A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Pioneer F. J. Shirley, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (126507 Pnr: F. J. Shirley. No: 5 L.R. Sig: Coy. R.E.) good very fine £160-£200 --- M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918. Frederick J. Shirley suffered a shell wound to the right leg on 23 March 1918 in the initial stages of the German Spring Offensive and was later awarded the Military Medal whilst serving in France with No.5 Light Railway Signal Company, Royal Engineers. According to the Biggleswade Chronicle (Bedfordshire) of 13 December 1918, Shirley received his decoration from the hand of General Godfrey Faussett alongside seven pals at a public investiture made at Market Square in Biggleswade, the conclusion of which was met with ‘three hearty cheers’ and a march past the heroes.
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Pair: Private A. Parsons, Somerset Light Infantry India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (8688 L. Corpl. A. Parsons. 2/Som. Lt. Infy.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (5663847 Pte. A. Parsons. Som. L.I.) light contact marks, good very fine (2) £60-£80 --- Austin Parsons was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1890. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry and is noted on the 1911 census as serving in Malta. Appointed Lance Corporal whilst serving in North China, he then served in India with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War. Additionally entitled to a British War Medal, he died in Portsmouth in 1959. Sold with a Somerset Light Infantry cap badge and copied research.
Pair: Second Lieutenant A. J. P. Crease, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. A. J. P. Crease) very fine Pair: Private W. J. Dunster, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (30779 Pte. W. J. Dunster. Som. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private E. L. Eastwood, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (9790 Pte. E. L. Eastwood. Som. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private T. W. Gilbert, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (32178 Pte. T. W. Gilbert. Som. L.I.) contact marks, nearly very fine (8) £120-£160 --- Arthur John Pickett Crease was born in Yatton, Somerset, on 17 April 1898. He was commissioned into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 3rd Battalion from 2 May 1917. He was placed on the retired list on account of wounds in the London Gazette, 31 May 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 328931. Post-War, he led a full life in Somerset, and was an active member of many organisations. He died in Somerset, aged 88, on 12 September 1986. Edward Loftus Eastwood was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire, in 1897. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and became a Signal Instructor at Home. He later served on the Western Front with the 6th Battalion and was killed in action by a shell on 10 May 1918. He is buried in Wancourt British Cemetery, France. Sold together with copy research.
British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (4505 Pte. P. L. McLaren. Sco. H.; 43621 Pte. J. McLaren. Sco. Rif.; 4811 Cpl. J. McLaren. H.L.I.; M. A. B. McLaren. V.A.D.) slight edge digs to first, otherwise very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Peter L. McLaren, a traveller from Kirkcaldy, was born in Forfar, Angus, on 13 June 1885. He attested into the 1/1st Scottish Horse at Dunkeld on 25 May 1915 and served during the Great War. Appointed Lance Corporal on 16 June 1915, he reverted to Private on 15 February 1916. Research provided by the vendor suggests that he transferred to the 7th Company, Imperial Camel Corps. However it seems unlikely that he served with Lawrence of Arabia during the Arab Revolt, as the lot is accompanied with a collar dog and named silver 50th Division, 13th (Scottish Horse) Battalion, Black Watch football medallion, inscribed ‘B.E.F. 1918.’ John McLaren was born in Maryhill Glasgow in 1897. He attested into the Scottish Rifles (Cameronians) for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 10th Battalion in July 1916. He was posted missing in September 1916, but returned to his unit. He was discharged on 17 February 1919. John McLaren attested into the Highland Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and served on the Western Front with the 9th Battalion. Appointed Acting Lance Sergeant, he died of wounds on 20 March 1918 and is buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, Belgium. Mary Annie Bell McLaren was born about 1870 in Kinfauns, Perthshire. She volunteered for service with the British Red Cross during the Great War and served in Malta at the Royal Naval Hospital. Her BWM is her sole entitlement. Sold together with copy research.
Pair: Private W. Tout, Somerset Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (2870 Pte. W. Tout, Somerset: Lt Infy); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2870 Pte. W. Tout. Somerset: L.I.) minor edge nicks, good very fine (2) £160-£200 --- Walter Tout, a farm labourer from Thurloxton, Somerset, was born in 1872. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry on 14 August 1890 and served in South Africa during the Boer War with 2nd Battalion, having earlier served in India during the Mohmand expedition of 1897. He was discharged on 13 August 1902 and attested into the Army Reserve on 7 July 1903 before his final discharge on 6 July 1907. Sold with copied service records, medal roll extracts and other research.
Pair: Private T. Taylor, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (01566 Pte. T. Taylor. D.C.L.I.); War Medal 1939-45, edge bruising to first, nearly very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Theophilus Taylor was born in Madron, near Penzance, on 4 March 1900, the son of domestic servant Mary Taylor. A hotel porter by occupation, he attested at Catterick for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 5 June 1919 and served with the 2nd Battalion in Iraq. Discharged at Exeter on 16 May 1921, Taylor returned to Penzance and later joined the Royal Regiment of Artillery in his home town on 2 July 1924. Appointed Gunner to No. 203 Battery, 51st Brigade, he served four years without incident before being recorded absent without leave from annual training in 1929. Discharged services no longer required, he spent the next decade working as a dustman in Redruth before applying to join the Auxiliary Military Pioneer Corps on 18 January 1940. Likely looked upon favourably as a serving member of the local Salvation Army, he was accepted and posted to No. 1 A.M.P.C. Centre at Westenhanger in Kent, but his service was cut short due to anxiety and he returned home to Cornwall on 30 December 1941. Sold with a comprehensive file of copied research including the recipient’s Army Service Record.
Family Group: Three: Gunner L. H. Addicott, Royal Field Artillery, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 18 August 1916 1914-15 Star (28698 Gnr: L. Addicott. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (28698 Gnr: L. Addicott. R.A.) very fine Three: Private P. G. Addicott, Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 April 1918 1914-15 Star (19104 Pte. P. G. Addicott. Som: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (19104 Pte. P. G. Addicott. Som. L.I.) some verdigris staining, very fine (6) £120-£160 --- Lewis Henry Addicott from Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, attested into the Royal Field Artillery for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 17 July 1915. He was killed in action on 29 April 1919 and is buried in Lissenthoek Militay Cemetery, Belgium. Percy George Addicott, brother of the above, attested into Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 19 October 1915. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 6th Battalion on 18 August 1916; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with copied research.
A Kriegsmarine U-Boat Clasp in Bronze 2nd Type in its Original Presentation Box. Raised maker’s mark ‘Entwurf Peekhaus’ and ‘Ausf. Schwerin Berlin 68’. About factory mint condition, retaining almost all original matt bronze finish, very slight near the hinge. Light brown cardboard box with original paper wrapping, staples at corners slightly rusted, extremely good condition £500-£700
Pair: Second Lieutenant A. S. Lampard, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. A. S. Lampard.) generally very fine or better Pair: Private C. R. Laurence, 7th (Service) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (49274 Pte. C. R. Laurence. Bedf. R.) good very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (3-9314 Pte. G. R. Lockwood. Suff. R.) worn, good fine; together with Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (49313 Pte. J. Light. Suff. R.) very fine (6) £80-£100
Four: Lieutenant T. N. Bowerbank, East Yorkshire Regiment, late Somerset Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (11949 Pte. T. N. Bowerbank. Som: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. T. N. Bowerbank.); Defence Medal, mounted for wear, very fine Five: Private P. C. James, Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-15 Star (16633 Pte. P. C. James. Glouc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (16633 Pte. P. C. James. Glou. R.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Percy C. James) very fine (9) £100-£140 --- Thomas Norman Bowerbank was born in Exmouth, Devon, on 2 February 1894. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and served on the Western Front with the 6th Battalion from 21 May 1915. Advanced Lance Corporal, he was commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment on 24 July 1915. Appearing on the 1939 Register as a member of the Emergency Reserve of Officers, he later died on 20 November 1966. Percy Cecil James, a shop assistant from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was born in 1893. He attested into the Gloucestershire Regiment on 28 December 1914 for service during the Great War and served with the 12th Battalion on the Western Front from 25 November 1915. He was discharged as a consequence of wounds received on 20 April 1917 and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 172091. Appearing in the 1939 Register as a Special Police Constable, living in Weston-super-Mare, he died in 1969. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Private C. A. G. McLaren, Royal Scots, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Cambrai in March 1918 British War and Victory Medals (41839 Pte. C. A. G. McLaren. R. Scots.) very fine Pair: Private G. McLaren, Royal Scots British War and Victory Medals (48682 Pte. G. McLaren. R. Scots.) very fine Pair: Private H. McLaren, Royal Scots Fusiliers British War and Victory Medals (30125 Pte. H. McLaren. R. S. Fus.) very fine Pair: Private D. McLaren, Seaforth Highlanders British War and Victory Medals (S-255156 Pte. D. McLaren. Seaforth.) very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (45651 Sjt. W. McLaren. R.E.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (4811 Cpl. J. McLaren. H.L.I.) some staining, generally very fine (10) £100-£140 --- Charles Alexander Gemmel McLaren, from Ferniegair, Hamilton, was born on 25 August 1898. He attested into the Royal Scots on 14 May 1917 and served on the Western Front with the 11th Battalion, where he was taken Prisoner of War at Cambrai on 23 March 1918 and interred in Czersk Camp, Poland. Repatriated in December 1918, he was discharged on 4 March 1919. Hugh McLaren attested into the Royal Scots Fusiliers for service during the Great War on 11 December 1915 and saw later service with the Labour Corps and the South Lancashire Regiment. He was discharged on 1 July 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B279926. William McLaren attested into the Royal Engineers for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 21 July 1915. Advanced Sergeant, he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal in 1918 (London Gazette 21 October 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as an expert linesman. His energy, intrepidity and endurance have been invaluable in the establishment and maintenance of communications. During engagements his resourcefulness has saved some difficult situations and his example of tireless devotion to duty has been splendid’.) John McLaren was born in Killin, Perthshire, in 1888. He attested into the Highland Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and served on the Western Front with the 9th Battalion, from June 1916. At Guillemont, on 3 November, he was mentioned in his Battalion war diary as one of nine men who entered no man’s land at night time to recover the body of their commanding officer and some wounded men. On 17 August 1918, he was wounded by a shell and died three days later on 20 August 1918. He is buried in Nine Elms Cemetery, Belgium. Sold together with some copy research.
