Family Group: Four: Acting Warrant Officer Class 1 W. Toothill, Royal Army Medical Corps 1914 Star, with copy clasp (18040 Sjt. W. Toothill. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (18040 A.W.O. Cl. 1. W. Toothill. R.A.M.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7245269 S. Sjt. W. Toothill. R.A.M.C.) mounted as worn, good very fine Four: Warrant Officer Class 1 W. J. Toothill, Royal East Kent Regiment General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (6283701. Pte. W. Toothill. The Buffs.) in named card box of issue; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (6283701 W.O. Cl. 1. W. J. Toothill. Buffs.) with lid of named card box of issue, nearly extremely fine (8) £240-£280 --- William Toothill attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps on 27 October 1902 and served at home until 1 June 1905 before serving in South Africa from 2 June 1905 to 2 March 1909. Returning to the U.K., he was appointed Lance Sergeant on 2 June 1914 and saw service during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 September 1914, with 16th Field Ambulance. For his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 21 January 1919). He died on 6 October 1943. Sold together with a named silver and enamel hallmarked General Nursing Council badge dated 16 November 1923; a British Legion lapel badge; and the recipient's Soldier’s Small Book. W. J. Toothill attested for The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment) at a young age and served in Palestine during the Arab Revolt before later service during the Second World War. Sold with an attractive bronze regimental ‘Boys 1928 Runner Up’, cased boxing medal, an RSM’s leather wrist strap rank badge, a King’s Badge in box of issue; and various shoulder titles.
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Three: Corporal E. T. R. Smith, Royal Engineers 1914 Star (18072 Cpl. E. T. R. Smith. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (18072 Cpl. E. T. R. Smith. R.E.) edge bruises, contact marks, very fine Three: Private H. Belaney, East Surrey Regiment 1914-15 Star (L.10875 Pte. H. Belaney. E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10875 Pte. H. Belaney. E. Surr. R.) very fine Three: Private N. L. Norton, Royal Army Medical Corps British War and Victory Medals (196 Pte. N. L. Horton [sic]. R.A.M.C.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, slight edge bruise, nearly extremely fine (9) £120-£160 --- Edward Thomas R. Smith was born in Canterbury, Kent in 1889. He attested for service in the Royal Engineers during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 7th Signalling Company from 4 October 1914. The award of a Clasp to his 1914 Star is noted on his Medal Index Card. Hugh Belaney attested for the East Surrey Regiment on 18 May 1914 and saw service during the Great War with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 2 February 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 19 May 1917 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 176774. Neville Lloyd Norton attested for service during the Great War with the Royal Army Medical Corps. In later life he served as the National Treasurer of the National Guild of Telephonists from 1947-1968, which may account for a possible award of a Coronation Medal in 1953. Sold together with a copy inscribed press group photograph including the recipient outside Chateau Selines on Armistice Day 1918, two small original photographs of the recipient in later life, an original copy of his obituary dated February 1970 from The Telephonist, the official journal of the National Guild of Telephonists, and a named St. John Ambulance Re-examination Cross in Bronze.
An interesting K.C.V.O. group of ten awarded to Sir Nevile Wilkinson, late Major, Coldstream Guards, the last Ulster King of Arms and creator and builder of “Titiana’s Palace”, a perfect model 16-roomed house which was opened by Queen Mary in 1923 The Royal Victorian Order, K.C.V.O., Knight Commander’s, set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, reverses officially numbered ‘K295’ and ‘295’ respectively, in a later fitted case of issue, this numbered ‘K368’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace, set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver and enamels, in Spink & Son fitted case of issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, South Africa 1902 (Major N. R. Wilkinson. Coldstm Gds.); 1914-15 Star (Capt: N. R. Wilkinson. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major N. R. Wilkinson.); Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold, Fifth Class breast badge, with swords, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, these last eight mounted as worn, good very fine or better (12) £2,200-£2,600 --- K.C.V.O. London Gazette 22 June 1921. C.V.O. London Gazette 14 July 1911. Knight Bachelor London Gazette 1 January 1920. Order of St. John, Knight of Grace London Gazette 4 March 1913. Nevile Rodwell Wilkinson was born at Highgate, London, on 26 October 1869, third son of Colonel Josiah Wilkinson, barrister, of Highgate, by his wife Alice Emma, daughter of Thomas Smith, of Highgate. He was educated at Harrow and passed on to the Royal Military College, whence he was gazetted into the Coldstream Guards in 1890. His first service abroad was in India, but on the outbreak of war in 1899 he was sent to South Africa, serving with credit and winning a medal with four bars. Illness caused him to be invalided home early in 1900, but he recovered sufficiently to be sent out again in 1902. During the years of peace that preceded the war of 1914-18 Wilkinson’s interests turned more and more strongly to the decorative arts in general and to the art and lore of heraldry in particular. He entered the National Art Training School (later the Royal College of Art), South Kensington, and took his studies seriously. From the earliest days as a practising artist he conceived an extreme interest in working in miniature, and as early as 1907 he projected a model palace for the Queen of the Fairies on the scale of one inch to the foot. So expert did Wilkinson become in heraldry that in 1907 he was able to resign his commission in the Guards and in 1908 to take up the post of Ulster King of Arms and registrar of the Order of St Patrick. He shared with A. F. Winnington Ingram, Bishop of London, the honour of officiating at two coronations, those of King George V and King George VI. Meanwhile he was proceeding slowly with Titiana’s palace and exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy. On the outbreak of the war in 1914 he rejoined the army and served on the staff first in France and later in Macedonia, earning a mention in despatches and a brevet majority. Returning to peaceful avocations, Wilkinson at length finished Titiana’s palace, a sixteen-bedroomed house which was opened by Queen Mary in 1923. For its decoration he had evolved a technique which he called ‘mosaic painting’. By the use of an etcher’s glass he laid on minute dabs of water-colour, irregular in shape like mosaic tesserae, and numbering 1,000 or more to the square inch. The palace was completely furnished with every conceivable detail, and was greatly admired by the public. It was exhibited all over the United States of America, Canada, Newfoundland, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Argentine. Wilkinson continued his career as a decorative craftsman, and a collective exhibition of his works was held at the galleries of the Fine Art Society in 1937. He also wrote several books, including his reminiscences, To All and Singular (1925), Wilton House Pictures (2 vols., 1907), Wilton House Guide (1908), and The Guards Chapel, 1838-1938 (1938). Wilkinson had his own niche in the art world, and his services to art and heraldry were recognised by his being appointed C.V.O. in 1911, knighted in 1920, and appointed K.C.V.O. in 1921. He married in 1903 Lady Beatrix Frances Gertrude, elder daughter of Sidney Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. Sir Nevile Wilkinson died in Dublin on 22 December 1940.
