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A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain G. S. Rolph, Northamptonshire Regiment attached 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, late Essex Regiment, for his gallantry at Kruiseecke and Gheluwe, 2-3 October 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (3278 Pte. G. S. Rolph. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. S. Rolph.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919: ‘On 2 October 1918, near Kruiseecke, two sections were sent forward to cover the advance of the infantry, and were held up by heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. He at once rushed forward and, under intense fire, got his sections into action and covered the advance of the infantry. On 3 October, during the attack on Gheluwe, he was in charge of a forward mobile section when the infantry were held up. He immediately led his guns into action under heavy fire, restored the situation and secured the flank. Throughout the operation his leading under all conditions was most gallant and able.’ Gerald Stanley Rolph was born in Wilton, Norfolk, on 29 January 1897 and attested for the Essex Regiment, serving with the 4th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, on 30 May 1917, and was awarded his Military Cross whilst attached to the 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He saw further service during the Second World War with the Army Catering Corps. He died in Nottingham on 19 January 1983. Sold with a postcard photograph of the recipient; various cap and collar badges; and copied research.

Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue; Jubilee 2012, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (19034295 Cpl. R. A. Layland. 3. R. Anglian.) edge digs to last, otherwise nearly extremely fine (3) £70-£90

Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Serjt. Jereh. Brosman 101st. Foot) light cabinet marks, good very fine £180-£220 --- Jeremiah Brosman was born in 1828 and attested for the 101st Regiment of Foot in 1848. He served with them in India, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry at the Eagle Nest Picquet, Umbeyla, on 26 October 1863 (London Gazette 19 March 1864). He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, together with an annuity of £15, on 1 November 1866.

Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (4339561 Sjt. G. Thompson. E. York. R.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (6206760. Pte. J. E. Clark. Kensingtons) nearly extremely fine, the latter scarce to unit (2) £70-£90 --- G. Thompson was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 231 of 1942.

Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, V.R. cypher, silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1892, the reverse privately engraved ‘Hon. Lieut. Col. Thos. Windus, 2nd. V.B.S.L. Regt. St. Helens 7th. Jany. 1893’, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militaria (7598057 Cpl. J. Rutherford. R.E.M.E.) very fine and better (2) £100-£140 --- Thomas Windus ‘was sworn in as a Volunteer, and in 1889 he was promoted to the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and in February 1893 was decorated with the Volunteer Officer’s Long Service Medal [sic]. He was connected with the St. Helens Volunteer Corps over forty years, and on his retirement from the corps was granted permission to retain his rank and to wear the uniform of the corps.’ (The recipient’s obituary in The Examiner, 27 March 1902, refers). J. Rutherford was awarded his Efficiency Medal per Army Order 27 of February 1948.

The important Founder’s Maquette of ‘Troopie’, the Regimental Memorial of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, presented to Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. W. Aust, the last Commanding Officer of the Rhodesian Light Infantry Founder’s maquette in resin used by the Fiorini Foundry in the design and casting of The Trooper ('Troopie'), the full-size bronze Regimental Memorial of the Rhodesian Light Infantry, 1978-79, the statue 235mm in height, mounted on a wooden plinth 115mm x 110mm x 60mm high, with plaque inscribed ‘Presented to Lt. Col. J. C. W. Aust, MLM, last Commanding Officer the Rhodesian Light Infantry From the Regt. - October 1980’, surmounted by the Regimental badge, the reverse of the plinth with a plaque inscribed ‘”The Troopie” Original Miniature Statue by Fiorini’, extremely good condition £3,000-£5,000 --- The 1st Battalion, Rhodesian Light Infantry was formed in 1961 in Bulawayo and moved to the Cranborne Barracks in Salisbury (now Harare) a year later. It became part of the Southern Rhodesian Army in 1964, before being reformed almost immediately into a commando battalion. When prime minister Ian Smith declared Rhodesian independence in November 1965, the Bush War that had been fought over control of the country had already been prosecuted for over a year. Smith’s minority-led government forces, which were not recognised internationally, found themselves up against the military wing of Mugabe’s Zimbabwe African National Union and the Zimbabwe People’s Revolutionary Army under Joshua Nkomo. By the time the future direction of the country was settled with the Lancaster House agreement in December 1979, Smith had been replaced by Bishop Abel Muzorewa, and the ensuing elections swept Mugabe to power in April 1980. During the 15-plus years of conflict before it was disbanded in October 1980, the Rhodesian Light Infantry had played a vital role, chiefly in putting down the counterinsurgency and ultimately serving under the Zimbabwe Rhodesia government in 1979, and then the new Mugabe government in 1980. The nature of the war meant that many of the Rhodesian Light Infantry’s actions had to be launched from the air, and in 1976 it became a parachute regiment. Its experience and effectiveness in counterinsurgent operations later provided vital lessons in tactics and planning for anti-terrorism forces across the world. In its almost 20 years of service, the Rhodesian Light Infantry suffered around 100 men killed in action, 85 of whom are listed on the Regimental Association’s Roll of Honour as being lost between March 1968 and December 1979. It was to the memory of these fallen that the Regiment decided to commission what was to become ‘The Trooper’ or ‘Troopie’ (a name given to Rhodesian Light Infantry servicemen by the Rhodesian media): a bronze of a standing Rhodesian Light Infantry soldier. Co-ordinated by the Rhodesian Light Infantry Association, whose supporters helped raise public funds to finance the project, the commission went to soldier and artist Captain Mike Blackman, who was at that time the editor of the Association magazine The Cheetah. Blackman had to work quickly in order to ensure that the statue could be cast and in position for Regimental Day 1979 at Cranborne Barracks. Indeed, it was in position that year - an especially important achievement bearing in mind that, with the handing over of power to President Robert Mugabe in 1980, ‘Troopie’ was to survive only one more Regimental Day in place. In October of the same year, the Rhodesian Light Infantry, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. W. Aust, was disbanded. At the final parade the Regimental Colours were laid to rest and taken for safekeeping to the Salisbury Cathedral, and after 20 years the undefeated Battalion marched into history. At that final parade on 17 October 1980, Aust gave the following address: ‘In a few minutes’ time this Battalion known to the country and to the world for a short but golden period of history as the 1st Battalion The Rhodesian Light Infantry, will march off the square and into history. To mark this dramatic and to many of us heart-rending occasion, we will shortly pay a last tribute and say farewell to our Colours, which we have carried aloft with such pride and honour for more than 14 years of war. There is so much that one can say at a time like this, yet it is a sacred moment, a moment for personal meditation and reflection. There is little I can say to alleviate our sorrow. If the world neither knows nor mourns our passing, let us rest assured that the great captains of history and those who study military affairs will know that a fine regiment is lost to the honourable profession of arms this day. I should simply add that we, the final team of this wonderful regiment, must leave the square not only in grief but with intense pride, dignity and honour. We have much to be grateful for. I am eternally grateful to those fine men who served these Colours before we did; to those among us who have lost loved ones; to those who to this day bear the scars of war received while fighting under these Colours; to those friends - and there are many of them - who have stood by us in adversity; to those who fought with such courage beside us, I’m grateful that we can shout to the world this day, There are our Colours - they are unstained, undefeated, triumphant. They are covered in glory! I would like to think that those of our number who lost their lives are paraded with us this afternoon. I believe they would be proud. We have not let them down. We know that in years to come we will say to our children and to our loved ones with the greatest pride, I served in the Rhodesian Light Infantry. Finally, I offer a personal and humble prayer: May God bless our beloved Regiment and those who on this day and in the past have served her with such honour. I thank God that we have done our duty.’ After independence in 1980 - and very aware of the sensitivity of the ‘Troopie’ - Aust, together with a small select team, dismantled the statue and it was clandestinely spirited out of the country. Some time later, the statue was transferred to the British Empire and Commonwealth Museum in Bristol, England. Eventually, the Marquis of Salisbury offered the grounds of his estate at Hatfield House in Hertfordshire as a permanent home for ‘Troopie’. Lord Salisbury had a close connection with the Rhodesian Light Infantry as his brother, the journalist Lord Richard Cecil, had been killed while reporting alongside them on the Bush War in 1978, aged 30. Lieutenant-Colonel Aust’s family were among the original Rhodesian settlers who arrived in the country in 1892, and his personal heritage was embedded in the country. Regrettably, after losing his farm in 2001, he left his beloved country and was never to return. Treasured since the disbanding of the Regiment was the original miniature of the statue cast by the bronze founder Fiorini. In October 1980 this was presented to Aust by the Rhodesian Light Infantry Regimental Association in appreciation and recognition of his leadership and unswerving loyalty to the Battalion. ‘Troopie’ remains in the grounds of Hatfield House to this day, having been rededicated on 30 October 2010. Sold together with the ‘Souvenir Edition’ of The Cheetah magazine, 31 October 1980, which features ‘Troopie’ on the front cover; and the 60th Anniversary Souvenir Edition of The Cheetah magazine, 1 February 2021, which contains a full account of the ‘Troopie’ story, including a transcript of Lieutenant-Colonel Aust’s speech at the rededication of ‘Troopie’ at Hatfield House in ...

Memorial Plaque (Archibald Angus Matheson) very fine £50-£70 --- Archibald Angus Matheson served as a Sergeant with Lovat’s Scouts from 1914 to 1916, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps on 10 November 1916, serving with them at HQ Base Supply Deport. He died of sickness on 20 December 1917, and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

