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Click here to subscribeBritish War Medal 1914-20 (3) (258405 A.Cpl. J. A. Johnston. C.R.T.; 306629 Gnr. H. Kent. C.F.A.; 504624 Spr. W. Elliot. C.E.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (799139 Pte. J. Mc.Naulty. Can. Labr. Bn.; 3162204 Pte. M. Parrot 87th Bn: Can: Inf.) the first gilded, the second renamed; India Service Medal 1939-45 (2), both unnamed as issued, generally very fine or better (7) £50-£70
A rare Great War ‘1914’ ‘Warrant Officer’s’ M.C. group of four awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant, later Second Lieutenant, T. H. Crabb, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment); commissioned in the field in February 1916 after 16 years in the ranks, he died the following month from wounds received in action in the Ypres Salient on 18 March 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (7799 C.Q.M. Sjt. T. H. Crabb. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. T. H. Crabb.); together with Royal Fusiliers Cap Badge with apparent bullet-hole piercing, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. Thomas Henry Crabb was born in 1881 in the Parish of St. Mary, London and attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 25 January 1900. Posted to the 3rd Battalion, the following ten years saw him advanced steadily through the ranks whilst stationed successively in Gibraltar, Egypt, Bermuda, South Africa, and Mauritius. Having extended his service in 1909 to ‘such time as shall complete 21 years service’, he returned home in September 1910 and was posted to the 4th Battalion. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Company Quartermaster Sergeant Crabb disembarked with his battalion at Le Havre on 13 August 1914 as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps. With a full war establishment of 992 men, comprising 734 reservists, the 4th Royal Fusiliers were among the first of the B.E.F. battalions to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. After a fighting withdrawal south to trenches at Inchy, the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers on 26 August. They were in reserve positions during the Battle of Le Cateau but saw hard fighting at the Marne, the Aisne, La Bassée (Neuve Chapelle), Messines and First Ypres, the battalion war diary recording a staggering total loss of 1900 men and 50 officers killed, wounded, missing or sick by the end of November. Having been promoted Company Sergeant Major on 1 October 1914, Crabb’s designation of rank was altered to Warrant Officer Class II on 29 January 1915. He was Mentioned in Despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Field during the period up to 20 November 1914 (the date of French’s original despatch referred to in the London Gazette of 17 February 1915) and his Military Cross, gazetted the following day, was undoubtedly for the same period although, in common with all these early awards it was announced under the general heading ‘for services rendered in connection with operations the field’. Crabb was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 23 September 1915 and commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Field on 14 February 1916. Just over one month later, on 18 March 1916, he died at No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station, from wounds received in action in the Ypres salient as his battalion prepared for the attack on the St. Eloi craters. He was the son of Thomas and Albertina Gabb; husband of Charlotte Crabb, of 30, Vicarage Lane, Romford Rd., Stratford, London and a native of Stamford Hill, London. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Note: The recipient’s service papers contain a communication from the War Office to the recipient’s widow regarding arrangements for the despatch of gallantry awards to deceased officers. The awards mentioned are the Military Cross and a ‘Russian Decoration.’
Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (A. J. Eades, Sh: Corpl. 1st. Cl: H.M.S. Hibernia.) good very fine £100-£140 --- Alfred James Eades was born in Stepney, London, on 21 October 1860 and joined the Royal Navy as a Ship’s Corporal Second Class on 15 December 1886, having had prior service in Her Majesty’s Forces. He entered H.M.S. Hibernia on 1 February 1888, was promoted Ship’s Corporal First Class on 15 December of that year, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 5 May 1890. He was invalided out of the service to pension on 7 April 1898.
The 1914 Star awarded to Private W. Collins, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was presumed killed at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10270 Pte. W. Collins. 4/R. Fus.) good very fine £80-£120 --- William Collins was born at Kensington, London and resided at Chelsea. He attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1903 at Kensal Rise and following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where together with the 4th Middlesex they faced the first German attacks counting among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. After a fighting withdrawal south to trenches at Inchy, the Battalion was relieved by the 1st Northumberland Fusiliers on 26 August. They were in reserve positions during the Battle of Le Cateau but still suffered some casualties. The British War and Victory Medal Roll records Collins as presumed dead on 26 August 1914 and the CWGC officially records Collins date of death also to be 26 August 1914, however the British Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects states ‘death presumed 29 October 1914’. He was the husband of Elizabeth Collins, and having no known grave is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.
Five: Sergeant W. Bridges, 1st (The King’s) Dragoon Guards, attached 1st Life Guards, who was present with the Life Guards at the time of their action on Zandvoorde Ridge, 30 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6153 L. Cpl. W. Bridges. 1/D.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (1DG-6153 Cpl. W. Bridges. 1-D. Gds.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (19597 Sgt. W. Bridges, 1 K.D. Guards.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (William Bridges) in fitted case of issue, together with related glazed framed Central Chancery forwarding certificate for the last, dated 17 March 1950, nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- I.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1950: ‘Postman, Higher Grade, London Postal Region.’ William Bridges was born in May 1889 at Camberwell, London and attested for the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards in 1906. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he was recalled from the reserve and attached to the 1st Life Guards, entering France with them at Zeebrugge on 9 October to form part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. Bridges would have been present during the famous action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October, described in the War Diary by Captain the Hon. E. H. Wyndham in the following understated fashion: ‘Zandvoorde - Oct. 30. 6am - Heavy bombardment of position opened. At 7.30am position was attacked by large force of infantry. This attack proved successful owing to greatly superior numbers. Regiment retired in good order about 10am except C Squadron on left flank from which only about 10 men got back. Remainder of Squadron missing.’ A number of reservists from the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards serving with the 1st Life Guards can be identified among those killed at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914. ‘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). Medical records show that Bridges was hospitalised suffering from frostbite on 24 November 1914 and transferred two days later to an Ambulance Train. He was married in Peckham on 21 February 1915, shortly after which the following article (cutting with lot) appeared in a local newspaper: ‘Ypres Hero Married in Peckham - A pretty wedding took place on Sunday at All Saints’ Church, North Peckham, between Trooper W. Bridges, of the 1st Life Guards and Eleanor Maud Bridges of Graylands Rd. Peckham. Both parties are well known in the locality and more than ordinary interest was shown in the event, because of the safe homecoming of the bridegroom, whose remarkable escapes at Ypres were reported in the “South London Press” some weeks ago.’ Bridges advanced to the rank of Sergeant during the war and returned to his parent unit - the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards - which sailed back to India in October 1917. The Regiment was garrisoned at Meerut until October 1918 when it moved to Risalpur. On 2 May 1919 Afghan troops seized control of wells on the Indian side of the border. The Afghan Amir Amanullah was warned to withdraw, but his answer was to send more troops to reinforce those at the wells and to move other Afghan units to various points on the frontier. The 1st King’s Dragoon Guards were mobilised on 6 May and, forming part of the British Indian Army's 1st (Risalpur) Cavalry Brigade, served throughout the Third Anglo-Afghan War. They saw action at the Khyber Pass and notably, on 16 May 1919 at Dakka – a village in Afghan territory to the west of the Khyber Pass - where the regiment made one of the last recorded charges by a British horsed cavalry regiment. Sold with a glazed framed painting of a mounted soldier of the 1st Kings Dragoon Guards, 37cm x 43cm including frame; a framed photograph of the recipient on horseback in sergeant’s uniform, taken in India; an OHMS envelope addressed to the recipient, dated 1942; another envelope addressed to recipient, dated 1939; newspaper cutting regarding the recipient’s wedding in February 1915.