A rare Punjab campaign C.B. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-General James Eckford, C.B., Bengal Infantry, late Royal Navy The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1815, maker’s mark ‘IN’ for John Northam, complete with wide swivel-ring bar suspension, gold ribbon buckle and gold top suspension brooch; Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (J. Eckford, C.B. Lieut. & Adjt. 6th Bengal Volr. Battn.; Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Capt. J. Eckford, 6th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming; Punjab 1848-49, no clasp (Brigr. J. Eckford, Commg. 3rd Infy. Bde. 56th Bengal N.I.) good very fine or better (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 7 June 1849. James Eckford was born at Dunfermline, Fife, on 5 July 1786. Prior to joining the H.E.I. Co. forces, Eckford served as a midshipman on H.M. Frigate Greyhound with Sir Home Popham’s expedition and was present at the bombardment of Boulogne and Havre de Grace, and subsequent destruction of the French flotilla. Eckford joined the Bengal Army as a Cadet in 1804, arrived in India on 10 July 1805, and was appointed Ensign on 17 November 1805; Lieutenant, 17 September 1806; Captain 20 July 1823; Major, 18 July 1831; Lieutenant-Colonel, 11 March 1837; Colonel, 27 October 1848; Major-General, 28 November 1854; Lieutenant-General, 29 April 1861. Posted as Lieutenant to the 3rd N.I., he took part in the operations in Bundelkhand, including the capture of Chamir. He was present at the capture of Java in 1811, including the taking of Cornelis, as Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 6th Volunteer Battalion (Medal with Clasp), with whom he served in Java until 1816, including the capture of Jakarta in 1812. He commanded the Amboynese Corps in March-April 1816. As Captain he transferred to the 6th N.I. in May 1824 and was present with the 6th N.I. at the siege and capture of Bhurtpoor (Medal with Clasp). He was posted as Lieutenant-Colonel to the 6th N.I. on 4 May 1838, and was Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 6th N.I., with General Pollock’s Force, and commanding at Jellalabad from 10 November 1842 [7 months after the defence of that place and not entitled to the medal]. Was commanding 6th N.I. on escort duty during the First Sikh War. He transferred to 7th N.I. on 24 July 1847, and to the 56th N.I. on 9 May 1848, being appointed Brigadier 2nd Class in October 1848, and commanded 3rd Infantry Brigade during the Second Sikh War, including the passage of the Chenab and action at Sadoolapore (Medal and Companion of the Bath). He was Brigadier commanding at Barrackpore from August 1854, and, as Major-General, had temporary command of a Presidency Division from May 1855 till 1856. Lieutenant-General James Eckford died at St Helier, Jersey, on 2 July 1867.
Family Group: Three: Gunner G. S. Hardy, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died on the Western Front, 26 October 1918 1914-15 Star (34380. Gnr. G. S. Hardy, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (34380 Gnr. G. S. Hardy. R.A.); together with two R.G.A. shoulder titles, good very fine Pair: Driver H. Hardy, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (T4-234720 Dvr. H. Hardy. A.S.C.); together with an A.S.C. cap badge, good very fine Three: S. Hardy Church Council of Education for Birkenhead and Wirral Punctual Attendance Medal (2), white metal, the reverse engraved ‘To Samuel Hardy, Heswell, for 2 Years, 1887’; another, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘To Samuel Hardy, Heswell, for 3 Years, 1888’; Reward of Superior Merit Medal for Regular Attendance, white metal, unnamed, very fine (8) £60-£80 --- George Stephen Hardy was born in Heswell, Cheshire, and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery at Liverpool. He served with the 60th Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front, and died on 26 October 1918. He is buried in Etretat Churchyard Extension, Seine-Maritime, France. Sold with copied research.
