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Lot 544
A triangular dish, decorated with flowers together with a pair of KPM plates, a David R Bowkett plate decorated with a Gypsy caravan, and one other - The Worcester plate is crazed. The pair and the Bowkett plate are in good condition. The triangular plate has a piece of the basket weave missing.
Lot 83
Elizabeth, widow of George VI, Queen of England (1900-2002). Christmas and New Year Card 1938, signed and inscribed 'Elizabeth R. I send you both grateful thanks for the lovely box of sweets that you have so kindly sent. It was indeed a kind thought on your part, and they are much too good', folded, with a mounted reproduction of a drawing of Holyrood House by Frank H. Mason, 260mm x 205mm; a mounted photograph of Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, inscribed 'For dearest Ruth from Elizabeth R 1992', 20cm x 18cm (2). ** First in good condition,second cut down and with scratch which crossed the bottom of the signature.
Lot 291
Lever, Charles. The Dodd Family Abroad, first edition 3 vols.,, engraved title from No 1 of the original parts 1852, plates by H. K Browne, original cloth backed boards, vols 1 & 3 in green, vol 2 in brown,8vo., London:, Chapman & Hall, 1854 --Hood, Thomas. The Dream of Eugene Aram, inscribed to Albert Richard Smith by J. W. Marriott 1833, with A. R. Smith bookplate, Chertsey, bound with 2 others, engraved plates and text illustrations, original half cloth, upper inner joint broken, London, Charles Tilt, 1831 -- another volume with Albert Smith's bookplate and inscribed "given to Maras Smith" and 10 others including offprint by Thomas Hood "Lilliput Lodgers""...A Visit to The Sick Children in Great Ormond Street Hospital, London , original wrappers, 1860. Mostly 8vo. (15) Provenance: By descent from Albert Smith's sister Laura Eady. ** All with condition issues.
Lot 82
Mary, widow of George V, Queen of the United Kingdom (1867-1953). Christmas and New Year Card, inscribed Mary R' with a 2pp. autographed note on Buckingham Palace notepaper 'With grateful thannks for your most lovely present for my Chinese room at Sandringham - I am enchanted with the cabinet.', and another on Sandringham notepaper, 'You lovely lantern is much admired.', and a further postcard, dated Crhristmas 1938 and signed 'With best wishes from H.M. Queen Mary', 22.4cm x 28cm, in envelope; a formal portrait photograph by Hay Wrightson, inscribed on the mount 'Mary R 1945', the reverse inscribed 'Taken in Marlborough House in the dress I wore at the Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, May 12th 1937' (5). ** Lower edge of formal photograph irregular, some browning to mount, Envelope for card slightly tatty.
Lot 225
Robert Monteth. A History of the Troubles in Great Britain: Containing a particular Account of the Most remarkable Passages in Scotland, From the Year 1633 to 1650... Translated into English by Captain James Ogilvie, first edition of this translation, publisher's advertisement leaf at end, contemporary calf, folio, London: G. Strahan and R. Williamson, 1735. ** Browned and spotted, a few leaves working loose, occasionally with small tears, rebacked, extremities worn.
Lot 170
Joseph Henry Green. The Dissector's Manual, contemporary half calf, 8vo, London: For the Author, 1820; R. Brookes. An Introduction to Physic and Surgery, contemporary calf, 8vo, London: J. Newbery, 1754; Robert Macnish. The Philosophy of Sleep, third edition, original cloth, 8vo, Glasgow: W. R. M'Phun, 1836; and 18 others, medicine, 8vo (21). ** (i) ink annotations, occasional browning, extremities rubbed (ii) pp.125-129 misbound, occasional ink notation, joints cracked, extremities rubbed (iii) extremities of cloth rubbed (iv) remaining titles inmixed condition.
Lot 212
Victoria, Queen of England. The Early Years of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort... by Lieut.-General the Hon. C. Grey, fourth edition, PRESENTATION COPY, inscribed on fly-leaf, 'To Mrs Thurston. In recollection of former happy days + of her long + faithful services to our Children from Victoria R. Windsor Castle, Dec: 14. 1869' engraved frontispiece, guard, original cloth gilt, 8vo, London: Smith, Elder and Co., 1867; together with a The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony, full vellum, blocked on upper cover 'Windsor Castle, July 5th 1866', 8vo (2) Mary Ann Thurston (1810-1896) was the Nanny to Queen Victoria's children. She was first appointed in Spring 1845 aged 35, from Suffolk, widowed with a daughter. She was Housekeeper at Windsor Castle in 1865 and died at Kensington Palace in September 1896. ** (i) spotted, frontispiece detached, joints split, shaken, spine with slight loss (ii) vellum soiled.
Lot 106
George P. R. Pulman. The Book of the Axe, one volume bound in 2, fourth edition, folding lithographed map, backed on linen, wood-engravings in text, contemporary half morocco, 8vo, London: Longman, Green, Reader and Dyer, 1875; and 7 others, mostly Devon interest, 8vo (9). ** (i) titles spotted, boards rubbed (ii) remaining titles in poor condition.
