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Click here to subscribePunjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Mooltan, Goojerat (R. Brindley, 1st. Bn. 60th. R. Rifles.) edge bruise, nearly very fine £300-£400 --- Robert Brindley served with the 1st Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps during both the Second Sikh War and the Great Sepoy Mutiny, and died of wounds at Delhi on 26 September 1857 (also entitled to an Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp for Delhi). Sold with copied medal roll extracts.
Pair: Nursing Sister Clementina Kemp, Scottish Hospital Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Nurs: Sister E. Kemp, Scottish Hosp:) officially impressed naming, note incorrect initial; King’s South Africa 1901-02, no clasp (Nursing Sister C. Kemp.) officially impressed naming, very fine and scarce (2) £400-£500 --- Sister Clementina Kemp trained at the Western Infirmary, Glasgow, before joining Princess Christian’s Army Nursing Service Reserve on 24 July 1900. She served in South Africa with the Edinburgh and East of Scotland Hospital, also with No. 2 General Hospital at Pretoria and No. 10 Hospital at Norval’s Point. Sold with copied medal rolls showing initial ‘E’ for the Queen’s and initial ‘C’ for the King’s medals. Also with an undated Christie’s or Spink catalogue entry when this pair was sold with a 1914-15 trio to ‘C. Kemp B.R.C.S.’ and a probably unrelated R.R.C. Second Class.
Pair: Private John Clarke, 4th Foot Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Salamanca, St. Sebastian (John Clarke, 4th Foot.); Waterloo 1815 (John Clarke, 1st Batt. 4th Reg. Foot.) fitted with replacement hinged silver bar suspension, the second with heavy edge bruising and contact marks, fine, the first with light contact marks, otherwise better than very fine (2) £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: Sotheby, May 1895; Dowell’s, December 1901. Two Privates of this name are shown on the Waterloo roll, one in Captain Shaw’s No. 1 Company and one in Captain Edgell’s No. 7 Company. Two Privates of this name in the 4th Foot received the M.G.S. medal, the other with 4-clasps being held in the Regimental Museum John Clark/Clarke is found several times amongst the WO 97 series but only one is shown as a ‘Waterloo Man’, namely John Clarke (2nd) who was born in the Parish of Hadley, near Ipswich, Suffolk, and attested for the 4th Foot at Bury St Edmunds on 7 June 1811, aged 18, for unlimited service, a blacksmith by trade. He served a total of 18 years 52 days including 2 years for Waterloo, and afterwards served in India from April 1819 to April 1826. He was discharged at Gosport on 7 August 1827, being ‘worn out and chronic rheumatism,’ and ‘wounded once’. Sold with copied discharge papers together with those of another John Clarke from Bodsdale, Suffolk, who served July 1808 to December 1814 in the 4th Foot, and then until April 1818 in 3rd Garrison Battalion, was wounded in left leg and thigh in America but was not present at Waterloo.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (4868 Pte. J. Rathborne. 1st Rl: Irish Regt) scratch to obverse, otherwise good very fine £70-£90 --- M.I.D. London Gazette, 10 July 1901. The recipient was additionally entitled to the clasps, Cape Colony, Belfast and Wittebergen, and a King’s South Africa Medal with the usual two clasps.
Pair: Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander E. Taffs, Royal Naval Reserve British War Medal 1914-20 (Pay. Lt. Cr. E. Taffs, R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, E.VII.R., silver, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1909, good very fine (2) £160-£200 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2009. Edwin Taffs was awarded his Royal Naval Reserve Decoration in 1909 (London Gazette 9 November 1909). The British War Medal was his sole medallic entitlement for his services in the Great War. Sold with copied research.
A post-War O.B.E., Great War ‘Salonika’ M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle group of six awarded to Second Lieutenant L. B. Greaves, South Wales Borderers, late Royal Fusiliers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (P.S.2720 Pte. L. B. Greaves, R. Fus.) middle initial officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. L. B. Greaves.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, 2nd type, Fifth Class breast badge, with crossed swords, silver, silver-gilt, and enamels, very fine and better (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1950: ‘For missionary educational services in the Gold Coast’. M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 25th September 1918, during the ascent of Point 1472. He led the advance of the mountain scouts over the precipitous and thickly wooded ground, and when within 1,500 yards of the objective silenced enemy rifle and machine-gun fire with the help of Lewis guns, and continued to advance. His skill and judgement contributed greatly to any success achieved by his battalion. As battalion Intelligence Officer, he has previously done good work on patrol duty.’ Serbian Order of the White Eagle, Fifth Class with Swords London Gazette 16 January 1920. Lionel Bruce Greaves was born in Cardiff in 1895, and won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1914, but in November of that year attested for the 21st (4th Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 November 1915, and later as a Lance-Corporal in the 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers on 4 August 1916, he served with the 8th Battalion in Salonika. After a spell in hospital with Malaria in November 1917 he recovered, and on 25 September 1918, the 8th Battalion, as part of 65th Brigade, with the 67th Brigade in support, was ordered to attack Point 1472 near Lake Doiran. Lieutenant Greaves and the battalion scouts rushed a rocky knoll which was believed to be Point 1472 but was nearly 1000 yards N.W. of it. The regimental history continues: ‘This position was quickly made good, despite considerable opposition from riflemen and machine guns, which Lieutenant Greaves’ skilful handling of his Lewis guns soon overcame’. For his bravery and leadership in action, Greaves was awarded the M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle. In civilian life Greaves had a keen interest in the church and missionary work and between 1922-1932 was Vice-Principal of the Wesley College, Kumasi, (Gold Coast), Ghana. During the period he wrote many articles and several books on Faith and Central Africa. For another five years he was a supervisor at various Methodist Schools in Africa, then Educational Advisor to Non-Roman Missions in East Africa until 1947, when he returned to management of Methodist Schools. In 1946 he had survived a plane crash, when the small plane he was travelling in was forced to land in the bush and he and the other passengers and pilot had to wait several days to be rescued. Between 1947-1950 he was General Manager of Methodist Schools, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in June 1950. He returned to the UK with his family in the mid-1950’s and continued his writing and research. After living in London for some time, his family emigrated to New Zealand, where he died in 1984. Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card notes that the recipient’s 1914-15 Star was initially issued named ‘L. V. Greaves’, and was returned in September 1921 to be corrected to ‘L. B. Greaves’. Sold with copied research.
Five: Sergeant J. Harper, Kimberley Volunteer Regiment Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Bechuanaland (Pte. J. Harper. Kimby. Rifs.); British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896 (Troopr. J. Harper. M.R.F.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Kimberley (52 Sjt: J. Harper. Kimberley Vol: Regt.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (52 Cpl. J. Harper. Kimb: Vol: Regt.); Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, reverse hallmark with date letter ‘a’, mounted for display, good very fine (5) £1,200-£1,600
Pair: Colonel James Watson, 14th Foot Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Lieut. Watson, 14th Foot.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, note lack of initial; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Coll. James Watson 14th Foot) contemporary engraved naming in the style of Hunt & Roskell, the first with minor edge bruise, otherwise good very fine and better (2) £1,000-£1,400 --- James Watson was gazetted Ensign in the 14th Foot on 22 March 1821; Lieutenant, 25 December 1822; Captain, 14 December 1832; Major, 10 January 1840; Lieutenant-Colonel, 11 November 1851; and Colonel, 15 May 1855. Colonel James Watson served with the 14th Regiment at the siege and storming of Bhurtpoor in 1825-26 (Medal and Clasp). Also at the siege of Sebastopol from from 10 February to 1 April 1855 (Medal and Clasp, and Turkish Medal).
