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Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2438 Henry Sutton 1st Batt 6th Foot) tightened at claw with rivet missing, minor edge nicks, good very fine £60-£80 --- Henry Sutton was born at Bradby, Daventry, Northamptonshire and attested for the 6th Foot at Coventry on 3 March 1846, at the age of 17. He was discharged at Sheffield in November 1867 after having served for over 21 years, including overseas service in the Cape of Good Hope and the East Indies. His discharge papers note entitlement to the medal for the ‘Kaffir War’ and the Indian Mutiny. Sold with copied service papers.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1973 Colr. Serjt. Jas. Whittaker. 1st Bn 7th Foot) edge bruise and light contact marks, very fine £80-£100 --- James Whittaker was born in 1822 at Leeds, Yorkshire, and attested for service in the 59th Foot in April 1841, transferring to the 7th Foot (Royal Fusiliers) in November 1845. He was promoted Corporal in September 1849, and to Sergeant in June 1857. He was wounded at the battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854 by a musket ball through calf of left leg, and was entitled to the Crimea Medal with clasps for Alma and Inkermann and the Turkish War Medal. He was discharged at Chatham in June 1862, being ‘worn out’ and unfit for further service. Sold with copied record of service.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse, engraved naming (1251 L/Sgt: J. King. W: Rid: R.) good very fine £80-£100 --- John King was born in Dublin in 1863 and attested for the 33rd Regiment of Foot on 26 March 1878, seeing service in the East Indies and Malta. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 July 1896, and was discharged on the completion of his second period of engagement on 25 March 1899, after 21 years’ service. Sold with copied record of service.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse, engraved naming (166. Cr. Sergt. E. Dunn. Midd’x R.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine £80-£100 --- E. Dunn was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in April 1889.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (986 John McCarthy 81st Foot) minor edge bruising, good very fine £80-£100 --- John McCarthy was born in 1829 at St. Peters, Cork, Ireland, and attested for service in July 1846, joining the 35th Foot (Royal Sussex Regiment). He subsequently transferred to the 94th Foot in 1846; the 64th Foot in 1854; and finally transferred to the 81st Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteer Regiment) in 1861. He is entitled to the India General Service Medal 1854, with clasp for Persia and the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp for the Relief of Lucknow, when serving with the 64th Foot. He was discharged in April 1867, after 21 years’ service, his intended place of residence being Liverpool. Sold with copied record of service.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2362 Wm. McKee. 81st Foot) contact marks, good very fine £80-£100 --- William McKee was born at Templepatrick, Antrim, Ireland, and attested for the 81st Foot (Loyal Lincoln Volunteers) at Belfast, in July 1848, at the age of 18. He was discharged at his own request, in July 1869 at Buttevant, after 21 years and 15 days’ service, 11 years of which were spent in the East Indies, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1870. Sold with copied record of service.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1086 Geoe. Tygart 101st Foot) pawnbrokers mark to rim near suspension, contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine £80-£100 --- George Tygart was born in 1828 at Killashea, Fermanagh, Ireland, and attested for the 101st Foot (1st Bengal European Regiment) in March 1848, at the age of 20. He was awarded the Indian Mutiny Medal with clasps for Delhi and Lucknow, and the India General Service Medal 1854 with clasp for Umbeyla. He received a bullet wound to the right shoulder on 15 December 1863, at Crag Piquet, in the Umbeyla Expedition, and was discharged at Cawnpore in October 1867, after 19 years’ service, being no longer fit for active service. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1234. 2nd Corpl. W. Smith. A. H. Corps) edge bruising, good very fine £80-£100 --- William Smith was born in Liverpool, in 1840 and attested for the 68th Foot from the 2nd Lancashire Regiment of Militia in February 1958, before transferring to the 85th Foot in July 1861. He again transferred to the Army Hospital Corps in December 1862. He was promoted 2nd Corporal in the A.H.C., on 1 March 1876 and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in December 1876. He was discharged at his own request in July 1881, at Edinburgh after 23 years and 119 days’ service. Sold with copied record of service.

A very rare Second War ‘Madagascar Operations’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Corporal H. Lyle, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who stormed a Vichy machine-gun position in the night attack on Antsirane the day following the landings in May 1942 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3126021 Cpl. H. Lyle, R. S. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the first with contact marks and edge bruise, and largely officially re-impressed naming, nearly very fine, the remainder good very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 June 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘During the night attack on Antsirane on 6 May 1942, this N.C.O. was leading his section which was fired on from a Pill Box on the east side of the road. He showed conspicuous gallantry and disregard for danger in entering the Pill Box and capturing over a dozen prisoners.’ Henry Lyle was born in Catrine, Ayrshire, on 9 October 1907, and was one of just four men awarded the D.C.M. for the opening phase of Operation Ironclad, the landings in Vichy-held Madagascar in May 1942, which was first large scale amphibious assault carried out by the British since the Dardanelles campaign. On 5 May 1942, with supporting fire from the Royal Navy’s “Force H”, troops of the 13th, 17th and 29th Infantry Brigades - the latter including 1st Battalion, the Royal Scots - and No. 5 Commando, the whole designated “Force 121”, landed in Courrier Bay, some 12 miles from the main objective, the Vichy naval base at Diego Suarez (actually situated to the east of the town proper, at Antsirane). The initial landings proceded without much difficulty, but later in the day strong resistance was encountered, and plans were accordingly set in motion to storm the enemy by night - here, then, Lyle’s encounter with a Pill Box at Antsirane. By dawn, the assault had been accomplished, but at a cost of 105 killed and 283 wounded, versus Vichy losses of 150 killed and 500 wounded. Following these operations, and the withdrawal of 13th and 17th Infantry Brigades, Lyle and 29th Brigade remained in occupation, and, with the Vichy French Governor steadfastly refusing to surrender, it became necessary to launch further strikes at selected points along Madagascar’s coast - thus the Royal Scots participating in another amphibious landing at Majunga in September. The Regiment was finally withdrawn in mid-October, shortly before the final surrender of the Vichy forces. Sold with copied research.

Army L.S. & G.C. (2), E.VII.R. (55308 Coy. Sjt. Mjr. O. F. Fenn. R.G.A.); G.V.R., 1st issue (2756 S. Mjr: C. H. Bugden. R.E.) good very fine and better (2) £80-£100 --- Oscar Frederick Fenn was born in 1868 in Suffolk and attested for the Royal Artillery at Colchester in 1886. He was promoted Corporal in September 1891, Sergeant in December 1893 and Company Sergeant Major in May 1904. He was discharged at Cork in 1907, after 21 years’ service at home and in Gibraltar. He died at Ipswich in 1917. Sold with copied record of service. Charles Harrison Bugden was born in October 1883. He appointed Sergeant Major Mechanist, Royal Engineers, on 3 June 1917 and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 April 1918.

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (W. H. Morrison. P.O. 1st Cl. H.M.S. Amphion.) good very fine £100-£140 --- William Henry Morrison was bon in 1859 at Cromane, County Kerry, Ireland and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable on 16 October 1874. He was advanced to Able Seaman, H.M.S. Royal Adelaide on 19 July 1879, and to Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Cambridge on 1 December 1885. He was further advanced to 2nd Captain of the Fore Top and Petty Officer First Class, H.M.S. Royalist, on 5 March 1889, and was appointed Acting Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. Vivid I, on 25 May 1896, being confirmed in that rate on 25 May 1897, when serving in H.M.S. Devastation. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in March 1892. Shore pensioned in October 1892, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve and was recalled for war service in August 1914, serving in H.M.S. Vivid I until demobilised on 2 April 1919. Sold with copied research.