Family Group: Three: Lance Corporal R. Southern, Army Cyclist Corps 1914-15 Star (4608 L. Cpl. R. Southern, A. Cyc. Corps.); British War and Victory Medals (4608 Pte. R. Southern. A. Cyc. Corps.) very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (1493 Pte. A. E. Southern. Kent Cyc. Bn.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Edward Southern) nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Reginald Southern attested for the Army Cyclist Corps on 13 September 1914 and served during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of war from 28 December 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 1 September 1916 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 232768. Albert Edward Southern was born in Canterbury, Kent, and attested there for the Kent Cyclist Battalion. He served during the Great War in India, and died in Dalhousie Hospital on 12 September 1917. A scarce casualty to the Kent Cyclist Battalion, he is buried in Dalhousie Military Cemetery, India. The British War Medal was his sole medallic entitlement.
Pair: Private W. Young, Liverpool Regiment British War and Victory Medals (69477 Pte. W. Young. L’Pool. R.) in card boxes of issue, extremely fine Four: Private F. Hoolahan, Royal Tank Regiment, late King’s Own (Lancaster) Regiment 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named box of issue, all mounted for display with King’s Badge; a hackle; and various cap badges, very fine Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (23903784 Sgt. A D Dowd RAOC) in named card box of issue, extremely fine (7) £100-£140 --- Sold with a Royal Tank Regiment car grill badge and various original photographs of Private Hoolahan in uniform.
Pair: Bombardier C. Nelson, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, who died of wounds on the Western Front, 21 November 1916 British War and Victory Medals (85405 A. Bmbr. C. Nelson. R.C.H.A.) BWM suspension claw slightly loose, otherwise generally good very fine Pair: Corporal C. Barclay, 29th Battalion (Vancouver), Canadian Infantry British War and Victory Medals (76313 Cpl. C. Barclay. 29-Can. Inf.) generally very fine Pair: Private P. J. Evison, 1st Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles, who was taken prisoner of war at Sanctuary Wood, 2 June 1916 British War and Victory Medals (426897 Pte. P. J. Evison. 1-C.M.R.) with regimental lapel badge, generally good very fine Pair: Lance Corporal A. M. Knight, Canadian Army Medical Corps British War and Victory Medals (791125 A. L. Cpl. A. M. Knight. C.A.M.C.) good very fine (8) £120-£160 --- Christie Nelson was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in May 1895. He served during the Great War with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on the Western Front. Bombardier Nelson died of wounds on the Western Front, 21 November 1916, and is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France. Charles Barclay was born in Duncrief, Ontario, Canada in August 1888. He served during the Great War with the 29th Battalion (Vancouver), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and died in December 1954. Percival John Evison was born in Ramsey, Hampshire. He served during the Great War with the 1st Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles on the Western Front, and was taken prisoner of war at Sanctuary Wood, 2 June 1916. Evison was interned at Munster, and released in December 1918. Alvin Marshall Knight was born in Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada in July 1895. He served during the Great War with No. 12 Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps.
Five: Private T. M. Abel, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who died at the Sangro River on 20 April 1944 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately engraved ‘7625863 Pte T M Abel RAOC’, extremely fine Five: J. Schouw, South African Forces 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially named ‘M19257 J. Schouw’, some scratches, generally very fine Pair: Miss W. N. Barnett, Entertainment National Service Association 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; together with the recipient’s original ENSA lapel badge, extremely fine, rare to unit One: Attributed to Mr. M. D. Chant, Air Raid Precautions Defence Medal, in named card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. M. D. Chant, 52 Sefton Park Road, Bristol, 7’; together with the recipient’s silver ARP badge, extremely fine 1939-45 Star; copy Air Crew Europe Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal (2); War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (19) £120-£160 --- Thomas Moore Abel, a native of Liverpool, served with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps during the Second World War and died in Italy on 20 April 1944. He is buried in the Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy. Sold with a family member’s Royal Life Saving Society Proficiency Medal, bronze, ‘F. M. Abel, Dec 1949’, in fitted case. Miss W. N. Barnett served in Italy with the Entertainment National Service Association during the Second World War. Sold with three original programmes from productions in Italy (Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Madama Butterfly, and La Traviaata); and an original War Office letter addressed to the recipient at 10 Lausanne Road, Hornsey, London N8, confirming her award of both the 1939-45 Star and Italy Star. A most unusual pair.
A Second War ‘Burma Operations’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class I H. Cottrell, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7582399 W.O. Cl.1. H. Cottrell. R.E.M.E.) mounted court-style; together with the recipient’s National and Local Government Officers’ Association Past President’s Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘H. Cottrell, 1969-70’, extremely fine (7) £240-£280 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 6 June 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ The original Recommendation, dated 28 October 1945, states: ‘Armourer Sergeant Major Cottrell has been an Armourer with the Division for for four and a half years and has held the rank of Warrant Officer Class I (Armourer) since October 1941. I have known him personally for four and a half years during which time he has given outstandingly efficient service. When the Division was in action at Kohima (April to June 1944) ands later in the Burma campaign, he worked untiringly and unceasingly to maintain an adequate supply of repaired small arms for the fighting units. This he did by shrewd inspection immediately a unit had a day’s rest from fighting and organising his repair team to be in the right place at the right time. The severity of the Kohima campaign called for relentless efficiency from the hard-worked small arms section, but Armourer Sergeant Major Cottrell coped with every demand placed upon him. When the Division was at rest, or in training, he was always eager to carry out inspection of the units’ small arms in an effort to maintain them at all times in first class condition. His foresight has many times proved invaluable. He is a master craftsman of his trade and his advice has been deeply appreciated by many commanding officers over modifications and experiments to small arms which have been tried over a period of years. He has shown considerable ingenuity and resource over the repair of small arms, when spare parts were in short supply. His skill as a craftsman is unsurpassed. His military bearing is excellent and his treatment of subordinates makes him all that can be desired in a senior N.C.O.’ Harold Cottrell ‘is a native of Blackburn, and joined the Army nearly 21 years ago [in 1925]. He was in the evacuation of Dunkirk, and later served for four years in Burma, from which country he has returned recently. He also had five and a half years’ service in the Far East before the War.’ (newspaper cutting with lot refers). Sold with a letter of congratulations to the recipient from Brigadier E. R. Ash on the award of his M.B.E.; and various postcard photographs of the recipient.
