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A Second War ‘1940 British Expeditionary Force’ M.M. awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant W. McCabe, Lancashire Fusiliers, for his gallantry under fire on the front line at Basse Wavre, Belgium, in May 1940, prior to the evacuation from Dunkirk; advanced Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, he was further recognised with the award of the M.B.E. for his services in Burma, in particular for his outstanding devotion to duty during the battle of Kohima Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3448799 C. Qm. Sjt. W. Mc Cabe, Lan. Fus.) minor edge bruise, good very fine £1,200-£1,600 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 15 November 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘From 15 November 1944 to 15 February 1945, Warrant Officer Class II Wilfred McCabe has been employed as Quartermaster to the 1/8th Battalion, The Lancashire Fusiliers. During the latter part of this period the Battalion has been continuously engaged in operations against the enemy in Burma which have involved an advance of upwards of 300 miles during which the Battalion has fought one major action and numerous minor ones. As Quartermaster, RQMS McCabe has been responsible for the maintenance of the Battalion throughout. Although the Battalion was moving practically every day for a month, and more often than not, widely flanking the axis of the main road, the Battalion never went short of equipment, ammunition or rations. RQMS McCabe personally organised A/T and Jeep convoys which he himself brought up to the forward troops in the Battalion along the most arduous cross country routes. On occasions when the Battalion moved at exceptionally short notice RQMS McCabe on his own initiative appreciated the situation and always without fail produced the requirements of the Battalion at the right place and at the right time. RQMS McCabe was appointed RQMS in May 1943 and has been acting Quartermaster since June 1944 and showed outstanding devotion to duty during the battles around Kohima. His conduct as RQMS and as acting Quartermaster has been exemplary and his outstanding zeal and devotion to duty has at all times been reflected through the high standard of maintenance organisation within the Battalion.’ M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 15 May 1940 when his company were holding the front line at Basse Wavre on the River Dyle Company Quartermaster Sergeant Wilfred McCabe personally distributed a hot meal to every man in his company. In order to do this he had to cross between the forward posts over very exposed ground which was under he heavy machine gun fire and mortar fire. His coolness, cheerfulness and courage in getting hot food to forward posts under very difficult conditions undoubtedly helped to maintain the morale of the men at a high standard. His conduct and example under fire was most praiseworthy and a valuable example to all ranks of his company.’ Sold with copied extracts for the Battalion War Diary for Kohima 1944.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Wm. Baldwin, 7th. Husrs.) minor edge bruising, very fine £400-£500 --- Provenance: Spink, June 1975. William Baldwin was born in Lewes, Sussex, in 1832 and attested for the 10th Hussars in London on 24 July 1854. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea (Medal with clasp Sebastopol), before transferring to the 7th Hussars on 131 March 1857. He saw further service in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and was severely wounded at Nawabgunge on 13 June 1858, on which date the 7th Hussars suffered 22 casualties; in Baldwin’s case he was wounded to his left hand by a sepoy’s tulwar, which resulted in two of his fingers being severed. He was discharged on account of his wounds on 11 September 1860, ‘unfit for duties of a Cavalry soldier’, and was granted a pension. Sold with copied research.

A North Russia ‘Murmansk Command’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant C. A. Fletcher, Royal Field Artillery, for a spirited engagement with two armoured trains in May 1919 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20545 Sjt: C. A. Fletcher. R.F.A.) toned, very fine £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1919: ‘Immediate awards for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in North Russia conferred by Maj.-Gen. C. C. M. Maynard, K.C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O., in pursuance of the powers vested in him by His Majesty.’ ‘20545 Sjt. C. A. Fletcher, 420th By., 6th Bde., R.F.A. (Newcastle-on-Tyne). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On May 3rd, 1919, about two miles from Meselga, when the infantry were held up by two armoured trains, he got gun and ammunition up while the officer commanding section was forward reconnoitring, thereby enabling fire to be brought to bear on the trains, causing the enemy to retire into Meselga Station. The gun was then manhandled some 2,000 yards forward, which again brought the trains in the station under fire and forced them back, Throughout the operations he did well.’ Charles Arthur Fletcher is entitled to the British War and Victory Medals and was discharged ‘time expired’ on 5 September 1919.

An unusual father and son Family Group: Three: Private J. Mulhall, 46th Regiment of Foot Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (John Mulhall 46th Regt) depot impressed naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3053 John Mulhall 46th. Foot) officially impressed; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (3053. J. Mulhall. 46th. Regt.) contemporarily engraved naming, pierced as issued and subsequently fitted with a Crimea-style suspension, all mounted upon contemporary top silver brooch buckles, the first two by E. & E. Emanuel, Portsmouth, edge bruising, nearly very fine and better Three: Sergeant H. S. Mulhall, Army Service Corps, late Royal Garrison Artillery 1914-15 Star (M2-046468 Sjt. H. S. Mulhall, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-046468 Sjt. H. S. Mulhall. A.S.C.) mounted as worn, very fine (6) £600-£800 --- Only a detachment of the Regiment, 6 Officers and 225 men, made up of Sir George Cathcart’s Honour Guard and two companies of the Advance Party, were present at the Battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854, and the subsequent actions at Balaklava and Inkermann. John Mulhall was born in Kilkenny, County Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1838. He enlisted in his home town for the 46th Regiment of Foot on 7 February 1854, giving a false age of 18 years. Posted to the Crimea with two advance companies of the Regiment, Mulhall took part in the battles of the Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann, and was present at the Siege of Sebastopol. At some time appointed Orderly to Major-General Sir Robert Garrett, Mulhall went on to serve for almost a year on the island of Corfu, followed by 5 years and 201 days in the East Indies. Awarded the LSGC Medal on 10 August 1872, he was discharged from the Army at his own request on completion of a second period of limited engagement, with over 21 years of service to the Colours. With his conduct described as ‘very good’ and five entries in the Regimental Defaulter’s Book, Mulhall relocated to Portsmouth; he is later recorded in 1891 as living and working at Fort Purbrook in Hampshire as a Barracks labourer. Horace Scammell Mulhall, son of the above, is recorded in 1901 as a Corporal in the Royal Garrison Artillery, stationed at Rowner Fort, Alverstoke. He transferred to the Army Service Corps and served in France from 4 September 1915. Sold with copied research including the Army Service Record of Private John Mulhall.

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant C. W. Richardson, 149 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1473324 S/Sgt. Charles W. Richardson. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (1473324S. Sjt. C. W. Richardson. R.A.) this with two minor official corrections to naming, mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £240-£280 --- B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 24 January 1946. The recommendation states: ‘W/S/Sjt. Charles William Richardson, 149 LAA Regt RA This NCO has been the senior veh mech in a LAA Bty throughout the campaign in NW EUROPE. He has played an outstanding part in the organisation and maintenance of a WE of approx 50 vehs. His own example has been an inspiration to the other mechs, dvrs and all concerned with MT and his advice to & general supervision of the inexperienced has been invaluable. S/Sjt Richardson’s Bty did not receive its REME sub-section until shortly before embarkation. As a result the responsibility for preparation of vehs incl waterproofing trg fell largely on S/Sjt Richardson. He carried out these duties with distinction. In Sep 44 the guns of S/Sjt Richardson’s Bty were employed in a fd role with improvised gun laying eqpt. As weaknesses in this improvised eqpt became apparent S/Sjt Richardson was always the first to devise & execute the necessary modifications. Although this was outside the scope of his normal duty he often worked far into the night for days at a time until a satisfactory answer was produced. Since Jan 45 this NCO has been handicapped by an injured arm which has often caused him great pain. He has always made light of this handicap and cheerfully continued with his work. S/Sjt Richardson’s performance throughout has been an outstanding example of untiring devotion to duty in the face of all difficulties.’ Sold with Soldier’s Service Book and various official documents concerning service and award of B.E.M. and Efficiency Medal, together with original copy of L.G. announcing the B.E.M. and several photographs.

