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Family group: An extremely rare and unusual Iraq 1920 operations D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant C. Downs, Royal Garrison Artillery, attached Inland Water Transport, whose gallant deeds saved the defence vessel Grey Fly after she came under heavy fire on the Euphrates Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1402109 Sjt. C. Downs, R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (20700 Bmbr., R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (20700 Sjt., R.A.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (20070 Sjt., R.G.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (1402109 Sjt., D.C.M., R.G.A.), one or two edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better The Egypt and Sudan campaign pair awarded to Private A. Downs, Manchester Regiment Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (2086 Pte., 2/Manch R.); Khedive’s Star 1882, slight pitting and bruised over unit, otherwise very fine (6) £3000-3500 Just 32 Distinguished Conduct Medals were awarded between the Wars, and only around six of these for the Iraq operations. D.C.M. London Gazette 28 January 1921: ‘For conspicuous gallantry on 20 August 1920 whilst the defence vessel Grey Fly was proceeding towards Samawah. Being under close fire from the enemy an awning caught fire, and Sergeant Downs drew water from the river, climbed over the roof and put out the fire, and saved the ship.’ As verified by the History of The Royal Regiment of Artillery - Between the Wars 1919-39, by Major-General B.P. Hughes, C.B., C.B.E., another defence vessel - the Fire Fly - employed in these operations was less fortunate, being sent to the bottom of the Euphrates off Kufa by an 18-pounder which had been captured by the Arabs at Hillah - although the breech block had been removed before its capture, the enemy managed to forge a rough substitute. This was just three days before Downs won his D.C.M. in the Grey Fly, while en route to the relief of Samawah, about 70 miles from Kufa.

A fine Great War ‘Jutland’ C.G.M. group of seven awarded to Stoker Petty Officer William Ackerman, of H.M.S. Marlborough, the only ship to be torpedoed during the battle Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (301992 W. Ackerman, St. P.O. H.M.S. Marlborough, 31 May-1 June 1916); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (301992 W. Ackerman, Sto. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Fox); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (301992 W. Ackerman, Act. Lg. Sto. H.M.S. Fox); 1914-15 Star, naming erased; British War Medal (301992 W. Ackerman, S.P.O. R.N.); Victory Medal, naming erased; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (301992 W. Ackerman, Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Vivid) nearly very fine or better and rare (7) £10000-12000 C.G.M. London Gazette 15 September 1916 [directly following the announcement of the Victoria Cross to Boy 1st Class, John Travers Cornwall] - To receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal. Stoker Petty Officer William Ackerman, O.N. 301992. ‘Stoker Petty Officer William Ackerman evidenced considerable aptitude and bravery in clearing a suction box in a damaged compartment and freeing the rods in use to keep it clear. It was necessary at one time for him to descend in a diving suit for the purpose. From the time of the explosion, caused by a torpedo striking the ship on May 31st, every effort was made to keep the suction boxes of pumps in ‘A ‘boiler room clear of dirt, etc. Occasionally, however, owing to the boxes being obstructed the water rose and, during the middle watch on the morning of June 2nd, it rose to a height of 6 or 7 feet above the floor plates. S.P.O. Ackerman, in a diving suit went down and removed a guard in the vicinity of the suction of the ash expeller pump which facilitated the working of the rods used to keep the suction box clear, and enabled the water to be again reduced to the level of the floor plates.’ (Ref Gallant Deeds, the first paragraph also forming the citation as published in the London Gazette). H.M.S. Marlborough, flagship of Vice-Admiral Burney Commanding the First Battle Squadron, was the only ship of the Grand Fleet to be hit by torpedo in the battle of Jutland, a remarkable point that was not lost on Admiral Jellicoe in his despatch: ‘One of the features of the action was the large number of torpedoes that crossed our line without taking effect on any ship except Marlborough. Sir Cecil Burney estimates that at least twenty-one torpedoes were seen to cross the line of his squadron. All were avoided by skilful handling, except that single one, and it is notable that the Marlborough herself evaded seven. Similarly the Fifth Battle Squadron, in rear of the First Battle Squadron, avoided a considerable number and the other squadrons had similar experiences.’ The following narrative of events were noted by an officer from the fore-top of H.M.S. Marlborough: ‘At 6.54 we were hit by a torpedo. We thought at the time it might have been a mine, for we saw no track of a torpedo whatsoever, but we know now for certain that it was a torpedo as bits of one were found later in the ship. It hit on the starboard side, and aloft the top swayed a lot and finally took up a list to starboard, so that I imagined one strut of the tripod mast had been shot away; but looking over the side of the top I saw that it was the whole ship that had taken a list to starboard. The shock caused some of the switches on the electrical switchboard to jump, and one of the gunnery control instruments got out of step; also some fuses of the telephone circuits went, but they were very quickly, replaced. A few minutes after we were hit we passed a destroyer, the Acasta, close on our port hand, flying 6 flag - ‘Am in danger of sinking ‘- and the ‘Not under control ‘signal; she had a collision mat stretched out over her starboard quarter. I was afraid for a moment that we were going to collide with her, as we passed so close to her that from aloft she was almost hidden by our ram, and we seemed to be practically on top of her. But she came by all clear, and her men cheered as we passed. At about 7 o'clock, when we were just getting ‘square ‘again after the torpedo explosion, three tracks of torpedoes were seen approaching on the starboard side, all three apparently going to cross our track. The bridge were informed, and the ship was turned to port to avoid them, so that two passed ahead and one astern of us. Five or ten minutes before this some German destroyers had appeared on our starboard bow, so presumably these torpedoes, as well as the one that had hit us, came from them. Directly after we had dodged these three torpedoes a four-funnelled cruiser of apparently the Roon class came into sight on our starboard beam, range 9,800 yards, bearing exactly on the beam, Green 90. She was stopped and already badly damaged, but we opened fire on her and fired four salvoes. The third and fourth salvoes hit her, opened up her sides, and revealed a deep red flame inside her hull. This was at 7.3, and two minutes later we ceased fire, as she appeared to be completely disabled and was sinking fast. We now sighted three battleships, and at 7.6 shifted target on to the left-hand one of them - they were ships of the Konig class, carrying two funnels wide apart. We opened fire at a range of 10,750 yards, and fired 14 salvoes. The sixth, the twelfth, thirteenth, and fourteenth were all distinct hits. From the sixth salvo a large cloud of grey smoke appeared near her foremast, and from the twelfth salvo two hits could be seen under her bridge, rather low down. At 7.10 we fired a torpedo from the fore submerged tube at the disabled enemy cruiser. At 7.19 a flotilla of German destroyers appeared on our starboard quarter, approaching us, and fire was quickly opened upon them with the 6-inch battery. Also one 13.5 inch salvo was fired from the turrets. Two destroyers were hit, and the remainder immediately turned away to starboard and disappeared from sight behind a dense cloud of funnel smoke. Fourteen minutes later (7.33) the tracks of the torpedoes they had fired were observed approaching from the starboard bow and beam. The tracks were quite clear to us from aloft, and could be picked out when nearly a mile away. At once we reported to the bridge, and they altered course to starboard, so that No. 1 track, the farthest off, passed ahead of us, but Nos. 2 and 3 were nearly on top of us before the ship commenced swinging. No. 2 passed so close to the stern that we lost sight of its track from the top, and we should certainly have been hit if the stern had not been swinging away under the influence of helm; and No. 3, which I saw break surface when about 500 yards on our beam, came straight for the ship, and its track came right up against our starboard quarter - it must have been running below its depth and went right under the ship. The fact that these three were as clear as daylight, whereas no track was visible from the torpedo that had hit us at 6.54, made one think that it was a mine, not a torpedo by which we had been hit, but, as I said, other certain evidence showed that it was a torpedo.’ Remarkably, only two stokers had been killed by the explosion of the torpedo. As Executive officer of H.M.S. Marlborough, Commander Currey was responsible for damage control and organizing repairs to the ship. At 3 a.m. on 1st June Vice-Admiral Burney reported that he had transferred his flag to Revenge and that Marlborough, her speed now reduced to 12 knots, was proceeding with Fearless in company and a few hours later four destroyers were detached to screen Marlborough. At 6.50 p.m., after a long day of repair work and damage assessment, Marlborough reported - ‘All compartments between 78 and 111 stations starboard from outer bottom to middle or main deck probably flooded. All double bottom compartments between these stations on starboard side vertical keel dam

A Great War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Engineer P. Morrison, Royal Naval Reserve Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (E.B.456 C.E.R.A., R.N.R., Mediterranean Station 1917); 1914-15 Star (EB.456 C.E.R.A. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Wt. Eng. R.N.R.) contact marks, nearly very fine and better (4) £600-800 D.S.M. London Gazette 17 May 1918.

A Great War ‘Gallipoli Operations’ D.S.M. awarded to Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas Read, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (128116 P.O.1Cl. Gallipoli Opns. 1915-6) good very fine £600-800 D.S.M. London Gazette 15 May 1916. Thomas Read was born in London on 6 October 1868. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard the Impregnable on 26 September 1884 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in August 1885 when on the Lion. He became an Ordinary Seaman aboard the Cruiser in July 1886, an Able Seaman in April 1888 when on Calliope and Leading Seaman in May 1898 and Petty Officer 2nd Class in May 1899 when on the Caesar. He attained the rank of Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1904 when on the Good Hope. He was pensioned ashore in October 1906 joining the Royal Fleet Reserve. Read was recalled to service in the Royal Navy in August 1914 and was posted as a Petty Officer 1st Class aboard the old battleship Glory, August 1914-December 1915. He then served on the protected cruiser Europa, December 1915-July 1917 and the old battleship Implacable, July-August 1917 before postings ashore at Victory I and Vernon. Read was awarded the D.S.M. for his service in the Gallipoli operations when aboard the Europa. He was demobilized in June 1919. Sold with copied service papers.

A rare Great War D.S.M. awarded to Boatswain W. Gallagher, Mercantile Marine Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Boatswain W. Gallagher, Bristol Channel 23 Dec. 1916), edge bruise, very fine £600-800 D.S.M. London Gazette 12 May 1917: ‘The following awards have been approved to the following men of the British Mercantile Marine, in recognition of zeal and devotion to duty shown in carrying on the trade of the country during the War.’ William Gallagher, who was born in Londonderry in April 1888, was decorated for his gallant deeds during an attack on the merchantmen Bertrand and William Middleton by an enemy submarine in the Bristol Channel on 23 December 1916 - at one stage the latter vessel was under German control, but at length both ships were rescued.

An extremely rare Second World War D.S.M. and Bar group of seven awarded to Petty Officer F. G. Keefe, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his excellent gunnery skills in the Hunt-class destroyer Mendip in numerous encounters with E-Boats and enemy aircraft in the Channel and North Sea 1941-42 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (C/JX. 129342 F. G. Keefe, P.O.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (JX. 129342 L. Smn., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (JX. 129342 P.O., H.M.S. Mendip), occasional edge bruising and minor contact wear, otherwise generally good very fine (7) £4000-5000 D.S.M. London Gazette 21 April 1942: ‘For skill and enterprise in a successful action against enemy E-Boats in which at least two were sunk by H.M. Ships.’ The original recommendation - dated 25 February 1942 - states: ‘On the night of 19-20 February 1942, during a series of close actions with E-Boats, he controlled the Mk. VII Pom-Pom with such accuracy and determination that an E-Boat was sunk or severely damaged. By wise discrimination of his roving duties in action he set a high example of coolness and devotion to duty, which reflected itself in the general accuracy of the ship’s gunfire.’ Bar to D.S.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942. The original recommendation - dated 2 February 1942 - states: ‘He has consistently set a very high standard of efficiency and devotion to duty in the training of personnel and the upkeep of armament. On 1 December 1941, by personally manning an Oerlikon gun he played a large part in the destruction of a Heinkel III.’ Francis George Keefe most likely joined the Hunt-class destroyer Mendip during her trials and commissioning in late 1940, a process delayed by the premature explosion of one of her own depth-charges during a working-up exercise. Repairs completed, she joined the 21st Destroyer Flotilla at Sheerness for convoy escort and patrol duties in the North Sea and English Channel in March 1941, and it was in this capacity - via numerous ‘contacts ‘with the enemy - that Keefe won his D.S.Ms. First coming under air attack during convoy FS. 449, a few days after joining the 21st, Mendip went on to rescue survivors from the Dutch Schieland in June, participate in a bombardment of Dieppe in July, again engage enemy aircraft in convoy FS. 605 in September, and drove off an E-Boat attack on convoy FS. 615 in October - and it was shortly after this that Keefe’s gunnery was credited with the destruction of a Heinkel III, just one episode that prompted his C.O., Lieutenant-Commander Guy Neville-Rolfe, D.S.C., R.N., to put his name forward for a periodical D.S.M. on 2 February 1942. A few days later, in a protracted night action against E-Boats in the Nore area on the night of 19-20 February 1942, his gunnery expertise was again to the fore when the Mendip and her consorts Pytchley, Holderness and Vivien, contributed to the certain destruction of two E-Boats - one of which was boarded - and inflicted damage on two others. Here, then, the grounds for his C.O’s second recommendation, Keefe’s gunnery control at a range of 1200 yards, with Mendip at full speed, having contributed to ‘five small explosions’ on one of the E-Boats (his captain’s action report refers). And both recommendations were duly confirmed, Keefe attending investitures in May and December of the same year.