Lot 132
Bayly, Captain Edward Henry. A collection of journals, photographs etc., relating to his naval career, and other items of family interest, comprising: H.M.S. Arab. Journal and Remark Book .For the Use of the Officers of H.M , Navy. Portsea: Griffin & Co., manuscript, 4to., cont. half black morocco gilt. The first 40pp in columns listing measurements and readings from Bombay August 1877 to England July 1879, thereafter a daily account of the ship's movements in the Arabian Gulf etc., 27th August 1877 "“ 13th June 1879. 66pp; with Remarks on Port Said, Suez Canal, Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Bombay, Karachi, Muscat, Bahrein, Trimcomalee etc. "The [Suez] canal is for the most part, just a great ditch"...", on Aden, "The place is full of coal", on Bombay, ""...the only thing is to get into the Orientalist dodge (?) of taking life easy"..." 34pp.Boxer Rebellion. Photograph of a group of four naval officers including Vice Admiral Sir Edward Seymour and J. R. Jellicoe, inscribed on verso in pencil "Taken before China Expedition". 27 x 20.5cms. (short tear at top not affecting image); another group on board ship with Bayly at centre, captioned in his hand on verso, "Self and Tientsin staff", 21 x 27cms; 9 views of Liu Kung Tan, ships at anchor etc., captioned by Bayly on versos, 21 x 27.5 cms. with a folder of small photographs presented to Capt. Bayly by a former German colleague, including the shelled Engine House at Tientsin Railway station in July 1900; 2 other photographs, groups on board ship -- H.M.S. Aurora Night Order Book kept from leaving Plymouth, 4th March 1899 to China and Japan, including Nagasaki, Woosung etc. and the return to England, last entry 7th March 1902. Completed in manuscript, most entries signed by Capt. Bayly. Small 4to., cont. half black morocco (lower joint split). approx. 117pp - Group of printed Notices, regarding movements of people etc. while under martial law, issued by Bayly, Commanding British Defence Forces, Tientsin, 24th June, (torn), 29th June, 3rd July, 5th July (with 2 duplicates), 7th July (with 2 duplicates), another, different format, also dated 7th July (torn and slightly defective), 4to and folio and 3 others similar in manuscript, one of them in Bayly's hand - 30 Photographs Taken on Accurate Bearings Some of the most Important Headlands & Outlying Islands of the China Coast Between Gulf of Pechili and Hongkong, Brewer & Co, Shanghai. Printed title and Preface., mounted photographs with printed captions, small oblong 4to., orig. cloth, (lower cover faded at outer edge) c. 1900.With two albums containing a large collection of loose photographs, late 19th c., including views of South Africa, Bermuda, Quebec, Montreal, Halifax, St. Helena. Madeira, Gosport, Portsmouth, Southampton, Norway, Port Said, Yokohama, Kobe, ships etc. Folio and oblong folio, cont. half black morocco gilt; another album, portraits of the Edwards family of Ness Strange Shropshire to whom Bayly was related by his marriage to Louisa Mary Edwards, 4to., cont. black leather with metal shield on upper cover; small collection of correspondence including a letter to Bayly mainly concerning the typhoid outbreak in Maidstone, Nov. 5th 1897; large family bible owned by Joseph and Sarah Bailey, James Hagger, n.d. (mid 19thc.) folio, cont. diced calf gilt, hand coloured engraved plates; and a mahogany games box with metal crest of H.M.S. Pelorus on lid. 12.5 x 22.5cms. (without key)Captain Edward Henry Bayly, C.B. (1849 - 1904) had a lifelong career in the Royal Navy. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant in September 1873, Commander in June 1887 and Captain in January 1894, having served overseas in numerous ships, He was Captain of H.M.S. Pelorus during the Fleet Review for Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee in 1897, see lot for his correspondence with Rudyard Kipling. In 1899 he became Captain of the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Aurora which served on the China Station in the Boxer Rebellion of 1900, some of her crew taking part in the Battle of Tientsin, and returning to England in March 1902. He retired at his own request in February 1904.Provenance. A descendant of Capt. E. H. Bayly. ** Mixed condition throughout, night order book with damaged spine, letters and others with some foxing, pages to some albums marked and spotted, notices/posters and some loose photos tatty in places. A fine archive in the condition one might expect.
Lot 84
Elizabeth II, Queen of the United Kingdom (1926-2022). Christmas and new Year Card, 1980, folded, inscribed 'Elizabeth R, Philip, 1980' with a mounted formal portrait of the Royal family, 21.2cm x 15.1cm; Christmas and New Year Card, 1959, folded, inscribed 'Philip, Elizabeth R, 1959', with a printed photograph of the Royal family, folded, 20cm x 18.5cm (2). ** The card from 1959 has been cropped along the upper edge, affecting the image, spotted.
Lot 137
A collection of four stone set 9ct gold rings to include a sapphire ring set with a cabochon oval sapphire, size P, a ruby ring set with a marquise cut ruby, size N, along with a garnet cabochon ring, size M and a star set garnet set ring, size R, combined total gross weight approx 7.9gms Further details: good all stone present minor wear and tear only
Lot 140
An emerald and diamond cluster 18ct gold ring, comprising an oval emerald set to the centre, approx 6 x 8mm, within a border of ten round brilliant cut diamonds, total diamond weight approx 1.40carats, platinum claw setting, approx 14 x 17mm, tapered shoulders, size R, total gross weight approx 6.9gms Further details: good all stones present, minor wear and tear only
Lot 131
A collection of eight 9ct gold gem set rings to include two opal and garnet three stone rings, sizes N, T, a three stone diamond cross over ring, size P, white topaz set eternity ring, size O, white and blue sapphire half eternity, size R, fancy set diamond ring, size O, textured boule ring, size P and a turquoise type sing, size T, combined total gross weight approx 18.5gms Further details: good all stones present, opals with slight abrasions, wear and tear commensurate with age
Lot 296
A collection of five late Victorian silver pocket watches, all with enamel dials, Roman numeral hour markers,, chapter ring and subsidiary dial at 6, all key wind, to include an early Waltham USA case marked Birmingham 1886, G.G Graves Sheffield, case marked Birmingham 1898, a S Lichtenstein Manchester, case marked Birmingham 1890, along with three others, including R Smith Scarborough, case marked London 1881 and a Robinson, Warrington, case marked Chester 1889, largest measuring approx 54mmFurther details: good all enamel dials good, wear and tear, denting to some wear commensurate with age
Lot 28
An Assembled Sevres Porcelain Part Service Painted with Loose Bouquets (Fleurs Detachees)Second Half 18th Centurybearing interlaced Ls mark with various date letters, painters' and gilders' marks and incised marks; each painted with loose bouquets within variant borders, comprising a set of fourteen dinner plates with six beau bleu feuille-de-choux scrolls overlapping at the tips and edging the shallow lobed rims, six soup plates (assiette creux) and six luncheon plates (assiette uni) with blue-line-and-gilt-dash rims, a similar slightly larger plate and two blue-line-and-gilt-dash teacups and saucers (gobelets €˜Bouillard' et soucoupes, 1ere grandeur); together with twelve English dessert plates with iron-red pattern number 7116.Diameter of beau bleu plates 10 inches.Soup plates: diameter 9 5/8 inches.Luncheon plates: diameter 9 1/2 inches.Similar, slighly larger plate: diameter 9 5/8 inches.English dessert plates: diameter 10 1/8 inches.Plate names are not those assigned by Sevres. All in generally good condition and certainly usable.Beau bleu plates: none with date letters, each with painter's mark for Painter's mark for Jacques-Fran'cois-Louis de Laroche (recorded 1758-1801 as a painter specializing in flowers, ground colors and patterns)Blue-line-and-gilt-dash soup plates: Two with interlaced Ls enclosing date letter S for 1771 and painter's LB for Jean-Nicolas Le Bel le jeune (recorded 1766-1793 as a painter specializing in flowers and patterns), the footrim with three dots for Jean-Baptiste Tandart l'aine (recorded 1754-1800 as a painter specializing in flowers); one with date letter V for 1774 and painter's V. for Mme Antoinette-Marie Noualhier (recorded 1762-1796 as a painter specializing in flowers and painter), incised 77TT; one with gilt interlaced Ls; two unmarked, one incised 31, the other [??????]Blue-line-and-gilt-dash luncheon plates: blue interlaced Ls mark, no date letter, painter's FP for Jean-Fran'cois-Henry (Francisque) Philippine cadet (recorded 1783-1791 and 1801-1837 as a painter specializing in flowers, birds and patterns)Two cups and saucers: blue interlaced Ls enclosing date letter F for 1759, painter's mark of a dot inside a square for Claude Antoine Tardy (active as a flower painter 1757-1795), one saucer with date letter R for 1770, the other unmarked.English plates: Red pattern number varies in how it is written €“ often includes talley marksCondition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold "as is," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction. The physical condition of lots can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to inspect a lot personally or through a knowledgeable representative prior to bidding. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Prospective buyers must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction, and it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that they have requested, received and considered any condition report.