Three: Acting Sergeant W. F. Freeman, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who fought with B Company in the Mons Salient on 23 August 1914, and was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Neuve Chapelle on 26 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10640 Pte. W. Freeman. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10640 A. Sjt. W. F. Freeman. R. Fus.) good very fine or better (3) £300-£400 --- William Frederick Freeman attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1903. Following the outbreak of the Great War he served with B Company of the 4th Battalion as part of the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division, II Corps with the original British Expeditionary Force, arriving at Havre, France on 13 August 1914. Ordered to advance forward towards Mons with the rest of the expeditionary force, the battalion reached the Mons-Condé Canal on 22 August where B (or X) and C (or Y) Companies were positioned at a broad loop in the canal as it skirted around Mons, thus creating a salient which was far from ideal to defend. Here also were two bridges, a rail bridge and a road bridge, which, if captured by the Germans, would necessitate a withdrawal of the entire British front line for fear of being surrounded. Positioned then at the critical point, the following morning, 23 August 1914, they were the first British unit to face an infantry attack in the Great War as the Germans launched their assault at 9am, flinging four battalions at the railway bridge. F. Gaunt describes the scene facing the 4th Royal Fusiliers in the Mons Salient in his first hand account, The Immortal First: ‘Then came the sound of trumpets from the enemy’s lines, which was the order to advance, and they came on in vast numbers, ten to our one, and ten machine guns to a battalion to our two to a battalion. Each one of our men was equal to three of the enemy as regards shooting, the Germans firing from the hip, therefore causing the shot to go high. They were met by a very deadly fire from our two machine guns which were on the railway bridge...’ Despite the tremendous gallantry shown by the Battalion’s machine-gunners, especially Lieutenant M. J. Dease and Private S. F. Godley, casualties mounted steadily, and shortly after 1pm the orders came for the Battalion to withdraw from their dangerous position across 250 yards of exposed open ground swept by shrapnel and machine-gun fire. Private Godley alone remained at his gun, maintaining a covering fire until all the Battalion had been successfully evacuated with minimal additional casualties. For their supreme valour both Dease and Godley were subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross- the first V.C.s awarded during the Great War. Taking part in the retreat from Mons, the battalion then held reserve positions at Le Cateau and fought at the Marne and the Aisne in September 1914. Acting Sergeant Freeman was captured on 26 October 1914 at Neuve Chapelle during the Battle of La Bassée. The war diary for this date describes a failed night attack by the battalion which incurred high casualties. The very heavy losses in this period are also mentioned by Gaunt, ‘We had suffered very heavily during the Battle of La Bassée from 19th to the 25th. When the Roll was called we had a total of 345 men and 5 officers left out of 975, which was the total strength before going into the battle.’ (ibid) Freeman was held prisoner of war at Munster, Germany and arrived in Holland as an internee on 15 March 1918, finally being repatriated to London on 24 October 1918. He was then immediately admitted to 1 London General Hospital, Camberwell where he was described as wounded. Note: Freeman’s 1914 Star medal roll entry and Medal Index Card state that he was captured on 23 August 1914 at Mons but his Prisoner of War Records state his place and date of capture to be Neuve Chapelle, 26 October 1914. Sold together with two postcards sent by Freeman to his wife at 9 Nash Street, Abercynon, Glamorgan: The first, postmarked Isle of Wight, 13 August 1914, confirms his unit to be B Company, 4th Battalion and describes how everyone is ‘proper sunburnt’ from drill marching order parades but also in ‘the best of health and spirits’ and ‘shall be glad to get away from these barracks. we’ve had enough of Parkhurst.’ The second describes getting ashore at Havre and admits ‘we don’t know where we are for yet’.
Family Group: Three: Private H. J. Tillbrook, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was killed in action near Neuve Chapelle on 29 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10789 Pte. H. Tillbrook. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10879 Pte. H. J. Tillbrook. R. Fus.) good very fine Three: Acting Sergeant F. Tillbrook, 19th Hussars, later 9th Squadron, Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), who was killed in action on the Western Front on 25 March 1918 1914 Star (1662 Pte. F. Tillbrook. 19/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (1662 A. Sjt. F. Tillbrook. 19-Hrs.) good very fine Three: Private G. Tillbrook, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action near St. Quentin on 22 March 1918, the second day of the German Spring Offensive 1914-15 Star (4809 Pte. G. Tillbrook. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4809 Pte. G. Tillbrook. E. Surr. R.) good very fine Three: Sergeant W. Tillbrook, 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment 1914-15 Star (4831 Pte. W. Tillbrook. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4831 Sjt. W. Tillbrook. E. Surr. R.) good very fine (12) £500-£700 --- Herbert James Tillbrook was born in 1882 at Wereham, Norfolk and attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Downham, Norfolk in 1903 or 1904. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. In late October 1914, the 4th Royal Fusiliers were involved severe fighting near Neuve Chapelle which resulted in the battalion strength being reduced to just 8 officers and 350 other ranks and subsequent to which, on 29 October, Private Tillbrook was reported missing and presumed dead. He was the son of James and Kezia Tillbrook of Wereham, Norfolk and, having no known grave, is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France. Frank Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1887 at Wereham, Norfolk and attested for the 19th Hussars at Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, in November 1907. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914 and having transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) on 27 June 1916, was killed in action on the Western Front whilst serving as an Acting Sergeant with the 9th Squadron on 25 March 1918. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Gilbert Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1889 at Wereham, Norfolk and served with the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915. He was killed in action at Frieres-Faillouël, south of St. Quentin, on 22 March 1918, the second day of Operation Michael - the German Spring Offensive. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. William Tillbrook, brother of the above, was born in 1889 at Wereham, Norfolk and served with the 8th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915, advancing to the rank of Sergeant. ALone amongst his brothers he survived the War, and was discharged Class Z on 6 February 1919.
Memorial Plaque (3) (Thomas Harold Gardiner; A. George Watts; Frederick Willcox) first heavily polished and naming only just discernible; the third drilled at 12 o’clock, the first fair, the others very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Thomas Harold Gardiner was born in Tonbridge, Kent, and attested there for the Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 December 1914, and was killed in action on 18 April 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold together with an empty Princess Mary 1914 Christmas tin.
Three: Private W. S. Blood, 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was killed in action during the First Battle of Ypres on 11 November 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (14576 Pte. W. Blood. 4/ R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-14576 Pte. W. S. Blood R. Fus.); Memorial Plaque (Warwick Spencer Blood) minor spots of verdigris otherwise good very fine or better (4) £260-£300 --- Warwick Spencer Blood was born in 1894 at Marylebone and was a resident of Kensington. He attested for the Royal Fusiliers in 1911 at Hownslow and following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 he landed with the 4th Battalion at Le Havre on 13 August for service on the Western Front. His battalion, as part of the 9th Brigade in the 3rd Division with Smith Dorrien’s II Corps, was among the first to arrive in France, and proceeded directly to Mons where, together with the 4th Middlesex, they faced the first German attacks and could count among their number Lieutenant M. Dease and Private S. F. Godley who were awarded the first V.C.s of the Great War for their defence of Y Company HQ at the Nimy railway bridge on 23 August 1914. Private Blood was killed in action with the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 11 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. On this date his battalion was at Herenthage Wood with Zouaves on their left and the Northumberland Fusiliers on their right: ‘On the 11th came the last attempt of the Germans to cut through to the coast. The attack was expected; the battalion order issued before it took place is notable. The order, which was to be read to companies, ran as follows:— “It may be assumed that we are about to fight the decisive battle of the war. The German Emperor has arrived to command his troops in person, and Sir John French hopes that the British Army will prove to him that they are better men than the Germans. Both armies are composed of regiments more or less exhausted, and short of officers, and the result will depend very much on the prolonged energy of every soldier in the fight and the endurance shown during the next few days. Fire must be carefully controlled at night, men must assist to the last, be ready to cover every movement with fire, well aimed and well sustained, and there must be no straggling or straying from the platoons to which men belong. The C.O. hopes that every man will sustain the great reputation that the Royal Fusiliers have already made during this war. (Signed) G. O’Donel, Captain and Adjutant.” The morning dawned dull and misty, and about 6.30 a terrible shelling began, “much the most severe I (O’Donel) have ever seen.” It continued for two and a half hours. The front trenches were knocked to pieces, and many of the men were killed or buried. Routley, in command, tried to send back a report of the plight of his men, but it was impossible to live in such a bombardment. Then followed the infantry attack by the twelve battalions of the Guard Division. The 4th (Queen Augusta’s) Guard Grenadiers seem to have struck the Royal Fusiliers, and the little band of men received the first assault with the bayonet and hurled it back. Routley, about this time, was the only officer left, and he was wounded in the head. The Grenadiers delivered a second charge. Some of the men were driven from their trenches, and their appearance in the rear created a panic among the battalion supports, who appear to have been chiefly special reservists, a draft who arrived on the day before the battle and had not yet been organised into their platoons. Colonel McMahon went to them and tried to rally them. Suddenly he was seen to sink on one knee and begin to remove his legging as though hit in the leg. At that moment a shell burst close to him and killed him. He was a most gallant and distinguished officer, who impressed all who came into contact with him. “ A Royal Fusilier,” he said to the battalion on the eve of embarkation, "does not fear death. He is not afraid of wounds. He only fears disgrace; and I look to you not to disgrace the name of the regiment.” Not merely the battalion and the regiment, but the army as a whole, lost by his death. Part of the West Ridings had also been driven from their trenches, but a determined counter-attack on both sides of the Ypres-Menin road by the Sussex and Scots Fusiliers drove the German Guard back with heavy loss and partly restored the line. At 1:00 p.m. the remainder of the Royal Fusiliers were very much disorganised and scattered. In the evening only O’Donel and Second Lieutenant Maclean, with 50 men, could be collected.’ (The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War by H. C. O’Neill, O.B.E. refers) Private F. Gaunt of the 4th Fusiliers also spoke of the bombardment of the 11th November in his personal first hand record of the first hundred days of the Great War: ‘On Wednesday, the 11th, we were heavily bombarded by artillery, which started at daybreak (6 am) and continued right up to 11 o’clock without a stop. During this time my Commanding Officer, Brigadier-General MacMahon, D.S.O., was struck by two pieces of shrapnel on the head and killed. His last words were: ‘Don’t retire the Fusiliers!” About 9 am I was sitting down in the trench enjoying a bit of bread and Tickler’s plum jam, when I got struck by a piece of shrapnel close to the spine; but I could not get out of the trench, owing to it being shelled too heavily. About one hour afterwards a shell burst close to me, and I felt something burst in my ear, which I found out was the drum of the ear. At 11am the shells stopped, and then I was able to get out of the trench and have my wound dressed at the first dressing station, which was about two miles away; after that I had to walk four miles to the hospital, the road being heavily shelled while I was dragging along.’ (The Immortal First by F. Gaunt. refers) Warwick Spencer Blood was the son of James Warwick Blood and Clara Blood and having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
National Union of Railwaymen Badge (3), the first gold (9ct, 11.11g) and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Present to Bro. C. Turner for services rendered during the Strike 1919.’; the others silver and enamel, the reverses engraved ‘Presented to Bro. C. Turner by Bricklayers Arms Branch for services rendered’ and ‘Presented to Bro. Charles Turner by the Members of the Bermondsey No.1 Branch’; together with a presentation watch, the inside reverse engraved ‘A.S.R.S. Presented to Bro. C. Turner as a mark of respect, by the Carmen of the S.E. & C. Rly.’, the watch no longer in working order, contact marks to reverses of medals, generally nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- The 1919 Railway Strike was a nation-wide strike which lasted for nine days from 27 September to 5 October, and resulted in a victory for the National Union of Railwaymen.
