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A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private G. Smith, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, late Royal Irish Rifles Military Medal, G.V.R. (44444 Pte. G. Smith. 1-R. Innis. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (21920 Pte. G. Smith. R. Ir. Rif.) edge bruising, heavily polished and worn, therefore fair (3) £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 June 1919.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Johnston, Royal Highlanders, late Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was killed in action in April 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-40820 Pte. J. Johnston. 9/R. Hdrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-19413 Pte. J. Johnston. A. & S.H.) very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 30 October 1917. John Johnston was born in Clachan, Argyllshire, and attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders at Stirling. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916 onwards, before transferring to the Royal Highlanders and was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 9th Battalion. Posted to the 7th Battalion, he was killed in action in April 1918 (Soldiers Died gives the date of 15 April 1918, whereas the CWGC Roll of Honour gives 9 April 1918); he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Private R. McAllister, Royal Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (S.6837. Pte. R. Mc.Allister. 1/R. Hdrs.); British War Medal 1914-20 (S-6837 Pte. R. Mc.Allister. R. Highrs.) contact marks, polished, nearly very fine (2) £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916. Robert McAllister attested for the Royal Highlanders on 19 November 1914 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 April 1915. He was discharged on 20 December 1917, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. 290,366.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal W. G. Milne, 14th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (8889 L. Cpl. W. G. Milne, 14/High: L.I.) very fine £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. William George Milne was born in Bristol and attested for the Highland Light Infantry at Bristol on 11 August 1903, aged 18 years 1 month. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France from 26 August 1914 to 27 April 1915 (1914 Star), and again from 7 September 1917 to 5 October 1918. He had transferred to the Scottish Rifles on 12 July 1918, and was discharged on 22 November 1919. Sold with copied gazette notice and attestation papers.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal James Rolland, 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-7075 Pte.-L. Cpl. J. Rolland, 7/Sea: Highrs:) suspension claw re-pinned, otherwise nearly extremely fine £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. James Rolland was a native of Glasgow and served with the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders in France from 10 May 1915. Sold with copied gazette notice and Medal Index Card for 1914-15 Trio.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Private W. Will, 1/5th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (266529 Pte. W. Will. 1/5 Gord: Highrs:); Victory Medal 1914-19 (266529 Pte. W. Will. Gordons.) good very fine (2) £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 November 1918.

A Great War M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain W. J. H. Pontin, St. John Ambulance Brigade The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919; The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Officer’s breast badge, silver, with heraldic beasts in angles; The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and enamel, privately engraved to reverse ‘William James Henry Pontin 1900’; St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (Supt. W. J. H. Pontin No.1 Dist); Jubilee 1897, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Supt. W. J. H. Pontin); Coronation 1902, St. John Ambulance Brigade, bronze (W. J. H. Pontin. Supt.); Coronation 1911, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Dist. Ch. Supt. W. J. H. Pontin.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with two Additional Award Bars (Dist --pt Secretary W. J. H. Pontin. 10. July ----) some areas of wear to naming, the earlier awards polished, nearly very fine and better (8) £400-£500 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 12 December 1919. William James Henry Pontin was born in Shoreditch, London, on 19 February 1868. Recorded as a millinery manufacturer living in Islington in 1911, he was later appointed Officer of the Venerable Order of St John in the London Gazette of 23 June 1939, whilst serving as Stores Manager for the St John Ambulance Association. He died at Southend-on-Sea, Essex, in 1952.

A Second War R.R.C. group of six awarded to Principal Matron Kathleen M. Cooper, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service, late British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem, who rose from Pantry Maid to Principal Matron in a nursing career spanning more than 30 years Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, reverse dated ‘1944’; The Order of St John of Jerusalem, Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, 1st type (1892-1939), silver and enamel, circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background, on lady’s bow riband; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, the second with minor white enamel loss, very fine (6) --- R.R.C. London Gazette 8 June 1944. The original recommendation from the Officer Commanding, R.N. Auxiliary Hospital, Seaforth, states: ‘The above-mentioned Acting Matron, Q.A.R.N.N.S., joined this hospital before the complement of Nursing Sisters and V.A.D.’s was completed. She has organised the nursing of patients in the hospital with the greatest efficiency and zeal, and has opened Quarters for the Nursing Sisters and a hostel for V.A.D. Members. She has so arranged these that the Sisters and V.A.D.’s are contented and happy, thereby increasing the efficiency of the work carried out by those members of the staff. She has also organised the duties and Quarters with the Superintending Sister at R.N.A.H. Woolton with equally satisfactory results. The hostel for the V.A.D.’s at Woolton is not yet ready, but they have been as contented and happy as it has been possible to make them in the hospital itself. I am most impressed with the standard of nursing efficiency reached by the V.A.D. nursing members who have received the greater part of their nursing instruction and practical experience in this hospital. She has been available, first as the Senior Superintending Sister and later as Acting Matron, for advice to all establishments in the Port of Liverpool in which Sisters Q.A.R.N.N.S. are carried, and in this also she has been of the greatest assistance.’ Kathleen Margaret Cooper served from 11 October 1917 with the British Red Cross Society as an Ordinary Member of the 4th Hampshire Voluntary Aid Detachment. Appointed to Pantry Maid and Nurse duties at Highfield Hall in Southampton, she later undertook her nursing studies at Birmingham General Hospital, qualifying SRN on 19 March 1926. Entering Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service as Nursing Sister on 2 July 1928, she served at Plymouth and on the island of Malta from 1932 to 1935. Advanced Superintending Sister on 8 February 1941, she was awarded the A.R.R.C. in the London Gazette of 1 July 1941 and posted to the Royal Naval Auxiliary Hospital at Seaforth on 5 June 1942. Transferred to Chatham in 1950, she ended her service as Principal Matron and died at Castle Cary, Somerset, on 21 April 1982. Sold with the recipient’s original General Nursing Council for England and Wales silver and enamel badge, engraved to reverse ‘K. M. Cooper S.R.N. 42349 19.3.26’; Royal Life Saving Society bronze medal, awarded to ‘K. Cooper Aug. 1934’; Silver and enamel badge of the G. H. B. League; B.R.C.S. ‘For Service’ badge, No. 24747; with two original group photographs of the recipient.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal J. Kelly, 7th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 April 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-18641 L. Cpl. J. Kelly. 7/Cam: Hdrs.) edge bruising, scratch to obverse field, very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 May 1917. John Kelly was born in Dalziel, Lanarkshire, and attested for the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders at Motherwell. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 October 1915, and was killed in action on 28 April 1917. He is buried in Tank Cemetery, Guemappe, France.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private W. Groom, Royal Irish Rifles Military Medal, G.V.R. (41364 Pte. W. Groom. 8/9 R. Ir: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (41364 Cpl. W. Groom. R. Ir. Rif.) contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. Watkins, 6th Battalion Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (251974 Pte. G. Watkins. 6/A. & S. Highrs.) nearly very fine £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919. George Watkins served in France from 1 May 1915 and was disembodied on 13 March 1919.

A fine Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private D. H. Dennis, 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment, who was granted a Divisional Citation for his gallantry during the battalion’s attack near Ledeghem on 14 October 1918: ‘the attack was a brilliant success, capturing 14 officers and 249 other ranks, and 11 field guns and 60 machine guns’. For this celebrated action Sergeant John O’Neill and Private Martin Moffat, both the the same battalion, were each awarded the Victoria Cross Military Medal, G.V.R. (4831 Pte. D. H. Dennis. 2/Leins: R.); 1914-15 Star (4831 Pte. D. H. Denness [sic] Leins: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4831 Pte. D. H. Denness [sic] Leins: R.) good very fine (4) £600-£800 --- Provenance: Michael McGoona Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2000. M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. Duncan Henry Dennis (also recorded as Denness) was born on 11 September 1895 and attested for the Leinster Regiment at Southampton, where he was employed as a shipyard fitter’s labourer. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 September 1915, and was almost certainly awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry during the Battalion’s celebrated attack near Ledeghem on 14 October 1918, during which both Sergeant John O’Neill and Private Martin Moffat were both awarded the Victoria Cross. The Regimental History gives further details: ‘The attack, despite the appalling fog, which descended on the operations, was a brilliant success, the Battalion alone capturing 14 officers and 249 other ranks, I1 field guns and 60 odd machine guns. It was on this occasion that Sergeant O'Neill and Private Martin Moffat so distinguished themselves - the latter’s feat, in single-handed forcing a house held by the enemy to surrender, after having dashed at the back door through a hail of bullets from rifles and machine guns, is known to the world, as he received the Victoria Cross as his reward a few weeks later. It is not perhaps generally known, but directly afterwards he insisted upon marching back by himself a squad of over 120 prisoners, getting a receipt for the same from the Assistant Provost-Marshal and rejoining his unit that same morning. Sergeant O'Neill received his Victoria Cross for reckless gallantry on the same occasion, together with a repetition a few days later.’ Sold with the recipient’s original 29th Division Divisional Citation card, inscribed ‘For gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the Field on 14th Oct. 1918 near Ledeghem’; and copied research.

