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A 1903 ‘Visit to Ireland’ M.V.O. group of four awarded to H. C. Blake, Esq., Athlone Pursuivant of Arms The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class, breast badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘52’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer‘s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, heraldic beasts in angles; British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. H. C. Blake); Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display ansd housed in a Garrard, London, fitted case, the lid embossed ‘H. Claude Blake, Athlone Pursuivant of Arms’, traces of adhesive to reverse of awards, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.V.O. London Gazette 11 August 1903. Henry Claude Blake was born in 1874, the son of John Lane Blake of Dublin. He was educated at Dehstone Coll, Staffordshire, and then served as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was appointed Athlone Pursuviant of Arms at the Office of Arms, Dublin Castle (where he was also Private Secretary to the Ulster King at Arms, Sir Arthur Vicars, K.C.V.O.), and was created a Member 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order on the occasion of H.M. King Edward VII’s visit to Ireland in 1903. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Blake was mobilised with the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons in August 1914, and then served at home attached to the staff of the Assistant Provost Marshal. He transferred to the General List on 11 November 1916, and resigned his commissioned due to ill-health on 15 June 1917. He did not qualify for a Victory Medal. Sold with copied research.

Four: Company Quartermaster Sergeant J. Fairhhurst, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (240029 Sjt. J. Fairhurst. L.N. Lan. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (432 Sjt. J. Fairhurst, L.N. Lanc. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (432 Sjt: J. Fairhurst. 4/L.N. Lan. R.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £260-£300 --- James Fairhurst served as Sergeant and later Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the 4th and 5th Territorial Battalions, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. He was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order 372 of 1916, and a clasp per Army Order 437 of 1926. He also served in the Labour Corps.

A post-War ‘Civil Division’ M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant N. A. V. Romer, 7th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, later Higher Clerical Officer, Board of Customs and Excise The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, with Royal Mint case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (354782 Pte. N. A. V. Romer. 7-Lond. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (354782 Pte. N. A. V. Romer. 7-Lond. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (6561043 Pte. N. A. V. Romer. 5-Lond. R.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial, with three Additional Award Bars (561043 Sjt. N. A. V. Romer. 5-C. of Lond. R.), mounted as worn and housed in a Royal British Legion leatherette pouch, contact marks, the Great War medals polished, nearly very fine and better (8) £600-£800 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 12 June 1958: Norman Albert Victor Romer, Esq., Higher Clerical Officer, Board of Customs and Excise. Norman Albert Victor Romer was born on 22 June 1897 and enlisted into the Inns of Court O.T.C. in 1913, being mobilised for war service in the 7th Battalion, London Regiment in August 1914. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from October 1917, and was demobilised and discharged on 1 August 1919. He re-enlisted into the Rifle Brigade (Territorial Force) on 6 May 1920, and was awarded his T.F.E.M. per Army Order 65 of February 1921. Remaining in the Territorials, he was appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant on 22 February 1939, and re-enlisted for active service on 25 August 1939. In 1944 he was serving as Colour Sergeant Instructor at the Rifle Depot, (No. 15 P.T.C.) Winchester, and was released from service on 8 July 1945. His Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Poole, of No. 15 P.T.C., described his conduct as ‘Exemplary’, and stated that he was ‘[a] very hardworking and conscientious man, who has done first class work in the unit. The best type of N.C.O. and recommended for a position of trust.’ Romer was awarded the Efficiency Medal, and received the first clasp per Army Order 84 of 31 May 1940.; the second clasp per Army Order 229 of 31 December 1942, and the third clasp, per Army Order 26 of 28 February 1947. Appointed to a clerical grade in the Civil Service with H.M. Customs and Excise in 1926, he was awarded the M.B.E. in the 1958 Birthday Honours’ List, being invested with his insignia at Buckingham Palace on 25 November 1958. He died in Essex on 28 November 1976. Sold with several postcard photographs in uniform as a Bugler; the recipient’s original Soldiers Service and Pay Book (Brown Book); Soldiers Release Book (1945); certificate of appointment as a Special Constable in May 1920; 10 Downing Street letter dated 8 May 1958, advising that he had been recommended to be appointed M.B.E.; two original newspaper pages containing confirmation of the award of the M.B.E.; two family group photographs with the recipient in uniform; and original correspondence from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood regarding the award of the M.B.E., and the Investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Family Group: Three: Private J. H. Clarkson, Army Cyclist Corps British War and Victory Medals (20392 Pte. J. H. Clarkson. A. Cyc. Corps); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (20392 Pte. J. H. Clarkson. A. Cyc. Corps) in slightly flattened named card boxes of issue, in outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr. J. H. Clarkson at 4 Belle Vue Cottages, Heslington Rd., York’, nearly extremely fine General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14107396 Sgmn. P. Clarkson. R. Sigs.) in named card box of issue, in outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr. P. Clarkson, 38 Willis Street, Heslington Road, York’, nearly extremely fine (4) £280-£340 --- Jarvis Henry Clarkson was born at York in 1893 and served during the Great War with 62nd Divisional Cyclist Company, XVIII Cyclist Corps Battalion, and 1 Corps Cyclist Battalion. He died in 1949. Peter Clarkson, the son of the above, was born on 21 September 1925 and served in post-War Palestine with the Royal Signals.

Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (171 l. Cpl. W. D. Stuart. 7/Rl. Scots.) contact marks, very fine £70-£90 --- W. D. Stuart was awarded his T.F.E.M. per Army Order 10 of 1909.

Three: Private J. Ferris, Hampshire Regiment, later Wiltshire Regiment, who was killed in action at the Battle of Sharon on 19 September 1918 British War and Victory Medals (240389 Pte. J. Ferris. Hamps. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1767 Pte. J. Ferris. Hamps. R.) minor contact marks, very fine and better (3) £240-£280 --- John Ferris was born in East Harptree, Somerset in 1897. He served in the 2/5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment until transferred to 1/4th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, serving in India and then Egypt and Palestine. He was killed in action on 19 September 1918, in the Battle of Sharon, and is buried in Ramleh Cemetery. Sold with two brass ‘Hants’ shoulder titles and Hampshire Regiment bi-metal cap badge.

