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Click here to subscribeFrance, Third Republic, China Medal 1900-01, silver, 1 clasp, 1900 Chine 1901; Colonial Medal, silver, 1 clasp, Tonkin; Resistance Medal, bronze; Cross of the Combat Volunteer of the Resistance, gilt; together with a commemorative Medal for the International Congress on Tuberculoses, Paris, October 1905, silver; and a miscellaneous bronze medal, eagle and serpent to obverse, with Lorraine cross emblem to riband, good very fine (6) £60-£80
France, Third Republic, Conseil Municipal de Paris 1904-08 Medallion, 50mm, silver, the reverse embossed ‘Lt. Col. Kearnes City Marschal’, in embossed red leather case; together with an unrelated Medaille de Changhai Concession Française, silver, 1 clasp, ‘Changhai 1937 Police Française’, in case of issue, good very fine An unattributed Great War Italian group of four Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militaire, silver, unnamed as issued; War Cross, bronze; Commemorative Medal for the Great War 1915-18, bronze; Allied Victory Medal 1914-19, bronze, very fine (6) £70-£90 --- Thomas Joseph Kearnes, C.B., C.M.G. (1861-1920), Army Service Corps, appointed City Marshal, London, in 1904, and Sergeant-at-Arms, City of London, in 1907. He served in South Africa during the Zulu campaign in 1879 (Medal and clasp); the Ashantee Expedition 1895-96 (Star, Mentioned in Despatches); the South African War 1899-1902 (Queen’s Medal with six clasps, King’s Medal with two clasps, three times Mentioned in Despatches); and the Great War 1914-18 (1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals, five times Mentioned in Despatches).
Germany, Bavaria, Industrial Decoration, First Class, for 40 Years’ Service, gilt and enamel, with related miniature award, in embossed case of issue; Prussia, Life Saving Medal, F.W.III. to obverse, silver, in case of issue, and in outer card transmission box; Red Cross Medal (2), Second Class, silver and enamel; Third Class, bronze, both in cases of issue, the third class award in outer card transmission box; Wurttemberg, Fire Service Decoration, 1st type (1885-1912), for 25 Years’ Service, gilt and enamel, in embossed case of issue, about extremely fine (5) £140-£180
A Great War 1915 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private A. Collard, 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10167 Pte A. Collard. 2/E. Lanc: Regt); 1914 Star, with clasp (10167 Pte A. Collard. 2/E. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10167 Pte. A. Collard. E. Lan.R.) light contact marks overall, therefore nearly very fine or better (4) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916, citation published London Gazette 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when bringing in the wounded.’ Albert Collard served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 6 November 1914 (entitled to Silver War Badge).
Germany, Prussia, Iron Cross 1914, Second Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, unmarked, Third Reich, War Service Cross, Second Class, with swords, bronze; War Service Medal, bronze; Memeland Commemorative Medal 1939, bronze; together with two Second War Italian Badges, the first gilt, with two retaining screws; the second gilt and enamel, with rosette for wear on a pith helmet, very fine, the Memeland Medal scarce (6) £100-£140
Germany, Prussia, Civil Merit Medal 1847-1918, Second Class, silver, in leather case with silk and velvet lining; Federal Republic, Order of Merit (2), Commander’s neck badge, 60 mm, gilt and enamel, with neck riband and related miniature and riband bar, in case of issue; Knight’s breast badge, 50mm, gilt and enamel, with riband bar, in Junker, Berlin, case of issue, nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Note: The Commander’s neck badge comes with an old typed label inscribed ‘Nai Sahas Bukhamana Bureau of the Royal Household, Verdienstkreuz an Bande’.