The South Africa 1877-79 War Medal awarded to Sergeant J. Key, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, who served in “B” Company during the epic Defence of the mission station of Rorke’s Drift, 22-23 January 1879, for which action a total of 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded, including seven to “B” Company, the greatest number of V.C.s given for a single action to one unit South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (2389. Lce. Sergt. J. Key. 2-24th. Foot.) edge bruise and minor edge nicks, otherwise good very fine £24,000-£28,000 --- John Key attested at Secunderabad, India, on 28 August 1871, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot. He was appointed a Drummer in 1873, but reverted back to Private in September 1877, and was appointed a Lance-Corporal in May 1878. He was promoted Corporal two months later, on 3 July 1878, and served as a Corporal in ‘B’ Company at the epic defence of the mission station at Rorke’s Drift on 22-23 January 1879. The majority of the defenders of Rorke’s Drift (97 out of a total force of approximately 154) were members of ‘B’ Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot, commanded by Lieutenant Gonville Bromhead, and in total the Company received seven of the eleven Victoria Crosses given for Rorke’s Drift (to Bromhead, Corporal William Allen, and Privates Frederick Hitch, Alfred Hook, Robert Jones, William Jones, and John Williams), the greatest number of Victoria Crosses given to a single Regiment for the same action. Key was appointed Lance-Sergeant in ‘A’ Company on 18 February 1879, and transferred to ‘H’ Company the following month, being promoted Sergeant on 20 March 1880. He was placed on the unattached List at Secunderabad on 1 March 1884.
A very fine Second War 1945 ‘Burma operations’ Immediate M.C. group of six awarded to Subadar Lall Badshah, 5th Battalion, K.G.V’s Own (Jacobs Rifles) 10th Baluch Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’; India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mohmand 1933, North West Frontier 1935 (12360 L-Nk. Lal Bad Shah, 5-10 Baluch R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, these four unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, very fine (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.C. London Gazette 12 July 1945. The original recommendation for an Immediate M.C. states: ‘At Ngwedaung on the 27th Feb 1945 Subedar Lall Badshah was commanding the leading platoon. A quarter of a mile short fine the village the platoon came under heavy small arms fire from three snipers and automatics covering open ground, also Mortar and grenade discharge fire. An attach supported by light Tanks was developed. While crossing the open ground two light Tanks were hit and set on fire by Anti-Tank Guns. Subedar Lall Bashah’s platoon was ordered to cover the evacuation of the casualties and crews of the light Tanks. The enemy, expecting attempts by us to evacuate our Tank crews made dispositions accordingly and maintained intense small-arms, mortar and artillery fire - all with direct observation at close range. With great skill and daring, Subedar Lall Badshah led his platoon forward to a position from which they were able to extricate our Tank crews successfully. Throughout this period, Subedar Lall Badshah moved from section to section encouraging his men, and with complete disregard for his personal safety. Finally, when the evacuation of our wounded men was nearly completed, this VCO himself went forward and carried one of our casualties back to cover. The coolness, courage and leadership of this officer was an inspiration to all his men and was instrumental in the successful extrication of casualties from a very exposed position, and was in the very highest traditions of the Service.’ Lall Badshah (a.k.a. Lal B Shah and Lal Badshah) was a Pathan (Khattack) from the village of Ziarat Sheikh Allah Dad Sahib, in the Tehsil and District of Kohat, North West Frontier Province. He enrolled on 6 January 1930, and was appointed Jemadar on 11 February 1942. At the time of winning his M.C. he was War Substantive Jemadar and Paid Acting Subadar. The 5-10th Baluch Regiment formed part of 64th Indian Infantry Brigade in 19th Indian Division, 33rd Corps. The battalion served in India and Burma. Sold with original Sanad granting a cash reward of Rs. 1,250 to ‘O. Jemadar (A/Subedar) Lal Badshah, M.C., The Blauch Regiment, of Village Ziarat Sheikh Allah Dad Sahib, for gallantry, in the World War, 1939-45.’
The Field Officer’s Army Gold Medal for St. Sebastian awarded to Major T. Jones, 4th Foot, in which action he succeeded to the command of not only the regiment but also of the brigade; he was severely wounded at the battle of the Nive and particularly mentioned for his exemplary conduct in command of the supports; in North America at the battle of Bladensburg he took command of the Light Company, was present at the capture of Washington, led the advance on Baltimore and the battle of Godley Wood; he was mortally wounded at New Orleans in January 1815 Field Officer’s Small Gold Medal, for St. Sebastian (Major Timothy Jones, 1st. Bn. 4th. Foot.) complete with gold riband buckle, light spotting to both obverse and reverse, otherwise about extremely fine £26,000-£30,000 --- Only the second Gold Medal for St. Sebastian to appear at auction in more than 30 years. The medal to Captain Thomas Power, 47th Foot, sold in these rooms in June 2012 (£32,000 hammer). Jones’ medal is believed to be the only one to an Officer killed at New Orleans available to collectors. Timothy Jones was first commissioned as Lieutenant in the 4th Foot on 23 October 1799; then Captain on 11 August 1808; Major in the Army on 21 September 1813; and Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 September 1814. He served in the Walcheren Expedition in 1809, and in the Peninsula from November 1810 to November 1812, and from July 1813 to April 1814. He was present at the battle of Fuentes D’Onor; the siege and storming of St. Sebastian; the crossing of the Bidassoa; and at the battles of Nivelle and Nive. Captain Jones was awarded a gold medal for St. Sebastian, on which occasion the 4th King’s Own played a ‘conspicuous and important part in storming the breach on the 31st of August’. The gallant behaviour of the King's Own on this occasion is set forth in the following copy of a letter from Major-General Robinson to the colonel of the regiment: ‘St. Sebastian, 5th September, 1813. My Lord, I feel it my duty to inform your lordship of the gallant conduct of the first battalion of the King's Own at the attack of the breach of these works on the 31st August. The first attack was the exclusive duty of the second brigade, consisting of the Fourth, forty-seventh, and fifty-ninth, with a company of Brunswick Oels sharp-shooters; or rather of a thousand men of the brigade; the remainder, to the amount of two hundred and fifty, were in the trenches and waited further orders. The Fourth led, and perhaps in the whole history of war there cannot be found a stronger instance of courage and obedience to orders, for the instructions were to make a lodgement on the breach only; there to wait support. The lodgement was effected under the most tremendous fire of grape and musquetry that can be imagined, and our loss was dreadful, that of the Fourth only is twelve officers, nineteen serjeants, and two hundred and thirty rank and file killed and wounded. The other regiments emulated the Fourth, and called forth the acclamations of the generals, and thousands who were looking on. It was not until after three hours hard fighting that the lodgement was certain, after which, by the premature springing of one of the enemy's mines, the town was soon carried. This action, so soon after that of Vittoria, requires that I should report the conduct of the regiment in the warmest manner to your lordship, and I feel it but justice to a few individuals, who from accidental causes had opportunities of doing more than others, to mention their names. Captain Williamson commanded the regiment, and was twice wounded after he had reached the top of the breach. Captain Jones succeeded, not only to the command of the regiment, but on my being obliged to quit the field, to that of the brigade, and acquitted himself most admirably. My acting aide-de-camp, Captain Wood, left me at my request, and by his judgment and example contributed materially to the success of the daring attempt. The three are excellent officers, and will ere long, I hope, prove themselves equal to the duties of a higher station.’ Jones was severely wounded at the battle of the Nive on 10 December 1813, and was mentioned in Wellington’s Nive despatch for his ‘exemplary conduct in command of the supports.’ He was afterwards present with the regiment at the investment of Bayonne in 1814. North America 1814-15 - Bladensburg and Washington The regiment was then posted to North America where it saw action at the battle of Bladensburg, 24 August; the capture of Washington, 24-25 August; the attack on Baltimore, 12-14 September 1814; and the battle of Godley Wood. Captain L. M. Bennett, of the 4th Foot, writing to his brother in Dublin, described what took place: ‘I am just returned with the Army after destroying Washington. We disembarked on the 19th August and advanced on the Mons Road to Marlborough, without meeting any opposition from that place to Bladensburg, where we found the enemy had taken up their position, which was situated at the other side of the village. As soon as our Advanced Guard, which consisted of half of our Light Company and a company of the 85th Regt., made their appearance they opened a heavy fire of artillery and musquetry which completely raked the road. We advanced with about 200 men to feel our way with Col. Thornton of the 85th, one of the bravest soldiers I ever met, he was severely wounded. In a few minutes, however, we had got on their flanks and kept up a heavy fire of musquetry from our Light Company which formed the Brigade and which Major Jones, a Captain of our regiment had got the command. In a short time the 85th Regiment, which is a Light Regiment, came into action with our Regiment. The Americans lay on top of a hill until the two Regiments advanced and then opened one of the most tremendous volleys of musquetry and artillery that can possibly be imagined. In a few minutes they gave way and ran in every direction never firing a single shot until they got beyond Washington. After our men rested themselves and interred the brave officers which fell, they advanced to Washington, and just as it got dark, the advance which I was with entered the city; there was a house standing just on the left as you entered the city which was full of men, and on our approach they fired on us, but fortunately did not do any damage, but killed the General's horse under him. We soon put them to flight and instantly set fire to the house; the advance went on with the General and set fire to all the public buildings. We remained there all the next day, as the Main Body of our Army made a movement out of the town and took up a position. We (the Light Brigade) advanced up towards St George's and the inhabitants of Washington were sure we were going to proceed to George's Town, the inhabitants of which sent in a deputation offering to give up the town if we would spare their houses, which the General made them believe until it got almost dark, and then we were to follow the Main Body which went off long before from the position outside the town of Bladensburg. The enemy had nine pieces of artillery and ten thousand men. Our loss has been trifling, eight officers wounded and one killed out of the regiment.’ Jones is mentioned in various accounts of the capture of Washington and played a prominent part in the burning of the place: ‘... Major Timothy Jones had led another British column up Pennsylvania Avenue. During the long night of burning no one had investigated the rather pedestrian brick building that housed the State, War and Navy Departments just west of the executive mansion. Now the men of the 1st Brigade, followed by some 30 blacks carrying powder and rockets, were on their way to remedy the omission... The...