‘Almost a single-handed endeavour of extremely bold pattern, one day these exploits will be disclosed, and they will read stranger than fiction.’ Admiral Christie, Commander of the United States Pacific Submarine Operations, on the success of Operation Jaywick. The historic and important Second War ‘Operation Jaywick’ M.M., ‘Special Operations Executive - Orient Mission’ B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Acting Sergeant, later Major R. G. Morris, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached S.O.E. and Special Operations Australia, who was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry and distinguished service as Medical Orderly in the MV Krait during her hazardous and highly audacious 48-day 4,000 mile round trip Commando raid, under the Command of Major Ivan Lyon, Gordon Highlanders, on Japanese occupied Singapore Harbour in September 1943, resulting in the sinking and destruction of seven enemy ships totalling 37,000 tons - the deepest surface waterborne penetration behind enemy lines undertaken by special forces in the Second World War. With no uniforms, no identity tags, and flying the Japanese flag, there would only have been one outcome for the crew if they were captured - failure was not an option. Remarkably, Morris had previously been awarded the B.E.M. for his services in the South-West Pacific, almost certainly for his devotion to duty during the Fall of Singapore when, having helped establish an escape route through Sumatra, and with his medical skills to the fore, he tended to the hundreds who came ashore at Durian during the exodus from Singapore in February 1942, before finally evacuating the island with Ivan Lyon in a tale of daring-do, first by sail to Sumatra, then by car across the mountains, before securing passage on the last ship out of Padang Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7264507 A/Sjt. R. G. Morris. R.A.M.C.); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (7264507 Pte. Ronald George Morris); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (7264507 Sjt. R. G. Morris. M.M. B.E.M. R.A.M.C.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (Lt. R. G. Morris. M.M. B.E.M. RAMC.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7264507 W.O. Cl.2. R. G. Morris. B.E.M. M.M. R.A.M.C.) mounted court-style as worn, cleaned and lacquered, light contact marks, generally very fine and better (9) £60,000-£80,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 September 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field (to be dated 23 November 1944).’ The Operation Jaywick File at the PRO (ADM 1-16678 gives the following Recommendation: ‘Corporal R. G. Morris, R.A.M.C., and Corporal A. Crilly, A.I.F. These two men were members of the ship’s crew, Corporal Morris the Medical Orderly, and Corporal Crilly as cook. Both performed their duties with great cheerfulness and their bearing throughout was of the highest standard in most trying and hazardous conditions. I recommend that if awards to the above men are approved, their published citation should only state that these awards are for outstanding conduct in the presence of the enemy, but that no fuller citation can be published for reasons of military secrecy.’ Morris’ Military Medal was approved by H.M. the King on 17 May 1944, on the Secret List, with the instruction that it was not to be published in the London Gazette until it had been taken off the Secret List. B.E.M. London Gazette 4 May 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the South West Pacific.’ Ronald George ‘Taffy’ Morris was born at Pentre, in the Rhondda Valley, on Christmas Day 1918, and after leaving school at the age of 14 was employed as a miner. After five years in the South Wales pits he attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps on 30 May 1938, and after Japan entered the War he was recruited as a Medical Orderly to join the Special Operations Executive, Orient Mission, arriving in Singapore on 19 April 1941. Here he met fellow S.O.E. Operative, the charismatic old Harrovian Captain Ivan Lyon, Gordon Highlanders. The pair of them were soon part of an unorthodox group undertaking clandestine missions, training up local groups in the art of sabotage to be undertaken behind enemy lines, as well as establishing an escape route through Sumatra, should the unthinkable happen, and Singapore fall to the Japanese. In early February 1942, Lyon and Morris, together with a handful of other operatives, were ordered to leave Singapore to establish a base on Pulau Durian, one of the handful of small islands between Singapore and Sumatra. Here they acted as a makeshift staging post for the mass exodus out of Singapore, with Morris’ medical skills to the fore, as many who came ashore had severe injuries from Japanese bombing raids. ‘He set about making splints, setting broken bones, stemming bleeding, suturing gashes, and removing shrapnel embedded in flesh. all without anaesthetic.’ (The Tiger’s Revenge, by the recipient’s son, Evan Morris, refers). The work undertaken by the various S.O.E. teams saved hundreds stranded on the islands during this period, and on Durian Lyon and Morris worked tirelessly for days without a break. Then, on 17 February, two small ships arrived at Durian with the bad news. Singapore had fallen. The last of the survivors from Singapore having been evacuated, Morris and Lyon then left themselves in a small sailing vessel, and made their way by boat to the mouth of the Indragiri River, up the river to Rengat, and then across the Sumatran mountains by car, to Padang. Here, Morris, owing to his medical skills, was ordered onto what was the last ship to leave the island, on board the Dutch steamer the S.S. Palopo, bound for Ceylon. Against all odds, the ship made it to Ceylon on 11 March, from where Morris was posted to No. 55 Combined Military Hospital in Colombo. He was advanced Acting Sergeant on 10 July 1942 and, for his gallant and distinguished services in the South West Pacific, was awarded the British Empire Medal. Understandably, given the secretive nature of his work, no citation exists. Lyon, meanwhile, had also made it, via an extraordinary 1,000 mile journey in a fishing ketch, to Ceylon, from where he proceeded by steamer to Bombay. It was from here that he, along with Major Jock Campbell, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and a 61 year old Australian civilian, Bill Reynolds, conceived an enterprising idea to have their revenge upon the Japanese in Singapore. Operation Jaywick Under the plans hatched by Lyon, Campbell, and Reynolds in Bombay, commandos would travel to Singapore harbour in a vessel disguised as an Asian fishing boat. They would then use collapsible canoes (folboats) to attach limpet mines to Japanese ships. General Archibald Wavell, Commander-in-Chief, India, known for his enthusiasm for unconventional warfare, approved the plan. However, given the necessary secrecy required for the operation, and the fact that India was known to harbour an extensive network of Japanese spies, to embark from the sub-Continent was out of the question. Instead, another embarkation point was require, and in July 1942, Lyon set off for Australia to organise the operation. But first he had to secure the services of a key member of his team - Ronald Morris. Flying to Colombo, Lyon attempted to secure Morris’ release from his hospital duties, but his meeting with the Commanding Officer of No. 55 Combined Military Hospital in Colombo for once did not go to plan, and the C.O. refused to agree to Morris’ release. Undaunted, Lyon then flew back to Delhi and, having obtained an official order sanctioning Morris’ release,...

A good Second War ‘Defence of Tobruk’ M.M. group of five awarded to Bombardier D. White, Royal Artillery, who was originally recommended for the D.C.M. for his gallantry in saving his gun position from being bombed by an enemy aircraft on 11 April 1941 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (846326 Bmbr. D. White. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (846326 Bmbr. D. White. R.A.) heavy edge bruising to MM, this very fine; the rest better (5) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1941: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ The original Recommendation, originally for a Distinguished Conduct Medal, states: ‘On 11 April 1941, at “D” H.A.A. gun site, Tobruk Fortress, at approximately 1030 hours, the guns were engaging an enemy formation which was dive-bombing the town and harbour. One hostile machine, having completed its dive, flattened out and headed straight for the gun position, which was unable to engage so low a target. One remaining bomb was clearly seen in the bomb rack and the enemy machine was gunning as he approached at about 50 feet from the ground. Bombardier White dashed across the open ground with a Lewis gun which had little or no cover and engaged the aircraft. His tracer bullets were seen to pass through the plane which sheered away from its course and was later dealt with by a Hurricane aircraft. Bombardier White ran for and remained at his gun site in spite of vicious fire and, in my opinion, saved the site from the remaining bomb. This site had been straddled by bombs the previous day.’ Dennis White, from Deptford, London, attested for the Royal Artillery and served with 152nd Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment during the Second World War in North Africa. He was awarded his Efficiency Medal per Army Order No. 123 of June 1944.

