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Lot 317
South Africa 1834-53 (J. McMinn, 75th Regt.) contact, marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine £450-500 James McMinn was born at Hertford, Hertfordshire, and enlisted at St Albans on 1 April 1831, aged 18 years 4 months. He served with the 75th Regiment abroad at the Cape of Good Hope for a total of eleven years, including service during the First Kaffir War 1834-35. He was tried by a Regimental Court Martial at Fort Beaufort, Cape of Good Hope, for being drunk when Orderly Sergeant of his Company, found guilty, and sentenced to be reduced to the rank and pay of a Private. He was discharged, being unfit for further service, at Umballa on 12 September 1851. Sold with copy discharge papers.
Lot 322
Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Pipe Mr. Duncan McPhail, 92nd Highlanders) marks to Queens bust, otherwise about very fine and extremely rare £800-1000 Duncan McPhail was bom in Oban on 2 July 1826, the son of Neil M'Phale [sic] and his wife Ann M'Phale, nee M'Martin. He enlisted into the 92d Highlanders at Glasgow on the 20th January 1849, aged 23 years 6 months, his trade being given as Labourer. He served with the 92nd at Clonmel and Kilkenny in Ireland and then went with them to Corfu in the Ionian Islands, where he served for two years. On 1 January 1853 he was appointed Sergeant and Drum Major. It should be noted that at this time Pipers were not recognized by the Horse Guards, and in Scottish regiments they were often listed on the books as Drummers, to enable them to receive the additional pay annexed to that appointment - Pipers being considered as far superior to mere Drummers! Whether he was also trained as a Drummer, or merely held the appointment of Drum Major to enable him to receive the additional pay of 1/10d per diem, is not known. However, on the eventual recognition of Pipers by the Horse Guards, just over a year later, McPhail was appointed the 92nd's first official Pipe Major on 1 April 1854. After Corfu, he served at Gibraltar from April 1853 until the Regiment's posting to the Crimea in 1855, where they arrived just too late to qualify for the Crimea medal. In June 1856 they returned to Gibraltar and remained there until they were sent to India, where they arrived in March 1858, to reinforce the troops there during the suppression of the Mutiny. Whilst in India, the 92nd provided contingents to go out with the various Field Forces which were employed in mopping up operations against the rebels. McPhail accompanied the Mhow Field Force which, under the Command of Major General John Michel, went in pursuit of the rebel leader Tantia Topee, who McPhail described as . . . a most ubiquitous character. . .. During these operations the Force was engaged in actions against the enemy at Rajghur, Mongrowlee, Sindwaho and Kurrai. In May 1859 he was admitted to hospital and in April the following year he embarked for home. He appears to have been sent, on his return, to the 2nd Invalid Depot in September, where he is shown as a Sergeant, but his time there was very short as he was discharged, Time Expired on the 26 September 1860. Sold with full muster details.
Lot 326
India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (Lieut. Lord Inglis, 1st Bn. Gordon Highrs.) officially engraved in running script but rank and name re-engraved, good very fine £80-100 A curiosity that was first recorded in the mid 1930s by Lieutenant-Colonel Kenneth Dingwall in his notes on regimental medals as being in the Lees Collection. Dingwall had himself served in the Chitral campaign and was mystified by this medal. The recipient does not exist and the medal must at one time have been named to an Indian follower, traces of a regimental number being discernable before the rank of Lieut.
Lot 343
The superb Army Gold Cross group to General Sir Ulysses Bagenal Burgh, G.C.B., K.T.S., Second Lord Downes, 92nd Foot, Aide de Camp and Assistant Military Secretary to the Duke of Wellington throughout the Peninsular War The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, G.C.B. (Military) Knight Grand Cross set of insignia, comprising sash badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1814, makers mark IN for John Northam, and breast star in silver, gold and enamels, enamel damaged on upper reverse arm, otherwise a magnificent set; Army Gold Cross 1806-14, for Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nive, and Toulouse, 1 clasp, Nivelle (Lt. Coll. Ulysses Burgh / Aid de Camp to the / Comr. of the Forces) with additional clasp, Pyrenees, with original gold swivel-ring bar suspension, but lacking intermediary gold suspension ring and usual ribbon fitments; Field Officers Gold Medal 1808-14, for Vittoria (Lt. Coll. U. Burgh, Aid de Camp) lacking gold ribbon buckle; Military General Service 1793-1814, 6 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes DOnor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca (Lord Downes, K.C.B. Capt. 92nd Foot & A.D.C.); Portugal, Military Order of the Tower and Sword, Knight Commanders set of insignia, comprising neck badge in solid gold, and breast star by Beaugeois, Paris, silver and enamels with gold motto and central device and gold applique tower, together with engraved portrait print of Lord Downes, in uniform wearing decorations, in gilt frame surmounted by Barons Coronet, the whole displayed in an ornate gilt frame, generally good very fine or better (7) £35000-40000 Ulysses Bagenal de Burgh was born in Dublin on 15 August 1788, the only son of Thomas Burgh, Comptroller-general and Commissioner of the revenue of Ireland. After attending Trinity College, Dublin, Burgh was commissioned as Ensign into the 54th Foot on 31 March 1804, being promoted Lieutenant in the following November and Captain in October 1806. During this period he served at Gibraltar, where he was spared the ravages of yellow fever, and afterwards in the West Indies. In November 1808 he transferred, as a Captain, to the 92nd Highlanders, and went to Portugal as Aide de Camp to Sir John Craddock. On the latters recall home he stayed in Portugal as A.D.C. to Craddocks successor, Sir Arthur Wellesley, later Duke of Wellington, a close friend of his fathers. Burgh was also Wellingtons Assistant Military Secretary and remained on his Staff for the remainder of the Peninsular War. Burgh was present at the battle of Talavera, was slightly wounded while at Sir Arthurs side, and was mentioned in his despatch. After the battle of Busaco he carried Wellingtons victory despatch to England and was promoted Major in March 1811. On returning to the Peninsular he took part in the actions of Fuentes DOnoro, El Boden, the storming of Ciudad Rodrigo and Badajoz, and the battle of Salamanca. After Wellingtons triumphal entry intyo Madrid in August 1812, he again carried home a despatch to England and was consequently advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel. Once more back with Wellington, he was at the battles of Vittoria and the Pyrenees, the storming of St Sebastian, the battle of Nivelle, where he had a horse killed under him, the battles of Nive and Toulouse, where he was once again wounded. At the conclusion of hostilities in 1814, Burgh transferred, as Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel, to the 1st Foot Guards, and served briefly with his Company at Brussels. For his services in the Peninsular he was made a Knight Commander of the Portuguese Order of the Tower and Sword and, on 2 January 1815, one of the first Knight Commanders of the Bath. He also received the Gold Cross and one clasp for Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, and Toulouse, and, once it became available in 1848, the Military General Service medal with clasps for Talavera, Busaco, Fuentes DOnor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Salamanca. In March 1820 he was appointed Surveyor-General of the Ordnance and an Executive Member of the Board of Ordnance, remaining in that post until 1830, when Wellingtons administration came to an end. In addition to his military duties, he served as Member of Parliament for County Carlaw from 1818-26, and for Queensborough from 1826-30. He succeded his second cousin once removed as the 2nd Baron Downes in 1826, the title formerly held by William Downes, Lord Chief Justice of Ireland from 1803-22, and created with special remainder to Ulysses Burgh. Inheriting a substantial residence in County Kildare, he became a representative Irish peer in 1833, but was not poliotically active, although he did support Peel over repeal of the corn laws. He advanced to Major-General in January 1837, and to Lieutenant-General in November 1846. He had been appointed Colonel of the 54th Foot in April 1845, and was then Colonel of the 29th Foot from August 1850 until his death. He was married twice; firstly, in 1815 to Maria, daughter and heir of the late Walter Bagenal of Athy, County Kildare, and thereafter added Bagenal to his name; and secondly, in 1846, to Christopheria, widow of John Willis Fleming and daughter of James Buchanan. In 1848 he was authorized to take the name de Burgh in lieu of Burgh. Downes acted as pallbearer on 28 July 1855, at the funeral of Lord Raglan, Wellingtons military secretary in the Peninsula and more recently commander of British troops in the Crimea. Promoted to General in June 1854, two years later Downes received the Russian Order of St Anne, 2nd Class, and was appointed G.C.B. in May 1860. He died on 26 July 1863 at Bert House, Athy, County Kildare, and with no male heir, the peerage became extinct. Sold with some further research including an original manuscript note, signed by Downes, admitting the bearer to the Gallery of the House of Lords, dated 11 July 1862.
Lot 345
Pair: Private William Peters, 1st Battalion, 92nd Highlanders, wounded at Waterloo Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (William Peters, 92nd Foot); Waterloo 1815 (William Peters, 1st Bat. 92nd Highlanders) fitted with steel clip and ring suspension, the first with small collectors number 825 impressed by claw, good very fine, the second with some light pitting, very fine (2) £3000-3500 William Peters was born at Kerriemuir, Forfar, in about 1790, and enlisted at Forfar on 1 January 1809. He appears to have served initially in the 2nd Battalion and was transferred to the 1st Battalion in September 1813, joining it in France in time to see action at the battle of Nivelle, and subsequent actions at St Pierre [Nive], Arriverete, Orthes, Aire, and Toulouse. At Waterloo he served in Captain Archibald Ferriers Company, along with Sergeant David Robertson whose journal, published in 1842, contains an account of the part played by Ferriers company in the battle. Peters was wounded either at Quatre Bras or Waterloo and was transferred to the 3rd Garrison Battalion on 25 November 1815. He was finally discharged on 20 September 1816, having served a total of 6 years 264 days plus 2 years for Waterloo and 11 months under-age, and in consequence of wounded left shoulder at Waterloo. He was still alive in December 1865, receiving his pension at Dundee. Sold with copy discharge papers and some muster details.