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (Hy. Bowden, P.O. 2nd Cl. H.M.S. Cambridge.) very fine £100-£140 --- Henry Bowden was born in 1860, at Charles, Plymouth, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Impregnable, on 12 January 1876. He was advanced to Able Seaman, H.M.S. Comus, on 1 December 1881, and Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Mariner, on 7 August 1886. He was appointed Petty Officer Second Class, H.M.S. Cambridge on 1 July 1889 and Petty Officer First Class on 2 May 1890. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1889. He was appointed Commissioned Gunner in December 1892, serving in H.M.S. Impregnable and H.M.S. Venerable until discharged generally unfit (neurasthenia) in June 1906. Sold with copied research.

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., (3) 1st issue (193364 Henry Armstrong, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Swiftsure.); 2nd issue, fixed suspension (2) (6600 H. W. Everet. O.S.1. H.M.S. Spey.; J.5800 A. E. Ward. P.O. H.M.S. Vivid.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (116587 (Dev B 9597.) H. Horn. Sto. 1. R.) Everet’s surname partially officially corrected, generally nearly very fine and better (4) £140-£180 --- Henry Armstrong was born in Sheerness, Kent, on 28 November 1882 and joined the Royal Navy on 28 November 1899. He saw service during the Great War in H.M.S. Swiftsure, H.M.S. Repulse and H.M.S. Monitor, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 January 1915. Appointed Chief Petty Officer on 18 December 1918, he was invalided from the service on 21 April 1920. Harry Walter Everet was born in Poplar, Middlesex, on 6 May 1894 and joined the Royal Navy on 26 April 1915, serving during the Great War as an Officer’s Steward in H.M.S. Pembroke and H.M.S. President at the R.N.A.S. station at Eastchurch, and afterwards in H.M.S. Daedalus. He was advanced Officer’s Steward First Class on 10 October 1924, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in May 1927. He was discharged on 31 December 1928. Arthur Ernest Ward was born in Hull, Yorkshire, on 30 April 1893 and joined the Royal Navy on 30 April 1911. He was serving in H.M.S. Berwick at the start of the Great War and later saw service in H.M.S. Revenge at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. Advanced Petty Officer Second Class on 1 January 1920, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 13 July 1926. He was discharged on 21 December 1928. Harry Horn was born in March, Norfolk, on 1 March 1896 and joined the Royal Navy on 6 January 1915. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Lion and saw service at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. He was shore discharged on 31 December 1918 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 23 January 1920. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 12 December 1930. Sold with copied records of service and other research.

A rare Second War ‘Norwegian Coast 1940’ C.G.M. group of six awarded to Able Seaman R. H. Wellard, Royal Navy, whose gallantry when H.M.S. Pelican was dive bombed by enemy Ju-88s and severely damaged undoubtedly saved many lives and possibly the ship itself Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.VI.R. (S.SX. 22441 R. H. Wellard. A.B. H.M.S. Pelican) officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Ronal H. Wellard) mounted for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (6) £8,000-£12,000 --- C.G.M. London Gazette 25 June 1940: ‘For courage and resource in operations on the Norwegian Coast.’:- Able Seaman Ronald Harry Wellard, C/SSX 22441, H.M.S. Pelican.’ He received his decoration at an investiture on 18 March 1941. In his official report dated 29 April 1940 (ADM 199/476) Commander Lennox Boswell, D.S.O., R.N., stated: ‘I wish particularly to mention the work of Able Seaman Ronald Wellard C/SSX.22441, who at considerable risk to himself, took a firehose down below the burning remains of “Y” gun and put out a fire in the flat below. Several live rounds of 4” ammunition were lying in the wreckage, which could only be approached over the wrecked open end of the ship, and was hidden by smoke and steam. The condition of “Y” magazine (directly below the fire) was unknown at the time.’ H.M.S. Pelican was attacked and dive bombed by enemy Junker 88 aircraft on 22 April 1940, and severely damaged. This ship and her crew suffered perhaps the most serious damage and casualties of any Royal Navy ship that survived and then returned, after repair, to war service. An official Norwegian war history even describes her as bombed, split in two and sunk. The official Admiralty Restricted Book of Reference 1886 (2) on “H.M. Ships Damaged or Sunk by Enemy Action 3rd Sept. 1939 to 2nd Sept. 1945” describes the damage: ‘(i) One Direct Hit 250 lbs. delay action fused Bomb (ii) Two Near Miss 250 lbs. direct action fused Bombs. Time out of action: 7 months. Brief Account of Damage and Lessons Learned: Pelican was attacked by aircraft whilst proceeding off the Norwegian coast. The direct hit burst on impact with the quarter deck and exploded a number of depth charges stowed in the rails. As a result of the explosion the whole of the ship abaft ‘X’ mounting was destroyed. The near miss bombs caused severe splinter damage over a large area. Pelican was flooded from the plummer block compartments aft. Fighting Efficiency: Severely impaired. The vessel was immobilised and unseaworthy in rough weather. Half the ships armament was out of action.’ Further details of the crippling damage and casualties can be found in Commander Boswell’s report: Damage Caused: 38. Four bombs were released simultaneously. One burst 100 feet Green from ‘X’ gun, splinters causing casualties to Upper Deck personnel from ‘B’ gun aft, and riddling the ship’s side. 39. Another bomb seems to have burst on the depth charges in one set of rails; there were 11 in one and 12 in the other touching side by side, besides the usual 8 standing by the throwers close by. All depth charges had primers inserted with pistols set to “safe”. 40. The explosion of the depth charges created a pressure wave, which disintegrated the ship abaft station 114, and worked forward until it met the strong structure of “Y” gun support and the gland space; here it seems to have blown away both sides and the bottom of the ship. Meanwhile the quarterdeck forward of station 114 was curled up over “Y” and “X” guns, the curl starting about station 95. The after bulkhead of the plummer block compartment was sound (station 94 below the Lower Deck), and the after bulkhead of the Ward Room (station 92 above the lower deck). There were no splinter marks visible on the turned up portion of the Quarter Deck. 41. Both propellor shafts were bent down, the starboard some 14 feet, and the port some 9 feet. He confirms that “one quarter of the ship’s company had been killed, and there were a large number of badly wounded”. After commending the admirable behaviour of the survivors, he specifically mentions the gallantry of Able Seaman Ronald Wellard, as already quoted above. Ronald Harry Wellard was born at Dover, Kent, on 30 August 1918. He volunteered for a 12 year period in the Royal Navy on 13 September 1937, joining H.M.S. Pembroke on that date and advancing to Able Seaman on 13 February 1939. He joined H.M.S. Pelican on 17 June 1939, and continued in her until 21 February 1941. After the end of the Second World War, on 10 November 1945, Able Seaman Ronald Wellard, C.G.M. was released under Class A and enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve in which he served until March 1954. He also served as a Special Constable and received the Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, and as a uniformed guard at a National Trust property in Kent. Sold with original photograph of Wellard holding his medals, original Certificate of Service and Gunnery History Sheet; together with copied research including full Admiralty report.

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (JX.164530. A. Schembri L.S. H.M.S. Falcon.) with official corrections, very fine £40-£50 --- Alfred Schembri qualified for the award of the L.S. & G.C. Medal, 30 July 1954, whilst serving at H.M.S. Falcon. His service number (recorded on the roll as ‘E/LX.164530’) indicates a Malta local enlistment number for Maltese ratings. The medal was sent to H.M.S. Phoenicia for presentation. The airfield at Hal Far, Malta was the first permanent airfield to be built on Malta and opened, 1 April 1929, as H.M.S. Falcon. It was handed over to the Malta Government in 1979. H.M.S. Phoenicia was the Naval Base at Fort Manoel, Malta.

Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (2) (5127 Sjt: W. A. Palmer. 13/Middx: V.R.C.; 3944 Pte. E. Honour. 18th Midd’x: V.R.C.) both with impressed naming, very fine and better (2) £100-£140

Efficiency Decoration, E.II.R., Territorial, reverse officially dated 1957, with integral top riband bar, in damaged box of issue; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (5562654. Pte. J. Nuttall. Warwick) polished, very fine and better (2) £80-£100

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2577441 Sigmn. W. S. Smith. R. Sigs.) good very fine £40-£50 --- W. S. Smith served as a Sergeant Major with the Royal Corps of Signals during the Second War. He was taken prisoner of war, and interned at Detachment E794 Stalag 344 (formerly Bau und Arbeits Battalion 20).