A fine Second World War Dunkirk operations D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Petty Officer A. H. H. Gutsell, Royal Navy, for services in the yacht Thele Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J. 28475 A. H. H. Gutsell, C.P.O., H.M.Y. Thele); 1914-15 Star (J. 28475 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J. 28475 L.S., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage bust (J. 28475 P.O., H.M.S. Victory), the Great War period awards with contact marks and polished, thus fine or better, the remainder generally good very fine (9) £1800-2200 D.S.M. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good services in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous boat work and in effecting contact with G.H.Q. He worked the dinghy under heavy fire.’ Arthur Henry Herbert Gutsell was born in Hastings, Sussex in June 1898 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in 1913. Appointed to the cruiser H.M.S. Achilles in October 1914, he remained similarly employed until August 1918, in which period she formed part of the 2nd Cruiser Squadron in the Grand Fleet and sank the German raider Leopard north of the Shetlands in March 1917. Remaining a regular between the Wars, Gutsell was appointed to the motor yacht Thele, recently requisitioned by the Admiralty for services as an Auxiliary Patrol vessel, soon after the outbreak of hostilities, and it was in this capacity that he won his D.S.M. off Dunkirk. Thele’s C.O., Lieutenant H. M. Glassborow, R.N.V.R., submitted the following report in respect of her movements on 31 May 1940: ‘0600 - arrived off Bray. Proceeded to La Panne under orders from Ankh to take soldiers off beach. 0630 - arrived off La Panne, took soldiers from surf boats and transferred them to destroyers. Later ordered by captain of a destroyer to place ourselves at the disposal of a paddle steamer anchored off the beach. Did this, collected her boats, took them in to the beach and brought soldiers to her. The Commodore in Bounty suggested we used our launch and with assistance of soldiers on board, we tried to get the launch in the water but smashed it in the process. Later called up by the destroyer Keith and ordered to anchor astern of her. After about half an hour there was an air raid and Keith weighed and left ordering me to remain where I was as despatch boat. As bombs were falling all around, weighed anchor but remained in position. The Commodore arrived in a small boat, transferred to us and took over the ship. Sailed round La Panne and Bray, boarding ships and transmitting Commodore’s orders. 1300 - went alongside the sloop Hebe and took her captain on board. Put Commodore on board paddle steamer. While we were alongside her, she was attacked by aircraft and she weighed and left with the Commodore aboard. Heavy air attack at La Panne; captain of the Hebe ordered me to signal all ships to move half a mile westward. Followed Hebe to try and put her captain aboard. Arrived alongside her off Bray, just as she was attacked by bombers, so was ordered by her captain to lie off her while she was in action, but close enough for him to pass orders to her if necessary. Later, put him on La Panne and took off G.H.Q. personnel. Was given night operation orders to hand to Lord Gort. Proceeded to La Panne escorted by Hebe and lay off pier. 1630 - sent dinghy with A. H. H. Gutsell, C.P.O. and G. Duncan, A.B., with orders to contact G.H.Q. and hand over night operation orders. While waiting took on soldiers. Dinghy returned with Lieutenant Crosswell, R.N., N.L.O. to Lord Gort. Lord Gort was taken off by a destroyer’s launch. Went to Bray to try and contact Hebe, but on the way was ordered by the Admiral to go in to the beach with whaler and take off a General. At beach, Ahola arrived and transferred to me Lord Gort’s baggage, valet and driver. Requested Ahola to attend to the General and off again to find the Hebe. Ordered by the Admiral to proceed to sea to collect boats drifting about. Went about two miles out and collected three boats and brought these back to Bray. Closed Hebe and put Lord Gort’s gear and servants aboard. Lieutenant Crosswell remained with me. Lay off La Panne ferrying soldiers to destroyers until 0200, when no more troops could be found. Proceeded in direction of Bray and was ordered by M.T.B. 102 to lay off H.M.S. Keith as we might be wanted. Did this until 0300 when shelling of water started. Keith weighed and went off without giving me orders. Informed by Lieutenant Crosswell that everything had to be gone by 0400 and, as no ships could be seen at 0325, left beaches and proceeded to Dover and arrived 1100. It is estimated that about 250 soldiers were taken off in the course of the day. Chief Petty Officer A. H. H. Gutsell remained by the dinghy in spite of heavy shelling of the pier, until G.H.Q. staff arrived.’.

A fine Second World War Dunkirk operations D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman W. F. Lunn, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry as a member of crew in the motor yacht Ankh - the ‘flagship ‘of the Naval Officer in Charge of the beaches at Bray Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX. 166227 W. F. Lunn. A.B., H.M.Y. Ankh); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R.,1st issue (J.X. 166227 PO. B. 20302 L. Smn., R.F.R.), good very fine or better (5) £1800-2200 D.S.M. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good services in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous devotion to duty under fire for a prolonged period as crew of the launch, rescuing large numbers of troops.’ Walter Frank Lunn was decorated for his services as a member of crew in the motor yacht Ankh, which vessel was under the command of Lieutenant E. H. Sparkes, R.N.V.R., but which also acted as the ‘flagship ‘Captain J. M. Howson, R.N., the Naval Officer in Charge of the beaches at Bray - Yacht Engineer Frederick Barter was also awarded the D.S.M. for like services, both men receiving their decorations at an investiture held on 1 March 1941. Of events on the 31 May 1940, Sparkes wrote in his official report: ‘0530 - beaches in sight. 0610 - approached to within the two fathom line. Hailed by launch. Captain Howson, R.N., Naval Officer in Charge of the beaches, came on board and said we were to be his flagship. We were used throughout the day at Bary, towing loaded boats to the destroyers and, on the return journey, taking empty boats in to the vicinity of the pier, and letting them drift ashore for a fresh load. On some occasions, this was varied by embarking troops on board us, letting the boats drift ashore while we steamed to the destroyers to transfer our load. Our own launch was lowered and, under F. Barter, Yacht Engineer, and Able Seaman W. F. Lunn, was employed towing loaded whalers to destroyers. This routine was maintained throughout the day. It is impossible to give an accurate figure of the number of men helped, but it is estimated that between 900-1000 were ferried off. 1930 - heavy bombing raid, four bombs fell very close to us, causing leaks forward and in the stern tubes. 2000 - left Bray on instructions from Captain Howson and proceeded to Dover. 0815 - berthed Dover. Special mention is made of the work of Yacht Engineer F. Barter and Able Seaman W. F. Lunn, who ran the launch until it was swamped, most of the time under fire and bombing.’.

A fine Second World War Malta convoy D.S.M., post-war B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic W. Hill, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his services on the occasion of the loss of H.M.S. Fearless during ‘Operation Substance ‘in July 1941 - although seriously burnt, he continued to take charge of repair parties Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (D./KX. 78473 W. Hill, S.P.O., H.M.S. Fearless); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (C.P.O. Sto. Mech. William Hill, D.S.M., D./KX. 78473); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (KX. 78473 Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Drake), generally good very fine (8) £1400-1600 D.S.M. London Gazette 25 November 1941: ‘For courage and resolution in operations in Mediterranean waters.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Although seriously burnt when the ship was torpedoed, this rating showed great courage in continuing to take charge of the after supply and repair parties until that part of the ship had been evacuated.’ B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1949. Of the loss of H.M.S. Fearless, A Dictionary of Disasters at Sea states: ‘The destroyer Fearless, Commander A. F. Pugsley, was one of a large escorting force of battleships, aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers taking an important convoy through the Central Mediterranean in July 1941. On the 22nd the ships were sighted by Italian scouting aircraft and during the night attacks were made with indifferent success by high level and torpedo bombers. Fearless was the only ship among the large number present to suffer any vital damage. She was hit by a torpedo from one of the bombers and put out of action. It was not possible to take her in tow so her company was transferred to other ships and she was sunk by the British forces. Of her complement of 145, one officer and 24 ratings were killed.’ While in his official report, Commander Pugsley stated: ‘The two aircraft which attacked Fearless released their torpedoes from a height of 70 feet and at a range of about 1500 and 800 yards respectively. Avoiding action was taken and the first torpedo passed about 90 yards ahead. The torpedo from the second aircraft ran shallow. Course was shaped to comb the track but when abreast the stem on the port side, at about a distance of 30 feet, the torpedo broke surface, altered course to port and hit the ship

Family group: The rare and important Second World War St. Nazaire raid D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer Harry Howard, Royal Navy, who was responsible for scuttling H.M.S. Campbeltown after she had rammed the dock gate - and fortunate indeed to make his escape in M.G.B. 314 - a story related by him under the title ‘Stand by to Ram ‘in Carl Olsson’s wartime publication From Hell to Breakfast Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (M. 31976 H. Howard, C.E.R.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (M. 31976 Act. E.R.A. 4, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage bust (M. 31976 E.R.A. 1, H.M.S. Cairo), together with Boston War Heroes Day Presentation Gold Medal (Mayor Maurice J. Tobin), 10-carat, dated 10 July 1942, the reverse engraved, ‘Harry Howard’, and Mayor of Salt Lake City Presentation Key, dated 23 June 1942, this engraved ‘Chief Artificer Harry Howard’, minor official correction to number on the second, the earlier awards a little polished, but otherwise very fine and better The Second World War campaign group of three awarded to his brother Sergeant J. A. Howard, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who was taken P.O.W. at Dunkirk 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial (7599542 Sjt., R.A.O.C.), these extremely fine (12) £20,000-25,000() Only 24 Distinguished Service Medals were awarded for the St. Nazaire raid, the vast majority to men of Coastal Forces, Howard’s award being one of three to the Campbeltown. D.S.M. London Gazette 21 May 1942: ‘For great gallantry, daring and skill in the attack on the German naval base at St. Nazaire.’ The overall movements and events aboard H.M.S. Campbeltown have largely been related in the footnote to the D.S.C. awarded to Warrant Engineer W. H. Locke (see Lot 1197), but luckily for posterity’s sake Harry Howard, a native of Sheffield, later published his own account of the raid in Carl Ollson’s wartime anthology From Hell to Breakfast, from which the following extracts have been taken: ‘At about 1.20 the Engineer Officer, who had been popping up and down from the deck, came to see me in the engine-room and said, ‘Only about ten minutes more. ‘I went into the stokehold for a last look round where men were watching the clock and handling the fuel controls. It was silent here except for the droning of the feed pumps and the roar of the oil burners. I made sure every man knew the handhold he was to cling to when the ‘Stand by to Ram ‘order came through .. By now the ship was shaking, and above the whine of the engines I could hear the sound of gun-fire. In the same instant the telegraph rang full steam ahead, and we pushed in every ounce of steam pressure we had. The old Campbeltown began to tremble till all the footplates were quivering and rattling. ‘Now for it, ‘I thought. My mouth felt a bit dry. Another minute or so, and then the loud speaker blared from the bridge - ‘Stand by to Ram! ‘Each man threw himself at his selected handhold, some at steel ladder rungs, others clasping stanchions. In a flickering glimpse I saw the Engineer Officer wedging his body against one of the side ribs in the engine-room, and then I sprang at the big wheel I had picked. But she struck even as I was leaping, and I was flung a full six yards down the engine-room, hitting a Chief Engineer full in the stomach and nearly knocking him out. All the lights went out, leaving only the blue glimmer of emergency lamps. There was an instant stillness, except for the hell that was now breaking loose on deck. The loud speaker called again: ‘Abandon ship! ‘That was not the order we expected. We had been told that if we jammed the gate properly, the order would be: ‘Finished with main engines. ‘With a sick feeling of disappointment I thought at first we had bounced off the gates (Nobody could know, when we planned this party, whether in fact that might not happen. The specially strengthened bows of the Campbeltown might have given way under the impact). So stopping some of the men who were leaving the stokehold, in case there might have been a slip-up in the order and we might after all still want steam, I rushed up on deck to the bridge to find the Captain. He told me: ‘Get your men up and away to hell out of it. ‘And as I looked forward I saw that I needn’t have asked about that order. The Campbeltown was jammed slap into the lock-gate, nearly at the point where it joined the dock wall. Her bows were buried inside the gate, and she was right on the place aimed for on the sketch plan at the conference two days before. As a piece of masterly navigation on the part of the Captain that was the most wonderful thing I have ever seen in all my years at sea. I had no time to look at more or notice what else was going on around me. And there was plenty. The night had gone crazy with flashes and bangs and whistles from flying metal. I just legged it back to the engine-room and said, ‘It’s all right to come up, and you can get ashore all right from the fo’c’sle head. Beat it, everybody. ‘Then I went to do the final job to which I had been assigned. That was to unbolt the condenser inlet covers and to open the inlets, so that even if the explosive charges failed to go off, the Campbeltown would scuttle and block the channel into the dock and perhaps tear away part of the lock gate as well, as she sank. I had picked a young E.R.A. to do this job with me, and we worked by torchlight in the empty engine-room, because all the lights had now gone out. We worked quickly, but the job did not in fact take long, because I had previously loosened and removed many of the bolts. As I passed through the engine-room to go on deck for the last time I saw a young electrician busy with screwdriver and torch making some adjustments to the switchboard controlling the explosive fuses. He was whistling softly as though he was merely intent on a pleasantly interesting job. I never saw him again .. ‘Back on Campbeltown’s deck, Howard was compelled to get down and crawl amidst bullets and splinters which were rattling against the armour-plate along the rails: ‘It was bright moonlight and there was a vast pandemonium going on. Mixed with the din of their gun-fire I could hear the Campbeltown’s steam escape blowing off .. There were some wounded men being carried along towards the escape ladders and some dead .. Machine-guns were firing tracers towards us from the top of the lock pumping-house. Suddenly the firing stopped as the Commandos got there and wiped out the German crews with grenades .. The fo’c’sle was on fire, but we managed to get ashore by means of one of the bamboo scaling ladders used by the Commandos. I landed on the plank-covered top of the long deep channel slit into the dock wall which was designed to receive the lock gate. I slipped just as I was stepping off on to the level ground, and some ratings caught me. I could see the glare of the searchlights and gun-flashes that they were holding up a badly wounded Commando officer in kilts, and were getting him to rescue boats .. It is a sight I shall always remember; to see the dark forms of the dead and wounded men being carried aloft on the shoulders of their comrades, silhouetted against the glare of burning buildings and explosions, towards the rescue boats .. I had covered about 200 yards when we were challenged near the corner of some buildings. I flicked the answering colour on my signal torch and gave the password. They were two Commandos, placed there as guides to the boat. They had white armbands on, and stood there as calmly as though they were road cops seeing children safely over a school crossing. They waved us on in the right direction. At the boat a young Lieutenant on the bridge was calling out, ‘Come along, come along! ‘and then, ‘Any more for the Skylark? Any more for the Skylark? ‘I checked all my men on boar

