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Three: Acting Colour-Sergeant A. Lambert, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 1919 British War and Victory Medals (25130 A.C. Sjt. A. Lambert. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (25130 Sjt. A. Lambert. 11/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, with the MSM showing signs of having been abrasively cleaned, therefore good fine (3) £80-£100 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered in France and Flanders.’

Pair: Captain G. P. Cumming, 44th Bengal Native Infantry, attached 10th Foot Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Ensn. G, P, Cumming, attd. to. 1st. Bn. 10th. Foot); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Bhootan (Lieut. G. P. Cumming 44th. Regt. N.I.) very fine and better (2) £700-£900 --- Provenance: George McIlroy Collection. George Peter Cumming was born at Trichinopoly in 1841, the son of Dr. G. P. Cumming, Superintendent Surgeon, Madras Establishment, and was educated at Cheltenham College. He was nominated for the Honourable East India Company’s Army by Lieutenant-Colonel Oliphant, and was commissioned Ensign on 12 December 1857, aged 16. He served throughout the Great Sepoy Mutiny attached to the 10th Foot, and was present at some 14 engagements, including the actions of Chandia, Umeerpore and Sultanpore; the siege and capture of Lucknow in March 1858 including the storming of the Embara and Kaiser Bagho; was present with Major General Lugard’s force at the passage of the Tonse; and was present at the Relief of Azimghur; the capture of Jugdispore; and the action of Chitowali and operations in its vicinity. Cumming was promoted Lieutenant on 6 November 1859, and served with the Bhootan Field Force as a volunteer during the campaign in 1865, being then attached to the 44th Native Infantry. He was promoted Captain on 12 December 1869, and retired due to ill-health in 1870. He lived in retirement for a further 56 years, and died at Portobello, Scotland, in June 1926. Note: On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny the Cadets of the H.E.I.C. Forces, mostly boys of sixteen or seventeen (including Cumming), known universally throughout India as ‘Griffins’ or ‘Little Griffs’, were attached to various British Regiments, as most of the units they were to have joined, had mutinied. They are not to be found in the British Army Lists of the period, and are only traceable through the East India Registers. Sold with copied research.

A German Second World War Army Soldbuch and Wehrpass. A very worn Army soldbuch with the front and back cover detached, to the interior an excellent photograph of Army Cannonier Gerdes, large photograph to the interior cover showing Gerdes wearing ncos four pocket tunic, hatless. A very comprehensively filled out soldbuch with a full English translation, soldbuch issued April 41, served in various artillery units and in May 1944 transferred to a medical unit. Page 12 shows he had three hand grenade wounds. He was promoted Leutnant 1 March 1944 and received the following awards:- Russian Front Medal, Iron Cross Second Class, Wound badge in black, Infantry Assault badge in silver and one other unidentified badge in silver dated 19.3.1945. His photograph shows him wearing the Iron Cross Second Class ribbon and Russian Front ribbon; together with an Armed Forces wehrpass awarded to Fritz Schriber, born December 1911, volunteered for military service, served in 10th Company Infantry Regiment 44, saw service in North Ukraine in 1944. Wehrpass photograph shows him in full uniform, hatless with number 44 clearly embroidered on his early pattern shoulder boards. His last unit in 1944 being a Flak Company of Panzer Jager Abteilung 248, cover detached but present from first, therefore fair condition (2) £70-£90

Six: Major W. H. C. Gale, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R., M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. W. H. C. Gale. R.E.M.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Lieut. W. H. C. Gale. R.E.M.E.) mounted for display, surname officially correct on last, generally very fine or better (6) £180-£220 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 8 May 1956: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1955.’ William Henry Creber Gale was born in December 1911. He initially served in the ranks, advancing to Warrant Officer Class 2, prior to being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in March 1943 (award L.S. & G.C. in January 1948). He advanced to Captain in August 1954, and to Major in October of the same year.

A rare ‘Edward VIII’ inter-War M.V.O., post War Order of St. John group of six awarded to Quartermaster and Captain W. R. Lines, 5th Lancers, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, who was Mentioned in Despatches during the Great War, and was one of only 10 people awarded the M.V.O. Vth Class by King Edward VIII The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class breast badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘488’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, skeletal type, silver; 1914-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. W. R. Lines. 5. Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Q.M. & Capt. W. R. Lines.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3871 Sjt: W. Liones. 5/Lrs.) mounted court-style as worn, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine and better (6) £800-£1,000 --- One of only 10 M.V.O. Vth Class awards made during the reign of Edward VIII, of which 5 were for the Funeral of King George V. M.V.O. London Gazette 23 June 1936: Walter Reuben Lines, Honorary Secretary, Windsor Branch, British Legion. Serving Brother of the Order of St. John London Gazette 28 May 1948. Walter Reuben Lines was born on 29 April 1872 and attested for the 5th Lancers in 1890. He served in the ranks for 23 years and 330 days before being commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on 25 August 1914, and served with the Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 July 1915. Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 4 January 1917), he was promoted Honorary Captain, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, on 25 August 1917, and subsequently served as an Assistant Inspector with the Quartermaster General’s Service. He was placed on half-pay on account of ill health on 3 October 1923. Lines was appointed a Member Fifth Class of the Royal Victorian Order for his services as Honorary Secretary of the Windsor Branch, British Legion, in June 1936, one of the very few number of appointments to the Royal Victorian Order made by Edward VIII. He was later appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John. He died in Slough, Buckinghamshire, on 26 January 1960. Sold with copied research.

A post-War 1953 Military Division B.E.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant A. Ash, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (22270052 Sgt. Thomas A. Ash, R.E.M.E.) minor official correction to number; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine (3) £160-£200 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 June 1953. The original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Ash joined the Unit (11 Beach Recovery Section R.E.M.E. (T.A.)) as a permanent staff instructor in 1947 and completed his engagement in October 1948. He engaged as a volunteer for two years in February 1949 and on the termination of same re-engaged for a further four years. He has given exceptional service to the Territorial Army both as a permanent staff instructor (Sgt) and on completion of his engagement as a volunteer instructor (Sgt) of the force. His cheerfulness and humour under exceptionally arduous or difficult circumstances have become a byword not only in the Unit but in the Brigade. He has never failed to attend, both as a regular soldier and as a volunteer, amphibious training whether at weekend or at camp and worked exceptionally cheerfully, hard and satisfactorily on all such occasions, often wet, dirty and hungry without complaint or loss of his unquenchable sense of humour. During the past two years he has attended in addition to fifteen days annual camp, extra instructional periods of one week’s duration at Regular Army Instructional Establishments and has requested vacancies on further courses during the coming year. He gives all his free time to his Territorial Army work and in addition to his other duties he has been a very great help on the social side of the R.E.M.E. Units in the T.A. Centre. Particularly so in the Sergeants’ Mess during the past year. He is exceptionally resourceful when operating in charge of Recovery operations with the recovery crews without supervision and entirely on his own initiative. He can be relied upon when given a job no matter how difficult to be in a position to successfully report its completion, always cheerfully and with a joke, independent of time, weather and other adverse factors.’

Four: Staff Sergeant F. L. Brown, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2058371 S/Sjt. F. L. Brown. R.E.M.E.); Army Emergency Reserve Efficiency Medal, E.II.R. (22564970 S. Sgt. F. L. Brown. REME.) mounted for wear, very fine (4) £100-£140

Five: Sergeant W. A. J. Tasker, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (4772 Pte. W. Tasker. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (5376574 Sjt. W. A. J. Tasker. 4-Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine and better (5) £60-£80 --- Sold together with two Territorial Army Rifle Association Prize Medals, one silver and one bronze, both named to the 4th Battalion, O.B.L.I.; and a group photograph.

