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Lot 607
Britains aet 39, Royal Horse Artillery Gun Team FIRST VERSION, six horse collar harness team, shafted limber, two seated men and mounted Officer, gun substituted with gun from set 2057 (Condition Fair-Poor, trace horses not matching driver horses, officer horse one hoof and plume missing, one driver head loose and plume missing, horse one leg and tail broken, one driver neck repaired and end of arm with whip missing, one team pair crosswire missing) 1899 (11)
Lot 101
A Second War ‘Italian theatre’ M.C. group of four attributed to Captain D. E. Harris, South Wales Borderers, late 2/5th Queen’s Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’ and additionally inscribed ‘Capt. D. E. Harris S. Wales Borderers); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, these last three all privately named, mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 23 August 1945: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in Italy. - Lieutenant Douglas Ewart Harris (324910), The South Wales Borderers (Cardiff).’ The original recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant Douglas Ewart Harris, 2/5th Bn. The Queen’s Royal Regt. Italy, Lake Commacchio. Lt D. A. Harris commanded 11 platoon “B” Coy and took part in all actions from the MENATE landings to the fighting at the approaches to PORTOVERRARA when he was wounded. Throughout this period Lt Harris displayed courage and resolution of the very highest order. In the landings on 11th April 1945, he was the first ashore and wading through two dykes he reached his Platoon objective several hundred yards ahead of the rest of the Pl and by effective use of his tommy gun he took several prisoners and caused the rest of the enemy to withdraw. In all actions this officer led his men, sometimes using a PIAT, sometimes a Bren gun and even captured enemy weapons, Lt Harris displayed aggressive courage of the highest order. On the 12th April he captured an officer and two men, one of whom was wounded, from a house which he himself tackled with a PIAT. On the 13th April when his Coy was counter attacked North of FILO, the Coy Cdr was killed, a number of other casualties suffered and two of the supporting tanks were knocked out. Lt Harris at once took charge, reorganised the Coy and dug in. It was entirely due to his efforts that wounded were evacuated from a very exposed position. Later, on April 18th, when leading his men against the enemy, Lt Harris was himself seriously wounded. At all times this officer displayed gallantry and determination of the very highest order and carried out all tasks given to him in a cheerful and wholehearted manner, even in the face of heavy opposition. He was completely indifferent to danger.’ Douglas Ewart Harris served with No. 1 Commando (3968443) prior to being selected for officer training and posted to OCTU. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers on 21 July 1944, and won his M.C. whilst a Lieutenant in 2/5th Battalion, The Queen’s Royal Regiment.
Lot 104
An Order of St. John, Second War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Miss Violet A. Reading, St. John Ambulance Brigade, who served during the Portsmouth Blitz as a Lay Superintendent, Civil Defence First Aid Post The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s (Sister’s) shoulder badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, on lady’s bow riband; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, 1st type (1892-1939), circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background; British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Miss Violet A. Reading) on lady’s bow riband; Defence Medal; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Service Medal of the Order of St John, with Additional Award Bar (8401 L/A/Offr. V. Reading. Portsmouth Nsg. Div. No. 2 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1930.) the pre-Second War awards mounted as worn, the Second War awards loose, generally nearly extremely fine (6) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 9 January 1946: Miss Violet Ann Reading, lately, Lay Superintendent, Civil Defence First Aid Post, Portsmouth.’ Miss Violet Ann Reading was born in Portsea, Hampshire, on 17 March 1892 and was a school teacher by profession, as well as a long-serving volunteer with the St. John Ambulance Brigade. She volunteered for part-time service with the Voluntary Aid Detachment during the Great War, and served with distinction throughout the Second World War, including the Portsmouth Blitz, as a Lay Superintendent, Civil Defence First Aid Post. She was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1937 as a ‘Lay Divisional Superintendent, Provincial Ambulance Services), and was appointed a Serving Sister of the Order of St. John in 1939 (London Gazette 23 June 1939), being advanced to Officer in 1943 (London Gazette 25 June 1943). She died in Portsmouth in 1966. Note: In light of her long service with the St. John Ambulance Brigade, Miss Reading is likely to have been entitled to further award bars to her Service Medal of the Order of St. John; clearly these were never fitted. Sold with a copy of Smitten City, The Story of Portsmouth under Blitz; and copied research.
Lot 109
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. pair awarded to Sergeant A. Chadwick, 1/7th West Riding Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10888 Sjt: A. Chadwick. M.M. 1/7 W. Rid: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (10888 Cpl. A. Chadwick. 1/7 W. Rid: R.) minor official correction to surname on the second, a few scratches to obverse of first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 April 1919; citation published 25 February 1920: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty east of Nave, on 11th October, 1918, when he led his section under heavy machine gun and shell fire with marked courage and skill. He was continuously in front and showed absolute disregard for his own safety. It was largely owing to him that the advance was carried on in the face of heavy fire.’ M.M. London Gazette 12 June 1918. Alfred Chadwick was a native of Hunslet, Leeds, and proceeded to Gallipoli with the 1/7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment on 7 July 1915.
Lot 115
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private R. A. Hanscombe, 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (G-4263 Pte. R. A. Hanscombe, 1/R.W. Kent R.); 1914-15 Star (G-4263 Pte. R. A. Hanscombe. R.W. Kent. R.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-4263 Pte. R. A. Hanscombe. R.W. Kent R.) mounted as worn, the first with pitting from star, otherwise very fine and better (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘For continuous gallant conduct, covering a long period of service in France. This soldier has on every occasion showed exceptional gallantry and a very high sense of duty and has taken part in many actions.’ Richard A. Hanscombe hailed from Beckenham, Kent, and served in France with the 1st Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, from 30 August 1915. Sold with copied gazette notice, D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards.
Lot 117
‘One of nine children born to two impoverished alcoholics - all of whom were removed by the courts from their parent’s custody by the age of two - is hardly the start that would be attributed to a hero of the R.A.F., but that was how Victor started.’ (Zero To Hero, From a Boy’s Home to R.A.F. Hero, by P. W. Bodle refers) The outstanding and rare Second War C.G.M., ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster Rear Gunner V. A. Roe, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in 14 operational sorties in Wellingtons and Halifaxes with 466 Squadron, prior to flying the remainder of his operational service with 35 Squadron - which amounted to a remarkable 84 operational sorties with the Squadron, 50 of which were with Flying Officer John Forde as his pilot, and out of the total of 84, 11 were as Master Bomber crew and 7 as Deputy Master Bomber crew, all with Pathfinder Force. An accomplished ‘Tail-End Charlie’, Roe successfully fought off an Me. 110 during the raid on Haine-St-Pierre, 8-9 May 1944, ‘which made four successive attacks using cannon and machine-gun fire... Roe returned fire and on each occasion although his turret had been hit and become unserviceable, resulting in Sergeant Roe being covered with oil. When the Me. 110 made the fourth attack, it was seen to have caught fire in one engine and it is claimed as probably destroyed. Throughout the combat, Sergeant Roe handled his guns with cool determination, clearing stoppages in between attacks although he had received a slight injury in his right arm from a cannon splinter early in the encounter.’ Warrant Officer Roe was killed in action on a raid to Chemnitz, carrying out his 98th operational sortie, 5-6 March 1945. He was 21 years old Conspicuous Gallantry Medal (Flying), G.VI.R. (Act. W/O. (1813968) V. A. Roe. R.A.F.); Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1813968 Sgt. V. A. Roe. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Bomber Command; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, first two on investiture pins and in named card boxes of issue, remainder later issues, in Royal Mint boxes of issue, with enclosure, extremely fine (5) £30,000-£40,000 --- One of only 11 men to be awarded the combination of the C.G.M. and D.F.M. C.G.M. London Gazette 13 April 1945: ‘Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal, Warrant Officer Roe has participated in a further large number of operational sorties. He has proved himself to be a most enthusiastic and skilful air gunner and has continued to operate with undiminished determination and courage. By his magnificent record of achievement and unfailing devotion to duty, this gallant Warrant Officer has set a sterling example to all air gunners.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 13 June 1944: ‘On the night of 8/9th May, 1944, Sergeant Roe was rear gunner in a Lancaster detailed to attack Haine-St. Pierre. As the aircraft was approaching the target, two Ju. 88’s were encountered but successfully evaded. Shortly afterwards, and Me. 110 was encountered which made four successive attacks using cannon and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Roe returned fire and on each occasion although his turret had been hit and become unserviceable, resulting in Sergeant Roe being covered with oil. When the Me. 110 made the fourth attack, it was seen to have caught fire in one engine and it is claimed as probably destroyed. Throughout the combat, Sergeant Roe handled his guns with cool determination, clearing stoppages in between attacks although he had received a slight injury in his right arm from a cannon splinter early in the encounter. He carried on, showing a fine offensive spirit. Sergeant Roe is a very reliable Air Gunner who has always carried out his duties most conscientiously. At all times his courage, skill and determination are a fine inspiration to his crew. In recognition of his courage and devotion to duty during the combats of the night of 8/9th May, 1944, this N.C.O. is recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Flying Medals. Remarks by Station Commander: Recommended. This N.C.O. displayed courage and determination of a high order throughout the attacks.’ Victor Arthur Roe was born at Old Barge Yard, Norwich in May 1923. He was one of nine children, all removed from the custody of his parents, who were sadly alcoholics, and placed in various Children’s Homes around Norwich. Roe was educated at the Surrey Road Primary School and the Nelson Street Senior Boys’ School - and his father died whilst he was at primary school. Aged 11, Roe was transferred to Mr Fegan’s Home for Boys in Yardley Gobion, near Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire. The latter institution had a rigid approach to preparing the boys for later life through discipline and hard work, which culminated in working at the Goudhurst Farm prior to ‘release’ into the wider world. Roe moved to work at the farm in April 1938, and having completed his time in Fegan system was subsequently employed at Copping Farm, part of the Bernstein Estate near Tonbridge in Kent. Roe enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in January 1943, and was posted to No. 14 Initial Training Wing, Bridlington. He trained as an Air Gunner at No. 8 Bombing and Air Gunnery School, Evanton, and advanced to Leading Aircraftsman. Roe, having advanced to Sergeant, was subsequently posted to 20 O.T.U., Lossiemouth. Whilst at the latter he trained in Wellingtons and formed his first crew with Warrant Officer J. Forde (Pilot), Warrant Officer H. Warner (Bomb Aimer), Warrant Officer J. Rollins (Navigator) and Sergeant D. Carruthers (Radio Operator). They were posted for operational service to 466 Squadron (Wellingtons) at Driffield in August 1943. They carried out 7 operational sorties, 5 of which were Mining, before being posted to 1652 CU to convert to Halifax bombers. Here they were joined by Sergeants D. Cole (Flight Engineer) and W. Quirke (Mid Upper Gunner), and upon return to their Squadron they carried out another 7 operational sorties, including: Frankfurt; Berlin; Magdeburg; Schweinfurt; Trappes and Le Mans. As Peter Bodle notes in Zero To Hero, From a Boys’ Home to R.A.F. Hero: ‘This time the seven operations more or less spanned the Christmas and New Year period of 1943-44. Their first Halifax sortie was on 20 December... On the third sortie, ‘The Big City’, Berlin was the target, but it was not until the raid following the Berlin run that Victor mentioned anything about enemy action. In that post raid report it was noted that their plane HX266 had collected some flak damaged from what was believed to be radar controlled ack-ack guns in the Wilhelmshaven area. Fortunately according to this report after the raid, it produced only a slight amount of damage to the aircraft and none to the crew. The other high point Victor noted from his time on the Halifax occurred just three days later, landing out at Tangmere, as their Halifax LV837 ran low on fuel and their pilot John Forde made a precautionary diversion into the Kent fighter airfield to take on more. In all the Halifax raids, they were led to the target area by the Lancasters of the Pathfinder Force, whom they were to join in just a few weeks’ time. This way, like many others before them, Victor and the rest of the John Forde team had been given a good insight into what was needed to be a Pathfinder crew, long before they ever started their PFF training.’ The PFF - Lancaster ‘Tail-End Charlie’ Roe was posted to Warboys for PFF training, prior to being posted for operational flying with 35 Squadron (Lancasters) in April 1944: ‘So just six months after stepping into a Bomber for ...
