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Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse, edge dated, impressed naming (Richard Eastman, 46th Regiment Foot. 1839.) fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension good very fine, extremely rare to unit £300-£400 --- Provenance: Baldwin, 1955; Spink, 1986. Richard Eastman was born in Bideford, Devon, in 1792 and attested for the 53rd Regiment of Foot in Dublin on 9 December 1813. Discharged on account of the Reduction in the Regiment on 3 April 1818, he re-enlisted in the 46th Regiment of Foot on 26 November 1818, and was appointed a Drummer on 25 November 1823. Reverting to Private on 15 December 1827, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Meal in 1839, and was finally discharged on 11 March 1840, after 25 years and 223 days’ service. This is his sole medallic entitlement. Sold with copied service papers and other research.

Pair: Private A. J. Norman, Suffolk Regiment British War and Victory Medals (8698 Pte. A. J. Norman. Suff. R.) nearly very fine Pair: Private E. C. Osborne, Suffolk Regiment British War and Victory Medals (2400 Pte. E. C. Osborne. Suff. R.) generally very fine or better British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (2. Lieut. H. E. S. Cadman.; 1524 Pte. K. Appleton. Suff. Yeo.) generally very fine (6) £70-£90 --- Alfred J. Norman served during the Great War with the Suffolk Regiment and the Cambridgeshire Regiment, and was additionally entitled to the L.S. & G.C. Harold Edward Snielter Cadman served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in Salonica from 20 February 1918. He subsequently transferred as a Lieutenant to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and resided in Thames Ditton after the war. Kenric Appleton served during the Great War with the 1/1st Suffolk Yeomanry in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 8 October 1915. He subsequently served with the Suffolk Regiment and the Royal Engineers (entitled to Silver War Badge).

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Laing’s Nek (10749 Dr: G. Tapley, A.S.C.) minor nicks to obverse by Monarch’s chin, otherwise good very fine £50-£70 --- G. Tapley served during the Boer War as a Driver in No. 1 Company, Army Service Corps.

Three: Drum Major D. Carr, 7th Foot India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (3548, D. Carr. H.Ms. 1st. Bn. 7th. Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3548. Drum Maj. D. Carr. 1-7th. Foot.); Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Drum-Mjr: D. Carr. 1/Rl. Fus.) contact marks to first two, therefore nearly very fine, the MSM nearly extremely fine (3) £700-£900 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Moss Collection; Llewellyn Lord Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2016. Daniel Carr was born on 3 February 1840 in Cork, Ireland, and attested for the 7th Royal Fusiliers there on 3 August 1854. Appointed a Drummer on 30 June 1855, he was promoted Corporal on 5 October 1869; Sergeant on 1 July 1871; and was appointed a Drum Major on 2 September 1873. He was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 8 February 1876, and was discharged on 4 March 1879 after 21 years and 30 days’ service. He subsequently served for an additional ten years on the Permanent Staff of the 3rd Battalion Wiltshire Regiment, with the rank of Staff Sergeant, and was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal with an Annuity of £10 on 4 February 1908. He died on 27 March of the following year. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

A Great War Italian theatre ‘Advance on Vittorio Veneto’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Corporal W. Boxall, South Staffordshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (32579 Pte. -A. Cpl.- W. Boxall 1/S/ Staff. R.); 1914-15 Star (012503 Pte. W. Boxall, A.O.C.); British War and Victory Medals (012503 A. Cpl. W. Boxall. A.O.C.) good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1919. William Boxall was born in Leigh, Surrey, c.1884, and attested for the Army Ordnance Corps at Brentwood, serving with them during the Great War initially in the Balkan theatre of War from 25 November 1915. Transferring to the South Staffordshire Regiment, he saw further service with the 1st Battalion in Italy, and was awarded his Military Medal for services during the advance on Vittorio Veneto. Sold with a postcard photograph of the recipient; an original letter written by the recipient to his wife and daughter, dated 8 May [1918], from ‘somewhere on the Line in Italy’, together with two other family postcards; the recipient’s signed extract from Battalion Standing Orders for the Trenches; a newspaper cutting regarding the advance on Vittorio Veneto; and copied research.

Five: Trooper E. G. Scott, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), attached Royal Armoured Corps 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (4676014. Tpr. E. G. Scott. D.W.R. (R.A.C.)) nearly extremely fine (5) £70-£90 --- Edward Grayston Scott was born in Staincliffe, Yorkshire, on 29 September 1919. His father worked as a train examiner for the Midlands Railway, hence Scott spent his early childhood in Skipton - affectionately known as the ‘gateway to the Dales’. A Baptist, Scott attested for the British Army upon the outbreak of war and is confirmed in service with the 2/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment in March 1941. A skilled driver and mechanic, he was posted to the Royal Armoured Corps in the spring of 1942 and served overseas in North West Europe. Sold with the recipients original Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, together with the named box of transmittal for the Second World War awards.

Family Group: A Second War ‘Dunkirk’ M.C. group of three awarded to Second Lieutenant P. D. R. Kindersley, Highland Light Infantry, whose actions helped extricate his battalion from a desperate situation; transferring to the newly-formed Reconnaissance Corps, he died in service in March 1941 Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1940, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘H. F. T. Kindersley, Esq., c/o Mrs. J.D. Herringham, Little Lords Mead, Lymington, Hants.’ [the recipient’s brother, at their aunt’s address], extremely fine Four: Lieutenant H. F. T. Kindersley, Federated Malay States Volunteer Forces, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War by the Japanese at the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately engraved ‘Lt. H. F. R. Kindersley F.M.S.V.F.’, mounted for wear, with a Federated Malay States V.F. cap badge, nearly extremely fine (7) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.C. London Gazette 22 October 1940. The original recommendation, submitted by Brigadier J. G. Smyth, V.C., states: ‘On 29 May 1940 when 1st H.L.I. became surrounded by enemy tanks and infantry this officer was acting as Brigade Liaison Officer. He came through to Brigade H.Q. to report the situation of his battalion at great personal risk and later took back a message to his C.O. which enabled considerable elements of the battalion to be extricated under cover of darkness. His behaviour throughout was admirable and his reports clear, intelligent and helpful.’ Philip Douglas Ronald Kindersley was born in 1918 at Rekko Hill, Kajang, Malaya, where his father was established as a pioneer coffee and rubber planter. Sent to England for his education, Philip attended Repton School between 1932 and 1935, passing into the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, in 1936. He was commissioned into the Highland Light Infantry in 1938, the Kindersley name being familiar in the regiment through the distinguished career of his uncle, Colonel Archibald Kindersley, CMG, and his cousin, Claude Kindersley (who would receive both the DSO and MC in the approaching war), already serving with the 2nd Battalion. Second Lieutenant Kindersley served as intelligence officer of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry when it joined the British Expeditionary Force in France. There it was assigned to Brigadier ‘Jackie’ Smyth’s 127 Infantry Brigade at his particular request, his high opinion of the regiment having been formed when its 2nd Battalion was present at the action in which he won the Victoria Cross in 1915. In mid May 1940, when the collapse of the French army and the German invasion of Holland obliged the B.E.F.’s withdrawal towards the Escaut line, 127 Brigade came under ‘Macforce’, a scratch formation created to guard the bridges over the River Scarpe between Raches and St. Amand and protect the exposed right flank. Here the H.L.I. came under sustained attack from the air, the beginning of two weeks of hard fighting during which they developed something of a speciality as a rearguard unit, in the retreat north-westwards to the Channel coast. On 29 May 1940 the Battalion was at Rexpoëde, less than 10 miles from Dunkirk, having just completed a particularly arduous march of 25 miles, hard on the heels of two successive night withdrawals. The battalion was suddenly attacked in the rear by tanks which had broken through a neighbouring formation. Determined and effective resistance was immediately organised, which kept the enemy tanks and infantry at a distance all afternoon, the position being subjected to shelling and mortar fire throughout. Any movement at once drew rifle and automatic fire. The situation was confused - the battalion out of touch with higher command and likely surrounded. It was in these circumstances that the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel J. D. Russell, gave Kindersley his task. As he recounted to a brother officer: ‘I have sent back Philip to get orders and find out what is happening. We can be quite sure that if it is humanly possible for anyone to get back, Philip will do it.’ This confidence was not misplaced; Kindersley’s journey to Brigade H.Q. under heavy fire, and his hazardous return with the order to retire, enabled the survival of the remainder of the battalion. Their arrival within the Dunkirk perimeter was a great relief to their Brigadier, as recalled by Smyth in his memoir: ‘I was particularly pleased with the H.L.I. They had had by far the worst time. They looked an awful crowd of ruffians, unshaven and black with sweat and dirt. But they were tremendously pleased with themselves. They had been up against a very awkward situation, had had a rough close-quarter scrap and given a great deal more than they had received in the way of hard knocks. They gave me a great welcome and were all full of fight and in high morale. I remembered my words to Gort when I chose them: “But they’ll fight like hell when it does start”. And they certainly did.’ When the Reconnaissance Corps was formed in January 1941, Lieutenant Kindersley was appointed to command C Squadron of 42nd Reconnaissance Regiment, in the acting rank of Captain. However, his promising career was brought to an abrupt close when a bout of scarlet fever developed into meningitis. He died at Ipswich Isolation Hospital in March 1941. Henry Francis Ronald Kindersley, the elder brother of the above, was born in 1912 and after education at Radley College he followed in his father’s footsteps as a planter in Malaya, firstly with the British American Tobacco Company, and afterwards at the Sengat Rubber Estate, Ipoh (1937-56). As an officer in the Malay Volunteers he was captured at the fall of Singapore on 15 February 1942, and worked on construction of the infamous Burma railway. On returning to England he made his home on the Isle of Wight, where he was active in business and the community. He died in 1970. Sold with a DVD of copied research.

Six: Private H. Heaford, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Royal Air Force 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Harold William Hoiles Heaford) in Royal Mint case of issue; together with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service; and Imperial Service Medal bestowal Certificate, this last framed and glazed, nearly extremely fine Three: Private W. P. Deakin, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Defence and War Medals; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (5433442 Pte. W. P. Deakin. D.C.L.I.) mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £140-£180 --- Harold Heaford was born in 1902 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Whitehall on 28 June 1922, having previously served as a Corporal in the Royal Army Pay Corps. He transferred to the Reserve on 27 June 1929, and was discharged on 27 June 1934, after 12 years’ service. During the Second World War he served as a Leading Aircraftman in the Royal Air Force; and in civilian life was employed as a Stores Supervisor at the Ministry of Defence, being awarded his Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement (London Gazette 28 September 1965). Sold with the recipient’s Army Vocational Training Certificate; Medal notification slip for the Second War awards; three R.A.O.B. Certificates and membership card; and copied research. William Percy Deakin was born on 8 February 1903 and ‘joined the Regiment in September 1924, and served until August 1952. He will be remembered by every officer who served during those years as a very outstanding Officers’ Mess waiter and best possible type of soldier of the pre-1939 War period. Coming originally from Birmingham, he was in the Mess at the Depot for many years, and saw active service with the British Expeditionary Force in France in 1939-40. He died in Truro on 26 December 1978.’ (the recipient’s obituary in The Silver Bugle, Spring 1979 refers). Sold with copied service papers, which confirm that he served overseas with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 30 September 1939 to 29 February 1940; and copied research.