A 1919 ‘North Russia’ M.C. group of six awarded to Major, late Lance Corporal, W. G. Butteriss [M.M., Order of St. Anne, 3rd Class], 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, attached 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘2nd Lt. W. G. Butteriss: Leic’s Regt.’, last ‘s’ of surname corrected; 1914-15 Star (13234 Pte W. G. Butteriss Leic: R.) details, with the exception of the regiment which is officially impressed, erased and recently engraved; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. W. G. Butteriss); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally very fine or better (6) £800-£1,200 --- M.C. London Gazette 15 July 1919: ‘On 23rd March, 1919, he led his platoon as advanced guard commander with energy and decision. When less experienced troops were temporarily thrown into confusion under heavy fire he continued to advance his platoon and forced the enemy to quit their position. He then by his example and leadership gave the greatest help in restoring the situation until it was possible to continue the advance. He showed great gallantry and devotion to duty.’ The citation included with the lot also adds the following to the above: ‘During the trying conditions of the next week, he and his men were an example to all the troops under my [Ironside] command and in the actions of March 31 - April 2nd, the steady defence put up on the advanced flank post for which Lieut Butteriss was responsible prevented the enemy piercing our exposed flank.’ M.M. London Gazette 8 January 1917. Walter George Butteriss was born in Uppingham in 1896, and served during the Great War in the ranks with the 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 29 July 1915 (M.M.). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in May 1918. Buterriss was subsequently attached to the 13th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment for service in North Russia - with the Battalion arriving in Murmansk in November 1918. A local paper gives the following with regards to his service: ‘Medals adorned the chests of many ex-Servicemen taking part in Melton Armistice Sunday church parade, but Mr. Walter Butteriss, Melton building contractor, although not in the parade, holds a Russian decoration which he believes to be unique in this country - the Order of St. Anne with sword and ribbon. It was awarded to him while he was an officer with a company mounted on skis at Murmansk and Archangel in Northern Russia towards the end of the First World War. Mr. Butteriss, who is 67, joined the Army in 1914. He served with the Leicestershire Regiment in France and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Medal. This was presented to him by General French just outside Ypres. In November, 1917, he went to a cadet training school and after receiving his commission was seconded to the Green Howards and sent to Russia where he won the Military Cross and the Russian Order of St. Anne [3rd Class with Swords]. At the beginning of the second world war Mr. Butteriss was a major in the Home Guard for three years, before being called up. He then became a captain attached to General Services in Leicestershire.... The only medical attention Mr Butteriss received during his Army career was when he sprained his ankle after entering a burning house in Russia in an attempt to put out the fire. When he was in Russia his company went overland led by Macklin and Stenhouse, who were both with Sir Ernest Shackleton on his expedition to the South Pole. Mr Butteriss met Shackleton at General Ironside’s house. Shackleton was then naval officer in charge of supplies.’ The Regimental History adds the following for Butteriss’s service in Russia: ‘The transfer of the 13th Green Howards from what was known as the “Syren” to the “Elope” Force had been carried out under tolerably favourable conditions and the health of the men remainder good. The strength of the Battalion in these parts was now twenty-three officers and six hundred and eighty-four non-commissioned officers and men, while ten officers and one hundred and seventy-five other ranks had been retained with the “Syren” Force on the Murmansk front attached to various units. Almost immediately after arrival on this front the services of a portion of the Battalion were called for: on the 14th March three officers and eighty other ranks of “B” Company with four Lewis guns were sent to Rialka and Lutchino on the Dwina River front to give support to a small force there operating under Colonel Carrol; between the 15th and 18th - on which latter date the Company returned to Shred Mekhrenga - the enemy made three attacks upon Lutchino, but these were all easily repulsed. Then at midnight on the 19th Second Lieutenant W. G. Butteriss, M.M., and fifty non-commissioned officers and men were sent to Obozerskaya to take part in certain operations in the neighbourhood of Bolshiozerky, coming while there under the orders of the Vologda Force. During March there was no special activity on the Seletskoe front, but the detachment patrolled the country frequently and on two occasions encountered strong bodies of the enemy which were driven off without any loss being incurred by The Green Howards.’ After the war Butteriss played for the 2nd XI, Leicestershire County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties and coached cricket at Melton Mowbray Grammar School. He also played hockey for Melton Mowbray and Leicestershire, as well as playing rugby for Melton Mowbray. Major Butteriss died in 1966.’ Sold with contemporary typed citation for the award of the recipient’s M.C., signed by Major General W. E. Ironside, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces, Archangel, this mounted on card; 2 photographic images of recipient - one in uniform wearing his medals; and copied research. Note: M.I.D. unconfirmed. Another representative group including the recipient’s M.M. and 1914-15 Star is known - presumably a classic case of the family splitting the group between different members, or branches, of the family upon inheritance.

A rare inter-War ‘Mesopotamia’ M.C. group of ten awarded to Captain A. Rea, 8th Rajput Regiment, Indian Army, late 4-7th Rajputs and Welsh Regiment, for his gallantry at Hillah on 1 August 1920 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. A. Rea. Welsh. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. Rea.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Capt. A. Rea.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (Capt. A. Rea, 4-7 Rajput R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, very fine and better (10) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 10 August 1921: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on the 1st August, 1920, at Hillah, Mesopotamia. During an attack the Arabs broke through the line of a neighbouring unit. He decided to counter-attack, and though against far superior numbers, drove the enemy back, inflicting many casualties. By his initiative and leadership he restored the line and! saved the situation. It was mainly due to his coolness and bravery that the counter-attack was successful, and his pluck and resource were an example to all.’ Alfred Rea was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the Welsh Regiment on 28 December 1914 and served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1915. Promoted Lieutenant on 28 September 1916, he was posted on attachment to the 7th Duke of Connaught’s Own Rajputs, Indian Army from 11 September 1917, and was confirmed in the Indian Army on 11 September 1918. He saw further service with the Rajputs in both Iraq and Waziristan, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in Mesopotamia whilst serving with the 8th Rajputs. Sold with various cap badges, buttons, and unit insignia relating to both the 7th and 8th Rajputs.

Regimental Prize Medals (15), Shooting Medals (2), ‘Given by Capt Wm Delf for the best score for his cup’ (Ens. Geo. Frost 1870), The National Rifle Association 1860 (Geo. Frost for highest score Brent Wood 1872), silver on ribbons; Leicestershire Regiment (2); South Wales Borderers; Rifle Brigade; Highland Light Infantry; King’s Own Scottish Borderers; Royal Army Medical Corps, First Surrey Rifle Volunteers (Irvine Challenge Trophy Won by Pvte A. D. Johnson C. Coy. 1898), Royal Corps of Signals; South Middlesex Rifle Volunteers; Western Command Swimming Championships 1946; Chelmsford, Plaistow, Ilford medallion, mostly silver, two bronze, some edge knocks, generally very fine (15) £60-£80

Copy medal; Army Gold Cross 1806-14, for Albuhera, Badajoz, Vittoria, Pyrenees, 1 clasp, Vittoria, lacking usual oak and laurel leaves suspension and fitted with additional rings, a non-museum quality gilt casting, therefore fine as produced £50-£70

Renamed and Defective Medals (8): British War Medal 1914-20 (136018 Gnr. J. Mc Laughlan. R.A.) planchet only; Naval General Service 1915-62 (CH/X.4439 A. Ludlow. Mne. R.M.) planchet only; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (52278 B.Q.M. Serjt: J. E. Turner. R.F.A.) planchet only; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Herbert Forsyth.) planchet only; together with copy 1939-45 Star; copy France and Germany Star; copy Defence Medal; ands copy War Medal 1939-45, the four Second War awards all modern copies, generally nearly very fine (8) £60-£80 --- Sold with copy research suggesting that Mne. Ludlow was entitled to the clasp ‘Near East’, having served with Brigade HQ, Royal Marines.

The group of eight miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Norman G. Scorgie, Controller, H.M. Stationery Office The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O., Commander’s badge, silver and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 1st type badge, silver-gilt and enamel; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type badge, silver-gilt; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, gilding almost all rubbed on the Orders, otherwise very fine (8) £100-£140 --- C.V.O. London Gazette 3 June 1934. C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 3 June 1927. O.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1919. Sir Norman Gibb Scorgie was born on 6 October 1884 and was educated at Cambridge. He served during the Great War with the Army Stationery Service on the Western Front and in Italy (Mentioned in Despatches three times, London Gazettes 29 May 1917, 6 January 1919, and 10 July 1919, and awarded the O.B.E.), and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel. He was appointed Deputy Controller of H.M. Stationery Office in 1919, and was advanced Controller, H.M. Stationery Office in 1942. He was knighted in 1945, and retired in 1949. He died on 26 March 1956.

An unattributed V.C., O.B.E. group of eleven miniature dress medals Victoria Cross; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type badge, silver-gilt; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State; China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1935, North West Frontier 1936-37 [sic]; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue, mounted court-style for display, the VC, China, 1914 Star, and IGS all of more recent manufacture; the rest of contemporary manufacture, generally very fine An unattributed V.C., M.C. group of five miniature dress medals Victoria Cross; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, South Afirca 1901, South Africa 1902; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, mounted court-style for display, generally very fine (16) £80-£100

A rare Second War ‘Burma operations’ Immediate M.C. and post-war Immediate Q.P.M. for Gallantry group of eight awarded to Assistant Superintendent of Police J. C. Willcock, Sierra Leone Police, late Captain, 10th Gurkhas, and Federation of Malaya Police Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1945; Colonial Police Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, for Gallantry (Asst. Supt. John C. Willcock, Sierra Leone Police); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (A.S.P. J. C. Willcock. F of M. Pol.); Sierra Leone Independence Medal 1961, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (8) £2,600-£3,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 24 May 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Burma. Lieutenant John Charles Willcock (E.C. 11030), 10th Gurkha Rifles, Indian Army.’ The original recommendation, for an Immediate award of the M.C., states: ‘On the morning of February 26th [1945], “D” Company, 1/10 Gurkha Rifles was ambushed 3 miles north of Taungtha and the company commander killed. Lieutenant Willcock at once took over command of the company who were in considerable difficulties as they were pinned frontally and overlooked from both flanks. He quickly rallied his men, got the transport away, and established contact with his Battalion in Taungtha. An armoured force was at once sent to the assistance of “D” Company and contact was established at Ms45/5 about 1200hrs. On arrival of the leading troop of tanks Lieutenant Willcock though being heavily sniped at once walked over to the outside telephone on the troop commander’s tank, and though he knew his men were tired and short of ammunition, Lieutenant Willcock and the tank commander made a joint plan for a counter-attack. The attack was very quickly organised and went in with great dash largely because of the fearless leadership of Lieutenant Willcock, the result being that some 50 Japanese were killed and the remainder fled to the nearby hills. Throughout the day Lieutenant Willcock, who had not previously been in battle, set a magnificent example to “D” Company, and his conduct has been the subject of comment throughout the squadron of Royal Deccan Horse who supported him.’ C.P.M for Gallantry London Gazette 9 October 1956: Immediate award of Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry to Assistant Superintendent John Charles Willcock, Sierra Leone Police Force.’ The following Obituary notice gives some background to the award of the C.P.M. for gallantry: ‘Willy’ Wilcock, or John Charles Willcock, MC, CPM late Captain 1st/10th Gurkha Rifles and Assistant Superintendent Colonial Police (Malaya and Sierra Leone) to give him his full name and distinctions, was not a member of the Association but will, be remembered by several members who knew him. Son of a doctor in Leeds he was born in 1926, educated at Epsom College and joined the Indian Army in 1942. After commissioning in the 1st/10th Gurkha Rifles he was on active service in Burma from 1943 and won a very good MC in his first action when his company were ambushed and their experienced company commander killed. Willy took command, rallied the company and when a relief force of tanks arrived displayed complete coolness when planning a joint counter attack and fearless leadership and dash when leading his men in their assault which routed the enemy. He was awarded an immediate MC. In 1949 he joined the Federation of Malaya Police and saw service in the field and on the staff supporting the administration of jungle forts. We lack details of this service but one who met him was impressed by his luxuriant moustache and his ability to munch raw chillies as lesser men munch peanuts. In 1854 he transferred to Sierra Leone where he remained until independence in 1962. From December 1955 to March 1956 there were serious disturbances amounting to rebellion in the Protectorate. Willy gained his CPM for gallantry having, in the words of a Force Order, ‘commanded operational units over a prolonged period. His personal courage and leadership were an inspiration to his men. He was wounded in action at Balanaers where his unit was attacked. The rebels were defeated and many arrests made. This action sealed the end of the disorders.’ Still under forty when he left government service he became secretary of the golf club at Saltford in the west country where he remained, a confirmed bachelor living in the club house and happy in a wide circle of friends, until his death in 2003. The fact that a plaque was put up in the club house referring to his service in the East and quoting from the citation for his MC attests to the popularity and the respect in which he was held. In the early 1990s he made contact with a Gurkha battalion of the British Army serving in England and was treated as an honoured guest when he visited their camp. This established a regular link withg the golf club which Gurkhas visited when they were represented at Willy’s funeral.’ Willy Willcock died at Bath in October 2003, aged 79.