Lot 12
The important Great War campaign group of four awarded to Captain F. N. Fargus, Royal Naval Division and Royal Navy, who commanded the Benbow Battalion during the defence of Antwerp in 1914, and was interned in Holland after the fall of the city. He served as Commandant of the Naval Internment Camp at Groningen - H.M.S. “Timbertown” 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Commander F. N. Fargus, R.N. Cdg. Benbow. Bttn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr. F. N. Fargus. R.N.); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, very fine (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- Frederick Noel Fargus was born in Clifton, Bristol in December 1875. He joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet in January 1890, and was appointed to H.M.S. Trafalgar on the Mediterranean Station in January 1892. Fargus advanced to Midshipman in May 1892, and to Acting Sub Lieutenant in November 1895. He passed out from Royal Naval College with 1st Class Certificates in Gunner and Torpedo, and 2nd Class Certificates in Pilotage and College Part 1 and 2, in consequence of his exam results Fargus received accelerated promotion to Lieutenant in November 1897. Subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Volage and Hannibal prior to deciding to specialise in Torpedoes. As a consequence of the latter, Fargus was posted to H.M.S. Vernon in September 1899. Having received another certificate he was posted to H.M.S. Hecla, before returning to Vernon as part of the Senior Instructional Staff. Fargus was appointed Torpedo Lieutenant to H.M.S. Hannibal in January 1905, and served in a similar capacity with the Exmouth before being appointed to the command of the torpedo gunboat Niger. Fargus was appointed First and Torpedo Lieutenant of the battleship Majestic in January 1910. He advanced to Commander in June 1910, and subsequent appointments included H.M. Ships Blenheim and London. Following the declaration of War with Germany in August 1914 Fargus was appointed to H.M.S. Victory for duty at the Naval Camp at Walmer, where he was placed in Command of Benbow Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Fargus sailed with his Battalion to defend Antwerp where, in early October, having belatedly received the order to withdraw, he was one of approximately 1,600 men of the Benbow, Collingwood and Hawke Battalions of the 1st Brigade who were forced to take refuge in neutral Holland in order to prevent unnecessary casualties or capture by the enemy. Fargus was interned under International Law on 9 October 1914 and housed in barracks in Groningen where, he became Commandant of the Naval Internment Camp. The camp at Groningen, because of its wooden construction, was to later become known as H.M.S. “Timbertown”. Fargus was detained for the duration of the war, other than for periods of leave from Holland. Following the Armistice he was appointed Naval Attaché at The Hague, where he became responsible for overseeing the repatriation of the Royal Naval Division. Fargus received an expression of appreciation from the Foreign Office for his services for acting as Assistant to the Naval Attaché during his period of internment in Holland. He was appointed Divisional Coast Guard Officer at Lymington as part of the Staff of Admiral Commanding Reserves at H.M.S. President in March 1919. Fargus retired with the rank of Captain in June 1922, and died in September 1955. Sold with copied research.
Lot 126
Later in "Hesperus" I had the incomparable Petty-Officer Coster, who could be relied on to hear the first faint echo from a submarine at the maximum range of the asdic. Teamed up with Bill Ridley, my First-Lieutenant and anti-submarine specialist officer, they were a deadly combination for any U-boat that came within "Hesperus" range. U-Boat Killer by Captain Donald Macintyre refers. The unique Second War ‘Battle of the Atlantic’ D.S.M. and Bar, M.I.D. group of five awarded to Acting Petty Officer J. P. Coster, Royal Navy, for services as senior Asdic operator (H.S.D.) aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Hesperus under Commander Donald Macintyre, D.S.O.**, D.S.C., one of the most successful wartime C.O.’s of convoy escorts in the Battle of the Atlantic and author of ‘U-Boat Killer’ amongst many others Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.148640 J. P. Coster. A/L. Smn.) impressed naming, with Second Award Bar, the reverse privately dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the last four all privately impressed ‘JX.148640 J. P. Coster. D.S.M. & Bar. A/L. Smn. R.N. “H.M.S. Hesperus”, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 9 March 1943: ‘For skill and determination in action against enemy submarines while serving in H.M. Ships Hesperus and Vanessa. - Temporary Acting Leading Seaman James Philip Coster. Seedies Roll confirms award for the destruction of U-357 in the north-western approaches on 26 December 1942. Commander Macintyre was awarded a Bar to his earlier D.S.O. for this action. U-357 was forced to the surface by depth charges and then rammed and sunk by Hesperus. D.S.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 11 January 1944: ‘For courage and great skill in successful attacks on U-boats while serving in H.M.S. Hesperus. - Temporary Acting Petty Officer James Philip Coster, D.S.M. (Newbury, Berkshire).’ Two recommendations exist in Admiralty files for this award and it appears that the two were rolled up together into the Second Award Bar. The first, submitted on 20 May 1943, states: ‘Leading Seaman (Higher Submarine Detector - H.S.D.) James Philip Coster. D.S.M. awarded 9 March 1943. On Friday, 23rd April, 1943, when H.M.S. Hesperus was escorting Convoy O.N.S. 4, an enemy submarine was sighted and seen tio dive. This U-boat was soon afterwards picked up on the Asdics and a hunt ensued, at the end of which a hit with the Hedgehog was obtained and the U-boat sunk. Leading Seaman Coster was the asdic operator and his accurate and skilful operation of the set enabled contact with the submarine to be held throughout the hunt and accurate attacks to [be] delivered which resulted in the destruction of the U-boat.’ The second recommendation was submitted just 3 days later, on 23 May 1943, and states: ‘A/Petty Officer (Ty) James Philip Coster. D.S.M. awarded 9 March 1943. Previously recommended on 30 December 1942 and 20 May 1943. On the night of 11th/12th May, and again on 12th May, 1943 H.M.S. Hesperus detected and attacked U-boats. In the first case, the U-boat was depth-charged and forced to the surface after several attacks. It was then attacked by gunfire and left sinking. In the second case, the U-boat was detected by Asdics and, after three depth-charge attacks, was heard to explode, wreckage coming to the surface to confirm the sinking. Petty Officer Coster was the A/S operator throughout both these actions and his cool and skilful operation of the A/S set enabled the accurate attacks to be delivered which resulted in the destruction of the U-boats.’ Seedies Roll confirms award for successful attacks on U-boats in May 1943, with one sunk and two destroyed. U-186 was confirmed sunk north of the Azores by depth charges from Hesperus. M.I.D. London Gazette 23 November 1943: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in successful attacks on U-boats while serving in H.M. Ships... Hesperus.’ Seedies Roll confirms award for the probable destruction of a U-boat in the western approaches on 4 April 1943. James Philip Coster was a native of Newbury, Berkshire. He was the only recipient of the D.S.M. and Bar in Hesperus and the only crew member to receive three awards in this ship. Captain Donald Macintyre gives a succinct description of the asdic and depth charge attack procedure employed against U-boats in the early days of the battle of the Atlantic in his book, U-Boat Killer: ‘Once it was decided to attack, the procedure was to point one’s ship at the target and close it at a moderate speed. By the time the range was down to about 1,000 yards, sufficient data would have reached the plot to give a course and speed of the target. Course would then be altered so as to ‘collide’ with the submarine, and as the ship passed over it, or rather passed a little way ahead to allow for the time taken by depth-charges to sink, a pattern of depth charges would be fired. Those from the chutes in the stern would be dropped at evenly-spaced intervals in the wake, while the depth-charge throwers would send others out some fifty yards on either side. Thus the pattern properly laid would form a shape like an elongated diamond, somewhere inside of which, one hoped, would be the target. But to produce lethal damage the charges must explode near the U-boat in depth as well as in plan and as the depth of the submarine was largely a matter of guesswork the charges were fired at varying depths to increase the chance of success. Such in brief outline was the asdic and the depth charge attack as we knew them in the early days of the Atlantic battle. Of course, there were very many refinements of method and calculation. The effect of wind and weather on one’s ship and consequently on the best direction from which to attack, the need to avoid presenting oneself as an easy target for a torpedo attack in retaliation, the ruses tried out to prevent the U-boat commander from knowing when one was making the final dash to drop depth charges - all were of vital importance to the U-boat hunter. I was wonderfully lucky in the ‘Ping’ specialists who served with me in the two ships wgich I commanded for long periods of the war. In Walker the senior asdic rating, Backhouse, had the quiet confidence of the man who knows his job through and through. At the climax of a long night of confused fighting and mêlée, he was quite unperturbed and was able to classify the sounds in his headphones with the detachment acquired through long and wearisome practise. Later in Hesperus I had the incomparable Petty-Officer Coster, who could be relied on to hear the first faint echo from a submarine at the maximum range of the asdic. Teamed up with Bill Ridley, my First-Lieutenant and anti-submarine specialist officer, they were a deadly combination for any U-boat that came within Hesperus range.’ Sold with 6pp copied reports and recommendations.
