We found 116689 price guide item(s) matching your search

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (EA 18125142 Pte. Peter Bandwell. N.R.R.) cleaned, nearly very fine and scarce to unit £60-£80 --- Peter Bandwell served during the Malayan Emergency with the North Rhodesia Regiment against the communist pro-independence fighters of the Malayan National Liberation Army. In 1953, when Northern Rhodesia joined Southern Rhodesia and Nyasaland in the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, the Northern Rhodesia Regiment was amalgamated with other constituent forces into the King’s African Rifles.

A Great War M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Hart, “L” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (78560 Gnr: W. Hart. L. By: 15/Bde: R.H.A.); 1914-15 Star (78560 Gnr. W. Hart. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (78560 Gnr. W. Hart. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (1035819 Sjt. W. Hart. (M.M) R.A.) mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916. William Hart served as a Gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery in the Balkans from 23 July 1915.

Five: Driver T. J. Selby, 3rd Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, later Trooper, Cheshire Yeomanry British War and Victory Medals (168295 Dvr. T. J. Selby. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (168295 Dvr. T. J. Selby. R.A.); Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (541921 Tpr. T. J. Selby. Ches. Yeo.) mounted for wear, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £260-£300 --- Thomas James Selby was born in July 1896 and prior to the Great War was employed as a railwayman, residing at Plough Lane, Christleton. He enlisted into the 3rd Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery on 12 June 1913 and served with them during the Great War, being demobilised on 31 March 1919. He re-enlisted in the Cheshire Yeomanry on 18 December 1921, and was awarded his T.E.M. per Army Order 208 of 1926.

Four: Private P. Reid, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders British War and Victory Medals (S-22259 Pte. P. Reid. A. & S.H.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (S-22259 Pte. P. Reid. A. & S.H.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (275005 Pte. P. Reid. 7-A. & S.H.) contact marks and minor edge bruising, nearly very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Peter Reid was born in 1888 and served with the 12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He was wounded (neurasthenia) and discharged on 11 May 1919, being in receipt of a war pension. His T.E.M. was awarded per Army Orders of May 1934.

A Great War C.B.E., M.C., group of five awarded to Chaplain to the Forces First Class, The Reverend J. Carden, Army Chaplains’ Department, who was robbed and murdered in Cairo by a local fruit hawker and his accomplice The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander's 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Rev. J. Carden. A.C.D.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Rev. J. Carden.) mounted as worn, good very fine and better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919: 'For valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in France.' M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1916. Portugal, Kingdom, Order of Christ, Commander, London Gazette 7 October 1919. John Carden was born Gustav John Hessenauer at Wurtemberg on 22 March 1882, the son of Gustav John Hessenauer, a commercial clerk, and his wife, Annie Louisa Redman, of 71 Brailsford Road, Lambeth, Surrey. Educated at Canterbury Cathedral School and Dulwich College, he was baptised into the Roman Catholic Church at St. Joseph's, Roehampton, on 18 January 1903. A year later he entered St. Augustine's House, Walworth, to prepare to enter Seminary, transferring to St. John's at Wonersh to study for the priesthood on 1 September 1905. Ordained a priest for the Diocese of Southwark, Hessenauer took up his first appointment at a parish in Chatham on 6 April 1910. Appointed Temporary Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, on the outbreak of hostilities, he served in France and Belgium from 9 May 1915 and was decorated with the Military Cross. Raised Assistant Principal Chaplain, and later Temporary Chaplain to the Forces, 1st Class, his good work was further recognised in Sir Douglas Haig's despatch of 16 March 1919. A little before this time, Father Hessenauer changed his name by deed poll to Carden; all of his awards, save his M.C., were gazetted to him as John Carden. Retained in the service as Chaplain to the Forces, Carden was posted to Egypt as Senior Catholic Chaplain in 1924. Appointed Chaplain to the Forces, 2nd Class, and posted to Headquarters, Southern Command, as Assistant Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain, he was raised Chaplain to the Forces, 1st Class, on 1 March 1931, before taking retirement and taking residence at Cairo in the spring of 1932. Two years later he was murdered. An extract from the Daily Mail describes the incident: 'The victim is a former Roman Catholic chaplain in the British Army, Father John Carden, aged 51, who resigned his commission two years ago. Last June he came to live in Egypt. Early this morning his unclothed body was found by a servant in a bedroom of the lonely villa which he rented at Helmich, a Cairo suburb, with the head almost severed. An old razor blade was wedged fast in the wound in his throat and his chest bore terrible slashes as evidence of the desperate struggle he must have waged against his assassins. Police inquiry reveals that robbery was apparently the motive of the crime, as drawers had been emptied and papers ransacked in Father Carden's house.' Sold with extensive copied research.

Three: Police Constable J. Hayers, Metropolitan Police Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C, J. Hayers. A. Divn.) surname re-engraved; Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. J. Hayers. A. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C., J. Hayers.) good very fine (3) £70-£90 --- James Hayers was born at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, on 1 July 1862. He joined Scotland Yard on 28 April 1884, attached “B” Division, and is recorded in the contemporary press for arresting a man in Chapel Street, Westminster, in December of that year: 'Oswald Fussell (28), student of medicine and preacher in the Salvation Army was charged at the Westminster Police Court on Wednesday with being drunk, riotous and making use of obscene language. Constable Hayers (606B) proved that the prisoner was drunk on Tuesday afternoon. He had a crowd round him. He was wearing a jersey marked Salvation Army. He talked about religion, hit out right and left with his crutch and used filthy language.' Transferred to “A” Division in April 1886, Hayers remained in the service of the Metropolitan Police for a further 26 years, resigning on 2 May 1910. He retired to Amersham. Sold with copied research, including the recipient's Metropolitan Police Service Record.

A scarce Boer War D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Battery Sergeant Major A. A. Hawkins, Duke of Connaught’s Own Hampshire and Isle of Wight Militia Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (34484 C: Sjt: Maj: A. A. Hawkins. 2 Hants. I. Of W. A.V.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (34484 C.S. Major. A. Hawkins. Hants: & I. Of W. R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (500 B. S. Mjr. A. A. Hawkins. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (500 W.O. Cl. 2. A. A. Hawkins. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (34484 Coy Sejt Major A. A. Hawkins, R.G.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (C.S. Major A. A. Hawkins. D.C.M. R.A.) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902. The original recommendation states: ‘Has contributed greatly to the excellent behaviour and good work that has marked this Company. Special good service in charge of native working parties on the defences of Fort Scwarzkop.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 31 October 1917 [Aden]. Andrew Arnold Hawkins was born in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in January 1865. He attested for the Royal Artillery at Gosport in August 1882. Hawkins advanced to Bombardier in September 1885, and to Corporal in June 1889. He served in India, September 1883 - November 1888 (entitled to I.G.S. 1854-95, with ‘Burma 1885-87’ clasp). Hawkins advanced to Sergeant, and transferred to the Permanent Staff of the Duke of Connaught’s Own Hampshire and Isle of Wight Militia Artillery in September 1892. Hawkins advanced to Company Sergeant Major in December 1896, and served with his unit in South Africa, May 1901 - August 1902. He was discharged, 28 February 1907, after 24 years service. Hawkins re-engaged for service with the 1/4th Hants (Howitzer) Battery, R.F.A. in April 1908, and advanced to Acting Battery Sergeant Major in October 1914. He served in India, October 1914 - August 1915, and with the Royal Field Artillery in the Persian theatre of operations from 10 September 1915. Hawkins transferred to the 2/2nd Wessex Brigade, Royal Field Artillery in September 1916. He was discharged due to sickness, 23 August 1917 (entitled to Silver War Badge), and died in Kent in February 1944. Sold with extensive copied service papers and research, and a photographic image of recipient in uniform.

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Lieut. James Lyons. Royal Arty.) contemporary engraved naming in the style of Hunt & Roskell, second clasp loose on ribbon as issued and fitted with Hunt & Roskell silver ribbon buckle, good very fine £300-£400 --- James Lyons was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 18 June 1851, and subsequently 1st Lieutenant on 19 May 1853, and Second Captain on 21 February 1858. He served in the Eastern campaign of 1854-55, including the battle of Inkermann and the siege of Sebastopol, in the trenches with the siege train, and the bombardments of October and April (Medal and Clasps, Knight of the Legion of Honour, and Turkish Medal). He left the Army, or died, circa 1860-62.

