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*A Boer War D.C.M. and Great War L.S.G.C. Group of 8 awarded to Quarter Master and Lieutenant S E Kennedy, Manchester Regiment, comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (2479 Clr: Serjt: S. E. Kennedy. 2nd Manch: Regt); Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 2nd type reverse with ghosted dates, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (2479 C. Sejt: S. E. Kennedy, 2nd Manch: Regt); King’s South African, 1901-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2479 Clr:-Serjt: S. E. Kennedy. 2nd Manch: Regt); 1914-15 Star (Q. M. & Lieut. S. E. Kennedy. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Q. M. & Lieut. S. E. Kennedy.); Coronation 1911, silver; Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.VII.R. (2479 C. Sjt: S. E. Kennedy. Manch: Regt); Medals swing-mounted on bar as worn, with matching set of miniatures, in original glazed, dark wood frame with name below, contact marks and hairlines from wear, very fine (8) D.C.M.: London Gazette: 27 September, 1901 M.i.D.: London Gazette: 10 September, 1901 Quarter Master and Lieutenant S. E. Kennedy, of 121, Crompton Street, Oldham, served in the Boer War as a Colour Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Continuing to serve with the 10th Battalion, he was promoted to Quarter Master and Lieutenant in April 1910, and saw service in the Great War. He was discharged from further service in May 1917, owing to ill health, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant.

*An Impressive Great War ‘Trench Fighting’ D.C.M. and M.M. Group of 5 awarded to Company Sergeant Major Charles W. Hanes, 12th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who was described in a local newspaper as a ‘Modest Manchester Hero’, and who earned his D.C.M. for clearing a trench of 6 enemy soldiers, as well as helping to consolidate the position afterwards, comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4803 C. S. Mjr: C. W. Hanes. 12/Manch: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (4803 Sjt: C. W. Hanes. 12/Manch: R.); 1914-15 Star (4803 Cpl. C. W. Hanes. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (4803 W.O. Cl. 2. C. W. Hanes. Manch. R.); Medals swing-mounted on bar as worn, toned, contact marks and edge bruises in places, otherwise very fine (5) D.C.M.: London Gazette: 18 July, 1917 – ‘for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He set a splendid example to the men during the attack, keeping his men together under heavy fire. He personally dispersed a party of six of the enemy and immediately organised consolidation of the captured trench.’ M.M.: London Gazette: 1 September, 1916 – ‘for bravery in the field’ As mentioned in ‘The Great War Medal Collector’s Companion Part I’ by Williamson, the M.M. awards gazetted on 1 September 1916 were largely issued to recipients who were recommended for bravery on 1 July 1916 – the First Day of the Somme, as well as a lesser number of awards for the days just before and after. Similarly, the D.C.M. awards gazetted on 18 July 1917 almost certainly relate to the Battle of Arras, concerning dates between 9 April 1917 and 15 May 1917, including actions at Vimy Ridge, Roeux (Chemical Works), Bullecourt, Monchy, Zillebeke, and several others. Given the service location of the 12th Manchesters during that period, it is likely that C.S.M. Hanes won the D.C.M. during the battles of the Scarpe or at Roeux. He was discharged to Class Z Reserve on 18 February 1919.

*The Great War D.C.M. and G.S.M. Iraq Group of 5 awarded to Serjeant John Cook, 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry under a severe bombardment on 20 June 1917 at Fortin St Bernard Sap, near Nieuport. During this attack he ‘held his platoon together’ despite half of his men being made casualties, and he helped to rescue three men who had become buried during the barrage, comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7885 Sjt: J. Cook. 2/Manch. R.); 1914 Star with clasp ‘5th Aug. – 22nd’ Nov. 1914’ (7885 L.Cpl J. Cook. 1/Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7885 Sjt. J. Cook. Manch. R.); General Service Medal, 1918-62, G.V.R., single clasp, Iraq (7885 Sjt. J Cook Manch. R.); Group mounted on card for display, polished, the first in particular, generally very fine, the last with minor rim nick (5) D.C.M.: London Gazette: 25 August 1917 – full original recommendation reads as follows: ‘On the 20th June 1917 near Nieuport, this Non-Commissioned Officer was in charge of a platoon holding the Fortin St. Bernard Sap during a heavy bombardment under cover of which it was expected that the enemy would attempt a raid. The Sap had no traverses or cover in it and was subjected to a direct enfilade from the enemy guns. During the bombardment, though over half of his platoon became casualties, this Non-Commissioned Officer moved up and down the Sap cheering up his men and proceeded three times to the head of the Sap to visit several men who were at their bombing posts. This Non-Commissioned Officer located five men who had been buried by the bombardment and personally supervised under continual shellfire, the digging out of three of these men. By his personal gallantry under very heavy and accurate artillery fire, by his coolness and devotion to duty and his personal organisation held his platoon together as a tactical unit ready to repel at any moment an attack on the part of the enemy.’ Sergeant John Cook was born in 1888 and enlisted for service with the Manchester Regiment on 1 August 1902 at London, having previously worked as a Shoemaker. He initially saw service in South Africa for two months, before spending nearly two years in Singapore, and then nearly ten years in India. At the outbreak of War in August 1914, he fought with the B.E.F. in France and Flanders between 27 August 1914 and 11 March 1915, then returning for service at home in Britain (having potentially been wounded). Returning to the front on 12 November 1916, he spent much of the remaining war years in active service on the Western Front until 20 June 1918, during which time he won the D.C.M. for gallantry at Nieuport. After this, he remained on home service for a year and a half before being sent to Mesopotamia to take part in the Iraq campaign, where he would remain for nearly a year. He also served in India for a further three years between 1921 and 1924, and was eventually discharged on 31 May 1928, after a career of almost 26 years. Offered with the recipient’s original ‘Certificate of Service’ booklet, group photo (which presumably includes the recipient), front page from the Hull Daily News concerning his marriage at Skirlaugh, East Yorkshire, on 27 October 1917, and a folder of related research.

*A Great War M.M. and Pair awarded to Sergeant Reginald Ellwood Reeve, 23rd (Service) (8th City ‘Pals’) and 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, late Norfolk Regiment, who was killed in action on 19 August 1918, comprising: Military Medal, G.V.R. (47558 L.Cpl R. E. Reeve. 23/ Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (47558 Sjt. R. E. Reeve. Manch. R.); Medal group loose, about extremely fine (3) M.M.: London Gazette: 2 November 1917 – ‘for bravery in the field’ Sergeant Reginald Ellwood Reeve, of West Lynn, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, originally enlisted into the Norfolk Regiment at King’s Lynn, and later was a resident of Snettisham. He served with the 23rd (Service) (8th City ‘Pals’) Battalion, Manchester Regiment during the Great War until its disbandment in early 1918, where its remaining soldiers were redistributed to other battalions. While latterly serving with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, Sergeant Reeve was killed in action on 19 August 1918.

*Waterloo, 1815, with original steel clip and large split ring suspension (John Barlow, 7th Regiment Hussars.), sometime lacquered, lightly toned, good very fine Private John Barlow is confirmed on the Waterloo Medal roll as having served with the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars. Ex Spink Numismatic Circular, December 1997 Ex Stewart Gager Collection

*Waterloo, 1815, with original steel clip and split ring suspension (John Hawes, 3rd Batt. Grenad. Guards.), well-worn and heavily polished to obverse, but with clear naming, edge bruising and nicks, otherwise fine Private John Hawes is confirmed on the Waterloo Medal roll as having served with Lieutenant Colonel Reeve’s Company. Chambers’ ‘Men of the 1st Foot Guards at Waterloo’ gives his name as John Haws / Hawes, with the information that he was a Suffolk labourer, born c.1782, who enlisted in 1806 and served in the Peninsula at Corunna. He died in 1842 at Denham, Suffolk, and was therefore never issued an M.G.S. with clasp Corunna.

