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In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1138. Sergt. R. Sawen. 11th Hussars.) engraved naming, small official correction to ‘11th’, otherwise good very fine £80-£100 --- Richard W. Sawen was born in the Parish of High Easter, near Chelmsford, Essex, and attested for the 11th Hussars at Westminster on 8 July 1870, aged 19. He served in India from 27 October 1870 to 7 January 1878, and the rest at home to complete 22 years. He was discharged at Canterbury on 7 July 1892. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal in Army Order 42 of 1889.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3206. Saddler Cpl: J. E. Walters. 12/Lancers.) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- James Evan Walters was born in the Parish of Portsea, near Portsmouth, Hampshire, and enlisted into the 11th Hussars at Portsmouth on 2 October 1877, aged 18 years 4 months, a shoemaker by trade. He was appointed Saddler in March 1886 and transferred as Saddler Corporal to the 12th Lancers on 15 October 1889. He was discharged at Aldershot on completion of 21 years service on 1 October 1898. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (944. Pte. T. Ashton. 14th Hussars.) engraved naming, several edge nicks, otherwise good very fine £80-£100 --- Thomas Ashton was born in the Parish of Newton, near Warrington, Lancaster, and attested for the 14th Hussars at Liverpool on 27 July 1886, aged 20, a striker (blacksmith’s assistant) by trade. He served in India from January 1877 to March 1881, in South Africa from March to November, 1881, and then back in India until March 1884, the rest at home. He was discharged on 23 June 1890, with 23 years 331 days service. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal with gratuity.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1687. Sergt. Mjr. John Courtney, 15th Hussars.) impressed naming, very fine £80-£100 --- John Courtney was born in the Parish of Silverton, near Exeter, Devon, and attested for the 15th Hussars at Westminster on 17 June 1851, aged 19, a joiner by trade. He was promoted to Corporal in August 1855, to Sergeant in October 1857, and to Troop Sergeant-Major on 14 December 1863, in which rank he was discharged at Canterbury on 23 June 1874. During this time he served in India for 1 year 6 months. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal with gratuity of £10.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (935. Tp: Sgt. Maj: G. Lee. 16th Lancers.) engraved naming, scratch in obverse field, otherwise good very fine £80-£100 --- George Lee was born in the Parish of Owston, in the county of Lincoln, near Bawtry, Yorkshire, and attested for the 19th Foot at Leeds on 11 June 1864, for a term of 10 years, aged 18 years 4 months, a furnace man by trade. He served in India from 2 November 1865, and whilst there transferred to the 16th Lancers on 31 October 1867. He was promoted to Corporal in August 1875, returned home with the regiment in January 1877, was appointed Lance-Sergeant in June 1877, and promoted to Sergeant in August 1877. He was appointed Troop Sergeant-Major on 10 November 1880, and was discharged in that rank at Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, on 16 August 1887. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal with gratuity of £5.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteAn extremely early Second War D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Skipper Lieutenant H. C. Gue, Royal Naval Reserve Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1939’ and privately engraved, ‘Chief Skipper H. C. Gue, D.S.C.’, hallmarked London 1939; British War Medal 1914-20 (15376 D.A. H. C. Gue. L.D.H., R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Henry C. Gue); Victory Medal 1914-19 (15376 D.A. H. C. Gue. L.D.H., R.N.R.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Ch. Skpr. H. C. Gue. D.S.C., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, the reverse officially dated ‘1939’, generally good very fine (9) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January 1940: ‘For unfailing courage, endurance and resource in H.M. Trawlers, Drifters and Minesweepers in their hard and perilous task of sweeping the seas clear of enemy mines and combating submarines.’ Henry Charles Gue was in London on 1 May 1894, and entered the Royal Naval Reserve as a Deck Hand on 27 March 1917. Demobilised in the rate of Leading Deck Hand in March 1919, he was appointed a Skipper in October 1924 and advanced to Chief Skipper in October 1934, and it was in the latter rank that he volunteered for service in the Red Sea, in support of anti-smuggling operations off Palestine in the late 1930s, most probably in a trawler converted for inshore patrol work. Appointed to the requisitioned trawler Cape Spartel in November 1939, he went on to win his D.S.C. in a matter of weeks, thereby becoming just the 26th recipient of the decoration to be listed in the London Gazette for the 1939-45 War, ahead even of the River Plate awards. Chief Skipper Gue received his award at an investiture held on 5 March 1940. Gue removed to another trawler, the Pitsman, in April 1941, and to the Athenian as C.O. and Skipper Lieutenant, in March 1944, in which latter vessel he served in support of the Normandy landings prior to being placed on the Retired List at the end of the year. His R.N.R. Decoration was announced in the London Gazette in February 1945. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (43. Pte. D. Boland. 18th Hussars) impressed naming, good very fine £80-£100 --- Denis Boland was born in the Parish of St Mary’s, Limerick, County Limerick, and attested for the 18th Hussars, from the Limerick Militia, at Aldershot on 1 March 1858. He served in India for 11 years 215 days, and re-engaged in India on 8 November 1864. He was discharged at Aldershot, due to chronic rheumatism, on 29 April 1878, with further service to 27 July 1878, when finally discharged. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal with gratuity of £5.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (608. Sergt. J. R. Scoones. 19th Hussars.) engraved naming, very fine £80-£100 --- John Richard Scoons/Scoones was born in the Parish of All Saints, Maidstone, Kent, and attested for the 19th Hussars at Maidstone on 10 April 1863, aged 15 years 2 months. He was appointed Trumpeter in October 1866, and Lance-Corporal in April 1876. He was promoted to Corporal in March 1877, appointed Lance-Sergeant in September 1878, and promoted to Sergeant the following month. He served in Egypt from August to November 1884, and was discharged at Colchester on 11 May 1885. Sold with copied discharge papers and confirmation of L.S. & G.C. medal for April 1885.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteArmy L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (265. Pte. J. Battle. 21st Hussars.) engraved naming, nearly very fine £80-£100 --- John Battle was born in Liverpool and attested there for the 17th Lancers on 26 April 1855, aged 21, a sugar baker by trade. He served abroad in Turkey for 181 days, and in India for 17 years 10 days. He transferred to the 12th Lancers in August 1856, to the Bengal European Light Cavalry in February 1860, and to the 21st Hussars on 1 May 1861. He re-engaged in India to complete 21 years on 21 May 1867, and was discharged at Aldershot on 9 May 1876. Sold with copied discharge papers which confirm L.S. & G.C. medal.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteRoyal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Jn. Graham. Pte. R.M. H.M.S. Pembroke) engraved naming, good very fine £100-£140 --- John Graham was born in the Parish of Brackay, County Tyrone, and enlisted into the Royal Marines at Woolwich on 29 July 1858, for a term of twelve years, aged, 19, a labourer by trade. He re-engaged on 13 May 1868. for a further period of nine years and was discharged on 8 August 1879, after 21 years 11 days service. He was then in ‘possession of 5 Good Conduct Badges the last granted 29th July 1879, also Medal for L.S. & G.Conduct. Entitled to a gratuity of £5.0.0 in discharge.’ During his service afloat he served aboard H.M. Ships Asia, Melpomene, Neptune, Pallas, and Lord Warden. Sold with copied record of service.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websitePair: Regulating Chief Wren Julia Isobel Reynolds, Women’s Royal Naval Service Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (CWRENREG J I Reynolds W121051K HMS Warrior) good very fine (2) £160-£200 --- Sold with confirmation of Jubilee 1977 medal.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis, Reserve Regiment of Cavalry, attached 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 28 September 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis Reserve Cavalry, Attd. 9th. West Yorks Regt. Sept. 28th. 1918.’; 1914-15 Star (43 Cpl. G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C. (Art.)); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. F. J. Jarvis.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (43 S.S. Cpl.G. F. J. Jarvis. H.A.C.) last mounted on H.A.C. riband, good very fine and better (5) £1,600-£2,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919. The original recommendation states: ‘This Officer has been transport officer of the 9th Battalion since February to September 1918, and the transport of the Battalion has never been in so efficient a state. He makes a point of going personally with ammunition or rations when the road is rendered dangerous by shelling or machine-gun fire, and on many occasions has by his energy and total disregard of personal danger ensured the safe delivery of whatever was being carried, and set a fine example to his men.’ George Frederick Jervaulx Jarvis was born in Stoke Newington, London, on 18 June 1884, and joined the Honourable Artillery Company on 2 December 1901. Advanced Farrier-Sergeant, he served with the Honourable Artillery Company during the Great War in Egypt from 8 April 1915, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 28 November 1916. He saw further service on the Western Front on attachment to the 9th (Yorkshire Hussars) Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment In late September 1918, the 9th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment was stationed near Artois en Vis in northern France and was preparing an attack. On 27 September, the Battalion moved forward, ‘but progress was slow because of an enemy machine gun nest that was holding up the crossing of the canal. The attack was delayed, but moved forward later in the day. The Battalion HQ reached its objective by 8 p.m. that evening. In the early morning of 28 September the Transport Officer Lieutenant G. F. J. Jarvis returning from delivering rations (which was accomplished under extreme difficulties) was severely wounded by a bomb dropped from enemy aircraft, he later died from his wounds. 2 mules, 1 horse and 2 drivers were also hit by this bomb and died and 2 Other ranks were also wounded.’ (the Battalion War Diary refers). Admitted to No. 1 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station, reportedly with wounds to his right arm and a fracture of his right thigh, Jarvis died later that day and was buried the following day in Duisans British Military Cemetery, with the Canadian chaplain W. Fisher presiding. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteRoyal Naval Auxiliary Service L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Mrs. M. H. M. Shenton.) good very fine £80-£100 --- Qualification period 3 January 1955 to 3 January 1967; medal issued 7 July 1967 (Portsmouth Command).

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteRocket Apparatus Volunteer Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, 2nd type reverse (Joseph V. Rule) nearly extremely fine £100-£140

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteCoast Life Saving Corps Long Service Medal, E.II.R. with Second Award Clasp (Albert Ivey) extremely fine £140-£180 --- Medal awarded in 1956.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteCoast Life Saving Corps Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (Harry Ambrose Buckett) extremely fine £100-£140

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteCoastguard Auxiliary Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (Thomas H. John) extremely fine £100-£140

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteRoyal Observer Corps Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (Observer Lieutenant. T. H. Flack.) in named card box of issue, extremely fine £100-£140 --- T. H. Flack served as an Observer Commander with the Norwich Group, Royal Observer Corps, and was awarded his Royal Observer Corps Medal on 25 February 1954. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteCivil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (9268 Mrs. M. Appleby 29th. June 1966) in Royal Mint case of issue, nearly extremely fine £30-£40

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websitePair: Corporal P. E. Gomez, British Honduras Volunteer Guard Colonial Police Forces L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Cpl. P. Gomez, Brit. Honduras); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, British Honduras (Cpl. P. E. Gomez, Brit. Honduras Volunteer Guard.) mounted for display purposes in this order, edge nick to latter, otherwise nearly extremely fine and scarce (2) £400-£500 --- Provenance: John Tamplin Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2009. Efficiency Medal British Honduras Gazette 15 November 1947.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteColonial Prison Service L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (296 2/G/W. Ali Nlaga, Tanganyika) pitting and contact marks, nearly very fine, scarce £140-£180 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2000. Colonial Prison Service L.S. & G.C. Tanganyika Gazette 28 June 1957. Ali Nlaga joined the Tanganyika Prison Service on 20 February 1936, and at the time he was awarded his Long Service Medal held the rank of 2nd Grade Warder.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA fine Indian Mutiny C.B. group awarded to Major J. W. Carnegie, Provost Marshal of Lucknow and in charge of the Intelligence Department throughout the defence, and who was ‘hit twice’ and had his ‘horse shot under him’ during the final capture of the city The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s, breast badge, in 18 carat gold, hallmarks for London 1859, complete with swivel ring suspension and gold riband buckle; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Defence of Lucknow, Lucknow (Capt. J. W. Carnegie, Provost Marshal.); together with a second officially impressed medal in the rank of Major but this with last three letters of surname engraved and ‘Civil Service’ erased from edge, good very fine (3) £5,000-£6,000 --- Provenance: Ritchie Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2005. John William Carnegie, the son of David Carnegie, Senior Surgeon, Bombay Establishment, was born in Aberdeen on 21 April 1814 and was nominated a Cadet in the Bengal Service by C.E. Prescott, Esq., on the recommendation of J. Magenis, Esq. He arrived in India aboard the Asia in June 1834 and was posted to the 15th B.N.I. at Cawnpore. From January 1836 until March 1848 he served as Interpreter and Quartermaster of his corps. In 1850 he was appointed Acting Cantonment Magistrate at Ambala till 1852 when he was appointed to the same position at Peshawar. In addition to his other duties he was also charged with the responsibilities of Superintendent of Abkaice and to have charge of the Sudder Bazaar. In February 1856 he became Special Assistant to the Commissioner of Lucknow. A month before the Defence of the Residency began he took part in quelling ‘an insurrection’ in the city on 31 May 1857, which was the day after mutinous Sepoys set fire to the 71st’s officers mess at Maraion and the bungalows in the European cantonment. Carnegie does not appear to have been present at Chinhut. He was however a member of the original garrison and was acknowledged by Brigadier Inglis for his services with the Intelligence Department in the following terms: ‘Capt. Carnegie, the Special Assistant Commissioner, whose invaluable services previous to the commencement of the siege I have frequently heard warmly dilated on, both by Sir H. Lawrence and by Major Banks, and whose exertions will probably be more amply brought to notice by the civil authorities on some future occasion, has conducted the office of Provost Marshal to my satisfaction’ (London Gazette 16/1/1858). He also gained the thanks of the Government for services with others at the head of the Intelligence Department (London Gazette 22/12/1857), and was permitted ‘to reckon 1 year’s extra service for Defence of the Residency’. Following the final relief of Lucknow in November 1857, he served as Provost Marshal to Outram’s Division during the siege and capture of the city in March 1858. During the latter operations he was ‘hit twice’ and his ‘horse shot under him’. Promoted Brevet Major on 24 March 1858, he was mentioned in the despatch of Major A. Hume for an action near Bhumore Ghat (Calcutta Gazette 3 November 1858). Carnegie was subsequently appointed Civil Officer with the Kapurthala Contingent and made a Companion of the Bath in May 1860. Major Carnegie resigned his commission in June 1862 and died at Gipsy Hill, Norwood, on 6 January 1874. Sold with a comprehensive file of research A third medal named to Carnegie is in the possession of the Royal Military Police Museum.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteThe C.B.E. and Brazilian ‘O Globo’ merit medal attributed to Mr J. A. Cayton, Representative, British Council in Canada, formerly British Council in Brazil The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, with full neck cravat in its Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue; Brazil, Republic, Merit Medal of the Brazilian newspaper ‘O Globo’, silver-gilt, with neck cravat, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine (2) £260-£300 --- C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1972: John Alwyn Cayton, O.B.E., lately British Council Representative in Canada. John Alwyn Cayton served as a Flight Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in the Second World War and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1943). He was awarded the O.B.E. on 11 June 1960, for services as Representative, British Council, Brazil, residing in Rio de Janeiro; and was promoted to C.B.E. in the New Years Honours of 1972, for services as Representative, British Council, Canada. O Globo is a Brazilian newspaper based in Rio de Janeiro. Sold with a calling card for ‘Mr J. A. Cayton, O.B.E., Representative, British Council, Brazil.’