Five: Private A. McIntyre, 72nd Seaforth Highlanders Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (58B/4... Pte. A. McIntyre. 72nd...); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (58B/482 Prive. A. Mc.Intyre 72nd. Highlanders); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (179... A. Mc.Intyre. 2/S...rs.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (...Mc.Intyre. Sea. Hig...); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘179 Pte. A. McIntyre. 2.B. Sea. Highrs.’, traces of acid cleaning / fire damage, with heavy pitting and contact marks throughout, heavily lacquered, overall about fair (5) £400-£500 --- Alexander McIntyre was born in Inverary, Aygyllshire, and attested for the 58th Brigade at Glasgow on 19 January 1875. Posted to the 91st Highlanders, he transferred to the 72nd (Seaforth) Highlanders on 2 November 1876, and remained with that Regiment for the rest of his service. He served with the 2nd Battalion in India from 2 November 1876 to 19 July 1882; in Egypt from 20 July to 24 October 1882; and again in India from 25 October 1882 to 7 February 1888. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 October 1893, and was discharged on 9 March 1895, after 20 years and 50 days’ service. Sold with copied record of service and medical records, the latter which state that he received a scalp wound in 1887 whilst off-duty, as well as suffering from various diseases that reflected the social and climactical conditions in India at the time.

Five: Sergeant J. Shea, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (... J. Shea. 2/D. of Corn ...) naming partially obscured from heavy contact marks; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (1583 Corl. J. Shea 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1583 Serjt: J. Shea. D. of C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1583. L/Cpl. J. Shea. D. of Corn: L.I.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, unnamed as issued, heavy pitting and contact marks to the Egypt pair, with suspension claw on first very loose, these therefore fair to fine; the rest good very fine (5) £400-£500 --- John Shea was born in Whitechapel, London, in 1866 and attested as a Musician for the 35th Brigade at Bodmin on 1 December 1880, aged 14. Posted to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, he served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan during the Nile Expedition 1884-85, and in South Africa during the Boer War 1899-1902, and was discharged with the rank of Lance-Sergeant (Bandsman) on 5 September 1902. Sold with copied service papers.

Three: Sapper H. Allen, Royal Engineers 1914-15 Star (429. Spr. H. Allen, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (429. Spr. H. Allen. R.E.) very fine Three: Second Lieutenant D. G. McLean, King's Royal Rifle Corps, late Royal Highlanders 1914-15 Star (S-4722. L-Cpl. D. McLean. R. Highrs,); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. D. G. McLean.) mounted as worn, very fine Pair: Sergeant F. C. Farnie, Royal Engineers, late 5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (3188 Sjt. F. C. Farnie. 5-Lond. R.); together with the recipient’s Masonic Million Memorial Fund Jewel, silver, the reverse engraved ‘W. Bro. F. C. Farnie. No. 2749.’, good very fine Army L.S. & G.C. Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (12661. C.Sjt: F. Coaker. M.G.C.) good very fine (10) £100-£140 --- Harry Allen served in France from 26 September 1915 and was discharged to reserve on 13 February 1919. Donald Grundy McLean was born in Lenton, Nottingham, on 25 October 1893. He served in France from 14 July 1915 with the 9th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, and was appointed to a Commission on 28 August 1917 with the 5th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. McLean applied for his medals on 2 July 1920, his address for transmittal being 24, Albert Road, Lenton, Nottingham. Frederick Charles Farnie served in France from 13 July 1916 with the 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment, before transferring to the 1st London Field Company, Royal Engineers in March 1917. A gifted clerk, he was tested at the C.M.E. Locomotive Works at Borre on 27 June 1917, his ability being raised 'v. Superior' by the cessation of hostilities. Frank Reginald Coaker was born at East Buckland, Devon, in 1882. He attested for the Devon Regiment on 18 November 1904, and served during the Great War with No. 6 Depot Company, Machine Gun Corps. In June 1916, his war was temporarily put on hold when a couple of drunk soldiers approached his front door and knocked him unconscious after he admonished them for being rude to a female neighbour. He woke up a day or two later in hospital with a fractured skull and permanently deaf in the right ear. Sold with a French Medal of Honour in bronze, with crossed swords; and copied research.

Pair: Battery Sergeant-Major John Keefe, Royal Artillery Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Sergt. John Keefe, 2nd Compy. 4th Bn. Art.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (19473 Pensd. Bat. Sergt. Major John Keefe Depot R.A.) mounted court-style, good very fine (2) £300-£400

Pair: Sergeant P. Gregory, Royal Corps of Transport General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23784688 Sgt. P. Gregory RCT.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (23784688 Sgt P Gregory RCT) nearly extremely fine (2) £80-£100

A post-War B.E.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant R. W. Kinsley, 42 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (22041722 Sgt. (Attly Clk.) Roy W. Kinsley, R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (22041722 W.O. Cl. 2. R. W. Kinsley. B.E.M. RA.) mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 2 January 1956. A New Years Honour periodic award for services as Chief Clerk of 42 Field Regiment R.A., from November 1948 to May 1955, in Germany, Korea and Hong Kong. Sold with copied recommendation which gives a lengthy summary of Kinsley’s outstanding administrative abilities and achievements.

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Lt. P. H. Cantan. D.C.L.I.) edge bruise, very fine, rare to unit £240-£280 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005. Peter Henry Cantan was born on 18 December 1927 and joined the Army in late 1945. After serving 1 year and 206 days in the ranks he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 26 July 1947, and was promoted Lieutenant on 18 December 1948. He is listed in various editions of the Regimental Journal The One and All, as serving successively as Platoon Commander of the Motor Machine Gun Platoon; at the Depot of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; and as Aide de Camp to the General Officer Commanding, 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division, and it was presumably on some sort of secondment that he served in Malaya, as the Regiment was not present there during the Emergency. He was promoted Captain on 5 May 1955 and retired on 1 March 1958. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.C.M. awarded to Wheeler Staff-Sergeant F. Sparshatt, 215th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (850068 W.S. Sjt: F. Sparshatt. R.F.A.) heavy polishing and wear, edge bruising, therefore fine £400-£500 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Ramadi on 28th/29th September, 1917. He carried out the erection of an observation ladder and pole under heavy fire, and its removal after dark from its position in front of the trenches, whither our infantry had withdrawn.’ Frederick Sparshatt served overseas with the Royal Field Artillery Transport and was awarded the D.C.M. during the Second Battle of Ramadi when British forces launched a successful effort to capture the town against a joint Turco-German force called the Yilderim (’Thunderbolt’) Army Group under the command of German General Erich von Falkenhayn. 120 Turkish troops were killed in the battle and another 190 were wounded. The British captured a further 3,456 prisoners, including 145 officers, but a handful of the enemy managed to escape by swimming the Euphrates.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (4148 Pte. G. Farrell, 46th. Foot) edge bruise and minor edge nicks, good very fine £80-£100 --- George Farrell was born in Stapleford, Essex, and attested for the 46th Regiment of Foot on 19 March 1856. He died in service on 3 May 1876, his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal being his sole medallic entitlement. Sold with copied research.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (38153 Serjt. B. J. F. Bentley. Brabant’s Horse) officially re-impressed naming, with latter part of unit additionally officially corrected, cleaned, very fine £70-£90 --- Bede John Francis Bentley was born in 1879 and enlisted at Cape Town for Warren’s Mounted Infantry on 14 February 1901. He is also noted as a Corporal with the Special Squadron South African Mounted Irregular Forces, later appointed Sergeant with 1st Brabant’s Horse. He served as Captain in the Royal Army Service Corps during the Great War and caught the attention of the Westminster Gazette in 1925 when he came before Mr. Justice McCardie in the King’s Bench Division claiming £300,000 for his part in the invention of the tanks used to win the war: ‘His case was that in 1914 he demonstrated his tank invention to Lord Kitchener, and that an arrangement was then arrived at under which he was entitled to payment. Lord Kitchener assured him that his interests would be looked after and protected.’ Bentley’s claim against the Crown was dismissed, the judge preferring to focus upon the virtues of Churchill and General Swinton in delivering the project. He died on 6 May 1939, the Daily Mail recalling the court case under the headline: ‘Claimed £300,000 - Leaves £5.’

