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Lot 587
Tommy Steele signed 6x4 colour photo. English entertainer, regarded as Britains first teen idol and rock and roll star. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
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Lot 640
Tommy Steele signed album page. English entertainer, regarded as Britains first teen idol and rock and roll star.[1][2] He reached number one with Singing the Blues in 1957, and The Tommy Steele Story was the first album by a UK act to reach number one. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 260
Brig Paul Tibbets USAF signed 1979 B29 Washington bomber cover B39, flown in Super Fortress. He is best known as the pilot who flew the Enola Gay named after his mother when it dropped Little Boy, the first of two atomic bombs used in warfare, on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Details, biographies and information inside. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 93
Battle of Britain fighter ace Robert Stanford Tuck signed WW2 RAF first flight cover. Wing Commander Robert Stanford Tuck, DSO, DFC & Two Bars, AFC was a British fighter pilot, flying ace and test pilot. Tuck joined the Royal Air Force in 1935 and first engaged in combat during the Battle of France, over Dunkirk, claiming his first victories. In September 1940 he was promoted to squadron leader and commanded a Hawker Hurricane squadron. In 1941-1942, Tuck participated in fighter sweeps over northern France. On 28 January 1942, he was hit by anti aircraft fire, was forced to land in France, and was taken prisoner. At the time of his capture, Tuck had claimed 29 enemy aircraft destroyed, two shared destroyed, six probably destroyed, six damaged and one shared damaged. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 258
German WWI pilot Wolfram Eisenlohr signed No 9 Sqn Pathfinders cover. On August 27th 1917 Eisenlohr became the first pilot in history to sink a ship with Bombs from an aircraft when he sank a Russian destroyer. In October he captured some Russian soldiers in the Gulf of Riga and towed them in with his Seaplane! Following WW1 Eisenlohr was a test pilot for the clandestine Luftwaffe and was part of the Condor Legion in Spain. Lots of photos inside cover. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 607
Alvin Stardust signed album page. English rock singer and stage actor. Performing first as Shane Fenton in the 1960s, Jewry had a moderately successful career in the pre Beatles era, hitting the UK top 40 with four singles in 1961 62. However, he became better known for singles released in the 1970s and 1980s as Alvin Stardust, including the UK Singles Chart topper Jealous Mind, as well as later hits such as Pretend and I Feel Like Buddy Holly. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 636
Gareth Gates signed 10 x 8 colour photo. English singer songwriter. He was the runner up in the first series of the ITV talent show Pop Idol. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 650
Keith Emerson signed album page. English musician and composer. He played keyboards in a number of bands before he found his first commercial success with the Nice, formerly P. P. Arnolds backing band, in the late 1960s. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 227
Capt Mike Bannister Chief Concorde pilot signed 1979 First Flight cover, flown by Concorde. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 724
Dennis Weaver signed super 10 x 8 b/w photo, full length in Western outfit, to Stan. American actor who was best known for his work in television. Weavers two most notable roles were as Marshal Matt Dillons trusty helper Chester Goode on the CBS western Gunsmoke and as Deputy Marshal Sam McCloud on the NBC police drama McCloud. He appeared in the 1971 television film Duel, the first film of director Steven Spielberg. He is also remembered for his role as the twitchy motel attendant in Orson Welless film Touch of Evil. Good Condition. All signed items come with our certificate of authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £3.95, EU from £4.95, Overseas from £6.95.
Lot 459
A pair of 19th Century mahogany arm chairs in a green and yellow flock upholstery, with show arm frames, the arm rests carved as eagle's heads, their elongated necks arching down to form the bottom of the arms on acanthus leaf cabriole front legs and plain cabriole back legs CONDITION REPORTS First chair - very worn and losses and patches to the front of the hand rests - see images. Various splits to the hand rests. Upholstery very worn and stained and ripped. Possibly needs recovering. Some losses to the front legs. See images.Second chair - some scratches, marks and scuffs. Upholstery showing various signs of wear and tear. Both chairs with various signs of general wear and tear throughout conducive with age and use.
Lot 247
ERASMUS DARWIN M.D.F.R.S. "Phytologia: or The Philiosophy of Agriculture and Gardening with the fear of draining morasses, and with an improved construction of the drill Plough", first edition published J Johnson St Paul's Churchyard London 1800, including twelve plates, two of which folding, marbled paperboard bond with leather corners and tooled and gilded leather spine
Lot 236
An early Victorian needlework tapestry sampler by Harriet Clements depicting Adam and Eve and a country house amongst vases of flowers and floral sprays inscribed "Convince the world that you are just and true, be just in all you say and all you do, whatever your birth you are you're sure to be a man of the first magnitude to be - Harriet Clements finished this sampler in year .... 1838", 42 cm x 32.5 cm
Lot 420
A Caucasian rug, the central panel set with two lozenge-shaped medallions and geometric pattern on a purple ground, within a stepped oatmeal, blue and orange geometric patterned border, 87 cm x 68 cm, together with another similar, 93 cm x 65 cm (2) CONDITION REPORTS First carpet has two large holes to the centre, wear to the fringing and edges. In need of a clean. Some discolouration and staining and several smaller holes are becoming evident, Second carpet has several holes throughout, heavy wear to the edges including the fringing. Wear to the pile, possibly moth damage and some discolouration. In need of a clean, conducive with age and use. See images on both for further details.
