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Tag Heuer - Aquaracer 300m Steel Chronograph Quartz Watch. ETA Cal. 251 262 quartz movement. Case and strap made from stainless steel. Sapphire crystal. Water resistance rating of 300m. Navy blue dial with silvered sub-dials and silver hour markers. Caseback reference 'CAF1112'. Comes with Tag Heuer zip case. Chronograph and date function with screw down quick set date crown.WORKING - At the time of listingSizing Information:Case Diameter (Incl. Crown) - 46mmLug To Lug Distance - 48mmLug Width - 20mmStrap Length - 180mm

Omega - Seamaster Professional 300m Steel Diver's Automatic Watch. Omega Cal. 1120 automatic movement. Stainless steel case and strap. Mineral crystal. Navy blue wave dial with lumed hour markers. Date function. Dial signed 'Omega Seamaster Professional Chronometer 300m/1000ft'. Inner caseback reference code '168 1623'. Comes with full box and papers including spare NATO strap and links.In working condition at time of listing.Sizing Information:Case Diameter (Incl. Crown) - 45mmLug To Lug Distance - 47mmLug Width - 20mmStrap Length - 180mm

The rare 1814 K.C.B. neck Badge attributed to Captain Sir Thomas Lavie, Royal Navy, who was knighted for his command of H.M.S. Blanche upon the occasion when she captured the French frigate Guerriere off the Faroe Islands in July 1806The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s neck Badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks for London 1814, some loss of green enamel to wreath, one or two very minor chips to enamelled arms, otherwise good very fineProvenance:Spink, April 2023 when offered alongside other Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to members of the Lavie family.Thomas Lavie, son of Germain Lavie and Ann Gregg, was born in Putney on 16 October 1765 and first appears in the Naval Service as a Lieutenant on the books of H.M.S. Astrea, a 32-gun frigate. During Lavie's time with this ship and under the command of Captain Lord Henry Paulet, she took the French 42-gun vessel Gloire in an hour-long engagement. Paulet was awarded a Naval Gold Medal for this action, and as Lavie was promoted Master & Commander a few months later it is possible he too served in this action.From 1796 through to 1800 Lavie was placed in command of several smaller vessels - namely the sloops H.M.S. Bittern and Seagull - before being promoted to Post Captain in January 1801. Though not appearing to remain actively employed during the Peace of Amiens (March 1802-May 1803) Lavie clearly enjoyed an element of patronage at the highest levels within the Admiralty - no other personage than Lord St. Vincent requested he be appointed to a ship despite being "low on the post list" (Selections from the Correspondence of Admiral John Markham During the Years 1801-4 and 1806-7, p. 3, Navy Records Society, 1904, refers) - a stroke of extremely good fortune in such difficult times for officers of the armed forces. Despite this, Captain Lavie appears to have next been employed as commander of the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Iris from the autumn of 1805, before removing in June of 1806 to H.M.S. Blanche, the 38-gun frigate in which he was shortly to make his name.A Single-Ship Action, Capture, and Later LifeLavie and Blanche were patrolling off the north-eastern coast of Britain with the objective of protecting merchant ships and trade routes from attack by French raiders and privateers when they received word of an enemy squadron in the area under orders for that very purpose. Sailing north from the Shetland Islands, on 18 July 1806 the French frigate Guerriere was spotted and Lavie made all sail to close with his opponent. The resulting battle was an exceptional result for the British captain and the men under his command: Guerriere failed to prepare for action (perhaps mistakenly believing the British frigate to be French), and by the time Guerriere began to fight back Blanche had already unleashed two broadsides into their opponent's hull. French gunnery appears to have been particularly bad on this occasion, not only did Blanche suffer minimal damage with a mere four men wounded, but conversely British gunnery was excellent, with Guerriere losing her mizzenmast in addition to having over fifty of her crew killed and wounded. Brought safely back to Britain, Lavie's reward was a knighthood and Guerriere was taken into the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Guerriere; she later met her end in a single-ship action against the famous American frigate U.S.S. Constitution.Lavie (now Sir Thomas) continued in command of Blanche and saw further active service (capturing the George Washington in January 1807), but on 4 March 1807 disaster struck. Whilst en-route from Spithead to Brest to join Sir James Saumarez's blockading squadron, Blanche hit a submerged reef during a storm and swiftly began to break up. Thankfully Lavie and most of the crew survived, but were taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the Napoleonic Wars (some seven years) in French gaols.Upon Lavie's release he was court-martialled as a matter of course for the loss of his ship, but exonerated from blame due to the court concluding that a large quantity of iron used in the interior construction of the ship, along with a significant number of firearms stored near the compass, caused an unforeseen navigational error. Though free from blame, Lavie appears not to have received another active command until the end of 1821 when he was appointed to the 74-gun H.M.S. Spencer; he was, however, one of the first naval officers to be appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath upon its' expansion in January 1815. Sadly Lavie's time in command of Spencer was short-lived as he died on 1 February 1822, aged just 56, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, and was interred at Stoke Damerel. He had married Mary Sissmore in October 1797 and it appears that at least two of their six sons followed in their father's footsteps to become officers in the Royal Navy.…

THE IMPERIALSROYAL NAVYThe South Africa Medal awarded to Staff Surgeon Sir H. F. Norbury, later Director General of Naval Medical Services [K.C.B.], Honorary Surgeon to Their Majesties King Edward VII & King George VSouth Africa 1877-79, one clasp, 1877-8-9 (H. F. Norbury, Staff Surgn. R.N., H.M.S. "Active"), toned, extremely fine, and a rare clasp to Royal Naval personnelProvenance:Spink, April 2007.Approximately 5 Medals with ´1877-8-9´ clasp awarded to Naval Brigade Officers (Norbury, Lieutenant Craigie, Lieutenant Hamilton - all on Active and Commander E.H. Davis and Lieutenant Cockran on Bodicea).Henry Frederick Norbury, K.C.B., M.D., F.R.C.S., R.N. (1839-1925) was educated at Oundle School, studied medicine at St. Bart´s, London and the University of Malta, qualified M.R.C.S 1860 and was appointed Surgeon in the Royal Navy that same year. Advanced M.D. in 1870, he was made Staff Surgeon 1872 and was appointed to the corvette Active on the Cape and West Africa stations, October 1876.Whilst on her books he was landed in Medical charge of the Naval Brigade during the Kaffir War, 1877-78, serving in the Transkei as Senior Medical Officer of six different columns of troops and was present in numerous skirmishes and in action at Quorra River and the Battle of Quintana (M.I.D. and strongly recommended for promotion).During the Zulu War of 1879 he was again landed and in charge of the Active´s Naval Brigade and served as Principal Medical Officer of Colonel Pearson´s Column being present at the Battle of Inyezane, January 1879, when the Colonel wrote in his despatches:'...I cannot speak too highly of the energy and attention to their duties of Staff-Surgeon Norbury, R.N., my Senior Medical Officer, and his assistants. The field hospital was established in a convenient place, almost immediately after the firing began, and the wounded received every attention'.He was also in the relief of the garrison of Ekowe (M.I.D.) and joined General Crealock´s Columns as Principal Medical Officer to the entire Naval Brigade and advanced to Port Durnford (twice M.I.D.). Made Fleet Surgeon in July 1879 (C.B. July 1879; he also won the Gilbert Blane Gold Medal), Norbury was appointed in charge of the Naval Hospital at the Cape of Good Hope, August 1879 and held the latter position for three years, during which time he was made M.D. of the University of the Cape. After a brief period at Impregnable training ship for boys, he was promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Hospitals and Fleets, April 1887. Transferred to the department of the Director General to assist the then incumbent, Sir James Dick, 1890, Norbury spent five years in this capacity before being promoted Inspector General of Hospitals and Fleets, 1895 (Knight of Grace of the Order of St. John) and succeeded Sir James Dick as Director General of Naval Medical Services in 1898 and also added the K.C.B. to his laurels. Elected Honorary Fellow of the Royal Naval College of Surgeons, 1900, the old salt retired in November 1904, having been Honorary Surgeon to both King Edward and King George. He was also the author of The Naval Brigade in South Africa and furthermore captured photographs of the campaigns.…

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Liwondi 1893 (W. Gilley, A.B., H.M.S. Herald.), nearly extremely fineApproximately 31 single 'Liwondi 1893' clasps were awarded to European naval officers and men from H.M. Ships Herald (15) and Mosquito (16) and the clasp remains a great rarity, with few having survived and surfaced on the market.William John Gilley was born at East Stonehouse, Devon, on 7 May 1868, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 18 November 1883. He was advanced to Able Seaman on 9 June 1889, and joined H.M.S. Herald on 1 November 1892. He served in her during the expedition along the Upper Shire River in response to the slave raids made by Yao Chief Liwondi, February to March 1893. She was commanded by Lieutenant Hope, and as Senior Naval Officer on the Zambesi River, he was given the task of transporting up river, and over land, 3 small gun boats which had been sent out from England in sections. It was the intention that they would be reassembled on Lake Nyassa and used to increase the British presence in the face of Portuguese aggression.Whilst engaged in carrying out this task, they heard that the rebel Chief Liwondi had besieged the British Commissioner, Harry Johnson, in a small stockade and at once set out to rescue him. He was joined en route by the gunboat Mosquito and the rescue was a success. Gilley did not survive much longer and was ‘discharged dead’ from malignant malarial fever on 8 August 1893.…

The 'Dardanelles and Bulgarian Coast Minesweeping 1918' D.S.O. group of five awarded to Commander H. de G. Lamotte, Royal Navy in command of H.M.S. CraigieHe served on the former torpedo gunboat H.M.S Seagull earlier in the war on minesweeping dutiesDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with integral top ribbon bar; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Lieut. H. De. G. Lamotte. R.N. H.M.S. Prosperine); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.), very fine (5)D.S.O. London Gazette 17 October 1919, the original recommendation states:'H.M.S. Craigie. Displayed great skill and coolness in handling the twin screw sweepers under his orders. The conditions were difficult and at times hazardous and it is largely owing to the magnificent work done by the twin screw sweepers that a channel through the Dardanelles has been cleared of mines.'Harold de Gallye Lamotte was born at Kingston on Thames on 2 December 1882, the son of barrister William de Gallye Lamotte. He joined H.M.S. Brittania as a Midshipman on 15 January 1900 and was appointed Sub. Lieutenant 15 January 1903. Given his first command appointment on 14 July 1904 Lamotte joined H.M.T.B. 45, a first-class torpedo boat, and was subsequently advanced to Lieutenant on15 January 1905.His next appointment was aboard Prosperine from July 1910 until August 1912 chasing gun runners in the Merran coast and qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal. On 15 January 1913 he was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander.Seagull and MuskerryAfter a period of training, Lamotte was given his next command appointment of H.M.S. Seagull, a former torpedo gunboat which had been converted to a minesweeper on 17 December 1914.Seagull joined the newly established Grand Fleet. The old torpedo gunboats such as Seagull were not well suited to continual use in the rough waters around Scapa Flow, and in July 1915 Seagull and sister ship Spanker were deployed to Harwich to sweep ahead of the Harwich Force when it went to sea.On 15 February 1917 Seagull was east of Aldeburgh when a periscope, probably of the German submarine UC-1, was spotted. Seagull dropped two depth charges on the wake of the periscope. He left Seagull on 22 May 1917 to command Muskerry from June 1917 until March 1918.CraigieLamotte was given command of Craigie on 26 July 1918. A Hunt-class minesweeper she was launched on 29 May 1918 and from November 1918 was based in the Adriatic arriving in Mudros on 24 May 1919 before sailing for Kephalo for further minesweeping duties. Lamotte remained aboard her until 23 November 1919 and was rewarded the D.S.O.He retired from the service at his own request on 29 September 1920 and was invested with his D.S.O. at Buckingham Place on 12 October 1920. Promoted to the rank of Commander (retired) on 2 December 1922, Lamotte was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in 1927.Lamotte died on 3 June 1960 at a nursing home in Morden; sold together with copied research.…

The 1944 submariner's 'Far East' D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Stoker R. J. Phebey, Royal Navy, who had previously been 'mentioned' in 1943 for his services during Eastern Mediterranean war patrols in H.M.S. TaurusTaurus served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East during the Second World War, sinking several Japanese merchant vessels including the Japanese submarine I 34 and later damaging Japanese submarine I 37Phebey had previously served on the mine-laying submarine Rorqual, the first submarine to carry supplies to the beleaguered island of MaltaDistinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ch.Sto. R.J. Phebey P/KX 80408); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, very fine (7)D.S.M. London Gazette 25 July 1944, the original citation states:'For daring, endurance and resource in the conduct of hazardous and successful operations in His Majesty's Submarines against the enemy.'M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1943.Richard John Phebey was born at Richmond, Surrey on 10 September 1910, the son of Richard and Maud Phebey. Educated at the Vineyard School, Richmond he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd class on 5 August 1930 and was posted to the submarine base Dolphin on 13 March 1934. He was mostly shore based at submarine depots until 25 May 1939 when as Stoker Petty Officer he was posted to the mine laying submarine Rorqual.Rorqual - Mission Malta - Magic Carpet RunsSent to the Mediterranean in 1940, Rorqual began laying minefields and attacking enemy shipping. Amongst the shipping vessels lost to mines laid by Rorqual were the Italian merchants Loasso, Celio, Leopardi, and Salpi; the Italian Navy water tankers Verde and Ticino; the Italian pilot vessel F 34 / Rina Croce, the Italian torpedo boats Calipso, Fratelli Cairoli, Generale Antonio Chinotto, Altair and Aldebaran; the Italian auxiliary submarine chaser AS 99 Zuri, the German troop transport Ankara; the French merchant (in German service), P.L.M. 24; and the French fishing vessel Coligny. The Italian merchants Caffaro, Ischia and the brand-new Italian merchant Carbonello A. were damaged by mines laid by Rorqual. Rorqual was also active in attacking enemy shipping herself, torpedoing and sinking the Italian tanker, Laura Corrado; the Italian submarine Pier Capponi; the Italian merchants Cilicia and Monstella; the German tanker Wilhemsburg and the French merchant (in German service) Nantaise. Rorqual's torpedoes also damaged the Italian auxiliary cruiser Piero Foscari, unsuccessfully attacked an Italian submarine and the Italian merchant Securitas and sunk two Greek sailing vessels with gunfire.In August 1940 she attacked an Italian convoy, missing the Italian merchants Verace and Doris Ursino with torpedoes. Following this failed attack Rorqual was heavily depth charged by the Italian torpedo boat Generale Achille Papa.In January 1941 Rorqual attacked the tug Ursus and a floating battery mounted on a lighter. The lighter could not be torpedoed, as she was of too shallow draught for the normal depth setting of the torpedoes, and the only other weapon the Rorqual had was her single 4-inch gun. Rorqual surfaced at about 500 yards range. Her opening attack hit the Ursus and damaged the battery. Heavy fire from the damaged tug forced Rorqual to shift her fire from the battery and engage the Ursus again, forcing her crew to abandon her. Though badly damaged, the floating battery opened fire and forced the Rorqual to dive. She then fired a torpedo set to run on the surface, only to find that the torpedo developed a gyro failure and returned on its own tracks. Rorqual had to dive deep to avoid it. When last seen, the Ursus was sinking and the battery was on fire. The battery however did not sink and was later towed to Dubrovnik. Due to her large size and space within the mine casing, Rorqual was well suited to carrying stores and in June 1941, after loading at Alexandria, became the first submarine to carry supplies to the beleaguered island of Malta. In all she performed, at considerable risk to the submarine, 5 storing runs to Malta in 1941 from Alexandria and in 1942 from Beirut. These were known as "magic carpet runs".Phebey remaining in 'the silent service' was next posted to the T Class submarine Taurus (P 339) on 9 June 1942 shortly before her official launch on 27 June 1942.Taurus - an eventful period of serviceShe served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East during the Second World War. Whilst serving in the Mediterranean, she sank the small French merchant Clairette, the Spanish merchant Bartolo, the Italian merchant Derna, the French tug Ghrib and two barges, the Portuguese Santa Irene, the small Italian tanker Alcione C., the Italian sailing vessel Luigi, twenty-eight Greek sailing vessels, and the small Greek ship Romano. She also damaged a further two sailing ships and the Greek merchant Konstantinos Louloudis. It was during this period off the Greek coast she had the unusual distinction of engaging a Bulgarian cavalry unit while bombarding a small port. Phebey received a 'Mention' for his service aboard her during her Eastern Mediterranean war patrols.Taurus transferred to the Far East on 9 September 1943 where she sank the Japanese submarine I 34 10 miles off Penang Island. On 11 January 1944 she joined the 14th Submarine Flotilla to operate against the Japanese in the Malacca Straits and west coast of Thailand where she sank two Japanese tugboats, a barge and the Japanese salvage vessel Hokuan I-Go. She also laid a number of mines, which damaged the Japanese submarine I-37 and sank the Japanese transport ship Kasumi Maru. Phebey was richly rewarded with the D.S.M. for the period January to April 1944 which was presented by the King on 17 October 1944.On 10 August 1945 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In an email which accompanies the group, Phebey's son confirms that his father lost his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal following a motorbike accident in 1956.Subsequent careerThe war over, Phebey undertook instructor roles within the service initially with Elfin and later several spells on Trenchant being discharged on 24 July 1956. Leaving the Navy Phebey worked initially for Johnson & Johnson at Hilsea before becoming a Royal Park warden at Richmond Park. His last role was as a boiler man at Stowe school.Phebey died at Aylesbury in November 1988; sold together with an extensive archive of copied research including his copied service papers, copy patrol reports for Taurus, 6 November 1943 to 27 April 1944 and the book 'Dark Seas Above' by J.F. Gibson.…