Germany, Prussia, Hohenzollern Campaign Medal, bronze; Red Cross Medal (2), Second Class, silver and enamel; Third Class, bronze; Fire Service Decoration, for 25 Years’ Service, silver and enamel; together with a Bavarian Great War souvenir being a paper concertina of images of Bavarian troops in the Great War, in full colour, and housed in a tin designed in the style of a Bavarian 1914-16 Thaler, good very fine (5) £60-£80
Family group: A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Shaiba’ stretcher-bearer’s D.C.M. pair awarded to Private F. Scadden, 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, who was also fatally wounded during the action, and died the following day Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8405 Pte F. Scadden. 2/Dorset: Regt); 1914-15 Star (8405 Pte F. Scadden. Dorset: R.) slightly worn, nearly very fine Three: Private T. Scadden, 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, who was killed in action in Palestine, 19 September 1918 1914-15 Star (8135 Pte T. Scadden. Dorset: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8135 Pte. T. Scadden. Dorset. R.) nearly very fine (5) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 14th April, 1915, in Turkey in Asia, when, as stretcher-bearer, he attended two seriously wounded men under very heavy fire, and whilst doing so was himself wounded. He continued, however, to render first aid until he collapsed from loss of blood. He has since died of wounds.’ Frederick Scadden served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, and landed at Fao, Persian Gulf, 6 November 1914. The Battalion were part of the Indian Expeditionary Force D, who were tasked with the campaign in Mesopotamia. Scadden distinguished himself during the Battle of Shaiba, 12 - 14 April 1915, but was also fatally wounded in doing so. The Regimental History gives the following for Shaiba: ‘The Battalion’s achievement in this action may to some extent be appreciated from the award of no less than seven D.C.M.’s for gallantry in this action; besides the five men already mentioned those who received this honour were C.S.M. Warren, who has shown great ability and gallantry in leading his men, and Pte Scadden, a stretcher-bearer, who was most assiduous in succouring the wounded and was himself mortally wounded binding up wounds under fire.’ Private Scadden died of wounds, 15 April 1915, and is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. Thomas Scadden served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, and landed at Fao, Persian Gulf, 6 November 1914. The Battalion were part of the Indian Expeditionary Force D, who were tasked with the campaign in Mesopotamia. Private Scadden was killed in action in Palestine, 19 September 1918, and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine.
A German group of three Germany, Third Reich, War Service Cross, Second Class, with swords, bronze; Empire, War Honour Cross, non-combatants’ issue without swords, bronze, reverse stamped ‘A. & S.’; Entry into Czechoslovakia Medal 1 October 1938, bronze, mounted German-style as worn, good very fine Germany, Third Reich, Iron Cross 1939, Second Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, unmarked; Entry into Austria Medal 13 March 1938 Medal, silvered; Entry into Czechoslovakia Medal 1 October 1938, bronze; Eastern Front Medal 1941-42, zinc, nearly extremely fine (7) £120-£160
Germany, Third Reich, Police Long Service Medal (2), for 18 Years’ Service, silvered, with original embroidered riband, in embossed card box of issue; for 25 Years’ Service, gilt, in embossed case of issue; Faithful Service Medal, for 25 Years’ Service, silver and enamel, in original embossed card box of issue, good very fine (3) £160-£200
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ stretcher-bearer’s D.C.M. awarded to Private H. Greenhall, 2/4th South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (241954 Pte H. Greenhall. 2/4 S. Lan: R.) with glazed locket containing small photographs of a young man and a young woman, very fine £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1920: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty during the fighting previous to the capture of Cambrai in September, 1918, when employed as battalion stretcher-bearer. During the whole of this fighting his actions were responsible for saving many lives and much suffering.’ H. Greenhall was a native of Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan. There appears to be no MIC for Greenhall with this number, however, his name and regiment are cross-referenced on an MIC for Harry Greenhall (16877) of the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment.
India, Bahalwalpur, 1914-18 Star, unnamed as issued; 1914-19 Star (2) (922 Slr. Ghulam Hussain Bahawlpr. Transpt. Cps; 686 Lcc Silr Mohammad Bahawlpr Transpt. Cps); North West Frontier Medal 1914-19 (2) (599 Sepoy Hakhar Bahalwpr Camel Cps; 813 Slr Gathar Bahawlpr Transpt Cps); Baroda, Diamond Jubilee Medal, very fine or better (6) £80-£100
A Great War 1915 ‘French theatre’ D.C.M. awarded to Lance Corporal A. J. West, 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, later Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (11124 Pte A. J. West. 1/Middx: Regt) worn, good fine £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915: ‘For conspicuously gallant conduct near Armentieres on 3rd January, 1915, in carrying a wounded man, under a hot sniping fire, across the open, the communication trench at the time being impassable. Private West has constantly brought in wounded men under fire.’ Arthur J. West served during the Great War in the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in the French theatre of war from 11 August 1914. The Battalion moved from the Houplines sector to Armentieres, 20 December 1914, where they served as ‘part of 19th Brigade, attached 6th Division. On 2nd January began tours in Bois-Grenier sector trenches. Battalion headquarters near Ration Farm. War Diary notes very bad weather conditions throughout January. Heavy rain caused dug-outs to fall in, parapets disappeared, sandbags sunk into the mud. Men up to their knees in mud and water in most places.’ (British Battalions on the Western Front January to June 1915, by R. Westlake refers). West subsequently advanced to Lance Corporal and transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.
