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‘In 1963, Australian Army Captain Barry Petersen was sent to Vietnam. It was one of the most tightly held secrets of the Vietnam War: long before combat troops set foot there and under the command of the C.I.A., Petersen was ordered to train and lead guerilla squads of Montagnard tribesmen against the Viet Cong in the remote Central Highlands. Petersen successfully formed a fearsome militia, named the ‘Tiger Men’. A canny leader, he was courageous in battle, and his bravery saw him awarded the coveted Military Cross and worshipped by the hill tribes. But his success created enemies, not just within the Viet Cong. Like Marlon Brando’s character in Apocalypse Now, some in the C.I.A. saw Petersen as having gone native. His refusal, when asked, to turn his Tiger Men into assassins as part of the notorious C.I.A. Phoenix Program only strengthened that belief. The C.I.A. strongly resented anyone who stood in their way. Some in U.S. Intelligence were determined Petersen had to go. He was lucky to make it out of the mountains alive.’ The Tiger Man of Vietnam, by Frank Walker (Hachette, Australia, 2009), refers. The highly important and incredible Vietnam M.C. group of thirteen awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. “Barry” Petersen, a guerilla warfare expert and member of the Australian Special Forces “Army Training Team Vietnam”, who was dubbed by the media as “Lawrence of the Highlands” following his extraordinary leadership of a highly motivated force of Montagnard tribesmen - respectfully known by the Viet Cong as “Tiger Men” - in numerous hit and run missions in Darlac Province, a role originally sponsored by the C.I.A. but subsequently abandoned amidst claims of him having developed a ‘personality cult’ in a scenario reminiscent of the fictional character Colonel Kurtz in Apocalypse Now: but as recounted by Petersen in his compelling memoir, Tiger Men, An Australian Soldier’s Secret War in Vietnam, the Montagnard remained loyal to him to the end, bestowing on him the title Dam San, after a legendary warrior, and making him a Paramount Tribal Chief Military Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1965’; Australian Active Service Medal, 3 clasps, Vietnam, Malaysia, Malaya (13668 A. B. Petersen); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (1/3668 A. B. Petersen); Campaign Service 1962, 2 clasps, South Vietnam, Borneo (13668 A. B. Petersen); Vietnam Medal 1964-73, with M.I.D. oak leaf (13668 A. B. Petersen); Australian Service Medal 1945-75, 1 clasp, Thai-Malay (13668 A. B. Petersen); Australian Defence Force Service Medal, clasp, E.II.R. (13668 A. B. Petersen); Australian National Medal, with Bar (13668 A. B. Petersen); Australian Defence Medal (13668 A. B. Petersen); Australian Anniversary of National Service 1951-72 (1708727 A. B. Petersen); South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with two Silver Stars; South Vietnam Medal 1964, with ‘1960’ clasp (13668 A. B. Petersen); Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal (13668 A. B. Petersen), mounted as worn, together with unit commendation riband bar, Infantry Combat Badge and “Tiger Men” beret badge, generally good very fine (16) £60000-80000 M.C. London Gazette 29 October 1965: ‘Captain Petersen graduated from the Officer Cadet School at Portsea on 17 December 1954. Since his graduation, Captain Petersen has served as a Platoon Commander with National Service Trainees and as a Platoon Commander with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment. Captain Petersen’s service with the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment included three years service in Malaya from 1959 to 1961. Captain Petersen was a Company Second-in-Command with the First Recruit Training Battalion at Kapooka until his assignment to the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam in August 1963. Captain Petersen’s assignment as a member of the Australian Training Team Vietnam involves advice on the administration, training and operational employment of Montagnard personnel in Darlac Province. He was so occupied when the Montagnard Revolt of September 1964 broke out. During this revolt, in which several thousand heavily armed Montagnard soldiers were deployed against the provincial capital of Ban Me Thuot, Captain Petersen was required to prepare for the initial contact with the rebel tribesmen. On the afternoon of 20 September 1964, the first day of the revolt, he conducted a small party of intermediaries to the hamlet of Boun Enao. This involved passing through a prepared ambush. Having detected this, he dismounted from his vehicle, located the ambush commander, and persuaded him to permit the party’s onward movement. He was then required to approach the rebel stronghold and obtain admittance for the party. This he did, in gathering darkness and under conditions of extreme sensitivity involving a high degree of personal risk. Having gained admittance, by his own powers of persuasion he brought together the local leaders for talks with the intermediaries. The talks were successful, and paved the way for the eventual peaceful return of the Montagnard personnel to their proper duties. This most fortunate outcome is substantially attributable to the personnel influence of Captain Petersen, and to the high degree of courage displayed by him in effecting the necessary contacts.’ Citation for the South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star: ‘Captain Petersen served as Senior Advisor to the Darlac Sector Truong Son Force in the period August 1963 to August 1965. During this period Captain Petersen rendered an outstanding service to the Government of Vietnam by giving sound advice on the organisation, training and operations of the Truong Son Force. The outstanding success which the Truong Son Force has attained in combat actions against the Viet Cong is attributed to his vast knowledge of military operations and his wealth of military experience. Captain Petersen has on numerous occasions accompanied the Truong Son Force on combat operations and, without exception, the influence of his presence, advice and leadership, ensured complete and total success of these operations. The Truong Son Force has attained one of the best combat records in Vietnam by inflicting heavy casualties and equipment losses on the Viet Cong while sustaining minimum of friendly losses. Captain Petersen’s great contribution has been and will continue to be an inspiration to the people of Vietnam in their struggle to remain a free nation. In view of his outstanding service to the Republic of South Vietnam, Captain Petersen is awarded the Cross of Gallantry, with Silver Star.’ Citation for the Second Silver Star to the South Vietnam Cross of Gallantry: ‘Major Petersen arrived in Vietnam on 29 April 1970 as Officer Commanding, ‘C’ Company, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment. Since his arrival in this country, Major Petersen has commanded ‘C’ Company continuously on operations. During its service so far in Phuoc Tuy Province, ‘C’ Company has killed 21 Viet Cong and captured four prisoners. In October 1970, ‘C’ Company located the tracks of 120 men of the Viet Cong Chau Duc District Headquarters and the Chi (Local Force) Company which were followed for 15,000 metres through difficult secondary jungle until contact was made. In the ensuing actions, the enemy were scattered and prevented from re-organising. Major Petersen’s aggressive leadership and skilful handling of his Company were largely responsible for the disruption and withdrawal of the enemy force for re-organisation and re-training from the area normally used by it. His knowledge of the enemy’s methods, and his own tactical knowledge, have contributed greatly to the success of his Company in operations.’ Arthur Barry Petersen joined the Australian Army in July 1954, gr

