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Lot 341
Original vintage propaganda poster issued by OSPAAAL to commemorate the Day of World Solidarity with Laos 12 October. The poster features a yellow and black silhouette of a man with his hands on a machine gun with a long ammunition belt. Text in white in Spanish, English and French next to the OSPAAAL logo. OSPAAAL - Organization of Solidarity of the People of Asia, Africa & Latin America is a Cuban political movement that was founded in Havana in 1966. Good condition, folds, small tears, minor staining. Country of issue: Cuba, designer: Alfredo Rostgaard, size (cm): 55x33, year of printing: 1967
Lot 702
Tip the Birdie vintage shooting game by Louis Marx & Co., Ltd. Great Britain, includes pressed steel and wood shotgun with cork ammunition plug. Cardboard target with plastic crows. Dates around the 50's/60's having disappeared from the Marx catalogues by 1970. Boxed and in good condition showing some use wear, a fantastic toy.
Lot 1691
A collection of various mixed white metal military figure kits to include under two flags, Hinchcliffe models, Caldercraft, Sanderson miniatures and others. All housed in original packaging and appear unmade to include a Hinchcliffe French Napoleanic ammunition trailer, together with various others, 9 in total
Lot 136
An outstanding Great War 1918 ‘Battle of Epehy’ D.C.M., 1917 ‘Battle of Cambrai’ M.M. and 1918 ‘Western Front’ Second Award Bar, Belgian Croix de Guerre group of six awarded to Sergeant F. L. Livings, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, an ‘Old Contemptible’ who was bombed, bayoneted, shot and gassed during the course of his distinguished service on the Western Front Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23186 Sjt: F. Livings. M.M. 9/Essex R.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (23186 Cpl.-Sjt: - F. Livings. 9/Essex R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7433 Pte. F. Livings. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (7433 Sjt. F. Livings. Essex R.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919, citation published 10 January 1920: ‘For most conspicuous gallantry and initiative. On 24th September, 1918, the enemy made a determined attack on our positions east of Epehy, and succeeded in entering our trench. He immediately collected a few men with bombs and a Lewis gun and rushed forward, bombing the enemy, who fled towards their own line. He thereupon seized the Lewis gun and advanced along the parapet, firing on the enemy, who left a machine gun and thirteen dead.’ M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 12 June 1918. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 July 1918. Frederick Louis Livings was born on 8 January 1888 at North Weald, Essex, and attested for the Essex Regiment on 2 January 1903 at Warley, Essex, declaring himself to be aged 18 years and 11 months. He deserted in September 1903 and, following conviction, forfeited his prior service and recommenced his service from 15 October 1903. Livings served with the 2nd Battalion in Malta from April 1904 to March 1906, where he was hospitalised with enteric and continued to be the subject of regular entries in the Regimental Defaulter Sheet, his catalogue of offences ranging from neglect of equipment and absenteeism to drunkenness and insolence. Returning home he was transferred to the Section B Reserve on 14 October 1906 having completed 3 years of qualifying service and yet still only 18 years of age. Mobilised for duty in 1914 following the outbreak of war, Livings disembarked on 24 August at Havre, France with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was appointed Acting Corporal on 4 September 1914 and Acting Sergeant on 21 October 1914 seeing action with his battalion at Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne and Messines during the opening months of the war. On 13 May 1915 he received bayonet wounds to the stomach and a gun-shot wound to the left thigh during the 2nd Battalion’s successful counter-attack near St. Jean on a 1000 yard frontage of front line from Shelltrap Farm to Fortuin-Weltje Road. John Burrows in his history of the 2nd Essex records how, ‘within ten minutes (8.30am) A and B Companies moved forward, the attack being splendidly carried out in quick time and marked by great dash and determination. Subjected to shrapnel and high explosive shell-fire, they reached the ridge, when heavy machine gun fire swept them, but they never faltered. Within 300 yards of the objective the men charged at the double. The counter-attack of the Essex was carried out in full view of the London Rifle Brigade, who stood up in their trenches to cheer as the Pompadours went forward. The casualties were 37 killed, 94 wounded and 49 missing.’ Hospitalised at Versailles and then repatriated via Hospital Ship to England, he was discharged to light duty with the 3rd Battalion and underwent an operation to extract shrapnel from his abdomen in November 1915. Upon recovery, Livings rejoined his regiment with the B.E.F., disembarking in Boulogne on 20 July 1917. Posted to the 9th Battalion, he proceeded to the front and joined his battalion for duty on 16 August. He was promoted Sergeant (A Company) on 11 December 1917, immediately after his battalion’s participation in the Battle of Cambrai and was awarded the Military Medal, his M.M. being published in an edition of the gazette which almost exclusively carried awards for the Cambrai operations. The battalion war diary’s report of their attack on the Hindenburgh Line on 20 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai emphasises the difficult work carried out by A Company, of which Livings was a Platoon Sergeant, and contains the following extracts: ‘On 20 November 1917 the Battalion, in conjunction with many other troops, took part in a large attack on the Hindenburgh Line in co-operation with tanks. One company of tanks, i.e. 12 tanks, were allotted to the battalion for the operation. All 4 companies were in the first wave. Our objective was two line of trenches in front of the Hindenburgh Line known as Bleak Trench and Barrack Support. Zero was set for 6.30am. At zero-10 the tanks started and a heavy barrage was put down on all the enemy trenches and batteries. All Companies after this delay [initially some tanks became stuck] reached and consolidated their objectives. Many Boches were killed or captured and in addition a vast supply of all kinds of ammunition and stores including heavy mortar, two medium, three heavy M.G.s and two light light ones and several grenaten-werfer. The Boche made no immediate counter attack. ‘A’ Company under Captain Capper had the most difficult consolidation but this was well carried out by this officer.’ A few months later Livings received a Second Award Bar to his M.M and the Belgian Croix de Guerre; these awards are likely to have been made in connection with the 9th Battalion’s robust defence of the line at Albert, 26 March - 9 April, during the German Spring Offensive on the Somme. Severely wounded in the field on 13 July 1918, he was hospitalised for some time at Rouen and rejoined his Battalion on 9 September. On 24 September 1918, during the Battle of Epehy, Sergeant Livings repulsed a German attack on the Battalion’s trenches and was recognised with the award of the D.C.M. The uncensored post war citation revealing the date and place of the action. The Battalion war diary for the day in question adds further detail: ‘At 3am the enemy again attempted to take our front line in the vicinity of Heythorp Post and Little Preill Farm. One battalion of the 3rd Guards Division advanced on our trenches and entered them between the posts, Sgt. Livings of ‘A’ Company with 2 or 3 men ejected them causing many casualties to the enemy’. Badly wounded again on 28 September, he was admitted to a field hospital with severe bomb wounds to the head, face and right thigh. He returned to England once more on 2 October 1918 to recover and was discharged from hospital on 14 October, returning to light duty once more. Sergeant Livings was discharged on the termination of his period of engagement on 31 March 1920, his pension accounting for service aggravated deafness, abdominal gunshot wounds, gunshot wounds to left thigh, concussion, bomb wounds and shortness of breath caused by mustard gas. He died in 1976 at Poplar, London.
Lot 138
Three: Corporal W. Mitchell, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action on the Aisne on 13 September 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (7309 Cpl. W. Mitchell. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (7309 Cpl. W. Mitchell. Essex R.); Memorial Plaque (William Mitchell) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure, nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- William Mitchell was born in Cambridge in 1886 and attested there for the Essex Regiment in November 1902. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 August 1914 and was killed in action at the crossing of the Aisne on 13 September 1914: ‘On September 13th, in pouring rain, the Battalion crossed the Aisne. They left the bivouac at 7 a.m., the unit being ordered to march via Billy-sur-Aisne and Venizel to Ste. Marguerite. After an hour’s rest, Venizel was reached at 9 a.m and the Battalion was temporarily halted in column in a field by the roadside, in readiness for crossing first the railroad and then the river bridge. The girders of the latter had been cut, but the reinforced concrete of the roadway was strong enough to take infantry. Whilst waiting to pass over, enemy shell-fire was active and the machine gun teams had a number of casualties, heavier losses being avoided because one of the companies had just moved to shelter in a sunken road... The Pompadours, after crossing, traversed the two miles of water meadows to Bucy-le-Long in extended order, ten paces interval, at 100 yards distance, and though the shell-fire was heavy, the casualties were slight. “ D ” Company brought up the rear... The Essex were ordered to cover an attack upon Chivres trenches by the Lancashire Fusiliers. The effort was not successful owing to heavy fire from the south of Chivres village and the western slopes of the Chivres spur. The Pompadours then held the high ground north of Ste. Marguerite, with their right thrown back along the eastern side of the wood before-mentioned. There they dug in and remained for the night, Lancashire Fusiliers on the right and the King’s Own on the left. The position possessed elements of anxiety owing to enemy activity and for a time small arms ammunition ran short, but this danger was relieved at 6.25 p.m., when three cart-loads were received. The casualties were light, comprising ten killed and 32 wounded.’ (Essex Units in the Great War 1914-1919 Vol 2. 2nd Bn. The Essex Regt. by John Wm. Burrows, F.S.A.) He was the son of John Mitchell and husband of Maud Elizabeth Alice Thomas (formerly Mitchell) of 6 Stone Terrace, Stone St., Cambridge. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. Sold together with Record Office transmission letter (torn) for the British War and Victory Medals.
