A Second War ‘Middle East’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Bobby, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Royal Engineers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. A. S. Bobby. R. Muns. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. A. S. Bobby); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, naming details rather feint on Star, very fine and better (6) £220-£260 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 6 January 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1919 (Salonika). M.I.D. London Gazette 30 June 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period July to October 1941.’ Arthur Stanley Bobby was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Munster Fusiliers on 28 April 1915 and served with them during the Great War in Salonika from October 1915. Subsequently transferring to the Royal Engineers, he was Mentioned in Despatches and advanced temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. He saw further service with the Royal Engineers during the Second World War, and was both created a Member of the Order of the British Empire and Mentioned in Despatches for his services in the Middle East.
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A scarce ‘gallantry’ post-War M.B.E. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander R. H. Williams, R.N., a Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot who assisted in rescuing the crew of the Norwegian Motor Vessel Dovrefjell which struck a reef in the Pentland Firth and sank, 3 February 1956. Williams already had a distinguished record as a Skua and Sea Hurricane pilot during the Second World War - carrying out a number of operational sorties over Norway in 1940, and during the invasion of Madagascar in May 1942. During a varied and long career, which went developed into Search and Rescue operations in Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters - Williams amassed over 5,000 flying hours The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, Atlantic; Africa Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Cd. Pilot. R. H. Williams. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Coronation 1937, privately named ‘R. H. Williams P/J.X. 39691.’; Norway, Medal for Life Saving, Haakon VII, 2nd class in silver with Crown, privately named in reverse centre ‘R. H. Williams 3-2-1956’, mounted as worn, traces of verdigris, nearly very fine or better (11) £800-£1,200 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 22 June 1956: ‘The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for gallantry in rescuing the crew of the Norwegian Motor Vessel Dovrefjell which struck a reef in the Pentland Firth and sunk on 3 February 1956:- In a gale blowing at forty-five knots, the Norwegian motor vessel Dovrefjell was lying beam on to the seas which were breaking heavily over her. Solid spray was reaching a height of one hundred feet, and lifeboats were unable to lie alongside her. Lieutenant Jack Rex Palmer, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Fulmar and Senior Commissioned Pilot Richard Harold Williams, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Fulmar, were ordered to fly their helicopters to the ship for possible rescue operations. Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams arrived first but was ordered to turn back as the conditions appeared to be too hazardous for a helicopter rescue. Lieutenant Palmer then reached the ship and, on his own initiative, decided to attempt a rescue. The ship’s aerials and turbulence necessitated winching the men from a height of fifty feet, but in spite of this Lieutenant Palmer succeeded in rescuing two of the crew. He was then joined by Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams and during the next three hours both pilots made a total of eight trips between the ship and John O’Groats, rescuing two members of the crew each time. Lieutenant Palmer and Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams displayed skill and determination of a very high order in rescuing the entire ship’s crew in extremely difficult flying conditions.’ For their part in the rescue, the two winch operators, Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist Roy Moneypenny, C/SSF 836087, and Aircrewman I Alexander Japp L/FX 79405 both of H.M.S. Fulmar, received the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. Williams and Palmer were awarded the Boyd Trophy in 1956 - awarded annually to the naval pilot(s) or aircrew(s) who in the opinion of the Flag Officer Naval Air Command has/have achieved the finest feat of aviation during the previous year. Richard Harold Williams joined the Royal Navy as a rating in July 1933, and volunteered for pilot training in August 1939. He carried out his initial training at No. 23 E.F.T.S and No. 1 E.F.T.S., gaining his ‘Wings’ in January 1940. Williams’s initial postings included with 759 and 760 Squadrons, before being posted for operational flying with 801 Squadron in July 1940. He flew Skuas on 12 operational sorties over Norway, and 1 over Cherbourg Harbour, with the Naval Air Squadron. Williams advanced to Petty Officer (Air), and was posted to 880 Squadron (Hawker Sea Hurricanes), R.N.A.S. Arbroath at the end of May 1941. The Squadron was ‘Scrambled’, 29 August 1941, and Williams records the following in his Log Book ‘Ju88 Attacked - Unconfirmed (One Engine Shot Out).’ Williams was posted with the Squadron to the Aircraft Carrier Indomitable, which had been allocated for the Far East, in October 1941. In May 1942, the squadron took part in the invasion of Madagascar, being largely employed in ground attack duties during the capture of Diego-Suarez at the start of the invasion, and destroying one light aircraft by strafing at Arrachart airfield, leaving air superiority duties to the Martlets of 881 and 882 Squadrons operating off Illustrious. Williams flew in 5 operational sorties over Madagascar, and was hit by flak. He returned to Lee-on-Solent after his tour, and subsequently served with 782 (Naval Transport) Squadron, September 1942 - May 1946. Operating out of R.N.A.S. Donibristle Wiliams flew a variety of aircraft and advanced to Warrant Air Officer (Pilot) in June 1945. His rank was altered to Commissioned Pilot, and he was posted to 742 Squadron (Beechcraft Expeditor’s) Ceylon in May 1946. Subsequent postings included with 791 Squadron at Simbang, and 781 Squadron at H.M.S Daedalus. Williams served with the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory, August 1949 - September 1951, before being posted to the Staff at H.M.S. Daedalus in January 1952. He undertook a Helicopter Conversion Course in January the following year, had various postings including to Hal-Far, Malta, and advanced to Senior Commissioned Pilot in April 1954. Williams was posted for Search and Rescue operations to H.M.S. Fulmar (Whirlwinds) at Lossiemouth in November 1955, and it was from here that he took part in the above mentioned rescue of 42 Norwegian sailors off a wreck in the Scottish Skerries on 3 February 1956. He was also awarded the Norwegian Medal for Life Saving in July 1957. Subsequent S.A.R. postings including to Ford, Brawdy and Culdrose. Williams advanced to Lieutenant Commander in April 1960, and retired in 1965. He died in 1976. Sold with copied research (including photographic images of recipient), and two large files of bound photocopies of recipient’s Flying Log Books, covering 1 August 1939 - 25 July 1963.
British War Medal 1914-20 (3) (F.37721 H. Furneaux. A.C.1. R.N.A.S.; Payr. S. Lt. E.S. Hunt. R.N.V.R.; Wt. Eng. T. A. Rees. R.N.R.) some edge digs, generally very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Hubert Furneaux, from Tavistock, Devon, was born on 4 August 1882. He attested into the Royal Naval Air Service for service during the Great War. Serving at home, his BWM was his sole Great War entitlement. He transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve on 9 March 1919 and was deemed discharged on 30 April 1920. Edgar Stanley Hunt attested into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve for service during the Great War and was appointed on 17 September 1915. Serving at home, his BWM was his sole Great War entitlement. He was demobilised on 3 March 1919. Thomas Arthur Rees was born on 3 October 1887. He attested into the Royal Naval Reserve for service during the Great War and served on H.M.S. Victory, H.M.S. Queen Mary and H.M.S. Blenheim. He was invalided from the service on 30 May 1919, retaining his rank.
British War Medal 1914-20 (8) (111435 Pte. E. G. Reid. 6-C.M.R.; 643929 Pte. M. Malcolm. 76-Can. Inf.; 700877 Pte. J. W. Whittaker. 101-Can. Inf.; 742243 A.Cpl. N. S. Crawford115-Can. Inf; 775423 A.Cpl. A. Wolstenholme. 124-Can. Inf.; 243047 Pte. L. P. Vallee. 163rd. Can. Inf. Bn.; 877911 Pte. S. D. Mc Lean. 185-Can. Inf.; 1001160 Pte. G. Halliday 226-Can. Inf.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (919729 Pte. V. G. Wilson. 23-Can. Inf.; 521182 Gnr. C. W. Tildesley. C.F.A.) Vallee medal partially renamed, some edge digs, generally very fine (10) £100-£140 --- Sold with copy service papers and original discharge certificate for Gunner Tildesley, with other supporting paperwork.
British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. A. S. Michalson.) nearly extremely fine £40-£50 --- Abraham Samuel Michalson was born in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada in January 1891. He was serving with the 17th Duke of York Canadian Hussars when he attested for the Canadian Army Service Corps in May 1915. Michalson was promoted to Corporal and then Sergeant while still in Canada. He embarked for England in June 1915, advanced to Staff Sergeant in August, and served in the French theatre of war from 12 September 1915. Michalson was discharged to Commission in May 1916 and sent to the Officer training school at Curragh Camp, Ireland. In April 1917 he was struck off strength of the CEF and transferred to the Royal Fusiliers. Michalson was subsequently attached to the King's African Rifles and served with them in German East Africa, where he was wounded (right arm shattered - entitled to a Silver War Badge). Lieutenant Michalson returned to Canada, and died in January 1974.
Victory Medal 1914-19 (9) (Bhisti Daswandhi, 16 Cavy,; 1251 Sowar Abdul Khalim, 31 Lncrs.; 3983 Sepoy Raja Khan, 20 Infy.; 746 Sepoy Painda Khan, 24 Pjbis.; 1969 Nk. Bastan Khan. 74 Pjbis.; 4532 Rfmn. Nur Din. 104 Rfls.; 4253 Nk. Shah Wali, 130 Baluchis.; 5521 Nk. Ali Gauhar, Pack Arty.; Br. Ghafur Khan, 1 S&M.) some staining, some traces of verdigris, generally very fine (9) £80-£100
Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (169862. S. Langmaid, Ch. P.O. H.M.S. Pelorus.) surname partially officially corrected, nearly very fine £60-£80 --- Samuel Langmaid was born in Potman Fowey, Cornwall in July 1877. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in October 1892, and advances to Petty Officer 1st Class in January 1901. Langmaid served with H.M.S. Pelorus, May 1912 - August 1915. Subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Defiance and Orion, prior to joining the Coast Guard in July 1919.