Six: Lieutenant-Colonel C. M. Black, Royal Tank Corps, later Pioneer Corps British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut C. M. Black.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, polishing and contact marks to Great War medals, nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (6) --- Charles McClelland Black was born on 10 March 1899, the son of John Black of Wigtown, Scotland. Appointed to a Commission with the Royal Field Artillery, he served as a Second Lieutenant during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 October 1918, before transferring to the Tank Corps in 1920. Married at Bedale, Yorkshire, the ‘Weddings and Engagements’ section of The Tatler on 29 February 1928 notes the groom as Lieutenant with 4th Royal Tank Corps. Advanced Captain 1931, and Brevet Major 1942, Black transferred to the Pioneer Corps in 1943 and Army Reserve in 1947 with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857 (D. Ast. Comy. Genl. W. F. G. Servantes) officially impressed naming, scratching to obverse fields, otherwise toned, very fine £400-£500 --- Roll confirms medal and clasp and notes that Servantes was attached to the Cooly Corps at Canton in 1860. William F. G. Servantes was appointed Deputy Assistant Commissary General on the China Station on 2 January 1856. According to Hart’s Army List for 1862, ‘Mr Servantes served upwards of ten years in the 96th and 6th Regiments previous to entering the Commissariat. Was Interpreter to the Forces in New Zealand during the rebellion of the Southern Tribes, and as such was present at the attack on the fortified positions in the Horokiwi Valley, 6th August 1846 (mentioned in despatches), and on retirement of the troops from that place was left in command of the friendly tribes with whom he followed up and dispersed the rebels after a severe encounter with them on the summit of Ponawha Mountain. Served subsequently at Wanganui, New Zealand, in the same capacity and was present at the affair of St John’s Wood, July 1847 (mentioned in despatches). Served in the Crimean campaign from 1st October 1854 (Medal with three Clasps). Served subsequently in China, and commanded a company of the Chinese coolies “Bamboo Rifles” at the capture of Canton. Was present at that city during the attacks on it in 1858, and also with the expedition which was repulsed at the Taku Forts in 1859. Was also with the forces in the North of China in 1860 (Medal and Clasp).

A fine Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant S. L. Ridgway, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12439 Sjt. S. L. Ridgway. 8/W. Rid. R.); 1914-15 Star (12439. L-Cpl. S. L. Ridgeway [sic], W. Rid. R.); British War and Victory Medals (12439 A. C. Sjt. S. L. Ridgway. W. Rid. R.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and consistent good work. He invariably displayed coolness, courage and power of leadership. On one occasion he led his platoon with great success when his platoon commander became a casualty.’ Samuel Lyne Ridgway was born in the Parish of Hadfield, Derbyshire, in 1886. A weaver, he attested at Huddersfield for the West Riding Regiment on 25 August 1914, and was immediately appointed Private in the 8th Battalion. He served during the Great War in the Mediterranean theatre of War from 2 July 1915, and likely took part in the Battalion landing at Suvla Bay on 6 August 1915. Raised Lance Corporal on 21 August 1915, Acting Corporal on 9 September 1916, and Sergeant on 28 October 1916, he transferred to France on 3 July 1916 - almost certainly to replace those men killed on the Somme. On 30 August 1918, Ridgeway suffered a gunshot wound to the shoulder. Evacuated to Etaples, he was discharged to the Army Reserve in the spring of 1919.

Family Group: A fine Great War ‘Salonika’ M.S.M. group of seven awarded to Battery Sergeant Major H. C. Relph, Royal Field Artillery 1914-15 Star (6512 B.S. Mjr. H. C. Relph. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (6512 W.O. Cl.2. H. C. Relph. R.A.); Defence Medal; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (6512 B.S. Mjr. H. C. Relph. R.F.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6512 B.S. Mjr: H. C. Relph. R.F.A.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1019020 Sjt. H. C. Relph. R.A.) mounted for wear, nearly very fine and better Four: Squadron Quartermaster Sergeant H. C. Relph, Royal Signals India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (2323089 Sgln. H. C. Relph. R. Signals.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2323089 S.Q.M.S. H. C. Relph. R.Sigs.) mounted for wear, good very fine (11) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable service rendered with the British Forces in the Balkans.’ Herbert Campbell Relph was born in Fulham, London, in 1882. He attested for the Royal Artillery on 12 March 1900, and served in South Africa from 1905 to 1908, and in India from 1908 until 1912. Sent to France on 15 January 1915, he spent a brief period in Egypt before spending four years in Salonica from late 1915 until 1919. Awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 October 1918, Relph’s valuable work whilst serving with 130th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was recognised with the award of the Meritorious Service Medal in the ‘Peace Gazette’ of 1919. Herbert Charles Relph, son of the above, was born in 1914 and witnessed extensive service with the Royal Signals on the North West Frontier of India. He died at Tonbridge, Kent, on 15 November 1988.

A post-War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major (Quartermaster) F. W. Wall, Royal Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (822524 W.O. Cl. 2 F. W. Wall. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (822524 W.O. Cl. 1 F. W. Wall. R.A.) mounted court-style as worn, very fine (7) £240-£280 --- M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1968. Francis William Wall was born on 7 May 1917. He served in the ranks of the Royal Artillery for 10 years 151 days; W.O. Cl. 2 for 8 years 240 days; W.O. Cl. 1 for 6 years 300 days; Short Service Commission as Lieutenant (Quartermaster) from 31 July 1958; (from S.S.C.) Royal Artillery, Lieutenant (Qr.-Mr.) from 2 August 1959; and Major (Qr.-Mr.) from 2 November 1966. He retired on 7 May 1972.

Pair: Marine F. G. Kemp, 41st (Independent) Commando, Royal Marines, who was present at the Chosin Reservoir action in November 1950, for which action his unit was awarded the United States of America Presidential Unit Citation Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (R.M.8770 F. G. Kemp. Mne. R.M.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (2) £500-£700 --- Francis Gerald ‘Frank’ Kemp was born at Norfolk in 1931 and joined the Royal Marines in February 1949. He was an original member of 41st (Independent) Commando when it was raised in August 1950, in response to a request from the commander of the United Nations Naval Forces for a small scale raiding force to operate against Communist Lines of Communications in Korea. Serving in the unit’s Heavy Weapons section, Kemp also acted as Marine Officer Attendant to Lieutenant Peter Thomas, the section’s commander. Flown out to Japan, the commandos were issued with American weapons and equipment and underwent a short period of intensive training, before embarking in American warships for their first operations, a series of three successful raids against enemy rail communications on the north east coast of Korea. As U.N. Forces advanced and the requirement for raiding forces reduced, the unit was attached to the First United States Marine Division, for which it was intended to act as a reconnaissance company. On 28 November 1950 the unit was at Kotori, about 10 miles south east of Hagaruri, where the Divisional headquarters, a battalion, and about 2,000 service troops were located in the area of the Chosin Reservoir. On 28 November 1950, at the Chosin Reservoir, the Chinese 9th Army launched a surprise offensive in freezing weather, intended to separate the American force from its link to the sea and destroy it. The road between Kotori and Hagaruri was cut, isolating the important supply base and leaving it in urgent need of reinforcement. At Kotori, the Royal Marines were included in a mixed force of about 900 troops, commanded by their own Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Douglas Drysdale, that was ordered to fight through to Hagaruri at all costs. While the break-out from Kotori was successfully accomplished, it soon became apparent that the enemy was entrenched along the route in greater strength than anticipated, and over the next 12 hours Drysdale’s men were engaged in fierce close-quarter fighting as they forced their way through “Hell Fire Valley”. About half the men and 70% of vehicles were lost before the depleted force arrived in Hagaruri. One of Kemp’s comrades in 41 Commando’s Heavy Weapons Section was Marine Fred Hayhurst, who later recorded the unit’s history in his book Green Berets in Korea. During the Chosin action, the two marines found themselves aboard the same vehicle, an American 30 cwt weapon carrier driven by USMC corporal Saunchegrow, whose staunch performance under heavy fire afterwards saw him celebrated as an ‘Honorary Royal Marine’. Hayhurst recalls Kemp riding on the truck's running board, hanging on with one hand while firing his weapon with the other, as they made their way through yet another ambush. With the road finally blocked by burning vehicles, the Marines loaded their wounded aboard Saunchegrow’s truck and one other and formed a protective ring around them as they completed their journey cross-country, finally crossing a frozen minefield to enter Hagaruri’s defensive perimeter. Theirs were the last vehicles to make it through. The surviving Royal Marines took place their place in the line at Hagaruri for the next week, before the whole garrison made an orderly withdrawal back to Kotori under the protection of close air support, and ultimately to the coast. The combination of intense fighting, appalling weather conditions and harsh terrain has led some historians to assess the 17-day Chosin Reservoir campaign as one of the most brutal in modern warfare; their part in it won 41 Independent Commando the admiration of their American counterparts, and the award of the Presidential Unit Citation. Sold with a DVD of copied research.

Six: Acting Lance-Bombardier E. J. Grey, Royal Garrison Artillery British War and Victory Medals (128618 Gnr. E. Grey. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (128618 Gnr. E. Grey. R.A.); Defence Medal; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (128618 Gnr: -A. L. Bmbr:- E. J. Grey. R.G.A.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Edward J. Grey) mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £260-£300 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Edward J. Grey was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 148 of April 1920.

Three: Captain E. F. Gilbert, Mercantile Marine Transport 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (E. F. Gilbert.); British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Edward F. Gilbert) extremely fine (3) £800-£1,000 --- Edward Fowler Gilbert was born in the small hamlet of Little Carlton, Nottinghamshire, on 24 January 1871. Educated at Ropewalk Street boarding school and Grantham school, Gilbert joined the training ship Conway as Cadet on 1 September 1885. He passed out in July 1877 and was soon apprenticed to the ‘square rigger’ Red Gauntlet. Joining her in October 1877, Gilbert enjoyed four foreign-going voyages of ten months apiece, before passing his Certificate of Competency as 2nd Mate at Hull on 7 September 1891. Transferred to another square rigger, the British Army, he passed his 1st Mate Certificate of Competency and joined the iron barque Roderick Dhu on 5 February 1894. Joining the Castle Line steamship Roslin Castle as Third Officer in 1899, Gilbert was soon engaged on ferrying troops between Britain and South Africa during the Boer War. As H.M.T. 26, she was part of a convoy of six troopships and was the first to arrive at Durban carrying men of the West Yorkshire Regiment. Advanced 1st Officer aboard Lismore Castle in 1901, he served aboard a variety of merchant vessels in the years leading up to the First Word War, including Guelph, Gaika, Galway Castle, Norman and the Kilfauns Castle; the latter was later converted as an armed merchant cruiser. Transferred to Sabine and Carlisle Castle, Gilbert operated on the United States and Cape runs. He was fortunate not to be aboard the Carlisle Castle when she was torpedoed off the Royal Sovereign lightship on 14 February 1918. He ended the war as Captain of the Chepstow Castle, and continued to serve aboard a wide variety of vessels throughout the 1920s. Retired in 1933, he returned home to ‘Conway’, Peter Avenue, Oxted, Surrey, in poignant reference to happy days as a young Cadet.

Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5819176 Sjt. G. Ellingford. Suff. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (364 Pte. G. H. Etheridge. 4/Suff: Regt) first very fine, last worn, fine (2) £60-£80

An unusual Great War Memorial Plaque to Lieutenant C. E. Adams, D.C.M., Royal Fusiliers, late Devonshire Regiment, who was killed during the Headford Junction Ambush, Co. Kerry, during the Irish Civil War on 21 March 1921 Memorial Plaque (Cecil Edward Adams) good very fine £240-£280 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 25 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He assumed command of and led his company with great courage and initiative. Later, although wounded, he remained at his post for 24 hours.’ Cecil Edward Adams was born on 14 March 1882. Entering the Army, he served over eight years in the ranks and over one year as a Warrant Officer Class II. Serving in France and Flanders during the Great War, he was awarded the D.C.M. for courage and leadership as a Sergeant in the Devonshire Regiment during an action in 1916. For his service in the field, on 5 July 1918 he was granted a commission in the Royal Fusiliers. During the course of the War he was wounded on four occasions. After the War it is reported that the Regimental Colours were carried by Lieutenants C. E. Adams and H. E. S. Wall on the occasion of a review by the King at Aldershot on 23 May 1920. The 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers arrived in Ireland on 21 July 1920; Lieutenant Adams and 32 other ranks being sent to Galbally. On 21 March 1921, Adams and 27 men of “B” Company, 1st Battalion Royal Fusiliers were travelling from Kenmare to Killarney on a train along with civilian passengers. Leaving Kenmare at about 01.50 the train arrived at Headford Junction at about 15.00 where the troops had to change train for Killarney. As the first men were getting out, gunfire was opened up on them by men concealed on the banks on both sides of the line and from the station; the rebels having positioned a machine-gun in the stationmaster’s house. Adams and three senior N.C.O.s. were immediately cut down. The survivors took what cover they could and although greatly outnumbered, returned fire taking further casualties. The unequal contest continued for an hour when another train approaching from Mallow neared the station. The train contained an officer and 14 soldiers, and on hearing the firing up ahead, the officer in charge stopped the train and advanced on foot in extended order towards the station. The arrival of further soldiers caused the rebels to retreat. They left behind two dead - one their commander, Daniel J. Allman, Commandant of the East Kerry Brigade Column I.R.A.; their other dead and wounded they took with them. Of the ambushed party, 8 were killed and 11 wounded; in addition two civilian passengers were killed and others wounded. Adams was buried with full military honours at Sutton-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire. Sold with copied research.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (170 Shoe: Smith J. Sullivan, A.S. Corps) impressed naming; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (2966 Serjt. W. Richardson. 1st. A. & G. R.G.A.V.) impressed naming, edge bruising, good very fine (2) £100-£140

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Transvaal (5741 Pte. G. Challis, York: Regt.) edge nicks and contact marks, nearly very fine £160-£200 --- George Challis was born in Walworth, Surrey, on 28 March 1880. A carman, he initially enlisted for the 4th (Militia) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, before transferring in London to the Yorkshire Regiment in March 1898. Sent overseas to Gibraltar and South Africa from 24 November 1899 to 11 September 1902, Challis was severely wounded in action at Paardeberg on 18 February 1900. Remaining in South Africa for medical care, he returned home with the regiment and later qualified for Mounted Infantry on 30 November 1903. Discharged from the Army Reserve 14 March 1910, Challis later took employment as a driller for a steel manufacturer in Sheffield.

Family Group: Three: Able Seaman W. Cooper, Royal Australian Navy, a member of the naval contingent of the 1st Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, which was hastily formed in 1914 to seize German territory in New Guinea, subsequently died of malaria contracted during this service, during which Australia sustained its first casualties of the war (six officers and men of the naval force killed, with four more wounded), and earned its first decorations 1914-15 Star (W. E. Cooper. A.B.); British War and Victory Medals (W. E. Cooper. Able Seaman. R.A.N.) in original named box of issue, extremely fine, the sparse naming detail on the 1914-15 Star typical of issues to the naval contingent of 1st AN&MEF Three: Corporal T. Cooper, Army Service Corps 1914-15 Star (M2-031921. Pte. T. Cooper. A.S.C.) British War and Victory Medals (M2-031921 Cpl. T. Cooper. A.S.C), with original named card box of issue for the last two; together with the recipient’s identity bracelet, two identity discs, an A.S.C. badge and a Boy’s Brigade medal, bronze the reverse engraved ‘Pte. Cooper 1902-3’, nearly extremely fine (6) £500-£700 --- William Edward Cooper was born in Paddington, London in 1882. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Seaman in 1897 (Official No. 196007) and served until 1906, when he purchased his discharge (though remaining on the Royal Fleet Reserve). He later made his way to Australia, where in February 1912 he joined the Sydney Fire Brigade. By the outbreak of war he had been promoted to Fireman Second Class and was based at No. 4 station, Darlinghurst. At the outbreak of war the Australian government decided to raise a combined naval and military force with the particular task of occupying the German colonies in New Guinea; this was to be a separate enterprise from the much larger expeditionary force simultaneously being raised for service outside Australia (the Australian Imperial Force). The military element amounted to a battalion of infantry, while the naval contingent was to consist of six companies (according to the roll, 24 officers and around 260 men). Advertisements were placed in the press calling for volunteers from time-expired seamen of the Royal Navy and reservists; one such must have caught William Cooper’s eye, as he was granted indefinite leave from the Fire Brigade on 17 August 1914. Within days the expedition set off northwards aboard the requisitioned transport Berrima, pausing on the way for a short period of training while a Naval escort was awaited. Landfall was made at Blanche Bay, New Guinea, on 11 September 1914. Here the military contingent was to take the colony’s seat of government at Rabaul, while the naval contingent landed at Herbertshöhe, to proceed inland and seize the enemy’s wireless stations. In the course of the day’s fighting that followed, Australia sustained its first casualties of the war (six officers and men of the naval force killed, with four more wounded), and earned its first decorations. Besides these milestones, the episode is also notable in Australian military history as the first operation to be entirely planned and implemented by Australians, under the command of Australian officers. After a period with the occupying forces in New Guinea after the colony’s surrender, William Cooper returned to Australia and was discharged from the R.A.N. He returned to duty with the Sydney Fire Brigade on 5 March 1915, but his health was badly affected by the malaria he had contracted while on active service, and he died in his bed at Darlinghurst Fire Station on 12 August 1915. Thomas Cooper, younger brother of the above, was born at Paddington in 1890. He served with the Army Service Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from January 1915 and was released in June 1919. He died in London in 1945. Sold with a DVD of copied research.

A fine Boer War ‘Casualty’ pair awarded to Private A. MacKay, Imperial Yeomanry, who was captured at Swartzkopjeftn on 20 April 1900, released, and then witnessed extensive action at De La Reys Farm in December 1900 - which he documented in a fascinating letter to his nephew soon thereafter Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets (and glue) between state and date clasps (535 Pte. A. MacKay, 9th. Coy. 3rd. Imp: Yeo:); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (535 A. Mackay) mounted for wear, good very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Andrew MacKay was born in Skipton, Yorkshire, in 1866. A draper employed by the firm Baxter & MacKay, he attested at Sheffield for the Imperial Yeomanry on 8 January 1900 and served in South Africa from 28 January 1900 to 9 June 1901. Serving with the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, MacKay was captured by the Boers on 20 April 1900. His Army Service Record adds that he was wounded on 21 April 1900, with a contemporary newspaper report stating: ‘he was shot through the arm’. Sent to hospital in Waterval, MacKay was one of three thousand prisoners released on 6 June 1900 by a squadron of the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) commanded by Captain F. S. Maude. Recovered from his wound, MacKay returned to the fight as part of a column tasked with reinforcing Colonel Money at Ottoshoop. A copied letter dated 12 December 1900, from the recipient to his nephew, George, describes what happened: ‘We were the advance guard and that day I was Orderly for Captain Wombwell who was leading us. We didn’t get very far before we were into action and had to retire as the fire was too hot for us and we had no cover... Eventually we moved them out [from a very strong entrenched position on a high Kopje] but they cleared out into another Kopje about a mile in front of us and gave us a right royal salute from their Mausers. We got our guns, Pom Poms and Maxims into action which cleared them out over two hours shelling and rifle fire. They must have lost heavy as our Gunners had got the range to a few yards... Next day we started at 4 a.m. and had not proceeded far before we were in action again and fought all the way within a couple of miles from here. We managed to kill General Lerner that day which I think will have a great effect on the Boers. 16 came in today and gave up their arms. The Boers fought well and came right out into the open, it is the first time that I have seen them do it but I think they are hungry and intended having the convoy but we kept them at bay.’ Proceeding to Litchenburg, MacKay faced peril once again - but not in consequence of bullet or shell, rather the burrowing habits of the native fauna. Tasked with an opportunist pursuit of the ‘wily Boer’, he was fortunate not to come to harm: ‘We got the order to gallop and we kept it up for about ten miles, many a poor fellow come a cropper as the ground was so very uneven and full of holes made by a small animal about the size of a squirrel (meerkat) but they burrow a hole much larger than a rabbit. I was one of the lucky ones as I managed to keep my horse on his feet but I have had many a nasty fall out here. When we got within 2 miles of the Laager, we could see them flying all over the veldt so we had to use the spurs to try and cut them off. When we got within about a thousand of them they gave us a right royal salute from their mausers...’ Returned to England with his Squadron, MacKay re-enlisted with the 120th Company, Imperial Yeomanry, and returned to South Africa from 8 February 1902 to 10 July 1902. He later married and lived in Skipton, and it was here in his home town that he died in June 1926 after purposefully drinking a mug of tea laced with prussic acid. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Private F. Leonard, 54th Regiment of Foot Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (41 F. Leonard Hm’s. 54th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (41. Pte. F. Leonard. 54th. Foot) both mounted contemporary top silver brooch bars, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £300-£400 --- Frederick Leonard was born in the Parish of Shouldham, near Downham Market, Norfolk, in 1835. A labourer, he attested at King’s Lynn for the 54th Regiment of Foot on 5 September 1857. His Regiment were soon involved in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny and served in Eastern Bengal against the Chittergong mutineers and in Lord Clyde’s campaign in Oude in 1858-59. Sent to Sultanpore and Fyzabad for the next four years, Leonard returned home to Norfolk and married a local girl in 1866. Missing India, he re-engaged at Manchester for a further term and was later awarded his L.S.G.C. Medal with gratuity of £5 on 1 September 1876.

