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Lot 59
A PAIR OF FRENCH ORMOLU THREE-LIGHT CANDELABRA IN LOUIS XV STYLE 19TH CENTURY each modelled with a cherub, supporting a branch issuing three flowerhead nozzles, with detachable drip-pans, on a Rococo scroll base, the undersides with incised initials 'EB' 39cm high, 18cm wide Provenance Redlynch House, Salisbury, Wiltshire.
Lot 326
Four: Private F. R. Koch, Ceylon Light Infantry Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Ceylon (11010 Pte. F. R. Koch C.L.I.); Ceylon, Dominion, Armed Forces Inauguration Medal 1954, unnamed as issued, edge bruising to last, otherwise good very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Frederick R. Koch served with the Ceylon Light Infantry during the Second World War, during which the C.L.I. was deployed to the Seychelles and Cocos Islands; escorted Italian Prisoners of War from the Middle East to Ceylon; and later escorted Japanese Prisoners of War from Ceylon to India. Koch continued to serve after the Second World War, and was awarded the Efficiency Medal in 1950 (Ceylon Government Gazette 8 December 1950), and the Ceylon Armed Forces Inauguration Medal in 1954. Sold with copied research.
Lot 331
Pair: Shipwright Artificer H. Smith, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (D/MX.66530. H. Smith. Shpt. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (MX66530. H. Smith. Shpt. Art. 1. H.M.S. Ark Royal) ship partially officially corrected on last, light contact marks, good very fine (2) £80-£100
Lot 353
Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Egypt (P. O’Brian, 26th Lt. Dragns.) fitted with twin-pronged silver ribbon buckle, nearly extremely fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Patrick O’Brian is confirmed on the roll of the 23rd Light Dragoons (formerly 26th Manners’ Light Dragoons, until 1803). Only 34 clasps for Egypt to the regiment.
Lot 380
An outstanding original ‘Defence of Lucknow’ medal awarded to Major Sir John Henry Townsend-Farquhar, 5th Baronet of Mauritius, 7th Bengal Light Cavalry, who was severely wounded by a musket ball to his jaw while serving with the Volunteer Cavalry at Chinhut. In letters home he relates that upon examination by surgeons no trace of the ball could be found and it was feared it had entered his head; it was only after the ball passed ‘per anum’ that he remarked that he must have had a very good digestion Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (Lt. J. H. T. Farquhar, 7th Bengal Lt. Cavy.) small marks overall, dark toned and a little polished, otherwise nearly very fine £3,000-£4,000 --- John Henry Townsend-Farquhar was born on 2 August 1839, at Goldings, Bengeo, Herts, the son of Sir Walter Minto, 2nd Baronet of Mauritius and his wife Erica Catherine née Mackay. Sir Robert Farquhar, the first Commander and Governor of Mauritius, was granted the dignity of Baronet on 27 July 1821, after an illustrious career in the East India Company, being Lieutenant-Governor of Prince of Wales Island (Penang). He took the additional name of Townsend to place before Farquhar on 19 July 1824. The Baronetcy fell into disuse after the death of the 6th Baronet Sir Robert Townsend-Farquhar in 1924. Services in the Field: Was present at the Battle of Chinhut, 10 June 57, severely wounded, and was present throughout the siege of Lucknow 1857 (Medal and Clasp). Nature of Employment during service: Nominated by Martin Tucker Smith, M.P. 8 October 1856; Educated: Mr Howard, St. John's Wood in Mathematics and the Classics and Westminster College; Commissioned Cornet 4 November 1856; overland route to India arriving 17 December 1856; appointed to do duty 2nd Light Cavalry, 12 January 1857; posted to 7th Light Cavalry at Lucknow, 23 January 1857, and promoted Lieutenant on the same date; promoted Captain, 1 January 1862; passed Hindustani, 24 October 1862; appointed to officiate as duty officer Stud Department, 24 October 1862; duty officer Stud Department, 30 November 1863; to officiate as sub-assistant Stud Department, 10 February 1869; Furlough 6 May 1869; appointed to officiate as 2nd class assistant Stud Department, 4 July 1869; sub-assistant Stud Department, 2 December 1870; to officiate as 2nd class assistant Stud Department, 2 December 1870; succeeded to Baronetcy, 10 June 1872; Brevet Major, January 1874 on half pay. Two months after the debacle of Chinhut, Farquhar had recovered sufficienly to write several letters home to his parents totalling 39 pages. Dated between 1st September and 10th December 1857, these letters were privately published exclusively for friends and family under the title, Private Copy of Letters received Thursday 28th of January from Lieutenant John Farquhar 7th B. L. Cavalry. The letters open with his personal ordeals at Chinhut and recovery and is paraphrased with with additions from L. E. Ruutz Rees' “Siege of Lucknow” and Dr. Greenhow “Notes: Medical and Surgical taken during the late Siege of Lucknow”. ‘We marched to Chinhut 30th June '57 some 500 in number. In the distance we could see about 3,000 of the enemy. A howitzer was brought up and began firing immediately. They returned fire with great accuracy with their nine pounders. We brave volunteers had to ride about and do our best to keep out of range of the enemy's shot. Captain McLean of the 71st N.I. who was riding two from me had his horse's leg shot off immediately and was later killed by round shot. Directly afterwards the horse of Lieut. Sewell, who was in front of me, was shot dead. At this time I received a wound through my jaw. I was giddy for several minutes but managed to stick on my horse and went to find our commanding officer, Captain Radcliffe, who ordered me to go find the doctor, which I did; but found that the doolie bearers had fled the battle and taken the surgeons instruments. By this time we were getting a regular good licking and soon a retreat commenced. Fearing that my horse may be shot I luckily had the strength left to reach the Residency. Our Native Artillery behaved most shamefully, playing regularly into the hands of the enemy. When I got to the European Hospital I found Dr. Boyd of the 32nd and Dr. Feyrer ready to attend on me. They put me through a great deal of pain in probing the wound and removing pieces of the fractured jaw; but they could not make out what had become of the ball, and I was none the wiser. The doctors believed at first that it was all up for me, thinking that the bullet had lodged in my head. Ten days afterwards, however, I discovered that I had swallowed and digested it; my digestion must have been good at the time! The ball must have been spent as on going through my jaw must have taken the direction of my throat and I must have swallowed it together with all the blood in my mouth. Dr. Greenhow noted “Bullet-wound of mouth breaking jaw, ball swallowed and after three weeks passed per anum.” My wound at first was very painful, living on arrow-root as I was so weak. I was getting along swimmingly when I was taken by a fever which made me so weak I could hardly walk a yard... There have been several attacks been made since the siege began and if I feel strong enough I take a musket and pop at the insurgents through the loop holes cut in the Brigade Square. I could never make out if I hit anybody, however I think I must have polished off two or three of them. His subsequent letters deal with the insurrections within the various Lucknow cantonments at the commencement of the mutiny with descriptions of the deaths of many of his fellow officers and the gradual disaffection of his men. His anger at the loss of his cantonment house and personal belongings is only mollified by the honesty of his personal servant. Of Captain Radcliffe, who was killed at the Baillie Guard, he evinces that he was one of the finest fellows he had ever known. The killing of the officers of the 48th N.I. from which only two survived is covered in detail. He describes his daily life and his wishes that all at home keep well. He thanks Providence that he remains safe hoping that God willing they will all meet again. Perhaps his most poignant words are in relation to the strength of the 7th Bengal Light Cavalry at the Relief of Lucknow in November 1857. Out of a force of 17 officers and senior N.C.O's 12 had been killed and 2 severely wounded, Farquhar and Boileau: ‘I now command the 7th B. L. Cavalry, composed as it now is, of 7 Troopers, 4 Horses, 3 Syces, a Grasscutter, a Native Doctor, and a Dresser. Brevet Major J. H. Townsend-Farquhar took up the Baronetcy on return to England and died at Blackland's House, Chelsea, a private lunatic asylum, on 14 August 1877. Sold with copied research including his privately printed letters and extracts from other publications.
Lot 411
India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (3857 Lce. Sergt. E. Budd. 1st. Bn. Hampshire Regt.) officially re-engraved naming, edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £70-£90 --- Edward Budd was born at Portsea, Hampshire, in 1862 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Portsmouth on 5 March 1881, having previously served in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. He served in India from 11 December 1891 to 13 January 1903, and transferred to the Hampshire Regiment on 1 June 1892. Promoted Corporal on 3 February 1896, he served during the operations on the Punjab Frontier in 1897-98, and was appointed Lance-Sergeant on 22 January 1898. Promoted Sergeant on 15 October 1900, he was discharged on 4 March 1909, after 21 years’ service. Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extract, that lists the recipient attached to the Commissariat and Transport Department (which no doubt explains why his medal has been officially renamed).
Lot 418
The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private A. Mitton, 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at Caesar’s Camp (Wagon Hill), Ladysmith, 6 January 1900, in which action the regiment won two V.C.’s Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (5060 Pte. A. Mitton, Manchester Regt.) polished, otherwise very fine £400-£500 --- A. Mitton, 1st Manchester Regiment was a member of “A” Company and was killed in action at Wagon Hill, 6 January 1900, when the regiment was heavily engaged. Under Colonel Curran, Caesar’s Camp was manned by the Manchesters and the 42nd Battery R.F.A., Naval and Natal Brigade Volunteers. The Boers occupied part of the area and there was bitter fighting for most of the day. Only after some 15 hours of combat were the Boers driven from the hill. The fighting took its toll of the Manchesters with casualties amounting to 33 killed and 41 wounded. For this action, Privates R. Scott and J. Pitts, both of “D” Company, were awarded the V.C. for ‘holding out in their sangar for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time keeping a sharp look-out, although the enemy occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear.’ (Elandslaagte, by David J. Biggins refers). The battle is known in English as Wagon Hill but the larger area of the battle was on the neighbouring plateau of Caesar's Camp where the Manchesters had their camp and fought on 6 January 1900. “A” and “D” companies were principally involved. The men in “D” Company qualified for the clasp Elandslaagte, having fought in that battle a few months earlier, whilst “A” Company was not at Elandslaagte. “D” Company was holding the crest from a series of sangars and at about 3 am “A” Company was pushing up to relieve them when the Boers stormed over the crest. The men in the sangars fought a desperate battle to keep the Boers out, while those of “A” Company also came under heavy fire from the attacking Boers on the crest. Privates Pitts and Scott of”D” Company were awarded the Victoria Cross. They were the only survivors of the defenders of one of the sangars. Victoria Crosses were also awarded for this action to Lieutenant R. Digby Jones, Royal Engineers (posthumous), Lieutenant J. Masterson, Devon Regiment, and Trooper H. Albrecht, Imperial Light Horse (posthumous).