Lot 5
*China, Order of the Double Dragon, Second type, Second Class, First Grade breast star, in silver, silver-gilt and enamels with orange-red corals as both centre (engraved) and top (plain) stones, of compact module and with plain vertical brooch-pin suspension, width 82mm, minor losses to enamel, good very fine
Lot 272
An Interesting Metropolitan Police Group of 4 awarded to Police Constable Edward Gaston, of ‘D’ (Marylebone) Division, Metropolitan Police, comprising: Jubilee 1887, Metropolitan Police issue, with clasp ‘1897’ (PC, E. Gaston. D. Divn); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police issue (P.C. E. Gaston. D. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police issue (P.C., E. Gaston.); Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, silver commemorative medal, 50mm, reverse engraved ‘Edward Gaston’; First and third lacking ribbons, medals generally about extremely fine (4)
Lot 191
*A Rare Officer’s Prisoner of War MGS awarded to Captain George Tito Brice, 3rd Dragoon Guards, who was severely wounded by a cannonball at Talavera and captured by the advancing French forces whilst lying wounded on the field of battle. He was initially held at the infamous prison-fortress & town of Verdun until the end of the Peninsular War, when his passport was reportedly signed by Napoleon himself at the time of his release, comprising: Military General Service, 1793-1814, single clasp, Talavera (G. T. Brice, Capt 3rd Dragn Gds.), offered with complete box of issue and original ribbon, old cabinet tone, just one or two tiny marks, otherwise practically as struck and rare with original box. Ex Spink, December 1986; Ex DNW, 23 September, 2011; Ex Baldwin, 2013, retail purchase. George Tito Brice was born in 1872 in Wimborne, near Poole, Dorset, the first son of Reverend George Tito Brice – Vicar of Great Canford, Dorset. As a young man of some private means, he purchased a Cornetcy in the 3rd Dragoon Guards for £630 on 17 October 1799, being promoted to Lieutenant on 24 April 1801, and then being reduced to half-pay. He was re-appointed Lieutenant on 2 September 1802, and was very soon after promoted to Captain on 17 December 1803. Serving in the Peninsular War, he landed with the 3rd Dragoon Guards at Lisbon on 26-27 April 1809 as part of Fane’s cavalry brigade. Marching on 4 May to join Wellington’s army they took part in the battle of Talavera on 27 and 28 July, where he was wounded by a cannonball during abortive preparations for a cavalry charge against the opposing French infantry. Captain Brice and one other Trooper were wounded and subsequently captured and taken as prisoners of war from the battlefield as the British troops withdrew to Portugal. According to analysis in Michael Lewis’ ‘Napoleon and his British Captives’ the Army accounted for only 25%, or 1,000 officers and other ranks, of a total of 4,000 British sailors and soldiers held as prisoners of war by Napoleon. Lewis indicates that a total of 229 Army officers were held as prisoners during the Napoleonic War, so a medal to one is really quite rare. A particularly high number of officers were taken prisoner – with many wounded – after Talavera; Lewis indicates no less than 52. In addition, analysis suggests that perhaps 16 Surgeons and Assistant Surgeons elected to attend to the needs of the wounded after the battle in full knowledge that they would fall into captivity as Wellington’s forces left the field. After presumably being treated and transported to France, he arrived at the military fortress of Verdun on 13 May 1810 for registration as a P.O.W. High-ranking officers such as Brice were given the opportunity to live on parole and to pay for their own lodgings elsewhere within the town itself, having given their word as gentlemen not to escape, but with strict curfews issued and daily rolls enforced nonetheless. He remained in Verdun until April 1814 (having in the meantime received the brevet of Major in May of the year before), and for his wounds received at Talavera he was issued an annual pension of £100, dated from 25 December 1811. His death was erroneously announced in The Gentleman’s Magazine in January 1814 (Vol. 84, Part I) with other accurate details included beside it, where it stated: ‘At Great Cranford, where he had lately arrived from France, Capt. Brice, 3rd drag. guards, son of the Rev. George Tito B. vicar of that parish. He was severely wounded at the battle of Talavera, and had been a prisoner four years at Verdun. Bounaparte signed his passport, with those of four other wounded officers, at Dresden, the beginning of September.’ Returning to ‘life’ in Britain alive, he was confirmed as Major in January 1818, and in due course settled in Fordingbridge, Hampshire. In later life he became a local magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for his county, and he died at Packham House on 29 March 1862, aged 80. His son Major-General George Tito Brice C.B., of the 17th (Leicestershire) Regiment of Foot, served with distinction in the Crimea and in Canada, and his medals are held by the Leicester City Museum.
Lot 187
*The 2-Clasp N.G.S. awarded to Rear-Admiral John Skekel, who served as Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Courageux at the reduction of St. Lucia, was wounded in action aboard H.M.S. Hero during Sir Richard Strachan’s action the 4th of November 1805, and ‘highly distinguished himself’ whilst in command of one of H.M.S. Bellerophon’s small boats during the cutting out of Russian gunboats off Percola Point on 7 July 1809. He was later shipwrecked off St. Edward’s Island whilst Captain of H.M.S. Bold in September 1813 comprising: Naval General Service, 1793-1840, 2 clasps, 4 Novr. 1805, 7 July Boat Service 1809 (John Shekel Lieut.), with reverse brooch pin to ribbon, and modern case, once polished, lightly toned, extremely fine, and a scarce combination of clasps. Ex Glendining, June 1952, lot 9. Rear-Admiral John Skekel (note spelling) was born 29 March 1778, at Mortlach, co. Banff, Scotland, the son of John Skekel and Katherine Skekel (née Wilkie). Whilst genealogical information is relatively scant concerning his family, two men, by the names of Alexander Skakel/Skekel and John Skekel undertook studies at the King’s College Aberdeen, and both were from Banffshire. The former became an educator of great importance in Montreal, Canada, and may be a direct relation (perhaps his brother). John Skekel joined the Royal Navy on 10 December 1795, as an Able Seaman on board the Thisbe (28) under Capt. John Oakes Hardy, with whom he served in various ships until the end of 1802, at Halifax and on the Home station as Midshipman and Master’s Mate. On the breaking out of war in 1803 he sailed with Captain John Oakes Hardy in the Courageux (74), for the West Indies, where, in June of the same year, he served as Acting Lieutenant at the reduction of the island of St. Lucia. Being confirmed as Lieutenant aboard Pandora 44 on 21 Feb. 1804, under the command of Captain John Nash, he was present during the expedition against Surinam and took part in the operations which resulted in the surrender of the colony, serving in the flotilla located on the Commewyne River. O Byrne’s ‘Naval Biographical Dictionary’ also records that he had previously been engaged in the boats which prevented supplies from being thrown into Martinique; and had been, 13 March, present at the cutting out of the Privateer Mosambique of 10 18-pounder carronades close to Pearl Rock. Once the Pandora was paid off in February 1805, Lieutenant Skekel was transferred to H.M.S. Hero (74) under the command of Captain Hon. Alan Hyde Gardner, where he would see his first major actions. He fought in Sir Robert Calder’s action against the combined French and Spanish Fleets on 22 July 1805 - the Battle of Cape Finisterre, and was wounded in action whilst assisting in the capture of 4 French ships of the line on 4 November 1805 – sometimes called The Battle of Cape Ortegal or ‘Sir Richard Strachan’s Action’. Here, a squadron of French ships which had escaped at Trafalgar were successfully discovered, chased down and battered into submission. Skekel’s ship H.M.S. Hero played the major part in this action, and took just shy of half of the British casualties, with 10 killed and 51 wounded (from the total of 24 killed and 111 wounded). Lieutenant Skekel was wounded in the process, and was duly mentioned in the London Gazette despatch of 8 October 1805). For his wounds, he received a donation from the Patriotic Society. He also was present on 13 March 1806 at the capture of the French ship Marengo(80), the Flagship of Rear-Admiral Linois, and at the subsequent capture of the Frigate Belle Poule (40) on 23 May 1807. After a year’s service aboard the Ville de Paris (110), he joined HM.S. Bellerophon (74) on 15 July 1808, Flagship of Admiral Lord Gardner in the Channel, and soon after commanded by Captain Samuel Warren as a private ship on the Baltic station. It was here that he was placed in command of one of Bellerophon’s boats and ‘highly distinguished himself in a most brilliant and successful attack upon a Russian flotilla’ (John Marshall’s ‘Royal Naval Biography’ refers), for which he was mentioned in the subsequent despatch (London Gazette 8 July 1809). The squadron of small boats attacked a fortified squadron of 8 Russian gunboats off Percola Point, 7 July, 1809, which were situated between two large rock outcrops. The British boats attacked directly, without firing, waiting until they were able to reach the enemy boats before boarding and storming the vessels ‘sword in hand’. Six gunboats were carried, one was sunk, and one escaped, but 12 supply craft and a number of Russian prisoners were taken. Soon afterwards, and probably as a result of his gallant conduct at Percola Point, he was promoted to Acting Commander and placed in charge of the Fly sloop (16) on 25 June 1811 from which vessel he exchanged soon afterwards into the Gluckstadt (18) as full Lieutenant on 1 September 1811. Whilst aboard the Gluckstadt a violent storm nearly sunk the ship, but narrowly escaped once Skekel took the decision to part with all the ship’s guns. Commander Skekel had another encounter with severe weather aboard his next command – the Bold (14) on the North America Station, which was this time wrecked during a strong north-east gale off the North end of Prince Edward’s Island whilst proceeding with the convoy up the St Lawrence on 27 September 1813. He attained the Post-rank of Captain 27 May, 1825; and accepted Retirement on 1 October 1846. Captain Skekel married in July, 1835, Louisa Madalina Hughes, of York Street, Portman Square, London, and was given the rank of Rear-Admiral in his retirement. He later died on 20 June 1854 at his home in Kensington, London. The original N.G.S. medal roll held at the National Archives shows the recipient’s signature in the remarks column and a date of ‘19/2/49’ suggesting the date of issue of his medal. Only 8 officer’s medals were awarded for the action of 4 November 1805, and just 4 for 7 July Boat Service 1809.
