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Click here to subscribeVolunteer Force Long Service (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Pte. E. A. Reeves, 2 B.N. Ry. R., A.F.I.) impressed naming, correction to I of A.F.I., good very fine £50-70 Awarded to Private E. A. Reeves, Bengal-Nagpore Railway Regiment (Auxiliary Forces, India) by India Army Order 568 of 31 August 1928.
Four: Lieutenant A. R. de Hoxar, United Provinces Light Horse Coronation 1902, bronze; Delhi Durbar 1911, unnamed; Volunteer Force Long Service (India & the Colonies), E.VII.R. (Lieut., United Prov. Lt. Horse) engraved naming; Indian Volunteer Forces Officers Decoration, G.V.R., reverse engraved, Lieut. A. R. de Hoxar, U.P. Horse 1st (Southern) Regt., lacking brooch bar, very fine and better (4) £240-280 A. R. de Hoxar, an Indigo Planter, was awarded the Coronation 1902 as a Sergeant in the Ghazipur Light Horse. As a Lieutenant in the 1st United Provinces Horse, he was awarded the Delhi Durbar. Lieutenant de Hoxar was awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal by I.A.O. 110 of March 1908. With copied research.
Pair: Captain J. Greig, Assam Valley Light Horse Volunteer Force Long Service (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Lt., Assam V.L.H.) impressed naming; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, India, reverse engraved, Capt. J. Greig, Assam V.L.H., A.F.I., good very fine (2) £120-160
Honorary Captain Rambahadur Limbu, V.C., 2nd Battalion 10th Princess Marys Gurkha Rifles Riband bar created for display purposes, bearing the ribbons: Victoria Cross, with bronze V.C. emblem; General Service 1918-62; General Service 1962; Jubilee 1977; Army L.S. & G.C., the riband bar on card bearing the signature of the recipient, dated 3 December 1983, together with two copied photographs of the recipient in uniform, good condition £30-50 V.C. London Gazette 21 April 1966. Lance-Corporal Rambahadur Limbu, 2nd Battalion 10th Gurkha Rifles, won the V.C. for his gallant action in Sarawak on 21 November 1965. With booklet:My Life Story Rambahadur Limbu, V.C. and other copied photographs and cuttings.
Group Captain Sir Max Aitken, Royal Air Force, D.S.O., D.F.C. Ribbons mounted for display to represent those of the recipient: Distinguished Service Order; Distinguished Flying Cross; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe, with silver rosette; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. emblem; Czechoslovakia, War Cross 1940; together with a signed photograph of the recipient in uniform Air Vice Marshal D. C. T. Bennett, Royal Air Force, C.B., C.B.E., D.S.O. Ribbons mounted for display to represent those of the recipient: Order of the Bath; Order of the British Empire, 2nd issue, military; Distinguished Service Order; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals; U.S.S.R. ribbon, mounted on card with a copied photograph of the recipient and two cloth badges Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick William Bowhill, Royal Air Force, G.B.E., K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. Ribbons mounted for display to represent those of the recipient: Order of the British Empire, 2nd issue, military; Order of the Bath; Order of St. Michael & St. George; Distinguished Service Order, with silver rosette; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa General Service 1902-56; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Foreign ribbon with crossed swords emblem; U.S.A. Legion of Merit, with Commander emblem; Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, with Grand Cross rosette; Norway, Order of St. Olaf, with Grand Cross rosette; Poland, Order of Poland Restored, with Grand Cross rosette; mounted on card with a copied photograph of the recipient and signature of the recipient on a separate card, good condition (lot) £70-90 Sir (John William) Max Aitken (1910-85), 2nd Baronet, a fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain, commanded a night fighter squadron, 1941-42, and was a Group Captain commanding Strike Mosquito Wing, Norgegian Waters, 1943. latterly President of Express Newspapers Ltd. Air Vice Marshal Donald Clifford Tyndall Bennett (1910-86), was the Air Officer Commanding the Pathfinder Force of the R.A.F. Bomber Command, 1939-45. With newspaper obituary. Air Chief Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill (1880-1960), was an officer in the Merchant Navy, 1896-1912 and in the Great War served in the R.F.C. (Naval Wing), R.N.A.S., and R.A.F. During W.W.2 he was Air Officer Commander-in-Chief, Coastal Command, 1937-41, and Air Officer Commanding Transport Command, 1943-45.
Lance-Sergeant Robert Bennett, M.M., B.E.M., Special Air Service, late Grenadier Guards Original riband bar (in three strips) bearing the ribbons: Military Medal; British Empire Medal, 2nd issue, military; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62; Army L.S. & G.C.; Imperial Service Medal, fair condition £20-40 Ribbons attributed to Bennett with booklet The S.A.S. Elite Forces; a letter to Judge Pownall from Lieutenant-General Sir Peter de la Billiere, dated 28 May 1990, relating to Bennetts M.M. citation, for the second raid on Tamet Aerodrome, December 1941. - a copy of which is with the lot, together with other related letters and copied research. Citation: This NCO in the second raid on Tamet Aerodrome, showed the highest qualities of determination. Although silhouetted against the light of burning aircraft and thus easily visible to the enemy, he continued his task in the face of heavy fire from automatic weapons, until demolition charges had been placed on all the aircraft. On completing his task he managed to shoot his way clear of the aerodrome. This NCO has successfully participated in five other raids. It is requested that no details should be published of these operations owing to their secrecy.
Admiral Humphrey Wykeham Bowring, C.B., D.S.O., Royal Navy Riband bar, pin-backed, bearing the ribbons: Order of the Bath, Distinguished Service Order; East & West Africa 1887-1900; Queens South Africa 1899-1902; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaf; France, Legion of Honour, with 4th Class rosette; Italy, Order of the Crown, with 4th Class rosette; Romania, Order of the Star, 1st issue ribbon, with 4th Class rosette; Belgium, Order of Leopold I, with 4th Class rosette; together with a miniature (Naval) riband bar with pin-fitting bearing the above (less the Order of the Bath) good condition (2) £30-50 Ribbon bars attributed to Admiral Humphrey Wykeham Bowring, Royal Navy, C.B., D.S.O. (1874-1952). Entered the Royal Navy in 1887 and served in the Witu Expedition of 1890. Served as a Captain during the Great War, was twice mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. in 1916. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in 1924; Vice-Admiral in 1929, and Admiral (Retired) in 1933. Awarded the C.B. in 1927. With some copied notes and certified provenance of riband bar.
