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Three: Private W. J. Phillips, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914 Star, with copy clasp (7763 Pte. W. J. Phillips. 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (7763 Pte. W. J. Phillips. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (7763 Pte. W. J. Phillips. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) the VM erased and crudely re-named, very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Walter Joseph Phillips attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914. He was discharged in September 1916, no longer fit for active service.

A post-War ‘Civil Division’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to M. H. Webster, Secretary for Health, Rhodesia, late Colonel, Royal Army Medical Corps Rhodesia, Independence Commemorative Medal (M. H. Webster); Great Britain, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type, breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine (6) £200-£300 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 9 January 1960. M.I.D. London Gazette 8 July 1941 (Middle East). Maurice Holland Webster was born in Banff, Scotland in September 1914, and educated at Banff Academy and Aberdeen University. His obituary which appeared The Central African Journal of Medicine, September 1986, gives the following: ‘Maurice Holland Webster was known to me and his friends as Mark. Mark... graduated MB ChB in 1936. He worked as a Resident Medical Officer at the City Hospital, Aberdeen and while there he obtained his DPH. During the Second World War he served in Norway and the Middle East, reaching the rank of Colonel and Deputy Director of Hygiene.... On leaving the army he joined the health services of Southern Rhodesia and was posted to Bulawayo as the first Regional Medical Officer. Later he was awarded the OBE for his work as Chief Medical Officer on Site during the construction of the Kariba Dam. Following the end of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland he was appointed Secretary of Health of this country. One of his impressive achievements was recruitment of staff to the Ministry of Health following the end of the Federation. It was also due to his determination that the Faculty of Medicine was established in the face of the Government’s desire to scrap the plan to save money. Like most people in this country, Mark suffered very close personal losses during the way... Two years before he retired, Mark started to study Law at the local university and graduated soon after he retired. He became a full-time lecturer in law at the University of Zimbabwe until he retired very recently. At the time of his death he was in part-time practice in medicine and a part-time lecturer in law....’ Webster’s post-war appointments were: Secretary for Health, Rhodesia; Regional Medical Officer of Health Bulawayo, 1946-55; Chief Medical Officer Federal Power Board, 1955-57; Director Medical Service Northern Rhodesia, 1957-63 and Brigadier Director General Rhodesian Armed Services Medical Services. Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of recipient.

A post-War M.V.O., inter-War R.V.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Keeper and Steward A. Skipworth, Royal Navy, who served in the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert almost continuously from 1909 to 1945 The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class breast badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially dated ‘695’; British War and Victory Medals (L.1312 A. Skipworth. O.C.S. R.N.); Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (L.1312 A. Skipworth. Off. Ch. Std. H.M.Y. Victoria & Albert) about extremely fine (7) £900-£1,200 --- M.V.O. London Gazette 1 January 1946. Albert Skipworth was born in Theddlethorpe, Lincolnshire on 24 April 1884 and joined the Royal Navy as an Officer’s Steward First Class on 26 August 1909, giving his occupation as Footman. He was appointed to the Royal Yacht Victoria and Albert on 9 October 1912, and continued to serve in her until 1945 (bar a brief period during the Great War). Posted to H.M.S. Glory on 7 November 1918, being advanced Chief Officer’s Steward on the same day, he served in her until 4 June 1919, during which period she was the Flagship, Rear Admiral, British North Russia Squadron, based at Archangel to protect supplies arriving there for the Russian Army. Skipworth returned to the Royal Yacht on 1 July 1919, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 15 June 1926. He was awarded his Royal Victorian Medal on 23 June 1936, whilst serving as Keeper and Steward, Royal Cabins, and the rolls for the Jubilee and Coronation Medals show him as ‘Warrant Keeper and Steward.’ He was finally shore discharged on 30 October 1945, and was created a Member of the Royal Victorian Order in the 1946 New Year’s Honours’ List, backdated to the date of his retirement. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extracts. For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 686.

A well documented post-War ‘Royal Household’ M.V.O. group of nine awarded to G. E. Hill, Esq., Clerk of the Works at Buckingham Palace The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 5th Class breast badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘1004’, in Collingwood, London, case of issue; Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘George E. Hill, Esq., The Royal Gardens, Buckingham Palace, Lower Grosvenor Place, London, SW1’; Italy, Republic, Order of Merit, Knight’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with lapel rosette, in Arturo Pozzi, Rome, case of issue; Germany, Federal Republic, Order of Merit, Knight’s breast badge, gilt and enamel, with lapel bow, in Juncker, Berlin, case of issue; Persia, Empire, Order of the Lion and the Sun, Fifth Class breast badge, silver and enamel, with lapel riband, in Arthus Bertrand, Paris, case of issue; France, Colonial, Order of the Black Star, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, with lapel riband, in Arthus Bertrand, Paris, case of issue; Nepal, Kingdom, Order of Trishakti-Patta, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, with central bronze kukri, in case of issue; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, bilingual motto, in Walravens, Brussels, case of issue; Sudan, Republic, Order of the Two Niles, 2nd type, Fifth Class breast badge, silver and enamel, in Garrard, London, case of issue; together with the recipient’s miniature British awards (M.V.O. and Defence Medal) mounted as worn, generally nearly extremely fine and better (9) £600-£800 --- M.V.O. Fifth Class London Gazette 2 June 1962. Italian Order of Merit awarded 9 May 1958. German Order of Merit awarded 12 December 1958. Persian Order of the Lion and the Sun awarded 4 May 1959. French Order of the Black Star awarded 24 May 1960. Nepalese Order of Trishakti-Patta awarded 18 November 1960. Belgian Order of Leopold II awarded 2 July 1963. Sudan Order of the Two Niles awarded 21 May 1964. George E. Hill served as Clerk of Works at Buckingham Palace. Sold with the named Bestowal Documents for the Italian, German, French, and Sudanese Orders, housed in their original scroll tube holders; various Buckingham Palace letters regarding the awards, giving the recipient Restricted Permission to wear them; various letters of congratulations on the occasion of the recipient’s award of the M.V.O., a copy of the statutes of the Royal Victorian Order and copies of the London Gazette announcing the award; and the recipient’s Freedom of the City of London Parchment Scroll, in embossed scroll tube holder.

A Great War M.B.E. group of ten awarded to Quarter-Master Sergeant and Acting Staff Sergeant-Major R. C. Williams, Cameron Highlanders The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1918; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (2489. O:R: Sgt. R. Williams. 1/Cam: Hrs.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (2489 O-R: Sejt. R. Williams, 1: Cam’n: H’Drs:); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2489 Clr:-Serjt: R. Williams. Cameron Highrs:); 1914-15 Star, unnamed; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (3-6204 T.W.O.Cl.1. R. C. Williams. Cam’n Highrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (2489 Q.M. Sjt: R. Williams. Cameron Hdrs.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (3-6204 Q.M. Sjt:-A.S.S. Mjr: R. C. Williams. 5/Cam’n Highrs:); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, 2 clasps, The Atbara, Khartoum (2489 O.R. Sgt. Williams 1. Cam. Highrs.) contemporarily engraved in the usual style associated with the Regiment, polished, good very fine and better (10) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2018 (when sold without the M.B.E. or 1914-15 Star). M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916. M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918 (France - one of only two awarded to the 5th Battalion). Roderick Chisholm Williams attested for the Cameron Highlanders on 24 April 1891 and was posted to the 1st Battalion. He served as a Sergeant in ‘A’ Company in the Sudan, and was still serving, as Quartermaster Sergeant of this Company, when he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1910. Mentioned several times in Regimental Journal, he was Recommended for an Annuity Meritorious Service Medal in 1912, and was discharged to pension on 6 July 1913, the Regimental Journal stating that nearly all his service had been spent in the Orderly Room. Following the outbreak of the Great War Williams re-enlisted in the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion on 5 October 1914, and served during the Great War as an Orderly Room Sergeant with the 5th Battalion on the Western Front from 11 May to 11 November 1915. Thereafter he served as Superintending Clerk, General Headquarters, 3rd Echelon, and was discharged on 22 April 1919. For his services during the Great War he was awarded an ‘Immediate’ Meritorious Service Medal, one of only two awarded to the 5th Battalion, and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. He died in Edinburgh on 25 September 1941. Only nine M.B.E.s were awarded to the Cameron Highlanders for the Great War. Williams is the only Warrant Officer on the list, although there is a retired Regimental Sergeant Major who was awarded a Civil M.B.E. for his services as Chairman of the Regimental Comforts Fund. Sold with copied research.

A Second War M.B.E. group of eleven awarded to temporary Acting Chief Boom Skipper J. Evans, Royal Naval Reserve, late Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his seamanship in the construction of an artificial harbour off the Normandy coast, June 1944; he had previously been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for saving the life of a seven year old boy at Bangor in 1917 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (J.18166. J. Evans, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.18166. J. Evans. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.18166 J. Evans. L.S. H.M.S. Lucia.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1939-1945, mounted court-style for wear, the Great War trio heavily polished, therefore fair to fine, the rest good very fine and better (11) £500-£700 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943. M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘Barbain was outstandingly the best Boom Defence Vessel in the group, reflecting great credit on her Commanding Officer. Mr Evans displayed at all times zeal, initiative and excellent seamanlike qualities, and a thoroughly well organised ship.’ Croix de Guerre un-Gazetted. The original Recommendation states: ‘During the construction of an artificial harbour off the assault beach, coast of France, commencing 7 June 1944, Barbain was outstandingly the best Boom Defence Vessel in the group, reflecting great credit on her Commanding Officer. Mr Evans displayed at all times zeal, initiative and excellent seamanlike qualities, and a thoroughly well organised ship.’ John Evans was born in Swansea on 27 January 1897 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges on 4 June 1912. He served during the Great War initially in H.M.S. Berwick, which captured the SS Spreewald in August 1914, and then in H.M. Ships Defiance and Vivid. He was promoted Able Seaman on 22 April 1915, and Leading Seaman on 30 March 1924, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 28 January 1931. Shore discharge, he subsequently joined the Royal Naval Reserve, and served during the Second World War as a Temporary Acting Chief Boom Skipper, commanding the Boom Defence Vessel Barbain during the Normandy landings. Evans was additionally awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for saving the life of Benjamin Jones, a seven year old boy, who had fallen from the pier pontoon into deep water at Bangor on 22 August 1917 (R.H.S. Case no. 43,777). Sold with a duplicate Royal Humane Society Certificate .

