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Lot 505
*A Rare Great War ‘Senussi Campaign’ Armoured Cars M.C. Group of 7 awarded to Lieutenant John Davies Lawrence, Manchester Regiment, who commanded a Rolls Royce armoured car in action at the Dakhla Oasis in Egypt’s Western Desert while on secondment to the Motor Machine Gun Corps, capturing 4 officers and 109 other ranks in the process. He later served as a ‘Bimbashi’ in the Equatorial Battalion of the Egyptian Army as part of the Turkhana Patrol in 1918, and also took part in the fighting against the Aliab Dinka during the uprising of late 1919, comprising: Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved in contemporary upright capitals (2nd Lieut. J. D. Lawrence. Manchester Regt Nov. 1915); 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut. J. D. Lawrence. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, the latter with M.i.D. bronze spray of oak leaves (Lieut. J.D.Lawrence.); Africa General Service, 1902-1956, single clasp, East Africa 1918 (Lieut. J. D. Lawrence. Equatorial Bn. E.A.); Egypt, Order of the Nile, Officer’s 4th class breast badge in silver and enamels; Khedive’s Sudan, 1910-22, 2nd issue, single clasp, Aliab Dinka (Lieut. Manch. R.), with impressed naming; together with a matching set of seven individual dress miniatures, all mounted together in glass-fronted wooden case, about extremely fine, and rare (14) M.C.: London Gazette: 4 June 1917 - ‘Whilst repairing one of his two Armoured Cars in the desert (he) received a helio message from W.D.A. to proceed at once to operate against DAKHLA OASIS in conjunction with No. 1 L.C. patrol*. After working all day on the car he was able to start at midnight and owing to his skill in guiding the car over unknown ground was able to overtake the L.C. patrol 10 miles short of DAKHLA, having travelled all night. The Senussi main camp at AIN BARABI being found evacuated he pushed on to TENEDA taking 1 officer and 2 other ranks prisoners. Next morning pushing on quickly to BUDHKULU a party of 50 Senussi were encountered and after a short fight surrendered. Here the cars had to wait for supplies and on their arrival, he proceeded to MUT where another 50 prisoners were taken, 3 officers and 7 other ranks of whom were ex-Coastguard. Work in the Oasis itself was difficult for the Armoured Car owing to the narrow bridges.’ M.I.D.: London Gazette: 6 July 1917 (For Senussi campaign), and 18 January 1921 (For Aliab Dinka) Egypt, Order of the Nile: London Gazette: 4 August 1922 - ‘for good services rendered during operations against the Aliab Dinkas in the Mongalla Province, Sudan, 1919-20’. Lieutenant John ‘Jack’ Lawrence was born on 19 February 1896, in the suburb of Jeppestown, Johannesburg, South Africa, the son of Henry Lakin Lawrence, a Mining Engineer, and Emma Lawrence. Educated at Horton Preparatory School, Ickwellbury, Bedfordshire, and then at Tonbridge School (1911-1913), he proved himself as a prominent sportsman, winning school colours at cricket, football and rugby. Here he also took up an interest in the military, serving as a Sergeant Cadet with the Tonbridge School Contingent, Junior Division, Officers Training Corps. He was initially apprenticed to the Midland Railway from 1913 to August 1914, but on 9 April 1914 he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the 8th (Ardwick) Battalion, Manchester Regiment. Upon the outbreak of war, Lawrence was posted to Palestine on 10 September 1914, returning to the U.K. in March 1915 having been ordered to attend the Royal Military College. While at Sandhurst, on 20 October 1915, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the Regular Army (Manchester Regiment) and posted for employment with M.G.C. In March 1916 he was posted to Egypt, and he was officially seconded to the Motor Machine Gun Service on 20 October 1915. In Egypt he joined the Armoured Cars of Nos. 11 & 12 Light Armoured Motor Brigade, M.G.C., Desert Column, taking part in the Senussi Campaign in the Western Desert. His unit consisted of one Rolls Royce Armoured Car (commanded by Lawrence himself) and tender; six Ford cars and 12 motor bicycles. The remaining personnel consisted of two officers and 58 other ranks, with two Vickers and two Lewis guns in support. For his service in the Senussi campaign Lawrence was mentioned in despatches and awarded the M.C. Lawrence left the M.G.C. on 10 September 1917, being afterwards transferred to the Equatorial Battalion, part of the Egyptian Army which was serving in the Sudan. Placed in command of No. 2 Company of the Equatorial Battalion, he took part in operations against the Northern Turkhana, Marille, Donyiro in Southern Sudan , west of Lake Rudolf, between 20 April and 19 June 1918 (British Battles and Medals, refers). Known as the ‘Turkhana Patrol’ this patrol was sent out to oppose and disrupt tribal slaving and cattle raiding, and saw some heavy fighting. The campaign itself was commanded by Major Richard Finch White, Essex Regiment, and having been present, for the duration with the , Lawrence became one of just seven British Officers, serving with the Egyptian Army, to earn the Africa General Service Medal with clasp “East Africa 1918”. At the end of October 1919 a war-party of the Aliab Dinka attacked a police-post south of Bor (now capital of the Jonglei State in