A fine Coastal Forces D.S.M. group of six awarded to Acting Chief Motor Mechanic Ronald Bone, H.M. Motor Gun Boat 327, for great courage in saving his ship when fire broke out in the petrol compartment during an action with E-Boats off the Dutch coast in September 1942 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (MX.92401 F. Bone, A/Ch. Mtr. Mech.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp France and Germany; Defence and War Medals; National Fire Brigades Association L.S., 1 clasp, Ten Years, bronze (13380 Ronald Bone) the first five mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1200-1500 D.S.M. London Gazette 10 November 1942 ‘For bravery in action against the Enemy, while serving in H.M. Motor Gun Boats.’ The following details are taken from the original recommendation for the award of the D.S.M. ‘M.G.B. 327 was hit early in the action in the petrol compartment by an incendiary bullet and fire immediately broke out. The automatic fire fighting devices were put into action from the bridge but as these did not extinguish the fire, Acting Chief Motor Mechanic Bone with complete disregard of his own safety, entered the petrol compartment with a fire extinguisher and succeeded in putting out the fire. Subsequent inspection of the petrol compartment tanks has shown, that so serious was the fire, that it was only his prompt action that saved the ship.’ The above action took place on the 10th/11th September 1942, when a division of four ships led by Lieutenant E. M. Thorpe in M.G.B. 334, engaged 11 or 12 German E-Boats off the Dutch coast. In the ensuing action M.G.B. 335 was lost, but the survivors of her crew, most of whom were wounded, were taken off by M.G.B. 334. Thorpe was awarded the D.S.O. for this action. The three boats that returned to harbour were all badly damaged, none more so than Bone’s M.G.B. 327 which had eight holes in the hull, three petrol tanks holed and extensive damage to the wheelhouse and bridge. The Coxwain of M.G.B. 335 was awarded the C.G.M. for assisting in removing the wounded to M.G.B. 334, though wounded twice himself. The group is sold with copies of the official action report.

A good Second World War Mediterranean operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Seaman C. D. Jacobs, Royal Navy, for a brilliant night action off Cape Spartivento in June 1943 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (SSX. 25221 C. D. Jacobs, L. Smn.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £800-1000 D.S.M. London Gazette 20 August 1943: ‘For courage, resolution and skill in successful attacks on an enemy convoy whilst serving in H.M.S. Jervis.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the occasion when H.M.S. Jervis and H.H.M.S. Queen Olga destroyed an enemy convoy off the Italian coast, Leading Seaman Jacobs was captain of No. 1 mounting during the action. This rating controlled the gun’s crew with most commendable skill and efficiency in spite of the noise and confusion of a close range night engagement.’ Cecil Dennis Jacobs, a pre-war regular and a native of Woodbridge, Suffolk, was decorated for his services on the night of 1-2 June 1943, when the destroyer Jervis, under the command of Captain J. S. Crawford, D.S.O., and in the company of the Greek destroyer Queen Olga, sunk the Italian torpedo boat Castore in a brilliant action off Cape Spartivento - the enemy convoy was engaged from 2,000 yards with the assistance of flares dropped by Allied aircraft, and two merchantmen were also damaged in the ensuing action. An indication of just how busy Jacobs and his fellow gunners were kept may be derived from the fact that the Jervis expended 142 rounds of 4.7-inch, 138 rounds of 2-pounder H.E. and tracer, and 90 rounds from her 20mm. Oerlikon. Jacobs, who received his award at an investiture held in March 1945, was probably still aboard the Jervis on the occasion she was damaged by a German glider-bomb off Anzio - see The Kelly’s, British J, K & N Class Destoyers of World War II, by Christopher Langtree for further details; sold with a photocopy of a local wartime newspaper cutting, including a portrait photograph of the recipient.

A particularly fine Second World War Coastal Forces D.S.M. group of five awarded to Temporary Lieutenant (E.) R. J. A. Bunce, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was decorated for his gallant deeds as a Chief Motor Mechanic in the 50th M.G.B. Flotilla Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.C.M.M. R. J. A. Bunce, P/MX. 98931); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Ty. Sub. Lieut. (E.) R. Bunce, R.N.V.R.), mounted as worn, together with his wartime identity disc, good very fine or better (6) £1400-1600 D.S.M. London Gazette 9 May 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘Acting Chief Motor Mechanic Bunce has consistently shown skill and devotion to duty of a high order. On the night of 3 August 1943, when in M.G.B. 604 under my command, the boat was rammed in the engine room. Bunce worked up to his waist in oil and water, with the engine room full of wreckage and steam, and kept one partly submerged engine running for six hours and 33 minutes. He repeatedly dived below the engine, at great risk of being caught in the turning shafts, and was eventually successful in cutting the water inlet suction pipe so that the engine drew water out of the bilges. During the action on the night of 24-25 October 1943, the lights failed in the plotting house, on the bridge, and down the whole port side of the ship [M.G.B. 609], due to a sudden short. He effected emergency repairs under difficulty in 30 seconds, thus materially assisting in the continuation of the action.’ Robert Joseph Arthur Bunce was born in Tooting, London in July 1915 and joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as an Ordinary Seaman in March 1936. A Signalman serving aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Ceres on the outbreak of hostilities, he came ashore in October 1940 to take up successive appointments in the naval bases Lanka in Ceylon and Sheba in Aden, following which he returned to the U.K. in June 1941. Thereafter, as verified by his service record, he was ‘discharged to R.N. engagement’, and by May 1942 was serving as an Acting Chief Motor Mechanic at the Portland Coastal Forces’ base Attack - here then the commencement of his long association with M.G.Bs. Moving to the Lowestoft base Mantis in June 1942, where he was recommended for a decoration for services in M.G.B. 21 that September, Bunce remained similarly employed until removing to the 50th M.G.B. Flotilla, operating out of Midge at Great Yarmouth, in May 1943. And it was in the course of this latter appointment, for gallant service in M.G.Bs 604 - when rammed and flooded - and 609, that he won his D.S.M. An indication of the importance of the actions fought by M.G.B. 609 and her consorts on the night of 24-25 October 1943 is to be found in the London Gazette of 15 October 1948, for therein was published a full account of the night’s proceedings, via Admiral of the Fleet Jack Tovey’s original despatch of 18 November 1943 - one of just four epic Coastal Forces’ actions chosen for post-war publication to represent the many daring feats and sacrifices made by that gallant body of men in the ‘Battle of the Narrow Seas ‘, and beyond. In it, Tovey describes a series of ferocious firefights with around 30 E-boats, at least two of which failed to return to base. As part of the 50th Flotilla, operating out of Midge at Great Yarmouth, M.G.Bs 609 and 610 formed ‘Unit R ‘that night, the former commanded by Lieutenant P. N. ‘Pat ‘Edge, R.N.V.R., with Bunce aboard, and the latter by Lieutenant W. ‘Bob ‘Harrop, R.N.V.R. - both officers shortly to be D.S.Cs. One and all were in for a busy night, but by dawn the two ‘Dogboats ‘had contributed towards a significant turning point in Coastal Forces’ fortunes, the whole by means of highly skilled radar work and disciplined gunnery - and cold blooded courage of a high order. In summary of 609’s and 610’s engagements that night, Tovey stated in his famous ‘Coastal Forces Despatch ‘: ‘Unit R - M.G.Bs 609 and 610 - moved up to their northerly position at about 0100, and obtained hydrophone contact and then radar contact even before they were alerted by shore radar. From 0100 to 0141 Unit R stalked the enemy, keeping between him and the convoy. As soon as the enemy showed signs of closing the convoy, Unit R attacked, twice forcing him to withdraw to the eastward, the second time for good. The second boat in the line, on which 609 and 610 concentrated their fire, was undoubtedly hit hard and forced to leave the line. This group of E-Boats was the only one to operate north of 57F buoy, east of Sheringham .. the Senior Officer of this unit, Lieutenant P. Edge, showed a quick and sound appreciation of the C.-in-C’s object in fleeting the unit, i.e., the defence of the northbound convoy, and throughout handled his unit with tactical ability of a high order. Skilful use of radar gave him an exact picture of the enemy’s movements and enabled him to go into action at a moment of his own choosing. The moment he chose was entirely correct and there is no doubt that this well fought action saved the convoy from being located and attacked.’ Bunce remained actively employed in 609 until May 1944, when he removed to M.T.B. 734, in which boat he served off Normandy prior to coming ashore in mid-July. Having then been commissioned as a Temporary Sub. Lieutenant (E.), he would appear to have ended his war with an appointment in the frigate Grindall. Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Admiralty letter of notification for the award of the recipient’s D.S.M., dated 11 May 1944, and related Buckingham Palace forwarding letter in the name of ‘Sub. Lieutenant (E.) R. J. A. Bunce, D.S.M., R.N.V.R.’; official letters regarding the award of his L.S. & G.C. Medal, dated in March and May 1949; his R.N. and R.N.V.R. Certificates of Service and Signal History Sheet; a Sea Cadet Corps letter confirming his advancement to the rank of Temporary Lieutenant; and an interesting selection of wartime photographs (approximately 10), including M.G.B. crew line-up and scenes of the U-532 arriving at Liverpool on 17 May 1945.

A good Second World War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer Telegraphist J. Lilly, Royal Navy, who served on the Staff of Admiral Sir Charles Ramsey, K.C.B., Commodore of Convoys Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. Tel. J. Lilly, P./J. 84401); British War and Victory Medals (J. 84401 B. Tel., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage bust (J. 84401 L. Tel., H.M.S. Douglas), the second with re-riveted but slack and slightly bent suspension bar, the three earlier awards with contact marks, edge bruising and polished, thus fine, the remainder good very fine (7) £800-1000 D.S.M. London Gazette 8 June 1944. Jesse Lilly, who was born in Southsea, Hampshire in August 1902 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1918, was appointed a Boy Telegraphist in the battleship H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth a few days before the end of hostilities. Gaining steady advancement between the Wars, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in October 1935 and was serving as an Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist in Portsmouth on the outbreak of war in September 1939. Shortly thereafter, he was ordered to the Liverpool establishment Eaglet, and it was in this capacity that he served in numerous convoys and was awarded his D.S.M., not least for his work on the staff of Admiral Sir Charles Ramsey, K.C.B., a Jutland veteran who had volunteered to serve as a Commodore of Convoys on his retirement in 1942 - thus North Atlantic convoy HX231 in April 1943, when Ramsay and his staff sailed aboard the Tyndareus - of 61 ships, 22 of them tankers, six were sunk by U-Boats. Lilly was released from the Service in November 1945. Sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Service and Wireless History Sheet, together with Buckingham Palace D.S.M. forwarding letter and a portrait photograph.

A Great War I.D.S.M. group of five awarded to Jemadar Mit, Sikh Pioneers Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Jemdr. Mit Singh, 1st Bn. 155th Indian Pioneers); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1901-2 (4029 Sepoy Mit Singh, 23rd Pioneers); Tibet 1903-04, 1 clasp, Gyantse (4029 Sepoy Mit Singh, 23rd Sikh Pioneers); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1908, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (4029 Lce. Naick Mit Singh, 23d Sikh Pioneers); British War Medal (Jemdr. Mit Singh, 32 Sikh Pnrs.) nearly very fine (5) £500-600 I.D.S.M. awarded for Egypt in Army Order 2087 of 1919.

A great War M.M. and Bar group of four awarded to Petty Officer James Watson, Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second award Bar (CZ-2323 A.B. J. Watson, Hood Bn: R.N.V.R.); 1914-15 Star (C.Z-2323 J. Watson, A.B. R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (C.Z. 2323 J. Watson, P.O. R.N.V.R.) nearly extremely fine (4) £2500-3000 M.M. London Gazette 23 February 1918. Bar to M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. James Watson was born in Glasgow on 26 April 1893, and joined the Royal Naval Division on 16 November 1914, posted to Howe Battalion the following month. He took part in the Gallipoli landings in April 1915 as a member of Collingwood Battalion, but was transferred to Hood Battalion on 8 June 1915, due to Collingwood’s high losses. By the beginning of September 1915 he was dangerously ill with dysentery and was subsequently invalided to England on board the hospital ship Glengorm Castle. He rejoined Hood Battalion in France on 2 May 1917, having qualified 1st Classs in Signalling at Blandford Camp the previous February. He received a gun shot wound in his right thigh on 18 May and returned to the Battalion on 12 July, being promoted to Petty Officer on 12 September 1918. According to his record card he was awarded the M.M. on 24 November 1917, and the Bar on 25 October 1918, although these dates do not necessarily refer to the actions themselves. He was demobilised at Paisley on 27 March 1919. The group is accompanied by two photographs of the recipient taken in October 1914; an interesting album of 89 captioned photographs; and a rare paperback book Rymes of the R.N.D., Methuen & Co. Ltd, 1917. The photographs follow his progress out to Gallipoli, beginning with embarkation at Avonmouth on board H.M.T. Franconia, passing though Malta, the Suez Canal, Port Said and Cairo, to Skyros, where practise landings took place, and thence to Gallipoli via Imbros. The majority of the images are taken on or around the Gallipoli Peninsula and include shots of ships bombarding Cape Helles; H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth firing over the peninsular at Chanak; H.M.S. Hector observation balloon ship; shipping at Anzac April 27th; ‘W’ Beach and Cape Hells; Achi Baba; beach bathing; Gully Ravine; Aberdeen Gully; ‘V’ Beach and the S.S. River Clyde, and a view of Seddel Bahr castle and village taken from the River Clyde; the sea plane carrier Ark Royal and others of sea planes.

