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Lot 182
Four: Private P. C. Clements, Bedfordshire Regiment, later Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1914 Star (8297 Pte P. C. Clements. 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8297 Pte. P. C. Clements. Bedf. R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (2968411 Pte. P. Clements. 8-A. & S.H.) light contact marks, nearly very fine or better (4) £120-£160 --- Percival Clements attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914. He subsequently transferred to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1932.
Lot 533
A silver fob presented by the prominent Irish nationalist politician, Willie Redmond M.P., to Willie ‘Dodger’ Considine, one of Co. Clare team to win the 1914 All Ireland Hurling Championship, who later became a close friend of President Éamon de Valera Sporting Medallion, Ireland, silver, with Gaelic engraved obverse, the reverse engraved (Clare Hurling Champions 1914 Willie Considine from W. Redmond M.P) suspender ring missing, very fine £100-£140 --- William (Willie) Redmond was born on 13 April 1861, to William Redmond, a Roman Catholic who served as the Member of Parliament for Wexford for the Home Rule Party, from 1872-1880. His mother, Mary Hoey, the daughter of General R. H. Hoey, was a Protestant. After his education in Kildare, he was commissioned into the Wexford Militia before becoming politically active. He campaigned for Charles Stewart Parnell in the 1880 General Election and, two years later, as a result of intense agitation for land reform, ended up sharing a cell in Kilmainham Gaol with him for three months. Upon his release, he travelled to Australia, New Zealand and the United States garnering support for Irish Home Rule, returning to Ireland in 1883, when he was elected Member of Parliament for Wexford. In 1892, he was elected Member of Parliament for East Claire. In 1914, at the final of the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, he joined the Co. Clare team as they entered the field of play, before their victory over Co. Laois. He dedicated himself to helping to achieve Home Rule and Self Government for Ireland. Yet shortly after the start of the Great War, and when, in September 1914, the Third Home Rule Bill had finally received its Royal Assent, he was clear where his duty required him to be. Addressing a crowd in Cork on 22 November, he stated; ‘I speak as a man who, with all the poor ability at his command, has fought the battle for self-government for Ireland. No man who is honest can doubt the single-minded desire of myself and men like me, to do what is right for Ireland. And when it comes to the question, as it may come of asking young Irishmen to go abroad and fight this battle, when I am personally convinced that the battle for Ireland is to be fought where many Irishmen now are, in Flanders and France, old as I am, and grey as my hairs are, I will say ‘Don’t go, but come with me’. Aged 53, he was commissioned into the 6th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, and appointed command of B Company. Serving on the Western Front from 1915 to 1916, when, due to failing health, he was offered a posting behind the lines, which he rejected on the grounds that he would never ask his soldiers to do something that he would not be prepared to do himself. On the 7 March 1917 he made his final visit to the House of Commons, wearing the uniform of the Royal Irish Regiment, when he delivered an impassioned speech, concluding: ‘In the name of God, we here who are about to die, perhaps, ask you to do that which largely induced us to leave our homes; to do that which our mothers and fathers taught us to long for; to do that which is all we desire; make our country happy and contented, and enable us, when we meet the Canadians and the Australians and the New Zealanders side by side in the common cause and on the common field, to say to them: ‘our country, just as yours, has self-government within the Empire.’ Returning to the Western Front, he was severely wounded on 7 June 1917, whilst leading his men during the Battle for Messines Ridge. He died of his wounds later that day at the convent in Locre, Belgium, where he is buried in an isolated grave, now maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. William ‘Dodger’ Considine, a close friend of President Éamon de Valera, was born in Ennis, Co. Clare, Ireland, on 29 July 1885. A noted Irish Sportsman, he played hurling with his local club Ennis Dalcassians and was, together with his brother Brendan, a member of the Co. Clare team that beat Co. Laois to win the All-Ireland Senior Hurling final of 1914. His younger brother Turlough, or ‘Tull’, similarly became a noted Sportsman. Willie also won five Co. Claire senior county hurling championship medals and three Gaelic football medals. Away from the sporting field, he played an active part in both the 1917 election campaign and the Irish War of Independence. He appears in a photograph, with his arms lifted, clearing a path through the crowd for President de Valera, as they left Ennis Catherdal together, in the 1920’s. Willie Considine died, aged 74, on 11 September 1959. At his funeral, President de Valera was represented by Commandant J. A. Reilly. Sold together with three copy press cuttings which refer to his death, one of which mentions his close friendship with President de Valera.
Lot 220
Pair: Private C. E. Seekins, Lincolnshire Regiment, later Labour Corps, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 26 September 1917 British War and Victory Medals (51360 Pte. C. Seekins. Linc. R.); Memorial Plaque (Charles Edwards Seekins) nearly extremely fine (3) £70-£90 --- Charles Edwards Seekins was born in Hinkley, Leicestershire, and served initially with the Lincolnshire Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front, before transferring to the 17th Company, Labour Corps. He was killed in action on 26 September 1917, and is buried in Railway Chateau Cemetery, Vlamertinghe, Belgium.
Lot 103
A fine Great War ‘Monchy, July 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private H. Edgington, 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, who was wounded in the leg in August 1916, and killed in action on 17 September 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (191 Pte. H. Edgington. 7/E. Surr: R.); 1914-15 Star (191 Pte. H. Edgington. E. Surr: R.); British War and Victory Medals (191 Pte. H. Edgington. E. Surr. R.) together with Memorial Plaque (Harry Edgington), medals unmounted, extremely fine (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 September 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. With two comrades he held a block in our trench against a strong party of the enemy at a most critical moment, when our advanced posts had been captured. Subsequently he posted himself and his comrades in shell-holes, causing such casualties to a fresh hostile attack that the enemy bolted back to cover. By the very great initiative and exceptional gallantry of these three men a very awkward situation was got well in hand.’ Annotated Gazette states: ‘Nr. Monchy, 11 July 1917.’ Harry Edgington was a native of Dorking and enlisted into the East Surrey Regiment, serving in France from 1 June 1915. He was invalided to England with a gun shot wound in the right leg received on 10 August 1916, returned to France on 25 October and was posted to join the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, on 22 November 1916. The 7th Battalion formed part of the 37th Brigade in the 12th Division and, in early March 1917, Edgington was attached to Brigade’s Sniping Company. He won the D.C.M. for gallantry near Monchy on 11 July 1917, which award was gazetted four days before he was killed in action near Arras on 21 September 1917. He is buried in the Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-les-Mofflaines, Pas de Calais. Sold with copied research including D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, annotated Gazette, and War Diary entries.