Miniature Medals: British War Medal 1914-20 (4); Victory Medal 1914-19 (3); Naval General Service 1915-62 (2), 1 clasp, Arabian Peninsula; 2 clasps, Near East, Cyprus; 1939-45 Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army; King’s African Rifles L.S. & G.C., E.II.R.; Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., Territorial, with integral top riband bar; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R.; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, E.II.R.; Canadian Forces Decoration, E.II.R.; Oman, Sultanate, Peace Medal; Accession Medal; Long Service Medal, generally very fine (22) £60-£80 --- Sold with a miniature clasp for the 1914 Star; and some short lengths of riband for both the DFC and Victory Medal.

A fine O.B.I. group of eleven awarded to Subadar Major (Hon. Captain) Bakhshish Singh, 2/2nd Punjab Regiment (late 69th Punjabis) Order of British India, 1st Class, 2nd type neck badge, gold and enamel; 1914-15 Star (No. 1785 Nk. Bakhshish Singh, 1/69/Punjabis.); British War and Victory Medals (1785 Nk. Bakhshish Singh 1-69 Pjbis.); India General Service 1908-35, 4 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1935, with M.I.D. oak leaf (1785 Havr. Bakhshish Singh, 1/69/Pjbs.); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (1090 Subdr. Maj. Bakhshish Singh, 2-2 Punjab R.); War Medal 1939-45, unnamed; India Service Medal (IO 2173 Sub/Maj. Bakhshish Singh, 2 Punjab R.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these last three unnamed as issued, the last ten mounted court-style, nearly very fine or better (11) £1,400-£1,800 --- Bakhshish Singh joined the 1/69 Punjabis as a Sepoy on 1 August 1910, and served the War of 1914-21 at the following: Shaik Said, 10 November, 1914; Egypt, 19 November 1914 to 28 April 1915, and 16 December 1915 to 12 January 1916; Gallipoli, 1-15 May 1915; France and Belgium, 30 May to 3 December 1915; Aden, 19 January 1916 to 11 November 1918; Afghanistan N.W.F., 1919; Waziristan, 1921-23 (Despatches London Gazette 18 November 1924). He also served at: North West Frontier of India (Mohmand), 1935; North West Frontier, 1936-37; Jemadar, 17 January 1924; Dubadar, 1 July 1931; Subadar-Major, 1 July 1937; O.B.I. 2nd Class (Bahadur), 11 May 1937; O.B.I. 1st Class (Sardar Bahadur) 1942. In 1943 he was appointed Honorary Captain and Aide-de-Camp to General Officer C-in-C North Western Army. Sold with full research.

United States of America, Congressional Medal of Honor, Army, 6th (current) issue, gilt and enamel, unnamed specimen, reverse of suspension engraved ‘The Congress to’, the reverse marked ‘1/10 of 10K G.F. H.L.P. N.Y.C.’, with neck cravat with pop stud attachments, reverse pad with three support hooks, extremely fine £300-£400

An interesting Order of St. John group of nine awarded to Surgeon W. R. Haigh, Serbian Relief Fund The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, gilt and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; British War and Victory Medals (W. E. Haigh.) VM officially re-impressed; British Red Cross Society Medal for War Service, bronze; Montenegro, Principality, Order of Danilo, 1st type, Knight’s breast badge, silver and enamel, unmarked; Serbia, Kingdom, Order of St. Sava, Knight’s breast badge, silver and enamel, bishop in green robes, unmarked; Order of the White Eagle, Knight’s breast badge, Civil Division, silver-gilt and enamel, unmarked; Red Cross Society Cross, silver and enamel; Serbian Red Cross Society of London, silver medal for service to Serbia during the War 1914-1918, unnamed, mounted for display purposes, good very fine and better (9) £800-£1,000 --- William Edwin Haigh ‘was born on 29 August 1878 and received his medical education at University College, London, and St. Bartholomew's Hospital, qualifying in 1909. After resident appointments he took the D.T.M. of Liverpool in 1910 and the F.R.C.S. of England in 1911. Thereafter he had a colourful career, for after working at the Wesleyan Mission Hospital in Hankow he served as a medical officer in the Balkan War. During the Great War he was seconded to the Serbian Army and received several Serbian decorations. Afterwards he became a member of the medical staff of the League of Nations and carried out some important investigations, the most impressive being his inquiry into the severe incidence of typhus fever in Poland and Russia. He was also the author of a report on malaria in Albania. Soon after taking the D.P.H. in 1926 Haigh joined the public health staff in Derby, arriving there with a richly deserved reputation as an epidemiologist. He is remembered in Derby mainly for the organisation of the immunisation services, which he raised to a high degree of efficiency. He became deputy medical officer of health in 1941, holding this post up to his retirement in 1946. He was a man of restless energy, whose vital interests in research and quest for perfection were fully sustained. Among his many successes was the award of the Neech prize in 1930 for a thesis on the ventilation of the Derby cinemas: it was probably the first time that the kata thermometer had been used for such a purpose. Dr. Haigh had a wonderful memory and possessed great integrity, knowledge, and professional skill, and his opinions were always greatly valued. Although essentially a quiet man, he was always friendly, and without doubt he was very much liked and respected by all who knew him. His death, in Geneva on 29 November 1961, has evoked many expressions of admiration from his former colleagues.’ (the recipient’s obituary in the British Medical Journal, 13 January 1962, refers). Haigh served as a Surgeon with the Serbian Relief Fund during the Great War in Serbia from 7 March to 1 August 1915 (not entitled to a 1914-15 Star)

A fine Great War Gallipoli ‘Gully Ravine’ D.C.M. and inter-War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. M. Wood, 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, later 4/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9402 L. Sjt: J. M. Wood. 1/Bord: R.); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (3589460 Cr. Sgt. James M. Wood, D.C.M.); 1914-15 Star (9402 Pte. J. M. Wood. Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9402 Sjt. J. M. Wood. Bord. R.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (3589460 C. Sjt. J. M. Wood (D.C.M.) 4/5 R. Scots.) mounted for display, together with silver shooting medal (1908 Pte. J. Wood. 9402 G Coy) good very fine (7) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 September 1915: ‘For gallant conduct on the 28th June, 1915, on the Gallipoli peninsula. He led a reinforcing party into an enemy trench under heavy fire, and proceeded down it until he joined up with the unit on his flank. The section he passed down was strongly held by the enemy, 64 of whom surrendered.’ One of three D.C.M.’s awarded to the Border Regiment for the attack on Gully Ravine, 28 June 1915. The regimental history records: ‘”A” Company had more trouble with Turkey Trench, for they were throughout exposed to a particularly murderous fire from a hitherto unlocated enemy trench running from Turkey Trench to H.12, and every man of the assaulting party was either killed or wounded, Captain Hodgson, leading the attack, being bayoneted. “A” Company’s supports fared little better and suffered much from shell and rifle fire, but reinforcements under Sergeant Wood were gradually pushed forward and joined up with “B” Company in Boomerang Redoubt, the garrison of which then surrendered, 64 Turks becoming prisoners and being sent to the rear. The whole operation was thoroughly well organized, and was carried through with the greatest boldness and dash.’ B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 8 June 1939: ‘No. 3589460 Colour-Sergeant James Milburn Wood, D.C.M., 4/5th Battalion, (Queen’s Edinburgh) (52nd Searchlight Regiment) The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Territorial Army.’ Sold with copied research including gazette notices, Battalion War Diary entries covering the Gallipoli landings on 25 April and Gully Ravine action, together with extracts from the regimental histories.

Six: Bandsman M. Ando, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (3349 Pte. M. Ando, 2: D. of C. Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3349 Corpl: M. Ando. D. of C.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (3349 Pte. M. Ando. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (3349 Pte. M. Ando. D.C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3349 Bndsmn: M. Ando. D.C.L.I.) mounted as worn, heavy contact marks, the Boer War pair fine; the G.V.R. awards better (6) £260-£300 --- Michael John Thomas Ando was born in Woolwich, Kent, on 28 November 1875, and attested for the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 7 May 1891, giving his trade as musician. Appointed a Bandsman on 26 July 1896, he served with the Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 5 November 1899, and was present at the Battles of Paardeberg and Driefontein (and presumably the actions at Poplar Grove, Bosman’s Kop, Springfontein, Isaacs Poort, Thubanchee and Hout Nek, at the capture of Winberg, and at the passage of the Zand River). He returned home on 3 June 1900, before returning to South Africa on 1 May 1901. Ando served with the 2nd Battalion in France during the Great War from 19 December 1914, and was hospitalised with frostbite on 25 February 1915. Appointed Lance-Corporal on 15 June 1917, he transferred to the Labour Corps on 6 July 1918, and was appointed Acting Corporal on 1 February 1919. He was finally discharged on 16 March 1919, after 27 years and 314 days’ service. He died at Freshwater, Isle of Wight, on 30 July 1949. Sold with a file of copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Battery Sergeant-Major E. P. Faulkner, Royal Field Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (34695 B.S. Mjr: E. P. Faulkner. A.149/Bde: R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (34695 B.S. Mjr. E. P. Faulkner. R.F.A.) first digit of number stamped over ‘2’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (34695 W.O.Cl.2. E. P. Faulkner. R.A.); Defence Medal; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1017643 W.O.Cl.II. E. P. Faulkner. D.C.M. R.F.A.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Edward P. Faulkner.) overall contact wear, otherwise nearly very fine (7) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After several failures he succeeded in getting the gun teams through the hostile barrage to the guns. There he found himself surrounded by the enemy, but by his coolness and daring succeeded in getting the teams away.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 14 December 1917. Edward P. Faulkner was a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and served in France from 21 August 1915.