Lot 268
*A Scarce and Interesting Falklands Group of 3 awarded to Lance-Bombardier G. Wallace, of 8 (Alma) Commando Battery, this unit known as the ‘Black 8’, part of 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery. This unit provided three 105mm guns in support of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment during the attacks upon Darwin and Goose Green on 27-28 May 1982, where their guns were ‘in action almost continuously’ comprising: General Service Medal, 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Northern Ireland, N. Iraq & S. Turkey (24268811 Lbdr G Wallace RA); South Atlantic, 1982, with rosette (24268811 Gnr G Wallace RA); United Nations Medal for Cyprus, UNFICYP; Medals court-mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin as worn, with matching miniature group, the first a proudly polished very fine, remainder good very fine or better (6). Private research confirms that the above recipient served with 8 (Alma) Commando Battery, 29 Commando Regiment, Royal Artillery. This Regiment formed part of 3 Commando Brigade, Royal Marines, during the Falklands War. From early on 27 May until 28 May, 8 (Alma) Commando Battery, Royal Artillery, provided artillery support in the form of three 105mm L118 light guns / howitzers to assist the main attacking force of the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment (roughly 500 men) during the attacks upon Darwin and Goose Green, which were at that time held by the Argentine 12th Infantry Regiment. Despite challenging high winds, a limited supply of equipment and ammunition, being strafed by enemy Pucara aircraft and receiving enemy artillery fire in return, 8 Commando Battery directed their fire towards the enemy targets. As Mark Adkin writes in ‘The Battle for Goose Green’: “During the 14-hour struggle to reach and secure Goose Green these three guns were in action almost continuously.” At the end of the battle, a total of 17 British and 47 Argentine soldiers were killed, with 30 to 40 members of 2 Para wounded, and a reported 961 Argentine troops (including 202 Argentine Air Force personnel of the Condor airfield) taken prisoner.
Lot 241
A Great War Pair & Memorial Plaque awarded to Private James Sydney Swinden, 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment, killed in action during the Salonika Campaign on the first day of the offensive at Kumli, the 15th of April 1918, where the 2nd Cheshires suffered 50% casualties, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (315439 Pte. J. S. Swindon. Ches. R.); Memorial Plaque (James Sydney Swinden); With original memorial certificate, portrait photo in uniform, and contemporary memorial poster. Private James Sydney Swinden was born in 1896 in Horley, Surrey, and he enlisted for Great War service with the 2nd Battalion Cheshire Regiment at Camberwell, London. He was present with this battalion in Salonika, where he was killed in action on 15 of April 1918. This date coincides with a fierce offensive launched on the evening of 14/15 April in the face of vastly superior Bulgarian numbers near the Struma River in and around the village of Kumli – just 50 miles to the northeast of Thessalonika. Consolidating their position around Kumli, with outposts near Kjupri and Barakli, they repelled numerous bayonet attacks and bomb attacks, and endured sustained sniping and shelling. The 2nd Cheshires suffered roughly 50% casualties, and only after 3 days of fighting were they relieved. It would appear that Private Swinden died on the first day of the offensive, and his name is commemorated at the Doiran Memorial. Extremely fine or better, tiny verdigris spots to plaque (3)
Lot 217
*The Orders and Medals awarded to Sir Edward Henry Goschen, 2nd Baronet, who led a career of some distinction as a Diplomat, punctuated by a ten-month period of service in the Boer War with the 47th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Company, 13th (Irish) Imperial Yeomanry. Whilst serving as a Trooper, his regiment was surrounded and captured en masse and taken Prisoner of war during the ‘Lindley Disaster’ on 31 May 1900. Returning to the Diplomatic Service, he served with the Egyptian Finance Ministry during W.W.I., comprising: Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 3rd type reverse, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (14182 Tpr: E. H. Goschen, 47th Coy 13th Impl: Yeo:), with top bar and brooch pin;Turkey, Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, 3rd class neck badge in gold, silver and enamel, with length of neck ribbon; Egypt, Sultanate, Order of the Nile, 3rd class neck badge in silver and enamels, with length of neck ribbon;Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Officer’s 4th Class breast badge in gold and enamels;The first toned, extremely fine, others with occasional tiny enamel flakes, generally very fine or better (4). Italy, Order of the Crown (Officer): London Gazette: 01.07.1909 – ‘valuable services rendered’; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie (3rd Class): London Gazette: 15.09.1911 – ‘valuable services rendered’; Egypt, Order of the Nile (3rd Class): London Gazette: 29.12.1916 - ‘valuable services rendered’; Sir Edward Henry Goschen was born 9 March 1876 in Paris, France, the eldest son of the Right Honourable Sir William Goschen, who later became the British Ambassador to Berlin, serving during the outbreak of the Great War in 1914. Goschen was also the great-grandson of George Joachim Goschen, the famous publisher of Leipzig, and a grandson of William Henry Goschen, who founded the banking firm of Fruhling and Goschen in London in 1815. He was nephew of the first Viscount Goschen, who was Chancellor of the Exchequer, First Lord of the Admiralty, and Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and a first cousin of Sir Harry Goschen, Baronet, of Goschens and Cunliffe. Edward Goschen was educated at Eton, where he discovered a life-long love of cricket, and followed his father into the Diplomatic Service. In 1897 he was appointed an honorary attaché to the Embassy in Saint Petersburg, but upon the outbreak of the Boer War in South Africa he then volunteered for one years’ service as a Trooper with the 47th Company, 13th Imperial Yeomanry – a unit filled with men from the upper echelons of aristocratic society in Belfast and London, to the extent that it was labelled the ‘Millionaires Own’ amongst the home press. The 13th Imperial Yeomanry formed part of General Colville’s 9th Division, and it was during this time that Edward Goschen was taken prisoner during the ‘Lindley Disaster’. Here, the Battalion was ambushed and surrounded by a vastly superior Boer Force during the hours of darkness, and despite organising a