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (4) (Lt. T. B. Reading. R.E.M.E.; 7602479. W.O. Cl. 2. H. R. Tillman. R.E.M.E.; 7601944 Cfn. J. A. Bashford. R.E.M.E.; 908170 Cfn. J. A. Metcalf. R.E.M.E.) all in named card boxes of issue, generally extremely fine (4) £80-£100 --- T. B. Reading awarded Efficiency Medal London Gazette 12 December 1946.

Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (4) (Lt. P. Spall. R.E.M.E.; 1462857 S.Sjt. S. S. Hosegood. R.E.M.E.; 1454478 Sjt. D. R. Feeney. R.E.M.E.; 7602736 Cpl. D. W. Stevens. R.E.M.E.) all in named card boxes of issue, generally extremely fine (4) £80-£100 --- P. Spall awarded Efficiency Medal London Gazette 14 May 1948.

Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (3), Territorial (22184242 L/Cpl. D. C. Kelliker. REME.); T. & A.V.R. (2) (22396135 Sgt R W Beetles REME; 22106086 Sgt. P. W. MacMurdie REME.) all in named card boxes of issue, extremely fine (3) £70-£90

Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, T. & A.V.R. (2), both with Second Award Bar (22838822 S. Sgt. R. Shufflebotham REME.; 23312752 L/Cpl. M. G. Demmon REME.) both in named card boxes of issue, with additional named card box of issue for the Second Award Bar to Demmon’s medal, extremely fine (2) £60-£80

A fine Second War ‘Bomb Disposal’ G.M. awarded to Lieutenant W. N. Bennett, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his gallantry in rendering mines safe off the west coast of Wales, December 1941 George Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Lt. William N Bennett. R.N.V.R.) engraved naming, in Royal Mint case of issue, a somewhat later duplicate issue, extremely fine £1,200-£1,600 --- G.M. London Gazette 16 June 1942: ‘For gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty.’ The Recommendation states: ‘This officer has shown the greatest possible zeal and devotion to duty in rendering British mines safe. For a considerable time he had to carry out this duty single-handed without any assistance whatsoever. He has shown a complete lack of fear for his personal safety in highly dangerous circumstances. On one occasion, in the depth of winter, whilst rendering safe a mine which had been washed ashore, he waded out to another which was drifting ashore in a dangerous position in an endeavour to prevent it doing so by mooring it. The seas, however, proved too heavy and the mine eventually exploded ashore. In addition to his keenness and devotion to duty, this officer is absolutely tireless.’ The original letter of recommendation, from the Minesweeping Office, R.N. Base, Milford Haven, ands dated 4 February 1942, gives further details: ‘I have the honour to submit the name of Lieutenant William Norman Bennett, R.N.V.R., for a decoration in connection with his duties in rendering mines safe, which have been washed ashore. Lieutenant Bennett has carried out this duty for many months with great keenness and ability and with complete disregard for his personal safety, particularly in instances where other persons or property have been endangered. Besides rendering mines safe ashore, he has dealt with, by boat, mines caught up with their moorings in such dangerous positions as aircraft landing areas and target areas - not an easy operation even in calm weather. On one occasion [on 11 December 1941], he waded out to a mine in rough seas in winter in an endeavour to prevent it coming ashore, and on another [on 4 December 1941], being forced to detonate a mine, he had only seven minutes in which to scale a cliff 150 feet in height by Jacob’s ladder in order to get clear. Until the last two months, Lieutenant Bennett has had to work without any assistance whatsoever. In view of the fact that many mines, supposedly sae, had exploded on contact with the shore, Lieutenant Bennett has known that every mine is a potential danger. I have no hesitation in recommending him for his services, so bravely, tirelessly, and cheerfully carried out.’ William Norman Bennett served as a temporary Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving in H.M.S. Skirmisher. The act of gallantry mentioned in the G.M. Recommendation took place in the sea off the west coast of Wales near Barmouth on 4 December 1941. Note: An original issue G.VI.R. 1st type George Medal, correctly named to this man, is know to exist, and it is unknown why a duplicate medal was issued to the recipient.

Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, T. & A.V.R., with Second Award Bar (Q/1006919 Pte. E. V. Bletsoe. QARANC.) mounted as worn, additionally with two rosettes on riband, good very fine, scarce to unit £240-£280 --- Ella Victoria Bletsoe was born in Brighton on 23 November 1927, and died in Hove in February 1996.

Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., Circular issue, 1st ‘coinage head’ issue (William Kennedy.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (A22246 J. K. Black) this an unofficially named-up specimen; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (6392943 Pte. J. Taylor. 5-R. Suss. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R. (2), 1st issue (Mark Sanderson.); 2nd issue (Charles Grant.); Voluntary Medical Service Medal (D. E. Cox.) generally good very fine (6) £100-£140

Imperial Service Medal (2), G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Richard Rundle Perrey); E.II.R., 2nd issue (Leonard Moon) both in Royal Mint cases of issue; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (R4009233 Ch. Tech. E. Doherty. R.A.F.) edge bruise to last, otherwise extremely fine (3) £70-£90

Hartley Colliery Medal 1862, 51mm, silver, the obverse featuring an angel looking on as two miners dig to uncover their comrades from the rubble;, the reverse inscribed in raised letters ‘Presented to those who risked their own lives in attempting to save the lives of their fellow workmen buried in Hartley Colliery, January 1862’, the edge engraved ‘Richard Johnston’, fitted with claw and straight silver bar suspension, with silver buckle brooch, with Wyon, London, case of issue, mounted for display in a wooden case with engraved hallmarked descriptive silver plates, together with a clay pipe and two leather pit tokens recovered from a dead miner, and a tooth from a pit pony killed in the disaster, nearly extremely fine £3,000-£4,000 --- On 10 January 1862 disaster struck at the New Hartley Colliery in Northumberland, leaving in its wake a death toll of some 202 miners. A cage carrying eight people proved too much weight for the massive pumping engine beam which, although weighing over 40 tons, gave way and tumbled down the shaft, carrying with it a mass of machinery and debris. Much of it came to rest a little over 400 feet from the surface on the immense oak beams which held the centre set of pumps in the shaft. The unwalled sides of the shaft collapsed, piling tons of rock and rubble on top of the initial fall, sealing the shaft. It took six days of dangerous and strenuous work by the rescuers to reach the men trapped by the fall, but all were found to be dead. One of the dead, by the name of James Armour, kept notes of the ordeal in a book whilst trapped underground. These notes were referred to in the official enquiry into the case ‘It appears to be certain from the date of the entry in the book found on the person of the overman, Armour, that all had died not later than the afternoon of the day following the accident, having fallen victims of the noxious gasses generated in the pit.’ Subsequent to the disaster there were many expressions of opinion in favour of some reward being made to the sinkers and others, who had so nobly risked their lives in their ill-fated attempts to rescue the entombed miners. In accordance with this widely expressed desire a special fund was instituted under the direction of a Committee with Mr T. G. Hurst as its secretary. At the outset it was determined that the testimonial should assume the form of a medal, and ultimately, Mr Wyon, of the Mint, whose designs had been approved by the committee, was engaged to execute the dies and strike the medals. A total of 1 gold and thirty seven silver medals were awarded. Richard Johnston was awarded a medal in silver, together with the sum of £17. The amount of money paid was a reflection of the amount of time their assistance was given; £30 being the highest and £4 the lowest.

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Alfred A. Whittingham, for Gallant Service 1s. Augt. 1916.) lacking integral top riband buckle, edge bruising, good very fine £200-£240 --- Alfred Alexander Whittingham, of the School Ship Indefatigable, was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s silver medal for his gallantry in ‘rescuing James Foy, aged 12, who was said to be deaf and dumb, from drowning in the Mersey near to Egremont Ferry on 1 August 1916. Foy was wading, and was apparently seized with a fit and collapsed in the water.’ (Birkenhead and Cheshire Advertiser, 5 August 1916 refers). Sold with copied research.