A scarce Great War 'double issue' group of seven awarded to Chief Engineer R. A. Mackenzie, Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary, late Royal Naval Reserve, who was torpedoed in the mid-Atlantic in 1942 and survived a week in an open boat, aged 62 years 1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. R. A. Mackenzie, R.N.R.); 1914-15 Star (Engr. R. A. M. Mackenzie, M.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Eng. Lt. R. A. Mackenzie. R.N.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Engr. R. A. M. Mackenzie. M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Robert A. Mackenzie.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Eng. Lt. R. A. Mackenzie. R.N.R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Engr. R. A. M. Mackenzie. M.F.A.) good very fine and better (7) £400-£500 --- Robert Aitkenhead Mackenzie was born at Forres, Morayshire, on 23 June 1880. He commenced a long maritime career as apprentice fitter aboard the James Carmichael on 18 January 1897, and served from 1902 to 1905 as Assistant Engineer aboard the S.S. Minnetonka, S.S. Cambrian and S.S. Michigan. Issued a Second Class Engineer's Certificate of Competency at Dundee on 3 May 1905, he was appointed to a Commission with the Royal Naval Reserve on 22 March 1915, and was immediately sent to H.M.S. Manica as Temporary Engineer Lieutenant. Requisitioned by the Admiralty and adapted to carry a kite balloon for naval observation, H.M.S. Manica reached the Island of Lemnos on 16 April 1915 and was assigned to the Second Squadron to support the Gallipoli landings at Anzac Cove. On 19 April 1915, her balloon observers directed the bombardment of an Ottoman Army encampment, and a few days later were involved in the destruction of barracks at Kabatepe. Furthermore, on 27 April 1915, an observer in Manica's balloon sighted an Ottoman transport ship on the far side of the Gallipoli peninsula, and successfully directed H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth's 15-inch guns to hit and sink her. On at least two occasions Ottoman aircraft attempted to bomb either H.M.S. Manica or her balloon. None of the attacks succeeded. Mackenzie went on to witness the Suvla Bay landings aboard H.M.S. Manica, before returning to Birkenhead for leave and a refit of the ship. He remained aboard her following the addition of a seaplane and transfer to German East Africa, but in August 1917, his Temporary Commission was terminated. He subsequently joined the Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary and served aboard a number of merchant vessels as 1st Engineer, and was later issued medals in recognition of Great War service in both branches of the fleet. Advanced Chief Engineer, Mackenzie was posted to the merchantman D'Entrecasteaux in 1942. A hand-written letter from the recipient's daughter, dated 16 April 1975, describes his experience: 'On his second voyage after the beginning of the war he was taken off his ship in South Africa to superintend repairs in the engine room to two Vichy ships which had been sabotaged before capture. Eventually he sailed in one of these, the D'Entrecasteaux, and was torpedoed half-way across the South Atlantic, near the end of 1942. They were in an open boat for a week and finally sailed into St. Lucia in the West Indies. He returned home by troop-ship from New York - invalided out.' Mackenzie was discharged at Dundee on 1 August 1946. Sold with two original letters from the recipient's daughter to the vendor; a portrait photograph of the recipient; and extensive copied research.

Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Pte. A. J. G. Bean, Dehra Dun Contgt.) impressed naming, nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- Provenance: John Tamplin Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2009. A. J. G. Bean, Dehra Dun Contingent, was awarded the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal per Indian Army Order 752 of October 1926. Sold with some research.

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (Condr. J. H. Edmonson. C & T. Staff.) contact marks from Star, very fine £160-£200 --- C.B.E. London Gazette, 3 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette, 4 September 1901. John Heslam Edmondson was born on 23 September 1846. He attested into the ranks of the Commissariat and Transport Corps, serving for 14 years and 145 days, including service in Egypt and Sudan, for which he was promoted Lieutenant and Quartermaster. Transferring to the newly established Army Service Corps on 11 December 1898, he was appointed Major and Quartermaster on 29 November 1900 and was mentioned in despatches in Lord Roberts’ despatch of 3 June 1901. Retiring on 20 February 1901 as a Lieutenant Colonel Quartermaser, he was re-employed for service at Home during the Great War, and awarded the C.B.E. on 3 June 1919. Sold with copy research.

Five: Warrant Officer Class II F. Cantlon, Royal Army Service Corps 1914 Star (M-24997 Sjt. F. Cantlon. A.S.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (M2-24997 T.W.O. Cl.2. F. Cantlon. A.S.C.); Victory Medal 1914-19, erased; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (14213 C.S.M. F. Cantlon. R.A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (M-14213 W.O. Cl.2. F. Cantlon. R.A.S.C.) minor official correction to latter part of surname on both Star and MSM, edge bruising, generally very fine, the MSM extremely fine (5) £240-£280 --- Fred Cantlon attested for the Army Service Corps and served at the 5th Ammunition Park during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914.

A Second War ‘Italian operations’ O.B.E. group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Simmons, Royal Canadian Army Service Corps The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R. (Lt-Col. C. A. Simmons) mounted as worn, the last detached but present, very fine and better (9) £300-£400 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 22 June 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 289 August 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp (2), Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (8253 Pte. G. J. Pointer, 1 P.W. Vols.); Waziristan 1921-24 (M-14766 A-C.Q.M.S. W. R. L. Jones. R.A.S.C.) good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- George John Pointer attested into the South Lancashire Regiment and served in India during the Great War. He is additionally entitled to a single British War Medal. Robert Walter Longston Jones attested into the Army Service Corps and served during the Great War with the 5th Cavalry Brigade Ammunition Park, on the Western Front from 16 August 1914. Entitled to a clasp on his 1914 Star, he was, post-War, appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant and served in India during the Waziristan campaign of 1921-24.

Pair: Gunner W. Bruce, Royal Artillery India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (723 Gunr. W. Bruce. No. 2 By. 24th Bde. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (30940 Gunr. W. Bruce. 4/Div: C.B. R.A.) polished, nearly very fine (2) £240-£280 --- William Bruce was born in the Parish of Falkland, Fifeshire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Edinburgh on 13 April 1867, aged 23 years 11 months, a weaver by trade. He served 21 years 33 days, 8 years 76 days of which were in India from 19 November 1867 to 2 May 1876, and was discharged at Stack Rock, Milford Haven, South Wales, on 15 July 1888. He was then in possession of ‘India Medal & Clasp for North West Frontier & Medal with gratuity of £5 for long service and good conduct per Genl. Order 82 of 1.8.85’. Sold with copied discharge papers.

Five: Private M. Bitten, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, later Middlesex Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4851 Pte. M. Bittern [sic], 1st. L.N. Lanc: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4851 Pte. M. Bitten. L.N.Lanc: Regt.); 1914 Star (G-349 Pte. M. Bitton [sic]. 4/Midd’x R.); British War and Victory Medals (349 Pte. M. Bitten. Midd’x R.) minor contact marks, very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Mark Bitten was born in Spitalfields, London, in 1875. He attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment on 8 June 1895, and served in Ceylon from 22 October 1896 to 10 February 1899, and South Africa from 11 February 1899 to 3 October 1902. Present at Belmont on 23 November 1899, he witnessed the successful assault on the Boer position at Belmont kopje. Two days later, at Enslin on 25 November 1899, the Loyals had heavy work and did well; in his telegram of 26 November 1899, Lord Methuen noted, ‘The Naval Brigade, Royal Marines, 2nd Yorkshire Light Infantry and Loyal North Lancashire Regiment especially distinguished themselves.’ This success was repeated not long afterwards at Modder River, where a half-battalion of the Loyal Lancashire Regiment again did splendid work, being the first troops to attempt the crossing on the British left and seizing some kopjes which were of great value afterwards. In both engagements they escaped with comparatively slight casualties, around 30 altogether. Railed to Transvaal, the 1st Battalion spent much of the remainder of the war combating guerilla tactics, including a particularly obstinate stand by the Boers at Haartebeestfontein. In his telegram of 21 February 1901, Lord Kitchener mentioned the Loyals as having ‘greatly distinguished themselves.’ Returned to England and transferred to Army Reserve, Bitten enjoyed a somewhat tense correspondence with the authorities when it emerged that he had lost his identity certificate from his home address in Limehouse. His papers note: ‘it got into the hands of my child and got burned’. Discharged in 1911, he returned to service with the Middlesex Regiment during the Great War and likely resumed his livelihood as a labourer upon the cessation of hostilities. Sold with copied Army Service Record.

Pair: Lieutenant R. B. Norton, 35th Bengal Native Infantry, who was wounded at the Tazeane Pass in September 1842 Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Flying Victory (R. B. Norton, 35th Regt. B.L.J.) contemporarily re-engraved naming in upright capitals; Cabul 1842 (R. B. Norton 35th Regt. B.L.J.) contemporarily re-engraved naming in upright capitals, both medals fitted with replacement small rings and silver bar suspension, contact marks, otherwise toned, very fine (2) £600-£800 --- Robert Bruce Norton is confirmed on the list of officers presented with medals for Jellalabad (as Lieutenant in 35th Bengal N.I.) and is also named in a list of officers who were wounded in the action of 13 September 1842, in the Tazeane Pass, two days before Pollock entered Cabul. He was court martialed on 16 July 1849 at Barrackpore for having absented himself from his quarters without leave, amongst other charges, during which time he took himself to Calcutta and did not reappear until the following day. Found guilty, he was sentenced to be ‘publicly and severely reprimanded’. The full detail of this case was reported in Allen’s Indian Mail and can be accessed online. It is possible that Norton forfeited his medals as a result of this court martial and subsequently acquired replacements which he had re-engraved to suit. Norton’s death was reported in the Gentleman’s Magazine for October 1852: ‘15 August 1852 - At St John’s-hill, Wandsworth, aged 30, Robert Bruce Norton, Lieutenant 35th Bengal Light Infantry, third surviving son of the late Sir John Davis Norton, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court at Madras.’ A ‘Typescript journal and letters of Capt (sic) Robert Bruce Norton, 35th Bengal Native Light Infantry at Jellalabad, 8 Oct 1841 to April 1842’, are held by the National Army Museum (Accession No 1968-07-224).