firm defence the unit was not sufficiently equipped with food or supplies, and the 3 Boer Krupp guns inflicted many casualties. Faced with further casualties, and without assistance arriving, Colonel Basil Edward Spragge; the Commanding Officer, had no choice but to surrender at 2.00pm on 31 May 1900 – whereupon Goschen and the entire British force were captured and taken prisoner. In the process Captain Keith and sixteen other ranks were killed, Sir John Power and three men later died of their wounds, and four other officers and twenty-eight men were wounded. Fifteen officer’s and 367 men were captured unwounded bringing the total number of prisoners to more than 400. A photograph exists of Goschen as a prisoner of war, this being taken in a POW Camp standing in the centre of the image with a cap on his head. His photograph is identified as ‘E.H. Goschen, son of the (then) 1st Lord of the Admiralty’. Goschen was later released and discharged ‘at his own request’ on 11 December 1900, returning to the Diplomatic Service as Honorary Attaché at the Legation in Tangiers. After three years he was posted to Egypt as Private Secretary to Sir W.E. Garstin at the Ministry of Public Works, and in 1908 he joined the staff of the Egyptian Foreign Office, being later appointed Controller of the Secretariat in the Ministry of Finance, a post which he held for a long period. .For this service Goschen was appointed an Officer of the Order of the Crown of Italy in 1909, he was appointed by His Highness the Khedive of Egypt to receive the Order of the Medjidieh 2nd Class in 1911, and eventually received on the recommendation of His Highness the Sultan of Egypt the Order of the Nile 3rd Class 1916. His obituary in The Times records that ‘Goschen was a good looking man of great personal charm and a very kindly disposition. Socially he became extremely popular in Cairo, and was a good sportsman with a special affection for cricket.’ In May 1924 he succeeded to the Baronetcy on the death of his father, and three months afterwards he was admitted as a Partner in the well-known stockbroking firm of Joseph Sebag and Co., and he became one of the Trustees of the Stock Exchange Benevolent Fund. Goschen, who had married in 1908, Countess Marie Danneskjold Samsoe of Denmark, had two sons and two daughters. He died in 1933. Offered with a quantity of useful and detailed research.
Lot 289
*A Scarce M.M. and Bar Group of 4 awarded to Acting-Corporal Arthur James Bates, 2/2 London Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, comprising: Military Medal, G.V.R., with silver bar denoting second award (510338 Pte A. J. Bates. 2/2 Lond: F.A.R.A.M.C.-T.F.); British War And Victory Medals, 1914-1919 (516 A. Cpl. A. J. Bates. R.A.M.C.); France, Croix de Guerre, with star on ribbon; Offered with original riband bar for M.M., rosette & pair, single riband bar for M.M. with rosette, and R.A.M.C. brass cap badge, medals toned, the first three extremely fine, the latter very fine (4). M.M.: London Gazette: 18 June 1917 – 510338 Pte. A. J. Bates, R.A.M.C.; Bar to M.M.: London Gazette: 23 July 1919 – 510338 Pte. (A.L.C.) A. J. Bates, M.M., R.A.M.C. (Catford). ;France: Croix de Guerre: as yet unconfirmed.
Lot 285
An Interesting WW2 ‘Battle of France’ Air Force Cross Group of 4 awarded to Flight-Lieutenant Alfred James Hartley, Royal Air Force, who served as a Sergeant with the British Expeditionary Force in Northern France at the time of the evacuations at Dunkirk in June 1940. Continuing to serve for 12 days after then final boats left Dunkirk, his unit was evacuated on 16 June some 12 days later. He later served as an ‘exceptional’ Senior Flying Instructor with No.3 Flying Training School in Airspeed ‘Oxford’ aircraft, for which he was awarded the A.F.C., comprising: Air Force Cross, G.VI.R, reverse engraved to lower terminal of cross ‘1944’; 1939-1945 Star; Defence and War Medals; Offered with 3 original log books, the first of which records ‘1st, 2nd & 3rd logbooks lost in evacuation from France June 1940’, medals court-mounted on board for display, toned extremely fine. A.F.C.: London Gazette: 01 September 1944 (Original recommendation states: ‘Total Instruction hours – 2000; completed during last six months – 358. This Officer has been a Flying Instructor with the Unit since its formation in 1942 and has commanded a Flight for the past 18 months. He has set a fine example to other Instructors and has run his Flight very efficiently. He is conscientious and reliable.’) Flight Lieutenant Alfred James Hartley was born 7 March at Ambala, India, and lived at 52 Wilton Road, Salisbury, Wiltshire. He joined the RAF on 1 October 1929, joining No.4 Flight Training School. On 1 July 1930 he was assigned to No.9 (Bomber) Squadron, with whom he served until March 1935. After further training and service with the School of Naval Cooperation he went to France with the British Expeditionary Force on 10 October 1939. It was during this time in France that the B.E.F.’s supporting R.A.F. units fought doggedly to defend its ground troops in the face of almost overwhelming German air superiority. Whilst Hartley’s first 3 logbooks were lost during his unit’s evacuation on 16 June 1940, it would appear from this given evacuation date in his 4th logbook that he was likely serving with the A.A.S.F. (Advanced Air Striking Force). This force, equipped with Fairey Battle and Blenheim IV light-bomber aircraft were no match for the faster and more advanced German fighters, and suffered very heavy losses whilst trying to harry the advancing German Army. After playing a largely underappreciated role during the Dunkirk evacuations, a number of R.A.F. units continued to fight for some weeks later until they were also evacuated between 13-16 June, with Hartley probably amongst the many R.A.F. personnel evacuated from Brest. After these events, he returned to Britain and served largely in a training capacity. Hartley was rapidly promoted first to Warrant Officer on 11 April 1941, to Pilot Officer, to Flying Officer on 1 October 1941. He became an ‘exceptional’ flying instructor (as noted in his log books) to the many new recruits joining the R.A.F. who were in great demand to serve in its rapidly increasing ranks. New pilots continued to be in great demand throughout the war, as casualties mounted during the great bombing raids over Germany. Alfred James Hartley was awarded the Air Force Cross for his work as a Senior Flying Instructor on 1 September 1944, now at the rank of Flight-Lieutenant. He eventually retired at his own request on 29 September 1947. This lot offered with 3 log books covering his career after June 1940, an original portrait photograph, Application for Pilot’s Licence, and other useful research.