Lot 426
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Captn. R. H. W. Tulloh, A.P.D.) engraved naming, small area of erasure between rank and initials, good very fine £180-£220 --- Henry William Tulloh was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Yorkshire Light Infantry on 18 January 1888, and served with the 1st Battalion. He was promoted Lieutenant on 20 November 1889 and Captain on 10 March 1894, and subsequently served as the regiment’s Paymaster. He transferred to the Army Pay Department on 12 March 1901, and served with this new unit in South Africa during the Boer War the following year. His brother, Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Tulloh, Gloucestershire Regiment, as killed in action at Sanctuary Wood during the Great War on 9 May 1915.
Lot 428
The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Corporal G. Leech, 1st Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at Caesar’s Camp (Wagon Hill), Ladysmith, 6 January 1900, in which action the regiment won two V.C.’s Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4292 Cpl. G. Leech, Manchester Regt.) extremely fine £500-£700 --- G. Leech, 1st Manchester Regiment was a member of “D” Company and was killed in action at Wagon Hill, 6 January 1900, when the regiment was heavily engaged. Under Colonel Curran, Caesar’s Camp was manned by the Manchesters and the 42nd Battery R.F.A., Naval and Natal Brigade Volunteers. The Boers occupied part of the area and there was bitter fighting for most of the day. Only after some 15 hours of combat were the Boers driven from the hill. The fighting took its toll of the Manchesters with casualties amounting to 33 killed and 41 wounded. For this action, Privates R. Scott and J. Pitts, both of “D” Company, were awarded the V.C. for “holding out in their sangar for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time keeping a sharp look-out, although the enemy occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear.”’ (Elandslaagte, by David J. Biggins refers) The battle is known in English as Wagon Hill but the larger area of the battle was on the neighbouring plateau of Caesar's Camp where the Manchesters had their camp and fought on 6 January 1900. “A” and “D” companies were principally involved. The men in “D” Company qualified for the clasp Elandslaagte, having fought in that battle a few months earlier, whilst “A” Company was not at Elandslaagte. “D” Company was holding the crest from a series of sangars and at about 3 am “A” Company was pushing up to relieve them when the Boers stormed over the crest. The men in the sangars fought a desperate battle to keep the Boers out, while those of “A” Company also came under heavy fire from the attacking Boers on the crest. Privates Pitts and Scott of”D” Company were awarded the Victoria Cross. They were the only survivors of the defenders of one of the sangars. Victoria Crosses were also awarded for this action to Lieutenant R. Digby Jones, Royal Engineers (posthumous), Lieutenant J. Masterson, Devon Regiment, and Trooper H. Albrecht, Imperial Light Horse (posthumous).
Lot 44
‘Colonel Cameron, informed by a staff officer of the critical state of affairs, formed the 9th regiment in line under a violent fire, and, without returning a single shot, ran in upon and drove the grenadiers from the rocks with irresistible bravery, plying them with a destructive musketry as long as they could be reached, and yet with excellent discipline refraining from pursuit, lest the crest of the position should be again lost, for the mountain was so rugged that it was impossible to judge clearly of the general state of the action’ (Napier, Peninsular War, book xi. chap. 7, Battle of Busaco, 27 September 1809) ‘We sprang over the wall and moved rapidly against a strong body of the enemy posted outside of the convent, and on seeing these a very galling fire opened upon us from the adjacent buildings which I ordered to be forced. Woodham entering the largest in which he was killed after gaining the first floor at the point of the bayonet. The row was now at its height, some charging those posted at the convent, others clearing the houses of which the windows and other outlets the enemy availed themselves to escape and all uniting in full chase to the village of San Martin.’ (The recipient describes the assault and capture of the fortified convent of San Bartolomeo in front of San Sebastian - from ‘The Letters of Lt. Colonel Sir John Cameron, 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment of Foot, 1808-14’) The rare Regimental Commander’s Peninsula War group of four awarded to Lieutenant-General Sir John Cameron, K.C.B., who first saw action with the 43rd Light Infantry in the West Indies in 1794 at the captures of Martinique, St Lucia and Guadaloupe, displaying his gallantry and winning his captaincy at the storming of the Fortress of Fleur d’Epée; subsequently, as a junior captain placed in command of his sickness reduced regiment, he suffered severe wounds and was captured in the defence of Berville Camp, 4 October 1794, spending 2 years in a prison hulk off Pointe-á-Pitre, Guadaloupe. Appointed Lieutenant-Colonel in the 9th Foot in September 1807, Cameron commanded the 2nd Battalion at Vimeiro the following year, and then, assuming command of the 1st Battalion - a position he retained throughout the Peninsula War - served under Sir John Moore in 1809 at Corunna where his intrepid bravery gained the approbation of his superior in command; he returned to Portugal in March 1810 at head of his Battalion, being Mentioned in Despatches for Busaco where he ‘exerted himself with the greatest gallantry in front during the charge, when his horse was killed under him’; was wounded and fell from the breach at the final assault on San Sebastian; and in the fiercely contested Battle of Nive, finding his regiment surrounded by superior numbers, made a successful charge to the rear taking between three and four hundred prisoners - the following day, while reconnoitring, he became engaged en tirrailleurs and had his horse shot from under him once more. Appointed one of the first K.C.B.s on his return from the Peninsula Wars, in which campaign the 9th’s losses exceeded those of any other regiment, and from which his important journals and letters survived to be later published under the title, ‘The Letters of Lt. Colonel Sir John Cameron, 1st Battalion, 9th Regiment of Foot, 1808-14’, he was later appointed Colonel of the Regiment he had commanded for upwards of thirteen years The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s, a contemporary Paris-made breast star, circa 1815, 75mm, silver with appliqué centre in gold and enamels, the reverse centre inscribed ‘Mortier Bijoutier Palais Royal No. 34 A Paris’, fitted with silver pin for wearing; Army Gold Cross 1806-14, for Vimeiro, Corunna, Salamanca, and St. Sebastian, 3 clasps, Buzaco, Vittoria, Nive, the edge of the lower three arms of the cross inscribed ‘Lt. Colonel John Cameron 1st. Bn. 9th. Foot’, with usual oak and laurel suspension ring and swivel-ring gold bar suspension; Field Officer’s Small Gold Medal, the reverse centre inscribed ‘Vimiera, & Corunna. 1808-9.’, 1 clasp, Salamanca (Lieut. Coll. J. Cameron, 9th Foot.); Portugal, Kingdom, Military Order of the Tower and Sword, Knight’s breast badge, gold, 45mm, some light enamel chips to the first, very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £70,000-£90,000 --- John Cameron was born on 3 January 1773, the second son of John Cameron of Culchenna, Inverness, Scotland and nephew of Cameron of Caltort, Inverness-shire, whose ancestor was a younger son of Lochiel, chief of the clan. He was educated at Eton College and entered the 43rd Foot as an Ensign on 25 September 1787, gaining promotion to Lieutenant in September 1790. In this latter year, Cameron served in the West Indies under Sir Charles Grey and was present at the reduction of Martinique (including the siege of Fort Bourbon and other minor engagements) and at the captures of St. Lucia and Guadaloupe, particularly displaying his gallantry and winning his captaincy in the storming of the fortress of Fleur d’Epée and in the sortie from and the defence of that place. In 1794, Sir Charles Grey returned to England in the mistaken belief that his West Indian conquests were secure, leaving the 43rd Regiment, which had been so reduced by sickness that Cameron, though only a junior captain commanded it, forming part of Brig.-Gen. Graham’s garrison at Berville Camp in Guadaloupe. Cameron led his Regiment in the action of 30 September 1794 and in the different attacks made by the enemy, until 4 October when he was severely wounded and taken prisoner, remaining on a prison hulk at Pointe-à-Pitre for two years. Exchanged for release in 1797, he was immediately ordered to rejoin his regiment in the West Indies, remaining on foreign service again for over three years. He was appointed a Majority in the 43rd Foot on 28 October 1800 and brought his regiment home after it had suffered terrible losses from the West Indian climate. In 1803, whilst stationed in the Channel Islands, he married Miss Amelia Brock, eldest daughter of Henry Brock, of Belmont, Guernsey, and niece of Admiral James Saumarez, notable for his victory at the Battle of the Gut of Gibraltar, and first cousin of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock. He gained the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel by transferring to the 7th West India Regiment on 28 May 1807; from which he was removed to the 9th (East Norfolk) Foot from 5 September 1807. On his return to England, he was then ordered with the 9th Foot to the seat of war in Portugal, where in August 1808 he commanded the 2nd Battalion at the Battle of Vimiera before assuming command of the 1st Battalion following the death in action of its commander, Colonel Stewart, at the earlier Battle of Roliça. He would remain its commander throughout the Peninsula War, the Walcheren Expedition and Canada 1814 and 1815. Cameron led the 1st into Spain with Moore during the advance to Salamanca, and afterwards, at the Battle of Corunna where he displayed intrepid bravery, gaining the approbation of his superior in command. In July 1809, Cameron embarked on the expedition to the Scheldt under the Earl of Chatham, in command of the 1st Battalion of the 9th Regiment, and returned the following September to England from where he proceeded, in March 1910, to increase the force in Portugal under the command of the Duke of Wellington, at the head of the 1st Battalion of 9th Regiment (the 2nd Battalion, aside from their participation at Barossa, remained confined to Gibraltar during this period). Likely having received news of the death of his brother, Captain Ewen Cameron, 43rd Regt., at the Battle of t...
Lot 464
1914-15 Star (3265 Pte. G. Henderson. Durh. L.I.); together with the recipient’s card identity disc ‘3265 G. Henderson 7DLI CE’; British War Medal 1914-20 (3684 Pte. J. S. J. Stuart. Durh. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (4) (32924 A. Sjt. B. A. Brown. Durh. L.I.; 43784 A. Sjt. T. Meek. Durh. L.I.; 18272 Pte. J. Atkinson. Durh. L.I.; 20-835 Pte. G. L. Marshall. Durh. L.I.) light contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £70-£90
Lot 51
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. B. Bird, Royal Army Medical Corps Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914 Star, with clasp (Major. E. B. Bird. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. E. B. Bird.); Territorial Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, unnamed as issued, with integral top riband bar; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with silver star emblem on riband, mounted as worn and housed in a Spink, London, leather case; together with a set of six related miniature awards, the TD lacking top riband bar, this mounted for display, generally very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1927. Elliot Beverley Bird was born on 24 March 1881, the only son of George Bird, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and was educated at Cheltenham College and Trinity College, Dublin. Commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps, he served during the Great War with both the 26th Field Ambulance and the 3rd Wessex Field Ambulance on the Western Front from 6 November 1914, and was advanced Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. For his services during the Great War he was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, was four times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22 June 1915; 21 January 1917; 24 December 1917; and 25 May 1918), and was awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 19 June 1919). Remaining in the Territorial Force post-War, Bird was confirmed in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1925 (London Gazette 3 November 1925). In civilian life he was Hon. Radiologist at the Royal Portsmouth Hospital and the War Memorial Hospital at Gosport; and a Consultant Radiologist at Petersfield Cottage Hospital. A keen yachtsman, he was a member of the Royal Albert yacht Club, Southsea, and the Royal Portsmouth Corinthian Yacht Club, Portsmouth. He changed his name by deed poll to Steeds-Bird in 1926, and died on 16 May 1945. Sold with a file of copied research.
