A Serving Brother of St John group of seven awarded to Sapper E. L. Price, 21st Company, Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers, late Shropshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s, breast badge, silver and enamels; British War and Victory Medals (604121 Dvr. E. L. Price. R.A.) official correction to both initials and first letter of surname; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (604121 Dvr. E. L. Price. R.A.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1953; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with additional service bar (22774 A/Off. E. L. Price. No. 7 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1941) very fine or better (7) £180-£220 --- Edward Leonard Price was born in the Parish of Great Ness, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and attested for the Shropshire R.H.A. at Shrewsbury on 10 May 1913, aged 18 years 1 month, an engine cleaner employed by the Great Western Railway Company. Embodied in August 1914, he was posted to 293 Brigade R.F.A. and served in France from January 1917. He was admitted to Boulogne General Hospital on 4 April 1917 with an accidental bomb wound to his back. He shortly afterwards transferred as a Sapper to the 21st Company, Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers, with whom he served for the remainder of the war. His Medal Index Card notes that his British War and Victory Medals were returned for correction and the M.I.C. itself is corrected from ‘RICE’ to ‘PRICE’. Sold with copied attestation papers and confirmation of Coronation medal as ‘Member of the St John Ambulance Brigade on duty at the Coronation Service.’
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The regimentally unique ‘Northern Ireland’ D.C.M., ‘Meritorious Service’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Staff Sergeant Mick ‘The Rat’ Rattigan, 3rd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (23738257 A/Cpl. M. Rattigan. R.G.J.); British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (23738257 S. Sgt. M. Rattigan, D.C.M., R.G.J.); General Service Medal 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23738257 Cpl. M. Rattignan. R.G.J.); Oman, Sultanate, Tenth Anniversary Medal, unnamed as issued, court mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine and better (4) £20,000-£30,000 --- One of just 19 D.C.M’s were awarded for the entire Northern Ireland conflict. D.C.M. London Gazette 24 July 1973. The original recommendation states: ‘On the afternoon of 28 August 1972 Lance-Corporal Rattigan was a member of a foot patrol in the Beechmont area of Belfast. Beechmount Avenue is notoriously dangerous as it gives gunmen and snipers long fields of fire and easy escape routes. At 1530 hours the patrol reached Beechmount Avenue and split up; one section moved on across the Avenue and up Beechmount Grove; the other carried on along the Avenue prior to taking up a parallel route up Beechmount Pass. At this stage Lance-Corporal Rattigan’s Section Commander stopped and searched a passer by. He was about to release him when six high velocity shots were fired at the patrol from the western end of Beechmount Avenue. The patrol returned fire and, under the direction of the Platoon Commander began to manoeuvre out of their extremely exposed position on the Avenue and into the building site. The Section Commander [Corporal Ian Morrill] had been fatally wounded in this first burst of fire. As soon as he realised this, and saw that the Section Commander was being given such medical assistance as was possible, Lance-Corporal Rattigan immediately took over command of the section, nominated a Rifleman as his second in command, and supervised the move to better fire positions. In order to locate the gunmen and to improve individual fire positions Lance-Corporal Rattigan exposed himself to fire several times. He acted decisively and with considerable courage throughout this incident and commanded his section with skill in the ensuing hot pursuit. Later that same day, at 2230 hrs, he was on patrol in Locan Street. Two gunmen were seen at the top of St. Mary’s Practising Primary School. Under his direction the section sniper fired two shots at the gunmen. Eight shots were immediately returned. Throughout the gun battle which followed Lance-Corporal Rattigan kept a very firm grip on his section and gave excellent fire control orders. On the afternoon of 22 October Lance-Corporal Rattigan (by now promoted to Corporal) was on a mobile patrol on the Springfield Road when he noticed three men standing by a bus stop. He thought there was something suspicious about them and decided to investigate. The first man he searched, a Protestant, was found to be carrying a loaded Luger pistol with a round up the breach. One of the other men was a Catholic. These men were subsequently screened and the Protestant duly charged. It seems likely that he was the gunman of an assassination squad and the Catholic was his intended victim who owes his life to Corporal Rattigan’s alertness. These three incidents typify Corporal Rattigan’s success as a section commander. But in addition to specific acts of leadership in difficult and dangerous situations Corporal Rattigan was first class in his dealings with the local population. As a result he was held in very high regard as a tough, able but also reasonable and courteous N.C.O. by both the Catholic and Protestant communities in his platoon and section area on the Lower Woodvale interface. Corporal Rattigan’s all round performance throughout the four month operational tour in Belfast has been outstanding.’ B.E.M. London Gazette 30 December 1985. (Colour Sergeant, Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion). Michael Rattigan - ‘Mick the Rat’ to those who knew him - was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire. ‘He rose to the rank of colour sergeant in the Royal Green Jackets and was enormously respected within the regiment, in particular by the many men he trained in his later years as an instructor. He is remembered as a scrupulously fair and honest NCO. After leaving the army, Mick found adjusting to mundane civilian life difficult. He had a number of jobs, mainly in security, but in the mid 1980s worked in Saudi Arabia providing military training, and later in Mozambique, where one close shave too many convinced him that he was too old to be playing soldiers. After returning to live in Kent he managed property for a number of years. He died in Hythe in 2008.’ (Deeds of Heroes: The Story of The Distinguished Conduct Medal 1854-1993, by Matthew Richardson refers) Sold together with a copy of the original recommendation for the DCM signed by the recipient; letters of congratulation on award of DCM (4) from Lieutenant Colonel L. L. Dunphie, MC; Major General R. E. Worsley, OBE; Brigadier A. L. Watson; and the OC, 39 Infantry Brigade; a copy of detailed original recommendation for BEM; a letter from Ameed Rukn, Deputy Commander Sultan of Oman’s Land Forces congratulating Rattigan on the award of his BEM; and a photo of recipient whilst serving with the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces in December 1985.
A Great War D.S.M. awarded to Engine Room Artificer J. N. Reed, Royal Naval Reserve, for services aboard the destroyer Moresby when she and her sister ship Michael sank the German submarine U-110 in the North West Approaches on 15 March 1918 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (EA.1163. J. N. Reed, E.R.A. R.N.R. “Moresby” Atlantic. 15. Mch. 1918) nearly very fine £700-£900 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 14 September 1918: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ James Nesbit Reed was born at Newcastle on Tyne on 18 December 1889. He enrolled in the R.N.R. as an Engine Room Artificer on 31 August 1914, and after service in Woolwich and Druid, was transferred, on 28 April 1916, to the newly built destroyer H.M.S. Moresby in which he was soon engaged at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. At Jutland, Moresby screened the First Battle Cruiser Squadron as one of twelve destroyers operating with the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla and was successful in sinking the German destroyer V. 4 by torpedo. Remaining in Moresby until the conclusion of the war, Reed was present in her on 15 March 1918, at the sinking of U-110, a type 93 U-boat which had among its list of 10 previous victims, the celebrated Q-Ship H.M.S. Penshurst. When found north-west of Malin Head by Moresby and another destroyer H.M.S. Michael, she had just torpedoed and sunk the 10,000 tonne British ocean liner Amazon and was promptly sent to the bottom by depth charges from the British destroyers with the loss of 39 men. All of Amazon’s passengers and 9 surviving crew members from U-110 were rescued by Moresby. Sold with copied service records and other research which confirm entitlement to 1914-15 Star trio and R.N.R. L.S. & G.C., this last awarded on 22 February 1930.
Three: Captain R. B. Creyke, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (R. B. Creyke, Mate.); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; St. Jean d’Acre 1840, silver, unnamed as issued, fitted with contemporary replacement silver bar suspension, each medal fitted with silver ribbon buckle and long pin for wearing, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, March 1998, when mounted in glass fronted display case, the black-on-gold painted labels from which accompany the group. Richard Boynton Creyke entered the Navy in July, 1829, as first-class volunteer on board the Atholl, on the west coast of Africa, from which vessel, in April, !831, he was transferred to the Medina, where he remained until July of the same year. He joined the Ocean as a midshipman in December, 1831, the Magpie in November, 1832, and the Rolla in November, 1833. In these vessels he was employed at Sheerness, and on the North Sea and Lisbon stations. He went to the Mediterranean in April, 1834, in the Revenge, and as a Mate became attached to the Bellerophon in May, 1838. In the Bellerophon, as a Mate, he took part in the operations on the coast of Syria, and was present at the bombardment of St. Jean D’Acre. In July, 1841, he was appointed to the revenue cutter Defence, employed in the North Sea, and was transferred, in July, 1843, to the steam vessel Blazer, Captain John Washington (afterwards Hydrographer) employed on surveying service in the same neighbourhood. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September, 1843. From February, 1844, to October, 1845, he served on the west coast of Africa in the Penelope, Alert, and Growler, the former being the Commodore’s vessel on that station. He commanded the boats of the Alert in an attack on pirates at the Arguin islands, near Cape Blanco, for which he was mentioned favourably in the despatches of the Commodore. In January, 1846, he was appointed to the survey of the west coast of Scotland, under Captain C. G. Robinson, in the Shearwater, and in October of the same year was made an Assistant-Surveyor. In October, 1847, his name was transferred to the books of the San Josef and subsequently to the Impregnable and Fisgard, his services throughout being continued in the survey of the west coast of Scotland. In February, 1855, Lieutenant Creyke was appointed First Lieutenant of the Merlin, Captain Bartholomew J. Sulivan, attached to the Baltic fleet, in which vessel he assisted in surveying the north part of Cronstadt, as well as the vicinity of Sweaborg, previous to its bombardment, at which he was present. For his services on this occasion he was so strongly recommended by the Commander-in-Chief to the favourable consideration of their lordships, that he was promoted to the rank of Commander in September of the same year, and in the following November again resumed his duties as an Assistant-Surveyor on the west coast of Scotland, under Captain E. J. Bedford, with whom, as Chief Assistant-Surveyor, he continued to serve until about the year 1861. He was promoted to be Retired Captain on 11 February 1862, in consideration of his services and the impaired state of his health. For his war services Captain Creyke has received the Syrian and Baltic medals. For the recipient’s miniature dress medals, see Lot 639.