Four: Gunner George Richards, Royal Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (G. Richards, Gr. & Dr. 6th Batn. Rl. Arty.) officially impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Gunr. Geo. Richards V. Fld. Baty. No, 1 Cpy. 6th Bn. R.A.) suspension claw re-affixed; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (2726 By. Sjt. Majr. G. Richards 1st Bde. R.A.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (G. Richards, 11th Bgde. Rl. Arty.) engraved naming, fitted with scroll suspension, good fine or better (4) £400-£500 --- George Richards was born in the Parish of Plymtree, near Collompton, Devon, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Exeter on 3 June 1854, aged 19 years 2 months. He was discharged at Birmingham in the rank of Battery Sergeant-Major on 14 January 1876, having served in the Crimea for 1 year 3 months, and in India 9 years 4 months. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm all medals.

A Great War D.S.O. group of five awarded to Major H. L. Pearson, Royal Field Artillery Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Capt. H. L. Pearson. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major H. L. Pearson.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1918, with integral top slide riband bar, court mounted by Hunt & Roskell, London, as worn, gilding somewhat rubbed on first and last, good very fine (5) £800-£1,000 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 4 June 1917. Harold Leslie Pearson was born on 26 November 1882, the son of Colonel M. B. Pearson, C.B., V.D., of Lee, Kent. Educated at Blackheath School, he was appointed to a commission with the 2nd Middlesex Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers in 1903. Pearson was advanced Captain in the 3rd London Royal Field Artillery on constitution of the Territorial Force in 1908, and he served in France and Flanders from 3 October 1915, in command of “C” Battery, 282nd Army Brigade, Royal Field Artillery from 1916 to 1919. Appointed Temporary Major on 27 June 1916, Pearson was Mentioned in Despatches on 27 August 1918 and awarded the Territorial Decoration on 15 July 1919. Post-war, he appears to have resumed a career as a Member of the London Stock Exchange. He died in 1947. Sold with copied research.

Three: Colour Sergeant F. Barber, Hampshire Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches for Mesopotamia British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (53 C. Sjt. F. Barber. Hamps. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (53 C. Sjt. F. Barber. Hamps. R.) light contact marks, better than very fine (3) £280-£340 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 12 March 1918 (Mesopotamia). Frank Barber enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment on 22 February 1912 and served during the Great War with the 1/9th Battalion (Territorial Force), being Mentioned in Despatches for services in Mesopotamia. He was discharged due to sickness on 26 April 1919, aged 39, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. 505546, which was issued on 11 November 1920. His army pension record card gives his home address as 27 Charminster Road, Bournemouth. Sold with Infantry Records Office issue slip for Silver War Badge No. 505546 to Frank Barber (note Badge not with lot); and two uniform riband bars.

Three: Corporal R. H. Wills, Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry, later Border Regiment and Labour Corps, who had his right eye removed in consequence of a shrapnel injury received at the Battle of Passchendaele, 12 October 1917 1914-15 Star (2372 Pte. R. H. Wills, West. & Cumb. Y.); British War and Victory Medals (2372 Cpl. R. H. Wills. West. & Cumb. Y.) nearly extremely fine (3) £120-£160 --- Robert Hayton Wills was born at Kirk Bampton, near Wigton, Cumberland, on 29 January 1893. Attesting at Penrith on 18 September 1914, Wills initially served as a Private with “C” Squadron of the 1/1st Westmoreland and Cumberland Territorial Force. Sent to France on 27 July 1915, he was advanced Corporal on 5 February 1916 and transferred to infantry via the newly created 7th Battalion (Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry), Border Regiment, under Army Order 204/16, retaining cavalry rate of pay. On 10 October 1917, the Battalion left their dugouts at Canal Bank and marched across duck boards to Pilckem. The War Diary notes a major attack at 05.25 hrs on 12 October 1917, with Wills and his comrades encouraged to advance ‘as close to the barrage as possible.’ Advancing at a pace, the move proved fruitful with the men establishing positions to the north-east of Senegal Farm and taking over 130 German prisoners, but for Wills, it largely facilitated the end of his campaign and the removal to No. 24 General Hospital near Etaples for the removal of an eye. Returned to service briefly with the Labour Corps, he was discharged to pension on 21 February 1919 and awarded a 50% disability allowance. The 1939 Register records him in Workington as a furniceman steel worker, and also a special constable and member of the A.R.P. service.

A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ D.C.M., M.S.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant Major H. Faint, Royal Army Service Corps, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was honoured by the French, Belgian, and Serbian authorities for his administrative abilities in hostile environments Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (S-16343 S.S. Mjr: H. Faint. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (S-15343 W.O. Cl.1. H. Faint. A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S-16343 S.S. Mjr: H. Faint. D.C.M. A.S.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S-16343 T.S.S.Mjr. H. Faint. D.C.M. R.A.S.C.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militaire, silver-gilt and enamel; Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star on riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Medal of the Order of the Crown, First Class, gilt, the silver medals heavily toned, good very fine (8) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 21 June 1916: ‘For excellent work as Chief Clerk often carried out under difficult conditions.' M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: 'For services rendered with British Forces in the Balkans.' France, Medaille Militaire London Gazette 5 November 1920. France, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 21 August 1919. Belgium, Medal of the Order of the Crown, First Class London Gazette 19 December 1922. Harry Faint was born at Carlton Husthwaite, Yorkshire, on 11 December 1878. A butcher by trade, he attested at Leeds for the Royal Artillery on 11 September 1899, and transferred to the Army Service Corps on 4 August 1900. Appointed Sergeant in 1907 and Staff Sergeant Major at the outbreak of hostilities, Faint served in the Gallipoli theatre of war from 20 September 1915, and was decorated with the D.C.M. for distinguished and gallant service whilst under the Command of General Sir Charles Munro, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was further twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 13 July 1916 and 28 November 1917) and was awarded the M.S.M. in the Peace Gazette as Temporary 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major with the Royal Army Service Corps in Salonika. He was further honoured by France, Belgium, and Serbia (awarded the Serbian Medal for Military Virtue, London Gazette 7 June 1919). The 1939 Register later records Faint living in Fulham, London, his inter-war profession stated as civil servant and shorthand typist. Sold with copied research.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lt. & Adjt. J. M. Evans, 7th. Bengal N.I.) good very fine £240-£280 --- John Mitchell Evans was appointed Ensign in the Indian Army on 13 December 1845. Advanced Lieutenant 10 April 1852, he served with the Arracan Battalion and is noted as Second in Command at Kyouk Phyoo on 2 November 1857. A port city in modern-day Burma, Kyouk Phyoo held considerable strategic value, firstly as a stopping-off point for trade between Calcutta and Hong Kong, and secondly as the location of the Barangah Oil Company’s kerosene refinery. Promoted Captain in the 6th European Regiment on 22 January 1859, Evans served the remainder of his military career with the Bengal Staff Corps before returning home to Kent upon retirement. According to the Kent & Sussex Courier, he died on 28 January 1909, with his last address recorded as Pen-y-brin, Woodbury-park Road, Tunbridge Wells.

