Second World War Prisoner of War interest: a fascinating and scarce archive of original documents, medals, and secondary ephemera preserved by the late Lieutenant Ernest Boyes Lee, Royal Army Service Corps, who worked on escape maps and intelligence while a P.O.W. and was awarded the France & Germany Star in spite of having been captured by the Germans before the Dunkirk evacuation.Medals: 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal (Territorial), Elizabeth II, with second award bar (6792074 PTE. E. B. LEE. R.A.S.C.), mounted for wearing, good very fine, [4]Documents and Epehmera: a large collection including escape maps, correspondence, an article written for the Bank of England's staff journal describing some of the recipient's activities in Oflag VII C Prison Camp, authority for the France and Germany Star (scarce to men taken prisoner prior to D-Day); together with a small number of badges and other personal effects. Round medal 36mm diameter Ernest Boyes Lee served with the British Expeditionary Force in France and was captured by the Germans on the 22nd May 1940. As prisoner number 319 he was interned at Oflag VII C, where from early 1941 he began to receive letters from a friend giving news of the War in coded form, which he was able to disseminate to the other prisoners. The content of the letters appeared harmless to censors, concerned with social matters and trivial seeming news from home; but the writer included allusions to unknown persons and inexplicable events and Lee soon perceived that these were cryptic references to the progress of the war. As Lee himself explains in "Gepruft", a 1951 article for the staff journal of the Bank of England:"T. continued to write regularly. Letter by letter he built up a framework...the key to many of the clues was beyond the reach of all except T's intimate friends...others were simple anagrams or in the form of crossword clues."Examples included imaginary racehorses: "Pike Cave, a filly lacking pace" (Kiev); and "my boy-friend has dumped any amount of luggage personelly [sic] at my home" (an encouraging reference to the build-up of U.S. forces prior to the allied invasion of Europe).Lee was transferred to Oflag VII B late in the same year, where a smuggled radio provided news of the outside world, augmented by ongoing letters. He also took part in the production of escape maps, of which a number are included with this lot. In 1945, with the Allies closing in, the Germans began forced marches of prisoners of war to try and keep them out of the hands of the liberating forces. It is at this point that Lee's story coincides with that of Lieutenant Colonel William Douglas Baird Thompson, D.S.O., M.C.Lt. Col. Thompson, who had been commissioned from the ranks into the Durham Light Infantry in 1915, was decorated for gallantry in action at Arras in 1917 (M.C.) and during the German offensive of March 1918. He was furthermore awarded the French Croix de Guerre for participating in the capture of 85 German soldiers at Cuitron in July 1918. Like Ernest Boyes Lee he was captured by the Germans before the Dunkirk evacuations.On the 14th April 1945 the Germans attempted to march a large party of Allied prisoners from Oflag VII B to Berchtesgaden, where it was intended that they be held as hostages. This failed when the column was mistakenly attacked by American P-47 Thunderbolts, killing 12 and injuring 40. Thompson initiated a retreat to the camp, and his orders were confirmed by the Germans. On the evening of the 15th the prisoners set off on a second march that led, by the night of the 23rd, to Stalag VII A at Moosburg in Bavaria. The following day Thompson was confirmed in command of the British forces, which he put on an operational footing, freeing Russian prisoners from the cells at Moosburg, and securing a bridge for the use of the advancing U.S. forces. Although many senior Germans, including the camp commandant and the mayor of Moosburg, were keen to capitulate peacefully, other elements, such as the S.S Division Charlemagne, were not; and in the confused situation that followed the surrender of the Commandant, there was fighting in the vicinity of the camp. Thompson stated that on the 29th April "First tanks of the 14 Am Div US Army broke through the Kommandantur, certain amounts of firing within the camp, Able to arm guards and piquets."It was in recognition of these operational services that the prisoners who served under Thompson's command, Ernest Boyes Lee among them, were deemed eligible for the France and Germany Star.
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A pair of medals to recipient in the London Irish Rifles who was killed in action during the German Sprong Offensive in March 1918. British War and Victory medals,”6146 PTE J.T. GRIFFITHS 18-LOND. R.” James Thomas Griffiths was born in Cardiff but living in Dover, Kent when he enlisted. He served in France with 18th (County of London) Battalion (London Irish Rifles) from 1st September 1916 until his death in action on 21st March 1918. Renumbered as 593368 he is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
WW1 British War Medal 1917 Casualty Middlesex Regiment, British War medal, “2505 PTE. F. PREBE MIDD’X R.” Frank Prebe from Rosebury Gardens, Harringay attested for service on 1st September 1914. He landed in France on 12th March 1915 with the 1/7th Battalion Middlesex Regiment and was killed in action on 3rd May 1917 aged 23 years. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
A white metal medal, obverse with the sun disappearing behind a terrestrial globe beneath 'Defectum Lvumine Vidit', reverse two soldiers playing dice with tokens representing possessions, the soldier on the left with Mons, Rusel and Dornic, the other has Arras and Paris, Douay being passed from one to the other. 44 mm, c. 29.80 g. Eimer 444. With old catalogue cuttings. *CR Marking to both surfaces.