A rare campaign group of four awarded to Engine Room Artificer Class I H. T. Johnson, Royal Navy, who was taken prisoner of war with H.M.S. Seal, the only British submarine surrendered to the enemy during the Second World WarInterned at Marlag Camp he joined several others - including 'Tubby' Lister of Colditz fame - in digging an escape tunnel: Johnson actually made it out of the camp but was re-captured soon after1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (M.36487 H.T. Johnson. E.A.1. H.M.S. Pembroke.), some polishing and contact marks, overall very fine (4)Henry Thomas Johnson was born at Sheerness on 4 May 1900, the son of Thomas and Florence Johnson of 67 Richmond Street, Marine Town, Sheerness. Joining the Royal Air Force as a Flying Cadet on 15 July 1918 he received no medal entitlement with them. Instead he enlisted with the Royal Navy on 4 May 1923 as Engine Room Artificer Class IV with his R.A.F. service of 176 days being carried towards his pension.Joining at Vernon on 4 May 1922 his first service afloat was with the light cruiser H.M.S. Dunedin on 19 May 1922. Appointed Engine Room Artificer Class II with Cumberland on 4 May 1928 and further advanced Engine Room Artificer Class I whilst ashore on 4 May 1933. Johnson transferred to submarine service with Dolphine on 9 June and served with a number of vessels throughout the late 30s.He was posted to the crew of Seal on 1 January 1939 not long after she was launched. This Grampus-class mine-laying submarine carried a compliment of 60 men and 50 mines as well as torpedoes and a 4-inch deck gun. When the Second World War broke out Seal was enroute to China however she was detained at Aden and launched several patrols in the area.Returning to Britain they were patrolling Norwegian waters when Germany invaded and infiltrated Stavangerfjord entering the port of Stavanger. Despite the boldness of the operation it produced few results as the harbour contained no German craft with a deep enough draft to attack with torpedoes. She returned to Britain for a brief refit before setting off back to Norway to undertake Operation DF 7.They set out of for the Kattegat Sea between Norway, Denmark and Sweden, on 29 April 1940. She had a narrow escape from a Heinkel seaplane but reached the area of operations in good time and completed her mission. As they turned for home they discovered a flotilla of anti-submarine patrol ships ahead of them, with armed trawlers behind them as well. Diving to avoid the enemy the submarine was unable to run deep owning to the shallow depth of the Kattegat Sea, instead they undertook a zig-zag pattern before settling at the bottom of the sea.Tragically they had entered a minefield and the cable from one of the mines had become caught on one of Seal's hydroplanes. The mine was pulled into the ship and detonated against the hull, causing serious damage. When the dust had settled the situation was grim, the boat had shifted ten degrees upwards due to the amount of water they had taken on, however the enemy warships had failed to notice the explosion and they left the area.Repeated attempts were made to surface as soon as it was safe however all failed, eventually they dropped their 'drop keel', making it impossible for them to dive again if they made the surface. The pressure of the situation, combined with the worsening quality of the air caused a great deal of pressure all around, Johnson however was not one to be put out by stress, as is made clear in Will Not We Fear which states:'Throughout the boat men were apathetically accepting the inevitability of death. There really seemed to be nothing left, no other possibility to be worth while trying. And in these circumstances there could be recourse only to humour and to idiosyncrasy and to routine.The petty officers' mess was the scene of a surprising amount of activity. Electrical Artificer Johnstone [SIC] began removing first the sleeves and then the trousers of his overall suit. "What the hell are you doing, Johnno?" he was asked. "Changing into my Number Ones," he replied. And as soon as he had laboriously dressed himself in his best suit he hoisted himself into his bunk and relaxed… and wait'Eventually after over a day beneath the waves they managed to refloat Seal, the crew were exhausted and light headed after the stress and oxygen depravation of the day. Making for Swedish waters the submarine came under attack by German aircraft, at this moment one of their engines failed, leaving them becalmed. The two Lewis guns they brought to the deck for protection both jammed and- under increasingly accurate fire- they were forced to surrender.Seal was the only British Submarine to strike her colours during the war, her crew were taken initially to Stalag XXA, Thorn. Soon afterwards a new camp was completed for Naval personnel called Marlag XB, attached to Stalag 10B. From there they were transferred again to Marlag und Milag Nord, here Johnson was involved in an escape attempt, as outlined in Fatal Ascent:'Lister and Johnson, Seal ratings, with Hammond of the submarine Shark and eleven others, including Lt. Trevor Beet, participated in a tunnel escape from Marlag at Sandbostel. Once they were on the outside, everybody split up, but they did not get very far before they were nabbed by guards.'His two companions, Lister and Hammond, were taken to Colditz as a result of their attempt however Johnson seems to have remained at Marlag und Milag Nord.'"After Tubby Lister and his pal Johnson got caught," commented Mickey Reynolds, "there was hell to pay, but we didn't mind, as we knew we were doing our little bit to keep Jerry occupied." Usually, the escapers and helpers were put in solitary confinement with bread and water for a few days following the Geneva Convention.'(IBID)Johnson was repatriated on 19 May 1945 and discharged to the reserve that same year. He served in the Sheerness Dockyard Smithy and lived at "Dunedin", 9 Century Road, Rainham. Johnson died at Kent County Hospital, Chatham in 1976; sold together with a copy of Fatal Ascent and Will Not We Fear along with copied service papers.…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe mounted K.C.B. group of three miniature dress medals worn by Admiral Sir H. Smith, Royal NavyBaltic 1854-55; The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. Badge, silver-gilt, gold and enamel, with wide riband buckle; China 1842, mounted as worn on E. & E. Emanuel riband buckle, good very fine (3)For his full-size awards and a biographical note, please see Lot 296.…

The impressive C.B.E., M.V.O., M.S.M. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. W. Stone, Royal Navy, who served at the Battle of Heligoland Blight, was twice 'mentioned' during the First World War, later Royal Household Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse, Sergeant-at-Arms to King Geroge VI and Queen Elizabeth II, who carried the mace at Her Majesty's Coronation in 1953The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd Type Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, by Garrard & Co., silver-gilt and enamel, on length of neck riband, in its case of issue; The Royal Victorian Order, 4th Class Member's (M.V.O.) breast Badge, by Collingwood Jewellers, reverse numbered '1526'; 1914-15 Star (346080, A. W. Stone, Wr. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (346080 A. W. Stone Ch. Wr. R.N.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (346080. A. W. Stone. Ch. Wtr. H.M.S. Cormorant.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (346080. A. W. Stone, Ch. Wtr. "Curaco" Services During War.), mounted together as worn excluding C.B.E., some contact marks and a few lightly polished, otherwise very fine overall (11)M.S.M. London Gazette 24 June 1919.M.I.D. London Gazette 23 October 1914; 11 August 1917.Albert William Stone was born on 20 June 1888 in Gosport, Hampshire, the third of four children born to Private Albert Stone and his wife Rebecca. Albert Stone Senior was a Private in the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, later dying in the service at Portsea in 1892 after having taken part in the Witu Expedition in East Africa.The younger Stone received a naval education and attended the Royal Hospital School at Greenwich, a school for the sons of poor sailors, where he learned navigation and seamanship skills. The school was known as the 'cradle of the Navy' for producing notable officers and personnel. He later enlisted into the Royal Navy in May 1903, when he was fifteen years old, as a Boy Writer with the H.M.S. Duke of Wellington naval barracks. Stone enjoyed a number of postings, including aboard Majestic, Caesar, Firequeen, Victory, Hecla, Forward, and Skirmisher as he moved through the clerical ranks. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, he was serving as a Writer 1st Class aboard H.M.S. Amethyst. Stone was likely a member of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt's personal staff as he followed him nearly exactly from ship to ship, thus serving with a wide variety of Harwich Force cruisers during the War.The Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914 - the first naval battle of the War between the British and the Germans - saw Stone mentioned in dispatches for service during the action whilst aboard the light cruiser H.M.S. Arethusa. Arethusa was Tyrwhitt's flagship during the battle, and played an active role in the naval engagement. She helped to sink two German torpedo boats early that morning, and was badly damaged by the German defence. By the end of the day Britain scored a decisive victory, losing just 35 men to Germany's 1,500. Stone was still serving aboard Arethusa when she was mined off the coast of Felixstowe two years later on 11 February 1916, eventually running aground and breaking up. He next served aboard H.M.S. Cleopatra while she served in the raid on the German naval airship base at Tondern, also sinking German destroyer G-194, before colliding with fellow naval ship Undaunted in March 1919. After repairs, she took part in operations against the German naval bombardment of Lowestoft in April 1916 and numbered one of Tyrwhitt's force that found the German cruisers carrying out the raid. Stone thereafter joined the Harwich Force cruiser H.M.S. Carysfort in May 1916 when she was patrolling the North Sea and the Strait of Dover. This was but a brief appointment, and he was then with Centaur that September, also in the Harwich Force, and then on to her sister-ship H.M.S. Concord in February 1917. He was with her that June when she sank the German torpedo boat S20 in the North Sea. During this time, Stone was mentioned in despatches for the second time. His final wartime posting was aboard H.M.S. Curacao, the flagship of the 5th cruiser squadron in the Harwich Force, where he earned his M.S.M. for war time services. After the close of the First World War, Stone joined H.M.S. Cormorant with whom he received his L.S. & G.C.. He was finally advanced to Chief Petty Officer Writer while serving with Victory II in 1924, and was later promoted Warrant Writer on 5 December 1927 upon his retirement from the service. The exact date Stone was appointed to the Royal Household is not known, but he served in the office of the Privy Purse until his well-deserved retirement at age 69 in July 1957. He was appointed to the 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order in January 1938 and was later promoted to the 4th Class in 1947, with the insignia being presented to him personally by King George VI. Stone was Chief Accountant but also acted as Serjeant-at-Arms under King George from 1947, and later for Queen Elizabeth II as well. He attended the Queen's Coronation in 1953, for which he carried the Mace as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's escort. He can be seen in the famous newsreel film of the event, as well as numerous photographs. Throughout his tenure with the Royal Household, Stone was awarded various foreign decorations from state visits and in January 1954 received his C.B.E..His long and illustrious career in the Royal Navy was supplemented by an equally illustrious career for the Royal Household. Stone finally retired in 1957, and later died in Durham on 27 August 1974 at Woodside House, the home of his niece with whom he was residing.Sold together with an original archive comprising:i)The recipient's dress miniatures: 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R.; M.S.M., G.V.R.; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, and Coronation 1953, mounted individually as worn, very fine (8) with some extra ribandsii)Fitted case for 4th Class M.V.O., by Collingwood Jewellersiii)Photo of Queen Elizabeth II with facsimile message and signature presented to Royal Household staff upon the occasion of her Coronation, framed but missing glassiv)The Illustrated London News, Coronation 1953 magazine with colour platesv)Booklet 'Statutes on the Order of the British Empire 1948'vi)Official Warrant for the appointment of 'Albert William Stone Esquire' to be Commander of the Order of the British Empire, signed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philipvii)Binder of comprehensive copied research and photographs, including a newspaper cutting of a photograph of Stone holding the Mace on the St. James's Palace Balcony as part of the Coronation ceremony, wearing his medals…

A rare Lloyd’s Medal for Services to Lloyd’s group of three awarded to Signal Master Edward Robinson, Lloyd’s Signal Station, Port SaidEgypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (E. B. Robinson, Boy 1/Cl., H.M.S. “Orion”); Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed; Lloyd’s Medal for Services to Lloyd’s, silver (Signal Master E. Robinson, Port Said, Egypt, Aug. 1917), this last in case of issue, pitting to pair, the last good very fine and a rare combination (3)Ex-Fevyer Collection, DNW 2008.Lloyd’s Medal awarded by Committee decision, 15 August 1917.In Lloyd’s Medals Medal for Services to Lloyd’s, by George A. Brown, L.S.A.R.S.J. Feb. 1988, p.26-28, a total of 14 gold and 10 silver medals were listed. The medal was instituted in 1913 and Robinson’s award in 1917 was the first silver medal to be issued.Edward Beyts Robinson was born on 15 February 1865 at Bedford, Bedfordshire and joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in November 1880. Having shared in the Egypt & Sudan campaign, he was invalided in June 1890. A notation on his service record states '...wishes to remain in service of Lloyd's & employment for him will be found by the Society.'He died at Goodmayes, Essex in May 1933.…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantAn outstanding 1873 K.C.B. group of three awarded to Admiral Sir H. Smith, Royal Navy - who was rewarded with a C.B. for his capture of Aden in 1839, the first colonial acquisition under the reign of Queen VictoriaSmith latterly played a prominent and central role during the First Opium War in the Volage and Druid; he took the honour of firing the first shots of the conflict and was to the fore in every major engagementThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Knight Commander's (K.C.B.) set of Insignia, by R. & S. Garrard, London, comprising neck Badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks rather rubbed, with full neck riband and gold clasp; breast Star, gold centre, silver and enamel, gold retaining pin, reverse cartouche with maker's details, in slightly damaged case of issue; China 1842 (Henry Smith, Captain. H.M.S. Druid.), suspension replaced with dual loop, swivel and straight silver bar; Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued, good very fine (3)K.C.B. London Gazette 24 May 1873.[C.B.] London Gazette 13 August 1840.Henry Smith was born circa 1803 and joined the Royal Navy at the tender age of eleven in 1814, being made a Lieutenant in July 1821. He joined the Genoa on the Lisbon Station in April 1823 and then as First Lieutenant to Captain Courtenay in the Fairy, who went out to the West Indies in May 1827. The following year, Smith took command of the brig Ferret, before advancing as Acting-Captain of the Magnificent in September 1829. It was in 1831 that he was officially promoted.Aden - C.B.Removed to Volage in November 1837, it was in this vessel that he first wrote his name into history. In January 1838, the Sultanate of Lahej agreed to transfer a number of its possessions, including the town of Aden to Britain but later decided against this and opened fire on the sloop-of-war H.C.S. Coote. Smith was given command of an expedition, comprising Volage, the brig Cruizer, Coote, the schooner H.C.S. Mahé and three transports to secure Aden. Smith and his small expedition arrived at Aden on 16 January 1839 and in the morning of 18 January Volage, Cruizer, and Mahé sailed to the front of the town from where they were fired upon.At 0930hrs, the rest of the expedition arrived and the warships sailed in close to Aden's batteries to bombard them. By 1100hrs the gunnery of the ships had demolished Aden's lower batteries and destroyed a large tower, while landing parties ordered by Smith had cleared out the remaining enemy musket men in the rubble. At this point Smith ordered the main two landings of troops to take place, which were completed successfully with two naval casualties and sixteen from the army, with the defending garrison of 1,000 men suffering around fifty casualties. (The Royal Navy, a History from the Earliest Times to the Present William Clowes, refers).So it was that Smith had captured the first Colonial acquisition for Great Britain and her new sovereign, Queen Victoria. He was rewarded with an immediate C.B. and the thanks of the George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, the Governor General of India.Opium War - further firstsThe cataloguer turns to Clowes again for further details of these important events:'Provocation and outrage continued; and when, on August 30th, Volage, 22, Captain Henry Smith, reached Macao, and at once proceeded to Hong Kong, her arrival was extremely welcome. On September 4th, the refusal of the Chinese at Kowloon to permit the transit of provisions across the harbour obliged Captain Smith, in concert with Mr. James Douglas (afterwards Sir James Douglas), of the Cambridge (the Cambridge was purchased by the Chinese government after regular hostilities began), formerly of the H.E.I. Co.'s marine, to employ his boats to drive off a squadron of war-junks, and so to open a passage for the supplies. Further outrageous action induced Elliot to call upon Smith to proclaim a blockade of the port of Canton as from September 11th.Negotiations were subsequently entered into; but Elliot displayed such unwise weakness that the Chinese were only encouraged to persist in their implacable attitude. At length, the Hyacinth, 18, Commander William Warren, having joined the Volage, Elliot stiffened himself so far as to inform the Chinese, on October 28th, that if the British shipping lying below the Bogue were subjected to more of certain annoyances which had become intolerable, retaliatory measures would be adopted. The Chinese admiral, Kwan, returned first a temporising and then an insulting answer, and on November 3rd got under way with twenty-nine junks, evidently intending to attack. Smith made a further fruitless attempt to negotiate, and then, with the Volage and Hyacinth, opened fire, and in a short time won a success which would have been much more complete than it was, but for the interference of Elliot, who, when three junks had been sunk and as many more driven ashore, procured a cessation of the firing, alleging his desire to spare the lives of the Chinese. Kwan, on returning to Canton, was thus able to boast that he had been victorious; and he was rewarded accordingly.'It had been on 4 September 1839 at around 1400hrs that Smith fired the first shots, sending several in anger in the direction of some war junks in the Chinese squadron.On 30 June 1840 Smith was given command of another frigate, Druid (to which his Medal is named), in which he continued to blockade, taking eight merchant ships as prize by 10 July as Senior Naval Officer on the south of the Chinese coast. On 6 August, the missionary Vincent John Stanton was captured by the Chinese while swimming in Casilha Bay near Macao. Smith took a small avenge this, these being Druid, the sloops Larne and Hyacinth, and two smaller vessels. On 19 August Smith with 120 Royal Marines, 80 seamen, and 180 local volunteers, successfully fought the Battle of the Barrier in which he attacked the Chinese works and barracks at Portas do Cerco, including destroying seventeen guns and two junks; casualties were light, with four of the British wounded. By 1900hrs, the entire force had re-embarked on the ships and left the area ablaze, with so many cannonballs having been fired by the ships that they picked up their used shot to recycle it before leaving. It was said of Smith's actions at the battle that 'seldom has a more signal service been rendered in so short a space of time'. Druid continued after this to protect British trade and hunt down pirates, at one point having several men of a boarding party killed when the junk they were investigating blew up.Smith was again to the fore at the Second Battle of Chuenpi on 8 January 1841. With joint attacks going in on the forts at Tycocktow and Chuenpi, guarding the entrance to Canton. Smith was to attack the former and having anchored some 200 yards off, they set to their work. The firing quickly created a breach in the fort which was attacked by boats manned by the crews of the ships and quickly taken. Twenty-five cannons were destroyed and the casualties of the Chinese were suggested to be 'very severe'. Smith was praised by Commodore Bremer for his conduct during the action. The opening to Canton was now complete.During the Battle of the Bogue, on 25 February Smith took Druid in with a portion of Bremer's force to attack the Chinese batteries on the south, south-wes…

