U.S.A., John Paul Jones (1747-1792), The Capture of the British Frigate H.M.S. Serapis by the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard off Flamborough Head, 23 September 1779, in silver, Paris Mint, made for the ‘Comitia Americana’ series of medals by Augustin Dupré; bust of John Paul Jones right [after Houdon] in naval uniform, signed dupré. f. on truncation, JOANNI PAVLO JONES CLASSIS PRAEFECTO, COMITIA AMERICANA; rev., the naval action in progress showing the crew of U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard boarding H.M.S. Serapis behind, HOSTIVM NAVIBVS CAPTIS AVT FVGATIS, AD ORAM SCOTIAE XXIII SEPT M DCCLXXVIIII, 56.25mm (Betts 568; Adams & Bentley, Ch. 8; B.H.M. 222, R2; MH 580; CP 105/22; Ford XIV 203.), with evidence of die flaws in extremely early stage indicating an original or very early striking, lightly polished in the past so with hairlines and a few tiny marks, extremely fine and very rare. On 23 September 1779 the U.S.S. Bonhomme Richard, under the command of Captain John Paul Jones, led a combined Franco-American fleet of 5 ships against a large Baltic merchant fleet being escorted by the British ships H.M.S. Serapis and the smaller Countess of Scarborough. The fighting took place off the Yorkshire coast near Flamborough Head and the coastal town of Bridlington, when the experienced French Captain Landais of the Alliance engaged and drew away the Countess of Scarborough, leaving Serapis to battle against the 4 remaining American and French ships. Initially the Serapis inflicted considerable damage to the hull and rigging of the Bonhomme Richard and the American flag fell, prompting Captain Richard Pearson of the Serapis to ask Jones if he had intentionally struck his colour in surrender. Jones defiantly replied: “I have not yet begun to fight!” and after a further three hours of bitter exchange it was indeed the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough which were forced to surrender. The Americans boarded and transferred across to the Serapis following a close, hard-fought victory, with the critically-damaged Bonhomme Richard sinking on the following day. which duly sank the following day. The victory made John Paul Jones a national hero and this piece from the Comitia Americana series holds the distinction of being the only naval medal authorized by the Continental Congress.
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Colonial America, East Florida, Proclamation Medal or 4-Reales, 1789, in silver, commemorating the Proclamation of Charles IV of Spain as King by the Governor of East Florida Vicente Manuel de Zespedes, armoured and draped bust of Charles IV right, CAROLUS IV. D. G. HISPAN. REX., rev., a six-petalled jasmine flower at centre, small castle above and lion below, LA FLORA: ORIENTAL PER. ZESPEDS PROCLAM:TUS 1789, edge obliquely grained, 32.7mm, 12.04g (Breen 1079; Betts 10; Herrera 133; Medina 148; Grove C.58), lightly toned, a few scratches in fields both sides, small digs above head of portrait and some casting flaws, about very fine and extremely rare, this example not recorded and not previously offered at auction. The early Colonies of East and West Florida were originally ceded to Britain from Spain under the terms of the 1763 Treaty of Paris which ended the Seven Years’ War. Subsequently they were returned to Spain under the terms of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, which ended the American War of Independence. Soon afterwards Vicente Manuel Zespedes was installed as Governor of the newly returned colony; based at St Augustine, he previously held the position as Governor of nearby Santiago de Cuba in the preceding year. He attempted to increase the population and development of East Florida by luring former Spanish residents to return with the promise of land grants and 10-year tax exemptions, whilst also attempting to retain its British settlers, many of whom were by that time leaving for plantations in the islands of the British Caribbean. In anticipation of the planned proclamation of the new King Charles IV, commemorative medals (sometimes considered 4-real coins, which they resembled in terms of weight and size) were ordered in advance by Zespedes himself, probably being struck at his own personal expense, to be distributed during the celebrations due to take place on 2-4 December 1789. Three days of festivities followed, with processions, dancing, singing and military parades. It is here that Zespedes, leading the parade, is recorded as having cast handfuls of the newly made ‘silver money’ into the grateful crowd (with no mention of bronze), as recorded in an original letter dated December 9 1789 from Domingo Rodriguez de Leon, a notary based in St Augustine, to a correspondent in Spain regarding the details of the celebrations. Where, how many, and precisely how these pieces were made, however, remain elusive historical details. Studies concerning this medal have been made by several numismatists, but