An interesting 1911 Coronation Medal awarded to Fireman W. McLaren, London Fire Brigade, who was one of three fatalities to suffocate during an attempted sewer rescue in Notting Hill on 18 March 1913 Coronation 1911, London Fire Brigade (Fireman W. McLaren.) very fine £100-£140 --- William McLaren was born in Bishop Wearmouth, Sunderland, on 22 May 1887. In August 1903 he joined T.S. Foudroyant in Falmouth as a Boy Trainee until he attested into the Royal Navy in July 1905. Placed on the Reserve in July 1910, he moved to Shepherd’s Bush, London, joining the London Fire Brigade in November, and was serving during the Coronation of King George V the following year. Whilst serving at Euston Fire Station, on 18 March 1913, he suffocated in a sewer in Pembridge Villas, Bayswater, whilst rescuing workmen, one of whom perished, overcome by lethal fumes. After a joint funeral service with the other London Fire Brigade casualty, Fireman Robert Libby, which was held at St. Pancras Church, in the presence of the Mayor and Town Clerk of Kensington, he was buried in Highgate Cemetery, London. His mother subsequently received a Carnegie Hero Fund Trust award in the sum of £26.0.0, payable in instalments of 10/- for a year. Six rescuers were awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze. Sold together with detailed copy research including service papers and photocopy newspaper articles from The Paddington, Kensington & Bayswater Chronicle covering the report of the accident and the subsequent inquest.

A superb Second War ‘North West Europe’ crossing of the River Ijssel and attack on Arnhem M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal F. Walton, 2nd Battalion (Princess Louise’s Kensington Regiment), Middlesex Regiment, who maintained communication at his control post when all the buildings around around him were pounded by enemy artillery and shattered by ammunition dump explosions. Hit by shrapnel, he proceeded to save three carriers from a completely untenable ‘holocaust’ of fire and set a magnificent example of bravery to his comrades Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4616498. Cpl. F. Walton. Midd’x. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, minor edge bruising to MM, good very fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 July 1945. The original recommendation for an ‘immediate’ Military Medal by General H. D. Crerar, G.O.C.-in-C., First Canadian Army, later passed by Field Marshal and Commander in Chief Sir B. L. Montgomery, states: ‘On the night 12/13 April 1945, 49 (WR) Division forced the River Ijssel and attacked Arnhem. For the operation it was necessary for No. 12 4.2 Mortar Platoon to take up a very exposed position on the bank of the Neder Rijn immediately south of Arnhem to enable the Platoon to support both the assault river crossing and the attack on the town. It was also necessary to dump a large quantity of mortar ammunition, both High Explosive and Phosphorous Smoke. Corporal Walton was Driver Operator of this platoon. The platoon came under extremely heavy enemy arty fire, which set fire to a large ammunition dump. This ammunition immediately exploded, igniting the houses in the vicinity and the remaining dumps of ammunition. The house in which the Control Post was situated became a blazing inferno. Corporal Walton, entirely undaunted and regardless of his own safety, remained at his post operating his set and maintaining vital communication. He did not leave his post until the wall of the house collapsed and the No. 22 Set which he was operating was hit by shrapnel and completely destroyed, Corporal Walton being severely injured. The area, by this time, had become not only completely untenable but a holocaust. The mortar ammunition was exploding in all directions and naturally this brought down further accurate enemy artillery fire. Corporal Walton, although injured, showed unexampled bravery by running three times into the centre of the danger and personally driving away the only three carriers which had not already been destroyed. He faced almost certain death by entering the danger area to drive away the vehicles and during the time that he remained at his post operating the wireless set. By so doing he set a magnificent example of bravery. His devotion to duty was of the very highest order, far surpassing his normal responsibility.’ Frederick Walton was recommended on 22 April 1945 for the ‘immediate’ award of the Military Medal following the storming of the River Ijssel by assault troops of the Allied Armies tasked with the liberation of the Netherlands from the occupying forces of Nazi Germany. Repeated delayed due to poor weather, the crossing of this heavily defended natural barrier was finally achieved by Canadian I and II Corps, with the British 49th Infantry Division taking Arnhem; using leapfrogging techniques, three infantry Brigades succeeded in capturing the city within four days. Less than two weeks after the battle a general truce brought major combat operations in Holland to an end, and on 4 May 1945, Field Marshal Sir Bernard L. Montgomery accepted the unconditional surrender of all German forces in the Netherlands, preceding the end of the Second World War in Europe. Sold with original named Buckingham Palace enclosure and card box of issue for M.M., with medal entitlement slip, this hand annotated ‘4616498. Cpl. F. Walton, Middlesex Regiment, M.M. L.G. 12.07.45.’

A Great War ‘East Africa’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Technical Sergeant-Major J. Rankine, Royal Garrison Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (25534 Sjt: J. Rankine. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (25534 T.W.O. Cl. 1 J. Rankine. R.A.) number officially corrected; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (25534 T.S. Mjr. - A.C. J. Rankine. D.C.M. R.G.A.) very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 11 May 1917 (East Africa): ‘For valuable services cheerfully given under adverse conditions. His work has been carried out with marked efficiency.’ (The award of the M.S.M. published in the Gazette of 1st February is hereby cancelled). M.I.D London Gazette 6 August 1918 (East Africa): Despatch of Lieut.-General Sir J. L. Van Deventer, K.C.B., dated 21 January 1818, for ‘Distinguished services during the operations from 30 May to December 1917.’

A ‘Queen Victoria’s funeral’ R.V.M. group of three awarded to Petty Officer (Rigger) 1st Class J. Whitcher, Royal Navy Royal Victorian Medal, V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (J. Whitcher, P.O. 1 Cl. (Rigger), H.M.Y. Victoria & Albert.) impressed naming; Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, therefore very fine (3) £380-£460 --- Provenance: Oliver Stirling Lee Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004. John Whitcher was born in Southampton in September 1856, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class in September 1873. Not having witnessed any active service, Whitcher joined the royal yacht Victoria & Albert in October 1882, the beginning of a lengthy commission that saw him gain advancement to Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1895, the year in which he also received his L.S. & G.C. Medal. Indeed, Whitcher remained employed in the royal yacht until pensioned ashore in May 1901, shortly after he had been awarded his R.V.M. for services at Queen Victoria’s funeral. Sold with copied service papers and research. 


1914 Star (11724 S. Mjr. J. M. Maxwell. R.A.M.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (330052 Pte. J. G. Thistel C.F.A.) unofficially renamed; Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William Mackay); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (L-7566 Pte. G. J. Guile. R. Suss. R.; 803211 Pte. R. Clare. 4-Can. Inf.) surname corrected on last, nearly very fine (5) £80-£100 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- J. M. Maxwell attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 August 1914. He was commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on 9 May 1915, and finished the War with the rank of Captain.

Five: Company Quartermaster Sergeant E. R. Hole, Royal Engineers, later Royal Signals 1914 Star, with clasp (23305 Cpl. E. R. Hole. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (23305 Sjt. E. R. Hole. R.E.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Mahsud 1919-20 (23305 Sjt. E. R. Hole, R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1850266 Sjt. E. R. Hole. R. Signals.) polishing to high relief, good fine to nearly very fine (5) £160-£200 --- Ernest Robert Hole was born in Chilworth, near Guildford, around 1888, and attested for the Royal Engineers at New Cross on 15 March 1906. An engine cleaner by trade, he soon acquired certificates in telephony and signalling, and was posted to France with the 6th Signal Company, Royal Engineers, on 8 September 1914. Raised Sergeant, he transferred to the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in February 1917 and was later posted to the North-West Frontier of India during the Third Afghan War. Sent with a detachment of ‘L’ Company to Jubbelpore, he transferred to the Royal Signals and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1924. Raised Company Quartermaster Sergeant, Hole was discharged from service at Colchester on 1 March 1927, his reference offering a fitting testimony to a man who had served over 21 years with the Colours: ‘C.Q.M.S. Hole has proved himself to be a thoroughly reliable, hardworking, keen, efficient N.C.O. He is honest, sober and energetic with plenty of self confidence. He is trustworthy and painstaking in his work, with considerable experience and initiative, and moreover has the power of command. I can most strongly recommend him for any employment he wishes to take up.’ Sold with copied service record and research confirming entitlement.

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Major W. S. Hebbert, F/1, R.A.) edge bruising and pitting from star, otherwise nearly very fine £300-£400 --- Battle of Tel-el-Kebir. Despatches London Gazette 2 November 1882. Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel. 3rd Class Medjidie. Medal with clasp; bronze star.