Y.M.C.A. ‘Lena Ashwell Concert Party’ Badge, gilt and enamel, with pin-back suspension, good very fine, rare £60-£80 --- Lena Margaret Ashwell, Lady Simson was a British actress and theatre producer, who during the Great War was the first person to organise large-scale entertainment for the troops at the front. Partly due to the influence of her acquaintance Princess Helena Victoria, and her connections to the Y.W.C.A., she was given permission to take a group of entertainers to the Western Front to perform concerts for the troops, and to help raise morale. For her services during the Great War she was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
A Great War 1918 ‘Béthune’ French Croix de Guerre group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant L. M. Schwabacher, 10th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), later attached Intelligence Corps 1914-15 Star (Stk-225 Pte. L. M. Schwabacher R. Fus.) first initial and last two letters of surname officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (Stk-225 A. Sjt. L. Maurice. R. Fus.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, all housed in an A. W. Baldwin fitted case, good very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 7 January 1919. The original citation (in French), dated 24 August 1918, states: ‘From 10 April 10 to 1 May, 1918, during the period when Bethune was being regularly and violently bombed, he showed courage and dedication in helping to evacuate the population to safety, despite the ever-present danger.’ Leslie Maurice Schwabacher (later Leslie Maurice) was born in 1895 in St. Pancras, London into a family of Jewish diamond merchants who settled in London in the 19th Century. He served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 July 1915 and was later attached to the Intelligence Corps, with which unit he was awarded the French Croix de Guerre for gallant services during the civilian evacuation of Béthune in 1918. He changed his name to Leslie Maurice after the War and his British War and Victory Medals were issued under this name. Sold together with rare original Citation for French Croix de Guerre.
The group of three miniature dress medals attributed to Captain R. B. Creyke, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria; Baltic 1854-55; St. Jean d’Acre 1840, silver, mounted on triple ribbon brooch bar with steel pin for wearing, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£300 --- 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 full size medals, see Lot 247.
Austria, First Republic, Order of Merit, Knight’s Cross, 32mm, silver and white enamel, very fine Austria, Second Republic, Honour Decoration for Merit of the Republic of Austria, Ninth Class breast badge, 65mm including coat of arms suspension x 46mm, gilt and enamel, on white riband with red border stripes, in Anton Reitterer, Vienna, case of issue; Cross of Honour for Special Merit, bronze and enamel, good very fine (3) £70-£90
Four: Private S. Homer, 4th Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment), late King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), who was killed in action at St. Jean, near Ypres on 27 April 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (7306 Pte. A. Homer, Rl: Lanc: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (26457 Pte. S. Homer. L’pool R.) with flattened named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (26457 Pte. S. Homer. L’pool R.) with flattened named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Samuel Homer) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure and torn outer envelope addressed to ‘Mrs. L. G. Homer, 1065 Tenth St., Trafford Park, Manchester.’; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Samuel Homer, Liverpool Regt.’, significantly torn down left side, in OHMS transmission tube, similarly addressed, medals and plaque nearly extremely fine or better (6) £300-£400 --- Samuel Joseph Homer was born in 1882 in Cheetwood, Manchester, Lancashire and attested for the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) in June 1900. He served with the 4th Battalion (Militia) in South Africa from September 1900 until July 1901 and was awarded the Q.S.A. with 3 clasps. Following the outbreak of the Great War Homer re-enlisted in the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment) on 26 August 1914 (service number 3832). Posted to the 3rd Battalion, he was then discharged due to chronic pleurisy on 26 December 1914. Having subsequently successfully attested for the King’s (Liverpool Regiment), he disembarked for service on the Western Front with the 4th (Extra Reserve) Battalion on 7 April 1915. Less than 3 weeks later, on 27 April, he took part in an attack by his battalion from trenches north-east of St. Jean, outside Ypres. The War Diary records: ‘At 12 noon the Battalion formed up for the attack and assaulted the German positions, in support of 1/4th Gurkha Rifles.’ The History of the of the King’s Regiment by Everard Wyall states, ‘The King’s, splendidly led by their officers, advanced in short rushes, with the enemy pumping lead into them and men falling in heaps.’ In the fighting, the battalion lost 1 officer killed and 8 officers wounded whilst 375 other ranks were either killed, wounded or missing. Following the action, Homer was among the missing. He was presumed to have been killed on or since 27 April 1915 and his date of death for official purposes is given as 27 April 1915. He was the husband of Lily Homer and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold together with a photograph of the recipient in uniform in a glazed metal frame (glass cracked) 107mm x 178mm, with the badge of the The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) affixed to the lower part of the frame; another copy of the same portrait photograph, cut down, 65mm x 102mm; 2 smaller versions of the same portrait photograph, 1 cut down and contained within a circular glazed metal pendant frame (glass cracked), 31mm diameter; the recipient’s Liverpool Regiment cap badge; transmittal letters for Great War medals; War Office Army Form W.5132, informing the recipient’s widow that her late husband’s medals are available for issue; Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing Badges awarded to the recipient’s daughter, Mildred Homer, metal and enamel (2), the first inscribed to the reverse, ‘M. L. Homer, 21.2.54’ and the second inscribed to the reverse ‘M. Homer. 29-6-57’; and 4 certificates named to the recipients daughter, Mildred L. Homer, for accomplishments in shorthand typing, ballroom dancing, typewriting, German and Air Raid Precautions.
Belgium, Kingdom, Decoration for Workers and Artisans (3), First Class breast badge (2), silvered, gilt, and enamel, both with bilingual mottos, both with rosettes on riband; Second Class breast badge, silvered and enamel, with bilingual motto; Special Decoration for Industry and Agriculture (3), First Class breast badge, gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; Second Class breast badge (2), silvered and enamel, all in cases of issue, generally very fine (6) £60-£80
Pair: Private A. G. Self, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action at Elouges during the Retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914 British War and Victory Medals (8921 Pte. A. G. Self. Norf. R.) the first dark toned, good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- Albert George Self was born in 1894 at South Lopham, near Thetford, Norfolk and attested for the 4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, (Territorial Force) in 1911. He joined the 3rd Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, Army Special Reserve at Diss, Norfolk in January 1913 and attested for the Regular Army in June 1913, being posted to the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Following the outbreak of the Great War Self travelled to France with the 1st Battalion as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in the original British Expeditionary Force, arriving at Havre on 16 August 1914. Having advanced to positions along the railway line south of the Mons Condé Canal on 23 August, his battalion was withdrawn to Dour on the 24th and later sent forward again to positions west of Elouges, with the battalion’s right on the Elouges-Quièvrain railway line and the 1st Cheshires occupying the ground west towards Audregnies. Attacked by a numerically superior enemy, Colonel Ballard ordered a retirement towards Bavai - an order which unfortunately failed to reach the Cheshires also under his command. The Norfolks lost 4 officers killed, 4 officers wounded and approximately 250 other ranks killed, wounded or missing but their short stand at Elouges and the sacrifice of the Cheshires had bought valuable time for the rest of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat from Mons. Private Self was among those killed. He was the son of James Self of Church Street, Diss, Norfolk, and is commemorated at Elouge Communal Cemetery, France.
France, Republic, Medal for Voluntary Military Service, silver; Medal of Gratitude to Belgium for the Defence of Liege 1914, silver; Medal for Entrepreneurial Industry, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Mlle Maas Eugénie 1948’, for Long and Loyal Service; Medal for the General Trade and Industry Union, silver, the reverse engraved ‘M. Pikus 1983’; Medal of the Industrial Society of the East, silver, the reverse engraved ‘J. Kayser’; Medal of Merit for Philanthropy, bronze; Medal of the Order of the Humanitarian Grand Prix, silver; Medal of Honour for Mutual Aid, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Condor, Lucien, Employe au Ministére de l’Interieur 1906’; Medal for the Mutual Protection of the Agents of the Railways of France and the Colonies, silvered; Medal of French Mutuality silvered; Medal of Honour of Civil Merit, 1st type, First Class breast badge, gilt, unnamed, with rosette on riband; Medal of Honour of the Ministry of Social Security, First Class breast badge, gilt, reverse engraved ‘G. Cottray 1967’, with rosette on riband; Medal of the French Family (6), silver (hallmarks for Paris Mint), with rosette on riband; Ministry of Public Health (3), silvered, with rosette on riband (2), in card box of issue; bronze; Ministry of Public Health and Population, bronze; Ministry of Hygiene, gilt, with rosette on riband, all unnamed as issued; Medla for Social Insurance, Ministry of Hygiene (2), gilt, unnamed; bronze, the reverse engraved ‘F. Fontenaud’, generally very fine (20) £100-£140
The Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh First Class set of insignia bestowed upon Field Marshal Lord Grenfell, who served as Sirdar and Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Army 1886-92 Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, First Class set of insignia, by Kretly, Paris, comprising sash badge, 80mm including Crescent suspension x 62mm, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, maker’s cartouché on reverse, the star lacking from the suspension; Star, 94mm x 89mm, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, maker’s cartouché on reverse, with retaining pin and two additional support hooks, one of the hooks re-affixed, with short length of sash riband for display purposes, enamel damage to both, nearly very fine (2) £800-£1,200 --- Provenance: Spink, November 2011 (when sold alongside the recipient’s other Honours and Awards). Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh First Class London Gazette 18 May 1888: Colonel Sir Francis Wallace Grenfell, K.C.B. (holding local rank of Major-General whilst employed as Sirdar of the Egyptian Army).