Lot 529
Four: Police Constable W. Funnell, Metropolitan Police, who was twice rewarded for his bravery by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. W. Funnell, H. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. W. Funnell, H. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C. W. Funnell); Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 5th type (1892-1901) bronze medal (P.C. W. Funnell, 88H, Bishopsgate 21st October 1905) nearly very fine (4) £400-£500 --- Police Constable Walter Funnell was twice rewarded for bravery by the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire: Case No. 14,966: Certificate and £2 2s, for saving the life of Victor Smith, aged three and a half years, from a fire in Lamb Street, Spitalfields, on 17 January 1904, and was injured in his attempt to save the lad. One of the accompanying cuttings states that “Funnell has already received a certificate and gold medal for his bravery at the Brick-lane Fire”, but research has so far failed to throw any light on this award. Case No. 15,046: Bronze Medal and £2 2s, for saving the life of Samuel Shatzman, aged 38 years, from a fire in Steward Street, Bishopsgate, on 21 October 1905. Walter Funnell was born at St Mary’s, Birmingham, on 28 March 1863, and joined the Metropolitan Police at Great Scotland Yard on 16 January 1888, being assigned to “P” Division. In September 1889 he was transferred to “H”, or Whitechapel Division, at the height of the ‘Jack the Ripper’ serial killings then taking place on the streets of Whitechapel. Sold with two original newspaper cuttings with a portrait of the recipient; and copied reserch.
Lot 533
Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (Insp. R. Hayter. 4th. Div.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (2), one crudely engraved ‘J. E. Beal No. 10677 B. Coy. D.L.I. Delhi 1911.’; the other unnamed as issued; together with an Edward Prince of Wales Visit to Bombay Medal 1921, bronze, the obverse featuring the bust of Edward Prince of Wales facing right, surmounted by Prince of Wales’s feathers, the reverse inscribed ‘Visit of His Royal Highness, Bombay, November 1921’, with ring suspension, generally very fine (4) £140-£180 --- 10677 Private F. [sic] Beale, 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, appears on the latest published transcript of the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal roll.
Lot 56
An inter-War ‘Irish Civil War’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Corner, Hampshire Regiment The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. A. Corner. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major E. A. Corner.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn, gilding somewhat rubbed on OBE, light contact marks, very fine (6) £300-£400 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1923. Edgar Alan Corner was born in Portsmouth on 1 March 1886 and was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment from Sandhurst in January 1905. He served with the 2nd Battalion overseas in Malta, Bermuda, South Africa, Mauritius, and India, and was promoted Lieutenant on 3 July 1906, and Captain on 26 October 1910. Corner served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 25 April 1915, and was wounded in action on 3 May 1915. Invalided home, for the next 12 months he was on Home Service with the 3rd Battalion, before proceeding to France in May 197, and commanded the 4th Division Depot Battalion and Reception Camp. He rejoined the 2nd Battalion in Cork in May 1920, and for the next two years served in Ireland during the Civil War. For his work in Ireland he was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1923 New Year’s Honours’ List. From June 1922 to June 1927 Corner served with the Military Secretary’s Branch at the War Office, before rejoining he 2nd Battalion with the rank of Major in 1927. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 February 1932, he commanded the 1st Battalion in India for the next four years, before retiring in January 1936. Sold with copied research, including photographic images of the recipient.
Lot 590
Memorial Plaque (James William Close) polished and worn, with severe edge bruising, therefore good fine Miniature Medals (32): Ghuznee 1839; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98; Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24, this loose on riband; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star (2); Pacific Star (3); Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal (2); War Medal 1939-45 (2); Australia Service Medal (2); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum; Australia, Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, 1 clasp, Malaya; Australian Service Medal 1945-75, 1 clasp (3), Japan; SW Pacific; PNG; Australian Active Service Medal 1975, no clasp; Defence Force Service Medal; India, Paschimi Star; General Service Medal 1947; L.S. & G.C. Medal, for 20 Years’ Service; 25th Anniversary of Independence Medal 1947-72; together with an unofficial International Prisoners of War Medal, generally very fine (33) £100-£140 --- James William Close attested for the Durham Light Infantry and served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 May 1915. He died on 16 September 1916, and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen.
Lot 604
A Presentation Silver Mounted Horn Beaker. A horn beaker, approximately 500ml in volume, with silver mounts, the top band inscribed ‘Presented by the N.C. Officers & Men 3rd. Bn. Somerset Lt. Infty. to Sergt. Major W. Phillips as a mark of esteem on his retirement from the Battalion, 2nd. August 1889.’, with central shield with the badge of the 3rd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, large crack to beaker, and therefore no longer serviceable as a drinking vessel, otherwise good condition £60-£80
Lot 605
The Victorian General Officer’s Warrant appointing John Lawrence, 17th Lancers, a Major-General in Command of a Brigade. Warrant appointing John Lawrence, Esquire, to the temporary rank of Major-General while in command of a Brigade, from 24 July 1856, dated St. James’s 12 August 1856, folded with some consequent minor tearing, therefore reasonable condition £200-£240 --- John Lawrenson commanded the 17th Lancers in the Crimea 1854-55, including the cavalry affair of Bulganac and at the Battle of the Alma, 20 September 1854, but missed the famous Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaklava by only two days as a result of illness. He was appointed to the Command of the Heavy Brigade in July 1855, with the rank of Brigadier-General, and commanded the Heavy Brigade at the Battle of Tchernaya. He succeeded Sir James Scarlett in December 1855 to the command of the British Cavalry in the East, and held that command until the return of the army from the Crimea the following year. Sold with two (unrelated) Bestowal Documents for the Tunisian Order of Nichan-Iftikhar (the original Arabic document, and the French translation); and copied research.
Lot 611
Renamed Medal: Waterloo 1815 (James Fox. 12th Reg, Light Dragoons.) re-engraved naming, with original steel clip and later split ring suspension, edge bruising, very fine £300-£400 --- James Fox attested for the 12th Light Dragoons, and served in Captain Samson Stanwell’s Troop during the Waterloo Campaign, 16-18 June 1815.
Lot 63
A fine and extremely well documented Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ DH4 pilot’s D.S.C. group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant C. F. Brewerton, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, who served as a Flight Commander of 2 Squadron, R.N.A.S., and flew countless reconnaissance missions over Belgium - often engaging enemy aircraft, with his aircraft being hit by machine gun and anti-aircraft fire, and two observers suffering wounds as a consequence. Brewerton went on to fly BE2b’s with 20 Squadron on the North West Frontier, with his letters home providing valuable insight into the extreme dangers of flying during that conflict. He commanded No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight, Malta, and was killed in a flying accident whilst piloting a Bison, 18 January 1927 Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London ‘1917’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. C. F. Brewerton. R.A.F.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (F/O. C. F. Brewerton. R.A.F.) with unofficial retaining rod between clasps, mounted for wear, edge bruising, very fine (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 17 April 1918 (in joint citation with H. A. Furniss, R.N.A.S.): ‘For skill and courage displayed by him in carrying out many long and valuable photographic reconnaissance's over enemy territory, particularly over Ostende, on 21 February 1918.’ Cyril Fraser Brewerton was born in Sevenoaks, Kent in 1898. He was appointed Flight Sub Lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Naval Air Service in July 1916. Brewerton carried out pilot training at R.N.A.S. Chingford, and gained his ‘Wings’ in December 1916. He was posted as a pilot to R.N.A.S. East Fortune at the end of January 1917, and subsequently to Pembroke and Dover in the following months. Brewerton was posted for operational service with 2 Squadron, R.N.A.S., on the Western Front, 1 September 1917. The Squadron was employed primarily in DH4’s on photographic reconnaissance and light bombing operations. Brewerton’s Log Book shows him as flying numerous photographic reconnaissance operations over Ostende and Nieuport throughout September 1917, including carrying out spotting for Monitors. He continued in a similar role, also covering Bruges, the following month - including 27 October 1917, ‘Photos: Attacked by 5 E.A. at long range on return.’ (Log Book refers) Four days later Brewerton was carrying out another reconnaissance over the same target, ‘Escort to photo m/c. Attacked two E.A. on return, gun jammed and just before crossing the lines was attacked by high patrol of 6 E.A. Gunlayer wounded in arm after shooting one down.’ Brewerton carried out a large number of reconnaissance missions into the New Year, including a two and half hour flight to Ostende, 21 February 1918. In a letter to his mother dated, 30 March 1918, Brewerton writes: ‘I got the D.S.C. the other day so I am quite pleased with life. I expect it will be in the papers in a day or two so look out for it...’ 2 Squadron was renumbered 202 Squadron with the formation of the Royal Air Force in April 1918. Brewerton, who had advanced to Captain, stayed on with the squadron and was flying DH4 A7632 when his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire over Ostende, 13 June 1918. His Observer, Lieutenant M. G. English, was wounded. Brewerton’s letters home hint at difficult times, including one written, 15 June 1918: ‘I have got some fairly interesting news for a change and that is that I have been given a home job for a few months at Dover for a rest. I have had some rather rotten trips just lately ending up with my observer getting a piece of shell in his head over Hunland, so the CO put in for me to go to a home job for a bit...’ Brewerton was appointed to the command of No. 491 (Light Bomber) Flight in June 1918. The latter flew DH9’s from Guston Road, Dover, and Brewerton’s Log Book states, ‘total time at Guston Road on Submarine Patrols 70 hours.’ Brewerton advanced to Flying Officer in August 1919, and was posted for operational flying with 20 Squadron (BE2b’s) in India in February 1920. In a letter to his mother, dated 24 January 1921, Brewerton offers the following insight: ‘We ‘beat up’ some tribesmen yesterday and had the satisfaction of killing two women as well as several men. The women are much worse than the men up here if you are captured, one day I will tell you some stories about them.’ To put the above into context, there were examples of women carrying out castration amongst other atrocities on those being unfortunate enough to be captured. Brewerton was subsequently appointed to the command of No. 423 (Fleet Spotter) Flight, Malta, and was killed in a flying accident, 18 January 1927. The following official statement was issued by the R.A.F. at the time: ‘The Air Ministry regrets to announce that as a result of an accident at Malta to an Avro Bison of No. 423 Flight on January 18 Flight Lieutenant Cyril Fraser Brewerton, D.S.C., Royal Air Force, the pilot of the aircraft; Edwin Chafe, Lieutenant, Royal Navy; Lieutenant Guy Owen Owens-Jones, Royal Navy and J.39729 Leading Telegraphist George William Burton, Royal Navy, were killed. The aeroplane had just taken off, and, still flying directly into the wind, approached the coast where the cliff is about 300 feet high. Here the air was unusually disturbed by a gusty wind blowing seawards at about 30 miles an hour. The machine, at a height of 50 feet was thrown out of control, the starboard lower wing struck the ground near the cliff edge, and the machine plunged into the sea. There is no indication of any defect in the aircraft or engine. Flight Commander C. F. Brewerton, who commanded the Flight, was a most skilful pilot, with many years’ experience, both during and since the war.’ Brewerton’s brother Eric, who had been awarded a D.F.C., was officer commanding of No. 440 (Fleet Reconnaissance) Flight also based on Malta, at the same time as the accident. Flight Lieutenant Brewerton is buried in Pieta Cemetery, Malta. M.I.D. unconfirmed. Sold with the following original documentation: Royal Naval Air Service Pilot’s Flying Log Book (8 September 1916 - 11 February 1919); R.N.A.S. Pilot Graduation Certificate, dated 13 December 1916; 3 Service and Conduct Certificates; Gunnery and Bomb Dropping Qualification Certificates; 6 Appointment and Posting Certificates; several photographs of recipient from service; a large number of letters, predominantly written to recipient’s mother and mostly on R.N.A.S. Station East Fortune letter headed paper, from wartime service including on the North West Frontier; with other ephemera.
