘The paling stars spelt out ‘Invasion’. It was blowing half a gale and getting light enough to see Curtis, now with his steel helmet on. He had reddish hair and a serious face. A quiet-spoken, dependable man, keenly aware of the importance of the occasion. Rupert was to be awarded the D.S.C. for the work he did that day. I imagine he felt lonely on the crossing: twenty-two boats pitching in line ahead; seven hours of eye-strain darkness, keeping station in rough weather up the swept passage through the minefields. “Twenty miles from the coast and twelve to lowering point,” he shouted against the wind. I nodded respectfully, trying a shivering smile with eyes on the duffle coat. The navigator had done his job well - on course and ahead of the clock. Nautical twilight was past and the sea changing colour to oystershell in the grey dawn when the Aldis lamp blinked on our port bow: “Good morning, Commandos, and the best of British luck.” Curtis and his yeoman spelt out the signal. We made a suitable reply: “Thanks. Think we are going to bloody well need it.” Rupert ran up the battle ensign. War was becoming personal again ... Half-seen through palls of smoke, boats were burning to our left front ... Curtis made a slight alteration of course to starboard. A tank landing-craft with damaged steering came limping back through the flotilla. The helmsman had a bandage round his head and there were dead men on board, but he gave us the V sign and shouted something as the unwieldly craft went by. Spouts of water splashed a pattern of falling shells. Among the off-shore obstacles - heavy poles and hedgehog pyramids with Teller mines attached - we started to take direct hits. Curtis picked his spot to land, increased speed and headed for the widest gap, the arrowhead formation closing on either side. The quiet orders - a tonic from the ridge - raised everybody’s game: “Amidships. Steady as she goes.” The German batteries mistakenly used armour-piercing ammunition in preference to high explosive and bursting shrapnel. Derek’s landing brows were shot away and beyond him Ryan Price’s boat went up with a roar. Max had an unpleasant experience when a shell went through his four petrol tanks without exploding. Rear headquarters got away with minor casualties. Our command ship took two shells in the stern. It happened in the last hundred yards. There was no time to look back. The impact must have swung us round for two boats, Max’s and mine, touched down side by side. Each carried four thousand gallons of high-octane fuel in non-sealing tanks aft of the bridge. Had Max blown-up we would have gone with him. Five launches out of twenty-two were knocked out, but the water was not deep and Commandos got ashore wading; a few men went wading in the shell craters’ (Lovat’s March Past refers). Curtis attained the rank of Acting Commander in April 1945 and was released from the Active List in April 1946.
Lot 127
A fine Second World War D.S.M. awarded to Chief Electrical Artificer E. A. Head, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the cruiser H.M.S. Bellona during Operation Counterblast, a spectacular night action off Norway in November 1944 when nine enemy ships were destroyed: in the words of Rear-Admiral McGrigor, ‘We caught the Hun in his nightshirt’ Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.E.A. E. A. Head, C/MX. 46689) mounted on original investiture pin, extremely fine £1,600-£2,000 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 11 December 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘For his services as Chief Electrical Artificer in charge of Fire Control during the night action off the southern coast of Norway on 12 November 1944. The unremitting diligence and forethought which this Chief Petty Officer has consistently displayed had their reward on the night in question. No material breakdown occurred, reflecting the greatest credit on Head. He set a fine example of thoroughness in preparation and steadiness in action, and showed skill, devotion to duty and steadiness in action.’ Ernest Arthur Head, a native of Gillingham, Kent, was serving in the cruiser H.M.S. Bellona at the time of the above cited deeds, which ship had recently served off Omaha in the Normandy landings and participated in another successful night action in the Bay of Biscay on 5/6 August 1944, south-west of St. Nazaire, in which eight ships from an enemy convoy were sunk. But, as stated, it was for his part in Operation Counterblast on the night of 12/13 November that Head was recommended for his D.S.M. by Bellona’s C.O., Captain (afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir) C. F. W. Norris, D.S.O., R.N., an action described in the following terms in Gordon Holman’s The King’s Cruisers:
‘The luck came shortly after 11 p.m. as they were off Egersund Fjord. It was very dark, but there was good visibility and a calm sea, and keen eyes that had got used to the darkness had no difficulty in making out an enemy convoy steaming north. With the escort, which included “M” class minesweepers, it stretched over a distance of several miles, and was directly in the path of the British warships. For a few tense minutes, Admiral McGrigor allowed his force to close the enemy, the guns ranging all the time. Then, at about two miles range, the Kent fired her first 8-inch broadside.