Pair: Acting Sergeant H. A. Long, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Mesopotamia Victory Medal 1914-19 (9112 A. Sjt. H. A. Long. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (9112 Pte. H. A. Long. 1/O. & B.L.I.) very fine (2) £80-£100 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917: ‘For valuable services rendered with the Armies in the Field, during the present War.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919: ‘For Embarkation duties with the Mesopotamian Field Force. ‘ Harold Arthur Long attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st Battalion in the Asiatic Theatre of war from 5 December 1914. For his services with the Mesopotamian Field Force he was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Five: Private J. E. Gainforth, Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment of Canada, who briefly served in France in June 1940, but was swiftly evacuated in Operation Aerial, the withdrawal of Allied troops from North West France, following the Dunkirk evacuation 1939-45 Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Canada suspension (Pte. J. E. Cainforth Hast & P E R) very fine and better (5) £120-£160 --- James Elmo Gainforth was born on 24 September 1901, at Brighton Township, Ontario. He was a resident of Wooler and subsequently, Campbellford, Ontario, Canada. He enlisted into the Hastings and Prince Edward Regiment, on 1 June 1938, being given service number, C-4106. He served in the U.K. from September 1939, and landed in France to join the B.E.F., landing in Brest, France on 14 June 1940, but was evacuated and returned to the U.K., on 16 June 1945, during Operation Aerial. For the remainder of the war he appears to have served in the U.K., as a Technical Storeman. His service papers confirm the award of the 1939-45 Star, for his two days service in France with the B.E.F., and his evacuation in Operation Aerial. He was discharged, at the age of 44, on 14 August 1945. With his war service counting double he was awarded the Efficiency Medal in Canadian Army Orders of September 15, 1945. He died in 1961. Sold with copied research.

German Second World War Luftwaffe and Army Soldbuchs. A Luftwaffe soldbuch in blue, issued 14 September 1939 to Herbert Gohrbrandt, a Luftwaffe administration officer, photograph in soldbuch wearing his uniform hatless as a rank of the equivalent in the administration service as Major, postings include Belgium, North France and Berlin including Templehof as a meteorologist with a full English handwritten translation within the soldbuch; and an Army soldbuch, no photograph issued 5 February 1941 to Herman Kurt Wisner, part of the 1st Machine Gun Company, Reserve Battalion 204, issued many tropical items of equipment including the tropheim, awarded the German-Italian Afrika Feldzug medal as a member of the Afrika Korps with a complete English translation handwritten to the interior of the soldbuch, reasonable condition (2) £70-£90

Six: Major C. P. Evans, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24601367 LCpl C P Evans REME); Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (Capt C P Evans REME); Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 2011 (Sgt C P Evans REME 24601367); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24601367 WO2 C P Evans REME) mounted as originally worn, generally good very fine (6) £400-£500 --- Christopher Patrick Edwards served as a Warrant Officer Class 2, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in February 1997. He was commissioned Captain in December 2000, and retired as Major in March 2013.

German Second World War Army Medical Shoulder Boards. 4 shoulder boards. Slip-on mid war period medical blue piped with 6 Medical Unit chain stitched numbered to the centre with the medical motif also matching chain stitched, mint; Mid war field grey centred shoulder board with blue silk piping; Model 36 dark green centred shoulder board, metallic regiment number 6 with nco litzen, slip-on; M.36 slip-on board, 3 rank pips, nco litzen with blue wool piping, very good condition (4) £50-£70

Four: Sergeant P. J. McLaughlin, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24234651 Cpl P J McLaughlin REME) number partially officially corrected; U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP ribbon; Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24234651 Sgt P J McLaughlin REME); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24234651 Sgt P J McLaughlin REME) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (4) £140-£180

Four: Attributed to Sergeant P. A. T. Sharp, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, late Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine (4) £80-£120 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 27 September 1945. Percy Alfred Thomas Sharp was born on 18 February 1914, and attested for the Royal Army Ordnance Corps on 9 January 1940. He served with the R.A.O.C. in India from 23 August 1942, before transferring to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on 1 October 1942, with the rank of Corporal. Advanced to Sergeant, he was Mentioned in Despatches, before returning to the U.K. on 22 December 1945, taking his discharge two days later. Sold together with the recipient’s M.I.D. Certificate, dated 27 September 1945, and copied service papers.

Pair: Major F. de C. Helbert-Helbert, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, later Royal Fusiliers, who served as Aide-de-Camp to The Maharaja Holkar of Indor India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (Lieut. F. de C. Helbert-Helbert. 1st-R. Welsh Fus.) a later issue impressed in small sans-serif capitals; Jubilee 1887, 1 clasp, 1897, silver, unnamed as issued, good very fine and better (2) £400-£500 --- Frederic de Courcy Helbert-Helbert was born in Brighton on 14 July 1862 and was educated at Winchester College. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry on 22 October 1881 but transferred to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in November the same year. With the 1st Battalion he went to Burma in 1885 but was invalided home sick. During the Jubilee celebrations of 1887 he was A.D.C. to The Maharaja Holkar of Indor. He was placed on Half Pay in April 1888 but returned to Full Pay in May 1889 and was appointed A.D.C. to the Governor and C-in-C., New South Wales, a post he held until November 1891. In November 1892 he transferred as a Captain to the Devonshire Regiment but retired with a gratuity in February 1895. On 28 August 1895 he became a Major in the 5th (Militia) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Helbert-Helbert was removed from the Army on 23 April 1902, ‘His Majesty having no further use for his services’. The reason for this is not known exactly but it seems it was bankruptcy. He was imprisoned in February 1904 for obtaining credit while a bankrupt and stealing a ring. He was incarcerated in Wormwood Scrubs. Yet again in November 1907 he was incarcerated in Wormwood scrubs for 18 months for three offences against Francis McCarthy: altering a cheque, misuse of a share certificate and misuse of cash. The Officers Mess Minute Book records on 15 May 1908: ‘Pieces of silver presented by F de C Helbert should be made away with out of the mess for obvious reasons but decided to hold over until the Regiment is together again.’ A further entry on 5 December 1910 records: ‘The Cup presented to the Mess by Major Helbert should be sold and the proceeds given to a charity to be decided on at the next meeting.’ The recipient’s Bankruptcy papers held at the National Archives also describes how in 1896 Helbert-Helbert was at sea and made friends with a young man of wealth and position who died on the voyage. On Helbert-Helbert’s return to the UK he produced a will purportedly made by the young man leaving him his estate. The young man’s friends contested the will but a settlement was reached out of court with Helbert-Helbert receiving £25,000. Sold with copied research. Note: The India General Service Medal roll shows that a replacement medal was issued on 30 November 1937; the naming style on the IGS in this lot is consistent with the style used at the time.

Pair. Private William White, East Yorkshire Regiment, who died on active service in January 1942 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4336135 Pte. W. White. E. York. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (4336135 Pte. W. White. E. York. R.) with flattened lid of named card box of issue, extremely fine (2) £140-£180 --- William White, 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, died on active service in England on 16 January 1942, aged 39 years. He was the son of Fred and Sarah White, of Bridlington, and husband of Ida White, also of Bridlington. He is buried in Bridlington Cemetery.

