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Click here to subscribeIndia General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (5718793 Pte. J. H. Challis. Dorset. R.) very fine £120-£160 --- Joseph Henry Challis, a native of Bridport, Dorset, attested for the Dorsetshire Regiment on 5 February 1919, and served with the 2nd Battalion in India. He was discharged on 3 July 1922, and subsequently joined the Territorial Army.
India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (5718290 Pte. F. H. Maniger, Dorset. R.) very fine £120-£160 --- Francis H. Maniger attested for the Dorsetshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War in the Balkan theatre of War from 22 September 1915. Sold with copied Medal Index Card.
India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Malabar 1921-22 (2222 Rfn. Bhawan Sing Rawat, 2-18 R. Garh. Rif.) suspension claw re-riveted; Victory Medal 1914-19 (3) (9171 A.2. Cpl. J. Turner. R.E.; Jemdr Sharif Kghan, 17 Cavy; Sgt-Maj. F. C. Barker. Calcutta Vols. Arty.) edge bruising and contact marks, good fine and better (4) £70-£90 --- James Turner attested for the Royal Engineers and served with the Scottish Army Signalling Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 9 October 1914. He later transferred to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and was commissioned Lieutenant R.N.V.R. on 13 September 1918. Sharif Khan enlisted during early 1896 and was commissioned Jemadar during at 1916. He served during the Great War with the 17th Cavalry Remount Squadron in Mesopotamia and was Mentioned in Despatches. He retired in 1919.
Family Group: The Companion of the Bath breast badge awarded to Lieutenant-General John Cameron, Royal Engineers, Director of Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Ireland from August 1875 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s breast badge, 18 carat gold, hallmarked London 1870, complete with gold swivel-ring bar suspension and ribbon buckle, extremely fine Pair: Captain C. B. Cameron, York and Lancaster Regiment Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut. C. B. Cameron. 2/York & Lanc R.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed, the first with heavy pitting and edge bruising from star, therefore fine, the second good very fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- John Cameron was born on 31 March 1817, at Sint-Amands in the Flemish region of Belgium, son of Major-General Sir John Cameron, K.C.B. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 12 December 1834, becoming Colonel on 1 January 1868, and Lieutenant-General on 1 October 1877. Cameron became a Fellow of the Royal Society on 4 June 1868, and was made a Companion of the Bath on 14 June 1870. He held the important position of Director-General of the Ordnance Survey of Great Britain and Ireland from August 1875 to his death. He edited Ordnance Survey. Meteorological Observations, 1856. Lieutenant-General Cameron died at Ordnance House, Southampton, on 30 June 1878. Charles Barton Cameron was born in 1857, son of Major-General John Cameron, Royal Engineers. He was commissioned Ensign in the York and Lancaster Regiment on 5 October 1878; Lieutenant, 1 July 1881; Captain, 2 June 1886. He served with the 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment throughout the Egyptian war of 1882, and was present in the engagements of El Magfar and Tel-el-Mahuta, in the two actions at Kassasin, and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal with Clasp and Bronze Star). Captain Cameron was placed on half-pay on 26 October 1892. For related family medals see Lot 44.
British War Medal 1914-20 (E. R. C. Hoskyns.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (V. E .C. Mac Ewan.; N. Sister. M. M. Moore.) very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Elriza R. C. Hoskyns served as a Nurse with the French Red Cross during the Great War on the Western Front from May 1917. Veronica E. C. MacEwan served as a Canteener with the French Red Cross at the Depot d’Eclopes on the Western Front from February 1918. Margaret M. Moore served as a Nurse with the French Red Cross during the Great War on the Western Front from April 1915.
Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (S. Lt. R. W. Major. R.I.N.V.R.) nearly extremely fine and rare £260-£300 --- R. W. Major, Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve, was appointed to H.M. Indian Ship Bengal on 7 July 1945. The Bengal was a dan-layer in the 37th Mine Sweeping Flotilla, which began clearing the Malacca Straits in August 1945.