Lot 350
An Afghan War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private John Dennis, 92nd Highlanders, for gallantly saving the life of his officer commanding at the battle of Kandahar during which he was dangerously wounded Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Pte. J. Dennis, 92nd Foot); Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1163 Pte. J. Dennis, 92nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1163 Prive. John Dennis 92nd Highlanders); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (1163 Pte. J. Dennis, 2nd Bn. Gor. Highrs.) together with original Parchment Certificate of Discharge signed by Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. White [V.C.], contact wear and pitting, therefore good fine or better (4) £6000-7000 D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen 23 November 1880 - Kandahar 1 September 1880, behaved with distinguished gallantry. The 92nd Highlanders, under the command of Colonel Parker, was one of the regiments selected to form part of the force under Sir Frederick Roberts which, in the month of August 1880, performed its memorable march from Kabul to the relief of Kandahar. In the crowning defeat of the enemy at the battle of Kandahar on the 1st September, the regiment, as one of the two leading battalions in the right attack, played a conspicuous part, being engaged in the successive captures of the villages of Gandi Mullah Sahibdad, and Pir Paimal, and finally carrying at the point of the bayonet the entrenched position on which the enemy had taken up their last stand. The casualties on this day numbered 14 non-commissioned officers and men killed 2 officers and 70 non-commissioned officers and men wounded. In the engagement Captain Menzies' life was saved by Privates Dennis and Roddick, who both received the Distinguished Conduct Medal for their gallantry. The following account, is taken from The Life of a Regiment and was related to the author by Lieutenant Menzies and Drummer Roddick: Two companies of the 92nd under Major G. S. White, and two of the Gurkhas under Lieut.-Colonel A. Battye, carried the village [Gundi Mulla Sahibdad], the Highlanders and the hillmen of Nepaul rivalling each other in their efforts; the Gurkhas on the left, having the shorter distance to go, were the first within the walls. The enemy retired slowly, fighting, but a number of Ghazis stood to receive a bayonet charge of the Highlanders, while many shut themselves up in the houses and fired on our men as they passed, and some splendid hand-to-hand fighting occurred. In the melee Lieutenant Menzies found himself in a courtyard, at the end of which was an open door, and beyond it another door which was locked, but, voices being heard within, the lock was burst by a shot from the officer's pistol, and the door swung open; instantly a shot from the inside hit Menzies in the groin, and he fell. The only man near at the moment was Drummer Roddick, whom he asked not to leave him. You're all right, sir, as long as this blade lasts," replied Roddick, as with his drawn claymore he stood over his wounded officer. A number of Afghans rushed out, and the leader fired, the bullet knocking off Roddick's helmet; the man then made for him with the muzzle of his rifle, but the stalwart drummer parried the blow, and ran him through with his sword. At this moment Private Dennis came up; not liking to put the wounded man in the house, where a lot of bags of grain might conceal a foe, they laid him in the slight shade given by the wall of the court. Just as they had done so, an Afghan rushed from behind the bags, making a slash at the officer as he passed and cutting his shoulder; but, fortunately, his blade hit the wall, which broke the force of the blow, and the man was shot by Dennis. More men joined them, Roddick and Dennis carried the lieutenant to a doolie, and immediately rejoined their company. John Dennis was born at Hamilton, Lanarkshire, in about 1845, and enlisted at Glasgow into the 92nd Highlanders on 31 July 1863, aged 18 years 7 months, a collier by trade. During his service he was 13 years in India and Afghanistan, and accompanied the regiment to South Africa in January 1881, where he served in the First Boer War. He was recommended for his L.S. & G.C. medal on 1 October 1881, and took his discharge at Devonport on 5 August 1884. His discharge papers note that he Specially distinguished himself by gallantly saving the life of the O/C his Company at the action of Kandahar 1st Septr. 1880. Medals and decorations, For distinguished conduct in the field in recognition of his conduct at the Battle of Kandahar on 1st Sept. 1880 - Medal (Afghan) 3 Clasps & Bronze star - Medal for Long Service & Good Conduct. Wounded, Received Sword Cuts of "Head", "Wrist" and "Knee" in action at Kandahar Afghanistan 1 Sept. 1880. Sold with copy discharge papers and full muster details.
Lot 361
Three: Quarter Master W. E. Kimmings, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai (Coxn. Launch, H.M.S. Agincourt); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Qr. Mr., H.M.S. Cambridge), impressed naming; Khedives Star, 1882, unnamed, slightly bent suspension posts and clasps, first two worn; last about very fine (3) £400-500 William Edward Kimmings was born at Rattery, near Ashburton, Devon in September 1855 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in June 1870. He subsequently witnessed active service aboard H.M.S. Agincourt in the Egypt operations of 1882, and again in the Dryad in the Suakin operations of 1884, when he was landed with the Naval Brigade and fought at the Battles of El-Teb and Tamaai. Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in July 1885, Kimmings was pensioned ashore as a Gunners Mate in October 1891, as a result of the loss of his right thumb.
Lot 364
Four: Serjeant T. Nowell, Royal Marines, wounded at El-Teb Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb (Pte., R.M.); 1914 Star (Ply. 2508 Col. Sergt., R.M., Nelson Bttn. R.N.D.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Sergt., No. 2508 Plymo. R.M.L.I.), impressed naming; Khedives Star, 1884, unnamed, first and last two mounted for wear, 1914 Star extremely fine, others with edge bruising and pitting, fine and better (4) £460-500 Thomas Nowell was born in Beverley, East Yorkshire on 20 October 1862. A Sawyer by trade, he entered the Royal Marines on 20 June 1882. He served on the Euryalus, 31 January-1 March 1884, during which time he was present at the battle of El-Teb, 29 February 1884, where he sustained a flesh wound. He attained the rank of Colour Sergeant in March 1898 and was discharged due to length of service in August 1903. He enrolled into the R.F.R. in August 1904. Recalled for service in the Great War, he served in the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Nowell was invalided in May 1915. Sold with copied service paper.
Lot 368
Four: Colour Sergeant G. T. Webber, Royal Marine Light Infantry Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Pte., R.M.L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Ply. 2622 Cr. Sgt., R.M.L.I.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Sergt. No.2622 Plymo. R.M.L.I.), impressed naming, with bent suspension post; Khedives Star, 1884-6 (1354 .... Regt), crude engraved naming on reverse partially erased and with some solder marks, first and third with pitting, fine and better (4) £220-260
Lot 372
Pair: Private F. Bales, 20th Hussars Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Gemaizah 1888, Toski 1889 (2610 Pte., 20th Hussars), surname officially renamed; Khedives Star, undated, rev. impressed (20H 2610), first with edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (2) £300-400
Lot 442
Seven: Squadron Quarter-Master Sergeant F. Naylor, 1st Dragoon Guards Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4433 Cpl. Naylor, Regt. of Dragoons), no initial given; 1914 Star (4433 Sjt. F. Naylor, 1/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (1DG-4433 Sq. Q.M. Sjt. F. Naylor, 1-D. Gds.); Delhi Durbar 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (D-19461 Sq. Q.M. Sjt. F. Naylor 1/D. Gds.); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1915, with gilt palm and star riband fitments, the first and third with minor official corrections, generally very fine and better (7) £300-350 Frank Naylor, a confirmed recipient of the Delhi Durbar Medal 1911, first entered the French theatre of war in November 1914, at which point he most probably "ditched" the Austrian Diamond Jubilee Medal he had been awarded in 1908 (regimental records refer). Judging by the early reverse dates on his ungazetted Croix de Guerre, he went on to serve with distinction in the trenches at Festubert in 1915, or indeed in his regiments gallant stand at Hooge a month or two later.
Lot 444
Five: Temporary Warrant Officer Class 1 P. Tweddle, Royal Field Artillery India General Service 1895-1902, 3 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (5174 Gunr. P. Tweddle, 9th Fd. By. R.A.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (51741 Serjt. P. Tweddle, 9th Bty. R.F.A.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (51741 Serjt. P. Tweddle, R.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (49508 T.-W.O. Cl. 1 P. Tweedale, R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (51741 Serjt. P. Tweddle, R.F.A.), together with Army Temperance Association (India), silver and enamel Medal for 5 Years Fidelity, the first with corrected surname, contact marks, generally very fine (6) £300-350 Recipient was severely wounded at Bacdown Camp on 14 January 1902.
Lot 445
Three: Gunner G. Prince, Royal Garrison Artillery Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, Orange Free State (78781 Gnr. G. Prince, 15th Coy. S.D., R.G.A.); China 1900, no clasp (78781 Gr. G. Prince, No. 91 Co. R.G.A.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (78781 Gnr. G. Prince, R.G.A.), together with R.A. / R.G.A. badge (3), rivets sewn on the last two clasps of the first, nearly very fine or better and a rare Boer War/China combination of awards (6) £400-500 Just 35 men of the British Army received the Queens South Africa, China 1900 and Kings South Africa Medals, all of them members of the Royal Garrison Artillery; see the article A Slow Boat to China - and Back Again, and related roll, by Lt. Col. A. M. Macfarlane (O.M.R.S. Journal, Autumn 1993, pp. 198-200). George Prince was born in the parish of Bright-Walton, Wantage, Berkshire, in March 1872 and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in April 1890. Having then served at assorted U.K. posts in the intervening period, he was transferred to the Army Reserve in April 1897, but with the advent of hostilities in South Africa he was recalled and posted to 15th (Seige Train) Company, R.G.A. Subsequently engaged against the Boers at Paardeberg and Driefontein, he also qualified for the "Orange Free State" clasp for services with the 14th Company, Western Division, R.G.A. Then in July 1900 he was embarked for China where he served in No. 91 Company, R.G.A. but, with the Boxer Rebellion drawing to a close, he was sent back to South Africa in March 1901, where he again served with the 15th Company and qualified for his Kings South Africa Medal with two clasps. Prince returned to the U.K. in August 1902 and was discharged the following month.
Lot 447
Three: Gunner J. Suttie, Royal Garrison Artillery Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (86714 Gnr. J. Suttie, 15th Coy S.D. R.G.A.); China 1900, no clasp (86714 Gr. J. Suttie, No. 91 Co. R.G.A.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (86714 Gnr. J. Suttie, R.G.A.), file mark immediately following unit on the first and surname officially corrected on the second, generally very fine or better and a rare Boer War/China combination of awards (3) £400-500 Just 35 men of the British Army received the Queens South Africa, China 1900 and Kings South Africa Medals, all of them members of the Royal Garrison Artillery; see the article A Slow Boat to China - and Back Again, and related roll, by Lt. Col. A. M. Macfarlane (O.M.R.S. Journal, Autumn 1993, pp. 198-200); recipient also entitled to the "Transvaal" clasp.