A Second War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major H. C. Howell, Royal Corps of Signals The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type, breast badge; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Major H. G. [sic] Howell. M.B.E. R. Sigs.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Lt. H. C. Howell. M.B.E. R. Sigs.) GSM in named box of issue, remainder mounted, generally very fine (7) £280-£320 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 21 June 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘This Officer has been Adjutant of this unit since before the campaign started. In a Unit such as this comprising 40 Officers and 1070 OR’s employed in manning the key points on this communication system, such as Repeater Stations, Test Points and Signal Offices, and laying main arteries of communication and providing D.R. facilities, over a very large area, at one time covering 20,000 square miles and necessitating 18 detachments, the amount of work thrown on the Adjutant is very great and is only done with great difficulty due to the distances involved. Not only was the Unit responsible for the communication of 5 area HQs but also the rear communications, first of all to the Armies and latterly to Army Group. This Officer has throughout, shown a devotion to duty and capacity for work of the highest praise and has also by his efforts greatly assisted the Unit to work as a whole and so produce the best results. In particular during the present operation when the threat of attack by parachute troops developed, this Officer showed exceptional zeal and energy in carrying out the necessary measures in all the scattered posts which are the responsibility of the Unit and which were obviously important from the enemy’s point of view as they were all key points in the network of communications.’ Henry Charles Howell was born in Norton, Worcester in June 1920. He enlisted in the ranks of the Royal Corps of Signals in September 1939, served as a Driver, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in February 1942. Howell advanced to Acting Major in July 1945, and subsequently served with the BAOR after the war as well as in a Staff capacity with the MELF from September 1950. He served as Major, Squadron Commander and Operational Officer DG HQ Signal Regiment, MELF, September 1953 - November 1955. Howell died in Fife, Scotland in 2005. Sold with the following related documents: Officer’s Record of Service, Army Book 439; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, Army Book 64; Cyprus Motor Driver’s Licence, complete with photograph of recipient; 2 Driving Licences and other ephemera.

A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ I.O.M. group of four awarded to Havildar Prem Singh, 36th Sikhs Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 2nd type (1912-39), 2nd Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, the reverse with screw-nut fitting and officially inscribed on two lines ‘2nd Class Order of Merit’, and additionally impressed ‘3648 LAENSS Pirem Singh 36th Sikhs’; British War Medal 1914-20 (3648 Nk. Prem Singh, 36 Sikhs.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24 (3648 Havr. Prem Singh, 36 Sikhs.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed, the first with badly chipped centre, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, September 1991. Indian Order of Merit GGO 1385 of 18 November 1916: ‘Lance-Naik Prem Singh, 36th Sikhs. For conspicuous gallantry when the non-commissioned officers of the Machine Gun Section kept their gun in action after all the rest of the detachment were either killed or wounded. They finally succeeded in bringing away their gun when retirement was ordered.’ (Mesopotamia) Believed to have been awarded for the operations on the 12th April 1916.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Second Lieutenant R. J. Cook, 1st/7th Battalion, London Regiment, late Army Service Corps, who served with the City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War and received a Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (56 Pte. R. J. Cook. C.I.V.); 1914 Star (TS-2048 Pte. R. J. Cook. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. J. Cook) the BWM named ‘upside down’, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the 1914 Star with clasp, these also mounted as worn; and a Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal, bronze, the obverse engraved ‘Hammersmith is Grateful & Proud of You’ within laurel wreath, the reverse plain, the edge engraved ‘Pte. R. J. Cook. Reg. No. 56 B Co. C.I.V.’, with top ‘South Africa’ riband bar, in J. F. Hone, Hammersmith case, generally good very fine, the last rare (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- Hammersmith Boer War Tribute Medal referenced in Hibbard, A13. M.C. London Gazette 16 August 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Having led his company with great courage and secured his objective, he went forward to assist another company which had been checked, and enabled them to capture their own objective. He showed great initiative, and, although slightly wounded, carried on with the consolidation, setting an excellent example to his men.’ Robert John Cook, a dyer by occupation, was born in 1878 and joined the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteers in 1896. He served in the Infantry Battalion of the City Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War, and had two letters published in the City Press, the first on 23 May 1900, regarding spending his pay on food; and the second on 31 October 1900, regarding the celebrations for Lord Roberts’ birthday. Enlisting in the Army Service Corps, Cook served with the 1st Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 August 1914, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the London Regiment on 27 January 1916. Awarded the Military Cross whilst serving with the 1st/7th Battalion, he relinquished his commission following the cessation of hostilities, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.

Three: Private D. C. Smith, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was wounded at Ypres in 1914, and died at home on 16 April 1916 1914 Star, with clasp (7672 Pte. D. C. Smith. 2/Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7672 Pte. D. C. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) sewing holes in clasp have been enlarged by drilling, otherwise very fine (3) £140-£180 --- David Charles Smith was born at Reading, Berkshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry at Caversham on 2 September 1904. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914, and received a bullet wound to the right arm at Ypres in 1914. He subsequently developed chest problems and developed Tuberculosis. His medal index card is annotated that he had been discharged no longer physically fit but was ‘since dead’. His service papers are noted that he had died on 16 April 1916.

A Second War A.R.R.C. and Order of St. John group of seven awarded to District Superintendent Miss Hilda M. Smith, Lytham St Anne’s Nursing Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, late Voluntary Aid Detachment, who was Mentioned in Despatches for her services in Italy during the Great War, and served as Acting Matron of a Military Hospital which was used as an overflow annexe to the Fleetwood Cottage Hospital for casualties of the Fleetwood Floods of October 1927 Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver and enamel, reverse officially dated 1942, on lady’s bow riband; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (H. M. Smith. V.A.D.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, with two Additional Award Bars (13899 L/D. Supt. H. M. Smith. Lytham St Annes Nsg. Div. No. 4 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1935) all mounted together for display purposes, contact marks to Great War pair, otherwise good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 1999. A.R.R.C. London Gazette 1 January 1942. Miss Hilda Marie Smith was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire, in 1887 and joined the Voluntary Aid Detachment as a Cook on 28 June 1916. She served during the Great War initially in a Military Hospital in Malta, before proceeding to Salonika in September 1917, and then to Italy in February 1918, where she remained for the rest of the Great War. Whilst in Italy she was ranked as Commandant, Invalided Kitchens, and worked in hospitals all over the country. For her services during the Great War in Italy she was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 6 January 1919). In 1925 Miss Smith became the founder Lady Superintendent of Lytham St. Annes No. 2 Nursing Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade, and served as acting Matron of a military hospital which was used as an overflow annexe to the Fleetwood Cottage Hospital for casualties of the Fleetwood Floods of 28-29 October 1927. In addition she established a medical comforts depot in Lytham St. Annes. The Fleetwood Floods was a major incident in the town, which severed the gas and electricity supplies, and cut all road ands rail links; around 30 people lost their lives as a result of the storm, including three bed-bound hospital patients. During the Second World War Miss Smith served as the full-time Commandant of the Lytham St. Annes Convalescent Hospital from 1940 to 1946, for which services she was awarded the Royal Red Cross Second Class. Sold with copied research.

An Order of St. John group of four awarded to Sick Berth Steward Second Class J. A. Barrett, Royal Navy and Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and eneamel; British War Medal 1914-20 (M.9070 J. A. Barrett. 2.S.B.S. R.N.); Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (949 J. A. Barrett. S.B.S. 2Cl. R.N.A.S.B.R.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with four Additional Award Bars (3364 Amb. Offr. J. A. Barrett. Bacup Div. No. 4 Dist. S.J.A.B. 1923.); together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the Service Medal of the Order of St John with only two Additional Award Bars, these mounted as worn; a St. John Ambulance Association Re-examnation Cross, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘ 128810 John A. Barrett.’; a Silver War Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘RN48538’; and a R.N. Sick Bert Staff lapel badge, good very fine and better (4) £140-£180 --- John Arthur Barrett was born at Bacup, Lancashire, on 14 August 1875 and joined the Royal Navy as a Sick Berth Steward on 2 August 1914, serving for the entire Great War at Haslar Royal Naval Hospital (and therefore not entitled to the Victory Medal). He was shore demobilised on 12 March 1919, and subsequently joined the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve. Barrett first joined the Bacup Division of the St. John Ambulance Brigade on 6 April 1908, and was promoted Corporal in December 1913. He was appointed an Ambulance Officer on 6 May 1924, and was appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John on 20 May 1926. Through his time with the Order of St. John he was an active officer, serving as Chairman of his local Ways and Means Committee from 1920. Sold with copied research.

An Order of St. John group of four awarded to Sick Berth Attendant H. Hacking, Royal Navy The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, 3rd ‘skeletal’ type, silver; British War Medal 1914-20 (M.25986 H. Hacking. S.B.A. R.N.); Defence Medal; Service Medal of the Order of St John, with Six Additional Award Bars (9282 Cpl. H. Hacking Blackpool Div. No. 4 Dist. S.J.A.B 1931.) generally very fine and better (4) £140-£180 --- Herbert Hacking was born at Blackpool, Lancashire, on 26 June 1897 and joined the Royal Navy as a Sick Berth Attendant on 1 May 1917. He served during the Great War at Haslar Royal Naval Hospital from 9 May to 11 October 1917; Portland Royal Naval Hospital from 12 October 1917 to 1 March 1918; and then back at Haslar Royal Naval Hospital from 2 March 1918 until he was shore demobilised on 12 March 1919 (having never served afloat he was not entitled to a Victory Medal). Hacking subsequently served with the St. John Ambulance Brigade in Blackpool, and was created a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John in 1946 (London Gazette 28 June 1946). His Service Medal with six additional award bars represents 45 years’ service. Sold with copied R.N. Record of Service and a photographic image of the recipient being presented with a S.J.A.B. Certificate.

A post-War Order of St. John, B.E.M. group of six awarded to Mr. J. H. Davenport, Craftsman Chargehand, National Gas Turbine Research Establishment British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R. (James Herbert Davenport); The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silvered base-metal and enamel, enamel damage to central cross, and with replacement ring suspension; Defence Medal; Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (James Herbert Davenport); Civil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (5708 Mr. J. H. Davenport 19-1-61); Service Medal of the Order of St John, with five Additional Award Bars (Pte. J. H. Davenport. Leics. S.J.A.B. 1953.) mounted court-style for wear in this order, good very fine except where stated (6) £240-£280 --- Order of St. John, Serving Brother, London Gazette 8 August 1972. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1971. James Herbert Davenport was employed as a Craftsman Chargehand at the National Gas Turbine Research Establishment at Pyestock, Hampshire, adjacent to Farnborough airfield. The establishment was the foremost jet engine test facility in Europe from the 1950s to the late 1980s, and the engines for military planes and passenger jets, including Concorde, were tested here. Davenport was awarded his Imperial Service Medal on 13 February 1975, whilst employed by the Ministry of Defence (Procurement Executive).