Four: Signalman A. M. Roberts, Royal Signals Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24896576 Sig A M Roberts R Signals); U.N. Medal, on UNPROFOR riband; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo, good very fine (4) £100-£140

Six: Sergeant K. McLaren, Royal Engineers 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8406 Spr. K. McLaren. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (8406 Sjt. K. McLaren. R.E.) rank officially corrected on BWM; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (8406 Sjt. K. McLaren. R.E.) good very fine (6) £120-£160 --- Kenneth McLaren was born in 1886 in England and lived in Auchtergaven, Perthshire. He attested into the Royal Engineers, Territorial Force and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 November 1914. He was later appointed Sergeant. The clasp on his 1914 Star is confirmed on his Medal Index Card. Sold together with copy research.

Pair: Sapper H. March, Royal Engineers Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (1295 Sapr. H. March. R.E.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1295 Sapr. H. March. R.E.) the KSA with re-pinned suspension and slightly bent suspension bar, edge bruising, nearly very fine (2) £120-£160 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 1999. Harry March was born in Poplar in 1875 and attested at Woolwich for the Royal Engineers on 7 October 1897. A fitter by trade, he qualified Skilled Telegraphist (Line) on 4 July 1899 and served in South Africa from 21 October 1899 to 16 October 1902. Transferred to the Army Reserve at Weymouth in 1905, he was discharged upon termination of his first period of engagement on 6 October 1909. Sold with copied medal roll extracts and other research.

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Sebastopol (Serjt. Wm. Spooner, 46 ...) contemporarily engraved naming, contact marks and wear to naming, therefore fine £160-£200 --- Only a detachment of the Regiment, 6 Officers and 225 men, made up of Sir George Cathcart’s Honour Guard and two companies of the Advance Party, were present at the Battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854, and the subsequent actions at Balaklava and Inkermann. William Spooner was born in the Norfolk village of Hindringham in January 1817. A labourer, he attested for the 46th Regiment of Foot on 13 October 1837 and transferred from Depot to the main body of the Regiment - then stationed in the West Indies - around August 1843. Advanced Corporal, Spooner embarked for Canada East with troop ship Apollo on 7 July 1845, and was tried by District Court Martial at La Prairie on 8 June 1846 in respect of duty; placed in charge of a Regimental Picquet, he was found guilty of having allowed two subordinates to engage in too much liquor. Returned home to England, Spooner soon faced a second Regimental Court Martial on the island of Guernsey in the autumn of 1847. This time found guilty of himself being drunk in town, he was reduced to Private. Transferred to barracks in Weedon and Windsor, he later returned to favour and was tasked with leading a recruiting party in Norwich from April to June 1854. Sent to the Crimea soon thereafter, the muster rolls note that he suffered months of sickness at Scutari; rather than succumb to disease, he recovered his health in England and later received his Crimea Medal from the hand of Queen Victoria during a parade held at Horse Guards on 18 May 1855. Sent to Regimental Depot of the 46th Foot, Spooner was subsequently attached to the 3rd Lancashire Militia on 7 September 1858. Discharged to pension on 27 October of that year, he immediately took position on the Permanent Staff of the Lancashire Militia. The 1871 census later notes him in the service of the Royal Cheshire Militia at Chester, and twenty years later he is recorded as a Drill Hall Keeper in the city. He finally died in the Chester Cathedral district in December 1900.

Union Infantry Volunteers 1799. A large oval engraved medal with decorated rim with rose, thistle, and shamrock at top, 85mm x 57mm, silver (Hallmarks for Chester 1799), obverse engraved with Regimental banner, ‘Union Infantry Volunteers’ around, reverse engraved ‘Won by Private F Newan at a trial of Shooting at Target First Prize 1799’, with integral loop suspension, good very fine £140-£180 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Owing to the uncertainty that exists with regard to the original provenance and manufacture of some early engraved Regimental and Volunteer Medals, this lot is sold as viewed.

Pair: Private R. J. Brain, Somerset Light Infantry British War Medal 1914-20 (4726 Pte. R. J. Brain. Som. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (4726 Pte. R. Brain. 2 Bn. Som. L.I.) good very fine (2) £60-£80 --- Reginald John Brain, a stone cutter from Barton St. David, Somerset, was born in 1879. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry on 3 November 1896 and served with the 2nd Battalion in India, Malta, and North China, before further service in India, and on the North West Frontier of Afghanistan during, and at the end of, the Great War. He was discharged on 8 January 1920. He died in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1945. Sold together with a R.A.O.B. Jewel, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Presented to Bro. Reginald J. Brain C.P. by the Irving Lodge No. 6618 certified on 15. Nov. 1933.’, with integral top ‘Primo’ Buffalo riband bar; with copied service papers and copy Medal Index Card.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private W. Sterry, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was taken prisoner at Sannah’s Post following a devastating dawn ambush Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Belfast, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose on riband, as issued (2737 Pte. W. Sterry, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.) minor edge bruising, nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- William Sterry was born in Kidderminster in 1870 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in his home town on 13 July 1888. A former labourer by trade, he served in India from 11 December 1891 to 16 February 1896, and South Africa from 5 November 1899 to 19 July 1901. Serving with the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I., Sterry was part of Brigadier General R. G. Broadwood’s column which was ambushed by 1600 men of de Wet’s Commando at Sannah’s Post on 31 March 1900; with the transport wagons jammed together at the drift across the Koornspruit, the ensuing engagement resulted in the loss of one third of the column killed, captured or wounded. The collective gallantry by the officers, drivers and gunners of ‘Q’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, was later recognised with the award of four Victoria Crosses. Taken Prisoner of War - one of 12 other ranks of the 2nd Battalion, D.C.L.I. captured that day - Sterry was later released from Boer captivity at Waterval on 6 June 1900 when his camp was taken by a squadron of the 2nd Dragoons under Captain F. S. Maude. Repatriated to Battalion Depot at Bodmin, Sterry was discharged in July 1901 and returned home to Kidderminster. He died in September 1932.

Miscellaneous Shooting Medals. A plain circular disc, 32mm, silver, hallmarked but lacking date letter, obverse engraved with a kneeling Rifleman in the firing position, reverse engraved ‘Presented by Capt. White to the Best Marksman of No. 2 Company Huntingdon for the year 1866’, pierced with three small holes (one plugged) presumably for affixing to a coat; together with a circular metal disk, the obverse engraved ‘No. 2 This Medal presented by the officers to Royal Bird as a reward of Merit for making the 2d. Best Shot September 18th 1820’, reverse engraved ‘D. Brown, Capt.; J. Muzzy, Lieut.; J. Roberts, Ensign.’, pierced with ring suspension; a Shrewsbury Archery 1854 Best Gold lapel badge in the form of a central medallion with three arrows through it, with pin-back suspension; a London Rifle Brigade Silver Medal (“B” Coy. 1932. Rfn. I. L. Jones.) in Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company, London, fitted case; and a National Rifle Association membership arm badge, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1935), the first two in fair condition; the rest good very fine and better (5) £80-£100 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK ---

1914-15 Star (3) (5214 A. Bmbr: C. Hookins. R.F.A.; Sapr: W. A. McLaren. R.E.; T2SR-03073 Dvr: F. Wride. A.S.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (7) (26619 Gnr. A. Workman. R.G.A.; 126077 Cpl. E. C. Bowers. R.E.; 24577 Pte. T. H. Bird. Devon. R.; 27519 Pte. W. Groom. Bedf. R.; 5179 Pte. S. Nurton. Worc. R.; M-272500 Pte. G. W. Preen. A.S.C.; M-304114 Pte. J. F. Sell. A.S.C.) some edge knocks, generally nearly very fine and better (10) £100-£140 --- Charles Hookins, a railway fireman from Pawlett, Bridgwater, Somerset, was born in 1896. He attested into the Royal Field Artillery on 1st September 1914 for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 3 August 1915, and was moved quickly to the Egyptian theatre, landing at Gallipoli on 18 August 1915. Advanced Acting Bombadier, he was discharged as a result of pulmonary tuberculosis on 13 July 1916 and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 51222. He later died at home on 9 January 1919 and is buried in St. John the Baptist Church, Pawlett, Somerset. Amos Workman, from Bridgwater, Somerset, attested into the Royal Garrison Artillery and served during the Great War in India, where he died on 10 November 1914. He is buried in Rawalpindi War Cemetery, Pakistan. Sold with copied research.