Lot 452
Six: Lieutenant-Colonel A. H. Anderson, Royal Engineers (Volunteers) Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Capt. A. Harvie-Anderson, R.E. Vols.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. A. H. Anderson); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Lt. Col. A. H. Anderson, R.E.); Coronation 1911; Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1913, clasps on the first old tailors copies, very fine or better (6) £350-400 Alexander Harvie Anderson was serving as a Captain in the Royal Engineers (Volunteers), Submarine Miners, Clyde Division at the time of going out to South Africa, where he served in Cape Colony from February to May 1902. Advanced to Major in December 1912, he was serving in the Electric Lights Company at Greenock, Renfrewshire on the eve of hostilities, and subsequently gained appointment as an Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel.
Lot 453
Eight: Warrant Officer Class 1 A. Collie, Royal Engineers, who was awarded the M.S.M. and French Medaille Militaire prior to his death through wounds in June 1918 while serving on the R.Es Railway Transportation Establishment Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State (1644 L./Corpl. A. Collie, R.E.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1644 Serjt. A. Collie, R.E.); 1914 Star (1644 Q.M. Sjt. A. Collie, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (1644 W.O. Cl. 1 A. Collie, R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1644 E.C.Q.M. Sjt. A. Collie, R.E.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1644 Supt. Cl. A. Collie, G.H.Q. R.E.); French Medaille Militaire, the first two with contact marks and the last with chipped obverse enamel, otherwise very fine and better (8) £500-600 Alexander Collie, who was born in Portsmouth and enlisted in the Royal Engineers at Aldershot, served in 7th Field Company, R.E. during the Boer War, and was present in operations in the Orange Free State and at Belmont and Modder River. Next actively engaged in the Great War, he went out to France in August 1914 as a Quarter-Master Sergeant on the R.Es Railway Transportation Establishment, in which capacity he served up until his death through wounds on 3 June 1918, aged 42 years. He had been awarded the French Medaille Militaire in the rank of Engineer Clerk Quarter-Master Sergeant (London Gazette 24 February 1916 refers), and the M.S.M. as a Superintending Clerk at G.H.Q., R.E. (London Gazette 1 January 1917 refers), in the interim. Collie is buried in the Etaples Military Cemetery, France; sold with three original R.E. Record Office / War Office communications addressed to his widow, 1919-21, two regarding the issue of his 1914 Star, Army L.S. & G.C. and Meritorious Service Medals, and the other forwarding the Diploma for French Medaille Militaire, this dated 11 May 1921.
Lot 454
A Great War Egypt operations M.B.E. group of six awarded to Captain H. S. Smith, Royal Engineers, earlier the recipient of one of only three known "raised dates" Queens South Africa Medals to the British Army The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Members 1st type breast badge, hallmarks for London 1919; Queens South Africa 1899-1902, reverse with raised dates 1899-1900, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (19467 Q.M.S. H. S. Smith, R.E.); 1914 Star, with clasp (19467 Supdt.-Clk. H. S. Smith, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. H. S. Smith); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (19467 Qr. Mr. Serjt. H. T.(sic) Smith, R.E.), the first with repaired suspension claw, occasional surface scratches, otherwise very fine and a unique "raised dates" group (6) £1800-2200 One of only three "raised dates" Queens South Africa Medals known to members of the British Army, the majority of course having been issued to Lord Strathconas Horse. M.B.E. London Gazette 12 December 1919: In recognition of valuable services rendered in connection with military operations in Egypt and Palestine. Henry Surridge Smith, who was born in April 1868, served for a little over 23 years in the ranks of the Royal Engineers, in which period he qualified for his 3-clasp Queens South Africa Medal prior to being invalided back home in October 1900 - reason indeed to issue him with an 1899-1900 raised dates award. Having then added the L.S. & G.C. Medal to his accolades in October 1901, and been appointed Superintending Clerk (Warrant Officer Class II) in March 1907, he was commissioned as a Temporary Captain in July 1915, while serving in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force. In addition to his subsequent award of the M.B.E., he won a "mention" from General A. J. Murray, Egyptian Expeditonary Force, For gallant and distinguished services in the Field (London Gazette 11 January 1918 refers).
Lot 460
Five: Driver J. Mead, Army Service Corps Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (11146 Dr. J. Mead, A.S.C.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (11146 Dvr. J. Mead, A.S.C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (T-11146 Dvr. J. Mead, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (T-11146 Dvr. J. Mead, A.S.C.), together with London Council Drivers Medals (2), with various dated clasps for the period 1919 to 1924, both inscribed to J. Mead, and a Comrades of the Great War lapel badge, the first two with contact marks, nearly very fine, the remainder rather better (8) £180-220 John Mead was employed as a Tram Driver by London County Council.
Lot 462
Pair: Private W. Ford, Middlesex Regiment, late Military Foot Police Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laings Nek (590 Cpl. W. Ford, Mil. Foot Police); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4645 Pte. W. Ford, 1st Batt. Middlesex Regt.), the first with re-riveted suspension claw and the last renamed, contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £120-150
Lot 463
Five: Major J. A. Douglas, Army Service Corps, late Imperial Yeomanry, who was awarded the Serbian Order of St. Sava for his work as a Railway Transport Officer 1915-16 Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lieut. J. A. Douglas, Imp. Yeo.); 1914 Star (Capt. J. A. Douglas, R.T.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. A. Douglas); Serbian Order of St. Sava, 4th class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the first with edge bruising and the last with one or two slightly bent and chipped arm points, and lower obverse centre, otherwise generally very fine (5) £400-500 James Archibald Douglas, who attended Merton College, Oxford, and was onetime a member of the Agra Volunteer Rifes, served as a Lieutenant in the Imperial Yeomanry in the Orange River Colony and in the Mafeking and Vryburg Districts of Cape Colony, prior to being appointed a Railway Staff Officer in July 1901. Thereafter, until January 1902, he was employed variously at Pretoria, Standerton and Kometi Poort. Returning to uniform as a Captain, Temporary Major, on the Special List, in September 1914, Douglas was employed out in France in the Railway Transport Establishment from November 1914, but afterwards joined the British Mission to the Serbian Army, as a Train Conducting Officer, and was awarded the Serbian 4th Class Order of St. Sava (London Gazette 9 March 1917 refers). Latterly employed at the War Office, he resigned his commission in September 1919.
Lot 464
Pair: Private R. Davidson, Imperial Yeomanry Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (503 Pte. R. Davidson, 9th Coy. 3rd Imp. Yeo.); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (503 R. Davidson), fitted with straight-bar suspension bearing a "South Africa 1902" clasp, the first with officially corrected number and the last with similarly corrected surname, generally very fine or better (2) £300-350 Robert Davidson served in the 9th (Yorkshire - Doncaster) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry.
Lot 466
Four: Leading Stoker F. Coller, Royal Navy, late Imperial Yeomanry Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (34736 Pte. F. Coller, 29th Coy. Imp. Yeo.); 1914-15 Star (K. 1279 F. Coller, Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War amnd Victory Medal (K. 1279 F. Coller, L. Sto., R.N.), the first with re-riveted suspension claw, contact marks and one or two edge cuts, thus fine, the remainder nearly very fine or better (4) £140-160 Frank Coller was born in Lymington, Hampshire in November 1877 and served in the 29th (Denbighshire) Company, 9th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, during the Boer War, a fact further confirmed by an endorsement on his Naval service record, Can count 1 year and 198 days Army service towards Naval pension. Commencing his career at sea as a Stoker 1st Class in H.M.S. Minotaur in April 1908, he was serving as an Acting Leading Stoker aboard the battleship Magnificent on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. His subsequent wartime appointments comprised the sloop Daffodil (June to November 1915), the receiving ship Colleen at Queenstown, Ireland (November 1915 to October 1917), the depot ship Hecla (October 1917 to April 1918), and the cruiser Gibraltar (April to November 1918). Having gained advancement to substantive Leading Stoker back in January 1916, Coller was pensioned ashore in February 1926.
Lot 467
A Great War D.S.O., O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Hewitt, Royal West Kent Regiment, late Imperial Yeomanry Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officers 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4517 Pte. A. Hewitt, 33rd Coy. 11th Impl. Yeo.); 1914 Star (Capt. A. S. Hewitt, R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. A. S. Hewitt); Italian Order of the Crown, Officers breast badge, gold and enamels; French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, the first with somewhat recessed centre-pieces, otherwise very fine and better (8) £1000-1200 Ex Dix Noonan Webb, 5 March 1996 (Lot 306), when sold without the D.S.O., O.B.E. and Italian Order of the Crown. D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917. O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Alfred Scott Hewitt, who was born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia in September 1876 and educated at Warwick and Christ Church, Oxford, was a scholar and gifted sportsman, captaining college cricket, rugby and athletics teams, and afterwards playing rugby for the Harlequins, Hampshire and Kent. Enlisting in the 33rd Company (Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles), 11th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry on the outbreak of the Boer War, he served out in South Africa for 14 months, where he was present in the actions at Biddulphsberg, Wittebergen and Caledon River (27-29 November 1900), and was commissioned into the Royal West Kent Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1901. A Captain & Adjutant of the 4th Battalion by the outbreak of hostilities, he appears to have gone out to France in the 2nd Battalion, The Queens, with whom he served from October 1914 to March 1915. Sometime thereafter taking up a Staff appointment, and advanced to Major in September 1916, Hewitt served in France and Flanders until transferring to the Italian front in November 1917, where he remained employed until the end of hostilities, latterly as Deputy Provost Marshal in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Awarded the D.S.O. and O.B.E., he was four times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917; 30 May 1918 and 5 June 1919), in addition to being awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 18 April 1918) and the Italian Order of the Crown (London Gazette 2 March 1923). Hewitt retired to Lisle Court, Wootton on the Isle of Wight.