A Korean War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Colonel J. S. Hitsman, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Korea 1950-53, Canadian issue, silver (ZC 2858 J. S. Hitsman); U.N. Korea 1950-54 (ZC 2858 J. S. Hitsman); U.N.E.F. Medal, unnamed as issued; Canadian Forces Decoration, E.II.R. (Col J. S. Hitsman) mounted as worn, traces of lacquer resulting in some tarnishing, otherwise nearly extremely fine (7) £300-£400 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 11 November 1952: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea.’ The original Recommendation, dated 29 June 1952, states: ‘Major J. S. Hitsman arrived in Korea in November 1951, and since that time has served as a Regimental Medical Officer, a Company Officer in 25 Canadian Field Ambulance, and lately as Officer Commanding, 25 Canadian Field Dressing Station. During the period Major Hitsman has exhibited sound common sense and quiet good humour in his work. His clinical judgement has been sound because he has taken pains in dealing with patients as individuals. His relations with co-workers and subordinates are the reflection of a good personality and integrity of purpose. Since taking over as Officer Commanding, 25 Canadian Field Dressing Station, he has had the the responsibility of opening a forward section of his unit to provide an additional eighty beds in the rear divisional area. His handling of this project has been most gratifying, as the resources of this small unit are being stretched to the limit of sound medical care. Notwithstanding the long hours of work devolving on officers and other ranks, Major Hitsman has succeeded in instilling an enthusiasm in his unit that is a pleasure to observe.’ James Stuart Hitsman was born at Kingston, Ontario, on 29 March 1920 and attested there or the Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps on 17 June 1942, whilst still a Medical Student. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 22 July 1944, and was advanced Captain on 4 November 1944. He served during the latter stages of the Second World War in the U.K. for 13 months. Advanced Major on 16 January 1949, he saw further service during the Korean War, for which he was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 4 April 1955, and acting Colonel on 16 September 1958, and was awarded the Canadian Forces Decoration in 1959 (receiving a Second Award Bar in 1964). For most of his service he was working at Kingston Military Hospital, and he finally retired on 26 September 1969. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
A Great War Western Front January 1917 D.C.M. and Passchendaele ‘Tunnel Trench’ M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Corporal Henry Bill, 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2112 Pte. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2112 L. Col.. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); 1914-15 Star (2112 Pte. H. Bill. Leins: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2112 A. Cpl. H. Bill. Leins. R.) mounted as worn, very fine or better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 4 June 1917; citation published 9 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He succeeded in getting an important message through under heavy fire during operations. He has done consistent good work throughout.’ M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918. Henry Bill was a native of Chapelizod, Dublin, and served in France and Flanders with the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment, from 17 December 1915. He won the D.C.M. during operations near Spanbroekmolen on 30-31 January 1917, the battalion having just taken over the front line vacated by the 6th Royal Irish Regiment. This was later the site of the largest of 19 mines blown by the British Army in the early hours of the morning of 7 June 1917. Later known as Lone Tree Crater, it signalled the launch of the battle of Messines. He went on to win the Military Medal in October 1917 during the battle of Passchendaele when a small raid was carried out by a party of men of the 7th Leinster Regiment on ‘Tunnel Trench’ and ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Hindenburg Line. Sold with Leinster cap badge together with copied research including Medal Index Card and medal roll confirmation, War Diary extracts and full reports of the ‘Tunnel Trench’ raid.