Sold by Order of the Recipient’s Direct Descendants Robert Mugabe: “Why are your men trying to kill me?” Lieutenant-General Peter Walls: “If they were my men you would be dead.” The highly important Malaya Emergency and Rhodesia “Bush War” group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-General Peter Walls, G.L.M., D.C.D., M.B.E., arguably one of the greatest counter-insurgency leaders of modern times, who, having commanded ‘C’ Squadron, 22 Special Air Service Regiment in Malaya, rose to the command of the Rhodesian Army under Ian Smith during the U.D.I. and briefly of the Zimbabwe Armed Forces under Robert Mugabe on independence in 1980 - at one time he had 45,000 men under his command and his protracted defence of Rhodesia must surely rank as one of the finest military achievements of all time Zimbabwe Independence Medal 1980, in silver, officially numbered ‘0110’, with its case of issue; Rhodesian Grand Officer of the Legion of Merit (G.L.M.), neck badge and breast star, in silver, gilt and enamel, the latter fitted with four loops to reverse for wearing and in its case of issue; Rhodesian Officer of the Legion of Merit (O.L.M.), breast badge, gilt and enamel, in its case of issue; Rhodesian Defence Cross for Distinguished Service (D.C.D.) (Lt. Gen. G. P. Walls), with its case of issue; Rhodesian General Service Medal (Brig. G. P. Walls); Rhodesian Exemplary Service Medal, with Bar (Brig. G. P. Walls); The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Major C. P. Walls, S. Rhod. Mil. F.), note first initial; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn where applicable, together with a set of uniform tunic ribands, minor official correction to unit on the G.S.M., otherwise generally good very fine (11) £30000-40000 M.B.E. London Gazette 1 May 1953. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Walls has commanded the Rhodesian Squadron in the 22 S.A.S. since its arrival in Malaya in 1951. Although he is young and has no previous experience of commanding a unit of this size, his work had been quite outstanding; the Squadron has been absorbed into a British Army unit most successfully. The success of the scheme initiated by the Southern Rhodesian Government, whereby Southern Rhodesians were made available to fight against the communists in the Far East, is, in the case of the present Squadron, due to a great extent to the untiring efforts of Major Walls. He has set a very high standard of conduct, determination and courage throughout his tour with the Regiment, and his qualities of leadership are such that the Squadron has developed into a first rate fighting unit.’ George Peter Walls was born in Southern Rhodesia in July 1926, the son of one of the colony’s pioneer pilots, George Walls, who had served in the Royal Naval Air Service in the Great War. Educated at Plumtree School, Peter, as he was known, entered Sandhurst towards the end of the 1939-45 War, and was commissioned in the Black Watch, but, on learning that he was to be transferred to another regiment, chose to resign and ‘return to my beloved Rhodesia rather than serve in any regiment other than the Black Watch.’ With the S.A.S. in Malaya 1951-53 Commissioned into the Northern Rhodesia Regiment on his return, he was just 24 years of age when in early 1951 he was given command the Southern Rhodesia Far East Volunteer Unit (S.R.F.E.V.U.), afterwards designated ‘C’ Squadron, Malayan Scouts (S.A.S.), an unusual appointment for one so young, as recalled by Trooper Geoff Turner-Dauncey in S.A.S. Rhodesia, by Jonathan Pittaway and Craig Fourie: ‘S.R.F.E.V.U. was placed under the command of Lieutenant Peter Walls, a young Staff Corps officer who had served in the British Army with the Black Watch. He was appointed Temporary Captain to signify his position as the senior officer in the unit. As a Squadron Commander’s rank is that of Major, he was then appointed Acting Major. The intention was that on arrival in Malaya, a British Major would be appointed Squadron Commander of ‘C’ Squadron, and Major Walls would revert to the rank of Temporary Captain. This never happened, so the young Lieutenant, Temporary Captain, Acting Major Walls still in his twenties had the responsibility of being an operational commander for the complete duration of his Far East tour. I have no doubt that this experience stood him in good stead during the years that followed and in due course enabled him to become the supreme commander of the Rhodesian Forces.’ ‘C’ (Rhodesia) Squadron, Malayan Scouts (S.A.S.), arrived in the Far East in March 1951, where it was once more re-designated, this time as ‘C’ (Rhodesia) Squadron, 22 S.A.S. Regiment, and Walls quickly set to work in training his men in readiness for the jungle warfare ahead, himself being an early member of the team which carried out experimental “tree-jumping” as a means of entry into the deep jungle terrain. Mick Coetzee, another contributor to S.A.S. Rhodesia, takes up the story: ‘The answer was to drop directly into the jungle and since clearings were almost non-existent, dropping into trees was the only way. A member of ‘C’ Squadron was tasked with studying tree-jumping. The first experiment was conducted in a rubber plantation. Another experiment was to drop from a helicopter and this was actually tried over water. The difficulty was that there was no slipstream to assist in the development of the chute. Using helicopters was also expensive. The biggest helicopter in service was the S55 which had a ten-man capacity. Getting down to the ground from the tree was a problem. A hand-over-hand descent using knotted rope was successful but the physical effort required left the soldier almost exhausted on the reaching the ground. The hobby of the Regiment’s Medical Officer at the time was climbing in the Swiss Alps and he came up with the idea of the abseiling technique for making the tree-to-ground descent. For training purposes a scaffold was erected in camp and individuals were taught the technique. An experiment with the technique in the jungle proved successful. Unfortunately Peter Walls was wounded in the lower jaw at the moment the helicopter touched down on the helipad. It was speculated that the pieces of metal extracted from his jaw and lower face had come from the helicopter rotor which broke on touchdown.’ By January 1952, Walls - recovered from his injuries - was ready to take ‘C’ Squadron into action from a new base at Sungei Besi camp in Kuala Lumpur. In fact, the Rhodesians mounted no less than four operations in the months ahead, namely “Helsby” in Perak, “League” in Pahang, “Copley” in Kelantan and “Hive” in Negri Sembilan. In Rhodesia S.A.S., Trooper Geoff Turner-Dauncey describes the type of conditions the Squadron faced on such operations: ‘From the moment we stepped into the jungle until we returned to base we got soaked, and stayed wet, from the humidity, crossing rivers and swamps, and the soaking vegetation caused by monsoon rains. In that humidity, one has to learn to cope with impetigo skin diseases including ringworm, leeches and other ailments. Insect and leech bites began to fester, and ringworm, many forms of eczema, and athlete’s foot resulted in widespread ulceration of the skin. Ointments only aggravated rotting fleah, so where possible penicillin wound powder was applied to open sores. With our operational dress torn and rotting, and stinking of sweat, rifle oil and decaying vegetation, it was common practice to burn our clothes on returning to base. For a while troops returning to base from operations looked rather like clowns: wearing just P.T. shorts, sandal

The mounted group of miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-General Peter Walls, G.L.M., D.C.D., M.B.E., Rhodesian Army, late Special Air Service Regiment, comprising: Zimbabwe Independence Medal 1980, silver type; Rhodesian Legion of Merit (G.L.M.); Rhodesian Legion of Merit (O.L.M.); Rhodesian Defence Cross for Distinguished Service (D.C.D.); Rhodesian General Service Medal; Rhodesian Exemplary Service Medal; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military), type 2; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R.; Coronation 1953, together with a set of related uniform tunic ribands, all but the third mounted as worn, generally very fine and better (10) £200-300

A fine wardrobe of uniform as worn by Lieutenant-General Peter Walls, comprising Black Watch officer’s khaki tunic, by Wm. Anderson, Edinburgh, label named and dated January 1946, with buttons and single War Medal 1939-45 riband, together with two related kilts in the regimental tartan; Rhodesian Army dark green tunics (2), one with General Officer’s rank insignia, and both with buttons, Airborne Wings and medal ribands, together with one pair of related trousers; Rhodesian Army full-dress dark blue tunic, lacking rank insignia but with buttons, Airborne Wings and medal ribands, and a pair of related trousers; scarlet evening dress jackets (2), with rank insignia and buttons, complete with a related waistcoat, pair of trousers and dress shirt; camouflage jacket, with General Officer’s rank insignia and Airborne Wings, and name label ‘Walls’, and related pair of trousers; short-sleeve camouflage tops (4), two with Airborne Wings and all with name label ‘Walls’; a parachute smock; one light, and one dark green shirt; a quantity of military ties; two pairs of spurs, and a large quantity of khaki webbing, including water bottle and revolver cases, generally in excellent condition (Lot) £500-1000

The M.B.E. group of five awarded to Sergeant R. W. Walls, British South Africa Police, late Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; British War and Victory Medals (P. Flt. Offr. R. W. Walls, R.N.A.S.); War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., crowned bust, Southern Rhodesia (32 Sgt. Mjr. R. W. Walls), together with a set of related uniform tunic ribands, mounted as worn, the earlier awards a little polished, but otherwise generally very fine or better (5) £400-500 Reginald William Walls, Lieutenant-General Peter Walls’ father, was born in Crowthorne, Berkshire in October 1899 and served aboard the training ship Worcester from April 1915 to April 1917. Subsequently appointed a Temporary Probationary Flying Officer in the Royal Naval Air Service in September of the latter year, he went on to pilot a variety of aircraft, including Curtiss, Avro, B.E. 2c and D.H. 4 types, and was transferred to the Unemployed List in April 1919, having latterly held the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the newly established Royal Air Force. Sometime thereafter he settled in Salisbury, Rhodesia, where at the time of his son’s birth in July 1926, he was serving as a Sergeant in the British South Africa Police, but further research is required to establish his final rank and the date of award for his M.B.E. Sold with a a fine quality B.S.A.P gilt-metal cap badge, and an old B.S.A.P. crest wall plaque; a Christmas 1914 Queen Mary Tobacco Box, with “bullet pencil”; old embroidered R.A.F. uniform Wings, and R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. crest wall plaques, and other miscellaneous pieces, including a wristwatch and compass.

Three: Lance Corporal Albert Goldsmith, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards 1914 Star, with copy clasp (3299 Pte., 4/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (D-3299 Pte., 4-D. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (3299 L. Cpl., 4/D. Gds.) generally very fine (4) £180-220 Albert Goldsmith served with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 16 August 1914.

Four: Private (Musician) John Pearce, 5th (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) Dragoon Guards, later Scots Guards 1914 Star, with clasp (5085 Pte., 5/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (14461 Pte., S. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (2688176 Musician, S. Gds.) generally nearly very fine or better (4) £180-220 John Pearce served with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 15 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c. which confirms that he was originally erroneously issued with two British War and Victory Medal pairs, one of which was returned by the recipient at the time. The M.I.D. is not confirmed.

Three: Captain J. N. Preston-Whyte, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), who was mentioned in despatches and twice wounded 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut., 6/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.) good very fine (3) £200-250 M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. Captain J. N. Preston-Whyte served in France and Flanders from August 1914 to August 1918 and was wounded on two occasions, including at Longueval on 27 August 1918. 1920 Army List confirms and copied service papers confirm.