The Army Service Corps Officer’s Helmet Plate 1901-12. A good example in silver and gilt, the crowned eight-pointed star pattern back plate with laurel and Garter overlays, to the centre with the ‘ASC’ on black velvet ground, complete with three loop fasteners, good condition £220-£260

The Royal Army Ordnance Corps Officer’s Helmet Plate 1901-12. A good example in silver and gilt, the crowned eight-pointed star pattern back plate with laurel and Garter overlays, to the centre the Ordnance Arms on black velvet ground, complete with three loop fasteners, very good condition £220-£260

A superb Great War ‘Ypres, June 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergerant-Major R. E. Page, 8th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5777 C.S. Mjr: R. E. Page. 8/E. Kent R.); 1914-15 Star (G-5777Sjt. R. E. Page. E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-5777 A.W.O.Cl.1. R. E. Page. E. Kent R.) medlas unmounted, the first with edge bruise and polished, good fine, otherwise very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During a night attack he personally bombed several dug-outs full of the enemy and shot others who refused to surrender. He also showed great ability in consolidating the captured position and was of invaluable assistance to his company commander.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Ypres, 14-15 June 1917.’ Ronald Eric Page was born at Bexhill, Sussex, and attested for the army at Brighton on 1 September 1914, aged 20 years 6 months; although a shop assistant by trade, he had had some previous service in the R.N.V.R. Posted to the 8th Battalion, The Buffs on 12 September, his abilities brought him rapid promotion. Page entered France with the battalion at Boulogne on 31 August 1915, and went on to win his D.C.M. with the 8th when they were in action clearing out the enemy defenders in a strongly fortified area in the Ypres sector known as the ‘Spoil Bank’. On the night of 14-15 June 1917, stiff resistance was encountered and the deep dug-outs in this labyrinth had to be neutralised by the successful use of a combination of phosphorous bombs and Mills grenades. Page was discharged to ‘Z’ Reserve on 25 February 1919. Sold with copied research including attestation papers, gazette notices, Medal Index Card, and battalion War Diary for June 1917.

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant William Challoner, 6th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6741 Sjt: W. Challoner. 6/R. Lanc: R.); 1914-15 Star (6741 L. Cpl. W. Challoner. R. Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6741 Sjt. W. Challoner. R. Lanc. R.) medals unmounted, very fine and better (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917; citation published 26 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack upon the enemy’s position. He led a party of twenty men to the enemy’s communication trench, where he held on although subject to heavy enfilade fire, by which twelve became casualties, eventually blocked the trench and put a Lewis gun in position, thus preventing the enemy from making any further advance. He was wounded himself and set a splendid example of initiative and determination.’ Annotated gazettes states: ‘Mespot.’ William Challoner was born in the Parish of St John's near Manchester on 25 March 1883. He worked as a labourer and on 4 March 1901, he enlisted into the King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, having previously served in their Territorials. He was posted to the 1st Battalion on 8 May 1901, serving at Malta from November 1901 until September 1903, and then in India until January 1909 when he returned to the U.K., serving until 5 April 1909, when he was transferred to the Army Reserve having attained the rank of Lance-Corporal. Mobilized on 5 August 1914, at the outbreak of the Great War, he was posted to the 1st Battalion King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment with the rank of Lance-Corporal. He landed in France on 4 December 1914, to join the 1st Battalion who were by then already serving in France, having suffered heavy casualties at Le Cateau. Challoner returned to the U.K. on 27 March 1915, and on 26 July 1915 he was posted to the 6th Battalion, King's Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment, a New Army battalion preparing to depart for Gallipoli. Landing in Gallipoli on 24 July 1915, he remained there until the peninsula was evacuated. He was promoted Corporal on 6 August 1915, and a week later promoted Sergeant. The 6th Battalion went from Gallipoli to Egypt and from there to Mesopotamia, where they landed on 13 February 1916. On 8 May Challoner was appointed acting C.Q.M.S., a position he held until reverting to Sergeant on 6 November 1916. Challoner was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services in Mesopotamia in early 1917, most likely for the action at the Dahra Bend in February 1917. On 15 April 1918, he returned to England, being posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, with whom he remained for the remainder of the war. He was demobilised on 11 March 1919. Sold with copied research including discharge papers, gazette notices, Medal Index Card and medal rolls.

Field Gear. A mixed collection of Second War and later military field gear including a folding camp bead, two rucksacks and an army blanket, fair condition £80-£100

Field Wear. A mixed collection of military clothing comprising 9 khaki shirts, including a woollen shirt with tailors label for ‘Kenunex Size 5 1956’ with war department arrow, 1 pair of khaki trousers, 2 pairs of khaki shorts including a 1950 pattern pair with tailor’s label for ‘Windsmoor Ltd, Size 4, 1955’, WWII blue cotton overalls, tailor label for ‘Puckatch & Gould Ltd 1944, Size 1), Army great coat, two pairs of black leather size 8 boots (one pair with metal studs), 4 kits bags and other items, generally good condition (24) £70-£90 --- Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand-delivered within the United Kingdom by prior arrangement with Christopher Mellor-Hill or James Carver.

Medical Bags. A 1937 pattern webbing Army Red Cross medical bag by Meco dated 1955, the green canvas bag painted with a red cross emblem, the interior printed in black MECO with war department arrow, dated 1955, 33 cm long, together with two further medical field bags by Meco plus another lacking maker’s markings but inscribed Hasla, possibly dated 1942 and stencilled ‘Gen Purpose Army … Dressing’, good condition (4) £80-£100

Medical Bags. A 1937 pattern webbing Army Red Cross medical bag by Meco dated 1955, the green canvas bag painted with a red cross emblem, the interior printed in black MECO with war department arrow, dated 1955, containing five canisters of foot powder including one large 16oz cannister supplied by Boots Pure Drug Co Ltd, together with another medical bag stencilled in black N.C.O. Shell Dressings, dated 1942 with war department arrow, containing seven items including Ointment Anti-Gas No. 2, Large Plain Wound Dressing, First Field Dressing by Arthur Berton Ltd, London dated October 1940, and a pouch of leather straps, the pouch inscribed with owner’s name ‘M.D. Jackson 229062’, good condition (2) £60-£80

Field Packs. A 1937 pattern webbing signals field service bag, stamped in black ink ‘Satchels Signals’, the lining stamped ‘’M.W. & S Ltd, 1944’, containing morse code key, headphones and microphone plus a canister titled ‘Signal Lamp M-308-A’ with US Army signal lamp by ‘Bendix Aviation Ltd’, together with a 1937 pattern webbing canvas bag containing tea rations tin, two brushes and two motoring booklets, a 20M.M Mountings Mk.1 pack containing blanket and entrenching tool, plus another 1937 bag and blanket, good condition (4) £70-£90 --- Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand-delivered within the United Kingdom by prior arrangement with Christopher Mellor-Hill or James Carver.

A Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Salonika 1917’ M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant-Major Septimus Pugh, 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. 4/K.R. Rif: C.); 1914-15 Star (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (6321 W.O.Cl.II. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif. C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (6321 C.S. Mjr: S. Pugh. 4/K.R.R.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6837120 W.O. Cl. 1. S. Pugh. D.C.M. K.O.Y.L.I.) medals unmounted, light contact marks,. otherwise good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘He has since 24th September, 1918, taken part in all the heavy fighting in which the battalion has been engaged during that period. His work throughout has been of the highest order, and of the utmost value to the battalion.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917 (Salonika). Septimus Pugh was born on 24 July 1881, and joined the army around 1905. At the outbreak of war he was serving with 4/K.R.R.C. at Gharial, India, who sailed from Bombay in October 1914 and arrived at Plymouth on 18 November, from where they proceeded to Winchester to join the 80th Infantry Brigade, 27th Division. In December 1914, the Division embarked at Southampton and landed in France at Le Havre on the 20. The Division spent most of 1915 in France, taking part in the Second Battle of Ypres, before sailing from Marseilles for Salonika in November 1915. The Division took part in various minor actions in Salonika during 1916 and 1917 in the Struma Valley. In June 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. left 27th Division in Salonika and travelled via Itea (Greece) and Taranto (Italy) to Serqueux (France). On 16 July 1918, they joined 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division at Martin Eglise. This Division had suffered very heavy casualties in the German Spring offensive and needed reinforcements. The Division took to the field again in October 1918 and took part in the battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance into Picardy. 4/K.R.R.C. remained with the Division for the rest of the war, being at St Remy-Chaussee to the north-west of Avesnes on 11 November 1918. In early October 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. marched from Epehy to trenches at Bony, and on 3 October attacked the villages of Le Catelet and Gouy. Both villages were captured although the battalion suffered heavy casualties, whilst capturing 253 prisoners and 35 machine guns. Further attacks were made on 4 October, although this time casualties were light and they were relieved on the 5th, withdrawing to trenches in the Hindenburg Line. On the 8th the battalion attacked again in the vicinity of Marliches and Petit Verger Farms, withdrawing to billets in Aubencheul that evening, having suffered 57 casualties that day. On 10 October the battalion proceeded to Maretz and on the 17 were in position around St Souplet and advanced to attack, crossing the River Selle. On the 19 the battalion marched to Avelu, reaching Maurois on the 29, and Le Cateau on the 30. The battalion had suffered 351 casualties in killed, wounded and missing during the month of October. The battalion was in action on 4 November, suffering a further 33 casualties and again on the 5, when casualties were light. On the 6 the battalion went into billets at Noyelles, and on the 7 proceeded to St Remy-Chaussee, being in action that day and on the 8, prior to the armistice on 11 November. Pugh stayed in the army after the war, and by 1922 was a Sergeant-Major on 2/K.R.R.C. In August 1922 he was transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with whom he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1923 in recognition of 18 years exemplary service. He was discharged from the army on 4 January 1826, becoming a publican at The Fox and Hounds at Tadley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire. Sold with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M., M.S.M. and Medal Index Cards.

A Great War ‘Epehy, March 1918’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Acting Corporal F. J. Greenall, ‘K’ Siege Park, Army Service Corps (Motor Transport), attached 227th Siege Battery Ammunition Column Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (M2-265421 Pte.-A.L. Cpl. - F. J. Greenall. ‘K’ Sge: Pk: M.T. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-265421 A. Cpl. F. J. Greenall. A.S.C.) medals unmounted, good very fine (3) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Being in charge of four lorries with ammunition for a siege battery in a forward position, he was obliged, owing to the very heavy shelling of the road by the enemy, to leave two lorries behind, while he attempted to reach the position with the other two. One of these, however, was hit and disabled by a shell and the driver severely wounded. Corpl. Greenall pushed on under very heavy fire, and eventually arrived at the position, where he unloaded the ammunition himself, as there was no unloading party available at the time. On returning he endeavoured to bring back the damaged lorry, but it was impossible to move it, so he returned to park with the other two he had left behind, after traversing an area that had by now become almost impassable from shell fire. His resolute determination to carry out his instructions in spite of all danger and difficulty was worthy of the highest praise.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Epehy, 21 March 1918.’ Frederick J. Greenall was a native of Waltham Abbey, Essex. Sold with copied gazette notices and Medal Index Card.