Italy, Kingdom, African Campaign Medal 1895-96, bronze; Libia Campaign Medal 1912, silver; War Merit Cross, bronze (3); 1915-18 War Medal, bronze (2), one with 3 clasps, 1915, 1916, 1917; Allied Victory Medal, bronze (2); East Africa Campaign Medal, bronze (2), generally very fine or better (11) £100-£140
Italy, Kingdom, a Selection of Miscellaneous Commemorative Medals, including Italian Unity 1848-1918 (3); Liberation of Fiume 1919 (2); City of Rome Merit Medal 1922; March on Rome Medal (2), one named ‘Giancola Alfredo’; Ora e Sempre Merit Medal (2); Fascist Bronze Merit Cross; Divisione di Fanteria “Sabatha” (2); “Littorio” Divisione Volontari Cross, generally very fine or better (14) £120-£160
Japan, Empire, Order of the Golden Kite, Seventh Class breast badge, silver, with gilded falcon; Order of the Rising Sun (3), Seventh Class breast badge (2), silver and enamel, one in damaged rio-nuri lacquered case of issue; Eighth Class breast badge, silver; Order of the Sacred Treasure (3), Sixth Class breast badge, silver and enamel; Seventh Class breast badge (2), silver, one in rio-nuri lacquered case of issue, with lapel rosette; together with a Red Cross membership medal, aluminium, very fine or better (8) £160-£200
Japan, Empire, 1904-05 War Medal (2), one in case of issue; 1931-34 Incident Medal (3), two in cases of issue; China Incident Medal 1937 (4), two in cases of issue; Showa Enthronement Medal 1926, in case of issue; 2,600th Anniversary Medal, in case of issue; Red Cross Membership Medal, in case of issue; a mounted group of three comprising China Incident Medal 1937; Red Cross Membership Medal; and First National Census Medal 1920; together with four society badges, two bronze and two enamelled, these all in cases of issue, generally good very fine or better (19) £80-£100
A Great War 1915 ‘Gallipoli’ stretcher-bearer’s D.C.M. awarded to Private T. Seddon, 1/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who despite already being wounded himself went to the aid of a wounded comrade - only to be hit by a shell and lose his leg whilst attending to the man Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2120 Pte T. Seddon. 5/Manch. R. - T.F.) nearly very fine £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1916, citation published London Gazette 21 June 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry as a stretcher-bearer. He lost his leg by shell fire when rushing to assist a wounded man, although he himself was wounded at the time.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 13 July 1916. Thomas Seddon served during the Great War with the 1/5th Battalion, Manchester Regiment in the Gallipoli theatre of war from 6 May 1915. He was discharged due to wounds, 24 September 1915 (entitled to Silver War Badge)
Netherlands, Kingdom, Hague Peace Conference 1907, silver medal, as awarded to all delegates and organisers, reverse engraved ‘Guido Pompilj’, about extremely fine £60-£80 --- Guido Pompij was the foreign minister of the Kingdom of Italy and delegate at the Hague Peace conferences of 1901 and 1907.
A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major C. Miller, 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, late Coldstream Guards Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20624 C.S. Mjr: C. Miller. 12/Durh: L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (9953 Pte C. Miller, Cldstm: Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9953 Pte C. Miller. Coldstream Guards.); 1914-15 Star (20624 Sjt. C. Miller, Durh. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (20624 A.W.O. Cl. 1. C. Miller. Durh. L.I.) with photographic image of recipient, contact marks overall, nearly very fine (5) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When several men were buried in a dug-out by an enemy barrage he went along the top of the trench and dug them out single-handed. His prompt action undoubtedly saved their lives.’ Charles Miller was a native of Spennymoor, County Durham, and was a horse-slaughterer by trade. He served with the Coldstream Guards during the Second Boer War, and with the 12th (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry during the Great War in the French theatre of war from 25 August 1915. The Battalion moved to Italy from November 1917, and took up positions at Montello along the River Piave, 4 December 1917. Miller subsequently transferred to the Labour Corps.