Seven: Captain & Quartermaster (formerly Regimental Sergeant Major) A. E. Brooks, 1st (Royal) Dragoons, late 15th (Northumberland) Company, 5th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (2304 S.S. Major, 15th Coy., 5th Impl. Yeo.) last clasp a contemporary tailor’s copy; 1914 Star, with clasp (2304 R.S. Mjr., 1/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (2304 W.O.Cl.I, 1-Dns.); Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2304 S.S. Major, 1st Rl. Dragoons); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., complete with top suspension bar, generally good very fine (7) £400-450 Alfred E. Brooks served with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 3 October 1914 to 24 March 1915, on which date he was granted a commission in the rank of Quartermaster and Honorary Lieutenant with the 1st Dragoons. He transferred to the Northumberland Hussars Yeomanry in September 1917, with whom he served in Italy from 25 May to 4 November 1918, subsequently being promoted Captain in May 1920. Sold with copy service papers and m.i.c. The M.I.D. is not confirmed.

Four: Sergeant F. E. Saunders, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, later 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) 1914 Star, with clasp (2487 L. Cpl., 5/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-2487 Sjt., 5-Lrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (311954 Sjt., The Bays); together with an Army Rifle Association named bronze prize medal, contact wear and a little polished, therefore nearly very fine (5) £180-220 Frederick E. Saunders served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 15 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Three: Private Henry Rudge, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons 1914 Star, with clasp (4618 Pte., 6/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (4618 Pte., 6-Dns.) minor contact wear, therefore nearly very fine (3) £120-150 Henry Rudge served in France and Flanders with the 6th Dragoons from 12 August 1914, subsequently transferring to the Army Veterinary Corps.

Four: Private Arthur Eade, 9th (Queen’s Royal) Lancers 1914 Star, with clasp (1251 Pte., 9 Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-1251 Pte., 9-Lrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (312988 Tpr., 9-Lrs.) some contact wear, therefore nearly very fine or better (4) £180-220 Arthur Eade served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 9 September 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Four: Sergeant T. A. Spiers, 11th (Prince Albert’s Own) Hussars, later 13/18th Hussars 1914 Star, with clasp (9571 Pte., 11/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9571 Pte., 11-Hrs.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (535372 Sjt., 13-18 H.) contact wear and a little polished, therefore nearly very fine or better (4) £180-220 Thomas A. Spiers served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 15 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Three: Private E. H. R. Law, 12th (Prince of Wales’s Royal) Lancers 1914 Star, with clasp (5945 Pte., 12/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (5945 Pte., 12-Lrs.) good very fine or better (3) £140-160 Edward H. Reginald Law served in France and Flanders with the 12th Lancers from 15 August 1914, subsequently transferring to the Royal Army Service Corps. Sold with copy m.i.c.

The superb Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Bar, D.C.M. group of nine awarded to Major Richard Carr, 16th (The Queen’s) Lancers, later Royal Lancaster Regiment, who served throughout the entire war and was awarded all three of his gallantry medals for specific acts of bravery as well as being mentioned in General French’s Despatch of 8 October 1914 Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed as issued; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1869 L. Sjt., 16/Lrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1869L Sjt., 16/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine or better (9) £5000-6000 M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918 (2nd Lieut., Ryl. Lanc Rgt.) ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy broke into the sap heads and trenches, he rallied his company and formed counter bombing parties. By his resource and pluck he drove the enemy completely out, pushing him back beyond his original line. His prompt action at a critical time prevented a much bigger attack from developing (North of Fampoux on 2 April 1918).’ Bar to M.C. London Gazette 7 November 1918 (2nd Lieut. (Acting Captain), Ryl. Lanc. Rgt.) ‘For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership. He led his company forward with the greatest coolness and ability, personally supervising the advance of each post under heavy fire from machine guns and snipers, and greatly assisting the outpost company commanders in pushing forward the post lines. He showed a complete disregard of danger and set a fine example to his men (Near Paucaul Wood, 6-12 August 1918.’ D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915 (Lance Sergt., 16th Lancers) ‘For gallant conduct in bringing into cover several wounded French soldiers under heavy rifle fire.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 8 October 1914 (Lance Sergt., 16th Lancers). Major Richard Carr was born in February 1889 and served in the ranks of the 16th Lancers for eight years, including as a Lance sergeant in France and Flanders from 17 August 1914, before receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Lancaster Regiment in May 1917. He was promoted to the rank of Acting Captain from May 1918 and was employed with the Nigeria Regiment, West African Frontier Force from April 1919 to April 1925. The Army Lists confirm that he served in France and Belgium from 14 August 1914 to 11 November 1918 and that he was wounded. He was promoted to local Major in August 1939 at which time he is still shown as serving with the Nigeria Regiment.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Second Lieutenant (formerly Squadron Sergeant Major) Bertram Bear, 18th (Queen Mary’s Own) Hussars, later East Yorkshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (4855 Sjt., 18/Hrs.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4855 /L. Corpl., 18th Hussars) suspension claw re-pinned; 1914 Star, with clasp (4855 Sjt., 18/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (4855 Sq. S. Mjr., 18/Hrs.) some contact wear and edge bruising, therefore generally nearly very fine (7) £500-600 M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916 (Sjt. (now Sqdn. Sergt. Mjr.), Hussars). Bertram Bear served in France and Flanders with the 18th Hussars from 15 August 1914, before receiving his commission into the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment in June 1916 and was subsequently employed with the Machine Gun Corps from 24 February 1918. The Army List for 1920 confirms that he served in France and Belgium from August 1914 to 25 March 1918 and that he was wounded.

An early Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. and Russian Gold Medal of St George group of seven awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major E. W. Hall, 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars, later Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (50741 C. S. Mjr., 9/M.G. Sqn. M.G.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5068 Pte., 19th Hussars); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (5068 Sjt., 19/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (5068 W.O.Cl.2., 19-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., type 1 (50741 Sq. S. Mjr., M.G.C.) second initial given as ‘W’ on this medal; Russian St George Medal for Bravery, 2nd Class, in gold, reverse inscribed ‘No.2874’, the edge with officially impressed naming ‘5068 Sgt. E. W. Hall, 19th Hus.’, some contact wear and edge bruising, therefore generally nearly very fine or better (7) £3000-3500 D.C.M. London Gazette 17 April 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On several occasions, when officers were not available, he carried out the duties of subsection commander with extreme ability and his courage and coolness in action have frequently been brought to notice (Hollebeke 1914 and Loos).’ M.I.D. London Gazette 22 June 1915 (Sergt, 19th Hussars, attached 16th Lancers). Russian St George Medal for Bravery, 2nd Class London Gazette 25 August 1915 (Sergt., 19th Hussars) Ernest Walter Hall a native of Norwich served with the 19th Hussars in France and Flanders from 23 August 1914, transferring to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) in October 1915. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Six: Squadron Sergeant Major (Rough Rider) Albert Quick, 19th Hussars and Leicestershire Yeomanry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, South Africa 1901 3962 Corpl., 19/Hrs.); 1914 Star, with clasp (3962 Sq. S. Mjr., Leic. Yeo.); British War Medal 1914-20 (3962 W.O.Cl.II, 19-Hrs.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (3962 W.O.Cl.2., 19-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (3962 Sq. S. Mjr. R.R., 19/Hrs.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (3962 W.O.Cl.1., 19.H.) some contact wear, otherwise generally very fine or better (6) £350-400 M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953. Albert Quick enlisted into the 19th Hussars in October 1893, aged 18 and saw service with this regiment during the Boer War. He served in France and Flanders with the Leicestershire Yeomanry from 2 November 1914, subsequently serving the remainder of his time back with the 19th Hussars, before being discharged on 8 October 1917 as a result of being no longer fit for war service. Sold with copy m.i.c. which states that a replacement British War Medal was issued on 15 March 1927.

A Great War M.C. group of nine awarded to Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant (later Lieutenant) W. R. White, Northamptonshire Yeomanry, formerly Royal Dragoons, later Army Service Corps Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse neatly inscribed to centre ‘R.Q.M.S. William R. White, Northamptonshire Yeomanry’ and to top and bottom arms of cross respectively ‘Jany. 14th 1916’ and ‘May 27th 1916’; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (2813 Qr. Mr. Sjt., 1/R.D.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (2813 R. Qr. Mr. Sjt., Rl. Dragoons); 1914 Star, with clasp (566 R.Q.M. Sjt., 1/1 North’n. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (566 W.O.Cl.II, M.C., North’n. Yeo.); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., type 1 (Inspr.); Voluntary Medical Services Medal, with additional service bar (W. R. White) some contact wear overall, therefore nearly very fine or better (9) £1000-1200 M.C. London Gazette 14 January 1916 (R.Q.M.S., Northamptonshire Yeomanry). M.I.D. London Gazette 27 May 1916. William Richard White was born in Portland, Dorset in 1873. He served in France and Flanders with the Northamptonshire Yeomanry from 6 November 1914 and was commissioned into the Army Service Corps in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 14 August 1916, subsequently being promoted to Lieutenant on 14 February 1918. Sold with copy service papers which confirm additional entitlement to ‘German Medal of The Order of Military Merit.’

A Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel Henry Sidney, Northumberland Yeomanry Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R. silver-gilt and enamels, one or two minor chips to wreath; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Capt., North’d. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.); Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1919, good very fine or better (7) £1200-1500 D.S.O. London Gazette 4 June 1917 (Major, Yeomanry). Despatches three times London Gazette 17 February 1915 (Major, Northumberland Hussars), 4 January 1917 (Major, Yeomanry), 15 May 1917 (Major, Yeomanry). T.D. London Gazette 15 July 1919 (Temporary Lieutenant Colonel, Northumberland Hussars). Lieutenant Colonel Henry Sidney served in France and Flanders with the Northumberland Yeomanry from 5 October 1914. He commanded 14 Corps Cavalry Regiment from 19 March 1917 to 22 April 1917 and was wounded twice (Army List for 1922 refers). Both the Jubilee and Coronation Medals are confirmed as being awarded to him whilst Colonel (Honorary Colonel) of the Northumberland Hussars.

Seven: Warrant Officer Charles Phillips, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, formerly Derbyshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7536 Pte., Vol. Coy. Derby Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (12425 O.R. Sjt., 1/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (12425 A.W.O.Cl.2., G. Gds.) initial erroneously given as ‘G’ on B.W.M.; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (2604090 W.O. Cl. II, G.Gds.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., type 1 (12425 T.S. Mjr., 1/G. Gds.); Belgian Croix de Guerre, first medal polished and with contact wear overall, therefore nearly very fine, otherwise generally good very fine or better (7) £400-500 M.I.D. London Gazette 11 December 1917. M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 April 1918. Charles Phillips served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 19 October 1914.

The superb Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C., D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant Major Joseph Littler, 2nd Battalion, later 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who formed part of the Bearer Company at the funeral of King Edward VII for which he was awarded the R.V.M. Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘8380 Sgt. Major J. Littler, 4th Bn. Gren Gds’; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8380 Drill Sjt., 2/G.G.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8380 Dr. Sjt., 2/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (8380 W.O.Cl.I., G. Gds.); Royal Victorian Medal, E.VII.R., in bronze (8380 Sgt., 1st Bn. Gren. Gds. Bearer Party); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (8380 S. Mjr., G. Gds.) first two with some contact wear, obverse of R.V.M. with old repair to suspension and a little polished, therefore generally nearly very fine or better (7) £2500-3000 M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918 Sergeant Major, 4th Battalion, Grenadier Guards). D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915 (Drill Sergeant, now Warrant Officer II, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards) ‘For conspicuous gallantry throughout the campaign. He has rendered invaluable service on all occasions and has never failed in any duty allotted to him however dangerous.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 22 May 1917 (Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards). R.V.M. London Gazette 7 June 1910 (Colour Sergeant, King’s Company (Bearer Company), 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards). Joseph Littler was born in Runcorn, Cheshire and enlisted into the Grenadier Guards in 1899 aged 23, at which time he gave his profession as being a rock miner. He first served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 13 August 1914 and was promoted to the rank of Drill Sergeant ‘in the field’ with the 2nd Battalion before being transferred to the 4th Battalion in May 1918 with the rank of Sergeant Major. He was discharged on 30 October 1920 on the termination of his second period of engagement.

Six: Colour Sergeant (Sergeant Drummer) Alfred Douglass, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards 1914 Star, with clasp (10376 Sjt. Dmr., C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (10376 C. Sjt., C. Gds.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (2646779 C. Sjt., C. Gds.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., type 1 (10376 Sjt. Dmr., 1/C. Gds.); together with recipient’s brass bed plate, suspension with old silver-solder repair to last medal which no longer swivels, some contact wear overall, otherwise generally nearly very fine or better (7) £200-250 M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919 (Sergeant Drummer, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards). Alfred Douglas served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 12 August 1914.

Seven: Private G. C. Hogbin, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast 2590 Pte., Scots Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (2590 Pte., Scots Guards); 1914 Star, with clasp (2590 Pte., S. Gds.) clasp damaged; British War and Victory Medals (2590 Pte., S. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (2590 Pte., S. Gds.); Japanese Order of The Sacred Treasure, 7th Class, generally very fine and better (7) £400-500 Army L.S. & G.C. awarded in Army Order 1 October 1917. Japanese Order of The Sacred Treasure, 7th Class London Gazette 21 July 1919. George Charles Hogbin was born in Ramsgate, Kent and enlisted into the Scots Guards in January 1899 aged 20, at which time he gave his profession as ‘butcher’. He served in France and Flanders with the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards from 26 August 1914. In 1918 he transferred to the 3rd Battalion and took up a post as servant to Lieutenant General Sir W. P. Pulteney, KCB, DSO on attachment to H.Q., 23rd Army Corps at Bury St Edmunds. He was finally discharged from the Scots Guards on 15 February 1920 with an ‘exemplary’ character, having served in the regiment for a little over 21 years. Sold with copy service papers which confirm. Private Hogbin was presented with his Japanese Order of The Sacred Treasure whilst serving as servant to Lieutenant General Pultney, KCB, DSO, who himself was involved in organising the 1918 Mission to Japan, with Prince Arthur of Connaught. (Who Was Who 1941-1950 refers).

Four: Major E. U. Walshe, Royal Field Artillery Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1901 (Lieut., R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp, (Lieut., R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.) good very fine (4) £300-350 Major Edward Ussher Walshe served with the Royal Field Artillery in Somaliland in 1901 and during the Great War served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 18 August 1914. He was promoted to the rank of Major on 6 March 1916 and is shown as retired in the 1922 Army List. Sold with copy m.i.c.

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of nine awarded to Warrant Officer Ernest Chidgey, Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers, formerly Somerset Light Infantry, who also received an M.I.D. for gallant and distinguished services in 1914 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23115 A.C.S. Mjr., 35/D.S. Coy. R.E.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (23115 Sjt., 1/D.S. Co. R.E.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5821 Pte., Somerset Lt. Infy.) initial erroneously given as ‘C’ on this medal; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (5821 Corpl., Somerset L.I.); 1914 Star, with clasp (23115 Sjt., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (23115 A.W.O.Cl.2., R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (23115 Sjt., D.C.M., M.M. R.E.); French Medaille Militaire, enamel damage to last, some contact wear and edge bruising, generally nearly very fine and better (9) £2000-2500 D.C.M. London Gazette 17 April 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has constantly displayed the greatest energy and determination at his work, and by his initiative and skill has set an excellent example to his company.’ M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916. Despatches twice London Gazette 20 October 1914 and 15 June 1916. Ernest Chidgey, a native of North Petherton served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 17 August 1914. The book, The Old Contemptibles Honours & Awards confirms the Medaille Militaire to Sergeant ‘Chidney’. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Four: Sergeant W. A. Trump, 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Regiment, later Royal Tank Corps 1914 Star, with clasp (L-9360 Pte., 2/The Queen’s R.); British War and Victory Medals (9360 Sjt., The Queen’s R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (7868296 Sjt., R.T.C.) generally very fine or better (3) £180-220 William A. Trump served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion, Queen’s Regiment from 4 October 1914, subsequently transferring to the Machine Gun Corps and then the Tank Corps.

The superb Great War ‘Long Service’ group of ten to Company Sergeant Major Charles Wilkinson, 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the Western Front in September 1914 Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (4170 Pte., 1/North’d Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4170 Cpl., North’d Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4170 Serjt., North’d. Fus.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (4170 Sergt., 1st Bn. North’d. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (4170 C. S. Mjr., 1/North’d. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (4170 W.O.Cl.2., North’d. Fus.); Delhi Durbar 1911, the edge with contemporary impressed naming ‘No. 4170 Cr. Sergt. C. Wilkinson, 1/5th Fus.’; Army L.S & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (4170 C. Sjt., Nth’ld. Fus.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp (4170 Pte., 5th Fusers.); together with memorial plaque (Charles Wilkinson) the K.S.A. with re-pinned suspension claw, some medals with contact wear, therefore generally nearly very fine and better and a rare combination of awards (11) £1200-1500 Charles Wilkinson was born in Kensington, London and enlisted at Hounslow, Middlesex. He served in France and Flanders with the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers from 13 August 1914 and was killed in action there on 16 September 1914, when three high explosive shells burst in the trench in which he and his company were situated. At the time of his death he was 37 years of age. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. The following is extracted from The Fifth in The Great War, by Brigadier H. R. Sandilands, CMG, DSO: ‘Wilkinson had served in campaigns with the Battalion in the Sudan, South Africa, and the N.W. Frontier and his handsome features and soldierly bearing marked him for the model of the Fifth Fusilier that may be seen today surmounting one of the silver bells in the Officers’ Mess of the 1st Battalion.’