A rare and most unusual Great War Southern Russia operations M.M. group of eight awarded to Flight Sergeant B. Tatton, Auxiliary Air Force, late Royal Warwickshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (1918 Pte. B. Tatton, 9/R. War. R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1918 Pte., R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1918 A. Cpl., R. War. R.); Defence and War Medals; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Bertie Tatton, M.M.); Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (805154 Cpl., A.A.F.), the third with loose replacement riband bar and all the Great War period awards with contact marks, edge bruising and polished, thus good fine, the remainder good very fine (8) £800-1000 M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1919. Bertie Tatton, a native of Birmingham, first entered the French theatre of war on 4 October 1914, most probably as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshires. Sometime thereafter transferring to the 9th Battalion, which unit arrived in Mesopotamia in February 1916, but moved to South Persia in July 1918 and to South Russia that August, he was awarded his M.M for the fighting at Baku as a member of ‘Dunsterforce ‘in the following month - Baku being the oil-rich key to control of the Caspian Sea. Formal notification of his award was received ‘In the Field ‘at Krasnovodsk on 21 October 1918 (Battalion war diary refers), the same source also listing M.M. London Gazette 29 March 1919. Bertie Tatton, a native of Birmingham, first entered the French theatre of war on 4 October 1914, most probably as a member of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshires. Sometime thereafter transferring to the 9th Battalion, which unit arrived in Mesopotamia in February 1916, but moved to South Persia in July 1918 and to South Russia that August, he was awarded his M.M for the fighting at Baku as a member of ‘Dunsterforce ‘in the following month - Baku being the oil-rich key to control of the Caspian Sea. Formal notification of his award was received ‘In the Field ‘at Krasnovodsk on 21 October 1918 (Battalion war diary refers), the same source also listing four other M.Ms and a brace of M.Cs for the same operations, the citations for the latter being in respect of a hotly contested action at Baku on 14 September 1918. Of this action - and there can be no doubt it was the same engagement that resulted in Tatton being decorated - the war diary states: ‘Saturday 14th: 4 a.m. - very heavy rifle fire and machine-gun fire on the left of the line which increased in intensity up to dawn. Enemy had attacked and by 8 a.m. it was reported that they had broken through Wolf’s Gap and 2,000 were advancing on Baku. Enemy demonstrated on the left of our front from Binagady Oil Stacks at dawn. Captain E. J. N. Bushill’s detachment moved to Brigade about 9 a.m. to protect our rear as the left of the line appeared to be badly broken. 11.15 a.m. - message from Russian H.Q. saying that three ship loads of Bicherakoff’s troops had arrived and were proceeding straight into action - this as it turned out was entirely false. 1 p.m. - Worcesters finding the enemy operating at their rear were compelled to withdraw from Baladgari and the railway embankment to high ground in rear, leaving our left exposed. The enemy then attacked our left, and ‘A’ Company withdrew to high ground in line with the Worcesters with enemy holding the railway embankment. ‘D’ Company fell back to the top of the cliffs. Orders from Brigade, who had fallen back one mile along the Baku Dygya road, to withdraw. Battalion H.Q. established in rear house on outskirts of town, about 300 yards behind lines about 3.30 p.m. 5 p.m. - received orders that British would withdraw to the town at dusk and evacuate. 8.45 p.m. - Brigade, 8th Battery R.F.A. and several Dunsterforce officers marched into the town prepared for street fighting and proceeded to Arsenal Square for embarkation on three ships already prepared. Embarked immediately. Ford cars, armoured cars and aeroplanes were all destroyed or thrown into the sea. Our boat sailed about midnight with all Lewis guns mounted on the bridge deck. No shots were fired at us. Practically all kits had to be left behind.’ The Battalion sustained casualties of four officers and 12 other ranks wounded, three missing and two killed. Tatton was awarded his Air Efficiency Award in 1943 (Air Ministry Orders N. 1176-N. 1198 of that year refer), and his Imperial Service Medal for subsequent services as a Warehouseman in the Supplies Department of G.P.O., Birmingham (London Gazette 18 December 1951 refers).

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private A. J. Price, Grenadier Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (15637 Pte., 4/G. Gds.); 1914 Star (15637 Pte., 1/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (15637 Pte., G. Gds.) contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £400-450 M.M. London Gazette 30 January 1920. Private Albert James Price, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 November 1914.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private T. Coonan, Grenadier Guards, killed in action in 1918 with the Guards Machine Gun Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (18123 Pte., 5/G. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (18123 Pte., G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (18123 Pte., G. Gds.) edge bruise to first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £800-1000 M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916. Thomas Coonan was born at Ogomelloc, Killaloe, County Clare, and enlisted at Llanelly, Glamorganshire. He entered the France/Flanders theatre of war with the Grenadier Guards on 26 July 1915. He was killed in action on 7 May 1918, aged 23 years, whilst serving with the 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment in France. He was buried at Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers, France. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal T. Harris, Irish Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (6135 Cpl.-L. Sjt. T. Harris, 1/Ir. Gds); 1914-15 Star (6135 Pte., I. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (6135 Pte., Ir. Gds.) nearly extremely fine (4) £800-1000 M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918. Thomas Harris was born at Waterford, Co. Leith and enlisted in the Irish Guards in December 1914, aged 26 years. Joining the 1st Battalion in France in June 1915, he served there until June 1918, gaining the M.M. and advancement to Lance-Corporal in October 1916, to Corporal in July 1917 and to Sergeant in October of the same year. Returning home in the Summer of 1918, Harris was convicted by a District Court Martial that August and reduced to Lance-Corporal. Happier events followed, however, not least when he was presented with his M.M. by Major-General G. P. T. Fielding, C.B., C.M.G., D.S.O. in a parade held at Horse Guards on 7 January 1919. He was discharged in the following month.

A Great War Somme operations M.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Lieutenant J. Scott, Machine Gun Corps, late Royal Fusiliers Military Medal, G.V.R. (8142 A. Sjt. J. Scott, 1/R. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (8142 Pte., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.), mounted as worn, together with illuminated M.G.C. presentation certificate of service 1915-18, in the name of ‘Lieut. J. Scott’, and an attractive embroidered crest of the Royal Fusiliers, very fine and better (Lot) £500-600 M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1916. John Scott was born in Dumfries in June 1895, the son of a Church of Scotland lay-preacher, and was working as a correspondence clerk at Carlisle Railway Station, employed by an agent of the Glasgow and South Western Railway, on the outbreak of hostilities. Enlisting in the 18th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in August 1915, he quickly transferred to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France that November. Gaining steady promotion over the coming months, he was awarded his M.M. for bravery on the Somme, most probably in the 1st Battalion’s costly attack on the ‘Hill Street ‘and ‘West Brompton ‘features on 21 August 1916, when ‘good shooting at close range’ was noted by the Battalion’s diarist. Sometime therafter, Scott returned home and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps in April 1917, in which capacity ‘he was unlucky enough to sustain serious injuries to both thighs, his right leg, hands and chin’ in October 1918, injuries that resulted in the amputation of his leg and a finger. After a lengthy period of recuperation, and advancement to Lieutenant, he was finally demobilised in August 1919. Settling in Glasgow, where he was employed at Central Station, Scott died in May 1952, aged 56 years - details taken from an accompanying biographical note.

A Great War M.M. group of four awarded to Private F. Simcoe, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action in August 1917 - as a member of the 8th Battalion, it is worth speculating whether he had earlier survived that unit’s famous ‘football advance ‘over No Man’s Land on the 1 July 1916 Military Medal, G.V.R. (5523 Pte., 8/E. Surr. R.); 1914-15 Star (5523 L. Cpl., E. Surr. R.); British War and Victory Medals (5523 Pte., E. Surr. R.), nearly extremely fine (4) £400-500 M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917. Frederick Simcoe, who was born in Bedford and enlisted in the East Surreys at Northampton, first entered the French theatre of war in July 1915. Subsequently awarded his M.M. for services in the 8th Battalion, he was killed in action on 7 August 1917, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

A rare Great War M.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal T. Simm, Royal Marines Medical Unit, attached 63rd Royal Naval Division Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-3337 Pte. T. Simm, Med. Unit R.M.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Deal 3337 - S - L. Cpl., R.M.), one or two edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better (2) £450-500 M.M. London Gazette 26 March 1917. The original recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous courage in attending to, and bringing in wounded under heavy fire in a forward area in operations north of the River Ancre on 7 February 1917.’ Thomas Simms, a coal miner from Edmondsley, Durham, who was born in February 1886, enlisted in the Royal Marines at Crystal Palace in January 1915. Embarked for France as a Medic in the following month, he appears to have remained on active service right through until the end of hostilities, and was awarded his M.M. for gallant services in the 2nd (R.N.) Field Ambulance, 63rd Royal Naval Division. Simm was demobilised in January 1919.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Private P. F. McIntosh, Highland Light Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (37559 Pte., 14/High. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (37559 Pte., H.L.I.) good very fine (2) £180-220 M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918. The recipient came from Glasgow.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private J. Noble, Northumberland Fusiliers Military Medal, G.V.R. (38385 Pte., 1/North’d. Fus.) claw tightened, edge bruising, nearly very fine £160-200 M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. The recipient came from Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private T. Greenwood, Cheshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (201715 Pte., 1/4 Ches. R.-T.F.) claw tightened, slight edge bruising, very fine £180-220 M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918. Thomas (Josh) Greenwood enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment on 10 October 1907. He served overseas with the 2nd Battalion in India, February 1909-November 1914; with the B.E.F. in France, January-May 1915 where he was gassed and wounded in the neck; with the Egypt Expeditionary Force, February 1916-June 1918; in Taranto, Italy, June-August 1918, and then with the Army of the Black Sea, October 1919-September 1920. Re-enlisting in June 1919, he was discharged at his own request on 13 August 1929. Greenwood died at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, on 5 March 1967, aged 78 years. In his prime he was a good boxer and was noted in the regiment as a champion ‘backward long jumper’. He was known in the regiment as ‘Josh the Devil’ because of the large tattoo of the fallen angel across the whole of his chest and shoulders. Sold with some copied service and family history.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private A. Innes, Royal Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (3-2355 Pte., 1/R. Highrs.) good very fine £200-240 M.M. London Gazette 6 August 1918.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal W. Fallon, Royal Highlanders Military Medal, G.V.R. (1190 L. Cpl., 1/R. Hdrs.) good very fine £200-240 M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916.

The Great War M.M. awarded posthumously to Lance-Corporal A. E. Nelson, 14th Battalion (Young Citizen Volunteers), Royal Irish Rifles, who was killed in action at Thiepval Wood on the first day of the battle of the Somme Military Medal, G.V.R. (6322 L. Cpl. A. E. Nelson, 14/R. Ir. Rif.) nearly extremely fine £500-600 M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916. Lance-Corporal Albert Ernest Nelson, 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action on 1 July 1916, and is buried in the Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval. He was aged 21, son of Albert Edward and Mary Nelson, of Bryson Street, Belfast. Private William McFadzean, of the 14th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for throwing himself on top of a box of bombs which had overturned in a crowded trench, two of which exploded, their pins having fallen out, killing him instantly. This occurred early on the morning of 1 July 1916, whilst the bombs were being distributed to the bombers previous to the famous advance from Thiepval Wood.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Serjeant T. M. Maloney, Leinster Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (4292 Sjt., 2/Leins. R.) good very fine £350-450 M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. The recipient came from Kilnoe.

A rare Great War German East Africa operations M.M. awarded to Private Kamana, 1/2 King’s African Rifles - wounded in action in October 1917, he died of further wounds received in June 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (2610 Pte. Kamana, 1/2 K.A.R.), polished, thus good fine £400-500 M.M. East African Force G.R.O. No. 485, dated 14 May 1917, and London Gazette 28 July 1917: ‘For gallantry in action on 25 April 1917.’ An award for the action at Lutende, details of which appear in the regimental history: ‘As soon as he heard of the new enemy arrivals, O’Grady decided to attack. On 22 April Lieutenant-Colonel Giffard marched out to Namembo with 1/2 K.A.R., 50 rifles of the 5th Light Infantry, some machine-gun sections, mortars amd mountain guns. Yangwani was approached under cover of darkness, and at 10 a.m. on 23 April, the enemy was surprised and forced to make a hasty retreat. Giffard then sent out patrols to locate the camp at Lutende, but 24 hours elapsed before it could be found. By that time the enemy had been warned, and a second night march on 24-25 April failed to take him by surprise. Though Giffard’s attack at first drove the Germans back, it was met by a heavy concentration of fire and a counter-attack by forces estimated at 400 rifles with six machine-guns. Fighting continued throughout the day, but casualties, especially among its officers, were serious, and at dusk the action was broken off. 1/2 K.A.R. had recently absorbed 180 young recruits, and ‘A’ Company had gone into the action without any officer at all. Through pouring rain the Battalion marched wearily back through the darkness, having lost three officers out of eight (one died of wounds, one wounded and one missing), eight African ranks killed, 45 wounded, and six missing.’ Kamana, a native of the Anguru Tribe from the district of Zomba, enlisted in the King’s African Rifles in March 1916. Advanced to Lance-Corporal in June of the following year, he was wounded in the left thigh and hand in an action fought at Mahiwa on 17 October 1917, and was admitted to hospital at Mombasa. Sadly, however, having rejoined his unit, he died of further wounds received on 11 June 1918; it would appear from official records that his campaign awards were never issued.

A rare Great War German East Africa operations M.M. awarded to Private Angoma, 1/2 King’s African Rifles, who was wounded on the occasion he won his decoration at Mahiwa in October 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (1575 Pte. Angoma, 1/2 K.A.R.), severe edge bruising and heavily polished, thus fair £250-300 M.M. East African Force G.R.O. No. 1192, dated 17 October 1917. Angoma, a native of the Nyanja Tribe from the Dedza District, enlisted in the King’s African Rifles in October 1915. Winning his M.M. for the action fought at Mahiwa on 17 October 1917, when he was wounded in the left thigh, he was advanced to Lance-Corporal in December 1917 and discharged in May 1919.