in particular by John W. Adams and also by Michael Hodder (as shown in the John Ford Jr Collection, Part XIII catalogue), and arguments have been made for the existence of 4 distinct types: struck silver, cast silver, after-cast silver re-issues, and after-cast bronze re-issues. Current theories regarding the place of manufacture vary, but some suggest Mexico City (where an official mint already existed) for the highest quality ‘struck’ examples, and then Havana, Santiago de Cuba or perhaps another local mint in Florida for the remainder, but no concrete documentary evidence exists to date. Given Zespedes’ links to Havana and Santiago and the relatively modest quality of the medals, a Cuban mint (probably at Havana) would seem most logical, as is also suggested by Hodder. Many of the “coins” were perhaps melted down later and consequently very few survive. Three ‘commemorative medals’ were reportedly sent by Zespedes to the king and a further three to the colonial secretary after the celebrations, and arguably these six medals could account for the supposedly ‘struck’ examples, with all others being cast as intended for general distribution. Nevertheless, it is worth pointing out that even the finest known ‘struck’ example, lot 660 in the John Ford Jr Collection (weighing 13.77g), shows clear casting flaws to the neck of the king’s portrait and in the medal’s fields – much the same as shown in the example offered here. The idea that the finest examples were struck on cast planchets whereas others were more simply cast has been suggested to explain the evident difference in quality. Perhaps the overall finish and craftsmanship used for the king’s & colonial secretary’s examples was of a higher standard - as one might expect and is known in other series. Such examples would have been unlikely to have entered circulation and would therefore have avoided wear. This argument would reduce the need for complex discussions regarding different issues being minted in different locations when the production appears to have been very much more a local one, which would have been under some considerable time pressure between the arrival of the news of Charles III’s death in Florida (March 1789) and the planned proclamation of Charles IV (December 1789). A further argument has been made regarding an apparent difference in legend for struck (TUS) and cast (TUR) examples in silver, but this does not seem to stand up to scrutiny, as each silver example illustrated in recent times appears to read TUS regardless. in Stack’s Bowers Auction, 26-31 March 2015 (lot 6002, the John W. Adams example weighing 11.61g), 5 silver examples were recorded. Thus the present piece appears to be the sixth known. A further three examples are known in bronze, giving a total of only nine presently known in any metal. In 1821, under the Adams-Onis Treaty, both Floridas were finally ceded to the United States who amalgamated the two to form the Territory of Florida the following year.
COLLECTION OF BADGES, MEDALS AND SMALL COLLECTABLESincluding various military cap and glengarry badges, 1939-45 British Defence and War Medals, with box of issue (Infantry), Egyptian silver and enamel medallion, Victorian Commemorative medal, WWI military compass by 'S.Mordan & Co., silver thimbles, WWII Tank Corps silver and enamel sweetheart brooch, Victorian Robert Burns medal in silver mount, 'Luss Highland Games 1929' silver medal with box, badges, coins and banknotes, 2 boxes, viewing required
A FATHER & SON FAMILY GROUP OF MEDALS namely a Great War and later group of four medals to Private W.J. Cox, Somerset Light Infantry, comprising the British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (both 51687 Pte. W.J. Cox. Som. L. I.), officially impressed, unmounted; Defence Medal, with Long Service, 1942 bar, unnamed as issued, unmounted; and Special Constabulary Long Service Medal (William J. Cox), officially impressed, unmounted; together with a Second World War group of three medals to W.L. Cox, comprising the 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star and War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed as issued, unmounted, in original postal despatch box; also a quantity of ephemera, including Pte W.J. Cox's Scoring Book for General Course of Musketry.
A FATHER & SON FAMILY GROUP OF MEDALS namely a Second World War group of four medals to Major C.H. Aitkenhead, comprising the 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 1st Army clasp, Defence Medal, and War Medal 1939-45, unnamed as issued, unmounted; with a corresponding group of miniature medals, bar-mounted for wearing; together with a General Service Medal 1962-2007 to Trooper R.C. Aitkenhead, 10th Hussars, with single clasp South Arabia (24041226 Tpr. R.C. Aitkenhead. 10 H.), officially impressed, bar-mounted for wearing; and assorted sporting medals awarded to the same, the whole contained in a glazed case. Note: A biographical sketch of each individual accompanies the lot.