South Sudan), at Menkamon on the White Nile, killing eight policemen. This outbreak of violence quickly spread and Major Chancey Stigand, Egyptian Army (and Governor of Mondalla Province) sought to stamp it out with a few companies of the Equatorial Battalion, including those under the command of Lawrence (the article ‘Chauncey Stigand, Soldier, Governor and Writer’ by Henry Keown-Boyd, refers). As explained in the same article, owing to a shortage of officers Stigand accompanied one of the patrols himself, whereupon it was twice ambushed in quick succession overnight and in the morning on 8 December, in the long grass by several hundred Aliab Dinka tribesmen. Stigand himself, the Officer Commanding Troops Kaimakam (Lieutenant-Colonel) White, Yuzbashi (Captain) Saad Osman and twenty-four other ranks and carriers were killed. The remaining four officers, Bimbashi F. C. Roberts, V.C., D.S.O., M.C., (Worcs Regt), Bimbashi W. H. Wynne-Finch, M.C. (Scots Guards), A. H. Kent–Lemon (York & Lancs) and John Davies Lawrence, M.C. (Manch. Regt) were able to rally and restore the situation despite these losses, making a fighting and reaching Tombe on 13 December 1919. Keown-Boyd writes that: ‘The four surviving British officers - all veterans of the Great War and accustomed to reacting swiftly in desperate circumstances, rallied their companies and drove off the enemy, thus averting even greater disaster.’ Lieutenant Lawrence subsequently took part in the retaliatory operations against the Aliab Dinka, Bor Dinka and Mandari tribes in early 1920, for which he was awarded the Khedives Sudan medal with clasp ‘Aliab Dinka’. He was also awarded the Order of the Nile ‘for good services rendered’ during these difficult operations. Unfortunately, it appears that Lawrence contracted Malaria during this period, as he was examined by a Medical Board on 14 October 1920, which confirmed his disability from malaria (rated at 50%). After a lengthy period of treatment (and after his third Medical Board examination, on 6 January 1921) he was discharged to return to his regiment, relinquishing his commission on the same day. ... For further information please see the catalogue pdf on www.mortonandeden.com
Lot 506
*A Fine WWI ‘Manchester Pals’ Military Cross Group of 4 awarded to Major Henry William Walker, 21st (6th City ‘Pals’) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, awarded the M.C. for continuing to command “D” Company despite his severe wounds, and successfully capturing his objectives and some 90 prisoners in the process, at the ‘Salford’ and ‘Munich’ Trenches near Beaumont Hamel during the early hours of 11 January 1917, comprising: Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved in contemporary upright capitals (Captain H. W. Walker. 11th January 1917); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. W. Walker. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, the latter with M.i.D. bronze spray of oak leaves (Major H. W. Walker.); Medals loose, once cleaned, extremely fine (4) M.C.: London Gazette: 3 March 1917 – ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although severely wounded, he continued to command his company, and succeeded in capturing the objective. He set a splendid example of courage and devotion to duty.’ M.i.D.: London Gazette: 21 December 1917. Major Henry William Walker (d.1937) was first commissioned as a temporary Second Lieutenant in the 21st Manchesters on 16 December 1914. Initially, and upon the arrival of the Battalion in France, Second Lieutenant Walker served in the role of Transport Officer, but as the war progressed he soon found himself dealing first hand with the hard realities of trench warfare. Promoted to Captain, he won the Military Cross for bravery during the battalion’s attack upon ‘Munich’ Trench on 11 January 1917. Leading his company in this trench attack, despite being severely wounded, his company succeeded in taking its objective, as well as some 90 prisoners to boot. He also later took part in leading and attack near Polygon Wood and Gheluvelt in late 1917. The Battalion history records the events as follows: “Subsequently the battalion moved up to the N.E. end of Polygon Wood, where “C” and “D” companies occupied Jetty Trench, while “B” company dug in round the Mound, where H.Q. were now established. This move was carried out under intense artillery fire. At 9.30 a.m. “D” company, under Major H. W. Walker, M.C. moved forward in support to 22nd Battalion Manchester Regiment, and came under the orders of Lt. Col. F.W. Woodward, D.S.O., commanding that battalion. About 2 p.m. “C” Company, under Captain E.P. Whitehead, was also sent forward, and upon Captain Whitehead becoming a casualty, Major Walker assumed command of both companies, and they remained under orders of the O.C. 22nd Battalion throughout the operations.” According to battalion histories, during one period away from the front lines he also invented a new adaptation of the local aperitif Amer Picon by adding rum and heating it up. By all accounts this ‘most potent beverage’ was ‘much appreciated by all who were introduced to it… (and) Headquarters, the seat of the invention, was much patronised at the time.’ He finally relinquished his commission upon completion of service on 22 March 1919, with the rank of Major. He died c.1937 in British Guiana.
