The scarce Naval General Service medal awarded to Able Seaman James French, who served as a Landsman in the Mercury when she assisted in the capture and destruction of several vessels off the town of Rota, near Cadiz in April 1808 Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Off Rota 4 April 1808 (James French.) nearly extremely fine £6,000-£8,000 --- Off Rota 4 April 1808 [19 issued] - 8 medals known, including examples in the National Maritime Museum (2); Royal Naval Museum; and the Patiala Collection (Sheesh Mahal Museum, India). James French is confirmed on the rolls as a Landsman on board the Mercury in the action with Spanish gun-boats off Rota, near Cadiz. Two other men with these names appear on the Admiralty Claimants’ List, one as a Boy aboard Africa at Trafalgar, the other as an Ordinary Seaman in the Shannon at the capture of the Chesapeake. The latter medal was sold in these rooms on 8 May 2019 (Lot 218 £13,000 hammer). James French was born in Essex, and entered the Navy as a Landsman on board the Mercury on 22 January 1807, aged 20 years. He subsequently transferred to the Rodney, as an Ordinary Seaman, on 5 March 1810; to the Superb on 31 October 1812, being advanced to 2nd Gunner on 19 January 1813; to the Creole, in the same rate, on 7 July 1813; and lastly to the Clorinde on 9 November 1814, as Able Seaman, until finally paid off on 13 July 1816. Sold with copied muster rolls and record of service. Mercury assists in the capture and destruction of several vessels off the town of Rota, near Cadiz On 4 April 1808, while the British 38-gun frigate Alceste, Captain Murray Maxwell, the 28-gun frigate Mercury, Captain James Alexander Gordon, and 18-gun brig-sloop Grasshopper (16 carronades, 32-pounders, and two long sixes), Captain Thomas Searle, lay at anchor about three miles to the north-west of the lighthouse of San-Sebastian, near Cadiz, a large convoy, under the protection of about 20 gun-boats and a numerous train of flying artillery on the beach, was observed coming down close along-shore from the northward. At 3 p.m., the Spanish convoy being then abreast of the town of Rota, the Alceste and squadron weighed, with the wind at west-south-west, and stood in for the body of the enemy's vessels. At 4 p.m. the shot and shells from the gun-boats and batteries passing over them, the British ships opened their fire. The Alceste and Mercury devoted their principal attention to the gun boats, while the Grasshopper, drawing much less water, stationed herself upon the shoal to the southward of the town and so close to the batteries, that by the grape from her carronade she drove the Spaniards from their guns, and at the same time kept in check a division of gun-boats, which had come out from Cadiz to assist those engaged by the two frigates. Captain Maxwell in his official letter, alluding to this gallant conduct on the part of Captain Searle, says: “It was a general cry in both ships, ‘Only look how nobly the brig behaves.’” The situation of the Alceste and Mercury was also rather critical, they having in the state of the wind, to tack every fifteen minutes close to the end of the shoal. In the heat of the action the first Lieutenant of the Alceste, Allen Stewart, volunteered to board the convoy with the boats. Accordingly the boats of the Alceste pushed off, under Lieutenant Stewart, and the boats of the Mercury quickly followed, under Lieutenant Watkin Owen Pell, who, it should be noted, had lost a leg when wounded in the Lion in February 1800, when he was a midshipman of barely 12 years of age. Dashing in among the convoy, the two divisions of boats, led by Lieutenant Stewart, soon boarded and brought out seven tartans, from under the very muzzles of the enemy's guns and from under the protection of the barges and pinnaces of the Franco-Spanish squadron of seven sail of the line, which barges and pinnaces had also by that time effected their junction with the gun-boats. Exclusive of the seven tartans captured, two of the gun-boats were destroyed, and several compelled to run on shore, by the fire from the two British frigates and brig, which did not entirely cease until 6.30 p.m. All this was effected with so slight a loss to the British, as one man mortally and two slightly wounded on board the Grasshopper. The damages of the latter, however, were extremely severe, as well in hull, as in masts, rigging, and sails. With the exception of an anchor shot away from the Mercury, the damages of the two frigates were confined to their sails and ridging, and that not to any material extent. Captain Thomas Searle received a magnificent presentation sword from his ‘Grasshoppers’ on this occasion and later became a Rear-Admiral and Companion of the Bath. When, in 1848, he claimed his N.G.S. medal it bore four clasps, the most common issuance being that for Off Rota 4 April 1809 (19 issued) and accompanied by those for Schiermonnikoog 12 Aug 1799 (9 issued), Courier 22 Novr 1799 (3 issued), and Grasshopper 24 April 1808 (7 issued).
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A fine 2-clasp Naval General Service medal awarded to Commander William Figg, Royal Navy, who was a First-Class Volunteer aboard Admiral Duncan’s flagship Venerable at the battle of Camperdown in October 1797 and fought as a Midshipman in the Bellona in the action off Copenhagen in April 1801, on which occasion he received a wound so severe that the use of his left arm was always afterwards impaired Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Camperdown, Copenhagen 1801 (William Figg, Midshipman.) attractively toned, extremely fine £8,000-£10,000 --- William Figg was born on 27 August 1783, at Berwick-upon-Tweed, is eldest son of Captain James Figg, of the Royal Invalids, who served during the reigns of George II and George III, was wounded at the battle of Bunker’s Hill, and died one of the oldest officers in the army. His only brother, Edward, a Lieutenant-Colonel in the Royal Engineers, died in active service in Canada in 1829. This officer entered the Navy on 8 August 1796, as First-class Volunteer, on board the Plover 18, Captain John Chesshyre, and, on removing to the Venerable 74, flagship of Lord Duncan, served in the battle off Camperdown, 11 October 1797. After a further attachment with the latter officer, as Midshipman, to the Kent 74, he joined the Bellona 74, Captain Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson, under whom he received, in the action off Copenhagen, 2 April 1801, a wound so severe as to have ever since impaired the use of his left arm. From May 1801 until September 1805, we find him serving, on the Channel, Newfoundland, and Irish stations, latterly as Acting-Lieutenant, in the Brilliant 28, Captains Philip Wodehouse and Adam Mackenzie, Camilla 20, Captains Henry Hill and Bridges Watkinson Taylor, Courageux 74, flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard Dacres, and Brilliant again, Captain Robert Barrie. In January 1806, Mr. Figg became Acting-Sub-Lieutenant of the Furious gun-brig, Lieutenant-Commander John Debenham. Being advanced to the full rank of Lieutenant, 30 August 1806, he was subsequently appointed – 3 March 1807, to the Vulture 18, Captain Joseph Pearce, lying at Sheerness – 24 July 1807, as First Lieutenant, to the Snake 18, Captain Thomas Young, under whom he assisted at the capture of two batteries on the coast of Finmark in 1809 – 20 February 1810, to the Skylark 16, Captain James Boxer, on the Downs station – and, 22 April 1812, to the command of the Pickle schooner, of 12 guns, in which vessel, when off Scilly, he assisted the Albacore sloop and several small craft in beating off, 18 December 1812, the French 40-gun frigate La Gloire. Lieutenant Figg, who during the war was repeatedly engaged on boat-service and in action with the enemy’s batteries, left the Pickle on 26 August 1815, and from that period remained on half-pay until the close of 1820, when he successively assumed command of the Sylvia and Griper Revenue-cutters. Since quitting the latter vessel he was not employed. He acquired the rank of Commander on the retired list 21 April 1840; and the Out-Pension by Greenwich Hospital on 22 August 1850. He married on 23 June 1821, and had five children, and wore a medal with two clasps for Camperdown and Copenhagen. Commander Figg died on 11 August 1858, at Portobello.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. gropup of four awarded to Company Sergeant-Major G. A. Chetwin, 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8031 C. S. Mjr: G. A. Chetwin. 1/N. Staff: R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8031 Sjt. G. Chetwin. 1/N. Staff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8031 W.O. Cl. 2. G. A. Chetwin. N. Staff. R.) mounted as worn, together with associated ribbon bar, the first with small edge bruise, otherwise good very fine (4) £900-£1,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 27 July 1916: ‘For consistent gallantry and good work on several occasions under heavy fire. He has set a fine example of courage and devotion to duty, and has done much to steady his men under trying circumstances.’ George A. Chetwin was born at Goldenhill, Staffordshire, in about 1888. He served in France with the 1st Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, from 10 September 1914.
Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (No. 2648 John Moriarty 57th Regt.) contemporary engraved naming, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good fine £120-£160 --- John Moriarty was severely wounded 18 June 1855, when the “Forlorn Hope” of the 57th, consisting of 19 officers and 400 men, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Shadforth, led the first unsuccessful attack on the Redan. Sold with copied research.
A superb ‘Special Forces’ Second War 1943 ‘Immediate’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. Robinson, Durham Light Infantry, attached 143 Special Service Company, who led a section of three men during a behind the lines amphibious raid, carried out under the cover of darkness at Maungdaw, 16-17 May 1943. The plan went awry, and Robinson found himself faced by a bayonet charge from 20 Japanese soldiers. He decided to stand his ground and fight it out. In the brutal hand to hand fighting that ensued, ‘two of Sergeant Robinson’s men were bayoneted but their assailants in each case had their skulls battered in by other members of the party. It finally ended in unarmed combat which resulted in two more of the enemy being destroyed by various methods, making a grand total in that affair of twelve or thirteen dead Japs and only two survivors.’ Robinson, who, ‘when he wasn’t killing Japs... was laughing in sheer enjoyment’, managed to extricate his wounded men by Sampan down the Naf River to Teknaf in the early hours of the following morning Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4264669 Sjt. W. Robinson. Durh. L.I.) mounted on investiture pin; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, campaign awards mounted as worn, with a portrait photograph of recipient in uniform - reverse of which is annotated ‘This is for you Mother’, very fine (5) £14,000-£18,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 22 July 1943: ‘Sergeant Robinson commanded a section of three men who were part of a covering party on an R.E. enterprise at Maungdaw (then in enemy hands) on the night 16/17 May 1943. It was Sgt. Robinson’s party who withstood an enemy bayonet charge after the enemy had sustained heavy causalities in their MG positions. The bayonet charge was made with the greatest ferocity and was met by firing from the hip with LMG’s. In the subsequent proceedings two of Sgt. Robinson’s men were bayoneted but their assailants in each case had their skulls battered in by other members of the party. It finally ended in unarmed combat which resulted in two more of the enemy being destroyed by various methods, making a grand total in that affair of twelve or thirteen dead Japs and only two survivors. At that stage Robinson was ordered to embark, but as the launch had been destroyed he took his wounded with him and searched for and subsequently found a sampan in which they all reached Teknaf in safety. Sgt. Robinson’s part in the operation was simply outstanding. When he wasn’t killing Japs he was laughing in sheer enjoyment, and the reliance of his men in his personal courage, quick appreciation and decisive action ensures the success of any future enterprise under his command.’ William Robinson initially served with the Durham Light infantry during the Second War, prior to being attached to 143 Special Service Company for operations behind enemy lines in Burma. The official report of the night action at Maungdaw, 16/17 May 1943, offers further insight into Robinson’s remarkable bravery: ‘A party composed of R.E.’s I.W.T. personnel and some volunteers from 143 Special Service Company proceeded to Maungdaw on 16 May with the object of retrieving some R.E. folding boats. The party from 143 S.S. Coy was to protect the R.E.’s and to cause a diversion if needed. The composition was as follows: Officer i/c Party Lieut. G. F. Kirkland. No. 1 Section Sgt. Robinson Cpl. Weatherhead Pte. Thorne (Bren Gun) L/C Kelly. No. 2 Section Sgt. McGeachy Cpl. Robinson Pte. Bain Pte. Hill Cpl. Dunne and Pte. McQueen were detailed to remain as escort to the launch with one Bren Gun and L/C Hindmarch as escort to Lieut. Kirkland. The entire party entered Maungdaw creek in an R Boat at 2020hrs and Lieut. Kirkland and his two sections landed at the Western Jetty. The R Boat went upstream towards the folding boats lying just beyond the F.S.D. Jetty. All was quiet on shore. Kirkland and No. 1 Section went along the road that leads behind the B.O.C. Building while No. 2 Section went along the jetty road. Both sections met at the road junction N.E. of the B.O.C. Building. Almost at once firing was heard from the trees to the N.W. of them. Medium and light automatics were identified and fire was obviously aimed at the R. Boat in the creak. It was afterwards learnt that the first burst struck Cpl. Dunne in the chest before he had time to fire a single shot. Kirkland ordered No. 2 Section to make for the enemy, accompanying this section himself and Sgt. Robinson to follow at a short interval. Sgt. McGeachy made his way down the road parallel to the water, crossed a small concrete bridge and engaged the enemy guns. As soon as the enemy L.M.G. was located definitely the Bren gunner fired at it and the enemy gun did not fire again. The medium M.G. turned from the launch on to McGeachy’s section. Kirkland considered this too big a task for four men and sent Hindmarch to bring up the other section intending to outflank the enemy gun. Hindmarch returned later and said he could not find Sgt. Robinson. Sgt. McGeachy’s section crawled to within forty yards of the M.M.G. which was firing red tracer and had a big muzzle flash. Again Pte. Hill with a loud chuckle, fired a complete magazine. The M.M.G. did not fire again. At once three men were seen making for the original enemy M.M.G. position. Sgt. McGeachy fired TS.M.G. and three dropped. They did not move again. At this point shouting and firing were heard from the direction of the road junction previously mentioned and where Sgt. Robinson had last been seen. Since no more fire was being directed on the launch Kirkland ordered McGeachy’s section to return with him to the road junction. Mortar bombs were observed falling in the water - one so near that Kirkland thought that it must have damaged the R Boat’s prop and rudder. They made along the road and Bain, who was leading, reported that he had seen men on the road to his left and that fire was still going between them and Sgt. Robinson. Two toots were heard on the R Boat’s horn and Kirkland figured that something was amiss. Mortars were firing on the water and the northern bank of the creek. The R Boat was in mid stream mid way between F.S.D. and Western Jetties. Kirkland and McGeachy’s section made for the water’s edge and the R Boat. While they were swimming out they had to scuttle their weapons despite the fact that they thought that they would have to fight to get Robinson away, because of the danger of drowning. They reached the R Boat and Cpl Robinson told them it was U/S and ordered them to make for the northern bank following himself with McQueen. The account of Sgt. Robinson’s action is as follows: Just after Kirkland and McGeachy left Robinson the latter observed fifteen to twenty Japs coming down the road. Despite orders and the fact that he was greatly outnumbered, Sgt. Robinson appreciated that this new development threatened not only McGeachy’s rear but also the operation in general. He therefore decided to stand his ground and fight it out. The enemy with fixed bayonets came down the centre of the road, broke into a double and the tallest of whom was leading shouting ‘Charge’ in English. The Bren gunner (Thorne) sprayed the road with one magazine firing from the hip and the leading five men dropped. The remainder made for Robinson’s section and the following events, though not necessarily chronologically correct, followed. Two enemy attacked Sgt. Robinson. First one Robinson shot and he dropped. Second turned on Bren gunner and before he could fire had scratched his ey...
