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Lot 243
Family Group: Four: Wing Commander W. E. Ennis, Royal Air Force, late Royal Engineers and Corps of Military Accountants British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. E. Ennis); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine or better Three: Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis, 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force, an Air Gunner whose Whitley was shot down whilst on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- Wilfred Edmund Ennis was the father of P. J. W. Ennis and A. S. R. E. Ennis, and resided as 136 Hale Lane, Edgware, London. He enlisted in the 15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wale’s Own Civil Service Rifles), and served in the ranks until his was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in March 1915. Ennis advanced to Captain and transferred to the Corps of Military Accountants, subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force. He re-engaged as Temporary Squadron Leader in September 1940, advanced to Wing Commander and served at Coastal Command HQ, Northwood. Sold with the following items and documents: Riband bar; Letter to recipient from his A. S. R. E. Ennis from Driffield, dated 16 May 1941; Telegram informing recipient that his son P. J. W. Ennis is missing from operations; Letter from Buckingham Palace to recipient expressing condolences on the loss of two sons during the war, dated 8 August 1945; Two Air Ministry Letters addressed to recipient concerning burial and circumstances behind the death of P. J. W. Ennis, dated 26 May and 17 August 1949 respectively; Enclosure for photographs of grave of P. J. W. Ennis to recipient on behalf of the Under Secretary of State for Air, dated 23 March 1950. Patrick Joseph William Ennis was the son of the above, and the younger brother of A. S. R. E. Ennis. He was educated at Wimbledon College, and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940, carrying out his initial training as an Air Gunner/Wireless Operator at No. E. & W. S. Ennis was subsequently posted to No. 19 O.T.U., and having advanced to Sergeant, was posted for operational flying with 102 Squadron (Whitleys) at Topcliffe in June 1941. He flew in just 2 operational sorties - the first being to Bremen, 27 June 1941. Sergeant Ennis was killed in action on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941, and the following detail is given by an Air Ministry Letter to his father dated 17 August 1949: ‘As you know, your son was a member of the crew of Whitley Z 6573, 102 Squadron, which took off from Topcliffe at 23.14 hours on 3rd July, 1941, for Essen. Nothing was heard during the war of the fate of any of the five occupants, and their death was presumed to have occurred on 4th July, 1941. In 1946 we found among captured German documents an index card recording the death on 4th July, 1941, of three unknown members of the crew of a Whitley and their burial in the main cemetery at Neuss, four miles west of Dusseldorf (British Zone), in Plot 5, graves 9, 10 and 11. We accordingly sent a special enquiry to the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Unit operating in the British Zone, asking them to investigate and notifying them that Whitley Z 6573 was the only aircraft of that type not accounted for on 4th July, 1941. At the end of 1946 a report was received from the Unit to the effect that an Allied aircraft had been shot down at 01.10 hours on 4th July, 1941, at Kaarst, four miles north-west of Neuss. It had exploded with its bomb-load on crashing and identification was not possible at the time. The dead were buried at Neuss. Exhaustive interrogation of local inhabitants was not very productive but the search officer was reasonably certain that the aircraft was your son’s Whitley. In the hope of positive identification, exhumation of the graves at Neuss was ordered. Unfortunately the volume of research in the Ruhr area was so great that it was not till this year that we received the examination reports. As you will have appreciated, the nature of the crash was such that only fragmentary remains were found in the three graves but enough was found to prove that these graves contained the remains of all five members of the crew. In grave 9 were found a corroded Ronson lighter and a smashed gold ring with the initials P. J. E. This identified your son Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis. These relics were in so bad a state that they were left on the body. Had they been in reasonably good condition, then they would have been sent to us and by us to you. As we told you in Air Ministry Letter of 26th May, the graves have been moved to the British Military Cemetery, Rheinberg. Your son lies in Plot 6, Row B, Grave 9, and the other four members of his crew in Plot 6, Row B, communal graves 10 and 11.’ Sold with the following items and documents: Air Gunner’s Brevet; Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (26 October 1940 - 3 July 1941) annotated ‘Death Presumed 4.7.41’; named forwarding slip for recipient’s Log Book. For the medals awarded to A. S. R. E. Ennis, see Lot 24.
Lot 248
Pair: Petty Officer A. R. Tuffin, Royal Navy, who was killed when H.M.S. Duchess of Montrose was sunk on 18 March 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (150803 A. R. Tuffin. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (150803 A. R. Tuffin. Boatn. H.M. Coast Guard.) extremely fine (2) £80-£100 --- Alfred Robert Tuffin was born in Poplar, Middlesex, on 5 August 1873 and joined the Royal Navy on 5 August 1891. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 6 September 1906, and advanced Chief Boatswain on 15 August 1908. Shore pensioned on 9 October 1913, he was recalled for service during the Great War on 2 August 1914. He was killed in action on 18 March 1917, when the paddle minesweeper H.M.S. Duchess of Montrose was blown up after striking a mine off Dunkirk, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Sold with copied research.
Lot 249
Pair: Reserve Wardmaster J. R. Rutter, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve British War Medal 1914-20 (M. 9526 J. R. Rutter. R. Wdmr. R.N.); Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve L.S., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (1973. J. R. Rutter, S.B.C.P.O., R.N.A.S.B.R.) mounted on card for display, good very fine (2) £140-£180 --- James Ripley Rutter was born in Durham on 13 May 1878 and was an engineer by trade when he enlisted into the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve as a Senior Reserve Attendant on 2 August 1914. He was promoted to Reserve Wardmaster and served at Chatham Hospital from 10 August 1914 for the duration of the war. Reserve Wardmaster was the most senior rate in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve, and equated to Chief Petty Officer status in the Royal Navy. Rutter was ’shore demobilised’ on 12 July 1919. Sold with copied record of service.
Lot 251
Three: The Reverend F. Cosgrove, Royal Army Chaplains’ Department, late Royal West Surrey Regiment British War Medal 1914-20 (G-59646 Pte. F. Cosgrove. The Queen’s R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45 P.127289 Rev. F. Cosgrove R.A. Ch. D.) both with contemporarily engraved naming, mounted as worn, edge nicks, good very fine (3) £50-£70 --- The Reverend Frederick Cosgrove attested for the Royal West Surrey Regiment and served with them during the Great War (his Medal Index Card confirming ‘eligible for BWM only’). Educated at Durham University, he was ordained Deacon in 1924 , and Priest in 1925. He served during the Second World War as Honorary Chaplain to the Forces, and was subsequently Warden of Sir William Turner Hospital and almshouses, Kirkleatham, Yorkshire. Sold with a newspaper cutting photograph of the recipient.
Lot 254
A Great War ‘French theatre’ M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant H. D. Crichett, 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry Victory Medal 1914-19 (436954 Sjt. H. D. Critchett. 2-Can, Inf.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (436954 Pte H. D. Critchett. 2/E. Ont: R.) generally good very fine (2) £120-£160 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919 (France). Henry Dansie Critchett was born in London in May 1880. He initially served during the Great War with the 51st Battalion (Edmonton), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, before transferring to the 2nd Battalion (Eastern Ontario Regiment), Canadian Infantry.
