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Lot 62
Eight: BWM, Victory (2nd Lt S.C. Nibbs), 1939-45 star, F&G star, Defence, War, Netherlands Order of Orange Nassau 4th class with rosette; Belgium Order of the Crown with Rosette, mounted as worn, GVF, with corresponding miniatures; R.A.S.C. officer's cap badge by Gaunt, 6 ribbon strips from uniform; a cigarette case stamped 950 Sterling and engraved with name Lt. Col S.C. Lockyer-Nibbs R.A.S.C. and mountain/bridge scene, the reverse engraved with 7th Armoured Division badge, inside engraved 8th and 11th Armoured Division badges and 21 Army Group badge (cigarette retainers AF); a 950 Sterling cigarette lighter with mountain scene only; various letters and other ephemera including a printed paper D-Day "21st Army Group Personal Message from the C-in-C To be read to all troops explaining the operation and giving encouragement with facsimile signature of B.L.Montgomery, General, C-in-C 21 Army Group" (folds and slight wear); tie, etc. £200-250
Lot 1367
Collection of Military & Civil Buttons & Badges, including German WWI Imperial Eagle buttons, assorted French & German buttons, vintage Fire Brigade buttons, Royal Navy buttons, WWII Civil Defence buttons, Royal Warwickshire cap badge, Royal Army Medical Corps cap badge, and a twisted stem George V spoon.
Lot 1282
A collection of gun and shooting related badges, patches and medals including Gloucestershire Regiment blazer badge, Territorial Army Captain, Ruger, Victory, XV World Jamboree Mondial, Bornachi, Maccauw Gun Club, Eley Cartridges, Ian Coley, South African Grand 2005, Hull, Collectors Cartridge Club etc.
Lot 276
The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael & St George, CMG, Companion's breast badge awarded to Brigadier-General Lionel William Pelloe East. 'When war broke out, East was commanding the RGA Cardiff District. In April 1915, he took over command of the 9th and 11th Siege Batteries, forming the 13th Brigade, RGA and embarked for France. He commanded this brigade at the battle of Festubert and the operations subsequent to it. In September 1915, he took part in the Battle of Loos, being wounded in the head in a bombing fight during this period. In November 1915, his brigade was moved down to the Somme. On January 28th 1916, East's brigade took part in the Battle of Frise, in support of the XXth French Corps and was very heavily engaged until the middle of February. He and his batteries were officially thanked in the field by General Balfourier, the Commander of the Corps, for their services. East's headquarters were at Suzanne, at this time a fire-swept, noisy, shell-stricken village, but it suited a man of his temperament, and on promotion to Brigadier-General to command Heavy Artillery of the XIIIth Corps, on April 3rd 1916, it was with difficulty he was induced to move to a somewhat less 'unhealthy' neighbourhood. In the latter capacity he took part in the Battle of the Somme. When, as the battle progressed and fronts we readjusted, the French extended their line somewhat to the northwards, East accompanied his Corps to its new position on the left of the Fifth Army, and while there took part in the operations to the north of the Ancre Valley. In April 1917, he was appointed GOC RA XIIIth Corps, which appointment he only held for a short time owing to ill-health. On being reported fit for duty again he resumed his old command as GOC Heavy Artillery of the XIIIth Corps, which position he held until killed in action on September 6th 1918, having taken part in all operations in which his Corps was engaged up to that date. East possessed a physique far beyond the average and was one of those few men who may be justly described as being entirely without fear. he was of a 'thrusting' fighting temperament, and his governing principle in the employment of his guns in battle was to place them as far forward as possible; this principle he invariably put into practice, and with success. He possessed the faculty of inspiring those under him with his own fighting spirit, and this coupled with a kindly consideration for his subordinates in all circumstances and an intense loyalty towards his superiors, made him a type of artillery commander which which the Regiment may well be proud of.' Consigned for auction by family descendant
Lot 279
British Army WW1 interest General Sir Edmund Allenby's cap badge with handwritten note 'This cap badge was worn by me at the battle of Arras April - June 1917, and in the campaign of Palestine and Syria September 1917 November 1918' signed Edmund HH Allenby 17 II19, mounted in glazed display case, 24 x 16cm
Lot 295
Approximately 150 cap badges, mainly British and Canadian including Royal Army Service Corps economy badge, Herefordshire Regiment, Artist's Rifles, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, Royal Artillery, Dorsetshire Regiment, Fort Garry Horse, South Wales Borderers, First Hussars Canada and South Staffs, some restrikes
Lot 35
A selection of WW2 British and American embroidered patches. To include: a US Airborne Garrison cap patch, an 82nd Airborne patch, European Theatre of Operations patch, 8th Army formation badge, a US Army Pacific patch, and a Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps shoulder title. 6 items. Condition: generally good. Some minor soiling from age and service wear, plus a little fraying / loose thread to a couple from uniform removal.
Lot 105
A fascinating and scarce WW1 archive, relating to 350071 (formerly 176) Pte Frank Pye of the 1/1 East Lancashire Field Ambulance (TF).Including 3 original hand written diaries, numerous original military documents, period Christmas cards, an Army Medical Service armband, and likely a very rare original trench produced magazine for the 1st/1st ELFA, and entitled ‘The Pannier’.Pte Frank Pye was born in 1882 in Royston, Yorkshire.He first enlisted for service as part of the Territorial Force with the 1/1 East Lancs Field Ambulance on April 7th 1913, using the service number 176.His medal index card states that he first entered the conflict on September 28th 1914, in Egypt, and that he is entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.He is additionally entitled to the Silver War Badge (No.B303886) on account of him being discharged on February 12th 1919, under Paragraph 392 Kings Regulations (no longer fit for military service).His original position within the unit was listed as cook, but he later became a stretcher bearer for B section.Included in the lot are 3 pocket book style diaries that give a fascinating and somewhat grizzly insight into the horrors of trench warfare. One entry reads: ‘morning the 14th, left at 10:10 for the station entrained for Staples and then was sent on to Doullins and I was on that train all and night until 4:30 next morning the 15th.I then started to find my unit and found them at 11 o’clock am.I was told……up the line straight away, things are very quiet here.I saw a lot of small balloons going over the German lines. I enquired what they were and was told they were containing messages and photos of Germans lying dead and starving’.It goes on to say: ‘each day was very quiet and everything going on alright all and all merry and bright until the 27th when two of my commanders were killed whilst bandaging another comrade up who had been hit in the head.The names of the two killed was Hastley and Rathbone and the others wounded Walton’.An entry from 5/9/1917 states: in the early hours of the morning our guns started a starvation barrage and the noise was deafening and any amount of wounded kept pouring in day and night - it was simply heartbreaking and a sight I shall never forget.We stayed in the firing line for 11 days and on the morning of the 11th at 1:15am we left the White Chateau for Ypres and directly we got on the road…..dropped mustard gas shells each side of us and heavy lyddite as well and the gas hung around us like a fog, but all went well until we strayed off the road owing to not being able to see with our masks on.I fell down a hole and an overhanging tree caught my mask and I was hanging by it and I had to slip my mask off and in doing so I got a bad dose of gas and it made me very ill for a day or two’. Another entry from later in the war reads: On the morning of 17/7/18 a German plane was brought down about 200 yards from my cookhouse. I went over to it and got some bits off it as cursers(?). It was a huge thing, it was brought down by machine gun fire. A bullet went right through his petrol tank. There were three men in it and when they dropped they set fire to it and it was burnt to bits’.Frank also describes seeing German soldiers hit by British shells, and that ‘again a terrible sight met my eyes, men blown clean in half’.Pte Pye’s original stretcher bearers armband is included in the lot, which is a simple white cotton with a stitched on Red Cross, and the usual ‘Army Medical Service’ ink stamp.Tellingly, the armband seems to still have old blood stains splashed across it, a grizzly testament to some of the horrors witness by its former wearer.A rare piece of ephemera included is the number 7 issue of ‘The Pannier’ magazine, produced by the 1st/1st E.L.F.A, either in the trenches, or very close to the front line.The magazine is very simply produced, using just purple and green inks, and all either handwritten or drawn, and then duplicated for distribution to the men.The pages are stitched or tied at the spine using a thin thread.The print runs of this type of publication were likely very small, and the remaining amount of surviving copies are probably now minuscule.A photograph of Pte Pye in dress uniform is included, as is an original studio photograph of Frank’s brother in law, 2nd Lt Reginald Smallwood of the 5th Battalion Cheshire Regiment, who was killed in action on April 18th 1917.Please note: there are numerous pieces of ephemera such as documents and period regimental Christmas cards, but not all are shown in the image pack.Condition: generally good for their age and service use.The diaries have some loose pages and general wear and tear, but the entries are made in pencil and are quite legible (some typed transcribed pages are also included).Likewise, the original paper documents show some wear, with soiling, creases, and some fragility.The cotton armband is soiled with dirt and blood, and has a very small hole to the hem area.Part of the Red Cross motif has some wear to the surface.