*Waterloo, 1815, with original steel clip and large ring suspension (Serj. Andrew Black, 1st Batt. 91st Reg. Foot.), two edge bruises, good fine, reverse better Sergeant Andrew Black is confirmed on the Waterloo Medal roll as having served with Captain Robert McDonald’s Company No. 5, of the 1st Battalion, 91st (Argyllshire Highlanders) Regiment of Foot. Ex Stewart Gager Collection

*The Important Union Brigade Charger’s Waterloo Medal awarded to Captain Edward Holbech, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, who as Troop Commander of No.1 Troop led his men during the most famous cavalry charge of the battle of Waterloo, that of the Union Brigade. His troop suffered the heaviest casualties in his regiment, and soon after taking part in the charge, Holbech was placed in command of the regiment’s captured French prisoners, escorting them to Brussels after the battle, comprising: Waterloo, 1815, with replacement silver clip, suspension and bar, with two pins for wear (Captain Edward Holbech 6th or Inniskilling Drag.), upon original ribbon, with additional section of early ribbon with button hole, and a musket ball, possibly removed from a wound received during the battle; Attractive cabinet tone, one or two small hairlines, otherwise extremely fine Captain Edward Holbech (1785-1847) was born on 31 May 1785, the 4th son of William and Anne Holbech, of Farnborough Hall, Warwickshire, just a few miles from Banbury. Serving with the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, he arrived at Herzele on 11 May 1815, where he and his fellow officers and men were quartered in several small villages to the west in the Dender valley, close to the Royals and the Scots Greys. Holbech is mentioned in the book ‘Waterloo General: The Life, Letter and Mysterious Death of Major General Sir William Ponsomby’ by J. Morewood, in a letter written by Lieutenant Johnson, which describes the scene in the days before the battle: ‘(we were housed) at one wretched farmhouse with one room and a closet to do everything…Holbech sleeps on a table, Dames on six chairs, and I in a closet where there is a bedstead which Holbech would not take for fear of the bugs…Still we are very happy…some other officers have three Dutch officers sleeping in the room with them which must be very disagreeable…’ Despite the makeshift accommodation provided for the officers, on the day of the battle, the Inniskilling Fusiliers were ready, and played a central role in the day’s events. As part of Major-General Ponsomby’s 2nd Cavalry Brigade, or ‘Union Brigade’ (alongside the 1st (Royal) Regiment of Dragoons, and the 2nd Royal North British Dragoons, better known as the Scots Greys), the Inniskilling Dragoons took part in what was arguably the decisive moment and turning point of the battle. Charging at from a position on the left of the British and Allied line, the Union Brigade smashed into the opposing French infantry and nearby cavalry, leaving them in complete disarray and confusion. As the officer commanding No. 1 Troop, Holbech himself would have been in the thick of the action. In fact, the Inniskilling Dragoon suffered the heaviest casualties of the charging regiments, and Holbech’s troop suffered the heaviest casualties of these six troops, with a reported 17 killed, 2 died of wounds, and 9 wounded from a nominal strength of 73. Following the charge, and presumably after a short period of re-organisation, research suggests that Captain Holbech was instructed by his superior Major Fiennes Sanderson Miller to take charge of the regiment’s captured French prisoners and escort them to Brussels for imprisonment and eventual exchange, as the battle’s latter stages continued. After Waterloo, Holbech continued to serve for several years of further service until he was eventually placed on half-pay on 11 April, 1822. He died on 24 June 1847 at Alveston, near Stratford-upon-Avon, aged 69. His death is recorded in the ‘Gentleman’s Magazine’ of that year, recording also that he had ‘distinguished himself at the memorable battle of Waterloo.’ Another brother, George, served as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy. For the Waterloo Medal to his nephew Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Henry Holbech, see lot 536.

*Honourable East India Company Medal for Burma, 1824-26, in silver, with original steel clip and split ring suspension, light hairlines, good very fine with some lustre

*China 1842, with typical straight bar suspension (John Owens, H.M.S. Cornwallis.); light hairlines and the odd surface scratch, otherwise extremely fine Able Seaman John Owens is confirmed on the China 1842 medal roll.

India General Service, 1854-1895, single clasp, Sikkim 1888 (257 Pte T. Carr 2nd Bn Derby. R.); officially engraved, almost extremely fine Private Tom Carr is confirmed on the I.G.S. medal roll as having served with the 2nd Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment

*Crimea, 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Served As Corpl. H. Williams. 7th Regt. H. H. Pearce), officially impressed, with additional engraved details before and after, concerning his service alias, upon original ribbon, mounted within handsome black memorial frame, minor rim nick, an attractive very fine, or slightly better Corporal Henry Williams is confirmed on the Crimea Medal Roll as having served in the 7th Royal Fusiliers, with the added remark ‘wounded at Alma and has since died of disease’ (as read by the cataloguer). This idea is rather reinforced, given the lot’s memorial frame. All three clasps confirmed on the roll

*The Rare Indian Mutiny Cawnpore Casualty Medal to Private Thomas Mallinson, 84th (York and Lancaster) Foot. Having taken part in the earlier siege and negotiated departure from Cawnpore under General Wheeler, he was later killed with the boats during the massacre and capture of British soldiers, women and children whilst crossing of the river Ganges at the Satichura Ghat, on 27 June 1857, from which only four British soldiers survived, comprising: Indian Mutiny, 1857-1859, no clasp (Thos. Mallinson, 84th Regt.); once brooch mounted and worn as a memorial brooch or widow’s brooch, now restored, obverse brooch marks and minor edge bruises, otherwise about very fine, very rare Private Thomas Mallinson, a Labourer from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, enlisted into the 84th (2nd Bn York and Lancaster) Regiment on 27 January 1855. He was one of the roughly one hundred men from ‘E’ and ‘G’ Companies who were despatched from Dum Dum between 19-24 May 1857 to Benares. From there, Mallinson was sent to Cawnpore with some fifty men under the command of Lieutenant Frederick Saunders to assist during the on-going siege of Major-General Wheeler’s defensive entrenchment. The defensive position was centred upon two fortified barrack buildings with unfinished earthen walls and rifle pits surrounding, with a small hospital and a single water well. This entrenchment contained and housed the entire British force and civilian refugees, and was swiftly surrounded by vast enemy forces. Despite mounting a fearsome defence, and despite outbreaks of disease and exposure to the burning sun, a negotiated truce with Nana Sahib was eventually accepted, on the condition that the entire British contingent would be allowed to depart with their arms to the Satichura Ghat (or Satichura Jetty), for subsequent evacuation by boat across the Ganges, from whence they could travel onwards to Allahabad and to safety. Historians dispute the exact causes of the massacre, but whether by planned deception or through localised confusion and panic amongst the troops, shots were fired, leading to the gruesome Cawnpore Massacre in which the vast majority of British soldiers and civilians, including Wheeler himself, were killed or captured – including Private Thomas Mallinson, on 27 June 1857. Tavender’s ‘Casualty Roll for the Indian Mutiny 1857-59’ records one officer (Lieutenant Saunders) and 49 other ranks from the 84th as having been massacred at Cawnpore, however some of these names do not seem to appear on the medal roll. It has been suggested by previous cataloguers that given the apparent rarity of these medals at auction, it is possible that most were never issued. Similarly, this appears to be the case for medals to casualties from the 32nd Foot who were also massacred at Cawnpore, and to those of the 35th Foot who were killed in the disaster at Jugdispore. An interesting and rare casualty medal, worthy of further research. Ex Bill & Angela Strong Collection, DNW, 18 May 2011.

*Indian Mutiny, 1857-59, no clasp (3390 Drummr John McDonald. 87th Regt.); surface marks and edge bump to surname, about very fine Drummer John McDonnell / McDonald, was born c. 1831 in Fermoy, near Cork, Ireland. He originally attested as a Private with the 32nd (Cornwall) Foot on 10 April 1849, serving with this original regiment until 1 February 1854. Upon this date he transferred into the 87th (Royal Irish Fusiliers) Foot, serving with them as a Drummer on the North West Frontier of India (for which he appears to be entitled to the Indian General Service Medal), and then during the Indian Mutiny. He continued to serve with this regiment (known as ‘McDonald’ in the 1858 Musters) and was eventually discharged from further service on 17 May 1870, when he was again known as ‘McDonnell’. Offered with a copy of his discharge papers which confirm this entitlement, and record that he died on 12 April 1907.

*Indian Mutiny, 1857-59, single clasp, Lucknow (W. Peden, 1st Bn 20th Regt); claw and suspension re-fitted, clasp possibly added later, otherwise very fine Private William Peden is confirmed on the Indian Mutiny Medal roll as serving with the 1st Battalion, 20th (East Devonshire) Foot, and is entitled to the above medal and clasp.

*An Indian Mutiny and Army L.S.G.C. Pair awarded to Sergeant Michael Scanlon, 1st Battalion, 13th (1st Somersetshire) (Prince Albert’s Light Infantry) Foot, who served with the 1st Battalion, 34th (Cumberland) Foot during the Indian Mutiny, comprising: Indian Mutiny, 1857-59, single clasp, Lucknow (M. Scanlon, 34th Regt); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, V.R. swivel type (966 Sergt M. Scanlon. 1st. Bn. 13th Foot); Pair loose, heavy contact marks and reverse edge bump to first, suspension slightly bent, good fine or better, the second very fine (2) ergeant Michael Scanlon was born c.1833 at Newcastle, in Limerick, Ireland, and he attested for service with the 1st / 34th Foot at Limerick on 3 August 1852, at the age of 19. He served with this regiment in the Crimea (for which he is entitled to the Crimea Medal with Sebastopol clasp, and Turkish Crimea medal) and also during the Indian Mutiny at Lucknow. He later transferred to serve in the 1st / 13th Foot, on 1 October 1862, with whom he was later awarded his L.S.G.C. with gratuity. Offered with a copy of his discharge papers confirming the above medals and his full entitlement as described.