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA fine and most interesting Great War 1917 ‘Passchendaele’ D.S.O. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Lembcke, Northumberland Fusiliers, late Royal Fusiliers and Gloucestershire Regiment: having been sentenced to death as a spy in German South West Africa in 1914, he was later released and went on to hold several commands on the Western Front, being twice wounded before continuing to serve with distinction in revolutionary Peru Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902 (Lieut. C. E. Lembeke. [sic] Glouc. Rgt.) officially engraved naming; 1914-15 Star (Capt: C. E. Lembcke. R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. C. E. Lembcke.) mounted as worn and housed in a contemporary Spink & Son fitted leather case; Chile, Republic, Order of Merit, Commander’s neck badge, 65mm including condor suspension x 60mm, silver, gilt and white enamel, damage to enamel and finial balls in places, in case of issue; Peru, Republic, Commander of the Order of Ayucucho, 70mm x 51mm, gilt and enamel, in case of issue; Order of Aeronautical Merit, 64mm including condor suspension x 46mm, 1st issue, gold (54g), in case of issue; Bronze Cross of the Society of the Founders of Independence, 1st issue; Centenary of Independence Medal 1921, gold (30g); Centenary of the Battle of Ayacucho Medal 1924, gold (24g); together with the recipient’s Peruvian Aviation Observer’s wings, silver, early issue, light contact marks to Q.S.A. and B.W.M., otherwise very fine or better (12) £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: The foreign awards acquired by the vendor direct from the granddaughter of the recipient and reunited with the British awards. D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918. M.I.D. London Gazettes 18 December 1917 and 27 December 1918. Charles Edward Lembcke was born Carlos Eduardo Lembcke in 1882 in Lima, Peru. The son of a Peruvian diplomat, he moved with his family to England in 1886 and was educated at Harrow. Wishing to join the British Army, he became a British subject on 24 July 1900 at the age of 18 and, having anglicised his name, was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment on 10 September. He served with them on St. Helena, guarding Boer prisoners at Deadwood Camp, and was promoted Lieutenant in the Militia in October 1901 (Q.S.A. with no clasp). Leaving St. Helena, he served on Malta from 28 November 1901, having been seconded for service with the royal Garrison Regiment. Appointed Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 3 June 1905, he was then placed in the Special Reserve of Officers, and was appointed Lieutenant, Regular Army in February 1908. Assigned to the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Special Reserve in 1907, he was promoted to Captain in June 1911. A man of wide ranging interests, he had been elected a member of the Aero Club of the United Kingdom in 1909 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society in 1912. In early 1914, while still a Captain in the 4th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, Lembcke was granted special permission by the War Office to spend a shooting holiday in German South West Africa. Planning to hunt in Ovamboland, and push on into Angola before returning to England, he was still in the German colony when war was declared in Europe. Immediately arrested by the German authorities, he was accused of being a spy, which he probably was, and sentenced to be shot. But with South African forces invading from the south, he was moved to a jail in Windhoek and after eight and a half months in the common gaol on criminal rations, he was liberated by Brigadier General Brits’ South Africans on 8 July 1915. Lembcke’s unfortunate yet fascinating adventures during this period are told in some detail in his sworn statement to the subsequent Court of Enquiry on 21 July 1915 and in his letter written to the War Office in June 1919, in which he admits to his spying activities while in Africa. This letter was then forwarded to MI.2, suggesting that he was most likely working for the Intelligence Services. While in captivity, Lembcke had been appointed to a permanent commission in the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers in the rank of Acting Captain but, after his arrival back in England on 17 August 1915, he was quickly attached to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers and joined his new regiment in France on 5 September 1915. Promoted Temporary Major in October 1915, he served with his battalion on the first day of the Battle of the Somme as part of Lieutenant-General Congreve’s 30th Division on the extreme British right. On the 12 October 1916, the battalion also took part in a local attack in the Flers sector, finding the enemy well prepared, they failed to reach their first objective and the battalion’s casualties totalled 9 officers and 261 other ranks, Lembcke being wounded. He was wounded a second time on 14 November. On 28 December 1916, Lembcke was was appointed to the command of the 18th (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment (3rd Manchester Pals - Clerks’ and Warehousemen’s Battalion) with the rank of Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel. The battalion took part in fierce fighting in an attack on the German trenches North-West of Neuville-Vitasse on 18 May 1917, with 15 officers (including every company commander in the attack) and 346 other ranks either killed, wounded or missing. Losses on similar scale occurred on 31 July at Sanctuary Wood during the 3rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) when the company attacked through the wood, securing their objectives east of Strirling Castle. Lembcke was hospitalised shortly afterwards and he relinquished command of the battalion on 12 December 1917. He was mentioned in despatches in the London Gazette on 18 December 1917 and awarded the D.S.O. on 1 January 1918, undoubtedly for his leadership of the Battalion at Sanctuary Wood. After being discharged from medical care, Lembcke was next appointed to take command of the 25th Battalion, Liverpool Regiment, taking part in the 2nd Battle of the Somme in August 1918 and the grand advance in Artois and Flanders during October and November, seeing particularly hard fighting on the Scheldt. On 14 December 1918, he took up an appointment as General Staff Officer 3rd Grade at the War Office and was promoted to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 January 1919. He was again Mentioned In Despatches for his services with the 25th Liverpool, most likely for his ‘determination and endurance on the Scheldt displayed between 18 and 21 October’, for which he had received the appreciation of the Corps Commander. He was promoted to GSO 2 on 23 June 1919 and was made a permanent Lieutenant-Colonel on 5th November 1920, relinquishing his appointment at the War Office the same day. On 15th November 1920 he was sent to Spain with Sir Esme Howard (later 1st Baron Howard of Penrith), the new British Ambassador based in Madrid, as Military Attaché. While there he was presented with a Wilkinson sword inscribed inscribed ‘A nuestro camarada el Mayor Lembcke D.S.O. A mas contrarios mas bri...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteThe exceptional Second War ‘Photo Reconnaissance Unit’ D.S.O., D.F.C. and Second Award Bar, post-war A.F.C., United States of America D.F.C. and Korean War ‘Sabre Jet’ Pilot’s United States of America Air Medal group of twelve awarded to Group Captain J. R. H. Merifield, Royal Air Force, widely recognised as one of the finest Mosquito and PRU pilots of the Second War, he flew in over 160 operational sorties and took the first photograph of a V1 rocket on a launch ramp - over the Luftwaffe Test Installation, Peenemunde West, Usedom Island Merifield went on to break two flying records, one over the Atlantic and one in South East Asia, prior to serving in Korea. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Merifield was one of a small number of R.A.F. officers seconded to the United States Air Force. He served with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing and flew in 20 combat missions with the U.S.A.F. against the communists in the famed F-86 Sabre Jet. Group Captain Merifield was killed during a flying accident, along with his instructor, whilst carrying out a Whirlwind helicopter conversion course at R.A.F. Upavon in 1961. Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1944’, reverse centre loose, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, reverse of cross officially dated ‘1942’, and additionally engraved ‘J. R. H. Merifield 1.6.42’, the reverse of Bar officially dated ‘1944’; Air Force Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1956’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, Air Crew Europe; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Sqn. Ldr. J. R. H. Merifield. R.A.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Wg. Cdr. J. R. H. Merifield. R.A.F.V.R.); United States of America, Distinguished Flying Cross, reverse engraved ‘John H. Merifield.’; Air Medal, unnamed as issued, mounted as orginally worn, remnants of lacquer, generally very fine (12) £20,000-£30,000 --- Provenance: J. B. Hayward Collection - which was then sold in Hayward’s Gazette, 3 October 1974, when it was described as ‘The finest combination of Decorations to the R.A.F. that has appeared for sale.’ D.S.O. London Gazette 11 February 1944, the original Recommendation states: ‘This officer has proved himself an exceptionally able photographic reconnaissance pilot. He has taken part in many long range flights. In addition he has also undertaken several successful night photographic sorties. Squadron Leader Merifield has been a most distinguished flight commander. He has completed much valuable experimental work.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 2 June 1942, the original Recommendation states: ‘This officer has carried out important long distance reconnaissance flights with highly successful results. He has displayed great skill and determination.’ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 3 October 1944, the original Recommendation states: ‘Since the invasion of Northern France the squadron has completed many sorties against the enemy communication systems and military installations. Much success has been achieved in which Wing Commander Merifield has played a leading part. He planned the missions, advised of the tactics to be adopted and invariably undertook the more dangerous tasks himself. On two of these his brilliant work was well proved by the perfection of the photographs which he secured.’ A.F.C. London Gazette 2 January 1956. United States of America D.F.C. London Gazette 17 October 1950: ‘For services during the period 1939-45.’ United States of America Air Medal London Gazette 6 August 1954: ‘For valuable service in Korea. For courage, aggressiveness and proficiency in frequent encounters with high performance enemy jet aircraft’ John Roy Hugh Merifield was born in March 1920, and was the son of Captain J. H. Merifield, D.S.O. of 232 Hill Lane, Southampton. Merifield was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton, and joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1939 having cut short his studies at Oxford University (where he was a member of the Oxford University Air Squadron). He carried out initial training as a Pilot, and was posted to the School of Army Cooperation at Old Sarum in early 1940. Merifield was then posted for operational flying with 540 Squadron as part of the Photo Reconnaissance Unit (PRU) at Leuchars, and went on to complete over 160 sorties in Mosquitos. Merifield carried out reconnaissance missions to Norway, and long-range trips to German and Polish Baltic ports. He became widely regarded as one of the best Photo Reconnaissance pilots of the Second War, and took the first photograph of a V1 rocket on a launch ramp - over the Luftwaffe Test Installation, Peenemunde West, Usedom Island. This was the photograph from which Flight Officer Constance Babington-Smith, a photographic interpreter at the Allied Central Interpretation Unit, R.A.F. Medenham, confirmed the existence of the V1. She later went on to write Photographic Intelligence in World War II, Evidence in Camera, in which she relates the following: ‘It so happened that, while this search was in progress, on the morning of November 28th, 1943, a Mosquito was on its way across the North Sea from Scotland to try for “D.A.” cover of Berlin. It was a time of steady bad weather over central Europe, and a whole series of attempts to photograph Berlin had failed. The pilot was Squadron Leader John Merifield, who since Alistair Taylor went missing was quietly emerging as the steadiest and most talented of the Mosquito pilots at Leuchars. It was Merifield (when war broke out he was a nineteen-year-old undergraduate at Oxford) who in March 1942 had flown the cover of Königsberg - a landmark of great significance: for the first time the whole of northern Germany was within range. Merifield and his navigator, Flying Officer [W. N.] Whalley, approached the Berlin area from the north, but when they reached the city they realised that they would not be able to take any photographs there. The cloud was solid below them. Merifield knew, however, that it was much clearer on the Baltic coast, as they had come in that way. So he turned northwards and set course for the alternative targets that had been picked for him at briefing. There were some shipping targets at Stettin and Swinemünde, a flock of airfields, a suspected radar installation at Zinnowitz on the island of Usedom, and various other odd jobs. One after another Merifield photographed them. After Zinnowitz there was still some film left, and Merifield always made a point of using up every scrap. What targets were left? The airfield at Peenemünde. That would just about do it. Flying westwards, Merifield switched on his cameras as he reached the northern tip of Usedom, and they clicked away as he crossed the airfield. Then home! Three days later, on December 1st, while Kendall was arguing his case at the meeting in London, explaining step b...