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Click here to subscribeRoyal Engineers 1922 Pattern Other Ranks Service Dress Tunic, fine khaki wool four pocket tunic with white lanyard to the shoulder. Embroidered regimental shoulder titles, painted formation signs and embroidered bomb disposal sleeve badge above single chevron. Brass regimental buttons and regimental collar badges. Partially cloth lined interior. Remains in very good overall condition.
Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Service Berlin Occupation Force Battle Dress, fine 1946 pattern battle dress blouse with embroidered Royal Engineers shoulder titles above 2nd pattern British Troops Berlin formation signs. Lower sleeve with embroidered bomb disposal trade badge. WW2 medal ribbons above the breast pocket. Original 1947 dated size label to the interior. The Royal Engineers bomb disposal troops were heavily involved in the clear up of Germany in the early post war years and army of occupation period. The outskirts of Berlin were heavily mined to halt the advancing allied forces in 1945, this resulted in very hazardous work carried out by the Royal Engineers to make the city and surrounding areas safe for the civilian public
Rare WW2 Merchant Navy SS Dover Hill Arctic Convoys OBE and Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea Medal Group of Eight, group consists of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire O.B.E (Civil) Officers 2nd type breast badge in silver gilt, 1939-45 star, Atlantic star, Africa star, Pacific star, Italy star, 1939-45 War medal and Lloyds War Medal for Bravery at Sea “CAPTAIN W. G. PERRIN, S.S. DOVER HILL. 4TH APRIL 1943”. The medals are mounted for wear and accompanied by Merchant Navy officers cap badge. Captain W G Perrin was awarded the O.B.E in the London Gazette 12th October 1943, “For services when the ship was bombed and damaged”. The Lloyds medal appeared in the Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 5 September 1944, “Captain Wilfred Geoffrey Perrin, Master, Dover Hill. For dangerous work in hazardous circumstances. The S.S. Dover Hill, was a cargo vessel of 5,815 tons. She formed part of convoy JW. 53 bound for North Russia heavily laden with a cargo of fighter aircraft, tanks, lorries, guns and ammunition. The convoy comprised of 28 merchant vessels with an escort of three cruisers, one anti-aircraft cruiser, one escort carrier, 16 destroyers, two minesweepers, three corvettes and two trawlers. Such a heavily defended convoy reflected the importance of the cargo and the expectation of trouble from enemy attack”. The convoy set off on 15 February 1943, in a gale which developed into such a severe storm that six of the merchant ships were so damaged that they were forced to return to Iceland. The S.S. Dover Hill lost much of her deck cargo overboard, including oil drums and crated lorries, but managed to save the tanks and continue her difficult passage northwards. Despite a concerted attack by Ju-88 bombers a few days later the remaining 22 merchant ships of the convoy arrived at the Kola Inlet on 27 February. A few days later S.S. Dover Hill discharged her cargo at Murmansk, still being subjected to frequent attack from enemy bombers, and afterwards moved out to an anchorage in the Kola Inlet where the ships lay about a mile apart. The German front being only about ten miles away, these ships came under frequent low-level attack by Me. 109s and the D.E.M.S. gunners were kept very busy as they patiently awaited their escort home - indeed the gunners aboard S.S. Dover Hill successfully claimed one destroyed and one shared destroyed before the incident occurred whereby the names of several members of her crew appeared in the London Gazette. The ship’s Radio Officer David Craig, who related his experiences for the online BBC archive WW2 People’s War, “I feel that the story should be told why the names of these men should appear in the London Gazette. I write the story as I remember it but I write on behalf of the nineteen men, as we all worked together and none of us did anything different from anyone else. On Sunday, 4 April we were anchored in Misukovo Anchorage a few miles north of Murmansk and I was playing chess in the Officers’ Mess when Action Stations sounded and our guns opened up at the same time. I went through the pantry, looked out of the door, and saw two Ju. 88 bombers coming up from astern, high up. Our Bofors shells were bursting below them and when they turned away I assumed we had beaten them off and stepped out on deck. This was a foolish thing to do as, unknown to me the planes had released their bombs before turning away. Four bombs exploded close on the port side and one on the starboard side and I was blown off my feet. As I got up our gunlayer came down from one of the bridge oerlikons and pointed out a large round hole in the steel deck a few yards from where I had been standing. It was obvious that the sixth bomb had gone through the main and ‘tween decks into our coal bunkers and had not exploded. We informed the S.B.N.O, Murmansk of the situation and were advised that there were no British Bomb Disposal people in North Russia. We then realised that we would have to dig the bomb out ourselves in order to save our ship. The minesweeper H.M.S. Jason was ordered to anchor astern of us and to come alongside to render assistance if the bomb should explode, although I doubt if there would have been much to pick up. Incidentally, I did enjoy talking to the Jason by Aldis lamp during this time. You must understand that though the Dover Hill was only a battered old Merchantman she was our home and no German was going to make us leave her while she was still afloat. The Captain [Perrin] lined the whole crew up on the after deck and asked for volunteers, and 19 of us including our Captain formed our own Bomb Disposal Squad. We had no bomb disposal equipment, in fact we only had a few shovels borrowed from our stokehold and 19 stout hearts when we started digging back the coal, trying to find the bomb. The bunker was full of good British steaming coal which we were saving for the homeward run so we used a derrick to bring it up on deck, hoping to replace it when we got the bomb out. When the Russian authorities heard what we were doing, although they had many unexploded bombs to deal with in the town, they kindly offered to send one of their Bomb Disposal officers to remove the detonator if we could get the bomb up on deck. When we dug about ten feet down into the coal we found the tail fins and, by their size, decided our bomb must be a 1000lb one. Unfortunately the Germans also discovered what we were up to and came back and bombed us again, hoping to set off the bomb we were digging for. Between bomb explosions and the concussion of our own guns the coal used to fall back into where we were digging and things got difficult at times. We had to dig down approximately 22 feet before we got to the bomb, but after two days and two nights hard work we finally got it up on deck. I was standing beside the bomb with two of my fellow officers as our Russian friend started to unscrew the detonator when after a few turns it stuck. He then took a small hammer and a punch and tapped it to get it moving. I can honestly say that every time he hit it I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing against my duffle coat hood. After removing the detonator and primer we dumped the bomb into the Kola Inlet where it probably lies to this day. We then moved back to Murmansk for repairs. Of the 15 ships which had come to Murmansk in February, one had been sunk and four damaged. On 17 May, in company with three other ships we left the Kola Inlet and set out for the White Sea. We arrived in Economia on the North Dvina River where we stayed until 18 July when we moved to Molotovsk (Severodvinsk) and finally on 26 November, with eight other ships, some damaged, we set out for home. Since it was now dark for almost 24 hours each day and we could only do seven knots maximum speed we went north to the edge of the ice. Knowing that a Russian bound convoy was coming up to the south of us we expected the Germans to attack it and leave us alone. This in fact happened and we eventually arrived in London on 14 December 1943, in time to be home for Christmas”. After returning from North Russia the Dover Hill was taken over by the Ministry of War Transport and was sunk at Arromanches on 9 June 1944 along with other ships to form an artificial port for the invasion of Normandy.
