Three: Police Constable J. Hayers, Metropolitan Police Jubilee 1887, clasp, 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C, J. Hayers. A. Divn.) surname re-engraved; Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. J. Hayers. A. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C., J. Hayers.) good very fine (3) £70-£90 --- James Hayers was born at Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, on 1 July 1862. He joined Scotland Yard on 28 April 1884, attached “B” Division, and is recorded in the contemporary press for arresting a man in Chapel Street, Westminster, in December of that year: 'Oswald Fussell (28), student of medicine and preacher in the Salvation Army was charged at the Westminster Police Court on Wednesday with being drunk, riotous and making use of obscene language. Constable Hayers (606B) proved that the prisoner was drunk on Tuesday afternoon. He had a crowd round him. He was wearing a jersey marked Salvation Army. He talked about religion, hit out right and left with his crutch and used filthy language.' Transferred to “A” Division in April 1886, Hayers remained in the service of the Metropolitan Police for a further 26 years, resigning on 2 May 1910. He retired to Amersham. Sold with copied research, including the recipient's Metropolitan Police Service Record.
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Three: Sapper H. Allen, Royal Engineers 1914-15 Star (429. Spr. H. Allen, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (429. Spr. H. Allen. R.E.) very fine Three: Second Lieutenant D. G. McLean, King's Royal Rifle Corps, late Royal Highlanders 1914-15 Star (S-4722. L-Cpl. D. McLean. R. Highrs,); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. D. G. McLean.) mounted as worn, very fine Pair: Sergeant F. C. Farnie, Royal Engineers, late 5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (3188 Sjt. F. C. Farnie. 5-Lond. R.); together with the recipient’s Masonic Million Memorial Fund Jewel, silver, the reverse engraved ‘W. Bro. F. C. Farnie. No. 2749.’, good very fine Army L.S. & G.C. Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (12661. C.Sjt: F. Coaker. M.G.C.) good very fine (10) £100-£140 --- Harry Allen served in France from 26 September 1915 and was discharged to reserve on 13 February 1919. Donald Grundy McLean was born in Lenton, Nottingham, on 25 October 1893. He served in France from 14 July 1915 with the 9th Battalion, Royal Highlanders, and was appointed to a Commission on 28 August 1917 with the 5th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. McLean applied for his medals on 2 July 1920, his address for transmittal being 24, Albert Road, Lenton, Nottingham. Frederick Charles Farnie served in France from 13 July 1916 with the 1/5th Battalion, London Regiment, before transferring to the 1st London Field Company, Royal Engineers in March 1917. A gifted clerk, he was tested at the C.M.E. Locomotive Works at Borre on 27 June 1917, his ability being raised 'v. Superior' by the cessation of hostilities. Frank Reginald Coaker was born at East Buckland, Devon, in 1882. He attested for the Devon Regiment on 18 November 1904, and served during the Great War with No. 6 Depot Company, Machine Gun Corps. In June 1916, his war was temporarily put on hold when a couple of drunk soldiers approached his front door and knocked him unconscious after he admonished them for being rude to a female neighbour. He woke up a day or two later in hospital with a fractured skull and permanently deaf in the right ear. Sold with a French Medal of Honour in bronze, with crossed swords; and copied research.
Four: Engineer Sub Lieutenant J. H. Thorne, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine British War Medal 1914-20 (Eng. S. Lt. J. H. Thorne. R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (James H. Thorne); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Eng. S. Lt. J. H. Thorne. R.N.R.); British Red Cross Society Medal for War Service 1914-18, bronze, together with the related miniature awards, these mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £80-£100 --- James Houghton Thorne was born in Sunderland in 1869. An engineer by profession, he was appointed Temporary Engineer Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 16 June 1917, and served aboard the tug Atalanta III from 27 June 1917. Formerly owned by the Great Western Railway, this tug was engaged during the Great War as a rescue vessel around the Isles of Scilly. She was scuttled on 11 June 1940 at Le Havre under the name Le Brettoniere.
