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A rare Colonial Police long and meritorious service group of six awarded to Sergeant-Major Kaboko, Rhodesian Police, late British South Africa Police Rhodesia General Service Medal (10757 Stn./Sgt.); Rhodesia Police L.S. & G.C., with Bar (10757 Stn./Sgt.), the edge also stamped ‘(Dup.)’ for duplicate issue; War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (10757 African Stat. Sgt., B.S.A.Police); Colonial Police Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (10757 Afr./1/Sgt., B.S.A.P.); St. John Service Medal, unnamed, the Colonial Police Medals with contact marks, thus nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (6) £400-500 Kaboko, a member of the Manyika Tribe who was born in Salisbury in June 1919, enlisted in the British South Africa Police in June 1941, and rose to be Salisbury’s most senior African traffic policeman before his retirement in October 1972. ‘A ruthless disciplinarian’, he was awarded his St. John Service Medal in 1959, his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C. and Meritorious Service Medals in August 1960 and January 1963, his Rhodesia General Service Medal in December 1969 and his Police Long Service Medal with Bar in August 1971. Kaboko was employed as a Caddy Master at the Royal Salisbury Golf Course following his retirement in 1972; sold with full research and verification - also see Medal News, October 1997, p. 16.

Five: Sergeant Mutandwa, Rhodesian Police, late British South Africa Police Rhodesia General Service Medal (11528 Sgt.); Rhodesia Police L.S. & G.C. (11528 Sgt.), edge stamped ‘(R.)’ for replacement; War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (11528 African Const., B.S.A. Police); St. John Service Medal, unnamed, ‘Police’ on the fourth privately engraved, generally good very fine (5) £160-180 Mutandwa was born at Gutu in Southern Rhodesia in June 1924 and, having worked at the Iscor Steel Works on the outskirts of Pretoria, returned home and enlisted in British South Africa Police in June 1945. Thereafter, in a long career spanning nearly 30 years, he held assorted appointments in Salisbury, Gwelo, Selukwe and Bulawayo, among them Court Orderly and Interpreter, Licence Inspector and ‘Sudden Death Dockets ‘Compiler. Awarded the St. John Service Medal in 1960 and his Rhodesia Police L.S. & G.C. in January 1972, he retired in December of the following and became a lay preacher in the Dutch Reform Church; sold with three original St. John Ambulance certificates, dated March 1949, December 1958 and October 1960, together with his B.S.A.P. certificate of service, dated December 1973, these in generally worn / damaged condition. #160-180 496. A rare Colonial Police long and meritorious group of four awarded to Sergeant Mabgwe-Mpofu, British South Africa Police War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, with 2 Bars (9813 African 1st Cl. Sgt. Mabgwe, B.S.A. Police); Colonial Police Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (9813 African Stn. Sgt. Petros M.B. Mpofu, B.S.A. Police); St. John Service Medal (8796 Mabgwe, 9813, Rhodesia S.J.A.B., 1956), contact marks and occasional edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine (4) £450-550 Mpofu, who changed his name from Mabgwe in 1961 (B.S.A.P. records refer), was a member of the Mzezuru Tribe who was born in October 1913. Enlisting in the British South Africa Police in September 1935, he was advanced to African Station Sergeant in August 1955 and retired in November 1965, largely having served in Bulawayo and Salisbury. Awarded his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C. Medal in 1954, he added a Bar to it in 1962 and a second Bar in 1965, and was awarded his Colonial Police Meritorious Service Medal in 1963; sold with research and verification.

Three: African 1st Class Sergeant Thompson, British South Africa Police War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, with rosette on riband (9163 A./2/Sgt., B.S.A. Police); St. John Service Medal (9163 Pte., (7432)), together with related S.J.A.B badge, mounted as worn, generally very fine or better (4) £120-150 Thompson, a member of the Muzezuru Tribe, enlisted in the British South Africa Police in October 1931, and served variously in Umtali, Salisbury and Hatfield until his retirement in October 1958, in addition to a tour of duty at the Polish Refugee Camp at Marandellas 1943-44. Awarded his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C. in 1950, he added a Bar to it in 1957; sold with research and verification.

Three: African Station Sergeant Paradzayi, British South Africa Police, one time the recipient of a Commissioner’s Commendation War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (10306 African Stat. Sgt., B.S.A. Police); St. John Service Medal (10306 Pte. (7428)), generally very fine or better (3) £120-150 Paradzayi was born in the Makoni District in 1918 and enlisted in the British South Africa Police in 1938. Posted to Gatooma Town, he was transferred to Salisbury at the end of the 1939-45 War, where he served variously at Avondale, Harare, the Highlands and Waterfalls, and won a Commissioner’s Commendation in 1949 under the following circumstances: ‘The Commissioner has much pleasure in granting a Commendation to No. 10306 A./2/Sgt. Paradzayi, Salisbury Urban, for displaying zeal, initiative and ability in effecting the arrest of a native criminal, who was subsequently convicted of 22 offences against property.’ Paradzayi was killed in a road accident in December 1959; sold with related research.

Three: African Sergeant Dzawo, British South Africa Police War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (11147 African Sgt., B.S.A.); St. John Service Medal (8815, Rhodesia S.J.A.B., 11147, 1957), the last of bronze appearance due to worn state of silvering, contact marks, otherwise generally very fine (3) £120-150.

Pair: African Sergeant Mapuranka, British South Africa Police, who died of injuries received on patrol in the Chibi Reserve, Rhodesia War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (11217 African Sgt. Mapuranka, B.S.A), generally good very fine (2) £180-200 Regis Felix Mapuranka Kwenda (No. 11217), who hailed from the Bikita District, enlisted in the British South Africa Police in October 1943. Advanced to African Sergeant in April 1954, he was posted to Chibi as senior N.C.O. in October 1959. Sadly, however, as confirmed by his obituary in Mapolisa, he died at Fort Victoria Hospital on 2 October 1962 ‘as a result of injuries received when he was assaulted while carrying out a patrol in the Dayira area of the Chibi Reserve on 26 September’. Described as an ‘efficient and capable N.C.O. who maintained discipline with a firm hand’, Mapuranka had been awarded his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C. in June of 1962; sold with related research and copy obituary.

Four: Station Sergeant B. J. S. Mbulayi, Rhodesian Police, late British South Africa Police Rhodesian General Service Medal (11350 Staff/Sgt.); Rhodesian Police L.S. & G.C. (11350 Stn./Sgt.); War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (11350 African Sgt., B.S.A.), good very fine or better (4) £140-160 Benjamin J. S. Mbulayi was born in Zwimba, Sinoia District in 1924 and enlisted in the British South Africa Police in July 1944. Awarded his Colonial Police L.S. & G.C. Medal in November 1962, he retired in the rank of Station Sergeant in September 1969, having served for most of his career in the Bulawayo Rural District. His Rhodesia General Service Medal was a ‘late claim ‘in 1981, so, too, most probably, his Rhodesian Police L.S. & G.C. - his rank erroneously being given as Staff Sergeant on the former; sold with research.

Pair: African 1st Class Sergeant Lobengula, British South Africa Police War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (10863 Afr./1/Sgt., B.S.A.P.), good very fine (2) £120-150 Lobengula enlisted in the British South Africa Police in October 1941 and retired in January 1965, his accompanying discharge certificate further confirming his entitlement to the above described awards.