Sir Ernest James Lennox Berkeley, K.C.M.G., C.B., Colonial Administrator Riband bar, pin-backed, bearing the ribbons: Order of the Bath, Jubilee 1897; Coronation 1902; Coronation 1911; East & West Africa 1887-1900; East & Central Africa 1897-99, good condition Sir John Vaughan, K.C.M.G., M.V.O., Diplomatic Service Riband bar, pin-backed, bearing the ribbons: Royal Victorian Order; Coronation 1902; Queens South Africa 1899-1902; Denmark, Order of the Dannebrog, good condition (2) £40-60 Ribbon bar attributed to Ernest James Lennox Berkeley (1857-1932). Vice-Consul East Coast of Africa. 1885; Consul Zanzibar, 1891; Administrator of British East Africa Companys Territories, 1891-92; H.M. Commissioner and Consul-General for Uganda, 1895-99; Consul-General for Tunis, 1899-1920. Awarded the C.B. in 1897 and K.C.M.G. in 1921. With some copied research and certified provenance of riband bar. Ribbon bar attributed to Sir John Vaughan, Diplomatic Service, who was Assistant Private Secretary to Lord Milner in 1899 and Political Secretary to Lord Roberts in South Africa in 1900. With some copied research and certified provenance of riband bar.
Brigadier-General John Byron, C.B., C.M.G., Royal Artillery Riband bar, buckram, mounted on card, bearing the ribbons: Order of the Bath; Order of St. Michael & St. George; India General Service 1895-1902; Queens South Africa 1899-1902; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Italy, Order of St. Maurice & St. Lazarus; Italy, War Cross; with cloth badge, good condition £20-30 Riband bar attributed to John Bryron who was born in 1872. After attending the Royal Military Academy, he entered the Royal Artillery in 1893. He served with the Malakand Field Force in 1897 and in the Boer War and was mentioned in despatches in both conflicts. Appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel in 1915, he was Assistant Superintendent of the Royal Arsenal, 1914-15; held a Special Appointment with the Ministry of Munitions, 1915-16; was Deputy-Director of Artillery at the War Office, 1916-18, and commanded the Divisional Artillery in Italy, 1918-19. After the war he commanded the Royal Artillery in Palestine and Egypt, 1920-24. Placed on Retired Pay in 1925. For his war services he was awarded the C.B. in 1918 and C.M.G. in 1919. Brigadier-General Byron died in 1944. With some copied notes and a photograph of his insignia.
Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Edwards, C.M.G., D.S.O., T.D., D.L., J.P., Welsh Horse, late 15th Hussars, 6th Baron Kensington Riband bar, pin-backed, bearing the ribbons: Order of St. Michael & St. George; Distinguished Service Order; Queens South Africa 1899-1902; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration, good condition £30-40 Hugh Edwardes was born in 1873, the son of the 4th Baron Kensington. He succeeded his brother in the title in 1900. He entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 15th Hussars and served in South Africa, 1899-1901, as A.D.C. to Lieutenant-General Sir H. M. L. Rundle, for which he was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Welsh Horse in 1914 and saw service in the Dardanelles and in the Sinai and Jerusalem campaigns for which he was again mentioned in despatches. In 1918 he was awarded the C.M.G. With some copied research and certified provenance of the riband bar.
Captain Sir Edward Headlam, C.S.I., C.M.G., D.S.O., F.R.G.S., Royal Indian Navy Riband bar, on buckram, in two strips, bearing the ribbons: Order of the Star of India; Order of St. Michael & St. George; Distinguished Service Order; China 1900; Naval General Service 1915-62; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1911, ribbons a little faded, fairly good condition £20-30 Edward James Headlam was born in 1873 and educated at Durham School and H.M.S. Conway. He entered the Royal Indian Navy as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1894 and was promoted to Lieutenant in 1900 and Commander in 1913. Headlam served with the Marine Survey of India, 1897-1914 and was Assistant Marine Transport Officer, British Expeditionary Force, North China, 1900-01, for which he was mentioned in despatches. During the Great War he was Naval Transport Officer, East African Forces, 1914-17; then Principal Naval Transport Officer, South and East Africa, 1917-19. For his services he was specially promoted to Captain, four times mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. in 1916 and C.M.G. in 1919. Post-war he was Director of the Royal Indian Marine, 1922-28 and was awarded the C.S.I. in 1924. Additionally awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal in 1900 for saving the life of a Sepoy who had fallen overboard from the transport Wandha off Taku; also the American Military Order of the Dragon. Captain Headlam died in 1943. With copied research and certified provenance of the riband bar.
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Frederick Hotham, G.C.B., G.C.V.O. Lengths of ribbon: New Zealand 1845-66, 85mm.; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 115mm.; Jubilee 1887, 45mm.; Coronation 1902, 112mm.; Coronation 1911, 85mm.; Turkey, Order of Osmania, neck ribbon, with one tapered end, 100mm.; Khedives Star, 80mm. (all dimensions approximate), ragged and stained, fair condition General Sir (Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle, G.C.B., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., D.S.O., late Royal Artillery Lengths of ribbon: Distinguished Service Order, 118mm.; South Africa 1877-79, 270mm.; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 285mm.; Queens Sudan 1896-98, 280mm.; Queens South Africa 1899-1902,280mm.; Kings South Africa 1901-02, 275mm.; Jubilee 1897, 136mm.; Coronation 1911, 26mm. wide, 187mm. long; Khedives Star, 240mm.; Khedives Sudan 1896-1908, 270mm. (all dimensions approximate), ragged and stained, fair condition £30-40 With some copied research and certified provenance of the ribbon taken from the insignia of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Frederick Hotham. With some copied research and certified provenance of the ribbon taken from the insignia of General Sir Leslie Rundle. Insignia sold Glendinings, 2 March 1989. With Black & White Budget, 12 May 1900 - which featured Lieutenant-General Sir Leslie Rundle who commanded the 8th Division in South Africa.