WW2 Evacuation of Dunkirk & French Coast Operations 1940 HMS Venomous Distinguished Service Medal Group of Five, group consists of George VI Distinguished Service Medal “JX. 142935 E.R. STALLARD. A.B. H.M.S. VENOMOUS”, 1939-45 star, Atlantic star, Africa star and 1939-45 War medal. The medals are modern court mounted for display. Ernest Roy Stallard was born on 10th July 1918 in Llanelly Carmarthen. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd class in October 1934, first serving on HMS Ganges. By the outbreak of WW2, Stallard had risen to the rank of Able Seaman and was now serving on the destroyer HMS Venomous. In May 1940, HMS Venomous was subject to many attacks by enemy dive bombers. The action logs of the ship make for very interesting reading, one such action on 23rd May 1940 is as follows; “On Thursday, May 23rd, 1940, VENOMOUS, in company with other British and French Destroyers, entered Boulogne Harbour to embark troops. The weather was fine with blue sky, calm sea and wind N.W. force 2. Before entering the harbour the vessels were subjected to a severe attack from about sixty Junker 87 dive bombers. VENOMOUS was attacked ten times by three machines during the period 1830-1845. No direct hits were registered, the nearest bomb falling some 20ft away on the starboard quarter. This bomb exploded under water, and was probably the cause of slight trouble with the starboard shaft. There was also a small leak in the spirit room. Other bombs falling at various distances away on both quarters caused about thirty small splinter holes in the ship’s side and superstructure aft, from about 139 station to stern, mainly on the port side. These holes were all above the waterline”, the report details then the casualties taken by the ship and then continued with the action report, “On entering the harbour VENOMOUS was subject to fire from shore batteries, field guns, tank’s guns, machine guns and rifle fire. Shore battery was put out of action by VENOMOUS second salvo, and the fort blew up. It was presumed that the magazine was hit. The explosion caused no damage to the ship. The only hit on the ship was a glancing blow on the top of the main mast, fore side, from (as the commanding officer stated) a field gun. Other shots carried away the aerials, rigging, guard rails and canvas screens. The commanding officer considered that by taking his ship close inshore he was under the shore guns, which were unable to depress sufficiently to hit the vessel below the upper works. VENOMOUS was hit several times by machine-gun bullets. These caused the W/T set to be put out of action. There were two casualties – slightly wounded. This latter action occurred at between 2040 and 2055”. at the time of these actions Stallard was serving as a gun layer, so would have played a vital role in defending the ship from the enemy attacks both by air and from the ground once entering the harbour. Later in May 1940 and early June 1940, HMS Venomous was involved in the famous Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk, these evacuations were carried out always under attack from German dive bombers. HMS Venomous made several trips across the channel rescuing many of the stranded British troops on the French coast. Stallard was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services on board HMS Venomous during this period. The award appeared in the London Gazette on 27th August 1940, “The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order and to approve the following awards for good services in Operations off the Dutch, Belgian and French Coasts”. Stallard continued to serve with the Royal Navy on various posts both land and sea. He was heavily involved during operations in the battle of the Atlantic and service in the North Africa / Mediterranean theatre. He rose through the ranks, finally retiring as a Master of Arms. In civilian life he became an electrician, settling in Rochester, Kent, before passing away on 29th May 1972.
Inert 1936 Dated Luftwaffe Incendiry Bomb, superb condition example of a German incdendiry bomb with its original green painted fins. Nicely stamped to the body with clear 1936 date. Much of the original finish remains. Empty and safe, legal to own within the UK. We are not able to offer post and packing on this lot.
Doherty (Robert E. & Geoffrey D. Ward). Snetterton Falcons, The 96th Bomb Group in World War II, 1st edition, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, 1989, black & white illustrations, publishers original blue cloth, large 8vo, together with; Miller (MG Frederic H. et al), "Ringmasters", History of the 491st Bombardment Group (H), 1st edition, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, 1992, numerous black & white illustrations, publishers original green cloth, large 8vo, and Johnson (Wayne G.), Chennault's Flying Tigers, a commemorative history of the American Volunteer Group, China Air Task Force, 14th Air Force 1941-1945, 1st edition, Taylor Publishing Company, Dallas, 1982, numerous black & white illustrations, bookplate to front end paper, publishers original gilt decorated blue cloth, large 8vo, plus 7 further volumes of North American squadron history, some signed, all original cloth, spines lightly rubbed to head & foot, large 8voQty: (10)
Closway (Gordon R.). Pictorial Record of the 401st Bomb Group, 1st edition, Newsfoto Publishing Co., San Angelo, 1946, numerous black & white illustrations, bookplate to front endpaper, publishers original decorated blue cloth, 8vo, together with; Surridge (Estley K. & Edward C. Dooley), Pictorial History of the 47 Bombardment Group (H), 1st edition, Newsfoto Publishing Co., San Angelo, 1945, numerous black & white illustrations, bookplate to front pastedown, some minor toning, publishers original decorated white cloth, boards & spine slight toned, 8vo, and Morrissey (Thomas L.), Odyssey Of Fight Two, 1st edition, privately published, U.S.A., 1945, inscription to the front pastedown 'To Mrs "Standish" Wellings - with my sincere admiration and my respect - "Mom" Chung -', black & white illustrations, some minor toning, publishers original decorated blue cloth, boards lightly rubbed, 8vo, plus 13 further volumes of USAAF pictorial histories, all original cloth, some spines slightly rubbed to head & foot, 8voQty: (16)
Schiffman (Charles). An Unofficial Pictorial and Historical History of the 347th Fighter Squadron, 350th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force September 1942 - October 1945, 1st edition, California, 1945, black & white illustrations, minor marginal toning, publishers original brown cloth, boards & spine lightly rubbed, 8vo, together with; Beck, Jr. (Henry C.), The 397th Bomb Group (M), A Pictorial History, 1st edition, privately printed, 1946, numerous monochrome illustrations, original decorated brown cloth, spine lightly rubbed to head & foot, 8vo, and Alcorn (John S.), The Jolly Rogers, History of the 90th Bomb Group during World War II, 1st edition, Historical Aviation Album, 1981, numerous black & white illustrations, publishers original black cloth, minor rubbing to head & foot, 8vo, plus 21 further USAAF squadron histories, all original cloth, some spines lightly rubbed to head & foot, 8voQty: (24)
Bowyer (Michael J. F.). 2 Group RAF, A Complete History, 1936-1945, 1st edition, Faber and Faber, 1974, signed by 6 former squadron pilots to the half-title, black & white illustrations, bookplate to the front endpaper, original cloth in price-clipped dust jacket, covers lightly rubbed to head & foot, 8vo, together with; Sherbrooke-Walker (Ronald), Khaki And Blue, 1st edition, The Saint Catherine Press Ltd., 1952, handwritten letter and inscription to the front endpaper to 'Gary Reath' from the author, black & white illustrations, some minor spotting & marginal toning, original cloth in dust jacket, covers slightly rubbed with minor tears to head & foot, tape to head & foot of the spine 8vo, Kimber (Charles T.), Son of Halton, Book 1, Memoirs of an ex-Brat, first edition, Thorley Publications, 1977, inscribed by the author to the half-title, black & white illustrations, original cloth in dust jacket, covers lightly rubbed to head & foot, 8vo, plus other circa 1940s-70s aviation & military reference & biographies, including Courage Honour Victory..., by Ian L. Hawkins, Washington: 1st edition, 95th Bomb Group (H) Association, 1987, signed copy, Vickers, A History, by J. D. Scott, London: 1st edition, Weidenfeld and Nicholson, 1962, many first editions, some signed by the authors & others, all original cloth in dust jackets, some covers slightly rubbed to head & foot, 8voQty: (54)
Healy (Allan). The 467th Bombardment Group, September 1943 - June 1945, reprint edition, New York, 1980, black & white illustrations, publishers original cloth in plain white dust jacket, 4to, together with; Hair (Charles Arthur), The Saga of '54 and More, The Story of the 310th Bombardment Group (M), 1st edition, Robinson Typographics, Anaheim, 1987, numerous black & white illustrations, original cloth in dust jacket, 4to, and Bishop (Cliff T.), Fortresses of the Big Triangle First, 1st edition, East Anglia Books, Bishops Stortford, 1986, signed by the author to the half-title, numerous black & white illustrations, original cloth in dust jacket, large 8vo, plus other U.S. aviation & military history & biographies, including 452nd Bombardment Group, circa 1960, The 351st Bomb Group in W.W. II, by Peter Harris & Ken Harbour, Florida: 1980, limited edition 355/700, We'll Say Goodbye, story of the 307th bombardment group (HV.), U.S.A.: 1st edition, 1945, some first editions, some signed by the authors & others, all original cloth, many in dust jackets, some covers slightly rubbed to head & foot, 8vo/4toQty: (42)
