A New Zealand Long Service Group of 10 awarded to Warrant Officer 2nd Class Laurence Charles Collier, Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps, late Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment and R.N.A.S.C., who served with 161 Battery R.N.Z.A.O.C. in Vietnam, comprising: New Zealand Operational Service, 2002 (211271 Collier L.C.); United Nations Korea, 1950-53 (211271 L/Cpl L. C. Collier), Korea clasp loosely attached on ribbon; New Zealand General Service, 1992 (Non-Warlike), single clasp, Korea 1954-57 (211271 Lcpl L C Colleir [sic] RNZASC); General Service Medal, 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula (112171 Pte Collier L. C. RNZIR.); Vietnam, 1964-73 (211271 Cpl L C Collier RNZAOC); New Zealand General Service, 1992 (Warlike), single clasp, Vietnam (211271 Cpl LC Collier RNZAOC); Replacement New Zealand Army Long Service and Good Conduct, E.II.R. (WO2 L C CollierS211271 RNZAOC), erasure to ‘R’ after naming details; Erased New Zealand Defence Service, 2011, ‘Regular’ type, edge skimmed; Malaysia, Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, 2005; South Vietnam Campaign Medal, 1964-72, with clasp 1960; Group court-mounted for display, lightly polished, about extremely fine, a large modern campaign group and undoubtedly a scarce combination (10). The New Zealand War Memorial Museum website appears to give the recipient’s birthdate at 17 January 1929, and confirms that he had served in the Borneo Confrontation of 1963-66, and then in the Vietnam War in 1964-5 as a Corporal in 161 Battery, RNZAOC. Offered with small cloth badge, metal-framed riband bar for two medals, and a cap badge.
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Miscellaneous: Family Medals (4), comprising British War and Victory (224700 Gnr. F.W. Burdon. R.A.) and Imperial Service Medal, Elizabeth II (Frederick William Burdon), with Army Long Service and Good Conduct, Edward VII (21362 Q.M. Sjt. F. Burden.[sic] R.E.), good very fine and better, I.S.M. in case of issue; and coins etc. (18), including a large Ptolemaic bronze, very good, a gold fanam of Travancore and a copper token penny of Bristol, 1811, both good very fine and sundry English silver, 1897-1911, circulated (22)
Lifesaving: France, Société Générale Des Naufrages, gilt metal, 36mm width, with ring suspension (P.O. J. Dennett. Esq. Director General Britt. Sec.); engraved in upright capitals, very fine. John Dennett (1790-1852) of Newport, Isle of Wight, developed a shore-to-ship line-carrying rocket in 1826-7. Along with many other rockets at that time, used variously for military and naval use (most famously developed by William Congreve), or for whaling harpoons and life-saving, John Dennett’s life-saving rocket also became popular at that time. Developed just four years later than Congreve’s version, Dennett’s rocket was demonstrated with much success before Army and Naval officers and the local Coast Guard. They were taken up and installed at 3 local Coast Guard stations, and soon after in 1832 they were instrumental in the rescue of nineteen men from the wreck of the merchant ship Bainbridge, which won Dennett a major government contract and an enhanced reputation (‘Rockets and Missiles’ by Van Riper, refers). Twenty years later, over 120 Coast Guard stations were equipped with Dennett’s Rocket Apparatus, and many were sent abroad. The Numismatic Chronicle of 1841 records his award of the bronze medal of the Société Général Des Naufrages (known in Britain as ‘The International Shipwreck Society’), for his role as Director General of the British Section. Whether this medal is this same bronze award, or a later award of a higher class (given that it is gilt) is as yet unconfirmed.