A fine Second War ‘Tobruk’ M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal G. Guthrie, 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, for his gallantry during the capture of ‘Dalby Square’ on 23 November 1941 during Operation Crusader; he subsequently served with Orde Wingate’s Second Chindit Expedition, Operation Thursday, in 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4645714 Cpl. G. Guthrie. Y. & L.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ The original Recommendation, dated 21 December 1941, states: ‘On 23 November 1941, during operations outside Tobruk, Corporal Guthrie was commanding a Mortar detachment in a Bren Carrier supporting the attack by a rifle Company on an enemy post, when about 500 yards from the objective the company came under very heavy Machine Gun and Mortar Fire. The Carrier was turned sideways to enable the mortar to come into action behind it; whereupon it immediately came under heavy and accurate Machine Gun Fire. In spite of this Corporal Guthrie immediately proceeded to unload the mortar and ammunition himself and got his mortar into action. When short of bombs he made several journeys to the enemy side of the carrier to obtain more bombs although the enemy fire had not been subdued. During the whole operation Corporal Guthrie maintained his mortar in action and by his coolness and disregard of the enemy fire set a excellent example to the men under his command.’ The Recommendation additionally endorsed by the Brigadier Commanding 14th Infantry Brigade: ‘Recommended for an immediate award of the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.’ George Guthrie attested for the York and Lancaster Regiment, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second World War initially in North Africa. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry on 23 November 1941, on which date “B” Company, 2nd Battalion, under Captain Northover, was given the task of capturing ‘Dalby Square’, a large enemy post on the western side of Tobruk. ‘The attack was across flat country devoid of cover. The enemy put up a very strong resistance. He was holding his post with a large number of machine guns and light automatics, which his defensive artillery fire was intense and accurate. About 400 yards from the objective “B” Company was held up. Two Bren carriers with 3-inch mortars were then brought forward, and using the carriers as cover, both detachments opened up on the enemy. This had the immediate effect of reducing the enemy’s small-arms fire. “B” Company then advanced again and rushed the position with the bayonet.’ (Regimental History refers). After serving in the Western Desert, Guthrie proceeded to India and saw further service with the 2nd Battalion as part of Orde Wingate’s second Chindit Expedition, Operation Thursday, in early 1944; the 2nd Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment was part of 65 and 84 Columns. Sold with copied research.

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private J. Lynch, 10th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, for his gallantry during an attack in dense fog near Calcar on 16 February 1945 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14554551 Pte. J. Lynch. H.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 mounted court-style for display, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 10 May 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe.’ The original Recommendation, for an Immediate M.M., states: ‘On 16 February 1945, Private Lynch, who is a Bren-gunner of 14 Platoon, C Company, took part in an attack on an enemy position South West of Calcar. Visibility, owing to heavy ground mist, was less than 100 yards. On nearing the objective, the Platoon came under very heavy and accurate machine gun fire from several enemy positions which were impossible to locate owing to the mist. Consequently the Platoon was pinned to the ground and sustained several casualties. Private Lynch, on his own initiative, moved forward alone over open ground completely devoid of cover in an endeavour to stop the enemy fire. The flash eliminator of his weapon was split open by enemy fire but this did not deter him from locating and firing at the enemy position. His Platoon was eventually ordered to withdraw and he covered them away. On his own way back, he stopped and helped evacuate a man with both legs broken, the whole time being under very heavy fire. By his courageous act and complete disregard for his own safety, Private Lynch kept up the morale of his Platoon and enabled them to withdraw in good order.’ The 10th Battalion Highland Light Infantry landed in Normandy on 18 June 1944 as part of the 227th (Highland) Brigade. They took part in Operation Epsom, engaging in heavy fighting around Cheux, and then advanced through Normandy, fighting alongside 6th Guards Tank Brigade, before being attached to 46 Brigade. At midnight on 15-16 February, the 10th Highland Light Infantry, whilst involved in the advance of the 15 Scottish Division towards Calcar, conducted an attack in dense fog, and captured the high ground and scattered farm houses to the south of Moyland Wood, past the lateral road running south from Moyland. The battalion rounded up some 80 Prisoners of War, but was immediately counterattacked and had to pull back slightly. It was for this action that Private James Lynch was awarded his Military Medal. The 10th Battalion subsequently crossed the Rhine in Buffalo amphibians at Xanten on 24 March 1945 and then advanced via Holland, the Ardennes and on to the Elbe, making one final assault in Buffaloes to cross the Elbe a few days before the surrender of German forces in Northern Germany.

A scarce Colonial Police Medal for Gallantry group of four awarded to British Constable T. J. Bamford, Palestine Police Force Colonial Police Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Gallantry (Const. T. J. Bamford. Palestine Police.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (1049 T/2/B/Sjt. T. J. Bamford. Pal. Police.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- C.P.M. for Gallantry London Gazette 3 January 1939: ‘For gallantry on 11th October, 1938, during an engagement against armed men on the Jerusalem-Hebron road.’ Thomas John Bamford joined the Palestine Police Force on 14 May 1937, after service in the Irish Guards. He saw service in the Northern Frontier Division commanded by Deputy District Superintendent C. V. S. Tessseyman, D.C.M., K.P.M. He was in a Section consisting of a British Sergeant in charge with three British Constables, two Arab Constables and two Jewish Constables. They were equipped with an open Ford pick-up, in the rear of which was a mounting for a Lewis gun. The men were in action almost daily against smugglers and hill gangs trying to infiltrate from Syria to Lebanon, while smaller gangs of men were intent on fleeing in the other direction after murdering policemen or soldiers in some skirmish elsewhere in Palestine, hoping to lie low until things quietened for them. All these types of criminals, when sighted, were engaged by vigilant patrols and many acts of gallantry can testify to the effectiveness of the Division. They became known as 'Tessy's Frontiersmen', and from the summer of 1938 to the summer of 1939 the Division collected a fine batch of decorations for gallantry. The frontier life continued in this fashion until World War II was declared, at which time the Arab Rebellion petered out. In 1940 the Division was disbanded and the personnel absorbed into other areas of the force. But ex-frontiersmen could always be seen to hold their heads high; they were a sort of inner clique within an already exclusive corps. To live and survive on the Northern Frontier from 1937 to 1940 earned them that privilege. By mid-1944, Bamford was the most senior British Head Constable in the newly formed Police Mobile Force (P.M.F.) (Source unknown).

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ B.E.M. group of five awarded to Staff Sergeant C. J. Martin, Royal Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue )968471 S/Sgt. Cornelius J. Martin, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £240-£280 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘Staff Sergeant Martin has served AA of the Field Army since the original formation of a separate AA section of the RA Branch of GHQ Home Forces in March 1941. From that time on he has given his unstinting service to the AA branch which expanded until it finally became a separate HQ. During the last three months the HQ has been reorganised with a separate operations branch in which Staff Sergeant Martin is the Chief Clerk. He has organised the clerical side of this branch with zeal and ability, and although this change has come at a time when the operational work has been particularly heavy, and when his private affairs at home have given him considerable worry, he has preserved a sense of humour and a high standard of work. His subordinates have given him their most willing support because of his example and his superiors know that they can rely on him with complete confidence. He has carried out work of exceptional responsibility during the last three months with most marked success for one of his rank.’ Cornelius James Martin was born in Castle Cary, Somerset, on 4 July 1916.

A Second War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Fusilier A. McMichael, 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, for his gallant conduct during an ammunition train explosion at Hexham Railway Station on 8 September 1943; he was subsequently killed in action during the crossing of the Ijssel on 24 March 1945 British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (3135282 Fus. Andrew Mc.Michael); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, light contact marks, good very fine (5) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 10 March 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 8 September 1942 there was an explosion in a goods siding at Hexham Railway Station, where ammunition was being unloaded from a lorry into a railway wagon. The lorry had blown up and had set the wagon, which was full of ammunition, on fire. Fusilier McMichael and another Fusilier, who were close by and having witnessed the explosion, immediately became aware of the possible dire consequences to lives and property if the whole cargo of munitions exploded, ran forward to offer assistance. Quickly assessing the situation, they realised that their only recourse was to separate two munitions wagons which had erupted in flames from the other wagons. With complete disregard to their own safety, the two gallant young men crawled under one of the burning wagons and uncoupled it from another wagon which was also on fire. The wagons were then able to be moved away and the fires eventually extinguished. Their spontaneous action was entirely voluntary and showed a complete disregard for their own personal safety. It is entirely probable that their gallantry saved the lives of many troops and civilians in the immediate vicinity.’ Andrew McMichael attested for the Royal Scots Fusiliers and served with the 6th Battalion during the Second World War in North West Europe. He was killed in action during the Battalion’s crossing of the Ijssel River, a tributary of the Rhine, on 24 March 1945, and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany. Sold with copied research.