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Camp and Villaverde Medal for Saving Life at Sea, bronze, edge laser engraved ‘Specimen’, in original fitted case with integral top brooch bar, extremely fine £160-£200 --- The Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society’s Camp & Villaverde Medal was instituted in 1873 ‘to be awarded to those who were instrumental in saving life at sea’, and the first award was made to Mr. Rawson Post, mate of the George Hurlbut, for rescuing the crew of the barque Olive in a gale in the Atlantic on 12 April 1873. In total 37 silver and 8 bronze medals have been awarded, with the last award made in 1944. Sold with a letter from the Liverpool Shipwreck & Humane Society, dated 5 November 2021, authenticating and explaining that this is one of four unnamed medals discovered in their archive and is now being sold to raise funds for the Society. Each of the four medals has been marked ‘Specimen’.

France, Second Empire, Medal of Honour for Saving Life, Ministry of the Marine and the Colonies, large silver medal, 6th issue, by Barre, 44mm, Napoleon III with laurel wreath facing right on obverse; 6th model reverse inscribed ‘A Edward Herbert Garde-Côte Anglais. Services a la Marine Marchande Française. 1867’ on cartouché flanked by supporters, silver mark to edge, planchet only, lacking suspension, otherwise good very fine £200-£240

A Great War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class B. J. Handyside, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (269541. B. J. Handyside. C.E.R.A. 1Cl. H.M.S. Leonidas. 1917.); 1914-15 Star (269541, B. J. Handyside. C.E.R.A.1., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (269541 B. J. Handyside. C.E.R.A.1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (269541. B. J. Handyside, C.E.R.A. 2Cl., H.M.S. Pembroke.) good very fine (5) £500-£700 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 8 March 1918: ‘For services in Destroyer and Torpedo Boat Flotillas during the period ending 31 December 1917.’ Baptiste James Handyside was born in Berwick, Northumberland, on 9 October 1876 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 15 December 1898. Advanced Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class on 18 August 1910, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 8 January 1914, and was promoted Chief Engine Room Artificer First Class on 17 August 1915. He served throughout the Great War in H.M.S. Leonidas, and for his services was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He was shore pensioned on 9 February 1921. Sold with the recipient’s Aluminium identity disc; and copied medal roll extract.

A Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Second Class pair awarded to Boy Scout O. J. Williams, later Private, Welsh Regiment, for his gallant conduct during the Dalgarrog Dam Disaster, 2 November 1925 Victory Medal 1914-19 (65273 Pte. O. T. [sic] Williams, Welsh R.); Boy Scout Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, 2nd issue, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘Instructor O. J. Williams, 2/12/24 [sic]’, with integral top riband bar, very fine (2) £600-£800 --- The disaster which saw the village of Dalgarrog in North Wales, swamped with water, killing 16 people, on the night of 2 November 1925 was caused by the failure of two dams. The Eigiau Dam, a gravity dam, firstly failed, releasing a flood of water from a reservoir; the released water then overwhelmed the Coedty Dam, an embankment dam, downstream, which in turn permitted a torrent of water to flood into Dalgarrog. The disaster led Parliament to pass the Reservoirs (Safety Provisions) Act of 1930. Sold with a colourful award document for the Silver Cross, awarded to ‘Instructor O. J. Williams, 1st Llansrst Troop, For his gallant conduct on the occasion of the bursting of a dam at Dalgarrog on the night of 2/12/25 [sic]’ and dated 19 March 1926, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 560mm x 455mm.

A Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Second Class group of six awarded to Boy Scout L. F. Prutton, later Lieutenant, Indian Army 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Lt. L. F. Prutton. Indian Army); Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, 2nd issue, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘L. Prutton, 3-12-30’, with integral top riband bar, good very fine and better (6) £600-£800 --- L. F. Prutton, a member of 94th Bedfordshire (St. Paul’s Wesleyan) Scout Group was awarded his Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross for having rescued a boy from drowning in the River Ouse, between Newnham Bridage and Newnham Baths on 12 July 1930.

A Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Second Class group of four awarded to Pack Leader R. L. Boyles, later Royal Canadian Air Force, for his gallantry in saving three boys from drowning at Moncton, New Brunswick, on 13 July 1932 Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, 2nd issue, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘P.L. Richard Boyles Age 16, Moncton, NB, July 13-1932’, with integral top riband bar; together with the recipient’s two card identity discs ‘Can J93977 Officr Boyles RL OD RCAF’, good very fine (4) £500-£700 --- Richard L. Boyles was awarded the Cross for saving the lives of three boys from drowning at Moncton, New Brunswick, on 13 July 1932.

A Great War ‘Armed Merchant Cruiser Operations’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Engine Room Storekeeper R. C. James, Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (R. C. James, Lg. Fire'n. (M.M.), H.M.S. Almanzora, 1916); 1914-15 Star (R. C. James, E.R. Stkpr., M.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (R. C. James, E.R. Stkpr., M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Robert C. James); Victory Medal 1914-19 (R. C. James, E.R. Stkpr., M.F.A.) edge bruise to first, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a scarce combination (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 21 April 1917: ‘In recognition of services in the Patrol Cruisers under the command of Vice-Admiral G. O. Tupper, C.B., C.V.O., during the period 1 July to 31 December 1916.’ Robert Charles James was born in Southampton in 1863, and served during the Great War in the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Almanzora on the central and north Atlantic run. Refurbished post-War, she resumed her service as a passenger liner on the Southampton-River Plate route, in which capacity James remained employed until coming ashore in 1928, aged 65 years. He died in Southampton in 1942.

A well documented Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Third Class awarded to J. D. Glenny, for saving a man from drowning at South Shields on 7 December 1917 Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd Class, 1st issue, silver-gilt, the reverse inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, for saving a drowning man, South Shields Docks, 17.12.17 [sic]’ around scout emblem, with ring and straight bar suspension; Royal Life Saving Society Proficiency Medal, bronze, the reverse re-inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, December 1917’, first with some contact marks, very fine (2) £600-£800 --- ‘On 7th December 1917 Albert V. Dodds was working on the offside of a vessel alongside Messrs. Readhead’s Quay at South Shields, when he overbalanced and fell into the Tyne. In his fall he was hit on the head and apparently rendered unconscious. John D. Glenny was working on the boat from which Dodds had fallen, and he immediately ran from his fire on deck and dived into the water, a distance of about 8 feet. After swimming a distance of about 15 yards he got hold of Dodds and swam back with him to the ship’s side. One of the workmen climbed down the side of the ship and fastened a rope to Dodds’ belt. Glenny then swam to a launch which had arrived on the scene and was about to be taken on board when the workman shouted that Dodds had sunk again as the belt by which they were pulling him out of the water had broken. Glenny at once left the launch side and again dived and brought Dodds to the surface. Both rescuer and rescued were assisted into the launch. At the place where the rescue occurred the River Tyne is fully 200 yards wide and about 30 feet deep. There were strong currents running and the water is foul.’ John D. Glenny was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gilt Cross for this rescue, as well as the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal, case no. 43,913 (not with lot), and a Carnegie Hero Fund Certificate. It was also reported that because of family circumstances, ‘a sum of £10 was to be sent to Mayor to be applied in the best interests of the rescuer.’ Sold with the following documents: i) A colourful award document to accompany the Gilt Cross, this named to 2nd Class Scout John D, Glenny, The South Shields Congregational Troop. Awarded the Gilt Cross of the Boy Scouts for ‘Saving a man from drowning in the West Docks, South Shields, on December 7th 1917’, dated 25.1.1918’ [signed] ‘Robert Baden-Powell’ Chief Scout’, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 530mm x 440mm ii)Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Certificate, ‘Presented by the Trustees in Recognition of Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life, to John D. Glenny, South Shields, 7th December, 1917’, dated 28 February 1918, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 490mm x 400mm; together with the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust annual report for 1918. iii) Royal Life Saving Society certificate, awarded to ‘John G. [sic]. Glenny, So. Shields Sch. S.A., for knowledge of Rescue, Releasing one’s-self from the Clutch of the Drowning, also ability to render aid in Resuscitating the Apparently Drowned’, dated December 1913’, minor tear marks, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 480mm x 420mm.