Lot 128
‘With reference to my recommendations for recognition of officers and men of TRIBUNE in respect of the sinking of a U-boat I would like to stress that this achievement was outstanding observing that this is the first occasion on which an attack has been successfully carried out solely by means of Asdic by a submerged submarine against an enemy submerged submarine which was at no time sighted during the attack.’ (Vice-Admiral Submarines Sir Max Horton to Naval Secretary to First Lord of Admiralty, 18 October 1940) A Second War submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer (Torpedo Gunner’s Mate) G. W. Butler, Royal Navy, for good services in H.M. Submarine Tribune during patrols in 1940, but more specifically on the occasion of her attack on U-56 in September 1940 when it was believed to have been sunk Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.110779 G. W. Butler. P.O. R.N.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, these three all privately named ‘J.110779 P.O. George W. Butler D.S.M. R.N. H.M. Submarine’; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.110779 G. W. Butler. P.O. H.M.S. Forth.) mounted as worn, the last with an edge bruise, otherwise good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 12 November 1940: ‘For good service in recent patrols. - Petty Officer George William Butler.’ The recommendation states: ‘George William Butler, Petty Officer T.G.M. P/J.110779. For promptness in bringing the torpedo armament to the ready and speed in carrying out the many changes of orders for the torpedoes necessitated by the nature of the attack.’ One of 4 D.S.M.’s awarded to Tribune on this occasion. The commanding officer Lieutenant E. F. Balston received the D.S.O., and Lieutenant J. C. Ogle the D.S.C., six ratings also being mentioned in despatches. In his patrol report Lieutenant Balston describes the attack against a submerged U-boat on 6 September 1940, and is convinced of a successful ‘kill’: ‘0633 There was some evidence from adsics that we had been fired at, possibly three torpedoes, but these were never heard to detonate. Very loud water noises were heard close ahead in three distinct waves. The operator described these as ”rushes of water similar to that heard on firing torpedoes”. (In this connection I think the target, although knowing we were close, had no very exact idea of our whereabouts. This might account for him being as shallow as he was when we fired.) During this time TRIBUNE was stopped deep. 0637 Came up to 60ft, target right ahead range 1000yds. I was still trying to predict the movement of the target acrioss my bow and at 0638, range 700yds closing, this was 2º a minute from port to starboard. 0640 Fired two torpedoes at 4 second interval set to 44ft and 38ft, depth of submarine 70ft, using centre of asdic target as point of aim. Twenty five seconds after first torpedo there was a violent explosion and all H.E. immediately ceased. The second torpedo detonated eight minutes later having run off its range. Came to periscope depth after first explosion, nothing in sight. 0655 Surfaced to look for evidence. A considerable quantity of oil was visible on the surface and a sock and a glove and what may have been a coat were seen, but could not be found again after turning and it is doubtful if these could have been recovered as it was too rough to put a man over the side. 0715 Dived and carried out asdic search but nothing could be located. 0813 Surfaced to carry out further search. Oil on the surface was more widespread, long streaks tailing to leeward, and a patch of heavy brown sludge about six feet in diameter was seen to come to the surface close to the bow. The Engineer Officer stated this was what might be expected from the bottom of a fuel tank. I also saw a seagull soaked with oil trying to take off from the sea but obviously unable to do so. 0905 Abandoned search and proceeded. Weather: Wind force 5 to 6 from west. Sea rough.’ In forwarding his recommendations for awards, Vice-Admiral Sir Max Horton emphasised to the Naval Secretary to First Lord of Admiralty, Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, ‘I have no doubt that the U-boat was sunk.’ However, it later transpired that according to German records the only U-boat operating in that area had been the U-56, but she reported no attack and survived until April 1945, when she was scuttled at Kiel after being damaged by U.S. bombs. It is now an accepted fact that Tribune did not sink a U-boat on this occasion and her early history should read as below. H.M. Submarine Tribune was launched in December 1938 and completed in October 1939. Her first active service patrols took her to Norwegian waters where, on 6 January 1940, she fired 6 torpedoes against an enemy submarine in the Skagerrak, about 15 nautical miles east-north-east of Skagen, Denmark, but without success. On 22 June 1940, she made another torpedo attack on an enemy merchant vessel off Standlandet, Norway, but all torpedoes missed. On 6 September 1940, she attacked the German U-56 about 15 nautical miles north-east of St Kilda, Hebrides, but the two torpedoes fired both missed their target. Sold with copied recommendations and patrol report.
Lot 129
A most unusual Second War submariner’s D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Acting Stoker Petty Officer E. J. James, Royal Navy, for services in H.M. Submarine Graph, formerly the U-570 captured in August 1941 and, taken into service by the R.N., carried out three combat patrols becoming the only U-boat to see active service with both sides during the war Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (KX.85507 E. J. James. A/Sto. P.O. R.N.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the Second War campaign stars and medals all privately named; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (KX.85507 E. J. James. D.S.M. P.O.S.M. H.M.S. Tabard.) official correction to ship on this last, mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 5 January 1943: ‘For great courage, skill and determination in a successful submarine patrol. - Acting Stoker Petty Officer Edwin John James.’ Seedies Roll confirms award for a ‘successful attack on a U-boat on 21 October 1942.’ The remarkable story of the capture of the U-570 and subsequent service in the Royal Navy as H.M. Submarine Graph is told in detail online in Wikipedia from which some of the following has been extracted: Graph departed from Holy Loch for her first Royal Navy war patrol on 8 October 1942, with the intention of patrolling the Bay of Biscay. On the afternoon of 21 October 1942, about 50 nautical miles north-north-east of Cape Ortegal, Graph dived to evade a German Fw 200 long-range patrol aircraft. A loud hydrophone contact made Lieutenant Marriott believe a nearby submarine had likewise dived and, 12 minutes later, he observed its conning-tower against the setting sun. After pursuing the German boat, Graph fired four torpedoes. Explosions were heard, and also banging noises, leading the British to believe they had hit the other submarine and the banging noises were caused by her breaking up as she sank. In early 1943, Marriott was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for “great courage, skill and determination in a successful submarine patrol” - Lieutenant Swanston gained a Bar to his D.S.C. and six D.S.M.’s went to other members of her crew. After the war, examination of German records showed the submarine attacked was the U-333, badly damaged after being rammed by the Flower-class corvette H.M.S. Crocus off the coast of West Africa. German lookouts had seen the torpedoes’ tracks, enabling U-333 to evade them. The torpedoes then self-detonated for unknown reasons. The commander of U-333 was Peter-Erich Cremer who, in his post-war account of the attack, suggested the rattling and banging noises Graph’s crew had heard were due to the severe damage previously inflicted on U-333. His route back to France closely hugged the Spanish coastline, a pattern followed by other U-boats, and he had also believed that Marriott was aware of this and had been lying in wait. Graph completed two further war patrols but defects, exacerbated by a shortage of spare parts, led to her being placed in reserve and decommissioned from active service on 21 June 1943.
Lot 138
A Second War ‘Italian theatre’ Immediate M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal J. J. Murphy, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6979921 L. Cpl. J. J. Murphy. R. Innis. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these last three privately named; mounted as worn, the first with two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine (4) £900-£1,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1945. The original recommendation for an Immediate award states: ‘Fusilier James Joseph Murphy, R. Inniskilling Fusiliers, 38 (Irish) Brigade, 78 Infantry Division, 5 Corps. During the morning of 21st April 1945 at Canal Crossing MR 214735 Italy Sheet 76.11.SW. After “C” Coy 2/R. Innis. Fus. had been caught in an artillery barrage, Fus Murphy, who was bren gunner in a rifle section had many comrades killed and wounded. He went out into the open under intense shell and mortar fire and brought in a number of the wounded. He never wavered and set a great example to his comrades. When ordered to come back and take up a defensive position on a canal bank, Fusilier Murphy took his bren gun and searched the canal bank knowing well that there were several enemy posts there. He assisted in capturing a spandau position and a complete section of riflemen. This Fusilier showed tremendous energy, courage, and devotion to duty through an extremely heavy action.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 24 August 1944.
Lot 139
A Second War ‘Italy campaign’ M.M. group of five awarded to Mortar Platoon Sergeant A. E. Moreton, Middlesex Regiment and Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment, who was also Mentioned in Despatches Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6200187 Sjt. A. E. Morton [sic]. Midd’x. R.) in named white card box of issue and outer transmission box, the white box named ‘6200187 Sjt. A. E. Moreton, Midd’x. R.’; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style as worn, extremely fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945: No. 6200187 Sergeant Albert Edward Moreton, 13th London Regiment (Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment): ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original Recommendation, for a periodic M.M., states: ‘Sergeant Moreton is Platoon Sergeant of a 4.2” Mortar Platoon, and has shown consistent courage and steadfastness throughout the Italian campaign. As an instance, on the night of 16-17 April 1945 on the way up to position to support the attack on Argenta, two of the Platoon’s vehicles containing a section of mortars were held up by very heavy shell and mortar fire 500 yards short of the position. Sergeant Moreton received an alternative route on foot for the drivers and crews ands despatched them to the mortar position, and them himself drove the first vehicle through the fire onto the position and then retuned on foot and drove the second vehicle. All mortars were this in action on time. Throughout the night, the position was engaged by enemy guns and mortars, but Sergeant Moreton retained complete control of the situation and excellent supporting fire was given. This N.C.O. has always been in the thick of the fighting, encouraging his men, supervising the fire, and showing a consistent of courage, leadership, and devotion to duty which is beyond praise.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 29 November 1945: 6200187 Sgt. A. E. Moreton, Midd’x R. ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ Albert Edward Moreton was born at Rotherhithe, London, on 29 November 1915 and was serving as a Mortar Platoon Sergeant with the 1st Battalion, Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment when he was awarded the Military Medal. He died in London on 22 October 1973. Sold with the recipient’s original Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, named ‘Sergeant A. E. Moreton, The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own.)’, and dated 29 November 1945’, with Record Office enclosure; Buckingham Palace enclosure for the M.M., named ‘6200187 Sjt. A. E. Moreton, M.M., The Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own).’; Army Council enclosure for the Campaign awards; a sepia portrait photograph of the recipient; the recipient’s miniature width riband bar; and copied research.
Lot 140
A Second War ‘Italy Operations’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Private R. B. Mason, Imperial Light Horse/ Kimberley Regiment, Union Defence Force, later Warrant Officer Class I, Cape Flats Commando, South African Defence Force Military Medal, G.VI.R. (612875 V. Pte. R. B. Mason. I.L.H./K.R.) unit officially corrected (see footnote); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these all officially impressed ‘612875 R. B. Mason’; South Africa, South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, silver, for 20 Years’ service, officially numbered ‘870’, on Commando riband; South African Defence Force Good Service Medal, bronze, for 10 Years’ service, officially numbered ‘1892’, on Commando riband, mounted court-style for display with the two South African Good Service awards taking precedence, nearly extremely fine (7) £800-£1,000 --- One of only 20 Military Medals awarded to the Imperial Light Horse/ Kimberley Regiment during the Second World War (6 for North Africa and 14 for Italy). Note: The regimental detail ‘I.L.H./K.R.’ on the recipient’s Military Medal appears to have been officially corrected, at source (the South African Mint). The medal looks as though it was originally named-up to Mason, showing him in the 'B./P.S'. (Botha President Steyn Regiment) - the unit into which he was posted to, on discharged from hospital, after the action in which he was wounded and recommended for an award. Otherwise the medal is correctly named. M.M. London Gazette 31 May 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 14 January 1945 at Casaligastro, Map Ref 771268, Private R. B. Mason was a member of a force of 15 men occupying Casaligastro, an isolated post. At 0130 hrs. this post was attacked by an enemy force of 27 men and heavy fighting ensued lasting until 0245 hrs. Private Mason was guarding the entrance to the main house in which the telephone and wireless were housed and was subjected to repeated attacks which he repulsed single handed causing casualties. Private Mason was wounded in the thigh and stomach during the first attack but he continued to fight off the enemy and hold his post. Later, he was again wounded but met the next attack by closing with the enemy and caused a further casualty. Suffering severe pain, he refused to withdraw and continued engaging until the enemy had been finally dispersed. The fact that the enemy force was eventually driven off was due in very large measure to the courage and splendid devotion to duty shown by Private Mason, his behaviour and total disregard for personal safety was an example to all his comrades.’ Robert Bryan Mason was a born in Cape Town on 21 August 1913 and served with the Cape Town Highlanders from 1 July 1934 to 1 February 1938, and then as a Constable with the Swaziland Special Police from 12 September 1940 to 26 July 1944. He attested for service with the Union Defence Force in July 1944, and was drafted to Italy and posted to the Imperial Light Horse/ Kimberley Regiment in late October 1944. He was wounded during the course of a night-time close-quarter fire-fight with a German patrol, attacking at Casaligastro on the night of 14-15 January 1945, for which he was hospitalised and awarded the Military Medal. He was discharged on 1 April 1946. Mason subsequently joined the South African Defence Force and served with the Cape Flats Commando from 18 February 1963 to 16 November 1977, giving a total service of 20 years and 6 days. Recommendation for both the silver and bronze South African Defence Force Good Service Medals, the recommendation states: ‘Warrant Officer Class II R. B. Mason is a sober and reliable member of this Unit, who has displayed loyalty and sincere devotion to duty and can be relied upon to carry out his tasks in the best interest of the SADF.’ Sold with copied research including copies of the recipient’s Union Defence Force and South African Defence Force military service papers which provide a service history from 1934 to 1979.