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Arabian Peninsula (Capt. S. C. Toye. R.A.D.C.) about extremely fine, rare to unit £140-£180 --- Sidney Charles Toye was commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Army Dental Corps, on 13 April 1959, and was promoted Captain on 1 September 1959. He transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 1 September 1967.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of six awarded to Captain G. S. Rolph, Northamptonshire Regiment attached 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, late Essex Regiment, for his gallantry at Kruiseecke and Gheluwe, 2-3 October 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (3278 Pte. G. S. Rolph. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. S. Rolph.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 30 July 1919: ‘On 2 October 1918, near Kruiseecke, two sections were sent forward to cover the advance of the infantry, and were held up by heavy machine-gun and artillery fire. He at once rushed forward and, under intense fire, got his sections into action and covered the advance of the infantry. On 3 October, during the attack on Gheluwe, he was in charge of a forward mobile section when the infantry were held up. He immediately led his guns into action under heavy fire, restored the situation and secured the flank. Throughout the operation his leading under all conditions was most gallant and able.’ Gerald Stanley Rolph was born in Wilton, Norfolk, on 29 January 1897 and attested for the Essex Regiment, serving with the 4th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, on 30 May 1917, and was awarded his Military Cross whilst attached to the 29th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. He saw further service during the Second World War with the Army Catering Corps. He died in Nottingham on 19 January 1983. Sold with a postcard photograph of the recipient; various cap and collar badges; and copied research.
Three: Police Sergeant E. Simpson, Metropolitan Police Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. E. Simpson. S. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. E. Simpson. S. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.S. E. Simpson.) contact marks, polished, nearly very fine (3) £80-£100 --- E. Simpson served with “S” (Hampstead) Division, Metropolitan Police. Sold with a Metropolitan Police G.V.R. helmet plate; a duty cuff band; and tunic number ‘1463’.
Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., (2) V.R., narrow suspension, engraved naming (E. Salter. Leadg. Stoker H.M.S. Devastation); G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J. 28155 H. S. Ball. L. S. H.M.S. Boyne) nearly extremely fine (2) £100-£140 --- Edward Salter was born in Landport, Portsmouth on 25 August 1843. He attested into the Royal Navy on 2 August 1867, serving in H.M.S. Warrior until July 1870. He was advanced Leading Stoker on 21 January 1876 whilst serving in H.M.S. Devastation shortly before the award of his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal and was later discharged to pension on 16 May 1887. Henry Sidney Ball was born in Woolwich, London, on 22 August 1897. He attested as a Boy into the Royal Navy on 17 October 1913. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. King Edward VII until she was sunk after hitting a mine on 6 January 1916, and saw later war service in H.M.S. Biarritz. Advanced Leading Seaman on 1 October 1922, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 4 September 1930. Further advanced Petty Officer on 6 July 1934, he saw service in the Second World War in H.M.S. Colombo, H.M.S. Gambia, H.M.S. London and H.M.S. Lucia. Advanced Chief Petty Officer on 21 April 1944, he was discharged to pension on 31 March 1945.
A 1919 ‘North Russia’ M.C. group of six awarded to Major, late Lance Corporal, W. G. Butteriss [M.M., Order of St. Anne, 3rd Class], 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, attached 13th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse contemporarily engraved ‘2nd Lt. W. G. Butteriss: Leic’s Regt.’, last ‘s’ of surname corrected; 1914-15 Star (13234 Pte W. G. Butteriss Leic: R.) details, with the exception of the regiment which is officially impressed, erased and recently engraved; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. W. G. Butteriss); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally very fine or better (6) £800-£1,200 --- M.C. London Gazette 15 July 1919: ‘On 23rd March, 1919, he led his platoon as advanced guard commander with energy and decision. When less experienced troops were temporarily thrown into confusion under heavy fire he continued to advance his platoon and forced the enemy to quit their position. He then by his example and leadership gave the greatest help in restoring the situation until it was possible to continue the advance. He showed great gallantry and devotion to duty.’ The citation included with the lot also adds the following to the above: ‘During the trying conditions of the next week, he and his men were an example to all the troops under my [Ironside] command and in the actions of March 31 - April 2nd, the steady defence put up on the advanced flank post for which Lieut Butteriss was responsible prevented the enemy piercing our exposed flank.’ M.M. London Gazette 8 January 1917. Walter George Butteriss was born in Uppingham in 1896, and served during the Great War in the ranks with the 8th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 29 July 1915 (M.M.). He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment in May 1918. Buterriss was subsequently attached to the 13th (Service) Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment for service in North Russia - with the Battalion arriving in Murmansk in November 1918. A local paper gives the following with regards to his service: ‘Medals adorned the chests of many ex-Servicemen taking part in Melton Armistice Sunday church parade, but Mr. Walter Butteriss, Melton building contractor, although not in the parade, holds a Russian decoration which he believes to be unique in this country - the Order of St. Anne with sword and ribbon. It was awarded to him while he was an officer with a company mounted on skis at Murmansk and Archangel in Northern Russia towards the end of the First World War. Mr. Butteriss, who is 67, joined the Army in 1914. He served with the Leicestershire Regiment in France and was mentioned in despatches and awarded the Military Medal. This was presented to him by General French just outside Ypres. In November, 1917, he went to a cadet training school and after receiving his commission was seconded to the Green Howards and sent to Russia where he won the Military Cross and the Russian Order of St. Anne [3rd Class with Swords]. At the beginning of the second world war Mr. Butteriss was a major in the Home Guard for three years, before being called up. He then became a captain attached to General Services in Leicestershire.... The only medical attention Mr Butteriss received during his Army career was when he sprained his ankle after entering a burning house in Russia in an attempt to put out the fire. When he was in Russia his company went overland led by Macklin and Stenhouse, who were both with Sir Ernest Shackleton on his expedition to the South Pole. Mr Butteriss met Shackleton at General Ironside’s house. Shackleton was then naval officer in charge of supplies.’ The Regimental History adds the following for Butteriss’s service in Russia: ‘The transfer of the 13th Green Howards from what was known as the “Syren” to the “Elope” Force had been carried out under tolerably favourable conditions and the health of the men remainder good. The strength of the Battalion in these parts was now twenty-three officers and six hundred and eighty-four non-commissioned officers and men, while ten officers and one hundred and seventy-five other ranks had been retained with the “Syren” Force on the Murmansk front attached to various units. Almost immediately after arrival on this front the services of a portion of the Battalion were called for: on the 14th March three officers and eighty other ranks of “B” Company with four Lewis guns were sent to Rialka and Lutchino on the Dwina River front to give support to a small force there operating under Colonel Carrol; between the 15th and 18th - on which latter date the Company returned to Shred Mekhrenga - the enemy made three attacks upon Lutchino, but these were all easily repulsed. Then at midnight on the 19th Second Lieutenant W. G. Butteriss, M.M., and fifty non-commissioned officers and men were sent to Obozerskaya to take part in certain operations in the neighbourhood of Bolshiozerky, coming while there under the orders of the Vologda Force. During March there was no special activity on the Seletskoe front, but the detachment patrolled the country frequently and on two occasions encountered strong bodies of the enemy which were driven off without any loss being incurred by The Green Howards.’ After the war Butteriss played for the 2nd XI, Leicestershire County Cricket Club in the Minor Counties and coached cricket at Melton Mowbray Grammar School. He also played hockey for Melton Mowbray and Leicestershire, as well as playing rugby for Melton Mowbray. Major Butteriss died in 1966.’ Sold with contemporary typed citation for the award of the recipient’s M.C., signed by Major General W. E. Ironside, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Forces, Archangel, this mounted on card; 2 photographic images of recipient - one in uniform wearing his medals; and copied research. Note: M.I.D. unconfirmed. Another representative group including the recipient’s M.M. and 1914-15 Star is known - presumably a classic case of the family splitting the group between different members, or branches, of the family upon inheritance.
Royal National Lifeboat Institution, G.V.R., silver, a privately-made miniature pin badge, 19mm diameter, reverse only, the back engraved (E. S. Carver Nov 1922.) in fitted case, extremely fine £80-£100 --- Edward Sterling Carver RD, Commander, RNR, District Inspector of Lifeboats, was awarded the R.N.L.I. Silver medal on 17 November 1922 for his actions between 19 and 21 October 1922, when S.S. Hopelyn - on passage from Tyne to London with a cargo of coal - was wrecked off North Scroby Sands, Yarmouth, Norfolk. The Agnes Cross lifeboat from Lowestoft, Norfolk, and the Suffolk station, under the Command command of Carver, rescued 24 men and a black kitten. Page 231 of Lifeboat Gallantry: RNLI Medals and How They Were Won, ed. Barry Cox, notes that 27 RNLI medals were awarded for this rescue, including two in gold to the Coxswains of both of lifeboats; two silver (including one to Carver); and the remaining 23 in bronze.
International Medal for Supervision and Control in Vietnam, Canadian issue, bronze (Maj E. S. C. Murdoch) good very fine, scarce to Commonwealth Forces £100-£140 --- Ernest St. John Charles Murdoch, M.C., was one of a small number of officers who was specially employed to make up the Military Component Canadian Delegation (M.C.C.D.), which was set up to implement the terms of the Geneva Agreement from 1954 when the First Indo China War had ended, to the International Commission of Control and Supervision (I.C.C.S.). Only three countries, Canada, India, and Poland, were sent to Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia from 1954 to 1973, and only 1,500 ‘Peace’ Medals were awarded in total for 90 days’ service. Murdoch had previously been awarded the Military Cross for his services with the Royal Canadian Artillery in Sicily (London Gazette 23 September 1943), and Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Korea (London Gazette 3 October 1953).