An unusual Arctic exploration pair awarded to the Rev. George Fisher, late Royal Navy, a Chaplain and Astronomer in the 1818 and 1821-23 Expeditions, and afterwards the Principal of Greenwich Hospital School: the only Chaplain and one of two Astronomers entitled to the Arctic 1818-55 Medal, his important scientific observations later filled 300 pages of Parry’s published journal Arctic Medal 1818-55, unnamed as issued; Westminster Fire Office Medal, silver, the reverse with old engraved inscription, ‘Mr. George Fisher, Elected 17th Augt. 1809’, 40mm., generally good very fine (2) £1200-1500 Ex Len Matthews collection, who purchased the above described awards in a charity auction held in 1990, when offered with a quantity of unrelated family documents; and Spink, 30 November 1999 (Lot 489). George Fisher was born at Sunbury, Middlesex in July 1794, the son of a surveyor, James Fisher, and his wife Henrietta. One of a large family left to the care of a widowed mother when James died in 1797, George Fisher received little early education before entering the office of the Westminster (Fire) Insurance Company aged 14 years in 1808. Employed as a clerk, it is probable, too, that he served as a porter, in which role he would have been responsible for the removal and protection of items from fire-damaged properties. More certain is the fact his ‘devotion to uncongenial duties won the respect and rewards of his employers’, reference no doubt to his silver Westminster Fire Office Medal. In 1817, and having likely come into contact with noted scientists of the day as a result of his work at Westminster, Fisher entered St. Catherine's College, Cambridge, but his studies were put on hold as a result of recurring illness - and his appointment as an Astronomer to the forthcoming Arctic Expedition, an appointment made on the recommendation of the President and Council of the Royal Society. Referred to in Admiralty instructions as ‘Mr. Fisher, who is represented to us as a gentleman well skilled in Astronomy, Natural History, and various branches of knowledge’, he was provided with assorted scientific instruments to assist his observations and research, pioneering work on the physical, chemical and physiological consequences of the Arctic climate. Astronomer to the 1818 Expedition Four ships under Admiralty orders participated in the 1818 Expedition, setting sail on 21 April - H.M. ships Alexander and Isabella were ordered to find a North-West Passage, while the Trent and Dorothea - Fisher's ship - were to seek a passage from the Svalbard Islands by way of the North Pole to the Bering Strait, and thence to the Pacific Ocean, courses of action resulting from a belief that there was an ‘Open Polar Sea ‘, a theory that existed until the final decades of the 19th century. Be that as it may, the Trent and Dorothea safely reached their rendezvous at Magdalena Bay, on the north-west coast of Spitzbergen Island, where they remained for some days surveying the harbour. On putting out to sea again on 7 June, the ice soon closed-in and both ships became entrapped, but they later found refuge at Fair Haven on 28 June, in the extreme north-west of Spitzbergen. Setting out again on 6 July, they penetrated to 80¼ 34'N, the most northerly limit of their voyage, before encountering an impenetrable barrier of ice and again being entrapped. Eventually, however, the ships broke clear, but then ran into a gale in which they were severely damaged. Once more finding refuge in Fair Haven, and having made temporary repairs, the expedition sailed for home on 30 August, thereby bringing to a close the Royal Navy’s last attempt to sail a ship across the ‘Open Polar Sea ‘. In spite of the unforgiving ice and sea, a scientific harvest was reaped from the expedition, based on Fisher's experiments on the length of the pendulum at Spitzbergen. An abstract of these experiments eventually saw print in an appendix of A Voyage of Discovery Towards The North Pole by Beechey. In addition, the results of Fisher's observations of the ships' chronometers during the voyage were embodied in a paper read before the Royal Society on 8 June 1820, entitled On the Errors in Longitude as Determined by Chronometers at Sea, Arising from the Action of the Iron in the Ships upon the Chronometers. Astronomer and Chaplain to Parry’s 1821-23 Expedition It was about this time that Fisher evidently took Holy Orders, in order to become a Naval Chaplain, and it was in this role, and again as Astronomer on the recommendation of the Royal Society, that he joined William Parry's second North-West Passage Expedition. In April 1821, H.M.S. Fury - Fisher's ship - and Hecla were sent by the Admiralty to search for a passage along the west coast of the unexplored Foxe Basin in the northern reaches of Hudson Bay, and north of Repulse Bay. Parry subsequently became the first to sail through Frozen Strait, but in late August, having found no passage through Repulse Bay, he explored the coast of Melville Peninsula northward, naming, among other features, Haviland Bay, Bushnan and Vansittart Islands, Gore Bay and Lyon and Hoppner Islets. He also examined two inlets by boat, sailing as far as Ross Bay. Wintering with his comrades at ‘Winter Island ‘, off south-east Melville Peninsula, Fisher set up his portable observatory ashore, in which task he was ably assisted by his servant, Able Seaman Henry Siggers. Numerous wide-ranging experiments were conducted, among them those of value to navigators in high latitudes, including comparative tests of compasses and numerous observations to determine refraction when stars were observed near the horizon in very cold weather. He also measured the velocity of sound, the contraction of a series of different metal bars at low temperatures, and the behaviours of various chemicals. While in 1822, he discovered the liquidization of gases, especially chlorine - one year ahead of the noted English chemist and physicist Michael Faraday, who is usually credited with being the first to liquefy chlorine. On 1 February 1822, Eskimos visited Fisher and his comrades, spending much of the winter in their company, thereby enabling them to make detailed observations of their customs and language. Leaving their winter quarters on 2 July - and using an Eskimo map of the region - the Fury and Hecla explored north along the east coast of Melville Peninsula. More Eskimos were encountered at Igloolik and afterwards the entrance to Fury and Hecla Strait was discovered. Ice, however, prevented Parry from passing through the strait, but overland journeys confirmed that it led west into open sea - in fact, this was the entrance to the southernmost possible North-West Passage, but modern knowledge confirms that ice conditions made it impassable to sailing vessels. Parry returned to Igloolik Island and established winter quarters at that place, where the expedition again had much contact with Eskimos during the winter and Fisher once more set up his portable observatory ashore, patiently continuing his valuable experiments. Leaving those quarters in August 1823, Parry made a second attempt to sail through Fury and Hecla Strait, but was again unsuccessful and, fearing the onset of scurvy, he abandoned the effort and returned home. This was the last major attempt to find a North-West Passage through Hudson Bay, and the search for an elusive passage continued in more northern latitudes. Parry's journal made specific note of Rev. Fisher's advancements in the departments of science: ‘I have the most sincere pleasure in offering my testimony to the unabated zeal and perseverance with which under circumstances of no ordinary difficulty from climate, and in spite of frequent ill health, he continued to pursue every object which could tend to the improvement of Astronomy and Navigation, and to the interests of Science in general.’ Indeed, of Parry's 800-page publishe

‘With the ensign at half-mast, and the Union Jack as a pall, the funeral procession, attended by all but four very bad cases, started at nine o’clock, and the burial service being read, the remains were consigned to their last icy resting place in this world. Improvising a crude cross, formed with a boat’s oar and a spare sledge-batten, it was placed at the head of the grave, with the following inscription: ‘Beneath this cross lie buried the remains of Geo. Porter, R.M.A., who died on June 8th 1876. Thy will be done. ‘Of all the melancholy and mournful duties I have ever had to perform, this has been the saddest. A death in a small party like ours, and under the present circumstances, is a most distressing event, and is keenly felt by all. During the service all were more or less affected, and many to tears.’ Commander A. H. Markham’s Northern Sledge Party Journal refers. A rare and emotive Arctic 1875-76 Medal awarded to Gunner G. Porter, Royal Marine Artillery, a member of Markham’s Northern Sledge Party whose sacrifice was commemorated by the naming of ‘Porter Bay ‘on the northern coast of Ellesmere Island Arctic Medal 1875-76 (G. Porter, Gnr., R.M.A., H.M.S. Alert), edge bruising, very fine £5000-6000 Ex J. B. Hayward (Gazette No. 7, June 1976, Item 198); of four casualties from the 1875-76 Expedition, the Arctic Medals of two of them reside in public institutions. George Porter enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in Birmingham in September 1866, aged 18 years, giving his trade as varnisher. Having then collected one Good Conduct Badge, he committed a spate of misdemeanours in the period 1869-74, ranging from absence without leave to the loss of a ‘rammer overboard through carelessness at gun drill’, the cost of which latter implement was deducted from his wages. Then in April 1875, he joined the Alert, under Captain George Nares, in which ship, in the following month, he sailed for the unknown ‘High Arctic ‘, where, in company with the Discovery, Nares was to explore North-West Greenland and the northern regions of Ellesmere Island. For his own part, Porter was one of just seven R.M.A. men employed on the expedition, and indeed one of only 13 such servicemen who qualified for either of the Arctic Medals issued in the 19th century. And in common with his R.M.A. predecessors from the Franklin Search Expeditions, Porter was tasked with handling cannisters of gunpowder to blast frozen obstructions, and in creating ‘ice docks’ for the ships' winter quarters, the latter work again entailing the use of gunpowder, and of giant ice saws. Another duty he shared with his predecessors was that of officers’ servant, in Porter’s case to Lieutenant Pelham Aldrich, who, in his journal entry of 8 August 1875, observed: ‘My servant Porter is a character. He has just been telling me of a dinner he has had of the heart of a Walrus, which he captured this morning. I expressed a hope he would not be ill after it - "That is if it is good to eat" says he, alluding to a remark he had made about it being better than some sheep's liver we had the other morning! - and then he finished up with "I eat a tidy lot of it Sir" - "this 'Eart was ate too Sir" - I am to have some this morning though somewhat doubtful in the subject it is nevertheless a good thing to find out what we can actually devour with infinity in case of future requirements.’ By late August, the ships had reached Discovery Harbour, on the northern side of Lady Franklin Bay, Ellesmere Island, the site chosen for Discovery’s winter quarters. The Alert, meanwhile, continued up Robeson Channel to Floeberg Beach, to 82¼ 82'N - the highest latitude reached by any ship up to that time - and established her winter quarters on 1 September. Shortly afterwards, Autumn sledge parties established depots northward at Cape Joseph Henry for extended journeys the following spring, but at this stage, at least, Porter would appear to have been spared such challenging work - and the accompanying threat of snowblindness, frostbite, blistering of the skin and extreme thirst caused by inhaling cold, dry air and exhaling moisture. Instead, happily, he added a second Good Conduct Badge to his accolades on New Year’s Day 1876. Markham’s Northern Sledging Party In the Spring, three major sledging parties - two from Alert and one from Discovery - set out to explore toward the North Pole and along the north coasts of Ellesmere Island and Greenland, the journey ahead being likened by one Arctic officer to far worse than going into action - in fact he had never ‘seen such labour, and such misery after. No amount of money is an equivalent .. Men require much more heart and stamina to undertake an extended travelling party than to go into action. The travellers have their enemy chilling them to the very heart, and paralyzing their very limbs; the others the very contrary.’ And so it was, on 3 April, that Lieutenant Aldrich's Western Sledge Party and Commander Albert H. Markham's Northern Sledge Party left the ship, along with supporting sledges. Markham's party comprised H.M. Sledges Support, Marco Polo (with a boat) and Victoria (with another boat and Porter), the object of the journey being to attain the highest northern latitude possible, and to determine to possibility of a more fully equipped party reaching the North Pole. The departure was poignantly described by Markham: ‘At eleven o'clock, everything being in readiness for a start, all hands assembled on the floe, and prayers were read by [Reverend] Pullen. The hymn, "[Praise] God, From Whom All Blessings Flow," was then sung, after which the order was given to "fall in," and amidst the hearty cheers of those few who were left behind, the sledging parties moved off. The captain and officers accompanied us for a short distance, when, wishing us God-speed, they turned to go back. This was a signal for three cheers from the travellers, after which they settled down to their work, and the march was steadily commenced.’ Shortly after leaving the Alert, Markham noted a temperature of 33¼ below zero and described the travelling as ‘by no means good, snow deep, and the sledges dragging very heavily’, the former factor ‘rendering the task of writing up our journals when we halted extremely unpleasant and painful’: on the second day the temperature plummeted to 45¼ below zero. And by 10 April, after marching nine to ten hours every day, Markham wrote, ‘We experienced heavy work in cutting a road [with pick axe and shovel] through the line of shore hummocks that gird the coast, and did not succeed in reaching the depot [at Cape Joseph Henry] until eleven o'clock.’ Here the Northern Sledge Party collected provisions for 63 days. The next morning was thick and foggy, to which was added a heavy snow fall. The supporting sledges returned to the ship, and the two extended parties pressed onward: the Northern Sledge Party leaving terra firma and pushing straight out onto the rugged polar pack, while the Western Sledge Party continued exploration of Ellesmere's coast to the westward. Markham's sledges Marco Polo, Victoria and Support weighed a total of 6,079 lbs. - 15 men were dragging a staggering 405 lbs. per man - which offers some appreciation of the effort it took to get through the snow and over hummocks of ice as high as 20-30 feet. No surprises then that Markham observed, ‘The men appear a good deal done up.’ On 14 April, one of them complained of a ‘pain in his ankle and knee, both of which exhibited slight symptoms of puffiness’, and two days later he was unable to walk and was obliged to be put on a sledge, adding to the burden of his comrades. The temperature was 30¼ below zero and ‘all unanimously came to the conclusion that it was the most wretched and miserable Easter Sunday that any one of us has ever passed’: doubtless this was especially true for George Porter, who began complaining of stiff knees, which were