Lot 146
The M.G.S. and double-issue Waterloo group of three awarded to Captain David Davies, 32nd Regiment, later Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in the 45th Foot, who was slightly wounded at Quatre Bras and severely wounded at Waterloo Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Corunna, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive (D. Davis, Lieut. 32nd Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Adjt. Capt. David Davies, 32nd Regiment Foot.); together with a second Waterloo 1815 (Capt. David Davies, 32nd Regiment Foot.) both fitted with steel clip and ring suspension, all three fitted with silver ribbon buckles, the last with light obverse contact marks, otherwise very fine, the first two good very fine (3) £5,000-£7,000 --- An unusual instance of two Waterloo medals being awarded to the same officer, his name having been returned in error on both the staff and regimental rolls. David Davies was appointed Ensign in the 18th Foot on 16 April 1807; Lieutenant, 8th Garrison Battalion, 18 June 1807; appointed to 32nd Foot, 6 November 1807; Captain, 32nd Foot, 19 July 1815; exchanged to half-pay, unattached, 24 July 1828; Brevet Major, 10 January 1837; Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, 11 November 1851; appointed to 45th Regiment, 14 July 1854; retired 4 August 1854. Captain Davies served with the 32nd Foot in the first campaign in Portugal 1808; took part in the withdrawal to and the subsequent battle at Corunna, 16 January 1809; was present in the actions in the Pyrenees, July and August 1813, at the crossing of the Bidassoa, and in those actions along the Nivelle, 10 November, and the Nive 9-15 December 1813. He also served in the campaign of 1815, was slightly wounded at Quatre Bras, 16 June 1815, and severely wounded at the battle of Waterloo, 18 June 1815. He served as Adjutant to his regiment from 1809 to 1815, and was promoted to Captain on 19 July 1815. Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Davies died in Sutherland Square, Walworth, on 6 October 1854, and was buried in Nunhead Cemetery, London.
Lot 147
Three: Private Donald Ross, 79th Foot, one of 12 men in the regiment to receive the clasp for Talavera where they served with the 1st Battalion of Detachments; he received a ‘severe bayonet wound in the mouth & also wounded in the left leg by a splinter from the Palisadoes at Burgos’ Military General Service 1793-1814, 9 clasps, Corunna, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes D’Onor, Salamanca, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse (Donald Ross, 79th Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Donald Ross 1st Batt. 79th Reg. Foot.) fitted with original steel clip and contemporary rectangular silver bar suspension; 79th Foot Order of Merit, first reverse with English sword hilt, silver, for 12 years service, unnamed, fitted with steel clip and silver bar suspension, light contact marks, generally very fine and rare (3) £4,000-£6,000 --- Only 12 clasps issued to the 79th Foot for Talavera where a number of officers and men of the regiment, left behind on the retreat to Corruna, served with the 1st Battalion of Detachments. Donald Ross was born in the Parish of Largs, near Dornoch, County Sutherland, and was enlisted into the 79th Foot at Edinburgh on 10 October 1808, aged 18, for unlimited service. He served a total of 14 years 250 days, including 2 years’ allowance for Waterloo, and was discharged at Dublin on 26 June 1821, in consequence of ‘protracted chronic disease of the liver & severe chronic rheumatism & being completely worn out.’ His conduct was stated to have been ‘Good’ and that he ‘Served in the Sieges of Flushing in 1809 & Burgos in 1812, in the Campaigns in Holland 1809, Peninsula in 1810, 11, 12 & 1813; South of France in 1814, Netherlands & France in 1815, 16, 17, & 1818, and was present in the actions of Busaco, Salamanca in 1812, Pyreness, Nivelle & Nive in 1813, Toulouse in 1814, Quatre Bras & Waterloo in 1815. Received a severe bayonet wound in the mouth & also wounded in the left leg by a splinter from the Palisadoes at Burgos.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.
Lot 150
Pair: Leading Seaman T. Lee, Royal Navy Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Thomas Lee. H.M.S. St. Jean d’Acre.) contemporarily engraved naming, with contemporary top silver riband bar; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, pierced with small ring suspension, heavy contact marks to first, therefore fine, the second better (2) £240-£280 --- Thomas Lee was born at Portsmouth on 21 December 1826 and joined the Royal Navy in February 1846. He served in H.M.S. St. Jean d’Acre from September 1853 to November 1856 (also entitled to a Baltic Medal), and joined H.M. Coast Guard in June 1858. He finally retired as a Chief Officer on 21 December 1884. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extracts.
Lot 151
Pair: Private J. Hyde, 56th Foot Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Jas. Hyde, 56th. Regt.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, pierced as issue and fitted with a soldered ring and narrow straight bar suspension, edge bruising and contact marks to first, with top lugs removed, therefore nearly very fine, the second better (2) £240-£280 --- James Hyde was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1836 and attested for the 56th Regiment of Foot at Manchester on 8 June 1854. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea for 292 days, and then in India, transferring to the 106th Regiment of Foot on 1 December 1865. He was finally discharged on 20 July 1875, after 21 years and 15 days’ service, of which 16 years were spent soldiering in India. He did not receive a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extracts.
Lot 153
Three: Colour-Sergeant Joseph Northam, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Josh. Northam, 1st Bn. 23rd R.W. Fusrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5023. Cr. Sergt. J. Northam, 1-23rd Foot); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (C: Sgt. J. Northam, R. Welsh Fus.) the first two with light contact marks, very fine, the last extremely fine (3) £700-£900 --- Joseph Northam was born at Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies, and enlisted into the 1/23rd Foot at Weedon on 28 June 1855, aged 13 years. He served as a Drummer from 13 March 1856 to 15 July 1858, when he reverted to Private for the remainder of his under-age service to 2 July 1860. He was promoted to Corporal on 21 October 1861, to Sergeant on 6 May 1868, and to Colour-Sergeant on 7 August 1869. He was discharged on completion of his second period of service on 4 July 1881. He had served in India from September 1857 to November 1869, and was, when discharged, in possession of the ‘Indian Mutiny medal and 2 Clasps for Lucknow and Relief of Lucknow and good conduct medal.’ Stating his intended place of residence to be Whaley Bridge, Derby, Northam was appointed as Sergeant Instructor (Pensioner) to the 2nd (Volunteer) Battalion of the Derbyshire Regiment o 9 August 1881, where he served until 8 August 1896. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and Annuity of £10 on 4 May 1896, and died on 17 April the following year. Sold with copied discharge papers.