A post-War C.I.E., Second War O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain A. H. Wilson, Royal Irish Fusiliers, later Military Accounts Department, who served as Field Controller of Military Accounts in Iraq during the Second World War, and later as Military Account-General, Government of India The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, C.I.E., Companion’s 3rd type neck badge, gold and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue, the case is somewhat disintegrated condition; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, with lid of Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. A. H. Wilson. R. Ir. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. H. Wilson); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Capt. A. H. Wilson, M.A. Dept.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue; together with the related miniature awards, these mounted as worn; and the recipients riband bar, this lacking the riband for the CIE, generally good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400 --- C.I.E. London Gazette 1 January 1947: Arthur Henry Wilson, Esq., O.B.E., Military Accountant-General, Government of India. O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1942: Arthur Henry Wilson, Esq., Field Controller of Military Accounts in Iraq. Arthur Henry Wilson was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 15 August 1914, and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 May 1915. He subsequently transferred to the 5th Garrison Battalion, attached Military Department, and thence to the Military Accounts Department, and saw further service during the Third Afghan War in the rank of Captain. Sold with the Bestowal Document for the O.B.E., dated 11 June 1942, with Central Chancery enclosure.
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. F. A. Middleton. R. Hamps.) polished, good very fine £100-£140 --- F. A. Middleton was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Hampshire Regiment on 15 September 1946, and was advanced Temporary Captain on 22 June 1947. Sold with copied medal roll extract.
Coronation 1902, Metropolitan Police, bronze (Insp. R. Hayter. 4th. Div.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (2), one crudely engraved ‘J. E. Beal No. 10677 B. Coy. D.L.I. Delhi 1911.’; the other unnamed as issued; together with an Edward Prince of Wales Visit to Bombay Medal 1921, bronze, the obverse featuring the bust of Edward Prince of Wales facing right, surmounted by Prince of Wales’s feathers, the reverse inscribed ‘Visit of His Royal Highness, Bombay, November 1921’, with ring suspension, generally very fine (4) £140-£180 --- 10677 Private F. [sic] Beale, 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, appears on the latest published transcript of the 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal roll.
Jubilee 1935 (2) (Lieut-Colonel G. Ireland; Cons. R. Whitelaw. G.P.) both contemporarily engraved; Imperial Service Medal (3), G.V.R., Circular issue, 1st ‘coinage head’ issue (2) (Albert John Glover; Hugh Augustus Scammell.); G.VI.R., 1st issue (Frederick Charles Lewis) good very fine (5) £80-£100
An inter-War ‘Irish Civil War’ O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel E. A. Corner, Hampshire Regiment The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. A. Corner. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major E. A. Corner.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style as worn, gilding somewhat rubbed on OBE, light contact marks, very fine (6) £300-£400 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1923. Edgar Alan Corner was born in Portsmouth on 1 March 1886 and was commissioned into the Hampshire Regiment from Sandhurst in January 1905. He served with the 2nd Battalion overseas in Malta, Bermuda, South Africa, Mauritius, and India, and was promoted Lieutenant on 3 July 1906, and Captain on 26 October 1910. Corner served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 25 April 1915, and was wounded in action on 3 May 1915. Invalided home, for the next 12 months he was on Home Service with the 3rd Battalion, before proceeding to France in May 197, and commanded the 4th Division Depot Battalion and Reception Camp. He rejoined the 2nd Battalion in Cork in May 1920, and for the next two years served in Ireland during the Civil War. For his work in Ireland he was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1923 New Year’s Honours’ List. From June 1922 to June 1927 Corner served with the Military Secretary’s Branch at the War Office, before rejoining he 2nd Battalion with the rank of Major in 1927. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 February 1932, he commanded the 1st Battalion in India for the next four years, before retiring in January 1936. Sold with copied research, including photographic images of the recipient.
Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial, with Second and Third Additional Award Bars (5491759 Sjt. B. J. Cooke. 8-Hamps. R.) good very fine £70-£90 --- B. J. Cooke served with the 8th Battalion (Princess Beatrice’s Isle of Wight Rifles), Hampshire Regiment, and was awarded his Efficiency Medal in November 1936; a Second Award Bar in May 1942 (whilst a Warrant Officer Class II, Royal Artillery (Coast)); and a Third Award Bar in June 1944 (same rank and unit). Sold with copied research.
The Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Gold Medal awarded to Captain Sir Alexander R. Glen, K.B.E., D.S.C., Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Geographical Society, Patron’s Gold Medal, 54mm, gold (9ct, 95.24g), the obverse featuring the bare head of George VI facing left, the reverse featuring Minerva standing left, holding wreath and map, with globe and sextant on ground, ‘Ob Terras Reclusas’ above, the edge engraved ‘Lieutenant Alexander R. Glen, R.N.V.R., 1940.’; together with the recipient’s Exploration of Polar Regions Bruce Medal for Valuable Services, 50mm, bronze, the edge engraved ‘Alexander Glen 1938’, nearly extremely fine (2) £6,000-£8,000 --- Sir Alexander (Sandy) Richard Glen was born in Glasgow on 18 April 1912, the son of a Glasgow ship-owner, and was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Geography. He first travelled to the Arctic in 1932, as part of an eight man crew of a 45ft fishing boat owned by a Cambridge law don; legend has it that Glen accepted the invitation to accompany the expedition under the misapprehension that it was an invitation to a debutante ball. Setting sail from King’s Lynn (with Glen still in his white tie and tails), the crew ventured to Spitzbergen, and completed 4,000 miles of sailing and two months of surveying. The following year Glen led a more official 16 man Oxford University summer expedition to Spitzbergen to carry out topographical and geological surveys, spending some winter months with the Lapps of northern Sweden. He returned to Spitzbergen the following summer with the author Evelyn Waugh amongst the team (who nearly drowned when a glacier thawed). In 1935 he led another Oxford University expedition, establishing a research station on the ice cap of North East Land, and carried our research in glaciology, geology, and radio propagation in high latitudes. In 1937 he wrote a book about the expedition, entitled ‘Under the Pole Star’. For his expeditions and scientific work in the Arctic Glen was awarded the prestigious Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1940; at the age of 28 he was (and is) the youngest recipient of the medal. He was also awarded the Polar Medal (London Gazette 10 February 1942: ‘For good services with the Oxford University Arctic Expedition to North East Land in 1935 and 1936’) and received the Bruce Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1938. After going down from Oxford Glen worked in investment banking in New York and London. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938, and posted to Naval Intelligence he worked with Ian Fleming under its Director, Admiral John Godfrey. Inevitably, in later life it was rumoured that Glen was perhaps an inspiration for James Bond, but Glen himself always denied the link: ‘I don’t think it is true for a moment; I’m far too gentle, too law-abiding.’ In January 1940 Glen was posted to Belgrade as assistant naval attaché at the British legation, where he met his future wife, the Serbian Baroness Zora (Zorica) de Collaert. Following the bombing of Belgrade in 1941 the British legation left and made their way home via Kotor, Albania, Italy, Vichy France, and Spain. He then worked on the staff of Rear-Admiral Philip Vian in 1941 helping to evacuate Norwegian and Russian coalminers and trappers in the Arctic Circle, and he spent some time protecting Spitzbergen from a German invasion. In the early summer of 1942, he took part in two 27-hour reconnaissances of Spitzbergen by Catalina flying boats of Coastal Command, based in the Shetlands. He then joined a 70-strong joint British-Norwegian force sent by boat, which was sunk by a Luftwaffe raid as they arrived in Spitzbergen harbour. As the survivors struggled ashore, Glen remembered where to find the frozen corpses of 60 slaughtered pigs, and they lived off these, washed down with abandoned German brandy and champagne. Glen later served with distinction with the Russian Army in eastern Europe in 1943-44, sabotaging traffic on the River Danube to disrupt oil supplies to Germany. He also took part in various clandestine and dangerous operations in Yugoslavia with Fitzroy Mclean, in support of Marshal Tito. He ended the War on the British staff in Athens. For his services during the Second World War he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942 (London Gazette 27 October 1942), and a Second Award Bar in 1945 (London Gazette 20 February 1945). He was also awarded the Norwegian and Czechoslovakian War Crosses, and was created a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St. Olav (London Gazette 9 May 1944). Post-War, Glen joined the ship-broking business of Clarksons, eventually rising to become the firm’s Chairman. Remaining in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he was advanced Captain in the Supply and Secretariat Branch on 30 June 1955, and served as a Member of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society periodically from 1945 to 1962. Appointed C.B.E. in 1964 (London Gazette 1 January 1964), he was advanced K.B.E. in 1967 (London Gazette 1 January 1967), and went on to hold various positions in the travel and hotel sector, including the Chairmanship of the British Tourist Authority. Amongst other public appointments he became Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He published his memoirs ‘Footholds Against a Whirlwind’, in 1975, and co-wrote (with Leighton Bowen) ‘Target Danube, a River not quite too far’ in 2002. He died on 6 March 2004. The Sandy and Zorica Glen Charitable Settlement (Charity no. 326311) is a grant making charity that supports a small range of charities in helping to develop leadership qualities in the young via exploration trips and other outdoor activities; and encouraging the conservation of heritage works of art. For the recipient’s group of twelve miniature awards, see Lot 618.
Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (91461 Pte. R. W. Little) polished, good fine £50-£70 --- Robert Walter Little, a labourer from Hamilton, Ontario, was born in London (England) on 23 February 1886. He attested on 5 July 1915 and saw service on the Western Front with the 21st Battery, 4th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He died on 1 June 1917 and is buried in Lievin Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas de Calais, France. Sold with copy research file.
Sick-Berth Petty Officer’s Efficiency Medal, gilt (POMA R N Cain D128625M) in its Royal Mint fitted case of issue, extremely fine £200-£300 --- The Sick Berth Petty Officers’ Efficiency Medal is struck in bronze-gilt by the Royal Mint. It is awarded annually to the Petty Officer Medical Assistant or Sergeant R.M. Medical Assistant who demonstrates exceptional zeal and efficiency in the discharge of his or her duties in the preceding year.
Army Rifle Association Medal (2), silver, the reverse engraved ‘C. G. Wheatley, 7815209’; the second bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Hopton Cup 1920. No. 4 Platoon Team. A. Coy. 1st. Bn. Wilts Rgt. 2nd. in Army at Home Lieut. E. C. Clegg. M.C.’; together with a Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (W. Elliott 1st. R. Regt.) contemporarily re-engraved naming, plugged and fitted with a Crimea-style suspension, very fine (3) £70-£90
A post-War civil M.B.E., Great War ‘Palestine, 1917’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private H. A. Chapman, 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion (The Queen’s) London Regiment, later Acting Staff Officer, Air Ministry, Royal Air Force The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, in Royal Mint case of issue; Military Medal, G.V.R. (682088 Pte. H. A. Chapman. 2/22 Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4705 Pte. H. A. Chapman. 22-Lond. R.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, in box of issue, extremely fine (5) £500-£700 --- M.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 10 June 1954: ‘Harry Albert Chapman Esq., M.M., Higher Executive Officer, Air Ministry.’ M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1918. Harry Albert Chapman was born in Bournemouth, Hampshire in 1897 and raised in Southwark, London. During the Great War, he attested for the 2/22nd (County of London) Battalion (The Queen’s), London Regiment and was deployed with them to Salonika, disembarking 13 January 1917. Having participated in various actions, including the Battle of Doiran, 22 April - 9 May 1917, his battalion was sent to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force in June 1917 for Allenby’s upcoming Palestine campaign. Chapman was awarded the Military Medal for bravery on the battlefield in Palestine in 1917, the 2/22nd London Regiment seeing action at numerous actions in the period including the Third Battle of Gaza and the Capture and Defence of Jerusalem. In 1918 his battalion was present at the Capture of Jericho, the first and second Trans-Jordan raids and the Battles of Meggido. Ending the war at Jaffa, he remained in theatre until August 1919. After the war, Chapman embarked on a Civil Service career in the Air Ministry. During the Second World War, he served as an Acting Staff Officer in the Department of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Air and in the Home Guard from 3 February 1943 to 31 December 1944. He was awarded the Coronation Medal in 1953 and an M.B.E. in 1954 for his services with the Air Ministry. He died in 1966. Sold with the following archive: i) two postcard photographs of the recipient in uniform during Great War in the Middle East. The second taken in Egypt showing the recipient together with 3 others in uniform mounted on camels with Sphynx and pyramids in background - also another copy of this second photograph enlarged and contained in metal tube. ii) 2 Great War identity tags, impressed ‘H. A. Chapman C.E. 682088 Ldn Regt.’ iii) Named Home Guard certificate of service with dates of service. iv) Named Buckingham Palace enclosure for Coronation Medal 1953. v) Warrant for M.B.E. vi) 10 Downing Street headed paper letter of notification of M.B.E. award. vii) Central Chancery invitation to M.B.E. investiture at Buckingham Palace. viii) quantity of letters of congratulation on award of M.B.E. ix) The Times and London Gazette of 10 June 1954, both containing recipient’s M.B.E. announcement. x) Air Ministry Orders of 1 July 1954 containing recipient’s M.B.E. announcement. xi) Miniature M.B.E. medal in Spencer & Co. fitted case. xii) 8 photographs of the recipient and family on day of Buckingham Palace M.B.E. investiture. xiii) Autograph book. For the recipient’s brothers’ awards see lots 79 and 303.
