The rare Great War ‘East Africa, Lindi operations C.G.M. group of eight awarded to Able Seaman Harry Johns, H.M.S. Thistle, who showed exemplary conduct in at once going below into the after flat, when the ship was hit by an enemy 4.1 inch shell, in order to assist in extinguishing the fire’ Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (183788. H. Johns, A.B. H.M.S. Thistle. Lindi. 11. June 1917.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (H. Johns, Lg. Sea., H.M.S. Fox.); 1914-15 Star (183788. H. Johns. A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (183788. H. Johns. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (183788. Harry Johns. A.B. H.M.S. Thistle.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militarie, blue enamel badly chipped on this; Croix de Guerre 1914 1917, with bronze palme, mounted as worn, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (8) £8,000-£10,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- C.G.M. London Gazette 19 December 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry during combined naval and military operations in the neighbourhood of Lindi, East Africa, on the 10th and 11th June, 1917. He showed exemplary conduct in at once going below into the after flat, when the ship was hit by an enemy 4.1 inch shell, in order to assist in extinguishing the fire, and by his coolness and judgement prevented the fire from spreading.’ Three C.G.M.s awarded for the Lindi operations in East Africa. Medaille Militaire London Gazette 28 August 1918. Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 September 1918. Lindi, a port of German East Africa, was occupied by the British Forces in September, 1915, but ever since that time had been practically ‘bottled up’, the surrounding country being held by the Germans. Lindi does not lie on the coast, but on the northern shore of the estuary of the river Lukuledi, which is some seventy miles north of the Portuguese frontier. In view of operations that had been planned, it became very desirable in the summer of 1917, to clear a larger area round Lindi in order to secure a better water supply and to prepare the main exits from the town and harbour. With this object in view, the main Military force moved out on June 10th, 1917, and in three days had cleared the enemy from the estuary of the river. During these operations a surprise landing was carried out at a creek on the south side, where the Germans had a 4.1" gun which commanded the estuary and had proved very troublesome. This was a combined naval and military operation. Upon the Navy, represented by the Hyacinth, Severn, Thistle and Echo, devolved the duty of embarking some 2,800 troops and 700 porters and conveying them to their starting point. This had to be done under cover of night. To reach the selected landing place the heavily laden boats had to pass close to enemy positions. The passage by water started at 1800 on the 10th September, the night being dark and the tide fair. An officer, Lieut. Charlewood, D.S.C., of the Echo, led the advance in a motor boat and placed lights, invisible to the enemy, on prominent points as leading marks. Although the Germans appeared to know that there was some movement on foot they either reserved their fire or did not observe the tows of boats passing them. The Thistle and Severn, which were following the boats, were sniped at. The main column was successfully landed by 2230 and by 0600 the next morning had occupied the hills covering the landing. It was not until 0300 on the 11th that the Germans opened fire with their 4.8" gun. Their shooting was very wild and caused no damage. The Thistle, which had anchored to superintend and cover a landing, was obliged, by the low state of the tide, to remain stationary, but fortunately, she was hidden from the enemy by a thick mist which lasted till 0700. When the mist cleared away the Germans immediately opened fire on her and after about 20 rounds, scored one hit. This killed an E.R.A. and wounded a leading stoker, also causing extensive damage. The auxiliary exhaust, fire mains, dynamo pipes, and two bulkheads were pierced. The shell, after passing through the ship's side, struck the after magazine hatch, which it completely broke up. A fire started in the magazine flat, a small confined space with the magazine below it. After the burst of the shell, the flat was on fire, and filled with fumes, smoke and steam from the holed exhaust pipe. Mr. Mark Methuen, Gunner, followed by Leading Stoker George Pascall and Able Seaman Harry Johns went into the flat and succeeded in extinguishing the fire before any further harm resulted. They all suffered from the effect of the fumes, Mr. Methuen having to go on the sick list. When the fire was extinguished, Leading Stoker Pascall went to assist in the Engine Room. Here he found that the E.R.A. had been killed, but that Leading Stoker James Leach, who was wounded in two places, had continued to stand by the engines although the engine room was filled with steam and water was pouring through the burst fire mains. Leading Stoker Leach persisted in carrying on with his duty until ordered to go up for medical treatment. The expedition was successful, the enemy being driven from his positions and forced to retire inland. Mr. Methuen received the D.S.C., and Leading Stoker Pascal, A.B. Johns and Leading Stoker Leach were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for their conduct on this occasion. Harry Johns was born at Bristol on 1 December 1879, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 10 May 1895. Hr progressively through the rates to become Petty Officer 2nd Class on 22 June 1905, but for some reason reverted to Able Seaman just 11 days later and remained as such until the expiration of his Continuous Service engagement on 3 December 1909. Joining the Royal Fleet Reserve on the following day, he was recalled for service on 2 August 1914, joining H.M.S. Challenger. He removed to H.M.S. Thistle on 17 April 1916, and to H.M.S. Defiance on 1 October 1918, from which ship he was Shore Demobilised on 16 May 1919. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal on 12 November 1917, shortly before he received the C.G.M. These and the two French awards are all confirmed on his record of service. Sold with copied record of service.