A Selection of Boy Scouts Association Insignia. A very interesting selection of items including a three-dimensional silver Wolf neck badge, complete with suspender clip; an acorn and circle silver medal, the reverse inscribed, ‘J. C. H. Leicester 23-4-36’, with top silver riband bar; a copper gilt circle swastika and fleur-de-lys medal, the reverse inscribed, ‘S. D. Newton 14-3-34’, with top gilt riband bar; a similar medal but with the fleur-de-lys only in the centre, the reverse inscribed, ‘Miss D. M. Davidson 26.5.54’, with integral top riband bar; a small medal in base metal featuring the swastika with fleur-de-lys overlay, with top gilt riband buckle; a bronze fleur-de-lys within a C lapel badge; eight cap badges, four large and four small; a small Boy Scouts boxing medal, bronze, unnamed; a Northumberland Boy Scouts half long pipe medal, silver, unnamed; and other ephemera, generally good condition (lot) £300-£400

Arctic Medal 1875-76 (V. Domines. Cook. 1. Cl. H.M.S. Alert.) light marks, otherwise good very fine and scarce £5,000-£7,000 --- 62 Arctic 1875-76 medals issued to the officers and crew of Alert. Vincent Domines was born in Gibraltar on 8 August 1841. His Service Certificate from 1 January 1873, shows that he was in Teazer then as a Ship's Cook but also that he already had a Good Conduct Badge so must have joined the Navy some years earlier - he was already 31 years old. He had been a boiler-maker before joining the Navy and 5'4" tall with black hair, grey eyes and a dark complexion. He had no wounds marks or scars. To trace his earlier career, Teazer's Description Book was enormously helpful. This showed (Ship's Book No 16) that he had joined the ship on 23 November 1869, that he was a Roman Catholic, had been vaccinated and was single. More importantly it listed all his previous ships. He joined the Navy on 12 September 1861, as Gunroom Steward in Recruit. This occurred as this ship was returning from Malta to U.K. having left the former in late August and was in Woolwich by 11 October. He was paid off there on 11 October but continued his service by joining Devastation on 15 December 1861, as the Engineer's Servant, remaining in this post for just over a year until 19 January 1863. He then went to Topaze as Ship's Cook from 20 January 1863 to 23 June 1863, followed by Sutlej from 24 June 1863 to 6 December 1866. During the next two years he had short stints in the following - Malacca, Zealous, Chanticleer, Malacca (again), Topaze (again) and Mutine, before joining Thistle on 14 March 1869, for 8 months before finally ending up in Teazer for the following 4 years and 9 months - longer than any previous ship. He was discharged from Teazer on 26 August 1874 and, after a few months in Naval Barracks and Duke of Wellington, he joined Alert on 17 April 1875 for 20 months service in the Arctic. When he joined the Navy his forename was recorded as "Vicente St", and in some early documents this is reversed to "St Vicente". This seems to have proved difficult for ships' clerks (and doubtless his messmates) so he became "Vincent". From 1863 until 1875 he was described as a Ship's Cook and a listing of ratings in 1869 shows that this was ranked as a Chief Petty Officer. The day before he joined Alert he was re-rated as Cook 1st Class and at the same time took a 10 year Continuous Service engagement (o/n. 73026). The following day he joined Alert and on 1 May 1875, received his 2nd Good Conduct Badge, but was deprived of this on 16 September 1875 (no reason given, but it cannot have been too serious as his character at the end of the year was still ‘Very Good’). This badge was restored on 15 December 1876, 10 days after he was paid off from Alert. He seems to have been the only cook on board so did not, therefore, go on any of the sledging trips. He received a 3rd Good Conduct Badge on 15 December 1878, when he was in Penelope, but was deprived of two GCBs on 20 December 1880, when he was in Inconstant. The reason is again not given but it appears that he was reduced to Cook's Mate 1st Class on 5 February 1881, at which point he seems to have lost all his badges as "Not entitled to badges as Cook's Mate". On 1 July 1881, when in Flora, however, he was re-advanced to Cook 1st Class and had two badges restored "on regaining his former rating". He received a 3rd GCB on 1 January 1882, and finally left the Navy with a pension on 16 April 1885, at the age of nearly 44. There is no mention, though, of "tracing" him for a Long Service & Good Conduct Medal - which is not entirely surprising. He died on 23 February 1908 at home in Washbrook in Suffolk from "stomatitis and septicaemia" aged 66 and was described as a Petty Officer Royal Navy (Pensioner). Sold with copied research.

Arctic Medal 1875-76 (G. Stone. Py. Offr. 2. Cl. H.M.S. Discovery) a little polished and some light scratches, otherwise very fine and scarce £6,000-£8,000 --- 60 Arctic 1875-76 medals issued to the officers and crew of Discovery. George Stone was born in London on 22 September 1845. He entered the Navy on 14 April 1860, as a Boy 2nd class and took a 10 year engagement (CS no 9695A) on his 18th birthday, though still a Boy 1st class. Advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 6 March 1864, and to Able Seaman on 4 February 1866, he served in Columbine from October 1862 to January 1868. On his 28th birthday in 1873) he extended for a further 10 years (his new Official no being 64294), and was advanced to Leading Seaman on 2 October 1873. He was advanced to Petty Officer 2nd class and joined Discovery from Duke of Wellington on 17 April 1875, all on the same day. He was then a "trained man" with 2 GCBs. He transferred to Alert on 26 August 1875 and returned to Discovery on 1 June 1876, remaining in her until 5 December 1876. So, for the winter period he was actually in Alert, one of only nine persons to have served in both ships during the expedition. In the Autumn of 1875 he was one of the crew of the sledge ‘Discovery’ with Lieutenant Wyatt Rawson when attempting to communicate with Discovery, and in the following Spring did a pioneer reconnaissance across the Robeson Channel for a week, before exploring the north coast of Greenland with the party under Lieutenant Beaumont, being away for 131 days. On 19 January 1877, he transferred to the Coastguard, nominally on the books of Penelope, but stationed variously at first at East Swale and being rated Boatman on 21 January 1877. Later he was stationed at Whitstable, Clift Creek and Clacton-on Sea, so definitely a Thames Estuary man. He was advanced to Commissioned Boatman on 1 November 1880, and was finally discharged ‘Shore' and pensioned on 10 October 1885, at the age of just over 40 and after a total of over 25 years service. He received his third Good Conduct Badge on 6 March 1877, but never received a L.S. & G.C. medal. On 20 October 1885, he joined the Corps of Commissionaires (Corps No. 1176) and the 1891 census shows him to be living in Erith, Kent as a Commissionaire (Port). He died at Horsehay, Dawley, in Shropshire from "cerebral thrombosis" on 18 January 1924, aged 78. Sold with copied research including record of service and details of sledging parties.