The outstanding Indian Mutiny medal awarded to Assistant-Surgeon H. M. Greenhow, 1st Oudh Irregular Cavalry, an original Defender recommended for the Victoria Cross for acts of bravery undertaken on the night of the arrival of Havelock's Relieving Force into the Residency; he was the last surviving Surgeon of the Defence of Lucknow Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (Asst. Surgn. H. M. Greenhow, 1st Oudh Irreg. Cavy.) good very fine £3,000-£4,000 --- Greenhow's claim for the Victoria Cross is detailed in the Fort William Military Proceedings( WO 32/7353 - February 1864). He was first recommended on 27 May 1861, by Major W. T. Johnson, of the 12th Irregular Cavalry, that on the night of 27 September 1857, after the Relieving Force under General Havelock had fought their way into Lucknow, Dr. Greenhow voluntarily left the protection of the Residency, of which he was an original defender, and at great personal risk brought in some 12 to 15 wounded soldiers of the relieving Force. Many wounded men were left outside the Residency who would have died but for the exertions of Greenhow. He zealously persevered in this good work from 10 pm until near daylight, issuing out on 3 or 4 occasions. The Committee replied “The Board considers this act of devotion well worthy of the decoration but it wants the further conformation of eye-witnesses and should be returned for that purpose to Surgeon Greenhow”. The recommendation was resubmitted with Brevet Surgeon Bird stating, “that he met Greenhow without the walls of the Residency engaged in bringing in the wounded of the Relieving Force. This was work of great difficulty and danger and I believe that several men and officers owe their lives to the exertions of Mr. Greenhow.” By December 1860 the large numbers of late claims for the Crimean campaign were exercising minds in Horse Guards as to what to do with the similar numbers being submitted for the Mutiny. The Duke of Cambridge ordered a halt in further Mutiny submissions but then changed his mind as it was recognised that the Indian Service had reasons for complaint. Many were on sick leave so the time was extended with the last awards being gazetted in February 1862. Unfortunately the last awards for the Mutiny did not arrive until December 1863. Lord de Grey as Secretary of State pronounced that no more submissions could be countenanced so Greenhow together with those of Assistant-Surgeon J. Lumsdaine, Bombay Medical Service and Major J. Edmondstoune, 32nd Foot were all refused. Interestingly the last claim for the mutiny was approved and gazetted in 1907 for Lieutenant Everard Aloysius Lisle Phillipps, 11th Bengal N.I. who was killed at Delhi in 1857 (The Evolution of the Victoria Cross by M. J. Crook refers). Henry Martineau Greenhow was born on 6 September 1829, at Hanover Square, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, into a prominent medical and political family. His father, Thomas Michael Greenhow, was an illustrious medical man, who co-founded Newcastle’s Eye Infirmary and the Newcastle University Medical School, later co-founding Durham University. His sister, Frances Elizabeth, married into the Lupton family and worked tirelessly for women's educational rights. His mother was Elizabeth Martineau, sister of the political and social theorist Harriet Martineau, a devout Unitarian and believer in Mesmerism (Note: Catherine “Kate” Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, is a direct descendant from Greenhow's mother Elizabeth Martineau). He was educated at Newcastle and University College London; M.R.C.S. 1853; F.R.C.S. Edin. 1859. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon on 20 January 1854; Brevet Surgeon, 5 September 1858; Surgeon, 1 January 1866; Surgeon Major, 1 July 1873; retired 1876. He died at Esher, Surrey, on 26 November 1912. Surgeon H. M. Greenhow was present and served with the Oudh Irregular Cavalry throughout the Mutinies in Oudh in 1857 and 1858. He was mentioned for his untiring and extreme devotion and for his great skill in the despatches of Brigadier Inglis, Commanding the Garrison at Lucknow and received the thanks of the Government (Despatches London Gazette 16 January 1858; medal with two claps). He was the author of a variety of Medical books including "Notes Medical and Surgical, taken during the late Siege of Lucknow", and several novels including The Bow of Fate, 1893; The Tower of Ghilzean, 1896; Brenda's Experiment, 1896; Amy Vivian's Ring, 1897; The Emperor's Design, 1901; and Leila's Lovers, 1902. Greenhow was recognised as an excellent surgeon and as such Sir Dermot Daly was keen to recruit him to join the newly raised Oude Irregular Force. Irregular surgeons not only treated the troopers and families of the regiment, they were also charged with the medical and vaccination duties for all residents of the district. For this knowledge he was given command of the Native Hospital during the siege and messed with the Engineers and Artillery. His book “Notes Medical and Surgical, taken during the late Siege of Lucknow” is a fascinating account of the conditions in which he operated. Nowhere was safe from shot or shell and his description of treatments would seem esoteric today. In the case of Cholera he wrote, “Creosote” and water to allay vomiting, I found most useful. Turpentine frictions and garters tied around the legs, relieved cramp. Congee water and dilute sulphuric acid made useful drinks”. He was also called upon to observe and treat no fewer than 40 Europeans and Eurasians. He lists no names but instead gives each case a number from which, together with their injuries and where wounded, it is possible to put names to several cases; i.e. Number 27 on the list is Lieutenant J. H. T. Farquhar, 7th Bengal Light Cavalry, ‘aged 21, wounded at Chinhut – Bullet wound of mouth, breaking jaw. Ball swallowed and after 3 weeks ball passed per anum. Recovered.’ He further enumerates the total garrison which he deduced as being 2,983 men, women, children and natives, a figure accepted today as the most accurate. Among the many copied letters that accompany the lot is an unpublished 50-page lecture written over 30 years after the siege in which he attempts to bring to a new generation his intimate knowledge of events. From the opening fears of mutiny he relates his acute recollections of the horrors of death, injuries, disease, stench and, above all, flies that shrouded the Residency like a ghastly pall of death. However, parts of his monologue are interspersed with black humour, pathos, tragedy and joy. The following are but a few of his experiences and have been paraphrased: I was stationed at Secrora, 64 miles from Lucknow, where 6 or 8 European Officers were in charge of 1,500 native troops. All was quiet until the fall of Delhi when the demeanour of the men was visibly felt. Saving the women and children was the first priority but it was only when 50 Sikh Oudh Cavalrymen arrived from Lucknow commanding them to enter the residency that we made any move. Marching at night the anxiety became more intense as the men now took no pains to conceal their mutinous spirit singing blood-thirsty songs awaiting their opportunity to revolt. We halted when one of the Sepoys came up to me and clasping my knee said, “Sir, not one of you will escape to Lucknow; we shall kill you all.” With that he raised his loaded musket to his shoulder and took deliberate aim at the commanding officer's wife sitting on top of an elephant only for a Native Sergeant to take away his weapon saying quietly “Not now. Not now.” My revolver was ready to shoot the man but I did not fire as a shot at that moment would have brought catastrophe to the party... The enemy surrounding the Residency were, in places, o...