A Great War 1915 ‘Bellewaarde Ridge’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain C. W. Brown, C.B.E., Royal Scots Fusiliers, latterly attached Egyptian Army, who served with distinction on the Western Front and later served with the Colonial Engineering Service Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Capt. C. Wilson Brown. R.S.F. Bellewaarde Ridge, 16th. June 1915.’; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. C. W. Brown. R. Sc. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. C. W. Brown.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 14 January 1916. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916. Christopher Wilson Brown was born on 6 July 1891, the son of Samuel Brown of Dumfries. Educated at Dumfries Academy and the Royal Technical College, of which latter establishment he became Associate in 1911, Brown went on to take employment in Canada with the Civil Engineering works. Returned home to Scotland at the outbreak of hostilities, Brown was appointed to a commission in the Special Reserve, being posted to the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Scots Fusiliers soon thereafter. Sent to France on 5 December 1914, he arrived at a time when both sides had ‘dug in’ and trench warfare was in its infancy. Preparing for a harsh winter and mourning the loss of the original Expeditionary Force, the British army began to focus heavily upon localised operations seeking tactical advantages. As the Germans succeeded in their efforts to drive the Allied forces from the high ground around Ypres, an assault on Bellewaarde Ridge offered the opportunity to recover some important ground and act as a diversion. Just after sunrise on 16 June 1915, two infantry brigades of the British 3rd Division leapt out of their shallow trenches and charged into No Man’s Land. The First Attack on Bellewaarde by author Michael R. B. McLaren takes up the story: ‘What followed, on a hot summer’s day, was a somewhat typical British disaster of the early fighting on the Western Front; almost 4,000 casualties were suffered for a very little territorial gain that saw German retention of the dominant ground.’ For the gallantry which he displayed that day, Brown was awarded the Military Cross. He was further Mentioned in Despatches on 1 January 1916, before witnessing further action during the Battle of the Somme; it is believed by the current vendor that he was wounded at around this time and evacuated to hospital in Eastbourne to recover. Returned to duty with the war Office in 1917, Brown was seconded for service with the Egyptian Army. Sent to the 9th Sudanese Battalion on 8 October 1917, he joined the trek to Darfur on 16 October 1917 and spent the next three years maintaining law and order in the region. Transferred to the Gold Coast, Brown became Deputy Director of Public Works in Sierra Leone in 1928, before serving ten years from 1938 as Director of Public Work in Palestine. Retired from the Colonial Service in 1948, he later published a book which examined The Water Supply of Kumasi, Ashanti, 1939. Brown was further decorated with an O.B.E. in 1934, and C.B.E. in 1942. Sold with an exceptional hand-written diary detailing approximately three years of service in the Sudan from 1917 until 1920. Including some fine technical drawings, it focusses heavily upon his life at that time, including efforts to construct roads, houses and barracks, and recreational hunting trips, especially the pursuit of guinea fowl, waterbuck and gazelle in the local desert wadis. Approximately 194 x A5-sized pages, 20,000 words+.

Pair: Private G. T. Peel, Imperial Yeomanry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (632 Pte. G. T. Peel. 9th. Coy. Imp: Yeo:); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (632 J. [sic] Peel) minor edge bruising, good very fine (2) £300-£400 --- George Taylor Peel was born in Barnsley in 1875. A shoeing smith, he attested at Doncaster for the Imperial Yeomanry on 22 March 1900, serving 189 days in South Africa with the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry. According to the recipient’s Army Service Record, he witnessed action at Virginia Siding - likely when British forces attempted to force their way across the Vet River in May 1900 - before being discharged at his own request on 17 January 1901.

Five: Sergeant W. G. Rich, Royal Engineers, who served with the 2nd Mounted Infantry at Suakin in 1884-85, and was Mentioned in Despatches for good services during the siege of Ladysmith Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (17632, Driv: W. G. Rich, 2/Md. Inf. R.E.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (17632 Serjt. W. G. Rich, R.E.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (17632 Serjt: W. G. Rich. R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (17632 Serjt: W. G. Rich. R.E.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, unnamed as issued, the first with pitting from star and light contact marks generally, nearly very fine and better (5) £700-£900 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2014. William George Rich was born in Midhurst, Sussex, and enlisted for the 43rd Brigade at Brighton on 23 December 1880, aged 18 years 3 months, a clerk by trade. He was appointed to the 107th Foot, in which regiment he served just 110 days, being discharged by purchase on 11 April 1881. He re-enlisted for the Royal Engineers at Brighton on 10 October 1883, giving his trade as a carpenter. He served in the 2nd Battalion Mounted Infantry, with the small R.E. detachment of 28 men under Lieutenant A. E. Sandbach, in the operations up the river Nile and in the vicinity of Suakin, 1884-85. Rich served in South Africa with 23rd Field Company R.E. and was present throughout the siege of Ladysmith, being Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 8 February 1901) ‘for good services rendered during the siege of Ladysmith, S. African Campaign 1899’, as noted in his service papers. He received his long service medal in January 1902, and was finally discharged at Bordon Camp on 29 September 1904. Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.

Pair: Sergeant G. Tilsley, Royal Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (.r & Dr. Geoe. Tilsley Rl. ...) contemporary engraved naming, some detail lost through edge bruising; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2955 Sergt. G. Tilsley Coast Bde. R.A.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £180-£220

A Great War ‘trench raid’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Captain A. B. H. Roberts, Yorkshire Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse attractively engraved with regimental badge and ‘Lieut. A. B. H. Roberts, 9th Battn. A.P.W.O. Yorkshire Regt. 1st January 1916’; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut. A. B. H. Roberts. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. B. H. Roberts.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, unnamed; Coronation 1911, unnamed; together with a mounted set of four miniature dress medals: Military Cross; 1914-15 Star trio, M.I.D. oakleaf; with a loose miniature Coronation Medal 1911, generally extremely fine (7) £1,200-£1,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.C. London Gazette 15 March 1916: ‘Temporary Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, Alexandra, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment). For conspicuous gallantry. He was one of a party which successfully raided the enemy trenches, and showed great coolness and judgement in directing his men. Two nights previously he had done good work reconnoitring the enemy’s position. He also helped two wounded officers to get back to our lines.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Rue du Bois, 31 December 1915-1 January 1916’.
M.I.D. London Gazette 30 May 1918.
Arthur Beverley Hepworth Roberts was born in Sandal Magna, Yorkshire, in 1894, the son of Arthur Hepworth and Mary Alice Roberts of Stoneleigh Lodge, Sandal Magna. 
In the Great War he entered the France/Flanders theatre of War as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Regiment. He served in that theatre from 25 August 1915 to 13 July 1916; from 3 February to 1 November 1917; and from 16 September to 11 November 1918 - and later in the Italian theatre of War from 2 November 1917 to 15 September 1918.
Serving with the 9th Battalion at Rue de Bois on 31 December 1915 and 1 January 1916, his gallantry and leadership gained him the award of the Military Cross. The 9th Battalion formed part of the 69th Infantry Brigade, 23rd Division of the First Army. On 31 December 1915 / 1 January 1916, a raid on enemy trenches was carried out by a detachment of the 9th Battalion. The raid, on entering the enemy’s line, divided into two parties, left and right, and proceeded to clear the German trenches by bomb and bayonet. The raid, deemed a success, resulted in about 20 of the enemy killed at a cost of seven of the raiding party wounded. Roberts was mentioned in the official report of the action as having ‘[r]emained at the point of entry and directed the parties in and out again with great coolness’.
By the end of the War, Roberts had attained the rank of Captain, had been wounded, and Mentioned in Despatches. He applied for his medals in 1921 when living at Woodthorpe Hall, Wakefield, Yorkshire. 
With the start of the Second World War, Captain Roberts was appointed a Lieutenant on the General List (London Gazette 29 July 1941). He married Sheila Platts in Wakefield in 1942, but died on 9 August 1944. Captain Roberts is buried in Wakefield Cemetery.
Sold with copied research including a number of official papers relating to the trench raid.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (900. Corpl. E. Heasman. 46th. Foot.) ‘6’ of ‘46th’ rather crudely engraved in a different style, edge nicks, good very fine £70-£90

The Memorial Plaque to Captain B. J. W. M. Moore, M.C., 1 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, an extremely skilful and aggressive Nieuport single-seater fighter pilot who was involved in a countless number of ‘dog-fights’ - frequently let down by weather conditions and equipment, his confirmed score of at least 1 enemy aircraft and 2 kite balloons shot down, not reflecting the amount of enemy aircraft actually damaged by his close contact flying. Moore was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in operations immediately prior to the July 1916 Somme land offensive, and was killed in a flying accident whilst stationed as an instructor at the School of Special Flying, Gosport, on 10 June 1917 Memorial Plaque (Beaufoi John Warwick Montressor Moore) nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- M.C. London Gazette 27 July 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has destroyed two enemy kite balloons, one of which was being guarded by an enemy aeroplane. He has repeatedly attacked hostile aircraft, on one occasion attacking a flight of four, all of which he drove down, and two of which he followed to 2,000 feet, one being apparently hard hit.’ Beaufoi John Warwick Montressor Moore was born in London in January 1885, and was the son of Mr B. Moore, of 27 Langham Street, London, a barrister whose chambers were at 4 Pump Court, Temple. He was educated privately, and later at King’s College London and the Polytechnic School of Engineering, London. After ‘completing his apprenticeship as an Electrical Engineer (Associate Member of the Institute of Electrical Engineers, 1912), he was employed as Chief Draughtsman by his grandfather’s firm, J C Fuller & Company of London. Over the next few years, he travelled to Egypt and to Canada for his firm, and was in Winnipeg, Canada, shortly before war broke out in 1914. Returning to England, he tried to get a commission via the London University OTC, but was refused entry on medical grounds. Undeterred, he travelled to Avonmouth to enlist in the RFC. His technical abilities apparent, he was immediately promoted to 1st Class Mechanic. Next, he qualified for his ‘ticket’, gaining the Royal Aero Certificate (Number 931) at his own expense, on 10 October 1914. He was accepted as a Cadet in February 1915 and was eventually gazetted Second Lieutenant to the RFC, via the Special Reserve, on 23 August following. After completing his formal pilot training at the CFS and elsewhere, he was confirmed and gazetted Flying Officer on 28 October 1915.’ (The Military Cross to Flying Personnel of Great Britain and the Empire 1914-19, by H. Giblin and N. Franks, refers) Moore was posted for operational flying with 1 Squadron (Nieuport 17’s - single seater fighters) then at Bailleul, France, in February 1916. The following is provided by Moore’s Combat Report for 28 April 1916: ‘The Nieuport Scout [Moore as pilot] was flying due North over Houlthurst Forest at about 12,000 feet when a hostile machine was seen about 3,000 feet below, heading towards the British lines. The Nieuport nose dived down on to the hostile machine and flattened out just under its tail and opened fire. The H.A. immediately dived and turned at right angles but the Nieuport was manoeuvred so as to come under its tail again when another burst was fired. The distance between the machines varied from 50 to 70 yards. The Tracer Bullets appeared to enter the fuselage of the hostile machine but while changing a drum the hostile machine was lost partly owing to the thick haze and sun and owing to the way it was diving down...’ The summer of 1916 was to prove busy for Moore, with him being involved in a similar combat on 17 June 1916 (when the Combat Report gives that ‘Ground observers state that German machine appeared to be in difficulties after our machine left it’) and on 22 June 1916, ‘2nd Lieutenant Moore, 1 Squadron, in a Nieuport Scout, had four engagements between 9 and 11am while on patrol between Messines and Hollebeke. On each occasion the hostile machine was driven off.’ (Royal Flying Corps Communique No. 40, refers) On 25 June 1916 fighter units of the R.F.C. had been detailed for an all-out assault on the chain of German observation kite balloons positioned just behind the German trenches, in preparation for the Somme Offensive. The final stages for the impending land offensive along the Somme front meant that these ‘eyes’ for the German artillery had to be put out if there was to be any hope of surprise for the Allied build-up in strength in the forward zones. In all, 23 kit balloons were earmarked for destruction, of which 15 were actually attacked by R.F.C. scouts. A total of 7 kite balloons were destroyed over 25-26 June, 2 of which were by Moore (see M.C.), and 1 was shot down by Albert Ball, V.C. (11 Squadron) - the latter recording the events of that week in his letters, and also being recorded in the Royal Flying Corps Communique No. 40. Moore attacked another kite balloon on 3 July 1916, only to be on the receiving end of the German defensive measures set up to defend it: ‘The Nieuport turned away, and immediately streams of fire balls were projected up at the machine from the ground, fanwise, 3 different sets being observed. Each set appeared to consist of about one hundred jets possibly a yard apart. One set of jets passed immediately beneath the Nieuport at the top of flat part of its trajectory moving at a great speed....’ (Combat Report refers) Moore went on the attack again, and fired tracers into the fuselage of an Albatross on 28 July 1916, before the following took place on 8 August 1916: ‘On the 2nd Army front 14 hostile aircraft were seen, and there were five combats. 2nd Lieutenant Moore on a Nieuport of 1 Squadron, from 17,000 ft. observed an Albatross circling between Armentiers and Lille. He waited until it had made two circuits and then dived and attacked it from behind and below. A long shaft of flame burst from the hostile machine, and the Nieuport had to turn quickly to avoid the flame, the heat of which was felt by the pilot. The machine fell and hit the ground near Frelinghem, one of the occupants having already fallen out. The other four combats were indecisive.’ (Royal Flying Corps Communique No. 47, refers) The Combat Report for the above adds that ‘the machine was watched the whole way down, and flames and smoke continued to come from it. It hit the ground near Frelinghem and a huge burst of flame denoted the moment when it hit the ground...’ Moore advanced to Temporary Captain and Flight Commander at the end of September 1916. He was posted to the School of Special Flying, Grange Airfield, Gosport in 1917, having been invested with the M.C. by H.M. the King at Buckingham Palace on 14 February 1917. Sadly, Captain Moore was killed in a flying accident on 10 June 1917, ‘while flying a dual control machine… The exact cause of the which has not yet been ascertained. The machine nose-dived to earth and the two officers were thrown out, Captain Moore being killed and Captain Heard severely injured. At the inquest held on Monday afternoon on Captain Moore, it was stated that the deceased was 33 years of age. He was an experienced pilot, having been flying for about two years…. Captain Heard, who had also had experience as an aeronaut, was undergoing a course of instruction for duty as an instructor. It was stated by an officer (who was an expert), that the machine was probably not more than 60ft. up at the time of the accident. Had it been higher it was probable the pilot would have been able to right it; as it was he could not do so. A medical officer, who arrived on the sc...

Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 7 clasps, Firket, Hafir, Sudan 1897, The Atbara, Khartoum, Sudan 1899, Jerok, top clasp unofficially affixed (Capt. W. H. Persse.) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £500-£700 --- Provenance: Spink Numismatic Circular, October 1990. William Horsley Persse was born in 1863 and was commissioned Lieutenant from the Militia (Hampshire Regiment) in May 1885. Transferring to the 2nd Dragoon Guards in July 1885, he accompanied the Dongola Expedition and took part in the operations of 7 June and 19 September 1896 (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 3 November 1896 and awarded the Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh Fourth Class). He was later employed with the Egyptian Army from June 1897 to June 1907, and accompanied the Nile Expedition. Persse was wounded in a cavalry charge on 4 April 1898, and was present at the battles of the Atbara and of Khartoum (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazettes 24 May and 30 September 1898, and promoted Brevet Major). He subsequently took part in the operations at Jerok, Southern Sennar, being specially employed from March to October 1904. He subsequently served during the Great War on the Western Front as Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel from March 1917 to September 1918.

Three: Driver Fakir Muhammad, Indian Artillery India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-5 (333 Driver Fakir Muhammad No. 8 Bl. Mn. By.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897 (333 Driver Fakir Muhammad No. 8 Bl. Mtn. By.); Indian Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (333 Driver Fakir Muhammad 28th Mtn. By.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (3) £140-£180

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (265 Lance Corporal W. Forrest 1st. Bn. York. L.I.) officially re-engraved (see footnote), nearly very fine £80-£100 --- William Forrest was born in Leeds in 1863 and attested for General Service at Barnsley on 4 August 1882. Posted to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, he served with the 1st Battalion in India and Burma from 19 September 1883 to 20 December 1887, before returning home, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 25 March 1888. He was convicted by the Civil Powers of felony on 1 August 1891, with his service terminated as a result, and his India General Service Medal forfeited. Presumably his medal was restored to him under a later amnesty; given the fact that the medal in this lot is officially re-named, and the rank, unusually, is given in full, it is safe to assume that the medal in this lot is the one that was restored to him. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extract.

Pair: Lieutenant E. Bryan, Royal Army Ordnance Corps British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E. Bryan) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private W. A. Beard, East Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (35046 Pte. W. A. Beard. E. Surr. R.) nearly very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (29507 Sjt. M. R. Wagstaff. York.R.); together with the recipient’s First Army Rifle Meeting 1918, silver medal, the reverse engraved ‘63350/Sgt. M. R. Wagstaff 2nd. West Yorks Regt. Fruges’, good very fine (6) £70-£90

Four: Lieutenant C. E. Dashwood, Royal Army Medical Corps 1914-15 Star (Lieut. C. E. Dashwood. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. E. Dashwood.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed, with original card boxes of transmittal (2) and fitted case for Messina Earthquake Medal, extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Charles Ewart Dashwood was born in Geldeston, Norfolk, on 10 June 1870. A talented young man, he was educated at Haileybury School, later qualifying B.A. Magdalene College, Cambridge (1893), and M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., University of London (1896). A Member of the Royal College of Surgeons and Royal College of Physicians, he married Ethel Hutchinson in 1894 at St. Stephen’s Church, Ealing, the bride’s address noted as ‘36 Great Ormond Street’. In possession of a Messina Earthquake Medal, it seems likely that Dashwood served alongside his wife to alleviate the suffering of hundreds of civilians crushed by fallen masonry and rubble on the Italian island of Sicily; both Dr. and Mrs. Dashwood appear on the Messina Earthquake Merit Medal Roll. Appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps, he served during the Great War in the Mediterranean theatre from May 1915 - the date correlating with the high numbers of casualties associated with the fledgling Gallipoli landings. Dashwood survived the war and continued his work as a surgeon, medical officer and vaccinator surgeon. He died at Walworth in November 1928, aged just 58 years. Sold with two copied photographs of Dashwood as a teenage gentleman, a silver identity bracelet, engraved to ‘Lt. A. C. H. Dashwood’, bearing the monogram of the Royal Flying Corps, this made from a French coin, a small silver sweetheart ‘wings’, lacking pin, and a bronze life saving society medal in case of issue, to Evelyn Fosberry, July 1910.’

British War Medal 1914-20 (3) (15826 Wkr. M. E. Gibbons. Q.M.A.A.C.; 50301 Wkr. S. Hoare. Q.M.A.A.C. 1379 Wkr. M. Keeley. Q.M.A.A.C.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (46570 Wkr. G. L. Richards. Q.M.A.A.C.) generally nearly very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- Miss Sarah Hoare enrolled in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps and served with them during the Great War in France from 26 October 1918.

A United States of America Second War Silver Star and Bronze Star group of five awarded to Lieutenant B. C. Washburn, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, United States Army United States of America, Silver Star, the reverse engraved ‘Ben C. Washburn’; Bronze Star, unnamed; American Campaign Medal; European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; World War II Victory Medal; together with the recipient’s Combat Infantryman Badge, nearly extremely fine (5) £180-£220 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Silver Star awarded per General Order 12, HQ 35th Infantry Division, on 15 February 1945. The official citation states: ‘For gallantry in action in Belgium, on 2, 3, and 4 January 1945. When two companies of the Second Battalion, 134th Infantry, suffered the severing of their supply line by enemy action, Lieutenant Washburn reconnoitered for a route for the delivery of vital supplies. Despite the fact that the only route available traversed open terrain subjected to enemy machine gun and small arms fire, Lieutenant Washburn successfully led hand carrying parties during the nights of 2, 3, and 4 January, organized litter teams to evacuate the seriously wounded men of the two companies, and by his leadership, initiative, and resourcefulness, enabled the two units to continue their operations against the enemy.’ Bronze Star awarded per General Orders 58, HQ 35th Infantry Division, on 26 December 1944. The official citation states: ‘For heroic service in connection with military operations against an enemy of the United States, in France, on 26 and 27 November 1944, Lieutenant Washburn, Transportation officer of the Second Battalion, 134th Infantry, personally reconnoitered a route to send supplies to attacking units in the nearby villages, as the only direct route into these villages was in enemy hands. Despite artillery and mortar fire, he succeeded in locating a suitable route, and on the night of 26 November, he brought four vehicles to a point between the two villages, then directed the carrying of supplies by hand to each of the villages. The same procedure was followed the next night. Throughout this operation, Lieutenant Washburn worked under heavy enemy fire, ensuring a constant flow of vital supplies to all companies at the front. His cool-headed resourcefulness and tireless devotion to duty reflect credit upon his character as an officer.’ Sold with copied research.

A ‘Royal Funeral’ R.V.M. Pair awarded to Sergeant H. Pettit, Coldstream Guards, who was personally decorated by King Edward VII in the garden of Marlborough House for his part in the bearer party at the funeral of Queen Victoria Royal Victorian Medal, V.R., silver (8095. Sergt. H. Pettit. Coldm. Gds) contemporarily engraved; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein (8095 Sejt. H. W. Pettit, Cldstm: Gds:) mounted as worn, light contact wear, good very fine (2) £300-£400 --- Horace William Pettit was born in the Parish of St. Margaret’s, London, around 1874. He attested for the Coldstream Guards on 18 June 1890, and served in South Africa with the 3rd Battalion from 21 October 1899 to 13 August 1900. Advanced Sergeant, he served as part of the Bearer Party for the funeral of Queen Victoria at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and was personally presented with his Royal Victorian Medal by H.M King Edward VII at Marlborough House on 18 March 1901. He was subsequently appointed to the Permanent Staff of the School of Instruction on 16 March 1901. His Army Service Record adds: ‘Discharged Sergeant, Medically Unfit, 20.10.1903.’

Pair: Captain W. Trounson, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. W. Trounson); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. Persia (Lieut. W. Trounson.) nearly extremely fine, the GSM unique to an officer in the DCLI (2) £300-£400 --- One of only three General Service Medals with the clasp S. Persia awarded to the Duke of Cornwall’s light Infantry, Trounson being the only officer recipient. William Trounson was born in Penzance, Cornwall, in June 1887 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 10 September 1915. He was promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917, and was seconded for duty with the Military Works Services on 30 November 1918, qualifying with them for his General Service Medal with S. Persia clasp. He was restored to the D.C.L.I. establishment on 13 May 1920, and relinquished his commission on 30 September 1921. He died in Penzance on 8 February 1943. Sold with copied Medal Index Card which confirms that he did not qualify for a Victory Medal (and which gives his most senior rank as Captain, Indian Army); and other research.

