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Family Group: Three: Chief Gunner F. Isaac, Royal Navy, who was commended for his rescue work after the Halifax explosion of December 1917 1914-15 Star (Ch. Gnr. F. Isaac, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Ch. Gnr. F. Isaac, R.N.), generally good very fine Royal Naval Training Ship Pupil Teacher’s Medal for Attainment and Good Conduct, silver (2), the reverses officially inscribed ‘Charles J. Isaac’ and ‘C. Isaac’, good very fine (5) £300-£400 --- Frederick Isaac was born in Bishopston, Sussex in December 1868, the son of John Golding Isaac, a veteran of the Baltic operations and a Commissioned Boatman in the Coast Guard. Entering the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in June 1884, he was advanced to Petty Officer First Class in the cruiser H.M.S. Australia in March 1892 and was appointed a Gunner, R.N., in November 1898. By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, Isaac was serving as a recently promoted Chief Gunner in torpedo boat destroyer 85, and he remained similarly employed until removing to the armed merchant cruiser Changuinola in May 1915. It was in this latter capacity that he was won an endorsement on his service record ‘for showing great ability in rescue work’ following the famous Halifax explosion on 6 December 1917, when Changuinola landed a party of seamen and marines to assist in the rescue operations ashore: ‘Many badly injured were pulled from under houses which had collapsed and I am sorry to say a few had to be abandoned as the houses crashed down in flames. There was no available means of extinguishing the flames ... Motor-cars were commandeered and the wounded sent to hospital. In the meantime, the military had arrived on the scene’ (report by Lieutenant H. Percival, R.N.R., H.M.S. Changuinola refers). Sadly, Isaac died suddenly on 30 January 1919, aged 50 years, while still serving in the Changuinola. He was buried in Portsmouth (Kingston) Cemetery. Charles John Isaac, Frederick’s brother, was born in Bishopston, Sussex in November 1858 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy First Class in February 1875. Having then trained as a pupil schoolmaster, he came ashore as an Assistant Schoolmaster in December 1883. The exact relationship between the two brothers and ‘C. Isaac’ has yet to be established, but he may have been a younger sibling. Sold with copied research.

Four: Chief Engine Room Artificer A. W. Treadwell, Royal Navy, who having served through the Great War, tragically drowned in the Yangtse River, China, in January 1927, after falling from the river gunboat H.M.S. Woodcock whilst evacuating civilian refugees 1914-15 Star (M.714, A. W. Treadwell. E.R.A. 2. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.714 A. W. Treadwell. C.E.R.A. 2 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.714 A. W. Treadwell. C.E.R.A. 2. H.M.S. Hecla.) mounted on card for display, some adhesive residue to reverse of medals, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £180-£220 --- Albert William Treadwell was born on 29 April 1887, at Motherwell, Lanarkshire, and was a fitter and turner before he joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, H.M.S. Pembroke II on 16 October 1880, when he engaged for 12 years. He was confirmed in that rate on 15 December 1909, when serving in H.M.S. Scylla; advanced to E.R.A. 3 Class, H.M.S. Dido on 16 October 1911; E.R.A. 2 Class, H.M.S. Phoenix, 15 October 1915; C.E.R.A. 2 Class, H.M.S. Verulam, 4 January 1918; and was finally advanced to C.E.R.A. 1 Class, 1 January 1924. He was awarded the L. S. & G.C. Medal in October 1923. During the Great War he had served in several ships including H.M.S. Phoenix in which he served between 18 June 1914 and 19 May 1916, when he transferred to H.M.S. Pigeon, both ships being based at the depot ship H.M.S. Woolwich. Tragically he drowned on 13 January 1927, whilst serving in the river gunboat H.M.S. Woodcock, herself based on the river gunboat H.M.S. Bee, the headquarters ship on the River Yangtse. He had been in H.M.S. Woodcock since 12 February 1925, and the ship’s log confirms his drowning in the River Yangtse: "Friday 14 January 1927 at Paiyuchi Pagoda. 01.30. Tug Chu Chow and launch Kingfisher made fast alongside from down river. Reported accidental death by drowning of Albert William Treadwell, C.E.R.A. o/n M 714, Scotch, aged 39 years, who was found to be missing from launch Kingfisher at 17.50 on 13 January off Pai Ja Chi Pagoda when on passage down river to meet S.S. Sianghan, he having been seen on deck at 17.45." H.M.S. Woodcock had been operating between Changsha and Jung Jing Lake and was engaged in the evacuation of British women and children from Changsha. 18 women, 2 men and 13 children were transferred to S.S. Sianghan at 09.25 on 14 January 1927. His death was reported in the Motherwell Times of 21 January 1927, under the headline “Drowned in Chinese Waters: It is with deep regret we learn of the death in service last week, in Chinese waters, of Chief Petty Officer Albert William Treadwell, E.R.A. He was the elder son of the late Sergeant-Instructor James Treadwell, who was well known to the old Volunteers of Motherwell and district. Deceased had served in the Navy for nineteen years and was due to retire on a good pension in two years’ time. He saw service in the West Indies, during the rising in Nicaragua, and went through the Great War unscathed. His thrilling tales of the sinking of the “Koningen Louise,” the fighting off Heligoland and the Great Jutland Battle will long be remembered by his hearers, in his younger days he was a staff-sergeant in No. 3 Company of the Boys’ Brigade, attached to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, with which he and his family were closely connected; and was an enthusiast in local Y.M.I. affairs. He was also a Master Freemason in his port town of Chatham. His death in his country’s service cuts short a splendid career. He was in his forty-first year, and leaves a widow and two daughters. The deceased was known to a wide circle of people in Motherwell, was born and brought up in Windmill Hill Street, and as boy attended Whamond’s School and Glencairn School. Fuller details are awaited as to how P.O, Treadwell met his death. The only news received present has been through Admiralty channels, which simply intimates that met his end by drowning a week ago, on the 13th January.” Sold with copied record of service.

Four: Chief Petty Officer J. T. M. Sellick, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (148222, J. T. M. Sellick, C.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (148222, J. T. M. Sellick, C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (148222 J. T. M. Sellick, C.P.O., H.M.S. Berwick,) contact marks, generally very fine (4) £120-£160 --- John Thomas Maker Sellick was born in Gloucester on 20 August 1873 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 1 March 1889. He saw early service in H.M.S. Imperieuse and H.M.S. Linnet on the Yangtze River. Advanced Chief Petty Officer on 16 August 1904, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 7 November 1906 and, after demobilisation, joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 22 August 1913. He saw further service during the Great War in H.M.S. Hannibal, H.M.S. Attentive and later in H.M.S. Glory, the flagship of the British North Russian Squadron at Murmansk. He was finally demobilised on 11 June 1919. Sold with original pre-war Certificate of Service, photographs, post cards, and naval signals; and copied research.

An interesting K.C.V.O. group of ten awarded to Sir Nevile Wilkinson, late Major, Coldstream Guards, the last Ulster King of Arms and creator and builder of “Titiana’s Palace”, a perfect model 16-roomed house which was opened by Queen Mary in 1923 The Royal Victorian Order, K.C.V.O., Knight Commander’s, set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, reverses officially numbered ‘K295’ and ‘295’ respectively, in a later fitted case of issue, this numbered ‘K368’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace, set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver and enamels, in Spink & Son fitted case of issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, South Africa 1902 (Major N. R. Wilkinson. Coldstm Gds.); 1914-15 Star (Capt: N. R. Wilkinson. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major N. R. Wilkinson.); Coronation 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold, Fifth Class breast badge, with swords, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, these last eight mounted as worn, good very fine or better (12) £2,200-£2,600 --- K.C.V.O. London Gazette 22 June 1921. C.V.O. London Gazette 14 July 1911. Knight Bachelor London Gazette 1 January 1920. Order of St. John, Knight of Grace London Gazette 4 March 1913. Nevile Rodwell Wilkinson was born at Highgate, London, on 26 October 1869, third son of Colonel Josiah Wilkinson, barrister, of Highgate, by his wife Alice Emma, daughter of Thomas Smith, of Highgate. He was educated at Harrow and passed on to the Royal Military College, whence he was gazetted into the Coldstream Guards in 1890. His first service abroad was in India, but on the outbreak of war in 1899 he was sent to South Africa, serving with credit and winning a medal with four bars. Illness caused him to be invalided home early in 1900, but he recovered sufficiently to be sent out again in 1902. During the years of peace that preceded the war of 1914-18 Wilkinson’s interests turned more and more strongly to the decorative arts in general and to the art and lore of heraldry in particular. He entered the National Art Training School (later the Royal College of Art), South Kensington, and took his studies seriously. From the earliest days as a practising artist he conceived an extreme interest in working in miniature, and as early as 1907 he projected a model palace for the Queen of the Fairies on the scale of one inch to the foot. So expert did Wilkinson become in heraldry that in 1907 he was able to resign his commission in the Guards and in 1908 to take up the post of Ulster King of Arms and registrar of the Order of St Patrick. He shared with A. F. Winnington Ingram, Bishop of London, the honour of officiating at two coronations, those of King George V and King George VI. Meanwhile he was proceeding slowly with Titiana’s palace and exhibiting regularly at the Royal Academy. On the outbreak of the war in 1914 he rejoined the army and served on the staff first in France and later in Macedonia, earning a mention in despatches and a brevet majority. Returning to peaceful avocations, Wilkinson at length finished Titiana’s palace, a sixteen-bedroomed house which was opened by Queen Mary in 1923. For its decoration he had evolved a technique which he called ‘mosaic painting’. By the use of an etcher’s glass he laid on minute dabs of water-colour, irregular in shape like mosaic tesserae, and numbering 1,000 or more to the square inch. The palace was completely furnished with every conceivable detail, and was greatly admired by the public. It was exhibited all over the United States of America, Canada, Newfoundland, Holland, Australia, New Zealand, and the Argentine. Wilkinson continued his career as a decorative craftsman, and a collective exhibition of his works was held at the galleries of the Fine Art Society in 1937. He also wrote several books, including his reminiscences, To All and Singular (1925), Wilton House Pictures (2 vols., 1907), Wilton House Guide (1908), and The Guards Chapel, 1838-1938 (1938). Wilkinson had his own niche in the art world, and his services to art and heraldry were recognised by his being appointed C.V.O. in 1911, knighted in 1920, and appointed K.C.V.O. in 1921. He married in 1903 Lady Beatrix Frances Gertrude, elder daughter of Sidney Herbert, Earl of Pembroke. Sir Nevile Wilkinson died in Dublin on 22 December 1940.