The Great War ‘Double Submarine Action’ D.S.M. Group of 4 awarded to Seaman William Bond, Royal Naval Reserve. Having already played a part in the sinking of U-14 on 5 June 1915, he was later awarded the D.S.M. for distinguished service aboard H.M. Trawler Lemberg during an action against the German submarine U-28 on the Mediterranean Station near Malta. Having personally taken charge of the ship’s gun some weeks before, it was largely due to his good shooting that an enemy U-boat was kept away despite 4 separate attacks. The same enemy U-Boat had already torpedoed and sunk the S.S. West Wales on the same day of 21 January, 1918, comprising: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (A.6068. W. Bond, Sea. R.N.R. Lemberg. 1918.); 1914-15 Star (A, 6068, W. Bond, Smn., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (6068 A. W. Bond. Smn. R.N.R.); Group loose, toned, very fine or better. With an associated pair: British War and Victory Medals (179574 Gnr. J. E. Birkinshaw. R.A.); and Silver War Badge (B319948); very fine (7). D.S.M.: London Gazette: 11 December 1918 – ‘for services on the Mediterranean Station between the 1st January and 30th June, 1918’ (Malta).’ Seaman William Bond was born on 6 September 1892, the son of William and Mary Bond of 21 Rhyl Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire. He enlisted for service with the Royal Naval Reserve on 23 September 1914 at Fleetwood. He served in 1914-15 with various boats and armed trawlers, including the ships Defiance, Columbine, and Zaria. With the last, the armed trawler Zaria (or Limewold), he was later awarded prize money for jointly sinking the German submarine U-14 on 5 June 1915 (London Gazette 21 December 1920), although further detail is hard to locate. He continued aboard the Egmont from 14 December 1915, before coming aboard H.M.T. Lemberg on 1 April 1917. During this period, his ship engaged a German U-Boat, U-28, and at which time he was in charge of the ship’s gun, owing to the sickness of the usual gunnery officer. The official citation for his D.S.M., as included with lot, reads as follows: ‘On 21st January, 1918, H.M.T. “Lemberg” was in action with a hostile submarine whilst standing by S.S. “West Wales” after the latter had been torpedoed. The submarine attacked “H.M.T. Lemberg” on four occasions between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. at extreme range. Bond was in charge of the gun in “H.M.T. Lemberg” throughout the action and his good shooting was to a large extent responsible for keeping the submarine at a distance.’ He later joined H.M.S. Research in December 1918, before his eventual discharge in April 1919, upon which he appears to have joined, or perhaps re-joined, the merchant navy. This lot offered with original ‘The Gift of the Colonies of Trinidad, Grenada and St Lucia’ Chocolate Tin, and several original photographs and pieces of official documentation. In one picture, dated 1933, he is pictured meeting H.R.H. Prince George the Duke of Kent, on the occasion of Fleetwood being made a Borough.
An Impressive Great War ‘Trench Raid’ D.C.M. and M.M. Group of 5 awarded to Private John Jenkins, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, comprising: Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (16551 Pte J. Jenkins: 1/ G. Gds:); Military Medal, G.V.R. (16551 Pte J. Jenkins. 1/ G. Gds:); 1914-15 Star (16551 Pte J. Jenkins. G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (16551 Pte: J. Jenkins. G. Gds.); Group court mounted for wear, reverse pin now lacking, with three named identity tags, obverse to each medal highly polished as is typical of many guards groups, light contact marks, otherwise a proudly worn fair to fine / very fine (8). D.C.M.: London Gazette: 5 December 1918 – ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When a strong bombing party of the enemy worked down a trench, endangering the leading companies’ communications, this man collected some men and initiated a counter-attack, driving them back and capturing two light machine guns, and then put up a block. He showed fine initiative and powers of leadership.’ M.M.: London Gazette: 11 February 1919 – ‘for bravery in the Field’. Private John Jenkins, 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, of Kettlebrook, Tamworth, had previously worked as a Collier prior to his enlistment. He arrived with his battalion on the Western Front on 16 March 1915, where he would remain until the end of the war, earning the D.C.M. and M.M. in the process. His name appeared in the Tamworth Herald of Saturday 4 January, 1919 as follows: “KETTLEBROOK MEDALIST: Private John Jenkins, 1st Grenadier Guards, son of Mr. J. Jenkins, 27 Orchard Street, Kettlebrook, has won the Military Medal in addition to the Distinguished Conduct Medal. He has also been mentioned in despatches, and recommended for further decoration. He served in France for four years.” Whether this recommendation for ‘further decoration’ relates to the Victoria Cross, or an additional D.C.M. or M.M. is as yet unknown and unconfirmed. This worthy of further research. Also offered with 14 related photographs and postcards of the recipient and of the Grenadier Guards, with original citation and letter from St James’s Palace regarding service at the British Empire Exhibition of 1924. He was discharged on 24 June 1925, and received a bounty of £20 for his D.C.M. award. He married Martha Lily Smith, of Lambeth, on 17 April 1928. Also offered with folder of detailed related research.