Richarz (Wilbert H. et al [editors]). The 390th Bomb Group Anthology, by Members of the 390th Bomb Group (H) 1943-1945, 2 volumes, Tuscon: 390th Memorial Museum Foundation Inc, 1983-85, colour & black & white illustrations, original cloth in dust jackets, covers slightly rubbed to head & foot, 8vo, limited deluxe edition 292/500, together with; Spagnuolo (Mark M.), Don S. Gentile, Soldier of God and Country, 1st edition, Michigan: College Press, 1986, front endpaper signed by the author, black & white illustrations, original cloth in dust jacket, covers & spine lightly rubbed with minor tear to the foot of the front cover, 8vo, and Longmate (Norman), The G.I.'s, The Americas in Britain 1942-1945, 1st edition, London: Hutchinson, 1975, front endpaper signed by the author, monochrome illustrations, minor marginal toning, original cloth in price-clipped dust jacket, covers slightly faded, minor rubbing to head & foot of the spine, 8vo, plus other 1960s-80s U.S. aviation reference & biographies, including Aerial Combat Escapades, a pilot's logbook, by J. Hunter Reinburg, 1st edition, Arizona: 1988, signed copy, The Jolly Rogers, The Story of Tom Blackburn and Navy Fighting Squadron VF-17, by Tom Blackburn, 1st edition, New York: Orion Books, 1989, includes First Day Cover signed by the author & 7 Luftwaffe pilots, many 1st editions, some signed by the authors, mostly original cloth in dust jackets, 8voQty: (43)
'Signature: A Quadrimestrial of Typography and Graphic Arts', edited Oliver Simon, London, Curwen Press, complete set of the first series November 1935- December 1940, numbers 1-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12, 13-15, each in original printed wraps, housed loose on five original quarter cloth gilt over decorative printed paper covered boards, bindings, content and numerous illustrations by leading illustrators and graphic artists of the period including Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Edward Bawden, Eric Ravilious, Barnett Freedman, John Piper, Lynton Lamb, Henry Moore. Very scarce complete set of the first series of this important periodical devoted to typography and the printing arts, started in 1935 and suspended in 1940 when the last issue of the first series was hit by a high explosive bomb as it came off the presses at the Curwen Press.NB all plates collated complete as per list in each issue
Admiral Sir George Back (British, 1796-1878)HMS Terror off a spectacular iceberg, believed to be in the Davis Strait, between Canada and Greenland signed 'G.Back' (lower left)watercolour15.3 x 18.1cm (6 x 7 1/8in).unframedFootnotes:ProvenanceBy descent through the artist's family.Admiral Sir George Back was born in Stockport, Cheshire, on 6th November 1796 and entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in the frigate Arethusa in September 1808. After an eventful six months in action off the north coast of Spain, he was captured by the French and spent the next six years as a prisoner-of-War in Verdun. Finally released in May 1814, he served briefly in the Akbar and then in the Bulwark before transferring again in January 1818, this time into the hired-brig Trent commanded by the young Lieutenant John Franklin, to accompany that vessel on what now is regarded as the very first Arctic Expedition, the ambitious objectives of which were not only to find the fabled 'North West Passage' but also to reach the North Pole that same year. Although the voyage was unsuccessful due to severe gales and heavy pack ice, the ships nevertheless returned safely and Franklin selected Back to accompany him on his next expedition to explore the Arctic coast of North America in 1819-22, during which Back was responsible for all the surveying and chart-making. Promoted Lieutenant in January 1821, Back then served with the fleet for two years before joining Franklin yet again for the latter's Second Land Expedition of 1825-27. Despite being promoted Commander in 1825, Back was unemployed between 1827 and 1833 when he was appointed to command an expedition to search for another explorer, Sir John Ross, who had been missing in the Arctic since 1829. In May 1834, news reached Back that Ross was safely back in England so he decided to trace the 500-mile course of the Great Fish River which he completed successfully. Then, after mapping Montreal Island, the expedition headed home and in recognition of his achievements, Back was not only promoted Captain – by Order in Council, an honour which no other officer in the navy had received except King William IV, but additionally had the satisfaction of having the Great Fish River renamed in his honour. Once home, Back also wrote the first of his two books Narrative of the Arctic Land Expedition to the mouth of the Great Fish River which was published to enthusiastic acclaim. Appointed Captain of the converted bomb vessel Terror for the expedition to map the last sections of the uncharted coast of north America in 1836-37, Back returned home defeated by the ice and was thereafter an invalid for several years during which he wrote the second of two books on his Arctic adventures, Narrative of an Expedition in H.M.S. Terror, published in 1838.The harsh polar weather and conditions had taken their toll however, and the so-called 'Frozen Strait' expedition of 1836-37 proved Back's last foray beyond the Arctic Circle. Later in life, after being knighted in 1839, he became a distinguished President of the Royal Geographical Society in 1856 and received his final promotion to Rear-Admiral in 1857; he died at his London home in Portman Square on 23rd June 1878, the last surviving member of that remarkable band of Arctic pioneers.Since it is neither dated nor inscribed, this exciting and hitherto unknown watercolour has been the subject of intense research in order to identify both its location as well as the year in which it was executed. Many different sources have been trawled, not least Back's own accounts of the two Arctic expeditions which he himself commanded in the 1830s, and it can now be stated with a reasonable degree of certainty that the incident depicted here probably occurred only a short time into the second of those two voyages and, more precisely, in July 1836. Captain Back, under orders to map the remaining uncharted Arctic coast of Canada, sailed from England in June 1836 in the old converted bomb vessel Terror. Intending to winter in Repulse Bay, the outward passage was very stormy but between 25th and 28th July the Terror 'had a pleasant run across Davis's Straits (sic) under a steady breeze from S.W.'. This extract, taken from Back's Narrative of an Expedition in H.M.S. Terror (p. 25), then continues by stating that 'in the evening (of 29th July) when the weather cleared (there had been fog earlier), we observed an enormous berg, the perpendicular face of which was not less than 300 feet high, and other smaller bergs... in other directions' (p. 26).In the event, and despite the glorious conditions portrayed in this watercolour, the weather soon deteriorated and Terror became ice-bound in September 1836. Unable to free herself until the following July, she somehow managed to limp home and was eventually beached in a sinking condition on the shore of Lough Swilly in Ireland.This work depicts an almost identical scene to the watercolour by Back offered by Bonhams in London on 13th September 2011, lot 83.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ** VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com
*After Banksy 'Bomb Hugger' screenprint in colours, with West Country Prince stamp, Banksy Copy, numbered 97/500 sheet 70 x 50cm *Artist's Resale Right may apply to this lot.Condition report: Seen out of frame. Green tissue paper stuck to print under eye. Light scratches on pink and black areas are silver in colour
An excellent collection of around 100 demo and promo cassettes from the Rough Trade archive. Artists/ titles include Ultramarine, Skip McDonald, The Picture Palace, Dweeb, Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Spring Heel Jack, Fuel, Blink, David Rudder, The Innermost Collective, Eddi Reader, Band Of Holy Joy, Law + Order, Big Daddy Kane, Flower Airplane, Laurie Freelove, Bryan Maclean, Michael Hall, Lester Flatt, Drugstore, Pooka, The Infamous Dizzy, Stress, Mothers, Spin, June Tabor, All That Jazz, Santana, Puppy Love Bomb, Yeah, Matraca Berg, Out Of Hand. Cassettes appear to be in excellent condition.
Mesmerising collection of around 300 x CD (albums) featuring all things alternative! Covering Indie, Punk, New Wave, Electronica, Downtempo/Chillout with many stops in between, artists/titles include Orbital, Jose Padilla, Karl Bartos, The Sound Of Renaissance, Paul Oakenfold, Cafe Mambo - 20 Years Of Ibiza Chillout, Massive Attack, Turin Brakes, Ulrich Schnauss, Stereo MC's, Sub Focus, Leftfield, Beck!, Audioslave, Marc Hellner, Doves, Bent, THe Beta Band, The Cure, Basement Jaxx, Bomb The Bass, Cafe Del Mar series, Yo La Tengo, Mark Hollis, Mark Ronson, Konono No. 1, The KLF, King Creosote, Marisa Monte, De La Soul, Marine Stern and Elvis Costello. Includes sets that are counted as 'one'. Condition is chiefly top Ex+.
Outstanding offering of 32 x CD (albums) fully loaded with limited edition box sets! Artists/titles include Jónsi & Alex - Riceboy Sleeps (5099968544522, Parlophone ltd edition of 3500, box set including colouring book and pencils! All in 'as new' condition), Various - A Night @ Buddha-Bar Hotel (3250752, George V Records ltd edition 12 x CD set, number 12582, complete with memory stick - 'as new' condition), Jónsi (solo) - Go (cloth-bound, velvet-lined box set, Parlophone 63384925, number 2789) and Go Live, Client - Live In Hamburg (ltd edition release on Loser Friendly Records, with signed booklet, number 137..), Lamb - Backspace Unwind (limited edition set, number 1013), St. Etienne - Casino Classics (HVNLP16CDDEX, ltd edition 4 x CD set in 'book' case, 'as new' condition), Live In Porto and Zerox Machine, Radiohead - Amnesiac (ltd edition 'book' set), Ojos De Brujo, School Of Seven Bells - Disconnect From Desire (ltd edition set complete with cards), Lemon Jelly, Alt-J, Animal Collective, Scissor Sisters, Keane, U2 - How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb (box set), Bonobo - The North Borders Tour Live, Bjork (x5) inc. Livebox (5016958055721), Kings Of Leon and Arcade Fire. Condition is almost entirely Ex+ with many appearing 'as new'. A wonderful collection.