A scarce Albert Medal Second Class for Land awarded to Pumpman W. Simons, for his gallantry during the Abercarn Colliery Disaster, 11 September 1878 Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ‘Presented in the name of Her Majesty to William Simons, Pumpman, for saving life at the Abercarn Colliery, September 1878’, reverse of the crown with maker’s cartouché Phillips, Cockspur St., and officially numbered ‘38’, on original narrow riband with top bronze riband buckle, the red enamel centre professionally re-enamelled, minor dinting to reverse, good very fine £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2000. A.M. London Gazette 19 August 1879: ‘On the 11th September, 1878, an explosion of firedamp occurred in the Abercarn Colliery, in the county of Monmouth, whereby 260 persons perished, and on which occasion the greatest possible gallantry was exhibited in saving about 90 lives. The force of the explosion was terrific, doing great damage to the roadways and to the bottom of the shaft, and setting the coal and timber on fire in several places. Into this state of confusion and apparent danger to life these men, without hesitation, descended, and, although they discovered that fires were raging in the mine, and that consequently the chances of another explosion were considerable, they remained at their gallant and humane work of rescue, not re-ascending the shaft until they had satisfied themselves that no one was left alive below.’ For their gallantry, Albert Medals, First Class were awarded to Henry Davies and John Harris, and Albert Medals, Second Class were awarded to William Simons, Thomas Herbert, Miles Moseley, Charles Preen, William Walters, Lewis Harris, and Charles Morgan. The underground workings of the Prince of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, exploded at 12:30 in the afternoon of Wednesday 11 September 1878, while 359 men and boys were working in the galleries and roadways. Of these, only 90 were to survive - most of them by the efforts of the 9 rescuers who were later to be awarded the Albert Medal. William ‘Willie the Pump’ Simons (also recorded as Simmons and Simonds) was born in Cornwall in 1848. He was probably a tin miner by trade, eventually moving to find work at the iron ore mines at Merthyr Tydfil, South Wales. By the time of the 1881 census he was working at the Prince of Wales Colliery, Abercarn, which was owned by the Ebbw Vale Mining Company. Known to his Welsh workmates as ‘Willie the Pump’, because he handled the huge water pump which kept the underground galleries from flooding, he was not underground at the time of the explosion. Upon hearing the explosion he ran to the pit, where he was asked to pump water down the pit shaft in order to damp down the smoke and fumes billowing up the shaft. This he did. The pit-head roof had collapsed by the force of the explosion coming up the mineshaft, so the surface men immediately began clearing the debris to allow access to the up-shaft. As the collapsed pithead roof was cleared, it was found that the cage cables and winding gear had miraculously survived, so the cage which was at the shaft bottom was pulled up to the top. Simons and one other man immediately went into the cage, and were lowered down the up-shaft to confirm that the water pump was functioning, when it was confirmed that it was, they then returned to the surface for help and direction. Simons and a small group of five men then went back down the 900 feet to the pit bottom in the two-deck cage. The cage was stopped about 10-20 feet from the bottom due to damage from the explosion, but Simons managed to work his way down through the debris to about six feet from the bottom, where he heard men severely burned by the explosion screaming in agony. He then directed the others how to get down, and they managed to bring out the first nine survivors, sending them up to the surface. The group then began locating and sending up the other survivors, 70 or 80 in all, most of them badly burned. Three other men joined in to help. Some rescuers were sent to the adjacent colliery at Cwmcarn to see if they could access the site of the explosion from that side. In addition to being awarded the Albert Medal, Simons was also specifically mentioned in the Coroner’s Report: ‘The pump-man (William Simons), who I believe never ceased from continuous labour for 12 or 14 hours after the explosion, although he, too, was surrounded by danger nearly every moment.’ Sold with a large quantity of copied research, including a detailed history of the Colliery.

A scarce Albert Medal Second Class for Land and Gold Bravery Cross pair awarded to Police Constable J. Dee, Swansea Police Force, for his heroic conduct in attempting to save life during a fire at Swansea on 20 January 1883 Albert Medal, 2nd Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land, bronze and enamel, the reverse officially engraved ‘Presented in the name of Her Majesty to Police Constable James Dee for gallantry in attempting to save life at a Fire at Swansea on 20th of January 1883’, reverse of the crown with maker’s cartouché Phillips, Cockspur St., and officially numbered ‘58’, on original narrow riband, in embossed leather case of issue, named ‘Presented in the name of Her Majesty to James Dee, for Gallantry in Saving Life on Land’; Bravery Cross, gold (18ct.?, 18.17 g), the obverse central medallion engraved ‘Presented to P.C. Jas. Dee for Heroic Conduct at Fire in Swansea Jany. 1883 by Llanelly Admirers’, on narrow Albert Medal 2nd Class (Land) riband, in leather case, extremely fine (2) £5,000-£7,000 --- A.M. London Gazette 20 February 1883: ‘For conspicuous gallantry displayed in endeavouring to save life at a fire, which occurred in Swansea on the morning of Sunday 20th January last.’ James Dee, a Police Constable in the Swansea Police Force, was born in Llanelly and was awarded the Albert Medal for his gallantry during a fire at 62 New Oxford Street, Swansea in the early hours of Sunday 20 January 1883, when he ascended a ladder into a burning building to look for two missing children. The premises belonged to a Mr. Williams and his wife a General Merchandise Dealer and Oil Merchant with eight children. Dee located one child and passed him through a window, alive at the time of rescue, although the child died shortly after being conveyed to hospital. Re-entering the building, by now an inferno, he searched for but could not locate the second child who was found dead under a bed once the fire had been extinguished. Dee was badly burnt around the face, neck, ears and hands and was admitted to Swansea Hospital where he made a full recovery. For his gallantry Dee was recommended by the Swansea Watch Committee for the Albert Medal First Class, and in the event was awarded the Albert Medal Second Class, being presented with the award by the Mayor of Swansea at the Guildhall on 21 March 1883. He also received a privately commissioned Bravery Cross in Gold as a token of appreciation from his home town of Llanelly. Within six months, however, ‘Dee had committed two acts that the Watch Committee consider very unworthy in a Policeman, the result is he had been dismissed from the force. The first of these acts was the using undue violence in apprehending a person and using without necessity his truncheon for which offence he was fined by the Watch Committee (£1). A few days after a Publican was summoned for serving Police Constable Dee with beer while on duty and it transpired that Dee endeavoured to get the Publican to swear that he had sent for him (Dee) to quell a disturbance that was taking place in the house.’ (letter from the Town Clerk of Swansea to the Home Secretary refers). The Home Secretary, in his reply, stated that in his opinion the offence did not seem serious enough to justify the Medal being forfeited. Sold with copied research.

A Boer War D.C.M. pair awarded to Sergeant F. Lowe, 6th Dragoon Guards, who was severely wounded at Vredes Verdrag on 11 May 1900, and was taken Prisoner of War at Kameeldrift on 3 July 1900 Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (Serjt: F. Lowe. 6th Dragoon Guards); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (2715. Corpl. F. Lowe. 6/Dn. Gds.) edge bruising, very fine (2) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: J. B. Hayward, May 1979; Buckland, Dix and Wood, April 1995. One of only six D.C.M.’s awarded to the 6th Dragoon Guards for South Africa. D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Frederick Lowe was born in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, in 1868, and attested there for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 25 April 1888, having previously served with the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. He transferred to the 6th Dragoon Guards on 14 July 1889, and was promoted Corporal on 20 December 1893. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 25 April 1895, he was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Boer War on 7 October 1899, and served with the Regiment in South Africa from 4 November 1899, being promoted Sergeant on 4 May 1900. He was severely wounded at Vredes Verdrag, Zand River, on 11 May 1900. At this action three Squadrons, taken from the Australian Horse, the Inniskillings and the Greys, and half a Squadron of the Carabiniers, were ordered to seize an apparently unoccupied kopje. The Squadrons, dismounting and leaving their horses below, took possession of the kopje, but shortly afterwards were set upon by a party of the Waterberg commando, who had been lying in ambush in a donga, and now crept up the hill, stampeded the horses, and poured a withering fire on the cavalrymen. These, belonging to several different units and being apparently under no single command, made no stand, but were driven in confusion down the hill, losing fourteen killed and thirty-six wounded, besides two Officers and twenty-five men prisoners. The Carabiniers suffered especially, losing Captain Elworthy and three men killed, and Lieutenants Collis and Moncrieff, and nine men wounded, three of whom died later. On 3 July 1900, less than two months later, Lowe was taken prisoner at Kameeldrift, along with Lieutenant Rundle and seven other men, and was subsequently released at Nooitgedacht on 5 September 1900. For his gallantry in South Africa he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and later received a gratuity of £20. Returning home on 24 April 1901, he was discharged on 11 June 1901, after 13 years and 48 days’ service.