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The extremely rare Empire Gallantry Medal pair awarded to Coxswain and R.N.L.I. Gold Medallist John Howells, Fishguard Lifeboat Empire Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., Civil Division (John Howells); Royal National Lifeboat Institution, G.V.R., gold (John Howells, Voted 17th December 1920.) good very fine or better (2) £7,000-£9,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- A total of 130 Empire Gallantry Medals were awarded in the period 1922-40, 62 Military, 64 Civil, and 4 Honorary awards. The Empire Gallantry Medal was superseded by the George Cross in September 1940 and surviving holders of the E.G.M. were required to exchange their award for the George Cross. Coxswain Howells had by this time died and his award is, therefore, in addition to the four Honorary awards which were not eligible for exchange, one of only ten E.G.M’s not exchanged for the George Cross. 11 Gold R.N.L.I. Medals and one Bar awarded during the reign of King George V, from a total of 118 gold awards from 1824-1996. E.G.M. London Gazette 30 June 1924: ‘Ex-Coxswain John Howells, Fishguard Motor Life-Boat. For rescuing, in circumstances of great peril, seven of the crew of the motor schooner Hermina of Rotterdam, which was wrecked in a N.W. gale on Needle Rock, off Fishguard, on the night of 3rd December 1920. To effect the rescue involved taking the life-boat into a position of great danger among rocks.’ Coxswain Howells was also awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, together with three Silver and nine Bronze awards to the crew members of his life-boat: ‘3 December 1920. The three masted Dutch motor schooner Hermina, anchored outside Fishguard breakwater, Pembrokeshire, was dragging her anchors in a north-westerly gale. The self-righting motor lifeboat Charterhouse launched but, when she arrived, the schooner was grinding heavily on the rocks with tremendous seas making a clean breach over her. Veering down, in spite of great difficulties, seven men were taken off but the Master and two Mates refused to leave. Coxswain Howells prepared to return to Fishguard, but the lifeboat had sprung a leak and it was found impossible to restart her engine. Her sail was hoisted, but she lost her mizzen sail, which left her with only the mainsail set. Second Coxswain Davies and crew member Holmes succeeded in setting the jib sail and, although waterlogged, the lifeboat managed to reach her station at midnight, three hours later. Although flares were shortly after seen from the Hermina, the lifeboat was unable to return, and the schooner’s Master and First Mate were rescued by life saving apparatus; the Second Mate had drowned.’ In April, 1921, Coxswain Howells, his crew and lifeboat went on the train to London to receive their R.N.L.I. awards. Howells was 66 years old at the time of the rescue. As part of the R.N.L.I. Centenary celebrations in 1924, seven of the eight surviving Gold medallists were received at Buckingham Palace on 30 June by King George V, who presented each man with the Empire Gallantry Medal. The Charterhouse was the Fishguard Lifeboat from 1901 to 1931. It was instrumental in many gallant rescues but none more so than the famous rescue of the crew of the Dutch motor schooner Hermina at needle rock located between Fishguard lower town and Dinas Head. She was the first motorised lifeboat but also had the capacity for up to 12 persons to row. In 1920 Coxwain John Howells aged 66, received a call that flares had been sighted at needle rock and so on that cold dark December night he immediately put the Charterhouse to sea in perilous conditions and made way across the bay for needle rock. The Hermina under the command of Captain Vooitgedacht was on a return journey back to Rotterdam but diverted to Fishguard to escape the teeth of the strong NW gale. Once in the bay she dragged her anchors and ended up in a perilous position, being bashed by huge waves in between needle rock and the tall sheer north cliffs. Once the Charterhouse arrived, Howells gave order to anchor down wind and run a line between the two vessels, but this proved very perilous and after an hour of struggling against horrendous seas, the crew of the Charterhouse managed to get 7 men off the Hermina. The Chief Officer and Mate would not leave the ship despite the efforts of persuasion by the lifeboat crew. They were later rescued from the base of the cliffs by the coastguard. Their troubles at this point were far from over, the lifeboat’s engine would not restart and in a desperate situation the crew took to the oars in a frantic effort to get away from the cliffs but with little effect. The mizzen sail was then raised but caught the wind and ripped to shreds. In absolute frantic desperation a jib sail was lashed together which involved two men risking their lives climbing across the forefront of the lifeboat with waves crashing over them to set a temporary sail. In great relief they managed to pull away from the cliffs and sail 2 miles out to sea before getting sufficient angle to eventually be able to sail back into Goodwick harbour. The Dutch Government awarded Howells a gold pocket watch and silver pocket watches to all the lifeboat crew; the R.N.L.I. also awarded medals to all the crew of the Charterhouse and to John Howells the highest honour of a gold medal. The Charterhouse was loaded onto a train at Goodwick railway station and the entire crew made for London to meet the Duke of Windsor, President of the R.N.L.I. to receive their medals. The Charterhouse remained for one week on display outside the houses of parliament. The Charterhouse now resides at the West Wales Maritime Museum in Pembroke Dock where she is undergoing restoration to preserve this very important piece of Pembrokeshire maritime history. John Howells, as a young man served in the Royal Navy and was a shipmate of King George, then a naval cadet. On leaving the Navy, he entered the service of the Great Western Railway Company, and when Fishguard Harbour was opened for Irish traffic in 1907, he was put in charge of the coaling gang at the harbour under the Marine Department. He was a deacon of Bethesda Baptist Church, for many years its Honorary Treasurer, and Superintendent of the Sunday School. He was Coxswain of the Fishguard Lifeboat from 1910-21 and died at Fishguard on 14 March 1925, aged 72.
