'My dear dear Dad, I am writing to you not Mum, so that you may break it more gently to her. Poor little Mole is dead. Oh it is too awful just Nick and then my favourite brother. I saw the whole thing at the time & had a terrible feeling that it was one of our machines and not a Hun and that if that was the case it would be him. He died protecting me.They went over to attack these Huns as they came up to the line and fought for about five minutes and then one machine broke away on fire. It was the most glorious fight for life ever put up. All who saw it say the same thing, what a wonderful Pilot he must have been.He was seen to be his by his Flight Commander before the fire started and then with the machine under control brought to down from 7,000ft to 100ft in a series of side slips so keeping the flames off himself, when it then broke up.I can't give you any hope and I think perhaps it was better for him to have been killed at the finish. I have kept nothing from you and I will leave it to you to say what you feel best to Mum.He was wonderful and loved by all. It nearly kills me to write this, but we must all try and bear up.Your broken hearted son, Lio.'Captain Woodhouse writes home to his father on the death of his brother, Lieutenant M. G. 'Mole' WoodhouseThe campaign group of three awarded to Flight Sub-Lieutenant M. G. Woodhouse, Royal Naval Air Service, who was tragically killed in action on 9 August 1917, by 37-kill Ace Leutnant Julius Buckler of Jasta 17; he had gone in to combat in order that he might save his elder brother who was also in the same aerial combatBritish War and Victory Medals (Flt. S. Lt., M. G. Woodhouse, R.N.A.S.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Mosley Gordon Woodhouse); Great War Memorial Scroll in the name of ‘Flight Sub-Lt. Mosley Gordon Woodhouse, R.N.', the V.M. with officially re-impressed naming, good very fine (3)Provenance:Glendining's, March 1990.Mosley Gordon Woodhouse - or Mole/Moley to his friends and comrades - was born on 26 October 1898. The family at that time lived at ‘Tofts’, Little Baddow, Essex.Having joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a Probationary Flying Officer at Dover 5 November 1916, he was slightly injured on 2 March 1917 when in a forced landing after engine failure on Avro 504 at R.N.A.S. Redcar. Posted to No. 3 (Naval) Squadron flying Sopwith Pups, he was advanced Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 10 June 1917 and crashed on 20 June 1917. Woodhouse joined No. 12 Squadron on 25 June 1917 at Dunkirk and sent to the front with No. 9 Squadron on 30 June 1917, equipped with Sopwith Pups, and Triplanes but by 12 July were exchanged for Sopwith Camels. On 9 August, while out on Patrol with Flight Commander Simpson and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Mellersh, took part in a fight with Albatros Scouts which were attacking an R.E.8., which turned out to be Piloted by his brother. His machine was shot down in flames by Vzfw. J. Buckler of Jasta 17, as his 12 'kill' of an eventual 35.Christopher Courtney wrote to his father on 14 August 1917:'Dear Arthur,I feel I must write to you and give my most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your boy. I was terribly shocked to hear of it, but it was some small consolation to know that he went out gallantly fighting.I wonder if your eldest son has told you that he was killed in an endeavour to protect his brother's machine from attack?He probably did not know it but there was an artillery machine being attacked and so he at once dived in order to chase off the enemy; unfortunately he was caught by several enemy scouts and shot down but he certainly succeeded in drawing them off the artillery machine in which, it afterwards turned out, was his brother.I think it was a most gallant death. I went to his funeral, a simple and straightforward one; he is buried under the shadow of the sand-dunes in a quiet and secluded spot.I feel very guilty in not having answered your letter; I am afraid I am a bad correspondent at the best of times; but I had had it in mind for some days to write and tell you that he was in a good squadron and getting on well; his Squadron Commander spoke most highly of him.'Sold together with the original - highly poignant - letter from Lio Woodhouse to his father, on the loss of 'Mole', besides forwarding letter for his campaign Medals, besides photographs and a quantity of copied research, including his Flying Log Book.…
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The 'Great War' M.C. group of eight awarded to Honorary Colonel J. G. Chapple, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, later Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who served on the Western Front inspecting and repairing artillery, later becoming the Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia during the Iraqi Revolt, later he served in France during the 1940 campaignMilitary Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. I. O. M. J. G. Chapple. A.O.D.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. G. Chapple.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Major J. G. Chapple. R.A.O.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, overall good very fine (8)Provenance:Purchased Spink Numismatic Circular, March 1979.M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.John Gardiner Chapple was born in Mauritius on 11 February 1886, the son of James Chapple. He was initially schooled privately before joining the Woolwich Polytechnic in 1902 and remaining there until 1910. Chapple was initially employed as an Inspector of Royal Engineers Stores, Woolwich from 1910-1914 when he undertook a course at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich and was commissioned Lieutenant (Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class III).Entering the war in France on 30 May 1915 his application for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers lists his duties at the time which included 'Inspection & Repair of Artillery & War Material'. Advanced Captain and Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class II he was further appointed Works Manager of the Calais Workshops.Transferred to Italy in 1917 Chapple was further advanced Major and Inspector of Ordnance Class I on 7 March 1917. It was not long after this that he was awarded the M.C., likely for his services in France prior to transferring to Italy.Chapple was confirmed in the rank of Major on 5 November 1918 and remained in the Military after the war, being appointed Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia from 1920. This placed him in the region as both Senior Inspector of Ordnance Machinery and Technical Advisor during the Iraqi Revolt, remaining there until 1922.Returning to Britain he was appointed back to the Royal Engineers Stores at Woolwich as a Chief Draughtsman where he was responsible for designing new stores for the War Office. Joining the Air Ministry in 1926 Chapple was working at R.A.F. Halton as the stationed Electrical and Mechanical Officer in 1926.Still serving as a Major in 1939 whilst living in Nottinghamshire he saw service in France in 1940 however did not return to the continent in 1944. Chapple was discharged having reached the age of liability on 27 September 1946 with the honorary rank of Colonel. He retired to Portsmouth where he died in April 1972; sold together with copied research.…
