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A rare Great War ‘West Africa 1914 operations’ D.C.M. pair awarded to Quarter-Master Sergeant G. Prince, Royal Army Medical Corps, who distinguished himself in an action at Susa while attached to the Nigeria Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (14082 S. Sjt: G. Prince. R.A.M.C.) edge bruise; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (14082 Q.M. Sjt: G. Prince. R.A.M.C.) mounted for wear, very fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 1999 and September 2008. D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1916. The original recommendation states: ‘Staff Sergeant G. Prince, specially mentioned by Lieutenant-Colonel Haywood, Commanding No. 2 Battalion, Nigeria Regiment. During the action near Susa on 19 October 1914 two sections of ‘E’ Company were making a counter attack when they were surrounded and fired on from all sides. For a period of two hours Staff Sergeant Prince showed the greatest coolness and indifference to the enemy’s fire, when he might well have taken cover, he continued to remain in an exposed position devoting himself to his duty.’ The above recommendation was included in an official report entitled ‘West African Expeditionary Force (Secret), Government House, Duala, 22 February 1915’ (National Archives WO 158/516 refers). M.I.D. London Gazette 31 May 1916 (Cameroons).

The outstanding and rare Great War 1917 'Sergeant Pilot's' immediate D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant R. C. Taylor, 13 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, for his gallantry when attacked by six enemy scouts, during which he enabled his observer to down one and send another out of control. Two months later, he was posted missing in action, later confirmed as being killed in action Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4400 Sjt: R. C. Taylor. 13/Sq: R.F.C.) nearly extremely fine and one of approximately only 10 aerial combat DCMs awarded to N.C.O. pilots during the Great War £5,000-£7,000 --- Approximately 92 Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded to members of the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War - of these awards approximately one third were awarded for aerial combat, whilst only around 10 awards were made to Sergeant Pilots. D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When sent out with an Observer to take important photographs he saw six hostile Scouts approaching him. Realising that there would be no further chance of doing the work as clouds were coming up, he continued taking the photographs until the hostile Scouts came within fifty yards’ range, although his machine was the only British one in the vicinity. He then turned on them, and by skilful manoeuvring enabled his Observer to crash one. Another was then attacked and driven down in a spin, after the remaining four retired, and he completed the photographs. He has always shown the greatest determination and gallantry.’ Robert Charles Taylor, a native of Willesden, London, was born on 5 April 1896 and joined the Royal Flying Corps on 26 March 1915. A fitter and turner by trade, he was original ranked 2/AM, before being promoted 1/AM on 15 September 1915. Promoted Corporal on 1 August 1916 and Acting Sergeant on 20 November that year, he then applied for pilot training. After training, Taylor was confirmed Sergeant and was allocated Aero Certificate No. 5430 on 26 April 1917. As such, he would have been counted as one of just 32 Sergeant Pilots at the Front in the summer of 1917. After spending the last two years on the Home Establishment, Taylor joined 13 Squadron in July 1917, which was an artillery observation and photo-reconnaissance squadron operating on the Western Front. Equipped with RE8s, or ‘Harry Tates’ as they were commonly called, the crews had mixed feelings about this type, which was vastly slower and less manoeuvrable when compared to the German fighters it was up against. However, it was reasonably satisfactory for the job and pilots that flew it aggressively did gain aerial victories. The RE8 remained in service until the end of the War. Taylor was clear a confident and skilful pilot and his Combat Report for the action that won him the D.C.M., dated 3 September 1917, with Lieutenant F. D. Steel as Observer attests to this: ‘About 09.10 a.m. when on Photography, seven hostile machine attacked us while over OB16. Six of these driven on our tail in V formation. The nearest hostile machine commenced firing at a distance of about 25 yards. Observer opened fire on this machine and saw his tracer bullets hit the Pilot whose machine immediately rolled over and over, and went down out of control and was wrecked. The Observer immediately opened fire on the next nearest machine and after five bursts of fire the hostile machine commenced to spin and was seen to fall from 5,000ft, and disappeared into clouds still spinning and was not seen again. Observer then cleared a stoppage in his gun and opened fire on the next machine with the third drum. By this time our machine had descended to the height of 2,000ft over the British Lines when the remaining hostile machine turned back. Our machine being hit through the right hand rear strut, right hand aileron strut, right hand top plane and tail plane, we returned to landing ground.’ Continuing operational flights for the next couple of months, Sergeant Taylor, flying RE8 A3640, along with 2/AM W. H. Swift as Observer were posted mission in action over Cambrai on 20 November 1917. They took off at 10:00 for an artillery patrol over XVIII Corps Front but were not heard from again. Both Taylor and Swift were not confirmed as having been killed in action until 13 August 1918, which is probably the reason that Taylor has Royal Air Force service records. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. Note: Taylor’s family were issued with his British War and Victory Medals in 1923 and these were likely never kept with the D.C.M. which had been awarded to Taylor himself before he died. Sold with copied research.

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 D. McKenzie, 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, who died of wounds on 7 November 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (423374 C.S. Mjr. D. McKenzie, 2/Can. M.R.); British War and Victory Medals (423374 W.O. Cl. 2 D. McKenzie, 2-C.M.R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (423374 C.S. Mjr. D. McKenzie, 2/Can. Mtd. Rif.), together with the recipient’s brass identity disc, inscribed ‘D. McKenzie, C.S.M., 423374, 2. C.M.R. P.’, mounted for wear, cleaned, generally very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2012. D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919: ‘During the attack on Le Quesnoy on 10 August 1918, he acted with great judgment, coolness and courage. When his Company Commander was wounded he carried him under cover and had his wounds dressed. He then took charge of and re-organised part of the Company and carried on with the advance. When the advance was held up by enemy machine-gun fire, he took a party round and rushed the post, killing the garrison and capturing the ground. His work throughout greatly contributed to the success of the operation.’ M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918. David McKenzie, who was born in Tain, Ross-shire, Scotland, in October 1882, enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force in Yorkton, Saskatchewan, in February 1915. He embarked for France in February 1916, where he joined the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, he gained rapid promotion, the Meritorious Service Medal in June 1918, and his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds at La Quesnoy that August. Warrant Officer Class 2 McKenzie died of wounds within days of the Armistice, on 7 November 1918. He is buried in Quievrain Communal Cemetery, Hainaut, Beglium. Sold with the recipient’s original unit commendation card for the Le Quesnoy action in August 1918, part torn and worn; together with copied service record.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant R. Hutton, alias ‘R. Black’, 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Corps, late 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (457671 Sjt. R. Black. 1/Can: M.G.C.) number partially officially corrected, good very fine £500-£600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (Citation appearing in London Gazette 11 March 1920): ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty near Crow’s Nest and Cagnicourt on 1st and 2nd September, 1918. During this operations, while in charge of his battery transport, he used good judgement in bringing forward ammunition and rations under very heavy artillery and machine-gun fire.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 June 1917. Robert Hutton alias ‘Robert Black’ was born in Dublin, Ireland. He enlisted under the name of Robert Black in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Montreal in June 1915. He served as Transport Sergeant with the 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front (MID). Hutton transferred to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps in 1917. He signed a Statutory Declaration at Bramshott confirming his true identity, 9 June 1919. Sold with copied research.

A fine Second War ‘Coventry Blitz’ G.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Sergeant J. H. Hinton, 68 Bomb Disposal Section, 9 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers, for removing and disposing of an unexploded bomb from the Triumph Engineering Works, 14-17 October 1941; his Officer, Second Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, was awarded the George Cross for the same incident but was tragically killed on the next day George Medal, G.VI.R. (No. 2021663. L/Sergt. John Henry Hinton, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R., 1st issue, with two Additional Award Bars (2021663. Cpl. J. H. Hinton. R.E.) edge bruising, contact marks and polished, otherwise good fine or better (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- G.M. London Gazette 22 January 1941: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Lance Sergeant Hinton was engaged with his officer Second Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, in removing a 250 kilo-gram unexploded bomb at the Triumph Engineering Co’s Works, Coventry, for two days prior to the following incident. The bomb was found to be fitted with a delayed action fuse which could not be removed. It was decided that the bomb must be removed at once to a safe place for detonation and Sergeant Hinton volunteered to drive the lorry to the selected site, a mile away, knowing full well the immense risk he was running. This he did, with his officer, and the bomb was safely disposed of.’ On 14 October 1940, at Chapel Street, Coventry, Lieutenant Campbell and his team, including Lance-Sergeant Hinton, were tasked to deal with a 250kg unexploded bomb. The sappers spent almost four days uncovering the bomb which was found to contain a very damaged delayed-action fuse mechanism which could not be removed in situ. Though any electrical charge within the fuse was thought to have dissipated, Campbell still applied a discharge tool. On 17 October 1940, Campbell, believing the bomb to be inert, ordered it to be moved. It was loaded onto a lorry and driven by Lance-Sergeant Hinton to Whitley Common where it could be detonated safely. Campbell positioned himself next to the bomb on this journey listening for any timer mechanism that might have been activated by the bomb’s removal. The bomb was remotely detonated. On 18 October 1940, Campbell and his squad, Hinton not being present on this occasion, were attempting to complete an identical procedure on another bomb. However, after arriving at Whitley Common, the bomb exploded during unloading, killing the entire bomb squad. Following a funeral service at Coventry Cathedral on 25 October 1940, the squad were buried in a collective grave in Coventry's London Road Cemetery. Campbell’s posthumous George Cross was announced in the same gazette as Hinton’s George Medal, the recommendation stating: ‘For most conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner, to 2nd Lieutenant A. F. Campbell, R.E. (since deceased). Second Lieutenant Campbell was called upon to deal with an unexploded bomb in the Triumph Engineering Company's works in Coventry. This bomb had halted war production in two factories involving over 1,000 workers and evacuation of local residents. He found it to be fitted with a delayed action fuse which was impossible to remove. He decided to remove the bomb to a safe place. This was done by lorry with Second Lieutenant Campbell lying alongside the bomb to enable him to hear if it started ticking so he could warn the driver to escape. Having got it to a safe place he successfully disposed of it. Unfortunately, he was killed the next day whilst dealing with another unexploded bomb.’ Sold with one original and three copied photographs of Hinton whilst serving with M.E.F. in 1941-42; and copied research.