Lot 545
Shooting Medals (6): Silver, gilded, one with reverse ‘In Defence’, unnamed as issued; Shooting Medal, Silver, with reverse ‘In Defence’, (Private T. J. Wheddon, M M Rifles); East Rand Volunteer Rifle Association Shooting Medal, Bronze (Farrar Cup, 26.04.08 won by Wit Rifles R.S.M. R. McArthur Score 95); Cameronians Regimental Medal, Silver (In memory of 2nd. Lieut. M. G. Fraser. Died 1.7.16); Grand National Archery Society Medal, Silver, very fine (6) £40-£50
Lot 48
General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Iraq, N.W. Persia (5329786 Pte. J. R. Howard. R. Berks. R.) very fine, and a two clasp medal scarce to unit £100-£140 --- James R. Howard attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry for service during the Great War. He later transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment, which whom he also saw service, post-War, during the Iraq and North West Persia campaigns.
Lot 272
The important Army Gold Medal awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel James Hugonin, 4th Dragoons, a distinguished cavalry officer who led the 4th’s left squadron in Le Marchant’s brilliant charge of the Heavy Brigade at Salamanca; by far the most important British cavalry action of the Peninsula war, this charge broke three regiments of French infantry and won the day; Hugonin Commanded his Regiment at the battle of Toulouse and was the youngest of three generations of Hugonins who successively became the Commanding Officer of the 4th Dragoons Field Officer’s Gold Medal 1808-14, for Toulouse (Major James Hugonin, 4th Drags.) complete with gold ribbon buckle, extremely fine £20,000-£26,000 --- Provenance: Hamilton-Smith Collection 1927; Dix Noonan Webb, March 2014. The record of service of the Hugonin family is probably unique in the British army. Three generations of Hugonins, James, Francis and James John, successively commanded the Fourth Dragoons, giving the regiment eighty-nine years of continuous service, from 1747 to 1836; their total service amounting to a hundred and thirty-five years. The influence on the regiment of the three Hugonins, grandfather, father and son, was considerable. This remarkable family connection was strengthened by the fact that several other officers of the Fourth Dragoons married into the Hugonin family. During this whole period, the Fourth Dragoons maintained a very high level of discipline and efficiency, and its officers, who included Lord Edward Somerset and Sir George Scovell, a reputation for great military ability and keenness. The Hugonin family originated from Vevey in western Switzerland. Early in the 18th century one of them married an English lady, and his branch settled at Nursted House, Buriton, near Petersfield in Hampshire. His son James was the first family member to be commissioned into the Fourth Dragoons. Joining as a Cornet in 1747, at the age of eighteen, he became Lieutenant-Colonel in 1775, and commanded the regiment for fifteen years, making a total of forty-three years’ service. James left the regiment on promotion to Major-General. James Hugonin’s only son, Francis, received his commission as Cornet in 1768, was promoted Captain in 1775, on the same day his father became Lieutenant-Colonel, and himself became Lieutenant-Colonel of the Fourth Dragoons in 1794. Francis was in command for nine years until he left on promotion to Major-General, but he returned to the regiment in 1808 as Colonel, and held the appointment until his death in 1836, at the age of eighty-five, a total of sixty-three years with the regiment. James John Hugonin, the third generation of ‘Fourth Dragoon Hugonins’, was born at Blandford, Dorset, on 13 June 1782, and was the only surviving son of Francis. He was commissioned into the regiment in April 1795 at the age of twelve, when his father was in command, and was promoted Lieutenant on 30 September the same year. He was promoted to Captain on 25 June 1803, aged 21. The Fourth Dragoons were based in Sussex, as part of the defence against a French invasion. In 1809 James John acted as Aide-de-Camp to his father, General Hugonin, on the Staff of Sussex District. Talavera and Busaco James John Hugonin went with the Fourth Dragoons to the Peninsula in April 1809, where he held a staff appointment as Brigade-Major. The Fourth was one of the few cavalry regiments to serve for virtually the entire Peninsula campaign. James was present with Fane’s brigade of heavy cavalry (3rd Dragoon Guards and 4th Dragoons) at the battle of Talavera, where he commanded a squadron. He was also present with the two squadrons of the Fourth Dragoons at Busaco, the only cavalry in the line of battle. In early 1811, Hugonin was detached, with local rank of major, to command a squadron of 3rd Dragoons until July 1811. R. H. Thoumine’s biography of General Le Marchant describes an incident that occurred while Fane’s Brigade was covering the retreat of the British forces from Badajoz, as Soult’s relieving army approached. The brigade was “under strong pressure from the French advanced guard. At La Granja, the enemy pushed on through the night on the information of a deserter, and came near to cutting off a squadron of the 3rd Dragoons, under Major Hugonin, who were foraging there. As the enemy burst from the wooded hills above the village, Hugonin scraped up enough horsemen to meet a charge in the main street, which left half a dozen casualties on each side.” (Scientific Soldier p 167 refers). Hugonin was promoted to Major in his own regiment on 19 December 1811, just before his 30th birthday. In February 1812 the cavalry was reorganised into Brigades and the Fourth Dragoons joined the 5th Dragoon Guards and the 3rd Dragoons under Major-General John Le Marchant, a man of great determination and vigour. Le Marchant was very proud of his Heavy Brigade and wrote in May 1812: ‘I am exceedingly pleased with my Brigade, being perfectly satisfied that no cavalry of double its numbers could stand before it.’ General Picton was moved to observe, ‘I always feel easy when General Le Marchant’s men are between me and the enemy; they do their duty and can be trusted; and I heartily wish the rest were like them.’ Triumph at Salamanca Salamanca was one of Wellington’s greatest victories. The French lost 14,000 men, 20 cannon and two Eagles, for an Allied loss of 5,000. Along with Assaye and Waterloo, it seems to have been among his favourite achievements. At around 5p.m., the French division on the left wing was heavily engaged with the advanced brigade of the British 3rd Division and the French cavalry was nowhere to be seen. Le Marchant spotted his opportunity, and without orders from above or additional British cavalry support, he gave the order for his nine squadrons to form line to their front, with the Fourth Dragoons to the fore, just as the French were pushed off the crestline by the British infantry. Then, his trumpeter sounded the Charge and the whole line broke into the gallop and crashed downhill into the two battalions of the French 66th Regiment. When the first line of the enemy was scattered, Le Marchant rallied his Heavy Brigade, the dreaded Messieurs en rouge, “big men on big horses” and led them forward against a second line, the 15th Regiment, and then, getting ever deeper into the French positions, against a third, the 22nd Line, which made a brave attempt to withstand the furious charge. The men of the 22nd Line held their fire until the dragoons were only ten yards from them, and then fired a tremendous volley. Many saddles were emptied but the dragoons could not be stopped and, after a desperate fight with sword against bayonet, the French broke and fled towards a nearby wood, but were hunted down by small groups of dragoons. After the third formation of infantry had been broken, Major Hugonin, who was commanding the left squadron of the regiment, had his horse shot under him. He suffered from gout, and wore boot and spur on one foot only, with a large cloth “shoe” on the other, so without his horse he was helpless. He stood, sword in one hand, cursing his ill-fortune until a trooper came up, dismounted and helped the Major into the saddle. The trooper made his way back on foot while Major Hugonin galloped forward, seeking more Frenchmen. The brigade continued its triumphant advance, seeking the enemy wherever he could be found. Le Marchant was always in the lead and himself killed six or seven men. In the final phase of the charge, with half a squadron of the Fourth Dragoons at his heels, he found a body of infantry re-forming in front of a wood. Instantly he charged and sen...