A fine Great War Gallipoli ‘Gully Ravine’ D.C.M. and inter-War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. M. Wood, 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment, later 4/5th Battalion, Royal Scots Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9402 L. Sjt: J. M. Wood. 1/Bord: R.); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (3589460 Cr. Sgt. James M. Wood, D.C.M.); 1914-15 Star (9402 Pte. J. M. Wood. Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9402 Sjt. J. M. Wood. Bord. R.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (3589460 C. Sjt. J. M. Wood (D.C.M.) 4/5 R. Scots.) mounted for display, together with silver shooting medal (1908 Pte. J. Wood. 9402 G Coy) good very fine (7) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 September 1915: ‘For gallant conduct on the 28th June, 1915, on the Gallipoli peninsula. He led a reinforcing party into an enemy trench under heavy fire, and proceeded down it until he joined up with the unit on his flank. The section he passed down was strongly held by the enemy, 64 of whom surrendered.’ One of three D.C.M.’s awarded to the Border Regiment for the attack on Gully Ravine, 28 June 1915. The regimental history records: ‘”A” Company had more trouble with Turkey Trench, for they were throughout exposed to a particularly murderous fire from a hitherto unlocated enemy trench running from Turkey Trench to H.12, and every man of the assaulting party was either killed or wounded, Captain Hodgson, leading the attack, being bayoneted. “A” Company’s supports fared little better and suffered much from shell and rifle fire, but reinforcements under Sergeant Wood were gradually pushed forward and joined up with “B” Company in Boomerang Redoubt, the garrison of which then surrendered, 64 Turks becoming prisoners and being sent to the rear. The whole operation was thoroughly well organized, and was carried through with the greatest boldness and dash.’ B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 8 June 1939: ‘No. 3589460 Colour-Sergeant James Milburn Wood, D.C.M., 4/5th Battalion, (Queen’s Edinburgh) (52nd Searchlight Regiment) The Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment), Territorial Army.’ Sold with copied research including gazette notices, Battalion War Diary entries covering the Gallipoli landings on 25 April and Gully Ravine action, together with extracts from the regimental histories.
A fine Great War ‘Battle of Loos 1915, V.C. action’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private Saxon Smith, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, for gallantry at Hulluch on 8 October 1915; he was killed in action on the Somme on 15 September 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12702 Pte. S. Smith. 3/C. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (12702 Pte. S. Smith. C. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (12702 Pte. S. Smith. C. Gds.) mounted court-style for display; Memorial Plaque (Saxon Smith) this in its card envelope with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry when bombing the enemy, retaking a sap and advancing forward to bomb an enemy sap.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘8 October 1915.’ Saxon Smith was born in July 1891 at Hollinwood, Lancashire. He landed in France on 7 April 1915, and joined the 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who had been in France since the start of the war. In late September and October 1915 the Battalion took part in the Battle of Loos, and it was for his actions near Hulluch on 8 October that Smith was awarded the D.C.M. For this same action Lance-Sergeant Oliver Brooks, 3rd Battalion, Coldstream Guards, was awarded the Victoria Cross: ‘The 3rd Battalion Grenadiers were holding an advanced trench, difficult to defend and almost surrounded by the enemy, who succeeded in bombing two of their companies out of it to a second position in rear; and the consequences of the mishap might have been serious. The 3rd Battalion Coldstream were posted on the immediate right, and behaved with admirable courage and promptitude; they stood quite firm and at once went to the aid of their comrades in trouble. At the time they too were being pressed, and the enemy got a momentary footing in one of their advanced saps, but No. 3 Company, well supported by No. 1, quickly bombed him out of it, capturing three prisoners. Another effort was however necessary to restore the situation, and No. 6738 Lance-Sergeant O. Brooks, of his own initiative, followed by six bombers, and supported by a section, all of them of the 3rd Battalion, started bombing down the captured trench. A fierce fight followed lasting three-quarters of an hour, which ended by driving the intruders out of their gains; so confident were the bombing party that they were eager to continue operations and invade the German lines, but enough had been done for present. The trench that had been temporarily lost was then reoccupied, and the original position entirely recovered. The expenditure of bombs by the Battalion that afternoon was 5,000.’ (Regimental history refers) Whilst the six bombers that accompanied Brooks were each awarded the D.C.M. for the same action, it has been established that Smith was not one of that party, he having performed similar deeds on the same day. He was killed in action, whilst still serving with 3rd Battalion, in the Battle of the Somme on 15 September 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with an original news cutting with portrait announcing award of D.C.M.; and copied research.
A 51st Sikh Frontier Force Silver Pouch Belt Plate. A fine Pouch Belt Plate/ Pouch Badge, HM Silver for Birmingham 1905 H&S, crowned laurel wreath, circlet with ‘Sikhs’ and ‘51’ to the centre, below regiment title scroll ‘Frontier Force’, with 3 bolts to the rear, very good condition £120-£160
A Second War 1940 Pattern Battle Dress Blouse. A Second War 1940 pattern Battle Dress Blouse, heavy green cloth with tailors label for ‘J. S. Thompson, Ltd Glasgow 1943[?], Size 9, Height 5ft 7ins to 5ft 8ins, Breast 39in to 40in, Waist 34in to 35in, 1940 pattern. Reconnaissance cloth shoulder titles, corporal stripes, parachutist wings and pegasus airborne cloth badge to the arms, brown composite buttons, the lining stamped in black in with war department arrow and N above and numbered 196 and 9, a good example with only 1 or 2 moth holes, with a pair of green cloth trousers, stamped with war department arrow an L above and numbered 8[?]50 with braces, good condition £200-£240
Field Packs. A 1937 pattern webbing signals field service bag, stamped in black ink ‘Satchels Signals’, the lining stamped ‘’M.W. & S Ltd, 1944’, containing morse code key, headphones and microphone plus a canister titled ‘Signal Lamp M-308-A’ with US Army signal lamp by ‘Bendix Aviation Ltd’, together with a 1937 pattern webbing canvas bag containing tea rations tin, two brushes and two motoring booklets, a 20M.M Mountings Mk.1 pack containing blanket and entrenching tool, plus another 1937 bag and blanket, good condition (4) £70-£90 --- Please note that this lot is not suitable for shipping, but can be hand-delivered within the United Kingdom by prior arrangement with Christopher Mellor-Hill or James Carver.
Field Glasses. A pair of Second War desert binoculars (6 x 30), well-used but optics clear, contained in a 1937 pattern webbing case stamped ‘Bagcraft Ltd 1941’ with war department arrow and numbered 20, together with another pair of Second War binoculars stamped ‘Bino Prism No2 Mk II X 6’, optics clear, contained in a webbing case stamped ‘M.W. & S Ltd 1943’ with war department arrow and numbered 6, plus a Second War water bottle with 1937 pattern webbing straps, good condition (3) £50-£70
A Great War ‘Western Front 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Salonika 1917’ M.S.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant-Major Septimus Pugh, 4th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. 4/K.R. Rif: C.); 1914-15 Star (6321 C.S. Mjr. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (6321 W.O.Cl.II. S. Pugh. K.R. Rif. C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (6321 C.S. Mjr: S. Pugh. 4/K.R.R.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6837120 W.O. Cl. 1. S. Pugh. D.C.M. K.O.Y.L.I.) medals unmounted, light contact marks,. otherwise good very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘He has since 24th September, 1918, taken part in all the heavy fighting in which the battalion has been engaged during that period. His work throughout has been of the highest order, and of the utmost value to the battalion.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917 (Salonika). Septimus Pugh was born on 24 July 1881, and joined the army around 1905. At the outbreak of war he was serving with 4/K.R.R.C. at Gharial, India, who sailed from Bombay in October 1914 and arrived at Plymouth on 18 November, from where they proceeded to Winchester to join the 80th Infantry Brigade, 27th Division. In December 1914, the Division embarked at Southampton and landed in France at Le Havre on the 20. The Division spent most of 1915 in France, taking part in the Second Battle of Ypres, before sailing from Marseilles for Salonika in November 1915. The Division took part in various minor actions in Salonika during 1916 and 1917 in the Struma Valley. In June 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. left 27th Division in Salonika and travelled via Itea (Greece) and Taranto (Italy) to Serqueux (France). On 16 July 1918, they joined 151st Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division at Martin Eglise. This Division had suffered very heavy casualties in the German Spring offensive and needed reinforcements. The Division took to the field again in October 1918 and took part in the battles of the Hindenburg Line and the final advance into Picardy. 4/K.R.R.C. remained with the Division for the rest of the war, being at St Remy-Chaussee to the north-west of Avesnes on 11 November 1918. In early October 1918, 4/K.R.R.C. marched from Epehy to trenches at Bony, and on 3 October attacked the villages of Le Catelet and Gouy. Both villages were captured although the battalion suffered heavy casualties, whilst capturing 253 prisoners and 35 machine guns. Further attacks were made on 4 October, although this time casualties were light and they were relieved on the 5th, withdrawing to trenches in the Hindenburg Line. On the 8th the battalion attacked again in the vicinity of Marliches and Petit Verger Farms, withdrawing to billets in Aubencheul that evening, having suffered 57 casualties that day. On 10 October the battalion proceeded to Maretz and on the 17 were in position around St Souplet and advanced to attack, crossing the River Selle. On the 19 the battalion marched to Avelu, reaching Maurois on the 29, and Le Cateau on the 30. The battalion had suffered 351 casualties in killed, wounded and missing during the month of October. The battalion was in action on 4 November, suffering a further 33 casualties and again on the 5, when casualties were light. On the 6 the battalion went into billets at Noyelles, and on the 7 proceeded to St Remy-Chaussee, being in action that day and on the 8, prior to the armistice on 11 November. Pugh stayed in the army after the war, and by 1922 was a Sergeant-Major on 2/K.R.R.C. In August 1922 he was transferred to the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, with whom he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in November 1923 in recognition of 18 years exemplary service. He was discharged from the army on 4 January 1826, becoming a publican at The Fox and Hounds at Tadley, near Basingstoke, Hampshire. Sold with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M., M.S.M. and Medal Index Cards.