The shells fell like a sledgehammer blow among the vessels of the convoy. One leading escort ship was hit straight away and began to sink. The Bellona and the destroyers had opened fire, too, and other enemy ships were hit. One, probably filled with ammunition, blew up, lighting the whole scene with a vivid red flash.
Tracer shells weaved an odd pattern in the darkness, and some of the German vessels sent up distress signals. The convoy had scattered and, probably not knowing the strength of the opposition, survivors of the escort were attempting to fight back. One approached the Kent, firing hard, but was hit aft and then lost in the darkness. Another, that was interfering with the destroyers, had a brief period of attention from the Kent and gave no more trouble.
Shore batteries designed to protect these convoys joined in the action, but in the words of the Admiralty communiqué, ‘their fire, although spectacular, was ineffective and none of H.M. ships sustained any material damage’. It was estimated that at one time our cruisers and destroyers were engaged within two and a half miles of the Norwegian coast.
After 20 minutes there was a lull, but when several vessels were seen drawing away, Admiral McGrigor sent in the destroyers. They delivered the final attack by the light of starshells and well under the German shore guns.
Of 11 ships in the convoy, nine were either blown up or sunk and one was driven ashore. In the whole of our force the casualties were two killed and less than a dozen wounded. In the Kent three men were wounded by splinters.
Summing up afterwards, Admiral McGrigor said, “We caught the Hun in his nightshirt. His shore batteries did not interfere until a quarter of an hour after the show started, although once I was so close to the land that I had to alter course to avoid a shallow patch. I will give their ships their due, they fought back very courageously”.’ Yet again, just two months later off Norway, the Bellona and her consorts contributed to another impressive score sheet. The King’s Cruisers continues: ‘ ... This time, however, the Germans, with vivid memories of the previous occasion, were on the alert. As soon as the attack opened, coastal batteries answered our guns. The convoy escort attempted to lay a smoke-screen and powerful searchlights were switched on to “blind” the British force ... There were seven or eight ships in the convoy, including a large tanker and two “M” class minesweepers. Although the smoke made it difficult to get an exact estimation of the final situation, three of four of them were claimed as sunk and the others were either set on fire or driven ashore. The attack was pressed home very close to the rugged Norwegian shore and when the British force was withdrawing at high speed Captain Norris made a signal from the Bellona, “We thought the Admiral was going to call on the Mayor when he made that turn to port” ... Another element did enter into this action, and it was fortunate that Admiral McGrigor had with him two escort carriers. Enemy aircraft shadowed the withdrawing force and, when daylight came, followed up with torpedo-bombers. Naval fighter aircraft from the carriers intercepted the enemy and broke up the attack. One enemy plane was shot down and we lost two aircraft, but both pilots were rescued.’ Bellona ended the War on the Arctic run, completing at least six convoys in the period November 1944 to April 1945. Sold with copied research including Admiralty recommendation and operational reports.
Lot 26
New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (Lt. J. W. A. Kennedy, R.M., H.M.S. Castor) officially re-impressed, good very fine and scarce £600-£800 --- Provenance: Sotheby’s, March 1984. Approximately 155 New Zealand dated 1845-1846 were awarded, of which 62 were awarded to H.M.S. Castor, 30 of which are recorded as known in Naval Medals 1793-1856, by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris. John William Alexander Kennedy was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Marines, in 1841, and served in H.M.S. Castor from 1843 to 1847. He was promoted First Lieutenant and appointed Adjutant in 1845, and served under Admiral Sir T. Cochrane during the operations against the pirates in Borneo in August 1845, where he was engaged on shore during the action at Brunei, the destruction of a stockade, and the capture of a battery of guns together with large quantities of ammunition. Subsequently, he participated - with the foremost line of boats - at the attack of the pirate stronghold of Mallodoo and on the boom being broken, was landed with the Royal Marine Force which drove the pirates from their entrenchments and pursued them up country. In 1846, Kennedy served with the force under Colonel Despard in operations in New Zealand, and was actively engaged in the advance on, siege and capture of the Ruapekapeka Stockade, an event which ended the war. He was advanced Colonel in 1871, and retired with the honorary rank of Major-General in 1878. Sold with copied research.