‘After having heard the battle raging around his craft, he left his engines under the charge of his assistant, picked up his sten gun, and joined in the gun battle.’ The unique Brunei D.S.M. pair awarded to Petty Officer Mechanician P. J. D. Kirwin, Royal Navy, Stoker Petty Officer of the leading lighter at the opposed Royal Marines Commando raid against heavily armed Indonesian supported rebels at Limbang, Brunei, on 12 December 1962, who, ‘when his craft came under heavy fire, left the safety of his engine room, grasped his automatic weapon, and engaged the rebels himself at very close range’ - one of just four D.S.M.s awarded to the Royal Navy in the period from the Korean War in 1953 until the Falklands War in 1982 Distinguished Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (P/KX.869578 P. J. D. Kirwin. P.O.M. (E) R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Brunei (KX.869578 P. J. D. Kirwin. P.O.M. (E). R.N.) this with officially re-impressed naming, together with original Royal Mint case of issue for D.S.M., extremely fine (2) £16,000-£20,000 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 31 May 1963: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in operations in Brunei during the period 8th to 23rd December 1962.’ Revolt in Brunei Up to 1962, the island of Borneo was divided into the vast southern area under Indonesian rule and three British dependencies, Sarawak, North Borneo and, sandwiched between them, the tiny but very wealthy protectorate of Brunei. With the sun gradually setting on British interests in this part of the Far East, a proposal to include these three northern Borneo states into the new Federation of Malaysia was opposed by Indonesia which then proceeded to back the dissident TNKU in mounting an insurrection in Brunei with the aim of maintaining a North Borneo Union. To further this, in December 1962 the rebels occupied several towns, including Brunei town and at Limbang across the border in Sarawak, they held a number of hostages, including the British Government’s Agent - the ‘Resident’, ‘Dick’ Morris - his wife and a nursing sister. There were indications that the hostages were to be executed on 12 December. At this time 42 Commando, who were awaiting Christmas in Singapore, were put on short notice, and two days later ‘L’ Company, under Captain Jeremy Moore (later to command British Land Forces during the Falklands War), flew to Brunei Town where the Gurkhas had restored order. In fact, most of the trouble had been quickly stamped out, except at Limbang, only accessible by river. Amphibious Assault on Limbang Tasked with rescuing the Limbang hostages, Moore’s urgency was further sharpened when it was learned that the TKNU had murdered some hostages at Bangar. At the waterfront in Brunei he met the Senior Naval Officer, Lieutenant-Commander J. J. Black (who by coincidence would also rise to senior command during the Falklands War as Captain of the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Invincible) who had requisitioned two Z-Lighter landing craft for the raid, the Nakhoda Manis and the Sindaun, and provided these with five man crews from the minesweepers Fiskerton and Chawton under his command. Lieutenant Willis, being Black’s First Lieutenant, was appointed as the Senior Naval Officer charged with ensuring that the task force arrived off Limbang but once the assault landing was under way, the lighters would then come under the tactical direction of the senior Royal Marine on board. None of the Royal Navy men under Willis had any experience in handling Z-Craft or landing craft operations but they were now being committed to the daunting prospect of an opposed landing. At 10pm on 11 December, the understrength ‘L’ Company of 87 men, faces blackened, all wearing green berets with glinting cap badges for identification, filed on to the waiting Z-Craft. On board the lead lighter, Nakhoda Manis - commanded by Willis - was Captain Moore, his reconnaissance group, part of Company HQ, and 5 Troop. Also aboard as guide was Captain Muton, the Brunei Director of Marine who would later receive the M.B.E. for his efforts and four more Royal Navy crew including Petty Officer Mechanician Kirwin. The assault went in at first light: ‘When they were 300yds from the Limbang police station, and as the leading craft came abreast of the huts south of the town,‘it erupted like a disturbed ants' nest as the rebels stood to’. At 200yds the Commando Intelligence Sergeant called through the loud-hailer in Malay: ‘The rebellion is over . . . you should lay down your arms.' They replied with automatic weapons - an LMG, three or four SMGs - and some dozen rifles, supported by over 100 shotguns. The instantaneous counter-fire from both craft gave the commandos, thanks to their Vickers machine-guns, the initiative, enabling the leading craft to beach half a minute later only 30yds from the police station. Two marines of the leading No.5 Troop were killed before the craft gained the bank and their OC, Lt ‘Paddy’ Davis, was wounded as he jumped ashore. Sgt Bickford led two Sections of the Troop against the police station, which was quickly cleared, but the naval coxswain of the leading craft had been wounded and as the craft drifted off the bank, Lt D.O. Willis, RN, drove it hard back ashore; but this shallow draught lighter broached to 150yds upstream between the hospital and the home of the British Resident. Capt Moore sent the reserve section ashore, with HQ personnel led by TSM McDonald, and they cleared the hospital. As they came through to the back of this building, the Troop sergeant and two marines were killed, ‘for the jungle comes literally right down to the back door of the hospital’. The grounding of the craft up-river had been a fortunate accident, for Capt Moore found some of the hostages in the hospital. A rebel had fired at them but missed, and no one was hurt. While the ground between the hospital and the police station was being cleared, as was the Resident’s house, the Company Commander was told of more hostages. Therefore, he organised the clearing of the rest of the town to the south, and by the afternoon had released another eight hostages but at nightfall there were still rebels inside the Company’s perimeter, two of whom were killed close to the marines’ positions. Next day the town was secured. Five marines had been killed and six wounded (including a sailor), but the action here, coupled with those of the Gurkhas and Queen's Own Highlanders elsewhere in Brunei, had broken the rebellion. At Limbang alone 15 rebels had been killed and 50 captured from a force of 350, - twice the expected size. They had been taken by surprise, as the commandos now discovered. The Vickers guns in the second craft had been masked, the Company Commander also learnt, by the leading craft, until QMS Cyril Quoins asked the officer commanding this lighter if he could pull out of line to give them a clearer shot. ‘Sergeant Major’, the officer replied, ‘Nelson would have loved you’, and promptly swung his craft into a more exposed position.’ (The Royal Marines by James D. Ladd refers.) It is also worth quoting Captain Jeremy Moore’s observations, made much later: ‘It is perhaps interesting to note that, though my assessment of where the enemy headquarters might be was right, I was quite wrong about the hostages. Furthermore, it was chance that the second beaching happened where it did, that resulted in us taking the hospital from the direction we did. It could be that this saved us heavier casualties, though I assess the most important factor in the success of the operation was first class leadership by junior NCOs. Their section battle craft was a joy to watch...