A fine Great War O.B.E., M.C. group of seven awarded to Colonel H. L. Howell, Royal Army Medical Corps, who served with distinction on the Western Front and in Mesopotamia during the Great War, being twice Mentioned in Despatches; he saw further service during the Second War in Command of the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Neuve Chapelle 10th. March 1915. Captain H. L. Howell, R.A.M.C. 12th. July 1915.’; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Capt: H. L. Howell. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major H. L. Howell.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, court mounted by Spink & Son, London, as worn, traces of lacquer, good very fine and better (7) £1,400-£1,800 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 3 March 1919: ‘For Services in Mesopotamia.' M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915. Hector Lionel 'Bill' Howell was born at Plymouth, Devon, on 12 February 1882, the son of Major Reuben Howell, R.A.M.C., of Northfleet, Kent. He followed in his father's footsteps and is recorded in W.R.M. Drew's Commissioned Officers in the Medical Services of the British Army, 1660-1960, as qualifying M.R.C.S. and L.R.C.P. (Lond) in 1905. Awarded a Diploma of Membership to the Royal College of Surgeons whilst employed at Charing Cross Hospital, Howell was subsequently appointed to a Commission in the Royal Army Medical Corps on 30 June 1906. He served in Woolwich and at the Military Hospital in Shorncliffe, before going out to India to serve with the Southern Army at Kirkee and Poona from 1908 to 1914. There he received his Captaincy in January 1910. The outbreak of the Great War saw Howell return to England attached to the 1st Battalion, The Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (The Sherwood Foresters). He travelled to France as their medical officer on 4 November 1914, his gallantry at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle being rewarded with a Mention in Despatches on 22 June 1915, and a Military Cross the following day. Returned to England until September 1916, he was then appointed Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services to 13th Division in the Mesopotamian Campaign. Howell's valuable contribution was recognised once again by his superiors, and he was created an Officer in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire and once again Mentioned in Despatches on 30 April 1919. Remaining in the Service, Howell returned to India for a second tour of duty from 1921 to 1923, later followed by his appointment as Senior Medical Officer and Officer Commanding the Officers' Hospital in Abbassia, Egypt, from 1926 to 1930. Further postings followed at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley, and as Officer Commanding the British Military Hospital at Secunderabad, before Howell was selected on 1 October 1937, as Honorary Surgeon to the Viceroy of India, the Marquess of Linlithgow. Taking retirement in June 1938, Howell was immediately recalled back to Netley upon the outbreak of the Second World War. He served a further three years until ill health finally put an end to two generations of medical service, commencing with the appointment of his father as a Lieutenant of Orderlies, A.H.C., on 9 June 1877, and ending with Howell's retirement as Colonel and Officer Commanding the Royal Victoria Military Hospital, Netley, in 1941. A good-natured and kind-hearted man, fond of golf, cricket, and shooting, Howell died at Roque Brune, Cap Martin, France, on 28 January 1948. Sold with extensive copied research.

Five: Lieutenant-Colonel K. H. Vaughan-Arbuckle, Auxiliary Forces India 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; India Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, India, G.VI.R. (Lt. Col. K. H Vaughan-Arbuckle, A.F.I.) first part of surname officially corrected, mounted as worn in this order; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted; and the recipient’s riband bar, very fine (5) £140-£180 --- Keith Hutchinson Vaughan-Arbuckle was born in Lambeth, London, in September 1909 and served with the Indian Army during the Second World War. He latterly owned a tea estate in Malabar and was attacked by a 'flying snake' in 1959, the events being published the following year in the Journal of The Bombay Natural History Society.

Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (L-41044 Gnr. C. Baynton. R.F.A.) good very fine £100-£140 --- M.S.M. (Gallantry) London Gazette 20 October 1920 [France & Flanders]. Approximately 25 M.S.M.’s awarded to the Royal Field Artillery for gallantry during the Great War. Sold with copied Medal Index Card showing entitlement to British War and Victory Medals, and M.S.M. Card marked in red in ‘Gallantry’. Baynton also served with Military Foot Police No. P-18151.

A sole entitlement British War Medal awarded to Gunner C. Reppke, Royal Garrison Artillery, late Royal Naval Reserve, a ‘conscientious objector’ who served in military communication on the island of Malta from 1916-17 British War Medal 1914-20 (81820 Gnr. C. Reppke. R.A.) good very fine £60-£80 --- Charles Reppke was born in Lossiemouth, Elginshire, in 1889, and worked at Glasgow fish market, his Army Service Record stating, ‘manager of a fishering [sic] business.’ The Aberdeen Daily Journal of 19 April 1916, notes: ‘Elgin Appeal Court Conscientious Objections The appeal of Charles Reppke, fishourer, Lossiemouth, whose case was before the court at last sitting, was again before the court. Mr. Jas. Young, solicitor, who stated the particulars of the case at last meeting, again went over them, while the appellant was also present. The appeal was refused and it was recommended that he be not called up before 9th May.’ Trained in telephony, Reppke briefly joined the trawler service before being conscripted into the Royal Garrison Artillery at the Citadel, Plymouth, on 23 May 1916. He served in Malta from 3 November 1916 to 12 December 1917, being discharged no longer physically fit for war service due to stomach inflammation. Awarded a Silver War Badge, he later joined the Campbeltown branch of the Clyde Fishermen’s Association and is recorded in The Scotsman in 1937 as ‘an expert on smoked kippers.’

Three: Deputy Surgeon General C. C. Dempster, Army Medical Department, attached 46th Foot Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Assist. Surg. Dempster 46th. Regt. 1856) contemporarily engraved naming, with ‘55’ and ‘54’ lightly scratched after year to edge; New Zealand 1845-66, reverse undated (Assist. Surgn. Chas. C. Dempster. Staff.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, plugged, with small ring suspension, edge bruising, very fine (3) £600-£800 --- Charles Carroll Dempster was born at Nenagh, Co. Tipperary, on 21 March 1832, and was commissioned Assistant-Surgeon in the 46th Regiment of Foot on 5 May 1854. He served with the 46th in the Crimea from 1854 to 1856; was present at the Siege and Fall of Sebastopol, including both the first and final attacks on the Grand Redan, on 18 June and 8 September 1855; and was Mentioned in Despatches. Transferring to the 24th Foot on 16 January 1857, he served in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny in the expedition into the Hazara District, and was in medical charge of the Moveable Column from Ferozepore during the pursuit of Tantia Topi (Medal with clasp Central India). Dempster next transferred as Assistant-Surgeon to the Staff on 6 August 1861, and served in New Zealand during the Second Maori War from 1863 to 1865, being present at the storming and capture of Rangiawhia. For his services in New Zealand he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 14 May 1864), and he was promoted Surgeon on 20 June 1865. He was advanced Brigade Surgeon, Army Medical Department, on 27 November 1879, and transferred to the Half-Pay List as Honorary Deputy Surgeon-General on 23 March 1881. Sold with copied research.

Three: Trumpet-Major William Bratby, 1st King’s Dragoon Guards, later ‘Queen’s Trumpeter’ and Scotland State Trumpeter South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (522. Tpt. Maj: W. Bratby. 1st Dragn. Gds.); Jubilee 1897, silver (Wm. Bratby, Queen’s Trumpeter. Late K.D.G.) naming privately impressed in neat small capitals; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (522. Sgt. Tptr. W. Bratby. 1st Dn. Gds.) each fitted with individual ornately floral engraved silver ribbon brooch as worn, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £1,500-£2,000 --- William Bratby was born in May 1847 at Piershill, Edinburgh, and attested for the 1st Dragoon Guards at Canterbury on 12 November 1862, aged 15 years 6 months, ‘for the purpose of being trained as a Trumpeter or Musician’. He was promoted Trumpeter in January 1864, and appointed Trumpet Major in May 1877, continuing in that rank until his discharge at Gosport on 15 January 1884. He served abroad in South Africa from 27 February 1879 to 5 March 1881, and in India from 27 February 1882 to 27 December 1883, the remainder at home. His discharge papers confirm ‘South African 1879. Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct. He married Margaret Graham on 15 March 1877. The Census of 1891 shows him living in Edinburgh employed as a servator at Edinburgh University, and in the 1901 Census, still living in Edinburgh, employed as a ‘State Musician’. The following newspaper announcement appeared following his death: ‘Death of a State Trumpeter for Scotland. Mr. William Bratby, one of the State Trumpeters for Scotland, has died at his residence in Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh. Previous to coming to Edinburgh Mr. Bratby was trumpet major of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards. He was present at the Zulu War in 1879, and also at the first Boer War in 1881. In the beginning of 1892 he was appointed a State Trumpeter for Scotland. For twenty-eight years he acted as a servitor in Edinburgh University.’ Sold with the following related family medals: British War Medal 1914-20 (Ply. 10242 Pte. W. Bratby. R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (7828 Pte. J. Thomson. K.O. Sco. Bord.) extremely fine

Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (4426. Pte A. Anderson. 1/Northd: Fus:) contemporarily engraved naming, good very fine £120-£160 --- Andrew Anderson attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers at Newcastle upon Tyne on 18 January 1895. He served with the 1st Battalion in Gibraltar from 3 October 1896 until 16 January 1898 and then in Egypt and the Sudan from 17 January 1896 to 2 October 1898 during which time he qualified for the Khedive’s Sudan medal with Khartoum clasp. He is also entitled to the Queen’s Sudan Medal. He subsequently served with the regiment in Crete from 3 October 1898 until 18 April 1899. Private Anderson was discharged from the army on 26 June 1899 on payment of £18.

