We found 9715 price guide item(s) matching your search

400 rounds of various .177HMR ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

400 rounds of Hornady .17HMR rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

120 rounds of various 150GR .308 rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

650 rounds of Eley Force .22 rim-fire rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

500 rounds of Eley Force .22 rim-fire rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

500 rounds of Eley Force .22 rim-fire rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

500 rounds of CCI Stinger .22 rim-fire rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

40 rounds of Federal Premium 22-250REM rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

60 rounds of Winchester Supreme .243 rifle ammunition (section 1 certificate required)

91 rounds of Eldorado PMC 30-30 Starfire rifle ammunition (includes nine empty cases) (section 1 certificate required)

400 .22 rifle ammunition rounds CCI Stinger (section 1 certificate required)

Four post-war German military ammunition/mortar carriers with ribbed detail

Four post-war German military ammunition/mortar carriers with ribbed detail

Box containing a large quantity of various inert ammunition casings, L2A2 belt casings etc

Three hardback books including Eley Cartridges The History Of The Silver Smiths And Ammunition Manufactures by C W Harding, Mad Dogs & Englishman, and The Birmingham Cartridge Manufacturers by C W Harding

A BOX CONTAINING A QUANTITY OF USED SMALL ARMS ORDNANCE, including a .303 ammunition belt and a selection of loose cases. (quantity)   The absence of a Condition Report does not imply that a lot is without imperfections. Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale.Most items, being spent, are without heads but others re-built as specimens - various calibres.

WW1 MEMENTOS: A HORN BEAKER, with scratched engraving 'Gallipoli 1915 Royal Naval Division Anson S and V Hood Howe', ID discs to 3064285 Reid and 5540 Skeen NF, War Ammunition Volunteer and National Reserve County of Aberdeen lapel badges and a Gordon Castle Fete 1916 pin badge. (6)  The absence of a Condition Report does not imply that a lot is without imperfections. Please note carefully the exclusion of liability for the condition of lots contained in the Conditions of Sale.The beaker and ID discs with service wear, the badges in good condition retaining gilt and enamels.

A collection of gun and ammunition reference books.

A Corgi 909 Quad Tractor, Ammunition Trailer and Field Gun, with missiles still on sprue, boxed, together with a Dinky Kit 1044 Messerschmitt Bf 109E, constructed, with box. (2)

Historically Important British Paratroopers Beret Belonging to British Army Officer and Later Hollywood Actor, Lieutenant Richard Todd OBE, Who Served with 7th Battalion Parachute Regiment on D-Day, Helping Major Howard to Hold Pegasus Bridge on the 6th June 1944, Who He Later Portrayed in the Film “The Longest Day”, good example of a well worn maroon airborne troops beret with its leather trim and leather rectangular patch behind the blackened brass eyelets. Typical spiralling weave to the top of the beret which is typical of early wartime berets. Heavily worn black cloth lining to the interior with all markings being worn away. Outline of where the original parachute regiment badge was once present. The beret shows heavy wear and has some staining and wear. The beret is accompanied by a signed autograph album page by Todd and three document folders with personal correspondence and production / film role paperwork that belonged to Richard Todd, many of these addressed to him and his home address. This beret and paperwork was all discovered when his property was cleared after his death in 2009 and has been in a private collection since. Richard Todd gave an interview before he died, when he explained his role and experiences during the D-Day landings, “At about 0040 hours on Tuesday June 6 1944, I thumped onto a corn field in Normandy, an illegal immigrant without a passport but nevertheless welcome, I hoped, at least to the locals. I discarded my parachute harness and fumbled with the kitbag cord from my belt. I realised that my right hand was a bit messy. I crouched down and took stock. Aircraft were still coming in and I got my bearings by noting their flight path. There was no one near me and I reckoned that was probably because I had jumped No.1, and therefore was at the extreme end of the "stick". To the east I could just make out the dark line of a wood, and concluded that I was a good half-mile from the battalion rendezvous. Meanwhile, the Dropping Zone was being raked by small-arms fire, so I decided to get into that wood. I put my Sten gun together and loaded it. Once in the wood I heard voices and froze momentarily, only to realise that they were speaking English. In a little clearing, there stood Colonel Pine-Coffin and about a dozen others. The CO said there was no way of knowing if the glider-borne attack on the bridges had been successful and we must get to the rendezvous as quickly as possible. We broke out from the woodland and set off at the double. Scurrying figures were everywhere. By about 0100 our group, numbering by then some 50, was at the rendezvous. A bugler repeatedly blew our rallying signal, and men came stumbling towards us, shadowy, bulky figures. But still no mortars, no machine guns and no wireless. At about 0130 hours the CO gave the order to move off to the bridges even though we still numbered only 150 men, a quarter of our strength. All seemed quiet as we reached the bridge and trotted over it. I got my first sight of a D-Day casualty: a legless German lay at the roadside, a groaning sound coming weirdly from him. Internal gas, I supposed. Normally, the sight of blood turns my stomach, yet I felt only mild curiosity. We doubled along the causeway towards the canal bridge, a large iron structure that could be opened to allow the passage of sea-going craft. Later it was to be named Pegasus Bridge. Suddenly, all hell erupted on the road ahead. Heavy explosions, flashes and tracer bullets rent the night like a spectacular firework display. "Christ!" I thought. "This is it. Here we go!" We speeded up our jog-trot. Then, as quickly as it started, the tumult died down. An old tank probing the bridge had been hit by a piat bomb and this was its ammunition exploding”. He continues with his account from the day, “While the mighty invasion from the sea was being fought out, quite a lot, on a smaller but no less deadly scale, was going on in the 7th Para area. There was no cessation in the Germans' probing with patrols and counter-attacks, some led by tanks, and the regimental aid post was overrun in the early hours. The wounded being tended there were all killed where they lay. So too was Padre Parry, who had evidently fought like a tiger to defend them. Our position had developed into a classic airborne situation. There was no front line as such and the battalion had evolved into four pockets of resistance: the three rifle companies and the Battalion Headquarters group, largely out of touch with each other, but each in positions of their own choosing. From our site on the slope we had a good view of the open ground between us and the canal bridge, and more than once we were able to drive off enemy infiltrating groups with enthusiastic bursts of small arms fire. I had primed my plastic Gammon bomb and kept it handy just in case a tank might break through. There was sporadic enemy mortar and artillery fire we could do nothing about; one shell landed in a hedge near me, killing a couple of our men. I dearly wished we had recovered some of our own three-inch mortars, especially now that a handful of mortar men had got through to us. From my slit trench on the slope at Le Port, I had a perfect view over the bridges and into the divisional area. In the distance, beyond the River Orne, the skyline was stippled with flashes and smoke from explosions or air-burst shells. In the foreground, just below us, was the canal bridge, so brilliantly captured a few hours before by Major Howard and his glider force from the Ox and Bucks Light Infantry. By our end of the bridge, stood the café owned by the Gondrée family, seemingly untouched. It was now being used as a first aid post. George Gondrée and his wife had already dispensed champagne to all those who had had time for a swig - exclusively John Howard's men. The sparkling cache had been buried in his garden since the Germans had occupied the area in 1940, so it had matured nicely. I was contemplating this view when I noticed emerging from a screen of trees two boats apparently deserted and drifting slowly towards Caen. There was little or no current on the canal, so I mentioned my suspicions to the CO and he ordered his HQ group to fire on them. Our fusillade was briefly answered from below decks but, after a direct hit on one boat two parties of Germans emerged and were taken prisoner. So to add to our battle honours that day, we were able to claim a naval victory. At about midday, we finally heard the skirl of bagpipes that heralded the approach of the Commandos under Lord Lovat. More than a thousand men passed through us on their way to the main airborne bridgehead over the Orne. It was a fine sight, and there was great jubilation as red and green berets mingled on the road. There was still no sign of the seaborne infantry or armour reaching our area. We had expected them immediately behind the Commandos. The D-Day programme appeared to be running late.” Todd continued to serve with the Parachute regiment and served with them in Palestine. He was discharged from the army in 1946 and continued to pursue his love of acting. This finally paid off and he became one of England’s most famous actors of the early 1950’s and 1960’s etc. His first major film role, was his portrayal of Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC in the motion picture “The Dam Busters”. He later was cast as Major Howard in the classic war film about the D-Day landings “The Longest Day”, it is believed that Todd wore his original beret (this example) during the filming and had to remove his Parachute regiment cap badge for the purpose of the filming. Richard Todd was a keen supporter of Military charities and events to commemorate the veterans of the Normandy landings and also the 617 Dam Buster squadron. Ricard Todd died at his home in Lincolnshire on 3rd December 2009. 

