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Three: Drummer P. Hughes, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was killed in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915 1914 Star (10031 Dmr: P. Hughes. 2/R. Sc: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (10031 Pte. P. Hughes. R. S. Fus.) ring suspension missing from Victory Medal, with replacement suspender now also detached, Memorial Plaque (Peter Hughes), medals heavily worn, therefore fine, the plaque somewhat better (4) £140-£180 --- Peter Hughes was born in Govan, Glasgow and attested for the Royal Scots Fusiliers at Paisley in 1909 or 1910. He served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 2nd Battalion from 6 October 1914 and was killed in action on 10 March 1915, the first day of the Battle of Neuve Chapelle. His Dependant’s Pension was awarded to Agnes O’Brien Hughes and, having no known grave, he is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France. Sold with a cut out photograph of the recipient wearing a Glengarry cap.

An Inter-War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain the Honourable I. J. L. Hay, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, whose account of his capture at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914, and subsequent imprisonment, was published in the Daily Telegraph after his release in 1918 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1927; 1914 Star, with clasp (2.Lieut: Hon: I. J. L. Hay. 5/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. Hon. I. J. L. Hay); Jubilee 1897, silver, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Comdt. The Hon. Ivan Hay.) mounted as worn, traces of lacquer, about very fine (7) £800-£1,200 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1932: Captain the Honourable Ivan Josslyn Lumley Hay, Commandant, Metropolitan Special Constabulary. Captain The Honourable Ivan Josslyn Lumley Hay, third and youngest son of Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Charles Gore Hay, 20th Earl of Errol and Mary Caroline L’Estrange, was born in October 1884 in Sligo, Ireland. He served as Page of Honour to Queen Victoria, 1896-1901, and King Edward VII, 1901, and was educated at Eton, 1898-1901, before being commissioned into the 5th Lancers on 12 June 1901. Mobilised from the Special Reserve on the outbreak of the Great War, Second Lieutenant Hay served with the 5th Lancers on the Western Front from 17 August 1914 and was captured during the retreat near Le Cateau on 26 August 1914, an event which was noted in the regimental history: ‘August 25th. -... The situation became difficult; the whole of the German efforts were concentrated on the British Corps, the left of which was threatened; and on the night of the 25th-26th, the 1st British Corps was attacked in its quarters between Landrecies and Le Cateau. The Coldstream Guards were brought up by motor-car during the night to protect headquarters; the fighting was of extreme violence, but the morale of the British was not lowered. The retreat was carried on methodically, under the direction of Sir Douglas Haig, and the rear-guard retired fighting, the men sleeping little or not at all, and singing, as the marched, such songs as “Annie Laurie” or “Hold your hand out naughty boy.” This day the Hon. I. J. L. Hay, of the Special Reserve of the 5th Lancers, and who had served since the Regiment had embarked at Dublin, was cut off and taken prisoner, where he remained for practically the remainder of the war.’ (The History of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers by Colonel J. R. Harvey, D.S.O. refers) In a letter written to his father, dated 22 June 1918 (later published in the Daily Telegraph), Hay confirms much concerning the systematic brutality shown towards prisoners by the Germans during the early period of the war. The letter begins by describing how he was marched into the town of Le Cateau together with around 60 French prisoners where they were halted in the main street and made to stand with their backs to the houses. Here, two rows of German soldiers guarded them with bayonets held against their stomachs. The letter continues: ‘Two hours later, after the British had retired, a Hun under-officer pricked a French officer with his bayonet. The Frenchman grasped the bayonet to protect himself, whereupon the N.C.O. shrieked, “prisoners resist, Fire!” The guard, who, as I say, were practically touching us, let off four rounds rapid. About eleven Frenchmen were killed and about ten seriously wounded. The poor French officer dropped, riddled with bullets, and after he was on the ground dead, the Huns near him again and again plunged their bayonets into his corpse. Next to me were the only four English prisoners. A Corporal of Horse of the 1st Life Guards fell, luckily for him, at the first shot, hit only in the cheek. A Corporal of the second shared the same fate, shot in the neck. Two Hussars (19th, I think) fell. One got all four bullets in the stomach, the other three in the arms, one in the stomach. Then a German sergeant-major came up and said, “As it is only the French who have mutinied, do not shoot the remaining Englander (me) but shoot all the French, curse them!” The rifle of the front-rank Hun, which was actually touching me, and jammed, and the rear-rank man, a vindictive little brute, who kept shouting “Englander! Schweinhund!”, let his piece off four times in my face, but managed to miss me entirely, though by the four marks against the door against which I was standing two bullets must have passed a hair’s breadth on each side of my face. Luckily I remembered enough German to thrust myself in between the remaining French and the firing party and say to the Hun sergeant-major “you cannot murder prisoners in cold blood. At least send for an officer first.” To my astonishment he agreed, and did so. The officer, on arrival, said humanely, “Enough have been killed; take the swine to the church”. After three days we were marched to Mons. There were five officers of various (three of them wounded) and 180 men of all regiments, and about 800 French. I shall not forget that march. All three days we were continually passing German troops. The cavalry prodded us with their lancers, the artillery and engineers struck at us with their whips, and the tired infantry cursed us, and spat on our clothes as we passed.’ Hay’s letter goes on to describe the remainder of his time in captivity, highlighting further mistreatment in a succession of prison camps: Mons - ‘nine men in a stifling room the size of a London bathroom’; Torgau-am-Elbe - ‘freezing with a diet of coffee and soup’; Burg - ‘sharing with the Russians who were damn good fellows’ and then transferred to a criminal jail with 39 British officers as a reprisal for the treatment of German submarine crews in England; Crefeld - ‘decent commandant, old Hussar officer. Allowed to do exactly as we liked’; Schwarnstadt - ‘Leaky wooden huts, infested with vermin. Conditions intolerable. Beaten from the lager to station, carrying our own baggage, by a special “strafe battalion” sent for the purpose’; Holzminden - ‘Worst of all. If lucky one meal a day, after standing hours in a cooking queue. Knocked out of bed with butts of rifles at dawn most morning. Commandant frequently drunk, and when drunk used to make sentries and guard fire volleys through windows. God knows why nobody was hit.’ In 1918, whilst still in captivity, Hay’s promotions to Lieutenant and Captain were gazetted and ante-dated to 12 June 1914 and 6 August 1917 respectively. He was repatriated on 18 November 1918 and relinquished his commission on 7 December 1921, retaining the rank of Captain. After the war, Captain the Honourable I. J. L. Hay continued his career in the insurance industry and served as Commandant of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary for which services he was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire in the 1932 King’s Birthday Honours.

Three: Private J. Barry, 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who was killed on 19 September 1914 1914 Star (9010 Pte. J. Barry. S’ Wales Bord.); British War and Victory Medals (9010 Pte. J. Barry. S. Wales Bord.) very fine (3) £140-£180 --- John Barry was born in 1886 at Kensal Green, Middlesex and attested for the South Wales Borderers on 4 January 1906. Deployed overseas to Pretoria, South Africa with the 2nd Battalion in December 1910, he subsequently served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 31 August 1914. Private Barry’s Medal Index Card states that he was killed in action on 19 September 1914 whereas the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects records that he was killed on that date by accidentally falling from a train. He was the son of Timothy Barry of 237, 7th Street, Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.A. and the late Margaret Barry and is buried in Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles, France.

Family group: The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Sergeant H. J. Crockett, 4th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action during the Great War with the 1st Battalion at Hill 60 on 12 April 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (1504 Serjt: H. Crockett. E. Surrey Regt.) nearly extremely fine Three: Private A. J. Crockett, 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who was captured at Loos on 27 September 1915 and held prisoner of war in Germany for the remainder of the war 1914-15 Star (5162 Pte. A. Crockett. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-5162 Pte. A. J. Crockett. R. Fus.) mounted as worn, very fine or better (4) £200-£240 --- Henry Joseph Crockett was born in 1878 at Mile End, London, Middlesex and attested for the East Surrey Regiment on 7 June 1900. He served with the 4th Battalion during the Boer War in South Africa (QSA with 2 clasps) gaining rapid promotion to Lance Corporal on 11 September 1900, Corporal on 6 October 1900 and Sergeant on 20 February 1902. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he attested once more for the East Surrey Rifles on 3 September and served as a Private with No. 1 Platoon of No. 1 Company, 1st Battalion (service number 326) on the Western Front from 4 December 1914. He was killed in action at Hill 60 on 12 April 1915, the battalion having taken over trenches the previous day half a mile south-east of Verbrandenmolen and south of the railway line across from Hill 60. He was the eldest son of Henry Thomas Crockett and Catherine Crockett and the husband of Florence Crockett and is buried in Chester Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Augustus James Crockett, brother of the above, was born in Stepney, London in 1890, and was a clerk by occupation. Following the outbreak of the Great War, he attested for the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow on 16 September 1914 and was posted to the 12th Battalion, serving with B Company on the Western Front from 1 September 1915. Captured by the Germans at Loos on 27 September 1915, he was incarcerated at Münster and Friedrichsfeld bei Wesel prisoner of war camps and was repatriated on 10 December 1918. He was discharged Class Z on 8 March 1919. Note: Two more Crockett brothers served with the British Army during the Great War: E. R. Crockett, 11th Rifle Brigade; and W. T. Crockett, Royal Field Artillery, Howitzer Battery, wounded. A fifth brother, A. T. Crockett, served with the Legion of Frontiersmen, Winnipeg. Sold with a considerable quantity of postcards, photographs and letters including four postcards written and sent by the recipient to his wife from Friedrichsfeld bei Wesel prisoner of war camp; a quantity of postcard photographs of the recipient in uniform and additional photographs of fellow prisoners; a small artistic rendering of the Friedrichsfeld camp and other cards hand painted by the recipient; and a postcard with decorative floral background overlayed by framed and captioned portrait photographs all five Crockett brothers in uniform.

Six: Regimental Sergeant Major F. S. Gaiger, 6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (Territorial Force) British War and Victory Medals (146 T.W.O. Cl.1. F. S. Gaiger. E. Surr. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (146 C. Sjt. F. S. Gaiger. E. Surr. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (240016 R.S. Mjr. F. S. Gaiger. 1/6 E. Surr. R.); Volunteer Force Long Service Medal, E.VII.R. (1019 Serjt. F. S. Gaiger. 3rd V. B. E. Surrey Regt.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (240016 T.S.Mjr. F. S. Gaiger. 6/ E. Surr: R.) good very fine or better (6) £300-£400 --- Frederick Samuel Gaiger was born at Chertsey, Surrey and attested there for the 6th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment on 10 April 1908. Embarked with his battalion for India in October 1914, Gaiger was granted the substantive rank of Warrant Officer Class II and appointed Company Sergeant Major on 1 May 1915 and Temporary Warrant Officer Class I as Temporary Regimental Sergeant Major (for the duration of the war), dated 17 June 1915. The 6th Battalion embarked from Bombay bound for service in Aden on 20 May 1917 and after a period of security duty back in Agra from January 1918, returned to England in 1919. Gaiger was demobilized at Hanwell on 8 January 1920 and died at Chertsey in 1934.

Four: Sergeant J. Robinson, 9th (Service) Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in the attack on Ale Alley and Beer Trench near Ginchy on 3 September 1916 British War and Victory Medals (192 Sjt. J. Robinson. E. Surr. R.) with flattened named card box of issue and transmission slip, in damaged outer envelope addressed to, ‘Mrs. J. Robinson, 55 White Hart Line, Barnes, SW’; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (192 Sjt. J. Robinson. E. Surr. R.) with flattened named card box of issue and transmission slip in damaged outer envelope similarly addressed; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (192 Sjt. J. Robinson. 5/E. Surr: Regt.); Memorial Plaque (Jacob Robinson) with Buckingham Palace enclosure and damaged outer envelope, nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- Jacob Robinson was born in 1879 at Putney, Surrey and resided at Tottenham, Middlesex prior to attesting for the East Surrey Regiment at Wimbledon, Surrey. He served during the Great War ranked Sergeant in the 5th Battalion (Territorial Force) in India for one year and seven months after which he was posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion in France where he was killed on 3 September 1916, one month after his arrival, during the attack on Ale Alley and Beer Trench near Ginchy: ‘On 3 September, 7th Division, on the right of 24th Division was to attack Ginchy, half a mile south-east of 9/East Surrey. Germans in Ale Alley and Hop Alley could enfilade units advancing on Ginchy. The battalion was ordered to assist by attacking, at noon, Ale Alley from the north-west, whilst a bombing party from the brigade on the right would attack from the south. The battalion was also to capture Beer Trench, which was then lightly held. However, the neighbouring brigade declared a change of plan, so that their bombers would attack Hop Alley instead. Captain Ingrams and Second Lieutenant Tetley led around forty men attacking Ale alley at noon, with a second attack 40 minutes later. Unfortunately, the attack by the brigade on the right did not progress and the Surrey men failed to break into the two Alleys. Captain Ingrams was killed and Lieutenant-Colonel de la Fontaine was very severely wounded leading an attack. An officer and three men crawled forward to a shell hole and sniped at Germans, who they reported to be holding Ale and hop Alleys in strength. Part of Beer Trench was, however, seized and thirty Germans advancing towards it were badly hit by Lewis gun fire. The war diary complained of the support given to the battalion’s attack. ‘Our own artillery did not assist us very much. Our heavy guns were throwing shells into our trench instead of Ale Alley. Our stokes guns failed to fire anywhere near the enemy trench and the T.M. firing smoke bombs stopped firing much too soon.’ (The Journey’s End Battalion: The 9th East Surrey in the Great War by Michael Lucas refers). Sergeant Robinson’s T.F.E.M. was issued posthumously under Army Order 143 of 1920. He was the husband of Charlotte Amy Robinson, of 99, Archway Street, Barnes, London and having no known grave is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The British War Medal awarded to Private W. J. Burton, 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers, who was captured during the retreat from Mons on 28 August 1914 British War Medal 1914-20 (L-4353 Pte. W. J. Burton. 5-Lrs.) severe edge bruising and suspension broken off above claw, therefore planchet only, fine £40-£50 --- Walter J. Burton served with the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. As part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade in the 2nd Cavalry Division, the regiment took part in the Battle of Mons (23-24 August), being the last cavalry regiment to withdraw, and the Battle of Le Cateau (26 August). Burton was captured by the Germans on 28 August 1914, during the continuing retreat from Mons, and held prisoner of war. At the conclusion of the war he was repatriated and he transferred to the Section B Army Reserve on 17 October 1919.

Four: Sergeant W. F. Jones, East Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (200060 Sjt. W. F. Jones E. Surr. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (864 Pte. W. F. Jones. E. Surr. R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200060 Sjt. W. F. Jones 5-E. Surr. R.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £200-£240 --- William Frank Jones was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal per Army Order 51 in February 1922. Sold with the recipient’s two metallic identity tags.