Three: Private F. H. Lisk, Dorsetshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (19127 Pte. F. H. Lisk. Dorset. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (19127 Pte. F. H. Lisk. Dorset. R.) edge bruise to TFWM, otherwise very fine (3) £200-£240 --- Francis Lisk was born in Glastonbury, Somerset, in 1891. He attested into the 4th (Territorial) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, and served during the Great War in Egypt and later on the Western Front with the 5th Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. He was disembodied on 17 March 1919.
Four: Sapper A. V. Hobbs, Royal Engineers Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (9051 Sapr: A. V. Hobbs. R.E.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9051 Sapr: A. V. Hobbs. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (9051 Spr. A. V. Hobbs. R.E.) light contact marks to AGS, very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Alfred Vincent Hobbs was born in Margate, Kent, in 1881, and attested for the Royal Engineers at Ramsgate on 29 May 1901. A carpenter and lineman by trade, he served during the Somaliland Campaign with the 2nd Divisional Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers, and was mobilised at the Curragh on 6 August 1914 whilst attached to the 3rd Signal Troop. Posted to France from 15 August 1914, his unit was likely heavily engaged in rebuilding communications following the scattered retreat from Mons. Transferred from the Cavalry Corps Signal Squadron to No. 1 Corps Signal School on 2 November 1918, Hobbs was discharged at Chatham in April 1919, his Army Service Record stating his home address as 3 Castle View, Liskeard, Cornwall. Sold with a contemporary brass medal mounting bar, this impressed ‘RE’ and ‘9051’, with improvised soldered lugs to reverse; and copied service record.
Three: Lieutenant C. A. Leggett, 13th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Louise’s Kensington Battalion), London Regiment, who was invalided home from Egypt after suffering a nervous breakdown in consequence of the war British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. A. Leggett.); Defence Medal, light contact marks, very fine Three: Private W. G. Garlick, 13th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Louise’s Kensington Battalion), London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (6342 Pte. W. G. Garlick. 13-Lond. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (William G. Garlick) light contact marks, generally very fine, the last better (6) £70-£90 --- Cecil Agar Leggett was born in West Brompton on 26 September 1890 and educated at St. Mark’s College, Chelsea. A designer by profession, he served with the University of London Officer Training Corps and was appointed to a Cadet Commission in April 1915. Trained at Richmond Camp, his initial service was marred by an accident when he was gassed whilst attending a lecture. Recovered, he was posted to France on 4 March 1916 with the 13th London Regiment and was present during the diversionary attack at Gommecourt on 1 July 1916. Attached to the Rifle Brigade on 27 June 1917, he was sent to Egypt with the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment; his Officer Service Record notes that the medical profession believed the warmer climate would aid his lungs. Sent to Alexandria, Leggett’s time in North Africa proved brief and he began to struggle with his mental health. Discharged permanently unfit in consequence of the ‘stress and strain of Military Service’, he likely returned home to Richmond Road, Earls Court, London. Sold with copied Officer’s Service Record.
Five: Second Lieutenant W. G. Cook, Royal Garrison Artillery

British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. W. G. Cook.)); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (504 Cpl. W. G. Cook. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (358004 Sjt: W. G. Cook. 134/By: R.G.A.); Greece, Medal of Military Merit, 4th Class, reverse privately inscribed, ‘2/Lt. W. G. Cook, R.G.A. presented by Alexandra (sic) the King of Greece, 9th Augt. 1918 for services to the Country’, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (5) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917: ‘... in recognition of valuable services rendered with the Armies in the Field during the present War.’ ‘358004 Sjt. W. G. Cook, R.G.A.’

Greek Medal of Military Merit, 4th Class London Gazette 24 October 1919: ‘2nd Lieutenant William George Cook, Royal Garrison Artillery.’
Pair: Sergeant R. S. Giles, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (40234 Sgt. R. S. Giles. Som. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private H. Gulliford, Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 21 October 1916 British War Medal 1914-20 (3-7618 Pte. H. Gulliford. Som. L.I.), Victory Medal (3-7518 [sic] Pte. H. Gulliford. Som. L.I.), very fine Pair: Private F. Haysham, Somerset Light Infantry, late Machine Gun Corps British War and Victory Medals (240090 Pte. F. Haysham. Som. L.I.) polished, otherwise fine Victory Medal 1914-19 (113121 Sjt. A. J. Hearsy. M.G.C.) official correction to last letter of surname, nearly very fine (7) £80-£100 --- James Henry ‘Harry’ Gulliford, was born in Edithmead, Burnham, Somerset, in 1897. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry in August 1914, for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with 1st Battalion from 7 April 1915. He was killed in action as a result of shellfire on 21 October 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold together with a Somerset Light Infantry cap badge and copied research.
A fine Abyssinia 1867 Medal awarded to Apothecary and Honorary Surgeon in the East Indies W. Conway, Bombay Subordinate Medical Establishment, formerly Army Medical Department, who was dangerously wounded by a musket ball through the head at the Siege and Attack at Rathghur on January 1858 whilst serving with the 1st Troop Horse Artillery He was fortunate to survive the brief but bloody encounter - two rebel head men were hanged from the fortress gateway whilst a number of mangled bodies lay at the base of a cliff-face, having failed in their desperation to navigate a perilous footpath in the dead of night Abyssinia 1867 (Actg. Apotcy. W. Conway Army Medcl. Dept.) attractively brooch mounted, polished to high relief, otherwise nearly very fine and rare to rank £200-£240 --- William Conway was born around 1832 and educated at Grant Medical College in Bombay from 1849. Noted as Student Apprentice 1st Grade in College records, he qualified Assistant Apothecary in the Annual Report of 1852-53 and is stated in The Bombay Gazette of 5 January 1852 as Assistant Apothecary assigned to general duties at Scinde, attached to the 2nd Battalion of Artillery. Transferred to temporary duties with the 78th Highlanders, Conway subsequently served under the command of Assistant Surgeon Leitch, tasked with safely transporting troops per Earl of Beleares to Poona. Sent to Her Majesty’s 14th Regiment (The King’s) Light Dragoons at Jhow in 1855, he returned to Bombay and was attached on temporary assignment to the Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy hospital. Relocating with a young wife and family from Poona to Ahmedabad and onwards to the Esplanade, Bombay, Conway evaded the disease so commonly associated with this period, but soon found his life in peril whilst serving as part of the 2nd Brigade, Nerbudda Field Force, during the Indian Mutiny. The Siege and Attack of Rathghur, January 1858 Garrisoned by mutineer rebels, the rock and earthen fort at Rathghur was said to be as large and strong as that of Mooltan. The east and south facing rock faces were almost perpendicular, the rock being scarped and strengthened by the deep rapid river Biena. With the fort towering to the heavens and the enemy observing every move made on the plain below, author Thomas Lowe in his work Central India during the Rebellion of 1857 and 1858 made clear the task ahead of Conway and his contemporaries: ‘... approach from the east and south was next to impossible, approach from the west or town side almost as difficult.’ First engagements took place on 24-25 January with men of the 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry and sowars of the Hyderabad Contingent surrounding the fort and cutting off the Saugon road to enemy relief. On 26 January the 3rd Europeans - bolstered by the 18-pounders, howitzers, mortars, and 6-pounders of the Hyderabad Contingent - began their single file attack up a steep footpath. Contemporary accounts describe the chaos of the first attack: ‘We found ourselves in the midst of fire. The jungle-grass before, behind and on both sides of us was ablaze. What with the heat of the sun and the fire, we were pretty nearly roasted.’ Responding to cries for medical aid, Conway moved to the front of the attack and was struck by a musket ball. Listed as dangerously wounded with a ‘ball through head’ in the London Gazette of 20 April 1858, he was removed to hospital and remarkably recovered from his injury; the mutineers proved less fortunate, with large numbers losing their lives in a desperate night-time descent of the mountain prior to the fall of the fortress on 30 January 1858. Those who did make it to the plain below were heavily ‘cut up’ in the days that followed according to Lowe. Continuing in the service of the Army Medical Department, Conway set sail from Bombay in 1867 as part of the rescue and punitive expedition against Emperor Tewodros II of Ethiopia. Under the command of Sir Robert Napier, the expedition was widely acclaimed for achieving all of its objectives, notably the capture of the Emperor and a similar mountain fortress at Magdala. Returned home to Bombay, Conway served with the Bombay Medical Department until retirement in 1878. According to the Naval and Military Gazette of 17 July 1878, he left the service with the Honorary and local rank of Surgeon in the East Indies, the Bombay Burial Register of June 1900 later confirming his death in consequence of heart failure.