A Queen's South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Laing's Nek and Belfast clasps named to 1417 Pte J. H. Slaytor 1. Leic R.' Slaytor is recorded as being entitled all three of these clasp. He may well have been the Sergeant James Henry Slaytor who was killed in action during the Great War on the 7th September 1916 whilst serving with the 9th Battalion of the Essex Regiment, if so he will also have been entitled to a 1915 Trio. That this is the same man is encouraged by the fact that he was 45 years old when he died and his parents are recorded ads being from Leicester and he was married to Margaret of Sutton in the Elms, Broughton Astley, Leicester, he is buried in Arras, his headstone reads 'Gone but not forgotten'. *CR Renamed or corrected naming, bruising to rim and marking to surface.
Three: Private E. Leach, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of the Scarpe on 18 August 1918 British War Medal 1914-20, naming erased; Victory Medal 1914-19 (275332 Pte. E. Leach. Manch. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (275332 Pte. E. Leach. Manch. R.) mounted court-style for display, some spotting to VM, good very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Ernest Leach was born at Openshaw, Manchester, in 1889 and was one of those who volunteered for service in early September 1914, for service in the 7th (Territorial) Battalion, Manchester Regiment. He was posted to 2/7th (Home Service) Battalion and served on the East Coast Defences at Crowborough and Colchester. The battalion was mobilised for overseas service in February 1917, and he landed in France on 5 March 1917. Leach was posted to the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment following the reduction of the 2/7th Battalion, Manchester Regiment on 31 July 1918. His new battalion took part in the Battle of the Aisne, and the Battle of the Scarpe, a phase of the Second Battle of Arras, 1918. He was killed in action on 18 August 1918, and is buried at Thelus Military Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Private S. Stirland, 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the night of 23-24 October 1918 after just 12 days in France British War and Victory Medals (100973 Pte. S. Stirland. Durh. L.I.) very fine and better (2) £70-£90 --- Sydney Stirland was born in Annersley, Nottingham, in 1899, the younger son of local colliery deputy Thomas Stirland. A coal miner by occupation, Stirland initially attested for the Durham Light Infantry on 5 July 1916, his medical notes recording a scar to the neck and ‘bad’ teeth. Called up for active service on 30 May 1918, he was posted to No. 3 Depot for training and crossed the Channel to France with the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 12 October 1918. According to Durham at War, the 15th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry had been largely rebuilt by August 1918 following huge losses of men and materials on the Somme, at Arras and during the Battle of Passchendaele. In consequence, Stirland joined a unit largely made up of drafts of inexperienced young men, many of whose homes were far from County Durham. Led by similarly inexperienced officers, losses were heavy; reported missing during a night advance of some 3,000 yards, Stirland was later confirmed to have been killed. According to the recipient’s Army Service Record his mother later received his effects in a upsetting condition, evidence perhaps of the ferocious defence mounted by the Imperial German Army in the final weeks of the war. Aged 20 years, Stirland is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery in a plot of land captured by the 18th and 33rd Divisions on 26 October 1918.
Collection of WWI items to include: medal group with Queen's south Africa Medal, having clasps for South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, Transvaal, Orange Free State and Cape Colony, together with 1914-15 Star awarded to Private W H James, Sussex Yeomanry, with companion 1914-18 War Medal and 1914-19 Victory Medal, an album of black and white postcards Arras Apres Le Bombardnent, two trench art brass letter knives named to 'Audruiq 1916', needlework panel Sussex Yeomanry 1914-18, Battle Honors needlework rectangular panel 1914-18 Sussex Yeomanry and another similar Palestine etc. Sussex Yeomanry. (B.P. 21% + VAT)
A large calibre, WW1 German trench art shell case, with Royal Engineers interest. Marked ‘Sept 1917’ to the base, plus ‘Polte Magdeburg SP406’. Lobed rim, with each piece being decorated with famous battles from the era, such as Ypres, Loos, Vimy, and Arras. One side of the case is hand engraved with the Royal Engineers badge, floriate engraving, and the words ‘Souvenir of 1914 - 1918 World War’. Approximately 22cm across the top of the rim, and 23.5cm across the base. Height is 23cm. Condition: generally good and solid. Some marks and tarnish to the exterior commensurate with age and use. Some verdigris to the inside, which might suggest that it’s been used as an umbrella stand or a waste bin in the past. No holes or splits to the metal.