The General Service Medal awarded to Sergeant M. D. Burbridge, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached SAS, who was ambushed and killed by the IRA whilst travelling in plain clothes with another serviceman returning from Rosemount Police Station, 1 April 1982. Their unmarked van was riddled by machine gun bullets near the Creggan Estate, and just outside of St. Eugene’s Catholic Cathedral General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24098414 LCpl. M. D. Burbridge. REME.) good very fine £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 1998. Michael David Burbridge was born in August 1950, and enlisted in the Army in September 1966. He was serving on his third tour of Northern Ireland when he was killed during an ambush, 1 April 1982: ‘Two soldiers were murdered in a Londonderry ambush yesterday by Provisional IRA terrorists armed with a machine gun. Cpl Michael Ward, 29, of the Royal Signals, and Sgt Michael Burbridge, 31, of the REME, were hit by a hail of shots as they drove in an unmarked Mini van. Both men were armed, but were wearing civilian clothes. They were returning to barracks after completing maintenance work on radio equipment at a police station [Rosemount] near the republican Creggan estate. The gunmen had taken over a flat overlooking a road junction, holding the seven students who occupy the flat hostage since Wednesday night. More than 50 shots were fired at the van as it reached the crossroads. The vehicle then careered out of control down a one-way street and crashed into a baker’s shop. The shooting happened close to St Eugene’s Roman Catholic Cathedral and one of the first to reach the van was the Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, whose residence adjoins the cathedral. Cpl Ward was married with a six year old son and came from south west London. Sgt Burbridge was divorced and his parents live in south Oxfordshire. Yesterday’s killings were exactly a week after a similar ambush in West Belfast when three members of the Royal Green Jackets were murdered by the Provisional IRA. On Sunday the IRA shot dead a senior police officer outside his church.’ (photocopy of newspaper cutting included with the lot refers). Both Burbridge and Ward, were in fact attached to the SAS at this time, and the following is given in Raymond Murray’s The SAS in Ireland: In the period 1981-87 the SAS shot dead as many as 26 people in Northern Ireland and one man drowned escaping from them... In the same period four ‘SAS men were shot dead by the IRA. Sergeant Michael Burbridge (parent regiment, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers) aged 31, from South Oxfordshire and 29 year old Corporal Michael Ward (parent regiment, the Royal Corps of Signals), from south-west London were killed in a hail of bullets in an IRA ambush on 1 April 1982. They were dressed in plain clothes and were travelling from the Army/RUC post at Rosemount, Derry in a grey van, when the attack took place at 11.46am at Creggan Street just outside St. Eugene’s Cathedral. Four IRA men took part in the attack. They occupied a second floor flat at the junction of Creggan Road and Infirmary Road 15 hours before the shooting. As the van approached the junction, three of the IRA men, two of them armed with high velocity automatic rifles, and one with a handgun acting as back-up, stepped out in front of it and fired about 30 shots. The shooting was heard in the nearby parochial house. One of the priests gave the last rites. Priest and people lifted men out of the van to the street. The Bishop of Derry, Dr Edward Daly, was also on the scene within minutes. He said, “The men had been riddled. It was an awful sight. A lot of people were hysterical. It is another terrible deed which demeans us all.’ Sergeant Burbridge is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire. Sold with a letter from Captain T. Lindsay, R.E.M.E., 8th Infantry Brigade, Londonderry, addressed to Burbridge’s widow at Farnham Surrey, dated 8 December 1982, ‘At long last I am pleased to forward the medal which belonged to your late husband. I am to understand that the medal is for your son Darren and if in fact this is correct I would appreciate it if you would pass the medal on to him.’ The letter has been cut in two with the result that one line of the text is missing; copied certificate of service and other research.

Special Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (7874260 W.O. Cl. II A. E. Hillman. M.G.C.) nearly very fine and unique to the Machine Gun Corps £400-£500 --- A. E. Hillman was awarded his Special Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 348 of September 1922. A unique award to the Machine Gun Corps.

Three: Staff Sergeant J. Dunn, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (2429383 Cpl J Dunn REME); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24269383 Sgt J Dunn REME); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24269383 Sgt J Dunn REME) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (3) £460-£550 --- James Dunn was born in March 1949, and enlisted in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Preston in November 1971. His service included in Northern Ireland, January - May 1977, and November 1979 - March 1980. Dunn was employed as a Radar Technician, and attached to the 12th Regiment, Royal Artillery for service in the Falklands. He advanced to Staff Sergeant, and was discharged in November 1993, after 22 years and 4 days service. Sold with photocopies of recipient’s Certificate of Service and Army Job Descriptions.

Four: Supply Chief Petty Officer L. F. Parham, Royal Navy, who also served in the Merchant Navy and very briefly in the Army in the Great War, and went on to become a Commissioned Supply Officer, Royal Navy, in the Second World War British War Medal 1914-20 (M.27267 L. F. Parham. V.A. R.N.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Leonard F. Parham); Victory Medal 1914-19 (M.27267 L. F. Parham. V.A. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M.27267 L. F. Parham. Sy. P.O. H.M.S. Durban.) contact marks, lightly polished, generally nearly very fine (4) £120-£160 --- Leonard Frank Parham was born on 9 October 1895, at Woolwich, Kent. He commenced naval service as a Ship’s Stewards Assistant in H.M.S. Victory I, on 21 August 1917. He was appointed as Victualler’s Assistant, H.M.S. Hyacinth, on 15 February 1918, and was then advanced to Leading Victualler’s Assistant, H.M.S. Dunedin, on 1 October 1920, and Supply Petty Officer, H.M.S. Greenwich, on 1 February 1925. He remained in the Royal Navy and was advanced to Supply Chief Petty Officer in H.M.S. Durban, in 1932. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in September 1932, which was sent to H.M.S. Durban. Parham was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Boscawen, in August 1939, but was recalled for war service in the following month, to serve in H.M.S. Royal Arthur, H.M.S. Glendower, H.M.S. Victory II, and H.M.S. Cormorant. He was commissioned to become Temporary Acting Warrant Supply Officer, in September 1942. He still appears in the July 1949 Navy List as a Temporary Commissioned Stores Officer, with seniority from 1 September 1942. Parham appears on the medal roll for the Mercantile Marine War Medal (Merchant Navy Discharge No., 882512) which was sent to his home address at 48 Burrage Road, Plumstead, London, the roll notes that the B.W.M. was issued by the Royal Navy. He is also noted as having enlisted in the Army Service Corps in January 1915, but was promptly discharged as “not likely to become an efficient soldier”.

Four: Captain D. B. Spence, Royal Army Medical Corps 1914 Star (Lieut: D. B. Spence. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. D. B. Spence.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Capt. D. B. Spence, R.A.M.C.) nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Douglas Benham Spence was born in 1888, son of W. R. E. Spence, artist, of Guildford, Surrey. He was educated at Epsom College 1901-07, and afterwards at St Thomas’s Hospital; M.R.C.S. Eng., M.R.C.P. Lond. 1913. Served in France and Flanders as a Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps from 17 August 1914. He was promoted to Captain 31 August 1915, and was mentioned in Field-Marshal French’s despatch of 30 November 1915 (London Gazette 1 January 1916). Captain Spence relinquished his commission on 28 October 1919. He was afterwards a General Practitioner and retired to East Mersea, Essex. He died on 17 June 1963, aged 74. Sold with copied research including Medal Index Card which confirms all four medals.

German Second World War Bandsmans Wings. 1 matched pair of Army Infantry bandsmans wings, white wool base with silver litzen, all fitting hooks complete; 1 matched pair of Lutwaffe bandsmans wings, not individually arm of service attributed, the base colour is Luftwaffe blue grey with silver litzen and with fringing, all hooks present; 1 single Luftwaffe flight section bandsmans wing with fringe, yellow base with silver litzen, all hook present; 1 matched pair of Army Pioneer bandsmans wings, black wool base with subdued litzen, 1 with moth damage, generally good condition (7) £50-£70

Four: Acting Warrant Officer Class I A. E. Fleckner, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for valuable services in Salonika 1914-15 Star (9179 Sjt. A. E. Flickner [sic]. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9179 A.W.O. Cl. 1 A. E. Flickner [sic]. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (9179 C.S. Mjr: A. E. Fleckner. 7/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) very fine and better (4) £160-£200 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Salonika.’ Albert Edward Fleckner was born at Oxford and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1893, serving with them in India on the North West Frontier (entitled to the India General Service Medal 1895-1902 with clasp for Punjab Frontier and Tirah). Re-enlisting in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Haywards Heath on 1 September 1914, he was immediately promoted to Acting Corporal, and then to Acting Sergeant on 22 October 1914. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War initially on the Western Front, before proceeding to Salonika, and was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major on 22 February 1916, and Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 4 October 1916. For his services during the Great War in Salonika he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, and he was discharged to the Army Reserve on 5 March 1919. Sold together with a rather poor quality photographic image of the ‘Physical Training Class - Oxford, Spring, 1915’, in which the recipient is identified.

Three: Private F. Burnett, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (M2-136600 Pte. F. Burnett. A.S.C.); Khedive’s Sudan 1910-21, 2nd issue, 1 clasp, Darfur 1916 (M2-136600 Pte. F. Burnett. A.S.C.) officially impressed naming, good very fine (3) £400-£500 --- Medal Index Card confirms all three medals and Darfur 1916 clasp.

Five: Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Smith, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (Maj J S Smith REME); Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24371679 WO2 J S Smith REME) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (5) £300-£400 --- John Stanley Smith served as a Warrant Officer Class II prior to being commissioned in April 1995. He advanced to Major in 2002, and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in September 2013.

