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Click here to subscribeA Victorian painted miniature brooch,of rectangular cut corner form, depicting a young lady in a red cloak. A glazed cover to a stepped gold framed with a gold back, pin and 'C' catch. Tested as approximately 9ct 45 x 38mm, 16.72gCondition ReportLight surface marks to the frame and back.Scratches to the glass.
A Cartier lighter,of ovoid form, with red lacquered finish, no. 13030T, signed Cartier, Paris,together with a Cartier box,marked to the inside of the lid 'Cartier, London 175 New Bond St, Paris 13 Rue de la Paix, New York 712 5th Avenue' (2)Condition ReportSurface marks/scratches.Flint strikes. Lighter does not light. Possibly needs fuel. No box or papers.
An Art Deco 9ct gold Dunhill lighter, of ovoid form with applied initals 'JF', marked to the base 'Dunhill Unique Lighter', Pat No. 143752, import hallmark London 1925, 45.62gProvenance: The Estate of Sir Jack and Lady Diana Baer.Condition ReportFlint strikes. Does not light, probably needs fuel.Surface marks/scratches to gold.Additional images available to view.
A three colour gold Russian wedding ring, with three interlocking light 'D' section bands, each approximately 3mm wide, in rose, white and yellow gold, the white band marked 750 Italy, tested as approximately 18ct gold, 4.64g.Finger size Q approximatelyCondition ReportSurface marks/scratches.The yellow band slightly out of shape, and a nick to the edge in one place.
An 18ct gold single stone diamond ring,with a brilliant cut diamond, with a known weight of 0.57ct, four claw set to a white collet with solid shoulders with a recessed 'V' and a plain shank. 3.01g. Accompanied by a purchase receipt dated 2007 from Jade Jewellers, Essex. Finger size N½Condition ReportLight surface marks commensurate with its age.Claws secure.
Three: Private C. E. Jepps, Highland Light Infantry, who was killed in action in First Battle of the Aisne on 17 September 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (10537 Pte. C. E. Jepps. 2/High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (10537 Pte. C. E. Jepps. High. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Charles Edward Jepps) nearly extremely fine (4) £260-£300 --- Charles Edward Jepps was born in Hackney, Middlesex and attested for the Highland Light Infantry at London. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914, and was killed in action during the First Battle of the Aisne on 17 September 1914. He has no known grave and is commemorated on La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and casualty details.
Three: Chief Stoker W. J. Jewell, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (293937, W. J. Jewell, S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (293937 W. J. Jewell. Ch. Sto. R.N.) light contact marks, very fine Three: Leading Stoker W. H. Horton, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (299030, W. H. Horton, L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (299030 W. H. Horton. L. Sto. R.N.) contact marks, nearly very fine (6) £70-£90 --- William John Jewell was born in Plymouth on 5 November 1880 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 20 December 1899. Advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 27 August 1910, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Highflyer from 14 January 1914 to 1 January 1917, in which ship he took part in the Battle of Rio de Oro on 26 August 1914, resulting in the sinking of the German raider Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7 January 1915. Promoted Chief Stoker on 1 June 1917, he was shore pensioned on 19 December 1921. William Henry Horton was born in Devon on 19 September 1883 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 11 November 1901. Advanced Leading Stoker on 7 September 1911, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Suffolk from the outbreak of War to 25 August 1916, and in H.M.S. Highflyer from 13 April 1917 to the cessation of hostilities. Shore pensioned on 10 November 1923, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Sold with copied service papers and other research.
Three: Able Seaman E. W. Clark, Royal Navy, who was accidentally killed on 15 May 1917 1914-15 Star (235558, E. W. Clark, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (235558 E. W. Clark, A.B. R.N.) good very fine Pair: Private A. B. Crumpton, Royal Marine Light Infantry, attached 1st (Royal Marines) Battalion, Royal Naval Division, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 October 1917 1914-15 Star (CH. 19597, Pte. A. B. Crumpton, R.M.L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (CH. 19597 Pte. A. B. Crumpton, R.M.L.I.) both in named card boxes of issue, extremely fine (5) £100-£140 --- Ernest William Clark was born in Pucknoll, Dorset, on 6 November 1888 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 8 January 1906. Advanced Able Seaman on 9 October 1908, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Queen from the outbreak of War to 16 April 1916; and then in H.M.S. Implacable from 10 October 1916. He was accidentally killed on 15 May 1917 in a collision between the tug Tenedos and a picket boat belonging to Implacable, and is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Salonika. Arthur Benjamin Crumpton attested for the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and served during the Great War on the Western Front attached to the 1st (Royal Marines) Battalion, Royal Naval Division. He was killed in action on 26 October 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Three: Private W. H. Mitchell, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who served in H.M.S. Birkenhead at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 1914-15 Star (Ch.10218, Pte. W. H. Mitchell, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch.10218 Pte. W. H. Mitchell. R.M.L.I.) very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Walter Harry Mitchell was born in Hereford on 30 July 1879 and joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 4 April 1898. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Birkenhead from 26 August 1915 to 3 October 1917, and was present in her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. He was demobilised on 2 August 1919, and died on 5 March 1962. Sold with copied record of service.
Three: Private I. Pepper, Royal Fusiliers 1914-15 Star (10785 Pte. I. Pepper, R. Fus,); British War and Victory Medals (10785 Pte. I. Pepper. R. Fus.) very fine Three: Private W. G. Evans, Army Service Corps 1914-15 Star (DM2-112482 Pte. W. G. Evans. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (DM2-112482 Pte. W. G. Evans. A.S.C.) light contact marks, very fine (6) £70-£90 --- Isaac Pepper attested for the Royal Fusiliers and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 June 1915. He later transferred to the Labour Corps and was discharged Class Z Reserve on 26 February 1919. William George Evans attested for the Army Service Corps on 19 July 1915 and served with the Motor Transport Section during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 September 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 24 March 1917 and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 156,601. Sold with copied research.