Oman, Sultanate, Order of the Special Royal Emblem, Expatriate’s set of insignia, by Asprey, London, comprising silver medal, 38mm, hallmarked 1985, riband bar and presentation scroll named to ‘David Edward Williams, Ministry of Defence’ and dated 18 November 1985, all in case of issue, lacking the dress miniature, otherwise virtually mint state £160-£200
A Great War 1914 ‘Winter operations’ D.C.M. awarded to Private A. Smith, 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, who distinguished himself in action, 14 December 1914, and was also wounded twice during the action only to be killed in action later the same day Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5777 Pte A. Smith. 3/Gord. Hdrs) toned, good very fine £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 April 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 14th December 1914, when under heavy close-range fire he crawled forward into the open to within 50 yards of the enemy, and bandaged two of his wounded comrades. In performing this act of gallantry he was himself wounded, but continued assisting others until his hand was shattered by a second shell.’ Alexander Dunn Smith was the son of Mrs E. Smith who resided at 150 West North Street, Aberdeen. He served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders in the French theatre of war from 7 October 1914. Smith distinguished himself in action, 14 December 1914, and was also wounded twice during the action only to be killed in action later the same day. On the latter date the Battalion: ‘Marched via Locre to Kemmel (13th). Advanced (14th) - ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies taking up forward trenches in readiness for attack on Maedelstraede Farm. War Diary records that British Artillery opened at 7am, many shells falling short of the enemy’s lines - “owing to the inadequate means of communication this could not be reported.” Attacked 7.45am. Enemy immediately opened up with heavy rifle and machine gun fire, War Diary recording that the attacking companies soon disappeared from view - “it was impossible to tell how they were progressing.” Report relieved that men were seen entering German trenches 8am. All attempts to contact forward troops unsuccessful. Message received 4.15pm from Lieutenant G. R. V. Hume-Gore of ‘D’ Company to the effect that he was isolated with 40 men in a position some 50 yards from German’s front trench. He had no knowledge of leading companies - ‘B’ and ‘C’. The officer also reported that 5 messengers had been sent back by him throughout the day - none having reached headquarters.... Battalion later ordered to withdraw to original firing line then after relief by 4th Middlesex moved back to Kemmel. Casualties - Captain C. Boddam-Whetham, Lieutenants W. F. R. Dobie, J. J. G. McWilliam killed, 4 officers wounded, 51 other ranks killed, 139 wounded, 63 missing.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914, by R. Westlake refers). Private Smith is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Note: It would appear that the battalion number on Smith’s medal has been applied in error.
A Great War 1915 ‘French theatre’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance Corporal, later Second Lieutenant, W. S. Muir, 1/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, who was later killed in action on the Somme, 25 September 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3456 L. Cpl W. S. Muir. 1/6 A. & S. Hdrs - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (3456 Pte. W. S. Muir. A. & S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. S. Muir.) good very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 29 November 1915: ‘For conspicuous bravery on the 8th and 9th October, 1915, at Thiepval. Early in the heavy bombardment of the fire trench by enemy trench mortars a tunnelled listening sap was blown in not far from the point of junction with the first trench. Communication was cut off, and four men were on duty in the sap. It was necessary to ascertain whether the men had been killed or buried, and Lance Corporal Muir volunteered to go over the parapet and through the wire entanglement into the shell hole. He returned by the same route and reported that two men, whom he brought in, were suffering from shock, and two men were buried. He then went out again, accompanied by an officer, and commenced digging the men out under a heavy fire. Later a dug-out was blown in which held seven men, Lance Corporal Muir being one. All the party were buried, two being instantly killed. He dug himself out and then dug out the first of the remaining men. Although suffering from shock, he was able to report what had happened. This was the means of saving three more men. He then collapsed and had to be sent to hospital.’ William Stewart Muir was born in Paisley, Renfrewshire in October 1887, and educated at the North Public School. Prior to the war he was employed by the Provident Cooperative Society, and was the Secretary of the Paisley Victoria Swimming Club. Muir served during the Great War with the 1/6th (Renfrewshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the French theatre of war from 1 May 1915. He is recorded by the Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette as being ‘the first Paisley Territorial to win the D.C.M.’ Muir was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1/6th Battalion in January 1916. Second Lieutenant Muir was killed in action on the Western Front, 25 September 1916. On the latter date the Battalion were serving as part of the 5th Division on the Somme, ‘Operations at Morval (25 - 26/9), casualties - 77.’ (British Battalions on the Somme, by R. Westlake refers). Second Lieutenant Muir is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Serbia, Principality, Medal of the Chancellery of the the Royal Serbian Orders of Chivalry, gilt and enamel, with replacement chain suspension; Commemorative Medal for the Restoration of Miloch Obrenovitch 1858, silver; Commemorative Medal for the death of Michel III Obrenovitch 1868, silver; Commemorative Medal for the Accession of Milan IV 1872 (2), bronze-gilt; bronze, nearly very fine and better (5) £120-£160
