We found 297893 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 297893 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
297893 item(s)/page
Lot 459
1914-15 Star (429258 Pte P. Rutledge. 7/Can: Inf:); together with British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (2193345 Sjt. R. J. Burland. C. E.; 629923 S. Sjt. J. T. Rigg. 47-Can. Inf.; 791065 Pte. J. Fraser. 47-Can. Inf.; 629559 Pte. J. Oxnam. 47-Can. Inf.) suspension claw re-pinned on last, edge bruising, nearly very fine, remainder generally very fine or better (5) £70-£90 --- Peter Rutledge was born in Waterside, Ayrshire, Scotland in November 1875. He had 14 years prior service with Royal Marine Light Infantry; and, 72nd Regiment, Seaforth Highlanders of Canada. Rutledge served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Private Rutledge died of illness, 12 September 1916, and is buried in the Wokingham (St. Sebastian) Churchyard, Berkshire. John Thornthwaite Rigg was born in Whitehaven, Cumberland in July 1881. He was a mining engineer by profession, with prior service with Bedfordshire Regiment and Canadian Army Medical Corps. Rigg served with the 47th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and his name brought to the notice of Secretary of State for War for valuable service in connection with the war. John Oxnam was born in Marazion, Penzance, Cornwall in June 1897. He served during the Great War with the 47th Battalion, Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Private Oxnam was killed in action in the attack at Regina Trench (Courcelette), 11 November 1916. He is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Lot 463
British War Medal 1914-20 (G-3215 Cpl. P. W. Dyer. The Queen’s R.) nearly very fine £40-£60 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1920: ‘For valuable services rendered whilst prisoners of war or interned.’ Percy W. Dyer was a native of West Hartlepool and served during the Great War with the 7th (Service) Battalion, The Queen’s Regiment in the French theatre of war from 27 July 1915. He was taken prisoner of war whilst serving with the 1st Battalion at Ypres, 25 September 1917.
Lot 464
British War Medal 1914-20 (6) (27968 Pte. F. G. Brown. R. War. R.; 16683 Pte. E. H. Parry. R. War. R.; 242692 Pte. W. Pettifer. R. War. R.; 2099 Pte. F. Sanders. R. War. R.; 40745 Pte. G. England. Yorks. L.I.; 43525 Pte. J. R. B. Houghton. Manch. R.) generally very fine and better (6) £120-£160 --- Frederick George Brown was born in Wimborne, Dorset. He attested into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front. After contracting Trench Fever and a spell in hospital in England, he returned to France and later died of wounds on 15 April 1918. He is buried in Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France. Evan Henry Parry, a native of Birmingham, attested at Warwick into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 1st Battalion. He was killed in action on 3 May 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. William Pettifer was born in Birmingham in 1873 and attested into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment for service during the Great War. He served with the 1st/6th Battalion on the Western Front, and was killed in action, aged 44, on 9 November 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Frederick Sanders was born in Birmingham and attested into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914, and died of wounds on 30 April 1915. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. George England was born in Mangotfield, Bristol. He attested into the Yorkshire Light Infantry and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 August 1916. He was killed in action whilst serving with the 1/5th Battalion on 9 July 1917 and is buried in Ramscappelle Military Cemetery, Belgium. John Reginald Burkett Houghton was born in 1896 and attested into the Manchester Regiment for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front and was killed in action, aged 21, whilst serving with the 21st Battalion, on 10 January 1917. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Lot 466
The British War Medal awarded to Captain R. C. Dyer, Special List [D.C.M., M.M. and Bar, Russian Order of St. George 4th Class], late Sergeant, 8th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, who was twice decorated for his gallantry at Courcelette in 1916, and was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry at Onega, Russia in 1918. He was commissioned and placed in command of a battalion raised from Russian Bolshevik prisoners - the ‘Dyer Battalion’ of the Slavo-British Legion, and died of disease in Russia, 30 December 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. R. C. Dyer.) edge bruising, nearly very fine £300-£400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2010. D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and resource during the landing at Onega and clearing of the town. He set a very fine example to his men throughout the action, and from a very exposed position, successfully engaged an enemy machine gun at close range with his Lewis gun. He showed marked courage in taking up new positions with his gun under heavy machine gun and cross rifle fire, and by his skilful use of it rendered very valuable service.’ M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of Brigade Runners previously to, but especially during, the successful attack by this Brigade on the Zollern and Hessian trenches, Sept. 26-27 1916. Without intermission, he was constantly supervising the organization of the Brigade Runners & it was owing to him that at no time were we out of touch by runner with any of out units. He showed himself to be energetic & trustworthy and set men under his command, & for his services in this connection I strongly recommend him for immediate reward.’ M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 23 October 1916: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty in charge of the Bde runners previously to but especially during the successful attack by the Bde Sept. 26th and 27th 1916. Without intermission he was constantly supervising the organization of the Bde Runners and it was owing to him that at no time were we out of touch with any of out units. He showed himself to be energetic and trustworthy and set men under his command and for his services in this connection I strongly recommend him.’ Royce Coleman Dyer was born in Sutton, Quebec, Canada in February 1889. A Butcher by occupation, he attested for the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force on 21 September 1914. Dyer was posted to the 8th Battalion (Manitoba Regiment), Canadian Infantry. He served with the Battalion on the Western Front, including during the Second Battle of Ypres where he was gassed. For his bravery under fire during the fighting around Courcelette in 1916, he was awarded the Military Medal and Bar. Dyer advanced to Sergeant when he joined the Allied Force going to Russia in June 1918, and distinguished himself during the landings at Onega. Soon after he was commissioned and placed in command of a battalion raised from Russian Bolshevik prisoners - the ‘Dyer Battalion’ of the Slavo-British Legion. Dyer was later awarded the Russian Order of St. George 4th Class. Captain Dyer died of disease, 30 December 1918, and is buried in the Archangel Allied Cemetery. Sold with photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Lot 478
Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2. Lieut. L. T. Burgess. R. Ir. Rif.) good very fine, rare to unit £240-£280 --- Leonard Thomas Burgess was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Rifles, and served with the Machine Gun Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from July 1916. His British War and Victory Medal pair were issued from the Machine Gun Corps medal roll. Sold with copied medal index card and medal roll extracts which show Burgess as being one of only two officers from the Royal Irish Rifles to receive the Territorial Force War Medal.
Lot 480
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3055402. Pte. M. Rosie R. Scots.) solder repair to suspension, surname officially corrected, nearly very fine £50-£70 --- M. Rosie served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Scots in Palestine. He subsequently served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second War, and was taken prisoner of war at the fall of Hong Kong, 25 December 1941.
Lot 499
Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (947904 Sgt. J. R. Hammond. R.A.) very fine Malaysia, Federation, Medal of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (Pingat Pangkuan Negara), silver, in embossed case of issue, extremely fine (5) £60-£80
Lot 505
General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, South Arabia (23977782 Pte. J. A. Riddiford. Lan. R. (PWV)) nearly extremely fine and a scarce award to a casualty £260-£300 --- James Austin Riddiford was born in Birmingham on 12 October 1944 and attested for the Lancashire Regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion in Aden, and was ‘fatally injured in an exchange of fire between Arabs and troops at an observation post of the Singapore Lines military camp in Aden. He later died from his wounds in the R.A.F. Hospital, Steamer Point, Aden on 11 July 1967’ (Britain’s Small Wars website refers). His body was repatriated and he is buried in Burnley Cemetery, Lancashire. Sold with copied research.
![Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (389864 W.O. Cl.1. K [sic]. R. K. Campbell. The Greys.) last two letters o](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/fda7ab59-8186-423c-8184-af65010df33d/0ccf0ff9-5198-49f6-8f8e-afd900c67239/468x382.jpg)
Lot 519
Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (389864 W.O. Cl.1. K [sic]. R. K. Campbell. The Greys.) last two letters of unit officially corrected, extremely fine £80-£100 --- John Robert Kidd Campbell was born in Burnley, Lancashire, in 1895 and attested for the 1st Dragoons on 31 January 1914, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 October 1915 to 16 September 1919. He transferred to the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) with the rank of Sergeant, becoming a Staff Sergeant-Major, and was commissioned a Lieutenant in 287 Company, Royal Pioneer Corps on 5 March 1941. He resigned his commission on 3 January 1944, and died at Flyde in 1963. Sold with copied research.
Lot 534
Prison Service (Operational Service) L.S & G.C., E.II.R. (SO R Gamble KV009) in Royal Mint case of issue; together with the recipient’s H.M. Prison Service 25 Years’ Service lapel pin, silver, officially named ‘Richard Gamble’, in Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine, the latter scarce (2) £140-£180 --- Sold with the recipient’s Certificate of Long Service for 25 Years’ Service; and Invitation for the presentation of the recipient’s Long Service Medal, for 20 Years’ Service. Richard Gamble was presented with his Prison Service Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by the High Sheriff of North Yorkshire at H.M.P. Kirklevington Grange, on 16 August 2011.
Lot 54
Khedive’s Sudan 1910-21, 2nd issue, 2 clasps, Darfur 1916, Fasher (14115 Pte. C. C. Bennett. R. War. R.) officially impressed naming, nearly extremely fine and rare £400-£500 --- Medal Index Card confirms Sudan Medal and clasps. He also served in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and the Royal Engineers and is entitled to British War and Victory Medals but ineligible for 1915-15 Star although he served in the Egyptian theatre from 20 August 1915. Sold with copied Medal Index Cards.
Lot 557
The Memorial Plaque awarded to Private E. G. Tudor, 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action by the Arabs at the V.C. action of Hillah, 24 July 1920 Memorial Plaque (Ernest Geoffrey Tudor) with Buckingham Palace certificate of appreciation for taking evacuees in to your home in 1939, named to recipient’s wife ‘Mrs G. Tudor’ envelope addressed to her at ‘1 The Square, Kington, Herefordshire’, also with a large portrait photograph of her, certificate with foxing, very fine (lot) £140-£180 --- Ernest Geoffrey Tudor was the son of Mr and Mrs W. Tudor of 21 Victoria Road, Kington, Herefordshire. He served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, and subsequently in Iraq (entitled to BWM and VM, and G.S.M. with ‘Iraq’ clasp). Private Tudor was killed in action with Arab insurgents at Hillah, 24 July 1920. As part of the campaign against Arab insurgents in Iraq in the Kifi - Kufa area on the Euphrates south of Baghdad, a column was despatched. The column commanded by Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel R. N. Hardcastle, D.S.O., Manchester Regiment, consisted of three companies of the 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment; two squadrons of the 35th Scinde Horse; two sections of the 39th Battery Royal Field Artillery; one company of the 1/32nd Sikh Pioneers; and one section of the 24th Combined Field Ambulance. On 24 July 1920 whilst in the process of preparing a camp for the evening, a large number of insurgents were reported to be approaching. Misled over the actual numbers advancing, an ill-advised decision was made to retreat. The column headed towards Hillah but in a confused night action, the column became disordered and in many places chaos ensued. Elsewhere men fought bravely and and several decorations were won, including a posthumous V.C. awarded to Captain George Stuart Henderson, D.S.O., M.C. & Bar, 2nd Battalion Manchester Regiment. Private Tudor is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Lot 573
Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (13727 Pte R. F. F. De La Gorgendiere) good very fine £60-£80 --- Régis Francis Fleury de la Gorgendière was born in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Canada in November 1891. He served during the Great War with the 5th Battalion (Western Cavalry), Canadian Infantry and was killed in action on the Western Front, 26 September 1916. Private de la Gorgendière is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Lot 582
Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (107175 Pte R. Crerar) lacking suspension ring, very fine £50-£70 --- Robert Crerar was born in Howick, Northumberland in July 1878. He served with the Newcastle-on-Tyne Volunteer Field Artillery, 1895-1900. Crerar served during the Great War with the 2nd Canadian Mounted Rifles, and was killed in action on the Western Front on 2 June 1916. Private Crerar is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Lot 586
Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (F.O. R. E. Archibald R.A.F. 87451) in case of issue, very fine £140-£180 --- Ronald Earle Archibald was the son of Mr and Mrs W. E. Archibald of Rosedale, British Columbia, Canada. He served during the Second World War as a Flying Officer with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Archibald served as a pilot with 61 Squadron (Lancasters) operating out of Syerston. He was killed in action whilst flying Lancaster R5627 QR on an operation to Bremen, 4 June 1942, ‘T/O Syerston 2315. Shot down by a night-fighter (Lt. Hans-Heinz König, NJG2). Crashed on the southern perimeter of Bad Zwischenahn aerodrome.’ (Royal Air Force Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War by W. R. Chorley refers) Of the crew of seven, one was taken prisoner of war with the remainder killed. All of the latter, including Flying Officer Earle, are buried in the Sage War Cemetery, Germany.
Lot 592
Regimental Medallions (8), Royal Tournament Inter Unit Team Fencing (Major J. Alves R.M.); R.M. College Drill Competition (2) (Won by E Company 1901 Gentleman Cadet R. J. A. Terry; Won by E Company June 1901 Gentleman Cadet R. J. A. Terry); Royal Naval & Royal Marines Championships; Metropolitan Territorials Association School of Arms (Novices 1909 Foils First Prize won by J. G. Ritchie); Series G (Won by Pte. R. W. Brading 1894); Westminster School O.T.C. Junior Squad Competition (Bd. Cpl. J. J. B. Shaw 1918); together with an unknown Fob (A. Beadle); Great War Tribute Medals (4), Low Moor Munitions Co. Ltd., naming erased; Ashington Sailors and Soldiers Welcome Home; Battle of Jutland Tribute Medal, miniature; Great War In Commemoration, all silver, generally very fine (12) £100-£140
Lot 598
Regimental Prize Medallions (9), London Rifle Brigade Medallion (6186 Pte R. W. Brading. N. Co. 1904.); Ontario Rifles Association (P.O.B.A. 1898 Won by in 1901 Sgt. W. Sadler, 8th R.R.); Devonshire Volunteer Association shooting Medallion (3) (Cadet Shield Winners 1899; Cadet Winners 1900; Cadet Winners 1900); Portsmouth United Service Rifle Meeting Medallion (P. A. Fulcher 1927); Victorian Shooting Medallion; The Army Rifle Association Medallion; together with an unknown shooting Medallion, all silver, generally very fine (9) £80-£100
Lot 602
Regimental Sporting Medallions (14), Northern Ireland District Curragh Challenge Cup 1927 (1st D.L.I. ‘C’ Coy Cpl. J. Gallagy); London Territorial Sprts 1909; Cirty of London (T) A & S A War Memorial Trophy (Football Ravensbourne H A Gough 1927); Ordnance Athletic Recreation Club Cricket (Foremans Cup Runners Up 1020 Erecting & Test J. Harris); RNAS Evanton (2) (Inter Hut Soccer Aug. 1945 Runners Up J. Walton. L.A.F.A.; Football 1946 Winners Dispersal J. Walton L.A.F.A. 12th Man); ACAC (Unit Team Championships J. B. Jarvis 43rd Light Infantry 1932); The Army Football Association (Army v Essex County 1960-61 Referee Captain R. A. Baker R.A.E.C.); United Services Football League (Junior Challenge Cup Winners 1938-39); British Legion Band Society 1927 (Brass Band Contest Winners J. Bell); Military College of Science; 101 Training Reserve Batt.; Mill Hill O.T.C.; Miniature Rifles Society Clubs, all silver and enamelled, the last with solder over naming, generally very fine (14) £100-£140