Lot 108
A Great War ‘Maricourt and Epehy, August and September 1918’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant W. L. Damant, 7th London Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (353991 Sjt. W. L. Damant. 7/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (7864 Sjt. W. L. Damant. 7-Lond. R.) mounted court-style, good very fine (3) £700-£900 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘He has continuously shown great courage and high powers of leadership from January, 1917, to date, more particularly at Maricourt, 1918, and again at Epehy in September, 1918, when he handled his Lewis-gun team with great ability. On one occasion he was the means of rescuing a badly wounded comrade from “No Man’s Land” under heavy shell fire.’ Walter Leonard Damant was a native of Romford, Essex, and served as a Sergeant with the 7th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment, in France from 27 January 1917, to the end of the war. Sold with copied research including Battalion War Diary entries for the Maricourt and Epehy operations.
Lot 28
Three: Private F. J. Rapley, Royal Berkshire Regiment and Special Constabulary British War and Victory Medals (10253 Pte. F. J. Rapley. R. Berks. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, 2 clasps, Long Service 1942, Long Service 1945 (Frederick J. Rapley.) very fine (3) £40-£50
Lot 58
Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200038 Pte. C. Harrison. 4/R. Berks R.) contact marks, very fine £70-£90 --- Charles Harrison attested for the 1/4th Battalion (Territorial Force) Royal Berkshire Regiment on 7 April 1908, and served during the Great War on the Western Front, and later, in the Italian theatre. He was discharged due to sickness on 15 April 1919 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B/277890. He was also entitled to a British War and Victory Medal, and a Territorial Force War Medal.
Lot 107
A Great War ‘Fresnoy, September 1918’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private C. Still, 1st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, late 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, serving with whom he was wounded in October 1914 and mentioned in Haig’s despatch of April 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (74116 Cpl. C. Still. 1/M.G.C.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (8811 Pte. C. Still. 2/R. Suss: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (8811 Cpl. C. Still. R. Suss. R.) medals unmounted, very fine £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919: ‘On 24th September, 1918, near Fresnoy, he was sent forward in charge of a machine-gun team to consolidate with the infantry. He showed great courage and determination in keeping his gun in action and covering the front line post, and later he pushed his gun forward in front of the infantry, and materially assisted in checking the enemy counter-attacks. On the night of the 24th, although severely wounded himself and having his No. 2 gunner killed, he did excellent work in endeavouring to silence the enemy’s enfilade fire. In spite of his wound, he remained at his post until ordered to withdraw.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 24 May 1918 (Haig’s despatch of the 7th of April 1918): ‘Still, 8811 L./C. C. (now 74116 M.G. Corps.) Royal Sussex Regiment.’ Charles Still was born in 1888 and enlisted at Chichester on 11 September 1907, aged 18 years 10 months. He was discharged to Reserve in June 1912 and mobilised on 7 August 1914, serving with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, in France from 31 August 1914. Wounded by a gun shot in the scalp on 3 October 1914, he was treated at No. 2 General Hospital at Havre. In September 1915 he was invalided to England via Versailles with an abscess of the foot. He returned to France in September 1916, and transferred to 2 Company M.G.C. on 11 July 1917, this unit later being designated 1 Battalion, M.G.C. Still was severely wounded whilst winning his D.C.M. on 24 September 1918, and was discharged as a Lance-Sergeant on 9 September 1919. Sold with copied research including D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, service papers, gazette notices, and 1/M.G.C. war diary extracts.
Lot 191
Three: Private R. Burns, Royal Marines Light infantry, who was killed on 6 August 1914, when H.M.S. Amphion struck a mine off the Thames estuary and sank with the loss of 132 men killed; she was the first ship of the Royal Navy to be sunk in the Great War 1914-15 Star (Ply.10749. Pte. R. Burns. R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ply.10749. Pte. R. Burns. R.M.L.I.) nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- Robert Burns was born in Liverpool on 19 October 1880 and attested for the Royal Marine Light Infantry on 14 March 1901. He joined H.M.S. Amphion on 2 April 1913, when the ship was first commissioned. At the start of the Great War, H.M.S. Amphion was leader of the 3rd Destroyer Flotilla in the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron, assigned to the Harwich Force, defending the eastern approaches to the English Channel, under the command of Captain Cecil H. Fox. In the morning of 5 August, Amphion and the 3rd Flotilla sortied into the North Sea to patrol the area between Harwich and the Dutch island of Terschelling for German activity. At 10:15 a ship in the black, buff, and yellow colours of the Great Eastern Railway’s steamers that plied between Harwich and the Hook of Holland was spotted. Fox sent the destroyers H.M.S. Lance and H.M.S. Landrail to investigate and shortly afterwards another destroyer reported that a trawler had seen a suspicious ship, ‘throwing things overboard, presumably mines’ H.M.S. Amphion led the flotilla to investigate and observed that the fleeing ship was