The Important Early Victorian Campaign Group of 4 awarded Colonel John Prior, 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons, late 12th Lancers, with whom he served during a great many actions in the Kaffir War of 1851-53, during the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny. By virtue of this, his group a unique entitlement to an officer in the 12th Lancers, comprising: South Africa, 1834-53 (Capt. J. D. M. M. Prior, 12th Lancers); Crimea, 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Captn. I. de M. Prior, 12th Rl. Lancers) contemporary engraved naming; Indian Mutiny, 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Captn. I. De M, M, Prior, 12th Lancers); Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, fitted with scroll suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine or better (4) Colonel John de Montmorency Murray Prior (1822-1876) was born in 1822, the second son of Lodge Morres Murry-Prior, a former army officer himself, and Anna Maria Prior (née Brownrigg). He joined the Army as an Ensign in the 36th Regiment on 31 December 1841. Soon afterwards he transferred to the 12th Lancers as Cornet in July 1843, becoming Lieutenant in 1846 and Captain in 1851. He served with the 12th Lancers throughout the Kaffir (or ‘Xhosa’) War of 1851-53 in South Africa, including the passage of, and the operations around, the River Kei. He also served during the Crimean War from 17 May 1855, seeing action at the battle of Tchernaya, during the siege and fall of Sebastopol, and also in the operations near Eupatoria under General d’Allonville. He then served during the Indian Mutiny of 1857-59 with the Saugor and Nerbudda Field Force, including the action of Banda where he personally commanded the left wing of the 12th Lancers. He was also present during the actions of Jegunge and Kobrai, during the relief of Kirwee and at the storming of the heights of Punwarrie (for which he was mentioned in despatches, brevets of both Major and Lieutenant-Colonel). He transferred to the 6th Dragoons in December 1860, becoming Colonel of the regiment in 1865, and Colonel of the 65th Armagh Infantry Brigade (87th & 94th) in April 1873. Colonel Prior was in fact the only officer of the 12th Lancers to receive medals for all three of these campaigns, making this a unique entitlement. He died 18 April 1876 at Ballynahone House, Armagh, and his full obituary, published in the Belfast Weekly News of 22 April 1876, reads as follows: “FUNERAL OF COLONEL PRIOR. Last week we announced, with much regret the death of Colonel J. M. M, Prior, commanding the 65th sub-district. Colonel Prior entered the service in December, 1841, since which period he passed through a very distinguished career. in the Kaffir war of 1851-3, and for his gallant conduct there was awarded a medal; he also took part in the Crimean war and gained two medals, and subsequently passed through the terrible ordeal of the Indian mutiny. In every engagement he displayed the utmost bravery, and yet his heroism was no more characteristic than the amiability and kindness of his disposition. He was respected and beloved by his brother officers, as well as by the men under him. The same esteem which was manifested towards him in active service followed him into more peaceful times, and by none will his loss be more sadly experienced than by the citizens of Armagh, amongst whom he has resided for a length of time, and near whom he died. He was a universal favourite, and his memory will long be green in the hearts of his old comrades of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons and 12th Lancers. Though ailing for some time, Colonel Prior’s demise was unexpected. Phthisis was the malady under which he suffered, and he breathed his last on Tuesday at his residence, Ballynahone House, in the neighbourhood of Armagh. Monday was the day appointed for the interment, and the funeral was attended, not alone with military colours, but by a general indication of popular sorrow, that was the truest tribute to the deceased officer’s character. At two o’clock the solemn cortege started. The firing party consisted of 300 men of the 94th and 89th Regiments. The fife and drum band and brass band of the 94th were also present, as was the band of the Armagh Militia. The coffin was placed on a gun carriage attended by a party of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. Colonel Lord John Taylour, Major Mitchell, and a large number of officers assisted at the obsequies. Along the route taken by the procession immense numbers of people had assembled. The bands performed meanwhile alternately the impressive “Dead March in Saul.” The streets of the city also were greatly crowded during the funeral. On reaching the cathedral the coffin was borne in and placed before the chancel when the Very Rev. Dr. Reeves, Dean of Armagh, conducted the solemn service of the Church of Ireland. At its conclusion the coffin was reverently carried out and deposited in its final resting place in the adjoining graveyard. The troops fired three rounds over the grave, and then returned their respective garrisons.” (© The British Library Board) Ex Clive Nowell Collection, DNW, 24 June 2009, lot 167

*A Second China War and Army L.S.G.C. Pair awarded to Colour-Sergeant Edmond Ryan, 59th (2nd Nottinghamshire) Foot, comprising: Second China War, 1857-1860, single clasp, Canton 1857 (Sergt. Edmd. Ryan. 59th Regt), officially impressed; Army Long Service and Good Conduct, V.R., 2nd type (1855-1874) with silver metal bar and brooch pin (2961 Colr. Sergt. Edmond Ryan 59th Foot); Pair loose, the first cleaned about very fine with some light scratches, the second extremely fine with dark cabinet toning (2) Colour-Sergeant Edmond Ryan is confirmed on the Second China War medal roll, and is entitled to the above clasp.

The Interesting and Rare Red River 1870 and Indian Peace Medal 1874 ‘Qu’appelle Treaty’ Group of 6 awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Henry Holbech, 60th Regiment (King’s Royal Rifle Corps), who served as an Ensign during the Red River Expedition of 1870, and appears to have been connected to the 1874 Qu’appelle Treaty signed with the leaders of the Cree and Salteaux/Chippewa tribes. He later served as Captain and A.D.C. to Major-General Luard with the Canadian Militia during the campaigns in Egypt and the Sudan, comprising: Jubilee 1897, silver issue; Canada General Service, 1866-70, single clasp, Red River 1870 (Ens: W. H. Holbech, 1: 60: R. R.); Egypt and Sudan, 1882-89, dated reverse, single clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Capt: W. H. Holbech, 3rd Bn K. R. R. Corps); Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, Officer’s 4th class breast badge, in silver, gold and enamels; Khedive’s Star, 1882; With Indian Peace Medal, V.R., 1874, silver, with ring suspension, 76.5mm width, 216g, awarded for the signing of Indian Peace Treaty No.4 (or The Qu’appelle Treaty), agreed on 15 September 1874 on the shores of Lake Qu’Appelle, Saskatchewan, with the Cree and Salteaux; Medal group swing-mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin (the fourth now loose), all with original ribbons, Indian Peace Medal separate, also offered with similar miniature group, two shako plates (one broken), and three pouch-belt chains with whistle and lion’s head fittings (two in hallmarked silver, one in silvered base metal), one whistle with 4 notches marked beneath, medals toned, extremely fine, Indian Peace Medal with old uneven tone, minor hairlines, good extremely fine (12) Lieutenant Walter Henry Holbech (1845-1901) was born in 1845, the first son of Reverend Charles William Holbech, of Farnborough, Warwickshire [thus, the nephew of Captain Edward Holbech, see lot BEC01]. He studied at University College, Oxford, matriculating in June 1863 and graduating with a B.A. in 1868. Upon completion of his studies he joined the Colours, purchasing an Ensigency with the 28th (North Gloucestershire) Foot as Gentleman on 14 October 1868. The following year he transferred as an Ensign to the 60th Foot on 3 February 1869, and with this regiment he would remain for the rest of his military career. Shortly after joining the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Holbech joined ‘H’ Company of the 1st K.R.R.C., travelling to Canada as part of Garnet Wolseley’s Red River Expedition, of which the 1st Battalion K.R.R.C. under Lieutenant-Colonel R. J. Feilden formed the core British ‘red-coat’ element. In addition, two pieces of artillery, two battalions of locally-raised Canadian riflemen joined the force in support, with two-hundred voyageurs to assist with transport. This expedition is considered to have been amongst the most arduous undertaken by the British army, and although largely forgotten by history, Wolseley’s 1,200 men covered hundreds of miles of Canadian rivers, lakes and wilderness, carrying all their own food, guns, artillery and equipment. Through constant hard work, and with the help of the tireless voyageurs, they covered the 1,200 mile distance in remarkable time (still taking just over two months), catching the enemy leader Louis Riel and the Metis completely by surprise on 24 August 1870. Riel and his forces duly fled, leaving Fort Garry to be captured without a single loss. With the collapse of the rebellion, the expedition ultimately brought about the unification of the Dominion of Canada. Approximately 502 Red River 1870 clasps were issued, including 12 officers and 115 men of the 1/60th, and 18 to other British units. Holbech appears to have remained in Canada afterwards, receiving an Indian Peace Medal for the signing of Treaty number 4 in 1874 – an agreement signed between Great Britain and the Cree and Salteaux peoples of Saskatchewan. As part of this treaty, some 75,000 square miles of territory were ceded. Holbech was appointed Instructor of Musketry on 23 January 1878, and was seconded to Cyprus for a brief period of civil service on 1 April 1879, but was recalled later that year. He briefly retired to his pension on 21 July 1880 but was then promoted to Captain on 6 August 1880. He married Mary Caroline Walrond (daughter of John Walrond, 1st Baronet) on 28 February 1881. He was promoted to Major on November 17 1882. During the war in Egypt in 1882, he took part in the engagement at Tel-el-Mahnta, in the action at Kassasin (9th September), and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir as Brigade Major to the 2nd Infantry Brigade (for which he was mentioned in despatches, with the Brevet of Major, and awarded a 4th Class Order of the Medjidie). The notes on the original medal roll for the Egypt Campaign notes that he had served as A.D.C. to Major-General Luard, Commanding the Canadian Militia (dated 9 April 1883). After this period of service he was made Adjutant of the 1st Oxfordshire (Oxford University) Volunteers in November 1883, continuing for roughly two years, and he was for a time Gentleman of Arms. He retired to half-pay as honorary Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 July, 1892, resided latterly at Chalfont Lodge, Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire, and died on 6 March 1901. He was buried at St Botolph’s Church, Farnborough, where sadly, his eldest son Lieutenant William Hugh Holbech, Scots Guards, was also later buried in 1914. For the Waterloo Medal to his father, Captain Edward Holbech, see lot 516.