Lot 309
A fine and superbly well-documented Second War Hurricane and Spitfire fighter Ace’s ‘Western Desert’ D.F.C. group of eight awarded to Wing Commander J. M. Morgan, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He had distinguished himself pre-War by saving the life of a fellow trainee pilot from a crashed aircraft at No. 10 F.T.S. on 19 December 1938, and optimistically chased an enemy aircraft in a Hawker Henley during the height of the Battle of Britain whilst posted with No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit - Morgan followed it all the way to Swansea before ‘allowing’ a Spitfire to take over. Destined for more glamorous flying opportunities, Morgan was posted to the famous 92 (East India) Squadron at the end of 1941. Like the rest of the squadron’s pilots he was attached to 80 Squadron in the Western Desert, whilst his parent unit was eventually kitted out with aircraft. Having destroyed several enemy aircraft whilst flying Hurricanes, Morgan was now unleashed on 92’s newly acquired Spitfires. Morgan’s flying prowess quickly came to the fore, with him rapidly being appointed a Flight Commander, before receiving the ultimate accolade: the command of 92 Squadron in December 1942 - January 1943. He led from the front, ‘in the course of the fight [7 January 1943] I shot a 109G down in flames, crashing in the sea... and damaged a second. I finally had to fight two 109’s without ammunition for 30 minutes until my aircraft received hits from a head on attack which forced me to take evasive action - the 109’s then beat it home. This was a very shaky engagement with the bullets narrowly missing my head!!!’ Morgan subsequently commanded No. 234 Wing during the short-lived defence of the island of Kos, before being appointed to the command of 274 Squadron in October 1943. Now flying Spitfires as fighter bombers, Morgan led the Squadron into Italy and on many low-level attacks: ‘we attacked several Tiger tanks and armoured cars with front guns in the Capestrano area [24 January 1944]. I strafed a tank on a mountain pass which rolled over the side into the valley below...’ Morgan was shot down by anti-aircraft fire whilst carrying out a low-level strafe near Terni, 28 February 1944. In his words: ‘Shot down over the lines after gun fight - parachuted into captivity.’ He arrived to be interned at the infamous Stalag Luft III, Sagan, just three days after the ‘Great Escape’. Carrying on in service after the war, Morgan commanded 208 Squadron in the Canal Zone at the time of the fighting following the creation of the state of Israel Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany, this loose; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type (1902-83), silver (John Milne Morgan, Bletchley. 19-12-38) with integral top riband bar, in John Pinches, London leather case of issue; Queen’s Messenger Badge, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel with pendant silver greyhound, badge reverse inscribed, ‘75’, hallmarks for London ‘1964’, in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue, Second War awards mounted as worn, generally good very fine (lot) (9) £10,000-£15,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 5 February 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘This Officer arrived in the Western Desert with No. 92 Squadron at the beginning of July when the Squadron was flying Hurricane aircraft of No. 80 Squadron. Since then he has shown great courage and considerable skill as a leader, both of a Flight and of the Squadron. In fact, a large proportion of the Squadron’s score in the Middle East has been due to this Officer’s determined leading of his Flight. He, personally, has destroyed 5 enemy aircraft, probably destroyed 1 more and damaged 4 others. By his courage, qualities of leadership and his personal example, he has made his Flight into an efficient fighting unit.’ Society for the Protection of Life from Fire: Case No. 17,324: Flight Lieutenant John Milne Morgan, Royal Air Force: Silver medal An account of the circumstances is given in Air Council Letter, dated 31 March 1939, thus: 'To Air Officer Commanding, No. 23 (Training Group), RAF Grantham, Lincs. Sir, With reference to your letter dated 7th February 1939 (No. 23G735/102/P(20)), I am commanded by the Air Council to inform you that they have noted with satisfaction the gallantry and perseverance displayed by Acting Pilot Officer J M Morgan in attempting to rescue Acting Pilot Officer W A Jenns following an aircraft accident at Bletchley on 19th December 1938. The council have caused a suitable note to be made in Acting Pilot Officer Morgan's record and I am to request that the officer may be informed accordingly'. The award was then noted in the SPLF Letter, dated 17 August 1939, thus: ‘To The Under Secretary of State, Air Ministry, S7D, Adastral House, Kingsway, London, WC2. Re: Acting Pilot Officer J M Morgan in Aeroplane crash at Bletchley, near Tern Hill - 19th December 1938. The circumstances of this case have been reported to us and the Trustees have decided to make an award of the Society's Silver Medal to Acting Pilot Officer J M Morgan. At the request of the Group Captain, No. 10 Flying Training School, Market Drayton, I am forwarding the medal to you under separate cover today. We should be greatly obliged if you would advise us of its safe receipt and be so good as to give such instructions as may commend themselves to you for its presentation to the recipient'. Both letter and medal were forwarded for conferral, the details being recorded in RAF correspondence thus: ‘HQ, No. 22 Group, RAF letter - 24 August 1939. To No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit - Re: Pilot Officer J M Morgan. The attached copy of a letter received from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire is forwarded together with the Silver Medal referred to therein, and it is requested that you will arrange for this award to be presented to the above named officer in a suitable manner, details of the presentation being notified to this Headquarters in due course.’ John Milne Morgan was a native of Balham, London, and was born in 1916. He was educated at Bonneville Road School, Clapham Park and the Henry Thornton School, Clapham Common. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1935, and was commissioned Pilot Officer in 1938. Morgan carried out his initial pilot training at No. 8 E.F.T.S., Reading and No. 10 F.T.S., Tern Hill - being stationed at the latter when he saved the life of Pilot Officer W. A. Jenns when Hart K5795 crashed on 19 December 1938. He was posted as a pilot to No. 1 Anti-Aircraft Co-operation Unit, Farnborough in March 1939, and was still serving with the unit when was war was declared in September of the same year. Morgan carried on serving with the unit with its various moves to Carew Cheriton and Cleave, and was doubtless frustrated by his posting as the Battle of Britain evolved. His limited aircraft - the Hawker Henley - did not stop him from having an optimistic go at an enemy aircraft on 6 September 1940: ‘Z.C. 6000. Spotted enemy aircraft 1,000ft below chased to Swansea, Spitfire took over.’ (Log Book refers). Despite such incidences as above, and the ‘ticker tape’ entitlement slip which shows Morgan as entitled to the Battle of Britain clasp, there is no other evidence to suggest that he qualified for the clasp. However, that did not preclude him from other sightings and scrapes with enemy aircraft during the...
Lot 313
A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and ‘Passchendaele’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant J. MacKay, 44th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Manitoba Regiment) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (229409 A. Cpl. J. Mackay. 44/Can: Inf:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (229409 L. Cpl.-A. Cpl.-J. Mackay. 44/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (229409 A. Sjt. J. Mackay. 44-Can. Inf.) mounted on card for display, good very fine (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 17 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in charge of the brigade bombing section during lengthy operations. He carried out his duties with the greatest courage and energy, continuously exposed to heavy fire, and set a fine example of devotion to duty.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Hill 145 - Triangle - La Coulotte. Lens 1917.’ M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. The recommendation states: ‘In front of PASSCHENDAELE 21st to 28th October 1917. This N.C.O. was in charge of the Brigade Bombing Section. The difficulty in supplying ammunition, bombs etc, to the units forward was very great. He located forward dumps and personally supervised under the heaviest shell fire, the stocking of same... He kept continuously in touch with Battalions in regard to their needs, and, in this connection, made frequent trips forward. His example of courage and devotion was of the highest possible order and a great inspiration to his Section, and his efforts in supplying Units with their requirements was untiring. He succeeded in getting through [supplies] of S.A.A. and bombs at times when they were most critically required. His service has since been at all times of the highest order.’ (A.F.W. 3121. 5-11-17) James MacKay was born on 9 July 1865, at Latheron, Caithness, Scotland. At the time of volunteering for the C.E.F. in July 1915 he was living with his wife at Vale Avenue, Winnipeg, a manager by profession. He officially enlisted into the 61st Battalion at Winnipeg on 8 September 1915, was taken on strength of the 44th Battalion on 12 May 1916, and embarked for France on 16 August following. He was reported wounded (shell shock) on 25 October 1916, but returned to duty 11 days later. Awarded the D.C.M. and M.M. in 1918 for gallant services as Brigade Bombing N.C.O. attached to H.Q. 10th Canadian Infantry Brigade, he was discharged at Winnipeg on 13 May 1919, and awarded War Service Badge No. 185186. Sold with copied research including discharge papers and the following related items: i. War Service Badge numbered as above ii. Trench wrist watch, the backplate inscribed ‘Presented to Pte. James MacKay, on his leaving for active service by the employees of D. McCall Co. Ltd., Winnipeg September 8th 1915’ (relic) iii. Pocket Edition Gillette Safety Razor, in metal travelling case, the lid inscribed ‘Pte. James MacKay, Winnipeg Sept. 9th 1915’ iv. Songs of a Sourdough, by Robert W. Service, Toronto 1913, green leather covers, contents quite distressed and many pages loose.