Pair: Sergeant W. Teasdale, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) British War Medal 1914-20 (31186 Sjt. W. R. Teasdale W.Rid R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (31186 Sergt. W. Teasdale, 1/Duke of Wellington’s Regt.) minor edge bruising to second, otherwise good very fine (2) £60-£80 --- William Robert Teasdale was stationed in India during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, West Riding Regiment. His unit went on to serve on the North West Frontier during the Third Afghan War of 1919, before being sent to Ireland in 1921 and Germany in 1922 as part of the Army of the Rhine. He was not entitled to the Victory Medal.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Captain M. B. Pollard-Urquhart, 8th Laird of Craigston, Royal Navy, late Army Service Corps, Scottish Rifles and Imperial Yeomanry, who was captured by the Boers at Lindley on 31 May 1900. A popular and humble man, he served in two wars as a soldier, but died in his third war as an Ordinary Seaman 1914-15 Star (Lieut. M. B. Pollard-Urquhart. A.S.C.) nearly extremely fine £100-£140 --- Michael Bruce Pollard-Urquhart was born in Bangalore, India, on 15 August 1879. Educated at Tonbridge and Repton Schools, he attested at London on 28 February 1900 for the 47th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Company, 13th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, serving in South Africa from 1 April 1900 to 29 November 1900. Present at Lindley, he witnessed five days of heavy fighting before capture and three months of incarceration; British casualties amounted to 23 killed in action and 57 wounded. Originally nominated for a commission in the 20th Hussars, Pollard-Urquhart was instead appointed Second Lieutenant in the Scottish Rifles. He later returned to his coffee mills in Pollohatta, India, but was soon recalled to service in France during the Great War from 25 September 1915. Sent to No. 6 Supply Depot, Army Service Corps, Pollard-Urquhart was raised Captain and in 1916 succeeded his uncle, the Reverend Arthur de Capel Broke Pollard-Urquhart - popularly known as ‘Father Jerome’ - as the 8th Laird of Craigston (Aberdeenshire). With the title also came considerable history, wealth and responsibility; Pollard-Urquart soon took on the management of Craigston Castle, built in the 17th century, with ownership of the land stretching back to 1357 with Adam Urquhart, Sheriff of Cromarty. A popular Laird amongst the people of Turriff, Pollard-Urquhart became Justice of the Peace for Aberdeenshire and district commissioner of the Boy Scouts. He also took a great interest in the Turriff Golf Club and was a member of St. Congan’s Episcopal Church. As war with Germany loomed large once more, he joined the Observer Corps and then volunteered for shore-based naval duties. Appointed Ordinary Seaman (C/JX.222568), a 60 year-old Pollard-Urquhart was placed on motor transport work, but his service was cut short by pneumococcal meningitis. He died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 28 November 1940 and is buried in King Edward’s Old Churchyard, Aberdeenshire.

Pair: Quartermaster Sergeant F. A. Simpson, Imperial Yeomanry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose, as issued (578 Q.M.S. F, A. Simpson. 9th. Coy. 3rd. Imp: Yeo:); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (578 Q.M.S. F. A. Simpson) number and rank unofficially re-engraved on both, good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- Francis Arthur Simpson was born in Hull in 1871. A timber merchant, he attested at Sheffield for the Imperial Yeomanry on 6 January 1900 serving in South Africa with the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry from 28 January 1900 to 17 June 1901. Initially appointed Private, his Army Service Record notes that he was raised Corporal and saw action at Lindley, Oliphant’s Nek and at Rhenoster River. The latter held strategic importance as the location of a temporary railway bridge as well as being the location of food and ammunition stores; repeatedly attacked by the Boers, it proved a particularly tempting target which the British attempted to protect via a series of trenches and blockhouses. Further advanced Sergeant, Simpson was invalided home and discharged at his own request on 17 July 1901. There is no evidence that he ever held the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant. Sold with the original and rare Spink & Son fitted case of issue for the Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal, this damaged and separated at hinges, and a small Norton & District Cricket League 9ct. gold and enamel fob, by Fattorini, 6.16g, engraved to reverse ‘N & D C L 1909 D.G.N.’

‘During the campaign he performed many deeds of bravery, foremost among which may be specially noted - saving the life of the late Admiral (then Captain) Lushington, R.N., when that officer was unhorsed and surrounded by the enemy; and the splendid deed of heroism for which Her Majesty decorated him with the Victoria Cross, protecting at the imminent risk of his life the wounded soldiers and sailors at the Lankester Battery on the great day of Inkerman. Three times were the English forced by overwhelming numbers to evacuate this work, and the dead and wounded lay in heaps; at length, notwithstanding the order to retire, Mr Gorman, with four other brave fellows, stood their ground until reinforcements arrived, and this important post was saved.’ The Sydney Morning Herald, 21 October 1882 The fine Crimean War Naval Brigade V.C. group of four awarded to Seaman James Gorman, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Albion, who was decorated for his gallantry while defending the Right Lancaster Battery at the Battle of Inkermann on 5 November 1854 when, declining the order to withdraw and leave the wounded, he proceeded to mount the defence works banquette and, using the weapons of the disabled who he was protecting, helped repel the Russian advance ‘not trusting any Ivan to get in bayonet range of the wounded’ - his award would be listed in the notable 24 February 1857 issue of the London Gazette containing the first ever awards of the Victoria Cross and his well documented later life confirms him to have been the first Australian resident to hold the V.C. Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar inscribed ‘Seaman James Gorman’, the reverse centre of the cross dated ‘5 Nov. 1854.’; Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Jas. Gorman. Lead. Sean. H.M.S. Albion.) naming officially engraved by Hunt & Roskell as issued to the entire ship’s crew of Albion and delivered on board, 30 December 1855; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Canton 1857, unnamed as issued; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, pierced with small ring and silver loop suspension, the three campaign medals fitted with contemporary matching chased silver ribbon buckles, pins removed from the Crimean pair, all contained in an old red leather and gilt tooled case, approx. 145mm x 60mm x 22mm, the lid embossed ‘Rewards for Valour. James Gorman. V.C.’, the interior with gilt tooling and velvet lining, two brass hasp catches, one end section of case missing, the medals with some light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (4) £200,000-£260,000 --- V.C. London Gazette 24 February, 1857: ‘Thomas Reeves, Seaman, James Gorman, Seaman and Mark Scholefield, Seaman. At the Battle of Inkermann, 5 November 1854, when the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked, these three seaman mounted the Banquette, and under a heavy fire made use of the disabled soldiers’ muskets, which were loaded for them by others under the parapet. They are the survivors of five who performed the above action. (Letter from Sir S. Lushington, 7th June, 1856)’ Note: The Victoria Crosses awarded to Reeves and Scholefield are both held in the Lord Ashcroft Collection at the Imperial War Museum in London. James Gorman was born in London, the son of Patrick Gorman, a nurseryman and his wife Ann (née Furlong) who were married at St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster on 29 June 1829. Giving his date of birth as 21 August 1834, he was assigned on 2 March 1848 to the training ship H.M.S. Victory, Admiral Nelson’s former flagship, as a Boy Second Class, having been one of the first 200 boys to be accepted as apprentices into the Royal Navy (many years later on his marriage certificate Gorman would state his year of birth as 1835 and his father’s Christian name as James, discrepancies which are not accounted for). In September 1848 he transferred with 69 other apprentices to the 10 gun brig sloop, H.M.S. Rolla, in which ship the boys were required to cruise in the Channel until declared fit to serve aboard regular naval vessels. Gorman impressed his instructors to the degree that he was retained beyond his allotted time to act as an instructor for the next intake of apprentices, following which he was briefly appointed to H.M.S. Dragon before joining H.M.S. Howe, remaining with her until 12 July 1850. After a short stay in floating barracks, Gorman, now standing 5 feet 2 inches, with blue eyes, light brown hair and a ruddy complexion, joined H.M.S. Albion as a Boy 1st Class on 13 July 1850. Promoted Ordinary Seaman 2nd Class on 13 May 1852, just two months later he was advanced again to Able Seaman and, remaining in Albion, he would serve in this rank during the Crimean War as a member of the Naval Brigade. The Naval Brigade in the Crimea Orders for the invasion of the Crimea were received by Lord Raglan on 16 July 1854 and by early November, the allied army, having landed unopposed at Kalamita Bay, 28 miles north of Sebastopol between 14 and 18 September, had already inflicted heavy losses on the Russian Army at the Battle of Alma on 20 September and engaged them once more with indecisive results on the 25 October at Balaklava while continuing to lay siege to the port of Sebastopol. In the meantime, it had become evident from the lack of Russian naval ambition that the Royal Navy could play a larger role in the campaign and on 17 October a largely unsupported and decidedly unsuccessful naval bombardment of Sebastopol port’s coastal and harbour defences was conducted while in terms of land operations, a Naval Brigade, eventually numbering 2400 sailors, 2000 marines and nearly 160 guns, was formed for shore service. ‘The navy’s main work ashore consisted in supporting the allied artillery pounding the Russian defences or in counter-battery work. Placed under Captain Stephen Lushington, commander of Albion, seconded by Captain William Peel of the Diamond, the Naval Brigade was initially camped on Victoria Ridge, near the Woronzoff Road, just over 2 miles south of Sebastopol harbour. Its first job was simply to employ teams of ‘bluejackets’ to manhandle from the busy harbour of Balaklava the heavy siege guns and ammunition and the timber and materials necessary to construct gun emplacements. The distance was 6-8 miles, depending on the point in the front line and the men worked ceaselessly from 5.30am until after 6.30pm, often under fire. To increase the allies’ firepower ‘before Sebastopol’ heavy guns were removed from the major battleships: the powerful 8-inch guns of Albion and Retribution along with 32- and 68-pounders from Britannia, Agamemnon, Queen, Rodney, Diamond, Trafalgar, Bellerophon, Terrible, Vengeance and London; Beagle landed two of her Lancaster guns. Some ships like the Diamond which provided the first of the naval batteries under Captain Peel and immediately lost twenty 32-pounder guns, were just about stripped of their main armament. For each naval gun, the sailors brought ashore 150 rounds of shot and 30 of common shell and an appropriate supply of gunpowder. It was as Lyons recorded, a ‘Herculean’ task to get all this ordnance and ammunition ashore.’ (The Crimean War at Sea: The Naval Campaigns against Russia 1854-56 by Peter Duckers refers). The British siege positions before Sebastopol were divided into the ‘Right Attack’ and ‘Left Attack’, either side of the Victoria (or Worontzoff) ravine. The French siege positions lay between the coast near Sebastopol and then joined and secured the British left flank or ‘Left Attack’. Helping to reinforce the British right, the Naval Brigade added to the allied firepower by manning 17 guns in Chapman’s Batt...

Pair: Gunner W. Tansley, 4th Brigade, Royal Artillery Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (5290 Gr. W. Tansley. G/4th R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5290 Gunner W. Tansley, 4th Bde. R.A.) toned, very fine (2) £200-£240

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Orange Free State (Mr. J. L. Ford.) nearly extremely fine £100-£140 --- J. L. Ford was a civilian employed in the Army Telegraph Office.