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA well-documented post-War ‘Air Observation Post’ D.S.O group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. M. H. Hailes, Royal Artillery, who specialised in the hazardous task of flying light, slow, cramped and unarmed Auster spotter planes over hostile territory in Palestine, Malaya, and Korea in the face of determined opposition and dangerous circumstances but nonetheless always attempted to engage enemy targets, efforts that also saw him twice Mentioned in Despatches; in Korea he identified and fixed Chinese artillery positions for counter-bombardments by 1 Commonwealth Division or by US heavy guns Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse undated, with integral top riband bar; 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, Cyprus, additional clasps unofficially attached, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. J. M. H. Hailes. R.A.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Major J. M. H. Haines [sic]. D.S.O. R.A.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, generally very fine and better (6) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 24 April 1953: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished flying services in Korea’. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Hailes has been in command of 1903 Air OP Flight RAF since July 1952. He joined the Flight at a time when two pilots had been shot down and two others had changed. There was therefore concern at the possibility of the operational efficiency of the Flight dropping considerably. In the event this did not happen and, in fact, the reverse was the case as the Flight went from strength to strength. The credit for this rests entirely with Major Hailes. From the very outset he was complete master of the situation and displayed leadership of the highest order in all spheres but most particularly from the operational aspect. He himself did far more flying than his duties as Flight Commander called for and it was characteristic of his him that he would always use the most doubtful aircraft leaving the others for the remaining pilots. His magnificent example, efficiency and courage during this difficult period was a great inspiration to the more experienced pilots and filled the younger ones with unshakeable confidence. While going to great pains to train his younger pilots he carried, at the same time, an even greater share of the operational sorties than would have been his in a normal situation. He has personally flown 125 sorties and conducted 166 shoots with guns of the Divisional and Corps artillery. In doing this he has been responsible for inflicting many casualties of both men and equipment on the enemy. The whole Division has the greatest respect and admiration for the Air OP Flight and this is a direct result of the magnificent leadership, courage and conscientiousness consistently displayed by Major Hailes throughout the period. His work in all spheres has been far above what one would expect in the normal line of duty and I recommend services of such a high order be recognised in the form of an appropriate award.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 7 January 1949 (Palestine) ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Palestine during the period 27 March to 26 September 1947.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 April 1951: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya during the period 1 July to 31 December 1950.’ John Martin Hunter ‘Jack’ Hailes was born on 27 January 1920 in Maymyo, a pleasant hill station in central Burma where, in the early 1920’s, George Orwell served as Assistant District Superintendent of Police. As a young boy he lived in Mandalay, where his father was a District Superintendent of Railways. He was educated at Cheltenham College, his father’s alma mater. As war approached, Hailes decided to join the regular army and entered the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in January 1939. As war became inevitable, the pace of his training was accelerated and he was sent to 122 Officer Cadet Training Unit in August. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, on 9 December 1939, with regimental seniority from 4 November 1939, and was posted as a Troop Commander to 51st Anti-tank Regiment, 51st (Highland) Division, which landed in France in January 1940 to join the British Expeditionary Force. The Battle of France On 19 April 1940 the 51st Division was detached from the rest of the B.E.F. It was put under French command and moved to a section of the Franco-German frontier just south of Luxembourg and in front of one of the most powerful and impressive showpiece underground fortresses of the Maginot Line, the Ouvrage Hackenburg, which had been inspected by King George VI. The intent was to stiffen Allied defences at the northern end of the Maginot Line in case of a German attack on the western front during the invasion of Norway. France had briefly invaded German Saar in this sector in September 1940 when its ally Poland was attacked. Since Norway was now under German attack, the French High Command deemed it prudent to anticipate possible enemy action on the Western Front. The Germans did not oblige the French generals by attacking their Maginot defence works. They simply outflanked them and by the end of May had trapped the entire Allied northern forces in the Dunkirk beachhead. Meanwhile, the French desperately tried to form a new defence line along the River Somme in Picardy. Fortress Hackenburg was harassed by German forces but never directly attacked. The 51st Division was withdrawn from Lorraine and moved by train and road to Picardy. It saw much action assisting the French in their futile attempts to repulse the Germans from the Somme bridgeheads at Abbeville. After further clashes at Huchenneville, the Division was reduced to half its fighting strength by 6 June and was desperately short of supplies, especially ammunition. The only remaining option was evacuation by sea. 154 Brigade was rescued from Le Havre and Cherbourg but the rest of the Division was encircled. The Royal Navy landed at the small port of St Valery-en-Caux near Dieppe on 10 June to try to snatch as many men as possible. Unfortunately, the retreat of 51th Division to the coast had been held up, and a thick fog descended during the night of 11-12 which made it too risky for ships to enter and leave the port. All artillery ammunition had run out and the Division was forced to surrender to overwhelming German forces on 12 June. Hailes joined some 10,000 men who were marched off to prisoner-of-war camps in the Reich. Hailes was promoted to Lieutenant on 9 June 1941 and remained a Prisoner of War in various camps in Poland, Germany and Austria until 13 April 1945. After his return to England, Hailes was assigned to a number of refresher courses and training appointments to prepare him for his promotion to Captain on 1 July 1946. Northern Italy, Egypt, Palestine and Malaya Early in 1946 Hailes decided that he wished to become a Royal Artillery Air Observer. The tethered kite balloons of the Great War had been very effective in acquiring targets far behind the frontlines and directing artillery to neutralise them, but balloo...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA most interesting and poignant Great War O.B.E. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. W. Powell, Royal Flying Corps, late Intelligence Corps - with which unit he embarked to France as a founder member in August 1914: a three time Boat Race winning Cambridge Blue, Olympic Bronze medallist, accomplished artist and mountaineer, ‘a man of genius which showed itself in many fields’, he was tragically killed together with three fellow Eton masters climbing in the Swiss Alps in 1933 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1918; 1914 Star (2. Lieut: E. W. Powell); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. E. W. Powell. R.A.F.), together with London Olympics 1908 participation medallion, white metal - pewter, good very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919 - Egypt: ‘In recognition of distinguished services rendered during the war’ Eric Walter Powell was born on 6 May 1886 at The Vicarage, Holy Innocents, Hornsey, London, the son of Rev. Robert Walter Powell and his wife Mary Caroline Hankey. He was educated at Eton, where he became an accomplished oarsman, and Trinity College, Cambridge, gaining his rowing Blue and enjoying victory in the Boat Race as a member of the Cambridge eight in 1906, 1907 and 1908. Powell also participated in the 1908 London Olympic Games when Cambridge University made up a boat rowing in the eights and won a bronze medal for Great Britain. At this time, 3rd place rowing crew members did not receive a bronze medal each, rather, the prize bronze medal went to the team captain (presumably for the clubhouse), however, they were presented with their ‘participation’ pewter medals and a 3rd place certificate. Having returned to Eton in 1910, now as a master, Powell won the Diamond Challenge Sculls, seen as the pinnacle of amateur individual rowing, at Henley Royal Regatta in 1912. On the outbreak of the Great War, Powell’s expertise in languages saw him invited to join the newly created Intelligence Corps under its first Commandant, Major T. G. J. Torrie, 17th Light Cavalry, Indian Army. He was swiftly commissioned 2nd Lieutenant and embarked overseas on 8 August 1914 as one of this new unit’s 13 founder officers. In France, the work of the Intelligence Corps in the area of aerial reconnaissance photography analysis and signals interception soon led to a close relationship with the Royal Flying Corps whose main role in the early days of the war was the provision of such information. It was in these circumstances, then, that Powell discovered an interest in flying and he successfully qualified as a pilot on 29 May 1915. Having transferred to the Royal Flying Corps as a specialist in Intelligence Corps work, the following June he was posted to No. 13 Squadron, an artillery observation and photo-reconnasissance squadron flying RE8s on the Western Front and on 8 December 1916 he was promoted Captain and Flight Commander. Whilst on the Western Front he painted various aircraft scenes. Powell returned to the Home Establishment on 5 August 1917 as Squadron Commander at H.Q. Training Division and was advanced Major and Squadron Leader on the formation of the R.A.F. on 1 April 1918. He was posted to R.A.F. Headquarters, Egypt on 3 June 1918 and was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 25 June, taking command of the newly formed 32 Training Wing the following month. He reverted to the unemployed list on 22 January 1919. Mentioned in Despatches three times for his services on the Western Front (London Gazettes 22 June 1915, 1 January 1916, and 4 January 1917), he was created an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (Military) and was also Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Egypt (London Gazette 5 June 1919). After the war, Powell spent a year in Paris studying art before returning once again to Eton as an art teacher and house master, soon becoming a landscape artist of some repute. Favouring watercolour as a medium he exhibited at Walker’s Gallery in New Bond Street on seven occasions between 1920 and 1933 and several of his pictures were exhibited at the Alpine Club in 1925 and 1930 including one entitled Piz Roseg from the Morteratsch, the very alpine peak that would later cost him his life. Having started climbing after the war, Powell took up Alpine mountaineering in 1922 completing ascents of the Jungfrau, Wetterhorn and Schreckhorn and by 1925 he had climbed most of the Oberland peaks and had been elected to the Alpine Club. He met his death, tragically, with three fellow Eton masters while climbing the Eselgrat on Piz Roseg in the Swiss Alps on 17 August 1933. Shortly before the accident, White-Thompson, another one of those killed, wrote in a letter to his family from the Golf-Hotel des Alpes, Samedan, ‘Eric is the same, ever steady ... leading up or coming down last. In the intervals he paints.’ The four men are buried in the grounds of the Santa Maria Kirche in Pontresina, Switzerland and also commemorated on a memorial in the ante-chapel at Eton; there is a separate memorial tablet to Powell in the cloister. To mark the 50th anniversary of the disaster, an exhibition of 48 of Powell’s paintings was held at Eton in 1983. Amongst these were pictures of Windsor, Paris and Venice as well as scenes from the Great War and the Alps. Eton College possesses a number of his watercolours and one oil, and the Alpine Club Library in London has an extensive archive of material relating to him. After his death, Cyril Alington, Head Master of Eton College, eulogised: ‘Eric Powell was a man of genius which showed itself in many fields. The world perhaps knew him best as an oarsman, the winner of the Diamond Sculls, but there are others who think of his distinction in the Flying Corps, and yet more to whom his wonderful talent as an artist made a stronger appeal. To watch the marvellous speed with which he transferred to paper the beauty which he saw with an unerring eye was a pleasure of which one never tired, and in later years he was developing an accuracy of detail and a variety of technique which seemed to hold the highest promise. Of what he did for drawing at Eton it is impossible to speak too highly; and his success as one of the most popular and best loved of house masters was so remarkable that it might have been grudged to anyone but him. Powell’s sister, Ellen, married fellow Olympian Harold Barker.’