A post-War ‘Malaya operations’ G.M. group of three awarded to Police Lieutenant T. A. Charlton, Federation of Malaya Police, late Palestine Police, for his gallantry during a police and military raid on a well defended bandit camp containing several important bandit leaders in the Muar Circle, Johore, in 1950; he was later killed during a terrorist ambush at Penggarang, South Johore, on 5 May 1954 George Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Thomas Albert Charlton) in Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, second clasp loose as issued (178 B/Const. T. A. Charlton. Pal. Police.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, about extremely fine (3) £4,000-£6,000 --- G.M. London Gazette 24 April 1951: Thomas Albert Charlton, Police Lieutenant, Federation of Malaya Police Force. ‘A well defended bandit camp which contained several important bandit leaders was located in the Muar Circle and an operation was launched against it with a Police jungle squad under Police Lieutenant Charlton and one military platoon. The operation involved a difficult approach march through deep swamp and when the attack was made bandit reaction was immediate and fierce. The small military and police force was quickly surrounded by a much larger number of the enemy armed with automatic weapons. The platoon commander and leading men became casualties in the first few minutes and the remainder were pinned to the ground by enemy fire. On realising that the platoon commander was a casualty and the remainder of the platoon was in dire need of assistance, Police Lieutenant Charlton moved in from reserve under heavy fire and brought the men into action most effectively. Showing complete disregard of his personal safety and under still heavier fire he then moved up to the platoon commander and assisted the platoon sergeant in carrying out the commander’s instructions. He remained in action with the platoon for the next three hours during which time he displayed the highest qualities of personal courage, determination and leadership. The conduct of Police Lieutenant Charlton was an inspiration to all ranks of the military and police force.’ Thomas Albert Charlton joined the Federation of Malay Police as a European sergeant on 2 September 1948, having previously served as a British Constable with the Palestine Police, and was appointed a Police Lieutenant on 1 August 1950. He was awarded the George Medal for his gallantry when assisting the 1st Battalion, Cameronians, in cleaning out a bandit camp near Muar in 1950 - when the British officer and some men were surrounded by a strong force of bandits, Charlton brought a Bren gun group to their assistance through heavy fire from Communists in the jungle and snipers in tree tops. Charlton served as part of the Federation of Malay Police’s Coronation Contingent at the Coronation of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. Returning to Malaya, he was killed during a terrorist ambush at Penggrang, South Johore, on 5 May 1954. The following report from the High Commissioner stated: ‘At about 1:10 p.m., or 5th May, 1954, in the Penggerang District of Johore a Police “Landrover” in which Police Lieutenant T. A. Charlton, G.M., and six special constables were travelling was ambushed by some fifteen to twenty communist terrorists. The police party had been attached to a Special Operational Volunteer Force Platoon and had finished an operational patrol during the previous evening. They were proceeding to Penggerang from Sungei Bantu for the purpose of re-kitting and resting. The first burst of Fire from the communist terrorists wounded the driver of the Police “Landrover” upon which Police Lieutenant Charlton and the Special Constables alighted from the vehicle to take cover. Two hand-grenades were then thrown by the communist terrorists, one of which exploded and killed Police Lieutenant Charlton instantaneously. The other hand-grenade did not explode. During the enragement three special constables were killed and three others were wounded.’ Charlton is buried in Kranji War Cemetery, Singapore. Sold with the following related items: i) The recipient’s Federation of Malaya Police Swagger Stick used at the Coronation in 1953, with silver top roundall and silver label inscribed ‘Lieut. T. A. Charlton, G.M., Coronation 1953’ ii) A Souvenir booklet of the Commonwealth and Empire Contingents at the Coronation, containing a nominal roll in which the recipient is listed iii) A copy of the book ‘Operation Sharp End, Smashing Terrorism in Malaya 1948-58’, edited by Brian Stewart, C.M.G., in which the recipient’s George Cross citation is published iv) A metal plaque inscribed ‘George Medal awarded to Police Lieut. T. A. Charlton, April 1951 (Malay Police Force). Killed in ambush by Terrorists, 5th May 1954’ v) Various photographs and photographic images of the recipient and his grave; and copied research.

A rare K.P.M. awarded to Inspector R. Lewis, Lancashire Constabulary, who was involved in thwarting one of the earliest I.R.A. plans to bring armed conflict to the U.K. mainland - the attack on Rimmer’s Farm at Roby, Merseyside, 9 March 1921 King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Richard Lewis. Insp. Lancs. Constab) in Royal Mint leather case of issue, mounted on investiture pin, toned, nearly extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- K.P.M. London Gazette 30 December 1921. The original recommendation states: ‘On 9th March 1921, an attempt was made to set fire to a farm stack yard, and the farmer wounded one of the firebugs with a shotgun. Inspector Lewis was called, and arrived on the scene, to find that the wounded man had a six-chambered revolver, fully loaded in his possession, and was keeping the occupants of the farm at a distance. Inspector Lewis, by flashing his torch in the man’s eyes, was able to distract him enough to close with him, and arrest him without further shots being fired.’ In the Home Office reports for recommendations of the award of the KPM for 1921, the following recommendation appeared for Lewis: ‘On March 9th 1921, an attempt by Sinn Feiners was made to fire a stack yard at Roby Farm where one of their number Patrick Lowe was wounded by a gun shot inflicted by the occupier of the farm. Inspector Lewis was quickly on the scene and though Lowe was holding a six-chamber revolver fully loaded and keeping the occupants at a (respectful) distance the Inspector by means of flashing his lamp in the eyes of the man effected arrest without a further shot on either side being fired. Lowe when searched was found to have another fully loaded revolver in his pocket.’ Richard Lewis was involved in thwarting one of the earliest IRA plans to bring armed conflict to the UK mainland. The attack on Rimmer’s Farm in Roby, Merseyside was carried out by two IRA Volunteers - Paddy Lowe and Jim McNance. The two IRA men entered Rimmer’s Farm at 7.45pm, 9 March 1921. The owner of the farm, together with one of his labourers, spotted the terrorists running across his field, which was situated on the main Roby to Liverpool Road and his dwelling house. Rimmer challenged the two men, catching them by surprise, ordering them to put up their arms or he would fire. Lowe and McNance ignored the demand, so Rimmer true to his word raised his shot gun and fired. He hit Lowe in the left leg, and McNance promptly fled the scene. Rimmer fired at McNance but missed his fleeing target. Rimmer then telephoned Huyton Police Station, and Inspector Lewis promptly arrived at the scene in his motorcar. Lewis’s commanding officer, Chief Constable H. P. P. Lane, gives the following: ‘The man at Roby refused to surrender. He was armed, and when one of my officers arrived the man defied him and threatened him with his revolver. In the end the officer told him if he did not surrender he would shoot him, where upon the man gave in.’ Lewis apprehended Lowe, found two loaded revolvers on him, and took him to The Whiston Institution to have his wounds attended to. Sold with a photographic image of recipient in uniform.

Honourable East India Company Medal for Egypt 1801, silver, with silver loop suspension, a good original striking, good very fine £1,000-£1,400

A Great War 1916 ‘Mesopotamian theatre’ I.D.S.M. awarded to Havildar Sahib Singh, 21st Field Company, 3rd Sappers and Miners Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (3120 Naik Sahib Singh. 21st. Field Co. 3rd S. & M.) suspension loose, nearly very fine £300-£400 --- I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 1385 of 1916 (Mesopotamia).