Four: Battery Quartermaster Sergeant R. W. Edwards, Royal Field Artillery, who was awarded the M.S.M. for services in France with the Guards Ammunition Column 1914 Star (45637 Sjt. R. W. Edwards. R.F.A.) note incorrect number but as per m.i.c.; British War and Victory Medals (45627 B.Q.M. Sjt. R. W. Edwards.R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (45627 B.Q.M. Sjt. R. W. Edwards. R.F.A.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £140-£180 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘45627 By./Q.M. Sjt. R. W. Edwards, Gds. Amm. Col. (Woolwich).’ Richard William Edwards served in France and Flanders from 19 August 1914, with 28th Brigade, until 1918. Sold with copied M.S.M. and Medal Index Cards.
Four: Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant H. W. Parsons, Royal Engineers, late Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (5744 A. C. Sjt. H. W. Parsons. Som. L.I.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1301 Cpl. H. Parsons. Som. L.I.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (WR-199133 Sjt. -A.C.Q.M. Sjt.- H. Parsons. R.E.) good very fine (4) £240-£280 --- Howard Westmore Parsons, a butcher from Highbridge, Somerset, was born in Patchway, Gloucestershire, in 1895 and attested into the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in May 1911. Advanced Corporal, he served during the Great War in India and Mesopotamia with the 1/4th Battalion, before transferring into the Royal Engineers in India. Sold with copied service papers and Medal Index Card.
India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (4321. Pte. H. Tuttiett 1st Bn. Som. Lt. Infy.) edge bruising and light scratches to obverse, otherwise very fine £80-£100 --- Harry Tuttiett was born in Taunton, Somerset, in 1874. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry on 1 February 1895 and served in India with the 1st Battalion during the Mohmand expedition. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 12 December 1902, he was discharged on 30 July 1911, before later re-enlisting into his old regiment in September 1914 for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front from 16 December 1915, before seeing further service in Egypt and was discharged ‘Class Z’ on 23 March 1919. He died in 1934. Sold with copied service papers, medal roll extracts, and other research.
Pair: Major K. E. Aitken, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, attached Leicestershire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (Major K. E. Aitken.) nearly extremely fine (2) £140-£180 --- Kenneth Edmonstone Aitken was born in Richmond, Surrey, on 6 July 1882. Educated at Berkhamsted School, he passed the University of London matriculation examination at age 16 and won the St. Andrews Entrance Science Scholarship at University College in the process. Taking employment as surveyor with the Federated Malay States Railways from 12 May 1913 to 30 August 1914, he returned to England after his employment was suspended due to the War and enlisted in the Inns of Court Officer’s Training Unit. Appointed to a commission in the 12th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Regiment, he served in France from 3 October 1917. Gassed and admitted to hospital on 13 May 1918 near Étaples, he was granted three weeks’ sick leave before returning to the Western Front attached 11th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, with whom he continued to serve post-Armistice as part of the British Army of the Rhine. Relinquishing his commission on 26 October 1920, Aitken returned to a family coming to terms with the loss of a younger brother at the gateway to Baghdad on 4 August 1919: ‘Island Officer killed by Sepoy. Mr. Charles Aitken, of Inglefield, Totland Bay, has received the following letter from Col. W. Capper, Controller of Officers’ Casualties at the War Office:- ‘I am directed by the Military Secretary to inform you that a cable, dated 15th. inst., has been received at the War Office from the base at Basra stating that a Court of Enquiry held to investigate the death of your son, Captain (Acting Major) Archibald Bruce Aitken, Royal Engineers, who has been reported to you as ‘killed in action’ on the 4th August, 1919, facts have been elucidated which now show that his death was caused by a Sepoy of the 9th Company, 2nd Sappers and Miners, who ran amok on 4th August, 1919… Capt. Aitken acted in the bravest possible manner to meet the emergency and in trying to save the lives of others, lost his own.’ Taking employment as a civil engineer in Argentina, Aitken clearly struggled to adjust to post-War life. Returned to the south coast of England, his story was later published in The Yorkshire Post on 13 December 1932: ‘Kenneth Edmonstone Aitken (50), believed to be a retired Major, and living at Duncan Road, Southsea, was found dead in the garden of the house yesterday, with a bullet wound in his head. He was dressed only in his pyjamas and dressing gown. A fully loaded six-chambered revolver was on the ground nearby. One bullet had been fired. Mr. Aitken is believed to have served in the Yorkshire Light Infantry. After he retired from the Army he held a post for some time as railway engineer in South Africa (sic) and Spain. He was a bachelor and had lived for about five years with his mother at Totland Bay, Isle of Wight. She died about a month ago, and he had been living at Southsea in apartments for about ten months. He had not enjoyed good health recently. Aitken, who was lodged in the house, was heard by the landlord moving about at 4 o’clock in the morning, and at about 8 o’clock the tragedy was discovered. He has no relatives living in the district, but some were summoned from other parts of the country.’
A fine M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. W. Reardon, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was wounded in action during the Great War and later bore witness to the aerial engagements in the skies above Sussex during the summer of 1940 War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (5429385 Sjt. J. W. Reardon. D.C.L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5429385 Sjt. J. W. Reardon. D.C.L.I.) minor edge nicks, good very fine (4) £200-£240 --- James William Reardon was born in Islington on 22 March 1896. A builder’s labourer by trade, he attested at Curragh Camp for the 3rd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 25 May 1913 and served in France from 6 March 1915. Wounded in the left shoulder on 28 April 1915, Reardon transferred to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 27 November 1915 and was raised Lance Corporal on 24 May 1918. Reverted to Private at his own request in May 1920, he transferred to the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I. at Bodmin, and served in India from 8 January 1929 to October 1935; his Army Service Record around this time notes attendance at numerous courses including trooping duties and chemical warfare school. Confirmed as entitled to the 1935 Jubilee Medal, Reardon returned home to England and was discharged at his own request at Chisledon in January 1936. Remaining in the Army Reserve, he took employment as a postman in Fulham and served for two years with the 8th (Home Defence) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, during the Second World War; his first posting was to Shoreham Airport on 8 June 1940, just a month before the opening phase of the Battle of Britain. Awarded the LSGC Medal per Army Order 72 of 1935 and an annuity M.S.M., Reardon died alone in consequence of acute pneumonia. According to his death certificate, his body was found in a deserted air raid shelter off Camden High Street on 3 November 1960. Sold with extensive copied research, including the recipient’s Army Service Record.
Seven: Signalman W. C. Freegard, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (326499 Sigmn. W. C. Freegard. R. Sigs.) mounted as worn, light contact marks to last, traces of lacquer, good very fine (7) £80-£100 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 24 August 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’
Four: Farrier Quartermaster Sergeant G. Feaver, 17th Battery, Royal Field Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (57380 St. Sgt. Far: G. Feaver, 17th Bty: R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (57380 S. Serjt.-Far: G. Feaver. R.F.A.,); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R.; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (51679 Far: Q.M. Sjt: G. Feaver. R.F.A.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (4) £260-£300 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 22 February 1919: ‘For valuable services rendered in connection with the war [at Home].’ George Feaver was born in the Parish of Compton, near Sherborne, Dorset, and enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Trowbridge on 7 October 1886, aged 18 years 1 month, a shoeing smith by trade. He served with 17th Field Battery in South Africa from 25 January 1900 to 29 April 1902, and was injured at Jermersburg Drift on 27 November 1901, when he was thrown from a cart and a wheel passed over his leg. He was hospitalised at Bloemfontein for this injury, as well as for enteric fever, until 30 April 1902. He received his discharge at Bulford Camp on 5 September 1905. Recalled for service at Home in 1914, he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in February 1919. He died on 8 August 1942. Sold with copied discharge and pension papers.