Miniatures: Admiral Gordon Campbell’s original Great War period Victoria Cross and triple D.S.O. Miniature Group of Seven and other items (see below) personally presented by the Admiral to Dorothy Isobel Mackay Houston, his literary assistant and close friend, comprising: Victoria Cross, in bronze; D.S.O., G.V.R., silver gilt, with two bars; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal, with 6 unofficial silver clasps, Home Seas 1914, Home Seas 1915, Home Seas 1916, Home Seas 1917, Home Seas 1918, “Q-Ships”; Victory medal; France, Légion d’Honneur, Officer’s breast badge in gilt and enamels, with rosette upon ribbon; France, Croix de Guerre with palm, 1914-1918, mounted on bar with reverse brooch-pin, extremely fine, in Spink & Son case. The lot is offered with the following additional items: A metal brooch-mounted V.C. and D.S.O. riband bar, with miniature Victoria Cross emblem on its original 1917 blue ribbon and rosette on D.S.O. ribbon to denote a first bar; A cloth riband bar with miniature Victoria Cross emblem (now loose) upon post-1917 standardised V.C. ribbon, with two rosettes on D.S.O. ribbon to denote first and second bars; An original silver print portrait photograph of Gordon Campbell in uniform, 200 x 150mm, signed both by the recipient and by the Royal photographer Hay Wrightson (1874-1949), of 41 New Bond Street, London, with details to reverse (the portrait as used as the frontispiece for Gordon Campbell’s My Mystery Ships, first published in 1928 and illustrated here as the header to lot 194). Two signed hardback copies of Gordon Campbell’s books A Son of the Sea and Captain Cook (both 1936), each bearing a personal manuscript dedication and thanks to ‘The Boatswain’ (then Miss D. I. Mackay Houston, later First Officer, W.R.N.S., who became Mrs Mackay-Mure) for her assistance with each book, also signed and dated by the recipient. A Son of the Sea additionally bears the printed dedication ‘To D.I.M.H.’, both volumes in good used condition. Four personal manuscript letters from Gordon Campbell to Miss Mackay-Houston, of which three are humorous and playful in nature (one dated 26 November 1939), and the fourth to ‘Beloved & respected Bos’n…’ containing heartfelt, personal advice, written on paper with Admiralty seal, undated, circa 1940. Copied documentation giving specific provenance information. Provenance: All the items in this lot were given personally by Vice-Admiral Gordon Campbell to Miss D.I. Mackay-Houston, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Bos’n’, who worked closely with him during his time as Member of Parliament for Burnley and who assisted him with the writing of several of his books. A graduate of the University of London, she became a First Officer with the W.R.N.S. in WW2, remaining a lifelong friend of the Rear-Admiral and his family. Gordon Campbell’s son David became Godfather to her daughter, Christina Jane Mackay-Mure. (7)
China, Republic, Beijing Government, Silver Medal of Merit, First Class, 1913, in silver and enamels, central characters in ancient script, plain reverse struck with maker’s mark of four Chinese characters, width 52.5mm, without upper laurel wreath suspension but on old ribbon, worn overall, with some losses to enamel which have been partly repaired in places, good fine
China, Republic, Nanking Government, Army, Navy and Air Force Medal, in silver, silver-gilt and enamels, impressed no. 6136, width 43.5mm, slightly bent at a couple of points, very fine, with suspension hook and ribbon; together with original brooch-mounted tunic riband impressed with matching number 6136 and fabric envelope of issue which is also numbered 6136 (lot)
China, Republic, National Catastrophe Relief Merit Medal, Fourth Class, in silvered base metal, silver and enamels, with central medallion depicting lion facing left, width 57mm, lacking star in upper arm and without ribbon, very fine or good very fine, in (slightly damaged) inscribed wooden box of issue
China, Republic, Warlords: Marshal Wu Pei Fu Military Academy Distinguished Qualification Medal for Technical Superiority, circa 1925, in silver-gilt and enamels, with photogravure portrait of the Marshal, rev., legend specifying the award (of which 5 varieties are known), width 51.5mm, good very fine, with original ribbon
Germany, A WWI Iron Cross and Silver Memorial Cup Pair with original citation card to Gottfried Stadler, 12 Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, killed in action at St Mihiel on 20 February 1916, comprising: Imperial, Iron Cross, 2nd Class, dated 1914, in silver and iron, with suspension ring; A named and engraved 800 silver Memorial Cup and original citation & photo card, engraved ‘Gottfried Stadler 20 Februar 1916’; Also offered with ‘Sterebild’ citation card & portrait picture, confirming the recipient as Gottfried Stadler, 12 Company, 19th Infantry Regiment, killed in action on 20 February 1916 at St. Mihiel, France, at the age of 22, a farmer’s son from Penzenried, medal toned, good very fine, cup somewhat unevenly toned, good very fine, and rare (2). Many such ‘Ehren Pokal’ cups were sold for their silver value during the 1920s in Germany. They are therefore scarce, particularly when offered with the original ‘Sterebild’ citation.
Germany, A WWI Iron Cross and Silver Memorial Cup Pair with original citation card to Sergeant Jungling Joseph Kraus, 3 Company, 6th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, killed in action by gas poisoning in Flanders on 26 October 1917, comprising: Imperial, Iron Cross, 2nd Class, dated 1914, in silver and iron, with ‘M’ or possibly ‘W’ (with another indeterminate mark) on suspension ring; A named and engraved 800 silver Memorial Cup and original citation & photo card, engraved ‘Jungling Joseph Kraus’; Also offered with ‘Sterebild’ citation card & portrait picture, confirming the recipient as Sergeant Joseph Kraus, 3 Company, 6th Bavarian Infantry Regiment, killed in action by gas poisoning in Flanders on 26 October 1917, at the age of 25, from Zachenberg, medal toned with a touch of surface rust, very fine, cup somewhat unevenly toned, good very fine, and rare (2). This example confirms the recipient’s entitlement both to the Iron Cross 2nd Class and to the Military Faithful Service Cross 3rd Class. See also footnote to preceding lot.