A Great War ‘Battle of Jerusalem 1917’ I.D.S.M. and M.S.M. pair awarded to Havildar Man Sing Mall, 2/3 Gurkha Rifles, for gallantry in the attack on El Jib and Nebala in November 1917 Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (2582 Havr. Man Sing Mal, 2-3 Grks.); Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (2582 Havr. Man Sing Mal, 2/3/Gurkha Rifls.) mounted for wearing, light contact marks, very fine (2) £400-£500 --- I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 1178 of 1918. Awarded for the attack on El Jib by the 1/5th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry and the 2/3rd Gurkhas on 23 November 1917, during the battle of Jerusalem, as described in the regimental history of Third Gurkhas: ‘The 23rd November was again fine and clear. There was no sound of firing. At dawn the C.O. and adjutant climbed a small hill to the left to receive final orders for the attack and to have the objectives pointed out. Here it was learnt that the Wilts would take no part in the attack, which was to be carried out by the Somersets, whose objective was El Jib, followed by the 2/3rd whose mission was Bir Nebala. From the hill from which the reconnaissance was made, a wide plain stretched eastwards for some 2,500 yards. At the far end the ground rose, first gently then steeply, to a ridge some 300 feet high, on which were situated the villages of El Jib on the left and Bir Nebala about half a mile to its right. The plain was bounded on the left by the slopes leading down from Beit Izza, then held by the 52nd Division. At about half-way these slopes ceased and the plain was more open to the left. Some low hills to the left of El Jib were said to be held by hostile machine guns. These were fairly distant from the line of advance. On the right the plain was bounded by the ridge which led up to and beyond Nebi Samwil, and was held by our troops. The enemy were said to be holding El Jib and Nebala in no great force. The Somersets were ordered to lead and they began their advance at 7.30. The 2/3rd followed, moving slightly to the right of the Somersets’ line of direction. When the attackers were clear of the hills the enemy opened fire with shrapnel and H.E. Then came a regular barrage from both field guns and howitzers. The pressing forward of the battalion under this trying shell fire was magnificent, the men moving as steadily as if on parade. Very shortly many began to drop and as soon as the leading wave got beyond Nebi Samwil, a fury of machine-gun fire broke out from the western slope of the ridge, which was supposed to be in our possession. At the same time the fire from the left redoubled in volume. The two battalions were thus enfiladed from both flanks. In addition, the Turks, lining the terraced fields of El Jib, opened a heavy frontal fire. The first wave simply withered away, a few survivors finding what cover they could behind rocks, of which there were fortunately a goodly number scattered about. As each succeeding wave reached this bullet-swept area, the same thing happened, and thus the attack died away within 700 yards of its objective. One of the first of our casualties was Capt. Lemarchand, who was commanding the leading company. He was hit in the stomach and very badly wounded. The adjutant, Lieut. Turner, was hit in the thigh, just as battalion headquarters reached the fatal zone. Jemadar Chame Thapa was killed, and Jemadar Tilbir Thapa severely wounded. The “other ranks” also suffered heavy losses. The Somersets fared no better. A few of their men were reported to have reached the lower slopes of El Jib, but they never came back. The survivors of both battalions remained pinned to the ground all day. The 2/3rd Lewis gunners made gallant efforts to reply to the enemy’s fire, but all attempts were immediately met by concentrated fire in return, from numerous guns which could not be located. The Lewis gunners, indeed, soon headed the list of casualties. Any movement at once drew a storm of bullets, nor did the guns cease to shell the attackers the whole day. Without artillery support the latter were helpless. The havildar major, Man Sing Mal, who had gallantly bandaged Lieut. Turner and other wounded men, was himself hit, leaving the C.O., with some runners and signallers, as sole representatives of the headquarters section. Search was made for the field telephone. which the Somersets had been laying during the advance, but not until the evening was it discovered, far behind. A situation report was therefore sent to the brigade by runner. This gallant runner, Rifleman Aniram Chattri, returned safely with a message from 233rd Brigade headquarters, saying that, as the 1/5th Somersets could not advance on El Jib owing to the precipitous slopes, the 1/5th Devons were being pushed up to attack El Jib direct. One company 1/4th Wilts was being sent to support the 2/3rd in its attack on Nebala after El Jib had fallen. The message added that the attack by the 1/5th Devons would clear up the situation, and after the fall of El Jib the G.O.C. would like to speak to the C.O. on the telephone. From this it was most apparent that the brigade had not in the least grasped the seriousness of the situation. The attention of all was now drawn to the advance of the 1/5th Devons in their attack on El Jib. As all watched them advancing towards the forward position held, their men were so steady and their lines so straight that it seemed almost as if they might possibly gain their objective. Then they came under the artillery barrage, followed by that terrible enfilade machine-gun fire. Every Lewis gunner did his best to keep down the enemy’s fire, but it was still impossible to locate those guns. They roared a hail of bullets on the Devons and made them swing to the left and seek cover. Human effort could do no more, still it was a most gallant attempt. There was nothing for it but to sit tight and wait for darkness. The hours dragged on and the day seemed unending. At last, at 4 p.m., the 233rd Brigade appeared to have realised the situation, for a message for the 2/3rd came, saying: “You, 1/5th Somersets and 1/5th Devons on the West of El Jib, are held up by enfilade M.G.s on Nebi Samwil. Fire of mountain battery has been directed on these, and division has been told that battalions cannot move backwards or forwards until these M.G.s are driven out by an attack down Nebi Samwil slopes. Please take such cover in your present position as you can, and remain there.” No attack was made, however, down the slopes of Nebi Samwil, nor did the mountain battery open fire. At dusk the brigade sent orders for a retirement, “covered by the Gurkhas”. This was a great relief. The Wilts Company was deployed to secure the left flank and the Somersets and Devons then withdrew. By 10.30 p.m. the last of the wounded that could be found had been sent back, and the battalion returned to the same bivouac as on the previous night. In this action before El Jib the fighting strength of the battalion was not more than 350 of all ranks. Of these the losses were, Jemadar Chame Thapa and ten Gurkha ranks killed, while Capt. Lemarchand, Lieut. Turner, Jemadar Tilbir Thapa and sixty-three Gurkha ranks were wounded.’

A Third Afghan War I.D.S.M. awarded to Jemadar Singh Bartwal, 4/39 Garhwal Rifles Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Jemdr. Bahadur Singh Bartwal, 4/39 Garhwal Rfls.) official correction to unit, otherwise better than very fine and rare to unit £700-£900 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 1999. I.D.S.M. A.D. Notification, No. 1, 1 January 1920. Singh Bartwal served in the operations in Flanders 1914-15; Egypt 1916; Iraq 1917-18; Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 and Waziristan 1919-21. He is listed in the Indian Army List for January 1924, as serving as Subadar, 18th Royal Garhwal Rifles, and in addition to being awarded the Indian Distinguished Service Medal for the Third Afghan War was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 3 August 1920).

A fine Second War ‘service ashore’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Stoker 1st Class Harold Simpson, Harbour Defence Motor Launch 1158, Royal Navy, who went ashore at Krioneri, Greece, in December 1944, under mortar fire and assisted in casting off a caique containing wounded Army personnel thereby being instrumental in saving their lives Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Sto. 1Cl. H. Simpson. D/KX. 138065); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 14 August 1945: ‘For distinguished service, energy and zeal while serving in... Light Coastal Forces, in the clearance of the Aegean and the relief of Greece during the period 1944-1945.’ The original recommendation for this award (ADM 116/5172) states: ‘Stoker First Class Harold Simpson, D/KX. 138065, H.D.M.L. 1158 (Rochdale, Lancashire). At KRIONERI (Greece) on Dec. 15th during the evacuation under fire of British Empire troops Stoker Harold Sipmson of H.D.M.L. 1158 went ashore under Mortar fire and assisted in casting off a caique containing wounded Army personnel thereby being instrumental in saving their lives.’

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Acting 2nd Corporal W. J. Greig, 79th Field Company, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (44410 L. Cpl. W. J. Greig. 79 F/Coy R.E.); 1914-15 Star (44410 Spr: W. J. Greig. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (44410 A.2. Cpl. W. J. Greig. R.E.) very fine and better (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 May 1917. William J. Greig attested for the Royal Engineers and served with the 79th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 July 1915.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sapper J. Bennett, 79th Field Company, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (16459 Sapr. J. Bennett. 79/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914 Star, with clasp 16459 Sapr: J. Bennett. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (16549 Spr. J., Bennett. R.E.) together with Silver War Badge (No. B134602) good very fine (5) £160-£200 --- M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918. John Bennett was a native of Colyton, Devon, and served in France from 22 August 1914. Sold with gazette notice and copied Medal Index Card.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Pioneer T. Holding, Railway Operating Division, Royal Engineers, late Army Cyclist Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (198620 Pnr. T. Holding. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (552 Pte. T. Holding. A. Cyc. Corps.); British War and Victory Medals (552 Pte. T. Holding. A. Cyc. Corps.) good very fine (4) £260-£300 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. Thomas Holding attested for the Army Cyclist Corps and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 December 1914. He subsequently transferred to the Royal Engineers and was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the Railway Operating Division. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Lance-Corporal H. Symonds, Coldstream Guards, who was wounded by gun shot on the Western Front in September 1915, was Mentioned in Despatches, and was killed in action on 27 September 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (10511 Pte. H. Symonds. 5/C. Gds.); British War Medal 1914-20 (10511 Pte. H. Symonds. C. Gds.) good very fine (2) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916. Henry Symonds was born in Scunthorpe, Yorkshire, and attested there for he Coldstream Guards. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 August 1914, and was wounded by gun shot on the Western Front on 30 September 1915, whilst attached to the Battalion’s Machine Gun Company. Evacuated on H.M. Hospital Ship Asturius, he subsequently returned to the Front, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916), and awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 5th Battalion. Reverting to the 2nd Battalion, he was killed in action on 27 September 1918, and is buried in Sanders Keep Military Cemetery, Graincourt-les-Havrincourt, France. Sold with copied research.

A Great War 1917 ‘Boesinghe’ M.M. awarded to Company Sergeant Major F. McCusker, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (1910 Sjt: F. McCusker. 1/Ir:Gds:) suspension claw re-pinned, now slack, nearly very fine £280-£320 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917. Frank McCusker enlisted in the Irish Guards in November 1903. He served during the Great War with the Irish Guards in the French theatre of war from 13 August 1914 (entitled to Silver War Badge). Rudyard Kipling’s History of the Irish Guards in the Great War gives: ‘On 27th August [1917] medal ribbons were presented by the General of the 1st Brigade to those who had won honour in the Boesinghe battle, either by their cool-headedness in dealing with “surprise situations” or sheer valour in the face of death or self-devotion to a comrade; for there was every form of bravery to choose from. Lieutenant E. Budd received the bar to his Military Cross, and Sergeant (A/C.S.M.) P. Donohoe (No. 3056), No. 1910 Sergeant (A/C.S.M.) F. McCusker.... Military Medal....’ Sergeant McCusker was discharged in February 1919.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private W. L. James, 10th Battalion, Royal West Surrey Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (G-25710 Pte. W. L. James. 10/The Queen’s R.) minor edge bruise, very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 December 1918.