German Second World War Tropical Shoulder Boards. 11 Tropical shoulder boards, comprising Army Panzer Grenadier stitch-on board with tab cut, light apple green piping, earth brown backing; Army mountain troops earth brown wool centre with mountain green wool piping with slip-on tab, glue residue on the reverse; Army Panzer tropical slip-on, pink piped in silk, faded colour with tropical tress; Army slip-on transport nco, light blue piping, double rank pips with worn tropical lace; Army signals lemon yellow wool piping, which is worn and faded with worn and faded centre with slip-on tab; Army Panzer Grenadier earth brown centre, slip-on with light apple green piping; Luftwaffe tropical shirt material shoulder board with flight section yellow piping, slip-on, piping slightly worn; Luftwaffe flak nco with worn red piping at the point of the board, two rank pips, one sewn, one with prongs, slip-on tab with red piping; Luftwaffe slip-on with tab cut, flight section nco in shirting material with yellow wool piping; Luftwaffe lightweight European blue shirting material slip-on shoulder board for flak with red piping; and European Luftwaffe Veterinary branch with wine red piping, blue grey centre with slip-on tab complete. Two of the boards have residue of glue and paper on the reverse side where attached to a collectors display board, generally good very fine, the last rare (11) £200-£240

Three: Staff Sergeant W. C. Greene, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (23463633 Cfn. W. C. Greene. R.E.M.E.); General Service 1962-2007, 3 clasps, Radfan, South Arabia, Northern Ireland (23463633 L/Cpl. W. C. Greene. REME.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (23463633 S Sgt W C Greene REME) mounted for wear, with (3) related miniature awards also mounted for wear, very fine (3) £160-£200

Seven: Sergeant J. M. Hardy, Scots Guards, awarded the M.S.M. in 2011 General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24788855 Gdsm J M Hardy SG); Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24788855 LCpl J M Hardy SG); Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (24788855 Sgt J M Hardy SG); Jubilee 2002; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994, E.II.R. (24788855 Cpl J M Hardy SG); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24788855 Sgt J M Hardy SG); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (WO2 J M Hardy SG 24788855) the first six mounted court-style as worn, the last in named case of issue, the gilt a little worn on Jubilee medal, otherwise good very fine, the last extremely fine (7) £700-£900 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 5 July 2011. L.S. & G.C. awarded 9 August 2002 (London Gazette 18 February 2003).

German Second World War Army Recruiting Office or Feldgendarmerie Shoulder Boards. 4 shoulder boards. A 6th Recruiting District early M.36 stitch-on board, chain stitched Latin numeral 6 to the centre with orange wool piping; Model 36 dark green centred with chain stitched Roman numeral X to the centre with litzen and orange piping; M.36 slightly wider shoulder board, dark green centre, orange wool piping, slip-on; Mid war field grey centred nco shoulder board, three rank pips, worn litzen with its slip-on tab cut off, orange wool piped, generally good condition (4) £80-£100

Three: Private A. W. Avis, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (2929 Pte. A. W. Avis. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2929 Pte. A. W. Avis. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Three: Private A. E. Berry, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, later Hampshire Regiment, who died in Mesopotamia in 1915 1914-15 Star (8565 Pte. A. E. Berry. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8565 Pte. A. E. Berry. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine and better Three: Private T. Tolley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (14031 Pte. T. Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (14031 Pte. L. [sic] Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (14031 Pte. T. Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (9) £120-£160 --- Albert William Avis attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 14 September 1914 and served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915. He was discharged due to sickness with trench fever, on 4 September 1916, and was issued with Silver War Badge No. 21910. Albert Edward Berry was born in Bladon, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Witney, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 November 1914. He transferred to the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion in Mesopotamia. He died on 4 November 1915; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Angora Memorial at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. He is included in an unverified War Office list as a possible Prisoner of War. Thomas Tolley was born in Headington, Oxford, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915, before being posted to Salonika, arriving there on 24 November 1915, and then to Bulgaria from 30 September 1918. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 16 April 1919.

German Second World War Army Shoulder Boards. 5 Army shoulder boards, comprising a Transport nco, slip-on shoulder board, M.36 style, dark green centre; Army transport nco shoulder board, light blue piping, 3 rank pips, nco lace and moth damage to the centre, slip-on; Mid war M.43 style shoulder board, field grey centre, light blue silk piping, slip-on; An early Army Motorised Reconnaissance shoulder board, stitch-on, copper brown piping with copper brown numbers  43 to the centre; and Army M.36 slip-on shoulder board, copper brown reconnaissance piping, dark green centre, generally good condition (5) £80-£100

Pair: Sergeant R. Bland, 34th Regiment Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (R, Bland. 34th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (4309. Sergt. R. Bland, 34th Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (2) £400-£500 --- Richard Bland was born in Lancaster and attested for the 34th Regiment at Preston on 10 December 1855, aged 15 years, a weaver by trade. He served as a Boy, under age, until appointed as a Private on 1 April 1857. He was appointed Drummer on 1 July but reverted to Private on 6 October 1857, and remained ‘under age’ until 10 December 1858. Promoted to Corporal in July 1861, he was tried and reduced to Private in February 1862. He re-engaged on 11 September 1867, being promoted to Corporal in February 1868, and to Sergeant on 11 August 1867. Despite his previous misdemeanour he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal with £5 gratuity on 1 May 1879. Sergeant Bland was discharged at Carlisle on 3 February 1880, having served a total of 21 years 56 days, including 6 years 5 months in India; he served a further 14 days before joining the Staff of the 1st Royal Lancaster Militia. His discharge papers relate that ‘he is in possession of the Medal for long service and good conduct, and the Indian Mutiny Medal and clasp for Lucknow.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.

A scarce Second War ‘North-West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant T. H. E. Walters, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, for his repeated gallantry in an Armoured Recovery Vehicle extricating flaming tanks from battle positions and uncleared minefields Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7588463 Sjt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Talana Herbert Edward Walters) edge prepared prior to naming; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. M.M. R.E.M.E.) number officially corrected on last, light contact marks, generally good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 8 January 1945 “A” Squadron was detached to support 8 Infantry Brigade in the attack on Wanssum Wood, and Sergeant Walters in command of the Squadron A.R.V. accompanied it. A tank received a direct hit in Wanssum, and Sergeant Walters went up to it in its battle position under extremely heavy D.F. fire and towed it out although it was still on fire. He then went down to help the Canadians recover seven “Kangaroos” which were blown up on an uncleared minefield, and were under direct observed fire from the other side of Maas. Subsequently he went back to recover one of the Squadron’s tanks from the same minefield, but was driven back by the accuracy of the fire from the further bank; however, he returned after nightfall and worked on it until 02:00 the following morning in spite of continuing harassing fire and enemy patrols. During the period Sergeant Walters was in command of the only available A.R.V. and throughout displayed outstanding initiative in his efforts to recover the maximum number of vehicles and a complete disregard for his own safety.’ Talana Herbert Edward Walters was born on 2 December 1921 and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War. In civilian life he was employed at the Ministry of Defence, and was awarded the Imperial Service medal upon his retirement in 1987 (London Gazette 13 February 1987). He died in 1995.

Five: Acting Regimental Sergeant Major A. E. Hill, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, later Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was wounded during the Great War Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6163 Pte. A. Hill. Oxford: Lt. Infy:); 1914 Star, with clasp (6163 Sjt. A. Hill. 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (6163 Sjt. A. Hill. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) VM officially re-impressed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6163 Sjt. A. Hill. Oxf. & Bucks: L.I.) generally very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Albert Edward Hill was born in 1882 and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry on 19 December 1899, serving with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, and subsequently with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914. Wounded during the Great War, he was discharged to a a pension on 18 December 1922, and subsequently joined the Corps of Commissionaires. He died in London in June 1928. Sold with copied research, including a copied group photograph.