Lot 256
Seven: Engine Room Artificer 1st Class E. R. Fox, Royal Navy, a submariner who was mentioned in despatches for services with H.M.S. Tribune in 1940, and survived the sinking of the Tempest by the Italian destroyer Circe, 13 February 1942. He was picked up by the Italian ship and taken prisoner of war Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (M.24887 E. R. Fox. E.R.A. 1. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (24887 E. R. Fox. E.R.A. 2. H.M.S. Dolphin) mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 13 November 1940. The original recommendation (for a decoration) states: ‘For marked efficiency in the performance of his duty as Outside E.R.A. both in the face of the enemy and also during previous patrols.’ Eric Roulstone Fox was born in Stoke, Staffordshire in March 1901. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy in January 1917, and served at H.M.S. Indus until October 1921 (entitled to British War Medal). He advanced to Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class in July 1925, and was awarded the L.S. & G.C. in March 1934. Fox advanced to Engine Room Artificer 1st Class in July 1934, and served on and off at the submarine base H.M.S. Dolphin, 1932 - 1937. He served with the submarine H.M.S. Tribune from August 1939, and was engaged in operations in the North Sea and off the Scandinavian coast (M.I.D.). Fox returned to H.M.S. Dolphin in April 1941, before being posted to H.M.S. Tempest in October 1941. Whilst on patrol in the Gulf of Taranto, on 13 February 1942, the Tempest was detected by the Italian torpedo boat destroyer Circe which attacked with a devastating salvo of depth-charges. Over the course of the next six and a half hours the Italians dropped a total of forty-five depth-charges. In the last attack the battery boards of No. 3 Battery burst open and chlorine gas appeared in large quantities. Lieutenant-Commander Cavaye realised that the position was now hopeless and ordered the confidential books put into a weighted bag, ditched later by Sub-Lieutenant Neel-Wall who failed to survive the sinking. Tempest was now forced to the surface but sank when an attempt was made to take her in tow. The surviving crew members (including Fox) were picked up by the Circe, some after two hours in the water, and were made prisoners of war. Thirty-nine of the sixty-three crew had perished, including her commander William Cavaye, the nephew of a general and a veteran of almost thirteen years in the Submarine service. Fox was seemingly wounded, as he spent a month recuperating in Taranto Naval Hospital. He was also interrogated whilst in the hospital. He was interned at three camps in Italy, prior to being moved to Germany in October 1943. Fox was interned at Stalag 8B and 9A, and suffered from both Malaria and Dysentery. He was repatriated in 1945. Sold with copied research.
Lot 258
Six: Sergeant P. Smith, Leicestershire Regiment General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4798900 Pte P. Smith, Leic. R.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (4798900 Sjt. P. Smith, Leicesters.) generally very fine (6) £140-£180
Lot 261
Five: Aircraftman R. V. J. Tremlett, Royal Air Force India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (519793 A.C.1. R. V. J. Tremlett. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (5) £100-£140 --- Sold with various R.A.F. cap badges, buttons, and Air Gunner’s cloth brevets; and other ephemera.
Lot 279
Five: Signalman A. F. Manly, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, with Second Award Bar (65126 Sigmn. A. F. Manly. R. Sigs.) mounted as worn, minor official correction to last letter of surname, very fine (5) £80-£100
Lot 281
Five: Colour Sergeant W. Sharples, East Lancashire Regiment 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (3383247 Col. Sjt. W. Sharples. E. Lan. R.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, nearly extremely fine (5) £80-£100 --- William Sharples attested for the East Lancashire Regiment in Preston on 6 February 1928. He saw early service in Hong Kong and was in India with his regiment at the start of the Second World War, seeing service overseas and in India. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in July 1947. Post-War he served for over three years in West Africa attached to the 2nd Battalion, Nigeria Regiment. He was discharged at the termination of his engagement on 9 November 1955, after 27 years and 277 days’ service. Sold with the recipient’s Red Book certificate of service, noting his military conduct as ‘exemplary’ and with confirmation of his medal entitlement.
Lot 286
Pair: Corporal A. Parkinson, Royal Army Ordnance Corps 1939-45 Star; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (22230219 Cpl. A. Parkinson. R.A.O.C.) mounted for wear, nearly extremely fine General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (19048244 Tpr. R. Jeffrey. 4H.) struck on a slightly thinner flan, good very fine (3) £80-£100
Lot 288
Six: Staff-Sergeant T. R. Cowan, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2043107 S. Sjt. T. R. Cowan. R.E.M.E.); Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Medal 1992, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (6) £140-£180 --- Thomas Robert Cowan was born on 12 May 1918 and attested for the Royal Army Ordnance corps at Tynemouth on 8 June 1937. He served during the Second World War in Malta, and was advanced Staff-Sergeant on 24 June 1944. He subsequently transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Sold with the recipient’s original Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; official correspondence regarding the Malta 50th Anniversary Medal; a postcard photograph of the recipient; and a large quantity of contemporary photographs (although not taken by the recipient)
Lot 29
A Second War ‘Burma Operations’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class I H. Cottrell, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7582399 W.O. Cl.1. H. Cottrell. R.E.M.E.) mounted court-style; together with the recipient’s National and Local Government Officers’ Association Past President’s Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘H. Cottrell, 1969-70’, extremely fine (7) £240-£280 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 6 June 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ The original Recommendation, dated 28 October 1945, states: ‘Armourer Sergeant Major Cottrell has been an Armourer with the Division for for four and a half years and has held the rank of Warrant Officer Class I (Armourer) since October 1941. I have known him personally for four and a half years during which time he has given outstandingly efficient service. When the Division was in action at Kohima (April to June 1944) ands later in the Burma campaign, he worked untiringly and unceasingly to maintain an adequate supply of repaired small arms for the fighting units. This he did by shrewd inspection immediately a unit had a day’s rest from fighting and organising his repair team to be in the right place at the right time. The severity of the Kohima campaign called for relentless efficiency from the hard-worked small arms section, but Armourer Sergeant Major Cottrell coped with every demand placed upon him. When the Division was at rest, or in training, he was always eager to carry out inspection of the units’ small arms in an effort to maintain them at all times in first class condition. His foresight has many times proved invaluable. He is a master craftsman of his trade and his advice has been deeply appreciated by many commanding officers over modifications and experiments to small arms which have been tried over a period of years. He has shown considerable ingenuity and resource over the repair of small arms, when spare parts were in short supply. His skill as a craftsman is unsurpassed. His military bearing is excellent and his treatment of subordinates makes him all that can be desired in a senior N.C.O.’ Harold Cottrell ‘is a native of Blackburn, and joined the Army nearly 21 years ago [in 1925]. He was in the evacuation of Dunkirk, and later served for four years in Burma, from which country he has returned recently. He also had five and a half years’ service in the Far East before the War.’ (newspaper cutting with lot refers). Sold with a letter of congratulations to the recipient from Brigadier E. R. Ash on the award of his M.B.E.; and various postcard photographs of the recipient.
Lot 293
Six: Major R. Davey, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (Lieut. R. Davey. R.E.M.E.) mounted for wear, nearly extremely fine (6) £120-£160 --- Rodwell Davey was commissioned Lieutenant, from the rank of Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, on 21 December 1945, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in February 1949. He was advanced Major on 26 March 1956, and was placed on the Retired Lit on 25 October 1959.