![[POLAR EXPLORATION - FRANK WILD & ERNEST SHACKLETON]. A WHITE LINEN TABLE CLOTH bearing over forty-two embroidered autograph](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/7432e1f5-2c61-4fac-8741-a6b40117ee5b/0e0ba95f-691c-4966-e9e8-ef841f273e59/468x382.jpg)
[POLAR EXPLORATION - FRANK WILD & ERNEST SHACKLETON]. A WHITE LINEN TABLE CLOTH bearing over forty-two embroidered autographs (presumably over hand-written base signatures), including those of Frank Wild and fellow Antarctic explorers Leonard Hussey (meteorologist), Dr Alexander Macklin (surgeon and dog minder) and Dr James McIlroy (surgeon), some dated, 79.5cm x 166cm. Note 1: John Robert Francis ('Frank') Wild, CBE, RNVR, FRGS (1873-1939) was a member of Robert Falcon Scott's 1901 crew, serving as an able seaman on the 'Discovery'. He accompanied Shackleton on the Nimrod Expedition of 1908-09, crossing the Ross Barrier and Beardmore Glacier to come within a record-breaking 97 miles of the South Pole. In 1911 he joined Douglas Mawson's 'Aurora' expedition, before serving as Shackleton's second-in-command on the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition of 1914-16. He again joined Shackleton as his deputy on the Shackleton-Rowett Expedition, of 1921-22, assuming command of the 'Quest' following Shackleton's death. In recognition of his efforts and achievements he was awarded the Polar Medal with four bars. He also had three Antarctic landmarks named after him: Cape Wild, Mount Wild and Point Wild. Note 2: This table cloth almost certainly belonged to Frank Wild. Among the other signatures upon it is that of Granville Altman, a tea planter whose widow, Vera, married Wild in 1917. His daughter, Valor Granville Altman, has also signed the cloth. From 1916 Wild served as a Royal Navy transport officer at Archangel, Russia, before settling in British Nyasaland to farm with Dr James McIlroy. A number of the other signatures also have a South African connection (Transvaal and Zululand) and at least four are signed in cyrillic. The variation in dates (1916-28) and places, together with the portable nature of the item, suggests that this functioned effectively as decorative 'autograph book' for a widely-travelled man.
GREAT BRITAIN - ASSORTED SILVER COINAGE comprising a Brunel two-coin (£2, £2) set, 2006, in case of issue; two DNA two pounds, 2003, one in case of issue; Piedfort one pound, 2003; Women's Social & Political Union Piedfort fifty pence, 2003; bullion two pounds, 2005; D-Day Landings three-coin (£5, £5, £5) medal set, in tin of issue; and 2002 Commonwealth Games four-coin (£2, £2, £2, £2) set, in case of issue; together with a small quantity of non-silver coinage, (total silver approximately 236g).
A GREAT WAR TRIO OF MEDALS TO GUNNER P. MCEVOY, ROYAL ARTILLERY comprising the 1914 Star with 5th Aug. - 22nd Nov. clasp and silver rosette (15178 Gnr: P. McEvoy. R.G.A.), British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (both 15178 Gnr. P. McEvoy. R.A.), officially impressed, unmounted; together with a quantity of photocopied documentation relating to the same.
A GREAT WAR MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL L.S.G.C. GROUP OF FOUR MEDALS TO COMPANY SERGEANT MAJOR W. STEELE, SOMERSET LIGHT INFANTRY, LATER LABOUR CORPScomprising the British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches spray of oak leaves (both 5963 A.W.O. CL. 1. W. Steele. Som. L. I.), Army Meritorious Service Medal, Geo. V (632972 C.S.MJR. W. Steele. Lab. C.) and Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Geo. V, swivel suspender (632972 C.S.Mjr - W. Steele. Lab. C.), officially impressed, bar-mounted for wearing; together with a Somerset Light Infantry Old Comrades Association lapel badge.
A GREAT WAR COLLECTION comprising a British War Medal 1914-20 to Private A. Wiltshire, Somerset Light Infantry (241970 Pte. A. Wiltshire. Som. L. I.), officially impressed, unmounted; Victory Medal to Private C. Mullins, Dorset Regiment (16061 Pte. C. Mullins. Dorset R.), officially impressed, unmounted; a whistle by Hudson & Co. Of Birmingham, dated 1916, complete with leather retaining strap; a Princess Mary Christmas 1914 brass gift tin; a Comrades of the Great War enamel lapel badge; a British Legion enamel lapel badge; a Royal Army Service Corps sweetheart brooch; and a Merchant Navy sweetheart brooch.
