We found 117861 price guide item(s) matching your search

A violin with a two-part back and purfled edge  14"L with a bow, in a later, hard carrying case

* VICKY CASSIDY (SCOTTISH b. 1965), THE BEE'S KISS mixed media on paper, signed mounted, framed and under glass image size 50cm x 70cm, overall size 73cm x 92cm Note: Vicky (Victoria) Cassidy is a Scottish artist who trained at Glasgow School of Art. Her delicate mixed-media artwork often bring together Eastern themes, figures and text. This painting is inspired by Robert Browning's poem "In a Gondola":'The moth's kiss, first! Kiss me as if you made me believe You were not sure, this eve, How my face, your flower, had pursed Its petals up; so, here and there You brush it, till I grow aware Who wants me, and wide ope I burst . The bee's kiss, now! Kiss me as if you enter'd gay My heart at some noonday, A bud that dares not disallow The claim, so all is render'd up, And passively its shatter'd cup Over your head to sleep I bow.'

A WALNUT BOW FRONTED FOUR DRAWER CHEST - W 79 cm

An Indian design pendant & chain, formed as a heart with bird set with rough cut rubies, old cut diamond set bow top, in unmarked yellow metal but tested to be 18ct of higher on a curb link chain, 4cm high, 44cm long, 10.2g all in.

A 19th century mahogany bow fronted chest of drawers, comprising of two short over two long drawers raised on splayed front feet89 x 90 x 49cmProvenance: Heydon Grange, Norfolk

Four modern teddy bears to include Steiff Cosy Year Bear 2013, red bow, soft plush in brown, 38cm tall.

4 silver and costume jewellery brooches. An oval silver cameo brooch with hanging bale to back, a silver flower brooch set with central faux pearl and marcasite's, a orange enamelled silver bow brooch and a enamelled and marcasite set ship brooch.

Antique ruby and diamond ring, the large diamond and ruby encircled by diamonds and surmounted by diamond encrusted ribbon bow, ring size K, 3.3g gross.

An elm smokers bow chair, the bow with two iron supports, ring turned legs and H stretcher, 65cmW

An elm smokers bow armchair with shaped collar, the bow on eight baluster turned supports, shaped elm seat, on heavily turned legs and double H stretcher, 71cmW

An ash smokers bow armchair, on turned legs and double H stretcher

A quantity of silver and white metal jewellery to include Art Deco marcasite ring, boxed thimble, paste set bow brooch, mesh bracelet (44g) etc

A 9ct gold necklace with a Sagittarius bow and arrow pendant, 1.4g

A Georgian oak bow fronted corner cupboard

An Art Nouveau German silver fish service for 12 by Berlin silversmiths, H. Meyen & Co. The handles with a repousse bow and laurel swag design, the blade engraved with ribbon and laurel swag motifs. The matching fish serving set engraved with fish and laurel swag design. Stamped 800, german assay marks and back of forks stamped H. Meyen & Co. Longest 28cm Gross weight 1754g

A collection of antique jewellery, a Boulle work Victorian brooch with floral design, a silver medal, a black glass bow brooch and rolled gold mourning brooch. L.5.5cm

SIR ARTHER ROSTRUM 1931 COMMODOR ROBERT THELWELL CAPTAIN THE BIG SHIPS 1961, DAVID W BOW MERCHANT MAN REMEMBERED 1949, HARRY GRATIGE CAPTAIN OF THE QUEEN 1950S

EARLY 19TH CENTURY BOW FRONTED CHEST 19x42x42" HIGH

A 19th century red and gilt tole painted 'spaniel' coal scuttle The hinged lid painted with a reclining spaniel with blue bow, on a red upholstered and tasselled cushion, against a green wall, framed with stiff-leaf gilt decoration and surmounted with a rococo-style scroll handle, the reverse with coal shovel, 32cm wide, 43cm deep, 52cm high (12 1/2in wide, 16 1/2in deep, 20in high) (2) For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

A GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF USNISAVIJAYA, NEPAL, CIRCA 17TH CENTURY cast in three sections, seated on an altar platform raised on single lotus base, the eight armed, three headed Buddhist deity with lower right hand in varada mudra and upper left hand in tarjani mudra, his other hands holding double thunderbolt, arrow, Buddha image, bow, water-pot and noose, surrounded by a double flaming aureole, 16.5cm

A BRONZE VIRABHADRA PLAQUE, WESTERN DECCAN, INDIA, CIRCA 18TH CENTURY of rectangular form, with six piercings for attachment, the four-armed manifestation of Siva depicted in relief stepping to his left, wielding sword, shield, bow and arrow under a triple arch with emblems of the lingam, Nandi, Sun and Moon, and kirtimukha above, diminutive figures of Daksha and Sati below with hands in anjali mudra, 22 x 13.5cm

Albert Bow: a pair of colour prints  landscapes with figures with animals, 10 1/4" x 14", in gilt frame