The rare 'H.M.Y. Helga, Irish Sea 1918' D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Deck Hand E. E. Duff, Royal Navy and Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, who was in charge of Helga's gun when she was credited with sinking a German submarineDespite her Irish heritage, Helga was commandeered by the Admiralty in March 1915 and later used by the Royal Navy to shell Liberty Hall in Dublin from the River Liffey with her pair of 12-pounder naval guns during the Easter Rising of 1916Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Ldg. Dk. Hd. E. E. Duff, (A.P.) H.M.Y. Helga. Irish Sea 4. Apl 1918); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (210674. E.E. Duff, Lg. Sea. H.M.S. Highflyer.); 1914-15 Star (E.E. Duff, A.B. M.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (E.E. Duff. D.H. M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Ernest. E. Duff), good very fine (6)D.S.M. London Gazette 29 November 1918, the original citation states:'HMY Helga attack on enemy Irish Sea 4 April 1918. In charge of gun when HMY Helga sank an enemy submarine.'Ernest Edwin Duff was born at Deal, Kent on 12 April 1885. A telegraph boy, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 12 April 1903. A succession of shore and sea-based appointments followed and on 21 February 1911 he was drafted to Highflyer, serving aboard her until 29 May 1913. Later that same year he was invalided from the service with myopia on 9 October.Duff married Kathleen Power in Dublin in September 1916 and despite his disability enrolled in the Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, joining H.M.Y. Helga for service during the Great War.1916 Easter UprisingChris Shouldice takes up the story in his online article 'The Captain's Table':'HMY Helga is infamously known for its role in shelling Dublin during the 1916 Rising but before she was pressed into war service, she had a far more benign profession as a protection cruiser and research vessel for the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Built in the Liffey Dockyard in Dublin in 1908 and originally named the Helga II, her purpose was to engage in fishery patrols, monitoring the coast for any illegal fishing activity. She was also equipped with a laboratory for marine research and took part in research projects like the survey of Clare Island in 1909.As the British found themselves in an unexpectedly lengthening war in Europe, she was taken over by the Admiralty in 1915 for military purposes as an armed auxiliary patrol yacht. She was renamed the HMY Helga and served as an anti-submarine patrol vessel and an armed escort.It was however in Ireland during the 1916 Rising that the Helga's most notable acts occurred. The Helga was summoned by British forces to the capital to use artillery to root out Irish Volunteers. On the 26th of April 1916, positioned on the Liffey, she raised her 12-pound artillery guns over the Loop Line railway bridge and fired at her first target Liberty Hall, the headquarters of the Citizen Army. Her shots were less than accurate, and her shells destroyed much of the surrounding buildings and beyond. She also targeted the GPO and Bolland Mills which Eamon De Valera had occupied.1918 rescuing survivors from R.M.S. Leinster.In 1918, she successful sank a German U-Boat Submarine off the coast of the Isle of Man. This was the Helga's first and sole confirmed sinking during the war. However, the presence of U-boats continued to be a real threat to the merchant and passenger vessels in the Irish Sea.In 1917, the Germans began placing their U-boats in the Approaches, the name given to the region near the entrance and exit to the Irish Sea. This was an attempt to stifle the British attempts at Trans-Atlantic trade. The RMS Leinster was typical of their targets, a passenger ship which, along with three other sister ships, made daily crossings from Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) to Holyhead. Known for its exceptional speed, the RMS Leinster held a place of pride in Irish eyes, as it was seen to be their representative in the commercial competition over the Irish Sea. The Leinster along with its sister ships, had won the tender for the Royal Mail delivery from Ireland to the British mainland. While it provided valuable employment to the people of Kingstown and Holyhead in Wales, the requirements of this contract were strict. There was a stipulation that the post collected in Dublin had to be delivered to the mainland the following day. This meant that the RMS Leinster ran daily, and on-time no matter the circumstances.On the morning of the 9th of October (1918), the RMS Leinster set out from Dun Laoghaire, filled to capacity, for what was to be its final voyage. Despite the U-boat warnings, that morning was no different, the war had been in action for four years, and the crossings were routinely unprotected. Furthermore, the level of censorship which the British government exercised over the press meant that many civilians were largely unaware of the danger that awaited them. Lurking under the waters off Kish Island was U-boat 123, which had already sunk two boats since it left Germany days earlier. At 09:45, the first torpedo was fired, shooting past the brow of the Leinster. The second was a direct hit, and a third torpedo sunk the entire vessel.Coaling, or refuelling, that same morning in Dublin was HMY Helga, the same ship which had been shelling the city two and a half years earlier. That day however, the Helga succeeded in being first on the scene of the Leinster sinking, and managed reach it just in time to rescue approximately 90 passengers, though there is some confusion as to the exact number. These passengers were not returned to Kingstown but disembarked in Wales. Due the controls on wartime press, the British government were keen to keep any such disasters out of the public eye'.Duff died on 11 November 1935 at Dover, at the time he was employed on the Trinity House Pilot Cutter, S.S. Prudence. (The Dover Express of 22 November 1935 refers).Sold together with his silver wound badge, this numbered B158828, a copy photo of Helga, a postcard of Highflyer, copy of Helga's ships log from the National Maritime Museum for 4-5 April 1918 and a copy of Irish Naval service.…

Ethiopia, Kingdom, Order of the Star of Ethiopia, 4th Class Knight's breast Badge, by Mappin & Webb Ltd., London, 76mm including suspension x 54mm, silver-gilt, maker's mark to reverse, with rosette upon riband, mounted by maker as worn, extremely fine, in its fitted case of issueThis award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with letters relating to Stone's receipt of the award, which was conferred upon the occasion of Emperor of Ethiopia Haile Selassie's state visit in October 1954.…

The Naval General Service Medal awarded to Caulker’s Mate P. Pike, Royal Navy, whose clasps were earned some sixteen years apartNaval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Java, Navarino (Peter Pike.), light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good very fineProvenance:Needes Collection, Glendining’s, June 1940.John Goddard Collection, DNW, November 2015.8 Java clasps were issued to the crew of Hecate and 192 Navarino clasps to the men of Albion.This combination was issued to one officer and six other ranks overall and is unique to Hecate.Peter Pike was born in Portsmouth and joined the Hecate as Carpenter’s Crew on 1 October 1809, aged 35 years, and was advanced to Carpenter’s Mate on 2 June 1811. He joined the Albion on 13 June 1825, as Caulker’s Mate, his place of birth being given as Pagham, Sussex, and age as 47 years. Sold with copied muster rolls.… 

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Java (Peter Lines.), mounted on card, contact marks and heavy edge bruising with some edge knocks, otherwise very fineProvenance:Spink, 1902.Peter Lines is confirmed upon the roll with entitlement to this medal and clasp for serving as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. President during the British invasion of Java in 1811.H.M.S. President began its life as the French Gloire-class 40-gun frigate Président. She served in the French Navy only briefly, as she was completed in 1804 and was captured by Captain Edward Hawkins on Dispatch just two years later in August 1806. She was then converted at Plymouth and brought into the service of the Royal Navy under the anglified name 'President'. Her design served as the model for a number of Seringapatam-class frigates later built for the Royal Navy.She served first for a few years in South America before being brought under the command of Captain Samuel Warren in 1810, with her course set for the East Indies early in 1811. President was sent there to join the squadron of Vice-Admiral Robert Stopford in Java, where the British were attempting to capture the island from the French-occupied Netherlands.On 31 August, President along with three other frigates were ordered to capture the port city of Cirebon. Captain Warren was ordered to negotiate the town's surrender on 4 September. The whole island was surrendered to the British by Dutch General Janssens shortly afterwards on 18 September, and President sailed back home to England as an escort to Vice-Admiral Stopford; sold together with copied medal roll. 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe very complete 1985 C.B.E. and 'Arctic Convoys' group of nine awarded to Sub Lieutenant J. R. S. Homan, Royal Navy, who served on the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Tracker, latterly Industrial Director of the National Economic Development OfficeThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd Type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver and silver-gilt, with full and miniature neck ribbons, in case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Arctic Star, with its named box of issue; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these five mounted as worn; together with Russia, Soviet Union, Ushakov Medal, reverse officially numbered '5182' with accompanying named certificate in case of issue; Russia, 70th and 75th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Medals, with accompanying named award certificates, good very fine (9)C.B.E. London Gazette 15 June 1985.John Richard Seymour Homan - or "Dick" to his friends and comrades - was born at Burley, Hampshire on 7 January 1925, the son of Captain Charles Edward Homan. He was initially educated at a pre-prep school in London then to St. Wilfrid's, Seaford in Sussex and in 1938 he attended Radley College before entering the Royal Navy in 1943 as a Midshipman. Classified as an 'Executive Special' he was posted to the Admiralty in London working in the personnel department. Requesting active service, he was posted to Tracker, an aircraft carrier, where he was given the job of plotting U-boat locations.Tracker served as an escort during 1943-1944 for North Atlantic and Arctic convoys. She originally carried Swordfish torpedo-bombers and Seafire fighters of No. 816 (Naval Air) Squadron, in January 1944, switching to the Grumman Avengers and Grumman Wildcats of No. 846 (Naval Air) Squadron. In April 1944, her aircraft, together with those from Activity were responsible for the sinking of the U-288 east of Bear Island, during convoy JW-58.On 10 June 1944, while part of the antisubmarine screen of the Western Approaches Command for the D-Day landings, she collided with a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy, Teme, causing damage to both ships. Tracker continued operations despite stove-in bows until 12 June 1944. Thereafter, she was repaired and partially refitted in Liverpool, until 7 September 1944. On 8 December 1944, the ship sailed to the United States to be used as an aircraft transport and spent the remainder of the war ferrying aircraft and personnel in the Pacific.Homan recounted her tenth and last convoy patrol to Murmansk in October 1944, in an interview he gave in 2020:'We escorted a Russian convoy to Murmansk. The Germans could by this time no longer use the west coast of France because of the Allied invasion, and so many U boats were sent to the Arctic. We were in a powerful convoy with three aircraft carriers, 25 other warships and about 28 merchant ships. Many of the merchant ships came from the U.S.A., carrying food and military equipment for the Russians, everything from planes, tanks, guns and ammunition down to boots.Despite the size of the convoy the U boats didn't know we were there until we got to the north of Norway, so the first part was peaceful. I say peaceful but, at that time of year, it was dark most of the day and pretty stormy and very cold. Twilight was about 1pm. We would fall back from the convoy to fly off our aircraft. The bravery of those pilots was incredible.Many were in exposed open cockpits and would have to take off from their carrier surging up and down in a rough sea. One of our aircraft got lost and had to break radio silence. That alerted Berlin who sent a wolf pack of U boats after us. We were heading due east and Berlin anticipated, quite correctly, that we would change our course to southeast, which is where the U boats went. However, London picked up Berlin's signal and instructed us to continue travelling east. The U boats missed us. It was not a complete triumph.Sending our aircraft after the U boats we were equipped with some wonderful new secret weapon, which unfortunately bounced harmlessly off the conning tower. I remember one disappointed pilot coming back and saying, "there goes my DSC". It was quite unusual that the convoy completed its journey there and back without loss of a single ship. I didn't realise until after the war that the Admiralty instruction to change from our original course was based on information from Bletchley. We had been unaware of Bletchley's existence.'U.S. Navy loan: December 1944 - July 1945Tracker left Greenock on 8 December 1944 and reached New York in time for Christmas, she was to stay there until New Year's Eve when she put to sea headed for the Panama Canal and reached San Diego on 17 January 1945. Here the ship's company received the same levels of hospitality they had enjoyed at Portland while the ship was being built. Books, magazines, music, sports kit, and more were donated to the ship for the men's 'comforts' by the Red Cross and U.S. Armed Forces Institute.After a week in San Diego, Tracker moved to San Pedro for the next five days, and opportunity was taken for the crew to experience Hollywood and film stars 'popped in' to visit the ship. By the end of January, she was full of aircraft and passengers bound for Hawaii and American bases in the Pacific. Her first voyage in the transport role took her to the Admiralty Isles and New Guinea in then back in San Diego, arriving back there on 20 March, a round trip of 13,424 miles taking two months. On the return trips Tracker carried U.S. personnel and casualties back to Pearl Harbour.Her second transport run was to Guam and Saipan in the Mariana Islands in April, during this trip the news of President Roosevelt's death reached the ship and her passengers, a memorial service was held on board. V.E. day, 8 May 8, was celebrated on the last leg from Hawaii three days out from San Diego and the end of a 13,020-mile trip.Tracker's third trip took her to the Marshal Islands and back, a shorter, 10,000 miles haul from 12 June-8 July. This was her last operation for the U.S. Navy, she had ferried 300 aircraft and 100 passengers in her three voyages and had steamed 36,000 miles across the Pacific. After storing ship Tracker was to proceed back to Britain, leaving San Diego on 13 Friday having exchanged a few crew members with her sister C.V.E. Atheling, also on transport duties; those men on Atheling who qualified for release under the recently announced 'Age & Service Release Scheme', with Tracker's 'newbies' filling their billets. She reached Norfolk, Virginia on 27 July and New York three days after.Homeward boundThis was to be Tracker's last east bound crossing, carrying on board American wives of British Naval personnel, evacuated children, and over a hundred members of the Fleet Air Arm from the Air Station in New Brunswick which was closing down. She made Greenock on 9 August and disembarked her passengers; work began almost immediately de-storing Tracker in preparation for her final voyage, her return to the U.S. Navy, her service with the Royal Navy ending.The war over, Homan read classics at Christ Church College, Oxford from 1946 graduating with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics. A keen oarsman during his time at the House was part of the team who won Head of the River in 1948. He was a lifelong member of Christ Church Boat Club.Homan joined the I.C.I. with whom he spent the bulk of his working career. He married The Hon. Mary Graham Buckley, daug…

A fine 'Battle of Jutland 1916' D.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class F. Dymond, Royal Navy, who served on H.M.S. Temeraire being rewarded with both the D.S.M. and a commendation for his services and later a 'mention'Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (268895. F. Dymond, C.E.R.A.1.Cl. H.M.S. Temeraire. 31 May - 1 June 1916.); British War and Victory Medals (268895. F. Dymond. C.E.R.A. 1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (268895 Frank Dymond, C.E.R.A.1cl., H.M.S. Suffolk.), mounted as worn, light contact marks, good very fine (4)D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 September 1916.Frank Dymond was born at Dunchideock, Devon on 24 April 1875 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting C.E.R.A. 4th Class on 4 January 1897. After a succession of shore and sea-based appointments and advancement to C.E.R.A. 1st Class in 1909, he joined H.M.S. Temeraire on 30 September 1913 and served in her throughout the Great War. He was with her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May to 1 June 1916, for which action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. His service papers further note a commendation for his actions during the Battle.On 31 May 1916, Temeraire was the fifteenth ship from the head of the battle line after deployment. During the first stage of the general engagement, the ship fired five salvos from her main guns at the crippled light cruiser S.M.S. Wiesbaden from 18:34, claiming two or three hits. At 19:17, the ship fired seven salvos at the battlecruiser S.M.S. Derfflinger, but did not make any hits. About ten minutes later, Temeraire engaged several German destroyer flotillas with three salvos from her main armament without result. This was the last time that the ship fired her guns during the battle. She received no damage and fired a total of 72 twelve-inch shells (all high explosive) and 50 shells from her four-inch guns during the battle.Dymond was shore pensioned on 2 June 1919.…

The Naval General Service Medal awarded to Rear-Admiral E. R. P. Mainwaring, who saw a remarkable forty-two years of active service and commanded the boats during the capture of the American letter-of-marque Rapid in 1814Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (E. R. Mainwaring.), note absence of third initial, good very fineEdward Reeves Philip Mainwaring was born on 16 June 1788 at Prince Edward Island, Canada. Scion of a great 'fighting' family of Whitmore, Staffordshire and with lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest, his father fought during the American War of Independence and all four brothers also entered either the Army or Royal Navy - one, Benjamin, was an officer aboard 'The Fighting Temeraire' at Trafalgar and another, Frederick, fought at Waterloo as a Lieutenant in the 51st Regiment of Foot.Young Edward entered the Navy in the summer of 1799 as a First-Class Volunteer and was appointed to the 44-gun H.M.S. Roebuck which acted as a troopship between March and September 1801 for British operations during the Egyptian campaign. In November 1801 he was appointed Midshipman in the 64-gun H.M.S. Haarlem and, as was usual for the time, continued to receive appointments to other vessels when required. He was advanced to Acting-Lieutenant in 1806 aboard the 18-gun sloop H.M.S. Espoir but shortly afterward was promoted Lieutenant (11 June 1807) and removed to the 74-gun H.M.S. Plantagenet, with which vessel he saw out the rest of the Napoleonic Wars.It was with this ship that Mainwaring appears to have experienced the most exciting days of his active service. After a deployment to the Baltic Plantagenet and her crew were next assigned to the North American and West India stations. Consequently seeing much action during the War of 1812, Mainwaring must have been aboard in July 1813 when U.S. Navy Sailing Master Elijah Mix tried to destroy Plantagenet with torpedoes designed by inventor and engineer Robert Fulton. Mix made the attempt no less than seven times; the first six all missed, and the seventh prematurely exploded. The 'Yankey Torpedo' was a known threat to officers and men of the Royal Navy, and one wonders what Mainwaring thought about being on the receiving end of such an 'ungentlemanly' way of warfare.Returning to more traditional ways of engaging with the enemy, in 1814 Plantagenet was pursuing the American latter-of-marque Rapid when both vessels were becalmed when the wind died away. Mainwaring was ordered to take command of the ship's boats and, after rowing for an astonishing 11 hours, came up with the Rapid, boarded and captured her notwithstanding a spirited defence by her crew of 40 men. For this action, Mainwaring was publicly thanked by the Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station, Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren.Despite the vast reductions in manpower and ships in the aftermath of the conflict, after a mercifully short period on half-pay (1815-18) Mainwaring was fortunate to be employed at sea once again and for the following eight years served aboard the 74-gun Ramillies and the 84-gun Ganges; in the latter vessel on the West India and Brazilian stations as well as at home. Promoted Commander on 27 May 1826, perhaps a desire to somewhat settle-down led to both an appointment with the Coast Guard service and his marriage to Miss Eliza Hill, daughter of the Reverend Hill, Rector of Snailwell in Cambridgeshire. He was employed by the Coast Guard until 1835 and four years later was given command of the 18-gun sloop H.M.S. Electra on the South America Station, returning home in 1841 on promotion to Captain. Slowly but steadily rising up the seniority list to be promoted Rear-Admiral (Retired) on 12 April 1862, Admiral Mainwaring died at Brighton on 5 October 1865 at the age of 77, with his death being noted in many local newspapers and journals - all of which specifically state that he was actively employed for more than 40 years; an impressive feat indeed during the age of sail and many years of peace in Europe.…