Family Group: Pair: Private R. M. Hunter, Highland Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (203706 Pte. R. M. Hunter. High. L.I.); together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘B224772’, with replacement pin suspension, good very fine Five: Attributed to Major R. G. Hunter, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army, Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with the recipient’s riband bar and various buttons, rank, and unit insignia, good very fine (7) £80-£100 --- Robert Gordon Hunter, the son of Robert McMillan Hunter, was born in Glasgow on 22 September 1915, and served during the Second World. War in the Middle East, Italy, and Greece. A hand-written note with the lot states that he was wounded in the left neck and consequently deafened in the left ear during the Italian campaign, and subsequently served in Greece during the Greek Civil War. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5468 Pte. W. Tooze, Somerset: Lt. Infy.) edge bruising, nearly very fine £70-£90 --- William Thomas Tooze was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, in June 1878. He attested into the Somerset Militia in April 1897 and later on 12 April 1899, attested into the Somerset Light Infantry, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War. Advanced Sergeant in January 1915, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 June 1915. He returned home after suffering three gun shot wounds to his left shoulder and, upon recovery, served in Egypt with the 1/5th Battalion, where he was further wounded in his right arm on 23 November 1917. Upon recovery, he transferred into the Royal Engineers on 18 May 1918. Sold with copied service papers.
Three: Captain W. Hayward, Royal Engineers, who was accidentally shot whilst serving with the Search Light Section at Greylingstad on 17 February 1902, and was later Mentioned in Despatches Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (27672. Cpl. W. Hayward. R.E.) engraved naming; British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Lieut. W. Hayward.) good very fine (3) £160-£200 --- William Hayward was born in Marylebone, Middlesex, in 1871 and attested for the Royal Engineers in London on 4 October 1893. He served with the Search Light Section, Royal Engineers in South Africa during the Boer War from 9 February to 26 June 1900, and again from 15 February 1901 to 14 July 1902 (also entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal with both date clasps), and was severely injured by gun shot to the right thigh and left knee when the motor car he was driving under orders without a light at night was shot upon by a block-house at Greylingstad on 17 February 1902; the subsequent inquiry found that the injury was due to the block-house posts not being warned in time. Recovering from his wounds, Hayward was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 104 of April 1912. Subsequently commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on 18 December 1915, he saw further service during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 May 1916, and was both Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 7 July 1919) and was advanced Captain on 18 December 1918. He relinquished his commission on 1 October 1920. Sold with copied research.
Three: Sergeant Instructor of Gunnery E. Eyre, Western Division, Royal Garrison Artillery, and later Corps of Commissionaires Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (68853 Sgt. I. of G., E. Eyre, W.D., R.G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (68853 Serjt: Inst: Gnry: E. Eyre. R.G.A.); Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, reverse hallmark with date letter ‘a’, with integral top riband bar, unnamed as issued; together with Corps of Commissionaires Order of Merit, Class I for 20 years, silver and enamels, the reverse hallmarked and named (E. Eyre), light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (4) £400-£500 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 1999. Edwin Eyre was born in March 1866 at King Williamstown, Cork, and enlisted at Londonderry in September 1888. He lost his left eye in October 1895, but this disability does not appear to have affected his rise through the ranks and he became Sergeant in 1896, promoted to Sergeant Instructor of Gunnery in April 1898 and posted to the Depot Establishment, Western Division, Cape District. After serving throughout the Defence of Kimberley, Eyre re-engaged at Cape Town, to complete his 21 years’ service. He returned from South Africa in May 1906 and was posted as Quartermaster Sergeant Instructor of Gunnery to the School of Gunnery at Sheerness. He was discharged in January 1909 and in the following July joined the Corps of Commissionaires with whom he served until October 1935. He died at New Barnet on 28 July 1945.
Family Group: Four: Private V. R. J. Channon, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (1786 Pte. V. R. J. Channon. Som. L.I.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1786 Pte. V. R. J. Channon. Som. L.I.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200242 Pte. V. R. J. Channon. 4-Som. L.I.) contact marks, some staining, slight edge dig to TFWM, otherwise very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (2036 Pte. P. G. Channon. Som. L.I.) very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Victor Rowland John Channon was born in Axbridge, Somerset, in 1896. He attested into the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry and served during the Great War, including service with the 3rd Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Transferring back into his parent regiment, he continued to served post-War and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1921. He died in 1951. Percy G. Channon, brother of the above, attested into the 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry on 1 April 1914 and served during the Great War, including service with the Northumberland Fusiliers. Transferring back into his parent regiment, he was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B/308992. He served post-War and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal. Sold with a Somerset Light Infantry cap badge, and copied research, including a photographic image of both recipients.
Family Group: Three: Corporal B. B. McLaren, Royal Engineers, who served at Gallipoli and died in Malta on 21 June 1915 1914-15 Star (72231 2. Cpl. B. McLaren. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (72231 2. Cpl. B. McLaren. R.E.) some polish residue, very fine Pair: Corporal J. E. McLaren, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 27 March 1918 British War and Victory Medals (4841 Pte. J. E. McLaren. K.O.Y.L.I.) very fine (5) £120-£160 --- Bernard David McLaren, a G.P.O. lineman from York, was born in 1881 at Willbery, North Riding of Yorkshire. He attested into the Territorial Force in August 1914 and transferred to the Royal Engineers, with whom he served in Gallipoli from 29 April 1915. Having fallen ill, he was evacuated to Malta, where he died on 21 June 1915. He is buried in Pieta Military Cemeterey, Malta. Joseph Edwin McLaren, younger brother of the above, attested into the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front with the 1/5th Battalion and was killed in action on 27 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Victory Medal 1914-19 (9) (21378 Dvr. G. McLaren. R.A.; 1027 Gnr. T. McLaren. R.A.; WR-338282 Spr. J. McLaren. R.E.; 12497 Pte. D. McLaren. R. Scot.; 4-8577 Pte. J. McLaren. W. York. R.;S-3856 Cpl. J. McLaren. R. Highrs.; 1680 A.W.O. Cl. 2. D. McLaren. High. L.I.; 1114 Cpl. A. McLaren. H.L.I.; 28912 Pte. J. McLaren. H.L.I.) some edge bruises and digs, generally very fine (9) £90-£120 --- George McLaren was born in St. Cuthberts, Edinburgh, in 1883, and attested into the Royal Field Artillery in 1902. He served during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre from 1 April 1915, before further service on the Western Front and in North Russia. Post-War he served during the Malabar campaign of 1921-22, (IGSM), before his discharge to pension the following year. Thomas McLaren attested into the Royal Field Artillery for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 4 May 1915. He saw later service with the Royal Engineers. James McLaren was born in Berwick in 1876, and served with the 8th Battalion, Royal Scots, Territorial Force. He served during the Great War with the Royal Engineers and was discharged on 7 April 1919. David McLaren, a miner from Galashiels, Selkirkshire, was born in 1889. He attested into the Royal Scots for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 12th Battalion from 11 May 1915. He was killed in action on 8 December 1915 and is buried in Maple Copse Cemetery, Belgium. John McLaren, from Barrow in Furness, attested into the West Yorkshire Regiment for service during the Great War on 12 August 1914. Serving on the Western Front from 8 March 1915, he was a serial deserter and was eventually sentenced to 28 days’ imprisonment on 24 May 1918. Returning to duty, he transferred into the East Lancashire Regiment where he received a gun shot wound to his left leg, which led to his discharge on 20 February 1919 and the award of a Silver War Badge, No. B168895. James McLaren attested into the Black Watch on 1 September 1914 for service during the Great War, and served on the Western Front from 10 May 1915. Advanced Corporal, he was awarded the Military Medal in January 1918 (London Gazette 28 January 1918) and was discharged as a consequence of wounds on 14 December 1918 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B174591. David McLaren attested into the Highland Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and served at Gallipoli with the 1/5th Battalion from 2 July 1915. Advanced Acting Warrant Officer Class II, he saw later service with the Scots Guards, and was disembodied on 11 March 1919. He was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal in March 1920. Archibald McLaren was born in St. Rollox, Glasgow, in 1885. After earlier service in the RNVR, he attested into the Highland Light Infantry and served with the 6th Battalion at Gallipoli from 2 July 1915, where he was Advanced Acting Sergeant. Returning home on 20 December 1915, he was discharged on 1 January 1916. John McLaren attested into the Highland Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and saw later service with the Scottish Rifles.