A Second War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Leading Seaman E. R. Pitt, Royal Naval Reserve, late 9th Battalion, London Regiment, who was wounded in the Great War, and took part in H.M.S. Ayrshire’s epic voyage to Archangel in the Second World War Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.5704 D., E. R. Pitt. L.Smn. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (6739 Pte. E. R. Pitt. 9-Lond. R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Bar (5704D. E. R. Pitt. Smn. R.N.R.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s Great War Silver War Badge, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 July 1941. Edward Robert Pitt was born in Wivenhoe, Essex, on 30 January 1899. During the Great War he served with the 9th Battalion London Regiment, but was severely wounded in 1917 and was discharged from the Army, being awarded a Silver War Badge. Enlisting in the Royal Naval Reserve, he served during the Second World War in H.M.S. Gavotte from 1940 to 1941, and H.M.S. Ayrshire from 1941 to 1945, both armed trawlers that served on the incredibly arduous and dangerous convoy duties in the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans. During this time the convoys were under constant threat and attack from German U-boats, surface ships, and air attack. Adding to this, the atrocious weather conditions to contend with, all on a relatively lightly armed and small ship, it really must have been as Churchill said; ‘the worst journey in the world’. The following is an extract account of his life and service as taken from documents held by his family: ‘He ran away from home at the age of 15 and joined the army going into the Rifle Brigade, but was found to be underage and was bought out by his grandmother. When he became of age he re-enlisted into the 9th London Regiment. His re-enlistment came at the time when some of the bloodiest battles of the Great War were being fought and he was severely wounded during one of these in 1917. He was then discharged from the Army. After the Great War he joined the Merchant Navy and travelled the World over... At the outbreak of the Second World War he was recalled to active service and served in the Royal Navy and became Leading Seaman on H.M.S. Gavotte, a converted trawler, this ship on convoy escort duties in the North Atlantic. He was Mentioned in Despatches in 1941. Between 1941 and 1945 he served in H.M.S. Ayrshire, this also being an armed trawler working on convoy duties between Scotland and Murmansk. He finished the War as a Chief Petty Officer, being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal by King George VI at Buckingham Palace.’ A photograph within the group shows Pitt manning an anti aircraft gun aboard a trawler which would suggest this was one of his duties aboard ship. Given his previous Army service, this is quite likely. H.M.S. Ayrshire ‘In June 1942 Lieutenant Leo Gradwell was in command of the H.M.S. Ayrshire, a small (roughly 500 tons) converted fishing trawler forming part of the anti-submarine screening force for Admiralty convoy PQ-17 departing for Archangel in the Soviet Union with much needed war supplies on 27 June 1942. Arctic convoys at this time had to be concerned not only with Luftwaffe and U boat attacks but also the attentions of major German surface units, including the Tirpitz.  The convoy therefore had a heavy escort force following it in addition to a light close escort of destroyers, corvettes and trawlers such as the Ayrshire.  However, the heavy escort fell behind just as luck would have it, that air reconnaissance of German bases was prevented by bad weather. On 3 July, a reconnaissance plane finally made it to Trondheim, home of the Tirpitz, and found to the Admiralty's horror that the Tirpitz had gone, as well as her cruiser screen. With a large raiding force at sea, and unable to know precisely were it was, and with the heavy escort force too far away to reach the convoy in time, an order was given to scatter the convoy. What followed was largely a disaster: the Tirpitz never showed up; the Germans having thought the convoy was bait for a trap and turned away; and the scattered merchant ships were easy prey for both bombers and U boats. This is where the remarkable story of H.M.S. Ayrshire begins. With the convoy ordered to scatter Gradwell decided to head directly north towards the pack ice east of Svalbard, and persuaded three of the scattering freighters to follow him: the Panamanian registered Troubador, the Ironclad, and the United states registered Silver Swor. None of the three ships or their tiny escort had charts for this area, since it was well off the planned convoy route, and so Gradwell had to navigate their course using only a Sextant and a copy of The Times World Geographic Pocket Book. On reaching the pack ice, the unlikely flotilla became stuck fast in the ice unable to move. Gradwell took overall command as the senior naval officer present and organised the ships to defend themselves. Taking stock it was discovered that the Troubadour was carrying a cargo of bunkering coal and white paint. Gradwell ordered the paint supplies opened and soon all four vessels were painted white, with white sheets over the decks to camouflage them from Luftwaffe bombers. He also ordered the freighters to move around their deck cargo of Sherman tanks into defensive rings pointing outwards with their main guns loaded turning them into improvised gun turrets. After several days stuck fast the camouflage proved effective, in that they were never spotted or attacked. Finally, upon breaking free of the ice, Gradwell lead his three merchant ships across the Barents sea to the Matochkin Straight where they were met by a force of Soviet navy corvettes who accompanied the rag tag convoy to the port of Archangel, arriving on 25 July 1942.’ Sold with the recipient’s riband bars, cap badges, and identity tags; Mentioned in Despatches Certificate; photographs of the recipient, including one of him outside Buckingham Palace having been invested with his D.S.M.; a large amount of research including accounts of Pitt’s service; and other ephemera.

Arctic Medal 1875-76 (G. Smithers. Captns. Coxn. Pandora.) a little polished and some light marks, otherwise very fine and very scarce £5,000-£7,000 --- Only 60 Arctic 1875-76 medals issued to the officers and crew of Pandora. It is almost certain that this man is the same as the George William Smithers who was born at Southsea, Hampshire, on 17 September 1849. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in Boscawen on 22 September 1863, at the age of 14, having been at sea before this. On attaining 18 years he took a Continuous Service engagement for ten years. There is no record of his early career but, on 15 September 1871, he had left Duke of Wellington ‘for passage’, joined Repulse on 23 July 1872 and been transferred to Tenedos 27 November 1872, also ‘for passage’ to Boxer. He left Tenedos on 9 January 1873 to join Boxer ‘stationed at Vancouver Island’. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 9 January 1874 and received a second GCB on 17 September 1875, but then obtained his discharge by purchase on 8 October 1875, at a cost of £12. George Smithers joined Pandora seven months later on 16 May 1876, as Able Seaman and Captain’s Coxswain, and probably left her in early November 1876 after her return to Portsmouth on 3 November. Interestingly, Nares had been Captain of Boscawen when Smithers had been under training in her. Pandora was a private yacht owned and commanded by Commander Allen Young R.N.R. who wrote an account of his voyages The Two Voyages of the Pandora in 1875 and 1875 (London 1879), some extracts from which accompany this medal, together with other copied research.

A great War ‘Battle of Amiens, 1918’ M.M. and ‘Epehy/St Quentin Canal’ Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Sapper D. Townson, 12th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (448744 Spr: D. Townson. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (448744 Pnr. D. Townson. R.E.) half-hearted attempt to obliterate rank on these two; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, contact marks to the earlier medals, otherwise nearly very fine or better (7) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919: ‘Spr., 12th D.S.Coy. (Gorleston)’. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 14 May 1919: ‘Spr., 12th D.S. Coy. (Colne).’ Dean Townson was born at Colne in 1887, and died at Blackpool in 1961, aged 74. Sold with copied provincial newspaper portrait of Sapper Dean Townson, M.M. (and bar) stating that he was from Colne, together with copied research and some professional research stating that the M.M. was awarded for the battle of Amiens, August/September 1918, and the Bar for Epehy/St Quentin Canal.