A Second War 1944 ‘military division’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Battery Quarter Master Sergeant W. Ferguson, Edinburgh Home Guard British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (B.Q.M.S. William Ferguson. H.G.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, generally very fine (4) £200-£240 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 15 December 1944.

Family Group: A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Mr. C. J. Shannon, Clerk of Works, Works Department, Air Ministry British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Cyril James Shannon) in Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (2782356 S.A.C. A.B. Shannon. R.A.F.) in named card box of issue, extremely fine (2) £180-£220 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 2 June 1944. Sold with Central Chancery letter; two letters of congratulations to the recipient upon the award, together with copies of the recipient’s replies; telegram of congratulations; and copies of both the London Gazette and Air Ministry Order in which the awards were announced.

A Second War ‘Italian theatre’ B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant G. H. Justice, New Zealand Medical Corps, for services as the senior N.C.O., 3rd N.Z. Field Surgical Unit; he was also Mentioned in Despatches British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (43254 Sgt. George H. Justice, N.Z.M.F.) mounted on its original investiture pin; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; New Zealand War Service Medal, these last six all unnamed as issued and in their waxed envelopes, extremely fine (7) £240-£280 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- One of only 121 British Empire Medals awarded to New Zealanders during the Second World War. B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 20 September 1945 (Italy). The original Recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Justice has been the senior N.C.O of 3 NZ Field Surgical Unit and it’s predecessor, 1 NZ Field Surgical Team, for a total of eighteen months. During this period the FSU has carried out a very large amount of major surgery, often under very difficult conditions. There have been several changes of command, and it has fallen to Sgt. Justice to keep the unit in a high state of efficiency and to maintain a continuity of work, particularly as regards pre and post operative procedures. In the later part of December 1944, during the battle for Faenza and during January 1945, the unit was attached to 1 NZ Mobile Casualty Clearing Station and was called on to deal with a large number of battle casualties in a very short space of time. This entailed working for several days and nights on end, and Sgt Justice gave most cheerful and meritorious service during this trying period’. M.I.D. London Gazette 13 January 1944.

A post-War B.E.M. awarded to Mr. F. E. Coull, Warden, Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R. (Frederick Eady Coull); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn in the incorrect order, with the EBEM last, the Second War awards all later issues, nearly extremely fine (5) £80-£100 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 14 June 1980: Frederick Eady Coull, Warden, Sands of Forvie National Nature Reserve, Nature Conservancy Council. Sold with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the BEM, with named envelope and named outer transmission card box for the BEM (but lacking the Royal Mint case of issue); and Defence Council enclosure for the Second War awards.

The O.B.E. breast badge attributed to P. D. Robeson, Esq., a British equestrian Show Jumper and twice Olympic medallist The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, in Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine £100-£140 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 15 June 1985: ‘For services to Show Jumping.’ Peter David Robeson (1929-2018) was a British Show Jumper and twice Olympic medallist. He won bronze in the team show jumping event at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics (although for quarantine reasons the equestrian events were held in Stockholm, Sweden), and a further bronze medal in the individual show jumping at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. He was awarded the O.B.E. for services to show jumping in 1985. Sold with the original Bestowal Document for the O.B.E., in Central Chancery envelope, addressed to ‘P. D. Robeson, Esq., O.B.E., Fences Farm, Tyringham, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire’; together with a copy of the 1970 Statutes of the Order, and various Central Chancery enclosures.

A fine Second War ‘Waziristan Operations’ North-West Frontier R.R.C. group of ten awarded to Matron Eileen M. Blainville, Indian Military Nursing Service, late Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve and Queen Alexandra’s Medical Nursing Service, India, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, reverse dated ‘1941’, on lady’s bow riband; British War Medal 1914-20 (Nurse E. M. Blainville.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (T-Nurse E. M. Blainville.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Sister E. M. Blainville, I.M.N.S.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Matron E. M. Blainville. I.M.N.S.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (Matron Mrs E. M. Blainville, I.M.N.S.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; India Service Medal; Jubilee 1935, privately engraved ‘Matron Mrs. E. M. Blainville. - I.M.N.S.’, very fine and better and a scarce ‘double-issue’ of the IGS 36-39 (10) £1,000-£1,400 --- R.R.C. London Gazette 20 June 1941. The official recommendation states: ‘She has once again proved her undoubted worth both previous to and during the present Operations, and, in the face of numerous difficulties, has by her forceful example and tireless energy, been mainly responsible for the high standard of nursing maintained in the Hospital. Her unstinted devotion and personal interest in each and every case has fully merited the confidence which her patients obviously place in her, - confidence which must have brought comfort to many of our unfortunately fatal casualties. She has not spared herself and has expected the same high standard from others to whom, by so subordinating her own interests to those of her patients, she has set a splendid example which others would do well to follow.’ M.I.D. London Gazettes 18 February 1938 and 17 December 1942. Eileen Maud Blainville (née Gray) was born in 1887 and married widower Renwith Neville Blainville in 1905. The marriage was short lived with Renwith Blainville recorded in 1911 as a single man boarding at an address in Lewisham. Rather than rest on her laurels - and with two children to support - Eileen Blainville applied to join the Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. and was transferred to the Q.A.M.N.S. (India) on 2 November 1917. Appointed Temporary Nurse, she served during the Great War at No. 25 Indian General Hospital and No. 9 Indian General Hospital from 6 June 1918 to 23 March 1919. Transferred to the Indian Military Nursing Service as Sister on 1 October 1926, Blainville served in Rawalpindi in 1927, Peshawar from 1928 to 1930, and at Meerut from 1931 to 1936. Raised Matron on 27 July 1931, she was subsequently transferred to the Combined Indian Military Hospital at Bannu, her work being recognised with a ‘mention’ by His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief in India. She was further selected to receive the 1935 Jubilee Medal. Returned home to England on leave, Blainville returned to India in the summer of 1938 and was awarded the R.R.C. for the devotion rendered to her patients at Bannu. She later received this decoration at a presentation made at Poona on 17 January 1945. Transferred to Secunderabad as Matron in December 1941, she was Mentioned in Despatches once again before taking retirement in January 1945. Sold with the recipient’s original 1935 Silver Jubilee Certificate; M.I.D. certificates (2); a signed letter of congratulations regarding the R.R.C. award from Archibald Wavell, 1st Earl Wavell, Governor-General of India, dated 14 July 1941; and the recipient’s Indian Military Nursing Service Cape Badge, unmarked silver.

A fine post-War R.R.C. group of five awarded to Temporary Principal Matron Ileene Minas, Indian Military Nursing Service Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, reverse dated ‘1947’, on lady’s bow riband and housed in a Garrard & Co. case; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Matron I. Minas, I.M.N.S.); War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, very fine and better (5) £600-£800 --- R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1947: ‘A lady who has Thirty Years valuable and meritorious service to her credit, ten years of which was spent in Frontier Posts. Unusually capable - She has never spared herself in any way. She is a credit and an asset to the Indian Military Nursing Service.’ Ileene Minas was born in 1896 and served with Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service in India from 4 November 1915. Appointed to temporary service, she continued to nurse after the cessation of hostilities but was not permitted to transfer to the regular branch, despite promotion to Matron on 7 October 1925. Transferring to the Indian Military Nursing Service in 1926, Minas served the next eight years at Bannu on the North-West Frontier. Located on the Kurram River in the southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the city provided an important hub for the trade in livestock, wool, cotton, tobacco and grain. It also offered refuge for wounded and sick British and Indian troops during the Alfridi Redshirt Rebellion of 1930-31, Minas later being awarded the IGS Medal for nursing these men. Transferred briefly to Rawalpindi, followed by Quetta in 1935 and Poona in 1938, Minas is recorded in 1946 as Senior Matron, second only to the Chief Principal Matron of India. Award the R.R.C. in the Principal role, she retired at Indian Independence in August 1947. Sold with the recipient’s original I.M.N.S. cape badge and copied research noting Minas as one of only two members of the service to receive the 1937 Coronation Medal.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silvered base-metal and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, suspension loop detached but present; Star, silvered base-metal and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, with full neck riband, in fitted case of issue; together with a Service Medal of the Order of St. John, of recent manufacture, unnamed, with one Additional Award Bar, generally good very fine and better (3) £80-£100

Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued, good very fine £100-£140

A most unusual pair of medals ‘in memoriam’ of Captain John Barrett, Royal Navy, and his distinguished services aboard H.M.S. Africa and H.M.S. Minotaur which came to an untimely end in 1810 with his death in the shipwreck of the latter vessel; both ships had served under Nelson, Minotaur at the Nile and Trafalgar, and Africa also at Trafalgar a. Alexander Davison’s Medal for The Nile 1798, silver, contained in a contemporary silver frame once fitted with glass lunettes and silver hinged loop suspension, rim impressed with usual inscription, the frame engraved with tribute inscription ‘Capt. John Barrett, H.M.S. Africa’ b. Matthew Boulton’s Medal for Trafalgar 1805, silver, contained in a contemporary silver frame once fitted with glass lunettes and silver fob suspension, the frame engraved with tribute inscription ‘Capt. John Barrett, H.M.S. Minotaur’, a fine original striking, both medals with light scuffs and marks, otherwise very fine and better (2) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- John Barrett a native of Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland, was made a lieutenant on 2 November 1793, and having distinguished himself in command of the store-ship Experiment at the capture of St. Lucia, in June 1795, he was, on 25 November, advanced to the rank of post-captain. Whilst Barrett took no part in either of Nelson’s memorable battles of the Nile and Trafalgar, he did later command two ships that played a significant part in the battles of the Nile and Trafalgar. It is probable that after his untimely death aboard the Minotaur in 1810, that medals commemorating the Nile and Trafalgar were acquired by his family as a form of memorial to Captain Barrett and the ships he once commanded. Under Captain Thomas Louis H.M.S. Minotaur bore a distinguished part in the battle of the Nile on 1 August 1798, in which she was sixth in line, and the biggest ship engaged and, under Captain Charles Mansfield, Minotaur played a similarly distinguished part in the weather column at the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Under Captain Henry Digby H.M.S. Africa bore a conspicuous part in the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. In October 1808, during the ‘Gunboat War’ Captain John Barrett, in command of the Africa, had the dangerous task of convoying a merchant fleet of 137 sail through the Sound, then infested by Danish gunboats. His force, quite unsuitable for the work, consisted of his own ship, Africa, of 64 guns, and a few gun-brigs; in a calm, the small heavily armed row-boats of the Danes had an enormous advantage, and in an attack on the English squadron on 20 October they inflicted a very heavy loss on the Africa. In such a contest the English gun-brigs were useless, and the Danish boats, taking a position on the Africa's bows or quarters, galled her exceedingly; twice her flag was shot away, her masts and yards badly wounded, her rigging cut to pieces, her hull shattered, and with several large shot between wind and water; nine men were killed and fifty-three wounded. The engagement lasted all the afternoon. "Had the daylight and calm continued two hours longer, the Africa must either have sunk or surrendered; as it was, her disabled state sent the ship back to Carlscrona to refit". In 1809 Minotaur was cruising off Finland under Captain John Barrett when, in the evening of 25 July her boats took part in the hard fight with, and capture of, four Russian gunboats and a brig in the harbour of Frederickshamn, near Aspo roads. Her last service was in 1810, when, in company with the Plantagenet and Loire, she was ordered to convoy sixty sail of ships from the Baltic to Yarmouth. In a very severe storm she got separated from the others, and on the night of the 22nd December was unfortunately wrecked and lost on the Haak Sands at the mouth of the Texel. Of her ship's company three hundred and seventy lives were lost, including Captain Barrett. He is described as having acted to the last with perfect coolness and composure, "We all owe nature a debt", he is reported to have said; "let us pay it like men of honour.” A picture of the wreck was painted by Mr J. M. W. Turner, R.A., and what is believed to have been her figure-head is preserved in Sheerness Dockyard. In connection with the disaster a curious legend has arisen. A tame wolf that had become a ship's pet was on board at the time, and when the vessel went to pieces the wolf and one of the lieutenants got on to the mast together. At times they were washed off, but by each other's assistance regained their hold: exhausted by exertion and benumbed with cold, however, they sank together when within a very little distance of the shore.

Three: Private Richard Leaver, 10th Foot Sutlej 1845-46, for Sobraon 1846, no clasp (Richd. Lever 10th Regt.); Punjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (Richd. Lever. 10th Foot.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (R. Lever, 1st Batn. 10th Regt.) the first two with edge bruising and contact marks, better than good fine, the third with heavy scratch behind Queen’s head, otherwise better than very fine (3) £800-£1,000 --- Private Richard Lever died on 22 September 1858. Sold with copied medal roll entries.

Five: Chief Officer G. P. Bates, H.M. Coast Guard, late Royal Navy South Africa 1834-53 (G. P. Bates. 2nd Class Ordy); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (G. E. [sic] Bates. Ch. Offr. C. G. H.M.S. “Penelope.”); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Geo. P. Bates Cmd. Boatmn. H.M. Coast Gd.) engraved naming, loosely mounted in this order, toned, light contact wear, otherwise very fine or better, the group unique to a Coast Guard Officer (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006. George P. Bates was born at Harwich, Essex, in August 1836. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in 1849. Bates obtained the South Africa medal whilst serving with H.M.S. Castor as a 2nd Class Ordinary Seaman, and the Baltic medal as an Ordinary Seaman aboard the Duke of Wellington. In November 1858 he was accepted into the Coast Guard Service and held, for the purposes of pay, on the books of H.M.S. Penelope. Bates became a Commissioned Boatman in April 1875 and rose to be a Chief Officer in December 1877, after which date his name is included in the Navy list. His Service Sheet gives no indication that he went to sea in Penelope out to Alexandria, but his medal and clasp are both fully confirmed on the roll, and is believed to be one of only two known instances of an Egypt medal to an officer of the Coast Guard. Bates was pensioned off on 21 June 1891, after 42 years’ service, having received his L.S. & G.C. medal without Gratuity in August 1875. Sold with copied research.

Five: Quartermaster Henry W. Blann, Royal Navy
 Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued, and clasp loose on riband as issued; China 1857-60, 1 clasp, Taku Forts 1860, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Henry. W. Blann Qr. Mr. H.M.S. Nassau.) engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, and pierced for ring suspension as issued, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (5) £400-£500 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002. Henry W. Blann was born in Selsea, Sussex, in October 1837. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1851, with subsequent service including with the Arethusa in the Baltic and the Crimea, and with the Chesapeake during the operations in China. Blann was pensioned in June 1876, at which time he received his L.S. & G.C. medal and gratuity, and was finally discharged to shore as Petty Officer 1st Class on 6 October 1876. Sold with copy service papers and other research, together with a fragile original portrait photograph believed to be of the recipient in old age.