Four: Able Seaman R. N. Cain, Royal Navy, killed when H.M.S. Curacao collided with the R.M.S. Queen Mary whilst escorting her to the Clyde, 2 October 1942 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. E. M. Byrne, 90 Beacon Road, Luton, Chatham, Kent’; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue (J.78777 R. N. Cain. A.B. H.M.S. Cairo.) light contact marks to last, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Reginald Norman Cain was born in 1902 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in 1917. He served during the Great War in home waters in the battleships H.M.S. Impregnable and Royal Oak, and received a War gratuity. Advanced to Able Seaman, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct medal in June 1936, and served in this rate during the Second World War in H.M.S. Curacoa. In September 1942 Curacoa was deployed with the Western Approaches Command at Belfast, to escort convoys in the N.W. Approaches and the Irish Sea. On 2 October 1942 the escort group was tasked to escort R.M.S. Queen Mary on the final stage of a trans-Atlantic passage. The famous Cunard liner, built on the Clyde in the 1930s, displaced 81,125 tons and was the greatest and most luxurious of the pre-war liners. On her maiden voyage she won the ‘Blue Riband’ for the fastest Atlantic crossing. On the outbreak of war she had become a troopship, carrying an entire division (15,000 men) at a time and often steamed without an escort, relying on her great speed for protection. On 27 September 1942 Queen Mary left New York bound for the Clyde, carrying about 15,000 U.S. servicemen. By the morning of 2 October she was some 40 miles north of Tory Island, off the northern coast of Ireland. Just after 7 a.m. the bridge watch sighted Curacao, which signalled that she would take up station five miles ahead, while six destroyers assumed flanking positions a few miles on either side of the liner. For the next five hours the convoy moved steadily towards Scotland, all hands scanning the clear skies for German aircraft. A stiff wind from the north-east was making life difficult for the destroyers racing about in search of U-Boats, but the Queen Mary steamed on majestically, untroubled by the choppy seas. Though the Cunarder was steering a zig-zag course her great speed allowed her gradually to overtake the slower cruiser, and by two o’clock in the afternoon Curacao was only a few hundred yards off the liner’s bow. The Queen Mary’s officer of the watch was increasingly concerned about the Curacao’s proximity and ordered the helmsman to turn slightly away. However, at the same time the cruiser turned even closer to the liner. Queen Mary’s helmsman made a last-ditch attempt to avoid disaster and turned hard-a-port, and for a moment it looked as if the manoeuvre might work. However, the liner’s massive stem struck the Curacao eleven feet forward of her stern at an acute angle, spun the warship round and sliced through her. Staff Captain Grattidge, resting in his cabin, felt a jolt that at first he thought was the near miss of a bomb. But when he reached the bridge he saw, ‘150 feet from the bridge on the port side, almost smothered in awesome clouds of black smoke ... the forepart of a vessel going down. Running to starboard I could see the after end of the same vessel, trembling to settle beneath the waves.’ Both sections of the Curacao were on fire and began to sink. The escorting destroyers raced to the scene but were only able to rescue 101 survivors. Queen Mary herself was under strict orders not to stop for any reason and steamed on. However, her bows had been stoved in below the water line and she had to reduce speed to 10 knots. She arrived safely at Gourock on the morning of 3 October. News of this disaster was blacked out and the loss of Curacao was not publicly announced until 1945, when a formal court of enquiry was convened to examine the cause of the accident. After almost four years of protracted litigation which went to the House of Lords it was held that Curacao was two thirds responsible for the collision and Queen Mary, one third. In total 338 Officers and crew lost their lives when the Curacoa was sunk, including Cain. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Medals issued to the recipient’s widow, Eleanor Mary Cain, who had subsequently remarried.

A good Second War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer R. Goldsmith, Royal Navy, whose command of a 4-inch gun in H.M.S. Porchester Castle against a surfaced U-Boat contributed to the latter’s destruction in September 1944 – conclusive evidence being found in ‘a glove and fresh human remains’: his ship was later used to portray the Saltash Castle in the famous film, The Cruel Sea Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. R. Goldsmith, C/JX. 136270); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (JX. 136270 R. Goldsmith, A./L.S., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-34; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (JX. 136270 R. Goldsmith, D.S.M., C.P.O., H.M.S. Woodbridge Haven), minor official correction to ship’s name on the last, contact marks, generally very fine and better (7) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 15 May 1945. The original recommendation states: Brief description of action or operation: ‘On the 9th of September while acting with support group screening convoy ONF 254 “Porchester Castle” detected and destroyed a U-Boat. Definite proof of destruction was obtained.’ Specific act or service for which recommendation is forwarded: ‘For outstanding devotion to duty, ability and determination as captain of the 4-inch gun. He gave great encouragement to the guns’ crew enabling them to maintain an accurate and rapid fire on the U-Boat which surfaced 200 yards on the starboard bow. This Petty Officer always sets an excellent example to his men and is a very definite asset to the ship.’ Robert Goldsmith, a native of Gillingham, Kent, was serving in the corvette H.M.S. Porchester Castle at the time of the above related action fought on 9 September 1944, while she was serving in a convoy support group north-west of Ireland. In the company of the frigate Helmsdale, she detected, pursued and destroyed the U-484, after the latter had been forced to the surface. And it is clear Goldsmith’s part in the action was crucial, the Commodore, Western Approaches, supporting the recommendation for his D.S.M. in the following terms: ‘Although the stem of the U-Boat surfaced for only a very short time, 4-inch gunfire was opened with exemplary speed and effectiveness. The readiness of this team reflects very well on this Petty Officer’s drive and determination.’ Recent research has established that Porchester Castle’s victim was the U-484 and not the U-743 as earlier believed. That she achieved a convincing victory is beyond dispute – ‘a glove and fresh human remains’ being found at the scene of the U-Boats demise. And before the year was out, Porchester Castle had shared in the destruction of another U-Boat on 11 November 1944, on this occasion the U-1200, south of Ireland. Sold with copied research including recommendation and action reports.