Pair: Sergeant A. Spicksley, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, who was killed in action at Kruiseecke Hill, during the First Battle of Ypres, in October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (6312 Sjt. A. Spicksley. 2/Bord: R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (6312 Sjt. A. Spicksley. Bord. R.); Memorial Plaque (Alfred Spicksley) good very fine (3) £160-£200 --- Alfred William Spicksley was born in 1882 at New Barnet, Hertfordshire and attested for the Border Regiment in October 1900. He served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War and was awarded the Q.S.A. with 4 clasps. Following the outbreak of the Great War he served with 14 Platoon in the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front from 5 October 1914, his battalion moving forward to Ypres on 14 October then on to Zillebeke on 15 October and entrenched on Kruiseecke Hill on 20 October with the battalion’s front covering over 2 miles. Second Lieutenant Clancy was killed on 22 October and Captain Gordon and around 14 men were killed on 23 October. As the enemy began their attack in force on 24 October, the battalion was given the order that - ‘trenches were to be held at all costs’: ;Battalion’s positions came under heavy bombardment - trenches being commanded on three sides by enemy artillery, particularly from guns situated on America Ridge about 1 mile to the south-east. One officer calculated 1500 enemy shells during a 10 hour period. Colonel Wylly notes that it was impossible to leave the trenches by day, rations and supplies having to be brought up by night. There were no telephonic communications - messages being carried by runners, and enemy snipers were operating from 300 yards. Machine-gun section blown out of its position during night and one gun buried. Detachment under Lieutenant Wilson forced to retire to second position. Lieutenant Watson led his party back during night (25th) and upon seeing the enemy advancing in large numbers moved his gun to a more forward position where his section inflicted high casualties from 300 yards throughout the day. party of some 200 Germans entered line to the left of “B” Company and indicated that they wished to surrender. However, when Major Allen and six men moved out to bring them in he was killed with one other man. Front-line trenches held by “A” and “B” Companies taken (26th) - 70 survivors driven to the rear...later with Headquarters personnel, held off further enemy advance. “C” Company under Captain Molyneux-Seel brought up in support. Battalion ordered to retire to Zandvoorde during evening.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers) The Registers of Soldiers’ Effects and CWGC both state that Spicksley was killed in action on 23 October 1914 whereas the 1914 Star medal roll states that he was killed in action on 26 October 1914. He was the son of James Spicksley, of New Barnet, Herts and the husband of Jeanie Hall Spicksley, of Braeport, Dunblane, Perthshire. Having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, and on the East Barnet Valley War Memorial, New Barnet. Sold together with a large quantity of photographs and postcards relating to the recipient, his family and the Border Regiment including a portrait photograph of the recipient in uniform and a postcard of 14 Platoon, 2nd Border Regiment, 27 August 1914, sent by the recipient to his mother post dated Pembroke Dock, 11 September 1914; a ticket to the opening ceremony of the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres on 24 July 1927 and an associated medallion; A Border Regiment shoulder title; and a booklet entitled ‘Introduction to the registers of the Ypres (Menin Gate) and Tyne Cot, Passchendaele, Memorials, Belgium.’

Three: Private H. J. Lucas, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, a Boer War veteran who was killed in action near Violaines during the Battle of La Bassée on 22 October 1914 1914 Star, with copy clasp (5816 Pte. H. J. Lucas. Dorset: R.); British War and Victory Medals (5816 Pte. H. J. Lucas. Dorset. R.) good very fine (3) £200-£240 --- Harry John Lucas was born in Ludwell, Dorset in 1880 and attested for the Dorsetshire Regiment at Dorchester, Dorset in 1899. He served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War and was awarded the Queen’s Medal with 3 clasps and the King’s Medal with 2 clasps. Having transferred to the 1st Battalion at the end of the campaign, he was back with the 2nd Battalion at Poona, India by the time of the 1911 Census. After the outbreak of the Great War, he served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 and, following his battalion’s participation in the fighting at Mons (and the Retreat), the Marne and the Aisne, he was recorded missing presumed dead on 22 October 1914 during the Battle of La Bassée. On this day the ‘enemy broke through the 1st Cheshire’s line at Violaines (22nd) and Cheshires fell back to a new line being dug by company of 1st Dorsetshire - Regimental History records - “Our composite company, who were digging in rear, could do nothing; as the remains of the Cheshires started falling back on them.” Withdrew to la Quinque Rue then at 8pm to Festubert. Casualties - 7 killed, 24 wounded, 103 missing.’ (British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 by Ray Westlake refers). He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Le Touret Memorial, France.

Family group: Four: Captain Sir Edward A. Stewart-Richardson, Bart., 1st Battalion, Black Watch (Royal Highlanders), late Queensland Mounted Infantry, who died on 28 November 1914, from the effects of wounds received the previous month at Ypres Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Driefontein, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, the date clasp a tailor’s copy (Capt: Sir E. A. S. Richardson. Q’land M.I.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt Sir E. A. Stewart-Richardson. Bt: R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. Sir E. A. Stewart-Richardson. Bt.) nearly extremely fine Four: Major I. R. H. Stewart-Richardson, 1st Battalion, Irish Guards, who was seriously wounded and Mentioned in Despatches for the Battle of the Campoleone Salient, Anzio, January 1944 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. Oak Leaf, with Army Council enclosure and Army Medal Office enclosure in card box of issue addressed to ‘Major Sir I. R. H. Stewart-Richardson, Lyndale, Longcross, Surrey’; together with the related four mounted miniature awards; King’s Badge in box of issue; and wartime issued smaller bronze M.I.D oak leaf emblems (2) to be worn on uniform, the last with War Office letter giving instructions for wearing, extremely fine The mounted group of six miniature dress medals attributed to Temporary Captain C. T. H. Richardson, M.C., Royal Field Artillery, who was decorated for gallantry at Tobruk, 1941 Military Cross, G.VI.R.; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (lot) £2,000-£3,000 --- Sir Edward Austin Stewart-Richardson, 15th Baronet, the eldest son of Sir James Stewart-Richardson, 14th Bart., of Pentcaitland, Pitfour Castle, Perth, was born at Edinburgh on 24 July 1872 and was educated at Rugby School and Trinity College, Glenalmond, Perthshire. In September 1890 he joined the 3rd Battalion, Royal Highlanders, being promoted Lieutenant in March 1892, and Captain in February 1900. From 1899 to 1902 he was A.D.C. to Lord Lamington, the Governor of Queensland. In the South African War he served with the 2nd Battalion, Black Watch and with the Queensland Mounted Infantry, taking part in the operations in the Orange River Free State, including the action at Vet River, and in the Orange River Colony, including the actions at Rhenoster River, Wittebergen, and Wittepoort, for which he received the Queen’s Medal with five clasps. On volunteering for service in the Great War, he was attached to the 1st Battalion of his old regiment, the Black Watch, arriving with them in France on 22 September 1914, and died in London on 28 November the same year, of wounds received at Gheluvelt on 27 October during the First Battle of Ypres. He had married Lady Constance Mackenzie, younger daughter of Francis, 2nd Earl of Cromartie, in 1904, and left two sons. (The Bond of Sacrifice by Col. L. A. Clutterbuck refers). Sir Ian Rorie Hay Stewart-Richardson, 16th Baronet, the eldest son of the above, was born on 25 September 1904 and was educated at the Imperial Service College, 1919-1922. Prior to the Second World War he travelled widely - adventures which are alluded to in the History of the Irish Guards in the Second World War by Major D. J. L. Fitzgerald, M.C.: ‘Then came Major Rory Stewart-Richardson. He was almost too cheerful. His large face, with sandy hair all over it, glowed, and he began to fill in the time by telling a familiar story of one of his macabre adventures in New Guinea. He had once, it seems, found a gold mine in some desolate jungle. “Unfortunately, my two companions died of fever on the way back,” it always ended, and he could never understand why everybody always laughed.’ Commissioned Second Lieutenant into the Irish Guards on 12 October 1939, he served with them during the Second World War initially in North Africa receiving promotion to War Substantive Lieutenant 12 April 1941, Temporary Captain 8 January 1942, War Substantive Captain 19 September 1942 and Temporary Major 19 September 1942. In command of No. 1 Company, 1st Battalion during Operation Shingle - the Allied amphibious landing at Anzio - his unit was among the first onto the beach on 22 January 1944. Meeting stronger than expected resistance in the attempted breakout and driven back to the beachhead, the 1st Irish Guards were involved in heavy fighting at Carroceto, 25-26 January 1944 repelling several enemy attacks and also experienced heavy casualties in the Battle of the Campoleone Salient, 30 January - 3 February 1944. Although inflicting heavy losses on the German forces, at Campoleone the 1st Irish Guards became surrounded and, confronting armour, were forced to fight their way back through to allied lines, Major Stewart-Richardson being among the wounded: ‘“When the companies got the order to withdraw,” wrote Major FitzGerald afterwards, “the situation was not very bright. We decided to take the obvious route back down the railway line. As we were quietly leaving our positions a German officer came running towards us flourishing a revolver. He was duly killed, but the shots attracted the attention of a nest of machine-gunners.” Whole belts of bullets swept across the open stretch of ground that lay between the sunken road and the nearest cutting on the railway line. Only a man who could run had any chance of surviving. The wounded were collected in the safest place, under the bridge over the sunken road. The remainder, under Major Rory Stewart-Richardson, made a dash for the embankment. “The Bren gun covering fire was not very effective, because of the long range and the number of German machine guns, and the companies received rather heavy casualties getting into the embankment. The Companies paused in the embankment while they prepared to fight their way back down the railway line. The only help they could get was smoke. Lieutenant Patrick Da Costa led off the first platoon. He was killed almost immediately and his platoon broken into small parties by a German attack. Lance-Corporal O’Brien took command of the largest fragment and brought them back to No. 4 Company by bounds. He himself, with a Bren gun, provided the covering for each bound, running the gauntlet every time to catch up with his party and cover them over the next stretch of open ground. The other platoons followed by slightly different routes. Lieutenant Stephen Preston was killed by machine-gun fire from the flank as he came out of the first railway cutting with the second platoon. Major Stewart Richardson, following behind, was wounded over the eye by a mortar fragment, but could still see enough to gather the platoon and return the Germans’ fire, while Lieutenant Bartlet, behind him, led his platoon slightly left down a gully. Lieutenant Brand, with the last platoon and Company H.Q., joined Major Stewart-Richardson and together they launched an attack down the railway line. It was a bloody little battle. Squads of Germans dotted along the railway, who had lain low during the night, now resisted savagely. The German mortars fired indiscriminately along the railway line. They did not seem to care whether or not they hit their own troops, but they must have done, and they certainly killed and wounded numbers of Guardsmen. The German 88-mm. guns by the cross-roads joined in firing air bursts. Through this turmoil of mixed fire, over the bodies of their friends who had been killed the night before, the Guardsmen attacked post after post, driving the Germans back before them into the waiting arms and muzzles of No. 4 Company. Slightly less than half of the two companies who had set out the previous night reached No. 4 Company that ...

An outstanding Great War 1918 ‘Battle of Epehy’ D.C.M., 1917 ‘Battle of Cambrai’ M.M. and 1918 ‘Western Front’ Second Award Bar, Belgian Croix de Guerre group of six awarded to Sergeant F. L. Livings, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, an ‘Old Contemptible’ who was bombed, bayoneted, shot and gassed during the course of his distinguished service on the Western Front Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23186 Sjt: F. Livings. M.M. 9/Essex R.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (23186 Cpl.-Sjt: - F. Livings. 9/Essex R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (7433 Pte. F. Livings. 2/Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (7433 Sjt. F. Livings. Essex R.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919, citation published 10 January 1920: ‘For most conspicuous gallantry and initiative. On 24th September, 1918, the enemy made a determined attack on our positions east of Epehy, and succeeded in entering our trench. He immediately collected a few men with bombs and a Lewis gun and rushed forward, bombing the enemy, who fled towards their own line. He thereupon seized the Lewis gun and advanced along the parapet, firing on the enemy, who left a machine gun and thirteen dead.’ M.M. London Gazette 19 March 1918. M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 12 June 1918. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 July 1918. Frederick Louis Livings was born on 8 January 1888 at North Weald, Essex, and attested for the Essex Regiment on 2 January 1903 at Warley, Essex, declaring himself to be aged 18 years and 11 months. He deserted in September 1903 and, following conviction, forfeited his prior service and recommenced his service from 15 October 1903. Livings served with the 2nd Battalion in Malta from April 1904 to March 1906, where he was hospitalised with enteric and continued to be the subject of regular entries in the Regimental Defaulter Sheet, his catalogue of offences ranging from neglect of equipment and absenteeism to drunkenness and insolence. Returning home he was transferred to the Section B Reserve on 14 October 1906 having completed 3 years of qualifying service and yet still only 18 years of age. Mobilised for duty in 1914 following the outbreak of war, Livings disembarked on 24 August at Havre, France with the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. He was appointed Acting Corporal on 4 September 1914 and Acting Sergeant on 21 October 1914 seeing action with his battalion at Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne and Messines during the opening months of the war. On 13 May 1915 he received bayonet wounds to the stomach and a gun-shot wound to the left thigh during the 2nd Battalion’s successful counter-attack near St. Jean on a 1000 yard frontage of front line from Shelltrap Farm to Fortuin-Weltje Road. John Burrows in his history of the 2nd Essex records how, ‘within ten minutes (8.30am) A and B Companies moved forward, the attack being splendidly carried out in quick time and marked by great dash and determination. Subjected to shrapnel and high explosive shell-fire, they reached the ridge, when heavy machine gun fire swept them, but they never faltered. Within 300 yards of the objective the men charged at the double. The counter-attack of the Essex was carried out in full view of the London Rifle Brigade, who stood up in their trenches to cheer as the Pompadours went forward. The casualties were 37 killed, 94 wounded and 49 missing.’ Hospitalised at Versailles and then repatriated via Hospital Ship to England, he was discharged to light duty with the 3rd Battalion and underwent an operation to extract shrapnel from his abdomen in November 1915. Upon recovery, Livings rejoined his regiment with the B.E.F., disembarking in Boulogne on 20 July 1917. Posted to the 9th Battalion, he proceeded to the front and joined his battalion for duty on 16 August. He was promoted Sergeant (A Company) on 11 December 1917, immediately after his battalion’s participation in the Battle of Cambrai and was awarded the Military Medal, his M.M. being published in an edition of the gazette which almost exclusively carried awards for the Cambrai operations. The battalion war diary’s report of their attack on the Hindenburgh Line on 20 November 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai emphasises the difficult work carried out by A Company, of which Livings was a Platoon Sergeant, and contains the following extracts: ‘On 20 November 1917 the Battalion, in conjunction with many other troops, took part in a large attack on the Hindenburgh Line in co-operation with tanks. One company of tanks, i.e. 12 tanks, were allotted to the battalion for the operation. All 4 companies were in the first wave. Our objective was two line of trenches in front of the Hindenburgh Line known as Bleak Trench and Barrack Support. Zero was set for 6.30am. At zero-10 the tanks started and a heavy barrage was put down on all the enemy trenches and batteries. All Companies after this delay [initially some tanks became stuck] reached and consolidated their objectives. Many Boches were killed or captured and in addition a vast supply of all kinds of ammunition and stores including heavy mortar, two medium, three heavy M.G.s and two light light ones and several grenaten-werfer. The Boche made no immediate counter attack. ‘A’ Company under Captain Capper had the most difficult consolidation but this was well carried out by this officer.’ A few months later Livings received a Second Award Bar to his M.M and the Belgian Croix de Guerre; these awards are likely to have been made in connection with the 9th Battalion’s robust defence of the line at Albert, 26 March - 9 April, during the German Spring Offensive on the Somme. Severely wounded in the field on 13 July 1918, he was hospitalised for some time at Rouen and rejoined his Battalion on 9 September. On 24 September 1918, during the Battle of Epehy, Sergeant Livings repulsed a German attack on the Battalion’s trenches and was recognised with the award of the D.C.M. The uncensored post war citation revealing the date and place of the action. The Battalion war diary for the day in question adds further detail: ‘At 3am the enemy again attempted to take our front line in the vicinity of Heythorp Post and Little Preill Farm. One battalion of the 3rd Guards Division advanced on our trenches and entered them between the posts, Sgt. Livings of ‘A’ Company with 2 or 3 men ejected them causing many casualties to the enemy’. Badly wounded again on 28 September, he was admitted to a field hospital with severe bomb wounds to the head, face and right thigh. He returned to England once more on 2 October 1918 to recover and was discharged from hospital on 14 October, returning to light duty once more. Sergeant Livings was discharged on the termination of his period of engagement on 31 March 1920, his pension accounting for service aggravated deafness, abdominal gunshot wounds, gunshot wounds to left thigh, concussion, bomb wounds and shortness of breath caused by mustard gas. He died in 1976 at Poplar, London.