WW1 German Equipment Grouping, consisting of 1915 dated black leather ammunition pouch with ink stampings to the interior lid “B.A.XV 1909”, with securing straps; German Hassia torch with leather button hole loop fixing and much of the original paint finish; small grey cloth personal equipment / field dressing pouch; 2x cloth covered field dressings with ink stampings. Various conditions. (5 items)

Miss-Matched Pair of Gew 98 Ammunition Pouches, brown leather pouches with one being maker marked and dated 1913? And the other is maker marked and dated 1914. Good leather and condition match. Would be ideal for mounting with a belt leather ensemble. (2 items)

Rare WW2 Merchant Navy SS Dover Hill Arctic Convoys OBE and Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea Medal Group of Eight, group consists of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire O.B.E (Civil) Officers 2nd type breast badge in silver gilt, 1939-45 star, Atlantic star, Africa star, Pacific star, Italy star, 1939-45 War medal and Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea “CAPTAIN W. G. PERRIN, S.S. DOVER HILL. 4TH APRIL 1943”. The medals are mounted for wear and accompanied by Merchant Navy officers cap badge. Captain W G Perrin was awarded the O.B.E in the London Gazette 12th October 1943, “For services when the ship was bombed and damaged”. The Lloyds medal appeared in the Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 5 September 1944, “Captain Wilfred Geoffrey Perrin, Master, Dover Hill. For dangerous work in hazardous circumstances. The S.S. Dover Hill, was a cargo vessel of 5,815 tons. She formed part of convoy JW. 53 bound for North Russia heavily laden with a cargo of fighter aircraft, tanks, lorries, guns and ammunition. The convoy comprised of 28 merchant vessels with an escort of three cruisers, one anti-aircraft cruiser, one escort carrier, 16 destroyers, two minesweepers, three corvettes and two trawlers. Such a heavily defended convoy reflected the importance of the cargo and the expectation of trouble from enemy attack”. The convoy set off on 15 February 1943, in a gale which developed into such a severe storm that six of the merchant ships were so damaged that they were forced to return to Iceland. The S.S. Dover Hill lost much of her deck cargo overboard, including oil drums and crated lorries, but managed to save the tanks and continue her difficult passage northwards. Despite a concerted attack by Ju-88 bombers a few days later the remaining 22 merchant ships of the convoy arrived at the Kola Inlet on 27 February. A few days later S.S. Dover Hill discharged her cargo at Murmansk, still being subjected to frequent attack from enemy bombers, and afterwards moved out to an anchorage in the Kola Inlet where the ships lay about a mile apart. The German front being only about ten miles away, these ships came under frequent low-level attack by Me. 109s and the D.E.M.S. gunners were kept very busy as they patiently awaited their escort home - indeed the gunners aboard S.S. Dover Hill successfully claimed one destroyed and one shared destroyed before the incident occurred whereby the names of several members of her crew appeared in the London Gazette. The ship’s Radio Officer David Craig, who related his experiences for the online BBC archive WW2 People’s War, “I feel that the story should be told why the names of these men should appear in the London Gazette. I write the story as I remember it but I write on behalf of the nineteen men, as we all worked together and none of us did anything different from anyone else. On Sunday, 4 April we were anchored in Misukovo Anchorage a few miles north of Murmansk and I was playing chess in the Officers’ Mess when Action Stations sounded and our guns opened up at the same time. I went through the pantry, looked out of the door, and saw two Ju. 88 bombers coming up from astern, high up. Our Bofors shells were bursting below them and when they turned away I assumed we had beaten them off and stepped out on deck. This was a foolish thing to do as, unknown to me the planes had released their bombs before turning away. Four bombs exploded close on the port side and one on the starboard side and I was blown off my feet. As I got up our gunlayer came down from one of the bridge oerlikons and pointed out a large round hole in the steel deck a few yards from where I had been standing. It was obvious that the sixth bomb had gone through the main and ‘tween decks into our coal bunkers and had not exploded. We informed the S.B.N.O, Murmansk of the situation and were advised that there were no British Bomb Disposal people in North Russia. We then realised that we would have to dig the bomb out ourselves in order to save our ship. The minesweeper H.M.S. Jason was ordered to anchor astern of us and to come alongside to render assistance if the bomb should explode, although I doubt if there would have been much to pick up. Incidentally, I did enjoy talking to the Jason by Aldis lamp during this time. You must understand that though the Dover Hill was only a battered old Merchantman she was our home and no German was going to make us leave her while she was still afloat. The Captain [Perrin] lined the whole crew up on the after deck and asked for volunteers, and 19 of us including our Captain formed our own Bomb Disposal Squad. We had no bomb disposal equipment, in fact we only had a few shovels borrowed from our stokehold and 19 stout hearts when we started digging back the coal, trying to find the bomb. The bunker was full of good British steaming coal which we were saving for the homeward run so we used a derrick to bring it up on deck, hoping to replace it when we got the bomb out. When the Russian authorities heard what we were doing, although they had many unexploded bombs to deal with in the town, they kindly offered to send one of their Bomb Disposal officers to remove the detonator if we could get the bomb up on deck. When we dug about ten feet down into the coal we found the tail fins and, by their size, decided our bomb must be a 1000lb one. Unfortunately the Germans also discovered what we were up to and came back and bombed us again, hoping to set off the bomb we were digging for. Between bomb explosions and the concussion of our own guns the coal used to fall back into where we were digging and things got difficult at times. We had to dig down approximately 22 feet before we got to the bomb, but after two days and two nights hard work we finally got it up on deck. I was standing beside the bomb with two of my fellow officers as our Russian friend started to unscrew the detonator when after a few turns it stuck. He then took a small hammer and a punch and tapped it to get it moving. I can honestly say that every time he hit it I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing against my duffle coat hood. After removing the detonator and primer we dumped the bomb into the Kola Inlet where it probably lies to this day. We then moved back to Murmansk for repairs. Of the 15 ships which had come to Murmansk in February, one had been sunk and four damaged. On 17 May, in company with three other ships we left the Kola Inlet and set out for the White Sea. We arrived in Economia on the North Dvina River where we stayed until 18 July when we moved to Molotovsk (Severodvinsk) and finally on 26 November, with eight other ships, some damaged, we set out for home. Since it was now dark for almost 24 hours each day and we could only do seven knots maximum speed we went north to the edge of the ice. Knowing that a Russian bound convoy was coming up to the south of us we expected the Germans to attack it and leave us alone. This in fact happened and we eventually arrived in London on 14 December 1943, in time to be home for Christmas”. After returning from North Russia the Dover Hill was taken over by the Ministry of War Transport and was sunk at Arromanches on 9 June 1944 along with other ships to form an artificial port for the invasion of Normandy.