Lot 471
Pair: Orderly W. Ashworth, St. John Ambulance Brigade Queens South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (1419 Ordly. W. Ashworth, St. John Amb. Bde.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1419 Pte. W. Ashworth, Hebden Bridge Corps), the first with re-riveted suspension claw, polished, nearly very fine (2) £250-300 Recipient served at No. 14 General Hospital and aboard the hospital ship Simla, but was not entitled to any clasps.
Lot 474
A good Order of St. John group of five awarded to Corps Officer T. Lamb, St. John Ambulance Brigade, late East Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brothers breast badge, silver and black enamel type; Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6 Ordly. T. Lamb, St. John Amb. Bde.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902, bronze (6 Pte. T. Lamb, Hull Corps); Volunteer Force Long Service, E.VII.R.(5749 Sjt. T. Lamb, 2/E.R. of Y. R.G.A.V.); St. John Service Medal, with four Bars, one of them of the 5 Years Service variety (2394 Supt. T. Lamb, H. & B. Rly. (Springhead Loco.) Div., No. 6 Dist., 1921), the second with officially corrected unit, the third with crudely repaired suspension, the first and last very fine or better, the remainder with edge bruising and polished, fine or better (5) £300-350 Thomas Lamb joined the Hull Springhead Locomotive Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade in September 1897, served in the Hull Corps in the Boer War and was promoted to Superintendent in May 1908. In the interim, he also served in the East Riding of Yorkshire Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers as a Sergeant Instructor of Stretcher-Bearers. Lamb was admitted to the Order of St. John as a Serving Brother in April 1918 and finally retired in the rank of Corps Officer in 1946. He died in August 1953.
Lot 475
Family group: Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1900 (Sergt. A. Burt, Langman Hospital), date on last clasp (to which the recipient was not entitled) privately altered to 1900, rank re-engraved and otherwise officially re-impressed, polished, nearly very fine Four: Acting Staff Sergeant W. H. Burt, Army Service Corps, late Langman Hospital Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Corpl. W. Burt, Langman Hospital); 1914-15 Star (S4-091005 Pte. W. H. Burt, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (S4-091005 A.-S.-Sjt. W. H. Burt, A.S.C.), the first with officially re-impressed naming, generally very fine and rare (5) £400-500 Established by Mr. John Langman, this private hospital opened its tented wards for the first time in April 1900, on the cricket ground at Bloemfontein, where, a few days later, it was inspected by Lord Roberts, V.C., who said of it in a telegram to Langman back in London, that its value to our R.A.M.C. and wounded cannot be overestimated. Indeed, under the efficient command of Langmans son, Archibald, actually a Lieutenant in the Middlesex Yeomanry, the hospital eventually treated 1211 cases, latterly at a new location in Pretoria. Of these patients, 278 returned to duty, 875 were transferred to other hospitals and 58 died. Among the handful of Surgeons employed on the 45-strong staff, 18 of whom were from the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle, M.D., he of Sherlock Holmes fame, who had, from the outset, been invited by John Langman to assist in the selection of suitable personnel - it is not without interest therefore that Corporal Weston Burt was, like Conan Doyle, a resident of Southsea, a fact that suggests they may well have been local friends. Be that as it may, both men would certainly have shared in the horrific scenes caused by ever-growing numbers of enteric victims, the famous author being compelled to write: Our hospital was no worse off than the others, and as there were many of them the general condition of the town [Bloemfontein] was very bad. Coffins were out of the question, and the men were lowered in their brown blankets into shallow graves at the average of sixty a day. A sickening smell came from the stricken town. Once when I had ridden out to get an hour or two of change, and was at least six miles from the town, the wind changed and the smell was all around me. You could smell Bloemfontein long before you could see it. Even now if I felt that lowly death smell compounded of disease and disinfectants my heart would sink within me. The Hospital was eventually given as a free gift by John Langman to the Government in November 1900, complete with all its equipment, tentage and supplies - he was created a Baronet in 1906, while his son, Archibald, received prompter reward by way of a C.M.G. in 1902. Conan Doyle, too, was among the ex-Langman staff honoured, receiving a knighthood, although he later claimed this was in response to the publication of his pamphlet, The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct. Sold with an original printed letter, and an old copy thereof, from John Langman, forwarding Corporal Weston Burts Queens South Africa Medal, dated 14 November 1901, and addressed to him at 77 Castle Road, Southsea (I greatly appreciated all the good work you did in the Hospital and would have liked to have been able to tell you so personally if a presentation could have been arranged ... ); together with original portrait photographs of both brothers, the one of Weston Burt by Barkshire Brothers of 233 Albert Road, Southsea, further evidence of a direct link with Conan Doyle.
Lot 488
Nine: Captain J. H. Howell, South African Forces, late Hartigans Horse and South African Police, a veteran of the defence of Kimberley - in which he was wounded - who died in September 1943 while serving in the Essential Services Protection Corps Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State (1773 Pte. J. H. Howell, Cape P.D. 1); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1773 Pte. J. H. Howell, C.P. Dist. 1); 1914-15 Star (Cpl. J. H. Howell, Hartigans Hse.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Cpl. J. H. Howell, Hartigans Hse.); War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, these two officially inscribed, 702308J. H. Howell; South African Police Good Service Medal, 1st type (No. 592 (M.) 1/C. Sergeant J. H. Howell); Mayor of Kimberleys Star, hallmark letter a, the reverse privately inscribed, J. H. Howell, Cape Police, the first two somewhat polished, nearly very fine, the remainder very fine and better (9) £600-700 James Henry Howell, who enlisted in the Police at Kings William Town in August 1898, was actively engaged as a Private in the Cape Police (District 1) from October 1899 to May 1902, in which period he was wounded in the defence of Kimberley. Having then witnessed further action in Hartigans Horse in 1915, he returned to his police duties and retired, aged 50 years, as a Head Constable, in February 1930. However, the advent of hostilities in 1939 witnessed his return to uniform, this time as a Captain in the Essential Services Protection Corps, in which capacity he was serving at the time of his death on 4 September 1943, aged 63 years. He left a widow resident at Port Elizabeth, where he was buried in the South End Cemetery. Sold with the recipients original South African Police certificate of discharge, dated at Pretoria, 13 February 1930, together with a related forwarding letter from the Deputy Commissioner of Police (I shall be glad if you will kindly convey to Head Constable Howell the Commissioners and my appreciation of his services and excellent record whilst serving in the Force ... ); and official communications addressed to his widow regarding his entitlement to the 1939-45 War and Africa Service Medals, these dated 10 December 1945 and 7 November 1947.
Lot 493
Pair: Sergeant A. Connock, Cape Colony Cyclist Corps, late Queenstown Rifle Volunteers and Julius Imperial Transport Corps Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (525 Pte. A. Connock, Queenstown R.V.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (24970 Serjt. A. Connock, C.C.C.C.), the first with officially re-impressed naming, generally good very fine (2) £120-150 Recipient served variously in the Queenstown Rifle Volunteers, the Julius Imperial Transport Service as a Conductor, and the Cape Colony Cyclist Corps, October 1899 to June 1902.
Lot 511
An extremely rare Victorian M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant-Major J. Gillies, Royal Artillery, almost certainly the last enlisted man to wear his Waterloo Medal in uniform at the time of his discharge, aged 67 years, in 1854 Waterloo 1815 (John Gillis, Bombardier, Royal Foot Artillery), with old replacement clip and ring suspension; Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Serjt. Major John Gillies, Royal Artillery), officially impressed naming, both fitted with decorative riband buckles, naming details worn in places as a result of edge bruising, the first with heavy contact marks and polished, fine, the second rather better (2) £3000-3500 John Gillies was born in Campbeltown, Argyll in 1787 and enlisted in the Royal Artillery in April 1808, when he joined Major Lloyds Company in the Foot Artillery. Having witnessed active service in the disastrous Walcheren operations in the following year, and been advanced to Bombardier, he was present at Quatre Bras and Waterloo, where Lloyds Company formed part of Halketts 5th Brigade and won an "honour title". Whenever his guns appeared to be in danger of capture, Major Lloyd - who was eventually killed - ordered his men to remove one of the wheels of each piece, and roll them back into the protection of an infantry square, thereby preventing the enemy cavalry from dragging them off. Gillies gained advancement to Sergeant in the 1820s but was never awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal, even though he became eligible for a William IV-issue in 1830. He was, however, advanced to Sergeant-Major in 1842 and was awarded one of nine annuity M.S.Ms issued to the Royal Artillery on 18 April 1848 - these were in fact the first such awards to the Regiment as they claimed none in the previous year. Latterly the Repository Sergeant-Major at Woolwich, Gillies was discharged in 1854, aged 67 years, when almost certainly the last enlisted man to wear his Waterloo Medal in uniform (The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, by Ian McInnes, refers). He died in March 1858, when the second most senior R.A. annuitant.