A Second War I.D.S.M. awarded to Sepoy Man Singh, 1-1st Punjab Regiment, Indian Army Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (18781 Sep. Man Singh, 1-1 Punjab R.) good very fine £600-£800 --- Provenance: Buckland, Dix & Wood, October 1993. I.D.S.M. London Gazette 20 April 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’. The original Recommendation for an Immediate award for Bunker Hill, Arakan, states: 'At Ahkaungbaukywa, Arakan, on the 25th January 1944 he showed the greatest courage and determination. In the assault he was in the fore and personally killed two of the enemy. When his V.C.O. was wounded he caused his evacuation. His platoon captured a bunker. He assisted in the consolidation, killing two more Japanese. One of his duties was to carry his Company Commander’s megaphone. When available he used it himself to shout diversion to the enemy and cheers to his comrades. His Company Commander likened him to a fox-terrier. All day he was dashing about, ferreting our Japs, firing an L.M.G. and throwing grenades.'

A collection of metal wares to include assorted pewter tankards and measures, various brass and iron pots, a small quantity of plated wares, etc., together with an Army & Navy Stanley drawing set

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class II S. H. Tomlinson, West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) Military Medal, G.V.R. (781813 Sjt: S. H. Tomlinson. C.246/W. Rid: Bde: R.F.A. -T.F.); 1914-15 Star (759 Sjt. S. H. Tomlinson. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (759 W.O. Cl. 2. S. H. Tomlinson. R.A.); Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (781813 W.O. Cl.11. S. H. Tomlinson. M.M. R.A.) mounted as worn, light pitting from Star, very fine (6) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. Sidney H. Tomlinson, a native of Leeds, served with the West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 April 1915. He was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal per Army Order 59 of 1924.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of five awarded to Battery Sergeant Major D. Dale, Royal Field Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (56011 Sjt. -A.B.S. Mjr.- D. Dale. R.F.A.); 1914 Star (56001 [sic] Bmbr: D. Dale. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (56011 W.O. Cl.2. D. Dale. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (1029295 W.O. Cl.II. D. Dale. R.A.) pitting and contact marks, good fine, the LS&GC better (5) £280-£340 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 March 1919. Daniel Dale attested for the Royal Field Artillery and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 September 1914 (also entitled to a clasp to his 1914 Star). He was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with 190th Brigade.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Private T. Woolley, 16th (1st City Pals) Battalion, Manchester Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (23036 Pte. T. Woolley. 16/Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (23036 Pte. T. Woollry. Manch. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (23036 Pte. T. Woolley. Manch R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (6) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917. Thomas Woolley was born at Oldham on 1 June 1896, and enlisted into the 16th (Service) Battalion (1st City Pals), Manchester Regiment, which was raised at Manchester on 28 August 1914. He joined the battalion in France sometime early in 1916. In the Battalion War Diary his M.M. is shown in a list of awards for August 1917, almost certainly for the attack on 30/31 July, the battle of Pilkem. He was wounded in action on 25 November 1917. After the armistice he served with the 2nd Manchesters in Iraq, including the V.C. action at Hillah on 24 July 1920. Woolley re-enlisted for the Territorial Army on 16 November 1939, serving with the Manchesters for 281 days before transferring to the Royal Artillery (Heavy Anti Aircraft) with whom he served 4 years 293 days in the rank of Bombardier. Sold with Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, two photographs and copied research.

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Cowgill, Motor Transport, Army Service Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (M2-021264 Pte. J. Cowgill. M.T. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Star (M2-021264 Pte. J. Cowgill. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-021264 Pte. J. Cowgill. A.S.C.) extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette, 15 March 1918. James Cowgill attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 14 March 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 29th Divisional Train. Sold with copy Medal Index Card and London Gazette entry.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private J. F. Girling, Army Service Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (M321725 Pte. -A.L.Cpl.- J. F. Girling. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M-321725 Pte. J. F. Girling. A.S.C.); Defence Medal; together with a Safe Driving Competition Medal, silver and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘J. F. Girling’, with top ‘1935’ riband bar and additional ‘1936’, ‘1937’, and ‘1939’ riband bars, good very fine (5) £200-£240 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002. M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918. John F. Girling attested for the Army Service Corps and served during the Great War with the 218th Siege Battery, Ammunition Column, on the Western Front. Sold together with the recipient’s cap badge and shoulder title.

A Second War ‘North Africa’ M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner E. J. McCoy, Royal Artillery Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1472684 Gnr. E. J. McCoy. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, edge bruising and contact marks to MM, this nearly very fine, the campaign medals better (5) £700-£900 --- M.M. London Gazette 8 July 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa.’ The original Recommendation, dated 6 May 1943, states: ‘On 29th April 1943, “L” Troop moved forward to go into action in the area of Cactus Farm. Owing to false information, it was believed that this farm was in our hands. It was not, and two guns of “L” troop were stopped by machine gun fire when about 300 yards from the farm. Driver McCoy was wounded by a bullet which went through his steel helmet; he lost a lot of blood and was partly stunned by the wound. Despite this when it was decided to return to battery HQ Driver McCoy refused to allow anyone else to drive. He drove the quad back through the minefield without a single mistake. Immediately the quad arrived at battery HQ, Driver McCoy had to be evacuated. His courage and determination, and quickness in obeying the troop commander’s signals who kept the vehicle zigzagging, probably saved the gun, quad and detachment.’ Edgar James McCoy, from Liverpool, was serving as a Driver with 88/14th Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, 12th Brigade, 4th Division, 5th Corps when he was awarded his Military Medal.

A very rare Second War ‘Chindit operations’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant C. McCluskey, Black Watch, a veteran of Crete and Tobruk who was twice wounded in the act of winning his M.M. in Burma in June 1944
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2752845 Sjt. C. Mcluskey. Black Watch.) minor official correction to last two letters of unit; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, some contact wear but generally good very fine or better (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 4 January 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘On 10 June 1944, Sergeant McCluskey was ordered to take two infantry sections from his platoon and carry out an offensive patrol in the valley east of the Kysenlei Pass. The patrol encountered enemy in the position in an unnamed village near Kontha and came under heavy and accurate fire, which wounded Sergeant McCluskey and caused other casualties in the patrol. In spite of his wound, however, Sergeant McCluskey retained full control of his small force and hotly engaged the enemy, and only when it became apparent that the enemy was present in considerably superior force did he start to organise a withdrawal. This he did with inspiring coolness and disregard for his personal safety going from one section to another and organising the evacuation of our wounded. While engaged on this task, Sergeant McCluskey was again severely wounded, and although in considerable pain, continued to retain full control of his force. Sergeant McCluskey had for some weeks been in command of a platoon and has on many occasions shown himself to be an outstanding leader, while his conduct on 10 June was beyond all praise. He has previously served with distinction in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk.’ Charles McCluskey was born in Cumbernauld, Dumbarton in January 1914 and enlisted in the Black Watch in June 1932, direct from the Territorials. Originally posted to the 1st Battalion, he transferred to the 2nd sometime before the outbreak of hostilities, and saw action in the Carrier Platoon in Crete and Tobruk, prior to joining Orde Wingate’s Chindits in Burma in March 1944. The following extracts, taken from The Black Watch by Philip Howard (part of the Famous Regiments series), neatly summarise the actions and experiences shared by McCluskey and his comrades in the 2nd Battalion: Crete
‘In May 1941, after a tremendous battering by dive-bombers, the sky suddenly filled with puffs of thistle-down. There was a gasp of amazement, and a moment’s hush along the whole Black Watch position. It was the first big parachute invasion in history. The Black Watch picked off the German paratroops as they fell, like plump pigeons. But for the next ten days more and more were dropped, prudently behind the mountains now, and out of range of Heraklion. The Battalion hung on grimly by its finger-nails, in isolated pockets unable to move by daylight, except for the piper who always played Reveille around the airfield after the dawn air raid. At last London decided to evacuate the island. At midnight the Highlanders crept down to the beach to the cruisers waiting to ferry them away. They had a terrible journey to Alexandria, dive-bombed and torpedoed all the way through the narrows at the eastern end of Crete. More than 200 of the Black Watch were killed on the voyage. A year later the Commanding Officer of the first German parachute battalion dropped at Heraklion was captured in Libya. He told his interrogators: “My first surprise was when I found the position held. The second was when I discovered who the infantry were. The battle continued with great ferocity for two days. The Black Watch never surrendered. Had it been any other regiment, any other, all would have been well. I had but 80 men left of my 800, no food, little ammunition; our food was being eaten by the Jocks.”’ Tobruk
‘Next the Battalion was put into Tobruk to relieve the Australians, who had been besieged in that bull-dogged citadel for six months. The short dusty perimeter was defended by wire, mine-fields, and subterranean galleries. Dismembered vehicles and litter lay everywhere. The big German gun called “Bardia Bill” barked and boomed over the fortress. In November the Battalion broke out of Tobruk on a sortie to link up with the Eighth Army advancing from Egypt. The plan was far more complex than the things which the Black Watch had been asked to do in old-style battles of far-off forgotten wars. But for once the Highlanders had been given a generous ration of infantry tanks. In fact the tanks lost themselves in the flat, featureless desert, in which the only landmarks were tangles of wire. And there was plenty of wire around to confuse the issue. So the Black Watch had to go in alone with the bayonet, as they had been doing ever since Fontenoy. The pipers played the Battalion in with “Highland Laddie”, the regimental march, and “The Black Bear”. This last tune has a pause for a yell at intervals, and is traditionally played when a final effort is needed from tired men. Two hours later 8 officers and 60 men were left to take the final objective out of 32 officers and 600 men who set off from the Start Line. A Gunner Major wrote after the battle: “I class this attack of the Black Watch as one of the most outstanding examples of gallantry combined with high-class training that I have seen. Not one of us who was there will forget such supreme gallantry.”’ Burma and the Chindits
‘Over on the other side of the world, the 2nd Battalion had become guerillas themselves - Chindits dropped for long range penetration beyond the Chindwin. The Battalion was split into two columns, numbered, inevitably, 73 and 42. They were flown into blind green jungle in March 1944, and for the next six months skirmished, and marched, and survived the monsoon, the steaming heat, and accidents by flood and field. It was probably the most unpleasant terrain for fighting into which the Black Watch had ever been plunged, worse even than the fever-swamps of the West Indies in the eighteenth century, or the dense jungles of Kandy. They were gnawed by starvation and disease. In one month alone 70 men died of typhus. It was a dripping world where clothes were never dry, and leeches had to be stripped from bodies at night. Tracks were often waist-deep in water and mud. Leather girths rotted on mules. A 10-mile march took four days. And once it took two days to haul their tottering half-dead bodies to the top of a four-mile pass. Most of the actions were small and untidy - the general strategy of the Chindit campaign lost direction after the death of Wingate. In May, at an ambush to cover the evacuation of “White City”, 200 Black Watch scattered 1,200 Japanese. In August the last emaciated remnants charged and captured the village of Labu with the bayonet, played in on pipes specially dropped by parachute for the occasion. They were then flown back to India to recuperate.’ And of McCluskey’s individual heroism near Kontha in June 1944, The Black Watch & The King’s Enemies states:
‘There were reports, however, that the Japs were in various villages below the pass; and it was in one of these, Kontha, that the second patrol was sent. It consisted of a weak platoon under Sergeant McLuskey. Leaving at 8 a.m. on 10 June, he approached Kontha and was engaged by fire. The paddy round the village was three feet under water, but he took up his position in elephant grass and returned the fire with Bren guns and grenades from a cup discharger. As the enemy began to work round them, the patrol withdrew, having had one man killed and several wounded, but having got their information. They returned with their wounded at 6 p.m....