Lot 201
*An Intriguing 2- Clasp ‘Shannon Brigade’ Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Able Seaman Silas Batters, who served as part of H.M.S. Shannon’s Naval Brigade under Sir William Peel V.C. in India, taking part in the Relief of Lucknow. In later life he survived the shipwreck of the merchant barque Seatoller off Tierra del Fuego, only to be taken prisoner with his 4 surviving shipmates and subjected to months of brutal hard labour, comprising: *Indian Mutiny, 1857-58, 2 clasps, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Silas Batters, A.B. Shannon.), lightly toned, clasp carriage once refitted, tiny rim nick to lower reverse and occasional scratches to obverse, about extremely fine. Able Seaman Silas Batters was born 18 September 1832 at Plymouth, Devon. He first attested for Royal Naval service on 14 October 1849 aboard H.M.S. Illustrious, and then later aboard H.M.S. Leopard in the Crimea, and then aboard the famous H.M.S. Shannon during the Indian Mutiny. H.M.S. Shannon’s Captain, Sir William Peel V.C. of Crimean War fame, led a brigade of sailors inland to assist with the Relief of Lucknow. Peel’s ‘Naval Brigade’ served with distinction during this campaign with its 8-inch naval guns, assisting with the destruction of fortified positions, and gaining a remarkable five Victoria Crosses in the process. Offered with collector’s index card, copied medal roll entries, and copied service papers. The remarks column on the Indian Mutiny roll shows that his medal was ‘sent to Edinburgh’ (likely refers to ship). He afterwards returned to a civilian life at sea, serving in later life as a Steward & Cook in the Merchant Navy, serving aboard the barque Seatoller. En route to Valparaiso in early April 1890, she endured a week of very rough seas which severely damaged the ship, blowing away her sails and washing away her boats. Some days later she encountered the dismasted and sinking Cambrian Duchess near the Falkland Islands, and subsequently took her stricken members on board. She managed to limp into port at the Falklands on 22 April, where she disembarked the crew of the Cambrian Duchess’s and undertook essential repairs, continuing toward her destination some months later on 26 July. As she approached the east coast of Tierra del Fuego on 28 July she again encountered strong winds and failed to clear a formation of rocks. Many of the crew were washed into the sea, with 5 crew and Captain Jennings able to cling to the rigging. The Captain drowned in an attempt to reach the shore with a line, and the remainder stayed a night in the rigging until they could reach the land nearby. Reaching a lighthouse some miles distant (and without food or footwear) they were fed, but soon after put to hard labour ashore by the local ‘major’ in October, with one man put in irons. They were later put on board the transport Villaino where once again they were subjected to cruel enforced labour, working from 4 in the morning until 8 at night, and sleeping exposed on the open deck. At Ushant Bay they reportedly had to discharge 200 tons of coal from the hold to the bunkers ashore. They attempted to refuse work, but were subsequently refused food, and so their ordeal continued until the 5 men reached Sandy Island, where they were put aboard the John Elder, which finally returned to Plymouth in late January / Early February 1891 – nearly a year after they originally set off on the original journey.
Lot 291
*A Documented and Attributed King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom to Leroy H. Luckey, a Flying Instructor and Director of the Terrell Aviation School, Texas, who took part in the U.S. supported program to assist the British War effort by training R.A.F. pilots and aircrew in the United States, comprising: King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom, G.VI.R., privately engraved (L. H. Luckey), with reverse brooch pin, offered with framed and glazed newspaper image of the medal being awarded, obverse well-toned, about extremely fine. Leroy H Luckey, of Miami, Oklahoma, U.S.A., left school to become a Pilot/Mechanic in 1920. Some years later, he became associated with a Flying School Operator, William F. Long, and the two men served as President & Vice President of the local civilian airline company ‘Essair’, based in Houston, Texas. In response to President Roosevelt’s call for a massive re-armament campaign in 1939, including a large expansion of the Army Air Corps, Long and Luckey were amongst the first civilian aviation instructors to be awarded contracts to assist with the project. In 1941, and although the United States had not yet entered the war, the country offered to accept British proposals for the overseas training of RAF pilots and aircrew at American sites. One of those chosen was the Terrell Aviation School, Texas – run by Long & Luckey, which became known as R.A.F. no.1 BFTS (British Flying Training School). As mentioned in ‘The Royal Air Force in Texas’ by Tom Killebrew, Long & his Operations Manager Leroy Luckey were a logical choice to help with this project, given their links to the Army Air Corps and the reputation they had built in the years previous. After reaching an agreement with the R.A.F. Squadron Leader Stuart Mills in late May 1941, training began later that year, whereby Luckey assisted the British war effort by helping to fill the increasing demand for new pilots. For this he work he was officially recognised with the King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom: ‘(Sun Newspaper, Dec.14 1947) Americans Decorated By British – At a reception at the British Vice-Consulate, 4325 Avondale Ave., Friday night, Consul General Lewis Bernays, left, bestowed British decorations on two U.S. Army Officers and two civilians…The King’s Medal for Service in the Cause of Freedom was bestowed upon Mrs Vida P. Bass…and L. H. Luckey, 4700 Bluff View Blvd. The decorations were awarded for distinguished services rendered in cooperation with British forces during the war.’ N.B. a further framed and glazed official award document for this medal exists, but has not been located at this time.
Lot 223
*The WWI C.M.G. O.B.E. Group of 4 awarded to Captain John Wallace Ord Davidson, Chinese Labour Corps, who first went to China as a Student Interpreter at Canton, and after WWI service resumed his Foreign Office Career, later attaining the position of Consul-General in Shanghai in 1938, comprising: The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Companion’s (C.M.G.) neck badge, by Garrard, in silver-gilt and enamels, with remnants of original case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, Officer’s breast badge in silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. W. O. Davidson); Small chip to reverse enamel of first, the second well-polished with a few contact marks, small bruise to last, generally good very fine (4). C.M.G.: London Gazette: 23 June 1936 (H.M. Consul in China); O.B.E.: London Gazette: 3 July 1926 (Acting British Consul at Kiu Kang). John Wallace Ord Davidson was born in Shanghai, China in 1889, the son of George Greenshields Davidson, a Marine Engineer (born 1854 in Kirkinner), and Jane Egan Ord (born 1863 in Tynemouth). His parents had married in Shanghai, where both he and his elder brother William were born. The two brothers were sent to be educated as ‘boarders’ at Dumfries Academy, and then at Christ’s Hospital School in London, where John is shown as a 12-year old at the time of the 1901 census. Leaving school in July 1906, he applied as a Student Interpreter to join the Foreign Office Consular Service in China in July 1909, where he was one of 5 applicants accepted – coming in second place (by only a single mark), and joining in September that year. After the outbreak of war in late 1914 his brother William joined up as a Lance Corporal in the 1/14th (London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment, but was tragically killed in action on 15 June 1915 in France. Two years later, it was logical that given his language skills and experience in China, John was made a Temporary Captain in the Chinese Labour Corps on 13 June 1917, and soon after served in France on the Western Front. The Chinese Labour Corps’ 96,000 volunteers (and a further 30,000 working for the French) made a vast and often misunderstood contribution to work unloading ships and trains, digging trenches, making roads and also repairing British tanks on the Western Front – becoming known as ‘the forgotten of the forgotten’. Often based close to the front lines, many were shot at or shelled, or gassed during service. Furthermore, they remained for some time after the Armistice on November 1918, continuing with the difficult and highly dangerous work of clearing live ordnance and exhuming bodies to be reburied elsewhere. Many of these men died en route from China, and a further 2,000 are themselves buried in Commonwealth War Graves – however some claim that as many as 20,000 died in total. Returning to the Consular Service in China after the war, he was made Vice-Consul in China on 1 December 1925, and was duly appointed as O.B.E. on 5 June 1926. He was promoted to Vice Consul 1st Grade on 14 December 1928, and then as full Consul on 25 January 1931. As part of his role there he helped to promote British trade and access to the Chinese market, and letters of appreciation from the firms ‘Butterfield & Swire’ and ‘Jardine Matheson and Company’ concerning the resumption of British shipping in Wanhsien after an exclusion incident in 1926 show that he had some success It would appear from these letters (offered herewith) that he played an important role at Chunking, and that subsequently General Chiang Kai Shek moved on the exclusion. He was made C.M.G. on 22 June 1936, and reached the position of Consul-General on 17 December 1938. During WW2 he was also behind the organisation of an ‘Old English Fair’ at the consulate in Hankow, which raised over £161 for the Lord Mayor’s National Air Raid Distress Fund in May 1941. He reached the ‘Sixth Grade’ in the Foreign Office in May 1947, but appears not to have served further. He died in 1973 in Holsworthy, Devon. Offered with matching set of four miniature awards, eight original warrants or award documents, higher education certificates, two photos relating to his brother, and a quantity of other related letters and documentation.