Lot 512
A rare Victorian campaign service and M.S.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant A. McKerrow, 90th Regiment, who was wounded in the attack on the Great Redan in September 1855 and hit by a Tulwar blow in the Indian Mutiny - but the gentleman who gave it never gave another as I had the good luck to drop him with a shot through the chest: and this just one of many fascinating observations to be found in McKerrows memoirs, published in the regimental journal shortly before his death in 1927 Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (90th Regt.), officially impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (90th Lt. Infy.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. (3914 Sergt., 90th Foot); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Sejt., 90 Foot), officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British die, unnamed, the Mutiny Medal with refixed suspension claw, the first two with contact marks, edge bruising and polished, thus fine, the remainder very fine and better Together with: Army Temperance Association: India, A.T.A.I.14 (The Association Medal), with 'For Merit' top bar; A.T.A.I.7 (7 Year Medal); A.T.A.I.6 (6 Year Medal); A.T.A.I.5 (5 Year Medal); A.T.A.I.3, with 'Excelsior' top bar (4 Year Award); A.T.A.I.1.5 (Victoria Commemorative Medal); A.T.A.I.2 (1 Year Medal); Army Temperance Association: Home, A.T.A.H.2, with 'Fidelity' top bar (2 Year Award); A.T.A.I.1, silvered (6 Month Medal); 'Grand Lodge, India' Cross, these added by Ian McInnes to replace the McKerrow family Temperance Medals which accompanied his official awards when first auctioned in London, generally very fine (Lot) £1800-2200 Alexander McKerrow was, by his own account, born at Springkell, Dumfriesshire on 29 September 1833, although his enlistment papers state the year 1835 and a family bible 1836. More certain is the fact he enlisted in the 90th Regiment at Westminster in January 1855, aged 20 years, and, as confirmed by his memoirs, quickly saw action in the Crimea, not least in the attack on the Great Redan on 8 September 1855, when he witnessed Sergeant Andrew Moynihan winning his V.C.: I took part in trench work until the final assault on the Great Redan, when the Regiment formed part of the scaling ladder party, and then I knew what it was to be a soldier of the Queen. In reality, as I was making my way into the Great Redan, and squeezing myself through the embrasure of a heavy gun, a Russian gunner took it into his head to prevent me, so he quietly despatched me into the trench 30 feet deep by giving me a blow in the right thigh with a rammer of gun-sponger. I remained there until found the next morning with the dead and wounded. McKerrow, who was also wounded in the head by a musket ball, appears to have been admitted to Scutari, for in later years he would talk about his gratitude to Florence Nightingale - he christened one of his daughters after her. Having then briefly returned to the U.K., he was quickly back on the campaign trail, for the 90th were landed at Calcutta at the onset of the Indian Mutiny: When we crossed the bridge of boats at Cawnpore, the Regiment had its first engagement with the rebels - I think the name of the place was Mungawar. Here the Regiment was extended into skirmishing order, and commenced operations, driving the rebels before them and scattering them in all directions. Sir James Outram accompanied us on his fly-bitten charger, and Sir Henry Havelock remained with the main body on the Grand Trunk Road. Things went all right until the Baggage Guard was attacked by overwhelming numbers, and we had to form rallies and squares. I received a hit in the left foot with a Tulwar, but the gentleman who gave it never gave another, as I had the good luck to drop him with a shot through the chest. And of the subsequent operations at Lucknow: On our way out our Adjutant, Lieutenant Rennie, was riding along, and happened to find out a byway. He was officious in these matters and he took it into his head to have a look, and found to his surprise two guns in the rebels hands. He shouted out "H Company" (which was my company) "right about turn, follow me at the double." We did so, and found him engaged with the gunners. Seeing us join him the rebels let go one of their guns. It swept the road and took a number of my company, amongst whom was Lieutenant Nicol Graham, who was related to the Graham who raised the Regiment. By his death we lost as brave as officer as ever drew a sword for his countrys cause. I well remember him saying, as we put him in a dooley, "Ah, McKerrow, I have seen many a man fall, but I never expected to fall so soon myself." He died of his wounds that evening and the Regiment mourned his loss. He was a soldier of the front rank. The Adjutant [Rennie] received the V.C. for his work, which he well deserved, and I was recommended for a medal for distinguished conduct. McKerrow, who married Elizabeth Moore in 1868 (who had been a child at the defence of Lucknow), saw no further action and was discharged in the rank of Sergeant in July 1875. But he retained his military links by finding employment as a Sergeant in Barrack Department of the Commissariat, first in Mauritius, and then in Malta, from 1883 to 1890, in which latter year he chose to settle there with with his family. But he was to be called out on parade one more time, for in AO 156 of 1900 he was awarded the M.S.M., which distinction was presented to him by His Excellency the Governor in an investiture held at Palace Square, the Daily Malta Chronicle reporting that he was an old soldier well known in Malta and highly respected and that Colonel Hughes Hallett, the Assistant Adjutant-General, read aloud to the spectators Mr. McKerrows record of war services, a record of which any man may well be proud of. Following the death of his wife, McKerrow returned to Scotland in 1915, and settled with one of his daughters at Glasgow Road, Perth, but not before being given a rousing send-off from Malta, his "Benefit Concert" at Valetta attracting the patronage of Field Marshal Lord Methuen, G.C.B., G.C.V.O., C.M.G. and Vice-Admiral A. H. Limpus, C.B. Back in Scotland, in the late 1920s, he wrote his memoirs for publication in the Covenanter, the regimental journal of the Cameronians (the new title of the old 90th), the editor then describing him as the oldest living member of the Regiment - undoubtedly, too, he was one of the last surviving Crimea & Mutiny veterans when he died in October 1927; for further extracts from his memoirs, and other career details, see The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, by Ian McInnes, in particular Appendix I).
Lot 513
The rare and outstanding Gordon Relief Expedition D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Regimental Corporal-Major A. White, Royal Horse Guards, attached Heavy Camel Regiment, and afterwards a Yeoman of the Guard: decorated for his perfect coolness under fire ... notably at Abu Klea when he rendered material assistance when the Arabs got into the square, he received his decoration from the hands of the Queen at Windsor Castle in February 1886: his was the very first D.C.M. awarded to the Royal Horse Guards and remains one of about 10 won by the regiment to date - a rare distinction indeed in company with his M.S.M., one of the first non-annuity awards ever presented to the Yeomen of the Guard Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (561 Tp. Cor[pl. Maj.] A. White, Rl. Hse. Gds., 17th Jan. & 13th Feb. 85); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (561 Corpl. of Hse., Rl. H. Gds.); Jubilee 1897, bronze; Coronation 1902, bronze; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (R. Corpl.-Maj., Rl. Horse Guards); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Rgtl. Cpl. Major, Rl. Horse Gds.); Khedives Star 1882, the first with partially obscured rank details due to edge bruising and contact marks, the earlier awards good fine or better, the remainder very fine and better (7) £8000-10000 D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen 4 February 1886, relevant details being published in The Times of 24 February 1886: T.C.M. (now R.C.M.) Alfred White, Royal Horse Guards, acted as Corporal-Major of the R.H.G. detachment of the Heavy Camel Regiment; was present at every engagement, and on all occasions showed perfect coolness under fire, and set an excellent example. Notably at Abu Klea he rendered material assistance when the Arabs got into the square, and at the attack on the convoy on 13 February, displayed great coolness in assisting the wounded into the sick square. He also served in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882. Alfred White was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in August 1851 and enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards at Regents Park in October 1870. An imposing figure for the age - standing six feet tall - he completed the advanced military equitation course and was advanced to Corporal of Horse in 1875. Active service followed in Egypt and the Sudan from May to October 1882, when he joined the composite regiment made up of the 1st & 2nd Life Guards, the 7th Dragoon Guards and the Royal Horse Guards, and participated in the "Moonlight Charge" at Kassassin on 28 August - when the cavalry squadrons swept down at sunset around a high sand ridge, taking the enemy completely by surprise - and at Tel-el-Kebir in the following month; so, too, in the Gordon Relief Expedition 1884-85, when he won his D.C.M. for bravery as a Troop Corporal-Major in the Heavy Camel Regiment at Abu Klea on 17 January 1885 and in the attack on his convoy a few weeks later. At Abu Klea, his unit flanked the Naval Brigade in the rear of the square, where, famously, the Arabs took the advantage after the exposed Gardner gun jammed, a failure compounded by a wheeling movement ordered by another six-footer from the "Blues", the colourful Colonel "Fred" Burnaby. He was slain, in addition to eight other officers and 65 men, while the wounded totalled nine officers and 85 men - many of these later dying of their injuries. Having received his D.C.M. from the hands of the Queen at Windsor Castle on 23 February 1886, White next went overseas in November 1889, as a member of a delegation to the British South Africa Companys territory in Matabeleland, when he accompanied his Adjutant, Captain V. J. F. Ferguson, Surgeon Colonel H. F. L. Melladew and batman Trooper Ross to Chief Lobengulas kraal at Bulawayo - all of them had their documents endorsed with an appreciation of their services by H.R.H. the C.-in-C. on their return in May 1890. In October 1890, White was recommended for the M.S.M. and annuity by Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Kilmarnock, an earlier submission in December 1888 having been refused, and on this occasion, since he had also been noted for the Yeomen of the Guard, it was concluded if successful for one, he will not be eligible for the other. Discharged to a pension in October 1891, a vacancy in the Guard finally occurred in February 1895, and White was subsequently present at the inspections made by Queen Victoria in 1897, and by Edward VII in June 1901, when 93 Yeomen were on parade. But he never saw the M.S.M. that had eluded him in life, for he died in February 1907, shortly before the award was announced in AO 99 of May 1907, one of the first ever granted to a Yeoman of the Guard without annuity (see The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, and The Yeomen of the Guard 1823-1903, both by Ian McInnes, for further details).