A Second War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 W. Cartwright, Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R. (WOII W. Cartwright) mounted court-style as worn, the medals all rhodium plated, nearly extremely fine (7) £300-£400 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original Recommendation states: ‘Battery Sergeant-Major Wilfred Cartwright landed in France on 9 July 1944 with 112 Battery 6 Canadian Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Throughout the intense period of fighting around Caen and again during the bombing at St Aignon de Cremesnil when his Battery Headquarters suffered casualties in both personnel and vehicles this Warrant Officer worked without rest for 72 hours evacuating the wounded and obtaining replacements of vehicles and stores lost in the bombing. His remarkable steadfastness under fire was to a great extent responsible for keeping the Battery in action during this vital period. From 15 October to 14 November 1944 112 Battery was engaged in experimental training and active operations with rocket projector equipments. Displaying unusual ability to quickly grasp the mechanical details of the rocket projectors BSM Cartwright performed outstanding work in completing modifications to vehicles and equipments in exceedingly short time. On all occasions whether carrying out normal duties or bringing forward ammunition and supplies under fire to the detachments of the Battery or when confronted with a task not normally his responsibility BSM Cartwright has invariably displayed ability above that which would normally be expected of a Battery Sergeant-Major and has repeatedly won the admiration and respect of all ranks in his Battery.’ Sold with copied recommendation.
Pair: Gunner W. Hesketh, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (160861 Gnr. W. Hesketh. R.A.) edge bruising, nearly very fine Pair: Gunner E. Jones, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (112461 Gnr. E. Jones. R.A.) edge bruising, nearly very fine Pair: Gunner P. H. Secker, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (201033 Gnr. P. H. Secker. R.A.) very fine Pair: Gunner W. White, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (13152 Gnr. W. White. R.A.) light pitting, nearly very fine Victory Medal 1914-19 (Capt. S. Ellison.) good very fine (9) £120-£160 --- William White attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 February 1915. He was discharged on 26 December 1915. Samuel Ellison was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force), and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front. Advanced Captain, for his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 7 July 1919).
Pair: Sapper J. H. Pimm, Royal Engineers British War Medal 1914-20 (279310 Spr. J. H. Pimm. R.E.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (WR-29042 Spr: J. H. Pimm. R.E.) light contact marks, very fine (2) £80-£100 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. James H. Pimm attested for the Royal Engineers and served with the 323rd Quarry Company during the Great War on the Western Front.
Three: Colour Sergeant H. Day, Somerset Light Infantry British War Medal 1914-20 (3393 A.C. Sgt. H. Day Som. L.I.); Defence Medal (H. Day) contemporary engraved naming; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, 1 clasp, Long Service 1944 (Sect Cmdr Hugh Day) all in named card boxes of issue, the Defence Medal box addressed to ‘Mr. H. Day, 26, ALma Street, Taunton, Somerset’, extremely fine (3) £60-£80 --- Hugh Day served with the Somerset Special Constabulary. Sold with copied Medal Index Card confirming the British War Medal as the recipient’s sole Great War medallic entitlement.
Three: Lance-Corporal G. A. Sewell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Dunkirk in 1940 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (5379443 Pte. G. A. Sewell. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3) £180-£220 --- G. A. Sewell attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second World War as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Dunkirk, and was interned at Stalag 357, Oerbke, near Fallingbostal. Sold with a silver 52nd regimental sports medal, the reverse scratch engraved ‘G. Sewell Final 1932 Feather’; and an O.B.L.I. cap badge and shoulder title.
Pair: Private J. Johnston, Highland Light Infantry India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (3309932 Pte. J. Johnston. H.L.I.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3309932 Pte. J. Johnston. H.L.I.) latter part of surname officially corrected, mounted as worn, edge nicks, very fine (2) £80-£100
A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. M. Logan-Home, 112th Infantry, Indian Army Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. M. Logan Home, M.C., 112/Infy.); British War and Victory Medals (Major W. M. Logan Home); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (Maj. W. M. Logan-Home, 3-4 Bombay Grs.) contact marks to last, otherwise good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 May 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty at Sherqat on 29-30 October 1918. With the greatest coolness he worked up to the enemy’s position under heavy fire and over difficult country. Then finding himself out of touch with the battalion, he made a close personal reconnaissance, eventually re-establishing communication. Later, he rendered a valuable report on the local situation.’ William Miles Logan-Home was born at Sandgate, Kent, on 6 June 1884 and was educated at Loretto School. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in 1902, before transferring to the 1st Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment in 1904, and then to the Indian Army in 1908. He served with the 112th Infantry in the Kurrum Valley in 1911-12, and was in command of the post at Thal, where he rounded up a party of frontier raiders. He saw further service during the Great War in Mesopotamia from 1915, and for his services during the Battle of Sherqat was awarded the Military Cross: ‘He reconnoitred close up to the Turkish trenches, and carried back valuable information alone over difficult ground and under intensive fire at night. He then returned to his trenches, and was near the Turkish line when they surrendered at dawn, after a great bombardment and rifle fire all night. The General commanding the Turks walked over to him, under a flag of truce, and presented him with his sword on surrendering.’ (History of the Logan Family refers). Logan-Home saw further service on the North-West Frontier in both 1923-24 and 1928-29, and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel and Commandant, 4th/5th Mahratta Light Infantry, on 2 December 1930. A distinguished naturalist, while in Mesopotamia he made a collection of little-known birds and butterflies for the British Museum, and during many shooting expeditions in India, Kashmir and Baltistan made a large collection of big-game trophies. He was a good shot with gun and rifle, and was also fond of fishing. Following his retirement, he was appointed a Deputy Lieutenant for Berwickshire in 1937, and died in Berwickshire on 5 April 1977. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient; and copied research.
Eight: Captain G. R. Clarke, Royal Engineers 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Capt. G. R. Clarke. R.E.); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP riband; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Malay Peninsula (Capt. G. R. Clarke. RE.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these mounted court-style as worn, light contact marks and minor edge bruise to DefM, good very fine (8) £300-£400
Six: Sergeant R. W. Ellis, Parachute Regiment, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was wounded in Greece on 3 January 1945 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Fire Brigade L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Fireman Ronald W. Ellis) the first five mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £160-£200 --- Ronald W. Ellis attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry and transferred to the 4th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, in 1941. In 1943 he was reduced in rank from Sergeant to Corporal for ‘negligently discharging a colt pistol thereby wounding a private soldier’. He was wounded in Greece on 3 January 1945, and later joined the Fire Brigade. Sold with two silver sports medals, engraved ‘1st. Bn. D.C.L.I. Boys P.T. Test Nov. 1933. Boy R. W. Ellis.; Razmak Bde. Cross Country Run 1935 Winning Team.’; and the recipient’s riband bar.
Four: Private E. R. Wigmore, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, a prisoner of war at Stalag 20B at Marienburg 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (5382741 Pte. E. R. Wigmore. Oxf Bucks.) extremely fine (4) £100-£140 --- E. R. Wigmore attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Second World War in North-West Europe post D-Day. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War, and was interned at Stalag 20B, Marienburg.