Lot 557
*Cherry Medal, 1900-1904, in silvered bronze, with silver top bar and reverse brooch pin, and additional silver bar, unnamed as issued, attractively toned, good extremely fine, lustrous and scarce As explained in the article ‘The Cherry Medal’ by Margaret Aldred (which uses this medal offered here as its illustration), this medal has a curious history and background as an ‘in joke’. The story begins with the man after whom the medal is named – Captain George Henry Cherry, R.N.. Having joined the Royal Navy at the age of just 14, he was raised in the ‘hard days of sail when the discipline was iron, and had to be’. As a result, he was well-known for his discipline, pedantry, and blind adherence to naval regulations. With the commissioning of H.M.S. Argonaut in 1900, Captain Cherry was placed in command for service on the China Station between August 1900 and January 1904, where the Argonaut acted only as a Guard ship (thus depriving the officers and crew of any chance of prize money). The returning officers, regaling their family and wives of their boredom, frustration and hardships during a tea party at Plymouth, were told that they really did ‘deserve a medal’ for putting up with serving under an martinet for nearly four years. In that moment, the Cherry Medal’ was born, and while it initially was only going to be awarded to the 5 officers who had served for the duration of the voyage, such was the demand that it was later decided that even those who had served for 6 months deserved a medal nonetheless. To that end, 100 such medals were designed and commissioned through the firm Gamages at a cost of 11s 6d each. It is argued that the additional bar reflects either a full year of service or one instance of ‘logging’ as noted in Aldred’s article (perhaps a typo for flogging?), but this is not formally recorded. Even those who had not served under Cherry on the Argonaut, but had served under him later were keen to obtain their own example of the medal when they heard about it (including Admiral Lord Fisher). For a time the medal, the joke, and Captain Cherry, the man, became legendary in Naval circles, and even the King, George VI accepted a medal for his own collection. Coming full circle, an example was finally offered to Captain Cherry after WWI, when he, at last breaking with regulations, accepted this unofficial medal.