The campaign group of four awarded to Captain D. J. R. Simson, Royal Navy, who was killed by a German sniper on 23 May 1940 while serving aboard H.M.S. Keith at Boulogne when the port was infiltrated by German troops; he also received a posthumous 'mention'Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Capt. D. J. R. Simson. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these in box of issue and with named Condolence slip, extremely fine (4)M.I.D. London Gazette 27 August 1940.David James Robert Simson was born on 7 September 1892, later studying at Osborne and then Dartmouth, taking the King's Medal. He was promoted Midshipman on 15 January 1910 and served aboard Russell and Lancaster in the Mediterranean and with Lion during her first commission. Later being further advanced Sub-Lieutenant on 15 April 1913, during the Great War he served on the destroyer Acasta and battleship King George V at the Battle of Jutland.From March 1918 he first held command on Usk. Simson was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January 1923, Commander on 30 June 1928, and between 1929-30 was the Executive Officer at the boys' training establishment at Shotley. After this time he returned to serving aboard destroyers and commanded, among other vessels, Vanquisher in the Mediterranean, Valorous in the Home Fleet, and between 1934-35 the cruiser Cumberland in China. During the Naval Review in 1935 Simson commanded Thanet before commanding Vivien and Winchelsea and from May 1936 the new destroyer Grenville. He was promoted Captain on 30 June 1936 and was later placed in command of Codrington from 24 August 1939 until 26 November and was then in charge of Keith from 15 February 1940.On 10 May 1940, the Germans launched their invasion of France and the Low Countries. That day Keith and her sister Boreas escorted the light cruisers Arethusa and Galatea as they carried bullion from the Dutch port of Ijmuiden to the United Kingdom for safe keeping. On 12 May, she returned to the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands to evacuate Allied troops. After the destroyer Whitley had to be run aground on 19 May when she was damaged by German aircraft, she was scuttled by Keith. Keith was one of three destroyers on 21 May that evacuated 468 civilians from France. Two days later she was in Boulogne-sur-Mer, loading British troops at the Gare Maritime to be evacuated and was attacked by German troops who had infiltrated the port area. Simson was shot by a sniper and several crew members and a dozen soldiers were also killed.He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Keith sailed for the UK immediately afterwards and was later active during Operation Dynamo. She was sunk off Dunkirk by German air attacks on the morning of 31 May 1940.Brigadier W. A. Fox-Pitt, who served as commander of the 20th Guards Brigade to defend Boulogne and was subsequently awarded a D.S.O., wrote to Simson's brother, Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Simson on 20 August 1946:'My only means of communication with England during the battle was through H.M. Ships so that if there was no destroyer in, I was completely out of touch. The last destroyers left Boulogne during the night of the 23/24th and I was out of touch with England until H.M.S. Keith came in about 3p.m. By this time I had ordered a withdrawal into a closer perimeter round the Harbour in order to prevent the Germans getting round my northerly flank and cutting us off.I went aboard the Keith and had a conference with Simson and discussed the situation and sent off certain signals explaining the progress of the battle. I also had a very welcome cup of tea and gave one of the officers a letter to post for me in England. We were both pretty certain then that it was a waste of life to continue to hold Boulogne as my casualties were mounting pretty rapidly.However, a signal arrived while I was on board from the Prime Minister saying "You will evacuate all non military personnel (Pioneer Corps etc), the 20th Guards Brigade will fight it out". I then left the Keith and went and saw my Battalion Commanders and gave further orders for holding the town. I was away about two hours and then returned to the Keith, for further orders. While on board I received the signal telling to evacuate. As it was getting late I went ashore immediately to get my orders out and understood that the destroyers would put out and come back again after dark for the evacuation. I had only just left the ship when the air attack started and during the attack Simson was killed. The destroyers left the port as soon as they could and I continued with my arrangements for evacuation. I did not know that Simson had been killed until the destroyers came in later. Condor of the Whitshed, was then left in command of the Flotilla. Just before dark the destroyers came in again and I was told that I must evacuate immediately. This meant putting my plan in motion very quickly, but eventually all the troops were evacuated by about 2 a.m. on the 25th.My recollections of your brother are pretty vivid. I found him most helpful in concocting signals to England. He was at all times thoroughly calm and collected and very quick to grasp the situation on shore. He realised the importance of the destroyers as my only link with Dover, and I fear it may have been for this reason that he stayed in the port so long, as the destroyers were a very tempting target. I don't remember the Germans being within small arms range of the Keith at the time of the air attack, but the aircraft were machine gunning as well as dropping bombs. The real battle between the destroyers and the land targets took place later when the destroyers completely silenced the Germans for the rest of the night and I saw a German tank knocked out by one of their guns myself.'Sold together with the following archive comprising:i)The handwritten letter to Mrs Simson from Admiral Sir B. H. Ramsay, dated 25 May, written from Dover expressing his deepest sympathy upon his death.ii)Officer's bicorn hat, epaulettes and sword belt in named tin, together with Greatcoat Epaulettes.iii)Two sets of his pre-Second World War miniature medals, with riband bars.iv)Silver Oar rowing prize for the VIIIth Flotilla Officers Race 1925 H.M.S. Venturous, silver napkin ring and silver clothes brush.v)Letter to his wife and that to his brother from Fox-Pitt, besides photographs and assorted calling cards (5), newspaper cutting, Blue Lists (2), The List 1940, black armbands (2), besides a four leaf clover and lucky heather.…