A magic collection of around 100 promo and demo cassettes from the Rough Trade archive. Artists/ titles include Dreamland, Smell The Luv, Stephanie Sayers, Mary Coughlan, Equation, Bomb The Bass, Ultramarine, St Johnny, Laguna Meth, Unrest, The Downliners, Dave Ahern, Eg & Alice, Danny Madden, Zodiac Youth, Hope, The Forest, The B-52s, Jeff Beck Group, Singles Club, Pierre Etoile, Bulkhead, Levitation, Liberty Horses, Grace and The Free Movement, Davids Murray, The Colours, Thelonious Monster. Cassettes appear to be in excellent condition.
A COLLECTION OF SIX ASSORTED PLASTER ARCHITECTURAL MOULDINGS19TH AND 20TH CENTURIESComprising; two 'masters' with bands of fruiting vine and ribbon-and-stave respectively, each inscribed HOUSE OF LORDS 38501; a very large and elaborate cavetto moulded cornice, with a recessed diapered frieze; and three further examplesCatalogue Note: The 'master' frieze panels marked House of Lords are believed to have been created as part of the post WWII restoration of bomb damage to the Palace of Westminster, London. Condition Report: Please note, the lowest moulding in the catalogue image is a duplicate. Please see additional image for details of the sixth moulding.All with marks, knocks, scratches and abrasions commensurate with age and use. Various old chips and nibbles. Some larger areas of loss - please refer to images for extent. Various fragile areas, movement of the items could result in further losses. Please refer to images online for visual reference to condition. Please note, we are unable to inspect the items off the wall. Later fixture may be applied to the backs. Condition Report Disclaimer
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA post-War M.B.E., Second War ‘Flying Bomb Attacks’ K.P.F.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Officer C. P. Kitchin, Hastings Fire Brigade The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, with Royal Mint case of issue; King’s Police and Fire Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Distinguished Service (Clifford P. Kitchin, Div. Officer No. 30 F.F.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Fire Brigade L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Clifford P. Kitchin Chief Officer) light contact marls, good very fine (5) £700-£900 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1962 Clifford Parker Kitchin, Esq., Chief Officer, Hastings Fire Brigade K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1945 Clifford Parker Kitchin, Divisional Officer, No. 30 (East Kent) Fire Force: ‘For Distinguished Service in Connection with the Flying Bomb Attacks.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Since his appointment as Divisional Officer in 1941, has shown zeal, especially in regard to his work for D-Day, and during heavy flying bomb attacks.’ Clifford Parker Kitchin served with No. 30 (East Kent) Fire Force, and was appointed a Divisional Officer in 1941. ‘Owing to his untiring efforts a complete state of readiness was prepared with the important naval establishments in his division and the National Fire Service before D-Day. His outstanding qualities of leadership were shown during many flying-bomb attacks in the area, and his example was an inspiration to those under him.’ (newspaper extract refers). He was presented with his K.P.F.S.M. by Lord Cornwallis, Lord Lieutenant of Kent, on 13 April 1945, and subsequently served as Chief Officer of Hastings Fire Brigade. Sold with copied research, including medal roll extract for the Coronation Medal.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis, Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, attached 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 28 September 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis Reserve Cavalry, Attd. 9th. West Yorks Regt. Sept. 28th. 1918.’; 1914-15 Star (43 Cpl. G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C. (Art.)); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (43 S.S. Cpl.G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C.) last mounted on H.A.C. riband, good very fine and better (5) £1,600-£2,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919. The original recommendation states: ‘This Officer has been transport officer of the 9th Battalion since February to September 1918, and the transport of the Battalion has never been in so efficient a state. He makes a point of going personally with ammunition or rations when the road is rendered dangerous by shelling or machine-gun fire, and on many occasions has by his energy and total disregard of personal danger ensured the safe delivery of whatever was being carried, and set a fine example to his men.’ George Frederick Jervaulx Jarvis was born in Stoke Newington, London, on 18 June 1884, and joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 2 December 1901. Advanced Farrier-Sergeant, he served with the Honourable Artillery Company during the Great War in Egypt from 8 April 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 28 November 1916. He saw further service on the Western Front on attachment to the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment In late September 1918, the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment was stationed near Artois en Vis in northern France and was preparing an attack. On 27 September, the Battalion moved forward, ‘but progress was slow because of an enemy machine gun nest that was holding up the crossing of the canal. The attack was delayed, but moved forward later in the day. The Battalion HQ reached its objective by 8 p.m. that evening. In the early morning of 28 September the Transport Officer Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis returning from delivering rations (which was accomplished under extreme difficulties) was severely wounded by a bomb dropped from enemy aircraft, he later died from his wounds. 2 mules, 1 horse and 2 drivers were also hit by this bomb and died and 2 Other ranks were also wounded.’ (the Battalion War Diary refers). Admitted to No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, reportedly with wounds to his right arm and a fracture of his right thigh, Jarvis died later that day and was buried the following day in Duisans British Military Cemetery, with the Canadian chaplain W. Fisher presiding. Sold with copied research.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Second Lieutenant C. W. de Lemos, Worcestershire Regiment, later Major, Ceylon Army Service Corps, for his gallantry during a night patrol near Dache in the Balkans on 1-2 March 1918, personally killing one and wounding another of the enemy and extracting his patrol without a single casualty in the face of an overwhelming enemy force; later that month his luck ran out, and he was wounded and taken prisoner of war during another night time patrol on 25 March 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse later engraved ‘Lt. Chas de Lemos 1-3-18; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. C. de Lemos.); Efficiency Decoration, G.V.R., Ceylon, silver and silver-gilt, reverse engraved ‘Major C. W. de Lemos. C.A.S.C.’, with integral top riband bar, good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 12 December 1919: ‘For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in the Balkans and with the British Army of the Black Sea.’ Charles William de Lemos was born in Colombo, Ceylon, on 20 June 1893, the son of a tea planter, and joined the Ceylon Planters Rifle Corps on 7 July 1915. Returning to the U.K. in 1916, he attested for the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles) on 20 June 1916, and served with them at home before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve on 28 March 1917. Attached to the 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, he served with them during the Great War in the Balkans with the British Army of the Black Sea, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry near Dache on the night of 1-2 March 1918: ‘Officer’s patrol (2/Lt de Lemos and 10 other ranks) went to Flat Iron Hill on night of 1-2 March to ascertain if enemy work there still occupied. Night very dark and under 2/Lt de Lemos’ directions a gap of 15 yards was cut in the first belt of wire, and a gap of 10 yards was cut in the second belt of wire. Enemy sent up various Very lights and as the patrol was proceeding through the second gap an enemy party of 6 to 8 men lined to walk round our right flank. The officer shot one dead and wounded another, and several others were wounded by the patrol. A large enemy party of 50 to 80 men then rushed the patrol from trenches and our patrol was forced to withdraw without obtaining identifications 2/Lt de Lemos carefully withdrew his patrol through very heavy enemy barrage and reached our lines without receiving a single casualty. The General Officer Commanding was very pleased with this action and congratulated the Officer and his patrol on their fine achievement.’ (Battalion War Diary refers). Later that month, on 25 March 1918, de Lemos was sent out on another patrol, and this time his luck failed to hold. Wounded by a bullet in the leg and splinters of bomb in the chest, he was captured and taken prisoner of War. His own account of the action states: ‘I was sent out with a party of 1 N.C.O. and 9 other ranks. We left our main line roughly at 2000 hrs. and arrived at a hill Chapeau de Gendarm at about 2100 hrs. At this point I left the N.C.O. in charge of eight men with instructions to retire in case he saw an enemy patrol approaching, otherwise to wait my return. It was a full moon night, and I knew it would be very difficult to get our wounded back in the event of an encounter with the enemy so near their own line. I went forward with Private Thomas to reconnoitre the enemy post, to ascertain whether it was held and with what strength, and on our return Private Thomas and I found ourselves cut off by roughly 40 of the enemy who had circled us, so I gave orders to Private Thomas to throw a bomb at the enemy’s left flank, and to try and charge through and get home, whilst I charged the right flank with my revolver. Unfortunately at this point Private Thomas was mortally wounded and I was wounded by a bullet in the leg and a fragment of bomb in my chest. After I had emptied my revolver at the enemy I was surrounded and taken prisoner. We had by this time killed one and had wounded five of the enemy. As we were being led up the hill to the enemy main line, our artillery dropped a good barrage into their trenches inflicting severe casualties on the enemy who had arisen to see the prisoners come in.’ Repatriated on account of his wounds, de Lemos arrived back in the U.K. on 21 September 1918, and was placed on the retired list on account of ill-health contracted on active service on 2 February 1919. Returning to Ceylon, he subsequently served as Manager of the Merriabedde Tea Estate, and was advanced Major in the Ceylon Army Service Corps. Sold with copied research.