Lot 588
An Interesting Victory Medal and Mappin & Webb ‘Tug of War’ 1919 Prize Medal Pair to Private A Sartain, C. Coy, 16th Tank Battalion, late R.A., with two other Victory Medals, comprising: Victory Medal, 1914-1919 (144693 Gnr. A. Sartain. R.A.) with original cased Mappin & Webb bronze prize medal, 45mm width, standing figure of Victory right, rev., ‘Rhine Army Athletic Championship – Pte. A. Sartain, C. Coy, 16th Tank Batt. Tug of War, 1919, Germany; with other Victory Medals (2) to (133779 Pte H. J. Windebank. M.G.C.) and (211251. 1.A.M. E. Drage. R.A.F.); good very fine to extremely fine (4)
Lot 614
*The Important Sudan, Boer War, and Great War C.M.G. and D.S.O. group of ten awarded to Colonel Charles. M.A. Wood, Northumberland Fusiliers, late Bimbashi in the Egyptian Army, and second son of Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G. He saw action in the Sudan and was mentioned in despatches for his part in the Battle of Omdurman, where he was one of just two British officers commanding the anti-Mahdist Tribal Irregulars. As a result of his success with unorthodox fighting units he was one of the first British officers called upon to help raise the Chinese Wei-Hai-Wei (or First Chinese) Regiment between 1898 and 1899. Afterwards he served as Captain and Adjutant with the Northumberland Fusiliers during the Boer War, and latterly served as Assistant Adjutant-General of the British Armies in France between 1916 and 1918, comprising: The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion’s neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamels; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., in silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Lt. C. M. A. Wood, 1/North’d Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3rd type reverse, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt. & Adjt. C. M. A. Wood, North’d Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, the latter with bronze M.I.D. spray of oak leaves (Lt. Col. C. M. A. Wood); Coronation 1911; France, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with silver mark to tie in lower wreath; Turkey, Order of Medjidie, Officer’s breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, the reverse privately inscribed (Lt. C. M. A. Wood, 1/North’d Fus.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (Lt. C. M. A. Wood, 1/North’d Fus.), engraved in typical upright capitals; the second with slightly recessed centre both sides and minor enamel loss to wreaths, Legion d’Honneur with slightly bent finial point and minor enamel damage, campaign medals once lacquered with light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (10) C.M.G.: London Gazette: 12 December 1919 – ‘for services rendered in connection with the War’ D.S.O.: London Gazette: 4 June 1917 (General Citation) Legion d’Honneur: London Gazette: 15 April 1916 – ‘distinguished services in connection with the War’ M.i.D.: London Gazette: 30 September 1898; 10 September 1901; and 15 May 1917. Charles Michell Aloysius Wood (1873-1936) was born on 2 April 1873, the son of Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G, then serving in the 90th Regiment. Receiving his education at Beaumont College and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers on 19 November 1892. He was soon afterwards promoted to Lieutenant during a period of secondment to the 4th Battalion Egyptian Army between October 1894 and November 1895, with the rank of Bimbashi. He was then appointed A.D.C. to Sir Alfred Milner, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Cape of Good Hope, in April 1897. In 1898, Wood witnessed active service in the Sudan and was present at the Battle of Omdurman on 2 September 1898, and the subsequent taking of Khartoum. He was one of just two officers seconded to the Egyptian Army to command the anti-Mahdist Tribal Levies. For this, he was mentioned in despatches and appointed to the Fourth Class of the Turkish Order of the Medjidie. Later that year, he also took part in the occupation of Crete. Having evidently shown his ability to instruct and command local levies, he was sent to China between 1898 and 1899 to assist with the creation of The Wei-Hai-Wei (or 1st Chinese Regiment). This force of 1,000 men, created in 1898, was raised purely from the men of Shantung Province to fight for and defend the British enclave of Wei-Hai, and it was led by British officers and Colour Sergeants only. In the book ‘Fists of Righteous Harmony: A History of the Boxer Uprising in China in 1900’ by Henry Keown Boyd, Charles Wood is mentioned as part of this unit’s early history: ‘Among the first British officers to join it was Captain Charles Wood, son of the celebrated Field-Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood VC, a former Sirdar of the Egyptian Army. Wood Junior was no stranger to unconventional soldiering as he had fought at the Battle of Omdurman as one of only two British officers with the anti-Mahdist tribal levies.’ Although Wood left to take part in the Second Boer War after roughly one year training this regiment, it would later serve during the Boxer Rebellion with some distinction. Having then been advanced to Captain and appointed Adjutant, Wood served in South Africa, participating in operations in Orange Free State, Transvaal and Cape Colony, and he was again mentioned in despatches. Between October 1901 and December 1904, Wood served as A.D.C. to the Commander of 1 Indian Army Corps, in Southern Command, and he was advanced to Major in December 1910, upon taking up duties as a G.S.O. at the War Office until May 1911. Upon the outbreak of war in August 1914, he was serving as a Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General, where he remained until his appointment as Assistant Adjutant-General to Australian H.Q., Salisbury Plain, in the summer of 1916. The appointment was short-lived, as just a month or so later he was embarked for France to serve as Assistant Adjutant-General to the British Armies in the Field, in which role he remained until early 1918. For his Great War service he was awarded the C.M.G., D.S.O. and mentioned in despatches for a final time. Wood, who was promoted to Colonel in April 1919, was placed on the Retired List in March 1929. He married Olive, daughter of Major Herbert Miles, R.A., in 1915, and died at his home in Bude, Cornwall, in April 1936. This lot is offered with a substantial folder of mainly photocopied research, but also with an original press cutting of his obituary in the Morning Post, also containing research concerning his father. Howe and Tandy setting a ‘Senior Doubles’ canoeing record, 1961. Sold by direct descent