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal A. T. Long, Royal Fusiliers, who was previously wounded Military Medal, G.V.R. (104 Pte. A. T. Long. 3/R. Fus:) minor edge bruise, good very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. Alfred T. Long attested for the Royal Fusiliers and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 June 1915. Wounded, he transferred to the 3rd battalion, and was awarded the Military Medal in 1918, most likely for gallantry during the German Spring Offensive. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private J. Williams, 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, late Welsh Horse Military Medal, G.V.R. (355943 Pte. J. Williams. 25/R. W Fus.) nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. John Williams originally attested for the Welsh Horse before being dismounted and transferred to the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion deployed to France on 7 June 1918, and Williams was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry in the final months of the War. His name appears in the weekly Casualty List on 29 October 1918; it is probably therefore that he was wounded in his M.M.-gaining exploits. He was discharged on 6 March 1919.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. Garratt, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was wounded on the Western Front in 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (44826 Pte. G. Garratt. 5/R. Berks: R.) cleaned, good very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919 George Garratt attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, being wounded in late 1918 (War Office Daily List No. 5720 of 12 November 1918 refers). Sold with copied research.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private H. R. Dresser, 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 2 May 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (22159 Pte .H. R. Dresser. 2/Midd’x R.) good very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. Harry Richard Dresser was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 2 May 1918. He is buried in Fouquescourt British Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Palestine operations’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant H. Thomas, Royal Munster Fusiliers, late Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (20084 Cpl. -L.Sjt:- H. Thomas. 6/R.M. Fus:); 1914-15 Star (17059 Pte. H. Thomas. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (17059 Sjt. H. Thomas. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) suspension ring bent on VM, good very fine (4) £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 10 April 1918. Howard Thomas attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Swansea, and served initially with them during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of War from 16 October 1915. Posted on attachment to the 6th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, he was awarded his Military Medal for his gallantry with the 6th Battalion in Palestine on 27 December 1917. The Regimental History states: ‘On 27 December [1917] ... useful information as to the ground was obtained, with Sergeants Hyde and Thomas, and Private O’Connor showing particular gallantry.’ In addition, Chindwin to Criccieth: the life of Colonel Godfrey Drage, gives the following account: ‘Meanwhile the main Turkish army was still close to Jerusalem on the north-east and with plenty of fight left in them. At midnight on 26-27 December they attacked down the Nablus Road and gave the 60th Division a pretty good battle which soon involved the 53rd Division as well. At daylight the 74th Division attacked. By noon they were threatening the enemy’s flank and by the evening we were all set for a victory. The 10th Division were covering them to the north and at first we hadn’t much to do, but in the late afternoon we came up to a position known (for obvious reasons) as “Machine-Gun-Hill” and it looked like being a tough nut to crack. Our two Dublin battalions ahead of us were pinned to the ground by the heaviest fire I’d ever met. It was clear that a full dress attack would have to be mounted on the morrow and so I sent Captain Keevil forward with Lieutenant O’Keefe and two platoons of “D” Company to reconnoitre the ground as far as possible before dark. We managed to keep down the Turkish fire directly in front of us while Keevil was crossing the open and then they vanished amongst the rocks and hillocks. Almost at once there was a volley of shots. I could distinguish two Lewis-guns firing hard and hear some shouts. “Poor devils”, I thought, “that’s the end of that. I’ve lost a lot of good men just when I’II be needing them.” Then back trailed an amazing procession-at least it amazed me because the first four figures wore fur coats and because Keevil’s command seemed to have nearly doubled its strength. They reached our line safely and told their tale. Just as we lost sight of them, they’d bumped up against a strong-point well out in front of the main Turkish position and promptly rushed it. Accounts of hand-to-hand fighting are bound to be a bit confused, but Sergeants Hyde and Thomas had done extra good work, while Private O’Connor had charged the nearest machine-gun and bayonnetted the two Turks behind it. They’d come back with 4 Turkish officers and 19 other ranks, Private O’Connor’s machine-gun and both our own casualties - one wounded and one dead.’ Thomas was presented with his Military Medal by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught on 20 March 1918. Subsequently transferring to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers, he was discharged Class Z at the end of the War.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private H. L. Johnson, Army Cyclist Corps, who was wounded in October 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (13225 Pte. H. L. Johnson. A.C.C.) scratch to obverse field, minor edge bruise, nearly very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. Harry Lewis Johnson attested for the Army Cyclist Corps on 22 July 1915 and served with them during he Great War on the Western Front from 27 January 1916. He was wounded by gun shot to the left thigh on 10 October 1918, and was discharged on account of his wounds on 24 May 1919. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal J. Smith, Labour Corps, late North Staffordshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (632378 Pte. -L.Cpl.- J. Smith. Lab: C.) nearly extremely fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. John Smith attested for the North Staffordshire Regiment at Longton on 2 January 1915 and served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 July 1915. He was compulsory transferred to 234 Divisional Employment Company, Labour Corps, on 1 April 1918, and for his gallantry during the latter stages of the Great War was awarded the Military Medal. He was demobilised on 26 January 1919.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant A. J. Malby, 12th Division Hospital Train, Army Service Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (T2-017117 Sjt: A. J. Malby. 12/Div: T. A.S.C.) nearly extremely fine: £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916. Alfred James Malby was born in 1885; a carman by trade, he attested for the Army Service Corps and served with the 12th Division Hospital Train during the Great War, later attached to the 38th Division Field Ambulance. Advanced Sergeant, he was discharged to the Army Reserve in June 1919. Sold with the recipient’s original ‘Certificate of Employment During the War’; original ‘Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity’ and original ‘Certificate of Transfer to Reserve on Demobilization’ documents, these all somewhat worn.

A Great War ‘3rd Battle of Ypres’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant E. A. Cradduck, Royal Army Medical Corps, for his gallantry in dressing and bringing in the wounded at Pilchem Ridge, 31 July to 2 August 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (72277 Pte. A. E. Cradduck. 134/F.A. R.A.M.C.) edge bruise, light contact marks, nearly extremely fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917. Edward Arthur Cradduck attested for the Royal Army Medical Corps at Chatham, Kent, on 21 October 1915, having previously served for four and a half years in the R.A.M.C. (Militia), and served with the 134th Field Ambulance during the Great War on the Western Front. Having been awarded the Military Medal ‘for gallantry in dressing and bringing in wounded at Pilchem Ridge, during the 3rd Battle of Ypres, 31 July to 2 August 1917’, he was injured on 16 September 1917 when, ‘leading transport along a rough road just before dawn, he tripped over a discarded cleaning rod of a machine gun, which stuck through his boot and into his foot’. Recovering, he was advanced Sergeant on 13 February 1919, and was discharged on 13 March 1920. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant A. Beecroft, 1st Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade Military Medal, G.V.R. (45505 Pte. - A. Sjt: - A. Beecroft. Can. M.M.G. M.T. Coy.) minor official correction to unit; 1914-15 Star (45505 Pte A. Beecroft. Can: M.M.G. Bde:); British War and Victory Medals (45505 Pte. A. Beecroft. C.M.G. Bde.) housed in a home-made hinged wooden box, with engraved brass plaque on lid ‘45505 Sjt. A. Beecroft M.M. Canadian M.M.G. Bde. M.T. Coy.’, with portrait photograph of recipient in uniform, named enclosure for M.M. and other ephemera, generally very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1919. Arthur Beecroft was born in Stonham, Aspal, Suffolk in August 1888. He emigrated to Canada, was employed as a chauffeur and mechanic, and resided at 86 Seaton Street, Toronto, Ontario. Beecroft served during the Great War with the 1st Canadian Automobile Machine Gun Brigade on the Western Front (entitled to Silver War Badge).