Three: Private T. J. Curtis, 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action near La Bassée on 4 November 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (6459 Pte. T. J. Curtis. 1/Norf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6459 Pte. T. J. Curtis. Norf. R.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Thomas James Curtis was born in 1882 in East Runton, Norfolk and attested for the Norfolk Regiment at North Walsham on 27 January 1903. Recalled from the Reserve on the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 22 August 1914 and would have been with the first reinforcement group under Lieutenant A. C. O’Connor which joined the Battalion at Tournans, 20 miles south east of Paris, on 5 September. Ending its retreat, the 1st Battalion, Norfolk Regiment fought at the Marne and the Aisne - suffering over 100 casualties in the attack on the Chivy Spur at the latter - and moved north in October to the La Bassée front. Private Curtis was killed in action on 4 November 1914 during a period in which the 15th Brigade had been holding a line just east of Festubert and Givenchy-lès-la-Bassée under heavy bombardments and infantry attacks. He was the husband of Hannah Curtis and having no known grave is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.
Family group: Three: Private H. Redding, 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays), who was killed in action at the First Battle of Ypres on 5 November 1914 1914 Star (5554 Pte. H. Redding. 2/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (2DG-5554 Pte. H. Redding. 2-D. Gds.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Gunner A. E. Redding, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action whilst serving his gun at the Battle of Arras on 16 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (60163 Gnr. A. E. Redding. R.A.) nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- Harry Redding was born in 1884 at Otterbourne, Hampshire and attested for the 2nd Dragoon Guards at Winchester in 1901. Mobilized as part of the 1st Cavalry Division in 1914 following the outbreak of the Great War, he arrived in France on 9 September 1914 and was killed in action on 5 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. He was the son of James and Olive Redding of 7 School Lane, Allbrook, Hampshire and is buried in Wulvergem Churchyard, Belgium. Albert Edward Redding, brother of the above, was born in 1891 at Otterbourne, Hampshire and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery on 26 October 1915. He served with the British Expeditionary Force on the Western Front from 17 May 1916 and was killed in action on 16 May 1917 whilst serving with 106 Siege Battery. The National Roll of the Great War states of him, ‘he played a prominent part in numerous engagements. He was in action at the first Battle of the Somme, and during the fighting at Arras was killed whilst serving his gun.’ He is buried in Athies Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Both brothers are named on the Otterbourne and Allbrook War Memorial.
Three: Private F. Norman, 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was reported missing, presumed dead, following a counter attack on Wytschaete on 1 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7865 Pte. F. Norman. 1/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7865 Pte. F. Norman. Linc. R.); Memorial Plaque (Frederick Norman) neat holes drilled in the plaque at 9 o’clock and 3 o’clock for mounting, otherwise extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Frederick Norman was born in 1886 at Bow Brickhill, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1906. He served in the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 and was reported missing, presumed dead on or since 1 November 1914. His battalion had already fought and incurred heavy casualties (unusually for a single battalion) at all the major battles of 1914 - Mons, Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne, la Bassée, Messines and Armentières - prior to their taking part in a counter attack on Wytschaete on 1 November 1914 as the Battle of Messines began to merge with the First Battle of Ypres. Private Norman was deemed, for official purposes, to have been killed in action on 1 November 1914. The son of George and Annie Norman of Bow Brickhill, Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, he has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
A superb Great War D.C.M. and Second Award Bar, M.M. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant W. A. Tapsell, 2nd Battalion, later 6th (Service) Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was decorated with a trio of awards for gallantry on the Western Front in the summer of 1917. Commissioned in April 1918, he died five months later from wounds received in action with the 1st Battalion during the Second Battle of the Somme on 18 September 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (8624 Cpl. W. A. Tapsell. 6/Linc: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (8624 Cpl. W. A. Tapsell. 6/Linc: R.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8624 Pte. W. A. Tapsell. 2/Linc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2.Lieut. W. A. Tapsell.); Memorial Plaque (William Algernon Tapsell) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and torn OHMS transmission envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs Tapsell, 3 Grove Road, Abbey Wood, S.E.’; together with two riband bars, the first comprising D.C.M., M.M. and 1914 Star, the second D.C.M. and M.M., nearly extremely fine (6) £5,000-£7,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in assisting to dig out nineteen men who had been buried in a dug-out by a gas shell. Finding it impossible, owing to the darkness, to work in a gas helmet, at imminent risk of his life he removed his own, and by his efforts successfully extricated some of the men. The dug-out was full of lethal gas fumes, and six of the men affected subsequently died. He set a splendid example of fearless devotion and self-sacrifice.’ D.C.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of battalion scouts. Having been ordered to reconnoitre in front of our advancing patrols, his party came under heavy and unexpected rifle and machine-gun fire. In spite of this, however, after warning the patrols behind him, he continued to push forward until, owing to several casualties, further advance was impossible, whereupon he withdrew very skilfully with all his wounded back to our lines. Throughout the action he displayed splendid coolness and presence of mind and an utter disregard for personal safety. M.M. London Gazette 21 August 1917. William Algernon Tapsell was born at Abbey Wood, Kent and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment in 1909. He was stationed at Aden with the 1st Battalion in 1911 and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion from 5 November 1914. Having transferred to the 6th (Service) Battalion - after their arrival on the Western Front in July 1916 - he was promoted to Acting Sergeant and decorated three times for gallantry in the summer of 1917, the first award to be gazetted, his Military Medal, almost certainly being awarded in respect of gallantry during the attack at Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917. This was quickly followed by a D.C.M. and a Second Award Bar to the D.C.M., both awards being published in the 17 September 1917 edition of the London Gazette. The following extract from the regimental history appears to reference the period relating to both awards, i.e. 17-27 July 1917: ‘Two days later [17 July 1917] the battalion [6th] took over the front-line trenches. The opposing lines were so close together that when our guns were engaged in shelling the enemy’s front line the Lincolnshire had to temporarily vacate their trenches. The enemy’s retaliation was both systematic and heavy: he used large quantities of gas shells and for several nights box respirators had to be worn continually. Raids were carried out all along the line at this period and one attempted by the Lincolnshire was unsuccessful, as the Divisional Artillery, on the point selected, prevented entry. Relief came on the 24th/25th July, but on the night of the 26th/27th July the battalion was back in the front line. It was reported on the 27th that the enemy had evacuated his front line; as the correctness of this information was doubted a very weak patrol was sent out by the Commanding Officer (Lieut-Colonel Gater) to verify it, which was met by heavy machine-gun and rifle-fire. Lieutenant Playle and five other ranks were wounded. The casualties would have been far heavier if the original report, based on aeroplane reconnaissance, had been accepted.’ (The History of the Lincolnshire Regiment 1914-1918 by C. R. Simpson refers) Lieutenant Playle received the M.C. for his gallantry in this period - his award was published in the same edition of the London Gazette as both of Tapsell’s D.C.M.s. Subsequently discharged to a commission on 19 April 1918, Tapsell died at No. 8 General Hospital, Rouen on 18 September 1918 from wounds received in action on 24 August 1918 whilst serving with the 1st Battalion at the Battle of Albert during the Second Battles of the Somme. The son of Algernon and Mary Jane Tapsell of 3 Grove Road, Abbey Wood, London, he is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France. Sold together with a War Office Certificate of Death describing the recipient’s place and cause of death, dated 7 October 1918, and an original typewritten foolscap document detailing all three of the recipient’s gallantry awards including both D.C.M. citations and also announcing the presentation of said awards by ‘the General Officer Commanding Troops Woolwich, on Sunday, 20th. January, 1918.’- this in its OHMS envelope addressed to, ‘Mr A. Tapsell, 3 Grove Rd. Abbey Wood, London SE2.’