A Great War C.M.G., C.B.E. group of six awarded to Colonel J. A. Armstrong, Director of Dental Services, Canadian Expeditionary Force The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with full neck cravat; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, with length of neck ribbon in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue, suspension ring adapted to lie flat; 1914-15 Star (Col: J. A. Armstrong. Can: A.D.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Col. J. A. Armstrong.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Capt. J. A. Armstrong 43rd Regt. Infy.) the last four mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1918: ‘In recognition of valuable services in connection with the War.’ C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘For valuable services rendered in connection with the War:- Armstrong, Col. John Alexander, C.M.G., C.A.D.C.’ John Alexander Armstrong was born at South March, Ontario, on 26 November 1862. He graduated with a degree in dentistry from the University of Toronto in 1890 and returned to Ottawa where he set up a dental practice. He commenced his military career in 1889 when he enrolled as an officer in the 43rd Regiment (Ottawa and Carlton Rifles). He also served in the Governor General’s Foot Guards prior to the Great War and received the Colonial Auxiliary Forces L.S. & G.C. medal in 1909. Although the Canadian Army Dental Corps was formally organised on 13 May 1915, Armstrong was appointed Chief Dental Surgeon and officer administering the Corps one month prior, on 2nd April. Taken on strength with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, he proceeded to England on 4 August 1915, where, after training, he was attached to the 2nd Canadian Field Ambulance, stationed at Bailleul on 8 August 1915. Armstrong was attached to the 2nd Canadian Division until the end of December 1915, when he returned to Shorncliffe to assume the duties of Director of Dental Services, responsible for the dental welfare of all Canadian Forces in training and at Canadian hospitals in England. He was one of only two C.A.D.C. officers to be appointed to the Order of St Michael and St George, and the only officer of the C.A.D.C. to be appointed C.B.E., thus making his group of awards unique to the Corps. Sold with copied research including detailed service history and two photographic images.

Three: Able Seaman R. Godden, Royal Navy, who died of dysentery on 7 September 1915 1914-15 Star (144561, R. Godden. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (144561 R. Godden. A.B. R.N.) nearly extremely fine Three: Private T. White, Canadian Army Service Corps 1914-15 Star (35580 Pte. T. White. Can: A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (35580 Pte. T. White. C.A.S.C.) good very fine (6) £60-£80 --- Richard Godden was born in Dorchester, Dorset, on 24 May 1872 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 1 March 1888. Promoted Able Seaman on 1 February 1893, he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 29 June 1902, and was recalled for Great War service on 2 August 1914. He died of dysentery on 7 September 1915 whilst serving in H.M.S. Glory and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

The Superb Korean War ‘Battle of the Imjin River Hill 314’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant S. Robinson, 4 Platoon, “B” Company, 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment (‘The Glorious Glosters’), who, although seriously wounded, personally kept his four Bren Machine-Guns in action in an exposed forward position for over three hours, decimating multiple Chinese ‘Human Wave’ attacks until he collapsed over his own Bren due to loss of blood. Originally recommended for a D.C.M., his award was downgraded as the War Office authorised just two D.C.M.s and six M.M.s to the Glosters’ other ranks, despite their heroic stand which blunted and ruined Mao’s Spring Offensive Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (1444977 A/Sjt. S. Robinson, Glosters); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (1444977 Cpl. S. Robinson, Glosters); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; together with the recipient’s United States of America Presidential Unit Citation riband bar, nearly extremely fine (7) £20,000-£30,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 8 December 1953. The original recommendation, for the award of a Distinguished Conduct Medal, was written by his C.O., Lieutenant Colonel J. P. Carne, V.C., D.S.O. and states: ‘Choksong, River Imjin, South Korea 22-25 April 1951 - Rifle Platoon Sergeant. During the night of 23-24 April, particularly during the early morning of the 24th April, repeated attacks were made by heavy Chinese forces against Sergeant Robinson’s platoon position. At first light, he was manning a light machine-gun in an exposed forward position. Despite heavy mortar and machine-gun fire, he maintained this gun in action personally for over three hours though wounded seriously in the arm and later, the leg. At the end of this time, through loss of blood, he collapsed over the weapon and only then was drawn to the rear. Due to his courage and selfless devotion to duty, this important post withstood the repeated assaults of the enemy until the order was given to withdraw to a new position. Sergeant Robinson’s conduct was indeed an inspiration to all those about him.’ Stanley Robinson was born in Chatham, Kent on 20 July 1920, joined the regular army and saw service in North West Europe during the Second World War. As a regular reservist, he was mobilised at Colchester in August 1950 for service in Korea with the Gloucestershire Regiment as a Corporal in “B” Company. The 1st Battalion of the Glosters sailed aboard the Empire Windrush, arrived in Pusan harbour on 10 November 1950, made its way to the front line north of Pyongyang, but was soon swept up in the retreat of the UN forces in the face of vast numbers of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) soldiers pushing down from the north. In February 1951 the U.N. forces went onto the offensive, recapturing Seoul and pushing up to and beyond the 38th Parallel, which had been the border between the North and the South. Robinson was promoted in the field from Corporal to be Platoon Sergeant of Lieutenant Geoffrey Costello’s No. 4 Platoon, “B” Company. The Glosters were deployed on the U.N. front line along the Imjin River when the Chinese Spring Offensive opened on the evening of 22 April 1951. The Glosters’ position covered a classic invasion route from the north, as Seoul was just thirty miles away to the south. Furthermore, it formed a pivot in the Allied line, which abruptly changed direction from west-east by suddenly running due north. The 29th Independent British Brigade had been allocated twelve miles of west-east-north front, comprising steep hills intersected by deep valleys. It was impossible to man a continuous defensive line, so Brigadier Brodie decided to deploy each of his infantry battalions on separate areas of key high ground, relying on his artillery and tanks to cover the wide gaps between them, including the dominating 675m-high feature called Kamak San. Ominously, there was a very wide gap between the Glosters to the west of the Brigade area and the other three battalions who were safeguarding the main north-south highway (Route 11) to the east. Like his Brigadier, Lieutenant Colonel Carne, commanding 1st Glosters, appreciated that in order to hold vital ground he could not concentrate his infantry companies. Defence stores such as wire and anti-personnel mines were in short supply and the Glosters’ company positions were not as secure as he wanted them to be. Carne’s main objective was to cover the approaches to the defile and track running south through the hills which offered the fastest way to reach flatter country around Seoul. Ideally Carne wanted to occupy Kamak San, but his manpower was insufficient to do so. He placed “A” Company on Castle Hill, which covered the main crossing point along the Imjin River about 2,000 yards to the north, and “B” Company on its right flank to cover the two-mile gap between the Glosters and the next British battalion. The other companies were in depth or reserve positions. The entire Chinese 63rd Army (about 27,000 fighters) was tasked to wipe out one British Infantry Brigade. During the morning of Sunday April 22, warnings were received of large-scale enemy movement north of the river, and 1 Glosters prepared for battle. Extra ammunition was bought up and distributed to the companies and both “A” and “B” Companies sent out fighting patrols closer to the river. Artillery and mortar targets were registered and recorded. All companies were placed at 50% stand-to. The First Night and Day of the Battle After dark on April 22, swarms of Chinese troops crossed the Imjin, taking massive casualties from artillery and small-arms fire aided by mortar flares. Undaunted by their losses, they pressed on, infiltrating along the gaps between the various British positions. The Gloster fighting patrols were withdrawn at midnight as their ammunition was expended. During the night of 22/23 April 1951, “B” Company inflicted crushing casualties on Chinese units which attempted to overrun their slit tranches, suffering no losses themselves. However, “A” Company was outnumbered by at least six to one, and after bitter fighting the Chinese established themselves in a captured allied bunker on the top of Castle Hill. Soon after dawn on 23 April the “A” Company Commander and many of his officers were killed and the survivors were in imminent danger of being overrun. Colonel Carne was forced to pull back to his depth positions. At 0830 “A” Company - now reduced to only one officer and 53 men - joined him on Gloster Hill, while “B” Company fell back 1,500 yards to destroy the Chinese troops on top of Hill 314 and occupy it. But to their right they could see hundreds of Chinese moving around their flank towards Kamak San. Unfortunately, no air support was available. The redeployed companies - “B” on Hill 314 and the rest of the battalion on Gloster Hill - could still deny the enemy use of the vital track from the village of Solma-Ri through the hills, and the British artillery and mortars were decimating the Chinese throughout the day, but Carne was well aware that both flanks of his battalion had been turned and unless he was provided with air strikes and tank support his sole options were to surrender or to fight on until his ammunition, water and food ran out. No relief or reinforcement could occur without other U.N. units fighting their way forward. By 10.30 on 23 April, “B” Company had taken the summit of Hill 314 and were preparing their defences. During that day the Chinese 188th and 189th Divisions got ready for a fresh att...