Lot 514
The rare and outstanding Second Afghan War D.C.M. group of nine awarded to Colour-Sergeant W. McDonald, 72nd Highlanders, afterwards Norfolk Regiment and a Yeoman of the Guard: decorated for his bravery in the actions at Bala-Hissar and Takht-i-Shah on 12 December 1879, he received his decoration from the hands of the Queen in a ceremony on the Isle of Wight, but was shortly afterwards severely wounded by a gunshot to his left arm at Tel-el-Kebir - he survived however to be awarded one of the first non-annuity M.S.Ms ever presented to the Yeomen of the Guard Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Cr. Sergt. W. MacDonald, 72nd Foot, 12th Decr. 1879); Afghanistan 1878-80, 4 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1415 Cr. Sgt., 72nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1415 Col. Sergt., 72nd Highlanders); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-el-Kebir (1415 Cr. Sergt., 1/Sea. Highrs.); Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. (1150 Cr. Sgt., Norf. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Clr. Serjt., 1/Seaforth Hdrs.); Khedives Star 1882, the reverse inscribed, 1415 Cr. St. W. MacDonald, 1/Sea. Hrs., surname officially corrected on the fourth, suspension bar bent on the M.S.M., contact marks, edge bruising and polished, thus good fine or better (9) £8000-10000 D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen 12 October 1881, relevant details having earlier been published in the London Gazette of 4 May 1880: On the occasion of the attack on the Bala-Hissar position and the subsequent counter-attack on the Takht-i-Shah, three non-commissioned officers - Colour-Sergeant W. MacDonald, Sergeants W. Cox and R. McIlveen, all of the 72nd Highlanders - greatly distinguished themselves, especially Colour-Sergeant MacDonald, by the cool and intelligent manner in which he superintended the construction of a breastwork under a very heavy fire. William McDonald was born at Cockpen in Midlothian in June 1850 and enlisted in the 72nd Highlanders in June 1868. Advanced to Corporal in January 1871, shortly before being embarked for India, he received rapid promotion thereafter, attaining the rank of Colour-Sergeant in January 1875, with only six and half years service and still aged only 23 years. But it would not be until the Second Afghan War that he witnessed active service, and in so far as the Seaforths were concerned it was action of the hottest kind - not least in four days of bitter fighting round Kabul in December 1879. Indeed it was in the course of these operations that McDonald won his D.C.M., namely for his cool and intelligent handling of the defences on Bila-Hissar hill during three determined enemy attacks in the early morning hours of the 12th, and for his subsequent part in the counter-attack launched against the Takht-i-Shah later that day. Of the terrain and defences of the latter place, which was persistently and most gallantly attacked by McDonald and his comrades, Lord Roberts later wrote, The slopes leading up to it were covered by huge masses of jagged rock, intersected by perpendicular cliffs, and its natural strength was increased by breastworks and stockades thrown up at differing points (Forty-One Years in India refers). His D.C.M., the only known dated issue from the Second Afghan War, and quite possibly the first ever to be so inscribed, was formally approved by Queen Victoria on 12 October 1881, the relevant document citing his gallant conduct on the occasion of the attack on the Bala-Hissar and Takht-i-Shah, near Kabul, on 12 October 1879, and in the following year, with five of his comrades from the 72nd Highlanders, in a special ceremony on the Isle of Wight, he received his award from the hands of the Queen - see Major P. E. Abbotts Recipients of the D.C.M. (2nd edition, Plate No. 2), for a photograph of these men taken at Parkhurst shortly afterwards. Following this encounter with the Queen, McDonald was embarked for Egypt, where he was among four casualties sustained by the Seaforths at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in September 1882 - in his case by a severe gunshot wound in the left arm. In early 1885, he transferred to the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, as a Colour-Sergeant Instructor, and attended courses at the School of Musketry at Hythe, and the Small Arms School at Birmingham. Latterly serving as an Acting Sergeant-Major of the 3rd Battalion, he was finally discharged in November 1895, after 27 years with the Colours. Settling in Swaffham, Norfolk, McDonald became a member of the Norfolk Patriotic Association, and an out-pensioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, as a result of which he was among those presented to H.R.H. Edward, Prince of Wales, in a visit to the hospital in 1899 - he was among a group of veterans photographed for a subsequent feature published in the Navy and Army Illustrated, 27 May 1899. In January of the following year, he joined the Yeomen of the Guard, in which capacity he served until his death in October 1913, aged 63 years. In the interim, he was present at the funeral cortege of Queen Victoria on 25 June 1901, when King Edward VII made his first inspection of his Guard - 93 Yeomen were on parade, McDonald in the Fourth Division, and in July 1905 was recommended for the M.S.M. by the O.C. Eastern Group Reservists, the O.C. of the Norfolk Regiment depot, and the O.C. Highland Group Regimental District - the relevant documents revealed that McDonald had eight entries in the Regimental Defaulters Book, one for drunkenness in 1880 and the remainder for absence. Be that as it may, in AO 99 of May 1907, his award was formally announced, one of the first ever granted to a Yeoman of the Guard without annuity (see The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, and The Yeomen of the Guard 1823-1903, both by Ian McInnes, for further details).
Lot 515
The remarkable Delhi Durbar 1911 R.V.M. group of 15 awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel P. H. Watson, Indian Army, late Bedfordshire Regiment, whose career of 40 or so years with the Colours encompassed active service in India, China, Tibet, Iraq and N.W. Persia, in addition to the Great War, when he was awarded an immediate M.S.M. for services in Mesopotamia India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (6039 Pte., 1st Bedford Regt.); China 1900, no clasp (6039 Corpl., S. & T. Corps), initials H. P.; Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (Sergt., 7th Mule Corps); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Sub. Condr., S. & T. Corps); 1914 Star (S.-Condr., S. & T.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt., S. & T.C.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, N.W. Persia, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, coinage bust, privately inscribed, S./Cdr. P. H. Watson, S. & T. Corps; Delhi Durbar 1911, privately inscribed, S./Cdr. P. H. Watson; Jubilee 1935, privately inscribed, Lt. Col. P. H. Watson; Coronation 1937, privately inscribed, Lt. Col. P. H. Watson; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Condr., S. & T. Corps); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Condr., S. & T. Corps), the first with officially corrected unit and the second with corrected initial, occasional edge bruising, generally very fine or better (14) £2000-2500 Percy Hamilton Watson was in Hampstead, London in 1875, but later joined his father out in India, at Simla, where in 1895 he enlisted in the Punjab Volunteer Rifles. Then in June 1897 he joined the ranks of the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment, which unit had been out in India for several years, but was attached to the Supply & Transport Corps, Indian Army, for service with the Tirah Expeditionary Force in the Punjab operations of 1897-98 (WO/100/84 refers). Back with the Bedfordshires, he was advanced to Lance-Corporal in November 1898 and to Corporal in June 1900, but was sufficiently unhappy about an earlier reprimand for neglect of duty, twice being absent from his office and for making an inappropriate remark to Sergeant Markham that he elected to transfer to the Punjab Unattached List for employment with the Supply & Transport Corps. He was immediately advanced to Sergeant and embarked for China in September 1900, where he appears to have served in a shipping capacity, work that won him a favourable endorsement on his service record. Back in India, he was employed at Delhi in connection with the Durbar arrangements from September 1902 until February 1903 (his service papers refer), but he does not appear on the relevant medal roll. Advanced to the acting rank of Sub. Conductor in the 7th Mule Corps, Northern Command, shortly afterwards, he was employed in the Tibet Expedition 1903-04, when he was present at the capture of Gyantse. And then in 1908, having been appointed substantive Sub. Conductor, he served in the 7th Mule Corps in the North West Frontier operations, firstly in the Bazaar Valley and later in Mohmand country. In February 1910, Watson was appointed a Sub. Division Commander in the 4th Mule Corps (Cavalry Brigade) at Lahore, while in the following year he was on duty for the Delhi Durbar, gaining the Royal Victorian Medal on the same occasion (official listing in respect of H.M. visit to India and the Durbar, dated 2 June 1912, refers). In mid-August 1914, he was embarked for France with the 3rd Mule Cadre (Cavalry Brigade), but in April 1915 was re-embarked for Egypt in the rank of Conductor. Further active service ensued in Mesopotamia from February 1916 to April 1918, initially with the 9th Mule Corps of the 3rd Lahore Division, a period that also witnessed his appointment to a commission as a Commissary & Hon. Lieutenant in January 1916, and the award of his L.S. & G.C. Medal (IAO 728 of 1917 refers). So, too, the award of his immediate M.S.M. (London Gazette 17 October 1917), and a "mention" from General Sir F. S. Maude (London Gazette 12 March 1918). Yet further active service was to follow, however, firstly in the Iraq operations, and secondly in the N.W. Persia operations of August to December 1920, when the final withdrawal of our troops was accomplished by the likes of Watson, with little motor transport and in freezing conditions. Indeed he did not depart this theatre of war until March 1923, in which year he was again mentioned in despatches. Advanced to Deputy Commissary & Captain back in India in February 1926, his service record continued to attract favourable comment, an extremely capable officer and universally popular being typical of his assessments at this time. Unsurprisingly, therefore, he was promoted to Commissary & Major in July 1928 - with seniority back dated to January 1922 - and in January 1930, on the eve of his retirement, to Lieutenant-Colonel. But Watsons career was quickly rekindled, for in the following year he was appointed Inspector of Messing in the Quarter-Master Generals Department, H.Q. India, in which capacity he was also appointed a half-Colonel in the Indian Army Service Corps - thus his verified Jubilee 1935 and Coronation 1937 Medals. He retired for a final time in 1938, when his extensive service record was sent to Army H.Q. Simla, for filing - but which today resides in the India Records Office (nearly 200 pp. in L/Mil/14/30463).
Lot 517
An exceptional and particularly early Great War M.C. group of nine awarded to Quarter-Master & Captain H. Dugdale, Royal Army Medical Corps, a veteran of the Suakin 1885 and Ashanti 1896 operations who was awarded the M.S.M. in 1936, aged 75 years Military Cross, G.V.R.; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (3931 Sergt., M.S. Corps); Ashanti Star 1896; 1914 Star (Hon. Lieut. & Q.M., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Q.M. & Lieut.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3931 S. Sjt., R.A.M.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., coinage bust (S. Sjt., M.C., R.A.M.C.); Khedives Star 1884-6, the earlier awards with contact marks, but generally very fine and quite possibly a unique combination of awards (9) £2000-2500 M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915. Herbert Dugdale was born in Salford in April 1860 and enlisted in the Medical Staff Corps in 1878. Advanced to Lance-Corporal while stationed at Gibraltar in 1881, he served in Egypt and the Sudan 1883-85 and 1885-86, latterly as a Sergeant in the Suakin operations, and on the west coast of Africa 1895-96, during the Ashanti operations. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant in November 1908, having been awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in the previous year (AO 242 refers). Commissioned as an Honorary Lieutenant & Quarter-Master in the Royal Army Medical Corps on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he went out to France with No. 18 Field Ambulance in the following month, but would appear to have been awarded his M.C. for services in the No. 3 East Lancashire Field Ambulance, which distinction was one of very first to be gazetted. He was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 22 June 1915 refers) before returning to the U.K. in December 1915. Dugdale, who relinquished his commission in April 1924, was awarded his M.S.M. in AO 237 of 1936, and was still living in the 1950s; Ian McInnes estimates around 10 medical veterans of the Suakin 1885 operations later received M.S.Ms, but with the addition of his M.C. and Ashanti Star this group must surely be unique.