A Second War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Leading Seaman E. R. Pitt, Royal Naval Reserve, late 9th Battalion, London Regiment, who was wounded in the Great War, and took part in H.M.S. Ayrshire’s epic voyage to Archangel in the Second World War Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.5704 D., E. R. Pitt. L.Smn. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (6739 Pte. E. R. Pitt. 9-Lond. R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Bar (5704D. E. R. Pitt. Smn. R.N.R.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Great War Silver War Badge, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 July 1941. Edward Robert Pitt was born in Wivenhoe, Essex, on 30 January 1899. During the Great War he served with the 9th Battalion London Regiment, but was severely wounded in 1917 and was discharged from the Army, being awarded a Silver War Badge. Enlisting in the Royal Naval Reserve, he served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Gavotte from 1940 to 1941, and H.M.S. Ayrshire from 1941 to 1945, both armed trawlers that served on the incredibly arduous and dangerous convoy duties in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. During this time the convoys were under constant threat and attack from German U-boats, surface ships, and air attack. Adding to this, the atrocious weather conditions to contend with, all on a relatively lightly armed and small ship, it really must have been as Churchill said; ‘the worst journey in the world’. The following is an extract account of his life and service as taken from documents held by his family: ‘He ran away from home at the age of 15 and joined the army going into the Rifle Brigade, but was found to be underage and was bought out by his grandmother. When he became of age he re-enlisted into the 9th London Regiment. His re-enlistment came at the time when some of the bloodiest battles of the Great War were being fought and he was severely wounded during one of these in 1917. He was then discharged from the Army. After the Great War he joined the Merchant Navy and travelled the World over... At the outbreak of the Second World War he was recalled to active service and served in the Royal Navy and became Leading Seaman on H.M.S. Gavotte, a converted trawler, this ship on convoy escort duties in the North Atlantic. He was Mentioned in Despatches in 1941. Between 1941 and 1945 he served in H.M.S. Ayrshire, this also being an armed trawler working on convoy duties between Scotland and Murmansk. He finished the War as a Chief Petty Officer, being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.’ A photograph within the group shows Pitt manning an anti aircraft gun aboard a trawler which would suggest this was one of his duties aboard ship. Given his previous Army service, this is quite likely. H.M.S. Ayrshire ‘In June 1942 Lieutenant Leo Gradwell was in command of the H.M.S. Ayrshire, a small (roughly 500 tons) converted fishing trawler forming part of the anti-submarine screening force for Admiralty convoy PQ-17 departing for Archangel in the Soviet Union with much needed war supplies on 27 June 1942. Arctic convoys at this time had to be concerned not only with Luftwaffe and U boat attacks but also the attentions of major German surface units, including the Tirpitz. The convoy therefore had a heavy escort force following it in addition to a light close escort of destroyers, corvettes and trawlers such as the Ayrshire. However, the heavy escort fell behind just as luck would have it, that air reconnaissance of German bases was prevented by bad weather. On 3 July, a reconnaissance plane finally made it to Trondheim, home of the Tirpitz, and found to the Admiralty's horror that the Tirpitz had gone, as well as her cruiser screen. With a large raiding force at sea, and unable to know precisely were it was, and with the heavy escort force too far away to reach the convoy in time, an order was given to scatter the convoy. What followed was largely a disaster: the Tirpitz never showed up; the Germans having thought the convoy was bait for a trap and turned away; and the scattered merchant ships were easy prey for both bombers and U boats. This is where the remarkable story of H.M.S. Ayrshire begins. With the convoy ordered to scatter Gradwell decided to head directly north towards the pack ice east of Svalbard, and persuaded three of the scattering freighters to follow him: the Panamanian registered Troubador, the Ironclad, and the United states registered Silver Swor. None of the three ships or their tiny escort had charts for this area, since it was well off the planned convoy route, and so Gradwell had to navigate their course using only a Sextant and a copy of The Times World Geographic Pocket Book. On reaching the pack ice, the unlikely flotilla became stuck fast in the ice unable to move. Gradwell took overall command as the senior naval officer present and organised the ships to defend themselves. Taking stock it was discovered that the Troubadour was carrying a cargo of bunkering coal and white paint. Gradwell ordered the paint supplies opened and soon all four vessels were painted white, with white sheets over the decks to camouflage them from Luftwaffe bombers. He also ordered the freighters to move around their deck cargo of Sherman tanks into defensive rings pointing outwards with their main guns loaded turning them into improvised gun turrets. After several days stuck fast the camouflage proved effective, in that they were never spotted or attacked. Finally, upon breaking free of the ice, Gradwell lead his three merchant ships across the Barents sea to the Matochkin Straight where they were met by a force of Soviet navy corvettes who accompanied the rag tag convoy to the port of Archangel, arriving on 25 July 1942.’ Sold with the recipient’s riband bars, cap badges, and identity tags; Mentioned in Despatches Certificate; photographs of the recipient, including one of him outside Buckingham Palace having been invested with his D.S.M.; a large amount of research including accounts of Pitt’s service; and other ephemera.
The C.M.G. group of five miniature dress medals worn by Colonel A. de M. Bell, Canadian Army Service Corps The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s badge, gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £200-£240 --- C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1919. Archibald de Mowbray Bell was born in Ottawa, Ontario, on 17 March 1874 and was commissioned into the 43rd Rifles in the late 1890s. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned Major in the Canadian Army Service Corps on 23 September 1914, and serviced during the Great War on the Western Front, being twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916 and 31 December 1918), awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 12 July 1918), and created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George. Advanced Colonel, he died on 31 March 1963. Sold with the recipient’s Province of Quebec Curlers Association Past President’s Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Col. A. de M. Bell.’; and a miniature photograph of the recipient in uniform forming the centrepiece of a silver and enamel oval brooch, and housed in a fitted leather case.