Miscellaneous Shooting Medals. A North Western Railway Volunteer Rifles struck medal, 38mm, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Best Shot Revolver Class Firing 1903-04 Won by Capt. F. T. Millard’; a 12th Royal Lancers engraved medal, 39mm, silver, the reverse engraved ‘XII Royal Lancers Best Shot of the Sergeants 1907-08 Sergt. W. W. Simkins’, with loop and ring suspension; an Egypt Command Small Arms Meeting struck medal, 39mm, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1930), the reverse engraved ‘1931 Machine Gun Match Winners 3rd A.C.C. A. Ewan.’; and a Indian Rifles Rifle Club medallion,27mm, silver and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Championship 2ndJ. G. Williams 1939-40’, with small ring suspension, good very fine (4) £60-£80 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK ---

Four: Private L. T. Hooper, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (51121 Pte. L. Hooper. Som. L.I.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Leonard T. Hooper) good very fine Four: Sapper A. O. Tanner, Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (506389 Spr. A. O. Tanner. R.E.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Arthur O. Tanner) contact marks, very fine (8) £90-£120 --- Leonard Thomas Hooper, a farm labourer from Catcott, Somerset, was born on 2 April 1897. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War. He appears in the 1939 Register as a Special Constable serving in the Somerset Constabulary. He died in 1972. Arthur Owen Tanner, a messenger with the General Post Office, was born in Clevedon, Somerset in 1896. He attested into the Royal Engineers for service during the Great War and served overseas. He died in 1979. Sold with a silver ID bracelet named to Tanner, fashioned from an erased coin; and copied research.

The important Second War C.S.I., inter-War C.I.E. and K.P.M. group of seven awarded to Sir William N. P. Jenkin, K.B.E., Director of Intelligence in Malaya, late Deputy Inspector-General of Police (C.I.D.), Government of India, who was knighted for his impressive service as a trained professional intelligence officer, and was called back from retirement in 1950 to lead what became a watershed period for the reorganisation, restructuring and training of the Malayan Police and its Special Branch The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, C.S.I., Companion’s neck badge, gold and enamel, with central onyx cameo of a youthful Queen Victoria, the motto of the order set in rose diamonds, suspended from a five-pointed silver star and silver ring suspension, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamel, with short section of neck riband for display purposes, in Garrard, London, case of issue; King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (William Norman Prentrice [sic] Jenkin. Indian Police Service) on gallantry riband; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. N. P. Jenkin. R.A.F.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, edge knock to K.P.M., otherwise nearly extremely fine (7) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- K.B.E. London Gazette 14 August 1947: ‘Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Punjab.’ C.S.I. London Gazette 1 January 1946: ‘Indian Police, Deputy Director, Intelligence Bureau, Home Department, Government of India.’ C.I.E. London Gazette 3 June 1931: ‘Indian Police Service, Superintendent of Police, Punjab.’ K.P.M. London Gazette 1 January 1925. The original recommendation published in The Gazette of India Extraordinary on 1 January 1925, states: ‘On the 25th October 1923, Mr. A. F. Horton, Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, and Mr. W. N. P. Jenkin, Assistant Superintendent of Police, with a mixed party of additional police sowars, punitive police, and regular police, very skilfully rounded up Dhanna Singh, one of the most dangerous leaders of the Babbar Akali revolutionary gang, at Manbana village, Mahilpur Police Station of the Hoshiarpur District, and succeeded in depriving him of a loaded revolver and placing him in handcuffs before he could inflict any casualties on his captors. The struggle continued, however, and Dhanna Singh managed to explode a Mills’ bomb which was concealed on his person, thereby killing himself and five police officers on the spot and fatally injuring three others, including Mr. Horton. Mr. Jenkin though very seriously wounded, displayed conspicuous gallantry.’ William Norman Prentice Jenkin was born in Ashford, Kent, on 11 August 1899. He spent his teenage years in Dumbarton and attested for the Royal Flying Corps upon reaching the age of 18; sent to South Farnborough on 4 September 1917, he was appointed Flying Officer on 30 January 1918 and qualified as an R.E.8 Pilot on 5 August 1918. Posted to the Central Depot Pool of Pilots, he relinquished his commission on account of ill health in December 1918 and joined the Indian Police Service as Assistant Superintendent, Punjab, on 27 December 1919. Distinguishing himself in the capture of the Sikh revolutionary Dhanna Singh, Jenkin learned of the award of his K.P.M. from a hospital bed. Following numerous operations and year’s leave to Scotland, he returned to the Punjab and was raised Officiating Superintendent in April 1927. Appointed Central Intelligence Officer for the Punjab, Delhi and Sind, in 1935, he became Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau in March 1939 and Deputy Inspector General of the Punjab in May 1946. Awarded a Knighthood following a distinguished career in the Indian Police Special Branch, Jenkin took his retirement and returned home. The Malayan Emergency In June 1948 a state of emergency was declared in the British colony of Malaya and members of the Malayan National Liberation Army - the armed wing of the Malayan Communist Party - began attacking rubber plantations, mines and police stations, derailing trains and burning workers’ houses. The British reacted by introducing emergency legislation and imposing curfews and movement restrictions on the local population, but their activities were undermined by the guerillas having the benefit of local knowledge, as well as a general lack of reliable intelligence making its way back to the authorities. In consequence, Jenkin was invited out of retirement on 22 June 1950 to take up appointment as ‘Advisor of the Special Branch/CID’ - the first trained professional intelligence officer to take over the Malayan Special Branch. Raised Director of Intelligence in Malaya, he soon realised the vital importance of strengthening the Special Branch by increasing the intake of Chinese officers, a matter that had been recommended several times in the past, but with little done about it. In December 1950, under his watch, the authorities introduced a National Service Bill which successfully enabled the drafting of males aged 17 to 45, including those of Chinese origin, into the police or army; by 1951, 1223 Chinese men wore the uniform of the Malay police, for the first time comparing favourably with the numbers of men of Indian and Pakistani heritage already serving in the uniformed branch. In November 1951, Jenkin successfully pressed for a large increase in the strength of the Special Branch/CID by the further recruitment of 80 Chinese inspectors and 500 Chinese detectives. He further brought detention camps within the purview of the Special Branch, and stressed the importance of Special Branch Officers being able to interrogate detainees to obtain information of security value. Separating ‘hardened Communists from misguided sympathisers’, he encouraged his men to determine whether any detainees could be ‘turned’ and employed as Special Branch informants. Under Jenkin, the Special Branch of 1950 successfully began to assume responsibility for the surveillance and security control of Malaya’s coastal regions and the Malay-Thai frontier. Utilising his brainchild Directive No. 9., the Malay Special Branch soon began to liaise more with the army and MI5, resulting in numerous successfully co-ordinated counter-insurgency operations against the Min Yuen; between 1950 and 1951, Communist terrorist contacts rose 109.7%, with a further 18.9% increase in casualties and 63.3% increase in surrenders. Having successfully reorganised and strengthened the Special Branch in a little over a year and a half, Jenkin resigned his position and returned home. He died on 28 December 1983. Sold with extensive copied research.

Five: Private G. Boon, Somerset Light Infantry, later Devonshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (2460 Pte. G. Boon. Somerset: Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2460 Pte. G. Boon. Somerset: L.I.); 1914-15 Star (19555 Pte. G. Boon. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (19555 Pte. G. Boon. Devon. R.), some polishing, contact marks, good fine (5) £280-£340 --- George Boon, a Labourer from Berrow, Somerset, was born in 1871. He attested into Somerset Light Infantry on 31 January 1889 and served at Home and in India, before being place on the Reserve in January 1897. Recalled for service during the Boer War in October 1899, he served in South Africa until his discharge in 1902. In November 1914, and now living in Ogmore Vale, Bridgend, Galmorgan, he attested into his old regiment for service during the Great War. Transferred into the Devonshire Regiment, he served in the Egyptian theatre with the 1st Battalion from 27 September 1915. He was discharged ‘Class Z’ on 22 April 1919. He died in Bridgend in 1951. Sold together with copy service papers, copy medal roll extracts and copy Medal Index Card.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. Cunningham, 28th (Saskatchewan) Battalion, Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (440465 Sjt. J. Cunningham. 28/Sask. R.); British War and Victory Medals (440465 Sjt. J. Cunningham. 28-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, contact marks, some staining, good fine (3) £260-£300 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.M. London Gazette, 29 August 1918. John Cunningham, a labourer, was born in Irvine, Ayrshire, on 1 April 1892. He attested into the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force at Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, on 9 February 1915 and served on the Western Front with the 28th (Saskatchewan) Battalion. Advanced Sergeant, he was awarded the Military Medal in August 1918. Sold together with copied service papers, sergeant stripes and blue chevrons, and a small contemporary flag.