The unique ‘Light Brigade’ group of four awarded to Captain T. G. Johnson, 13th Hussars, later Major, West Yorkshire Yeomanry Cavalry, who was twice decorated by the French Emperor for his Distinguished Services in the Crimea- the only Light Brigade participant so honoured- and whose letter to his brother describing his participation in the Charge was one of the earliest to be published in the British Press Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol, lugs removed from top clasp (Regt. Serjt. Major, Thomas George Johnson. 13th. Light Dragoons) Regimentally impressed naming in serif capitals; France, Second Empire, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, France, Second Empire, Medaille Militaire, eagle suspension, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, blue enamel damage and traces of restoration to bands around central medallions; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (T G Johnson 13th Light Dragoons) Regimentally impressed naming in serif capitals, with contemporary silver swivel suspension, all with plain top silver riband bars, and housed in a fitted gilt frame, lacking glazing, the gilt mount engraved ‘Major T. G. Johnson, Late Captain, 13th Hussars’, light contact marks, generally very fine or better (4) £8,000-£12,000 --- Provenance: Spink, November 2004. Thomas George Johnson was born in Maidstone, Kent, in March 1824, the son of John Thomas Johnson, who at the time of his birth was serving as a Schoolmaster Sergeant with the Cavalry Depot of the 8th (King's Royal Irish) Hussars. On 27 March 1837, at the age of 13 years and by ‘Special Authority’, he enlisted in the 4th (Queen's Own) Regiment of Light Dragoons at the Maidstone Cavalry Depot. He was appointed a Trumpeter on 24 May 1837 and, save for a six month period in early 1839, he retained this rank until 1 September 1846 when he transferred to the 13th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons, then based in Dublin, in the rank of Private. He was promoted Corporal on 1 February 1848 and Sergeant on 25 May 1853. He embarked with the Regiment for the Crimea at Portsmouth in May 1854 and arrived at the Bulgarian city of Varna, on the coast of the Black Sea, on 2 June 1854. A few weeks later, on 25 June, Johnson was one of a patrol of 195 men under Lord Cardigan that was sent north to the River Danube to ‘ascertain the movements of the enemy’. This became known as the Soreback Reconnaissance because of the extremes of heat, thirst, and hunger endured by the patrol over a seventeen day period. In September 1854 the 13th Light Dragoons sailed from Varna for the Crimea- unfortunately during the voyage Johnson fell down the main hatchway on board his ship and was invalided to Scutati Hospital between 16 September and 7 October, thus missing the Battle of the Alma. The Charge of the Light Brigade Johnson had returned to his regiment in time to participate in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava on 25 October 1854, and in a letter to his brother John, dated 7 November 1854, he includes a first-hand account of the Charge as follows: ‘My dearest Brother, I can say but a few words. When last I wrote to you we were on the point of embarking for the Crimea; unfortunately I met with a severe accident, fell down the main hatchway and have to thank God I was not killed. I went to the General Hospital at Scutari, consequently was out of Alma, but joined the regiment as soon as possible, being anxious to participate in the next honours. Joined at Balaklava where we passed some weeks in the most arduous and harassing duties, both of outposts and pickets, almost surrounded by Cossacks, and we were obliged to be continually on the alert. At last we engaged them, but I suppose of this you have the account. On the 25th October the enemy advanced and stormed our advanced position on some hills which were well fortified and unfortunately occupied by the Turks. The rascals fled before the Russians came within 150 yards of the forts, our artillery came up and the 13th covered the guns where we were exposed to shot and shell for upwards of two hours, but the positions being lost we slowly retired a short distance. The Russians advanced direct on to us on the ground of our camp, our heavy dragoons were ordered to charge them, and they fled although their numbers were sufficient to overwhelm our handful of cavalry. At this time the light brigade was formed up on the left on some hills which commanded a long valley about two miles, at the end of which the enemy retired. By some misunderstanding we were ordered to advance and charge their guns which they had formed up full in our fronts at the extreme end, and here took place a scene and act unparalleled in history. We had scarcely advanced a few yards before they opened on us with grape and shell. It was a perfect level, the ground only wide enough for the 17th and 13th to advance, the rest of the brigade following. To our astonishment they had batteries on each side of the hills which commanded the whole valley; consequently a dreadful crossfire was opened on us from both sides and in front but it was too late to do anything but advance, which we did in a style truly wonderful, every man feeling certain that we must be annihilated; still we continued on up to the very guns, charged them, took them, but there being no support we were obliged to retire almost cut up. Out of our regiment we assembled 10 men mounted and one or two officers. Our Colonel being sick and our Major gone home we were commanded by the senior Captain. Two captains were killed and one lieutenant. Poor Weston was killed and two other sergeant-majors taken prisoners. The others were either killed, taken prisoners or dismounted. Of course the remainder retired and here the firing was worse than ever for the infantry aimed at us as we passed. I escaped thank God without a scratch though my horse got shot through the head and in the hind quarters, and a lance was thrust through my shoe case. It was a most unwise and mad act. One thing, there is no blame attached to the Earl of Cardigan for he was ordered to do it and he did it most nobly. We rode up to the very mouth of the guns and since then the 17th and ourselves have scarcely been able to muster one squadron between us. The 4th Light Dragoons are nearly as bad. The Earl is very much cut up concerning it and points it out to the officers as the effects of charging batteries. There never was a more splendid Light Brigade before the battle, but now it is reduced almost to nothing. The daring of the thing astonished and frightened the enemy. The shattered Remains of the Light Brigade moved up here near Sebastopol shortly afterwards and have remained pretty quiet with the exception of the continued bombardment dinning in our ears from morning to night, until the morning of the 5th November when the Russians appeared in force and we had then a most glorious but awful day. They estimated the loss of the Russians at from 13,000 to 15,000. Our loss is very great. The Duke of Cambridge had his horse shot under him and Sir G Brown was wounded, General Lord Cathcart was killed and many colonels and other officers were either killed or dangerously wounded. The battle lasted 7 hours and the Grenadier Guards were nearly cut to pieces. We brigaded for the first time with the French cavalry but were not engaged this day although exposed to shot and shell. We lost some horses and a fine young fellow, an officer of the 17th Lancers, was killed- a shell burst in the midst of them, he was the only one hurt and he survived but a few hours afterwards. We only lost a few men. You will, I know, excuse this rambling scrawl as I have been disturbed fifty times whilst writing it, but I am sure it will be welcome. Many thanks for the newspapers, they are a source of gr...
The exceptional and rare Indian Mutiny and Red River 1870 campaign group of three awarded to Staff Sergeant Instructor John ‘Mac’ McNaughten, Hertfordshire Rifle Volunteers, late 60th Royal Rifles and ‘Meerut Elephant Corps’ Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (J. McNaughten, 1st Bn. 60th Rifles); Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Red River 1870 (3192 Sgt. J. McNaughton, 1/60 K.O.R.) officially engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3192 Serjt. J. McNaughten, 1-60th Foot.) the first with refixed suspension post, polished with edge bruising and contact marks, fine, otherwise very fine and better (3) £4,000-£5,000 --- An extremely rare combination of medals, one of only three such to the army. John 'Mac' McNaughten was born in Chelsea, London in June 1834 and enlisted in 1/60th Royal Rifles in September 1852, aged 18 years. Embarked for India in the following year, he was present at the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny at Meerut on 10 May 1857, when the regiment had the sorry task of recovering the butchered remains of the garrison's women and children. Regimental musters confirm that McNaughten was serving in either 'B' Company or 'G' Company at this time and, as such, he would have been allocated to the ‘Elephant Corps’ under Lieutenant Stanley Mortimer. With four riflemen to each elephant, and 50 men of the ‘Meerut Volunteer Horse’, Mortimer set off in pursuit of the rebel leader Sah Mull; the mutineers were put to flight in a hotly contested action at Bussowd on 29 July 1857. His services in Meerut's Elephant Corps happily concluded, McNaughten was ordered to Delhi in the following month. He arrived there in time for the storming of the city on 14 September 1857, when the Battalion's multiple-V.C.-winning ranks suffered 20% casualties (Medal and clasp). Following further service in the Oudh, McNaughten was advanced to Corporal in February 1859 and to Sergeant in August 1860. He returned to the U.K. at the year's end. He was next embarked for Canada, via Malta, in September 1867, where he participated in the Red River Expedition of 1870, serving in Captain Buller’s “C” Company (Medal and clasp). He returned to the U.K. in September 1873 and was discharged at Gosport in the same month. Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in May 1874, McNaughten was next appointed a Staff Sergeant-Instructor in the Hertfordshire Rifle Volunteers and he served in that capacity until December 1887. The 1901 Census reveals that he was employed as a Bailiff for a County Court and he died at Wear, Hertford in July 1907; above details courtesy of the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester.
The unique Red River 1879 and Afghanistan campaign group awarded to Major H. S. Marsham, 60th King’s Royal Rifle Corps Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Red River 1870 (Lt. H. S. Marsham. 1/60. K.O.R.); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (Captain. Hy. S. Marsham, 2/60th Foot) mounted for display purposes with an erased Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880, the second with light pitting from star, otherwise very fine, the first nearly extremely fine and very rare (3) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001, the first two only, the erased Kabul to Kandahar Star since added for display purposes. Only 28 medals issued to British officers with the ‘Red River 1870’ clasp. This clasp in combination with the medal for the Afghanistan campaign occurs only twice, without clasp to Ensign Riddell (pair in the Rifles Museum) and with two clasps to Captain Marsham. Henry Savill Marsham was born in Norfolk on 19 January 1847, eldest son of Henry P. Marsham of Rippon Hall, Hevingham. He was educated at Eton and joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in December 1865. He served as Adjutant with the 1st Battalion in the Red River Expedition in 1870 (Medal with Clasp); with the 2nd Battalion in the Afghan war from October 1878 to November 1880, took part in the advance on and occupation of Kandahar and Kelat-I-Ghilzie, and was present in the engagements at Ahmed Khel and Urzoo near Ghuznee; accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts in the march to Kandahar, and was present at the battle of Kandahar; and served in the Marri Expedition under Brigadier General MacGregor in October 1880 (mentioned in despatches London Gazette 3 December 1880, Medal with two Clasps, and Bronze Decoration). In January 1881, Marsham embarked with the battalion at Bombay for Natal, South Africa, for service against the Boers of the Transvaal in 1881. He was promoted to Major in December 1882, and retired from the Army in December 1888. He was subsequently a Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Norfolk, Lord of the Manor of Cats-cum-Cricketots, and patron of the livings of Stratton Strawless, Brampton, and Wramplingham. He was for forty years a magistrate, occupying for many years the chairmanship of the Aylsham Bench. He died, shortly after his 91st birthday, in April 1937. Sold with copied research including news cuttings describing ‘A Grand Old Man of Norfolk’ on the occasion of his 91st birthday, and three obituary notices.
Three: Petty Officer First Class T. Middleton, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, The Nile 1884-85 (T. Middleton. Boy. 1.Cl. H.M.S. “Monarch”.); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (T. Middleton, P.O. 1st. Cl., H.M.S. Conquest.); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, light pitting, otherwise very fine and better (3) £360-£440
Pair: Private G. Polhill, 4th Hussars Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (1769 Pte. G. Polhill, 4th Hussars); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued; together with City of Pretoria commemorative coronation medal 1911, bronze, with bronze and enamel top suspension, the first pitted, good fine or better, very rare (3) £300-£400 --- Only 6 medals with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir issued to the 4th Hussars.
Family group: Pair: Gunner J. H. Kingsbury, 14th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died at Le Treport from wounds received on the Western Front on 17 May 1918 British War and Victory Medals (169369 Gnr. H. Kingsbury. R.A.); Memorial Plaque (Joseph Henry Kingsbury) in card envelope, good very fine or better Pair: Private A. S. Kingsbury, 2nd/19th Battalion, London Regiment (St. Pancras), late 2nd/21st Battalion, London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles), who died of pneumonia in Cairo on 31 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (4727 Pte. A. S. Kingsbury. 21-Lond. R.) in named card box of issue and torn OHMS outer envelope; Memorial Plaque (Alfred Samuel Kingsbury), together with a King Edward VII 1903 School Attendance Medal with 1905 brooched clasp, base metal, awarded to A. S. Kingsbury; Y.M.C.A. Gospel of St. John booklet; a Wesleyan Methodist card envelope containing three small prayer and hymn booklets; and Record Office transmission letter for BWM and VM, medals and plaque extremely fine Four: Marine G. Kingsbury, Royal Marines 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Admiralty enclosure, in paper packets and card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr G. Kingsbury, 2A Henslowe Rd. East Dulwich. SE22.’, together with 2 heavily worn Royal Marines cap badges, extremely fine Pair: Private W. T. Townsend, Army Service Corps 1914-15 Star (M2-049888 Pte. W. T. Townsend. A.S.C.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (M2-049888 Pte. W. T. Townsend. A.S.C.) good very fine (lot) £200-£240 --- Joseph Henry Kingsbury was born in 1878 at Camberwell, London and resided at East Dulwich prior to attesting for the Royal Garrison Artillery at Peckham, Surrey. He served with the 444th and 14th Siege Batteries on the Western Front and died of wounds at No. 3 General Hospital, Le Treport on 17 May 1918. He was the son of John Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Kingsbury of 48 Crawthew Grove, Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, London and is buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. Alfred Samuel Kingsbury, younger brother of the above was born in 1894 at Camberwell, London. Together with his brother Charles, he attested for the 2nd/21st London Regiment (First Surrey Rifles) towards the end of 1915 and both brothers then served with them in Egypt from July 1916 as part of the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. Alfred later transferred to the 2nd/19th Battalion, London Regiment (”C” Company) but died of pneumonia in Cairo on 31 October 1918. He is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. George Kingsbury, son of Joseph Henry Kingsbury, was a native of East Dulwich, London and served during the Second World War with the Royal Marines in North Africa, Egypt and Crete. W. T. Townsend father-in-law of George Kingsbury, served with the Army Service Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 March 1915. He was discharged Class Z on 25 June 1919. Sold together with research into the wartime service of the Kingsbury family members and a substantial, good quality, well captioned Kingsbury family album of postcards and photographs, including many cards sent by the five Kingsbury brothers from France, Egypt and Salonika during the Great War.