A 9ct gold, enamel and gem set Masonic Knight Templar medal the red enamel cross surmounted by eagle and gem set crown with ribbon and bar, the ribbon and bar inscribed 'St Margarets Conclave, Rosyth No.21, Sanctuary K.H.S. And Commandery of St. John, No.21', the reverse of the eagle inscribed 'Presented to Ent. Knt. Comp David John Townsend by the Knights Companions of', the reverse of the cross inscribed 'St. Margaret's Conclave No.21 Rosyth in appreciation of his services as M.P.S., 1920-21', in case
A WWI naval D.S.C. (Distinguished Service Cross) group of four to acting Lieutenant Edward Maitland Rae R.N.R. war medal, victory medal 1914-15 star (lacking Mercantile Marine Medal) with an Italian Order of the Crown Commander, a Serbia Order of the White Eagle and The Miniature Group (Italian Order def), with a framed photograph of the recipient, also a WWI group of two to Captain T. J. Murray and a Victory medal to 201490 Pte. D. Clark, North Durham Fusiliers and a military photograph Lieutenant Rae was awarded his D.S.C. in recognition of his services in connection with the evacuation of the Serbian Army and Italian troops from Durazzo, Albania in December 1915 and January and February 1916
A selection of photographs and ephemera relating to Flight Sergeant A E Glanville Royal Air Force Volunteer reserves to include Observers And Air Gunners Flying Log book dated 18/11/1943 and a group of four medals to include 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence and War medal the log book is correctly signed by squadrons which flew operationally
RALPH PEACOCK (ENGLISH, 1868-1946)Young girl seated in a panelled roomOil on canvas56½ x 38½ inches (144 x 98 cm.)Enclosed in original carved gilt-wood frameRalph Peacock (1868-1946) was a genre and portrait painter, especially of children. He was born in London. He entered The Royal Academy Schools where he won a gold medal and The Creswick Prize. He won a gold medal at Vienna in 1898 and a bronze at The Universal Exhibition, Paris in 1900. He exhibited 93 works at The Royal Academy and 27 at The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool. His works can be seen at The National Portrait Gallery, London; The Tate Gallery; The Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool; and Leighton House.Note. His exhibit at The Tate Gallery: a work of 1897 titled, Ethel, similarly shows a girl depicted against a panelled back-drop. This work is stated to have been painted in the artist's studio at 11 Holland Park Rd., Kensington.
Sgt T.L.H Snow Essex Reg - 1914 - 1915 star, British war medal, victory medal, territorial force efficiency medal, his sergeant strip, silver spoon engraved with his name, selection of Essex regiment badges, shrapnel, George V jubilee medal, defence medal (both no names), also a certificate and phot
Yugoslav People’s Republic, Miscellaneous Orders (5), Order of the People’s Army with Golden Star, in silver, gilt and white enamel; Order of the People’s Army with Silver Star, reverse hall marked, in silver and white enamel; Order of the Republic, First class breast badge, in silver-gilt, white enamel and synthetic stones in inner border, in case of issue, with related miniature and ribbon bar; Order of the Partisan Star (2), both in silver and red enamel, Second Class, by Reda, (1258), Third class, by Stolpinje (7580); Croatian Republic (post 1991) Order of Peter Zrinski and Krsto Frankopan, Golden badge, awarded posthumously for valour, in case of issue; Slovenian Republic (post 1991), Medal of Internal affairs for the Heroic Fallen, in bronze-gilt (91), Medal of Internal Affairs Organisation for Security ‘Gold’ ‘Silver’ and Bronze medals and Slovenian Territorial Defence Forces badge for Military Honour, in gilt and enamels, very fine to virtually as issued
*Boulton’s Medal for the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805, early Soho specimen in copper, by C.H. Küchler, similar but edge plain, 48mm (BHM 584; Eimer 960; Hardy 40; MH 493), with one of the two original Soho Mint protective shells as issued, toned, minor staining and a few hairlines in parts, extremely fine. Ex Boulton Estate; purchased from Timothy Millett.
Pair, British Constable T. Davies Palestine Police, General Service Medal 1918-62 2 clasps, Palestine, Palestine 1945-48 (907 B. Const. T. Davies. Pal. Police), UNEF Medal 1956, good very fine (2). Offered with copied roll extracts which give his dates of service from 5/9/38 to 6/12/45 with hand written note below name IVB 2128 26.7.52.