Lot 235
A Great War Trio & Memorial Plaque awarded to Private James Main Wallace, 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, who was killed in action on 9 May 1915 – the first day of the Battle of Aubers Ridge comprising: 1914-15 Star (9892 Pte. J. M. Wallace. Cam’n Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9892 Pte. J. M. Wallace. Cam’n Highrs.); Memorial Plaque (James Main Wallace). Private James Main Wallace was born in Holywood, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, but later lived in Kirkcudbright. He enlisted for Great War service with the 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders at Dumfries, and was present with the 1st Division during the offensive to take Aubers Ridge. Launched on 9 May, it was soon after considered a disastrous attack, resulting in heavy casualties with little or no gain. A lack of artillery ammunition was cited as the cause of this failure, which brought about the ‘Shell Crisis’ of 1915. Private Wallace was killed in action during this attack on 9 May 1915, where the Cameron Highlanders and Black Watch had led and attack as the 1st wave of the 1st (Guards) Brigade just after 4.00pm. His name is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial, France. Trio extremely fine, plaque well-polished (4)
Lot 3
*China, Order of the Double Dragon, First type, Second Class, Third Grade neck badge in silver-gilt and enamels, with central coral, rev., plain, double ring suspender with barrel loop, 118.5 x 92mm, chased in fields, good very fine and rare. Provenance: Awarded to Ludwig Johann Charles von Zeppelin Obermüller (b. 1874), who was the Dutch Consul-General and Senior Consul in Shanghai. See also lots 2, 8, 35, 64 and 69.
Lot 39
*Russia, Order of St Anne, Civil Division, First Class ‘black’ sash badge in gold with black-enamelled arms of typical raised (not flat) style, marks on suspension ring indistinct and partially touched with a filemark, of good quality manufacture, central medallion of the Saint within patterned border, width 52.2mm, good very fine
Lot 286
*The Rare George Medal Group of Four awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Albert Herriott, Royal Navy, who having served in the Boer War, the Boxer Rebellion at the ‘Relief of Pekin’ and also in WWI, re-joined the Royal Navy in 1940 at the age of 62, and was awarded the George Medal for ‘fortitude and devotion to duty’ at Tower Pier whilst fighting incendiaries during an air raid upon the Port of London during the Blitz on the night of 7-8 September 1940 – the first night of the ‘London Blitz’. His right arm was shattered during the incident, and was later amputated, and the rest of his party were either killed or wounded, comprising: George Medal,G.VI.R., 1st Type (1940-47) (Lieut. Cdr. Thomas Herriott, R.N.); Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, no clasp (T. A. Herriott, Lg. Sean. H.M.S. Terrible); China 1900, single clasp, Relief of Pekin (T. A. Herriott. Lg. Sean, H.M.S. Terrible,); 1914-15 Star (Gnr. T. A. .Herriott, R.N.); Medals swing mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin, lightly toned, occasional marks and small bumps, generally about good very fine (4) G.M.: London Gazette: 23 September 1941 – ‘for fortitude and devotion to duty while serving with a fire party during an air raid on the Port of London’ (Original recommendation states: ‘The ship was alongside the pontoon of Tower Pier during a heavy raid. Many fire-bombs were dropped. Lieutenant Commander Herriott led a party of two Officers and four Seamen on to the pontoon to put out fires, and to bring an A.F.S. pump into action. Soon after midnight a heavy bomb struck the pontoon, killing or mortally wounding the four Seamen and wounding both Officers. Lieutenant Commander Herriott’s right arm was shattered and has since been amputated. In spite of this he devoted himself, with total disregard to his own condition, to tending and encouraging the wounded. When a rescue party arrived, he refused to have anything done for himself. He took charge of the work removing the injured. This Officer displayed the greatest courage throughout the whole attack.’) With:Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct, G.VI.R. (M.35674 A. E. Herriott. E.A.I, H.M.S. Dainty); toned, extremely fine Lieutenant-Commander Thomas Albert Herriott, was born 3 September 1878 at Lillington, Sussex, and entered the Royal Navy in time to serve as Leading Seaman aboard H.M.S. Terrible towards the end of the Second Anglo-Boer War. He was also present aboard this ship during the Boxer Rebellion in China, where he took part in the Relief of Pekin. He reached the rank of Gunner, and served for a time aboard H.M.S. Drake between November 1904 and January 1910, where none other than Captain John Jellicoe considered Herriott ‘Zealous and Promising’. He continued to serve aboard Seahorse, Shannon, and Good Hope before the outbreak of WWI, often taking on additional duties as Navigating Officer. He served aboard H.M.S. Duncan on 8 August 1914, and later transferred to the General Craufurd on 6 January 1917 – thus being present in support of the First Ostend Raid in April 1918. He was promoted to the commissioned position of Chief Gunner soon after on 13 September 1918, and passed his officer examinations to become Lieutenant on 31 December 1921 whilst serving aboard Racer. He continued to serve in this capacity until repeated dislocation of his shoulder appears to have led to his discharge and retirement at Haslar on 3 September 1928, when he was placed on the retired list. He was then promoted to Lieutenant-Commander (Retired) on 21 December 1929. In civilian life he resided in Cowplain near Portsmouth, and took up the positions of Chairman of Havant and Waterlooville Urban District Council, member of Hampshire County Council. He re-joined the Royal Navy early in 1940 to serve in WW2, presumably for home service (given his age at 62). While doing so, he was recommended for the George Medal for battling with incendiaries which had fallen on Tower Pier, Tower Bridge, at the Port of London, on the night of 7-8 September 1940. This night was the first night of the London ‘Blitz’ which would continue unrelenting for a further 56 nights. Whilst specific details regarding the incident remain scant (other than those provided above), we know that Lieutenant-Commander Herriott was seriously wounded and most of his team were killed by a German bomb, and that Herriott lost his forearm as a direct result of his injuries. Tower Pier was located just in front of the Tower itself, and close by the iconic Tower Bridge (see photo, taken on the same evening of 7 September 1940). Herriott was awarded the George Medal the following year, and his picture was included in several important newspapers at that time. He sadly died soon after the culmination of war on 30 July 1946, at the age of 67, being buried at Waterlooville Cemetery. The associated Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal to A. E. Herriott (confirmed), is presumed to be a close relation of the recipient, but further investigation is necessary. The remaining entitlement of Lieutenant-Commander Heriot (British War & Victory Medals, Defence Medal) is not present with the group, and may never have been received by the recipient.