A Great War ‘Trench Raid’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal F. Thomas, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry during the night of 6-7 February 1917, and was killed in action on the Western Front on 8 May 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (3-6076 Pte. F. Thomas. 1/D.C.L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6068 Pte. F. Thomas, 2: D. of C. Lt. Infy.) initial officially corrected; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, top clasp facing slightly bent (6068 Pte. T. [sic] Thomas. D. of C.L.I.); 1914-15 Star (3-6076 Pte. F. Thomas. D. of Corn: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (3-6076 Pte. F. Thomas. D. of Corn. L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks to the Boer War pair, these nearly very fine; the Great War awards good very fine (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 26 March 1917. Fred Thomas was born at Bodmin, Cornwall, in 1877 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Truro on 29 November 1899. He served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 16 August 1900 to 25 August 1902, and transferred to the Army Reserve on 28 November 1907. He was discharged on 28 November 1911, after 12 years’ service. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Thomas was recalled from the Special Reserve and served with the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on the Western Front from 27 December 1914. For the next two years the Battalion was present during some of the heaviest fighting, notably at Ypres in April 1915, and at High Wood on the Somme in July 1916, suffering over 500 casualties at Meaulte on 1 August 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry during an enemy trench raid carried out by “A” Company on the night of 6-7 February 1917, the Company report stating: ‘The raiding parties consisted of 4 officers and 109 other ranks, with the Lewis Gun teams employed for flank protection. Each main party was sub-divided into small groups usually consisting of not more than 8 other ranks. Each small group was allotted a special objective and had been carefully trained to find their way to it.... On the night of the assault the moonlight was brilliant as the parties left the trenches at Zero hour minus one minute. The right part was immediately observed by the enemy who opened heavy rifle fire and a barrage of trench mortar bombs on the north of Mill Crater, and several men were hit. Our barrage opened exactly at Zero hour and effectually crushed the enemy opposition, although during the whole time the raiding parties were in the trench the enemy kept up a barrage of L.T.M. which burst principally on the north of Mill Crater... No machine gun fire was encountered on the right, and very little on the left. The wire on the right was thin and presented no serious obstacle, but on the left three belts of wire were encountered. All parties were in the enemy trench by Zero hour plus three minutes... Six dug-out we bombed and destroyed with mobile charges which proved remarkably effective... two of the dug-outs were known to be occupied by the occupants would not come out.’ Proceeding with the Battalion to Arras in April 1917, Thomas was killed in action in the Fresnoy area on 8 May 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Sold with copied service papers; medal roll extracts; Battalion War Diaries; and other research, including full details of the services for which he was awarded the Military Medal.

Four: Sergeant H. F. Adams, 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles), London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (3247 Sjt. H. F. Adams. 16-Lond. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (3247 Sjt. H. F. Adams. 16-Lond. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R. (34 L. Cpl. H. F. W. Adams. 16/London Regt.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘B50168’, complete with safety chain; and a miniature Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, E.VII.R., good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- Henry Frederick William Adams attested for the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), London Regiment and was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 103 of 1 April 1909. He re-enlisted on 16 September 1914 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front as a Sergeant. He was discharged due to wounds on 14 November 1918 and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. B50168. He died in Wandsworth in January 1952.

Pair: Private W. Waldie, King’s Own Scottish Borderers Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Gemaizah 1888 (2207 Pte. W. Waldie. 2/K.O. Sco: Bord:); Khedive’s Star, undated, unnamed as issued, contact marks, edge bruise to first, last part of regimental naming indistinct, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £160-£200 --- William Waldie, a Labourer from Edinburgh, attested into the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 8 February 1887. He served in Egypt and Sudan from 19 July 1887 and was present with his regiment at the Battle of Gemaizah. Discharged on 7th February 1899, he transferred to the Army Reserve and was recalled for service in South Africa during the Boer War (Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal), before his final discharge on 1 October 1901. Sold with copy service papers and Medal Roll extract.

Four: Warrant Officer Class II R. W. Baron, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (8129 Sjt. R. W. Baron. D. of Corn: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8129 W.O. Cl.2. R. W. Baron. D. of Corn. L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5439074 W.O. Cl. II. R. W. Baron. D.C.L.I.) good very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Robert William Brown was born in Tottenham, Middlesex, in July 1888 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry at Bodmin on 24 August 1905. Promoted Sergeant on 18 December 1913, he served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 December 1914, and was promoted Colour Sergeant on 9 October 1916, and Warrant Officer Class II on 1 May 1917. He saw further service post-War in India, before transferring to the Permanent Staff of the 4/5th Battalion as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 11 September 1922. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 136 of 1924, and was discharged on 23 August 1926, after 21 years’ service. He died in Truro on 25 April 1931 Sold with copied record of service and other research.

British War Medal 1914-20 (3096 Pte. J. B. Vernede, Nil. Vol. Rfs.) extremely fine, scarce to unit £60-£80 --- Provenance: John Tamplin Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2009 (when sold alongside the recipient’s Volunteer Force Long Service Medal). J. B. Vernede was awarded the Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, published in I.A.O. 117 of March 1930, whilst serving as a Corporal in the Nilgiri Malabar Battalion, Auxiliary Force India. Note: The recipient’s Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (for India and the Colonies), previously sold alongside this medal in 2009, subsequently sold in these rooms in March 2020.

A Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private J. Smith, Northamptonshire Regiment, who served as a underage soldier during the Boer War, transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry whilst still underage, and was discharged with ignominy for theft, assault, and lack of discipline, forfeiting his Medal in consequence. Directionless, angry, and homeless, Smith went on to hustle a titled Lady on Brompton Road and wasn’t shy in publicly expressing his disdain towards those who had come into wealth through means other than work Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (5488 Pte. J. Smith, 2: Nthptn: Regt.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £160-£200 --- John Lewis, alias John Smith, was born in London on 6 January 1885. His military service trail is particularly complicated, but he attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment when aged around 14 years and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa, recorded on the rolls as entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal, with clasps for Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State and Transvaal, and the King’s South Africa Medal with the two date clasps. Returning home to England, Smith attested for Royal Marines on 11 August 1902 (No. 11716), spending a short time at Deal before joining the Plymouth Division on 30 April 1903. Noted as ‘under age’ on his Service Record, his conduct was rated as ‘good’ at 18 years of age, but he fell from grace in April 1904 when he was convicted by District Court Martial of theft and dismissed. Fuelled by anger and feelings of unfairness, Smith returned to London and was immediately caught in the act of attempting to rob a lady in one of the wealthiest parts of the West End. The Daily Telegraph & Courier of 13 April 1904 describes the scene: ‘Dismissed with Ignominy, John Lewis, alias Smith, a young man, formerly in the Royal Marine Light Infantry from which he was dismissed with ignominy, was again charged, at Westminster, with snatching a purse, containing between £3 and £4, from Lady Blanche Humphreys of Thurloe-square, S.W., at Brompton-road. Lady Humphreys was out shopping, and prisoner suddenly rushed at her and snatched at her satchel containing her purse. The chain broke, and he ran off, but a young man pursued and handed him over to the police. Prisoner, in an insolent manner in court, said he considered he had as much right to the property as the lady, as she did not earn it. Detective-sergeant Ferrett said prisoner had three years’ penal servitude for striking his superior officer and for insubordination whilst in the service. His character was described as very bad, but he had most artfully written over and cleverly altered his discharge certificate by erasure and addition so that it read “conduct exemplary”.’ The above reference to altering his discharge certificate is confirmed in the recipient’s R.M.L.I. service papers. Equally, both rolls for the Boer War Medals confirm their forfeiture, and that for the K.S.A. dated 4 June 1908. As one might expect, the Q.S.A. Medal was never returned to the military authorities - indeed, the reliable trail for John Smith or John Lewis goes somewhat cold. Recorded as homeless in the Fulham Chronicle on 15 April 1904, it seems likely that the recipient was repeatedly admitted to various London workhouses between 1907 and 1913, based upon the records of a John Lewis, born in 1885, London.