A fine Great War ‘escapers’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Land, 13th Battalion (Royal Highlanders of Canada), Canadian Infantry, who was wounded in action at Messines, 20 March 1916, and taken prisoner of war during the attack on Regina Trench, 8 October 1916. A persistent escaper, who was recaptured on multiple occasions, only to finally get away 15 June 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (460593 Pte J. Land. 13/Cann Inf [sic]); British War and Victory Medals (460593 Pte. J. Land. 13-Can. Inf) mounted for display, edge bruising overall, therefore nearly very fine (3) £800-£1,200 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2007. M.M. London Gazette 30 January 1920. ‘... in recognition of gallant conduct and determination displayed in escaping or attempting to escape from captivity...’ John Land was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada in December 1890. He served during the Great War with the 13th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Land was wounded at Messines 20 March 1916, and taken prisoner of war during the attack on Regina Trench, 8 October 1916. Land escaped 15 June 1918, and returned to England 25 July 1918. Land’s escapers debrief report, the original of which is held at the National Archives, gives the following details: ‘Place and Date of Capture: Courcelette 8th October 1916. About 5 a.m. on 8th October 1916 my battalion was sent up to attack the Regina Trench. We were surrounded and at 9 a.m. I was taken prisoner with six other men of my unit. Shortly after we were taken they marched us to Cambrai, where we arrived about midnight. At Cambrai, where we remained for 10 days only, one meal a day was given to the prisoners. There were about 100 British. The meal consisted of a bowl of very poor soup, and no ration of bread was served. We were lodged in an old French barrack. I have no complaint to make as to our treatment. On 19th October, I was sent from Cambrai to Dulmen with about 100 British prisoners, and I remained there for about two and a half months before they sent me to work on commando. I have nothing particular to say about my treatment at Dulmen, except that the food was very short indeed, as I received no parcels until I was working on commando. On 31st December, a party of 30 British prisoners, of whom I was one, was sent from Dulmen to Recklinghausen, where there are large railway works. Here the prisoners – about 100 British, 15 French, and 14 Russians – were lodged in a house adjoining the railway yard. The accommodation was not bad. There were a great number of small rooms, and each room was occupied by three prisoners. The food allowed us was quite uneatable, but we lived on our parcels and had sufficient to eat. There were six guards who looked after the prisoners and we were never allowed to go outside the works. The prisoners worked with the civilians, and the hours of work were 6.15 a.m. to 6.15 p.m., and they were under the control of the civilian foremen. There was not much ill-treatment so long as the prisoners were willing to work, but if they refused to work or showed slackness, the foremen used considerable violence and knocked us about. In June 1917, on one occasion when I declined to work, pretending I was ill, the foreman, whose name I did not know, attacked me with a pitchfork and wounded me in the hand. I still have the scar. I escaped from Recklinghausen three times during the fourteen months I was there on commando, but I was always recaptured. The first time that I escaped in December 1917 I was recaptured six days later on the frontier, sentenced to 17 days’ imprisonment, and then set back to Recklinghausen. In January 1918 I escaped again, and it was four days before I was caught. On this occasion they gave me 28 days as I had a flashlight, and then sent me back to the same commando; and on 4th May 1918 I escaped once again, but after five days I was recaptured and given 35 days’ imprisonment because I had two maps. At the expiration of the last sentence I was not sent back to Recklinghausen, but they transferred me to Dortmund. At Recklinghausen things might have been worse, and from what I heard of other commandos I think that it can be looked upon as a good camp. So long as the prisoners did a reasonable amount of work they were treated properly. The worst case of violence I remember was that of a British prisoner named Smith. I do not know his regiment, but this man was always cursing and abusing the guards, who marked him out one day as we were passing out of the works, set upon him, and beat him very brutally. There were no visits from the Dutch Legation while I was at Recklinghausen. We were paid 90pfg. a day, but we had no chance of spending mony (sic) except that occasionally at rare intervals we could buy a few cigarettes. It was on 10th June that I was sent to Dortmund with six other British prisoners. I was there only five days, so there was little opportunity for me to obtain information about this commando. The prisoners worked in a large zinc factory. There were about 200 Russians and Frenchmen, and only about seven British. We were lodged in an old storehouse, and we all slept together on wooden stretcherbeds. The accommodation was very bad, and the general conditions also; the place was extremely dirty. I do not know the name of the firm to whom the zinc works belonged. Our hours of work were much longer than at Recklinghausen. The jobs given prisoners were mostly unhealthy, as the fumes from the furnaces were sometimes almost overpowering. For the first two days that I was on this commando I declined to work, and nothing was done to me beyond being abused by the foreman. The prisoners were employed principally in drawing furnaces and carrying coal, and they worked in shifts. The storehouse in which we were lodged was situated in the centre of the works, and we were never far away from the fumes emitted by the furnaces. I should say that this commando was a bad one, but the shortness of my stay there afforded me no opportunity to give detailed information. On 15th June, at 2 a.m. I managed to escape in company with one of the French prisoners.’

A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal E. Beaulieu, 22nd Battalion (French Canadian), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (4040227 Pte. E. Beaulieu. 22/Quebec R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4040227 A. Cpl. E. Beaulieu. 22-Can. Inf.); Victory Medal 1914-19, last erased, mounted for display, lacquered, very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. Eugene Beaulieu was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada in August 1891. He was a dentist by occupation, and initially served during the Great War with the 22nd Battalion (French Canadian), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Beaulieu was wounded in action on 16 August 1918 (entitled to Silver War Badge). He transferred to the Canadian Army Dental Corps in September 1918, and returned to Canada in May 1919. Sold with copied service papers.

A Great War M.M. pair awarded to Private J. J. Andrews, 42nd Battalion, Quebec Regiment, who died of wounds in October 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (2075466 Pte. J. J. Andrews. 42/Quebec R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2075466 A.L. Cpl. J. J. Andrews . 42-Can. Inf.) together with Memorial Cross (2075466 Pte. J. J. Andrews M.M.) dark toned, extremely fine (3) £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. John James Andrews died of wounds on 11 October 1918. He is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant F. H. Stanton, who was a Methodist Clergyman prior to the Great War, and served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps before transferring to the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (525257 Sjt F. H. Stanton. 47/W. Ont: R.); British War and Victory Medals (525257 Sjt. F. H. Stanton. 47-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, ribands frayed, toned, very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. Frank Herbert Stanton was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in April 1888. He was a Methodist Clergyman prior to the Great War, and he initially served with No. 1 Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps. Stanton advanced to Sergeant, and transferred to the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry (entitled to Silver War Badge). He died in October 1971.

A Great War 1917 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Company Sergeant Major J. Wilson, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, attached 10th Field Company, Canadian Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (628472 L. Sjt: J. Wilson. 47/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (628472 A.C.S. Mjr. J. Wilson. 47-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, reverse of suspension claw missing on BWM, suspension loose, otherwise generally good very fine (3) £260-£300 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 April 1917. John Colville Wilson was born in Fife, Scotland in September 1882. Prior to the Great War he served for over 3 years with the Black Watch; and then 5 years with the 30th British Columbia Horse. Wilson served during the Great War with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was attached to the 10th Field Company, Canadian Engineers for the award of his M.M.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Lance Corporal E. Robinson, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (845190 Pte (A.L.Cpl) E. Robinson. 47/W. Ont: R.); British War and Victory Medals (845190 L. Cpl. E. Robinson. 47-Can. Inf.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. Edgar Robinson was born in Ramlachie, Lambton County, Ontario Canada in December 1888.

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private H. C. Johnston, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (654879 Pte H. C. Johnston. 47/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (654879 Pte. H. C. Johnston. 47-Can. Inf.) suspension claw a little loose on BWM, otherwise good very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 3 November 1918. Henry Cresswell Johnston was born in Nowanaship County, Huron, Ontario, Canada in May 1897. He served during the Great War with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front.

A Great War M.M. awarded to Private R. Van Luven, 58th Battalion, 2nd Central Ontario Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (249068 Pte. R. Van Luven. 58/Bn: C. Ont: R.) toned, extremely fine £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919.

A fine Australian Great War ‘Battle of Hamel’ 1918 M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal G. Trubi, 13th Field Company, Australian Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, who along with 8 others, was detached from his company and accompanied the infantry ‘over the top’ on the first day of the battle of Hamel on 4 July 1918, leading an engineer reconnaissance which resulted in him capturing two machine gunners and their gun Military Medal, G.V.R. (2355 L.Cpl. - T.2. Cpl. - G. Trubi. 13/Fd: Coy. Aust: E.); 1914-15 Star (2355 Spr G. Trubi. 3/F.C. Eng. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2355 2-Cpl. G. Trubi. 3 F.C.E. A.I.F.) very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918. The original Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 4 July 1918, north of Hamel. This N.C.O. made an Engineer reconnaissance of deep dugouts and machine gun emplacements in territory just captured in our advance. His dauntless bearing and coolness in face of heavy shelling and machine gun fire set a fine example to his party - leading them from one dugout to another capturing two machine gunners and their gun. The information supplied as a result of his reconnaissance was of immediate value to the Division.’ George Trubi a 24 year old Prospector, attested for the 3rd Field Company Engineers, Australian Imperial Force, on 9 August 1915 and embarked on H.M.A.T. Beltana at Sydney on 9 November 1915. He served with the 3rd, 13th, and 15th Field Companies during the Great War on the Western Front, being awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry with the 13th Field Company on 4 July 1918. On this date, Lieutenant McKay, 2 N.C.O.’s and 6 Sappers were detached from the Company and accompanied the Infantry “over the top” on the first day of the battle of Hamel, a combined Australian, American and tank attack on Le Hamel. According to Lieut McKay’s report, his command proceeded to reconnoitre the ground captured by 11th Brigade; 42nd, 43rd and 44th Battalions, A.I.F, who had been tasked of taking the strong points around Hamel. Whilst the battle was still underway, McKay and his men made reconnaissances of enemy trenches and dugouts and R.E. dumps, coming under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. McKay’s report notes that one machine gun and 3 prisoners were captured, the former and two of the latter being captured by Lance Corporal Trubi. Trubi returned to Australia on 28 February 1919. Sold with copied service papers and the July 1918 War diary for 13th Field Company (on CD). A group photo of 13th Company, including Trubi, is held in the Australian War Memorial collection.