The mounted group of twelve miniature dress medals worn by Captain Sir Alexander R. Glen, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Civil) Knight Commander’s badge; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Polar Medal 1904, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver, 1 clasp, Arctic 1935-1936; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue; Norway, Kingdom, War Cross 1940-45, with bronze sword emblem to riband; Order of St. Olav, Military Division, Knight First Class badge; Czechoslovakia, Republic, War Cross 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (12) £1,000-£1,400 --- 1 of only 9 Polar Medals with clasp ‘Arctic 1935-1936’, all to members of the Oxford University Expedition to North East Land. K.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1967: Alexander Richard Glen, Esq., C.B.E., D.S.C., Chairman, Export Council for Europe, For services to Export. C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 January 1964: Alexander Richard Glen, Esq., D.S.C., Chairman, H. Clarkson and Company Ltd. D.S.C. London Gazette 27 October 1942. D.S.C. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20 February 1945: ‘For courage and undaunted devotion to duty.’ Polar Medal (Silver) London Gazette 10 February 1942: ‘For good services with the Oxford University Arctic Expedition to North East Land in 1935 and 1936.’ Sir Alexander (Sandy) Richard Glen was born in Glasgow on 18 April 1912, the son of a Glasgow ship-owner, and was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and Balliol College, Oxford, where he read Geography. He first travelled to the Arctic in 1932, as part of an eight man crew of a 45ft fishing boat owned by a Cambridge law don; legend has it that Glen accepted the invitation to accompany the expedition under the misapprehension that it was an invitation to a debutante ball. Setting sail from King’s Lynn (with Glen still in his white tie and tails), the crew ventured to Spitzbergen, and completed 4,000 miles of sailing and two months of surveying. The following year Glen led a more official 16 man Oxford University summer expedition to Spitzbergen to carry out topographical and geological surveys, spending some winter months with the Lapps of northern Sweden. He returned to Spitzbergen the following summer with the author Evelyn Waugh amongst the team (who nearly drowned when a glacier thawed). In 1935 he led another Oxford University expedition, establishing a research station on the ice cap of North East Land, and carried our research in glaciology, geology, and radio propagation in high latitudes. In 1937 he wrote a book about the expedition, entitled ‘Under the Pole Star’. For his expeditions and scientific work in the Arctic Glen was awarded the prestigious Patron's Gold Medal of the Royal Geographical Society in 1940; at the age of 28 he was (and is) the youngest recipient of the medal. He was also awarded the Polar Medal and received the Bruce Medal of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 1938. After going down from Oxford Glen worked in investment banking in New York and London. He joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1938, and posted to Naval Intelligence he worked with Ian Fleming under its Director, Admiral John Godfrey. Inevitably, in later life it was rumoured that Glen was perhaps an inspiration for James Bond, but Glen himself always denied the link: ‘I don’t think it is true for a moment; I’m far too gentle, too law-abiding.’ In January 1940 Glen was posted to Belgrade as assistant naval attaché at the British legation, where he met his future wife, the Serbian Baroness Zora (Zorica) de Collaert. Following the bombing of Belgrade in 1941 the British legation left and made their way home via Kotor, Albania, Italy, Vichy France, and Spain. He then worked on the staff of Rear-Admiral Philip Vian in 1941 helping to evacuate Norwegian and Russian coalminers and trappers in the Arctic Circle, and he spent some time protecting Spitzbergen from a German invasion. In the early summer of 1942, he took part in two 27-hour reconnaissances of Spitzbergen by Catalina flying boats of Coastal Command, based in the Shetlands. He then joined a 70-strong joint British-Norwegian force sent by boat, which was sunk by a Luftwaffe raid as they arrived in Spitzbergen harbour. As the survivors struggled ashore, Glen remembered where to find the frozen corpses of 60 slaughtered pigs, and they lived off these, washed down with abandoned German brandy and champagne. Glen later served with distinction with the Russian Army in eastern Europe in 1943-44, sabotaging traffic on the River Danube to disrupt oil supplies to Germany. He also took part in various clandestine and dangerous operations in Yugoslavia