A Second War ‘D-Day’ D.S.C. group of five awarded to Acting Commander L. R. Curtis, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who commanded Assault Group J4 during Operation Neptune Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’ and privately engraved, ‘Commander L. R. Curtis, R.N.V.R., Ouistreham, June 6th’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, lacquered, good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2006. D.S.C. London Gazette 28 November 1944. M.I.D. London Gazette 8 June 1944. Leonard Rupert Curtis was appointed a Temporary Sub Lieutenant in the “Wavy Navy” in January 1942. Advanced to Lieutenant in April 1942, he joined the landing craft training base Copra in September 1943, which appointment culminated in his appointment to the command of Assault Group J4 on D-Day, a unit comprising the 200th and 201st L.C.I. (S.) Flotillas which landed at “Queen Red” and “Queen White” beaches near Ouistreham. Curtis appears in the acknowledgements of numerous D-Day histories, but no-one was closer to him at the initial landing stage than Lord Lovat, who ‘borrowed’ his bunk during the Channel crossing: ‘The paling stars spelt out ‘Invasion’. It was blowing half a gale and getting light enough to see Curtis, now with his steel helmet on. He had reddish hair and a serious face. A quiet-spoken, dependable man, keenly aware of the importance of the occasion. Rupert was to be awarded the D.S.C. for the work he did that day. I imagine he felt lonely on the crossing: twenty-two boats pitching in line ahead; seven hours of eye-strain darkness, keeping station in rough weather up the swept passage through the minefields. “Twenty miles from the coast and twelve to lowering point,” he shouted against the wind. I nodded respectfully, trying a shivering smile with eyes on the duffle coat. The navigator had done his job well - on course and ahead of the clock. Nautical twilight was past and the sea changing colour to oystershell in the grey dawn when the Aldis lamp blinked on our port bow: “Good morning, Commandos, and the best of British luck.” Curtis and his yeoman spelt out the signal. We made a suitable reply: “Thanks. Think we are going to bloody well need it.” Rupert ran up the battle ensign. War was becoming personal again ... Half-seen through palls of smoke, boats were burning to our left front ... Curtis made a slight alteration of course to starboard. A tank landing-craft with damaged steering came limping back through the flotilla. The helmsman had a bandage round his head and there were dead men on board, but he gave us the V sign and shouted something as the unwieldly craft went by. Spouts of water splashed a pattern of falling shells. Among the off-shore obstacles - heavy poles and hedgehog pyramids with Teller mines attached - we started to take direct hits. Curtis picked his spot to land, increased speed and headed for the widest gap, the arrowhead formation closing on either side. The quiet orders - a tonic from the ridge - raised everybody’s game: “Amidships. Steady as she goes.” The German batteries mistakenly used armour-piercing ammunition in preference to high explosive and bursting shrapnel. Derek’s landing brows were shot away and beyond him Ryan Price’s boat went up with a roar. Max had an unpleasant experience when a shell went through his four petrol tanks without exploding. Rear headquarters got away with minor casualties. Our command ship took two shells in the stern. It happened in the last hundred yards. There was no time to look back. The impact must have swung us round for two boats, Max’s and mine, touched down side by side. Each carried four thousand gallons of high-octane fuel in non-sealing tanks aft of the bridge. Had Max blown-up we would have gone with him. Five launches out of twenty-two were knocked out, but the water was not deep and Commandos got ashore wading; a few men went wading in the shell craters’ (Lovat’s March Past refers). Curtis attained the rank of Acting Commander in April 1945 and was released from the Active List in April 1946.

Three: Leading Wireman E. J. Trendell, Royal Navy, who was killed in action on Sword Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, whilst serving in Landing Craft Tank (Armoured) 2191 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. A. M. Trendell, 15 Ripon Road, Plumstead, London SE18.’, extremely fine (3) £240-£280 --- Edward Joseph Trendell served during the Second World War as a Leading Wireman, and took part in the D-Day landings in the Landing Craft Tank (Armoured) 2191. Beaching on the easternmost flank of the Queen Red sector of Sword Beach, 2191 discharged her Centaur tanks before she was approached by a mobile German 88mm gun from her portside. ‘A crew member shouted a warning and her commanding officer, Sub Lieutenant J. Roney, gave the order for the gun crews to open fire. However, against an 88mm the men aboard 2191 stood little chance. The first shell to hit exploded immediately portside of the bow door. The blast killed Sub Lieutenant Sidney Green and Wireman Edward Trendell, both of whom had been manning the portside winch (the mechanism for lowering and raising the door or ramp).’ Trendell was aged 20 at the time of his death. He is buried in Hermanville War Cemetery, France. His medals were sent to his mother Ada Mary Trendell.