![Norway, Korea 1951-54, bronze medal, mint state [612 awarded]](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/6023ab30-38e3-4e14-bf59-a81f00cbf547/4f8c1862-c31f-4ce4-c0cd-0f2ead2c929c/468x382.jpg)
Austria, Gold Medal of Honour for English Cavalrymen, 1794 (Ehrenmedaille für Englische Kavalleristen), as awarded by the young Holy Roman Emperor Francis II in recognition of his personal rescue by eight Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies on 24 April 1794, by Johann Nepomuk Würth; obv., IMP. CAES. FRANCISCVS. II. P. F. AVG., bust of Emperor Francis II right, signed i.n. wirt. f. below truncation, rev., FORTI. BRITANNO. IN. EXERCITV. FOED. AD. CAMERACVM. XXIV. 24. APR. MDCCXCIV., crossed laurel sprays below, diameter 60mm, height (including suspension ring) 70mm, weight 136.75g (Montenuovo no.2296; Forrer, Biographical Dictionary of Medallists, Vol. 6, pp. 569-70, illustrated), fitted with a finely-made gold split-ring loop for suspension from a gold chain, a couple of rim knocks and with contact wear, generally very fine, extremely rare Only nine examples were struck on the instructions of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II (later to become Emperor Francis I of Austria and also known as the ‘Doppelkaiser’). The medal was created as a gallantry award and reward to the eight British Cavalry Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons who took part at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies and who rescued Francis from capture by the French, with one specimen being retained for the Imperial Cabinet of Vienna. The action, against greatly superior numbers, was later likened to that of ‘the renowned Black Prince at the hard fought battles of Cressy and Poictiers [sic]’, and the eight recipients to be honoured were: Lieut.-Col. William Aylett (in command), Captains Robert Pocklington and Edward Michael Ryan, Lieutenants Thomas Granby Calcraft, William Keir (as he was known at the time) and Charles Burrell Blount, and Cornets Edward Gerald Butler and Robert Thomas Wilson. All eight were also awarded the Military Order of Maria Theresa in 1800; see the following lot. The medals, weighing 40 ducats, were originally presented with substantial gold suspension chains for wearing. How many of the eight still survive is unknown but it is recorded that those to Cornet Butler and Captain Pocklington (ex Whitaker Collection) appeared in commerce in 1967 and 1968 respectively. Awarded to Major-General Sir William Keir Grant K.C.B., G.C.H., 6th Dragoon Guards, late 15th Light Dragoons, who became Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys. William Keir (later Keir Grant) was one of just eight Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons to receive the spectacular gold Ehrenmedaille für Englische Kavalleriste, expressly awarded by the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, for gallantry in saving him personally from capture by French forces at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies (which is variously spelled in historical records), near Cambrai, in 1794. As it so happened, Keir Grant was later to become the recipient of an equally rare honour – the Collar and insignia of the Order of the Lion and Sun of Persia - for commanding a major British military expedition to the ‘Pirate Coast’ on the south-eastern Persian Gulf. Having roundly defeated the enemy and pacified the pirate stronghold of Ras al-Khaimah, Keir Grant succeeded in securing an agreement with a number of important tribal leaders, leading to an historic Peace Treaty of 1820 which heralded local truces and the foundation of the Trucial Sheikhdoms as well as the abolition of the Slave Trade in the area. Modifications to the Treaty and a full revision many decades later, in 1892, contributed to an enhanced British presence in the Southern Gulf and important new relationships with the Trucial Sheikhdoms. A loose British Protectorate was to last until the gaining of their independence on 2 December 1970, in turn leading to the creation of the United Arab Emirates.
Austria, Imperial Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa, Knight’s breast badge, awarded in 1800, in gold and enamels, with suspension loop, 41mm (including suspension) x 28.5mm width, tiny chips to lower reverse points of cross and reverse enamel at central wreath, very fine. This award was conferred upon the eight recipients of the 1794 Villers-en-Cauchies gold medals (see preceding lot) on 7 November 1800 following a change in the statutes of the Order of Maria Theresa, allowing its award to foreigners for the first time. Permission to wear was granted by King George III and announced in the London Gazette, 2 June 1801. Together with the award came the title of Baron in Austria, considered equivalent to the award of the Knight Bachelor in Britain and in Europe. As one of the terms of this award, the Villers-en-Cauchies medal was no longer supposed to be worn although it was to be retained by the recipients. Awarded to Major-General Sir William Keir Grant K.C.B., G.C.H., 6th Dragoon Guards, late 15th Light Dragoons, who became Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys. William Keir (later Keir Grant) was one of just eight Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons to receive the spectacular gold Ehrenmedaille für Englische Kavalleriste, expressly awarded by the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, for gallantry in saving him personally from capture by French forces at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies (which is variously spelled in historical records), near Cambrai, in 1794. As it so happened, Keir Grant was later to become the recipient of an equally rare honour – the Collar and insignia of the Order of the Lion and Sun of Persia - for commanding a major British military expedition to the ‘Pirate Coast’ on the south-eastern Persian Gulf. Having roundly defeated the enemy and pacified the pirate stronghold of Ras al-Khaimah, Keir Grant succeeded in securing an agreement with a number of important tribal leaders, leading to an historic Peace Treaty of 1820 which heralded local truces and the foundation of the Trucial Sheikhdoms as well as the abolition of the Slave Trade in the area. Modifications to the Treaty and a full revision many decades later, in 1892, contributed to an enhanced British presence in the Southern Gulf and important new relationships with the Trucial Sheikhdoms. A loose British Protectorate was to last until the gaining of their independence on 2 December 1970, in turn leading to the creation of the United Arab Emirates.