British Royal Naval Submariners Distinguished Service Medal Winners Long Service Medal Group of Four, Being Recognised for his Gallantry whilst Serving on Submarine HMS Shark in 1940, consisting of 1939-45 star, Atlantic star, 1939-45 War medal and George V Royal Naval Long Service Good Conduct medal “M. 14537 A. S. MC DONALD E.R.A 1. H.M.S. DOLPHIN”. Medals are mounted for wear. Accompanying the medal is printed research on his pre-WW2 career. Alexander Stables Mc Donald was born in September 1899 in Govan, Scotland. He enlisted in the Royal Navy towards the latter stages of the Great War. He served on various training ships and shore establishments etc. In 1920’s he joined the Submarine service and appears to have served on various ships including L7, L1, L2, L27, etc. His last ship noted on his service papers is L56. He received the Long Service Good Conduct medal whilst with HMS Dolphin, Submarine training establishment. He would continue to serve in WW2 and was serving on Submarine HMS Shark when in 1940 she was attacked by German aircraft and eventually sunk, for his actions in trying to repel this attack, McDonald was decorated with the Distinguished Service Medal (D.S.M), which appeared in the London Gazette 21st August 1945, “For great gallantry, steadfastness and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M Submarine Shark. On 6th July, 1940, the Shark was forced to come to the surface through damage inflicted by aircraft and could neither dive nor steer a course for home. She fought off continuous attacks by sea-planes, bombers and fighters for more than three hours and caused at least one aircraft to retire seriously damaged. When all ammunition was expended, all secret matter was destroyed and the ship was sunk, the survivors became prisoners of war.” The Submarine Association “In-Depth” Newsletter, gives the following information about HMS Shark, “HMS Shark was sunk on 6th July 1940 after being caught on the surface off the coast of Norway. Several bombs exploded close astern and severely damaged the propulsion. The submarine dived in an attempt to get to safety but resurfaced to in order to charge up the batteries and attempt to escape under cover of darkness. Both engines were re-started but the Port engine was out of line and the rudder was jammed hard to port. The submarine was relocated by enemy aircraft and attacked again. Unable to dive owing to a lack of high-pressure air, a low battery and flooding the Commanding Officer attempted to fight his way out but was forced eventually to surrender. 27 of the crew were un-injured, 12 (including commanding officer) were wounded and 2 were killed. HMS Shark sank as the Germans were attempting to tow it to Stavanger.”

Two ammunition boxes and military picture

Vintage Military metal box signal container MK3, approx 8" x 6" x 7"; together with a vintage Military MK1 ammunition box, approx 12" x 6" x 7" (2)

3 VINTAGE BAGS INCLUDES GENTLEMEN'S BROWN LEATHER BAG, DARK LEATHER AMMUNITION CASE WITH BUCKLES AND STRAPS AND A MANS BAG WITH VARIOUS TOOLS

A mahogany reading stand together with an American ammunition box, a Victorian pewter pint tankard and a teddy bear (4)

A Wild West type black leather riding belt, with various slide on attachments gun holster, clip, ammunition sections, etc., stamped Safety Speed Holster Montebello.Cal.

A WWII German K98 leather triple ammunition pouch; a marble paper weight mounted with a metal swastika; reproduction Third Reich dagger parts, comprising unfinished SA or SS wooden grip, 2nd pattern Luftwaffe pommel, DLV crosspiece, SA or SS top hilt mount, and brass shell guard with swastika in oak wreath; iron link hanging chain with brass clip and hook; and a leather strap with clip. Average GC (9) £40-50

Wooden ammunition box 30 cm high, 53x39 cm and cardboard tubes for mortars

An ammunition box, 1960's British

A US Air Force 1943 dated wooden ammunition box AF

Britains - two confederate gun teams with ammunition and gun ramrods by Britains

A Palitoy Action Man vintage painted head soldier, appears complete with green uniform, brown boots, rifle, helmet, ammunition belt and two grenades, also sold with a quantity of additional Action Man equipment to include three equipment manuals, a loose high altitude equipment set, and various other military related Action Man accessoriesCondition report: All complete.

Original vintage propaganda poster with an artwork featuring a cariacture cartoon of Adolf Hitler and three other Nazi generals confronted by a Mexican man wearing a sombrero, dressed in white with a holster holding a revolver and rounds of ammunition, with a drawn map of South America in the background. The artwork is by Mexican artist Antonio Arias Bernal, also known as The Brigadier, an important Mexican caricaturist and cartoonist of the twentieth century known for his work during World War 2. Excellent condition, minor creasing, small tear at bottom left. Country of issue: Mexico, designer: Arias Bernal, size (cm): 51x35.5, year of printing: 1940s

2x Wooden Ammunition Boxes

Royal Artillery and other artillery regiments, etc., The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Artillery, British Artillery, Weapons and Ammunition 1914-18, books relating to German Pansa by Cooper and Lucas, etc. Provenance: The library of the late Colonel D. Walton, CBE MCTD, 230 Battery, 58th Suffolk Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery in North Africa, Italy and Austria 1941-45. Accepted the surrender of ten thousand German POW, and surrender of General Dieter Von Arnim.

Jaycab steel gun cabinet with double locking single full length door for storage of four guns with inner lockable top box for ammunition, internal gun space H126cm W25cm D21cm with two sets of door keys and one internal key H151cm - Condition Report

Walther PPK/S .177 BB CO2 pistol L17cm. Looks virtually unused in box. - Condition Report There is no ammunition with this lot. The action appears to function ok. The plastic nut at the bottom of the magazine is broken.