Lot 65
A scarce and early Great War 1914 ‘First Battle of Ypres’ M.C. group of four awarded to Captain C. B. Wilson, 10th Hussars and Royal Flying Corps, who subsequently served as a pilot with 15 Squadron, and forced one enemy aircraft down spiralling out of control, before being wounded in aerial combat and taken prisoner of war, 19 January 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved ‘Lieut. C. B. Wilson. X. R.H. Hooge Woods. Nov. 1914’; 1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut: C. B. Wilson. 10/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. C. B. Wilson. R.A.F.) remnants of lacquer, generally very fine or better (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 18 February 1915. M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. Charles Benjamin ‘Percy’ Wilson was born in Manchester in December 1885, and was the eldest son of Colonel H. M. Wilson, O.B.E., T.D. of Barmere, Whitchurch, Shropshire. He was educated Eton, and was commissioned in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in May 1903, before gaining a regular commission in the 10th Hussars in 1905. He advanced to Lieutenant, and was posted as ADC to the Governor of Australia in 1911. Wilson transferred to the Reserve of Officers the following year. Wilson initially re-engaged for service with the Staff during the Great War, and served in the French theatre of war from August 1914. He transferred back to the 10th Hussars when they arrived on the Western Front in October of the same year. Wilson served with the regiment as part of the 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, and fought with them in a dismounted role during the First Battle of Ypres, 19 October - 22nd November 1914 (M.C.) Having volunteered for service with the Royal Flying Corps, Wilson transferred to undertake pilot training at the end of March 1915. He gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 1835) in a Maurice Farman at Shoreham, 7 September 1915. Wilson was posted as a pilot for operational service with 15 Squadron (BE2c’s) in France at the end of 1915. They were employed as a reconnaissance unit, undertaking artillery spotting and photography of enemy positions. Wilson was to have a very eventful couple of days on 17 and 19 January 1916. On the former he piloted BE2c 4107, with J. A. Lathean as his Observer, as an escort to a reconnaissance flight between Faust and Houthulst. He drove off a Fokker that attacked the reconnaissance machine, and then exchanged fire with another and chased it down from 9,000 feet. It was last seen spiralling towards the ground. Two days later he was shot down and wounded, with Second Lieutenant W. A. Brooking as his Observer. They were flying escort to another reconnaissance, when they were believed to have been shot down by Oberleutnant Michael Krug (later Generalleutnant in the Second World War). Brooking was killed, whilst Wilson was severely wounded in the pelvis and abdomen. He lost consciousness, however his aircraft miraculously managed to land safely seemingly by itself. Wilson was taken prisoner of war, and later interned in Holland. He was promoted to Captain whilst still in captivity in May 1917, and was repatriated to the UK in July 1918. Wilson left the armed forces as an Honorary Captain, and resided at Irstead Lodge, Neatishead, Norfolk. Wilson was appointed High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1942, the same year as his only son Second Lieutenant J. M. H. Wilson, 10th Hussars, was killed in action at the Battle of Sannu in North Africa. He left a Bequest to the Regiment in memory of his only son, and the Charles Benjamin Wilson Bequest still regularly donates funds to this day. Captain Wilson died at his home in Neatishead, Norfolk in August 1957. Sold with copied research, including photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Lot 66
A fine Great War ‘1917’ FE2d and DH4 Ace’s M.C. group of three awarded to Major H. R. Harker, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force - a skilled Flight Commander with 57 Squadron, who extricated his bomber formation from a dog fight with a vastly superior numbered German force led by Lothar Von Richthofen, 30 April 1917. A veteran of such skirmishes during ‘Bloody April’, Harker went on to claim at least 5 Victories before tragically succumbing to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1919 Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved ‘1917 Awarded To 2nd Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) H. R. Harker. R.F.C. “Consistently Set A Splendid Example To His Brother Officers” Died 27.2.1919 Major In R.A.F.’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, mounted upside down (Capt. H. R. Harker. R.F.C.) mounted for display, good very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For nearly a year he has carried out extremely valuable work in taking aeroplane photographs and leading bombing raids far behind the enemy lines, often in the face of great opposition and trying weather conditions. On a recent occasion while returning from a successful bombing raid his formation was attacked by more than twice its number but by his fine offensive spirit and skilful leadership the enemy were dispersed. He has consistently set a splendid example to his brother officers.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 May 1919. Howard Redmayne Harker was born in May 1891, and was the son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Harker of Prestwich, Manchester. He was educated at Laurence House School, St. Annes-on-Sea, Rossall School and Manchester University. Harker had been a member of the university O.T.C., and upon leaving in 1913 was employed in the Experimental Department of the Royal Air Craft Factory. Eventually, despite deferment because of important war work, he successfully obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in April 1916. Harker gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 2945) in May 1916, and having completed his flying training advanced to Flying Officer the following month. He was posted for operational flying with the newly formed 57 Squadron (FE2d’s) to France, 16 December 1916. The Squadron were employed on fighter reconnaissance duties, and Harker achieved their first victory when flying with Second Lieutenant V. D. Fernauld (an American) as his observer, 24 March 1917. The Combat Report gives the following: ‘FE2d A/1954, armed with 2 Lewis guns, Pilot 2/Lt. H. R. Harker, Observer 2/Lt. V. D. Fernauld engaged a hostile aircraft at 1145, east of Lens, at 9,000ft. The H.A. was a signle seat tractor biplane with one or two fixed guns. The H.A. was engaged from above on his right side with the sun behind the FE2d. A burst of about 20 rounds was fired, from almost directly above the H.A. at a range of less than 50 yards, by the Oobserver. The tracer bullets were seen entering the engine and fuselage, and H.A. went down practically vertically, twisting about....’ The superiority of the German aircraft was to come to the fore the following month, known as ‘Bloody April’, when the Squadron lost a number of pilots in combat. Harker wrote home, 7 April 1917: ‘We are having quite a busy time of late for reasons which you will gather by the time you get this letter and see its date. We are engaged in the somewhat arduous and occasionally mildly exciting task of gaining what the politicians love to call ‘The supremacy of the air.’ I have for the third time been appointed acting Flight Commander and may possibly remain so this time. The man who relieved me of my temporary command the last time went over the line yesterday morning and the unkind Huns promptly shot him down and he landed within 50 yards of our outposts in front of the Hindenburg line. He is now in ‘Blighty’ I expect. He was luckier than the other four machines, which did not return all... This particular patrol were asked to do a well nigh impossible task which we have not been required to repeat so you need not think I am likely to follow them... It is somewhat parky in the upper atmosphere just now and many of us are suffering from mild frostbite...’ A ‘scrap’ with Lothar Von Richthofen Harker led a bombing formation, 30 April 1917, which had a brush with Lothar von Richthofen: ‘Forty minutes after his destruction of the 16 Squadron BE, Lothar Von Richthofen and his command, together with elements of Jasta 12, spotted a formation of FEs in the morning light. The FEs, led by Captain H. R. Harker (A6401), were from 57 Squadron. Earlier at 06.50 the British had spotted German fighters over Lécluse but, outnumbered as they were, had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew. At 07.00 over Vitry, they were approached by yet another formation of enemy scouts, six above them and three others at their own altitude. In the initial attack, two of the FE’s fell, one to Lothar, the other to the leader of Jasta 12, Adolf von Tutschek.... Another of the FE’s (A1966) was picked off by the three enemy scouts operating at the lower level.... An enemy machine was also hit, going down two miles SW of Douai. Yet another of the German planes went down under the fire of the FE’s, landing near to Vitry at 07.15. The German losses were soon more than made good by the arrival of reinforcements.... Still the Germans continued not to commit themselves to an all-out attack, a situation which allowed Harker and three other FE’s to edge their way slowly back to the British lines.’ (Under the Guns of the German Aces, by N. Franks and H. Giblin refers). It is highly likely that the above action is one the one referred to in the recipient’s M.C. citation. Harker advanced to Acting Captain and Flight Commander after ‘Bloody April’. The Squadron re-equipped with DH4’s in May 1917, and was tasked with long range bomber reconnaissance. It moved to Boisdinghem the following month, and joined the 27th Wing as part of V Brigade. The latter was employed in support of the British Army during the Ypres Offensive, and this new role seems to have suited Harker as he added at least another 4 enemy aircraft to his score between 18 June - 21 August 1917 (some sources credit him with 7 enemy aircraft shot down). Having completed his tour with 57 Squadron, Harker returned to the UK at the end of August 1917. Subsequent appointments included as Acting Squadron Commander of 3 I.T.S., and also instructing at No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping, R.A.F. Andover. He advanced to Acting Major in October 1918, and tragically succumbed to the then raging Spanish Flu pandemic, dying at the Officer’s Military Hospital at Tidworth, 27 February 1919. Major Harker was mentioned in despatches for his work at Andover, and this was posthumously gazetted. He is buried in the Southern Cemetery, Manchester. Sold with a large amount of copied research, including photographic images.
Lot 67
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Captain H. F. Lodge, Royal Field Artillery for conspicuous gallantry near Escourt on 11 May 1917 Military Cross, G.V.R. unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. F. Lodge) very fine (3) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In spite of being subjected to heavy hostile fire he succeeded in extinguishing a fire. His gallant act undoubtedly saved a gun and a large quantity of ammunition from destruction.’ Humphrey Francis Lodge was born on 9 February 1886 in Longport, Staffordshire. He was educated at Sedbergh School, Yorkshire before moving to India to work as a Merchant, laterly with Messrs. Killick, Nixon & Co. of Bombay. He attested for the Bombay Light Horse in July 1908. Appointed Squadron Sergeant Major 5 November 1915, he was recommended for a commission by his Commanding Officer on 21 December 1915 stating ‘Squadron Sergeant Major H. F. Lodge is one of the very best Non-Commissioned Officers who has ever served in the Corps.’ He attested for the Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner on 29 February 1916, whilst on leave with permission to join the Regular Army for the period of war, before being discharged to a commission on 6 July 1916. Serving on the Western Front, he received shrapnel wounds to his right buttock in July 1916. After recovery in the U.K. he rejoined 106 Battery in the Italian theatre, hence it would appear that his Military Cross could have possibly been awarded for the action in which he was wounded. Returning to India at the end of hostilities, he was appointed a Major in V (Bombay) Brigade, Royal Artillery, on its reconstitution on 1 October 1920. Sold with detailed copy research file.