Six: Leading Stoker S. J. Dodge, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Lizard at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his services during the sortie of the Goeben and Breslau from the Dardanelles in 1918 Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (312316 S. J. Dodge. Sto. 1Cl., H.M.S. Perseus); 1914-15 Star (312316 S. J. Dodge. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (312316 S. J. Dodge. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (312316 Ch. B. 13861 S. J. Dodge. L.Sto., R.F.R.); Romania, Kingdom, Military Bravery Medal, 2nd Class, silvered bronze, mounted for wear, fine and better (6) £500-£700 --- Stephen Joseph Dodge was born in Folkestone, Kent on 1 July 1889. Employed as a Gardener’s Lad, he joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 25 October 1907, and was promoted to Stoker 1st Class in November 1908 whilst serving in H.M.S. Minotaur. He served in H.M.S. Perseus, December 1911-September 1913, seeing service in the Persian Gulf. In June 1914 he joined the destroyer H.M.S. Lizard, serving in her until January 1919, being advanced to Acting Leading Stoker in March 1915 and being confirmed at that rank in September 1915. Serving on the destroyer he was present at the battles of Heligoland, Dogger Bank, and Jutland. Later on in the war, H.M.S. Lizard was involved in opposing the sortie by the Yavuz Sultan Selim (ex-Goeben) and Midilli (ex-Breslau) from the Dardanelles in 1918. After the war Dodge served in the battlecruiser H.M.S. Princess Royal, April-May 1919 before being demobilised on 20 November 1919. For his services during the sortie of the Goeben and Breslau Dodge was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 14 September 1918) and awarded the Romanian Military Bravery Medal 2nd Class (London Gazette 17 March 1919). The recommendation for the M.I.D. reads: ‘Stephen Joseph Dodge, Ldg. Sto. Off. No. 312316. For coolness under heavy fire. He proved himself particularly able and efficient in assisting to repair a broken steam pipe joint during the action.’
‘I appear to have the happy knack of walking straight into trouble and then squirming out again.’ Letter from the recipient to his mother, three days after his Albert Medal winning exploits. A fine and extremely well-documented Albert Medal for Sea group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Commander D. Wainwright, Royal Navy, for his great gallantry and complete disregard of his own personal safety whilst attempting to save the life of a wounded stoker trapped in a stokehold aboard the rapidly sinking H.M.S. Penarth, which had struck a mine during a snowstorm in the North Sea on 4 February 1919. After his ship sank, he endured over 40 hours on a Carley float, in a winter sea, exposed and without food or water until finally rescued. Previously, Wainwright had survived the sinking of H.M.S. Nomad at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, being rescued from the North Sea, recording for posterity a graphic account of Nomad’s sinking at Jutland. Taken Prisoner of War, twice he attempted to escape, most notably on 24 July 1918, as one of the ‘Tunnellers of Holzminden’ - the greatest Prisoner of War break-out of the First World War. Wainwright’s later varied career saw him serve with the Auxiliary Division, Royal Irish Constabulary; with the British Gendarmerie in Palestine; and finally, as an Observer in Czechoslovakia following the Munich Conference. Returning to the Admiralty in 1939, he re-trained in Minesweepers before disappearing, drowned, off Portland on the eve of the Second World War Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ‘Presented by His Majesty to Lieut. David Wainwright, R.N., for Gallantry in attempting to save life on the occasion of the loss of H.M.S. “Penarth” on the 4th. Feb. 1919’; 1914-15 Star (S. Lt. D. Wainwright. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. D. Wainwright. R.N.) mounted as worn and housed in a Spink, London, leather case, contact marks and light pitting, especially to the reverse of the AM, therefore nearly very fine (lot) £8,000-£12,000 --- A.M. London Gazette 20 May 1919: ‘On the 4th of February 1919, H.M.S. Penarth struck a mine and immediately began to sink. Lieutenant David Wainwright, taking command of the situation, at once superintended the manning and lowering of the starboard gig, and later the launching of the Carley floats. Hearing there was a stoker injured in one of the stokeholds, he called for volunteers to show him the way, and at once made his way forward. There was by now a heavy list on the ship, and it was apparent she would not remain afloat much longer, the upper deck on the starboard side being already awash. Lieutenant Wainwright made his way below unaided, and while he was in the stokehold the ship struck a second mine abaft of him. The forepart was blown off and sank, and he was forced to wait till the stokehold had filled before he could float to the surface to escape. He displayed the greatest gallantry and disregard for his own personal safety in going below at a time when the ship was liable to sink at any moment.’ David Wainwright was born in Teddington, Middlesex, on 9 September 1894, and entered Osborne Naval Training College on the Isle of Wight as a Cadet in 1907, aged 13, before proceeding to Dartmouth in 1909, where he was in the same year as the future King Edward VIII. Appointed Midshipman, Wainwright’s first posting was aboard the Dreadnought class H.M.S. Colossus, and having been commissioned Acting Sub Lieutenant in June 1914, he transferred to H.M.S. Tigress in November of that year and was present at the Battle of Dogger Bank in January 1915. H.M.S. Nomad and the Battle of Jutland Wainwright was appointed Sub Lieutenant in H.M.S. Nomad in April 1916, and served in her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, during which the Nomad was lost. Eight of her crew were killed, with 72 (including Wainwright) being rescued from the sea by German Torpedo boats and taken Prisoner of War. The recipient’s own account of the action states: ‘“Light cruisers report enemy in sight, Sir?” Thus, the bridge messenger at about 2.30pm on 31 May 1916. I opened my eyes with a start. After my morning watch and forenoon on deck I had hoped for an "Afternoon caulk." It was not to be. Up on deck one found the battle cruisers steaming on out beam. We, the Destroyers, were spread out in a protective fan ahead and abreast of them as a submarine screen. There seemed to be nothing dissimilar to our normal cruising appearance, and it was difficult to believe that the present stunt would vary in its finish from its predecessors; a long sweep to the eastward, a forenoon and afternoon spent in a forlorn dalliance in enemy waters and the ensuing return home with its inevitable zigzagging, submarine alarms and other reiterating monotonies. There seemed to be more of the crew on deck than was usual. Little knots of men stood talking and pointing ahead and away over the starboard bow. On the bridge the captain, one huge smile, breathed, “They're out?” and an air of cheerful expectancy prevailed. H.M.S. Lion decked herself out in bunting, and across the water we heard the call of “Action Stations” sounding in the battle cruisers. It was now about 2.45pm. We went to action stations ourselves, saw that everything was ready, and then as we could see no enemy yet, we went below in turns and had some tea. I remember thinking to myself: “I don't want to be killed, but if it's quick I shan't mind so much. I'm in a mortal funk of being wounded, but I needn't worry about being taken prisoner as that's not likely to happen.” My opinions were shortly to undergo a speedy change! Meanwhile we had received orders to take stations ahead of the battle cruisers and we were gradually drawing into position. From the bridge we could see, low down on the horizon off the port bow, masses of smoke, then masts and then funnels. The smoke was suddenly stabbed by vicious jabs of flame, later came the roll of the German guns and turning to our battle cruisers we saw them surrounded by colossal waterspouts that towered to the height of the foretops. A second later with a ripple of thunder our fleet replied. Think of the worst peal of thunder that you have ever heard, try to imagine it going on continuously and imagine that at the same time you are standing in the corridor of the Royal Scot with all the windows open, passing at full speed another Express going in the opposite direction on the next lot of rails. You will then have a faint conception of what it felt like on the bridge of a Destroyer in the van of the battle cruisers at Jutland. Tearing through the sea we waited our orders and watched the giants fighting. Now through glasses we could make out the head of the enemy a few light cruisers and a low huddle of Destroyers, our opposite numbers. Both fleets heading to the Southeast we were gradually converging, and away over there eight or ten miles away were men manning tubes and guns. Their tubes contained torpedoes for an attack (which we must foil) on our big ships, and the guns were fed with shells for us. Mathematically and in cold blood, at a distance which on land would take two or more hours to walk, we shortly proposed to pump highly explosive pieces of metal at each other. It seemed impossible to realise that Der Tag had at last come, and the state of tension while waiting for it to begin was the worst period that I passed through, because it gave imagination a chance to work. What happened when the shells struck a ship and that dull red glow appeared? Was everyone immediately asphyxiated, burnt or mangled? In another half hour would I be alive and unhurt, or would ...