Remington Fieldmaster Model 572 rim-fire .22 pump action seventeen-shot long rifle with Nikko Stirling 4x scope, barrel threaded for sound moderator, L108cm; in gun sling with quantity of ammunition RFD OR FIREARMS LICENCE HOLDERS ONLY - Condition Report

Wooden and brass scale model of a c1815 Napoleonic Field Gun with limber, brass barrel with ammunition boxes, on metal bound wooden spoked wheels on gravelled rectangular base L74.5cm D26cm H18cm - Condition Report

Large quantity of 16-bore shotgun cartridges, boxed and loose, contained in three portable metal ammunition boxes SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE REQUIRED - Condition Report

Assorted shotgun cartridges including primed 12-bore, loaded, .410, 20=bore, 9mm garden gun etc, contained in three portable metal ammunition boxes SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE REQUIRED - Condition Report

Quantity of empty powder tins; two portable metal ammunition boxes; cartridge wads; oil bottles etc - Condition Report

Old ammunition box, Tilley lamp and a chrome plated Thermos Flask in leather case

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteSix: Major B. S. Fordyce, Royal Corps of Signals 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militia (Lt. B. S. Fordyce. R. Sigs.); United States of America, Bronze Star, the reverse officially inscribed ‘Benjamin S. Fordyce’, generally very fine or better (6) £300-£400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2000. M.I.D. London Gazette 22 March 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe United States of America Bronze Star London Gazette 17 October 1946. The original Recommendation states: ‘Captain Fordyce has distinguished himself by meritorious achievement and service not involving participation in aerial flight. A party of British Royal Signals had the task in June 1944 of providing line communications with Britain from the American Forces in the Cherbourg Peninsula. Included in the work was the establishment of a line communications centre to serve the needs of the American Headquarters near St. Sauveur. An essential cable distribution point was a blockhouse lately used by the enemy for a similar purpose and now on fire. Led by Captain Fordyce, a few men, stripped to the waist, removed a considerable quantity of ammunition and burning explosives from this blockhouse. Before the place was cool, the party commenced installation of equipment and establishment of communications During the succeeding days ands weeks this officer worked with untiring energy on the establishment and maintenance of communications, often remaining on duty for days and nights without a break. His zeal and devotion to duty and his skilful technical direction of the work and tactful handling of situations full of conflicting interests combined to make an outstanding achievement at that critical time in the operations.’ Benjamin Sydney Fordyce was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Corps of Signals on 18 October 1942, and served with them during the Second World War as a War Substantive Lieutenant and Acting Captain. He was awarded his Efficiency Medal on 24 October 1947, and was promoted Captain on 3 November 1949, with seniority from 5 January 1946. He was advanced Major on 17 October 1959, and relinquished his commission on 15 November 1965, being granted the honorary rank of Major.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis, Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, attached 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 28 September 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis Reserve Cavalry, Attd. 9th. West Yorks Regt. Sept. 28th. 1918.’; 1914-15 Star (43 Cpl. G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C. (Art.)); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (43 S.S. Cpl.G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C.) last mounted on H.A.C. riband, good very fine and better (5) £1,600-£2,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919. The original recommendation states: ‘This Officer has been transport officer of the 9th Battalion since February to September 1918, and the transport of the Battalion has never been in so efficient a state. He makes a point of going personally with ammunition or rations when the road is rendered dangerous by shelling or machine-gun fire, and on many occasions has by his energy and total disregard of personal danger ensured the safe delivery of whatever was being carried, and set a fine example to his men.’ George Frederick Jervaulx Jarvis was born in Stoke Newington, London, on 18 June 1884, and joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 2 December 1901. Advanced Farrier-Sergeant, he served with the Honourable Artillery Company during the Great War in Egypt from 8 April 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 28 November 1916. He saw further service on the Western Front on attachment to the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment In late September 1918, the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment was stationed near Artois en Vis in northern France and was preparing an attack. On 27 September, the Battalion moved forward, ‘but progress was slow because of an enemy machine gun nest that was holding up the crossing of the canal. The attack was delayed, but moved forward later in the day. The Battalion HQ reached its objective by 8 p.m. that evening. In the early morning of 28 September the Transport Officer Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis returning from delivering rations (which was accomplished under extreme difficulties) was severely wounded by a bomb dropped from enemy aircraft, he later died from his wounds. 2 mules, 1 horse and 2 drivers were also hit by this bomb and died and 2 Other ranks were also wounded.’ (the Battalion War Diary refers). Admitted to No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, reportedly with wounds to his right arm and a fracture of his right thigh, Jarvis died later that day and was buried the following day in Duisans British Military Cemetery, with the Canadian chaplain W. Fisher presiding. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA well-documented post-War ‘Air Observation Post’ D.S.O group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. H. Hailes, Royal Artillery, who specialised in the hazardous task of flying light, slow, cramped and unarmed Auster spotter planes over hostile territory in Palestine, Malaya, and Korea in the face of determined opposition and dangerous circumstances but nonetheless always attempted to engage enemy targets, efforts that also saw him twice Mentioned in Despatches; in Korea he identified and fixed Chinese artillery positions for counter-bombardments by 1 Commonwealth Division or by US heavy guns Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse undated, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, Cyprus, additional clasps unofficially attached, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. J. M. H. Hailes. R.A.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Major J. M. H. Haines [sic]. D.S.O. R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, generally very fine and better (6) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 24 April 1953: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished flying services in Korea’. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Hailes has been in command of 1903 Air OP Flight RAF since July 1952. He joined the Flight at a time when two pilots had been shot down and two others had changed. There was therefore concern at the possibility of the operational efficiency of the Flight dropping considerably. In the event this did not happen and, in fact, the reverse was the case as the Flight went from strength to strength. The credit for this rests entirely with Major Hailes. From the very outset he was complete master of the situation and displayed leadership of the highest order in all spheres but most particularly from the operational aspect. He himself did far more flying than his duties as Flight Commander called for and it was characteristic of his him that he would always use the most doubtful aircraft leaving the others for the remaining pilots. His magnificent example, efficiency and courage during this difficult period was a great inspiration to the more experienced pilots and filled the younger ones with unshakeable confidence. While going to great pains to train his younger pilots he carried, at the same time, an even greater share of the operational sorties than would have been his in a normal situation. He has personally flown 125 sorties and conducted 166 shoots with guns of the Divisional and Corps artillery. In doing this he has been responsible for inflicting many casualties of both men and equipment on the enemy. The whole Division has the greatest respect and admiration for the Air OP Flight and this is a direct result of the magnificent leadership, courage and conscientiousness consistently displayed by Major Hailes throughout the period. His work in all spheres has been far above what one would expect in the normal line of duty and I recommend services of such a high order be recognised in the form of an appropriate award.