Lot 147
Three: Private J. Paradise, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in the attack at Troyon, during the battle of the Aisne, on 14 September 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9397 Pte. J. Paradise. L. N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9397 Pte. J. Paradise. L. N. Lan. R.); Memorial Plaque (John Paradise) nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- John Paradise was born in 1891 at Hammersmith, Middlesex and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Dover, Kent in 1908. He served with ‘B’ Company in the 1st Battalion as part of the 2nd Infantry Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 August 1914 and was killed in action in the attack at Troyon on 14 September 1914 - a day of bitter fighting sometimes referred to as the ‘real battle of the Aisne’. On this day, Haig’s immediate objective was the Chemin Des Dames above Troyon and, to this end, the 2nd Brigade were tasked with taking the sugar factory at the crossroads north of Troyon. Here the Germans has established a strong position with many machine guns in enfilading lines of fire and with formidable artillery to the rear: ‘This was at 10.30am on the 14th, and two and a half companies of the Battalion were sent up the right of the 2nd King’s Royal Rifles, one company was ordered to support the Royal Sussex, the remining half-company being held in reserve at Vendresse. The position was reached, the factory carried and held; but the enemy was in great strength and counter attacked heavily, while the Battalion ammunition began to run out, and the 2nd Brigade was ordered to fall back to the ridge previously occupied, arriving there about 3pm and ‘digging in’. The losses incurred this day by the Battalion, in this its first general action of the war, amounted to fourteen officers and over 500 non-commissioned officers and men killed, wounded and missing, and in “B” Company alone three officers out of five and 175 out of 220 other ranks were casualties.’ (Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1914-1919 by Colonel H. C. Wylie refers) Private Troyon was initially reported wounded and missing on 14 September 1914 and only later confirmed killed in action on this date. He was the husband of Harriet Paradise and is buried in Vendresse British Cemetery, France. Sold together with a photo of the recipient’s headstone and three photos of the Vendresse British Cemetery.
Lot 149
Four: Corporal J. Freeman, 8th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who suffered gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hand during the German attack on Vimy Ridge on 21 May 1916, during which action Lieutenant R. B. B. Jones, of the same Battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross 1914-15 Star (15597 Cpl. J. Freeman. L. N. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (15597 Cpl. J. Freeman. L. N. Lan. R.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (John Freeeman) good very fine (4) £80-£120 --- John Freeman was born in 1880 at Garston, Liverpool and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Seaforth, Liverpool on 10 September 1914. Posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 1 October 1914 and served on the Western Front from 25 September 1915. Whilst serving with B Company, during the battalion’s first action - in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge on 21 May 1916 - he received gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hand and was invalided to England. Lieutenant R. B. B. Jones, of the same battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for gallantry at Vimy on 21 May 1916. A digest of his citation reads: ‘On 21st May 1916 at Broadmarsh Crater, Vimy, France, Lieutenant Jones was in charge of a platoon holding the position recently captured from the enemy. Forty yards away the enemy exploded a mine and isolated the platoon by a heavy barrage of fire. Being attacked by overwhelming numbers, the platoon was in great danger, but Lieutenant Jones organised his men and set a fine example by shooting 15 of the enemy as they advanced. When all his ammunition had been used, he was about to throw a bomb when he was shot through the head.’ Corporal Freeman was transferred to the 2/2 Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment and permanently discharged on 13 June 1917 in consequence of further aggravating an old knee injury and no longer being physically fit for war service. He was awarded a Silver War Badge. Sold with the recipient’s discharge certificate and an original hand written letter sent to the recipient on 27 May 1916 from 4285 Sgt. Horrocks, B Company, 8th Loyal North Lancs., which opens as follows: ‘Dear Jack I was very glad last night to hear that a letter had been received from you as I have wondered many times whether you had arrived safely at the dressing station or not. I ought really to have sent someone with you but as you know we had not many men left when you got wounded and I could not spare a chap to help you along. I want to thank you personally Jack for the brave manner in which you behaved and for the splendid example you set the men under heavy shell fire and each and all of us agree that you were about the coolest and most collected man of the party. After you got hit we kept plodding on till the following morning when we were relieved and sent back to pylines for a sleep though the party had altered very much in numbers for we started with 42 and left with about 16 most of whom have since left us and gone to hospital with shell shock.’