A Great War A.R.R.C. group of five awarded to Assistant Nurse E. J. Pinkerton, Voluntary Aid Detachment, who served over four years in a Military Hospital in France tending to the sick and wounded Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; 1914-15 Star (E. J. Pinkerton. V.A.D.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (A. Nurse E. J. Pinkerton); British Red Cross Society Medal for War Service 1914-18, bronze, good very fine (5) £400-£500 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Miss Evelyn Janet Pinkerton was born in Maidenhead, Berkshire, in 1879, the daughter of novelist Thomas Pinkerton. A resident of Bangor in North Wales, she enrolled into the Caernarvonshire Detachment of the V.A.D. in May 1913 and spent three weeks on nursing duties at the Caernarvonshire and Anglesey Infirmary, followed by service at the Bangor Military Hospital from November 1914 to April 1915. Transferred to a Military Hospital in France as Assistant Nurse on 5 October 1915, she clearly made a positive impression on her superiors, her character and work being noted as 'excellent'. Mentioned in Despatches on 25 May 1918 for services with the Voluntary Aid Detachment, she returned home on 16 October 1919 and was decorated with the Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), by Queen Alexandra at a reception held at Marlborough House not long thereafter. Miss Pinkerton died on 12 June 1938, her last recorded address being No. 4, St David's Avenue, Blackpool. Sold with copied research, including two record cards and correspondence between the vendor and the British Red Cross.
Family Group: A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain R. P. Bloor, VI Corps Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘Arleux 8th Nov. 1917, Presented by H.M. The King to R. P. Bloor. Lt. R.F.A. 23rd Feb. 1918.’; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. R. [sic] Bloor.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. R. P. Bloor. R.A.) good very fine Three: Captain W. H. Bloor, Royal Field Artillery, late Denbigh Hussars Yeomanry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 January 1918 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. W. H. Bloor. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. H. Bloor.) good very fine Birkenhead Constabulary Diamond Jubilee Good Service Medal 1897, silver (H. Bloor. Member Watch Committee.) with top silver brooch bar, good very fine and rare (8) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 18 January 1918; citation published 25 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was in command of five mortars during a raid and kept them in action throughout the operations with great skill, though heavily shelled.’ Reginald Percy Bloor was born at Birkenhead, Cheshire, in 1895, the son of Alderman Henry Bloor, and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the Royal Field Artillery, latterly as Acting Captain, VI Corps Heavy Trench Mortar Battery. Awarded the Military Cross, he relinquished his commission on demobilisation on 27 February 1919, but was commissioned again in the Royal Artillery in 1939, transferring to the Royal Pioneer Corps in 1942. He finally retired with the rank of Captain on 19 November 1949. William Henry Bloor was born at Tranmere, Cheshire, in 1891, the third son of the ten children of Alderman Henry Bloor, and was educated at Birkenhead School and later became an apprentice in the Thames and Mersey Marine Insurance Company Ltd. He joined the ranks of the Denbigh Yeomanry in 1907 and was one of those that formed the bodyguard for the Prince of Wales during his Investiture at Caernarvon Castle on 13 July 1911. Subsequently commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 November 1915, and was killed in action on 3 January 1918 whilst serving with “C” Battery, 149th Brigade, R.F.A. After his death his commanding officer wrote: ‘He was a very gallant and capable officer, and was greatly loved by the officers and men of the Brigade.’ His chaplain wrote: ‘I admired his simple manly character immensely; he was so good to the men and so thoroughly capable and dependable.’ He is buried in Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Henry Bloor, the father of both of the above, of Northwich, served as an Alderman on Birkenhead Borough Council and as Chairman of the Water Committee. He laid the foundation stone of the Alwyn Dam and Reservoir on 3 October 1911. The Birkenhead Constabulary Diamond Jubilee Good Service Medal was instituted in 1897 by the Birkenhead Watch Committee to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. Records of the Birkenhead Constabulary indicate that only 12 medals in silver were awarded to officers of the rank of Inspector and above, and twenty medals in bronze were awarded to Sergeants and Constables, for 20 on more years’ good service.