Serbia, Kingdom, Medal of Zeal 1877-78, bronze-gilt; together with a later cast copy; Commemorative Medal for the Serbo-Turkish Wars 1876-78, bronze; Medal for Military Virtue (3), two with laurel wreath suspension, both gilt; one without laurel wreath suspension, bronze, generally nearly very fine and better (6) £120-£160
Serbia, Kingdom, Medal for Bravery 1912 (2), First Class, bronze-gilt; Second Class, silver; Medal for Zealous Service (6), First Class, bronze-gilt (3), all ‘single crown’ type; Second Class, silver (3), two ‘single crown’ type, the third the ‘double crown’ type; Cross of Charity 1912, First Class, gilt and enamel; King Peter I Commemorative Cross 1912-13, bronze-gilt, nearly very fine and better (10) £100-£140
Serbia, Kingdom, Bravery Medal ‘Milos Obilic’ (3), Gold Medal, 36mm, bronze-gilt; Silver Medal (2), 36mm, silvered; 30mm, silvered; Commemorative Medal for the Serbo-Turkish War 1912, bronze; Commemorative Cross for the Serbo-Turkish War 1913 (3), Combatant’s type, bronze; Next-of-Kin type, blackened bronze; Commemorative Medal for Loyalty to the Fatherland (2), bronze; zinc; Commemorative Medal for the Great War 1915-18, bronze; together with a silvered cast copy; Commemorative Cross for the Invalids of the Great War, bronze, generally very fine (11) £140-£180
Serbia, Kingdom, Commemorative Medal for the Anointment of Alexander I 1889, bronze, without crown; Medal for Civil Merit (3), bronze-gilt; silver (2); Commemorative Medal for the Election of King Peter I 1903 (2), silver; bronze; Commemorative Medal for the Coronation of King Peter I 1904, bronze, edge bruising to last, generally nearly very fine and better (7) £100-£140
The Boer War C.M.G. group of four awarded to the Rt. Hon. Colonel The Lord B. E. B. Castletown, late of the Militia and Yeomanry, and Leinster Regiment, one of the last Knights of Saint Patrick, whose colourful life as a soldier, sportsman and traveller is vividly recalled in his autobiography Ego The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s, breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut: Hon: B. E. B. Fitz Patrick. Rl. E. Kent. Yy. Cav:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (Lt. Col. F. E. B. Lord Castletown. Lnstr. Rgt.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- K.P. Nominated in 1907 and invested on 29 February 1908. C.M.G. London Gazette 26 June 1902. Bernard Edward Barnaby Fitzpatrick, 2nd Baron Castletown, was born in July 1848 and was educated at Eton and Brasenose College, Oxford. Having then made a grand tour of the continent, he served as an observer and ambulance worker in the Franco-Prussian War: ‘During the time I was in France I saw a good deal of the actual fighting, including the termination of the battle of Gravelotte and the deep road where the Germans made their great sacrifice of life, and I also watched the retreat of the French at Sedan ... The poor dead, half-burnt by the conflagration, were lying in all directions, and the wretched French prisoners were being collected by the Bavarians ... I was sent to work at a typhus and typhoid hospital for some time - a very unpleasant experience’ (Ego refers). Commissioned in the 1st Life Guards on his return from France, Fitzpatrick resigned his commission on getting married in April 1874, but maintained his military links with an appointment as a Captain in the City of Cork Artillery Militia from 1875-77 and in the Royal East Kent Yeomanry, in which latter capacity he gained attachment to his old regiment, the 1st Life Guards, during the Egypt operations of 1882, including the battles of Kassassin and Tel-el-Kebir (Medal & clasp; Khedive’s Star): and surely a uniquely named award to the Royal East Kent Yeomanry. Of Tel-el-Kebir, Fitzpatrick later wrote: ‘A little before dawn one gun was fired from the works, and then the whole sky was lit up as gun after gun was fired from both sides, and the rattle of rifle fire was overwhelming. It seemed to last only a short time; then dawn came, and one of the first things I could distinguish was the head of a soldier lying on the ground at my horse’s feet; how it came there I have no idea, but there it was. We advanced at a trot, shells whistling about us, but I do not think we had any casualties. As the dawn grew stronger, I saw Indian lancers galloping all over the place, and spitting unfortunate Egyptians with their lances. At last the firing ceased, and we worked up to the entrenchments and dismounted. I walked into the redoubt nearest to us and realised what a strong place it was. There has been severe fighting; some of the Soudanese had fought to the end, and men were lying wounded and dead in all directions ... We had our lunch by the canal, and I wandered into the low bush which fringed it. Bang! went a rifle and I heard a bullet whistle past my head; I fired at the spot from whence the shot had come, and dropped to the ground to await events. As nothing further happened, I cautiously worked my way through the bush, and found I had shot an Egyptian soldier. He was badly wounded, poor chap, and I did what I could for him and got him water; he was a brave fellow as he never whimpered or groaned. As I sat by him he motioned with his hand to his breast pocket, which he could not reach. I felt in the pocket and pulled out a small paper Koran, and handed it to him. He read it carefully, and after a few minutes turned on his side and died’ (Ego refers). Fitzpatrick was M.P. for Portarlington Borough 1880-83 and succeeded his father in 1883 as 2nd Baron Castletown. In the Boer War, and having been appointed a Lieutenant-Colonel in the 4th Battalion, Leinster Regiment, he served as Assistant Adjutant-General on Lord Roberts’ staff, and was awarded the C.M.G. Never one to be found behind a desk for too long, Fitzpatrick made it his business to go out on intelligence gathering patrols, and to share in the dangers of other offensive operations. From 1906-10 he was chancellor of the Old Royal University of Ireland, of which he was an honorary LLD. In 1907 he was appointed a Knight of Saint Patrick, and in 1908 was sworn of the Irish Privy Council. In the Great War he did admirable recruiting work and his coolness, courage and devotion were remarkable in the troubles that followed. He married in 1874, the Hon. Ursula Clare Emily St Leger, daughter of 4th Viscount Doneraile. Lord Castletown died without issue on 29 May 1937.
A Great War 1915 ‘Ypres operations’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private J. Coyne, 1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1489 Pte J. Coyne. 9/A .& S. Hdrs - T.F.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (404 Pte J. Coyne. A. & S. Highrs:); British War Medal 1914-20 (1489 Pte. J. Coyne. A. & S. H.) generally very fine or better (3) £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 30 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in carrying back into a trench a wounded comrade under heavy fire, and after having dressed his wound. He had to cover a distance of 100 yards to reach the trench.’ James Coyne served during the Second Boer War with the 1st Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. He later served during the Great War with the 1/9th (The Dumbartonshire) Battalion in the French theatre of war from 19 February 1915. In April the Battalion moved into Ypres, ‘Battalion records note that on 3rd May the line was shortened and the Dumbartons withdrew into Sanctuary Wood. Lieutenant A. D. McAnderson killed 8th. Enemy launched a bitter attack on the 10th, records the War Diary, followed by a furious bombardment and a cloud of gas. The Germans then came forward - ‘This was the Ninth’s day of glory and of death.’ Casualties over 300. Lieutenant Colonel C. B. Clark; Lieutenant F. R. H. Hutton; Second Lieutenants G. H. G. Birrell and K. J. Campbell among those killed. Relieved from forward area 17th and withdrew to billets near Poperinghe. Joined 10th Brigade, 4th Division and moved forward to La Brique sector 21st. Captain R. S. Findlay; Lieutenants J. C. Bonnar and J. Jackson killed 22nd. Another gas attack on 24th caused high casualties - strength recorded at 11pm as just 2 officers and 85 other ranks. Captain A. G. Brown; Lieutenant G. G. Chrystal among those killed. Amalgamated with the 1/7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 27th May.’ (British Battalions on the Western Front, January to June 1915, by R. Westlake refers)
Serbia, Kingdom, Medal of St. Sava, bronze; Medal of Agricultural Merit, First Class, gilt and enamel; Medal of Musical Merit, bronze-gilt; Commemorative Medal for the 25th Anniversary of the Liberation of South Serbia 1912-37, bronze; Commemorative Medal for the 50th Anniversary of the Great War 1918-68, bronze; together with an unofficial Serbian Medal ‘Serbia Surrenders Only to God’, gilt, very fine (6) £60-£80
Serbia, Kingdom, Royal Household Medal (6), 1st (1882-89) type (2), Gold Medal, with Crown, silver-gilt, crown detached but present; Silver Medal, without Crown; 2nd (1889-1903) type (2), Silver Medal, with Crown; Silver Medal, without Crown; 3rd (1903-21) type (2), Gold Medal, with Crown, bronze-gilt; Gold Medal, without Crown, bronze-gilt, generally very fine (6) £120-£160
Serbia, Kingdom, Serbian Red Cross Society Decoration 1876, Royal issue, with Crown suspension, silver and enamel; Red Cross Medal for Financial Aid 1912, silver; Red Cross Medal for the Balkan War 1912-13, Second Class, silver and enamel; Red Cross Medal for Services Rendered to Serbia During the Great War 1914-18, bronze, generally very fine (4) £140-£180