Lot 155
Three: Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, K.C.S.I., Bengal Staff Corps, Chief Commissioner of British Beloochistan Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. R. G. Sandeman, 33rd N.I. Attd. 2nd E. Benl. Fusrs.); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, North West Frontier, Umbeyla (Lieut. R. G. Sandeman Asst. Commr. Punjab) small official correction to surname; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Maj. Sir R. G. Sandeman. K.C.S.I., Bl. S.C.) mounted as worn from a Hunt & Roskell silver triple-buckle brooch bar with gold pin to reverse, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £1,600-£2,000 --- Robert Groves Sandeman was born on 25 February 1835 at Perth, son of General Robert Turnbull Sandeman of the East India Company's service, by his wife, whose maiden name was Barclay. The family was long connected with Perth, members of it having filled various municipal offices since 1735. Robert was educated at Perth Academy and at St. Andrews University. In 1856 he was appointed to the 33rd Bengal infantry, his father’s regiment, which, though disarmed at a time of supreme anxiety, remained faithful throughout the mutiny, and afterwards had its arms publicly restored. From it Sandeman was transferred to Probyn’s Horse, now the 11th (Prince of Wales’s Own) Bengal lancers, with whom he saw some service, taking part in storming Dilkhusha, in the capture of Lucknow, and other minor operations in which he was twice severely wounded. He was selected to carry despatches to Sir John Lawrence, who appointed him to the Punjab commission. He thus gained an opportunity of distinction of which he took full advantage. To the performance of administrative and magisterial duties Sandeman brought patience and pertinacity curbed by much cautious sagacity. In 1866, as magistrate of Dera Ghazi Khan, an arid and unattractive trans-Indus district of the Punjab, he used his utmost endeavours to obtain influence with the tribes within and beyond the border. He succeeded by irregular methods which were often viewed unfavourably by the chief officer of the Sind frontier, who had the control of the Baluch tribes. But Sandeman was supported by the Punjab government, whose opinions were ultimately adopted by the government of India. When the policy of non-intervention adopted by Lord Lawrence and his school was abandoned, Sandeman endeavoured, by securing the acquaintance and goodwill of neighbouring chiefs, to strengthen the defences of the frontier. In 1876 he conducted negotiations which led to a treaty with the khan of Khalat. The value of his work was recognised at the Delhi assemblage, where, on 1 January 1877, he was made C.S.I. On 21 February following he was gazetted agent to the governor-general in Baluchistan, and he held that post for the rest of his life. In July 1879, when holding the rank of major, he was made K.C.S.I. During the Afghan war of 1879–80 the fidelity of the Baluchis under Sandeman’s control was severely tested when the news of the disaster at Maiwand (27 July 1880) spread through the country. Some tribes rose, attacked the outposts, and blocked the roads; but Sandeman, trusting the people, made over his stores in out-stations, and those posts themselves, to the charge of the village headmen, and was thus set free to assist the troops who were in evil plight at Kandahar. Order was soon restored by his good management, and the zeal and energy displayed were brought to the notice of the queen. In September 1880 General Sir Frederick (afterwards Lord) Roberts, when on his way to the scene of war, stayed with Sandeman at Quetta, and Sandeman effectively aided Sir Frederick Roberts in the transport service to Quetta and Kandahar. ‘He was,’ Lord Roberts wrote of Sandeman, ‘intimately acquainted with every leading man, and there was not a village, however out of the way, which he had not visited.’ (Lord Roberts, Forty-one Years in India, ii. 372–3). ‘After the war he was instrumental in adding to the empire a new province, of much strategic importance, commanding the passes into South Afghanistan, and access to three trade-routes between Persia, Kandahar, and British India. … Outside the limits of the new province, in the mountain region westward of the Sulimans, between the Gumal river and the Marrí hills, he opened out hundreds of miles of highway, through territories till then unknown, and, in concert with the surrounding Patan tribes, made them as safe as the highways of British India. … But perhaps the most important of his achievements was this—that he succeeded in revolutionising the attitude of the government of India towards the frontier tribes, and made our “sphere of influence” on the western border no longer a mere diplomatic expression, but a reality.’ (Thornton’s biography of Colonel Sir Robert Sandeman, 1895, refers). Sandeman’s last days were spent at Lus Beyla, the capital of a small state on the Sind frontier about 120 miles north-west of Kurrachi. He had gone thither in hope of healing a misunderstanding between the chief and his eldest son, and to arrange for carrying on the affairs of the state. After a short illness he died there on 29 January 1892, and over his grave the jam or chief caused a handsome dome to be erected. The governor-general, Lord Lansdowne, issued a notification in the ‘Gazette’ of India, dated 6 February, in which testimony was borne to Sandeman’s good qualities, and his death was lamented as a public misfortune. He married, first, in 1864, Catherine, daughter of John Allen, esq., of Kirkby Lonsdale; and secondly, on 17 January 1882, Helen Kate, daughter of Lieutenant-colonel John William Gaisford of Clonee, co. Meath. (Dictionary of National Biography refers)
Lot 156
Three: Brigade Surgeon J. J. McCarthy, Army Medical Department China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Staff Asst. Surgn. J. J. Macarthy [sic].) officially impressed naming; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Surgn. Maj. J. Mc.Carthy. A.M.D.); France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gold, and enamel, a couple of scratches/ digs to obverse field of first; minor edge bruise to second; and minor damage to tips of points on last, with resulting enamel damage, and additional enamel damage to mottos around central medallions and to ‘jewels’ in crown, otherwise good very fine and better and a unique combination of awards (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Only five Britons were awarded the Legion of Honour for their services in China, 1856-64: Lieutenant-General Sir James Hope Grant and Vice-Admiral Sir James Hope (both Second Class); Colonel G. G. Foley (Third Class); and Lieutenant H. C. Chattley, Fane’s Irregular Cavalry, and Staff Assistant Surgeon J. J. McCarthy (both Fifth Class). McCarthy’s award is therefore a unique award to the Army Medical Service. French Legion of Honour, Chevalier, London Gazette 14 November 1862: ‘The Queen has been pleased to give and grant unto Staff Assistant Surgeon James Joseph McCarthy, MD, Her Majesty's Royal licence and permission that he accept and wear the Insignia of the Imperial Order of the Legion of Honour of the Fifth Class, which His Majesty the Emperor of the French has been pleased to confer upon him, as a mark of His Imperial Majesty’s approbation of his services, while under fire, to the French soldiers, wounded during the recent operations in China, and especially to the late Admiral Protet at the moment he was mortally wounded.’ James Joseph McCarthy was born in Killarney, Ireland, on 27 April 1835 and qualified as a Licentiate of Midwifery (LM) in Dublin in 1855. He was appointed a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (MRCS) in England in 1857, and qualified as a Doctor of Medicine (MD) at Queen's University, Ireland, in 1858. McCarthy entered the Army the same year being appointed Assistant Surgeon on 16 November 1858 and served during the Second China War in 1860, being present at the capture of the Taku Forts and the march on and capture of Pekin, and subsequently in the Taeping Rebellion thereafter until 1862 (Medal and two clasps). He was awarded the French Legion of Honour, Fifth Class, for his services in the Taeping Rebellion, and was Mentioned by Brigadier-General C. Staveley, Commanding British Troops in China, in his Despatch dated Najow, 18 May 1862 (London Gazette 18 July 1862): ‘I have the honour to report for your information the capture yesterday of the fortified town of Najow by the allied British and French forces, and I might have added with trifling loss, had it not been for the death of Admiral Protet commanding His Imperial Majesty's Naval Forces in China, who was unfortunately shot through the heart during the advance of the storming party. In Admiral Protet the French Navy has lost a most able and zealous officer, and one who’s hearty energetic co-operation greatly conducted to the success of the recent operations.’ A more detailed report on the operations appears in the London Gazette of 5 August 1862, in which the casualties during the capture of Najow are recorded as: 31st Foot, five Privates severely wounded; Royal Navy, one Seaman severely wounded and one Staff Clerk, Military Staff Department severely wounded. The French suffered Admiral Protet killed, two Naval Officers severely wounded, two Marines severely wounded and five sailors severely wounded, probably all treated by McCarthy. The circumstances of the death of the Admiral and of the wounding of so many others are described by Caleb Carr in The Devil Soldier: ‘On Friday, May 16, the expeditionary force arrived at Nan-ch’iao, [Najow] and on the seventeenth, Admiral Protet and General Staveley undertook a personal reconnaissance of the city’s defences. Ward, as always, assumed his position at the head of his troops, preparing to storm Nan-ch’iao after the guns had done their work. In the afternoon, the artillery barrage began, and before long the usual sight of Taipings fleeing the city was noticed. At this point, General Stavele ordered the guns to cease fire and, together with his staff, began to dash about the walls looking for a suitable spot for storming. He was followed by a French contingent under Admiral Protet, moving at double time. And then, according to the [North China] Herald correspondent, “Lo and behold! The cunning defenders, who, with the exception of their guns’ crews and a few musket parties, had been lying behind and at the bottom of their wall to escape from our fire, uttered most appalling yells, manned their walls, and gave us a well-sustained sharp fire of small arms, well-directed.” In an instant, the carnival atmosphere was dispelled, for among those who fell in the hail of Taiping fire was Admiral Protet. A rebel musket ball hit him full in the chest, and he was flung back into the arms of his soldiers. The admiral was quickly taken to safety, but his wound proved mortal.’ McCarthy was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 5th Regiment of Foot (Northumberland Fusiliers) on 10 July 1866, and served with them until he returned to the Army Medical Staff on 16 March 1872. Promoted to the rank of Surgeon Major on 18 October 1873, he was in medical charge of the 70th Hospital, at Subathu, near Simla, in 1878. He was appointed to take medical charge of the 3rd (The Kumaon) Goorkha Regiment (later 3rd Queen Alexandra’s Own Gurkha Rifles) from 6 December 1879, but was transferred away shortly afterwards. McCarthy joined the regiment after the capture of Kandahar, and, presumably, left before the battle of Ahmed Khel. It is possible that his Second Afghan War Medal was earned with this unit (his name does not appear on the Medical Staff roll). Hart’s Army List records that McCarthy was Mentioned in Despatches for Afghanistan, although no trace of this has been found in the London Gazette. He retired with the honorary rank of Brigade Surgeon on 5 December 1883, after 25 years’ service as an Army Surgeon. Sold with copied research.
Lot 159
Pair: Ship’s Corporal First Class C. Kellaway, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (C. Kellaway. Sh: Corpl. 1 Cl: H.M.S. “Orontes”.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, light pitting from Star, otherwise good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Charles Kellaway was born at Stoke, Devon, on 25 September 1848 and enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable on 22 May 1863. He was advanced Ship’s Corporal First Class on 6 November 1879, and served in H.M.S. Orontes from 4 February 1880 to 23 January 1883. He was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Duke of Wellington on 23 September 1886. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Lot 171
Four: Pipe Major G. Allan, 46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan), Canadian Infantry, late Scots Guards, who died of wounds on the Western Front, 21 August 1917 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (2755 Piper G. Allan, Scots Gds); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2755 Piper G. Allen. [sic] Scots Guards.) suspension mount bent; British War and Victory Medals (426676 Sjt. G. Allan. 46-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, first two fine, last very fine or better (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- George Keith Allan was born in Oxton, Berwickshire, Scotland in March 1880. He served for 12 years with the Scots Guards, including during the Second Boer War, before emigrating to Canada where he became a Brewer. Allan enlisted in the 46th Battalion (South Saskatchewan), Canadian Infantry in March 1915, and is mentioned in the Suicide Battalion by J. L. McWilliams and R. J. Steel as forming the 46th’s Pipe Band. Allan advanced to Pipe Major and served with the Battalion at Ypres, the Somme, Vimy, Lens and Passchendaele. According to the Suicide Battalion Allan went ‘On a toot’ with another piper without asking for official leave, and when the pair returned the CO (Colonel Dawson) reduced them both to Private and ordered them to be sent out on the next attack. Allan received his fatal wounds in this attack, and the other piper is recorded as losing his fingers from his wounds. Private Allan died of wounds on the Western Front, 21 August 1917, and is buried in the Villers Station Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research, and a photographic image of recipient as part of the 46th Battalion Pipe Band.
Lot 181
Three: Chief Electrical Artificer First Class C. P. Stevens, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (345460. C. P. Stevens. C.E.A.2., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (345460 C. P. Stevens. C.E.A.2. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (345460. C. P. Stevens. Ch. Elect. Art. 2 Cl. H.M.S. Cornwall.) minor official correction to rate on LS&GC, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Cyril Percival Stevens was born at Rochdale, Lancashire, on 14 June 1881 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Electrical Artificer Fourth Class on 13 September 1902. He was advanced Acting Chief Electrical Artificer Second Class on 1 April 1914, and served for the majority of the Great War in H.M.S. Cornwall, being present at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, and was confirmed in that rate on 1 April 1915. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 October 1917. Promoted Chief Electrical Artificer First Class on 1 April 1920, he was shore discharged on the reduction of the Navy on 3 August 1922. During the Second World War he served as a Mechanical Examiner at H.M. Torpedo Range, Weymouth. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Lot 183
Three: Petty Officer First Class A. W. May, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (125927, A. W. May. P.O.1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (125927 A. W. May. P.O.1. R.N.) good very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (S.S.8288 R. J. Pugh. Ord. R.N.; J.80387 J. Harrower. Ord. R.N.; J.48566 E. R. Lesley. Boy 1 R.N.; J.52068 L. W. G. Smith,. Boy. 2 R.N.) first in named card box of issue, together with the recipient’s Driving Licence, generally very fine and better (7) £100-£140 --- Albert William May was born in Plymouth on 12 November 1868, into a family of sailors and fishermen, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 19 January 1884. Shore pensioned in 1906, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve, and served during the Great War in the Armed Merchant Cruiser H.M.S. Columbella. James Harrower was born in Clackmannon on 19 October 1900 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 30 October 1917. He died in service of bronchal pneumonia on 1 December 1919, and is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone in Clackmannon Cemetery. Ernest Ralph Lesley served as a Boy Bugler. Sold with various postcards and photographic images; and copied research.