A fine Second War ‘North Africa’ M.M. and ‘Italy’ Second Award Bar group of six awarded to Gunner A. E. Hinman, 4 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery Military Medal, G.VI.R. (966950 Gnr. A. E. Hinman. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. The recommendation states: ‘4 Medium Regt RA No. 966950 Gunner (Signaller) Alfred Hinman has been wireless operator of the O.P. for the majority of the campaign. Under extremely difficult conditions he has maintained an exceptionally high standard of efficiency. Under heavy shell fire (Tibourba, Bou Arada, Heidous, Bettioura, Longstop and the Bou feature) he has always shown complete disregard to personal safety in order to maintain communication. At Bou Arada on Feb. 26th, when left alone in the O.P. carrier, whilst his officer and Ack were on recce, the Germans advanced and the carrier came under M.G. and mortar fire, he remained on his set passing information back to the troop and was prepared to shoot the battery himself. In the attack on Mergab Chaouch April 8th, this signaller with the aid of one other carried a No. 11 set over six miles up a river bed mined and booby trapped, and immediately established communications when the hill was captured. In the night attack on Heidous with the Buffs April 16th approx. his wireless set was the only means of communication throughout the Battalion and he maintained communication all night under heavy M.G. and mortar fire.’ M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 6 April 1944. The recommendation states: ‘4 Medium Regt RA No. 966950 Gunner (Lance Bombardier) Alfred Edward Himan. On 13 Dec 43 Gr Himan was O.P. Assistant at the O.P. about 1½ miles NORTH WEST of SAN LEONARDO. During that day the cable from the remote control at the O.P. to the wireless set was broken several times by mortar and shell fire. On each occasion Gr Hinman went out along the line and mended the break. He did this in spite of continuous mortar, shell fire and sniping. He showed great coolness and gallantry with complete disregard of his own safety. He also located several enemy snipers and strong-points, pointing them out accurately and quickly to his O.P. officer so that they could be dealt with. Gnr Hinman's gallantry and resource had an important effect on the fire support of the attacks NORTH WEST of the R. MORRO. His devotion to duty was directly responsible for efficient communication to the guns. Strongly recommended for immediate award of bar to the M.M.’ Alfred Edward Hinman was a native of Doncaster, Yorkshire Sold with original news cuttings announcing award of both the M.M. and Bar; named card box of issue for M.M. and Bar with named Buckingham Palace enclosure; Telegram announcing award of Bar to M.M.; letter of congratulations on award of Bar from Brigadier, H.Q., Royal Artillery, A.C.M.F., and a cloth formation badge.

Four: Acting Warrant Officer First Class C. Gibson, Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1914-15 Star (01328 2.Cpl. C. Gibson. A.O.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (01328 A.W.O. Cl.1. C. Gibson. A.O.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (01328 T.Sub-Condr: C. Gibson. A.O.C.) nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 29 May 1917. Charles Gibson, a native of Ashington, Northumberland, served with the Army Ordnance Corps on the Western Front and was Mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s Despatch of 15 May 1917 whilst serving as Acting Sub Conductor.

Four: Farrier Quarter Master Sergeant F. A. Crowe, Royal Field Artillery British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (463 W.O. Cl. 2. F. A. Crowe. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2634 W. O. Cl. II F. A. Crowe. R.A.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (732692 W.O. Cl. II. F. A. Crowe. R.F.A.) mounted as worn, official correction to service number on BWM, contact marks, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 7 July 1919: ‘For distinguished services in France.’ Frederick Arthur Crowe, a Farrier and General Smith from Mutford, Suffolk, was born in 1888 and served during the Great War with the Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force). He was advanced Warrant Officer Class 2 in June 1918, and was Mentioned in Despatches in 1919, whilst serving as Farrier Quarter Master Sergeant with the 155th Army Brigade. He was awarded the T.E.M. in 1922 and a Second Award Bar in 1931. He died in Lothingland, Suffolk, in 1954. Sold with the recipient’s original M.I.D. certificate, this with minor spotting and folded; original parchment warrant on appointment as Warrant Officer Class II, dated 1 December 1919, and backdated to 22 June 1918; and original ‘flimsy’ letter authorising him to retain his rank and to wear uniform after discharge, dated 2 February 1931.

Canada General Service 1866-70, 2 clasps, Fenian Raid 1866, Fenian Raid 1870, unofficial rivets between clasps (Pte. C. Mc Ritchie, 24th. Bn.) Canadian-style impressed naming; together with a Veterans Association 1866 bronze star medal, unnamed, nearly extremely fine (2) £300-£400

A Waterloo and William IV L.S. & G.C. pair awarded to Repository Sergeant James Millar, Royal Foot Artillery Waterloo 1815 (James Mill.r, Bombadier (sic) Royal Foot Artillery) originally named ‘Miller’ and ‘E’ now scratched out; Army L.S. & G.C., W.IV.R. (J. Millar, Reposit. Serjt. Royal Artillery. 1835.) both with contemporary replacement large silver ball and bar suspension, the first with edge bruising and contact wear, fine, the second nearly very fine (2) £1,600-£2,000 --- L.S. & G.C. medal sent to Ordnance 12 May 1835. James Millar/Miller was born in the Parish of Woolwich, Kent, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Greenwich on 29 September 1803, at just 10 years of age, and served as a Drummer Boy until 1 November 1808, when he was appointed a Gunner and Driver. He reached the age of 18 on 1 July 1811, and was promoted to Bombardier & Corporal on 1 January 1814, later to Sergeant on 1 December 1824. He served abroad in the expedition to Hanover in 1805, and in the expedition to Holland in 1815, and was present at the battle of Waterloo where he served in the detachment of Captain Ibert’s Company (Miller on Royal Mint roll). He was finally discharged from the 5th Battalion R.A. at Woolwich on 13 January 1835, in consequence of chronic rheumatism and indigestion, his conduct ‘exemplary’. ‘Produces written testimonials from Colonel Williamson, C.B. (under whom he has been employed in the Royal Military Repository for the last eight years) and Captain Maule, both describing him as a most excellent Drill Sergeant, and in every way as a most efficient Non Comd. Officer.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (Lieutt. J. Fulton Bengal Arty.) naming officially engraved in running script, good very fine £300-£400 --- John Fulton was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the Bengal Artillery on 14 June 1845. He was subsequently appointed the following: 1st Lieutenant on 5 May 1849; 2nd Captain on 27 August 1858; 1st Captain on 14 May 1862; Major on 5 July 1872; Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 August 1872; Brevet Colonel on 1 August 1877; Colonel on 31 December 1878; and Major-General on 25 March 1880. He finally retired on 5 November 1883. Major-General Fulton served in the Punjab campaign in 1848-49 (Medal), and was also at the siege of Delhi (mentioned in despatches with ‘especial approbation and thanks for zeal, ability, and coolness in situations of great danger’, Medal with Clasp).