The Great War ‘Falklands 1914’ D.S.M. and Italian Al Valore Militare group of six awarded to Shipwright 1st Class A. E. N. England, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry in the cruiser H.M.S. Glasgow Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (341971 A. E. N. England, Shipt. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Glasgow); 1914-15 Star (341971 A. E. N. England, D.S.M., Shipt. 1, R.N.); British War & Victory Medals (341971 A. E. N. England. Ch. Shpt., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (341971 A. E. N. England, Car. Mate H.M.S. Glasgow); Al Valore Militare, bronze, unnamed as issued, mint mark crowned ‘Z’ over ‘F.G’, light contact wear, otherwise good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 3 March 1915: ‘The names of the following are specially mentioned … To receive the Distinguished Service Medal: Shipwright, 1st Class, Albert N. E. England, O.N. 341971, H.M.S. Glasgow.’ The original recommendation states: ‘This Shipwright was stationed at the upper end of the fore ammunition hoist and when one man was killed and another of his party disabled, continued by his extraordinary exertions to keep up a rapid supply of ammunition to the guns.’ One of 12 D.S.Ms for the battle of the Falklands and the only one to H.M.S. Glasgow. Al Valore Militare London Gazette 17 November 1917. Albert Edward Newton England was born at Landport, Hampshire on 13 November 1876 and entered the Royal Navy as Carpenter’s Crew in April 1898. A Shipwright 1st Class in the cruiser H.M.S. Glasgow on the outbreak of war, he quickly saw action at the battle of the Coronel on 1 November 1914, when Vice-Admiral Graf von Spee overpowered a squadron under Rear-Admiral Sir Christopher Cradock, sinking the Good Hope and Monmouth with heavy loss of life. For her own part, Glasgow duelled inconclusively with the Leipzig and Dresden, and is estimated to have had around 600 shells fired at her. Remarkably, however, she suffered only light damage from five hits and lived to fight another day. As it transpired, that day was the occasion of Vice-Admiral Sir Frederick Sturdee’s celebrated victory off the Falklands on 8 December 1914, when England distinguished himself on one of Glasgow’s ammunition hoists. Having cleared Port Stanley harbour at 0945 hours, Glasgow was ordered by Sturdee to shadow von Spee’s squadron and report on any significant actions. Once the remaining British cruisers had caught up, a general engagement commenced and Glasgow opened fire on Leipzig at a range of 12,000 yards, getting in one good hit but suffering two in return. She nonetheless stuck to her adversary when the German squadron scattered, and was in at Leipzig’s end; Glasgow and Cornwall managed to rescue just 18 German sailors in the darkness. In addition to his subsequent award of the D.S.M., his service record notes that England also received the Italian Al Valore for like services in November 1917. His subsequent wartime appointments comprised the shore establishment Fisgard (January 1916-February 1917), the battleship Canada (February-October 1917), and the cruiser Minotaur (October 1917-February 1919). Having also been awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in March 1918, he was pensioned ashore in May 1920. Sold with named card lids for Great War medals and two old ribbon bars, together with copied research.
The Great War D.S.C. group of twelve awarded to Air Commodore E. W. Norton, Royal Air Force, late R.N.A.S., a Nieuport Scout Ace with 9 Victories, who later commanded an Armoured Car Company in Iraq and taught King George VI to fly Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1916; 1914-15 Star (Major E. W. Norton R.A.F.) renamed; British War and Victory Medals (Major E. W. Norton. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Belgium, Order of the Crown, breast badge in silver and enamels with rosette; Croix de Guerre 1914-18, A.I.R.; France, 3rd Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1916, with bronze palm and star; Iraq, Active Service Medal, mounted as worn, very fine or better (12) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January, 1917: Flight Lieutenant Ernest William Norton, R.N.A.S. ‘In recognition of his skill and gallantry in destroying a German kite balloon on the 20th October, 1916, under severe anti-aircraft fire.’ Ernest William Norton was born in Scotland on 14 May 1893, and joined the Royal Naval Air Service in 1915. He had originally enlisted as a Private in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. As a pilot he flew with 1 Naval Wing and then with 6 Naval Squadron during 1916-17 on Nieuport Scouts, being promoted Flight Lieutenant in July 1916. He was perhaps the most successful pilot with the latter unit during the period and had at least nine victories by the end of April 1917, including seven Albatross Scouts. His first victory was claimed on October 1916, when he destroyed a kite balloon over Ostende using Le Prieur rockets, for which he was awarded the D.S.C. At this period there was no suitable bullet which would set fire to a kite balloon, and it was decided to employ Le Prieur rockets, a French invention which had been successfully used by the Royal Flying Corps. The rockets were attached to the inter-plane struts, four on each side, and fired electrically by means of a switch, by the pilot. The method of attack was to approach from a height, and, when nearly over the balloon, to dive at full speed, firing the rockets so that they would travel only 300 or 400 feet. The risk of colliding with the balloon itself was an obvious and real danger. The Ostende kite balloon had been first shot down the previous month by Flight Commander C. R. Mackenzie, also using Le Prieur rockets, for which he was awarded the D.S.O. In 1918 Norton commanded 204 Squadron, Royal Air Force, and was promoted to Squadron Leader. After the War he commanded No. 6 Armoured Car Company , Iraq Command, at Hinaidi, from December 1924. He was promoted Wing Commander in 1925 and took over command of No. 70 Squadron at Hinaidi in December of the same year. Appointed to command No. 58 Squadron, 1927; to command Station H.Q., Upavon, 1930; Group Captain 1932, commanding No. 5 Flying Training School, Chester; Air Commodore 1937; in command Administration H.Q., Far East Command (Singapore), from December 1937; Air Officer commanding No. 29 Group 1942. Air Commodore Norton retired from the Royal Air Force in 1944 having had the honour of teaching King George VI to fly.