Pair: Private R. C. Hunter, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, attached to 2 Para in the Falklands War General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24204706 Pte. R. C. Hunter RAOC); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (24204700 Pte R C Hunter RAOC) note error in regimental number, mounted court-style but pin removed, very fine (2) £1,000-£1,400 --- R. C. Hunter is believed to have been attached to the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment during the Falklands War. Sold with several photographs, including one with Major-General Jeremy Moore and another of captured arms; ‘Sympathy and Congratulatory Signal from Chief-General-Staff’ addressed to 2 Para, dated June 1982; special edition of the Aldershot News upon the return of the Paras, July 1982; Billingham (Stockton-on-Tees) Parish magazine announcing ‘Congratulations to Mr & Mrs Hunter of 9 Finchale Avenue, on the safe return of their son, Robert from the Falklands Islands Task Force. They also have two more sons in the Army.’; and a Ministry of Defence ‘Operation Corporate Manoeuvre Map, 21 May - 14 June 1982’, showing movements of major units of 3 Cdo Bde and 5 Inf Bde on East Falkland.

Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (5373325 C. Sjt. G. C. Richards. Oxf. & Bucks.) extremely fine £70-£90 --- George Cecil Richards attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1934. He appears on the 1935 Jubilee Medal Roll for India, as Company Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion O.B.L.I., and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal without annuity per Army Order 98 of 1953.

Four: Captain E. J. V. Baumgartner, Royal Engineers, later Royal Welsh Fusiliers British War and Victory Medals (Capt. E. J. V. Baumgartner); France, Republic, Academic Society of International History (2), neck badge, 83mm including wreath suspension x 60mm, gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Medal, bronze, with rosette on riband; together with the related miniature awards, very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Eric Jocelyn Vane Baumgartner was born in Ceylon on 20 April 1887 and was educated at Bedford Grammar School. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers, he served with them during the Great War in Egypt from March 1916, before transferring to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was advanced Captain. In civilian life he was employed by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps on 14 June 1940, before resigning his commission on 3 October 1940. He changed his surname by Deed Poll to Percy on 18 October 1940, and died in Risborough, Buckinghamshire, on 6 January 1962. The circumstances concerning how he earned the French awards are not known. Sold with copied research.

Five: Private H. Williams, South Wales Borderers, who was reported missing in action in the Western Desert in June 1942, but subsequently re-joined his battalion India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (3908466 Pte. H. Williams. S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, suspension claw re-riveted on IGS, minor edge bruise, otherwise very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- Howard Williams enlisted into the South Wales Borderers on 21 August 1933, and he is confirmed on the medal roll for the India General Service Medal with the North West Frontier 1936-37 clasp, but entitlement to the North West Frontier 1937-39 clasp has not been confirmed. He was discharged to the Army Reserve in 1939, but was recalled for service in the Second World War, and served in the Western Desert. Reported missing in action on 21 June 1942, he subsequently re-joined his unit.

Four: Guardsman C. R. Gatenby, Coldstream Guards 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (2652345 Gdsm. C. R. Gatenby. C. Gds.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £60-£80

‘I was particularly pleased and proud to hear the splendid news of your thoroughly well-deserved Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and very much wanted to drop you a line to send you my most heartfelt congratulations. To say that I am full of admiration for your truly exceptional courage, initiative and endurance, not to mention your selfless commitment to protect your comrades, is a serious understatement.’ (HRH The Prince of Wales in a letter dated 8 October 2013) The outstanding ‘Afghanistan 2013’ C.G.C. group of five awarded to Corporal J. E. H. Griffiths, 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment, late Cheshire Regiment, who, having suffered a broken back and shrapnel fragments to his face in a bomb attack at Camp Folad, Helmand, Afghanistan in 2013, attended to other wounded men first despite his own debilitating injuries before confronting a party of insurgents which had entered the base throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons - dressed in light fatigues without protective equipment, he found a light machine-gun and engaged the enemy in a prolonged close range fire fight, thus allowing the wounded to be evacuated before leading an assault on the insurgents and clearing them from the base, only afterwards accepting medical treatment for his wounds, the seriousness of which necessitated his evacuation to the U.K. Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, E.II.R. (Cpl. J. E. H. Griffiths Mercian 25230885 2013) with its Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25230885 Pte J E H Griffiths Cheshire); Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (25230885 Pte J E H Griffiths Mercian); Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (LCp. J E H Griffiths Mercian 25230885); Jubilee 2012, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (5) £100,000-£120,000 --- C.G.C. London Gazette 4 October 2013. The original recommendation states: ‘On the evening of 25 March 13, with no warning, a massive Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), tore through the outer wall of the joint Afghan National Army (ANA) and International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) base. Estimated to be made up of half a tonne of explosives, the VBIED left a 40m gap in the perimeter wall, exposing the base to a well organised and complex attack. The cookhouse, where Corporal Griffiths and his fellow soldiers had been eating their evening meal was destroyed as was the operations room, which had been hit by 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs); resulting in casualties. Realising that a small number of determined insurgents had already gained entry into the patrol base and were less than 50m away from him and the other casualties, despite being seriously injured and wearing no protective equipment, Griffiths rallied the dazed soldiers around him. Armed with a light machine gun that he had grabbed in the chaos, Griffiths faced down the enemy who were throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons, placing himself and one other soldier between the casualties and the insurgents. His immediate actions halted the insurgents at the northern wall of the base, allowing the casualties from the initial explosion to be extracted. As other uninjured soldiers began to arrive, Griffiths who could have stepped back to receive treatment for his injuries, shrugged off his injuries and aided by the Sergeant Major, led a small team of soldiers as they charged forward in order to secure the base. Griffiths’ actions certainly saved the lives of his wounded comrades and contributed significantly to the successful defence of the base.’ Josh Edward Hayden Griffiths from Eastham, Wirral, Merseyside joined the British Army in September 2006. Having served previously in Afghanistan as well as Iraq and Northern Ireland, Griffiths was deployed with C Company (Cheshire), 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment to Afghanistan as part of Herrick 17 on 6 October 2012. On 25 March 2013 at ISAF Patrol Camp Folad, Nad-e Ali, Helmand, Afghanistan, Corporal Griffiths was 23 days from the end of his tour and preparing to eat his evening meal when a pick-up truck packed with half a tonne of explosives was driven by a suicide bomber through the wall of the base. The resulting explosion tore a 40m gap in the perimeter wall; it was the start of an attack that was to last for several hours: ‘I was thrown around as well as everyone else and the next thing I remember it was dark and I was on my back. I heard one of the lads scream out.’ The cookhouse was utterly destroyed by the blast, as was the operations room. Griffiths’ back had been broken by the blast and grenade fragments were embedded in his face, just millimetres from his left eye. He was one of fifteen casualties (of whom one later died): ‘My first instinct was to see who was hurt and help. One of the lads was shouting that another was badly injured. We had to crawl through the debris in the dark to get him out... I heard one of the lads scream out, so I approached him and helped and then I climbed out of the tent to see if there were more casualties. When I did that, there were rounds snapping past and I thought, “That's a bit close.”’ Still disorientated, dressed in a combat shirt and fatigues without protective equipment, he grabbed a light machine gun and leaving the collapsed cookhouse, he was immediately confronted with a group of insurgents inside the walls of the base launching grenades and assaulting his position with automatic weapons less than 50m from him and the other casualties: ‘The job just took over and I pushed forward... I think adrenalin kicked in. Around me there were a lot of casualties. As soon as I was out in the open air, bullets where whizzing past my head, missing me by millimetres... I turned left and there were the insurgents standing there... they were also firing rocket propelled grenades. All I could think was ‘I have to stop them or they’ll kill me and my mates... I knew my friends were in trouble so I thought I’ve got to go out there and take the fight to them before anything happens to my lads.’ For some time an intense fire fight ensued at a range of just 25m. Despite his debilitating injuries, Griffiths killed one insurgent and his immediate response halted the insurgents at the northern wall of the base, allowing his injured comrades to be extracted: ‘I thought I’ve got to stay there... rather than me getting killed or my mates getting killed I wanted to kill them first.’ Inspired by Griffiths’ instinctive courage and leadership, other uninjured British soldiers began to arrive and join the fray, launching grenades back at the insurgents. Griffiths then, having consulted with the Sergeant-Major, decided that the best way to protect the base was to lead an attack on the enemy. With utter disregard for his own safety, he and the Sergeant-Major then led a small team as they charged forward and defeated the insurgents. Only once the base was secure did Griffiths agree to step back and receive medical treatment for his wounds. It was only afterwards that he realised he not only had damaged his eye, but had also broken the fourth vertebrae in his back in the original explosion when the vehicle hit the base. He later reflected: ‘When I got taken back to Camp Bastion and was lying in a hospital bed I thought about what happened – replaying what happened in my head... I was devastated we had lost a soldier. It is an amazing honour to receive the award and I am very proud but I’d much rather it hadn’t happened and he was still with us.’ Griffiths was later evacuated back to the UK due to the seriousness of his injuries. To be sold with the following original letters and...