Lot 623
*The Albert Medal awarded to Works Manager James Kennedy Chapman for saving the life of his colleague Thomas McCormack from the inside of an iron stoke hold tank in the steamer S.S. Cairngorm, at the Mercantile Dry Dock at Jarrow, on the River Tyne. He also attempted to save the life of another colleague, before he also was overcome and incapacitated by the same poisonous fumes on 27 November, 1908, comprising: Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ´Presented By His Majesty to James Kennedy Chapman For Gallantry in Saving Life At Jarrow on the 27th November. 1908´, tiny verdigris spots, otherwise nearly extremely fine Albert Medal: London Gazette: 23.7.1909 James Kennedy Chapman, joint citation with Thomas McCormack - ´On the 27th November, 1908, workmen were engaged painting the inside of an iron tank in the stokehold of a steamer lying in dry dock at Jarrow. Owing to the fact that very strong fumes were given off by the anti-corrosive paint or solution used the men were working in relays, each squad of three men being relieved after 10 to 15 minutes had elapsed. A workman named Graham was overcome by the fumes, and the chargeman, Archibald Wilson, sacrificed his life in endeavouring to save Graham. Thomas McCormack, who had already been affected by the fumes while at work in the tank, went to Wilson´s assistance, but was himself rendered insensible, and was rescued by James Kennedy Chapman, Works Manager at the Dock, who, having pulled McCormack out, re-entered the tank and endeavoured to save Graham, but was himself overcome by the fumes. The rescue of Chapman and Graham was eventually effected from the top of the tank. James Kennedy Chapman was born 3 February 1860 in Kirkaldy, Fife, Scotland, the son of Alexander Chapman and Margaret Chapman (née Whitton). Research suggests that c.1885 he moved to the important shipbuilding town of Jarrow, then part of County Durham, but now part of Tyne and Wear. Working initially as a Boilersmith, by 1908 he was working as a Works Manager at the Mercantile Dry Dock Company. With the S.S. Cairngorm in dry dock for repairs in late November 1908, it was here that Chapman gallantly rescued his colleague Thomas McCormack, before then also attempting to save the original casualty, Alexander Graham, at which point he was himself incapacitated and saved by others nearby. Tragically, the first rescuer, Archibald Wilson, died as a result of his attempt to save Mr Graham. The various men had been working in 15-minute shifts whilst applying an anti-corrosive chemical (‘Ritchie’s’ bitumen paint) to the inside of the stoke hold tank – a vast iron tank 43 feet long, 14 feet wide, but only 3 feet high. Despite taking some precautions, the noxious fumes soon began to render each of them unconscious in turn. As recorded in the coroner’s report, considering the various acts of bravery: ‘Chapman showed the greater bravery. He entered the tank first; but apparently he was in a responsible position and therefore more was expected of him.’.´ Bearing these considerations in mind, both Chapman and McCormack were recommended for the Albert Medal, being presented with their medals by the King at Buckingham Palace on 22 July 1909, with a posthumous award of the same medal to the widow of Archibald Wilson. In addition to this, Chapman and McCormack were each also awarded bronze medals by the Carnegie Hero Trust Fund, and were entered into the Roll of Heroes. Chapman sadly died on 10 October 1925, and the Shields Daily News records that Chapman had been a deacon at the Ellison Street Presbyterian Church, and a member of the Bede Lodge of Freemasons. As such, Chapman did not therefore live to see his Albert Medal upgraded for a George Cross, whereas McCormack was able to, making this incident the earliest act for which the George Cross was subsequently bestowed. Ex Sotheby 1970, and Spink, 23 April 2009
Lot 626
*A Rare Sea Gallantry Medal, Lloyd’s Medal and Great War Mercantile Marine Group of 4 awarded to Sydney W. Warren. He was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal for his ‘extraordinary exertions’ alongside 14 other crewmembers of the S.S. Menominee while rescuing 23 men from the steamship Glendower during an Atlantic storm on 12 January 1899, comprising: Board of Trade Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, V.R., large silver issue (Sydney Warren Wreck of the “Glendower” on the 12th January 1899), fitted with a silver scroll suspension and ribbon for wear; British War Medal (Sidney W. Warren); Mercantile Marine Medal (Sidney W. Warren); Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, small bronze issue (S. Warren. “Glendower” 12 Jan. 1899); Medals swing-mounted on card, contact marks and small edge nicks to first, generally good very fine (4) The S.S. Glendower, of Leith, was sinking in extremely high seas in the Atlantic Ocean when the S.S. Menominee, of Glasgow, under the command of Master Harry Bocquet, hove in sight and launching two boats succeeded in rescuing her crew (The Sea Gallantry Medal, pg. 277, by R. J. Scarlett, refers, referring to the original citation). The original citation also records in addition that ‘The weather was very bad, with very heavy sea, & the rescuers ran great risk.’ Sidney Warren, the Menominee’s Carpenter was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver for Gallantry and £2, presented to him in London, as well as the Lloyd’s medal in bronze, for his role in the rescue. A total of 15 Sea Gallantry medals in silver were awarded for the rescue. He continued to serve during the Great War. Offered with some useful copied documentation, and a copy of the original citation.