A superb Great War ‘Asiago’ operations D.C.M. and M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant G. Bowery, 1/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (265791 Sjt: G. Bowery. M.M. 1/1 Bucks. Bn: Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (265791 Cpl.-L.Sjt.-G. Bowery. 1/Bucks: Bn: O&B:L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2519 Sjt. G. Bowery, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) mounted for wearing, light contact marks, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 25 February 1920 [Italy]: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during the attack north of Asiago on 1st November 1918. When his company was held up by a machine gun, he rushed forward in spite of very heavy fire and bombs. This gallant action on his part drew the whole fire of the enemy post on himself and enabled a rifle section on his flank to rush in and capture the hostile post.’ M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1919 [Italy]. Awarded for the raid on the Austrian Lines on the night of 26/27th August 1918, when the battalion, in conjunction with the 1/4th R. Berks, raided the Austrian trenches in the neighbourhood of Sec and Ave. George Bowery was from Slough, Berkshire, and was a member of the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion of the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. This was a Territorial battalion which formed part of the 145th Brigade of the 48th (South Midland) Division. The 145th (South Midland) Brigade consisted of 1/5th Gloucestershire Regiment, 1/4th Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, 1/1st Bucks. Bn., Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and 1/4th Royal Berkshire Regiment. Bowery did not go to France with the battalion initially and must have joined sometime after 1915. The D.C.M. action is described in the Regimental Chronicle: ‘On the night of October 31st/November 1st the 48th Division, in conjunction with the 24th French Division on the right and the 20th Italian Division on the left, was ordered to attack and capture the line Croce di S. Antonio - M. Mosciagh, the infantry attack to commence at 5.45am. The Division attacked with the 145th Brigade on the right, the 144th Brigade on the left and the 143rd Brigade in reserve. The 145th Brigade attacked with the Bucks Battalion on the right, 1/4th R. Berks on the left and 1/4th Ox & Bucks LI in reserve. The Bucks Battalion formed up on the Asiago-Gallio road, with its left on Rendella, on a frontage of 800 yards. A Company was on the left and B Company on the right, each on a two-platoon frontage. C and D Companies were in Battalion reserve, in depth, in artillery formation. As we formed up the enemy was shelling the Ghelpac and the high ground between it and Laiten fairly vigorously but the shells were just clearing the forming up position. Then, soon after the advance began, machine gun and rifle fire opened from Ruette, Costa Straite and M. Catz, with some rifle fire from the trenches west of Gallio Wood. Our leading wave had very little difficulty in occupying the Winter Stellung from Villa Rossi to Ruette, but on attempting a further advance it met with heavy enfilade fire from Costa, M. Catz, and Straite. As there was no sign of an attack being made against this area, and as it was impossible to get on without silencing M. Catz, A Company attacked Costa, and the two reserve companies assaulted Straite and Rigoni-di-Sotto, where they captured four machine guns. A Company was held up by two machine guns on the southern slope of M. Catz until a Lewis Gun put one out of action , and the other was outflanked and its crew killed. In the meantime C and D Companies had worked up the eastern side of M. Catz and assaulted the crest, capturing 4 more machine guns. By 7am the whole garrison of M. Catz had surrendered. B Company, on the right were now held up by fire from trenches on the edge of Gallio Wood, and fire was also coming from Roccolo north-east. C Company was sent on to Roccolo and D on to the spur north of Rigoni-di-Sopra, with the result that the enemy, who had been annoying B Company, was forced to quit. At 7.30am a company of the Berkshires had come up to the trenches on the southern slope of M. Catz and all companies were got back on to our own line, two platoons of C Company being left at Roccolo to keep touch with the Berkshires. After this, little further resistance was encountered. Some isolated posts or refugees from the enemy front line were encountered in the neighbourhood of the Quarry but they soon surrendered with two machine guns. A 4.2-inch howitzer and its crew was also captured about 500 yards north of the Quarry. By 10.30am we had reached a line approximately corresponding with the 1400 contour line in square 70. We were then out of touch with both the French and the R. Berks, and so companies were re-organised and a position was taken up while patrols went out on both flanks and to the front. Except for a few stragglers the enemy was not met with. Casualties in the battalion amounted to 6 killed and 32 wounded.’ Sold with comprehensive copied research including gazette entries, war diary entries and full descriptions of both the D.C.M. and M.M. actions from the Regimental Chronicle.

A scarce Great War D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant J. H. Hobbs, Hertfordshire Regiment, who was thrice wounded in the course of winning his D.C.M. Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3318 Pte. J. H. Hobbs. 1/1 Herts: R. - T.F.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (265954 Cpl.- A. Sjt.- J. H. Hobbs, D.C.M. 1/Herts: R.); 1914-15 Star (3318 Pte. J. H. Hobbs, Herts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3318 A.W.O. Cl. 2 J. H. Hobbs, Herts. R.), a little polished but generally toned, very fine or better (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 26 January 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although twice wounded he continued to go forward displaying great courage and determination. He was again wounded.’ Of the same action, regimental records state: ‘Private Hobbs, No. 3 Company, was acting as orderly to 2nd Lieutenant Gallo. He was hit in the arm after Splutter Trench had been crossed, but insisted on following his officer. After going another 20 yards, he was hit in the leg, and although limping badly, again refused to go back. He was hit again a third time and knocked over helpless. He had displayed conspicuous gallantry.’ M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1919. John H. Hobbs, who was from Watford, first entered the French theatre of war on 14 February 1915, and won his D.C.M. in the Ancre Valley on the Somme on 13 November 1916, when his Battalion captured the Hansa Line at a cost of around 150 casualties.

A superb Great War 1915 ‘Second Battle of Ypres, 1915’ D.C.M. campaign combination group of eight awarded to Sergeant H. J. Salter, Military Mounted Police, late 7th Hussars and 9th Lancers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (633 L. Cpl. H. Salter. M.M.P.); British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1897 (..2 Pte. H. J. Salter. 7th Hus..) suspension loose, heavy edge bruising and contact marks; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (4121, Cpl. H. J. Salter, 9/Lcrs.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4121 Pte. H. J. Salter. 9th Lancers); 1914 Star (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.); British War and Victory Medals (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (633 L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. M.M.P.) mounted for display, minor edge bruising overall, generally very fine unless otherwise stated (8) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 5 August 1915: ‘For great bravery and consistent good work from the 9th to 28th May, 1915, near Ypres. He was employed, both day and night in collecting stragglers, directing traffic and collecting war material. During the 24th May he assisted to places of safety several hundred men, who were suffering from gas poison. Most of the time, and especially on the 24th and 25th May, the town was being heavily shelled.’ Henry James Salter was born in Lambeth, London on 3 July 1874. He attested for the 7th Hussars at St George’s Barracks, London, on 26 November 1890. He served initially at Salisbury and Canterbury until embarking with the regiment for India, where they arrived aboard H.M.S. Crocodile on 3 September 1892. He left India on 10 October 1895, aboard S.S. Victoria and on 23 October 1895, he arrived with his regiment in Natal where he served in the operations during the Second Matabele War in Rhodesia and Mashonaland. Salter transferred to the 9th Lancers on 31 December 1897, and returned to India in March 1898. He was appointed Lance-Corporal in March 1899 but reverted to his prior rank at his own request in October 1899. Two weeks later he arrived back in South Africa at Cape Town, with the 9th Lancers for service during the Boer War. He transferred to the 5th Lancers in March 1902, returned to India the following month and arrived back in England in July 1902. He transferred to the Military Mounted Police on 10 January 1905, and joined his unit at Aldershot. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal with £5 gratuity under Army Order 101 of 1909, and was discharged on 25 November 1911, at Tidworth, having completed 21 years service. Salter resided at 63 Woodcock Street, Birmingham and was employed as a Commissionaire at Hulford Cycle Co., Ltd, Moor Street. He re-engaged for service during the Great War with the 7th Reserve Cavalry Regiment on 8 September 1914, transferring later that month as Lance-Corporal to the Military Mounted Police. He served with the M.M.P. in the French theatre of war from 4 October 1914, and advanced to Acting Sergeant in August 1917. Salter was discharged on 14 March 1919, having served for a total of 25 years and 205 days. 1 of 34 D.C.M.’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War. Sold with extensive copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient in a cutting from The Birmingham Daily Mail announcing the award of his D.C.M.

A Great War ‘Festubert and Givenchy 1915’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private P. F. W. May, 2nd King Edward’s Horse, attached Canadian Mounted Brigade, who was discharged due to wounds in December 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. 2/K. Edw: H.); 1914-15 Star (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (1186 Pte. P. F. W. May. K. Edw. H.) very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: Private P. F. W. May, late 2nd King Edward’s Horse (attached Canadian Mounted Brigade). ‘For consistent good work, notably when rendering first aid to wounded under fire.’ Stated by an unnamed source to have been for work at Festubert 15th to 25th May 1915, and at Givenchy on 15th June 1915. M.I.D. London Gazette 27 January 1916. Percival Frederick William May was born at Reading, Berkshire, on 11 April 1888. He enlisted into 2nd King Edward’s Horse on 17 November 1914, and served in France from 4 May 1915, where he and his regiment were attached to the Canadian Cavalry Brigade under the command of Brigadier-General J. E. B. Seely. This brigade arrived in France as a dismounted unit known as Seely’s Detachment, during the battle of Festubert and then served in the trenches during the battle of Givenchy. The brigade was composed of Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, Royal Canadian Dragoons, Lord Strathcona’s Horse, and 2nd King Edward’s Horse. It became the Canadian Cavalry Brigade on 22 July 1915, and was restored to Horses on the formation of The Canadian Corps in September 1915. Seely’s Force was formed on 3 October 1915, and was composed of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigade. Seely’s Force, which disbanded on 9 October 1915, re-formed on 22 November 1915, as a composite of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade, 1st and 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles Brigades, and ceased to exist on 10 December 1915. Private May was discharged due to wounds at Canterbury on 22 December 1915, and is entitled to the Silver War Badge. He died at Colchester, Essex, on 19 February 1872, aged 83. Sold with copied gazette entries, Medal Index Card, and other copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Serjeant W. H. Fenton, Coldstream Guards, who was granted the King’s Pardon for desertion in 1914 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7303 L. Sjt: W. H. Fenton. 2/C. Gds:); 1914 Star, with clasp (7303 Pte. W. H. Fenton. C. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (7303 Cpl. W. H. Fenton. C. Gds.) good very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: Sir Torquil Matheson Collection; Bill and Angela Strong Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, May 2011. D.C.M. London Gazette 26 April 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went forward alone under the most intense fire, and obtained information of the utmost importance. Later, he assumed command of his platoon, and led them forward in a most gallant manner. He has on many previous occasions done fine work.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Sailly Church, 14/15th March 1917.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 22 May 1917. William Henry Fenton was born at Smithwick, Birmingham. A labourer by occupation, he attested for the Coldstream Guards in June 1907, aged 18 years, 6 months. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was soon in trouble, awaiting trial, being absent without leave, in December 1907. Found guilty he was detained for 1 week. With the battalion he served in Egypt from January 1909-March 1911. Returning to England and posted to the 3rd Battalion, he deserted on 14 July 1912. Fenton returned to service on 14 August 1914 - thereby gaining the King’s Pardon for his desertion. Under the terms of Army Orders September 1914, published on 7 August 1914, pardons were to be granted to all those who were in a state of desertion from regular forces on 5 August 1914, who then surrendered themselves on or before 4 September 1914 in the U.K. or 4 October 1914 if overseas. Having returned to service, Fenton was posted to the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards and entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on 30 August 1914, being appointed Lance-Sergeant in October 1916. In early 1917, the battalion was south of Arras and involved in following up the German retreat to the Hindenburg line. It was here, near Sailly Saillisel on 14/15th March, that Lance-Sergeant Fenton earned his D.C.M. He was subsequently mentioned in despatches and returned home on 10 July 1917, being later awarded the Silver War Badge. With copied record of service, London Gazette entries, Medal Index Card and other research.