!['The C.O., Michael, and John had each destroyed an Me. 110, while Mac [McArthur] shot down two Junkers 87 dive-bombers. He wo](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/5d973dee-439b-4cad-a633-b2b500cc4fbb/4792aa89-82b0-47d2-ad06-b2b500d55c86/468x382.jpg)
'The C.O., Michael, and John had each destroyed an Me. 110, while Mac [McArthur] shot down two Junkers 87 dive-bombers. He would have got an Me. 110 also and got his sights on it, but nothing happened when he pressed his trigger. His ammunition was finished. So a very lucky Me. 110 lived to fight another day. Mac was very pleased about this fight, and certainly a bag of two for one's first action is very good. But it made him rather over-confident, and for the next few days he regarded the German Air Force rather as an organization which provided him with a little target practice and general harmless amusement. He soon learnt better!'One of numerous references to J. H. G. 'Butch' McArthur in David Crooks's wartime account of No. 609 Squadron in the Battle of Britain; Spitfire Pilot, refers.The outstanding Battle of Britain ace's immediate D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Wing Commander J. H. G. 'Butch' McArthur, Royal Canadian Air Force, late Royal Air ForceA superb airman, who had honed his flying skills in the Experimental Section of the Royal Aircraft Establishment in the lead up to hostilities, he claimed 8 confirmed 'kills' and 3 'probables' as a Flight Commander in Spitfires of No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron at the height of the Battle, on one occasion closing the range to just 10-20 yardsHis numerous combats, and those of his fellow pilots in 609 Squadron, are vividly recounted in the pages Flight Lieutenant D. M. Crook's famous wartime publication Spitfire PilotPost-war, and having served in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the time of the Korean conflict, his remarkable flying career ended in tragedy during a pleasure flight over Las Vegas in May 1961: both he and his passenger - a croupier from the famous Horseshoe Club - were killed when their aircraft inexplicably dived into the groundDistinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1940'; 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54 (30386 McArthur J. H. G.), officially inscribed Canadian issue; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, the reverse of the suspension bar officially inscribed 'F/L J. H. G. McArthur', mounted as worn, good very fine (7)Provenance:Sotheby's, 6 March 1986 (Lot 628), when sold by the recipient's sister.D.F.C. London Gazette 22 October 1940:'This officer has led his flight and squadron with skill and determination. His brilliant leadership has been reflected in the high standard of morale in the flight. He has destroyed at least seven aircraft.'The original recommendation, for an immediate award which was approved by Dowding, states:'This officer has been a great asset to the Squadron since he joined it on 1 August 1940. His flying has been of the highest standard and he always leads his flight with skill and determination. On the occasions that he has led the Squadron he has displayed a sound sense of leadership and initiative. Individually he has always been keen and energetic in his desire to engage the enemy.To date he has destroyed 7 (confirmed) and 2 (unconfirmed) enemy aircraft and has severely damaged 2 others.'Covering remarks:'An outstanding fighter pilot who has now destroyed 8 enemy aircraft (confirmed) and 3 others probably, besides damaging a further 2.His brilliant and inspiring leadership has raised the morale of his flight to a very high standard since he took it over.'James Henry Gordon McArthur - or "Butch" to his friends and comrades - was born in Tynemouth on 12 February 1913 and was educated at West Jesmond Council School and Rutherford College, prior to attending the Marine School in South Shields. He subsequently found employment with the Marconi Company as a seagoing Radio Officer, in addition to obtaining certificates for Aircraft Radio Operation and Navigation.The latter qualifications led to his participation in the England to Australia 'MacRobertson Air Race' in 1934, when he flew with Captain Neville Stack, A.F.C., as his Radio-Navigator but their attempt ended in Athens - under controversial circumstances.On his return home, McArthur qualified for his Aero Certificate (No. 12614) at Redhill Aero Club in March 1935 and then teamed up with Captain T. Campbell-Black for an attempt on the London to Cape Town return record. Having flown non-stop from Hatfield to Cairo in their De Havilland Comet G-ADEF 'Boomerang', they took off for another refuelling stop in Kenya but, due to a problem with the aircraft, they were compelled to bale out north of Khartoum. Both landed safely in the desert and, on being rescued, gained membership of the famous Caterpillar Club, McArthur then being the youngest member.Brief employment as a First Officer in British Continental Airways having followed, McArthur was granted a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in May 1936. Confirmed in the rank of Pilot Officer after attending a course at R.A.F. Thornaby, he was posted to the Station Flight at Aldergrove and thence, in May 1938 to the Experimental Section at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough as a Flying Officer and test pilot.McArthur was likewise employed on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939 and, on being advanced to Flight Lieutenant, attended a refresher course at No. 7 O.T.U., Hawarden in July 1940. A subsequent posting to No. 238 Squadron was short-lived, however, for he was called back to Farnborough. But he continued to press for an operational posting.Battle of BritainThat wish was granted on 1 August 1940, when McArthur joined No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron, an Auxiliary Air Force unit, as a Flight Commander at Middle Wallop. Commanded by Squadron Leader H. S. Darley, D.S.O., 609 was largely manned by a pre-war class of weekend gentlemen fliers, among them Noel "Aggy" Agazarian and John Dundas; the latter's brother, Hugh, flew as wingman to Douglas Bader throughout the Battle.Over the coming weeks, on being 'scrambled' out of