In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteSpecimen Medals (3): Naval General Service 1915-62 (3), 1 clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (2); 1 clasp, Bomb & Mine Clearance 1945-53, all stamped ‘Specimen’ on the edge, extremely fine (3) £160-£200
Vintage Model Company - A autographed boxed balsa wood model of a De Havilland Tiger Moth (wingspan 460mm) by Vintage Model Company, signed by WW2 veterans of 617 Squadron 'The Dambusters'. The model is unmade and appears complete. The models instruction leaflet and the box sleeve have been signed by Benny Goodman (617 Sqn Pilot), John Bell (617 Sqn Bomb Aimer) and the last surviving Dambuster George Johnny Johnson (Bomb Aimer). The model box sleeve is also feature the signature of Benny Goodman. The vendor states that the autographs were obtained by himself in person.
Dean Ellis (1920 - 2009) "History of the Marshall Islands Evacuation of Bikini for A-Bomb Tests" Titled lower margin. Original Tempera painting on Masonite. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Republic of the Marshall Islands 55c Bikini (Pikinni) Atoll Evacuated for Nuclear Testing, 1946 stamp issued May 2, 1996. Immediately following World War II, America recognized the need to understand the effects of atomic weapons. Needing a location to conduct "safe" atomic tests, it selected Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands. These tests, code named Operation Crossroads, assumed the size of a wartime campaign -- involving 242 ships and 42,000 military and technical personnel. Designated Able Day, July 1, 1946, witnessed the first Bikini nuclear test. Although the explosive damage of the bomb was frightening, it was the deadly radioactive residue left in the target area that was most destructive. Over the next 12 years, 23 atomic devices would be detonated at Bikini Atoll, turning the once-beautiful island into a nuclear nightmare. Bikini's 160 residents had been persuaded to relocate "temporarily" while the testing was conducted. It was the beginning of an odyssey that still continues 50 years later. Image Size: 8.5 x 15 Overall Size: 10.5 x 16.75 in. Unframed. (B15305)
Robert Driessen - Art Forger - Banksy - a collection of x4 original artworks by renowned forger Robert Driessen, all in the manner of Banksy. Largely ink on paper, and each signed to the lower edge by Driessen. Includes copies of Banksy's ' Kissing Coppers ,' ' Flying Balloon Girl ,' ' Bomb Hugger ,' and ' Girl With Blue Bird '.. Each 56x39cmRobert Driessen was born in Arnhem in the Netherlands. Like many artists he struggled to sell his own work, but found he could easily copy any other artists style. Over the last 20 years he became one of the most successful art forgers in the world. He has fooled museums, galleries and every major auction house. He came to specialise in the work of Alberto Giacometti. Robert emigrated to Thailand where he opened a small restaurant and moved away from the world of art. He has recently taken up the brush and sculptors tools once again, producing original reproductions, all of which are signed by Robert Driessen.
Robert Driessen - Art Forger - Banksy - a collection of x10 original artworks by renowned forger Robert Driessen, all in the manner of Banksy. Largely ink on paper, and each signed to the lower edge by Driessen. Includes copies of Banksy's ' Kissing Coppers ,' ' Flying Balloon Girl ,' ' Bomb Hugger ,' and ' Girl With Blue Bird ' and many many more.. Each 55cm x 36cm. Robert Driessen was born in Arnhem in the Netherlands. Like many artists he struggled to sell his own work, but found he could easily copy any other artists style. Over the last 20 years he became one of the most successful art forgers in the world. He has fooled museums, galleries and every major auction house. He came to specialise in the work of Alberto Giacometti. Robert emigrated to Thailand where he opened a small restaurant and moved away from the world of art. He has recently taken up the brush and sculptors tools once again, producing original reproductions, all of which are signed by Robert Driessen.
* Wallis (Barnes Neville, 1887-1979). Autograph manuscript lessons in calculus, trigonometry and physics, November 1922 to February 1924, a remarkable series of bespoke lessons devised for Wallis's future wife Molly, written as part of their courtship and sent in chapter form over the course of 16 months, divided into courses on Calculus and Trigonometry, each in 9 chapters, plus 2 stand-alone chapters on 'Note on Potential Charge & Capacity' and 'Electrostatic Induction', written on the rectos (and a few versos) of quarto sheets in Wallis's neat italic hand with occasional diagrams, the Introduction and chapters 1 and 2 of Calculus (7 pages) written out in Molly's hand and taken from letters sent to her by Barnes, but otherwise in Wallis's hand, a total of 248 pages (Calculus 81 pp.; Trigonometry 112 pp.; Physics 35 pp.), plus a further 6 pages (3 leaves) of Molly's answers to the calculus questions set by Barnes appended to the final chapter, with Wallis's red ink corrections and encouraging comments, the Trigonometry course with an additional diagram leaf and 4 chapter cover notes by Wallis, one initialled and two signed 'Barnes', a little scattered marginal creasing and fraying and a little dust-soiling, some horizontal folds throughout, occasional closed tears to folds and the chapter 'Notes on Potential Charge & Capacity' heavily split along lower horizontal folds, 4to/folioQty: (a folder)NOTESProvenance: From the family of Barnes Wallis, by direct descent. In 1922 Barnes Wallis, aged 35, fell in love with his cousin Molly Bloxam. Molly was just 17 and setting off to study science at University College London. Her father decreed that the two could correspond only if Barnes taught Molly mathematics in his letters. When they met, Wallis was out of work, the closing of airship production having made him redundant. He began working for a London External B.Sc. but then suddenly landed a job teaching in a young gentlemen's academy in Chillon, Switzerland, taking on the post and leaving for Chillon in September 1922. This sudden disruption of the burgeoning friendship with Molly was alleviated by their correspondence which had the cautious approval of Mr Bloxham with certain caveats. However, Mr Bloxam became unhappy with Wallis thinking that the letters had strayed emotionally and not kept to a formal nature that he intended. Then mathematics came to Wallis's aid. Molly had to pass her exams and needed help from somewhere so he offered his services. Over the course of the next 15 months he posted these mathematics lessons in separate envelopes to the fortnightly personal letters and all was well. The personal letters between the two (which are not offered here) include mathematical references to the lessons but gradually became more personal, and Wallis proposed marriage on Molly's twentieth birthday. They were married on 23 April 1925, and remained so for 54 years until Wallis's death in 1979. They had four children - Barnes, Mary, Elisabeth and Christopher - and also adopted Molly's sister's children John and Robert McCormick when their parents were killed in an air raid. Their eldest daughter Mary (1927-2019) later married Harry Stopes-Roe, a son of Marie Stopes. These mathematics lessons in their entirety (with minor omissions) were published in Marie Stopes-Roe, Mathematics With Love: The Courtship Correspondence of Barnes Wallis, Inventor of the Bouncing Bomb, (Macmillan, 2005), especially pp. 11-250. The book is interspersed with transcriptions of the personal letters with editorial comment, and takes the story as far as 12 September 1924, Molly's 20th birthday and the day she accepted their engagement.