A scarce Great War ‘Italian theatre’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. H. Freeman, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9215 Sjt. C. H. Freeman, 1/R.W. Fus); 1914 Star, with clasp (9215 Pte. C. H. Freeman. 2/R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (9215 Sjt. C. H. Freeman. R.W. Fus.) polished, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- One of only two awards of the D.C.M. to the regiment for Italy. D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: (Italy) ‘From 1917 he has had sole charge of the signallers. This period includes the enemy retirement from the Ancre, the actions at Bullecourt, Ypres, 1917, the first period on the Asiago Plateau and the recent Piave operations, and he has taken part in all the previous engagements in which the battalion has taken part.’ Charles H. Freeman attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 August 1914, and subsequently in Italy.

A Great War ‘Ypres, April 1915’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant E. Collins, Hampshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (7659 Pte. E. Collins. 1/Hants: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7659 Pte. E Collins. 1/Hamps: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7659 Sjt. E. Collins. Hamps. R.) mounted court-style for wear, good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 26th April, 1915, when defending the end of a trench with a machine gun, and on his company being forced to abandon their trench, he protected their retreat and inflicted much damage on the enemy. Private Collins, with another man, then took steps to save the tripod and gun, and when the other man, who was carrying the gun, had been wounded, he took it from him and under heavy fire carried it back’. Private Eugene Collins, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 12 November 1914. As a Private he was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallant actions on 26 April 1915. As a Sergeant he was listed as wounded in The Hampshire Regimental Journal of August 1916. He also served as 34550 in the Somerset Light Infantry. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and gazette extracts.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private F. C. Gratton, South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13118 Pte. F. C. Gratton. 6 S. Lanc: R.); 1914-15 Star (13118 Pte. F. C. Gratton. S. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13118 Pte. F. C. Gratton. S. Lan. R.) contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917: ‘As company runner he has continually exposed himself to fire in carrying messages and has been of great service.’ Frederick Charles Gratton was born in 1887 and enlisted into the South Lancashire Regiment at Oswestry on 8 September 1914. He entered the Balkan theatre of war on 1 July 1915, serving with the 6th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on 1 April 1919. Sold with original Certificate of Transfer to Reserve and copied gazette entry.

Pair: Private T. E. Bennett, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914 Star (8079 Pte. T. E. Bennett. 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (8079 Pte. T. E. Bennett. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private O. Hornblow, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action at Ovillers, during the Battle of the Somme, on 14 August 1916 1914-15 Star (2782 Pte. O. Hornblow. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2782 Pte. O. Hornblow. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Thomas Edward Bennett attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 29 August 1911, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 August 1914. He was discharged due to wounds on 19 June 1917, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, no. 210092. Oliver Hornblow was born in 1895 and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915, and was killed in action in the vicinity of Skyline Trench, Ovillers, during the Battle of the Somme on 14 August 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

A Great War ‘Delville Wood’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergeant-Major T. Dearden, 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, who was twice wounded and also recommended for the M.M. and Roumanian Croix de Virtute Militaire in addition to the D.C.M. Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240533 C.S. Mjr. T. Dearden. 1/5 S. Lan: R.); 1914-15 Star (2327 Pte. T. Dearden, S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2327 W.O. Cl. 2 T. Dearden. S. Lan. R.), mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘240533 C.S.M. T. Dearden, 1/5th Bn. S. Lan. R., T.F. (St. Helens).’ ‘For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September, 1916, at Delville Wood, when in command of a bombing section, he enabled his section to establish an advanced bombing block in a trench occupied by the enemy. It was due to him that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting.’ Two original recommendations have survived among a ‘list of recommendations forwarded to Brigade’ which lists Dearden for the award of the D.C.M. and M.M., and also for the Roumanian Croix de Virtute Militaire: (a) ‘For consistent gallantry and devotion to duty in the field since February 1915. This Acting Warrant Officer has invariably shewn a fine fighting spirit and marked gallantry in many engagements. His keenness, energy, and disregard of personal danger, have at all times been of the highest value to his Company. He has been wounded twice, on one occasion remaining at duty’. (b) ‘For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September 1916 at Delville Wood when acting N.C.O. i/c Bombing Section this W.O. by his gallantry and resourcefulness enabled his section to establish an advanced Bombing Block in a trench held by the enemy. It was due to his gallantry and initiative that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting, and he did not leave his post till the battalion was relieved six days later when the position was handed over firmly established. On the 9th of April [1918] near La Bassee, after the first shock of the enemy attack, this N.C.O., who was then commanding a platoon, was sent up to hold a forward trench. For four days he held the trench under constant and heavy shell fire and during this time, by his example and gallantry, he inspired his platoon to maintain a stubborn resistance and offensive spirit. This W.O. has acted as C.S.M. for five months and has always proved himself resourceful and set a fine example to the men of his Company. He has not previously been decorated, though recommended for rewards on at least two occasions.’ Sold with copied recommendations, war diary entries for September 1916 and April 1918, Medal Index Card and other research, together with three original postcards - one postmarked Dartford 28 June 1915, when, having been wounded, he writes from hospital to his mother at 116 Peter Street, St. Helens, Lancashire.

A Great War ‘Delville Wood’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major T. Craig, 10th Battalion, Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10844 C.S. Mjr: T. Craig. 10/A. & S. Hdrs.); 1914-15 Star (10844 Sjt. T. Craig, A. & S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (10844 A.W.O. Cl. 1. T. Craig. A. & S. H.) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise generally very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 22 September 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He rendered invaluable assistance to his Company Commander during a stiff fight, and during a heavy bombardment. His cheery example gave great confidence to his men. At a critical moment of the counter-attack he brought up a portion of his company, and by skilful handling suffered hardly any loss while advancing.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Longueval 18 July 1916.’ Thomas Craig enlisted into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in June 1907 and was advanced to Corporal in the 2nd Battalion in January 1912. With the advent of hostilities he next joined the newly formed 10th Battalion, a component of the 9th Scottish Division, and arrived in France on 11 May 1915. His subsequent award of the D.C.M. was for his gallantry in action at Longueval in July 1916. At that place on the 14th, the Battalion launched a successful attack, the German lines being penetrated while the Pipes played the Regimental March and “Charge”, while on the 18th it made another assault on Delville Wood, this latter action being the one for which Craig was decorated - resultant Battalion casualties for these two engagements amounted to 435 officers and men. Craig was still serving as a Company Sergeant-Major in ‘D’ Company of the 1st Battalion in the early 1920s. Sold with copied gazette entries, Medal Index Card and Battalion war diary entries covering the Longueval and Delville Wood operations of 14th-18th July.

A Great War ‘Frezenburg, May 1915’ D.C.M. group of four to Acting Sergeant G. W. Sketchley, 1/3rd Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2172 Sjt: G. W. Sketchley. 1/3 Mon: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2172 Cpl. G. W. Sketchley. Monmouth. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2172 A. Sjt. G. W. Sketchley. Monmouth. R.) some edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916; citation published 11 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry. When his platoon commander and platoon sergeant had both been killed he displayed great bravery and skill in keeping the men together in the support trench under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Frezenburg, 8 May 1915.’ George W. Sketchley, 1/3rd Monmouthshire Regiment (Territorial Force) entered the France and Flanders theatre of war on 13 February 1915. The battalion lost so heavily in the German attack at Frezenburg during the Second Battle of Ypres on 8 May 1915, that on 10th May, a composite battalion was formed from the remnants of 83rd Brigade. Sold with copied Medal Index Card, gazette entries and war diary entries.

A Great War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant D. Kerr, 2nd Battalion, Canadian Engineers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5405 Sjt: D. Kerr. Can: E.); 1914-15 Star (5405 Spr. D. Kerr Can. E.); British War and Victory Medals (5405 Sgt. D. Kerr. C. E.) together with post card photograph of recipient in uniform, extremely fine (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 31 December 1918; citation published 3 September 1919: ‘He has been in continuous service since February 1915, and has rendered valuable service, giving always the best that was in him. He has taken an active part as a sapper in the second battle of Ypres, April 1915, Festubert and Givenchy 1915, Mount Sorrel-Somme 1916, Vimy, Fresnoy, Hill 70 and Passchendaele 1918. At all times faithful, energetic and courageous, he has set an example that has won for him the admiration of all men of his unit.’ David Kerr was born in Scotland on 4 May 1885, and enlisted at Valcantier on 23 September 1914, a carpenter by trade. He served in France with the 2nd Field Company, Canadian Engineers, from 18 April 1915, and was promoted to Corporal in December 1917 and to Sergeant in July 1918. He was wounded at duty on 27 September 1918, when it appears that he fell into a trench and ruptured a kidney. He was discharged upon arrival at Halifax N.S. on 4 August 1919.

A Second War ‘Dunkirk 1940’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer Class I W. E. Bedworth, 60th (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (5102817 A-Sjt. W. E. Bedworth. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (5102817 W.O. Cl.1. W. E. Bedworth. D.C.M. R.A.) first initial officially corrected on last, nearly extremely fine (8) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1940: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in action in connection with operations in the field.’ William Ernest Bedworth was born in Birmingham on 23 December 1908 and attested for the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 6 February 1925. He served 6 years attending regular annual training, being discharged on termination of his engagement. On 27 April 1939 Bedworth re-enlisted into the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, with the same service number; the Battalion had recently converted to an anti-tank role. Embodied for service on 2 September 1939, he served during the Second World War with the 60th (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery as part of the British Expeditionary Force, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, apparently for an anti-tank action during the retreat to Dunkirk (sadly no citation appears to have survived, and the War Diary is a little sparse on detail of the actions around this period). According to family tradition, he engaged a number of tanks, destroying three until another tank shot a ‘leg’ off his gun. He then escaped through a corn field. Advanced Warrant Officer Class II in 1941, Bedworth saw further service with the 8th Army through North Africa into Italy, and for his service was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 6 April 1944. He saw further action post D-Day in North West Europe, and according to family tradition was wounded in 1945. He died in Birmingham on 27 January 1981. Sold with the recipient’s Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, this mounted on card with two brass R.H.A. shoulder titles pinned to it; a Royal Welch Fusiliers cap badge; 2 Master Gunners sleeve badges; a 7th Armoured Division cloth patch; a silver Football Medal; and copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ I.D.S.M. pair awarded to Naik Karam Dad, 1st Battalion, 89th Punjabis, who was wounded in action on 17 June 1915 Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (1485 Naik Karam Dad 89th Punjabis) engraved naming; Victory Medal 1914-19 (1485 Nk. Karam Dad. 1-89 Pjbis.) the first cleaned, otherwise good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- I.D.S.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty whilst serving with the Indian Army Corps in France and Flanders.’ Karam Dad served with the 1st Battalion, 89th Punjabis during the Great War - the Regiment first saw action in Egypt and at Gallipoli, before joining the Ferozepore Brigade of the Lahore Division on the Western Front at the beginning of June 1915. He is recorded in the regimental history as having been wounded in action on 17 June 1915, on which date the History records that enemy snipers caused casualties in the trenches (and presumably this is how he was wounded). His battalion was transferred to Mesopotamia at the end of 1915. Only 7 awards of the I.D.S.M. were made to his regiment for service on the Western Front in 1915. Sold with copied research.