Three: Second Lieutenant M. O. Grunder, 2 (Flying Cheetahs) Squadron, South African Air Force, who was killed in action whilst leading a flight of Mustangs against an anti-aircraft battery at Youndong, Korea, 1 September 1951 South Africa, Korea 1950-53 (2/Lt. M. O. Grunder) officially impressed naming; United States of America, Air Medal, bronze (Martin O. Grunder) officially engraved; U.N. Korea (2/Lt. M. O. Grunder.) officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Martin Olckers Grunder was the son of A. J. Grunder of Durban, South Africa. He served as a Mustang pilot with 2 (Flying Cheetahs) Squadron, South African Air Force during the Korean War. Second Lieutenant Grunder was killed in action whilst flying North American F-51 Mustang #342, 1 September 1951. He led a flight of four aircraft on a sortie to attack rail and supply routes. After completing the primary sortie, they headed south, and over Youndong Grunder spotted something on the ground, in a wooded area which he went to investigate. It was an anti-aircraft battery, and he proceeded to strafe this, followed by the rest of his flight. His No.2, Major Wiggett, lost sight of Grunder in the sun as he pulled up from his strafing run. Shortly after this, Major Wiggett saw a Mustang canopy and some papers floating down at 1500 feet, but no sign of Grunder's aircraft. A search revealed the aircraft wreckage on the ground, but no sign of the pilot, and no parachute was found. Second Lieutenant Grunder is commemorated on the United Nations Pusan Memorial, South Korea. Approximately 34 South African Aircrew killed during the Korean War.
A fine Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private L. Schofield, Rifle Brigade, who was decorated for his gallantry in the ‘liquid fire attack’ at Hooge in July 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (B-3164 Pte L. Schofield. 5/Rif: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (B-3164 Pte L. Schofield. Rif: Brig:); British War and Victory Medals (B-3164 Pte. L. Schofield. Rif. Brig.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1915, with bronze palme, mounted on card for display, edge bruise to BWM, otherwise generally good very fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. During a pause in a counter-attack, he went down the line and helped three wounded men, returning at once to his place. He did this again during another pause and finally when the attack was concluded, he crept out and brought in two wounded officers, regardless of any personal danger.’ France, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 February 1916. Leonard Schofield was born in Manchester in August 1891 and enlisted in the Rifle Brigade in September 1914, and was attached to the 8th Battalion at the time of winning his D.C.M. for the ‘liquid fire attack’ at Hooge on 30 July 1915, an action that resulted in battalion casualties of nearly 500 men killed, wounded or missing - and the award of the V.C. to 2nd Lieutenant Sydney Woodroffe. An account of the action appears in The War Record of the 8th (Service) Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, from which the following extracts have been taken: ‘About 3.15 a.m. the Germans attacked. It had already been reported that they were very active in the front and the whole front line was standing to as usual at that hour. Part of the front line trenches were subjected to an intense bombardment which lasted only about two or three minutes, then suddenly sheets of flame broke out along the front and clouds of thick black smoke. The Germans had turned on liquid fire, apparently from hoses which had been established just in front during the night. Under cover of the flames swarms of bombers appeared on the parapet and in the rear of the lines. The mass of them had broken through and were moving right and left. The fighting became very confused and the machine guns were soon all out of action... Nearly all the platoons were overwhelmed and the Germans established themselves along the whole of our front, and were at once strongly reinforced by machine-guns and rifles. They then attempted to bomb down the two communication trenches, “Old Bond Street” and “The Strand”, but were blocked about half way up and held throughout the day. From the beginning of the action Zouave Wood had been subject to a violent artillery bombardment and all communications were difficult and all telephone wires cut. Reinforcements meanwhile arrived about 9 a.m. from the Brigade in the shape of one company of the K.R.R.C. The remains of the Battalion held the northern edge of Zouave Wood... At 2.45 p.m. exactly the counter-attack started: ‘D’ Company on the right advanced as if on parade. The enemy’s machine-guns and rifles had not been silenced in any way by the bombardment. The whole ground was absolutely swept by bullets. The attack was brought to a complete standstill about half way to its objective and no reinforcements could reach it. The same thing happened on the left, up “old Bond Street”. The second counter-attack failed. The remnants of the Battalion held on to the communication trenches until dark, and the front line of Zouave Wood was gradually taken over, first by the 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade and then by the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. At 2 a.m. on the 31st, the Battalion was taken out of action having suffered the following casualties: Six officers killed, three missing (almost certainly killed), and ten wounded (19 out of 24). Other ranks: 80 killed, 262 wounded and 132 missing (479 out of 758). Five cases of shell shock. Four machine-guns out of five were lost or disabled by enemy fire. The men fought without water or rations throughout the day.’ Schofield was discharged at Winchester as a result of wounds in September 1917, but was appointed a Flight Cadet in the Royal Air Force in May 1918, from which service he was discharged for a final time in May 1919.