*A Rare Sudan Campaign Officer’s ‘Bahr-El-Ghazal’ Exploration Group of 6 awarded Major Ronald Anthony Markham, Coldstream Guards. An important and largely unsung figure in the early exploration of the Bahr-el-Ghazal region, he is a rare and officially confirmed officer recipient of the Bahr-el-Ghazal clasp, serving as A.D.C. to Sirdar Sir Reginald Wingate between 1900 and late 1901. He travelled up the White Nile from Khartoum on 3 July 1901 with Pasha Von Slatin in the gunboat ‘Sheikh’ to deliver important communications from the Sirdar to local commandants in the region, and to seek news from the Austin-Bright Survey Expedition in July 1901. In the course of this journey he travelled inland, meeting and negotiating with local Sheikhs and tribal leaders. Serving later in the Great War, he was second in command of the 2nd Coldstream Guards when he received a bullet to the temple and later died of wounds on 25 October 1914 at St. Julien, comprising: 1911 Coronation; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, Officer’s 4th class breast badge in silver, gold and enamels, reverse engraved (Capt: R. A. Markham. Coldstream Gds); Khedive’s Sudan, 1896-1908, 2 clasps, Sudan 1899, Bahr-el-Ghazal 1900-02 (Capt: R. A. Markham. Coldstream Gds), these three court-mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin; 1914 Star with loose clasp ‘5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914’ (Major R. A. Markham. C. Gds.), with fitted black leather case; British War and Victory Medals (Major R. A. Markham.), with original boxes of issue; Trio loose, toned, extremely fine, with some lustre (6) Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, 4th Class: London Gazette: 19 April 1901 M.i.D.: London Gazette: 8 October 1914, and 14 January 1915 “Major Ronald Anthony Markham (1870-1914) was born on 15 October, 1870 at West Cowes, Isle of Wight, and was the only surviving son of the late Colonel William Thomas Markham (and Annie Markham), of Becca Hall, Yorkshire, who served in the Crimean War in the Rifle Brigade and Coldstream Guards, and grandson of Sir Francis Grant, P.R.A (‘The Bond of Sacrifice’, Volume I, refers). He was also cousin to Sir Clements Markham, who became President of the Royal Geographical Society, and was an important and ardent advocate of Polar exploration (in particular, helping to organise Scott’s ‘Discovery Expedition’ of 1901-04). Educated at Charterhouse, Ronald Markham received his first commission as Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Prince of Wales Volunteers on 16 April 1889, afterwards joining the Coldstream Guards in December 1890, becoming Lieutenant in August 1896 and Captain in December 1899.” He took part in the first advance against the Khalifa in the Nile Expedition of 1899, for which he received the Khedive’s Sudan medal and clasp, and then between August 1899 and August 1903 he served as a Bimbashi with the Egyptian Army, acting as A.D.C to Sirdar Reginald Wingate (Governor General of the Sudan) from April 1900 to December 1902. For this service he received the Order of the Medjidie, 4th Class on 19 April 1901. After the murder of Bimbashi Scott Barbour on 10 January 1902 and the subsequent punitive expedition, there was much tension and potential danger in the region. A few months later, Bimbashi Markham was sent on an expedition up the White Nile from Khartoum (with Pasha Von Slatin) in the gunboat ‘Sheikh’ with several private communications from the Sirdar to the local commandants. Leaving on 3 July 1902, his expedition took several weeks. As recorded in The Sudan Intelligence Report No.84 (1st to 31st July 1901): ‘Bimbashi Markham left Khartoum on the 3rd instant in the gunboat “Sheikh” for Sobat, Baro, and Pibor rivers to endeavour to open up communication with the Austin-Bright Survey Expedition, about which no news is as yet forthcoming. He carried letters from the Sirdar to the commandants of the Abyssinian posts at Gore and in the neighbourhood of Lake Rudolf, as well as one for Major Austin himself. Whether any of the letters will ever reach their destinations is extremely doubtful, as the tribes who will have to provide the messengers are for the most part hostile to the Abyssinians.’ His own letters written back to Sirdar Wingate, from Sobat, dated 29 July 1901, give an insight into the great variety of dangers and difficulties which he encountered: ‘My Dear General…I got to Nasser on the 20th July and next day interviewed Sheikh Luantia (of the Nuer), and after a great deal of haggling, backsheeshing, finally told him he would incur your displeasure if he didn’t provided 2 guides for 3 men I had found in Nasser, willing to take the letters, but ignorant of the way…our transport occasionally got badly bogged; sleep at nights was an impossibility, mosquitoes beat all description. On the way we had a few adventures – at one village, where apparently white men have never been…a woman came by carrying a pitcher of water – she took one look at me, dropper her pitcher – then ran round us yelling and screaming…One night our poor donkey, which was not more than three yards from me was attacked and badly bitten by a hyena which got into the long grass before I could get my gun out…’ Markham was also with Miralai Sparkes Bey, Commandant of the Bahr-El-Ghazal Expedition, when they arrived at Khartoum from Wau on 28 September 1901. Markham had joined him from Meshra er Rek, as mentioned in Sudan Intelligence Report No.86 (1st to 30th September 1901). While he is not listed amongst the 7 recipients of the Bahr-el-Ghazal Cigarette cases issued by Sparkes Bey, his presence as an officer and key figure at precisely the same time is confirmed in contemporary sources, as well as in a formal letter concerning the issue of his Bahr-El-Ghazal clasp (a copy of which is included with this group). He was promoted to Major in 1907. Serving afterwards during the Great War, he took part in much of the early fighting of 1914, and was hit with a bullet to his temple at St. Julien, France, on the 23rd October 1914, dying two days later. At the time of his death he was Second in Command of his battalion. He was mentioned in Sir John French’s Despatches of the 8th October 1914, and the 14th January 1915. He was a member of the Guards’ Nulli Secundus, and the Turf Clubs; also of the M.C.C. and I Zingari. He was fond of cricket and shooting, and was a very keen and hard rider to hounds. He was born at Melton Mowbray, from which place he had hunted all his life, and is buried in Sysonby Churchyard. An early casualty of the Great War (during which the repatriation of the bodies of officers and soldiers was still possible), he is remembered with honour at the Sysonby Churchyard, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. Offered with: two original M.i.D. certificates in original O.H.M.S. envelope; a formal portrait photograph taken by G. Lekegian of Cairo; a formal portrait photograph of the recipient on horseback during a hunt by Heawood’s of Leicester; a privately printed diary recording Markham’s service in 1914; a hand-typed copy of the Diary of Lieutenant-Colonel C. E. Pereira’s 1914 service with an accompanying handwritten letter dated 5 November 1915; delivery letters for his Great War trio; an official copy of his last will and testament; and a quantity of related research.