‘When arriving at the scene of a raid I always send him ashore in a folboat to search out the enemy dispositions of guns and men’ A rare Second War ‘Levant Schooner Flotilla’ Special Forces D.S.M., 1943 ‘Mine-Disposal’ B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer L. G. Taber, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. L. G. Taber. B.E.M. P/JX 139146); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (P.O. Leonard G. Taber, P/JX.139146); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, these last five unnamed as issued, together with R.L.S.S. bronze medal (L. G. Taber, July 1933) in case of issue, first two with light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (8) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 14 August 1945: ‘For the clearance of the Aegean and the relief of Greece during the period 1944-1945.’ The following recommendation by his Skipper, Lieutenant Bernard Stipetic, R.N.R., commanding Anglo-Hellenic Schooner 1 (awarded a D.S.C. in the same gazette) confirms his earlier award of ‘British Empire Medal - for mine-disposal’, and states: ‘Petty Officer Leonard George Taber, H.M.S. Mosquito [Coastal Forces base at Alexandria]. Action or Operation – Served as coxswain of many of the Anglo-Hellenic schooners, engaged in the landing and picking up of the raiding and reconnaissance parties in the enemy-controlled Aegean Islands. Specific act or service – This rating at all times shows determination in pressing home an attack and I have come to rely on him for his determination and keenness. When arriving at the scene of a raid I always send him ashore in a folboat to search out the enemy dispositions of guns and men. He has the ability to obtain this information in its entirety and report back accurately. On his report largely depends my decision as to how the raid is to be effected and where to lie up the following day. His coolness and devotion to duty while obtaining this information on enemy territory surrounded by possible informants is exemplary. This is done on every enemy island we go to. On the last raid I put him in charge of a captured caique with three undesirable and bellicose aliens. He showed considerable tact and ingenuity in making them work as part of his scratch crew and bringing the boat safely to port under tricky weather conditions.’ B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1944. Awarded whilst on the books of H.M.S. Prometheus, depot ship for patrol service personnel in the Mediterranean, for services with a naval mine-disposal unit which accompanied the Eighth Army in its advance from Alamein. Leonard George Taber was born in Portsmouth to a naval family but at around twelve years of age, he and his two brothers, because of family hardship, were sent to the Naval School at Greenwich, effectively an orphanage. He and his brothers all joined the Royal Navy and served throughout the Second World War. After serving in a naval mine disposal unit in North Africa, he volunteered for service in Special Forces and was posted to the Levant Schooner Flotilla. The activities of the schooners and caiques of the Levant Schooner Flotilla, a recognised “Commando” unit, are described in some detail in Undercover Sailors by A. Cecil Hampshire and Dust upon the Sea by W. E. Benyon-Tinker. The following from Undercover Sailors, pp 54-55, describes Petty Officer Leonard Taber: ‘Not the least important and hazardous aspect of Raiding Force work was reconnaissance. One of the caiques engaged in this work was commanded, not entirely unusually, by a petty officer who, after working with a naval mine disposal unit which accompanied the Eighth Army during its advance from Alamein had volunteered to transfer to the Levant Schooner Flotilla. Ordered to take a Royal Marine patrol on a reconnaissance of the island of Milos, in the western Cyclades, he wrote in a report remarkable for its understatement: “Milos was not a nice place to approach because of enemy D/F gear, searchlights and shore batteries. We therefore decided to land the marines on Kimilos, a neighbouring island, and let them paddle across to Milos in folboats. While we were lying up in Polygandros waiting to effect the pickup in due course, a gentleman informed us that on another island there were thirteen Germans desirous of surrendering. I said we’d take them, and later that day they entered harbour in their own boat and secured alongside. They were dirty and hungry and had had enough of the war. The Milos reconnaissance having been successfully completed, we made a round trip of Naxos, Ios, Siphanos and Siphos. But on our way back to base the engine seized up and refused to budge. We had to sail, and once used our two sweeps manned by twelve men on each side. One night with the wind gale force we logged twelve knots for two hours. Finally, however, the wind failed altogether, and we had to be towed the last 40 miles along the gulf of Cos to base.” This cheerfully laconic Lower Deck skipper, who spent twelve months in the flotilla, was eventually awarded the DSM and BEM.’ Taber received shrapnel wounds in his leg and arm, and after the war was discharged suffering from tuberculosis. He moved to Scotland and worked in the Highlands as a shepherd and then as a gardener. There, aged 36, he met his wife who was working there in a hotel during the summer months. They had three children and moved to Essex around 1970. He was active in naval organisations, and proudly wore his green beret at reunions. The British Legion and the Royal Naval Association were strongly represented at his funeral. (Personal information provided by Leonard Taber’s eldest daughter in 2001). Sold with copied recommendation and extracts from both Undercover Sailors by A. Cecil Hampshire and Dust upon the Sea by W. E. Benyon-Tinker.
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Gaieta 24 July 1815 (Edward Hooper.) some light marks, otherwise good very fine and rare to ship £1,800-£2,200 --- Edward Hooper is confirmed on the roll as a Private 3rd Class in the Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Woodlark, a brig-sloop of 16 guns. Two Royal Marines, Edward Hooper and William Spooner, are shown on the Admiralty roll as being present at Gaieta aboard H.M.S. Woodlark, which ship, however, is not listed as being present in the official list of ships present at the action and entitled to the clasp. Only two ships, Berwick and Malta, are shown as having taken part in this engagement and Woodlark’s two Privates and one Able Seaman from Princess Augusta (described as His Majesty’s Yacht) are the only men in the roll noted as being from other ships. However, examination of Woodlark’s Master’s Log for July to December 1815 shows that from 1 July to 7 August she was almost invariably ‘Standing off and blockading Gaieta’. The fortress finally fell on 8 August and from then on until 19 August, the ship is recorded as being mostly ‘at anchor’ or ‘moored’ in Gaieta Bay. On 24 July itself, she was ‘standing off and blockading Gaieta’ with ‘Berwick and several gunboats in company’; more importantly the Master notes that his Captain, William Whitfield Esq, visited Berwick at noon and did not return until 7 p.m. The authorities were clearly persuaded that both Woodlark and Princess Augusta were present at Gaieta but the official Navy List entry was never altered to take account of the fact. Edward Hooper had entered Woodlark on 1 June 1814, from Chatham Barracks, a member of Company No. 7. He was discharged back to Chatham on 8 July 1816, and was discharged from the Royal Marines on 16 July 1816, in consequence of a ‘reduction of the Corps’. He was admitted to the Greenwich Hospital on 5 June 1848, then aged 64. Sold with copied discharge certificate and other research.