Six: Staff Sergeant (Acting Sergeant Major) G. J. Rendall, 10th Battalion (Intelligence Police) Royal Fusiliers, formerly Royal Field Artillery, who was wounded during the Defence of Ladysmith and served during the Great War with the so called ‘Hush-Hush Brigade’ India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (79081 Corpl., 10th Fd. By., R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, South Africa 1901 (79706 Gunr., 21st Bty., R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp (R-F-15330 S. Sjt. (A.S. Mjr.), R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-15330 S. Sjt., R. Fus.); Metropolitan Police Coronation 1911 (P.S.G. Rendall) generally very fine and better (6) £500-600 George J. Rendall was wounded on 6 January 1900 during the Defence of Ladysmith, whilst serving with the 21st Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Beginning in August 1914 and continuing throughout the Great War, numbers of Metropolitan and provincial police officers, usually bilingual and often from Special Branch, enlisted into the Army for service in the Intelligence Corps. The identity of these men was treated with great secrecy and they became known to their police colleagues as the ‘Hush-Hush Brigade’, their names only ever being made public if they were either killed or decorated. These Intelligence entrants were posted (but only on paper) to the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers and this was always the regiment shown on their medals. (An article entitled The ‘Hush-Hush Brigade’, by Robert W. Gould, MBE was published in the OMRS Journal, Volume 32, No. 2).

A Great War 1914 ‘Battle of The Aisne’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major Martin Swanick, 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6915 C. S. Mjr., 1/L’pool. Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6915 Pte., L’pool. Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (6915 C. S. Mjr., 1/L’pool. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 6915 W.O.Cl.2., L’pool. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (6915 C. S. Mjr., D.C.M., L’pool. R.); together with an erased Victory Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the Q.S.A. with some minor edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine (6) £800-1000 D.C.M. London Gazette 17 December 1914 ‘For conspicuous gallantry in conveying messages to his Commanding Officer under heavy fire, although at the time badly wounded.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 8 October 1914. The following amusing anecdote in relation to C.S.M. Swanick’s ‘strict disciplinarian’ style is extracted from The History of The King’s Liverpool Regiment 1914-1919, by Everard Wyrall: ‘Colonel T. W. S. Graham says “Possibly one amusing incident during the action at Villers Cotterets on 1 September 1914 may be worth referring to as illustrating a point of view.” - My Company ‘D’ was in the wood just behind the guns when the latter were brought out under very severe shell fire by the gallantry of one of the teams. The South Staffords, who were, many of them, lying in ditches on each side of the road down which the guns galloped, set up a rather shrill hysterical cheer. Never, I should say, was a cheer better deserved, but my Colour Sergeant - Swanick, a strict disciplinarian, made a trumpet of his hands and roared indignantly into my ear through the roar of the shelling, “Ark at them loafers on the road!”

Three: Private George Allen, 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, who was wounded in February 1915 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9908 Pte., 1/W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9908 Pte., W. York. R.) good very fine (3) £120-150 George Allen served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 8 September 1914 and was wounded by a gunshot to the left foot in February 1915. He was discharged from the army on 10 September 1915. Sold with copy m.i.c. which shows entitlement to Silver War Badge.

Nine: Warrant Officer Frederick Byford, 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was wounded and taken prisoner of war in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (3019 Cpl., 2/Lan. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (3019 Pte., Lanc. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3019 Clr. Serjt., Lanc. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (3019 C. S. Mjr., 2/Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (3019 W.O.Cl.2., Lan. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3019 C. Sjt., Lanc. Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., type 3 (3019 C./Sjt., L.F.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (3019 Corpl., 2nd L.F.) first three medals a little polished, therefore nearly very fine and better (9) £800-1000 M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity. Frederick Byford was born in Poplar, London in 1874 and enlisted into the Lancashire Fusiliers in June 1889, aged 14 years 11 months, at which time he gave his trade as a musician. He landed in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. on 22 August 1914 and was wounded by a gunshot to the right ankle and taken prisoner four days later in the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914. He was held at Friedrichsfeld, Bei Wesel prisoner of war camp in Germany, finally being repatriated on 13 July 1917 after nearly three years as a prisoner of war. He served the remainder of his time at home and received his discharge from the army in January 1920.

Four: Sergeant Isaac Lynas, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers 1914 Star, with clasp (A-6636 Pte., 2/R. Sc. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (A-6636 Sjt., R. S. Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., type 1 (A-6636 Sjt., 2/R. Sc. Fus.) some contact wear and edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine and better (4) £180-220 M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918 (France). Isaac Lynas served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 20 October 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Seven: Captain (formerly Regimental Sergeant Major) Shem Williams, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who served in North Nigeria in 1902 and was wounded in late 1914 and at the Battle of Loos in September 1915 Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, N. Nigeria (3358 Serjt., 1st R. Welsh Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (3358 R. S. Mjr., 1/R. W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3358 C. Sjt., Rl. Welsh Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., type 3 (3358 W.O.Cl.1., R.W.F.) first with re-pinned suspension claw, contact wear and edge bruising, therefore good fine, otherwise generally very fine and better and the first extremely rare to the regiment (7) £500-600 M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity. Captain (formerly R.S.M.) Shem Williams was born in Everton, Lancashire in 1872 and enlisted into th eRoyal Welsh Fusiliers in 1891, aged 19. He was present in West Africa September 1898 to December 1899 and again during the Bornu Expedition in West Africa in 1902 (medal and clasp). In June 1911 he was one of a representative detachment from the 1st Battalion, comprising 3 officers, 50 men and a goat sent to London to attend the Coronation of King George V. Captain Williams . He served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. in the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major from 6 October 1914. He received his commission in the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the rank of Lieutenant in January 1915 and was wounded at the Battle of Loos the following September. He was promoted Captain on 1 October 1918 at which time he was employed with the Garrison Battalion of the Bedfordshire Regiment. (Regimental Records of The Royal Welch Fusiliers, by Major C. H. Dudley Ward, DSO, MC confirms). Sold with copied service papers which confirm that he was wounded in October 1914 ‘shrapnel bullet wound of the left arm’ and’[September] 1915 ‘gunshot wound back.’

A good Great War 1914 ‘Fromelles’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant Thomas Ledington, 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8795 Sjt., 2/R. W. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8795 Sjt., 2/R. W. Fus.) initial given as ‘E’ on this medal; British War and Victory Medals (8795 A.W.O.Cl.2., R. W. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (4178905 C.Q.M. Sjt., D.C.M., R. W. Fus.) surname spelt ‘Leddington on last medal, some edge bruising and contact wear and a little polished, therefore nearly very fine (5) £1200-1500 D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915 ‘For gallant services rendered near Fromelles, although wounded, continued at his post, and later brought up ammunition under fire on two occasions.’ Thomas Ledington served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c. Both the author Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves also served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Great War.

Four: Captain Stuart Duncan, Gloucestershire Regiment, who was killed in action at Hooge on 13 November 1914 whilst attached to the Middlesex Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Natal, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt., Glouc. Rgt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt., Glouc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) nearly extremely fine (4) £600-800 The following is extracted from The Bond of Sacrifice, Volume I: ‘Captain Stuart Duncan, Gloucestershire Regiment was killed in action at Hooge on the 13th November 1914. He was born in London in 1865 and educated at Marlborough College, and obtained his commission in 1884, becoming Captain in 1891. With his regiment he served in the South African War, taking part in operations in Natal, including actions at Rietfontein and Lombard’s Kop, where he was slightly wounded. He was also at operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony. In 1904 Captain Duncan left the Army and joined the Reserve of Officers, Gloucestershire Regiment. He had therefore been retired from the active list for ten years when the Great War broke out, but at once patriotically volunteered for active service, and was posted first to the 3rd Battalion of his old corps, from which he was sent out to the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment at the front, but when killed was serving with the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He behaved with great gallantry during the war, particularly on the day of his death, when he had been ten days in the trenches, continually shelled, and was shot down while leading his men, by whom he was specially beloved.’ Captain Duncan is listed in the Boer War casualty roll as being taken prisoner at Farquar’s Farm on 30 October 1899 and subsequently released. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Three: Private Harry Hayter, 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (9726 Pte., 2/E. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9726 Pte., E. Lan. R.) good very fine (3) £120-150 Harry Hayter served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, subsequently transferring to the Army Pay Corps. Sold with copy m.i.c. which shows entitlement to Silver War Badge (due to wounds, 4 January 1918, aged 23).