A rare Great War ‘Kachin Hills uprising 1915’ I.D.S.M. awarded to Sowar Mastan Singh, Burma Military Police Indian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (4828 Sowar Mastan Singh Burma Mily Police) nearly very fine £400-£500 --- I.D.S.M. GGO 280 of 1916; London Gazette 10 March 1916. One of eight awards of the I.D.S.M. for the Kachin Hills uprising of January-February 1915, all to members of the Burma Military Police. One B.M.P. Sowar (mounted soldier), No 2519 Sowar Kala Singh, received the higher award of the Indian Order of Merit (2nd Class). His citation provides a useful description of the operational conditions:  ‘For conspicuous gallantry, coolness and resource on the 24th February 1915, when carrying dispatches with a comrade through jungle country infested by the enemy. During the journey, they were fired on from an ambuscade and Sowar Kala Singh’s comrade was severely wounded and rendered unconscious. He was, however, helped to safety by Kala Singh who thus saved his life.’ Sold with further details of the Kachin Hills operations by the Burma Military Police.

An unusual inter-War ‘Bruges Canal 1919’ mine clearance D.S.M. group of three awarded to Leading Deck Hand W. H. Pickrell, R.N.R., for services in M.L. 272 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (D.A.13591 W. H. Pickrell. Dk. Hd. R.N.R. “M.L. 272” Bruges Canal 1919); British War and Victory Medals (13591D.A. W. H. Pickrell. L.D.H. R.N.R.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £700-£900 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 17 October 1919: ‘For services in the Mine Clearance Force between 1 January and 30 June 1919.’ ML.272 served in Dover Command and won battle honours for ‘Belgian Coast 1914-18’ and ‘Zeebrugge April 1918’.

‘Cullimore disposed of beach obstacles while under heavy machine gun fire, when using “sticky” bombs with a five second fuse.’ A remarkable and rare Second War D-Day D.S.M. awarded to Leading Seaman R. H. D. Cullimore, Coxswain of an L.C.A. (H.R.) at the assault on Gold Beach in the Normandy Landings when, after completing his primary task of discharging his ‘Hedge-Row’ battery of 24 spigot mortars, he volunteered to assist clearing the beaches of obstacles using “sticky” bombs Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.S. R. H. D. Cullimore, D/JX. 363000) mounted on original investiture brooch, extremely fine £3,000-£4,000 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 14 November 1944: ‘For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy. Leading Seaman Robert Harry Daniel Cullimore, D/JX.363000 (Tockington, Nr. Bristol).’ The original recommendation by Lieutenant N. B. L. Wallace, R.N.V.R. states ‘Cullimore disposed of beach obstacles under heavy machine gun fire, when using “sticky” bombs with a five second fuse.’ Robert Harry Daniel Cullimore was born in London, Kensington, in 1923, and by the time of the award of the Distinguished Service Medal was living in Tockington, near Bristol. Cullimore was Coxswain of an LCA (HR) a special Landing Craft Assault of the ‘Hedge-Row’ variant which had been specially modified with a battery of 24 spigot mortars. Having guided his LCA (HR) onto Gold Beach the mortars were to be discharged onto the beach to clear enemy mines and other obstructions. Cullimore’s LCA (HR) was part of the 591st LCA (HR) Flotilla in Assault Group “G” Two, commanded by Lieutenant N. B. L. Wallace, R.N.V.R., who recommended Cullimore for a decoration. It becomes clear from reading the recommendation for Lieutenant Wallace’s own Immediate D.S.C., that Cullimore’s D.S.M. was awarded for dangerous work above and beyond his allotted task as Coxswain of an LCA (HR). As Flotilla Officer, 591st LCA (HR) Flotilla, Wallace was tasked with firing HR close inshore during the initial assault on Gold beaches during operation Neptune, 6th June 1944. His recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant Wallace brought his flotilla of small craft up to a maximum efficiency during the very short period available preceding the assault. In spite of difficult weather and adverse conditions off the beaches, the whole of his LCA (HR) Flotilla arrived on time and carried out their allotted tasks with considerable effect under enemy gunfire.’ Force “G” Assault Group Commander, Rear Admiral C. Douglas-Pennant, added: ‘Though several of his craft were sunk on passage due to bad weather, this officer pressed on to the assault with the remainder of his flotilla under their own power and carried out their allotted task with the utmost determination. After the assault when many of his craft had been sunk, he called for volunteers and in the face of enemy opposition led a party to assist in clearing the beaches of obstacles.’ So Cullimore was clearly one of Wallace’s volunteers helping to clear beach obstacles using so-called “sticky” bombs with five second fuses. Such work, using ‘plastic’ explosives or “sticky” bombs to dispose of large welded metal beach obstacles was a task assigned to the specially trained frogmen of the LCOCUs, the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Units, rather than the likes of Cullimore whose principal remaining task at that stage of the operation should have been to steer his LCA away from the beach into safer water. One must therefore conclude that his LCA was in some way disabled or sunk.

A Great War ‘Salonika’ M.M. group of four awarded to Gunner A. Jones, Royal Garrison Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (296442 Gnr: A. Jones. 153/Hy: By: R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (7395 Gnr. A. Jones. R.A.); France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour, Ministry of the Interior, bronze, unnamed, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 January 1918 French Medal of Honour, bronze London Gazette 21 July 1919 Arthur Jones attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery on 16 November 1915 and served with the 153rd Heavy Brigade during the Great War in Salonika from July 1916. Appointed Bombardier in August 1916, he reverted to Gunner at his own request in February 1917, and was awarded the Military Medal, the awarded being recorded in the Battery War Diary of October 1917. He was discharged on 27 February 1919.

A Great War ‘1916 Somme’ M.M. group of four awarded to Corporal A. Ursell, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, for his gallantry at High Wood in July 1916 - wounded and taken Prisoner of War, he was repatriated through Switzerland and was discharged on account of his wounds in 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (9119 Cpl. A. Ursell. 2/R.W. Fus:); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9119 L. Cpl. A. Ursell. 2/R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (9119 Cpl. A. Ursell. R.W. Fus.) good very fine (4) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 1 September 1916. Alfred Ursall attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 9 June 1906 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry on 19-20 July 1916 (Battalion War Diary refers), on which date the Battalion was in action at High Wood, Somme; Red Cross records show that he was wounded by a bullet to the face in this action, that resulted in the loss of his left eye. Ursall was at some stage taken Prisoner of War, evidenced by a postcard of Thüringen Prisoner of War camp that he sent home to his mother (included with lot), bearing the message ‘Going on alright. From Alf.’ He was repatriated through Switzerland in December 1916, and was discharged on account of wounds on 15 November 1917, being awarded a Silver War Badge, no. 263,439. Sold with the aforementioned Postcard sent home by the recipient; and copied Medal Index Card and other research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. Rolinson, 2nd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (201714 Pte. G. Rolinson. 2/Worc: R.) one letter of surname officially corrected from ‘Robinson’, very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 October 1918.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Corporal F. W. Robinson, Army Cyclist Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (13884 L.Cpl. F. W. Robinson. VII C.C. Bn: A.C.C.); British War and Victory Medals (1910 Pte. F. W. Robinson. A. Cyc. Corps.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, minor edge bruising, generally very fine and better (5) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 June 1918. Frederick William Robinson, a native of Liverpool, served as a Lance-Corporal in the West Lancashire Divisional Cyclist Company and then VIII Corps Cyclist Battalion.

A Second War ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. group of five awarded to Lancaster Rear-Gunner Flight Sergeant F. D. Glynn, Royal Air Force, who flew with No. 622 Squadron from R.A.F. Mildenhall in Suffolk, and is credited with the destruction of at least one enemy night fighter and probably a second Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1890450. F/Sgt. F. D. Glynn. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.F.M. London Gazette 15 September 1944. The original recommendation for an Immediate award (a redacted version of which was published in the gazette) states: ‘Flight Sergeant Douglas Frank Glynn, Official No. 1890450, No. 622 Squadron, Rear Gunner. [Note initials on medal] This N.C.O. has completed 28 sorties against the enemy, which include attacks on many targets in Germany. Throughout, he has shown enthusiasm and keenness to engage the enemy, and has been responsible for destroying at least one enemy night fighter. On the 5th of July, after bombing a target in occupied territory, his aircraft was attacked by a JU.88. He returned the fire of the enemy, and after a fight lasting for five minutes, during which time he kept a running commentary to his pilot, he succeeded in setting fire to the port engine of the JU.88, which broke off the engagement and was probably destroyed. Immediately after this combat, his aircraft was again attacked by an ME.110. Flight Sergeant Glynn by this time had only one gun working, but his return fire was so accurate that he hit the port engine of the ME.110 and set it on fire. This aircraft is claimed as probably destroyed. The accurate shooting of Flight Sergeant Glynn and his quick appreciation of the enemy’s intentions, saved his aircraft which was not hit throughout the engagement. His courage and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy have been of the highest order.’ Sold with some research including copied recommendation and extract from Squadron O.R.B. for Glynn’s aircraft on the night of 5 July which states: ‘Bombed Red T.I. at 00.26 from 8,000 ft., Black smoke seen over markers. JU.88 and ME probably destroyed.’