Lot 686
The Book of Orders of Knighthood Etc. of All Nations. Edited by Sir Bernard Burke, Ulster King of Arms, published by Hurst and Blackett, London, 1858, 411pp., including index, with numerous colour plates, hardback, with original morocco covers, some light scuffing, otherwise good condition The War Medal Record (Including Orders of Knighthood). Volume I, Edited and published by Spink and Son, London, 1896, 254pp., including index, with numerous plates, hardback, with original morocco covers, some light scuffing, otherwise good condition Boulton’s Medal on the Reconquest of Naples 1799. Published Birmingham 1926, 15pp., including a facsimile of Nelson’s letter of 1 December 1800, hardback, good condition (3) £60-£80
Lot 698
80th (Staffordshire Volunteers) Regiment of Foot Light Company Officer’s Shoulder Belt Plate c.1825-55. A scarce example, the burnished gilt rectangular back plate with silvered mounts, laurel wreath to the centre, Stafford knot with ‘80’, Egypt Sphinx above, at the top a Light Infantry bugle, two studs and lugs to the rear, gilt worn, otherwise good condition £1,200-£1,600
Lot 700
Two Infantry Shako Plates. Comprising a 13th Somerset Light Infantry gilt other ranks 1869 pattern Shako Plate, crowned laurel wreath with Garter, to the centre, ‘13’ on stippled ground, 2 lugs to the rear, the lugs repaired; and a 17th Leicestershire Regiment gilt other ranks 1869 pattern Shako Plate, crowned laurel wreath with Garter, to the centre, ‘17’ on stippled ground, 2 lugs to the rear, gilt dulled on latter, generally very fine (2) £80-£100
Lot 710
A Selection of Military Cap Badges. Including 4th Royal Irish Dragoon Guards, 7th Dragoon Guards, 13th Hussars, 20th Hussars, Suffolk Regiment, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, Green Howards, Border Regiment, Sudan Defence Force, Malta Regiment; together with sundry collar and staybright badges, some fixings have been repaired, some copies, generally good condition (45+) £100-£140
Lot 711
A Selection of Military Cap Badges. Including 6th Dragoon Guards, 9th Lancers, Yorkshire Hussars, Essex Yeomanry, West Kent Yeomanry, 1st Volunteer Battalion Durham Light Infantry; together with sundry collar and staybright badges, some fixings have been repaired, some copies, generally good condition (50+) £100-£140
Lot 713
A Selection of Military Badges. Including a post 1953 Household Cavalry Troopers Helmet Plate; a Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire bronze cap badge and pair of collar badges; cap badges for the Yorkshire Dragoons, the Royal Irish Fusiliers, the 6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, and the Irish Free State; and sundry other badges and buttons, generally good condition (lot) £80-£100
Lot 746
A German Second War Luftwaffe Bomber Clasp in Bronze. A good example, by R.S. & S., with good finish remaining to the face of the award with all the patinated finish to the diving bomb intact. Maker marked to reverse, Tombak construction, central delicate rivet holding the diving bomb to the main award, with its original wide tapering pin, hook and hinge, some very light corrosion in places, otherwise good condition £80-£100
Lot 75
A Second War D.F.C. and Second Award Bar attributed to Lancaster and Mosquito pilot Flight Lieutenant L. L. Fletcher, Royal Air Force, who flew in at least 77 operational sorties, with 100 and 571 Squadrons - the latter as part of the Light Night Striking Force Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’, with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated ‘1945’, and reverse of cross additionally engraved ‘P/O L. L. Fletcher’, very fine £1,000-£1,400 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 19 October 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘Pilot Officer Fletcher has now completed his first operational tour of duty during which he has completed 24 sorties. As a captain of a heavy bomber he has attacked all the more important heavily defended industrial areas in Germany and Italy. These include Hamburg, Cologne, Essen and Spezia. Despite intense flak opposition he has pressed home his attacks and can be relied upon to successfully complete the most difficult tasks. His personality inspires confidence and commands respect which has led his crew to have complete confidence in him and to follow his direction. It is recommended that P/O Fletcher be rewarded for his valuable qualities and devotion to duty by the award of the D.F.C. Remarks by Station Commander: P/O Fletcher is a conscientious and determined captain of aircraft. His courage, skill and devotion to duty have been an inspiration to his crew and to other aircrew personnel of his Squadron throughout his operational tour. He is strongly recommended for the award of the D.F.C.’ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 12 January 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Flying Officer Fletcher has completed 50 operational sorties (in this squadron) as a pilot. He has shown himself to be possessed of great determination and courage and his keenness to operate against the enemy has been most marked. I strongly recommend him for the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Flying Cross. Remarks by Station Commander: I agree, this officer has taken part in attacks against all the most heavily defended areas in Germany including 13 sorties on Berlin. Very strongly recommended.’ Leslie Leonard Fletcher served with the Royal Air Force during the Second World War, and advanced to Sergeant in June 1943. After carrying out initial training he was posted as a pilot for operational flying with 100 Squadron (Lancasters) at Grimsby in March 1943. Fletcher flew in at least 24 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Nurnberg; St. Nazaire; Frankfurt; Pilsen; Spezia; Stettin; Duisburg (2); Bochum; Dortmund; Dusseldorf (2); Essen (2); Wuppertal (2); Oberhausen; Gelsenkirchen; Colgone (3); Turin and Hamburg. Fletcher was commissioned Pilot Officer, and advanced to Flying Officer in December 1943. He retrained as a Mosquito pilot, and was posted for operational flying to 571 Squadron at Oakington as part of No. 8 (Pathfinder) Group in May 1944. The Squadron carried out night raids as part of the Light Night Striking Force, and Fletcher flew in at least 50 operational sorties with the Squadron, including: Cologne (4); Berlin (13); Dusseldorf; Ludwigshaven (4); Hannover (2); Leverkusen; Gelsenkirchen (3); Kiel; Scholven (2); Cuxhaven; Bremen (3); Mannheim (3); Frankfurt (2); Castrop Rauxel; Dortmund Ems; Karlsruhe; Hamburg (2); Nuremburg; Brunswick; Bochum; Wilhelmshaven and Wiesbaden. He relinquished his commission as Flight Lieutenant in February 1964.
Lot 754
German Second World War Kriegsmarine Trade Patches. Comprising Radio operators, yellow on blue, stuck to a backing card; Radio operators, yellow on blue, stuck to a backing card; Engine room personnel, yellow on blue stuck to a card; Coastal artillery, yellow on blue, stuck to a card; Artillery mechanic, yellow on blue; A high quality artillery mechanic, dated on the reverse side ‘1912 38’; Motorboat personnel, yellow on blue; Mechanic for blocking weapons, yellow on blue; Boatswain, yellow star on blue; Large engine room personnel, metallic gilt on oval blue; Ships carpenter, large metallic gilt on oval blue; Blocking weapons, metallic gilt on large oval; Coastal artillery obermatt, yellow on blue large oval; Obersignaller, yellow on blue, moth damage to the edge; Helmsmann, yellow on blue, some minor moth; Obermotorboat personnel, yellow on blue, some moth damage to the edge; Obersignaller, yellow on blue, light moth to the edge; Obersignaller, yellow on blue with backing material; Oberreiter, yellow on blue on backing material; and Radio operator, small oval, gold on blue, stuck to a backing card, generally good condition (20) £100-£140
Lot 755
German Second World War Luftwaffe Trade Patches. Comprising Luftwaffe flak nco trade patch, hand embroidered in silver and matt embroidery, stuck to a display card; Luftwaffe flak artillery, machine embroidered with nco silver edging, stuck to a display card; Luftwaffe radio operator air gunners badge in cloth, stuck to a card; Luftwaffe radio operator air gunners badge, machine embroidered; Luftwaffe wireless operator air gunner badge; A very scarce Luftwaffe machine embroidered air gunner only badge; Luftwaffe pilots badge embroidered on blue grey cloth; Luftwaffe pilots badge embroidered on blue grey cloth; A nice fully padded version of the Luftwaffe observers badge; Luftwaffe armourer, grey on blue; Luftwaffe range finder qualification patch, some light moth to the edge; Luftwaffe glider qualification patch with three gliders; Luftwaffe transport sergeant, grey on blue; Luftwaffe transport sergeant, grey on blue; Ordnance personnel, fire worker, grey on blue; Administrative nco, grey on blue; Aircraft equipment administrator, grey on blue; Qualified radio operator, grey on blue; Qualified telephone operator, grey on blue; Qualified sound location operator; and Qualified searchlight equipment operator, generally good condition (21) £200-£240
Lot 756
German Second World War Political Collar Patches. Comprising Ortsgruppe Abschnitzleiter, a matched pair, brown velvet base, gold metallic emblems with Ortsgruppe light blue piping, still adhered to a collectors display card; Political Ober Gemeinschaftsleiter, brown base with all metallic emblems which have lost their gilt, without group piping; Ober Einsatzleiter, metallic emblems with good gilt on brown velvet base with Ortsgruppe light blue piping, still on a collectors display card; Ober Gemeinschaftsleiter, single collar patch, metallic emblems, the rank pips have lost their gilt, good gilt to the eagle and swastika on brown velvet with Ortsgruppe piping; Bereitschaftsleiter, Ortsgruppe piping, metallic emblems which have lost their gilt on brown velvet, still attached to a collectors display card; Ober Bereitschaftsleiter, Ortsgruppe piping laid on brown velvet backing, eagle and swastika has lost its gilt as has one rank pip; and a Kreislevel white piped, dark brown velvet single collar patch with golden metallic emblems for an Abschnittsleiter, generally good condition (8) £160-£200
Lot 758
German Second World War Kriegsmarine Insignia. Comprising Gun Chief 2nd Class, red on blue; Flak Gun Chief, red on blue; Light anti aircraft Gun Chief, red on blue; Anti aircraft searchlight Controller, red on blue; Gun Chief of coastal guns, red on blue; Gun Chief of heavy AA guns, red on white; Blockade weapons, foreman, red on white; Weapons control artillery foreman, red on white; Torpedo control foreman grade 2, red on white; Badge of staff personnel on the staff of Fleet Commander, silver, black Balkan Cross on dark blue; Medical personnel, yellow on blue oval; Blockade weapons operator, cellion quality oval on blue; Fireman yellow on blue, cellion quality, some strands loose; Medical personnel Obersanitatsnatt metal version, good gilt; and Ober Bootsmann metallic version, generally good condition (15) £80-£100
Lot 760
German Second World War Luftwaffe Insignia. An interesting grouping comprising a shortened and moth damaged enlisted ranks Geschwader General Weaver cuff title; a mint condition DLV balloon pilot’s badge in heavy bullion; a Luftwaffe drivers qualification patch, machine embroidered with nco twisted cord edging; a further Luftwaffe drivers badge, light moth to the edge, fine machine embroidery to the central logo, glue on reverse where previously attached to a display board; a good matching set of Luftwaffe Flight Major’s collar patches in heavy bullion; a Luftwaffe single signals Hauptmann’s collar patch; a single Luftwaffe signals Leutnant’s collar patch; an unusual triangular badge individually numbered ‘555’ being a pass for Fliegerhorst Koniggratz, this was probably a hand held pass, there is no obvious fitments to the reverse side, the airfield at Koniggratz is in the Czech Republic; a scarce officers quality bullion embroidered flying technical personnel trade badge; an enlisted ranks Luftwaffe flying personnel machine embroidered trade badge with the scarce Luftwaffe military boat personnel trade badge, glue on reverse where previously attached to a display board; a Luftwaffe qualified sound location operator trade patch; and a Luftwaffe master radio man with nco’s 2mm grey corded edging, generally good condition (14) £160-£200
Lot 761
German Second World War Luftwaffe Tropical Insignia. Comprising a machine woven breast eagle on light tan/green backing material.; a Luftwaffe machine woven grey eagle on the triangular form tan backing cloth for the Luftwaffe tropical shirt; a Luftwaffe woven grey eagle on heavy duty backing cloth for the Luftwaffe tropical tunic; and a Luftwaffe Paratrooper badge, unissued, machine embroidered in gold and grey on blue background, oval form, good condition (4) £70-£90
Lot 776
German and Overseas Second World War Insignia. A mixed group of insignia, comprising a lanyard in light green, which is presumed to be Hitler Youth; a German late war enlisted mans breast eagle, machine embroidered grey on grey; a Fire Service shoulder board with glue on the reverse side; a Norwegian Labour Corps circular woven badge; a Third Reich Red Cross shoulder strap on description card; a German umpires helmet white band with photograph of the band in use; a Spanish piece of insignia; an Italian bullion shoulder board; a scarce Bevo woven Spanish Blue Division arm badge; a Dutch Resistance armband, machine embroidered ‘Oranje’ in black on an orange background; and an Italian gold metallic over blue cloth shoulder board, generally good condition (lot) £40-£50
Lot 80
A Great War 1914 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Acting Sergeant Trumpeter W. Stone, 12th Lancers, for his gallantry during the operations near Messines, 23 October to 4 November 1914 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4485 [sic] A. Sjt: Tptr: W. Stone. 12/Lrs.) light contact marks, very fine £1,000-£1,400 --- One of only 13 D.C.M.s awarded to the 12th Lancers for the Great War. D.C.M. London Gazette 17 December 1914: 4656 Acting Sergeant-Trumpeter A. Stone, 12th Lancers. ‘For coolness, gallantry, and exceptionally good work during the operations of 23 October to 4 November near Messines.’ Arthur Stone attested for the 12th Lancers and served with them as a Sergeant Trumpeter during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914, being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal before the year’s end. Subsequently transferring to the Royal Irish Fusiliers with the rank of Warrant Officer Class I, he saw further service post-War in Mesopotamia (entitled to a 1914 Star trio and a General Service Medal with clasps for Iraq and N.W. Persia.)