Lot 295
Five: Warrant Officer Class II J. W. Taylor, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (6090814. W.O. Cl. 2. J. W. Taylor. R.E.M.E.) mounted as worn, good very fine Five: Warrant Officer Class II R. Wilkinson, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (7594765. W.O. Cl. 2. R. Wilkinson. R.E.M.E.) mounted as worn, good very fine (10) £100-£140
Lot 296
A poignant Second War Battle of Britain Spitfire pilot’s campaign group of three awarded to Flight Sergeant L. R. Carter, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who survived a mid-air collision during a dog-fight serving with 66 Squadron, 11 October 1940 - only to be shot down and killed, aged 21, whilst carrying out a fighter sweep over northern France with 74 Squadron, 6 July 1941 1939-45 Star, 1 copy clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, with a later (possibly replacement?) Caterpillar Club badge, in gold with painted ‘ruby’ eyes, reverse engraved ‘Sgt/Pilot L. R. Carter’, with named Air Council enclosure and portrait photograph of recipient - both mounted on thick card for framed display purposes, enclosure cut for purpose, good very fine (lot) £1,200-£1,600 --- Leslie Raymond Carter was born in Shenley, Hertfordshire, and was the son of Albert William Carter. He was educated at St. Alban’s School, Shenley, and after school was briefly an engineering apprentice at Rolls Royce in Derby. Carter joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, aged 18, in 1939. He was mobilised with the outbreak of the Second War, and carried out pilot training. Carter was posted as a Sergeant Pilot for operational flying with 66 Squadron (Spitfires) at Coltishall, 28 August 1940. Carter was posted to 610 Squadron in September 1940, and to 41 Squadron at Hornchurch, 1 October 1940. Ten days later he was involved in a fatal mid-air collision: ‘11 Aircraft ordered to patrol base at 30,000 feet. About 50 Me. 109’s were sighted at 30,000 feet and the squadron climbed to attack. During the combat F/O O’Neill and Sgt. Carter collided. F/O O’Neill crashed near West Kingsdown and was killed. Sgt. Carter baled out and landed uninjured. P/O Lecky did not return from the engagement and was later found dead near West Kingsdown. P/O Lock [later an ‘Ace’ and D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar] shot down 1 Me. 109 in flames.’ Carter described the incident in a letter to his mother, written shortly after the incident (this letter was printed in the book Despatches From The Heart - An Anthology of Letters From The Front, by A. Tapert, and later reprinted in The Sunday Express, 4 November 1984): ‘Sergts. Mess R.A.F., 41 Squadron, Hornchurch. Dear Mother, Herewith a line to let you know that I reached my base alright yesterday, & also an adventure to thrill the youth of the next generation & this one too I should imagine. After lunch we went off on a “flap” & were patrolling London to Maidstone when we get the “tally-ho” & there is the old 109 stooge trap all laid open to the boys of 41 Sqdn, being clear we could see gangs right, left, up & down so off we go into line astern & climb into the sun so that the swine can’t get can’t get such a big dive on us. Next minute something hit me amidships & most everything goes quiet after a few seconds of bumps, swings & jars & there I am sitting in the cock-pit of my Spitty with no engine & the tail & about a yard of fuselage hanging on by the tail control wires, & altimeter reading 28,000 ft. I sat still as I knew I wouldn’t catch fire & I saw the other Spit tearing towards the deck, smoking slightly. Next moment however there is a bang & the tail comes over & bangs the cockpit by my ear, & swings back & takes another crack. So I lowered the seat & sat with all my straps undone, & wireless disconnected breathing in the oxygen which luckily is still coming through, & watching the tail having a crack at me. At 17,000 I decide to get out & grabbing the tail on one of its frequent swings, held on until I am standing on the edge of the cockpit & then let go & jumped backwards. At this time the wreck is going slowly round & the starboard main planes plonks itself under my back, & there I lay for about ten seconds wondering what I had landed on & looking around I decide to get clear by going to the wing and stepping off by the trailing edge. I could now hear the battle above & so decided to do a delayed drop. I couldn’t get my head up for a start until I decided to do what I had heard previously, double up my legs, & it worked. I started rolling. I whizzed down to lower cloud level at 4,000 feet & looked for the ripcord & pulled it, according to regulations. For less time than it takes to write a couple of letters I thought I was being strangled, there being no jolt, & then was leisurely floating down to South Kingsdown, ten miles from Maidstone, into the arms of about ten L.D.V’s & forty women & kids demanding to know if I was British. I only had one minutes anxiety & that was when my wreckage came past, after I had pulled the ripcord, about fifty feet away. I have not a single cut or bruise thank the Lord & the parachute packer, whom I have just been round to thank in the normal way. Cheerio. Love to All at Home. Keep smiling. Les. P.S. I must get the adjutant to send off for my caterpillar, as it was an Irving air chute.’ Having survived that encounter, Carter was back on flying duties 17 October 1940. Five days latter, he suffered severe frostbite to his fingers - the canopy of his Spitfire being frozen partly open whilst flying a patrol at 35,000 feet. Carter was unable to fly for several months, and was placed on light duties. He was posted to 58 O.T.U. early the following year, prior to returning to operational flying with 74 Squadron (Spitfires) operating from Manston. Carter took off for a sweep over northern France, 6 July 1941. He was presumed shot down and killed over Wormhoudt, near Lille. Aged 21, Flight Sergeant Carter is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial. Sold with copied research. Sold together with the following family medals Four: Sergeant A. W. Carter, Bedfordshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (12886 L. Cpl A. W. Carter. Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (12886 Sjt. A. W. Carter. Bedf. R.); Defence Medal, mounted with Cap Badge on card for framed display purposes, very fine Albert William Carter was the father of the above, and served during the Great War with the Bedfordshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 30 July 1915. For his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 18 December 1917). Sold with copied research.
Lot 299
Five: Captain F. W. Grafton, Algonquin Regiment, who died of wounds received in North West Europe, 22 December 1944 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (Capt. F. W. Grafton.); with Birks Memorial Bar (Capt. F. W. Grafton ALQ. R. Died in His Country’s Service 22 Dec. 1944) all in boxes of issue, with the exception of the last, with recipient’s identity discs, nearly extremely fine (lot) £300-£400 --- Frederick William Grafton resided with his wife Mrs D. Grafton in Islington, Ontario, Canada. He served during the Second War with the Algonquin Regiment in North West Europe, and died of wounds 22 December 1944. Captain Grafton is buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey, and is commemorated on the Algonquin Regiment Memorial, Parry Sound, Ontario.
Lot 302
Four: Squadron Leader A. R. Randell, Royal Air Force Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Flt. Lt. A. R.. Randell. R.A.F.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, the first three mounted for wear, the last loose, good very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- Arthur Rodney Randell was promoted to a short service commission as Flying Officer, on 11 July 1951, and was appointed to a permanent commission as Flying Officer, on 1 June 1955. He was promoted Flight Lieutenant on 11 July 1955, and to Squadron Leader (General Duties) Ground Branch, on 1 January 1970. He retired at his own request on 18 March 1978.
Lot 303
Pair: Bombardier A. R. White, Royal Artillery, who died whilst on active service at Bir Ya Acov, 6 September 1946 War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14456537 Bdr. A. R. White. R.A.) last in card box of issue with remainder of named label showing service number and rank only, and named enclosure slip for War Medal, generally good very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Alan Richard White was the son of Mr and Mrs W. H. White of High Wych, Hertfordshire. He died whilst on active service with the 1st Field Regiment, Royal Artillery at Bir Ya Acov, 6 September 1947, and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Palestine.
Lot 317
Three: Corporal R. M. McCarthy, Royal Marines General Service 1962-2007, 3 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula, Northern Ireland, last clasp unofficially affixed (RM.22591 R. M. Mc.Carthy. Mne. R.M.); South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (Cpl. R. M. Mc.Carthy PO22591K RM); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Cpl R M Mc.Carthy PO22591K RM) mounted court-style as worn, edge bruising to first and last, light contact marks, very fine (3) £1,600-£2,000 --- Raymond Michael McCarthy served during the South Atlantic campaign in the Assault Ship H.M.S. Intrepid. Sold with four photographic images.