A Great War ‘1917’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant D. McM. Fullarton, New Zealand Engineers, New Zealand Expeditionary Force Military Medal, G.V.R. (4-1782 L. Cpl. D. McM. Fullarton. 1/F. Coy N.Z.E.); British War and Victory Medals (4/1782 Sjt. D. McM. Fullarton. N.Z.E.F.) generally very fine or better (3) £460-£550 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918. David McMaster Fullarton embarked from Wellington, New Zealand for Egypt in February 1916. He served during the Great War with the 1st Field Company, New Zealand Engineers, New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Suakin 1884, El-Teb_Tamaai (W. Mills, Pte. R.M. H.M.S. “Temeraire”) light pitting, otherwise very fine and better £400-£500 --- Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, February 1997. William Mills was born in Clifton, Bristol, on 5 January 1860, and enlisted at Walmer to No 31 Company as Private Royal Marines on 5 April 1877. He subsequently served aboard Valiant (1879-81), Temeraire (7 March 1882 to 7 February 1884), Euryalus for R.M. Battalion (8 February 1884 to 23 April 1884), Britannia (1884-85), Lion (1887-88), and Vivid (1890-91). He transferred to Chatham Division on 2 December 1891, but never served aboard another ship and was discharged on completion of his engagement on 23 December 1899. Had been in cells once, and once in gaol hence no L.S. & G.C. medal. (Ref 1997 catalogue entry)

A Great War ‘1917’ M.M. awarded to Sergeant J. D. Kelly, South African Heavy Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (W.676. Sgt. J. D. Kelly. S.A.H.A.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sgt. J. D. Kelly. S.A.H.A.) all officially renamed, generally very fine or better (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette: ‘On the night of 24th November, 1917, during an attack by a large party of the enemy in which they forced their way into his trench severely wounded the Officer in charge, Sergeant Kelly immediately carried this Officer back to safety. He returned at the head of his men and drove the enemy out inflicting severe losses on them. The success of this counter-attack was due principally to his conspicuous courage, devotion to duty and leadership with which he inspired his men after his Senior Officer had been wounded.’ John Dudley Kelly enlisted in the South African Heavy Artillery in February 1916, and returned to South Africa in March 1919.

The outstanding Second War Honorary ‘Intelligence’ M.B.E. and rare Great War Belgian Pilot’s D.F.M. group of twenty awarded to Capitaine-Commandant C. J. G. J. Delloye, Compagnie des Aviateurs and Aviation Militaire, who served as a Pilot with 2e Escadrille, and racked up in excess of 100 hours of reconnaissance missions over enemy lines during 1918, ‘distinguishing himself by his skill and his dash’ Continuing in service, Delloye was captured in 1940 but escaped to Britain where he was attached to the Royal Air Force as Acting Squadron Leader and served as head of the escape and evasion department of Belgium State Security in London - here he organised the routes and contacts for getting escaped and downed aircrew back to the UK as well working closely with his counterparts in MI9, including Airey Neave, organising the recruitment and cover stories for agents getting in and out of Belgium The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.V.R. (No 243 Flt Warrant Officer Charles Delloye, Aviation Belge.) on 1st type horizontal striped riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, bilingual motto, with neck riband; Order of Leopold, Military Division, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, French motto, with rosette on riband; Order of the Crown, Officer’s breast badge, gilt and enamel, with rosette and crossed swords emblem on riband; Military Cross, First Class, L.III.R., gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, with bronze palm emblem on riband; Yser Medal 1914, bronze and enamel; Commemorative Medal for the Great War 1914-18, bronze; Allied Victory Medal 1914-19, bronze; Combat Volunteers Medal 1914-18, bronze; Frontline Fire Service Cross 1914-18, bronze; Evaders Cross, bronze; Volunteer’s Medal 1940-45, bronze; Armed Resistance Medal 1940-45, bronze; Political Prisoner’s Cross 1940-45, silvered and enamel, with riband bar with three stars; Prisoner of War Medal 1940-45, bronze, with five bronze riband bars; Commemorative Medal for the Second World War 1940-45, bronze, with small crown emblem on riband; Medal for Military Fighters of the Second World War 1940-45, bronze; Volunteer’s Medal, bronze, generally good very fine and better (20) £4,600-£5,500 --- Provenance: The Reverend E. Hawkes Field Collection, Glendinings, November 1950 (listed as D.F.M. only, and with an estimate of £15/10/0); J. B. Hayward, 1973. One of just 4 D.F.M.s awarded to Allied airmen during the Great War (3 to Belgians and 1 to a Frenchman). Appointed Honorary M.B.E. 11 November 1946. This for his work as head of the escape and evasion department at the Belge Surete de L’etat, London. These Awards were not Gazetted but are confirmed (WO 373/153/549). D.F.M. London Gazette 19 July 1919 (originally recommended for a M.M.): ‘A pilot who has distinguished himself by his skill and his dash, and who was always to be found ready to start on difficult enterprises. During the Flanders offensive of 1918, his work was largely responsible for successful counter battery work.’ Belgium Croix de Guerre, awarded 4 February 1919: ‘A remarkable pilot for his skill. His courage and his dash. Carried out many very fruitful reconnaissance missions over enemy lines during more than 100 hours of observation flights.’ Emblem for Belgium Croix de Guerre awarded 12 June 1919: ‘Showed much courage and devotion to duty during the Flanders Offensive in 1918.’ Charles Jules Ghislain Joseph Delloye was born in Thorembais les Béguines, Belgium in July 1894. He joined the Belgian military in June 1914 and was on active service with the Compagnie des Aviateurs from 14 August 1914. Delloye was an early member of the Belgian Air Force, being one of just 175 Officers and men being called to service at the start of the War. Initially based at Antwerp, Delloye was one of the defenders of that place in the early days of the War. A huge number of Belgium troops became prisoner when that town fell, the remnants being driven back to the river Yser, where they desperately and successfully attempted to hold the line during October 1914. The defenders of the Yser were later awarded the distinctive Yser medal (Delloye’s confirmed). On 30 October 1914, Delloye was transferred to Service Arriere de L’Aviation at Calais and appears to have stayed there for the next couple of years, the Compagnie des Aviateurs being renamed Aviation Militaire in March 1915. Posted for training as a pilot to the Aviation School at Etampes on 1 January 1917, he was promoted Corporal on 21 April and was posted for operational service as a pilot to 2e Escadrille on 22 July, remaining with this squadron throughout the rest of the War. Great War 2e Escadrille was a Squadron tasked with Artillery and photography work on the Western Front, under the orders of Division d’Armee. The squadron had a nominal strength of 15 aircraft; 11 2-seaters; Spad and Breguets and 4 single seaters; Nieuports and Sopwith Camels. Unlike British, French or German Squadrons, Belgium reconnaissance Squadrons had 4 fighter aircraft as part of 15 aircraft compliment, this for their own protection during missions. This was probably due to the size of the Belgium Air Force during the War, which was a fraction of the size of the other main combatant nations. By the end of the War, Belgium had just 11 Squadrons, of these one was non operational (on paper only), 7 were reconnaissance or bomber Squadrons and 3 were fighter squadrons. A report in September 1918, noted the Belgium squadrons strength at 134 aircraft. Putting this into context, at this time the British had 200 operational Squadrons and nearly 23,000 aircraft. Delloye was advanced to Sergeant on 29 July, to Premier Sergeant on 22 September and Premier Sergeant-Major on 22 November 1917. Promoted Adjutant (senior Warrant Officer) on 22 January 1918, he would fly missions throughout, being mentioned in Orders twice for his gallantry and was one of just 4 Allied airmen to be awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal by the British (others receiving the MM, DCM, MC etc). In the main, it seems Delloye was a 2-seater pilot, his citations suggest this, as do a number of copy photographs of him in and around 2e Escadrille’s Breguets and Spads. However, there are also several taken in the cockpit of different Nieuports fighters; one in a series of postcards of Belgium aviators during the War (like German Sanke cards). So it seems he flew both fighters and 2-seaters. Delloye’s entry in ‘The Belgian Air Service in the First World War’, notes at least 102 missions during the War. Delloye was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Auxiliary Engineers on 6 January 1919, and transferred to the Infantry in July of the same year. He advanced to Lieutenant, 26 December 1921, and transferred back to the Belgian Air Force as Aircrew in January 1924. Delloye advanced to Capitaine Aviateur on 26 December 1935. Second World War, Escape, Head of Bureau des Evasions and MI9 Still with the Belgian Air Force at the outbreak of the Second War, on 12 May 1940 Delloye moved with his unit to Bordeaux but when France fell, he was taken prisoner. On 16 August 1940, Delloye was returned to occupied Belgium as a prisoner of war and after release was employed in the Ministry of Finance from November 1940. At the end of July 1941 he escaped from occupied Belgium with the intention of joining Belgian forces in the UK but was captured at Leon on 29 December 1941. He was subsequently interned in Valladolid, Spain, 6 January 1942 and Mir...

A post-War ‘Royal Yacht’ service R.V.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer (Cook) C. H. Bickley, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Victorian Medal, E.II.R., silver; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Clasp (LX.21082 C. H. Bickley O.C.1 H.M.S. Emerald) mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £300-£400 --- R.V.M. (Silver 13 June 1959: ‘Charles Henry Bickley, C.P.O., H.M.Y. Britannia.’ Charles Henry Bickley was born on 14 October 1911, at Exeter, Devon. A domestic gardener by trade, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as Officer’s Cook 4th Class on 25 November 1929, serving for over 30 years and rising to the rank of Chief Petty Officer, serving the last 7 years on the Royal Yacht Britannia as Chief Cook. He served on a variety of H.M. Ships and shore bases including the Campbell, Dolphin, Nelson, Victory 2, Boscowen, Glasgow, Pembroke 2, Scout and Dunedin. During WW2 he served on Ark Royal (aircraft carrier) from July 1939 to March 1940; Acheron (destroyer) from March to October 1940; Argus (aircraft carrier) October 1940 to December 1942; Victory December 1942 to March 1943; Emerald (light cruiser) March 1943 to October 1944, receiving his L.S. & G.C. medal in this ship in September 1944; Glenroy (Troop and landing ship) from February to August 1945. Post war he continued to serve on the Vanguard, Anson, Howe, Excellent, Vengeance, Adamant, Bellerophon, Mauritius and the Royal Yacht Britannia from January 1954 to November 1961 and shore pension. He received his Clasp to L.S. & G.C. medal on 13 March 1960. Chief Petty Officer Bickley died in January 1985. Sold with copied research and a group photograph of the crew with the Royal family aboard Britannia.