Four: Corporal A. Lintott, Hampshire Regiment, who was wounded at Gallipoli on 21 August 1915 1914-15 Star (10484 L.Cpl. A. Lintott. Hamps: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10484 Cpl. A. Lintott. Hamps. R.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Arthur Lintott); together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘113665’, minor official correction to surname on Star (see footnote), good very fine (5) £100-£140 --- Arthur Lintott was born in Alton, Hampshire, in 1895, and attested for the Hampshire Regiment at Aldershot on 2 September 1914. He served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War at Gallipoli from 5 August 1915, and was wounded by gun shot at Kabak Kayu on 21 August 1915, during the Battle of Hill 60. Evacuated to Mudros, he returned to England on the hospital ship Aquitania on 21 October 1915, and was discharged due to wounds on 5 August 1916, being awarded a Silver War Badge. He subsequently became a postman in Winchester, and was awarded his Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement (London Gazette 23 October 1959). He died in Bournemouth in 1987. Sold with copied Medal Index Card (which states that the Star was originally issued with the surname ‘Lintoll’, and was returned and re-issued in April 1920); and other copied research.
Five: Marine D. A. J. Hoggett, Royal Marines, later Metropolitan Police Armed Response Team Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Brunei (R.M. 18780 D. A. J. Hoggett. Mne. R.M.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (RM. 18780. D. A. J. Hoggett. Mne. R.M.); Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Const Dennis A J Hoggett); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (Sgt (SCC) D A J Hoggett); Malaysia, Federation, Pingat Jasa Malaysia Medal, mounted for display, the last with miniature award and ribbon bar, in case of issue, light contact marks, very fine (5) £400-£500 --- Dennis Alfred Jack Hoggett was born in Twickenham on 30 April 1943 and joined the Royal Marines on 24 June 1959. Having completed his training he was drafted to 40 Commando, and having been promoted Corporal became a Motor Troop Section Commander. He retired on 29 April 1970, after nine years’ man’s service, but was subsequently involved with the Cadet Force at Steadfast (Kingston-on-Thames) as a Cadet Instructor. Joining the Metropolitan Police on 22 June 1970, Hoggett served with the Armed Response Team. Over the next two decades he was involved with the Iranian Embassy Siege, the Brixton Riots, various Royal Weddings and State Visits, and numerous terrorist incidents. He retired in 1998. Sold with copied research including two photographic images of the recipient.
A German Second World War Wehrpass and Shooting Book. A very interesting Wehrpass for a long-serving soldier, photograph in uniform, hatless, served with Artillery Regiments, he was at the capture of Dunkirk in 1940, this is mentioned in the Wehrpass. A pre-war serving soldier and served until late 1944 and was placed on reserve, saw service in France and Belgium, wounded in Russia December 1943, awarded the Wound Badge in black, Iron Cross Second Class, General Assault Badge, complete with his regimental shooting book. A full hand-written translation of the Wehrpass accompanies the book. Page 12 shows his records of regimental service from 1935 to 1944, 9 years. Accompanied by another Wehrpass, pass photograph in civil dress, a soldier by the name of ‘Reuter’, the Wehrpass begins 1938 France and Belgium, active service in Russia from the first day of the invasion including the attack on Moscow, wounded in Russia in September 1943. 4 promotions, the awards are Medal in the East, War Service Cross Second Class with swords, Iron Cross Second Class with swords, Silver Wound Badge. Last entry in the Wehrpass dated 26 September 1945. A full hand-written translation accompanies this Wehrpass, reasonable condition £140-£180
Five: Sergeant M. K. Wrighton, Intelligence Corps, late Royal Artillery, who served with 14 Intelligence Company (14 Int), Joint Communications Unit in Northern Ireland - famously known as ‘The Det’ Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24832419 Gnr M K Wrightson RA); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24832419 Gnr M K Wrightson RA); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal 2003 (Merlin Wrightson) last in Royal Mint case of issue, the first four cleaned and with traces of adhesive to reverse, otherwise good very fine (5) £500-£700 --- Merlin K. Wrightson joined the British Army at York on 3 January 1989, and served with 14 Intelligence Company (14 Int), Joint Communications Unit Northern Ireland on a tour in 1996, when his roles were 'Int collation & analysis supporting Special Duties.' Notably, the Tour Report suggested not to return to Northern Ireland for at least 18 months, no doubt on account of the work he was employed upon whilst on that posting. Typed notes with the Lot state his role involved hunting down a famed IRA sniper. Having also served on Operation Tango in the Balkans, Wrightson joined 14 Signal Regiment, Intelligence Corps. This specialist unit is the Parachute electronic warfare Squadron, made up from Intelligence operators and Parachute Regiment Signallers who are employed worldwide in all aspects of British interests. He left the Army in December 2000 and thereafter took up private security work in Iraq. Sold with two security ID cards; copied Tour Report and copied Certificate of Service.
Three: Drummer J. St. E. Duffy, 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who was taken prisoner of war on the Western Front, 15 February 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (4246 Drmr: J. St. E. Duffy, 1st Suffolk Regt); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4246 Dmr: J. [sic] Duffy. Suffolk Regt); British War Medal 1914-20 (7621 Pte J. St. E. Duffy. Suff. R.) edge bruising to the first two, therefore nearly very fine (3) £160-£200 --- John St. Edmund Duffy was born in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. He attested as a Boy for the Suffolk Regiment in Dublin in August 1895, and was appointed as a Drummer the following year. Duffy served with the 1st Battalion during the Second Boer War in South Africa from November 1899 to September 1902. He advanced to Corporal in June 1906, and frequently appeared in the Regimental Defaulters book through out his service. Duffy served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion in the French theatre of war from 16 January 1915, and was reported Missing on 15 February 1915. He was later confirmed as having been taken prisoner of war and interned in Munster, Germany. Duffy was repatriated in December 1918. Sold with copied service papers.