Lot 265
Miscellaneous WW2 Special Constabulary or Home Guard Groups (3), comprising: Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R. with clasp ‘The Great War 1914-18’ (Samuel G. Oyler), with Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945, with two silver A.R.P. badges; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R. (Vincent H. P. Drake), and Defence Medal, with original box of issue and transmission slip addressed to Bristol; Defence and War Medals 1939-1945, with original OHMS cases of issue to Mr E A Hart, Bristol; The first toned very fine, remainder practically as issued (9)
Lot 261
*A WW2 D-Day Interest Group of 4 attributed to Flying Officer Edward Henry Donne, No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron, Royal Air Force, who having bailed out successfully from his damaged ‘Typhoon’ over Caen on ‘D-Day’ - 6th June 1944, returned to action just 48 hours later. He was killed in action when his aircraft was hit by flak over Lingen on 1 April 1945, comprising: 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, with clasp ‘France and Germany’; Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945, all four medals privately engraved (F/O E. H. Donne 266 Rhod. Sqdn., R.A.F.); Group court-mounted, good extremely fine (4) Ex A.A. Upfill-Brown collection. DNW, 25 June 2008, lot 1093. Edward Henry Donne was born in Wimbledon, London on 27 August 1923, being educated at Prince Edward School, Salisbury, Rhodesia. Here he served in the Prince Edward School Cadets as an N.C.O. and first class shot. Having worked previously as a Clerk in the Native Development Department, and based at Umtali, he first was attested for service with the R.A.F. as an A.C. 2, pilot under training in the Royal Air Force on 29 January 1942. Completing his training in Rhodesia, he proceeded overseas to the U.K. in March 1943, joining No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron, a Typhoon unit, as a Sergeant Pilot, in January of the following year. Compelled to take to his parachute five miles north-west of Caen on D-Day, he reported back to his unit 48 hours later. He was soon after commissioned, and ‘Ted’ Donne remained actively employed on numerous sorties with No. 266 until he was reported missing on 1 April 1944. His death was subsequently confirmed when his Typhoon - downed by flak in the Lingen area during armed reconnaissance – was discovered as a wreckage at Lonneker, near Enschede, Holland, and his remains interred in the local cemetery. His mother was sent his campaign medals in August 1949. This lot offered with a file of related research, including a photocopied photograph of 266 Squadron personnel, including Donne, and an original but later Rhodesian Government condolence / transmission slip, and an original Record of Service supplied by the H.Q. of the Rhodesian Air Force in 1979.
Lot 294
*The Superb Triple Sea Gallantry (Foreign Services) Group of 3 awarded to Patrão Joaquim Lopes, an Honorary Officer in the Portuguese Navy and one of the most important life-saving figures in the Portuguese history. He became something of a national hero through a series of famous life-saving incidents off the coast of Portugal near Lisbon in the 19th century, including saving lives from the crews of 3 British ships. King Luis I of Portugal visited his home to personally thank him after one life saving incident, and he latterly returned his 3 British awards to the Government in London in protest against the British Ultimatum to Portugal in 1890 concerning expansion in Colonial Africa, comprising: Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R, small size in gold (Joaquim Lopes), reverse inscribed ‘For Gallant and Humane Service to the crew of the Schooner British Queen. 1858.’; Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R, small size in gold (Lieut: Joaquim Lopes. 1880), reverse inscribed ‘For Gallantry and Humanity’; Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), V.R, small size in silver (Joaquim Lopes. 1856.), reverse inscribed ‘For Saving the lives of British Subjects’; Medals swing mounted on relatively modern bar and offered with one red box of issue by ‘J. Spilling’ of London (hinge broken), light contact marks and once lightly polished, otherwise toned good very fine to extremely fine, with some lustre. Joaquim Lopes was born in the Portuguese town of Olhão on 19 August 1798, the son of a fisherman. He started his own career as a fisherman at the age of 10, working with his father, and at that age he was already capable of jumping from the boat, bringing in the sails, climbing the masts and spreading the nets. At the age of 18 he moved to Gibraltar and also to the Algarve, but returned to the Lisbon area of Paço des Arcos at the age of 22. The sea in this area was well-known for its treacherous currents, caused by the confluence of the Oeiras and Tagus rivers and the presence of the Atlantic Ocean, and no doubt Joaquim Lopes had an intimate knowledge of the waters around Lisbon and the Portuguese coast. He joined a local ‘falua’ as a rower, and soon became recognized as the most skilled man in the boat despite his age. As recorded in the article ‘Patrão Lopes, our Hero’ by Carolina Sa Bandeira, his first rescue took place in 1823, when he saved the lives of a local man and his child as they attempted to cross a river despite its strong current, with both falling in. He successfully saved both in two attempts, and was celebrated in the local town. During his long career as a live-saver and seaman, Joaquim Lopes rescued many sailors from certain death including the crew of three British ships, one of which was the schooner Howard Primrose, the French vessel Stephanie, the Spanish brigandine Achilles and numerous local Portuguese boats. It is worth noting that no formal life-saving service existed at this time, and that such work was provided on a local, volunteer basis. The wreck of the first British vessel – the schooner ‘Howard Primrose’ is not recorded by British sources, but Portuguese records confirm that it took place in February 1856. An alarm was sounded by the Forts of São Julião and São Bugio, and Lopes and some other volunteers quickly launched a boat to rescue the ship’s crew. After some 6 hours of rowing and battling with the heavy swell and wind, the lifeboat returned to port at Paço des Arcos without having been able to reach the stricken vessel. The decision was then taken to return once again, but this time in a more maneuverable fishing vessel, and as a result the lives of the British Captain and 5 other members of the crew. For this Lopes was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) in silver, as well as some gold sovereigns to share with the crew. The second incident concerned the wreck of the schooner ‘British Queen’ on 24 February 1858. This vessel had become wrecked upon the south bank, west of the Bugio Fort, South Bar of Lisbon, where Lopes (as Master), Joaquim Pedro (also a Master) and Carlos Augusto (Crewman) assisted in the saving of the lives of William Bell and Peter O’Connor of the British ship - who were rescued from ‘immediate peril, in a gale of wind and a heavy rolling sea’. For this, Lieutenant Lopes was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) in gold. The third related to the wreck of the barquentine ‘Lucy’ of Brixham, Devon, which was wrecked upon rocks near Bujio Laho on 17 February 1880 as it attempted to enter Lisbon Harbour. A lifeboat was sent out once again under the command of Joaquim Lopes, now at the advanced age of 82 years old, who displayed ‘remarkable coolness and courage’ throughout (The Sea Gallantry Medal by Scarlett refers), and effected the safe recovery of the British crew who had been in ‘extreme peril’. For this incident one gold medal and 11 silver were issued to Lopes and his crew. Also of note was his participation in the rescue of the crew of the yacht Admiral in 1862. Lopes and his companions saved the entire crew of this vessel which had ‘shattered’ in a thunderstorm, and for this King Luis made a visit in person to Joaquim Lopes’ humble home. When asked how many lives Lopes had saved, he answered: “I counted up to three hundred. But after that I lost count!” As a result he was awarded the Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword chain by King Luis for courage, loyalty and merit in 1866. Many other countries including France, Spain and Britain also bestowed awards on Joaquim Lopes for his life-saving work - receiving a reported 11 medals in total. Some years later in 1890, Patrão (or Captain) Joaquim Lopes returned his British awards to the government in London in protest against the 1890 British Ultimatum. This ultimatum was seen as being in breach of the Treaty of Windsor of 1386, as it forced the retreat of Portuguese military forces in Africa between the Portuguese colonies of Angola and Mozambique (most of present-day Zimbabwe and Zambia), which were claimed by Portugal but which directly clashed with British aspirations of creating a Cape to Cairo Railway. When Portugal eventually gave in to British demands, it was seen as a national humiliation and serious insult against Portugal - Britain’s oldest ally. Violent protests duly followed in Lisbon and the Union flag was publicly burnt, and clearly Patrão Lopes felt that he could not wear his British medals in good conscience as a result. As Joaquim Lopes grew older he became unable to take to sea, but he reportedly remained on watch outside his house for hours on end, making sure all was well on his ‘patch’ of the coast. Never a rich man, he always made a point of sharing any money for his rescues with his poorer colleagues. Joaquim Lopes died at the age of 92 on 21 December 1890, and a funeral cortege of ships took him along the Tagus River to São Roque for his funeral service. He was then buried in the nearby Occidental Cemetery. Many years later a statue was erected in the seafront gardens at Olhão in 1972 to his lasting memory. Ex Glendining, 15 December 1966, lot 522.