Three: Private A. Johnson, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action near Armentières, during the First Battle of Ypres, on 22 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (7116 Pte. A. Johnson. 2/Essex R.) in partially flattened named card box of issue and outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mrs. A. L. Palmer, 49 Cramphorn Road, Chelmsford’; British War and Victory Medals (7116 Pte. A. Johnson. Essex R.) in partially flattened named card box of issue and outer OHMS envelope, similarly addressed; Memorial Plaque (Archibald Johnson) in inner envelope and outer card envelope with Buckingham Palace enclosure, extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Archibald Johnson was born at Shoreditch, Middlesex and attested for the Essex Regiment at Romford, Essex in 1902. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 September 1914 and was killed in action on the final day of the First Battle of Ypres, 22 November 1914, during a period when his battalion was occupying trenches between Warnave and Touquet, near Armentières. His sole legatee was James Richard Palmer of Cramphorn Road, Chelmsford and, having no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Sold together with transmittal letters for the clasp to the 1914 Star and the Victory Medal.

An important 1914 ‘Le Cateau’ D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-General Sir B. F. Burnett-Hitchcock K.C.B., Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment), who, whilst a Captain on the Staff of the 4th Division, was decorated for gallantry in rallying disordered troops and leading them against the enemy at Haucourt, 26 August 1914 - seven times Mentioned in Despatches for the Great War, he subsequently rose to command the 55th (West Lancs) Division and the Deccan District (4th Indian Division) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (Capt. B. F. Burnett-Hitchcock, Derby: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: B. Burnett-Hitchcock Notts: & Derby: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Brig. Gen. B. F. Burnett Hitchcock.); France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, chip to white enamel; Italy, Kingdom, Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus, Officer’s breast badge, gold, silver-gilt, and enamel, slight enamel damage; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze palm, nearly extremely fine unless stated (8) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: Sotheby’s, July 1975 (when sold together with K.C.B. Knight Commander’s badge and breast star). K.C.B. (Military) London Gazette 3 June 1932. C.B. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1918: ‘For services rendered in connection with the war’ D.S.O. London Gazette 9 December 1914: ‘On 26th August, at Haucourt, France, for gallantry in rallying troops in disorder and leading them against the enemy, thereby ensuring an orderly evacuation of the village.’ French Legion of Honour London Gazette 3 November 1914: ‘For gallantry during the Operations between 21st and 30th August 1914’ Italian Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus London Gazette 1 April 1919. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 9 April 1920. M.I.D. London Gazettes 19 October 1914; 17 February 1915; 1 January 1916; 15 June 1916; 4 January 1917; 15 May 1917; 12 February 1918 Basil Ferguson Burnett-Hitchcock was born on 3 March 1877, at Chatham, son of the late Colonel T. Burnett-Hitchcock, of Week Manor, Winchester, Hants, and Amelia Burnett-Hitchcock. Educated at Harrow and Sandhurst (Sword of Honour, Anson Memorial Sword, 1st passing out), he made two first-class appearances for Hampshire in the 1896 Country Championship before being commissioned Second Lieutenant into the Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) on 20 February 1897. Promoted Lieutenant on 12 April 1898, he served during the Boer War in South Africa, 1899-1901, with the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, Mounted Infantry, and on the Staff, taking part in the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May, 1900; in Orange River Colony, May to 29 November 1900; also in Cape Colony 1899-1900; again during operations in Orange River Colony and Cape Colony 30 November 1900 to February 1901 (Queen’s Medal with three clasps). Advanced Captain 12 March, 1901, he attended Staff College, 1903-4 and was was Staff Captain, Eastern Command, 1905-9; General Staff Officer, 2nd Grade, Bermuda, 1910-12 and Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General, 4th Division, Eastern Command in 1912. Great War - The 4th Division at the Battle of Le Cateau On the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, Burnett-Hitchcock, whilst still a Captain in the 2nd Sherwood Foresters, was Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General on the Staff of General T. D’O. Snow’s 4th Division. Although initially held back in England to counter any German landing, the division was soon despatched to France, arriving just in time to play a valuable part in the retreat from Mons. At Le Havre, the 4th Division (10th, 11th and 12th Brigades with light artillery) entrained for Le Cateau from where, on 25th August, it marched to Solesmes to cover the retirement of II Corps after the Battle of Mons. Having arrived at Solesmes amid chaotic scenes of retreating British soldiers and long lines of civilian refugees, the wet and weary 4th Division fell back through the villages of Briastre and Le Coquelet before coming under the command of II Corps just as General Smith-Dorrien decided to make his stand in the rolling country around Le Caudry, to the west of Le Cateau - Smith Dorrien declaring, ‘"Very well, gentlemen, we will fight, and I will ask General Snow to act under me as well." Smith-Dorrien’s decision to fight this important delaying rearguard action may well have saved the British from destruction by the massive German onslaught during the general Allied retreat following sustained German successes at the four Battles of the Frontiers. The location, a long ridge running west-east with Le Cateau at its eastern end, was far from ideal. The ground was soft, so easy for the troops to dig in, but it lacked cover, was dominated by a German-held ridge to the north and, worst of all, both flanks were open. The situation on the right flank, the hills around the Le Cateau valley, was perilous from the start, as the Germans infiltrated during the night. The west, held by 4th Division, was absolutely vulnerable to flanking movements designed to encircle II Corps. Snow now set up his Division HQ at the village of Haucourt with 12th Brigade further forward on the left near Esnes and Longsart and 11th Brigade forward to the right in front of Ligny. 10th Brigade remained in reserve around Haucourt. Wilson's 12th Brigade was attacked in force early on 26 August and suffered heavy casualties, but managed to rally and held the extreme left of the British line until the B.E.F. was able to retreat. The 1st Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment suffered in particular. Surprised just as breakfast was being served, they came under heavy machine gun and artillery fire. The battalion was nearly destroyed as a fighting unit, the commanding officer and many others being killed, with many more wounded or taken prisoner of war. Meanwhile, Hunter-Weston’s 11th Brigade spent most of the day desperately holding the position in front of Ligny while coming under heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. A feature of the fighting being the greater respect shown by the Germans for British rifle prowess than at Mons where they had suffered heavy casualties. One unfortunate consequence of 4th Division’s rapid deployment to France was that it lacked a Signal Company (as well as cavalry, cyclists and Royal Engineers) to provide its commander and his brigadiers with the information necessary to control their units. Burnett-Hitchcock’s employment as a messenger for General Snow during the early part of the Battle is documented in a statement published by Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Mainwaring, commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion Royal Dublin Fusiliers, 10th Infantry Brigade at Le Cateau (Mainwaring and Lieut. Col. Elkington, 1st Royal Warwickshires were notoriously cashiered out of the service for cowardice at St. Quentin just days after Le Cateau.): ‘During the first part of the action I received two messages from the divisional staff, both verbal, and sent the one already referred to above to the 10th Brigade, in which I described our positions. The first was delivered by the A.D.C. to the G.O.C. IV Division. Captain Allfrey said to me, “The General says he wishes you to hold on here to the end.” Then, turning in his saddle, he added, “General Snow told me to say that this is a personal me...

Seven: Warrant Officer Class 2 W. Waterhouse, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was wounded and Mentioned in Despatches during the Boer War, and was also Mentioned for services on the Aisne during the Great War, prior to being taken prisoner of war on 31 October 1914 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4929 Pte. W. Waterhouse, 1: L. N. Lanc: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4929 Corpl: W. Waterhouse. L. N. Lanc: Regt.); Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, reverse hallmark with date letter ‘c’, reverse engraved ‘Sergt. Waterhouse. L. N. Lancs.’, lacking integral top riband bar; 1914 Star, with clasp (4929 C.S.Mjr. W. Waterhouse. L.N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (4929 W.O. Cl.2. W. Waterhouse. L.N. Lan. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (4929 C.Q.M. Sjt.: Waterhouse. L.N. Lanc: Regt.) QSA and KSA nearly very fine, the rest good very fine (7) £600-£800 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 20 August 1901: ‘For good service during attack on convoy to Ventersdorp, 23 May 1901.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1914 Walter Waterhouse was born in 1875 at Accrington, Lancashire, the son of David and Isabella Waterhouse. He attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment in 1895 at Preston and embarked for Ceylon with the 1st Battalion in October 1896, gaining promotion to Lance Corporal in March 1898. His battalion was posted to South Africa in February 1899 and he served there for the entirety of the Boer War. Waterhouse was among the four companies of the battalion that were sent to Kimberley on 20 September 1899 and did important work during the siege of that town between 12 October 1899 and 15 February 1900. He then gained advancement to Corporal in March 1900 and was mentioned in despatches and wounded on 23 May 1901 at Kalfontein whilst in defence of a convoy which was heavily attacked whilst en-route for Ventersdorp. Returning home to England in September 1902 Waterhouse was promoted to Corporal in 1904, Sergeant in 1906, Colour Sergeant in 1912, Company Quarter Master Sergeant in 1913 and Company Sergeant Major in June 1914. He was awarded his Army L.S. & G.C. medal per Army Order 99 in 1914. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Waterhouse served on the Western Front from 12 August 1914 and was Mentioned in Field Marshal Sir John French’s Despatch of 8 October 1914 from the Aisne. He was one of 4 officers and 5 men of the Battalion mentioned in this Gazette in which the mentions relate to ‘services rendered from the commencement of the campaign up to the present date [8 October 1914].’ Given that the 1st Loyal North Lancs took no real part in the fighting at Mons or Le Cateau and were held mostly in reserve at the Marne, Waterhouse’s Mention is therefore almost certainly in connection with services on the Aisne where his battalion’s attack on Troyon, on 14 September 1914, resulted in over 500 officers and men of the battalion being either killed, wounded or missing. On 18 October 1914, Waterhouse’s battalion moved up to take part in the bitter fighting around Ypres, taking part in a successful charge with fixed bayonets to clear enemy trenches near Pilckem on 23 October - 600 prisoners were taken. However, later in the month heavy casualties were sustained, particularly at Gheluvelt on 31 October. Company Sergeant Major Waterhouse was captured on 31 October 1914 and taken prisoner of war, spending the remainder of the war in Germany. He was advanced Warrant Officer Class 2 on 29 January 1915 and finally repatriated on 18 November 1918. He was discharged on the termination of his engagement on 19 April 1921.

Four: Corporal J. Freeman, 8th (Service) Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who suffered gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hand during the German attack on Vimy Ridge on 21 May 1916, during which action Lieutenant R. B. B. Jones, of the same Battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross 1914-15 Star (15597 Cpl. J. Freeman. L. N. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (15597 Cpl. J. Freeman. L. N. Lan. R.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (John Freeeman) good very fine (4) £80-£120 --- John Freeman was born in 1880 at Garston, Liverpool and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Seaforth, Liverpool on 10 September 1914. Posted to the 8th (Service) Battalion, he was promoted Corporal on 1 October 1914 and served on the Western Front from 25 September 1915. Whilst serving with B Company, during the battalion’s first action - in defence of the German attack on Vimy Ridge on 21 May 1916 - he received gunshot wounds to the shoulder and hand and was invalided to England. Lieutenant R. B. B. Jones, of the same battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for gallantry at Vimy on 21 May 1916. A digest of his citation reads: ‘On 21st May 1916 at Broadmarsh Crater, Vimy, France, Lieutenant Jones was in charge of a platoon holding the position recently captured from the enemy. Forty yards away the enemy exploded a mine and isolated the platoon by a heavy barrage of fire. Being attacked by overwhelming numbers, the platoon was in great danger, but Lieutenant Jones organised his men and set a fine example by shooting 15 of the enemy as they advanced. When all his ammunition had been used, he was about to throw a bomb when he was shot through the head.’ Corporal Freeman was transferred to the 2/2 Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment and permanently discharged on 13 June 1917 in consequence of further aggravating an old knee injury and no longer being physically fit for war service. He was awarded a Silver War Badge. Sold with the recipient’s discharge certificate and an original hand written letter sent to the recipient on 27 May 1916 from 4285 Sgt. Horrocks, B Company, 8th Loyal North Lancs., which opens as follows: ‘Dear Jack I was very glad last night to hear that a letter had been received from you as I have wondered many times whether you had arrived safely at the dressing station or not. I ought really to have sent someone with you but as you know we had not many men left when you got wounded and I could not spare a chap to help you along. I want to thank you personally Jack for the brave manner in which you behaved and for the splendid example you set the men under heavy shell fire and each and all of us agree that you were about the coolest and most collected man of the party. After you got hit we kept plodding on till the following morning when we were relieved and sent back to pylines for a sleep though the party had altered very much in numbers for we started with 42 and left with about 16 most of whom have since left us and gone to hospital with shell shock.’

Family Group: Three: Private C. Coyne, 1st Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, who died of wounds whilst a prisoner of war on 24 November 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (3-9783 Pte. C. Coyne. 1/North’n R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-9783 Pte. C. Coyne. North’n. R.); Memorial Plaque (Charles Coyne); Memorial Scroll (Private Charles Coyne, Northamptonshire Regt.) in OHMS transmission tube, addressed to ‘Mrs Coyne, 287 Walpole St., Peterborough.’ nearly extremely fine Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (John Coyne, 9th October 1883. (Duplicate.)) with integral top riband buckle, good very fine (6) £300-£400 --- Charles Coyne was born in 1895 in March, Cambridgeshire. Originally enlisted into the 3rd (Special Reserve) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, he was called to the colours on the outbreak of war in August 1914 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 September 1914. He died of wounds on 24 November 1914, aged 19 years, whilst being held as a prisoner of war. His heavily depleted Battalion had witnessed fierce fighting during First Ypres at Pilckem Ridge, Bodmin Copse and Shrewsbury Forest, and came out of the line on 15th November with 350 ranks and five officers commanded by a Special Reserve Subaltern. He was the son of John and Louisa Coyne of 287 Walpole Street, New England, Peterborough and is buried in Tourcoing (Pont-Neuville) Communal Cemetery, France. Sold together with Army Form B. 104-82, informing the recipient’s father of the death of his son, dated 24 April 1915. John Coyne, father of the above, was born in March, Cambridgeshire in 1865. He was employed as an 18 year old Parcel Postman at the time of the award of his Royal Humane Society Medal: ‘R.H.S. Case No. 22176: ‘John Coyne, at great personal risk, rescued Mrs Vanson from drowning in the river March, Cambridge, on 9 October 1883. Bronze medal.’ The rescue of Mrs Vanson, aged 73, took place at noon when an omnibus in which the old lady was travelling had backed into the river due to restlessness of the horses. A duplicate medal was issued to Coyne on repayment as his original medal was lost.