The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s badge, gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle; King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue; Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880, this of modern manufacture; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Wittebergen, Cape Colony, clasps mounted in this order; Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse; Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R.; Germany, Third Reich, Cross of Honour for the German Mother, 2nd issue, First Class, gilt and enamel, on lady’s bow riband, all except the KtoK Star of contemporary manufacture, good very fine (9) £100-£140
Germany, Prussia, Iron Cross 1914, Second Class breast badge, silver with iron centre; together with a miscellaneous selection of Great War German Militaria, including two Army belt buckles; a Kaiserliche Marine cap badge; and sundry badges and buttons, very fine, the militaria in generally good condition (lot) £120-£160
A fine American group of ten awarded to Colonel F. A. Flynn, United States Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served with the Dwina Wing in North Russia, was wounded whilst fighting the Bolsheviks, and was awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne with Swords United States of America, Allied Victory Medal 1917-19; American Defense Service Medal 1941; American Campaign Medal 1941-45; World War II Victory Medal 1941-45; National Defense Service Medal; Armed Forces Reserve Medal; Great Britain, British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. A. Flynn. R.A.F.); together with a duplicate Victory Medal (Lieut. F. A. Flynn. R.A.F.); France, Third Republic, Commemorative Medal for the Great War 1914-18, generally very fine and better (10) £600-£800 --- Frank Anthony Flynn was born in San Francisco, California, on 21 May 1896, a United States citizen, and attested for the Royal Flying Corps at Toronto, Ontario, on 2 October 1917 having previously, by his own admission, ‘served as Second Lieutenant in the United States Cavalry at the beginning of the War.’ Appointed an Air Mechanic Third Class, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 1 February 1918, and was initially posted as an Instructor with the 85th Training Squadron, Canada. However, at the end of February he was granted four weeks’ sick leave and he returned home. On 3 March, while at Tallaferro Field, Fort Worth, Texas, Flynn took an air cadet from Los Angeles on a flight and when 400 feet from the ground the machine went into a tailspin. The controls refused to work, and the machine started to drop. There aircraft struck the ground in a newly ploughed field which may have saved their lives, the air cadet, who was in the front seat, received a broken arm and two broken ribs, while Flynn received a broken nose. Recovering, Flynn proceeded to England and served with the 33rd Training Squadron, before receiving an operational posting to the 20th (Bristol) Fighter Squadron in France. He was subsequently attached to the Dwina Wing for service in North Russia, and was wounded whilst fighting the Bolsheviks, whilst doing some low level flying over the lines. In the California Honour Roll, War History Department for the First World War, Flynn describes his service thus: ‘My work consisted partly in chasing down submarines on the East Coast of England; the work was rather monotonous except for a stray Hun patrol or Zep, and through our vigilance we kept these rather scarce. later I went to France and my work consisted of escorting bombers, which I was just getting warmed up to, when the armistice was declared. I then answered the call for volunteers to Russia and certainly worked hard up there, bombing the Bolshevik positions and dumps and doing considerable artillery observation for the Army and Navy; it was for good work along this line that I received the Russian Order of St. Anne with crossed swords. Whilst observing some gun positions I stopped a machine gun bullet in my leg, thus concluding my war in Russia.’ A study of the Royal Air Force casualty cards confirms that Flynn was not wounded from ground fire, in fact he was wounded while flying over the Bolshevik position while trying to reload an automatic pistol, when it discharged, and he shot himself in the leg. He was admitted into the 53rd Stationary Hospital at Archangel, Russia and he was repatriated to the Royal Air Force Hospital at Eaton Square, London in August 1919. On 27 November he departed from Southampton for New York, and whilst en route he was transferred to the unfit list. For his services during the Great War the American authorities officially approved him to wear the British War Medal, the (British) Victory Medal, and the Russian Order of St. Anne (US Service record confirms), although, given the political situation in Russia at the time, and the lack of available insignia, it is possible that he never physically received the Russian insignia. After completing his legal studies in San Francisco, Flynn enlisted with the United States Army Air Corps Reserve on 6 July 1923, and was advanced First Lieutenant on 12 June 1926. On 17 September 1928, he was co-pilot of an aircraft which was en route from Mines Field at Los Angeles to Crissy Field, San Francisco when their gasoline was getting dangerously low. They circled over the city of Tulare in the dark searching for a landing field when they crashed in an alfalfa field north of the city. The aircraft struck the ground and plunged through the telephone wires along the railway, entirely destroying service between Tulare and Points North and the plane immediately caught fire, however both men escaped. After this mishap, he returned to duty and was promoted to the rank of Captain on 18 May 1930, being rated a Pilot from 27 July 1931. He remained with the reserves while working as a lawyer (Attorney) in his civilian life, specialising in aviation law, defending airlines from liability claims. He applied for a Purple Heart on 27 October 1932; however, his application was rejected as he received his wound as a member of the British Expeditionary Force and not with the American Expeditionary Force. Flynn was promoted to the rank of Major on 18 October 1935, and the following year, on 30 May 1936, endured another crashed landing: Chosen to pilot the plane to scatter the ashes of a comrade, and air ace, ‘Tex’ Frolich, over Chrissy Field, Flynn had only just completed the memorial service when suddenly his motor failed when at approximately 400 feet. With hundreds of picnickers in the park, Flynn skilfully manouvered the plane to avoid hitting anyone and landed between some trees; at the time he was noted in the local newspapers as having risking his own life to avoid killing others. Flynn saw further service during the Second World War, and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 22 June 1943. serving with 461st American Air Force Base, San Francisco, California and 464th American Air Force Base McChord Field, Washington D.C, as executive officer. Reverting to the Reserve following the cessation of hostilities he was promoted Colonel on 22 July 1949, finally retiring, unfit for further duties, on 31 January 1956, after 32 years’ service. He died at San Rafael, California on 12 April 1980, aged 84. Sold with various N. S. Meyer, New York, silver Wings; an R.F.C. and R.A.F. cap badge; and other metal and cloth insignia; as well as extensive copied research (both hard copies and on a memory stick), including a photographic image of the recipient.