Lot 186
Three: Stoker First Class S. Bond, Royal Navy, who was killed when H.M.S. Seagull collided with another ship in the Firth of Clyde on 30 September 1918 1914-15 Star (K.15655. S. Bond. Sto.1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.15655 S. Bond. Sto. 1 R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Sidney Bond) extremely fine (4) £100-£140 --- Sidney Bond was born in Exeter on 15 March 1894 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 19 August 1912. Promoted Stoker First Class on 19 August 1913, he served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, and was killed on 30 September 1918, when the Seagull was sunk in a collision, probably with the steamship Corrib, in the Clyde. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. Sold with a postcard photograph of the recipient and a photographic image of H.M.S. Seagull.
Lot 187
Four: Stoker First Class A. H. Weller, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.27347, A. H. Weller. Sto., 2. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.27347 A. H. Weller. Sto.1. R.N.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Arthur H. Weller.) the BWM polished, good very fine (4) £60-£80
Lot 199
Pair: Staff Sergeant E. R. Maclellan, 1st Wireless Section, Canadian Engineers, who died of wounds on the Western Front, 27 July 1917 1914-15 Star (428579 Pte E. R. Maclellan); British War Medal 1914-20 (428579 S. Sjt. E. R. Maclellan. 7-Can. Inf.); Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (428579 S. Sgt. E. R. Maclellan) last in damaged case of issue, good very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Edwin Raymond Maclellan was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada in July 1891. He initially served during the Great War with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, before transferring to the 1st Wireless Section, Canadian Engineers. Maclellan advanced to Staff Sergeant and died of wounds, 27 July 1917, while on duty, proceeding to a Wireless Telegraph Station in the forward area near Lens, he was severely wounded in the chest, and left thigh, by splinters from an enemy shell that exploded near him. After receiving first aid, he was taken to No. 7 Casualty Clearing Station where he died the same day. Staff Sergeant Maclellan is buried in the Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery, France.
Lot 209
Pair: Midshipman C. M. D. Eales, Royal Navy British War and Victory Medals (Mid. C. M. D. Eales, R.N.) mounted for wear, very fine Pair: Lieutenant E. Greenway, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E, Greenway. R.N.V.R.) very fine (4) £60-£80 --- Cecil Montague Dormieux Eales was born on 26 September 1901 in Jullunder, Bengal, India. He was commissioned into the Royal Navy for service during the Great War, and appointed Midshipman on 15 September 1917. Serving in H.M.S. Warspite from 26 September 1917, he was withdrawn from H.M. Service on 29 April 1919. Post war, he became a Stockbroker, and a keen mountaineer, joining the Alpine Club in 1931, his application showing that he made a guided ascent of the Wetterhorn at the age of 12, and climbed many of the major peaks after the Great War, including a number in the Dolomites. Whilst at Chamonix, he made a guided ascent of the Arete des Rochassiers to the Col des Courtes and descent by the couloir. This was the first traverse of this Arete and took in two points which the French Alpine Club officially called Pointe Payot and Pointe Eales. He died in early 1983, aged 82. Ernest Greenway attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War, but does not appear to have served overseas. He was commissioned into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 10 May 1916, and served in Motor Launches M.L.254 and M.L.389 and M.L.176. He was demobilised on 5 January 1919.
Lot 220
Pair: Second Lieutenant C. C. Bailey British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut C. C. Bailey.) good very fine Pair: Private E. Davies, Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Somme on 14 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (13318 Pte. E. Davies. Leic. R.) nearly extremely fine (4) £60-£80 --- Two officers with the name C.C. Bailey were awarded British War and Victory Medals with the rank Second Lieutenant: Charles Cecil Bailey attested for Leicestershire Yeomanry, and served with them as a Sergeant during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 November 1914 (also entitled to a 1914 Star). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, on 10 July 1915, and was wounded in action on the first day of the Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915. He relinquished his commission on account of ill-health caused by his wounds on 23 April 1917, and was granted the honorary rank of Second Lieutenant. He later received the Territorial Efficiency Medal per Army Order 491 of 1921. Colin Campbell Bailey attested for the Army Service Corps and served with them during the Great War in Egypt from February 1916. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Egyptian Labour Corps on 31 January 1918, and later transferred to the Labour Corps, being subsequently promoted Lieutenant following the cessation of hostilities. Edwin Davies was born in Denbigh and attested for the Leicestershire Regiment at Chesterfield. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 July 1915, and was killed in action on the Somme on 14 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with copied research.
Lot 229
Pair: Chaplain to the Forces The Reverend H. E. Sexton, Australian Imperial Force, later Archbishop of British Columbia, Canada British War and Victory Medals (Chaplain. H. E. Sexton. A.I.F.) generally very fine or better (2) £200-£300 --- Harold Eustace Sexton was born in Adelaide, Australia in May 1888. He was educated at the Collegiate School of St. Peter, Adelaide, Trinity College, Dublin and Keble College, Oxford. Sexton was ordained deacon in 1911, and priest in 1912, in the diocese of Ballarat, Australia. He volunteered to serve overseas with the Australian Imperial Force as an Army Chaplain, and embarked at Adelaide, South Australia aboard HMAT Berrima, 16 December 1916. Sexton served in France, and after the war studied at Oxford for a year before returning to Australia and becoming the Vicar of St. Martin’s Church, Melbourne. He then returned to England, and served as Curate of St. Margaret’s, Westminster (1925-27), and Vicar of All Saints, Canterbury for seven years. Sexton also served as Commissary in England for the Bishop of Jamaica, 1927-31. He was elected Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of British Columbia, Canada in February 1935. Sexton also served as Archdeacon of Columbia until he became the sixth Bishop of the Diocese in the 1936, a position he was to hold until 1968. He was the first Bishop to be consecrated in Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria, British Columbia, and was elected the fourth Metropolitan of the Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia in April 1952 (also becoming Archbishop of the Diocese of British Columbia in the process). Sexton resigned from his position in January 1969, and died at his home in Victoria in March 1972. Sold with copied research.
Lot 236
Six: Corporal F. Hezzell, York and Lancaster Regiment, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War in Norway on 28 April 1940 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4744364 Pte. F. Hezzell. Y. & L.R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (4744364 Cpl. F. Hezzell. Y. & L.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £200-£240 --- Frederick Hezzell was born in Frampton, Lincolnshire, on 5 June 1910 and attested for the York and Lancaster Regiment on 5 December 1930. He served in pre-War Palestine and then with the Regiment during the Second World War in Iceland and Norway. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War in Norway on 28 April 1940. Held at Stalag IX-C at Dorndorf Rohn, where he was detailed to a forced-labour Arbeitskommando for carpentry and cobbling, his M.I.9 Questionnaire states: ‘Any other matters: Yes. Clothes and boots sent to me by the British Red Cross was taken from me by the German Military and I was given wooden boots and old French clothes to wear. For the first two years I was badly handled (kicked around etc.) for the whole period the food was poor and insufficient.’ Repatriated in 1945, Hezzell was advanced Corporal and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 28 June 1950. He died in 1979. Note: Both the France and Germany Star and the Defence Medal are unconfirmed, but the group appears mounted as worn by the recipient. Hezzell possibly qualified fro the Defence Medal through his service in Iceland, prior to embarkation with the British Expeditionary Force to Norway, and he may have qualified for the France and Germany Star by being posted on attachment for liaison duties with the Allied liberating armies in April and May 1945. Sold with copied research.
Lot 238
Eight: Petty Officer R. Shiel, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Yangtze 1949 (D/JX.184631 R. J. Shiel. A/C.P.O. R.N.); Korea 1950-53 (D/JX.184631 R. Shiel. C.P.O. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, the first five and this last all privately impressed, mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £800-£1,000 --- Petty Officer R. J. Shiel served aboard H.M.S. Black Swan during the Yangtze incident.
Lot 239
Four: Stoker First Class W. H. Langstone, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s St. John Ambulance Association Re-Examination Cross, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘A211579 Walter H. Langstone.’, with four bronze date bars for 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960, good very fine (5) £80-£100 --- Walter Harry Langstone was born at Romford, Essex, on 15 February 1922 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class for the duration of the War on 7 July 1941. He was promoted Stoker First Class on 7 July 1942, whilst in H.M.S. Malabar, and volunteered for service in submarines on 9 June 1944, being posted to H.M.S. Dolphin on 16 July 1944. He was released Class ‘A’ on 28 July 1946. Sold with the recipient’s Parchment Certificate of Service; and Royal Naval Association Membership card.
Lot 244
Seven: Attributed to Lieutenant J. A. Creed, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who survived the sinking of H.M.S. Hermes by Japanese aircraft on 9 April 1942 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star, 1 copy clasp, Pacific; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, reverse officially dated 1946, with Second Award Bar, E.II.R., mounted court-style as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards and miniature-width riband bar, good very fine (7) £200-£240 --- On 9 April 1942 H.M.S. Hermes, the Royal Navy’s first purpose-built aircraft carrier, was steaming north up the east coast of Ceylon returning to Trincomalee in company with the Australian destroyer H.M.A.S. Vampire when the two ships were spotted by a reconnaissance aircraft from the Japanese ship Haruna. Within an hour Admiral Nagumo launched a force of some 85 dive bombers against Hermes and Vampire which at the time were without any air cover; some 40 bombs hit Hermes in the space of ten minutes. The guns of the ships managed to shoot down four enemy aircraft between them, but the token force of British fighters arrived on the scene too late, and within 15 minutes of the attack starting both ships had been sunk. The hospital ship Vita which was fortuitously in the vicinity picked up most of the survivors. A total of 306 officers, ratings and Royal Marines of Hermes’s crew of some 600 lost their lives, including the ship’s commander, Captain R. F. J. Onslow. Sold with a H.M.S. Hermes naval cap tally; a copy of the book H.M.S. Hermes 1923 & 1959, by Neil McCart (together with a letter from the author to the recipient); a large photographic image of Hermes having been torpedoed; and newspaper cuttings and other ephemera.