A Royal Humane Society group of five awarded to Major C. A. Power, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who endured a long spell in the icy waters of the Firth of Forth following an unsuccessful rescue attempt British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lt. C. A. Power. R.M.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. C. A. Power. R.M.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (Lieut. Charles A. Power R.M.L.I. 25. Nov 1919) with integral bronze riband buckle, the Great War pair polished, therefore fine, the remainder nearly very fine and better (5) £240-£280 --- Charles Alfred Power was born in the parish of Queensbury, Yorkshire, on 12 April 1900. He won an academic scholarship to Oakham School in 1914 and gained his colours for cricket in the sixth form. Rather than follow in the medical footsteps of his Irish father, he attested for the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Plymouth as Probationary Second Lieutenant on 1 September 1917. Advanced Lieutenant on 20 December 1918, he was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze for the attempted rescue of a naval rating in the Firth of Forth, off Rosyth. The official recommendation states: R.H.S. Case No. 45265: '7 p.m., 25 Nov. 1919. The man had fallen overboard from H.M.S. "Royal Oak". Strong tide, dark night. Lt. Power jumped in but failed to find him and was picked up 600 yards astern.' The events of that evening are further detailed in a hand-written account by the recipient's son, Michael Charles Power: 'My father was a junior R.M. officer on H.M.S. Royal Oak, and in November 1919 the ship was storming in the North Sea [sic] at night when an Able Seaman Flatman was swept overboard. My father saw him go, and jumped after him without anyone else seeing the incident. As a result he was in icy water for 4 hours, in the dark, in the course of which sufficient time had to elapse for the ship's company to notice his absence, the ship itself to turn round and come back, and finally for the search party to find him.' Safely brought aboard, Power went on to enjoy a long and successful career with the Royal Marines, including postings to Malta as Assistant to the Naval Provost Marshal in 1928, and a spell as Captain, later Major, on the China Station in the late 1930s. Returned home to the Admiralty Naval Intelligence Division in 1939, he later served as Second in Command, 19th Royal Marine Battalion, H.M.S. Proserpine, from 6 June 1942 to 4 February 1943, and Officer in Charge of H.M.S. Ferret until the end of the war. Power retired on 2 March 1946 in consequence of being medically unfit, and died at Wadhurst on 12 April 1974. Sold with the original hand-written account detailed above; and copied research.