Lot 32
The Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of five awarded to Captain F. W. M. Cornwallis, 17th Lancers, attached Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry), who, having rejoined his cavalry regiment in Ireland in 1920, was gunned down during the Irish War of Independence by a gang of I.R.A. volunteers in the bloody Ballyturin Ambush near Gort, Co. Galway, on 15 May 1921 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse privately engraved ‘F. W. M. Cornwallis. 17th Lancers.’; 1914 Star, with copy clasp (2. Lieut: F. W. M. Cornwallis. 17/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Major F. W. M. Cornwallis.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, reverse dated 1914-1917, with silver star on riband, mounted together with related miniature medals, riband bar and 17th Lancers and Machine Gun Corps lapel badges, in a felt lined wooden frame with ivorine label, inscribed ‘Captain Fiennes Wykeham Mann Cornwallis., M.C., Croix de Guerre. 17th Lancers. Killed in the service of his country whilst with his regiment at Gort. Co. Galway. Ireland. On May 15th 1921.’, extremely fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders’ French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 10 October 1918: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the course of the campaign’ Fiennes Wykham Mann Cornwallis was born on 21 August 1890, the eldest son of Colonel Fiennes Stanley Wykeham Cornwallis, later 1st Baron Cornwallis, of Linton Park, Kent, who was Conservative M.P. for Maidstone and Chairman of the Kent County Council. His grandfather, Major Fiennes Cornwallis (Wykeham Martin), of the 4th Light Dragoons, took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava. Educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, as a University Candidate he was commissioned Second Lieutenant from the West Kent Yeomanry into the 17th (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) Lancers on 20 August 1913, and was stationed with them at Sialkot, India at the outbreak of the Great War. In October 1914 his regiment was deployed to France as part of the 2nd (Sialkot) Cavalry Brigade in the 1st Indian Cavalry Division (later renamed 4th Division), Cornwallis serving with them on the Western Front from mid-November (ineligible for 1914 Star clasp). Cornwallis was advanced Lieutenant on 27 February 1915 and was seconded for service with a Brigade Machine Gun Squadron on 2 February 1916. Advanced acting Captain whilst Second in Command of a Machine-Gun Squadron on 10 July 1917, he was made temporary Captain in November and acting Major while commanding a Squadron on 5 June 1918. For his services with the 3rd Squadron Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) he was awarded both the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre. Cornwallis was initiated into the Douglas Lodge No. 1725 of the Freemasons in Kent in 1919 and the following March was restored to the establishment of the 17th Lancers who at this time were in County Cork, Ireland, aiding the Civil Power against Sinn Fein and the Irish Republican Army during the War of Independence. Ballyturin Ambush, Galway, 15 May 1921 On 15 May 1921 Cornwallis was driven to a party at Ballyturin House near Gort, Galway by District Inspector Cecil Blake of the Royal Irish Constabulary. They were accompanied by Blake’s pregnant wife Lily, Lieutenant McCreery of the 17th Lancers and Margaret Gregory, the widowed daughter in law of Lady Gregory of Coole Park. The group spent the afternoon visiting the Bagot family at the house and playing tennis. Leaving in the early evening, they found the gate shut at the end of the drive and Cornwallis went to open it. Suddenly there was a shout of ‘hands up’, shots were fired and the car’s windscreen was shattered by bullets. Cornwallis tried to take cover behind the wall near the gate and the occupants of the vehicle tried to jump out and shield themselves to the left of the car as intense firing opened up. After 3 or 4 minutes the shooting ceased with one heavy volley at close range. Mrs Gregory, who had been allowed to survive, then saw her companions’ bodies huddled together on the ground, shot to death. Captain Cornwallis was later found dead on the outside of the wall on the right of the gate. The ambushers, a gang of around twenty I.R.A. volunteers in civilian clothing, a few masked but most with blackened faces, then came up to the car and searched the bodies and the car and retrieved any weapons. Eventually Mrs Gregory was allowed to go and she walked back up towards the house. At the same time, the Bagots, having heard the shooting, were running down the long drive to the gate. Mrs Gregory was handed over to Miss Molly Bagot and John Bagot was held at gunpoint and handed a note which apparently read: 'Volunteer HQ. Sir, if there is any reprisals after this ambush, your house will be set on fire as a return. By Order IRA.’ Constable Graham Poole, an ex-Tan, was present at Ballyturin immediately after the murders and described the brutal carnage the killers had left in their wake: ‘One man [Cornwallis] was by the gate slumped against a wall, he had been shot in several places and was quite dead. Inside the gate was a motor car containing the body of one of our men, an auxiliary named Blake, he was totally peppered with shot and the car was full of blood. On the path behind the car was a woman whose head was literally hanging off, she was covered in blood and peppered beyond recognition, she had been placed upon another dead man in a sexually explicit position, the woman was later reported to be Mrs Blake. The two dead men were army officers.’ (The Black and Tans in Galway during the Irish Troubles by Constable Graham Poole refers). During these investigations by Crown Forces near the scene following the ambush a Constable named John Kearney was also shot dead, raising the body count to five. The British said he was killed by the I.R.A. who were still at the scene but his death may have been an accident. It is even thought by some that he was shot by the police as an informer, for passing information to local republicans. A witness statement from an I.R.A. man who took part in the ambush gives some background to the motive for the attack, describing District Inspector Blake in the following terms: ‘The man had built up a very bad reputation for himself in the district. Threatening women with his revolver in the homes of wanted men. And going into the shops in the town and throwing his revolver on the counter with a demand to be served at once. His wife also carried a revolver and when shopping threatened those serving her at the counter that if anything happened to her husband she would shoot and burn the town.’ Going further, in his 1943 book ‘The House of Gregory’, Vere R. T. Gregory claims that the Ballyturin ambush was retaliation for an incident in which soldiers or police had tortured three local men for information, by forcing them to dig their own graves and then threatening to bury them alive. Gregory also mentions being told by his stepsister that it was rumoured in the vicinity that Lady Gregory had conspired with the I.R.A. in planning the ambush, and this was why her daughter had survived - unsubstantiated gossip that is unlikely to be true. In a broader context, the events of the 13 to 15 May 1921, which coincided with elections to the Home Rule Parliament in which Sinn Fein swept the board, saw 15 soldiers and policemen slaughtered in a two day killing spree across Ireland ranging from Dublin, Tipperary and Castletownbere to these events at Ballyturin, Galway and are now seen as instrumental in bringing the British government towards signing the truce two months late...
Lot 322
Three: Captain P. A. Cookson, Royal Anglian Regiment, who was Mentioned in Despatches for services in Northern Ireland General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland, with M.I.D. oak leaf (24060602 Cpl. P. A. Cookson. R. Anglian); Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994 (24060602 WO1 P A Cookson R Anglian); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24060602 SSgt P A Cookson R Anglian) mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 15 April 1980: ‘In recognition of meritorious service in Northern Ireland during the period 1 August 1979 to 31 October 1979’. Peter Anthony Cookson attested for the Royal Anglian Regiment and, having been advanced Warrant Officer Class I, was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 24 April 1989, with seniority from 24 April 1985, and was promoted Lieutenant the same day, with seniority from 24 April 1987. He was advanced Captain on 24 April 1991, and retired on retired pay on 30 September 1992, being appointed to the Reserve of Officers. Sold with a rubber bullet.