The mounted group of four miniature dress medals attributed to Major E. J. Ward-Ashton, Royal Artillery, who was recommended for the Victoria Cross Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, silver, gold and enamel; Sardinia, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver; Ottoman Empire, Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, mounted as worn from a ‘quadruple’ top silver riband buckle with gold retaining pin, light pitting to first and minor enamel damage to Crescent suspension on second, generally very fine and better (4) £200-£240 --- Edward John Ward-Ashton was born with the surname Ward on 29 October 1836 and joined the Royal Artillery as a Gentleman Cadet on 18 November 1850. He became 2nd Lieutenant on 14 August 1854, and 1st Lieutenant on 28 November the same year. He served throughout the siege of Sebastopol and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 2 November 1855), for ‘displaying coolness and zeal’ in the trenches. He was also awarded the Sardinian silver medal for valour and the Fifth Class of the Ottoman Order of the Medjidie. According to Royal Artillery records he was also recommended for the Victoria Cross for his gallantry on the first Assault on the Grand Redan on 18 June 1855, and the French Legion of Honour for his conduct in trenches on 8 September 1855. He subsequently assumed the additional surname of Ashton and died of pleurisy at Woolwich on 1 March 1880. Note: The recipient’s full sized awards were sold in these rooms in September 2000.
A Great War O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. C. Sherer, Indian Army, late 3rd Punjab Cavalry The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, the reverse hallmarked London 1919; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-5 (Lieutt. J. C. Sherer 3d Punjab Cavy.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897 (Lieut. J. C. Sherer, 3d Pjb. Cavy.); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. J. C. Sherer, 23./Cavy.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. J. C. Sherer.) the first two with light contact marks, very fine, otherwise good very fine (6) £800-£1,000 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 12 September 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1916 and 11 June 1920. John Corrie Sherer son of Colonel L. C. Sherer, Leicestershire Regiment, was first commissioned into the Dorsetshire Regiment on 11 February 1888, and joined the 3rd Regiment of Punjab Cavalry on 15 June 1891, becoming Squadron Officer on 24 July 1894, and appointed Adjutant on 30 January 1897. He served in the Waziristan Expedition of 1894-95 (Medal with Clasp); on the N.W. Frontier of India 1897-98, including operations on the Samana and in the Kurrum Valley during August and September 1897; and operations of the Flying Column under Colonel Richardson from 20 August to 1 October 1897 (Medal with 2 Clasps). Served during the War of 1914-19 (Despatches, O.B.E.).
A scarce Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Private A. Whitear, 1st Battalion, West Riding Regiment, for gallant conduct whilst attached to No. 8 British Field Ambulance, Indian Expeditionary Force Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8614 Pte. A. Whitear. 1/W. Rid: Regt.); 1914 Star (8614 Pte. A. Whitear. W. Rid: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8614 Pte. A. Whitear. W. Rid. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, the Second War medals unnamed as issued and in ‘R.E.M.E. & R.A.V.C. Records’ card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr A. Whitear, Southfields, SW 18’, good very fine (7) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915: ‘For gallant conduct in voluntarily assisting in the removal of the wounded from the advanced dressing station at Rue des Berceaux on 17th March, 1915, whilst under fire.’ Alfred Whitear served in France as a Private in the 1st Battalion, West Riding Regiment, from 29 August 1914. At the time of winning the D.C.M. he was attached to No. 8 British Field Ambulance, serving with the Indian Expeditionary Force in France, whilst the main body of the 1st West Riding Regiment remained stationed in India.
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Private C. Collins, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (105397 Pte C. Collins. P.P.C.L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (105397 Pte. C. Collins. P.P.C.L.I.) with regimental cap badge, both suspension claws re-pinned, otherwise toned, generally good very fine (2) £200-£300 (2) --- M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. Collin Collins was born in January 1893, and was the son of Mrs. Kate Collins, 41 Davisvill, Shepherds Bush, London. He served during the Great War with Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry on the Western Front from 10 June 1916 (wounded accidentally on 20 May 1917) and was awarded his Military Medal during the final advanced on Mons, October to November 1918. Sold with the following original documents: a named Field Medical Card, denoting recipient’s wound; 2 Passes, dated 2 August 1916 and 10 October 1918 respectively; a Buckingham Palace enclosure of thanks from a ‘grateful Mother Country’; and a Garrison Institute and Theatre, Bramshott, production programme.
South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1878-9 (36/269/ Pte. R. Mc.Intyre. 1/13” Foot.) good very fine £500-£700 --- Provenance: Spink Medal Quarterly, June 1995. Richard McIntyre attested at Belfast on 3 September 1874 and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, 13th Foot. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa from 2 January 1875 and transferred to the Reserve on 4 February 1881. He was finally discharged on 1 November 1886. Sold with copied medal roll extracts; muster details and other research.
Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1098. Pte. W. Hatch. Worc: R.) engraved naming, traces of brooch mounting to reverse, with suspension re-affixed, small edge cut, otherwise very fine £50-£70 --- William Hatch was born in Monmouth in 1846 and attested for the 36th Regiment of Foot on 17 October 1864, having previously served in the Monmouth Militia. He served continuously in India for over ten years, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal - his sole medallic entitlement - in 1883. He was discharged on 9 October 1885, after 20 years and 356 days’ service, and died in Monmouth in 1908. Sold with a file of research.
St Andrew’s Ambulance Association medal for the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital, South Africa 1900, silver and red enamel, named on the edge ‘James Miller’, fitted with small rings for suspension and silver ribbon buckle, very fine £160-£200 --- James Miller is confirmed as a Medical Student on the roll of the Scottish National Red Cross Hospital roll for the Q.S.A. with 2 clasps for Cape Colony and Orange Free State. Sold with copied Q.S.A. roll and an unsourced note which states: ‘War in South Africa - Appointed Burgesses City of Glasgow. On 21 Feb 1901, James Miller of 93 Golfhill Terrace, Denniston, Glasgow, served with Scottish National Red Cross Hospital.’
Family group: Four: Deck Hand F. J. Watson, Royal Naval Reserve, who was killed when the dredger Mercurius hit a mine and sank, 28 June 1916 1914-15 Star (DA.5334, F. J. Watson, D.H., R.N.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (5334DA); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Frederick J. Watson); Victory Medal 1914-19 (5334D.A. F. J. Watson. D.H. R.N.R.) generally good very fine One: Private F. S. Watson, 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles British War Medal 1914-20 (7844 Pte. F. S. Watson. 7-C.M.R.); Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (7844 Pte. F. S. Watson) generally good very fine (6) £180-£220 --- Frederick James Watson was the husband of Caroline Elizabeth Watson, and resided with her at 21 Cathcart Street Lowestoft. Watson served during the Great War as a Deck Hand with the Royal Naval Reserve. He was killed when the dredger Mercurius (operating out of London) hit a mine and sank with the loss of six lives, 28 June 1916. Watson is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. Frederick Samuel Watson was the son of the above, and was born in Lowestoft in August 1893. He served during the Great War with the 7th Canadian Mounted Rifles in the UK. Private Watson died of influenza, 27 November 1918, and is buried in the Lowestoft (Normanston Drive) Cemetery.
Pair: Private D. H. Maxwell, 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), Canadian Infantry British War and Victory Medals (77536 Pte. D. H. Maxwell. 15-Can. Inf.) good very fine 1914-15 Star (108525 Pte R. Sevoir. 3/Can: Mtd: Rif:); together with British War Medal 1914-20 (2) (174314 Cpl. H. W. Kearse. 10-Bn. Can. Inf; 160060 A. L. Sjt. L. Jones. Can. Inf. Wks. Coy.) last with Silver War Badge (C46474); Victory Medal 1914-19 (226514 Pte. J. R. Alder. Can. Cav. Bde.) generally very fine or better (7) £80-£100 --- Herbert William Kearse was born in Burford Oxfordshire in August 1888, and resided in Brant Street, Burlington, Ontario. He served during the Great War with the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Lance Corporal Kearse was attached to the 86th Machine Gun Battalion when he was killed in action on 28 April 1917. The CEF Burial Register states: ‘Killed in Action. Was in charge of a Lewis gun crew, and while proceeding to the jumping off position, just prior to an attack on the village of Arleux-en-Gohelle, he was instantly killed by concussion caused by the explosion of an enemy high explosive shell.’ Lance Corporal Kearse is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France and the Burlington Memorial, Ontario. Leonard Jones was born in Sheffield Yorkshire in April 1890. He resided with his wife at 112 31st Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta. Jones served during the Great War with the Canadian Infantry Works Company on the Western Front - having served for 5 years with Royal Army Medical Corps (TF) prior to this. He was injured on 29 March 1917 while instructing bomb-throwing. The premature detonation of grenade resulted in his left thumb and fore finger being amputated. Joseph Richard Alder was born in London, England in October 1881. He served during the Great War with the Canadian Light Horse on the Western Front. Trooper Alder died of illness on 6 May 1918, and is buried in Auxi-Le-Chateau Churchyard, Pas de Calais, France.