Austria, Silver Medal of Archduke Karl Ludwig of Austria, 1843, officially impressed in serif capitals (will. freih. keir = grant), struck to commemorate 50 years of the Grand Cross of the Order of Maria Theresa, obv., bust of Archduke Karl Ludwig left, signed i.d. boehm f. on below truncation, KARL LUDWIG ERZHERZOG VON OESTERRICH, rev., Grand Cross badge of the Order of Maria Theresa at centre, wreath of oak leaves around, date MDCCCXLIII below ribbons, 52.5 mm (Montenuovo no.2607), small rim bruise and has been cleaned, about extremely fine. Awarded to Major-General Sir William Keir Grant K.C.B., G.C.H., 6th Dragoon Guards, late 15th Light Dragoons, who became Colonel of the Royal Scots Greys. William Keir (later Keir Grant) was one of just eight Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons to receive the spectacular gold Ehrenmedaille für Englische Kavalleriste, expressly awarded by the Holy Roman Emperor, Francis II, for gallantry in saving him personally from capture by French forces at the Battle of Villers-en-Cauchies (which is variously spelled in historical records), near Cambrai, in 1794. As it so happened, Keir Grant was later to become the recipient of an equally rare honour – the Collar and insignia of the Order of the Lion and Sun of Persia - for commanding a major British military expedition to the ‘Pirate Coast’ on the south-eastern Persian Gulf. Having roundly defeated the enemy and pacified the pirate stronghold of Ras al-Khaimah, Keir Grant succeeded in securing an agreement with a number of important tribal leaders, leading to an historic Peace Treaty of 1820 which heralded local truces and the foundation of the Trucial Sheikhdoms as well as the abolition of the Slave Trade in the area. Modifications to the Treaty and a full revision many decades later, in 1892, contributed to an enhanced British presence in the Southern Gulf and important new relationships with the Trucial Sheikhdoms. A loose British Protectorate was to last until the gaining of their independence on 2 December 1970, in turn leading to the creation of the United Arab Emirates.
Portrait: A small-sized unsigned portrait of Major-General Sir William Keir Grant, in Cavalry Officers’ uniform, wearing many of his Orders and Decorations including the ‘Villers-en-Cauchies’ gold medal and chain, his right sleeve empty and pinned owing to the loss of his hand, in a card mount, with gilt frame, in good very fine condition. Major-General Sir William Keir-Grant, K.C.B., G.C.H. (1772-1852) was born in 1772, the son of Archibald Keir, H.E.I.C.S., a successful and influential salt merchant based in Calcutta, India, whose family originally hailed from Stirling and had been supporters of the Jacobite cause. William Keir; as he was then known, joined the British Army on 30 May 1792, being gazetted as a Cornet in the 15th (King’s) Light Dragoons. Promoted to Lieutenant in 1793, he served with this regiment in Flanders during the campaign of 1793-4, taking part in the battles at Famars and Valenciennes, amongst others. He distinguished himself greatly during April 1794, when a squadron of his regiment saved the Prince of Schwartzemburg from French cavalry during a reconnaissance on 17 April, and then again during his regiment’s remarkable involvement in the bloody and hard-fought Battle of Villers-en-Couché, near Cambrai, on 24 April. At this battle, two squadrons of the 15th Light Dragoons (roughly 186 officers and men) under Major William Aylett, and two similarly-sized squadrons of the Austrian Leopold Hussars led by Baron Sentheresky left their supporting troops and overthrew a vastly superior force of French cavalry (roughly 700). Having forced them to retreat, they found that through the smoke, dust and chaos that they had advanced into a position in the face of some 10,000 enemy infantry formed in squares. As stated at that moment by General Otto, the General in command “they had advanced too far to retreat…the attempt (to retreat) would be death with dishonour; the attack perhaps death, but with glory; (and) that the Emperor’s safety depended on their courage”. Choosing firmly the latter, the 15th charged in front, with the Leopold Hussars taking the enemy’s left flank, and pursued their quarry through the French infantry squares, routing the enemy and leaving them in disarray and chaos. In the process of this signal success they (alongside their Austrian cavalry counterparts) killed some 1,200 men, captured three enemy guns, and crucially, saved