Lot 604
Regimental Sporting Medallions (11), Army Athletic Club, Public Schools Gymnastic Competition (Cheltenham College F, R. Jones M. G. Salter 1904); Royal Military Academy; North China Company Team Championship (Winners 1928 C. Coy. 1 E. York. R.); R.A.F. Hendesford Boxing (H. Hines 1943); R.A.F. No. 23 Group Swimming Championships; Tug of War 1929; Territorial Force Athletic Sports Championships (Edinburgh 1914 Wrestling Dr. J. Johnstone); Dollar Acadamey (Scott Lang Cup 1940 Sgt. G. M. Short); Army Football Association (2); Royal Air Force Athletic & Cross Country Association (1931 120 Yds. Hurdles Championship Second), the last silvered bronze, the rest all silver, some edge bruises, generally very fine (11) £80-£100
Lot 614
Mentioned in Despatches Certificates (3): Chief Engineroom Artificer Herbert Mitchell, dated 11 June 1946; Corporal I. A. Stephenson, Royal Army Service Corps, dated 4 April 1946; and Captain G. R. Gout, Corps of Royal Engineers, dated 8 May 1956, the last mounted in a glazed display frame, the last with considerable foxing; otherwise generally good condition (3) £60-£80 --- Herbert Mitchell was Mentioned in Despatches ‘for distinguished service during the War in the Far East’ (London Gazette 11 June 1946). Ivan Asher Stephenson was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military) as an Acting Sergeant, R.A.S.C., (London Gazette 13 June 1946), and was Mentioned in Despatches ‘in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe’ (London Gazette 4 April 1946). Sold with a 21st Army Group Commander in Chief’s certificate, for outstanding good service named to S/290127 Corporal I. A. Stephenson, Royal Army Service Corps, bearing the facsimile signature of Field Marshal B. L. Montgomery; Buckingham Palace congratulations slip dated 24 June, 1947 addressed to Sergeant Ivan A. Stephenson. B.E.M. Royal Army Service Corps, dated 24 June 1947; original letter from R.A.S.C. Records Office, forwarding Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, dated May 1948, and addressed to Mr. I. A. Stephenson, 27 Damory Street, Blandford, Dorset; and Army Council Issue slip for Second World War campaign medals, indicating the issue of 4 medals and one emblem. George Roy Gout was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, on 25 March 1945, and was promoted Lieutenant on 27 March 1948 and Captain on 6 July 1951. He was Mentioned in Despatches ‘in recognition of distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1955’ (London Gazette 8 May 1956). He was promoted Major on 2 February 1959 and retired on 22 May 1975.
Lot 615
Miscellaneous Documents, booklets and ephemera, mainly of military interest. Comprising a Soldier’s ‘Brown Book’ Service and Pay Book, Regular Army Soldier’s ‘Red Book’ Certificate of Service, Record of Service Sheet, and Parchment Royal Warrant, on appointment as Warrant Officer, relating to Warrant Officer Class II, Company Sergeant Major A. M. Williams, Royal Engineers and Royal Signals, together with a group photograph supposedly including the recipient; a Parchment Certificate of Service (Army Form D.426), Parchment Certificate of Discharge (Army Form B.2077), and Certificate of Employment During the War (Army Form Z. 18), relating to Regimental Sergeant Major G. R. Marsden, 4th Dragoon Guards; a small bundle of letters home, mainly from India and Burma in the early 1890s, relating to Lance Sergeant R. Scott, Cheshire Regiment, including a parchment Camp Cookery Certificate issued by the Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General, Aldershot Camp, this all giving an interesting snapshot of military life on campaign in India and Burma; a R.A.F. Form 2520B Airwoman, Royal Air Force Service and Release Book, and letter from the Royal College of Music, London, relating to Flight Sergeant H. M. Klein, B.E.M., Women’s Auxiliary Air Force; a Home Guard Service Certificate, 1952-56, named to G. E. A. Bourne; two National Registration Identity cards, one named to W. J. J. Haynes, of Brierly Hill, with a Gloucestershire Regimental Association Life Membership Card; an Army Booklet ‘Health Memoranda for British Soldiers in the Tropics’ 1941; and other ephemera; together with a British cast copy of the Sinking of the S.S. Lusitania Medal by K. Goetz, 55mm, unboxed, generally good condition £60-£80 --- Alexander Mitchell Williams was born in 1904, and enlisted at Cork into the Royal Engineers on 2 February 1920. He transferred into the Royal Signals on 6 November 1920, and remained in the Royal Signals for his military career. He served at Home, in Egypt, India and served with the B.E.F. in France from September 1939 to June 1940, the remainder of his Second World War Service being ‘at Home’. His Certificate of Service confirms that he had served 25 years and 253 days with the Colours and seven years in the Reserve, having a combined service of 33 years. He received the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1938, the 1939-45 Star and the Defence and War Medals. He was discharged from the Army Reserve in 1953. George Richard Marsden was born in Ashford, Kent. He enlisted into the Dragoons of the Line as Private No. 4802, 4th Dragoon Guards, at London on 13 May 1898. He transferred to the Army Reserve at Gosport on 20 April 1905, and was recalled for service in the Great War being promoted Regimental Sergeant Major on 13 October 1917. Robert Scott received the India General Service Medal 1854, with clasp Chin-Lushai 1889-90, for service in India as Colour Sergeant, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. Miss Hilda Minnie Klein was born in Bow, London, in October 1896. A talented pianist, she entered the Royal College of Music on 23 September 1915 and studied there for 19 terms. She won numerous prizes, became an Associated Board examiner and held a teaching post until the late 1960s. Miss Klein enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force at Harrogate on 30 September 1940. Promoted to Corporal on 24 January 1941, she was trained as a Photographic Interpreter (P.I.) and transferred to R.A.F. Medmenham in Buckinghamshire on 17 April 1942; the station was the R.A.F.’s Central Interpretation Unit, responsible for analysing air photographs and producing reports of enemy positions. The unit issued target maps to 617 Squadron prior to the Dambusters Raid, and kept close tabs upon the movements of the Tirpitz in Norway. For her services she was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1945) and additionally awarded the British Empire Medal, Military Division (London Gazette 1 January 1946). She was discharged on 14 September 1945 and died at Hove, Sussex, on 7 June 1981.
Lot 617
Four Colour Prints of the 78th Highlanders, by R. Simkin, taken from the book ‘History and Services of the 78th Highlanders 1799-1881’, by Major H. Davidson, comprising a group of Highlanders in uniform in India in 1852; a group of Highlanders in uniform in 1859, with some wearing the Indian Mutiny Medal; a group of Highlanders in uniform in 1877, with the Colonel of the Regiment mounted; and the original Colours of the 78th Highlanders carried during the campaigns 1793-96, all mounted in matching glazed display frames, approximately 400mm x 340mm, generally good condition (4) £30-£40
Lot 65
The South Africa 1877-79 medal to Trooper R. Warren, 2nd Cape Mounted Yeomanry, who was killed in action in the second assault on Morosi’s Stronghold, 5 June 1879 South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Tpr. R. Warren. 2nd Cape Yeory.) lightly toned, nearly extremely fine and a rare casualty £3,000-£4,000 --- Trooper Robert Warren, 2nd Cape Mounted Yeomanry, was killed in action in the second assault on Morosi’s Stronghold, high up on Morosi’s Mountain, on 5 June 1879. Like the first assault of 8 April, it too was unsuccessful and it was not until the night assault of 19/20 November that the mountain was finally taken.