Four: Stoker Petty Officer E. R. Burrell, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (282019, E. R. Burrell, S.P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (282019 E. R. Burrell. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (282019. E. R. Burrell, Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Cormorant.) good very fine (4) £80-£100 --- Edward Robert Burrell was born in Bainton, Yorkshire, on 20 April 1875 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 27 January 1896. He was advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 1 July 1906, and was shore invalided on 8 July 1909. Recalled for Great War service on 2 August 1914, he served in H.M.S. Cormorant, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 20 March 1917. He was shore demobilised on 28 July 1919. Sold with copied medal roll extracts.

Seven: Stoker Petty Officer J. Walker, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (K.20003, J. Walker. Sto. 1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.20003 J. Walker. Sto. 1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.20003 J. Walker L. Sto. H.M.S. Victory.) the GVR awards heavily polished and worn, therefore fair; the Second War awards good very fine (7) £120-£160 --- Josiah Walker was born in Leicester on 25 April 1895 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 27 August 1913. He served during the initial stages of the Great War in H.M.S. Thetis, and was promoted Stoker First Class on 18 January 1915. Advanced Leading Stoker on 30 January 1927, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 30 October 1928, and was promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 August 1931. Shore pensioned on 26 August 1935, he was recalled for War service, and saw further service during the first two years of the Second World War. Sold with copied record of service.

Four: Leading Seaman F. C. Knight, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Reserve 1914-15 Star (J.20801, F. C. Knight, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.20801 F. C. Knight. L.S. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (J.20801 (Po. B.15850) F. C. Knight. L.S. R.F.R.) contact marks, edge bruise to BWM, generally very fine (4) £80-£100 --- Frederick Cecil Knight was born in Acton, London, on 21 August 1895 and joined the Royal Navy on 21 August 1913. He saw service during the Great War in H.M.S. Birmingham when, on 9 August 1914, she sank U-15 by ramming her and cutting her in two, thus becoming Germany’s first U-boat loss of the war. She then sank two German merchant ships before taking part in the Battle of Heligoland on 28 August 1914, and later the Battle of Dogger Bank in January 1915. He saw later service in H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, when he was advanced Leading Seaman on 1 June 1917. He was shore discharged on 21 August 1925, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. His Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was issued on 14 May 1929.

Four: Leading Stoker W. J. Bonus, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star K.18742. W. J. Bonus. Sto.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.18742 W. J. Bonus. Sto. 1 R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (...15246) W. J. Bonus. L. Sto. R.F.R.) naming partially obliterated on last, contact marks, good fine (4) £60-£80 --- William John Bonus was born at Portsea, Hampshire, on 1 May 1894 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 25 April 1913. Advanced Stoker First Class on 25 April 1914, he served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, and was advanced Leading Stoker on 27 May 1921. He was shore discharged on the reduction of the Fleet on 26 July 1921, and subsequently joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 24 March 1924. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 15 January 1932, and was discharged on 20 December 1935. Sold with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Service.

Three: Leading Deck Hand W. Greaves, Royal Naval Reserve 1914-15 Star (DA.2488 W. Greaves. DH., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2488D.A. W. Greaves. L.D.H. R.N.R.) contact marks, very fine 1914-15 Star (M.273 C. Goodall, L. Ck. Mte., R.N.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William Robinson); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M.34925 F. R. C. Liddicoat. E. R. A. 2. H.M.S. Drake.) some scratches, generally very fine (6) £120-£160 --- Charles Goodall, a Labourer from Bristol, was born on 10 October 1889. He attested for the Royal Navy on 21 April 1908 and saw service during the Great War in H.M.S. Larne, and afterwards, on numerous depot ships. Advanced Chief Petty Officer Cook on 31 April 1925, he died in service on 15 September 1939 and is buried in Bristol (Canford) Cemetery. Fernley Robert Cecil Liddicoat was born in Plymouth and attested for the Royal Navy after the Great War. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 21 August 1936, he was commissioned Temporary Acting Warrant Engineer on 10 September 1943. He died in Exeter on 26 September 1979.

Three: Corporal J. G. McCrohan, Royal Marine Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (Po.6318 Pt. J. G. Mc.Crohan, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Po.6318 Cpl. J. G. Mc Crohan. R.M.L.I.) good very fine (3) £50-£70 --- Sold with copied medal roll extracts.

A rare Punjab campaign C.B. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-General James Eckford, C.B., Bengal Infantry, late Royal Navy The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1815, maker’s mark ‘IN’ for John Northam, complete with wide swivel-ring bar suspension, gold ribbon buckle and gold top suspension brooch; Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (J. Eckford, C.B. Lieut. & Adjt. 6th Bengal Volr. Battn.; Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Capt. J. Eckford, 6th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming; Punjab 1848-49, no clasp (Brigr. J. Eckford, Commg. 3rd Infy. Bde. 56th Bengal N.I.) good very fine or better (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 7 June 1849. James Eckford was born at Dunfermline, Fife, on 5 July 1786. Prior to joining the H.E.I. Co. forces, Eckford served as a midshipman on H.M. Frigate Greyhound with Sir Home Popham’s expedition and was present at the bombardment of Boulogne and Havre de Grace, and subsequent destruction of the French flotilla. Eckford joined the Bengal Army as a Cadet in 1804, arrived in India on 10 July 1805, and was appointed Ensign on 17 November 1805; Lieutenant, 17 September 1806; Captain 20 July 1823; Major, 18 July 1831; Lieutenant-Colonel, 11 March 1837; Colonel, 27 October 1848; Major-General, 28 November 1854; Lieutenant-General, 29 April 1861. Posted as Lieutenant to the 3rd N.I., he took part in the operations in Bundelkhand, including the capture of Chamir. He was present at the capture of Java in 1811, including the taking of Cornelis, as Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 6th Volunteer Battalion (Medal with Clasp), with whom he served in Java until 1816, including the capture of Jakarta in 1812. He commanded the Amboynese Corps in March-April 1816. As Captain he transferred to the 6th N.I. in May 1824 and was present with the 6th N.I. at the siege and capture of Bhurtpoor (Medal with Clasp). He was posted as Lieutenant-Colonel to the 6th N.I. on 4 May 1838, and was Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 6th N.I., with General Pollock’s Force, and commanding at Jellalabad from 10 November 1842 [7 months after the defence of that place and not entitled to the medal]. Was commanding 6th N.I. on escort duty during the First Sikh War. He transferred to 7th N.I. on 24 July 1847, and to the 56th N.I. on 9 May 1848, being appointed Brigadier 2nd Class in October 1848, and commanded 3rd Infantry Brigade during the Second Sikh War, including the passage of the Chenab and action at Sadoolapore (Medal and Companion of the Bath). He was Brigadier commanding at Barrackpore from August 1854, and, as Major-General, had temporary command of a Presidency Division from May 1855 till 1856. Lieutenant-General James Eckford died at St Helier, Jersey, on 2 July 1867.

Family Group: Three: Gunner G. S. Hardy, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died on the Western Front, 26 October 1918 1914-15 Star (34380. Gnr. G. S. Hardy, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (34380 Gnr. G. S. Hardy. R.A.); together with two R.G.A. shoulder titles, good very fine Pair: Driver H. Hardy, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (T4-234720 Dvr. H. Hardy. A.S.C.); together with an A.S.C. cap badge, good very fine Three: S. Hardy Church Council of Education for Birkenhead and Wirral Punctual Attendance Medal (2), white metal, the reverse engraved ‘To Samuel Hardy, Heswell, for 2 Years, 1887’; another, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘To Samuel Hardy, Heswell, for 3 Years, 1888’; Reward of Superior Merit Medal for Regular Attendance, white metal, unnamed, very fine (8) £60-£80 --- George Stephen Hardy was born in Heswell, Cheshire, and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery at Liverpool. He served with the 60th Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front, and died on 26 October 1918. He is buried in Etretat Churchyard Extension, Seine-Maritime, France. Sold with copied research.

Seven: Corporal E. H. France, Royal Artillery 1914-15 Star (930889. Cpl. E. H. France. R.A.); British War and Victory Medals (930998 Cpl. E. H. France. R.A.) VM struck on a slightly thinner flan; Defence Medal; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Supt. Ernest H. France) mounted as worn, generally good very fine (7) £120-£160

Family Group: Three: Private J. Carney, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 May 1917 1914-15 Star (21088 Pte. J. Carney. K.O. Sco: Bord:) with named Record Office enclosure; British War and Victory Medals (21088 Pte. J. Carney. K.O. Sco. Bord.) extremely fine Pair: Private B. Carney, Manchester Regiment British War and Victory Medals (57650 Pte. B. Carney. Manch. R.) nearly extremely fine Victory Medal 1914-19 (43773 Sjt. P. Carney. L’pool. R.) some staining, very fine (6) £100-£140 --- James Carney was born in Fleetwood, Lancashire and attested for the King’s Own Scottish Borderers during the Great War, serving on the Western Front from 19 December 1915. He was killed in action on 3 May 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Sold with a transcript of letters published in the Blackpool Gazette, from a Private Michael Carney of the 5th King’s Own (Royal Lancaster) Regiment.