the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II; who was en route to Coblentz, from being taken captive by the French (Cannon’s ‘Historical Records of the 15th Hussars’ refers). For this the 15th Light Dragoons were given the unique battle honour of ‘Villers-en-Couché’ for their regimental colours, and the 8 principal officers involved were rewarded for their gallantry with a large gold medal – the personal thanks of the Holy Roman Emperor Francis II (later Francis I of Austria, or the ‘Doppelkaiser’ owing to his double role as Emperor), with just one kept for the Austrian Imperial Cabinet. The original letter from Baron Thugut to Colonel Aylett, which accompanied these awards on the occasion of their presentation, read as follows: ‘Sir, the Emperor remembers, with satisfaction, the distinguished proofs of valour that you, and the other Officers of the 15th Light Dragoons, manifested on the 24th April, 1794, near Cambray. His Majesty regrets, that the statutes of the order of Maria Theresa, confirmed by constant custom, prohibits the cross of this order, strictly national, being conferred on Officers so worthy of being decorated with it; but wishing to give you, as also your honourable companions, a public mark of his particular esteem, his Majesty has commanded a medal to be struck, to perpetuate the remembrance of this brilliant action, and has ordered me to offer to them the only impressions which have been struck, except one, which is placed in the Imperial Cabinet of Vienna. In fulfilling the intentions of his Imperial Majesty, I beg you, consequently, to receive, for yourself, Sir, and to distribute to the other Officers, who, on the memorable 24th April, 1794, fought under your orders, the medals which I have delivered to Captain Ryan. I have the honour to join the assurances of the highest consideration, and have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedient humble servant, Le Baron Thugut.’
The 2-clasp N.G.S. Trafalgar & Java awarded to Private William Morris, Royal Marines, who served aboard H.M.S. Belleisle during the Battle of Trafalgar, and was present aboard H.M.S. Scipion during the capture of the island of Java in September 1811, comprising: Naval General Service, 1793-1840, two clasps, Trafalgar, Java (William Morris.), light tone, a few light hairlines from polishing, otherwise extremely fine. Private William Morris, apparently of Ilchester, Somerset, was born c. 1785 and joined 58 Company, Chatham Division, Royal Marines, coming aboard H.M.S. Belleisle (74) on 28 April, 1802, and being discharged on 10 January 1806 at Plymouth Headquarters. These dates of service confirm his presence during the blockade of Toulon in 1803-4, and subsequently during the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Under the command of Captain William Hargood, Belleisle was the second ship in Admiral Collingwood’s lee column, and saw a good deal of action in the battle. She suffered during some early exchanges with the Spanish ship Monarca, and the Santa Ana (112) at which time, watching from H.M.S. Victory, Nelson said ‘Nobly done, Hargood!’ after witnessing a well-timed broadside. She later engaged the Indomptable (80) and San Juan de Nepomuceno, before a particularly brutal series of exchanges against the Fougeaux (74). The Belleisle became dismasted, but her Union Jack remained defiantly suspended upon a pike, with an ensign placed upon the shattered stump of the mast, despite further attacks towards the end of the battle. Private Morris returned for further service in the Royal Navy, and is listed as having come aboard Rear-Admiral Robert Stopford’s H.M.S. Scipion (74) on 18 April 1810, and having served during the capture of the island of Java in August-September 1811. It is likely that Morris remained with this ship until her decommissioning in 1816. He later appears to have received a single clasp N.G.S. with Trafalgar clasp, after which he rightly pursued his additional Java clasp as a ‘late claim’, being fully entitled. His service notes at the National Archives list ‘Allotment made from wages 1 February 1803 to mother (paid from Ilchester).’ Two other ratings of this name are entitled to the N.G.S. One is a two clasp medal to an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Captain (this, located in the National Maritime Museum, Plymouth), and another single clasp 1 June 1794 to an Able Seaman aboard the Royal George. Ex J. Lawson Whalley Collection, 1877, Morton & Eden, 1 December 2011 and Baldwin, 2012.