Lot 86
An outstanding Second War ‘El Alamein 1942’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Lance-Corporal H. Sleeth, 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who was several times wounded during the battle for Miteirya Ridge Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6200387 L. Cpl. H. Sleeth. Midd’x R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (7) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 4 May 1943. The original recommendation for the immediate award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal states: ‘North Africa: Battle of Alemein [action of Miteirya Ridge]. On the night of the 23rd October 1942, during the advance, Lance-Corporal Sleeth was hit in the back by a piece of shell casing which knocked him off his feet. Although carrying four belts of ammunition and a box of spare parts, he carried on for two further miles and successfully delivered his load to the gun line. The Platoon was shooting during the whole of the following morning and came under mortar fire, Lance-Corporal Sleeth was again hit, this time in the left arm but refused attention. That evening the Platoon accompanied two Companies of the 5th/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders which went forward to reach the final object. During the following day, October 25th, the Platoon was under heavy mortar and shell fire and Lance-Corporal Sleeth was hit once more in the left arm. By October 26th the position was cut off and the Platoon had no food or water and very little ammunition. The wireless was out of order and no contact could be made to the rear, Lance-Corporal Sleeth volunteered to go back and bring up supplies by carrier. He set off in the afternoon through minefields and over ground swept by shell and Machine Gun fire and successfully reached Company H.Q. He returned at first light to the position with supplies of food, water and ammunition. He was subsequently injured by a grenade explosion and had to be evacuated. The conduct of this N.C.O. throughout the complete operation was of a very high order. His steadfastness under fire and the calm and determined manner in which he carried out his duties in spite of being wounded several times, were an inspiration to the remainder of his Platoon.’
Lot 89
A Great War ‘Persian Gulf’ D.S.M. group of three awarded to Private F. W. Rayner, Royal Marine Light Infantry, for gallantry in action with H.M.S. Juno’s landing party at Dilwar in August 1915 against the Tangistani Tribe Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (CH.19271. Pte. F. W. Rayner, R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Juno.); British War and Victory Medals (CH.192710 Pte. F. Y. Rayner. R.M.L.I.) the Victory Medal officially re-impressed, overall contact marks, otherwise good fine and better (3) £900-£1,200 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 19 November 1915. The recommendation submitted by Captain Carpenter, R.M.L.I., states: ‘Frederick William Rayner, R.M.L.I. Chatham Division “H” Company (H.M.S. Juno) Dilwar 14 August 1915. During the retirement in the action of 14 August 1915, it was reported to me that two wounded men of R.M.L.I. had been accidentally left in the palm grove we had evacuated and that Sergeant Wall and Private Rayner were alone standing by them holding the enemy off. I called for volunteers to go and assist these men. Captain S. E. Althrop, 96th Berar Infantry and Private Ramsay, R.M.L.I., immediately volunteered and returned a distance of 300 yards in the face of heavy fire from a closely advancing enemy and between them all brought back the two wounded men.’ (L/MIL/17/15/98/27 and ADM 137/1151/30 Tangistan Operations August 1915 refer) F. W. Rayner was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for service in action with H.M.S. Juno’s landing party at Dilwar in August 1915 against the Tangistani Tribe who had been incited by Herr Wassmuss, the former German Consul at Bushire. On 12 July they had raided the town, killing two British officers and several sepoys, and wounding others. Rayner was serving in Juno’s machine gun section of 11 petty officers and men, with Captain Carpenter, R.M.L.I., in command. Carpenter and two other Naval officers received the D.S.C. for this action in which machine-guns saw significant action during the several advances and withdrawals that took place. Note: Also entitled to 1914-15 Star.
Lot 94
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant R. S. Lane, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (65630 Sjt: R. S. Lane. 126/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (65630 Cpl. R. S. Lane. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. S. Lane.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Reginald S. Lane) light contact marks, good very fine (6) £360-£440 --- M.M. London Gazette 6 January 1917. Reginald Surrey Lane was born at Godshill, Isle of Wight, on 8 December 1891 and attested for the Royal Engineers on 26 January 1915. Advanced Corporal on 7 July, he served with the 126th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 September 1915, and was promoted Sergeant on 29 March 1916. Awarded the Military Medal, most likely for operations on the Somme, he returned to the United Kingdom to attend an Officer Cadet course on 26 August 1917, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 15 December 1917. In 1920 he is listed as a Lieutenant in Palestine with the 42nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He served during the Second World War with the Special Constabulary on the Isle of Wight, and died in June 1972. Sold with copied research.
Lot 96
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Taylor, Hampshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (16416 Pte. J. Taylor. 14/Hants: R.); 1914-15 Star (16416. Pte. J. Taylor. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (16416. Pte. J. Taylor. Hamps. R.) mounted court-style for wear, minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917. John Taylor attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 14th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 June 1915. Awarded the Military Medal, he subsequently transferred to the Shropshire Light Infantry, and was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 25 February 1919. Sold with copied Medal Index Cards.