Lot 326
A good Second War D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Petty Officer J. R. L. Appleby, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the 15-inch gun monitor H.M.S. Erebus off Le Havre in September 1944 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. J. R. L. Appleby, P/JX. 125653); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (P/JX. 125653 J. R. L. Apppleby, D.S.M., C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (P/JX. 125653 J. R. L. Apppleby, C.P.O., H.M.S. Sursay) minor official corrections to naming, polished, the DSM good fine, the rest better (8) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2009. D.S.M. London Gazette 24 April 1945: ‘For skill, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty whilst serving on H.M. Ships Erebus and Roberts in the bombardment of Le Havre and Walcheren.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For undaunted devotion to duty when the ship was under accurate enemy fire during the bombardment of Le Havre, in maintaining a high rate of ammunition supply when adjoining compartments had been flooded by action damage.’ James Richard Leslie Appleby, a native of Reading, Berkshire, was serving as Captain of the Forecastle Division and employed in the 15-inch shell room of the monitor H.M.S. Erebus at the time of the above related deeds, his recommendation further revealing that he was present at the bombardments of Le Havre on 5, 8, and 10 September 1944 - her 15-inch guns inflicting serious damage on enemy installations, as indeed they had off Normandy that June, when engaging the batteries at Barfleur and La Pernelle. She went on to lend equally valuable support during Operation Infatuate, the assault on Walcheren in November 1944. Sold with copied research.
Lot 330
A Great War ‘German Spring Offensive’ M.M. group of four awarded to Gunner T. Miller, Royal Horse Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (88156 Gnr: T. Miller. ‘U’ By: R.H.A.); 1914-15 Star (88156 Gnr. T. Miller. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (88156 Gnr. T. Miller. R.A.) edge bruise to first, very fine (4) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. Thomas Miller was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, on 16 November 1894. He enlisted into the Royal Horse Artillery on 2 November 1914, and served in France from 1 April 1915. Appointed Acting Shoeing Smith four days later, he was posted to 16 Brigade Royal Horse Artillery Ammunition Column, and was thus present during the Second Battle of Ypres from 22 April to 25 May 1915. This action witnessed the first German deployment of poison gas, followed by further attacks on the Frezenberg and Bellewaarde Ridges which effectively brought both sides to an exhausted standstill. Posted to “U” Battery on 2 August 1917, Miller witnessed the destruction of a number of his battery guns on the first day of the German Spring Offensive near Le Verjiubr. Relocated to Montigny and then the Amiens Road, the War Diary for 16 Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, adds: ‘Killing enemy until they got to a very short range.’ Awarded the Military Medal, Miller survived the war and remained in service with “B” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. His Army Service Record shows, however, that his life changed beyond measure in early 1920, when his father recalled him home: ‘I have had the misfortune to have his mother knocked down by a motor causing her to have her legs smashed... and I have been waiting to go under an operation myself with a double rupture.’ Sold with extensive copied research.
Lot 331
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Gunner A. Saunders, Royal Horse Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (52578 Gnr: A. Saunders. J.3/Bde: R.H.A.) contact marks and light polishing, nearly very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. Arthur Saunders, a resident of Netherfield, served in France from 15 August 1914 with 3rd Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery. Attached to “J” Battery, his unit took part in the retreat from Mons and rearguard action at Bonnet, and witnessed extensive action at Loos, where Battery Sergeant Major L. J. Hansell won the Military Medal for putting out an ammunition fire in the heat of battle on 5 October 1917: ‘The enemy shelled the gun position from 8am till 7pm with 15cm howitzer and 20cm howitzer - the battery position was very much knocked about and number six gun pit had a direct hit on it completely destroying the gun and setting light to a good deal of ammunition.’ Interestingly, the Battery War Diary adds: ‘Sergeant Durham, Corporal Hansell, Corporal Butler, and Gunner Saunders awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action on the 4th and 5th.’ Sold with copied research.