Lot 25
Three: Motor Bus Driver A. E. Gilmore, Motor Transport Company, Royal Naval Division - one of 140 drivers and mechanics of the London General Omnibus Company who volunteered to accompany the 100 ‘B’ Type London Transport buses that the Admiralty had commandeered to take the men and equipment of the recently formed RND from the ports of Dunkirk and Ostend to Antwerp in September 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (111.S. Driver. A. E. Gilmore. M.T.R.N. Div.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.A.111-S- T. Dr. A. E. Gilmore.) generally good very fine, scarce (3) £400-£500 --- Approximately 56 1914 Stars and Clasps issued to the Motor Transport Company, Royal Naval Division. Albert Gilmore was born in Kilburn, London in March 1890. He attested for ‘P’ Company, Royal Marine Artillery in September 1914, and was one of 140 drivers and mechanics of the London General Omnibus Company who volunteered to accompany the 100 ‘B’ Type London Transport buses that the Admiralty had commandeered to take the men and equipment of the recently formed RND from the ports of Dunkirk and Ostend to Antwerp. They drove their vehicles down to Dover or Southampton, stopping en route at Chatham or Eastney, where they were given a suit of uniform and a few articles of kit and then on to Dunkirk. Thus it was that the fleet of buses from the London General Omnibus Company began their wartime service and earned their unique place in the annals of war. The buses, which were decorated with garish advertisements just as they had left the London streets, and their drivers, wearing a mixture of civilian and military uniform, made a remarkable impression on the people of Flanders which was never forgotten. Similarly, their role in transporting troops was crucial in the early stages of the war, as was the part they played in the supplying of the Naval and Marine Brigades in Antwerp, along with the evacuation of the wounded. After the R.N.D. had returned to England, the unit was lent to the Army and proceeded initially to St Omer. From there it rendered particularly valuable service during the first battle of Ypres and, from then on, it was continuously employed in every aspect of troop transportation. In August 1915, it was eventually decided that the Army would take over the unit and incorporate it into the A.S.C. The Non Commissioned Officers and men of the RMA Motor Transport Company were given the option of discharge or transfer to the A.S.C. at the lower rate of pay; not surprisingly very few transferred. Gilmore returned to London and was discharged from the R.M.A., 10 September 1915. Sold with copied research.
Lot 251
Six: Sergeant G. Oliver, 2nd Parachute Battalion, Army Air Corps, late Essex Regiment and later Northamptonshire Regiment, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War during Operation Husky, the Airborne Assault on Sicily, and thrice attempted to escape, being re-captured on each occasion 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Arabian Peninsula (6030014 Sgt G Oliver Northamptons) last marked ‘R’ for Replacement, mounted as worn; together with an Allied Ex-Prisoner of War Commemorative Medal, good very fine (7) £140-£180 --- George Oliver was born in London on 2 April 1922, and attested prior to 1941 into the Essex Regiment. He volunteered for Parachutist training in 1942, and transferred to join the newly formed Army Air Corps. He passed Course No. 35 at the Parachute Training School, Ringway, in November 1942, and was then posted to the 2nd Parachute Battalion, in North Africa. He took part in Operation Husky - the Airborne landings in Sicily - on 13-14 July 1943, where he was captured and made prisoner of war. Sicily and Italy 1943 - 1st Airborne Division Operations The first aircraft took off at 1901 hours on 13 July 1943. By 2200 hours a total of 113 paratroop aircraft and 16 tug-glider combinations were airborne and heading for Sicily. All went well until the aircraft neared the Sicilian coastline, when anti-aircraft fire from Allied naval vessels was encountered. Some aircraft were hit, while others took evasive action or returned to base. Those aircraft which reached the dropping zones met heavy enemy anti-aircraft fire and searchlights. In the event, only 39 aircraft dropped their 'sticks' of troops, and 12 others were unable to find the drop zones. Eleven aircraft were shot down, eight of which had succeeded in dropping their 'sticks', and several suffered severe damage. Of the 16 gliders carrying the brigade's heavy equipment, six crashed into the sea and six crashed on landing. Four succeeded in reaching their landing zones, while seven others landed safely some distance away. By the time it had rallied and mustered on its drop zone, 1st Parachute Brigade numbered only 12 officers and 283 other ranks, out of a total of 1,856 all ranks. 2nd Parachute Battalion had been scattered in the drop, and by the time it rallied near the dropping zone it numbered only 170 of all ranks. Only A Company, commanded by Major Dickie Lonsdale, was able to muster most of its strength, and the Adjutant, Captain Victor Dover, and the Second in Command, Major Johnnie Lane, were both missing. By 30 July 1st Airborne Division was once again concentrating at its base at Sousse in North Africa. During the following month many of the missing men of 1st Parachute Brigade made their appearance, all of them recounting how they had been dropped up to 30 miles from the dropping zone. The Adjutant of 2nd Parachute Battalion, Captain Victor Dover, and his stick had been dropped on Mount Etna and most of them had been captured. Dover and another man managed to avoid being caught, and for nearly a month had made their way back to British lines, at the same time trying to cause as much damage to the enemy as possible.’ (Para! Fifty Years of The Parachute Regiment, by P. Harclerode refers). Oliver was captured on 14 July 1943 and was initially held at Stalag VIl-A, at Moosburg, from 23 July 1943. He was transferred to Stalag IV-B, at Muhiberg (Isar), a month later, and whilst there he seized the opportunity to escape on three separate occasions; though he was recaptured and re-admitted each time, being captured on 9 May, 15 September, and 19 September 1944. Stalag IV-B was liberated by the Soviet Red Army on 23 April 1945. Oliver remained in the Army after the war, and leaving the Army Air Corps transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, with whom he served in the 1950s as part of the Peace-Keeping Force in Korea, and later, on active service in the Arabian Peninsula with the rank of Sergeant. Sold with copied research.
Lot 266
Three: Captain T. B. G. Welch, Nigeria Regiment, who played First Class cricket for Northamptonshire Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., Nigeria, the reverse inscribed ‘Capt. Thomas B. G. Welch, Supp. Res. Nigeria Regt.’, mounted as originally worn, generally good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- E.D. London Gazette 9 September 1954. Thomas Bacon Gascoigne Welch was born in Reigate, Surrey, on 31 July 1906 and played 33 First Class matches for Northamptonshire from 1922 to 1931. He subsequently held a Government appointment in Nigeria, and died in London on 16 March 1972. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.
Lot 269
Pair: Private T. A. Barry, Gloucestershire Regiment, who was taken prisoner at the battle of Imjin River Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (5049642 Pte. T. A. Barry. Glosters.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, this privately impressed with details as the first, mounted as worn, extremely fine (2) £400-£500 --- T. A. Barry was taken prisoner at the battle of Imjin River, 24-25 April 1951.
Lot 270
Pair: Acting Chief Petty Officer J. Todd, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (P/JX. 882559 J. Todd. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (JX.882559 J. Todd. A/C.P.O. H.M.S. Vidal.) mounted as worn, light polishing and contact marks, otherwise good very fine (2) £160-£200 --- H.M.S. Vidal was a survey ship in the Royal Navy and was unarmed except for four 4-pdr saluting guns and the first small ship designed to carry a helicopter. She was launched at Chatham on 31 July 1951, and broken up at Bruges in June 1976. Named after the nineteenth century surveyor Alexander Vidal, who had surveyed much of the coast of Africa, the crew of the ship formally annexed the islet of Rockall on 18 September 1955.
Lot 295
Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Private Michael Nulty H.M. 16th. Lancers) original hook and ring suspension replaced with a silver straight bar suspension, good very fine £500-£700 --- Michael Nulty was born at Nobber, Co. Meath, Ireland, in 1806 and attested for the 47th Regiment of Foot in Dublin on 1 November 1826. Posted to India on 21 October 1827, he transferred to the 13th Light Dragoons on 28 January 1829. He was present in the campaign against the Rajah of Kamool in 1839, before volunteering to transfer to the 16th Lancers, joining his new unit on 1 March 1840. After various spells in the cells for drunkenness, he served during the Gwalior campaign, and was present at the Battle of Maharajpoor on 29 December 1843. He saw further action during the First Sikh War, and was wounded in action by gun shot to his left side at the Battle of Aliwal on 28 January 1846, which left him paralysed in his left leg. He was discharged as a result of his wounds on 28 February 1846, after over 18 years’ continuous soldiering in India, the medical report stating that he was ‘wounded by a musket shot at the Battle of Aliwal in the left hip - ball not extracted - and which has been followed by paralysis of the left leg.’ Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Lot 297
Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 1 clasp, Ferozeshuhur (Capt. T: Mackintosh 24th Regt. N.I.) good very fine £600-£800 --- Thomas Mackintosh was born at St Catherine’s, Jamaica, on 16 September 1802. Cadet, Bengal Establishment 1823, he arrived in India on 10 October 1824, and was posted as Ensign to the 24th Native Infantry on 31 March 1825, and served throughout with that regiment. Was present in the operations against the Kols and Chuars in 1832-33; Rising in Cuttack 1836; Adjutant 24th N.I., 24 August to 10 October 1836; Captain, 18 July 1840; Insurrection in Bundelkhand 1842-43; First Sikh War, battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur (Medal with clasp); Major, 12 September 1846. Major Mackintosh went on furlough in 1847-48 and died at Gorakhpur, United Provinces, on 6 October 1850.
Lot 33
Family Group: Four: Yeoman of Signals T. Cheal, Royal Navy, attached Royal Naval Air Service, and Leading Boatman, H. M. Coast Guard, who was awarded the 1914 Star for his Special Service at Nieuport - one of only 6 1914 Stars to be so awarded to the Royal Navy 1914 Star (179537 T. Cheal, Yeo. Sigs. Attd. R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (179357 T. Cheal. Y.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (179357 Thomas Cheal, Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.) mounted as worn, contact marks nearly very fine, the 1914 Star rare to unit Five: Attributed to Gunner T. J. Cheal, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these similarly mounted; riband bar; cap badge; ring; ansd a photograph of the recipient in later life, nearly extremely fine Pair: Ordnance Electrical Artificer First Class T. W. Cheal, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (D/MX.888937 T. W. Cheal. E.A.4); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (MX.888937 T. W. Cheal. O.E.A. (L). I. H.M.S. Triumph.) mounted as worn, rate partially officially corrected on latter, good very fine Voluntary Medical Service Medal (Mrs. Winifred Cheal) good very fine (12) £500-£700 --- One of only 6 1914 Stars awarded to the Royal Navy for Special Service at Nieuport. Thomas Cheal was born in Camberwell, London, on 27 February 1879 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 13 April 1894. He was advanced Yeoman of Signals on 13 June 1905, before transferring to H.M. Coast Guard on 21 September 1906. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, whilst stationed at Ipswich, on 26 February 1912, and was promoted Leading Boatman on 1 October 1913. He was recalled for War service on 17 August 1914, and served during the Great War initially attached to the Royal Naval Air Service, for special service at Nieuport, followed by a variety of ships and shore based establishments. He reverted to the Coast Guard on 12 May 1919, and finally retired on 6 June 1923, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Thomas John Cheal, son of the above, was born at Devonport on 12 May 1906 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 2 October 1922. He was commissioned Gunner on 1 July 1936, and served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Dauntless from 8 July 1940, and also in H.M.S. Rodney. T. W. Cheal was the son of Thomas John Cheal and his wife Winifred Cheal. Sold with copied research, including a photograph of T. J. Cheal in later life.
Lot 346
Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (Wm. Fletcher, 1st Bengal Fusrs.) good very fine £400-£500 --- William Fletcher served with the First Relief Force in the second defence of Lucknow. The medal roll shows that he transferred to the 4th Bengal Fusiliers and is additionally entitled to the clasp for the capture of Lucknow.