Lot 157
Three: Lance Corporal J. F. Sullivan, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action at La Boutillerie during the Battle of Armentières on 30 October 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (L-14650 L. Cpl. J. F. Sullivan. 1/Middx: R.); British War and Victory Medals (L.14650 Pte. J. F. Sullivan. Midd’x R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- John Frederick Sullivan was born in 1896 at Hounslow, Middlesex and attested for the Middlesex Regiment in London in September 1913. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 11 August 1914, his battalion seeing action in 1914 at the battles of Mons (and subsequent Retreat), The Marne, The Aisne, la Bassèe, Messines and Armentières. Sullivan was killed in action on 30 October 1914 during the Battle of Armentières. In the days leading up to his death, the 1st Middlesex had been holding trenches in front of La Boutilleries (23 to 29 October), suffering casualties under heavy shell-fire and sniping. The enemy broke through between C and D Companies on 30 October and in response B Company made a successful counter attack and cleared the enemy from the lost trenches: ‘This attack, in which every man was used - servants, pioneers, cooks, etc., who were carrying ammunition or fighting with “B” Company - was entirely successful. Every German who had penetrated the line was killed - 37 being accounted for in this way - or captured. And on the following morning over 200 dead Germans were counted lying out in No Man’s Land in front of the trenches. But “ B ” Company practically ceased to exist. In this very gallant little fight, the 1st Middlesex lost 16 other ranks killed and 25 wounded, including Lieut.-Colonel Rowley, Capt. Gibbons and 2nd Lieut. Shaw. “Where all ranks behaved well,” said Colonel Rowley, “it was hard to single out any for reward, but at any rate all had the satisfaction of worthily upholding the name of Die-Hards. The Battle of Armentières closed on 2nd November, with the 1st Middlesex still holding the line at La Boutillerie.’ (The Die-Hards in the Great War. Vol I. 1914-16 by Everard Wyrall refers). Lance Corporal Sullivan was the son of John Ernest and Augusta Sullivan, of 147, St. Albans Avenue, Bedford Park, London and is buried in Rue-David Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France.
Lot 158
Three: Private E. J. Miller, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was reported missing, presumed dead, near La Boutillerie, during the Battle of Armentières, on 31 October 1914 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (L-12132 Pte. E. J. Miller. 1/Midd: R); British War and Victory Medals (L-12132 Pte. E. J. Miller. Midd’x R.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- Edwin John Miller was born in 1890 at Hove, Sussex and attested for the Middlesex Regiment in London in 1908. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he was posted to the 1st Battalion and served with them on the Western Front from 11 August 1914, his battalion seeing action in 1914 at the battles of Mons (and subsequent Retreat), The Marne, The Aisne, la Bassèe, Messines and Armentières. Miller was reported missing on 31 October 1914 during the Battle of Armentières and later presumed to have been killed in action on or since that date. His date of death for official purposes was deemed to be 31 October 1914 although it is likely that he was killed in the heavy fighting which took place on 30 October. His battalion had been holding trenches in front of La Boutilleries between 23 and 29 October, suffering casualties under heavy shell-fire and sniping, when the enemy broke through between C and D Companies on 30 October. B Company then made a successful counter attack and cleared the enemy from the lost trenches: ‘This attack, in which every man was used—servants, pioneers, cooks, etc., who were carrying ammunition or fighting with “B” Company—was entirely successful. Every German who had penetrated the line was killed—37 being accounted for in this way—or captured. And on the following morning over 200 dead Germans were counted lying out in No Man’s Land in front of the trenches. But “B” Company practically ceased to exist. In this very gallant little fight, the 1st Middlesex lost 16 other ranks killed and 25 wounded, including Lieut.-Colonel Rowley, Capt. Gibbons and 2nd Lieut. Shaw. “Where all ranks behaved well,” said Colonel Rowley, “it was hard to single out any for reward, but at any rate all had the satisfaction of worthily upholding the name of Die-Hards. The Battle of Armentières closed on 2nd November, with the 1st Middlesex still holding the line at La Boutillerie.’ (The Die-Hards in the Great War. Vol I. 1914-16 by Everard Wyrall refers). Miller’s body was later found and identified and lies buried in Le Trou Aid Post Cemetery, Fleurbaix, France. He was the son of Joseph Henry and Eliza Miller (nee Hammond) of 9 Reeves Place, Hoxton, London.
Lot 169
Family group: Pair: Private E. Pearce, 21st Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who was killed in action on the Western Front, at 16 years of age, on 24 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (G-15516 Pte. E. Pearce. Midd’x R.); Memorial Plaque (Edward Pearce) nearly extremely fine Memorial Plaque (Alfred James Pearce) nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- Edward Pearce was born in 1900 at Islington, London and attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Holloway, Middlesex. He served with the 21st (Service) Battalion (Islington) during the Great War and was killed in action on the Western Front on 24 July 1916 aged 16 years. The son of Matthew Charles and Rosa Elizabeth Pearce of 21 Magdala Road, Highgate, London, he is buried in Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France. Alfred James Pearce, brother of the above, was born in 1893 at Islington, London and enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Wood Green, North London. He served during the Great War as a Driver with the 37th Divisional Ammunition Column, No. 2 Section, Royal Field Artillery and died at Tadworth on 15 May 1915. He is buried in Highgate Cemetery.