Matthew Boulton’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805, white metal, the reverse field contemporarily engraved ‘Jas. Mason, H.M.S. Conquerer [sic]’, contained in copper-gilt glazed frame with watch-fob suspension, corrosion and pitting, therefore good fine £600-£800 --- Provenance: The Kuriheka Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006 (Purchased from Spink, March 1909, £1-5-0.) James Mason was born in London and served as an Able Seaman, aged 27, aboard H.M.S. Conqueror at the major fleet action off Cape Trafalgar between the British fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral Lord Nelson and the Franco-Spanish fleet under the command of Vice-Admiral P. C. de Villeneuve on 21 October 1805. At Trafalgar the Conqueror was the fourth ship in the weather column, following immediately after the Victory, Temeraire and Neptune, ‘she engaged the French flagship Bucentaure and the Spanish four-decker Santissima Trinidad. She shot away the former's main and mizen-masts by the board, her fore-mast in a few minutes sharing the same fate; when, after a loss of over four hundred killed and wounded, a white handkerchief was waved from her in token of submission, and Captain Atcherley, Royal Marines, and a party from the Conqueror was sent on board. There they received the swords of the French Commander-in-Chief, Villeneuve, and the senior military officer, General Contamin. The Conqueror, with the Neptune, then turned her attention to the Santissima Trinidad, whose main, mizen, and fore-masts were soon shot away, and she also struck to the two Britishers, which were immediately borne down upon by five of the enemy's ships until other British ships came to the assistance. While the remainder of the combined fleet were making their escape to Cadiz, the Conqueror hauled across the course of one of them which only had her foresail set. Her brave captain stood upon the poop holding the lower corner of a small French jack while he pinned the upper corner with his sword to the stump of the mizen-mast. She fired two or three guns, probably to provoke a return and so perhaps spare the discredit of a tame surrender. The Conqueror's broadside was ready, but Captain Pellew, unwilling to injure the brave French officer, fired a single shot across her bow. The captain lowered the flag, took off his hat, and bowed his surrender. The Conqueror's losses in the battle amounted to twelve killed and wounded, including four officers. She had her mizen topmast and main top-gallant mast shot away. Her fore and main-masts were badly wounded, and her rigging of every sort much cut, while several shot had struck her on the larboard side between wind and water. One of the enemy's shot also cut away the head of the figure at the ship's bow, and the crew, through the first lieutenant, asked permission to have it replaced by one of Lord Nelson. The request was granted, and when the Conqueror arrived at Plymouth after towing the Africa to Gibraltar, a figure of the hero, remarkable for the correct likeness and superior workmanship, and which the crew ornamented at their own expense, was placed at her bow.’ (The Trafalgar Roll, The Officers, The Men, The Ships, by Colonel R. H. Mackensie, refers)

A rare Second War B.E.M. and I.C.I. Gold Medal for Bravery pair awarded to Miss Catherine Munro, a Chargewoman at Imperial Chemical Industries’ Powfoot Powder Factory British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Miss Catherine Munro) on lady’s bow riband; Imperial Chemical Industries Gold Medal for Conspicuous Bravery, 38mm x 26mm, gold (9ct., 26.21g including riband, hallmarks for Birmingham 1938), the obverse inscribed ‘Awarded for Bravery’ with a lion rampant bearing the letters, ‘I.C.I.’, the reverse inscribed in raised letters (with name, locality and date engraved), ‘Presented to Catherine Munro by Imperial Chemical Industries Ltd for Conspicuous Bravery at Powfoot Works on 22nd February 1942’, with integral hallmarked gold brooch bar inscribed ‘Fortis’, in Thomas Fattorini, Birmingham, case, nearly extremely fine, rare (2) £800-£1,000 --- One of only 36 I.C.I. Medals for Bravery awarded from the date of the medal’s institution in 1929, and the last award in 1975. B.E.M. London Gazette 8 May 1942: Miss Catherine Munro, Chargewoman, Powder Factory, Imperial Chemical Industries Limited. ‘Miss Munro was loading a car with powder when she saw a flame issue from under the floor boards of the powder house. She sent her assistant to telephone for the Fire Brigade and, with a small hose, she returned to the compartment where the fire had developed. She played water on it until the Fire Brigade arrived. Close beside the fire was an uncovered car containing powder and although the fire spread to this she did not give up but continued to fight the flames. There was in the house at the time a large quantity of powder in a highly inflammable condition. By her prompt action the fire was kept under control until the arrival of the Fire Brigade. The damage to the house was negligible and work was resumed within twenty-four hours. Miss Munro showed courage without regard for her own safety being well aware of the possible consequences of the fire.’ Sold with named Ministry of Supply letter congratulating the recipient upon her award, dated 7 May 1942, and signed ‘Andrew R. Duncan’.

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, unnamed as issued, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue, extremely fine £140-£180

Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, unnamed as issued, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue (the case heavily worn), extremely fine £140-£180

A Great War A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to The Hon. Georgina M. Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment, who was additionally Mentioned in Despatches Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, with lady’s bow riband but adjusted and worn from a straight riband with additional suspension ring; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Hon. G. M. Cross. V.A.D.), in named card boxes of issue, and outer O.H.M.S. transmission envelope addressed to ‘The. Honble. Georgina M. Cross, Ash House. Broughton-in-Furness’; Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Miss G. M. Cross, Ash House, Broughton-in-Furness, Lancs.’, nearly extremely fine (4) £500-£700 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1918. The Hon. Georgina Marjorie Cross was born on 6 September 1886, the daughter of the Hon. William Henry Cross, and the granddaughter of Richard Assheton Cross, 1st Viscount Cross, sometime Home Secretary. She served during the Great War as an Assistant Nurse with the Royal Red Cross (Cumberland 10) from 8 July 1916 to 10 November 1919, landing in France on 8 July 1916, and for her services was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the A.R.R.C., being invested with her Royal Red Cross insignia by H.M. the King on 12 July 1919. In the 1939 Register she describes herself as an Artist, and also British Red Cross Society, Nursing Auxiliary. She died unmarried on 4 February 1958 and is buried at St. Anne’s Church, Thwaites, Cumberland. Sold with a possibly related enamelled British Red Cross pin badge, Red Cross Proficiency in Nursing enamelled medal (28990 I. M. E. Cross) and British Red Cross Society County of Cumberland pin badge (010329 E. M. Riley).