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War O.B.E., Order of St. John and post-War K.P.F.S.M. group of eleven awarded to Captain A. T. N. Evans, Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire, late West Riding Regiment, who was severely wounded at the Battle of Messines on 10 June 1917 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Justice’s set of insignia (post-1926), comprising neck badge, 54mm, silver-gilt and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, and breast star, 72mm, silver-gilt and enamel, plain angles, with neck riband, in slightly damaged case of issue; King’s Police and Fire Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, for Distinguished Service (Alfred T. N. Evans, O.B.E., Ch. Const. Pembrokeshire Constab.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. T. Evans.) rank neatly but unofficially altered on both; Defence Medal (Capt. A. T. N. Evans. O.B.E. C. St. J. Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire) contemporarily impressed naming; Jubilee 1935 (Captain A. T. Evans. Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire) contemporarily engraved naming; Coronation 1937 (Captain A. T. N. Evans - Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire) contemporarily engraved naming; Coronation 1953 (Capt. A. T. N. Evans, C. St. J., O.B.E., Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire) contemporarily engraved naming; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Alfred T. N. Evans Ch. Const.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with 1 Additional Award Bar (40531. Capt. A. T. N. Evans. O.B.E. P. for W. 1950); together with the recipient’s St. John Ambulance Association Re-examination Cross, Priory for Wales, silver, the reverse engraved ‘W.A. 4285 Alfred Evans 1926’ with 15 date labels, in silver for the years 1927-1933, and base metal for the years 1946-1954, those up to year 1946 all engraved ‘WA 4285’ on reverse; Royal Masonic Institution for Boys Steward’s Medal, presented at 167th Anniversary Festival, 2 June 1965, gilt and enamel, in J. R. Gaunt & Son box of issue; Carnarvonshire Constabulary cap badge; Pembrokeshire Police badge; identity bracelet, engraved ‘2nd Lieut. A. T. Evans, C.E., 8th Duke of Wellington’s Regt.’; another in silver, London hallmarks for 1918, engraved ‘Lieut: A. T. Evans. C.E., Adjt: St. Martin’s Camp. 9th Bn. Duke of Wellington’s Regt.’, generally good very fine (12) £1,400-£1,800 --- O.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1942 ‘Captain Alfred Thomas Neale Evans, Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire.’ Knight of Justice, Order of St. John of Jerusalem London Gazette 25 June 1954 ‘Captain Alfred Thomas Neale Evans, O.B.E.’ K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1951 ‘Alfred Thomas Neale Evans, O.B.E., Chief Constable, Pembrokeshire Constabulary.’ Alfred Thomas Neale Evans was born on 16 March 1893 in Dolgelly, Merionethshire, Wales, the son of John Evans, a Police Sergeant, and his wife Elizabeth, and joined the Carnarvonshire Police as a Constable. Following the outbreak of the Great War he made several applications to join the Army but, having initially had his release from the Police Force denied, he attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps on 11 August 1915 and then, on 1 January 1916, transferred to the the 22nd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Promoted Sergeant within a month, he was soon recommended for a commission and after 6 months at No. 1 Officer Cadet Battalion he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) on 28 March 1917, arriving in France with them one month later. He was badly injured on 10 June, during the Battle of Messines, and sent to No. 3 General Hospital at Le Touquet, from where, having only partially recuperated, he rejoined his unit on 12 October and was given sedentary duties as Assistant Adjutant in the transport lines. On 3 February 1918, however, the Battalion Medical Officer considered him unfit for further duties in the front line, his commanding officer Lieutenant - Colonel C. S. Worthington - stating at the time: ‘This officer was wounded in the back in June 1917 by the nose-cap of a shell. He returned to duty with his unit on 12 October, when still far from fit, but volunteered to return, although he might easily have got to England had he desired. He has found it quite impossible to carry on the duties of platoon commander in the front line on account of his lameness and pain in the leg. I can strongly recommend him for a sedentary job as Adjutant or Assistant Adjutant, and preferably where he could carry out his duties outside, or in a motor car.’ Still suffering from the effects of his wounds, on 13 February Evans was admitted to No. 35 Field Ambulance and the next day moved to No. 20 General Hospital before, on 7 March, he was moved to No. 5 Rest Camp, Boulogne. He remained on the strength of his unit as Adjutant until, in April 1918, he was medically downgraded, and transferred to the 9th West Riding Regiment where he became Adjutant of a large base camp. In November 1918 Evans was instrumental in quelling a serious disorder at St. Martin’s Military Dispersal camp in France, and was thanked by the G.O.C. for his actions. Evans was advanced Captain on 28 November 1918 (after the cut off date for this rank to appear on his British War and Victory Medals) and was appointed to interrogate British prisoners of war returning from Germany before being released on request of the Chief Constable of Caernarvon in order to resume his duties in the Deputy Chief Constable’s office. In part due to his former army responsibilities and his having retained the honorary title of Captain, he received rapid promotion, becoming Police Sergeant on 13 November 1919 having served less than two years as a Constable. Further advancements to Inspector in 1923 and Superintendent in 1926 were followed by his appointment to Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire in April 1933 at the age of 40. Having joined the Carnarvon Great Western Railway Division of the St. John Ambulance in 1926, Evans’s ongoing work saw him admitted to the Order of St. John as a serving brother in 1936 followed by promotions to the grade of Officer in the Order of St. John in February 1939, St. John Ambulance County Commissioner for Pembrokeshire in 1945 and Commander in the Order of St. John in May 1948. He was awarded the O.B.E. in 1942, probably for the re-organisation of the Pembrokeshire Police Force and Pembrokeshire Civil Defence organisations following the German bombing of Llanreath oil refinery in August 1940. On 1 January 1951, Evans was gazetted with the King’s Police Medal and Fire Services Medal for Distinguished Service, the same year receiving the Police Long Service Medal at the time of its institution, having by now served 11 years in Pembrokeshire – plus 19 years and 56 days service with Caernarvonshire Constabulary. Evans was promoted to the grade of Knight of Justice of the Order of St. John on 18 June 1954 in recognition of his services to the Order of St. John and the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Pembrokeshire. He became Hi...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Egypt’ M.C. group of five awarded to Captain G. G. Hills, Indian Army Reserve of Officers Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with case of issue; 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut. G. G. Hills. I.A.R.O.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. G. Hills.); Volunteer Force Long Service (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Trooper G.G. Hills. Surma V. Lt. Horse) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Strong Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, May 2011. M.C. London Gazette 16 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an advance. His platoon came under very heavy cross fire from machine guns, and after going about 150 yards was unable to advance or retire. He got the survivors back to the top of a hill, which was then counter-attacked by the enemy, who advanced under an extremely heavy machine-gun barrage to within 25 yards of the top. With great gallantry and steadiness he beat off the attack with Lewis guns and bombs. The enemy then tried to capture the hill by coming in on his left flank, and was again beaten back. Owing to his courage and example the hill was retained.’ George Gregory Hills was born on 4 March 1882, the son of Colonel George Scott Hills, Bengal Engineers. In 1900 he enlisted into the Surma Valley Light Horse and was subsequently awarded the Long Service Medal. He was commissioned on 23 April 1915 into the Indian Army Reserve of Officers (Infantry) and was attached to 58th Vaughan’s Rifles (Frontier Force) from 18 January 1916. Promoted Lieutenant on 23 April 1916 and Captain on 23 April 1919, at some time he was also attached to the 3/151st Punjabis, and he was awarded the M.C. for his leadership and bravery at El Kefr, Egypt, on 30 March 1918. He died at the Ranger Lodge, near Machunllek, Montgomeryshire, on 22 September 1955. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War M.B.E. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel W. R. Dunlop, Royal Canadian Army Medical Corps The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; together with companion set of five miniature dress medals and Canadian Memorial Cross, E.II.R. (Lt. Col. W. R. Dunlop, M.B.E.) very fine (11) £200-£260 --- M.B.E. Canada Gazette 16 June 1945. The recommendation states: ‘Major [William Robert] Dunlop was appointed to the Canadian Army in August 1940, and proceeded overseas with No. 9 Canadian General Hospital in September 1943. He acted as Registrar of this hospital and by his example and effort succeeded in raising the administration to an exceedingly high level. He has been unsparing in his efforts towards the efficiency of the hospital and has also been most conspicuous in his pleasant liaison with English hospitals with whom he has come in contact. Major Dunlop is now General Duty Medical Officer with No. 3 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station.’ Sold with additional research including Canadian Medical Directory entry for 1958.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteFamily Group: A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. pair awarded to Second Lieutenant J. C. Lott, East Lancashire Regiment, late 18th (1st Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 13 April 1918 - together with a rare Memorial Volume commemorating the recipient Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (1758 Pte. J. C. Lott. R. Fus:); Memorial Plaque (John Cyprian Lott) very fine Pair: Lieutenant R. C. Lott, 12th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, later attached General Staff, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Salonika during the Great War British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. C. Lott.) nearly extremely fine (5) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in leading his company to their objective with great dash and ability. During consolidation he set a splendid example of coolness and disregard of danger, moving about on the top and encouraging his men. On several occasions he has shown exceptional gallantry, within three days personally leading three bombing attacks against a strongly-wired enemy position.’ John Cyprian Lott was born on 28 February 1895 at De Aar, Cape Colony, South Africa the son of the Reverend Reginald Charles Lott and Alice Margaret Lott. He was educated at Sherborne School and Trinity College, Oxford and enlisted as a Private in the University and Public Schools Brigade, 18th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 2 September 1914, proceeding to France with them on 14 November 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Special Reserve of Officers, 3rd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment on 5 September 1916 and was attached to the 11th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment on 29 September 1916. Second Lieutenant Lott was wounded on 10 March 1917 and 27 March 1918 and was killed in action on 13 April 1918: ‘He was killed in the Trench Line between the village of Merris and Vieux Berquin, when he was hit by a bullet in the left temple and killed instantaneously. His body was buried in the garden at a farm house...During this last fighting under very adverse circumstances, he, in conjunction with orders, by their fine example, largely contributed to maintaining the line under very critical conditions’ (extract from a letter of condolence written in the field, 15 April 1918, from Colonel A. Rickman, 11th East Lancashire Regiment, to Mrs Lott). He is buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France. Sold together with a personal memorial volume dedicated to the recipient, not recorded in Tom Donovan’s Bibliography of Personal Memorial Volumes of the Great War 1914-18 and presumably one of a very limited number produced for family members and close friends or possibly unique. Bound in brown leather with gilt borders and lettering, the volume, in very good condition, contains a fine pencil portrait, biographical/career details and very neat handwritten ink transcriptions of tributes and letters of condolence from Lott’s former Commanding Officer, fellow officers and Chaplain. Also sold with an original photograph of the recipient’s wooden cross grave in France. Ralph Charles Lott, older brother of the above, was born in 1892 in Bournmouth, Hampshire. He matriculated at Trinity College, Oxford in 1911 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant from the Officer Training Corps on 19 September 1914. Promoted Temporary Lieutenant in the 12th (Service) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 26 November 1914, he served with his battalion in Salonika from 22 December 1915 and was admitted to the 28th General Hospital on 6 September 1916, suffering from from malaria. Lott was attached to the General Staff, War Office in Salonika in 1916 and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 6 December 1916). He was transferred to the General List on 26 November 1918 and relinquished his commission on 31 July 1919, retaining the rank of Lieutenant. For his services during the war, he was awarded the Order of the White Eagle, 5th Class by His Majesty the King of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes (London Gazette 15 October 1920). Lott’s Medal Index Card shows he applied for his Great War medals, including 1914-15 Star, in 1927, at which time he was Schoolmaster at The School, Malvern Link, Worcestershire.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA well-documented Great War Pilot’s M.C. group of three awarded to Captain T. Owen, South Staffordshire Regiment, attached Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who, having flown RE8s with 4 Squadron in France, was wounded in action with 14 Squadron in Palestine, and was decorated for his gallantry in undertaking numerous successful low level reconnaissance and ground attack sorties Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. T. Owen R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine (3) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 26 July 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has carried out many successful low reconnaissances, bringing back good reports. When on artillery patrol, he succeeded in completely disorganising the traffic on a main road, getting direct hits on troops and transport by artillery. On this occasion it is estimated that forty lorries were destroyed. He also attacked enemy troops and transport with bombs and machine-guns with success.’ Thomas Owen, born in 1889, was a native of Meifod, Powys, who lived most of his life in Aberystwyth. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant to a Regular Army battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment on 26 July 1915, with an almost immediate attachment to 2/10 Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He was posted to Egypt in December and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps, training as a Pilot partly in Egypt and partly at the Central Flying School, Upavon, Wiltshire. He was gazetted Flying Officer on 16 March 1917 and three months later was posted to France where, from 30 June 1917 he was on active service as a pilot with 4 Squadron (RE8s) at a time when the average life of a pilot was a fortnight. Owen survived a close call on 21 September 1917, when he and his Observer, Second Lieutenant L. V. W. Clark, in RE8, ‘A4298’, eventually extricated themselves and got home safely following a fraught combat with five enemy machines above Polygon Wood. Sent out to 14 Squadron in Palestine, he was wounded in action in the leg during a photo-reconnaissance patrol on 9 January 1918 and was awarded the Military Cross on 13 May 1918. Captain Owen returned to the Home Establishment on 4 June 1918 and left the R.A.F. via the Unemployed List, on 27 May 1919, later becoming an Inspector of Schools. Note: Hal Giblin and Norman Franks in ‘The Military Cross to Flying Personnel of Great Britain and the Empire 1914-19’ state in error that Owen served in Gallipoli from August 1915 until evacuated to Egypt in December. Owen’s Medal Index Card indicates no entitlement to the 1914-15 Star. Sold with the following items and ephemera: the recipient’s captioned photograph album documenting his time in Egypt, October 1916 - January 1917, 48 pictures; album of family related photographs, containing a good portrait photograph of the recipient in South Staffordshire Regiment officer’s uniform; identity bracelet, in 9 carat gold, front of fob engraved ‘Capt. T. Owen, M.C. Cong: R.A.F.’ and the reverse engraved ‘To Tommy from Major R. E. Saul, Comdg. 4, Squadron R.A.F.’; cloth R.F.C wings; cloth R.A.F. wings; Military Cross riband bar; R.A.F. brass ’eagle and crown’ cap insignia; wound stripe; Royal Flying Corps cap badge; a small piece of rock on which handwritten in ink ‘Alabaster, Pyramids, 2.7.16’; an annotated aerial photograph of the area of land between Armentieres and Lille taken 16 July 1917; two original Temporary Commission documents - 2nd Lieutenant in Land Forces, dated 26 July 1915 and Lieutenant in the Royal Air Force, dated 1 April 1918; King’s Message to the Royal Air Force document; cloth arm badge - 4 red chevrons; Photograph of an RE8 of No. 4 Squadron with pilot (possibly Owen) and observer; a further quantity of photographs - both family and military subjects; a quantity of cards, menus, certificates and other ephemera.