An outstanding Second War ‘Burma operations - Rajput Hill’ Immediate M.M. awarded to Company Havildar-Major Naurang Ram, 5th Battalion (Napier’s) 6th Rajputana Rifles Military Medal, G.VI.R. (16143 Hav. Naurang Ram, 6 Raj. Rif.) officially engraved naming, good very fine £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 5 October 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma:- No. 16143 Company Havildar-Major Naurang Ram, 6th Rajputana Rifles, Indian Army.’ The recommendation (for an Immediate I.D.S.M.) states: ‘C.H.M. Naurang Ram, 5th Bn. (Napier’s) 6th Rajputana Rifles. On 25 June 44 at about 1430 hrs during an engagement with the enemy on the feature known as RAJPUT HILL, PALEL-TAMU Rd C.H.M. NAURANG RAM and a party of men were engaged in combing the perimeter for any signs of enemy. Suddenly he saw a Japanese crawl from a fox hole below the perimeter, he fired two shots at the man from a distance of 30 yds., then, risking the fire of numerous Japanese snipers he rushed forward to take the man prisoner who, however, snatched a grenade and holding it to his chest prepared to throw it at C.H.M. NAURANG RAM; he, without hesitation closed on the Jap, wrested the grenade from him, and hurled it down the slope where it immediately exploded. Then covered by his Pln C.H.M. NAURANG RAM safely brought back his prisoner. This N.C.O. showed great presence of mind in realising the value of a prisoner for identification purposes and a complete disregard for personal safety when he snatched the grenade from the Japanese.’ Naurang Ram was a Hindu Jat from the village of Bhirr in the district of Taipur. He served with the 5/6th Rajputana Rifles as part of the 37th Indian Infantry Brigade in the 23rd Indian Division of 4 Corps. Sold with copied gazette notice and recommendation.

A rare and well-documented Second War evader’s D.F.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. R. Laws, Royal Air Force, who took to his parachute over Belgium after his Halifax was attacked by night fighters returning from Pilsen in April 1943
Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (745880 Sgt. W. R. Laws, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted court-style, good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.F.M. London Gazette 16 July 1943. The original recommendation states:
‘Sergeant Laws was the Wireless Operator of the crew of a Halifax aircraft of No. 102 Squadron which was detailed to bomb the Skoda Works at Pilsen on 16 April 1943.
On the return journey the aircraft was attacked by fighters and set on fire over Belgium and the Captain gave the order to bale out. Sergeant Laws landed in a wood north of Montbliart, about 20 k.m. S.E. of Maubeuge. He was uninjured and, after burying his parachute and mae west in the undergrowth, he decided to walk south and get as far away as he could from the aircraft. He evaded capture and eventually arrived back safely in this country.
For the courage and determination shown by this N.C.O., in effecting his escape, I recommend the immediate award of the D.F.M.’

William Robert Laws, a native of Henley-on-Thames who was born in September 1918, enlisted in the Royal Air Force in November 1939. Having then attended No. 2 Signal School at Yatesbury, and No. 8 Air Gunnery School at Evanton, in addition to conversion and operational training units, he joined No. 102 Squadron, a Halifax unit, at Pocklington, in October 1942.

Initially joining Flying Officer Milnes’ crew, he completed four sorties in November-December, namely raids on Stuttgart, Mannheim and Turin (twice), one of the named trips resulting in serious flak damage.

‘The story of ‘J’ of 102 Squadron was an epic. The aircraft was hit by a burst of heavy flak at 17,000 feet, shortly after crossing the Alps, having been coned by searchlights. The starboard outer engine was put out of action and the aircraft spun down to 13,000 feet. Bombs were jettisoned and the aircraft headed for home. At 5,000 feet near Amiens the aircraft was again coned and hit by flak. Both port engines failed and the aircraft lost height to 2,000 feet. At this point the port inner picked up and the aircraft was able to limp home to Bradwell Bay on two engines. From S.E. of Paris until leaving the French coast the aircraft was followed by enemy fighters which, however, made no attack, probably expecting the Halifax to be forced to land. As ‘J’ was leaving the French coast she was illuminated again and a burst of flak blew out the port outer engine. The crash-landing was made at Bradwell Bay with no hydraulics, the captain expressing the greatest appreciation of the help he was given by that station. The Flight Engineer was injured but the rest of the crew only sustained minor cuts. The aircraft unfortunately swung into an Army hut after landing and casualties were sustained by Army personnel.’ (Official records refers).

A ‘Gardening’ trip and a raid on Dusseldorf having followed in January 1943, Laws participated in strikes on Cologne, Lorient and Nuremburg in February, and Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Essen in April - the latter trip once more proving to be of the hair-raising kind, his Flying Log Book noting: ‘Held in searchlights cone for ten minutes and heavily shelled - hit in many places.’ As it transpired, his very next sortie, against the Skoda Works at Pilsen on the night of 16/17, with Squadron Leader Lashbrook, D.F.M., as his pilot, was to prove his last, Halifax HF. 663 falling to the guns of Major Wilhelm Herget of I/NJG/4. Laws’ experiences on that night, and subsequent evasion, are neatly summarised in Valley of the Shadow of Death: The Bomber Command Campaign, March-July 1943, by J. Alwyn Phillips:

‘Halifax HF. 663 of 102 Squadron, 4 Group, captained by Squadron Leader W. I. Lashbrook, D.F.M., was one of the aircraft shot down by night fighter, which obviously had a field day in the nigh perfect weather conditions, when the bombers could be spotted so easily. Fortunately for this bomber crew the underground movement played an important role in helping shot down aircrew evade capture. It was on the return flight at about 04.00 hours, six hours after they had left their base at Pocklington, that the Halifax was attacked by a fighter over Belgium. The bomber immediately caught fire and the order to bale out was passed along, as the intercomm had failed. Sergeant W. R. Laws the wireless operator was the third out after the navigator, Flying Officer K. J. Bolton and the bomb aimer, Pilot Officer Martin with Flight Sergeant Knight, the flight engineer and the pilot immediately behind. Sergeant Laws in his report did not think that the gunners had a chance to get the bale out message. On his parachute descent he saw his aircraft break in two and fall in flames. He landed uninjured in a wood, and like all airmen buried his ‘chute and Mae West straight away and walked quickly south to get away from the crash site.

He rolled down his trousers to cover his conspicuous flying boots, then using his escape compass, he walked through a village. He saw a signpost identifying it as Montbliart. Here he left the road and walked across country, through some woods for about two hours, before stopping in a field to eat some chocolate and Horlicks tablets from his kit. After it became light he studied his map but he was unable to make out his position at Montbliart and did not know whether he was in France or Belgium. At nightfall on the 17th, he continued walking south and used his water bottle to acquire some water from a brook, making sure to put in the purifying tablets before drinking and taking a benzadrine tablet to stay awake. Walking on he passed through the villages of Seloignes and Villers La Tour before he lay up for a rest.

On the morning of the 18th he removed his badges from uniform before continuing on. Eventually he came to an isolated chateau, where a man who looked as if he might be the game keeper, came up to him and spoke in French. Luckily Sergeant Laws could speak French fairly fluently and explained to the man that he was an English airman and wanted to know where he was. The man stated that he was a Pole and was caretaker of the chateau which was unoccupied. He also said the chateau was in Belgium, near Les Taillettes, about 7 kilometres from the French frontier. The man took him onto the chateau and allowed him to shave with his razor and later gave him an old blue mackintosh. In return Sergeant Laws gave him 500 Francs from his escape pack. The caretaker, however, was quite scared to have the airman about the place and advised him to carry on and keep to the woods and walk south to France.

About midnight on the 18th-19th, he again set out and at daybreak crossed the French frontier north of Watigny. He then sheltered in a bombed out house where he ate some of the bread and cheese he had been given by the Pole and went to sleep. When he awoke he set off again walking along the road to Fligny, which he reached at 14.00 hours and continued on to Auge. It was here that a bad storm broke, with exceptionally heavy rain, so soaking wet he approached an isolated farmhouse and sheltered under its front porch. A girl of about 24 opened the door and spoke to him then invited him into the house to shelter from the storm. As Sergeant Laws replied in French, the girl did not know who he was, but when inside he had explained he was an R.A.F. airman. She and her family became very frightened when they found he had no identity discs to show and his ability to speak French so fluently made them even more suspicious of him, but they did give him some food and allowe...

Five: Warrant Officer Class II T. J. Barnes, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was wounded by gun shot on Hill 112 in Normandy, July 1944 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (778613 W.O. Cl.2 T. J. Barnes. D.C.L.I.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £140-£180 --- Thomas John Barnes was born in Penzance, Cornwall, on 18 December 1910, and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 12 January 1929, having previously served in the Royal Artillery (Cornwall), Territorial Army. He was promoted Sergeant on 28 July 1939, and served during the Second World War in North West Europe as an Acting Warrant Officer Class II from 19 June 1944, suffering a gun shot wound to his right shoulder on Hill 112 in Normandy in July 1944. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 19 of 1948, and subsequently reverted to the permanent staff of the Territorial Force, still serving in 1961. He died in Truro on 7 June 1971. Sold with copied service papers and other research.