The Great War C.B. group of ten awarded to Admiral E. V. Underhill, Royal Navy, Commended and awarded the Russian Order of St Anne for services in command of H.M.S. Temeraire at Jutland The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, with neck cravat in its Garrard, London case of issue; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (Lieut. E. V. Underhill H.M.S. Philomel) official correction to one letter of surname; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Lieut. E. V. Underhill, R.N. H.M.S. Gibraltar); 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. V. Underhill, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. E. V. Underhill. R.N.); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Khedive’s Star, undated, with Tokar clasp, unnamed as issued; Russia, Kingdom, Order of St Anne, 2nd Class neck badge with Swords by Eduard, gold and enamels, one sword blade detached on this; Spain, Kindom, Order of Naval Merit, 3rd Class breast star, white model (special service), silver-gilt and enamels, nearly very fine or better (10) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Approximately 14 Tokar clasps issued to Royal Navy officers, including 7 to H.M.S. Sandfly. C.B. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1918: ‘For services in command of H.M.S. Temeraire.’ His Naval service is amply recorded in The Times obituary from 4 May 1928: ‘Admiral Edwin Veale Underhill, C.B., whose death occurred suddenly at South-Sea on Sunday at the age of 60, saw active service on three occasions during land operations in the ‘90’s, and was a Captain throughout the late war, being in command of a battleship at Jutland. He was afterwards Admiral-Superintendent at Devonport. Admiral Underhill came from a naval family, for his father was Paymaster-in-Chief G. W. Underhill, R.N., of Lugley House, Newport, Isle of Wight. Born on March 27, 1868, the late Admiral entered the Britannia as a Cadet in January 1881, and first went to sea two years later in the screw corvette Sapphire, which commissioned at Devonport under Captain (later Admiral Sir) John Fullerton for the China Station. Promoted to Lieutenant in October 1890, he was serving in the Sandfly, gunboat, during the operations at Tokar, Eastern Sudan, in 1891, for which he was awarded the Khedive's bronze Star [with clasp 'Tokar']. He specialised in the navigating branch, and as Lieutenant (N) of the cruiser Philomel was present when the Sultan of Zanzibar's palace was bombarded and captured on August 27, 1896, by the Squadron under Rear Admiral Rawson. Six months later he was landed for duty with the expedition under the Rear Admiral for the punishment of the King of Benin for the massacre of a political expedition, and was awarded the General Africa Medal with Benin clasp. He was promoted to Commander in June 1902, and to Captain in December 1907, at which latter date he was on the staff at Portsmouth Dockyard. A few weeks before the outbreak of War with Germany he took Command of H.M.S. Devonshire in the Third Cruiser Squadron, Grand Fleet, and in March 1916, was transferred to command H.M.S. Temeraire, in the Fourth Battle Squadron. For his services in the Temeraire at Jutland he was commended in Admiral Jellicoe's despatch, and in June 1918, was appointed C.B. The Temeraire was placed during the action in the Fourth Division, led by Vice-Admiral Sturdee in the Benbow. In his report on the battle Captain Underhill stated that the Temeraire was not hit but a few shots fell close, notably one which came close to the mainmast and one which hit the water about 500 yards short on the starboard bow, passing over the forecastle. “The behaviour of the ship's company”, he added, “was all that could be desired, they were cheerful and eager for the fight” Leaving the Temeraire on his promotion to rear-admiral in February 1919, Admiral Underhill was nominated in the following September as Admiral Superintendent at Devonport Dockyard where he served until September 1922. On September 1, 1924 he was promoted to Vice-Admiral, and retired as from the following day, being advanced to Admiral on the retired List on April 5, 1928.’ Underhill’s record of service also confirms that ‘Bronze Star awarded for operations at Tokar Feb ‘91’; Spanish “Cross for Naval Merit of the Third Class” conferred on him by King of Spain on occasion of launch of a Spanish Ship at Ferrol, February 1912; Order of St Anne 2nd Class with Swords Gaz 5 June 1917.’ He was appointed A.D.C. to the King from 3 September 1918 to 3 February 1919. Sold with copied record of service, Times obituary and other research.