Lot 33
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Major R. A. Raphael, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. R. A. Raphael. R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major R. A. Raphael.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, and an unofficial Italian ‘Degli Altipiani’ Medal, silver, on bow riband, traces of lacquer, nearly extremely fine (7) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1918. Ralph Albert Raphael was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, on 15 August 1914, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 December 1914. Promoted Lieutenant on 17 July 1915, and Captain on 25 August 1917, he was wounded on 13 May 1917, and for his services on the Western Front was awarded the Military Cross. Proceeding to the Italian Front on 26 November 1917, he was advanced Major on 19 October 1918, and was also Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 5 June 1919). Raphael subsequently served overseas during the Second World War, and was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel. Sold with copied Medal Index Card.
Lot 36
A Second War Night Fighter’s D.F.C. group of six awarded to Blenheim and Mosquito navigator Flight Lieutenant G. A. Waller, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who flew as an air gunner with 601 Squadron on the Borkum Raid, 25 November 1939, before remustering as a navigator and flying operationally with 29 Squadron during the Battle of Britain. Waller assisted in the destruction of 3 enemy aircraft destroyed, 1 probable and 1 damaged Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt Lt G A Waller RAFVR) first five mounted for wear, initial and part of surname officially corrected on last, generally very fine or better (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 20 October 1944: ‘This officer is a first class navigator and has shown great keenness during his tour of operations against the enemy. He has assisted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘This Officer joined 601 Squadron as an Air Gunner in May 1939. From the outbreak of the war until May 1940, he flew operationally in this Squadron, including the raid on Borkum in November 1939. He was posted to 29 Squadron and was with them as an Air Gunner, and later Radio Operator, until July 1941. In this period he did 118 operational hours and destroyed one enemy aircraft and probably destroyed another. He then went to No. 1451 Turbine Flight and later to Northolt in a Defiant Radar jamming unit. After a short period in 488 Squadron he went to No. 54 O.T.U. in October 1942. In the following January he was posted to 604 Squadron. This Officer has shown great keenness throughout his seventeen months in the Squadron. He is a first class Navigator/Radio Operator and a useful instructor. The above will show that he has been operating against the enemy, excluding a three month break due to an accident, almost continuously for just under five years. I strongly recommend the award of the D.F.C.’ George Alfred Waller, born in East Plumstead in 1918, joined 601 Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force before the war as an Aircrafthand. Called up on 24 August 1939, he remustered as an Airman Air Gunner and with training completed, served with 23 Squadron, first being mentioned in the Operations Record Book dated 25 May 1940. He flew a number of sorties in Blenheims of 23 Squadron from Martlesham and Debden, before joining the Blenheim nightfighter unit, 29 Squadron, at Digby in June as a Sergeant Navigator, thus becoming a contemporary of the abundantly decorated J. R. D. ‘Bob’ Braham and his radar operator Bill ‘Sticks’ Gregory both of whom were flying with the squadron at the time. Waller was in Blenheim L 1371 on 28 September when it was hit in the starboard wing by British anti-aircraft fire during an evening patrol. He and Pilot Officer J. Buchanan were unhurt and returned safely to Digby. After the advent of the Beaufighter and greatly-improved AI equipment, Waller retrained as a radar operator and was flying as such by November 1940. He was commissioned Pilot Officer in June 1943 and awarded the D.F.C. in 1944 as a Flying Officer with 604 Squadron (flying Mosquitos from February 1944) having by then assisted in the destruction of three enemy aircraft.
He was released from the Royal Air Force in 1950, as a Flight Lieutenant, and he died in 1983. Sold with the following related original documentation: named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the D.F.C.; with named lid of original card box of issue for Air Efficiency Award; Officer’s Medical Record Card; a ‘Most Secret’ beacon reference card; a ‘Firing Programme’ dating from recipient’s service with 601 Squadron; newspaper cuttings and personalised Battle of Britain “The Few” file.
Lot 365
South Africa 1834-53 (Qr. Mr. R. Taylor. 1st. Bn. Rifle Bde. Paymstr. Levies.) minor edge bruise, traces of lacquer, good very fine £500-£700 --- Richard Taylor was appointed Quarter Master on 29 March 1839 and served with the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, in the second Kaffir War of 1846-47. He was placed on half-pay on 21 August 1849. The medal rolls, however, also credit him with service in the third Kaffir War of 1850-53 and this may have been in his capacity as Paymaster of the local Levies, hence the additional naming detail on his medal.
Lot 366
The historically interesting South Africa 1834-53 Medal awarded to Mr. R. Graham, Cape Irregular Cavalry and Civil Commissioner of Albany; he was the son of Colonel John Graham, the Founder of Grahamstown South Africa 1834-53 (Mr. R. Graham, Cape Irregular Cavalry) officially renamed in large engraved serif capitals (see Footnote), good very fine and unique to unit £800-£1,000 --- Robert Graham, the only son of Colonel John Graham and Johanna Catharina Cloete, a descendant of Jacob Cloete, the first permanent settler at the Cape, was born at Grahamstown, the settlement that his father established in 1812. He served as Civil Commissioner of Albany, and commanded a Corps of Irregular Cavalry during the Third Kaffir War, 1851-53. ‘With reference to an application for a Kafir [sic] War Medal for Mr. R. Graham, who commanded a Corps of Irregular Horse during the Kafir War of 1851-2. By a General Order dated Horse Guards 19th December 1857 the period for the reception of Claims of this nature has been limited to the 1st December 1858 which has now expired - but as the Claimant in the present case has preferred his application prior to that date, although it was not received until the prescribed period had elapsed, and as he was probably not aware at the time of the existence of the General Order in question, Major General Peel has recommended to His Royal Highness the General Commanding in Chief, that the observance of the strict letter of the General Order referred to, should be waived in the present instance as a special case, and the Claim be taken into consideration - and His Royal Highness having expressed his entire concurrence in that recommendation, has informed Major General Peel that the Claim appears to be valid. Under these circumstances, directions have been given for the preparation of a Kafir War Medal for Mr. Graham accordingly.’ (Letter to Lieutenant-General Sir H. G. Smith, Bt., G.C.B. from the War Office, dated 20 January 1859, refers). It would appear that, whilst Mr. Graham’s medal has been renamed, this was officially done at the Royal Mint utilising a previously named but unissued medal, to avoid the need to carry out the 48 separate operations required to produce a single impressed medal from start to finish.
Lot 373
Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Capt. R. L. Lye. 20th. Regt.) officially impressed naming, edge bruising, cleaned, otherwise nearly extremely fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Richard Leigh Lye was born in 1821 and was commissioned Ensign, by purchase, in the 20th Regiment of Foot on 3 November 1837. He was promoted Lieutenant, by purchase, on 9 August 1839, and Captain, by purchase, on 30 December 1845, and his service saw him travel to Bermuda in November 1841, and then to Quebec on 21 September 1847, before returning to England in June 1853. Lye served with the 20th Foot in the Crimea, taking part in the battles of Alma, Inkermann, and Sebastopol. At Inkermann in particular, the 20th took part in vicious hand to hand fighting, and made a gallant bayonet charge against the opposing Russian forces. During the Siege of Sebastopol, Captain Lye, at age 33, was one of a great many officers and men who died as a result of the ravages of disease (often Cholera) and exposure: ‘10th December, (died) in the camp before Sebastopol, Captain Richard Leigh Lye, of the 20th Regiment of Foot, only son of Dr. Bleeck Lye, of Hereford, and nephew of Captain Leigh Lye, of Bath. This promising officer, after gallantly leading his company in the thickest of the fight at Inkermann, has since sunk, worn down by fatigue and exposure. He was much esteemed and beloved by his brother officers for his worth and friendship in the days of peace, and for his true bravery and courage in the hour of danger.’ (Salisbury and Winchester Journal, 6 January 1855, refers). A monument to Captain Lye was raised in his honour at the Officers’ graveyard at Cathcart Hill.