Lot 521
A rare Second World War prisoner of wars M.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer 1st Class R. "Ronnie the One" MacDonald, Australian Regular Army, late Cameron Highlanders: having been taken P.O.W. near Abbeville in June 1940, he proved uncompromising in his attitude to his captors and was regularly incarcerated in the "cooler" for persistent escape attempts - he displayed a similar attitude towards the recruits he had to train after joining the Australian Army in the 1950s, a fact confirmed by Clive James in his Unreliable Memoirs - and was awarded the Commonwealth of Australia M.S.M. for his troubles Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2927087 W.O. Cl. 2 R. MacDonald, Camerons); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf; U.N. Korea; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2927087 W.O. Cl. 1, M.M., Camerons); Commonwealth of Australia Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R. (24767 W.O. 1, A.R.A.), the sixth with officially corrected number, contact marks, very fine and better (7) £2000-2500 M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945. The original recommendation states: Captured at St. Valery on 12 June 1940, Company Sergeant-Major MacDonald first attempted to escape while on the march to Germany. He slipped away from the column unobserved and hid in an empty building. Later the same evening the Germans made a search of the premises and he was discovered. In April 1942, whilst imprisoned in a working camp at Sernberg, he and a companion escaped by cutting the bars of the hut bathroom. They had made maps and compasses and planned to make their way to Greece and thence to Turkey. Eight days later, on the outskirts of Bratislava, they were arrested by German police. For three years MacDonald was in charge of the other ranks at Oflag IX A/Z and did valuable work for the Escape Committee. He has been highly commended for this work by the Senior British Officer and two other officers. Ronald MacDonald was born at Aird, North Uist in March 1912 and enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Territorials) in March 1930, prior to transferring to the Regular Army in June of the following year. Having gained advancement to Company Sergeant-Major by the outbreak of hostilities, he went out to France in B (Islands) Company of the 4th Camerons in 1940, and was taken P.O.W. at "Hedgehog Ridge", Abbeville that June: The Germans, by unlucky coincidence, had also mounted an attack for the morning of the 4th, and on their left - our right - their infantry moved out a few minutes before our barrage opened. When B Company of the 4th Camerons advanced upwards towards the "Hedgehog", they encountered, in a field of rye well in front of the hill, a German battalion quite unscathed by gunfire. There was stern fighting there. The Germans had sited numerous machine-guns in the corn, and B Company had many casualties ... Among those killed was B Companys C.O., Captain the Viscount Fincastle, and in his ensuing years in captivity MacDonald kept his late C.O.s clan kilt, eventually returning it to the officers widow at Dalness, North Argyll, at the end of the War. Latterly held at Oflag 9A at Spagenburg, MacDonald was completely uncompromising in his attitude to the Germans and his resistance earned him six months in solitary confinement ... He was liberated before the end of the War and is believed to have served in N.W. Europe, this qualifying him for the France and Germany Star (accompanying regimental letter refers). He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 February 1946), and received his M.M. from the hands of General Auchinleck at a special parade held in January 1946. After the War, MacDonald was R.S.M. of the 1st Battalion in India and Japan, 1946-47, and again from 1949-50, in which latter year he retired. But his military career was not yet over, for having emigrated to Australia he joined the Regular Australian Army and was quickly back in harnass as a Regimental Sergeant-Major, this time at Duntroon Military Academy and other training establishments, where he gained a reputation for being a disciplinarian and the sobriquet "Ronnie the One". No better illustration of this chapter in his career may be recommended than Clive James Unreliable Memoirs, in which he makes frequent reference to MacDonalds ferocious temperament (When Ronnie was really annoyed his face swelled up and turned purple like the rear of an amorous baboon). His orders, too, were delivered in a high-pitched almost supersonic scream, the more terrifying ones ending in a verb, but he led by example - His brass gleamed like gold and his leather like mahogany. On one occasion, after a young recruit had put a live mortar round upside down in the barrel, everyone was seen to scatter for cover - some tried to dig themselves into the earth. Some started climbing trees. But most of us ran. But not "Ronnie the One", who picked up the mortar, base plate included, shook out the live round and promptly ordered the offending recruit to go back through the motions - The mortar coughed. There was a crackle in the sky and a blast on the hill. Then we all marched thoughtfully back to camp. MacDonald, who was awarded the M.S.M. (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30 August 1962, refers), settled in Adelaide and died there in October 1993; sold with a large file of research.
Lot 523
A Great War Western Front M.M. pair awarded to Serjeant J. Nicholls, Worcestershire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (5157 Sjt., 4/Worc. R.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (5157 Corpl., Worcester. Regt.) second with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine; first good very fine (2) £300-350 M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916. Joseph Nicholls was born in Dudley, Worcestershire and enlisted into the Worcestershire Regiment in March 1893 and was to remain with them for the rest of his life. He served in South Africa where he gained the QSA and two clasps. In 1903 the Battalion went to Malta, in 1905 to India and in 1909 to Burma. Nicholls was present when the 4th Battalion was stationed at Bareilly, and took part in the Grand Parade in Delhi to mark the visit of King George V. For this participation he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal. After the tour in Burma the Battalion returned to England on 1 February 1915 ready for action in the First World War. The 4th Battalion left Avonmouth on 21 March 1915 as part of 88th Brigade, 29th Division. After passing through Egypt the Battalion, including Nicholls, arrived at Gallipoli on 24 April 1915 and went ashore under heavy fire. The battalion at that time consisted of 29 officers and 931 other ranks. Part of X Company reached the River Clyde and attempted to land at V Beach, but most were killed or wounded. The remainder of the Battalion landed on W Beach and formed up with Z and Y Companies in front, and X and Y Companies in support. They then moved forward using the bayonet to clear the enemy from Hill 138. In the advance towards Krithia, the Battalion again launched a bayonet charge and by the end of April had suffered 35 killed, 199 wounded and 74 missing. During May the Battalion continuously fought along the firing line between the Krithia Nullah and Gully Ravine and by the end of the month their strength was reduced to 11 officers and 483 other ranks. In June and July the Battalion took part in the Third Battle of Krithia and during this time Lieutenant H. James earned his VC for outstanding courage in defence and leading attacks. From July to December the Battalion was rarely out of action. In September they suffered heavily at Sulva Bay and amongst those killed was Lieutenant James shot by a sniper. In October all 20 officers in the Battalion were Second Lieutenants and it was not till the 26th that Captain Kerans took command of the Battalion. On the night of 7/8 January 1916 the Battalion embarked from W Beach and sailed back to Egypt. They had been in action from the beginning of the campaign to the very end and had lost 64 officers and 1550 other ranks killed, wounded or died from other causes. A total of 1614 dead. From Egypt the Battalion was posted to France, arriving at Marseilles on 20 March 1916, still part of 88 Brigade, 29th Division. In France/Flanders they fought in every major battle until the 11th November 1918, including the Somme from 1 July to the 18 November 1916, then at Albert, Le Transloy, Arras, Scarpe, Ypres 1917, Langemarck, Polcappelle, Cambrai, Estaires, Lys, Bailleul, Kemmel, Ypres 1918 and finally at Courtrai in October 1918. For his services in France, Nicholls was awarded the Military Medal. Company Sergeant-Major Joseph Nicholls died on 30 January 1919, aged 38 years, and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote. He was the son of Mrs May Nicolls who lived at 36 High Street, Amblecote. Sold with copied research.
Lot 524
Pair: Private J. Puddephat, Border Regiment India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-95 (2303 Pte. J. J. Puddephat, 2d/ n. Border Regt.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (2303 Pte. J. Puddephatt, 1st Border Regt.), slight variation in name and initials, contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £200-240 Joseph Joshua Puddephatt was born in the Parish of Abbotts Langley, Hertfordshire. A Corn Chandler by occupation, he attested for service in the Border Regiment on 2 January 1888, aged 19 years, 8 months. With the 2nd Battalion he served in Malta, November 1888-February 1890 and India, February 1890-March 1896. With the regiment he served in the Waziristan 1894-95 expedition. At Waziristan the 2nd Battalion Border Regiment was part of the Wana Column under Brigadier-General A. H. Turner. Transferred to the 1st Battalion in March 1900, he served with them in South Africa, 24 March-4 December 1900. He was discharged at the termination of his first period of engagement on 27 February 1901. Sold with copied service papers.