The unique N.G.S. medal awarded to Rear-Admiral John Harper, C.B., Royal Navy, who was promoted for his ‘Boat Service’ action in 1809, and made a Knight of the Order of Leopold by the Emperor of Austria for his distinguished conduct at the successful sieges of Cattaro and Ragusa in January 1814 Naval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Nile, 29 July Boat Service 1809 (John Harper, Lieut.) original ribbon; together with Cattaro siege coin, cast 5 Francs, 1813, 40mm diameter (Mailliet pl. XXV, 3; Dav. 46; KM. 2) this good very fine and very rare, the first with a light scratch across Queen’s cheek, otherwise extremely fine (2) £24,000-£28,000 --- 11 clasps issued for the Boat Service action of 29 July 1809, examples being held by the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Naval Museum, the Royal Marines Museum, and in the Patiala Collection (Sheesh Mahal Museum, India). Lieutenant Harper was the only officer promoted for this Boat Service action, thus solely responsible for the naming and institution of this commemorative clasp. Its combination with the clasp for the Nile is unique. John Harper was born on 18 September 1772, at Chatham, Kent, the son of a lieutenant in the navy. His younger brother died whilst serving as a lieutenant of the Lutine 32, Captain Lancelot Skynner, which sunk off the Netherlands on 9 October 1799. Harper entered the navy in March 1781 as a captain's servant aboard the Bellona 74, Captain Richard Onslow, removing to the Britannia 100, Captain Benjamin Hill, which flew the flag of Vice-Admiral Hon. Samuel Barrington in the Channel during 1782, and in which ship his father was a lieutenant. He was present at the Relief of Gibraltar on 18 October, but two days later his father was killed in the action with the Spanish fleet off Cape Spartel, following which Harper was taken under the Admiral's protection. Enjoying Barrington's patronage, Harper was employed during the peace at Portsmouth, seeing service aboard the Edgar 74, Captain Adam Duncan, and the Triumph 74 and Barfleur l4, both commanded by Captain John Knight and flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Samuel Hood. He subsequently joined the Pomona 28, Captain Henry Savage, seeing service on the African station and in the Channel from the summer of 1789 through the Spanish Armament of 1790 until the end of the Russian Armament in October 1791. Further peacetime service was aboard the Duke 98, Captain Robert Calder, flying the flag at Portsmouth of the commander-in-chief, Vice Admiral Robert Roddam, the cutter Sprightly 10, and the Portsmouth guardship Edgar 74, Captain Albemarle Bertie. At the commencement of the French Revolutionary War in 1793 Admiral Barrington secured Harper a berth aboard the Boyne 98, Captain Hon. George Grey, flying the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir John Jervis, whose expeditionary force went out to the Leeward Islands in late 1793. During the campaign of 1794 Harper commanded a flat-bottomed boat at the capture of Martinique, and he was rewarded by being commissioned Lieutenant on 21 February. Joining the sloop Avenger 16, Captains Edward Griffith and Charles Ogle, he earned acclaim after taking a six-oared guard boat into the Carenage under cover of a rain shower during the siege of St. Lucia, and bringing out a fully manned French 10-gun schooner whose crew had been sheltering below decks, and who suffered for their naivety by having the hatches battened down on them by the boarding party. He later saw service ashore at the reduction of Guadeloupe before the Avenger returned home to be paid off at Portsmouth in October 1794. Harper next joined the Defence 74, Captain Thomas Wells, in which he went out to the Mediterranean and fought at the battle of Hyères Islands on 13 July 1795. Continuing with the Defence in the Mediterranean, he was active in the various boat actions off Cadiz during the summer of 1797, and saw further employment under Captain William Brown before serving as Second Lieutenant to Captain John Peyton at the battle of the Nile on 1 August 1798. Previous to that ever memorable conflict, he had the misfortune to suffer a serious fever which affected his ship whilst it was watering at Syracuse, one from which many of the Defence's crew died, and one that it was believed he too might not survive. During 1799 the Defence was commanded by Captain Lord Henry Paulet, being employed off Lisbon and Cadiz, and in the Mediterranean following the breakout of the Brest fleet on 25 April. In December 1799 Harper re-joined Captain Thomas Wells aboard the Glory 98 in the Channel fleet, on which vessel he remained until she was paid off at Chatham on the peace in April 1802. With the resumption of hostilities in the spring of 1803, Harper became Flag-Lieutenant to Rear-Admiral Bartholomew Rowley at the Nore, but within a few weeks he was given command of the hired cutter Admiral Mitchell, undertaking a secret mission at the behest of Captain John Wright, who was an expert in clandestine operations, and seeing action against the Boulogne invasion flotilla, for which he received the commendation of Rear-Admiral Robert Montagu for his gallant conduct. He was later employed in command of the hired cutter Duke of Clarence in the Channel Islands. On 27 October 1804 Harper was appointed to the Wasp 18, Commander Hon. Frederick Aylmer, seeing service in the Mediterranean, and from March 1805 off the coast of Portugal under Commander John Simpson, which officer he followed to the Star 16 in October 1805 after the Wasp had brilliantly managed to evade the pursuit of the Rochefort squadron two months earlier. Commanding two score men in the Star’s boats, Harper cut out a Spanish privateer lugger in January 1806. In January 1807 he joined the Excellent 14, Captain John West, which ship went out to the Mediterranean in June after fitting out at the Nore, and whose crew garrisoned Fort Rosas until relieved by the Fame 74, Captain Richard Bennett, and by Captain Lord Cochrane during the Catalonian campaign of June-November 1808. Boat Service On 29 July 1809, Captain West reported to the senior officer in the Adriatic, the capture of 6 heavy gun-boats belonging to the Italian marine, and 10 trabaccolas, or coasters, laden with brandy, flour, rice, and wheat; lying under the guns of a castle, and protected by a pier lined with musketry. Here follows an extract of his public letter:- “An enemy’s convoy was observed yesterday morning standing along the northern shore towards Trieste; and being of opinion, that by anchoring the Excellent as near that shore as her safety would admit, might enable me to cut off the enemy from his destined port, I immediately weighed and took up a position accordingly. This movement had the desired affect, obliging the enemy to take shelter in Douin, a port 4 leagues to the N.W. of Trieste. In the afternoon a coaster was brought on board by the Excellent’s boat, which informed me the enemy’s convoy was composed of 6 gun-boats, and several vessels laden with grain. “Conceiving it very practicable to capture or destroy them in their present situation, at 10 p.m. I detached H.M. sloops Acorn and Bustard, with all the boats of the Excellent, under the direction of Mr. John Harper, the first lieutenant, to perform this service. At midnight a very heavy cannonade was seen in that direction, which in a short hour ceased, when I had the satisfaction of seeing a rocket go up, which announced to me a favourable issue to the enterprise. At noon this day, H.M. sloops and boats returned, having with them the whole of the enemy’s convoy. “Of the merits of Lieutenant Harper, an officer of fifteen years standing, I cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise; his conduct on this, as on many former o...