General Sir Richard Nugent OConnor, K.T., G.C.B., D.S.O., M.C., Commander of the Western Desert Corps, 1940-41 Photograph of the General with Bedouin Arabs and others, signed, R N OConnor, general in Comd. Western Desert Force; together with a leather wallet/notebook cover, inscribed, Dick, photo with fold mark, notebook cover in good condition (3) £50-70 Richard Nugent OConnor was born in 1889. Educated at Wellington College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He served in the Great War being mentioned in despatches on nine occasions, and was awarded the D.S.O. and Bar. M.C. and Italian Al Valor Militare in silver. Between the wars he was GSO 2nd Grade, War Office, 1932-34; Commander of the Peshawar Brigade, India, 1936-38 and Military Governor of Jerusalem, 1938-39. In the Second World War he commanded the Western Desert Corps in the successful Libyan campaign, 1940-41. OConnor was captured by the Germans on 7 April 1941 and spent two years as a prisoner-of-war of the Italians until he escaped in 1943. He then commanded VIII Corps in Normandy and in Operation Market Garden. For his wartime services he was mentioned in despatches, awarded the C.B. in 1940; and K.C.B. in 1941. He was further honoured with the G.C.B. in 1947 and K.T. in 1971. Post-war he was A.D.C. to the King, 1946; Commandant of the Army Cadet Force, Scotland, 1948-59; Colonel of the Cameronians, 1951-54; and Lord Lieutenant for the County of Ross and Cromarty, 1955-64. General Sir Richard OConnor died in 1981. With a letter hand-written by General OConnor to a Mr Woodcock: Dear Mr Woodcock, I am afraid I have not got anything of the things you want. And the best I can do is first a photograph taken in the Western Desert of Bedouin Arabs. And secondly a note book I carried part of the War & partly in peace. It is a personal one which I hope you wont mind (signed) R. N. OConnor.
General Sir Harry Tuzo, G.C.B., O.B.E, M.C., late Royal Artillery Riband bar created for display purposes, bearing the ribbons: Order of the Bath, Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, military; Military Cross; 1939-45 Star; France & Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62; General Service 1962, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Brunei, Order of Setia Negara, mounted on card with a photograph of the General with paper slip bearing his autograph, good condition Lieutenant-General G. Peter Walls, G.L.M., D.C.D., M.B.E., Commander Combined Operations, Rhodesia Rhodesia, Legion of Merit, Military; Defence Cross for Distinguished Service; General Service Medal; Exemplary Service Medal, with silver rosette; G.B., Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, military; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62; Coronation 1953, mounted on card with a photograph of the General, the card signed, W. P. Walls, Lt. Genl. Commander Combined Operations Zimbabwe Rhodesia, 16 Nov. 79, good condition £30-50 General Sir Harry Tuzo, was born in Bangalore, India, in 1917. He joined the Supplementary Reserve of Officers in 1939 and in 1943 was given a Regular Army commission in the Royal Artillery. In the Second World War he saw service in N.W. Europe and in 1944/45 he commanded a battery of 21 Anti-Tank Regiment, R.A. in the Guards Armoured Division. After the war he held a number of Staff appointments. In 1967 he was appointed Chief of Staff, H.Q. British Army of the Rhine with the rank of Major-General and in 1969 he was appointed Director, Royal Artillery. In 1971 he was appointed General Officer Commanding and Director of Operations, Northern Ireland, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. In 1973 he was appointed Commander Northern Army Group and C-in-C. British Army of the Rhine. Having been granted the K.C.B. in 1971, he was promoted to G.C.B. in 1973. With some copied biographical details. Peter Walls was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia in 1926. He enlisted into the Southern Rhodesian Army in October 1944 and was commissioned into the Black Watch, British Army, in 1946. Commissioned into the Southern Rhodesian Permanent Staff Corps in 1948, he raised the Southern Rhodesian Far East Volunteer Unit for Malaya, 1950, and commanded C (Rhodesia) Squadron 22nd Special Air Service in Malaya, 1951-53. At the time of U.D.I. in 1965 he was Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion The Rhodesian Light Infantry, 1964-67. He was later appointed Commander, Rhodesian Army, 1972-77, and Commander, Combined Operations, Rhodesia, 1977 onwards. With copied research and copied photographs and with a signed note from Peter Walls which accompanied the above ribbon-bearing card.
Dame Leslie Whateley, D.B.E., Director of the World Bureau of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, late Chief Controller of The Army Territorial Service Riband bar, on buckram, in two strips, bearing the ribbons: Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, military; France & Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Decoration; France, Legion of Honour; France, Resistance Medal; U.S.A. Legion of Merit, with gilt Officers emblem; together with a miniature riband bar, pin-backed, bearing the above ribbons in incorrect order and Efficiency Medal instead of Efficiency Decoration, good condition (3) £20-30 Dame Leslie Whateley, D.B.E. was Director of the World Bureau of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, 1951-63. Prior to this, she had risen through the ranks to become a Major-General in the British Womens Army. Her medal were sold in Christies, 17 November 1987. With some copied research and certified provenance of riband bars
Brigadier Peter Young, D.S.O., M.C. and 2 bars; No. 3 Commando, late Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment and latterly 9th Regiment, Arab Legion Riband bar, pin-backed (lacking pin), bearing the ribbons: Distinguished Service Order; Military Cross, with two silver rosettes; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; France & Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62; Jordan, Order of El Istiqlal, a little faded, good condition £40-60 Peter Young was born on 28 July 1915 and educated at Monmouth School and Trinity College, Oxford. A 2nd Lieutenant with the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment in 1937, he served with the B.E.F. and was wounded at Dunkirk. Then volunteering for special service, he spent over four years with No. 3 Commando, taking part in raids on Guernsey, 1940; Lofoten and Vaagso, 1941; Dieppe, 1942, and Sicily and Italy, 1943. He commanded No. 3 Commando, 1943-44. He then served in Normandy, 1944 and Arakan, 1944-45, and commanded the 1st Commando Brigade, 1945-46. For his war service he was awarded the D.S.O. in 1942; the M.C. in 1942 and two bars to the M.C. in 1943. After the war he commanded the 9th Regiment, Arab Legion, 1953-56, being awarded the Order of Istiqlal in 1954. He was Reader in Military History at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, 1959-69 and a notable author and editor of a number of publications on military history. He died on 13 September 1988.. Ribbon bar attributed to Brigadier Peter Young. With a signed photograph of the recipient in uniform.