Pair: Private H. W. Bradley, 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), who was killed in action at Wasmes during the retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914 1914 Star (L-8123 Pte. H. W. Bradley. 1/R. W. Kent R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (L-8123 Pte. W. H. Bradley. R. W. Kent. R.) good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- Henry William Bradley (later known as William Henry) was born in 1886 at Stone, near Dartford, Kent and attested for the Royal West Kent Regiment at Maidstone on 8 September 1905. He served with the 1st Battalion as part of the 13th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division, II Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914 and was killed in action during the retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914. On 24 August at 2:00 a.m., II Corps were ordered to retreat into France to a defensible position along the Valenciennes to Maubege road, fighting a number of sharp rearguard actions against the pursuing Germans as they did so. At Wasmes, units of the 5th Division came under a heavy assault from German Artillery which began bombarding the village at dawn, followed a few hours later by an infantry assault by German III Corps who advanced in columns and were ‘mown down like grass’ by British rifle and machine gun fire. Soldiers of the 1st West Kents, 2nd King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, 2nd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, and 1st Battalion Bedfordshire Regiment held off repeated German assaults on the village, and then, despite taking heavy casualties, retreated in good order to St. Vaast at midday. Note: The Army Registers of Soldiers Effects; UK Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919; WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards; De Ruvigny’s Roll; and the 1914 Star Medal Roll all state Bradley’s date of death to be 24 August 1914 whereas the Commonwealth War Graves Commission alone gives his date of death as 28 August 1914.

The 1914 Star awarded to Private J. H. Mullins, 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), later Machine Gun Corps, whose medal entitlement was revoked following his conviction for cowardice in the face of enemy in 1916, but later reinstated 1914 Star (S-6361 Pte. J. H. Mullins. Midd’x R.) good very fine £70-£90 --- John Henry Mullins attested for the Middlesex Regiment in 1900 and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 November 1914. He later transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. On 23 May 1916 Private Mullins was convicted of cowardice in the face of the enemy and sentenced to 5 years penal servitude. This is stated on the 1914 Star Medal Roll (with the words ‘no medal’) and on his Medal Index Card (later scored out). The 1914 Star Medal Roll contains a resubmitted entry, however, under the name James Henry Mullins (all other details correct), dated 1 April 1921, confirming entitlement. His medal index card notes the change of Christian name on 7 April 1921. He was discharged Class Z on 30 September 1919.

Three: Major T. Roche, 1st Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment), a Boer War veteran who went out to France with the original British Expeditionary Force on 14 August 1914 and was killed in action at Hooge during the First Battle of Ypres on 17 November 1914 1914 Star (Major T. Roche. Wilts: R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major T. Roche.) nearly extremely fine (3) £400-£500 --- M.I.D. London Gazettes 10 September 1901; 17 February 1915 Thomas Roche was born in 1874 at Annakissa House, Mallow, County Cork, Ireland, the son of Thomas Roche J.P., and was educated at Eastman’s Academy, Southsea and Fawcett’s School, Cork. He joined the Wiltshire Regiment from the Militia in 1895, becoming Lieutenant in November 1896 and Captain in 1900. After five years in India, he proceeded to South Africa in September 1900 and served in the Boer War, being present at operations in the Transvaal and Cape Colony, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches and received the Queen’s medal with four clasps. Returning to India, Roche was Adjutant of his battalion, 1902-06, and then, after passing through the Staff College, was Brigade-Major from 1909 to 1913, obtaining his majority in April of the latter year, having earlier been awarded the Delhi Durbar 1911 medal. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Roche served with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 14 August 1914. The 1st Wiltshire was heavily shelled facing Mons on 23 August and suffered approximately 100 casualties at Caudry three days later. Following the retreat from Mons, they began their advance from Châtres on 6 September and crossed the Aisne on 14 September, suffering heavy losses near Vailly (14 -22 September) and also the following month at Neuve Chapelle during the battle of La Bassé - Roche was promoted Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 October 1914. Roche was killed in action by a shell near Hooge on 17 November 1914 during the First Battle of Ypres. The War Diary of the 1st Wiltshire Regiment described the day’s activities as follows: ‘In action. 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment are in trenches at Hooge. Shelling started about 9am. Infantry attack about 10.30am. At noon about 150 Germans got into D Company’s trenches. At 12.10 a platoon of D Company executed a bayonet charge against them, and drive them out killing about 50 Germans, and wounding many others. They then started to shell D Company very heavily, also using mortar. Major Roche killed by a Shell. Lieutenant Browne seriously wounded. 2nd Lieutenant Chandler killed by bullet wound. Lieut. Goodhart took over duties of Adjutant vice Lieut. Browne wounded. 11 killed, 15 wounded.’ Temporary Lieutenant Colonel Roche was initially buried 200 yards north-east of the Chateau south of the Menin-Ypres Road near Hooge. He was forty years old when he was killed and was posthumously Mentioned in Sir John French’s Despatch of 14 January 1915. He now lies buried in Artillery Wood Cemetery, Belgium.

Five: Private W. F. Oram, 1/4th Battalion, Duke of Edinburgh’s (Wiltshire Regiment) (Territorial Force), later Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery British War and Victory Medals (200516 Pte. W. F. Oram. Wilts. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (200516 Pte. W. F. Oram. Wilts. R.); Jubilee 1935 (1414829 W. F. Oram. R.A.) contemporarily engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (1414829 Gnr. W. F. Oram. R.A.) mounted as worn, small edge bruise to last, nearly very fine and better (5) £200-£240 --- William Frank Oram was born in 1895 in Amesbury, Wiltshire.

The Victory Medal awarded to Private J. Markey, 2nd Battalion, Prince of Wales’s Leinster Regiment, who was captured at Premesques, during the Battle of Armentières, in October 1914 Victory Medal 1914-19 (10011 Pte. J. Markey. Leins. R.) heavily polished with slight edge bruising, good fine £60-£80 --- John Markey served with the 2nd Battalion, Leinster Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 September 1914. He was captured before 10 November 1914 and sent to Limburg prisoner of war camp (Leinster Reporter articles dated 2 January 1915 and 15 May 1915 confirm.) Private Markey was undoubtedly captured at Premesques on 20 October 1914 when the Leinsters, having taken the village two days earlier, were completely surprised and overrun by a German counterattack. 155 men of the 2nd Leinsters were killed and 300 were wounded or taken prisoner. It was the Leinsters’ only major action of 1914.

Four: Sergeant J. R. Cornall, 19th (Queen Alexandra’s Own Royal) Hussars 1914 Star, with clasp (172 Pte. J. R. Cornall. 19/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (172 Cpl. J. R. Cornell. 19-Hrs.); Panama, Republic, Solidarity Medal 1917-18, Third Class, bronze, contact marks, traces of lacquer, nearly very fine or better, the last rare (4) £300-£400 --- Panama Medal of Solidarity 3rd Class London Gazette 17 February 1920 . John Robert Cornall was born in 1889 at Bintree, Norfolk. A Horse Breaker by trade, he attested for the 19th Hussars on 26 February 1907 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. He enlisted in the Royal Tank Corps on 21 January 1919 and he died in 1924 whilst in the rank of Sergeant. Note: The Panama Medal of Solidarity was instituted in 1918 and although Panama played no active part in the Great War, they did award this medal in solidarity to the allies, Panama having previously declared war on Germany on 7 April 1917. The award was issued in three grades: Gold (silver gilt) to commanders in chief; Silver with a rosette to Generals and senior officers; and Bronze to officers and other ranks. Michael Maton’s Honour the Recipients of Foreign Awards identifies from the London Gazette 61 Panama Solidarity Medals in bronze, 5 in silver and 1 in gold.

A Great War 1916 ‘Battle of Ginchy’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant A. Smith, 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, whose meritorious deeds also resulted in the award of the 16th (Irish) Division Gallant Conduct Certificate Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8222 Sjt: A. Smith. 9/R. Dub: Fus:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (8222 Sjt. A. Smith. R. D. Fus); together with a Silver War Badge, the reverse numbered ‘B151301’, medals mounted as worn and contained in a fitted leather case, good very fine (3) £800-£1,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. When all his officers had become casualties, he rallied the remains of the platoon and led them forward to the final objective.’ Arthur Smith was born in 1893 and first attested for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers in 1910. He served in the rank of Sergeant with the 9th (Service) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front and was decorated for gallantry at Ginchy on 9 September 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. On this day, Ginchy was captured by the 16th Division and several German counter-attacks were defeated. The loss of Ginchy deprived the Germans of observation posts, from which they could observe all of the battlefield and eliminated the salient at Delville Wood, which had been costly to defend, due to observed German artillery-fire from three sides. Smith’s battalion, as part of the 48th Brigade helped clear the western part of the village. In addition to the award of his D.C.M., Sergeant Smith also received a ‘16th (Irish) Division’ Gallant Conduct Certificate for Ginchy. He was discharged on 20 February 1919 on account of being permanently unfit due to aggravated melancholia, his address at the time of discharge being, ‘3 Charlemont Row, Harcourt Road, Dublin.’ Neither M.I.D. or Silver War Badge entitlement confirmed. Sold with the recipient’s Irish Brigade Gallant Conduct Certificate, on folded card backed parchment, upper section cut away, signed by ‘W. B. Hickie’, Major-General, Commanding 16th Irish Division, reading, ‘No. 8222 Sgt. A. Smith. D.C.M. 9th Royal Dublin Fusiliers, I have read with much pleasure the reports of your regimental commander and brigade commander regarding your gallant conduct and devotion to duty in the field on Sept. 9th 1916 and have ordered your name and deed to be entered in the record of the Irish Division’. Note: Major General Hickie instituted the 16th (Irish) Division Gallant Conduct Certificate in February 1916, announcing it during an inspection of battalions returning from a period of instruction in the trenches alongside more experienced units. On 17 February, whilst praising the performance of the 9th Royal Munster Fusiliers, he is known to have declared that whenever the name of a man came before him for having performed a meritorious deed he would have the fact recorded “…on a parchment sheet specially prepared in Dublin, so that a heritage worth preserving might be passed onto future generations to the glory of the Irish Brigades in France in 1916.” Hickie’s parchment certificate was always awarded in addition to, rather than instead of, any other decoration that was awarded. It was produced in two versions. The first type, of which Smith’s certificate is an example, was awarded between February 1916 and the early Summer of 1917 and was inscribed across the top with ‘The Irish Brigade’ in Celtic script together with a green shamrock. This upper section is missing from Smith’s certificate. After the Battle of Ginchy, the award of the parchment certificate was accompanied by a hollow, dark green felt diamond, know as the ‘Ginchy Diamond’, to be worn on the right upper sleeve of the uniform.

Five: Company Quartermaster Sergeant F. Frost, 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort’s Own) 1914 Star, with clasp (8219 Sjt. F. Frost. 3/Rif: Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (8219 C. Sjt. F. Frost. Rif. Brig.); General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, N.W. Persia (8219 C. Sjt. F. Frost. Rif. Brig.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (8219 C.Q.M. Sgt. F. Frost. Rif. Brig.) good very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Frank Frost attested for the Rifle Brigade in 1901 and served with the 3rd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. He later served with the 1st Battalion in Iraq, 1919-20 and in NW Persia, 1920. His Army L.S. & G.C. medal was awarded in 1921 under Army Order 443.

A Great War 1918 ‘Final Advance’ M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal C. Brown, 21st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (45794 Pte. A. Cpl. - C. Brown. 21/M.G.C.); British War and Victory Medals (45794 Cpl. C. Brown. M.G.C.) small edge nick to M.M. otherwise nearly extremely fine (3) £260-£300 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919. Charlie Brown was born in 1890 and attested for General Service with the British Army on 9 December 1915. He was mobilised on 23 February 1916, posted to to 3/4th Somerset Light Infantry and transferred to the Machine Gun Corps at Bridgewater on 29 July 1916. Embarked for France, he joined 110 Company with the British Expeditionary Force in France on 24 September 1916 and was posted to the 21st Battalion in September 1918. He was promoted Corporal on 4 November 1918. A note in his ‘Soldier’s Pay Book’ states that he was awarded the Military Medal on 3 December 1918 - the award reflecting gallantry with the 21st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps most likely at the Battle of the Selle during the final advance in Picardy. He returned to England on 29 December 1918 and was discharged Class Z on 5 March 1919. Sold together with the recipient’s ‘Soldier’s Pay Book for use on Active Service’ containing an original Army Form C.2123 - the typed instructions time-stamped 08.30am on 11 November 1918 informing the members of the 21st Battalion that ‘hostilities will cease at 11am today Nov 11th. Defensive precautions will be maintained. There will be no intercourse of any description with the enemy. Moves ordered in Divisional Order No. 2626 will take place.’

The 1914 Star awarded to Private W. F. Bendy, Royal Marine Light Infantry, who served with the Royal Marine Brigade at Dunkirk and in the Defence of Antwerp in 1914, in the Dardanelles, and on the Western Front where he was wounded in 1917 1914 Star (Ch.11915. Pte. W. N. Bendy, R.M. Brigade) very fine £100-£140 --- Wilfred Norman Bendy was born in 1883 at Woolhampton, Berkshire and enrolled in the Royal Marines on 19 November 1900. He was appointed to the Chatham Division and served in a number of ships between 1902 and 1913. Discharged to limited engagement in the Royal Fleet Reserve in September 1913, he served during the Great War in 1914 with the Royal Marine Brigade initially at Ostend, 26 August to 1 September. He was then at Dunkirk, 20 September to 2 October and was employed in the Defence of Antwerp, 3-9 October. Bendy served with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 6 February 1915 until 19 May 1916, including at Gallipoli and afterwards with the British Expeditionary Force in France where he suffered gun shot wounds to his back on 17 May 1917. He re-enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve on 22 May 1919 to attain the age of 40 years and was discharged on 5 September 1923. His Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C. Medal was awarded in March 1924.