The uniquely dated ‘Discovery Investigations ‘Polar Medal in bronze awarded to Netman D. Kennedy, late Pilotage Service and afterwards Royal Navy: as a result of the hardships endured by such men - Kennedy spent six seasons in Antarctica - the international whale conservation programme was set in motion Polar Medal 1904, G.VI.R., bronze, 1 clasp, Antarctic 1929-34 (Duncan Kennedy), in its case of issue, extremely fine £2800-3200 Ex J. B. Hayward (Gazette No. 2, July 1974, Item No. 283). Duncan Kennedy, who was born in Greenock, Scotland in January 1888, served in the Pilotage Service in the Great War and was awarded the British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals. Previous to joining the Royal Research Ship Discovery II in 1929, he was a fisherman, so it seems natural that he was rated as a Netman - a Petty Officer responsible for operating the various-sized nets used to collect marine specimens - and having served through six Antarctic seasons aboard the Discovery II, he became one of just two Netman awarded the Polar Medal in bronze - and the only man to receive the clasp dated 1929-34. Kennedy and the Antarctic 1929-34 ‘Discovery Investigations ‘As early as 1917, it was recognized that whales were in danger of being hunted to extinction, as a result of which a British Government inter-departmental committee was set up to review the excesses of the whaling industry which then flourished in the Antarctic. However, it was not until 1923 that a committee with the required finances and authority was established to make ‘a serious attempt to place the whaling industry on a scientific basis’. The depletion of whale stocks could be avoided only by controlling the whaling industry, but effective control could not be planned for a painfully simple reason: not enough was known about the habits of whales, their distribution and migration, or of their main food - the shrimp known as krill. Kennedy thus became part of this historic scientific programme that spanned over a quarter of a century. Initially, Scott's old ship, the Discovery, was purchased by the newly named ‘Discovery Committee ‘. Then, in 1926, the steam vessel William Scoresby was added to the initiative, and was tasked with general oceanographic work, commercial scale trawling and whale marking experiments. However, later still, it was decided to build a new steel ship to carry out the indefinite and ambitious series of ‘Discovery Investigations ‘that beckoned, the Discovery II being the result. And in order to meet unknown conditions, her construction required careful planning and much original thought, in addition to the provision of an array of expensive scientific and other research equipment - given the international financial crisis of the early 1930s, evidence indeed of the vital importance of the project. In December 1929, as Discovery II stood ready at London's St. Katherine's Dock, she received a visit from the King of Norway, who possessed a keen knowledge of everything to do with whaling, while her actual departure for her three-year odyssey was captured by a reporter for the Oxford Mail: ‘Hundreds of People gathered to witness the departure of the vessel and after two hours' skilful manÏuvring she was steered into the Thames, where much larger crowds were watching. As the ship glided from her berth girls crowded to the windows of the factories overlooking the dock and waved good-bye to the crew. One very pretty girl, more daring than the rest, climbed out on to a ledge and shouted "A Merry Christmas next week," and the sailors responded with a cheer.’ At 234 feet long, and displacing 2,100 tons, Discovery II was only a fraction of the size of the 10-12,000 ton whaling factory ships active in Antarctic waters. Yet she was the largest research ship ever to explore the Southern Ocean and both the scientists and crew had to take time to get used to a new ship under conditions of intense cold, storm and pack ice. In addition, working the instruments and winches required constant practice, and the surveys, biological collections and hydrographic work were more comprehensive that ever before attempted in southern waters. Kennedy's nets were used for collecting sea plants and animals and were of several different sizes and mesh. The mouth of one tow net was the size of a dinner plate, while another was believed to be the largest in the world, so big that a man could stand upright inside it. Indeed long hours were dedicated to the raising and lowering of such nets in all variety of weather and seas - hard and frequently painful labour on the part of Kennedy, given the prevailing climate and temperatures. Just such conditions that turned Discovery II into a Christmas tree by a combination of gale and freezing seas that sprayed the ship's deck, bulwarks and upper works, thickly encrusting them with ice. Torches of burning waste and paraffin were sometimes necessary to thaw the blocks and sheaves over which ran the wires used to lower nets and instruments into the sea. Under such difficult conditions, a sense of humour was a valuable asset and greatly appreciated by all, and Kennedy’s ways of speech certainly played their part in keeping his fellow crew amused, or certainly according to the expedition’s official photographer, Alfred Saunders, who noted: ‘He had a persistent but unwitting habit of mispronouncing names. One of his jobs was to look after chemical and other scientific stores in the hold. To him sulphuric acid became 'sulfricated acid', hydrochloric acid became 'hydraulic acid', and formalin became 'formamint'. Once when he met a sailor who had had a violent fall on deck still walking about, he said that he thought he had 'discolated' his leg.’ In the present context it is impossible to do justice to the many achievements and adventures of Discovery II and those who served aboard her, but the drama of one particular incident during the ship's second commission (1931-33) deserves the spotlight, for she became the fourth vessel to circumnavigate Antarctica - and the first to accomplish this feat in winter. In January 1932, Discovery II was on her first voyage deep into the Weddell Sea, the first steel ship to penetrate those waters, when, near the position Shackleton had first met ice back in 1916, she became entrapped, her hull and rudder sustaining damage, including a leak in her starboard fuel tank. At one point, on 26 January, her captain wrote, ‘Scientific staff and all spare hands employed this day poling ice floes clear of rudder and propeller’, and it was only with great difficultly that the ship was extricated from her perilous situation. In spite of such danger, the surroundings never failed to make a marked impression on the senses, one crewman recalling that it was ‘impossible to describe the stillness and the quietness in the Antarctic, not a sound to be heard.’ Another notable chapter in Discovery II’s Antarctic sojourn occurred during her third commission (1933-35), when she was able to lend vital assistance to Admiral Byrd's Second Antarctic Expedition. For, on 5 February 1934, the latter was faced with a severe crisis, his only doctor being taken ill with high blood pressure, a condition that necessitated his return home on the support ship Jacob Ruppert, leaving only a medical student with the expedition. Byrd, who could not even consider keeping 95 men in the Antarctic without a doctor, later wrote, ‘I determined then to get a doctor, or else cancel the expedition.’ The previous month, he had been surprised to hear Discovery II's radio operator tapping out morse messages on the airwaves - not that far from each other, the expeditions exchanged greetings. So he now sent a radiogram to the captain of Discovery II, then at Auckland replenishing her supplies, requesting assistance, as a direct result of which Dr. Louis Potaka, a New Zealander, sailed on the ship to rendezvous with Byrd's Bear of Oa