Lot 189
Four: Staff Sergeant H. W. Jordan, 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was wounded and taken prisoner of war at Etreux, the scene of his Battalion’s epic rearguard action during the retreat from Mons, on 27 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (9990 Pte. H. Jordan. R. Muns: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (9990 Pte. H. W. Jordan. R. Muns. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7658070 S. Sjt. H. W. Jordan R.A.P.C.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1920. Horace Walter Jordan was born in 1885 at Camberwell, London and attested for the Royal Munster Fusiliers in 1913. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he disembarked with B Company of the 2nd Battalion at Havre on 14 August 1914 and moved forward to Mons where the battalion was held in reserve for the fighting on 24 August. During the retreat, the 2nd Munsters occupied the position of honour as rearguard to the 1st Guards Brigade which, in turn, acted as rearguard for the 1st Division commanded by Major General Lomax. On the morning of Thursday 27 August 1914, the Irishmen, supported by two 18-pounders of the 118th Battery R.F.A. and a troop of the 15th Hussars, held the villages of Fesmy and Bergues, together with two important road junctions in that immediate area. Approaching them in an arc from North to East was an entire German Army Corps preceded by masses of cavalry and backed by an impressive array of artillery. Early in the afternoon, having inflicted savage casualties on 12 battalions of the German 2nd Guards’ Reserve Division which had attacked Fesmy, the Munsters began to withdraw to the South to the village of Oisy, and on to Etreux. At 5.30pm the battalion was located at a crossroads just east of Oisy. Jordan’s “B” Company, however, was missing and the retreat was held up. The company reappeared at about 6.30pm but the delay, according to Captain McCance’s regimental history, proved ‘fatal to the battalion’. Approaching the village of Oisy, the battalion came under heavy fire from the houses on the northern outskirts, followed by salvoes from eight German field guns positioned south-east of the village. Now, for the first time, the Irishmen began to fall thick and fast and although the one remaining 18-pounder promptly came into action, its ammunition was nearly exhausted. After a series of desperate bayonet attacks, and with the artillerymen all dead and wounded about their gun, the gallant Munsters fell back to an orchard on the west of the road. Despite a further bayonet charge, at odds of fifty to one, which had temporarily held the enemy, the orchard was now ringed by Germans against whom the survivors, lining the four sides of the orchard, made every shot count. Ultimately, due to appalling casualties, lack of ammunition and the overwhelming superiority of enemy numbers, the survivors of the Battalion were compelled to surrender around 9pm. They had been fighting for 12 hours and their senior surviving officer was a Lieutenant but their sacrifice had ensured that Haig’s 1 Corps could continue unharassed on its way. Jordan was wounded in the heel and taken prisoner of war at Etreux on 27 August 1914. He was initially held at Gardelegen prisoner of war camp and was later sent to Merseburg. Upon his return to England after the war he was Mentioned in Despatches for valuable services rendered whilst a prisoner of war.
Lot 202
Pair: Private L. P. Hewett, 1/14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), who was reported missing, presumed dead, after heavy fighting at Messines Ridge on 31 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14/Lond: R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Leonard Percy Hewett) with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Leonard Percy Hewett 14 London Regt.’ in OHMS transmission tube, address label torn off, nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- Leonard Percy Hewett was born on 16 July 1894 in Paddington, London and was a resident of Hanwell. He served with H Company of the London Scottish during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 September 1914 and was reported missing on 1 November following fighting at Messines the previous day. His date of death was recorded for official purposes as 1 November 1914. Ray Westlake in British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 uses a mixture of war diary extracts and eyewitness accounts to describe the multiple difficulties confronting the London Scottish at Messines on 31 October 1914: ‘Advanced up slopes of Messines Ridge to firing line just east of Messines-Wytschaete road. Heavy casualties among leading companies at crest of ridge. Enemy attacked about 9pm and were driven back by rifle fire and a series of charges. The rifles in use had been issued at Abbots Langley and were Mark 1 pattern converted to take Mark VII ammunition. Battalion records show that not a man had opportunity to fire the new weapons. It would soon be discovered that the magazines had springs too weak and that front stop clips were the wrong shape for Mark V II rounds. The rifles could only be used as single-loaders. However, Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay notes that - “steady shooting beat off the attack.” A second attack was also repulsed - “remembered it was Hallowe’en... saw a party of men in kilts in our rear. Did not know if they were our men of Germans. They got within a dozen yards, when we saw they were wore spiked helmets, and shot them. Were attacked in both front and rear.”, wrote one man present. A third attack forces the Scottish back - “they advanced in quarter column with a brass band playing at their head, playing the Austrian National Anthem.” Another eyewitness mentions seeing the Medical Officer, Captain A. Mac Nab, bayoneted and killed whilst attending to the wounded. Forward trenches almost surrounded. Reserve line at Enfer charged the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay records - “a prolonged and confused struggle... there was hard fighting, bayonets were crossed, fire was exchanged at close quarters... officers, sergeants and men had to act on their own initiative.”’ The following extract is from War Service of the Staff of Coutts & Co. 1914-1918: ‘Leonard Percy Hewett entered the service of Coutts Bank at 440 Strand on the 14th October 1912, and in 1914 was employed in the Securities Department. He joined the London Scottish in 1910 at the age of 16 years 6 months, and at the outbreak of war was mobilised with that Battalion. A short time after, he proceeded to France with them and took part in the First Battle of Messines in October, after which engagement he was reported missing on the 1st November 1914. No further tidings being received, the War Office in due course presumed his death.’ Hewitt was the son of Mr. L. W. Hewett, of 10, Milton Rd., Hanwell, London and, having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium and also on the Coutts Bank War Memorial, The Strand, Charing Cross, London. Sold together with an old photograph of the Coutts Bank War Memorial.