A collection of silver wares comprising a six section toast rack, a George V silver sauce boat of typical form, raised on three hoof feet (by S Blanckensee & Son Ltd, Birmingham 1929), a further silver sauce/cream boat of plain form and small proportions, inscribed "1937" to side (by C T Burrows & Sons, Birmingham 1937) and a pair of silver knife rests of plain form (by Cooper Brothers & Sons Ltd, Sheffield 1928), 16 oz
A Victorian yellow metal ring set with central oval cut amethyst, approx 2 carat, 1 cm x 0.6 cm, within a band of ten small clear stones, possibly chrysoberyl, 8 g total, size S CONDITION REPORTS Generally in good order though with two small gold coloured balls missing to the exterior of the white stones, one at just above three o'clock and one at eleven thirty top left - see images for details. Otherwise the piece appears to be in good condition
A George VI silver quaiche (by S Blankensee & Sons Ltd., Chester 1939), 11 cm handle to handle, 1.6 oz, a Sarn glass amethyst dressing table scent bottle with clear glass stopper, 12 cm high, a Bristol green glass scent bottle with white metal lid, a coloured art glass wave decorated paperweight / ornament, 19 cm high and a perspex cased pocket watch parts paperweight
AFTER S L CRAWFORD "Arkle, Red Rum, Desert Orchid" limited edition coloured print No'd 213/300, signed in pencil lower right by the artist and jockeys and owners to include Anne Duchess of Westminster, Richard Dunwoody etc 45 cm x 68 cm together with AFTER EDWARD BURNE-JONES "King Cophetua and the beggar maid" coloured print 56.5 cm x 25 cm, E M MARTIN "Old houses Midhurst" watercolour, signed lower right and titled on mount 30 cm x 26 cm and various other pictures and prints (1 box and 1 loose)
PETER S HALL "Falstaff / Don Giovanni", a collection of 12 theatrical costume studies and sketches various, together with four photographic studies of theatrical designs by the same hand, together with PETER S HALL "Gianni Schicchi", a collection of 20 theatrical costume studies in period dress, watercolour heightened with white and body colour, signed and dated '91, together with another similar piece and another inscribed top left "Simon Boccanegra - Amelia Act I Sc 1", signed and dated '91 lower right, mostly 56 cm x 40.5 cm
A fine Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of three awarded to Chief Petty Officer W. Dowell, Royal Navy, for his part in the E. 11’s famous patrol in the Sea of Marmora in May 1915, that resulted in the destruction of at least 90 enemy vessels and the award of the V.C. to his skipper, Martin Nasmith. Dowell was also awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze for his gallant attempts to save life during the ‘Blackwall Disaster’ of June 1898
 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (146095. W. Dowell, Ch. P.O. H.M. Submarine. E.11.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 unofficial rivets (W. Dowell, P.O. 1. Cl., H.M.S. Naiad); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (W. Dowell, P.O. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Naiad.) mounted for display, first very fine or better, contact marks to campaign medals, therefore nearly very fine (3) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 13 September 1915: ‘For service in submarines in the Sea of Marmora.’ R.H.S. Case no. 29,586: ‘At the disaster on June 21st, 1898, as detailed in Case 29,525, W. Dowell, petty officer, H.M.S. Mars, at great risk, rescued three persons.’ William Dowell was born in Poplar, Middlesex in January 1873. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in August 1888, and advanced to Able Seaman in September 1891. Subsequent service included with H.M.S. Mars, January 1898 - January 1900, during which time he was involved in the ‘Blackwall Disaster’ and was awarded a bronze Royal Humane Society Medal for his actions during that event: ‘A special meeting of the Royal Humane Society was held on Wednesday, Col. Horace Montagu presiding, for the purpose of considering the merits of a number of cases arising out of the Blackwall disaster after the launch of the battleship Albion on the afternoon of June 21st last [1898]. Bronze medals have been awarded to Privates Dorrington and McMillan, of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, who were both standing near when the accident happened, and dived in and saved six between them. Dorrington was struck by wreckage, and then his comrade stuck to him. William Dowell, 26, petty officer, of the battleship Mars, Arthur Freeman, 20, A.B., and George Moir, A.B., both of the Pembroke, very gallantly rescued many persons by diving several times under the floating timbers and wherever people were thought to be. They have been awarded the medal in each case.’ (The Naval and Military Record, 1 September 1898, refers) Thousands of people had gathered to watch the launch of the Albion on the Thames. A wave created by Albion's entry into the water caused a stage from which 200 people were watching to collapse into a side creek, and 34 people, mostly women and children, drowned in one of the worst peacetime disasters in Thames history. Dowell advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class in April 1900, and served with H.M.S. Naiad, March 1901 - August 1904. He advanced to Chief Petty Officer in September 1910, and joined the Submarine Service prior to the Great War - serving at H.M.S. Dolphin, August 1912 - September 1914 and with the submarine depot ships Maidstone and Adamant. Dowell appears to have joined the submarine E.11 on 1 April 1915. The spring of 1915 found the E.11 attached to the Fleet in the Mediterranean and, with Lieutenant-Commander Martin Eric Nasmith in command, she proceeded to make history at a rapid rate. It was in the middle of May that she left for her perilous passage through the Dardanelles, and before she was through them she ran into her first encounter with the enemy. When the Narrows had been successfully negotiated, and the submarine rose to get fresh bearings, two battleships were seen to be lying a little further on. Such an opportunity was not to be let slip without an effort, and, necessarily keeping the periscope above water, Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith at once proceeded to put his boat in a suitable position for launching a torpedo. Unfortunately, the Turks sighted the periscope a minute or two too soon, and instantly the battleships began blazing away with their light guns as hard as they could. At the same time they ‘upped anchor’ and got under way, so there was nothing for it but for the E.11 to dive and hide herself until the furore had subsided. She was far too slow to catch the battleships if she ran submerged, and if she rose to the surface she would almost certainly have been breached by a shell. After a little, therefore, she gently settled herself on the bottom of the Straits, and there she remained until dusk. That same evening she pushed on into the Sea of Marmora, where for several days she alternately rested and cruised about without finding anything that was worth the expenditure of a torpedo. Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith made Constantinople the centre of his operations during the whole of this raid, and his first reward came one Sunday morning, just before half-past six, when a big gunboat was seen cruising off the port. The submarine was ready for instant action, and in less than a minute the fatal torpedo was underway. At 6.25 the gunboat was hit; at 6.30 she had sunk, but not without giving the E.11 something of a shock. While she was heeling well over to the water's edge, a shot was fired that went clean through the submarine's periscope, carrying away about four inches of the diameter a few feet from the base, and leaving the rest standing. Had the shot struck about six feet lower, it would very probably have made a breach in the conning tower, and so rendered the submarine helpless, as she would not have been able to dive. The very next day brought an adventure which, if it was not so exciting, at any rate did not lack in interest. A big steamer was sighted making her way from Constantinople towards the Dardanelles, and the E.11 came to the surface a short distance ahead, fired a shot across her bows, and brought her to a standstill. There happened to be a facetious American newspaper correspondent on board, and when Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith hailed “Who are you?” - meaning, of course, to inquire what the ship was and what was her business - this gentleman replied by giving his own name and that of the paper for which he was working. This was not good enough for the E.11. A few more questions elicited the fact that the ship was a Turkish transport, the Nagara, and when he got as far as that, Nasmith promptly replied, “Right. I am going to sink you”. “May we have time to get off?” queried the newspaper man, by this time rather subdued. “Yes”, came the answer from the submarine, “but be d..... quick about it.” The Turks were so quick that they upset two of their boats in lowering them, and capsized several men into the water, though all of them managed to get into safety again. Then Nasmith went on board the ship to see what she carried. There was a six-inch gun, destined to strengthen the forts on the Dardanelles; there were several sets of mountings for weapons of large calibre; and there was a great quantity of ammunition for heavy guns on its way to the Dardanelles. The ship was, in fact, loaded from keel to upper deck with war material; and when the crew, and the American correspondent, had withdrawn to a safe distance, the submarine drew off, fired a torpedo, and sent the ship to the bottom. The most audacious act of the E.11 was, however, her raid on Constantinople itself. Early one morning, while she was slowly cruising off the mouth of the harbour, she hailed a Turkish merchantman to stop; but the enemy ignored the demand and ran for all he was worth toward the harbour, with the E.11 in hot pursuit. It may have been this incident that gave Nasmith his inspirat...
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class II S. H. Tomlinson, West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) Military Medal, G.V.R. (781813 Sjt: S. H. Tomlinson. C.246/W. Rid: Bde: R.F.A. -T.F.); 1914-15 Star (759 Sjt. S. H. Tomlinson. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (759 W.O. Cl. 2. S. H. Tomlinson. R.A.); Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (781813 W.O. Cl.11. S. H. Tomlinson. M.M. R.A.) mounted as worn, light pitting from Star, very fine (6) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. Sidney H. Tomlinson, a native of Leeds, served with the West Riding Brigade, Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 April 1915. He was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal per Army Order 59 of 1924.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Turnbull, Royal Field Artillery, late Cameron Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (236237 Ftr: J. Turnbull. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (S-11414 Pte. J. Turnbull. Cam’n. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (S-11414 Pte. J. Turnbull. Cam’n. Highrs.) contact marks, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette, 23 July 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette, 23 December 1918. James Turnbull, was born in Hawick, Roxburghshire, in 1884. He attested into the Cameron Highlanders for service during the Great War on the Western Front with the 5th Battalion from 10 May 1915. He appears to have been wounded during the Battle of Loos and subsequently transferred as a Fitter into the Royal Field Artillery, during with time he was twice decorated. He died in Hawick in 1958. Sold with copy Medal Index Card, London Gazette entries and copy research.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private T. Hunter, 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards, who was also Mentioned in Despatches Military Medal, G.V.R. (8150 Pte. T. Hunter. 2/S. Gds:) edge bruising, polished, nearly very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916. M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916. Thomas Hunter was born in Gragemantle, Stirlingshire, in 1888 and attested for the Scots Guards at Glasgow on 19 January 1912. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 October 1914, and for his services in 1916 was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Medal. He was discharged medically unfit on 4 April 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. At the time of his discharge he had no fewer than 22 charges on his record, including carelessly discharging a Very pistol, wounding a comrade. Sold with copied services papers and other research.