Three: Private J. Winter, Coldstream Guards Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (3943 J. Winter, Coldm. Guards) regimentally impressed naming; France, Second Empire, Medaille Militaire, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with eagle suspension, no enamel remaining; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue, unnamed, pierced for ring suspension as issued, edge bruising and polished, therefore good fine (3) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Clive Nowell Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2009. John Winter was born in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, and enlisted into the Coldstream Guards in April 1852, aged 18, a caner by trade. He served 2 years 4 months ‘with the Army in the East’ and ‘was present at the actions of Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann & the Siege of Sebastopol’. Todd was discharged on 16 April 1862, having completed 10 years, his discharge papers confirming all medals and clasps and noting that he had both been wounded and distinguished himself. Sold with copied medal roll confirmation and discharge papers.
Five: Petty Officer First Class E. Pearce, Royal Navy East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Witu 1890 (E. Pearce, Ord, H.M.S. Cossack.); 1914-15 Star (137775 E. Pearce. P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (137775 E. Pearce. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (137775 Edward Pearce, P.O. 1Cl, HM.S. Pembroke.) mounted court-style for display, nearly extremely fine (5) £400-£500 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2003. Edward Pearce was born in Saffron Walden, Essex, on 26 April 1871 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 20 July 1886. He served in H.M.S. Cossack from 10 June 1890 to 21 March 1892, and was advanced Able Seaman on 1 February 1892, and Petty Officer First Class on 1 January 1902. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 11 May 1904, and was invalided out of the service on 9 February 1905. Recalled for Great War service on 2 August 1914, he was finally discharged on 1 September 1919. Sold with copied record of service, medal roll extracts, and other research.
An outstanding Second War ‘Burma operations’ Immediate M.C., Immediate I.D.S.M. group of six awarded to Jemadar Qaim Shah, 4th Battalion (Sikhs), 12th Frontier Force Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (10391 Hav. Qaim Shah, 4-12 F.F.R.) complete with top suspension brooch; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, on contemporary wearing bar, the I.D.S.M. removed from a display frame with consequent severe damage to reverse centre (6) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.C. London Gazette 24 May 1945 (Burma). The original recommendation for an Immediate M.C. states: ‘Action at NYAUNGKAYA on 4th MARCH 1945. On 4th March 1945 Jemadar Qaim Shah was in command of the leading platoon, embussed, of a force ordered to make a wide sweep of the area of the landing ground east of MEIKTILA as far as KONDAUNG. On approaching the village of NYAUNGKAYA the leading truck in which Jemadar Qaim Shah was leading the column, was heavily fired upon by enemy automatics and mortars and it was apparent that the village was held up by at least a company of the enemy. Jemadar Qaim Shah immediately debussed his platoon and personally directed them to positions on the ground, which out in the front of the village was open and bare cultivation. Six of his men were shot down at once but no thought of any thing but attacking the enemy entered Jemadar Qaim Shah’s mind, and he at once prepared to attack. At this juncture the No 1 of his 2” mortar was knocked out, but without hesitation Jemadar Qaim Shah manned it himself, while the platoon deployed, and actually silenced the enemy mortars that had previously pinned down the men. He then led his platoon in to the attack, but it was not till many hours later, after an artillery concentration and the arrival of a troop of tanks from MEIKTILA area, that the enemy fire was finally silenced. Throughout these hours of hard fighting in the open, against the enemy entrenched and under cover, and surrounded by snipers, Jemadar Qaim Shah never gave an inch of ground, and his stubborn determination to beat the Jap was the deciding factor which enabled the deployment of the rest of the column to proceed, and valuable time to be gained until the arrival of the troop of tanks, and the final assault . Forty five enemy dead were counted as a result of this action, and the major credit for this success must go to Jemadar Qaim Shah, whose fine leadership and dauntless courage so inspired his men that the enemy were at first held, and finally liquidated. His actions on this day are worthy of the highest traditions of the service.’ I.D.S.M. London Gazette 22 June 1944 (Burma). The original recommendation for an Immediate I.D.S.M. states: ‘Chin Hills 24 March 1944 “B” Coy 4 FFR plus one platoon “C” Coy attached was ordered to advance towards Point-6027 while an attack was being put in from two other directions. O.C “C” Coy ordered Havildar Qaim Shah to cross an open piece of ground swept by enemy fire to go and contact O.C “A” Coy who was putting in an attack. Havildar Qaim Shah led his men across and succeeded in liaising with O.C “A” Coy who put in an attack but was forced to withdraw and reorganise. Havildar Qaim Shah and twenty men were left underneath the enemy position, some ten yards from the enemy position. By skillful use of his weapons he succeeded in killing a large number of enemy, he kept them occupied while “A” Coy took up their new position. The enemy counterattacked strongly but were driven back and by the prompt action of this Havildar the enemy was forced out of at least three of his trenches and those not killed were seen running over the top of the hill. By the determined leadership and courage of this platoon commander the enemy were not able to take the initiative and were successfully ringed in by the remainder of the attacking force.’ The 4/12th Battalion F.F. Regiment was the Divisional Headquarters Battalion in 17th Indian Division in March 1944. On 24 March 1944 it was involved in the withdrawal under heavy attack of 17th Indian Division up the Tiddim Road to safety on the Imphal Plain. The Battalion was engaged at the time of the award holding off an enemy detachment which was attempting to cut into the road between 48th and 63rd Indian Infantry Brigades.
Austria, Empire, 1898 Jubilee Medal (2), 1908 Jubilee Cross, very fine Belgium, Kingdom, Golden Palms of the Order of the Crown, very fine France, Republic, Médaille Militaire; War Cross 1914-18; Commemorative War Medal 1914-18; War Cross 1939; War Cross for foreign operational theatres; War Cross 1939-40; Escapees’ Medal; Resistance Medal; Military Cross for Valour, generally very fine Italy, Kingdom, War Medal 1915-18; Medal for Volunteers of the War 1915-18; East Africa Medal 1935-36; Medal for Volunteers of the War 1935-36; Commemorative Medal 1940-43; 11th Army War Commemorative Cross; Medal for Volunteers of the War 1940-45; War Merit Cross 1943 generally very fine (21) £120-£160
Netherlands, Kingdom, Order of Orange Nassau, Civil Division, Bronze Medal; Cross of Merit, bronze; Commemorative War Cross, bronze, mounted for wear, with Fa. A. Tack, Breda label to reverse; Cross for Order and Peace, bronze, with clasp for 1945, mounted for wear, with Fa. A. Tack, Breda label to reverse, nearly extremely fine (4) £80-£100
An unattributed Canadian group of four 1939-45 Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canada, Special Service Medal, 1 clasp, NATO OTAN, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (C.4301 Lt. K. Brading. R.N.V.R.) renamed; Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed as issued, nearly very fine (6) £60-£80
Four: Corporal E. H. Cook, East Surrey Regiment, Machine Gun Corps and Tank Corps British War and Victory Medals (113721 Cpl. E. H. Cook. M.G.C.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1209 Pte. E. H. Cook. E. Surr. R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200113 Pte. -L.Cpl.- E. H. Cook. 5-E. Surr. R.) edge bruising, polished and worn, nearly very fine (4) £200-£240
Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Guadaloupe (L. Griese, 2nd Bn. 60th Foot) small edge bruise, otherwise nearly extremely fine and extremely rare to unit £2,400-£2,800 --- Provenance: R. W. Gould Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2012. Only 2 officers and 8 other ranks of the 2nd 60th Foot received the M.G.S. Medal. Ludwig Griese (also recorded as Gross or Grosse) was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, in about 1780 and was 27 years old when he was enlisted by Lieutenant-Colonel Ludwig Mosheim for seven years service in the 60th Regiment of Foot, on 28 November 1807. He had served a total of 9 years and 20 days with the colours at the time of his discharge on 17 December 1816, including over 6 years in the West Indies. Griese returned home to Germany, eventually settling in Minden, and, from February 1817, started to receive a pension as an Out-Pensioner of Chelsea Hospital. Sold with copied discharge papers.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (A/Chap: R. B. Redding, A.C.D.) officially engraved naming, minor edge bruises, otherwise toned, good very fine £200-£300 --- Richard Benson Redding served as an Acting Chaplain with the Army Chaplains Department in South Africa (Medal with 5 Clasps). He was appointed Chaplain on the Madras Ecclesiastical Establishment in 1903 as Chaplain of Calicut and Cannanore. Sometime shortly after April 1904, he resigned from the Church and committed suicide whilst under temporary insanity. He was buried on 11 June 1904, aged 34. Sold with copied medal roll and other details.