Lot 659
A well-documented Second World War German 1940 ‘Battle of Britain’ Iron Cross group of four awarded to Luftwaffe Ju.88 Radio Operator - Air Gunner Sergeant L. Ottmann, who during the course of the Second World War flew a total of 135 combat missions, including the great raid on Coventry (Moonlight Serenade), and further 22 raids on London; transferring to the Eastern Front, he then took part in Operation Barbarossa Germany, Third Reich, Iron Cross 1939 (2), First Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, retaining pin stamped ‘113’; Second Class breast badge, silver with iron centre, unmarked; War Merit Cross 1939, Second Class, with swords, bronze; Winter War Medal 1941-42, zinc, nearly extremely fine (4) £600-£800 --- Leonhard Ottman began his aircrew training with a flight in a Junkers JU 52 transport aircraft on 13 June 1939. He went on to fly in the Dornier Do17, Heinkel HE111, Junkers JU88 and other similar size aircraft, qualifying as an aircraft radio operator. On completion of his training, he was posted to Kampfgeschwader (Totenkopf Geschwader) Stab II/KG54 as a radio operator on Junkers JU88 twin engine multi-role light bombers. He became part of the regular crew of Lieutenant Mally, with who he remained until his last flight in August 1944. He was to go on to complete 421 flights, from bases in Germany, France, Poland and Italy. Of these flights, 135 were classed as combat missions. Ottman’s war began with his first posting - to KG54 at St. Andre, in Southern France (IV. Fliegerkorps) where he began his flying duties on 8 August 1940. His first combat mission came on 29 August with a feint attack against the English coast. This was during the height of the ‘Battle of Britain’ and no doubt intended to draw the RAF fighters away from their airfields so they could be attacked by other Luftwaffe units. KG54 then began to play its part in the period known as ‘The Blitz’, when English and Welsh cities (especially London) and ports were targeted. Ottmann’s 42 combat missions from St. Andre included 17 raids on London, over the period 23 September to 29 November, and Operation Mondscheinserenade Korn (Moonlight Serenade Corn) on Coventry on 15 November 1940, which was at the time the largest and most devastating aerial attack to date anywhere, when the city was attacked by 449 bombers from Luftflote II and III which dropped 503 tonnes of mixed bombs. Many factories destroyed, and the medieval heart of the city devastated. The night’s bombing cost the city 554 killed, and 865 seriously injured. On 14 April 1941, Kampfgeschwader 54 moved to Bretigny, still in France (remaining part of IV. Fliegerkorps), from where Ottmann took part in a further 17 combat missions, mainly against English cities and airfields, including London (five times), Plymouth (twice), Liverpool (three times), and Exeter (three times). Ottmann’s final sortie to England took place on 20 May 1941, when his aircraft attacked the port of Plymouth: ‘We attacked the target from 150 metres and dropped our bombs directly onto the port but because of the strong anti-aircraft fire it was not possible to assess the effects of the bombing. By low flying we were able to get away from the massive artillery fire.’ On 17 June 1941, Kampfgeschwader 54 moved to Swidnik, near Lublin, in Poland; now with V. Fliegerkorps. There they took part in Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of Russia, which began on 22 June 1941. Over the next month Ottmann took part in 35 Attacks made against targets in Eastern Poland and Russia, including the airfield at Schepatoka in Russia on 1 July 1941: ‘Our mission was to dive bomb in group formation the airfield in Schepatoka in Russia. We proceeded in groups but shortly before the target our group broke up owing to heavy weather and was blasted by heavy resistance. After that we attacked the airfield individually. We flew across the field at low level and just in front of the hangars the pilot pulled up the plane and released our bombs. Shortly after we heard a loud noise in the plane. We had been badly hit by both the flak and by the pieces of bombed hangar thrown up high into the air. Result: By means of a direct hit we were able to completely destroy the hangar including its foundation wall.’ Two day later, on 3 July Ottman and his crew ‘Were ordered to attack the railway line at Konotop with splinter bombs equipped with Shockwave devices. The remaining bombs were meant for the trains. We carried 1 splinter bomb, and 35 D250. We arrived at low level attacking the designated railway line, and after finding a suitable spot, we dropped the splinter bomb which landed directly between the railway tracks. A bit further on we used the remaining bombs to attack a fuel train in a siding. The bombs dropped a bit to the right of the fuel train so that it only got hit by shrapnel. We then made several further attacks on the train using the other weapons on board until the petrol laden train burst into flames. After crash landing (back at base) we established that the ground fire had shot right through the fuselage steering gear.’ Further attacks on rail installations followed, on 5, 11, and 15 July: ‘We were ordered to dive bomb the retreating columns to the east of Berditschof with 45 x D250. We approached from a height of 2000 - 2500 metres and discovered a moving train loaded with war materials, so we dive bombed it. We released our bombs at 400 - 500 metres and all 4 bombs landed directly on target with the result that the transport train was immediately thrown up into the air after the attack and was ablaze... Six days later we were given the mission to attack the railway station at Kasatin using 25. C 250 and 25 D 250. Just before reaching the target we encountered very heavy flak but nevertheless we attacked and dive bombed the station releasing our bombs at 400 metres. After that we attacked the flak emplacement using on board weapons and silenced it. Result: direct hit on the station causing extensive fires. During this raid our plane received 14 hits, 3 of which went through the cabin area... On 15 July 1941 we were ordered to attack the railway station in Korsum, using 45. C. 250. We dive bombed, releasing our bombs at 600 metres and the bombs hit the target. As we were returning, we spotted a Russian fighter below and ahead of us. We attacked the fighter from behind and the observer fired a round of M.A. Trommel (Trommel + drum). We avoided the fighter by banking left over him and facilitating the rear gunner letting off a full round. I saw the pilot being hit and falling forward causing the plane to crash to the ground in flames. During this raid we encountered heavy flak defences.’ It seems that KG54 was shortly after rotated back to Germany, as his next flights were all in a non-combat role, and flown from bases in Germany. Possibly they were refitting or training, as he flew with a variety of pilots, his usual one being Lieutenant Mally. In December 1941, the crew were posted to Italy as part of Kampfgruppe 806, which was re-designated Stab III/KG54 on 1 September 1942. Moving then onto Sicily, he flew in support of the Afrika Corps in Tunisia from November 1942, and such operations continued during the early months of 1943, culminating with a raid on a Royal Navy convoy on 1 May 1943: ‘We were instructed to locate a British convoy which had been sighted at midday in the Mediterranean. After a clear reconnaissance flight we discovered the enemy convoy near the coast of Bengasi, consisting of 25 - 30 large and medium ships. The convoy was well guarded by combat vessels as well as air defence weapons. At low level we remained with the convoy for 3 - 4 hours to maintain contact with the enemy ships, sending r...
Lot 673
Five: Sergeant Mutandwa, Rhodesian Police, late British South Africa Police Rhodesia, General Service Medal (11528 Sgt. Mutandwa); Rhodesia Police L.S. & G.C. (11528 Sgt. Mutandwa), edge stamped ‘(R.)’ for replacement; Great Britain, War Medal 1939-45; Colonial Police L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (11528 African Const., Mutandwa B.S.A. Police) ‘ice’ of ‘Police’ privately engraved; Service Medal of the Order of St. John, unnamed, generally good very fine (5) £300-£400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2008. Mutandwa was born at Gutu in Southern Rhodesia in June 1924 and, having worked at the Iscor Steel Works on the outskirts of Pretoria, returned home and enlisted in British South Africa Police in June 1945. Thereafter, in a long career spanning nearly 30 years, he held assorted appointments in Salisbury, Gwelo, Selukwe and Bulawayo, among them Court Orderly and Interpreter, Licence Inspector and “Sudden Death Dockets” Compiler. Awarded the St. John Service Medal in 1960 and his Rhodesia Police L.S. & G.C. in January 1972, he retired in December of the following year and became a lay preacher in the Dutch Reform Church. Sold with three original St. John Ambulance certificates, dated March 1949, December 1958 and October 1960, together with the recipient’s B.S.A.P. certificate of service, dated December 1973, these in generally worn damaged and stained but very scarce surviving documents to an African recipient.