Family group: Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (15172 By. Sgt. Maj: J. Panter. 2nd Bde. Lanc: Div: R.A.) good very fine Six: Trumpeter, later Sergeant, J. J. Panter, Royal Field Artillery, who, having been Mentioned in Despatches for gallantry at the Battle of Vlakfontein, 29 May 1901, during the Boer War whilst aged just 16, served during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914, and was wounded and repatriated from France in 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (30429 Tptr. J. J. Panter. 8/Bty, R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (30429 Tptr: J. J. Panter. 8th Bty. R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (30429 Cpl. J. J. Panter. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (30429 Sjt. J. J. Panter R.A.); Defence Medal, mounted as worn, nearly very fine and better Five: Trumpeter J. Panter, 4th Hussars, who served on the Western Front with his regiment from the Marne in September 1914 through to Villers Brettoneaux in April 1918 and was subsequently a long served Stable Helper to the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace 1914 Star, with copy clasp (9431 Tptr: J. Panter. 4/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9431 Pte. J. Panter. 4-Hrs.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., suspension dated ‘1915-1935’ (J. Panter) mounted as worn, nearly very fine Four: Private C. L. Panter, 17th Lancers, who was wounded during the Great War 1914 Star with copy clasp (904 Pte. C. L. Panter. 17/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (L-904 Pte. C. L. Panter. 17-Lrs.); War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, edge knocks to last, nearly very fine (16) £700-£900 --- James Panter was born in 1851 at Hanley, Upton on Severn, Worcestershire and attested for the Royal Artillery at Worcester on 16 January 1871. Having served in India from October 1871 until November 1878, he was promoted Sergeant in July 1881 and transferred to the 2nd Brigade, Lancashire Division in October 1882, serving as Battery Sergeant Major of the same from April 1883. He was awarded his Army L.S. & G.C. medal in 1886, was promoted Quartermaster Sergeant and transferred to the Army Staff in March 1892 and was discharged on 1 March 1894 having served 23 years and 45 days at home and abroad. John James Panter, eldest son of the above, was born in 1884 at Everton, Liverpool, Lancashire and attested for the Royal Artillery in London on 29 September 1898 at London. Appointed Trumpeter on 12 December 1899, Boy Panter served with the 8th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in South Africa during the Boer War from January 1900. Although just aged 16 at the time, he was Mentioned in Despatches and noted for promotion to Bombardier upon his reaching the age of 18 following his gallantry at the Battle of Vlakfontein, 29 May 1901 (London Gazette 20 August 1901 - ‘Trumpeter J. Panter, 8th Battery Royal Field Artillery: During fight at Vlakfontein, 25th May, 1901 (sic- actually 29 May), officer’s horse, which he was leading, being shot, got a rifle and ran up into firing line. (Only 16 years old.)’ Panter remained in South Africa until August 1903 and was awarded the Q.S.A. with 3 clasps and K.S.A with 2 clasps. Having completed 12 year of service he re-engaged on 9 December 1910 and served with the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914. He was wounded in the left arm in May 1915 and transferred to England, rejoining the B.E.F. in November 1915 and remaining in France for the remainder of the war. He was promoted Sergeant on 30 May 1918 and discharged 28 February 1920. Joseph Panter, second son of James Panter above, was born in 1889 and was educated at the Royal Hibernian School, Dublin. He served with the 4th Hussars during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 September 1914 and was present at the Battles of the Marne, Ypres 1914 and 1915, Hooge, Loos, Somme, Arras, Cambrai, Bourlon Wood, Amiens and Viller Bretonneaux. He served as Stable Helper to the Royal Household at Buckingham Palace and was awarded his Long and Faithful Service Medal in 1935. Charles Leo Panter, fourth son of James Panter above, was born in 1891 at Birmingham, Warwickshire and educated at the Royal Hibernian School, Dublin. He attested for the 17th Lancers in January 1906 and served with them in India and afterwards during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 November 1914. He suffered a gun shot wound to his right arm during the war and was discharged surplus to military requirements on 23 May 1919. The Medical Appeal Board awarded him a 20% pension in respect of his disabilities. Sold with the following original items: James Panter’s Certificates of Education and Gunnery booklet and Monthly Settlements and Saving’s Bank Account booklet in contemporary leather cover, both with numerous hand written entries; Buckingham Palace letter to accompany Joseph Panter’s 1935 Silver Jubilee medal; John James Panter’s ‘Small Book’ - containing many handwritten entries - in contemporary leather cover; Soldier’s Small Book, relating to Albert Edward Panter, third son of James Panter above, who served from 1904 in the 19th Hussars, 8th Hussars and 4th Hussars. A trumpeter also, he served with the latter regiment on the Western Front during the Great War from 1915 to 1918.

Pair: Private L. P. Hewett, 1/14th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (London Scottish), who was reported missing, presumed dead, after heavy fighting at Messines Ridge on 31 October 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14/Lond: R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (1310 Pte. L. P. Hewett. 14-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Leonard Percy Hewett) with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Pte. Leonard Percy Hewett 14 London Regt.’ in OHMS transmission tube, address label torn off, nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200 --- Leonard Percy Hewett was born on 16 July 1894 in Paddington, London and was a resident of Hanwell. He served with H Company of the London Scottish during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 September 1914 and was reported missing on 1 November following fighting at Messines the previous day. His date of death was recorded for official purposes as 1 November 1914. Ray Westlake in British Battalions in France and Belgium 1914 uses a mixture of war diary extracts and eyewitness accounts to describe the multiple difficulties confronting the London Scottish at Messines on 31 October 1914: ‘Advanced up slopes of Messines Ridge to firing line just east of Messines-Wytschaete road. Heavy casualties among leading companies at crest of ridge. Enemy attacked about 9pm and were driven back by rifle fire and a series of charges. The rifles in use had been issued at Abbots Langley and were Mark 1 pattern converted to take Mark VII ammunition. Battalion records show that not a man had opportunity to fire the new weapons. It would soon be discovered that the magazines had springs too weak and that front stop clips were the wrong shape for Mark V II rounds. The rifles could only be used as single-loaders. However, Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay notes that - “steady shooting beat off the attack.” A second attack was also repulsed - “remembered it was Hallowe’en... saw a party of men in kilts in our rear. Did not know if they were our men of Germans. They got within a dozen yards, when we saw they were wore spiked helmets, and shot them. Were attacked in both front and rear.”, wrote one man present. A third attack forces the Scottish back - “they advanced in quarter column with a brass band playing at their head, playing the Austrian National Anthem.” Another eyewitness mentions seeing the Medical Officer, Captain A. Mac Nab, bayoneted and killed whilst attending to the wounded. Forward trenches almost surrounded. Reserve line at Enfer charged the enemy. Lieutenant-Colonel Lindsay records - “a prolonged and confused struggle... there was hard fighting, bayonets were crossed, fire was exchanged at close quarters... officers, sergeants and men had to act on their own initiative.”’ The following extract is from War Service of the Staff of Coutts & Co. 1914-1918: ‘Leonard Percy Hewett entered the service of Coutts Bank at 440 Strand on the 14th October 1912, and in 1914 was employed in the Securities Department. He joined the London Scottish in 1910 at the age of 16 years 6 months, and at the outbreak of war was mobilised with that Battalion. A short time after, he proceeded to France with them and took part in the First Battle of Messines in October, after which engagement he was reported missing on the 1st November 1914. No further tidings being received, the War Office in due course presumed his death.’ Hewitt was the son of Mr. L. W. Hewett, of 10, Milton Rd., Hanwell, London and, having no known grave is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium and also on the Coutts Bank War Memorial, The Strand, Charing Cross, London. Sold together with an old photograph of the Coutts Bank War Memorial.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance Sergeant P. W. Turner, 17th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) (Territorial Force) who died of wounds on the Western Front on 30 June 1916 Military Medal, G.V.R. (2779 L. Sjt: P. W. Turner. 17/Lond: R. - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2779, Pte. P. W. Turner, 17-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2779 Cpl. P. W. Turner. 17-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Percy William Turner) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope; Memorial Scroll, ‘L. Serjt. Percy William Turner London Regt.’ the surname amended to ‘Jackson’, in its OHMS scroll tube, addressed to, ‘Mr. W. Jackson’, slight edge bruise to M.M. otherwise good very fine or better (6) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 September 1916. Percy William Jackson, alias Percy William Turner, was born in 1893 at Harston, Cambridgeshire, the son of William and Amy Ann Jackson. He attested for the Poplar and Stepney Rifles at Bow, London in October 1914 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 March 1915. He died of wounds on the Western Front on 30 June 1916 and was awarded the Military Medal, the latter being notified in an edition of the London Gazette carrying retrospective ‘non-immediate’ awards mostly for the period March to June 1916. He is buried in Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Sold together with the Imperial War Graves Commission commemorative scroll for Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension, France in its tube, named to ‘Jackson (served as Turner)...’; the recipient’s card identity tag with string, named, ‘2779 Rfn. W. P. Turner. C.E. 17 London’; together with the recipient’s father’s Royal Antediluvian Order of Buffaloes medal, metal, open book on cross with crossed swords suspension and letters RAOB, registered manufacturer EH, with buffalo horns top bar, in original box, engraved to the reverse, ‘G.C.K.P. W. Jackson. Companion. 1923.’

A fine Great War April 1918 ‘Aveluy Wood’ D.C.M., 1916 ‘Somme’ M.M. and 1919 ‘North Russia Archangel Command’ Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Sergeant J. Johns, 1/22nd (The Queen’s) Battalion, London Regiment, later 46th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (682490 Sjt: J. Johns. M.M. 1/22 Lond: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (5238 L.Cpl. J. Johns. 1/22 Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (5238 Sjt. J. Johns. 22-Lond. R.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a counter-attack by his company. After all the officers and the warrant officer of his company had become casualties, he took command, and later extricated the company from a dangerous position without a casualty.’ (Annotated Gazette states ‘Near Aveluy Wood, 9 April 1918.’) M.M. London Gazette 9 December 1916 M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 22 January 1920: ‘For bravery in the Field with the British Forces in North Russia - Archangel Command.’ Joseph Johns was a native of Bethnal Green and served with the 1/22nd (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s) during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 June 1916. He was awarded the Military Medal for services with his Battalion on the Somme, September - October 1916, during which period his Battalion captured High Wood and Eaucourt l’Abbaye and made attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt, as part of the 142nd Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. Having been promoted to Sergeant, he was awarded the D.C.M., the annotated London Gazette stating that it was for gallantry near Aveluy Wood on 9 April 1918. A close inspection of the battalion War Diary reveals that it was on 5 April that the battalion was involved in heavy fighting near Aveluy Wood, matching the citation: ‘Martinsart - 5 April - The enemy attacked at 7.50am and drove back the outposts in the front line held by the 23rd Battn. The right flank of the 24th Battn. (holding the left front line of the Brigade sector) was compelled to fall back owing to enemy pressure. At 4.15pm A and D Companys counter-attacked to regain this lost ground. They were unsuccessful however owing to heavy machine-gun fire, especially from the right flank of the position. Officer casualties: Lts. Wicker and Boyer killed; Captain Dudley, Lt. Anderson, 2nd Lts Grosin, Benwell, Owens and Boxall wounded.’ The battalion was then relieved from the line on 7 April. The diary later states that on 10 May 1918, at Warloy, following inspections and refittings, the Field Marshall Commander in Chief awarded the D.C.M. to both Johns and Colour Sergeant Edwin Sullivan. After the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front, Johns’ appetite for more active service led him to re-enlist in the 46th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. This battalion, which in April 1919 was just forming for service with the North Russia Relief Force, consisted of volunteers, mostly battle hardened veterans from the Western Front. It included a large number of Australian troops who had been awaiting demobilisation and a number of Officers who had relinquished their commissions to serve in the ranks. One member of the 46th battalion would write on the ‘very mixed crowd in action with him - a testimony to the multinational character of the anti-Bolshevik forces’. Another would write on their arrival in June that ‘they are all volunteers and any quantity of ex-officers in the ranks, Colonels galore; fellows wearing D.S.O.’s and M.C.’s on a private’s uniform.’ The 45th and 46th Battalions, Royal Fusiliers played a leading role in the operations in Northern Russia. Arriving in Archangel in early June 1919, they would take part in many operations on the Dvina front, including the 10 August 1919 offensive, which was the largest battle fought by British troops during the Russian Intervention. They were also among the last British troops to leave the North Russian port more than four months later. Appointed Corporal and given the regimental number 129110, Johns distinguished himself in action once more in Russia, adding a Bar to his Military Medal. The award was approved by Brigadier-General L. W. de V. Sadleir-Jackson, Commanding Dvina Force, on 21 August 1919 and was gazetted the following January by which time Johns had been restored to his Great War rank of Sergeant.

Three: Gunner T. J. Beynon, Royal Field Artillery, late Bombardier, City of London Imperial Volunteers, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 May 1917 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, Belfast (1179 Pte. T. J. Beynon, C.I.V.); 1914-15 Star (L-27394 Gnr. T. J. Benyon. R.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (L-27394 Gnr. T. J. Beynon. R.A.) with damaged named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Theophilus John Beynon); together with a Masonic Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee 1837-97 medal by Kenning London, silver-gilt, enamel and brilliants, with top bar and pin, missing 5 brilliants; and a St. James Union Lodge 1787 Medal with No. 180 clasp and top bar with pin, silver, hallmarks for London 1895, and enamel, reverse engraved, ‘G. J. Taylor W. M. to John Beynon 1895’, good very fine or better (6) £260-£300 --- Theophilus John Beynon was born in 1879 in Holloway, London, the son of Benjamin and Sarah Beynon and was a resident of Manorbier, Pembrokeshire. He joined the 1st City of London Artillery Volunteers in 1898 and was ranked Bombardier before he then served with No. 2 Company of the Mounted Infantry, City of London Imperial Volunteers in South Africa during the Boer War. On his return a complimentary ‘Return of the C.I.V.’ dinner was held in honour of him and Private G. Young at the Assembly Rooms, Pembroke, 5 November 1900. Each of them was presented with an engraved silver cigarette case. Benyon served with the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 November 1915 and was killed in action on 26 May 1917 whilst serving with the X/6th Trench Mortar Battery. He was the husband of Gertrude L. Beynon, of 11, Kemble Road, Forest Hill, London and is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Marzingarbe, France. Note: All C.I.V. recipients of the Belfast clasp served in No. 2 Company of the Mounted Infantry. Sold with the following: Two studio portrait photographs of the recipient in C.I.V. uniform taken by the London Stereoscopic Company; Order of Service for C.I.V. Farewell Service held at St. Paul’s Cathedral on 12 January 1900; City Press Illustrated C.I.V. souvenir publications Nos. 2 and 3, the former containing portrait photograph of the recipent; C.I.V. ‘Welcome by the City of London Corporation’ dinner menu, dated 27 October 1900; Programme for ‘Return of the C.I.V. Complementary Dinner to Privates G. Young and Theo Beynon at the Assembly Rooms, Pembroke, November 5th 1900’; ‘(Late) C.I.V. Programme of Concert at Guildhall, December 12th 1908’; photograph, 205mm x 153mm, of section of 1st City of London Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers, featuring the recipient wearing Q.S.A. medal; Newspaper pages from the Free Press and Economic Advertiser, 2 November 1900 and the Pembrokeshire Times, 8 November 1900 with articles describing the homecoming of the recipient from the Boer War and the welcome reception given in his honour at the Pembrokeshire Assembly Rooms respectively; an original copy of the recipient’s marriage certificate dated, 21 February 1903; Royal Artillery collar badge; book register - The War Graves of the British Empire Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France; and a quantity of other family photographs, postcards and ephemera.

The British War Medal awarded to Elisabeth M. Stewart, Scottish Churches Huts British War Medal 1914-20 (E. M. Stewart.) mounted as worn; together with a silver identity bracelet ‘Martin Stewart, Scottish Churches Huts, France, 12-3-17.’, extremely fine, scarce £60-£80 --- Elisabeth M. Stewart (presumably the wife or sister of Martin Stewart) served with the Scottish Churches Huts during the Great War on the Western Front from March 1917.