The Military General Service Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Mullen, K.H., 1st Foot, who served with the 1st Battalion in the West Indies and with the 3rd Battalion in the Peninsula; in the bloody and unsuccessful first assault of St Sebastian on 25 July 1813, command of the 3rd Battalion devolved on him, all his seniors having been killed or severely wounded Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Guadaloupe, Vittoria (Robt. Mullen, Lieut. 1st Foot) with silver ribbon brooch and contained in contemporary fitted case, toned, extremely fine £2,400-£2,800 --- 7 clasps for Guadaloupe to the 1st Foot, this being the only officer recipient and probably unique to the British army in combination with a Peninsula clasp. Robert Mullen was enlisted into the 1st Regiment of Foot, then stationed in Ireland, on 24 April 1786, aged not quite 13 having been born in Dublin in May 1773. Appointed Drummer on 1 April 1788, and Private on 19 January 1790, the regiment was stationed at Spanish Town in March 1790 and subsequently at Fort Augusta and Up-Park, Jamaica, and later at Port-au-Prince. Appointed Drummer once more in February 1792, he reverted to Private in June 1792 and was promoted to Corporal in December 1793, and to Sergeant in August 1795. By April 1798 the regiment was stationed at Stirling Castle, having last been mustered at Port-au-Prince in January 1797, and in January 1799 was stationed in Ireland. On 24 July 1800, Mullen was appointed Sergeant-Major and, on 2 August 1801, he was appointed Adjutant without purchase. On 25 June 1802 he was commissioned Ensign and Adjutant, again without purchase. Although Mullen left no written record of his service in the ranks, it is possible to assume that he did see active service in the West Indies, particularly in the operations against the French on the Island of St Domingo in 1794 and the capture of Port-au-Prince. Fortunately his commissioned service is more fully documented, particularly in his statement of service, written in 1829 which states: ‘Was present at the capture of St Martin and St Thomas in 1801, and of Demerera, Esquibo and Berbice in September 1803; attack and capture of Guadaloupe in Feby. 1810, on which occasion although a Captain and holding the Staff Appointment of Town Major of St Ann’s Barbados, and command of the detachments of the Army in that country he volunteered to proceed as a Subaltern with a company of the 1st Battalion, which formed a part of the 1st Light Infantry Battn upon that expedition, and resigned his Staff appointment for that purpose. Present at the affair of the Pass of Osma in Spain on the 18th, and at the Battle of Vittoria 21st June 1813; Siege of St Sebastian, and in the assault 25th July 1813, when the command of the 3rd Battalion devolved on him, all his seniors having been killed or severely wounded. The loss sustained by the 3rd Battalion in this assault was 16 officers out of 21, and upwards of 300 non-commissioned officers and privates killed and wounded.’ Relieved, on 24 August 1813, of his active role in the 3rd Battalion, Mullen took up duties on the Staff but continued with the 3rd Battalion until redeployed back to the 1st Battalion on 26 September 1814, in Canada. His duties seem to have been in Corps Headquarters in Quebec as a Staff Officer until he was recalled to England in July 1815, after which he served with the Army of Occupation in the Netherlands and France until January 1817. In February 1820 he returned to the West Indies where he served until the Battalion embarked for the U.K. in December 1835. He had been promoted to Major in the 1st Foot on 8 August 1833, and in 1835 was appointed a Knight of Hanover by King William IV. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, without purchase, on 16 June 1843. Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Mullen, K.H., died on 7 July 1851, at the residence of his son, Captain Mullen, the Governor of the Glasgow prisons. Sold with Lieutenant-Colonel Mullen’s own leather-bound copy of Cannon’s Regimental History of the First Foot, 1837, with inscription ‘from a sincere friend, Dublin July 1839’, and with page annotations in his own hand, together with his hand-written statement of service and two letters from the Hanoverian Legation in London, one dated 7th January 1852, concerning the return of the ‘Badge of a Guelphic Knight, formerly worn by your late lamented father Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Mullen’, the second dated 10th March 1852, acknowledging receipt of the Badge. For the medals awarded to Lieutenant E. C. Mullen, see Lot 84.
Waterloo 1815 (William Dann, 3rd Batt. 14th Reg. Foot.) fitted with replacement steel clip and ring suspension, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine £1,400-£1,800 --- William Dann served as a Private in Captain William Turner’s Company of the 3rd Battalion, 14th Foot at Waterloo. He was admitted to an Out-Pension at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 4 August 1824, suffering from paralysis, and was resident at Cranbrook, near Canterbury. His service totalled 13 years 6 months, including 5 years 8 months in the East Indies.