Lot 38
Family Group: An Order of St. John pair awarded to Acting Sister F. A. Hill, Surrey Brigade, St. John Ambulance Brigade The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Sister’s shoulder badge, silver and enamel; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with four Additional Award Bars (33222 A/Sis. F. A. Hill. Surrey. S.J.A.B. 1945); together with the related miniature award on a lady’s bow riband, very fine Three: Corporal H. A. Hill, Royal West Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action on the Somme on 13 July 1916 1914-15 Star (G-1848 L. Cpl. H. A. Hill. The Queen’s R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-1848 Cpl. H. A. Hill. Queen’s R.); Memorial Plaque (Henry Arthur Hill) in card envelope of issue, extremely fine Pair: Air Mechanic 2nd Class, J. Hill, Royal Flying Corps British War and Victory Medals (5904 2. A.M. J. Hill. R.F.C.) extremely fine (7) £160-£200 --- Florence Alice Hill, a long serving member of St. John Ambulance Brigade, Surrey Brigade, was the wife of James Hill. Henry Arthur Hill attested for the Queen’s (Royal West Surrey) Regiment during the Great War and served on the Western Front from 27 July 1915. Appointed Corporal, he was reported missing, later confirmed as killed in action whilst serving with the 7th Battalion on 13 July 1916, during the Battle of the Somme. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. James Hill, from Reigate, Surrey, attested for the Royal Flying Corps for service during the Great War on 1 June 1915.
Lot 39
A post-War Order of St. John group of six awarded to Warden R. S. A. Allen, Civil Defence Warden Services, late Mercantile Marine, who was awarded a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct for his services during the Second World War The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, circular badge with white enamel cross with heraldic beasts in angles raised above the background; British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Ralph Allen); Defence Medal, with K.C.B.C. silver laurel leaves; Civil Defence Long Service Medal, E.II.R. (R. S. Allen) crudely engraved naming; Service Medal of the Order of St John, with three Additional Award Bars, unnamed, mounted as worn, generally very fine (6) £300-£400 --- Serving Brother, Order of St. John London Gazette 23 June 1970. K.C.B.C. London Gazette 31 October 1941. ‘For brave conduct in Civil Defence.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On the night of 11 April 1941, an enemy parachute mine fell in Derby Road, Southampton, and wrecked approximately 120 houses. In one of these wrecked houses there were 5 casualties with face injuries due to the blast, plus small cuts and abrasions to arms ands legs. Before the house collapsed there were 2 persons in the upper part of the house and 3 persons on the ground floor, and when the house collapsed all 5 persons were buried with the debris on top of them. Mr. Allen, who is a member of St. John Ambulance Brigade, and a part-time Warden, tunnelled under the debris and administered First Aid to these trapped people. Two of these casualties were pinned down by sections of wooden beams. After administering First Aid, he obtained help of other Wardens and these beams were sawn through, and the injured persons sere then released. Throughout these operations which lasted approximately half an hour, he displayed outstanding courage, coolness, and was an inspiration to his fellow Wardens. Fire and escaping town gas added to his difficulties.’ Rudolph Sidney Albert Allen was born in Southampton on 11 May 1898 and served during the Great War in the Mercantile Marine, attesting under the slightly less Germanic-sounding Christian name of Ralph. Amonst the ships he served in was the Cunard Line’s S.S. Aquitania, that had been requisitioned as a troopship. During the Second World War he was employed as a Warden with the Civil Defence Warden Service, and was awarded a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct for his services in Southampton in April 1941. He was created a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John in 1970, and died in Southampton in 1978. Sold with copied research.
Lot 407
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Kimberley (Pte. R. Switzer. Kimberley Town Gd:) light contact marks, very fine £200-£240 --- Robert Edwin Switzer served during the Defence of Kimberley in No. II Section, B2 Company, No. 3 Redoubt; and also in No. III Section, C Company, Pickering’s No. 1 Redoubt. He is also recorded as having served with the Kimberly Light Horse as a Trooper, serving at the Relief of Mafeking; and later serving with Scott’s Railway Guards in the Orange Free State. An H. A. Switzer also served at the Defence of Kimberley - possibly the recipient’s brother. Sold with copy clasps form Relief of Mafeking and Orange Free State, representing the recipient’s full entitlement; and copied research.
Lot 408
The rare ‘Defence of Mafeking’ Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private R. Wright, Mafeking Cadet Corps, a 14-year old serving with the ‘original Boy Scouts’ Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Mafeking (Pte. R. Wright. Mafeking C.C.) officially re-impressed naming as usual to unit, edge bruise, good very fine, rare £1,200-£1,600 --- The Mafeking Cadet Corps comprised of young lads in their early teens and they were in effect the original Boy Scouts whose work during the siege had a great impression on Baden Powell. Just 39 Medals, all with the single clasp for Defence of Mafeking, were issued to the Cadet Corps, with the medal roll dated 14 January 1905. Given the small number of awards, and the fact that they were in effect ‘late issues’, the naming on the medals to the Mafeking Cadet Corps is invariably re-impressed, with the medals taken from the supply of returned and unclaimed awards. Reuben Wright joined the Mafeking Cadet Corps on 1 March 1899, and was aged 14 at the Defence of Mafeking.
Lot 416
Family Group: Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (22994755 Pte. C. Burchill. Glosters.) in named card box of issue, with riband bar, good very fine Elizabeth Cross, silver (Cpl. G. B. Burchill Gloster R 19030887) in its fitted case of issue with provision for lapel miniature, extremely fine (2) £600-£800 --- Cedric Burchill was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire in 1935. Gregory Brian Burchill was born in February 1929 in Bristol, Gloucestershire, and was the brother of the above. He joined his local regiment voluntarily before National Service came into effect, aged 18, with the Glosters and was stationed at Bulford Camp, Salisbury. He proceeded to Kingston, Jamaica on 17 August 1947 on S.S. Tilapa. The regiment had returned to the UK during 1949, then on 3 November 1950 following the outbreak of the Korean War the 1st Battalion arrived in Korea. On 22 April 1951, at nightfall, the Chinese launched their Spring Offensive launching the Battle of Imjin. Burchill was at the time of the battle a member of “D” Company, 1st Battalion. During the first night his company was attacked, along with A company, by 07:30 A Company were outnumbered 6 to 1 and had been forced from their position on Castle Hill, an attempt to retake it failed during which Lieutenant Philip Curtis single-handedly destroyed an enemy machine gun position being posthumously awarded a Victoria Cross. The 23rd April led to the now half strength A Company retiring to Hill 235, which left D Company exposed, with one of their platoons having been badly mauled in the night-time fighting, they also withdrew to Hill 235. A and D company were relatively safe defending Hill 235 but B Company had retired to Hill 316, that night they were outnumbered 18 to 1 enduring 6 assaults, calling in artillery on their own position to break up the last of them, they were low on ammunition having fought all night and at 08:10 were forced to abandon their position, only 20 survivors made it over to Hill 235. The relief force of the Philippine 10th Battalion Combat Team with a number of 8th Hussars Tanks were trying to protect the Glosters from being encircled, but it was found unviable and the Brigade Commander withdrew them leaving the Glosters to fend for themselves. Abandoned and left without any support were the last remnants of the Glosters including Burchill, they bravely defended their position on Hill 235, any chance of retreat was impossible, also any airdrop supplies were unsuccessful. They held their position throughout the night of the 24th and into the 25th April, the next morning on the 25th, the 45th Field Regiment also withdrew its artillery support. The final decision was handed to the Glosters Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Carne, who “Gave the order to his company commanders to make for the British lines as best as they could.: Only the remnants of D Company under the command of Major Mike Harvey escaped successfully from the Hill and reached the safety of friendly lines after several days of travel, the rest of the battalion was taken prisoner including Lieutenant-Colonel Carne, and on this day Private Burchill was killed in the fighting. Hill 235 was renamed “Gloster Hill” in their memory, the battle resulted in 1,091 casualties to the 29th brigade, including 34 officers and 808 other ranks missing. Of the 1,091 casualties, 620 were from the Glosters, they mustered only 217 men on 27 April 1951, 522 of the soldiers had been taken as prisoners of war, but 180 were wounded and a further 34 died while in captivity. 59 soldiers of the Glosters were killed in action during the battle, including Private Burchill. On the Chinese side the 63rd Army had lost around 10,000 of their 27,000 strength. Private Burchill is buried in the U.N. Memorial Cemetery, Pusan, Korea.