Three: Farrier-Sergeant F. Jones, Royal Artillery Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (37779. C: Shg: Smith F. Jones, R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (37779 Far: Sgt. F. Jones, R.G.A.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (37779. Cpl. S.S. F. Jones. 32. F.B. R.A.) mounted court-style, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £240-£280
Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. W. S. B. Duff.) good very fine £70-£90 --- William Stewart Bruton Duff was born in Knightsbridge, London, on 6 November 1877. Educated at Trinity Hall, Cambridge, he attested at Exeter for the Imperial Yeomanry on 23 January 1901 and served in South Africa from 26 February 1901, latterly as Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Volunteer Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Returning home to Menheniot in Cornwall, Duff was soon embroiled in a much publicised Cornish Election Petition against The Honourable T. C. R. ‘Tommy’ Agar-Robartes, the son of Viscount Clifden and M.P. for Bodmin. Accusing the Liberal Member of ‘illegal and corrupt practices’, Duff’s argument against Agar-Robartes was vindicated when the latter was found guilty of making payments to potential voters. Noted in the Western Times as serving in the 13th Battalion, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment in the early stages of the Great War, Duff transferred to the 7th (Reserve) Battalion of the Royal Naval Division on 5 October 1915 and soon witnessed service with the Motor Boat Reserve. Sent on a course of instruction at Greenwich, his R.N.V.R. Service Record adds: ‘Unsatisfactory conduct of this officer: Called upon to resign.’ Duly resigning on 27 April 1916, Duff attested at East Sandling for the 43rd Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force on 25 October 1916. Appointed Lieutenant, he served in France from 28 October 1916 to 29 January 1917. Sent to the Western Front, his Canadian Service Record notes extensive ill-health, exacerbated by trench fever: ‘Pain was so severe that he was unable to move in bed, very tender to touch over sciatic nerves and back.’ Transferred to Canada in July 1918, Duff gradually regained his health at the Royal Columbian Hospital, his treatment including massage, electric-radio shock and a significant reduction of scotch whisky. Discharged medically unfit in January 1919, he died on 12 October 1936, his last address recorded as ‘The Castle, Seaton.’
Pair: Private I. Taylor, Somerset Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony (3455 Cpl. I. Taylor. Somerset: Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3455 Pte. I. Taylor. Somerset: L.I.) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £120-£160 --- Issac Taylor, a coal miner from Midsomer Norton, Somerset, was born in Laycock in 1873. He attested into the 4th (Militia) Battalion in 1893 and served in South Africa during the Boer War. He re-enlisted into his old regiment on 10 March 1915 for service during the Great War and served at home. He was discharged on 24 November 1917 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 273390. Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.
A particularly fine 'Casualty' Victory Medal to Guernsey Islander Lieutenant D. P. Lynden-Bell, Royal Irish Fusiliers (Princess Victoria's), who died leading his men on a 'desperate, scrambled affair' before the ruins of St. Julien in the Ypres salient, where, according to the Official History, he and his men were called on ‘to do the impossible’ Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. D. P. Lynden-Bell.) nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- Donald Perceval Lynden-Bell was born in Edinburgh on 21 November 1885, the elder son of Honorary Colonel Charles Perceval Lynden-Bell, later Officer Commanding 1st Battalion, Royal Guernsey Light Infantry. Educated at Osborne College from 1908 to 1909, and Clifton College between 1909 and 1911, Bell moved with his family to the Baubigny Arsenal on Guernsey around 1913, and completed his final year of schooling at the renowned Elizabeth College in St. Sampson. Graduating from the Royal Military College Sandhurst in July 1914, he was soon appointed to a commission in the 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, and was raised Lieutenant 20 December 1914. Landing in France on 24 December 1914, Lynden-Bell's ability soon caught the attention of his superiors and he was 'commended by his Commanding Officer for his soldierly qualities'. Sent up in the direction of the fierce fighting around Hill 60 in support of the Canadians (who were still reeling from the German's first use of poison gas just days earlier), Lynden-Bell and his men found themselves in a wasteland, littered with chlorine gas canisters and the grey corpses of French colonial soldiers, their limbs convulsed and features distorted in death. It was amidst this horror show that he received orders to attack on 25 April 1915, the aim being to plug a hole in the line, take back territory and commit as many German troops as possible. The Guernsey Evening Press and Star of 15 May 1915 details what happened next: 'A Company Commander of the Royal Irish Fusiliers writes:- He went down splendidly right in front of his platoon, leading them on. He was shot through the head. I have told you before how splendidly he was doing. I personally can testify to his bravery and wonderful spirits under fire. We were all very much devoted to him. The 87th are proud of him.' The attack proved a total disaster and Lynden-Bell was hastily buried by the roadside with approximately 50 of his men. Today he rests in the New Irish Farm Cemetery in Belgium, and is commemorated upon the Elizabeth College Roll of Honour.
British War Medal 1914-20 (8) (1281 Pte. I. Bartlett. N. Som. Yeo.; 7624 Pte. J. Cross. Som. L.I.; 2439 Pte. A. Hill. Som. L.I.; 1307 Pte. W. Nigh. Som. L.I.; 26885 Pte. O. M. Parsons. Som. L.I.; 26886 Pte. R. A. Vearncombe. Som. L.I.; 34971 Pte. W. E. Wall. Som. L.I.; 7943 Pte. L. M. Wilton. Som. L.I) some contact marks and edge bruises, official correction to naming on Vearncombe medal, good very fine or better (8) £160-£200 --- Albert John Hill, an errand boy from Burnham, Somerset, was born in 1896. He attested into the 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and served in India during the Great War. He died of diphtheria on 16 November 1916 and is buried in Meerut Cantonment Cemetery, India. Oliver Metford Parsons, a market garden labourer from North Petherton, Somerset, was born in 1897. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry and served on the Western Front with the 7th Battalion. He was wounded by gas during the Battle of Lens in May 1918, and returned home, where he died in hospital in Ipswich on 10 June 1918. He is buried in North Newton St. Peter) churchyard, North Petherton, Somerset. Leonard Moore Wilton, from Exeter, Devon, was born in Liskeard, Cornwall, in 1889. He attested into the Devonshire Regiment in 1905, before transferring into the Somerset Light Infantry the following year. He served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion from 21 August 1914, and was reported missing, presumed dead, five days later on 28 August, during the Battle of Le Cateau. In April 1917, his identity disc was found near Cambrai. He has no known grave and is commemorated on La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. Sold with two Somerset Light Infantry cap badges and copied research.
The Second Afghan War medal awarded to Lieutenant M. B. Salmon, West India Regiment, attached 30th Bombay Native Infantry (Jacob’s Rifles), who distinguished himself at the battle of Maiwand and was recommended for the Victoria Cross for gallantry at Kandahar

Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Lt. M. B. Salmon. 30th Bo. N.I.) fitted with a contemporary silver riband buckle, a few minor nicks, otherwise good very fine £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: A Collection of Medals for the Second Afghan War 1878-80, Dix Noonan Webb, May 2019. Mordaunt Broome Salmon was born in Bombay on 17 October 1853, the son of Lieutenant-General William Broome Salmon, Bombay Staff Corps and Sarah (née Welsh). He was commissioned on 19 August 1874, as Sub Lieutenant in the 2nd West India Regiment, joining them in Jamaica, where he remained until 1876.

On 19 August 1876, he was promoted to Lieutenant and transferred to the Bombay Staff Corps on attachment to the 30th Bombay Native Infantry (Jacob’s Rifles). From Quetta, in April 1880, he marched with the left wing of Jacob’s Rifles to Kandahar, where initially he commanded detachments on the Kandahar-Charman road, following the tribal attacks on the posts at Gatai and Dubbrai. But, on 5 July, he left with Jacob’s Rifles as part of the Girishk Field Force - a Brigade comprising E/B Battery R.H.A., 3rd Scinde Horse, 3rd Bombay Light Cavalry, H.Ms. 66th Foot, 1st Bombay Grenadiers and 30th Jacob’s Rifles - which was to support the Wali of Kandahar’s troops in halting the advance from Herat of Ayub Khan, a pretender to the Afghan throne.

Salmon commanded a company of Jacob’s Rifles during the skirmish on 14 July, which resulted in the capture of Wali Sher Ali’s guns from the enemy, and also in defending the baggage train along the Mundebad ravine at the Battle of Maiwand on 27 July 1880. When, at one stage, the baggage train was hard pressed by Afghan tribesmen advancing up the ravine, Salmon’s company counter-attacked with a detachment of Grenadiers, forcing the enemy back to the nearby village of Khig. Under orders to remain close to the baggage train, however, Salmon was unable to deploy his men to best advantage. He later recalled ‘…indeed, it was almost a certainty of being hit if any one got up from the ground and moved from place to place. Seeing this, the enemy became even bolder, and we were compelled to repel two very determined attacks which were made on the baggage later on.’