Pair: Private J. K. Ralston, Scottish Rifles 1914-15 Star (8583 Pte. J. K. Ralston. Sco: Rif:); Victory Medal 1914-19 (8583 Pte. J. K. Ralston. Sco. Rif.) very fine 1914 Star (7990 Pte. P. Breen. 2/Sea: Highrs.); British War Medal 1914-20 (S-12185 Pte. W. Brechin. Cam’n Highrs.) nearly very fine and better (4) £80-£100 --- James K. Ralston attested for the Scottish Rifles and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 January 1915. Patrick Breen attested for the Seaforth Highlanders and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914. His was discharged on 17 March 1915, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. William Brechin attested for the Cameron Highlanders and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 May 1915. His was killed in action on 7 August 1915 and is buried in Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France.

Three: Private W. Jenner, South Staffordshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (16095 Pte. W. Jenner. S. Staff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (16095 Pte. W. Jenner. S. Staff. R.) some staining, nearly very fine India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (6234 Sep. Jagat Singh, 6-13 F.F. Rif.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (48154 Pte. J. Fishwick. York. R.); Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; India Service Medal; New Zealand War Service Medal; Australia Service Medal (V156821 H. R. Ball); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, generally very fine and better (12) £100-£140 --- Walter Jenner attested for the South Staffordshire Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 August 1915. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 16 February 1919. Sold with a Suffolk Regiment cap badge.

Family Group: Three: Private A. Kearney, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action at the Second Battle of Ypres on 26 April 1915 1914-15 Star (1674 Pte. A. Kearney. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1674. Pte. A. Kearney. Manch. R.) some staining to VM, very fine Five: Air Mechanic H. Kearney, Royal Flying Corps, later Royal Air Force Victory Medal 1914-19 (35825. 2.A.M. H. Kearney. R.F.C.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with a Great War Masonic Million Memorial Fund Jewel, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Bro. H. Kearney, No. 5864’, in card box of issue with enclosure; and West Lancashire Masonic Charity Jewel, gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Bro. H. Kearney’; and the recipient’s Second War card identity tags, very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Alfred Kearney, a native of Birmingham, attested for the Manchester Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 January 1915. He was killed in action at the Second Battle of Ypres on 26 April 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Harry Kearney attested for the Royal Flying Corps on 5 July 1916 for service during the Great War, and subsequently saw further service during the Second World War.

Family Group: Three: Lance Corporal R. Southern, Army Cyclist Corps 1914-15 Star (4608 L. Cpl. R. Southern, A. Cyc. Corps.); British War and Victory Medals (4608 Pte. R. Southern. A. Cyc. Corps.) very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (1493 Pte. A. E. Southern. Kent Cyc. Bn.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Edward Southern) nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Reginald Southern attested for the Army Cyclist Corps on 13 September 1914 and served during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of war from 28 December 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 1 September 1916 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 232768. Albert Edward Southern was born in Canterbury, Kent, and attested there for the Kent Cyclist Battalion. He served during the Great War in India, and died in Dalhousie Hospital on 12 September 1917. A scarce casualty to the Kent Cyclist Battalion, he is buried in Dalhousie Military Cemetery, India. The British War Medal was his sole medallic entitlement.

Four: Sergeant D. J. E. MacGregor, Army Service Corps 1914-15 Star (S4-090853, Pte. D. J. E. MacGregor, A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (S4-090853 Sjt. D. J. E. MacGregor. A.S.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S4-090853 Sjt. D. J. E. MacGregor. R.A.S.C.) good very fine (4) £140-£180 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1918 M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 Donald J. E. MacGregor attested for the Army Service Corps and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 November 1915. For his services he was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 22 July 1919.

A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 M. Wilson, 3rd Division H.Q. Staff, late 10th Battalion (Canadians), Canadian Infantry, who was twice mentioned in despatches during the conflict 1914-15 Star (20923 Pte M. Wilson. 10/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (20923 W.O. Cl. 1. M. Wilson. Can. Div. H.Q.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (20923 S. Mjr: M. Wilson. H.Q. 3/Div: Can: Sub: Stf:) generally good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917 and 1 June 1917. M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918 (France). Matthew Wilson was born in Ayrshire, Scotland in February 1878. He migrated to Canada in 1911, and settled in Winnipeg. Wilson attested for the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Valcartier Camp, Quebec in September 1914. He initially served during the Great War with the 10th Battalion (Canadians), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Wilson advanced to Warrant Officer Class 1 and transferred to the 3rd Division H.Q. Staff, Canadian Infantry. After the war he returned to Scotland, with his intended place of residence listed as ‘Marine House’, Old Kilpatrick.

A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant J. W. Gravestock, Canadian Corps Headquarters, Canadian Infantry 1914-15 Star (73058 Cpl. J. W. Gravestock, 28-Can. Inf.); British War and Victory Medals (73058 Sjt. J. W. Gravestock. 28-Can. Inf.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (73058 Sjt: J. W. Gravestock. Can: Sub: Staff.) very fine (4) £280-£340 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1918 (France) James Walter Gravestock was born in Buckingham, England in June 1892. He initially served during the Great War with the 28th Battalion (Northwest), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and received a gun shot wound to the face and left leg, 9 October 1915. Gravestock advanced to Sergeant and transferred to the Canadian Corps Headquarters, Canadian Infantry. Sold with photographic image of recipient in uniform.

Four: Regimental Sergeant Major R. H. Lomax, 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Rifle Brigade 1914-15 Star (24/655 R.S/M: W.O.1: R. H. Lomax. N.Z.E.F.); British War and Victory Medals (24/655 W.O. 1. R. H. Lomax. N.Z.E.F.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (24-655 R.S.Mjr R. H. Lomax. 2/N.Z.Rif: Bde:) good very fine, scarce (4) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Roland Henry Lomax was wounded in action in 1918.

Pair: Second Lieutenant R. T. Bishop, Hampshire Regiment, late Private, Canadian Army Medical Corps 1914-15 Star (521015 Pte R. T. Bishop. Can: A.M.C.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. R. T. Bishop.) generally very fine 1914-15 Star (16925 Pte J. W. R. Menear. 7/Can: Inf:); Victory Medal 1914-19 (109561 Sjt. J. W. Randall. 4-C.M.R.) generally very fine (4) £80-£100 --- Robert Thomas Bishop was born in Newport, Isle of Wight in August 1890. He served during the Great War with the Canadian Army Medical Corps in the Salonika theatre of war from 20 December 1915. Bishop was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment in 1917. John William Robert Menear was born in Liverpool, England in February 1874. He served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry and was taken prisoner of war on the Western Front. Menear died in Vancouver in October 1953. John William Randall was born on the Orkney Islands, Scotland in September 1893. He served during the Great War with the 4th Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles, and was twice wounded in action in 1916, and taken prisoner of war between 2 - 6 June 1916 and interned in Stuttgart.

Seven: Wing Commander R. G. Spencer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late Mercantile Marine, Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. R. G. Spencer. R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Robert G. Spencer); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. R. G. Spencer. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn; together with three commemorative medals, for Dunkirk 1940; the European Confederation of Combat Veterans; and the Royal Federation of Veterans of King Albert I of Belgium, these separately mounted, good very fine (10) £240-£280 --- Robert Gidner Spencer was born at Driffield, Yorkshire in October 1897 and was educated at Bridlington School and Trinity House, Hull, prior to being appointed a Probationary Temporary Flight Officer in the Royal Naval Air Service in February 1918, the same month in which he was posted to the R.N. College, Greenwich. Subsequently appointed a Second Lieutenant in the newly established Royal Air Force, he was also onetime a member of the Mercantile Marine and obtained his Certificate of Competency as a 1st Mate for Foreign-Going Steamships in June 1919. Between the wars Spencer qualified as a teacher and was headmaster of Gembling School, near Driffield but he retained his interest in flying and became a pioneer of gliding, obtaining the Royal Aero Club’s certificate ‘No. 20’. Appointed a Pilot Officer in the R.A.F.V.R. in February 1940, Spencer initially served in Coastal Command but later served in Burma and Ceylon on the H.Q. Staff of No. 222 Group, where he was in charge of the Air Sea and Jungle Rescue Services. According to accompanying obituaries, he was mentioned in despatches and credited with inventing a number of devices which were adopted by the R.A.F. and were responsible for saving the lives of many aircrews in distress. He was demobilised as a Wing Commander in December 1946, returned to his post as headmaster of the Gembling School and died in January 1982. Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s letter of appointment to the rank of Probationary Temporary Flight Officer in the R.N.A.S., dated 17 February 1918; commission warrant for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in the R.A.F., dated 1 November 1918; Board of Trade Certificate of Competency for 1st Mate of Foreign-Going Steamships, dated 4 June 1919; British Empire (Royal Aero Club) Gliding Certificate (No. 20), issued on 24 August 1930, with portrait photograph, together with his private log book for flights undertaken out of Driffield & District Gliding Club in the same year; letter confirming his election to a Fellowship of the Royal Astronomical Society, dated 10 January 1930; commission warrant for the rank of Pilot Officer, R.A.F.V.R., dated 8 March 1940; R.A.F. Ceylon Pass, dated 16 July 1943, with portrait photograph; 1939-45 Air Council campaign medal transmittal slips; and a letter from the Goldfish Club confirming his election and forwarding his membership card and club tie, dated 4 June 1954.