Pair: Lieutenant J. H. C. East, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (Lieut.J. H. C. East, R.N. H.M.S. Myrmidon.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued, good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- James Henry Cunningham East was born in Kingstown, Co. Dublin in March 1858 and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in January 1871, aged 12 years. Advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in March 1877, he served aboard H.M.S. Warrior between May and August 1878, which famous ship may now be seen at Portsmouth, fully restored. East next joined the survey ship Alert, an appointment that lasted until September 1882. During that period the Alert, commanded by Captain G. S. Nares, the famous Arctic explorer, carried out an extensive survey in South American waters and in the South Pacific, details of which appear in British Oceanographic Vessels: ‘The Alert sailed from Plymouth in September 1878 via Madeira, St. Vincent, Montevideo and the Falkland Islands, reaching the Strait of Magellan on New Year’s Day 1879. Throughout 1879 and the first half of 1880 the Alert surveyed the coast of Patagonia, Nares being recalled and replaced by Captain J. L. P. Maclear, his second-in-command on the Challenger, in spring 1879. Leaving South America in June 1880, the Alert sailed via Tahiti and Fiji to Sydney, arriving in January 1881. After six months surveying off the eastern and northern coasts of Australia the ship sailed to Singapore for a refit where she was ordered to survey Amirante and neighbouring islands in the south-western Indian Ocean. These surveys were conducted between March and May 1882 and the Alert then returned to England via South Africa, St. Helena and the Azores, arriving at Plymouth in September.’ A full account of the expedition by the ship’s surgeon, R. W. Coppinger, was published in London in 1885, under the title Cruise of the Alert: Four Years in Patagonia, Polynesian and Mascarine Waters, 1878-82. Passing his examinations for 2nd Class Assistant Surveyor in September 1884, while serving in the Myrmidon, another survey vessel, East witnessed active service off the Sudan in the same ship, surveying in the Red Sea during the Egyptian campaign, especially in 1884, off Suakin, Port Berenice, Hanish Island and Zeila. It was noticed variously that ‘Eyes weak from survey in Red Sea’, ‘Eyesight will not bear a long continued strain of work’, and on 12 May 1885, he was invalided with ‘retinal paralysis’. Following various surveys and re-surveys [of his eyesight] until 28 November 1885, he was sent to Belleisle. He was in Thalia from November 1887 to March 1888, whither the Khedive’s Star was sent. East returned to Myrmidon as Senior Lieutenant from 1 April 1888 to 31 January 1889, whence he transferred to Rambler when the crew from one transferred to the other. From Rambler, he was ‘discharged dead’ on 24 January 1890, having died at Albany, Western Australia, on that date aged 31 years, the reason being given as ‘climatic fever’. He is probably buried in Albany. Sold with copied record of service.
Pair: Commissioned Boatman F. Morrell, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (F. Morrell, Sto. H.M.S. Briton.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (Fredk. Morrell, Comd. Btn., H.M. Coast Guard.) pitting to first, otherwise very fine and better (2) £140-£180 --- Frederick Morrell was born on 20 August 1862 in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and entered naval service on 16 January 1878. He served in H.M.S. Briton between April 1884 and July 1887, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1901.
Pair: Surgeon R. Lesly, Army Medical Department, who died of enteric near Suakin in May 1885 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (Surgeon R. Lesly, Med. Staff); Khedive’s Star 1884-86, unnamed as issued, edge bruise to first, otherwise good very fine or better (2) £400-£500 --- Robert Lesly was born Robert Sole at St. Neots, Huntingdonshire, in October 1855, and, given the rather unfortunate combination of initial and surname, subsequently changed his surname to Lesly, practicing medicine in London prior to entering the Army Medical Department as a Surgeon in February 1884. Family sources state that he was present in the abortive expeditions under General Sir Hubert Stewart and General Sir Charles Wilson. He may, too, have served at the base hospital at Suakin, and indeed aboard the hospital ships Bulumba and Ganges. More certain is the fact he died of enteric fever at Fatmeh, near Suakin, on 21 May 1885. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Surgeon M. O’C. Drury, Army Medical Department Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Surgn. M. O’C. Drury. Med: Staff.); Khedive’s Star 1884, unnamed as issued, the first cleaned, light contact marks, very fine (2) £280-£320 --- Maurice O’Connor Drury was commissioned Surgeon in the Army Medical Department on 31 July 1880 and served in the Sudan Campaign of 1885 (Medal with clasp, and Khedive’s Star), and then with the Burmese Expedition 1885-86 (Mentioned in Despatches, Medal with clasp).
Six: Private J. T. Monk, King’s Royal Rifle Corps India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, N.E. Frontier 1891 (5143 Pte. J. T. Monk. 4th. Bn. K.R. Rif. C.) surname officially corrected; India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (5143 Pte. J. T. Monk. 1st. Bn. K.R. Rifle Corps); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, unofficial rivets between fourth and fifth clasps (5143 Pte. J. T. Monk, K.R.R.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5143 Pte. J. Monk. K.R.R.C.); British War and Victory Medals (R-13988 Pte. J. T. Monck [sic]. K.R.R.C.) first four mounted as worn from a top silver riband bar, the last two loose; together with five London County Council School Attendance Medal, awarded to the recipient’s family, to ‘M. Monk’ for the years 1902, 1908, and 1910; to L. Monk for the year 1906; and to H. Monk for the year 1912, the first four in white metal, the last in bronze, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (11) £400-£500
A Great War 1918 Italian Theatre ‘Piave Operations’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private C. S. Gavin, Honourable Artillery Company, who was decorated for his gallantry at the capture of the Island of Papadopoli, 25-26 October 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (10754 Pte. C. S. Gavin. 1/H.A.C. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (10754 Pte. C. S. Gavin. H.A.C. - Inf.) together with a small Bronze medallion ‘Presented by the Italian government to all members of the 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company for the Crossing of the Piave, October 1918’, good very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1919 Crichton Strachan Gavin was born in 1884 at Gillingham, Dorset. A bank clerk by profession, he attested for the Honourable Artillery Company at Armoury House on 8 December 1915 and joined the Army Reserve. Mobilized to the H.A.C. Infantry on 27 April 1917, he was posted to the 1st Battalion on 17 July 1917 and to the 2nd Battalion with the British Expeditionary Force in France on 10 August 1917. Having been admitted to hospital with fever in October, he rejoined the 2nd Battalion, since moved to Italy, on 18 February 1918 and was awarded the Military Medal for his services with “A” Company during the capture of the Island of Papadopoli, or the ‘Grave di Papadopoli.’ The Capture of the Grave di Papadopoli In late October 1918, in order to facilitate a full scale assault on the east bank of the Piave River, Lord Cavan, O.C. 10th Army, set out to capture Papadopoli, a large island at the chosen crossing point. The History of the Seventh Division, 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson explains the difficulties faced: ‘This island, about three miles in length and over a mile wide at its broadest, was the largest of the many shoals and islands in the river bed, separated by channels sometimes fordable, sometimes quite deep, through which the stream ran extremely rapidly, as fast as eight miles an hour. What doubled the hazards of the crossing was the incessant and excessive rains had swollen the river into a high flood, submerging completely the tops of the shoals which usually gave some idea where the channels ran.’ The task of capturing the island was given to six companies of the 22nd Brigade of the 7th Division (three from the 2nd Battalion, H.A.C. and three from the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers) together with a half a machine gun company, all commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel O’Connor. The main assault battalion was to be the 2nd H.A.C. After some reconnoitring, the crossing began with A Company in the vanguard, as described by Canon E. C. Cross in ‘The Defeat of Austria’: ‘Shortly after eight o’clock the first two platoons of “A” Company 2nd H.A.C., under the charge of 2nd-Lt. S. E. L. Foster, started to cross the river. As the companies were bound to arrive somewhat disorganised on the far bank, these two platoons were instructed to push forward some 200 or 300 yards along the front trench immediately they landed in order to secure the crossing for the main party. Absolute silence was to be observed in this operation, and the bayonet alone was to be used to overcome resistance. The passage of the river was safely accomplished, except by two boats, which were swept down stream. The loss of these was serious, as it diminished by fourteen the number of the advance party. The remainder pressed on immediately they set foot on the island. Small posts of the enemy were soon encountered manning the trench. The resistance offered by these was not very formidable, and within fifteen minutes from the time the advance party landed, twelve Austrian prisoners were on their way to the beach, the remainder of the garrison having all been bayoneted. It was a good start and a fitting augury for the fighting which was to follow The island was defended by two main lines of trenches dug as deep as the soil would allow, which, in most cases, was three to four feet, with a plentiful supply of low hutches in the background, which formed the dug-outs for the garrison. The front line ran along the south-western extremity of the island, and the support line roughly across the centre. Numerous machine-gun positions and trench-mortar emplacements combined to make it a very strong defensive position, whilst in places there were quite formid- able belts of barbed wire,’ It was decided then that the 2nd H.A.C. should attack both lines of trenches simultaneously from the flank, with an attacking front of two companies. The role of the right attacking company was assigned to “A” Company (Captain E. B. Woollan, M.C.), who were to cross first. On the right “A” Company, now seriously reduced in numbers by casualties and the loss of the two boats at the beginning of the operations, moved along the main trench encountering occasional opposition from small posts which were either bayoneted or taken prisoners, till about 1 a.m. they judged that they had reached their final objective and halted, throwing out a covering party in front. Touch was shortly gained with a company of the 1st R.W.F., who in accordance with the scheme of operations ” mopped up ” in rear, whilst manning the trench as the H.A.C. advanced.’ The History of the Seventh Division, 1914-18 by C. T. Atkinson describes “A” Company’s pivotal role in the attack thus: ‘Starting with “A” Company on the right, ”D” on the left, and “C” with Battalion Headquarters following in second line, the H.A.C. swept rapidly forward. The Austrians were in force and in places fought stoutly enough, but the H.A.C. had them at a disadvantage through taking them in flank and within two hours “A” Company had established itself on its objective a little below Salettuol’ The operation which was successfully brought to a conclusion around 5am is put in perspective by Major G. Goold Walker D.S.O. in The Honourable Artillery Company in the Great War 1914-1919: ‘The capture of the island being now complete, it was justifiable to look back on the operation with considerable satisfaction. A position strongly defended both by nature and art had been captured by two night operations, which owed their success to the determination of all ranks to secure their final objectives at all costs, and the careful training they had received in the use of the Lewis-gun. No barrage had been available, owing to the fact that our artillery were ordered not to fire before the attack on the mainland. In addition to this, the troops on the island had been subjected to shell-fire for some sixty hours, and heavy rain before the second attack started. In all some 600 prisoners had been taken, and careful estimates of the number of enemy dead made it pretty certain that they were over 100. All this had been taken at the slight cost of about 120 casualties. In the 2nd H.A.C. one officer and sixteen other ranks were killed. The only similar operation in the previous annals of British military history was probably the celebrated passage of the St. Lawrence and the storming of the Heights of Abraham by Gen. Wolfe in front of Quebec, and though we would not for one moment attempt to decide which of the two tasks offered the more formidable difficulties, we are convinced that history will assign no insignificant part in the final chapter of this war to the capture of the island of Papadopoli on the two nights of October 23rd/24th and 25th/26th, 1918.’ The Times referred to the work of the 2nd Battalion in the battle as "a notable feat of arms," and as "perhaps the finest feat of many" by London Territorial soldiers. Private...
Five: Private T. Power, Royal Irish Fusiliers India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897 (3454 Pte. T. Power. 2nd. Bn. Ryl. Ir. Regt.) renamed; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (3454 Pte. T. Power. 2nd. Bn. Ryl. Ir. Regt.) renamed; 1914-15 Star (6-12964 Pte. T. Power, R. Ir. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (6-12964 Pte. T. Power. R. Ir. Fus.) the first two renamed, very fine (5) £100-£140 --- Thomas Power served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 12 July 1915.