Lot 362
South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (Lieut: W. Parkin. Bakers Horse.) officially re-engraved naming, about extremely fine, the clasp scarce to unit £1,400-£1,800 --- Approximately 219 Medals awarded to Baker’s Horse (of which 92 were returned), but one of only 9 with the clasp 1877-8-9. Walter Parkin was appointed a Lieutenant in Baker’s Horse, on 3 February 1879, being one of the first men to join the recently re-formed unit, and served with them throughout the Zulu War, The unit served with distinction at the Battles of Hlobane and Khambula; the skirmish on the White Mfolozi River; and at the Battle of Ulundi. Parkin had previously seen service during the Gaika and Gaeleka War 1877-78, and the Griqua War operations of 1878, although it is not known with which unit he served, although it was possibly also Baker’s Horse which was formed for service in the Cape Frontier War in 1878, and was disbanded in December of that year.
Lot 364
South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Lieut. Cooke. Alexandra Md. Rifles) traces of lacquer, nearly extremely fine £1,400-£1,800 --- Approximately 30 Medals awarded to the Alexandra Mounted Rifles, 29 with clasp 1879, and one no clasp. Lieutenant Cooke was appointed a Lieutenant in the Alexandra Mounted Rifles on 24 April 1876. The unit, 30 strong under the command of the the one-armed Captain W. T. Arbuthnot, formed part of Pearson’s Column during the first invasion of Zululand, seeing action at the Battle of Inyenzane on 22 January 1879. Following news of the disaster at Isandhlwana being received, the Alexandra Mounted Rifles and all other Colonial Units were hurried back to Natal to guard the border against Zulu incursions, and they remained so employed for the rest of the War. Cooke was awarded the Volunteer Long Service Medal per Natal Government Gazette of 14 January 1896. Sold with copied medal roll extract and other research.
Lot 365
South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Captn. Norton. Natal Hussars.) nearly extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Approximately 40 Medals awarded to the Natal Hussars, all with clasp 1879. Philip Ogilvie Norton was born in 1842 and was appointed a Captain in the Natal Hussars on 29 October 1877. The unit, 40 strong under Norton’s command, was mobilised on 25 November 1878 and formed part of Pearson’s Column during the first invasion of Zululand, seeing action at the Battle of Inyenzane on 22 January 1879. Following news of the disaster at Isandhlwana being received, the Natal Hussars and all other Colonial Units were hurried back to Natal to guard the border against Zulu incursions, and they remained so employed for the rest of the War. Norton relinquished his command of the unit the following year. He later became a Justice of the Peace and a Member of Natal’s Legislative Council. He died in Greytown, Natal, on 12 September 1898. Sold with copied medal roll extract and other research, including a photographic image of the recipient.
Lot 37
The Royal Naval Division, Antwerp, Gallipoli and France, 1914-1918. A complete run of the first 21 Journals of the R.N.D. magazine, June 1997 to June 2002, 2124pp., with index, all loose leafed and housed in four lever arch files; together wit ha complete Roll of Honour of the Royal Naval Division during the Great War, loose leafed and housed in a lever arch file, good condition and a most valuable research resource (lot) £60-£80 --- Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand delivered within mainland Britain by prior arrangement with Christopher Mellor-Hill.
Lot 374
The Second Afghan War Medal awarded to Private W. Reid, 92nd Highlanders, who was killed in action at the Battle of Kandahar, 1 September 1880 Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar (B/111. Pte. W. Reid. 92nd. Highrs.) minor edge bruising, good very fine and scarce as a single clasp award to unit £500-£700 --- William Reid attested for the 92nd Highlanders and was killed in action by gunshot to the abdomen during the Battle of Kandahar, 1 September 1880. He was one of 11 men of the Regiment killed during the Battle; the Regiment suffered a further 71 officers and men wounded. He is confirmed on the medal roll as being entitled to the single clasp Kandahar (which in itself is scarce), and was therefore not additionally entitled to the Kabul to Kandahar Star. The 92nd Highlanders at the Battle of Kandahar After taking part in several other small expeditions into the country round Kabul, the regiment formed part of the force which marched under General Roberts from Kabul to Kandahar. Immediately after the arrival of Sir Frederick Roberts’ troops at Kandahar on 31 August, the 92nd took part in the reconnaissance of the Afghan position; and in the battle of the following day formed part of the 1st Brigade, which led the advance, and succeeded, after severe fighting, in sweeping the enemy out of the closely wooded enclosures along the western slopes of the hill on which the village of Gundi Mullah Sahibdad stood, and finally in attacking and carrying the village itself at the point of the bayonet. The latter feat was accomplished in dashing style by two companies of the Gordon Highlanders under Major White, and two companies of the 2nd Goorkas. This movement brought the brigade in rear of the Bala Wali Kotal, and in front of an intrenched post which was on the south, and which, from the way in which reinforcements were being pushed forward, the enemy was evidently prepared to hold with great determination. Major White, who was leading the advanced companies of the 92nd, recognising, with true soldierly instinct, that this position must at once be taken by storm, called on his men for just one charge more to finish the business. His call was brilliantly responded to, and the work was at once captured, the gallant Major being himself the first to reach the guns. The casualties, which were somewhat numerous, show the severe nature of the fighting, 11 non-commissioned officers and men being killed and 2 officers and 69 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. The Gordon Highlanders, with a total strength of 643 of all ranks, left Kandahar on 28 September 1880, en route for India and under orders for home.
Lot 376
Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (56/1111 Prive. M. Mc.Laughlin 92nd. Highlanders) light contact marks, very fine £500-£700 --- Martin McLaughlan attested for the 92nd Highlanders and was severely wounded by sword cuts to the head and arm at the Battle of Kandahar, 1 September 1880, on which date the Regiment suffered 11 non-commissioned officers and men being killed and 2 officers and 69 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. The Life of A Regiment - The History of the Gordon Highlanders 1816-98’ by Lieutenant-Colonel C. Greenhill Gardyne gives the following account: ‘The regiment, having the 23rd Pioneers to their left, advanced skirmishing, first over a bit of open ground, then through orchards and enclosures intersected by water cuts, some dry, but some containing water which, though muddy, was welcome in the great heat to the thirsty soldiers. One of them, Lance-Corporal Martin McLachlan, setting his rifle against a hut, knelt down to drink and rose to find himself confronted by a tall, fierce-looking Afghan between him and his arms, who at once attacked him sword in hand; McLachlan received the stroke on his left arm, then dashed at the Afghan's throat, and bayoneted his opponent, when he coolly rejoined his company, but soon had to fall out from loss of blood. Sold with copied research.
Lot 392
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (14685 Pte. F. S. Crafer. R.A.M.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (13059 Pte. J. B. Purvis. R.A.M.C.) the last with mount marks to reverse, nearly very fine, the first extremely fine (2) £130-£170
Lot 409
1914 Star (2) (11260 Pte. G. W. Fearis. 2/ Notts: & Derby: R.; 7575 Pte. T. G. Cutler. 1/N. Staff: R.) number officially corrected on first, and slight attempt to possibly obliterate surname on second, nearly very fine (2) £80-£100 --- George William Ferris attested for the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 September 1914. His Medal Index card notes ‘[Star] re-issued 2.5.19’, presumably once the number had been corrected. Thomas G. Cutler attested for the North Staffordshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914.
Lot 412
1914-15 Star (2) (9400 Pte. W. J. Quinby. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.; 15385 L. Cpl A. Tinniswood. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (24214 Pte. G. E. Lewis. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I; 25264 Pte. J. Mucklow. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.; 19182 Pte. G. Rixon. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.; 9132 Pte. H. Todd. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) generally very fine (6) £120-£160 --- William J Quinby was born in Fenny Stratford, Buckinghamshire and attested in Oxford for service during the Great War with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Asiatic theatre from 5 December 1914 and died in Mesopotamia on 4 June 1916, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. Arthur Tinniswood was born in Kingston, Surrey and attested in Brentford, Middlesex, into the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry for service during the Great War. He first served on the Western Front from 21 September 1915 and later died of wounds on 18 August 1916 whilst serving with the 7th Battalion in Salonika and is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. George Edward Lewis was born in Birmingham where he attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, for service during the Great War. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 7th Battalion in Salonika on 9 May 1917 and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece. James Mucklow was born in Halesowen, Warwickshire, and attested in Birmingham for service during the Great War with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 1/4th Battalion on 30 September 1917 and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. George Rixon was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, where he attested for service during the Great War with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. The Regimental Chronicle notes that he was killed in action, ‘by a 4.2” shell’ on 1 May 1917 whilst serving on the Western Front with the 5th Battalion. He is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, France. Henry Todd was born in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and attested in Oxford for service during the Great War with the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st Battalion in the Asiatic theatre from 5 December 1914 and died in Mesopotamia on 6 April 1916. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Lot 415
British War Medal 1914-20 (6) (2. Lieut. C. H. Fox; 2. Lieut. R. A. Cameron; 1765 Dvr. R. Pemberton. R.A.; S-17908 Pte. W. J. Stove. Gordons.; 8078 Pte. J. J. Maddock. 9-Lond. R.; 76106 Pte. J. Castley. R.A.M.C.) first officially re-impressed, otherwise very fine (6) £100-£140 --- Cecil Hubert Fox attested for the 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment, for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front from January 1917, and saw further service with the Royal Irish Rifles before being commissioned into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, with whom he served in the 11th Battalion. R. A. Cameron was commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders for service during the Great War, with whom he served on the Western Front from 8 May 1918. Reuben Pemberton attested for the Royal Field Artillery and served during the Great War in Egypt from 27 May 1915. He died at home on 10 January 1917 and is buried in Preston (New Hall Lane) Cemetery, Lancashire. William J. Stove attested into the Gordon Highlanders for service during the Great War, serving overseas with the 6th Battalion. James Joseph Maddock attested into the 9th (Queen Victoria’s Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment for service during the Great War on 15 November 1915. He served overseas from 4 February 1917 and was discharged on 22 October 1919, aged 35, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B333524. John Castley attested into the Royal Army Medical Corps for service during the Great War and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 15 August 1917).
Lot 418
British War Medal 1914-20 (M. Crichton-Neate F.A.N.Y.C.) extremely fine £100-£140 --- Miss Margaret Crichton-Neate was born in Garston, Lancashire, in 1887, the only daughter of Staff Paymaster Reginald Crichton-Neate, Royal Naval Reserve, and was appointed a Commandant of the 24th Glamorgan Division, Voluntary Aid Detachment, in August 1914. The following year she became the voluntary masseuse at the 3rd Western General Hospital, Cardiff, and in November 1915 she was received on the staff and became Head Masseuse, A.P.M.N.C. She served overseas on the Western Front from June 1917, driving an ambulance for the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry Corps, before returning to the 3rd Western General Hospital. She also served as Consulting Masseuse to the Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital, Cardiff. A contemporary account states that ‘Miss Crichton-Neate was “Mentioned” in Despatches in October 1917 for valuable work’, although no trace of this has been found in the London Gazette. She died in Teignmouth, Devon, on 8 October 1959. Sold with copied research.
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