A rare ‘Challenger Medal ‘awarded to Dr. George Busk, a noted scientist and contemporary of Charles Darwin, who successfully nominated the latter for the Royal Society’s coveted Copley Medal Medal for the Expedition of H.M.S. Challenger 1872-76 and the subsequent scientific reports 1886-95, Neptune, left hand holding a triangle and the right arm encircling a trident and resting on a wreath, below which, the helmeted bust of Britannia left, surrounded by dolphins and mermaids, with inscription on ribbon below, ‘Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger, 1872-76’, reverse, armoured medieval knight left with gauntlet at his feet, a ribbon in part entwined around a trident bears the inscription, ‘Report on the Scientific Results of the Challenger Expedition 1886-95’ (George Busk), 75mm., bronze, good very fine £400-500 Medallic References: B.H.M. 3487 and Eimer 1797; a total of 120 such awards were issued, The Challenger Medal Roll (1895), by Glenn M. Stein, F.R.G.S., recording only eight known examples, some of which are still in family hands, while others reside in institutions - Busk's example was issued posthumously on 23 December 1895. George Busk was born in St. Petersburg in August 1807, the second son of Robert Busk, a merchant in that city. After receiving his initial education at Dr. Hartley's School, Bingley, Yorkshire, Busk studied medicine at St. Thomas's Hospital, London. Thereafter, he spent six years as an articled student with George Beaman, under the aegis of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Appointed to the Seamen's Hospital Society (S.H.S.) in 1831, having served briefly as Apothecary on the Society's first hospital ship, the Grampus, Busk joined the 104-gun ship Dreadnought as an Assistant Surgeon in the following year, aboard which ship he ‘worked out the pathology of cholera, and made important observations on scurvy’: he was to remain a Surgeon with the S.H.S. for nearly 25 years, until retiring from surgical practice in 1855, though he held the post of Consulting Surgeon from 1866 until his death 20 years later. In December 1843, Busk became one of the original 300 Fellows of the Royal College of Surgeons. Besides his eventual Presidency of the same body in 1871, he subsequently occupied many influential positions in several learned scientific institutions, among them the Microscopial Society, Linnean Society, Zoological Society, and the Anthropological Institute, while in 1850 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. The Darwin connection Early in life he had established himself as a leading authority on Polyzoa, and as with all things he studied, was a patient and cautious investigator. The author of several works on varied scientific subjects, and a solid artist, he also wrote and drew about Polyzoa specimens brought back by Charles Darwin on the Beagle, the 1875-76 Arctic Expedition, and of course, Challenger. Indeed Busk was deeply involved in the debate on the theory of evolution and some sources state that he read the joint Darwin-Wallace paper at a meeting of the Linnean Society on 1 July 1858 - the paper was an important prelude to Darwin's On the Origin of Species by Natural Selection (1859) - but more recent research suggests it was the Society’s Secretary who read out the paper. Be that as it may, Busk did translate into English Professor Schaaffhausen's detailed description of a cranium discovered in the Neander Valley in 1857, two years before publication of Darwin's Origin, a translation that duly appeared in The Natural History Review for April 1861. In his related publication, The Neander Valley, Robert Silverberg states: ‘[Busk] addressed a group of English scientists that same month, displaying a plaster cast of the Neanderthal skull and a skull of a chimpanzee. He said he had "no doubt of the enormous antiquity" of the Neanderthal bones, and called attention to the way the shape of the skull approached "that of some of the higher apes." Neither Darwin nor his chief popularizer, Huxley, attended Busk's lecture, but the geologist David Lyell did, and he saw to it that the Neanderthal skull cast got to Huxley. Huxley reported, in 1863, that the skull was that of a primitive variety of man, ‘different from Homo Sapiens but not wholly distinct anatomically’, though he admitted it was the most apelike human skull yet found - Huxley added cautiously that ‘in no sense can the Neanderthal bones be regarded as the remains of a human being intermediate between men and apes’. ‘In addition, in 1863, Busk came forward with a fossilized skull found in Gibraltar in 1848, and since preserved at the Natural History Museum, London. He realized it had Neanderthal characteristics, and on the basis of the two skulls, an assistant of Lyell's christened a new species of man in 1864, Homo neanderthalensis. As a result, along with Darwin's Origin, "Neanderthal man" rapidly became the centrepiece in the contemporary evolution controversy. In fact, Darwin and Busk had a close medical, as well as scientific, relationship. Darwin was plagued nearly all his adult life with stomach problems, and on his way to Malvern Wells in 1863, he stopped in London overnight to consult Busk, whom Hooker had recommended as having ‘the most fertile brain of any man I know in regard of all such matters as your stomach’ (letter from J. D. Hooker, dated 27 August 1863, refers). Moreover, following Darwin’s failure to gain the Royal Society’s coveted Copley Medal in 1862-63, as a result of the contentious nature of his Origin, it was Busk who nominated him again in 1864, this time for his researches in geology, zoology and botanical physiology, and the ploy worked, the membership present at a meeting held that November resolving by ballot that Darwin receive said Medal. Darwin did not attend the meeting at which the award was announced, fearing the excitement would make him seriously ill, and in his absence the Medal was received on his behalf by Busk, who handed it over to Darwin's brother - a few days later the great man wrote to Busk, thanking him for proposing him for the award (Darwin’s letter, dated 4 December 1864, refers). It was around this same time that a social club was formed by eminent scientists and called the ‘X Club ‘, in order to prevent the members from drifting apart due to their various duties, and to further the cause of science. Much of the discussion at X Club meetings revolved around the affairs of the Royal Society, and in the year of the Club's founding, all except one member were Fellows, Thomas Huxley and Busk among them. Both of them were also involved in the Philosophical Club, a "think tank" within the Royal Society. Busk was awarded the Royal Medal of the Royal Society in 1871 ‘for his researches in Zoology, Physiology and Comparative Anatomy’, followed by the Lyell Medal in 1878 and the Geological Society’s Wollaston Medal in 1885. As stated above, the award of his Challenger Medal was made posthumously in December 1895 - prior to the voyage of the Challenger in 1872, a Royal Society scientific party went aboard the "floating laboratory" anchored at Sheerness, and on deck had their photograph taken, among them Busk. His ‘last labours’ were devoted to the preparation of a report on the Polyzoa collected during the expedition, the first part of the work being completed in 1884, and he was in the process of finishing the second part at the time of his death in London in August 1886 - the proofs were later corrected by his elder daughter. During his lifetime, Busk donated mainly Bryozoan material to the Natural History Museum, London, and after his death, his daughters bequeathed the rest of his collection to the Museum - which amounted to several thousand specimens - as well as some books and drawings. The Museum also holds a proof copy of Busk's Challenger work, with his corrections and annotations, and his original drawings. Dr. G. C. Cook's words perhaps