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 7 January 1949 (Palestine) ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Palestine during the period 27 March to 26 September 1947.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 April 1951: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya during the period 1 July to 31 December 1950.’ John Martin Hunter ‘Jack’ Hailes was born on 27 January 1920 in Maymyo, a pleasant hill station in central Burma where, in the early 1920’s, George Orwell served as Assistant District Superintendent of Police. As a young boy he lived in Mandalay, where his father was a District Superintendent of Railways. He was educated at Cheltenham College, his father’s alma mater. As war approached, Hailes decided to join the regular army and entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in January 1939. As war became inevitable, the pace of his training was accelerated and he was sent to 122 Officer Cadet Training Unit in August. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, on 9 December 1939, with regimental seniority from 4 November 1939, and was posted as a Troop Commander to 51st Anti-tank Regiment, 51st (Highland) Division, which landed in France in January 1940 to join the British Expeditionary Force. The Battle of France On 19 April 1940 the 51st Division was detached from the rest of the B.E.F. It was put under French command and moved to a section of the Franco-German frontier just south of Luxembourg and in front of one of the most powerful and impressive showpiece underground fortresses of the Maginot Line, the Ouvrage Hackenburg, which had been inspected by King George VI. The intent was to stiffen Allied defences at the northern end of the Maginot Line in case of a German attack on the western front during the invasion of Norway. France had briefly invaded German Saar in this sector in September 1940 when its ally Poland was attacked. Since Norway was now under German attack, the French High Command deemed it prudent to anticipate possible enemy action on the Western Front. The Germans did not oblige the French generals by attacking their Maginot defence works. They simply outflanked them and by the end of May had trapped the entire Allied northern forces in the Dunkirk beachhead. Meanwhile, the French desperately tried to form a new defence line along the River Somme in Picardy. Fortress Hackenburg was harassed by German forces but never directly attacked. The 51st Division was withdrawn from Lorraine and moved by train and road to Picardy. It saw much action assisting the French in their futile attempts to repulse the Germans from the Somme bridgeheads at Abbeville. After further clashes at Huchenneville, the Division was reduced to half its fighting strength by 6 June and was desperately short of supplies, especially ammunition. The only remaining option was evacuation by sea. 154 Brigade was rescued from Le Havre and Cherbourg but the rest of the Division was encircled. The Royal Navy landed at the small port of St Valery-en-Caux near Dieppe on 10 June to try to snatch as many men as possible. Unfortunately, the retreat of 51th Division to the coast had been held up, and a thick fog descended during the night of 11-12 which made it too risky for ships to enter and leave the port. All artillery ammunition had run out and the Division was forced to surrender to overwhelming German forces on 12 June. Hailes joined some 10,000 men who were marched off to prisoner-of-war camps in the Reich. Hailes was promoted to Lieutenant on 9 June 1941 and remained a Prisoner of War in various camps in Poland, Germany and Austria until 13 April 1945. After his return to England, Hailes was assigned to a number of refresher courses and training appointments to prepare him for his promotion to Captain on 1 July 1946. Northern Italy, Egypt, Palestine and Malaya Early in 1946 Hailes decided that he wished to become a Royal Artillery Air Observer. The tethered kite balloons of the Great War had been very effective in acquiring targets far behind the frontlines and directing artillery to neutralise them, but balloo...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteThe unique ‘Defence of Legations’ C.G.M. group of five awarded to Chief Signal Bosun H. Swannell, Royal Navy, who ran into No Man’s Land beyond the British Legation defence lines to help a wounded man under “close and accurate” enemy fire; he twice stood up on the Tartar Wall in full view of the enemy, first to re-hoist the British flag after it had been shot away and the next day to use his signal flags to direct British units of the International Relief Force, ensuring that they were the first troops to reach the Legations, arriving two hours before contingents from other nations Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue, scroll suspension (Harry Swannell, Leadg. Signalman. R.N. China. 1900) officially engraved naming; China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (H. Swannell Lg. Sign., H.M.S. Orlando) officially impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (Sig. Bosn. H. Swannell, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. S. Bosn. H. Swannell. R.N.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (5) £30,000-£40,000 --- Provenance: Sotheby, January 1972; Christie’s, April 1984; Dix Noonan Webb, December 2011. C.G.M. London Gazette 14 May 1901: ‘In connection with the recent operations in China.’ 
The following is extracted from the enclosure by Captain F. G. Poole to the main despatch by Captain Wray, R.M.L.I., published in the London Gazette of 11 December 1900: ‘Sir, I have the honour to bring to your notice particularly the conduct of Leading Signalman H. Swannell, Her Majesty’s Ship Orlando. On the 5th instant being in command of the Hanlin outposts, at 10.30 a.m. I heard that Mr Oliphant, her Britannic Majesty’s Consular Service, had just been wounded. I ran out to the spot and found Leading Signalman Swannell attending to Mr Oliphant, who was mortally wounded, under the close and accurate fire of the enemy. He remained with Mr Oliphant until he was brought into a place of safety.’ Two Conspicuous Gallantry Medals were awarded for the Defence of Legations. The award to Sergeant Preston, R.M.L.I., is in the collection of the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney. This C.G.M. was presented to Swannell at a parade held on the exact spot where he had performed his act of gallantry.
 Harry Swannell was born in Camden Town, London, on 22 December 1877. After working as a Carter, Swannell joined the Royal Navy as a 16 year-old Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St Vincent on 26 February 1894. This ship, permanently moored at Haslar in the Solent, was an ancient wooden first-rate ship of the line that was used to train boys for a career in the Navy. Swannell became a Boy Signaller in January 1895 and remained in the Signals branch throughout his naval career. On reaching his 18th birthday in December 1895, he entered a 12-year service engagement. He was recorded as being about 5ft 3” tall, with brown hair and light blue eyes. In March 1898 he joined the brand-new Armoured Cruiser H.M.S. Terrible on the China Station. He was promoted to Leading Signalman and transferred to the Armoured Cruiser HMS Orlando in February 1899 when she joined the China Station. The Defence of the Foreign Legations at Pekin The Boxer Uprising, called by Chinese the Yihetuan Movement, was an anti-foreign, proto-nationalist insurgency mounted by members of the Fists of Righteous Harmony in north China between 1899 and 1901. The insurgency took place during a period of severe drought, combined with economic disruption caused by the growth of foreign spheres of influence. Russia and Germany sought to seize large tracts of north China. The Boxer grievances ranged from foreign interference with Chinese culture and ancient traditions, economic incursions and above all strident missionary evangelism, which put local Christian converts in a privileged position versus their Chinese peers. Following many bloody attacks on isolated mission stations and Chinese Christian converts, the most famous episode of the Uprising was the defence of the foreign legations district in central Pekin. Just over four hundred lightly armed allied officers and men held out behind improvised defences for 55 days against vastly superior numbers of Chinese regular and irregular forces, who were all intent on using murder, arson and any other means to drive out of