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ B.E.M. group of five awarded to Corporal W. A. Robertson, Royal Army Service Corps British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (3599248 Cpl. William A. Robertson. R.A.S.C.) on original mounting pin; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (T/3599248. Cpl. W. A. Robertson. R.A.S.C.), nearly extremely fine (5) £200-£240 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. was a member of the HQ since its formation. From the earliest days it was realised that the maintenance of the transport of this HQ was an exceptionally arduous task and one which normally would not have been left to a junior N.C.O. However, the Camp Commandant was already fully occupied and the maintenance of transport had to be left entirely in the hands of this N.C.O. As the Lines of Communication increased and staff officers had to travel long distances daily, the strain on transport grew to danger level. This N.C.O., by ceaseless work and organisation and great devotion to duty has managed to keep all vehicles in serviceable condition over a long period and, due to his care, no staff officer at this HQ has ever been refused transport at any time. This has meant continual and continuous working of very long hours with little opportunity for time off or relaxation. No-one in these Headquarters has worked harder or more cheerfully than Corporal Robertson, and the high standard that he has set for himself and demanded from others has been a true source of inspiration not only to those working under him, but to his superiors as well.’ William Alexander Robertson was serving with Headquarters, 11 Lines of Communication Area, Royal Army Service Corps when he was awarded his British Empire Medal.

A post-War B.E.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant V. Gray, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (ER/6982824 A/Sgt. Victor Gray. R. Innisks.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (LS/6982824 Cpl. V. Gray. B.E.M. R. Innisks.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1957. The original Recommendation, dated 19 July 1956, states: ‘Sergeant Gray has served at Mons Officer Cadet School since October 1952. Although he is an infantry sergeant he has been employed since that date as a Sergeant Chief Clerk in the Cadets Section of the School HQ, a vacancy normally reserved for an RASC Class I tradesman clerk. He has always given the greatest possible assistance and the utmost loyalty to his commanding officers. His office has been responsible for the clerical progression and documentation of some 8,500 officer cadets since October 1952. He has since been personally responsible for the commissioning documentation of some 3,000 RAC and RA cadets. His office has always run at the peak of efficiency due in no small part to his personal example and excellent memory, and his tireless devotion to his work has been an inspiration not only to his own staff, but to the whole School. At times of great pressure he has repeatedly worked late at night entirely of his own volition. Since the period under review [October 1952 to July 1956] he has taken only 38 days’ leave, feeling that to have taken more would not have been in the interests of his office or of the Service. He has become known to thousands of young officers as an example, the memory of which they can carry with them throughout their service, as a yardstick by which they can judge their own staff. He retires in January 1958, at the age of 57, after 17 years and 10 months service, and being too old to continue in the Service does not qualify, and has not the opportunity of qualifying, for a pension.’

Five: Company Quartermaster Sergeant R. A. W. Vincent, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was wounded in the retreat from France in May 1940 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (5435191 C. Sjt. R. A .W. Vincent. D.C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (5435191 C. Sjt. R. A .W. Vincent. D.C.L.I.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £200-£240 --- Ralph Alfred William Vincent was born in Wells, Somerset, on 22 August 1910, and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Taunton on 5 March 1930. He served with the Regiment prior to the Second Word War at home or in Gibraltar, and was advanced Sergeant on 1 October 1938. He served with the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War from 27 September 1939 to 31 May 1940, and is recorded in the Western Morning News of 18 July 1940 as having been wounded, presumably in the retreat from Dunkirk. Vincent was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 31 January 1941, and was confirmed in this appointment on 30 July 1941. He spent the rest of the Second World War at home, before serving in Palestine from 5 December 1945 to 30 December 1948, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, with gratuity, per Army Order 15 of 1949. He served briefly with the B.O.A.R. in 1950, before transferring to the Reserve on 5 March 1952, after 22 years’ service. Sold with copied service papers; a poor quality photographic image of the recipient; and other research, including extracts from the Regimental Journal, in which it is recorded that Vincent twice ‘won’ the Regimental Wooden Spoon for the ‘Worst Shot in the Sergeant’s Mess’.

Five: Private T. J. Platt, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was wounded in Normandy on 8-9 July 1944 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (5438020. Pte. T. J. Platt. D.C.L.I.) first letter of surname officially corrected on last, nearly extremely fine (5) £80-£100 --- Thomas John Platt was born in Plymouth on 7 July 1918 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Territorial Army) at Saltash on 26 April 1939. Posted to the 5th Battalion, he served with them as a Lance-Corporal during the Second World War in North West Europe from 19 June 1944, and was wounded in action in the area of Verson/Fontaine Etoupefour on 8-9 July 1944. Evacuated to the U.K., he saw further service with the B.O.A.R., before transferring to Class Z Reserve on 10 April 1946 being awarded his Efficiency Medal that same year. He was discharged on 1 March 1950, but subsequently re-enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps (Territorial Army) the following day, and was finally discharged on 11 January 1961. Sold with copied service papers from both enlistments; and other research.

Four: Private James Robinson, 13th or Prince Albert’s Light Infantry Ghuznee 1839 (Pt. James Robinson XIII. P.A.L.I.) regimentally impressed naming, fitted with replacement straight bar suspension; Cabul 1842 (Pt. James Robinson XIII. P.A.L.I.) regimentally impressed naming, neatly plugged at 12 o’clock and fitted with silver post and steel bar suspension; Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Mural Crown (Pt. James Robinson XIII. P.A.L.I.) regimentally impressed naming, neatly plugged at 12 o’clock and fitted with silver post, ring and straight bar suspension; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 1st issue, large letter reverse, edge dated, impressed naming (James Robinson 13th Regiment Foot. 1847.) pierced at 12 o’clock and fitted with ring and straight bar suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Payne Collection 1911. L.S. & G.C. sent to Staff Officer of Pensions at Birr, Ireland, on 3 July 1848.

Seven: Colour Sergeant James Byrne, 13th or Prince Albert’s Light Infantry Cabul 1842 (Pt. Byrnes J. Byrne 13th P.A.L.I.) ‘Pt. Byrnes’ regimentally impressed, otherwise engraved, fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension; Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Mural Crown (Pt. James Byrne P. A.) regimentally impressed naming with some loss to unit, fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Cr. Sergt. James Burnes (sic) 13th or P.A. Lt. Inf.) clasp loose on ribbon as issued; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Color Sergt. J. Byrne. 1st Bn. 13th Lt. Infy.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (Cl. Serjt. Jas. Byrne, 13th Lt. Infy.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Color Serjt. James Byrne 1st Battn. 13th Regt.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (1207 C. Sergt. James Byrne. 13th L.I.) regimentally impressed naming, fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension, campaign medals with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine or better, L.S. & G.C. very fine, M.S.M. good very fine, a rare group (7) £3,000-£4,000 --- James Byrne was born in the Parish of St Catherine’s, Dublin, in July 1820. He attested for the 13th Light Infantry in Dublin in July 1839, aged 19, a labourer by trade. Byrne was one of the detachment of 90 men of the 13th under Ensign Stapylton who left Gravesend on 8 November 1839 to sail via the Cape and land at Calcutta on 21 July 1840. The detachment then proceeded by boat to Cawnpore, and from there marched to Kabul via Meerut, Ferozepore, Peshawar and Jellalabad, arriving in Kabul on 21 April 1841, a journey of 17 months. Following the campaign in Afghanistan, Byrne received promotion to Corporal in October 1843, embarked for Bombay in December 1844, from where they set off for England in the H.E.I.C. steamers Pluto and Sesostris in March 1845, arriving at the end of July and early August. Byrne was promoted to Sergeant in October 1845 and was subsequently stationed in Ireland until April 1850, when the regiment moved to Fort George, and in May 1851 to Gibraltar. There they were employed on garrison duty until June 1855 when they embarked for the Crimea, Byrne having been appointed Colour Sergeant the previous month. Byrne spent 11 months in the Crimea, after which he served with the regiment at the Cape until August 1857, when orders were received to proceed to India following the outbreak of the mutiny. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in September 1858 and continued to serve in India until 7 August 1859, when he was invalided and eventually returned home in August 1860. He was discharged at Fermoy on 28 August 1861, having completed his period of engagement. He was then ‘in possession of six medals and one clasp viz a medal for the defence of Jellalabad, a medal for the recapture of Cabul, a medal for the Crimea with clasp for Sebastopol, the Turkish Crimea medal, a medal for the suppression of the Indian Mutiny of 1857-58 and of the medal for Good Conduct and Long Service with a gratuity of £15.’ He was awarded the M.S.M. together with an annuity of £20 in 1867, a vacancy presumably having become available. Colour Sergeant Byrne was able to enjoy his annuity for a remarkably long time before he died on 13 May 1897. Sold with comprehensive research.

Four: General W. E. Mulcaster, Bengal Cavalry, who commanded the first expedition to Bhootan in 1865
Cabul 1842, unnamed as issued, fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Lieut. W: E: Mulcaster, 64th Regt. N:I:); Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Mooltan (Capt. W. E. Mulcaster, 7th Irregular Cavy.); India General Service 1854-94, 2 clasps, North West Frontier, Bhootan (Bt. Lt. Col. W. E. Mulcaster, 5th Bengal Cavy.) all fitted with silver ribbon buckles, very fine or better (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Brian Ritchie Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2005. William Edward Mulcaster was born on 29 September 1820. He was the eldest son of Captain Sir William Howe Mulcaster, R.N., and Sophia, the eighth daughter of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt. He was nominated for his Cadetship by H. St. G. Tucker, Esq., on the recommendation of his father. He entered Addiscombe in 1835, and the following year received an immediate posting to the Bengal Infantry. He did duty with the 9th N.I. at Barrackpore, and the 15th N.I. and the 28th N.I., before reporting to the 64th N.I. In July 1840, he was attached to the Assam Sebundy Corps, then a highly irregular unit, which ultimately evolved into the 2/8th Gurkha Rifles. The next year he rejoined his regiment and proceeded with it to Afghanistan. He was severely wounded at the forcing of the Khyber Pass in April 1842 (London Gazette 7 June 1842), on account of which he afterwards received a gratuity of twelve months pay. He returned to duty, in February 1843, as Adjutant of his corps. During the Sutlej campaign, Mulcaster was present at the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur in December 1845, and at Sobraon in February 1846. In October 1846, he was posted Adjutant and officiating 2nd in command of the 9th Irregular Cavalry (Christie’s Horse) in the absence of Lieutenant Crawford Chamberlain who was then on leave in the Cape. 