Lot 418
A scarce A.G.S. Kenya medal awarded to Chief Inspector (Reserve) W. N. McKenzie, Kenya Police Air Wing, late Warrant Officer (pilot), Royal Australian Air Force, who was killed when his aircraft crashed during a supply drop mission to a Forest Tracking Patrol in the Aberdare Forest, 21 October 1954. An ex commercial pilot with vast experience, including having flown over 600 operational hours during the Mau Mau troubles Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (M.1064 C.I. (R). W. N. McKenzie.) good very fine £200-£240 --- William Nathaniel ‘Nat’ McKenzie was born in Perth, Australia in March 1925. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in March 1943, and advanced to Warrant Officer. McKenzie served as a pilot and was discharged, 26 September 1945. He moved to South Africa after the war, and was initially employed as a commercial pilot. McKenzie subsequently served as a Chief Inspector (Reserve) of the Kenya Police Air Wing based in Nairobi. McKenzie served as pilot during the Mau Mau troubles, and was killed in an air crash, 21 October 1954. The following additional detail was given by The Western Australian, 22 October 1954: ‘William Nat McKenzie formerly of Perth was killed instantly when the aircraft he was piloting in anti Mau Mau operations in Kenya crashed in the Aberdare Forest, the Government announced today. A passenger in the supply drop aircraft Sergeant Cyril Derek Tuck of Bridport, Dorset was seriously injured. Mr. McKenzie a former commercial pilot and member of the Royal Australian Air Force had flown more than 600 hours on anti Mau Mau operations. The plane was dropping supplies to a forest tracking party. Mr. McKenzie leaves a widow.’
Lot 42
A Great War Western Front ‘Flesquieres’ September 1918 D.C.M., and M.M. and Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Private H. Hickling, 2nd Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (26553 Pte.-L. Cpl.- H. Hickling. M.M. 2/S. Staff: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (26553 Pte.-L. Cpl.- H. Hickling. 2/S. Staff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (26553 Pte. H. Hickling. S. Staff: R.) medals loose as issued, toned, nearly extremely fine (4) £2,600-£3,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 12 March 1919; citation published 2 December 1919: ‘For splendid courage and determination. Near Flesquieres, on the night of 27th/28th September, 1918, he, on his own initiative, rushed forward under heavy machine-gun fire, and single-handed captured an enemy machine-gun, putting the crew out of action. The capturing of this particular gun undoubtedly saved many lives in his company.’ M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. War Diary notes M.M. awarded in December 1917 M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 13 March 1919. Herbert Hickling was born in Nottingham and was a tallow chandler prior to enlisting in December 1915, aged 28 years 9 months. He served in France from 7 December 1916, and was gassed on 17 February 1918. Sold with copied research including service papers, gazette entries, War Diary extracts and Medal Index Card.
Lot 424
India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (7878760 Pte. J. Atkinson. R. Tank C.) nearly extremely fine £100-£140 --- John Atkinson was born in St. Helens, Lancashire, and attested for service in the Royal Tank Corps at Preston on 23 November 1926. He is confirmed on the medal roll for the I.G.S. with clasp North West Frontier 1930-31, and was discharged to the Army Reserve at Barnet on 12 February 1933. He re-enlisted for service in the Second World War, transferring to the General Staff Corps on 7 January 1943, and then to the Royal Armoured Corps, on 18 February 1943, being re-numbered 14502739.
Lot 428
1914 Star (9319 Pte J. Barlow. 1/Linc: R.) good very fine £100-£140 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 20 October 1914. John Barlow served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 13 August 1914. He advanced to Lance Corporal, and was taken prisoner of war at Laon, 14 September 1914 (entitled to Silver War Badge).
Lot 429
1914 Star (5060 Pte G. Veach. 2/S. Lan: R.) good very fine £80-£100 --- George Veach served during the Great War with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment in the French theatre of war from 14 August 1914. He was taken prisoner of war at La Bassee in August 1914, exchanged and discharged due to wounds, 7 July 1916 (entitled Silver War Badge).
Lot 43
A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M., M.M. group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major E. A. Smith, 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (13428 Sjt:-A.C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (13428 C.S. Mjr: E. A. Smith, 4/Bedf: R.); 1914-15 Star (13428 Pte. E. A. Smith. Bedf: R.); British War and Victory Medals (13428 W.O. Cl. 2. E. A. Smith. Bedf. R.) medals mounted for display, good very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919: ‘During period 25th February to 16/17th September, 1918, for gallantry and devotion to duty in the preparation for and during the course of an attack. He has at all times shown great coolness and power of control under fire and in difficult situations. His cheerfulness, disregard of personal safety, and persistent efforts for the well-being of his men have had a very beneficial effect on the men of his company.’ M.M. London Gazette 23 July 1919. Ernest Alfred Smith was a native of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, and served with the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. The following notice was published under ‘Local War News’ in The Hertfordshire & Hemel Hempstead Gazette of 25 January 1919: ‘C.S.M. E. A. Smith, son of Mrs J. Smith of Cemetery Hill, Hemel Hempstead, who recently gained the M.M., has now been awarded the D.C.M. C.S.M. Smith was prior to the outbreak of the war engaged at Mr Green’s, High-street and joined up within a few days of the opening of hostilities. He has seen almost continuous service in France attached to the Royal Naval Division during the latter part of the campaign. The D.C.M. was won during an action last September in which all the officers were either killed or wounded. C.S.M. Smith carried on and came out of a successful engagement without a scratch.’ Sold with copied research including news cutting, gazette entries and Medal Index Card.
Lot 430
1914 Star (7067 Pte. E. T. Josephs. 1/R. Ir: Rif.) regimental number slightly double struck, good very fine £60-£80 --- Edmund Thomas Josephs was born in Winchester, Hampshire and attested for the Royal Irish Rifles at Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Ireland, on 19 April 1889, aged 14 years and four months. At 18 years of age he continued to serve as a Musician before transferring to the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 12 March 1901, before his discharge after twelve years’ service on 16 May 1903. Re-enlisting into the Royal Irish Rifles on 21 July 1903, he was appointed Musician on 6 April 1909 and went on to serve with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 November 1914. He was discharged at the termination of his second period of engagement on 20 July 1916 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 68,849 as a consequence of being overage. Sold with copy service records and copy Medal Index Card.