deploying mines even then. At 10:45, Lance opened fire at a range of 4,400 yards. The target was S.M.S. Königin Luise, a former Hamburg-Heligoland excursion boat that had been converted to an auxiliary minelayer by the Germans. They had planned to mount a pair of 8.8-centimetre (3.5 in) guns on board, but they did not have the time to do so; her only armament was a pair of lighter guns and 180 mines. On the night of 4 August, she had departed Emden and headed into the North Sea to lay mines off the Thames Estuary, which she began to do at dawn. The fire from the destroyers was ineffective until Amphion closed to a range of 7,000 yards and began hitting the German ship at about 11:15. By noon, Königin Luise was sinking and the three British ships rescued 5 officers and 70 ratings. The flotilla proceeded onwards with their patrol until they reached the Dutch coast around 21:00 and turned for home. Fox was uncertain as to the locations of the mines laid by Königin Luise and laid a course that was seven nautical miles west of where he thought the mines were. He guessed wrongly and led his flotilla over the danger area. At 06:35, Amphion struck a mine that detonated underneath her bridge. The explosion set her forecastle on fire and broke the ship’s keel. The destroyer H.M.S. Linnet attempted to tow the cruiser, but a deep crack across her upper deck showed that she was hogging badly and Fox ordered his crew to abandon ship. Shortly afterwards, her forward magazine exploded, throwing one 4-inch gun into the air that narrowly missed Linnet. One of Amphion’s shells burst on the deck of the destroyer Lark, killing two of her men and the only German prisoner rescued from the cruiser. Amphion then rapidly sank within 15 minutes of the explosion losing 1 officer and 131 ratings killed in the sinking, including Burns, plus an unknown number of the crew rescued from Königin Luise. She was the first ship of the Royal Navy to be sunk in the Great War. Burns is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Lot 26
Pair: Private W. T. Land, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (26605 Pte. W. T. Land. R. Berks. R.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private J. W. White, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (200922 Pte. J. W. White. R. Berks. R.) traces of verdigris to VM, otherwise very fine Pair: Private V. W. Woodage, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (201043 Pte. V. W. Woodage. R. Berks. R.) very fine (6) £70-£90
Lot 4
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. pair awarded to Sergeant W. R. Heal, 2/1st Berkshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, Territorial Force, who was discharged as a consequence of his wounds Military Medal (616277 Sjt: W. R. Heal. 2/1 Berks: R.H.A. - T.F.); British War Medal 1914-20 (616277 Sjt. W. R. Heal. R.A.) very fine (2) £260-£300 --- M.M. London Gazette, 23 February 1918 William Reginald Heal was born in Exeter, Devon on 19 December 1892. He attested into the 2/1st Berkshire Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, Territorial Force, on 19 September 1914, for service during the Great War. Serving on the Western Front, he was advanced Sergeant and awarded the Military Medal, before being discharged as a consequence of his wounds, on 30 October 1918. He was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B 34860. He died, aged 68, in Bournemouth, Hampshire, on 19 October 1961. Sold with original Silver War Badge certificate.
Lot 81
A fine Great War O.B.E. and Sea Gallantry Medal group of seven awarded to Lieutenant T. P. Ryan, Royal Naval Reserve, and for the rescue of the crew of the S.S. Glodale off the Murmansk coast in January 1918, and for subsequent duties as Principal Minesweeping Officer at Orkney The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, reverse hallmarked London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. T. P. Ryan. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. T. P. Ryan. R.N.R.); Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Lieut. T. P. Ryan, R.N.R., “Glodale,” 3rd January, 1918.); Romania, Kingdom, Order of the Star with Swords, Fifth Class breast badge, silver and enamel; Russia, Empire, Order of St Anne with Swords, Fifth Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, of Continental manufacture, contemporary Gieves Ltd. court-style mounting, good very fine (7) £1,400-£1,800 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 25 April 1919. Presented by H.M. King at Buckingham Palace 23 July 1920. The recommendation states: ‘H.M.S. Zaria, Kirkwall [Orkney]. Was Principal Minesweeping Officer at Kirkwall from April to October 1918 during which period he organised and maintained the minesweeping vessels in a highly efficient tone. Was a keen and zealous officer in promoting the interests of H.M. Service.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 June 1917. The recommendation states: ‘H.M.T. VALE of FRUIN - FOR CONSTANT GOOD SERVICE PATROLLING BETWEEN KOLA AND THE NORWEGIAN COAST DURING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER 1916 WHILE HOSTILE SUBMARINES WERE OPERATING IN THE LOCALITY. ON ONE OCCASION HE SUCCEEDED IN GETTING WITHIN EASY GUN RANGE OF A GERMAN SUBMARINE BUT HIS FIRE WAS THEN MASKED BY A RUSSIAN TORPEDO BOAT WHICH THEN CAME FORWARD AND HE WAS CONSEQUENTLY UNABLE TO FIRE.’ (A History of the White Sea Station 1914-1919 (Naval Staff 1921) states that on November 2nd 1916 Russian patrol craft off Vardo (NORWAY) SUCCEEDED IN DAMAGING U.56 TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT SHE SUBSEQUENTLY SANK). S.G.M. (not gazetted) presented by H.M. King at Buckingham Palace 31 October 1918. The Board of Trade report states: ‘LAST NOVEMBER THE S.S. ‘GLODALE’ OF CARDIFF, LEFT ARCHANGEL FOR YUKANSKI AND MURMANSK WITH A CARGO OF MUNITIONS. AFTER LEAVING MURMANSK SHE WAS PROCEEDING TO BERGEN IN TOW OF SOME TUGS WHEN SHE STRANDED ON POINT POGAN ON 15 JANuary (1918). THE VESSEL BROKE IN TWO AMIDSHIPS AND WAS THEN ABANDONED BY HER CREW, WHO LOWERED THEMSELVES BY ROPES ON TO THE ROCKS. THE TOW ROPE OF THE TUG HAD ALREADY PARTED AND THE TUG HAD BEEN LOST IN THE DARKNESS. THE FOLLOWING DAY THE ‘GLODALE’ WAS OBSERVED BY LT. RYAN, WHO HAD BEEN SENT OUT FROM MURMANSK TO LOOK FOR HER, BUT ON ACCOUNT OF THE HEAVY SEAS HE WAS UNABLE TO RENDER ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CREW. ON JANUARY 3rd HE ARRIVED AGAIN ON THE SPOT IN H.M.T. 'DANIEL HENLEY' AND AFTER GREAT DIFFICULTY FOUND ANCHORAGE. HE THEN WITH THE OTHERS WHO ARE NOW RECOMMENDED FOR THE BRONZE MEDAL SUCCEEDED IN REACHING THE CREW AND IN GRADUALLY TRANSFERRING THEM TO HIS TRAWLER, FOR WHICH PURPOSE IT WAS NECESSARY TO MAKE THREE TRIPS. ON EACH OCCASION THE RESCUERS WERE OBLIGED TO WADE UP TO THEIR WAISTS IN WATER IN ORDER TO GET THE BOAT AWAY FROM THE BEACH. THE TEMPERATURE OF THE ATMOSPHERE AT THIS TIME WAS 20 DEGREES BELOW ZERO. AFTER THE GLODALE’S CREW HAD BEEN GOT ON BOARD THE ‘DANIEL HENLEY’ SHE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MURMANSK BUT OWING TO THICK FOGS WAS NOT ABLE TO REACH THAT PORT UNTIL THE 5th JANUARY.’ The following letter FROM R. EVANS, MASTER OF S.S. ‘GLODALE’ TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, BOARD OF TRADE, LONDON, DATED 27th FEB. 1918, states: ‘I THINK IT IS ONLY MY DUTY TO MENTION THE FOLLOWING MATTER TO YOU. YOU WILL VERY LIKELY HAVE HEARD OF THE S.S. ‘GLODALE’ BEING DRIVEN ASHORE ON THE MURMANSK COAST ON THE 1st JANUARY LAST WHILE IN TOW FROM KOLA INLET HAVING HAD HER RUDDER DAMAGED IN THE ICE. MYSELF AND CREW LEFT THE SHIP ABOUT TWO HOURS AFTER SHE STRUCK AND HAD GREAT DIFFICULTY IN SAVING OURSELVES ON A BITTER COLD NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING WE FOUND A HUT ON THE BEACH LEAVING 13 MEMBERS OF MY CREW THERE ALL MORE OR LESS FROSTBITTEN WHILE THE REST OF US, 14 IN ALL, WENT TO LOOK FOR ASSISTANCE ON THE 3rd. Lt. T. P. RYAN, IN CHARGE OF H.M.T. DANIEL HENLEY WAS SENT FROM H.M.S. GLORY TO SEE WHAT COULD BE DONE AND TO RESCUE US. HE FOUND THE 13 MEN IN THE HUT AND WITH GREAT DIFFICULTY AND RISK TO LIVES RESCUED THEM ALL. LT. RYAN AND HIS CREW BEACHED THEIR BOAT IN A HEAVY SEA AND MADE SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE TRAWLER AND EVERY MAN HAD TO BE CARRIED. THE WEATHER BEING BITTERLY COLD, ABOUT 30 DEGREES BELOW ZERO AND UP TO THEIR KNEES IN SNOW. THE 14 OF US REACHED CAPE SYET LIGHTHOUSE AND WE SHELTERED THERE UNTIL Jan. 4th.’ Russian Order of St Anne, 3rd Class with swords verified by an Admiralty record card, decorated 19 June 1917 (see M.I.D. above). Romanian Order of the Star London Gazette 10 May 1921. The recommendation states: ‘In command of 8 trawlers carrying 28 Romanian aviators from Murmansk to Grimsby under very difficult conditions. During the course of journey two vessels were lost.’ Thomas Philip Ryan was appointed Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 September 1914, and Temporary Lieutenant on 14 September 1915. He spent the entire war on minesweeping duties, initially at Portsmouth followed by two years in North Russia and finally in the Orkney Islands. He was demobilised on 21 October 1919. Sold with comprehensive research.
Lot 251
Five: J. R. G. Addison, Australian Forces 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Australia Service Medal (VX18080 J. R. G. Addison), mounted for wear, heavily tarnished, fine 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45, some staining, very fine (9) £60-£80 --- Sold together with a Normandy Veterans Medal, in Royal Mint case of issue, and two King’s Badges ‘For Loyal Service’.
Lot 170
Four: Private H. J. Lee, Essex Regiment, later Army Veterinary Corps Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between fifth and sixth clasps (5446 Pte. H. J. Lee. 1-Essex R.); 1914-15 Star (30543 Pte. H. J. Lee. A.V.C.); British War and Victory Medals (30543 Pte. H. J. Lee. A.V.C.) generally very fine (4) £180-£220
Lot 22
Pair: Second Lieutenant E. T. R. Hoare, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. E. T. R. Hoare.) very fine Pair: Acting Warrant Officer Class II T. H. Frostick, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (6155 A. W. O. Cl. 2. T. H. Frostick. R. Berks. R.) very fine Pair: Sergeant J. F. Hankins, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (10134 Sjt. J. F. Hankins. R. Berks. R.) very fine (6) £90-£120 --- Edward Thompson Rowland Hoare, a Schoolmaster, was born in Bitterne, Hampshire on 27 February 1880. He attested for the Hampshire Regiment for service during the Great War and served initially with them on the Western Front from March 1916. After further service with the Dorset Regiment, he was commissioned into the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He died, aged 93, in Southampton on 14 June 1973. Thomas Henry Frostick, a Chimney Sweep, was born in Brentwood, Essex on 6 February 1879. He attested for service with the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War. Appointed Acting Warrant Officer Class II, he saw later service with the Labour Corps. He died, aged 57, in Wallisdown, Dorset, on 20 August 1936. John Frederick Hankins, a Schoolmaster, was born in Hitchin, Hertfordshire in 1883. He attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served during the Great War with the 6th Battalion on the Western Front from 25 July 1915. Appointed Sergeant, he was twice hospitalised due to Shell Shock, and was discharged ‘No Longer Physically Fit’ on 27 February 1918, being awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 321,778. He emigrated to Canada, and died soon after in Montreal on 21 October 1918.