Portugal, Republic, Order of Christ, 5th Class Knight's set of Insignia, by Federico Costa, Lisbon, comprising neck Badge, 65mm x 43mm, silver and enamel, on length of riband as worn; breast Badge, 38mm x 20mm, silver and enamel, on riband as worn, with corresponding miniature award, good very fine, in its case of issue, this worn (2)This award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with letters relating to Stone's receipt of the award, including the official Warrant for the award named to 'Albert Stone', dated 31 October 1955, upon the occasion of the President of Portugal's state visit and banquet in October 1955.…

The group of four miniature dress medals worn by Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman B. J. Sandoe, Royal NavySouth Atlantic 1982, with rosette; Gulf 1990-91; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., mounted as worn, toning, very fine (4)For his full-size awards and a biographical note, please see Lot 101.…

Three: Ward Room Steward F. B. Seaward, Royal NavySouth Africa 1877-79, no clasp (T. B. [sic] Seaward. Asst. to S. Std. for Genl. Mess. H.M.S. "Orontes."); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (F. B. Seward. W.R. Stewd. H.M.S. "Humber"); Khedive's Star 1882, unnamed as issued, very fine (3)226 Medals - all without clasp - issued to Orontes. Unsurprisingly, the charming rating of Assistant Ship's Steward for the General Mess is the only award like named.…

The 2-clasp Naval General Service Medal awarded to Admiral Alexander Montgomerie, Royal Navy, who served at sea for almost twenty years and participated in a number of fiercly-fought actions, not least at Barque island; the subsequent capture of Guadeloupe; and at Rugen island where he successfully defended a fort against French infantry assaultsNaval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Anse La Barque 18 Decr 1809, Guadaloupe (Alexr. Montgomerie, Lieut. R.N.), good very fineProvenance:Sotheby's, March 1995.Colin Message Collection, August 1999.Jason Pilalas Collection, July 2024.Alexander Montgomerie, of an old Scottish family, was born at Dreghorn, Ayrshire, Scotland on 30 July 1790. Joining the Royal Navy at the tender age of 12 on 27 June 1802, he was initially appointed a First-Class Volunteer aboard the 16-gun sloop H.M.S. Hazard, with which he saw brief service in the English Channel before spending the next six years with both the 44-gun frigate H.M.S. Argo and the 74-gun H.M.S. Tigre, as a member of their Midshipman's berth. With Argo (under the command of Captain Benjamin Hallowell) young Montgomerie saw his first taste of action, as this vessel participated in the captures of St. Lucia and Tobago - the former earned Hallowell and his men a very favourable 'Mention', with Admiral Hood stating: 'To Captain Hallowell's Merit it is impossible for me to give additional Encomium, as it is so generally known; but I must beg Leave to say, on this expedition, his Activity could not be exceeded; and by his friendly Advice I have obtained the most effectual Aid to this Service, for which he has been a Volunteer, and, after the final Disembarkation, proceeded on with the Seamen to co-operate with the Army.' (London Gazette, 26 July 1803, refers).When Hallowell was appointed to command the Tigre, Montgomerie followed him and this ship was part of Admiral Lord Nelson's fleet in the great hunt for the combined Franco-Spanish fleet prior to the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Tigre, unfortunately, missed the battle due to being away at Gibraltar to take on water and escort convoys, but subsequently participated in the operations off Egypt in 1807: Montgomerie must have been aboard when Tigre captured two Ottoman frigates (the Uri Bahar and Uri Nasard) and his subsequent biography states he was then employed with 'much boat service' on Lake Mareotis - scene of British landings against French, Ottoman, and Albanian troops.In September 1809, Midshipman Montgomerie passed his Lieutenant's examination and was thence sent (though still as Midshipman) to the 36-gun frigate H.M.S. Orpheus, before shortly afterwards removing to the 74-gun H.M.S. Sceptre - the ship with which he was to earn the clasps to his Medal. Sceptre, commanded by Captain Samuel James Ballard, was part of a force ordered to capture the French-held island of Guadeloupe. On 18 December 1809, a British squadron (including Sceptre) attacked two French ships (the Loire and Seine, variously described as 'frigates' or 'flutes') anchored at Anse a la Barque and protected by batteries of artillery ashore. Notwithstanding a spirited defence, in fairly short order both French vessels had been dismasted and surrendered - though they were subsequently abandoned, caught fire, and blew up. The attack was under the overall command of Captain Hugh Cameron of H.M.S. Hazard, and after destroying the Loire and Seine the British force next landed ashore to silence the batteries: this objective was also achieved but in the moment of victory Cameron was killed, one report stating that after personally hauling down the French tricolour he wrapped it around his body before being accidentally shot by a British sailor who mistook him for the enemy. It seems likely that Montgomerie played a very active part in this action, as the very next day he was appointed Acting Lieutenant of H.M.S. Freija/Freya, which was confirmed by official commission on 4 May 1810, and during the intervening time also appears to have been equally active in the ships' boats in minor actions against further French shore batteries around Guadeloupe.Returning home, after three months in command of H.M.S. Magnanime on 28 January 1811 he was appointed Lieutenant aboard the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Aquilon, with which vessel he served until 1814, concluding his time aboard her as First Lieutenant. This period of his career also saw much active service - but rather than the tropical Caribbean, this time in the distinctly cooler North Sea and Baltic in the supression of enemy trade and coastal traffic, and the escorting of British and allied convoys. Though little further information appears immediately available, his service biography states that: 'When in the Baltic in 1812, and engaged with the boats under his orders in an attempt to bring some vessels off from the island of Rugen, he greatly distinguished himself by his conduct in capturing a temporary fort occupied by a superior number of troops, whom, on their being reinforced and endeavouring to recover their loss, he several times repulsed.' (A Naval Biographical Dictionary - Montgomerie, Alexander, W.R. O'Byrne, p.774, refers).Promoted Commander on 7 June 1814 on his return from the South America station, despite theoretical appointment to H.M.S. Racoon she was off the coast of Brazil and he never joined her. With the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars Montgomerie had to wait until 21 March 1818 for his next command - the 18-gun brig-sloop H.M.S. Confiance, which position he held for two years until moving in July 1820 to the 26-gun H.M.S. Sapphire as Acting-Captain. This was a fortuitous change as, two years later, Confiance was wrecked off Ireland with the loss of the entire crew. Returning home in September 1821, he does not appear to have received another seagoing appointment but nevertheless remained on the Active List until his official (and well-earned) retirement on 1 October 1856.By virtue of longevity, Montgomerie moved slowly up the seniority list; promoted Rear-Admiral in 1852, then Vice-Admiral in 1857, he reached the rank of Admiral on 27 April 1863. Admiral Alexander Montgomerie appears to have remained a bachelor throughout his life and died in January 1864 at Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, not far from where he was born 73 years earlier.Sold together with a small quantity of copied research.…

'Now, gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter!Thus spoke Rear-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood from the deck of his flagship, H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, prior to the Battle of TrafalgarThe Naval General Service Medal awarded to Able Seaman E. Kendall, Royal NavyNaval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Edward Kendall.), good very fineProvenance:Seaby, June 1953.Spink, December 1972.Edward Kendall was born in London around 1778 and was 27 years old when he served as an Able Seaman aboard the H.M.S. Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar.Royal Sovereign was a 100-gun first rate ship of line and was launched at Plymouth in 1786, over a decade after she was laid down in 1774, and was the only ship built to her specific design. Reportedly slow and difficult to manoeuvre, she was nicknamed the 'West Country Wagon' by her crew.Prior to serving at the famed Battle of Trafalgar, Royal Sovereign enjoyed an active role during the French Revolutionary Wars. She served as part of Admiral Richard Howe's fleet during the Glorious First of June, the first fleet action of the War, where she was the flagship of Admiral Thomas Graves' vanguard squadron. This resounding tactical victory saw Admiral Howe issue the unorthodox order for his ships to turn and breach the French line, rake the enemy ships and engage them directly. Royal Sovereign pulled too far into the line and suffered a heavy pounding from enemy ship Terrible, with Admiral Graves mortally wounded and dying during the course of the battle. Terrible fell out of the line and Royal Sovereign next engaged Montagne. Seven enemy ships were sunk or captured but the British lost none.Now the flagship of Vice-Admiral William Cornwallis, Royal Sovereign was further engaged in the conflict known as 'Cornwallis' Retreat'. In June 1795, a French fleet of twelve ships of the line and eleven frigates gave chase to Cornwallis' squadron of five ships of the line and two frigates. After a day's chase the rearguard came within range of the enemy, and rather than abandon part of his squadron Cornwallis stood his ground to counterattack with all his might. The Vice-Admiral steered Royal Sovereign in between the French and British forces, meeting the enemy with a raking fire. The Battle ended when French Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse mistakenly believed the British Channel Fleet was approaching and subsequently ordered his fleet to withdraw, thus allowing Cornwallis to escape.Royal Sovereign was further involved in a notable altercation on 17 March 1796 when the transport ship Bellisarius collided with her while en route to the West Indies and sank almost instantly. The Battle of TrafalgarH.M.S. Royal Sovereign held the distinction of being flagship of Vice-Admiral Collingwood, Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson's second-in-command at that famous sea battle off the coast of Trafalgar, Spain on 21 October 1805. She led one column of warships during the conflict while Nelson led the other, and was the first ship of the fleet to enter the action.Recently re-coppered, Royal Sovereign was faster than the other ships present and was the first to break the enemy line in accordance with Nelson's unorthodox plan to approach the allied line with his fleet arranged in two columns, which would cut the allied line and force one-on-one fighting.As Royal Sovereign gallantly sailed alone towards the enemy and made to engage the massive Spanish three decker Santa Ana, Collingwood remarked to his Captain, Edward Rotheram, "What would Nelson give to be here?". At roughly the same time, his friend Nelson reportedly pointed to her and exclaimed, "See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action!".Collingwood's well-trained crew aboard Royal Sovereign fired such a rapid volley at Santa Ana that four allied ships quickly came to her aid, with Royal Sovereign first receiving fire from Fougueux before being joined by Indomptable, San Justo, and San Leandro. Despite this assistance, Santa Ana suffered nearly 240 casualties and struck her colours to Royal Sovereign at 2:20 that afternoon.Hemmed in at all sides by the enemy, Royal Sovereign suffered significant damage before she could be relieved by the remainder of the British fleet. She had lost her mizzen and main masts, most of her rigging, and suffered damage to her foremast and was no longer manoeuvrable. Even so, she continued to fire at the enemy from her port-side guns. Collingwood himself also suffered a wound to his leg whilst on deck, but was lucky in that he was only one of three officers on her quarterdeck who lived to see the end of the Battle.Following the death of Nelson at around 4:30pm, Collingwood assumed command of the fleet as commander-in-chief. Collingwood removed to H.M.S. Euryalus as a consequence of Royal Sovereign being, in his words, "perfectly unmanageable" after sustaining too much damage to continue as flagship. While Nelson's final command prior to his death had been for the fleet to anchor in advance of an oncoming gale, Collingwood disagreed and focused on those vessels still able to anchor and survive the storm. He had Royal Sovereign towed away while she was still able to stay afloat. She sustained 141 casualties over the course of the Battle.After TrafalgarFollowing the battle, missing her mizzen and mainmasts and most of her rigging, Royal Sovereign returned to Plymouth to be repaired and refitted. She thereafter returned to duty as part of the Mediterranean Fleet and participated in the ongoing blockade of Toulon. In November 1811 she was ordered to join the Channel Fleet, later being converted to harbour service as a receiving ship. Renamed Captain in 1825, she was eventually broken up at Plymouth in 1841. Four of her cannons were incorporated into the Collingwood Memorial in Tynemouth, where they may be seen to this day.Little is known about the fate of Kendall aside from his service at Trafalgar, only that he is confirmed on the roll as serving with Royal Sovereign during the battle and that he lived to claim his medal; sold together with copied medal roll.…

Sweden, Kingdom, Order of Vasa, 4th Class Knight's breast Badge, by C. F. Carlman, Stockholm, 63mm including crown suspension x 40mm, silver-gilt and enamel with gold centre, replacement loop suspension, includes a length of riband, one ray tip bent, slight enamel chipping to the tips of a few rays, otherwise good very fine, in its fitted case of issueThis award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with letters relating to Stone's receipt of the award, including the official Warrant for the award named to 'Albert Stone' and dated 23 June 1954, upon the occasion of the King of Sweden's state visit.…

The campaign group of four awarded to Captain D. J. R. Simson, Royal Navy, who was killed by a German sniper on 23 May 1940 while serving aboard H.M.S. Keith at Boulogne when the port was infiltrated by German troops; he also received a posthumous 'mention'Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Capt. D. J. R. Simson. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these in box of issue and with named Condolence slip, extremely fine (4)M.I.D. London Gazette 27 August 1940.David James Robert Simson was born on 7 September 1892, later studying at Osborne and then Dartmouth, taking the King's Medal. He was promoted Midshipman on 15 January 1910 and served aboard Russell and Lancaster in the Mediterranean and with Lion during her first commission. Later being further advanced Sub-Lieutenant on 15 April 1913, during the Great War he served on the destroyer Acasta and battleship King George V at the Battle of Jutland.From March 1918 he first held command on Usk. Simson was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January 1923, Commander on 30 June 1928, and between 1929-30 was the Executive Officer at the boys' training establishment at Shotley. After this time he returned to serving aboard destroyers and commanded, among other vessels, Vanquisher in the Mediterranean, Valorous in the Home Fleet, and between 1934-35 the cruiser Cumberland in China. During the Naval Review in 1935 Simson commanded Thanet before commanding Vivien and Winchelsea and from May 1936 the new destroyer Grenville. He was promoted Captain on 30 June 1936 and was later placed in command of Codrington from 24 August 1939 until 26 November and was then in charge of Keith from 15 February 1940.On 10 May 1940, the Germans launched their invasion of France and the Low Countries. That day Keith and her sister Boreas escorted the light cruisers Arethusa and Galatea as they carried bullion from the Dutch port of Ijmuiden to the United Kingdom for safe keeping. On 12 May, she returned to the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands to evacuate Allied troops. After the destroyer Whitley had to be run aground on 19 May when she was damaged by German aircraft, she was scuttled by Keith. Keith was one of three destroyers on 21 May that evacuated 468 civilians from France. Two days later she was in Boulogne-sur-Mer, loading British troops at the Gare Maritime to be evacuated and was attacked by German troops who had infiltrated the port area. Simson was shot by a sniper and several crew members and a dozen soldiers were also killed.He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Keith sailed for the UK immediately afterwards and was later active during Operation Dynamo. She was sunk off Dunkirk by German air attacks on the morning of 31 May 1940.Brigadier W. A. Fox-Pitt, who served as commander of the 20th Guards Brigade to defend Boulogne and was subsequently awarded a D.S.O., wrote to Simson's brother, Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Simson on 20 August 1946:'My only means of communication with England during the battle was through H.M. Ships so that if there was no destroyer in, I was completely out of touch. The last destroyers left Boulogne during the night of the 23/24th and I was out of touch with England until H.M.S. Keith came in about 3p.m. By this time I had ordered a withdrawal into a closer perimeter round the Harbour in order to prevent the Germans getting round my northerly flank and cutting us off.I went aboard the Keith and had a conference with Simson and discussed the situation and sent off certain signals explaining the progress of the battle. I also had a very welcome cup of tea and gave one of the officers a letter to post for me in England. We were both pretty certain then that it was a waste of life to continue to hold Boulogne as my casualties were mounting pretty rapidly.However, a signal arrived while I was on board from the Prime Minister saying "You will evacuate all non military personnel (Pioneer Corps etc), the 20th Guards Brigade will fight it out". I then left the Keith and went and saw my Battalion Commanders and gave further orders for holding the town. I was away about two hours and then returned to the Keith, for further orders. While on board I received the signal telling to evacuate. As it was getting late I went ashore immediately to get my orders out and understood that the destroyers would put out and come back again after dark for the evacuation. I had only just left the ship when the air attack started and during the attack Simson was killed. The destroyers left the port as soon as they could and I continued with my arrangements for evacuation. I did not know that Simson had been killed until the destroyers came in later. Condor of the Whitshed, was then left in command of the Flotilla. Just before dark the destroyers came in again and I was told that I must evacuate immediately. This meant putting my plan in motion very quickly, but eventually all the troops were evacuated by about 2 a.m. on the 25th.My recollections of your brother are pretty vivid. I found him most helpful in concocting signals to England. He was at all times thoroughly calm and collected and very quick to grasp the situation on shore. He realised the importance of the destroyers as my only link with Dover, and I fear it may have been for this reason that he stayed in the port so long, as the destroyers were a very tempting target. I don't remember the Germans being within small arms range of the Keith at the time of the air attack, but the aircraft were machine gunning as well as dropping bombs. The real battle between the destroyers and the land targets took place later when the destroyers completely silenced the Germans for the rest of the night and I saw a German tank knocked out by one of their guns myself.'Sold together with the following archive comprising:i)The handwritten letter to Mrs Simson from Admiral Sir B. H. Ramsay, dated 25 May, written from Dover expressing his deepest sympathy upon his death.ii)Officer's bicorn hat, epaulettes and sword belt in named tin, together with Greatcoat Epaulettes.iii)Two sets of his pre-Second World War miniature medals, with riband bars.iv)Silver Oar rowing prize for the VIIIth Flotilla Officers Race 1925 H.M.S. Venturous, silver napkin ring and silver clothes brush.v)Letter to his wife and that to his brother from Fox-Pitt, besides photographs and assorted calling cards (5), newspaper cutting, Blue Lists (2), The List 1940, black armbands (2), besides a four leaf clover and lucky heather.…