A post-War B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant C. E. Wilks, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (4031776 Sgt. Charles E. Wilks. R.A.F); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (4031776 Cpl. C. E. Wilks. R.A.F.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (4031776 Sgt. C. E. Wilks R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (4031776 Sgt. C. E. Wilks. R.A.F.) mounted as worn, generally good very fine and better (8) £400-£500 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 31 December 1960. Sold with original named Buckingham Palace enclosure slip for the B.E.M., in envelope; and a photographic image of the recipient.

A post-War Military Division B.E.M. awarded to Corporal A. R. D. Pritchet, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (E1941444 Cpl. Anthony R. D. Pritchet, R.A.F.) edge prepared prior to impressed naming, nearly extremely fine £120-£160 --- B.E.M. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1973. Sold with copied news cuttings relating to subsequent road traffic convictions in 1980 and 1993.

The C.M.G. attributed to Captain J. G. C. Allen, a Nigerian Colonial Administrator who served in the Colonial Forces Section of the Intelligence Corps in the Second World War and was Chief of Military Intelligence in Nigeria and Liaison Officer with the Free French Forces in West Africa The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with both full and miniature width neck ribands, in Spink, London, case of issue, minor white enamel damage to St. George’s horse on reverse central medallion, otherwise nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- C.M.G. London Gazette 2 January 1956. James Godfrey Colquhoun Allen was born at St. Peter Port, Guernsey, in 1904, the son of Dr. and Mrs. J. D. C. Allen, and was educated at Blundell’s School, Tiverton, and at the University of Munich. He commenced service as a Colonial Administrator in the Nigerian Administrative Service in 1926, becoming Assistant District Officer and later District Officer, 1929-45. He was appointed Resident in 1947, and Senior Resident in 1953. He served as the Anglo-French Cameroons Boundary Commissioner 1937-39; as Nigerian Representative with the Free French Douala, 1940; as Chief Censor and Chief of Military Intelligence, Nigeria 1940-41; and as West African Liaison Officer with Free French Forces in Equatorial Africa, 1942-43. He served as Deputy Commissioner of the Colony at Lagos 1946-52; and was Director of Administration for the Nigerian Broadcasting Company, 1957-61. During the Second World War he received a commission as Second Lieutenant in the Nigeria Regiment with seniority, 3 September 1939, and subsequently transferred to the Intelligence Corps, African Colonial Forces Section, being promoted War Substantive Captain on 26 July 1942. He received the 1953 Coronation Medal, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in 1956. He died in Bath in 1982. His personal papers and memoirs are held by the Bodleian Library, Oxford. Sold with several original letters and telegrams regarding the award of the C.M.G. and letters congratulating James Godfrey Colquhoun Allen on the award; together with a newspaper cutting containing a photograph of the recipient’s investiture by H.M. Queen Elizabeth II.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem (4), Officer’s (Brother’s) breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles, with case; Serving Brother’s breast badge, 1st type (1892-1939) (2), circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background, one lacking ring suspension; Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, 4th type (1974-84), silver and enamel, circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles flush with the background; Service Medal of the Order of St John (4480. Ldy. Dst. Offr. A. A. Bohm Coulcher. Dist. Staff No. 10 Dst. S.J.A.B. 1925) generally very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- Sold with three ‘1 S.J.A.B.’ shoulder titles; and two ‘National Hospital Service Reserve’ lapel badges.

The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and enamel, heraldic beasts in angles flush with background; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ethel Louise Blanchard.) in case of issue; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star emblem on riband, good very fine (4) £60-£80

Three: Private Richard Godfrey, 1st Dragoon Guards Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (R. T. Godfrey. 1st Dragoon Gds.) officially impressed naming; China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Richd. Godfrey, 1st Dragn. Gds.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (No. 1683 R. T. Godfrey 1st Drgn. Gds.) engraved naming, fitted with scroll suspension, toned, nearly very fine (3) £700-£900 --- Richard T. Godfrey was born at Basingstoke, Hampshire, and attested for the 1st (King’s) Dragoon Guards at Westminster, London, on 24 February 1854, aged 17 years, a fishmonger by trade. He served abroad in the Crimea and Turkey, 1 year 6 month; India, 8 years 2 months; and in China, 10 months [only 2 Squadrons of the Regiment served in China]. He was discharged at Dublin on 28 October 1872, being then in possession of ‘1 Good Conduct Badge, Medal for Crimea with clasp for Sebastopol, Turkish Medal; China Medal with clasp for Taku Forts & Pekin. His name appears 10 times in the Regimental Defaulters Book; he has once been tried by Court Martial.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.

Three: Lieutenant-Colonel J. Boulderson, 91st Highlanders, late 71st Highland Light Infantry Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Ensign J. Boulderson, 71st Highd. L.I.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla (Lieut. J. Boulderson, H.Ms. 71st Regt.); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Captn. J. Boulderson. 91st Foot.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (3) £1,600-£2,000 --- John Boulderson was born at Madras on 8 April 1838, and was educated at Cheltenham College before purchasing a commission as an ensign in the 71st (Highland) Regiment on 1 February 1856. He was promoted to Lieutenant, 11 March 1859; transferred to 91st Highlanders in 1875; Captain, 1 April 1879; Major, 1 July 1881; Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel (retired), 18 March 1882. Lieutenant-Colonel Boulderson served with the 71st Highlanders in the Indian campaign of 1858, and was present at the battle of Kotakeserai, recapture of Gwalior, and operations against Burgore and Dowlut Sing (Medal with Clasp). Served also throughout the campaign against the hill tribes on the N.W. Frontier of India in 1863 (Medal with Umbeyla Clasp). Served with the 91st Highlanders in the Zulu war of 1879, and was present at the action of Gingindhlovu and relief of Ekowe (Medal with Clasp). Boulderson retired with the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1882. He died in 1925 aged 87 and was buried in Highland Road Cemetery, Southsea, Hampshire. Sold with comprehensive copied research and photographs, together with O.M.R.S. Journal for March 2021 which carries a lengthy article on Lieutenant-Colonel Boulderson by the late Tony Conroy, particularly the part played by him and his regiment in the Umbeyla campaign. For the recipient’s related miniature dress medals, see Lot 627.

Pair: Private P. Grant, 9th Lancers Afghanistan 1878-80, 3 clasps, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (2119 Pte. P. Grant. 9th Lancers); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (2119 Private P. Grant 9th Lancers) very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Peter Grant landed in India with a draft of 92nd Highlanders from England on 24 February 1876. He transferred to the 9th Lancers on 1 June 1880, was promoted to Corporal in 1886 and discharged ‘time expired’ on 17 February 1886, the regiment then being at Shroncliffe camp, Kent. Sold with copied research including medal roll extract which shows Grant with the 9th Lancers in the Afghan campaign, Umballa and at Rawalpindi.

Eight: Lieutenant-Colonel G. H. Bell, 27th Punjabis, late King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who died on service during the Great War Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, Gemaizah 1888 (2nd Lieut: G. H. Bell. 2/K.O. Sco: Bord:); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1901-2 (Captain G. H. Bell 27th Punjabis); Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi (Capt: G. H. Bell. 27/Punjabis); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col. G. H. Bell. 27/Punjabis.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. G. H. Bell.); Khedive’s Star, undated; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver, unnamed as issued, the first with light pitting from star, otherwise nearly very fine or better (8) £1,400-£1,800 --- George Henry Bell was born on 11 April 1869, the son of George Coates Bell, a Surgeon Major in the Bombay Medical Department. He was educated at Dulwich College and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Upon passing out in August 1888 he took up a commission in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers with whom he saw service during the next two years in the Sudan, being present at the action of Gemaizah (Medal with Clasp and bronze star) and also took part in the operations on the Nile in 1889. In 1890 his unit went to India, and a year later he joined the Indian Army as a Lieutenant, first with the 19th Punjabis before, in 1893, switching to the 38th Dogras. During this period he spent much of his service on the North West Frontier, becoming familiar with the small forts that were common there, as well as with the Punjab in general. Fort Sandeman, Mir Ali Khel, and Jamrud made him familiar with the Zhob, Baluchistan, and the Khyber, and, in 1896, he was permanently appointed to the 27th Punjabis, of which regiment he became Adjutant and was later made Captain in 1899. He went with them to Kila Drosh (Chitral), Peshawur, Bannu, and to Kajuri Kach, Jandola, Zam, Tank, and Dera Ghazi Khan. He saw active service in 1901-2 in the Waziristan Campaign (Medal with Clasp), and again in the following two years, as his regiment was sent to the Somaliland, including the action at Jidballi, in which for a time he served as Field Intelligence Officer (Medal with two Clasps). In 1906 the 27th Punjabis returned to the North West Frontier again as Major on the Staff of the 1st Division, Peshawur, at Cherat and Malakand. Rejoining his regiment at at Multan he was once more on the Waziristan borderland in 1908, at Dera Ismail Khan and Shukh Budin; and after an absence of four years the 27th Punjabis returned there in 1912. When war broke out he was commanding a detachment at Fort Jandola. In October 1914 he and his regiment were transferred to Europe, albeit along the way they were also involved in repelling an attack on the Suez Canal. Upon reaching France in August 1915 he was second in command of the regiment during the battle of Loos and was subsequently given command of the 69th Punjabis, who had suffered heavy losses in that action. He subsequently took his new regiment east, serving with them as they fought from the Suez across the Arabian Peninsula in outposts of the Aden Hinterland. In February 1916 he was ordered to Mesopotamia to take command of the 9th Bhopals. Almost immediately after reaching the front line trenches his fine constitution broke down and he was invalided to India and died while on sick leave at Srinagar, Kashmir, on 3 September 1916, his wife, Eva, having joined him from England a week earlier. Sold with pre-Great War ribbon bar and some copied research and photographs. For the recipient’s pre-war group of miniature medals, see Lot 628.