A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ D.C.M., M.S.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant Major H. Faint, Royal Army Service Corps, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was honoured by the French, Belgian, and Serbian authorities for his administrative abilities in hostile environments Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (S-16343 S.S. Mjr: H. Faint. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (S-15343 W.O. Cl.1. H. Faint. A.S.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S-16343 S.S. Mjr: H. Faint. D.C.M. A.S.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S-16343 T.S.S.Mjr. H. Faint. D.C.M. R.A.S.C.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militaire, silver-gilt and enamel; Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star on riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Medal of the Order of the Crown, First Class, gilt, the silver medals heavily toned, good very fine (8) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 21 June 1916: ‘For excellent work as Chief Clerk often carried out under difficult conditions.' M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: 'For services rendered with British Forces in the Balkans.' France, Medaille Militaire London Gazette 5 November 1920. France, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 21 August 1919. Belgium, Medal of the Order of the Crown, First Class London Gazette 19 December 1922. Harry Faint was born at Carlton Husthwaite, Yorkshire, on 11 December 1878. A butcher by trade, he attested at Leeds for the Royal Artillery on 11 September 1899, and transferred to the Army Service Corps on 4 August 1900. Appointed Sergeant in 1907 and Staff Sergeant Major at the outbreak of hostilities, Faint served in the Gallipoli theatre of war from 20 September 1915, and was decorated with the D.C.M. for distinguished and gallant service whilst under the Command of General Sir Charles Munro, Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. He was further twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 13 July 1916 and 28 November 1917) and was awarded the M.S.M. in the Peace Gazette as Temporary 1st Class Staff Sergeant Major with the Royal Army Service Corps in Salonika. He was further honoured by France, Belgium, and Serbia (awarded the Serbian Medal for Military Virtue, London Gazette 7 June 1919). The 1939 Register later records Faint living in Fulham, London, his inter-war profession stated as civil servant and shorthand typist. Sold with copied research.
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (William Rouse.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise better than good fine and scarce £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Spink, September 1993. Confirmed on the roll as a Gunner, Royal Artillery, aboard H.M.S. Hecate. William Rouse was born at Woolwich, Kent, and enlisted there for the Royal Artillery on 10 December 1828, aged 14 years. He served abroad in Jamaica for five years, one month; in Syria for one year, five months; and at Gibraltar for six years, six months. Joining as a Drummer Boy, and under age until 1 October 1832, he advanced to Gunner & Driver on 1 November 1837. His subsequent promotions were to Bombardier on 1 April 1846; Corporal on 18 April 1848; and Sergeant on 1 January 1853. He was discharged at Woolwich on 31 March 1854, with a view to serving on the Militia Staff. At the time of discharge his name appeared four times in the Regimental Defaulters Book ‘for minor offences for which he was punished by order of the Commanding Officer. In possession of the Silver Medal and Gratuity on discharge for Good and Faithful service per General Order of 1 March 1854, also awarded the Bronze Medal by the Sultan, and the Silver Medal by Her Majesty for services in Syria.’ He subsequently joined the Suffolk Artillery Brigade Militia on 5 April 1854, and served as a Staff Sergeant for a further 24 years 264 days, until finally discharged on 25 January 1879, having served a total of 46 years 81 days. Sold with copied discharge papers and H.M.S. Hecate muster list for Syria.
A scarce Great War Romanian Medal for Bravery and Loyalty 3rd Class group of three awarded to Corporal Mechanic A. S. Wilson, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was also mentioned in despatches for his services with 47 Squadron in Salonika, and went on to serve with the Squadron in South Russia British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (18011. Cpl. A. S. Wilson. R.A.F.); Romania, Kingdom, Medal for Bravery and Loyalty, 3rd Class, with crossed swords, bronze, mounted of card for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1919 [Salonika]: ‘Gallant conduct and distinguished services rendered during the period May 1 to October 1, 1918.’ Romania, Medal for Bravery and Loyalty, 3rd Class London Gazette 15 July 1919 [France]. Only nine Romanian Medals for Bravery and Loyalty awarded to the R.A.F. for the Great War - three of which were 3rd Class awards. Alexander Steel Wilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1883. He enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps in January 1916, as Rigger (Crew) and 2AM. Wilson was posted for service with 47 Squadron in Salonika in September 1916, and stayed with the Squadron in that theatre of operations until they were posted to South Russia. He returned to the UK (R.A.F. Depot) in August 1924. His Romanian award is seemingly erroneously awarded for service in France and to him in the rank of 2AM - Wilson having advanced to 1AM as early as 28 December 1916, and to Corporal Mechanic, 1 October 1918. Wilson’s record of service gives an authority for the medal as ‘RAF Salonika with an effective date of 30 March 1919’, this being in advance of the gazette and the norm. This seems adequate proof that the award was for services with 47 Squadron in Salonika/Macedonia, along with his M.I.D. for that theatre. Wilson transferred to the Reserve in September 1919. Sold with copied service papers.