Lot 98
A remarkable and rare, late 19th century military tailor’s pattern book / sketch book, once the property of a Sergeant Master Tailor Henry Meacham of the 2nd Norfolk Regiment.Dated April 1895, and with each page having been meticulously hand illustrated with patterns and measurements for a variety of British Army military attire, medal ribbons from Victorian military campaigns, grooms and coachman’s frock coats, infantry full dress sword and belt, and many other items of civilian clothing.Many of the pages are also filled with other illustrations (many also hand coloured), such as a Victorian lady on bicycle, dogs, horses, birds, fish, regimental flags, and even a picture of one of the tools of his trade, a pair of tailor’s scissors.The information written to the inside cover seems to confirm that the clothing patterns submitted throughout the book were ‘examined and found correct by I.Hawkesford Inspector, and J.W.Pritchard(?) Superintending Foreman.It’s clear that Sgt Meacham was not only a brilliant draughtsman, but a wonderful illustrator as well.A coloured illustration in the book relating to the Pimlico Cutting Academy For Soldiers, might suggest that he served thereThis is better known as the Royal Army Clothing Depot on Grosvenor Road, Pimlico.Period records from his very long army career, and civilian life confirm that he was a tailor, both before and after his military service (detailed below).Notes: Henry William Meacham, born April 7th 1860, in Beccles, Suffolk.Enlisted at Great Yarmouth in the Norfolk Regiment on July 18th 1883 aged 23 years and 3 months, and using the service number 564.His civilian occupation was noted as being a Tailor.According to his attestation papers, he’d already served five and half months in the 4th Norfolk Regiment.His service record states that he served at home from July 1883, though until December 1901, and this included service in Ireland, where he was stationed at Cork.By March 1897, Henry had transferred to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps, and then went on to serve in South Africa during the Boer War from December 1901 through until June 1904, earning himself the Queens South Africa Medal with the clasps for Orange Free State and South Africa 1902.Additionally, he also earned himself the Long Service & Good Conduct Medal.His rank at this time was noted at Sergeant Master Tailor.Henry was discharged from service on October 2nd 1905, but at the outbreak of WW1 in 1914, he again re engaged for the duration of the war.It’s believed that Henry served with the Queens Royal West Surrey Regiment during WW1, and was discharged from service just before the cessation of hostilities in November 1918, by which time he was in his late 50’s.He was discharged from service under paragraph 392 Kings Regulations, meaning he was no longer physically fit for military service.As testament to this, he was entitled to the Silver War Badge (badge number B67082), and this was awarded in 1920.Sgt Meacham was apparently not entitled to any WW1 service medals, with the SWB being his only award from this era.Henry passed away in Norfolk in 1938.Approximately 38.5cm x 27.5cm.Condition: generally good.Some normal age and service related wear, included a little wear to the corners of the pages.The painted colours to the pages are still wonderfully vibrant and bright, with very little soling to any of the pages.
Lot 30
A good WW2 Derbyshire Yeomanry 8th Army Territorial Medal group. Awarded to 4970802 Sjt H.Fahey of the 1st Derbyshire Yeomanry. To include: the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal, 1939-45 War Medal, Territorial Efficiency Medal, and an original Derbyshire Yeomanry cap badge. As is usually found, only the Territorial Efficiency Medal is named: Notes: Sjt Fahey would have earned his Africa Star as part of the 6th Armoured Division, with the Derbyshire Yeomanry being a reconnaissance regiment when it was stationed in Tunisia. The regiment saw action at Kasserine Pass, when they fought against Rommel’s Afrika Korps. The regiment later transferred to Italy, where it was engaged in heavy combat, including at the Battle of Monte Cassino. The medal group is mounted on a bar for wear, with the 8th Army clasp being glued onto the ribbon instead of sewn (a couple of the ribbons may be later replacements). Condition: very good. Age related toning to the stars, and the silver Territorial Efficiency Medal. The cap badge has also toned with age, and has some wear to the high points from polishing.
Lot 134
A selection of 20th century military headwear, to include: A WW2 era Intelligence Corps cap and badge, a 1945 dated South African sun hat (Bombay Bowler), a post WW2 British senior army officer’s dress cap with bullion oak leaves to the peak. Plus, a white topped naval style cap (no badge), marked inside for ‘Cleghorn RNXS (Royal Naval Auxiliary Service), a Greek Naval officer’s cap, and a United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cap. 6 items. Condition: a little wear and damage to some of the hats. The Bombay Bowler is missing the button to the top of the crown, and is a little soiled from use and age. The Intelligence Corps hat has a loose sweatband, and there appears to be a stitching repair where the band meets the crown. The senior officers cap has a small amount of wear to the nap of the cloth. Some small moth holes to the crown of ROTC cap. Some soiling to the crown of the Greek Naval cap.
Lot 91
A late WW1 era, 1918 issued denim 1917 pattern trench cap, as issued to 267657 Sapper John Johnson of the Royal Engineers (and later the R.A.S.C.), plus other associated WW1 items. To include: a 1917 pattern trench cap, manufactured in the late war denim fabric. Dated 1918 to the inside, and made by S. Schneiders & Son, and sized at 67/8. It is further war department stamped with a WD, a broad arrow, a letter P, ans the number 66. The cap is complete with its narrow leather chin strap, affixed with a moulded leather general service button to each side. Mounted to the front is an economy pattern (non voided) Royal Engineers cap badge, with slider. The cap badge is slightly vaulted to fit the shape of the cap better. Plus, a white cotton kit bag or duffle bag, with no apparent date, but War Department stamped to the inside, and marked ‘RE 267657’ in two places to the outside. Also, a WW1 era holdall, designed to be rolled up and contain essential items, such as a knife, fork, spoon, razor, button stick etc. This is also stamped ‘RE 267657’, another similar dark blue woollen example for sewing supplies, a WW1 era white cotton tool holder with button hole, and a WW1 leather bayonet frog, possibly an Australian issue 1914 pattern (no dates or makers marks), and a WW1 thin malacca swagger stick with a hallmarked silver top (hallmarked for London 1914). 6 items. Notes: Sapper John Johnson originally used the service number 250424, and then WR/267657 while with the engineers. His final service number was SS/5576 during his time with the Army Service Corps. His medal index card indicates that he first entered the war on January 4th 1915 (in France & Belgium), and that he is entitled to the 1915 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal. Another piece of period documentation suggests that Spr Johnson was part of a railways company. Condition: generally good to most items. The cap is in excellent condition, with no holes or soiling to the exterior. The sweatband to the interior shows clear signs of wear and soiling to the forehead area. The kitbag has some rust spotting in places, and some tiny holes and snags to the fabric. Some of the brass eyelets at the throat are missing, leaving behind some holes to the edge. The holdall has some light soiling to the outside, but is otherwise good, and the leather frog is also in good order. The swagger stick has some tiny knocks to the silver, but remains otherwise in good condition.
Lot 6
A Boer War / WW1 medal group, awarded to Captain Charles Bere of the Royal Army Medical Corps. To include: the Queen’s South Africa medal with clasps for Transvaal, Orange Free State, and Cape Colony, plus the King’s South Africa Medal with clasps for South Africa 1901 and 1902. Both have engraved naming, as is correct for officers. Additionally, there is a late Victorian era Temperance Medal, and a WW1 Silver War Badge (number 240224), awarded to Charles Bere at the end of WW1. Notes: Charles Bere was born on February 1st 1852 in Ipswich Suffolk. The 1871 census shows Charles as a 19 year Private, while serving at an army camp in Colchester in Essex. By January 1892 Charles was noted as being a Serjeant Major with the Medical Staff Corps. The award of his QSA and KSA are confirmed, as are the clasp entitlements. There seems to be an error in rank between the medals and rolls, with the period QSA and KSA rolls listing his rank as Honorary Lieutenant and Quarter Master, whereas the medals list him as Captain and Quarter Master. The naming is perfectly genuine, and there are no signs of alterations. In the 1911 census Charles is noted as being ‘Captain RAMC Retired Pay’. At the beginning of WW1 he again volunteered for service, this time holding the honorary rank of Major and Quarter Master. His service in WW1 reckoned from August 4th 1914, and was spent entirely on home service in Colchester. His medal index card does not list any medal entitlement for the conflict, but he is entitled to the Silver War Badge, which given his age, was likely to have been under paragraph 392 King’s Regulations (not longer physically fit for service). Charles passed away in 1942 in Colchester, Essex. Condition: generally good. The Boer War pair a somewhat loosely mounted on a pin bar for wear using their original ribbons. The medals are toned, but have a good level of detail remaining. The silk ribbon to the temperance medal is worn and frayed, and the medal is toned. The Silver War Badge is generally good, but the C clasp is slightly bent, which means the pin can’t be moved.
![World War 2: A fine original World War Two A-2 Jacket, [DWG No. 30H1415 - A.C. contract, order No. 42-18775.P] mad](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/aec3df14-fc67-43ec-9ed4-b1a800ae5299/da47f602-fc18-4ad5-a276-b1ae00ab4d5d/468x382.jpg)
Lot 673
World War 2: A fine original World War Two A-2 Jacket, [DWG No. 30H1415 - A.C. contract, order No. 42-18775.P] made by Aero Leather Clothing Co., Beacon, N.Y., size 36R), the front with leather name badge G.L. Hart Junior (Col. George Luzerne Hart Junior) American Flag on right sleeve and badge for 64th fighter wing on front. As a fabric, w.a.f. (1) * G.L. Hart Junior was a Colonel in the Army during World War Two, he was U.S. District Judge of Colombia and played a role in determining the legal proceedings for the Watergate Case.