A MARBLE GARDEN OR ARRAS BENCH 20TH CENTURY Rectangular top on twin supports with female mask within shells decoration 48cm high, 243cm wide, 43.5cm deep Condition Report: Some weathering and wear- one edge to top chipped, bases with weathering and use wear and some loss to raised detailing. This is in three sections and not mortared or fitted together. Natural flaws and inclusions Please see additional images for visual references to condition which form part of this condition report. All lots are available for inspection and Condition Reports are available on request. However, all lots are of an age and type which means that they may not be in perfect condition and should be viewed by prospective bidders; please refer to Condition 6 of the Conditions of Business for Buyers. This is particularly true for garden related items. All lots are offered for sale "as viewed" and subject to the applicable Conditions of Business for Buyer's condition, which are set out in the sale catalogue and are available on request. Potential buyers should note that condition reports are matters of opinion only, they are non-exhaustive and based solely on what can be seen to the naked eye unless otherwise specified by the cataloguer. We must advise you that we are not professional restorers or conservators and we do not provide any guarantee or warranty as to a lot's condition. Accordingly, it is recommended that prospective buyers inspect lots or have their advisors do so and satisfy themselves as to condition and accuracy of description. If you have physically viewed an item for which you request a report, the condition report cannot be a reason for cancelling a sale. Buyers are reminded that liability for loss and damage transfers to the buyer from the fall of the hammer. Whilst the majority of lots will remain in their location until collected, we can accept no responsibility for any damage which may occur, even in the event of Dreweatts staff assisting carriers during collection.Condition Report Disclaimer
Medals (3) of 793 (627029) Driver Edward Stanley Hezekiah Simmons R.F.A. (T.F.). 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal 1914-1920, and Allied Victory Medal 1914-1918. A resident of Eltham, Southeast London. Enlisted into 2nd London Brigade RFA (TF), later retitled 281st Brigade RFA (TF). Landed in France on 3rd October 1915. Wounded at Arras on 24th April 1917 and, on recovery, joined X/51 Trench Mortar Battery on 9th April 1918. Transferred to the Labour Corps and joined 33rd Labour Company on 3rd October 1918.
WWI Diary/Journal of Col. T. B. Watson, R.A.M.C., attached 17th Field Ambulance B.E.K. France, Ypres/Somme, Covering the period: March 22 1915 to April 3rd 1916; and containing many personal notes and newspaper clippings for most of the theatres of war and countries. Some of the subjects covered: German atrocities, British POWs, wounded, captured Germans, spies, U-boats, promotions, VC winners, individual accounts of battles at Gallipoli, attacks on shipping and installations, Royal Flying Corps exploits, Etc. PLUS: A Military photograph album, France and Germany, April to Sept. 1919; Boulogne, Coblenz, Cologne, Etaples, Calais, Arras, Siegburg (Lancashire Division Horse Show and Gymkhana August 1919), Bethune, etc., and including two pages of signatures. Covers worn and pages detached (2)
WW1 military interest - a collection of First World War Official War Photographs postcards, Valentine's Aircraft Recognition cards, and French Cartes Postales, issued by the Daily Mail. The lot to include post cards from Battles Pictures series 1, series 5, series 4 etc. Depicting scenes of trench warfare, ruins across France including Monfaucon, Reims, Fort de Vaux, Monts de Champagne and Villes-sur-Tourbe. Including a 1915 woven silk scene of the ruins at Arras in a post card mount. Just over 100 postcards in lot.
WWI Military Medal trio and ephemera; a Military Medal awarded to 65502 Bombadier J Todd 135 Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, also with the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, included are sweetheart silks, gifts from France, correspondence from officers and friends of Mr J Todd, many photos of him and his comrades prior to active service and whilst on active service, a trench map of France sheet 51b NW edition 9.Cap badges, collar dogs and buttons, his regimental tie and many other interesting items of the period. Provenance: On Friday the 18th January 1918 in Xlll Corps Routine Orders line 1342 reads Honours and Awards: The Corps Commander has awarded the Military Medal to 65502 Bombardier J Todd, RGA for Gallantry and devotion to duty in repeatedly repairing and maintaining telephone lines under heavy hostile shell fire.135 Siege Battery saw action at the Battle of the Somme, Battle of Arras, The German Spring Offensive, and the Hundred days offensive. The Garrison's Headquarters was in Tynemouth and they deployed to the Western Front in the Summer of 1916.Mr J Todd survived the war and was able to represent his unit at wreath laying ceremonies which can be seen in some of the photographs included in this lot.
Family Group: A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Major J. Leckie, Machine Gun Corps, who died of wounds on 29 August 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. Leckie.) extremely fine Three: Captain R. W. Leckie, Royal Field Artillery British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. W. Leckie.); Defence Medal, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, contact marks, very fine (6) £800-£1,000 --- M.C. London Gazette, 3 June 1918. M.I.D. London Gazette, 25 May 1917. John Leckie was born in Edinburgh on 10 June 1891. He attended George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, from 1897 to 1908, afterwards attending Edinburgh University, where, as a member of Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps, he was commissioned into the South Staffordshire Regiment in June 1915, for service during the Great War. Transferring into the Machine Gun Corps, he served on the Western Front from 1 July 1916 and was attached to the 56th Division, with whom he fought on the Somme, at Arras and Cambrai, and was four times wounded. Advanced Major, he was further wounded before Bullecourt and died of wounds on 29 August 1918. He is buried in Bac-Du-Sud British Cemetery, Bailleulval, France. Robert Westlands Leckie, older brother of the above, was born in Edinburgh on 22 February 1887. He attended George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, before New College and Edinburgh University, where he joined the Edinburgh University Officer Training Corps and was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery in September 1914 for service during the Great War. According to the Watsonian War Record, he served in Egypt and Salonika before serving on the Western Front in 1917 where he was wounded the following December. Later appointed Royal Artillery Education Officer at Forth Garrison, he was advanced Temporary Captain in June 1919. Post-War, he was ordained into the United Free Church, taking Holy Orders in Edinburgh, where he later died in 1968. Sold with copied research.