A Second War ‘Burma operations’ M.C. group of five attributed to Major J. L. Gwinnett, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, attached 9/15th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1943, on original mounting pin; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 16 December 1943: Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Joseph Lawton Gwinnett (217397) The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) (attached 15th Punjab Regiment, Indian Army). The original Recommendation, dated 18 June 1943, states: ‘This officer was in command of a Company of Jats, mostly young and inexperienced men. Throughout the period stated he has shown the greatest offensive spirit and a constant desire to get to grips with the enemy. His very high order of leadership and personal courage under fire on the many patrols he has conducted have been an inspiration, not only to his own company, but to all the ranks of the battalion, and his patrols have invariably resulted in the acquisition of useful information. Two instances are given:- On 1 April on the Taungmaw front he conducted a patrol up a difficult ascent to a point behind enemy lines where he ambushed and killed a Jap withdrawing without loss. On 18 April he conducted a very enterprising patrol of two men and himself to behind enemy lines and returned with valuable information.' Sold with the official citation and forwarding letter with the envelope dated June 1950, address to Major J. L. Gwinnett, M.C. D.W.R., Hoyland Villa, Whiston, Rotherham, Yorks; the recipient’s release book dated, 6 October 1945; and Army Council enclosure for he campaign awards.

United States of America, Purple Heart (3) (James A. Marzitello; James W. Seaton; Charles J. Szulewski) all in cases of issue, the first with re-engraved naming and enamel damage, generally very fine and better (3) £80-£100 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Charles J. Szulewski was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on 27 August 1921, and enlisted in Boston on 20 September 1940, serving with the Army Medical Department in the Philippines. Sold with copied research.

Four: Private J. Dell, 46th Regiment of Foot, later 80th Regiment of Foot, who was reputedly the youngest man in the Regiment to receive a four-clasp Crimea Medal Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (...ivate J. Dell. 46...) Regimentally engraved naming; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Bhootan (949 J. Dell H.M’s. 80th. Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (949 Pte. J. Dell, 80th. Foot.) engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (..8 Jams. Dell. 46th. Regt.) Regimentally engraved naming, pierced as issued with small ring and straight bar suspension, heavy contact marks to the Crimea pair that has somewhat obscured naming, the suspension claw on the first crudely re-affixed, and with some of the rivets between the clasps replaced, these therefore fair; the IGS and LS&GC better and a scarce 4-clasp award to the 46th Foot (4) £700-£900 --- Only a detachment of the Regiment, 6 Officers and 225 men, made up of Sir George Cathcart’s Honour Guard and two companies of the Advance Party, were present at the Battle of Alma on 20 September 1854, and the subsequent actions at Balaklava and Inkermann. James Dell was born in Newbury, Berkshire, on 19 December 1836 and attested for the 46th Regiment of Foot at Windsor on 19 June 1854. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea as part of the advance party, and was present, whilst still underage, at the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann. He transferred to the 80th Foot in India on 1 March 1865, and saw further service during the Bhootan campaign. He was awarded his Long Service and God Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5, on 24 April 1875, and was discharged at Gosport on 28 December 1875, after 21 years and 10 days’ service. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Sergeant P. Trueman, Royal Army Medical Corps, a Special Forces trained medic who served with 22 S.A.S. on Classified Operations South Atlantic 1982, with small rosette (24571839 Pte P Trueman RAMC); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24571839 Sgt P Trueman RAMC) mounted court-style for display, minor edge nick to first, nearly extremely fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- Paul Trueman was born in Crewe, Cheshire, on 31 October 1961 and enlisted in his home town for the Royal Army Medical Corps on 27 May 1980. First posted to the super-lightweight ‘Spearhead’ Section of 19 Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, Trueman initially served as a rapid response medic capable of being dropped by air. It was in this capacity that he deployed in 1982 to the Falklands with the 3rd Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Whilst formally attached, the realities of war meant that Trueman was deployed as and where needed, commencing with a mission to Falkland Sound to treat injured S.A.S. personnel from a downed helicopter. A typed resume which accompanies the lot, adds: ‘I also treated the victims of H.M.S. Ardent.’ In January 1985, Trueman attempted the selection course for 22 S.A.S., his hopes thwarted weeks later by a tendon injury. Despite the forced withdrawal, he had impressed the Medical Officer enough to warrant the offer of transfer, resulting in his posting to the Medical Support Unit of ‘D’ Squadron, S.A.S., in May 1985. The posting resulted in two overseas deployments; to Jordan from 12 October 1986 to 28 November 1986, and Kenya from 29 July 1987 to 27 September 1987. The former involved the training of Jordanian Special Forces on HALO and HAHO jumps, the latter a series of parachute courses and training exercises in the region of Lake Tukana with ‘B’ Squadron, S.A.S. Leaving Hereford in November 1987, Trueman was sent to Germany as Section Commander with 4th Armoured Field Ambulance. He returned to Worcester in 1989, tasked with meeting the medical needs of the general public during the protracted ambulance strikes. It was at around this time that he caught the attention of his superiors when he succeeded in restoring life via CPR after other medical personnel had pronounced life extinct; for this act of professionalism and perseverance, Trueman was awarded the General Officer Commanding’s Commendation for Distinguished Conduct beyond the call of normal duty. The man lived a further two years. The early 1990s witnessed Trueman continuing to use his medical training to help others; seconded to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rangers, he witnessed their very first tour of Newry and was present when a vehicle checkpoint (Romeo 14) on the Dublin Road became the target of a devastating proxi-bomb. The subsequent blast resulted in the death of Ranger Smith and the wounding of many other men. Unsurprisingly given all that he had witnessed, Trueman began to struggle with complex PTSD, perfectionism and depression. He left the army on 29 June 1992, his glowing reference paying a fitting testimony to ‘a very capable SNCO who is well respected by his peers and subordinates’. Rather than joining a busy civilian department - as recommended by his superiors - Trueman later became a successful author, detailing his life and military experiences in a number of publications. Perhaps the best known of these is Me and My Black Dog, Complex PTSD, published in 2016 under the nom de plume P. T. Saunders. Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service, which details a further Regimental Commendation under Queen’s Regulations (1975); an original Certificate of Commendation, Western District, dated 7 December 1990; and over 20 colour photographs of the recipient on deployment.

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of six awarded to Acting Sergeant C. Haigh, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), who rendered gallant service as a Drummer in the Transvaal, and was later killed in action on the Western Front on 2 March 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4050 Dmr: C. Haigh. 1st. W. Riding Regt.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (4050 Dr: C. Haigh, W. Riding Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4050 Dmr: G. [sic] Haigh. W. Riding Regt.); 1914-15 Star (3-12061 Cpl.-A-Sjt. C. Haigh. W. Rid. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3.12061 A.Sjt. C. Haigh. W. Rid. R.) mounted court-style, good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Charles Haigh was born in Bradford in 1876. A labourer, he attested at Bradford for the West Riding Regiment on 4 January 1894 and was immediately posted as Private to the 1st Battalion at Halifax. Sent to Malta between 1895 and 1898, he was transferred to South Africa on 29 December 1899 for service during the Boer War. Arriving aboard Orient, the 1st Battalion served as part of the VIth Division under General Kelly-Kenny, the Division soon distinguishing themselves in the advance from Modder River to Bloemfontein. Engaged at Klip Drift and Paardeberg, the West Ridings later lost Colonel Lloyd in an attempt to seize Rhonoster Kop. Raised Lance Corporal on 2 March 1900, Haigh spent much of 1901 employed with the 1st Battalion in the Central Transvaal. On 31 August 1901, they had the grievous misfortune to lose 7 men killed, as well as 2 officers and 14 men wounded or injured, in the derailing of a train at Hamman’s Kraal. Lord Kitchener, referring to the incident, said: ‘Although it may be admitted that the mining of railways and the derailment of trains is in no way opposed to the customs of war where any definite object is in view, it is impossible to regard senseless and meaningless acts of this nature, which have no effect whatever on the general course of operations, as anything better than wanton murder.’ Mentioned in Despatches shortly afterwards on 10 September 1901, Haigh’s gallantry at around this time was further recognised by his superiors with the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Returned home to Barnsley after almost three years in South Africa, he was later discharged from the Army in 1910. He returned to fight during the Great War, and was killed in action on 2 March 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion, West Riding Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated upon the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Pair: Warrant Officer 2nd Class N. P. Duckworth, Royal Corps of Transport, late Royal Army Service Corps General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23905376 S Sgt N P Duckworth RCT); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (23905376 WO2 N P Duckworth RCT) extremely fine (2) £500-£700 --- Nicholas Phillip Duckworth was born on 19 January 1941 and enlisted at Wolverhampton for the Royal Army Service Corps on 10 August 1962. Transferred to the Royal Corps of Transport 15 July 1965, Duckworth witnessed extensive service overseas including four postings to Germany, two to Belgium, and one each to Cyprus and Canada. He went on to serve two tours of Northern Ireland from 27 March 1976 to 1 August 1976, and 21 November 1977 to 2 April 1978, followed by participation in the Falklands War from 5 April 1982 to 14 June 1982. Analysis of his Regular Army Certificate of Service shows that he remained on the islands for a further two months post-surrender, likely facilitating the return of vehicles and military hardware back to the United Kingdom. Discharged on 5 June 1984 from 53 Port Support Squadron (Southampton), the recipient’s reference offers a further insight into his career with the Royal Corps of Transport: ‘Mr. Duckworth is a highly qualified driver and transport manager, who has considerable experience in fleet management both in the UK and Europe. He is very adaptable and possesses good man management qualities, coupled with a fine sense of humour and disciplinary firmness.’ Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service and two photographs of him, one wearing full dress uniform and standing outside the gates of Buckingham Palace with his mother and father.

Seven: Warrant Officer Class II W. M. Rogers, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (5435561 W.O. Cl.2. W. M. Rogers. D.C.L.I.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (5435561 W.O. Cl.2. W. Rogers. D.C.L.I.) first six mounted as worn, the GSM loose as issued, light contact marks, good very fine, the GSM scarce to unit (7) £300-£400 --- William Martin Rogers was born on 11 July 1912 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 13 February 1931. He was promoted Corporal on 25 August 1940, and served during the Second World War with the British Expeditionary Force in France from 30 September 1939 to 1 June 1940; in North Africa from 23 March to 15 December 1943; and subsequently in Italy. His record of service notes that he was wounded. Advanced Warrant Officer Class II on 2 June 1947, and appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant, Rogers was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with gratuity per Army Order 14 of 1950, and subsequently served in Malaya as part of a draft attached to 21 Guard Unit (Royal Military Police) from 22 November 1950 to 22 August 1951. He was discharged on 19 February 1953 after 21 years and 7 days’ service. He subsequently served with the Territorial Army for ten years as Chief Clerk to 23 (Cornwall) Field Dressing Station, Royal Army Medical Corps (T.A.). He died at Carbis Bay, St. Ives, Cornwall, on 22 September 1966. Sold with copied service records and other research.