A Great War 1918 ‘Advance to Victory’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant T. McCaffrey, Royal Field Artillery, who had been earlier Mentioned in Despatches Military Medal, G.V.R. (6638. Sjt. T. McCaffrey R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (6638 Gnr. T. Mc.Caffrey R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6638. Sjt. T. McCaffrey R.A.) edge bruise to MM, contact marks, very fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 4 January 1917. Thomas McCaffrey attested for the Royal Field Artillery on 1 September 1914 and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 February 1915. He was awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with 71st Battery, 6th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, from 21 August 1918 to 6 October 1918, having been earlier Mentioned in Despatches. His Great War medals were sent to him at 69 West End, Park Street, Glasgow. Sold together with a detailed archive including a Great War period photograph of the recipient in uniform, his original certificate of transfer to the reserve, his Officer Commanding 2nd Divisional Certificate signed by Major General Pereira, C.B., C.M.G., congratulating him for his bravery and devotion to duty during operations from 21 August to 6 October 1918, the original envelope for his Great War medals, instructions for wearing his Mentioned in Despatches emblem, a Princess Mary Christmas Tin, and the recipient’s detailed hand-written diary from 10 August 1917 to 11 November 1918, most worthy of publication, including the following entries: ‘22.2.17: Hear rumours about a railway strike being threatened at home. God forbid! I think that some of these people who want to strike should have a spell out here. I think it would open their eyes a bit. The soldier and sailor are all right but it is the civilian who is lacking. Oh for a change round. I would work overtime all week just to get home. We have to work sometimes 25 hours every day. We don’t grumble (at least not aloud). People at home can go to a soft bed when they are finished. I wonder if they have ever slept out in the rain, too tired to move out of it.’ ‘25.10.17: Left Hill Top Farm at 5.15 a.m. arriving at 7.45 a.m. Germans shelled us from 10.30 a.m. till noon when he seemed to shorten his range, thank God. Had three direct hits on this Pill-Box of ours but no damage done or lives lost. Fritz gives us a terrible time. Our casualties are enormous including 3 officers killed. Major Sandford gets recommended for D.S.O. and Gough for M.C. and several Other Ranks are recommended also.’ ‘4.11.18: Fired barrage and the Germans had been gradually retiring. We were shelled all the previous night but had no casualties. Pulled forward to Villers Pol and it has rained for the last 4 days. I have been awarded the Military Medal on 31-1-18. I think it will please all the dear folk at home. Have just heard that we have captured in one show, over 20,000 prisoners and 2,000 guns, and also that Ghent has fallen. Everybody says that the war is nearly over. I am rather inclined to think so too.’

A Collection of Royal Marine Rifle Association and Cadet Corps Medals. Comprising a Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 38mm, silver (D/Major W. A. Gouge) with top ‘1925’ brooch bar; a Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 26mm, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Local Portsmouth Division R.M. Sergts’ Mess Burge Trophy 1926, Sergt. C. J. Elliott.’, with top silver brooch bar, in fitted case; Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 26mm, bronze, unnamed, with ‘Officers Cup’ riband bar, and top ‘1928’ brooch bar; Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 26mm, silver, unnamed, with ‘“Mercer” Cup’ riband bar, and top ‘1933’ brooch bar, in fitted case; Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 26mm, bronze, unnamed, with ‘Aegean’ riband bar, and top ‘1938’ brooch bar; Royal Marines Rifle Association Medal, 26mm, silver, unnamed, with ‘Aegean’ riband bar, and top ‘1939’ brooch bar; Royal Marines skeletal medal, 42mm x 28mm, bronze, unnamed, with ‘Ply. Div. Rifle 1928’ riband bar, and top ‘Unit VIII’ brooch bar; Royal Marine Depot Cadet Corps Commanding Officer’s Medal for the Best All-Round Cadet, 38mm, silver (Sergt. Major W. G. R. Carter.) with top ‘1918’ brooch bar; Royal Marine Depot Cadet Corps Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, 38mm, bronze (Sergt. Major W. G. R. Carter.) with top ‘1918’ brooch bar; R.M.V.B.C. Long Service Medal (2), both 32mm, silver, the first for 3 Years V.G. Conduct, unnamed; the second for 4 Years V.G. Conduct, unnamed; and a Boxing Prize Medal, 38mm, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Presented to R. G. Carter, for Merit, 15.10.17’, generally very fine and better (12) £140-£180

Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Medal 1992, unnamed as issued; Indian Independence Medal 1947 (15410 Dfdr/Clk. Kartar Singh, I.A.C.); Pakistan Independence Medal 1947 (Dost Muhammad F.C. 494); Sierra Leone General Service Medal, unnamed as issued; London County Council King’s Medal (W. Chamberlain) with 1914-15 date bar, and top ‘L.C.C.’ riband bar, generally good very fine or better (5) £70-£90

A Miniature Portrait of an Unidentified 15th Hussars Officer. A well executed early 19th Century miniature portrait of a Cavalry Officer, the subject shown in full dress uniform of the 15th Hussars, and wearing a Waterloo Medal, 64mm x 53mm, the reverse signed ‘J. Drummond 1823’, contained in its original rectangular wooden frame, the frame measuring 130mm x 111mm, very good condition £160-£200 --- Believed to have been painted by Miss Jane Drummond, the well-know portraitist. A note on the reverse states ‘this size 5 Guineas’.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal T. Rogers, Royal Welch Fusiliers Military Medal, G.V.R. (10515 Cpl. T. Rogers. 14/R.W. Fus.); 1914 Star, with clasp (10515 Pte. T. Rogers. 2/R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (10515 Cpl. T. Rogers. R.W. Fus.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (4178963 Pte. T. Rogers. R.W. Fus.; Defence Medal, unnamed as issued, mounted on card for display, light contact marks, very fine or better (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919. Thomas Rogers was a native of Swindon and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in France from 13 August 1914. He was attached to the 14th Battalion at the time of winning his M.M., and served with the 1st battalion in the Waziristan operations of 1919-24. Sold with copied Medal Index Card which confirms I.G.S.

Copy Medals (27): George Cross (3); Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R.; Military Cross (4), G.V.R. (2); G.VI.R., 1st issue; E.II.R.; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., 1st issue (3); Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (2); Military Medal (10), G.V.R., 1st issue (3); G.VI.R., 1st issue (3); E.II.R., 2nd issue (4); Air Force Medal, G.VI.R.; Queen’s Gallantry Medal; Royal Victorian Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, silver; together with a reduced-sized gilt and enamel cross of the Royal Victorian Order, the majority poor-quality castings, therefore generally fine as produced (28) £60-£80

Copy Medals (23): Kaisar-I-Hind, G.VI.R. (3), First Class, gold issue; Second Class, silver issue; Third Class, bronze issue, all lacking integral top riband bars; Empress of India 1877 (4), gold issue (2); silver issue (2); Army L.S. & G.C. (4), G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (3); E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue; Army Emergency Reserve Efficiency Medal, E.II.R. (2); Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (4); R.M.S. Carpathia and S.S. Titanic Medal 1912 (4), gold issue (2); silver issue; bronze issue; together with a miniature Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, E.II.R., the majority poor-quality castings, therefore generally fine as produced (23) £60-£80

Copy Medals (51): Alexander Davison’s Medal for The Nile 1798, bronze issue (2); Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp (6), Battle of Delhi (2); Assye (2); Ava (2), all short-hyphen reverse issues; Honourable East India Company Medal for Java 1811 (8), gold issue (4); silver issue (4); St. Jean d’Acre 1840, gold issue (2); Defence of Jellalabad 1842, Mural Crown issue (4); Punniar Star 1843 (2); Punjab 1848-49, 1 clasp, Chilianwala; South Africa 1834-53 (3); Abyssinia 1867 (2); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (2); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp; Khedive’s Star, dated 1884; Royal Niger Company Medal 1886-97, silver issue, 1 clasp, Nigeria; Ashanti Star 1896 (2); East and Central Africa 1897-99, silver issue, 1 clasp, Uganda 1897-98 (2); Cape Copper Company Medal for the Defence of Ookiep, bronze issue (5); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (4); U.N. Korea 1950-54 (2); U.N. Medal, the majority poor-quality castings, therefore generally fine as produced (51) £80-£100

Copy Medal: Army Gold Cross 1806-14, for Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse, with oak and laurel leaves suspension ring but lacking swivel ring bar suspension, a non-Museum quality casting, therefore fine as produced £60-£80

Copy Medals (25): Allied Victory Medal (21), Czechoslovakian issue (3); French issue (6); unofficial French issue (4), ‘Charles’ type (2); ‘Pautot-Mattei’ type (2); Japanese issue (3); Romanian issue (3); United States of America issue (2), with a selection of various clasps; together with three unofficial French medals for combatants of the Somme; and a French Croix de Guerre, the reverse dated 1939-1940, the majority poor-quality castings, therefore generally fine as produced (25) £50-£70

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private H. Amery, South Staffordshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (40750 Pte. H. Amery. 2/5 S. Staff: R. -T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (40750 Pte. H. Amery. S. Staff. R.) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. Harold Amery was born in Pudsey, Yorkshire, in 1899 and attested for the South Staffordshire Regiment. He served with the 2nd/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1917, and was presented with his M.M. by Brigadier-General T. G. Cope, Commanding 176th Infantry Brigade, on 4 January 1918. Sold with copied research.