Three: Major A. G. Joiner, Royal Lancaster Regiment, late Northamptonshire Regiment and East Surrey Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, unofficial rivets between second and third clasps (4005 Serjt: A. G. Joiner., 2/E. Surrey Rgt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. A. G. Joiner Nthptn. Rgt.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. A. G. Joiner.); together with a related group of five miniature awards additionally including a 1914 Star with clasp and a Victory Medal, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (3) £240-£280 --- Arthur George Joiner attested for the East Surrey Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Northamptonshire Regiment in July 1900. He took part in the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and the action at Spion Kop; the operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and the action at Vaal Kranz; the operations on the Tugela Heights, and the action at Pieters Hill; and operations in the Transvaal. He was employed as a Railway Staff Officer from 4 October to 19 November 1901, and for his services was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 8 February 1901). Joiner saw further service with the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914, and was advanced Major. Sold with an empty Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin.
An extremely rare ‘Kurdistan 1924’ R.A.F. Armoured Car’s M.C. group of ten awarded to Flying Officer G. A. ‘Baldy’ Elliot, No. 6 Armoured Car Company, Royal Air Force, later Captain, South African Air Force, who distinguished himself by commanding two Lancia armoured cars against a Kurdish ambush at Qara Anjir on the Kirkuk - Chemchemal Road in May 1924 Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. G. A. Elliott. R.A.F.) BWM renamed; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (F/O. G. A. Elliot. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these last five officially impressed ‘102973 G. A. Elliot’; Iraq, Kingdom, Active Service Medal, no clasp, mounted as originally worn, but lacking reverse pin, generally nearly very fine or better (10) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.C. London Gazette 20 October 1925: ‘In recognition of valuable and distinguished service rendered in connection with operations in Kurdistan, in May 1924.’ The London Gazette gives no detail of Elliot’s heroism, but the reports and memoranda submitted at the time, which went to forming the original recommendation, are published in Squadron Leader N. Tucker’s book In Adversity - Exploits of Gallantry and Awards to the RAF Regiment and its Associated Forces 1921-1995: ‘In May, 1924, the 2nd (Assyrian) Battalion, Iraq Levies was in Kirkuk, together with their families. The Battalion was in the process of forming a camp at Chemchemal for operations in the Sulaimaniyah area, and on 4 May only two companies and the Assyrian families remained in Kirkuk. Already there had been a certain amount of back-chat between the townspeople and the Assyrians, in which the former, seeing the greater part of the Battalion moving out, threatened to deal with the Assyrian women when the men had gone. Matters were very tense, with many townspeople in sympathy with Sheikh Mahmud. At 0930 hours there was a disturbance in the bazaar, between men of the Assyrian Battalion and a Muslim shopkeeper over prices, in which one Assyrian was shot. The soldiers returned to their barracks, collected their rifles and ran amok in the town. Some occupied sites dominating the Police Serai and the bazaar, from which they shot down terrified inhabitants. About 30 Muslims were killed and 60 wounded. Kurdish cavalry was confined to its barracks for fear of fighting between the Levy units. British troops were hurriedly airlifted from Baghdad to police the disorder, and the Assyrian infantry was disarmed and marched out of the town at sunset under escort by the Armoured Cars. The War Diary of the Armoured Car Wing in Iraq, for May 1924, provides the following account of No. 6 Armoured Car Company’s activities, the Company tasked with responding to the Kirkuk disturbance: ‘During the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th May, armoured patrols were maintained in Kirkuk Town, and an escort was provided to the Syrian Levies and their families en route for a selected camping site at Chemchemal. During the latter occasion the cars were subject to sporadic sniping from the hills in the vicinity of Kirkuk and later, some ten miles west of Chemchemal, to an organised attack by the followers of Saiyid Muhammad Jabbari. Dismounted action was taken by the cars, the attacks being easily repulsed and a certain number of casualties inflicted.....’ As a result of these operations Flying Officer G. A. Elliot and Observer Officer L. T. Kerry were awarded the Military Cross, Corporal T. Ashcroft and Corporal G. H. Lewis both won the Military Medal. All were members of No. 6 Armoured Car Company. There is no evidence of any surviving citations, but the following memorandum and report were submitted in support of their actions: Lieutenant Colonel G. C. M. S. Cameron, Commanding 2nd Battalion, Iraq Levies - ‘I beg to forward herewith copy of a report by Captain Fry, 2nd Battalion, Iraq Levies on the action of two Armoured Cars commanded by Flying Officer Elliot, R.A.F. on the evening of the 7th May at Qara Anjir. At 1800 hours on that day I ordered Captain Fry to visit the picquets on the northern side of the road while I did those on the south. It was during his inspection that the Kurds attempted to attack one of the picquets. I should also like to mention the good work done by the two Armoured Cars under Observing Officer Kerry R.A.F. on the 8th May. It was owing in a great measure to the action of these two cars, one of which worked with the Advanced Guard and the other with the Rear Guard that the enemy was prevented from bringing fire to bear on the long column of women and children.” Captain O. M. Fry - ‘At about 18.30 hours on 7.5.24 two Companies of the 2nd Battalion, Iraq Levies were camped at Qara Anjir on the Kirkuk-Chemchemal Road. I was ordered by Colonel Sorel Cameron to inspect picquets on the northern side of the road. A party of Kurds began to advance in a threatening attitude on one of the picquets. Flying Officer Elliot in charge of H.M.A. Cars Explorer and Avenger immediately ordered his cars out and passing through the picquet line, succeeded in bringing them behind the Kurds without their knowledge. On advancing further one of the cars became badly ditched and at the same time the Kurds opened a brisk fire on the cars. F/O Elliot and Cpl. Ashcroft leaving their cars adjusted the tow ropes and after a few minutes succeeded in pulling the ditched car back on the road, and safely rejoined their cars although they were fired on at less than fifty yards distance. Advancing a little further the road became too steep and F/O Elliot gave the order for a dismounted action. Covered by the fire of only one rifle Cpl. Lewis carried his Vickers gun to a position some twenty feet above the road and quickly getting into action drove the Kurds off leaving one of them killed within twenty feet of the gun. Sniping continued for some time until silenced by Cpl. Lewis. Owing to the initiative of the Armoured Car Commander and the conduct of his crew the Kurds never again approached within firing distances of the camp and sniping was effectively arrested.’ Gerald Augustus Elliot was born in Sandys, Bermuda in June 1900. He was educated in Australia and at Denstone College, Staffordshire, before entering the Naval College at Greenwich as a Probationary Flight Officer in the Royal Naval Air Service on 24 March 1918. After qualifying as a pilot, Elliot transferred to the Royal Air Force in September 1918 and served in France from the following month. Elliot transferred to the Unemployed List after the war, but was granted a Short Service Commission in July 1920, and was promoted to Flying Officer. He was posted for flying duties to 24 Squadron at Kenley in October of the same year, and embarked for India in March 1921. Elliot served with 20 Squadron at Parachinar and Ambala until he was transferred to HQ Iraq for duties with the Armoured Car Companies in July 1922. Elliot spent the first two months in the Stores Depot, Iraq before joining No. 6 Armoured Car Company on 3 November 1922. He served with this Company for the next four years, seeing service throughout Northern Iraq and being awarded the M.C. for his gallantry during the Kirkuk operations (see above). Elliot was posted to 208 Squadron in Ismalia in January 1927, and transferred to the Reserves in August of the same year. He subsequently moved to South Africa where he was employed in Mining, and his wife being employed by the Pretoria Girls School. Elliot joined the South African Air Force in April 1940. He transferred to the South African Tank Corps in August of the same year, only to return to the S.A.A.F. in April 1942. Elliot advanced to Captain and was discharged...