Lot 685
A Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book relating to Air Observer G. R. Eley, Royal Air Force Covering the period 27 August to 12 September 1940, comprising Exercise flights 1-4 on the recipient’s Air Observer’s Navigation Course, held at No. 6 A.O.N.S., Staverton, Gloucestershire from 24 August to 1 November 1940, flying Ansons. The Log Book additionally contains various pencil entries form November and December 1941, flying Whitleys; together with various R.A.F. buttons and cloth insignia, overall good condition and a tangential ‘Battle of Britain’ period log book (lot) £80-£120
Lot 86
An Order of St. John group of three awarded to Henry E. R. Taylor, British Red Cross Society The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s breast badge, silver and enamel; British War and Victory Medals (H. E. R. Taylor. B.R.C. & St. J.J.) good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Henry Edward Russell Taylor served in Italy with the British Red Cross Society and Order of St John of Jerusalem from 17 November 1916. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and medal roll.
Lot 88
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major J. H. Rubery, 1/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (243115 A.C.S. Mjr: J. H. Rubery. 1/6 R. War: R.-T.F.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (243115 Sjt: J. H. Rubery. 1/6 R. War: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1547 L. Cpl. J. H. Rubery. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (243115 W.O. Cl. 2. J. H. Rubery. R. War. R.) medals unmounted, light contact marks, otherwise very fine or better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917; citation published 8 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his officers became casualties during an advance he took command of all the men in the neighbourhood and led them forward to the company’s objective, which he consolidated, capturing a large number of prisoners and several machine guns. His leadership and example were of the greatest value.’ M.M. London Gazette 26 May 1917. Immediate Reward, announced in Routine Orders by General Sir H. S. Rawlinson, Bart., K.C.B., K.C.V.O., Commanding Fourth Army, 27th April 1917. John Henry Rubery was born on 2 August 1895, in Birmingham and served with the 1/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, in France from 22 March 1915, and was demobilized on 29 March 1919. He died in Birmingham on 14 November 1979. Sold with three original photographs of the recipient with his wife and family, original copy of Routine Orders of April 1917, cutting from Birmingham Daily Mail announcing D.C.M. with citation, and certificate of Disembodiment on Demobilisation confirming both awards; together with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M., M.M. and Medal Index Cards.
Lot 89
A Great War ‘Ypres-Menin Road’ September 1917 D.C.M. and ‘Hindenburg Line’ May 1917 M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant J. Ellis, 1st (attached 4th) Battalion, Liverpool Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9637 Sjt: J. Ellis. 1/L’pool: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (9637 Sjt: J. Ellis. 1/L’pool: R.); 1914 Star (9637 Pte. T. Ellis. 1/L’pool R.) note initial; British War and Victory Medals (9637 Sjt. J. Ellis. L’pool R.) mounted for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (5) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917; citation published 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was largely responsible for the steadiness with which the men of his company met and repulsed a strong enemy counter-attack. His great courage, resource and initiative were an inspiring example to the men at a critical time.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Ypres-Menin Road, 27 September 1917’. The War Diary for this date describes the attacks during operations in the Reutelbeer Sector, 25-28th September 1917. M.M. London Gazette 28 July 1917. Probably an award for the 33rd Division attack on the Hindenburg Line on 20 May 1917. John Ellis went to France with the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regiment on 12 August 1914 (initial shown as ‘T’ on Medal Index Card). He was subsequently attached to the 4th Battalion and won both of his awards with the 4th. Sold with copied research including gazette entries, D.C.M., M.M. and Medal Index Cards, and War Diary extracts.
Lot 90
A Great War ‘Ravelsberg, April 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Cuinchy, June 1916’ M.M. group of five awarded to Bugler A. Johnstone, 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (330103 Pte. A. Johnstone. M.M. 9/High: L.I.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (1480 Bglr: A. Johnstone. 9/H.L.I.-T.F.); 1914 Star (1480 Pte. A. Johnstone. 9/High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (1480 Pte. A. Johnstone. H.L.I.) medals unmounted, together with British War and Victory Medals awarded to his brother (51527 Pte. J. P. Johnstone. R. Scots.) good very fine (7) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 October 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when acting as runner. No amount of fire stopped him getting his message through, and his high spirits were an inspiration to all who saw him. He gained valuable information when taking part in two daylight patrols, and took a leading part in repelling enemy attacks. His conduct throughout was worthy of the highest praise.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Nr. Ravelsberg, 15-18 April 1918’. M.M. London Gazette 10 August 1916. The Battalion War Diary entry for 27 June 1916 describes ‘Front line at Cuinchy - raid on Mad Point, and that for 7 July 1916 ‘the ceremony of presenting British and French medals in Grande Place this afternoon... Battalion was warmly congratulated by the GOC 1st Army (Gen Charles Munro) who said he was “proud of the men”. The following NCOs of the Battn were presented with the Military Medal [ten including Bugler A. Johnstone], all in connection with recent Raid.’ Andrew Johnstone was a native of Glasgow and served with the 9th (Glasgow Highlanders) Battalion, H.L.I., in France and Flanders from 5 November 1914. Sold with original ‘Headquarters, Second Army’ certificate of congratulations upon award of D.C.M., dated 25 June 1918, together with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M., M.M. and Medal Index Cards, and War Diary entries for D.C.M. and M.M. actions.
Lot 94
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Company Sergeant Major J. Douglas, 16th Battalion, Royal Scots, late Scottish Rifles, who was also Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (43723 Sjt: J. Douglas. 16/R. Scots.) edge bruising and light pitting, nearly very fine £600-£800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as platoon commander and during a counter-attack, when he rallied the scattered units of several battalions, led them forward, and reached the desired objective. At a time when the shortage of officers was being severely felt, his services were invaluable, and his example inspired the greatest confidence.’ John Douglas attested for the Scottish Rifles at Motherwell, and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 March 1915. Transferring to the 16th Battalion, Royal Scots, he was advanced Company Sergeant Major, and in addition to being awarded the D.C.M. was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 18 December 1917). He was disembodied on 19 February 1919. Sold with copied research.