A Great War A.R.R.C. pair awarded to Mrs. Nesta F. Williams, Voluntary Aid Detachment, later Commandant, Monmouth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; Voluntary Medical Service Medal, silver, with two additional ‘Geneva cross’ award bars (Nesta F. Williams) good very fine (2) £240-£280 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 5 August 1919. Mrs Nesta Faith Williams commenced service as a V.A.D. Volunteer Nurse at the Monmouth Red Cross Hospital in February 1915, becoming Officer in Charge and Commandant of the Monmouth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital. Her home address was at Chippenham House, Monmouth.

A scarce 'underage Casualty' sole entitlement British War Medal awarded to Sapper A. J. Crockett, 1/3rd Kent Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, who lost his life, aged 17, when H.M.S. Hythe was almost cut in two by the much larger troopship Sarnia which accidentally rammed her at speed and in pitch-black conditions off the Gallipoli Peninsula on 28 October 1915 British War Medal 1914-20 (2564 Spr. A. J. Crockett R.E.) in damaged named card box of issue, extremely fine £120-£160 --- Alfred James Crockett was born in Gravesend in 1898, the eldest son of James and Eliza Crockett of 19 Prospect Place, Gravesend. His father worked as a steamship seaman, but rather than follow in his maritime footsteps, Alfred attested at Gillingham for the Corps of Royal Engineers and was posted to the 1/3rd Kent Fortress Company. This unit was effectively a 'Pals' Battalion in all senses, dominated by men - often pre-war friends - from Tunbridge Wells, Southborough and the surrounding villages in and around the Ashdown Forest. The men were commanded by the popular Captain David R. H. P. Salomons, sole heir to Sir David Lionel Salomons of Broomhill, a magistrate and former mayor of Tunbridge Wells and Honorary Colonel of the Kent Royal Engineers. Completing his training at Sheffield Hall, Draper Street, Southborough, Crockett and his comrades travelled from Devonport to Malta and on to Mudros Island (Limnos Bay) aboard H.M.T. Scotian. Here, 5 officers and 213 men of the 1/3rd transferred to the waiting 509-tonne former cross-Channel steamer Hythe, commanded by the Admiralty to work on troop movements in the Dardanelles. A small vessel, it was believed that her size and shallow draught would present a smaller target for enemy torpedoes. Leaving Mudros at 1600hrs on 28 October 1915 for the 50-mile journey to Cape Helles, it appears that Hythe was heavily overladen with both men and equipment; as an engineer unit tasked with improving the perilous duckboards and infrastructure on the peninsula, it would be logical that the vessel was packed tight with tools and resources. The dangers were further heightened by blackout conditions in the latter stages to avoid enemy detection. Clive Maier, author of a full account of events published on the Southborough Memorial website, notes: ‘Men were packed on the decks, many huddling under an awning that had been rigged to give a little relief from rain and spray. At about 20:00, as they neared their destination, men donned their kit, drivers went to their vehicles and the Hythe doused all lights. Within minutes the lightless Sarnia [almost triple the gross tonnage of Hythe] was spotted, steaming back empty to Mudros Bay from Cape Helles and on a collision course.’ Desperate to avoid contact, both vessels attempted to change course but it was too late: ‘The Sarnia struck the port side of the Hythe with such force that its bows cut halfway through the ship. That brought Hythe to a dead stop and caused its mast to collapse on top of the awning. Many were killed instantly by the bow and mast, but the others fared little better because the immense damage caused the Hythe to sink rapidly... It was all over in as little as 10 minutes.’ The subsequent enquiry found considerable issue with the sheer numbers of men on board, the lack of life jackets and the inability of many to swim. Many of the survivors - rescued by a lone lifeboat from the (holed) Sarnia - had simply survived by clinging on to floating debris, their fate determined by luck rather than anything else. The tragedy cost the lives of the C.O. and 128 men of the 1/3rd Fortress Company, along with 15 further army personnel and 11 of Hythe's crew. Only 103 members of the 1/3rd survived. The impact of the disaster on the people of Kent, and Tunbridge Wells in particular, is hard to quantify. Much as the forthcoming slaughter on the Somme would prove devastating to vast swathes of industrial England - all 'Pals' who had met the call of Lord Kitchener - the loss of so many Kent men in such circumstances, before they even had the chance to fight, proved particularly upsetting; several pairs of brothers were lost on the Hythe, a father and son drowned together, and some 99 children were left fatherless. For many years afterwards the local people of Southborough held a 'Hythe Sunday' church service to remember loved ones. His body lost to the sea, Crockett is commemorated upon the Helles Memorial, Turkey, one of the youngest servicemen to die during the campaign. As he did not officially enter a theatre of War, he was not entitled to either a 1914-15 Star or a Victory Medal. Sold with a Royal Engineers brass cap badge.