China 1842 (Edward Hewitt, H.M.S. Herald.) original suspension, light contact marks, nearly very fine £500-£700 --- Edward Hewitt was born at the Cape of Good Hope on 10 March 1820, or 1822, depending on differing dates given in service documents. He entered the Navy in Victory on 24 August 1836, as a Boy 3rd Class aged 14 (or 16) and advanced to Boy 2nd Class on 1 February 1838. He joined Herald as a Boy 2nd Class on 3 June 1838, giving his age as 17 which makes the 1820 date of birth seem the more likely. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 2 November 1842, and took part in the First China War before being discharged to Inconstant on 26 May 1843 (Medal). He served in Warspite from December 1845 to April 1846 and then, as Able Seaman, in Brilliant from 9-13 May 1846 when he deserted (“Run”), not being recovered until 27 November 1846, when he joined Resistance in which ship he advanced to Captain of the Mizzen Top on 28 May 1848, and remained there until 14 September 1848. Joining Serpent as Captain of the Fore Top on 4 October 1849, he remained in her until 22 July 1853, taking part in the campaign in Burma (Medal with clasp for Pegu). After qualifying as a Gunner’s Mate at Excellent, he went to Royal Albert from January 1854 until August 1858, first as Gunner’s Mate and then as Able Seaman until 20 September 1857. Whilst in her he took part in the Crimean campaign of 1854-56 (Medal with clasps for Sebastopol and Azoff, and Turkish Medal). After a further few months at Excellent he joined Cadmus as Gunner’s Mate from May 1859 to April 1861, and then joined Styx for 6 weeks before returning to Excellent from May 1861 to March 1862, still as Gunner’s Mate. His last ship was Tribune from March 1862 to November 1863, first as Gunner’s Mate and then as Quartermaster. He had, by then, served for 22 years 303 days and had three good conduct badges. Although his desertion was expunged (”Run Removed”) by Admiralty Order on 8 February 1864, it was likely for this reason that he did not receive a L.S. & G.C. medal. Herald was a 28-gun 6th Rate, launched at Cochin in November 1822 and originally named Termagent. She was renamed Herald on 15 May 1824, and, from 1845 was used for surveying until 1860 as well as for the Franklin search expeditions of 1848-51.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private S. E. Venn, Grenadier Guards, who was wounded by gun shot in October 1914 Military Medal, G.V.R. (15813 Pte. S. E. Venn. 4/G. Gds:); 1914 Star (15813 Pte. S. E. Venn. 1/G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (15813 Pte. S. E. Venn. G. Gds.) light contact marks, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918. The Battalion War Dairy states: ‘For gallantry in connection with the operations on 12 October 1917.’ Sidney Edward Venn was born in Algshirk, Boston, Lincolnshire, in 1892 and attested for the Grenadier Guards at Hertford on 10 April 1912. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 October 1914, and was wounded by gun shot to the left shoulder on 29 October 1914. For his services during the Great War he was awarded the Military Medal, and was discharged on 9 April 1924, after 12 years’ service. Sold with copied research.
South Africa 1834-53 (R. Lamb. A.B.) very light contact marks, otherwise good very fine £300-£400 --- Richard Lamb is confirmed as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Styx during the Third Kaffir War. It is believed that he also received medals for Syria as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Pique, and for subsequent service aboard Styx at Pegu.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private W. J. Dewey, Royal Fusiliers, later Labour Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (41338 Pte. W. J. Dewey. 2/R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (41338. Pte. W. J. Dewey. R. Fus.) minor edge bruising and light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 April 1917. Walter James Dewey attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Horsham, Sussex, on 30 November 1915 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 September 1916. Awarded the Military Medal, he subsequently transferred to the 48th Labour Company, Labour Corps, on 12 October 1918, and was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 30 March 1919. Sold with copied record of service and Medal Index Cards.
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, The Nile 1884-85 (A. Down. A.B. H.M.S. “Penelope.”) light pitting, very fine £180-£220 --- Arthur Down was born in Newington, Surrey, on 2 September 1860 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 22 February 1876. Advanced Able Seaman on 1 May 1881, he was posted to H.M.S. Penelope on 27 January 1882, and served in her during the Egyptian campaign of that year. He transferred to H.M.S. Philomel on 3 April 1884, and saw further service in that vessel during the Nile Expedition 1884-85. Advanced Petty Officer First Class on 2 September 1891, he was shore pensioned on 1 October 1898. Recalled for War service on 2 August 1914, Down served throughout the Great War in H.M.S. Excellent, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1914. He was shore demobilised on 23 August 1919. Sold with copied research.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal S. Whittingham, Worcestershire Regiment, late Royal Army Medical Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (238025. Cpl. S. Whittingham. 4/Worc: R.); 1914-15 Star (1599 Pte. S. Whittingham. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (1599 Cpl. S. Whittingham. R.A.M.C.) the BWM named ‘upside down’; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (258025 Cpl. S. Whittingham. M.M. 4-Worc. R.) the last a somewhat later issue, light pitting and contact marks to MM, generally very fine (5) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. Sydney Whittingham attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915. He subsequently transferred to the Worcestershire Regiment, and was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 4th Battalion (although his number is part of the block that was allocated to the 7th Battalion). His Territorial Efficiency Medal was retrospectively awarded per Army Order of May 1942. Sold with copied research.
1914 Star (3-977 Pte G. Baxter. Yorks: L.I.); together with a renamed Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Trpr. A. H. Dickerson. 37th. Coy. Imp. Yeo.) very fine (2) £60-£80 --- George Baxter attested for the Yorkshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 November 1914. He saw later service with the Manchester Regiment and the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment. Sold with copy extracts from Medal Rolls and Medal Index Card.
1914 Star (10246 Bndsmn D. Metcalfe. 2/Durh: L.I.) very fine £70-£90 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. Duncan Metcalfe served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in the French theatre of war from 8 September 1914 (entitled Silver War Badge). After the war he resided at 2 Boundary Street West, Manchester.
1914 Star (2) (No. 4483 Sepoy Nadar Khan, 127/Baluchis; No. 4165 Sepoy Muhammed Khan, 1/129/Baluchis.) nearly very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Nadar Khan, a native of Chak Naurang, Chakwal, Jhelum, Punjab, attested for the 127th Queen Mary’s Own Baluch Light Infantry, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front. Sometime attached to the 129th Duke of Connaught’s Own Baluchis, he was killed in action/ died of wounds on 30 October 1914, on which date the Battalion was in action at Hollebeke, and suffered 4 officers ands 17 other ranks killed; 3 officers and 92 other ranks missing; and 1 officer and 62 other ranks missing. Nadar Khan is commemorated on the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial, France. Sold with copied Battalion War Diary extract.
1914-15 Star (Capt: A. H. Mitford. York: & Lanc: R.) good very fine £70-£90 --- Archibald Henry Mitford was born in St. Helier, Jersey, on 9 November 1865 and was commissioned into the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Highland Light Infantry on 24 May 1884. After the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned as a Temporary Lieutenant into the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment on 30 September 1914 and appointed Captain one month later. He transferred to the General List for duty as an Interpreter on 17 May 1916, seeing service with the Military Intelligence Department, and later served as the editor of the Russo-British Chamber of Commerce Journal. He relinquished his commission on 4 February 1920, retaining the rank of Captain. He died at Poole, Dorset in September 1946. Sold with copied research.