Lot 737
WWI British, a Victory medal, awarded to Acting Sergeant Stanley Seaton, Lancashire Fusiliers (1588), together with a 1914-15 Star awarded to Private N Snow Royal Army Medical Corps (61494), believe to be a mis-stamp, should be an M not an N, for Matthew, a 1914 Christmas Tin, a Services Rendered badge (C63768), buttons and more (parcel)
Lot 457
Collection of militaria and ephemera to include; 'Tiga Selawan', 'The Journal of the Society of Army Historical Research, September 1922', various pin/stick badges, Edward VIII Commemorative Coronation Medal, 'N.S.D.A.P. Angerburg 1937', Third Reich 1937 'Gau-Tag Weser-Ems in Oldenburg' badge, uniform patches, etc
Lot 14
The magnificent and unique C.B., K.H. Napoleonic War group of five awarded to Colonel Sir John Morillyon Wilson, 1st Foot, later Major of Chelsea Hospital, thirteen times wounded during his service in the Royal Navy and the Army, in the Peninsula and in North America where he was desperately wounded at the battle of Chippewa and his life saved by a native American woman before he was taken prisoner The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) breast badge in 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1815, maker’s mark ‘IE’ for John Edwards, complete with original swivel-ring wide suspension and gold ribbon buckle; The Royal Guelphic Order, K.H. (Military) Knight’s breast badge with swords, gold and enamels, complete with gold ribbon buckle; Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (J. M. Wilson, Midshipman.); Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor (Sir J. M. Wilson, Capt. 1st Foot); Sultan’s Gold Medal for Egypt 1801, 3rd class gold medal, 43 mm, fitted with contemporary straight gold bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle, minor enal chips to wreaths on the first two, otherwise generally good very fine or better and an exceptional group (5) £24,000-£28,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, November 1996. John Morillyon Wilson served as a Midshipman in the Navy for nearly six years. He was employed on the coast of Ireland during the Rebellion in 1798, as well as in the expedition to the Helder in 1799 and Egypt in 1801, where he received a medal from the Captain Pasha for having saved the lives of a boat’s crew belonging to a Turkish man-of-war. He received three wounds whilst as a Midshipman, the last being a severe wound to the head causing total deafness, in consequence of which he was invalided, and quitted the Navy in 1803. His health being restored, Wilson joined the 40th Foot in 1804, before moving to the 63rd Foot in January 1807. Later that year he was a Captain in the 1st Foot (Royals), serving with the 3rd Battalion at Walcheren in 1809, where he was again wounded twice leading the grenadier company during the assault on Flushing. In 1810, he was brought before court martial for using language ‘subversive to discipline, and disrespectful to the character of Colonel Barnes,’ his commanding officer. Although acquitted of conduct unbecoming of a gentlemen, he was found guilty of using language that was disrespectful and sentenced to a public reprimand. He afterwards served in the Peninsula, and was in the battles of Busaco, the retreat to the lines of Torres Vedras, and at the actions of Pombal, Redinha, Condeixa, Casal Nova, Foz d’Arouce, and Sabugal, the blockade of Almeida, and battle of Fuentes D’Onor. In 1812 he joined the 2nd Battalion Royals in Canada, and was in the attack made on Sackett’s Harbour and Great Sodus, where he received a severe bayonet wound. He was also in the actions at Fort Niagara, Black Rock, Buffalo, and the battle of Chippewa. The battle of Chippewa was the first major engagement between Major-General Jacob Brown’s Left Division of the United States Army and the Right Division of Upper Canada led by Major-General Phineas Riall. Both commanders committed a brigade onto the plain of Chippewa during the afternoon of 5 July 1814. The three British units included the 1/1st Foot, 1/8th Foot and 100th Foot. The 1st Foot formed the centre of the British line, and its pre-battle reported strength was 500 all ranks under Lieutenant-Colonel John Gordon. Heavily engaged during the battle, the Royals suffered one officer and 77 other ranks killed, and 8 officers and 144 other ranks wounded. Two officers were taken prisoner and 77 soldiers were reported as missing. Captain John Morillyon Wilson was one of the two severely wounded officers that were taken prisoner. He had been wounded seven times and left for dead on the battlefield. A native armed with a knife then attacked him, but Wilson killed his attacker and was then kept alive by a native woman from a nearby village before being taken prisoner. He was exchanged in February 1815. During his career in the two professions he received 13 wounds, and it is said carried two balls lodged in his body to the grave. The Brevet rank of Major, and that of Lieutenant Colonel, was conferred on him for his conduct at Buffalo and Chippewa. He was placed on half pay in 1822, promoted Colonel in January 1837, and created a Companion of the Bath on 19 July 1838. Colonel Wilson was Gentleman Usher of the Privy Chamber for nearly 20 years to Queen Adelaide. He was appointed Adjutant of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea on 16 November 1822, and Major of the same establishment on 14 July 1855, which position he held until his death there in 1868.
Lot 146
The superb Great War C.B.E., Gallipoli ‘Y’ Beach D.S.O. group of six awarded to Commander A. St. V. Keyes, Royal Navy: the brother of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Keyes, his other claims to fame included service as a pioneer submariner in the Edwardian era, command of the Royal Canadian Navy’s first ever submarine flotilla in 1914, and the successful beaching of the ‘Q’ ship Mavis after she had been torpedoed in June 1917 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. A. St. V. Keyes, D.S.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. St. V. Keyes. R.N.); Coronation 1911, good very fine and better (6) £9,000-£12,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2004. C.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1919. D.S.O. London Gazette 16 August 1915: ‘In recognition of services as mentioned in the foregoing despatch.’ The despatch referred to was that of Vice-Admiral Sir John de Robeck, describing the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25-26 April 1915, and included General Sir Ian Hamilton’s report, which stated that ‘Lieutenant-Commander Keyes showed great coolness, gallantry and ability. The success of the landing on ‘Y’ Beach was largely due to his good service. When circumstances compelled the force landed there to re-embark, this officer showed exceptional resource and leadership in successfully conducting that difficult operation.’ Adrian St. Vincent Keyes was born in Secunderabad, India in December 1882, the son of General Sir Charles Keyes, G.C.B., and was appointed a Midshipman in May 1898 on passing out of the R.N. College Britannia. Advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in December 1901, and to Lieutenant in the following year, he joined the Royal Navy’s fledgling submarine branch in May 1903, in which trade he served more or less continuously until 1909, latterly with his own command - although his service record does note that he incurred their Lordships displeasure at the end of 1905 for some damage caused to the engine of H.M. submarine B3. Having survived this undoubtedly hazardous stint of “underwater service”, young Keyes returned to more regular seagoing duties, and in 1910, the year in which he was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander, he was appointed captain of the destroyer H.M.S. Fawn. According to a contemporary, although blessed with a ‘quick and brilliant brain’, Keyes was fortunate to squeeze through his destroyer C.O’s course - worse for wear as the result of a bad hangover, he bought a copy of The Daily Mail on his way to his final examination, and quickly memorised ‘the time of moon-rise, sunrise, high-water at Tower Bridge, and any other meteorological data the paper propounded’, thereby impressing their Lordships with his remarkably up-to-date knowledge. Interestingly, it was about this time that his brother, Roger, then a Captain, R.N., became senior officer of the submarine branch, an appointment that would act as the springboard to his rapid advancement in the Great War. For his own part, after another seagoing command, the Basilisk, Adrian Keyes was placed on the Retired List in June 1912. The outbreak of hostilities in 1914 found him out in Canada, where he was quickly appointed to the command of the Royal Canadian Navy’s first submarine flotilla, at Shearwater Island, in the rank of Lieutenant-Commander, the force comprising a brace of Holland-type submarines that had just been purchased by the somewhat eccentric Sir Richard McBride, K.C.M.G., the conservative premier of British Columbia - they had originally been built for the Chilean Navy in 1913. Duly christened the CC1 and CC2, Keyes took command of the former, while the latter went to another retired R.N. Officer, Lieutenant Bertram Jones. They were interesting days, not least since all of the labels and instructions in the two submarines were in Spanish. But Keyes and Jones showed great ingenuity in the face of adversity, even making some wooden torpedoes for battle practice until some real ones could be delivered from Toronto. Their respective crews, meanwhile, were packed off to Victoria public baths to practice underwater escape methods. In fact such rapid progress was made with the flotilla’s training programme that Keyes was in a position to sanction its first patrol, a 24-hour run down the Strait of Juan de Fuca, by the end of September 1914. Realistically, however, he realised that his chances of seeing combat in the immediate future were slim, so in January 1915, he successfully applied for an appointment in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Before his departure, however, he was presented with a splendid gold pocket watch by the CC1’s crew. Happily, as luck would have it, he joined his brother Roger - by now Chief of Staff to Vice-Admiral Sir John de Robeck - in H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth, the Admiral’s flagship, as ‘additional for disembarkation duties’, Roger noting in his memoirs how delighted he was to hear of the appointment. Indeed he would also describe in his memoir the events that took place at ‘Y’ Beach on 25-26 April 1915, and the subsequent deeds of his brother, Adrian: ‘There was to be another subsidiary landing on the western flank of the Peninsula at ‘Y’ beach by the Scottish Borderers, the Plymouth Division of the Royal Marines - borrowed from the Naval Division - and a company of the South Wales Borderers ... This landing was to be conducted by my brother Adrian, who had trained the troops to a high state of efficiency in boat work and speedy silent landing ...’ Although the ‘landing proceeded exactly as planned’, subsequent Turkish assaults penetrated the British line, and, at length, the military commanders offshore ordered that the beach be evacuated. Roger Keyes continues: ‘The captain of the destroyer Wolverine was killed on the morning of the 28th; she was a sister ship to the Basilisk, which my brother Adrian had commanded just before he retired, so the Admiral gave him the vacancy. Adrian could not be found until the following day, as after his ‘Y’ Beach had been given up, he attached himself to the troops which were to assault Achi Baba, where he was to establish a naval observation station directly it was captured. He came aboard to report himself on the 29th. I think his feelings were mixed; he said he could hardly bear to tear himself away from the Army. We could get very little out of him, except his intense admiration for the 29th Division and his sorrow at seeing most of the officers of the Scottish Borderers, with whom he had made great friends, killed alongside him. We gathered from him that Brigadier-General Marshall, who was wounded on the 25th but remained in action, like the two Brigadiers of the Division, was always in the thick of every action. I think my brother’s condition was typical of that of the 29th Division - dead dog-tired. He had been fighting incessantly since the 25th, and had hardly slept since the night of the 23rd. His new ship was undergoing repairs, half of her bridge having been shot away, when her captain was killed, so I made him lie on my bed, where he lay like a log for several hours ...’ Adrian Keyes was duly decorated for his work with the Army, three senior military commanders remarking how glad they were to hear of his D.S.O. And he went on to perform ster...