Six: Corporal J. Ford, Cheshire Regiment, later Sub Conductor, Indian Ordnance Department Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between second and third clasps (5325 Cpl. J. Ford. Cheshire Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5325 Serjt: J. Ford. Cheshire Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (Sub. Condr. J. Ford. I.O.D.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. Persia (W.O. Cl.1. J. Ford. I.O.D.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Staff Serjt J. Ford I.O.D.) contact marks and edge bruising to Boer War pair, these nearly very fine, the rest better (6) £300-£400

A Great War O.B.E. group of three awarded to Major D. A. D. Sewell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut: D. A. D. Sewell. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-1919 (Lieut. D. A. D. Sewell) generally very fine (3) £180-£220 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 12 December 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1920. Italian Order of the Crown, Knight London Gazette 1 April 1919. Douglas Arden Dalrymple Sewell was born at Madras, India in 1895 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 8 August 1914. Appointed Adjutant of the 7th Battalion on 26 October 1914, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 March 1915, and was wounded. He was promoted Lieutenant on 10 June 1916, and subsequently served as Adjutant of the 14th Infantry Base Depot. Seconded for service with the Tank Corps on 22 January 1917, he was promoted Staff Captain on the Military Secretary’s Staff on 6 December 1918, and promoted Temporary Major on 1 May 1919. For his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches, appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and was created a Knight of the Italian Order of the Crown. Sewell is recorded in the October 1943 Army List as Major, O.B.L.I. (Reserve of Officers), with Seniority from 29 August 1922. Having exceeded the age limit he ceased to belong to the Reserve of Officers on 18 May 1948, and died at Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1959.

Miscellaneous Third Reich Militaria An unusual grouping of an SA heart shaped gorget with one of the exterior bosses missing, chain missing, RZM tablet attached to the blue interior wool backing; A large 135mm in diameter thick cast plaque commemorating the European Youth Congress, Vienna 1942; A small leather wallet gilt blocked Motorfahrzuge Am Moritzplatz containing a small quantity of armed forces photographs and two feldpost letters; The blade, grip and pommel only of a Luftwaffe 2nd pattern dagger, the blade is in nice condition, Eickhorn stamped; and a very strangely de-nazified reproduction army dagger, these excellent reproductions made in Spain in the 1970s, generally good condition (5) £140-£180 --- Note: This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping.

A Great War ‘Western Front 1916’ M.C. and ‘Gallipoli, April 1915’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major William Callaghan, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who landed at ‘V’ Beach from the River Clyde on 25 April 1915 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘7661 R.S.M. W. Callaghan 1st R. Muns: Fus:); Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7661. S. Mjr: W. Callaghan. 1/R. Muns: Fus:); 1914-15 Star (7661. C.S. Mjr. W. Callaghan, R. Muns. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (7661 W.O. Cl.1. W. Callaghan. R. Mun. Fus.); Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7211075 W.O. Cl. 1 W. Callaghan. M.C. D.C.M. R. Mun. Fus.) mounted as worn, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (7) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1917. One of only three Warrant Officer recipients of the M.C. to the Regiment. Decoration presented on 9 January 1918. D.C.M. London Gazette 16 May 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He refused to go to hospital when wounded, and on three other occasions remained at his duty when sick. He has set a fine and gallant example.’ Annotated gazette states ‘Gallipoli, 28th April.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 May 1916 [Sir Ian Hamilton’s despatch of 11 December 1915, for Gallipoli]. William Callaghan was born on 30 July 1883, probably in London but his father Michael was originally from Tralee, County Kerry. He enlisted into the Munster Fusiliers in 1904 and joined the 1st Battalion in India, and later Rangoon, Burma, where in 1912 Callaghan was serving as Armourer Sergeant. The battalion left Burma in December 1914, being recalled to the U.K. to form part of the 86th Brigade in the newly formed 29th Division. In March 1915 the Division sailed for Alexandria and thence to Tenedos in preparation for the Gallipoli landings. C.S.M. Callaghan landed at Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. The landing was made at ‘V’ Beach from the collier River Clyde, which was beached near the village of Sedd-El-Bahr a little after 6am. The Munsters suffered heavy casualties from machine-guns and snipers, with many men drowning. The remnants took cover under a low sand bank. The landing was suspended and the Battalion was only able to land fully later that evening after dark. Overnight, elements of the battalion advanced in conjunction with the 2nd Hampshires but were soon forced to fall back. However, by 8am on the 26th, ‘Old Castle’ had been occupied and the advance through the village commenced. It was occupied despite heavy sniper fire and by 3pm the assault on Hill 141 commenced. This was captured by 4pm and by 5pm troops were taking up outpost positions extending from the left of ‘Y’ Beach to the right of Hill 141. At 6.30 on 27 April the battalion was relieved and fell back to ‘Y’ Beach, having suffered over 600 casualties. Later that day the battalion was sent to hold Lighthouse at Hill 138 and entrenched for the night. The following morning, the 28th, the battalion advanced to take over trenches and act as Reserve for 29 Division’s attack on Achi Baba. The battalion at this time became a little disorganised as small bodies of troops were detached to plug gaps in the line. On the 29th the Munsters and the Dublins advanced 1,000 yards and entrenched, beating off a Turkish counter-attack on 1st May and being relieved on the 2nd. The battalion moved up to the front line again on 4 May and on the 7th made an advance of 200 yards. A night attack was made early in the morning of the 9th and an advance of 500 yards made before enfilading fire made the position untenable and they were forced to retire. By 11 May the battalion had been reduced to 379 officers and men. Having received some reinforcements, 28 June saw the battalion attack on Bruce’s Ravine and further casualties mounting to some 159 in killed, wounded and missing. 5 July saw a heavy Turkish counter-attack while the battalion was in the Worcester Flat Trenches, which was successfully beaten off. On 16 July the survivors of the battalion were taken off from ‘Y’ Beach aboard H.M.T.B.D. Savage and headed for Mudros, only to return to ‘V’ Beach on the 21st. On 20 August, the battalion was transferred to Suvla Bay, where landings had been effected on the 6th. The following day the battalion attacked Hill 112 on the Anafarta Ridge, but the attack failed and incurred heavy casualties of 314 killed, wounded and missing. By 1 September, the battalion was in trenches on the front line but, on 8 September, were withdrawn to Imbros, returning to Suvla on the 21st. October and November were spent in the usual trench warfare and, on 14 December, the battalion evacuated Suvla Bay and landed once more at Helles. The battalion left Gallipoli for the last time on 2 January 1916, landing in Egypt and then arriving at Marseilles on 22 March 1916. Shortly after arriving on the Western Front, the battalion joined 48th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division with whom they served for the remainder of the war. R.S.M. Callaghan was awarded the Military Cross for his services with the 1st Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers in France during 1916, which included actions in the Loos salient, at Bernafay Wood on the Somme, at Ginchy, and at Messines. He was one of only three Warrant Officers in the Munsters to be awarded the Military Cross. In April 1918 the battalion was transferred to the 172nd Brigade, in 57th Division, being in the vicinity of Lille at the time of the Armistice. Callaghan remained in the Army after the war and in 1922, following the disbandment of the Munsters, transferred to the West Riding Regiment at Halifax depot. He was gazetted Lieutenant on 23 November 1926, and promoted to Captain & Quartermaster on 23 November 1934. He died while still serving in the army after complications following a routine operation in September 1936. Sold with comprehensive research including several copied images of Callaghan, one showing him wearing his medals.