Six: Commodore J. V. Langford, C.B.E., Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (John V. Langford); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, the Atlantic Star cleaned, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £80-£100 --- Approximately 8 C.B.E.s awarded to the Merchant Navy for the Second World War. C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1946: Captain John Vivian Langford, Master, m.v. “Reina del Pacifico”, Pacific Steam Navigation Company Ltd. John Vivian Langford was born in Gloucestershire on 18 January 1886, the son of Walter Hicks Langford, a Master Mariner, and was employed his entire working life with the Pacific Steam Navigation Company Ltd. He served during the Great War as Second Officer in the Oronsa, an 8,000 ton liner which was torpedoed and sunk in 1918 (although it is not known whether Langford was serving in her at the time); and during the Second World War in the Reina del Pacifico, in which ship he served as Master from 1944 onwards, and commanded her during her repatriation voyages. For his services during the Second World War he was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1946 New Year’s Honours’ List. He emigrated to Australia in 1955, and died that same year, his grave stone giving his rank as Commodore. Sold with copied research.

Five: Captain E. J. Garlick, Mercantile Marine, who was killed in action when the S.S. Toronto City was torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine in the North Atlantic with the loss of all hands on 2 July 1941 British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Edwin J. Garlick); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, the Second War awards all privately impressed ‘Capt. E. J. Garlick. M.N.’, extremely fine (5) £240-£280 --- Edwin John Garlick was born in Bristol in 1900 and served with the Merchant Navy aboard the weather ship S.S. Toronto City during the Second World War. He was killed in action on 2 July 1941, when his vessel was torpedoed by an enemy submarine in the North Atlantic whilst bound for St. John’s, Newfoundland, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Recent research suggests that the Toronto City was sunk in retaliation for the sinking of the German weather vessels as part of the Royal Navy’s efforts to capture the ‘Enigma’ code books. Sold with Named Ministry of Transport enclosure for the Second War awards; the recipient’s Continuous Certificate of Discharge; Letter to the recipient from the passengers aboard the Bristol City, thanking him for their safe deliverance from the perils of enemy submarines, dated 10 September 1939; Ten letters of recommendation; a Portrait photograph of the recipient; and copied research.

Seven: Second Hand J. M. Lawrence, Mercantile Marine and Royal Naval Reserve British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (James M. Lawrence); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (45 S.D. J. M. Laurence [sic]. 2 Hd. R.N.R.) scratches to obverse field so both Great War awards, therefore generally very fine and better (7) £100-£140 --- James Martin Lawrence was born at Broughty Ferry, Angus, on 17 April 1899 and served during the Great War in the Mercantile Marine. He enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve on 21 December 1923, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 30 March 1939. He subsequently served during the Second World War in the S.S. Admiral Sir John Lawford on mine-sweeping duties, and assisted in the Normandy Landings on wreck dispersal and anchor recovery work. Sold with copied record of service.

Seven: Commander G. P. Packard, Royal Navy, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War by the Japanese in the Indian Ocean on 12 July 1943 British War and Victory Medals (Mid. G. P. Packard. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Lt. Cdr. G. P. Packard. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, the Second War awards with Admiralty enclosure, in named card box of issued addressed to ‘Cdr. G. P. Packard, R.N., “The Gables”, Bramford, Ipswich, Suffolk’; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, the BWM, VM, and C37 mounted as worn, the rest loose, the mounted medals good very fine, the loose medals extremely fine (7) £400-£500 --- Geoffrey Percival Packard was born on 8 June 1901, and entered the Royal Navy on 15 January 1915, serving as a Midshipman in H.M.S. Royal Oak from 26 September 1917 to 1 June 1919. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 15 May 1921, and was advanced Lieutenant on 15 August 1922, and Lieutenant-Commander on 15 August 1930. He served during the Second World War and was captured and taken Prisoner of War in the Indian Ocean on 12 July 1943, being held at Zentsuji Camp, Shikoku, Japan. Sold with copied research.

A post-War C.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain A. C. ‘Pitcairn’ Jones, Mercantile Marine, who over the course of his sea-going career visited Pitcairn Island over 100 times The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with full and miniature width neck ribands, in Collingwood, London, case of issue; British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Arthur C. Jones.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards and full and miniature width riband bars, nearly extremely fine (7) £400-£500 --- C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1964: Captain Arthur Conway Jones, Lately Commodore Master, S.S. Corinthic, Shaw Savill and Albion Company Ltd., London. Arthur Conway Jones was born in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, on 15 July 1898 and served with the Mercantile Marine during the Great War. He was awarded his Master’s Certificate in 1924, and for most of his career was employed by the Shaw Savill and Albion Line, whose vessels worked the London to New Zealand route. Throughout his life he held a great interest in Pitcairn Island, that tiny island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean that was the initially settled by the surviving mutineers of H.M.S. Bounty. Jones first sighted Pitcairn Island in 1919, and over the course of his sea-going career visited the island on over 100 occasions; whilst other Masters would often skip the stop on their trans-Pacific passages, Jones always made it, and his visits, carrying supplies, and Pitcairners themselves, provided a vital life-line to the islanders. In the early 1950s he also carried shipments of saplings from New Zealand to held restore the island’s vegetation. Not surprisingly, he was known throughout the Line as ‘Pitcairn’ Jones. Jones saw further service with the Mercantile Marine during the Second World War, and retired in 1963. For his services he was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Jones Point in Bounty Bay, Pitcairn, is named in his honour. Sold with various photographs of the recipient on Pitcairn Island; various letters to the recipient from Pitcairn Islanders, with Pitcairn Island stamps; various Shaw Savill and Albion ephemera; and copied research, including an amusing account of a stowaway to Pitcairn Island who was accompanied by a pet chimpanzee.

A League of Neutral Countries Life Saving Medal group of three awarded to Able Seaman O. Hicks, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his assistance in rescuing the crews of six Dutch merchantmen attacked and sunk by a German submarine off the Isles of Scilly, 22 February 1917 British War and Victory Medals (R.1344 O. Hicks. A.B. R.N.V.R.); League of Neutral Countries Life Saving Medal, 60mm, bronze, the obverse featuring a Royal Naval rating shaking hands with a Dutch merchant seaman, with their respective crewmates looking on, the reverse inscribed ‘The Netherland Section of the League of Neutral Countries to OS. Hicks Jr. in grateful commemoration of the services tendered by the English Sailors who rescued with peril of life the crews of seven unarmed Dutch Merchantmen surreptitiously attacked and recklessly destroyed by a German Submarine February 22nd 1917’, the last in Cornelis Begeer, Utrecht, card box of issue, good very fine, the last scarce (3) £400-£500 --- In February 1917 Lieutenant Commander Hersing in the German submarine U.21 was heading home after a successful (from his point of view) tour in the Mediterranean. On 22 February he met a Dutch convoy of eight steamers off the Isles of Scilly. They had just left Falmouth and were about 25 miles west of Bishop’s Rock. To Hersing these vessels seemed the most perfect gift just as he was entering the English Channel, and he promptly sank six of them. In response to the wireless calls from one of the Dutch merchantmen, three H.M. Tugs from the newly-inaugurated Rescue Service came out from Falmouth and, with the assistance of other trawlers, saved two of the steamers. About 200 of the occupants were brought ashore at Penzance. The disaster severely angered the Dutch authorities, as the convoy had been granted ‘safe conduct’ by Germany, although Hersing was unaware of this. The incident created a diplomatic incident, and the outcome was that Germany eventually made compensation by transferring to Holland six German steamers that were lying in the Dutch East Indies. (Seas of Adventures, by E. Keble Chatterton refers). The above medal was specially commissioned by the League of Neutral Countries and presented to those men who participated in the rescue of the crews of the sunk merchantmen. Sold with copied research.

A Great War 1918 ‘Advance to Victory’ D.S.O., M.C. group of four awarded to Captain G. H. Bell, South Staffordshire Regiment, who was three times Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with copy slide top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, with replacement suspension bar and consequent refurbishment work, in Royal Mint case of issue; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. G. H. Ball. S. Staffs. R.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the D.S.O. in gold and enamel, the campaign medals both later issues, good very fine and better (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919: ‘On 27-28 September 1918, north of Bellenglise, he by a counter-attack ejected the enemy, who had bombed their way into newly captured trenches. Later, being short of ammunition and bombs, he was forced to fall back, showing great courage and stubbornness, and inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. Next day he made a reconnaissance with a small patrol, and with two men went forward and captured sixteen enemy and two machine guns. He did fine work.’ M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919: ‘On 12 October 1918, east of Bohain, he led an attack on the south-west edge of Riqueral Wood. The enemy barrage disorganised the attack and drove it back temporarily. He reorganised his company, and with the help of another company he again attacked, gaining the edge of the wood. His great gallantry and devotion to duty won him the admiration of his men.’ George Herbert Ball was born at Oldswinford, Worcestershire, on 31 October 1897, and was educated at King Edward’s School, Birmingham. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, on 27 October 1915, and served with the 1st/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 June 1916, his Battalion seeing action at Gommecourt on the first day of the battle of the Somme. Promoted Lieutenant on 1 July 1917, and appointed Acting Captain on 30 August 1918, for his services during the Great War Ball was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 22 May 1917, 28 December 1918 and 9 July 1919), and was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and the Military Cross. He relinquished his commission on 31 August 1919, and died in Dorchester on 13 January 1968. Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card states that his Great War campaign medals were issued in February 1965. Sold with extensive copied research, including his biographical extract from the War History of the 1st/5th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, by J. C. J. Elson, including a photographic image of the recipient.

Three: Acting Sergeant W. S. Finlayson, Royal Garrison Artillery British War and Victory Medals (173324 A. Sjt. W. S. Finlayson. R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (173324 A. Sjt. W. S. Finlayson. R.A.) good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- William Samuel Finlayson was born in 1892 and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery (Territorial Force), his Certificate of Discharge giving the date 11 August 1914. He served with 151 Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front, and was disembodied on 3 April 1919. Sold with the recipient’s card identity disc; original Certificate of Disembodiment; and copied medals roll extracts.