*India General Service, 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897- 98 (4867 Pte. J. Jones 1st Bn Gord: Hrs), nearly extremely fine. Ex D.N.W. 27 September 1994, lot 203, £410 hammer; ex. Jack Wadey Collection. Private John Jones was dangerously wounded in action, receiving a gun-shot wound to the left thigh, during the Gordons’ famous assault and capture of the hilltop stronghold known as the ‘Dargai Heights’ on 20 October 1897, where Piper George Findlater and Private Edward Lawson won the Victoria Cross. His name is confirmed on Anthony Farrington’s casualty roll. Offered with copied roll entry, confirming his two clasp medal, with the remark ‘invalided’.
*The interesting Spion Kop Q.S.A. with 5 clasps awarded to Captain Nicholas Lynch, 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, who commanded the party ordered under fire at Spion Kop to cover the removal of the mortally wounded General Woodgate to a nearby dressing station, comprising: Queen’s South Africa, 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Capt: N. M. Lynch, S. Lanc: Rgt:) officially engraved naming, with old collector’s ticket, nearly extremely fine. Ex D.N.W. 27 September1994, lot 203; ex Harry Usher Collection. Captain Nicholas Marcus Julius Lynch was born in April 1868; a scion of an old family based at Barna House in Galway, Ireland. He was educated at Clongowes College and joined the South Lancashire Regiment in September 1887, but was employed with the Gold Coast Constabulary between March 1892 and December 1893, and subsequently with the West African Frontier Force between March 1898 and November 1899, patrolling in the Muri mountains (for which he was also entitled to the East and West Africa medal with clasp 1897-98). He returned to the South Lancashire Regiment and proceeded to South Africa in November 1899, and was present with the 2 Companies of the South Lancashire Regiment which were present at Spion Kop on 24 January 1900. There, he commanded the party organised on the Kop to cover the removal to the dressing station of the mortally wounded General Woodgate, Commander of the 11th Brigade. (Ref Sir Charles Warren’s despatch dated 1 February 1900). Captain Lynch later died of Enteric Fever at N0.4 Hospital on the Mooi River, on 13 November 1900. Interestingly, online research suggests that his batman, an African boy called Osman Tisani returned to live thereafter with the Lynches in Galway in 1903, now aged 14 – causing much local interest and astonishment at the time. Sometimes reputed as having been the son of a South African Chief, it seems more likely that he was in fact rescued from slavers in Mali, as he records his birthplace as ‘Tim buk too’ in the 1911 Census, with his role as ‘Domestic Servant / Valet’. He later became the first person of African origin to learn the Irish language of the Galway Gaeltacht.
A WWI & WW2 Territorial Group of 5 awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 Charles G. King, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late 14th (London Scottish) Battalion, London Regiment and Labour Corps, comprising: British War and Victory Medals (514715 Pte. C. G. King. 14-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals, 1939-1945; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R, Territorial (7599698 WO2 C. G. King RAOC); WWI pair swing mounted on bar with brooch pin, remainder loose, about extremely fine (5. ) This lot offered with a cardboard display (medals formerly mounted) bearing a London Scottish white metal cap badge, three brass shoulder titles, WWI miniature pair and other pieces of small brass insignia. Also offered with his copied M.I.C. showing WWI service with the 14th Battalion London Regiment, and then with the Labour Corps, a common transfer, often the result of injuries, wounds or shellshock etc., although he does not appear to be entitled to an S.W.B.
Soviet Union, Order of the Red Banner, type 3, no. 201930 (awarded in February 1945); together with an unnumbered silver Medal for Combat Service and bronze medals for the Capture of Berlin, Liberation of Prague and Victory over Germany, very fine to good very fine (5). Awarded to Guards Major Ilya Dimitriyevich Zvorygin, Battery Commander in the 3rd Guards Tank Army, who had received another Red Banner in 1944 and who was later awarded both the Patriotic War 1st Class and a Red Star; offered with full citation and research in both Russian and English.