Lot 95
A Great War ‘Battle of the Somme’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. B. Hammond, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, for gallantry during a very heavy bombardment and in the subsequent assault on the enemy trenches at Ovillers on 7 July 1916, on which occasion he was killed in action Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6271 Sjt: J. B. Hammond. 9/R.Fus:); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (40745. Tpr: J. Hammond. Imp: Yeo:) contemporarily re-engraved naming (see footnote); 1914-15 Star (6271 L.Cpl. J. B. Hammond. R. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (GS-6271 Sjt. J. B. Hammond. R. Fus.); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C., J. Hammond.) medals unmounted, toned, very fine or better (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- Note: Although Hammond is listed in Kevin Asplin’s Imperial Yeomanry Q.S.A. roll as a Trooper in the 36th Battalion, he notes ‘No Q.S.A. entitlement on I.Y. rolls’, this Battalion having arrived in South Africa too late to qualify for the medal. D.C.M. London Gazette 22 September 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry to duty during a heavy bombardment of our trenches before an attack. In a subsequent assault he was among the first to arrive in the enemy trenches, and by his coolness and bravery he gave the greatest encouragement to all ranks with him.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Ovillers, 7 July 1916’. The Battalion War Diary for 7 July 1916, ‘In front of Ovillers’, states: ‘4.30 a.m. Our bombardment commenced & became intense at 5.30 a.m. at which time the Coys took up their positions in the front line ready for the assault. “A” on left & “D” on right were to form the 1st line & to be followed immediately by “B” & “C” Coys respectively. The enemy retaliated almost as soon as our bombardment commenced & our trenches were heavily shelled by guns of big calibre. There were no dug-outs available & our casualties were very heavy. “C” Coy suffered most heavily being reduced to about 40. It was then decided that “C” Coy should go over with “D”. At 8.30 a.m., the time fixed for the assault, “A” & “D” & the remainder of “C” left our trenches. “A” Coy was decimated by M.G. fire & the same fate met 2 platoons of “B” which followed. The remaining platoons of “B” Coy were ordered to remain in the trench as it was seen to be useless to send them across at the same place. “D” & “C” on the left were more successful & although greatly weakened managed to reach the German trenches which they carried by assault. The enemy’s fire & support trenches were captured & consolidated. Two M.G’s were put out of action & 50 prisoners were captured, continuous bombing attacks were beaten off with loss to the enemy. About 5.30 p.m. the remaining platoons of “B” Coy managed to get across & & brought with them a large supply of bombs. It was raining heavily during the day.’ Joseph Barnard Hammond was born in Birmingham and enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers at Ealing, then being a member of the Metropolitan Police at Wapping. He had previously volunteered for service with the Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War but his Battalion arrived too late in 1902 to qualify for a medal. He went to France with the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, on 1 June 1915, and was killed in action on the Somme at Ovillers on 7 July 1916. He was aged 36, the son of Joseph Patrick and Clara Hammond, of Birmingham, and is commemorated by name on the Thiepval Memorial. Sold with copied research including gazette notices, D.C.M. card and Medal Index Card, this annotated ‘K. in A. 7/7/16.’
Lot 99
A Great War ‘Beaumont Hamel, January 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal Frank Cox, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, late Bedfordshire Regiment, for gallantry during the attack on ‘Leave Avenue’ and ‘Muck Trench’ when he fought his machine-gun for five hours under very heavy fire despite having been wounded Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (21055 L. Cpl. F. Cox. 2/Bord: R.); 1914-15 Star (13185 Pte. F. Cox. Bedf. R.); British War and Victory Medals (13185 Cpl. F. Cox. Bedf. R.) medals unmounted, some light verdigris, otherwise good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 March 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded he constructed an emplacement in the captured enemy line, and remained in action with his machine-gun for five hours under very heavy fire.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Leave Avenue, 10 January 1917’. In early January 1917, the 2nd Border Regiment were in billets at Mailly-Mallet, near Beaumont Hamel, practising attack patrols and night patrols to reconnoitre the ground prior to a night attack on Leave Avenue and Muck Trench set for the early morning of 10 January. The Battalion War Diary takes up the story: ‘Zero Hour was 2 am. At Zero Hour, on 10th January 1917 our field guns placed a barrage on No Mans Land. The attacking troops had by this time formed up and commenced to move. At 2-30 am the attacking troops occupied enemy positions, capturing 2 Machine Guns, 1 Automatic Rifle, and 3 Officers and 142 Other Ranks prisoner. The captured positions were consolidated immediately. The going in No Mans Land was very bad and numbers of men were stuck in the mud and had to be dug out. Telephone lines were run out to the Strong Points immediately objectives were taken. Our Casualties were slight, and occurred chiefly owing to the fact that our troops followed up the barrage so closely, suffering casualties from our own guns, but preventing the enemy getting out of his dug-outs in time with his machine guns. At 6 am a few of the enemy attempted to approach Point 63 but were driven back by our bombers... The Battalion remained in the captured positions which were heavily shelled by the enemy throughout the day. The Battalion was relieved by 1st Battn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers at night and proceeded to billets at Mailly-Maillet.’ Three Officers and one N.C.O. were awarded the Military Cross for this action, the D.C.M. went to Lance-Corporal Cox, and four men won the M.M. Frank Cox was born at Watford, Hertfordshire, and attested there for the Bedfordshire Regiment, on 31 August 1914. He proceeded to France with the 1st Bedfords on 25 March 1915, and transferred to the Border Regiment on 9 November 1915. He was appointed unpaid Lance-Corporal in July 1916 and promoted to Corporal in October 1916. In June 1918 he transferred to the Royal Defence Corps and was demobilised on 19 June 1919. Sold with copied research including service papers, gazette notices, War Diary extracts and Medal Index Card.
Lot 100
A Great War ‘Western Front 1917’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private E. D. Chambers, 2/5th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (202830 Pte. E. Chambers. 2/5 N. Staff: R.-T.F.); British War and Victory Medals 202830 Pte. E. Chambers. N. Staff: R.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Eric Donald Chambers) mounted court style for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 17 April 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in lengthy operations, when, on many occasions, he volunteered to go out and cut hostile wire under heavy fire, and also to search for missing men in No Man’s Land.’ I.S.M. London Gazette 23 October 1962: Awarded for services as a Batman at the War Office. Eric Donald Chambers was a native of Camberley, Surrey. He was latterly employed as a Batman at the War Office and was awarded the I.S.M. upon his retirement in 1962. He died at Farnham on 28 January 1966. Sold with copied research including a photocopied photograph of Chambers with his brother in uniform.
Lot 102
A Great War ‘Western Front, November 1918’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal T. Fitzpatrick, 33rd Battalion, London Regiment, late West Yorkshire Regiment and Royal Engineers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (860522 Pte. T. Fitzpatrick. 33/Lond: R.); 1914-15 Star (1049 Pte. T. Fitzpatrick. W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1049 Spr. T. Fitzgerald. R.E.) mounted court-style for display, contact pitting, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. At Helchin, on night 4/5th November 1918, he was in charge of a Lewis gun team and engaged an enemy post. He shot personally two enemy at point blank range and took eleven prisoners. He established his post, and remained there the next day under the most trying conditions. On the following evening, after a heavy bombardment, he succeeded in again beating off an enemy attack.’ Thomas Fitzpatrick was born in from Batley, Yorkshire, and was a coal miner when he attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment at Leeds on 9 January 1915. Although service papers have been found for Private Fitzpatrick, their legibility is poor and there is some confusion surrounding his many changes of regiment. He was posted to the 17th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, a bantam battalion raised in Leeds, and given the regimental number 1049. He was then transferred to the Royal Engineers Tunnelling Company as a Sapper and given the number 82751 which, given his size and occupation, is not surprising. He landed in France with the R.E. on 8 March 1915, but on 18 April 1915, he requested to be returned to the 17th West Yorkshires, which he appears to have done on 4 May 1915. On 31 January 1916 he embarked once more for France, landing on 2 February 1916, with the 17th West Yorkshires. During 1916 he was twice admitted to hospital suffering from scabies and his service papers note that he served in France until 4 January 1917, when he was returned to England, being admitted to the Military Hospital in York suffering from ‘debility - general weakness, headache and dizziness’. The next period of his service may not be entirely accurate but it appears that he was transferred to 2/6 Battalion, Durham Light Infantry on 26 April 1918, and given the regimental number 100150. This battalion served as a garrison battalion, landing at Calais on 6 May 1918 and became the 28th Battalion D.L.I. Ftizpatrick returned to France on 3 July 1918. Appointed Lance-Corporal, he was then transferred to the 33rd Battalion, The London Regiment for the final months of the war, with the regimental number 860522. Whilst serving with 33rd Londons he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions in the very last days of the war. At the war’s conclusion he was granted early release because of the demand for his trade as a coal miner, being discharged in December 1918 and transferred to Class Z Army Reserve in January 1919. Sold with an original certificate of congratulation from the General Commanding 5th Army, and copied research including service papers, D.C.M. and Medal Index Cards, gazette notices and War Diary extracts for D.C.M. action.