Middle Wallop and the satellite airfield at Warmwell, McArthur's 'brilliant leadership' of his flight - and on occasion the squadron - undoubtedly left its mark on such men. In writing to his mother in October 1940, John Dundas reported with pride that 609 was finally gaining recognition, listing McArthur's award of the D.F.C. as a case in point. He also noted that he had been given command of 'B' Flight, owing to McArthur being in hospital. More on that, later.Meanwhile, McArthur opened his operational account on 8 August 1940, when he destroyed a brace of Ju. 87s in a dogfight over the Isle of Wight-Weymouth sector. His combat report takes up the story:'…I dived on the outside of the Ju. 87 from just over 5,000 feet, fired a 7 second burst and saw him turn on his back and go into the sea. The formation then split up and I regained 4,000 feet very quickly. Height of Ju. was about 100 feet. I then dived again and gave a long burst of 10 seconds on another Ju. 87 which started to emit black smoke and dive into the sea. I then found the Me. 110. I climbed up a bit and was coming in at him from the port side and slightly above him. I turned quickly away from him and after a turn or two found myself quickly on his tail. I then found I had no more ammunition so pulled the override and hurried home … 'In Spitfire Pilot, David Crook recalls the squadron's 'bag' thus:'The C.O., Michael, and John had each destroyed an Me. 110, while Mac [McArthur] shot down two Junkers 87 dive-bombers. He would have got an Me. 110 also and got his sights on it, but nothing happened when he pressed his trigger. His ammunition was finished. So a very lucky Me. …
Three: Surgeon J. A. McMunn, Royal Horse Artillery, who latterly became Physician and Surgeon to the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1862-96Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Asst. Surjn. J. M. McMunn. R. Arty.), contemporarily engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 copy clasps, Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow (Asst. Surgn. J, A, McMunn, F Tp. R. H. Arty.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die, very fine (3)John Alexander McMunn was born on 30 October 1827 and was appointed an Assistant Surgeon in October 1853. He was present at Sebastopol in 1 Field Battery, No. 2 Captain Mercer's Company of the 8th Battalion, Royal Artillery (Medal & clasp) and thence served during the Indian Mutiny, his memorial at the Royal Hospital Chelsea stating '...with 'F' Troop R.H.A. at the Relief and Capture of Lucknow.'Returning home, he was Surgeon at the Royal Hospital from 1862 and appointed Physician and Surgeon on 4 November 1868, a position he held until 1896. McMunn died on 14 December 1899; sold together with copied research.…
A scarce 'Mohmand Operations' I.D.S.M. awarded to Subedar-Major M. Bakhsh, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment, a long-served Indian officer who additionally received a 'mention' for the Loe-Agra Operations on the North-West FrontierIndian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd 'Crowned Head' Type (Subdr. Maj. Maula Bakhsh, 3-2 Punjab R.), minor official correction to last initial of first name, good very fineJust 98 of this 'Crowned Head' G.V.R. type issued.I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 309 of 1936.M.I.D. G.G.O. 166 of 1936.Maula Bakhsh enlisted for service with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment on 24 May 1909 and rose steadily through the ranks during a career spanning some 27 years. He was made Jemadar in August 1918, Subedar in June 1923, and was finally promoted Subedar-Major on 12 June 1934 - this rank was the aspiration for any Indian soldier wanting to make a career out of the Army. The Subedar-Major was the most senior Indian rank in the Battalion.Bakhsh likely received his 'mention' for one of two events during the Loe-Agra Operations between 23 February-13 April 1935, either for his personal participation in a 'well arranged ambush of a sniping party' undertaken by two platoons of the 3rd Battalion, or an attack on a picquet. On the first instance, after an exceptionally detailed reconnaissance that afternoon, the same evening the troops involved (almost certainly with Subedar-Major Bakhsh) left camp to take up their positions. Official History takes up the story:'The party was in position by 2030 hours. Owing to the excessive darkness visibility was difficult beyond ten to fifteen yards.At 2245 hours a party of approximately twenty five enemy snipers came down the track immediately north of the Jindai Khwar from a westerly direction, and it transpired later that there was another party of ten following behind them. The section north of the Khwar opened fire on the leading party at a range of about five yards. This was immediately followed by rapid fire from the remainder of the ambush party. The enemy scattered and taking cover behind rocks and walls began a heavy but futile fire at close range on the ambush party. The firing ceased at 2330 hours, during which time, the enemy collected their casualties. They then moved off to the north west, making much noise and shouting abuse at each other and at the troops.The enemy losses in this successful affair were one killed and four wounded, of whome two died of their wounds. There were no casualties among the troops.' (Official History of Operations on the North-West Frontier of India 1920-1935, p. 177, refers).The second possible occasion is also worth noting in detail; the attack on Kila Hari has been described as 'one of the most ferocious and sustained attacks that was ever inflicted by tribesmen in the history of the North-West Frontier'. The night defence of the Kila Hari post in the Loe-Agra operations of the Nowshera Brigade in April 1935 by a party of the 72nd Punjabis (3/2nd Punjab Regt) is an epic - a small detachment was attacked by an unexpectedly-well-led tribal lashkar of some 1,000 Shamozais. The picquet was almost overwhelmed in the hand-to-hand fighting which involved revolvers, bayonets, stones and knives and lasted an incredible ten hours; this piquet consisted of one rifle company and a machine-gun platoon drawn from the 3/2nd Punjabis. An intelligence report, received during the afternoon of 5 April, stated that a large enemy lashkar had been sighted and was intending to launch an attack on Kila Hari Post from the east, but this report was considered unreliable and not given credence.The unexpected attack began about 7.30 p.m. when Shamozai swordsmen attempted to rush the machine-gun post. This resulted in severe hand-to-hand fighting but the tribesmen's attack, although pressed home with considerable ferocity, was beaten back. The enemy made further assaults at approximately 