A Great War D.S.C. and Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service group of seven awarded to Captain E. Thomas, Mercantile Marine Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1918, unnamed; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star, 1 clasp, Burma; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Services, 3rd type, silver (Captain Evan Thomas. S.S. “Lindenhall”, 1st. November 1916.) first six mounted for display; the last loose, nearly extremely fine (7) £800-£1,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 11 April 1919: ‘In recognition of zeal and devotion to duty shown in carrying on the trade of the country during the War.’ The S.S. Lindenhall, 4,003 tons, of the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company, was attacked by enemy forces in the Mediterranean on 1 November 1916, but was saved by her own gunfire.

Three: Private O. G. McLaren, Army Service Corps, late North Somerset Yeomanry, who was discharged as a result of shell shock 1914 Star (252 Pte. O. G. McLaren. 1/1 N. Som: Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (M22-080867 Pte. O. G. McLaren. A.S.C.) some staining, very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Ormiston Galloway McLaren, an electrician from Bath, was born on 7 July 1894. He attested into the 2/1st North Somerset Yeomanry in March 1910 and was served during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 November 1914. He was admitted to hospital suffering from frostbite. He transferred into the Army Service Corps in April 1915 for service as a Motor Driver and was later admitted to hospital in January 1917 as a result of bronchitis and shell shock. He was discharged as no longer fit for war service on 2 July 1917 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 126,006. Sold with copy service papers and copy medal index card.

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Jowaki 1877-8 (1979 Drummer James Halsey. 2/9th. Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £140-£180 --- James Halsey attested for the 9th Regiment of Foot at Aldershot on 4 October 1870, and served with the 2nd Battalion in India and Afghanistan (also entitled to an Afghanistan Medal 1878-80 with clasp Kabul). He was discharged on 12 March 1884.

A South African Transvaal Bisley Competitor’s Badge.
A thin curved silver competitor's badge, 67mm, with crowned armorial shield against four Transvaal vignettes, the reverse inscribed ‘Transvaal Bisley 1906’, with pin brooch to reverse, in Mappin & Webb, Johannesburg, fitted case; together with a small Transvaal Rifle Association medal, 32mm, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1903), unnamed, good very fine (2) £60-£80 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK ---

Family Group: Pair: Sergeant C. W. Tait, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Bedfordshire Regiment India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3100. Lce. Cpl. C. Tait. 1/D.C.L.I.) officially engraved in the usual style associated with the DCLI; British War Medal 1914-20 (22175 Sjt. C. W. Tait. Bedf. R.) very fine India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4800. Pte. P. Tait. 1/D.C.L.I.) officially engraved in the usual style associated with the DCLI, very fine (3) £240-£280 --- Charles Walter Tait was born in the Straits Settlements around 1876 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in the spring of 1890. He attended a one-year ‘Pupil’s Course’ of instruction in the flute, and likely served as a member of the band of the 1st Battalion before witnessing extensive service in India. Returned home to his wife in South Africa, he later enlisted for the Bedfordshire Regiment on 7 June 1915, possibly training new recruits in England; for this work he was awarded the BWM and a silver war badge. Percy Tait was born around 1880 and enlisted in the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 2 February 1895. Posted to the 2nd Battalion initially, it appears that he transferred to the 1st Battalion and followed a similar path to his elder brother, being present on the Punjab Frontier and during the Tirah Expedition. It is not known when he left the regiment, but records note that he died a civilian in Billericay, Essex, in 1907. Sold with copied research relating to both men and other members of the Tait family.

Pair: Battery Sergeant Major A. Rossiter, Royal Field Artillery British War Medal 1914-20 (2430 W.O. Cl.2. A. Rossiter. R.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (93838 Gnr: A. Rossiter. R.F.A.) good very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Albert Rossiter was born in Cheddar, Somerset, in 1873 and attested into the Royal Field Artillery in October 1892. He served at Home and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1911. Discharged in October 1913, he reenlisted, aged 41, into his old corps in February 1915, for service during the Great War. Appointed Battery Sergeant Major, he served in the Egyptian theatre from 11 December 1915 and was discharged ‘Class Z’ on 22 February 1919. He died in Preston, Lancashire, in 1951. Sold with a Royal Artillery cap badge and shoulder title; and copied research.

Eight: Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Sinnock, Royal Signals, who was Mentioned in Despatches ‘for gallant and distinguished services in Malaya’ 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, Near East, G.VI.R., with M.I.D. oak leaves, unofficial retaining rod between clasps (Major. E. A. Sinnock. R. Sigs.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militia (Lt. E. A. Sinnock. R. Sigs.) mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £240-£280 --- Ernest Anthony Sinnock was born in Brighton on 4 January 1916 and served in the ranks for over six years. Appointed to a commission in the Royal Signals in 1943, he was raised Acting Captain 1945, Major 1952, and Lieutenant-Colonel in 1959. Mentioned in Despatches ‘for gallant and distinguished services in Malaya’ (London Gazette 13 December 1949), he retired in 1961 and died in Brighton in 2004.

A Great War 1918 ‘German Spring Offensive’ D.C.M. and 1917 ‘Messines’ M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Corporal W. Kirkman, 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20376 L. Cpl. W. Kirkman, M.M. 9/Welsh R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (20376 Pte. W. Kirkman. 9/Welsh R.); 1914-15 Star (20376 Pte. W. Kirkman. Welsh R.); British War and Victory Medals (20376 Pte. W. Kirkman. Welsh R.) light contact marks and a little polished, otherwise nearly very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Twice in succession he succeeded in carrying most important messages despite an intense barrage and in the face of an enemy attack. On several occasions he has distinguished himself by a fine display of courage and devotion to duty.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Beughny [Beaugny, near Bapaume], 22-26 March 1918.’ M.M. London Gazette 16 August 1917. A contemporary Bolton newspaper report states ‘for gallantry on the field on June 7th’ when the battalion made a successful attack at Messines. William Kirkman enlisted on 8 February 1915, and went to France on 4 December the same year. In civil life he worked at the Bolton L. and Y. Station as a porter. He transferred to the ‘Class Z’ Reserve on 16 January 1919. Sold with copied research including news cutting, gazette notices, War Diary extracts for both actions, and D.C.M., M.M. and Medal Index Cards.

Royal Flint Regiment 1807.
A circular engraved medal with double-stepped rim, 56mm, silver, unmarked, obverse engraved ‘George Rex III’ above crown, ‘1807’ below, ‘Royal Flint Regiment’ on riband around, reverse inscribed ‘James Wilkie Best Shot wh. Ball at 100 Yards September Firings’, with integral ring suspension, nearly extremely fine £140-£180 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Murray Collection, Glendining’s, May 1926. Referenced in Hastings Irwin. Owing to the uncertainty that exists with regard to the original provenance and manufacture of some early engraved Regimental and Volunteer Medals, this lot is sold as viewed.