Pair: Bandmaster H. Chant, Royal Munster Fusiliers India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1887-89, Burma 1885-7, clasps remounted in this order, as usual (2041 Private H. Chant 2nd. Bn. R. Muns. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (334. S; Drumr: H. Chant. R: Muns: Fus.) engraved naming, contact marks and edge bruising, the IGS somewhat worn, otherwise generally nearly very fine (2) £400-£500 --- Henry Chant was born at Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1861 and attested for the 70th Brigade at Belfast on 6 May 1878. Posted to the Royal Munster Fusiliers, he served with the 2nd Battalion India and Burma from 3 March 1884 to 4 December 1892, and was promoted Corporal on 22 December 1889, and Sergeant on 24 March 1892. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 173 of 1896, and was finally discharged on 5 September 1907, after 29 years and 123 days’ service, his discharge papers noting ‘... is a highly trained musician and since 1893 has been Bandmaster to the 4th Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers.’ Sold with copied service papers and medal roll extracts.

Three: Colour-Sergeant R. Burns, King’s Royal Rifle Corps India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Lushai 1889-92 (3996 Lce. Corpl. R. Burns 4th Bn. K. Rl. Rif. Corps); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Transvaal, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3996 Clr:-Serjt: R. Burn. K.R.R.C.) note spelling of surname, clasps mounted in order as listed with some unofficial rivets; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3995 C. Sjt. R. Burns. K.R.R.C.) note regimental number, mounted for display, good very fine (3) £360-£440 --- Robert Burns was born at Whitechapel, London, and attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 3 January 1887, aged 19 years 3 months, a drummer by trade. He transferred to the 4th Battalion in December 1888 for service in India. He served in Burma from October 1889 to December 1892, including the Lushai operations of 1889-92 (Medal with Clasp). Promoted to Corporal in January 1893, and to Sergeant in September 1896, he was promoted to Colour-Sergeant in August 1900 and served with the 4th Battalion in South Africa from February 1901 to March 1903, being posted to the 3rd Battalion at Home in April 1903. He was discharged at Barnet on 28 October 1905 and received his L.S. & G.C. medal per Army Order 189 of 1905. Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.

Pair: Private J. Edwards, 7th Hussars British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1897 (4103 Pte. J. Edwards, 7th Huss.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4103 Pte. J. Edwards. 7th Hussars.) the first good very fine, the second extremely fine (2) £400-£500 --- John Edwards was born at East Butterwick, Lincolnshire, and enlisted for the 7th Hussars at Grimsby on 8 December 1893, aged 20, a fisherman by trade. He served abroad in India from September 1894 to 12 October 1895, then in Natal until November 1898; and in South Africa from 20 November 1901 to 11 July 1902. He otherwise served at Home including the Army Reserve from September 1902 until December 1905. Sold with copied service papers which confirm both medals and clasps.

Eight: Regimental Sergeant Major R. M. Newsham, Durban Light Infantry, late British South Africa Police and Natal Rangers British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Troop’r R. M. Newsham. B.S.A. Police.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (484 Serjt. R. M, Newsham. Durban L.I.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Rgt. Sgt. Maj. R. M. Newsham, Natal Rangers.); 1914-15 Star (Clr. Sjt. R. M. Newsham 1st Infantry); British War Medal 1914-20 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. B.D.C.); Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infantry.); Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (No F.2347. Col. Sgt. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infy. (D.L.I.)) contact marks and edge bruising, especially to the first three, overall very fine and better (8) £800-£1,000 --- Reginald Medland Newsham was born circa. 1872 near Wisbech, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire. A coachbuilder by trade, he emigrated to South Africa where he served as Trooper No. 138 in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia in 1896 and in 1897. On 1 November 1897 he enlisted in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces, to the Durban Light Infantry. He was promoted Corporal in 1898, Sergeant in 1899, and Colour Sergeant in 1904. During the 1906 Natal Rebellion he served in the Natal Rangers, attaining the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major. At the outbreak of the Great War Newsham was employed by the South African Railways as a coachbuilder and aged 44 attested for service with his old regiment the Durban Light Infantry, until he was discharged and recalled to his civilian duties in the Carriage Department of the South African Railways, in July 1918, having served as Provost Sergeant and Company Sergeant Major. He was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in March 1918. His discharge papers confirm service with the Base Depot Company, prior to his discharge, being the unit named on his British War Medal. With copied research, including medal roll pages, Great War copy attestation and discharge papers, recommendation and approval letters for the Long Service Medal.

Pair: Private R. Stagpole, Cameron Highlanders Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (3428 Pte. R. Stagpole, 1/Cam. Hdrs.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, The Atbara (3428 Pte. Stagpoole, 1 Cam. Highrs.) engraved in the usual Regimental style, good very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Provenance: Kuriheka Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006. R. ‘George’ Stagpole, the son of Dudley Stagpole V.C., D.C.M., (who won both the Victoria Cross and Distinguished Conduct Medal whilst serving with the 57th Foot during the Maori Wars in 1863), attested for the Cameron Highlanders and served with G Company, 1st Battalion, during the Nile Expedition of 1898. He died, most probably from enteric fever, at Darmali. The medal rolls give his initial as “G” and note that his awards were sent to his father. Sold with copy medal roll extracts and copy regimental gazette entry of 1 September 1898 which states ‘G Company Notes. It was with the deepest regret that the old “Redan Troop”, fell in on Sunday morning, the 1st May 1898, to convey the remains of another brave Atbara hero to his last resting place. Private George Stagpole, was a son of Mr. D. Stagpole, V.C., Woolwich, Kent, and was very popular and esteemed by all.’

Seven: Acting Corporal J. Dalrymple, Rifle Brigade, later 4th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was wounded at Ypres on 23 April 1915 Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (2961. Pte. J. Dalrymple. 2/R. Bde:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (2961 Pte. J. Dalrymple, Rifle Brigade); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2961 Pte. J. Dalrymple. Rifle Brigade.); 1914-15 Star (10645 L. Cpl. J. Dalrymple. 4/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (10645 A. Cpl. J. Dalrymple. 4-Can. Inf.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, generally good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- John Dalrymple, a shoemaker by trade, was born in 1875 and attested for the Rifle Brigade at Macclesfield, Cheshire on 22 August 1893. He served with his unit in Hong Kong from 22 October 1895, he then went on to Singapore and Malta, before proceeding in 1898 for service with the Nile Expedition during the Sudanese operations. Dalrymple served in South Africa during the Boer War from 2 October 1899, and was present at the actions at the Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek and Belfast. He was sentenced by Field General Courts Martial to 1 year hard labour for sleeping at his post while sentinel; the sentence was commuted to 84 days Field Imprisonment which he served from September to November 1901. He was granted permission to reside in Canada from 17 October 1906 and was discharged at the termination of his engagement on 21 August 1909. Following the outbreak of the Great War Dalrymple attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 22 September 1914, and served with the 4th Canadian Infantry on the Western Front from 9 February 1915. He was wounded by a bullet to the right elbow at Ypres on 23 April 1915, and returned to England for demobilisation and discharge. Sold with copied medal rolls extracts, British Army Service records, Canadian Service records, and other research.

Five: Ship’s Corporal First Class W. T. Hodder, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (W. T. Hodder, A.B., H.M.S. Gibraltar.); 1914-15 Star (200054. W. T. Hodder. Sh. Cpl. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (200054 W. T. Hodder. Sh. Cpl. 1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (200054. W. T. Hodder. Sh. Corpl. 1 Cl. H.MS. Princess Royal) light contact marks, generally very fine (5) £300-£400 --- William Thomas Hodder was born at Lyme Regis, Dorset, on 2 February 1882 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 28 July 1898. He served in H.M.S. Gibraltar from 5 March 1901, and was advanced Able Seaman on 19 September 1901. Advanced Ship’s Corporal First Class on 4 January 1914, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 23 February 1915, and was shore invalided on 21 September 1916. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extracts.

Pair: Corporal H. Parrish, 9th Lancers Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (3928. Corpl. H. Parish. 9/Lcrs.) note spelling of surname, with unofficial copper rivets to 3 of the clasps; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3928 Corpl. H. Parrish. 9th Lancers) good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- Sold with copy of medal roll confirming all seven clasps, the Relief of Kimberly clasp is noted as ‘added’, suggesting that this was sent later, which probably explains the unofficial rivets. The K.S.A. roll states, ‘sent home, invalide’.

Four: Lieutenant G. W. B. Gough, Leinster Regiment, late Imperial Yeomanry, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 10 August 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (37717 Pte. G. Gough. 27th. Bn: Imp: Yeo:); 1914-15 Star (Lieut. G. W. B. Gough. Leins. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. W. B. Gough.) good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- George William Blanthorne Gough was born in Shrewsbury on 20 December 1884 and served with the 27th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry in South Africa during the latter stages of the Boer War. Commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Leinster Regiment on 12 September 1914, he served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War at Gallipoli, and was killed in action at Gallipoli on 10 August 1915. The Battalion War Diary reveals that he was killed in the trenches at Rhododendron Spur, Anzac Cove by shrapnel shell while strengthening the trench subsequent to an earlier Turkish attack. He is buried at Embarkation Pier Cemetery, Turkey. Sold with various copied research including the recipient’s Birth Certificate, Medal Index Card and medal roll extracts; application form for appointment to a temporary commission, and Battalion War Diary extracts.