Lot 116
A rare Sudan campaign group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Humphrey Oldfield, Royal Marine Artillery, mentioned in despatches for services in the Sudan where he became the first R.M. officer to command a warship Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Capt: H. Oldfield. R.M.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. H. Oldfield RMA,) naming re-impressed; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 4th Class breast badge, silver gold and enamels; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 3 clasps, Hafir, Sudan 1897, Khartoum, unnamed as issued, mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (4) £3,200-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000. Order of the Medjidie, 4th Class, London Gazette 12 May 1899. Only 27 Queen's Sudan Medals issued officers and men of the Royal Marines; Khedive's Sudan medal unique to a Royal Marines officer with these clasps. Humphrey Oldfield was born on 2 July 1867, the son of Colonel R. Oldfield, Royal Artillery, and entered the Royal Marine Artillery as a Lieutenant in 1884. Following extensive service afloat and on shore in the Mediterranean, he was promoted to Captain in 1895. In 1896 he was seconded for service with the Egyptian Army, in charge of a party of ten Royal Marine Artillery N.C.O.'s sent to act as Gunnery Instructors aboard the Nile Gunboats. During this posting he became the first Marine officer to command a warship, when he was given command of the gunboats Matemmeh and later Hafir, serving with the Nile Flotilla commanded by Commander the Honourable Stanley Colville, R.N. He was present at the bombardment of the dervish batteries at Hafir, when he was exposed to a heavy fire and subsequently took part in the bombardment of Dongola. Having previously done excellent service in connection with the passage of the cataracts, and the building of the new gunboat, he was favourably mentioned in Despatches. In 1898 he was appointed Staff Officer to the Governor of Dongola province; and also held the position of Military Commandant at Nagh Humadi, the terminus of the railway from Cairo. In the Sudan campaign of 1898 he served on the Nile as water transport officer, and successfully navigated the gunboat El-Hafir during the passage up the 4th Cataract. He later Commanded the Kailor, a post boat; and was employed on Water Transport during the advance on, and battle of Omdurman. In 1899 he was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at headquarters and was present during subsequent operations against the Kalifa. His services were recognised by the award of the British Sudan Medal, the Medjidie 4th Class and the Khedive's Sudan Medal with clasps ‘Hafir', 'Sudan 1897' and 'Khartoum', this combination of medals and clasps being unique to a Royal Marine officer. On his return from the Sudan in 1899 he became an Instructor of Musketry, and was later awarded a Special Certificate on passing the Arsenal Course at Woolwich. He next served afloat aboard Irresistible, Mediterranean Fleet 1904, Majestic Home Fleet 1907, and Albermarle, Atlantic Fleet 1908. Promoted Major in 1908, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in 1912, and Lieutenant Colonel in 1917, he served throughout World War I as a Barrack Master. At his own request he was placed on the Retired List in 1920. Lieutenant-Colonel Oldfield died at Gosport on 12 April 1953, aged 85. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Lot 152
The Great War ‘Serbian Retreat’ D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Commander M. E. Cochrane, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (Sub. Lieut. M. E. Cochrane, R.N., H.M.S. Centurion); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. M. E. Cochrane, R.N., H.M.S. Mohawk); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. M. E. Cochrane. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals Commr. M. E. Cochrane. R.N.; Jubilee 1897, silver; Italy, Kingdom, Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, 5th Class breast badge, gold and enamels, enamel damage to centres of cross; Serbia, Order of the White Eagle, 2nd issue, 4th Class breast badge with swords, silver-gilt and enamels, slight enamel damage, mounted for wear, 1914-15 Star sometime gilded, otherwise good very fine and better (9) £2,600-£3,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: R. C. Witte Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007. D.S.O. London Gazette 14 July 1916. ‘In recognition of their services in connection with the evacuation of the Serbian Army and Italian troops from Durazzo in Dec. 1915, and Jan. and Feb. 1916.’ The recommendation states: ‘Second in Command of the British Adriatic drifters. Was in charge of the drifters covering the evacuation of the Italian troops from Durazzo, the operation taking place in bad weather & under fire from the shore’. Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus, Chevalier London Gazette 9 May 1916. Order of the White Eagle, 4th Class London Gazette 1 March 1917. Morris Edward Cochrane was born in 1879, the youngest son of J. H. Cochrane and Charlotte Newton. He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 15 January 1893. He was appointed a Midshipman in February 1895 and was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in August 1898. During the China War of 1900 he served in the Seymour Expedition to Pekin, and on 9 November 1900 he was promoted to Lieutenant for his services in China. He later served in Somaliland and was mentioned in despatches. He was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in November 1908 and Commander in May 1919. For his services in the Great War he was awarded the D.S.O., the Italian Order of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus and the Serbian Order of the White Eagle. Sold with copied service papers and other research.
Lot 232
The impressive Second War K.B.E., inter-War C.B., Gallipoli operations D.S.O. group of thirteen awarded to Vice-Admiral Sir George Swabey, Royal Navy Having served ashore with distinction in Gallipoli as a Naval Observation Officer, he rose to senior rank, serving as a Commodore of Convoys 1940-41 and as Flag Officer in Charge at Portland 1942-44: during the latter posting he successfully oversaw the embarkation of an entire U.S. Army Division bound for the Normandy beaches The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Military) Knight Commander’s 2nd type set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels and breast star, silver, with silver-gilt and enamel centre, in its Garrard & Co., London case of issue; The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, in its Garrard & Co., London case of issue; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Commr. G. T. C. P. Swabey, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. T. C. P. Swabey. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1902, silver; France, 3rd Republic, Legion of Hounour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamels; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander’s neck badge, gilt and enamels, the suspension loop numbered ‘263’, in its case of issue, mounted court-style as worn where applicable, one or two slightly bent arm points on the French piece, otherwise generally good very fine (14) £3,600-£4,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- K.B.E. London Gazette 13 June 1946. C.B. London Gazette 3 June 1930. D.S.O. London Gazette 14 March 1916: ‘He rendered very valuable assistance to the Army as Naval Observation Officer. Strongly recommended by General Sir Francis Davies and General Sir William Birdwood.’ Legion of Honour London Gazette 23 March 1917. U.S.A. Legion of Merit London Gazette 28 May 1946. George Thomas Carlisle Parker Swabey was born in Bedfordshire on 22 January 1881 and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in January 1895. Appointed a Midshipman in January 1897, he subsequently gained seagoing experience in H.M. Ships Cambrian and Venus in the Mediterranean and in the Crescent on the America and West Indies Stations. In 1903 he joined the gunnery establishment Excellent and was afterwards Gunnery Lieutenant in the Revenge and the Irresistible, and First and Gunnery Lieutenant of the Zealandia, in which latter ship he was advanced to Commander in 1913. Soon after the outbreak of hostilities in 1914, Swabey joined the flagship Lord Nelson, and in her sailed for the Dardanelles. He was subsequently appointed a Naval Observation Officer to the Land Forces employed in that theatre of war and was specifically awarded his D.S.O. ‘for services in action during the Gallipoli operations April 1915 to January 1916’, which period also witnessed him being mentioned in despatches by General Sir Charles Munro (London Gazette 12 July 1916). From 1916-17 he served as Executive Officer of the Lord Nelson in the Eastern Mediterranean and in June 1918 he was advanced to Captain. Between the Wars Swabey held several senior appointments, including those of Deputy Director of Naval Ordnance 1921-23; Captain of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich 1924-26 and Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Station 1926-29, when he was the first member of the R.N. to serve on the Royal New Zealand Naval Board. Advanced to Rear-Admiral in the latter year, he was also appointed an A.D.C. to the King and created a C.B. Having been advanced to Vice-Admiral on the Retired List in 1935, Swabey was recalled in September 1939, when he became one of that gallant band of retired Flag Officers to assume the duties of a Commodore of Convoys, in which capacity he served from 1940-41; one newspaper obituary states that ‘after two years’ service on the high seas, Swabey’s ship was sunk from under him and he was exposed for several days in an open boat.’ Then in 1942 he hoisted his Flag as Vice-Admiral in Charge at Portland, where he was entrusted with the preparation for, and execution of, the launching of one of two U.S. Army Divisions to assault the Normandy beaches in June 1944. He was subsequently presented with an official Admiralty Letter of Praise for his part in ‘Operation Neptune’, and the American Legion of Merit ‘for distinguished service during the planning and execution of the invasion of Normandy’ (Admiralty letter of notification, refers). An idea of the scale of his responsibilities in this period maybe be found in the inscription left by the Americans on a local commemoration stone: ‘The major part of the American Assault Force which landed on the shores of France on D-Day 6 June 1944, was launched from Portland harbour. From 6 June 1944 to 7 May 1945, 418,585 troops and 144,093 vehicles embarked from this harbour.’ Swabey was afterwards appointed Naval Officer in Charge at Leith, in which capacity he was awarded the K.B.E., the insignia for which he received at an investiture held on 28 January 1947. The Admiral, ‘a truly good man, kindly and modest, who feared God and honoured the King’, retired to Chichester and died there in February 1952. Sold with Buckingham Palace letter and invitation to attend Investiture on 28 January 1947; Bisley ‘Whitehead Challenge Cup’ medal, silver-gilt and enamels, hallmarked Birmingham 1905, with gilt enamelled ribbon bar ‘1905’ over wreath, and top suspension brooch, silver-gilt and enamel ‘NAVY’ surmounted by Naval crown, unnamed in B. Ninnes, Goldsmith, Hythe case of issue; together with studio portrait in uniform wearing medals and copied research
Lot 84
Five: Commander Hon. Henry Baillie-Hamilton, Royal Navy, one of the small Naval Brigade to land in South Africa in 1851 South Africa 1834-53 (Midshipman H. Baillie.); Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 5th class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed; International, Sovereign Military Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes & Malta, Knight of Honour and Devotion neck badge, 110mm including crown and ribbon bow suspension x 52mm, silver-gilt and enamels, the second polished, otherwise nearly very fine or better (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000. Only eight Royal Navy and two Royal Marine officers were landed in British Kaffraria in 1851 as part of a small Naval Brigade. Henry Baillie was born on 29 August 1832, the fourth son of George Baillie who, in 1859, became the 10th Earl of Haddington, and assumed the additional name of Hamilton as well as the Honourable title. He entered the Royal Navy as a 1st Class Volunteer in 1847 and in 1849 he was appointed to H.M.S. Castor, Commodore Christopher Wyvill, attached to the Cape of Good Hope Squadron. In 1851 he was a member of the 126 strong Naval Brigade landed to support the Army in South Africa. In a letter from Commodore C. Wyvill, dated 27 December 1851, he is recorded as having 'Behaved with the greatest credit whilst co-operating with the Army during the War in British Kafferia' and ordered to be noted for favourable consideration for promotion when he passes for Lieutenant. Appointed to the steamer Spiteful in 1853 and was present in the Black Sea during the first great bombardment of Sebastopol in which action he received a deep lacerated wound in the upper and back part of the thigh from a fragment of a rocket. He was gazetted on 3 November 1854, as having been severely wounded. He served aboard Spiteful throughout the entire Crimean campaign. On passing his examination he was promoted to Mate in February 1856. He received the Turkish and British Crimea Medals, the latter with clasp 'Sebastopol' and the Order of Medjidie 5th Class, being at the time one of the youngest officers to receive this honour. In November 1857 he was appointed Mate of the steamer Ardent, Commander John H. Cave, on the West Coast of Africa. In a letter of 11 February 1858, Rear Admiral the Hon Sir Frederick Grey, K.C.B., Commander in Chief Cape of Good Hope and West Coast of Africa reported favourably on his conduct whilst engaged with the Soosos Chief in operations on the Coast of Africa. In recognition of this service he was specially promoted to Lieutenant on 25 April 1858. In April 1859 he was appointed Lieutenant of Cresset, Steamer, Captain the Hon Charles Elliot C.B., Mediterranean, followed in 1862 by Imperieuse, Flag Ship East Indies and China, Rear-Admiral Sir James Hope K.C.B.; and in 1864 Victoria, Flag Ship Mediterranean, Vice Admiral Robert Smart K.C.B. K.H. On 6 January 1866, he was dismissed from Victoria by sentence of Court Martial and sentenced to lose one year's seniority as a Lieutenant. He was next appointed in June 1866 to the Royal George Captain Thomas Tiller, Coast Guard Service, Kingstown. In May 1869 he was severely reprimanded for slipping the anchor cable of Royal George on the occasion of the Whitsuntide Review. On paying off from Royal George in December 1869 he remained on shore until he retired at his own request on the 10 January 1871, with rank of Commander. He became a Justice of the Peace for Berwickshire and for philanthropic services he was created a Knight of Malta in 1883, dying in 1895.