A fine Second War ‘Home Service’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant R. J. Street, 424 Battery, 138 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, for gallantry in saving life during an action with a German Flying Bomb at Aldeburgh, Suffolk, in November 1944 British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1073615 Sgt. Reginald J. Street. R.A.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (1073615 Sjt. R. J. Street. R.A.) good very fine (4) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 2 February 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The official recommendation states: ‘No. 1073615 W/Sgt. Reginald James Street, 424/138 H.A.A. Battery, R.A. During an action against flying bombs on 5th November [1944] Sgt. Street as No. 1 of No. 3 Gun continued to engage a flying bomb until the last possible moment, when he ordered his detachment to take cover. No sooner had they done this than the flying bomb made a direct hit on his gun. Sgt. Street’s immediate thought was was for the safety of his men and seeing Gunner Cook running about covered in burning oil he, with complete disregard for his own personal safety, plunged through a blazing ammunition shelter and pushed aside Gnr. Chamberlain, who was endeavouring to beat out Cook’s flaming clothes with his bare hands; he clasped the latter to him and enveloped him in his own greatcoat and succeeded in beating out the flames, thus saving Gnr. Cook’s life. His outstanding courage and heroism was a splendid example to all concerned.’ The War Diary of 138 H.A.A. Regiment for 5 November 1944 states: ‘ALDEBURGH 2020hrs 424 Bty. 1 Diver engaged. Rounds fired 31 BONZO 1 Cat “B” claim. This target was hit and set on fire coming in from the sea at zero feet it struck No. 3 gun at site S7 and broke up. The warhead did not explode. The fuel compartment was damaged and burning petrol spread over a large area. Casualties were 1 severe burns, 3 slight burns.’ Sold with copied recommendation and War Diary entry.

An unusual ‘naval deserter’ Great War pair awarded to Stoker First Class H. W. Kidwell, Royal Navy, late South Wales Mounted Brigade, Army Service Corps, a Swansea lad who lied about his age on his attestation documents and served in the British Army when just 15 years old. Discharged ‘under age’, he joined the Royal Navy on 6 July 1917 and deserted at Quebec enroute to his first posting, spending the next 10 weeks on the run in Canada British War and Victory Medals (K.43774 H. W. Kidwell. Sto.1 R.N.) nearly extremely fine (2) £70-£90 --- Henry William Kidwell was born in Swansea on 21 June 1899. A packer, he attested for the South Wales Mounted Brigade on 6 April 1915 and served at home as part of the transport and supply column. Declaring his age as 18 years and 10 months, the truth was discovered a year later and he was discharged ‘under age’ from the 3rd Provisional Brigade Train, Army Service Corps, on 23 June 1916, just a couple of days after his 17th birthday. Unperturbed and likely keen to serve and receive a serviceman’s wage, Kidwell travelled south and joined the Royal Navy at Devonport on 6 July 1917. Posted to H.M.S. Diana on 2 October 1917 - which was at that time stationed in Hong Kong and awaiting a crew changeover - Kidwell’s service papers state ‘Run 24/10/17, Citadel at Quebec’. They later add: ‘Deserter surrendered, to be dealt with summarily, sent to Admiralty and C in C, N.A., 10-1-18.’ Despite his Canadian exploits, it seems that the Royal Navy offered leniency towards the young man who had been so keen to contribute in the past. Re-entering service at Devonport on 31 March 1918, he served aboard the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Conqueror from 27 May 1918 and was raised Stoker 1st Class on 18 July 1918. Demobilised on 23 August 1919, Kidwell took civilian employment as a boot repairer and master leather dealer in Swansea. He died in Swansea on 25 September 1968.

Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Col. Sjt. W. T. Gilley. D.C.L.I.) contact marks, good very fine £120-£160 --- William Thomas Gilley was born in Plymouth, Devon, in 1867 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Devonport on 9 January 1888. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 9 October 1888 to 21 December 1900, and then in Ceylon until 10 May 1901, and saw active service on the North West Frontier 1897-98 (entitled to an India General Service Medal with claps Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and Tirah 1897-98). Advanced Colour Sergeant on 30 July 1897, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 240 of 1906, and was discharged on 25 April 1909, after 21 years and 107 days’ service. He was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal in December 1941, and was presented with his medal by Brigadier J. O. Carpenter, M.C. He died on the Isle of Wight on 30 September 1949. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.

The India General Service Medal awarded to Colonel H. T. S. Yates, Royal Garrison Artillery, who served as Commander of the Royal Guernsey Artillery and Engineers (Militia) from 1903-08, and was ‘Mentioned’ for his services during the Great War when over 70 years of age India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, top lugs removed from first, and second clasp consequently loose as issued (Major H. T. S. Yates No. 1 By. 1st. Bde. E. Dn. R.A.) the second clasp unattached, minor edge bruise, better than very fine £300-£400 --- Henry Townley Scott Yates was born at Birch in Rusholme, Lancashire, in 1846. A fine obituary offers a good appreciation of his life and distinguished military career: ‘Colonel H. T. S. Yates. Colonel Henry Townley Scott Yates who died recently at Weymouth at the age of 77, was the son of His Honour Judge Yates of Wellbank, Cheshire. Educated at Rugby and Woolwich, he entered the Royal Artillery in 1868, his first service being in India, where he spent many years. Later he served in Burma and commanded the column which proceeded to Burma and took over the North Shan State. For these services he received a brevet and held the Burma medal and two clasps for 1885-87 and 1887-90 (sic). Later, he was commanding R.A. at Woolwich, and eventually commanded the district in succession to General Maurice. After having served in all four branches of the Royal Artillery, he was retired on account of age in 1903. On retirement he took command of the Royal Guernsey Artillery and Engineers (Militia), which command he held for five years. In the Great War he entered (at the age of 60) the Territorial Artillery as a Captain, in May, 1915, and took command of the 3/1st South Midland Heavy Battery, R.G.A... In July, 1915, he was appointed C.R.A. of the 31st South Midland Brigade, Royal Artillery, and commanded the division at Churn and Bristol. In January 1916, he was appointed to command No.7 Artillery Training School at Winchester. He was placed on the Reserve in August, 1916, and was mentioned in the Gazette in February 1917, for his services in the war... His sons have distinguished themselves in the Army, two being Colonels.’

Eight: Sergeant J. D. Beer, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Royal Army Medical Corps 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22562553 Cpl. J. D. Beer. R.A.M.C.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East (22562553 Sgt. J. D. Beer. R.A.M.C.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (5672365 Pte. J. D. Beer. D.C.L.I.) contact marks, good very fine (8) £400-£500 --- Jack Douglas Beer was born in Wilton, Somerset, on 24 January 1921 and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry (Territorial Force) at Minehead on 17 November 1938. He transferred to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 16 May 1944, and then to the Reserve on 13 July 1946, and was discharged on 15 July 1951. Beer re-enlisted into the Royal Army Medical Corps on 16 July 1951, and served with them in Kenya and East Africa from 25 January 1953 to 19 December 1955, and then in Aden from 16 August 1959 to 12 September 1960. He was discharged on 9 December 1960, after total service of 21 years and 99 days. Sold with copied service records and other research.

Three: Battery Sergeant-Major T. Wilson, Royal Horse Artillery Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (3939 Bombr. T. Wilson, N/...) unit illegible through edge bruising; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3939 B.S. Maj: F. Wilson, R.H.A.) note error in initial; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse engraved (3939 Br. T. Wilson N/A R.H.A.) the Egypt medal with heavy edge bruising and contact pitting from Star, fine or better (3) £200-£240 --- Thomas Wilson was born in the Parish of Rathmines, Dublin, and attested there for the Royal Horse Artillery on 16 February 1876, aged 17 years 6 months, a clerk by trade. He served abroad in Egypt from 4 August to 23 October 1882, and in India from October 1889 to March 1899, the remainder at Home. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal (without gratuity) in 1896 and was discharged at Gosport on 20 April 1899. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm all three medals.

A Second War A.F.C. attributed to Captain O. M. G. Murphy, Royal Artillery Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1946, in Royal Mint case of issue, with named Buckingham Palace enclosure, nearly extremely fine £800-£1,000 --- A.F.C. London Gazette 8 August 1947 (to be dated 1 January 1946): Captain (temporary) Oliver Michael Gerald Murphy, Royal Regiment of Artillery. Oliver Michael Gerald Murphy ‘was born in Finglas, County Dublin, in 1921 and was educated at St Gerard's School in Bray, County Wicklow, and then at the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. He was called up in 1939, commissioned and then joined the Royal Artillery in France. At the Dunkirk evacuation he woke on the sand dunes to discover that his platoon had disappeared overnight so alone he swam out in the morning light, climbed on a merchant vessel, was transferred to a Royal Navy destroyer and made a safe return to England. He was next involved with the production and installation of a decoy near Sheffield to distract German bombers, and was then posted to a searchlight regiment in Dorset, where he invented an electrical device to improve reporting of the position of enemy aircraft. Murphy then volunteered to become an Air Observation Post officer and initially flew an Auster aircraft, becoming the personal pilot of General Sir Miles Dempsey, the Second Army commander. After D-Day he went to India, Malaysia and Singapore, where he flew a Douglas DC3 Dakota, still for General Dempsey. Later they were deployed to Cairo and Palestine. He was awarded the Air Force Cross for his wartime flying activities’ (the recipient’s obituary in Veterinary Record, February 2015, refers). Sold with copied research.

A scarce New Jersey Civil War Veteran’s Medal attributed to Volunteer Corporal J. Mackey, 7th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, who was captured on 22 June 1864 during the First Battle for the Weldon Railroad and was held in captivity at the notorious prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia State of New Jersey Civil War Veteran Medal, bronze, unnamed, the reverse of suspension bar officially numbered 587, good very fine £300-£400 --- John Mackey was born in Ireland in about 1843 and was mustered into service as a private in Company B, 7th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, at Trenton, N.J., for three years on 27 August 1861. During the spring of 1862 his company was disbanded and he was transferred to Company A. He re-enlisted on 25 December 1863 as a veteran volunteer and was promoted Corporal on 1 January 1864. He was awarded 35 days’ furlough from 9 April 1864 and was captured on 22 June 1864 along the Jerusalem Plan Road south of Petersburg during the First Battle for the Weldon Railroad. He was imprisoned briefly in Richmond and then Lynchburg before being transferred to Andersonville. He was discharged to a hospital at Millen, Georgia on 11 November and as paroled at Savannah, Georgia, on 26 November. After time at a parole camp near Annapolis, Maryland he re-joined the 7th on 7 January 1865 and was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on 17 July 1865. Mackey’s regiment fought in all the major battles and campaigns in the east including the Peninsular Campaign, the Seven Days, Second Bull Run, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, the Overland Campaign, the Siege of Petersburg, and - after he re-joined the regiment - the Appomattox Campaign. The medal was awarded on 2 December 1907. He lived in New Jersey for much of his life and was awarded a pension on 28 January 1903. He died on 14 August 1912, and his widow Sarah applied for a widow’s pension on 14 September 1912. The State of New Jersey Civil War Veteran Medal In 1904, the State of New Jersey authorised the issue of the New Jersey Civil War Veteran Medal to honour its veterans in the State’s Civil War volunteer regiments, but in 1909 it was extended to all who served in the army and naval forces of the United States and who were credited to the State’s quota of men. This medal took the form of a 37mm bronze disc, suspended from a bar by two chains. The medal itself was unnamed but the reverse of the bar was individually impressed with a number which can be traced to each veteran it was issued to. Approximately 88,000 men from this State fought for the Union but just 5,292 of these medals were issued to veterans. Sold with copied research.