Lot 104
The outstanding and rare Great War 1917 'Sergeant Pilot's' immediate D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant R. C. Taylor, 13 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps, for his gallantry when attacked by six enemy scouts, during which he enabled his observer to down one and send another out of control. Two months later, he was posted missing in action, later confirmed as being killed in action Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4400 Sjt: R. C. Taylor. 13/Sq: R.F.C.) nearly extremely fine and one of approximately only 10 aerial combat DCMs awarded to N.C.O. pilots during the Great War £5,000-£7,000 --- Approximately 92 Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded to members of the Royal Flying Corps during the Great War - of these awards approximately one third were awarded for aerial combat, whilst only around 10 awards were made to Sergeant Pilots. D.C.M. London Gazette 22 October 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When sent out with an Observer to take important photographs he saw six hostile Scouts approaching him. Realising that there would be no further chance of doing the work as clouds were coming up, he continued taking the photographs until the hostile Scouts came within fifty yards’ range, although his machine was the only British one in the vicinity. He then turned on them, and by skilful manoeuvring enabled his Observer to crash one. Another was then attacked and driven down in a spin, after the remaining four retired, and he completed the photographs. He has always shown the greatest determination and gallantry.’ Robert Charles Taylor, a native of Willesden, London, was born on 5 April 1896 and joined the Royal Flying Corps on 26 March 1915. A fitter and turner by trade, he was original ranked 2/AM, before being promoted 1/AM on 15 September 1915. Promoted Corporal on 1 August 1916 and Acting Sergeant on 20 November that year, he then applied for pilot training. After training, Taylor was confirmed Sergeant and was allocated Aero Certificate No. 5430 on 26 April 1917. As such, he would have been counted as one of just 32 Sergeant Pilots at the Front in the summer of 1917. After spending the last two years on the Home Establishment, Taylor joined 13 Squadron in July 1917, which was an artillery observation and photo-reconnaissance squadron operating on the Western Front. Equipped with RE8s, or ‘Harry Tates’ as they were commonly called, the crews had mixed feelings about this type, which was vastly slower and less manoeuvrable when compared to the German fighters it was up against. However, it was reasonably satisfactory for the job and pilots that flew it aggressively did gain aerial victories. The RE8 remained in service until the end of the War. Taylor was clear a confident and skilful pilot and his Combat Report for the action that won him the D.C.M., dated 3 September 1917, with Lieutenant F. D. Steel as Observer attests to this: ‘About 09.10 a.m. when on Photography, seven hostile machine attacked us while over OB16. Six of these driven on our tail in V formation. The nearest hostile machine commenced firing at a distance of about 25 yards. Observer opened fire on this machine and saw his tracer bullets hit the Pilot whose machine immediately rolled over and over, and went down out of control and was wrecked. The Observer immediately opened fire on the next nearest machine and after five bursts of fire the hostile machine commenced to spin and was seen to fall from 5,000ft, and disappeared into clouds still spinning and was not seen again. Observer then cleared a stoppage in his gun and opened fire on the next machine with the third drum. By this time our machine had descended to the height of 2,000ft over the British Lines when the remaining hostile machine turned back. Our machine being hit through the right hand rear strut, right hand aileron strut, right hand top plane and tail plane, we returned to landing ground.’ Continuing operational flights for the next couple of months, Sergeant Taylor, flying RE8 A3640, along with 2/AM W. H. Swift as Observer were posted mission in action over Cambrai on 20 November 1917. They took off at 10:00 for an artillery patrol over XVIII Corps Front but were not heard from again. Both Taylor and Swift were not confirmed as having been killed in action until 13 August 1918, which is probably the reason that Taylor has Royal Air Force service records. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial. Note: Taylor’s family were issued with his British War and Victory Medals in 1923 and these were likely never kept with the D.C.M. which had been awarded to Taylor himself before he died. Sold with copied research.
Lot 106
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant R. Hutton, alias ‘R. Black’, 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Corps, late 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (457671 Sjt. R. Black. 1/Can: M.G.C.) number partially officially corrected, good very fine £500-£600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919 (Citation appearing in London Gazette 11 March 1920): ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty near Crow’s Nest and Cagnicourt on 1st and 2nd September, 1918. During this operations, while in charge of his battery transport, he used good judgement in bringing forward ammunition and rations under very heavy artillery and machine-gun fire.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 June 1917. Robert Hutton alias ‘Robert Black’ was born in Dublin, Ireland. He enlisted under the name of Robert Black in the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Montreal in June 1915. He served as Transport Sergeant with the 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front (MID). Hutton transferred to the 1st Battalion, Canadian Machine Gun Corps in 1917. He signed a Statutory Declaration at Bramshott confirming his true identity, 9 June 1919. Sold with copied research.
Lot 109
A rare K.P.M. awarded to Inspector R. Lewis, Lancashire Constabulary, who was involved in thwarting one of the earliest I.R.A. plans to bring armed conflict to the U.K. mainland - the attack on Rimmer’s Farm at Roby, Merseyside, 9 March 1921 King’s Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (Richard Lewis. Insp. Lancs. Constab) in Royal Mint leather case of issue, mounted on investiture pin, toned, nearly extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- K.P.M. London Gazette 30 December 1921. The original recommendation states: ‘On 9th March 1921, an attempt was made to set fire to a farm stack yard, and the farmer wounded one of the firebugs with a shotgun. Inspector Lewis was called, and arrived on the scene, to find that the wounded man had a six-chambered revolver, fully loaded in his possession, and was keeping the occupants of the farm at a distance. Inspector Lewis, by flashing his torch in the man’s eyes, was able to distract him enough to close with him, and arrest him without further shots being fired.’ In the Home Office reports for recommendations of the award of the KPM for 1921, the following recommendation appeared for Lewis: ‘On March 9th 1921, an attempt by Sinn Feiners was made to fire a stack yard at Roby Farm where one of their number Patrick Lowe was wounded by a gun shot inflicted by the occupier of the farm. Inspector Lewis was quickly on the scene and though Lowe was holding a six-chamber revolver fully loaded and keeping the occupants at a (respectful) distance the Inspector by means of flashing his lamp in the eyes of the man effected arrest without a further shot on either side being fired. Lowe when searched was found to have another fully loaded revolver in his pocket.’ Richard Lewis was involved in thwarting one of the earliest IRA plans to bring armed conflict to the UK mainland. The attack on Rimmer’s Farm in Roby, Merseyside was carried out by two IRA Volunteers - Paddy Lowe and Jim McNance. The two IRA men entered Rimmer’s Farm at 7.45pm, 9 March 1921. The owner of the farm, together with one of his labourers, spotted the terrorists running across his field, which was situated on the main Roby to Liverpool Road and his dwelling house. Rimmer challenged the two men, catching them by surprise, ordering them to put up their arms or he would fire. Lowe and McNance ignored the demand, so Rimmer true to his word raised his shot gun and fired. He hit Lowe in the left leg, and McNance promptly fled the scene. Rimmer fired at McNance but missed his fleeing target. Rimmer then telephoned Huyton Police Station, and Inspector Lewis promptly arrived at the scene in his motorcar. Lewis’s commanding officer, Chief Constable H. P. P. Lane, gives the following: ‘The man at Roby refused to surrender. He was armed, and when one of my officers arrived the man defied him and threatened him with his revolver. In the end the officer told him if he did not surrender he would shoot him, where upon the man gave in.’ Lewis apprehended Lowe, found two loaded revolvers on him, and took him to The Whiston Institution to have his wounds attended to. Sold with a photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Lot 120
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal A. T. Long, Royal Fusiliers, who was previously wounded Military Medal, G.V.R. (104 Pte. A. T. Long. 3/R. Fus:) minor edge bruise, good very fine £200-£240 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. Alfred T. Long attested for the Royal Fusiliers and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 June 1915. Wounded, he transferred to the 3rd battalion, and was awarded the Military Medal in 1918, most likely for gallantry during the German Spring Offensive. Sold with copied research.