Three: Sergeant Trumpeter A. Biebuyck, Cape Garrison Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (2 Serjt: Tprt: A. Biebuyck. Cape G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2 Serjt:-Tptr: A. Biebuyck. Cape G.A.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (No. 2 Sergt. Tptr. A. Biebuyck. Cape Gar. Arty.) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (3) £240-£280

A fine Second World War ‘Operation Goodwood’ immediate M.M. group of six awarded to Private G. T. Munroe, Queen’s Own Highlanders of Canada, for his gallantry during the attack on St. Andre sur Orne, Normandy, 19 July 1944 - during which he was severely wounded Military Medal, G.VI.R. (L.2992 Pte. G. T. Munroe. C. Inf. C.) suspension claw re-affixed and loose; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted for display, generally nearly very fine (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2003. M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘During the attack on St. Andre, Private Munroe was with a leading platoon of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. His platoon was held up, in a very exposed position and where unable to get forward without covering fire. Quickly realising the urgency of the situation, Private Munroe placed himself under heavy enemy fire and cooly commenced to give covering fire so that his platoon could go forward. Although badly wounded, he refused to be evacuated and went forward with his platoon to the objective giving covering fire during the whole consolidation. The cool, courageous, action of Private Munroe enabled his platoon to reach their objective. Date of Action: 19 July 44.’ The above date proved to be a costly day for the Canadians, a series of assaults against well defended French towns and villages resulting in total casualties of 1,500 men, Private Munroe among them. The opposition included the Panzer Group West, which mounted ferocious counter-attacks with 1 and 9 S.S. Panzer Divisions. George Thomas Munroe served during the Second War with the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada as part of the 6th Canadian Infantry Brigade.

A scarce Second World War King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct group of three awarded to Aircraftman 2nd Class W. H. Gittins, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, originally recommended for a B.E.M. for his gallantry in saving an instructor from a burning aircraft which had crashed at R.A.F. Wrexham, 9 November 1943 Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (William H. Gittins) mounted on card for display, with framed and glazed King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct certificate, dated 8 June 1944, generally good very fine (3) £280-£340 --- King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct London Gazette 8 June 1944. The original recommendation (for a B.E.M.) states: ‘On the 9th November 1943, at R.A.F. Station, Wrexham, aircraft Master II AZ.836, being piloted by P/O. B. Shylega, a pilot under training, in the front cockpit with Sgt. D. J. Ray, instructor, in the rear cockpit, came in to land, stalled, and the pilot in endeavouring to gain control of the aircraft, crashed into Master II DK.932, an aircraft parked in a dispersal area some distance away from the runway in use. Both aircraft burst into flames, and Master II AZ.836 ended up the right way up in a mass of flames a few yards away from the other burning aircraft which had no occupants. The pilot in the front cockpit of Master II AZ.836, although severely burned about his face and hands, managed to get clear of the aircraft unaided, but the instructor, Sgt. Ray, was unable to free himself and was on the point of collapse when No. 1178198 Corporal Beswick S. J., who was some fifty yards away, ran to the scene of the burning aircraft and, although there were other airmen working on the spot, showed splendid initiative and high courage, setting a fine example to the airmen in the vicinity, by immediately, without fear of injury to himself, jumping on to the starboard centre section, opening the side of the rear cockpit and endeavouring to pull the instructor out who, by this time, was too overcome by the flames and burns to his face and hands to get out of the cockpit unaided. Corporal Beswick was unable to lift the instructor out by himself, and while endeavouring to do so, No. 1860769 AC2 Gittings [sic] W. H. who was some distance away, ran to the scene and immediately jumped up on to the aircraft and aided the Corporal, but the instructor was too heavy for these two airmen to lift and while they were endeavouring to rescue him, No. 943051 Sgt. Liudzius, A., who was also some distance from the scene, ran immediately to the buring aircraft, jumped up, and the three airmen between them were able to lift the instructor clear. During all this period the aircraft was burning furiously and, although the fire tender was spraying foam over the flames, there was a grave danger of explosion. Although none of these airmen themselves sustained any burns or other injuries, nevertheless, AC2 Gittings’ prompt action and courage in, without fear of injury to himself, going to the aid of Corporal Beswick, undoubtedly saved the life of Sgt. Ray the instructor.’ William Herbert Gittins served during the Second World War at No. 17 Pilots Advanced Flying Unit, R.A.F. Wrexham.

Arctic Medal 1875-76, a bronze specimen planchet, unmounted, small edge bruise, otherwise extremely fine and rare £300-£400

Four: Sergeant C. W. Passmore, Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (506143 Sjt. C. W. Passmore. R.E.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (506143 Cpl. C. W. Passmore. R.E.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (2201115 Sjt. C. W. Passmore. R.E.) mounted for wear in the incorrect order, contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £220-£260 --- Cecil W. Passmore, a resident of Weston Super Mare, was awarded the T.E.M. in May 1928, and served in the Home Guard during the Second World War. Sold with a Royal Engineers cap badge.

Pair: Private E. A. Stewart, 7th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (3-6356 Pte. E. A .Stewart. E. York. R.) nearly extremely fine (2) £200-£240 --- Edward A. Stewart, a native of Hull, attested for the East Yorkshire Regiment and served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916. He was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, on which date the Battalion was involved in support of the 17th (Northern) Division’s attack on Fricourt. Stewart’s Company, “D” Company, at Bécordel-Becort, took over the British front line shortly after zero, and went forward for the second phase of the assault at 2:30 p.m., suffering high casualties from machine gun fire which prevented them from reaching their objectives. Stewart was aged 19 at the time of his death, and is buried in Fricourt New Military Cemetery, France. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and Battalion War Diary extract.

An extremely rare ‘Northern Kurdistan’ group of six awarded to Major Duncan Brown, Royal Field Artillery 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. D. Brown. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major D. Brown.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, Northern Kurdistan (Lieut. D. Brown.); Iraq, Kingdom, Order of the Two Rivers, Fourth Class breast badge, Military Division, silver-gilt and enamels, with rosette on ribbon, complete but badge detached from suspension ring; Iraq Active Service Medal, 1 clasp ‘Barzan 1932’, mounted as worn, minor enamel chips to the Iraqi Order, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £900-£1,200 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 23 December 1918 (Major, 211th (East Lancashire) Brigade, R.F.A.). Iraq, Order of the Two Rivers, 4th Class (Military) London Gazette 20 January 1933 (Captain Duncan Brown, Royal Army Ordnance Corps). Duncan Brown was one of 5 sons of Colonel O. Brown, Chief Inspector of Ordnance Machinery, R.A. Second Lieutenant Duncan Brown served with 21st A.A. Battery R.F.A., B.E.F. from September 1915 to October 1916. His Medal Index Card confirms 1914-15 Trio, G.S.M. for Iraq and clasp for ‘Northern Kurdistan’, and ‘Iraq Active Service Medal for operations against Sheik Ahmed of Barzan 1932’.