A Great War M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant T. H. Brown, Royal Canadian Dragoons, who saw earlier campaigning with the 7th Dragoon Guards in South Africa and Somaliland Military Medal, G.V.R. (23 Sjt. T. H. Brown. R. Can: Dns.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4475 Pte. T. Brown. 7/D. Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4475 Pte. T. Brown. 7/D. Gds:); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (4475 Pte. T. Brown 7/D. Gds:); 1914-15 Star (23 Cpl. T. H. Brown. R. Can: Dns:) the number 3 appearing impressed as an inverted 2; British War Medal 1914-20 (23 Sjt. T. H. Brown. R.C.D.) generally nearly very fine (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. Thomas Henry Brown was born in 1880 in South Bermondsey, Surrey and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment at Hertford on 12 September 1898. He was immediately transferred to the 7th Dragoon Guards and served with them during the Boer War in South Africa from February 1900. Remaining in South Africa after the conclusion of hostilities he was posted to Somaliland in January 1903 and served there until July, taking part in the expedition against Muhammed bin Abdullah under Brigadier General W. H. Manning. He returned to England for 9 months and, having extended his service, was reposted to the 5th Dragoon Guards. Embarking for South Africa once more in May 1904, he remained there until December 1908, and returning home was discharged in September 1910 after 12 years with the colours, his conduct being described as exemplary. Brown served during the Great War with the Royal Canadian Dragoons. He advanced to Sergeant and was awarded the Military Medal. The Royal Canadian Dragoons disembarked in France on 5 May 1915 and fought dismounted in an infantry role as part of Seely's Detachment with the 1st Canadian Division. The regiment remounted on 24 January 1916 and returned to its cavalry role as part of the 1st Canadian Cavalry Brigade, continuing to fight in France and Flanders until the end of the war.

A Great War ‘French Resistance’ Allied Subjects’ Medal and Croix de Guerre pair awarded to Madame Jeanne Cleve, who ‘hid 150 British prisoners of war in an attic and guided them to the coast right under enemy noses’ Allied Subjects’ Medal, bronze, unnamed as issued; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, the reverse dated 1914-1918, with bronze star emblem on riband, together with the recipient’s riband bar, good very fine (2) £600-£800 --- Jeanne White née Cleve was born in Maroilles, France in 1885. Her wartime exploits are summarised in the following article, published in the Thurrock Gazette in 1971: ‘Jeanne White, 86, can be pardoned for drifting into daydreams as she does occasionally, for as a French Resistance fighter, playing a perilous game of cat and mouse in the First World War, she has more than most to remember. Jeanne married a British soldier and came to live in Rosedale Road, Grays, in 1926. The soldier was Alfred White one of 150 British prisoners of war who Jeanne hid in an attic and then guided to the coast right under enemy noses. She lived with her mother and sister in a large rambling farmhouse at Lille. When her father was killed in the Resistance while blowing up a bridge, and she saw her beloved France “shaking under the enemy’s boots” she joined the hundreds of French, members of the underground movement, who devoted their lives to sabotage. “I did it for revenge,” she added, banging a small wrinkled fist on the arm of the chair. Jeanne is a delightful old lady with flashing blue eyes undulled by age, a penchant for cognac and an impressive flow of French invective. She is independent in the extreme and longs for the day she can leave Thurrock Hospital and go back to her home. She has been hospital-bound for a year now because of a fractured hip. She felt she could not kill or handle a gun but suggested to her mother that the farmhouse, which had a huge attic running its entire length, was an ideal place to hide British PoWs while they waited for a boat to cross the Channel to safety. Her mother agreed and soon they had the first group of men hidden and were busy sorting through the clothes that would turn the men into French peasants for their dangerous journey. The clothes were taken along to the farmhouse at night, as was the extra bread which Jeanne persuaded the mayor to give her. “I would accompany the man as wife or sister because most of them could not speak French,” said Jeanne. “We never had any trouble on the journey, although a soldier had to kill two Germans who searched the farmhouse because they found him hiding in the attic.” Of the 150 soldiers Jeanne helped to safety not one of them was caught. “I heard from them all once after the war,” she said. “But that’s all.” “Alfred was one of the last to go,’ she added. “He wanted me to go with him to England - but I was too frightened because I couldn’t speak a word of English - imagine that.” So Jeanne the resistance fighter waited seven years to pluck up enough courage to come to Grays and marry her soldier sweetheart in Grays Parish Church.’ Sold together with wooden glazed framed certificate from the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs informing the recipient - ‘Madamoiselle Jeanne Cleve’ - of the award of her Bronze Medal, ‘specially instituted by His Majesty’ - ‘with appreciation of the valued services which you have rendered to British Prisoners of War in the course of the Great War’ ... ‘for the timely help which you gave to our distressed comrades’ ... ‘in recognition of the signal services which you have thus given’ ... ‘as a token of gratitude for such assistance to his subjects’. Also sold with two (identical) portrait photographs of the recipient as a young lady and two more taken in later life; the recipient’s Republique Francaise Passeport a l’Étranger with photograph, dated September 1923; Republique Francaise Sauf Conduit document authorising the recipient to travel from Rouen to Paris on 5 July 1918; the recipient’s marriage certificate, dated 8 May 1926; the recipient’s husband’s birth certificate, dated 27 April 1893; and a newspaper cutting.

The ‘mine rescue’ George Cross (exchange Edward Medal) awarded to Sydney Blackburn, a Shotfirer at the Barnsley Main Colliery, Yorkshire, who guided survivors to safety and gave assistance to injured men after an explosion occurred at the mine in May 1947, killing 9 men and injuring 23 George Cross (Sydney Blackburn 1947) mounted on original investiture pin and in its Royal Mint case of issue; Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued in its Royal Mint card box of issue; together with St John Ambulance Association re-examination medal (A156023 Sidney Blackburn) with 7 dated bars 1954-62, all named, and The Carnegie Hero Fund Trust, certificate on vellum ‘Presented by the Trustees to Sidney Blackburn, Worsborough Bridge, near Barnsley, in recognition of Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life on 7th May 1947’, extremely fine (2) £10,000-£12,000 --- Edward Medal London Gazette 21 November 1947: ‘The King has been pleased to award the Edward Medal to Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn in recognition of their gallantry in the following circumstances:- An explosion occurred at Barnsley Main Colliery at about 12.15 p.m. on Wednesday the 7th May last. Harry Crummack, Chargeman Filler, and Sydney Blackburn, Shotfirer, were at the end of the face away from the resulting flame; Crummack was blown over by a great gust of wind caused by the explosion but quickly recovered and with Blackburn, despite fumes and dust, assembled men who had scrambled from the face and led them to a place of safety. Returning they found a number of injured men to whom they gave assistance and then proceeded through fumes and clouds of dust in search of others. Both men, while taking every reasonable precaution, continued to disregard their own personal safety in their efforts to ensure that none of the victims were left unattended in the danger area.’ Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn were both decorated with the Edward Medal by King George VI and an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 16 December 1947. Only Sydney Blackburn lived long enough for his Medal to be converted to the George Cross, which took place at an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on 8 November 1972, when he received the G.C. from the Queen. Sydney Blackburn was born on 15 July 1908, in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, one of ten children of Samuel and Lucy Blackburn (née Ashmore). Sadly three of the children died as infants, two during the 1926 Miner’s Strike. The surviving children other than Sydney, were Annie, Edna, Samuel, Cyril, Arthur and Olive. Syd, as he preferred to be known, attended St Thomas’ Church School in Worsbrough Dale. At the age of 14, he left school to begin work in the pits, as a tramer for his father at Barrow Colliery. He received no wages for his job, only a small sum from his father, and this enabled him to earn more as he was paid by the tram load. Syd married Norah Jagger in 1932, and they had a daughter, Wendy. Syd soon moved on from Barrow Colliery, and began work at Barnsley Main Colliery as a shotfirer, and it was there that on 7 May 1947, his gallantry action would take place. On 21 November 1947, the London Gazette announced the award of Edward Medals in Bronze to Harry Crummack and Sydney Blackburn. He received his medal alongside Harry at Buckingham Palace in December 1947. Syd returned down the pits at Barnsley Main soon after the incident, and remained in the occupation until an accident left him with a broken neck and lucky to be alive. He had recently become a Deputy and was part of the NACODS Trade Union, and decided that having cheated death, it was time to retire. In 1971, following the change of the Royal Warrant, Syd elected to exchange his Edward Medal for a George Cross. He donated the Edward Medal to Leeds City Museum. In retirement, he enjoyed gardening and spending time with his brothers Sam and Cyril at Barrow Working Men’s Club. Syd passed away on 15 December 1991, in Barnsley and was cremated at Barnsley Crematorium. His ashes were scattered in the North Glade. Sold with a quantity of original documents including named award certificate for Jubilee Medal; Home Office letters advising of award of E.M. and investiture for same; National Coal Board letter of congratulations on award of E.M.; Investiture admission pass; Home Office letter of 11 April 1969, advising of entitlement to a tax-free annual gratuity of £100; Home Office letter of 17 November 1972, advising Blackburn that his Edward Medal, in exchange for the George Cross, has been presented to the Leeds City Museum in accordance with his wishes; 13 contemporary news cuttings concerning the award of the “Miners’ V.C. for Barnsley Main men” and two later ones of him receiving the exchange G.C. in 1972; 23 photographs covering the original investiture, the visit of King George and Queen Elizabeth to Yorkshire in September 1948, on which occasion Blackburn was presented to them both, as well as others of the later investiture in 1972 and various V.C. and G.C. Association ceremonies; a good quantity of Christmas Cards and invitations from the V.C. and G.C. Association to various receptions, reunion dinners, services of remembrance and re-dedication, etc.; together with a signed copy of Allan Stanistreet’s ‘Gainst All Disaster with in excess of 50 V.C. and G.C. autographs.

A scarce ‘Relief of Chitral 1895’ C.B. group of three awarded to Major-General H. B. ‘Jackal’ MacCall, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who commanded the 1st Battalion in the battle of the Malakand Pass The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with swivel-ring bar suspension and ribbon buckle; Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (Ens: H. B. Macall. 4/60 Regt.); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (Ltt. Coll: H. B. MacCall 1st Bn. K.R. Rifle Corps) the first with chipping to both wreaths, otherwise good very fine and better (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 21 January 1896: ‘In recognition of services during the operations of the Chitral Relief Force.’ One of 10 officers of the 4/60th to receive the Canada G.S. medal, the clasp ‘Fenian Raid 1866’ in combination with that of ‘Relief of Chitral 1895’ is unique. Henry Blackwood MacCall was born on 15 August 1845, son of Colonel George MacCall. He was appointed Ensign, by purchase, in the 60th K.R.R.C. on 16 February 1864, and served with the 4th Battalion in Canada 1865-67 (Medal with clasp). He served in India from 1868 to 1903, with the 3rd Battalion 1868-72, and as Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion 1873-81, becoming Captain in 1875 and A.D.C. to Commander-in-Chief, East Indies [General Sir Frederick Haines] in 1880-81. He was promoted to Major in the 4th Battalion in 1881, and to Lieutenant-Colonel, commanding the 1st Battalion, in July 1891, serving with the Isazai Expedition in 1892 [No medals awarded for this expedition]. MacCall commanded the 1st Battalion throughout the operations of the Chitral Relief Force in 1895, serving with the leading brigade under Brigadier-General A. A. Kinloch. The Battalion highly distinguished itself in the battle of the Malakand Pass on the 3rd of April, and again in the action at Khar on the following day, thereby adding ‘Chitral’ to the honours of the Regiment. Despatches, London Gazette 15 November 1895: ‘Lieutenant-Colonel H. B. MacCall, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who, by skilfully using his opportunities, brought his battalion to the main position of the enemy and joined the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in the final rush and capture of the main position.’ (C.B.; Medal with clasp). He was commanding the 41st Regimental District, Cardiff, 1897-98, and was appointed Deputy Adjutant General in India in February 1899, commanding 2nd Class District, India, 1901-02. He retired in August 1902 and was promoted to Hon. Major-General in September 1917. Major-General MacCall, who was affectionately known as ‘Jackal’ in the regiment, died on 22 July 1921.

A fine Second War ‘Tobruk’ Brigade Major’s D.S.O., Order of St. John, group of eight awarded to Major G. Bestford, 6th South African Infantry Brigade Heaquarters, 2nd South African Division, a veteran of the Great War who was wounded in action whilst serving in the ranks of the 20th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish) on the First Day of the Battle of the Somme. Subsequently commissioned in to the 25th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Irish), Bestford joined the South African Police after the Great War. He was mobilised for service during the Second War, and was taken prisoner of war at the Fall of Tobruk, 21 June 1942. Bestford returned to the South African Police after the war, rose to District Commandant of Durban, and played a prominent role during the Royal Visit to South Africa in 1947 Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated ‘1946’, with integral top riband bar; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s, breast badge, silver and enamels; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. G. Bestford.) severe edge bruise to BWM; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa Service Medal, Second War campaign awards all officially impressed (SAP195478 G. Bestford) mounted as originally worn, and subsequently additionally mounted on card for display, generally nearly very fine or better (8) £2,800-£3,200 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 19 December 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services at Tobruk in 1942.’ The original recommendation, given by Brigadier F. W. Cooper, O.C. 6 SA Bde, states: ‘From 10 Jan 42 to 21 Jun 42 Major Bestford was my [Brigadier F. W. Cooper, O.C. 6 SA Bde] Brigade Major. During that period he carried out his duties with entire disregard for his own comfort under what at times were very trying and dangerous conditions. He was mentioned in despatches for his work during operations at Sollum and Halfaya in Jan 42. During the period the brigade was attached to 1 S.A. Div. at Gazala - Mar - Apr 42 and during the period prior to the fall of Tobruk - Apr - Jun 42 his conduct was an example to all the work he put in over the six months, especially during the two vital days prior to the surrender, entitles him, in my opinion, to a D.S.O. for which I recommend him.’ Order of St John, Serving Brother, London Gazette 2 January 1953. M.I.D. London Gazette 15 December 1942: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period November, 1941, to April, 1942.’ George Bestford was one of six sons born to Thomas Bestford, and was born in Gateshead, County Durham in October 1897. He was educated at the local Higher Grade Secondary School, and aged 17 falsified his age to enlist in the 20th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (1st Tyneside Scottish), 26 October 1914. Bestford advanced to Sergeant, and served with the Battalion in the French theatre of war from 9 January 1916. The Battalion served as part of the 102nd Infantry Brigade on the Somme, and Bestford was wounded in action, 1 July 1916. On the latter date the Battalion were fighting in tandem with the 4th Tyneside Scottish: ‘Owing to the artillery barrage and the intense machine gun fire and the distance (800 yds) of no man’s land to be traversed, the two battalions were almost wiped out, though the positions of the dead showed that they pushed on to the enemy’s second line of trenches before they were annihilated.’ (Battalion War Diary refers) On the first day of the Battle of the Somme the 20th Battalion suffered casualties of 16 officers and 337 other ranks killed, and 10 officers and 268 other ranks wounded. Bestford was amongst the latter, and was evacuated back to the UK. His South African Police service files show that he subsequently received a G.O.C.’s Divisional Commendation in recognition of his gallantry on 1 July 1916. Whilst recuperating from his wounds, Bestford would have received news that his brother William had been killed in action whilst serving with the Royal Engineers, 21 July 1916. The following month Bestford transferred as Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant to the 29th (Reserve) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. He was subsequently posted to the 3rd Battalion, and then attached to the 84th Training Reserve Battalion at Hornsea. Major A. E. Ken recommended Bestford for a commission in March 1917: ‘This N.C.O. came very much under my observations, while at Home he attended several Courses of Instruction and on each one did very well indeed, on one occasion he came under the notice of the Brigadier who complimented him through his C.O. on his success... On Service he was even better, as a leader of men he is a success, I never knew him to shirk any danger or fatigues, and his coolness under Shell and Rifle fire is splendid. I regret to say his C.O. [Lieutenant Colonel C. Sillery] was killed as I knew that he had marked Sgt. Bestford out for distinction and no officers being left (All either killed or wounded) there was no one to put the recommendation forward. I think with a little training at a Cadet School he will make a very good Officer.’ After the requisite time with an Officer Cadet Battalion, Bestford was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Northumberland Fusiliers in October 1917. Bestford lost another brother, when his eldest brother Robert was killed in action serving with the Durham Light Infantry, 1 December 1917. Bestford was posted to France for service with the 25th (Service) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (2nd Tyneside Irish). After the war he was attached as a Signalling Officer to the 2/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry for service in Syria and Egypt. Bestford advanced to Lieutenant in May 1919, and relinquished his commission in March of the following year. He sailed for Natal, South Africa in April 1921. Bestford joined the South African Police in June 1921, and advanced from Constable to Captain, District Officer and Station Officer by June 1940. He was appointed Captain, 1st South African Police Battalion, Union Defence Force later that month, and was appointed to the Staff Headquarters, 6th Infantry (Police) Brigade. Bestford embarked with the 2nd South African Division, and arrived in Egypt in June 1941. He served across North Africa, at the Battles of Sollum and Halfaya and was promoted Major in February 1942. Bestford served as Brigade Major, 6th South African Infantry Brigade Headquarters, and under constant attack from Rommel’s Afrika Korps, the Allied Forces retreated from the Gazala Line throughout May - June 1942. The Garrison at Tobruk became isolated and the majority of the 2nd South African Division was captured there, en masse, as prisoners of war, on the 21st June following General Orders to surrender. Unable to escape, Bestford was taken prisoner of war by the Italians and interned at Campo 75 (Bari). He was subsequently transferred to Germany, and interned in Stalag VII-A, Stalag V-C, and finally at Oflag XII-B at Hadamar. Bestford was repatriated in April 1945, and was recommended retrospectively for the D.S.O. Bestford returned to South Africa, and resumed his employment with the South African Police. He was appointed Commanding Officer, Police Training Depot, Pretoria. During the Royal Visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth to South Africa in 1947, Bestford had the honour of commanding the mounted escort and the Guard of Honour on special occasions throughout the tour. He was presented with his D.S.O. by the King at Voortrekkerhoogte, Preto...