1914-15 Star (4843 Pte. W. O’Keefe. Ir. Gds.; 2345 Pte. G. A. Lomas, Manch. R.) naming details on first very faintly impressed, otherwise very fine (2) £60-£80 --- William O’Keefe attested for the Irish Guards and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 November 1914 (thus missing out on the award of a 1914 Star by a single day). Transferring to the Machine Gun Corps, he was wounded by gun shot to the back on 15 September 1916, and was admitted to No. 34 (West Lancashire) Casualty Clearing station, and then onwards by Ambulance Train. He is noted as having deserted on 20 June 1917, and as a consequence his medals would have been forfeited , with the 1914-15 Star Roll stating ‘No medals’. There is a note on his Medal Index Card which indicates that his medals were restored on 5 July 1947. George Albert Lomas was born at Chorlton, Manchester, and attested there for the Manchester Regiment. He served with the 1st/7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 28 March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
A fine Second War ‘Burma operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Thomas Hutchinson, King’s African Rifles, who won an immediate award for his part in the desperate action fought on “Pagoda Hill” in March 1944 - ‘such was his determination that even during the brief period his wound was being dressed he broke off to seize the opportunity of killing two more Japanese who came into view’ Military Medal, G.VI.R. (10330 C.Q.M. Sjt. T. Hutchinson, K.A. Rif.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine and rare (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 22 June 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘At “Pagoda Hill”, Kaladan, on 3 March 1944, Company Quarter-Master Sergeant Hutchinson was acting Platoon Commander of ‘B’ Company. After an enemy charge had dispersed his command, he withdrew to a commanding feature on the forward slopes. Although wounded twice, he held his ground and by determined action with grenades and T.S.M.G. assisted to beat off the Japanese attack for two hours. Such was his determination that even during the brief period his wound was being dressed, he broke off to seize the opportunity of killing two more Japanese who came into view.’ Thomas Hutchinson, an N.C.O. in 2/6 King’s African Rifles, was attached to the 11th (East African) Division Scouts at the time of the above related action, a component of the 81st (West African) Division, commanded by Major T. C. C. Lewin - ‘Apart from being Swahili-speakers its soldiers were not regular King’s African Rifles personnel, but an assortment collected by the Scouts’ officers, most of whom were big game hunters and safari guides’ (The Unforgettable Army, by Colonel Michael Hicks, refers). Having disembarked at Chittagong in January 1944, the Scouts moved up to meet the Japanese advance on the east bank of the Kaladan River, and first went into action in the following month, when, on the 20th, the O.C. of Hutchinson’s ‘B’ Company and several askaris were killed in an engagement on the Pi Chaung, a tributary of the Kaladan. Indeed patrol actions and skirmishes were common place right up until the commencement of the main enemy assault in March: ‘At dawn on the 3 March the Japanese attacked “Pagoda Hill” in force. Two assaults were repulsed, but the West Africans were obliged to retire and the enemy began to surround the position. Having exhausted all the grenades, Lewin and the remnants of the Scouts then abandoned the hill and eventually withdrew across the Kaladan into the Divisional Box. Apart from known killed and wounded, three officers, one B.N.C.O. and 130 Africans were missing. The unit was now reduced to less than two Europeans per company’ (The King’s African Rifles, by Lieutenant-Colonel H. Moyse-Bartlett, refers).
A Second War Wireless Operator’s D.F.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant, later Flight Lieutenant, S. Albiston, 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 35 operational sorties, including Operation Fuller, the Channel Dash in 1942, against the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1059463. Sgt. S. Albiston. R.A.F.) on original mounting pin; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.F.M. London Gazette 22 September 1942. The original Recommendation, dated 22 July 1942, states: ‘Sergeant Albiston has taken part in 35 sorties over enemy territory as first Wireless Operator. Starting on his arrival in the squadron as very inexperienced and an average Wireless Operator, he has made himself into one of the most reliable and efficient Wireless Operators in the squadron. As a member of a crew, he has proved himself to be completely fearless and dependable. He has interested himself in all the duties of each member of his crew, as a result of which he has been of very great assistance in obtaining good photographs by skilful co-operation between himself, with a flash bomb, and his Navigator, in helping his Navigator to take astro sights and always being the first to offer to do any odd job required. When under fire, he has remained cool and cheerful and has delighted in taking up position in the astro dome whenever he could obtain permission and reporting the position of flak bursts and searchlights, which has proved of inestimable value to his captain on many occasions. Sergeant Albiston, although one of the youngest members of his squadron, has set a very high example of enthusiasm, fearlessness and reliability and his fine record fully merits the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal for which I strongly recommend him. Remarks by Station Commander: A young Wireless Operator who, by his cheerfulness and coolness in action, has set an excellent example at all times. After a slow start, he quickly proved himself one of the leading Wireless Operators in the squadron.’ Samuel Albiston enlisted in the Royal Air Force on 15 July 1940 and served during the Second World War primarily with 103 Squadron, flying Wellingtons from R.A.F. Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire, from July 1941. He flew in at least 35 operational sorties with the squadron, including: Hamburg (2); Essen (7); Duisberg; Le Havre; Mannheim; Ostend; Munster; Brest (2); Paris; Cologne (3); St. Nazaire; Poissy; Dortmund; Rostock; Stuttgart (2); Warnemunde; Gennevilliers; Emden (2) and Bremen (2). On 12 February 1942 he took part in Operation Fuller, as one of five crews detailed to attack the Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Prinz Eugen which were leaving their French port and planning to transit through the English Channel; his Wellington, skippered by Flight Lieutenant D. W. Holford, made contact with the German ships but were unable to attack due to the low cloud; for his leadership and skill Holford was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Albiston was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserved on 16 February 1945, and transferred to R.A.F. Coastal Command for a second tour with 502 (Ulster) Squadron, flying Halifax Bombers from Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides on German shipping off the Norwegian coast, remaining there until the end of the war (also entitled to the Atlantic clasp). He was advanced Flying Officer on 16 August 1945, and Flight Lieutenant on 24 July 1956, and relinquished his commission on 1 November 1963. He died in Stockport, Manchester in 1983. Sold with seven individual and group photographs from various stages of the recipient’s career; and copied research.
Pair: Boatswain Richard Bullmore, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (Richd. Bullmore) fitted with contemporary ribbon slide and brooch pin; St. Jean d’Acre 1840, silver, unnamed, fitted with contemporary swivel-ring bar suspension and brooch pin, first with light edge bruise and contact marks, both with old lacquer, otherwise very fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- Richard Bullmore is confirmed on the roll as a Boatswain 3rd Class aboard H.M.S. Carysfort. See Lot 54 for related family medals.
Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (C. Dacombe, Ldg: Stoker, H.M.S. Vernon.) polished, edge bruising and contact marks, very fine £100-£140 --- Caleb Dacombe was born at Wimborne, Dorset, on 18 March 1843 and joined the Royal Navy as Stoker in H.M.S. Asia on 14 August 1878. He was advanced to Leading Stoker in H.M.S. Shannon on 22 June 1881, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1890. Promoted Leading Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Magicienne on 1 April 1893, he was invalided from the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar on 6 November 1896.