Lot 100
The remarkable and rare Second War 1942 ‘escape and evasion’ M.M., and 1944 ‘North West Europe’ Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. D. Coutts, No. 52 Commando and York and Lancaster Regiment. Coutts, fighting as part of ‘D’ Battalion, ‘Layforce’, was taken prisoner of war at the fall of Crete, 1 June 1941. Having been transported to mainland Greece, he effected his escape from a German POW camp via a sewer - twice getting stuck along the narrow route during the process. Evading capture with two other escapees, Coutts lost both of his comrades to malaria and exhaustion. Despite this, and by sheer bloody determination he carried on and made four attempts via boat to leave Greece for Turkey. Meeting up with other escapees along the way, including Lieutenant W. B. Thomas who went on to publish his memoirs about the eventual escape, Coutts finally made it in May 1942. He had numerous brushes with German patrols, a seaplane, and an E-boat just as Turkey loomed into sight. The war was not done with him, however, and he went on to distinguish himself with the Hallamshire Battalion in Normandy, June - July 1944. In particular during the attack on the fortified position at Barbee Farm, near Vendes, 16 July 1944, when he was in action with both a Bren Gun and a Mortar, personally accounting for a large number of enemy troops despite being wounded himself Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (4746052 Cpl. J. D. Coutts. Y. & L. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4746052 Pte. J. D. Coutts. Y. & L. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £8,000-£12,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 24 September 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Coutts was captured at Sphakia on 1 June 1941, moved to Maleme and thence to Salonika. There were escapes nearly every day. The morning after a successful escape would be spent by the remainder on parade in the sun. Those caught escaping would not be seen again. One night the Germans decided to prevent any escapes by crowding prisoners into the centre of the camp. This suited the plans that Corporal Coutts and others had made that afternoon. They had noticed the opening of a sewer in the centre of the camp and had seen that it was wide enough for a man to crawl through. A Greek workman promised to take off the lid of another opening several hundred yards from the camp as soon as it was dark. They blocked the pipe from the latrines to the sewer and turned on all the taps there and in the wash-house and left them on all afternoon. The fact that all the prisoners of war had been pushed by the sentries to the centre of the camp provided an excuse for their presence by the sewer opening, and Coutts and seven others climbed down and crawled along. It took them two hours. Corporal Coutts is broadly built and twice stuck in particularly narrow spots. The artificial washing down they had given it made a considerable difference to the conditions, but even so two of them passed out as soon as they reached the opening and fresh air. They waited till they came round and then split up into parties of two and three. Corporal Coutts joined Corporal Ward and Trooper Nicholas. They knocked at the door of a house and were taken in. From there they gradually made their way down to Agion Oros peninsula, going north first to Langadas and then down through Evangelismos and Zagliveri receiving food and shelter wherever they stopped. Trooper Nicholas got malaria badly and through weakness and lack of medical attention died on 7 October 1941. Corporals Coutts and Ward stole a boat near Smerna and made for Imbros. Ten miles away bad weather forced them to go back. The effort was too much for Ward who died on 10 November 1941. Corporal Coutts spent most of the winter in a hut he built on the hills. With spring his strength began to return and he joined up with Lieutenant Thomas and Corporal Peacock in April. On 5 April they got a boat at Klephttikon and sailed for Imbros. Bad weather forced them to go back. On 16 April they tried again from Nea Skete, but had to return as round the point a strong light was flashed on them and they heard voices. They were joined by 2 Cypriots and a Greek officer on 2 May 1942 and on the same day Private Theodoros Georgiou, No. 4230, 232 Company, R.A.S.C., who has been recommended for a D.C.M., reached them. On 4 May 1942 they left with him and arrived at Turkey on 6 May 1942. Corporal Coutts not only did an excellent escape, but in spite of the death of his two companions - which must have been hard blows to bear - his frustrated attempt to reach Turkey and his own personal weakness, he struggled on in Greece alone. Finally with L/Cpl. Peacock and Lt. Thomas he made two more attempts to reach Turkey and only just failed owing to bad weather. He escaped thanks to sheer dogged courage.’ M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 21 December 1944. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states: ‘On 16 July 1944 Sergeant Coutts was commanding a platoon of a company ordered to reinforce Barbee Farm. His platoon HQ was twice attacked with grenades, and on both occasions he beat off the attack with his own grenades. Almost immediately afterwards he killed four of the enemy with a Bren Gun as they attempted to infiltrate into his platoon positions. Later, during the action when the members of his posts were killed or wounded and the post was occupied by the enemy, who were able to infiltrate another platoon position, he personally dealt with them with a 2 inch mortar. During the day the position was under direct fire from enemy riflemen and LMGs, and was frequently mortared. Quite regardless of his own personal safety Sergeant Coutts moved to and fro in platoon position, organising its defence and the evacuation of wounded, and encouraging his men. When the company was ordered to evacuate Barbee Farm Sjt. Coutts platoon was given the task of protecting the left flank. The Bren group detailed by him to cover his own flank was under fire from three directions. He remained with this gun and was wounded. He refused to leave his position until his platoon was clear from Barbee Farm. Throughout the day Sergenat Coutts displayed complete disregard for his personal safety and set an example of leadership and fighting spirit of the highest order.’ John Davie Coutts served with the York and Lancaster Regiment in Palestine, and during the initial stages of the Second World War. He volunteered for service with No. 52 Commando, which was formed in the Middle East. In February 1941 the latter amalgamated with other commando units to form ‘Layforce’, under the command of Colonel R. Laycock. No. 52 Commando formed part of ‘D’ Battalion, and as such fought during the Battle of Crete, 20 May - 1 June 1941. Coutts was taken prisoner of war by the Germans at the fall of Crete, 1 June 1941. He was transported to a prisoner of war camp in Greece, and from here successfully escaped (see recommendation above). One of the men whom he finally escaped with was Lieutenant W. B. Thomas, and the latter went on to publish his memoirs called Dare To Be Free. Coutts, or ‘Coote’ as he is referred to, features extensively in the book from the point at which they met in April 1942: ‘Well, it’s certainly nice to be able to speak English again,’ said the tall, fair lad as he came in the door, holding his hand out to me in greeting. ‘My name is John, Sergeant John Coote, of the Middle East Commandos, and I am very glad to meet you, I’m sure!’ I [Thomas] i...
Lot 103
A Second War ‘North West Europe 1945’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private T. A. Jarvis, 5th Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, for gallantry during the fighting in Waldfeucht in January 1945; he was killed in action on 8 April 1945, east of the River Ems, near Bremen Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14420487 Pte. T. A. Jarvis. K.O.S.B.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945. The recommendation states: ‘During the fighting in Waldfeucht on 21 January 1945, the platoon to which this soldier belongs was holding a small block of houses when the enemy attacked strongly and appeared to be making good headway. Private Jarvis, on two separate occasions ran out into the streets, in the face of considerable small arms fire, and threw grenades into the party of advancing enemy. On both occasions his action completely disorganised the enemy’s advance and allowed his platoon to maintain its position intact throughout a day during which its defended area was surrounded for several hours. Private Jarvis, by his complete disregard for personal safety, was an inspiration to the whole of his platoon and he contributed largely to the successful outcome of the action fought all day by his company which was completely cut off from the rest of the Battalion.’ Four days before he was gazetted for the award of the Military Medal he was killed in action on 8 April 1945, engaged with retreating German Paratroopers, East of the river Ems, near Bremen. Thomas Adam Jarvis was born in Liverpool circa 1926, the son of Thomas Jarvis Esq. He was buried in the Sage War Cemetery, Oldenburg. The 4th and 5th battalions KOSB found themselves in the Low Countries in the autumn of 1944, taking part in the strongly contested assault landings on Walcheren Island, at the mouth of the Scheldt. They then fought through into Germany taking a notable part in operation Blackcock and also taking part in the capture of Bremen. Battle of Forrest Damp At Roermond two rivers join, the Maas and the Roer. In 1945 this was the tip of an area called the Roer Triangle, where the two rivers formed the left and right sides of the triangle. On 14 January the British launched operation Blackcock to clear this area on the Holland-German border; by the time the operation was completed some two weeks later, it would have seen some truly fierce fighting. At around 0300, on 21 January 1945, the 5th Battalion, Kings Own Scottish Borderers moved out. Their objective was the German town of Waldfeucht. This was winter in central Europe so it was bitterly cold, with three inches of snow on the ground. The 5th KOSB had a company of men leading the way, while the rest of the force moved either in Kangaroo's or carriers. There were some Shermans from the 13/18th Hussars along for the operation as well. The lead company found a few mines, which it removed, however little other resistance was encountered. Soon the force had seized the town, which was deserted, with no German forces in place. The population would emerge from their cellars briefly and kept asking about what time it was, or were glancing nervously at time pieces. From this behaviour the British concluded that a German attack was imminent, and they thought first light was the most likely time for this. In a rush the battalion began to get ready for action. Two six pounders were brought forward to cover the north and west sides of the town. After they had been unlimbered and roughly sited, work began to dig the guns in. This was severely hampered by the frozen ground. No real progress had been made on these fighting pits when the first rays of sunlight appeared at dawn, filtering through the mist. The spreading light revealed several large box shapes lurching through the mist, towards the town. It was a full-blown German counter attack, fifteen assault guns led by two Tigers from Schwere Panzer-Abteilung 301, with infantry from either the 175th or 183rd infantry. The British asked for their Shermans to engage the Tigers, who were sitting targets out in the open. The British tanks refused to show themselves, knowing what the outcome would be, while the two 6-pounders, still exposed in the open began to fire. A blazing fire-fight soon ensued and, slowly, one by one, the crews of the guns were killed or wounded. At one gun Private Archibald Moore, who was acting as a loader, stepped forward and took over when the gun commander was wounded. With small arms rounds sparkling off the gun shield Private Moore directed his gun against one of the Tigers. The anti-tank battery's commanding officer, Captain Robert Hunter, took control of the other gun. Hunter's first shot stopped the Tiger by wrecking its tracks and he continued to pour fire into the tank until it burned. By now the Germans were about 100 yards away from the two 6-pounders pouring small arms fire and grenades at them. Captain Hunter was wounded by this storm of fire. By now there were only five men serving both guns, one of which was the wounded Captain Hunter. Together, both guns turned their attention on the last remaining Tiger and began to fire as fast as they could. Soon it too began to burn. Private Moore then grabbed a Bren gun from beside a dead soldier and opened fire upon the nearby infantry and the fleeing Tiger crew. On the east side, at the same time, another Tiger had launched an attack with supporting infantry. Here there were no plucky 6-pounders to stop the beast. Four Shermans were destroyed trying to stop it, which might account for the reluctance of the tank commanders to engage the pair of Tigers. Bitter fighting ensued as the Germans reached the outskirts of the town and began to push through. The Tiger, as it ground down the street, blasting into buildings at point blank range, ran into two men, a platoon commander named Gideon Scott and his PIAT gunner Private Kirkpatrick. The first round failed to detonate and bounced off the Tiger’s armour. Scott began to reload the PIAT. Another round was fired at the Tiger but missed. The shots had alerted the Tiger crew to the danger, and a hail of gunfire was directed towards the British defenders position. Scott was wounded in the hand. Scott had been born with deformities in both hands which had nearly prevented him from enlisting in 1939, until he challenged the recruiters to allow him to fire a rifle, which they were concerned he would have been unable to handle. Scott had shot in competitions for his college at Bisley and was quite a proficient shot. Having proven himself able to shoot he was enlisted. As they reloaded for a third shot, Scott saw a wounded soldier lying directly in the path of the giant Tiger, and who would soon be crushed by the 70 tons of tank. Scott leapt up from his position and raced out into the street, despite having already gained the Tiger’s complete attention and his position being the focus of its full firepower. He reached the wounded soldier, and with the ground shaking from the Tiger’s roar he dragged the wounded man into cover with bullets whistling about him. The Tiger led the advance through the town with infantry storming into its wake. As it approached the building chosen as the HQ, Captain Ravenscroft and his batman began to lob grenades out of the windows onto the Germans below, until they were captured. By now it was late afternoon. The Germans had reached the town square which had become no-man’s land between the two forces. The Tiger claimed a Sherman, and four more were knocked out by Panzerfausts in the fighting around the square. The situation was looking bleak, with the Germans now in control of 75% of the tow...