Pair: Gunner H. G. E. Reynolds, Canadian Field Artillery British War and Victory Medals (2044147 Gnr. H. G. E. Reynolds. C.F.A.) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (502589 Spr. W. P. Smith. C.E.; 34103 S. Sjt. A. M. Gough. C.A.M.C.; 276 A. Sjt. M. E. Ritchie C.A.D.C.; 931154 Spr. C. Drummond. C.O.R.C.C.) first in named card box of issue, with identity discs, and original Discharge Certificate, generally good very fine; together with Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (340060 Gnr. G. F. Slade. C.F.A.; 706884 Pte. W. T. Lambly. C.A.S.C.) very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Wellington Platt Smith was born in Mitchell, Ontario, Canada in July 1893. He served during the Great War with the 9th Field Company, Canadian Engineers, and appeared in front of a Medical Board suffering from trench fever and crushed feet from a horse stepping on him. Smith died in Armstrong, British Columbia, in January 1978. Charles Drummond was born in Cherry Brook, Nova Scotia, Canada in April 1896. He served during the Great War with No. 2 Canadian Construction Company (an all-Black battalion), which served in France with the majority of the men being assigned to the No. 5 Canadian Forestry Corps (Jura Group).
A rare West Virginia ‘For Liberty’ Civil War Medal awarded to First Sergeant W. H. Malsed, Company A, 11th Regiment West Virginia Infantry, who died of disease at home on 1 July 1864 whilst on furlough as a veteran volunteer; previously, on 2 September 1862 he was captured with the regiment and paroled on the same day at Spencer, Roane County, Virginia, by Confederate General Albert G. Jenkins in the notorious incident that led to the dismissal from service of Colonel J. C. Rathbone and Major George C. Trimble of the 11th West Virginia in January 1863 West Virginia Civil War Medal, ‘For Liberty’ type, bronze (Wilm. H Malsed 1st Sergt. co. 1 11th. Reg Inf Vols.) in original named card box of issue, good very fine £600-£800 --- William Henry Malsed, a farmer, aged 21 years, was mustered in at Wheeling, West Virginia, on 29 June 1861 for three years, as a private in Company A, 11th West Virginia Volunteers. He was with the regiment until his death three years later save for certain absences, not all fully documented. On 2 September 1862, he was captured with his regiment and paroled at Spencer, Roane County, Virginia, the same day by Confederate General Albert G. Jenkins in an incident that led to the dismissal from service of Colonel J. C. Rathbone and Major George C. Trimble of the 11th West Virginia in January 1863. The incident is commemorated locally by a metal historical marker-plate which reads: ‘On September 2, 1862, during the Jenkins Raid, Union Col. Rathbone (11th West Virginia Volunteers) surrendered the town [Spencer] to Jenkins without firing a shot in its defense, much to the disdain of men under his command. As a result of their actions, Rathbone and his subordinate, Maj. George Trimble, were dismissed from the service in January 1863 for “cowardly conduct” in a “burlesque” of operations.’ Malsed was advanced to the rank of Sergeant on 1 May 1863 and First Sergeant on 15 September 1863. In February 1864, he absented in charge of recruits and he was hospitalised as sick, on 8 March 1864. He evidently re-enlisted as a veteran volunteer since he was absent from the hospital and May and June having gone on veterans’ furlough on 8 May 1864. Whilst at home he died of disease on 1 July 1864. Unaware of this, he was recorded as a deserter on the hospital rolls on 29 July 1864 for failing to report back! The 11th Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry served in West Virginia mainly as a railroad guard but it was engaged in several skirmishes whilst Malsed was with the regiment.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Pte. W. Milton, Langman Hospital) officially impressed naming, good very fine and rare £300-£400 --- Private W. Milton is confirmed on the roll of the Langman Hospital, which lists 58 names but this figure includes 12 nursing sisters who received the medal under the auspices of the R.A.M.C. Established by Mr. John Langman, this private hospital opened its tented wards for the first time in April 1900, on the cricket ground at Bloemfontein, where, a few days later, it was inspected by Lord Roberts, V.C., who said of it in a telegram to Langman back in London, that its ‘value to our R.A.M.C. and wounded cannot be overestimated’. Indeed, under the efficient command of Langman’s son, Archibald, actually a Lieutenant in the Middlesex Yeomanry, the hospital eventually treated 1211 cases, latterly at a new location in Pretoria. Of these patients, 278 returned to duty, 875 were transferred to other hospitals and 58 died.
Among the handful of Surgeons employed on the 45-strong staff, 18 of whom were from the St. John Ambulance Brigade, was Dr. Arthur Conan Doyle, M.D., he of Sherlock Holmes fame, who had, from the outset, been invited by John Langman to assist in the selection of suitable personnel - it is not without interest therefore that Corporal Weston Burt was, like Conan Doyle, a resident of Southsea, a fact that suggests they may well have been local friends. Be that as it may, both men would certainly have shared in the horrific scenes caused by ever-growing numbers of enteric victims, the famous author being compelled to write:
‘Our hospital was no worse off than the others, and as there were many of them the general condition of the town [Bloemfontein] was very bad. Coffins were out of the question, and the men were lowered in their brown blankets into shallow graves at the average of sixty a day. A sickening smell came from the stricken town. Once when I had ridden out to get an hour or two of change, and was at least six miles from the town, the wind changed and the smell was all around me. You could smell Bloemfontein long before you could see it. Even now if I felt that lowly death smell compounded of disease and disinfectants my heart would sink within me.’
The Hospital was eventually given as a free gift by John Langman to the Government in November 1900, complete with all its equipment, tentage and supplies - he was created a Baronet in 1906, while his son, Archibald, received prompter reward by way of a C.M.G. in 1902. Conan Doyle, too, was among the ex-Langman staff honoured, receiving a knighthood, although he later claimed this was in response to the publication of his pamphlet, The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct. Sold with copied medal roll and article on the Langman Hospital by W. H. Fevyer, published in the O.M.R.S. Journal.
Waterloo 1815 (John Clarkson 2nd Batt. Grenad. Guards.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, light marks, otherwise very fine and better £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, October 1935. John Clarkson served in Lieutenant-Colonel Colquitt’s Company at Waterloo. He also lived to claim the M.G.S. medal with clasps for Nivelle and Nive.