A mounted group of twelve miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Parker, O.B.E., M.C., D.C.M., Royal Welsh Fusiliers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military Division) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R.; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1891; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Orange Free State; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; 1914 Star, with clasp; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Coronation 1911; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with bronze palm; Order of Merite Agricole, breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to the last, very fine and better (12) £360-£440 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1919. M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Edward Augustus Parker was born in Peckham, London about 1867 and enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in December 1886. Having then served with the 1st Battalion in the Hazara Expedition of 1891 (Medal & clasp), he was appointed Sergeant-Major in October 1898 and participated in the operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, including the action at Frederickstad on 20 October 1900. He was wounded on the latter occasion, mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901, refers) and awarded the D.C.M. Subsequently commissioned as a Quarter-Master, with the honorary rank of Lieutenant, in the 1st Battalion in April 1904, he was a member of the regiment’s Coronation Contingent in 1911. Advanced to Q.M. & Captain in April 1914, Parker joined the 1st Battalion in Flanders in early October and was consequently witness to the severe fighting that followed. Following an abortive attack on Menin on the 17th, the Battalion - numbering 1150 officers and men - took up positions on the Broodseinde Ridge: within three days, as a consequence of severe enemy shelling and numerous infantry assaults, the unit’s strength was reduced to 200 officers and men. On the 29th, the Battalion was reinforced by 200 men and moved to new positions just east of the village of Zandvoorde. The Germans attacked in force on the following day, supported by 260 heavy artillery guns, and managed to get behind the Battalion’s line: it was all but annihilated, just 90 men answering the roll call on the 31st, among them Parker, the only surviving officer. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915, refers) and awarded the M.C., both distinctions undoubtedly reflecting his ‘gallantry in the Field’, as cited in a reference written by Major-General H. E. Holman at a later date. He was invested with his M.C. by King George V at Windsor Castle in April 1915, one of the first officers to be so honoured. Parker was subsequently appointed to the Staff, initially serving as A.D.C. to the G.O.C. 7th Division (November 1914-May 1915), and afterwards as a Camp Commandant In IV Corps H.Q. (May 1915-February 1916), and Camp Commandant 4th Army (February 1916-March 1918). Then following a brief spell as Camp Commandant, Supreme War Council, he returned to his post in 4th Army and remained similarly employed until the war’s end. He was awarded the O.B.E. and five times mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916, 4 June 1917, 7 April 1918, 20 December 1918 and 5 July 1919, refer); in addition he was appointed a Chevalier of the French Order of Merite Agricole (London Gazette 7 October 1919, refers), and awarded the Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 24 October 1919, refers). Parker, who had been advanced to Q.M. & Major on the recommendation of Lieutenant-General H. Rawlinson, G.O.C. IV Corps, in May 1915, was appointed Q.M. & Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1923, shortly before his retirement. He died in December 1939. Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s pre-attestation recruit’s form; warrants appointing him to the rank of Sergeant-Major and Quarter-Master (1898 and 1914); his M.I.D. certificates for French’s despatch, dated 14 January 1915, and Haig’s despatches, dated 30 April 1916, 8 November 1918 and 16 March 1919; and an old copy of General Rawlinson’s letter recommending him for advancement to Q.M. and Major, dated 5 May 1915.
A mounted group of five miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Graham, Indian Army Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Gambia 1901 [sic]; British War and Victory Medals; Jubilee 1935; Defence Medal, mounted as worn in this order and housed in a glazed display frame, good very fine, the first rare Ashanti 1900, no clasp; 1914 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; Victory Medal 1914-19, generally very fine (9) £120-£160 --- John Scot Graham was born on 24 August 1880 and served in West Africa in 1901 as part of the embodied Militia, taking part in the expedition up the Gambia and in the operations against Fodi Kabba (Medal with clasp). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on 30 April 1902, and was seconded for duty with the West African Regiment, with the rank of Lieutenant. He transferred to the Indian Army on 24 December 1905, and served with the Military Accounts Department, being advanced Captain on 10 July 1911. He served during the Great War briefly in Mesopotamia from October 1918 (British War and Victory Medals), and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 February 1928.
Royal Bristol Volunteers 1814, struck silver medal, 53mm x 37mm, obverse: the arms and crest of Bristol, ‘Royal Bristol Volunteers’ around, ‘In Danger Ready’ on scroll below; reverse: 15 line inscription below ‘GR’ cypher, ‘Imbodied for the maintenance of public order & protection of their fellow citizens on the threat of invasion by France MDCCXCVII. Revived at the renewal of hostilities MDCCCIII. Disbanded when the deliverance of Europe was accomplished by the perseverance and magnanimity of Great Britain and her allies MCCCCXIV’, ‘Pro Patria’ on scroll below. Penryn Volunteers 1794, struck bronze medal, 28mm, obverse: on a trophy of arms, a laureated head on a shield with a helmet above, ‘Penryn Volunteers’ on a band above, in exergue ‘First Inrolld April 3, 1794’; reverse: the Dunstanville arms, on a scroll above ‘Pro Rege et Populo’, in exergue ‘Lord de Dunstanville Colonel’, pierced with ring for suspension, nearly very fine (2) £100-£140 --- Referenced in Balmer’s unpublished work on Volunteer Medals (September 1985), V94.
A group of three Great Western Railway Gold First Aid Medals awarded to Mr. J. H. Tippett Great Western Railway Medal for Fifteen Years First Aid Efficiency, gold (9ct, 6.67g), the reverse engraved ‘796 James H. Tippett 1928.’; Great Western Railway Medal for Twenty-Five Years First Aid Efficiency, gold (9ct, 651g) and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘796 James H. Tippett 1938.’; St. John Ambulance Association Examination Cross, gold (15ct, 5.30g), the reverse engraved ‘196358 James H. Tippett’, nearly extremely fine (3) £180-£220 --- James H. Tippett, a native of Dagenham, Essex, was born on 5 April 1894 and was employed as a Railway Checker with the Great Western Railway.
Three: Troop Sergeant-Major Charles Harris, 19th Hussars Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 4 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai, Suakin 1885 (1198. Tp: Sgt. Maj: C. Harris. 19th Hussars.) unofficial rivets between first two clasps; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1198 Tp: Sgt. Maj: C. Harris. 19th Hussars.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise polished nearly very fine (3) £260-£300 --- Charles Harris was born in the Parish of St Giles, Oxford, and attested for the 19th Hussars at Canterbury on 19 December 1874, aged 18 years 6 month, a porter by trade. He served in Egypt from 19 August 1882 to 5 June 1886, the remainder at Home. He was discharged as Troop Sergeant-Major on 28 October 1890. He was not present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir and his discharge papers confirm entitlement to 1882 Medal and Khedives Star only with clasps for Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai and Suakin 1885, together the L.S. & G.C. medal. Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll entries.
‘Certificate of the Waterloo Prize Money’, a most rare survival in the name of Frederick Aue, Private in the late First Battalion of Light Infantry Kings German Legion, who was discharged 24th February 1816, the certificate dated ‘Hannover the 14th March 1817’ and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Hartwig, two old reinforcing repairs, otherwise good condition but fragile from age £140-£180 --- Frederick Aue served in the 1st Light Battalion K.G.L. from 1 November 1803 to 24 February 1816. He served in the expedition to Copenhagen in 1807, in the Peninsula and at the battle of Waterloo. His ‘6th Class’ Prize Money would have amounted to £2-11-6, together with two years extra service towards pay and pension. Sold with various copied pay and muster lists confirming presence at Copenhagen and at Waterloo.