Three: Private J. S. Hawkins, 1st Battalion, Prince Albert’s (Somersetshire Light Infantry), who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Ligny, during the Battle of Le Cateau, on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (9373 Pte. J. S. Hawkins. 1/Som: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9373 Pte. J. S. Hawkins. Som. L.I.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- John Stanton Hawkins was born in 1893 in Devon and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry in 1912. Following the outbreak of the Great War he sailed for France with the 1st Battalion on 21 August 1914 and three days later, as part of Hunter-Weston’s 11th Brigade in General Snow’s 4th Division, arrived at Le Cateau. After marching forward 7 miles towards Briastre, the 1st Somersets occupied high ground towards Solesmes where they engaged a German Cavalry patrol and together with 11th Brigade assisted in covering the retreat of II Corps and 19th Brigade following the Battle of Mons. Withdrawn overnight, the 4th Division then took up new positions on the left flank of the 3rd Division coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau - Smith Dorrien declaring, ‘Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well.’ Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers. The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The situation on the right flank, the hills around the Le Cateau valley, was perilous from the start, as the Germans infiltrated during the night. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Hunter-Weston’s 11th Brigade spent most of the 26 August desperately holding the position in front of Ligny while coming under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. A feature of the fighting being the greater respect shown by the Germans for British rifle prowess than at Mons where they had suffered heavy casualties. New positions were established at the eastern end of Ligny in the afternoon and a first-aid post was set up at Haucourt Church where the wounded were taken. The 1st Somersets held the village of Ligny until about 4pm when they came under renewed heavy shell fire and were attacked by several enemy battalions. Although accurate rapid rifle fire, machine gun fire and artillery stopped this attack occasioning large numbers of German casualties, the 11th Brigade began to evacuate Ligny shortly afterwards and retired towards Maincourt with little further incident. The Somerset Light Infantry had suffered heavy casualties during the battle however: approximately 9 officers wounded, 19 other ranks killed, 150 wounded and 100 missing. Private Hawkins was amongst those reported missing in action. Having been captured by the Germans at Ligny on 26 August 1914 he was transported to Senne prisoner of war camp where he remained for most of the war. He was discharged on 1 May 1919 and died at Paignton, Devon in 1965. Sold with a copied portrait photograph of Hawkins in uniform taken at Senne prisoner of war camp on 3 January 1918.
Three: Private W. E. Lane, 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers), attached 1st Life Guards, who was present at the action on Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914 and was subsequently killed in action near Zwarteleen during the First Battle of Ypres on 6 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (8345 Pte. W. E. Lane. 6/D.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (D-8345 Pte. W. E. Lane. 6-D.Gds.); Memorial Plaque (William Edward Lane) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- William Edward Lane was born in 1894 at Leytonstone and attested for the Corps of the Dragoons of the Line at Stratford, London in September 1913. He was posted to the 6th Dragoon Guards on 17 January 1914 but following the outbreak of the Great War, he was attached to the 1st Life Guards, entering the Western Front with them at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914 to form part of the 7th Household Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. Lane would have been present during the famous action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October, described in the War Diary by Captain the Hon. E. H. Wyndham in the following understated fashion: ‘Zandvoorde - Oct. 30. 6am - Heavy bombardment of position opened. At 7.30am position was attacked by large force of infantry. This attack proved successful owing to greatly superior numbers. Regiment retired in good order about 10am except C Squadron on left flank from which only about 10 men got back. Remainder of Squadron missing.’ the Marquess of Anglesey, in Volume 7 of A History of the British Cavalry, gives the following account of the action at Zandvoorde Ridge on 30 October 1914: ‘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.’ Private Lane was killed in action on 6 November 1914 during an operation to support the 4th (Guards Brigade) near Zwarteleen following the retirement of some French in occupation of a section of trenches in the Brigade line. On this date, Wyndham’s War Diary contains the following entry: ‘3.15pm - ...Regiment advanced with D Squadron on left, 2 Troops of A Squadron on right, and 2 Troops of A Squadron in support. M.G. Section remained in reserve, the wooded nature of the country not lending itself to the successful employment of machine-guns in the advance. The advance was successfully carried out on left across open to within 150 yards of wood through first E in Zwarteleen. The right did not advance quite so far. Great difficulty was experienced by all units in keeping touch with Troops on either flank. This was due to thickly-wooded nature of the country. D Squadron were finally forced to retire to South edge of woods by machine-gun fire.’ Wyndham names 1 officer and 4 men (including Lane) killed during the action on 6 November and 21 officers and men wounded. The officer killed was his own brother, Lieutenant the Hon. W. R. Wyndham. William Edward Lane was the son of Mr and Mrs Frederick Lane of 7 Gladstone St., Leytonstone, London and having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
A Great War 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting Sergeant F. E. Hermann, 10th (Service) Battalion (1st Hull), East Yorkshire Regiment (Hull Commercials) who died on 17 November 1916 of wounds received in action on 13 November, the opening day of the Battle of the Ancre Military Medal, G.V.R. (1029 Cpl. F. E. Hermann. 10/ E. York: R.); 1914-15 Star (10-1029 Pte. E. F. Hermann. E. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10-1029 A. Sjt. E. F. Hermann. E. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (Frans Edgar Hermann) the whole contained in a contemporary bronze display frame, extremely fine (5) £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916. Frans Edgar Hermann was born in 1890 at Sculcoates, Hull, Yorkshire and attested for the 10th (Service) Battalion, (1st Hull), East Yorkshire Regiment on 11 September 1914. This unit, a Pals Battalion known as the ‘Hull Commercials’ made up of local clerks, teachers and businessmen, had been formed at Hull on 29 August by Lord Nunburnholme and the East Riding Territorial Force Association. Embarking on 8 December 1915 from Devonport, Hermann arrived with his battalion at Port Said, 22 December, to defend the Suez Canal at Qantara with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force. Moving to join the British Expeditionary Force in France, the battalion arrived at Marseilles on 7 March 1916 and proceeded with the 92nd Brigade, 31st Division to the Somme area on the Western Front. Hermann was appointed Lance Sergeant on 4 June 1916. Although fortunate to be in reserve for 1 July 1916, the 92nd (Hull Pals) Brigade would still hold the divisional frontage and the 10th Battalion were required to hold the front line from 24 June until ‘Z’ hour on the 1 July, the date for the start of the Somme offensive. Serre, their division’s objective, was one of the strongest of the German positions to be attacked - it being covered by defence works consisting of thick barbed wire entanglements, protected gun emplacements and elaborate deep dugouts which were not affected by the British bombardment. German retaliatory shells obliterated the front line and communication trenches, making movement by day extremely difficult, resulting in the death of Lieutenant Flintoff and eight other ranks of the battalion. The battalion history records that, as zero hour approached, the 10th Battalion’s preparations on the night of 30 June involved: ‘providing parties to cut “lanes” through our own wire to give our attacking troops a quick means of egress into No Man’s Land.’ After this the battalion pulled back to allow the attacking troops to come forward. The 92nd Brigade was pulled out of the line with the rest of the shattered 31st Division on 2 July and sent north to Bethune to refit. For his service during this period, Acting Sergeant Hermann was awarded the M.M. and he was promoted Acting Sergeant on 28 July. The Brigade then spent August and September with alternate spells in and out of the trenches South East of Richebourg L’Avoue with casualties continuing to mount in this supposedly quieter area. Duty in the line was marked by trench raids and occasional awards for bravery. A highly successful raid by the Hull Commercials on German trenches at Boar’s Head near Richebourg on the night of 18/19 September saw Hermann of C Company suffer multiple wounds: ‘The raid on the 18/19th was to be unorthodox. For a week prior to the raid the division had practised a non-offensive policy with the intention of duping the enemy into thinking that they had a peace-loving division opposite them. Lieutenant-Colonel Stapledon, in the face of opposition from his superiors, insisted that there should be no artillery prior to the attack; stealth would be used to position the troops and Bangalore torpedoes used at the last minute to open up the German wire. One officer and twenty five men from each company would take part under the command of Captain Lambert. In the report written after the raid the aims of the raid were stated as: ‘to enter enemy’s trenches, capture and kill any of the enemy, bomb his dugouts and do as much damage as possible.’ This was to be achieved by entering the enemy’s trenches at: ‘four separate points as silently as possible, with 4 parties, each party not to be more than 36 strong, enemy’s wire being cut by a bangalore torpedo at each point of entry, the moment before entry. ’ The four raiding parties waited in No Man’s Land until midnight when the Bangalore torpedoes went off and the raid started. C Company was in position at 11.57 and at midnight when the torpedo exploded rushed into the trench under the cover of the smoke. The party entered a bay occupied by four sentries, three of whom were killed and the other taken prisoner. Flank parties bombed their way down the trench while a third party bombed another trench (Kampe Strasse) causing the Germans to run down the trench and out into the open at the back of the trenches. At 12.10 the raiding party left the trenches leaving behind an estimated ten dead Germans with an unknown number wounded. C Company casualties were light, with one officer and three men slightly wounded. There was no enemy retaliation of any sort after the raid. The raid was a great success and congratulations were received from all quarters. Battalion orders for the 20th gave details of the compliments: ‘I should be glad if you will ask the G.O.C. 31st Division to convey to Brig. Gen. Williams, Commanding the 92nd Infantry Brigade, my congratulations to all ranks of the 10th East Yorkshire Regiment, under Major C.C. Stapledon, who took part in the successful raid carried out last night. The casualties inflicted on the enemy and the capture of prisoners and a machine gun, proved that the raid was not only prepared in the most careful manner, but that it was carried out with fine energy, determination, and gallantry by the officers and men of the East Yorkshire. The capture of the prisoners has enabled us to establish some identifications which are of the utmost importance at the present time to the whole of the allied armies. (signed) R. Haking, General Commanding, First Army.’ (Hull Pals - 10th, 11th, 12th & 13th (Service) Battalions of the East Yorkshire Regiment - A History of 92 Infantry Brigade 31st Division by David Bilton refers.) Having been wounded in action during the raid, Hermann was admitted to hospital at Wimereaux on 23 September 1916 with wounds to his left hand, neck and legs. Sufficiently recuperated, he rejoined his unit in the field back on the Somme on 9 November 1916 and was wounded again four days later on the opening day of the Battle of the Ancre during which the 10th provided flank guards and carrying parties as opposed to the 12th and 13th battalions who suffered terribly in the main attack to the north of Serre. Acting Sergeant Hermann died of his wounds on 17 November 1916. He was the son of Niels Christian Hermann and the husband of Elizabeth Mary Hermann of 5 Eldon Grove, Beverley Road, Hull and is buried in Couin British Cemetery, France.