with Fitzroy Mclean, in support of Marshal Tito. He ended the War on the British staff in Athens. For his services during the Second World War he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross in 1942, and a Second Award Bar in 1945. He was also awarded the Norwegian and Czechoslovakian War Crosses, and was created a Chevalier First Class of the Order of St. Olav (London Gazette 9 May 1944). Post-War, Glen joined the ship-broking business of Clarksons, eventually rising to become the firm’s Chairman. Remaining in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, he was advanced Captain in the Supply and Secretariat Branch on 30 June 1955, and served as a Member of the Council of the Royal Geographical Society periodically from 1945 to 1962. Appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1964, he was advanced to Knight Commander in 1967, and went on to hold various positions in the travel and hotel sector, including the Chairmanship of the British Tourist Authority. Amongst other public appointments he became Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Victoria and Albert Museum. He published his memoirs ‘Footholds Against a Whirlwind’, in 1975, and co-wrote (with Leighton Bowen) ‘Target Danube, a River not quite too far’ in 2002. He died on 6 March 2004. Sold with the recipient’s Passport; Timex watch; and the empty case of issue for his K.B.E. set of insignia, by Garrard, London. The Sandy and Zorica Glen Charitable Settlement (Charity no. 326311) is a grant making charity that supports a small range of charities in helping to develop leadership qualities in the young via exploration trips and other outdoor activities; and encouraging the conservation of heritage works of art. For the recipient’s Royal Geographical Society Patron’s Gold Medal, and Royal Society of Edinburgh Bruce Medal, see Lot 587.
The mounted group of five miniature dress medals worn by Captain H. A. Pearson, Royal Field Artillery, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force Military Cross, G.V.R.; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, mounted as worn but D.F.C. now detached, contained in a Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company Ltd carrying case with full-sized tunic ribbons for M.C. and D.F.C., good very fine (5) £140-£180 --- M.C. London Gazette 11 December 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He flew with another officer under 1,000 feet in our shell zone in order to silence hostile batteries. He has rendered the most valuable services throughout as an artillery observer.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 3 December 1918 (Italy): ‘During the last ten months this officer has displayed exceptional keenness and ability in carrying out photography and trench reconnaissance. Frequently handicapped by adverse weather conditions and in very difficult country, he has rendered most valuable service in clearing up obscure situations. On 14 June, in low cloud and mist, he took thirty-five successful photographs previous to an enemy attack. These very materially aided our operations.’ Harold Aubrey Pearson was gazetted Second Lieutenant to the Royal Field Artillery on 26 February 1915, serving in the Ypres Salient with 10 Battery, North & West Riding Brigade, R.F.A., in the same year. Seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in the summer of 1916, he trained as an Observer and was sent out as a Probationary to BE2e-equipped 34 Squadron shortly afterwards. His ‘apprenticeship’ satisfactorily completed, he was formally gazetted Flying Officer (Observer) on 21 October 1916. On the following day, Pearson and his Pilot of the day, Lieutenant J. H. C. Minchin, in BE2e ‘5855’ crash-landed into a shell hole following a combat with an enemy machine. Fortunately both crewmen emerged unscathed. After returning to the U.K. early in 1917, he decided to train as a Pilot, obtaining his Royal Aero Club Certificate (Number 4697) on 26 May 1917, and formally qualified for his full ‘Wings’ on the same day. Pearson now accompanied, as a Pilot, the RE8-equipped 34 Squadron to Italy on 13 November 1917. On 15 June 1918, Pearson and his Observer, Second Lieutenant R. B. Carey, in RE8 ‘C5077’, were badly shot up by ground fire. Although Pearson was unhurt, Carey was wounded in the action. The day before this incident, Pearson had completed the very successful photo-reconnaissance in advance of an Austrian offensive for which, and other fine work, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the Second World War, Pearson worked as a liaison officer having been appointed a Lieutenant in the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve (Special Branch) on 4 November 1942. For the recipient’s full-sized awards, see Lot 64.