In the face of an overwhelming opposition and the whole force in disarray, Salmon’s company was forced to join the fighting retreat to Kandahar. The next morning, ten miles from the city, the column arrived at the Arghandab River, where five of the smooth-bore guns, ‘which had never been properly horsed or manned’, had to be abandoned. Salmon’s small group was crossing the river where one of the smooth-bores was abandoned and determined to save it. He succeeded in bringing the gun into Kandahar - the only smooth-bore to return.

Many accounts were written and official reports were required to be furnished by officers present at the military disaster of Maiwand, for there followed the usual inquest and enquiry following this defeat. Lieutenant Salmon was amongst a number of officers who wrote his personal account of the action:
‘At Khushk-i-Nakhud, on the night of the 26th July 1880, at about 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., the brigade received orders to march at 6:00 a.m. the following morning on the village of Maiwand, situated some ten miles distant in a northerly direction. Accordingly, on the morning of the 27th, the “rouse” sounded at 4:00 a.m., and the brigade marched off the camping ground at about 6:00 a.m.
The formation of the brigade was in line of columns at deploying interval, with the 66th on the right, Jacob’s Rifles in the centre, and the 1st Bombay Grenadiers on the left, with an advance guard consisting of two guns of E-B, Royal Horse Artillery, and some cavalry; also a rear guard of a few smooth-bore guns, captured from Shere Ali Khan’s rebellious army, and some cavalry under Colonel Malcolmson, 3rd Sind Horse. The whole of the baggage was massed on the right of the brigade, and marched in that position.
The march commenced, as I have said, at about 6:00 a.m., in the direction of Maiwand; and after it had continued for about three hours or thereabouts, some objects were sighted in the distance on our left flank. At first we were completely in doubt as to what they were, but after careful observation it became apparent that these were very large bodies of the enemy moving in a direction at right angles to our own line of march, and I may say in a direction from west to east, heading for the same village of Maiwand to which we were bound. To the best of my belief, a party consisting of two guns of E-B, Royal Horse Artillery, and a troop of the 3rd Sind Horse were sent to reconnoitre the enemy and send information to the Brigadier-General in command as to their strength and general disposition, and that after a lapse of a short time a note was received from the officer commanding the cavalry party that the enemy were in great force and strong both in cavalry and artillery, a fact which was very substantially corroborated by subsequent events.
The officer commanding was pleased to give an order for the line of battalions to change their front “half-left”, and advance in very much their former position over a small nallah which separated us from the enemy, and to move on for a considerable distance over a bare and stony plateau, on the extremity of which the enemy's hordes could now be seen drawn up in line to receive our attack.
I may mention here that the engagement was opened by Lieutenant MacLaine of E-B, Royal Horse Artillery, with two guns, which he had taken a considerable distance in advance of the fighting line, and opened fire on the advancing enemy with admirable effect; but as to whether the movement was undertaken on that officer's own responsibility, or according to orders he received, I am not in a position to state. The time when the first shot was fired was, to the best of my belief, 9:45 a.m. (and not 11:00 a.m. as I have seen frequently stated in various accounts which I have read in the different papers), as I, to the best of my recollection, looked at my watch when the first gun was fired; and from that have fixed the hour. Lieutenant MacLaine was allowed to continue his firing for nearly half an hour before the enemy deigned to give any reply; but my idea is, that they were not by any means prepared for such an attack, and it took them some time to get their numerous pieces of artillery into the position they desired.
However, the fighting line was advanced some 700 yards along this plateau and was disposed, to the best of my belief, as follows - viz., the 66th on the right and Jacob's Rifles in the centre; at first only one wing was in the line, but subsequently the other wing was also brought up, and two companies detached from the regiment to prolong the line to the left of the Grenadiers, who were on the extreme left of the line. The greater part of the artillery was doing the first part of the action, on the right, and also some of the cavalry, the remainder being disposed of on the left rear of the line, and some with the baggage-guard.
What occurred at the fighting line subsequent to the position they ultimately took up I am unable to state, as I was on baggage-guard that day, and it was my fate to remain behind at a distance of some six or seven hundred yards with the baggage, which was massed about the nallah crossed by the line in their advance. Some of the baggage remained on the far side; some was in the nallah itself, and a portion of it had come across the nallah and ad...
Five: Sergeant G. A. R. Rowe, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (5438400 Sjt. G. A. R. Rowe. D.C.L.I.) very fine and better Five: Private R. Sansom, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry War Medal 1939-45; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; 1939-45 Star; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (5437279. Pte. R. Sansom. D.C.L.I.) rank officially corrected, the group mounted in this order, very fine (10) £80-£100 --- George Archibald Russell Rowe - affectionately known as ‘Buggy’ - was born in Camelford on 23 April 1914 and worked as a stonemason in St. Breward. Appointed Sergeant in the Anti-Tank Platoon of the 5th Battalion, D.C.L.I., he served in Normandy from 17 June 1944. Discharged from the Territorial Army on completion of engagement on 10 February 1954, he returned home to Cornwall and died on 20 January 1980. According to the recipient’s obituary in The Silver Bugle: ‘Many Old Comrades attended his cremation in Truro.’ Ronald Samson was born in the registration district of Stratton, Cornwall, in 1922. A railway clerk by profession, he married Cynthia Atkins at Wandsworth Registry Office on 7 November 1964 and began to raise a family in Gillingham from January 1969.
Four: Corporal J. S. Foote, Royal Field Artillery, later Royal Engineers and Royal Corps of Signals 1914-15 Star (3609 Cpl. J. S. Foote. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (3609 Cpl. J. S. Foote. R.A.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (789 Cpl. J. S. Foote. R.F.A.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, light contact marks and polished, nearly very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Joseph S. Foote lived at Thorpebank Road, Shepherd’s Bush, London, and served with the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 March 1915. Sometime transferred to the Royal Engineers and Royal Corps of Signals, he survived the war and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal on 4 January 1924. Sold with a fine portrait postcard photograph of the recipient wearing the uniform of a Corporal and bearing the insignia of a Lineman in the London R.F.A. (Territorial) Battalion.
Five: Private F. J. Viant, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all medals privately named ‘5439949 Pte. F. J. Viant. D.C.L.I.’; together with a small 8th Army commemorative medal and a D.C.L.I. cap badge, very fine Defence Medal (Sgt. Watters 12th. D.C.L.I.) privately engraved, minor edge nick, very fine Aldershot Command Athletic Association sports medallions (2), bronze (1928 Command Unit Team Athletic Championships. 3 miles. Team Race Winners 2nd. Bn. D.C.L.I. L/C. E. Chidgey.; 1928-29 Command Cross Country Team Championship. Winners. 2nd. Bn. D.C.L.I. L/Cpl. E. Chidgey.) generally very fine (lot) £60-£80 --- William Watters was born on 16 June 1904 and married Ethel Vashti Warren in Penzance in 1931. A dairy farmer by trade, he served with the local Home Guard and is recorded in the Cornishman on 19 February 1942 as taking part in house-to-house collections during the ‘Aid to Russia’ week. A long-standing resident of Sancreed, he died in 1997. Edward Chidgey was born in Stogursey, Somerset, on 20 May 1902. A motor driver, he attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Taunton on 27 March 1923 and was raised Lance Corporal on 1 February 1924. Employed as Regimental Postman, Chidgey gained his third class certificate of education at Guernsey on 22 October 1926 and was released from the Colours in 1935 with a fine reference: ‘A very good type of man, willing, hardworking, cheerful and reliable. A very fine athlete and cross country runner. Can be thoroughly recommended.’ Sold with the recipient’s copied Army Service Record and extensive private research.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, block of clasps loose on riband but evidence of having previously been mounted (6822 Pte. A. J. Luxon. Som. L.I.) nearly extremely fine £70-£90 --- Albert James Luxon, a clerk with the Midland Clerical Office, was born around October 1876 in Burnham, Somerset. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry on 18 January 1900 and served in South Africa with the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion during the Boer War. He was discharged on 31 March 1901 to take up employment on the Imperial Military Railways in South Africa. Sold together with copy service papers, copy medal roll extracts and a copy of a Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser article dated 7 February 1900, with reference to the recipient’s departure to South Africa.
Seven: Wing Commander H. Lovegrove, Royal Air Force, late Private, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (2203 Pte. H. Lovegrove. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (265592 Pte. H. Lovegrove. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (W.O.2. H. Lovegrove. R.A.F.); Indian Independence Medal 1947 (31110 Wg. Comdr. H. Lovegrove, R.A.F.) mounted court-style for display, with named card box of issue for the Indian Independence Medal, polished and lacquered, nearly very fine (7) £100-£140 --- Henry Lovegrove attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 March 1915. Transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, and then to the Royal Air Force, he was advanced Warrant Officer Class II on 21 November 1932, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7 August 1933. Lovegrove was commissioned Flying Officer on 12 April 1938, and was promoted Flight Lieutenant on 12 April 1940, and War substantive Squadron Leader and temporary Wing Commander on 10 March 1942. He served during the Second World War at HQ No. 40 (Maintenance) Group, R.A.F. Andover from 1 January 1940, and was serving in India at the time of Independence. He retired with the rank of Wing Commander on 8 May 1951. Sold with a group photograph believed to include the recipient; and copied research.