Four: Stoker Petty Officer A. J. Benham, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (A. J. Benham, Lg. Sto. 1Cl., H.M.S. Beagle.); 1914-15 Star (149822, A. J. Benham, S.P.O., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (149822 A. J. Benham. S.P.O. R.M. [sic]); Victory Medal 1914-19 (149822 A. J. Benham. S.P.O. R.N.) suspension claw tightened on QSA, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £140-£180 --- Arthur James Benham was born in Petersfield, Hampshire, on 20 April 1870 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 27 June 1889. Advanced Leading Stoker First Class on 1 April 1901, he served in H.M.S. Beagle from 21 May 1901 to 30 July 1904, and was advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 1 July 1906. Shore pensioned on 23 June 1911, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day, but was recalled for War service, and served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments. He was finally released on 19 March 1919; he did not qualify for a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Three: Petty Officer First Class G. W. H. Tatler, Royal Navy and H.M. Coast Guard Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (G. W. Tatler. P.O. H.M.S. Monarch); British War Medal 1914-20 (162961 G. W. H. Tatler. P.O.1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (162961 G. W. H. Tatler. Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.) good very fine (3) £160-£200 --- George Walter Howard Tatler was born in Alverstone, Hampshire, on 17 June 1876 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 22 September 1891. He was advanced Petty Officer Second Class on 4 November 1899, and served in H.M.S. Monarch from this date. He transferred to H.M. Coast Guard on 1 April 1904, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 24 June 1909. Recalled for War Service, he served throughout the Great War in various shore based establishments, and was promoted Petty Officer First Class on 1 October 1918.
Four: Petty Officer First Class W. Phillips, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (W. Phillips, A.B., H.M.S. Partridge); 1914-15 Star (164794, W. Phillips, P.O.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (164794 W. Phillips. P.O. 1 R.N.) good very fine (4) £140-£180 --- Walter Phillips was born in Southwark, London, on 1 November 1876 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 13 January 1892. Advanced Able Seaman on 21 May 1896, he served in H.M.S. Partridge from 4 May 1899 to 12 May 1902, and was advanced Petty Officer First Class on 17 February 1910. He served during the Great War predominantly in H.M.S. Lord Nelson, and was shore discharged from H.M.S. Boadicea on 2 May 1919. He did not qualify for a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Pair: Stoker First Class F. Cooper, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (286005 Sto: F. Cooper, H.M.S. Terrible.); China 1900, 1 clasp, Relief of Pekin (F. Cooper, Sto., H.M.S. Terrible.) contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £400-£500 --- Frank Cooper was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, on 7 May 1876 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 18 September 1897. He entered H.M.S. Terrible on 11 November 1898, and served in her until 28 October 1902, being promoted Stoker on 1 April 1899. He went on to witness active service with H.M.S. Terrible in the Boer War and Boxer Rebellion, being landed in Natal and in China for the Relief of Pekin operations. He was advanced Stoker First Class on 1 July 1906, and was shore invalided on 5 August 1909.
Pair: Gunner H. Birks, “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (56221 Gnr: H. Birks, Q, B, R.H.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (56221 Gnr: H. Birks. R.F.A.) light contact marks, very fine (2) £300-£360 --- Henry Birks was born at Newport, Shropshire, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Walsall on 13 August 1886, aged 19 years 1 month, a fitter by trade. He served in South Africa from 24 October 1899 to 28 October 1901, and is shown on the roll of “Q” Battery R.H.A. for his medal and first five clasps, and on the roll of “M”Battery R.H.A. for the South Africa 1901 clasp. He was granted the L.S. & G.C. medal on 20 November 1905, and was discharged at Sheffield on 28 July 1906. Sold with copied discharge papers and medal roll extracts confirming both medals and clasps.
Five: Acting Corporal W. Curran, Royal Dublin Fusiliers Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; 1914 Star, with clasp, these three all renamed (7122 Pte. W. Curran. R.D. Fus); British War and Victory Medals (7122 A. Cpl. W. Curran. R.D. Fus.) note first three medals renamed, mounted as worn, nearly very fine (5) £80-£100
Pair: Chief Petty Officer H. W. Hawksbee, Royal Navy China 1900, no clasp (H. W. Hawksbee. P.O. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Wallaroo.) rate officially corrected; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (149600 H. W. Hawksbee, P.O. 1 Cl, H.M.S. Egmont.) polished and lacquered, good very fine (2) £180-£220 --- William Henry Hawksbee was born in Shoreditch, London, on 26 August 1873 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 3 June 1889. Advanced Petty Officer Second Class on 1 April 1898, he served in H.M.S. Wallaroo from 16 February 1900, and was advanced Petty Officer First Class on 20 April 1901. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 23 January 1911, and was promoted Chief Petty Officer on 1 October 1912. He was shore pensioned on 26 August 1913, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth the following day. Recalled for War service on 2 August 1914, Hawksbee served in various shore based establishments, and was demobilised on 18 April 1919.
Three: Trooper W. Hawkins, 2nd Life Guards, who was killed in action during the Household Cavalry’s stand at Zandvoorde Ridge, during the First Battle of Ypres, 29-30 October 1914 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (2843 Tpr. W. Hawkins. 2/Life Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2843 Tpr. W. Hawkins. 2-L. Gds.) good very fine (3) £260-£300 --- William Hawkins was born in 1883 at Fittleworth, Sussex and attested for the 2nd Life Guards at Petworth in June 1912. At the outbreak of war the regiment was stationed at Regent’s Park and, not being part of the Squadron provided for the Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry which entered France on 16 August 1914, served with the Regiment itself (B Squadron), entering France on 9 October and forming part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. He would have been present at the Battle of Langemarck, 21-24 October 1914 and he was recorded for official purposes to have been killed in action on or since 29 October 1914 during the action at Zandvoorde which concluded with the loss of Lord Worsley’s Machine-Gun Section in a famous bloody last stand with the Royal Horse Guards on 30 October. A note in the recipient’s service file provides the following further information, ‘Went out to France in the early part of October 1914, reported wounded and prisoner of war but could never be traced. After two years reported missing presumed to have been killed on 30 October 1914.’ Bombardment and onslaught at Zandvoorde ‘Kavanagh’s 7th Cavalry Brigade was at the very centre of a most determined attack, supported by some 250 guns, delivered by the first of the new German Reserve divisions. These consisted in large part of ‘the flower of the youth of Germany, middle- and upper class students’, under military-age volunteers, hardly trained but burning with patriotism. Their assault fell chiefly upon the Household Cavalry’s elementary trench lines at Zandvoorde. The artillery barrage dropped on these and on the zone immediately behind them from 6.45 till 8 a.m. It and the following onslaught were so ferocious and concentrated that two squadrons and a machine-gun section suffered almost total extinction. Ernest Hook, a surviving Lifeguardsman, recalled that there was ‘no protection from the shelling as our trenches were on the forward slope and in full view of the enemy and although our gunners put up a great show, they were no match for Jerry’s heavy stuff. We could see their infantry in great masses about 1,000 yards away. Just about then I was hit by a shell that nearly took my left arm off and my officer sent me to the rear. It was the end of the war for me.’ (A History of the British Cavalry 1816-19 volume 7 by the Marquess of Anglesey refers) William Hawkins was the son of Annie Hawkins of 120 Upper St., Fittleworth, Sussex and the late William Hawkins and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He is also named on the Household Cavalry Monument at Zanvoorde.
Three: Acting Captain H. G. Hodder, Reserve Signal Company, Royal Engineers, a motorcyclist despatch rider who was awarded the D.C.M. for conspicuous gallantry at Langemarck and Veldhoek in October 1914 - acts of heroism which were described and illustrated in Deeds that Thrill the Empire 1914 Star, with clasp (28066 Cpl. H. G. Hodder. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. G. Hodder.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry at Langemarck, 23rd-25th October, in voluntarily taking messages with great coolness under heavy rifle and shell fire, and again at Veldhoek, when he acted with similar gallantry under fire and was there wounded.’ Harold George Hodder was born in 1893 at Lowestoft, Suffolk and was a resident of Carlisle Road, Cambridge prior to the Great War. He served during that conflict on the Western Front with the Motorcyclist Section of the Royal Engineers from 17 August 1914. In 1914, the Cambridge Independent Press published a number of articles from Corporal Hodder, as well as letters received from him by his father and Cambridge friends, giving his impressions of the war. Subsequently, whilst recovering from his wounds following the award of his D.C.M., he was interviewed by the same newspaper and details of how he came to be awarded the D.C.M. were published on 22 January 1915. The following matching account with two illustrations can also be found in Deeds that Thrill the Empire: ‘On the night of October 22nd-23rd, 1914, the 1st Division, which had just arrived from the Aisne, was advancing from Poperinghe towards Langemarck. In the morning, near Boesinghe, the 3rd Brigade, on its left front, was fiercely attacked by the Germans, consisting almost entirely of new levies with scarcely two months’ training, who, though mown down by our fire, came on again and again with almost incredible courage and resolution. Though partly driven out of Langemarck, around which some fifteen hundred of their dead were afterwards counted, the enemy held on to a number of houses and several windmills, and they also held a curving line beyond the village, from which they were able to direct a heavy artillery and rifle-fire upon the road leading from Boesinghe. The work of carrying messages along this road was therefore one of the greatest possible danger. Nevertheless, volunteers were not wanting, and a young motorcyclist, Corporal H. G. Hodder, of the Reserve Signal Company, Royal Engineers, who was attached to the 3rd Brigade, particularly distinguished himself, by successfully conveying more than one message through the hottest fire. After driving the Germans back, the 1st Division had proceeded to entrench themselves, but in the evening of the 24th they were relieved by French Territorials and concentrated about Zillebeke, the 3rd Brigade alone remaining in their trenches until two French battalions should arrive to relieve them. As the latter failed to put in an appearance, Corporal Hodder was sent to investigate, and discovered them halted on a road some distance to the rear. When asked why they did not advance, they replied that they did not know where they were, and, as they had been fired upon, they believed that they had got between the British trenches and the German. Hodder tried to relieve their minds on this score and to persuade them to advance; but, his French not being equal to the occasion, he went back and fetched the Brigade-Major. That officer’s knowledge of the language happened to be but little better than his own, and some time elapsed before the Frenchmen got on the move. At last the order to march was given, but they had not proceeded very far when heavy firing began, and the artillery on either side chiming in, a furious fusillade was soon in progress, which continued the greater part of the night. During all this time Hodder was riding to and fro, endeavouring to get our gallant allies up to the trenches. It was a pitch-dark night, and on one journey he ran full tilt into a French gun-limber, the shaft of which, catching him on the shoulder, sent him flying off his machine. Happily, he was not hurt, and he continued riding about, picking up one company here and another there, and guiding them to the trenches, until at last the 3rd Brigade was relieved. The work he accomplished that night was of the highest importance, for if the Brigade had not been able to leave their trenches before daylight, they would have been obliged to remain there until the following night, although they were urgently required elsewhere. On the morning of October 31st - the most critical day in the whole of the first Battle of Ypres - the 3rd Brigade were entrenched in front of Veldhoek, to the west of Gheluvelt. At 4am Hodder was despatched with an important message from Divisional Headquarters to Brigade Headquarters. On reaching Gheluvelt, he left his motorcycle there and made the rest of the journey on foot across country. Having delivered his message, he was told to wait as the Brigade were expected to be heavily attacked. He therefore ensconced himself in a dugout, very glad of the chance to snatch an hour or two’s sleep, as he had been continuing on duty for forty-eight hours. About 7am he was aroused and given a message to take back. He set out towards Gheluvelt but soon found himself under a heavy shell-fire, and learned that he could not get to the village, as the troops holding it had been driven back, and it was in possession of the enemy. He was therefore forced to abandon all hope of reaching his motorcycle and had to make his way across country to Divisional Headquarters, where he delivered his message. He was given another to take back to Brigade Headquarters, but, as the road from Gheluvelt was being fiercely shelled, he was obliged to return the way he had come. He found the Brigade under very heavy shell-fire, and the staff on the point of vacating their Headquarters. He was entrusted with another message to Divisional Headquarters and sprinted from one house to another until he was nearly out of the danger-zone. He had just emerged from the cover of one of the houses, when several shells burst overhead, and he was wounded in the left foot by a shrapnel bullet and two fragments of shell-case. Although in great pain, the brave corporal managed to limp to his destination with his message, and was taken in a motor car to the nearest field ambulance to have his wounds dressed. Scarcely had he left Divisional Headquarters, when the house was fiercely shelled, three Staff officers of the 1st Division being killed and General Lomax, its commanding officer, wounded. For his gallantry and excellent work at Langemarck and Veldhoek, Corporal Hodder was awared the Distinguished Conduct Medal. His home is at Cambridge, where he is well known and very popular.’ Discharged to a commission in the Royal Engineers on 30 March 1915, he was promoted Temporary Lieutenant on 20 May 1916 and Acting Captain on 24 May 1918, relinquishing that rank and reverting to Temporary Lieutenant on 25 September 1918. On 2 January 1940, Lieutenant Hodder relinquished his commissioned rank to enlist into the ranks of the Army. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps on 31 July 1940 and resigned his commission on 9 January 1942.