Lot 196
The India General Service Medal with clasp ‘Pegu’ awarded to Lieutenant Edward St John Daniel V.C., R.N. – this, his first campaign medal. Having served in the Second Anglo-Burmese war, he later became Aide-De-Camp to Captain Robert Peel throughout the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. At the age of just seventeen, Daniel was the youngest of the recipients of the new ‘Victoria Cross’ awarded in early 1857, and his citation records no fewer than 3 separate occasions upon which he showed his bravery. These included carrying powder under fire at Balaklava, remaining at a dangerous and exposed post at the Battle of Inkermann, and then ultimately saving Captain Peel’s life through the timely application of a tourniquet to his superior’s arm upon the glacis of the Redan - afterwards returning him to safety on the 18th of June 1855. Lieutenant Edward Daniel remains the only officer to have had his V.C. forfeited, having deserted his ship at Corfu to avoid a court-martial regarding his increasingly erratic behaviour, comprising: India General Service, 1854-1895, single clasp, Pegu (Edd. St. J. Daniel. Nl. Cadet. “Winchester”), officially impressed in small upright capitals, with length of old and possibly contemporary ribbon, attractively toned,just one or two tiny surface marks, good very fine. V.C.: London Gazette: 24 February 1857: ‘Sir Stephen Lushington recommends this Officer: 1st. For answering a call for volunteers to bring in powder to the Battery, from a waggon in a very exposed position under a destructive fire, a shot having disabled the horses. (This was reported by Captain Peel, commanding the Battery at the time.) 2nd. For accompanying Captain Peel at the Battle of Inkermann as Aide-de-camp. 3rd. For devotion to his leader, Captain Peel, on the 18th June, 1855, in tying a tourniquet on his arm on the glacis of the Redan, whilst exposed to a very heavy fire.’ Lieutenant Edward St John Daniel (1837-1868) was born 17 January 1837 at Nailsea, near Clifton, Somerset, and was baptised on 6April that year. He was the first child of Edward Daniel, a well-known local solicitor, and Babara Daniel (née Bedford), the granddaughter of the 12th Baron St John, and together they would have a further 4 children. Edward Daniel enlisted into the Royal Navy as a naval cadet with H.M.S. Dauntless on 7 January 1851, just prior to his 14th birthday. After just over a year, in March 1852 he had a short spell aboard H.M.S. Blenheim, before transferring to the frigate H.M.S. Winchester in March 1852, commanded by Captain Granville Loch. Edward saw action soon afterwards in the Second Anglo-Burmese War of 1852-53. Arriving in late 1852, and with Martaban, Rangoon, Bassein and Pegu successfully occupied, Captain Loch; upon whom the Irawaddi command had devolved, continued in October that year to pacify areas further up the Irawaddi River. He proceeded upstream in ships’ boats taken from the Winchester, Hastings, Fox and Sphinx and other H.E.I.C. vessels, and launched various combined naval and military expeditions ashore, including the reduction and storming of a fortified position at Prome. Pegu meanwhile saw further fighting, but was once again captured and held in November and December 1852. With most of the key coastal areas now secure, an expedition was despatched to attack the jungle stronghold of Donabew; commanded by a rebellious local warlord called Nya Myat Toon, who continued to resist to the British annexation of Pegu. In February 1853 Captain Loch led a party of 185 seamen, 62 marines and 25 officers from H.M.S. Winchester alongside 300 troops of the 67th Bengal Native Infantry under Major Minchin to confront the enemy. Tragically; and whilst leading the approach through a narrow jungle defile, Loch was mortally wounded by gunshot through the body, and his troops met with deadly resistance in this unexpected reverse for the British forces. This defeat would later be avenged, but for his part in the campaign, Cadet Daniel was awarded the India General Service Medal with clasp ‘Pegu’. It is recorded that during his time in Burma, Edward Daniel would begin to suffer from painful leg ulcers (possibly the very serious bacterial skin infection now known as ‘jungle rot’) which troubled him throughout his life, and seems to confirm a direct involvement in the latter expedition. After this experience in the East he transferred in March 1853 to H.M.S. Contest for a period of 6 months before again transferring to H.M.S. Diamond, under the command of Captain William Peel – an officer who would play a major role in his life thereafter, and would also earn the Victoria Cross. Cadet Daniel was promoted to Midshipman on 8 September 1853 - the following day - and remained with H.M.S. Diamond when it was despatched soon afterwards to the Crimea in 1854. Upon arrival, men from Diamond formed part of the Naval Brigade of Captain Stephen Lushington, of H.M.S. Albion. It was here that Midshipman Daniel was appointed A.D.C. to Captain Peel, alongside his other A.D.C. Midshipman Evelyn Henry Wood, of H.M.S. Queen, another man who would later gain the Victoria Cross. As described in the aforementioned citations, Edward Daniel displayed remarkable bravery during some of the bloodiest battles of the Crimean War, remaining always beside the gallant Captain Peel. His first display of bravery took place on 18 October 1854, as British forces made preparations for the Siege of Sebastopol. Diamond’s guns were now set up as a battery ashore, and it was here that Daniel volunteered to bring up heavy zinc-lined boxes of ammunition (each weighing 112 pounds) from a nearby cart whose horses had already been shot and killed.
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