Lot 420
Seven: Temporary Major J. C. Prichard, Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineers Department, Indian Army, late Royal Indian Army Service Corps and Army Service Corps 1914 Star (MS-2944 Pte. J. C. Pritchard [sic]. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (MS-2944 Sjt. J. C. Prichard. A.S.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (S-Condr. J. C. Prichard. R.I.A.S.C. (M.T.); War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; India Service Medal; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, India (S-Sjt. Mjr. J. C. Prichard. I.A.S.C.) mounted for wear, heavy pitting to BWM, otherwise very fine and better (7) £260-£300 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 27 September 1945. John Charles Prichard was born on 27 January 1890 and served initially with 4th Ammunition Park, Army Service Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914, with his medal index card confirms entitlement to the clasp for the 1914 Star. As Sub-Conductor (Acting Conductor) he was commissioned Lieutenant, Assistant Ordnance Mechanical Engineers Department, Indian Army on 1 January 1941, and Temporary Captain on 15 February 1942. Sold with original Mention in Despatches Certificate and enclosure letter addressed to the recipient at Carlton Drive, Putney; original Second World War, red ‘Army in India’ Identity Card, containing a damaged photograph of the recipient; and original fragmentary letter from the India Office, dated 23 June 1947, confirming his entitlement to the India Service Medal.
Lot 457
Five: Driver A. F. Caston, Royal Horse Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston, O Bty., R.H.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston. R.H.A.); 1914 Star (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (93899 Dvr. A. F. Caston. R.A.) official correction to number on Star, minor contact marks to Boer War medals, nearly very fine and better (5) £260-£300 --- Arthur Frank Caston was born in the Parish of Heyham, near Norwich, in 1874. A shoemaker, he attested at Woolwich for the Royal Artillery on 4 November 1892, and initially served with the 2nd Battery, 1st Depot Division, Royal Field Artillery, for which men of the Royal Horse Artillery were selected by interview and height. Attrition rates at training were high, the 13-week training course being notorious for discipline and perfect turnout. Passed for selection to the Royal Horse Artillery, Caston was appointed Driver and posted to “F” Battery on 10 June 1893. Then transferred to “O” Battery on 15 October 1895, he travelled to South Africa per S.S. Gleneagle, arriving mid-November 1899. Here his Battery formed part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Lieutenant General French, witnessing early operations around Colesberg and the engagement at Klip Drift in the course of the forced march to relieve Kimberley. At Diamond Hill, “O” Battery greatly distinguished itself by remaining in action all day under a continuous and heavy fire, successfully keeping at bay the incessant attacks of Boer Commander De La Rey. Further engagements followed at Nitrals Nek and the thrust to the north of Belfast. Returned to England in August 1902, Caston was discharged to reserve on completion of his first period of service. He returned to the Colours at the outbreak of the Great War and served in France with “C” Battery from 5 October 1914. The Battery fought at Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos, before Caston was posted to the 7th Divisional Ammunition Column and later discharged in the autumn of 1916. His Army Service Record adds: ‘A good groom, accustomed to the care and management of horses.’ Sold with copied research.
Lot 459
Pair: Driver G. J. Ross, Royal Horse Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Transvaal (14039 Dvr: G. J. Ross. R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (14039 Dvr: G. J. Ross. R.H.A.) mounted as worn, very fine (2) £100-£140 --- George Henry Roots, alias George Joseph Ross, was born in Saltley, Birmingham, in 1876. A horse driver, he attested for the Royal Artillery at Newbridge on 17 February 1896, and served in India with “H” Battery from 6 December 1898 to 26 October 1899. Transferred to South Africa, Roots was posted to Ammunition Park No. 1 (Veterinary Hospital) on 1 July 1900, before joining “J” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, on 1 November 1900. He joined at a time when the Battery was involved in counter-guerilla warfare in the Megaliesberg mountains, following the disaster at Noortgedacht. From January to March 1901, the Battery formed part of Alderson’s column in Major-General French’s sweep through the eastern Transvaal. Changing his name at Elandfontein on 12 January 1902, in accordance with paragraph 2146, King’s Regulations, Roots briefly joined “R” Battery before returning home to England and transferring to the reserve on 29 November 1903. Sold with copied research.