Four: Commander W. J. Bright-Barton, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. J. B. Barton. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. W. J. B. Barton. R.N.); Egypt, Kingdom, Order of the Nile, 4th Class breast badge by Lattes, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Order of the Nile, 4th Class, London Gazette 15 June 1920. Walter Jeremy Bright-Barton was born in Preston, Lancashire, on 20 June 1888. He was appointed Midshipman on 30 January 1905; Sub Lieutenant, 30 March 1908; Lieutenant, 30 March 1910, and, in March 1912, joined his first surveying unit Daisy, tender to Hearty, as an Assistant Surveyor 4th Class (H4). On 1 January 1914, he advanced to H3, and in the same month gained a Board of Trade certificate as Master. On 6 March 1914, he transferred to Mutine (a surveying sloop), but in August 1914 was appointed to Suffolk (addl. for surveying at Bermuda) and in September 1914 to London in the Grand Fleet and later in the Mediterranean but not, seemingly, in a surveying role. In May 1916 he went to Hearty until October 1916, having advanced to H2 on 1 August, and then spent 11 months in Powerful before joining Grafton, a cruiser, on 17 September 1917 ‘for staff of Rear-Admiral’ for surveying duties until June 1919, where he succeeded Haselfoot as the producer of local surveys, charts and Notices to Mariners. This ship was the flagship of Rear-Admiral, Egypt, with staff ashore in Ismalia from May 1918. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 30 March 1918. In January 1919, Rear-Admiral Jackson wrote that he had ‘done very useful work in Egypt and maintained ex[cellent] relations with the Egyptian civil servants.’ From June 1919 to 1929, he was a Naval Assistant in the Hydrographic Department as the Jacketting Officer, and was placed on the Retired List at his own request with rank of Commander on 4 August 1931. On 1 January 1940 he was appointed inside Admiralty with Hydrographer but in what role is not recorded. Released on 31 December 1945, he reverted to the Retired List and died on 5 May 1946. Sold with copied record of service.
Family Group: Three: Boatswain T. G. Brockway, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (233233, T. G. Brockway, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Bosn T. C. [sic] Brockway. R.N.) good very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (87943 G. J. Brockway. P.O. R.N.) good very fine (4) £60-£80 --- Thomas George Brockway was born in Portsmouth on 17 May 1889 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy First Class on 17 January 1905. He served during the Great War as a Petty Officer in H.M.S. Superb, and was commissioned Boatswain on 23 February 1918.
Four: Chief Electrical Artificer First Class, C. P. Jermyn, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Orion at the Battle of Jutland 1914-15 Star (M.471, C. P. Jermyn, E.A. 2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.471 C. P. Jermyn. C.E.A. 2. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.471 C. P. Jermyn. C.E.A. 1. H.M.S. Centaur.), contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Charles Prout Jermyn was born on 17 September 1885, at Devonport, and commenced naval service as an Acting Electrical Artificer Fourth Class in H.M.S. Defiance on 8 July 1908. He was advanced to Electrical Artificer Third Class, H.M.S. Indefatigable, on 8 July 1911, and Electrical Artificer Second Class, H.M.S. Orion, on 8 July 1915, being present in Orion at the Battle of Jutland. Advanced Chief Electrical Artificer First Class in H.M.S. Centaur on 1 April 1923, he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1923. He was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Osprey on 7 July 1930, but was recalled for service in H.M.S. Drake II, on 24 November 1939, and served until being shore invalided on 29 September 1941.
Four: Chief Electrical Artificer A. J. Pearson, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Kent at the Battle of the Falkland Islands in December 1914 1914-15 Star (M.7228. A. J. Pearson, E.A.4., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.7228 A. J. Pearson. E.A. 3 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.7228 A. J. Pearson C.E.A. 2. H.M.S. Nelson), contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Arthur John Pearson was born on 4 December 1892, at Tottenham, Middlesex, and commenced naval service as n Acting Electrical Artificer, H.M.S. Vernon on 24 February 1914. He was posted to H.M.S. Kent in October 1914, just prior to the Battle of the Falkland Islands, when H.M.S. Kent sunk the German Cruiser Nurnberg, and later pursued the Dresden, which was scuttled. He was advanced to Electrical Artificer First Class, H.M.S. Vernon on 14 February 1926, and Chief Electrical Artificer Second Class, H.M.S. Nelson, in August 1927. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1929, and was discharged to pension as Chief Electrical Artificer First Class from H.M.S. Vernon in February 1936. He was recalled for service in October 1939, to H.M.S. Victory II, and was released in August 1945, having seen further service in H.M.S. Vernon and H.M.S. Lochinvar.
Four: Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class C. C. Grimwood, Submarine Service, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (M.8689, C. G. [sic] Grimwood. A.E.R.A.4., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.8689 C. C. Grimwood. E.R.A.3 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M.8689 C. C. Grimwood. E.R.A.3. H.M.S. Titania) minor official correction to last, very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- Charles Cornish Grimwood was born on 9 June 1892 at Colchester, Essex, and was by trade a Fitter. He commenced his naval service on 27 August 1914 in H.M.S. Pembroke II. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Hindustan and H.M.S. Blonde, amongst others. He transferred to H.M.S. Dolphin in January 1924, for service in submarines, and is noted as serving in H.M. Submarines, L25, L54, and L71. He was advanced to C.E.R.A. 1, on 22 July 1936, still borne on the books of H.M.S. Dolphin. He was pensioned in September 1936, but was recalled for war service in September 1939. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1934, and was paid a war gratuity for service in H.M.S. Badger.
Four: Chief Engine Room Artificer H. B. Woodthorpe, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (M.5883, H. B. Woodthorpe, E.R.A.4. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.5883 H. B. Woodthorpe. E.R.A.3. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.5883 H. B. Woodthorpe C.E.R.A. 2 H.M.S. Erebus.) polished, contact marks and edge bruising, therefore good fine, the LS&GC better (4) £100-£140 --- Harry Barber Woodthorpe was born on 15 March 1892, at Newton Abbot, Devon, and commenced naval service on 27 March 1913, as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class in H.M.S. Vivid II. He spent most of his service in the Great War in H.M.S. Adventure, and was advanced to Engine Room Artificer First Class in H.M.S. Constance on 27 March 1925, and Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class in H.M.S. Vivid II on 1 February 1926. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1928, and was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Calypso on 25 March 1935. He was recalled for service to H.M.S. Drake II, in September 1939, and was promoted to Chief Engine Room Artificer, H.M.S. Vansittart, on 11 April 1940, which vessel participated in the Battle of Narvik. He was released from service in August 1945.
Four: Chief Petty Officer W. J. Kiver, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (125737, W. J. Kiver, C.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (125737, W. J. Kiver. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (125737. W. J. Kiver, C.P.O. H.M.S. Crescent.) minor official corrections to last, otherwise very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Walter John Kiver was born on 23 August 1868, at Wimborne, Dorset, and commenced naval service as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Boscawen, on 10 January 1884. He served in H.M.S. Helicon from 23 July 1885 to 10 December 1885, and was advanced to Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Vivid I, on 22 October 1894, Petty Officer Second Class on 26 October 1895, and Petty Officer First Class on 16 April 1897. He was promoted Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. Suffolk, on 1 October 1908, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in 1911. During the Great War he served in several ships including, H.M.S. Argonaut, H.M.S. King Alfred, H.M.S. Defiance, H.M.S. Columbine, and H.M.S. Crescent. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1917, and was demobilised in March 1919.
Four: Chief Petty Officer V. J. Port, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Kent during the Battle of the Falkland Islands, and later joined the submarine service 1914-15 Star (J.26701, V. J. Port, Boy. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.26701 V. J. Port. A.B. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (J.26701 V. J. Port. P.O. H.M.S. Dolphin.) the first three polished, with edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine, the LS&GC better (4) £100-£140 --- Victor James Port was born on 8 June 1898, at East Greenwich, Kent, and commenced naval service as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges on 21 August 1913. He served in H.M.S. Kent from about November 1914, and was present during the Battle of the Falkland Islands and in the subsequent pursuit and scuttling of the Dresden. He was appointed to H.M.S. Dolphin for service in submarines in June 1926, and is noted as serving in H 33, L 22 and L 23, up to November 1931. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1931, serving in H.M.S. Cyclops (L 23), and was pensioned from H.M.S. Pembroke I on 10 June 1938. He was recalled for service as pensioned Chief Petty Officer, on 6 September 1939, serving in H.M.S. Royal Arthur and H.M.S. Glendower, and was released from service in H.M.S. Badger, in September 1945.
Four: Chief Petty Officer A. Rogers, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Neptune at the Battle of Jutland 1914-15 Star (163814, A. Rogers, P.O.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (163814 A. Rogers. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (163814 Alfred Rogers. P.O.1 Cl. H.M.S. Calypso) very fine (4) £120-£160 --- Alfred Rogers was born on 20 July 1876 at Stoke Damerel, Devon. He commenced naval service as Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable, on 10 November 1891. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Aurora, in May 1899, and Able Seaman, H.M.S. Pique, in December 1904. He became Petty Officer First Class in H.M.S. Phoebe, in May 1904, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in August 1909. During the Great War he served in the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Neptune at the battle of Jutland and was advanced to Chief Petty Officer in November 1917. He was demobilised in 1919 and joined the New Coastguard Force.
Four: Chief Stoker G. Wright, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.3708, G. Wright, Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.3708 G. Wright S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.3708 G. Wright. S.P.O. H.M.S. Iron Duke.), contact marks, very fine (4) £100-£140 --- George Wright was born on 26 September 1886, at Great Duffield, Yorkshire, and commenced naval service on 26 July 1901, as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Nelson. He was advanced to Stoker First Class, H.M.S. Exmouth on 24 November 1910, Leading Stoker, H.M.S. Hecla (Owl), on 1 June 1916, and Stoker Petty Officer, H.M.S. Greenwich, for service in the M Class destroyer H.M.S. Patriot, on 8 August 1917. He was appointed Chief Stoker, H.M.S. Victory II, on 11 October 1926, and was shore pensioned in September 1931. He was briefly recalled in August 1939, but was discharged in that October, his services not being required.
Four: Petty Officer First Class A. H. Lambert, Royal Navy, who saw service in H.M. Submarines C3 and J3 during the Great War 1914-15 Star (176152, A. H. Lambeth, P.O. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (176152 A. H. Lambeth. P.O. 1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (176152 A. H. Lambeth. P.O. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Thames.) very fine (4) £120-£160 --- Albert Henry Lambeth was born on 3 May 1877, at Ipswich, Suffolk. He commenced naval service on 24 September 1893, as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable. He was advanced to Able Seaman, H.M.S. Monarch in April 1897, Petty Officer Second Class, H.M.S. Pembroke I, on 11 September 1903, and Petty Officer First Class, H.M.S. Sutlej, in May 1906. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in May 1910. During the Great War he was posted to the submarine depot ship, H.M.S. Thames, for service in H.M. Submarine C3; H.M.S. Maidstone, H.M.S. Dolphin, and H.M.S. Titania for service in H.M. Submarine J3, until posted to H.M.S. Fearless and H.M.S. Sandhurst from 1917. He was demobilised in February 1919.