Ashantee 1873-74, 1 clasp, Coomassie (1951. Gunr. W. H. Harris. 17th Bde. R.A. 1873-4.) edge bruising and polished, otherwise nearly very fine and rare to unit £400-£500 --- 47 medals without clasp to unit, and 6 with Coomassie clasp. William Henry Harris was born in the Parish of St Paul’s, London, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Westminster on 3 March 1871, aged 25 years 4 months. His discharge papers, dated 1 September 1879, confirm that he was in possession of the ‘Medal & Clasp for the Ashanti Expedition’, but that his Character and Conduct had ‘been very bad on account of abuse and drunkenness.’ His name ‘appeared thirty six times in the Regimental Defaulters Book and he had been tried four times by Court Martial.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.

Four: Lieutenant R. E. Henderson, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, late Lovat Scouts and Royal Sussex Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. R. E. Henderson. Rl. Sussex. Rgt.); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. R. E. Henderson. 1-Lovat’s Scts.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. E. Henderson.) good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- Robert Eveleyn Henderson, an East Indies Merchant, was born on 19 December 1890. He was commissioned into the Royal Sussex Regiment and served in South Africa with the 3rd Battalion during the Boer War. He served with 1st Battalion Lovat Scouts during the Great War in the Balkans theatre from 6 September 1915, before later service with the Guards Machine Gun Regiment and appears to have been awarded a Silver War Badge. His medals were sent to him at Sedgwick Park, Horsham, Sussex, and his Medal Index Card notes a further address at Moonhill Place, Cuckfield, Sussex. Henderson died, aged 44, on 6 November 1925, leaving a most substantial estate valued at £98,147 and is commemorated by an elaborate wall plaque inside St. Martin’s Church, Nuthurst, Sussex.

Six: Major A. C. Hood, Royal Marine Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (Ch. 19766, Pte. A. C. Hood. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. 19766 Pte. A. C. Hood. R.ML.I.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45 (Captain A. C. Hood R.M.) both impressed ‘Boot’s style’; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (Ch. 19766 A. C. Hood. Sgt. R.M.) minor staining and contact marks to Great War awards, nearly very fine (6) £100-£140 --- Alfred Cecil Hood was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, on 15 February 1898 and joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a Private with the Chatham Division on 7 October 1915. Initially recorded as 'under age', he served during the Great War aboard the light cruiser H.M.S. Champion from 8 December 1915 to 31 May 1918, and then the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Superb until the cessation of hostilities. He fought his first engagement at the Battle of Jutland and was present when H.M.S. Superb, under the command of Vice-Admiral Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe, led an Allied fleet through the Dardanelles and entered the Ottoman capital, Constantinople, on 13 November 1918, following the Armistice of Mudros. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a Gratuity, on 29 March 1931, Hood was appointed to the Royal Marine Office (London) and promoted Lieutenant Quartermaster on 7 November 1939. Sent to the Royal Marine Depot at Deal, he served during the Second World War with the Royal Marine Engineers, and was raised Captain on 7 November 1942 and Major on 23 February 1949. Transferred to the Pay and Records Office in the latter stages of his career, he was released from service on 22 February 1950 and took civilian employment as an accountant until retirement in 1955. Sold with copied Service Records and other research.

Six: Private J. Quinn, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6942 Pte. J. Quinn. 1/Bn. A. & S. Highldrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (6942 Pte. J. Quinn, A. & S. Highldrs.) minor official correction to ‘A’ of unit; 1914 Star, with clasp (6942 Pte. J. Quinn, 2/A. & S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (6942 Pte. J. Quinn. A. & S.H.); War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, contact marks, edge bruising, fine and better (6) £300-£400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2014. John Quinn attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, ands then with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 August 1914. Sold with copied medal roll extracts and medal index card.

Three: Private G. E. P. Gurney, Gloucestershire Regiment, later Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (2116 Pte. G. E. P. Gurney. Glouc. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2116 Pte. G. E. P. Gurney. Glouc. R.) mounted for wear, nearly very fine (3) £160-£200 --- George Ernest Peart Gurney served in the Gloucestershire Regiment before transferring to the Royal Engineers (Inland Waterways & Docks) as a Sapper. He died in 1968 at Gloucester.

Four: Lieutenant J. R. Thompson, Northern Cyclist Battalion British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. R. Thompson.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. J. R. Thompson. N. Cyc. Bn.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (254 C. Sjt. J. R. Thompson. N. Cyc. Bn.) mounted for wear, very fine and better (4) £300-£400 --- John Robert Thompson, a native of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, served in the Northern Cyclist Battalion and was commissioned from Colour Sergeant to be Second Lieutenant on 17 June 1915, and was promoted Lieutenant on 3 September 1915. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 August 1917, and for a short period in 1918 he was detached to 2/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment for educational instruction duties. He was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 216 of 1 July 1914.

Family Group: A post-War Order of St. John group of twelve awarded to Major. L. P. Clarke, Norfolk Regiment, later Royal Army Medical Corps The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, enamel chip to one arm of cross; British War and Victory Medals (Lt. L. P. Clarke. Norf. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Lt. L. P. Clarke. Norf. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lt. L. P. Clarke. Norf. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, lacking clasp but with ‘8’ riband emblem on riband; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial, reverse officially dated 1945 and additionally engraved ‘Major L. P. Clarke. R.A.M.C.’, with three Additional Award Bars, all E.II.R., two officially dated 1954 and the third dated 1955; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (7872423 Pte. L. P. Clarke. 4-Arm. C. Coy.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, rhodium plated, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards (lacking Service Medal of the Order of St. John), these similarly mounted as worn; ands a riband bar for the four G.V.R. awards, all housed in a Gieves, London fitted case, the four G.V.R. awards all later issues, generally very fine and better Three: Mrs. Molly D.-P. Clarke, British Red Cross Society Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Voluntary Medical Service Medal, silver, with two Geneva Cross Additional Award Bars (Mrs. Molly Dighton-Probyn Clarke.); together with a British Red Cross Society Three Year Service Medal, the reverse numbered ‘49549’; and various Red Cross badges, buttons, and shoulder titles, very fine (lot) £600-£800 --- Officer, Order of St. John, London Gazette 4 November 1977. Lionel Percy Clarke was born on 21 June 1896 and was educated at St. Helens College, Southsea, and later the Engineering College at the Municipal College Portsmouth. He was commissioned from the ranks to be Second Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment on 24 December 1916, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front, receiving a gun shot wound to the left shoulder whilst attached to the Machine Gun Corps. He transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1918 and served in India and Mesopotamia, and then on attachment to the Armament School. He saw further service with the Norfolk Regiment, attached 222nd Company, Machine Gun Corps during the Third Afghan War. After demobilisation, Clarke re-enlisted into the ranks of the 4th (County of London) Armoured Car Company, Tank Corps in December 1920 whilst a Medical Student, and was awarded his T.F.E.M. in August 1921. The following month he was re-appointed a Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment (Territorial Force), on 26 September 1921, and having qualified as a Doctor in 1930, transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps (Territorial Force) the following year. In the October 1941 Army List he is shown as Captain, R.A.M.C., T.A., and War Substantive Major, with seniority 14 March 1941. Clarke was awarded the Efficiency Decoration in 1946 (London Gazette 26 September 1946); the first and second clasps in 1954 (London Gazette 20 July 1954), and the third clasp the following year (London Gazette 25 October 1955). He resigned his commission on retirement in 1955 and died in Hampshire in 1980. Sold with the recipient’s original military driving licence (in French) for his service in North Africa in 1941, containing photograph; and two framed studio portrait photographs in uniform, one probably dating from the Great War and another in later life; also with a family New Testament Bible inscribed with his name.