The magnificent and rare ‘Kassassin’ C.G.M. group of nine awarded to Colour-Sergeant Benjamin White, Royal Marine Artillery, later Yeoman of the Queen’s Body Guard, the first Royal Marine N.C.O. so honoured Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue (Color Sergeant B. White, R.M.A.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Cr. Sergt. B. White, R.M.A.); Jubilee 1897, bronze issue; Coronation 1902, bronze issue; Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Benjamin White, Sergt. 13th Co. R.M.A.) impressed naming; Royal Marine Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Field Marshal’s bust (No. 206. Benjamin White, Q.M. Sergt. R.M.A.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted court-style as worn, contact marks to the earlier medals, otherwise nearly very fine or better (9) £14,000-£18,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2009. Only 6 C.G.M’s. were awarded for the operations in Egypt 1882, all to the Royal Marines, including two for the battle of Kassassin. The following citation for Benjamin White’s Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was submitted by Lieutenant Colonel Tuson, R.M., in December 1882: ‘For gallant conduct at Kassassin on 28 August 1882. Having detached a company to prevent the enemy from out-flanking our left, and to prevent two guns advancing up the banks of the canal, which were doing mischief on our line. This Non-Commissioned Officer on two occasions under a very heavy fire, advanced up the Canal Bank and shot the horses each time they limbered up, and so prevented their advance.’ Benjamin White was born in April 1848 in Hatherleigh, Devon, and was a labourer prior to enlisting in the Corps at Exeter on 20 June 1866. He served ashore with the Royal Marine Artillery for nearly two years prior to embarking aboard his first ship H.M.S. Juno in May 1868. He was promoted to Bombardier on 2 April 1874 and to Corporal on 20 March 1875. He embarked aboard Minotaur in August 1875 and was promoted to Sergeant on 27 February 1876. He served ashore for nearly six years during which time he was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 13 January 1881. He was next embarked for service with the Royal Marine Mediterranean Battalion in June 1882 and was landed for service on shore to take part in the battles of Kassassin and Tel-El-Kebir. He returned to England aboard the SS Greece in October 1882 and disembarked to the R.M.A. Depot, being promoted to Quarter Master Sergeant on 9 December 1882. He continued to serve on shore until 9 April 1888, when he was discharged from the Corps having completed 21 years service. His Conspicuous Gallantry Medal was presented by Queen Victoria at a special Audience held at Windsor Castle on 21 November 1882. He received the rare distinction of being appointed to the Queen’s Bodyguard of the Yeomen of the Guard on 5 February 1893, being the first Royal Marine N.C.O. so honoured. He served in this capacity until his death in his 90th year on 19 March 1937. Over the course of forty four years he had served three Monarchs and had been the senior serving Yeoman for some years. During his long and faithful service he received the 1897 Jubilee Medal, the 1902 and 1911 Coronation Medals, and the 1935 Jubilee Medal being the only member of the Bodyguard thus honoured.
An outstanding Great War Civil C.B. and Boer War Albert Medal life saving group of ten awarded to Captain Halton S. Lecky, Royal Navy The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt, with Garrard, London case of issue; Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, bronze and enamel, the reverse inscribed (Awarded by His Majesty to Lieutenant Halton Stirling Lecky, R.N., in recognition of his gallantry in rescuing two soldiers from drowning at Kosi Bay on the 25th of August 1900) the reverse of the crown with maker's cartouche 'Phillips, Cockspur St.', together with its original Phillips Bros. & Son presentation case, the lid embossed in gilt letters 'Presented in the name of His Majesty to Lieutenant Halton Stirling Lecky, R.N., for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea'; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (Sub-Lieut: H. S. Lecky, R.N. H.M.S. Doris); 1914-15 Star (Commr. H. S. Lecky, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. H. S. Lecky. R.N.); Greece, Kingdom, Order of the Redeemer, 5th Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamels; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 5th Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamels, these last seven mounted court-style as worn; Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (Successful), (Sub Lieut: H. S. Lecky. R.N. Aug: 25 1900) in its Elkington case of issue; Lloyds medal for Saving Life at Sea, silver (Lieut. H. S. Lecky. R.N. - 25th August 1900.) in its original presentation case, the lid embossed in gilt letters with relevant details; Granton Naval Base, silver medal for Zeal (Comdr. H. S. Lecky. R.N. 2.9.16, C.E. Granton Naval Base) generally very fine or better (11) £6,000-£8,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, June 1994. Only 7 Albert Medals awarded to Royal Navy officers prior to the Great War. Halton Stirling Lecky was Sub-Lieutenant of Thrush and Widgeon during the Boer War, and served on both vessels on the Delagoa Bay Blockade. He was awarded the Albert Medal (2nd class) on 28 June 1901; the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society on 15 July 1901; and Lloyds Silver Medal on 10 August 1901, all awarded for his bravery as described in the following extract from the London Gazette: ‘On August 25th, 1900, H.M.S. Widgeon was anchored in Kosi Bay, fifty miles south of Delagoa Bay, in order to land stores and troops. The work of disembarkation was carried out by four boats manned by Malays under the superintendence of Sub Lieutenant Lecky, who had been sent onshore for the purpose. Heavy breakers in lines of three to five, according to the tide rolling in about fifty yards apart, made the work very risky. One boat loaded with stores and with Second Lieutenant Arnold Gray, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, Trooper Frederick Trethowen, Steinacker's Horse, and Private J. H. Forbes, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, on board, capsized about three hundred yards from the shore. The five Malays