the country every ‘foreign devil’ and ‘Chinese Christian’, including women and children. During May and early June 1900 Boxer fighters converged on Pekin, proclaiming “Support the Qing, Exterminate foreigners.” No foreign troops or garrisons were allowed in or near the city, as the Imperial Government assumed responsibility for the safety and security of all authorised residents. Foreign Legations were unwanted by the Imperial Government but had been forced upon it. The Legations were not fortified. They were grouped together on separate plots of land in a single district within the 14th century walls of the ancient Tartar city, and close to the walled and moated Imperial City and the enclosed Forbidden City, where the Emperor and his formidable and powerful mother, the Empress Dowager Cixi, lived. Chinese officials had concentrated the eleven Foreign Legations together to keep them as far as possible out of sight and out of contact with the citizens of Pekin. The district was approximately two miles long and a mile wide. It also housed the Imperial Maritime Customs, foreign businesses such as banks, hotels and a post office and a large number of shops and dwellings. As Boxer violence became an increasing threat, the foreign powers with economic interests in China activated plans to defend those interests militarily. Most sent warships, with contingents of marines and/or soldiers aboard, to the treaty ports of North China. By May the security situation in Pekin was steadily deteriorating, and on 30 May 1900 the diplomats, led by Sir Claude Macdonald, the widely-respected British Minister, requested that the Imperial government agree that foreign military contingents be sent to Pekin to secure the Legations. The Chinese reluctantly acquiesced to a total of 400 lightly armed servicemen from eight countries. The Royal Navy was ordered to provide a guard force for the British Legation by landing bluejackets and marines from warships in the Gulf of Bohai. The British Legation Guard arrived in Pekin by train from Tientsin at 7 p.m. on 31 May 1900, then marched five miles in full equipment through the dust and filth of Pekin’s squalid streets to reach the Legation. It comprised 79 men of the Royal Marine Light Infantry (three officers, seventy-five non-commissioned officers and men and one bugler) and three Royal Navy ratings - a signaller (Swannell), an armourer and a sick-berth steward. Each of those three bluejackets were destined to be mentioned in despatches, both for their conduct and for their important contribution to the defence of the Legations. The arrival of 83 guards, who were well-trained but had no machine-guns, artillery or even an ample supply of small arms ammunition, did not make the British Legation safe. It was a spraw...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA fine Great War D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader C. L. Rayment, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Lt. C. L. Rayment, 55 Squadron, R.A.F., July 1918, Awarded While Acting with the Independent Air Force’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. L. Rayment, R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Cecil L. Rayment) mounted for display purposes with the D.F.C. on original-design horizontal striped riband, good very fine and better (6) £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2012. D.F.C. London Gazette 21 September 1918: ‘This officer has taken part in 35 successful operations and his work throughout has been distinguished by clearness, accuracy of observation and disregard of danger, notably on one occasion when he was Observer to the leader of our first formation which was vigorously attacked by four hostile machines. In spite of this the formation was led over the target, which was effectively bombed. Subsequently the formation was attacked by five hostile machines but owing to skilful leadership the fire of our Observers was so well controlled and directed that the enemy were kept at a distance and the formation returned in safety.’ Cyril Lancelot “Pip” Rayment, a native of Ewell, Surrey, was born in March 1895, and was employed by the Prudential Assurance Company in the City of London prior to the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. It may well be that he was also a member of the Prudential’s pre-war Special Constabulary contingent, for although granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Land Forces in December 1914, his R.A.F. service record suggests that appointment was not taken up until September 1917, when he was described as a ‘Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on probation on the General List’. In the same month he joined the Royal Flying Corps and commenced training as an Observer at Reading. Duly qualified, Rayment joined 55 Squadron out in France as an Armourer and Observer in December 1917, and was appointed a Flying Officer (O.) in March 1918 - this then the commencement of his operational career, for given the 35 sorties cited above, he must have completed around 20 of them before he commenced his time with the newly established Independent Air Force in June, when in common with other attached squadrons, 55 Squadron was charged with carrying out raids on targets deep behind enemy lines. Having then flown three photographic reconnaissance sorties in the first half of July, Rayment teamed-up with Lieutenant D. J. Waterous as his pilot, and the pair of them would go on to complete numerous sorties, starting with attack on the powder factory at Rottweil on 22 July, an attack carried out in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, followed by a protracted combat with four or five Albatross DVs. During an attack on the railway sidings at Offenburg in the middle of the following month, the Squadron’s D.H. 4s were once more intercepted by numerous Albatross DVs and Rayment claimed another one as out of control - watching the enemy aircraft approach from 45 degrees, he opened fire with his twin Lewis guns and watched it turn on its wing tip and spin away. The remainder of the month witnessed a brace of long-distance reconnaissances and attacks on Coblenz, Treves, Luxembourg and Conflans - on returning from Luxembourg on the 25th, the Squadron was intercepted by six Pfalz Scouts, and the concentrated fire Rayment and two other Observers sent one of them down in a steep dive and out of control. Finally, on the last day of the month, and on this occasion with Captain J. R. Bell as his pilot, Rayment participated in a costly attack against the railway sidings at Thiornville - of their section, which was jumped by Red Fokker DVIIs, only their aircraft made it back to base. Rayment, moreover, claimed another down out of control. Back with Waterous in early September, Rayment participated in two strikes against the enemy airfield at Buhl on the 2nd, while on the 7th they were assigned to a solo photographic-reconnaissance mission. Independent Force, by Keith Rennles, takes up the story: ‘Crossed the lines at Balmont at 19,000 feet, exposed plates over Buhl and two aerodromes near Sarrebourg. Waterous and Rayment were taking photographs of an aerodrome between Phalsbourg and Sarrebourg when they noticed three aircraft 300 ft. below them. All three attacked and were joined by four more from 500 ft. below. Six of the enemy aircraft were Fokker DVIIs which were able to fire while literally hanging on their propellers: the other aircraft was described as a Hannover. Rayment fired at one scout which went down out of control. Trying to distance themselves from their attackers, one enemy scout stayed with them for speed and climb, and when Rayment ran out of ammunition the scout closed and shot up the D.H. 4 badly. Waterous only had one option which was to stuff the nose down and hope the machine stayed together and in fact he managed to cross the lines at 6,000 ft. D.H. 4 A7942 was patched up and flew again.’ Transferring to the Unemployed List in early 1919, Rayment returned to life in the City of London, and was among members of the Prudential Assurance Company’s Special Constabulary contingent to be presented to the Prince of Wales at Olympia in January 1921, an accompanying newspaper feature noting that there were ‘four M.Cs, two D.F.Cs, four D.C.Ms, two M.Ms and two M.S.Ms, as well as 21 men wearing the Mons Medal’ among the Prudential’s men alone. He was recalled in the 1939-45 War and served as a Squadron Leader in the R.A.F.V.R., latterly with an appointment in No. 92 Group. Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including the recipient’s commission warrants for the rank of Second Lieutenant, Land Forces, dated 18 December 1914; Buckingham Palace telegram and admittance tickets (2), regarding his D.F.C. investiture on 10 December 1919; the recipient’s R.A.F. Service and Release Book, stamped 29 November 1946; two group photographs; various telegrams, letters, and newspaper cuttings; and other ephemera.