A rare 1st class German Atlantic Expedition 1925-27 Medal, complete with its case of issue Germany, Atlantic ‘Meteor ‘Expedition Medal 1925-27, 1st class, silver, the edge inscribed, ‘Bayer Hauptmunzamt, Feinsilber’, with silver-gilt oak leaves’ suspension, in its original gilt inscribed, red leather fitted case of issue, original riband and brooch-pin for wearing, good very fine £400-500 Issued by the Research Aid Society of German Science, and designed by the Bavarian Mint, 23 1st Class Medals were issued with gilt oak leaves to naval officers and civilian scientists, and 188 2nd Class Medals were issued with silver oak leaves to crewmen. In the aftermath of Germany’s defeat in the Great War, in a period of political and economic chaos, emerged one of the most important oceanographic expeditions of the 20th century, an expedition made possible by the establishment of the German Scientific Research Aid Council in 1920, a body charged with salvaging the pride of the country’s scientific research establishment. And it was in the spirit of that stated aim, in 1924, that Vienna-born oceanographer, Professor Alfred Merz of Berlin University, asserted that the ocean offered an open door of opportunity for exploration - that a well-planned voyage would invite solutions to many important questions of the deep - a view shared by the Council’s president, who quickly gathered the required support. As a result, the Meteor was fitted out for just such an expedition, a brigatine rig being put in place to reduce her reliance on fuel. Commanded by KapitŠn zur See F. Spiess, with Merz heading the scientific agenda, her specially trained crew numbered 123 men, including 10 officers, 29 Petty Officers, 78 ratings and 6 civilians - given that the Medal was awarded to a total of 211 recipients, it must be assumed that some of these men were exchanged during the course of her voyage, and that other individuals indirectly connected with the expedition were also eligible for the award. In any event, the Meteor departed in April 1925 and conducted a shake-down cruise to the Canary Islands to ensure readiness for the voyage. Afterwards, a strenuous around the clock programme of scientific measurements was undertaken: water temperatures, depths, atmospheric observations and collecting water samples and marine life. In the end, the Meteor criss-crossed the Atlantic on no less than 14 occasions, from the northern tropics to Antarctica, and, using the ship's early sonar, profiles of the ocean floor were created between 20¼ N and 55¼ S. In addition, the expedition established 310 hydrographic stations and made 67,400 depth soundings to map the topography of the ocean floor, and released over 800 observation balloons, while an analysis of 9,400 measurements of temperature, salinity and chemical content at varying depths established the pattern of ocean water circulation, nutrient dispersal and plankton growth - a notable discovery during this survey was the extension of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge around the Cape of Good Hope towards the Indian Ocean and the Meteor was also the first to record an entire ocean's currents and make extensive studies of surface evaporation. By the time of her return to Germany in May 1927, Meteor had spent 512 days at sea and sailed over 67,500 nautical miles, thereby achieving a victory in peace for science and for Germany. The above information has been based on research undertaken by Glenn M. Stein, F.R.G.S.

Royal Humane Society, small silver medal (unsuccessful) (Captn. G. H. Ovens, ‘Border Regiment ‘, 4th October 1890) edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine £160-200 For the unsuccessful rescue of Sergeant J. H. Dray, The Buffs, by Captain G. H. Ovens of the Border Regiment at Aghat, near Calcutta, on 4 October 1890. Awarded the Silver Medal (ref: R.H.S. Case No. 25,376). ‘The sergeant was in charge of a powder boat and was proceeding with ammunition to the S.S. Pandua, and he inadvertently fell into the river. Strong tide. Captain Ovens was a passenger on the Pandua. He jumped into the river and endeavoured to rescue Dray, but was unsuccessful as the man was drowned’. Sold with copied details.

A scarce pair awarded to John Whelan, for the attempted rescue of two men from the sewers at Burgh Quay, Dublin, 1905 Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (John Whelan. May 6. 1905); Order of St. John Lifesaving Medal, 2nd type, bronze (Presented to John Whelan, 5th July 1905) this last with slight edge bruising, very fine (2) £500-600 ‘On the 6th May 1905, John Fleming, in the course of his employment, went down a sewer at Dublin, when he was overcome by foul gas. Patrick Sheahan, P.C., went down to try and rescue him, but was also overcome. At great risk, Colman, Rochford, Fitzpatrick, Meier, Murphy, Lambert, Stuart, Whelan, O’Hara, Rush, Kelly, Blake and Jennings went down and attempted to save the two men, but were unsuccessful’. (Ref. R.H.S. Case No.33,869). For their services, the above 13 men, were each awarded the R.H.S. Medal in Bronze. Ten bronze lifesaving medals of the Order of St. John were also awarded. An ‘In Memoriam’ Certificate was presented to the relatives of 10032 Constable Patrick Sheahan, Dublin Metropolitan Police who gave his life in trying to save Fleming. A memorial in Burgh Quay also commemorates the self-sacrifice of the constable and the bravery of the others. Sold with copied research. .

Royal Society for the Protection of Life from Fire, 4th type, silver, unnamed, with silver brooch bar; Medal of the London Annual International Exhibition of Fine Arts, Industry and Inventions, obverse: Albert Edward Prince of Wales (later Edward VII), reverse dated 1874 (George Askie. Catalogue No. 6101), 51mm., bronze, unmounted, minor edge bruising, good very fine and better (2) .

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, bronze (To James Porter, for Gallant Service, 2/11/34) complete with brooch bar, in case of issue, extremely fine £100-140 Sold with Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society letter providing details of the rescue: ‘Illuminated Address to Captain John Gill, Commanding the Dublin T.S.S. ‘Lady Leinster ‘, Silver Medal and Certificate to John Gallimore, Chief Officer, in charge of the lifeboat, and Bronze Medal and Certificate each to the following members of the lifeboat’s crew: A.B.’s James Potter (sic), James Finigan, George Popplewell, George McKane, Michael Purcell and Reginald Davis in recognition of gallant service rendered in rescuing the four occupants of the 76 ft. barge-built yacht ‘Thursday ‘, which sprang a leak when five miles off Point Lynas, on 2nd November 1924. Captain Gill reports that when on the passage from Dublin to Liverpool at 2.57 a.m. on the 2nd November, when about four miles North of Point Lynas, Anglesey, a flare was sighted by the officer of the watch. Working engines as required he approached within hailing distance and found the occupants of the vessel were unable to leave their own boat. The wind at this time was fresh Northerly with a nasty choppy sea, but the launching of the ‘Lady Leinster’s ‘No.1 Lifeboat was safely accomplished and under the command of Mr Gallimore successfully took off the four survivors and transferred them to the ‘Lady Leinster ‘. At this time the ‘Thursday ‘was awash forward and settling rapidly’. .

R.S.P.C.A. Life Saving Medal, bronze (P.C. Adams-1937) complete with ‘For Humanity’ brooch bar, on incorrect ‘silver medal’ ribbon, in case of issue, extremely fine £120-160 1430 Police Constable Frank Adams was awarded the R.S.P.C.A. Life Saving Medal in Bronze ‘For rescuing a dog from a disused quarry at Keighley, Yorkshire’. Frank Adams was born in Worcester on 19 June 1904. Employed as a Police Constable, in 1941 he was living at 5 Wheatcroft Avenue, Batley. Sold with the recipient’s National Registration Identity Card, dated 1940, which bears a photograph of the recipient.

Corporation of Glasgow Bravery Medal, 1st type, silver (William Scott) hallmarks for Birmingham 1934, complete with Gallantry brooch bar (lacking pin), edge bruising, very fine £160-200 William Scott. Awarded on 11 June 1935. ‘.. who [with John Phillips and John MacKenna] endeavoured to rescue a man who had fallen into a cesspool at the works of Messrs. W. & J. Martin, leather merchants etc., 8 Baltic Street, on 6th February last’.

Corporation of Glasgow Bravery Medal, 2nd type, silver (James Robertson) hallmarks for Glasgow 1935, mounted as worn, minor edge bruise, good very fine £60-80.

Corporation of Glasgow Bravery Medal, 3rd type, 9ct. gold, 13.09g (Roderick Whiting 1972) hallmarks for Edinburgh 1971, complete with gold brooch bar, nearly extremely fine £160-200 Roderick Whiting, 56 Haugh Road, awarded 20 June 1972 [with Alan Dougas Baxter] ‘.. for bravery in attempting to rescue a youth from a fire on 8th March 1972’.

‘Today’ Gallantry Fund Medal, bronze specimen, unnamed, unmounted, extremely fine £60-80 From the Ernest Bramah Collection (died 1929). The medal was awarded by the magazine ‘Today ‘, published between 1893 and 1903. About 30 medals were issued.

C.Q.D. Medal 1909, silver, unnamed as issued, with eyelet and ring suspension, edge bruise, good very fine £120-160.

France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour for Saving Life, Ministry of the Marine and the Colonies, by Barre, 43mm., silver, embossed reverse inscription, ‘A Dowling Sujet Anglais, Courage et DŽvouement 1881’, stamped ‘Argent’ on edge, with ball and ring suspension, good very fine £100-140.