An interesting Victory Medal awarded to Sapper D. H. Gibson, Royal Engineers, who served as a Tunneller with No. 176 Company and was likely involved in the construction of the extensive gallery network at Vimy Ridge Gibson returned home to Nottinghamshire only to have a ‘marvellous escape’ when caught by a violent thunderstorm one evening as he walked back from the local mine – his accompanying friend died on the spot after been burned from ‘the chin to the sole of his foot’ by a lightning bolt Victory Medal 1914-19 (158361 Spr. D. H. Gibson. R.E.) nearly extremely fine £40-£50 --- David Henry Gibson was born at Newthorpe Common, Nottinghamshire, around 1887, and worked as a coal miner in the local pits. He attested for the Royal Engineers at Hucknall on 2 February 1916, his service papers stating him taking lodgings around that time at Hampden Street, Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire. Posted to France, Gibson joined No. 176 Company on 1 July 1916 and appears to have spent approximately two years as a tunneller. Conditions became so bad underground and in the trenches on the Western Front that he reported to the 59th Field Ambulance in July 1918 suffering from mosquito bites; transferred to No. 4 General Hospital at Camiers, the state of his thighs was such as to necessitate evacuation home to Chester War Hospital to recover for 17 days. As the War neared its weary end, Gibson was posted to a Tunnelling Depot Company at Crowborough before being finally demobilised. He then returned home to Nottinghamshire and his former life as a collier. An article which was published on page 7 of the South Notts Echo on 19 June 1920 notes the following episode: ‘Killed in a Field Newthorpe Common Miner’s Tragic End A violent thunderstorm broke over Eastwood and district between 10.30 and 11 o’clock on Saturday night, causing the death of a Newthorpe Common miner named Thomas Bates, aged 39, who leaves a widow and six children. The deceased’s companion, a miner named David Henry Gibson of Hempden Street, Newthorpe Common, had a marvellous escape, being stunned by the lightning and rendered prostrate. Gibson states that he was in company with Bates from 7.45 p.m., and they were returning home from Newthorpe about 10.30 across the fields. He had just got over a stile and his companion was following when there was a vivid flash of lightning and he remembered no more. It afterwards transpired that Gibson, lying in an unconscious state for half-an-hour, had sufficiently recovered to call for help, and a man named Harry Goodin, a miner, of New Eastwood, who was passing on the main road, heard the shout and went to their assistance, finding Gibson still in a dazed condition and his companion dead. P.C. Hindley, who received information and went to the scene of midnight, states that the deceased, who burned from the chin to the sole of his foot, the fluid passing from the chest down the left side, where it burned a hole in the outer-case of his silver watch, also breaking and charring the watch chain. The watch had stopped at four minutes to 11. The lightning also dislocated one of the overhead wires on the Notts. and Derbyshire tramways at Giltbrook, and the late cars returning from Nottingham were held up until the early hours of Sunday morning, many passengers for Eastwood and Heanor having to complete their journey on foot.’

A Second War M.B.E. group of six awarded to Major E. Speechley, Royal Signals, who was further Mentioned in Despatches for services in North West Europe The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type, breast badge; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., reverse officially dated 1955, with Army Emergency Reserve top riband bar, mounted as worn, very fine and better (6) £240-£280 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘During the period 22 July 1944 to 8 May 1945 this officer has displayed devotion to duty of a high order. As officer commanding a Line Company responsible for the provision of extensive line communications for 2nd Tactical Air Force H.Q.’s, his grit and determination were an inspiration to the officers and men under his command. Throughout the campaign he was continuously in the forward areas reconnoitring line routes and supervising the building of main arteries. He has spared no effort to ensure the provision of the vital communications at the required moment.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 10 May 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ Ernest Speechley was born in Grantham, Lincolnshire, in 1907. Appointed to a commission in the Royal Signals on 21 January 1939, he was raised War Substantive Captain on 25 September 1941 and for his services during the Second World War was Mentioned in Despatches and appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Further recognised with the award of the Emergency Reserve Decoration in the London Gazette of 28 June 1955, Speechley retired from the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers on 26 June 1957. He died at Skelton, York, in August 1977. Sold with a fine selection of original documentation including named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.B.E.; Mention in Despatches Certificate and War Office letter regarding issue of emblem; forwarding letter regarding Emergency Reserve Decoration from the Army Medal Office, Droitwich, dated 2 January 1956; a newspaper cutting regarding the award of the M.B.E., noting the recipient as a footballer in the Royal Artillery T.A. and York Post Office teams; with three large contemporary photographs of the recipient in military uniform.

The Indian Mutiny medal awarded to Mr William Johnson, Uncovenanted Civil Service, attached to the Militia Battery at Agra Fort Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (W. Johnson,) mounted on contemporary pin brooch, nearly extremely fine £400-£500 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- William Johnson was born in Calcutta circa 1808. He was an East Indian, born in India of European parentage. Little is known of his parents but in 1831 William was employed as the 2nd Draftsman in the Military Board, Calcutta. He worked alongside Mr Wale Byrne who became one of the leading lights in the Eurasian community. Wale Byrne was also the brother in law of Colonel John Byrne, C.B., who had been A.D.C. to Lords Dalhousie, Bentinck, Auckland, and Ellenborough. It was into this melange of cultures that William Johnson worked, met and married Mary, the daughter of Colonel Byrne and his native wife Kammo Christina, affectionately known as “Beebee Byrne” on 20 April 1831, at Calcutta Cathedral. William Johnson left Calcutta in 1832 to take up the position of Writer at the Sudder Dewanny Adawlut Court at Allahabad. While en route his wife gave birth to a daughter, Mary Henrietta Janet, on the Ganges River, who died a year later. A second child, William, was born in 1833 but only survived a few months. Two sons, Walter John and William Byrne followed in 1834 and 1835. [see footnote] Mary tragically died on 16 August 1841, at Allahabad. Sometime after the death of his wife he transferred to Agra to take up the appointment of Assistant Register in the Sudder Court, a position he held until the outbreak of the mutiny. His transfer may have been instigated by Arthur D. Johnson who was the translator in the Agra Sudder Court and also editor of the N.I. Messenger and probably his brother. At the outbreak Johnson moved into the Agra Fort where he is recorded in the Census as being present with his wife and 2 children. His second marriage is unrecorded as are the names of the children at Agra and all subsequent births. From their military records we know that Cecil Willoughby was born at Agra on 11 October 1857, some months after the census, and Samuel Wellesley was born at Agra on 12 November 1859. The death administration of Samuel Johnson in 1901 shows that he had a sister in Simla named E. A. Baldwin and his estate was bequeathed to his brother Cecil Willoughby. It can be assumed that Miss E. A. Johnson was one of the children at Agra Fort. William Johnson is listed on the medal roll as being attached to the Militia Battery as per Govt. of India Military Dept. No. 46 of 23 July 1858. William Johnson continued employment with the Agra Sudder Court and in 1868 he is shown as Clerk to the chief Justice at Agra. Sometime between this date and 1875 he retired as by then he was working in Simla as the manager of the Simla Book Depot. In 1881 he is shown as a Government pensioner and died in Simla on 19 August 1886. Note: Establishing the true chronological sequence of events with respect to the life of William Johnson rests on a document found in the India Office that was produced on his death. The Government of India, Home Department's “Return of Death of a European Uncovenanted Pensioner in the Punjab for the month of August 1886”, originating from Simla, shows William Johnson was from Calcutta and died in Simla aged 77. The paper also advises he had four surviving children two of whom were living in India and named as Dr. S. Johnson [Staff Surgeon Samuel Wellesley Johnson, H.M.S Ranger] and W. J. Johnson [Walter John Johnson] of Agra. Sold with extensive copied research.

Eight: Sergeant D. G. Hemmings, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (2549727 Cpl. D. G. Hemming. R. Sigs.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East (2549727 Sgt. D. G. Hemmings. R. Sigs.); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP riband, unnamed as issued, generally very fine (8) £180-£220

Renamed and Defective Medals (8): 1914 Star; 1914-15 Star (3); British War Medal 1914-20 (2); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) all with naming erased, generally nearly very fine (8) £100-£140

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (John Parker. Adls. Coxn. H.M.S. Agincourt) impressed naming, very fine £100-£140 --- John Parker was born in Kingston, Hampshire, in December 1850. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in June 1865, and advanced to Able Seaman in November 1871. His service included with H.M.S. Shah from August 1876 to October 1879, during which time she was in action against Peruvian revolutionaries who had seized the Peruvian Turret ship Huascar. The Shah engaged the latter in a rare Victorian era ship-to-ship engagement on 29 May 1877, resulting in approximately 300 shots being fired, and 4 casualties (Parker was also entitled to a no clasp South Africa 1877-79 Medal for his service aboard the Shah). Parker advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class in November 1878, and to Chief Petty Officer in February 1883. He served as Admiral’s Coxswain with H.M.S. Agincourt (entitled to no clasp Egypt Medal, and awarded L.S. & G.C. in January 1883). Parker served as Able Seaman (Pensioner) and then Petty Officer 1st Class (Pensioner), before being ‘Shore Pensioned for Misconduct’ in June 1892. Sold with copied service papers and research.