A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private S. Smith, 1st Battalion, Cameron Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-22877 Pte. S. Smith. 1/Cam: Hdrs); British War and Victory Medals (S-22877 Pte. S. Smith. Camerons) some staining, very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette, 23 February 1918. Sydney Smith, a credit draper from Hucknall, Nottinghamshire, attested in the Cameron Highlanders on 23 November 1915, for service during the Great War, and served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front. Sold with copy Medal Index Card, copy London Gazette entry and copy Beeston Gazette and Echo article, with photograph of the recipient, from 9 February 1918 ‘Pte. Sydney Smith, of Hucknall, with the Cameron Highlanders, who has been awarded the Military Medal... It was last November when he won the Military Medal for rescuing wounded men under fire and digging them out...’
An outstanding and rare Second War ‘Dieppe Raid’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Corporal C. H. Blunden, No. 4 Commando (The Rifle Brigade) who, in the final assault on the “Hess” Battery, despite being wounded, ‘continued to destroy the enemy until there were no Germans left alive.’ Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6905806 Cpl. C. H. Buunden. Rif. Brig.) note spelling of surname; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (5349 Pte. C. H. Blunden. Rif. Brig.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1939, mounted as worn, nearly very fine or better (7) £8,000-£12,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 2 October 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe.’ The original recommendation submitted by Lt. Col. Lord Lovat states: ‘6905806 Corporal Blunden, No. 4 Commando. OPERATION JUBILEE, DIEPPE AREA, 19th August 1942. Cpl. Blunden was the Section Leader in Captain Webb’s Troop which played a conspicuous part in the final assault on the Battery. Cpl. Blunden set a high standard of leadership and showed a great example in house-to-house, and hand-to-hand fighting through the Battery buildings. He was wounded, but refused to receive medical attention and continued to destroy the enemy until there were no Germans left alive.’ Orange Beach, the Plan 1. No. 4 Commando, under the command of Lt. Col. The Lord Lovat, were charged with disabling Batterie 813, otherwise known as Hess Battery. Its six 150mm guns were sighted to 8,500 yards and capable of firing 36 rounds at a time, making them very effective for coastal defence. These guns actually had a maximum range of up to 17 miles. They were surrounded by a minefield, anti-aircraft guns and light machine guns and manned by about 100 men. 2. 265 officers and men of No. 4 Commando plus a few US Rangers and Free French troops would attack Hess Battery from the front and rear in two groups. 3. Major Derek Mills-Roberts' team would land on Orange I beach at Vasterival, clear the area of defensive positions and then provide covering fire for the other team. 4. Lord Lovat's group were to land at Orange II beach at Quiberville. He and 164 men then assault Hess and enable accompanying engineers to demolish Hess using explosives. 5. Both teams would then withdraw to the beaches and safety. The Assault Orange I: Mills-Roberts' 88 men landed at the right place only 3 minutes behind schedule. Using 2 Bangalore torpedoes, a path was blown through the barbed wire up the gully through the cliffs. When they heard Hess's guns start firing on a convoy of ships out to sea, Team 1 decided to abandon the defence-clearing part of the mission and make their way straight towards the target, the Battery itself. On reaching the Battery, Team 1 took cover in a nearby barn and started sniping at the Germans using rifle and mortar fire. One lucky shot landed in one gun's ammunition dump and destroyed the gun. Despite having lost radio contact with Lord Lovat, Team 1 was softening up the target in preparation for Team 2's assault. Orange ll: Lovat and his men were spotted as they landed but were able to disembark safely being shielded from the air by 3 Spitfires who kept the German defenders pinned down. They had also landed at exactly the right place and time. Despite a handful of light casualties, Lovat's men knocked out the machine guns in pill-boxes on the cliff-tops and broke out from the beachhead through the barbed wire. Trooper Finney would win a Military Medal for bravery as a result of his part in the cutting of telephone wires which successfully sabotaged German communications. Consequently, the Germans were unable to organise themselves properly and mount a decent counter-attack. On the way to Hess Battery, Team 2 became confused in a smokescreen and some 'Friendly Fire' casualties were sustained. Once radio communications were restored, this problem was quickly solved. No. 4 Commando then mounted a bayonet charge on the Battery's defences, during which a number of individual acts of heroism occurred. Major Pat Porteous, despite being wounded in the hand and arm, disarmed and bayoneted a German who was about to kill a comrade. Sgt. Major Stockdale continued to lead his men in a charge under heavy fire despite having part of his foot blown away. Wounded Corporal Blunden led his men in difficult hand-to-hand fighting in surrounding buildings and refused medical attention until the job was complete. For these actions, Porteous would go on to be awarded a Victoria Cross (V.C.); Stockdale won a Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.); and Blunden a Military Medal (M.M.). Hess Battery was captured and the guns were destroyed as planned under a defiant Union Jack flag that had been raised. Then, carrying the wounded, No. 4 Commando withdrew using well-practised 'fire and manoeuvre' drill and re-boarded their landing craft. They took with them several German prisoners. Their casualties were: 2 dead and 3 wounded officers; 9 dead, 13 missing and 19 wounded other ranks. Charles Harold Blunden was born in 1899 and enlisted into the Rifle Brigade at Portsmouth on 15 January 1914, a school-boy musician. He served in the U.K. until January 1919 when he went to France for four months before returning to the U.K. He then served in Iraq from 15 September 1919 to 11 January 1921, and afterwards in India until 20 November 1925. He was discharged at Winchester on 14 January 1926, on termination of his 12-year engagement with the Colours. Blunden re-enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 5 February 1940, and joined No. 4 Commando at its inception on 4 March 1941. Sold with the following original documents: i. Signed letter of congratulations on award of M.M. from Louis Mountbatten, Combined Operations Headquarters, 2nd October 1942. ii. Printed extract from 4 Commando Regimental Orders listing ‘Awards for gallantry on the Dieppe Raid’ viz one V.C., one D.S.O., one Bar to M.C., two M.C.’s, one D.C.M., seven M.M.’s, and five Mentions; also giving dress instructions for the Investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, 27th October ‘42, including ‘Green Berets with the appropriate Regimental Badge, and No 4 Commando shoulder titles which will be new or spotlessly clean.’ iii. Letter from Captain & Adjutant No. 4 Commando to Mrs Blunden enclosing a third class return Railway Warrant in order to attend investiture, together with Buckingham Palace admission ticket. iv. Farewell letter of thanks from French H.Q., No. 4 Commando on behalf of the French troops who joined No. 4 Commando before D Day, thereby taking their part in the landing in the Normandy campaign and the liberation of France, dated 18 June 1945. v. Letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Dawson, O.C. No. 4 Commando, enclosing a testimonial for Corporal Blunden, dated Recklinghausen 10 Oct 45. vi. Testimonial on Headquarters No. 4 Commando headed paper, from Lieutenant-Colonel Dawson as referred to above, dated 11 Oct 45. vi. Letter from French Naval Attache enclosing Croix de Guerre with Star, ‘in acknowledgement of your gallant part in the events which led to the liberation of France and Europe’, dated 20 May 1952.
Family Group: A Second War B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Shipwright First Class A. S. Copeman, Royal Navy British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Shpt. 1Cl. Arthur S. Copeman. D/M.6472); British War and Victory Medals (M.6472 A. S. Copeman. Shpt. 5 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M.6472 A. S. Copeman. Shpt 2. H.M.S. Cockchafer.) the GVR awards polished and worn, therefore fine; the Second War awards nearly extremely fine Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., Circular issue, 1st ‘coinage head’ issue (Edwin Arnold Copeman) on original mounting pin, nearly extremely fine (10) £240-£280 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1944. Arthur Stanley Copeman was born in Neyland, Pembrokeshire, on 25 March 1898 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Shipwright on 23 July 1913. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Talbot from 18 June 1918, his previous service all being in shore based establishments, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 12 April 1931. Advanced Shipwright First Class on 17 April 1931, he was shore pensioned on 24 March 1938, but was recalled for further service during the Second World War, and was awarded the British Empire Medal whilst serving in H.M.S. Renown.
Four: General W. E. Mulcaster, Bengal Cavalry, who commanded the first expedition to Bhootan in 1865
Cabul 1842, unnamed as issued, fitted with original steel clip and bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (Lieut. W: E: Mulcaster, 64th Regt. N:I:); Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Mooltan (Capt. W. E. Mulcaster, 7th Irregular Cavy.); India General Service 1854-94, 2 clasps, North West Frontier, Bhootan (Bt. Lt. Col. W. E. Mulcaster, 5th Bengal Cavy.) all fitted with silver ribbon buckles, very fine or better (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Brian Ritchie Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2005. William Edward Mulcaster was born on 29 September 1820. He was the eldest son of Captain Sir William Howe Mulcaster, R.N., and Sophia, the eighth daughter of Colonel Philip Van Cortlandt. He was nominated for his Cadetship by H. St. G. Tucker, Esq., on the recommendation of his father. He entered Addiscombe in 1835, and the following year received an immediate posting to the Bengal Infantry. He did duty with the 9th N.I. at Barrackpore, and the 15th N.I. and the 28th N.I., before reporting to the 64th N.I. In July 1840, he was attached to the Assam Sebundy Corps, then a highly irregular unit, which ultimately evolved into the 2/8th Gurkha Rifles. The next year he rejoined his regiment and proceeded with it to Afghanistan. He was severely wounded at the forcing of the Khyber Pass in April 1842 (London Gazette 7 June 1842), on account of which he afterwards received a gratuity of twelve months pay. He returned to duty, in February 1843, as Adjutant of his corps. During the Sutlej campaign, Mulcaster was present at the battles of Moodkee and Ferozeshuhur in December 1845, and at Sobraon in February 1846. In October 1846, he was posted Adjutant and officiating 2nd in command of the 9th Irregular Cavalry (Christie’s Horse) in the absence of Lieutenant Crawford Chamberlain who was then on leave in the Cape. 