15-minute intervals until midnight, but all were repulsed. At about 9.30 p.m. the lower post on the ridge was heavily attacked, followed by other attacks against other posts which were also beaten off. The tribesmen surrounded the position and kept it under constant fire until just before dawn, when they withdrew. It was then confirmed that during this night attack 28 tribesmen had been killed and almost certainly a far larger number wounded.As for Bakhsh's I.D.S.M., the Official History makes no reference to any specific actions by the 3/2nd Battalion during the Mohmand operations, but it is worthy of note that this is a unique award to the Regiment for that campaign; sold together with copied service history extracts, Indian Army lists, Gazette entries, a compact disk of copied research, and official histories - also a copy of an article written by the recipient in 1936 for the Duke of Wellington's Regiment journal, 'Comrades in Arms: Friendship Between British and Indian Troops in Nowshera' (The Iron Duke, No. 35, October 1936, p. 217-218 refers).…
An outstanding posthumous Gold Al Valore Militare awarded to Commander P. Paiette, II Garibaldi Assault Brigade, a gallant Italian partisan who was Killed in Action with a German patrol in February 1944Italy, Republic, Al Valore Militare, Gold issue, silver-gilt, marked 'A-800' (Paietta Pietro (M) M. Carlo. (Vercelli) 24-2-944.), good very fineCitation states:'Organizer of the first partisan detachments in the Biella area. Commander of the Garibaldi Brigade, he bravely led his men in the bitter battles against an enemy superior in numbers and means. Always first in the fray, always present where the danger was greatest, an example and an incitement, he sustained numerous battles at the head of his unit, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. During a reconnaissance he clashed with a German unit and although in inferior conditions he refused to surrender and with weapons in hand accepted the fight until he fell riddled with bullets. Heroic commander and passionate animator, he made his holocaust a warning and example to the people . – Monte Casto (Vercelli), 24 February 1944.'Pietro Paietta was born on 7 February 1914 in Taino. He attended middle school in Novara and found employment as an accountant in the local branch of the Stipel Company. Enlisted in 1935 in the 4th Bersaglieri Regiment of the Trento Motorized Division, mobilized for AO (East Africa) needs, he was in Libya from December 1935 until August 1936. Repatriated and discharged with the rank of Corporal Major eligible for the rank of Sergeant, he entered the Bank of Luino which he left the following year to enlist as a Volunteer in the Garibaldi International Brigade during the Civil War in Spain. Wounded and mutilated of an arm in the Battle of the Ebro on 18 March 1938, he moved to France.After the capitulation of the French army to Germany in the spring of 1941, he took part in the resistance movement as a commander of groups of francs tireurs. On 8 September 1943, having returned to Italy and taken refuge in the Biella area, he was the organiser of the first partisan groups that were later to form the II Garibaldi Assault Brigade, of which he held command. (https://www.combattentiliberazione.it/m-o-v-m-dall8-settembre-1943/paietta-pietro, refers)…
‘I am glad to learn that the Government has granted an increase of the pension allowed to ex-Lieut. Charles Jenkins, a native of Ventnor, of the Cape Mounted Rifles ... for distinguished conduct in the field during the Zulu War of 1879. Lieut. Jenkins daringly made the charge single-handed with revolver and sword upon a number of Zulus who were defending their own kraal, but were forced by him to retreat, seven of the enemy being left dead ... It was owing to the action of Lieut. Jenkins that an army of Zulus who were coming over the hill at the battle of Inyazana ... were successfully put to flight ... Lord Chelmsford afterwards recommended the soldier for promotion from Sergeant-Major to Lieutenant.’A newspaper extract refers.The outstanding campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant C. Jenkins, Natal Native Contingent, late Royal Navy and Cape Mounted Rifles; he was the only man to earn a field commission from Lord Chelmsford during the Zulu War - that gallantry latter earned him a pension for 'for distinguished Conduct in the field'Baltic 1854-54 (C. J. Jenkins, Boy 2nd C. H.M.S. Ajax); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (Lieut. C. Jenkins, 4th Battn. N.N.C.), re-engraved naming; Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Basutoland (Pte. C. Jenkins. C. M. Rif.), mounted on silver bar as worn, very fineCharles Jenkins was born at Brading, Isle of Wight in 1840 and served in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in the Baltic operations (Medal), leaving home for a new life in South Africa in 1858. He joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen but returned home in 1868, being married on Christmas Day that year and taking work as a warder at Portsea. Little more needs to be said of his exploits during the Zulu campaign, but his record would appear to be a unique one.His final campaign would be in the Basuto Gun War of 1881, when serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles, although it took until 1903 for his Medal to reach him back on the Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight Mercury refers). Jenkins served in the Bechuanaland expedition as Interpreter to Sir Charles Warren and was 'disabled by accident on duty' in July 1885. This was further detailed in a 1904 letter from Major-General Sir F. Carrington:'I have much pleasure in testifying to the good services of Sgt. Major Charles Jenkins. He served under my command in the Basuto War in the Cape mounted Rifles and afterwards in the 2nd Mounted Rifles during Sir. C. Warren’s expedition in Bechuanaland where he was promoted to Sgt. Major for his efficiency and general good service. He unfortunately met with a severe accident when on duty by his horse backing into one of our wagons he was escorting – the horse being killed and Sgt. Major Jenkins having his collarbone and six ribs broken. He was taken to Mafeking Hospital where for some time he lay in a precarious state. He is in possession of the Baltic medal, Zulu War medal, Cape general Service medal and clasp for Basutoland. He is, I know, in most needy circumstances never having regained sufficient strength to do much work.'By April 1906 Major-General Hart Symot had taken up the case to assist in getting an increase in pension:'...I remember your gallant fighting in the critical action with the 2nd Zulu Army on the 22nd January at Inyazana, and your promotion from Non Commissioned Officer to Lieutenant in our NNC by Lord Chelmsford, upon my report.'The reply followed by letter from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in November 1906:'Sir,I am directed by the Lords and others, Commissioners of this hospital, to acquaint you that having taken into consideration all the circumstances of your case they have been pleased to increase your pension from nine pence to fifteen pence per diem. The additional 6d per day is awarded for ‘distinguished Conduct in the Field’.'The gallant old soldier died on 7 November 1919 and is buried at Ventnor.…