A scarce Royal Marines M.S.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant Joseph Hetheridge, Royal Marine Artillery, a Crimean veteran who received his award in 1919 Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Royal Marines Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Field Marshal’s bust (Joseph Hetheridge, Sergt. 6th Company. R.M.A.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, neatly plugged at 12 o’clock and fitted with later straight bar suspension, good very fine (3) £600-£800 --- M.S.M. announced in GO 42 of 1919 and awarded on 24 May 1919. One of 35 award issued with G.V.R. Field Marshal’s bust. Joseph Hetheridge was born in Portsmouth in 1839 and enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in May 1854, aged 15. He was posted to the new screw steamer Royal Albert, soon to be flagship of the British fleet operating in the Black Sea. Royal Albert was a fine, new warship, launched in 1854; she was a three-decker mounting 121 guns and the largest and most powerful warship at that time. She must have been a very impressive ‘first appointment’ for a 15 year old! Royal Albert led the powerful fleet of 60 British and French warships (with 18,000 soldiers) to seize the Straits of Kertch in May 1855 - the precursor of the campaign in the Sea of Azoff. Hetheridge, however, may have escaped even minimal sea-going duties. Since he was later awarded the Crimea medal with clasp Sebastopol he was presumably part of the Royal Marine contingent landed from the fleet to serve ashore as early as September 1854 - only two weeks after the allied expeditionary force landed in Kalamita Bay. The initial R.M. contribution was 25 Officers and 988 Royal Marines, landed on 29 September, followed a few days later by another 10 Officers and 212 men. Eventually, a force of 2,400 sailors and 2,000 Royal Marines was landed at Balaklava, the Marines formed in to R.M. battalions. Most of the Marines were positioned in a cordon around Balaklava, taking in the village of Kadikoi, and constructed defensive lines of trenches, gun positions etc. (known as "Marine Heights") forming a peripheral defence for the British port. Apart from these positions, some of the Marine Artillery manned the naval guns mounted as part of the artillery force bombarding the city and served throughout the siege; it is presumably this force in which Hetheridge served and earned the Sebastopol clasp. After more than a year ashore, the Naval and R.M. contingents returned to their ships on 11 September 1855, the day after Sebastopol was entered by the allies following the last assault on 9 September. On the 17, amidst great cheering, flag-waving and the sound of regimental bands, they embarked at Balaklava and left the land theatre, having received the ‘hearty thanks’ of the Commander in Chief, General Simpson. Of the approximately 4,500 R.N. and R.M. personnel who had landed, 8 officers and 95 men were killed, and 38 officers and 437 men wounded. Hetheridge was presumably back aboard Royal Albert for her last significant action during the war - the Allied attack on the forts on the spit at Kinburn, to the west of the Crimea, guarding the estuary of the Dnieper. Some of the men of Royal Albert went ashore with rescue parties to put out fires in the damaged forts and rescue stores. This, a month after the fall of Sebastopol, was the last major action of the Russian War in the Black Sea. It is recorded that when Royal Albert returned to Constantinople after the campaign, Hetheridge was one of the ship's Guard of Honour formed to welcome a visit by the Sultan. This ended Hetheridge's first and last taste of war. All this had taken place at the beginning of his career - he was only 16 when it ended - and he went on to serve in the R.M.A. until 1878, including service on H.M.S. Warrior, finally being discharged as a Sergeant after 24 years' total service, of which 21 were ‘of age’. Clearly a man for whom the Marines were a significant part of his life, Hetheridge did not stray far when he ‘retired’ in 1878 for, in 1881, he got a job as a nurse at the R.M.A. hospital in Portsmouth and stayed for 18 years, finally leaving in 1899. Strangely, there is no trace of an award to him of the Naval L.S. & G.C. medal, though fully 43 years after he retired from the R.M.A., he was to receive in 1919 the Royal Marines Meritorious Service Medal. But the Crimean War was to linger. For some unknown reason, although Hetheridge received his British medal and clasp for the Crimea, his Turkish medal never arrived. It may have rankled with him and he must have made representations in later years to try to get the medal he was entitled to. Eventually, in July 1913, his local M.P., Bertram Falle (later Lord Portsea), not unsurprisingly took a great interest in naval matters, and took up the case, arranging with the Ottoman authorities for the presentation of this long-delayed award. Hetheridge, then aged 74, was taken to the Turkish Embassy in London, under the patronage of the M.P., and was presented with his Turkish Crimea medal by the Ottoman Ambassador, H.H. Prince Tewfik. The old man was then given a tour of the House of Commons and afternoon tea. A photograph from circa 1920 shows Hetheridge wearing all three of his medals. Hetheridge lived in the same house in Southsea for over 50 years and died there on 31 March 1931, buried in the Highland Road Cemetery. It was widely reported in the local press and elsewhere that he was the last survivor of the Royal Marine force which had served ‘before Sebastopol’ 76 years earlier. Sold with copied research including obituary with photograph from The Globe and Laurel, 1931 (reproduced from Portsmouth Evening News), various medal roll extracts and service details, mostly copied to disc.

Four: Private M. Lynch, 88th Regiment of Foot Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (No ...0 Michael Lynch, 88 ...) depot impressed naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Michael Lynch, 88th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse(2490 Michl. Lynch, 88th Foot) traces of brooch mounting to reverse; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (2490 Ml. Lynch, 88th ...) contemporarily engraved naming, fitted with scroll suspension, heavy edge bruising and contact marks throughout which has partially obscured naming, generally fine (4) £700-£900 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2007. Michael Lynch was born in Killarney, Co. Kerry. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for service in the 88th Regiment of Foot at Tralee on 23 May 1848, aged 20 years. With the regiment he served in the West Indies and North America for 4 years and 5 months; in the Crimea for 2 years and 3 months; and in India for 8 years and 5 months. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5 in February 1867, and was discharged on 22 June 1869. Sold with copied service papers.

Pair: Sergeant D. Sinton, 19th Hussars, late 2nd Dragoon Guards Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (D. Sinton, 2nd Dragn. Gds.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (280. Sergt. David Sinton 19th Hussars) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £280-£340 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- David Sinton was born at Estham, Woolwich, and attested for the 15th Hussars at Westminster on 12 April 1851. He transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Guards in August 1851, and to the 19th Hussars in December 1861. Promoted to Corporal on 9 September 1862, and to Sergeant on 1 December 1863, he was reduced to Private by sentence of Court Martial (no offence given), regaining his rank of Corporal in August 1867, and of Sergeant in November 1868. He served in India for 12 years 4 months and was discharged on 10 June 1873, his papers recording that ‘His character and conduct have been Very Good and he was, when promoted, in possession of three Good Conduct Badges. Awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal clasp Lucknow and the Good Conduct Medal with Gratuity of Five pounds.’ The above information extracted from his on-line record of service and sold with further copied research.

Pair: Sergeant John Barr, 42nd Highlanders Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Serjt. J. Barr, 42nd Highlanders); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3609 Sergt. John Barr 42nd Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £280-£340 --- Sold with medal roll confirmation of Lucknow clasp.

Six: Lieutenant Commander W. J. Kitto, Royal Navy, attached Naval Wing, Royal Flying Corps Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (W. J. Kittow. Ord: H.M.S. “Monarch.”); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Gunr. W. J. Kitts, RN, H.M.S. Magicienne.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Jubaland (Gunr. W. J. Kitto, R.N., H.M.S. Magicienne.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. W. J. Kitto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. J. Kitts, P.O. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Defiance.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, mounted for display, note different spellings of surname, toned, occasional edge bruise, otherwise good very fine and a scarce group - especially to an officer (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, October 1995. William James Kitto was born in Gorran, Cornwall, in June 1863. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in October 1879, and advanced to Ordinary Seaman in July 1881. Kitto served with H.M.S. Monarch from March 1882 to April 1885. He advanced to Petty Officer 1st Class in July 1889, and was commissioned Gunner (Torpedo) in March 1893. Kitto subsequently served with H.M.S. Magicienne during the Second Boer War and Jubaland operations. Kitto was one of the Royal Navy men who landed at Kismayu to the supplement the garrison there, and was thanked for his services against the Ogaden Somalis. He advanced to Chief Gunner in April 1910, and to Lieutenant in June 1912. Kitto was appointed to Actæon to qualify for the Naval Wing of the Royal Flying Corps 4 July 1912, and served in a Staff Capacity for the entirety of the Great War. He retired Lieutenant Commander in June 1920, and died in August 1940. Sold with copied service papers.

A Great War M.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Yeoman of the Signals W. Thomas, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Witu 1890 operations East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (W. Thomas, Lg. Sign., H.M.S. Turquoise); British War Medal 1914-20 (121401 W. Thomas, C.Y.S., R.N.)); Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (121401 W. Thomas, Ch. Yeo. Sigs., “Victory”, Services During War); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. Thomas, Yeo. of Sig., H.M.S. Terror) impressed naming, mounted in this order, very fine or better (4) £800-£1,200 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2009 and December 2017. William Thomas was born in Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, in August 1866 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in October 1882. Advanced to Leading Signalman in December 1888, while serving in H.M.S. Turquoise, he participated in the Witu operations of 1890, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in April 1898, while serving as a Yeoman of the Signals in the Terror. Having then been pensioned ashore as a Chief Yeoman of the Signals in September 1904, Thomas enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve, and was mobilised in August 1914, when appointed to the Portsmouth base Victory I. And he remained similarly employed for the duration of hostilities, services that resulted in the award of his M.S.M. (London Gazette 11 June 1919 refers). He was demobilised in November 1919, and died in Portsmouth, Hampshire, in 1932. Sold with a file of copied research.