Pair: Corporal W. J. Palmer, Royal Marine Light Infantry Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (W. J. Palmer, Corpl. R.M.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed, the first with very minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine or better (2) £240-£280 --- Sold with copied medal roll entry.
Five: Temporary Captain R. J. Nicolle, Canadian Provost Corps, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and Royal Guernsey Light Infantry, who survived a booby-trap and hand-to-hand fighting on a night patrol in Salonika in 1917 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. R. J. Nicolle. D. of Corn. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. J. Nicolle.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Lieut. R. J. Nicolle); War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, minor contact marks, generally very fine and better (5) £240-£280 --- Reginald John Nicolle was born in Guernsey on 3 July 1892, the son of grocer and confectioner Louis F. Nicolle of Vauvert Road, St. Peter Port. Educated at Elizabeth College, Nicolle was appointed to a commission in the Royal Guernsey Light Infantry (Militia) in 1911 and served almost three years on the island before crossing the Atlantic and taking employment as a bank clerk in Winnipeg with the Union Bank of Canada; he subsequently resigned his commission in July 1914 as a result of being unable to attend annual camp. Granted indefinite leave of absence from his employer at the outbreak of the Great War, Nicolle enlisted in the 79th Cameron Highlanders of Canada at Valcartier on 13 August 1914. Transferred to the 16th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force, he sailed for England per SS Adania on 7 October 1914, but soon required medical treatment which necessitated a considerable stay in military hospital; discharged on 6 April 1915, he was transferred as Second Lieutenant to the 8th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Sent to Salonika, Nicolle contracted malaria in 1916 and later had a lucky escape when ambushed by enemy forces. This event was later detailed in the regimental history by author Everard Wyrall: ‘On the night of the 7th/8th [of June, 1917], the wily Bulgar laid a trap for the D.C.L.I. patrols. Lieut. Nicolle took out a party to Petit Piton and on Grand Piton found an enemy telephone wire lying innocently on the ground. On pulling the wire an explosion took place and the advanced party of the patrol were immediately attacked from both flanks and rear by strong hostile parties. Close fighting took place and Lieut. Nicolle got through, but four men were afterwards found to be missing.’ Transferred to Iraq from 1919 to 1920 as Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I., attached Royal Army Service Corps, Nicolle relinquished his commission in December 1920 and embarked at Liverpool for Quebec in a first-class berth aboard the R.M.S. Empress of Britain on 30 April 1921. Returning to service with the Union Bank of Canada, he worked as Ledger Keeper in the Portage & Arlington branch, followed by spells on Bow Island and as Teller Accountant in the town of Jenner, Alberta. From 1924 to 1939 he served with the Alberta Provincial Police - likely in an office position - before taking employment as manager of Alberta Transport. Gazetted Temporary Captain (General List) on 3 August 1940, he was placed in command of No. 5 Provost Company on 8 September 1940 but his time with the Canadian Active Service Force was cut short through ill health and lapses of judgement. Permitted to tender his resignation, his application for a commission in the Veteran’s Guard of Canada was rejected. Sold with a file of copied research, including Military Service Record.
Three: Corporal E. Arlotte, 13th Hussars 1914-15 Star (7476 Cpl. E. Arlotte. 13th. Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (7476 Cpl. E. Arlotte. 13-Hrs.) very fine Three: Corporal E. Brooks, North Somerset Yeomanry 1914-15 Star (852 L. Cpl. E. Brooks. N. Som. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (852 L. Cpl. E. Brooks. N. Som. Yeo.) edge bruise to BWM, otherwise very fine Three: Private G. Sheppard, North Somerset Yeomanry 1914-15 Star (1342. Pte. G. Sheppard. N. Som. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (1342. Pte. G. Sheppard. N. Som. Yeo.) edge bruises, otherwise very fine (9) £140-£180 --- Edwin Arlotte, from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was born in Southport, Lancashire in September 1885. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry in October 1904 and transferred into the 11th Hussars the following February. Advanced Corporal in February 1913, he was posted to the 13th Hussars in India, and served with them during the Great War in France from 15 December 1914, en route to Salonika. He contracted malaria which resulted in spells in hospital and he was eventually discharged ‘Class Z’ on 4 February 1919. Edward Brooks was born in Axbridge, Somerset, in 1889. He attested into the North Somerset Yeomanry on 9 November 1914 for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 24 January 1915. Appointed Corporal, he saw later service with the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. Discharged as a consequence of sickness on 18 October 1918, he was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B31022. George Sheppard was born in Shipham, Winscombe, Somerset, in 1889. He attested into the North Somerset Yeomanry for service during the Great War and served in Egypt from 19 December 1915. He saw later service with the 3rd Dragoons. Sold with copied research.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (5215 Pte. C.Pope, Somerset: Lt. Infy.) edge bruising, nearly very fine £80-£100 --- Charles Pope was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1878. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry on 19 August 1898 and served in South Africa during the Boer War with the Mounted Infantry. Additionally entitled to King’s South Africa Medal with the usual two date clasps, he was discharged on 18 August 1910. He re-enlisted into his old regiment for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 3 December 1914 and was discharged ‘Class Z’ on 25 March 1919. Sold with copied research.
China 1857-60, no clasp (Paymaster T. Hunt, Royal Artillery) officially impressed naming, light contact pitting to obverse, otherwise good very fine £200-£240 --- Thomas Hunt was appointed Paymaster in the Royal Artillery on 21 January 1860; Hon. Captain on 21 January 1865; and retired on 1 September 1870. Captain Hunt served the campaign of 1860 in China (Medal).
Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (183 Pte. J. Russell, 59th Foot) minor edge bruise and light contact marks, very fine £80-£100 --- Joseph Russell, an agricultural labourer from Westbury sub Mendip, Somerset, was born in 1835 and attested into the 81st Foot in 1859. Transferring to the 58th Foot in 1861, he further transferred into the 59th Foot in 1873, with whom he served in Afghanistan from 1878 to 1880. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5 in 1880, before his discharge as an out pensioner at the Royal Hospital, living at Oakhill, near Wells. He died at Frome in 1914. Sold with copied research.
A Second War M.B.E., post-War C.P.M. for Gallantry group of seven awarded to Major P. Beverly, East African Intelligence Corps and King’s African Rifles, later Senior Police Officer, Kenya Police Reserve, who was shot and severely wounded during a skirmish when leading a night-time patrol against a Mau Mau gang on he night of 30-31 May 1953 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Colonial Police Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, for Gallantry (Sen. P.O., Phillip [sic] Beverly, Kenya Police Res.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (E.5664 I.P.I. (R) P. Beverly.) mounted court-style for display, light contact marks, very fine and better (7) £600-£800 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 14 June 1945. C.P.M., for Gallantry London Gazette 11 August 1953. The official citation, published in the Kenya Government Gazette, 24 November 1953, states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in the execution of his duty. On 30-31 May, 1953, at about 2300 hours, Senior Reserve Police Officer Beverly in command of Section 12, Njoro Sub-district, carried our a raid in the vicinity of a farm where an armed gang of some 20 Mau Mau were reported. On arrival at the group of huts to be searched, S.R.P.O. Beverly completed his dispositions to prevent escape and then advanced on one of the huts with two Kenya Police Reserve Officers. He called on the inmates to come out, but there was no response and the door was locked. S.R.P.O. Beverly placed his escort to cover him and regardless of personal danger knocked the door in and entered, calling on the inmates to surrender. While searching them he was attacked and fired on by at least two of their number. Though wounded in the face, lung, and shoulder, S.R.P.O. Beverly returned the fire and maintained an offensive action which resulted in the death of six terrorists and the capture of four more. He displayed the highest courage under fire, and though badly wounded continued the fight and was largely responsible for the destruction of the gang.’ Philip Beverly was born in Suffolk in 1909 and emigrated to Kenya with his family when he was 14. Upon its opening in 1932, he was employed as the big game guide at Treetops Hotel (the hotel at which the then Duchess of Edinburgh was staying when she became Queen in 1952), and subsequently organised big game safaris for private clients throughout Kenya, Uganda, and the Belgian Congo. Beverly joined the Kenya Regiment in in 1937, and served during the Second World War with the East African Intelligence Corps in Abyssinia, for which services he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Following he start of the Mau Mau uprising, he joined the Kenya Police reserve in 1953, and shortly afterwards was severely wounded during a skirmish when leading a night time patrol on a European farm - shot through the neck, shoulder, and face during the battle. Six terrorists were killed, and a further four were wounded and captured. For his gallantry on this occasion he was awarded the Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry. Beverly married Charmain Spencer-Phillips, a driver with the Motor Transport Corps, in July 1941. Subsequently emigrating to South Africa, he wrote his memoir, Under Our Double Terais: A Kenya Memoir, which was subsequently published by his family in 2014. Sold with the recipient’s wife’s three Second World War Medals, comprising Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; and Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed ‘W91929 C. Beverly.’, nearly extremely fine
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5740 Pte J. Jeanes. Somerset: Lt. Infy.) contact marks, otherwise very fine £70-£90 --- John Jeanes, a Labourer from Ashcott, Somerset, was born in December 1882. He attested into the Dorset Regiment on 19 January 1900 and was transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry two days later. He served in South Africa during the Boer War. The award of the Cape Colony clasp is unconfirmed on the medal roll. After further service in India, he returned home in 1907 and transferred to the Reserve the following year. Re-engaged in October 1911 he was discharged two years later. During the Great War, he attested in Toronto for service with the Canadian Expeditionary Force on 11 November 1914. Sold with copy service records.