Lot 66
A George III 'Lac Bergaute' and Black and Gilt-Japanned Secretaire Cabinet-on-StandCirca 1765, Incorporating 17th Century Chinese Lacquer PanelsHeight overall 61 x width 26 x depth 18 1/4 inches.This lot is located in Chicago.Provenance:Sir Phillip Sassoon, Bt., Trent Park, Hertfordshire, recorded in Sir Philip's bedroom in 1939;Christie's, London, Works of Art from Collections of The Cholmondeley Family and the Late Sir Philip Sassoon, Bt. from Houghton, 8 December 1994, Lot 117 (with catalog)James Hepworth, London, 5 June 1996 (with copy invoice)Literature:C. Hussey, "Japanned Furniture at Trent Park," Country Life, 18 October 1930, p. 498, fig. 4P. Macquoid and R. Edwards, The Dictionary of English Furniture, London, rev. ed., 1954, Vol. I, p. 85, fig. 43R. Edwards, The Shorter Dictionary of English Furniture, London, 1964, p. 101, fig. 30Note:With its 17th century Chinese lacquer panels lushly inset with mother of pearl, this elegant secretaire epitomizes the height of the English fascination with the East popularized by the designs in Thomas Chippendale" The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker" Director, 1754-1763. Their frequent combination of Chinese elements within an at times blinding array of naturalistic and Classical forms served as inspiration and a creative ideal. Elements from Chippendale" designs, such as the fretwork seen on the legs of the present lot, depicted in China Shelves (plate CLXI) and the Chinese Cabinet (plate CXXIII) from 1761, were likely drawn upon by this as yet unknown cabinet-maker. The secretaire's sophisticated melange of Chinese and Western ornament, and particularly its use of lac bergaute, an incredibly rare and expensive form of Chinese lacquer, indicates it was almost certainly a specific commission by an unknown aristocratic patron similar to the 4th Duke of Badminton (1704-1759). His Chinoiserie bedroom apartment at Badminton, Gloucestershire, which was supplied by William and John Linnell in the 1750s has two related japanned china cabinets which show yet another interpretation of this all-encompassing aesthetic (H. Hayward, William and John Linnell, London, 1980, fig. 218).The descendant of two prominent Jewish banking families, the Sassoons and the Rothschilds, politician, patron and connoisseur Sir Phillip Sassoon (1888-1939) was at home in the highest aristocratic circles. Sassoon" aesthetic eye saw the potential of Trent Park, an unremarkable house with grounds designed by the pre-eminent 19th century landscape architect Humphry Repton (1752-1818) and hired the architect Philip Tilden (1887-1956) to transform the house into a Georgian mansion worthy of this setting. The eminent British architectural historian Christopher Hussey (1899-1970) said that Sassoon captured "that indefinable and elusive quality, the spirit of a country house... an essence of cool, flowery, chintzy, elegant, unobtrusive rooms that rises in the mind when we are thinking of country houses." Trent Park and its grounds were documented in the 18 October 1930 issue of Country Life. After Sassoon" death, this cabinet and other works from his collection went to Houghton, the home of his sister Sybil, Marchioness of Cholmondeley (1894-1989).Photo Credit: Japanned Cabinet, Trent Park from Country Life, 18 October 1930: Future Publishing Ltd.Overall well-conserved, original condition. The writing surface slightly bowed. The decoration throughouot is vivid and largely intact. Part of the upper section's gallery and one of its decorative fretwork brackets at the front have been minimally repaired after minor damage sustained in moving. One drawer bottom with a pencil inscribed inventory number 2,2,3,4,56. Condition reports are available upon request. All lots are sold "as is," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction. The physical condition of lots can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration. Prospective buyers are strongly advised to inspect a lot personally or through a knowledgeable representative prior to bidding. The absence of any reference to the condition of a lot does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Prospective buyers must review and agree to the Conditions of Sale before participating in an auction, and it is the responsibility of the buyer to ensure that they have requested, received and considered any condition report.