A post-War 1960 Military Division B.E.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant W. R. Ryer, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached 2nd Battalion, The Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (14461821 Sgt. David W. R. Ryer, R.E.M.E.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (14461821 Sgt. D. W. R. Ryer. B.E.M. REME.) mounted for wear, light contacts marks overall, and edge cut to last, very fine (4) £200-£240 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 3 June 1960. The original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Ryer joined the army in 1945 in the RASC. In 1946 he saw service in Greece and continued to serve with the Middle East Land Forces until September 1949. He was promoted Cpl in September 1948 and Sgt a year later. He returned to the United Kingdom in September 1949. He voluntarily transferred to the REME in 1951, and came to Nigeria in August 1953 serving with Nos 1 and 3 Command Wksps before joining this battalion in March 1954. Since then he has twice extended his service to enable him to complete the task which he had set himself of making his Nigerian successors completely competent in their duties before he leaves them to manage their own affairs. Sergeant Ryer is in charge of the technical repair and maintenance of all vehicles and other mechanical equipment on charge to 2nd Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment. His untiring energy, and will to succeed, with which he has infected his subordinates, has improved the standard of vehicle mastership in this unit beyond recognition. It is due to his efforts, and his alone, that a very high standard has been attained despite tremendous difficulties caused by the steady reduction in the amount of European assistance and supervision available. At the same time as making this great contribution to day to day administration Sgt Ryer has devoted practically all the very little spare time left to him to instructing Nigerian NCOs and other ranks in their technical duties. This has gradually lead to the assumption of responsibilities by his subordinates so successfully that a very high standard can now be maintained in his absence. The admiration and respect which he has gained among Nigerian NCOs and other ranks, and the sound grounding he has given them by his untiring efforts for the later managing of their own affairs, is worthy of the best traditions of the Colonial Forces and deserving of the highest recognition.’

Four: Warrant Officer Class 2 R. J. S. Batchelor, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (19054315 Cfn. R. G. S. Batchelor. R.E.M.E.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (19054315 W.O. Cl. 2. R. J. S. Batchelor. REME.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (19054315 W.O. Cl. 2. R. J. S. Batchelor. REME.) mounted for wear, number officially corrected on last, very fine (4) £160-£200

1914 Star (No. 9363 2/Gde. Ward Servant Manuel (A.H.C.)); 1914-15 Star (No. 13273/Cl. S.A.S./ Sardar Khan, I.M.D.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (3) (2438 Br. Bagga Khan, A.B.C.; 7740 W-Servt. Bhullan, A.H.C.; S.A.S. Ghulam Dast Gin Khan, I.M.D.) generally nearly very fine (5) £120-£160 --- Manuel and Bhullan served with the Army Hospital Corps; Sardar Khan and Ghulam Dast Gin Khan with the Indian Medical Department; and Bagga Khan served with the Army Bearer Corps.

Five: Warrant Officer Class 2 B. Whiteley, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Arabian Peninsula (2547211 Sjt. B. Whiteley. R.E.M.E.) unofficial retaining rod between clasps; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2547211 w. o. cl. 2. B. Whiteley. R.E.M.E.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (2547211 W. O. Cl. 2. B. Whiteley. REME.) mounted for wear, with (2) named identity discs, generally very fine or better (5) £360-£440

Four: Captain T. J. Mackie, Royal Army Medical Corps 1914-15 Star (Capt. T. J. Mackie. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. T. J. Mackie.); Coronation 1937, unnamed, the first three mounted as worn, together with mounted set of four miniatures, nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- Sold with a George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, hallmarked silver prize medal 1913 (”Cockburn” House Team Cpl. J. H. Mackie) and five various British Medical Association medals, including three with ‘Vice President’ top suspension bars and two with ‘Pathology & Bacteriology’ bars, variously dated 1924, 1927 and 1932, these all unnamed.

Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Dickson, 1st Sikh Infantry, late 33rd Bengal Native Infantry Sutlej 1845-46, for Ferozeshuhur 1845, 1 clasp, Sobraon (Ensign J: C: Dickson 33rd. Regt. N:I:); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Captn. I. C. Dickson, 1st. Sikh Infy.) good very fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: George McIlroy Collection. John Chadwick Dickson was born in India on 8 June 1817, the son of Lieutenant Job Dickson, 67th Foot, and was educated at Abbey School, Tipperary. He was commissioned Ensign on 7 April 1842, and arriving in India on 8 August of that year, he was posted to the 33rd Bengal Native Infantry, and saw action during the First Sikh War, being present at the actions of Ferozeshuhuh and Sobraon. Promoted Lieutenant on 11 May 1846, he served in the capacity of Commandant of Depot at Jullander and commanded all troops called from leave to serve with the expedition commanded by Generals Littler and Wheeler against Shaikh Namoodeen and joined that force on line march in 1846 (received thanks of Government). Dickson volunteered to serve with 66th Goorkhas when on sick leave at Nynetal in 1857, and received the thanks of Captain Garsteen, then commanding a wing of the 66th Goorkhas, as per Regimental Orders of 24 June 1857. Promoted Captain on 1 July 1857, he volunteered from the Goorkhas to the Nynetal Infantry Volunteers and from there to the Nynetal Cavalry Volunteers, and served in the force under Captain Maxwell against the Rohilcund rebel force in the action of Huldwanee. He kept the pass at Kealeedgunge with a force of two guns and a small infantry detachment for a considerable time during Brigadier Causland’s absence from the Camaroon Division. Dickson next volunteered his services (when en route to join his Regiment) to Colonel L. Strange, commanding at Landour, and took command of the force, then consisting of Europeans, Goorkhas, Sikh Cavalry and two guns, guarding the Ghauts at Hurdwar and Henekur whilst awaiting the arrival of General Jones. He then volunteered for service in the Rohilcund campaign and joined the 1st Sikh Infantry on 15 April 1858 - joining the force then marching against the Rohilcund rebels he was placed in command of a detachment consisting of two companies of the 1st Sikh Infantry, and performed skirmishing duty with this unit during the entire Rohilcund campaign, being present at the actions and recapture of the cities of Nuzeeraba, Bareilly and Bedewan, and the relief of Shahjehanpore. Finally, he saw service in the expedition against the remaining rebel forces in Nepal and on the frontier as part of Brigadier Holdwich’s Nepal Frontier Field Force, where he commanded a Wing of the Mynpooree Levy. Dickson was promoted Major on 7 April 1868, and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 7 April 1870. He died at Shillong on 16 May 1872. Sold together with a photographic image of a portrait of the recipient; and a copy of the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research, Autumn 1973, which contains an article on the recipient.

Four: Company Quarter Master Sergeant F. Dawes, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for Salonika in 1918 1914-15 Star (16929 C.Q.M. Sjt. F. Dawes. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (16929 C. Sjt. F. Dawes. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (16929 C.Q.M. Sjt. F. Dawes. 8 Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) good very fine (4) £160-£200 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918. Frank Dawes attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 September 1915. He subsequently served in Salonika and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for ‘Devotion to duty’, before transferring to the Army Reserve.

Pair: Colonel V. Birch, 9th Bombay Native Infantry, who was present at the capture of Tantia Tope Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Ensign V. Birch, 9th. Bombay N.I.); Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Major V. Birch, 9th. Bo. N.I.) mounted as worn and housed along with a 9th Bombay Native Infantry brooch badge with Battle Honours for Seringapatam, Mooltan, Punjab, and Afghanistan 1879-80 in a velvet backed oval glazed display frame, light contact marks, nearly extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Spink Numismatic Circular, 1975. Valentine Birch was born in Warwickshire on 26 April 1837 and was nominated for service in the Honourable East India Company’s Army by Sir Henry Rawlinson, K.C.B. He was commissioned Ensign on 20 August 1857 and served with the Bombay Native Infantry during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, being present in the action at Ambapawnee; with Colonel Somerset’s Brigade in pursuit of the rebels under Tantia Tope in 1858-59; with Major Meade’s force in the Padrone jungles in 1859; and was present at the capture of Tantia Tope. Promoted Lieutenant on 25 April 1858, Captain on 20 August 1869; and Major on 20 August 1877, Birch saw further service during the Second Afghan War in 1880, and served with the regiment in the campaign until invalided on 2 November 1880, being present at the skirmishing in the Khojak Pass. The Afghan Campaign of 1878-80 by S. H. Shadbolt gives the following details: ‘The 9th Bombay Native Infantry, under command of Major V. Birch, left Bombay on 4 February 1880 and arrived at Karachi on 7 February, where it remained as part of the reserve division of the Kandahar Field Force until 11 July. On 27 August Major Birch with a detachment of 157 men marched for Chaman and then pushed onto Gatai, a post which in common with all the other posts between Chaman and Kandahar had been abandoned after the disaster of Maiwand.’ Birch was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 20 August 183 and Colonel on 20 August 1887. He died in Bombay on 28 January 1891. Note: There are four officers listed under the 9th Bombay Native Infantry for the Indian Mutiny Medal, and Ensign Birch’s name is not among them. The Army List shows that upon his arrival in India he was attached to the 1st Bombay Native Infantry, who as a unit did not qualify for the medal. However, the service statements above show that he was actively engaged and qualified, and joined his parent regiment as a Lieutenant on 25 April 1859. Intriguingly when the medal issued, it was named to him as an Ensign in the 9th Bombay Native Infantry. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.