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA post-War ‘Malaya operations’ M.M. pair awarded to Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung, 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, who was recognised for his repeated acts of gallantry carried out over a period of ten years’ service against ‘bandits’ in Malaya, including in Gelang Pateh, 14 April 1955, ‘Partap killed one and I opened fire. The daku returned fire and wounded Partap who slumped down. They scattered and tried to escape. I killed some and then chased a couple of them as they ran away, firing as I did. Once in the jungle I killed one of them. The other daku had an LMG and he turned and fired at me but his bullets went high. He then went into dead ground up a ravine. I swore at him, “Run away would you?’ and chased him. I went ahead, saw him, selected a lying position and fired at him. I killed him also’ Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (21131356 Rfn. Thambahadur. Gurung. 2nd Gurkha Rifles.) rank officially corrected; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (21131356 Rfn. Thambahadur Gurung GR) last additionally impressed ‘Duplicate’, good very fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 8 May 1956: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1955.’ The recommendation states: ‘Since the start of the Emergency in Malaya in 1948, 21131356 Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung has taken an active part in operations against the Communist Terrorists. Throughout this period he has consistently shown resources, initiative and courage of very high degree. On 23 September 1954 in the Kulai area of Johore, while searching with his platoon for a Terrorist track that had temporarily been lost, he located a camp occupied by some 10 Terrorists. Although he was immediately seen by the Terrorists he dashed forward, ahead of his Platoon, into the camp firing his Bren Gun. In face of his assault the Terrorists fled, leaving behind a rifle and several blood trails. The body of a dead terrorist was later recovered close to this camp. On 14 April 1955 in the Gelang Pateh District of Johore Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung was in ambush when three Terrorists approached his position. On the order of his Section Commander he opened fire. The Terrorists, one of whom was wounded, fled. Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung immediately gave chase, again ahead of his companions. When the Terrorists paused to return fire at him, he stood fearlessly in the open to engage them with fire from his Bren Gun. All three terrorists were subsequently killed. The complete success of this operation was almost entirely due to the personal courage, determination and inspiration displayed by this rifleman. As a fearless, skilled and enthusiastic soldier, Rifleman Thambahadaur Gurung is an outstanding example of the highest fighting qualities of the Gurkha Soldier. By his personal endeavours above the course of normal duty he has inspired the men of his platoon and of his Company to emulate his own unremitting purpose to close with the enemy on every possible occasion.’ Thambahadur Gurung was born in 1929, and enlisted in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in January 1948. He served with the Regiment in Malaya March 1948 - April 1950, December 1950 - August 1953, April 1954 - May 1957 and November 1957 - November 1958. Thambahadur Gurung advanced to Lance-Corporal and was discharged, 7 March 1959, having served 11 years and 124 days with the Colours. Thambahadur Gurung was one of a number of Gurkhas interviewed for the book Gurkhas At War. In their Own Words: The Gurkha Experience 1939 to the Present, by J. P. Cross and Buddhiman Gurung. His experiences in Malaya are thus recorded: ‘I enlisted on 4 November 1947 [sic] and went to Malaya soon afterwards. We had been told we’d be in brick buildings but we were all in tents, including the British officers’ families, at Ulu Pandan in Singapore. Apart from the many fatigues we were used on to establish the camp, we had very little training, only shooting five practices on the range. We moved out on what we were told was to be a three-month operations but we were back after one month. We had many operations around the Poh Lee area of Johore. Some operations were to surround where suspected daku were while the air force bombed it. The first time this happened nothing was found, nor on the second time. The third time there was no air support and I was in a platoon that met up with daku tracks. We followed them for a week. That day I was in front and the platoon commander, Jemadar Ganeshbahadur Gurung, was behind me. He had a rifle and I had an LMG. We came across an enemy camp with trenches around it and saw the sentry. He was asleep. We crawled up as near to him as possible and the platoon commander said he would shoot the sentry and I was to spray the camp with bursts. The Jemadar killed the sentry and I sprayed the camp with fire. No one shot back as the camp had been emptied of men. Neither of us saw anyone leave though there could have been up to 40 people in the camp. The platoon came up and we searched the camp, finding a workshop and all the arms, ammunition and kit the enemy had left behind. It took a day to carry the corpse and the kit from the workshop back to the main road. In the workshop were three rifles and 12 hand bombs. The sentry was dressed in khaki and had a red star in his hat. Ganeshbahadur won an MC for that action. In another action I was with Lieutenant (KGO) Dalbir Ghale, IDSM, on Niyor Estate. There were many daku in the area. We were some three hours walk into the jungle from the nearest rubber estate. We heard fire to a flank. As there were none of our troops in that area it had to be daku firing. Aircraft were bombing yet another area. Dalbir and I, both with LMGs, set up an ambush. Two men walked about ten yards in front of us, carrying sickles, wearing packs but with no headgear. They wore rubber shoes. As I did not see any weapons I did not open fire but Dalbir did, killing them both. The rest of the platoon came up to where we were and we carried the bodies out and gave them to the police. There must have been a complaint from somewhere as I was arrested and put in prison. Wood sahib told me what to say when my case came up and that I had to stick to my story. I repeated my story in the High Court in Johore Bahru. An Englishman with false hair on his head sat in the middle with Malays sitting on either side of him. I stuck to my story and was acquitted so I did not have to go back to jail. Another operation I went out on after that was when Lieutenant (KGO) Partap Gurung was platoon commander. This time it was in the Geylang Patah area, near a swamp and not far away was a river that had crocodiles in it. The company base was in a rubber estate factory that had been made empty for us. News came about daku coming in to pick up some rations and stores at a certain place. We had to ambush them and we stayed there for a week, 11 Platoon across the river and my 10 Platoon this side of it. I was No 1 on the LMG. The daku RV was in the middle. The rubber tappers were in that area milling around and seven daku came into our killing zone with them, talking...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteAn ‘Immediate’ Second War ‘Italy theatre’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant L. Ketley, Essex Regiment, for his gallantry in reconnoitring and effecting for his Battalion a successful crossing of the River Sangro on 23 November 1943 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6002173 Sjt. L. Ketley. Essex R.) ‘Acting’ part of rank and middle initial erased; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial, with Two Additional Award Bars (6002173 Sjt. L. Ketley 5-Essex R.) nearly extremely fine (8) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 March 1944: No. 6002173 Corporal (acting Sergeant) Lionel Guy [sic] Ketley, the Essex Regiment ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original Recommendation for an Immediate award, named originally to Sergeant Louis [sic] Ketley, with the rank subsequently amended to Corporal (Acting Sergeant), states: ‘Sergeant Ketley was detailed to assist the Officer in charge of supply arrangements for the assault across the River Sangro on 23 November 1943. He was also N.C.O. in charge of guides in the forming up place. Due to the excellent arrangements made by this N.C.O., the battalion was quickly across the river in spite of the most adverse weather conditions. Almost immediately the rope across the river was carried away and heavy enemy fire was concentrated on the forming up place. It is impossible to adequately describe the conditions of weather and enemy action under which Sergeant Ketley reconnoitred for and eventually found a subsidiary crossing. Without his initiative and complete disregard for his own safety the Battalion, although on its objective, would have been compelled to withdraw owing to lack of ammunition and supplies. The success of the whole operation was in great measure due to the resource and tireless energy of this N.C.O.