Germany, Hannover, Waterloo Medal 1815 (Faehnrich [Ensign] Heinrich Schwarze, Landwehr Bat. Salzgitter) fitted with original steel clip which partially obscures first letter of rank and later ring suspension, two small edge bruises and light contact marks, otherwise very fine £700-£900 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK ---

Three: Sergeant E. Hammond, Royal Navy, later Royal Welsh Fusiliers Crimea 1854-56, 2 copy clasps, Sebastopol, Azoff, copy clasps both loose on riband, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1810 Sergt. E. Hammond, 1-23rd Foot); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, pierced as issued with small ring suspension, slight abrasions to obverse of first, generally very fine (3) £260-£300 --- Provenance: Llewellyn Lord Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2016 (LS&GC only, when erroneously paired with an India General Service Medal). Edward Hammond was born in Tonbridge, Kent, in 1833 and joined the Royal Navy, serving in H.M.S. Agamemnon during the Crimea War. The award of the Azoff clasp not clear from roll but is recorded in the papers. He joined the 17th Regiment of Foot on 31 January 1859 aged 26, and transferred as a Sergeant to the 23rd Regiment of Foot in January 1870. He is shown as Sergeant Master Cook in the Army Worldwide Index of 1871, and was discharged in July 1880. For the medals awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. T. Hammond, believed to be the recipient’s son, see Lot 319.

Six: Attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel F. Knibbs, Royal Army Education Corps 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; together with the recipient's riband bar; buttons; and rank and unit insignia, all mounted on a card board with hand-written inscription ‘Lt. Col. F. Knibbs M.I.D. Royal Arty. & RAEC. 1935-63’, but with no other documentation, nearly extremely fine Four: L. T. Muller, Union Defence Force 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed ‘153690 L. T. Muller’, good very fine Four: D. C. F. Nel, Union Defence Force 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed ‘228440 D. C. F. Nel’, good very fine Five: D. C. Walter, Union Defence Force 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially impressed ‘229206 D. C. Walter’, good very fine (lot) £80-£100 --- Sold with a single unnamed Defence Medal; and a King’s Own Scottish Borderers cap badge.

Pair: Corporal A. C. Westlake, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (9541 Pte. A. C. Westlake, D. of Corn: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (9541 Cpl. A. C. Westlake. D. of Corn. L.I.) polished, nearly very fine Pair: Private W. D. Verrent, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (16832 Pte. W. D. Verrent. D. of Corn: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (16832 Pte. W. D. Verrent. D. of Corn. L.I.) the first abrasively cleaned, good fine Four: Private G. H. T. Rickards, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (24591 Pte. G. H. T. Rickards. D.C.L.I.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, staining to VM, good fine and better Pair: Private A. Wyles, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Labour Corps British War and Victory Medals (23609 Pte. A. Wyles. D. of Corn. L.I.) very fine Silver War Badge ‘B53569’ [awarded to No. 6132 Sergeant F. G. King, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry]; together with a Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry (Depot) unmarked silver medal, the reverse engraved ‘A. E. Pedrick 5432295 Boxing.’ generally very fine (12) £100-£140 --- Archibald Carlisle Westlake served in France from 19 December 1914 and was later discharged due to wounds on 25 May 1919. A resident of Myrtle Road in Hounslow, he married Miss Emily Eliza Margarete Pearson whilst home on leave in April 1917. William David Verrent was born in County Kerry, Ireland, on 12 February 1895. He served in France from 3 September 1915 and is listed as a casualty in the West Briton and Cornwall Advertiser on 2 October 1916. Further noted as a resident of St Ives, he was discharged in consequence of wounds on 24 August 1917; online family research indicates that he may have lost a leg at the Battle of the Somme and made use of crutches for the remainder of his life. George Henry Thomas Rickards was born in Brixton on 5 October 1890, the son of a Mayfair valet. He later worked as a shipyard labourer and died on 13 March 1969, his last address recorded as 32 Orchard Grove, Brixham, Devon. Frederick George King was born around 1867 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at the age of 47 years on 11 September 1914. Posted as Corporal to the 8th Battalion, D.C.L.I., he was raised Sergeant and discharged from the Army in consequence of sickness, later being issued SWB ‘B53569’ under AO 291/18, paragraph 2c. Albert Edward Pedrick was born in Holborn in 1902. A labourer, he enlisted in London on 10 March 1922 and was discharged on 9 March 1934 having completed 12 years of service with the Colours.

Five: Sapper R. T. Anderson, Northern Cyclist Battalion, later Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (126962 Spr. R. T. Anderson. R.E.) with flattened named card box of issue; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (126962 Spr. R. T. Anderson. R.E.); Defence Medal; Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (Ralph Taylor Anderson) in Royal Mint case of issue, nearly extremely fine (5) £240-£280 --- Ralph Taylor Anderson was born in Sunderland around 1897 and attested for the Northern Cyclist Battalion on 26 May 1914. Attending camp at Bridlington in July 1914, he was appointed Bugler on 14 April 1915 and transferred to the Divisional Signals on 5 June 1915. Posted overseas with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 10 October 1916, his Army Service Record notes transfer to Salonika in 1917 and employment in line construction. It further records bouts of ill health in consequence of malaria and scabies. Released from service in 1919, Anderson was later awarded the Imperial Service Medal in the London Gazette of 23 November 1956, for his work as First Class Technician in the Newcastle-on-Tyne telephone area. Sold with two Safe Driving Competition Awards, both unnamed, one bearing clasps ‘1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948’ to riband; the recipient’s driving licence (2), dated 21 August 1961 to 20 August 1964, and 20 August 1973 to 19 August 1976, the latter confirming his address at 2 Pollen Road, Altrincham, Cheshire.

Efficiency Medal (3), G.V.R., Militia (2555737 Sgln. D. Rhodie. R. Signals.); G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2) (2586523 Sigmn. E. J. Berry. R. Sigs.; 2582689. Cpl. J. Ferguson. R. Sigs.) unit to last partially officially corrected, very fine and better (3) £70-£90

Zeppelin Interest. Two 1930s commemorative medallions relating to the LZ126 & the R.101; the first a silvered medal with top ring suspension, obverse bearing the head of Dr. Hugo Eckener, the reverse with image of the Zeppelin and ‘Amerika Fahrt des LZ 126 1924  ZR  III’.  Below a list of its exact course to Lakenhurst. NY; the second a white metal highly detailed medallion of the R.101 with dates of its launching in 1929 on the obverse, and the reverse listing its cost and specifications, nearly extremely fine (2) £180-£220

India General Service 1908-35, 3 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, North West Frontier 1930-31 (5765062 Pte. C. J. Cleary. F. Dvl. Signals.) light contact marks, nearly very fine £120-£160 --- C. J. Cleary was awarded the India General Service Medal whilst serving as Private in the Norfolk Regiment, attached ‘F’ Divisional Signals. WO 100 states that his medal was issued in India, with his MIC confirming entitlement to the three clasps. Sold with copied research which includes an extract from The India General Service Medal 1908-35, noting that this combination of clasps appears unique to the 1st Garrison Battalion, Norfolk Regiment.

Timor-Leste, Republic, Medal of Merit, breast badge, gilt and enamel, unmarked; together with the related miniature award, extremely fine and rare £80-£100

Imperial Service Medal (2), G.V.R., Circular issue, 2nd ‘Coronation robes’ issue (Isabella Elizabeth Syme Scotland Darling.); E.II.R., 2nd issue (Sydney Grimshaw) in Royal Mint case of issue; Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, T. & A.V.R., with Second Award Bar (23722113 Cpl. W. J. Mackins R. Signals) minor edge nicks to last, good very fine and better (3) £60-£80 --- Isabella Elizabeth Syme Scotland Darling is recorded in the London Gazette of 8 October 1897 as Sorting Clerk and Telegraph Learner in Edinburgh. Walter John Mackins attested for the Royal Signals in 1959 and served over 40 years as a Signalman.

Pair: Private C. Urch, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who died at home on 21 June 1944 Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Clifford Urch) very fine Imperial Service Medal (2), G.V.R., Circular issue, 1st ‘coinage head’ issue (Alexander McLaren.); E.II.R., 2nd issue (Miss Edith Joan McLaren); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (3), G.V.R., 2nd issue, 2 clasps, Long Service 1941, Long Service 1944 (Peter McLaren); G.V.R., 2nd issue (Percy W. Blackmore); G.VI.R., 1st issue (Edgar P. H. Small) very fine (7) £100-£140 --- Clifford Urch, a Public Health and Drainage Inspector, was born in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, in 1902. A Police Special Constable, he attested into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in November 1942, for service during the Second World War and served at Home. He died of cancer, aged 42, on 21 June 1944 and is buried in Weston-super-Mare Cemetery, Somerset. Alexander McLaren was born in Comrie, Perthshire, in 1868. In 1885 he commenced employment as a letter carrier with the General Post Office, and was, by 1901, head postman at Glasgow Post Office. Research suggests that in 1915 he attested into the Army Service Corps for service during the Great War, and served as a Sergeant with 722nd Labour Corps. He was discharged “Class Z’ on 20 March 1919 and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in October 1919 (London Gazette 16 October 1919). Returning to the G.P.O., he retired after 40 years’ service in August 1928 and was awarded his Imperial Service Medal (London Gazette 17 August 1928). He died in 1930. Edith Joan McLaren served as a Warehouse Assistant for Her Majesty’s Stationery Office, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon her retirement (London Gazette 27 September 1977). Peter McLaren joined the Special Constabulary in 1917. His father was appointed High Constable of Perth in 1930. Sold with a Somerset Special Constabulary lapel badge; a General Post Office badge; and copied research.