Following the murders of Vans Agnew and Anderson at Mooltan in April 1848, Mulcaster, then serving with the 7th Bengal Irregular Cavalry joined the scratch force under Lieutenant Herbert Edwardes which temporarily confined the Sikh revolt to the south west Punjab. In July, he joined the force under General W. S. Whish which had been despatched from Lahore to invest Mooltan. But at length Whish was obliged to abandon the siege and pitch camp astride the dry Wadi Mohammed Canal in the neighbouring country. In early November, the Mooltanis established two batteries on the eastern side of the canal at an uncomfortably close range to the two parts of the British camp. Whish constructed counter batteries to deal with them, and laid plans for an assault to be carried out on the 7th by his European troops against the Mooltani’s left flank. On the evening of the 6th, Mulcaster, together with a picquet drawn from his regiment, and two allied Sikh regiments, were sent to relieve the British troops protecting the batteries thus freeing them for the assault. However, during the night the allied Sikhs deserted to the enemy, leaving the task of guarding the guns, which were attacked next day, to Mulcaster. As the senior officer present in command of the 7th Cavalry in the trenches he was credited with repulsing the enemy’s assaults and driving them back. For his services during the siege of Mooltan, he was rewarded with a Brevet Majority (London Gazette 2 August 1850).

In January 1852, he was appointed to the command of the 7th Irregular Cavalry and was subsequently employed with one squadron, in November 1853, in a punitive expedition, under Colonel S. B. Boileau, against the Bori Afridis. The 7th Bengal Irregular Cavalry remained loyal during the Mutiny, and emerged from the reorganisation of the Army in 1861 as the 5th Bengal Cavalry. In April 1858, Mulcaster commanded the Cavalry Brigade employed in the field force, under Sir Sydney Cotton which marched into the Yusafzai Valley and destroyed Sittana.

He was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel in 1863 and the next year was appointed Brigadier-General in Assam. In December 1864, in response to continual raiding into British territory by the Bhootanis and insults to a British mission under the Hon. Ashley Eden, Mulcaster was appointed to the command of the Bhootan Field Force of four columns, which was sent into the mountainous territory on the borders of Tibet. The four columns advanced and overcame the slight resistance from the Bhootanis armed with matchlocks, bows and arrows, stones and other primitive weapons. But, with the end of the campaign apparently in sight, the Bhootanis attacked the British garrison at Dewangiri in February 1865, forcing the troops under Colonel Campbell to evacuate the post. The retreat over difficult terrain became a rout. The native troops panicked, the wounded and sick were left behind and the force’s two guns were abandoned and thrown into a ravine. Elsewhere overwhelming numbers of Bhootanis inflicted defeats on Mulcaster’s widely spread command, and this coupled with news of the reverse at Dewangiri, prompted the authorities at Calcutta to withdraw the expedition, and ultimately despatch a second Bhootan Field Force under Brigadier-General Sir Harry Tombs V.C., K.C.B.

Mulcaster was advanced to Major-General in 1866 and, in 1867, he relinquished his final appointment, the command of the Agra Brigade. He was made General in 1877, and was placed on the supernumerary list in 1881. General Mulcaster died at 3 Portland Place, Bath, on 4 February 1887.
Five: Sergeant Farrier S. Stoot, Royal Artillery South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (5419 Sg. Smith. S. Stoot. 6th. Bde. R.A.); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (5368 Farr. Sgt. S. Stoot. C/3 Bde. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: Farr: S. Stoot. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5368. Sgt. Farr. S. Stoot. C/3 Bde. R.A.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘5368 F. Sgt. S. Stoot. C/3. Bde. R.A.’, edge bruising and pitting from Star, therefore good fine and better (5) £800-£1,000 --- S. Stoot was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal, together with an annuity of £10, on 1 January 1905.
Seven: Sub-Lieutenant E. A. Clifford, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was killed in action at Gallipoli in the Third Battle of Krithia, 4 June 1915, whilst serving in the Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (148384 P-O: E. A. Clifford, H:M:S Forte) large impressed naming, number officially corrected; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (148384 E. A. Clifford. C.P.O. H.M.S. Highflyer.); 1914 Star (148384 E. A. Clifford, C.P.O. Howe Battn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (S. Lt. E. A. Clifford. R.N.V.R.; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (148384 E. A. Clifford, C.P.O. H.M.S. Juno.) the Delhi Durbar medal loose, otherwise mounted as worn together with an officially issued 1914-15 Star officially named as a Sub Lieutenant in the R.N.V.R., light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (8) £400-£500 --- Ernest Alfred Clifford was born in Farnham, Buckinghamshire, on 17 October 1873. Prior to joining the Royal Navy aboard H.M.S. Boscawen as a Boy 2nd Class on 3 April 1889, he had worked as a gardener. Following advancement to Boy 1st Class on 8 March he joined H.M.S. Vernon in March 1891, Duke of Wellington in May 1891, and H.M.S. Active in June 1891. During service in the latter vessel he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 17 October 1891. He next joined H.M.S. Victory 1 in October 1891 and then H.M.S. Amphion in January 1902 where on 11 August 1892, he was advanced to Able Seaman. In this rate he joined H.M.S. Pembroke 1 in March 1892 and H.M.S. Wildfire in April 1895, where he was advanced to Leading Seaman on 24 April 1895, and somewhat unusually straight to Petty Officer 1st Class on 18 November 1896, having achieved this status after only five years adult service at the very young age of 23 years. As a Petty Officer during the next three years he served aboard H.M. Ships Mersey, Jupiter, Pembroke and Forte. During service in the latter vessel he was landed as part of the ship’s Naval Brigade for service in the Boer War. He served with the Natal Field Force from October 1899 to May 1900 and was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasp ‘Natal’. Whilst serving in Forte he was advanced to Acting Chief Petty Officer in February 1901 and confirmed in the rank on 6 February 1902, after only ten years adult service. In this senior rate he served aboard H.M. Ships Pembroke, Wildfire, Argonaut and Juno. Whilst serving in Juno he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 24 October 1906. During the following five years he served in H.M. Ships Wildfire, Pembroke, and Highflyer. During service in the latter vessel, Flag Ship of the East Indies Squadron (Rear Admiral Sir E. J. W. Slade, K.C.I.E., M.V.O.) he was loaned to a number of the smaller vessels conducting inshore patrols to stop the trafficking of arms and thus became entitled to the Naval General Service Medal (1915-62) with clasp ‘Persian Gulf 1909-1914’. He was landed in December 1911 at Bombay, India, in connection with the visit of King George V, and the Delhi Durbar Coronation celebrations, and as the senior non-commissioned officer landed from H.M.S. Highflyer he became entitled to the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal. A total of 173 Royal Navy officers and men were awarded the medal. He next joined H.M.S. Pembroke in June 1913 and H.M.S. President in August 1913 from which ship he was seconded to the Sussex Division of the R.N.V.R. on 6 August 1914. Shortly after the declaration of war with Germany in August 1914, he was posted as one of the senior non-commissioned officers of the Royal Navy to the Howe Battalion of the newly formed Royal Naval Division. He took part in various operations in Belgium, including the Defence of Antwerp in October 1914 and thus became entitled to the 1914 Star. On returning to England he remained with the Howe Battalion and saw service as part of the Royal Naval Division during the Gallipoli landings in April 1915. He was present during the heavy fighting on shore in April and May 1915, when the Howe Battalion suffered considerable officer casualties. On 11 May 1915 he was promoted to Temporary Sub Lieutenant R.N.V.R. for service with ‘A’ Company, Howe Battalion, R.N.D. The Third Battle of Krithia was launched on 4 June 1915, and was the last in a series of Allied attacks aimed at capturing the original objectives of 25 April. Sub Lieutenant Clifford was killed on the opening day of the battle. He was 41 years of age and is commemorated by name on the Cape Helles Memorial, which is situated on the extreme south western point of the Gallipoli Peninsula and contains the names of 1,373 officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who fell during the fighting and have no known grave. His group of medals contains both a 1914 Star and a 1914-15 Star, the first issued to him as a Royal Navy rating and the second issued to him as a R.N.V.R. officer. This is a rare oversight by the Admiralty Medal Office where the records of officers and men of the Royal Navy and its various reserves are each filed separately and his dual service was not connected. Sold with copied research including record of service.
Four: Private H. S. Horsham, 20th Hussars Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3927 Pte. H. S. Horsham. 20th Hussars.); 1914-15 Star (12874 Pte. H. Horsham, 20th. Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (12874 Pte. H. Horsham. 20-Hrs.) edge knocks, contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £180-£220 --- Harry Stuart Horsham was born in Sidbury, Devon, on 3 May 1874. He attested into the 20th Hussars and served in South Africa during the Boer War. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 July 1915 and was discharged on 16 November 1917. Awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 283,859, he later died in Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1937. Sold with copy Medal Index Card, Medal Roll extract, and copy research.