U.S.A., Allied Theatrical Interests and Neptune Association Medal to the Crew of S.S. President Roosevelt 1926, 32mm., bronze, reverse inscribed (name engraved), ‘Presented to C. Heldewig in recognition of Gallantry and Humanity in connection with the rescue of the S.S. Antinoe Feb. 19 1926’, nearly extremely fine £100-150 The New Egypt & Levant Steamship Company freighter Antinoe, 3,747 tons, was en-route from New York to Queenstown, with a cargo of grain, under the command of Captain Harry Tose with a crew of 25. On 23 January 1926 having run into a heavy gale, she was struck by an extremely large wave. The wave burst upon the vessel damaging the steering gear and engine, and carried away the dingy. Becoming unmanageable and developing a list an S.O.S. message was broadcast. The call was received by Newfoundland and relayed, being picked up by the R.M.S. Aquitania which passed it on to the President Roosevelt of the United States Line, under the command of Captain Fried. The President Roosevelt made contact with the Antinoe at 12.30 on 24 January. After pumping oil into the sea she attempted to launch a boat. This ended in tragedy as the boat was smashed against the sides of the ship and two of the crew were drowned. At 9 p.m. the weather worsened, and in violent snow squalls, the two ships lost touch. Over 18 hours later through the skill and perseverance of Captain Fried the President Roosevelt regained contact with the Antinoe. In the interim, the situation of the ship had deteriorated, with a derrick breaking loose and causing damage and the engines completely stopped. In this perilous situation Captain Tose decided to abandon ship. Five successive attempts were made by the President Roosevelt to drift lifeboats down to the Antinoe attached to a line, each without success. Similarly, attempts to send a line by rocket also failed. On 27 June, the weather having improved slightly, a boat from the President Roosevelt at last managed to take off some of the crew of the Antinoe. In the early hours of the next day a second boat took off Captain Tose and the remaining crew and the Antinoe was abandoned and left to sink. The Captain and crew of the President Roosevelt were the recipients of the thanks of the British Government and the congratulations of the Admiralty. A letter of thanks was also sent by King George V to President Coolidge. The owners of the Antinoe made a presentation to Captain Fried and his men. (Dictionary of Disaster at Sea refers). Captain Fried was also awarded the Navy Cross for this action. .

Arctic Medal 1818-55, unnamed as issued, suspension tightened, good very fine £450-550.

An original Horse Guards’ Peninsular War Medal forwarding letter, addressed to ‘Captain T. G. Coppinger, late of 96, formerly of 97 Rgt.’, and enclosing ‘the Medal & clasp graciously awarded to you by Her Majesty under the General Order of the 1st of June 1847’, dated at Horse Guards on 6 February 1849 and signed by Somerset, good overall condition and unusual £80-100 Thomas Coppinger was appointed a Lieutenant in the 97th Regiment in February 1805, which corps had originally been formed in 1798 as The Queen’s Germans or Minorca Regiment (Stuart’s Regiment), and would be re-designated the 96th Foot in 1812, the same year as Coppinger’s advancement to Captain. In the interim, he had been present at Vimiera and Busaco, and been severely wounded at St. Christoval during the repulse of a sortie from Badajoz on 10 May 1811 - he was granted a temporary pension of £100 per annum in the following year. His Military General Service 1793-1814, with clasps for ‘Vimiera ‘and ‘Busaco ‘, in its original card box of issue, was sold by Glendining’s in 1969 and by Spink in 1989, and more recently in these Rooms (Dix Noonan Webb, 25 February 1998, Lot 32).

National Temperance League: Royal Naval Branch, Membership Medal, N.T.L.3 (2), silver, unnamed, with brooch bar; another, 8 clasps, Ten Years, 15 Years, 20 Years, 25 Years, 30 Years, 35 Years, 40 Years, 45 Years (F. Hall, N.T.S. 1887), with brooch bar, good very fine and better (2) £20-30.

Royal Naval Temperance Society medals, R.N.T.S.1 (3), silver - one with ‘The Victory Medal’ brooch bar; R.N.T.S.2, (2), enamelled, with ‘R.N.T.S.’ brooch bar; R.N.T.S.3 (6), enamelled - four with ‘Fidelity’ brooch bars, one with ‘Six-Months’ brooch bar; R.N.T.S.4 (2), enamelled, with ‘Three-Years’ brooch bar; R.N.T.S.5, enamelled, with ‘Victory Medal’ brooch bar, very fine and better (14) £100-140.

Shooting Medal, inscribed, ‘Tobermory Brass Ball Club’ and ‘Won by Robert Ross, Morven, for Highest Aggregate Score 1899, 50mm., silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1897, with ornate border and suspension, good very fine £40-60.

The original Boer War manuscript diaries of Shoeing-Smith F. H. A. O’Dell, 12th Company, R.E., comprising three separate, folded notebooks with detailed handwritten entries covering the periods April to October 1900 (approx. 60pp.), October 1900 to February 1901 (approx. 12 pp.), and February 1901 to December of the same year (approx. 20pp.), two with his name and unit inscribed on opening pages, and all in all a rare and fascinating record of a non-commissioned soldier’s experiences on active service in South Africa, a record that also amounts to a valuable history of the 12th Company’s activities in the Boer War, occasional staining , worn folded spines and page ends, but his neat ink and pencil entries in good sound condition (Lot) £200-250 Frederick H. A. O’Dell, from Ampthill, Bedfordshire, was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902 with clasps for ‘Cape Colony ‘, ‘Orange Free State ‘, ‘Johannesburg ‘, ‘Diamond Hill ‘and ‘Belfast ‘, in addition to the King’s Medal with two dated clasps. Having arrived in South Africa at the end of 1899, 12th Company R.E. was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division.

Borough of Portsmouth Tribute Medal, 27mm., silver and enamel, hallmarks for Birmingham 1902, rev. impressed, ‘Naval Brigade, South Africa 1899-1900, North China 1900’, ref. Hibbard A21, rev. 2, lacks suspension ring; Presentation Silver Box, circular, approx. 70mm. dia., hinged lid engraved with the shield of ‘Lloyds’ and inscribed, ‘Lloyd’s 7th May 1900’, hallmarks for Birmingham 1899, first very fine; last in good condition (2) £180-220 A label affixed to the box reads, ‘Presentation box to H.M.S. Powerful re. S.A. War at Portsmouth Town Hall April 1900’.

Scottish Horse Tribute Medal 1900, bronze oval-shaped award, with outer laurel wreath and superimposed Cross of St. Andrew, plain reverse, integral loop and ring suspension, 28mm. by 38mm., in its fitted red leather case of issue with gilt ‘Scottish Horse’ title to lid, extremely fine £60-80.

Engraved coins (7) British Florin, Victoria, old head, reverse erased and inscribed, ‘Mafeking Relief Medal, Gwelo Sports, 17/5/1900’, within an ornate border; Belgian 5 Francs, 1870, obverse erased and inscribed, ‘In Remembrance of the Great War 1914-191. S. Petersen. F. Petersen. C. Petersen. F. Petersen. I. Petersen’; German East African 1 Rupie (4), reverse erased and inscribed, ‘512 P. B. Nelson, 1st S.A.H., E.A. 1915-1916’, edge damaged; another, reverse erased and lightly inscribed [indecipherable]; another dated 1897, obverse erased and crudely inscribed, ‘C. G. Glass, M.T.C. 745 M.D.R.’; another dated 1901, obverse erased and inscribed, ‘CSM H. L. Weddell 1634 S.A.S.C.M.T. B.E.A. 1916-17-18’, drilled in two places - these all silver; another, a bronze coin, erased both sides and crudely inscribed, ‘2447 Gnr. C. Steele A Bty SAFA, C of E’, fine and better (7) £30-50.

A pair of shooting prize medals awarded to Trooper W. Krienke, Southern Rhodesia Volunteers, comprising British South Africa Company Rifle Competition Medal, silver, obverse, a lion above crossed rifles and the title on a scroll background, reverse engraved, ‘Salisbury’ Rifle Club, Won by ‘W. Krienke, Feb. 1904’, 39mm., integral loop and swivel-ring suspension, together with Southern Rhodesia Volunteers shooting medal, silver, obverse, lion above crossed rifles and title on a scroll background, the whole within a laurel wreath, reverse engraved within a wreath, ‘Nicholson Cup, Tpr. Krienke, 1905’, 28mm., integral loop and swivel-ring suspension, extremely fine (2) £60-80.

Hythe Peace Medal 1919, bronze; Dunkirk War Veterans’ Medal; Pair: Defence Medal, unnamed; St. John Service Medal, 1 silver clasp (43314 Pte. W. J. L. Deag, London S.J.A.B. 1949), silver base metal, mounted as worn; Pair: National Fire Brigades Association Long Service Medal (2), bronze, with ‘Ten Years’ brooch bar (8182 Ernest A. Pearson); another, silver, 2 clasps, Twenty Years, Five Years (4677 Ernest A. Pearson); Lyon Fire Brigade Medallions 1908 (2), one silver-gilt; another, silver, in card boxes of issue; Three: 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, unnamed; School Attendance Medal, G.V.R., 1 clasp, 1919-20 (W. Usher), with brooch bar; War Medal 1939-45 (114839 D. R. Rooke); Pair: War and Africa Service Medals (N67364 I. Moss); Malta Command Sports Medal, ‘Company Water Polo Knock-out 1932’, silver; Small Silver Dish, inscribed, ‘For Freedom 1939-1945 W. G. Verney, R. Berks. R. from Boxford’, 88mm. diameter, hallmarks for London 1944, nearly very fine and better (15) £ 80-100 W.W.2 medals to Usher in card forwarding box, with slip, addressed to ‘Mr W. R. Usher, 36 Regal Way, Preston Rd., Harrow, Middx.’.