Military Books, a collection of books to include Kipling & King Head Dress Badges of the British Army vols 1 and 2, Reginald H.W. Cox Military Badges of the British Empire 1914-18, John Gaylor Military Badge Collecting, Military Life Buoy series The Constitutional Force It's History During Twenty Centuries, Regiments and Corps of the British Empire and Commonwealth 1758-1993, The Uniform of the London Scottish etc. (gen gd) (12)
Postcards, Military, a selection of 24 military badges published by Hutson Brothers from the H.B Badge series. These cards are listed in Geoff White's book 'Collecting British Army Postcards'. The list is incomplete and the following Regiments can be added, Welsh Fusiliers, West Surreys, Northumberland Fusiliers, Royal Garrison Artillery, Middlesex, Canada, and Kings Own Yorks. Sold with 7 cards from the Tartan Border badge series, The Black Watch, Gordon Highlanders, and Cameron Highlanders are also unlisted (mixed condition)
WW2 Polish Army Group to 1924 1131-111 Szereg. Janiek Kachlan, 22 Kompania Zaopatrywania Artylerii (22 Coy Polish ASC Arty) comprising of : Identity Discs, AB64 Paybook, 3 Polish 2nd Korps Formation Signs, 3 8th Army Formation Signs, Single enamel Italian made collar pennon, large unit group photo dated 22/12/1945, 14 Postcards of the unit in Italy published by 2nd Korps, two private photos included one of him in a Jeep, British War Medal entitlement slip, a large amount of paperwork pertaining to his enlistment in the Polish Resettlement Corps 1946-1948 and early post war employment in the UK, 1943 dated British Boiled Sweets Ration Tin, Italian Air Force Post-1943 Co-Belligerent Force Pilot Wing no makers mark, .925 Silver Ring, British XXX Corps Medallion, RA Sweetheart badge. Also included is a small suitcase with "pin up" photos pasted inside the lid which held his belongings after being conscripted as a forced labourer by the Germans in 1939 when he was aged 15. Plus post war British cigarette cases, lighter, money box, letters pertaining to his wife, etc, etc.
British Army Education Corps Named Officers Uniform Group to Major I J Bond comprising of: Dress Blue Service Dress Cap complete with Queens Crown bi metal Cap Badge, size 7 / 57, maker marked "Gieves Limited London W1": Dress Uniform Jacket and Trousers, dated 1953, Staybrite Buttons and with GSM ribbon bar: Mess Dress Jacket with loops of medal bar, waistcoat and matching trousers by "Gieves" dated Oct 1966: Officers Warm Greatcoat by "Crombie" : Shooting bag in green canvas with waterproof lining and leather straps.
World Military Cap Badges - Parachute Regiment, US Army Airborne Paratrooper, US Army Naval Officer, South Africa General Service, Australian Commonwealth Horse 1st pattern collar badge, WWII US 17th Airborne Division 'Thunder from Heaven', two gilded and brass Middle East Airborne Regiment and South African Tank Regiment Armoured Bridgade collar badges. (12)
A selection of various Naval and Military badges including Department of Air Force United States of America Security Police badge, 7th Army Training Command, various Naval rank and trade badges, selection of Belgium military badges including Belgium Army Service Corps, Signals, Lancers and others
A collection of assorted medals to include a 1939-45 Defence Medal, an 11th Infantry Brigade Football Tournament medal awarded to the Winners 13th Battn Kings Rifle Corps, 9203 Rfm. J.C Pearson, May 1915, a 1939-45 War Medal, Edward VII Coronation Medal, June 1911 Coronation Medal; together with assorted badges including St John's Ambulance, Royal Artillery, chocolate brown bakelite Royal Corps of Signals economy badge, The Border Regiment, Scottish King's Own Borderers, Royal Army Ordnance Corps,1915 On War Service badge, silver and enamel ARP badge; Post Office Vancouver, B.C medal or badge; Crusader's Tent 1923 Fleetwood Jubilee enamel badge, 1960s Ross Group enamel shipping badge, Lancashire Fusiliers white metal swagger stick top and a small quantity of uniform buttons etc(qty)
A small group of military collectables to include a Royal Army Ordnance Corps cloth badge; WWI Victory medal, issued to J.64707 J. MARTIN A.B R.N (Able Seaman Royal Navy); Special Constabulary Long Service medal; collection of miniature dress medals, together with a Karlsruhe Patronen Fabrik 1903 inert One Pounder Pom Pom shell. (quantity)
A large collection of regimental badges and buttons,including examples for Suffolk, Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire, the Glasgow Highlanders Light Infantry, York and Lancaster, West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, The West Riding, and a silver Royal Army Reserve badge, by James Fenton, Birmingham 1938,together with a collection of medals,comprising a miniature George VI General Service medal, a miniature Fire Services Exemplary Service medal, a Bedfordshire Education Committee medal, a Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes 1953 Elizabeth I Coronation medal, inscribed to 'D.E Randall, Gt. North Road, LGE No. 8458', and a 1979 Millennium of Tynwald Isle of man medal, all with ribbons (qty.)Condition ReportButtons and badges) Large quantity, all in a mixed condition with wear and tarnishing throughout. Medals) Fraying and loose threads to the ribbons. Wear to the boxes.