Lot 484
Three: Sapper A. H. Andrews, Royal Engineers 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (9998 Sapr: A. H. Andrews. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (9998 Spr. A. H. Andrews. R.E.) very fine Three: Private H. Day, Army Service Corps 1914 Star (M-27749 Pte. H. Day. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M-27749 Pte. H. Day. A.S.C.) some polishing, good fine (6) £80-£100 --- Alfred Harold Andrews attested into the Royal Engineers and served with the 9th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914. The award of the clasp to his 1914 Star is confirmed on his Medal Index Card. Henry Day, a tractor engine driver from Swindon, Wiltshire, attested into the Army Service Corps on 2 July 1909. He served during the Great War with the 5th Ammunition Park on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 until 21 October 1914, before returning to the U.K. due to a fracture of his left ulna. Afterwards serving at home, he was discharged due to sickness on 28 December 1915 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 233,593.
Lot 491
A rare 1914 ‘Affair at Nery’ group of four awarded to Sergeant S. G. Roe, “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery 1914 Star (57021 A.Bmbr: S. G. Roe. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (57021 Sjt. S. G. Roe. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (1032311 Sjt. S. G. Roe. R.A.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £300-£400 --- Samuel Gibbons Roe was born in Nottingham in 1892. He married Irene E. Cross at Marylebone in 1912 and served in France from 15 August 1914 with “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. Responsible for light, mobile guns designed to provide firepower in support of the cavalry, “L” Battery and “I” Battery formed 7th R.H.A. Brigade in support of the 1st Cavalry Brigade. Heavily engaged on 24 August 1914 in the area of Quievrain and Baisieux, the guns of “L” Battery proved devastating against waves of enemy infantry; firing shrapnel shells low and with accuracy, Major Tom Bridges of the 4th Dragoons noted ‘two British guns firing away as if they had been on the range at Okehampton.’ Having survived this engagement, Roe and his comrades joined the famous ‘Retreat from Mons’ with German forces consistently nipping at their heels. Tired from endless marching and the manoeuvring of heavy limbers along cobbled and unmade roads, “L” Battery and the 1st Cavalry Brigade selected the somewhat remote, small and ancient commune of Nery as the place to spend the night of 31 August-1 September 1914. Remarkably, the German 4th Cavalry Division had similar ideas, bivouacking a mere two miles away. Thus, as the fog lifted the following morning and each side sent reconnaissance patrols out to determine the situation, the scene was set for one of the most famous engagements of the entire Great War: the Affair at Nery. The Affair at Nery At first light on 1 September 1914 the Germans launched their attack on two flanks. Fired upon by 12 artillery pieces, supported by numerous machine guns, the men of “L” Battery awoke to a scene of utter chaos and destruction. Men and horses, mostly in the open and packed closely together, were shot down in swathes. Being closest to the enemy on the east side of the village, “L” Battery received the full weight of enemy fire from 700-800 yards; as the frightened horses plunged in their harnesses, the poles of their limbers embedded themselves in the ground and the horses were pinioned as they were blown to pieces by German shellfire. Amidst this scene of hell, the surviving Gunners rallied under the command of Captain E. K. Bradbury, initially getting three guns into the fight. Expending their ammunition to the very last, “L” Battery were eventually reduced to a single artillery piece, their gallantry decisive in ‘buying time’ for the classic cavalry charge by the Queen’s Bays which ultimately restored the situation by creating confusion amongst the enemy. The action cost the British 135 casualties, including 23 killed and 31 wounded from the Battery. It also resulted in the award of three Victoria Crosses to the men of “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery. Today, the surviving ‘Nery Gun’ is preserved in the Imperial War Museum, testament to the ‘David and Goliath’ struggle of that early autumn morning. Roe survived the Great War and never claimed the clasp to his 1914 Star. He died at Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on 5 December 1946. Sold with copied research.
Lot 530
Pair: Lieutenant O. Fawcett, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. O. Fawcett) very fine Pair: Private W. Canfield, Army Service Corps, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 September 1918 British War and Victory Medals (DM2-179487 Pte. W. Canfield. A.S.C.) very fine Pair: Private F. W. Higgs, Army Service Corps, who died on the Western Front on 24 July 1917 British War and Victory Medals (M2-136965 Pte. F. W. Higgs. A.S.C.) extremely fine (6) £70-£90 --- Oscar Fawcett attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 1 January 1916. He was appointed Acting Warrant Officer Class I and later commissioned on 3 December 1917, for service with the Expeditionary Forces Canteen. William Luckens Canfield attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front. He was killed in action, aged 36, whilst attached to 158 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, on 3 September 1918 and is buried in Maroeuil British Cemetery, France. Frederick William Higgs was born in Streatham, London, and attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front and died aged 19, whilst serving with the 61st Ammunition Sub Park, on 24 July 1917, and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
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