Four: Staff Surgeon A. T. Wysard, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Glasgow at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914 and the subsequent hunting down of the Dresden China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (A. T. Wysard, Surgeon R.N., H.M.S. Barfleur.); 1914-15 Star (St. Surg. A. T. Wysard. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (St. Surg. A. T. Wysard. R.N.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £500-£700 --- Alexander Thomas Wysard was appointed Surgeon, Royal Navy, on 13 May 1896 and joined H.M.S. Barfleur on the China Station on 1 October 1898. He was promoted Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander on 13 May 1904, and Staff Surgeon on 13 May 1905, retiring in 1906. Recalled for service during the Great War, he was posted to H.M.S. Glasgow, and was present in her at the Battle of Coronel on 1 November 1914, where she had a miraculous escape under the cover of darkness; both H.M.S. Good Hope and Monmouth, however, were sunk with the loss of all hands. Wysard was still serving in H.M.S. Glasgow when, along with H.M.S. Kent, the two ships encountered the German light cruiser Dresden, the only warship of von Spee’s squadron to have escaped destruction during the Falklands action, and which the South Atlantic squadron were now hunting down, off the south west coast of Chile on the morning of 14 March 1915. Both British warships opened fire; Dresden fired off only three shots before her guns were knocked out by British gunfire. On fire and holed at the waterline, Captain Lüdecke raised the white flag and sent over a negotiator to gain time while he prepared Dresden for scuttling. At 10:45, the scuttling charge detonated in the bow and exploded the forward ammunition magazines. The bow was badly mangled; in about half an hour, the ship had taken on enough water to sink. This was the end of von Spee’s East Asiatic Squadron. The official history states that the Surgeon of Glasgow (Wysard) was on his way to render aid when the Dresden blew up. Sold with copied research.

Miniature Medals: Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; 1914 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with full-sized M.I.D. oak leaves, the trio mounted for wear, good very fine (4) £60-£80

Thailand, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, 3rd (1941) issue (7), Commander’s badge, silver-gilt and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; Officer’s breast badge (2), silver-gilt and enamel, both with rosette on riband; Knight’s breast badge (4), silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the White Elephant (2), Knight’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Silver Merit Medal, silver, generally very fine and better (9) £100-£140

A Great War D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Commander H. Forrester, Royal Navy, for services whilst commanding torpedo boat destroyers in the Dover Patrol Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1915, and attractively engraved ‘Lieut,. Henry Forrester, R.N. Presented by King George V. Oct. 4th 1916. “Carried out dangerous patrol duties with marked ability”; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. Forrester. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Commr H. Forrester. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1917, with bronze palm on riband; Portugal, Republic, Military Order of Avis, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette and riband bar, enamel chips to the last, otherwise good very fine (8) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 25 July 1916: ‘Carried out dangerous patrol duties with marked ability.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 25 July 1916 and 26 April 1918. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 May 1918: ‘Awarded for mine laying operations.’ Portuguese Order of Avis London Gazette 4 February 1921: ‘Officer escorting Portuguese Expeditionary Force to France.’ Henry Forrester was born at Colinton, Midlothian, on 11 October 1887, and passed out of Britannia on 15 May 1904; Midshipman, 30 July 1904; Lieutenant, 1 April 1910; Lieutenant-Commander, 1 April 1918; Commander (Retired), 11 October 1927. In January 1915 Forrester was given command of the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Kangaroo, part of the Sixth Flotilla in the Dover Patrol. He was appointed to the command of the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Leven on 2 December 1915, and was awarded the D.S.C. for his work with the Dover Patrol in offensive operations on the Belgian Coast during the winter months of 1915-16. In June 1917 he transferred his command to the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Meteor, again with the Dover Patrol, and did good work in mine laying operations as related in Keeping the Seas, by E. R. G. R. Evans [’of the Broke’ fame]: ‘We had a very bright sample of officer attached to our patrol in the person of Lieut.-Commander Henry Forrester, D.S.C., who commanded the mine-laying destroyer Meteor. He was absolutely without fear, and I personally had more to do with with Forrester than with many of the other junior officers commanding ships of the Dover Patrol. In 1917 particularly, I used to escort him to a position near the Thornton Ridge, where he had established a zero mark buoy, from which he worked to lay his lines of forty mines or so. A description of one night will do for all. The barrage patrol would withdraw at dusk; the vessels would anchor in Dunkirk Roads, or to the northward of the bank which protects the roads, according to the state of tide for that night. A couple of hours before high water, the Meteor would take station abeam of the commanding flotilla leader and a little procession would form up to accompany her to the zero point from which she worked to get into position for laying. The flotilla leader, with her following of modern destroyers, would screen the Meteor up to the Thornton Ridge, or to whatever zero point had been decided on, and then, if no enemy vessels were met with, “g” would be flashed from Forrester’s ship, and he would proceed independently over to the prescribed position where his mines would be deposited. Personally, I loved these night mine-laying stunts; I had grown tired of seeing the enemy on the horizon and never being able to close him, on account of our mine barrage, but night time brought such boundless possibilities. A new division of destroyers might come from Wilhelmshaven to join the Flanders flotilla; a destroyer might be met with, intent on bombarding Lowestoft, Aldburgh, or some other fishermen’s home; small “A” class T.B.D,’s might be met with, or even enemy trawlers: a chance of a scrap we always looked forward to, and our personnel was splendid. I frankly admit that German gunnery was pretty advanced but they never profited sufficiently by it, and they were not out to fight. Our fellows certainly were intent on fighting, and if I have any criticism to make in this little volume on our own sailors, it is that they treated the war as a football match, rather than a contest of brains. Whenever I accompanied Forrester and his Meteor I felt a thrill of pride run through me, for this little red-faced man must have crossed and re-crossed the German minefields on almost every occasion when he took his Meteor up the coast. His work was splendid, and I shall never forget the feeling of apprehension which crept over me when I saw the little Meteor disappearing into the darkness. The impression left on my mind was a cloud of black smoke, a phosphorescent wake and a tin kettle full of men who were keen as mustard; then the period of suspense - an hour, possibly two. We knew her speed; we knew the position in which the mines were to be laid and we therefore anticipated to within five minutes the instant of her re-appearance. It all comes back to me so vividly. The bow wave reported by the look-out, the quickly-flashed challenge and acknowledgement, the feeling of relief and the signal, “Speed 20 knots,” flashed by the lamp which only showed in the direction decided on; the dark shape of the Meteor as she took station abeam of the Broke, and we swirled away homeward to our anchorage off Dunkirk. We always hoped to meet the enemy, but that privilege was denied us, and I feel that privilege will for ever be denied us now that Peace terms specify a reduction of German armaments. We can hardly hope ever to meet them again. Little Forrester was awarded the D.S.C. for his services; I think he also got the Croix de Guerre, and I hope he will receive some other recognition; he certainly deserves the best that can be given.’ Commander Forrester was re-employed in 1940 and appointed to H.M.S. Skirmisher, Milford Haven parent ship. He afterwards served in the Plans Division and as Chief Staff Officer (Admin.) to Commodore (D). He was placed on the Retired List in 1946. Sold with copied record of service, London Gazette entries and other research.