Six: Petty Officer G. H. Jeffery, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (224911, G. H. Jeffery. L.S., R.N.; British War and Victory Medals (224911 G. H. Jeffery. P.O. R.N.); Defence Medal; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (George Herbert Jeffreys.); Voluntary Medical Service Medal, silver (George Herbert Jeffreys) note spelling of surname on last two, good very fine (6) £140-£180 --- Together with Silver War Badge (RN 40883); B.R.C.S. enamelled medal for 3 Years Service, with two ‘3 Years Service’ bars, reverse numbered 16976; B.R.C.S. enamelled cross for Proficiency in First Aid, with additional bars for 1943 and 1944 (05613 G. H. Jeffreys); and St John Ambulance Brigade re-examination medal (275929 George H. Jeffreys) with 9 dated bars from 1929 to 1937 these all numbered on the reverse ‘27592’. George Herbert Jeffery/Jeffreys was born at Kingsland, London, on 19 December 1886, and joined the Navy in January 1903. He became a Seaman Gunner on 26 October 1906, and retained this until rated Petty Officer in 1916. He joined Royal Oak a few weeks before she took part in the battle of Jutland. He was invalided out of the service on 23 June 1919, as a result of ‘compound hypermetropia astigmatism.’ Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Four: Stoker Petty Officer T. W. Franklin, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Blanche at the Battle of Jutland 1914-15 Star (K.21362 T. W. Franklin, Sto.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.21362 T. W. Franklin. Act. L. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.21362 T. W. Franklin. L.Sto. H.M.S. Waterhen) the first three very heavily polished, therefore fair to fine, the LS&GC better (4) £100-£140 --- Thomas William Franklin was born on 30 January 1895, at Canterbury, Kent. He commenced naval service as Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Pembroke II, on 10 November 1913 and served during the Great War in the Blonde Class scout cruiser, H.M.S. Blanche, in which ship he was present at the Battle of Jutland. He was advanced to Leading Stoker in January 1919, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1928. He was advanced to Acting Stoker Petty Officer, H.M.S. Hawkins, on 15 March 1931, and Stoker Petty Officer, H.M.S. Kent on 15 March 1932. He was shore pensioned in November 1935, but was recalled for war service in 1939, and was finally released from service in August 1945.
Four: Stoker Petty Officer P. W. Luscombe, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.21478, P. W. Luscombe, Sto.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.21478 P. W. Luscombe. Sto. 1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.21478 P. W. Luscombe S.P.O. H.M.S. Keppel.) heavily polished, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore fair to fine, the LS&GC better (4) £100-£140 --- Philip William Luscombe was born on 17 September 1895, at Brent, Devon. He commenced naval service on 1 December 1913, as a Stoker Second Class in Vivid II, and was advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Cumberland, on 1 December 1914, and to Acting Leading Stoker, H.M.S. Dauntless, on 8 June 1921. He was appointed Stoker Petty Officer, H.M.S. Hood, on 30 April 1927, was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in January 1929, and was discharged to pension in November 1935. He was recalled for service in June 1939, and was released from service in August 1945, having seen service in anti submarine patrol vessels in the Second World War.
Four: Blacksmith First Class G. G. Seick, Royal Navy, who served as a naval diving instructor 1914-15 Star (M.14662 G. G. Seick. Blk. Mte. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.14662 G. G. Seick. Blk. 1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.14662 G. G. Seick. Blk.1. H.M.S. Cyclops.), naming on VM very faintly impressed, edge bruising and light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Godfrey Gerhardt Seick was born on 22 February 1895, at Brixton, London, and commenced naval service as Blacksmiths Mate in H.M.S. Vengeance on 4 February 1913. He qualified as a naval diver in September 1915, and was advanced to Blacksmith First Class, H.M.S. Pembroke II on 1 October 1918. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in April 1928. He qualified as a naval diving instructor on 28 October 1933, and was discharged to shore pension in February 1935, from H.M.S. Pembroke II.
Four: Shipwright First Class J. C. Sheldon, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (M.5388, J. C. Sheldon, Car. Cr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.5388 J. C. Sheldon, Shpt. 4. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.5388 J. C. Sheldon. Shpt. 2. H.M.S. Centurion.) contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Joseph Charles Sheldon was born on 25 September 1893, at Eastleigh, Hampshire, and commenced naval service as Carpenters Crewman, H.M.S. Victory on 2 December 1912. He was advanced to Leading Carpenters Crewman, H.M.S. Cochrane on 1 March 1916, and Shipwright Fourth Class on 1 October 1918. He was later advanced to Shipwright Third Class, H.M.S. Lowestoft, on 7 May 1920, and Shipwright Second Class, H.M.S. Victory XI (Leamington) on 7 May 1924. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in January 1928, and was finally promoted Shipwright First Class, H.M.S. Centurion, on 1 May 1929. His service record notes that at some point he was posted for service in Land Operations, and that he had a bayonet scar to his left calf. He was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Excellent on 3 December 1934.
Four: Stoker First Class W. S. Rittey, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.13169, W. S. Rittey, Sto., 1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.13169 W. S. Rittey, Sto. 1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension, (K.13169 W. S. Rittey, Sto. 1 H.M.S. Champion), mounted as worn, polished, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- William Stevens Rittey was born on 11 October 1893 at Portsmouth, Hampshire. He commenced naval service on 10 November 1911, as Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Victory II, and was advanced to Stoker First Class, H.M.S. Revenge in February 1913. During the Great War he served in the Acasta Class Destroyer H.M.S. Paragon, and H.M.S. Sabre. He was awarded a war gratuity for service in H.M.S. Diligence (Searcher), and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in 1926. He entered the Merchant Navy for a period commencing in 1935, but is noted as rejoining the Royal Navy in November 1935 as a pensioned Stoker First Class. He died at Portsmouth in 1963.
Four: Stoker First Class W. C. Teague, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.27115 W. C. Teague. Sto. 2 R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K. 27115 W. C. Teague. Sto. 1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.27115 W. C. Teague. Sto 1 H.M.S. Vivid.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- William Charles Teague was born on 20 June 1897, at Paignton, Devon, and commenced naval service on 24 June 1915, as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Vivid II. He was advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Ajax, on 24 June 1916, and during the Great War he also served in H.M.S. Idaho, H.M.S. Victory X, and H.M.S. Vivid II for service in patrol sloop P35. He was paid a war gratuity when serving in H.M.S. New Zealand, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in July 1930. He was loaned to the Royal New Zealand Navy for three years in 1933 and was shore pensioned in June 1937. He was recalled for service in June 1939, to H.M.S. Pembroke II, for service in H.M.S. Hussar, and was released from service in September 1945.
Family Group: Three: Able Seaman A. Hands, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when the cruiser H.M.S. Cressy was torpedoed and sunk, along with her sister ships Aboukir and Hogue, in the North Sea by the German submarine U-9 on 22 September 1914, with the loss of 1,459 lives 1914-15 Star (126838, A. Hands, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (126838 A. Hands. A.B. R.N.), nearly extremely fine Pair: Private A. Hands, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (M2-148814 Pte. A. Hands. A.S.C.) nearly extremely fine (5) £280-£320 --- Arthur Hands was born in Birmingham on 19 May 1868 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 25 March 1884. Advanced Able Seaman on 1 July 1889, he was shore invalided on 8 August 1890 and joined the Chatham Division of the Royal Fleet Reserve on 1 August 1903. He was recalled for War service on 2 August 1914, and served during the Great War with the cruiser H.M.S. Cressy. He was killed in action when the Cressy, along with her sister ships Aboukir and Hogue, part of the 7th Cruiser Squadron engaged in blockade and patrol duties, were all torpedoed and sunk in the North Sea by the German submarine U-9 on 22 September 1914. The Aboukir was the first to be hit, at 06:20; her captain thought that she had struck a mine and ordered the other two ships to close in order to transfer his wounded men. The Aboukir quickly began listing and capsized, sinking at 06:50. Having approached, stopped, and lowered her boats, Hogue was struck by two torpedoes at 06:55 as she was attempting to rescue the survivors. She capsized and sank within twenty minutes. Cressy meanwhile attempted to ram the submarine, but did not hit anything and resumed her rescue efforts until she too was torpedoed at 07:20. She too took on a heavy list and then capsized before sinking at 07:55. Total losses from the three ships were 62 officers and 1,397 men killed. Hands was amongst those killed, and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His son, also named Arthur Hands, served with the Army Service Corps during the Great War, and was discharged on 2 June 1917, being awarded a Silver War Badge.
Three: Private H. Sandbrook, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, a Boer War veteran who was killed in action at Kruiseecke, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 29 October 1914 1914 Star (8179 Pte. H. Sandbrook. C. Gds.) lacquered; British War and Victory Medals (8179 Pte. H. Sandbrook. C. Gds.); Memorial Plaque (Henry Sandbrook) good very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Henry Sandbrook was born in August 1872 at Small Heath, Birmingham, Warwickshire and attested there for the Coldstream Guards in August 1890. He transferred to the Army Reserve in August 1893 but was mobilized on 9 October 1899 and served in South Africa for the entirety of the Boer War, 22 October 1899 until 21 July 1902, receiving the Queen’s Medal with 5 clasps and King’s Medal with 2 clasps. He was discharged again at the completion of his term of engagement on 26 August 1902. Following the outbreak of the Great War Sandbrook served with the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards on the Western Front from 7 October 1914 and was recorded missing presumed dead following a period of enemy attacks in overwhelming force at Kruiseecke on 29 October which reduced the battalion to just 1 officer and 60 other ranks: ‘Punctually at 5.30 a.m. on the morning of Thursday the 29th October in foggy weather the 6th Bavarian Reserve Division, covered by a screen of skirmishers, got up to within fifty yards of our defences without being seen, and made a rush upon the trenches of the right half of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards as well as upon the company of the Black Watch posted at the cross roads. Our troops were well on the alert and at once opened fire on the assailants, causing a slight pause in the attack ; but the momentum of the advance prevailed and carried the Germans forward without any serious check. The struggle at that point lasted for a short time only, and as no Officer survived it the exact details of what actually occurred are not fully known. It is, however, known that at least two of our machine guns jammed, and that a considerable proportion of the ammunition was defective, the cartridges were too large for the barrel of the rifles, and many of the men could not use their arms ; this circumstance was in fact largely responsible for the disaster of that day... The left half of the Battalion, at some distance from the Menin road, were also attacked at the same time by units of the XXVIIth Reserve Corps, but three resolute attempts to seize our position by assault were successfully repulsed... But our ranks were thinning fast and those who survived were in deep and narrow trenches where they could not use their bayonets. Thus reduced to a small number and surrounded on all sides they were finally overwhelmed... The 1st Battalion Coldstream lost all their eleven Officers present, and at the end of the day only some 60 other ranks were collected by Lieutenant and Quartermaster J. Boyd, the sole remaining Officer of the Battalion.’ (The Coldstream Guards. Vol I. 1914-18 by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir John Ross-of-Bladensburg, K.C.B., K.C.V.O. refers) Private Sandbrook was the husband of Florence Bessie Sandbrook of 124 St. John’s Hill, Clapham Junction, London and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Three: Lieutenant H. A. Colquhoun, 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, attached Royal Naval Air Service 1914-15 Star (Lieut: H. A. Colquhoun. 16/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. A. Colquhoun.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Humphrey Alexander Colquhoun was born on 17 December 1894 and attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Valcartier on 24 September 1914. He served with the 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 April 1915, being slightly gassed within his first week on the Front, and was later seconded to the Royal Naval Air Service on 11 December 1915. He was discharged, medically unfit, on 23 July 1919.