*The Rare Kangra Earthquake Royal Red Cross awarded to Miss Alice Mabel Purkis, for instrumental work in aiding the wounded at the barracks of the Gurkha Rifles in Dharmsala, which had collapsed during the Kangra Earthquake on 4 April 1905 – this medal one of just 3 awarded. This deadly earthquake hit the Kangra Region in Northern India before dawn with a 7.8 surface wave magnitude tremor, destroying most of the buildings in the cities of Dharmsala and Kangra, and in the process killing more than 20,000 people , comprising: Royal Red Cross, E.VII.R., in gold and enamels, reverse engraved ‘A. M. Purkis / Dharmsala / April 1905’, on ladies’ bow with reverse brooch pin; with original blue velvet interior taken from original case of issue; toned, extremely fine and rare. Royal Red Cross, London Gazette 01.12.1905 – ‘in recognition of services rendered by them at Dharmsala after the earthquake which occurred on 4th April, 1905.’ Mrs Alice Mabel Lussman (née Purkis) was present in Dharmsala during the Kangra earthquake of 4 April 1905. This lot is offered with several pieces of original correspondence, one from H. D. Shaw, written on headed 2nd Battalion, 1st Gurkha Rifles headed paper, dated 26 April 1905: ‘Dear Miss Purkis, my Commanding Officer has instructed me to forward to you, as one of the ladies who were so instrumental in aiding and nursing the wounded during the recent earthquake, the enclosed copy of Divisional Orders dated 19th April 1905. Yours sincerely, H. D. Shaw.’ Contemporary photographs and histories record that the barracks of the 7th Gurkha Rifles was all but destroyed by the earthquake, and that 112 members of the Regiment were killed during the event, as well as some 1,625 civilian casualties in Dharmsala itself. As recorded in the London Gazette, Alice Mabel Purkis was present with two other ladies in assisting the wounded, and these were Mrs Isabel May Clay (wife of Major Charles H. Clay), and Mrs Violet Harriet Clay (wife of Captain Stanley Clay, who was killed) – which suggest that the above recipient was either a visiting friend, or perhaps even part of the household staff at ‘Woodside’ – a well-built single-storey private house of stone construction close by which was shielded from the worst of the earthquake’s effects owing to its position in the ‘earthquake shadows ’ in a small depression surrounded by other ridges. It would appear conclusive therefore, given the aforementioned letter and the research presented here, that these three ladies played a role in the immediate aftermath at the site of the Gurkha barrack building, having emerged from ‘Woodside’. A report from the Geological Survey of India at that time states that whilst rescuing his son, Major Clay was struck by a block of stone and partially buried under debris. It is most likely that his family members and Alice Mabel Purkis were also present during the chaos, and possibly assisted in freeing him. In this same collapse Charles Clay’s brother Stanley was killed instantly, and the ladies present set to work despite the terrible events, as recorded in The Times: ‘The ladies displayed throughout most marked heroism and bravery. Mrs Stanley Clay, though her husband had just been killed, instantly started nursing and looking after Captain and Mrs Wall, who were both seriously injured, and she has been unremitting in her labours ever since. Mrs C.H. Clay having had her husband injured and having been extricated with her small son from the ruins of her house, was the mainstay and prop of all dressing wounds, shaving cut heads, and nursing. Miss Purkiss [sic] also rendered invaluable aid to the wounded. All the other ladies who were not injured also showed the same heroic spirit.’ This lot is also offered with an official O.H.M.S. letter to the recipient (now Mrs Lussman, based at Sylhet) from the Office of the Inspector General of Police, Assam, confirming the above award.
Miscellaneous Campaign Medals - India General Service, 1908-35, single clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (835619 Dvr. G. Simon. R.A.); and Indian General Service, 1936-39, single clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (5108028 Pte. A. Howell. R. War. R.), and Territorial Force War Medal, 1914-1919 (T4-174213 Dvr. B. J. Thomas. A.S.C.), and Mercantile Marine Medal (Ernest Tulley); the first with traces of red wax, medals generally very fine or better (4)