British War Medal 1914-20 (7) (G-5227 Pte. J. Gurnett. The Queen’s R.; 780878 Pte. S. L. Daniels. R. Fus.; 61772 Pte. J. W. Young. W. York. R.; 242098 Pte. J. Butler. Glouc. R.; 45391 Pte. A. G. Williams. Hamps. R.; 11214 Pte. B. W. Wood. K.R. Rif. C.; 26372 Pte. G. H. Johnson. Wilts. R.) retaining rod missing on Williams’ medal; Victory Medal 1914-19 (664 Sjt. H. Gilbert. Devon. R.) edge bruising and contact marks, generally nearly very fine (8) £80-£100 --- James Gurnett attested for the Royal West Surrey Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 October 1915. He was discharged as no longer fit for physical service on 10 June 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge No. B239607. Stanley L. Daniels attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with them during the Great War, before later serving with both the Royal Fusiliers and the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Harry Gilbert, a native of Pyworthy, Devon, was a pre-war member of the Territorial Force. He saw service during the Great War with the 1/6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in the Mesopotamian theatre, and was killed in action on 8 March 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. Bertie W. Wood attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 August 1914. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 6 December 1919.
British War Medal 1914-20 (8) (18760 Pte. P. A. Veal. Som. L.I.; 34881 Pte. H. Wood. Som. L.I.; 29355 Pte. L. Pink. D.C.L.I.; 36221 Pte. W. Robinson. S. Lanc. R.; 205299 Pte. W. Fawley. K.O.Y.L.I.; 39074 Pte. F. F. Kerns. Yorks. L.I.; 23650 Pte. M. Rainforth. Yorks. L.I.; 251170 Pte. A. Rogers. Durh. L.I.) minor edge bruising, generally very fine (8) £80-£100 --- Hartley Wood attested for the Somerset Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 24 February 1919. Miles Rainforth attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 May 1915. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 25 March 1919.
The Victory Medal awarded to Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class H. S. Burton, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when H.M.S Defence exploded after being hit by two salvoes from SMS Derfflinger and several other German battleships, and sank with the loss of all hands Victory Medal 1914-19 (M.11415 H. S. Burton. E.R.A. 4. R.N.) edge nicks, good very fine £80-£100 --- Hugh Stanley Burton was born in Islington London, on 1 February 1888 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 12 January 1915. Posted to H.M.S. Defence on 9 February 1915, he was confirmed in his rate on 23 February 1916, and served in the Defence, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Robert Arbuthnot, at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May - 1 June 1916. At Jutland the armoured cruisers H.M.S. Defence and Warrior were closing with the disabled German light cruiser Wiesbaden, when they came under concentrated fire from the battlecruiser Derfflinger and four battleships at less than 8,000 yards. The Defence was hit by two salvoes which caused the detonation of a magazine and surrounding ammunition, and she exploded, with the loss of all hands. He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Victory Medal 1914-19 (16727 Pte. A. Wiltshire. Glouc. R.; 30365 Pte F. L. Freeman. Essex. R.; 2875 Pte. F. Underwood. York. & Lanc. R.; 4-10000 Pte. T. R. Robinson. Durh. L.I.; S-13863 Pte. W. F. Johnston. Gordons.; 203081 Sjt. A. Cadman. 1-Lond. R.; 24468 Pte. J. Cowan. 15-Can. Inf.) generally very fine or better (7) £80-£100 --- Arthur Wiltshire served during the Great War with the Gloucestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 21 November 1915. Private Wiltshire was killed in action on the Western Front, 21 March 1918, and is buried in the Villers-Bretonneux Military Cemetery, France. Fred Underwood was born in Greasborough, Rotherham. He served during the Great War with the 1/5th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment on the Western Front. Private Underwood died of wounds on the Western Front, 20 June 1916, and is buried in the Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Thomas Richard Robinson was born in Hartlepool. He served during the Great War with the 14th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in the French theatre of war from 12 November 1915. Private Robinson died of wounds on the Western Front, 6 June 1916, and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. William Finlay Johnston was the son of Mr and Mrs A. Johnston of 43 Aylesbury Road, Portsmouth. He served during the Great War with the 8/10th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders on the Western Front. Private Johnston was killed in action on the Western Front, 1 August 1917, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Alfred William Cadman was born in Islington, London. He served during the Great War with the 1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). Sergeant Cadman was attached to the 1/3rd Battalion when he was killed in action on the Western Front, 14 May 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., Territorial, reverse officially dated 1955, complete with integral top suspension brooch, in Royal Mint case of issue; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with two additional silver service bars (12609. Supt. H. Newby. Blackburn B. Div. No. 4 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1934.) the second with light contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine (2) £60-£80
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. attributed to Captain W. D. Bryan, 18th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (4th Glasgow) Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse expertly engraved with the form of the Regimental Cap Badge and ‘Awarded Captain Wm. D. Bryan, 18th Highland Light Infantry Guillemont Somme 19/8/16.’, nearly extremely fine £500-£700 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 September 1917, citation published London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company in an attack most brilliantly, took all his objectives with the greatest rapidity, and showed an exceptionally quick grasp of the situation whilst consolidating. He shot two of the enemy himself with his revolver, and during the whole operation went about his duties with complete disregard of danger, greatly encouraging and inspiring his men. The success of the operation was due to his untiring energy and able leadership.’ William Devereux Bryan resided in Mount Florida, Glasgow. He was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant in the 18th (Service) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (4th Glasgow) in April 1915. Bryan served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 31 January 1916, and advanced to Temporary Captain in May 1917.
The mounted group of five miniature dress medals worn by Lieutenant-Colonel George, Lord Bingham, Coldstream Guards, Aide-de-Camp to his father, Field Marshal George Charles Bingham, G.C.B., 3rd Earl of Lucan, in command of the Light and Heavy Cavalry Brigades at Balaklava Coronation 1902, silver; Crimea 1854-55, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol; Legion of Honour, silver, gold and enamels; Order of the Medjidie, silver, gold and enamels; Turkish Crimea, British issue, mounted as worn, nearly very fine (5) £500-£700 --- George Bingham, 4th Earl of Lucan, was born on 8 May 1830, the son of Lord Bingham, later 3rd Earl of Lucan. He was educated at Rugby and joined the Coldstream Guards in December 1848. He served in the Crimean campaign of 1854 as Aide-de-Camp to his father, Lord Lucan, commanding the Cavalry Division. He was made brevet Major in July 1855, and promoted Captain and Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1860, but retired the following year. He was M.P. for Mayo, 1865-74; Vice-Admiral for Connaught, 1889; H.M.’s Lieutenant and Custos Rotulorum, 1901, and bore the Sceptre and Dove at the Coronation of Edward VII. He succeeded his father in 1888 to become the 4th Earl of Lucan. For the recipient’s full sized awards, which additionally include the Coronation Medal for 1911, see Lot 88.