Pair: Sergeant F. T. Hedges, Royal Garrison Artillery British War and Victory Medals (67424. Sjt. F. T. Hedges. R.A.) very fine Pair: Gunner L. E. Searle, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War on 27 May 1918 British War and Victory Medals (60646 Gnr. L. Searle. R.A.) very fine Pair: Sapper E. Hocking, Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (508348 Spr. E. Hocking. R.E.) very fine Pair: Private E. C. Roberts, Rifle Brigade British War and Victory Medals (S-23903 Pte. E. C. Roberts. Rif. Brig.) extremely fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frederick Thomas Hedges, a clerk from East Finchley, London, attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery on 8 November 1915 aged 26. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 May 1916. Appointed Sergeant on 14 September 1917, he was admitted to hospital with a gunshot wound on 7 December 1917 and returned to Oswestry military hospital in the U.K. from 18 December 1917 to 10 January 1918. He returned to the Western Front on 18 March 1918 and was discharged at the end of hostilities. Sold with two original photographs of the recipient together with copy service records and medal roll extract. Leonard Edgar Searle a gardener from Winchmore Hill, London, was born in 1895 and attested for the Royal Artillery during the Great War on 29 October 1915. He served on the Western Front and received a gun shot wound on 4 June 1917. Admitted to hospital in the U.K., he returned to the Western Front on 27 October 1917 and was taken prisoner of war on 27 May 1918. He returned to the U.K. on 6 December 1918. Sold with detailed research file including copy service records, original photographs of the recipient and a large quantity of original personal and Red Cross copy correspondence. Ernest Hocking attested for the Royal Engineers during the Great War and saw later service with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry before returning to the Royal Engineers. Edward Charles Roberts attested for the Rifle Brigade on 30 June 1916 and served during the Great War on the Western Front, later serving with the 34th Battalion, London Regiment. He was discharged as being no longer physically fit for service on 19 August 1919 and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B302543.

Pair: Private P. Hindley, Liverpool Regiment British War and Victory Medals (87654 Pte. P. Hindley. L’Ppool. R.) very fine Pair: Private R. Atkinson, 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (5817 Pte. R. Atkinson. 5-Lond. R.) extremely fine Pair: Lance Corporal T. R. Donaldson, 4th South African Infantry British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (L/Cpl T. R. Donaldson 4th S.A.I.) very fine Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Harold Hindley) extremely fine (7) £80-£100 --- Philip Hindley, a stonemason from Rochdale, Lancashire, attested for the the Royal Engineers on 7 February 1917. He transferred to the King’s (Liverpool) Regiment on 8 September 1917 and entered the Western Front on 13 December 1917, when he transferred back to the Royal Engineers. He was wounded in action on 11 August 1918, returning to the U.K. four days later. He was discharged, no longer fit for service, on 6 January 1920 and awarded Silver War Badge no. B219144. Sold together with a brass wound stripe, a hallmarked silver religious badge and his Silver War Badge. Reginald Atkinson attested for service with the 5th (London Rifle Brigade) Battalion, London Regiment, during the Great War. He later transferred to the Royal Sussex Regiment and was discharged due to sickness on 2 May 1919 and awarded Silver War Badge no. B219144. Sold together with his named box of issue for his medals, an original ‘On War Service 1915’ badge issued to munitions workers and original photographs of the recipient in uniform, and at a military hospital. Thomas Rattray Donaldson, of Benoni, Transvaal, was taken on strength of the 3rd Brigade South African Expeditionary Force on 1 April 1916. Embarking on H.M.A.C. Armadale Castle in early May 1916 for service in East Africa, he disembarked at Kilindi on 8 May 1916 and was taken on the strength of the 12th South African Infantry on 17 June 1916. He disembarked at Durban on 25 December 1917 and discharged temporarily unfit with malaria and dysentery on recuperative leave from 28 March 1917 to 27 April 1917. He proceeded to France his draft on 11 December 1917, arriving at Rouen two days later. He was wounded by gas poisoning on 22 March 1918, whilst serving with the 1st South African Infantry, and again severely on 28 March 1918 at Trouville. Promoted Lance Corporal on 23 October 1918, he returned to England for return to South Africa and struck off the British Expeditionary Force on 13 March 1919. Disembarking at Cape Town on 22 April 1919, he was discharged on 22 May 1919. Sold with copy transcript paperwork.

Pair: Private H. Kettlewell, West Yorkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (201329 Pte. H. Kettlewell. W. Yorks. R.) contact marks, generally very fine Pair: Second Lieutenant E. B. West, Wiltshire Regiment, late Devonshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. E. B. West.) extremely fine The British War Medal awarded to Private H. C. Spinner, 10th (Hackney Rifles) Battalion, London Regiment, late Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on 7 September 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (S-28007 Pte. H. C. Spinner. Rif. Brig.) minor edge bruise, good very fine The Victory Medal awarded to Private S. Lindley, Grenadier Guards, who was killed in action on 31 July 1917 Victory Medal 1914-19 (27156 Pte. S. Lindley. G. Gds.) nearly extremely fine (6) £100-£140 --- Harry Kettlewell attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment on 20 July 1915. He saw service during the Great War and was discharged surplus to military requirements on 14 April 1919, and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 3331100. Edgar Burnett West was born in Colyton, Devon, on 17 November 1891 and attested for the Devonshire Regiment, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front. Appointed Corporal, he was later commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Wiltshire Regiment. His Great War Medals were sent to him at Church Street, Sidmouth, Devon. Henry Charles Spinner was born in Ubbeston, Suffolk and lived in St. John’s Wood, London. He attested for the Rifle Brigade, aged 34, on 14 November 1916 and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 January 1917. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion, 10th (Hackney Rifles) London Regiment on 29 August 1918 and was reported missing, later presumed killed in action, on 7 September 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France. Harry Lindley attested for the Grenadier Guards and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was killed in action on 31 July 1917 during the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Three: Private H. Schofield, M.M., West Riding Regiment British War and Victory Medals (241432 Pte. H. Schofield. W. Rid. R.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue (Herbert Schofield) in Royal Mint case of issue, edge bruise to BWM, very fine (3) £70-£90 --- M.M. London Gazette 25 September 1917 Herbert Schofield, from Huddersfield, Yorkshire, attested for the West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment for service during the Great War with the 1/5th Battalion on 27 November 1915 and was later awarded the Military Medal. He was discharged 12 January 1919 due to wounds and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B225147. Sold together with an original WW1 West Riding Regiment other rank’s cap badge, missing its back slider.

Family Group: Pair: Private G. Oliver, Welsh Regiment British War and Victory Medals (46177 Pte. G. Oliver. Welsh. R.) good very fine Four: Sapper S. G. Oliver, 11th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers, who was killed in action on the beach during the Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942 1939-45 Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (A.20388 Spr. S. G. Oliver) generally very fine or better (7) £400-£500 --- George Oliver enlisted in the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment in December 1915, and served with the Regiment on the Western Front. He was discharged, 4 December 1918 (entitled to Silver War Badge). Sydney George Oliver was the son of the above, and was born in Cardiff in 1909. He was employed as a construction work in Ontario, Canada prior to the Second War. Oliver enlisted in the 11th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers in December 1939, and embarked for the UK in August 1940. The Canadian Military Engineers Association gives the following detail for Oliver’s involved during the Dieppe Raid, 19 August 1942: ‘On the Dieppe Raid Sapper Oliver was a member of Major Sucharov’s Party of 92 All Ranks organized into eight teams and distributed among the Landing Craft. Their primary tasks were to support the landings on RED and WHITE beaches by clearing mines and other obstacles, preparing beach exit routes for tracks and wheels, breaching the Esplanade wall and getting the engineer stores and equipment where they were needed. Sapper Oliver’s team was assigned to WHITE Beach and was transported in Landing Craft Tank 3A. Several of the LCTs were unable to land. The survivors of the 71 sappers of the beach assault parties that made it ashore did the best they could to assist the tanks over the beach and the wall. The timbers, required for ramping over the higher parts of the sea-wall, however, never became available and they did what they could with chespaling. Like the infantry, the engineers were frequently pinned down and their work was greatly hampered by the enemy fire. Sapper Oliver was Killed in Action on the beach later in the day. He is buried in the Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery, Hautot-sur-Mer, France.’ Sold with 20 small photographs taken from the German perspective in aftermath of the Dieppe Raid.