Lot 431
1914-15 Star (113430, J. F. Reeves, P.O., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (276465 R. E. Burgess. S.P.O. R.N.; SS.5725 W. H. Wakelin. A.B. R.N.; R.3330 T. Rutherford. A.B. R.N.; Leo E. Wetton); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William H. Bolton) this silvered; Victory Medal 1914-19 (85949 A. Cpl. E. G. Essery. R.A.M.C.); Memorial Plaque (Frederick Bentley) in card envelope, edge bruising, traces of verdigris to plaque, generally very fine (8) £80-£100 --- Joseph Frederick Reeves was born in Stoke Damerel, Devon, on 7 June 1865 and joined the Royal Navy on 7 June 1883. Advanced Petty Officer First Class on 25 November 1900, he was pensioned on 2 August 1903 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 14 August 1903. He served during the Great War, including service in H.M.S. Tamar in Hong Kong. He was finally shore demobilised on 17 February 1919. Robert Eugene Burgess was born in Sunderland, Durham, on 5 February 1873 and joined the Royal Navy on 17 April 1894. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Poppy, H.M.S. Wellington and H.M.S. Gibraltar, and was advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 13 August 1917. He was invalided from the service on 14 August 1918. William Henry Wakelin was born in Derby on 15 February 1896 and joined the Royal Navy for service during the Great War on 26 March 1915. Advanced Able Seaman on 13 March 1916, he was shore demobilised on 5 March 1920 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Thomas Rutherford attested for the 1/6th (Cyclist) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment and was drafted to the Nelson Battalion, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 4 July 1917. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1917, later transferring to the Drake Battalion. He suffered repeated bouts of ill health, notably Pleurisy and Bronchitis, including spells in hospital and was discharged on 31 March 1919. Leo Eric Wetton was born in Forest Gate, London on 27 June 1899 and served during the Great War as a Saloon Steward in the Mercantile Marine. There are numerous men with the name Frederick Bentley listed on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll of Honour.
Lot 437
The British War Medal awarded to Acting Corporal R. Mutimer, M.M., 297th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 23 July 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (120334 A. Cpl. R. Mutimer. R.A.) good very fine £60-£80 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 July 1917. Ronald Mutimer was born in Middridge, Co. Durham, and attested for the Royal Garrison Artillery at Whitehall, London on 24 June 1916. He served with the 297th Siege Battery during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 23 July 1917. He is buried in Dickebusch New Military Cemetery Extension, France. Sold with copied research.
Lot 44
A Great War Western Front January 1917 D.C.M. and Passchendaele ‘Tunnel Trench’ M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Corporal Henry Bill, 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2112 Pte. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2112 L. Col.. H. Bill. 7/Leins: R.); 1914-15 Star (2112 Pte. H. Bill. Leins: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2112 A. Cpl. H. Bill. Leins. R.) mounted as worn, very fine or better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 4 June 1917; citation published 9 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He succeeded in getting an important message through under heavy fire during operations. He has done consistent good work throughout.’ M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918. Henry Bill was a native of Chapelizod, Dublin, and served in France and Flanders with the 7th Battalion, Leinster Regiment, from 17 December 1915. He won the D.C.M. during operations near Spanbroekmolen on 30-31 January 1917, the battalion having just taken over the front line vacated by the 6th Royal Irish Regiment. This was later the site of the largest of 19 mines blown by the British Army in the early hours of the morning of 7 June 1917. Later known as Lone Tree Crater, it signalled the launch of the battle of Messines. He went on to win the Military Medal in October 1917 during the battle of Passchendaele when a small raid was carried out by a party of men of the 7th Leinster Regiment on ‘Tunnel Trench’ and ‘No Man’s Land’ on the Hindenburg Line. Sold with Leinster cap badge together with copied research including Medal Index Card and medal roll confirmation, War Diary extracts and full reports of the ‘Tunnel Trench’ raid.
Lot 45
A superb ‘Logeast Wood’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant H. J. Trigg, Royal Marine Light Infantry, 1st R.M. Battalion, Royal Naval Division, when ‘he himself killed large numbers of the enemy with a Lewis gun’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (Ply-466(S) Sjt: H. J. Trigg, 1/R. Marines); 1914-15 Star (Ply. 466-S-, Pte. H. J. Trigg, R.M.L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Ply. 466-S-. Pte. H. J. Trigg, R.M.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, light edge bruising and contact marks, therefore nearly very fine and rare (7) £4,000-£5,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January, 1919: ‘On 21 August 1918 at Logeast Wood, during a heavy enemy counter-attack, when troops on his flank were forced to withdraw, he moved his platoon forward and attacked the advancing enemy with such resolution that the counter-attack was completely broken up. He himself killed large numbers of the enemy with a Lewis gun. Throughout the operations he displayed conspicuous gallantry and fine qualities of leadership.’ Herbert John Trigg was born in the Parish of Bampton, Oxford, on 23 October 1893, and enlisted for the Royal Marines at Liverpool on 7 October 1914. He served at Gallipoli from 25 April 1915 until 8 July 1915, when he was invalided to 17 General Hospital at Alexandria suffering from a septic foot. He was then attached to the Divisional Train at Sidi Bishr until readmitted to hospital with fever on 31 August, and again, with burns to his face, at Glymenpoule on 19 September. Invalided to England on 3 October 1915, he served with the B.E.F. in France from 27 May 1917, until again invalided on 27 August 1918, as a result of a bullet wound to his left elbow received in the action at Logeast Wood. He was finally discharged at Plymouth on 29 April 1919. In this single action during the Second Battle of the Somme, the Royal Marines were awarded one D.S.O. (Bar), five M.C.’s, four D.C.M.’s and seventeen M.M.’s. During the entire Great War there were only twenty-three D.C.M.’s to the Royal Marine Light Infantry. Sold with copied research including full record of service.
Lot 459
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Capt. W. R. H. Elliott. R.E.M.E.) good very fine £80-£100 --- William Richard Hamilton Elliott was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers on 16 September 1942, and was advanced Captain on 16 September 1948, and Major on 16 September 1955. He relinquished his commission on 1 October 1956.
Lot 46
A Great War Western Front D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant G. R. Collings, 24th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (29566 Sjt: G. R. Collings. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (29566 Spr. G. R. Collings. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (29566 Sjt: G. R. Collings. R.E.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (George Robert Collings D.C.M.) this on its original investiture brooch, the first four mounted as worn in incorrect order, good very fine or better (5) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation published 3 September 1919: ‘For conspicuous good service and devotion to duty. He had been in charge of the wireless section of this company for over a year. He had on many occasions volunteered to take and taken accumulators, etc., to forward stations at night in face of considerable harassing shell fire. His exceptional coolness and very high sense of duty have provided a fine example to the personnel of his section.’ I.S.M. London Gazette 12 April 1946: ‘Collings, D.C.M., George Robert, Overseer, Post Office, Horsham.’ George Robert Collings served in France with the Royal Engineers from 16 April 1915, and won his D.C.M. with the 24th Divisional Signal Company. Sold with various Demobilization certificates, letter of congratulations and news cutting announcing D.C.M., these all contained in a leather Masonic pouch with gold-embossed inscription ‘Bro. G. R. Collings, March and Darnley Lodge, No. 1141’; together with copied research including gazette entries and Medal Index Card.
Lot 465
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (3) (22274948 S/Sgt. K. A. Dawson. R.E.M.E.; 23194961 Cpl. G. O. Thomas. R.E.M.E.; 22657130 Cfn. K. R. Best. REME.) all in named card boxes of issue; together with a related miniature award and cloth insignia, nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140
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