The Second World War D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Petty Officer Cook A. V. E. Smithurst, Royal Navy who won his award serving on H.M.S. LondonLondon was the flagship for the escort force that failed to safeguard convoy PQ17 resulting in the loss of two thirds of the convoys vesselsDistinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.P.O. Cook (S) A Van Eck Smithurst. C/M. 33903); British War and Victory Medals (33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. CK.R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (MX.33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. C.P.O. CK.R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (M 33903 A.V.E. Smithurst C.P.O. CK. H.M.S. Enterprise), contact marks, good very fine (9)D.S.M. London Gazette 14 June 1945.Allan Van Eck Smithurst was born on 7 September 1900 at Grantham, Lincolnshire, the son of Percy Smithurst. A baker, Smithurst enlisted in the Royal Navy on 10 September 1918, he was shore based for the duration of the Great War. Remaining in service after the war he served variously on Calypso, Ceres, and Cumberland in 1927 by which time he had been promoted to Leading Cook. On 24 November 1930 he was promoted to Petty Officer Cook and on 22 October 1933 whilst serving on Enterprise he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer Cook on 7 November 1934 he was posted to Sussex for service in the Mediterranean qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal.Shore based at the beginning of the Second World War he was posted to London on 7 February 1941 and served aboard her for the duration of the war.London was involved in the pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941. During this time at sea, many cracks appeared in her upper deck and hull, due to the weight of the new superstructure causing stresses. She entered a commercial shipyard on the River Tyne in October 1941 and was under repair until February 1942. London then spent March-November 1942 in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties in the company of several US Navy warships.Convoy PQ 17On 27 July 1942, convoy PQ-17 departed Iceland for the Soviet Union. Out of 34 merchant ships, only 11 would make it to port. At first, things seemed to be going well for the convoy as they beat off multiple German air attacks with relative ease. But, on 4 July, everything went wrong. An order arrived from Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, the First Sea Lord himself, reading 'Convoy is to scatter'. Fearing an imminent attack from German surface ships like Tirpitz the escort ships fled west while the merchant ships made for the Soviet Union.But the Tirpitz was nowhere near the convoy, in fact, it was still at its moorings in northern Norway. Instead of saving the convoy from disaster, Admiral Pound's order had doomed PQ-17 to destruction. Over the following week, two thirds of the convoy were sunk by German aircraft and U-Boats. It was the biggest loss to a British convoy of the Second World War.This period of operations in the heavy North Atlantic seas caused hull cracks and popped rivets in her lower hull, necessitating the ship again going into the dry-dock in December 1942 for strengthening of the hull and for the fitting of newer and more refined radar, and of more light anti-aircraft guns. This refit rectified her hull and was completed in May 1943, with the ship ready for sea in July. After sea trials and loading of ammunition, she was assigned to operate off the South African coast and then to the Eastern Fleet for the rest of the war.The story of H.M.S. London is the subject of a book written by Iain Ballantyne, ' From Fighting Sail to The Arctic Convoys & Tomorrow's War.', which relates the following about PQ17, stating:'Relentless air attacks by bombers flying from German airbases in northern Norway, coupled with incendiary attacks by submarines operating in Wolf packs, began to take a heavy toll on the merchant ships with losses increasing daily. On 4 July the First Sea Lord Admiral Pound, expecting a German surface attack in superior strength on the close support group, ordered the cruisers and escort destroyers to turn back to the west and instructed the convoy to scatter. Between 4 and 6 July, 18 freighters were sunk by surface ships, submarines and land-based aircraft. On 7 July three further ships were torpedoed by submarines. On 10 July three ships were bombed and sunk by aircraft. Only when the surviving ships of the convoy began to straggle onto Archangel did it become apparent that the convoy had suffered catastrophic loses. Nine ships of 56,611 tons were sunk by U-Boats; eight ships of 40,376 tons were sunk by the Luftwaffe; and eight ships which were damaged during air attacks were finished off by U-Boats. A total of 24 ships totalling 143,977 tons were lost, along with 3,350 military vehicles, 430 tanks, 210 aircraft and 99,316 tons of war supplies.'Smithurst was shore pensioned on 1 August 1945. He died at Hastings, Sussex in 1974; sold together with copied research.…
The Africa General Service Medal awarded to District Commissioner H. M. Douglas, Aro Frontier Force, whose long service in Africa saw him thanked by the Secretary of State for his actions during the Ngor Rising and a brace of 'mentions' for fine services in NigeriaAfrica General Service 1902-56, 4 clasps, Aro 1901-1902, S. Nigeria 1902, S. Nigeria 1904, S. Nigeria 1905-06 (Dis: Comr. H. M. Douglas, Aro F.F.), extremely fineM.I.D. London Gazette 23 February & 18 September 1906.Harold Mordey Douglas was born at Sunderland in January 1875, the son of Mordey and Emma Douglas. Joining the Colonial Service in 1894 he served initially as consular agent for Puerto de la Luz, Canary Islands. He was appointed Assistant District Commissioner with the Niger Coast Protectorate in 1897 - the start of a long career in Africa. Whilst in the Protectorate he became involved in organising transport for a cross river-expedition which occurred in 1900.The outbreak of the Anglo-Aro War in 1901 saw Douglas appointed Political Officer with No. 2 column, Aro Field Force. The fighting was surprisingly fierce given the disparity