A fine Second World War battle of Sidi Rezegh M.M. group of six awarded to Major T. V. H. Margesson, 4th (Rhodesian) Anti-Tank Regiment, attached 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Horse Artillery: an old Harrovian aged about 40 years at the time of winning his immediate M.M. as a Bombardier, his gun was credited with ‘brewing up ‘several enemy tanks - so, too, with working closely alongside V.C. winner Brigadier ‘Jock ‘Campbell in his armoured control vehicle Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1095701 Bmbr., R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine (6) £1200-1500 M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘During the attack on the 1st South African Brigade near Sidi Rezegh on 22-23 November 1941, Bombardier Margesson’s section was protecting the 22nd Armoured Brigade H.Q. When the Brigade H.Q. withdrew south his two guns were continuously in action keeping off the German tanks. They knocked out two Mk. IIIs and one Mk. IV. In negotiating a soft patch one portee was bogged down and in trying to get it out the other stuck. In this position they were attacked by tanks but beat them off, knocking out three at 400 yards range. Bombardier Margesson’s guns were then extricated but were again attacked and knocked out one more Mk. IV tank. Throughout the action Bombardier Margesson showed extreme coolness and contempt for danger. His determined bearing was an example to all about him.’ Thomas Vere Hobart Margesson was born in July 1902, the younger son of Sir Mortimer and Lady Isabel Margesson - she was the sister of the 7th Earl of Buckinghamshire and his older brother became the 1st Viscount Margesson, a wartime Cabinet Minister. Like his father before him, Thomas was educated at Harrow, following which, in 1929, he settled in Rhodesia. Enlisting in the newly formed Rhodesia Light Artillery Battery in May 1940, he was advanced to Acting Sergeant that October, and was posted to the 4th (Rhodesian) Anti-Tank Regiment. In June 1941, however, he reverted to the rank of Bombardier on attachment to the 102nd (Northumberland Hussars) Anti-Tank Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, in North Africa, and it was in this latter capacity that he won his immediate M.M. at Sidi Rezegh in November of the same year, while serving in Lieutenant Savory’s Troop: ‘Lieutenant Savory’s Troop was attached to the 7th Motor Brigade during the actual battle of Sidi Rezegh and it was not till the 22nd of November that they operated again with the 22nd Armoured Brigade. Bombardier Margesson’s gun came in for most of the fun during the first two days of this battle. He was usually near Brigadier ‘Jock ‘Campbell’s armoured control vehicle, and where ‘Jock ‘was there was sure to be action. On one occasion, when his Headquarters was attacked by enemy tanks, the two anti-tank guns became heavily involved in the ensuing tank battles. One portee [one of the unit’s gun-carrying trucks] was hit during the early stages of the battle and had to withdraw and resort to long-range firing, but the other gun, commanded by Bombardier Margesson, with his crew, Gunners Roselt, Edwards, Muller and McArthur, moved forward to close contact and did considerable damage to the enemy, and were definitely credited with four ‘Brew-ups ‘, two of which were Mark IV tanks. Lieutenant Savory’s Troop was also allotted two or three individual tasks investigating unidentified columns. One of these forays nearly led to disaster. Two guns had been detached, and, in their ‘swanning ‘, drove into a soft salt pan and were completely bogged down in a few minutes. Fortunately, some Honey tanks were close by, and assisted in winching these two portees out. Whilst in the process of towing them out, twelve Italian M13 tanks suddenly appeared and engaged them. Things looked nasty and, had it not been for Lieutenant Savory, who jumped into one of the layer’s seats with Gunner Roselt and knocked out eight of the Italian tanks, one gun at least would surely have been lost. As a result of these actions, Bombardier Margesson received the immediate award of the Military Medal, whilst Lieutenant Savory received a periodical award of the Military Cross, and Gunner L. Roselt the Military Medal’ (The history of the 4th Rhodesian Anti-Tank Battery refers). Nor was this the last close encounter experienced by Margesson prior to him being commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in March 1942, for, on 25 January, while acting in support of Crusader tanks of the Queen’s Bays at Antelat, his portee was hit by one of five ‘half-track German gun-towers’ that closed to 600 yards range in defence of a larger enemy force - indeed such was the ferocity of this close range action that several of Margesson’s comrades were wounded (see the history of the 4th Rhodesian Anti-Tank Regiment for further details). Posted to 4th Battery, R.H.A. in April 1942, the recently commissioned Margesson served in the same capacity until joining H.Q., 7th Motor Brigade in February 1943. And he saw further action in Italy 1943-44 as C.O. of 76th Anti-Tank Regiment and 199 Battery, R.A. in the rank of Temporary Major, prior to being demobilised at the end of 1945.

A 1940 Battle of France M.M. group of three awarded to Guardsman Reginald Abson, Coldstream Guards Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2655363 Gdsmn. R. Abson, C. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (3) £1200-1500 Ex Seabrook Collection, D.N.W. 28 March 2002. M.M. London Gazette 22 October 1940. The recommendation states: ‘During the period 21/22 May, 1940, at Pecq on the Scheldt, Gdmn. Abson was in charge of his company’s stretcher bearers. The posts were in a very exposed position. He repeatedly went across the open to attend to the wounded under heavy rifle fire. Guardsman Abson showed no regard for his personal safety and was a fine example to all ranks.’ Reginald Abson was born at Doncaster on 6 May 1911, and enlisted into the Coldstream Guards at Sheffield on 18 January 1932. He served with the B.E.F. in France from 19 September 1939 until 4 June 1940, when he was evacuated from Dunkirk. He was discharged for medical reasons on 11 December 1941, then being described as ‘An excellent soldier and a good fighter. A very steady and reliable man.’.

A Second World War ‘North Africa’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Serjeant Edward Maher, Irish Guards, who was killed in action in Italy on 26 October 1943 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2721745 L. Sjt., Ir. Gds.) good very fine £2500-3000 M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943. Recommendation reads, ‘1st Bn. Irish Guards, 24th Gds. Bde., 1st British Division’. ‘Tunisia .. Patrol - Banana Ridge, 20/21 April, 1943. L/Sgt. Maher was in No.3 Coy. of this Bn. which was in the 5th Bn. Grenadier Guards area on Banana Ridge on 20 April 1943. He was sent out on a mixed patrol of I.I.G., and 5 G.G., on the night of 20 April to discover routes to the various positions which his Coy. was going to hold as a covering force on the night the Bde was to put in its attack. While on its way back, the party contacted the Germans, who opened fire and killed the Grenadier officer. L/Sgt. Maher, a Corpl. of this Bn., and an officer of the RTC managed to lie low. L/Sgt. Maher had strict instructions not to open fire under any circumstances, as it was extremely desirable that the Germans should not know that anything out of the ordinary was going to happen. The Patrol was then in enemy territory but L/Sgt. Maher managed with great coolness to extricate himself and his party, of which he took charge, as the RTC Officer had only just arrived in this country, and had no experience of Infantry patrol work. Having hidden themselves all night and the next day L/Sgt. Maher brought his party back through our lines the following evening, shortly before the Germans put in an attack. This N.C.O. showed throughout great calmness and power of command in emergency and it is doubtful whether without him the party would have got back. He secured the information he had set out to obtain and obeyed his orders to the last letter. He is an exceptionally fine type of N.C.O. and has proved himself on every occasion he has been committed to battle’. Serjeant Edward Maher was killed in action in Italy on 26 October 1943. His name is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial. He was the son of Patrick J. and Elizabeth Maher. A photocopied newspaper cutting with the group states that Maher was from Kilbrogan Hill, Bandon, Co. Cork, and that his M.M. was presented to his brother and sister at a Buckingham Palace investiture.

A rare Second World War East Africa 1940-41 operations D.F.M. group of five awarded to Squadron Leader J. F. S. Lawley, Royal Air Force, who was decorated for his services as a Navigator in Wellesleys of No. 47 Squadron during numerous operational sorties in the Eritrean and Abyssinian campaigns Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (564281 Sgt. J. F. S. Lawley, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, loose suspension on the first with signs of attempted tightening to rivet, generally very fine or better (5) £2400-2800 D.F.M. London Gazette 7 March 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘This airman has participated in over 20 operational missions over Eritrea and Abyssinia as Air Observer. He has always displayed the finest qualities of courage and endurance and has successfully navigated the formations over long distances in mountainous country. His aptitude finding new targets despite unreliable maps and adverse weather has been most marked. On one occasion as Air Observer in the leader’s aircraft, he navigated a flight of 11 bombers to the heavily defended town of Danglia in Northern Abyssinia. He has played an important part in the successes obtained by the Squadron.’ Joseph Frank Stephenson Lawley, who was born in September 1913 and enlisted in the Royal Air Force in January 1930, was decorated for his services as a Navigator in Wellesley bombers of No. 47 Squadron in the East Africa operations of 1940-41 - see Dust Clouds in the Middle East, by Christopher Shores, for frequent mention of the Squadron in action. In brief, No. 47 was based at Khartoum on the outbreak of hostilities, under Wing Commander J. G. Elton, A.F.C., but moved to Erkowit in May 1940 and mounted its first attack on 11 June - against the airfield at Asmara, the Eritrean capital - the day after Italy entered the War, one Wellesley being brought down by accurate anti-aircraft fire. Other enemy airfields would be attacked over the coming weeks and months, so, too, enemy troop positions and communications, the latter including strikes against the railway station west of Gash River on 30 July - all of the Wellesleys involved were hit by ground fire and one Air Gunner wounded - and, in the face of particularly vicious A.A. fire, installations on Sheik Said Island - one aircraft was badly shot up by prowling CR. 42s; while in an attack on Gura in early August, Italian fighters badly damaged another Wellesley. Meanwhile, the Italians begun to hit back at our own airfields, disaster striking No. 47 on Friday 16 October 1940, when nine CR. 42s strafed and totally destroyed eight Wellesleys on the ground. Replacement aircraft having arrived, some of them via No. 14 Squadron which was re-equipping with Blenheims, No. 47 was quickly back in action, but lost another Wellesley to CR. 42s during a raid on the village and fort of Burie. With the tide of war turning in favour of the Allied forces come the New Year, No. 47, now operating out of advanced airstrips at ‘Blackdown ‘and ‘Sarum ‘, moved forward to hammer such targets as Barentu and Agordat airfields and, in late January 1941, coveyed Haile Selassie to the border of Sudan and Ethiopia - Orde Wingate would receive similar conveyance in the following month. Agordat would eventually be taken over by No. 47 - and renamed ‘Wellesley Burial Ground ‘due to mounting losses. It was about this time that Lawley was recommended for his D.F.M., his ‘Kiwi ‘pilot, afterwards Air Vice-Marshal Graham ‘Digger ‘Magill, C.B., C.B.E., D.F.C., later describing him as ‘a truly solid citizen, competent, cheerful, unflappable and of unquestioned loyalty - strangely enough he had a slight impediment in his speech which showed up occasionally on the ground but, as is not unusual, never in the air.’ Magill further observed: On the ‘opposition ‘: ‘Very briefly, we didn’t think all that much of the bulk of those who attacked us, not that they were not dangerous enough. But many tended to engage at relatively long range with apparent reluctance to close too much against our return fire, such as it was. But, to our considerable discomfort, there were notable exceptions who pressed home their attacks with the determination we would expect of our own chaps .. I cannot vouch for the number of fighters that took exception to us - but there were enough! If I remember correctly on this occasion [a raid on Massawa] we disengaged by slowly climbing into medium cloud and gratefully for there was little enough of that commodity about in those parts at that time of year.’ On navigational difficulties: ‘In these days of high-technology it is not possible to equate his ability as a Navigator. In the old Wellesley, and the Vincent before that, navigational equipment was virtually non-existent, or minimal to over-state the case. A drift reading or two, perhaps a very occasional W./T. fix, lots of eye-balling with maps of very doubtful accuracy, close co-operation with the chap up front and the W.O./A.G. at the back, and the sixth sense of experience and local knowledge was the recipe for success. I can humbly claim that that was our good fortune together.’ Lawley remained actively employed in the subsequent Keren operations, most probably through to the capture of Addis Ababa, and returned home about the time his D.F.M. was gazetted. Commissioned as a Pilot Officer in April 1941, he appears to have remained employed in the U.K. for the remainder of the War, onetime being based at R.A.F. Waddington, and attained the rank of Acting Squadron Leader in August 1944. As, however, confirmed by accompanying documentation, he remained on the Reserve of Officers after the War, and was granted the substantive rank of Squadron Leader prior to being placed on the Retired List. Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s Abyssinia campaign ‘Blood Chit ‘, the outer cover inscribed, ‘564281 Sgt. Lawley, R.A.F.’; wartime period photographs (9), including the recipient in uniform and scenes from East Africa; a carbon copy Air Ministry statement of services, dated 6 October 1945; his R.A.F. identity card, dated 16 September 1952, as a Flight Lieutenant in the Reserve of Officers, with portrait photograph; and two Christmas cards and two letters from Air Vice-Marshal Graham ‘Digger ‘Magill, C.B., C.B.E., D.F.C., his old pilot, these addressed to a previous owner of Lawley’s awards.