Three: Private L. G. Clifton, 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment 1914 Star, with copy clasp (L-6626 Pte., 1/E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-6626 Pte., E. Surr. R.) contact wear overall, therefore nearly very fine (3) £120-140 Lewis George Clifton enlisted into the army on 24 August 1900, served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 16 August 1914 and was discharged on 3 September 1915. Sold with copy m.i.c. which shows entitlement to Silver War Badge (due to sickness).

Four: Sergeant J. E. Dingley, 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1914 Star, with clasp (8074 Sjt., 1/D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8074 Sjt., D.C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (7807364 Sjt., D.C.L.I.) some contact wear, therefore nearly very fine (4) £180-220 James E. Dingley served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 21 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c. which also shows service with the Machine Gun Corps.

The superb Great War ‘Ypres 1914’ D.C.M. and ‘First Day of The Somme’ Bar group of eight awarded to Acting Company Sergeant Major C. E. Metcalfe, 2nd Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, formerly Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action in July 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (9827 A.C.S.Mjr., W. Rid. Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (4505 Pte., 1st Suffolk Regt.) surname spelt ‘Metcalf’ on this medal; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4505 Pte., Suffolk Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9827 Sjt., 2/W. Rid. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9827 W.O.Cl.1., W. Rid. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (9827 C. Sjt., W. Rid. R.); Belgian Croix de Guerre, second medal with tightened claw, otherwise generally nearly very fine and better (8) £2500-3000 D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915 ‘For conspicuous gallantry, ability and resource on 8th November 1914, at Ypres. When our attack had failed and all the officers had fallen, he took charge of the company and counterattacked the enemy with complete success - he was himself wounded.’ Bar to D.C.M. London Gazette 22 September 1916 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. Though wounded, he refused to leave the line, and continued to carry out his duties most ably. During the following nine days, while holding the front line trenches, he rendered invaluable assistance in reorganising the battalion. He set a splendid example to all ranks. (1 July 1916, Serre and Beaumont Hamel’ Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 July 1918. Cecil Edward Metcalfe was born and enlisted at Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk. He served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 14 August 1914 and was killed in action there on 18 July 1918 in the daring raid on Pacaut Wood. This raid was undertaken by 5 officers and 200 other ranks who were divided equally into four platoons, including three Lewis guns and eight stretcher bearers. The original orders stating: ‘A detachment of the Battalion will carry out a raid on 18 July 1918 with the intention to clear a sector of Pacaut Wood in two phases, and capture the garrison, thus obtaining identifications and causing casualties. No titles, regimental patches, or other articles which might cause identification are to be worn by any of the party. Special raid identity discs are being issued. White bands will be worn on the left arm.’ The raid was ultimately successful with enemy casualties being estimated at between 30 and 40 men, as well as 29 prisoners captured, one machine gun captured and three destroyed. The British casualties in the raid were 5 killed, 25 wounded and 2 missing known to be killed. At the time of his death Regimental Sergeant Major Metcalfe was 39 years of age. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

Seven: Warrant Officer (Acting Major) F. C. Clifton, 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (10138 Cpl., 2/Welsh R.); British War and Victory Medals (10138 Sjt., Welsh R.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (3948140 W.O.Cl.II., Welch R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., type 3 (3948140 W.O.Cl.2., Welch) official correction to last three digits of regimental number; Cadet Forces Medal, G.VI.R. (A/Major) very fine and better (7) £350-400 M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity. Frederick C. Clifton served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

A good Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Company Sergeant Major George Thompson, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was taken prisoner of war and brought to notice for gallantry at the Battle of Loos Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5115 C. S. Mjr., 1/L.N. Lan. R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (5115 L. Cpl., 1st L.N. Lanc. Regt. M.I.); 1914 Star, with clasp (5115 C. Sjt., L.N. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (5115 C. Sjt., L.N. Lan. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (5115 C.S. Mjr., L.N. Lan. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., type 3 (5115 W.O.Cl.2., Loyals) some contact wear and edge bruising, therefore generally nearly very fine and better (7) £1200-1500 D.C.M. London Gazette 30 January 1920. Awarded under the general heading: ‘The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the under-mentioned rewards, in recognition of distinguished services in the field, which have been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919.’ The Lancashire Daily Post of 1 January 1916 states that C.S.M. Thompson was ‘brought to notice and recommended for gallant conduct at Loos.’ The 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment suffered terribly in this action, with the loss of 16 officers and 489 other ranks killed wounded and missing. As the award of the D.C.M. is made under the general heading covering returned prisoners of war it is almost certain that Thompson’s D.C.M. was a retrospective award in recognition of his gallantry on 25 September 1915 at Loos. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916. M.S.M. awarded in Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity. Sold with copy m.i.c. which confirms entitlement to ‘clasp & roses.’

Eight: Private John Barnes, 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, formerly Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was awarded a Medaille Militaire in France in 1914 at which time he was aged 43 India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (2833 Pte., 1st Bn. Ryl. Sco. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (2833 Pte., 2. R. Scots. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (L-14047 Pte., 4/Midd’x. R.); British War and Victory Medals (14047 Pte., Midd’x. R.); Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2833 Pte., Rl. Scots Fus.); French Medaille Militaire, last with severe enamel damage, otherwise generally very fine and better (8) £400-500 Medaille Militaire announced in Army Order 183 of 11 November 1914. John Barnes was born in Drogheda in 1871 and enlisted into the Royal Scots Fusiliers in August 1889 aged 18. He served at home from 1887-1896, India 1896-1899, South Africa 1899-1900, and home 1900 - 1914, prior to serving with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders from 13 August 1914 to 26 October 1914, when he was returned home suffering with plurisy. He continued to serve with his regiment at home, subsequently transferring to the Labour Corps and was discharged in 1920 after 33 years continuous service, during which time his name never appeared in the Regimental Conduct Book. Sold with copy service papers which confirm medal entitlement, including Medaille Militaire and Coronation 1911, his papers stating ‘awarded Coronation Medal as a personal gift of H.M. The King.’

A Great War M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant Gilbert Hancock, 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and Indian Army Military Medal, G.V.R. (10414 Cpl., 1/K.R. Rif. C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (10414 Pte., 1/K.R. Rif. C.); British War and Victory Medals (10414 Cpl., K.R. Rif. C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (6837570 Sjt., Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) official correction to regiment; Army L.S. & G.C., type 2 (S.-Sjt. Instr., I.U.L. Attd. A.F.I.) Great War medals polished, therefore good fine and better, last two medals with edge bruising, otherwise very fine (6) £350-400 M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. Gilbert Hancock served in France and Flanders with the 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Three: Private John McHugh, 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, who was wounded in 1914 and 1915 1914 Star, with clasp (7952 Pte., 2/High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7952 Pte., High. L.I.) edge bruise to last, nearly very fine and better (3) £120-140 John McHugh served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 14 August 1914. He was wounded in action on 4 October 1914 and again on 28 May 1915, before being discharged from the army on 22 September 1915. Sold with copy service papers which show that he was claiming a disability pension as a result of a ‘gunshot wound (grenade) left breast.’

Four: Private Michael Stokes, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, later Royal Ulster Rifles 1914 Star, with clasp (6864 Pte., 1/R. Ir. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (1-6864 Pte., R. Ir. Rif.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (700623 Cpl., R.U. Rif.) very fine and better (4) £180-220 Michael Stokes served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 6 November 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