Lot 19
SIR JOHN LAVERY RA RSA RHA (IRISH 1856 - 1941) SELF-PORTRAIT: IN MY STUDIOoil on board, signed, titled and dated 1886framedimage size 29.5cm x 24.5cm, overall size 46cm x 41cmHandwritten label versoProvenance: Messrs J & R Edmiston, Glasgow, lot 55, 25th May 1972, from the collection of Mr James Meldrum; McTear's lot 100 24th April 2007
Lot 64
WALTER RICHARD SICKERT (BRITISH 1860-1942)EPPING, AFTER HARRISON WILLIAM WEIR, 1848 Oil on canvas Signed (lower right), inscribed Weir (lower left) further inscribed and dated 1848 to stretcher overlap (verso)76.5 x 118cm (30 x 46¼ in.)Painted circa 1928-30.Provenance:Private Collection, Dr Robert Emmons, by 1930Anonymous sale, Christie's, London, 22 February 1980, lot 44, as 'Picnic at a Country House'Sale, Sotheby's, London, 24 March 1994, lot 107Sale, Sotheby's, London, Modern British and Irish Paintings, Drawings and Sculpture, 8 March 1995, lot 12 The Rowse Collection Exhibition: London, Savile Gallery, Paintings by R. Sickert, A.R.A., 1930, no. 16London, Leicester Galleries, Retrospective Collection of Drawings and Recent Paintings by Walter Richard Sickert, June 1942, no. 119, as 'A Country House'Literature:T.W. Earp, The work of Richard Sickert, A.R.A. (1930) p.297Wendy Baron, Sickert, Paintings & Drawings, The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art (New Haven & London: Yale University Press, 2006), p. 504, no. 599The present lot comes from a series of works Sickert produced known as 'Echoes'. The series was first inspired by an encounter with Victorian artist Sir John Gilbert (1817-1897). Sickert visited Gilbert in 1893 to draw a portrait study of the artist. Following the sitting Sickert boasted that Gilbert had in fact retouched the drawing and that the work had become a collaboration. It was this work that inspired Sickert to start creating works influenced by artists from the past to produce 'Echoes'. Sickert would select an engraving or black and white illustration from a journal by a well known artist and reproduce the image in his own vibrant, modernist colour palette. The works sought to 'echo' the past which supported Sickert's campaign that modernism paved the way for contemporary artists but did not eliminate practices of the past. This work was most likely painted from the engraving by T. Bolton after Harrison William Weir. Condition Report: Not relined. Light surface dirt. Yellowing varnish causing some discolouration. A couple of light scuffs and scratches to the upper corners, with some associated loss. Inspection under UV reveals very light scattered retouching. Amendment: There are two areas of visible retouching in natural light to the upper corners. Retouching flares under UV. Please contact pictures@dreweatts.com for additional images. Condition Report Disclaimer
Lot 5
Great Britain 1840 1d black plate 11 (R-E) with four margins (wide at top) tied on May 18th 1841 cover to Cirencester by the usual black Maltese cross, alongside Chalford cds. The stamp with a couple of small disturbances at lower edge and a little yellowed around the edges in general, the cover with tear at left side and small biro strike at bottom, still a relatively clean example of this elusive plate on cover. With 1984 RPS cert. Cat. £16,000.
Lot 157
Great Britain Collection in four volumes incl. pair of Windsor albums with used in mixed condition, starting with three penny blacks: L-H four margins save shaving top right corner, with interesting MX; E-B attractive four margins with excellent vermilion MX, heavy horizontal crease; R-F the best with four margins, partial neat red MX and no faults; then other useful line-engraved incl. 1d red plates to 224, surface-printed in very mixed condition to 2/- blue shades, KEVII and KGV shades, seahorses to 10/-, etc. Next best book is a binder of postal history with interesting 19th century incl. four-margin imperf 1d red frankings, 1d 'stars' strip, etc., well worth closer investigation. See this family's other Lots: 184 and 205.
Lot 253
An Ex Dealer’s Stock From West Yorkshire Who Ceased Trading In The 1990s.Box 1. This Wooden Box Contains Approx 600 Cards Covering Trains, Engines and Other Railway Related Cards. Officials, mainly London & North Western also a few A. R. Quintons, Judges published cards and Lighthouses. Amongst the railway are a few printed Railway Stations.
Lot 174
A Great War ‘Dadizeele, October 1918’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private E. T. Forrest, 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, late South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (59524 Pte. E. T. Forrest. 1/R. Innis: Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (202850 Pte. E. Forrest. S. Lan. R.); Belgium, Kingdom, Military Decoration, A.I.R., silver-gilt; Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., mounted in incorrect order, very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 18 February 1919; citation published 10 January 1920: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and tenacity during an enemy counter-attack near Dadizeele on 2nd October, 1918. He was No. 1 of a Lewis gun on the left flank of a company which was heavily engaged. The No. 2 of the gun was wounded in fetching up ammunition, and he rushed across the open and carried him to cover; then bringing up more ammunition himself, put up such a heavy fire that the enemy hesitated, and gave the company time to recover and drive them back.’ Belgian Military Decoration with Croix de Guerre London Gazette 24 October 1919. Of the counter-attack near Dadizeele, the History of the 9th (Scottish) Division records: ‘Lt.-Col. Smyth saw the Germans collecting troops for a great counter-strike, and the K.O.S.B. were bracing themselves for a desperate resistance at Manhattan Farm, when the timely arrival of the 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers, who made a most heroic attack on Hill 41 from the north, scared the enemy and turned his efforts solely to defence. Though the Inniskillings failed to capture the hill, their plucky effort probably saved the K.O.S.B., and so great was the admiration of the latter and the troops of the 9th Division who witnessed the attack, that the G.O.C., at their request, wrote at once to the 36th Division expressing the admiration and thanks of the officers and men of the 9th.’ Ernest T. Forrest is believed to have been born at Prescot, Lancashire in 1897, and at the time of winning the D.C.M. was living at St Helens. His prior service in the South Lancashire Regiment and change of service number is confirmed on his Medal Index Card. Sold with copied research including Medal Index Card, gazette notices and Battalion War Diary entries for October 1918.
Lot 121
Four: Lieutenant H. E. Seales, Gloucestershire Regiment attached 4th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment, late Worcestershire Yeomanry British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. H. E. Seales.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Nigeria 1918 (Lieut. H. E. Seales. Glouc. R.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1430 Sjt. H. E. Seales. Worc. Yeo.) generally extremely fine, scarce (4) £800-£1,000 --- Harry E. Seales was born in Aston, Birmingham in July 1884, and was employed as a G.P.O. clerk. He served with the Warwickshire R.G.A. Volunteers, 1904 - 1906, and as acting squadron sergeant major with the Worcestershire Yeomanry, 1906 - 1915. Seales was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment in May 1915, and attached to the 4th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment for service as part of the West African Field Force in March 1917. He served in Nigeria April - October 1917, German East Africa November 1917 - February 1918, and Nigeria (Egba Expedition, Southern Nigeria) March - June 1918. Seales was demobilised in June 1919 (awarded T.E.M. in 1926), and resided at ‘Okywi’, Andover Road, Newbury, Berkshire. Sold with two photographs of recipient in uniform, and copied research.