Netherlands, Kingdom, Order of the House of Orange, 4th Class Officer's breast Cross, by Koninklijke Begeer, Voorschoten, 61mm x 50mm, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks to obverse laurel wreath, good very fine, in its fitted case of issue, scarceThis award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with letters relating to Stone's receipt of the award, original statute book of the Order in French, and the official Warrant for the award named to 'Lt. Commander A. W. Stone, Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse' and dated 20 November 1950, upon the occasion of Queen Juliana of the Netherlands' state visit.…

Six: Leading Seaman W. H. Harris, Royal Navy who was awarded the Russian Medal for Zeal whilst aboard the Jupiter on her epic icebreaking mission to Archangel in 1915; he served with the Metropolitan Police either side of the Great War and latterly with 'X' Division1914-15 Star (12366 W. H. Harris. L.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (12366 W. H. Harris. L.S. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (212366 (Dev.B 1735) W. H. Harris L.S. R.F.R); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police issue (P.C., W. Harris.); Russia, Imperial, Medal for Zeal (212366 W.H. Harris Lg.Sea. H.M.S. Jupiter), impressed naming, claw and ring suspension to this last, very fine (6)William Henry Harris was born on 2 June 1884 at Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire. On enlistment into the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class, he was allocated to the Devonport Division and joined Impregnable, the Boys Training establishment, then moored in the River Tamar at Devonport. Harris spent eighteen months aboard Impregnable before being sent to Agincourt, an old cruiser that was then operating as a sea going training ship for boys. Agincourt was based at Portland and mostly spent time in the English Channel. On leaving Agincourt, Harris was rated an Ordinary Seaman and drafted to Vivid, the depot ship at Devonport. While at Devonport Harris spent time at Cambridge, the gunnery school and Defiance, the Torpedo school, being rated an Able Seaman during 1903.On 1 March 1904, Harris received his first sea going draft being posted to Andromeda, an 11000-ton cruiser that was commissioned for the China station. After serving aboard for a full commission, Harris on returning to Devonport purchased his discharge from the Royal Navy.He joined the Metropolitan Police Force on 25 February 1907, serving in 'X' Division (Warrant No. 94257). With the outbreak of the Great War, Harris was recalled for service and rated as Leading Seaman joining Talbot, part of the 12th Cruiser Squadron operating in the Western Channel. Harris only spent a short period of time aboard but might have still been aboard when Talbot captured a German merchant ship during September. Harris was next drafted to Jupiter. In January 1915 the Admiralty received a request for assistance from the Russian Government, as their icebreaker used to keep open the passage to Archangel in the White Sea had broken down. In response the Royal Navy sent out Jupiter, an old Majestic-class battleship. She departed for Archangel in February 1915, freeing en route a number of vessels stuck in the ice, occasionally by using explosive charges. She, too, sometimes became icebound, but still managed to make a major impression on the problem, improving the safe passage of numerous vessels, many of them laden with highly important war materials, among them the S.S. Thracia. The latter was taken in tow after the use of explosive charges to free her.Throughout these operations it was not unusual for the temperature to fall as low as minus 20 degrees, a hard test indeed on the morale and wellbeing of the Jupiter's crew. Her mission completed by May 1915, the Tsar expressed his gratitude by the presentation of a variety of Russian Honours and Awards to her crew, including Harris.After spending the remainder of 1915 at Devonport he was drafted to Marksman, allocated to the 12th Destroyer Flotilla which was serving with the Grand Fleet. Marksman, with Harris aboard, took an active part in the Battle of Jutland. During the battle Marksman picked up the captain of the destroyer Ardent that had been sunk taking part in the last skirmish of the battle. The following day Marksman came across the crippled destroyer Sparrowhawk, which had had her stern blown off. Marksman initially tried to tow Sparrowhawk, but the strain was too much, and the crew were taken off and the destroyer sunk.During late 1917 and early 1918 Marksman served with the Dover Patrol before returning to the Grand Fleet. The Great War over, Harris was demobilised on 19 February 1919 and returned to the Police Force, being pensioned on 29 February 1932.In the 1939 Register Harris is recorded as living at Homefield Harris Lane, Shenley, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Ellen. According to the splendid The Metropolitan Police, the men and their Medals, Volume 1 by Jim Kemp, Harris served as a Reserve Officer during the Second World War. It is possible he is entitled to a Defence Medal. 'X' Division suffered several casualties when a bomb exploded in Kilburn on 6 November 1940.…

The 'Gallipoli Evacuation 1916' D.S.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant H. J. Carnduff, Royal Navy who also added a 'mention' for his service during the evacuation of Suvla BayA talented rugby player, he was selected for the Royal Navy's team in a number of national games after the war, before tragically drowning under unusual circumstances whilst aboard ValiantDistinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1915; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. J. Carnduff. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. J. Carnduff. R.N.), very fine (4)D.S.C. London Gazette 14 March 1916, the original citation states:'For meritorious service in H.M.S. Swiftsure in operations in the Dardanelles. Lieutenant Carnduff performed good service during the evacuation of Sulva and Helles, being specially selected for the evacuation from Helles in view of his good service during the evacuation of Sulva 'M.I.D. London Gazette 14 March 1916.Herbert Julian Carnduff was born on 13 July 1892, the son of Sir Herbert Carnduff, C.I.E, a High Court judge in India. Educated at Danesbury Prep School, Bengeo, Hertford he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet on 15 January 1905, passing out as Midshipman on 15 September 1909. He served on a number of shore bases and vessels prior to the Great War; elevated to Lieutenant he was appointed to Swiftsure on 2 February 1914.During the Great War, Swiftsure escorted Indian troop convoys from Bombay to Aden from September-November 1914, when the destruction of the German light cruiser S.M.S. Emden, which had been raiding in the Indian Ocean, made this escort duty unnecessary. She was then transferred to the Suez Canal Patrol on 1 December to help defend the Canal, although she remained East Indies Station flagship while at Suez. From 27 January-4 February 1915 the ship helped to defend the Canal near Kantara during the First Suez Offensive by Ottoman forces.Swiftsure was relieved as East Indies Station flagship by the armoured cruiser Euryalus later in February 1915 and transferred to the Dardanelles for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. She joined the Dardanelles Squadron on 28 February 1915 and took part in the attack on Fort Dardanos on 2 March. She and Triumph were detached from the Dardanelles on 5 March for operations against forts at Smyrna, returning to the Dardanelles on 9 March. She participated in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March and supported the main landings at West Beach at Cape Helles on 25 April and subsequent landings, including the attack on Achi Baba on 4 June. On 18 September, a German submarine unsuccessfully attacked her while she was on a voyage from Mudros to Suvla Bay. She took part in the bombardment of Dedeagatch on 18 January 1916. Swiftsure left the Dardanelles in February 1916.Carnduff left Swiftsure on 13 January 1916, joining Ribble for a two-month appointment followed by Mosquito for the next four months ending 13 July. A number of shore-based appointments followed after which he was posted to command the patrol boat P59 from 19 February 1917 until 7 September followed by command of P45. The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, considered Carnduff 'much to blame' in a grounding of P45 and Carnduff was cautioned to be more careful in future.He was next appointed to command the destroyer Lucifer on 28 January 1918 serving aboard her until the end of the war. Carnduff married Nina Iris Grahame Chambers in 1918, sister of Pansy Chambers, a Great War poet. Nina was credited with launching the fashion trend of adorning a lady's arm with a fancy-coloured butterfly tattoo in 1919; quite risqué at the time!Appointed to Valiant on 1 September 1921, Carnduff drowned at Plymouth 'under mysterious circumstances' on 13 April 1922. He had gone ashore to play rugby, and was seen in Plymouth at 11.20pm, 'sober and normal'. His body was found the next day off Bull Point. It was thought that he might have fallen into the water while trying to find a boat that could take him back to the battleship.Carnduff's brother, Captain K.M. Carnduff, was killed in action on 12 January 1916 whilst serving with the 2nd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers; sold together with an extensive archive of copied research.…

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Ladysmith (136135 A-B: C. Barham, H.M.S. Powerful), a little pitting, very fineCharles Barham was born at Dartford, Kent on 28 September 1869 and was a plumber by trade upon his joining the Royal Navy in January 1886. A spell of 14 days in the cells for insubordination was his only blemish during an otherwise excellent career.Having shared in the Naval Brigade with the guns of Powerful during the Siege of Ladysmith, Barham joined the Coast Guard Station at Beaulieu in September 1900. He latterly served on the Stations at Lymington, Totland and the Isle of Wight, being made Commissioned Boatman in October 1903. During the Great War he served on Roxburgh from August 1914 until being posted to the Western Croyde Station in November 1915. Chief Officer at Paignton by May 1919, he retired in January 1923.…

The 1960 C.B.E. group of four to Captain W. R. J. Redman, Royal Navy, who pre-war served as a Gunnery Specialist and later served as a member of the Ordnance Board and eventually became Chief Inspector of Naval OrdnanceThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Defence and War Medals 1939-1945; Coronation 1953, the campaign medals mounted as worn, very fine or better (4)C.B.E. London Gazette 31 December 1960.William Richard Jeffries Redman was born on 27 October 1905 and joined the Royal Navy in September 1923 as a Naval Cadet (Special Entry). Promoted to Midshipman in 1924, he served on Royal Sovereign and Versatile and then went to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich in December 1926. Redman was promoted Lieutenant in 1928 and saw service on Venomous, Verity, Pembroke and Tiverton. In September 1931 he saw service at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and later served at Excellent and carried out a qualifying course for specialism in Gunnery.He became an Instructor of Gunnery at the Royal Naval Gunnery School based at Chatham in July 1934 and, after a brief spell on Cairo, served at the Naval Ordnance Inspectorate at Woolwich as Assistant Inspector of Naval Ordnance and during his time there was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. By March 1940 he was based at Headquarters Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance as Assistant to the Chief of Naval Ordnance and had reached the rank of Commander. In November 1943 he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment based at Pendine, South-West Wales and served as the Deputy Superintendent.After the war, he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment this time based at Inchterf as Deputy Superintendent in Charge before being sent to the Naval Ordnance Department Headquarters at Bath in June 1948 where he served as Assistant to the Director of Naval Ordnance. By November 1954 he was serving with the Ordnance Board having the responsibility for the Board's work on guns for all services (this shared with the Army). Redman was attached to the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance in June 1958 with the position of Deputy C.I.N.O. and became Chief Inspector in February 1962 a position he held until April 1966. He became Captain (Retired) and was re-employed as Naval Ordnance Inspecting Officer Group B, based at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed, South-East Wales, a position he held until August 1968. Redman later died at Bath in 1971.Sold together with an archive comprising:(i)Certificate for the C.B.E. in Central Chancery envelope.(ii)Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue for the C.B.E.(iii)Certificate for the Coronation 1953 medal.(iv)Officers Training Corps Certificate, Dover College dated "A" 18 July 1923.(v)Warrant for Promotion to Sub-Lieutenant dated 28 February 1928.(vi)Certificate for Instruction in Gunnery dated 30 September 1932.(vii)Results of Examinations Lieutenants "G" Qualifying 1932.(viii)Certificate for Member of the Institution of Engineering Inspection, dated 14 October 1959.(ix)Book: A History of the Order of the British Empire.(x)Statutes of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 1957.(xi)Service of Dedication in St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Jubilee of the Order, dated 24 May 1967.(xii)A large amount of correspondence to include details relating to his Investiture, numerous letters of congratulation from both Military and Civilian.(xiii)A large number of photographs, both professionally and amateurly shot to include one taken outside Buckingham Palace after his Investiture, together with a family album of photographs.(ix)A prize medal from H.M.S. Royal Sovereign (Arbuthnot Trophy Race. 1924. 8th Man Home.).(x)A copy of his record of service.A photocopy of the Official History of the Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance.(xi)A quantity of assorted letters to his wife, housed in an attache case.(xii)A brass door plaque named (W. R. J. Redman R.N. No 1.)For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 444.…

The campaign group of three awarded to Major F. C. Griffin, Royal Artillery, who was killed in the attack on the fortified village of Ambiokh during the Bhootan campaign, when an enemy shell hit an open gunpowder cask in the midst of his small battery, killing three officers and four gunners outrightCrimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lieut. F. C. Griffin Royal Artillery) contemporary engraved naming; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Umbeyla, Bhootan (Major F. C. Griffin. R.A.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, fitted with silver swivel-bar, recently mounted court-style, suspension, lightly polished otherwise good very fine or better (3)Frederick Cockburn Griffin was born at Budock, Cornwall on 26 February 1832, the son of Cahterine and Captain Charles Griffin, Royal Navy. Joining the Royal Artillery as a Cadet on 28 January 1947 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 19 December 1849, being advanced Lieutenant on 3 October 1851.In that rank he served with No. 1 Battery, 9th Battalion, Royal Artillery in the Crimea where he was one of two Lieutenants. This unit was present for the final bombardment of Sebastopol and eventually its fall, Griffin must have performed well during the campaign as he was advanced 2nd Captain not long later on 23 February 1956.Further promoted Captain on 19 January 1961 he was posted to India in command of half of 'C' Battery, 19 Brigade R.A. Whilst there Griffin took part in the Umbeyla expedition- this was planned as a swift strike at a force of hostile tribesmen on what the British believed to be friendly ground. Sadly they were mistaken and the campaign became a slow slog with the same patches of ground being repeatedly fought over costing the British 1,000 casualties.Again Griffin must have performed well during the fighting as he was advanced Brevet Major on 5 August 1864. That same year he was involved in the Bhootan campaign in command of two Armstrong Mountain guns which accompanied the Daling Column along with two 8-inch Mortars. This Column- one of four launched into Bhutan - left on 28 November 1864 under the command of Major C. J. S. Gough, V.C., and Major J. R. Pugh.Their first major engagement was an attack on the fortified village of Ambiokh on 6 December 1864. This fortified village was located upon a thickly wooded hill below the fort of Dhalimcote- or Dalinkote, the name given upon Griffin's service papers- and defended by a solid stockade. As the British approached the Bhutanese could be seen removing the woodwork from the walls and tours in order to mitigate the effects of British artillery.As the guns opened fire the infantry advanced, only to find themselves attacked by Bhutanese troops hidden in the forests. The village was soon taken in the face of heavy resistance and the attack continued towards the fort, which posed a tougher challenge. It was situated at the top of the hill, above a steep slope and proved a difficult proposition for both infantry and artillery. The mountain guns were brought up as closely as possible and began a covering fire for the infantry struggling up the hill and suffering heavy casualties in the face of a furious fire. The mortars were brought up to add to the covering fire and Griffin joined them to measure out the charges, British Battles on Land and Sea relates the tragedy that follows, stating:'By this time, our mortars had been dragged to the ridge below the fort, and placed in position there, "The charge of powder," says Dr Rennie, "contained in the made-up cartridges being too great for so short a range, it was necessary to weigh out charges specially suited for it, and a barrel of gunpowder was opened for the purpose. At the second round from the mortars, one of the shells burst at the muzzle, and caused the explosion of the powder-cask. Major Griffen, who at the time was weighing the charges out, Lieutenant Anderson and Waller of the Royal Artillery, and four gunners of the same corps were killed by the explosion, while Lieutenant Collins of the Royal Engineers, and several artillerymen, were severely mutilated."Brigadier Dunford had a narrow escape from being also a victim.'Three of the four artillery officers, Major Griffin, Lieutenants E. A. Anderson and E. Waller, together with four of the gunners were killed outright, and Lieutenant W. H. Collins R.E. and a number of men were wounded. Fortunately the mountain guns were still in action and well manned, they breached the walls and the infantry poured into the fort, taking it and winning the battle.Griffen is commemorated on a memorial at St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta alongside other officers killed during the Bhootan expedition; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

Iraq, Kingdom, Order of Al Rafidain (Two Rivers), Military Division, 5th Class breast Badge, by Garrard & Co., 65mm including crossed swords suspension x 46mm, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, on length of riband, about extremely fine, in its fitted case of issueThis award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with letters relating to Stone's receipt of the award, which was conferred upon the occasion of the King of Iraq's state visit and banquet in July 1956.…