The exceptional Great War 1914 ‘Festubert’ D.C.M. and Russian Cross of St George group of five awarded to Sergeant Hugh Coldwell, 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers - After his death in action in 1915 his Colonel paid the following tribute “He was the bravest of the brave and knew no danger - the true type of a Ranger” Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9054 Sjt., 1/Conn. Rang.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9054 Cpl., 1/Conn. Rang.); British War and Victory Medals (9054 Cpl., Conn. Rang.) surname spelt ‘Caldwell on pair; Russian Cross of St George, 4th class, reverse officially numbered ‘127169’; together with memorial plaque (Hugh Coldwell) and a poignant letter written by the recipient to his parents in June 1915, good very fine (6) £2000-2500 D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915 ‘For gallant conduct on 30th November 1914, near Festubert, when he led 12 men and reoccupied a trench which was being heavily assailed by the enemy’s bombs.’ Russian Cross of St George London Gazette 25 August 1915. The following in relation to the action in which he gained the award of his D.C.M. is extracted from, The Connaught Rangers, Volume I, by Lieut. Col. H. F. N. Jourdain, CMG: ‘On 30 November 1914, early in the afternoon came news that a sudden attack was being made on a weak place in the line near Le Plantin, where the trenches held by the Poona Horse and the 7th Dragoon Guards connected. Sergeant Caldwell and twelve men of ‘D’ Company were at once sent off to assist the Poona Horse. Then, shortly after two o’clock, another message was received to the effect that the trenches of the Poona Horse had been rushed and were in possession of the Germans. Second Lieutenant Badham and twelve more men of ‘D’ Company were now sent off. Information, however, came to hand shortly afterwards that the situation had been retrieved, and at 3:40pm Second Lieutenant Badham and his party returned. The party sent earlier, of whom Sergeant Caldwell of the Rangers was in charge, remained behind to hold the Poona Horse trench. They had done excellent work. When they first received orders to go to the aid of the Poona Horse, Sergeant Caldwell and his men were occupying a trench 250 yards away. They rushed along the trench and reoccupied the evacuated Poona Horse trench, driving back the Germans and pushing on to the sap-head. The trench was without protection, the parapet having been almost completely blown away. Sergeant Caldwell and four men, with the utmost pluck and coolness under a continuous sniping fire from the Germans near by, built up and re-vetted the parapet and then held both trench and sap-head for the rest of the day. They remained there until six in the evening when they were relieved by the return of Second Lieutenant Badham and thirty men. Sergeant Caldwell was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallant services.’ Sergeant Coldwell is again mentioned in the regimental history for distinguishing himself in the action at the Second Battle of Ypres on 26 April 1915: ‘Sergeant H. Caldwell distinguished himself during the advance by taking command of his company, on all the officers being hit, and leading boldly and with the finest determination. Caldwell had already won the D.C.M. at Neuve Chapelle and for the Second Ypres was awarded the Russian Order of St George, 4th class.’ Hugh Coldwell was born in Cavan, lived at Mountnugent, Cavan and enlisted in London. He died of wounds in France and Flanders on 18 October 1915 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial. Of his death the regimental history states: ‘Sergeant Caldwell, whose fine courage and gallant leadership on many occasions, notably at Neuve Chapelle and at the Second Ypres, where he won the D.C.M. and the Russian St George Medal, was mortally wounded near Neuve Chapelle, during the Rangers’ last tour of duty in the trenches there. The top of his left shoulder was smashed, and after amputation he succumbed. “Seldom” says Father Peal, “has a soldier received more merited praise than the Colonel gave Sergeant Caldwell when announcing his death to the battalion. He was the bravest of the brave and knew no danger - the true type of a Ranger.’ The following is transcribed from the original poignant letter written by Sergeant Hugh Coldwell to his parents ‘in the field’ on 7 June 1915: ‘My dear parents, Just a few lines after a lapse of many years. I had a letter from Bernard and he told me that you were all in the best of health. The reason I did not write before now was because I did not like to let you know I was in the army. I have been fighting here in Belgium since the outbreak of war. We came from India. I was there for 7 years. I was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 30.11.14 for bravery in the field, as you can see by the attached cutting from a paper. The last big fight I was in was on 26th & 27th April and all the officers got either killed or wounded. I led my company right through the attack. I got a couple of slight wounds which were practically nothing. I have been again mentioned in despatches and recommended for the Victoria Cross and a commission. Things are very quiet here at p[resent] as the Germans had to withdraw a lot of their troops from our front to put against the Italians as the Austrians are nearly wiped out. It is terrible what the Germans done on the poor nuns and priests. I could not explain as it would take me weeks and would horrify the world. You must excuse this scribble. I have nothing more to say at present, but will write a long letter in a few days time when I come out of the trenches for a rest. Remember me to Granny, Uncle John and Paddy, Master Gillick, Brothers and Sisters and all the neighbours in Dungannon. Your loving son, Hugh

A good Great War M.C. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer (Regimental Sergeant Major) M. G. McNama, 2nd Battalion, formerly 1st Battalion, Connaught Rangers, who was wounded during the Boer War and accompanied his regiment to France in August 1914 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (5701 Cpl., 1st Connaught Rang.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (5701 Clr.-Serjt., Con. Rang.) suspension claw tightened on this medal; 1914 Star, with clasp (5701 S. Mjr., 2/Conn. Rang.); British War and Victory Medals (5701 W.O.Cl.1., Conn. Rang.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (7143012 W.O.Cl.1., Conn. Rang.) the Boer War medals with contact wear and edge bruising, therefore about nearly very fine, otherwise very fine and better (7) £1200-1500 M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918 (Regimental Sergeant Major, Connaught Rangers.) Morgan George McNama was dangerously wounded during the Boer War on 25 May 1902. The following in relation to the action in which he received his wounds is extracted from Regimental Records of The Connaught Rangers, Boer War 1899-1901: ‘About a mile and a half from the Nek above the farm a few men with a white flag were to be seen on the hill and it was soon learnt that our patrol had suffered considerably at the hands of the Boers. ‘C’ and ‘E’ Companies held the ridges north of the farm, and while the wounded were being brought into the house the story was soon told. It appeared that finding apparently no Boers about, 2nd Lieut. Joyce had reached the farm. The owner assured him that none of the enemy had been seen for some days and pressed him to come in and have some coffee. This Joyce refused to do until he had been up the ridge which hangs over the south and west of Morgenzon. He, accompanied by Sergt. McNama, and leaving his 9 men at the foot of the hill with the horses, then ascended the slope by a narrow pathway. When quite close to the top fire was suddenly opened on them, but the first volley was harmless. They turned and ran down the hill but were both hit before they had gone many yards. Meanwhile the horses, many of which had been wounded at the first volley, stampeded and the men made a plucky rush towards their officer. But in a few seconds five more were hit and the Boers appeared on all sides of them, and the four unwounded were forced to surrender. The Boers of course rifled their pockets and took their money and anything else that appealed to them. The men say that they were well dressed and had many bandoliers. It was Odendal’s Commando which had been so nearly in our hands a few days before.’ During the Great War Morgan McNama served in France and Flanders with the 2nd Battalion, Connaught Rangers from 14 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Seven: Sergeant John Townsend, 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, later Royal Tank Corps 1914 Star, with clasp (10104 Pte., R. Dub. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (10104 Pte., R. D. Fus.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (7075124 Sjt., R. Tank C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (7075124 Cpl., R. Tank C.); Army Meritorious Service, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (7075124 Sjt., R. Tank Corps) the Great War trio and L.S. medal polished good fine and better, single edge bruise to I.G.S. and L.S. medal, otherwise generally good very fine or better (7) £350-400 L.S. & G.C. announced in Army Order 150 of 1927. John Townsend served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 23 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Five: Corporal William Donovan, 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, later Royal Tank Corps 1914 Star, with clasp (4801 Pte., 1/Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (4801 Pte., Rif. Brig.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (-905678 Pte., R. Tank Corps); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (6905678 Cpl., R. Tank C.) trio a little polished, contact wear to edge of I.G.S. obliterating first digit of regimental number, generally nearly very fine and better (5) £200-250 William Donovan served in France and Flanders with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade from 23 August 1914, subsequently transferring to the Royal Tank Corps. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Captain (formerly Colour Sergeant) E. A. Pauly, 2nd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who was wounded, losing the sight of both eyes at the the Battle of Festubert on the night of 15/16 May 1915, whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps - In the following year King George V personally intervened to insure that he was able retain the rank of Captain: ‘This is a case worthy of every possible consideration and of exceptional treatment. The man has lost almost everything but life and if any little thing can be done to make the terrible affliction which he has to bear lighter, and to cheer his future days it ought to be carried out.” Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (4491 A. Cpl., 2/R. Bde.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (4491 Sgt., Rifle Brigade); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4491 Serjt., Rifle Brigade) surname spelt ‘Pauley’ on Q.S.A. and K.S.A.; 1914 Star, with clasp (4491 C. Sjt., 2/Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (4491 C. Sjt., Rif. Bde.); Khedive’s Sudan 1898-1910, no clasp, unnamed as issued, very fine and better (8) £500-600 The proceedings of the Medical Board found that Captain Pauly was ‘completely blinded by the explosion of a shell near him’ at Festubert on 15 May 1915. An extraordinary series of letters contained in his correspondence file at the National Archives shows how the C.O. of the Rifle Brigade made a plea that Pauly be allowed to retain permanently the rank of Captain even though he had held it only as a Temporary rank for less than the required three months. This request initially met strong opposition, however, on being informed of Captain Pauly’s plight the King intervened on his behalf with the following letter, dated 17 August 1916, with which there could be no argument: ‘The King has heard that Captain E. A. Pauly, late King’s Royal Rifles was commanding his company on the night of the 15th May 1915 in the attack upon the enemy’s position at Festubert, and whose wounds received on that occasion resulted in permanent blindness, has been informed that he must revert to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant because he had not held that of Temporary Captain for three months before the above incident took place. His Majesty feels that this is a case worthy of every possible consideration and of exceptional treatment. The man has lost almost everything but life, and if any little thing can be done to make the terrible affliction which he has to bear lighter, and to cheer his future days it ought to be carried out. The King understands that this slight concession will involve no expense to the country, and therefore he asks that Pauly may be allowed to retain the rank of Captain, which position he was considered worthy to hold and to exercise in leading his company into battle.’ The following obituary notice is extracted from The Rifle Brigade Chronicle 1944: ‘Captain Ernest Arthur Pauly was born 21 December 1875, at Horsham, Sussex. He enlisted as a H.Q. recruit into the 2nd Battalion at Aldershot in 1895, and it was with that battalion that he served throughout while with the regiment. He soon proved himself a useful footballer and played in the battalion team in 1896 and 1897. He was present with the battalion at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee procession in London, and afterwards embarked for Malta. From there he went to Egypt and took part in the Nile Expedition of 1898, being present at the Battle of Omdurman. From Egypt he went to Crete and served there during the disturbances of 1899. In October of that year he embarked for South Africa and took part in the defence of Ladysmith. He lasted out this siege without sustaining wounds or sickness and on the conclusion of hostilities went to Cairo, having then the rank of Sergeant. Three years later he went to India. He was promoted Colour Sergeant in 1910 and posted to ‘H’ Company. In 1914 he left India for France with the battalion and early in November 1914 was selected for a commission and gazetted to the 60th Rifles. At the Battle of Festubert [15/16 May 1915] he was wounded, losing the sight of both eyes. He died of pneumonia on 15 April 1944, having been totally blind for 29 years. He was indeed a loveable character and his cheerfulness, ability and independence in spite of his terrible affliction made him a grand example of patience and courage to all who had the good fortune to know him. He maintained the greatest interest in his old regiment to the last. He was buried with Military Honours at Wallington.’