in forces with the city of Arochukwu falling after four days of fighting. The war ended not long after the fall of Bende in the Spring of 1902.Appointed District Commissioner for South Nigeria in 1902, Douglas received the thanks of the Secretary of State for his prompt actions taken in suppressing the Ngor rising in June 1902, earning his South Nigeria 1902 clasp in the process. Again appointed Political Officer to the Imo River expedition, Southern Nigeria in March 1904 he served under the command of then Major Hugh Trenchard.Joining the Bende-Onitsha Hinterland expedition, again as Political Officer, he was 'mentioned' for this service as well as earning the 1905-1906 clasp. The London Gazette on 23 February 1906 states the following of his work there:'After the withdrawal of the Ouitsha Hinterland patrol from the Owerri District, the inhabitants of a small district to the east of Owerri, which had not been visited, refused to allow passage along their roads, and fired on a military escort travelling over one of them. The District Commissioner, Mr. H. M. Douglas, and a small force under Lieutenant Halfpenny, with 86 rank and file, visited the country and met with constant resistance, four soldiers being killed and three wounded before this thickly-populated district submitted.'After the expedition Douglas was appointed Senior District Commissioner in 1906 before transferring to Central Province as Acting Provincial Secretary in 1908-09. His final role was as Acting Assistant Provincial Commissioner and Provincial Secretary of Central Province in 1910-13. Douglas was still living at Warri Province in 1914, he died on 24 May 1926 at the Kapara Estate, Fort Jameson, North-East Rhodesia; sold together with copied extracts from medal rolls, London Gazette entries and other research.Note further information on Douglas can be found in an Article in the O.M.R.S. journal of March 2019 entitled 'Black Douglas'.…
Bowker's RoversRaised in Graaff-Reinet and Somerset East districts by Commandant B. E. Bowker for the Ninth War of 1877.85 Medals issued to this unit, 47 of which with the '1877-8' clasp. The unit also earned some 34 of a total of all the 167 rare '1877' clasps - for the operations from September 1877.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (Tpr. C. Mattig. Bowkers Rovers.), very fineAlso served alongside a relative, Trooper M. Mattig.…
The 1945 B.E.M. awarded to Miss M. Jacomb, Manageress of the Corner Club & Hostel, CairoBritish Empire Medal, G.VI.R., Civil Division (Miss Mary Jacomb), mounted as worn on bow and tails riband, good very fineB.E.M. London Gazette 23 January 1945.Mary Jacomb was decorated for her fine work as the Manageress of the Corner Club & Hostel, Cairo, also known as Talbot House TOC H. Corner Club Heliopolis Services Club.…
An unusual Folk Art pitch pine kitchen dresser, possibly Cornish, the base with three drawers in the frieze and cupboard enclosed by two decorated panelled doors, the upper portion with four small drawers below shelves enclosed by two glazed doors with fret-work panels marked "J. M. 1911" surmounted by a moulded cornice, 86" high x 64" wide
A small group of gold jewellery, comprising:a diamond three stone ring,stamped 18CT,a 9ct gold sapphire and diamond brooch,33mm x 17mm, hallmarked London,and a 9ct gold ruby and diamond half eternity ring,18ct gold 1.64g, 9ct gold 3.60g total (3)Ring size M, QCondition Report9ct gold ring shank a little out of shape.Brooch pin secures.Minor mark and scratches to surfaces.
A group of jewellery, comprising: a 9ct gold cameo brooch, 50mm x 39mm, Birmingham 1980,a 9ct gold split pearl brooch, 43mm x 13mm, stamped 9ct,a hardstone heart pendant, 35mm x 24mm, fittings tested as approximately 9ct gold,and a 9ct gold split pearl ring,London 1976, 30.57g total (4)Ring size MCondition ReportSplit pearls to brooch showing wear to nacre.Minor marks and scratches to surfaces.Minor tarnish.
A group of six 9ct gold gemstone set rings, comprising a 9ct gold topaz ring, a 9ct gold tourmaline, tanzanite and diamond ring, a 9ct gold tourmaline three stone ring, a 9ct gold tourmaline and diamond ring, a 9ct gold tourmaline and diamond ring, and a 9ct gold amethyst and diamond ring, all hallmarked Birmingham, 19.34g total (6)Ring size L½, L, M, L, L, NCondition ReportA few small chips to facet junctions. Visible by 10x magnification.Minor marks and scratches to mounts.
A group of three gold wedding rings, comprising: a 22ct gold wedding ring,with a D profile,a two colour gold wedding ring,stamped 750, tested as approximately 18ct gold,and a 9ct gold wedding ring, with a D profile22ct gold 3.67g, 18ct gold 2.56g, 9ct gold 2.26g (3)Ring size M, O, NCondition ReportMarks and scratches to surfaces.
A citrine ring and a citrine pendant, the ring with an oval cut citrine, four claw set, to curled wire shoulders and a D profile shank, and a citrine single stone set pendant, with an oval cut citrine, four claw set to an articulated tapered bale, 22mm long, both tested as approximately 18ct gold, 6.69g total (2)Ring size MCondition ReportRing showing small chips and abrasions to facet junctions and girdle of citrine. A few visible by eye, some by 10x magnification.Minor marks and scratches to surfaces.Minor tarnish.
A group of 9ct gold and silver gilt rings, comprising a 9ct gold garnet single stone ring, Birmingham 1968, a 9ct gold garnet and diamond daisy cluster ring, Birmingham 1991, and a 9ct gold mystic topaz and diamond ring, Birmingham 1968,together with a silver gilt opal and garnet cluster ring, tested as silver,9ct gold 9.31g total, silver 2.19g (4)Ring size M, S, R½, QCondition ReportMinor marks and scratches to mounts.Minor tarnish.
A collection of 9ct gold gemstone set rings, comprising a 9ct gold sapphire cluster ring, a 9ct gold amethyst cluster ring, a 9ct gold amethyst and sapphire cluster ring, a 9ct gold blue tourmaline and diamond ring, a 9ct white gold gemstone set cluster ring, and a 9ct gold sapphire three row cluster ring, all hallmarked Birmingham, 21.84g total (6)Ring size L, N, M, L, M, LCondition ReportMinor marks and scratches to mounts.
A group of three 9ct gold rings, comprising:a diamond single stone ring,a round brilliant cut diamond claw set to a crossover mount, hallmarked 9ct,a diamond three stone ring, with three round brilliant cut diamonds, claw set to bifurcated shoulders and a flat section shank, hallmarked Birminghamand a three row coloured gemstone ring,one gemstone deficient, Birmingham 2006, 6.60g total (3)Ring size L, N, MCondition ReportSettings and mounts a little dirty. Would benefit from being cleaned.Coloured gemstones showing small chips to facet junctions. Visible by 10x magnification. One gemstone deficient.Minor marks and scratches to mounts.