Family Group: Three: Captain L. Beck, 2nd (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L. Beck.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Capt. L. Beck. 2-Lond. R.) all in named card boxes of issue; together with three card identity discs, two named ‘Capt. L. Beck, C.E. 2 Lon. Reg.’, and the third named ‘Capt. L. Beck C.E. 2 Col. R.F.’, extremely fine Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, V.R. (No. 662 Qr. Master Sergt. J. P. Beck. 2nd V.B. R.W. Regt.) engraved naming, small edge knock, otherwise very fine (4) £400-£500 --- Lancelot Beck is listed as Captain in the November 1914 Army List, with seniority, of 3 September 1914, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 November 1916. He died in 1948. Sold with the recipient’s original parchment commission scroll appointing Lancelot Beck to be 2nd Lieutenant, Volunteer Forces, dated 3 July 1907; and two postcard-sized group photographs in which Lancelot Beck is identified, one seemingly a pre-War photograph of officers of the Royal Fusiliers, and the other a group of Staff Officers. J. P. Beck, father of the above, of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was awarded the V.L.S.M. per Army Order 77 of 1 April 1896.

Three: Staff Sergeant Lalbir Gurung, 1/6th Gurkha Rifles General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (21144060 Rfn Lalbir Gurung 6 G R); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (21144060 S. Sgt. Lalbir Gurung. 1/6 GR.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (21144060 S. Sgt. Lalbir Gurung. 6 GR.) very fine (3) £200-£240 --- Labir Gurung enlisted into the British Army in India, aged 18, on 2 February 1948. He first served in Malaya during the Malayan Emergency with the 6th Gurkha Rifles from 25 January 1955, and served two further tours, including service during the Borneo campaign. Appointed Colour Sergeant on 1 April 1964, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. on 1 February 1966, and was discharged on 9 March 1967. Sold with copy service papers.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 2nd issue, large letter reverse, impressed naming (D. Clarke, Gunner & Driver. Rl. Invalid Arty.) heavy edge bruising, nearly very fine £80-£100

Three: Private J. Clarke, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85 (1099 Pte. J. Clark [sic]. 2/D. of C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1099. Pte. J. Clarke. D. of Corn: L.I.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, reverse Regimentally impressed ‘1099 J. C.’, pitting from Star, generally very fine and better (3) £360-£440 --- John Clarke was born at Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire, in 1844 and attested there for the 5th Regiment of Foot on 27 January 1868. He transferred to the 46th Regiment of Foot on 31 March 1869, and served with them overseas in Bermuda, Gibraltar, Malta, and with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan from 20 July 1882 to 16 June 1886. Returning home, he was discharged on 26 January 1889, after 21 years’ service. Sold with copied record of service.

Pair: Gunner W. Blackman, Royal Horse Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (... Blackman 6 C 2 B. R.A.) contemporary engraved naming with some loss; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2958 Gunner W. Blackman D. Bde. R.H.A.) the first with edge bruising and contact marks, fine, the second good very fine (2) £160-£200 --- William Blackman was born at Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Reading on 25 May 1854, aged 18. He served overseas in the Crimea for 1 year 7 months, and at Gibraltar for 1 years 4 months. He was finally discharged after 22 years’ service on 31 October 1876. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm both awards and entitlement to Turkish Crimea in addition.

Six: Sergeant A. W. Pizzey, 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), London Regiment, later Major, County of London Territorial and Auxiliary Force British War and Victory Medals (3177 A. Sjt. A. W. Pizzey. 25-Lond. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (3177 Pte. A. W. Pizzey. 25-Lond. R.) in named card boxes of issue; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (741414 Sgt. A. W. Pizzey 1-25 Lond. R.); Defence Medal, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Major A. W. Pizzey, 104 Hercies Rd., Hillingdon, Middlesex’; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (741414 Cpl. A. Sjt. W. A. [sic] Pizzey. 25/Lond. R.) in named card box of issue, extremely fine (6) £460-£550 --- Arthur William Pizzey served during the Great War on the frontier regions of India from 25 May to 16 August 1917, and was awarded his T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 275 of 1 August 1919. He saw later service with the 25th Battalion, London Regiment during the Third Afghan War. His Defence Medal was issued by the County of London Territorial and Auxiliary Force.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 2nd issue, large letter reverse (D. Burton, Trumpeter, Royal Artillery.) impressed naming, very fine £80-£100

Four: Acting Sergeant Major A. Gale, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, attached Indian Supply and Transport Corps, late Duke of Wellington’s Regiment and Upper Burma Volunteer Rifles, who was killed in action in Iraq on 2 November 1915 1914-15 Star (21368 Sjt. A. Gale. L.N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (21368 Sjt. A. Gale L.N. Lan. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (Act: Sergt.-Major A. Gale U. Burma Vol: Rifles.) nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- Alfred Gale was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire, in 1874. A groom by trade, Gale attested at Halifax for the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding) on 19 August 1891, his papers noting him as a 17 year-old ‘growing lad’. Appointed Lance Corporal on 1 September 1894, and Sergeant on 24 June 1897, he served overseas for 17 years in South Africa, the East Indies and Burma, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal with gratuity under Army Order No. 239, on 25 April 1910. Advanced Quarter Master Sergeant, Gale was discharged at Gosport on 16 November 1912 upon his second period of engagement, his conduct and character noted as ‘exemplary’. Remarkably, Gale returned to service for a third period upon the outbreak of the Great War. Despite having attempted a new life in India with his wife and three children from March 1914, he rallied once again to the call and re-enlisted as a Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. With his experience and fervour, Gale was initially fortunate to be omitted from the Indian Expeditionary Force which sailed from Mumbai on 16 October 1914; the subsequent Battle of Tanga resulted in the loss of approximately 115 soldiers of the 2nd Battalion. Instead, he served in the Persian campaign, attached to the Indian Supply and Transport Corps. It was in this capacity that he was likely charged with maintaining the lines of supply of food, water and ammunition to the city of Basra, which from November 1914 was occupied by the 6th (Poona) Division. Extremely vulnerable to enemy attack across hundreds of miles of open desert, Gale was killed in action on 2 November 1915. He is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.

Five: Sergeant S. Hatton, formerly Fairclough, Royal Logistic Corps, late Grenadier Guards General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24626163 Gdsm S Fairclough Gren Gds); Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24626163 Cpl S Hatton Gen Gds); Iraq 2003-11, no clasp, (24626163 Sgt S Hatton RLC); Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24626163 Cpl S Hatton RLC) mounted as worn, extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- Stephen Hatton, born Stephen Fairclough, enlisted into the Grenadier Guards and served with Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion in South Armagh during their tour of Northern Ireland in 1983. He changed his named by deed poll on 20 November 1985, and continued to serve under his new name. Appointed Corporal, he served in the Gulf War attached to the 1st Staffordshire Regiment, 7 Armoured Brigade. Transferring to the Royal Logistic Corps in 1995 as a Military Training Instructor, he later served in Iraq during Operation Telic. Sold together with copy research, copy deed poll and original photographs of the recipient in uniform, including one taken at Crossmaglen, in 1983.

Four: Corporal A. Henley, Devonshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (405 Cpl. A. Henley. Devon R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (405 Pte. A. Henley. Devon R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200033 Cpl. A. Henley. 4/Devon R.) mounted for wear, light contact marks, nearly extremely fine (4) £260-£300 --- Alfred Henley was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 178 of 1 May 1919, and was disembodied on 22 June 1919.

Five: Captain and Quartermaster A. Downer, 5/7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, late Regimental Sergeant Major, who landed with the 2nd Battalion from the River Clyde on the Gallipoli Peninsula, 25 April 1915 1914-15 Star (6920 C.Q.M. Sjt. A. Downer. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6920 W.O. Cl. 2. A. Downer. Hamps. R.); Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5485048 W.O. Cl. II. A. Downer. Hamps. R.) mounted for wear, last with official corrections, generally very fine or better (5) £260-£300 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 13 July 1916: ‘For distinguished and gallant services rendered during the period of General Sir Charles Monro’s Command of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force.’ Archibald Downer served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in Gallipoli from 25 April 1915. On the latter date he landed with the Battalion at dawn from the S.S. River Clyde at Cape Helles - the Battalion landed on V Beach and suffered heavy casualties, many men were hit while wading ashore in shoulder deep water and many of the wounded were drowned. Three attempts to land were made by men of the Hampshires, Royal Dublin and Royal Munster Fusiliers all of which ended in costly failures. Six of the crew of the River Clyde were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery during the landing. Downer advanced to Acting Regimental Sergeant Major and transferred to the 5th Battalion. He was later commissioned, and advanced to Captain and Quartermaster, ‘of the 5/7th Battalion Hampshire Regiment (T.A.), who has been awarded the King’s Silver Jubilee medal, is the youngest of the late Mr. C. Downer and of Mrs. Attril, of 11 Simeon Street [Ryde, Isle of Wight], and a former scholar of Holy Trinity School. Capt. Downer enlisted in the regiment in August, 1903, and served abroad with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa, Mauritius, Bermuda, and India. He is one of the few survivors of the 2nd Battalion which took part in the memorable landing from the River Clyde on the Gallipoli Peninsula on April 25th, 1915. After serving as R.S.M. with the 5/7th he took his discharge on being commissioned Lieutenant and Quartermaster to that battalion in 1927. He was promoted Captain some months ago and is still serving with the regiment at Southampton.’ (Isle of Wight County Press, 13 July 1935, refers) Sold with copied service papers, and research.