* Sold on behalf of the Royal Air Force Bomber Command Remembrance Fund, A collection of POW watercolours presented to Group Captain W.D.G. 'Four-Run' Watkins, Royal Air Force A brown card folder printed 'Block for Frihandsteckning' 8 blad, enclosing 5 original POW drawings, including, Plunkett (Desmond, 1916-2002). Martin Mariner seaplane, watercolour on paper, signed and dated 18 April 1945 lower right, image size, 17 x 23.5cm, inscribed verso Stalag Luft I. Barth, Germany and with 20 names and addresses of POWs including Plunkett; another list of 18 POWs from Squadron 10 Room II; a pencil drawing of the Market with St. Marienkirche, Barth with Luftwaffe eagle and swastika above with a three-part scroll inscribed 'Tethered but not Tamed', the scroll beneath inscribed 'Stalag Luft 1 Barth Germany, inscribed to verso 'To W/C Watkins Best Wishes Room 2. Squadron 10', sheet size 32 x 25cm .Qty: (5)NOTESGroup Captain W. D. G. ‘Four-Run’ Watkins, Royal Air Force, served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery (Territorial Army) from 1929, he joined the R.A.F. in 1936 as an Armourer and at the outbreak of WWII was serving as an Air Observer with 75 (New Zealand) Squadron. Serving with 149 Squadron in 1940, he was awarded the D.F.M. and was commissioned in September of that year. Mentioned in Despatches the following year, for his exceptional bomb aiming and navigation skill during his second tour Watkins was awarded the D.F.C. in 1942. A third tour as Air Bomber with 214 Squadron followed in 1943, after which he was appointed Acting Wing Commander and in 1944 he commenced a fourth tour as Commanding Officer of 15 Squadron; possibly the first such appointment for an Observer. At times serving as Master Bomber, Watkins was shot down over Germany in November 1944. Bailing out with his clothes and parachute on fire, he was taken prisoner, being held at Stalag Luft 1 as the highest ranking British Officer, until released in May 1945. By early 1947 Watkins had logged an incredible 600 plus operational and over 400 passenger hours, and his four War-time tours would equate to approximately 120 bombing operations. Post War, he continued to serve, with Testing and Armaments, ultimately attaining the rank of Group Captain. Watkins earned himself the nickname "Four-Run" because he was so dedicated to his task he would make four runs over heavily defended targets ahead of dropping bombs. The watercolour of the Martin Mariner included in this lot was painted by Flight Lieutenant Desmond Plunkett who was mapmaker for the Great Escape which was immortalised in the Steve McQueen film. 76 prisoners got through a 360ft tunnel from Stalag Luft III camp on 23 March 1944. Plunkett was one of 73 men to be recaptured and was held in solitary confinement for seven months. However, he avoided the fate of 50 of the escapees, who were executed by the Gestapo on the direct orders of the Fuhrer. Plunkett ended up in SL1 where he met Watkins who was SBO in his barracks. The Martin Mariner was one of the less common aircraft used in WWII. Group Captain Watkins medal group was sold at DNW, London on 17 September 2020 (Lot 7).
* The Dambusters Raid. A remarkable Autograph Letter Signed, ’Wiggy’, School House, Godolphin, Salisbury, Wilts, 20 May 1943, written by 16-year-old Mary Wallis, (Wiggy was a family nickname), to her father Barnes Wallis, upon hearing the news of the success of the Dambusters raid, and reminiscing about the experiments with marbles in the family’s garden which led to Wallis’s bouncing bomb design, 'Hooray, hooray, hooray!!!!! Wonderful marbles. Up the marbles. Cheers cheers cheers. Oh, well done Daddy. I’ve been bouncing round and leaping up and downstairs and beaming at all the staff and hugging all my little friends with exuberance ever since I got Mouey’s [nickname for her mother Molly] card proclaiming the great news. Everybody thinks I’m a bit potty because I’m so pleased but won’t say why … When will it be public property, or don’t you know. As a matter of fact as soon as I read in the paper about the bombing of the dams in Germany I guessed that the kitchen bath tub and that wonderful erection of the garden table and kitchen chairs, and the complicated string-moving-up-and-down business, and the cold, cold water spilt in vain efforts to fill the tub, and the wild shrieks from Lis when the marbles lost themselves in the onion bed, and the impossible task of trying to see whether a minute marble bounced under or over a wobbley piece of string, were not in vain. Really, I have quite a maternal feeling for the little dears after all that…’, concluding with apologies for the paper and that ‘No more is to hand. Must do a Latin unseen, What a come-down. With very much love, congratulations & pride’, written neatly in blue ink on feint-ruled paper with two file holes to left edge, a couple of minor ink smudges and some light, minor creasing and age wear, three very short splits to right edge with no loss of paper or legibility, 2 pages, 4to (20 x 16.5 cm), together with a modern colour digital scan from a photograph of Barnes Wallis with his children in the garden making the experiments, 16 x 24 cmQty: (1)NOTESProvenance: From the family of Barnes Wallis, by direct descent. An historic and poignant Dambusters letter written in the immediate aftermath of the Operation Chastise attack on German dams, carried out on 16-17 May 1943 by RAF No. 617 Squadron. While too young to fully appreciate what her father’s garden experiments with marbles and a bathtub were about Mary and her siblings knew it was of some importance. It was only some years later when the news of the breaching of the Mohne and Eder dams reached Mary at her boarding school, in a letter from her mother Molly, that the pieces of the jigsaw fell into place and led to this giddy outpouring of excitement and pride in her father’s achievements.
* Wallis (Barnes Neville, 1887-1979). An important Autograph Letter Signed, 'B.N. Wallis', White Hill House, Effingham, Surrey, 2 August 1948, to his Executors, giving a detailed account of his family and financial situation amid concerns for the financial welfare of his wife and children in the eventuality of his death, and hoping that they will act in his best interests with all the information he provides, Wallis begins with the death of his brother and sister-in-law, Barbara and Hurley McCormick, in November 1940, and Barnes and Molly's subsequent adoption of their two children John and Robert, 'This comparatively large addition to my dependants, combined with heavy taxation, and the refusal of the Walker family to agree to legal adoption of the children (with consequent tax relief &c), has ever since that time made my income insufficient to meet my expenditure, thus preventing my saving money to provide for the long period of widowhood that in the course of nature my wife will have to face', continuing that he had told these things to Sir Hew Kilner, managing director of the Aviation Section of Vickers-Armstrongs Ltd. at Christmas 1944 and then going into details about various potential payments and tax implications, then giving an account of his various appointments and summary of his work and also referring to the 'bouncing bomb' invention, 'My Executors should know that, although urged to do so by my Patent Agents, I have refused to make any application to the Board of Inventions for any Awards that might be reasonably due to me for the inventions by which the Möhne and Eder Dams were destroyed in May 1943, or for the "Tallboy" and "Grand Slam" bomb. All these things were done entirely on my own initiative, in the face of strong opposition from Sir Charles Craven (footnoted as Chairman of Vickers-Armstrongs) though in the end with his help and approval... ', 5 pages with embossed address at head of first page, attaching two schedules, both in the hand of Barnes Wallis, the first a 'List of Appointments and Directors', summarising his career in eight periods from 1913 to the present time, written in tabular form on rectos of 2 leaves, the second schedule, being a 'List of Works' giving a more detailed description of the various projects undertaken during his working career and numbered to refer back to his list of appointments, 8 pages, all written on rectos only of a total of 15 foolscap folio sheets, first page of letter lightly toned, paperclip rust impression to blank upper left corner of first and last page, not affecting any textQty: (1)NOTESProvenance: From the family of Barnes Wallis, by direct descent. A highly important autograph summary of Wallis's working life. In the description of work schedule he gives detailed notes about the various projects and his roles in them, beginning with his involvement with H.B. Pratt on the R9. 'The R9 was stopped by Churchill then First Lord of the Admiralty, in the belief that the war would be over before the ship could be put into service. Pratt and I enlisted in the Artists' Rifles. It was soon realised that the war would be a long one, and Pratt and I, were firstly transferred to the R.N.V.R. to complete R9 as Naval Officers, and then transferred to Vickers, to carry out the programme of Naval Airship Development'. Wallis also refers to the R100 & R101 airships: 'During 1930 R100 flew successfully to Canada and back. The R101 attempting to emulate our performance by flying to India via Ismailia crashed after a few hours flight at Amiens with the loss of 48 lives. During the closing months of my time at Hawarden, when my design work was finished I had become interested in the design of aeroplanes, and saw that, with the great experience of the design of very light structures that I now possessed such improvements in the performance of aeroplanes could be made as would render the sole raison d'etre of airships, mainly their ability to fly great distances non-stop, no longer their sole prerogative. To this end I invented "Geodetic Construction" and the Wellesley monoplane... during this period also, in conjunction with R.K. Pierson I designed the Wellington Bomber which did frontline service throughout the war'. Wallis later refers to Operation Chastise and his experiments with bombs: 'Our experiments showed the impossibility of destroying these [Möhne & Eder Dams] or any other massive dams, even by the use of the largest bomb that I had suggested - ten tons, and in my extremity I invented the (still "top-secret") special weapon by which success was achieved in the historic attack which won for Wing Commander Guy Gibson the VC on the night of May 16-17, 1943. The attack did immense damage in the Eder & Ruhr Valleys. Industry in the Ruhr district was temporarily brought largely to a standstill due to the failure of fouling of the water supplies, and some 3,000 people were killed or drowned in the Ruhr Valley alone. The attack was one of amazing gallantry and skill on the part of Gibson and his Special Squadron (No. 617). The success showed to perfection the virtues of the scientific approach in modern warfare. Owing to the extreme secrecy, and novelty of the weapon and the harmful use that could be made of it against this country, it has not yet received the publicity nor the reward that it deserved, but it tended to establish in the minds of the C. in C's such as Sir Arthur Harris, and the C.E. Sir Wilfrid Freeman an impression of the rightness of the lines on which I had argued when writing my "Note on means of Attacking".' Wallis also gives an account of his involvement with the "Tallboy" and "Grand Slam" bombs and their successful use including the sinking of the "Tirpitz" by 617 Squadron, 'to the great indignation of the Director of Naval Construction and the Admiralty who still seem to think it not quite the thing that a battleship (albeit a German one) should be sunk by a bomb, when the whole efforts of the British Navy had conspicuously failed to do it by other means'. The account continues to his posting as head of a Research and Development department at Vickers-Armstrongs which was formed in 1945. The account ends in mid-sentence but is apparently pretty much complete: 'My knowledge of the German weapon V2 led to an interesting development in work that had long formed the purpose of my thought and aim in aeronautics, that is to say the development of a type of aircraft that could achieve long range, high speed and great load carrying capacity simultaneously. In a note [ends here].'