forming the boat's crew, and Private Forbes by dint of hard swimming, with the assistance of the boat's oars, managed to reach the land after severe buffeting from the heavy seas. Lieutenant Gray was unable to swim, but with Trooper Trethowen, clung to the boat, which drifted slowly keel upwards in a northerly direction almost parallel with the shore, carried by the set of a strong current. Huge breakers continually swept over the boat, and the men had great difficulty in retaining their hold. Sharks were observed near the boat before and after the accident. The boat was now about one hundred and fifty yards from the shore. Sub Lieutenant Lecky, seeing the critical position the two men were in, tore off his clothes and, plunging into the surf, endeavoured to swim to their assistance. He was twice thrown back on the beach by the heavy seas, but afterwards succeeded in bringing first Lieutenant Gray and then the other safe to shore. The rescued men were quite unconscious, having been nearly thirty minutes in the water. Sub Lieutenant Lecky and his servant, Private Borting, R.M.L.I. then applied the usual methods for restoring animation, and both men eventually recovered consciousness - Lieutenant Gray after a lapse of two and a half hours.’ Lecky was subsequently Sub Lieutenant of Doris (medal and clasp); was in command of torpedo-boat No. 29 on the occasion of the burial at sea, by her own request, of Miss Mary Kingsley. He was responsible for the organisation of the Shetland Islands for war, 1913-14; Minesweeping on the East Coast, 1914. Lecky created the Auxiliary Patrol Service of 3000 vessels and necessary personnel against enemy submarines, 1914-16 (awarded C.B.); Naval Assistant to the Fourth Sea Lord, 1915-16; commanded the light cruisers Southampton and Birmingham in the North Sea, 1916-17; Assistant to Naval Secretary to First Lord of the Admiralty, 1917-18; engaged on miscellaneous service in the Aegean blockade of the Dardanelles, occupation of Constantinople etc., 1918; mentioned in despatches and awarded the Order of the Redeemer (Greece) and Legion of Honour (France) for duties in connection with the war operations of these navies in the Aegean. In 1919 he organised the Mine Clearance Service and received the high appreciation of the Board of Admiralty; Commanded the R.N. Detention Barracks at Chatham, 1920-24, and was placed on the retired list with the rank of Captain in 1925. Captain Lecky died on 2 June 1940, aged 71 years. Lecky was author of the well known work 'The Kings Ships' , 3 volumes 1913 and 1914, the final 3 volumes of which were suspended and never published owing to the outbreak of the War. The group is also accompanied by a 'pencilled' portrait photograph of Captain Lecky and original Royal Humane Society parchment certificate, this a little damaged by damp.
The rare lady’s Memorial Plaque to Miss Hilda May Bowman, Women’s Royal Naval Service Bronze Memorial Plaque, ‘She Died for Freedom and Honour’ (Hilda May Bowman) good very fine £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Hilda May Bowman served as a Clerk with the Women’s Royal Naval Service and died on 24 October 1918. She is buried in Dover Cemetery, Kent.
Pair: Sidney Shann, 3rd Waiter, killed when the S.S. Lusitania was sunk by a German submarine on 7 May 1915 British and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Sidney Shann) in named card box of issue together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Sidney Shann) extremely fine (3) £1,400-£1,800 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Sidney James Shann, 3rd Waiter, S.S. Lusitania (Liverpool), drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine, 7th May, 1915, aged 30. Husband of Agnes Shann (née McQuarrie), of 25 Dunluce St., Walton, Liverpool. Born at Liverpool (Mercantile Marine Memorial refers). Commemorated by name on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Sold with a damaged and a period ‘souvenir’ postcard photograph of the Lusitania,
The important Great War Q-Ship commander’s D.S.O. and Bar group of seven awarded to Captain S. H. Simpson, Royal Navy, who was twice decorated for his command of the Q-Ship Cullist from March 1917 to February 1918, a period that included no less than five close encounters with enemy submarines, the last of them resulting in Cullist’s demise Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. S. H. Simpson, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Commr. S. H. Simpson. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, 3rd Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with bronze palm, mounted as worn, minor enamel chips to wreaths of the first, generally good very fine and better (7) £10,000-£14,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996; R. C. Witte Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007. D.S.O. London Gazette 29 August 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22 February 1918: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 May 1918. Salisbury Hamilton Simpson was born in Karachi in September 1884, the son of a half-Colonel in the Indian Army, and entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet in Britannia in January 1900. Appointed a Midshipman in the battleship Jupiter in the Channel Squadron in June 1901, he was advanced to Lieutenant in April 1907, and was serving in the cruiser Argyll in that rank on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Removing to his first command, the sloop Jessamine, in early October 1915, he informed his Admiral that he would need a week to get the ship seaworthy - the latter coldly informed him to proceed to sea at 8 a.m. the following morning. Thus ensued an eventful commission, Chatterton’s Danger Zone quoting some of Simpson’s operational reports. But it was his transfer to Queenstown Command in March 1917 that led to his many honours, for, in the same month, he was appointed to the command of the Cullist (ex-Westphalia), a Q-Ship armed with one 4-inch gun, two 12-pounders and two torpedo tubes. Between then and February 1918, Simpson was involved in no fewer than five actions, the last of them resulting in Cullist’s demise: On 13 July 1917, while sailing between the French and Irish coasts, an enemy submarine was sighted on the surface at 11,000 yards range, from which distance it began shelling the Cullist. After firing 38 rounds without recording a hit, the enemy was enticed by Simpson’s tactics to close the range to 5,000 yards, and fired a further 30 rounds, some of which straddled their target. At 1407 hours Cullist returned fire, her gunners getting the range after their second salvo was fired and numerous hits were recorded on the enemy’s conning tower, gun and deck. Then an explosion was seen followed by bright red flames, and three minutes after engaging the submarine it was seen to go down by the bows leaving oil and debris on the surface - the latter included ‘a corpse dressed in blue dungarees, floating face upwards.’ Simpson was awarded the D.S.O. On 20 August 1917, in the English Channel, an enemy submarine was sighted on the surface and opened fire on the Cullist at 9,000 yards range. After 82 rounds had been fired by the submarine, just one of them scored with a hit on the water-line of the stokehold, the shell injuring both the firemen on watch and causing a large rush of water into the stokehold, which was overcome by plugging the hole and shoring it up. Several time-fuzed shrapnel projectiles were also fired at the Cullist but without effect. The submarine then closed the range to 4,500 yards at which time the Cullist returned fire and scored two hits in the area of the conning tower, upon which the submarine was seen to dive and contact was lost. On 28 September 1917, in another hotly contested action, Simpson gave the order to open fire on an enemy submarine at 5,000 yards range - ‘thirteen rounds were fired of which eight were direct hits, causing him to settle down by the bowstill while about 30 feet of his stern was standing out of the water at an angle of about 30 degrees to the horizon. He remained in this position for about ten to fifteen seconds before disappearing at 12.43 hours.’ Soon afterwards Simpson spotted another enemy submarine and set off in pursuit, on this occasion to no avail. Yet another brush with the enemy took place on 17 November 1917, when the Cullist was sighted by an enemy submarine which opened fire at 8,000 yards range. Within five minutes the enemy had the range and a shell glanced off the Cullist’s side, damaging one of three officers’ cabins before bursting on the water-line. After disappearing in a bank of fog the submarine re-appeared and continued to shell the Cullist with such accuracy that for 50 minutes the decks and bridge were continually sprayed with shell splinters and drenched with water from near misses. In all, the enemy fired 92 rounds, while the Cullist returned fire from 4,500 yards, 14 rounds being fired at the submarine of which six were seen to be direct hits. The submarine, although badly damaged, was able to turn away, dive and escape. Simpson was awarded a Bar to his D.S.O. On 11 February 1918, however, the Cullist’s luck ran out and she was torpedoed without warning in the Irish Sea and sank in two minutes. The enemy submarine then surfaced and asked for the Captain, but was told that he had been killed. The Germans then picked up two men and after verbally abusing the remaining survivors, made off. Simpson, who had been wounded, was pulled into one of the rafts, and the survivors were subsequently rescued by a patrol trawler, but not before being forced to sing “Tipperary” to convince the trawlermen of their true identity. Simpson was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 February 1918), but such was the nature of his wounds, which included a ‘broken shoulder’, that he did not obtain another seagoing command until joining H.M.A.S. Anzac in September 1919, shortly after his advancement to Commander. In late 1924, he assumed command of the Widgeon in the Far East, taking over from Commander M. G. B. Legge, D.S.O., and in August of the following year he became S.N.O. on the Upper Yangtze, winning Their Lordships’ appreciation for his services during ongoing local disturbances. His First Lieutenant during this period was Lieutenant (afterwards Rear-Admiral) A. F. Pugsley, the author of Destroyer Man, a work in which he refers to his C.O’s gathering apathy, rather than the more charming eccentricity for which he was known in his Q-Ship days, and therein, no doubt, lay the roots of Simpson’s request to be placed on the Retired List in December 1930. Recalled on the renewal of hostilities, he served as a Divisional Sea Transport Officer at Plymouth, Belfast and Glasgow, and was released in March 1946. Simpson died in January 1951.
Polar Medal 1904, G.V.R., 1st issue, bronze, 1 clasp, Antarctic 1910-13 (R. Oliphant, A.B., Terra Nova:) good very fine and very rare £8,000-£10,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- One of only six medals for Scott’s last expedition awarded in bronze to those crew members who made only one voyage. Oliphant’s medal was presented by the King on 26 July 1913. Sold with copied entry from Polar Medal roll and confirmation that Oliphant is not entitled to Great War medals.
The poignant Great War D.S.O. group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant C. W. Graham, Royal Naval Air Service, a pioneer scout pilot in No. 1 Wing at Dunkerque who downed ‘a large German seaplane’ off the Belgian coast in December 1915; he was killed in September 1916, when, having taken off on an operational patrol from Great Yarmouth, his Short 184 Seaplane dived into the sea from 200 feet, the impact exploding his bomb load Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Flt. S. Lt. C. W. Graham. R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (Flt. Lt. C. W. Graham. R.N.A.S.) together with Memorial Plaque (Charles Walter Graham) generally extremely fine (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.O. London Gazette 24 February 1916: ‘For his services on 14 December 1915, when with Flight Sub. Lieutenant Ince as observer and gunner he attacked and destroyed a German seaplane off the Belgian coast.’ Charles Walter Graham was born at St. Helier, Jersey on 12 November 1893, the son of Charles Knott Graham and his wife Helen. He was educated at Merchant Taylors’ School, where he excelled as a gymnast and fostered an interest in engineering. Shortly after leaving school, in 1913, he won the private owners’ prize and gold medal in the Warwickshire Club’s 100-Mile Open Motor Cycle Event. He was at Stuttgart when war broke out in August 1914 but managed to get home via Switzerland, following which he took up aviation at Hendon and qualified for his Royal Aero Club certificate (No. 2238) in a Grahame-White biplane on 12 February 1915; he also collected Third Prize in an “Impromptu” Speed Contest held there on 5 April 1915. A week later, Graham obtained a commission as a Temporary Flight Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service and was posted to No. 1 Wing at Dunkerque, where he became a pioneer scout pilot. On 14 December 1915, flying Nieuport 3971, with Flight Sub. Lieutenant Ince as his Observer, he attacked and shot down ‘a big German seaplane’ off La Panne: ‘A merchant vessel was stranded on the sandbank near the Whistle Buoy on the 12th, owing to stormy weather, and was unable to be towed off. At 10 a.m. a report was received that two German Aviatiks were attacking her with bombs. Machines were sent out, and from 10.30 a.m. onwards, a continuous patrol was maintained, all hostile machines being driven off. At 3.15 p.m. on the 14th Flight Sub.-Lieutenant B. (sic) Graham, with Sub.-Lieutenant Ince as observer, in a Nieuport Scout, which was much faster, gave chase, and got within 100 yards’ range, the position being practically over the steamer. Flight Sub.-Lieutenant Graham dived and manoeuvred his machine so as to enable his passenger to train his gun upwards under the enemy’s tail at fifty tards’ range. This manoeuvre was repeated altogether three times, a number of rounds being fired into the enemy on each occasion. Upon the third occasion, when five rounds had been fired, the hostile machine suddenly turned sharply down, nose-dived vertically into the water, and was observed to be a flaming wreck. The pilot then vol-planed down to investigate more closely; his engine failed to pick up, and he was forced to descend into the sea close to the paddle minesweeper Balmoral. The Nieuport turned over on striking the water, and Flight Sub. Lieutenant Graham had great difficulty in releasing his belt under water and extricating himself. Eventually both he and his observer got clear, and within a few minutes the Balmoral had lowered a boat and with great promptness rescued the two officers.’ (The Dover Patrol, refers). A confidential report on his services was submitted on 22 December 1915: ‘Exceptional skill and courage. Has been continually employed on reconnaissance work and hostile aircraft patrols over the enemy’s lines. Specially recommended for promotion.’ He was indeed promoted to Flight Lieutenant in January 1916, shortly before the announcement of his well-deserved D.S.O. On 8 February 1916, Graham was seriously injured in a flying accident, following engine failure. He was admitted to the R.N.H. Haslar with ‘severe injuries to head, concussion and possibly base fracture of skull’ and there he remained until discharged on sick leave on 14 March 1916. In the interim, on the 15 February, the Vice-Admiral Dover Patrol mentioned Graham in despatches ‘for continuous meritorious service over the enemy’s lines’ and recommended him for special recognition and reward. His service record further states that he was still unfit to be medically re-surveyed in mid-April 1916, followed by the tragic news that he had been killed flying a Short 184 Type Seaplane (No. 8385) on 8 September 1916. Having taken off on an operational patrol from Great Yarmouth, his aircraft dived into the sea from 200 feet, the impact exploding his bomb load. It took two weeks to recover the wreckage and his body, his father taking possession of the latter on 27 September 1916. Just 23-years-old, Graham was buried in the Old Cemetery at Barnes, London, near where his parents were living at the time. Sold with an impressive array of awards for Gymnastics at Merchant Taylors’ School, comprising a winner’s cap, in velvet, with silver-wire embroidered ‘MTS’ motif, ‘Gymnasium’ and the dates ‘1910’, ‘1911’ and ‘1912’; a prize medal, in bronze, the obverse with school motto and crest, and reverse engraved ‘Gymnastics’ and ‘C. W. Graham, June 1907’, in its fitted Kenning & Son case of issue; together with others identical (2), but in silver, these named and dated ‘1911’ and ‘1912’, and in fitted Kenning & Son, London cases of issue; and his London Aerodrome Hendon prize medal for Third Place in the “Impromtu” Speed Contest, bronze, the obverse engraved, ‘Won by C. W. Graham, April 5th 1915’, 50mm. diam., in its fitted red leather Elkington & Co. Ltd. case of issue. Also sold with a copy Freedom of the City of London certificate, in the name of ‘Charles Walter Graham, son of the late Charles Knott Graham, Citizen of London and Merchant Taylor’, and Buckingham Palace forwarding slip for his memorial plaque.
A Japanese late Meiji period bronze censer modelled as a Dog of Fo, width 21cm, height 14cm, a cloisonné circular bowl with cover, diameter 12cm, a small cloisonné vase (af) and a modern Chinese floral decorated porcelain bowl with cover, six character mark to base, diameter 10.5cm, on carved hardwood base (4).Condition Report: Modern Chinese bowl has large chip to cover and to stand.
BUTTONS ETC. Various moulded glass buttons, including silver & bronze lustre. Largest, 3.2cm. Also, two decorative hatpin finials, 3.5 & 2.5cm. Condition Report: Good. Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
WWI NURSING MEDAL, RAF BADGES ETC. A bronze WWI period Medico Psychological Association nursing medal 'For Proficiency in Mental Nursing. a silver WWII RAF sweetheart brooch & a RAF cap badge. Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
BUTTONS. Various black buttons, mostly moulded glass, some with gold, bronze or silvered decoration. Largest 2.6cm. Condition Report: Good. Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
ENGRAVED BANGLE. A 9ct. gold on Bronze Core, hinged bangle, with engraved front. Condition Report: Very good. Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
BUTTONS. Various black buttons, mostly moulded glass, some with gold, bronze or silvered decoration. Largest, 1.6cm. Condition Report: Good. Please note that all items in this auction are previously owned & are offered on behalf of private vendors. If detail on condition is required on any lot(s) PLEASE ASK FOR A CONDITION REPORT BEFORE BIDDING. The absence of a condition report does not imply the lot is perfect.WE CAN SHIP THIS LOT, but NOT if part of a large, multiple lots purchase.
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