Defective Medal: Earl St. Vincent’s Testimony of Approbation 1800, silver, pierced for suspension, a cast copy struck on thin flan, edge bruised, contact marks and a little distorted to the edges, good fine £60-£80

The V.C. group of nine miniature dress medals worn by Major-General E. H. Sartorius V.C., 59th Foot, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for conspicuous bravery at Sliah-jui, Afghanistan, on 24 October 1879, and who was gifted his miniature V.C. by his brother (and fellow V.C. recipient) R. W. Sartorius Victoria Cross, the reverse of the suspension bar contemporarily engraved ‘R. S. to E. S. 25.5.81’; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s badge, gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle; Jubilee 1887, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, silver; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp; Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, Fourth Class badge, silver, gold, and enamel, with rosette on riband; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted as worn and housed in a wooden box with plaque inscribed ‘Major General Euston Henry Sartorius, VC., G.C.B. [sic]’, green enamel damage to Medjidieh, generally very fine (9) £2,400-£2,800 --- V.C. London Gazette 16 May 1881: ‘For conspicuous bravery during the action at Sliah-jui, on the 24th October 1879, in leading a party of five or six men of the 59th Regiment against a body of the enemy, of unknown strength, occupying an almost inaccessible position on the top of a precipitous hill. The nature of the ground made any sort of regular formation impossible, and Captain Sartorius had to bear the first brunt of the attack from the whole body of the enemy, who fell upon him and his men as they gained the top of the precipitous pathway; but the gallant and determined bearing of this Officer, emulated as it was by his men, led to the most perfect success, and the surviving occupants of the hilltop, seven in number, were all killed. In this encounter Captain Sartorius was wounded by sword cuts in both hands, and one of his men was killed.’ Euston Henry Sartorius was born in Cintra, Portugal, on 6 June 1844, the younger son of Admiral Sir George Rose Sartorius, G.C.B., and the younger brother of Reginald William Sartorius V.C., C.M.G. Along with his brothers, he was educated at Victoria College, St. Helier, Jersey, then Woolwich, and later at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. First serving as an Ensign in the 59th Foot, he was gazetted Lieutenant on 29 June 1865. He served as a Staff Officer and Instructor at Sandhurst from December 1869 until 1874, during which time, on 29 June 1869 along with two other men, he helped to save three girls from drowning at Broadstairs, Kent, and was awarded the Royal Humane Society Medal in Bronze. When he left for India in 1874, he served as a Company Commander during the Second Afghanistan War, and for his gallantry at Shahjui on 24 October 1879 was awarded the Victoria Cross. Lieutenant Irwin of the 59th, who was under Sartorius’ command, wrote of the action: ‘Captain Sartorius ordered his men to fix bayonets, and to clamber up. The hill was very steep, and when they got to within a few feet of the top the Afghans sprang up with a yell, and, sword in hand, slashing right and left, simply jumped down upon our fellows. For a few moments, all was confusion, friend and foe falling down together, but it was speedily all over. We had gained the hill, and the standards on it, not one of the enemy having escaped. We lost one man, and Captain Sartorius was wounded in both hands. The fanatics were splendid, though ferocious-looking scoundrels, and fought like fiends, having evidently made up their minds to die, and to do as much damage as possible before doing so.’ Sartorious was invested with his Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria on 1 July 1881. Due to wounds received during his V.C. action, he partially lost the use of his left hand; unable to continue as an active field officer, he was appointed to a staff post at Aldershot. In the 1882 Anglo-Egyptian War he was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General and Quartermaster-General, responsible for base and communications, and was afterwards promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel; was Mentioned in Despatches; and was awarded the Fourth Class of the Ottoman Order of Osmanieh. He was promoted Colonel in 1886, and was Assistant Adjutant-General in Portsmouth from 1891 to 1894. He then served as Military Attaché to Japan, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in 1896. Promoted Major-General in 1899, he retired in August 1901, although he continued to serve as a Colonel of a volunteer battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. The inscription on the reverse of the Victoria Cross ‘R. S. to E. S.’, presumably refers to the fact that Euston Sartorius was gifted his miniature V.C. by his brother Reginald Sartorius, himself a recipient of the V.C. during the Ashantee War. The Sartorius brothers are one of only four sets of brothers to both be awarded the Victoria Cross (the others being C. J. S. and H. H. Gough; G. N. and R. B. Bradford; and A. B. and V. B. Turner).

A pair of miniature dress medals worn by Captain C. C. Saxton, Royal Artillery China 1857-60, no clasp (Lt. Charles Clifford Saxton Madras Artillery) contemporarily engraved naming; Abyssinia 1867 (Lt. C. C. Saxton 23 B.R.A. Ast. Fd. Eng: A.E.F.) contemporarily engraved naming to edge, both with contemporary top silver riband buckles, very fine (2) £240-£280 --- Charles Clifford Saxton served with the Madras Artillery Mountain Train and Rocket Battery throughout the China Campaign of 1860, and was present at the action of Sinho (Medal). He served as Assistant Field Engineer with the Abyssinian Expeditionary Force from 31 December 1867 to the end of the campaign, and latterly as Assistant Provost Marshal at Senafe in addition to other duties (Mentioned in Despatches and medal).

A Great War 1918 ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class 1 A. C. Sparks, Army Service Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (T-13202 Sjt: - A.S.S. Mjr: - A. C. Sparks. 19/Res: Pk: A.S.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (13202 Corl. A. C. Sparkes, A.S.C.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (13202 Cpl A. C. Sparks. A.S.C.); 1914 Star, with clasp (T-13202 Sjt A. Sparkes. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (T-13202 W.O. Cl. 1. A. C. Sparks. A.S.C.) note the spellings of surname, generally very fine (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918 (France). Albert C. Sparks was a native of Ruthin, Wales. He served with the Army Service Corps during the Second Boer War and was ‘Invalided 20 August 1900’ (Medal Roll refers), and in Somaliland 1908-1910. Sparks advanced to Warrant Officer Class 1, and served during the Great War with the Corps in the French theatre of war from 5 October 1914.

An unattributed C.B., C.V.O. group of six miniature dress medals The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s badge, gilt and enamel; The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O., Commander’s badge, gilt and enamel; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; Coronation 1902, silver; Volunteer Officers’ Decoration, V.R. cypher, with integral top riband bar, mounted for wear, the CB and CVO both of recent manufacture; the latter four all of contemporary manufacture, generally very fine An unattributed group of five miniature dress medals United States of America, Silver Star, with two silver star emblems on riband; Bronze Star; Purple Heart, with four silver star emblems on riband; France, Fifth Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s badge, silvered and enamel; Great Britain, Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, mounted American-style for wear, nearly very fine Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp (3), Fort Detroit; Chateauguay; Chrystler’s Farm; British North Borneo Company Medal 1897-1916, no clasp (2), silver issue; bronze issue, all of recent manufacture; Canada, Order of Canada, badge, gilt and enamel; together with a miniature Territorial Force Nursing Service cape badge, good very fine (18) £140-£180

An unattributed O.B.E., A.F.C. group of four miniature dress medals The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type badge, silver-gilt, on 2nd type riband; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals, mounted as worn, very fine An unattributed M.C. group of four miniature dress medals Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officers’ Decoration, G.V.R., with integral top riband bar, mounted as worn, very fine An unattributed B.E.M. group of six miniature dress medals British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, mounted as worn, very fine An unattributed group of five miniature dress medals British War and Victory Medals; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48, mounted as worn, very fine (19) £80-£100

Victoria Cross; George Cross; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type; badge, silver-gilt and enamel, on 1st type riband; Military Cross, G.VI.R.; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar; Military Medal, G.V.R., 2nd ‘crowned head’ issue; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R.; Royal Victorian Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue; Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R., generally very fine and better (10) £100-£140