A particularly fine and unusual Second War ‘1942’ D.S.O., ‘immediate’ 1942 D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Whitley, Halifax and Wellington pilot Squadron Leader A. S. R. E. Ennis, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew in at least 85 operational sorties with his Log Book annotated to suggest that he flew in over 100 operational sorties. Amongst his extensive number of sorties over occupied Europe and the jungles of Burma, his aircraft was hit on countless occasions and he proved himself a pilot of exceptional ability. Ennis took part in the first raid on Berlin, 25 August 1940; and was part of Operation Colossus, 10 February 1941, the first British airborne operation of the Second World War. He also flew in the First Thousand Bomber Raid on Cologne, 30/31 May 1942, after which he crawled home flying at 150 feet having suffered severe flak damage - including the loss of an engine. Having flown with 10, 78 and 158 Squadrons - Ennis volunteered for service overseas with 99 (Madras Presidency) Squadron in India. He almost completed a third tour of operations with them, before being killed in action whilst flying a sortie during the Battle of Imphal, 17 June 1944, for which he was posthumously mentioned in despatches Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1942’, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard & Co. Ltd case of issue; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1942’, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Sqn. Ldr. A. S. R. E. Ennis. R.A.F.V.R.) campaign awards mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 6 November 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘Since August, 1940, Squadron Leader Ennis has carried out a total of 51 operational sorties against the enemy. There are very few targets in Germany which have not suffered as a result of this officer’s remarkable spirit of determination to achieve his objective. On four occasions he has bombed Berlin, Essen and Hamburg. In February, 1941, he was employed on a special mission to Malta, which he accomplished with complete success. In May this year he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for a particularly courageous and daring low-level attack on Warnemunde. Throughout this fine record of action against the enemy can be found a story of outstanding bravery and devotion to duty second to none. The example he set is an inspiration to all ranks in his Squadron. It is recommended that this officer’s splendid record be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Service Order. Remarks by Station Commander: This officer has now completed two operational tours. There is no doubt that he was instrumental in maintaining the morale of his Squadron when losses were high by the magnificent personal example of courage and devotion to duty which he always set. Had he been allowed to he would have operated every time his Squadron operated. His long operational record is well worthy of recognition by the award of the Distinguished Service Order. Remarks by Air Officer Commanding: This Officer has now completed his second tour against enemy objectives and has shown to a marked degree courage, skill and a strong fighting spirit. Strongly recommend for the award of a Distinguished Service Order.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 29 May 1942 (jointly listed with Pilot Officer A. H. Hanson): ‘One night in May, 1942, Flight Lieutenant Ennis and Pilot Officer Hanson, as pilot and rear gunner respectively of an aircraft, were detailed to carry out a low level attack on Warnemunde. The target was heavily defended both with searchlights and anti-aircraft fire which made a low level attack very hazardous. Flight Lieutenant Ennis, displaying great courage, flew the aircraft at a very low level, but found that he could not penetrate the heavy defences. In all, three attempts were made, before the target was reached and attacked successfully. Throughout this time Pilot Officer Hanson continued firing at the searchlights and other defences and destroyed at least 2 searchlights. The skill and courage displayed by him contributed largely to the safe return of the aircraft.’ The original recommendation states: ‘On the night of 8th/9th May, 1942, F/Lt. Ennis was captain of a Wellington II aircraft detailed to carry out a low level attack on Warnemunde. Searchlight and Flak activity was extremely intense when the target was reached so that it was obvious that a low level attack would be very hazardous indeed. In spite of this and showing great courage and daring, F/Lt. Ennis took his aircraft into the target area at a very low level. He found, however, that he could not penetrate the heavy defences, being coned in the searchlights. The second attempt was also unavailing but on the third attack the aircraft reached the target and dropped its bomb load successfully. F/Lt. Ennis showed great tactical skill in carrying out this attack and no praise is too high for his courage and devotion to duty. It is recommended that this outstanding action, which is the peak of a very fine operational record, be recognised by the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross. Remarks by Station Commander: I support the above recommendation very strongly. There is no doubt that F/Lt. Ennis showed the highest courage, skill and determination in this attack. The fact that only three out of the seven aircraft of 158 Squadron detailed for low level attack returned proves that the opposition was very heavy.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 24 September 1941 and 1 January 1945. Anthony Stewart Reginald Edmund Ennis was born in Canterbury in 1917, and was the son of Wing Commander W. E. Ennis. He resided in Edgware, London and was educated at the Salvatorian College, Harrow and Wimbledon College. Ennis enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1937, and carried out his initial training as a pilot at No. 5. E. & R. F.T.S., Hanworth. Having advanced to Sergeant, he was posted to A.T.S. Sealand in March 1940, and to No. 19 O.T.U. to convert to Whitleys in June of the same year. Ennis was posted for operational flying with 78 Squadron (Whitleys) at Dishforth in August 1940. He flew in at least 33 operational sorties August 1940 - April 1941, including: Leipzig; Berlin (4) including the first raid on Berlin, 25 August 1940; Milan; Antwerp; Ostende, 18 September 1940 ‘Docks at Ostende. Target Bombed. Heavy A/A Fire. Hit 5 Times’ (Log Book refers); Boulogne; Dusseldorf (2); Politz; Magdesburg, 25 October 1940 ‘Bombed Schipoll. Heavy A/A Fire. 17 Hits. Target Hit’ (Ibid); Harburg; Hague, 29 October 1940 ‘Docks Hits Obtained on Both Sides. Attacked By Fighter For 1 Hour. Crashed On Landing’ (Ibid); Bordeaux; Wilhelmshaven (2), including 15 January 1941 ‘Blitz On Wilhelmshaven. Bombed From 8,000ft. 4 250lbs, 2,500lbs 120 Incends. Large Fires Developed. Machine Gunned Aerodrome From 4,000ft. Put A Searchlight Out Of Action.. A/A Fire 2 Hits’ (Ibid); Stettin and Gelsenkirchen. Operation Colossus - 6 Whitleys Over Italy - The First British Airborne Operation of the Second World War Ennis was the pilot of one of 6 Whitleys detached to take part in Operation Colossus - the first airborne operation undertaken by the British during the Second World War. The target was the aqueduct at Calitri, Southern Italy, and 38 members of ‘X’ Troop were to be parachuted in to attack the target, 10 February 1941. On 7 February ‘X’ Troop boarded the six converted Whitley bombers and were t...

Three: Private E. J. Warren, Royal Army Medical Corps British War and Victory Medals (88423 Pte. E. J. Warren. R. A. M. C.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (88423 Pte. E. J. Warren. R. A. M. C.) extremely fine (3) £120-£160

Pair: Sister G. B. Murphy, French Red Cross British War and Victory Medals (G. B. Murphy.) extremely fine (2) £70-£90 --- Geraldine B. Murphy served as a Sister with the French Red Cross during the Great War on the Western Front from February 1915 to June 1917. Sold together with copy Medal Index Card and Medal Roll extract confirming the BWM & VM as her full entitlement.

Family Group: Four: Wing Commander W. E. Ennis, Royal Air Force, late Royal Engineers and Corps of Military Accountants British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. E. Ennis); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine or better Three: Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis, 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force, an Air Gunner whose Whitley was shot down whilst on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- Wilfred Edmund Ennis was the father of P. J. W. Ennis and A. S. R. E. Ennis, and resided as 136 Hale Lane, Edgware, London. He enlisted in the 15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wale’s Own Civil Service Rifles), and served in the ranks until his was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in March 1915. Ennis advanced to Captain and transferred to the Corps of Military Accountants, subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force. He re-engaged as Temporary Squadron Leader in September 1940, advanced to Wing Commander and served at Coastal Command HQ, Northwood. Sold with the following items and documents: Riband bar; Letter to recipient from his A. S. R. E. Ennis from Driffield, dated 16 May 1941; Telegram informing recipient that his son P. J. W. Ennis is missing from operations; Letter from Buckingham Palace to recipient expressing condolences on the loss of two sons during the war, dated 8 August 1945; Two Air Ministry Letters addressed to recipient concerning burial and circumstances behind the death of P. J. W. Ennis, dated 26 May and 17 August 1949 respectively; Enclosure for photographs of grave of P. J. W. Ennis to recipient on behalf of the Under Secretary of State for Air, dated 23 March 1950. Patrick Joseph William Ennis was the son of the above, and the younger brother of A. S. R. E. Ennis. He was educated at Wimbledon College, and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940, carrying out his initial training as an Air Gunner/Wireless Operator at No. E. & W. S. Ennis was subsequently posted to No. 19 O.T.U., and having advanced to Sergeant, was posted for operational flying with 102 Squadron (Whitleys) at Topcliffe in June 1941. He flew in just 2 operational sorties - the first being to Bremen, 27 June 1941. Sergeant Ennis was killed in action on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941, and the following detail is given by an Air Ministry Letter to his father dated 17 August 1949: ‘As you know, your son was a member of the crew of Whitley Z 6573, 102 Squadron, which took off from Topcliffe at 23.14 hours on 3rd July, 1941, for Essen. Nothing was heard during the war of the fate of any of the five occupants, and their death was presumed to have occurred on 4th July, 1941. In 1946 we found among captured German documents an index card recording the death on 4th July, 1941, of three unknown members of the crew of a Whitley and their burial in the main cemetery at Neuss, four miles west of Dusseldorf (British Zone), in Plot 5, graves 9, 10 and 11. We accordingly sent a special enquiry to the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Unit operating in the British Zone, asking them to investigate and notifying them that Whitley Z 6573 was the only aircraft of that type not accounted for on 4th July, 1941. At the end of 1946 a report was received from the Unit to the effect that an Allied aircraft had been shot down at 01.10 hours on 4th July, 1941, at Kaarst, four miles north-west of Neuss. It had exploded with its bomb-load on crashing and identification was not possible at the time. The dead were buried at Neuss. Exhaustive interrogation of local inhabitants was not very productive but the search officer was reasonably certain that the aircraft was your son’s Whitley. In the hope of positive identification, exhumation of the graves at Neuss was ordered. Unfortunately the volume of research in the Ruhr area was so great that it was not till this year that we received the examination reports. As you will have appreciated, the nature of the crash was such that only fragmentary remains were found in the three graves but enough was found to prove that these graves contained the remains of all five members of the crew. In grave 9 were found a corroded Ronson lighter and a smashed gold ring with the initials P. J. E. This identified your son Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis. These relics were in so bad a state that they were left on the body. Had they been in reasonably good condition, then they would have been sent to us and by us to you. As we told you in Air Ministry Letter of 26th May, the graves have been moved to the British Military Cemetery, Rheinberg. Your son lies in Plot 6, Row B, Grave 9, and the other four members of his crew in Plot 6, Row B, communal graves 10 and 11.’ Sold with the following items and documents: Air Gunner’s Brevet; Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (26 October 1940 - 3 July 1941) annotated ‘Death Presumed 4.7.41’; named forwarding slip for recipient’s Log Book. For the medals awarded to A. S. R. E. Ennis, see Lot 24.