Four: Corporal R. C. Alliston, Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry), who was wounded whilst serving on the Western Front in November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp ((729 Pte., H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals (729 Cpl., H.A.C.-Inf.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (6825113 Cpl., H.A.C.-Inf.) with H.A.C. ribbon, good very fine (4) £300-350 T.E.M. awarded in Army Order May 1922. Roy Clement Alliston was born in Bromley, Kent and enlisted into the H.A.C. in November 1912, aged 19, at which time he gave his profession as ‘wholesale Warehouseman’ and stated that he had previously served in Lancing College O.T.C. He served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 18 September 1914 and was admitted to the Hospital Ship Asturias on 30 November 1914 suffering from gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and left leg. On recovery from his wounds in October 1916 he returned to the Western Front with his old regiment where he remained until July 1917 when he returned to the UK. Sold with copy service papers and m.i.c.

Six: Private (Bandsman) W. C. Bannister, 1/13th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment), formerly Royal Fusiliers and later Middlesex Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (9005 Pte., 2nd Royal Fus.) unofficial rivets to top clasp; 1914 Star, with clasp (1344 Pte., 1/13 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1344 Pte., 13-Lond. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R., with additional service clasp (194 Pte., 10/Middx. Regt.); Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.V.R. (6653007 Bndsmn., 13-Lond. R.) edge bruise to first, otherwise generally very fine and better (6) £350-400 T.F.E.M. awarded in Army Order 255 of 1910 (10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment). Clasp to T.F.E.M. awarded in Army Order 423 of 1923 (13th Battalion, London Regiment). Sold with copy m.i.c. which shows entitlement to Silver War Badge (due to sickness, 29 March 1918).

The Second War C.I.E. group of ten awarded to Brigadier J. D. Mackenzie, 41st Dogra Regiment, later 1-17th Dogra Regiment, who went to the Western Front with the Indian Corps in 1914 and was was mentioned in despatches for service in Waziristan in 1921 The Most Eminent Order of The Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, in gold and enamels, reverse backing plate loose; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Lt., 41/Dogras); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) surname spelt ‘Macknzie’ on B.W.M.; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (Capt., 1-41 Dogras) this with officially re-impressed naming; India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Lt. Col., 1-17 Dogra R.); India Service Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, first extremely fine, Great War medals polished, about nearly very fine, some edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine and better (10) £500-600 C.I.E. London Gazette 1 January 1943 (Colonel (Temporary Brigadier), Indian Army, Commander, Quetta Area). M.I.D. London Gazette 1 June 1923 (Captain, Commands and Staff, 1/41st Dogra Regiment). ‘For distinguished service during the operations in Waziristan 1920-21.’ Brigadier James Dunbar Mackenzie was born in 1889 and was educated at Nairn Academy, Cheltenham College, R.M.C. Sandhurst and the Staff College, Quetta. He was first commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the East Surrey regiment in 1909, being promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in the Indian Army in 1914, Captain 1915, Major 1925, Brevet Lieut. Col. 1933, Lieut. Col. 1935, Colonel 1937 and Temporary Brigadier 1941. He retired from the army in 1944 at which time he was serving as an Area Commander and died three years later in August 1947.

A good Great War ‘Schwaben Redoubt’ M.C. group of five awarded to Captain C. F. Hacker, Royal Army Medical Corps, who rescued a wounded officer from ‘No Man’s Land’ Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); Fench Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with star emblem on ribbon, good very fine or better (5) £700-800 M.C. London Gazette 25 November 1916 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He tended and dressed the wounded under very heavy fire with great courage and determination. Later he rescued a wounded officer from ‘No Man’s Land’ under very trying circumstances (Schwaben Redoubt, 14 October 1916).’ M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 June 1919. Charles Frederick Hacker served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 8 October 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ O.B.E. group of eleven to Quartermaster & Captain John Wickersham, Royal Army Medical Corps, a veteran of the Ashanti, Sudan and South African Campaigns The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type; Ashanti 1896, unnamed as issued; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (9235 L./Cpl., R.A.M.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (9235 Sgt., R.A.M.C.); King’s South Africa, 2 clasps (9235 S. Serjt., R.A.M.C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Hon. Lieut. & Q.M., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Q.M & Capt.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Q.M. & Capt.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (9235 Q.M. Sjt., R.A.M.C.); Khedive’s Sudan 1898-1910, no clasp (9235 Lce. Corpl., R.A.M.C.) some contact wear throughout, generally nearly very fine and better (11) £800-1000 O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (Quartermaster & Captain, R.A.M.C.). M.I.D. London Gazette 10 July 1919 (Quartermaster & Captain, 45th Casualty Clearing Station, R.A.M.C.). John Wickersham served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 6 October 1914 to 11 November 1918.

Six: Company Sergeant Major George Ford, Army Service Corps Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (12140 Dvr., A.S.C.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (T-12140 C.Q.M. Sjt., A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (T-12140 T.W.O. Cl.1., A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 1 (T-12140 C.S. Mjr., A.S.C.); Army Meritorious Service, G.V.R. (T-12140 T.S.S. Mjr., R.A.S.C.) very fine and better (6) £200-250 M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (R.A.S.C., attached 53rd Field Ambulance). George Ford was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire in 1877 and enlisted into the Army Service Corps in May 1895. He served in South Africa during the Boer War from September 1899 to June 1900 and during the Great War served in France and Flanders with No. 1 Company, 6th Divisional Train, R.A.S.C. from 8 September 1914, being discharged in May 1919 on the termination of his second period of engagement. Sold with copy service papers and m.i.c.

Five: Warrant Officer Louis Crossley, Army Service Corps 1914 Star, with clasp (M-26784 Sjt., A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M-26784 T.W.O.Cl.1., A.S.C.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (M-14272 W.O.Cl.1., R.A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., type 2 (M-14272 W.O.Cl.1., R.A.S.C.) good very fine (5) £160-180 Army L.S. & G.C. awarded in Army Order 150 of 1927. Louis Crossley served in France and Flanders with No. 2 Ammunition Park, A.S.C. from 13 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c.

Three: Corporal S. H. A. Piller, Army Ordnance Corps 1914 Star, with copy clasp (S-7212 Pte., A.O.C.) surname spelt ‘Pillar’ on this medal; British War and Victory Medals (S-7212 T.2.Cpl., A.O.C.) very fine (3) £60-80 Samuel Henry Albert Piller enlisted in May 1912 and served in France and Flanders with the B.E.F. from 11 August 1914. Sold with copy m.i.c. which shows entitlement to Silver War Badge (due to sickness, 9 November 1919.

Three: Private H. J. Miles, Army Veterinary Corps 1914 Star, with copy clasp (SE-813 Pte., A.V.C.); British War and Victory Medals (SE-813 Pte., A.V.C.) very fine (3) £60-80 Henry J. Miles served in France and Flanders with the Army Veterinary Corps from 11 November 1914, subsequently transferring to the Royal Field Artillery.