Lot 113
A rare Second War Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit (LCOCU) D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Commando Frogman Petty Officer G. A. Lock in the opposed landings in the South of France as a LCOCU Section Leader; he surveyed the beaches and destroyed underwater obstacles and mines in the Baie de Cavallaire, having performed similar services in the Normandy Landings, and assisted in the rescue of wounded American soldiers whose Landing Craft had been mined and sunk Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O., G. A. Lock. R/JX.222155); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, extremely fine (7) £3,600-£4,400 --- Seedies Roll lists a total of only 10 D.S.M.s, 3 D.S.C.s, and one D.S.C. and Bar to LCOC Units during the Second War, mostly for the landings in Normandy and the South of France. For two other examples of D.S.M.s awarded to frogmen in L.C.O.C. Units see Dix Noonan Webb May 2017 (Lot 52, £13,000) and July 2019 (Lot 81, £7,500). D.S.M. London Gazette 6 November 1945: ‘For bravery, skill and great devotion to duty in the reconnaissance and destruction of unknown obstacles and mines, and in the rescue of survivors whose craft had been destroyed in a minefield, during the landing in the Baie de Cavallaire in the South of France, June to August, 1944,, and for similar good services in the landings in Normandy.’ The recommendations for this batch of awards are in Admiralty Honours and Awards file H&A 940/45 in the National Archives under reference ADM1/30497 which reads: ‘The Honours and Awards Committee has considered the good services of certain ratings in the destruction of underwater obstacles and mines during the invasion of the South of France, and submits that the King may be asked to approve the Awards set forth below. During the landings in the Baie de Cavallaire in the South of France these ratings successfully carried out under fire the initial reconnaissance of unknown obstacles and mines and achieved their destruction. They also did good work in helping to save the lives of wounded soldiers of the United States Army when the craft in which they were embarked struck mines and was sunk. The individual recommendation for Petty Officer Lock adds to this… Lock, George Arthur, Petty Officer, R.N. “For Gallantry and Devotion to Duty as Section Leader of “B” Section L.C.O.C.U. Unit No:1 in that, during the landings in the “Baie de Cavallaire” South of France, he did on arrival at the beach carry out the pre-arranged plan without further orders, and 1.Did successfully carry out the initial reconnaissance of unknown obstacles and mines in his area. 2.Did work continuously throughout the day on the destruction of the obstacles and mines until the job was completed. 3.Did assist in the saving of the lives of wounded soldiers of the U.S. Army 1st Division when the craft in which they were embarked struck mines and were sunk. 4.Did render valuable assistance of a similar nature during the landings in Normandy.” Remarks of the Immediate Authority, Naval Officer in Charge, Appledore: “Forwarded for favourable consideration. Although a long time has elapsed since the occurrences leading to the recommendation, it is understood that no such recommendation was forwarded by the Force Commander, and there is no doubt that much coolness and courage under fire was displayed in the course of the operations which are described.” Petty Officer Lock’s recommendation is signed by Lieutenant R.E. Billington, D.S.C., who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his gallant service in the Normandy Landings, and a Bar to the D.S.C. for similar service in the Landings in the South of France whilst in specific command of L.C.O.C. Unit No. 1 and in overall charge of all four L.C.O.C. Units of Force “J”. The recommendation for Billington’s Bar to the D.S.C. is supported by an extract from a letter from Vice Admiral H.K. Hewitt, U.S.N. Commander United States Eighth Fleet, which describes the hazardous work of this LCOCU unit: ‘For distinguishing himself by heroic and meritorious achievement as officer in charge of a Naval Combat Demolition Unit on 15th August 1944. Lieutenant Billington, displaying the utmost skill and energy, organized and trained his unit in the hazardous procedure of clearing underwater obstacles, beach obstructions and reinforced defence positions to enable the initial boat waves to land and discharge assault troops, equipment and supplies over the selected beaches. Despite the experimental nature of demolitions in amphibious warfare and the heavily obstructed approaches encountered during the assault operations, he successfully led his unit to the assigned beach and by means of hand placed charges, cleared the approach channels of obstacles and shallow mines for the early and relatively safe passage of assault traffic. His expert and fearless action in clearing and widening their approaches contributed materially to the expeditious launching of the assault and the prompt establishment of the beachhead.’
Lot 395
The 1914-15 Star awarded to Battery Quartermaster Sergeant P. J. Murphy, Royal Canadian Horse Artillery, who was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry on the Somme in 1918 1914-15 Star (5498 Gnr. P. J. Murphy. R. Can. H.A.) very fine £80-£100 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1919: ‘His cool courage and great keenness under the most dangerous conditions have on several occasions helped greatly to keep up the morale of his battery during the operations. On the Somme, from the 21st March to 5th April, 1918, he kept up the supply of ammunition to his battery under the heaviest shell and machine-gun fire. On 8th August, 1918, at Beaucourt, his great coolness under heavy machine-gun fire had a great effect in steadying and encouraging the drivers in the wagon line.’ Patrick Jack Murphy was born in County Tipperary, Ireland in November 1885. He emigrated to Canada, and resided at 112 1/2 Queen Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Murphy had served with the Royal Field Artillery for over 7 years, and served during the Great War as a Battery Quartermaster Sergeant with the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery on the Western Front.
Lot 109
A Great War ‘Hansa Line, November 1916’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant H. Waterton, 1/1 Hertfordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1855 Cpl. H. Waterton. 1/1 Herts: R.-T.F.); 1914 Star (1855 Pte. H. Waterton. 1/1 Herts: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1855 Sjt. H. Waterton. Herts. R.) medals unmounted, lightly polished, otherwise nearly very fine and scarce (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- 36 awards of the D.C.M. to the Regiment in the Great War, all for France and Flanders. D.C.M. London Gazette 26 January 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He displayed great courage and skill in handling his machine-guns under heavy fire, and greatly assisted in repulsing several hostile attacks.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Hansa Line, 13 November 1916.’ In the final stage of the Somme campaign, the Battle of the Ancre, the 1/1st Hertfordshires achieved a notable success. On the morning of 13 November, with their advance covered by mist and a heavy artillery barrage, the battalion seized the whole of the Hansa Line. It advanced to a depth of 1,600 yards, achieved all of its objectives and captured 250 prisoners and nine machine-guns. The position was held until relief the following night. Their casualties, however, numbered seven officers and 150 men. Harry Waterton served with the 1/1st Hertfordshire Regiment in France and Flanders from 6 November 1914. Sold with copied D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, and gazette notices.
Lot 202
Pair: Private M. Desmond, Royal Munster Fusiliers, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 26 April 1915 1914-15 Star (7004. M. Desmond. R. Muns. Fus.); British War Medal 1914-20 (7004 Pte. M. Desmond. R. Mun. Fus.); Memorial Plaque (Michael Desmond) mounted for display with traces of adhesive to reverse, the plaque pierced at 12 o’clock, the Star and plaque both in relic condition; the BWM with edge bruises and somewhat polished, therefore good fine (3) £80-£100 --- Michael Desmond was born in Millstreet, co. Cork, and attested there for the Royal Munster Fusiliers. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War at Gallipoli from the first day of the Gallipoli campaign, 25 April 1915, and was killed in action the following day. He is buried in V Beach Cemetery, Turkey.