Three: Private C. Clark, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who died of pneumonia in Syria on 26 November 1918 British War and Victory Medals (37281 Pte. C. Clark. Essex R.); Memorial Plaque (Clarence Clarke [sic]) the plaque pierced with four holes around edge (three subsequently plugged), therefore fine; the pair nearly extremely fine British War Medal 1914-20 (1569 Pte. O. G. King. Essex. R.) good very fine (4) £80-£100 --- Clarence Clarke was born in Skipton, Yorkshire, and attested for the Army Service Corps at Keighley. Transferring to the Essex Regiment, he served with the 5th Battalion in the Egyptian theatre of War, and died of pneumonia in Syria on 26 November 1918, presumably a victim of the influenza pandemic. He is buried in Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon. Oliver George King was born in Great Tey, Essex, in 1895 and attested for the Essex Regiment at Halstead. He served as a Corporal with the 5th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, before being discharged on termination of engagement in 1916, and subsequently re-enlisted in the regular forces, seeing further service with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front. Promoted Sergeant, he was killed in action during the attack at Monchy-le-Preux on 14 April 1917, on which date the Battalion was almost wiped out. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Sold with copied Medal Index Card, which shows that King’s British War and Victory Medals should have been issued with the rank of Sergeant; why it shows Private is presumably due to an error at the Mint.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4606 Pte. J. Warren. 5/Lcrs.) very fine £500-£700 --- William John Warren was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, and attested for the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers at Canterbury in January 1895. He served with the Regiment in India from November 1896 to March 1898, and in South Africa between March 1898 and July 1900 and October 1901 and April 1902. One of the two squadrons of the regiment present at Elandslaagte took part in the famous charge on 21 October 1899. As the Boers mounted their horses and started to retreat, the 5th Lancers charged them three times as darkness was setting in. Many Boers were cut down and two field guns were captured, with total enemy casualties of around 350. Warren was discharged on 27 January 1907, having served for 12 years with the Colours. Warren resided in Holloway, London after service and re-engaged with his old regiment at Highbury during the Great War. He served with the Regiment on the Western Front (entitled to BWM and VM), and was killed in action aged 41 during the first day of the Second Battle of Arras on 9 April 1917. Private Warren is buried in the Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais, France. Sold with copied research.
LARGE COLLECTION LATE 19TH C. PHOTOGRAPHS, almost exclusively by French photographer Paul Robert (1866-1898), with architectural images of La Rochelle, Arras, Beaucaire, Grenoble and other French town/cities and chateaux, mostly with blind stamp 'Paul Robert, Paris, lower left, (approx. 30)Provenance: private collection CardiffComments: loose, unframed, various conditions, thin paper
First World War history. A collection of eleven Illustrated Michelin Guides to the Battle-Fields (1914-1918). The lot comprising three copies of Arras Lens-Douai and the Battles of Artois, Rheims and the Battles for its Possession, The Yser and the Belgian Coast, Battlefields of the Marne 1914 I The Ourco Chantilly - Senlis - Meaux, The Somme Volume I, Amiens before and During the War, Lille Before and During the War, Ypres and the Battles of Ypres, and the Marne Battlefields 1914. All in original wraps or cloth bindings, occasional bumping & marks to boards, ownership inscriptions etc. 8vo.
Viscount Montgomery (son of WW2 leader) signed 1997, Great War Arras and Vimy Ridge cover GW34. Set with Biography and French Vimy stamps on A4 Page with corner mounts so can easily be removed if required. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
* Screen. A large wooden room divider, late 18th century, a large 4-part hinged wooden room divider, the panels joined with leather (partially perished) and re-inforced with later metal hinges, the front panels decorated with a large mid-17th century etched and engraved hand-coloured map by N. Cochin of the Siege of Arras, the map on sixteen conjoined sheets consisting of a panorama and a siege map, the margins decorated with separately printed floriate strips, with the title excised and pasted along the base, the title reads "Le Siege D'Arras Leve par la Deffaite des Ennemis, 1654", varnished overall, slight surface abrasion and staining, the reverse of the panels with a plain paper design with separately printed borders, each panel 1920 x 530 mm, overall size approximately 1920 x 2125 mmQTY: (1)NOTE:RCIN 723105. An aerial view and prospect of the siege of Arras. The city was besieged by the Spanish, commanded by Louis de Bourbon, the Prince de Condé (1621-86) from 3 July to 25 August 1654, during the Franco-Spanish War (1635 - 59). The Spanish were defeated in battle on 25 August 1654 by a French relief army under the command of Henri de la Tour d'Auvergne (1611-75). This example retains the separately printed title which is pasted along the base of the image. The word 'Defaite' in this title panel is spelt with two 'F's whereas the title in the Museum of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France copy contains only one 'F'. The Museum's copy also retains the columns of letterpress text, (in French and Latin) which were pasted to the vertical margins, with a further eight columns (two blank) of text pasted along the lower border.
Range of Silk Christmas, Greetings & Postcards, some military, including Christmas (x6), Arras 1915 Illustrated, To My dear Wife From Your Loving Husband, To My Dear Wife, To My Dear Baby, To My Dear Little Girl, Home Sweet Home, To My Dear Love, Never Say Die, Happy Christmas War 1914.16, Forget Me Not, Greetings From France, 1918 Souvenir From France, Sincere Birthday Wishes, total quantity 19. Plus four further postcards war related.