* Tinplate Biplane. A toy model of a biplane circa 1910, constructed in tin with a pilot, articulated wheels and propeller, 28.5cm wide x 27.5cm nose to tail together with a 38th Middlesex R.V. Artists pewter mug presented to Private A. Pine, 11cm high plus a trench art model of a bomb mounted on a lightning bolt base, 17cm highQty: (3)NOTESProvenance: Collection of Jack Webb (1923-2019), London.
Wallis (Barnes Neville, 1887-1979). The Dam Busters by Paul Brickhill, with a Foreword by Marshal of the Royal Air Force Lord Tedder, 1st edition, Evans Brothers Limited, 1951, black and white plates from photographs, neat pencil notes by Barnes Wallis’s wife Molly to margins of pp. 32, 35, 37, 68, 104, 167 and 199, author’s signed presentation inscription to front free endpaper, ‘For Barnes Wallis - Without whom there would have been no squadron [617 Squadron] and no book. With warmest regards, Paul Brickhill, London, Oct. 1951’, small news cutting to front pastedown with a picture showing the breach in the Moehne dam from a photograph taken by a German soldier the morning after the raid, original cloth gilt, slightly rubbed, spine faded at tips, dust jacket rubbed and a little soiled, frayed at head and foot of spine with slight loss at head, lower portion of spine detached and later held with tape repairs to verso at head and foot, 8voQty: (1)NOTESProvenance: From the family of Barnes Wallis, by direct descent. Barnes Wallis’s personal copy of the book that, with the follow-up film in 1955, helped cement Wallis’s place in the history books of World War II. Molly’s notes are personal notes relating to the account in the book. In the first she says how the children helped him with his early experiments with a water tub in the garden and that they ‘never divulged a word to anyone’ (p. 32). Molly tells how she witnessed the first actual dam blowing experiment on Rhayader Lake and that ‘it was most exciting’ (p. 35). The third pencil note describes how she was stopped from getting near to an aeroplane taking off with Wallis in it at Weymouth, when off to do the first experimental bomb test-drop off Chesil Beach (p. 37). On page 68 Molly concurs that Wallis was getting very little sleep and then, further down, disagrees with Brickhill describing Wallis taking his hat off: ‘Rubbish, he never wears a hat’. The most poignant, and final, comment from Molly relating to Operation Chastise is written in the margins adjacent to the printed account of Wallis’s distress concerning the terrible news of the raid’s own casualties: ‘Yes, I was very frightened, one moment he was talking to me and the next he had flopped asleep. I sat up hugging my knees until the birds started, wondering if he was all right and thinking how he felt, poor darling’ (p. 104). The final two brief marginal pencil notes relate to the Tallboy and earthquake bombs.
* Perring (Bill, 20th century). Catalina, 1995, oil on canvas, showing Catalina 'Y' JV928 returning to base following the sinking of a U-Boat, signed and dated lower right, 50.5 x 91.5cm, framed, inscribed verso '17th July 1944 - 210 Squadron Catalina 'Y' JV928 Returns to its base at Sullom Voe following the sinking of a U-Boat. For his outstanding courage and devotion to duty the pilot, Flying Officer John Cruickshank, was awarded the Victoria Cross', with cut signature by CruickshankQty: (1)NOTESVC - London Gazette 1 September 1944: 'This officer was the captain and pilot of a Catalina flying boat which was recently engaged on an anti-submarine patrol over northern waters. When a U-boat was sighted on the surface, Flying Officer Cruickshank at once turned to the attack. In the face of fierce anti-aircraft fire he manoeuvred into position and ran in to release his depth charges. Unfortunately they failed to drop. Flying Officer Cruickshank knew that the failure of this attack had deprived him of the advantage of surprise and that his aircraft offered a good target to the enemy's determined and now heartened gunners. Without hesitation, he climbed and turned to come in again. The Catalina was met by intense and accurate fire and was repeatedly hit. The navigator/bomb aimer was killed. The second pilot and two other members of the crew were injured. Flying Officer Cruickshank was struck in seventy-two places, receiving two serious wounds in the lungs and ten penetrating wounds in the lower limbs. His aircraft was badly damaged and filled with the fumes of exploding shells. But he did not falter. He pressed home his attack, and released the depth charges himself, straddling the submarine perfectly. The U-boat was sunk. He then collapsed and the second pilot took over the controls. He recovered shortly afterwards and, though bleeding profusely, insisted on resuming command and retaining it until he was satisfied that the damaged aircraft was under control, that a course had been set for base and that all the necessary signals had been sent. Only then would he consent to receive medical aid and have his wounds attended to. He refused morphia in case it might prevent him from carrying on. During the next five and half hours of the return flight he several times lapsed into unconsciousness owing to loss of blood. When he came to, his first thought on each occasion was for the safety of his aircraft and crew. The damaged aircraft eventually reached base but it was clear that an immediate landing would be a hazardous task for the wounded and less experienced second pilot. Although able to breathe only with the greatest difficulty, Flying Officer Cruickshank insisted on being carried forward and propped up in the second pilots seat. For a full hour, in spite of his agony and ever-increasing weakness, he gave orders as necessary, refusing to allow the aircraft to be brought down until the conditions of light and sea made this possible without undue risk. With his assistance the aircraft was safely landed on the water. He then directed the taxying and beaching of the aircraft so that it could easily be salvaged. When the medical officer went on board, Flying Officer Cruickshank collapsed and he had to be given a blood transfusion before he could be removed to hospital. By pressing home the second attack in his gravely wounded condition and continuing his exertions on the return journey with his strength failing all the time, he seriously prejudiced his chance of survival even if the aircraft safely reached its base. Throughout, he set an example of determination, fortitude and devotion to duty in keeping with the highest traditions of the Service'
* A group of seven to Lieutenant-Colonel R.E. Wilson MC & Bar, Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment Later Squadron Leader Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award bar 1914-15 Star (Capt. R.E. Wilson. York & Lanc R.) British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. R.E. Wilson.) Defence and War Medals Air Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R. (Wg. Cdr. R.E. Wilson. A.A.F.), good, very fine or better, mounted as wornQty: (7)NOTESM.C. London Gazette 22 September 1916: 'For conspicuous gallantry and leadership when, as battalion bombing officer, he organised and maintained bomb supplies under heavy shell fire. He led up several parties when the enemy counter-attacked, and finally guided a supporting company to the point attacked with comparatively small loss.' Second Award Bar London Gazette 3 June 1918 Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald E. Wilson, served during WWI with York & Lancashire Regiment, commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Hallamshire Bn) 28 October 1914, he was promoted to Lieutenant on 2 February 1915. He transferred service to the Auxiliary Air Force in 1939 and was commissioned Squadron Leader on 29 June that year, he commanded No.941 (West Riding) Squadron and was responsible for Barrage Balloons in the Sheffield region and after the raids by German aircraft had reduced considerably, the Barrage Balloons in were reduced and Wilson was posted to Liverpool in Coastal Command, he was commissioned Wing Commander on 9 September 1941. Wilson was a Sheffield man through and through and subsequently wrote the book Two Hundred Precious Metal Years: A History of the Sheffield Company Limited 1760-1960.