'On Tuesday May 27th, the crew of the NC-4 was up before dawn. The engines and radio was checked out and on the signal from Read, Elmer Stone advanced the throttles and the big flying boat lifted off in the early morning for Lisbon Portugal. Another chain of destroyers extended between the Azores and Lisbon. The weather was good and as the NC-4 passed over each destroyer the ship radioed a message of her passage to the base ship Melville at Ponta Delagada and the cruiser Rochester in Lisbon who in turn reported to the Navy Department in Washington. At 19:30 the flashing light from the Coba da Roca lighthouse was spotted and the NC-4 passed over the coastline. The big aircraft turned southward toward the Tagus estuary and Lisbon. At 20:01 on May 27, 1919, the NC-4s keel sliced into the waters of the Tagus. The welcome was tumultuous. A transatlantic flight, the first one in the history of the world, was an accomplished fact!Early in the morning of 30 May the NC-4 departed Lisbon for Plymouth England. The NC-4 sat down in the Mondego River to investigate an overheating engine. The radiator had developed a leak and was repaired but because of a low tide condition it became too late in the day to take off and reach Plymouth before dark so Read proceeded to Ferrol in northern Spain to spend the night. They were back in the air the next morning and as they approached Plymouth a formation of Royal Air Force seaplanes escorted the NC-4 into the harbour. A British warship fired a 21 gun salute as the NC-4 circled. The Lord Mayor of Plymouth received Commander Read and his crew and from Plymouth they went to London where they were decorated by the King of England. President Wilson, who was at the Peace Conference in Paris, sent for them, congratulated them for their outstanding achievement and introduced them to all present…'The triumphant closing stages of the NC-4's pioneering trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919; the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' website refers.The important Aero Club of America Aviation Medal of Merit, Artefacts and Archive appertaining to Walter T. Hinton, United States Navy, who co-piloted Curtiss Flying Boat 'NC-4' in the first ever trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919, a pioneering achievement for which he was awarded the Navy Cross and later the Congressional Gold Medal(i)Aero Club of America, Aviation Medal of Merit, bronze, obverse, an albatross over the globe, reverse officially engraved, 'W. K. Hinton, Pilot NC4, commemorating the Trans Atlantic Flight. May 8th to 31st 1919', 34mm., integral loop and ring suspension, complete with upper 'Aviation Medal of Merit' suspension device, and small length of original riband; accompanied by a signed declaration by Hinton, in which he gifts the award to a friend in 1978(ii)The recipient's 'match safe' vesta box, gold (marked 14K.), with black and green stripe enamel decoration and central monogram 'JPM', 47mm. by 60mm., contained in a felt-lined burgundy leather case, with lid inscription in gilt lettering, 'Walter Hinton Gold Match Box Carried on NC-4 Flight'; believed to have been another gift to Peter C. Carlson(iii)A commemorative plaque for Wilbur and Orville Wright's pioneering flight, bronze, rectangular, by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, for the U.S. Mint, obverse, conjoined busts of the brothers with inscription, 'In recognition and Appreciation of Their Ability, Courage and Success in Navigating the Air', reverse, a winged female figure holding a torch, with upper inscription, 'Shall Mount Up with Wings as Eagles', 55mm. by 80mm., somewhat discoloured by old lacquer(iv)American Aeronautical Society, bronze disc commemorating the First Annual Dinner, New York, 27 April 1911, 40mm., together with a small medallet with aircraft in flight and reverse inscription, '1954 3rd', on a black riband(v)A significant photographic archive (approximately 70 images), of aircraft, personnel and related subject matter, covering Haiti 1915, Mexico 1917, the crash of the NC-2 at Atlantic City in 1919, the take-off and in-flight of the trans-Atlantic flight, subsequent scenes from Lisbon and London - the latter including a photograph of the Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill - his triumphant return to the U.S.A., thence his Long Island to Hudson Bay flight in 1920, U.S.A. to Brazil flight in 1922-23 and take-off from the Amazon in 1925, together with images of Charles Lindbergh and Eddie Rickenbacker.(vi)A postal telegraph from Charles Lindbergh in New York, sent to Hinton in Paris in May 1919, 'Thanks for your kind invitation. Regret impossible to make definitive plans at this time'; together with a quantity of Hinton's calling cards and home stationery. (Lot)Walter T. Hinton was born in Pleasant Township, Van Wert County, Ohio on 10 November 1888, where he was raised on a farmstead. An adventurous soul, he was motivated by a poster urging young men to 'Join the Navy and See the World' and did just that, entering the United States Navy in February 1908 and seeing action at the occupation of Veracruz in Mexico in 1914.But it was in naval aviation that he was to make his mark, having become one of the first enlisted men gain a place at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He became an instructor on gaining his 'Wings', one of his pupil pilots being Richard E. Byrd, afterwards the famous polar aviator.Of his subsequent exploits as co-pilot with Elmer Stone of the Curtiss NC-4's trail blazing trans-Atlantic crossing in May 1919, much has been written, including The Flying Firsts of Walter Hinton, by Benjamin J. Burns. In addition, numerous website sources bear testament to the epic nature of the flight, a particularly detailed account appearing on the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' site:https://cgaviationhistory.org/1919-nc-4-transatlantic-flight/Of the three flying boats that set out from Rockaway Beach, New York on 8 May 1919, only NC-4 made it safely to Lisbon, via ports of call in Nova Scotia and the Azores in a journey lasting 19 days. The subject of rapturous receptions over the coming weeks - not just in Lisbon, but in London and Paris too - Hinton and his crew enjoyed further accolades by way of reward, among them honours bestowed by the Portuguese and British governments, in addition to those presented them on returning to America; Hinton's Navy Cross was later surpassed by a Congressional Gold Medal awarded him in 1929.During the 1920s, he continued his pioneering work, exploring the Arctic by balloon, including a wayward flight in Navy Balloon A-5598 from Rockaway Naval Air Station to Moose Factory, Ontario, a winter trip which ended with a month-long hike back to civilisation. He also made the first flight from North America to South America, where he explored the Amazon forest by hydroplane; his first attempt at that feat nearly ended in disaster, when he was compelled to take to the wing of his aircraft in shark infested waters off Cuba.A noted speaker on aviation matters, Hinton was President and founder of the Aviation Institute of the U.S.A., and published a number of periodicals, including Pioneers in Aviation, Aviation Progress and Wings of Opportunity.Retiring to Pompano Beach, Florida - where he delighted in sharing his memories with all and sundry - his glittering career was crowned by a supersonic flight in Concorde, when, as a special guest, the Atlantic crossing took less than four hours. After his death in 1981, his ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. SALE 25001 NOTICE:Gold match safe weighs 34g. Naming of the Aero Club of America Medal now added to the Lot.

Royal Navy Channel Fleet Revolver Cup, an extremely elaborate silver and enamel prize medal, 85mm x 62mm, hallmarked Birmingham 1908 by J. A. R., features central ship's anchor with an enamelled white ensign and 'Inter Ship' in riband format below, a branch of laurel to the left side and a branch of oak to the right, above a shooting target and 'Channel Fleet' set in blue enamel, below 'Revolver Cup' set in blue enamel, to the sides two revolvers pointing upwards, the medal topped with a Midshipman's crown, the reverse plain but fitted with ring suspension and also an easel stand for display, a couple of light scratches to the enamel, otherwise lightly toned very fineProvenance:Susan Orlik, May 2006.…

The mounted C.B.E. group of four miniature dress medals worn by Captain W. R. J. Redman, Royal NavyThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) Badge; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, toned good very fine (4)For his full-size awards and a biographical note, please see Lot 304.…

'H.M.S. Eclipse was escorting a Northern convoy on 29th March 1942 when in Arctic weather she fought an action with German destroyers of the Narvik class. In a running fight in the snow she badly damaged one of the enemy, hitting her six times with 4.7 shells. As the Eclipse was about to finish off this ship with a torpedo attack two other German destroyers appeared, and the Eclipse was hit. She hit one of the enemy, which did not pursue them, and she proceeded to Murmansk. She had been handled throughout with great skill and determination in very severe conditions, with one of her guns out of action owing to ice.'(The remarkably exciting award recommendation for Eclipse's crew following her life and death struggle in Artic Waters)An exciting Post-War C.V.O. group of nine awarded to Commander D. L. Cobb, Royal Navy, who was 'mentioned' as gunnery officer of Eclipse during a remarkable destroyer action in March 1942 which saw her cripple a German destroyer only to be engaged by two more enemy vessels and drive them offLater 'mentioned' again for good service in the Aegean including his bravery in the tragic sinking of Eclipse, Cobb went on to command Cockade when she brought relief to those affected by the 1957 Sri Lankan Floods and was heavily involved in implementing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award while a Deputy LieutenantThe Royal Victorian Order, Commander's (C.V.O.) neck Badge, silver and enamel, in its Collingwood box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Korea 1950-53 (Lt Cdr. D. L. Cobb R.N.), officially re-impressed; U.N. Korea 1950-54; Jubilee 1977, the last eight mounted court-style as worn, overall very fine (9)C.V.O. London Gazette 31 December 1977.David Laurence Cobb was born in March 1922 in Hendon, London, the son of Samuel and Mary Cobb. He joined the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 1 May 1939 and was advanced Sub-Lieutenant during the Second World War. Posted to H.M.S. Eclipse he was 'mentioned' for his services during a convoy escort mission with her (London Gazette 23 June 1942). The award recommendation includes greater detail stating:'As Gunnery Control Officer, controlled a steady and accurate fire on the enemy, hitting him repeatedly, under very difficult conditions.'Still with her when she was transferred to the Aegean, Cobb received further plaudits for his cool and effective gunnery. This gunnery was put to the test during the Gaetano Donizetti action on 22 September 1943. This Italian freighter had been seized by the Germans to carry arms to Rhodes, escorted by the torpedo boat TA10. Eclipse encountered the convoy and attacked immediately, her guns were worked immaculately, sinking Gaetano Donizetti in minutes and damaging TA10 so heavily that she was scuttled days later.Cobb was again 'mentioned' for 'Operations in Dodecanese Islands culminating in the sinking of Eclipse on 24 October 1943' (London Gazette 4 April 1944 refers). The recommendation adds:'A painstaking and efficient G.C.O., always cheerfull [SIC] in adversity and setting a high example. His handling of the gun armaments was responsible for the successful outcome of two engagements in the Dodecanese against surface craft.'Still with her the next month Cobb was present for the horrific sinking of Eclipse, when she struck a mine on 24 October and broke in two, sinking within five minutes. Of the ships complement of 145 men there were only 36 survivors and tragically at the time she was also carrying 'A' Company, 4th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), who lost 134 men out of 170.Cobb was extremely lucky to survive the sinking and joined the complement of Beaufort on 18 December 1943. This vessel was stationed in the Aegean as well and was present for the bombardment of Kos and later the failed attempt to halt the German invasion of Leros.Post war Cobb continued to serve being promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 16 February 1950 and later Commander in 1953. Posted to command H.M.S. Cockade in 1957, taking part in relief efforts of the Sri-Lankan Floods of 1958. That same year Cobb took part in the Navy Pageant at the Royal Tournament.Placed upon the retired list on 2 January 1961 and was appointed assistant secretary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Appointed Deputy Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1977 and the same year Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. It was likely for his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards that he was awarded his C.V.O.. Cobb died at Sydney, Australia on 29 January 1999; sold together with copied research.…

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Able Seaman J. Kennedy, Royal Navy, one of Captain Peel's famed 'Shannons'Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Jas Kennedy, A.B. H.M.S. Shannon), suspension somewhat slack, light contact marks, very fineJames Kennedy served with H.M.S. Shannon with the number 344 and appears as a Leading Seaman on the roll. The Shannon was an imposing Liffey-class steam frigate armed with 51 guns. Originally intended for service in China, she left Hong Kong in company with the Pearl when news broke of the Indian Mutiny. When she docked at Calcutta in August 1857 she was, at that time, the largest vessel to have navigated so far up the River Hooghly. Her Captain William Peel V.C., C.B., took a considerable risk in moving her into such shallow water, but subsequent events were to prove him a man undaunted by any danger.Sir Patrick Grant, who was then acting Commander-in-Chief at Calcutta, knew that British forces in Oudh were woefully short of heavy guns. He ordered Peel to form a Naval Brigade comprising 'Bluejackets' from both the Shannon and the Pearl. The contingent from Pearl numbered 175 men, bringing the Naval Brigade's total strength to 408 officers and men, including Marines from both ships.This force was armed with: ten 8-inch 68-pounders with 400 rounds of shot and shell per gun, four 24-pounders, four 12-pounders, a 24-pounder howitzer, and eight rocket tubes. 800 bullocks were required. For the voyage up the Ganges, the men and guns were to be transported in a steamer called the Chunar, as well as a flat-bottomed transport. The force left Calcutta on 29 September, heading straight towards 'The Devil's Wind'.On 10 October, the contingent from Pearl stopped at Buxar on the Ganges, and thenceforward operated separately under the command of Captain E. S. Sotheby. The remainder of Peel's Naval Brigade, already nicknamed 'The Shannons', continued up the Ganges to Cawnpore, where British forces were gathering for the Second Relief of Lucknow. Peel kept the men occupied with constant drilling and manoeuvres. He knew that in battle, the guns would have to be moved using drag ropes, eighteen men to each gun.Sir Colin Campbell was greeted with a great cheer when he arrived at Cawnpore on 31 October, assuming command of the army. His force only amounted to 3,400 men, made up of detachments from HM 8th, 23rd, 53rd, 82nd, 90th and 93rd Foot, the 2nd and 4th Punjab Infantry, and the 9th Lancers. Peel's Naval Brigade thus proved invaluable when the force arrived before Lucknow on 15 November.The next day, Peel's guns and two heavy guns of the Royal Artillery began a fierce bombardment of the Sikanderabagh, a huge rebel-held building, 130 yards square, with a thick, brick, loopholed wall 20 feet high, flanked by bastions at the corners. After firing for 90 minutes, the guns had created a small hole, three feet high and three and a half feet wide. As their pipers struck up the Highland Charge 'Haughs of Cromdale', men of the 93rd Highlanders surged forward in the hope of being the first to enter this 'breach', and won six Victoria Crosses.Although losses at the Sikanderabagh were severe, the stormers were able to trap about 2,000 mutineers in a corner of the building. Remembering earlier atrocities, particularly the massacre of women and children at Bibighar, Cawnpore on 15 July (the gore at Bibighar lay undisturbed, creating a nightmarish scene for troops passing through), the stormers killed every man they found. Lord Roberts later recalled:'There they lay, in a heap as high as my head, a heaving, surging mass of dead and dying inextricably tangled.'The capture of the Sikanderabagh enabled Campbell's army to reach the beleaguered Residency compound, but having lost 45 officers and 496 men, Campbell realised he could not possibly hold Lucknow against the vast rebel armies in the region.On 19 November, the evacuation of the Residency began. Women and children who for six months had suffered unimaginable terrors emerged from its shattered ramparts and filed towards Dilkushah, under the protection of the 9th Lancers. Campbell organised the evacuation so that the enemy never suspected a British withdrawal. The Naval Brigade was pivotal to this conceit: while Peel's guns and rockets pounded the Kaiserbagh as if in preparation for an assault, women and children were silently extricated from the Residency compound, under the noses of a distracted foe. Part of the rearguard, Peel's Bluejackets were among the last to quit Lucknow on the night of 22 November; it was many hours before the mutineers realised that the Residency was empty.Return to CawnporeJust before leaving Cawnpore for Lucknow, Sir Colin Campbell had left 500 men to defend the city under the command of General Windham. Included in this garrison were fifty Bluejackets of the Shannon, with two 24-pounders, led by Lieutenant Hay and Naval Cadets Watson and Lascelles. Cawnpore lay on the Grand Trunk Road, its bridge of boats over the Ganges a vital artery for British supply and communication. Most of Campbell's reinforcements arrived via Cawnpore (hence why the massacre there had such impact).On 19 November, Windham's tiny garrison was invested by 25,000 mutinous sepoys of the Gwalior Contingent, led by Tantia Tope. Windham's men, including the Bluejackets, dug entrenchments at each end of the bridge of boats and managed to hold it for ten days. Since Kennedy was not awarded the 'Relief of Lucknow' clasp, he may very well have been a part of this 50-strong detachment at Cawnpore.Hearing of Windham's plight, Campbell left Sir James Outram with a small force to hold the Alum Bagh, near Lucknow. With the remainder of his army, including the Naval Brigade, Campbell dashed southwards. When heavy gun-fire could be heard from Cawnpore on 27 September, Campbell pressed ahead with his cavalry and horse artillery. He linked up with Windham's entrenchments the following day, and to his great relief, the bridge of boats remained intact.The Naval Brigade arrived on the northern bank of the Ganges two days later. The mutineers had massed their artillery on the southern bank, aiming to destroy the bridge of boats, but Peel's guns quickly silenced them. Over subsequent days, Campbell arranged for the sick, wounded and non-combatants from Lucknow (over 2,000 souls) to be escorted to Allahabad, thence to Calcutta. This left him free to conduct offensive operations. He received reinforcements, including a wing of the 42nd Foot, bringing his total force to 600 cavalry, 5,000 infantry and 35 guns. On 6 December, he launched a full-scale assault across the river. In The Devil's Wind: The Story of the Naval Brigade at Lucknow (1956), G. L. Verney tells how the Naval Brigade lifted morale when the assault began to falter:'Every attempt at forward movement was met by a storm of shot, shell and bullets, the slow rate of fire of the [rebel] muskets being compensated by the large number of men handling them. Each rush cost a few lives and it looked bad. In the clouds of dust and smoke which billowed across the plain, it was hard for commanders to see what was happening or why the advance in that area was making so little progress. To those in front, it seemed that increased artillery support was their only hope.Suddenly, however, the men of the 53rd Foot and the 4th Punjab Infantry, lying down near the bridge and extended short of the bank of the Canal, heard a rumble of wheels behind them, and there they saw Captain Peel, followed by a 24-pounder gun, hand-drawn and double-crewed, some forty Seamen, running hard, followed by a limber. "Action Front" shouted Peel, an…

‘I am glad to learn that the Government has granted an increase of the pension allowed to ex-Lieut. Charles Jenkins, a native of Ventnor, of the Cape Mounted Rifles ... for distinguished conduct in the field during the Zulu War of 1879. Lieut. Jenkins daringly made the charge single-handed with revolver and sword upon a number of Zulus who were defending their own kraal, but were forced by him to retreat, seven of the enemy being left dead ... It was owing to the action of Lieut. Jenkins that an army of Zulus who were coming over the hill at the battle of Inyazana ... were successfully put to flight ... Lord Chelmsford afterwards recommended the soldier for promotion from Sergeant-Major to Lieutenant.’A newspaper extract refers.The outstanding campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant C. Jenkins, Natal Native Contingent, late Royal Navy and Cape Mounted Rifles; he was the only man to earn a field commission from Lord Chelmsford during the Zulu War - that gallantry latter earned him a pension for 'for distinguished Conduct in the field'Baltic 1854-54 (C. J. Jenkins, Boy 2nd C. H.M.S. Ajax); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (Lieut. C. Jenkins, 4th Battn. N.N.C.), re-engraved naming; Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Basutoland (Pte. C. Jenkins. C. M. Rif.), mounted on silver bar as worn, very fineCharles Jenkins was born at Brading, Isle of Wight in 1840 and served in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in the Baltic operations (Medal), leaving home for a new life in South Africa in 1858. He joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen but returned home in 1868, being married on Christmas Day that year and taking work as a warder at Portsea. Little more needs to be said of his exploits during the Zulu campaign, but his record would appear to be a unique one.His final campaign would be in the Basuto Gun War of 1881, when serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles, although it took until 1903 for his Medal to reach him back on the Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight Mercury refers). Jenkins served in the Bechuanaland expedition as Interpreter to Sir Charles Warren and was 'disabled by accident on duty' in July 1885. This was further detailed in a 1904 letter from Major-General Sir F. Carrington:'I have much pleasure in testifying to the good services of Sgt. Major Charles Jenkins. He served under my command in the Basuto War in the Cape mounted Rifles and afterwards in the 2nd Mounted Rifles during Sir. C. Warren’s expedition in Bechuanaland where he was promoted to Sgt. Major for his efficiency and general good service. He unfortunately met with a severe accident when on duty by his horse backing into one of our wagons he was escorting – the horse being killed and Sgt. Major Jenkins having his collarbone and six ribs broken. He was taken to Mafeking Hospital where for some time he lay in a precarious state. He is in possession of the Baltic medal, Zulu War medal, Cape general Service medal and clasp for Basutoland. He is, I know, in most needy circumstances never having regained sufficient strength to do much work.'By April 1906 Major-General Hart Symot had taken up the case to assist in getting an increase in pension:'...I remember your gallant fighting in the critical action with the 2nd Zulu Army on the 22nd January at Inyazana, and your promotion from Non Commissioned Officer to Lieutenant in our NNC by Lord Chelmsford, upon my report.'The reply followed by letter from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in November 1906:'Sir,I am directed by the Lords and others, Commissioners of this hospital, to acquaint you that having taken into consideration all the circumstances of your case they have been pleased to increase your pension from nine pence to fifteen pence per diem. The additional 6d per day is awarded for ‘distinguished Conduct in the Field’.'The gallant old soldier died on 7 November 1919 and is buried at Ventnor.…