François Bonvin (Vaugirard 1817-1887 Saint-Germain-en-Laye)Nu féminin huile sur toile marouflé sur panneauoil on canvas laid down on board65 x 39.8cm (25 9/16 x 15 11/16in).Footnotes:ProvenancePrivate Collection, ArrasPrivate CollectionLiteratureG.P. Weisberg, Bonvin, 1979, n. 85, (ill. p. 202).For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
Family Group: Three: Corporal B. B. McLaren, Royal Engineers, who served at Gallipoli and died in Malta on 21 June 1915 1914-15 Star (72231 2. Cpl. B. McLaren. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (72231 2. Cpl. B. McLaren. R.E.) some polish residue, very fine Pair: Corporal J. E. McLaren, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 27 March 1918 British War and Victory Medals (4841 Pte. J. E. McLaren. K.O.Y.L.I.) very fine (5) £120-£160 --- Bernard David McLaren, a G.P.O. lineman from York, was born in 1881 at Willbery, North Riding of Yorkshire. He attested into the Territorial Force in August 1914 and transferred to the Royal Engineers, with whom he served in Gallipoli from 29 April 1915. Having fallen ill, he was evacuated to Malta, where he died on 21 June 1915. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemeterey, Malta. Joseph Edwin McLaren, younger brother of the above, attested into the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front with the 1/5th Battalion and was killed in action on 27 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Pair: Private A. E. Rowell, 43rd Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada, who was killed in action near Vis-en-Artois in August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (693292 Pte. A. E. Rowell. 43-Can. Inf.) together with Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (693292 Pte. A. E. Rowell) extremely fine (3) £140-£180 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Albert Edward Rowell was born at Doddington, Cambridgeshire, on 31 December 1896, and attested for the 43rd Infantry Battalion, Cameron Highlanders of Canada, at Saskatoon on 18 December 1916. He was killed in action by an enemy shell whilst his battalion was taking up new positions in the vicinity of Vis-en-Artois on the night of 27 August 1918. He is buried in Vis-en-Artois British cemetery, Haucourt, 8 miles south-east of Arras. Sold with original Memorial Scroll (Pte. Albert Edward Rowell, Canadian Infantry Bn.); card identity disc and various related badges; two studio portrait photographs; another group photograph and one of his temporary wooden grave marker; a letter home to his siblings dated just six days before he was killed; and various official correspondence concerning his death and burial.
Possibly Unique and Historically Important WWI Photographic Archive of Jack Turner, Royal Canadian Artillery, consisting of approximately 510 original photographs taken illicitly by Corporal B H (Jack) Turner, 2nd Canadian Siege Battery, Royal Canadian Artillery. The photographs portray the unit’s service at the Somme, Vimy, Hill 70, Passchendaele, Lens, Arras, Canal du Nord, Cambrai, Valenciennes, Mons, Cologne and England. The images cover daily routines, comrades, trenches, guns in action, graves, carnage in the mud, German prisoners and much more. Most of the high quality contact prints (approximately 5.7 cm. square) were processed and printed by candlelight at the Front, and his German camera and equipment were hidden in the gun limbers, he wrote home in code for more film according to his daughter. Four hundred and thirty-three prints are contained in five albums and 73 prints are loose, most have his hand-written descriptions on the reverse. Accompanying the albums are also six large format (c.25 x 27cm.) photographs processed and mounted by him post-War and a large hand-coloured (40 x 47 cm.) photograpgh of four of his comrades; His annotated copy of ‘A History of the Second Canadian Siege Battery, June 1915-May 1919’ by Harold H Simpson with several of his own and official photos added. Jack and his unit were from Prince Edward Island, Canada and after the War, Jack became a farmer returning to photography only in the 1960s when he used a shed as a darkroom for his larger prints. This grouping is probably the best photographic archive we have ever had the pleasure to bring to market, the images capture all the horrors of WW1. Front line photography is extremely rare to find as cameras were restricted in the front lines due to the fear of the horrors of trench warfare getting back home and harming the war effort. This archive is a must for any serious collector, historian or institution
A WW1 death plaque, in memory of PT. George Thomas Froud, 29275, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Died aged 28 on 30th of December 1917, son of the late George Thomas and Matilda Ann Froud, of 25 County Rd. , Maidstone, Kent. Previously wounded at the Battle of Arras, 13th April 1917, remembered with honour at Chatby War Memorial.
Grouping of WWI Memorabilia and Curios, HMS Ganges (1821-1930), Birmingham & Iron Duke timber souvenirs; Arras & Blankenberghe silver spoons. Trench art, German aircraft splinter, rivet burr from the Dreadnought ‘Thunderer’, Thames Ironworks 1910-11, RFA & Haig shot glasses and an invalid embroidered belt. (Lot)
Capt. Edgar Shamper, No.5 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, Canadian Corps Championships original aerial photos, five (c. 22cm x 18cm) of the Canadian Corps Championships/Sports Day at Tinques, near Arras, France on 1st July 1918, taken by Capt. Edgar Shamper, No.5 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, with an interview transcript of his widow Vera (nee Carter). One photo explains in his own hand how he dropped the prints to Gen. Currie while the games continued, with an original well-used Corps Championships programme; Shamper’s Trench Map of ‘Foot Hill’ including Bailleul, scale 1:20,000, showing trenches corrected to 19.6.1918.