Pair: Private A. Dowie, 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, when the Battalion was virtually wiped out British War and Victory Medals (20-750 Pte. A. Dowie. North’d Fus.) nearly extremely fine (2) £240-£280 --- Andrew Dowie was born in Sunderland on 9 July 1895 and attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers. He served with the 20th (1st Tyneside Scottish) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. The Battalion advanced together with the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd (2nd, 3rd, and 4th Tyneside Scottish) Battalions up Mash Valley north of La Boisselle, across the widest part of No Man’s Land, and were almost completely destroyed within minutes of leaving their start positions. Of the 80 officers that went into action from the 4 battalions only 10 returned, and of the men some 80% became casualties. There were 940 all ranks killed and some 1,500 wounded, with the 20th Battalion losing every Officer and Sergeant. Dowie has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with copied Medal Index Card; copied Birth Certificate; and Battalion War Diary extract.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private F. Gardner, 3rd Canadian Infantry Battalion Military Medal, G.V.R. (201374 Pte. F. Gardner. 3/Can: Inf: Bn:); British War and Victory Medals (201374 Pte. F. Gardner. 3-Can. Inf.) good very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 February 1917. Frederick Gardner was born in Dudley, Lancashire, on 1 January 1885. He attested at Toronto on 10 November 1915, and sailed from Halifax in the S.S. Olympic on 31 May 1916, serving in France with the 3rd Infantry Battalion. He was discharged at Toronto on 23 April 1919. Sold with copied attestation papers.

A fine Great War 'Western Front' M.M. and Second and Third Award Bars group of four awarded to Private G. Fraser, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, who was decorated with a trio of awards whilst attempting to supply the heavy artillery with shells Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second and Third Award Bars (M.2-050512 Pte. G. Fraser. M.T. A.S.C.); 1914-15 Star (M2-050512 Pte. G. Fraser. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M2-050512 Pte. G. Fraser. A.S.C.) minor official correction to prefix to number on MM, good very fine (4) £2,400-£2,800 --- 1 of 180 Military Medals and 2 Bars awarded during the Great War. M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 7 October 1918. M.M. Third Award Bar London Gazette 21 October 1918. George Fraser was born at Templestones, Rafford, on 10 October 1887. A resident of Edinburgh, Fraser attested at Cupar on 21 February 1915 for one of the Mechanical Transport Companies of the Army Service Corps, his trade noted as motor driver. Application successful, he was posted to France on 9 March 1915 with the newly formed 272 Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps, attached to the ammunition column of the 12th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. According to the recipient's Army Form Z.21., Fraser served as a 'Heavy I. C. Driver'. This most likely refers to a role as a heavy internal combustion driver. The London Gazette entries for each of his awards further note that he was thrice decorated whilst serving with the 12th Siege Battery, with whom Fraser appears to have served for almost the entire war. It was not uncommon at that time for those with specialist skills to remain with their units for the long term; the responsibility associated with transporting vast quantities of explosive and poison gas shells across a landscape raked by enemy artillery fire being entrusted to a handful of experienced men with long-standing appreciation of their part of the front. Sold with the recipient's original Certificate of Demobilisation, a letter from the dealer who purchased the group directly from the recipient's daughter, dated 15 August 1972, and extensive copied research.

A Second War ‘Italian theatre’ immediate M.M. awarded to Gunner Victor Griffin, 52nd Anti Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Military Medal, G.VI.R. (864124 Gnr. V. Griffin. R.A.) a later or replacement issue with swivel suspension, mounted on original investiture brooch but lacking pin, extremely fine £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 20 July 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The recommendation states: ‘864124 Gunner Victor Griffin, 52nd Anti Tank Regiment R.A. During the afternoon of 17th March 1944, Gnr Griffin was travelling on the back of a Portee on the coast road running NW from ANZIO. At about 1500. hrs at approx Map Ref 846178 an enemy shell of large calibre landed on the road close to the vehicle in front of that on which Gnr Griffin was travelling, setting it on fire, wounding two of its passengers and damaging another vehicle. At the time there was considerable traffic on the road travelling in both directions. As the shelling continued the traffic halted and drivers and passengers took cover in the ditches by the side of' the road, leaving a traffic block which was under shellfire and in danger of being set alight by the burning vehicle. Gnr Griffin did not take cover with the rest but by first collecting the drivers he relieved the traffic block, he then personally drove the burning truck into the side of the road thus clearing the road and finally rendered first-aid to the two wounded men and arranged for them to be evacuated in a passing ambulance. During the whole of this time the road in the immediate vicinity was being shelled. By his fine example and complete disregard for his own safety Gnr Griffin probably prevented further casualties to men and vehicles by clearing the traffic block and ensuring that the traffic kept moving. Granted an Immediate M.M.’

A fine Second War 1944 ‘Italy operations - breaching of the Hitler Line’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D. G. Davie, 4th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards), Canadian Armoured Corps, for his gallantry at Pontecorvo, 23-24 May 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (K.37015 A. Sjt. D, G. Davie, C.A.C.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with Canadian Maple Leaf on riband; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘On 23 May 1944, 1 Canadian Division attacked and broke through the Adolf Hitler Line, 4 Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (4 Princess Louise Dragoon Guards) pushed on beyond Pontecorvo to keep contact with the enemy. On the morning of 24 May 1944, a troop commanded by Corporal (A/Lance Sergeant) Douglas Gordon Davie was feeling out enemy positions north of the town when it was held up by a strong enemy rearguard position. In order to draw fire and pinpoint the German position this non-commissioned officer drove his carrier forward. From a completely exposed position he engaged the enemy with his heavy machine gun. In spite of their answering fire and with complete disregard for his own safety he continued to man his gun and inflicted casualties on the Germans. When he had expended his ammunition he dismounted and ran back to the rear carrier where he picked up his complement of machine gun belts. Returning to his gun he continued to fire it throughout the engagement and caused many more casualties. It was decided to let the artillery engage the strong point. When it therefore became necessary to withdraw, one man was required to go forward and to drive back from its exposed position an engineer’s vehicle containing valuable equipment. Undaunted by the heavy mortar fire, Corporal (A/Lance Sergeant) Davie volunteered for this task and carried it out successfully. Throughout the operation this non-commissioned officer displayed a high degree of courage and devotion. By his action he was able to inflict heavy casualties on the strong enemy rearguard and to pinpoint their positions.’ Douglas Gordon Davie served during the Second War with the 4th Canadian Reconnaissance Regiment (4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards) as part of the Canadian Armoured Corps.