A rare and impressive East Africa 1941 operations immediate D.F.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. G. P. Burl, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve: in the unenvious position of being a Lysander air gunner under attack - and having had two or three bullets pass through one of his hands - he managed to force down an Italian CA. 133 and damage a CR. 42, following which his own aircraft crash-landed after serious damage inflicted by Italian fighter ace Maresciallo Soffritti - still under attack, he then proceeded to drag his unconscious pilot clear of the Lysander’s wreckage before leading him through difficult terrain to the safety of a Sudan Defence Force camp Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (776358 Sgt. J. G. P. Gurl, R.A.F.), note surname spelling; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, generally good very fine (6) £2500-3000 D.F.M. London Gazette 1 April 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘On 2 February 1941, while on reconnaissance patrol off the Scipitale-Tole road in Lysander N. 1206, three CA. 133 aircraft were encountered. After a careful search which failed to locate escorting fighters, Flying Officer Johnson attacked the formation. As a result of this attack, one CA. 133 was forced to land but crashed in doing so. Flying Officer Johnson was then attacked himself by three CR. 42s which had evidently been ‘sitting in the sun ‘. In the first attack, Sergeant J. G. P. Burl, the Air Gunner, was wounded in the hand by two or three bullets which passed through it. However, in spite of this, he succeeded in firing off three pans of ammunition and evidently caused some damage to one of the enemy fighters as it was seen to break off its attack with smoke emanating from the engine area. Enemy fire caused the destruction of the flying controls of the Lysander and the pilot was forced to attempt a landing by increasing the engine revolutions and momentarily he succeeded in clearing a ridge ahead of him, although the elevators were ineffective, and throttled back to effect a landing on the other side. By a combination of wing dropping, which could not be corrected as the ailerons were not under control and an obstruction in the landing path, the aircraft crashed on landing and Flying Officer Johnson was rendered unconscious. He was extricated from the wreckage by Sergeant Burl. While this was being done, one CR. 42 continued the attack. The engagement occurred in the hills to the end of Tole and, when Flying Officer Johnson recovered, the crew set off on foot in a northerly direction in order to avoid possible Italian forces withdrawing along the road. The country was difficult and after a few miles, Sergeant Burl found it necessary to give Flying Officer Johnson considerable assistance in addition to carrying a three gallon water tank which he had removed from the aircraft. Later, they met some natives who put them on donkeys and led them into a Sudan Defence Force H.Q. camp where they received first aid attention and they were subsequently sent back by ambulance.’ John Graham Ponsonby Burl was serving in No. 237 Squadron at the time of the above deeds, the subsequent award of his immediate D.F.M. being erroneously announced in the London Gazette under the surname ‘Gurl’. His pilot, Flying Officer Miles Johnson, was awarded the D.F.C. No. 237 Squadron was formed from No. 1 Squadron, Southern Rhodesia Air Force, in April 1940 and went operational against the Italians in East Africa in June 1940, flying out of Nairobi, Kenya. Thus ensued a busy round of operations against enemy positions, troops and transport, in addition to Army co-operation work alongside such units as the King’s African Rifles, an agenda that gathered pace with the Squadron’s move to the Sudan that September - Burl’s brother, Alan, was also serving as an Air Gunner in 237 and became the Squadron’s first fatality when killed in a combat against CR. 42s on 27 November. In early 1941, 237 lent valuable support to the ground offensive against the Italians at Kassala and Keren, and it was in a related mission on 2 February that Burl won his immediate D.F.M. - in addition to the remarkable engagement recounted above, it is worth noting from the Squadron’s history that a Daily Express correspondent was on hand to witness Burl and Johnson stagger back into their base: ‘He reported that Burl, though in great pain and suffering from loss of blood, had carried the pilot a considerable distance on his shoulders. It had taken the men two days to reach British lines.’ In March 1941, the Squadron was re-equipped with Gladiators and remained actively engaged until that May, so it is probable that Burl witnessed further action in the intervening period - certainly 12 accompanying original photographs include images of Gladiators, in addition to wrecked Italian aircraft.

A fine Second World War D.F.M. awarded to Flying Officer E. Conner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Mid-Upper Gunner and ‘Battle of Berlin ‘veteran who had half of his turret demolished by an incendiary dropped from another Lancaster - but who nonetheless remained at his post Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1523357 F./Sgt. E. Conner, R.A.F.), together with original Buckingham Palace forwarding letter, in the name of ‘Flying Officer Edward Conner, D.F.M.’, and a wartime newspaper cutting, extremely fine £1800-2200 D.F.M. London Gazette 15 September 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘Since commencing his operational tour in November 1943, as Mid-Upper Gunner of a Lancaster bomber, Sergeant Conner has completed 30 operational sorties and has flown 186 hours on operations. These operations have included eight attacks on Berlin as well as attacks on many of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. Sergeant Conner has been attacked on several occasions by enemy fighters, and by his skill he has contributed greatly to the safety of his aircraft and to the many successful attacks made by his Captain. On one occasion, whilst bombing Schweinfurt a 30lb. incendiary from another aircraft tore away half his turret and made a large hole in the fuselage, and in spite of the fact he was sitting almost in the open air, and in spite of suffering from a frost bitten face due to the intense cold thus caused, Sergeant Conner stuck to his post and maintained a vigilant watch until his aircraft was safely back at base. Sergeant Conner’s fortitude and consistent coolness and devotion to duty are a magnificent example to the Squadron and I strongly recommend him for the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal.’ Edward Conner, who was born in Wallsend in 1919, enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942, direct from the his place of work, the North-Eastern Marine Engineering Company. Trained as a Mid-Upper Gunner, he went operational in November 1943 with a brace of trips to Berlin on the 22nd and 30th, most probably in No. 103 Squadron, a Lancaster unit out of which was formed the nucleus of No. 576 Squadron at Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire in the following month. Remaining actively employed in the latter unit until June 1944, he notched up 34 sorties prior to being ‘rested ‘and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in December 1944 - in between lay no less than six more sorties to the ‘Big City ‘, four of them in succession, but undoubtedly Conner’s most hair-raising trip was that to Schweinfurt on the night of 24-25 February 1944, when, as cited above, half of his turret was destroyed by a falling 30lb. incendiary from another Lancaster; that said, another close-call was encountered on returning to Elsham Wolds from Rouen in the early morning hours of 19 April 1944, his aircraft being attacked by an enemy night fighter as it circled the airfield before landing - ‘some damage was done to the aircraft but none of the crew were hurt.’ Having then visited more heavily defended German targets, Cologne, Dusseldorf and Essen among them, Conner and his crew turned their attention to a spate of other French targets in support of the forthcoming Allied invasion, attacking enemy communications at Crisbecq on the night of 5-6 June 1944, and Vire on D-Day itself. And it was shortly after these operations that he was recommended for his D.F.M. by Wing Commander G. T. B. Clayton, D.F.C., but four more sorties ensued before he was finally ‘rested ‘, the last of them being to Domleger on 29 June 1944. Conner was advanced to Flying Officer in June 1945.

A rare Great War A.F.M. awarded to Sergeant Mechanic Observer E. L. Brown, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, an ex-Armoured Cars’ rating who saw extended service in seaplane units 1915-18, latterly with No. 234 Squadron at Tresco in the Scillies Air Force Medal, G.V.R. (201137 Sergt. Mech. Obs. Brown, E. L., R.A.F.) lacquered, very fine £1600-1800 A.F.M. London Gazette 8 February 1919. Edmund Leigh Brown, who was born in Edmonton, London in July 1891 and a motor mechanic by trade, was appointed a Petty Officer Mechanic in the Royal Naval Air Service in October 1914 - his service record has endorsements for services in land operations and his R.A.F. record refers to him as ‘Ex-Armoured Cars’. But from September 1915 until November 1917, he was employed at the seaplane testing base on the Isle of Grain, gaining appointment as a Leading Mechanic (E.) in the same period. Having then served briefly at R.N.A.S. Eastchurch, he removed in December 1917 to the seaplane base at Tresco in the Scillies, at which establishment he was taken on the strength of No. 234 Squadron on the establishment of the Royal Air Force in April 1918, and in which capacity he served until October 1918, when temporarily granted the rank of Sergeant Mechanic Observer - 234 was charged with carrying out anti-submarine patrols in the Western Approaches. Gazetted for his A.F.M. in the New Year, Brown was transferred to the R.A.F. Reserve in March 1919 and discharged in April 1920.

Sold by Order of the Recipient A rare and outstanding ‘Special Forces’ Northern Ireland Q.G.M., Falklands M.I.D. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer K. M. James, Royal Marines, a long-served and gallant member of the Special Boat Service, who was decorated for rescuing a wounded comrade in an undercover operation in October 1978 whilst serving with 14 Intelligence Company, and subsequently mentioned in despatches for his leadership of an S.B.S. team landed on enemy occupied East Falkland Island prior to the arrival of the British Task Force in May 1982 Queen’s Gallantry Medal, E.II.R. (Cpl. Kevin M. James, PO25432M, R.M.); General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (PO25432M K. M. James, Cpl., R.M.); South Atlantic 1982, with M.I.D. oak leaf and rosette (Sgt. K. M. James, PO25432M, R.M.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (Sgt. K. M. James, PO25432M, R.M.), mounted as worn, generally good very fine (4) £25,000-30,000 Q.G.M. London Gazette 27 March 1979: ‘In recognition of service in Northern Ireland during the period 1 August 1978 to 31 October 1978.’ Under the pseudonym ‘Luke ‘, the full story of James’s extraordinary deeds as an undercover operative in Dungannon one night in October 1978 appear in Duncan Falconer’s First into Action (first published by Little, Brown and Company, 1998): ‘When several shots rang out, interrupting the cold stillness that had shrouded Dungannon all that week, no one knew where they had come from. A couple of operators reported it, but they were quickly told to leave the net free in case there was an emergency. A radio then opened up and we could hear the sound of gurgling mixed in with a few inaudible words. The Det commander tried to contact each of the operatives to eliminate them as sources, but whoever was gurgling on the net was holding down the send button preventing all transmission. Luke [James] felt certain the shots had come from the Bear Cage area and decided not to wait until the comms cleared to inform ops. He leapt out of the car and tore up the hill, gun in hand, towards the car park. The rest of us could do nothing until we found out what was going on. Some operatives suspected it might be one of ours parked up by the lake and quickly drove there, but the operative was fine. We were all unaware of Luke tearing through the town alone and in great personal danger from a number of sources. If he had encountered an Army or police patrol they would shoot him without hesitation - a man in civvies running with a gun in his hand was a legitimate target, and they would never expect him to be a British undercover operative. Then there were the gunmen themselves - they could still be around and waiting for such a reaction. Luke felt certain it was Noddy who had been hit, but he had no idea from what direction. He saw the car at the far end of the car park in the shadows and sprinted to it. When he got there he found Noddy lying slumped in his seat. The driver’s window had been shattered by bullets. Blood seeped from holes in Noddy’s face, torso and legs, but he was alive, just. Luke’s only option was to get Noddy to the hospital as soon as possible. He manhandled him over the handbrake and gear lever and into the passenger seat. There was no time to be gentle, he was oozing blood. The threat of gunmen was still at the forefront of Luke’s mind. As he sat in the driver’s seat to start the car, he could feel the pints of warm blood soaking into the arse of his trousers. He screeched out of the car park, passed the pub where O’Dilly had been standing and sped up the road. By now the RUC had sent patrol cars to investigate the shooting and the Scots Guards, the local Army unit, were also heading towards the area. As Luke made a sharp turn out of the car park an RUC patrol car appeared in his rear. They flicked on their flashing lights and pursued him. As if matters could not get any worse the RUC assumed Luke was escaping from the shooting and was, therefore, the gunman. Suddenly Luke heard shots. The RUC were trying to shoot out his tyres. A bullet hit the car. Luke was an excellent driver and although he was scared shitless, as he endlessly reminded us afterwards, he never lost control. He was driving for his friend’s life. He could not stop to surrender and explain the situation because by the time the RUC had got through their arrest procedure, Noddy would probably have been dead. Luke had no choice but to lose them. We all knew the town like the backs of our hands, and perhaps better than the police. The RUC could not compete with his driving skills, nor did they have the incentive, and in less than a minute he gave them the slip. Other police patrol cars were reacting, but they assumed he was trying to make his way out of town and so coordinated themselves on the outskirts to stop him. That was just fine by Luke because he was headed for the hospital in the centre of town. Noddy rolled around in the passenger seat while Luke continuously talked to reassure him. Suddenly, Luke’s car came under fire again, this time from the Scots Guards, and then, a few streets later, from the UDR. This was becoming ridiculous. Luke eventually screeched into the hospital car park and came to a halt outside the main entrance. He dived out of the car, gun in hand, and ran inside. He was literally covered in blood and the few people in the foyer stopped and stared with gaping mouths. A couple of civilian security guards saw him from the other side of the entrance and made their way towards him. He ignored them, grabbed a wheelchair and pushed it outside to the car. He dragged Noddy out of the passenger side and into the chair. Noddy was still alive but slipping in and out of consciousness. Luke charged up the ramp with the wheel chair and burst in through the entrance doors once again. He was just in time, because now the Scots Guards and UDR were surrounding the hospital and moving in, convinced he was a terrorist. He levelled his gun at the security guards in the foyer, who immediately backed off - they were unarmed. Luke was filled with adrenaline and shaking. The hospital was not safe ground. The majority of the staff and patients were catholics and not to be trusted. ‘Where’s a doctor? ‘Luke shouted. A couple of nurses stepped into the foyer, but froze in horror along with everyone else at the sight of these two men covered in blood, one pushing a wheelchair, wild-eyed and pointing a gun. Luke didn’t wait for an answer and charged on, pushing Noddy through swing doors and along the corridor as blood dripped from the wheelchair, leaving a trail. He paused outside every door to kick it open, gun levelled, in search of a doctor. He scared the hell out of patients and nurses as he made his way through the hospital. He finally burst into a room where two doctors were tending to a patient. Luke could not care less about anyone else. His buddy was dying. He pointed his shaking gun at them and yelled, ‘Fix him. Fix him or I’ll fucking kill you! ‘A security guard burst in and Luke aimed at him like lightning. ‘Move and I’lll fucking kill you too. ‘The guard froze in his tracks and threw his arms up. ‘I’ll kill all of you! ‘Luke left Noddy and grabbed one of the doctors and pulled him over to the chair. ‘If he dies, you die! I fucking swear it! ‘The doctors were initially frozen with fear themselves, but they pulled themselves together, their professionalism kicked in and they set to work on Noddy. The doors suddenly burst open once again and a tough-looking matron stepped in. Luke levelled the gun at her as she stood beside the security guard with his arms in the air. But this woman seemed fearless. She looked at Luke and said, ‘Put the gun down, please. ‘ ‘I’m a British soldier! ‘Luke shouted. ‘And this is a hospital. Put the gun down. ‘There was something about her calm, assertive manner that Luke latched on to. But he kept his gun aimed as she passed him

A Second World War B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Able Seaman W. Marshall, Royal Navy British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (A.B. William Marshall, D/J. 82586.RN); British War and Victory Medals (J.89586 Ord., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue (J.89586 A.B., H.M.S. Eagle) mounted as worn, fine and better (7) £220-260 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 July 1941. (Birthday Honours) ‘H.M.S. Maori’. William Marshall was born in Nottingham on 30 October 1900. An Iron Moulder by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy on 30 April 1918 as a Boy 2nd Class on Powerful. Advanced to Boy 1st Class on the same vessel in July, he was posted to the battleship Bellerophon in August 1918 and promoted to Ordinary Seaman in October. He was promoted to Able Seaman on the Dartmouth in February 1920. Sold with copied service paper (to 1927).