Luftfahrt - Ballonfahrt - - Jean-François Pilatre de Rozier. La vie et les mémoires de Pilâtre de Rozier, Ecrits par lui-même, et publiés par M. T. Mit 4 Holzschnitt-Tafeln auf einem gefalteten Blatt. Paris, l'Éditeur, Belin, Bailly, Merigot, 1786. 4 Bll., 148 S. 8°. HLdr. d. 19. Jh. mit goldgepr. RTitel, Marmordeckel und -vorsätze (etwas berieben). Ohne das Frontispiz-Porträt des Autors. Mit 5 zusätzlich eingebundenen Bll. (4 vorgebunden, 1 nachgebunden) mit hs. Abschrift des späten 19. Jh. von Autographen und Archivalien der Archives Départementales in Arras und eines Autographen der Bibliothèque nationale Pilatre de Rozier betreffend. - Erste Ausgabe der Memoiren des berühmten Physikers und Ballonfahrers (1756-1785), der 1783 die erste Ballonfahrt zwischen dem Château de la Muette und der Butte aux Cailles unternahm. - Titelbl. mit zeitgen. hs. Besitzeintrag. Gutes Exemplar. Aviation - Balloon flight - With 4 woodcut plates on one folded sheet. 19th century half leather with gilt title on spine, marbled boards and endpapers (somewhat rubbed). - Without the frontispiece portrait of the author. With 5 additional bound-in fols. with autograph copies from the late 19th century of autographs and archival documents from the Archives Départementales in Arras and an autograph from the Bibliothèque nationale concerning Pilatre de Rozier. - First edition of the memoirs of the famous physicist and balloonist (1756-1785), who made the first balloon flight between the Château de la Muette and the Butte aux Cailles in 1783. - Title page with contemporary ownership inscription. Good copy.
WW2 BOB fighter pilot Barron, Norman 236 sqn signed 70th ann Battle of Arras RAF flown cover with biography details fixed to A4 page. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £5.99, EU from £7.99, Rest of World from £9.99
Postcards, Silks, 4 embroidered silks showing 3 French place names and 1 'Greetings from Balcock' in the UK. The French cards show 'Souvenir du 15th RJA Albi' with historical gentleman carrying a walking stick to the right; Arch de Triumph in the centre of vertical card and the caption 'Souvenir de Paris', and the church (vertical card) at Arras-Beffroi (mixed condition)
A Great War Western Front ‘V.C. recommendation’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal A. G. A. Harris, 3rd Dragoon Guards, for conspicuous gallantry near Monchy le Preux on 11 April 1917, on which occasion he had his hand practically severed at the wrist and was again wounded in the leg whilst attempting to deliver a message Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13272 Cpl. A. G. A. Harris. 3/D. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (GS-13272 L. Cpl. A. G. A. Harris. 3-D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-13272 Pte. A. G. A. Harris. 3-D. Gds.) very fine and better (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When carrying messages he was badly wounded twice in succession. Attempting to proceed and finding he was unable to, he crawled back and reported his condition.’ Annotated gazette states, ‘Near Monchy, 11 April 1917.’ The following recommendation for the award of the Victoria Cross was submitted on 14 April 1917, by Lieutenant-Colonel Alfred Burt, Commanding 3rd Dragoon Guards: ‘No 13272 L/Cpl Harries A. G. “B” Squadron 3rd Dragoon Guards, on 11th April 1917 at Arras, South of Monchy le Preux when sent on a message he had his right hand practically severed at the wrist but continued to try and proceed, was wounded again in the leg and crawled back to his Troop Leader to report he was unable to deliver the message. He advanced 100 yards with his arm shattered and crawled back 300 yards after being hit a second time - for V.C.’ (Battalion Ward Diary refers). Alfred George Acton Harris enlisted on 29 March 1915, and served with the 3rd Dragoon Guards in France from 17 October 1915. He was discharged on 7 November 1917, due to wounds received in action at Monchy le Preux. Sold with copied gazette notices and War Diary extracts.