Sweden, Kingdom, Order of the North Star, Knight’s breast badge, by Carlman, Stockholm, 60mm including crown suspension x 40mm, silver and enamel, in case of issue; together with a Patriotic Society Silver Medal, Gustav V issue (E. G. Karlsson) the first heavily tarnished, therefore very fine and better (2) £70-£90
A Great War 1915 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private A. H. S. Hale, 1/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), later Royal Engineers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2228 Pte A. H. S. Hale. 3/Lond: Regt - T. F.); 1914-15 Star (2228 Pte. A. H. S. Hale. 1-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2228 Pte. A. H. S. Hale. 1-Lond. R.) contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916, citation published London Gazette 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. When in full view of the enemy he dragged a wounded man to a place of safety, and remained with him for seventeen hours in a shell hole, tending his wounds under fire.’ Arthur H. S. Hale initially served during the Great War with the 1/1st (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) in the French theatre of war from 6 January 1915. He subsequently transferred to the 1/3rd (City of London) Battalion, and then to the Royal Engineers.
A Thai Order of the Crown group of three Thailand, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, 3rd (1941) issue, Fifth Class breast badge silver-gilt and enamel; Rama IX Coronation Medal 1950, silver; Royal Visit to the United States of America and Europe Medal 1962, silver, mounted as worn, very fine A Thai group of five Thailand, Kingdom, Chai Medal 1975, silvered; Safeguarding of Freedom Medal 1969, Second Class, bronze, with top riband bar; Border Service Medal 1954, gilt; 25th Centenary of Buddhism Medal 1957, gilt; Red Cross Medal, silvered, naming engraved on reverse, mounted as worn, good very fine A Thai group of three Thailand, Kingdom, Safeguarding of Freedom Medal 1969, Second Class, bronze; Silver Jubilee Medal 1971, silver; Investiture of Prince Varijalongkorn as Crown Prince 1972, silver, mounted as worn; together with various miscellaneous Thai badges (6), very fine and better (17) £120-£160
A Thai Order of the White Elephant group of four Thailand, Kingdom, Order of the White Elephant, 3rd (1941) issue, Fifth Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the Crown, 2nd issue, Fifth Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Rama VI Coronation Medal 1911, silver; Rama VII Coronation Medal 1925, silver, mounted as worn, the riband of the first somewhat distressed, generally good very fine (4) £70-£90
A Thai group of six Thailand, Kingdom, Safeguarding of Freedom Medal 1969, Second Class, bronze, with top riband bar; Boy Scout Citation Medal 1964, silver; King Rama IX’s Royal cypher medal, silver with gilt centre; Silver Jubilee Medal 1971, silver; Investiture of Prince Vajiralongkorn as Crown Prince Medal 1972, silver; Red Cross Medal, silvered, naming engraved on reverse, with Red Cross emblem on riband, mounted as worn, good very fine or better A Thai group of five Thailand, Kingdom, Victory Medal 1941, bronze; Order of the White Elephant, Silver Medal of the Order, silver; Rama IX Coronation Medal 1950, silver; 25th Centenary of Buddhism Medal 1957, gilt; Royal Visit to the United States of America and Europe 1962, silver, mounted as worn, generally very fine (11) £80-£100
Thailand, Kingdom, Visit of Rama V to Europe 1897, bronze medal, by Patey, 30mm, edge struck ‘Monnaie de Paris Bronze’; Bronze medal, 1909, similar to the silver salang coin but with suspension, 28mm, both in later Monnaie de Paris cases with name in French and Thai on inner lid, good very fine (2) £50-£70
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ stretcher-bearer’s D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private C. H. W. Roberts, 2/4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (282706 Pte C. H. W. Roberts. 2/4 Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (5743 Pte. C. H. W. Roberts. 4-Lond. R.) generally good very fine or better (3) £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 4 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was one of a party of four strecher-bearers during an attack, and when the three others were wounded he worked alone for twenty-six hours, bringing in wounded from shell holes. He also remained at duty after his battalion had been relieved, attending to the wounded. He undoubtedly save many lives.’ Charles Herbert West Roberts was a native of Kentish Town, and served during the Great War with the 2/4th (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers) on the Western Front.
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