Six: Staff Sergeant J. Stewart, Seaforth Highlanders, later Indian Unattached List and sometime Colour-Sergeant Instructor, with the Bengal Nagpur Railway Volunteer Rifles Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (5547 L-Cpl. J. Stewart. 1 Seaforth Highrs.) an officially impressed later issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5547 Corpl: J. Stewart. Sea: Highrs: M.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (5547 Sgt. J. Stewart 1st Bn. Sea. Highrs.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2966273 S. Sgt. J. Stewart. I.U.L.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (Colr. Sjt. Instr. J. Stewart 2d Bn. B.N.R. Voltr. Rfls.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 2 clasps, The Atbara, Khartoum (5547 L’Cpl. J. Stewart 1st Sea Highrs.) this last lacking one rivet between clasps, mounted as worn, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good fine or better (6) £600-£800 --- Sold with copied medal roll entries for the Sudan and Boer War medals.

Eight: Able Seaman W. S. Elsdon, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (W. S. Elsdon, Ord., H.M.S. Naid.) clasps neatly added to reflect entitlement; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (W.S. Elsdon, A.B., H.M.S. Naiad); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (205093 W. S. Elsdon, A.B. H.M.S. Fox); 1914-15 Star (205093, W. S. Elsdon, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (205093 W. S. Elsdon. A.B. R.N.); Defence Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (205093. W. S. Elsdon, A.B. H.M.S. Victory) mounted for wear, last with officially corrected number, the first two with contact marks and edge bruising, about very fine, the remainder good very fine (8) £800-£1,000 --- Walter Samuel Elsdon was born in Lambeth in 1883 and enlisted as a Boy 2nd Class in 1899 and served in the usual range of warships and shore stations until discharged ‘time expired’ in 1913. During this time he served in South Africa with a naval party of some 117 men landed from H.M.S. Naiad at Saldhana Bay, Western Cape, for service against Boer commandos said to be operating in the Vredenburg area. He was then deployed in operations off Somaliland in the same ship, 1902-04, and then aboard H.M.S. Fox for the anti-gun-running operations in the Persian Gulf, serving on the station 1910-12. Recalled for service in the Great War, ex R.F.R., Elsdon spent most of that period aboard the 2nd Class Cruiser H.M.S. Venus, which service included Atlantic Patrols off Western Ireland, extensive service in the Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean, Dutch East Indies, Colombo, Singapore and Hong Kong. He is one of a group noted in the ship’s logs as leaving the ship in April 1918 at Colombo for return to the U.K. He served as a qualified Diver from at least 1905 to 1916, and was discharged from H.M.S. Victory in June 1921. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Private H. Bryant, 4th Dragoon Guards, later 7th Dragoon Guards Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast (3498. Pte. H. Bryant. 4/D:G:) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3498 Pte. H. Bryant. 7th. Drgn: Gds:) light contact marks, good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Harry Bryant was born in Brentford, Middlesex, and attested for he 4th Dragoon Guards in London on 16 November 1899, having previously served in the Royal Marines. He transferred to the Reserved on 16 April 1897, before being recalled to the Colours on 20 December 1899, and transferred to the 7th Dragoon Guards on 18 January 1900. He served in South Africa during the Boer War from 8 February 1900 to 1 August 1902, and was discharged on 15 September 1902, after 12 years and 304 days’ service. Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.

A Great War A.R.R.C. group of six awarded to Sister Florence C. Puddicombe, Princess Christian’s Army Nursing Reserve, later Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Nursing Sister F. Puddicombe.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, no clasp (Nursing Sister F. Puddicombe.); 1914 Star (Miss F. C. Puddicombe. Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Sister F. C. Puddicombe.) very fine and better (6) £600-£800 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918. Florence Catherine Puddicombe was born in St. Aubin, Jersey, on 10 December 1867, and qualified as a nurse at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital in London in 1894. A founding member of the League of Nurses at St. Bartholomew’s, she joined Princess Christian’s Army Nursing Reserve on 28 March 1900 and served as a Nursing Sister during the Boer War. The roll for the QSA Medal later notes her with the Army Nursing Service Reserve at No. 5 General Hospital in Cape Town. A former Base Hospital, this General Hospital offered 940 beds to sick and wounded servicemen making it one of the largest in operation. Returned home to England, Puddicombe is noted in 1911 as a sick nurse at Felsted School. She later joined the Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. on 1 January 1914, her MIC noting service in France from 12 August 1914 at No. 2 General Hospital. Transferred to No. 14 Stationary Hospital, she received the A.R.R.C. from the hand of the King at an investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 11 December 1919. Released from service at around this time, the recipient’s Nursing Service Record notes her forwarding address as ‘St. Stephen’s Vicarage, Launceston, Cornwall.’ Sold with a Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. cape badge, hallmarked Birmingham 1915.

Three: Sergeant G. Barnett, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Belfast (2210 Sgt. G. Barnett, 1st. Rl: Innis: Fus:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2210 Serjt: G. Barnett. Innis: Fus:); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2210 Serjt. G. Barnett. Rl: Innis: Fus:) contact marks, very fine (3) £180-£220 --- George Barnett was born in London in 1872 and attested for the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers as a Boy Soldier at Hounslow on 15 April 1887. He served in India from 12 December 1888 to 26 January 1898 (also entitled to an Indian General Service Medal 1895-1902), and then in South Africa during the Boer War from 5 November 1899 to 8 February 1903. He was was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5, per Army Order 189 of 1905. He was discharged on 8 May 1917, but re-enlisted in the Royal Jersey Garrison Militia on 9 July 1917, and was discharged class Z Reserve on 20 November 1919, being Mentioned for Valuable Services rendered in connection with the War in 1919. Sold with copied service records.

Pair: Sergeant Major David Wright, Royal Highlanders Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3900 Clr:-Serjt: D. Wright, Rl: Highrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3900 S. Mjr. D. Wright. R. Highrs.) light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (2) £140-£180 --- Sold with copied medal roll extract for Q.S.A.

Pair: Private James Beattie, Royal Highlanders Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2597 Pte. J. Beattie, 2: R. Highrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2597 Pte. J. Beattie. Rl. Highrs.) good very fine (2) £200-£240 --- James Beattie was born at Bervie (or Inverbervie), Kincardineshire, and attested for the Royal Highlanders in Perth on 27 February 1885, aged 22 years 8 months. He served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt 1885-86, but did not qualify for the Egypt medal. He was posted to Malta in 1886 and then to Gibraltar from 1889 to 1893. He was then posted to South Africa on 22 October 1899 to 25 January 1900, and again from 6 October 1901 to October 1902, with a year in India between his South African service. In South Africa he also served in the 2nd Royal Highlanders detachment with the 22nd Mounted Infantry. He was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal on 1 July 1904 and was discharged to pension on 6 May 1907. Sold with copied discharge papers.

Four: Private D. Scott, Royal Highlanders Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (9108 Pte. D. Scott. Vol: Coy. Rl: Highrs:); 1914-15 Star (S-7337. Pte. D. Scott, R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-7737 Pte. D. Scott. R. Highrs.) very fine (4) £100-£140 --- David Scott served with the 3rd Volunteer Service Company, 2nd Battalion, Royal Highlanders, in South Africa during the Boer War, and then during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 July 1915. He was discharged on 14 December 1918. Sold with copied medal roll extract and medal index card.

Five: Private J. W. Brooks, Royal Army Medical Corps, late Hull Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal (1693 Ordly: J. W. Brooks, St John Amb: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (29. Pte. J. W. Brookes, R.A.M.C.) note spelling of surname; British War and Victory Medals (29 Pte. J. W. Brooks. R.A.M.C.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1693. Pte. J. W. Brooks. Hull Corps.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good fine and better (5) £300-£400

Four: Thomas Edmondson, Mercantile Marine, late Preston Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (1224 Ordly: T. Edmondson, St John Amb: Bde:); British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Thomas Edmondson); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1224. Pte. T. Edmondson Preston Corps.) nearly very fine or better (4) £400-£500 --- Served in South Africa at No. 9 General Hospital, Bloemfontein.

Four: Private J. R. Wood, Labour Corps, late Whaley Bridge Division, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (1643 Ord: J. R. Wood, St John Amb: Bde:); British War and Victory Medals (214697 Pte. J. R. Wood. Labour Corps.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1643. Pte. J. R. Wood. Whaley Bridge Div.) very fine (4) £400-£500

Pair: Orderly A. W. Grindley, North Staffordshire Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (362 Ordly: A. W. Grindley. St John Amb: Bde:); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (362. Pte. A. W. Grindley North Staffs Corps.) good very fine (2) £300-£400 --- Served in South Africa at No. 7 General Hospital.