Clark, F., The East India Register and Army List for 1856, Allen & Co., London, 1856, rebound modern red half calf and marbled boards; [Government of India], Army Department Dress Regulations (India) 1931, 124pp., original boards; Booklets (13) 6th Queen Elizabeths Own Gurkha Rifles Regimental Association, Winter 1969; Spring 1970; Winter 1970; Spring 1971; 1995; 1996; 1997; 1998; 2000; 2001; 2002; together with The Journal of the 2nd King Edward VIIs Own Goorkhas, 1976; and The Brigade of Gurkhas 1965, generally good condition (15) £70-90
Hay, Commander The Hon. Sereld, History of the R.N.V.R., South African Division, Juta & Co., Cape Town, 1920, 1st edition, xv, 193pp., plus b/w plates, with original boards and white cloth spine, browned throughout, boards scuffed and worn but internally generally good, scarce £60-80
Four: Captains Coxswain T. J. Webber, Royal Navy Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (Ts. J. Webber, Captns. Coxn. H.M.S. Fisgard 20 Yrs); Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed, toned, nearly extremely fine (4) £500-600 Thomas James Webber was born at Falmouth, Cornwall, on 1 February 1832, and entered the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. William and Mary on 15 July 1846. He served as an Able Seaman aboard the Trafalgar at Sebastopol, and aboard the Russell in the Baltic. He served subsequently aboard the Vigilant and, from December 1859, in the Fisgard, continuously until his discharge, except for a period of nearly two years in 1860-61 when he was employed as a Rigger at the Woolwich Dockyard. He was discharged from Fisgard on 29 October 1870, having been recommended for his Pension, Medal & Gratuity. Sold with copy service papers.
Four: Stoker John Burns, Royal Navy Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (John Burns, Stoker, H.M.S. Vanguard 20 Yrs); Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed, the first with light contact marks, otherwise, extremely fine (4) £500-600 John Burns was born in Saltash, Cornwall, on 6 September 1835, and entered the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St George on 22 February 1851. He joined the Sans Pareil in June 1852 and served in her at Sebastopol, as a Boy 1st Class, and at Canton as an Ordinary Seaman. He was rated Stoker in October 1858 and discharged to Impregnable in February 1859, subsequently serving aboard H.M. Ships Exmouth, Wellington, London, Indus, Ocean, Audacious and, finally, Vanguard. He entered this last ship in July 1871 and was discharged from it on 10 September 1873, having been recommended for his Pension, Medal & Gratuity. Sold with copy service papers.
Pair: Private John Haverfield, Royal Marine Light Infantry China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension ((Jn. Haverfield, Pte., 23 Co. R.M.L.I. 21 Yrs.) extremely fine £400-450 John Haverfield was born in Walton, Glastonbury on 27 November 1832. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for service in the Royal Marines at Glastonbury on 27 January 1850, aged 19 years, 2 months. He saw active service in the Second China War with the Royal Marine Battalion, and was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. Medal with gratuity in 1873. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers and research.
A pair of medals awarded to Band Sergeant H. Tovell, 94th Foot, who was killed in action during the First Boer War at Bronhorst Spruit, 20 December 1880 South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (3327 Band Sergt. H. Tooell, 94th Foot); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue (3327 Sergt. H. Tovell, 94th Foot) note variation in surname, good very fine (2) £1000-1200
Three: Bandsman Salvo Pace, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (S. Pace, Bandn. H.M.S. ôTemeraireö); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R. (Salvo Pace, Bandsn., H.M.S. Trafalgar); Khedives Star, 1882, unnamed, contact marks, edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (3) £240-280 Salvo Pace was born in Cospiqua, Malta, on 1 September 1860. A Musician by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy on 17 October 1878, serving as a Domestic 2nd Class aboard the Black Prince. In March 1880 he was rated as a Bandsman when on Euryalus, after which he served on Temeraire, March 1882-April 1884, seeing service at Alexandria, 11 July 1882. He was advanced to Band Corporal in January 1899 when on Revenge, and to Bandmaster in December 1902 when on Ramillies. Pace was pensioned ashore at Malta after service on the Montagu in September 1903 but re-entered the Royal Navy to complete time for a pension, ranked as a Bandsman on the Bulwark, December 1903-September 1904. With copied service paper.
Six: Serjeant G. E. Gray, Royal Engineers, late Royal Scots Fusiliers India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (4222 Pte., 1st Ryl. Sco. Fusileirs (sic)); China 1900, no clasp (4222 Lce. Corpl., 1st Ryl. Scots Fus.); 1914-15 Star (56663 Sjt., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (56663 Sjt., R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (4222 Cpl., R. Scots. Fus.) first two with some edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (5) £280-320
Three: Serjeant J. McDonald, Royal Garrison Artillery Queens Sudan 1896-98 (67594 Bombr, R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C.,E.VII.R. (67594 Sjt., R.G.A.); Khedives Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (67594 Bombr, 16 Coy. E.D. R.A.) some edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (3) £280-320 John Christie alias John McDonald was born in Alford, Aberdeen. A Farm Servant by occupation, he attested for the Royal Artillery at Aberdeen on 9 June 1888, aged 18 years, 2 months. With the Royal Artillery, he served in Egypt and Sudan, December 1894-March 1905. He was discharged on 8 June 1909. With copied service papers.
Four: Stoker Petty Officer E. L. Bull, Royal Navy Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (286447 Sto., H.M.S. Terrible) impressed naming; China 1900, no clasp (Sto., H.M.S. Terrible); British War Medal 1914-20 (S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (286447 Ldg. Sto., H.M.S. Blake) first two with contact marks and edge bruising, good fine; other good very fine (4) £340-380 Erwin Leigh Bull was born in Shanklin, Isle of Wight, on 17 April 1877. He entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 25 November 1897. Bull served on H.M.S. Terrible, December 1898-October 1902, and was advanced to Stoker in April 1899. He was promoted to Stoker 1st Class when on the Prince of Wales in July 1906 and to Leading Stoker on the same ship in October 1907. He attained the rank of Stoker Petty Officer in August 1910. During the Great War he served on the Spanker, July 1914-February 1915 and March 1915-September 1917. Stoker Petty Officer Bull was demobilised on 12 March 1919. With copied service papers..