Royal Military College, silver prize medal, obverse, college arms, reverse engraved within laurel wreath, ‘Sword of Honour, ‘C’ Coy., September 1945, Officer Cadet P. J. Trafford, Irish Guards’, 45mm., edge bruising, nearly very fine £30-50.

British miniature dress medals (118), including: India General Service 1854-95, no clasp; Indian Mutiny 1857-58, no clasp; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21; General Service Medal 1918-62 (8) - six with clasps; Military Cross (2), G.V.R. and G.VI.R., 1st issue; Distinguished Flying Cross (2); British Empire Medal (3), G.VI.R., 1st issue; E.II.R. (2); Royal Naval Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army; Efficiency Decoration, G.V.R., Southern Rhodesia; Efficiency Medal (4), G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial; E.II.R., 1st issue, Territorial (3); Air Efficiency Award (2), G.VI.R., 1st issue; Four: Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp; 1914-15 Star trio, mounted as worn; 1914 Star trios (2); 1914-15 Star trios (3), in various metals, generally very fine and better (118) £120-160.

Australian Commonwealth Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R.; New Zealand L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R.; New Zealand Long and Efficient Service Medal; New Zealand Territorial Service Medal, G.V.R., silver, all except 2nd with its correct ribbon, extremely fine (4) £120-160.

Ireland, The 1916 Medal (2), both lacking suspensions; Service Medal 1917-21 (6), no clasp, three lacking suspension rings, all without top bars and ribbon, about very fine (8) £40-60.

Christie’s Medal Auction Catalogues (29), 16 November 1982-10 November 1992, with prices realised, plus Beaufort Garter Jewels catalogue, very good condition (30) £30-40.

Spink Medal Auction Catalogues (71), 8 December 1983-22 November 2007, most with prices realised, very good condition (71) £80-100.

Medal of the Order of the British Empire (Military), G.V.R., 1st issue, unnamed as issued, good very fine and scarce £120-150.

Imperial Service Medal (7), G.V.R., 2nd issue (Alfred Edward Elkington); G.V.R., 3rd issue (Edward Hems Groom); G.VI.R., 1st issue (Henry Sharp); G.VI.R., 2nd issue (George Nicholas Chadwick; George Arthur Mitchell); E.II.R., 1st issue (Lawrence Joseph Francis Gatt); E.II.R., 2nd issue (Denver Redfern Thomas) last two in case of issue; Pair: Corporal W. Stockton, St. John Ambulance Brigade, Order of St. John, Serving Brother, silver and enamel, unnamed, with silver ‘St. John’ bar; St. John Service Medal (13502 Cpl. W. Stockton, Chester Div. No.4 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1935) in case of issue; together with a miniature Serving Sister badge, silver and enamel; St. John Service Medal (30951 A/Sts. E. M. Smith, London S.J.A.B. 1944); St. John Re-Examination Cross (2) (A70754 Beppa Sharkey) in case of issue; another (131712 George Seed) with 17 date bars; British Red Cross Society War Medal 1914-18; British Red Cross Society L.S. Medal, for 3 Years, enamelled, in card box; Q.A.I.M.N.S.R. Cape Badge, silver, hallmarks for Birmingham 1915; Pakistan medals (6), generally good very fine and better (22) £100-140 British Red Cross Society L.S. Medal with award slip to ‘Miss Kathleen V. Fitzgerald’, dated 26 June 1945. 591.5. The Orders and Decorations of General Sir Hilgrove Tomkyns Turner, G.C.H., K.C., Colonel of the 19th Regiment, onetime Lieutenant-Governor of Jersey and of Bermuda, soldier and courtier under Kings George III and George IV, who secured the Rosetta Stone for England in 1801, and acted as guide to Czar Alexander of Russia and to his sister The Grand Duchess of Oldenburg on their tour of England in 1814. Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant.591.5. Tomkyns Hilgrove Turner was born in 1764, and was appointed Ensign in the Third Foot Guards on 20 February 1782. He was promoted to be Lieutenant and Captain on 13 October 1789. He went to Holland in February 1793 with the brigade of guards under Frederick, Duke of York, landed at Helvoetsluys on 5 March, Marched to Tournay, in May camped at Maulde, took part in the battle of St Amand on 8 May, the action of Famars on 23 May, the siege of Valenciennes in June and July, the assault of that place on 25 July, and its capitulation on the 28th. In August Turner marched with the British force to lay siege to Dunkirk, and on the way was present at the brilliant affair at Lincelles on 18 August, when the guards at the point of the bayonet drove out of a village and of an entrenched position a superior body of French who had previously captured them from the Dutch. He was engaged in the siege of Dunkirk and in the repulse of sorties, on 6 and 8 september, the latter at Rosenda‘l, but the covering army having been compelled to by Houchard to retire to Furnes, the Duke of York was obliged to raise the siege, and Turner marched with the guards to Cysoing, between Lille and Orchies. On 5 October the British guards joined the Austrians across the Sambre for the investment of Landercy, but the siege was not prosecuted, and Turner, repassing the Sambre with his regiment, marched to Ghent. On 17 April 1794, Turner was engaged at Vaux in the successful attack by the allies on the French army posted between Landrecy and Guise, when it was driven behind the Oise and Landrecy invested. He was present in several affairs during the siege, and was at the action of Cateau, near Troixville, on 26 April, after which he went with the Duke of York’s army to Tournay and took part in the repulse of the French attack on 11 May and subsequent actions during the same month. He accompanied the army in its retreat towards Holland in July and behind the Aa in September, took part in the fight at Boxtel on 15 September, and in the retreat behind the Meuse to Nimeguen. He greatly distinguished himself at the capture of Fort St AndrŽ, under Abercromby, and accompanied the army in the retreat behind the Waal. Turner was promoted to be Captain in the 3rd Foot Guards and Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 November 1794, when he appears to have returned to England. He was promoted to be brevet Colonel on 1 January 1801, in which year he went with his regiment to Egypt, landing at Aboukir Bay on 8 March, when he was engaged with the enemy. He took part in the action of 13 March, and in the battle of Alexandria on 21 March. He was also in the action on the west side of Alexandria on 2 September. For his services in Egypt he was made a Knight of the Order of the Crescent by the Sultan of Turkey. By the terms of Article 6 of the capitulation of Alexandria, all the curiosities, natural and artificial, collected by the French Institute were to be delivered to the victors. The French sought to evade the article on the ground that the collections were all private property, and General Menou claimed as his own the Rosetta stonefound by the French in 1798 when repairing the ruined Fort St Julien, and deposited in his house at Alexandria. Turner, who was a great antiquary, was deputed by Lord Hutchinson to negotiate on the subject, and, after much correspondence and several conferences with General Menou, it was decided that, considerable care having been bestowed by the French in the preservation of the collection of insects and animals, these should be retained, but the antiquities and Arabian manuscripts Lord Hutchinson insisted should be given up. The French were very angry, and broke the cases and removed the protecting coverings of many of the antiquarian treasures. Turner obtained a party of gunners and a ‘devil’ cart, with which he carried off the Rosetta stone from General Menou’s house amid the jeers of the French officers and men. These gunners were the first British soldiers to enter Alexandria. Having seen the other remains of ancient Egyptian sculpture sent on board the Madras, Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton’s ship, Turner embarked with the Rosetta stone on board the Egyptienne frigate, and arrived at Portsmouth in February 1802. At Turner’s request, Lord Buckinghamshire, secretary of state, allowed the stone to be sent first to the Society of Antiquaries, where it remained for a little while before being deposited in the British Museum. In January 1803 Turner communicated to the Society of Antiquaries a version of the inscription on Pompey’s Pillar, taken by Captain Dundas, Royal Engineers. In July 1803 Turner was appointed an Assistant Quartermaster-General to the forces in Great Britain, and on 25 June 1804 a Brigadier-General on the staff at home. In April 1807 he was transferred as a Brigadier-General to the staff in South America, where, it is thought, he was intended by the Government to become the first British Governor of the Spanish South American possessions, the capture of these being the objective of the military expeditions in 1806-07. However, with the humiliating defeat of General Whitelocke before Buenos Aires and the subsequent withdrawal from Montivideo, by the time of Turner’s arrival in South America in December 1807 all prospect of conquest had disappeared and with it all prospects of his governorship. Turner, who had been accompanied to South America by his wife and two of his four children, returned to England via the Cape of Good Hope in the spring of 1808 and was promoted to be Major-General on 25 April that same year. General Turner was a servant of the courts of three successive monarchs, comprising George III and his two sons. Under what auspices, with what influence and exactly at what period of his career he began his intimacy with the court of George III is not known. From 1803 he was Assistant Quartermaster-General of the Home District under Prince Adolphus Frederick, Duke of Cambridge, youngest son of George III, with whom Turner seems to have developed a very close friendship. In 1809 he was appointed Gentleman attendant to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, whom he accompanied on his visits to Brighton, and in 1811, when the Prince became Regent, he was appoi