Lot 121
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private J. Williams, 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, late Welsh Horse Military Medal, G.V.R. (355943 Pte. J. Williams. 25/R. W Fus.) nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. John Williams originally attested for the Welsh Horse before being dismounted and transferred to the 25th (Montgomery and Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion deployed to France on 7 June 1918, and Williams was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry in the final months of the War. His name appears in the weekly Casualty List on 29 October 1918; it is probably therefore that he was wounded in his M.M.-gaining exploits. He was discharged on 6 March 1919.
Lot 122
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Private G. Garratt, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who was wounded on the Western Front in 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (44826 Pte. G. Garratt. 5/R. Berks: R.) cleaned, good very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919 George Garratt attested for the Royal Berkshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, being wounded in late 1918 (War Office Daily List No. 5720 of 12 November 1918 refers). Sold with copied research.
Lot 123
A Great War M.M. awarded to Private H. R. Dresser, 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 2 May 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (22159 Pte .H. R. Dresser. 2/Midd’x R.) good very fine £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 16 July 1918. Harry Richard Dresser was born in Watford, Hertfordshire, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 2 May 1918. He is buried in Fouquescourt British Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research.
Lot 13
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Alexandria 11th July, Tel-El-Kebir (W. H. Rumph. A.B. H.M.S. “Penelope”) pitting from star, otherwise very fine and rare £400-£500 --- William Henry Rumph was born at Bethnal Green, Middlesex, on 14 September 1862, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Fisgard in September 1877. He served as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Penelope from 22 June 1882 to 8 January 1884. During his service in the latter vessel he took part in the bombardment of Alexandria and was landed for service on shore with the ship’s Naval Brigade where he fought at the battle of Tel-El-Kebir as a crew member of the Naval Armoured Train (See roll below). Rumph purchased his discharge from the Navy as a Petty Officer 2nd Class from H.M.S. Myrmidon on 11 April 1888. In addition to the Naval “Armoured Train” manned by seamen and marines from Hecla and Invincible, there were two other offensively armed devices operating in this Egyptian war zone. Often referred to as “Armed Trains”, they were in reality no more than specially armed trucks, one manned by seamen and the other by marines, which saw service at Kassassin and Tel-El-Kebir. The ‘tar’s’ four-wheeled gun-truck had steel plated sides that were “fairly bullet-proof”, with sandbags hung around the car outside. An awning was fitted to this open topped truck on which was fitted a 40-pounder gun. A separate box-car similarly fitted with steel side plates and sandbags had two compartments for the 230 shells (mostly shrapnel) and charges, entrance to each magazine being only from the top. Since no steam trains could be obtained, this armed contrivance, manned by seamen from Penelope, was pulled from Ismalia to Nefiche by 16 horses, four abreast, on 26 August 1882. Immediately ahead of this “Armoured Train” was another truck on which a captured 8cm Krupp gun had been mounted and worked by Royal Marine Artillery men under Captain Tucker R.M.A. On 1 September it was taken to Kassassin and participated in an action on the 9th September in defence of Kassassin Camp against an Egyptian reconnaissance party. The officer in charge of this “Armoured Train”, Lieutenant C. K. Purvis, R.N., and his 2nd in command, Sub Lieut James Erskine, with a party of twenty blue-jackets had been working the train on the line a little beyond the camp, when the enemy turned their guns on it. Purvis and Erskine had dismounted from the train to take some observations and were standing close together when a shell burst near them, striking Purvis in the foot and tearing a portion of it off, necessitating immediate amputation at the ankle joint. Command of this “Armoured Train” passed to Lieutenant F. E. W. Lambart, R.N., but it was never engaged after 9 September, and on 23 September the crew from Penelope were re-embarked. All the following men from H.M.S. Penelope earned the clasp for ‘Tel-El-Kebir’ and formed the crew of the horse-drawn “Armoured Train”: AHEARN, R., Ord BEARD, W. H., A.B. BETTS, Frederick, A.B. BILLINGTON, Alfred, A.B. BRUNTON, J. T., Ldg Seaman CAMPBELL, Arthur, Armourer CONNOR, Alexander, A.B. ERSKINE, James, Sub Lieut GRIFFIN, George, A.B. GUNNER, William, Captain Fo’csle HADLEY, Louis, A.B. HANKIN, Thomas, Quarter Master KNIGHT, William, Coxwain Pinnace LAMBART, F. E. W., Lieut MOCKFORD, T. E., Ldg Seaman POOLE, W. B., Signalman 3rd Class REYNOLDS, George R., Captain Main Top RUMPH, W. H., A.B. SELLEY, Thomas, Ldg Seaman SELMAN, Edward, A.B. SELWOOD, Charles, Ldg Seaman SMITH, C. H., Gunner’s Mate SOPER, James, Ldg Seaman SMART, T .J., A.B. TESSEMAN, J. S., Captain of Mast TERREF, James, Ord WALSH, George, A.B.
Lot 131
A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal E. Beaulieu, 22nd Battalion (French Canadian), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (4040227 Pte. E. Beaulieu. 22/Quebec R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4040227 A. Cpl. E. Beaulieu. 22-Can. Inf.); Victory Medal 1914-19, last erased, mounted for display, lacquered, very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. Eugene Beaulieu was born in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada in August 1891. He was a dentist by occupation, and initially served during the Great War with the 22nd Battalion (French Canadian), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Beaulieu was wounded in action on 16 August 1918 (entitled to Silver War Badge). He transferred to the Canadian Army Dental Corps in September 1918, and returned to Canada in May 1919. Sold with copied service papers.
Lot 132
A Great War M.M. pair awarded to Private J. J. Andrews, 42nd Battalion, Quebec Regiment, who died of wounds in October 1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (2075466 Pte. J. J. Andrews. 42/Quebec R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2075466 A.L. Cpl. J. J. Andrews . 42-Can. Inf.) together with Memorial Cross (2075466 Pte. J. J. Andrews M.M.) dark toned, extremely fine (3) £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. John James Andrews died of wounds on 11 October 1918. He is buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery.
Lot 133
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant F. H. Stanton, who was a Methodist Clergyman prior to the Great War, and served with the Canadian Army Medical Corps before transferring to the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (525257 Sjt F. H. Stanton. 47/W. Ont: R.); British War and Victory Medals (525257 Sjt. F. H. Stanton. 47-Can. Inf.) mounted for wear, ribands frayed, toned, very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919. Frank Herbert Stanton was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada in April 1888. He was a Methodist Clergyman prior to the Great War, and he initially served with No. 1 Field Ambulance, Canadian Army Medical Corps. Stanton advanced to Sergeant, and transferred to the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry (entitled to Silver War Badge). He died in October 1971.
Lot 135
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of three awarded to Lance Corporal E. Robinson, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (845190 Pte (A.L.Cpl) E. Robinson. 47/W. Ont: R.); British War and Victory Medals (845190 L. Cpl. E. Robinson. 47-Can. Inf.) mounted for display, generally good very fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 3 July 1919. Edgar Robinson was born in Ramlachie, Lambton County, Ontario Canada in December 1888.
Loading...-
297893 item(s)/page