Lot 71
A Great War C.M.G., 1916 ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel F. R Sedgwick, Royal Field Artillery The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R. silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, these all tailor’s copies (Lieut. F. R. Sedgwick. R.F.A.); 1914 Star (Major F. R. Sedgwick. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. F. R. Sedgwick.) mounted as worn, minor edge bruise to obverse central medallion on CMG, otherwise nearly extremely fine (6) £1,400-£1,800 --- C.M.G. London Gazette 3 June 1919. D.S.O. London Gazette 14 January 1916. Francis Roger Sedgwick was born in Bombay on 5 July 1876, and was educated at Uppingham School and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Artillery, on 26 March 1896 and was promoted Lieutenant on 21 March 1899. He served in South Africa during the Boer War, and was present at the operations in the Orange Free State, February to May 1900, including the operations at Paardeberg, 17-26 February 1900; the actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Vet River, 5-6 May 1900, and Zand River. He was also present at operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including the actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria; and operations in the Transvaal, east of Pretoria, in September 1900. Posted to the West African Frontier Force, 1901-05, he was promoted Captain on 15 January 1902, and transferred to the Retired List in 1913. On the outbreak of the Great War Sedgwick was recalled for service, and went out with the Royal Artillery to the Western Front in 1914. During the War he was wounded, was three times Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 1 January 1916, 21 July 1917, and 7 July 1919), and was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 4 August 1917, he was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George for services rendered during military operations in France and Flanders in the 1919 Birthday Honours’ List.
Lot 223
Family Group: Pair: Private C. Hayward, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (201380 Pte. C. Hayward. R. Berks. R.) scratch to obverse of BWM, very fine Pair: Private T. E. Hayward, Royal West Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 27 September 1917 British War and Victory Medals (G-13386 Pte. T. E. Hayward. The Queen’s R.) staining and verdigris to VM, otherwise very fine (4) £60-£80 --- Charles Hayward was born in Godstone, Surrey, on 4 February 1891 and served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment during the Great War. He died, aged 80, in Caterham, Surrey, on 14 December 1972. Thomas Ellis Hayward, the younger brother of the above, was born in Godstone, Surrey, in July 1898. He attested for service with the Queen’s Regiment during the Great War and was killed in action whilst serving with the 1st Battalion, on 27 September 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Lot 241
Seven: Stoker Petty Officer C. R. Barrington, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (P/MX 58818 C. R. Barrington. S.P.O. R.N.); Coronation 1953 (C. R. Barrington R.N.) privately engraved naming, good very fine and better (7) £140-£180
Lot 25
Three: Private D. L. Hatcher, Royal Berkshire Regiment, late Hampshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (42790 Pte. D. L. Hatcher. Hamps. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, N.W. Persia (5329307 Pte. D. L. Hatcher. R. Berks. R.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Douglas L. Hatcher attested for the Hampshire Regiment for service during the Great War, and served with the 2nd Battalion before transferring to the 8th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment. He served post-War with the 1st Battalion during the North West Persia campaign.
Lot 448
General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Northern Ireland, Lebanon (24393265 Tpr R E Thomas QGD) minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine £700-£900 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2014. Robert Edgar Thomas was born on 14 January 1960. He enlisted into the Royal Armoured Corps at Swansea on 3 May 1976 and with the Queen’s Dragoon Guards he served in Northern Ireland, October 1980-November 1982 and in Lebanon, February-August 1983. He also served with the B.A.O.R., September 1977-September 1978; October 1978-July 1979; August 1979-October 1980; and September-October 1984. As a Lance-Corporal he was transferred to the Reserve in January 1985.
Lot 635
Small Arms, Artillery, and Special Weapons of the Third Reich. By Terry Gander and Peter Chamberlain, published by Macdonald and Jane’s Publishers, London, 1978, 371pp., with numerous b/w photographs, and index, hardbound, with dust-jacket, good condition German Small Arms. By A. J. R. Cormack, published by Profield Publications, Windsor, 1979, 160pp., with numerous b/w photographs, hardbound, with dust-jacket, good condition Military Holsters of World War II. By Eugene J. Bender, published by Taylor, Dallas, 1984, 205pp., with numerous b/w photographs, hardbound, with dust-jacket, good condition A History of Marksmanship. By C. C. Trench, published by Ferndale Editions, London, 1980, 127pp., with numerous b/w photographs, hardbound, with dust-jacket, good condition Firefight! The History of Personal Firepower. By Peter Newark, published by David and Charles Publishers, Newton Abbot, 1989, 190pp., with numerous b/w and colour photographs and illustrations, hardbound, with dust-jacket, reasonable condition Mauser Rifles and Pistols. By W. H. B. Smith, published by Military Service Publishing, Harrisburg, 1989, 236pp., with numerous b/w photographs, hardbound, with somewhat torn dust-jacket, reasonable condition Walther Pistols. By W. H. B. Smith, published by Military Service Publishing, Harrisburg, 1946, 94pp., with numerous b/w photographs, hardbound, with somewhat torn dust-jacket, reasonable condition The Machine Gun, Volume I. By Lieutenant-Colonel G. M. Chinn, U.S.M.C., published by the Department of the Navy, Washington D.C., 1951, 2688pp., with numerous b/w photographs, and index, hardbound, reasonable condition Small Arms of the World. By W. H. B. Smith, published by Military Service Publishing, Harrisburg, 1989, 768pp., with numerous b/w photographs, and index, hardbound, reasonable condition (lot) £30-£40 --- Sold with various other pamphlets and publications, including a large volume on Swordsmanship [in German], with numerous colour plates; ‘Small Arms Manual’; and ‘Classic Arms’.
Lot 133
A Great War 1917 ‘Ypres’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant H. R. Mayberry, 6th Australian Field Artillery Brigade, Australian Imperial Force, for keeping lines of communication open between Infantry and Artillery lines around Hooge, during six hours of heavy shelling, and despite being partially buried as consequence of aeroplane bomb Military Medal, G.V.R. (8425 Sapr. H. R. Mayberry. 6/A. Bde: Aust: F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (8425 T-Sjt. H. R. Mayberry. 6 F.A.B. A.I.F.) light contact marks overall, therefore very fine (3) £700-£900 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 December 1917. The original recommendation states: ‘On the 25th September 1917, at Hooge, the enemy which had attacked our lines, was shelling the valley between Hooge and Halfway House very heavily. For six hours these two men [Mayberry and Sapper P. M. Coghlan] worked backwards and forwards on the line between the artillery and the infantry, in this valley, being almost continuously under shell fire and in endeavouring to keep the line in action narrowly escaped with their lives. They were on one occasion partly buried by an aeroplane bomb but continued with their work and eventually finding it impossible to keep the line in repair reported at the Infantry Headquarters and brought in by hand from the Liaison Officer an important despatch through the heavy fire which was then existing. Their conduct throughout was an excellent example of courage and determination.’ Henry Raymond Mayberry was born in California Gully, Bendigo, Victoria, Australia, in 1894 and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in the town of his birth on 16 July 1915. He initially went to Egypt in May 1916, and then on to the U.K. in August of the same year. He served with the 6th Australian Field Artillery Brigade on the Western Front, and was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations in and around Hooge on 25 September 1917. The unit’s War Diary for the latter date gives the German artillery barrage as ‘hostile artillery extremely active. 112C 118A shelled with gas in the early morning. During the day the enemy actively shelled over all our font with guns of all calibre and with apparent aerial observation.’ It also lists the full citations for Mayberry and Coghlan’s M.M.s. Mayberry returned to Australia in H.M.A.T. Borda, and was discharged 11 August 1919.