George IV 1824, Naval Aid to Greece, silver medal by B. Pistrucci, 60mm, fitted with ring for suspension, attractively toned, extremely fine £400-500

Albania, Principality, Accession Medal 1914, bronze; Montenegro, Medal for Zeal, Nicholas I, gilt base metal, ball and ring suspension, nearly extremely fine (2) £100-140 Commemorates the accession of Prince Wilhelm of Wied to the Principality of Albania. The Prince was formerly appointed on 7 March 1914 but his tenure as Prince of Albania was shortlived. Following a revolt in May 1914 he left Albania, never to return on 3 September 1914, though still retaining his claim to the throne.

Austria, Empire, Slovenian Medal for Horsemanship, bust of Franz Joseph by Tautenhayn, 40mm., silver-gilt; Austria, Steiermark, 40 Years L.S. Medal, white metal; Bulgaria, Long Service Cross, Ferdinand I cypher, silver; Czechoslovakia, Dobrovolcu Congress Medal 1918-19, bronze; Hungary, St. John Merit Medal, bronze, very fine (5) £100-140.

Belgium, War Volunteer Medal 1952, 1 clasp, Pugnator; Overseas Operations Medal 1951 (2), no clasp; another, 1 clasp, Coree-Korea; U.N. Korea 1950-54, Belgian issue France, ‘Korea War’ group of five Croix de Guerre, T.O.E.; Wound Medal, bronze-gilt and enamel, slight enamel damage; Korea Campaign Medal 1951; U.N. Korea 1950-54, French issue; South Korea, War Service Medal, mounted as worn, good very fine and better except where stated (9) £80-100.

Denmark, Korea Medal 1950-53, silver, in card box, minor contact marks, good very fine, scarce £400-500 The Danish Korea Medal was issued for service aboard the Hospital Ship Jutlandia, to both men and women, on the recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who could also recommend foreigners for the award. Approximately 480 medals were awarded.

A fine ‘Napoleonic Wars’ group of six awarded to Paul Lambert Van den Maesen France, First Empire, Legion of Honour, 3rd type, Chevalier’s breast badge, 56 x 36mm., silver, gold and enamel, lacks reverse centre, severe enamel damage, points bruised; Reign of Louis Philippe, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, 65 x 44mm., silver, gold and enamel, enamel damage; St. Helena Medal, bronze; ‘Veterans Cross’, 41 x 41mm., silver-gilt cross surmounted by crossed sabres, obverse centre with ‘N’ with military hat above, reverse centre bearing the cypher, ‘PVDM’; Emperor Napoleon I Funeral Commemorative Medal 1840, 41mm., bronze, unnamed, edge bruise; Netherlands, ‘St. Barbara Gilde Medal’, 55mm., silver, with ornate suspension, obverse inscribed, ‘Ste. Barbara Gilde aan P. L. Vandermaesen, Ridder van het Eerelegioen’, reverse engraved with crossed riffles and the inscription, ‘Ter gelegenheid van Zijn Vijftigjarig lidmaatschap 1827-1877 (?)’; pair of miniature dress medals: France, St. Helena Medal, bronze; Legion of Honour, First Empire, 4th type, silver, gold and enamel, enamel damage, mounted as worn from a gold brooch bar; Daguerreotype, of the recipient within a gilt oval frame, the clarity of the image is poor; fine and better (9) £600-800 The above mounted on an old pad by Gontier, Brussels, with damaged gilt frame surmounted by an imperial eagle. A label on the pad reverse reads, ‘Paul Lambert Van den Maesen, 1791-1881’.

Eleven: Chef de Bataillin Achille LŽonard Boniface Villermain, French Army France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, 5th Class, silver, gold and enamel, severe enamel damage; Order of Agricultural Merit, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, bronze star on ribbon; Colonial Medal 1893, 1 clasp, Tunisie; War Commemorative Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-18, official type; French Society of War Wounded Medal 1864-66, silver; ‘U.N.C.’ Medal; Belgium, Order of Leopold I, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, gilt base metal and enamel; Romania, War Commemorative Cross 1916-18, no clasps, generally good very fine except where stated (11) £180-220 Achille LŽonard Boniface Villermain was born in Antibes, Alpes Maritimes, on 14 February 1848. He volunteered for military service in Paris on 5 February 1866. He attained the rank of Sergeant-Major in 1869 and in the following year was commissioned Adjutant and Sous Lieutenant. Promoted to Captain in 1883, he subsequently served as Acting Major and latterly attained the rank of Chef de Bataillon of Infantry. Sold with a quantity of original documents and papers, approximately 36, including: Service Book, recording Villermain originally in the 3rd Regiment de Voltigeurs, Garde ImpŽriale; Wound Certificate 1886; notification of the award of the Legion of Honour, dated 1890; Colonial Medal award document, dated 1894; commission documents; military certificates.

France, Second Empire, Italy Campaign Medal 1859, by Barre, silver, unnamed, good very fine £70-90 With an award document dated 1 January 1862, named to Corporal Onorato Cavalieri, 30th Infantry Regiment, Royal Army of the Kingdom of Sardinia, who served in the 2nd Infantry Regiment , Toscana Division, during the Italian Campaign. This ragged around the edges, repaired and stained.

Germany, Mecklenburg-Strelitz, Cross for Distinction in War 1914-16, 2nd Class, ‘Tapfer und Treu’, reverse lower arm inscribed, ‘1914’, silver; Schwarzburg, Medal for Merit in War 1914-18, silver; other German medals (1), good very fine and better (3) £80-100.

Greece, Kingdom, Psara Massacre Commemorative Medal, obverse: the island of Psara, the exploding magazines atop the strong point above the town, the Turkish fleet in the background, 37mm., bronze, good very fine £50-70 In the Greek War of Independence, 1821-29, the island of Psara (N.W. of Chios in the Aegean Sea) was amongst the first to rebel against their Turkish overlords. In 1823 the Psarians raided the coast of Asia Minor. In revenge the Turks under Hosref Pasha attacked the island from Mylilene in June 1824. Refugees from neighbouring islands and the mainland had swelled the population of the island to 20,000. The Turkish fleet silenced the batteries of Kanalos on the north side of the island and then on 24 June 1824 stormed ashore with 14,000 Janissaries. Some of the population had managed to escape the island but those that had not were either sold into slavery or slaughtered by the rampaging troops. Seeing the massacre below, the islanders in a last act of defiance blew up their magazines at Ftelia and Palaiokastro. Some 15,000 Greeks were killed in the massacre.

Greece, Kingdom, Hellenic Red Cross Medal 1912-13, 25mm., silver and enamel, on bow ribbon, minor edge bruising, good very fine £60-80.

Greece, ‘Korea War’ group of three Distinguished Conduct Medal 1950; U.N. Korea 1950-54, Greek issue; South Korea, War Service Medal, mounted as worn U.N. Korea 1950-54 (3), Greek issues (2); Ethiopian issue (1), good very fine (6) £100-140. #100-140 630. Indian States, Bahawalpur, Victory Star 1939-45 (22), bronze, unnamed, with ribbon, good very fine and better (22) £120-160.

Iraq, Arab-Israeli War Medal 1948, enamelled; Jordan, Medal for the Great Ramadan War 1974, white metal; Morocco, Medals (2); Syria, Medal, gilt and enamel; Turkey, Imtiaz Medal, 37mm., silver, inscribed in arabic on reverse; other ‘Middle Eastern’ medals (3), nearly very fine and better (9) £70-90.

Ireland, Service Medal 1917-21, clasp, Comrac, unnamed, complete with brooch bar, very fine £140-180.

Ireland, Service Medal 1917-21, clasp, Comrac, complete with brooch bar, unnamed, in damaged card box of issue; Truce Commemorative Medal 1971, unnamed, complete with brooch bar, first with contact and scratch marks, very fine; second nearly extremely fine (2) £200-250.

Ireland, Service Medal 1917-21, no clasp, unnamed, complete with brooch bar; Truce Commemorative Medal 1971, unnamed, complete with brooch bar, in card box, good very fine (2) £160-200.