Pair: Orderly G. H. T. Miller, Ramsgate Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (1559 Ordly: G. H. T. Miller, St John Amb: Bde:); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1559. Pte. G. H. T. Miller. Ramsgate Corps.) contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £300-£400 --- Served at No. 11 General Hospital, Kimberley.

Three: Orderly W. R. Richardson, Metropolitan Corps, St John Ambulance Brigade, who died in South Africa Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (51 Ordly: W. R. Richardson, St John Amb: Bde:); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (51. Pte. W. Richardson Met Corps.); Jubilee 1897, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Private W. Richardson.) good very fine (3) £400-£500 --- Private W. R. Richardson served at No. 6 General Hospital and died of disease at Wynberg, Cape Town, on 30 March 1900.

Three: Private J. F. Down, St John Ambulance Brigade and Exeter Fire Brigade St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (316 Pte. J. F. Down. S.J.A.B.); National Fire Brigades’ Union, Ambulance Division Tribute Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (J. F. Down. Fire Brigade. Exeter, Devon); Exeter Fire Brigade Medal for Gallantry, silver (Presented by the Council of Exeter, to James Fredk. Down, for gallantry in saving life from fire. 24th Sepr. 1890) very fine and rare (3) £800-£1,000 --- Forty-four members of the N.F.B.U. Ambulance Division served in South Africa, all of whom received the Q.S.A. medal and the N.F.B.U.A.D. Tribute medal (Hibbard J5). Private Down is also entitled to the Q.S.A. with clasp for Cape Colony, named to Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Staff.

Pair: Sergeant W. S. McGillicuddy, South African Police, late Trooper, South African Constabulary Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, Transvaal (2808 3rd Cl Tpr: W. McGillicuddy. S.A.C.) last clasp attached with unofficial rivets; South Africa Police Good Service Medal, 1st issue (NO 2146 (M) 1/C Sergeant W.S McGillicuddy) very fine (2) £140-£180

Four: Lieutenant F. R. Underwood, Northamptonshire Yeomanry, who later served as part of the Irish Command during the Irish Civil War 1914 Star, with clasp (140 Sq. Q.M. Sjt. F. R. Underwood. 1/1 North’n Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. F. R. Underwood.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (141 [sic] Sq: S. Mjr: F. R. Underwood. Nth’n: Yeo:) mounted court-style, cleaned and lacquered, good very fine and a scarce combination to the unit (4) £400-£500 --- Frank Roden Underwood was born in West Haddon, Northamptonshire, on the 28 May 1883. A boot manufacturer by profession, he attested for the Northampton Imperial Yeomanry on 19 April 1905, and transferred to the Northamptonshire Yeomanry on 10 April 1908. Promoted Corporal on 29 May 1908, Sergeant on 18 March 1910, and Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant on 23 December 1913, he served with A Squadron, 1st/1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Yeomanry during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914, and was appointed Squadron Sergeant Major on 18 April 1915. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st/3rd Battalion, Northamptonshire Yeomanry, on 5 October 1915, and was promoted Lieutenant on 1 January 1917, serving with the 2nd/1st Battalion in France until August 1917. Underwood subsequently moved to Ballincollig, Cork, and was attached to the 2nd/1st Battalion, Scottish Horse in 1918 in Limerick and later with the Ordnance Corps in 1920 as part of the Irish Command. He resigned his Commission on 24 August 1921. The 1939 Register shows him working as a Commercial Boot Salesman and living in Arnold, Nottinghamshire. He died in Woodthorpe, Nottinghamshire, on 30 March 1954. Sold with a postcard photograph of hte recipient, and copied research.

Pair: Private J. Carter, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (3-9215 Pte J. Carter. 2/Suff: R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (3-9215 Pte. J. Carter. Suff. R.) contact marks, good fine (2) £50-£70 --- John Carter served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment on the Western Front from 10 October 1914. He was discharged on 1 July 1915 (entitled to a Silver War Badge).

Three: Private W. Terry, Royal West Surrey Regiment, later Middlesex Regiment and Army Service Corps, who was wounded by gun shot to the right foot on 29 October 1915 1914-15 Star (1710 Pte. W. Terry. The Queen’s R.); British War and Victory Medals (1710 Pte. W. Terry. The Queen’s R.) very fine Pair: Private F. Miller, Royal West Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (G-37935 Pte. F. Miller. The Queen’s R.); together with a Royal West Surrey Regiment Prisoners of War ‘Welcome Home’ Medal, unnamed, good very fine (5) £70-£90 --- William Terry was born in 1896 and attested for the Royal West Surrey Regiment on 5 September 1914. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915, and was wounded by gun shot to the right foot on 29 October 1915. Returning home, he transferred to the 25th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, on 1 September 1916, and then to the Army Service Corps on 31 March 1917, seeing further service on garrison duty in Singapore. He was discharged on 22 March 1920. Frank Miller attested for the Royal West Surrey Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from after January 1916. Sold with a Honourable Discharge Certificate named to ‘234777 Private Richard G. Mann, The Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regt.’ dated 25 July 1918. Richard George Mann enlisted on 3 November 1916 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front, prior to being discharged, no longer physically fit for service, on 25 July 1918, being awarded a Silver War Badge. Sold with copied research.

Three: Private B. Crick, 1/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment 1914-15 Star (3456 Pte. B. Crick, Suff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3456 Pte. B. Crick. Suff. R.) generally very fine or better Pair: Private P. G. Clark, Suffolk Regiment British War and Victory Medals (201324 Pte. P. G. Clark. Suff. R.) generally good very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (4131 Pte. T. Cunnell. Suff. R.) good very fine (6) £60-£80 --- Bertie Crick served during the Great War with the 1/5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment in Gallipoli from 2 December 1915.

Three: Second Lieutenant W. F. Scott, 8th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date the Battalion suffered over 50% losses 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. W. F. Scott Som. L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. W. F. Scott); Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased; Memorial Plaque (William Francis Scott) toned, extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- William Francis Scott attested for the 9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), London Regiment, on 16 November 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Somerset Light Infantry on 24 June 1915. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from Christmas Day 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916. On this day the Battalion, as part of the 63rd Brigade, 21st Division, was involved in the attack on Lozenge Alley. The Battalion War diary gives the following account: ‘7.30 a.m. was Zero time for the assault. At 7.25 a.m. the first waves of “B” and “C” Companies crawled out. Directly the artillery barrage lifted our men advance in quick time. They were met by very heavy machine gun fire and although Officers and men were being hit and falling everywhere the advance went steadily on and was reported by the Brigade Major who witnessed it to have been magnificent. The leading platoon lost quite 50% going across “no man’s land”. On arrival near the enemy’s front line they were momentarily held up by a machine gun but as the successive supporting lines came up they soon got in. Already the enemy opened an artillery barrage on “no man’s land” and our front line trench, which caused heavy casualties among the supports. The only enemy found alive in his front line were a few machine gunners, who were immediately killed. Our men worked their way down the German communication trenches, bombing dugouts which contained Germans then on to. When the trenches had been battered out of all recognition and consisted of a mass of craters. They were supported by one Stokes gun but the officers in charge of the team were soon knocked out. Then a Lewis gun team of ours got up and lent considerable help, enabling our men to make further advances.’ Scott was amongst those killed, and he is buried at Gordon Dump Cemetery, Ovillers-la-Bosielle, France. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Salonika’ A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to Sister Isabella Thomson, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; British War and Victory Medals (Sister I. Thomson.); Greece, Kingdom, Medal for Military Merit, Fourth Class, bronze, generally good very fine (4) £500-£700 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919: ‘For service in Salonika.’ Greek Medal for Military Merit, 4th Class, London Gazette 26 November 1919. Isabella Thomson was born at Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, on 5 December 1881, the daughter of a retired Ship’s Master. She took her nursing studies at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary from 1907 to 1910, and applied to join Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve in May 1915. Posted as Nurse to Malta from 25 June 1915 to April 1917, and the 43rd General Hospital at Salonika from April 1917 to October 1918, she was released from service in 1919 in consequence of failing health; her Service Record notes in particular the strain associated with her work in Salonika.