Pair: Private W. Hartland, 46th Regiment of Foot Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Pte .Wm. Hatrtland 46th. Rt.) contemporarily engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, pierced with small ring suspension, both with top riband slide bars, edge bruising and light contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £240-£280 --- William Hartland was born at Tewkesbury, Worcestershire, on 8 December 1835 and attested for the 46th Regiment of Foot at Gloucester on 8 October 1853. He served with the Regiment in the Crimea from 12 October 1854 to 12 May 1855, and was discharged, suffering from chronic rheumatism contracted whilst in service on 8 March 1859, after 5 years and 91 days’ man’s service. Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.

Three: Private A. D. Davies, Northumberland Fusiliers British War and Victory Medals (NCB-802 A. D. Davies. North’d Fus.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (NCB - 802 Pte. A. D. Davies. North’d Fus.) good very fine (3) £160-£200 --- Alfred Denaird Davies served in the 1/4th (Territorial Force) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and later served attached to the 20th and 10th Battalions. Sold with a pair of brass Northumberland Fusiliers shoulder titles (one lacking one lug).

Three: Police Constable R. Bradbeer, Metropolitan Police Jubilee 1897, Metropolitan Police (P.C. R. Bradbeer. A. Divn.); Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (P.C. R. Bradbeer. A. Div.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C., R. Bradbeer.) very fine Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, 1 clasp, The Great War 1914-18 (Inspr. Harry Yeoman) nearly extremely fine (4) £70-£90 --- Robert Bradbeer was born in Exmouth, Devon, on 19 October 1870. He joined the Metropolitan Police at New Scotland Yard on 19 August 1895, and appears to have spent his entire service assigned to “A” Division. He took retirement aged 50; his address for pension is noted as 6, The Grove, Vauxhall, London. Sold with copied research.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (78355 Gnr F. Heard, 6th. E.D., R.G.A.) polished, good fine, the reverse better £80-£100 --- Sold with copied medal roll extracts.

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (3127 Pte: W. Cobb, 2/W. Rid: Rgt:) a slightly later issue, the naming engraved in a different, but official, style, cleaned, very fine £200-£240

Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (4236 Pte. W. Rowe. 2/V.B. D.C.L.I.) impressed naming, good very fine £50-£70

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st (bilingual) issue, Union of South Africa (Bdr. J. O. Cokayne. S.A.A.) very fine £50-£70

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Militia (Lt. R. P. McCammond. R.A.) good very fine £50-£70

Three: Sergeant A. Spence, Gordon Highlanders, who was killed in action on the First Day of the Passchendaele Offensive, 31 July 1917 1914-15 Star (S-5617. Sjt. A. Spence, Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-5617. Sjt. A. Spence, Good. Highrs.) good very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Alexander Spence was born at Inch, Aberdeenshire, on 4 February 1891, the eldest son of the Rev. Alexander Easton Spence, and was educated at Walker’s Academy, Aberdeen, then Stiring High School, and finally the Technical and Agricultural Colleges in Glasgow. Prior to the Great War he was employed as an Assistant Surveyor for Lanarkshire. Spence attested for the Gordon Highlanders on 3 September 1914, and served with the 8/10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 July 1915. He was killed in action 31 July 1917, on the first day of the Passchendaele Offensive; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and Roll of Honour extract.

Six: Sergeant George Tompkins, Royal Artillery, later Yeoman of the Guard Abyssinia 1867 (1384 Gunr. G. Tompkins 21st Bde. R.A.) old repair to suspension; Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed; Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed; Coronation 1911, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (5798 Cpl. G. Tompkins. 15th By. 11th B. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Sjt: G. Tompkins. R.A.) nearly very fine or better (6) £600-£800 --- M.S.M. awarded without annuity per Army Order 132 of 1919 by King George V. George Tompkins joined the Army on 2 August 1861 and, apart from his service in Abyssinia from 15 December 1867 to 23 June 1868, served at Home until retired to pension in November 1888. He was appointed to the Queen’s Body Guard on 13 March 1894, vice Sergeant-Major Ford, Scots Guards, and was still serving in 1919, when he was awarded the M.S.M. without annuity. Sold with copied discharge papers.

Four: Private W. H. Watts, Wiltshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (200237 Pte. W. H. Watts. Wilts. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1582 Pte. W. H. Watts. Wilts. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200237 Pte. W. H. Watts. 4/Wilts. R.) contact marks, edge bruising and polishing, nearly very fine (4) £240-£280 --- William Henry Watts served with 1/4th Territorial Battalion the Wiltshire Regiment and was demobilised on 26 April 1919. Sold with the recipient’s riband bar and a Wiltshire Regiment Old Comrades lapel badge.

Four: Private F. W. Pester, East Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (1625 Pte. F. W. Pester. E. Surr. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1625 Pte. F. W. Pester. E. Surr. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (240224 Pte. F. Pester. 6. E. Surr: R.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £220-£260

An inter-War Knight Bachelor, Great War O.B.E. group of seven awarded Major Sir William O. Wright, Madras Artillery Volunteers (The Duke's Own), who served with this unit when they returned fire at the S.M.S. Emden during the Bombardment of Madras on 22 September 1914; later Honorary Consul for Belgium at Madras Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 1st type breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1933, in case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; British War Medal 1914-20, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major W. O. Wright); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Indian Volunteer Forces Decoration, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘Maj: W. O. Wright. 2nd (Madras) G. G. Arty:’; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Knight's breast Badge, gilt and enamel, the medals cleaned and lacquered and mounted for wear, heavy enamel chipping to first, thus good fine; the rest generally good very fine (7) £1,200-£1,600 --- Knight Bachelor London Gazette 4 June 1934. O.B.E. London Gazette 12 September 1919. Belgian Order of the Crown London Gazette 28 September 1937: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered by him while Honorary Consul of Belgium at Madras.' William Owen Wright was born in 1882, the son of Major-General Sir William Purvis Wright, K.C.B., and prior to the Great War worked for Parry & Co. Ltd in Madras, serving as a Lieutenant in the Madras Artillery Volunteers (The Duke's Own). Following the outbreak of the Great War, the city found itself unexpectedly on the frontline when the German cruiser Emden steamed into port. She slipped quietly into the Bay on the night of 22 September and opened fire around 21:00. The Garrison was turned out and the Madras Artillery Volunteers led by Major H. H. G. Mitchell and Major J. Cunliffe manned the guns to repel the attack. By 22:00 the Emden had pulled away, having caused significant damage to the oil tanks by the port. The terror caused by this event seems to have hung over the port for some time with the Englishman's Overland Mail reporting on 1 October that a member of the Garrison Artillery Volunteers had been arrested for spreading rumours of the raider's return. Nevertheless, the Garrison had performed well under fire and were generally praised for forcing the Emden's withdrawal. Major Cunliffe, who had directly commanded the volunteers during the attack, was allowed to take a temporary Commission as Captain in the Royal Artillery and was seconded to serve on the Western Front. Major Mitchell was promoted to Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel and the Madras Volunteers were addressed by the Governor of Madras in December and thanked for 'the actual military service they have done during the past few months' (Englishman's Overland Mail of 24 December 1914, refers). Wright was promoted to Major on 1 April 1917, and was given effective command of the 2nd (Madras) Garrison Group Artillery. For his services during the great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 11 June 1920) and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. After the end of the war, he continued his work with Parry & Co., reaching the post of Director in 1928, and Chairman Madras Branch European Association in 1931. He received a Knighthood in the 1934 Birthday Honours’ List, and - also serving as the Honorary Consul of Belgium in Madras - was awarded the Belgian Order of the Crown. He later served as a President of the Employers Federation of India in 1938. He died in Walmer, Kent, on 8 May 1951. Sold with a letter to his son from the solicitors Cleaver, Holt & Morris, dated 1955, giving provenance to the Knight Bachelor's Badge.