A Great War M.B.E. pair awarded to Nurse Miss Gertrude E. Holmes, South African Military Nursing Service The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 1st type, lady’s shoulder badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (P/Nurse G. E. Holmes.); together with the recipient’s cape badge and riband bar, the latter including the riband for the British War Medal and a M.I.D. oak leaves emblem on the Victory Medal riband, nearly extremely fine (2) £140-£180 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 14 January 1921: ‘For services in connection with the War.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 31 January 1919.

A post-war M.B.E. group of three awarded to Warrant Officer J. J. Rudd, 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery, later 203 (Elswick) Field Battery T.A. and 101 (Northumbrian) Field Battery T.A. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, with its Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Radfan, South Arabia (23691815 Bdr. J. J. Rudd. R.H.A.); Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, T. & A.V.R. (23691815 WO2 J J Rudd RA) mounted court-style, good very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 15 June 1985: ‘Warrant Officer Class 2, Royal Regiment of Artillery, Territorial Army.’ John James Rudd was born in 1941 and enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Newcastle-on-Tyne on 18 July 1960. An extract from the recommendation for his M.B.E. states: ‘Warrant Officer Class 2 Rudd joined the Territorial Army in 1959 and from 1960 to 1966 served as a regular soldier with the 3rd Regiment Royal Horse Artillery in Aden, United Kingdom and Germany. He rejoined the Territorial Army in 1969 and was awarded the Efficiency Medal in 1982. He has attended Camp every year and in every year has exceeded the Man Training Days allowance. During the past year he has served as Battery Sergeant Major of 203 (Elswick) Field Battery and his performance has been outstanding.’ Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service together with copied news cuttings announcing M.B.E. and presentation of the Queen’s Cup to 203 Field Battery, copied recommendation for M.B.E. and other research.

A Second War ‘Burma operations’ A.R.R.C. group of five attributed to Sister Annie Dogherty, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver and enamel, the reverse of the lower arm officially dated ‘1946’, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5) £200-£240 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 17 January 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ Sold together with a photographic image of the recipient, and various other ephemera, including the recipient’s riband bar and a Royal Medico-Psychological Association medal for proficiency in mental nursing, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘E. Dougherty [sic].’

A Serving Brother of St John group of seven awarded to Sapper E. L. Price, 21st Company, Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers, late Shropshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s, breast badge, silver and enamels; British War and Victory Medals (604121 Dvr. E. L. Price. R.A.) official correction to both initials and first letter of surname; Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (604121 Dvr. E. L. Price. R.A.); Defence Medal; Coronation 1953; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with additional service bar (22774 A/Off. E. L. Price. No. 7 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1941) very fine or better (7) £180-£220 --- Edward Leonard Price was born in the Parish of Great Ness, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and attested for the Shropshire R.H.A. at Shrewsbury on 10 May 1913, aged 18 years 1 month, an engine cleaner employed by the Great Western Railway Company. Embodied in August 1914, he was posted to 293 Brigade R.F.A. and served in France from January 1917. He was admitted to Boulogne General Hospital on 4 April 1917 with an accidental bomb wound to his back. He shortly afterwards transferred as a Sapper to the 21st Company, Inland Waterways and Docks, Royal Engineers, with whom he served for the remainder of the war. His Medal Index Card notes that his British War and Victory Medals were returned for correction and the M.I.C. itself is corrected from ‘RICE’ to ‘PRICE’. Sold with copied attestation papers and confirmation of Coronation medal as ‘Member of the St John Ambulance Brigade on duty at the Coronation Service.’

The regimentally unique ‘Northern Ireland’ D.C.M., ‘Meritorious Service’ B.E.M. group of four awarded to Staff Sergeant Mick ‘The Rat’ Rattigan, 3rd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (23738257 A/Cpl. M. Rattigan. R.G.J.); British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (23738257 S. Sgt. M. Rattigan, D.C.M., R.G.J.); General Service Medal 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (23738257 Cpl. M. Rattignan. R.G.J.); Oman, Sultanate, Tenth Anniversary Medal, unnamed as issued, court mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine and better (4) £20,000-£30,000 --- One of just 19 D.C.M’s were awarded for the entire Northern Ireland conflict. D.C.M. London Gazette 24 July 1973. The original recommendation states: ‘On the afternoon of 28 August 1972 Lance-Corporal Rattigan was a member of a foot patrol in the Beechmont area of Belfast. Beechmount Avenue is notoriously dangerous as it gives gunmen and snipers long fields of fire and easy escape routes. At 1530 hours the patrol reached Beechmount Avenue and split up; one section moved on across the Avenue and up Beechmount Grove; the other carried on along the Avenue prior to taking up a parallel route up Beechmount Pass. At this stage Lance-Corporal Rattigan’s Section Commander stopped and searched a passer by. He was about to release him when six high velocity shots were fired at the patrol from the western end of Beechmount Avenue. The patrol returned fire and, under the direction of the Platoon Commander began to manoeuvre out of their extremely exposed position on the Avenue and into the building site. The Section Commander [Corporal Ian Morrill] had been fatally wounded in this first burst of fire. As soon as he realised this, and saw that the Section Commander was being given such medical assistance as was possible, Lance-Corporal Rattigan immediately took over command of the section, nominated a Rifleman as his second in command, and supervised the move to better fire positions. In order to locate the gunmen and to improve individual fire positions Lance-Corporal Rattigan exposed himself to fire several times. He acted decisively and with considerable courage throughout this incident and commanded his section with skill in the ensuing hot pursuit. Later that same day, at 2230 hrs, he was on patrol in Locan Street. Two gunmen were seen at the top of St. Mary’s Practising Primary School. Under his direction the section sniper fired two shots at the gunmen. Eight shots were immediately returned. Throughout the gun battle which followed Lance-Corporal Rattigan kept a very firm grip on his section and gave excellent fire control orders. On the afternoon of 22 October Lance-Corporal Rattigan (by now promoted to Corporal) was on a mobile patrol on the Springfield Road when he noticed three men standing by a bus stop. He thought there was something suspicious about them and decided to investigate. The first man he searched, a Protestant, was found to be carrying a loaded Luger pistol with a round up the breach. One of the other men was a Catholic. These men were subsequently screened and the Protestant duly charged. It seems likely that he was the gunman of an assassination squad and the Catholic was his intended victim who owes his life to Corporal Rattigan’s alertness. These three incidents typify Corporal Rattigan’s success as a section commander. But in addition to specific acts of leadership in difficult and dangerous situations Corporal Rattigan was first class in his dealings with the local population. As a result he was held in very high regard as a tough, able but also reasonable and courteous N.C.O. by both the Catholic and Protestant communities in his platoon and section area on the Lower Woodvale interface. Corporal Rattigan’s all round performance throughout the four month operational tour in Belfast has been outstanding.’ B.E.M. London Gazette 30 December 1985. (Colour Sergeant, Infantry Junior Leaders Battalion). Michael Rattigan - ‘Mick the Rat’ to those who knew him - was born in Salisbury, Wiltshire. ‘He rose to the rank of colour sergeant in the Royal Green Jackets and was enormously respected within the regiment, in particular by the many men he trained in his later years as an instructor. He is remembered as a scrupulously fair and honest NCO. After leaving the army, Mick found adjusting to mundane civilian life difficult. He had a number of jobs, mainly in security, but in the mid 1980s worked in Saudi Arabia providing military training, and later in Mozambique, where one close shave too many convinced him that he was too old to be playing soldiers. After returning to live in Kent he managed property for a number of years. He died in Hythe in 2008.’ (Deeds of Heroes: The Story of The Distinguished Conduct Medal 1854-1993, by Matthew Richardson refers) Sold together with a copy of the original recommendation for the DCM signed by the recipient; letters of congratulation on award of DCM (4) from Lieutenant Colonel L. L. Dunphie, MC; Major General R. E. Worsley, OBE; Brigadier A. L. Watson; and the OC, 39 Infantry Brigade; a copy of detailed original recommendation for BEM; a letter from Ameed Rukn, Deputy Commander Sultan of Oman’s Land Forces congratulating Rattigan on the award of his BEM; and a photo of recipient whilst serving with the Sultan of Oman’s Armed Forces in December 1985.

A Great War D.S.M. pair awarded to Trimmer Christopher Pratt, Royal Naval Reserve, for services aboard H.M. Trawler Scott which was sunk by a mine in the outer Thames Estuary on 22 October 1915 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (T.S.3680. C. Pratt, Trimr. R.N.R. H.M. Tr. Scott.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917, this added for display purposes, light pitting from Star, otherwise very fine (2) £600-£800 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1916: ‘For bravery and devotion to duty during mine-sweeping and mine-laying operations.’ French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 19 December 1917. Christopher Pratt enrolled on 31 May 1915 and joined Actaeon on 17 June 1915. This was the Auxiliary Patrol Base and Torpedo School at Sheerness at which, presumably, H.M. Trawler Scott was based. He was discharged from Actaeon to the Naval Hospital at Chatham on 23 February 1916, “Invalided”, but no other reason given. The fact that he was awarded the D.S.M. only weeks before this, might indicate an injury sustained when the trawler Scott was sunk by a mine on 22 October 1915, off the Tongue in the outer Thames Estuary. Sold with copied research.

A Great War D.S.M. awarded to Engine Room Artificer J. N. Reed, Royal Naval Reserve, for services aboard the destroyer Moresby when she and her sister ship Michael sank the German submarine U-110 in the North West Approaches on 15 March 1918 Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (EA.1163. J. N. Reed, E.R.A. R.N.R. “Moresby” Atlantic. 15. Mch. 1918) nearly very fine £700-£900 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 14 September 1918: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ James Nesbit Reed was born at Newcastle on Tyne on 18 December 1889. He enrolled in the R.N.R. as an Engine Room Artificer on 31 August 1914, and after service in Woolwich and Druid, was transferred, on 28 April 1916, to the newly built destroyer H.M.S. Moresby in which he was soon engaged at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. At Jutland, Moresby screened the First Battle Cruiser Squadron as one of twelve destroyers operating with the Thirteenth Destroyer Flotilla and was successful in sinking the German destroyer V. 4 by torpedo. Remaining in Moresby until the conclusion of the war, Reed was present in her on 15 March 1918, at the sinking of U-110, a type 93 U-boat which had among its list of 10 previous victims, the celebrated Q-Ship H.M.S. Penshurst. When found north-west of Malin Head by Moresby and another destroyer H.M.S. Michael, she had just torpedoed and sunk the 10,000 tonne British ocean liner Amazon and was promptly sent to the bottom by depth charges from the British destroyers with the loss of 39 men. All of Amazon’s passengers and 9 surviving crew members from U-110 were rescued by Moresby. Sold with copied service records and other research which confirm entitlement to 1914-15 Star trio and R.N.R. L.S. & G.C., this last awarded on 22 February 1930.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant W. J. Whear, “D” Battery, 14th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, later Flying Officer, Royal Air Force, who was Mentioned in Despatches in January 1942 Military Medal, G.V.R. (10977 Cpl. W. J. Whear,. D. 14/Bde: R.H.A.); 1914-15 Star (L-10977 Cpl. (A. Sjt.) W. J. Whear. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10977 Sjt. W. J. Whear. R.A.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (347009. F/Sgt. W. J. Whear. R.A.F.) mounted court-style, nearly very fine or better (8) £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 June 1917. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1942. William John Whear served in France with the Royal Field Artillery from 28 November 1915, and was attached to “D” Battery, 14th Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, at the time of winning his M.M. in 1917. He afterwards joined the Royal Air Force and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal as a Flight-Sergeant in June 1935. He was mentioned in despatches in the New Year Honours list of 1942, and was appointed to an emergency commission as Flying Officer, Administrative and Special Duties Branch, R.A.F., on 28 January 1943. He retired from the Royal Air Force on 19 September 1945. Sold with copied research.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal Henry Smurthwaite, Royal Horse Artillery, attached “C” Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (187066 Cpl. H. Smurthwaite. R.G.A.); 1914-15 Star (99684 Gnr. H. Smurthwaite. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (99684 Cpl. H. Smurthwaite. R.A.); Defence Medal; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Supt. Henry Smurthwaite) mounted court-style, good very fine (6) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1919: ‘R.G.A., “C” A.A. By. (York).’ M.M. card confirms award for France, ‘R.G.A. attd. “C” A.A. Bty.’

Family Group: A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant L. Norris, Royal Field Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (93068 Sjt: L. Norris. 58/Bde: R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (93068 Sjt. L. Norris, R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (93068 Sjt. L. Norris. R.A.) nearly extremely fine Three: Private J. Norris, Royal Scots, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 25 February 1915 1914-115 Star (10107 Pte. J. Norris. R. Scots.); British War and Victory Medals (10107 Pte. J. Norris. R. Scots.) with named lid of card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (John Norris) in card envelope of issue, extremely fine (8) £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 6 January 1917. Lindsay Norris attested for the Royal Field Artillery and served with them during the Great War initially in Egypt from 14 July 1915. Proceeding to the Western Front, he was awarded the Military Medal ‘for repairing telephone wire under heavy fire.’ Subsequently transferring to the Royal Garrison Artillery he was discharged, Class ‘Z’ Reserve, on 18 March 1919. John Norris, brother of the above, was born in Greenock, Scotland, and attested for the Royal Scots. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 December 1914, and was killed in action on 25 February 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Sold together with Imperial War Graves Commission correspondence.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Sergeant T. Pearson, Grenadier Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (13414 Cpl-L. Sjt: - T. Pearson. 2/G. Gds:) Rhodium plated, two edge bruises, otherwise good very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1918. Thomas H. Pearson served in France with the Grenadier Guards and later with the Labour Corps. He is entitled to the 1914-15 Star trio and a Silver War Badge.