Cases of Issue (4): Distinguished Service Order, by Garrard, London; Distinguished Service Cross, by Garrard, London; Military Cross (2), the first unnamed, the second by Royal Mint, the first three all Great War period, the last Second War period, light scuffing, generally good condition (4) £100-£140
Rhodesia, General Service Medal (R645115 Pte Adam) nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- 645115 Adam Khulu is listed on the nominal roll for the Selous Scouts, and received Wing No. 0412, confirming that he was a fully badged member of the Regiment. The fact that only his first name is impressed on the medal is not an unusual discrepancy: African soldiers often used more than one name, and sometimes names were changed to protect the soldier’s family from attack and intimidation. Sold with a ‘Selous Scouts’ cap badge, the reverse marked ‘Reuteler Mfg Silver’, with field repairs to suspension lugs; and copied roll extract.
Three: Colour Sergeant H. Evans, Royal Marine Artillery Queen’s Sudan 1896 (3339 Sgt. H. Evans, R.M.A.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (Hugh Evans, Col. Sergt., No. 3339 R.M.A.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 4 clasps, Hafir, Sudan 1897, Khartoum, Sudan 1899 (3339. Sgt. H. Evans. R.M.A.) contemporarily engraved naming, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and rare (3) £800-£1,000 --- One of only 30 Queen’s Sudan Medals awarded to the Royal Marine Artillery. Hugh Evans was born in Liverpool in October 1867, and was a Clerk prior to enlisting in the Royal Marines. He joined the Recruit Depot at Walmer on 24 February 1887 and on completion of training was posted to the Royal Marine Artillery as a Private on 27 February 1888. He embarked aboard his first ship H.M.S. Inflexible on 18 July 1889 and disembarked to the Depot (September 1889) prior to joining H.M.S. Collingwood in November 1889, where he was promoted to Bombardier on 8 August 1890. He returned to the R.M.A.Depot in September 1892 and was promoted to Corporal on 21 April 1893. He next embarked aboard H.M.S. Rupert in October 1894, and H.M.S. Thunderer in May 1895, and was promoted to Sergeant in April 1896 prior to disembarking to the R.M.A. Depot. Evans was transferred to the Egyptian Army as an Instructor in May 1897 and served in Egypt and the Sudan for ten years, being present at numerous actions in the Sudan. His service record carries the following note: ‘Recommended to the Lord Commissioners of the Admiralty by Lord Kitchener Sirdar of the Egyptian Army for Meritorious Service during the Sudan Campaigns of 1897 and 1898. Specially promoted to Colour Sergeant in consequence.’ Evans was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1902 after 15 years’ service, and was discharged from the Corps whilst in Egypt on 24 February 1908. He was called up for War service on 10 August 1917 at the age of 59 and joined H.M.S. Queen on 20 September 1917. He transferred to the Royal Marine Artillery Headquarters on 9 December 1918 and was demobilised on 26 February 1919, being entitled to the British War Medal. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
United States of America, Certificate of Merit Medal, bronze, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine, scarce £60-£80 --- The Certificate of Merit Medal was a military decoration of the United States Army which was issued between 1905 and 1918, replacing the much older parchment ‘Certificates of Merit’ which had first been issued by the U.S. Army in 1847. The Medal itself was declared obsolete in 1918, and recipients of the Certificate of Merit Medal could exchange their medal for the newly created Distinguished Service Medal. In 1934 Congress changed the regulation allowing the conversion of the medal to the Distinguished Service Cross, including those previously converted to the Distinguished Service Medal.
Pair: Private J. Jordan, Coldstream Guards Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (454 Pte. J. Jordan, Cldstm: Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (454 Pte. J. Jordan. Coldstream Guards.) heavy edge bruising, contact wear and polished, suspension very slack on first, worn (2) £100-£140 --- Sold with copied medal roll confirmation.
Pair: Agent E. J. Cullen, Field Intelligence Department, late Cape Police Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Driefontein, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (1349 Pte. E. J. Cullen. Cape P.D. 1) clasps mounted in this order with unofficial rivets between the first two; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Agent E. J. Cullen. F.I.D.) polished, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £160-£200 --- Sold with copied medal roll confirmation.
Three: Private J. Machin, 17th Lancers and Guards Machine Gun Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (5882 Pte. J. Machin. 17/Lrs:); British War and Victory Medals (L-13337 Pte. J. Machin. 17-Lrs.) nearly very fine (3) £120-£160 --- John H. Machin attested for the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers, and served during the Great War on attachment to the 2nd Life Guards on the Western Front from 6 August 1914 - he was reputedly the first 17th Lancer to land in France during the Great War. He transferred to the Guards Machine Gun Regiment on 10 May 1915.
Three: Private D. J. McLean, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), later Military Mounted Police 1914 Star (5924 Pte. D. J. McLean. 2/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (5924 Pte. W [sic]. J. McLean. 2-D Gds [sic].) good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- D. J. McLean served with the 2nd Dragoons during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police on 1 October 1916. Note: Two Medal Index Cards exist for this recipient. The first states that Private D. J. McLean served in the 2nd Dragoons (Regimental Number 5924) from 23 August 1914 and transferred to the Military Mounted Police (Regimental Number 5907) on 1 October 1916. This card shows entitlement to the 1914 Star only and is entirely consistent with the 1914 Star medal roll. The second Medal Index Card states Private W. J. McLean served as a Private in the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Regimental Number 5924) and transferred to the Military Foot Police (Regimental Number P-5907). This card shows entitlement to the British War and Victory Medals only and is consistent with the British War and Victory Medal Roll. The differing first initial cannot be readily explained nor the Military Mounted Police / Military Foot Police discrepancy but the consistent service numbers across both rolls confirm these medals are all to the same man. The listing of 2nd Dragoon Guards rather than 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) on the British War and Victory Medal roll and the second Medal Index Card (and hence the recipient’s British War and Victory Medals) appears to be a clerical error; likewise, it would be most unusual for a cavalryman to have transferred to the Foot, rather that the Mounted, Police.
Three: Private E. G. Foster, Bedfordshire Regiment 1914 Star (9160 Pte. E. G. Foster. 2/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9160 Pte. E. G. Foster. Bedf. R.) nearly very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Edward/Edgar George Foster attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 October 1914. Note: The 1914 Star medal roll lists the recipient’s first name as Edward whereas the recipient’s Medal Index Card states it to be Edgar.