Renamed and Defective Medals (3): China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860 (484. Gunr. M. Brosnan. 3/13 R.A.) renamed; Abyssinia 1867 (Gunner M. Brosnan. R.A.) renamed; together with a cast copy of the Highland Society Medal for Egypt 1801, bronze-gilt, lacking the usual Gaelic inscription on the edge, nearly very fine (3) £80-£100
Seven: Captain G. G. Armour, Argyl land Sutherland Highlanders of Canada, later Toronto Scottish Regiment 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Canada (Cpt. G. G. Armour Tor Scot R (MG)); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1939, mounted court-style for display, extremely fine (7) £240-£280 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 22 March 1945 French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 28 April 1945. Gilbert Gordon Armour was born in Toronto, Ontario, on 15 December 1916, and attested there for the Canadian Active Service Force on 8 September 1939. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 13 February 1943, and was promoted Lieutenant on 19 March 1943, serving during the Second World War overseas with the Argyll ad Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. Wounded in north-west Europe on 26 August 1944, for his services during the Second World War he was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the French Croix de Guerre, the latter for an ‘exciting incident’ as recorded in the history of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of Canada: ‘The force set off and reached Trun, which was occupied by the Lincoln and Welland about 1700 hours on the 18th, and pushed on to a wood about a mile or so beyond, where it was decided to harbour for the night. Burning fiercely, Trun was still being cleared of snipers. At first light, led by Lieutenant G. Armour's platoon of "B" Company, the infantry led the way along the road flanked by the tanks and entered St. Lambert about 0630. There were Germans in the town, and the Argyll's killed a few at this time, but no organised resistance being offered, the lead platoon pushed on to the far end of the town where there was a crossroads. At this point an exciting incident took place. A few yards on the other side of the crossroads, concealed by a house, was a Panther tank. Having vacated this vehicle, Lieutenant Armour called for volunteers to go and get the tank. Corporal Hannivan, Private La Forrest and Private Code immediately volunteered. To reach the tank, the party had to clear the intervening houses, which was done silently. Finally there, Lieutenant Armour climbed on top of the tank with a 36 grenade in his hand. Just as he was about to drop the grenade in the open turret, a German officer thrust his head out. Recovering first from the common shock, Lieutenant Armour forced the German to come out of the tank, but the latter, armed with an automatic pistol, closed with the Canadian. Lieutenant Armour eventually pushed his opponent off the tank, but in so doing lost his own balance and fell off too. Private La Forrest promptly shot and seriously wounded the German. The tank meanwhile closed its turret and started. It backed about 25 feet, evidently preparing to employ its machine gun. The small turret to the left of the gun opened and a head unwisely emerged. Corporal Hannivan, observing, took aim with his Sten and shot the German through the forehead. Lieutenant Armour immediately seized this opportunity, running up and dropping his grenade into the open turret, where it exploded. The party kept watch over the tank until a PIAT was brought up and finished the kill. Lieutenant Armour was subsequently awarded the Croix de Guerre for this exploit.’ Armour was discharged on 15 February 1946, and subsequently enlisted in the Toronto Scottish Regiment (Territorial Force) as a Lieutenant on 21 January 1947, being promoted Captain on 4 March 1947. He was awarded the Canadian Efficiency Medal on 19 January 1948, and was discharged on 18 November of that year. He was mortally injured the following year in a motor race at Angelica Raceway at Wellsville, New York, United States of America, on 30 May 1949, when he lost control of his car and crashed into the inner guard rail, and died later that day at Jones Memorial Hospital, Wellsville. Sold with copied service papers and other research.