Three: Leading Seaman S. L. Evans, Royal Navy Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (167411 A.B., H.M.S. Powerful); British War Medal 1914-20 (167411 L.S., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (167411 Lg. Sea., H.M.S. Victory), the first with minor official correction to surname, one or two edge bruises, minor contact wear, generally very fine (3) £500-600 Samuel Lindop Evans was born at Landport, Hampshire in January 1877 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in June 1892. Landed with the Naval Brigade in South Africa during his subsequent appointment in H.M.S. Powerful, he was present at the defence of Ladysmith. Having then been advanced to Leading Seaman in June 1904, Evans was invalided from the service in July 1907. Recalled on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he served at H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth until being demobilised in July 1917. He had, meanwhile, been awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in April of the same year; also see Lot 627 for his sons Honours & Awards.
Three: Serjeant D. McNeill, Highland Light Infantry Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen (4111 Cpl., 1st High. Lt. Infy.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4111 Serjt., Highland L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4111 Sjt., H.L.I.) mounted as worn, edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine and better (3) £140-180 With copied roll extracts.
Pair: Sergeant C. Elsee, Coorg & Mysore Rifles, late Lumsdens Horse Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (214 Tpr., Lumsdens Horse); Volunteer Force Long Service, G.V.R. (Sergt., Coorg & Mysore Rifles) engraved naming, minor edge bruising, good very fine (2) £180-220
Five: Private W. H. Ryan, Royal Canadian Regiment, late Leinster and Essex Regiments Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (3619 Pte., 2-Leins. R.) late issue; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9823 Pte., 2/Essex R.) gilded; British War and Victory Medals (9823 Pte., Essex R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Canada (Pte., R.C.R.) very fine and better (6) £260-300 William Henry Ryans original Queens South Africa Medal was forfeited in 1906. It was restored with his re-enlistment for service in the Great War. Serving with the 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 22 August 1914. Later made a prisoner-of-war. Clasp to 1914 Star confirmed. With Leinster Regiment cap badge, copied m.i.c. and other research.
Six: Lieutenant A. E. Nash, Supply and Transport Corps China 1900, no clasp (Sergeant Major, S. & T. Corps) & re-engraved; 1914-15 Star (Condr., S. & T. Corps); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt); Victory Medal 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Sub-Conductor, S. & T. Corps); France, Medaille Militaire, silver, gilt and enamel, good very fine (6) £300-340 Medaille Militaire London Gazette 6 November 1918. Conductor (Now Assistant Commissary and Honorary Lieutenant) Albert Edward Nash, Supply & Transport Corps, Indian Army. M.I.D. London Gazette 10 July 1919 (France). Temp. Captain attached 38th Divisional Train R.A.S.C.
Six: Serjeant W. H. Kerr, Royal Field Artillery China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (2024 Gunner (?) 12th By. R.F. Arty.); 1914 Star, with clasp (99950 Sjt., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (99950 Sjt., R.F.A.); Coronation 1911, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (2024 Sjt., R.F.A.) first and last with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine; others good very fine (6) £400-460
Five: Petty Officer H. J. Lee, Royal Navy Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (A.B., H.M.S. Highflyer); 1914-15 Star (191728 P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (191728 P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (191728 P.O., H.M.S. Hecla) first with edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine; others good very fine and better (5) £180-220 Harry James Lee was born in Roehampton, Surrey, on 1 October 1881. A Porter by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 21 January 1897, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in October the same year. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman when on Galatea in October 1899, Able Seaman when on Magdala in June 1901, and Leading Seaman when on St. George in May 1911. At the beginning of the war he was on the Cadmus, being advanced to Petty Officer in August 1914. During the war he was on Pembroke I and Calypso and was pensioned ashore from the Hecla in December 1919. With copied service paper.
Six: Captain T. V. Power, Supply and Transport Corps Tibet 1903-04, no clasp (Staff Sergt, S.T.C.) renamed; 1914-15 Star (Sub. Condr., S. & T. Corps.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Condr., S.T.C.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt.); Delhi Durbar 1911 (Sub Conductor, S. & T. Corps); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Sub Condtr., S. & T. Corps) mounted for display, good very fine (6) £180-220
Four: Warrant Officer Class 2 John Ryan, York and Lancaster Regiment, killed in action, 24 September 1918 1914 Star (5525 Cpl., 2/York. & Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (5525 W.O. Cl. 2, Y. & L. R.) the numeral 2 omitted from the B.W.M.; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (5525 C.S. Mjr., 2/York & Lanc. R.); Memorial Plaque (John Ryan) nearly extremely fine (5) £380-420 M.S.M. London Gazette 17 January 1919. John Ryan was born in Plymouth, lived in Blackpool and enlisted at Seaforth, Liverpool. As a Corporal in the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 November 1914. As a Warrant Officer Class 2 with the same battalion, he was killed in action on 24 September 1918. With copied m.i.c. which shows entitlement to clasp for 1914 Star.
Four: Stoker Petty Officer W. P. Lamble, Royal Navy, who fought at the Falkland Islands in H.M.S. Cornwall, killed in an air raid, 21 April 1941 1914-15 Star (K.473 L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.473 S.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.473 S.P.O., H.M.S. Emperor of India) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £180-220 William Percy Lamble was born in Totnes, Devon, on 2 February 1889. A Farm Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 10 March 1908. Promoted to Stoker 1st Class in March 1909 when on Queen and Acting Leading Stoker in November 1913 when on Colossus. He served the early part of the war aboard the armoured cruiser Cornwall, July 1914-February 1915, serving initially off the west coast of Africa. She was then directed to the Falkland Islands to strengthen the squadron of Vice-Admiral Doveton Sturdee. On 8 December the squadron encountered that of Vice-Admiral Von Spee. In the battle of the Falkland Islands, the Cornwall together with the cruiser Glasgow chased down and sank the German light cruiser Leipzig. Lamble then served on the cruiser Liverpool, September 1915-May 1919, during which time he was advanced to Stoker Petty Officer. In 1919 the vessel was sent to the Black Sea to support White Russian forces. Post-war, during his service aboard the battleship Emperor of India, November 1922-May 1925, he was awarded the Long Service Medal. During the Second World War, having previously been pensioned, Lamble took a post as Civilian Instructor at H.M.S. Drake, the R.N. shore base at Plymouth. He was killed in an air raid on the barracks, 21 April 1941, aged 52 years. He was the son of George Henry and Mary Lamble and husband of Edith Alice Lamble of Paignton. He was buried in Paignton Cemetery. With copied service papers and other research.