A rare Second World War Middle East operations B.E.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal S. J. Hargreaves, Royal Armoured Corps, attached Liaison Squadron, ‘W’ Force British Empire Medal (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (7902701 L./Cpl. Sidney J. Hargreaves, R.A.C.), good very fine £300-350 B.E.M. London Gazette 30 December 1941. The original recommendation - for a Military Medal (M.M.) - states: ‘Lance-Corporal Hargreaves accompanied Lieutenant Surley on reconnaissance and liaison from the 12th to 18th April 1941. His skill in driving and maintenance of his vehicle (Armoured Scout Car) and wireless set in a high state of efficiency throughout these operations enabled un-interrupted communications to be maintained with Squadron H.Q. in spite of the risk of capture and under constant and heavy enemy air attack. At one period, Lance-Corporal Hargreaves maintained a constant wireless watch in his scout car for 24 hours without relief.’ Sidney James Hargreaves was serving in G.H.Q’s Liaison Squadron at the time of the above deeds.

A Second World War Middle East operations B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Staff Sergeant J. H. W. Gale, Royal Engineers, late Royal Warwickshire Regiment British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (No. 1868311 Staff Sgt. John H. W. Gale); British War and Victory Medals (25010 Pte., R. War. R.), initials ‘J. H.’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally good very fine (7) £300-350 B.E.M. London Gazette 14 October 1943: In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’ The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. has shown untiring energy and devotion to duty over a long period. He has been employed on the erection and maintenance of water and petrol installations for a factory, supply depots, railway marshalling yards and convoy bivouacs. His outstanding efforts in the face of continued overwork, and technical difficulties, have proved an example to all, and have contributed in a considerable measure to the success of these operational installations in supplying the forward troops.’ John Henry William Gale, who was serving in 54 C.R.E. at the time of the above award, was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 24 June 1943).

A Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Flight Sergeant Charles A. Jones, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (517696 Flt. Sgt. Charles A. Jones, R.A.F.) good very fine £140-180 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1944.

A B.E.M. awarded to Mr Albert J. Murphy, Ministry of Works British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Albert J. Murphy), in card box of issue, extremely fine £100-120 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1948. ‘Albert James Murphy, Temporary Housing Superintendent, Ministry of Works’. With registered envelope addressed to ‘Albert J. Murphy, Esq., B.E.M., Housing Superintendent, Ministry of Works, Lambeth Bridge House, S.E.1’, together with forwarding slip. Also with a Ministry of Works note addressed to ‘A. J. Murphy Esq., B.E.M., Elmleigh, 56 Plum Lane, Shooters Hill, S.E.18’, dated 22 January 1948.

A Civil B.E.M. awarded to Mrs Clara Moody British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Clara, Mrs Moody) mounted on bow ribbon, extremely fine £80-100 B.E.M. London Gazette 24 June 1946. ‘Clothing Officer, Southampton Women’s Voluntary Services’.

An exceptional B.E.M. and Long Service group of nine awarded to Staff Sergeant P. H. Croucher, Grenadier Guards British Empire Medal (Military) E.II.R. (2608037 A/Col.Sgt., Gren. Gds.); 1939-45 Star, France & Germany Star; Defence & War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (2608037 C/Sjt., Gren. Gds.); Coronation 1953; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army, with Long Service Bar (2608037 Sjt., G. Gds.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (2608037 S/Sgt., B.E.M. Gren. Gds.) mounted court style as worn, light contact marks but generally good very fine (9) £2000-2500 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1954. The original recommendation states: ‘C.Q.M.S. Croucher joined the regiment as a Boy in 1921. At the outbreak of war he became a Sergeant and saw active service in France before Dunkirk. In 1941 he was promoted Colour Sergeant (C.Q.M.S.) in No. 2 Company of the 1st Battalion, an appointment he has held without break ever since. On account of his stature and for reasons of health he has been unable to gain any further promotion in the regiment. In spite of the fact that he knew this full well he never let up in his efforts to carry out his duty. He returned to Europe soon after ‘D’ Day with the Guards Armoured Division and was with the Battalion throughout their advance into Germany and until the surrender. After the war he served in Germany, England, Palestine and North Africa. C.Q.M.S. Croucher’s service in his regiment and indeed the army, has been completely outstanding. During the whole of his 31 years service he has worked for the good of others, and never spared himself to ensure that the men in his company were cared for and looked after in every possible way. His conscientiousness and devotion to duty are only equalled by his ability to handle men and get the best out of them, and indeed, there is not an officer or man who has not the most complete confidence in him. Everybody looks to the C.Q.M.S. for help and guidance and nobody has ever found him lacking in time of need. He has been a leading figure in the sporting activities of the regiment, and for years has run the football for the battalion. His leadership and inspiration has been largely responsible for the tremendous success the battalion has enjoyed in this sphere. He has been the backbone of the Sergeants’ Mess for more years than most can remember, and no social function is complete without him. Although he is by far the oldest member, his respect for his seniors is an example to all, and only matched by their respect for him. He always extends a ready welcome and helping hand to the new members. I consider that C.Q.M.S. Croucher’s service is deserving of official recognition. He is undoubtedly one of the straightest, nicest, most loyal, hardworking and unselfish men I have ever met, and, as I have described, a very great soldier.’.

A post-war B.E.M. group of five awarded to Lieutenant G. E. Pennell, late Royal Engineers British Empire Medal (Civil) E.II.R. (George E. Pennell); British War Medal 1914-20 (2 Lieut.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut., R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (226 Mec. Q.M. Sjt., R.E.); Coronation 1953, generally good very fine (5) £250-300 B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1954. George Evelyn Pennell was awarded his B.E.M. in respect of his services as Commissionaire in Charge in the Office of the Governor of Southern Rhodesia.

An extremely rare Silver Cross of Rhodesia group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant J. ‘Jock ‘McKelvie, Support Commando, 1st Rhodesian Light Infantry, late Royal Marine Commandos Silver Cross of Rhodesia (727700 Sgt. J. McKelvie); General Service 1962, 3 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Northern Ireland (RM. 22353 J. McKelvie, Mne., R.M.); Rhodesia General Service (727700 Sgt. McKelvie, J.), this last an official replacement stamped ‘(R.)’, generally good very fine (3) £2500-3000 The Silver Cross of Rhodesia was awarded on just 30 occasions, four of the recipients being members of the Rhodesian Light Infantry. The official citation for McKelvie’s award, signed by Lieutenant-General J.S.V. Hickman, Commander of the Army, in July 1976, states: ‘Sergeant McKelvie was involved in 14 contacts during the period May 1976 to February 1977. In all these contacts he displayed considerable initiative, leadership and gallantry and, together with his men, accounted for over 60 terrorists. The following contacts are particularly noteworthy: On 9 November 1976, Sergeant McKelvie and seven men were dropped by helicopter into an area in which a large group of terrorists were based. The helicopter was subsequently grounded. Despite the lack of air support, Sergeant MeKelvie and his men killed 18 terrorists in the space of three hours. Sergeant McKelvie's conduct during this contact was exemplary. The success of this contact, which was enhanced by the killing of a further five terrorists and the capture of one, was due principally to Sergeant McKelvie’s personal example, gallantry and coolness in the face of determined opposition. On the 24 November 1976, Sergeant McKelvie and seven men were dropped by helicopter into an area containing a group of terrorists. Once again, through determination, aggression and first class leadership, Sergeant McKelvie and his men, who were later joined by additional men, killed 13 and captured two wounded terrorists. Throughout these and other contacts Sergeant McKelvie has inspired confidence and aggressive spirit in his men. His gallantry, example and disregard for his personal safety have been of the highest order and his professional dedication and determination have been an inspiration to all who serve with him. While in a contact in December 1976, he was severely wounded in the thigh and leg causing him to be hospitalised for two months.’ John ‘Jock ‘McKelvie was born in Glasgow in July 1946 and joined the Royal Marines in July 1963. During his 12 years with the Marines he served with 40, 41 and 42 Commando R.M., and was present in operations in Borneo, the Malay Peninsula and Northern Ireland - his official certificate of service confirms. Having been promoted Sergeant in January 1974, he took premature voluntary release in June of the following year, and, with much experience of Commando and anti-terrorist operations under his belt, was a natural candidate for the Rhodesian Army, in which he served with distinction, winning the Silver Cross of Rhodesia. Accompanying research suggests that McKelvie left Rhodesia at short notice, as a result of which he never received his Rhodesia General Service Medal. However, as confirmed by an accompanying letter, and with Lieutenant-General John Hickman’s blessing, a replacement was obtained ‘through the official manufacturer’ and mounted for display with his original Silver Cross and General Service 1962 awards in 2001. Sold with the recipient’s original Royal Marines certificate of service, together with congratulatory letters from President Wrathall, Lieutenant-General J. S. V. Hickman, and officers of the 1st Rhodesian Light Infantry, for the award of his Silver Cross; an eye-witness account of the action fought on 9 November 1976, written by one of the helicopter pilots; three official group photographs, and several other associated photographs, letters and confirmation of provenance.

The Small Army Gold Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel Clement Archer, 16th Light Dragoons, who was severely wounded in Flanders in 1794 and later commanded his regiment at Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor Field Officer’s Gold Medal 1808-14, for Fuentes de Onor (Lieut. Colonel Clement Archer) complete with gold ribbon buckle, original ribbon and contained in its red leather case of issue, extremely fine £8000-10000 Clement Archer was born in 1765 and joined the army as an Ensign in the 59th Foot in 1782. He served with that regiment at Gibraltar, but was invalided out just before the siege and retired from the service. He lived for some time at Berlin, where he passed through the Military School by permission of the King, and in 1794 was gazetted Lieutenant in the 16th Light Dragoons. He was promoted to Captain in 1795; Major, 1806; and Lieutenant-Colonel, 1810. He served during the war in Flanders in 1794-95, taking part in several actions including Beaumont on 26th April, and Willems on 10th May. In this latter action the 16th squadrons distinguished themselves by charging a battery of eight guns, which was supported by both cavalry and infantry. Captain Hawker, who led the charge, was wounded and his horse killed, whilst Lieutenant Archer was severely wounded and invalided to England. Archer served in the Peninsula from 1809, was promoted to the command of the 16th Light Dragoons on 2 April 1811, and commanded the regiment at Busaco and Fuentes d’Onor. A few days after his promotion, on 7 April, the Horse Artillery came up with the rear of the enemy, composed entirely of infantry and in the process of withdrawing from Almeida; and the left squadron of the 16th, led by Colonel Archer charged their rear of sixty-five infantry. The enemy kept their fire until the Light Dragoons were close, but were broken and all taken prisoner. ‘Throughout the northern campaign of 1811, the numbers of MassŽna’s cavalry far exceeded those of the British. In the general action of Fuentes de Onoro in early May, this discrepancy was strongly marked. At the critical moment of the battle, Wellington was forced to throw back his right wing. This entailed withdrawing two infantry divisions in face of the full weight of MassŽna's attack, including 3,500 cavalry. The British horse, consisting of the Royals, the 14th and 16th Light Dragoons and the 1st German Hussars, numbered hardly more than 1,000. Yet, on horses already wearied by earlier exertions, they covered this excessively delicate movement, charging in small bodies of one, two and sometimes three squadrons at a time, with immense gallantry and skill. ‘We were but scattered drops amid their host ‘wrote a subaltern of the 14th. At one moment, when two horse artillery guns had lingered too long in the front, they were extricated from an enveloping swarm of cavalry by a squadron of the 14th and another of the Royals, who charged back to their rescue. It is true to say, with Fortescue, that the cavalry were ‘the real heroes of Fuentes de Onoro’. But there was one unfortunate blot. Holding a conviction that cavalry, unaided, could take a battery of artillery by a frontal, rather than a flank charge, Captain Knipe, 14th Light Dragoons, put it to the test. He was killed and his squadron decimated.’ (Ref A History of the British Cavalry, The Marquess of Anglesey, Vol. 1). Lieutenant-Colonel Archer received the gold medal for Fuentes d’Onor and was invalided to England in 1812, retiring later that year. He died in November 1817.