Pair: Stoker First Class J. Darling, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Queen Mary was sunk during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 British War and Victory Medals (K.27653 J. Darling. Sto.1 R.N.) good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- John Darling was born in Durham on 4 June 1888 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 4 August 1915. Promoted Stoker First Class on 9 October 1915, he joined H.M.S. Queen Mary on 27 April 1916, and he was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. During the battle H.M.S. Queen Mary, under the command of Captain C. I. Prowse, engaged the Derfflinger, putting one of her turrets out of action, and then scored four hits on SMS Seydlitz. The German battlecruiser hit back striking ´Q´ turret before sending more 12 inch shells to hit near ´A´ and ´B´ turrets before scoring another hit on ´Q´ turret. Queen Mary´s forward magazine exploded, the ship listed to port and began to sink amid more explosions. 1,266 of the crew went down with her, with only 18 men surviving. Darling is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Three: Trooper W. Oliver, 2nd Life Guards 1914 Star, with clasp (2291 Tpr. W. Oliver. 2/Life Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2291 Tpr. W. Oliver. 2-L. Gds.) mounted as worn, good very fine (3) £200-£300 --- William Oliver was born in 1881 at Shorne, Kent and resided at Dartford, Kent. He attested for the 2nd Life Guards at Regents Park Barracks in October 1900 and served with the colours until October 1912. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was recalled from the Section D Reserve and, not being part of the Squadron provided for the Composite Regiment of Household Cavalry which entered France on 16 August 1914, he served with the Regiment itself, entering France on 8 October and forming part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. The 2nd Life Guards went on to be heavily involved at the First Battle of Ypres (October – November 1914) including at Langemarck, 21-24 October and in the Household Cavalry’s stand at Zandvoorde Ridge, 30 October; Second Ypres (April-May 1915); Loos (September-October 1915) and Arras (April 1917). On 10 March 1918, it was detached from the 3rd Cavalry Division, with which it had served from August 1914 and was formally dismounted and converted into the No 2 (2nd Life Guards) Battalion of the Guards Machine Gun Regiment on 10 March 1918. Trooper Oliver was transferred to the Home Establishment on 17 May 1918 and was Demobilized ‘Class Z’ on 9 January 1919. Sold together with a silver presentation cigarette case (hallmarks for Birmingham 1908), engraved to the front with a 2nd Life Guards motif and on the reverse engraved, ‘Presented to Trooper W. Oliver, by his comrades, “C” Squadron, 2nd Life Guards. July 1909.’; a rolled gold pendant with portrait photographs of the recipient and an infant in naval costume in lunettes to obverse and reverse respectively, 30mm diameter; and an illuminated foolscap card certificate, creased, with central photograph of the recipient in the ceremonial uniform of the Life Guards and with the words, ‘This is to certify that No. 2291, Rank: Trooper. Name: W. Oliver, has served with the Second Life Guards during the Great European War, 1914-1919.’
Three: Private A. Funnell, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who was killed in action at St. Julien, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 22 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6943 Pte. A. Funnell. C. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (6943 Pte. A. Funnell. C. Gds.) extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Arthur Funnell was born at Glynde, Sussex c.1884 and attested for the Coldstream Guards at Chichester in 1906. He was serving with the 3rd Battalion, stationed at the Tower of London Barracks, in 1911 and also served with the 3rd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 August 1914, the battalion notably participating in the actions on the Aisne Heights and the attack on Perenchies in September. Funnell was killed in action at St. Julien on 22 October 1914. He was the son of Stephen and Harriett Funnell of 21 Trevor Gardens, Glynde, Lewes, Sussex and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Three: Lance-Corporal H. V. Steedman, 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, who was killed in action when his battalion was overwhelmed by the Prussian Guard near Gheluvelt Wood, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 11 November 1914 1914 Star (6035 L. Cpl. H. V. Steedman. S. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (6035 Pte. H. V. Steedman. S. Gds.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Herbert Valentine Steedman was born in 1891 at Penge, Surrey and attested for the Scots Guards in London as a Boy in 1905. He was in Egypt from September 1912 until January 1913 and following the outbreak of the Great War he served on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion from 13 August 1914. Having fought on the Aisne in September, the 1st Scots Guards entrained for Hazebrouck and saw heavy action at Zandvoorde and Gheluvelt in late October. Dug in between Gheluvelt and Veldhoek in early November, the battalion held their position under continuous bombardment and attack. The regimental history records that the Prussian Guard then attacked through Veldhoek on 11 November and captured some trenches of the 1st Brigade. Holding a farm near Gheluvelt Wood, the 1st Scots Guards were then overwhelmed after a period of heavy fighting and the only survivors - Captain Stracey and 69 men - withdrew to Hooge. Private Steedman was reported missing on 11 November 1914 and later confirmed killed in action. He was the son of the late James and Margaret Steedman and the husband of Ada M. Hughes (formerly Steedman), of Beckenham Park Lodge, Beckenham Hill, Kent. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Three: Lance-Sergeant R. W. Ranger, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, who was killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres in October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7126 L. Sjt. R. W. Ranger. S. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (7126 Cpl. R. W. Ranger. S. Gds.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Reginald William Ranger was born in 1893 at Bathampton, Somerset and attested for the Scots Guards at Devizes in July 1908. Having been appointed Lance Sergeant in April 1914, he served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 October 1914 and was killed in action near Ypres between 20 and 26 October 1914. The 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers had moved up to Kruiseecke, in the Ypres sector, under heavy shell-fire on 20 October before withdrawing later in the day to Zandvoorde. The following day they were in action around Hollebeke Chateaux and over the next few days, with the companies of the battalion becoming dispersed between Polygon Wood, and Kruiseecke, they suffered heavy casualties, with F Company in particular being heavily shelled on 24 October and most of the company being buried alive or taken prisoner. Severe losses were incurred again at Kruiseecke on 25 October as the battalion became surrounded and the survivors, numbering 12 officers and 460 other ranks, then retired to Hooge. Lance Sergeant Ranger’s date of death was deemed for official purposes to be 26 October 1914. He was the son of William and Susannah Ranger of 14 Southgate, Devizes and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Five: Stoker First Class N. H. Neal, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (K.62879 N. H. Neal. Sto.1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K.62879 N. H. Neal. Sto.1. H.M.S. Maidstone.) nearly extremely fine (5) £120-£160 --- Nelson Hector Neal was born in Long Crendon, Buckinghamshire, on 11 August 1905, and entered naval service as a Stoker Second Class on 12 November 1923. He spent a significant period of his service in submarines, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 21 November 1938. He was shore pensioned on 30 January 1946
Five: Able Seaman C. W. C. Coe, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Reserve, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Achates was sunk during the Battle of the Barents Sea, 31 December 1942, and was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.109653 C. W. Coe. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.109653 (Ch. B. 24839) C. W. C. Coe. A.B. R.F.R.) about extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- Charles William Cyril Coe was born at Hythe, Kent, on 10 June 1908 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 12 February 1924. He was shore discharged, time expired, on 11 June 1938, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Recalled for War service, he served on the Arctic Convoys, and was killed in action on 31 December 1942 when H.M.S. Achates was sunk during the Battle of the Barents Sea. On 31 December 1942, Achates was on escort duty protecting the convoy JW 51B en route from Loch Ewe to Murmansk when she was sunk in the Barents Sea. The German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, pocket battleship Lützow and six large destroyers had been ordered to attack and destroy the convoy. Despite being heavily outgunned the escort, under the command of Captain R. St. Vincent Sherbrooke in Onslow (subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross), beat off the attack and not one merchant vessel was lost. At 11:15, Achates was laying smoke to protect the convoy when she was hit by gunfire from Admiral Hipper, killing the commanding officer, Lt Cdr Johns, and forty crew. The First Lieutenant, Lieutenant L. E. Peyton-Jones, took over command and, despite having sustained severe damage in the shelling, Achates continued her smoke screen operation. At 13:30 she went down 135 nautical miles ESE of Bear Island. 113 seamen were lost and 81 were rescued, one of whom later died on the trawler Northern Gem which had come to the aid of Achates. In response, the light cruiser Sheffield damaged Admiral Hipper, and subsequently sank her escort, Z16 Friedrich Eckoldt. Coe is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. For his services during the Second World War he was posthumously Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 23 April 1943).
The 1914 Star awarded to Private J. Burke, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, who was captured at Ypres on 12 November 1914 1914 Star (2967 Pte. J. Burke. Ir: Gds.) final digit of number officially corrected, good very fine £100-£140 --- James Burke was born in 1883 at Tipperary, Ireland. He attested for the Irish Guards on 18 February 1908 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 September 1914. His battalion was involved in fighting throughout the First Battle of Ypres taking part in all the major actions, including Langemarck and Gheluvelt and suffering huge casualties while defending Klein Zillebeke, 1-8 November. Burke was captured at Ypres on 12 November - a day on which the Irish Guards left the fighting around Chateau Hooge and moved to woods on the Gheluvelt Road to dig in just west of Veldhoek. He was held prisoner of war initially at Limburg, Netherlands and later at Giessen, Germany. Private Burke was discharged on 15 March 1919, surplus to military requirements (having suffered impairment since entry into the service) and he was awarded a Silver War Badge.
Three: Warrant Officer Air Gunner R. G. Newman, 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force, who was shot down over Holland and taken Prisoner of War during an operation to Cologne on 2-3 February 1943, joining the Caterpillar Club in the process 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45; together with the related miniature awards (the 1939-45 Star with Battle of Britain clasp); and the recipient’s Caterpillar Club Badge, gold with ’ruby’ eyes, the reverse engraved ‘W/O R. G. Newman’, extremely fine (3) £500-£700 --- Reginald Graham Newman joined the Royal Air Force on 13 October 1937 and served as a Warrant Officer Air Gunner with 7 Squadron during the Second World War. On the night of 2-3 February 1943 his Stirling R9264, piloted by Squadron Leader W. A. Smith, DFC, was shot down by an enemy night fighter piloted by Oblt Reinhold Knacke whilst on an operation to Cologne, and crashed at Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht, Holland, 13km south east of Rotterdam. Five of the crew, including Smith, were killed, and the two survivors, Newman and Flight Sergeant J. P. Bragg, Royal Canadian Air Force, were both taken Prisoner of War. Knacke himself was killed in action later that same night. The Stirling was equipped with the new experimental H2S radar system (the Cologne raid was only the second operational raid in which it had been used), and the set from Newman’s Stirling was the first set to fall into enemy hands. An account of how Squadron Leader Smith tried to save his aircraft was communicated by Newman from his P.O.W. Camp. Newman was liberated on 22 April 1945 and was discharged from the Royal Air Force on 25 September 1945. Sold together with a group photograph of the recipient with his crew.
Four: Private A. J. Lawson, 2nd Battalion, Transvaal Scottish, Union Defence Force, who was killed in action during the night attack on Clayden’s Trench, near Sollum, Egypt, 23/24 December 1941 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed (221599 A. J. Lawson) very fine (4) £80-£120 --- Andrew John Lawson was born in Roodepoort, South Africa in May 1910. He enlisted in the Union Defence Force in January 1941, and was subsequently posted to ‘A’ Company, 2nd Battalion, Transvaal Scottish. Lawson disembarked in Egypt in June 1941, and was with the Regiment in Egypt when it attempted ‘on December 23... to take Sollum by occupying Clayden’s Trench at night and, with that a firm base, developing a larger attack at first light. Clayden’s Trench was duly occupied but it could not be held; the attackers were bombed out, after suffering casualties, before first light, and so the operation was called off.’ (The Saga of the Transvaal Scottish Regiment refers) Lawson was killed in action during the night attack, with the Regiment suffering an additional 8 other ranks wounded, and 2 further that died of wounds. Private Lawson is buried in the Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. Sold with extensive copied research.