Lot 175
A Great War ‘Givenchy/Cuinchy’ December 1914-January 1915 operations D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant F. W. Marsh, 1st Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, who was killed in action on 26 January 1915, when a high-explosive shell detonated whilst ‘orderly room’ was being held in a farm yard causing many casualties Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1330 Sjt: F. W. Marsh.1/L.N. Lanc: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (1330 Sjt. F. W. Marsh. L.N. Lan: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1330 W.O. Cl. II. F. W. Marsh. L.N. Lan. R.) mounted court-style for display, together with Memorial Plaque (Frederick William Marsh) good very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915; citation published 30 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and coolness on many occasions, especially during the operations at Givenchy and Cuinchy from the 27th December, 1914, to the 29th January, 1915, when he gave a fine example of courage, resource, and cheerfulness at a time when much needed, and of great devotion to duty.’ Frederick William Marsh was born at Salford, Lancashire, on 22 March 1891, and educated at St John’s Church School, Farnworth, and the Higher Grade School, Bolton; subsequently entered the engineering trade at Messrs. Dobson & Barlow’s, Bolton, with whom he served two years; then took up Marine Engineering with Messrs. Vickers & Co., of Barrow, and while serving with them, assisted in the building of H.M.S. Princess Royal and H.M.S. Dartmouth; transferred to a Birkenhead firm, and, with a view to obtaining his Board of Trade Certificate, made several voyages in the Elder Demster Liners, serving as 6th Engineer R.M.S. Karissia, and afterwards as 4th Engineer; joined the Special Reserve in March, 1909; was called up on the outbreak of war in August 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the following October [M.I.C. gives 20 September 1914], and was killed in action at Beuvry, near Bethune, 26 January 1915. Buried there. The adjutant wrote: “He was standing within a few yards of me in a farm-yard about two miles in the rear of the firing line at a place called Beuvry, near Bethune, when a shell fell and detonated with terrific violence quite close to us. Your son was killed instantly, and we buried him within a few yards of the spot, together with 11 other officers. I, as Adjutant of the battalion, feel the loss of Coy. Sergt.-Major Marsh very greatly. He was an excellent N.C.O. and much respected by us all. He died a true Briton, and died doing his duty manfully and well,” and Lieut. F. Tawdry: “Coy. Sergt.-Major Marsh was a very valuable man, and his loss is keenly felt by the officers of his battalion.” He was mentioned in despatches by F.M. Sir John (now Lord) French, for gallant and distinguished service in the filed and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. (De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour refers). Marsh enlisted at Preston for the 1st Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and landed in France with the British Expeditionary Force on 20 September 1914. He was killed in action on 26 January 1915, and is buried in Lievin Communal Cemetery Extension. Sold with copied research.
Lot 30
Three: Gunner R. W. Holcombe, Royal Garrison Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (29503 Gnr: R. W. Holcombe, 15th W.D., R.G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (29503 Gnr: R. W. Holcombe, R.G.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (29503 Gnr. R. W. Holcombe. R.A.) nearly very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Entitled to 1914-15 Star trio.
Lot 449
An extremely rare ‘Korean War’ group of three awarded to Senior Nursing Sister Miss Mary E. Hereford, Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Snr. N.S. M. E. Hereford. Q.A.R.N.N.S.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, good very fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- One of only 13 Korea Medals awarded to Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service. Mary Elizabeth Hereford was born in Hereford in 1917 and served with Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service in Korea in H.M. Hospital Ship Maine. When the Korean War broke out the Maine was at Kobe, Japan, with units of the British Far East Fleet; the complement of nurses in the ship, under a Superintendent Matron, was six, together with six members of the Voluntary Aid Detachment. Placed under United States operational control on 14 July 1950, she was used for transporting wounded mostly from Pusan to Osaka or Kobe in Japan. Altogether nine voyages were made, the last returning to Kobe on 1 October 1950, before the ship was withdrawn for refit at Hong Kong. Those who served after the refit received the U.N. Medal only. Mary Hereford subsequently married Lieutenant-Commander R. K. Wood, R.N., and died in Plymouth on 15 August 2009. Sold with copied research including photographic images of the recipient and of H.M.H.S. Maine.