Lot 85
The outstanding group of five awarded to The Reverend Edward A. Williams, Chaplain of the Pearl in the Indian Mutiny, being frequently mentioned in despatches; he was author of ‘The Cruise of the Pearl round the World, with an account of the operations of the Naval Brigade in India’, published in 1859 Baltic 1854, unnamed as issued; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Rev. Edwd. A. Williams, Chaplain. Pearl.); Jubilee 1887 with bar 1897; Coronation 1902; Coronation 1911, light contact marks to the first two, otherwise good very fine and better (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996. Edward Adams Williams was born on 26 March 1826, the second son of Henry Williams of Glasthule, Co Dublin, whose ancestor settled at Rath Kool when William III carried on a successful campaign in Ireland. His mother, née Esther McClure, was a descendant of two Huguenot families, de la Cherois and Crommeline, who were invited by William III to settle in County Antrim and improve the damask manufactures. He graduated from Trinity College, Dublin, in 1848, obtaining the Divinity Testimonial. Ordained by the Bishop of Worcester and subsequently, in 1849, given the curacy of Lye, Worcestershire. He joined the Royal Navy when appointed as the Chaplain of H.M.S. St George on 3 March 1854, seeing service in the Baltic campaign of 1854. He received the additional rank of Naval Instructor on 25 April 1855, and a month later was re-appointed to H.M.S Hawke as her "Chaplain & Naval Instructor", and was present at the attack on the forts in the Gulf of Riga during 1855, earning the Baltic Medal. He was appointed as the ship's Chaplain to H.M.S. Pearl on 3 May l856, and served the whole time ashore with Pearl’s Naval Brigade prior to being ‘paid off’ on 15 January 1859. From 27 November 1857 Pearl’s Naval Brigade became the only wholly European manned part of the Sarun Field Force. The Reverend Williams was Mentioned in Despatches on the following occasions: by Captain E. S. Sotheby, R.N., in letters dated 28 December 1857, 1st March, 9th March and 29th April 1858, and also by Colonel F. Rowcroft, Commanding Sarun Field Force, on 22nd February and 6th March 1858. He subsequently served aboard H.M. Ships Royal Adelaide, Reserve Depot Ship, Devonport (1860-62), and Impregnable, Training Ship, Devonport (1862-64). His final sea appointment was aboard H.M.S. Cadmus on the North America and West Indies Station commencing 28 February 1865. His last naval appointment was to H.M.S. Excellent, Gunnery Training Ship at Portsmouth, on 4 April 1868. In 1872 he was appointed Secretary of the Church Missionary Society for the Metropolitan District. From 6 March 1875 he became the Chaplain serving with the Royal Marine Artillery, Portsmouth, until 19 May 1880, when he was transferred to Sheerness Dockyard as the Chaplain for 18 months prior to serving in a similar capacity in Portsmouth Dockyard until retired in 1886 as the senior Chaplain, but not chosen to be the Chaplain of the Fleet. He received the appointment as Honorary Chaplain to Queen Victoria in 1898, retaining this similar honour to Edward VII and George V until he died at 5 Queen's Gate, Southsea on 13 April 1913 aged 87 years. He was buried at Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea on 16 April, but due to the inclement weather, with agreement of his relatives, the event was to a large extent shorn of the ceremonial element. The coffin of polished oak, covered with a Union Jack, upon which was placed his stole, war medals and coronation honours and his badge as Honorary Chaplain to the King, was borne to the cemetery on a naval field-gun carriage drawn by bluejackets. It was preceded by a Naval firing party, who fired three volleys above his grave witnessed by mourners, who included a few veterans from the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. The ceremony ended with a Naval bugler sounding the ‘Last Post’. Williams was author of The Cruise of the Pearl round the World, with an account of the operations of the Naval Brigade in India, published in 1859. Concerning the landing of the Naval Brigade, Williams claimed: ‘This is, I believe, the only example of the Royal Navy leaving their ships, and taking their guns seven or eight hundred miles into the interior of a great continent, to serve as soldiers, marching and counter-marching for fifteen months through extensive districts, and taking an active part in upwards of twenty actions.’ Of the thirteen chapters of the book, eleven relate to the activities of the Naval Brigade. Prior to the ship’s arrival at Calcutta on 12 August 1857, she had spent over a year after leaving England on a voyage which included the passage of the Strait of Magellan, the punishment of Peruvian revolutionaries who had plundered a British ship, and visits to the Sandwich Islands (Hawaii) and Hong Kong, where the Pearl stayed only a month before being ordered to Calcutta. Thereafter Williams faithfully chronicled the movement up country of the Naval Brigade and the actions which it fought under Captain Sotheby’s immediate command and in support of Indian Army units, but he had little to say concerning his own duties as chaplain: ‘After parade came daily prayers, for the men of the Naval Brigade, which lasted about ten minutes. This custom not being unusual on board a “man-of-war” was continued throughout the campaign.’ He spoke of the war as “brutalising, in which quarter was neither given nor received. No European that fell into their hands could expect anything but a most cruel death... and therefore prisoners were not taken.” Williams was formerly Hon Editor of the Anchor Watch, and the last survivor of the founders of the Royal Naval Scripture Reader's Society, of which he had been the first Honorary Secretary when it was inaugurated at Devonport in 1860.