*Shanghai Jubilee Medal, 1893, silver issue, reverse engraved and named (A. G. H. Carruthers.) with ring suspension and modern replacement ribbon, attractive light tone, good extremely fine Alfred George Harrison Carruthers (1870-1924) was born on 26 February 1870 at Inverness, Scotland, the son of Walter Carruthers and Mary Carruthers (née Ferguson), an important local family who owned and ran the ‘Inverness Courier’ and the printing company ‘Robert Carruthers & Sons’. Having completed his education at Fettes College, Edinburgh, he passed his examinations and joined the Chinese Maritime Customs Service as 4th Assistant B at Swatow in February 1889. He received the support and sponsorship of the Marsh family of Hong Kong during his application, the most important of whom was Sir William Henry Marsh KCMG, twice Governor of Hong Kong. He appears also to have been a cricketer (and in particular, a bowler) of considerable talent, and an important member of the Shanghai Cricket Club. In the Shanghai vs. Hong Kong match of 3-4 October, 1892, for example, he took 13 for 70 over the two days, helping his side win comfortably by 157 runs. Later records confirm that Alfred Carruthers was an Agent/Officer Maritime Customs Service and resident in Shanghai in 1901, at 2 Park Road. He is also later recorded as being amongst the leading officers in the Swatow during WWI between 1916 and 1918. He married a WWI Nurse, a Lilian Constance Keys, at Victoria, Canada, on 30 December 1918. Research suggests that he spent 30 years in China, and reached the position of Deputy Commissioner of the Chinese Customs Service, being invalided from further service in January 1921. Later emigrating to Australia, he died on 21 June 1942, at Sydney, Australia. with the Chinese

*British North Borneo Company’s Medal, 1897-1916, silver issue, single clasp, Punitive Expeditions, unnamed as issued, with second type ribbon, lightly toned with surface hairlines, otherwise extremely fine, and scarce

A Boer War Pair awarded to Private J. Bently, Bedford Regiment, comprising: Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 2nd type reverse, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen (5543 Pte W. Bentley, Bedford Regt); King’s South Africa, 1901-1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5543 Pte. J. Bently, . Bedford: Regt); Group swing-mounted on card, polished, clasps slightly bent and minor edge bruising, otherwise about very fine (2) Private J. Bently is confirmed is confirmed on the Q.S.A. medal roll (as W. Bentley) but this appears to have been corrected by the time of his award of the K.S.A., also confirmed as above.

Defective: Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 2nd type reverse, with 3 cast copy clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (809 Pte D. Hewitt, 2nd Rl W. Kent), medal officially impressed; with a Boer War Pair, comprising Queen’s South Africa Medal, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State and King’s South Africa Medal, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901 and 1902 (4384 Sjt. H. Shirley. N. Staffs. R); both of the latter apparently erased and then depot impressed; the first lightly toned, but very heavily polished, suspension loose, fair only, later pair polished with contact marks, fine (3) The first confirmed on the roll with this official entitlement as listed for service with the 2nd Battalion Royal West Kents, the second appears to be entitled to a single clasp QSA with Cape Colony, for service with the 4th Bn North Staffordshire Regiment.

China 1900, no clasp (W. W. Bartlett, Sto. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Terrible.); initials in naming slightly double-struck, a few hairlines, extremely fine Stoker W. Bartlett is confirmed on the China 1900 medal roll as having served aboard H.M.S. Terrible.

China 1900, no clasp (W. T. Stevens, Sto, H.M.S. Bonaventure.); lightly toned with a few hairlines, extremely fine Stoker W. T. Stevens is confirmed on the China 1900 medal roll as having served aboard H.M.S. Bonaventure. The ‘notes’ column mentions that this medal was delivered to H.M.S. Triumph on 18 June 1902.

China 1900, no clasp (C. Bowman, Sto., H.M.S. Undaunted.); minor edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine Stoker C. Bowman is confirmed on the China 1900 medal roll as having served aboard H.M.S. Undaunted. The ‘notes’ column mentions that this medal was delivered to H.M.S. Victory on 8 September 1902.

*A China 1900 ‘Relief of Pekin’ and WWI Long Service Group of 5 awarded to Petty Officer George H. West, Royal Navy, comprising: China 1900, single clasp, Relief of Pekin (G. H. West., A.B. H.M.S. Orlando.); 1914-15 Star (192030, G. H. West, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (192030 G. H. West. Act. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (192030 G. H. West, P.O., H.M.S. Assistance.); Group loose, lightly polished, the first with minor correction to rate, a few light contact marks to last, generally good very fine (5) George Henry West was born in Alverstoke, Hampshire in April 1881, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1897. He was promoted to Able Seaman while serving aboard H.M.S. Orlando between February 1899 and July 1900, and was present during the Relief of Pekin. Serving as a Petty Officer during WWI, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in May 1914 while serving with the repair ship Assistance, and he appears to have remained with that ship throughout the Great War, being pensioned ashore in July 1921.

*A Rare Boer War, Russo-Japanese War and Great War C.M.G. Group of 11 awarded to Colonel Edward Agar, late Royal Engineers. A Pollock medal winner in 1878, he undertook Intelligence and Special Service roles both before and during the Boer War, and was soon afterwards attached to the Japanese Army in Manchuria during the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05. During the Great War he served on the General Staff, and was later British Representative on the Dano-German Boundary Commission for Slesvig 1920-21, after which Slesvig was returned to the Danish Crown. An impressive and unusual combination of awards to an Intelligence Officer, comprising: The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion’s neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 2nd type reverse with ghosted dates, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Major E. Agar. R.E.); King’s South Africa, 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. E. Agar. R.E.); British War Medal (Col. E. Agar); France, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, in gold and enamels; Belgium, Order of Leopold I, Officer’s breast badge with swords, in silver-gilt and enamels; Japan, Russo-Japanese War Medal 1904-05; Japan, Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd class neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamels; Japan, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 3rd class neck badge, in silver-gilt and enamels, later repair to uppermost red cabochon; Russia, Order of St Anne, 2nd class neck badge by Edouard, in gold and enamels; Denmark, Slesvig Medal 1920, light surface marks and scratches to last, adhesive marks to the ribbons on reverse, generally nearly extremely fine (11) C.M.G.: London Gazette: 1 January 1919 – ‘For services in connection with the war’ Legion of Honour: London Gazette: 15 April 1916. Order of St Anne: London Gazette: 24 November 1916 Order of Leopold: London Gazette: 21 September 1917. Order of the Rising Sun: London Gazette: 10 October 1918. Colonel Edward Agar was born on 30 May 1859 in Bombay, India, the son of Major Edward Walter Agar, late Bombay Infantry, and Eliza Agar (née Cordelia). Educated at Cheltenham College between August 1870-76, during which time he won numerous academic prizes. He attended the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, between 1876-78, where he ‘passed in’ First in order of merit, and ‘passed out’ First Engineer, having won the Pollock Gold Medal and Prizes for Mathematics and Mechanics, German, Spanish, and Italian. He joined the Royal Engineers in 1877, being promoted to Captain in 1888, Major in 1896, Lieutenant-Colonel in 1903, and Colonel in 1908. He passed staff college in 1886, qualified in German as a voluntary subject and in Russian as an extra subject, and served subsequently as Staff Captain (Intelligence), Headquarters of Army, 1891-94; Deputy-Assistant Adjutant-General (Intelligence), Headquarters of Army, 1894-96. Agar served in the Boer War of 1900-02, in command of the 26th Company, Royal Engineers, and took part in the operations in the Orange River Colony, and in the Transvaal (for which he was mentioned in despatches). According to the book ‘Spies in Uniform’ by Matthew S. Seligmann, Agar was apparently considered for the role of military attaché in Berlin in May 1903 (this a quite typical ‘cover’ position for an Intelligence Officer within an embassy). Unfortunately, at this stage in the early development of British Intelligence, officers were expected to be of sufficient private ‘means’ to self-fund, and to pay for their own accommodation and often quite lavish lifestyle. Despite being considered ‘a very cheery little fellow’ who had ‘quite nice manners…and the necessary tact and discretion’ for a sensitive post, in his case (and at this time) Agar was not considered to be wealthy enough, despite his merits as an individual [this would begin to change during and after WWI]. Consequently, he was chosen very soon after to serve abroad on attachment to the Japanese Army in Manchuria between July and September 1905, during the Russo-Japanese War. No doubt serving in an intelligence capacity, he was the author of a report on Russian and Japanese Field Defences (for which he received the Japanese War Medal and 3rd class Order of Sacred Treasure). This aspect of his service, in particular, is well worthy of further research. Colonel Agar retired in 1911 but was then recalled in 1914 to serve as a General Staff Officer, First Class (G.S.O.1) at the War Office between 1914 and 17. Between 1917 and 20 he was Colonel in charge of records, Royal Engineers (Transport Section), and in the years after the war, Colonel Agar served as British Representative on the Dano-German Boundary Commission 1920-21, by which the Duchy of Slesvig was returned to the Danish Crown. Colonel Agar died in France on 28 October 1930. Sold with a quantity of research including copy M.I.C. which confirms entitlement to British War Medal only (Theatre of War: Western Europe ‘A’; qualifying date, 24 September 1917), gazette entries and other related material. Ex DNW, 17 September 2009, lot 1259