A rare four-clasp N.G.S. medal awarded to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Richardson, K.C.B., Royal Navy, who as a Lieutenant distinguished himself during the battle of Camperdown on 11 October 1797, when he volunteered to ‘go in an open boat’ and capture the Dutch Fleet’s Commander-in-Chief, Admiral De Wet, before he could effect his escape from his stricken ship - Richardson presented De Wet to Admiral A. Duncan and in recognition of this was appointed as his Signal Lieutenant; he successfully commanded a division of seaman attached to the Army under Sir Ralph Abercromby in the Expedition to Holland in 1799, and was similarly employed with Abercromby in Egypt, before carrying out the same role to great effect at the investment of Flushing under his old friend and patron Sir Richard J. Strachan. Richardson had developed into somewhat of a specialist in this field and in 1815 was nominated for the C.B., having ‘For more than 26 Years, passed in active service at Sea and in co-operation with troops on Shore in every quarter of the globe’, indeed apart from his gallant and meritorious naval services, Richardson was about 140 years ahead of his time in pioneering ‘Combined Operations’. Naval General Service 1793-1840, four clasps, 1 June 1794, Camperdown, Egypt, Basque Roads 1809 (C. Richardson, Lieutenant R.N.) good very fine £14,000-£18,000 --- Confirmed on the rolls as Master’s Mate in H.M.S. Royal George 100 guns (flag ship for Sir A. Hood) at the fleet action that became known as ‘The Glorious First of June’; as Senior Lieutenant in H.M.S. Circe at the defeat of the Dutch fleet by the British Naval squadrons under Admiral Duncan, including the capture of nine ships-of-the-line and two frigates off the Dutch coast, 11 October 1797; as Lieutenant in H.M.S. Kent in co-operation with the Army on and off the coast of Egypt in 1801 and as Captain in H.M.S. Caesar during Lord Cochrane’s successful destruction of a number of French ships, including four ships-of-the-line, in the Basque Roads, off St. Nazaire, 11-12 April 1809. Approximately 88 four clasp awards issued. It is known from a surviving portrait that Richardson originally received, and wore, a medal with two clasps, those being the gold medal actions of 1 June 1794 and Camperdown authorised in the list published in the London Gazette of June 1847. His medal was issued in the rank of Lieutenant, reflecting the rank he held at Camperdown, and it is clear that he must have received one from the first few batches of medals issued, before the London Gazette announcement in June 1848 which authorised further clasps, including Basque Roads, to which he was entitled as Captain of the Caesar. His clasp for Basque Roads is recorded as being an ‘Additional Claim’ in the Admiralty claims list, but no rank is given, and no doubt further confusion occurred with the London Gazette announcement in February 1850 authorising the issue of the clasp for Egypt, to which he was also entitled in the rank of Lieutenant. Perhaps it was an oversight that, strictly speaking, Richardson should have been given a new medal in the rank of Captain, which rank he held at Basque Roads. He is shown in the Navy List for 1850 as being in receipt of a medal with two clasps but he would be required to submit his medal to receive the additional two clasps to which he was entitled. His death occurred later in the same year, effectively bringing the matter to a close. Charles Richardson was born in 1769 and joined the Royal Navy as Captain’s Servant in H.M.S. Vestal (Captain R. J. Strachan), in November 1787; after accompanying an embassy to China he removed with Strachan to H.M.S. Phoenix 36 guns and ‘was present, 19 November 1791, while cruising off the Malabar coast in company with the Perseverance frigate, in an obstinate engagement (produced by a resistance on the part of the French Captain to a search being imposed by the British upon two merchant vessels under his orders) with La Résolue of 46 guns, whose colours were not struck until she had herself sustained a loss of 25 men killed and 40 wounded, and had occasioned one to the Phoenix of 6 killed and 11 wounded. While on the East India station Mr. Richardson was for several months employed in the boats in co-operating up different rivers, with the army under Sir Robert Abercromby in its operations against Tippoo Saib’. Having attained the ranks of Midshipman and Master’s Mate and having fought with H.M.S. Royal George in Lord Howe’s actions of 29th May and 1st June 1794, Richardson was appointed Lieutenant in H.M.S. Circe (Captain P. Halkett), in August. 1794 - ‘of that frigate he was First-Lieutenant during the great mutiny at the Nore; where his exertions in preventing the crew from acquiring the ascendancy gained him, in common with his Captain and the other officers of the ship, the thanks of the Admiralty. The Circe forming one of Lord Duncan’s repeaters in the action off Camperdown, 11 October 1797, Lieutenant Richardson on that occasion achieved an important exploit. Fearing lest the Dutch Admiral, De Winter, after his own ship had been dismasted and silenced, should effect his escape on board some other, he volunteered to go in an open boat and take him out. Succeeding in his object he had the honour of presenting him in person to the British Commander-in-Chief [Admiral A. Duncan] who, in consequence, received him on promotion in January 1798 on board his flag ship the Venerable 74, and made him, 6 March following his Signal Lieutenant in the Kent 74 (Captain W. M. Hope)’. In the following year Richardson was sent with the expedition to Holland, where he commanded a division of seaman, attached to the army under Sir Ralph Abercromby, from the period of the debarkation near the Helder until the surrender of the Dutch squadron under Admiral Storey. With the conclusion of the expedition Richardson was ordered home in charge of a Dutch 68 gun ship; after assisting Abercromby again, this time in Egypt, he removed to H.M.S. Penelope (Captain the Hon. H. Blackwood). Following this he was nominated Acting-Commander of H.M.S. Alligator 28, armée-en-flûte, in July 1802. Whilst aboard that ship Captain Richardson directed the movements of the flotilla employed at the reduction of Demerara, Essequibo, and Berbice in 1803, and was highly spoken of in the public despatches for his exertions at the taking of Surinam in the spring of 1804. [London Gazette 1804, pp. 755, 761]. On the 6th of July in that year he was, in consequence, invested by Sir Samuel Hood with the command of the Centaur 74, the ship bearing his broad pennant, an act which the Admiralty confirmed on the 27th of Sept. Richardson returned to England in March 1805. Appointed to H.M.S. Caesar (bearing the flag of his old friend and patron Sir Richard J. Strachan) in January 1806, he was employed in the latter off Rochefort and subsequently in the Mediterranean. On 23 February 1809, the Caesar, then bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Stopford, but still commanded by Captain Richardson, assisted, along with the Defiance and the Donegal, at the destruction of three French frigates in the Sable d'Olonne. On that occasion his ship sustained considerable damage in her bowsprit and rigging, by the fire from several batteries under which the enemy had sought refuge. He next served with Strachan in the expedition to the Scheldt, during which the town of Camvere offered it's surrender to Richardson, he being the senior naval officer being present on shore, terms having been agreed with him and Lieutenant-General Fraser. During the investment of Flushing he landed at the head of a brigade of seaman, and commanded a battery of six 24-pounders with much effect. His...
The Boulton’s Trafalgar Medal together with an unusual collection of items belonging to Able Seaman Thomas Fletcher, H.M.S. Defence, including what is believed to be the oldest known ships’ biscuit i. Matthew Boulton’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805, white metal, unnamed, contained in a removable hinged gilt-metal watch-type case, now lacking suspension loop and one glass, some damage to edge affecting inscription, otherwise good very fine ii. Manuscript Booklet, predominantly in Fletcher’s hand, comprising the ‘General Order’ dated H.M.S. Euryalus, 22 October 1805, as published in the London Gazette on 6 November; a list of those killed and wounded at Trafalgar; ‘The Battle of Trafalgar Composed by Joseph Dixon on board His Majesty’s Ship Defence’, a remarkable contemporary poem written by a participant in the battle (Able Seaman Joseph Dixon, from Whitehaven, Cumberland, aged 22, serving on H.M.S. Defence). The victory at Trafalgar inspired a huge mass of patriotic verse and Fletcher clearly appreciated this unusual, and apparently unpublished, poem because he also included it in his journal (see Provenance below). All the British ships are described, some action detailed, and the victory summarised; two further poems celebrate the British naval victory over the Ottoman Empire in the Dardanelles, 19 February 1807; and despatches describing the victory at Trafalgar; 28 pages, 4to, stitched with string, unbound, some leaves detached, some leaves missing iii. Shaving Box, a naively produced piece of treen, mahogany and oak, 135mm x 80mm x 35mm, name inscribed on cover, with original mercurial gilded mirror, losses to interior, residue of lining paper iv. Ships’ Biscuit, 120mm diameter, portion broken but a remarkable survival, unless otherwise described, condition generally good for age £2,000-£2,600 --- Provenance: Sotheby’s, Trafalgar sale, October 2005, Lot 193, by family descent. Fletcher’s autograph journal, October 1804 to January 1807, was offered as the previous lot in the same sale. The remarkable survival of Fletcher’s ships’ biscuit is a reminder of one of the less edifying aspects of life in an eighteenth century warship. Jeffrey Raigersfield, a midshipman in Mediator, noted how it ‘was so light that when you tapped it upon the table, it fell almost into dust, and thereout numerous insects, called weevils, crawled; they were bitter to the taste, and a sure indication that the biscuit had lost its nutritious particles; if, instead of these weevils, large white maggots with black heads made their appearance, then the biscuit was considered to be only in its first state of decay; these maggots were fat and cold to the taste, but not bitter...’ What is purportedly the oldest known ships’ biscuit in the world, circa 1852, is prominently displayed at the Maritime Museum in Kronborg Castle, Elsinore, Denmark. Thomas Fletcher was born in 1779, and was pressed into service as a crewman on H.M.S. Defence (74) in 1803, probably after some experience of the sea during the brief peace of 1801-03 or even earlier. The Defence, launched in 1763, was one of the oldest line-of-battle ships in the navy. Fletcher kept an autograph journal written between October 1804 and January 1807, during which time he was second gunner, then Able Seaman. Defence arrived off Cadiz in late August 1805. The ‘Great Gunes’ were exercised on September 3rd, a ‘general exercize’ was held on the 4th, and on 6th September news was that ‘the french Was Making all Ready to Come Out’. This was a false alarm and the Defence settled down to wait. Fletcher records an exhausting regime of cleaning, repairing sails, mustering, and other preparations for battle. He also records, on 29th September, the arrival of the Commander-in-Chief: ‘At Seven Lord admiral Nelson Joined Us with three Sail of The Line wich maid twenty Nine Sail of the Line with Us besides frigates Sloaps Brigs’. Defence had a crucial place in the cordon around Cadiz: she ‘occupied the station next to the inshore frigates and there were two line-of-battle ships between the fleet and Defence’ (Eyewitness to Trafalgar, p.69). She was therefore the first ship of the line to see the signal at 8 am on 19th October: ‘the frigate In Shore firid Signall gune To Us that the french & Spanish Fleet Was out’. On 21st October Defence was part of the leeward column led by Vice-Admiral Collingwood. She fired her guns at the French Berwick (74) for nearly half an hour. She then fought the San Ildefonso (74) for about an hour before the Spaniard, which had taken about 200 casualties, struck. Defence had 36 killed and wounded, her mainmast was shot through, cut in several places and much of her lower and topmast rigging was shot away. Her gaff was cut in two and her hanging knees and chain plates were much damaged. A thirteen year-old midshipman on Defence told his sister that ‘when we went down we had two Frenchmen and one Spaniard on us at one time. We engag’d them forty six minutes, when the Achilles and Polyphemus came up to our assistance.’ Fletcher provides a terse description of the battle from the point of view of an ordinary sailor serving on one of the lower gun-deck who depended on word of mouth information once the action started: ‘Moderate Breezes & clear Wheather at half past 5 in the morning. The french & Spanish fleet We Saw to Leeward of Us We Maid A Signal Immeditly to Admiral Nelson that The Enemy was close by he answered it Immeditly & maid all the Sail they Could towards them Admiral Nelson Maid A General Signal Saying Boots [??] Britions fooley [??]... Me the Acton Begon Five Minutes past 12 it lasted untell 20 minutes to 5 in the Even[in]g we took 18 Sail Of the Line and one Blowing in the east Maid 19 in number we took Command Of the Shipes that Struck to us at 5 PM”. He goes on to give a detailed account of the difficult aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar: renewed alerts of possible enemy action, the gales that buffeted the fleet, the problems dealing with prisoners and the wounded. Defence and her prize anchored that evening (as the dying Nelson had tried to instruct Collingwood to order the entire British Fleet to do). Both ships survived the gale that followed the battle and San Ildefonso became one of the few trophies saved by the British. On 1st November ‘The Captain thought proper To Read a letter that he Recd From Collingwood Concerning Admiral Nelson Death, the Captain & Officers & Seamen & Merigs [i.e. marines] for there good beheavor During the Acton’. Defence left for Gibraltar on 2nd November and then, after a rendezvous with Collingwood, set sail towards England. Fletcher’s journal tails off on 28th November, before the ship reached Portsmouth, but he returned to it in later years to add two further entries, the final one being: ‘Tuesday Jenary 18: 1807 This Day the Defence Ships Company Received there Midles on this Day for the Acton of the 21 Day of October 1805. Now on bord of the Kent’ A large proportion of the officers and crew of Defence were Scotsmen, and many were discharged to Kent (74) on 24 December 1805. HMS Kent’s crew was paid off on 29 January 1813.
New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1845 to 1846 (W. Hagar, Pte. R.M., H.M.S. North Star) nearly extremely fine £1,200-£1,600 --- 162 medals with these dates issued to the Royal Navy, including 41 to North Star for services in New Zealand in 1845-46. William Hagar was born in Midhurst, Sussex, and enlisted into the Royal Marines on 23 September 1836, and first appeared in North Star on 19 August 1842, from Wanderer, aged 24 on joining the ship. It is noted that he ‘was employed from 11 Dec 1845 to 14 Jan 1846 on shore attached to 99th Regt’, which means that he was present on 11 January 1846, at the capture of “Bat’s Nest” at Raupekapeka together with men from Calliope, Castor, Osprey and Racehorse. His New Zealand medal was despatched on 10 October 1870.
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