Lot 200
The important Second War K.C.B., C.B.E., Royal Visit M.V.O. group of twenty-one awarded to Admiral Sir William Tennant, Royal Navy After playing a pivotal role in Operation ‘Dynamo’ in 1940, when he was the Senior Naval Officer ashore at Dunkirk and the last to depart the beleaguered port, he likewise played a vital role in the planning and execution of Operation ‘Neptune’ in 1944, not least in the deployment of the Mulberry Harbours and ‘Pluto’ pipelines In the interim, he served as captain of H.M.S. Repulse in the Far East, up until her famous loss to Japanese aircraft in 1941, on which unhappy occasion he determined to go down with his ship, but three of his officers pushed him bodily off the bridge and over the side The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; and breast star, silver, with gold and enamel appliqué centre; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver and enamel; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse numbered ‘1189’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. G. Tennant, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. G. Tennant. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Capt. W. G. Tennant. M.V.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Croix de Guerre 1939, with palm; Greece, Kingdom, Order of George I (Military), 2nd Class set of insignia by Spink, London, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver-gilt and enamels, red enamel in centre of badge badly chipped; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, suspension loop numbered ‘385’, mounted court-style where appropriate, together with related mounted group of twenty miniature medals (not including Greek Order), generally good very fine or better (24) £8,000-£10,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Spink, December 1997, when the Greek insignia was incorrectly described as that of the Order of the Phoenix. K.C.B. London Gazette 18 December 1945: ‘For distinguished service throughout the War in Europe.’ C.B. London Gazette 7 June 1940: ‘For good services in organising the withdrawal to England under fire and in the face of many and great difficulties of 335,490 officers and men of the Allied Armies, in about one thousand of His Majesty’s Ships and other craft between the 27th May and 4th June 1940.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For distinguished service as Senior Naval Officer on shore at Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and part of the French Army. His excellent liaison with the French authorities enabled the drawn-out process of embarkation, both from the breakwater and the beaches, to be carried out to the best possible advantage. This work was carried on throughout the whole period of nine days under the strain of continuous bombardment both from the air and land.’ C.B.E. London Gazette 28 November 1944: ‘For distinguished services in operations which led to the successful landing of Allied Forces in Normandy.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Rear-Admiral Tennant was the Flag Officer placed in charge of the operations connected with the construction of the artificial harbours and craft shelters, known collectively as ‘Mulberries’ and ‘Gooseberries’. Nothing of this extent and nature has ever before been attempted, even in times of peace, and for the work to be successful called for great powers of organisation, combined with initiative, resource and seamanlike skill of a very high order, all of which was forthcoming in full measure. In addition to this task Admiral Tennant was charged with the responsibility for co-ordinating all the multifarious towing requirements connected with the operation, extending over a period of several months, as well as for other tasks in all of which he was supremely successful. His tact, patience and charm of manner overcame many difficult situations and gained of him the universal support of the heterogeneous collection of individuals comprising the organisations which he had formed and over which he so effectively presided. I have no hesitation in stating that the very satisfactory maintenance of the Allied Armies in France was due in large measure to the successful work of Admiral Tennant and his organisation.’ M.V.O. London Gazette 10 November 1925: ‘On the occasion of the visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Africa and South America.’ Greek Order of George I London Gazette 15 April 1947: ‘For valuable services to the Royal Hellenic Navy during the war in Europe.’ U.S.A. Legion of Merit London Gazette 15 October 1946: ‘For services to the United States of America during the war.’ His French Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre are also verified and were for services on the Staff of the C.-in-C. of the Allied Expeditionary Force in the liberation of France. The original recommendation (ADM 1/16697) states: ‘As a member of Admiral Sir Bertram H. Ramsay’s staff, he played an important part in the preparation and, especially, in the execution of the operations of disembarkation in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and the days immediately following, thus effectively participating in the liberation of a portion of French territory.’ William George Tennant was born at Upton-on-Severn on 2 January 1890, the son of an army officer, and was educated at Hanley Castle Grammar School prior to entering the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in May 1905. Subsequently confirmed in the rank of Sub. Lieutenant in December 1909, and advanced to Lieutenant in June 1912, he specialised in navigation. During the Great War he served in the Harwich Force, in the destroyers Lizard and Ferret, and afterwards in the Grand Fleet in the cruisers Chatham and Nottingham, and he was present at the latter’s loss on 19 August 1916, when she was torpedoed in the North Sea by the U-52, with a loss of 38 men. Having ended the war in the cruiser Concord, Tennant was next appointed to the royal yacht Alexandra, in which role he made a good impression, for, in September 1921, as a recently promoted Lieutenant-Commander, he joined the battle cruiser Renown as navigating officer for the Prince of Wales’s royal tour to India and Japan. That too clearly went well, for he was subsequently appointed navigating officer of the Repulse for the Prince’s tour to Africa and South America in 1924-25. He was advanced to Commander and appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.). Royal service aside, Tennant gained valuable experience in the Operations Division of the Admiralty in the mid-20s, toured the Mediterranean as executive officer of the cruiser Sussex in 1929-30, and was advanced to Captain on the staff of the R.N.C. Greenwich in December 1932. Another tour in the Mediterranean having ensued, in command of the cruiser Arethusa, he was appointed Chief Staff Officer to First S...
Lot 208
The post-War C.B.E. and Second War D.S.C. group of six awarded to Captain (E.) H. G. Southwood, Royal Navy, who was decorated for H.M. submarine Regent’s gallant mission to the Gulf of Kotor in April 1941, in order to rescue a British diplomat. After frantic negotiations with Yugoslavs and Italians alike, the absent diplomat failed to appear; more reliable were the two German aircraft that did, the pair of them machine-gunning and bombing Regent with consequent damage and casualties The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, complete with neck cravat in its Toye, Kenning & Spencer Ltd. case of issue; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1941, hallmarks for London 1941; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1967. D.S.C. London Gazette 30 September 1941: ‘For daring, enterprise and coolness in taking H.M. Submarine Regent into the port of Kotor to try to embark His Britannic Majesty’s Envoy-Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary accredited to the Government of Yugoslavia, and in keeping her there for nine hours though surrounded by large forces of the Italian Army.’ The original recommendation states: ‘This officer coolly went from compartment to compartment during the latter half of the bombing attacks, looking for defects. He arranged for the destruction of the remaining secret publications, the moment the order “Abandon Ship” was given. He gave every possible assistance to Sub. Lieutenant Anderson in taking charge and by his coolness kept up the spirits of the ship’s company.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 May 1942: H.M.S. Regent. Eight Mediterranean War Patrols from October 1940 to August 1941. Horace Gerald Southwood was born in Portsmouth on 19 April 1912, and entered the Royal Navy an Engine Room Artificer Apprentice in August 1927. Having then served in the Mediterranean and Home Fleets in the battleships Resolution and Barham, he attended engineering courses at the shore establishment Fisgard and the R.N.C. Greenwich. Commissioned as an Acting Sub. Lieutenant (E.) in July 1935, he next attended a submariner’s course at Dolphin and was serving as a Lieutenant (E.) in the Regent at the outbreak of hostilities. She was then stationed in the Far East in the 4th Submarine Flotilla but transferred to the 1st Flotilla at Alexandria, Egypt in April 1940. Initially employed on mine-laying duties, Regent transferred to regular war patrols in the Eastern Mediterranean and Adriatic in second half of the year, where she accounted for at least two Italian merchantmen. But it was for his part in Regent’s gallant foray into the Gulf of Kotor in April 1941 that Southwood was awarded the D.S.C. On that occasion, having negotiated two minefields, Regent’s captain, Lieutenant-Commander H. C. Browne, R.N., was charged with obtaining the release of a British diplomat. Much has been written of subsequent events, for her nine-hour mission inside enemy territory was of an exceptional nature, comprising as it did two ports of call, much heated negotiation with Italians and Yugoslavs and then finally Regent coming under sustained attack. Her first port of call was at Ercegnovi, where two Yugoslavs offered to inform the resident Italian commandant of Regent’s diplomatic mission, while she lay off the small harbour sporting her White Ensign. In due course, the Yugoslavs advised Browne to make for Zelenika, where an Italian commandant and staff officer were received with due ceremony on Regent’s fore-casing. Here, it was ascertained that a British officer would have to journey ashore for a meeting with an Italian Admiral at Kotor. Browne delegated one of his officers, Lieutenant Lambert, but only on the proviso the Italian staff officer remained aboard Regent in exchange. Regent then lay off Zelenika all the forenoon, closed up at diving stations, awaiting Lambert’s return. When, however, two German aircraft appeared on the scene, Browne alerted Alexandria and Malta of his predicament. He then made his way to the bridge, joining his First Lieutenant and a Petty Officer, and it was at this moment that the two enemy aircraft commenced to bomb and machine-gun Regent. A related article, by George A. Brown, A Trip to the Dalmatian Coast, takes up the story: ‘The first run of bombs lifted Regent sufficiently out of the water to force air out of the ballast tanks and gave Lieutenant-Commander Browne the impression the pressure hull had been pierced and he gave the order to the Control Room to prepare to abandon ship. A fire was hastily lit with only waste in the engine room to burn the cypher books, and the fuses of the depth charges, carried to destroy the submarine, were laid. At the same time a compartment-to-compartment inspection was carried out to determine the extent of the damage. It was possible at the end of the third or fourth bombing run, a few minutes after the order to prepare to abandon ship had been given, [for Southwood] to report to the bridge that the submarine appeared to have suffered no structural damage. The First Lieutenant was wounded in the chest, and the Petty Officer, who had a flesh wound, were assisted down the conning tower. The captain pressed the klaxon and Regent disappeared into her natural element. Nine hours had now elapsed since Regent first entered Topla Bay and although Lieutenant-Commander Browne had promised Lieutenant Lambert that he would wait for him as long as possible, he appreciated it he was to leave the harbour at all, it had to be at night. Remaining dived, and conning the submarine through the periscope, he navigated her out through the entrance and through the minefields to the open sea, running the gauntlet of the fire of the shore batteries mounted on the surrounding hills. Lieutenant-Commander Browne had several flesh wounds at the back of his neck and legs, partly from splinters and partly from machine-gun fire. However, he had lost little of the toughness which had gained him his Irish International and Naval rugby caps, and he remained in the Control Room until the submarine was safely in the open sea. By this time stock of the situation had been taken and it was found that the battery had been badly damaged. Some 60 cells were cracked which necessitated disconnecting one of the three sections to the battery and reducing the voltage in the other two. A submarine without a battery is not a submarine at all and Regent was fairly lame. The five-day passage back to Malta was a weary and anxious time. The Sub. Lieutenant, who had only joined the submarine a few days before, and the Engineer Officer [Southwood] were in two watches, which together with their other duties of navigating, cyphering, nursing the battery and so on, left them little time for rest. The captain was able to keep watch for the first day or so, with the assistance of a homemade shooting stick, until the weather deteriorated and the wound in his leg made it impossible. Fortunately, enemy surface vessels, which were usually patrolling the Otranto Straits, were not encountered as it was unlikely Regent’s battery would have stood up to a prolonged attack and certainly not depth charges. The homeward passage was as uneventful as the outward one six days previously. It became known afterwards that the British minister, together with about 50 Belgian, Dutch and Polish...