A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant C. P. Radcliffe, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry British War and Victory Medals (427046 A. Sjt. C. P. Radcliffe. 47-Can. Inf.) BWM suspension claw slightly loose; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (427046 L. Cpl. - A. Cpl - C. P. Radcliffe. 46/Can: Inf:) otherwise good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918. Clifford Parker Radcliffe was born in Yorkshire in July 1889. He was a Stenographer by trade. Radcliffe served during the Great War with the the 46th (South Saskatchewan) and the 47th (British Columbia) Battalions, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was attached to the 10th Infantry Brigade for the award of his M.S.M. He died of war related injuries/illness, 9 August 1919, and is buried in the Regina Cemetery, Regina, Saskatchewan.

Pair: Petty Officer A. R. Tuffin, Royal Navy, who was killed when H.M.S. Duchess of Montrose was sunk on 18 March 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (150803 A. R. Tuffin. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (150803 A. R. Tuffin. Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.) extremely fine (2) £80-£100 --- Alfred Robert Tuffin was born in Poplar, Middlesex, on 5 August 1873 and joined the Royal Navy on 5 August 1891. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 6 September 1906, and advanced Chief Boatswain on 15 August 1908. Shore pensioned on 9 October 1913, he was recalled for service during the Great War on 2 August 1914. He was killed in action on 18 March 1917, when the paddle minesweeper H.M.S. Duchess of Montrose was blown up after striking a mine off Dunkirk, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Reserve Wardmaster J. R. Rutter, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve British War Medal 1914-20 (M. 9526 J. R. Rutter. R. Wdmr. R.N.); Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve L.S., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (1973. J. R. Rutter, S.B.C.P.O., R.N.A.S.B.R.) mounted on card for display, good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- James Ripley Rutter was born in Durham on 13 May 1878 and was an engineer by trade when he enlisted into the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve as a Senior Reserve Attendant on 2 August 1914. He was promoted to Reserve Wardmaster and served at Chatham Hospital from 10 August 1914 for the duration of the war. Reserve Wardmaster was the most senior rate in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, and equated to Chief Petty Officer status in the Royal Navy. Rutter was ’shore demobilised’ on 12 July 1919. Sold with copied record of service.

Pair: Ordinary Seaman W. E. Blake, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, later Aircraftman Second Class, Royal Air Force British War Medal 1914-20 (L.Z. 7419 W. E. Blake. Ord. R.N.V.R.) area of erasure before number; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (340535. A.C. 2. W. E. Blake. R.A.F.) edge bruise to latter, light contact marks, very fine (2) £70-£90

Three: The Reverend F. Cosgrove, Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, late Royal West Surrey Regiment British War Medal 1914-20 (G-59646 Pte. F. Cosgrove. The Queen’s R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45 P.127289 Rev. F. Cosgrove R.A. Ch. D.) both with contemporarily engraved naming, mounted as worn, edge nicks, good very fine (3) £50-£70 --- The Reverend Frederick Cosgrove attested for the Royal West Surrey Regiment and served with them during the Great War (his Medal Index Card confirming ‘eligible for BWM only’). Educated at Durham University, he was ordained Deacon in 1924 , and Priest in 1925. He served during the Second World War as Honorary Chaplain to the Forces, and was subsequently Warden of Sir William Turner Hospital and almshouses, Kirkleatham, Yorkshire. Sold with a newspaper cutting photograph of the recipient.

Three: Corporal A. Lawrence, Somerset Light Infantry and Special Constabulary British War Medal 1914-20 (16749 Cpl. A. Lawrence. Som. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (16749 Cpl. A. Lawrence. Som. L.I.) partially renamed; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Arthur Lawrence) good very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Arthur Lawrence attested for the Somerset Light Infantry during the Great War and served in India with the 2nd Battalion, on the Afghanistan North West Frontier in 1919. Transferring to the ‘Z’ Reserve on 1 January 1920, he later served in the Special Constabulary.

A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant J. A. Morrissey, Canadian Army Medical Corps British War Medal 1914-20 (33415 Sjt. J. A. Morrissey. C.A.M.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (33415 Sjt J. A. Morrissey. Can.A.M.C.) good very fine (2) £100-£140 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (France). James Alloyius Morrissey was born in Abbeylara, County Longford, Ireland in July 1883. He served during the Great War with No. 3 Canadian Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps on the Western Front.

A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant H. D. Crichett, 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry Victory Medal 1914-19 (436954 Sjt. H. D. Critchett. 2-Can, Inf.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (436954 Pte H. D. Critchett. 2/E. Ont: R.) generally good very fine (2) £120-£160 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919 (France). Henry Dansie Critchett was born in London in May 1880. He initially served during the Great War with the 51st Battalion (Edmonton), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry.

Seven: Engine Room Artificer 1st Class E. R. Fox, Royal Navy, a submariner who was mentioned in despatches for services with H.M.S. Tribune in 1940, and survived the sinking of the Tempest by the Italian destroyer Circe, 13 February 1942. He was picked up by the Italian ship and taken prisoner of war Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (M.24887 E. R. Fox. E.R.A. 1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (24887 E. R. Fox. E.R.A. 2. H.M.S. Dolphin) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 13 November 1940. The original recommendation (for a decoration) states: ‘For marked efficiency in the performance of his duty as Outside E.R.A. both in the face of the enemy and also during previous patrols.’ Eric Roulstone Fox was born in Stoke, Staffordshire in March 1901. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy in January 1917, and served at H.M.S. Indus until October 1921 (entitled to British War Medal). He advanced to Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class in July 1925, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in March 1934. Fox advanced to Engine Room Artificer 1st Class in July 1934, and served on and off at the submarine base H.M.S. Dolphin, 1932 - 1937. He served with the submarine H.M.S. Tribune from August 1939, and was engaged in operations in the North Sea and off the Scandinavian coast (M.I.D.). Fox returned to H.M.S. Dolphin in April 1941, before being posted to H.M.S. Tempest in October 1941. Whilst on patrol in the Gulf of Taranto, on 13 February 1942, the Tempest was detected by the Italian torpedo boat destroyer Circe which attacked with a devastating salvo of depth-charges. Over the course of the next six and a half hours the Italians dropped a total of forty-five depth-charges. In the last attack the battery boards of No. 3 Battery burst open and chlorine gas appeared in large quantities. Lieutenant-Commander Cavaye realised that the position was now hopeless and ordered the confidential books put into a weighted bag, ditched later by Sub-Lieutenant Neel-Wall who failed to survive the sinking. Tempest was now forced to the surface but sank when an attempt was made to take her in tow. The surviving crew members (including Fox) were picked up by the Circe, some after two hours in the water, and were made prisoners of war. Thirty-nine of the sixty-three crew had perished, including her commander William Cavaye, the nephew of a general and a veteran of almost thirteen years in the Submarine service. Fox was seemingly wounded, as he spent a month recuperating in Taranto Naval Hospital. He was also interrogated whilst in the hospital. He was interned at three camps in Italy, prior to being moved to Germany in October 1943. Fox was interned at Stalag 8B and 9A, and suffered from both Malaria and Dysentery. He was repatriated in 1945. Sold with copied research.

Seven: Able Seaman G. F. Greenwood, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.107363G. F. Greenwood. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (JX.107363 G. F. Greenwood. A.B. H.M.S. Aurora.) mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (7) £140-£180

A Second War ‘Italian Operations’ D.S.O. group of eleven awarded to Sherman Tank Commander Major C. V. King, Prince Alfred’s Guard and Southern Rhodesian Forces, late Royal Navy, for his gallantry during the crossing of the Finale in April 1945; he had previously been wounded by shell fire on 3 June 1944 Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated 1945, with integral top riband bar; British War and Victory Medals (J.59714 C. V. King. Boy. 1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these all unnamed as issued; Africa Service Medal (SR.597707 C. V. King.) Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Southern Rhodesia (Major C. V. King D.S.O.) re-engraved naming, mounted court-style as worn, generally very fine and better (11) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 23 August 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original Recommendation, for an Immediate Military Cross (subsequently upgraded to a D.S.O.), dated 11 May 1945, states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry, boldness, and devotion to duty. On the night of 22-23 April 1945, Major C. V. King was in command of a squadron of tanks ordered to support the Royal Durban Light Infantry in securing the road and bridge intersection at Finale (Map Ref. 866857). This objective proved to be a strongly held enemy rear guard position. Soon after darkness this strongly held position was overrun and the tanks had driven a wedge right into the centre against heavy opposition. Despite the darkness and lack of manoeuvre, owing to the impossibility of deploying the tanks off the road, Major King pressed his tanks forward through enemy infantry armed with bazookas, he himself moving with the leading troop. From here he was able to effectively engage an animal drawn convoy protected by enemy tanks. By this time the animal convoy had been cut in two, the leading tank began engaging Major King and the leading troop from two sides, resulting in two of our tanks being knocked out. The extent of the damage and loss off equipment caused to the enemy was evident the following morning when some fifty to sixty vehicles were found to be destroyed. During the confused fighting that lasted till 0300 hrs, Major King remained with his leading tanks, and his coolness and imperturbable courage during intensive tank and shellfire was an inspiration to his men, and an outstanding example of zeal and devotion to duty. He displayed an exceptional degree of tenacious courage and resourceful determination under the most adverse tank conditions. His personal bravery and leadership could not be surpassed.’ Cecil Vincent King was born on Robben Island, Cape Town, on 3 August 1900 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 7 August 1916, serving initially in H.M.S. Hyacinth and H.M.S. Impregnable. He was advanced Boy First Class on 26 February 1917, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 3 April 1919. He was invalided out of the service, suffering from Rheumatism, on 10 December 1919. Having moved to Southern Rhodesia King saw early service in North Africa during the Second World War, before being assigned to the Prince Alfred’s Guard, with who he saw extensive service in Italy with the rank of Major, and was wounded on 3 June 1944 when his foot was crushed by a lump of flying earth thrown up by an exploding shell. For his services as a Sherman tank commander at the crossing of the Finale in April 1945 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order; Neil Orpen’s Victory in Italy gives the following coda to his D.S.O. action: ‘Strewn among the wreckage of more than 60 enemy vehicles lay the corpses of Germans who had tried to hold open the line of retreat. The carcasses of horses and oxen killed in the night’s hail of crossfire sprawled among shattered lorries, carts, semi-tracked vehicles, guns, limbers and piles of wrecked enemy equipment of every conceivable kind. At the crossing point over the canal about 200 metres from the river, smashed carts, dead oxen, mules, and horses were so entangled with trucks and knocked-out assault guns and tanks that a bulldozer was needed to clear the way for the advancing columns. A ground check in the area immediately south-east of Finale showed enemy losses amounting to 51 guns, 17 mortars, 2 tanks, 17 half-tracks, 100 or more motor-drawn vehicles, and more than 150 horse-drawn vehicles.’ During the actual fighting the R.D.L.I. had taken 160 prisoners, and no fewer than 200 enemy dead were found on the battlefield, compared to the R.D.L.I. casualties of just 12 wounded.’