Lot 526
Birks Memorial Bar ‘Lieut. R. M. Lawrence R.C.N. Died in his Country’s Service 29 Apr. 1944’, extremely fine £100-£140 --- Ralph Miles Lawrence was educated at the Royal Military College, Kingston, and enlisted in the the Royal Canadian Navy in 1939. He trained at Halifax, Nova Scotia, and was chosen to go to the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, where he distinguished himself by winning the King’s Dirk. He was seriously wounded whilst serving in H.M.S. Nelson, and was killed in action when H.M.C.S. Athabaskan was torpedoed and sunk in the English Channel on 29 April 1944 with the loss of 128 lives. He is commemorated on the Halifax Memorial, Canada.
Lot 30
Pair: Warrant Officer Class II E. Borton, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War Medal 1914-20 (200393 W.O. Cl. 2. E. Borton. R. Berks. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3705 Sjt: Cook E. Borton. R. Berks: Regt) edge bruises, some polishing to BWM, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £50-£70 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1917 Henry Ernest Borton, a Baker from Pangbourne, Berkshire, was born on 6 September 1875. He attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 6 February 1893 and served during the Second Boer War in South Africa (entitled to a Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, and Transvaal; and a King’s South Africa Medal with the two date). He attested for further service on 26 May 1914 and served on the Western Front with the 1/4th Battalion from 30 January 1915. Appointed Company Sergeant Major on 26 December 1915, he was Mentioned in Despatches in May 1917. Post war he re-engaged as a Territorial on 19 April 1920 and served until 10 August 1930. He died, aged 81, in Reading, Berkshire, on 15 February 1957.
Lot 19
Four: Lance-Corporal J. A. Earley, Royal Berkshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (2737 Pte. J. A. Earley. R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (2737 Pte. J. A. Earley. R. Berks. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (200610 Pte - L. Cpl - J. A. Earley. 4/R. Berks. R.) very fine (4) £140-£180 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 30 May 1918. John Audrey Earley attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 30 March 1915. He saw later service in the Italian theatre with the 4th Battalion, for which he was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. He also served with the Labour Corps.
Lot 17
Three: Sergeant H. W. Shoosmith, Royal Berkshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (10864 Sjt. H. W. Shoosmith. R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10864 Sjt. H. W. Shoosmith. R. Berks. R.) very fine Three: Private J. Dawson, Royal Berkshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (41827 Pte. J. Dawson. R. Berks. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (James Dawson) very fine Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (10327 Pte. T. Spokes. R. Berks. R.; 30120 Pte. A. H. Wise. R. Berks. R.); together with four Royal Berkshire Regiment shooting medals, one silver, three bronze, one of the bronze examples named ‘Pte. F. Cartland’, nearly very fine (8) £80-£100 --- Henry W. Shoosmith attested into the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front from 30 May 1915 and was appointed Sergeant. He saw later service with the Royal Engineers and was discharged ‘Class Z’ on 27 February 1919. Thomas Spokes attested into the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front with the 5th Battalion from 30 May 1915, and died of wounds on 14 October 1915. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France.
Lot 13
Three: Acting Corporal W. Lawrie, Royal Berkshire Regiment 1914 Star (9976 Pte W. Lawrie. 1/R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9976 A. Cpl. W. Lawrie. R. Berks. R.) very fine (3) £80-£100 --- Walter Lawrie attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. Appointed Acting Corporal, he saw later service with the Machine Gun Corps.
Lot 535
Regimental Medallions (6), Ayrshire Yeomanry (2) (Won by Trooper R. Stevenson 1906; Won by Corpl. R. K. Stevenson ‘D’ Squadron 1909); Royal Scots Dragoons (Special Signalling Prize 1914-15 Won by Sgt. Wm. McIntyre); 15th Hussars (Hockey 1906 B 2 K. Ross); Duke of Manchester’s Light Horse; Scottish Horse, all silver, the first four with yellow metal insets, the last enamelled, generally very fine (6) £80-£100
Lot 181
Three: Private G. Bettles, Bedfordshire Regiment, later Royal Irish Fusiliers 1914 Star (3-6416 Pte. G. Bettles. 1/Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (6416 Pte. G. Bettles. Bedf. R.) nearly very fine and better (3) £100-£140 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2012. George Bettles attested for the Bedfordshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 September 1914. He later transferred to the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
Lot 16
Four: Sergeant A. W. Allnutt, Royal Berkshire Regiment and Special Constabulary 1914-15 Star (2779 Pte. A. W. Allnutt. R. Berks: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2779 Sjt. A. W. Allnutt. R. Berks. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Sergt. Arthur W. Allnutt), first three mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £50-£70 --- Arthur William Allnutt attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 1/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 June 1916. After later service with the 5th Battalion, he was disembodied on 23 February 1919.
Lot 15
Seven: Captain S. O. Belcher, Royal Berkshire Regiment, later Army Education Corps 1914-15 Star (11247 Sjt. S. O. Belcher. R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals (11247 Sjt. S. O. Belcher. R. Berks. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (7730737 W.O. Cl. 1. S. O. Belcher. A.E.C.) mounted for wear, contact marks, nearly very fine (7) £160-£200 --- Stanley Oswald Belcher was born in Cookham, Berkshire in 1893. He attested into the Royal Berkshire Regiment for service during the Great War, and served on the Western Front with the 5th Battalion from 30 May 1915. He continued to serve post war, transferring to the Army Education Corps and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal whilst serving as Regimental Sergeant Major. Commissioned Lieutenant on 14 April 1939, he served at home during the Second World War, and was promoted Captain. He died in Aldershot, Hampshire, on 2 November 1963.
Lot 169
Three: Private J. Miles, Royal Sussex Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (3081 [sic] Pte. J. Miles, 1: R: Sussex Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3080 Pte. J. Miles. Rl: Sussex Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3080 Pte. J. Miles. Rl. Sussex Regt.) mounted for wear from a triple silver riband bar, lacking pin, light contact marks, very fine and better (3) £240-£280
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