A WWII VAD nurse's cape,1940s, belonging to Esme Kathleen Robinson of the Churchill Hospital, Headington, Oxford, of navy wool with scarlet lining decorated with 201 cloth formation signs and shoulder titles, together with memorabilia including Miss Robinson's Soldier's Service and Pay Book, Certificate of Enrolment, a VAD cloth badge, and a Needlecraft for HM Forces kit (qty.)Esme Robinson was born 27 August 1922 and enrolled as a British Red Cross nurse on 6 January 1943. Between June 1943 and May 1947, Esme worked as a VAD nurse at Churchill Hospital, Oxford, where she would have collected many of the badges that we find on her cape. The inside of the cape is decorated with 201 regimental badges, or formation signs, that were used by the army to easily identify a soldier's regiment and were given to Esme by the soldiers she treated as a sign of gratitude for her service. There are many stories of nurses competing to get the most formation signs from the soldiers they treated.All profits from this lot will be donated to the Royal British Legion.
Two WW2 German Army Afrika Korps pith helmet metal side badges; RAD oval metal badge by J.B.u.Co.; WW1 German 1914-1915 bar brooch; and Nienburg War Veteren's Association badge (5)Condition Report:Afrika Korps - each with losses to black background. Each retain three back fixing pins.RAD - reasonable condition with some service wear.WW1 - lacking housing for pin and some wear to plating.Veterens - reasonable condition consistent with age and use. Indistinct maker's name verso.
Eight metal military badges comprising Royal Tank Regiment, 17th/21st Lancers 'Death or Glory', Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, Northamptonshire and New Zealand Onward cap badges; Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Rising Sun collar badge and Australia Army Division shoulder title; and Army Catering Corps collar badge; together with brass eagle insignia (9)Condition Report:Most look to be original with slide or pin fitting.Some buckling and dinting consistent with age and use but generally quite good.Brass eagle has no fitting or marks.
WW2 East Yorkshire Regiment side cap with badge; and quantity of WW2 British Army webbing and leather accessories including three 1940 pairs of gaiters, three webbing belts, five puttees, leather harness and drum stickCondition Report:Condition varies - but most reasonable consistent with age and use just grubby from storage.
Early 20th century British army peaked cap with Scots Guards brass badge; another later with Scots Guards Staybrite badge; modern pith helmet; British army water bottle with later webbing cover; pair of Carl Zeiss blc 7 x 50 binoculars; and Dunn & Co bowler hatCondition Report:Binoculars have chips to lenses on one side and the other lenses are very grubby.Hats and water bottle in good condition.
Framed display of medals and badges relating to Captain Cynthia Page of Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps including WW2 War Medal and Defence Medal with miniatures; Red Cross Society 3-Year Service Medal; Q.A.R.A.N.C. cap badge; Girl Guide and silver Scout badges; rank epaulettes; and related photographs 33 x 23cmCondition Report:Items are fairly crudely mounted but look to be in reasonably good condition.
Interesting WW2 German Luftwaffe Document which is Signed by Luftwaffe General Gunther Korten who Died of Wounds After the Failed Assassination Attempt on Adolf Hitler known as the 20th July Bomb Plot, the partially printed and typescript document relates to the recommendation for the award of the War Service Cross 1st class with swords for Major Heinrich Golcher and Major Walter Kienitz. The document is signed first by Luftwaffe Oberst Rudolf Wodarg and then underneath signed by Korten. The document has punch holes to the side. Accompanied by a signature from a cut document signed by Luftwaffe General Karl Koller, the last chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe. Gunther Korten was born on 26th July 1898 in Cologne. At the outbreak of WW1 he was a cadet in the Prussian army. He served throughout the war in a engineering battalion of the Prussian army. He remained in the army in the post war years. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1934. He served as an administration officer before joining the general staff. He rose through the ranks of the Luftwaffe, on the 25th August 1943 he accepted the position of Chief of the General Staff of the Luftwaffe after General Hans Jeschonnek committed suicide. Korsten was present at the Wolf’s Lair, when on 20th July 1944, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg planted a bomb in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler. Korsten was seriously wounded in the blast and died of his wounds two days later on the 22nd July 1944. He was posthumously promoted to Colonel-General. He held many awards including the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross and he was posthumously awarded the 20th July Wound Badge. Karl Koller was born in Glonn, Bavaria on 22nd February 1898. He served in the Bavarian army during WW1 before transferring to the Air Service where he qualified as a pilot. He flew operationally before being captured by the British and taken as a POW. Koller joined the Luftwaffe in 1935. Koller served in administration and staff roles and was highly rated by Adolf Hitler. He rose steadily through the ranks of the Luftwaffe. In 1945, Koller was present at the final birthday celebration of Adolf Hitler in the Fuhrer Bunker. He remained in Berlin until he was ordered to fly out to Obersalzburg to inform Goring of Adolf Hitlers plan to remain in Berlin and commit suicide. He was taken into custody by US forces on 7th May 1945 at Castle Fischhorn at Zell am See.
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