The N.G.S. Trafalgar awarded to Armourer’s Mate Charles Freeman, who served aboard H.M.S. Orion during the Battle of Trafalgar. In this role as a Petty Officer, he would have assisted the Armourer in distributing the small arms and weaponry required by the crew on deck during this famous battle, comprising: Naval General Service, 1793-1840, single clasp, Trafalgar (Chas Freeman.), court-mounted, attractively toned, two small edge bumps, otherwise good very fine. Armourer’s Mate Charles Freeman was born c.1778 in Rutland, England, and joined Captain Edward Codrington’s H.M.S. Orion (74) on 22 July 1805, having transferred from H.M.S. Desiree (36). Soon after he took part in the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805, serving as Armourer’s Mate. Responsible in support of the Armourer for the upkeep, repair and distribution of all of the ship’s small arms and weaponry, it is likely that he would have been found on deck during the fighting. The Orion formed part of the weather column and ‘she fought the French 74-Gun Intrepide, which she forced in quarter of an hour to haul down her colours, and assisted in the submission of the French Swiftsure.’ (The Trafalgar Roll, by Mackenzie, refers). She suffered twenty-four killed and wounded during the battle, and had several spars damaged, and her main-topsail shot away. Charles Freeman is a unique name on the N.G.S. medal roll. Ex Glendining, June 1992, Spink, April 1994, Turl Collection (Spink, 22 July 2010, lot 18) and Baldwin, 2011.
Military General Service, 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria (A. Mann, 3rd Foot Guards), small nick to cheek and occasional hairlines, nearly extremely fine. Private Alexander Mann served with the 3rd (Scots) Fusilier Guards in Spain as part of Captain Seymour’s Company, and was present at the hard fighting which took place during the Battle of Salamanca. The M.G.S. medal roll confirms this 2-clasp award, despite the fact that the 3rd Foot Guards were also present at Barossa, suggesting that he may have been wounded or invalided. The original medal rolls held by the national archives also list him as a ‘Waterloo Man’ although he does not seem to appear on the Waterloo medal roll. Ex Dix, Noonan & Webb, 15 December 2000 and C.J. Dixon, 2001
Military General Service, 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (J. Eden, Lieut 71st Foot), once lightly cleaned, light marks in places, otherwise good very fine. Captain John Eden, J.P., D.L. (1794-1885) was born as John Methold in June 1794, the son of Captain Henry Methold, Durham Fencibles, of Burn Hall, Country Durham, and Dorothea Eden, the daughter of Sir John Eden (1740-1812), 4th Baronet, of Auckland, County Durham. He is believed to have been educated at Eton College and at Charterhouse School between 1806-1812, after which he joined the 71st Highland Light Infantry as an Ensign (without purchase) on 4 June 1812, being promoted to Lieutenant on 1 September 1813 – seeing service in Spain and France between April 1813 and April 1814. During the battle of Vittoria on 21st June 1813, the 71st Foot saw a good deal of fighting, suffering 318 casualties, killed or wounded. After a period of time on Half-Pay, he exchanged into the 4th Light Dragoons on 15 July 1819. He later became Captain, by purchase, in the 75th Foot (1st Gordon Highlanders), on 22 October 1824. Having apparently transferred again, he retired as Captain, this time from the 14th Light Dragoons, on 4 October 1829. In later life, and upon the death of one of his maternal uncle (Morton John Davison) in 1844 he inherited property at Beamish Park, County Durham, which required him to change his name by Royal Licence to John Eden as a condition of his inheritance. Taking on the properties at Beamish, he duly became involved the ownership and running of an important coal mine. He was made High Sheriff in 1849, and died without issue at 15 Wilton Crescent, London, on 4 April 1885, at the age of 91. Newspaper obituaries record that he was a notable local benefactor, whilst also adding that: ‘He was present at the Battle of Vittoria as an Ensign…In that battle the Captain and Lieutenant of Mr Eden’s company were killed, and would have shared a similar fate had it not been for a daring feat performed by a sergeant of his regiment, which was the means of saving his life. It is worthy of note that at the time of his death Mr Eden was one of the six survivors of the Peninsular war. He was also present after the battle of Waterloo at the entry into Paris in 1815.’ (The Durham County Advertiser, 10 April 1885 © The British Library Board). This confirmed 5 clasp medal is a unique entitlement to the regiment. The 3rd Baronet of Maryland, Sir Frederick Morton Eden (believed to be a relation), was killed at the age of 16, on 24 December 1814, in the ‘War of 1812’ (1812-15). He had been attached, as an Ensign, to 85th (Bucks Volunteer) Light Infantry, but was mortally wounded at the Battle of New Orleans. Ex Glendining, 1956, Spink, 1986, Bonham’s, June 1999 and C.J. Dixon, 2000.