A 9ct gold lapis lazuli, diamond and sapphire ring and a 9ct gold malachite and prasiolite ring, the lapis lazuli, diamond and sapphire ring with a central kite shaped lapis lazuli, bezel set to a surround of eight cut diamonds with a table cut sapphire to either side, into tapered shoulders and a D profile shank, Birmingham 2005,and a 9ct gold malachite and prasiolite ring, a cushion shaped malachite cabochon, double claw set and flanked by a cushion cut prasiolite to either side, into a D profile shank, Birmingham 2007, 5.54g total (2)Ring size L, MCondition ReportMinor marks and scratches to mounts.
A group of 9ct gold jewellery, comprising a 14ct gold ammolite doublet pendant, hallmarked Birmingham, 26mm long, a 9ct gold mosaic opal triplet and diamond pendant, 25mm long, hallmarked Birmingham, suspended by a curb link chain, 450mm long, stamped 375, a 9ct gold opal triplet three stone ring, 18mm long, stamped 9K, and a mosaic opal doublet pendant, suspended by a curb link chain, 450mm long, stamped 375, all hallmarked or tested as approximately 9ct gold14ct gold 3.00g, 9ct gold 6.69g total (4)Ring size MCondition ReportClasps secure.Minor marks and scratches to surfaces.
A group of three gold rings, comprising:a colourless single stone ring,stamped 585, tested as approximately 14ct gold,a 9ct gold garnet cluster ring,London 1975,and a 9ct gold sapphire seven stone ring,London 1976,14ct gold 1.54, 9ct gold 5.14g total (3)Ring size O½, M, KCondition ReportColourless stone chipped.All shanks a little out of shape.Marks and scratches to mounts.
A small group of sapphire and diamond jewellery, comprising a 9ct gold sapphire and diamond ring, Sheffield 1997, a 9ct gold sapphire and diamond articulated drop pendant, hallmarked Birmingham, a sapphire and diamond pendant, with a clip bale, 20mm long, stamped 9Kt, and a 9ct gold sapphire and diamond heart pendant, 20mm long, hallmarked 9ct gold, suspended by a Prince-of-Wales link chain, 400mm long, stamped 375, 7.64g total (4)Ring size M½Condition ReportClasp secures to chain.Clip bale secures.Minor marks and scratches to surfaces.
A diamond plaque ring and an Edwardian 18ct gold sapphire and diamond ring, comprising:a diamond plaque ring, stamped 18CT, tested as approximately 18ct gold,and an 18ct gold Edwardian sapphire and diamond ring, one diamond deficient, Chester 1915, 3.25g (2)Ring size M, LCondition ReportWear to shank of plaque ring. Shank thin.
A 9ct white gold tanzanite cluster ring and a 9ct white gold pink sapphire ring, a 9ct gold tanzanite and diamond cluster ring, set overall with oval cut tanzanites, with small round brilliant cut diamond accents, into a D profile shank, hallmarked Birmingham, and a pink sapphire three stone ring, with oval cut pink sapphires, alternating to small round brilliant cut diamonds, to shoulders channel set with small round brilliant cut diamonds and a tapered flat section shank, hallmarked Birmingham, 5.08g total (2)Ring size M, LCondition ReportCentral sapphire showing a few very small chips to table and crown facets. Visible by 10x magnification.Minor marks and scratches to mounts.
A group of six semi-precious gemstone rings, comprising a 9ct gold garnet and tanzanite crossover ring, a 9ct gold ruby and diamond ring, a 9ct gold spodumene and diamond ring, a 9ct gold ruby, sapphire and tsavorite garnet ring, a 9ct gold tsavorite garnet crossover ring, a 9ct gold vari-coloured gemstone set cluster ring, all hallmarked 9ct gold 23.83g total (6)Ring size N, N, N, M½, M, LCondition ReportA few gemstones shoring small chips to facet junctions.Some settings a little dirty. Would benefit from being cleaned.Minor marks and scratches to surfaces.
A group of silver and costume jewellery, to include a silver gilt Soroptimist International brooch, Sheffield 2001, an onyx ring, tested as silver, a rolled gold hinged bangle, a pair of paste filigree drop screw back earrings, a gilt metal past owl brooch, a paste dragonfly brooch, a paste link bracelet, a gilt metal tiger's eye ring, and a group of costume jewellery to include brooches, necklaces, pins, earrings, etc., 602.91g (qty)Ring size M, NCondition ReportMarks and scratches to surfaces.Tarnish.As found.
A small group of 9ct gold emerald set jewellery, comprising:a 9ct gold emerald and diamond ring, hallmarked London,a 9ct gold emerald and diamond eternity ring,hallmarked Sheffield, and an emerald and diamond pendant,hallmarked London, suspended by an anchor link chain, 450mm long, hallmarked Sheffield, 9.57g total (3)Ring size L, MCondition ReportMinor marks and scratches to surfaces.
A collection of 9ct gold gemstone set rings, to include a 9ct gold topaz cluster ring, ring size M½, a 9ct gold ruby cluster ring, ring size L½, a 9ct gold amethyst single stone ring, ring size L, a 9ct white gold amethyst and diamond ring, ring size L, a 9ct gold kunzite and diamond ring, ring size M, a 9ct gold amethyst cluster ring, ring size L, a 9ct gold tanzanite three stone ring, ring size K, a 9ct gold pink sapphire three stone cluster ring, ring size M, a 9ct gold pink sapphire and diamond ring, ring size L½, a 9ct gold tanzanite and diamond ring, ring size M, a 9ct gold tanzanite and diamond ring, ring size N½ and a 9ct white gold citrine ring, ring size M½, all hallmarked 9ct gold, 34.45g total (12)Condition ReportMinor tarnish, marks and scratches to mounts.
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