Lot 157
The exceptional Great War destroyer captain’s D.S.O., inter-War M.V.O. group of five awarded to Commander J. O. Barron, Royal Navy, who displayed exceptional gallantry at Jutland, when, as captain of the destroyer Acasta, he braved a galling fire to offer assistance to Loftus Jones, V.C. in the destroyer Shark Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘1100’; 1914-15 Star (Commr. J. O. Barron, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Commr. J. O. Barron. R.N.) mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £3,600-£4,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.O. London Gazette 11 December 1918: ‘For services in Grand Fleet destroyers in the period 1 January to 30 June 1918.’ M.V.O. London Gazette 23 July 1920. John Ouchterlony Barron was born in Reigate, Surrey on 5 October 1882, the son of an army officer, Netterville Barron, and his wife Louisa, daughter of General John Twiss. Entering the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1896, Barron was advanced to Lieutenant in December 1903 and to Lieutenant-Commander in December 1911. He married Evelyn Buckle in June of the latter year and their son, also John, became a well-known actor, best remembered for his role as ‘CJ’ in the comedy series The Rise and Fall of Reginald Perrin, starring Leonard Rossiter. Another happy event in 1912 was Barron’s appointment to his first command, the destroyer H.M.S. Acasta, and she was quickly called to action in the Great War, when she sallied forth to intercept the enemy squadron that bombarded Scarborough on 14 December 1914. But it was at Jutland that Barron and the Acasta gained wider fame, as made clear by the extensive, glowing commentary afforded both. One witness to the destroyer’s plucky performance was moved to exclaim, ‘Perfectly magnificent! Thank God I’m an Englishman!’ On that occasion, in the company of her consorts from the 5th Destroyer Flotilla, Acasta was attached to the 3rd Battle Cruiser Squadron, and took part in a spirited counter-attack against German destroyers before coming under fire from enemy light cruisers. Barron takes up the story: ‘Things very quickly became unpleasantly warm. The German shooting was undoubtedly good, their salvoes falling close together – perhaps too close together, really – but at first we were little hit, although a piece of shell scalped a signalman on our bridge, and a lot of shell splinters were flying about. We afterwards picked out 30 or 40 pieces from the mattresses slung round the bridge. Also, on the bridge we were all soaked through by the spray thrown up by shell, causing the sub.-lieutenant to remark that, “An umbrella would be handy” … ’ The Jutland Honours, by Chris Bilham, continues: ‘The Acasta received her first hit, right forward on the waterline; it felt as if the whole ship had been pushed sideways and the mess deck was badly damaged. Barron then noticed that Shark had been hard hit; Acasta came alongside and Barron offered his assistance. “Don’t get sunk for us!” Loftus Jones shouted back, and ordered Barron away. While approaching Shark, Acasta noticed the Lutzow on her port quarter and turned to attack her. She approached to within 4,500 yards and launched a torpedo; Barron believed that it hit, but this was not confirmed by post-war investigation. For twenty minutes the Acasta was under a storm of fire from the battlecruiser’s secondary armament and from her escorting cruisers and destroyers. She was hit repeatedly; two shells burst in the engine-room killing or wounding the Engineer Officer and four men. They smashed the steering engine, set fire to the engineer’s store, wrecked the dynamo and cut various exhaust pipes. The engine-room filled with scalding steam and had to be evacuated. Barron rang down “Stop” and “Astern” but with no result. As a result, the destroyer was unable either to steer or stop her engines and was tuning wild circles directly in the path of the approaching Grand Fleet. She managed to barge her way through the escorting destroyer screen without collision, more by good luck than management. At around 18.30 the crew finally managed to cut off steam at the boilers and the ship came to a halt, flying the signals “Not under control” and “Am in danger of sinking.” The lines of battleships swept past only a couple of hundred yards away, some to port and some to starboard, just as if Acasta was the royal yacht at a fleet review. The men were very excited and cheered each ship as she passed, with a particularly loud cheer for the Commander-in-Chief in Iron Duke. For their part, men in the battleships were impressed by the display of enthusiasm from the battered destroyer’s indomitable crew. An officer in the Marlborough recalled, “We passed a disabled destroyer on our starboard bow, very close to us. She was badly holed forward and aft, and was very much down by the bows, but the crew were clustered aft cheering us and the other ships as we passed, and then she disappeared astern, rolling heavily in the wash of the battle-fleet, but with her ensign still flying, apparently not done for yet.” Barron inspected his wrecked ship: “The engine-room was in an awful mess, and the store-room just abaft it absolutely wrecked and smouldering. The dynamo had ceased to exist, there was oil-fuel everywhere, and the upper deck all round the after part of the engine-room was riddled with holes. We did our best to fill up holes in the side with hammocks, canvas, etc., but it didn’t make much difference. We had great difficulty in getting down to the engine-room, as there was still a lot of steam escaping, but eventually we got all the people up from there … The destruction of the dynamo left us with no lights except candles, which made repair work very difficult, especially later when it got dark, but the engine-room department did wonders particularly when it is remembered the store-room had been wrecked, and that they were left with practically no spare parts or tools. The remarks of the artificers trying to fit a three-eighths nut on to a five-eighths bolt, by candle-light in some out-of-the-way corner, working up to their waists in oil and water, were distinctly illuminating.” Around midnight these repairs enabled Acasta to steam about two or three knots and she set a zig zag course towards Scotland. At 9.45 a.m. on 1st June she encountered the destroyer Nonsuch which escorted her towards Aberdeen. Around noon the Nonsuch took Acasta in tow as her fuel was almost exhausted and the weather was deteriorating. The two ships arrived at Aberdeen on the evening of the 2nd. Her casualties were six killed, one wounded. Acasta was so badly damaged that she practically had to be rebuilt.’ Loftus Jones of the Shark was awarded a posthumous V.C. and Barron a mention in despatches (London Gazette 15 September 1916, refers). His service record further records his special promotion to Commander: ‘This officer stood by Shark under a very heavy fire and although the engine room was wrecked and steering gear broken down, and the ship a partial wreck, he successfully by the aid of Nonsuch returned to harbour.’ Following Jutland, Barron commanded the destroyers Nizam (June-October 1916), Restless (October 1916-July 1917), Onslaugh...
Lot 362
WWI ARMY BADGES ETC. Various army cap badges etc: an Australian Commonwealth Military Force (with lugs & pin), Scottish Horse (one lug, no pin), Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Infantry pin brooch, a Norfolk Regiment cap badge, a Yorkshire shoulder title (no pin), a Royal Artillery button converted into a brooch & a British Legion lapel badge. (7) Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
Lot 207
World War 2 medal group of five - Rough Riders framed and glazed A well framed and glazed World War 2 medal group consisting of War medal, Defence medal, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 1st Army bar and Italy Star. Also mounted with medals is a Royal Artillery Cap badge and a rare "Rough Riders" cloth shoulder title.
Lot 252
Pair: Private J. Clayton, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders British War and Victory Medals (S-31926 Pte. J. Clayton. Camerons.); together with an Army Rifle Association Medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘1st Cameron Highlanders Won by 2922146 J. Clayton. A. Coy.’, edge bruising, good fine Pair: Lance-Corporal A. F. Soffe, 9th South African Infantry British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (L/Cpl. A. F. Soffe. 9th S.A.I.); together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘SA3764’, very fine 1914-15 Star (2) (119485 Pnr. W. Davis, R.E.; Burg. D. J. du Toit Potch Kdo.) nearly very fine (8) £60-£80 --- William Davis attested for the Royal Engineers and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 September 1915, later transferring to the Royal Flying Corps.
Lot 499
1914 Star (12325 Dvr: G. Clarkson. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (2) (15587 Pte. A. Dockree. Essex R.; 9534 Pte. G. Stoney. Conn: Rang:); British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (59127 Pte. S. Levy. R. W. Fus.; Lieut. W. B. Nicol.) generally very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- George Clarkson was born in Chorley in 1892 and attested for the Royal Field Artillery at Preston on 27 June 1911, having already served three years with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Mobilised on 15 August 1914, he witnessed extensive service in France, much of that time acting as fitter in a Divisional Ammunition Column. His Army Service Record notes a number of occasions of overstaying leave, adding ‘infidelity of his wife’. Alfred Dockree served in France with the 11th Battalion, Essex Regiment, and later transferred to the Royal Defence Corps. George Stoney served in Salonika with the 5th Battalion, Connaught Rangers from 19 December 1915. He was discharged medically unfit in March 1919 and issued a Silver War Badge. Samuel Levy is recorded in the UK, British Jewry Roll of Honour, 1914-1918, for service with the Royal Welch Fusiliers during the Great War.
Lot 291
Four: Captain M. F. Tayler, 17th ‘Black Cat’ Indian Division, Indian Army, late 7th Rajput Regiment 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with the recipient’s card dog tags (2) to ‘E.C. 5432 2nd Lt. M. F. Tayllr [sic] C of E’, mounted for wear, very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Michael Frederick Tayler was born at Newport Pagnell on 11 August 1920, the son of Leonard Frederick William Tayler, a Merchant Navy Purser and former Captain in the Royal Marines. Recorded in 1939 as Assistant Master at the Dunchurch-Winton Hall Preparatory School, Warwickshire, he served as War Substantive Lieutenant with the 7th Rajput Regiment in Burma from 1944-45. Advanced War Substantive Captain 10 September 1945, he witnessed the disbandment of his unit in January 1947 under higher formation of the distinguished 17th ‘Black Cat’ Indian Division - where his comrades in the 6th Battalion of the Rajput Regiment served variously in divisional reconnaissance and with the 255th Tank Brigade. Post-war, Tayler is recorded by Crockford’s as a member of the clergy; he died in 1992. Sold with a 17th ‘Black Cat’ cloth formation badge and brass shoulder title for the 7th Rajputs.