Five: Major B. V. S. Domvile, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was Mentioned for his services during the Boer War; and was killed by enemy action aboard the M.V. Georgic off Port Tewfik in 1941 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt. B. V. S. Domvile. Rl. Muns. Fus.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. B. V. S. Domvile. Rl. Muns. Fus.) engraved naming; 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: B. V. S. Domvile. R. Muns: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Major B. V .S. Domvile.) pitting to edge of KSA, light contact marks and scratches to the Boer War pair, otherwise very fine and better (5) £500-£700 --- Beauchamp Victor Sintry Domvile was born on 8 January 1864, the son of the Reverend Charles Domvile, and served with the 3rd Battalion, Royal Muster Fusiliers in South Africa during the Boer War in the Transvaal west of Pretoria; in the Orange River Colony; and in the Cape Colony from 30 November 1900 to March 1902 as an Assistant Press Censor (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 10 September 1901). He saw further service during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. Subsequently a King’s Messenger, he was killed by enemy action on board the M.V. Georgic whilst at anchor off Port Tewfik on 14 July 1941.
Pair: Private G. T. Sutton, Bolton Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (G. Sutton, S. John Amb: Bde:); China 1900, no clasp (Pte. G. T. Sutton. St John Amb: Bde:) good very fine (2) £300-£400 --- Served aboard the Hospital Ship Maine in South Africa and China.
Five: Temporary Sergeant H. Cairns, Army Service Corps 1914 Star, with copy clasp (S-27105 Pte. H. Cairns. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (S-27105 T. Sjt. H. Cairns. A.S.C.); Defence Medal; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S-27105 Pte - A. Cpl. H. Cairns. A.S.C.) contact marks, very fine (5) £180-£220 --- M.S.M. London Gazette, 17 June 1918. Harry Cairns attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 17 August 1914. Sold together with an original smaller ARP button lapel badge, copy Medal Index Card, and copy London Gazette entry.
Three: Driver A. W. Pinn, Motor Transport Company, Royal Naval Division - one of 140 drivers and mechanics of the London General Omnibus Company who volunteered to accompany the 100 ‘B’ Type London Transport buses that the Admiralty had commandeered to take the men and equipment of the recently formed RND from the ports of Dunkirk and Ostend to Antwerp in September 1914 1914 Star (203.S. Driver A. W. Pinn, M.T. R.N. Div.); British War and Victory Medals (M-315694 Pte. A. W. Pinn. A.S.C.) good very fine (3) £500-£700 --- Approximately 56 1914 Stars and Clasps issued to the Motor Transport Company, Royal Naval Division. Alfred William Pinn was born in Bayswater, London in December 1892 and attested for the Royal Marine Artillery on 6 October 1914, and was one of 140 drivers and mechanics of the London General Omnibus Company who volunteered to accompany the 100 ‘B’ Type London Transport buses that the Admiralty had commandeered to take the men and equipment of the recently formed RND from the ports of Dunkirk and Ostend to Antwerp. They drove their vehicles down to Dover or Southampton, stopping en route at Chatham or Eastney, where they were given a suit of uniform and a few articles of kit and then on to Dunkirk. Thus it was that the fleet of buses from the London General Omnibus Company began their wartime service and earned their unique place in the annals of war. The buses, which were decorated with garish advertisements just as they had left the London streets, and their drivers, wearing a mixture of civilian and military uniform, made a remarkable impression on the people of Flanders which was never forgotten. Similarly, their role in transporting troops was crucial in the early stages of the war, as was the part they played in the supplying of the Naval and Marine Brigades in Antwerp, along with the evacuation of the wounded. After the R.N.D. had returned to England, the unit was lent to the Army and proceeded initially to St Omer. From there it rendered particularly valuable service during the first battle of Ypres and, from then on, it was continuously employed in every aspect of troop transportation. In August 1915, it was eventually decided that the Army would take over the unit and incorporate it into the A.S.C. The Non Commissioned Officers and men of the RMA Motor Transport Company were given the option of discharge or transfer to the A.S.C. at the lower rate of pay; not surprisingly very few transferred. Pinn did transfer, and was discharged in March 1919. Sold with copied research and service papers.
Three: Private F. H. Mills, South Wales Borderers 1914 Star (8894 Pte. F. H. Mills. S. Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (8894 Pte. F. H. Mills. S. Wales Bord.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Frederick H. Mills attested for the South Wales Borderers and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 (entitled to a clasp to his 1914 Star). He was discharged on 8 November 1916, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. Sold with the recipient’s riband bar, complete with rosette on the 1914 Star riband.
Three: Lieutenant T. C. Polwhele, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Centurion at the Battle of Jutland, and saw later service in submarines 1914-15 Star (Mid. T. C. Polwhele, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (S. Lt. T. C. Polwhele. R.N.) mounted for wear, traces of lacquer, contact marks, good fine (3) £80-£100 --- Thomas Cecil Polwhele was born on 16 September 1899. He attested as a Midshipman in to the Royal Navy on 1 September 1915 and served for the majority of the Great War in H.M.S. Centurion, in which he was present at the Battle of Jutland. Advanced Sub Lieutenant on 15 May 1918, he saw service at the end of the Great War in submarine U.B.21. Advanced Lieutenant on 15 May 1920, he was placed on the retired list as Medically Unfit, on 13 July 1921. He died, aged 33, less than two years later, as a result of Hodgkin’s disease, exhaustion and cardiac failure, on 23 February 1923. Sold with copy service papers.
Five: Staff Sergeant H. T. Chandler, Royal Garrison Artillery 1914-15 Star (20696, Ftr-Sjt. H. T. Chandler. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (20696 Sjt. H. T. Chandler. R.A.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (1402186 S-Sergt. H. T. Chandler. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1402186 S.Sjt. H. T. Chandler. R.G.A.) small spot to VM, polished, very fine and better (5) £180-£220 --- Henry T. Chandler attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 May 1915. Sold with a Royal Artillery cap badge and collar title.
Four: Private W. de J. Brett, Royal Irish Regiment, later Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, Guernsey Light Infantry, and Hampshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (3170 Pte. W. D. J. Brett. R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (3170 Pte. W. D. J. Brett. R. Ir. Regt.); Service Medal of the Order of St John (2412. W. Brett. S. Africa. S.J.A.B.O. 1937.) in Lamb & Co., London, fitted case of issue; together with the recipient’s St. John Ambulance Association Re-examination Cross, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘322045 William Brett’, with ten date bars for the years 1928 to 1937 inclusive, the reverses of each all engraved ‘322045’, very fine (5) £60-£80 --- William de Jersey Brett attested for the Royal Irish Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 December 1915, subsequently transferring to the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers; the 1st Battalion, Guernsey Light Infantry; and finally the Hampshire Regiment. Sold with the recipient’s two card identity discs ‘W Brett 3170 CE RIR’; and a perspex-covered riband bar for the Great War trio.
Three: Private W. Harries, South Wales Borderers, who served at the siege of Tsingtao, North China, in November 1914, and was drowned at sea the following year when the troopship Royal Edward was torpedoed off Gallipoli 1914-15 Star (10789 Pte. W. Harries. S. Wales Bord:); British War and Victory Medals (10789 Pte. W. Harries. S. Wales. Bord.) some staining, nearly very fine (3) £240-£280 --- William Harries, from St. Michael’s, Aberystwyth, Cardigan, attested into the South Wales Borderers and served during the Great War. He was present from 23 September 1914 with the 2nd Battalion, stationed in China where they formed part of the international garrison at Tientsin. In September 1914 the Battalion, supported by half a Battalion of the 36th Sikhs, joined their Japanese allies in an expedition against the German occupied territory of Kiaochow and its port of Tsingtao. On 23 September 1914 the battalion’s embarkation of 22 officers and 910 men landed at Lao Shan Bay, about forty miles N.E of Tsingtao, and began the difficult trek to the well fortified main German settlement on Kiaochau Bay which was the object of the expeditionary force. Casualties were generally light, although the extremely arduous conditions and bad weather caused them great discomfort. The nights of 5 and 6 November, however, brought the battalion heavier casualties than it had yet suffered. Brigadier-General Nathaniel Barnardiston, Commanding Tsingtau Expeditionary Force, gave the following details in his third Despatch:
‘On the 5th November I was ordered to prepare a Third Position of attack on the left bank of the river. This line was to a great extent enfiladed on both flanks by No. 1 and 2 redoubts, especially the latter from which annoying machine-gun fire was experienced. The bed of the river (a small stream running over a broad bed of sand) had also to be crossed, and in doing so the working parties of the 2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers suffered somewhat severely, losing 8 non-commissioned officers and men killed and 24 wounded.’ The siege was soon brought to a successful conclusion with the assistance of an assault by Japanese forces present, and the white flag went up on 7 November 1914, giving the Regiment the unique distinction of a battle honour held by no other British Regiment. The Battalion’s losses overall had been just 14 men killed or died of wounds or disease, and 2 officers and 34 men wounded. Harries died at sea the following year when the troopship Royal Edward was torpedoed by U-15 whilst en route between Alexandria and Lemnos on 13 August 1915, with the loss of some 1,000 lives. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey. Sold with copy Medal Index Card and copy extract from Soldiers Died in the Great War.
Eight: Sergeant S. Claydon, Royal Munster Fusiliers, later Gloucestershire Regiment 1914-15 Star (9579. Pte. S. Claydon. R. Muns. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (9579 Pte. S. Claydon. R. Muns. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (315274. Sjt. S. Claydon Glouc. R.) surname officially corrected on last, mounted court-style as worn, the Great War trio all official replacements and marked as such, nearly extremely fine (8) £80-£100 --- Samuel Claydon attested for the Royal Munster Fusiliers and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of War from 16 March 1915. His Medal Index Card notes that replacement medals were issued in April 1956.