The campaign group of four awarded to Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman B. J. Sandoe, Royal Navy, who served during the Falklands War with H.M.S. Intrepid, upon whose deck the Argentine surrender papers were signed South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (AB (R) B J Sandoe D171525K HMS Intrepid); Gulf 1990-91 (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN), mounted as worn, light contact marks, very fine (4)Barry John Sandoe was born on 10 October 1960 and worked as a bakery assistant prior to beginning his career with the Royal Navy on 9 May 1978, initially enrolling to complete a twelve-year period of engagement. He completed his seamanship and general training at H.M.S. Raleigh and then went on to H.M.S. Dryad for his radar training. From January 1979 Sandoe was posted to patrol ship H.M.S. Orkney, patrolling the Iceland Faroes gap and the North Sea to protect fisheries. Orkney was involved in the arrest of two fishing boats for illegal nets and overfishing, the recovery and return of an oil rig buoy, and the destruction of a cargo container carrying cigarettes. His next posting was aboard Leander-class frigate H.M.S. Diomede from May 1979 until January 1981, and was promoted Able Seaman (Radar) with her.After serving again with Dryad for a short time, Sandoe joined the assault-class H.M.S. Intrepid on 23 June 1981. She was being prepared for decommission when Argentina invaded the Falklands, bringing her back into action. Her engines were reattached and she went on to serve a key role in the Falklands campaign, where she was used as a headquarters for S.A.S. and at one point 14,000 Argentinian prisoners were taken onboard. Upon the end of the conflict, the Argentine surrender papers were signed on her deck.Following the conclusion of the Falklands campaign, Sandoe was transferred in late September 1982 to the batch 2 county class destroyer H.M.S. Fife, with whom he returned to the Falklands for a six-month patrol. Sandoe was advanced Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) with her before relinquishing to Able Seaman (Radar) with H.M.S. Dryad from May 1984. He took and passed his aircrew aptitude training with H.M.S. Seahawk, and after passing his training was promoted Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) once again. Sandoe joined H.M.S. Edinburgh in July 1985 whilst awaiting his draft to the Aircrewman branch, during which time he was rated Leading Seaman (Radar) before joining the Fleet Air Arm training establishment at H.M.S. Daedalus in May 1986. Sandoe was drafted to the Aircrewman school to complete basic, advanced, and operational flying training courses at Seahawk, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Upon his successful completion of the course he was awarded his flying wings and promoted Leading Aircrewman.He served with 820 Naval Air Squadron, flying in the SeaKing H.A.S. Mk V, and embarked on H.M.S. Ark Royal for an exercise trip known as Outback 88. In June 1989 Sandoe joined the 810 Naval Air Squadron, a training squadron, whereupon he became an Aircrew Instructor. He was there only briefly before rejoining 820 Naval Air Squadron in August 1990. Once again aboard Ark Royal, Sandoe served in the Gulf War on the Mediterranean side. While there, Sandoe was involved in dramatic episode in which he was in a helicopter that ditched into the sea due to a computer malfunction. The pilot overrode for manual control before the helicopter rolled over, making them the only crew at the time to have successfully carried out a water take-off in a real scenario.Sandoe was returned to the 810 Naval Air training Squadron in November 1992 and was loaned to I.B.M. for a period to do a training analysis of their new helicopter. In 1994 he was finally promoted Petty Officer Aircrewman. Sandoe's last experience in a front-line squadron came upon his return to 820 Naval Air Squadron in April 1995, where he was posted to the Adriatic Sea conducting operations in the former Yugoslavia aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious.He returned to Seahawk in December 1996 where he was involved in the development of the new software of the SeaKing. There, he was also promoted Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman. Despite Sandoe's desire to continue to serve at the front-line, he was transferred to a desk job at D.E.R.A. in Hampshire. Sandoe's fine naval career ended one day prior to his fortieth birthday on 9 October 2000. Sold together with folder of copied and original research, including photographs and certificates, as well as flying wings and original flying logbook. For the recipient's miniature medals, please see Lot 457. …

The Second World War D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Petty Officer Cook A. V. E. Smithurst, Royal Navy who won his award serving on H.M.S. LondonLondon was the flagship for the escort force that failed to safeguard convoy PQ17 resulting in the loss of two thirds of the convoys vesselsDistinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.P.O. Cook (S) A Van Eck Smithurst. C/M. 33903); British War and Victory Medals (33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. CK.R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (MX.33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. C.P.O. CK.R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (M 33903 A.V.E. Smithurst C.P.O. CK. H.M.S. Enterprise), contact marks, good very fine (9)D.S.M. London Gazette 14 June 1945.Allan Van Eck Smithurst was born on 7 September 1900 at Grantham, Lincolnshire, the son of Percy Smithurst. A baker, Smithurst enlisted in the Royal Navy on 10 September 1918, he was shore based for the duration of the Great War. Remaining in service after the war he served variously on Calypso, Ceres, and Cumberland in 1927 by which time he had been promoted to Leading Cook. On 24 November 1930 he was promoted to Petty Officer Cook and on 22 October 1933 whilst serving on Enterprise he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer Cook on 7 November 1934 he was posted to Sussex for service in the Mediterranean qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal.Shore based at the beginning of the Second World War he was posted to London on 7 February 1941 and served aboard her for the duration of the war.London was involved in the pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941. During this time at sea, many cracks appeared in her upper deck and hull, due to the weight of the new superstructure causing stresses. She entered a commercial shipyard on the River Tyne in October 1941 and was under repair until February 1942. London then spent March-November 1942 in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties in the company of several US Navy warships.Convoy PQ 17On 27 July 1942, convoy PQ-17 departed Iceland for the Soviet Union. Out of 34 merchant ships, only 11 would make it to port. At first, things seemed to be going well for the convoy as they beat off multiple German air attacks with relative ease. But, on 4 July, everything went wrong. An order arrived from Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, the First Sea Lord himself, reading 'Convoy is to scatter'. Fearing an imminent attack from German surface ships like Tirpitz the escort ships fled west while the merchant ships made for the Soviet Union.But the Tirpitz was nowhere near the convoy, in fact, it was still at its moorings in northern Norway. Instead of saving the convoy from disaster, Admiral Pound's order had doomed PQ-17 to destruction. Over the following week, two thirds of the convoy were sunk by German aircraft and U-Boats. It was the biggest loss to a British convoy of the Second World War.This period of operations in the heavy North Atlantic seas caused hull cracks and popped rivets in her lower hull, necessitating the ship again going into the dry-dock in December 1942 for strengthening of the hull and for the fitting of newer and more refined radar, and of more light anti-aircraft guns. This refit rectified her hull and was completed in May 1943, with the ship ready for sea in July. After sea trials and loading of ammunition, she was assigned to operate off the South African coast and then to the Eastern Fleet for the rest of the war.The story of H.M.S. London is the subject of a book written by Iain Ballantyne, ' From Fighting Sail to The Arctic Convoys & Tomorrow's War.', which relates the following about PQ17, stating:'Relentless air attacks by bombers flying from German airbases in northern Norway, coupled with incendiary attacks by submarines operating in Wolf packs, began to take a heavy toll on the merchant ships with losses increasing daily. On 4 July the First Sea Lord Admiral Pound, expecting a German surface attack in superior strength on the close support group, ordered the cruisers and escort destroyers to turn back to the west and instructed the convoy to scatter. Between 4 and 6 July, 18 freighters were sunk by surface ships, submarines and land-based aircraft. On 7 July three further ships were torpedoed by submarines. On 10 July three ships were bombed and sunk by aircraft. Only when the surviving ships of the convoy began to straggle onto Archangel did it become apparent that the convoy had suffered catastrophic loses. Nine ships of 56,611 tons were sunk by U-Boats; eight ships of 40,376 tons were sunk by the Luftwaffe; and eight ships which were damaged during air attacks were finished off by U-Boats. A total of 24 ships totalling 143,977 tons were lost, along with 3,350 military vehicles, 430 tanks, 210 aircraft and 99,316 tons of war supplies.'Smithurst was shore pensioned on 1 August 1945. He died at Hastings, Sussex in 1974; sold together with copied research.…

Denmark, Kingdom, Order of the Dannebrog, F.IX.R., 4th Class Knight's breast Badge, by A. Michelsen, Copenhagen, 59mm including crown suspension x 29mm, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted as worn on pin marked 'sterling silver', nearly extremely fine, in its fitted case of issue, this damagedThis award is attributed to Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone, Royal Navy, Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse of the Royal Household and Serjeant-at-Arms to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II.Sold together with assorted documents related to Stone's receipt of the award, including the official Warrant for the award named to 'Chief Accountant, Privy Purse Office, Lieutenant Commander Albert William Stone' on the occasion of the King of Denmark's state visit in May 1951.…

A rare campaign group of four awarded to Stoker Petty Officer B. J. Taylor, Royal Navy, who was present for the Battle of Cocos between H.M.A.S. Sydney and S.M.S. Emden on 9 November 1914 whilst loaned to the Royal Australian Navy1914-15 Star (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (296629 B. J. Taylor. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O. H.M.S. Adventure.) together with H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal 1914, silver, 32mm, presented by the people of Western Australia, named on the reverse (B. J. Taylor. Stoker P’y Off’r) fitted with usual ring for suspension; and H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican 8 Réales dated ‘1876’, mounted by W. Kerr, Sydney, small chop marks to both sides, this last nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (6)Benjamin James Taylor was born at Garston, Lancashire on 30 August 1881 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 14 January 1901. His first service afloat was with Magnificent in July 1901 and he was still with her the next year when advanced Stoker on 18 February 1902. Further advanced Stoker 1st Class on 1 July 1906 and Leading Stoker on 7 September 1911 while stationed with Indus.Transferring to Vivid II Taylor was finally promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 10 September 1912. The next year he was loaned to the nascent Royal Australian Navy on 1 March 1913, arriving at H.M.A. London Depot that same day.Sydney - EmdenTaylor was posted to Sydney on 27 June 1913 and was still with her when the war began as she steamed north to join the battlecruiser H.M.A.S. Australia. They were assigned to the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force which seized New Guinea in September 1914. With the Pacific swiftly secured Australian troops were to be deployed to Egypt and Sydney was ordered to escort the first convoy out in November 1914.At the same time Emden was coming to the end of her epic voyage of destruction through the Indian Ocean. Her next target was the Communications station on the Cocos Islands which she succeeded in knocking out on 9 November, however not before a distress signal was sent. The troop convoy picked up this signal and Sydney was sent out to investigate the disturbance.Newly constructed Sydney had superior speed, armour and firepower to Emden however Captain Jessop was not aware of his opponents' capabilities. As such he agreed with the gunnery officer to open fire at a range of 9,500 yards which he believed to be outside her range. This was not the case however and it was Emden which opened the batting, opening fire and scoring hits on her fourth volley, damaging the aft rangefinders.Emden's only hope was to cause as much damage as possible while the surprise of her attack lasted. However Sydney was in the fight now, the obvious decision would be to use her superior speed to increase the range and batter Emden from afar however the damage to her rangefinders meant that increasing the range would reduce the accuracy of her gunnery. As such she missed with her first two salvoes, destroying Emden's wireless office and her forward gun.As the battle continued Sydney's speed and firepower began to tell, soon destroying the German vessel's steering gear and knocking out a number of guns. Another volley toppled the forward funnel and a shell landed in her aft magazine, forcing the Emden's crew to flood it. Eventually with only one gun still firing, both funnel's collapsed and the engine room ablaze Emden beached on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop ordered Sydney to ceasefire and signalled the troop convoy 'Emden beached and done for'.Epilogue Taylor continued to serve with Sydney for much of the rest of the war, being returned to the Royal Navy on 23 January 1918. Posted to Adventure on 27 August he saw convoy duty with her until 11 August 1919 and went ashore for the final time. He was finally discharged on 9 June 1922, having earned a war gratuity for his service including the Emden action; sold together with copied service papers.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted image of a C.B. Badge, inscribed 'Edward Lowther Crofton Esquire, Post Captain in the Royal Navy, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815.', reverse with maker's stamp for Hughes, 8 Peterboh. Co.., Fleet Str., London, 191mm x 114mm, corners pierced for attachment, very fineThis stall plate was produced between 1826 and 1838, during which time Hughes copper and steel plate makers was headquartered at Peterborough Court, Fleet Street.Edward Lowther Crofton was born on 24 November 1783, likely in County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of John Frederick Lowther Crofton and the grandson of Anglo-Irish politician Sir Marcus Lowther Crofton, 1st Baronet. Crofton embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, with whom he was commissioned Lieutenant in March 1804, Commander in February 1805 and was promoted Post Captain on 4 March 1811.Crofton was active during the War of 1812 and served as Post Captain in the Naval Brigade of Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn during the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814. Following the British burning of the enemy capital at Washington D.C., they returned to their ships and travelled up river towards Baltimore, Maryland and proceeded to bombard the harbour's Fort McHenry in an attempt to take the city. The fort was well-defended and stood up to the 25-hour bombardment after which the British fleet departed. The conflict notably inspired the American national anthem.Crofton's conduct during the engagement was praised by the Rear-Admiral in his public letter, in which he stated: '...the brigade of seamen with small arms, commanded by Captain Edward Crofton, assisted by Captains Sulivan, Money, and Ramsay, who commanded divisions under him, behaved with a gallantry and steadiness which would have done honour to the ablest troops, and which attracted the admiration of the army.'A year after the battle, Crofton was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in June 1815. The following year he married Mary Leader on 23 April 1816 and the couple went on to have issue of at least one son and one daughter, who was born at Putney Hill in Surrey on 10 September 1818. Their son, also named Edward Lowther Crofton, was a Captain in the 77th Regiment of Foot who died of cholera in the Crimea on 27 September 1854 during the march from Alma to Balaclava.Crofton died just a few years after his award of the C.B. in September 1818; sold together with copied research. …

Sold by Order of the Recipient'We swing between the steel gates to see sabotaged cranes lying toppled and half-immersed in the foul thickness of what was once water - like the skeletons of prehistoric creatures preserved in their death throes...Their only light relief is when they are allowed to blow up the massive stocks of light ammunition left behind by fleeing Iraqis...My team is working just inside the main harbour wall; those not diving or supervising are huddled around a brazier in whatever layers of clothing they can fit over their uniform. They look like a group of down-and-outs surviving inner city decay on an English winter's day.I am met by their CO, Lieutenant Peter Williams, once a carefree Sub Lieutenant with me in Avenger. He now looks drawn and a good deal older - but I dare say so do I. His exploits will rightly win him a Distinguished Service Cross...I inspect their 'goodies', row upon row of Iraqi ordnance: booby traps extracted from dark corners; abandoned shells and grenades; flares and machine-gun bullet bandoliers and weapon cases. They are all stacked neatly into little symmetrical pyramids along the jetty.'Captain Craig brings to life the scenes in the Gulf in Call for FireAn outstanding Gulf War Bomb Disposal 1991 D.S.C. group of twelve awarded to Commander A. P. Williams, Royal Navy, who led Fleet Diving Unit B during Operation 'Granby'He led 'utterly from the front' with a cool confidence to the task, keeping a detailed - and hitherto unpublished - diary of events during those pivotal days and 'personally led several countermining sorties - by day and night - against some of the 1,500 Iraqi mines' and latterly in the post-War efforts in 'appalling and hazardous conditions to clear the Kuwaiti harbours' - thus adding a scarce 'Kuwait' clasp to his laurels for his work commanding Fleet Diving Unit B & NP1037Distinguished Service Cross, E.II.R., the reverse engraved 'Lt A P Williams RN', with its Royal Mint case of issue; Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (Lt A P Williams RN); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Kuwait (Lt A P Williams RN); N.A.T.O. Medal, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; N.A.T.O. Medal, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., with 2 Additional Service Bars (Lt Cdr A P Williams DSC RN), with the named box of issue; Oman, Sultanate, Sultan's Commendation Medal (Midal ut-Tawsit), with emblem upon riband; 45th Anniversary National Day Medal; Saudia Arabia, Kingdom, Kuwait Liberation Medal; Kuwait, Emirate, Liberation Medal, silver grade, mounted court-style as worn, these last two separately as per Order of Wear, good very fine, in a case used by the recipient, the lid blocked 'Commander Peter Williams DSC' (12)Approximately 11 D.S.C.s awarded in the post-Second World War era for actions relating to Minewarfare, Diving and EOD work.Just 7 D.S.C.s awarded for Operation 'Granby'.D.S.C. London Gazette 29 June 1991:'Williams arrived in the Northern Arabian Gulf on 1 February 1991 as Deputy Officer in Charge of Fleet Diving Unit B (FDU B). He moved into action immediately, co-ordinating training, refining techniques on new equipment, establishing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) cell and overseeing inspections for Improvised Explosive Devices (lEDs) in ships of the RN Task Group as they arrived in Bahrain.During hostilities Williams was the supervisor of an airborne EOD team and of diving operations from Gemini craft, spending many hours in helicopters in the front line of Naval operations, often within ten miles of the enemy coast. Insisting on putting himself in the way of danger before his men, he showed remarkable courage and stamina by leading personally on countermining sorties, placing charges on live buoyant mines and diving for protracted periods, often at night, on live ground mines in order to bring them to the surface for exploitation. In addition he conducted the unenviable task of recovering dead bodies from the sea into helicopters. He led a team of two men on an inspection of HMS Gloucester to search for a mine reportedly entangled in her propeller shafts.Moving ashore on 5 March to Mina Ash Shuaybah he took over as Officer In Charge of FDU B. He established a base camp and helped co-ordinate EOD operations with American and Australian Units for clearing the ports of Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Ad Dohah and Faylakah Island. The work involved rendering safe unstable live ordnance, beached mines, booby traps and lEDs, clearing buildings and oil tankers of ordnance and collecting dead bodies from the harbour waters. Often these jobs required him and his team to first reach the scene through areas of antipersonnel mines and barbed wire. Throughout this extremely dangerous operation he showed an implacable professionalism and positive leadership which was beyond his experience. At all times his men saw him in the leading role, tirelessly taking on the most hazardous tasks himself.The conditions under which FDU B operated were atrocious. With no infrastructure ashore the men lived in cargo containers on a jetty with no light, sanitation or potable water, in an atmosphere heavy with acrid smoke and toxic fumes from the oilfield fires burning inland, and diving in water with zero visibility due to the thick oil pollution.All the time they were at risk from random gunfire from uncontrolled factions of the local population. Williams's conspicuous leadership, resolute professionalism and boundless energy ensured that his Unit's effectiveness remained at peak levels from start to finish and that his men's morale was of the highest order in the face of dire adversity.'Personel Report covering the dates 1 February-23 April 1991, as Officer in Charge Fleet Diving Unit B & NP1037 to Commander Task Group 321.1, from Commodore C. J. S. Craig, Commander Task Group 321.1:'This is to certify that Lieutenant Williams has conducted himself to my entire satisfaction.Williams came into theatre after two weeks has elapsed of the Gulf War, becoming Deputy Officer in Charge of a Fleet Diving Unit. Initially a supervisor of the airborne EOD teams, he personally led several countermining sorties - by day and night - against some of the 1500 Iraqi mines.Shortly after the war finished he took over he took over as the Officer in Charge of the combined diving team which worked for several weeks in appalling and hazardous conditions to clear the main Kuwaiti harbours - a task which was completed ahead of time and thankfully without any casualties. Throughout this period Williams has led courageously, and utterly from the front, has shown stamina, cheerfulness and professionalism, and has set a fine example to his people. He has briefed clearly, shown economical style with his signalled reports and demonstrated an ability to organise events sensibly and wisely.I have recommended his without reservation for transfer to the General List and would see him developing his professional potential through further command for which I also have recommended him.Altogether Williams can be extremely proud of his achievements in peace and war in the Gulf.'SALE 25001 NOTICE:Now offered together with his Royal Navy Divers Log (Form S. 1627), covering the periods 12 February 1985-8 March 2004, including his Ops during the Gulf War, a terrific resource with a plethora of detail. Further accompanied by his SBS RN Officers MCD Advanced EOD Course Certificate (9 June-25 July 1986) and MCD Officer Qualification Certificate (3 November 1986) and Minewarfare brochure, featuring Williams as OIC FDU2.