Lot 203
Three: Private L. G. M. Wilkins, 1/14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), who was wounded and captured at Messines on 31 October 1914, and died in captivity on 7 March 1915 1914 Star, with clasp (2235 Pte. L. G. M. Wilkins. 14/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2235 Pte. L. G. M. Wilkins. 14-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Leslie Guy Millward Wilkins) nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Leslie Guy Millward Wilkins was born in 1894 at Wimbledon, Surrey and attested for the London Scottish in August 1914, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 September 1914. Having performed various duties in St. Omer, his battalion travelled to Ypres on London buses and then marched to Wytschaete on the morning of 31 October - from there they advanced up the slopes of Messines Ridge to the firing line just east of the Messines-Wytschaete road: ‘Heavy casualties among leading companies at crest of ridge. Enemy attacked about 9pm and were driven back by rifle fire and a series of charges. The rifles in use had been issued at Abbots Langley and were the Mark 1 pattern converted to take Mark VII ammunition. Battalion records show that not a man had the opportunity to fire the new weapons. It would soon be discovered that the magazines had springs too weak and that the front stop clips were the wrong shape for the Mark VII rounds. The rifles could only be used as single-loaders. However, Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay notes that “steady shooting beat off the attack”. A second attack also repulsed - “remembered it was Hallowe’en... saw a party of men in kilts in our rear. Did not know if they were our men or Germans. They got within a dozen yards, when we saw they wore spiked helmets, and shot them. Were attacked in both front and rear”, wrote one man present. A third attack forced the Scottish back - “they advanced in quarter column with a brass band playing at their head, playing the Austrian National Anthem.” Another eyewitness mentions seeing the Medical Office, Captain A. MacNab, bayoneted and killed whilst attending to the wounded. Forward trenches almost surrounded. Reserve line at Enfer charged the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay records - “a prolonged and confused struggle... there was hard fighting, bayonets were crossed, fire was exchanged at close quarters... officers, sergeants and men had to act on their own initiative.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers) A withdrawal towards Wulveringhem was ordered the following day (1 November). After the fighting at Messines, Paul Maze, a liaison officer with the 2nd Cavalry Division, saw the battalion and later wrote: ‘His kilt in rags, looking utterly exhausted, a Sergeant of the London Scottish was forming up his men who stood like sailors being photographed on a shore within sight of their wreck’ (A Frenchman in Khaki by Paul Maze refers) Having suffered casualties of 394 (all ranks) at Messines, the battalion’s commanding officer received telegrams of congratulation from Field Marshal Sir John French and Brigadier-General C. E. Bingham, 4th Cavalry Brigade, the latter writing, ‘I venture to ask you to convey to your Regiment my deepest gratitude and admiration for the work they performed on October 31 and through the following night. No troops in the world could have carried out their orders better, and while deploring the losses you have incurred, I unhesitatingly affirm that the Allied Armies in France owe to the London Scottish a place of high honour amongst their heroes’ Private Wilkins was wounded and captured at Messines on 31 October 1914. He died of his wounds whilst a prisoner of war at Lille on 7 March 1915. He was the son of Francis and Emilie of 4 Malcolm Road, Wimbledon and is buried in Lille Southern Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated on a plaque in the Warrior Chapel, St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Road, Wimbledon.