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War D.F.C. and Second Award Bar group of six awarded to Navigator Flight Lieutenant R. W. Board, 463 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945, with Second Award Bar, this officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the Second War Campaign Stars and Medals all later issues, the last three officially engraved in the style associated with later issues ‘20610 Board R. W.’, nearly extremely fine (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 16 January 1945: ‘For a high standard of navigational accuracy in attacks on targets.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘Flying Officer Boards is now on his second operational tour. He has participated in numerous attacks against a wide range of targets. He has maintained the highest standard of navigational accuracy and a praiseworthy fortitude in the face of danger. In September 1944 he was navigator in an aircraft detailed to attack the battleship Tirpitz. In appalling weather he navigated his aircraft to and from the target and the success of the operations was largely due to his determination and skill.’ D.F.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22 May 1945: ‘For fortitude and gallantry in flying operations against the enemy.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘Since the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross, this officer has continued to maintain a high standard of efficiency, courage, and tenacity. He has operated over many of the most heavily defended German targets and has obtained some excellent photographs. The successful filming of the attacks against the German battleship Tirpitz were largely attributable to his skill, determination, and devotion to duty. he has always shown himself to be a navigator of outstanding skill.’ Robert William Board was born at Sydney, New South Wales, on 6 March 1917, and was granted a temporary Commission in the Royal Australian Air Force on 23 June 1941. He served as a Navigator with 463 Squadron during he Second World War, and was presented with his D.F.C. by H.R.H. the Governor-General of Australia at Government House, Sydney, on 9 August 1946.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA scarce Boer War D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant-Major J. H. Zeder, Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts, later Lieutenant, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds during the Great War on 3 July 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt:- Maj: J. H. Zeeder. [sic] Kitchener’s F.S.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. J. H. Zeder) minor edge bruise to DCM, nearly extremely fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Christies, July 1985. D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902. Joseph Herbert Zeder attested for Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts at Green Point, Cape Town, on 29 August 1901, having previously served for 19 months with the Cape Mounted Rifles, and served with the 1st Regiment during the Boer War. He was promoted Lieutenant 29 May 1902, and resigned his commission 7 July 1902. He was Mentioned in Despatches on 23 June 1902, and subsequently awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, one of only three D.C.M.s awarded to Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts. Zeder re-engaged for service as a Second Lieutenant with the 4th Battalion Oxford and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during the Great War, and served on the Western Front from 15 May 1916. He is recorded in Officers Died in the Great War as died of wounds ‘In German Hands’, 3 July 1916. Zeder is buried in the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., and ‘Passchendaele’ M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major G. W. Durran, 4th (Central Ontario) Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action in December 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (412363 A.C.S. Mjr: G. W. Durran. 4/Can: Inf:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (412363 Sjt:-C.S. Mjr:- G. W. Durran. 4/Can: Inf:); 1914-15 Star (412363 A/L. Cpl. G. W. Durran. 4/Can: Inf:) ; British War and Victory Medals (412363 W.O. Cl. 2 G. W. Durran. 4-Can. Inf.) nearly extremely fine (5) £2,400-£3,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation London Gazette 17 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On one occasion he went out from an advanced post, and cut away the wire from an enemy advanced post, and although daylight was beginning, and he was heavily sniped at, he, with great courage, persisted until the whole wire had been dragged to our post and added to its defences.’ M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. The recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous bravery, devotion to duty and valuable services rendered during the operations at Passchendaele on the 6th and 7th Nov., 1917. On the morning of Nov. 6th “A” Company moved forward from their assembly positions through a very heavy barrage where they had to dig in under intense shell fire. C.S.M. Durran went through this barrage and reconnoitred the position and superintended the digging in of the Company. By his wonderful example of coolness and bravery he encouraged the men greatly. This N.C.O. did splendid work at Mount Sorrell, the Somme, Vimy, Fresnoy, and Hill 70.’ Company Sergeant-Major George William Durran was killed in action on 17 December 1917, aged 29. He was the son of Mr and Mrs John Durran, of Campbellford, Ontario, and is buried in Villers Station Cemetery, Villers-au-Bois, France.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War O.B.E. group of eleven awarded to Major I. S. C. Rose, Grenadier Guards, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who served as a Squadron Leader in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War, and was Mentioned in Despatches The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Lieut. I. S. C. Rose, K.R.R.C.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. I. S. C. Rose. K.R.R.C.) engraved naming; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Lieut. I. S. C. Rose. King’s Rl: Rif:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (Lieut. I. S. C. Rose. G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. I. S. C. Rose.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these three inscribed (Maj. I. S. C. Rose, Gren. Guards); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ivor Rose) light contact marks, nearly very fine and better (11) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2008. O.B.E. London Gazette 22 March 1919. Ivor Sainte Croix Rose was born on 16 March 1881 and was educated at Eton. He was commissioned into the King’s Royal Rifle Corps from the Militia in February 1900 and was promoted to Lieutenant in March 1901. Serving in the Boer War with the 3rd Battalion, he was present at operations in Natal, March-June 1900, including the action at Laing’s Nek, and was in the Transvaal, November 1900-May 1902. He then served in operations in Somaliland, 1902-04, being employed as a Transport Officer to the Somaliland Field Force. In 1907 he was placed on the Reserve. As a Lieutenant in the Special Reserve he was transferred to the Grenadier Guards in August 1908. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 October 1914, and was promoted Captain on 2 November. He was wounded in November 1914 during the 1st Battle of Ypres, having to be dug out of a collapsed trench that had been hit by shell-fire. During the battle his ability as a marksman was much appreciated in holding off German snipers. In May 1915, still with the 2nd Battalion, he was serving as Divisional Observation Officer during the Battle of Festubert. He was employed by the Ministry of Munitions in 1917 and retired in 1919, being created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. During the Second World War Rose was re-employed as a Temporary Major, attached to the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, receiving the brevet of Major in September 1939. Transferring to the Administration and Special Duties Branch, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, in July 1941, he was advanced Squadron Leader, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 2 June 1943). He finally relinquished his commission on 17 August 1954, retaining the rank of Squadron Leader.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA good Second War M.C. and ‘Immediate’ Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Major S. J. Hawkins, Royal Engineers, for his gallantry as a Bailey-Bridge Company Commander during the advance through both Sicily and Italy, where his ‘outstanding leadership, unremitting zeal, and complete disregard for his own personal safety’ in the construction of bridges under heavy enemy fire enabled the Allied Advance to be maintained without pause Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1944 and additionally privately engraved ‘201128 Major S. J. Hawkins. R.E. Sicily & Italy’, with Second Award Bar, this officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Capt. S. J. Hawkins. M.C. R.E.) minor edge bruising to last, otherwise good very fine (7) £2,400-£2,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 23 March 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Sicily.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Major S. J. Hawkins, Commanding 252nd Field Company, during the advance of this Brigade from Sperro to Paterno and thence to Zefferana Etnea from 2 to 11 August. The advance involved the making of two crossings over the River Simeto and thereafter the bridging and filling in of numerous craters made by the enemy to impede our progress. Throughout the whole period Hawkins showed himself courageous in reconnaissance, rapid in decision, and untiring in work. He had an immediate answer to every difficulty encountered and removed each obstacle with such energy and speed that the advance was never appreciably held up and supporting arms including field guns and a regiment of tanks were always over in time for operations to continue without check. Major Hawkins was not only indefatigable himself but inspired his men by his own energetic and enthusiastic example to work with the same unremitting zeal as he himself displayed. It was very largely due to his most excellent work that the speed of the pursuit was maintained, and there is no doubt that without it the advance would have been seriously delayed.’ M.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 6 April 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original recommendation, for an Immediate award, states: ‘On 24 November 1943 during the advance of the 5th Division in Central Italy, 252nd Field Company, Royal Engineers, had the task of constructing a Bailey Bridge at junction map ref. H.0749. The task was scheduled to start at 1400 hours on 24 November, the site under direct enemy observation and was shelled continuously during the whole period of construction. Major Hawkins commanding 252nd Field Company was in charge of the bridging operation, and it was only by his outstanding leadership and complete disregard for his own personal safety that he so directed and encouraged the men under his command that the task was able to be completed in a remarkably short space of time, which enabled transport to move forward under cover of darkness. The gallant action of this officer was an inspiration to all who witnessed the operation.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 24 June 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1 May to 22 October 1942.’ Stanbury John Hawkins was born in Southsea, Hampshire on 2 October 1911, and joined the Army as a Boy Soldier on 1 May 1926. Attending the Bridging Training School at Chepstow, he was subsequently posted to the Royal Engineers. He served with the 20th Fortress Company in Aden prior to the start of the Second World War, and thence in British Somaliland. Commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 18 April 1941, he was posted to the 4th Field Squadron, and saw service in Egypt and North Africa with the 8th Army, being promoted War Substantive Captain on 19 March 1942, and was Mentioned in Despatches. Promoted temporary Major on 6 January 1943, Hawkins was given command of the 252nd Field Company, and took part in the invasion of Sicily, for which he was awarded the Military Cross. He saw further service with the same unit in Italy, and for his gallantry was awarded a Second Award Bar to his Military Cross. Post-War he served as Quartermaster, was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 2 March 1948, and was promoted Major on 30 May 1954. He died in 1955. Sold together with the recipient’s Officer’s Record of Service and other research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA superb Great War 1915 ‘Ypres’ D.C.M. campaign combination group of eight awarded to Sergeant H. J. Salter, Military Mounted Police, late 7th Hussars and 9th Lancers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (633 L. Cpl. H. Salter. M.M.P.); British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1897 (..2 Pte. H. J. Salter. 7th Hus..) suspension loose, contact marks; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (4121, L. Cpl. H. J. Salter, 9/Lcrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4121 Pte. H. J. Salter. 9th Lancers); 1914 Star (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (633 L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.) mounted for display, minor edge bruising overall, generally very fine unless otherwise stated (8) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915: ‘For great bravery and consistent good work from the 9th to 28th May, 1915, near Ypres. He was employed, both day and night in collecting stragglers, directing traffic and collecting war material. During the 24th May he assisted to places of safety several hundred men, who were suffering from gas poison. Most of the time, and especially on the 24th and 25th May, the town was being heavily shelled.’ Henry James Salter was born in Lambeth, London in July 1874. He attested for the 7th Hussars at Canterbury in November 1890. Salter transferred to the 9th Lancers in December 1897, and advanced to Lance Corporal in March 1899. He served with the Regiment in South Africa, October 1899 - April 1902. Salter transferred to the 5th Lancers in March 1902, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police in January 1905 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in 1909). He was discharged, 25 November 1911, having completed 21 years service. Salter resided at 63 Woodcock Street, Birmingham and was employed as a Commissionaire at Hulford Cycle Co., Ltd, Moor Street. He re-engaged for service during the Great War with the 7th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, 8 September 1914, transferring later that month as Lance Corporal to the Military Mounted Police. He served with the M.M.P. in the French theatre of war from 4 October 1914, and advanced to Acting Sergeant in August 1917. Salter was discharged, 14 March 1919, having served for a total of 25 years and 205 days. 1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War. Sold with extensive copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Acting Sergeant Major J. Cooke, né Roberts, Military Mounted Police Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (367 Sjt: J. Cooke.. M.M.P.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Corpl: J. Cooke. Mil: Mtd: Police) surname un-officially corrected; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (367 Corpl: J. Cooke. Mil: Mtd: Police); 1914-15 Star (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (367 Sjt. J. Cooke. M.M.P.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (367 Sjt. -A.S. Mjr- J. Cooke. D.C.M. M.M.P.) light contact marks to Boer War awards, generally very fine and better (8) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917; citation published 13 February 1917: ‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has at all times set a splendid example.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919. James Cooke was born in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, on 2 December 1867, with the surname Roberts, and attested for the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers on 27 November 1888. On 18 June 1889 he was arrested and charged with false enlistment, presumably for using an alias. Found guilty, he was imprisoned for 14 days and had his previous service forfeited. Notwithstanding his conviction, he transferred to the Military Mounted Police under the name of Roberts on 15 February 1894, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 29 October 1899. On 18 September 1901 he officially changes his name to Cooke (presumably his Queen’s South Africa Medal was originally named to ‘Roberts’). He was promoted Corporal on 1 August 1902, and 1 August 1902, and Sergeant on 18 November 1904, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 101 of 1909 (his conviction set-aside and the forfeiture of his previous service having been restored to him by King’s Regulations). He was discharged on 26 November 1909, after 21 years’ service. Recalled for Military Service on 7 October 1914, Cooke served with the Military Mounted Police during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 September 1915, being promoted Acting Sergeant Major on 14 October 1916, and was present as the senior Military Policeman during the infamous mutiny at the Bull Ring, Etaples Camp, France in September 1917. For his services during the Great War he was awarded both the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, and was finally discharged on 8 October 1919. He died at Bishop Sutton, Alresford, Hampshire, on 8 December 1952. Sold together with various photographic images, and an extensive file of copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., 1916 M.S.M., French Medal of Honour group of six awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major M. Healey, Military Mounted Police - a regimentally unique combination Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (472 Sjt: - A.S.S. Mjr:- M. Healy [sic]. M.M.P.); 1914 Star (472 Sjt M. Healey. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (472 A.W.O. Cl. 1. M. Healey M.M.P.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (472 Sjt: M. Healey. M.M.P.); France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour, bronze, with crossed swords and wreath suspension, reverse engraved ‘Sergt. Major M. W. Healy. M.M.P.’, mounted for display, generally very fine or better (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great efficiency in the performance of his duties, extending over a period of two years.’ An extract from 5th Corps Orders, 13 March 1918, gives the following: ‘The Corps Commander wishes to express his appreciation of the following act of courage on the part of No. 472 A/SSM M. W. Healey MMP. On the morning of 10 March, 1918 a pair of horses attached to a wagon bolted down the road. An NCO made an attempt to stop them but failed. A/SSM Healey with great promptitude and at much personal risk dashed in and seized the reins of the rear horse and hung on until he had brought the runaways to a standstill. The road was used by a considerable amount of traffic and the prompt action of this Warrant Officer averted what might have led to a serious accident and damage to a pair of Government horses and the limber. A record of this will be made in the Regimental Conduct Sheet of the above mentioned W.O. in accordance with para 1919 (XVI) Kings Regs.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 18 October 1916. M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916. France, Medal of Honour London Gazette 17 March 1920. Michael William Healey was born in Dublin, Ireland. He attested for the 7th Hussars in September 1894, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police in June 1901. Healey advanced to Lance Corporal in November 1902, and to Corporal in February 1906 (Note: awarded L.S. & G.C. in 1913). Healey advanced to Sergeant, and initially served during the Great War attached to HQ 7th Infantry Brigade. He subsequently advanced to Acting Squadron Sergeant Major. 1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War, and believed to be unique to the unit in combination with the French Medal of Honour. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant Major F. Lundy, Military Mounted Police, late Squadron Sergeant Major, 18th Hussars Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (P-4712 L. Cpl F. Lundy. M.M.P.); 1914 Star, with clasp (6465 L. Cpl. F. Lundy. 18/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (6465 A. Sjt. F. Lundy. 18-Hrs.) mounted for display, generally very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 13 February 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He performed good work throughout the campaign, and at all times set a splendid example.’ F. Lundy served during the Great War with the 18th Hussars in the French theatre of war from 15 August 1914. He advanced to Acting Squadron Sergeant Major before transferring to the Military Mounted Police in October 1915. 1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Squadron Sergeant Major E. Canning, Military Mounted Police, later Lieutenant, Labour Corps Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (449 Sjt: E. Canning. M.M.P.); 1914-15 Star (449 Sjt. E. Canning. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2. Lieut. E. Canning.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (449 Sjt: E. Canning. M.M.P.) mounted for display, toned, generally very fine or better (5) £800-£1,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 13 February 1917: ‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. He has performed consistent good work throughout, and has displayed great courage and skill on several occasions in controlling traffic under shell fire.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 21 June 1916. Ernest Robert Canning was born in Cookhill, Alcester, Warwickshire in August 1876. He attested for the 13th Hussars at Coventry in January 1895, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police in August 1899. Canning advanced to Sergeant in July 1911, and was discharged by his own request, 4 January 1913 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in May 1914). Canning re-engaged for service with the Military Mounted Police during the Great War in September 1914. He served in the French theatre of war from 15 June 1916, and was subsequently attached for service with HQ 2nd Army, XIII Corps. Having advanced to Acting Squadron Sergeant Major, Canning was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Labour Corps in September 1917, and was posted to the 160th Labour Company. He advanced to Lieutenant in February 1919, and the following month was attached to 172 Prisoner of War Company in Rouen. Canning relinquished his commission in January 1921, and in later life lived in Evesham, Worcestershire. 1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War. Sold with a file of copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteSold by Order of the Family. ‘Our receiving station told us that the message was full of errors in transmission, and that the sending operator had omitted his security check message. Now the operator was a certain Sergeant of Signals, K. A. J. Scott, who had the reputation of being one of the best operators our school had turned out. It was unthinkable that these errors could be accidental. We were forced to conclude that he had been captured and was operating under duress...playing back a set in enemy hands is a skilled operation involving double and sometimes triple bluff...So long as they were convinced that they were fooling us, Scott would be safe...We kept up this elaborate game for three months’ (Baker Street Irregular by Bickham Sweet-Escott refers) The exceptional and important Second War S.O.E. ‘Force 133’ Balkan Operations D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant K. A. J. B. Scott, Royal Signals and Special Operations Executive, late King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was ‘dropped’ into Eastern Serbia in April 1944, linking up with Major Frank Thompson’s ill-fated Operation Claridges in support of Bulgarian Communist Partisans. As anti-partisan reprisal operations closed in, Thompson took the fateful decision to lead his private army ‘T. E. Lawrence Style’ into Bulgaria, where, with Scott continuing to serve as wireless operator, they were repeatedly ambushed and fought running battles with the Bulgarian Army and Gendarmerie before being ultimately broken up. Starving and exhausted, Scott and Thompson were encircled and captured before being subjected to brutal beatings and threats under Gestapo interrogation. Learning of Thompson’s execution, Scott was then compelled to extract intelligence from S.O.E. Cairo via his wireless set but, cleverly ensuring that Cairo were not deceived, at great danger to himself he disclosed nothing, surviving fourteen nerve-wracking weeks under Gestapo orders until finally, with the Red Army closing on Sofia, he was released, finding his way to London via Istanbul and Cairo as the only British survivor of the mission. To be sold together with an important associated archive of material, elements of which include the recipient’s unpublished autobiography of his war years; private correspondence regarding the Claridges Mission between the recipient and both the author Stowers Johnson and the eminent historian E. P. Thompson, and a rare surviving S.O.E. original typescript of the recipient’s D.C.M. recommendation Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6897910 Sjt. K. A. J. Scott. R. Signals) with named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (6897910. Sjt. K. A. J. B. Scott. D.C.M. R. Sigs.); Bulgaria, People’s Republic, Order of People’s Liberty, breast star, gilt and enamel; Honoured Medal of Georgi Dimitrov 1923-1944, gilt and enamel; together with the recipient’s riband bar, cloth S.O.E. parachute qualification wings and King’s Royal Rifle Corps cap badge, nearly extremely fine (8) £60,000-£80,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 9 August 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.’ The rare, surviving S.O.E. recommendation, not previously publicly available or held by the National Archives - an original typescript of which is with the lot - submitted by S.O.E. Cairo staff officer and author of the renowned S.O.E. memoir ‘Baker Street Irregular’, Major Bickham Sweet-Escott, states: ‘Sergeant Scott was dropped to join a mission in East Serbia on 7 April 1944. The mission crossed into Bulgaria in early May and on 11 May [sic - actually 18 May], was ambushed by a large party of Bulgarian troops. In the fighting the mission and the Partisans to whom they attached were split up, and Sergeant Scott, together with an officer, were the only British survivors. The wireless transmitting apparatus of the mission which had been dropped into a river during the fighting was rescued by Sergeant Scott at a great personal risk of being captured by the enemy. Several days of flight ensued during which the officer was ill and Sergeant Scott was left alone to face heavy responsibilities. By tact and perseverance he managed to keep the depleted Partisan band together. On 31 May, a second ambush was encountered and Sergeant Scott together with the officer were captured. Questioned under threats and beating by the Gestapo and Bulgar Secret Police, Sergeant Scott consistently refused to give away any vital military or technical information to the enemy. He was kept imprisoned until 9 September, at Bulgar anti-Partisan Headquarters in Sofia, and during the whole of this time made every effort to gain what information he could about the enemy’s activities. He was then compelled to work his wireless transmitting set to Cairo, but by great ingenuity succeeded in indicating that he was operating under duress, with the result that the messages thus sent by the enemy completely failed to deceive us. By this behaviour he put himself in considerable personal danger, since had he been discovered, he would certainly have been shot. Throughout the whole period, 7 April to 9 September, Sergeant Scott has shown considerable initiative, fortitude and steadfastness to duty and has thus contributed positively to the work of the Force in Bulgaria.’ Kenneth Alec John Baliol Scott was born on 1 March 1920 in Lewisham, London and was educated at Dulwich College. On leaving school he joined the The Rangers, The King’s Royal Rifle Corps - Territorial Army and was mobilised in August 1939, being quickly promoted to Signal Sergeant. Volunteering for Special Duties at the first opportunity, he was transferred to the Royal Corps of Signals in August 1943 and, before long, identified as suitable for Special Operations: ‘Eventually Kenneth Scott found himself at one of the most important finishing schools of the war: S.O.E. Middle East Training School for Wireless Operators. Men here had been selected (after volunteering) from every type of unit, and anticipated being sent to work behind the enemy lines with partisans in the Balkans, or on small Allied craft in enemy waters - anywhere, in fact, where danger was greatest and communication most vital. It mattered not what their previous military experience had been, for it was this that really united them - the consciousness that they had left unit and regiment behind, and all belonged to the same firm; and this indeed was the cognomen for their outfit: the ‘Firm’, Force 133 of S.O.E.’ (Agents Extraordinary by Stowers Johnson refers) Completing specialist training - including a five jump parachute course at Ramat David, near Haifa, in late 1943 - he was driven to a privileged district of Cairo serving as the home of S.O.E. Middle East H.Q., where he was to spend a lazy three months relaxing in S.O.E. surroundings, enjoying not just comfortable furnishings but Arab waiters, cooks and houseboys, pending further orders. Then, suddenly at midday on 5 April 1944, orders arrived for him to ...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteThe unique ‘Defence of Legations’ C.G.M. group of five awarded to Chief Signal Bosun H. Swannell, Royal Navy, who ran into No Man’s Land beyond the British Legation defence lines to help a wounded man under “close and accurate” enemy fire; he twice stood up on the Tartar Wall in full view of the enemy, first to re-hoist the British flag after it had been shot away and the next day to use his signal flags to direct British units of the International Relief Force, ensuring that they were the first troops to reach the Legations, arriving two hours before contingents from other nations Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, V.R., 2nd issue, scroll suspension (Harry Swannell, Leadg. Signalman. R.N. China. 1900) officially engraved naming; China 1900, 1 clasp, Defence of Legations (H. Swannell Lg. Sign., H.M.S. Orlando) officially impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (Sig. Bosn. H. Swannell, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. S. Bosn. H. Swannell. R.N.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (5) £30,000-£40,000 --- Provenance: Sotheby, January 1972; Christie’s, April 1984; Dix Noonan Webb, December 2011. C.G.M. London Gazette 14 May 1901: ‘In connection with the recent operations in China.’ 
The following is extracted from the enclosure by Captain F. G. Poole to the main despatch by Captain Wray, R.M.L.I., published in the London Gazette of 11 December 1900: ‘Sir, I have the honour to bring to your notice particularly the conduct of Leading Signalman H. Swannell, Her Majesty’s Ship Orlando. On the 5th instant being in command of the Hanlin outposts, at 10.30 a.m. I heard that Mr Oliphant, her Britannic Majesty’s Consular Service, had just been wounded. I ran out to the spot and found Leading Signalman Swannell attending to Mr Oliphant, who was mortally wounded, under the close and accurate fire of the enemy. He remained with Mr Oliphant until he was brought into a place of safety.’ Two Conspicuous Gallantry Medals were awarded for the Defence of Legations. The award to Sergeant Preston, R.M.L.I., is in the collection of the Royal Marines Museum, Eastney. This C.G.M. was presented to Swannell at a parade held on the exact spot where he had performed his act of gallantry.
 Harry Swannell was born in Camden Town, London, on 22 December 1877. After working as a Carter, Swannell joined the Royal Navy as a 16 year-old Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. St Vincent on 26 February 1894. This ship, permanently moored at Haslar in the Solent, was an ancient wooden first-rate ship of the line that was used to train boys for a career in the Navy. Swannell became a Boy Signaller in January 1895 and remained in the Signals branch throughout his naval career. On reaching his 18th birthday in December 1895, he entered a 12-year service engagement. He was recorded as being about 5ft 3” tall, with brown hair and light blue eyes. In March 1898 he joined the brand-new Armoured Cruiser H.M.S. Terrible on the China Station. He was promoted to Leading Signalman and transferred to the Armoured Cruiser HMS Orlando in February 1899 when she joined the China Station. The Defence of the Foreign Legations at Pekin The Boxer Uprising, called by Chinese the Yihetuan Movement, was an anti-foreign, proto-nationalist insurgency mounted by members of the Fists of Righteous Harmony in north China between 1899 and 1901. The insurgency took place during a period of severe drought, combined with economic disruption caused by the growth of foreign spheres of influence. Russia and Germany sought to seize large tracts of north China. The Boxer grievances ranged from foreign interference with Chinese culture and ancient traditions, economic incursions and above all strident missionary evangelism, which put local Christian converts in a privileged position versus their Chinese peers. Following many bloody attacks on isolated mission stations and Chinese Christian converts, the most famous episode of the Uprising was the defence of the foreign legations district in central Pekin. Just over four hundred lightly armed allied officers and men held out behind improvised defences for 55 days against vastly superior numbers of Chinese regular and irregular forces, who were all intent on using murder, arson and any other means to drive out of the country every ‘foreign devil’ and ‘Chinese Christian’, including women and children. During May and early June 1900 Boxer fighters converged on Pekin, proclaiming “Support the Qing, Exterminate foreigners.” No foreign troops or garrisons were allowed in or near the city, as the Imperial Government assumed responsibility for the safety and security of all authorised residents. Foreign Legations were unwanted by the Imperial Government but had been forced upon it. The Legations were not fortified. They were grouped together on separate plots of land in a single district within the 14th century walls of the ancient Tartar city, and close to the walled and moated Imperial City and the enclosed Forbidden City, where the Emperor and his formidable and powerful mother, the Empress Dowager Cixi, lived. Chinese officials had concentrated the eleven Foreign Legations together to keep them as far as possible out of sight and out of contact with the citizens of Pekin. The district was approximately two miles long and a mile wide. It also housed the Imperial Maritime Customs, foreign businesses such as banks, hotels and a post office and a large number of shops and dwellings. As Boxer violence became an increasing threat, the foreign powers with economic interests in China activated plans to defend those interests militarily. Most sent warships, with contingents of marines and/or soldiers aboard, to the treaty ports of North China. By May the security situation in Pekin was steadily deteriorating, and on 30 May 1900 the diplomats, led by Sir Claude Macdonald, the widely-respected British Minister, requested that the Imperial government agree that foreign military contingents be sent to Pekin to secure the Legations. The Chinese reluctantly acquiesced to a total of 400 lightly armed servicemen from eight countries. The Royal Navy was ordered to provide a guard force for the British Legation by landing bluejackets and marines from warships in the Gulf of Bohai. The British Legation Guard arrived in Pekin by train from Tientsin at 7 p.m. on 31 May 1900, then marched five miles in full equipment through the dust and filth of Pekin’s squalid streets to reach the Legation. It comprised 79 men of the Royal Marine Light Infantry (three officers, seventy-five non-commissioned officers and men and one bugler) and three Royal Navy ratings - a signaller (Swannell), an armourer and a sick-berth steward. Each of those three bluejackets were destined to be mentioned in despatches, both for their conduct and for their important contribution to the defence of the Legations. The arrival of 83 guards, who were well-trained but had no machine-guns, artillery or even an ample supply of small arms ammunition, did not make the British Legation safe. It was a spraw...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Mesopotamian theatre’ I.D.S.M. pair awarded to Subadar Hanumantu, 2nd Queen Victoria’s Own Sappers and Miners Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Subdr: Hanumantu No. 13 Co. 2nd Q.V.O. S.&M.) minor official correction to ‘No.’; Tibet 1903-04, no clasp (1773 Havdr. Hainumantu [sic] 12 Co. 2nd Q.O. S&M.) surname partially officially corrected on last, generally very fine or better (2) £400-£500 --- I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 1388 of 1916 (Mesopotamia). Hanumantu was also Mentioned in Despatches (G.G.O. 1241 of 1916 refers).