Lot 355
Three: Drum Major F. J. Brashaw, 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, who was captured during the Retreat from Mons on 24 August 1914 and was awarded an M.S.M. for services rendered whilst a prisoner of war 1914 Star (9219 Cpl. F. J. Brashaw. Ches: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9219 Cpl. F. J. Brashaw. Ches. R.) polished with light pitting and some scratches, therefore good fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 30 January 1920: ‘In recognition of devotion to duty and valuable services rendered whilst a prisoner of war or interned, which services have been brought to notice in accordance with the terms of Army Order 193 of 1919. To be dated 5 May 1919’ Frederick Joseph Brashaw was born in 1895 at Madras, India, the son of Colour Sergeant A. Brashaw of the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, stationed at Bellary, India 1895-97. He was enlisted as a Boy into the Cheshire Regiment in 1909 in Belfast and appears in reports of the 1st Battalion Cheshire Regiment sports day at Ballykinler in 1911 as Boy Brashaw, winning the 220 yards handicap for enlisted boys. Also an accomplished lightweight boxer, he was already participating in Belfast prize fights as Boy Brashaw at the age of 17. Following the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, Brashaw disembarked in France with D Company of the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment on 16 August and early on the morning of 21 August, his battalion, as part of the 15th Brigade of the 5th Division, began its march north-eastwards towards the Mons area to face the might of Von Kluck’s First German Army. As the inequality in the fighting strengths of the respective forces became apparent, an inevitable retreat was ordered by Sir John French on the evening of 23 August, although it came as something of a shock to the British troops who were conscious of having inflicted heavy losses on the Germans that day during the fighting around Mons and on the Mons-Condé canal. During the following day, as the withdrawal of the British force from its predicament was successfully carried out, it was only on the left that the fighting was heavy. Here, in open fields near Audregnies, on 24 August, the 1st Cheshires, together with the 1st Norfolks were exposed to the brunt of four German Regiments, each of three battalions, while acting as flank guard to the 5th Division. The Cheshires’ actions caused them to suffer 78% losses in one day due to men killed, wounded and taken prisoner of war but bought valuable time for the rest of the British Expeditionary Force during the retreat. Afterwards Brigadier-General Count Gleichen, commander of 15th Infantry Brigade, paid tribute to the Cheshires, saying: ‘The battalion behaved magnificently in the face of terrible odds and immense difficulty, one could not expect more of them. They did their duty, and did it thunderingly well, as I should have expected from such a gallant battalion, and I am only grieved that they had such terrible losses.’ Corporal Brashaw was captured on 24 August 1914 at Mons and was held prisoner of war for the remainder of the war. Initially incarcerated at Merseberg, it was reported in British newspapers in October 1916 that Brashaw was among a group of 22 British soldiers who volunteered their services as nursing orderlies during the Typhus epidemic that devastated the internment camp at Garderlegen. Twenty of these volunteers caught Typhus and two died. Repatriated after the war, arriving at Hull on 27 November 1918, he married Marjorie Farmer at Knockin, Shropshire in August 1919 and was awarded the M.S.M. for his reported services as a prisoner of war. Remaining in the Army, he advanced to Drum-Major and later settled back in Northern Ireland. In August 1964, on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Mons, Brashaw returned with a party of 18 old comrades to the village of Audregnies where the men were given a reception and, following a procession, several wreaths were laid at a British Memorial. A photograph of Brashaw accompanied the Belfast Telegraph’s report on the visit and an article in the Cheshire Observer, 4 September 1964 commented: ‘The Last Post was sounded by Drum-Major F. J. Brashaw who was present at the battle 50 years ago. Mr Brashaw, who retired in January 1932 had not played a bugle since he left the Army.’ Brashaw died in Belfast in 1971. Sold with copied research.
Lot 384
Three: Second Lieutenant H. M. Morris, 15th (1st Salford Pals) Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, late 20th (Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 17 August 1918 1914-15 Star (5342 Pte. H. M. Morris. R. Fus:); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. H. M. Morris.); Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased on VM; nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Hubert Marmaduke Morris was born in Southport, Lancashire, in 1892 and ‘joined the Manchester University O.T.C. immediately on the outbreak of war, but being impatient at the length of time that would elapse before he obtained his commission, he with some of his friends joined the University and Public Schools Battalion [20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers], which was then being formed, as a private. He trained with the battalion and went out to France in 1915. He was in various engagements and was wounded at the taking of High Wood, being shot through the left arm. When sufficiently recovered from his wounds he was commissioned second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and serving with the 15th (1st Salford Pals) Battalion in France was seriously wounded with gunshot in the abdomen, his left knee shot through and shattered, and a portion of his thigh had been carried away with shrapnel.’ He died as a result of his wounds in 14th General Hospital on 17 August 1918, and is buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. He is also commemorated in the British Jewry Book of Honour. Sold together with an unrelated 19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers Regimental prize medal, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Inter Coy. Football League 1917, Winners A. Coy. 2/Lt. F. Gregory. B.E.F.’, in case of issue; and copied research. Frank Gregory was commissioned second lieutenant in the Lancashire Fusiliers on 17 January 1916, and was killed in action at Mount Kemmel, Flanders, on 16 April 1918.
Lot 394
Four: Second Lieutenant W. R. Garrett, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, late Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of influenza on 6 May 1919 1914-15 Star (1708 Sjt. W. R. Garrett. Oxf. & Bucks.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. R. Garrett.); together with an Italian Altipiani Medal 1918, silver, very fine (4) £80-£100 --- William Robert Garrett, a bank clerk from Brackley, Northamptonshire, was born on 20 June 1891 and attested for the 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 6 December 1912, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915. Appointed sergeant on 25 June 1916, he was commissioned second lieutenant into the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment on 30 May 1917 and received a shell wound to his left knee at Le Catlet, France, on 3 October 1918. He died at Catterick Military Cemetery on 6 May 1919 of cardiac failure following a severe attack of pneumonia, and is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone in Brackley (St. Peter) Churchyard, Northamptonshire. Sold with copied research.
Lot 76
An Order of St. John group of three awarded to Surgeon Major J. H. Rivers, Royal Army Medical Corps and Egyptian Army The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and enamel, rev. engraved, ‘Captain John Herbert Rivers, R.A.M.C., 1901’; Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, 4th Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-19081 clasp, Nyam-Nyam (Major, R.A.M.C.), mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,200-£1,600 --- Provenance: Colonel D. G. B. Riddick Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2006. John Herbert Rivers was born in Harlow, Essex in November 1869. Appointed a surgeon lieutenant in January 1893, he attained the rank of surgeon major in July 1904. Rivers was seconded for service with the Egyptian Army, January 1899-January 1906. He served in the Sudan during 1905 and took part in the operations against the Nyam-Nyam tribes in the Bahr-el-Ghazai province on the Belgian Congo border, during which he was the principal medical officer to the Eastern Column commanded by Captain A. Sutherland. The force sent to restore order was composed of 18 British and 30 native officers, with some 700 men. For his services in the Egyptian Army he was awarded the Order of Osmanieh 4th Class in 1906. Rivers was also a noted big game hunter, and features in Records of Big Game by R. Ward. He also appears in the photographs and papers held by Durham University for Angus Cameron and his time in the Sudan. Surgeon Major Rivers retired in November 1911, and died at The Grange, Fleet, Hampshire in July 1913. He is buried in All Saints Church Cemetery, Fleet. Sold with copied research, and photographic images of recipient.
Lot 324
Four: Warrant Officer Samuel Edwards, Middlesex Regiment, late Royal Fusiliers and Shropshire Light Infantry Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Private S. Edwards, S.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (G-51464 W.O. Cl. 2. S. Edwards. Midd’x R.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (6635 Sjt: S. Edwards. R. Fus.) the first with edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (4) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: Sotheby, May 1989; Spink, May 1998. Sold with Medal Index Card confirming entitlement to W.W.I pair.