Three: Corporal H. H. Shuttle, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (9734 Cpl. H. H. Shuttle. 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9734 Cpl. H. H. Shuttle. Bedf. R.); Memorial Plaque (Harold Henry Shuttle); Memorial Scroll, ‘Cpl. Harold Henry Shuttle, Bedfordshire Regiment’; together with a Bedfordshire Regiment cap badge, nearly extremely fine (5) £260-£300 --- Harold Henry Shuttle was born on 18 December 1894 at Chigwell, Essex and attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1911. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division, on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. “A” and “B” Companies engaged the enemy at Wasmes on 23 August 1914, coming under fire from enemy field guns, their shallow trenches offering little protection. The Battalion then reunited at Paturages on 24 August and beat off the advancing enemy whilst inflicting heavy casualties. Withdrawing to Bavai and then Le Cateau on 26 August, they then took up a position near Troisville facing Le Cateau-Cambrai road, the 5th Division holding the right of the line from a point halfway between Le Cateau and Reumont, to Troisville, with the 15th Brigade covering the left half of the line, just east of Troisville. As they waited for the inevitable onslaught, the men tried to deepen their trenches: ‘The mist started clearing mid morning and the first German guns opened up on the British positions. Although it started slowly, the bombardment gradually picked up pace and determination until the sheer scale of it almost overwhelmed the thin British lines. The weight of the German attack fell on the right and centre of the 5th Division’s lines, to the right of the Bedfordshires, which was II Corps most vulnerable flank with the least support. As the afternoon wore on, rifle and machine gun fire increased in intensity, especially on the right flank, and column after column of German infantry assaulted the British positions. In a replay of events at Mons, intense and accurate British rifle fire and field guns firing over open sights from positions alongside the infantry held the Germans back. During the assault, the Bedfords themselves were spared the attentions of the German Infantry and contented themselves with providing supporting fire to the units on their right when the opportunity arose... By 4pm the bulk of the 5th Division was already retiring and orders reached the Bedfordshires to ‘retire by bounds’ if possible. They were to make their rearguard action deliberately slow and ensure the advancing enemy paid dearly, thereby allowing the main body to get away as unmolested as possible. To their right the King’s Own Scottish Borderers retired and A, B and C Companies followed suit in small groups. D Company on the extreme left was pinned down by intense machine-gun fire but got away eventually, Captain William Wagstaff from D Company being wounded in the thigh during the withdrawal.’ (1st Bedfordshires Part 1: Mons to the Somme by Steven Fuller refers) The War Diary records casualties as being mercifully light - around 30 killed or wounded, Private Shuttle being among those killed. He was the son of Frederick and Emma Matilda Shuttle, of 5, Smeaton Road, Woodford Bridge, Essex and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.
Three: Private W. Clayden, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Gheluvelt during the First Battle of Ypres on 7 November 1914 1914 Star (7682 Pte. W. Clayden. 1/Bedf: R.) in named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (7682 Pte. W. Clayden. Bedf. R.) in slightly damaged named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Walter Clayden) in card envelope, extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Walter Clayden was born in 1882 at Lexden, Essex and enlisted in the Bedfordshire Regiment at Colchester in September 1903. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps, his battalion coming under fire at Mons on 23 August and also three days later in a stand at Troisville during the Battle of Le Cateau in which the 5th Division won 3 Victoria Crosses. After services on the Marne, the Aisne and at the Battle of La Bassée, the 1st Bedfords took over trenches in a wood south of the Ypres-Menin road at Gheluvelt on 6 November. The following day the enemy gained part of the line on their left which was reclaimed in a counter attack the same day, the fighting coming at a cost of the lives of 49 men of the battalion, including that of Private Clayden. Another source notes the loss of 7 officers and 140 other ranks killed, wounded or missing on 7 November 1914. Bob Pigg of the 1st Bedford’s later wrote of this day: ‘The fighting at Ypres was terrible. We had eighteen days in the trenches and I can tell it put years on me. The first day we got there we had to do a charge, a thing I shall never forget. We lost 332. I saw as many as 12 buried in one grave.’ He was the wife of Agnes Laura Clayden of 55 Maidenburgh Street, Colchester, Essex and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.
Three: Drummer B. E. Robertson, 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Gheluvelt during the First Battle of Ypres on 16 November 1914 1914 Star (9234 Dmr: B. E. Robertson, 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9234 Pte. B. E. Robertson. Bedf. R.) good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Bertram Ernest Robertson was born in 1892 at Slough, Berkshire and resided in Godalming, Surrey prior to attesting for the Bedfordshire Regiment in 1908. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 as part of the 15th Brigade, 5th Division in Smith-Dorrien’s II Corps, his battalion coming under fire at Mons on 23 August and also three days later in a stand at Troisville during the Battle of Le Cateau in which the 5th Division won 3 Victoria Crosses. After services on the Marne, the Aisne and at the Battle of La Bassée, the 1st Bedfords took over trenches in a wood south of the Ypres-Menin road at Gheluvelt on 6 November. A section of the line on the left was lost to the Prussian Guard on the 7th and reclaimed at considerable cost (150 officers and men killed or wounded) in a counter attack the same day. Men continued to fall to the regular shelling and smaller German assaults over the following week with Drummer Robertson being one of five men of the battalion killed on 16 November 1914. He was the husband of Dorothy Rachel Robertson and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Three: Private E. J. Slade, 1st (Royal) Dragoons, who was killed in action near Zillebeke during the First Battle of Ypres on 12 November 1914 1914 Star (6974 Pte. E. J. Slade. 1/Dns.); British War and Victory Medals (D-6974 Pte. E. J. Slade. 1-Dns.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Edward James Slade was born at Camberwell, London and resided at Hoxton, London. He attested for the 1st Dragoons (Royals) in London and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front as part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division from 8 October 1914. Private Slade was killed in action on 12 November 1914, a date on which his regiment was occupying trenches under shell-fire south-east of Zillebeke, during the First Battle of Ypres. He was the son of Edward Robert and Mrs E. Slade of 6 Alsen Road, Holloway, London, and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
The 1914 Star awarded to Sergeant D. Walsh, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, who was killed in action at Mons on 23 August 1914, the British Expeditionary Force’s first full day of fighting on the Western Front 1914 Star (4969 Sjt. D. Walsh. R. Ir: Regt.) good very fine £180-£220 --- Denis Walsh was born in 1875 at Cappoquin, County Waterford, Ireland and attested for the Royal Irish Regiment at Dungarvon, County Waterford in 1893. He served with the 2nd Battalion on the North West Frontier and was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasps for Punjaub Frontier 1897-98 and Samana 1897. Following the outbreak of the Great War he sailed for France on 13 August as a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion and, having landed at Boulogne, moved forward with his battalion as part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Division into Belgium and on to St. Symphorien, just south-east of Mons, on 22 August. Advancing further the following morning, the 2nd Royal Irish Regiment took part in fighting on the eastern outskirts of Mons and were heavily engaged around the cemetery before they fell back to Nouvelles having sustained casualties of around 300 officers and men either killed, wounded or missing. Sergeant Walsh was initially reported missing on 23 August 1914 but was later confirmed killed in action. He was the son of Denis Walsh, of Affane, Cappoquin and the husband of Margaret Walsh (nee Lenane), of The Green, Villierstown, Cappoquin, Co. Waterford, and is buried in St. Symphorien Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Four: Acting Corporal W. Breakspear, 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, late Royal Berkshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (3063 Pte. W. Breakspear. Rl: Berks: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (1919 Pte. W. Breakspeare [sic], R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (1919 A. Cpl. W. Breakspeare [sic]. R. Ir. Regt.) slight edge nicks to QSA, otherwise good very fine or better (4) £140-£180 --- William Breakspear was born in 1872 at East Hanney, Berkshire, the son of William and Martha Breakspear. He attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 22 November 1890 at Reading and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment during the Boer War from 30 April 1902 (entitled to QSA with clasps for Cape Colony and South Africa 1902). Having returned to England on 19 July 1902, he was discharged on 21 November 1902 on the termination of his first period of engagement. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Breakspear enlisted for war-time service with the Royal Irish Regiment and served with the 6th (Service) Battalion on the Western Front from 17 December 1915, subsequently transferring to the Labour Corps and advancing to Corporal. He was discharged to the Class Z Reserve on 27 March 1919.