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Mesopotamian theatre’ I.D.S.M. pair awarded to Naik Khan Bahadur, 30th Brigade Signal Company Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (105 Sapper Khan Bahadur 30th Bde. Signal Sec.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (5137 Naik Khan Bahadur, I.S.C.) very fine (2) £300-£400 --- I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 1160 of 1915 (Mesopotamia). Khan Baadur was also Mentioned in Despatches (G.G.O. 441 of 1916 refers).

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Petty Officer A. C. Barrett, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (182937, A. C. Barrett, P.O. H.M.S. Orotava. Dec. 1915 - June 1916); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (A. C. Barrett, A.B., H.M.S. Widgeon); 1914-15 Star (182937, A. C. Barrett P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (182937 A. C. Barrett, P.O., H.M.S. Scylla) contact wear, about very fine and better (4) £700-£900 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 25 October 1916: ‘H.M.S. Orotava. Service with 10th Cruiser Squadron December 1915 to June 1916. Men whose services I consider to be worth of recognition.’ (ADM 137/1218/168 refers) Alfred Charles Barrett was born at Gravesend, Kent, on 31 December 1877, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Northampton on 7 February 1895. He served as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Widgeon during the war in South Africa and was advanced to Leading Seaman in October 1901, becoming P.O.2 in January 1903, and P.O.1 in January 1904. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal aboard H.M.S. Scylla on 7 August 1910. During the Great War he served aboard the armed merchant cruiser Orotava from 17 December 1914 to 2 September 1916. She was armed with five 6-inch guns and two 6-pounder H.A. guns and was commissioned on 17 December 1914, as part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, from December 1914 to October 1916 with the Northern Patrol. Apart from short periods aboard Superb and Perth, he spent the remainder of the war based at Pembroke I, and was discharged to shore and demobilisation on 4 February 1919.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA fine Great War D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader C. L. Rayment, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Lt. C. L. Rayment, 55 Squadron, R.A.F., July 1918, Awarded While Acting with the Independent Air Force’; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. L. Rayment, R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Cecil L. Rayment) mounted for display purposes with the D.F.C. on original-design horizontal striped riband, good very fine and better (6) £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2012. D.F.C. London Gazette 21 September 1918: ‘This officer has taken part in 35 successful operations and his work throughout has been distinguished by clearness, accuracy of observation and disregard of danger, notably on one occasion when he was Observer to the leader of our first formation which was vigorously attacked by four hostile machines. In spite of this the formation was led over the target, which was effectively bombed. Subsequently the formation was attacked by five hostile machines but owing to skilful leadership the fire of our Observers was so well controlled and directed that the enemy were kept at a distance and the formation returned in safety.’ Cyril Lancelot “Pip” Rayment, a native of Ewell, Surrey, was born in March 1895, and was employed by the Prudential Assurance Company in the City of London prior to the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. It may well be that he was also a member of the Prudential’s pre-war Special Constabulary contingent, for although granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Land Forces in December 1914, his R.A.F. service record suggests that appointment was not taken up until September 1917, when he was described as a ‘Temporary 2nd Lieutenant on probation on the General List’. In the same month he joined the Royal Flying Corps and commenced training as an Observer at Reading. Duly qualified, Rayment joined 55 Squadron out in France as an Armourer and Observer in December 1917, and was appointed a Flying Officer (O.) in March 1918 - this then the commencement of his operational career, for given the 35 sorties cited above, he must have completed around 20 of them before he commenced his time with the newly established Independent Air Force in June, when in common with other attached squadrons, 55 Squadron was charged with carrying out raids on targets deep behind enemy lines. Having then flown three photographic reconnaissance sorties in the first half of July, Rayment teamed-up with Lieutenant D. J. Waterous as his pilot, and the pair of them would go on to complete numerous sorties, starting with attack on the powder factory at Rottweil on 22 July, an attack carried out in the face of heavy anti-aircraft fire, followed by a protracted combat with four or five Albatross DVs. During an attack on the railway sidings at Offenburg in the middle of the following month, the Squadron’s D.H. 4s were once more intercepted by numerous Albatross DVs and Rayment claimed another one as out of control - watching the enemy aircraft approach from 45 degrees, he opened fire with his twin Lewis guns and watched it turn on its wing tip and spin away. The remainder of the month witnessed a brace of long-distance reconnaissances and attacks on Coblenz, Treves, Luxembourg and Conflans - on returning from Luxembourg on the 25th, the Squadron was intercepted by six Pfalz Scouts, and the concentrated fire Rayment and two other Observers sent one of them down in a steep dive and out of control. Finally, on the last day of the month, and on this occasion with Captain J. R. Bell as his pilot, Rayment participated in a costly attack against the railway sidings at Thiornville - of their section, which was jumped by Red Fokker DVIIs, only their aircraft made it back to base. Rayment, moreover, claimed another down out of control. Back with Waterous in early September, Rayment participated in two strikes against the enemy airfield at Buhl on the 2nd, while on the 7th they were assigned to a solo photographic-reconnaissance mission. Independent Force, by Keith Rennles, takes up the story: ‘Crossed the lines at Balmont at 19,000 feet, exposed plates over Buhl and two aerodromes near Sarrebourg. Waterous and Rayment were taking photographs of an aerodrome between Phalsbourg and Sarrebourg when they noticed three aircraft 300 ft. below them. All three attacked and were joined by four more from 500 ft. below. Six of the enemy aircraft were Fokker DVIIs which were able to fire while literally hanging on their propellers: the other aircraft was described as a Hannover. Rayment fired at one scout which went down out of control. Trying to distance themselves from their attackers, one enemy scout stayed with them for speed and climb, and when Rayment ran out of ammunition the scout closed and shot up the D.H. 4 badly. Waterous only had one option which was to stuff the nose down and hope the machine stayed together and in fact he managed to cross the lines at 6,000 ft. D.H. 4 A7942 was patched up and flew again.’ Transferring to the Unemployed List in early 1919, Rayment returned to life in the City of London, and was among members of the Prudential Assurance Company’s Special Constabulary contingent to be presented to the Prince of Wales at Olympia in January 1921, an accompanying newspaper feature noting that there were ‘four M.Cs, two D.F.Cs, four D.C.Ms, two M.Ms and two M.S.Ms, as well as 21 men wearing the Mons Medal’ among the Prudential’s men alone. He was recalled in the 1939-45 War and served as a Squadron Leader in the R.A.F.V.R., latterly with an appointment in No. 92 Group. Sold with a quantity of original documentation and related artefacts, including the recipient’s commission warrants for the rank of Second Lieutenant, Land Forces, dated 18 December 1914; Buckingham Palace telegram and admittance tickets (2), regarding his D.F.C. investiture on 10 December 1919; the recipient’s R.A.F. Service and Release Book, stamped 29 November 1946; two group photographs; various telegrams, letters, and newspaper cuttings; and other ephemera.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer E. C. Saunders, Royal Navy, who was awarded the D.S.M. for his services in Merchant Armed Cruisers in 1916 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (124595. E. C. Saunders. Lg. Sig. H.M.S. Victorian. 1916.) minor official correction to rate; 1914-15 Star (124595, E. C. Saunders, P.O.,2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (124595 E. C. Saunders, P.O.2. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (124595 E. C. Saunders, P.O. 2Cl. (C.G.) H.M. Coast Guard.) good very fine (5) £500-£700 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 21 April 1917: ‘For service in Patrol Cruisers.’ Edgar Charles Saunders was born in Mile End, Middlesex, on 8 March 1868 and enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 11 September 1883. Advanced Petty Officer 2nd Class, he transferred to the Coast Guard, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 25 January 1911. Recalled for service during the Great War on 1 December 1914, he spent the majority of his Great War service afloat in the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Victorian, and was awarded the D.S.M. for his service in Patrol Cruisers in 1916. He was shore demobilised on 3 December 1918.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant A. Harris, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was wounded on the Western Front in October 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (26470 Sjt: A. Harris. 393/Sge: By: R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (26470. Sjt. A. Harris. R.A.) minor edge bruising, nearly very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917. Arthur Harris was born in Deptford, London, in 1888 and attested for the Kent Royal Garrison Artillery Militia at New Cross, London, on 6 February 1907. Transferring to the Royal Garrison Artillery, he was serving with 102nd Company in Malta in 1911, and saw active service with 393rd Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front from August 1917. Awarded the Military Medal later that year, most likely for his gallantry during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, he was admitted to the 64th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to his left leg on 8 October 1917. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal W. H. Baber, Royal Engineers, who was Mentioned in Despatches, was twice wounded, and was taken Prisoner of War on the first day of the Third Battle of Aisne, 27 May 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (359 2 Cpl. W. H. Baber, 1/H.C.F. Co. R.E. - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (359 Spr. W. H. Baber, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (359 Cpl. W. H. Baber, R.E.), generally very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 December 1916. William Henry Baber was born in Eastbourne, Suffolk, on 24 September 1895 and attested for the 1st (Home Counties) Field Company, Royal Engineers (Territorial Force). He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 December 1914 and was wounded on the 24 March 1915. For his services in 1915 he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916), and the following year was awarded the M.M., most likely in respect of operations on the Somme. Wounded for a second time on in December 1916, Baber subsequently served with the 490th Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was taken Prisoner of War at Juvincourt-et-Damary, Picardie, France, on 27 May 1918, on the first day of the Third Battle of Aisne. He was imprisoned at Giessen P.O.W. Camp, Hesse, and was released following the cessation of hostilities, arriving back in the U.K. on 30 December 1918. He was discharged on 1 April 1919, and died in Brentwood, London, on 11 june 1970. Sold with copied research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M., M.S.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant C. Issac, Military Mounted Police, late 7th Dragoon Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (650 Sjt: C. Isaac. M.M.P.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (4377. Pte C. Isaacs [sic 7/D.G..]); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4347 [sic] Pte C. Isaac. 7th Drgn: Gds: ); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (650 Sjt. C. Isaac. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (650 Sjt. C. Isaac. M.M.P.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (650 Sjt: C. Isaac. M.M.P.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (650 Sjt: C. Isaac. M.M.P.) mounted for display, light contact marks, therefore generally very fine (8) £500-£600 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916. M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918. C. Isaac was born in Reading in December 1869. He attested for the 7th Dragoon Guards in March 1898, and served with the Regiment during the Second Boer War. He transferred to the Military Mounted Police in 1905, and advanced to Sergeant in August 1914. Isaac served during the Great War in the French theatre of war from 10 September 1914, and was attached to the 6th Division. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in 1917, and discharged, 31 December 1919.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War 1917 ‘Gouzeaucourt - Battle of Cambrai’ M.M. group of three awarded to Lance Corporal R. W. Kershaw, Military Mounted Police, late County of London Yeomanry Military Medal, G.V.R. (P-13309 L. Cpl. R. W. Kershaw. No. 2 Sqn: T. C. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (2784 Pte. R. W. Kershaw. C. Of Lond. Yeo.) with official typed copy of citation and enclosure letter from The War Office, dated 11 October 1926, toned, generally very fine or better (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918: ‘For gallant behaviour under fire at Gouzeaucourt on 30th November 1917. The enemy captured Gouzeaucourt at about 9.45am and this Non-Commissioned Officer came under heavy rifle and machine gun fire. He remained at his post and did valuable work in collecting stragglers and directing traffic until ordered away by one of the Squadron Officers at 11am.’ R. W. Kershaw was a native of Brixton, London. He initially served during the Great War with the County of London Yeomanry, before transferring to the 2 Squadron, Traffic Control, Military Mounted Police.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front, 1916 trench raid’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private J. W. Teasdale, 75th (Mississauga) Battalion, Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (119040 Pte. J. W. Teasdale. 75/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (119040 Pte. J. W. Teasdale. 75-Can. Inf.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (John William Teasdale) and 75th C.E.F. cap badge, this lacking lugs, nearly extremely fine (5) £500-£600 --- M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916. The recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. He took part in a raid on the enemy’s trenches, as a member of the clearing party, which was intended to follow the bombing party through the trenches. At the moment when they were about to enter the enemy’s trenches two casualties occurred in the bombing party and Teasdale immediately leaped forward into the enemy’s trench and led the bombing party through it until the objective was reached, killing a number of Germans, and eventually capturing a prisoner. Pte. Teasdale’s action in assuming the position at the head of the bombing party occurred at a most critical moment, and if there had been any hesitation at this juncture, it might have had a serious effect on the success of the operation.’ (original Overseas Military Forces of Canada letter, dated 2 February 1918, refers) John William Teasdale was killed in action on 18 November 1916, aged 33. He was the son of William and Margaret Teasdale, of Low Fell, County Durham, and is commemorated by name on the Vimy Memorial. Sold with original but damaged O.M.F.C. letter quoted above, and memorial scroll (Pte. John William Teasdale, M.M. Canadian Infantry Bn.), this slightly cut down and laminated.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant E. L. Coomber, 4th South African Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 8 October 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (5303 Sjt: E. L. Coomber. 4/S.A. Inf:); 1914-15 Star (Pte. E. L. Coomber 12th Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. E. L. Coomber. 4th S.A.I.); together with an erased Memorial Plaque, good very fine (5) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 November 1918 E. L. Coomber attested for the South African Forces and served with the 4th South African Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front. Present at the action at Delville Wood in July 1916, it was most likely for his gallantry here that he was awarded the Military Medal. He was killed in action on the Western Front on 8 October 1918, and is buried in Beaurevoir British Cemetery, France.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War North-West Europe ‘assault crossing of the Noord Canal’ Immediate M.M. awarded to Private A. M. Manning, 7th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, presented to him ‘in the field’ by Field Marshal Montgomery in December 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14499270 Pte. A. M. Manning. A. & S.H.) on its original investiture pin, extremely fine £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the 14th November 1944 “D” Coy carried out an assault crossing of the NOORD Canal opposite HULSEN and formed the initial bridgehead for the Brigade. During the attack the Coy ran into an extremely thick Schu mine field through which they had to advance and in which they incurred considerable casualties. Pte. Manning, one of the Company stretcher bearers, with admirable coolness and courage continued to evacuate wounded from the depths of this minefield, although no path had been cleared through the minefield and it was under enemy fire. Eventually he himself fell wounded by a Schu mine and lost a foot. As a result of his courage and devotion to duty this soldier was instrumental in saving the lives of others while exposing himself to a danger whose results he only too vividly witnessed in the wounds of the victims he rescued.’ The above recommendation was made out in the name of Private 14499270 ‘John’ Manning, but was correctly gazetted as Private 14499270 Archibald McLean Manning. The recommendation passed through Brigade, Division and Corps levels to be passed at Army Group level and approved by Montgomery on 11 December 1944. Shortly before the regiment moved from their comfortable billets at St Michels Gestel on 19 December, Field Marshal Montgomery held an investiture for the Division, and the battalion was called upon to produce a guard of honour. The regiment received one M.C. and four M.M’s at this investiture, including that to Private Manning (History of the 7th Argylls refers).