A rare Great War S.G.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant L. Crossley, Highland Light Infantry, for his services in helping to extinguish the fires that burned for several days on H.M.T. Catonia, May 1917 Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (Lee Crossley. H.M.T. “Caronia” May 1917); 1914-15 Star (187 Pte. L. Crossley, High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (187 Cpl. L. Crossley. High. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (187 Sgt. L. Crossley, High. L.I.) very fine and better, the first rare to the Army, the last scarce to the Regiment (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Edrington Collection, 1980; W. H. Fevyer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008. 27 Silver and 10 Bronze Sea Gallantry Medals were awarded to the British Army 1857 to 1923, 19 of which were for this action. Lee Crossley was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1894 and attested for the Highland Light Infantry. He served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 May 1915, and later transferred to the 1st Battalion. He was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver for his gallantry aboard H.M. Transport Caronia which caught fire in May 1917 whilst at sea, the original Recommendation stating: ‘In May 1917 while HM Transport Caronia was at sea, a series of fires occurred in her bunkers. The crew endeavoured for over five days to extinguish the fire, the Master was obliged to ask for the assistance of the troops on board and a number of them volunteered to go into the bunkers, where they rendered valuable assistance in extinguishing the outbreak. The service on non-commissioned officers and men are reported as deserving of special recognition. Very considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services. Frequent explosions occurred and a number of men were seriously injured.’ The Ship’s Log, gives further details, and records that the first fire was reported on 20 May, and it took 11 days before they were all extinguished: ‘On 20th May 1917 at 0300 whilst sailing from Durban to Tunghi Bay No 2 Coal Bunker was discovered to be on fire, every effort was made to extinguish the flames. On 24th May at 2100 No 3 port Coal Bunker discovered to be on fire, steps taken immediately to extinguish the fire. On 25th May at 1430, Robert Jones Leading Fireman, Henry Foulkes and Henry Gilfoyle Trimmers received extensive burns as a result of an explosion in bunkers, treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1900 William Clarke, Boilermaker was gassed the result of an explosion in Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital. At 0630 on 26th May George Pattison, 4th Engineer was gassed, the result of an explosion in a Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1300 two further crew members were admitted to the Ship’s Hospital one with injuries, one gassed, at 1400 and 1500 two crewmen were gassed from an explosion. On 27th May at 1000 William Penny 4th Engineer was gassed the result of an explosion, at 1030 two more crew were gassed in an explosion, at 1930 a Trimmer was injured by an explosion. At 1500 on 28th May two crewmen were transferred to another ship for onward passage to hospital at Durban. On 31st May at 1900 the Chief Engineer reported all fires now extinguished.’ Advanced Sergeant, Crossley went on to serve in India and took part in the Third Afghan War attached to the 2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, one of 41 N.C.O.s and men of the Highland Light Infantry to receive this Medal. Discharged to the Reserve on 26 November 1919, he was presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal by H.M. King George V on 11 December 1919. Sold with copied research.

A Victorian R.V.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman P. Bundey, Royal Navy, who served in the Royal Yacht Osborne from 1892 to 1906; recalled for Great War service, he died in service on 4 September 1914 India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (P. Bundey, Ord. H.M.S. Ranger.); Royal Victorian Medal, V.R., bronze (Percy Bundey. Royal Yacht. Osborne) contemporarily engraved naming; Coronation 1902, bronze, the reverse contemporarily engraved in the usual style for Osborne ‘Percy Bundey H.M.Y. Osborne’; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming )Percy Bunday, A.B. Rigger. H.M.Y. Osborne.) light contact marks, generally good very fine (4) £400-£500 --- Percy Bundey was born in Fareham, Hampshire on 14 June 1868 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 28 August 1883. Posted to H.M.S. Ranger on 19 November 1884, he served in her during the Third Burmese War, and was promoted Able Seaman on 1 July 1887. After further service in H.M. Ships Duke of Wellington, Excellent, and Severn, he joined the Royal Yacht Osborne as an Able Seaman Rigger on 12 June 1892, and served in her until he was discharged on 15 June 1906. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 4 September 1901. Bundey joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 14 August 1906, and was recalled for War service on 2 August 1914. Posted to H.M.S. Fisgard, he died at home of septicaemia on 4 September 1914, and is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone in Gosport Cemetery, Hampshire. Note: No trace has been found of a Royal Victorian Medal being awarded to Bundey, although as the medal is named in a style seen to the Osborne it seems likely that this medal was awarded to him for service at Queen Victoria’s Funeral, and that for some reason was omitted from the roll.

An inter-War ‘Royal Household’ R.V.M. group of nine awarded to Mr. C. E. Taylor, Livery Porter to the Privy Purse at Buckingham Palace Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, suspension dated ‘1910-1930’ (C. E. Taylor), suspension re-affixed; Portugal, Kingdom, Don Carlos I Coronation Medal 1889, bronze; France, Third Republic, Medal of Honour, bronze; Persia, Empire, Medal of the Order of the Lion and Sun, silver; Denmark, Kingdom, Medal of Recompense, F.VIII.R., silver, mounted for display, nearly very fine or better (9) £400-£500 --- R.V.M. awarded 3 June 1932. Charles Edward Taylor entered the Royal Household in 1897 and in 1901 was appointed a Livery Porter to the Privy Purse at Buckingham Palace. He was awarded the Faithful Service Medal in May 1930. Foreign awards have not been confirmed.

An inter-War ‘Royal Household’ R.V.M. group of ten awarded to Mr. G. Icke, a Gentleman Porter at Windsor Castle Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue, suspension dated ‘1910-1930’ (G. Icke.); Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1902, bronze, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Spain, Kingdom, Order of Merit, Silver Cross of the Order, uniface, silver, with crown suspension, on peace time riband; Portugal, Kingdom, King Carlos I Medal 1889, bronze; Sweden, Kingdom, Royal Household Medal, Gustaf V, silver, with crown suspension; Persia, Empire, Medal of the Order of the Lion and the Sun, silver; Japan, Empire, Order of the Rising Sun, Eight Class breast badge, silver, mounted court-style as worn in this order, good very fine and better (10) £700-£900 --- George Edward Icke served in the Royal Household as a Gentleman Porter at Windsor Castle. He was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver on 13 July 1926, and received his Royal Household Faithful Service Medal in 1930. Sold with the Bestowal Document for the Royal Victorian Medal, dated 3 July 1926; Privy Purse Office enclosure for the 1911 Coronation Medal; Bestowal Document for the Japanese Order of the Rising Sun, in scroll tube holder; Bestowal Document for the Spanish Silver Cross of the Medal of Merit; Letters forwarding the Swedish and Persian awards; Booklet for the Royal Household Faithful Service Meal; and a portrait photograph of the recipient. For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 687.

A post-War R.V.M. pair awarded to Leading Seaman R. Harbottle, Royal Navy, who formed part of the gun-carriage party at the funeral of H.M. King George VI in February 1952 Royal Victorian Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, silver, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (JX 799376 R. Harbottle. L.S. H.M.S. Victory.) contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £200-£240 --- Ronald Harbottle was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal for having served as part of the gun-carriage party at the funeral of H.M. King George VI. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in September 1961.

A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Gunner D. M. Williams, Royal Artillery, for his gallantry in rescuing the pilot from a burning Hurricane that had crashed at Rigg, Dumfries and Galloway, on 4 June 1941 British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (952357. Gunner David M. Williams. R.A.) minor edge nicks, good very fine £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 17 February 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original Recommendation (a joint one with Gunner J. A. Blamer, R.A. [also awarded the B.E.M.]) states: ‘On 4 June 1941, between Rigg and Eastriggs, a Hurricane aircraft spun to the ground and immediately caught fire. Gunner Palmer, who was about two miles away, mounted his motor-cycle and rod, first along the road, and then across a ploughed field, arriving on the scene a few minutes after the crash. He found that the Pilot had only partially been thrown clear and despite intense heat, at the third attempt extricate the body, with the assistance of Gunner Williams, who had arrived shortly after Balmer. During the time burning petrol was being splashed on the ground around the aeroplane, and machine-gun ammunition was exploding due to the heat.’ Sadly, the pilot of the Hurricane subsequently died of his wounds. David Morris Williams was a native of Trefriw, Caernarvonshire.

A Second War 1940 ‘Military Division’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Squadron Leader W. N. Gibson, 9 Squadron, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Flt. W. N. Gibson. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Flt. Lt. W. N. Gibson. R.A.F.) mounted for display, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 11 July 1940: ‘For services rendered in recent operations.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 28 May 1943. William Noel Gibson was born in Westbourne, Sussex in December 1907. He joined the Royal Air Force in 1924, and advanced to Acting Flight Lieutenant in February 1940. Gibson was serving with 9 Squadron (Wellingtons) operating from Waddington when he was recommended for the B.E.M. He advanced to Flying Officer in March 1942 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in the same year), and advanced to Squadron Leader in November 1947. Gibson retired in January 1957, joined BAC as an engineer, and in later life resided at 61 Highfield, Letchworth. He died in February 1982.

A good Second War ‘1942’ O.T.U. Fire Fighting Section Commander’s B.E.M. group of five awarded to Flight Sergeant H. Irwin, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (347346 Sgt. Herbert Irwin, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (347346 Act. F. Sgt. H. Irwin. R.A.F.) mounted for display, generally very fine or better (5) £300-£400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2002. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1943, the original recommendation states: ‘This airman has been in charge of the Fire Fighting Section at R.A.F. Satellite, Steeple Morden, for the past nine months and has performed his duties in a most efficient and zealous manner. His courage and splendid leadership have done much to save life and to prevent fires spreading and causing further damage to government property. On a recent occasion, by his determination and leadership, he was instrumental in saving two houses from being destroyed when an aircraft crashed on to them taking-off. On another occasion he was instrumental in keeping a fire under control, although there was a great danger from petrol tanks exploding, so that the occupants of an aircraft could be removed. He has set a fine example of devotion to duty.’ Between 1940 - September 1942, Steeple Morden was used as a grass satellite dispersal airfield by No. 11 O.T.U. flying Wellingtons from Bassingbourn.

A Second War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Corporal A. E. Garner, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1142261 Cpl. Alfred E. Garner, R.A.F.V.R.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, nearly extremely fine (5) £200-£300 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1946. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945.

A post-War ‘Minesweeping’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Engine Room Artificer J. Dunsmore, Royal Navy British Empire Medal (Military) G.VI.R., 1st type (E.R.A.Cl.2 John Dunsmore. C/MX57370); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (C/MX57370 J. Dunsmore, E.R.A.2. R.N.) ‘R.N.’ corrected on last, generally very fine and better (4) £400-£500 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, October 1997. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1948: ‘In recognition of Operational Minesweeping and Mine and Bomb Disposal since the end of the War.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘Engine Room Artificer Second Class John Dunsmore, H.M.S. Bramble, has displayed outstanding qualities of zeal and devotion during operational minesweeping work, and by his personal example has inspired a similar effort in his subordinates. He carried out some particularly good repair work on one LL Diesel generator when a serious breakdown occurred.’