Six: Petty Officer Steward R. S. Purves, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Daring was torpedoed by the German submarine U-23, under the command of the ‘Wolf of the Atlantic’ Otto Ktretschmer, and sank off Duncansby Head on 18 February 1940 British War and Victory Medals (P/L.6143 R. S. Purves. O.S.1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (L.6143 R. S. Purves. O.S.1. H.M.S. Dolphin.) scratches to obverse field of last, otherwise good very fine (6) £120-£160 --- Reuben Stanley Purves was born in Chester on 26 April 1896 and joined the Royal Navy on 5 January 1915, serving both during and post the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 31 January 1930, and was advanced Petty Officer Steward on 1 October 1931. He was shore pensioned on 4 January 1937. Purves was recalled for War service on 27 December 1939, and was posted to the D-class destroyer H.M.S. Daring on 16 January 1940; the ship had, for a time, been the first command of Lord Louis Mountbatten. On 18 February 1940 H.M.S. Daring was one of four destroyers escorting a convoy from the Norway campaign to the U.K. In the early hours of the morning the convoy was sighted by U-23, commanded by the man who would later become known as the ‘Wolf of the Atlantic’, Otto Kretschmer. At a point some 30 miles East from Duncansby Head U-23 found herself trapped on the surface between the two port-side escorts of the convoy. In order to enable an escape Kretschmer decided to attack the stern destroyer, H.M.S. Daring. Two torpedoes were fired and Daring was hit; almost immediately later a secondary explosion ripped through the ship, broke her in half she sank within two minutes, with the loss of 157 Officers and crew. There were only 5 survivors. Purves was amongst those killed, and he is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Pair: Private R. Kerr, Scots Guards British War and Victory Medals (16976 Pte. R. Kerr. S. Gds.) very fine Pair: Private J. Gillies, Scottish Rifles British War and Victory Medals (55970 Pte. J. Gillies. Sco. Rif.) edge bruise to BEM, very fine Pair: Private J. Ireland, Scottish Rifles British War and Victory Medals (37733 Pte. J. Ireland. Sco. Rif.) mounted as worn, good very fine Pair: Private N. E. West, 16th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 13 June 1916 British War and Victory Medals (428056 Pte. N. E. West. 16-Can. Inf.) good very fine (8) £80-£100 --- Norham Eugene West was born in King Williamstown, Cape Colony, South Africa, on 7 June 1897 and having emigrated to Canada attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at New Westminster, British Columbia, on 11 March 1915. He served with the 16th Battalion (Manitoba Regiment), Canadian Infantry, during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 March 1916, and was wounded and partially buried by a shell on 25 April 1916. He was killed in action on 13 June 1916 and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium.
Three: Lieutenant E. D. Lunn, South Lancashire Regiment, late Royal West Kent Regiment British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. E. D. Lunn.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lt. E. D. Lunn, S. Lan. R.) ‘2’ before rank on last erased, mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Ernest Donald Lunn attested for the Royal West Kent Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the North West Frontier of India, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Lancashire Regiment on 31 August 1917. He saw further service during the Third Afghan War; his Medal Index Card indicates that his India General Service Medal should indeed bear the rank ‘Lieutenant’.
A fine Great War ‘Italian theatre’ Sopwith Camel Pilot’s pair awarded to Captain J. Mackereth, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who flew with 28 and 66 Squadrons - claiming 4 enemy aircraft shot down, 1 shared destroyed, and 2 Kite Balloons destroyed. Unlucky not to have been decorated, Mackereth was wounded in the leg by anti-aircraft fire whilst in the process of shooting down a Kite Balloon, 31 August 1918. Forced to crash land his aircraft, he was taken prisoner and interned in Bavaria for the remainder of the conflict. Having joined the service straight from school, he returned to education gaining a degree and a diploma in forestry from Oxford. Mackereth was employed as a Deputy Conservator in the Indian Forestry Service - and it was in this capacity that he was murdered by one of his recently dismissed staff at Moulmein, Burma in May 1933 British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. Mackereth. R.A.F.) mounted for display, extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- John Mackereth was born in Norwood, London in October 1898. He was educated at Dulwich College, 1910-17, and joined the Royal Flying Corps as a Second Lieutenant (on probation) straight from school in June 1917. Mackereth advanced to Flying Officer in August 1917, having carried out pilot training at 8 and 67 Training Squadrons. He was posted for operational flying to 28 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) briefly in France before transferring with the Squadron to Italy at the end of October 1917. The Squadron flew offensive patrols over the front in north-east Italy before the Austro-Hungarian Empire collapsed. Mackereth first success came when he shot down a Balloon, 19 May 1918: ‘On 19 May, Lt. J. Mackereth was leading a three strong Camel patrol over Vittorio at 11,000ft. Below them he saw a kit balloon over Piave di Soligo. Leaving his patrol Mackereth dived to intercept and relying solely on his tracers he made six attacks before the KB burst into flames, its observer taking to his parachute. He rounded off his attack by strafing transport and infantry. It later became a field day for Lt. A. G. Cooper who notched two D.V.’s down in flames and a third out of control.’ (Article by D. Neate that appeared in Cross & Cockade Vol. 31, 2000, refers) Mackereth’s aircraft suffered ant-aircraft fire damage whilst he was carrying out an offensive patrol four days later. He shot down an Albatros DV in flames over Susegana-Sarano, 1 June 1918, and added another 5km west of Feltre, 15 June 1918. The Combat Report gives the following for the latter date: ‘While on Offensive Patrol Lt. Mackereth saw 7 Albatross D.5’s at 10,000 ft at 7.10am over Fonzaso. The E.A. dived on the formation. Lt. White attacked one and after a short combat the E.A. was shot down, breaking to pieces in the air... Again at 8am the Patrol saw 6 D.5’s at 11,000 ft over Feltre. Diving into them Capt. Hallonquist attack one... Lt. Mackereth also attacked one of the others and put him out of control with a good burst of fire...’ Mackereth added to his score on 30 June 1918: ‘The last day of June saw Capt. Hallonquist and Lt. J. Mackereth on patrol, ignoring the fact that there were only two of them, they attacked five D.V.’s escorting an Aviatik between Luciana and the Astico valley. Attacking, Mackereth sent his opponent down vertically (seen crashing by a member of 45 Squadron) and Hallonquist drove his down out of control (witnessed by a 34 Squadron crew).’ (Article by D. Neate that appeared in Cross & Cockade Vol. 31, 2000, refers) Mackereth shot down his fourth Albatross DV, over Pederiva, 7 July 1918, and Shared a Brandenburg 2 seater with Captain J. E. Hallonquist over Pordenone, 13 July 1918. Mackereth advanced to Temporary Captain in July 1918, and transferred to 66 Squadron who were also flying Camels and based in Italy. He was wounded in the leg by anti-aircraft fire whilst shooting down a Balloon, near Conegliano, 31 August 1918. Mackereth crash landed his aircraft and was taken prisoner of war: ‘[He] was for a long time a prisoner of war in Bavaria. He resigned his commission in 1920 and went up to Exeter College, Oxford, where he took his degree and the diploma in forestry. He joined the Indian Forest Service on December 31, 1924, and was posted to Burma. He was promoted a deputy conservator in March, 1929, and was stationed at Rangoon. He had been sent to Moulmein to carry out reorganisation... was shot dead at Moulmein last Friday [May 1933] by one of his servants [whom he had just let go from employment] with his own sporting gun.’ (Obituary refers) Sold with extensive copied research, including relevant Squadron Record Books and Combat Reports, and 2 photographic images of recipient whilst with 28 Squadron.
Three: Captain E. S. Hartnoll, 1/70th Burma Rifles British War and Victory Medals (Capt. E. S. Hartnoll.); Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, suspension on BWM bent, contact marks, very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Eric Stewart Hartnoll, the eldest son of Sir Henry Sullivan Hartnoll, the Puisne Chief Judge of Lower Burma, was born in Bassein, Burma, on 5 January 1892. Educated at Rugby School and St. John’s College, Oxford, he attested as a Trooper into King Edward’s Horse on 16 June 1913. Commissioned into the 1/70th Burma Rifles, he served during the Great War with his regiment in Egypt and Palestine. Post-War, he returned to his work with the Indian Forest Service as an Assistant Conservation Officer. During the Second World War, at the time of the Japanese invasion in 1942, he was Conservator of Forests, and was evacuated to the United Kingdom, where he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force, serving at home. He died, aged 77, in the New Forest, Hampshire, on 18 December 1970.
Pair: Private S. A. Winkler, 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry, who was awarded the M.M. and Bar for gallantry on the Western Front in 1918 - and also wounded in action British War and Victory Medals (730123 Pte. S. A. Winkler. 4-Can. Inf.); with Preston, Ontario 1919 Souvenir of Peace Celebration Medal; recipient’s identity discs, damaged named card box of issue for campaign awards, Telegram to recipient’s mother informing her that her son has been wounded, 16 September 1918, suspension claw loose on BWM, otherwise nearly extremely fine (lot) £100-£140 --- M.M. London Gazette 29 August 1918. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 11 February 1919. Samuel Alonzo Winkler was born in Preston, Ontario, Canada in August 1896. He served during the Great War with 4th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was admitted to the 3rd General Canadian Hospital, Boulogne with a gun shot wound to the head and the back leg on 6 September 1918. Sold with photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Pair: Private F. Wensley, 1st Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles British War and Victory Medals (1009906 Pte. F. Wensley. 1-C.M.R.) very fine Pair: Acting Sergeant A. S. Sayer. 2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles British War and Victory Medals (916061 A.Sjt. A. S. Sayer 2-C.M.R.) good very fine Pair: Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant H. A. Whitehead, 4th Battalion Canadian Mounted Rifles British War and Victory Medals (916937 A.C.Q.M Sjt. H. A. Whitehead. 4-C.M.R.) very fine Pair: Private J. Winning, 107th Battalion, Canadian Infantry British War and Victory Medals (216754 Pte. J. Winning. 107-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, contact marks, very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Sold with copy service records.
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