Following the murders of Vans Agnew and Anderson at Mooltan in April 1848, Mulcaster, then serving with the 7th Bengal Irregular Cavalry joined the scratch force under Lieutenant Herbert Edwardes which temporarily confined the Sikh revolt to the south west Punjab. In July, he joined the force under General W. S. Whish which had been despatched from Lahore to invest Mooltan. But at length Whish was obliged to abandon the siege and pitch camp astride the dry Wadi Mohammed Canal in the neighbouring country. In early November, the Mooltanis established two batteries on the eastern side of the canal at an uncomfortably close range to the two parts of the British camp. Whish constructed counter batteries to deal with them, and laid plans for an assault to be carried out on the 7th by his European troops against the Mooltani’s left flank. On the evening of the 6th, Mulcaster, together with a picquet drawn from his regiment, and two allied Sikh regiments, were sent to relieve the British troops protecting the batteries thus freeing them for the assault. However, during the night the allied Sikhs deserted to the enemy, leaving the task of guarding the guns, which were attacked next day, to Mulcaster. As the senior officer present in command of the 7th Cavalry in the trenches he was credited with repulsing the enemy’s assaults and driving them back. For his services during the siege of Mooltan, he was rewarded with a Brevet Majority (London Gazette 2 August 1850).

In January 1852, he was appointed to the command of the 7th Irregular Cavalry and was subsequently employed with one squadron, in November 1853, in a punitive expedition, under Colonel S. B. Boileau, against the Bori Afridis. The 7th Bengal Irregular Cavalry remained loyal during the Mutiny, and emerged from the reorganisation of the Army in 1861 as the 5th Bengal Cavalry. In April 1858, Mulcaster commanded the Cavalry Brigade employed in the field force, under Sir Sydney Cotton which marched into the Yusafzai Valley and destroyed Sittana.

He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1863 and the next year was appointed Brigadier-General in Assam. In December 1864, in response to continual raiding into British territory by the Bhootanis and insults to a British mission under the Hon. Ashley Eden, Mulcaster was appointed to the command of the Bhootan Field Force of four columns, which was sent into the mountainous territory on the borders of Tibet. The four columns advanced and overcame the slight resistance from the Bhootanis armed with matchlocks, bows and arrows, stones and other primitive weapons. But, with the end of the campaign apparently in sight, the Bhootanis attacked the British garrison at Dewangiri in February 1865, forcing the troops under Colonel Campbell to evacuate the post. The retreat over difficult terrain became a rout. The native troops panicked, the wounded and sick were left behind and the force’s two guns were abandoned and thrown into a ravine. Elsewhere overwhelming numbers of Bhootanis inflicted defeats on Mulcaster’s widely spread command, and this coupled with news of the reverse at Dewangiri, prompted the authorities at Calcutta to withdraw the expedition, and ultimately despatch a second Bhootan Field Force under Brigadier-General Sir Harry Tombs V.C., K.C.B.

Mulcaster was advanced to Major-General in 1866 and, in 1867, he relinquished his final appointment, the command of the Agra Brigade. He was made General in 1877, and was placed on the supernumerary list in 1881. General Mulcaster died at 3 Portland Place, Bath, on 4 February 1887.

Pair: Private R. D. Mandley, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Army Cadet Force General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (19059473 Pte. R. D. Mandley. D.C.L.I.); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (S.M.I. R. D. Mandley. ACF.) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising to first, good very fine and better (2) £140-£180 --- Ronald D. Mandley was born in Williton, Somerset, on 26 July 1928, and served with the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in post-War Palestine. He died in Spain on 2 November 2012. Sold with copied medal roll extract and other research.

Three: Sergeant Frederick Nixon, 23rd Foot, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, later a Lieutenant in the Australian Artillery at Sydney Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (No 4232. Serjt. Frederick. Nixon. 23rd. R.W.F.) regimentally impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Serjt. Frdk. Nixon, 1st Bn. 23rd R.W. Fusrs.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Staff Officer F. Nixon. H.M. 23rd Regt.) the first with edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (3) £500-£700 --- Sergeant Frederick Nixon was slightly wounded at Sebastopol on 1 March 1855 (London Gazette 16 March 1855 refers). Sold with a copied image of the recipient in uniform wearing medals and the following (undated) obituary details from an unknown source: ‘The Late Lieutenant Nixon, Crimean & Indian Mutiny Veteran. First-Lieutenant Frederick Nixon died at the Sydney Hospital yesterday, aged 86 years. Deceased was educated at Elizabeth College, Guernsey. He served in the Imperial Army with the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers foot, 1st Battalion, as an officer, and was badly wounded in the Crimea in ‘54 & ‘55, at the Siege of Sebastopol. He received medals & clasps for the campaign. Lieutenant Nixon came home at the termination of the war in the ship London in 1856. He was sent to the college of musketry at Hythe, under General Hay, to study musketry, etc. Deceased was presented to Queen Victoria at Windsor Castle, 1856. He was ordered on Foreign service, via the Cape, to China. When at Table Bay the order was countermanded, in consequence of the Indian Mutiny breaking out. He started to Calcutta, and saw service under General Outram, Sir Colin Campbell, and Lord Clyde in the Relief of Lucknow - and was under fire at the Dil Koosha, where he carried the Queen’s Colours, and at the Moti Maal operations, across the Goomtee, and finally at Lucknow. He helped to capture the city, & got into the Kaisar Baghe, or King’s Graden, after terrible street fighting, where Generals Outram and Havelock were besieged by the Sepoys. Lieutenant Nixon was at Cawnpore twice and at Benares, and was also in the Trans-Gogra operations, when the rebels were driven from Oude to Nepaul. He obtained a staff appointment to the 6th Dragoon Guards, Carbineers, and was with Captain Peel’s brigade of Bluejackets and a Commissory (sic) post to the Belooches Battalion. Finally he retired from service, and came to Sydney in 1860, and got a commission as First Lieutenant in the Artillery Brigade. He commanded a Battery. Deceased was born at St. Peter’s Port - Island of Guernsey. He was the grandson of the late commandant of the Royal Veteran Battalion 10th. His grandfather served under General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec.’

Five: Sergeant Farrier S. Stoot, Royal Artillery South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (5419 Sg. Smith. S. Stoot. 6th. Bde. R.A.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (5368 Farr. Sgt. S. Stoot. C/3 Bde. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: Farr: S. Stoot. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5368. Sgt. Farr. S. Stoot. C/3 Bde. R.A.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘5368 F. Sgt. S. Stoot. C/3. Bde. R.A.’, edge bruising and pitting from Star, therefore good fine and better (5) £800-£1,000 --- S. Stoot was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal, together with an annuity of £10, on 1 January 1905.

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. R. Brown, 1st Bengal Infantry, later 74 Punjabis India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 (Lieutt. R. J. R. Brown 1st Bl. Infy.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Lt. Col. R. J. R. Brown, 74 Punjabis) mounted on modern buckle bar, very fine (2) £180-£220 --- Robert James Reid Brown was born on 24 April 1863, and was first commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment on 10 March 1883. He was appointed to the Indian Army on 7 June 1886, and served with the Burmese Expedition in 1885-89 (Mentioned in despatches, Medal with two Clasps). He was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 74th Punjabis on 13 November 1908.

Pair: Sergeant W. Davies, Royal Munster Fusiliers India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (1439 Pte. W. Davies 2d. Bn. R. Muns. Fus:); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (1439 Sjt: W. Davies. Rl. Munster Fus.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £260-£300

Five: Captain G. Lemon, North Staffordshire Regiment, late Rifle Brigade India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (166 Corpl. G. Lemon 3d. Bn. Rif. Bde.); 1914-15 Star (2029 C. Sjt. G. Lemon. N. Staff. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. Lemon.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (166 Sjt: Bglr: G. Lemon. Rifle Bde.) contact marks and minor edge bruising to first and last, these very fine; the Great War trio better (5) £240-£280 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. George Lemon attested for the Rifle Brigade and served with the 3rd Battalion in India on the Punjab Frontier. Transferring to the North Staffordshire Regiment, he served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 March 1915, and was advanced Company Quartermaster Sergeant. Commissioned Lieutenant, for his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches and advanced Captain.

Eight: Warrant Officer E. A. Etheridge, Army Service Corps, late Grenadier Guards Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (5441 Pte. E. Etheridge. 1/Gren: Gds:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Belfast (5441 Pte. E. A. Etherage, Gren: Gds:); 1914-15 Star (19849 Pte. E. A. Etheridge. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (19849 W.O.Cl.2. E. A. Etheridge. A.S.C.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. A. Etherage. N. Div.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (SS-19849 A. Sjt: E. Etheridge. A.S.C.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (Pte. E. Etherage. Gren. Gds.) contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (8) £300-£400 --- Ernest Arthur Etherage/Etheridge was born at Westbury on Severn, Gloucestershire, and enlisted into the Grenadier Guards at Bristol on 19 August 1895, aged 19 years 6 months, a labourer by trade. He served abroad at Gibraltar from September 1897 to July 1898, then in Egypt until October 1898, and in South Africa from October 1899 to January 1901, including the Nile Expedition of 1898 and the war in South Africa 1899-1901. He was discharged medically unfit for further service on 31 December 1903, although in the period 1901-03 he also served as a Police Constable in the Metropolitan Police. The outbreak of war in 1914 saw him registered as a Class 2 National Reservist with the Gloucester Territorial Force Association. He rejoined the army on 13 October 1915, as a Private in the Army Service Corps, proceeding to France on 7 November 1915. As a ‘Supply Specials and Labour’ recruit he was attached to 23rd Company Labour Corps, becoming an Acting Sergeant and awarded the M.S.M. for services in France (London Gazette 1 January 1918 refers). He was discharged on 9 March 1919. Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.

Family Group: Four: Acting Regimental Sergeant Major G. H. Harley, Oxfordshire Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between top two clasps (3201 Sgt, G. H. Harley, Oxford Lt Inf); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3201 Sergt: G. Harley Oxford: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (9289 A.W.O. Cl. 1. G. H. Harley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., Circular issue, 2nd ‘Coronation robes’ issue, in box of issue, first three mounted for wear, the BWM a somewhat later issue, contact marks, very fine Pair: Private G. J. Harley, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (37834 Pte. G. J. Harley. D. of Corn. L.I.) very fine (6) £260-£300 --- I.S.M. London Gazette, 23 September 1932, Head Porter, London Postal Section. George Henry Harley was born in Bermondsey, Surrey in 1870. He attested into the Oxfordshire Light Infantry on 7 June 1889, and was appointed Corporal on 1 May 1896. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 5 February 1897, he was recalled to the Colours and served in South Africa with the 1st Battalion during the Boer War. Advanced Sergeant on 4 April 1900, he was discharged ‘having been found medically unfit for further service’ on 6 June 1902. He re-enlisted into his old regiment on 11 September 1914 for service during the Great War, and served at Home on training duties. He was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 16 September 1918, before reverting to the permanent rank of Company Sergeant Major. Post-War, he returned to his employment as a porter with the Post Office. His British War Medal (his sole Great War entitlement) was issued in 1934. George James Harley, son of the above, attested into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry for service during the Great War. Sold with copied research.