An Indian Mutiny C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel C. H. Barchard, 20th Bengal Native Infantry The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 18 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1882, complete with gold ribbon buckle, several enamel chips to white enamel arms; Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Chilianwala, Goojerat (Ensign C. H. Barchard, 20th Bengal N.I.); India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Lieut. C. H. Barchard, 20th Native Inftry.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 clasps, Delhi, Lucknow (Major C. H. Barchard, 20th Regt. N.I, A,D,C.) the campaign medals fitted with silver ribbon buckles, unless otherwise stated, nearly extremely fine (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Alan Wolfe Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2005, when sold with correctly dated C.B. for 1858. Charles Henry Barchard was born in London on 27 June 1828, and educated by the Rev. James Alexander Emerton, of Hanwell. He entered the Bengal Army in 1845 as an Ensign in the 20th Native Infantry, first seeing action in the Punjab campaign at the battles of Chilianwala and Goojerat. Promoted to Lieutenant in September 1849, he served in two expeditions on the North West Frontier; in the punitive expedition under Colonel S. B. Boileau against the Bori Afridis in November 1853; and in the expedition under Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Craigie, C.B., against the Aka Khels and Bussi Khels, in March 1866 (Mentioned in Despatches). 

During the Indian Mutiny he served as aide-de-camp to Sir Archdale Wilson, Bt., and was present at the actions on the Hindon in May 1857 (despatches); action of Budlee-ke-Serai in June 1857 (despatches); siege, assault and capture of Delhi, from June to October 1857 (despatches); operations before and capture of Lucknow from February to March 1858 (despatches and thanks of Governor-General; medal with two clasps, C.B.); charger shot in action before Delhi; slightly wounded in action before La Martiniere, Lucknow; and thanks of the Punjab Government for exertions and aid rendered during the famine at Kurnal in 1861.

The matter of Barchard’s charger being shot from under him at Delhi is moot. In his letters to his wife from the siege of Delhi, Colonel Keith Young says Barchard was accidentally wounded when his horse shied, causing a holster pistol to discharge, wounding Barchard in the leg, but it is possible this was a different incident. After the mutiny, Barchard was posted to the cavalry, serving in the early 1860s with the Stud Department, and thereafter with the 7th Bengal Cavalry, becoming second-in-command in 1874. He retired as Honorary Colonel in October 1875, and died in England in June 1902.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Col: R. F. Johnson. R.G.A.) officially engraved naming, good very fine £260-£300 --- Colonel Richard Francis Johnson served in the South African War of 1900-01 and commanded a Brigade of Artillery at Cape Town from January to April 1900. He was subsequently Senior Transport Officer, IX Division, between April and June 1900; commanded the Royal Garrison Artillery, Pretoria District, from June 1900 to September 1901; took part in the operations in Cape Colony between January and April 1900, and in the Transvaal from June to 29 November 1900, and again to September 1901 (Despatches London Gazette 10 September 1901; Queen’s medal with 4 clasps; C.M.G.).

Family Group: Pair: Private L. Burge, Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (29380 Pte/ L. Burge. Som. L.I.) very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (4034 Pte. H. C. Burge. Som. L.I.) edge bruise, very fine Pair: Private H. Banwell, Dorsetshire Regiment, late Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 11 January 1917 British War and Victory Medals (22519 Pte. H. Banwell. Som. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private H. C. Biss, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (241764 Pte. H. C. Biss. Som. L.I.) some staining, very fine Pair: Private L. B. Buttle, Somerset Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (32157 Pte. l. B. Buttle. Som. L.I.) nearly very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (5458 Pte. W. Allen. Som. L.I.); Defence Medal, unnamed as issued, very fine (11) £120-£160 --- Leonard Burge was born in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1899. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion from 26 February 1918. He received a gun shot wound to his thigh, which led to his return to the U.K. for hospital treatment. Upon recovery, he returned to the Western Front and was killed in action on 29 August 1918. He is buried in Dury Crucifix Cemetery, France. Herbert Charles Burge, older brother of the above, was born in 1893. He attested into the Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and served in India with the 2/5th Battalion. Henry Banwell, a postman from Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, was born in 1898. He attested into Somerset Light Infantry for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front. He transferred into the Dorsetshire Regiment and was killed in action whilst serving with the 5th Battalion on 11 January 1917. He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial, France. Sold together with copied research.

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (T. Corcoran, Pte. R.M.L.I.) officially impressed naming, edge bruising and polished, otherwise nearly very fine £240-£280 --- Thomas Corcoran was born in the Parish of St Phillips, Bristol, on 4 December 1863, and enlisted into the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marines at London on 4 May 1883. He served with the Royal Marine Battalion in Egypt from 16 September 1884 to 31 June 1885, being promoted to Corporal on 7 August 1885. He was discharged on payment of £20 on 14 June 1887. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extract.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 2nd issue, large letter reverse, impressed naming (Wm. Doble, Serjt. Royal Invalid Artillery.) fitted with original steel clip and silver bar suspension, very fine £120-£160 --- William Doble was born in the Parish of St Stephen’s, Saltash, Cornwall, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Devonport on 6 October 1832, aged 22. He was promoted to Sergeant in April 1846, was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal in March 1854, and discharged at Woolwich from the Royal Invalid Artillery on 24 March 1857, being ‘quite worn out by length of service.’ During his service of 24 years 171 days he had served abroad in the West Indies for 7 years 1 month, and was entitled to a gratuity of £15 on discharge. Sold with copied discharge papers.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of four awarded to Temporary Second Lieutenant (later Major) J. C. Griffiths, Royal Field Artillery, for gallantry under heavy shell fire in saving the lives of men buried by a shell in their dug-out in July 1916 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘France 12 July 1916 Lt. J. C. Griffiths. R.F.A. Presented by H.M. King George V. 9th Dec. 116.’; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. J. C. Griffiths, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major J. C. Griffiths.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 25 August 1916: ‘Temp. 2nd Lt. James Charles Griffiths, R.F.A. For conspicuous gallantry during operations. When a gun detachment had been buried by a shell in their dug-out, he immediately ran down and dug out those who remained alive, under very difficult and dangerous circumstances. He was under heavy shell fire the whole time.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 23 December 1918 [France]. Sold with copied gazette notice and Medal Index Card.

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. J. Painter, Skd Carpt’s Mte: H.M.S. Albacore.) impressed naming, nearly very fine £70-£90 --- William John Painter was born in Falmouth, Cornwall in September 1858. He joined the Royal Navy as a Skilled Shipwright in October 1878, and advanced to Skilled Carpenter’s Mate in April 1880. Service included with H.M.S. Jumna, November 1882 - August 1887 (entitled to no clasp Egypt Medal), and with H.M.S. Albacore, October 1888 - October 1889 (awarded the L.S. & G.C. in November 1888). Painter advanced to Carpenter’s Mate in July 1889, and was Shore Pensioned in June 1905. Sold with copied service papers, and medal roll.

Four: attributed to Captain Hammond, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with stamp addressed box to ‘Captain Hammond, Royal Signals, Headquarters Mess, Messiners, Lincs, Catterick Camp, Yorkshire.’ good very fine Six: Staff Sergeant C. P. Marriott, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Monte Casino 45th Anniversary Commemorative Medal, named to ‘2308738 S/Sgt C P Marriott R Signals.’, very fine Three: Signalman E. J. Hooper, Royal Signals Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2572573 Sigmn E. J. Hooper. R. Sigs.) minor scratch to obverse of Defence Medal, otherwise nearly extremely fine and better 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Pakistan Independence Medal 1947 (6240238 Sigmn Atta Mohd P. Sigs.) very fine (18) £100-£140