Lot 225
A Second War 1942 ‘Western Desert Campaign’ D.F.C., ‘1945’ A.F.C., K.C.V.S.A. group of eight awarded to Flight Lieutenant J. McGill, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, whose low level attacks in Hawker Hurricanes of 73 Squadron inflicted much damage to enemy mechanised transport during the advance to Tripoli Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1946, with its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf representative of the recipient’s King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. J. McGill R.A.F.V.R.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these lacking clasp and oak leaf, and cloth R.A.F. wings, both sets of medals mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 23 February 1943 - Flying Officer James McGill (64899) Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, No. 73 Squadron - the original cypher message from Headquarters R.A.F. Middle East to Air Ministry Kingsway sent 11 February 1943 states: ‘Secret. An immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Cross has been made to Flying Officer James McGill 64899 of 73 Squadron. Since joining this squadron this pilot has done 95 operational night hours almost exclusively over enemy territory. On November 5 taking part in a dusk strafe with the squadron at Fuka, McGill on low flying strafe was hit in both long range and starboard main tanks another hit made a hole nearly a foot square. In spite of this Flying Officer McGill brought his aircraft safely home claiming two ammunition lorries blown up and and another damaged. This is typical of his work and he has on two other occasions been damaged by ground fire. He has done a great deal of damage to enemy mechanised transport since the campaign for Tripoli began including dawn reccos over enemy territory.’ A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1946 - Flight Lieutenant J. McGill, D.F.C., (64899) No. 24 Group - the original recommendation states: ‘(a) 2800 hours; (b) 2000 hours; (c) 150 hours. Throughout his tour of duty in the Union of South Africa, Flight Lieutenant McGill has displayed outstanding efficiency as a flying instructor. He has proved his exceptional ability to handle men and his reliability as a Group and Acting Squadron Commander at a Service Flying Training School. From September 1942, to September 1943, Flight Lieutenant McGill completed an operational tour on fighter aircraft and completed 180 hours flying.’ King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air London Gazette 14 June 1945 - Flight Lieutenant McGill, D.F.C., (64899) No. 25 Air School - the original recommendation states: ‘(Total instructional flying hours 2540; during the last six months 72.) Throughout his service in this country [South Africa] Flight Lieutenant McGill, a Flying Instructor, has displayed outstanding ability in this capacity and as flight commander and squadron commander. He is most energetic and handles men exceedingly well.’ James McGill was commissioned Pilot Officer on probation in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 27 February 1941 and was promoted War Substantive Flying Officer on probation on 27 February 1942. He served with 73 Squadron during the Western Desert Campaign in North Africa from September 1942, the squadron having moved to the Middle East in late 1940. Moving repeatedly throughout the campaign according to the ever changing developments and requirements on the ground, the Hurricanes of 73 Squadron accompanied the the Army’s advance into Libya in 1942, taking part in ground attack operations. McGill was promoted War Substantive Flight Lieutenant on 27 February 1943 and was awarded the D.F.C. for courage and determination in flying Hurricanes in low-level attacks on enemy mechanised transport during the advance towards Tripoli. Having completed his operational tour in September 1943, he transferred to a Flying Instructor role in South Africa, firstly with No. 25 Air School at Standerton, then with No. 24 Air School, for which services he was awarded the Air Force Cross and King’s Commendation for Valuable Services in the Air.
Lot 38
Three: Private H. Sandbrook, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, a Boer War veteran who was killed in action at Kruiseecke, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 29 October 1914 1914 Star (8179 Pte. H. Sandbrook. C. Gds.) lacquered; British War and Victory Medals (8179 Pte. H. Sandbrook. C. Gds.); Memorial Plaque (Henry Sandbrook) good very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Henry Sandbrook was born in August 1872 at Small Heath, Birmingham, Warwickshire and attested there for the Coldstream Guards in August 1890. He transferred to the Army Reserve in August 1893 but was mobilized on 9 October 1899 and served in South Africa for the entirety of the Boer War, 22 October 1899 until 21 July 1902, receiving the Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps and King’s Medal with 2 clasps. He was discharged again at the completion of his term of engagement on 26 August 1902. Following the outbreak of the Great War Sandbrook served with the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards on the Western Front from 7 October 1914 and was recorded missing presumed dead following a period of enemy attacks in overwhelming force at Kruiseecke on 29 October which reduced the battalion to just 1 officer and 60 other ranks: ‘Punctually at 5.30 a.m. on the morning of Thursday the 29th October in foggy weather the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division, covered by a screen of skirmishers, got up to within fifty yards of our defences without being seen, and made a rush upon the trenches of the right half of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards as well as upon the company of the Black Watch posted at the cross roads. Our troops were well on the alert and at once opened fire on the assailants, causing a slight pause in the attack ; but the momentum of the advance prevailed and carried the Germans forward without any serious check. The struggle at that point lasted for a short time only, and as no Officer survived it the exact details of what actually occurred are not fully known. It is, however, known that at least two of our machine guns jammed, and that a considerable proportion of the ammunition was defective, the cartridges were too large for the barrel of the rifles, and many of the men could not use their arms ; this circumstance was in fact largely responsible for the disaster of that day... The left half of the Battalion, at some distance from the Menin road, were also attacked at the same time by units of the XXVIIth Reserve Corps, but three resolute attempts to seize our position by assault were successfully repulsed... But our ranks were thinning fast and those who survived were in deep and narrow trenches where they could not use their bayonets. Thus reduced to a small number and surrounded on all sides they were finally overwhelmed... The 1st Battalion Coldstream lost all their eleven Officers present, and at the end of the day only some 60 other ranks were collected by Lieutenant and Quartermaster J. Boyd, the sole remaining Officer of the Battalion.’ (The Coldstream Guards. Vol I. 1914-18 by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Ross-of-Bladensburg, K.C.B., K.C.V.O. refers) Private Sandbrook was the husband of Florence Bessie Sandbrook of 124 St. John’s Hill, Clapham Junction, London and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Lot 611
Memorial Plaque (George Edward Bracey Stroud) mounted for display on a wooden base with plaque inscribed ‘George Edward Bracey Stroud who was lost at sea from H.M.S. Albemarle somewhere in the North Sea November 7th 1915’, nearly extremely fine £60-£80 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, November 2015 (when sold alongside his campaign medals). George Edward Bracey Stroud was born in St. Leonards-on-Sea, Sussex on 21 February 1887 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 22 September 1902. Advanced Able Seaman in December 1905, he served in the pre-dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Albemarle from December 1913 on into the Great War. In August 1914 the ship formed part of the 6th Battle Squadron, stationed at Portland. As part of the Channel Fleet they provided cover for the B.E.F. as it crossed over to France. In January the 6th Battle Squadron was based at the Nore before being dispersed later in the year. In October 1915 Albemarle underwent a refit at Chatham Dockyard and in November 1915 the Albemarle was ordered to move to the Mediterranean with a division of the 3rd Battle Squadron. The ships left Rosyth on 6 November but encountered extremely heavy weather that night in the Pentland Firth. Albemarle, heavily loaded with spare ammunition, suffered severe damage - her forebridge and the personnel on it were washed overboard and her conning tower and superstructure were badly damaged and she was forced to return home for repairs. Stroud is recorded as having been ‘washed overboard and drowned during storm’ on 7 November 1915, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Lot 70
Three: Captain and Adjutant R. E. Drake, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was mortally wounded during a successful attempt made by the battalion to capture a German battery at the Battle of the Marne on 8 September 1914, and was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (Capt: & Adjt: R. E. Drake. Linc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. E. Drake.) nearly extremely fine (3) £800-£1,200 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 20 October 1914. Robert Edward Drake, the son of the Rev. John Drake, was born at Great Wratting, Suffolk in 1878. He was educated at Lancing College, Sussex and was in the 3rd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment (Militia) from 1899-1900. In April of the latter year he received a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, becoming Lieutenant in May 1902 and Captain in August 1912. He was appointed Adjutant of his battalion in November 1913 and following the outbreak of the Great War arrived in France as part of the original British Expeditionary Force on 13 August 1914. Having fought at Mons and Le Cateau, his battalion stopped retreating at Liverdy, outside Paris on 5 September and three days later had re-crossed the Marne and arrived at the village of Bezu. Here, Captain Drake was mortally wounded as C and D Companies attacked and captured German guns west of the village. The regimental history provides the following details: ‘Whilst the 1st Lincolnshire was halted in a field near Bezu, Lieut.-Colonel Smith, commanding the battalion, received a message from the Brigade, informing him that “a German battery was doing serious damage by shelling our column approaching the Marne,” and telling him to try and capture it. The country north of the Marne is very hilly and wooded. In fact, the 14th Brigade of the 5th Division, “was swallowed up by the woods for more than an hour.” (Official History Vol. 4 pp. 289, 290.) Lieut.-Colonel Smith, with two companies, C and D, worked through the woods west of Bezu, crept up to within one hundred and fifty yards of the guns and shot down the German gunners, and their escort, almost to a man. Dashing out of the thicket to secure the guns, however, they were fired upon by the 65th (Howitzer) Battery, and compelled again to seek cover with a loss of four officers [Drake killed and 3 wounded] and some thirty men killed or wounded. This unfortunate mistake arose from the 65th Battery believing that the German battery had been silenced by some other British artillery and that the men of the Lincolnshire were German gunners returning to their abandoned guns. The guns were removed by the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column next morning and removed to Coulommiers, whence they were despatched to England. One of the guns was formerly to be seen at the Royal United Service Institution, but was removed to the depot of the Regiment at Lincoln in 1928.’ (The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918 edited by Major-General C. R. Simpson, C.B. refers) Initially buried nearby by an unknown British officer, Drake’s remains were later exhumed and, having been formally identified by his Lincolnshire Regiment collar badges and spurs and his boots made by J. J. Lillington of 88 High St. Portsmouth, were re-interred in November 1920 in Bezu-le-Guery Communal Cemetery, France. A plaque to his memory is in St. Mary’s Church, Great Wratting.
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