Six: Able Seaman W. F. Thomas, Royal Navy, who was present aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Cossack at the time of the famous ‘Altmark Incident’ of 16 February 1940, when 300 British merchant seamen were rescued from the holds of the German auxiliary ship Altmark in neutral waters in Jossingfjord, Norway 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 105039 W. F. Thomas, A.B., H.M.S. Cossack) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising to last, good very fine or better (6) £260-£300 --- William Francis Thomas was born in Portsmouth on 28 June 1905 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in November 1921. Having qualified as a Leading Torpedo Man in the 1930s, he served during the Second World War in the destroyer H.M.S. Cossack, and was present at the time of her spectacular rescue of some 300 British merchant seamen from the German Auxiliary ship Altmark on 16 February 1940. The Altmark Incident On the night of 16 February 1940, the German Auxiliary Ship Altmark was at anchor in Jossingfjord, Norway, with 300 British merchant seamen being held in appalling conditions in her holds, the survivors of earlier sinkings in the South Atlantic by the Graf Spee. Being in neutral waters, the Altmark was protected by two Norwegian torpedo-boats ordered to prevent British intervention. But, in a daring operation, H.M.S. Cossack - under the command of Captain Philip Vian, R.N. - was tasked with mounting a rescue operation. Vian’s own account takes up the story: ‘Having placed Cossack in a position from which our pom-poms could play upon Norwegian decks, whilst their torpedo tubes were no instant menace to us, I said we could parley no longer, and must board and search the Altmark forthwith, whether we fought them or not. Kjell's captain decided that honour was served by submitting to superior force, and withdrew. On rounding the bend in the fjord, Altmark at last came into view. She lay bows inshore, encased in ice, her great bulk standing black against the snow-clad mountains. Thoughts of the six-inch guns with which the Altmark was said to be armed were naturally in our minds. Though our own guns were manned we were obviously an easy target, and the enemy's first shots might well immobilise us at once. There was nothing for it, however, but to go ahead and get to grips as quickly as possible. The Altmark Captain was determined to resist being boarded. On sighting Cossack, he trained his searchlight on our bridge to blind the command, and came astern at full power through the channel which his entry into the ice had made. His idea was to ram us. Unless something was done very quickly the great mass of the tanker's counter was going to crash heavily into Cossack's port bow. There followed a period of manoeuvring in which disaster, as serious collision must have entailed, was avoided by the skill of my imperturbable navigator, McLean, and by the speed with which the main engine manoeuvring valves were operated by their artificers. Lieutenant Bradwell Turner, the leader of the boarding party, anticipated Cossack's arrival alongside Altmark with a leap which became famous. Petty Officer Atkins, who followed him, fell short, and hung by his hands until Turner heaved him on deck. The two quickly made fast a hemp hawser from Cossack's fo'c's'le, and the rest of the party scrambled across. When Turner arrived on Altmark's bridge he found the engine telegraphs set to full speed in an endeavour to force Cossack ashore. On Turner's appearance, the captain and others surrendered, except the third officer, who interfered with the telegraphs, which Turner had set to stop. Turner forbore to shoot him. It was now clear that as a result of her manoeuvres Altmark would ground by the stern, which she did, but not before Cossack, the boarding party all being transferred, had cast off, to avoid the same fate. It was expected, with the surrender of the German captain, that the release of our prisoners would be a drawing-room affair. That this was not so was due to the action of a member of the armed guard which Graf Spee had put aboard. He gratuitously shot Gunner Smith, of the boarding party, in an alleyway. This invoked retaliation, upon which the armed guard decamped; they fled across the ice, and began to snipe the boarding party from an eminence on shore. Silhouetted against the snow they made easy targets, and their fire was quickly silenced by Turner and his men. In the end German casualties were few, six killed and six badly wounded. The boarding party had none, save unlucky Gunner Smith, and even he was not fatally wounded. Resistance overcome, Turner was able to turn to the business of the day. The prisoners were under locked hatches in the holds; when these had been broken open Turner hailed the men below with the words: "Any British down there?" He was greeted with a tremendous yell of "Yes! We're all British!" "Come on up then," said Turner, "The Navy's here!"’ Thomas was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in March 1941, and after participating in the Second Battle of Narvik, saw further action off North Africa, Italy and Normandy. He was released 'Class A' in October 1945.