Four: Stoker Chief Petty Officer T. Ryan, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (M.6156 S.S.A., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.6156 L.V.A., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.6156 S.C.P.O. H.M.S. Tamar) mounted as worn Four: Petty Officer J. W. Ryan, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (J.29126 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.29126 A.B., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue (J.29126 P.O., H.M.S. Nelson) mounted as worn, this group with some edge bruising, polished, details worn; the above nearly very fine (8) £120-160
A rare 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal awarded to Private Arthur Faulkner, Royal Marine Light Infantry who was convicted for Mutiny in the Murmansk theatre of war, 1919 1914-15 Star (Po.17942 Pte., R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Po.17942 Pte., R.M.L.I.) nearly extremely fine (2) £150-200 Arthur Faulkner was born in Hulme, Manchester on 10 February 1896. By occupation, a Labourer at a Bleach Works, he joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 5 October 1914, aged 18 years, 7 months. After serving at the Recruit Depot Deal as a Private, 5 October 1914-3 March 1915, he was transferred to the Portsmouth Division where he remained until 1 June 1915 when he boarded H.M.S. Southampton for service with the Grand Fleet seeing action with this ship at the battle of Jutland 31 May ð 1 June, 1916. During the battle H.M.S. Southampton torpedoed and sank the German light cruiser S.M.S. Frauenlob. Then posted to the Portsmouth Division 12 April-17 July 1919 when he was taken on the strength of the 6th Battalion, Royal Marines with whom he saw active service with in the Murmansk theatre, North Russia August-October 1919. It was whilst serving with the 6th Battalion that Faulkner was charged with others of, ôWhen on active service disobeying a lawful command given by a superior Officer in that they refused to take up an advanced position at the 7 Verst post on the Svyatnavolok-Koikori Road on 30 August, 1919, when ordered to do so." He was Court-Martialled at Murmansk along with almost 100 other officers and men from the Battalion on different charges relating to several events and sentenced to 5 years penal servitude, later commuted to six months. 13 men convicted on another more serious charge than that of Faulkner were sentenced to Death, commuted to 5 years Penal Servitude as King George V had issued secret orders that no more executions were to be carried out in relation to offences committed in Russia. After serving his sentence, Faulkner was discharged from the Royal Marines, ôServices No Longer Requiredö on 3 April 1920, his address on discharge being his mothers residence at 132 Danzic St., Manchester, Lancashire. His service record is marked, ôEligible for award of Prize Money War Gratuity & medals are not to be regarded as forfeited.ö During his service before Russia, Faulkners character had always been rated ôVery Goodö. He had been recommended as a candidate for promotion in 1916 and had been awarded Good Conduct chevrons 1915-16-17-18. With copied service papers.
Pair: Lieutenant D. B. Gill, West Yorkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.) nearly extremely fine (2) £100-140 David Brian Gill was born in 1896 and lived in Menston-in-Wharfdale, near Leeds. Educated at Leeds University, he was commissioned from the University O.T.C. in September 1914 into the 15th (Service) Battalion (1st Leeds) The Prince of Waless Own (West Yorkshire Regiment) - being one of the original officers of the Leeds Pals. He did not serve with them in Egypt in December 1915 but joined them on attachment from the 19th (Reserve) Battalion in France in April 1916. He arrived to join the battalion, taking post with A Company in the front line at Courcelles, 23 April 1916. Four days later he was severely wounded by a shell burst, causing his evacuation to England on 2 May. His hospital notes record, Minenwerfer shell wounds in back and left leg. Gill records in a letter, I sustained between 20 & 30 small wounds to my back and left leg. Gill convalesced at the Countess of Pembroke Private Hospital, Wilton House, Salisbury. Recovering from his wounds he was then posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in France. He was wounded a second time at Messines, on 13 June 1917 - when going around inspecting posts at night, he was blown into a trench by a German shell which burst close to him, and fell onto the point of a British bayonet. The bayonet entered the front of the leg at its centre. He was also hit in the calf by two small shell fragments .... He recovered and on 25 May 1918 was posted to No. 3 O.C.B. at Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. Lieutenant Gill was discharged from the unit on 18 April 1919 and resumed his civilian occupation as a Textile Bleacher. With copied m.i.c., service papers, war diary extracts etc...
Seven: Chief Petty Officer Cook R. E. Easton, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54, these unnamed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (Mx.62857 C.P.O.Ck.(S), H.M.S. Newfoundland) (S) engraved, mounted as worn, very fine and better (8) £120-160 Ronald E. Easton was born in 1915 and served in submarines between 1941 and 1944. In April 1942 he went to New London, U.S.A. as crew of the U.S.S. S-29 a submarine that had been built in 1919 which was then sailed back via Bermuda to Gibraltar with the new name of H.M.S. P.556. Ronald Easton served on the P.556 until November 1942 and then joined the S Class submarine Shakespeare. On her he served in the Mediterranean from January 1943 to April 1944. During this time the Shakespeare sank the Italian sailing vessels Sant` Anna M. and Adelina, the Greek sailing vessel Aghios Konstantinos and two unidentified sailing vessels. She also sank the Italian submarine Velella, which was lost with all hands, and unsuccessfully attempted to torpedo what was identified as an Italian light cruiser. Easton was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal whilst serving on the light cruiser Newfoundland. The cruiser was commissioned in 1942 and sold to the Peruvian Navy in 1959. On 31 October 1956, during the Suez Crisis, the cruiser in company with the destroyer Diana sank the Egyptian frigate Domiat. Sold with gilt double-dolphin pin-backed badge; the medals and badge in a glass-fronted wooden case.
Seven: Major (Quartermaster) A. T. H. Hatchard, Royal Armoured Corps 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Major, R.A.C.); Coronation 1953, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (Capt. (Q.M.) Gen. List) contact marks, nearly very fine (7) £180-220 War Substantive R.Q.M.S. Alfred Thomas Henry Hatchard, R.A.C. was appointed Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on the General List in 1942 (London Gazette 12 May 1942). Awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. (London Gazette 9 April 1948). Promoted to Major (Quartermaster) in 1953 (London Gazette 4 August 1953). He retired with the honorary rank of Major (Q.M.) in 1948 (London Gazzette 11 April 1958). With copied gazette extracts.