Lot 627
*The Orders, Medals and Decorations awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel the Right Honourable Martin Michael Charles, Baron Charteris of Amisfield G.C.B. G.C.V.O. O.B.E. Q.S.O. P.C. Educated at Eton College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he served as an officer in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in WW2 and saw action in North Africa during which time he was temporarily paralysed by ‘Nile Rheumatism’. Returning home to convalesce in October 1940, his hospital ship S.S. Yorkshire was subsequently torpedoed and sunk, seeing him cast adrift and then rescued before recuperating in Britain. Back in action in 1941, he took command of ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, K.R.R.C., part of the 7th Motor Brigade, and fought in and around El-Alamein, Tobruk, Gazala and then in the Italy campaign. After the war he served as Head of Military Intelligence (G.S.I.) in Palestine 1945-46, and was fortunate to have not been present during the infamous King David Hotel bombing, which had targeted the offices of the senior figures of the British Administration. He rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was a refined, charming and well-connected individual with a keen wit and sense of humour. He was appointed Private Secretary to H.R.H. The Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh and heiress presumptive to the British throne in 1950, and was the first to receive word from Britain of the death of King George VI during a visit to Kenya. Continuing to serve H.M. The Queen as her Assistant Private Secretary (1952-1972) under Sir Michael Adeane, and then as Private Secretary (1972-1977), the culmination of his role was his central involvement in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee celebrations of 1977. Upon his retirement in 1977 he became Provost of Eton College, and was appointed permanent Lord-in-Waiting and Life Peer as Baron Charteris of Amisfield, created on 7 February 1978, comprising: Orders and Decorations: The Most Excellent Order of the Bath (Civil Division), Grand Cross set of insignia by Garrard & Co., comprising sash badge, in silver-gilt, bearing hallmarks for London dated 1940, and breast star, in silver gilt and enamels, in fitted case of issue; The Royal Victorian Order, Grand Cross set of insignia by Collingwood, comprising sash badge, in silver-gilt and enamels, and breast star, in silver, silver-gilt and enamels, both numbered ‘952’ to reverse, in fitted case of issue; France, Legion d’Honneur, Grand Officer’s set of insignia by Arthus Bertrand, Paris, comprising officer’s breast badge in gold and enamels (minor enamel loss in lower part), and breast star in silver, both bearing hallmarks, in fitted case of issue; Medal Group: Queen’s Service Order, in silver and enamels, reverse engraved (Martin Michael Charles Charteris); with original box of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Officer’s breast badge, in silver; 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star, with clasp ‘8th Army’; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, the latter with bronze M.i.D. spray of oak leaves; General Service Medal, 1918-62, single clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Major. M.M.C. Charteris. K.R.R.C.); Coronation Medal, 1953; Jubilee Medal, 1977; Group court-mounted with brooch pin by ‘John G. Southern – Military Tailor’, with associated riband bar, and a folder of official warrants of appointment, toned, extremely fine, and a rare combination of medals and awards to an important figure in modern royal history (16). O.B.E.: London Gazette: 13 June, 1946 M.V.O.: London Gazette: 1 June, 1953 (Coronation Honours) C.B.: London Gazette: 12 June, 1958 K.C.V.O.: London Gazette: 2 June, 1962 (Birthday Honours) K.C.B: London Gazette: 3 June, 1972 (Birthday Honours) G.C.V.O.: London Gazette: 1 January, 1976 (New Year Honours) G.C.B.: London Gazette: 11 August, 1977 Q.S.O.: London Gazette: 31 December 1977 Royal Victorian Chain: London Gazette: 7 July, 1992. Martin Michael Charles Charteris was born on 7 September 1913 at Halkin Place, London, the second son of Hugo Francis Charteris, Lord Elcho, and Lady Violet Catherine Manners. Educated at Eton College, and at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 31 August 1933, being promoted to Lieutenant on 31 August 1936, and serving