Transport Medal, 1899-1902, single clasp, China 1900 (W. F. McIntosh.); attractively toned, minor rim flaw, otherwise extremely fine W. F. McIntosh is confirmed upon the Transport medal roll as having served as Chief Engineer aboard the S.S. Haiching (owned by the Douglas Steamship Company of Hong Kong). This ship had an eventful career at sea, seeing service during the China Campaign of 1900, and later being attacked by pirates and set on fire in 1929. After a refit it was requisitioned for WW2 service, and was torpedoed by German submarine U-168 on 2 October 1943, in the seas off Bombay, India. The ship was sunk, with 12 casualties from the 70 persons on board.

*Cherry Medal, 1900-1904, in silvered bronze, with silver top bar and reverse brooch pin, and additional silver bar, unnamed as issued, attractively toned, good extremely fine, lustrous and scarce  As explained in the article ‘The Cherry Medal’ by Margaret Aldred (which uses this medal offered here as its illustration), this medal has a curious history and background as an ‘in joke’. The story begins with the man after whom the medal is named – Captain George Henry Cherry, R.N.. Having joined the Royal Navy at the age of just 14, he was raised in the ‘hard days of sail when the discipline was iron, and had to be’. As a result, he was well-known for his discipline, pedantry, and blind adherence to naval regulations.  With the commissioning of H.M.S. Argonaut in 1900, Captain Cherry was placed in command for service on the China Station between August 1900 and January 1904, where the Argonaut acted only as a Guard ship (thus depriving the officers and crew of any chance of prize money). The returning officers, regaling their family and wives of their boredom, frustration and hardships during a tea party at Plymouth, were told that they really did ‘deserve a medal’ for putting up with serving under an martinet for nearly four years. In that moment, the Cherry Medal’ was born, and while it initially was only going to be awarded to the 5 officers who had served for the duration of the voyage, such was the demand that it was later decided that even those who had served for 6 months deserved a medal nonetheless. To that end, 100 such medals were designed and commissioned through the firm Gamages at a cost of 11s 6d each. It is argued that the additional bar reflects either a full year of service or one instance of ‘logging’ as noted in Aldred’s article (perhaps a typo for flogging?), but this is not formally recorded. Even those who had not served under Cherry on the Argonaut, but had served under him later were keen to obtain their own example of the medal when they heard about it (including Admiral Lord Fisher).  For a time the medal, the joke, and Captain Cherry, the man, became legendary in Naval circles, and even the King, George VI accepted a medal for his own collection. Coming full circle, an example was finally offered to Captain Cherry after WWI, when he, at last breaking with regulations, accepted this unofficial medal.

An Intriguing Great War LSGC Group of 5 awarded to Petty Officer Edward Thompson, R.N., who was aboard H.M.S. Clan McNaughton when she was lost under mysterious and still unexplained circumstances on 3 February 1915, possibly owing to a mine, or possibly having sunk in high seas in the North Atlantic, with the loss of all hands, comprising: 1914-15 Star (181978, E. Thompson, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (181978 E. Thompson. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (181978. Edward Thompson, P.O., H.M.S. Blonde.); Also offered with Royal Humane Society Medal For Proficiency in Swimming Exercise, in silver (Edward Thompson. / H.M.S. Caledonia 1895); Medals group swing-mounted on card, tiny verdigris spot to third, generally good very fine (5) Petty Officer Edward Thompson was born on 3 November 1878 at Newcastle-Upon-Tyne, and he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 3 November 1896. Moving steadily through the ranks, he reached the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1 March 1901, and Petty Officer 1st Class on 1 April 1903. Still serving in the Royal Navy upon the outbreak of war in 1914, he went aboard H.M.S. Clan McNaughton on 11 December 1914, and was still serving aboard the ship when she disappeared on 3 February 1915. Traces of wreckage were found in the vicinity of her last radio contact with Liverpool, but nothing was found which could confirm her sinking. It has been suggested that this ship (a requisitioned pre-war merchant vessel) had been made top-heavy through the addition of a number of deck guns, and also, it has been argued that she was given a hastily put together crew including many inexperienced hands. He was the husband of Mrs. L. E. Thompson, of 25 Maple Street, Sheerness-on-Sea, and his name is remembered at the Chatham Naval Memorial.

A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ Casualty Pair awarded to Corporal Roger Jones, 1st/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 15 August 1915, having only arrived just one week earlier at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The 1st/4th Cheshires suffered extremely heavy casualties in this campaign, being reduced to 15% of their original strength by December that year, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (1484 Cpl. R. Jones. Ches. R.); Medals loose, toned, about extremely fine (2) Corporal Roger Jones, of St. Matthew’s, Birkenhead, arrived with the 1st/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, at Suvla Bay on the 8th / 9th of August, 1915, where his battalion soon afterwards suffered very heavy losses. Just 6 or 7 days later, his battalion had already considered his ‘death accepted’ on the 15th of August as shown on his medal index card. He was later buried at the Green Hill Cemetery.

Victory Medal, 1914-1919 (41581 Pte. F. Greaves. Norf. R.); and National Fire Brigades Association Long Service Medal, in silver, with three silver clasps of ‘Five Years’, and ‘sterling’ silver top bar of ‘Twenty Years’ with reverse brooch pin, reverse engraved ‘C.C.F.B. Foreman R. Williams’, '1763' impressed upon edge, bearing hallmarks for Birmingham dated 1918; the first toned very fine, the second, good very fine with obverse edge knock and minor rim nicks (2)

A Great War Pair to Private Samuel Gaul, Royal Marines, who appears to have attested for service in 1917 at the age of 51, having previously served for six years in the Royal Navy in the 1880’s, and despite having previously been sentenced to 5 years’ penal servitude for striking an officer, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (Deal 11270-A- Pte. S. Gaul. R.M.); With an apparently unrelated Victory Medal (8987 Cpl. S. Davenport. Lan. Fus.); Generally extremely fine (3) Research appears to confirm the recipient as Samuel Gaul, born 30 September 1867 at Longsight, Lancaster. He attested for service in the R.N. as Boy 2nd Class in early 1883. Having been promoted to Leading Seaman in 1888, the following year he was court martialled and sentenced to 5 years at Wormwood Scrubs for striking a superior officer. It appears that he attested for WWI service, with a new number, in 1917, with the Royal Marines. Also offered with some research, and unrelated documents to Pte Charles William Daniel, Middlesex Regiment.

Two Great War 1914-15 Trios to the Royal Marine Light Infantry (2), comprising: 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal (PO.15033, Pte. H. J. Flannigan, R.M.L.I.) and (Ply.12056 Pte. F. R. Arkell); the first swing-mounted on bar as worn, the second group loose, all with original ribbons, minor edge bruises in places, generally very fine or better (6)