Lot 392
Five: Private A. W. Gray, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (1169 Pte. A Gray. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) last letter of surname corrected; British War and Victory Medals (1169 Pte. A. Gray. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, 1 clasp, Long Service 1955 (Albert W. Gray) contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine Four: Corporal A. Prue, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (2478 Cpl. A. Prue. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Arthur R. Prue) very fine (9) £100-£140 --- Albert William Gray attested for the Buckinghamshire Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with them during the Great War on the Western front from 30 March 1915. He was discharged on 19 February 1916, but subsequently attested for the Royal Field Artillery, and served with until his further discharge, as a consequence of wounds, on 21 May 1917. He was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 182689. Arthur Richard Prue, a Cabinet Maker from Banbury, Oxfordshire, was born on 11 November 1896. He attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry for service during the Great War, and was appointed Corporal. He died, aged 81, in Banbury, on 8 May 1978. Sold with copied research.
Lot 100
Pair: Private A. Slattie, 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys), who led a colourful life filled with controversy and hardship - twice sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour during his military career, he then went on to be involved in a high profile Edinburgh murder trial, before succumbing to a near fatal train accident at Edinburgh Waverley when ‘he was knocked down, with a unknown number of wheels passing over his right leg at the ankle’ Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4688 Pte A. Slattie. 2nd Dragoons); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4688 Pte A. Slattie. 2nd Drgns:) suspension slack on both, contact marks, fine (2) £280-£320 --- Alexander Slattie was born on the Isle of Wight, and attested for the 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) at Edinburgh in August 1899. He served with the regiment in South Africa and transferred to the Reserve in December 1906, being discharged in December 1911, after 9 years and 351 days service. It would appear that Slattie led a very colourful life - during his military service he was twice sentenced to imprisonment and hard labour, and was subsequently involved in a murder trial, and a near fatal accident. On 17 December 1905 at the Edinburgh High Court of Justice a young man named George Gordon was tried for the murder of Elizabeth Tavendale in the house occupied by him at No. 3 North Richmond Street. He had cut her throat and beaten her head with a hammer. The jury after 25 minutes absence returned a unanimous verdict of culpable homicide, and the Lord Justice Clerk, without comment, sentenced the prisoner to twelve years penal servitude. Slattie, who had also been romantically involved with Elizabeth Tavendale, gave evidence during the subsequent trial. The case, and the trial, received a lot of coverage in the Scottish press with Slattie being referred to as ‘The Soldier in the Box’ and ‘A Soldier Lover’. Court sketches of the individuals concerned also appeared in the press, with the case being variously referred to as “The Richmond Street Murder”, “The Richmond Street Tragedy” and “Low Life Tragedy, Sordid Revelations.” The following extracts also appeared at the time: ‘Alex Slattie, private “B” Squadron, Royal Scots Greys, Piershill Barracks, Edinburgh said that the deceased’s sister was married to a brother of his. In July 1904 when he was on furlough, and staying with his brother, he came intimate with the deceased, and was in the habit of keeping company with her at that time. Till her death he saw her frequently at night. On the Thursday evening he met her in the High Street, and accused spoke to him. Gordon was very angry and said something about the witness having anything more to do with the girl. Gordon used bad language, and the witness thought the deceased said to Gordon, “What have you got to do with it?” The witness was in the deceased’s company on the Saturday night till four o’clock on Sunday morning....’ ‘A Soldier Lover - Alexander Slattie (26) a private in the Royal Scots Greys, who wore two medals and clasps said he became acquainted with Tavendale a year ago when he was in Edinburgh on furlough after coming home from South Africa. When his regiment was at Norwich he corresponded with her. He only became acquainted with Gordon when his regiment came to Edinburgh in November last....’ Slattie married two years later, and continued to reside in Edinburgh whereupon being discharged from the army he was employed on the railways: ‘Just before 1pm on 11th July 1914, goods porter Alexander Slattie was on duty at the North British Railway’s Edinburgh Waverley Goods Station. He was in the delivery office when local confectioner R. Diekman called to pick up a suitcase. Slattie offered to carry the case. Slattie told Diekman he would take him by a short cut - across the lines between the goods station and the passenger station. Diekman protested against going that way as he considered it dangerous. Eventually Slattie persuaded Diekman to go with him, but whilst crossing the lines Diekman suddenly realised that an approaching train was almost upon them. He shouted a warning and rushing forward was very fortunate to get clear of the train. Slattie was less fortunate - he was knocked down, with a unknown number of wheels passing over his right leg at the ankle. Inspector Campbell was stern in his admonition of Slattie: he had no right to leave the goods station when he did so, and he added to the offence by inducing a member of the public to trespass on the Company’s lines.’ (Railway Work, Life & Death by M. Esbester refers) Slattie died in Edinburgh in September 1952. Sold with photographic images of recipient, and copied research.