in the jungle in Burma in 1937. Soon after the outbreak of war in 1939, he was left temporarily paralyzed by a tropical virus (then called ‘Nile Rheumatism’) in Egypt, and in the process of returning back to Britain from Gibraltar to convalesce in October 1939, he was playing chess on deck with his Doctor when the hospital ship Yorkshire was torpedoed in the Bay of Biscay. He was nearly drowned as he was dragged underwater, having only recently regained any strength at all after his paralysis. Somehow surfacing he was rescued by a life raft and eventually picked up (as recorded in his account published in the Sunday Express of 25 February 1940) by an American vessel. Being neutral at this stage in war, the American ship was carefully inspected by the U-Boat but was in the end left alone. After his recovery, he returned to active service in North Africa in 1941, taking command of ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, K.R.R.C. – part of the 7th Motor Brigade. His battalion saw a great deal of fighting against Rommel’s famous Africa Corps in and around Tobruk, el-Alamein, and at the Battle of Gazala, with his unit fighting in direct support of British M3 Grant tanks. In one of his wartime letters, he wrote: ‘The Gazala Line was like a shield held out in front of Tobruk, El Adem, and the coastal communications; its right rested on the coast, but its left, as must always be the case in Libya, hung open and undefended in the great desert to the south. It seemed highly improbable that the enemy would sweep south of Hacheim with his armour. We went east pretty fast…It was like General Post. There were British columns and German ones, cannoning off each other like blindfolded people: you could see the lolloping Verey lights, and like a bass string accompaniment you could hear as a background to everything the grunting, coughing, mumbling of the Panzers rolling east…The battle swung to and fro and for many days hung in the balance; indeed at one time we came so near to a great victory that I can hardly bear to think of what might have been. For my own part, I swung to and fro with the battle. For several days I was around Hacheim, and was filled with admiration for the Free French. I was at El Adem, Knightsbridge, on the edge of the Cauldron, and for two wild days behind the enemy at Mteifel.’ He was promoted to Captain on 31 August 1941, and continued to serve in WW2, being mentioned in despatches on 24 June 1943, promoted to Major on 7 September 1944, to Acting Colonel on 27 January 1945, and Acting Brigadier on 27 February 1945. In his personal life at this time, he married Hon. Gay Margesson, the daughter of David Margesson, 1st Viscount Margesson, on 16 December 1944, at Jerusalem. Returning to military service, it is likely his latter wartime career was spent serving in an Intelligence capacity. After a period of work as an Instructor at Haifa Staff College, he was appointed Chief of Military Intelligence (G.S.I) in Palestine between September 1945 and September 1946, which included a good deal of counter-terrorism work undertaken against the ‘Lehi’ Zionist Paramilitary Organisation (known in British circles as ‘the Stern Gang’). ....For further information please see the catalogue pdf on www.mortonandeden.com
Lot 667
China, People’s Republic, Hebei Province, Star for Meritorious Achievements in Agriculture, in silver and enamels, numbered 12 on reverse, on original bronze brooch-and-ribbon suspension, width of star 37.2mm, very fine and of good workmanship, in its original (but worn and imperfect) red card fitted case of issue
Lot 691
Spain, The Order of Isabella the Catholic, Knight’s 4th Class Breast Badge, second issue (1847-68), in bronze gilt and enamels, 40mm width; and The Order of Isabella the Catholic, 6th Class medal (1907-31), in silver, 33.5mm width; both with original ribbons and gilt riband bars with brooch pins to reverse; also offered with Great Britain, The Royal Victorian Order, miniature Member’s M.V.O. breast badge in silver; good very fine (3)
Lot 614
H MOSER & CIE: PINK HARDSTONE AND BRONZE MOUNTED TABLE CLOCK the white enamel dial with Roman numerals and subsidiary seconds dial, inscribed "Hre Moser & Cie", fitted in a classical urn shaped bronze mount on a pink hardstone ground, the reverse with "tortoiseshell" veneer and white metal easel stand, 22cm high
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