An Interesting WW2 Norway Interest and Order of St John Group of 6 awarded to Captain Edward ‘Eddie’ Charles Fitz-Clarence, Irish Guards, the 6th Earl of Munster (and son of Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence, V.C., the so-called ‘Demon of Mafeking’); he survived the attack and sinking of the Polish Transport Ship H.M.A.T. Chobry which was bombed off the coast of Norway by German Heinkel Aircraft in April 1940, and took part in operations in Norway against the German occupying forces, comprising: The Order of St. John, Serving Brother’s breast badge, in silver and enamels; 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; group offered with two original warrants in original O.H.M.S. envelope, medal transmission slip, embossed letterhead of the Earl of Munster, a group photo including the recipient, matching set of 6 miniatures, full-size group swing mounted on bar as worn, lightly lacquered, pleasing extremely fine (12) Order of St John, London Gazette: 29 June 1956. Edward Charles Fitz-Clarence, 6th Viscount Fitz-Clarence and Earl of Munster, was born on 3 October 1899 in Mafeking, South Africa – the son of Brigadier-General Charles Fitz-Clarence, V.C., and Violet Spencer-Churchill who both had been present there during the famous siege (therefore making the above recipient the great-grandson of George, 1st Earl of Munster, eldest son of King William IV). Named no doubt in honour of his father’s twin brother Edward, a Lieutenant in the Dorsetshire Regiment who was killed in action whilst serving on attachment with the Egyptian Army at Abu Hamed in 1897, ‘Eddie’ was educated at Eton College and then at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. His father; who had won the Victorian Cross for gallantry in and around Mafeking during October 1899, served with distinction during the early months of WWI but was killed in action on 12 November 1914 whilst personally leading at the head of the Guards Brigade during a night attack on the Menin Road near Polygon Wood. Just a few years afterwards his son Edward Charles Fitz-Clarence joined his late father’s final regiment as Second Lieutenant on 31 July 1918 into the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Irish Guards, being promoted to Lieutenant on 23 December 1921. In 1923, whilst stationed in Constantinople (at the address shown on the O.H.M.S. Envelope offered with this group), an amusing anecdote from the Tash Kishla Barracks is recalled in the book ‘Up the Micks! An Illustrated History of the Irish Guards’ by James Wilson: ‘On one such parade, the Battalion was entranced by the unexpected appearance of a delicious young lady, who rushed onto the square seeking her paramour of the night before: ‘Eddy, Eddy’ she cried at full voice, ‘Have you got my keys?’ A very embarrassed subaltern, Eddy Clarence, son of the later Brigadier Charles FitzClarence VC, Grandson of King William IV, was never allowed to forget the incident.’ He also served in WW2 with the 1st Battalion Irish Guards as Lieutenant and Company Officer with “No. 1” Company. He reputedly played a role in the training of troops in anticipation of the planned attack upon German forces in Norway, and is confirmed as having been present with this regiment during the regiment’s embarkation in April 1940 aboard the H.M.A.T. Chobry. This vessel was severely bombed by German Heinkel 111s during as it approached the Lofoten Islands off the Norwegian coast, where the bombs struck the cabins occupied by the senior officers of the 1st Battalion Irish Guards, killing six officers including the Commanding Officer Lt. Col. W.D. Faulkner, the Second-in-Command Major C.L.J. Bowen, the Adjutant Capt. the Hon B.A. O’Neill, three of the five Company Commanders and 4 other Ranks. The survivors were evacuated with the utmost discipline as if on parade, and moved in good order across a makeshift gangway to the destroyer Wolverine and the Sloop Stork which took them back to Harstad – leaving the ship to be ravaged by the blazing fire and eventually sink. Lt Edward Fitz-Clarence’s name is confirmed on the ORBAT for the embarkation, and as having survived the attack also. The Irish Guards took part in heavy fighting on the ground in Norway at Pothus, holding out against a much larger and better equipped German force, and regimental war diaries confirm that Lt Fitz-Clarence himself whilst leading two platoons on 25 May 1940 near Rognan. Despite the efforts of the British forces, they were forced to evacuate from Narvik on 4 June 1940. He also served in North Africa. Captain Fitz-Clarence eventually was retired from the Reserve of Officers upon reaching the age limit in 1949, at the rank of Honorary Captain. In later life he was appointed Serving Brother in the Order of St John on 29 June 1956. In his personal life, he married firstly Monica Sheila Harrington Grayson on 30 July 1925, with whom he had issue – Anthony Charles Fitz-Clarence, born in 1926, the 7th and final Earl Munster. He later divorced and was remarried to Vivian Schofield on 28 September 1939. He inherited the Mantle Star of the Order of the Garter (lot 217), attributed to King William IV, by family descent. He died on 15 November 1983.
Romania, Kingdom, Order of the Star, type 2, Knight’s breast badge, in silver and enamel, peacetime bravery; mounted group of nine, ribbon of the Officer’s badge of the Order of the Crown, Order of the Star, Military Division, type 1, peacetime bravery, ribbon of the Knight’s badge of the Order of the Crown, Long Service medal for 25 years, Balkan War Medal, War Cross, 2 clasps, Carpati, Ardeal, Victory Medal; Military Virtue medal in bronze-gilt, Church Merit medal, very fine or better (lot)
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