Five: Petty Officer G. H. Battersby, Royal Navy China 1900, no clasp (G. H. Battersby, Lg. Sig., H.M.S. Peacock); 1914-15 Star (155312 G. H. Battersby, Y.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (155312 G. H. Battersby. P.O. Tel. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (155312 G. H. Battersby, Com. Btmn. H.M. Coast Guard) mounted court-style for display, nearly very fine or better (5) £400-£500 --- Provenance: Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, February 1997. Approximately 81 China medals awarded to H.M.S. Peacock, all without clasp. George Battersby was born on 2 January 1875 in Bishop Taunton, Devon, and was a Labourer prior to joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Impregnable on 15 April 1890 aged 15 years. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class in May 1891 and transferred to the Signal Department becoming a Boy Signaller aboard Vivid in July 1891. He served as Leading Signalman aboard Peacock in Chinese waters from June to December 1900. In 1902 he elected to join the Coast Guard Service and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in 1909 whilst serving at Corkbeg. He was recalled to the Royal Navy aboard Victory in September 1914 and joined Galatea in November 1914 as a 2nd Yeoman of Signals. Reposted to the Coast Guard Service as a Leading Boatman at Inchkeithy, Scottish District, in March 1915, he transferred to Port Patrick in September 1915 and joined H.M.S. President IV in October 1916 for Coast Guard Duties, as an Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist, at Tynemouth, Eastern District. He was confirmed in this rate in January 1917 and served until demobilised on 30 April 1919 when he then chose to join the Coast Guard Service (New Force) on 1 May 1919. Sold with copied record of service and other research.
Pair: Midshipman Martin Tracey, Royal Navy Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Sebastopol, Azoff (Midsn. M. Tracey, R.N., H.M.S. Vesuvius.) officially impressed Royal Mint naming in the style of Naval Long Service medals circa 1910; Turkey, Order of the Medjidie, breast badge in silver, gold and enamels, extremely fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Sotheby, December 1990; John Goddard Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, November 2015. Midshipman Martin Tracey took part in the commando-style raids against the Russian supply routes bordering the Sea of Azoff in the Summer of 1855. When commanding a paddle-box boat on detached service from H.M.S. Beagle, he and his small crew gave covering fire whilst Seaman John Trewavas swam inshore to cut the hawsers on the pontoon bridge at Genitchi. For this act of gallantry, Trewavas was awarded the Victoria Cross, and for his own services on this and other occasions, in the Sea of Azoff, Tracey was awarded the Order of the Medjidie. Subsequently transferring to the Orion, Tracey deserted his ship while she was lying at Spithead on 24 March 1856, and was seen no more. He thus never received his Crimea medal, nor was he recommended for the Turkish Crimea medal. Fifty-four years later, his younger brother, the Reverend H. F. Tracey, Vicar of Dartmouth, laid a claim for the issue of a medal in Martin Tracey’s name, and this was authorised in 1910 (despatched on the authority of the Admiralty to the Reverend Tracey, 6 May 1910). There are very few surviving examples of this medal which can be attributed to an individual, of any rank, who served in the Royal Navy in the Sea of Azoff operations (vide pages 340-344, Naval Medals 1793-1856, by Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris, R.N., where Martin Tracey’s medal is discussed).
Pair: Major-General J. D. Mein, Madras Horse Artillery and Royal Horse Artillery India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Capt. John D. Mein. 4th. Battn. Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Capt. & Bt. Major John D. Mein. A. Tp. H. Bde. Madras Arty.), mounted for display with an Artillery pouch badge and a miniature photograph of the recipient wearing his medals in a glazed display frame, light contact marks, generally very fine (2) £1,400-£1,800 --- John Desbrisay Mein was born in Carlisle on 7 September 1813. He was appointed Cornet in the Madras Horse Artillery on 11 December 1829; then made Lieutenant on 15 October 1838; Captain on 4 June 1852; Brevet Major on 28 November 1854; Lieutenant-Colonel (in Regt.) on 18 February 1861; Lieutenant-Colonel (Army) on 20 July 1858; Colonel (Regt.) on 5 June 1865; Colonel (Army) on 8 July 1864; and Major-General on 1 August 1872. Major-General Mein served in the Burmese War in 1852-53 in command of a field battery, and was present at the capture of Prome and occupation of Meeaday (Medal with clasp for Pegu). He also served in the Indian Mutiny campaign of 1857-58 in command of a troop of horse artillery with the Saugor Field Force, including the attacks on Serghum and Kubrai; the battle of Banda; the attack on Thompore; the relief of Kirwee; and the attack on the heights of Punwarree and Duddoor in command of the right column advancing up the Duddoor Ghat (mentioned in despatches of General Whitlock, medal with clasp for Central India, and brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel). Mein commanded “D” Brigade Royal Horse Artillery from November 1865 to August 1870. Sold with the following archive: i) The recipient’s Royal Horse Artillery dress uniform in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, c.1860, being the uniform worn by the recipient in the photograph, some fragility and damage to the interior lining but otherwise in good condition. ii) Original statement of service, dated 1871, with much detail as to his career. iii) Various original photographs, together with some copied photographic images; and original newspaper cuttings regarding his death. iv) A copy of the book On Service in India: The Mein Family Photographs 1870-1901, edited by Peter Duckers.
Five: Corporal H. E. Barker, Royal Lancaster Regiment 1914-15 Star (T4-1160 Cpl. H. E. Barker. R. Lanc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1160 Cpl. H. E. Barker. R. Lanc. R.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, 2 clasps, Long Service 1939, Long Service 1943 (Harold E. Barker) generally good very fine (5) £60-£80 --- Harold E. Barker attested for the Royal Lancaster Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 May 1915. Sold with a USB memory stick of copied research.
Four: Attributed to H. Thorpe, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, in named card box of issue, extremely fine 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; copy Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star (2); Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45 (2), the ACE Star a copy, generally good very fine (14) £70-£90 --- Sold with a King’s Royal Rifle Corps Cap Badge.
A Polish Second World War ‘Monte Cassino’ group of eight awarded to Platoon Tomasz Widelski, 6th (Children of Lwów) Armoured Regiment Poland, Republic, Cross of Valour 1920, bronze, unnumbered; Army Medal 1945, bronze; Monte Casino Cross 1944, bronze, the reverse officially numbered ‘30939’, with bronze ‘Monte Cassino’ device to riband; Great Britain, 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display together with the recipient’s riband bar and various cloth and metal unit insignia including the badges of the 2nd Warsaw Panzwr Division and the 2nd Polish Corps, generally good very fine (8) £500-£700 --- Sold with various named certificates for the above medals, including confirmation of the numbered Monte Cassino Cross; and copied research.
An unattributed Greek Cross of Valour group of six Greece, Kingdom, Cross of Valour, Gold Cross, silver-gilt and enamel; Royal Order of George I, Military Division, Knight’s breast badge, with crossed swords, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Merit Medal (2), second with bronze laurel wreath on riband; War Medal 1940-41, bronze, Land Operations type; Medal for National Resistance 1941-45, bronze, mounted court-style as worn, some enamel restoration to first, and the first Military Merit Medal presumably a Second War Distinguished Conduct Medal lacking the date bar, otherwise very fine (6) £80-£100
Spain, Kingdom, San Sebastian Medal 1836, silver, unnamed as issue, with ring suspension and top silver brooch bar, nearly very fine, scarce £200-£240 --- During the 1st Carlist War (1833-39), a force of British volunteers - the ‘British Auxiliary Legion’ was permitted by the British Government to lend support to the liberal Royalist forces of Queen Isabella of Spain - the Legion being under the command of General Sir Lacy Evans. In November 1836 a detachment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery, consisting of three officers and 36 other ranks, was also sent to assist.
Pair: Sergeant T. B. Z. Samat, Ceylon Police Colonial Police Forces L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (1726 Sgt. T. B. Z. Samat, Ceylon Police Force); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with Second Award Bar (1598. T. B. Z. Samath [sic] Ceylon Police C.P.S. S.J.A.B.O. 1935.) edge bruising, very fine (2) £80-£100
A Great War ‘German Spring Offensive 1918’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Regimental Sergeant-Major W. Watkins, 6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, late East Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (48004 R.S. Mjr: W. Watkins. 6/Lan: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (48004 W.O. Cl. 1. W. Watkins. Lan. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5037 C. Sjt: W. Watkins. E. Lanc: Regt.) mounted for display, good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a retirement lasting many days. On several occasions he displayed the greatest courage and initiative in collecting stragglers and leading counter-attacks, when officers had become casualties, and throughout a most trying period he showed a very high standard of energy and devotion.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Templeux le Guerard, 21-31 March 1918.’
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