Eight: Captain K. McGowan, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, late Royal Army Service Corps General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (T.45519. L. Cpl. K. Mc.Gowan. R.A.S.C.) with official corrections; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Capt. K. Mc.Gowan. R.E.M.E.) surname officially corrected; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Lieut. K. Mc.Gowan. R.E.M.E.) surname partially officially corrected, mounted as worn, generally very fine (8) £200-£240 --- Kenneth McGowan was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, having previously served in the ranks of the Royal Army Service Corps, on 13 March 1943, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in November 1947. He was promoted Captain on 13 March 1949, and Major on 13 March 1956, before relinquishing his commission on 31 October 1962.

Three: Coder K. J. W. Wison, Royal Navy, who was killed in action in H.M.S. Firedrake when she was sunk on 17 December 1942 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure; Memorial Scroll ‘Coder K. J. W. Wilson, Royal Navy’, extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Kenneth Joseph William Wilson, was serving in H.M.S. Firedrake, an 'F' class Destroyer, and lead escort to convoy ON153, with 43 ships bound for Canada sailing in a Force 12 storm, the worst the Atlantic had seen for a very long time. At around 17.00 the ASDIC operator picked up a contact. HMS Firedrake tracked the contact to about 5 miles south of the convoy, when at 20.10, she was hit by a torpedo fired by U-boat U211, breaking her in two. The bow section sank immediately, with the stern just managing to stay afloat. Lieutenant D. J. Dampier RN had found that there were 35 hands still on board and quickly got the men to work shoring up the bulkheads of No. 3 boiler room, and making safe and jettisoning the depth charges and torpedoes. The gun crew were ordered to fire star shells to attract the attention of the other escorts because all the radio and signalling equipment had gone with the bow part of the ship. Around 22.00 one of the other escorts - HMS Sunflower, a Flower class Corvette, was attracted by the star shells so she made towards them, firing star shells herself. The skipper first thought that H.M.S. Firedrake’s stern section was a U-boat and was about to fire at it before realising what he saw. He tried to get Sunflower as close as possible to H.M.S. Firedrake in order to get the survivors off, but the weather was so bad and the sea too rough. There were 60 foot waves breaking over the two ships, which were bobbing about like corks, so he decided to stand by and hope the weather would get better. At about 0040 on the 17th December, the weather worsened and the bulkheads started to give way under the tremendous battering. H.M.S. Firedrake’s stern started to sink, so the men had no option but to take to the water, and at 00.45 the stern sank. H.M.S. Sunflower moved in quickly to pick up the men in the water, a Newfoundland rating, G. J. Furey, had a rope tied around his waist and was lowered down the side of Sunflower. He would swim out to a man and grab hold of him, then his mates on board would heave them back to the ship and get him onboard. He and his mates managed to get 27 hands on board, but one later died. H.M.S. Firedrake was lost with the 168 men. Wilson is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Sold with a file of copied research, a copy photograph of the recipient; and a hardback third edition of the book ‘Firedrake’ by A. D. Divine.

Six: Stoker Petty Officer A. O. Hannaford, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Admiralty enclosure; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K.66370 A. O. Hannaford. S.P.O. H.M.S. Drake.) nearly extremely fine (6) £60-£80 --- Arthur Owen Hannaford was born in Tavistock, Devon, on 5 July 1904 and joined the Royal Navy on 25 June 1925. Advanced Stoker First Class on 25 June 1926, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 30 July 1940. The H.M.S. Hood association reference him as having served in her twice, the last time leaving in 1940.

Seven: Leading Stoker A. E. Cross, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (K.64677 A. E. Cross. L/Sto. H.M.S. Herald.) nearly extremely fine (7) £160-£200 --- Albert Edward Cross was born on 9 October 1905, at Cullompton, Devon. He had been a farm labourer before commencing naval service as Stoker 2 Class, H.M.S. Vivid II, on 29 August 1924. He advanced to Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Emperor of India, on 29 August 1925, and to Acting Leading Stoker on 20 March 1934, being confirmed in that rate a year later, and remained in this rate for the rest of his career. He served in H.M.S. Beagle, based in the Mediterranean, from October 1933 to March 1934, joined H.M.S. Herald in September 1938, but transferred to the minesweeper H.M.S. Widnes in September 1939, remaining in her until May 1941, being based successively in Singapore, Mesirah, Colombo and Alexandria. In 1941 he joined H.M.S. Renown and was still in her when he was released from service on 7 November 1946, after over 22 years service. He was presented with the L.S. & G.C. medal in August 1939. He was sent his medals for service in the Second World War on 6 October 1950, to his home at Tiverton, Devon. Sold with copied research including record of service and WWII Medal Index Card.

A Second War ‘Arctic Star’ group of seven awarded to Owen C. Wright who served in the Royal Navy as an Ordnance Section rating with the Fleet Air Arm aboard the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Indefatigable 1939-45 Star; Arctic Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these five all unnamed as issued and mounted court-style as worn; together with Russia, Ushakov Medal, reverse officially numbered ‘4039’ with accompanying named certificate in case of issue; Russia, 70th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Medal, in box of issue, good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- Sold with a contemporary photo album containing some 55 photographs, mainly aboard H.M.S. Indefatigable, many of the aircraft carrier including her Supermarine Seafire fighters and Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, others including her immediate post-war tour of New Zealand, and later ones of Burma Star Association V.J. parades; together with named Crossing the Line Neptune certificate, dated 1 February 1945, with accompanying printed booklet and two H.M.S. Indefatigable printed felt pennants, one commemorating her visit to Auckland, New Zealand in 1945. The medals are mounted with a pin and plastic pocket holder bearing his name and address label in Clacton-on-Sea.

Seven: Chief Petty Officer Cook W. J. Cadman, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (C/MX.48411. W. J. Cadman. C.P.O. Ck. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (MX.48411 W. J. Cadman. C.P.O. Ck. H.M.S. Pembroke.) good very fine (7) £160-£200

A Second War O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Commander F. A. Matson, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who served on minesweepers during the Second World War, and once had a miraculous escape, having been blown unconscious from the bridge of his mine-sweeper after hitting a mine in the Humber The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, the reverse of the crown contemporarily engraved ‘Lt. Cdr. F. A. Matson R.N.R.’; British War Medal 1914-20 (S. Lt. F. A. Matson. R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Frederick A. Matson); Victory Medal 1914-19 (S. Lt. F. A. Matson. R.N.R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named card box of issue addressed to ‘Lt. Cdr. F. A. Matson, O.B.E., R.N.R., Fairway, Hull Road, Hedon, Hull’, mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £300-£400 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943. Frederick Arthur Matson was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, on 5 November 1894 and served during the Great War in the Royal Indian Marine from 30 March 1916 to 8 March 1918, and then as a Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve from 15 May 1918 to 26 June 1919. He was awarded his Master’s Certificate on 4 October 1922, and was employed throughout the inter-War years with the Wilson Line and latterly with the D.P. & L. Shipping Company, Hull. Following the outbreak of the Second World War Matson was commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 15 January 1941, and was subsequently advanced Acting Lieutenant-Commander. ‘During the heavy blitz at Hull in 1941, when the enemy was laying mines in the Humber, Lieutenant-Commander Matson was in command of a mine-sweeper. His valuable work made it possible to keep the Hull roads, dock entrances, and the New Holland ferry-boat crossing clear of mines. Once he had a miraculous escape from death when his ship was mined during these operations. Blown from the upper bridge, he dropped on the lower fore-deck, injuring both legs, and fracturing several ribs. He sank with his ship, and was laid unconscious on the deck, but fortunately the cold water revived him, and, being an expert swimmer, he managed to get the the surface and was rescued by his old commander of the Humber Conservancy Board’ (newspaper cutting with lot refers). For his services during the Second World War Matson created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He died at Kingston-upon-Hull on 9 February 1961. Sold with the recipient’s original British Mercantile Marine Identity and Service Certificate; two newspaper cuttings; and copied research.

Eight: Sergeant J. D. Novis, Royal Marines 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya (Ch/X.774 J. D. Novis. Sgt. R.M.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (Chief Officer J. D. Novis) minor official correction to rank; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ch X.774 J. D. Novis. Cpl. R.M.) good very fine (8) £400-£500 --- Sold with the recipient’s named Admiralty discharge letter.