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA post-War ‘Malaya operations’ M.M. pair awarded to Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung, 1st Battalion, 2nd Gurkha Rifles, who was recognised for his repeated acts of gallantry carried out over a period of ten years’ service against ‘bandits’ in Malaya, including in Gelang Pateh, 14 April 1955, ‘Partap killed one and I opened fire. The daku returned fire and wounded Partap who slumped down. They scattered and tried to escape. I killed some and then chased a couple of them as they ran away, firing as I did. Once in the jungle I killed one of them. The other daku had an LMG and he turned and fired at me but his bullets went high. He then went into dead ground up a ravine. I swore at him, “Run away would you?’ and chased him. I went ahead, saw him, selected a lying position and fired at him. I killed him also’ Military Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (21131356 Rfn. Thambahadur. Gurung. 2nd Gurkha Rifles.) rank officially corrected; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (21131356 Rfn. Thambahadur Gurung GR) last additionally impressed ‘Duplicate’, good very fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 8 May 1956: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1955.’ The recommendation states: ‘Since the start of the Emergency in Malaya in 1948, 21131356 Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung has taken an active part in operations against the Communist Terrorists. Throughout this period he has consistently shown resources, initiative and courage of very high degree. On 23 September 1954 in the Kulai area of Johore, while searching with his platoon for a Terrorist track that had temporarily been lost, he located a camp occupied by some 10 Terrorists. Although he was immediately seen by the Terrorists he dashed forward, ahead of his Platoon, into the camp firing his Bren Gun. In face of his assault the Terrorists fled, leaving behind a rifle and several blood trails. The body of a dead terrorist was later recovered close to this camp. On 14 April 1955 in the Gelang Pateh District of Johore Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung was in ambush when three Terrorists approached his position. On the order of his Section Commander he opened fire. The Terrorists, one of whom was wounded, fled. Rifleman Thambahadur Gurung immediately gave chase, again ahead of his companions. When the Terrorists paused to return fire at him, he stood fearlessly in the open to engage them with fire from his Bren Gun. All three terrorists were subsequently killed. The complete success of this operation was almost entirely due to the personal courage, determination and inspiration displayed by this rifleman. As a fearless, skilled and enthusiastic soldier, Rifleman Thambahadaur Gurung is an outstanding example of the highest fighting qualities of the Gurkha Soldier. By his personal endeavours above the course of normal duty he has inspired the men of his platoon and of his Company to emulate his own unremitting purpose to close with the enemy on every possible occasion.’ Thambahadur Gurung was born in 1929, and enlisted in the 2nd Gurkha Rifles in January 1948. He served with the Regiment in Malaya March 1948 - April 1950, December 1950 - August 1953, April 1954 - May 1957 and November 1957 - November 1958. Thambahadur Gurung advanced to Lance-Corporal and was discharged, 7 March 1959, having served 11 years and 124 days with the Colours. Thambahadur Gurung was one of a number of Gurkhas interviewed for the book Gurkhas At War. In their Own Words: The Gurkha Experience 1939 to the Present, by J. P. Cross and Buddhiman Gurung. His experiences in Malaya are thus recorded: ‘I enlisted on 4 November 1947 [sic] and went to Malaya soon afterwards. We had been told we’d be in brick buildings but we were all in tents, including the British officers’ families, at Ulu Pandan in Singapore. Apart from the many fatigues we were used on to establish the camp, we had very little training, only shooting five practices on the range. We moved out on what we were told was to be a three-month operations but we were back after one month. We had many operations around the Poh Lee area of Johore. Some operations were to surround where suspected daku were while the air force bombed it. The first time this happened nothing was found, nor on the second time. The third time there was no air support and I was in a platoon that met up with daku tracks. We followed them for a week. That day I was in front and the platoon commander, Jemadar Ganeshbahadur Gurung, was behind me. He had a rifle and I had an LMG. We came across an enemy camp with trenches around it and saw the sentry. He was asleep. We crawled up as near to him as possible and the platoon commander said he would shoot the sentry and I was to spray the camp with bursts. The Jemadar killed the sentry and I sprayed the camp with fire. No one shot back as the camp had been emptied of men. Neither of us saw anyone leave though there could have been up to 40 people in the camp. The platoon came up and we searched the camp, finding a workshop and all the arms, ammunition and kit the enemy had left behind. It took a day to carry the corpse and the kit from the workshop back to the main road. In the workshop were three rifles and 12 hand bombs. The sentry was dressed in khaki and had a red star in his hat. Ganeshbahadur won an MC for that action. In another action I was with Lieutenant (KGO) Dalbir Ghale, IDSM, on Niyor Estate. There were many daku in the area. We were some three hours walk into the jungle from the nearest rubber estate. We heard fire to a flank. As there were none of our troops in that area it had to be daku firing. Aircraft were bombing yet another area. Dalbir and I, both with LMGs, set up an ambush. Two men walked about ten yards in front of us, carrying sickles, wearing packs but with no headgear. They wore rubber shoes. As I did not see any weapons I did not open fire but Dalbir did, killing them both. The rest of the platoon came up to where we were and we carried the bodies out and gave them to the police. There must have been a complaint from somewhere as I was arrested and put in prison. Wood sahib told me what to say when my case came up and that I had to stick to my story. I repeated my story in the High Court in Johore Bahru. An Englishman with false hair on his head sat in the middle with Malays sitting on either side of him. I stuck to my story and was acquitted so I did not have to go back to jail. Another operation I went out on after that was when Lieutenant (KGO) Partap Gurung was platoon commander. This time it was in the Geylang Patah area, near a swamp and not far away was a river that had crocodiles in it. The company base was in a rubber estate factory that had been made empty for us. News came about daku coming in to pick up some rations and stores at a certain place. We had to ambush them and we stayed there for a week, 11 Platoon across the river and my 10 Platoon this side of it. I was No 1 on the LMG. The daku RV was in the middle. The rubber tappers were in that area milling around and seven daku came into our killing zone with them, talking...

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War ‘Tempest pilot’s’ D.F.C. group of five awarded to Flight Lieutenant G. W. Dopson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who shot down a Fw. 190 over Rheims on 27 August 1944 and an Me. 109 over Dorsten on 28 March 1945, and shared in the destruction of a Ju. 188 over Osnabruck on 31 March 1945 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, E.II.R. (Flt. Lt. G. W. Dopson, R.A.F.V.R.) nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 1 June 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘This Warrant Officer joined the Squadron in October 1944. His timely arrival marked the commencement of a long series of offensive operations flown deep into Germany and consisting of armed reconnaissances and fighter sweeps. In such spheres, W./O. Dopson has proved to be a worthy contributor to the ever increasing total of successes by attacking 22 locomotives, several barges, motor transports and miscellaneous targets. To these claims he has added the destruction of an Fw. 190 and damaged another enemy fighter. His figure of operational hours has been achieved with constant keenness, initiative and offensive spirit. He has always pressed home his attacks with a fearless determination and complete disregard for his own personal safety.’ Geoffrey William Dopson commenced operational flying with 80 Squadron as a Warrant Officer in October 1944, soon after the unit had converted to Tempests and, by the time of his recommendation for the D.F.C., dated 10 March 1945, had flown 74 operational sorties. Of his air-to-air successes, official records reveal his destruction of an Fw. 190 five miles north-west of Rheims on 27 August 1944 and an Me. 109 over Dorsten, on 28 March 1945. Of this latter engagement his combat report states: ‘When in the Dorsten area two Me. 109s flew across our nose in a south easterly direction. I turned onto the starboard Hun closing from line astern and fired one 3-second burst from 150 yards closing to 50 yards from which I obtained several strikes on the under aide of the fuselage and just behind the cowling and also on the port wing root. A stream of whitish smoke was emitted, several pieces flew off the port wing and as the aircraft went into a gentle climb, the cockpit hood was jettisoned. I broke away just as the Hun entered cloud.’ On the last day of March 1945, and having been commissioned as Pilot Officer, Dopson shared in the destruction of a Ju. 188 seven miles north-east of Osnabruck: ‘I approached from line astern and fired one 4-second burst from 800 yards closing rapidly to within 50 yards, when I was forced to break violently to avoid collision. The E./A. was then in a gentle turn to port and on looking back I could see the port engine smoking and later catch fire.’ (combat report refers). Dopson was awarded his Air Efficiency Award on 19 January 1956. Sold with copied combat reports and other research.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War ‘Cruiser Operations’ B.E.M. group of six awarded to Chief Mechanician G. Hammond, Royal Navy British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ch. Mech. George Hammond, D/K. 59991 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K. 59991 Ch. Mech. 2, H.M.S. Royal Oak), together with two related prize medals, one in silver for a cutter competition mounted by H.M.S. Caledon in 1926, generally good very fine (8) £240-£280 --- Provenance: Bertram Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 17 September 2004. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 July 1941. George Hammond was decorated for his services aboard H.M.S. Ceres (Seedie’s refers). A Great War-vintage cruiser, the Ceres was extensively engaged in operations against the Italians off East Africa in 1940, and afterwards in the Indian Ocean. In the former operations she assisted in the evacuation of military and civilian personnel from British Somaliland. Whether Hammond was aboard the battleship Royal Oak when she was famously torpedoed in Scapa Flow on 14 October 1940 remains unknown. Out of her complement of 1234 officers and ratings, just over 400 survived.

In order to view full details and any additional images for this lot as well as place advanced bids or bid live, please click here to view this lot on the auctioneer's websiteA Second War B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer L. R. Grove, Royal Navy British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (C.E.R.A. Leonard R. Grove. C. 347548); 1914-15 Star (347548, L. R. Grove, C.E.A. 2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (347548 L. R. Grove. C.E.A. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (347548 L. R. Grove, C.E.A. H.M.S. Crescent.), this last officially corrected, earlier awards polished, otherwise very fine (8) £220-£260 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942. Leonard Robert Grove was honoured for service in H.M.S. Watchful (Seedie’s Roll, refers).