A post-War 1957 ‘Military Division’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Chief Technician C. H. Martin, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (4011302 Cpl. Tech. Charles H. Martin. R.A.F.) number partially officially corrected; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (4011302 Cpl. Tech. C. H. Martin. R.A.F.); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, South Arabia (Q4011302 Sgt. C. H. Martin. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Q4011302 Ch. Tech. C. H. Martin. R.A.F.) mounted for wear, light contact marks overall, nearly very fine (4) £300-£400 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1957.

A post-War 1963 ‘Military Division’ B.E.M. pair awarded to Flight Sergeant S. J. Tunnicliff, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (4014660 Sgt. Stanley J. Tunnicliff, R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (4014660 F. Sgt. S. J. Tunnicliff R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine (2) £180-£220 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 8 June 1963.

A post-War 1968 ‘Military Division’ B.E.M. group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant G. Colledge, Royal Air Force British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (No977113 F. Sgt. Gilbert Colledge, R.A.F.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (977113 Sgt. G. Colledge. R.A.F.); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (977113 F. Sgt. G. Colledge. R.A.F.) generally very fine or better (3) £260-£300 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2012. B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1968.

Three: Private L. P. Clark, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914 Star (2726 Pte. L. P. Clarke [sic]. 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9726 Pte. L. P. Clarke [sic]. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Lawrence Philip Clark attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 12 August 1912 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914. He received a gunshot wound to the back on 4 August 1916, and was sent by No. 31 Ambulance train to Abbeville for transit home via Le Havre. He was later transferred to the Army Service Corps and was re-numbered R/39990. He was discharged due to sickness on 15 November 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, no. B331169. Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card confirms that the correct spelling of his surname is Clark, but that his medals were nevertheless named Clarke.

Pair: Inspector General R. Pottinger, Royal Navy China 1842 (R. Pottinger, Asst. Surgn. H.M.S. Druid.) original suspension; Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued, but ‘G M’ crudely scratched to edge, edge bruising and light contact marks, otherwise very fine, the Baltic better (2) £700-£900 --- Robert Pottinger was born on 7 March 1818 and joined the Royal Navy as an Assistant Surgeon on 3 May 1839, being appointed to H.M.S. Druid. Promoted Surgeon on 21 December 1847, from July 1848 until February 1852 he served in H.M.S. Renard, the entry on his papers states ‘in charge of crew on passage home (ship wrecked)’. As a Surgeon he also served in H.M. Ships Hecla, Blenheim (in which ship he earned his Baltic Medal), Hannibal and Neptune. Promoted Staff Surgeon on 18 November 1862 he proceeded from Neptune to H.M.S. Formidable and in December 1866 to the Royal Naval Hospital Plymouth. On promotion to Deputy Inspector General on 8 December 1868 Pottinger joined H.M.S. Melville (the Hospital Ship at Hong Kong). His final appointment was to the Chatham Division of Royal Marines and in this post he was promoted to Inspector General on 5 March 1876. Placed on half pay in August of the same year, he retired on 8 March 1878. Sold with copied record of service.

Four: Commander A. F. Marescaux, Royal Navy South Africa 1834-53 (Midshipman A. F. Marecaux.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Alfd. F. Marescaux. Midn. “Hermes”); Baltic 1854-55 (A. F. Marescaux, Mate. H.M.S. “Termagant.”) contemporary engraved naming; China 1857-60, 3 clasps, Fatshan 1857, Canton 1857, Taku Forts 1860 (Alfred F. Marescaux, Lieutt. H.M.S. Fury.) contemporary engraved naming, last clasp loose as issued, light contact marks, otherwise generally very fine or better (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- Alfred Frederick Marescaux was born in Richmond, Surrey, on 14 June 1829, and joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet in 1845; Sub-Lieutenant, 20 April 1855; Lieutenant, 20 April 1857; Commander, 4 November 1868; Retired Commander, 7 September 1876; Retired Captain, 4 November 1883. Served during the Kaffir war in Castor and Hermes (Kaffir Medal); in Hermes and Fox during the Burmese war; present at captures of Rangoon and Martaban (Burmese Medal, Pegu Clasp); employed in destruction of pirates in the China Sea; present at the taking of Bomarsund as Mate of Termagant (Baltic Medal); engaged in operations in China from 1856; Lieutenant, engaged in the destruction of the Fatshan flotilla of war junks, 1st June, 1857 (China Medal, Fatshan Clasp); served at the capture of Canton, December , 1857 (Canton Clasp); specially mentioned; also served in other operations until the capture of the Peiho forts (Taku Clasp). Captain Marescaux died in Monte Carlo on 10 May 1913.

Pair: Private F. C. Gover, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action at Langemarck on 21 October 1914 1914 Star (6985 Pte. F. C. Grover [sic], 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (6985 Pte. F. C. Gover. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); together with an erased British War Medal 1914-20, nearly very fine and better (3) £140-£180 --- Frederick Charles Gover was born in Reading, Berkshire, and and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Caversham on 5 August 1914. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914 and was killed in action at Langemarck on 21 October 1914, aged 28. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold with a small photographic image of the recipient.

Pair: Carpenter First Class W. F. Thomlinson, Royal Navy, who served in the Investigator in the Franklin Search Expedition of 1848-49 South Africa 1834-53 (W. F. Thomlinson. Actg. Carpenter 2nd. Class.); Arctic Medal 1818-55, unnamed as issued, very fine (2) £1,500-£2,000 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, July 1993 (South Africa Medal only). William F. Thomlinson (also recorded as Tomlinson) was born in Stoke Damerel, Devon, on 11 October 1813, and joined the Royal Navy as a Carpenter’s Mate on 19 January 1838, serving in H.M.S. Racehourse, before transferring to H.M.S. Hecla as a Caulker on 28 November 1843. He joined H.M.S. Investigator on 16 April 1848, and served in her during the Franklin search Expedition of 1848-49. The Investigator sailed in May 1848 to the Arctic in search of John Franklin under the command of Captain Edward Bird. She was accompanied by the Enterprise under Sir James Clark Ross. The ships wintered at Port Leopold. A sledging party departed in the spring for Fury Beach. Ross also went west to Cape Bunny before heading south coming within 50 miles of Cape Bird, had they but known that this was where they should have been searching. The ships were cut free of the ice in August and proceeded down Barrow Strait before getting beset by ice but drifted into Baffin Bay reaching home in November 1849. Thomlinson subsequently served in H.M.S. Castor from 1 March 1851 and took part in the Third Kaffir War. Advanced Carpenter First Class on 15 January 1862, he was shore pensioned on 8 July 1869, and died in Hooe, Devon, on 13 January 1874.

Five: Colour Sergeant A. Hay, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, late Cameron Highlanders and Royal Navy Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (A. Hay, H.M.S. Simoom) engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Andw. Hay, 79th Highlanders); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (35 L-Corpl. Andrew Hay, 79 Ft.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R. (Sejt. A. Hay, late 1 R. Welsh Fus.); Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (A. Hay, H.M.S. Simoom) engraved naming, with IGS-style scroll suspension, all housed in a fitted leather case, some contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, July 2010. Andrew Hay was born at Gladsmuir, Scotland, on 14 February 1836 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy First Class on 8 February 1854. He served aboard the troopship H.M.S. Simoom at Portsmouth and later served in the frigate H.M.S. Wasp. He was with the Naval Brigade at Balaklava and served in the trenches before Sebastopol. On returning home he enlisted into the 79th Foot in which his elder brother, Robert served. With the 79th he proceeded to India. His service outlined above is recorded in several publications. His papers indicate an alternative story. They show that he was entered on the books of the Simoom from 8 February 1854 until 25 September 1855, on which date his records were marked with ‘R’ for ‘Run’ or ‘Deserted’. Additionally on the Simoom medal roll it states, ‘R 25/9/55 Application for medals to be granted refused’. His army attestation papers indicate a different date and place of birth and make no mention of his Naval service. If he had run from the Simoom, then a rather anxious episode would soon have followed; for the newly recruited soldier of the 79th Foot would have been shipped out to India on none other than his former ship, the Simoom! In any event, he served in India with the 79th Foot, August 1857 to May 1883. Serving in the suppression of the Indian Mutiny, he took part in the engagement at Secundragunge, the siege and capture of Lucknow, the actions at Rooyah, Allygunge, Bareilly and Shahjehanpore, the capture of Mahomdie, the storming of Rampore Kussia and the passage of the Gogra - being slightly wounded in the latter action (not listed as such in the published casualty roll). Afterwards he continued to serve with his regiment on the North West Frontier and took part in the expedition under Brevet Colonel A. F. Macdonell, December 1863 to January 1864. Appointed a Colour Sergeant in 1868, he was transferred to the 103rd Foot in December 1869 and 92nd Highlanders in June 1870. In July 1870 he was transferred as a supernumerary to the 23rd Foot (Royal Welsh Fusiliers) and was appointed a Bazaar Sergeant. Discharged in 1883 at the termination of his second period of engagement, he was appointed a Park Ranger at King’s Park, Edinburgh, a post he held for 20 years. Hay was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal with an annuity of £10 on 3 June 1900. He died in 1922. Several members of his family also served in the 79th Foot (Cameron Highlanders). With copied service papers and other research, including a copied photograph of the recipient in civilian dress wearing six medals - as above plus an Army L.S. & G.C. Medal.

Pair: Sergeant R. Bland, 34th Regiment Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (R, Bland. 34th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (4309. Sergt. R. Bland, 34th Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, good fine and better (2) £300-£400 --- Richard Bland was born in Lancaster and attested for the 34th Regiment at Preston on 10 December 1855, aged 15 years, a weaver by trade. He served as a Boy, under age, until appointed as a Private on 1 April 1857. He was appointed Drummer on 1 July but reverted to Private on 6 October 1857, and remained ‘under age’ until 10 December 1858. Promoted to Corporal in July 1861, he was tried and reduced to Private in February 1862. He re-engaged on 11 September 1867, being promoted to Corporal in February 1868, and to Sergeant on 11 August 1867. Despite his previous misdemeanour he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal with £5 gratuity on 1 May 1879. Sergeant Bland was discharged at Carlisle on 3 February 1880, having served a total of 21 years 56 days, including 6 years 5 months in India; he served a further 14 days before joining the Staff of the 1st Royal Lancaster Militia. His discharge papers relate that ‘he is in possession of the Medal for long service and good conduct, and the Indian Mutiny Medal and clasp for Lucknow.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.