A post-war B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Staff Sergeant George Bulger, 7th Parachute Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (LS/837015 S/Sgt (Lcl) George Bulger, R.H.A.; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (837105. Gnr. G. Bulger. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (837105 Sgt. G. Bulger. R.A.) together with case of issue for B.E.M. and British Legion enamelled numbered badge in numbered box of issue, good very fine (9) £300-£360 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 2 June 1962: ‘Staff-Sergeant (Local) George Bulger, Royal Horse Artillery.’ Awarded for particularly enthusiastic and sterling service as Chief Clerk to 7 Parachute Regiment R.H.A. in the period June 1957 to December 1961. Sold with copied recommendation from Lieutenant-Colonel T. St. G. Caulfield, M.B.E., R.H.A., Commanding Officer, and copied medal roll entry for G.S.M. Palestine serving with 7 Medium Regiment R.A.

Three: Gunner F. E. Boulter, Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force), who was awarded an ‘Immediate’ M.S.M. and French Medal of Honour for his services on the Western Front British War and Victory Medals (196179 Gnr. F. E. Boulter. R.A.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (196179 Gnr: F. E. Boulter, R.F.A.); mounted as worn together with the riband and bronze crossed swords suspension of French Medal of Honour, planchet missing; and together with a St. George’s Corps Meritorious Service Medal with Imperial Service top brooch bar, reverse inscribed, ‘Staff Sergt. F. E. Boulter. 1909.’, generally good very fine (4) £100-£140 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919: ‘For valuable services rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders.’ France, Medal of Honour, bronze, with crossed swords London Gazette 29 January 1919 Frank Ewart Boulter was born in 1892 at Eastbourne, Sussex and served during the Great War as a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force). He died in 1951 at Eastbourne.

A ‘Delhi Durbar - Visit to India’ R.V.M. awarded to Petty Officer Telegraphist E. J. Clare, H.M. Royal Yacht Medina, Royal Navy Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver (E. J. Clare, P.O. Tel. H.M.S. Medina 1911-12.) naming engraved in sloping sans-serif capitals, in its fitted case of issue, light contact marks, otherwise very fine £200-£240 --- R.V.M. (Silver) awarded 4 February 1912 for services during H.M. King George V and Queen Mary’s visit to India for the Durbar. Ernest Joseph Clare was born on 7 April 1885, in Kennington, London, and joined the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 6 August 1901, aged 16 years 3 months, a porter by trade. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class in August 1902 and to Ordinary Seaman on his 18th birthday in 1903, when he signed for a continuous service engagement of 12 years. He was advanced to Able Seaman in July 1904 whilst serving in Aurora, but in October 1907 he was re-categorised to Telegraphist, advancing to Leading Telegraphist in June 1908. He joined Medina on her requisition as a Royal Yacht on 10 October 1911, and was promoted to Petty Officer Telegraphist three days later. He remained in Medina throughout her voyage to and from India for the Delhi Durbar, leaving her on 15 February 1912. For his services during the visit to India he was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal in silver. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Fox in the Persian Gulf (Medal and clasp) and his further service during the Great War entitled him to the 1914-15 Star trio. He retired at his own request on 6 October 1925, but was recalled for service in June 1939, serving subsequently in the Orkneys, based at Pyramus, until finally invalided on 14 May 1940. He died on 8 December 1950. Sold with copied record of service and other research.

Three: Captain R. B. Creyke, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (R. B. Creyke, Mate.); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; St. Jean d’Acre 1840, silver, unnamed as issued, fitted with contemporary replacement silver bar suspension, each medal fitted with silver ribbon buckle and long pin for wearing, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, March 1998, when mounted in glass fronted display case, the black-on-gold painted labels from which accompany the group. Richard Boynton Creyke entered the Navy in July, 1829, as first-class volunteer on board the Atholl, on the west coast of Africa, from which vessel, in April, !831, he was transferred to the Medina, where he remained until July of the same year. He joined the Ocean as a midshipman in December, 1831, the Magpie in November, 1832, and the Rolla in November, 1833. In these vessels he was employed at Sheerness, and on the North Sea and Lisbon stations. He went to the Mediterranean in April, 1834, in the Revenge, and as a Mate became attached to the Bellerophon in May, 1838. In the Bellerophon, as a Mate, he took part in the operations on the coast of Syria, and was present at the bombardment of St. Jean D’Acre. In July, 1841, he was appointed to the revenue cutter Defence, employed in the North Sea, and was transferred, in July, 1843, to the steam vessel Blazer, Captain John Washington (afterwards Hydrographer) employed on surveying service in the same neighbourhood. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September, 1843. From February, 1844, to October, 1845, he served on the west coast of Africa in the Penelope, Alert, and Growler, the former being the Commodore’s vessel on that station. He commanded the boats of the Alert in an attack on pirates at the Arguin islands, near Cape Blanco, for which he was mentioned favourably in the despatches of the Commodore. In January, 1846, he was appointed to the survey of the west coast of Scotland, under Captain C. G. Robinson, in the Shearwater, and in October of the same year was made an Assistant-Surveyor. In October, 1847, his name was transferred to the books of the San Josef and subsequently to the Impregnable and Fisgard, his services throughout being continued in the survey of the west coast of Scotland. In February, 1855, Lieutenant Creyke was appointed First Lieutenant of the Merlin, Captain Bartholomew J. Sulivan, attached to the Baltic fleet, in which vessel he assisted in surveying the north part of Cronstadt, as well as the vicinity of Sweaborg, previous to its bombardment, at which he was present. For his services on this occasion he was so strongly recommended by the Commander-in-Chief to the favourable consideration of their lordships, that he was promoted to the rank of Commander in September of the same year, and in the following November again resumed his duties as an Assistant-Surveyor on the west coast of Scotland, under Captain E. J. Bedford, with whom, as Chief Assistant-Surveyor, he continued to serve until about the year 1861. He was promoted to be Retired Captain on 11 February 1862, in consideration of his services and the impaired state of his health. For his war services Captain Creyke has received the Syrian and Baltic medals. For the recipient’s miniature dress medals, see Lot 639.

Four: Gunner and Driver Henry Larway, Royal Horse Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Alma (Driver Henry Larway. R. Horse A.) contemporary engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Gunner Hy. Larway, F Tp. R.H.Art.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (Driver H Larway B Bde. RHA); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, pierced and fitted with small rings for suspension, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (4) £300-£360 --- Henry Larway was born in the Parish of St Mary Magdalen, Taunton, Somerset, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Taunton on 10 January 1853, aged 18 years 2 months, a silk weaver by trade. Posted as Gunner to the 6th Battalion Horse Brigade, he served overseas in Turkey and the Crimea with “I” Troop R.H.A. from June 1854 to 9 February 1855, and was present at the battle of Alma (Medal with clasp); he afterwards served in Bengal from 9 November 1857 to 28 April 1862, including service during the Indian Mutiny with “F” Troop R.H.A. (Medal). He re-engaged at Woolwich for a further term of 9 years on 7 January 1865, as a Gunner until 19 March 1871, after which he was mustered as a Driver. He was recommended for his L.S. & G.C. on 1 April 1872, and was discharged from “E” Battery, “B” Brigade R.H.A. at Coventry on 29 January 1874. His discharge papers state that ‘He is in possession of Five good conduct badges, also in possession of the Crimean Medal with Clasp for Alma, Turkish Medal, Indian Mutiny medal & good conduct medal with Gratuity of £5.’ Sold with copied discharge papers and other research.

The exceptional and rare Indian Mutiny and Red River 1870 campaign group of three awarded to Staff Sergeant Instructor John ‘Mac’ McNaughten, Hertfordshire Rifle Volunteers, late 60th Royal Rifles and ‘Meerut Elephant Corps’ Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (J. McNaughten, 1st Bn. 60th Rifles); Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Red River 1870 (3192 Sgt. J. McNaughton, 1/60 K.O.R.) officially engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (3192 Serjt. J. McNaughten, 1-60th Foot.) the first with refixed suspension post, polished with edge bruising and contact marks, fine, otherwise very fine and better (3) £4,000-£5,000 --- An extremely rare combination of medals, one of only three such to the army. John 'Mac' McNaughten was born in Chelsea, London in June 1834 and enlisted in 1/60th Royal Rifles in September 1852, aged 18 years. Embarked for India in the following year, he was present at the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny at Meerut on 10 May 1857, when the regiment had the sorry task of recovering the butchered remains of the garrison's women and children. Regimental musters confirm that McNaughten was serving in either 'B' Company or 'G' Company at this time and, as such, he would have been allocated to the ‘Elephant Corps’ under Lieutenant Stanley Mortimer. With four riflemen to each elephant, and 50 men of the ‘Meerut Volunteer Horse’, Mortimer set off in pursuit of the rebel leader Sah Mull; the mutineers were put to flight in a hotly contested action at Bussowd on 29 July 1857. His services in Meerut's Elephant Corps happily concluded, McNaughten was ordered to Delhi in the following month. He arrived there in time for the storming of the city on 14 September 1857, when the Battalion's multiple-V.C.-winning ranks suffered 20% casualties (Medal and clasp). Following further service in the Oudh, McNaughten was advanced to Corporal in February 1859 and to Sergeant in August 1860. He returned to the U.K. at the year's end. He was next embarked for Canada, via Malta, in September 1867, where he participated in the Red River Expedition of 1870, serving in Captain Buller’s “C” Company (Medal and clasp). He returned to the U.K. in September 1873 and was discharged at Gosport in the same month. Awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in May 1874, McNaughten was next appointed a Staff Sergeant-Instructor in the Hertfordshire Rifle Volunteers and he served in that capacity until December 1887. The 1901 Census reveals that he was employed as a Bailiff for a County Court and he died at Wear, Hertford in July 1907; above details courtesy of the Royal Green Jackets (Rifles) Museum, Winchester.

Pair: Private J. Kyle, 25th Regiment Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866 (550 P’te. J. Kyle, 1/25. K.O. Bds.) officially engraved naming; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp (550. Pte. J. Kyle. 1/25th Foot.) light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise very fine (2) £500-£600 --- One of only 10 such pairs to the regiment, he is further entitled to the L.S. & G.C. medal. John Boyle, alias John Kyle, was born in the Parish of Five Mile Town, Co. Tyrone. He attested for the 25th Regiment at Glasgow on 13 March 1861, aged 18 years. He was discharged at Netley, being unfit for further service, on 12 July 1881, after serving two years 356 days in Canada and five years 142 days in India, including the Afghanistan campaigns of 1878-79 and 1879-80. Sold with copied discharge papers.

The unique Red River 1879 and Afghanistan campaign group awarded to Major H. S. Marsham, 60th King’s Royal Rifle Corps Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Red River 1870 (Lt. H. S. Marsham. 1/60. K.O.R.); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (Captain. Hy. S. Marsham, 2/60th Foot) mounted for display purposes with an erased Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880, the second with light pitting from star, otherwise very fine, the first nearly extremely fine and very rare (3) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001, the first two only, the erased Kabul to Kandahar Star since added for display purposes. Only 28 medals issued to British officers with the ‘Red River 1870’ clasp. This clasp in combination with the medal for the Afghanistan campaign occurs only twice, without clasp to Ensign Riddell (pair in the Rifles Museum) and with two clasps to Captain Marsham. Henry Savill Marsham was born in Norfolk on 19 January 1847, eldest son of Henry P. Marsham of Rippon Hall, Hevingham. He was educated at Eton and joined the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in December 1865. He served as Adjutant with the 1st Battalion in the Red River Expedition in 1870 (Medal with Clasp); with the 2nd Battalion in the Afghan war from October 1878 to November 1880, took part in the advance on and occupation of Kandahar and Kelat-I-Ghilzie, and was present in the engagements at Ahmed Khel and Urzoo near Ghuznee; accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts in the march to Kandahar, and was present at the battle of Kandahar; and served in the Marri Expedition under Brigadier General MacGregor in October 1880 (mentioned in despatches London Gazette 3 December 1880, Medal with two Clasps, and Bronze Decoration). In January 1881, Marsham embarked with the battalion at Bombay for Natal, South Africa, for service against the Boers of the Transvaal in 1881. He was promoted to Major in December 1882, and retired from the Army in December 1888. He was subsequently a Deputy-Lieutenant for the County of Norfolk, Lord of the Manor of Cats-cum-Cricketots, and patron of the livings of Stratton Strawless, Brampton, and Wramplingham. He was for forty years a magistrate, occupying for many years the chairmanship of the Aylsham Bench. He died, shortly after his 91st birthday, in April 1937. Sold with copied research including news cuttings describing ‘A Grand Old Man of Norfolk’ on the occasion of his 91st birthday, and three obituary notices.

Pair: Private W. Entwistle, 26th Foot, later Royal Marine Light Infantry Abyssinia 1867 (636. W. Entwistle. 26th. Regt.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, engraved naming (Wm. Entwistle Pte. 7th. Co. R.M.L.I.) heavy contact marks, therefore fine, the reverses better (2) £300-£400 --- William Entwistle was born in Newington, London, on 21 July 1847, and served with the 26th Regiment of Foot in Abyssinia. He transferred to the Royal Marine Light Infantry (Plymouth Division) on 21 July 1875, his trade being given as Musician, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 November 1875. He was appointed Musician on 1 June 1878, and was discharged on 27 August 1886, having completed 21 years’ service. Sold with copied R.M.L.I. record of service.

Three: Chief Shipwright C. W. Down, Royal Navy, later attached Royal Air Force Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Suakin 1884 (C. W. Down. Carprs. Crew: H.M.S. “Hecla”.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension, impressed naming (Chas. Wm. Down, Carprs. Mate, H.M.S. Indus); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, small drill hole in bottom point of Star, contact marks and light pitting, very fine (3) £260-£300 --- Charles William Down was born in Devonport on 7 February 1860 and entered naval service as Carpenter’s Crew on 15 December 1880. Advanced Carpenter’s Mate on 26 November 1890, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 29 December 1890, and was promoted Chief Carpenter’s Mate on 16 December 1892. He was shore pensioned in December 1900, but was recalled for service in the Great War, as Chief Shipwright, and served in various shore based establishments, including the Royal Naval Air Service Training Establishment at Cranwell, whilst borne on the books of H.M.S. Daedalus from April 1916 to 31 March 1918. He was attached to the Royal Air Force from 1 April 1918, whilst approaching his 60th year.

Pair: Private G. Polhill, 4th Hussars Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (1769 Pte. G. Polhill, 4th Hussars); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued; together with City of Pretoria commemorative coronation medal 1911, bronze, with bronze and enamel top suspension, the first pitted, good fine or better, very rare (3) £300-£400 --- Only 6 medals with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir issued to the 4th Hussars.