A fine Second War ‘Dunkirk’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Stoker First Class W. S. Grimmitt, Royal Navy, who in the destroyer H.M.S. Malcolm made eight trips to Dunkirk and, under incessant fire, brought away 6,400 troops Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (KX. 90969 W. S. Grimmitt, Sto. 1, H.M.S. Malcolm); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, light contact marks, generally very fine or better (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good services in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches of Dunkirk.’ William Stephen Grimmitt served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Malcolm, and distinguished himself during Operation Dynamo, the Dunkirk evacuation: during the period from 28 May to 4 June 1940, Malcolm undertook no fewer than eight trips to the beaches and Dunkirk pier, bringing away a total of 6,400 troops. Under incessant attack throughout these gallant forays, Malcolm was much battered by near misses but the behaviour of the whole ship's company was excellent both under fire and throughout the operation, during which they showed great powers of endurance. Full details Malcolm’s part in Operation Dynamo are recounted in the pages of Walter Lord's The Miracle of Dunkirk. One of Malcolm’s most noteworthy exploits was the rescue of soldiers embarked on the Clan MacAllister on 29 May, when she fought off countless attacks by Ju. 88s while passing over fire hoses to help fight the flames on the stricken merchantman - her hold laden with 4-inch ammunition. On a lighter note, another of Malcolm's officers played the bagpipes on the ship's foc'sle as some Cameron Highlanders were embarked, and on her final trip, made on the night of the 3-4 June to embark part of the French rear-guard which had been holding the Dunkirk perimeter, her officers sallied forth wearing their bow ties and monkey jackets. For their part in Operation Dynamo, H.M.S. Malcolm's skipper, Captain T. E. Halsey, R.N., was awarded the D.S.O., and the crew were collectively awarded 1 D.S.C., 8 D.S.M.s., and 12 M.I.D.s. Sold with copied research.

A silver mounted violin bow, stamped Aug. Prager, and a nickel mounted bow (2).

An old German violoncello with two-piece back, 73cm, unlabelled, with a bow in need of rehairing, in canvas case.Condition Report: There is a large repaired crack to the back, cracks to the table, please see additional photos.

A full size 'Artist Apollo' violin, Style 8, No. 1907, with two-piece back, length 35.7cm, cased with a Primavera bow.

A full size German violin with two-piece back, length 36cm, indistinctly labelled, cased with bow.

A full size German violin, Stradivarius copy, with lion carved scroll, the two-piece back length 36cm, with a Baroque style bow (2)

A modern Stentor Conservatoire viola with two-piece back, length 40.5cm, in modern hard case with bow.

An old 3/4 size violin with two-piece back, length 33cm, cased with a bow, also a modern Chinese 3/4 size violin, cased (2)

A three-quarter size German violin, Stradivarius copy, the two-piece back 33.4cm, cased with a bow.

A full size violin, probably German, unlabelled, with one-piece back, length 35.5cm, cased with a bow.

A modern full size violin, with two-piece back length 35.8cm, cased with bow.

A modern Chinese Skylark viola, cased with bow.

SEBASTIAN KLOTZ; a one-piece back violin, 36cm, with bow, cased.

A full size violin, probably German, unlabelled, with two-piece back length 35.5cm, cased with a bow.

NORTHERN RENAISSANCE INSTRUMENT; a modern tenor viol by George Stoppani, Manchester, No. 13, dated 1980, overall length 90cm, cased with a bow.Condition Report: Unfortunately, this instrument seems to have been stored in the same case for many years and upon removing the instrument from the case, a lot of the case has stuck to the sides and back of the instrument as can be seen in the photographs.

A full size German violin, Stradivarius copy, with two-piece back length 36cm, cased with a bow.

A 19th century carved marble bust of a girl with a bow in her hair and dress, height 52cm.Condition Report: Old repair to the bow in her hair, chips to the bow and to the head dress, minor chips throughout, largest slither chip to her shoulder.

Twelve pieces of 19th century bat printed ceramics, including Spode, various scenes to include gun dogs, landscape scenes, stately home, etc.Condition Report: Light wear to gilding and very minor chips throughout, one saucer has a 4cm crack running down from the rim into the bow, the side plate has a hair line crack strating from the and terminating in the bowl.

A Victorian walnut slipper type nursing chair, and an Edwardian inlaid mahogany bow back chair (2)

An Edwardian mahogany inlaid bow front China display cabinet vitrine. Raised on square tapering legs with bow front glass door having lined shelves within. Flared top above with gallery back. Measures approx. 120cm x 50cm x 35cm.

A Queen Anne revival burr walnut Serpentine fronted nest of tables. Raised on turned legs with bow stretchers having gadrooned borders with serpentine fronted table tops. Measures approx. 80cm x 52cm x 44cm.

An early 20th century walnut veneered display glass cabinet. With gallery back, bow front, single glazed panel door to front flanked by further glazed panels. All supported on squat cabriole legs. Measures approx. 116x69x32cm