Lot 58
A post-War M.B.E. group of five awarded to Captain B. Lloyd, Royal Engineers, who served as a Bomb Disposal Officer commanding 49 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron in the Falkland Islands from June to September 1982, ‘dealing with a large quantity of unexploded objects including bombs, missiles, rockets and mortars’ The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23902216 S. Sgt. B. Lloyd RE.); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (Capt B Lloyd RE); Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (23902216 WO2 B Lloyd RE) mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £2,600-£3,000 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1983. The original Recommendation, dated 4 November 1982, states: ‘Captain Lloyd is a Bomb Disposal Officer commanding 1 Troop, 49 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, Royal Engineers based at Brackenbury Camp, Felixstowe. The troop consists of ten military and fifty civilian personnel, including twenty seven Ukrainians. During the period June 1980 to November 1982 Captain Lloyd has been responsible for the successful disposal of over forty thousand items of Unexploded Explosive Ordnance in the United Kingdom. From June to September 1982 he did a similar job in the Falkland Islands, dealing with a large quantity of unexploded objects including bombs, missiles, rockets and mortars. On several occasions, in both locations, the conditions were particularly hazardous and dangerous. He achieved the safe disposal of all of these items without injury to personnel, with minimum damage to property, and at no risk to the community at large. His performance, example and leadership have inspired confidence in all those who have come in contact with him, and have been the main reason for the total success of those under his command. In addition to his normal duties Captain Lloyd has taken an intense personal interest in the welfare of the Ukrainian element of his Troop. He has spent many hours of his own time assisting them in their personal, social, and recreational affairs. Nothing has been too much trouble for him and he has become a trusted father figure in their community. In the Falkland Islands, too, he exhibited the sane qualities in his unceasing efforts to make the very best of the spartan facilities for his Troop. Captain Lloyd has shown constant courage, inspiring leadership and a high professionalism in the safe despatch of a large number of dangerous unexploded objects in both the United Kingdom and the Falkland Islands. He has gone out of his way to care for his men in a manner far beyond that expected of him. His selfless, courageous, and devoted service deserve special recognition.’ Brian Lloyd was born on 5 April 1938 and attested for the Royal Engineers at Doncaster on 8 February 1962. He served at predominately at home, with the B.O.A.R., and undertook three tours of Northern Ireland, from 4 January to 3 May 1974; from 5 June to 11 October 197; and 2 to 17 May 1977. Advanced Warrant Officer Class I, he was commissioned Lieutenant on 19 May 1980 and served as a Bomb Disposal Officer commanding 1 Troop, 49 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squadron, Royal Engineers based at Brackenbury Camp, Felixstowe. Promoted Captain on 19 May 1982, he saw further service on bomb disposal duties in the Falkland Islands, and for his services was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1983 Birthday Honours’ List. He retired on 25 May 1985. Sold with the recipient’s original Bestowal Document for the M.B.E., dated 11 June 1983, mounted in a glazed frame; Regular Army Certificate of Service Red Book (which confirms his entitlement to the Jubilee Medal); Certificate of Qualifications; and other research, including a photographic image believed to be of the recipient.
Lot 43
An inter-War K.C.M.G., Great War D.S.O. group of ten awarded to Colonel Sir William R. Campion, Sussex Regiment, who served as Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex 1910-24, and as Governor of Western Australia 1924-31 The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, K.C.M.G. Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; and breast Star, silver, silver-gilt, gold appliqué, and enamel, with gold retaining pin; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; and breast Star, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. W. R. Campion. R. Suss. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with copy M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. W. R. Campion.); Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1919, with integral top brooch bar, mounted court-style for display, minor pitting to BWM, lacquered, generally good very fine and better (12) £4,000-£5,000 --- K.C.M.G. London Gazette 23 July 1924. D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918. Knight of Grace, Order of St. John London Gazette 22 June 1928. Sir William Robert Campion was born on 3 July 1870, the eldest son of Colonel W. H. Campion, C.B., and the maternal grandson of Viscount Hampden, and was educated at Eton and New College, Oxford. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Sussex Regiment, on 24 November 1888, and was promoted Lieutenant on 27 September 1890, and Captain on 19 December 1894. Re-numbered the 4th Battalion, he was promoted Major on 23 April 1915, and served as Colonel Commanding the 4th Battalion with the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel during the Great War in Gallipoli from 17 July 1915. Confirmed in that rank on 4 September 1915, he was invalided home in late 1915, before going to France in 1916 in command of the 15th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, before transferring to the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. For his services during the Great War he was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 28 January 1916, 18 December 1917, and 9 July 1919), and was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Following the cessation of hostilities he returned to the Royal Sussex Regiment for service with the army of occupation in Germany. Campion served as Conservative Member of Parliament for Mid-Sussex from 1910 to 1924 (with the constituency having various different names during the period), and in that latter year was appointed Governor of Western Australia (together with the accompanying knighthood), serving until his retirement in 1931, a period which coincided with the State’s centennial celebrations in 1929. Retiring to Sussex, Campion served as a Deputy Lieutenant for Sussex, and subsequently took up the Directorship of a number of Australian gold mining companies; as a member of the Empire Settlement Committee he also spoke frequently in favour of organised migration to Australia. He died at Hassocks, Sussex on 2 January 1951. Sold with a Royal Sussex Regiment 1st Volunteer Battalion helmet badge, some damage to reverse lugs; and copied research, much of it relating to his time as Governor of Western Australia, including various photographic images of the recipient.
Lot 494
1914 Star, with clasp (CMT-2692 Pte G. Booth. A.S.C.) lacquered, very fine £50-£70 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- George Booth served during the Great War with the 6th Divisional Ammunition Park, Army Service Corps on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 (discharged and entitled to a Silver War Badge).
Lot 283
Five: Captain A. C. Thompson, Royal Engineers, later New Zealand Forces, who was wounded in North West Europe with 20 Field Company, Royal Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. A. C. Thompson. R.E.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Royal Warrant Holders Association Medal, E.II.R., the reverse officially named ‘A. C. Thompson Esq’, in Garrard, London, case of issue, nearly extremely fine (6) £140-£180 --- Anthony Charles Thompson was born in Chertsey, Surrey, on 11 September 1922 and attested for the Royal Engineers as a Boy Soldier in Brighton on 30 June 1937. Having passed No. 18 Bomb Disposal Course at the School of Military Engineering, January to February 1943, he was advanced Sergeant on 26 June 1943, and served with 20 Field Company, Royal Engineers in North West Europe from 18 June 1944, being wounded on 3 July 1944. After recovering in England he was sent out again to Holland with the same unit from 1 October 1944, serving until February 1945. His conduct was described as ‘exemplary’, and he received a high recommendation from his Commanding Officer. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, on 21 February 1945, Thompson saw further service in post-War Palestine as a Captain with the No. 344 Squadron, Royal Engineers. Relinquished his commission in 1948, he subsequently emigrated to New Zealand and attested for the New Zealand Electrical Mechanical Engineers 15 November 1949 as a Sergeant. He was soon after commissioned Lieutenant into the same unit on 3 May 1951, and served as Chief Instructor and Company Commander at Papakura Military Camp, relinquishing his commission 22 May 1956 and was put on the retired list. Moving back to Farnham, Surrey, Thompson was appointed to a commission in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 17 November 1959. He transferred to the Transportation Section, Royal Engineers, on 1 October 1962, and transferred to the Royal Corps of Transport 15 July 1965 retiring as a Captain on 1 April 1967. Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service Red Book; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; Royal Engineers cap badge; a caricature portrait of the recipient; New Zealand Military Forces identity card, with a photograph of the recipient; a photograph of the recipient wearing his medals; and other ephemera.
Lot 696
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Order of the Patriotic War, 2nd Class, silver and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘913210’, with Monetny Dvor mint mark to reverse and screw-back suspension; Order of the Badge of Honour, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘305656’, with Monetny Dvor mint mark and riband suspension; Medal for Bravery, 2nd type, silver and enamel (2), reverses officially numbered ‘1351563’ and ‘3559615’, both with riband suspensions; Medal for Combat Service, 2nd type, silver and enamel (2), both unnumbered, both with riband suspensions, generally very fine (6) £80-£100 --- Sold with Red award booklets for the Order of the Badge of Honour and one of the Medal for Combat Service (these both awarded to the same recipient, the first awarded in 1958, the latter in 1965); a Red award booklet for the second Medal of Bravery (this awarded in 1954); and a photograph of a Red Army soldier.
Lot 52
A scarce post-War ‘Civil Division’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. Steers, Royal Engineers and General List, a Chartered Surveyor who was one of the last non-combatant troops to leave the Canal Zone in December 1957 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Near East, Canal Zone, unofficial retaining rod between first and second clasps, the third clasp loose on riband as issued (Major T. Steers. R.E.), the first five mounted as worn, the last loose, gilding slightly rubbed on first, minor edge bruise to GSM, good very fine (6) £200-£240 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1958: Tom Steers, Esq., Senior Lands Officer, War Office. Tom Steers was born on 22 November 1912 and was educated at Elland Grammar School, before becoming a Professional Associate of the Chartered Surveyors’ Institution in 1937. He originally attested for the Royal Artillery in the ranks with enlistment number 973987 in 1939 and then transferred to the Royal Engineers 25 January 1941, before undertaking officer training with the 142nd O.C.T.U., based in Aldershot, on 19 February 1941. Commissioned Second Lieutenant on 10 August 1941, he was demobilised with the rank of honorary Major on 1 October 1946. Appointed on the staff of the Hirings Directorate, Middle East, as a Senior Valuation Officer, Steers was given a Senior Grade appointment in the War Department Lands Branch of the Civil Service and posted as Command land agent to Headquarters British Troops in Cairo, Egypt (B.T.E.), then transferred to Moarscar, near Ismallia. It was here he showed Andrew Nutting, Minister of State, around the new flats that had been built in the area. Re-commissioned Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 28 January 1952, Steers was responsible for the rundown in Egypt under the 1954 Anglo-Egyptian Agreement: this involving the relinquishing of over 500 building hirings and over 600 land hirings; the hand-over of nearly 40 installations to the Egyptian and Suez Base contractors, including finding accommodation for contractors and their families; and the disposal of surplus army camos, the proceeds from which realised nearly a million pounds. Relinquished his commission on completion of service, he was re-granted the honorary rank of Major, before being re-commissioned Lieutenant on 6 November 1956 to command the Claims and Hirings contingent during the Anglo-French occupation of Port Said. Finally relinquished his commission on completion of service 31 December 1956 he was re-granted the honorary rank of Major. Steers then remained in Egypt in a Civilian capacity as a Senior Lands Officer in the War Office, finally leaving Egypt on 21 December 1957, being granted a scarce O.B.E. from the War Office for this department. He died in Worthing, Sussex, on 11 October 1998.
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