An emotive Peninsular War Medal awarded to General J. H. Bainbrigge, 20th Regiment, who, having had charge of the Regimental Colours as a 17 year old Ensign in the retreat to Corunna, was seriously wounded near Pampeluna on 28 July 1813, as a result of which his left arm had to be amputated two weeks later - his extensive and colourful account of his experiences in the battles of the Pyrenees was subsequently published in the regimental history Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Vimiera, Corunna, Vittoria, Pyrenees (John Bainbrigge, Lieut., 20th Foot) original riband and buckle as worn, good very fine £3000-3500 John Hankey Bainbrigge was born in July 1791, the younger son of Colonel Philip Bainbrigge - who was mortally wounded at the head of the 20th Foot at Egmont-op-Zee in October 1799 - and was appointed an Ensign in his father’s old regiment in March 1808. Quickly seeing action at Vimiera, aged 17 years, and in the retreat to Corunna, when he had charge of the regiment’s Colours in the rear-guard, he was advanced to Lieutenant in April 1809 on his return to the U.K. Back in the Peninsula in time to see further action at Vittoria and in the Pyrenees, he was seriously wounded in the engagement at Sauroren, near Pampeluna on 28 July 1813, as a result of which his left arm had to be amputated two weeks later. Luckily for posterity’s sake, Bainbrigge wrote an account of his experiences in these operations at the request of his children some 40 years later, a colourful and entertaining account that was published in Smyth’s History of the XX Regiment (London, 1889 - see appendices for General Bainbrigge’s Narrative of Roncesvalles and Sauroren), and from which the following extracts have been taken: ‘The French army had been newly clothed and appointed since the battle of Vittoria, and though their greatcoats were worn over their uniforms, they nevertheless made a splendid appearance. Their columns swept down the valley at a rapid pace, exposed to a sharp fire from the 7th Portuguese Cacadores, under Lieutenant-Colonel O’Toole. This was an exciting time, one which I shall not readily forget. Thoughtless, no doubt, as young men normally are, yet I could not repress the idea that this day might prove my last on earth, and when the whizzing of passing bullets became more frequent, I think I fully made up my mind to be hit .. The Colonel pointed to a chapel on the hill side overlooking Sauroren; we formed into sub-divisions of companies, right in front, and closed up to half distance. Just as I expected to be ordered to halt my company, for the regiment to deploy in line, Lieutenant-Colonerl Wauchope desired me to file off the Grenadiers to the right, saying, ‘You will enter the wood, and do your best to check the advance of the enemy’s column now entering it from the other side of the valley. ‘In giving this order to me, I have always thought the Colonel committed an error; the regiment could ill-afford to spare its best company, though reduced in numbers by its exertions and losses on the 25th. On arriving at the edge of the wood, I passed through the line of our Light Company, telling Lieutenant Fitzgerald that I had instructions to proceed on and feel for the enemy. When half way down the hill, I first met the French advance party. I fancied they were taken by surprise, but soon perceived that I had to contend with old soldiers who knew their work thoroughly. We at once commenced firing, and I retired slowly up the hill, inclining to my right, files a little extended and defending every stone and tree; the enemy stretched out to his right and left, and increasing rapidly in numbers, were turning both my flanks. About this time I brought down one of the enemy myself; observing him stationed in a bush very close to me, I took a musket from the man next to me, aimed deliberately and fired; he disappeared, and I saw no more of him. I doubt whether these men were Tirailleurs, though they were acting as light infantry, for the one I fired at wore a bearskin cap, like Guards; they were some of the finest looking soldiers I ever saw. However, we still presented a bold front as we retired slowly upwards. On reaching the edge of the woods we found to our great joy not an enemy, but a strong detachment belonging to Major-General Byng’s Brigade. Here I rallied the men, and, being well together, I determined on advancing again without communicating with the supporting detachment. The enemy fell back before us .. ‘‘Shortly after this advance, I received a musket shot through the elbow of my left arm and another ball struck me in the side, lodging in my back. It is possible the same bullet did all the mischief, as both wounds were received at the same time. I continued with my men as long as I was able to stand, when, becoming faint from loss of blood, I gave over command of the company to a Sergeant; and a Corporal assisted me to the rear and placed me under the first bit of rising ground we came to, where I was sheltered from the enemy’s fire .. I lay for a considerable time on the spot to which I had been removed until a Portuguese medical officer, attached to the Commissariat, came accidentally to the same place. He was mounted on a pony and pitying my forlorn situation assented to the request that he should accompany me to the village in our rear; this kind-hearted man helped me to get into the saddle, and, leading the way, took me to the town of Villalba. I had no difficulty in procuring a quarter, the inhabitants having fled in terror, abandoning their homes for fear of a sortie from the garrison of Pampeluna. Several medical officers had established themselves in the place, and were examining and dressing the wounds of such as arrived there from the field of battle. I took possession of a room with a nice bed in it; and at night Major-General Ross came to see me. With his usual liberality, he threw his purse on the bed, desiring that I should take what money I required. This was the last time I had the happiness of seeing my much esteemed General, an officer beloved by every soldier who served under him .. Sir Philip Bainbrigge, my brother, who was in the Quarter-Master General’s Department, joined Headquarters from a reconnaissance at the close of the action; on inquiry he learnt that I was wounded, and contrived to find me out in the course of the night. He urged my speedy removal from Villalba, because another battle might be fought next day, and sorties from the fortress of Pampeluna were frequent. He provided me with a horse to carry me to the bagge camp, which was two leagues on the other side of Pampeluna, and, as I said before, General Ross sent my servant from the regiment to take care of me. Weak and suffering as I was it would have been far pleasanter to remain where I lay, but the bare idea of risking being made a prisoner, in the event of a successful sortie, enabled me to make the exertion necessary, and in the morning I commenced the journey: my shattered arm tied up in a sash, amd my servant leading the horse. The bagge was reached in the course of the same day; but as there was no surgeon to examine my wounds, I decided on proceeding to Vittoria at once, which place I reached in five days more. At Vittoria I had the satisfaction of meeting the three officers of my own company who had been wounded a few days before me. We were lodged together in the same house. My arm, from some unaccountable reason, was not amputated until the 12 August; mortification had commenced, yet through the mercy of God, the skill and unremitting attention of Staff Surgeon Berry, and aided by a naturally vigorous constitution, I recovered. By the end of September, I was enabled to mount my horse and proceeded to Bilbao and embarked in October, on board a return transport for England. My wounds opened afresh on the voyage, which proved a most tempestuous one of five weeks. There happene

Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, St. Sebastian (Benjn. Martin, Lieut. 4th Foot) original ribbon, nearly extremely fine £2000-2400 Benjamin Martin was born in 1774. He was commissioned an Ensign by purchase in the 90th Regiment on 26 December 1798 and was promoted to Lieutenant without purchase in the same regiment on 3 June 1802. He was placed on Half Pay by reduction on 24 December 1802. On 30 October 1806 he transferred to the 4th Regiment as a Lieutenant without purchase. With the 4th Regiment he served in the Peninsula War, being present at the siege and capture of Badajoz, 16 March-6 April 1812, the battle of Salamanca, 22 July 1812, battle of Vittoria, 21 June 1813 and the siege and capture of St. Sebastian, 17 July-8 September 1813. The regiment was then posted to North America where it saw action at the battle of Bladensburg, 24 August 1814, the capture of Washington, 24/25 August, the attack on Baltimore, 12-14 September 1814 and the battle of Godley Wood. Lieutenant Martin was serving with the 4th Foot at the battle of New Orleans, 8 January 1815. The regiment with a total strength of some 740 officers and men on the day of the battle suffered casualties numbering 1 officer and 41 other ranks killed, 22 officers and 232 other ranks wounded and 1 officer and 54 other ranks missing. Lieutenant Martin was listed as severely wounded in the battle (ref. London Gazette 9 March 1815). With the end of hostilities in America, Lieutenant Martin and the regiment returned to England. Arriving in Deal on 18 May the regiment was quickly refitted and on 12 June was landed at Ostend in preparation for the imminent campaign against Napoleon. There is some doubt as to whether Lieutenant Martin was present at Waterloo on 18 June 1815. In Mullen’s ‘M.G.S.’ Roll it states in the ‘remarks’ section, ‘The supplementary roll states ‘Left at Ostend 12th June to copy orders, by order of Commandant ‘, but may well have rejoined by 18th June’. Martin is credited with being at Waterloo in the Army Lists, ‘Dalton’, and others, and was certainly paid £34.14.91/2 in prize money ‘for the battle of Waterloo and the capture of Paris, 1815’ but whether he was awarded a Waterloo Medal is not entirely clear. On 11 November 1818 he transferred to the 85th Regiment as a Lieutenant on Half Pay. He died of ‘natural decay’ on 29 September 1849 at 90 Blenheim Street, Westgate, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, his death certificate listing his occupation as ‘Lieutenant in 85th Reg. of Foot’. He was buried in Ford Street Cemetery, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Sold with a fine watercolour portrait of Lieutenant Martin in uniform. Together with three original commission documents appointing Benjamin Martin an Ensign in the 90th Regiment of Foot or Perthshire Volunteers, dated 26 December 1798; Lieutenant in the same regiment, dated 3 June 1802, and Lieutenant in the 4th or King’s Own Regiment of Foot, dated 30 October 1806. Interestingly, the ailing monarch’s (George III) signature on the 1806 document shows a marked deterioration compared to the earlier two. Sold also with a folder containing a quantity of copied papers, roll and gazette extracts and other research.

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1846 to 1847 (W. Beard, Caulker, H.M.S. Calliope) nearly extremely fine £800-1000 60 medals were issued with the 1846-1847 dated reverse, all to H.M.S. Calliope. William Beard is also entitled to N.G.S. for Syria and the Second China war medal.

New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1846 to 1865, a contemporary unnamed specimen, extremely fine and very rare £200-300 Only one named medal is known to have been issued with these reverse dates.

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Alma (Lieut. Henry Phelps, R.H.A.) contemporary engraved naming, contained in old fitted case with provision for Turkish Crimea medal, the lid embossed with his initials and ‘Ubique ‘, catch defective on this, suspension re-fixed, severe bruise over first letter of surname and edge bruising and contact marks overall, therefore good fine £300-350 Also entitled to clasp for Sebastopol.

Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Captn. Bainbrigge, Bombay Army, Attachd. to 50th Queen’s Own Regt.) contemporary engraved naming, original frayed riband and buckle as worn, suspension claw neatly refixed, good very fine £200-250 Also see Lot 9 for his father’s Peninsular War Medal.

Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Lieut. W. D. Nunn, 1st Bn. 20th Regt.) naming retouched in parts, contact marks, nearly very fine £300-350 Ex Dr A. W. Stott Collection, D.N.W. 25 May 1997. William David Nunn was born in Pau, France, on 25 June 1834, the son of Captain John Oliver Howe Nunn of the 86th Regiment. William David Nunn entered the Army as an Ensign in the 20th (East Devonshire) Foot on 20 February 1855. He was soon afterwards posted to the Crimea where he served with his regiment at the siege and fall of Sebastopol and at the capture of Kinbourn. For his services he was awarded the Queen’s medal with clasp for Sebastopol and the Turkish medal. In September 1855 he was promoted to Lieutenant. Nunn then saw service in the supression of the Indian Mutiny, where he saw action at Chanda, Ameerapore, Sultanpore, the siege and capture of Lucknow, operations in Oude and affairs at Mohan, Hussengunge, Meangunge (as an orderly officer to Brigadier Evelegh), Churda, Fort of Musjeedia and Bankee. For his services he was awarded the Queen’s medal with clasp for Lucknow. In July 1859 he became a Captain by purchase and in July 1872 was granted the Brevet of Major. Exchanging to the 2nd Battalion 20th Foot in November 1872, he retired by the sale of his commission in 21 July 1875 with permission to retain his rank. He married Clara Openshaw in January 1875 and after his retirement from the Army he and his family settled at 3 Cambridge Villas, Cheltenham. He died on 10 May 1909. Sold with copied service papers, census records, obituary and other research.

China 1857-60, no clasp (J. Manser, Boy 1Cl., H.M.S. Vulcan) naming officially impressed in a later style, good very fine £80-100 John Manser was born in Battle, East Sussex, on 13 December 1843. He first entered as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Victory in November 1858 and was drafted as Boy 1st Class in September 1859 to Vulcan, from which vessel he was sent to H.M.S. Melville and invalided from the service on 2 December 1861. His medal was issued on 4 October 1910. Sold with copied service paper and roll extract.

The Afghan Medal to Captain C. J. R. Fulford, 26th Bengal Native Infantry, who was shot by an assailant on 20 April 1882 Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (Capt., 26th Regt. Ben. N.I.) good very fine £400-500 Cecil John Russell Fulford was born at St. Leonards-on-Sea on 8 April 1845, the eldest son of Admiral John Fulford, Royal Navy. Educated at the Royal Military Academy, he entered the Army as a Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 18 July 1865. Posted to India, he continued to serve with the Artillery until September 1870 when he was appointed Second Wing Subaltern in the 26th Native Infantry on probation for the Bengal Staff Corps. In March 1871 he was advanced to First Wing Subaltern and in January 1877 became Wing Officer and Quartermaster. In November 1878 he accompanied the regiment on service with the Southern Afghanistan Field Force and for a time in December he officiated as Brigade-Major to the Second Brigade of Infantry. After service in Afghanistan, 1878-79, he was posted home and joined the Staff College at Sandhurst. On passing the College he returned to India in early 1881 and rejoined his old regiment. With them, he was appointed Quartermaster of the corps and Wing Commander. In July 1881 he was appointed Officiating Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General at the headquarters of the Rohilkhand District, and in September was additionally appointed Officiating Deputy Assistant Adjutant General. In the spring of 1882 he was transferred as D.A.Q.M.G. to the Peshawar District. On 20 April 1882, in the evening, while he was out walking along the road by the the shrine in front of the mission house in the cantonment of Peshawar, a fanatical Pathan crept up behind him and shot him in the back with a pistol loaded with a bullet and about a dozen pellets. Captain Fulford died of his injuries on 4 May 1882. The Pathan who shot Fulford was, within a few minutes of his crime, shot and bayoneted by a sepoy of the 35th N.I., while attacking Colonel Rowcroft and a soldier of the Cheshire Regiment with a knife. Sold with copied research.

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (262 Pte. T. Preston, 1/Welch R.) jeweller’s mark and other fine scratches to obverse, very fine, scarce £140-180 Most of the regiment were entitled to the clasp ‘Gemaizah’ but 53 men served with the Mounted Infantry and received a ‘no clasp’ medal. Of these, 17 men of the regiment, including Preston, were present at the Battle of Korosko, 3 August 1889.