A Great War ‘Arras operations’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. Walker, 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, for gallantry in the capture and defence of the village of Rouex on 23 April 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (725255 Sjt: J. Walker. 1/7 A. & S. Hdrs.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1840. Cpl. J. Walker. A. & S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (1840 A.W.O. Cl. I. J. Walker. A. & S.H.); Jubilee 1935; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (2968685 W.O. Cl. II. J. Walker. D.C.M. 7-A. & S.H); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial, with additional service clasp (2968685 W.O. Cl. II. J. Walker. D.C.M. 7-A. & S.H.) mounted court-style for display, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (7) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When all the officers had become casualties he took charge of the remains of the company and succeeded in capturing and holding a village in spite of heavy artillery and machine gun fire.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Rouex, 23 April 1917.’ James Walker was born in Glasgow in 1892 and was a machinist when he enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Territorial Force) in 1913, declaring three years’ previous service with the 7th H.L.I. He landed in France on 15 December 1914, and served with the 7th A. & S.H. throughout the War and remained in service up to the Second World War. In August 1939 he was posted to the 12th (Home Service) Battalion of the A. & S.H. Sold with good copied research including a coloured image of him wearing his D.C.M., trio and first T.A. medal.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant T. Wilson, Royal Field Artillery, who was twice wounded in action Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (103989 Cpl. -A. Sjt:- T. Wilson. D162/Bde: R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (103989. Dvr. T. Wilson, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (103989 Sjt. T. Wilson. R.A.) light contact marks, very fine (4) £700-£900 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20 August 1919. Thomas Wilson was born in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, on 30 April 1891, and having emigrated to Canada in 1908, when 18 years old, he returned to Britain and worked as a baker in North Berwick. Following the outbreak of the Great War he volunteered for service on 24 August 1915 and served during the Great War with 'D' Company,162nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, part of the 33rd Division. The Company embarked from Southampton landing in France on 13 December 1915. The 162nd Brigade first went into action on 13 February 1916 and were involved in major actions in the Battles of the Somme including the Battle of Albert (1-13 July), the Battle of Bazentin (14-17 July), and the attacks on High Wood (22 July - 7 August). Promoted Corporal on 19 February 1917, Wilson saw further action in the Arras Offensive (9-24 April), the Hindenburg Line (12 September - 12 October) and Operation Hush on the Flanders Coast. The Brigade also saw action in the 3rd Battles of Ypres (31 July - 10 November). The first award of the Military Medal to Wilson was for actions in the 3rd Battles of Ypres whilst a member of D (Howitzer) Battery. On 22 September Wilson was wounded by gas on 22 September 1917, and was awarded his first Military Medal on 4 October 1917 which was gazetted the following February. He was promoted Sergeant, and was awarded the Second Award Bar to the Military Medal for ‘Operations on the Western Front’ between October and December 1917 year. He was also awarded a Divisional Certificate for distinguished services on the 25 April 1918, during the retreat from Kemmel Ridge. He was wounded again on 2 May 1918. In May 1921, Wilson returned to Canada and settled in South Porcupine. He was awarded the British Empire Service League Canadian Legion Medal '1937-40', and remained in Ontario for the rest of his life before his death, aged 73, on 26 June 1964. He is buried in Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto. His son, Thomas Peter Wilson, served during the Second World War with 434 Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in December 1944. Sold with the recipient’s British Empire Service League Canadian Legion Medal, the reverse engraved ‘Tho’s Wilson, S. Porcupine, Br #287. 1937-40’, with top ‘Past President Branch’ riband bar; and copied research which states that Wilson requested that his Military Medal be personally presented to him by H.M. the King (although it is not clear whether this request was granted).
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal J. McQuade, 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, later Royal Dublin Fusiliers, serving with whom he was killed in action in October 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (12460 L. Cpl. J. McQuade. 2/K.O.S.B.) nearly very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916. John McQuade was born in Belfast and enlisted into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers at Glasgow. He later served with the Leinster Regiment and with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, serving with whom he was killed in action on 4 April 1917. He is commemorated by name on the Arras Memorial. Sold with copied research including Medal Index Card showing entitlement to British War and Victory Medals.
Seven: Sergeant R. Kirk, Coldstream Guards, later Corps of Military Police and 2nd Independent Parachute Brigade, who was reprimanded for shooting down a Luftwaffe plane during the Evacuation at Dunkirk, and later became a Gold Medal winning philatelist General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2656638. Gdsmn. R. Kirk. C. Gds.) number officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style for display; together with the recipient’s Dunkirk Medal, traces of verdigris to F&G Star, otherwise good very fine (8) £180-£220 --- Reginald Kirk, a native of Wincobank, near Sheffield, attested for the Coldstream Guards in 1934 for four years where he took part in the Trooping the Colour and guarding of Buckingham and St James' Palaces and the Tower of London in 1935. His unit had a rare inspection by King Edward VIII at Wellington Barracks. He served with the 3rd Battalion in Palestine in 1936, where he had a painful encounter with a scorpion. Discharged on 12 August 1938, having served in an exemplary manner, he spent a short time at Sheffield Post Office, before he was back in as a reservist in June 1939. At this time the authorities were building up the Corps of Military Police (about a 1000 Guardsmen had joined the Military Police), and Kirk followed, joining them on 2 September 1939, two days before the declaration of the War. Kirk went with the Military Police to Arras with the British Expeditionary Force on 7 September 1939. On 10 May 1940 the Germans cut off Arras and the Channel Ports. On that morning, having heard heavy gunfire, Kirk took a motorbike to escort Staff Officer Colonel Herbert to Brussels, they were stopped at the Belgian border and let through after some arguments, and returned back to Arras later going through towns which were sometimes under fire from dive bombing Stukas. ‘A few days before Dunkirk evacuation, Kirk acted on his own initiative and found himself in trouble. A flight of Stuka dive bombers flew 400 feet over the flat Belgian fields. He had kept his short Lee Enfield Mark III loaded with five rounds, he pointed it an aircraft’s length in front of one of the Stukas and fired all the rounds off at the Luftwaffe Aircraft, he hit it and it crashed into the sea, he was ecstatic but there was no commendation for Reg Kirk, in fact he was quizzed “Who told you to fire on that plane?” by the miserable Sergeant “Tombstone Joe”. He had to produce his Army Book and told “You’ll be on an Army Form B252, a charge sheet”, fortunately for him the Commanding Officer had moved on, and the process of dealing with this simply fizzled away.’ Serving in Italy in 1943 Kirk volunteered for the 2nd Parachute Brigade, to complete the War as a Paratrooper. On one occasion he was photographed as his unit landed in Salonica, Greece in late 1944 by flat bottom landing craft. Demobilised in November 1945, he transferred to the Class Z Reserve on 27 August 1946. Returning to the Sheffield Post Office, Kirk subsequently became a keen philatelist, and built up a good collection of Hong Kong stamps, followed by a collection of covers, envelopes and post-cards carried by vessels of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. At the World Philatelic Exhibition in Stockholm he was awarded a gold medal for his display of P & O covers between 1836 and 1914. Sold with copied research.