A Great War 1915 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private A. Collard, 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10167 Pte A. Collard. 2/E. Lanc: Regt); 1914 Star, with clasp (10167 Pte A. Collard. 2/E. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10167 Pte. A. Collard. E. Lan.R.) light contact marks overall, therefore nearly very fine or better (4) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916, citation published London Gazette 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when bringing in the wounded.’ Albert Collard served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 6 November 1914 (entitled to Silver War Badge).
A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major C. Miller, 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, late Coldstream Guards Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20624 C.S. Mjr: C. Miller. 12/Durh: L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (9953 Pte C. Miller, Cldstm: Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9953 Pte C. Miller. Coldstream Guards.); 1914-15 Star (20624 Sjt. C. Miller, Durh. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (20624 A.W.O. Cl. 1. C. Miller. Durh. L.I.) with photographic image of recipient, contact marks overall, nearly very fine (5) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When several men were buried in a dug-out by an enemy barrage he went along the top of the trench and dug them out single-handed. His prompt action undoubtedly saved their lives.’ Charles Miller was a native of Spennymoor, County Durham, and was a horse-slaughterer by trade. He served with the Coldstream Guards during the Second Boer War, and with the 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War in the French theatre of war from 25 August 1915. The Battalion moved to Italy from November 1917, and took up positions at Montello along the River Piave, 4 December 1917. Miller subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps.
A fine Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private L. Schofield, Rifle Brigade, who was decorated for his gallantry in the ‘liquid fire attack’ at Hooge in July 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (B-3164 Pte L. Schofield. 5/Rif: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (B-3164 Pte L. Schofield. Rif: Brig:); British War and Victory Medals (B-3164 Pte. L. Schofield. Rif. Brig.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1915, with bronze palme, mounted on card for display, edge bruise to BWM, otherwise generally good very fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. During a pause in a counter-attack, he went down the line and helped three wounded men, returning at once to his place. He did this again during another pause and finally when the attack was concluded, he crept out and brought in two wounded officers, regardless of any personal danger.’ France, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 February 1916. Leonard Schofield was born in Manchester in August 1891 and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in September 1914, and was attached to the 8th Battalion at the time of winning his D.C.M. for the ‘liquid fire attack’ at Hooge on 30 July 1915, an action that resulted in battalion casualties of nearly 500 men killed, wounded or missing - and the award of the V.C. to 2nd Lieutenant Sydney Woodroffe. An account of the action appears in The War Record of the 8th (Service) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, from which the following extracts have been taken: ‘About 3.15 a.m. the Germans attacked. It had already been reported that they were very active in the front and the whole front line was standing to as usual at that hour. Part of the front line trenches were subjected to an intense bombardment which lasted only about two or three minutes, then suddenly sheets of flame broke out along the front and clouds of thick black smoke. The Germans had turned on liquid fire, apparently from hoses which had been established just in front during the night. Under cover of the flames swarms of bombers appeared on the parapet and in the rear of the lines. The mass of them had broken through and were moving right and left. The fighting became very confused and the machine guns were soon all out of action... Nearly all the platoons were overwhelmed and the Germans established themselves along the whole of our front, and were at once strongly reinforced by machine-guns and rifles. They then attempted to bomb down the two communication trenches, “Old Bond Street” and “The Strand”, but were blocked about half way up and held throughout the day. From the beginning of the action Zouave Wood had been subject to a violent artillery bombardment and all communications were difficult and all telephone wires cut. Reinforcements meanwhile arrived about 9 a.m. from the Brigade in the shape of one company of the K.R.R.C. The remains of the Battalion held the northern edge of Zouave Wood... At 2.45 p.m. exactly the counter-attack started: ‘D’ Company on the right advanced as if on parade. The enemy’s machine-guns and rifles had not been silenced in any way by the bombardment. The whole ground was absolutely swept by bullets. The attack was brought to a complete standstill about half way to its objective and no reinforcements could reach it. The same thing happened on the left, up “old Bond Street”. The second counter-attack failed. The remnants of the Battalion held on to the communication trenches until dark, and the front line of Zouave Wood was gradually taken over, first by the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and then by the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. At 2 a.m. on the 31st, the Battalion was taken out of action having suffered the following casualties: Six officers killed, three missing (almost certainly killed), and ten wounded (19 out of 24). Other ranks: 80 killed, 262 wounded and 132 missing (479 out of 758). Five cases of shell shock. Four machine-guns out of five were lost or disabled by enemy fire. The men fought without water or rations throughout the day.’ Schofield was discharged at Winchester as a result of wounds in September 1917, but was appointed a Flight Cadet in the Royal Air Force in May 1918, from which service he was discharged for a final time in May 1919.
A 3rd Royal Jersey Light Infantry Militia Officer’s Waist Belt Clasp 1855-1902. A fine quality and rare example of standard 1855 pattern, in the centre a crowned strung bugle horn enclosing ‘3’, on the circle ‘Royal Jersey Light Infantry’, matching bench marks ‘6’, slight verdigris to the centre and outer circle otherwise very good condition £140-£180
Birmingham Loyal Association (Infantry) Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate 1798-1801. A very scarce copper gilt oval example, the plate simply engraved with the crown over decorated script capitals, ‘BLA’, one hook and two stud fasteners, very little gilt remains otherwise good condition £500-£700 --- Note: Examples exist in the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery Collection along with one of the Birmingham Light Horse Volunteers, a contemporary unit.
Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Officers Helmet Plate 1881-1912. The standard gilt crowned back plate with laurel and garter wreath, to the centre gilt bugle with red enamel tabs and a silver turreted archway, below a title scroll ‘The Duke of Cornwall’s Lt. Infy.’, minor enamel damage and gilt dulled, otherwise good condition £140-£180
A Selection of Military Cap Badges. Including those for the Leicestershire Yeomanry, Royal Artillery, Royal Fusiliers, Suffolk Regiment, East Yorkshire Regiment, Cheshire Regiment, East Surrey Regiment, Royal Highlanders, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Rifle Brigade, Army Cyclist Corps, Machine Gun Corps, Royal Army Medical Corps &c., some fixings missing, generally good condition (lot) £100-£140
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