The R.H.S. Silver Medal awarded to Lieutenant (later Admiral, G.C.B.) W. R. Kennedy, Royal Navy, who published Hurrah for the life of a Sailor! Fifty years in the Royal Navy to sum up a remarkable career on the high seas, who also penned a fine painting of the action which earned his lifesaving award - the original accompanies the LotRoyal Humane Society, small Silver Medal (successful) (Lieut. W. R. Kennedy. R.N. H.M.S. Wasp 22. June. 1860.), very fine, with silver riband buckle and in Warrington, London caseProvenance:Spink, July 1998.William Robert Kennedy was born at Naples, Italy on 14 March 1838, the second son of John Kennedy, the British Charge d'Affaires in Naples. Educated at Cheam School and Dr Maldon's, Brighton, young Kennedy was a Naval Cadet in 1851. He served in the Rodney during the Crimean War, being present for the bombardment and then in the trenches before Sebastopol and then the Sphinx for the bombardment of Kinburn (Medal & clasp, Turkish Medal). Appointed a Mate on Calcutta in May 1857, he was advanced Lieutenant by December 1857 and shared in the actions in China. Kennedy was in the boat action at Fatshan Creek being in the pinnace of his ship, besides in various engagements with pirates in those waters and also being 'mentioned' (London Gazette 1 August 1857 refers - Medal & 3 clasps).By May 1860, Kennedy was on the Wasp in the waters off the Mozambique station and it was the following month whilst on a voyage to the Cape that his Lifesaving Medal was earned. Kennedy saved the life of Able Seaman John Sier, who fell overboard, when the rescue boat turned over, he acted with '...intrepidly and presence of mind' to jump over and swam to rescue Sier - the event immortalised in the painting which accompanies the Lot.Kennedy continued to climb the ladder in the Royal Navy and was Flag Lieutenant on the Black Eagle at the Fleet Review on the visit of the Ottoman Sultan in July 1867. In June 1874 he was advanced Captain for his services during the Peruvian and Mexican Revolutions of 1872, also earned thanks from the Government of Salvador after an earthquake, the British residents presented a silver centre-piece in admiration and further was thanked by the German Government for saving lives of Captain and crew of the barque Anita when she was destroyed by fire in the Atlantic. Rear-Admiral by November 1889, Kennedy was made K.C.B. in June 1897, Admiral in June 1901 (retired November that year) and G.C.B. in June 1911.The good Admiral married Edith Stopford, daughter of Captain Stopford and they lived for some time at Fair Oak, Rogate, Petersfield, Hampshire. He published various works on his career and died on 9 October 1916; sold together with the aforementioned painting signed 'WRK', copy of his book, two Navy & Army Illustrated with recipient on the front cover and copied research.…

Pair: Midshipman J. H. Woodhouse, Royal NavyBritish War and Victory Medals (Mid. J. H. Woodhouse. R.N.), good very fine (2)John Herbert Woodhouse - or Jack to his friends and comrades - was born in 1900. Aged twelve, he was sent to the Royal Naval College for two years, then to Dartmouth College in 1914. Appointed Midshipman aboard St Vincent, he served in that rank during the Great War and saw two of his elder brothers perish during the conflict. His father petitioned the Admiralty that he be released from service, this being confirmed in a letter dated 18 December 1918.Woodhouse went out to India as an engineer on Tea Plantations in Assam; sold together with copied research including a series of letters, including his near-death experience whilst on a Tiger hunt in 1924.…

A rare 'Banda Neira' Naval General Service Medal awarded to Sailmaker's Mate R. Cheeseman, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M.S. Caroline and with her participated in the impressive action of 18 October 1806, fought pirates in the Persian Gulf, took part in the heroic capture of Banda Neira under Captain Cole, was wounded by a musket ball to his left arm near Java, and later as Captain of the Afterguard served off the coast of Canada in the War of 1812Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Banda Neira (Robert Cheeseman.), light contact marks and a slight edge bruise, otherwise good very fineProvenance:Whitaker Collection, 1890.Glendining's, June 1986.Noonan's, July 2021.Robert Cheeseman is confirmed on the roll with entitlement to this medal and clasp for his service as Sailmaker's Mate aboard H.M.S. Caroline during the capture of Banda Neira. He is one of only 68 recipients of this clasp, and the sole Sailmaker's Mate.Cheeseman was born at Deptford, London circa 1783 and found work as a bricklayer prior to entering the Royal Navy on 23 March 1803, aged twenty. His first posting was aboard the 36-gun fifth-rate frigate H.M.S. Caroline, launched at Rotherhithe in 1795. Initially ranked as a Landsman upon his enlistment, Cheeseman must have been a capable sailor as he found steady promotion to positions of responsibility throughout his eleven years of service.Caroline was captained by Benjamin William Page when joined by Cheeseman, and set sail for the East Indies in May 1803 with secret orders to bring news of the start of the Napoleonic Wars. Whilst en route she captured a number of vessels, including the Dutch Haasje which had been carrying dispatches from Napoleon. Haasje was sent in to the remote island of St. Helena, which would of course later host the exiled French Emperor, bringing the news of war. She arrived in the East Indies on 6 September and spent the next several months escorting East India Company convoys and capturing French privateers. For Caroline's success in the capture of many enemy privateers, the grateful merchant communities of Madras and Bombay presented Captain Page with swords worth 500 guineas, no small sum with a value of over £60,000 today.At an unknown date Cheeseman was wounded by a musket ball to his left arm while serving in the South Seas in the Strait of Sunda, between the islands of Java and Sumatra. The circumstances surrounding this wound are unknown, but it was later noted in his pension register.East Indies and the Action of 18 October 1806Cheeseman had his first promotion to Ordinary Seaman on 1 January 1805, with command of Caroline transferred in April to Captain Peter Rainier - who was only twenty years old at the time of his appointment. It is worthy to also note that until mid-1805 James Johnson, later physician extraordinary to King William IV, was acting as the ship's surgeon and his time aboard her was essential in gathering material for his influential publications on tropical diseases.Caroline found great success during the Java Campaign of 1806-7, and with young Captain Rainier at her helm fought the action of 18 October 1806 against a Dutch squadron. While patrolling off the coast of Batavia Caroline captured a small Dutch brig, whose crew informed Rainier that the frigate Phoenix was under repair and vulnerable nearby. The captain resolved to bring her out, but while on approach was spotted by two small warships. Caroline then captured the 14-gun brig Zeerop without firing a single shot, while the other escaped by hugging the coast. Phoenix took the opportunity of the delay to sail to the well-defended Batavia harbour. Whilst in pursuit of Phoenix, Caroline sighted at anchor in the Batavia Roads the 36-gun frigate Maria Reijersbergen along with three smaller warships.Facing a force significantly stronger than Caroline and with the ability to call on the harbour gunboats for aid, the confident Rainier immediately made for Maria Reijersbergen. The gallant Captain himself takes up the story in his report to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge:'As I distinctly made out the frigate to be the largest ship in the road, I ran for her with springs on both cables [allowing her to easily turn at anchor]; the enemy commenced firing at us as soon as we were within gun-shot, which was not returned till we came as close as the wind would allow us, which was within half-pistol-shot, when we opened our fire. The action continued about half an hour, when the enemy hauled down her colours. On boarding, she proved to be the Dutch republican frigate Maria Reygersbergen, of 36 guns, 18-pounders on the main-deck, and 270 men, commanded by Captain Jager, second in command. The Maria was launched in 1800, and is a fast sailing ship. We had to encounter, besides the frigate, the William of 20 guns, Patriot 18, and Zeeplong 14, with several gun-boats; and there were thirty gunboats lying in shore, which did not attempt to come out. I beg leave to state, that when the action commenced we were short of complement, by men away in prizes, sick at hospitals, &c. 57 in number.'The British suffered only three killed and eighteen wounded, while the enemy sustained over fifty casualties. The shallow water did not allow her to safely attack the others but the enemy ships, as well as a further six merchant vessels, nevertheless ran themselves aground to escape capture by Caroline. Maria Reijersbergen was later brought into the service of the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Java.Cheeseman was advanced Able Seaman a couple of months after the engagement on 15 December. Caroline was next involved in an exciting exchange on 27 January 1807 after convoying near the Philippine Islands. Spotting a strange sail, she made chase and when within range the 16-gun ship raised Spanish colours and opened fire. Rainier opened fire in turn and forced her surrender after inflicting twenty-seven casualties. The mystery vessel's identity was revealed as St. Raphael sailing under the alias Pallas, carrying a valuable cargo which included £500,000 of bullion coin and 1,700 quintals of copper. In capturing this treasure ship Caroline suffered but seven men wounded.By June, Caroline joined the squadron of Rear-Admiral Edward Pellew. She was sent along with the frigate H.M.S. Psyche on a mission to find Dutch ships which escaped destruction at the Batavia Roads. The two captured a smaller enemy vessel near Surabaya in August, who revealed to the British that there were a number of Dutch ships of the line in a state of disrepair at the port of Griessie. After a reconnoitre of Griessie, Psyche and Caroline destroyed a number of merchant ships and shared in the capture of Dutch corvette Scipio, later brought into Royal Naval service as H.M.S. Samarang.In September, command of Caroline passed to Captain (later Rear-Admiral) Henry Hart who sailed her along with the rest of Pellew's squadron back to attack the ships at Griessie. During the attack, Caroline was for some time used as Pellew's flagship after the grounding of Culloden. Hart was charged with orchestrating the landing parties and he successfully coordinated the raid on Griessie and the destruction of the port's infrastructure. This action brought to an end the presence of an active Dutch navy in the East Indies. 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

Baltic 1854-55 (H. T. Gammell. Lieut. R.N. H.M.S. Ajax), unofficially engraved in upright capitals and mounted upon a three-pronged silver riband buckle, together with an Edinburgh Academy Homer Medal, silver (Harcourt T. Gammell, Classis Quintae, Dux, MDCCCXLIII), both contained within a bespoke fitted leather case, the top lid tooled in gilded letters stating 'Medals of Capt H. T. Gammell R.N.', traces of old lacquer, good very fineHarcourt Thomas Gammell, third son of Captain James Gammell, was born at Beech Hill, County Down, on 29 April 1829. In the early 1830s the family relocated to Edinburgh and young Harcourt attended Edinburgh Academy from 1838-43 where, in his final year, he was awarded the school's Homer Medal in silver. Destined for a life at sea, Gammell entered the Royal Navy immediately after leaving Edinburgh Academy (September 1843) and six years later was appointed a Mate aboard H.M.S. Excellent, the gunnery training vessel at Portsmouth Dockyard. Promoted Lieutenant in November 1853, he was next posted to the 74-gun H.M.S. Ajax, and as a member of her ship's company saw action in the Baltic at the Bombardment of Bomarsund in August 1854.Further postings to various other vessels followed over the next 20 years, but with the general peace throughout Europe in the wake of the Crimean War men such as Gammell had little opportunity to distinguish themselves - indeed, he unfortunately did exactly the opposite and was officially admonished when, as Officer of the Watch, the 100-gun H.M.S. Conqueror ran aground and was wrecked off the Bahamas - thankfully without loss of a single life. Promoted Commander in 1869, Gammell retired in 1874 and was further advanced Retired Captain in 1884. He and his wife Lucy resided mostly in the West Country, around Bath and Weston-super-Mare, and inherited the vast sum of £40,000 when his father died in 1893. Harcourt Gammell himself died on 25 September 1904 and was clearly a well-regarded local figure in the community, with the Bristol Times and Mirror noting in his obituary of 1 October that year: 'The deceased, who formerly served on H.M.S. Hector, will be greatly missed by the poor of the town, as he was ever ready with his purse to help any deserving case.' The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of 29 September 1904 further notes: 'His friends in Bath will hear with regret of the death of Captain Harcourt Gammell R.N....he entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14, going direct to sea, as in those days there were no training ships. His period of service was 35 years, during which he was with the Baltic Fleet in what is known as the Crimean War, and for services then rendered he received the silver medal. He took no part in public affairs, but in private life he was a liberal donor, and by his demise a large number have lost a generous friend'...For the medals of his father, Captain James Gammell see Lot 104; for the medals of a brother, Captain William Gammell, see Lot 106; and for the medals of his son Sergeant Kensington Gammell, see Lot 107.…

The 16th Lancers Officer's Shoulder Belt and Pouch worn by Colonel G. E. Tuson, 16th (The Queen's) Lancers16th Lancers, a silver-mounted Officer's Shoulder Belt and Pouch, pouch of red morocco silver pouch flap and fittings, hallmarks for Birmingham 1890 overall, borders chased with folite patterns, mounted with gilt crowned VR cypher, shoulder belt of black morocco, gold lace with navy stripe, with all fittings and mounts, very fineFor the Medals of Colonel Tuson, please see Lot 327. For his sabretache badge, please see Lot 329. For his bayonet, please see Lot 330.…

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., wide suspension (J. Souter. Serjt. R.M.A. 21 Yrs.), very fineJames Souter was born in August 1814 at Carmyllie, Dundee and was a baker by trade upon his enlistment into the Royal Marines on 22 December 1836, for a bounty of £3. He served as a Gunner aboard the Gorgon off Syria in 1840 (N.G.S. Medal & Bronze St Jean d'Acre) and was discharged in January 1858.…

Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal and Royal Navy cold war group

Imperial Japanese Navy leather flying helmet, made by Yaguchi Industrial Co May 1945, with goggles

**description change** A replica Navy Officer's sword by Richard Teed of The Strand, with carved ivory handle, original brass-mounted leather scabbard. Ivory Certificate ref: JHARADEY

Four boxed Dinky Toys diecast military vehicles. Comprising a 734 P4 Thunderbolt, 609 'Scorpion Tank', a 654 '15mm Mobile Gun' and a 730 'US Navy Phantom' with two missiles, in the original packaging

A Keyser metal kit of a 00 gauge locomotive. L.49. B.R. (S) 'Merchant Navy', in the original box, appears to be complete, containing four packages

Four vintage toys. Comprising a boxed Tri-ang Minic Series II Sherman tank, a boxed Toy-Test Micro Jet, a German clockwork motorcyclist and a boxed set of lead navy figures (possibly Japanese)

c19th oil painting portrait of Captain Charles Alexander Johnston Royal Navy HMS Agamemnon Trafalgar 1805 , San Domingo, Copenhagen, Rio Del Plata & Opium Wars, 59cm x 49cm, 81cm x 71cm including period gilt frame. Restoration apparent from the verso.

Rare early c19th Napoleonic War Era Royal Navy Bosun's Starter, life preserver, press gang cosh or persuader made from malacca cane with blade and whistle the overall condition is excellent, the cane is clean and undamaged and has good colour, the needle hitched twine is excellent and undamaged, blade clean and sharp the whistle however appears to have been broken and a piece is missing, therefore does not whistle. the item measures 31 cm, 45 cm with blade and extended

Dinky: A boxed Dinky Toys, Ships of the British Navy Set, Reference No. 50. Complete but with damages. Together with a collection of assorted unboxed Dinky Toys ships; and a collection of lead horseback figures and carriages. Please assess photographs. (one bag)