China: People's Republic: People's Bank of China, a quantity of paper money, 1949 issue, including: one hundred yuan (5) (Pick 831 (2), 832, 834 and 836), fine to very fine, the last rather floppy and so only fine; two hundred yuan (3) (Pick 837, 840 and 841), good fine, very fine and fine; five hundred yuan (2) (Pick 842 and 846), the first only good, the second at least very fine; one thousand yuan (3) (Pick 847, 848 and 850), the first very fine or better, the others nearly very fine; five thousand yuan (2) (Pick 851 and 852), nearly very fine, the second with a small repair; ten thousand yuan (2) (Pick 853 and 854), very fine or nearly so. [17]
Brian Trubshaw signed own personal Concorde Flown FDC PM Air International Tattoo Greenham Common British Forces 1706 Postal services 31 May 1980. Ernest Brian Trubshaw, CBE, MVO (29 January 1924 – 24 March 2001) was a leading test pilot, and the first British pilot to fly Concorde, in April 1969. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Clementine Churchill signed 5x2 approx Album page cutting. Clementine Ogilvy Spencer Churchill, Baroness Spencer Churchill, GBE (née Hozier; 1 April 1885 – 12 December 1977) was the wife of Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and a life peer in her own right. While legally the daughter of Sir Henry Hozier, her mother’s known infidelity and his suspected infertility make her paternal parentage uncertain. Clementine (pronounced Clemen teen) met Churchill in 1904 and they began their marriage of 56 years in 1908. They had five children together, one of whom (named Marigold) died at the age of two from sepsis. During the First World War, Clementine organised canteens for munitions workers and during the Second World War, she acted as Chairman of the Red Cross Aid to Russia Fund, President of the Young Womens Christian Association War Time Appeal and Chairman of Maternity Hospital for the Wives of Officers, Fulmer Chase, South Bucks. Throughout her life she was granted many titles, the final being a life peerage following the death of her husband in 1965. In her later years, she sold several of her husband’s portraits to help support herself financially. She died in her London home at the age of 92. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Actor Brian Blessed TLS typed signed letter 1963 thanking for compliments for his role in Z cars. Blessed is known for portraying PC Fancy Smith in Z Cars, Augustus in the 1976 BBC television production of I, Claudius, King Richard IV in the first series of Blackadder, Prince Vultan in Flash Gordon, Bustopher Jones and Old Deuteronomy in the 1981 original London production of Cats at the New London Theatre, Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter in Henry V, Boss Nass in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and the voice of Clayton in Disney s Tarzan. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Music Eve Boswell TLS typed signed letter 1052 on her own personal letterhead, replying to an autograph request. In 1949, she was heard by bandleader Geraldo (Gerald Bright), who persuaded her to return to Britain as a singer in his band, which was widely heard on BBC Radio. Boswell was the singing voice of Vera Ellen in the 1951 British film Happy Go Lovely. She parted with Geraldo in 1951, and launched a solo career. Her first hit record came the following year with Sugar Bush, partly sung in Afrikaans. Starting in March 1952, she toured for several months with comedian Derek Roy in a musical revue Happy Go Lucky, before flying to Korea to entertain the armed forces. In 1953, she was with Harry Secombe in Show of Shows at Blackpool Opera House. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Politics George Brown signed card with covering letter on House of Commons notepaper. George Alfred George Brown, Baron George Brown, PC was a British Labour Party politician who served as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party from 1960 to 1970 and held several Cabinet roles under Prime Minister Harold Wilson, including Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and First Secretary of State. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
British Craftmanship edited by W J Turner Hardback Book 1948 First Edition published by Collins some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
The Basis of Design by Walter Crane Hardback Book 1898 First Edition published by George Bell and Sons some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
In an Eighteenth Century Kitchen edited by Dennis Rhodes Hardback Book 1968 First Edition (Limited Edition of 2000 copies) published by Cecil and Amelia Woolf some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Alexander Solzhenitsyn Hardback Book 1963 First English Translation Edition published by Victor Gollancz Ltd some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Heaven’s Gate signed 6x4 Photo Card. Signed by 4 members. Heaven’s Gate was a German heavy metal band from Wolfsburg, Germany. They started out as a band called Steeltower in 1982, releasing their first record Night of the Dog in 1984. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Carice van Houten signed 10x8 colour photo. Houten: born 5 September 1976 is a Dutch actress and singer. Her first leading role in the television film Suzy Q won her the Golden Calf for Best Acting in a Television Drama; two years later, she won the Golden Calf for Best Actress for Undercover Kitty. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
The Wood Engravings of Robert Gibbings by Thomas Balston Hardback Book 1949 First Edition published by Art and Technics Ltd some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
General Degree Pure Mathematics by R L Perry Hardback Book 1967 First Edition published by University Tutorial Press Ltd some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Forty Years of Spy by Leslie Ward Hardback Book 1915 First Edition published by Chatto and Windus some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
The Way to A Good Table Electric Cookery by Elizabeth Craig Hardback Book 1937 First Edition published by The British Electrical Development Association Inc some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Sir Alec Guinness signed 3x2 approx. signed page cutting. Sir Alec Guinness CH CBE (born Alec Guinness de Cuffe; 2 April 1914 – 5 August 2000) was an English actor. After an early career on the stage, Guinness was featured in several of the Ealing Comedies, including Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949), in which he played nine different characters, The Lavender Hill Mob (1951), for which he received his first Academy Award nomination, and The Ladykillers (1955). He collaborated six times with director David Lean: Herbert Pocket in Great Expectations (1946), Fagin in Oliver Twist (1948), Col. Nicholson in The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957), for which he won both the Academy Award for Best Actor and the BAFTA Award for Best Actor, Prince Faisal in Lawrence of Arabia (1962), General Yevgraf Zhivago in Doctor Zhivago (1965), and Professor Godbole in A Passage to India (1984). In 1970 he played Jacob Marley s ghost in Ronald Neame s Scrooge. He also portrayed Obi Wan Kenobi in George Lucas s original Star Wars trilogy; for the original 1977 film, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 50th Academy Awards. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Seaside Fashions 1860 1939 by Avril Lansdell Softback Book 1990 First Edition published by Shire Publications Ltd some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith signed 5x3 page. Herbert Henry Asquith, 1st Earl of Oxford and Asquith, KG, PC, KC, FRS (12 September 1852 – 15 February 1928), generally known as H. H. Asquith, was a British statesman and Liberal politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1908 to 1916. He was the last Liberal prime minister to command a majority government, and the most recent Liberal to have served as Leader of the Opposition. He played a major role in the design and passage of major liberal legislation and a reduction of the power of the House of Lords. In August 1914, Asquith took Great Britain and the British Empire into the First World War. During 1915, his government was vigorously attacked for a shortage of munitions and the failure of the Gallipoli Campaign. He formed a coalition government with other parties but failed to satisfy critics and was forced to resign in December 1916, and never regained power. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Signed Book Ian Scleater The Story of the Palace Theatre Watford Hardback Book 2008 First Edition Signed by Ian Scleater on the First page published by Atlantic Publishing some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Encyclopaedia of Monsters by Daniel Cohen Hardback Book 1989 First Edition published by Michael O Mara Books Ltd some ageing. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
Actor and singer, Diana Dors vintage signature piece featuring a signed card, dedicated to Tommy plus an A4 black and white image and information sheets. Dors (born 23 October 1931 – 4 May 1984) first came to public notice as a blonde bombshell, much in the style of Americans Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield and Mamie Van Doren. Dors was promoted by her first husband, Dennis Hamilton, mostly in sex film comedies and risqué modelling. After it was revealed that Hamilton had been defrauding her, she continued to play up to her established image, and she made tabloid headlines with the parties reportedly held at her house. Later, she showed talent as a performer on TV, in recordings, and in cabaret, and gained new public popularity as a regular chat show guest. She also gave well regarded film performances at different points in her career. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
BBC Sitcom The Young Ones 10x8 black and white photo signed by Actors Christopher Ryan and Nigel Planer. The Young Ones is a British sitcom written by Rik Mayall, Ben Elton and Lise Mayer, starring Adrian Edmondson as Vyvyan, Rik Mayall as Rick, Nigel Planer as Neil, Christopher Ryan as Mike, and Alexei Sayle, and broadcast on BBC Two for two series, first shown in 1982 and 1984. Good condition. All autographs come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99
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