A Great War ‘St. Julien 1917’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant H. O. Wilderspin, 2/4th (City of London) Battalion (Royal Fusiliers), London Regiment, who was later commissioned into the Yorkshire Regiment and served in the Second World War with the Royal Army Ordnance Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (2955248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 2/4 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (295248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 4-Lond. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (295248 Sjt. H. O. Wilderspin. 4-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine and better (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original Recommendation, signed by Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. S. Dann, 2/4th Battalion, London Regiment, states: ‘Operations at St. Julien 20 September 1917. This N.C.O. was in charge of a Platoon, He was wounded whilst on the Assembly tapes, but carried on and moved forward, leading his Platoon. He was again wounded but still pushed on, consolidating a position over the ridge beyond Winnipeg Farm, during which operation he was wounded a third time. The wonderful courage and endurance displayed by this N.C.O. inspired all ranks.’ Harry Oliver Wilderspin attested for the 4h Battalion, London Regiment, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment, on 4 February 1919. Relinquishing his commission, he was re-commissioned Second Lieutenant in the East Yorkshire Regiment on 16 July 1940, and transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, to be War Substantive Lieutenant (Administration Branch) on 18 August 1941. Sold with original carbon copy regimental recommendation for the award of the M.M., this fragile with tear to fold and old sticky tape stain, and a rare surviving fighting citation for the award of the Military Medal during the Great War.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse, edge dated (I. Brogden. Serjeant 46th. Foot 1848.) engraved naming, with original steel clip and steel bar suspension, very fine £300-£400 --- Joseph Brogden was born at Downham, Clitheroe, Lancashire, and attested for the 46th Foot at Lancaster on 11 September 1827, aged 20. He was promoted Corporal on 14 June 1836; Sergeant on 1 July 1838; and Hospital Sergeant on 29 July 1841. He served overseas in India for 5 years and 64 days; in Gibraltar for 1 year and 358 days; in the West Indies for 3 years; and in North America for 3 years and 76 days. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1848, and was discharged, unfit for further service, on 24 February 1849. He died in Kent in 1884. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

Three: Master Gunner James Doig, Royal Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Serjeant James Doig, 2nd Batn. R.A.) contemporary engraved naming; Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Master Gunnr. James Doig Royal Arty.); Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, pierced with small rings for suspension, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (3) £300-£400 --- James Doig was born at Bourbon, France, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Woolwich on 10 September 1833, aged 17 years 3 months. He served 30 years and 22 days, including 5 years 4 months in the West Indies and 5 months in the Crimea. He was promoted Corporal in January 1844; Sergeant in April 1846; Colour-Sergeant in July 1851; Sergeant from April to September 1855; was appointed Master Gunner on 2 September 1866; and First Class Master Gunner from 1 May 1860. He was discharged at Portsmouth on 1 July 1864, being then in possession ‘of a medal for service in the Crimea with a clasp for Sebastopol, also a Turkish War medal. He has been awarded a silver medal for Long Service and Good Conduct and a Gratuity of £15. He relinquished the Gratuity on being an Annuity of £10 by W.O. letter dated 2d May 1864.’ Doig was awarded the M.S.M. with Annuity in May 1864, and died circa 1872. Sold with copied discharge papers.

India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (2/Lt. J. C. Gemmell I.A.R.O. 1/30/Pjbs.) officially re-impressed naming, good very fine £50-£70 --- J. C. Gemmell was commissioned into the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 15 July 1917, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, 30th Punjabis, serving with them during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of war from October 1917. Sold with copied Medal Index Card.

An unusual double-issue pair of Waterloo medals awarded to Lieutenant Samuel Phelps, Royal Foot Artillery Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. Samuel Phelps Royal Foot Artillery.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension; Waterloo 1815 (Lieutenant S. Phelps, Royal Foot Artillery) a slightly later issue, fitted with replacement steel clip and small ring suspension, the first with two edge bruises and a little polished, otherwise nearly very fine, the second with edge bruising and marks overall, therefore good fine or better (2) £2,400-£2,800 --- Samuel Phelps was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 4 April 1808, and 1st Lieutenant on 18 September 1809. He served in the Walcheren expedition in 1809, and was present at Quatre Bras and Waterloo in Major Lloyd’s Brigade (wounded) and with the Army of Occupation. Placed on half-pay on 4 August 1822, he died in 1927 from the effects of Walcheren fever. There is a memorial tablet to him in St Michael’s Church, Rudbaxton, Wales: ‘Sacred to the memory / of Samuel Phelps / third son of John Martin Esqr of Withy Bush / and a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery / who after an active service / in different campaigns, / wounded early in the memorable battle of Waterloo / fell a victim to the protracted effects / of the Walcheren fever / on the 13th day of December 1827 / in the 37th year of his age.’ (Wellington’s Men Remembered by Janet & David Bromley refers). In a letter to his brother, dated 18 July 1815, Phelps wrote: ‘... On the 14th instant we received an order to march, when after two days hard marching we arrived at the scene of action at about 3 o’clock in the evening of the 16th, our guns were immediately brought into action. We began by commencing a heavy fire upon the enemy’s position which was kept up until late in the evening. We lost a great many horses killed but did not suffer much in men, the troops of the line suffered considerably, especially the highlanders, we, however, drove the enemy back and our right troops occupied the ground he stood upon!... I was mounting my horse, one foot in the stirrup, when a cannon shot struck him dead having gone through him. We lay all this night in the rear of the field of battle repairing our damages as well as possible and at about twelve o’clock on the 17th we were ordered to retire as the Prussians on our left had been obliged to retreat... On the morning of the 18th at [10 o’clock?] I went to the rear to bring up some ammunition [caissons when?] about twelve o’clock the enemy commenced [a heavy fire?] upon our lines. I did not return to the fighting until two o’clock; we had hard work with our guns [sinking?] it being so wet that it was with difficulty [that we could?] work them, we kept up a warm fire upon the enemy when of a sudden an immense body of cavalry came out of some corn in our front and charged through our guns, it was with difficulty that we got to the squares of infantry in our rear, the line fired volleys into them, they retired and we got to our guns and peppered them finely; they charged us again four time following but we killed such a number of them that they were glad to retire at last. Our losses were considerable, two officers out of five are severely wounded, a great number of our men and horses killed.’ (The Waterloo Archive, Volume IV: British sources, edited by Gareth Glover, refers) First Lieutenant Phelps served in Major William Lloyd’s brigade at Waterloo. Major Lloyd was severely wounded and died of his wounds eleven days after the above letter was written.

Three: Pioneer R. T. Holland, Carrier Pigeon Service, Royal Engineers, late Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who was specially selected to be involved in the rearing, training and deployment of carrier pigeons across hundreds of miles of open desert 1914-15 Star (11750 Pte. R. T. Holland. R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (11750 Pte. R. T. Holland. R. War. R.) better than good very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Richard Thomas Holland was born at Nuneaton in 1886. A miner, he attested at Warwick for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 6 May 1915, being sent to the 4th Battalion for training. His Army Service Record notes that he embarked from Port Suez to Basra on 9 April 1916, and was posted to “A” Company of the 9th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment at Amara on 31 July 1916. Following a spell at No. 40 Field Hospital, Sindiyah, Holland transferred to the Carrier Pigeon Service on 7 March 1918, being mustered as Pioneer on transfer to the Royal Engineers. The role of carrier pigeons during the Great War is well documented - indeed, a number of birds became stars of the British and foreign press. Frequently targets of enemy troops who attempted to shoot them down in flight - knowing all too well that they were carrying important messages - the carrier pigeons were also subject to attack by birds of prey and the vagaries of the weather; in Baghdad and the deserts of Mesopotamia, this often involved them coping with scorching 40-degree conditions by day and freezing temperatures at night. Sent to hospital at Remadie on 19 October 1918, Holland embarked home to England from Basra aboard H.T. City of Sparta on 7 March 1919. His return to Nuneaton was likely an emotional one, given the loss of a young son not long beforehand.