A rare Second War D.S.M. awarded to Able Seaman C. Hartley, Royal Navy, for gallantry on land as a member of the ‘Unrotated Projectile’ Battery at the fall of Tobruk, 20 June 1942 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.168633 C. Hartley. A.B.) impressed naming, nearly extremely fine £1,400-£1,800 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 20 October 1942: ‘For bravery in action at Tobruk.’ Seedies Roll confirms - ‘U.P. Bty Tobruk. Fall of Tobruk 20 June, 1942.’ Just 4 D.S.Cs. and three D.S.Ms. awarded for the fall of Tobruk, all to members of this most unusual unit. The original Recommendation states: ‘For outstanding courage and devotion to duty in returning a second time to light the demolition charges which had failed to ignite while under constant shell fire from the enemy.’ The recommendation is signed by Lieutenant G. E. E. Somerset, R.N.V.R., Officer Commanding U.P. Battery, H.M. Naval Base, Tobruk, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on the same occasion. U.P. was the cover name for one of Churchill’s pet projects, the ‘unrotated projectile’, a short range anti-aircraft rocket, developed for the Royal Navy. ‘Unrotated’ denoted that the projectile was not spin-stabilised. The weapon had 20 smoothbore tubes and fired 10 at a time. A small cordite charge was used to ignite a rocket motor which propelled the fin-stabilised 7-inch diameter rocket out of the tube to a distance of about 1,000 feet, where it exploded and released an 8.4 ounce mine attached to three parachutes by 400 feet of wire. The idea was that an aeroplane hitting the wire would draw the mine towards itself where it would detonate. It was used extensively by British ships during the early days of the Second World War, but proved unreliable and ineffective in operation, prompting the withdrawal of the system during 1941. Tests in the U.K. had suggested that they were too dangerous to the population to be used at home and so they were tried out by the Royal Navy batteries at Tobruk.
Six: Sergeant P. Joyce, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Hampshire Regiment and Dorsetshire Regiment 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (5437174 Sgt. J. P. Joyce. Dorset.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £80-£100 --- John Patrick Joyce was born in Athlone, County Meath, Ireland, on 23 November 1915. Enlisting at Armagh for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 11 February 1937, he completed basic training but was soon posted as a deserter from the 2nd Battalion on 8 January 1938. During this period he went on to marry Constance Catherine Walsh in Dublin on 12 January 1941, and the couple had a daughter together. Taken into close arrest on 9 December 1941, he was later tried by General Court Martial on a charge of Deserting his Majesty’s Service; found not guilty of desertion but guilty of absence without leave, he was duly committed to the cells for 12 months, the sentence being quashed just weeks later by order General Officer Commanding 4th Division. Detached to No. 88 Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Artillery, at Castle Douglas on 5 June 1942, Joyce later embarked with SS Orion at Glasgow for North Africa with the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Landing on 23 March 1943, his unit witnessed action at The Bowl, The Basin, Peter’s Corner, Banana Ridge, Pt. 133 and Cape Bon in the advance towards and subsequent capture of Tunis. Transferred to the Hampshire Regiment on 1 October 1943, Joyce served with the 5th Battalion in Italy and later, Austria. He joined the Dorset Regiment on 5 February 1946 and witnessed further overseas service in Hong Kong in 1953, being awarded the LSGC Medal per Army Order 37 of 1958. Discharged 23 January 1963, he died in Birmingham in 1984. Sold with the recipient’s Regular Army Certificate of Service which notes his Military Conduct as ‘Exemplary’ and bears testimony to the respect afforded him, adding: ‘his integrity is beyond question’; a fine photograph album detailing his time in Egypt whilst on leave from Italy, notably alongside his pals beneath the Pyramids (1944), approx. 30 images; Pocket Bible - hand annotated to inner front cover - and published Regimental Journals (3); the recipient’s miniature medals for Second War service, mounted as worn, riband bars (5), and a small assortment of fabric shoulder titles.
Pair: Private B. Proll, Somerset Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3611 Pte. B. Proll. Somerset Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3611 Pte. B. Proll. Somerset: L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Ben Proll was born in Burnham on Sea, Somerset, in 1879 and attested into the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in January 1898. Transferred to the Reserve in June 1900, he was recalled three months later and served in South Africa during the Boer War. He died in Neath, Glamorgan, in 1908. Sold with copied service papers and other research.
The Second War and sporting medals awarded to Lance-Sergeant F. C. J. Jewell, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, and one of the great athletic heroes of the Regiment 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with two Army Athletic Association medallions, unmarked silver, the reverses engraved ‘Army Championship 1937 Three Miles Aldershot Second’ and ‘Army Cross Country Team Championships, Windsor, 23 March 1939 Winning Team. 2/D.C.L.I. Pte. F. C. J. Jewell’.; a similar Aldershot Command Athletic Association medallion, unmarked silver, the reverse engraved ‘Command Cross Country Individual Championship, 1935-36 Winner Pte F. Jewell. The Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry.’; a smaller Eastern Command award, unmarked silver, the reverse engraved ‘Cross Country Championship 1939 Winning Team. Pte. F. C. J. Jewell. 2/D.C.L.I.’; and a Society of Miniature Rifle Clubs bronze medal, unnamed, very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frederick Cyril James Jewell attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 14 November 1932. After completing training he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and sent to Gibraltar on 10 June 1933. Returned home to Blackdown and thence Shorncliffe in 1938, his unit went to France as part of the B.E.F. on 30 September 1939 and was withdrawn through Dunkirk on 1 June 1940. Transferred to the 30th Battalion on 4 September 1941, Jewell likely witnessed service in Algeria and Egypt before taking his discharge from the Colours on 2 February 1946.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith (4549 Pte. H. Day, Somerset Lt. Infy.) edge bruising, good very fine £90-£120 --- Herbert Day, a labourer from Shipham, Bristol, was born in 1878. He attested into the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry on 19 February 1898 and served in South Africa during the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion. He was present at the Battles of Venter’s Spruit and Spion Kop and was heavily engaged in the Battle of Colenso. He died of enteric fever at Smithfield on 1 June 1900, where he is buried. Sold with copied service papers and a photographic image of the recipient’s grave.
Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Wm, King. 1st. Bn. 13th. Lt. Infy.) suspension post replaced in brass, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine £140-£180 --- William King, a Labourer from Bath, was born around 1837. He attested into the Somerset Militia in 1854, and in January 1856 attested into the 13th (Somerset) Light Infantry. He served in India during the Mutiny and was appointed Corporal in January 1860. After re-engaging for further service in 1864, he was discharged in 1872 as unfit for further service, due to an ulceration of the cornea of his left eye. He died in Bath in 1874. Sold with copy research.
Three: Battery Sergeant-Major T. Colclough, Royal Artillery Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Ali Musjid (6428 By. Qr. Mr. Sgt. T. Colclough, E/3 Bde. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (6428. By. Qr. Mr. Sgt. T. Colclough, 3rd B. R.A.) test mark to edge; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (B.S. Mjr: T. Colclough. R.A.) the first two with light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine, the last good very fine (3) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. with annuity of £10 awarded 1 June 1914. He died on 18 February 1916.
A French P.1786 Sea Service Pistol. Lock marked Manuf. Nle de Tulle [Manuafture Nalational de Tulle, the town of Tulle containing the main French arsenal producing guns for the French Navy]. Overall length 41cm, barrel 23cm, with steel belthook on left side. Type used at Trafalgar. Some areas of very light pitting on the barrel, generally good condition £700-£900 --- This is an age restricted lot: the successful buyer will be required to either collect in person, or arrange specialist shipping.
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