Three: Private R. Saunders, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, late Household Battalion and Grenadier Guards British War and Victory Medals (1591 Tpr. R. Saunders. Household Bn.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (5376202 Pte. R. Saunders. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Robert Saunders attested on 4 November 1916 and served overseas with the Household Battalion, subsequently transferring to the Grenadier Guards. He appears on the Silver War Badge Roll as entitled to the badge when serving with the Grenadier Guards. He was discharged from the Reserve Battalion, the Grenadier Guards on 28 January 1919, due to wounds, receiving Silver War Badge No. B.95594. Post-War he served in the Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal in Army Orders, February 1933. Sold together with a Household Battalion oval cap / sleeve badge (K.C.) with two lugs.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Ensign. M. Millett, 42nd. Highlanders) minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine £600-£800 --- Provenance: George McIlroy Collection. Montague Millett was born at Droxford, Hampshire, on 14 March 1840, the son of Charles Millett, Esq., of the China Civil Service, and was educated at Rugby School. Nominated for the Honourable East India Company’s Army, he was Commissioned Ensign on 4 September 1857, and arrived in India on 16 October 1857, aged 17. Attached to the 42nd Royal Highlanders, he served with them at the action of Khooda Gunge, near Futtygurgh under Lord Clyde; the affair of Shumshahbad under Brigadier Sir Adrian Hope; the Siege and Capture of Lucknow in March 1858; the attack on Fort Rooyeah under Brigadier Sir Hugh Walpole; the action at Allygunge; the attack and capture of Bareilly; and the engagement at Sissa Ghat, in Philbeet Jungles under Sir H. Walpole. Millett was subsequently appointed Duty Officer Kumaon Levy on 27 July 1859, and served there until its disbandment in 1861. He was later Barrack Master at Gondah, Lucknow, before being appointed to the 16th Native Infantry on 22 April 1864, transferring to the 6th Native Infantry on 6 June 1864. Promoted Captain on 24 April 1868, he later served as Assistant District Superintendent of Police in the Delhi, Kurnal and Rohtuck Districts. Millett was promoted Major on 5 October 1874; Lieutenant-Colonel on 31 October 1875; and Colonel in the 43rd Native Infantry (as the 6th Native Infantry was also numbered) on 1 July 1881. He retired with the honorary rank of Major-General on 1 January 1893, and died at Mooltan on 27 February 1901. Note: On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny the Cadets of the H.E.I.C. Forces, mostly boys of sixteen or seventeen (including Millett), known universally throughout India as ‘Griffins’ or ‘Little Griffs’, were attached to various British Regiments, as most of the units they were to have joined, had mutinied. They are not to be found in the British Army Lists of the period, and are only traceable through the East India Registers. Sold with copied research, including details of the work of the moveable Christian Mission that was set up by the recipient.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (1275. Cr: Sjt: W. Croft. Vl. Co: Oxfd: L.I.) engraved naming, date clasp unofficially affixed and lacking top lugs, good very fine £120-£160 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901: ‘For having rendered special and meritorious service.’ William Croft was a regular soldier and was awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1895. He was appointed to the Volunteer Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry for service in the South African War; he was later appointed to be Permanent Staff Instructor to 1st Buckinghamshire Rifle Volunteers. For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch. He was discharged on 15 January 1902, aged 48 years and 7 months. Following the outbreak of the Great War he re-enlisted into the 2nd/1st Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry in October 1914, and was re-numbered 2762. He saw home service only and was appointed to be Warrant Officer Class II (Company Sergeant Major) on 29 January 1915. He was discharged in February 1916, in order to be appointed Barrack Warden, Chelmsford and District.

Pair: Colour Sergeant W. Stait, 23rd Foot, who was awarded the French Legion of Honour for his gallantry at the Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854 Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2465. Cr. Serjt. Wm. Stait, 1st. Bn. 23rd. Foot) reverse struck approximately 10 degrees off true, suspension claw repinned; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, 63mm including crown suspension x 41mm, silver, gold, and enamel, poincon mark to tassel, minor enamel damage to last, nearly very fine (2) £240-£280 --- William Stait was born in Warwick in 1825 and attested for the 23rd Foot in October 1843. Promoted Corporal in 1847, and Sergeant in 1848, he served with the Regiment in the Crimea (entitled to a 3 clasp Crimea Medal), and was awarded the French Legion of Honour (London Gazette 4 August 1856). It seems likely that this was for his action at the Alma: ‘Sergeant William Stait, who was close beside his Colonel, remained alone with the body under very heavy fire for some time after the regiment fell back, until he was able to carry the Colonel’s body to the rear and hand it over to the surgeon. This act was performed in the immediate presence of the enemy, and evinced great courage as well as devotion to his commander. Throughout the siege Sergeant Stait also displayed on occasions great zeal, coolness and courage.’ Stait was promoted Colour Sergeant in 1857, and saw further service in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny (entitled to a 2 clasp Indian Mutiny Medal). He was was discharged on 22 October 1864, after 21 years’ service, and died in Winchester in 1876.

The mounted group of six miniature dress medals worn by Captain J. W. Stephens, Lincolnshire Regiment Queen’s Sudan 1896-98; British War Medal 1914-20; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. [sic]; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, The Atbara, mounted as worn, with some of the ribands having subsequently been replaced, good very fine and better (6) £80-£100 --- John William Stephens was born in Clontarf, Dublin, in 1870 and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment at Dublin on 26 May 1892. Advanced Sergeant on 9 May 1896, and appointed Orderly Room Sergeant on 24 February 1898, he served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan from 4 February to 8 July 1897, and again from 8 October 1897 to 7 November 1898, taking part in the Nile Expedition of 1898 and being present at the Battle of the Atbara, 8 April 1898. Proceeding to India on 8 November 1898, he served for the next 12 years in the sub-continent, being advanced Quartermaster Sergeant on 28 November 1903, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with Gratuity on 1 October 1910. He is also confirmed as having received the Delhi Durbar Medal 1911. After nearly two years in Aden he returned home on 1 November 1912, and was discharged at Portsmouth on 25 May 1913, after 21 years’ service. He served with the Lincolnshire Regiment and subsequently with the Indian Defence Corps at home and in India during the Great War (entitled to a British War Medal only), and was finally awarded his Meritorious Service Medal per Army Order 187 of 1941. For the recipient’s full sized awards, and the recipient’s son’s miniature awards, see Lots 277 and 640.

Six: Warrant Officer Class 2 H. N. Budd, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (2547215 W. O. Cl. 2. H. N. Budd. REME.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Malay Peninsula (2547215 W. O. Cl. 1. H. N. Budd. REME.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (2547215 W. O. Cl. 2. H. N. Budd. REME.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2547215 W. O. Cl. 2. H. N. Budd. R.E.M.E.) mounted for wear, very fine (6) £360-£440

Four: Major A. J. Gornall, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, G.VI.R., Cyprus (847670 W. O. Cl. 2. A. J. Gornall. R.E.M.E.) unofficial retaining rod between clasps; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (847670 W. O. Cl. 1. A. J. Gornall. R.E.M.E.) mounted for wear, generally very fine £80-£100 --- Albert James Gornall initially served in the ranks, and advanced to Warrant Officer Class I prior to being commissioned Lieutenant in the R.E.M.E. in March 1957. He advanced to Major in January 1967.