Pair: Major N. T. Biddulph, Durham Light Infantry Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (Lieut: N. T. Biddulph. 2/Durh: L.I.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and pitting from Star, nearly very fine (2) £240-£280 --- Nicholas Trafalgar Biddulph was commissioned Lieutenant in the Durham Light Infantry on 14 May 1884, and served with the Soudan Frontier Field Force in 1885-86. He later served as Superintendent of Khundwa Rest Camp. Promoted Captain on 11 April 1894, he was appointed Adjutant of the Nagpore Volunteer Rifles on 2 July 1896, and was advanced Major on 26 April 1903. Sold with a related South Eastern District Rifle Association School Cadet Corps Challenge Cup Prize Medal, bronze, G.V.R. facing left on obverse, the reverse engraved ‘Cadet F. J. Biddulph.’.
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (2629169 Gdsmn. W. Curley. Gren. Gds.) the second digit of service number somewhat overlapping the first, extremely fine £80-£100 --- Wilfred Curley was born in Rylake, Sunderland, on 4 September 1926. A haulage hand by trade, he attested for the Grenadier Guards at Newcastle on 7 March 1947 and initially served at home as Guardsman with “D” Company, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards. Posted to the Middle East from 17 January 1948 to 6 June 1948, he was admitted to hospital at Haifa with a fracture of the fifth-left metacarpel. Healed, he served in Tripoli from 7 June 1948 to 14 May 1951, followed by a short return to the Middle East from 22 July 1951 to 10 September 1951. Released to Reserve not long thereafter, his confidential testimonial was most praiseworthy: ‘Exemplary. A guardsman who has served for some considerable time in Support Coy as a carrier driver, and who has always been a competent and conscientious man who is always cheerful, willing and contented. He is a man who makes friends easily, and is well liked by all. He has a sound knowledge of the internal combustion engine, varied experience in driving tracked (but not wheeled) vehicles, and in mechanical maintenance duties.’ Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service; two bronze Royal Life Saving Society Medals, engraved to reverse ‘W. Curley July 1950’ and ‘W. Curley 1950’; and extensive copied research including service record and casualty form.
Three: Police Constable R. Bradbeer, Metropolitan Police Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. R. Bradbeer. A. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. R. Bradbeer. A. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C., R. Bradbeer.) very fine Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, 1 clasp, The Great War 1914-18 (Inspr. Harry Yeoman) nearly extremely fine (4) £70-£90 --- Robert Bradbeer was born in Exmouth, Devon, on 19 October 1870. He joined the Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard on 19 August 1895, and appears to have spent his entire service assigned to “A” Division. He took retirement aged 50; his address for pension is noted as 6, The Grove, Vauxhall, London. Sold with copied research.
Six: Sergeant George Tompkins, Royal Artillery, later Yeoman of the Guard Abyssinia 1867 (1384 Gunr. G. Tompkins 21st Bde. R.A.) old repair to suspension; Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed; Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed; Coronation 1911, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5798 Cpl. G. Tompkins. 15th By. 11th B. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Sjt: G. Tompkins. R.A.) nearly very fine or better (6) £600-£800 --- M.S.M. awarded without annuity per Army Order 132 of 1919 by King George V. George Tompkins joined the Army on 2 August 1861 and, apart from his service in Abyssinia from 15 December 1867 to 23 June 1868, served at Home until retired to pension in November 1888. He was appointed to the Queen’s Body Guard on 13 March 1894, vice Sergeant-Major Ford, Scots Guards, and was still serving in 1919, when he was awarded the M.S.M. without annuity. Sold with copied discharge papers.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Major P. W. Freeman, 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Major P. W. Freeman.) good very fine (3) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘This officer displayed great skill in leading his company in a successful attack. During the last 400 yards of the advance his left flank was in the air, but by quick initiative he took the necessary steps to defend it. His apt leadership and skilful handling of his company greatly added to the success of the operation.’ Percy Wilson Freeman attested for overseas service at Valcartier on 27 September 1915, having served in the 63rd Halifax Rifles since May 1913. Sold with original commission as Lieutenant in 63rd Halifax Rifles, dated 1 November 1914; an American Red Cross First Aid medal, bronze with bar inscribed ‘Won by P. W. Freeman, Capt.’; and C.E.F. badge for service at the front.
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