The Important Waterloo Medal awarded to Ensign Frederick de Ronne, who in later life became a noted Prussian jurist, politician, author and diplomat, and served as the Prussian Ambassador to the United States of America in Washington between 1834 and 1844. Such was his high-standing in diplomatic circles that he was asked by the United States to act as mediator during negotiations with its dispute with Mexico in 1839. He later returned to political life in Germany, comprising: Waterloo Medal, 1815, with later replacement steel clip and ring suspension (Ensign. Fred. De Ronne, 3rd Line Batt. K.G.L.), surface marks and edge bruising with further marks to rim, naming rather difficult to read in parts, good fine. Frederick Ludwig de Ronne (1798-1865), or Friedrich Ludwig von Rönne, was born in 1798 in Seestermühe, Holstein, Germany, the third son of Johann Georg von Rönne. He was educated at Glückstadt, and later received private tuition in Berlin under the tutelage of politician and legal professor Charles Twesten. He joined the King’s German Legion as a Gentleman Ensign on 21 March 1814, vice Dehnel, under whom he would serve in the 3rd Line Battalion in the Netherlands and during the Battle of Waterloo. The 3rd Line Battalion K.G.L. formed part of Colonel du Plat’s 1st K.G.L. Brigade, itself part of the 2nd British Infantry Division under Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton. The 3rd Line Battalion were initially held in support behind the crucially-important Hougoumont Farm, but were later brought in to assist the Guards, Hanoverian and Nassauer troops at roughly 4.00pm in the face of repeated French attacks. Du Plat’s Brigade fought off several French cavalry attacks, with the 1st, 3rd and 4th Line Regiments forming square to the left of the farm to resist a particularly strong cavalry charge. Colonel Du Plat himself was mortally wounded, and the young Ensign de Ronne would have made a conspicuous target holding the battalion’s colours. Returning to civilian life, he studied law at Kiel and Berlin, joining the Prussian judicial service in 1820, and being made High Court Judge in Hamm in 1825. He joined the civil service in 1831, initially working in Potsdam, before being sent to Washington in 1834 as Minister Resident (Ambassador) of Prussia in the United States of America. Over the next ten years he worked tirelessly in support of German Immigrants to the U.S.A., and made firm and repeated attempts to establish formal commercial contracts between the German Customs Union and United States. Where these unfortunately faltered, he did succeed in extending the trade agreements between the U.S.A. and the cities of Hamburg and Bremen, and he attempted to assist the U.S.A. during its dispute with Mexico. He was eventually replaced in 1844 by Friedrich von Gerolt, whereupon he returned to Germany to serve as Head of the Department of Commerce. This was short lived, and in 1848 he was elected to the Frankfurt National Assembly, and in 1849 he acted as Envoy of the Archduke Johann of Austria. He retired in 1858, pursuing his career as a Liberal politician, and died in 1865 in Berlin.
Ballooning Medal, rare early ballooning gilt metal medal showing the 'tethered' balloon of Henry Giffard - Paris, dated 1878 with T bar and original case; The Giffard gas balloon, at the time was the largest captive balloon in the world. The ballon could carry up to 50 passengers at a time. These medals were given as a gift to all who took a flight up over Paris.
A set of six silver teaspoons, Birmingham Hallmark 1953, mm L.Ltd, together with a pair of Danish Flatware Sterling Silver and stainless steel scissors, mm W. & S. Sorenson (designed by Knud Moller and awarded a Gold Medal in the California State Fair and Exposition, Sacramento 1952), both in original presentation boxes.
khaki single breasted, stand and fall collar tunic. The collar with brown collar tabs with silvered embroidery edging. Patch chest and lower pockets, all with buttoned flaps. Bullion embroidery shoulder rank stars. Brass Polish eagle buttons. Breast badges absent. Polish medal ribbons. Some service wear.
all relating to Sgt F Shields 405 Sqn. Consisting his gold caterpillar brooch with ruby glass eyes. Named to the reverse “W/O. F Shields” ... His Caterpillar Club named card ... His welcome letter form the Caterpillar Club ... His YMCA “Wartime Log” covering his time in Stalag 3 and Stalag 6, well filled out with poems, cartoons and photographs ... Stalag Luft III April 1943 “Merchant of Venice” signed programme ... His post war used Observers & Air Gunners Log Book (entries later flying by his son) ... “Handle With Care” prison camp sketches book ... RAF ID plane book ... Post war miniature medal group. Good complete group to an RAF POW. 405 Sqn Halifax on operation to Essen, shot down 8-9 June 1942. Fell to a night fighter at Keteren, 11km WSW of Arnhem. Crew consisted F/L J A Maclean RCAF who evaded capture. Sgt F Shields, P/O J C Wernham RCAF, Sgt W J Forbes, Sgt W C Kerr RCAF, F/S G B Porter RCAF, F/S H Olsen RCAF. P/O J C Wernham was amongst the Allied Officers murdered by the Gestapo following the escape from Stalag Luft III Sagan in March 1944. He is buried in Poznan Old Garrison cemetery. F/L Maclean became Canada’s Minister of Fisheries after the war.
A large silver medallion from The Mid Somerset Agricultural Society Butter Championships 1912, well cast with cow to one side and Shepton Mallet Market Cross to the other, in original case, 6.5cms diam; British Dairy Farmers Association silver 1914 and bronze 1927 medals for butter (the bronze medal from Penistone Show) in original fitted cases all won by Mrs J Way and together with a Leeds Smithfield Club medallion, un-engraved, in original case (4)
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