Lot 529
Five: Corporal G. Cox, East Yorkshire Regiment, promoted a Kings Corporal for Gallantry in the Field, 19 October 1901; killed in action at Tekke Tepe, Suvla Bay, 9 August 1915 Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4340 Pte., 2 E. York. Regt.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4340 Corpl., E. York. Regt.); 1914-15 Star (3-6811 Cpl., E. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-6811 Cpl., E. York. R.), first two with edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (5) £300-400 George Cox was born in Walsall, Staffordshire. A Labourer by occupation he attested for service in the East Yorkshire Regiment on 9 August 1893, whilst still serving in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. Serving with the 2nd Battalion he landed in South Africa on 3 April 1900. On 19 December 1901 in a sharp action at Hollands Farm near Standerton (at Kaffirspruit in service papers), Cox with three others held a drift to cover the retirement of 20 other soldiers. After they had been successfully withdrawn, Cox noticed a wounded officer lying to the front, and so led a horse back to where he lay and, under severe fire rescued Lieutenant B. A. W. C. Moeller of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment. For this rescue, Cox was promoted Corporal for Gallantry in the Field. Lieutenant Moeller died of his wounds on 23 December 1901. George Cox was thereafter known in the regiment as Kings Corporal Cox. The appointment of a Kings Corporal for Gallantry in the Field was only used during the South African War. The tradition amongst the soldiers of the period was that a Kings Corporal could only be reduced in rank by the King himself! Kings Corporal Cox retired from the Army on 21 August 1905 at the termination of his period of engagement and then served four years in the Army Reserve. His Discharge Certificate states that his trade at this time was a Porter and that his intended place of residence was to be 75 Alica Street, Hull. In 1914 with the outbreak of war, Cox volunteered for the Army but at 44 years of age was deemed too old. He therefore falsified his age to gain entry and was successful in returning to the Depot of the East Yorkshire Regiment at York. On arrival however an officer recognised him, he was marched in front of his C.O. and promptly ordered to put back the two stripes he had won in the Boer War. With the 6th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) East Yorkshire Regiment, he was posted to Gallipoli. Sailing on the Franconia, the regiment arrived there on 7 August 1915, landing from H.M.S. Theseus at C Beach at Suvla Bay and digging in on the S.E. slopes of Lala Baba. During the next day the battalion moved forward through dense scrub under heavy shellfire and perpetual sniping. On 9 August 1915 Corporal Cox was killed in action in the attack upon Tekke Tepe: About midnight on the 8th although utterly exhausted the Battalion was ordered into another attack. Colonel Moore gathered up one company and together with his Battalion HQ fought their way to the summit of Tekke Tepe. A position farther east on the heights above Suvla Bay than any other British troops. But these few men were surrounded and Colonel Moore had no choice but to surrender. As he sat down a Turkish soldier treacherously ran him through the back with a bayonet. By dawn on the 9th after a "Brilliant feat of arms, the East Yorks had penetrated to the key position - Tekke Tepe." But they were not supported, and after suffering terrible casualties had to withdraw. The other companies had moved forward in the dark to a nullah but as they entered open ground "They were met by a withering fire and to make matters worse they were enfiladed badly up the nullah from a range of hills. Men and officers dropped fast." The Turks then brought up two divisions to face this attack and "swarmed in thousands" from the foot of Tekke Tepe. The 6th Battalion held their ground but the battle for the high ground was lost. As the Regimental History states "Sufficient to say that the 6th East Yorkshire did their duty with all the strength that was in them. They alone had penetrated to the key position, with them alone lies that honour". That night the remnants of the 6th Battalion bivouacked on Beach A near the "Cut". At roll call it was found that out of 26 officers and about 800 other ranks, only 7 officers and about 300 men remained. Later many men rejoined having remained in the firing line with other units - but amongst the dead was Corporal George Cox. George Cox was the husband of Christina Cox of 3 Vallance Place, Blanket Row, Hull. His name is commemorated on the Hellas Memorial. Sold with Parchment Certificate of Discharge, dated York, 20 August 1909. On it his two Boer War medals are listed and it further states, Promoted Corporal for gallantry in the Field 19.10.1901; South Africa Army Orders of 8.1.1902. Also with a copied photograph of the recipient, copied service papers and copied research.
Lot 534
Pair: Lieutenant J. Hackett, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.N.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut., R.N.) extremely fine (2) £80-100 John Hackett was born on 3 March 1893, the son of Rev. John Hackett, D.D., Chaplain to the Forces. On 15 September 1905 he entered Dartmouth, aged 12 years and on 15 May 1910 was commissioned a Midshipman. His first ship was the Prince of Wales, after which he served on the Argyll, Centurion and Invincible. He was promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant on 15 September 1912, Sub-Lieutenant on 15 May 1913 and attained the rank of Lieutenant on 15 October 1914. The advent of war saw him serving aboard the battleship Britannia, January-October 1914, followed by services on the armoured cruiser Leviathan, October 1914-December 1915; the dreadnought battleship Royal Sovereign, April 1916-January 1917, and finally the destroyer leader Nimrod on which he served from January 1917. Lieutenant Hackett died from Pneumonia following on from Influenza on 10 October 1918. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Candida and Holy Cross at Whitchurch Canonicorum. Sold with copied service paper and other research.
Lot 565
Letter, written to Charles Calvert (formerly Cattley), dated 16 June 185?, 227 x 183mm sheet, folded in two and written in ink on four sides, ring punched and with slight folding marks, good condition £20-30 My dear Calvert, Many thanks for your memm. of information obtained which I have given to Omar (?) Pasha. He desires me to thank you very much for it and would be very much obliged if you could find him a couple of good Tartars as guides for tomorrow in the direction of Ai todn (?) & Ozauburch (?). If you can they ought to be at his camp here early this evening. Yrs. very truly (signature), 16 June 185?. Calvert was in fact Mr Charles Cattley who had been the British Vice Consul in Kertch and who spoke fluent Russian, French and Italian. Cattley changed his name to Calvert for security reasons and became "Head of Intelligence" first to Lord Raglan and then to General Simpson. On the 23 June 1855 Calvert formed a Corps of Guides, which contained both guides and interpreters, but three weeks later he died of cholera. General Simpson wrote to Lord Panmure saying, "His loss is irreparable". There is a good description of the role of Calvert in the book The Intelligencers by Lieutenant-Colonel B A. H Parritt M.B.E.
Lot 569
A Great War Western Front D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 T. Dearden, South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240533 C.S. Mjr., 1/5 S. Lan. R.); 1914-15 Star (2327 Pte., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2327 W.O. Cl.2, S. Lan. R.), mounted for wear, good very fine (4) £1200-1400 D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1920. 240533 C.S.M. T. Dearden, 1/5th Bn. S. Lan. R., T.F. (St. Helens) For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September, 1916, at Delville Wood, when in command of a bombing section, he enabled his section to establish an advanced bombing block in a trench occupied by the enemy. It was due to him that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting. Sold with two copied recommendations: (a) For consistent gallantry and devotion to duty in the field since February 1915. This Acting Warrant Officer has invariably shewn a fine fighting spirit and marked gallantry in many engagements. His keeness, energy, and disregard of personal danger, have at all times been of the highest value to his Company. He has been wounded twice, on one occasion remaining at duty. (b) For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September 1916 at Delville Wood when acting N.C.O. i/c Bombing Section this W.O. by his gallantry and resourcefulness enabled his section to establish an advanced Bombing Block in a trench held by the enemy. It was due to his gallantry and initiative that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting, and he did not leave his post till the battalion was relieved six days later when the position was handed over firmly established. On the 9th of April near La Bassee after the first shock of the enemy attack this N.C.O. who was then commanding a platoon was sent up to hold a forward trench. For four days he held the trench under constant and heavy shell fire and during this time his example and gallantry inspired his platoon to maintain a stubborn resistance and offensive spirit. This W.O. has acted as C.S.M. for five months and has always proved himself resourceful and set a fine example to the men of his Company. He has not previously been decorated, though recommended for rewards on at least two occasions. Also with copied m.i.c. and other research and with three original postcards - one inscribed, postmarked Dartford 28 June 1915, in which he writes from hospital to his mother at 116 Peter Street, St. Helens, Lancashire.
Lot 573
Family group: A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private W. H. Wilson, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (43882 Pte.-L. Cpl, 5/S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (43882 Pte., S. Lan. R.) Three: Able Seaman T. Wilson, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (J.36503 Boy, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.36503 A.B., R.N.), first group good very fine; second group with contact marks, fine (6) £320-360 M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. William Hawman Wilson came from Whitby, North Yorkshire.
Lot 435
Staff Sergeant James Moore RA DCM First World War Diaries 4 vols 1915-1918 engraved whistle and various documents First World War Ypres 1915, 1916 1917. Morval 1916; Mons 10.11.18; First World diaries of Staff Sergeant James Moore kept on the Western Front between February 1915 to December 1918, four volumes including certificate of employment during the War 18.2.15 - 26.1.19 as a fitter. Protection Certificate and a Certificate of Identity 41571 Fitter Staff Sergeant Unit 115 HB, address 1, The Crescent Northwich, Cheshire. Year of birth 1885. Medical category A1; together with an Exemption Card Brunner Mond & Company Ltd., confirming that on 10th September 1914 he was engaged in work connected with the manufacture of materials for use in the production of munitions of war and that he was "requested" by Lord Kitchener not to enlist but to remain at his work. Clearly he left his reserved occupation and joined up in the Royal Artillery. Boots Pocket Diaries four volumes with some wear through having been carried at the Front, but generally in legible condition having been written in pencil. Being sold with his whistle engraved with battle honours and a fragment of ribbon. Extracts from the diaries include the following; "Bombardment all along the line commences at 2.30 a.m., I have a walk at 11.00 a.m. towards Ypres and see about sixty German prisoners who are elderly and evil looking. My brother Tom was killed during the bombardment."Guns are almost afloat, we are knee deep in water"."Hundreds of Germans are escorted past our battery before noon, and at least two thousand before night"."Still at Corbie, I have put the DCM ribbon up and the AOC chaps are very curious as to how it was won, so I told them it was not won in their workshops"."We send three GS wagons away at 8.00 a.m. to new position, I go up after dinner, horrible sights our wagon and gun wheels go over lots of German bodies, the stench is horrible going down, we get shelled - one killed one wounded, return to our old position.""Lovely day we arrange to play the French at football after tea, nine of us beat fifteen of them by seven goals to one"."Lovely day, our new stock of records arrives, we have a very good night"."Nice day today, our battery took all principal prizes at the horse show, Gun Team, Wagon Team, stripped heavy draught, NCO's drill order". "Right Section play Left Section at cricket 80.48 I get five wickets for twenty one runs"."I take part in a scratch game of football, I have my shoulder put out in the first minute and go to the MO".A more detailed summary has been prepared by the auctioneers and is available on request. They provide a chilling and matter of fact account of a gunner's life in the First World War.Provenance: By family descent Sergeant J. Moore RA received the Distinguished Conduct Medal which is referred to in the diaries and other First World War medals. DCM London Gazette 198 1916 For conspicuous bravery and ability in repairing guns under heavy shell fire by his coolness and courage he was able to carry out difficult repairs and keep the only gun left with the battery in action when it was badly needed. James Moore's medals were sold at Bonhams on Wednesday 24th July 2002 lot number 272. His son whose birth is referred to in the diaries married the present vendor. She never met James who survived the War but died at a relatively young age.
Lot 659
A mahogany estate cabinet, first quarter 19th century, in the manner of William Trotter, the moulded cornice above two doors opening to two open shelves above an arrangement of fourteen drawers, the lower section with a drawer above two doors opening to an arrangement of eight drawers, on a plinth base 215cm high, 140cm wide, 53cm deep (damage)
Lot 387
After Henry Alken - Set of four steel colour engravings by J Harris; The First Steeplechase on Record, plates I-IV, titled; IPSWICH, The watering place behind the barracks; The large field near Biles's Corner; The last field near Nacton Heath; and Nacton Church and Village, each plate size 36cm x 42cm
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