Five: Serjeant W. Smith, Royal Artillery 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (6550838 Sjt., R.A.) nearly extremely fine (5) £100-140 With London Schools Swimming Association Certificates (3) 1925 & 1927; L.C.C. Certificate for Scripture Knowledge, 1926-27; Church Lads Brigade, London Division, Sergeants Certificate, 1932; W.W.2 medals card forwarding box, addressed to Mr W. Smith, 131 Riversdale Rd., Highbury, London, N.5; Soldiers Service and Pay Book (worn); Soldiers Release Book; Certificate of Transfer to Army Reserve, 1946; together with several other papers and three photographs - two relating to the 168 A.A. Battery R.A. (T.A.) Emergency Mobilisation, 1938.
A Second World War N.W. Europe Military M.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant R. T. Elliott, Royal Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Members 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Lieut. (D.O.), R.A.) mounted as worn; together with a mounted set of six miniature dress medals, good very fine (12) £240-280 M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. For gallant and distinguished service in N.W. Europe. Recommendation states: Since this officer mobilised with 202 Fixed Defences in February 1943 his work as District Officer has been outstanding. It was mainly due to his hard work and perseverance that the Coast Artillery Operations Room at Nieuwe Sluis was ready to operate when the first convoy entered the Scheldt on Nov. 28th 1944. From this date until May 1945, as one of three officers on the War Establishment, he took his turn for night duty as Seawards Defence Commander, in addition to his ôQö work by day for both the military and naval personnel at the Station. He gave warning to Navy Ostend on the night Dec. 23/24, 1944 of unidentified radar plots off the Scheldt entrance subsequently proved to be midget submarines making their first attempt to penetrate past Flushing. His keenness was an inspiration to the Operations Room Watchers and his sound administration considerably helped in ensuring very close cooperation between the two Services. The recipient came from Houghton-le-Spring.
A Second World War Norway 1940 operations D.S.C. attributed to Sub. Lieutenant W. A. George, Royal Naval Reserve Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1940, hallmarks for London 1939, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue, extremely fine £600-700 D.S.C. London Gazette 26 September 1940: For services in Norway. The original recommendation states: On 8 May 1940, being landed with a party from the Northern Spray to examine a German troop-carrier down in Efjordan, the party was surprised and attacked by some 30 Germans, the late occupants of the plane, with machine-guns and grenades. After all their ammunition was expended, the party surrendered, except Skipper George, who, eluding his captors, made his way to the wrecked plane, in which he spent the night. He collected all books and papers he thought might be of value and, launching the india-rubber boat, crossed the fjord and eventually rejoined his ship. William Arthur George received his D.S.C. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 3 February 1942; sold with a photocopied image of a wartime family photograph, including George in R.N.R. officers uniform, the caption erroneously giving his first name as Wilfred - only one R.N.R. officer received the D.S.C. in 1940, namely the above cited William Arthur George.
A Great War M.C. group of six awarded to Captain Rowland William Godley, Indian Army, late Royal Engineers Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Efficiency Decoration, G.V.R., India, reverse inscribed, Lt. (Hony. Capt.) R. W. Godley, 2 Bn. B.B. & C.I. Ry. R. A.F.I., mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £800-900 M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918. T/Lt., R.E. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in maintaining the railway service for three days by his untiring efforts and example, throughout a period of great strain. Rowland William Godley received his commission in the Royal Engineers on 22 October 1914. He served in France and Turkey, 21 January 1916-11 November 1918. During the war he was twice wounded, promoted Temporary Lieutenant and awarded the Military Cross. After the war he became a Lieutenant in the Bombay, Baroda and Central India Railway Regiment.
A Great War Western Front M.M. group of four awarded to Private G. Bains, 16th Battalion Manchester Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (6828 Pte. G. Bains, 16/Manch. R.); 1914-15 Star (6828 Pte. G. Baines, Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6828 Pte. G. Bains, Manch. R.) note variation in surname, good very fine (4) £800-850 M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916. George Bains, a Warehouse member of Messrs. Simpson & Godlee Ltd., enlisted on 1 September 1914 and is shown in the Manchester Battalions Book of Honour as being a member of XI Platoon, C Company, 16th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regiment. Private Bains entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 9 November 1915. Awarded the Military Medal for the 16th Manchester Pals attack on Montauben, 1 July 1916 - one of the first Military Medals awarded to the battalion. The War Diary for 1/2 July 1916 reports, Captured two guns and 16th Manchester Regt. written on them, also names of the men who captured them and about a hundred prisoners. It is possible that Bains was one of the two men responsible. Later wounded and invalided to the U.K., he was then transferred to the Welsh Regiment and posted to their 52nd (Graduated) Battalion. He was discharged from the Army on 28 October 1918 and was awarded the Silver War Badge (not with lot). With a quantity of copied research, including m.i.c., gazette, roll and war diary extracts.
A Great War Western Front M.M. awarded to Corporal Frank West, 55th Battalion Australian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (2019 A.L. Cpl., 55/Aust. Inf.) extremely fine £550-650 M.M. London Gazette 11 January 1918; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 23 May 1918. Recommendation states: This man displayed great devotion to duty and courage during the attack on Polygon Wood on 26th Sept. 1917. On the night of 26/27th he took a Lewis Gun out to an exposed position between two companies and captured an Officer & 5 men of the enemy, bringing them into our lines. His coolness was very noticeable throughout the engagement. Frank West was born in Greys, Essex, England. Living in Australia and a Contractor by occupation, he attested for the Australian Imperial Force on 2 March 1916, aged 32 years, 7 months. With the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry, he proceeded to France in November 1916. West was wounded in action on 10 March 1917, suffering a gunshot wound to the left shoulder, and was invalided to England. Returning to France and rejoining his unit in June 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery in action on 26/27 September at Polygon Wood. In August 1918 he was transferred to the 14th Training Battalion based at Tidworth, England. Corporal West returned to France once more in early 1919 and as a Temporary Serjeant was attached to the Australian Burials and Graves Registration Detachments. Returning to England in April 1919 he embarked for Australia and was demobilised in July 1919. Frank West died on 19 April 1957. At the time of his M.M. award, the 55th Battalion Australian Infantry was part of the 14th Australian Infantry Brigade; 5th Australian Division, I Anzac Corps. With copied service papers in folder.