Pair: Private W. J. Grinham, 2nd Battalion, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), who was killed in action near Kruiseecke, during the First Battle of Ypres, in October 1914 1914 Star (10111 Pte. W. J. Grinham. 2/York: R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (10111 Pte. W. J. Grinham. York. R.) good very fine (2) £120-£160 --- William James Grinham was born in London and attested for the Yorkshire Regiment on 8 January 1913. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was stationed with them in the Channel Islands at time of the outbreak of the Great War and returned with his battalion to Southampton on 28 August. The battalion joined the 21st Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst in September and arrived at Zeebrugge on 5 October. The 2nd Green Howards reached Ypres on 14 October 1914 and advanced to positions on the crossroads at Nieuwe Kruiseecke where, from 19 to 27 October, they held the line under heavy shellfire and continuous enemy attack. The War Diary of the 7th Division entry for the 23 October states ‘The tenacity of the battalion [2nd Green Howards] during this and the following days of heavy fighting was worthy of all praise. Though subjected to violent shell fire and continued infantry attacks, they fought steadily on. When blown out of one trench, they moved on to the next, and never wavered.’ The battalion was relieved temporarily by the Coldstream Guards on 27 October but A and C Companies were sent forward again on the 29th to support the 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers near Zandvoorde along the Kruiseecke Ridge. Here, a breakthrough by the enemy prompted Colonel King to lead a counter attack in which former positions were reclaimed and an additional 200 yards gained. A withdrawal to positions near Gheluvelt then took place after 30 October. 17 year old Private Grinham was killed in action during this period of fighting. The Register of Soldiers’ Effects describes his death as being ‘near Ypres between 22 and 30 October 1914’; the Commonwealth War Graves Commission states his date of death to be 30 October 1914. He was the brother of Mr. Charles Grinham of 102 Cornwall Rd., Lambeth, London and having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Family Group: A Great War 1916 ‘Battle of Flers Courcelette’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal T. Craddock, 6th (Service) and 9th (Service) Battalions, Princess of Wales’s Own (Yorkshire Regiment), who was killed in action during the attack on Le Sars on 7 October 1916 Military Medal, G.V.R. (10610 L. Cpl. T. Craddock. 9/York: R.); 1914-15 Star (10610 Pte. T. Craddock. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10610 Pte. T. Craddock. York. R.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Craddock) in card envelope and torn outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr T. Craddock, Clifton, Bedale, Yorkshire.’, extremely fine Three: Lance Corporal A. Craddock, 6th (Service) Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, who died of wounds at Gallipoli on 18 August 1915 1914-15 Star (18201 Pte. A. Craddock. E. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (18201 Pte. A. Craddock. E. Lan. R.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Craddock) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr Craddock, Clifton Lodges, Bedale, Yorks.’, extremely fine Three: Gunner A. Craddock, 59th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, who died of disease at Alexandria, Egypt, on 23 August 1915 1914-15 Star (99386 Gnr. A. Craddock. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (99386 Gnr. A. Craddock. R.A.); Memorial Plaque (Amos Craddock) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope and outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr T. Craddock, Clifton Lodges, Bedale, Yorkshire.’, extremely fine (13) £800-£1,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 September 1916: ‘For great gallantry and devotion to duty on the afternoon of Sept. 19th 1916. During a hostile attack on Prue and Starfish Trenches (near Martinpuich) this man, though badly shaken by a bomb explosion, picked up German bombs, which were lying in the trench and attacked the enemy with them. For some time he held the trench quite alone; later he stood up on the parapet and directed fire on a party of the enemy. It was with difficulty that he was restrained from attacking them single handed, as he was under the impression that they had captured one of his officers who was wounded.’ Thomas Craddock was born in 1894 at Clifton, Bedale, Yorkshire, the son of Tobias and Isabella Craddock. He enlisted at Richmond, Yorkshire and served with the 6th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in Gallipoli theatre from 14 July 1915. Landing at Suvla Bay on the night of 6 August, the Battalion commenced an attack on Lala Baba, the first assault to be made by any unit of the New Army in Gallipoli. Made under conditions that, according to the Official History of the Great War, ‘would have tried the mettle of highly experienced troops’, the attack resulted in 16 officers and 250 other ranks becoming casualties by noon the next day. Withdrawn to Imbros in December due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather, the Battalion was evacuated to Alexandria on 7 February 1916 and was employed in defence of the Suez Canal. Having transferred to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Craddock served with them on the Western Front in 1916 and was decorated for gallantry on 19 September in repelling an enemy attack on ‘C’ Company in Prue and Starfish Trenches near Martinpuich during the Battle of Flers Courcelette. On 7 October 1916, still on the Somme, he was killed in action during the 68th Brigade’s successful attack on Le Sars, where the 9th Green Howards captured the village up to the central crossroads amid hand-to-hand fighting. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with an original typed copy of the recipient’s M.M. citation signed by Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Benfield des Voeux Wilkinson, Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, 23rd Division and a letter, hand-written and signed by Lieutenant-Colonel H. A. S. Prior, sent to the recipient’s mother, accompanying the recipient’s M.M. riband and expressing sympathies, together with its OHMS envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs Craddock, Clifton Lodge, Bedale, Yorks. England.’ Albert Craddock, brother of the above, was born in 1888 at Bedale, Yorkshire and enlisted during the Great War initially with the 3rd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn, Lancashire. Transferring to the 6th (Service) Battalion, he sailed with them on 14 June 1915 to serve in the Dardanelles Campaign. A member of the Battalion Pioneer Company, his 1914-15 Star medal roll entry gives a first and second date of disembarkation in the Gallipoli theatre - one on 29 June and the other on 1 August. He died of wounds at Gallipoli on 18 August 1915 and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Amos Craddock, brother of the above, was born in 1897 at Bedale, Yorkshire and enlisted during the Great War with the Royal Field Artillery at Richmond, Yorkshire. Posted to ‘A’ battery, 59th Brigade, he was ordered with his unit to the Gallipoli theatre, sailing from Liverpool in late June 1915 and first disembarking in Egypt on 14 July 1915. His Brigade landed near Lala Baba at Suvla Bay on 6 and 7 August. Gunner Craddock died of disease on 23 August 1915 at the 17th General Hospital, Alexandria and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Family Group: A Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major M. Higgin-Birket, Lancashire Fusiliers, a Boer War veteran who was wounded with the 2nd Battalion in 1914 and was three times Mentioned in Despatches for his services whilst on attachment as Cipher Officer with G.H.Q. Staff, British Salonika Force, 1915-17 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. M. Higgin-Birket, 5/Lanc: Fus:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Major M. Higgin-Birket. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major M. Hggin-Birket.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, Civil Division, Fourth Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, significant damage to blue pendalia enamel and upper right quadrant of red enamel; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star emblem on riband, generally very fine Four: Captain W. Higgin-Birket, Lancashire Fusiliers, who, having served with the 5th Battalion during the Boer War, was wounded and then missing, presumed killed, serving with the 2nd Battalion at the Battle of Armentières on 28 October 1914 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: W. Higgin-Birket, 5/Lanc. Fus:); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt. W. Higgin-Birket. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. Higgin-Birket.) edge bruise to QSA, very fine (11) £1,400-£1,800 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 15 March 1918: ‘For services in connection with the war in Salonika.’ Serbian Order of the White Eagle, Fourth Class London Gazette 7 June 1919. Myles Higgin-Birket was born in 1873 at Richmond, Surrey, the son of William Higgin-Birket and Elizabeth Hilbro Higgin-Birket of Birket Houses, Winster, Westmorland and was educated at Heversham Grammar School and University College School, Hampstead. Commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 5th and 6th Battalions, Lancashire Fusiliers on 28 March 1898, he was advanced Lieutenant, 30 November 1899 and Captain, 16 March 1901. He served with the 5th Battalion in South Africa, 1901-02 where he was present at the Operations in Orange River Colony, June to July 1901 and the operations in Cape Colony, July 1901 to May 1902, receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 5 clasps. He retired with the Honorary rank of Major on 10 May 1913 but rejoined for service with the Special Reserve as Captain (Hon. Maj. Ret.) in the 3rd Battalion of his old regiment, proceeding to France with the 2nd Battalion on 28 September 1914. Wounded on 12 November, Higgin-Birket returned to London and was attached to the Foreign Office, March to October 1915 before being posted to Salonika on attachment with the General Staff of the General Headquarters. For his services as Cipher Officer, G.H.Q., Salonika Force, Captain (Hon Major) Higgin-Birket was awarded the O.B.E., and personally decorated by the Crown Prince of Serbia with the Order of the White Eagle, 4th Class. For these services he was also three times Mentioned in General Milne’s Despatches (London Gazettes 6 December 1916; 21 July 1917; and 28 November 1917). After the war, from November 1918 to March 1920, he served as Camp Commandant G.H.Q. Salonika and G.H.Q. Army