Lot 366
Nine: Stoker Petty Officer A. R. Murrell, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Suffolk during the first sighting and chase of German battleship Bismarck and her escort Prinz Eugen during the Battle of Denmark Strait, May 1941 1914-15 Star (K.21015, A. R. Murrell, Sto.1., S); British War and Victory Medals (K.21015, A. R. Murrell, Sto.1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension, with Second Award Bar (K.21015, A. R. Murrell, S.P.O. H.M.S. Bluebell.) mounted court-style for display, the Great War awards and LS&GC heavily worn, therefore fair; the Second War awards and Jubilee Medal good very fine (9) £400-£500 --- Arthur Robert Murrell was born on at Colliers Row, Essex, on 5 April 1895 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 6 October 1913 stating his occupation as ‘Porter Great Eastern Railway.’ He served during the Great War in the Devonshire-class armed cruiser H.M.S. Antrim from 2 April 1914 to 16 December 1917 when she was decommissioned, at which point he reverted to Pembroke II. Advanced Leading Stoker on 3 May 1918, he served during the inter-War period in a variety of ships and shore based establishments; was promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 April 1925; and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with Gratuity on 8 January 1929. Shore pensioned on 5 October 1935, he was recalled for duty on 6 September 1939, and joined H.M.S. Suffolk on 10 April 1941. The Battle of Denmark Strait Murrell’s period of service with H.M.S. Suffolk would encompass the ‘Battle of the Denmark Strait’, when, alerted by aerial reconnaissance to the sighting of the German battleship Bismarck and its escort Prinz Eugen in the immediate vicinity, one of Suffolk’s look-outs sighted both enemy ships emerging from a snow squall, at 7.22 p.m. on the evening of 23 May 1941, moving fast in a South-Westerly direction parallel to the ice. Ordered to maintain contact, Suffolk increased speed and tracked the enemy ships with its RDF. One of the officers afterwards recalling; ‘We could tell by the tremendous vibration that Suffolk was putting all her reserves into the chase. I had never seen the needle touch 30 knots before, and it was difficult to use instruments on the plotting table. Every moment we expected Bismarck to open fire. At this stage however it was more important to maintain contact than force action and be annihilated’. No doubt Petty Officer Stoker Murrell was directly responsible for maintaining maximum speed during this critical period. The following account which was written by one of Suffolk’s officers, Lieutenant D. N. Paton, would echo the experiences of Petty Officer Stoker Murrell during this momentous occasion: ‘On 22 May, a naval aircraft reported that the enemy ships were no longer at Bergen, so that the stage seemed set for the battle likely to follow. Suddenly, at 7.22 in the evening of 23 May, one of the look-outs sighted Bismarck and Prinz Eugen emerging from a snow squall between Suffolk and the ice. There could be no mistaking the vastness of the battleship at the point blank range of seven miles, though the somewhat inappropriate remark of a midshipman - “Hood and Prince of Wales, I suppose” - subsequently became legendary. The enemy ships were moving fast in a S.W. direction parallel to the ice. This was the culminating moment of all those weary months of training and waiting. “Action stations” was immediately piped, full speed rung to the engine-room, and a sharp alteration of course made into the enveloping mist. Every second was vital. In a flash the first of a long stream of reports was sent out; that stream which set in motion the elaborate chase that followed. Meanwhile Suffolk had increased speed and located the enemy ships with the RDF. We could tell by the tremendous vibration that she was putting all her reserves into the chase. I had never seen the needle touch 30 knots before, and it was difficult to use instruments on the plotting table. Every moment we expected Bismarck to open fire. At this stage however it was more important to maintain contact than force action and be annihilated. Later Norfolk joined us and began to shadow too. So the pursuit continued at high speed throughout the night, moving roughly parallel to the coast of Greenland. I remember losing all sense of time, especially as in that latitude there is no true night but only a kind of pallid twilight. During this time Norfolk and Suffolk sent out a succession of enemy reports, from which the battle cruiser force of Hood and Prince of Wales was directed to engage the enemy. Admiral Tovey sailed from Scapa Flow in the battleship King George V together with Repulse and Victorious, cruisers and destroyers. Hood and Prince of Wales had expected to engage the enemy shortly after midnight on 24 May but at that time Suffolk lost contact in a snowstorm. It was feared that the enemy may have doubled back in the poor visibility to return to base. But at 2.47 a.m. Suffolk regained contact. We all knew action was imminent and it was only a question of time and place. With the pale light of the morning Hood and Prince of Wales intercepted the enemy at 5.35 a.m. and the battle opened about 6 o’clock. The orange flashes on the horizon showed the enemy had replied. In the short action which ensued Hood was hit and a great column of flame shot into the air followed by an immense pall of black smoke. In an instant the stately ship and all but three of her gallant crew of over 1400 perished. Apart from the magnitude of the disaster a dazed sense of incredulity overtook us all. Prince of Wales had suffered damage too. One gun turret was out of action and in her forward turret there was a defective gun. Shortly after 6 a.m. a hit on the bridge killed or wounded all the officers except for the captain. The ship had only recently been commissioned and owing to defects was still carrying civilian workmen. But the enemy had not escaped entirely and her speed had been reduced. There were also tell-tale patches of oil in the sea. So the chase continued with the enemy ships heading for the safety of the ocean, followed closely by Prince of Wales and the two cruisers. “After mid-day the enemy altered course to the south. At the same time the weather deteriorated and patches of mist and rain got thicker and more frequent. The range was closed so as to maintain contact. As each successive storm hid the German ships it became crucial to proceed warily. At about 6.30 in the evening of 24 May the enemy entered a particularly thick squall. An uncanny sense must have warned the captain to beware of the ambush. Suddenly the great battleship loomed through the mist about ten miles distant. Immediately we altered course and at the same time opened fire with the main armament of 8-inch guns. The noise was deafening. Bismarck, too, was firing and after what seemed an interminable wait, great fountains of water rose into the air nearby. From the comparative safety of the plotting office exploding shells sounded like extra loud machine gun fire. We made violent alterations of course and laid smoke in order to escape the fire. Prince of Wales had come to our assistance, but the enemy turned again to the south and tried to elude the British ships at high speed. What was not known at the time was that during this encounter Prinz Eugen had been detached to the south west. So the chase continued with another brief, but ineffective encounter at about 1 a.m. on 25 May. But at 3.06 a.m. Suffolk lost contact. It was apparently at this time that Bismarck had altered course eastwards seeking the shelter of a French port. Suffolk and Norfolk were ordered to s...
Lot 285
The 1914-15 Star awarded to Captain A. J. Gray, 1st/1st Cambridgeshire Regiment, who was killed in action at Ypres on 31 July 1917 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut: A. J. Gray. Camb: R.) some staining on the reverse, otherwise very fine £80-£100 --- Arthur John Gray, a bookbinder from Chesterton, Cambridge, was born on 21 October 1891 and served in the Cadet Corps of Perse School, Cambridge and later attested for the Suffolk Yeomanry on 13 October 1909. He was commissioned second lieutenant in the Cambridgeshire Regiment on 13 April 1915 and served with the 1st/1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 July 1915. Appointed captain as from 1 June 1916, he was killed in action at Ypres, whilst attached to Headquarters, 118th Brigade, on 31 July 1917. He is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, Belgium and is also commemorated on both the Perse School and Chesterton Memorials, Cambridge.
Lot 5
Four: Gunner R. Atkinson, Royal Garrison Artillery, later Yorkshire Light Infantry India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (87894 Gunr. Coy. R. Atkinson 5th Coy. Western Divn. R.A.) with minor official corrections; 1914-15 Star (3-2173 Pte. R. Atkinson. Yorks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (3-2173 Pte. R. Atkinson. Yorks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Sold with the recipient’s Parchment Certificate of Character on discharge; the remnants of his accounting book; a somewhat damaged photograph of the recipient; and his riband bars.
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