Miscellaneous Plates, some railway comprising: cast iron Tenderplate BR3 1098 dated 1954, believed to be ex Standard Class 2 Mickey Mouse 78024, broken missing corners: Fauvet Girel Paris, Arras, Lille, alloy x4; Simotra Paris, cast iron; Franco Belse, cast iron; CFMF Balbigny, France x2 brass; STS London x 4 alloy; SNCF plate stamped with class 25C; Wagon Repair Plates. (19 items)
A collection of 19th and 20th century jewellery. The jewellery to include a pair of 9ct gold cufflinks 4.6g. A Canada brooch pin. A Cherbourg ancho brooch pin. An ARRAS brooch pin with bird and leaf. A maple leaf brooch, A slide with monogram initial 'R'. All weights, measurements and sizes are approximate.
An original WWI First World War Death Plaque / Commemorative Plaque for one Robert John Jarvis. KIA during the first few days of the German Spring Offensive, in March 1918. Along with a photograph of Jarvis' grave at a War Cemetery. Robert John Jarvis was born in the 1st quarter of 1898 at Uphill, near Weston super Mare, the son of Robert William Jarvis and Mary Ellen Jarvis (née Marshall). He first features in the 1901 Census, when he was three years old and one of two children living with the family at Uphill. By the time of the 1911 Census, Robert John Jarvis was thirteen years old and at school. The family were still living at Uphill (2 Arch Villa).... (he was) The third Somerset bellringer to die during the Kaiserschlacht. 307300 Private Robert John Jarvis of the 2/7th Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment), who died of wounds on the 24th March 1918, aged 20. Jarvis was also a bellringer at Uphill (Somerset) and a member of the Bath and Wells Diocesan Association of Change Ringers. Private Robert John Jarvis died of wounds on the 24th March 1918, aged 20. He is now buried in London Cemetery, Neuville-Vitasse, south of Arras. The CWGC records available on their website show that the body of Private Jarvis was one of many graves that were concentrated at London Cemetery after the end of the war. The map co-ordinates on his burial record (51B.L.10.b.0.7) confirm that Jarvis had originally been buried in Erchin German Cemetery, which was some miles behind the German lines. (taken from: https://opusculum.wordpress.com/2018/03/24/private-robert-john-jarvis-sherwood-foresters/)
Wehrpass Dr.med. Schrader Bielefeld WK1 Teilnahme Serbien und Schlacht von Verdun. Seit 1915 Stabsarzt. 1938 Stabsarzt zur Verfügung. Orden: Militärverdienstmedaille 1910, EK 2.Klasse 1915. Recht viele Einträge: 1894 Infanterieregiment 28. -1914 Landwehr Feldlazarett 7. -1915 Kriegslazarett IV.AK. -1916 III. Infanterieregiment 24. -1916 Trainersatzabt. 7. -1916-1917 Infanterieregiment 15. -1918 Reservelazarett Bad Oyenhausen. -1918 Feldartillerieregiment 69/70. Gemäß beiliegender Bescheinigung folgende Kämpfe: -1915 Arras. -1915 Serbien. -1916 Verdun
A First World War Trench Art Dinner Gong, made from a German brass shell case, the top stamped 129 POLTE MAGDEBURG JULI 1915, and later stamped SOMME, ARRAS, LONGUEVAL, HEBUTERNE, GUEDECOURT, GAVRELLE, FRICOURT, MONCHY, YPRES, CAMBRAI, PILKEM, BOURLON, LANGEMARK, FLESQUIRES, PASCHENDALE, HAVRIN COURT, 10TH LANCASHIRE FUSILIERS XX, set with a fuse to form the suspender, now with an oak barleytwist stand with beater, shell case 24cm diameter, 23cm high, stand 64.5cm high, 50cm wide.
Badge. North Somerset Yeomanry NCO's arm badge. Good die-stamped white metal crowned star bearing ARMA PACIS FULCRA circlet and central crowned GvR cypher. Toned loops. VGC Fought at Ypres, Frezenberg, Loos, Arras, Scarpe, Amiens, Beaurevoir, Cambrai etc. PAYMENT BY BANK TRANSFER ONLY ON RECEIPT OF INVOICE
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