An Interesting Victory Medal and Mappin & Webb ‘Tug of War’ 1919 Prize Medal Pair to Private A Sartain, C. Coy, 16th Tank Battalion, late R.A., with two other Victory Medals, comprising: Victory Medal, 1914-1919 (144693 Gnr. A. Sartain. R.A.) with original cased Mappin & Webb bronze prize medal, 45mm width, standing figure of Victory right, rev., ‘Rhine Army Athletic Championship – Pte. A. Sartain, C. Coy, 16th Tank Batt. Tug of War, 1919, Germany; with other Victory Medals (2) to (133779 Pte H. J. Windebank. M.G.C.) and (211251. 1.A.M. E. Drage. R.A.F.); good very fine to extremely fine (4)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals and Pairs to the Royal Navy, comprising: 1914-15 Star (K.2946, A. G. Morgan, Sto. 1., R.N.); British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (2) (L.8530 A. J. Sim. O.S.2 R.N.) and (K.37858 G. Prior. STo. 1 R.N.); with discoloured original ribbons, some light marks, generally good very fine (5)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals, comprising: 1914 Star (6745 Pte J. Gorman. R. Ir. Regt.); British War and Victory Medal Pair (42778 Pte. H. W. Baker. R. Ir. Rif.) entitled to pair only; British War Medal (51709 Pte. A. Meiklejohn. R. Scots.) entitled SWB for wounds; Victory Medals (2) (52984 Pte. J. Arnott. Sco. Rif.) and (28053 Pte. H. H. Mc Nabb. R. W. Fus.); generally good very fine or better (6)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals of London Interest, comprising: 1914-15 Star and British War Medal Pair (1339. Pte. W. Docwra. Middx. R.); British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (4) to: (4854 Pte. A. Evans. 1-Lond) and (5055 Pte. E. A. R. Blackburn. 20-Lond. R.) with matching privately named and correctly numbered SWB (157856) for wounds; and (J-799 Pte. N. Lehmann. R. Fus.) and (36221 Pte. E. G. Johnson. R. Fus.); British War Medals (2) (376040 Pte. F. W. Smith. 8-Lond. R.) and (7835 Pte. J. Warner. 13-Lond. R.); Victory Medal (5303 Pte. C. Ablewhite. 9-Lond.R); a mixed lot, about very fine to extremely fine (13)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals, comprising: British War Medal and Victory Medal Pair to (39777 Pte. C. Newman. The Queen’s R.); British War Medals (205345 Pte. C. G. S. Oliver. Hamps. R.) and (203802 Sjt. W. Davis. Dorset. R.) and (21801 Pte. W. A. Fleming. E. Surr. R.); Victory Medals (2) to (A-204530 Pte. R. A. Willis. K. R. Rif. C.) and (1982 Pte. R. E. Ford. R. Wilts. Yeo.); generally very fine to extremely fine (7)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals, comprising: 1914-15 Trio to (13927 Pte. W. H. Franklin. Essex. R.) swing mounted on bar; British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (3) to (16998 Pte. W. Warner. Essex. R.) and (15728 Sjt. J. R. Stannard. Suff. R.) and (33695 Pte. P. Patchesa. Bedf. R.); 1914-15 Star (4-7354 Pte C. W. Topper. Bedf: R.); British War Medal (22427 Pte. A. J. Crisp. E. Kent R.); Victory Medal (22940 Pte. A. Wilson. Norf. R.); generally very fine to extremely fine (12)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals to the Royal Artillery and Army Service Corps, comprising: 1914 Trio to (M1-01927 Pte. G. Lewis. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Trio to (1004 Gnr. J. C. Durrant. R.A.) with 4 identity tags; British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (5) to (M-205842 Pte. S. R. Smith A.S.C.) and (S2-018349 Pte. F. Richardson. A.S.C.) and (T4-045382 Cpl. W. Dickenson. A.S.C.) and (178833 Gnr. J. Brambley. R.A.) and (L-40609 Dvr. B. S. Howard. R.A.); British War Medal (SS-4280 Pte. S. Knibbs. A.S.C.); Victory Medal (T4-234622 Dvr. R. A. Simmons. A.S.C.); generally very fine to extremely fine (18)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals to the Royal Engineers and Others, comprising: 1914-15 Star Trios (2) to (3350 Pnr. E. T. Rhodes. R.E.) and (59186 Spr. T. A. Frost. R.E.); 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal Pair to (116628 Pnr. E. Bazley. R.E.); British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (3) to (237656 Pnr. A. F. Platten. R.E.) and (22094 Spr. G. W. Mowe. R.E.) and (P-1753 L.Cpl. E. Dalmon. M.F.P.); British War Medal (112204 Pte. R. Thomson. R.A.M.C.); a little surface verdigris to first group, otherwise lot generally very fine to extremely fine (15)

Miscellaneous Great War Medals, comprising: 1914-15 Star Trio to (10857 Pte. W. Wood. York. R.); 1914-15 Star and Victory Medal Pair to (2535 Pte. W. Lloyd, Lan. Fus.); British War Medal and Victory Medal Pairs (3) to (51155 Pte. E. Armond Manch. R.) and (64450 Pte. E. O’Brien. Manch. R.) and (202484 Pte. H. L. Dodd. North’n. R.); British War Medal (41367 Pte L. Hejno. E. York. R.); Victory Medal (39300 Pte. J. Hammond. North’n. R.); with erased and renamed 1914-15 Star to (564 Pte. H. Storey. Linc. R.); generally very fine to extremely fine (14)

A Great War and WW2 L.S.G.C. Group of 5 awarded to Stoker 1st Class Joseph Pritchard, Royal Navy, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (K.28075 J. Pritchard. Sto. 1. R.N.); Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.V.R., 2nd non-swivel type suspension (K.28075 J. Pritchard. Sto. 1. H.M.S. Marlborough.); These first three swing-mounted, but also offered with: Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945; Also offered with erased and renamed 1914-15 Star (not entitled) and identity disc, apparently made from a Naval General Service Medal, impressed ‘J. Pritchard Sto. R.N. C/K28075 C. Of. E.’; The first with loose suspension claw and heavy edge knock, other edge bruises and surface marks, generally good fine to about very fine (7) Stoker 1st Class Joseph Pritchard was born on 11 July 1893 at Holyhead, Anglesea, having previously worked as a Seaman. He joined the Royal Navy on 4 September 1915, and after some initial training with shore establishments, he saw service abaord H.M.S. Inflexible between 24 May 1917 and 31 March 1920. After WWI he continued to serve in the Royal Navy until September 1927 upon completion of 12 years’ service. His service documents indicate that he returned to the Royal Navy in January 1929, and he continued to serve for a number of years, including during WW2 at H.M.S. Cormorant, a shore establishment in Gibraltar – apparently serving aboard H.M.Y. Rosabelle while stationed there. This vessel was later sunk by a German U-Boat.

An Interesting Great War and WW2 ‘M.i.D.’ Family Group, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C. C. Birch); With: Mercantile Marine Medal and Victory Medals (Robert B. Scarrow); both pairs offered with original ribbons, O.H.M.S. envelopes; the second also with transmission documents; also offered with WW2 M.i.D. letter & emblems to Capt. G. D. Scarrow, R.A.M.C., for gallant conduct in North West Europe (London Gazette: 10.05.1945) whilst believed to have been on detachment with the Lothian and Border Horse at Walcheren; Medals toned, good extremely fine (6) The above recipients appear to have been from Formby, Liverpool, and Workington, respectively.

*British North Borneo Company’s General Service Medal, 1937-1941, ‘service’ type, 39mm width, with original ribbon, with contemporary brooch pin for wear by ‘Spink & Son Ltd, 5 King Street, SW1’, apparently a rare, unnamed original issue, once lightly polished with some hairlines, extremely fine and rare

India General Service, 1936-1939, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (7670 Hav. Jan Mohd., 4-12 F.F.R.); India Service Medal, 1939-1945, unnamed as issued; Indian Long Service and Good Conduct, G.VI.R. (14869 Nk. Sher Muhammad, Bengal S&M); Pakistan Independence Medal, 1947 (3037782 Sep Ghulam Mohd 8 Punjab R.); Pakistan Republic Medal, 1956, unnamed as issued; generally good very fine or better (5)

A WW2 ‘Siege of Malta’ Group of 6 awarded to Bombardier Eric Mark Robertson, 68th (North Midland) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, comprising: 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial type (854106 Bmbr. E. M. Robertson. R.A.;); Also offered with Royal Life Saving Society ‘silver’ award of merit medal (E. Robertson 1943) with cloth patch, another swimming medal, engraved to reverse (68th H.A.A. Regt. R.A. Life Saving), an earlier lifesaving award, dated June 1931, and cloth patch bearing a maltese cross, and riband bar; medals good very fine (12) Bombardier Eric Mark Robertson, of 312 Brighton Road, Alvaston, Derby, was born on 8 April 1918, and worked as an Engineer’s Apprentice prior to his enlistment into the Royal Artillery at Derby on 2 March 1936. Serving in the Royal Artillery in WW2 in Malta (as suggested by his pay book, and by his life saving award). Given the mention of the 68th (North Midland) Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.A., which recruited men from Derby and Birmingham, it is likely that the recipient fought during the Siege of Malta between 1940 and 1942. His papers suggest that he was discharged from further service on 17 January 1946.