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 August 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Persia-Iraq.’ Lionel Ketley was born in Chelmsford, Essex, in 1910, and attested there for the Essex Regiment. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Second World War, and for his gallantry during the crossing of the River Sangro was awarded an Immediate M.M. Sold with copied research, which confirms his name and rank, and accounts for the corrections to the naming details on his M.M.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteThe group of six miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. H. Hailes, Royal Artillery Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R. [sic], silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue; U.N. Korea 1950-54, mounted as worn, generally very fine and better (6) £200-£300 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 24 April 1953: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished flying services in Korea’. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Hailes has been in command of 1903 Air OP Flight RAF since July 1952. He joined the Flight at a time when two pilots had been shot down and two others had changed. There was therefore concern at the possibility of the operational efficiency of the Flight dropping considerably. In the event this did not happen and, in fact, the reverse was the case as the Flight went from strength to strength. The credit for this rests entirely with Major Hailes. From the very outset he was complete master of the situation and displayed leadership of the highest order in all spheres but most particularly from the operational aspect. He himself did far more flying than his duties as Flight Commander called for and it was characteristic of his him that he would always use the most doubtful aircraft leaving the others for the remaining pilots. His magnificent example, efficiency and courage during this difficult period was a great inspiration to the more experienced pilots and filled the younger ones with unshakeable confidence. While going to great pains to train his younger pilots he carried, at the same time, an even greater share of the operational sorties than would have been his in a normal situation. He has personally flown 125 sorties and conducted 166 shoots with guns of the Divisional and Corps artillery. In doing this he has been responsible for inflicting many casualties of both men and equipment on the enemy. The whole Division has the greatest respect and admiration for the Air OP Flight and this is a direct result of the magnificent leadership, courage and conscientiousness consistently displayed by Major Hailes throughout the period. His work in all spheres has been far above what one would expect in the normal line of duty and I recommend services of such a high order be recognised in the form of an appropriate award.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 7 January 1949 (Palestine) ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Palestine during the period 27 March to 26 September 1947.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 April 1951: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya during the period 1 July to 31 December 1950.’ John Martin Hunter ‘Jack’ Hailes was born on 27 January 1920 in Maymyo, a pleasant hill station in central Burma where, in the early 1920’s, George Orwell served as Assistant District Superintendent of Police. As a young boy he lived in Mandalay, where his father was a District Superintendent of Railways. He was educated at Cheltenham College, his father’s alma mater. As war approached, Hailes decided to join the regular army and entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in January 1939. As war became inevitable, the pace of his training was accelerated and he was sent to 122 Officer Cadet Training Unit in August. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, on 9 December 1939, with regimental seniority from 4 November 1939, and was posted as a Troop Commander to 51st Anti-tank Regiment, 51st (Highland) Division, which landed in France in January 1940 to join the British Expeditionary Force. The Battle of France On 19 April 1940 the 51st Division was detached from the rest of the B.E.F. It was put under French command and moved to a section of the Franco-German frontier just south of Luxembourg and in front of one of the most powerful and impressive showpiece underground fortresses of the Maginot Line, the Ouvrage Hackenburg, which had been inspected by King George VI. The intent was to stiffen Allied defences at the northern end of the Maginot Line in case of a German attack on the western front during the invasion of Norway. France had briefly invaded German Saar in this sector in September 1940 when its ally Poland was attacked. Since Norway was now under German attack, the French High Command deemed it prudent to anticipate possible enemy action on the Western Front. The Germans did not oblige the French generals by attacking their Maginot defence works. They simply outflanked them and by the end of May had trapped the entire Allied northern forces in the Dunkirk beachhead. Meanwhile, the French desperately tried to form a new defence line along the River Somme in Picardy. Fortress Hackenburg was harassed by German forces but never directly attacked. The 51st Division was withdrawn from Lorraine and moved by train and road to Picardy. It saw much action assisting the French in their futile attempts to repulse the Germans from the Somme bridgeheads at Abbeville. After further clashes at Huchenneville, the Division was reduced to half its fighting strength by 6 June and was desperately short of supplies, especially ammunition. The only remaining option was evacuation by sea. 154 Brigade was rescued from Le Havre and Cherbourg but the rest of the Division was encircled. The Royal Navy landed at the small port of St Valery-en-Caux near Dieppe on 10 June to try to snatch as many men as possible. Unfortunately, the retreat of 51th Division to the coast had been held up, and a thick fog descended during the night of 11-12 which made it too risky for ships to enter and leave the port. All artillery ammunition had run out and the Division was forced to surrender to overwhelming German forces on 12 June. Hailes joined some 10,000 men who were marched off to prisoner-of-war camps in the Reich. Hailes was promoted to Lieutenant on 9 June 1941 and remained a Prisoner of War in various camps in Poland, Germany and Austria until 13 April 1945. After his return to England, Hailes was assigned to a number of refresher courses and training appointments to prepare him for his promotion to Captain on 1 July 1946. Northern Italy, Egypt, Palestine and Malaya Early in 1946 Hailes decided that he wished to become a Royal Artillery Air Observer. The tethered kite balloons of the Great War had been very effective in acquiring targets far behind the frontlines and directing artillery to neutralise them, but balloons were useless for mobile warfare. They were replaced by small light aircraft, fitted with radios. Controlling artillery from the air was a specialised and technical skill, which the RAF had no interest in developing. However, since the days of Trenchard, the RAF hierarchy had insisted that anything that flew ‘belonged to them’. The agreed compromise was that the Air Observation Post (AOP) units themselves were part of the RAF, as were the aircraft and the more skilled members of the ground crew. The artillery would provide all the observers, and the non-technical ground staff. To be an air observer, Hailes had first to learn to fly a...

Good Quality Replica / Re-enactors 1805 Royal Marines Uniform, comprising hat, tunic, rifle, bayonet and ammunition pouch, all supplied in bespoke transit cases

A group of assorted brassware, to include various figures, vases, etc., together with two small ammunition chests. - Condition Report

Denys Fisher, Star wars - A boxed vintage Star Wars 12" poseable Chewbacca figure. The figure appears to be in Good overall condition with signs of play and use, and is marked 'GMFGI 1978 Made in Hong Kong'. The figure has its Cross Bow Laser Rifle but is missing its belt and ammunition cartridges. The box appears to be in Fair condition with some tears, creasing, taping, and general storage wear.

A SMALL AMMUNITION CASE FOR CARTRIDGES

A COLLECTION OF ARMY WEBBING TO INCLUDE WATER BOTTLE COVER, AMMUNITION POUCHES ETC

A US CANVAS RIFLE BAG, ANOTHER BAG, TWO AMMUNITION POUCHES, HOLSTER ETC