Nine: Sergeant H. J. Inder, Royal Field Artillery India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (9511 Trumr. H. J. Inder 9 M.B. R.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp (9511 Dvr: H. J. Inder. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (9511 Sjt. H. J. Inder. R.A.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (9511 A. Bmbr: H. J. Inder. R.F.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (9511 Sjt. H. J. Inder. R.A.; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (1671451 Sjt. H. J. Inder. R.A.) mounted for display, nearly very fine or better (9) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. awarded under the terms of Army Order 98 of 1953 without annuity.

Five: Private J. G. Care, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Corporal, Royal Air Force British War and Victory Medals (2172 Pte. J. G. Care. D. of Corn. L.I.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (346184. Cpl. J. G. Care. R.A.F.) the three GVR awards mounted as worn; the two Second War awards loose, nearly extremely fine (5) £120-£160 --- James Grenfell Care was born at St. Ives, Cornwall, on 25 November 1888 and served with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry during the Great War. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force on 15 March 1921, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in August 1935. He saw further service at home during the Second World War, and was released on 21 September 1945. He died in St. Ives on 17 January 1947. Sold with an OHMS transmission envelope, dated 7 February 1946, addressed to ‘Mr. J. G. Care, 14 Tregwary Road, St. Ives, Cornwall’; and copied research.

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (4607 Trpr: F. W. Smith, 41st Coy 12th Imp: Yeo:) very fine £100-£140 --- Frederick William Smith was born in Hawkhurst, Kent, and attested for the Imperial Yeomanry at Winchester in January 1900. He served with the 41st (Hampshire) Company, 12th Battalion in South Africa, January 1900 - June 1901, and was discharged during the latter month. Sold with the following original documents: Orders informing recipient that he has been selected as one of 38 N.C.O.’s and men of the 41st (Hampshire) Company Imperial Yeomanry to be presented with his medal by the King at Horse Guards’ Parade, 26 July 1901; Parchment Certificate of Discharge; Parchment Certificate of Character; with copied service papers.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of three awarded to Major P. W. Freeman, 5th Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles (Quebec Regiment) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Major P. W. Freeman.) good very fine (3) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919: ‘This officer displayed great skill in leading his company in a successful attack. During the last 400 yards of the advance his left flank was in the air, but by quick initiative he took the necessary steps to defend it. His apt leadership and skilful handling of his company greatly added to the success of the operation.’ Percy Wilson Freeman attested for overseas service at Valcartier on 27 September 1915, having served in the 63rd Halifax Rifles since May 1913. Sold with original commission as Lieutenant in 63rd Halifax Rifles, dated 1 November 1914; an American Red Cross First Aid medal, bronze with bar inscribed ‘Won by P. W. Freeman, Capt.’; and C.E.F. badge for service at the front.

Four: Battery Sergeant Major G. G. Roberts, Royal Field Artillery British War and Victory Medals (690453 W.O. Cl. 2 G. G. Roberts. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (690453 W.O. Cl. II. G. G. Roberts. R.A.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (690453 B. S. Mjr. G. G. Roberts. R.F.A.) mounted for wear, edge bruising and contact marks, polished ands worn, therefore good fine (4) £240-£280 --- George Gordon Roberts was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 372 of December 1918, and the Second Award Bar per Army Orders of May 1930, as W.O. Cl. II, No. 721698, R.A. His first service number indicates service with 4th Brigade, West Lancashire Division, R.F.A., before he re-engaged on 3 March 1920 into the 53 Welsh Division R.F.A., aged 34, being renumbered 721698. He was discharged in March 1935.

Volunteer Force Long Service Medal (India & the Colonies), G.V.R. (Gunner W. Duncan 1st. (Cossipore Bde. Mobile Arty (I.D.F.)) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £80-£100

Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (25136801 Pte M D James R Anglian) extremely fine £100-£140

Six: Sergeant. L. Veale, Devonshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (290046 Sjt. L. Veale. Devon R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (290046 Sjt. L. Veale. Devon R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (290046 Sjt. L. Veale. 4/Devon R.) mounted as worn in the incorrect order, some spotting and traces of verdigris, otherwise very fine and better (6) £280-£340 --- Lawrence Veale was born in 1894 and served with the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during the Great War, being disembodied on 29 April 1919. He was awarded the T.F.E.M. per Army Order No. 138 of 1 May 1919. Veale’s elder brother, Corporal Theodore Veale, served in the 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment during the Great War, and was awarded the Victoria Cross for bringing in wounded under heavy fire during the assault on High Wood (London Gazette 9 September 1916).

Pair: Corporal T. Goodyear, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, unoffical rivets between fourth and fifth clasps (2956 Corl. T. Goodyear, 2 :D. of C. Lt. Infy.); Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., Circular issue, 2nd ‘Coronation robes’ issue (Thomas Goodyear) mounted as worn, light contact marks, polished, very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Thomas Goodyear was born at Micheldever, Hampshire, in 1872 and attested for the Suffolk regiment on 4 September 1888. He transferred to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 21 May 1899, and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 5 November 1899, notably at Paardeberg where the Battalion suffered heavy casualties. Discharged on 3 September 1901, after 13 years’ service, he subsequently became a postman in Birmingham, and was awarded the Imperial Service medal upon his retirement in 1932 (London Gazette 20 May 1932). Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.

Three: Private R. Campbell, Scottish Rifles and Machine Gun Corps, later Royal Army Service Corps, who was awarded an ‘Immediate’ Meritorious Service Medal 1914-15 Star (11539 Pte. R. Campbell. Sco. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (11539 Pte. R. Campbell. Sco. Rif.) contact marks, nearly very fine Memorial Plaque (Frederick Hunt) minor patches of staining, very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Robert Campbell attested for the Scottish Rifles and served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 May 1915. Transferring to the Machine Gun Corps, he was appointed Lance Corporal and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in the ‘Peace Gazette’ of 3 June 1919. He was discharged Class “Z” on 18 June 1919, and saw later service with the Royal Army Service Corps. There are several men with the name Frederick Hunt recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll of Honour.