A Quantity of Miscellaneous WW2 Campaign Medals, comprising: 1939-1945 Star (3); Air Crew Europe Star – this a good quality reproduction; Africa Star (3); Pacific Star; Italy Star (3); France and Germany Star; Defence Medal (3); War Medal (4); mostly very fine to extremely fine, many with original ribbons (20)

A G.S.M. Malaya and G.S.M. Borneo L.S.G.C. Pair awarded to Staff-Sergeant Durjadhan Rai, Gurkha Engineers, comprising: General Service Medal, 1918-62, G.VI.R., single clasp, Malaya (21132259 Spr. Durjadhan Rai R E Gur); General Service Medal, 1962-2007, E.II.R., single clasp, Borneo (21132259 Sgt. Durjadhan Rai. Gurkha Engrs.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.II.R., Regular Army type (21132259 S. Sgt. Durjadhan Rai. Gurkha Engrs.); Medals loose, suspension just slightly slack to last, minor edge bruises in places, otherwise very fine or better (3) Ex Shaw Collection pt. III, D.N.W., 19 June 2013

General Service Medals (2) – General Service Medal, 1918-62, G.VI.R., single clasp Malaya (Cey-18036475 Pte. S. B. L. Haniffa. R.P.C.); and General Service Medal, 1962-2007, single clasp, Borneo (23829998 Pte. C. Cooper. RPC.); minor edge knock to second, otherwise about extremely fine (2)

General Service Medals (2) – General Service Medal, 1918-62 , G.VI.R., single clasp, Malaya (T/19035643 Dvr. J. H. Colclough. RASC.); and General Service Medal, 1918-62 , E.II.R., single clasp, Malaya (23054085 Cfn. P. W. Shambrook. R.E.M.E.), minor rim nicks to first, the second once polished, very fine to good very fine (2)

General Service Medal, 1962-2007, single clasp, Borneo (22943694 Rfn. J. Webb. 1 Green Jackets.); toned, good extremely fine

A Double G.S.M. Pair awarded to Rifleman H. G. Smith, 1st Battalion, Green Jackets, comprising: General Service Medal, 1918-62, E.II.R., single clasp, Brunei (23708554 Rfn. H. G. Smith. 1 Green Jackets.); General Service Medal, 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula (23708554 Rfn. H. G. Smith. 1 Green Jackets.), second clasp with unofficial rivet bar; Pair swing-mounted on bar with reverse brooch pin, and offered with original Royal Mint card box, light hairlines, uneven tone, otherwise about extremely fine (2)

*Shanghai Volunteer Corps Long Service Medal, 1921-1941, in silver, bearing hallmarks upon rim for Birmingham dated 1928 [maker appears to be ‘A.F.’ – Arthur Fenwick Ltd.], reverse engraved (Private G. Dunlop), with additional engraved dates ‘Act. 1913-22’ and ‘1927-1928’ for periods of active service, extremely fine, and rare

Colonial Police Long Service Medals (2): Colonial Police Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Police Constable 3082 Gul Nawaz), privately engraved in upright capitals; and Colonial Police Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (Corporal 3189 Musamar Khan Hong Kong), privately named in upright capitals; both polished, otherwise good very fine (2)

General Service Medal, 1962-2007, single clasp, Northern Ireland (Capt. J.B. Johnstone UDR.); with original named box of issue, once lightly polished, now toned, extremely fine Captain John Brett Johnstone, was promoted by emergency commission from Private to Lieutenant with the Indian Army on 19 December 1941, with whom he apparently saw WW2 service. On 25 April 1972, he was appointed Captain with the Ulster Defence Regiment, with seniority 26th December 1968. He appears to have served in 3rd (County Down) Battalion, U.D.R., who were based at Ballykinler, as it was from this battalion that he resigned his commission on 31 December 1975.

*The Impressive and Extremely Rare Northern Ireland D.C.M. and B.E.M. Group of Four awarded to Staff Sergeant Michael Rattigan, “A” Company, 3rd Battalion, The Royal Green Jackets, for ‘leadership in difficult situations’ and gallantry under fire shown over the course of three separate incidents –all of which took place in Belfast during the very height of ‘The Troubles’ in Northern Ireland in 1972. In the first incident, as part of a dangerous foot patrol in the Beechmount area of Belfast on 28 November 1972, accurate sniper fire had mortally wounded his Section Commander, whereupon Rattigan took control of the situation, saw that medical assistance was given, and then manoeuvred his unit into safety from an extremely exposed position before pursuing the gunman. The second involved his actions in a gun battle with two gunmen on Locan Street, and the final incident concerned his astute identification and apprehension of an armed gunman at a bus stop on Springfield Road, who later was proved to be part of an ‘assassination squad’. His citation concludes that he was ‘first class’ in his dealings with the local population, and was seen as a ‘tough, able, but also reasonable and courteous N.C.O.’, comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd Issue (23738257 A/Cpl. M. Rattigan, R.G.J.); British Empire Medal (Military) E.II.R. (23738257 SSgt. Michael Rattigan, DCM. RGJ.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23738257 Cpl. M. Rattigan RGJ.); Sultanate of Oman, 10th Anniversary Medal; Group court-mounted on bar as worn, also offered with three original letters of congratulation regarding the award of the D.C.M., another concerning his B.E.M., and a photograph of the recipient, extremely fine and very rare (4) D.C.M.: London Gazette: 24 July, 1973 - “On the afternoon of 28 August 1972 LCpl Rattigan was a member of a foot patrol in the Beechmount area of Belfast. Beechmount Avenue is notoriously dangerous as it gives gunmen and snipers long fields of fire and easy escape routes. At 1530 hours the patrol reached Beechmount Avenue and split up; one section moved on across the Avenue and up Beechmount Grove; the other carried on along the Avenue prior to taking up a parallel route up Beechmount Pass.” “At this stage LCpl Rattigan’s Section Commander stopped and searched a passer by. He was about to release him when six high velocity shots were fired at the patrol from the western end of Beechmount Avenue. The patrol returned fire and, under the direction of the Platoon Commander began to manoeuvre out of their extremely exposed position on the Avenue and into the building site. The Section Commander (Cpl. Ian R. Morill) had been fatally wounded in this first burst of fire. As soon as he realised this, and saw that the Section Commander was being given such medical assistance as was possible, LCpl Rattigan immediately took over command of the section, nominated a Rifleman as his second in command, and supervised the move to better fire positions. In order to locate the gunmen and to improve individual fire positions LCpl Rattigan exposed himself to fire several times. He acted decisively and with considerable courage throughout this incident and commanded his section with skill in the ensuing hot pursuit.” “Later that same day, at 2230 hrs, he was on patrol in Locan Street. Two gunmen were seen at the top of St. Mary’s Practising Primary School. Under his direction the section sniper fired two shots at the gunmen. Eight shots were immediately returned. Throughout the gun battle which followed LCpl Rattigan kept a very firm grip on his section and gave excellent fire control orders.” “On the afternoon of 22 October LCpl Rattigan (by now promoted to Cpl) was on a mobile patrol on the Springfield Road when he noticed three men standing by a bus stop. He thought there was something suspicious about them and decided to investigate. The first man he searched, a Protestant, was found to be carrying a loaded Luger pistol with a round up the breach. One of the other men was a Catholic. These men were subsequently screened and the Protestant duly charged. It seems likely that he was the gunman of an assassination squad and the Catholic was his intended victim who owes his life to Cpl Rattigan’s alertness.” “These three incidents typify Cpl Rattigan’s success as a section commander. But in addition to specific acts of leadership in difficult and dangerous situations Cpl Rattigan was first class in his dealings with the local population. As a result he was held in very high regard as a tough, able but also reasonable and courteous N.C.O. by both the Catholic and Protestant communities in his platoon and section area on the Lower Woodvale interface.” “Cpl Rattigan’s all round performance throughout the four month operational tour in Belfast has been outstanding.” B.E.M. (Military): London Gazette: 31 December, 1985, for services in training the Sultan of Oman’s Land Forces. Staff Sergeant Michael ‘Mick’ Rattigan D.C.M. B.E.M. (1945-2008) served in Northern Ireland with 3 R.G.J., as part of 2 Platoon, ‘A’ Company. As described in the detailed citation above, he was awarded the D.C.M. for his leadership and bravery under fire over a period of roughly 3 months. During this time he saw service during what was arguably the most dangerous period of ‘The Troubles’ in late 1972, where he took over the position as Section Commander immediately after the fatal shooting of Corporal Ian Morill of 3 R.G.J. He continued to serve with the Royal Green Jackets for a further 13 years, later playing a part in the training of the Sultan of Oman’s Land Forces, for which he was awarded a B.E.M. in 1985 – the year of his final discharge. He died on 21 May, 2008, and was buried at Folkestone, Kent. Sixteen D.C.M.’s were awarded for service in Northern Ireland in the period 1972-92 – this D.C.M. being one of just two awarded to the Royal Green Jackets for Northern Ireland (the other awarded to Cpl. T.W. Thomson in 1972). Ex DNW, 5 December 1995