Lot 105
The unique Second War 1942 S.B.S. ‘Operation Reservist - attack on Oran Harbour’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D. C. Ellis, 2 Special Boat Service, late King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, a veteran of Dunkirk, who served with 101 Troop, No. 6 Commando prior to joining the S.B.S. for the raid on the Vichy French held Oran Harbour. Paired in a Folbot with the S.B.S. raid commander, Major H. V. Holden-White, Ellis launched from H.M.S. Walney into the night, 8 November 1942. The Oran Harbour attack was the first British-American Combined Operation of the Second World War, which also produced a superb Victoria Cross for Walney’s Captain, F. T. Peters, and was described by Winston Churchill as ‘The finest British naval engagement since Trafalgar.’ Holden-White and Ellis launched mini torpedoes from their canoe against a submarine and a destroyer, seemingly hitting the latter, prior to be being captured and taken prisoner of war whilst trying to escape from the harbour. Having been repatriated, Ellis was posted for further S.B.S. service under the command of 136 Force (S.O.E.), and served in India, Ceylon and Burma, 1944-47 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4032370 Sjt. D. C. Ellis. K.S.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, last 2 mounted in wrong order, generally very fine (6) £12,000-£15,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 April 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa.’ The original recommendation, which is best read in-conjunction with his commanding officer’s [Captain H. V. Holden-White] own recommendation for the Military Cross, states: ‘Oran Landings. Assault on port by H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland - 8th November, 1942. Was Captain Holden-White’s partner in the Folbot, he displayed coolness and courage in directing his Officer on to the target and later, when by himself, he salvaged and re-floated the damaged Folbot, almost under the eyes of a French sentry.’ Holden-White’s M.C. recommendation states: ‘Was in Command of the Special Boat Section Unit, which was detailed to carry out dangerous and delicate operations in-conjunction with assault on the port of Oran. He was in charge of the party operating from H.M.S. Walney in folbots and displayed courage and initiative of a high order in attacking with small torpedoes a French destroyer which was leaving the port, and it is believed that one hit on the vessel was obtained.’ Derek Charles Ellis enlisted as a Boy in the 2nd Battalion, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at Shrewsbury in May 1935. He transferred to the 1st Battalion the following year, and served with the B.E.F. in France, 24 September 1939 - 8 June 1940. Ellis was posted to No. 6 Commando (Special Service Brigade) in May 1941, before transferring to the Special Boat Service in April 1942. He was to become part of the newly formed 2 SBS, which was gathered from a nucleus of 101 Troop, 6 Commando and new recruits such as Holden-White. Their billet was a private hotel in a suburb of Ardrossan, Scotland, and from here they learned all things according to the gospel of ‘Jumbo’ Courtney. Ellis had been part of 101 Troop, and had taken part in a reconnaissance 22/23 November 1941: ‘At Dover 101 Troop were mostly engaged in helping the Royal Navy destroy floating mines by rifle fire, but two canoe pairs were used to make a reconnaissance on the night of 22/23 November 1941. This was in preparation for a raid the next night by a hundred men from No. 9 Commando on a coastal gun battery at Houlgate near the mouth of the river Seine. Lieutenant Smith and Corporal Woodhouse overturned in surf and were captured, while Corporal D. C. Ellis and Private Lewis missed the rendezvous and paddled back across the Channel to England. However, they had gathered sufficient information to confirm that LCA’s (landing-craft assault) could land on the beach.’ (SBS In World War Two, The Story of the Original Special Boat Section of the Army Commandos by G. B. Courtney refers) Operation Reservist In the second week of October 1942, Holden-White was summoned to Lord Mountbatten’s Combined Operations Headquarters in Whitehall. There ‘was something big on. Hush-hush. Destination secret for now, but the SBS had an important role to play. Holden-White gleaned enough information to guess that an attack was planned on the Vichy French and that SBS canoeists would be launched at the head of a sea-borne onslaught which, even for one quite new to the service, seemed to nullify what he assessed to be the section’s greatest asset, operating clandestinely.’ (SBS The Inside Story of the Special Boat Service by J. Parker refers) The above - Operation Reservist - was to be a subsidiary part of Operation Torch, the massive invasion of North Africa in November 1942. The SBS operation was to be part of the amphibious assault on Oran, 8 November 1942. The Vichy French held harbour which was heavily protected by shore batteries and contained a number of the surviving vessels of the Vichy French Navy: ‘Opposition inland was judged correctly to be minimal, but the Vichy naval chiefs were still smarting over the sinking of part of the French fleet at Oran by the British in 1940 and would take drastic measures to protect their remaining vessels. Oh, and one other thing, said Courtney. The SBS had the honour of testing a new weapon, a mini-torpedo designed to be fired from canoes, which would hopefully cut down on the need for limpet mines whose clamping was always a hazardous business. A few days later Harry [Holden-White] and Lieutenant E. J. A. ‘Sally’ Lunn went to an experimental station in Hampshire to see a demonstration of the mini-torpedoes. A stock of them was being prepared which, they were assured, would be dispatched with an officer to Gibraltar, where they would be collected by the SBS en route to wherever they were going (then still a secret). The day of embarkation came. Harry took five pairs of SBS canoeists to Greenock, where they loaded their stores, weapons and canoes aboard two converted American coastguard cutters now under the Royal Navy flag and named H.M.S. Walney and H.M.S. Hartland. Three pairs [including Ellis] led by Holden-White boarded Walney while Sally Lunn headed the other two in Hartland. Orders were now clear. They were to join a large convoy at Gibraltar, protected by destroyers and submarines. There, the two ships would pick up 400 American troops, who were to mount a sea-borne assault on Oran harbour and hold it until reinforcements arrived from inland. The SBS role in all of this was to go in first, blowing up shipping in the harbour with the still-experimental mini-torpedoes. Each pair of canoeists was to be given two torpedoes, which they were to release towards suitable targets as soon as feasibly possible. The torpedoes were to be collected in Gibraltar, they were told, where an office would explain all. Harry takes up the story: “Well, that was the first thing to go wrong. When we got to Gib, there was no bloody officer to explain it all, no bloody instructions, and the baby torpedoes were in bits. Luckily, I had Sergeant-Major J. Embelin with us, who was a demolition expert, and he was able to assemble them. But we still had only a vague idea about range and so on... Another problem for us was launching the canoes from ships. Normally, SBS crews are floated off submarines or lowered from MTBs. These cutters gave us a drop of eight to ten feet and our flimsy folbots could have been damaged. So on the way out we decided to practise and unpacked the canoes we had brought aboard in kitbag...
Lot 106
A Second War ‘Normandy, June 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of eleven awarded to Sergeant R. Hey, 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3386258 Sjt. R. Hey. Durh. L.I.). ; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with additional service bar (Lt. R. Hey MM CCF.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944. The recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states: ‘On 14 June 1944 one and a half companies of the Battalion captured the village of Lingevres. Sergeant Hey’s platoon was ordered to occupy a ridge just forward of the village while the rest of the force was in a reverse slope position in rear. This platoon was attacked repeatedly for a period of seven hours and eventually had four tanks between them and the main position. The platoon did not waver at any time and continued to fight on when surrounded. This was largely due to Lieutenant Dunn, the platoon commander, and when he was killed, due to Sergeant Hey the platoon sergeant. He showed great personal courage and was an inspiration to the men in the platoon. By holding his platoon in this position he was largely responsible for enabling the rest of the force to hold on until relieved by another Battalion.’ Robert ‘Bob’ Hey was born in 1920 and enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn on 3 March 1939. He transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers in December 1942, and to the Durham Light Infantry on 30 March 1943, serving with them in the Middle East and North Africa until 7 November 1943, when he returned Home. He served with the 9th Battalion in the North West Europe campaign from 3 June to 11 August, 1944. Transferring to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in June 1949, he served with that regiment in East Africa, with the British Army of the Rhine, Korea and Japan until 28 May 1953, when he rejoined the Durham Light Infantry in Korea, serving there until 16 August 1953. He afterwards served with M.E.L.F. and at Home until 2 March 1961, when he was discharged in the rank of WO1 (R.S.M.) from the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. An accompanying news cutting (undated) reporting his memorial service states: ‘Later he worked with the army cadets at Barnard Castle School for 23 years, and in semi-retirement he drove for Carters Cabs in the town. He lived at Dial House at Whorlton crossroads and later at Stainton Grove. He went to live at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in 1990. Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service (confirming service medals), metal identity disc, various R.A.O.B. certificates and D.L.I. Association membership cards.
Lot 108
A fine Second War ‘Normandy Landings, June 1944’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal R. E. Jermey, 224th Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 6 Airborne Division H.Q at Le Bas de Ranville Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7377858 Cpl. R. E. Jermey. R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On 9 June 1944 Divisional Headquarters at 1073 (France 1/100,000, Sheet 7F) was heavily shelled and mortared from 1920 to 2030 hours. About 20 casualties were sustained. Corporal Jermey, after attending to one of these casualties who was bleeding badly from a leg wound, carried the casualty on his own, using the Firemans Lift, to the Main Dressing Station, 500 yards away as no vehicles with stretchers were available at the time. Although shells were literally bursting all round him he never faltered. On two occasions he and his patient were knocked down by the blast of the shells but he collected his patient and carried on immediately. In this case he undoubtedly saved the patient’s life as the nature of the wound was such that immediate surgical interference was necessary. His complete disregard for personal safety combined with his coolness and determination has been an example to all ranks.’ D-Day June 1944 - Airborne Landings On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Corporal Robert Jermey, Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, leapt into the void from the Dakota carrying him and other elements of R.A.M.C. airborne personnel and successfully parachuted into the apple orchards of Normandy, France. There then ensued a hectic time of setting up a Casualty Clearing Station and dealing with numerous Airborne casualties which inevitably streamed in from the Airborne and Airlanding troops desperately trying to hold their various outlying positions. Three days after the initial invasion, 6th Airborne Divisional HQ came under intense German artillery and mortar fire, during which Corporal Jermey, his position straffed by exploding shells, courageously left cover to go to the aid of a stricken comrade who was badly wounded in the legs. With complete disregard to his own safety, he firstly applied field dressings then despite shells falling to left and right, hoisted the man onto his back and although knocked down twice from the blasts of exploding shells he, encumbered by the dead weight of his stricken comrade, finally managed to cover the 500 yards to the comparative safety of the Casualty Collection Post and in so doing, certainly saved the man’s life. For his outstanding bravery, he was rewarded with the well earned award of the Military Medal. 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, D-Day - Operation Mallard At 03:35, the 6th Airborne Division headquarters landed by glider in the landing-zone cleared by sappers. Only a few gliders missed the landing-zone, due to the poor weather and errors in navigation. Once the headquarters staff and accompanying airborne troops had been gathered together, the headquarters was moved to the Le Bas de Ranville area and set up there. Contact was established with the headquarters of 5th Parachute Brigade at 05:00, and with the headquarters of 3rd Parachute Brigade at 12:35, and the division linked up with 1st Special Service Brigade as it advanced from the invasion beaches at 13:53. Mallard was the final wave of the 6th Airborne Division’s landings and consisted of 220 Horsa and Hamilcar gliders, carrying the 6th Airlanding Brigade and other units. The gliders arrived at their landing-zone, coming under heavy small-arms and mortar fire from nearby German positions as they landed. Casualties were light and within ninety minutes the glider-borne troops had gathered at their rendezvous points. By 00:00 7 June, the entire 6th Airborne Division had been fully deployed on the eastern flank of the invasion beaches (with the exception of 12th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment – part of 6th Airlanding Brigade – that was due to arrive by sea on 7 June). The division ended the day with the 3rd Parachute Brigade holding a 4-mile (6.4 km) front, with 9th Parachute Battalion at Le Plein, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion at Les Mesneil, and the 8th Parachute Battalion in the southern part of the Bois de Bavent. The 5th Parachute Brigade had the 12th Parachute Battalion occupying Le Bas de Ranville, and the 13th Parachute Battalion holding Ranville, while the 7th Parachute Battalion had been moved into reserve. The 6th Airlanding Brigade was poised to commit its two battalions to extend the bridgehead. The 1st Special Service Brigade, which had temporarily came under the command of the division, was holding villages to the north and north-east of DZ N. The 6th Airborne Division suffered a total of 800 casualties between 5 June and 7 June, out of the 8,500 men deployed. Robert Jermey was born on 8 August 1917, and later lived at South Wigston, Leicestershire. His occupation in 1939 was that of a carpenter at Lewes Prison, Sussex. He had previously seen active service in North Africa before being selected for Airborne training. He died in July 1993, aged 75, at Brentwood, Essex. The Airborne R.A.M.C. units attached to 6th Airborne Division on 6 June 1944, were 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance RAMC, 224 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC, and 225 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC
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