of the Black Sea, Constantinople. French Croix de Guerre unconfirmed. William Higgin-Birket, younger brother of the above, was born in 1878 at Richmond, Surrey. Commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 12 July 1900, he was promoted Lieutenant on 16 March 1901 and served with the 5th Battalion during the Boer War in South Africa, 1901-02, where he was present at the Operations in Orange River Colony, June to July 1901, and the operations in Cape Colony, July 1901 to May 1902, receiving the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 4 clasps. Higgin-Birket was advanced Captain on 5 September 1903 and was still serving with the 5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on the outbreak of the Great War. Proceeding to France with the 2nd Battalion, he served with B Company on the Western Front from 14 September 1914. Having crossed the Aisne under heavy fire in September, his battalion, as part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Division, was engaged during the Armentiéres and Messines operations in October, Higgin-Birket first gaining mention in the Regimental History for his part in the attack on Le Touquet on 18 October: ‘Early in the morning, “B” (Captain W. Higgin-Birkett) and “C” (Captain R. Luker) Companies advanced on the left of the Le Bizet-Le Touquet road, with “A” Company in support and “D” Company in reserve. The village was strongly held, the houses were loopholed and trenches were dotted about over open ground outside the village. Moreover the enemy was able to bring a cross-fire of artillery and rifles from the east bank of the River Lys and from the loopholed buildings of Frélinghien. As a result, progress was very slow, “B” and “C” Companies lost touch and a platoon of “A” Company was sent up to restore contact. But the enemy’s fire was so heavy that it was found necessary to reinforce this platoon...’(The History of the Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-1918, Volume I, by Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C. refers) On 28 October 1914, Higgin-Birket was reported missing presumed killed after he had been wounded in leading his Company in a successful counter attack against German infantry of the XIII Corps divisions and Infantry regiments 107 and 179 from XIX Corps. The German units had infiltrated through ruined buildings and overrun a battalion of the 18th Brigade holding a salient east of the La Bassée–Armentières railway near Rue du Bois: ‘Again, scarcely had the relief been completed when, at 2am on the 28th, the enemy attacked the 2nd Essex Regiment on the right of the battalion, which went to its support and helped to repel the assault. A second attack was made on the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment of the 18th Brigade, but it was held up in the wire between the first and second lines of trenches and was driven back by a counter-attack launched by the East Yorkshire Regiment and “B” Company of the 2nd Lancashire Fusiliers. The enemy’s losses were estimated to be at least 200 killed. The battalion’s losses during the day were 4 men killed and Captain W. Higgin-Birket and 7 men wounded. Higgin-Birket had been hit in the head and started to walk back to the dressing station alone; nothing was ever heard from him again.’ (ibid) Captain William Higgin-Birket has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
Family group: Three: Acting Sergeant A. E. Luckett, 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who served in Gallipoli and was subsequently killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916 1914-15 Star (1912 Pte. A. E. Luckett. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (1912 A. Sjt. A. E. Luckett. Lan. Fus.) nearly extremely fine Three: Private P. H. Luckett, 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was killed in action during the Third Battle of Krithia, Gallipoli, on 4 June 1915 1914-15 Star (2071 Pte. P. H. Luckett. Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2071 Pte. P. H. Luckett. Lan. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (6) £400-£500 --- Arther Edward Luckett was born in 1891 at Camberwell, Middlesex, the son of William and Sarah Luckett of 11 Bedford Road, East Ham, Essex. He attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1909 and served with the 1st Battalion on Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 where they were engaged in actions at the Battles for Krithia and the Achi Baba heights. The battalion suffered casualties of 33 officers and 584 other ranks during the campaign before it was finally withdrawn to Egypt in January 1916. Embarked for France in March 1916, the battalion remained with the 86th Brigade, 29th Division on the Somme. Acting Sergeant Luckett was killed in action serving with F Company during the battalion’s attack on the heavily fortified village of Beaumont-Hamel on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. On 29 June the Divisional Commander Major General H. de .B. de Lisle had addressed the main body of the battalion and said, ‘to you has been set the most difficult task - that of breaking the hardest part of the enemies shell’. The battalion formed up at a sunken road part way towards their objective and began their assault following a huge artillery barrage and a massive mine being detonated at the Hawthorn redoubt. The setting off of the mine unfortunately alerted the Germans to the men formed up in the sunken road and subjected them to a tremendous cross fire from the front and both sides as they attacked. On 1 July 1916, the 1st Lancashire Fusiliers suffered casualties of 7 officers killed and 14 wounded, 156 Other ranks killed and 298 wounded with 11 missing presumed dead. 4 Military Crosses and 8 Military Medals were won by the battalion that day. Having no known grave, Acting Sergeant A. E. Luckett is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Percy Harold Luckett, younger brother of the above, was born in 1893 and attested for the Lancashire Fusiliers in 1910. He served with the 1st Battalion on Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 and was killed in action on 4 June 1915 during the Third Battle of Krithia. The activities of the battalion that day can be summarised as follows: ‘British bombardment (4th) recorded as falling short and causing high casualties. Machine gun section put out of action. “A” and “B” Companies attacked in centre on Gully Spur 12 noon - heavy casualties from rifle and machine gun fire - most men hit while climbing parapet, few got forward not more than a few yards. “D” and “B’ Companies followed and also swept by fire. Major-General J. C. Latter, C.B.E., M.C. in his 1914-1918 history of the Lancashire Fusiliers records how Captain H. R. Clayton was killed while leading “D” Company, his body being found in the Turkish wire 2 months later. Relieved and to Pink House in reserve (6th). Casualties - 14 officers, 500 other ranks.’ (British Regiments at Gallipoli by Ray Westlake refers) Private P. H. Luckett is buried in Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey. Sold together with the following items: 2 studio portrait photographs of either A. E. or P. H. Luckett in Lancashire Fusiliers uniform. A studio portrait photograph of either A. E. or P. H. Luckett in Lancashire Fusiliers uniform, together with a woman (likely to be elder sister, Emily); studio portrait photograph of a soldier in tropical uniform wearing Q.S.A. with 4 clasps. (likely the recipients’ father, William Luckett. A man of this name served with the 18th Bn. (Sharpshooters) Imperial Yeomanry during the Boer War and received the Q.S.A. with 4 clasps.); a letter written by A. E. Luckett (B Company, 1st Lancs. Fus.) to younger brother David, sent from Napier Barracks, Karachi, India, dated 8 January 1914; a letter written by P. H. Luckett (1st Lancs. Fus. attached 1 H.L.I.) to younger brother David, sent from Ambala City, India, dated 1 January 1914; Record Office transmittal letters for all 3 medals awarded to P. H. Luckett; Record Office transmittal letters for 1914-15 Star and BWM awarded to A. E. Luckett; outer OHMS envelope for medals addressed to ‘Mrs J. J. Luckett, 11 Bedford Rd. East Ham, London.’
A collection of various modern composite animal sculptures, including a Teviotdale limited-edition 'Red Stag', 30cm high, Border Fine Arts 'Autumn Reds', 'Squirrel Family', (a/f), 'Otter', Country Artist 'Bluebell Glade, 'Tawny Owl', 'First Dawn of Spring', 'Red Stag', 'Red Squirrel - Alert', (x2), Beswick 'Shire Mare' (brown glaze), 'Shire Foal' (brown) and others, also a small quantity of books and plated ware.
A collection of original cover Harry Potter hardback books with dust covers by J K Rowling, including Philosopher's Stone (12th impression), Chamber of Secrets (5th impression), 2 x Prisoner of Azkaban (12th impression) and Goblet of Fire (First edition), together with assorted Harry Potter ephemeraCONDITION REPORTGoblet of Fire published 2000Prisoner of Azkabah published 1999Chamber of Secrets published 1998Philosophers Stone published 1997
A framed and glazed Limited Edition print entitled 'First Contact' by Peter Leath together with two Peter Leath canvases, a picture by Joseph Kirkpatrick and four framed and glazed sets of fishing flysCONDITION REPORTFishing flies dimensions 33cm x 28cmLarge print - 81cm x 58cmWe have attached a number of additional images to showcase the lot in further detail.
SIMON RICH (BRITISH 1949) TWO GREEN CRYSTALLINE VASES, the first of globular shape with short neck, approximate height 16.5cm, the second is of ovoid form with elongated neck, approximate height 14cm, both with impressed marks to base, the smaller vase has a small unglazed area to the body (2)
THREE SEIKO WRISTWATCHES, the first ref 7T32-7D99, cream chronograph dial, Arabic numerals, date window at three o'clock, satin finish to the case and bracelet, the second ref 7S26-02J0, automatic watch with a blue dial and white minute and hour markers, day date window, fitted with a blue fabric strap, the third a Seiko quartz Sports 100, ref 7546-6040, black dial, blue and silver bezel, day date window, stainless steel case and bracelet
RUSKIN POTTERY, two footed bowls of mottled glazes, the first is orange and is impressed Ruskin England 1927, height approximately 4.5cm, diameter 13cm, the second is a green and brown mottled glaze, impressed Ruskin England 1927, height approximately 5.5cm diameter 13cm (Condition Report:- no obvious damage) (2)
RUSKIN POTTERY two crystalline glaze bowls, the first has a pale blue crackle glaze to the inside bottom surface, impressed Ruskin England 1927, painted 651 to the base, height approximately 6cm, diameter 16cm, the second is raised on three feet, impressed Ruskin England to the base, height approximately 4.5cm, diameter 10cm, (Condition Report:- 2cm vertical crack running form the rim)
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