* Operation Chastise. A multiple signed commemorative First Day Cover issued in celebration of the 90th birthday of Sir Barnes Wallis in 1977, individually signed by 11 Royal Air Force pilots etc., including several members of 617 Squadron who participated in Operation Chastise (The Dam Busters Raid): Arthur T. Harris (Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command), Bill Howarth (Front Gunner with Lancaster ED921/G AJ-W), Bertie 'Toby' Foxlee (Front Gunner with Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P), David Shannon (Pilot of Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L), Raymond Wilkinson (Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O), Dave Rodger (Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED825/G AJ-T), Les Munro (Pilot of Lancaster ED921/G AJ-W), Thomas Simspon (Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P), Robert Kellow (Wireless Operator of Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N), Danny Daniel (Canadian Flying Officer, a bomb aimer who was involved in the sinking of the Tirpitz), 11 x 22 cm, FineQty: (1)
* WWI & WWII Munitions. WWI Mills Bomb No.5 Mk1 dated 1915 (INERT), presented under a glass display case, 20.5 high x 15.5 wide x 11.5cm deep together with 2 WWII No69 Bakelite hand grenades (INERT), one being a reddish colour the base with raised lettering 'No69 1942', 12cm high the other darker brown, 'No.69 DLR 40', 11.5cm highQty: (3)NOTESProvenance: Collection of Jack Webb (1923-2019), London.
A Victorian Cash register by G.H. Gledhill & Sons Ltd., Halifax, G H Gledhill and Sons Ltd was established by George H Gledhill (supported by his sons, Arthur H Gledhill, Gilbert Gledhill and Walter G Gledhill), to produce his new inventions. Whilst running a millinery business in Northgate, Halifax in 1886, Gledhill invented an automatic cash till and automatic cash displayer. During World War I, the company developed a bomb-release mechanism. This was fitted as standard to the early bombers of the Royal Flying Corps and, later, the Royal Air Force. During World War II, the company produced a range of military equipment: sun compasses for desert operations, a field service level for use in road and trench construction, map measurers, booby traps, tanks and torpedoes It was inherited by Mrs Olive Davey when she took over the Ironmongers shop on The Cross Newtown for her Crafts and Souvenir business. The Ironmongers who had previously occupied the premises sold it to her in late 1960s just before decimalisation
A Second World War DFM Group of Five Medals, awarded to 1398705 SGT.A.T.LARKINS. R.A.F., comprising Distinguished Flying Medal, 1939-45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star with clasp FRANCE AND GERMANY, Defence Medal and War Medal, together with the miniatures, photographs, newspaper cuttings and his Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (No.10 Squadron) with entries from 26-9-42 to 27-1-48, which records his many successful raids over GermanyFootnote:- Albert (Nobby) Larkins flew in Halifax bombers with No. 10 Squadron, and was awarded the DFM for his efforts during a very successful bombing raid of a munitions plant near Berlin. His aircraft came under heavy anti-aircraft fire being holed a number of times, and with the bomb aimer, George Craft, being hit in the head with shrapnel.
* World War II - Stereoscope. A desktop wooden stereoscope, 20th century, containing 47 World War II celluloid stereoviews, all aerial views on bomb damage, mostly in Germany and Japan, card supports, clipped into rotating display mechanism (needs attention), 4 turning screws for adjustable viewer, hinged lid, small maker's plaque pinned to front of stereoscope, 'Stereoscope Stores ref. no. 14s/1662. C & M Display Co. Ltd, Windsor Works, Barnsbury Grove, London N7', 53 cm tall, 26 cm wide, 29 cm deepQty: (48)
Dambusters bomb aimer George Johnson DFM who was a bomber aimer on the legendary Dams Raid in 1943 signed Operation Chastise cover. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
A collection of 69 vinyl L.P. records - Give 'Em Enough Rope by The Clash, Planet Waves by Bob Dylan, Venus and Mars by Wings, All This and World War II Soundtrack by Various Artists, Seven Separate Fools by Three Dog Night, Crime of the Century by Supertramp, Blondes Have More Fun by Rod Stewart, Atlantic Crossing by Rod Stewart, Absolutely Live by Rod Stewart, Travelling Wilburys by the Travelling Wilburys, Monty Python's Previous Record by Monty Python, Blues Brakers by John Mayal and Eric Clapton, Bumpers by Various Artists, On My Own by Anita Dobson, La Booga Rooga by Andy Fairweather Low, Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits, Gentle on my Mind by Dean Martin, Chart Runners Part One by Various Artists, Chartbusters by The Here & Now Band, The Parkerilla by Graham Parker and The Rumour, Stranger in the City by John Miles, Nazareth Greatest Hits by Nazareth, Aqualung by Jethro Tull, Jenifer Rush by Jenifer Rush, Jim Reeves Sings with some Friends by Jim Reeves, God Be With You by Jim Reeves, Fleetwood Mac Greatest Hits by Fleetwood Mac, How Dare You! by 10cc, Welcome to the Pleasuredome by Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Split by The Groundhogs, Thank Chirst for the Bomb by the Groundhogs, Rebel by John Miles, Andy Roberts by Andy Roberts, Street Life - 20 Great Hits by Bryan Ferry and Roxy Music, Four Wheel Drive by Backman-Turner Overdrive, Not Fragile by Backman-Turner Overdrive, A Kind of Hush by the Carpenters, Another Page by Christopher Cross, Bimbo by Jim Reeves, Jim Reeves - 4- Golden Greats by Jim Reeves, Song for Juli by Jesse Colin Young, Flying in a Blue Drea, by Joe Satriana, Marching Out by Yngwie Malmstenn's Rising Force, Back and Fourth by Lindisfarne, Smash Hits Country Style by Various Artists, Familly Style by the Vaughan Brothers, Still Got the Blues by Garry Moore, Tears and Laughter by Johnny Mathis, John Barleycorn Must Die by Traffic, The Intimate by Jim Reeves, 12 Songs for Christmas by Jim Reeves, Billy Conolly by Billy Conolly, Solitaire by Andy Williams, The Look of Love by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Grease the Original Sountrack by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, The Best of Gladys Knight and the Pips by Gladys Knight and the Pips, Fullcream by Cream, Greatest Hits by Fleetwood Mac, Frank Sinatra Greatest Hits, Vol. II by Frank Sinatra, The Love Song Record by Dionne Warwick, Fingers of Gold by Juanillo de Alba, Backless by Eric Clapton, Layla by Derek and the Dominos, Making Movies by Dire Straits, Disco Fever - 20 Original Disco Hits by Various Artists, Hooked on Hits - 50 Non-stop Hits by Various Artists, Chart Runners Part 2 by Various Artists, Sing Brother Sing by the Edgar-Broughton Band and Birth of Success by Jimi Hendrix. (69)
10 Matchbox Superfast/75 Series. Dodge Challenger No.1 blue body, white roof, red interior. Rescue Hovercraft No.2 lime green body, black skirt, red windows. Porsche Turbo No.3 metallic green body, red interior. '57 Chevy No.4 red, silver interior, 'Cherry Bomb'. Seafire Boat No.5 white deck, blue hull, blue man. Mercedes Convertible No.6 metallic blue, white interior. VW Golf No.7 red body, orange interior. De Tomaso Pantera No.8 white body, orange interior. Piston Popper No.10 metallic dark blue body, orange interior. Car Transporter No.11 orange chassis cab, beige body, 3 cars. All boxed, vehicles VGC-Mint minor marks to a few. £70-100
Groundhogs - Rock - Two vinyl long play LP record albums to include Thank Christ For The Bomb - UK stereo Liberty Black label release LBS 83295 - Matrix endings A-1G / B-1G - Record condition G. Textuard gatefold sleeve condition VG. Split - UK stereo Liberty Black label release LBG 83401 - Matrix endings A-1U / B-1U. Record condition G+. Laminated gatefold sleeve condition VG.
Frontflugspange für Kampf- und Sturzkampfflieger in Silber Massive versilberte Buntmetallausführung mit aufgenieteter stilisierter Bombenauflage, rs. hinterdreht, mit bauchiger Horizontalnadel und reliefierter Herstellerbezeichnung "R.S. & S." (= Richard Simm & Söhne, Gablonz). Zustand: II A Luftwaffe Heavy, Medium and Dive Bomber's Operational Flying Clasp in silver A massiv, silvered, struck brass ("Buntmetall") alloy clasp with a riveted, stylized winged bomb, the reverse with a round cut-out, a broad, bellied horizontal pin and the textured manufacturer's initials "R.S. & S." (= Richard Simm & Söhne, Gablonz). Condition: II
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![Richarz (Wilbert H. et al [editors]). The 390th Bomb Group Anthology, by Members of the 390th Bomb Group (H) 1943-1945, 2 vol](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/2206a016-3da5-4a0b-9e5e-acbe010b0ffe/a3c793a5-2e5b-4060-a8a2-acc400e15fc9/468x382.jpg)