A very rare Second World War Chindit operations M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant C. McCluskey, Black Watch, a veteran of Crete and Tobruk who was twice wounded in the act of winning his M.M. in Burma in June 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2752845 Sjt. C. McCluskey, Black Watch); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, minor double-stamping to unit on first, some contact wear but generally good very fine or better (6). £2500-3000 M.M. London Gazette 4 January 1945. The original recommendation states: On 10 June 1944, Sergeant McCluskey was ordered to take two infantry sections from his platoon and carry out an offensive patrol in the valley east of the Kysenlei Pass. The patrol encountered enemy in the position in an unnamed village near Kontha and came under heavy and accurate fire, which wounded Sergeant McCluskey and caused other casualties in the patrol. In spite of his wound, however, Sergeant McCluskey retained full control of his small force and hotly engaged the enemy, and only when it became apparent that the enemy was present in considerably superior force did he start to organise a withdrawal. This he did with inspiring coolness and disregard for his personal safety going from one section to another and organising the evacuation of our wounded. While engaged on this task, Sergeant McCluskey was again severely wounded, and although in considerable pain, continued to retain full control of his force. Sergeant McCluskey had for some weeks been in command of a platoon and has on many occasions shown himself to be an outstanding leader, while his conduct on 10 June was beyond all praise. He has previously served with distinction in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk. Charles McCluskey was born in Cumbernauld, Dumbarton in January 1914 and enlisted in the Black Watch in June 1932, direct from the Territorials. Originally posted to the 1st Battalion, he transferred to the 2nd sometime before the outbreak of hostilities, and saw action in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk, prior to joining Order Wingates Chindits in Burma in March 1944. The following extracts, taken from The Black Watch, by Philip Howard (part of the Famous Regiments series), neatly summarise the actions and experiences shared by McCluskey and his comrades in the 2nd Battalion: Crete In May 1941, after a tremendous battering by dive-bombers, the sky suddenly filled with puffs of thistle-down. There was a gasp of amazement, and a moments hush along the whole Black Watch position. It was the first big parachute invasion in history. The Black Watch picked off the German paratroops as they fell, like plump pigeons. But for the next ten days more and more were dropped, prudently behind the mountains now, and out of range of Heraklion. The Battalion hung on grimly by its finger-nails, in isolated pockets unable to move by daylight, except for the piper who always played Reveille around the airfield after the dawn air raid. At last London decided to evacuate the island. At midnight the Highlanders crept down to the beach to the cruisers waiting to ferry them away. They had a terrible journey to Alexandria, dive-bombed and torpedoed all the way through the narrows at the eastern end of Crete. More than 200 of the Black Watch were killed on the voyage. A year later the Commanding Officer of the first German parachute battalion dropped at Heraklion was captured in Libya. He told his interrogators: My first surprise was when I found the position held. The second was when I discovered who the infantry were. The battle continued with great ferocity for two days. The Black Watch never surrendered. Had it been any other regiment, any other, all would have been well. I had but 80 men left of my 800, no food, little ammunition; our food was being eaten by the Jocks. Tobruk Next the Battalion was put into Tobruk to relieve the Australians, who had been besieged in that bull-dogged citadel for six months. The short dusty perimeter was defended by wire, mine-fields, and subterranean galleries. Dismembered vehicles and litter lay everywhere. The big German gun called ôBardia Billö barked and boomed over the fortress. In November the Battalion broke out of Tobruk on a sortie to link up with the Eighth Army advancing from Egypt. The plan was far more complex than the things which the Black Watch had been asked to do in old-style battles of far-off forgotten wars. But for once the Highlanders had been given a generous ration of infantry tanks. In fact the tanks lost themselves in the flat, featureless desert, in which the only landmarks were tangles of wire. And there was plenty of wire around to confuse the issue. So the Black Watch had to go in alone with the bayonet, as they had been doing ever since Fontenoy. The pipers played the Battalion in with ôHighland Laddieö, the regimental march, and ôThe Black Bearö. This last tune has a pause for a yell at intervals, and is traditionally played when a final effort is needed from tired men. Two hours later 8 officers and 60 men were left to take the final objective out of 32 officers and 600 men who set off from the Start Line. A Gunner Major wrote after the battle: I class this attack of the Black Watch as one of the most outstanding examples of gallantry combined with high-class training that I have seen. Not one of us who was there will forget such supreme gallantry. Burma and the Chindits Over on the other side of the world, the 2nd Battalion had become guerillas themselves - Chindits dropped for long range penetration beyond the Chindwin. The Battalion was split into two columns, numbered, inevitably, 73 and 42. They were flown into blind green jungle in March 1944, and for the next six months skirmished, and marched, and survived the monsoon, the steaming heat, and accidents by flood and field. It was probably the most unpleasant terrain for fighting into which the Black Watch had ever been plunged, worse even than the fever-swamps of the West Indies in the eighteenth century, or the dense jungles of Kandy. They were gnawed by starvation and disease. In one month alone 70 men died of typhus. It was a dripping world where clothes were never dry, and leeches had to be stripped from bodies at night. Tracks were often waist-deep in water and mud. Leather girths rotted on mules. A 10-mile march took four days. And once it took two days to haul their tottering half-dead bodies to the top of a four-mile pass. Most of the actions were small and untidy - the general strategy of the Chindit campaign lost direction after the death of Wingate. In May, at an ambush to cover the evacuation of ôWhite Cityö, 200 Black Watch scattered 1,200 Japanese. In August the last emaciated remnants charged and captured the village of Labu with the bayonet, played in on pipes specially dropped by parachute for the occasion. They were then flown back to India to recuperate. And of McCluskeys individual heroism near Kontha in June 1944, The Black Watch & The Kings Enemies states: There were reports, however, that the Japs were in various villages below the pass; and it was in one of these, Kontha, that the second patrol was sent. It consisted of a weak platoon under Sergeant McLuskey. Leaving at 8 a.m. on 10 June, he approached Kontha and was engaged by fire. The paddy round the village was three feet under water, but he took up his position in elephant grass and returned the fire with Bren guns and grenades from a cup discharger. As the enemy began to work round them, the patrol withdrew, having had one man killed and several wounded, but having got their information. They returned with their wounded at 6 p.m. The difficulty of keeping weapons in a working condition in circumstances such as these may be imagined.
A post-war B.E.M. group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant R. Heather, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (639638 Flt./Sgt. Ronald Heather, R.A.F.); General Service 1918-621 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (639638 F. Sgt. R. Heather, R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (639638 F. Sgt. R. Heather, R.A.F.), minor contact wear, good very fine or better (3) £300-350 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 June 1953.
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