The mounted group of three miniature dress medals attributed to Lieutenant-Commander R. G. I. Nicholl, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20, 8 clasps, Narrow Seas 1914, Mediterranean 1915, Gallipoli, North Sea 1916, Jutland 31 May ‘16, North Sea 1917, North Sea 1918, Belgian Coast; Victory Medal 1914-19, mounted as worn and housed in a Gieves, London, fitted case, extremely fine (3) £240-£280 --- Robert George Iltyd Nicholl was born on 14 November 1898 and joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 2 August 1914. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Venerable from August 1914 to 10 December 1915, seeing service in the Dardanelles campaign and at Gallipoli; and then in H.M.S. St. Vincent from 8 March 1916 to 14 December 1918, serving in her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. He was promoted Sub-Lieutenant on 15 November 1917, and Lieutenant on 15 December 1918, and retired at his own request with a gratuity on 2 July 1920. He was promoted Lieutenant-Commander on the Retired List on 15 December 1926, and was briefly recalled for duty during the early stages of the Second World War, before reverting to the Retired List in November 1940.
A fine Great War Observer’s ‘Western Front’ M.C. and Pilot’s ‘Italian theatre’ D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Captain H. A. Pearson, Royal Air Force, late Royal Field Artillery; during the Second War he held a commission as a Lieutenant in the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. H. A. Pearson. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. H. A. Pearson. R.A.F.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, unnamed as issued, these two in Commonwealth Relations Office card box of issue addressed to ‘Lieut. H. A. Pearson. MC. DFC.’ at Sevenoaks, Kent, nearly extremely fine (7) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 11 December 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. He flew with another officer under 1,000 feet in our shell zone in order to silence hostile batteries. He has rendered the most valuable services throughout as an artillery observer.’ D.F.C. London Gazette 3 December 1918 (Italy): ‘During the last ten months this officer has displayed exceptional keenness and ability in carrying out photography and trench reconnaissance. Frequently handicapped by adverse weather conditions and in very difficult country, he has rendered most valuable service in clearing up obscure situations. On 14 June, in low cloud and mist, he took thirty-five successful photographs previous to an enemy attack. These very materially aided our operations.’ Harold Aubrey Pearson was gazetted Second Lieutenant to the Royal Field Artillery on 26 February 1915, serving in the Ypres Salient with 10 Battery, North & West Riding Brigade, R.F.A., in the same year. Seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in the summer of 1916, he trained as an Observer and was sent out as a Probationary to BE2e-equipped 34 Squadron shortly afterwards. His ‘apprenticeship’ satisfactorily completed, he was formally gazetted Flying Officer (Observer) on 21 October 1916. On the following day, Pearson and his Pilot of the day, Lieutenant J. H. C. Minchin, in BE2e ‘5855’ crash-landed into a shell hole following a combat with an enemy machine. Fortunately both crewmen emerged unscathed. After returning to the U.K. early in 1917, he decided to train as a Pilot, obtaining his Royal Aero Club Certificate (Number 4697) on 26 May 1917, and formally qualified for his full ‘Wings’ on the same day. Pearson now accompanied, as a Pilot, the RE8-equipped 34 Squadron to Italy on 13 November 1917. On 15 June 1918, Pearson and his Observer, Second Lieutenant R. B. Carey, in RE8 ‘C5077’, were badly shot up by ground fire. Although Pearson was unhurt, Carey was wounded in the action. The day before this incident, Pearson had completed the very successful photo-reconnaissance in advance of an Austrian offensive for which, and other fine work, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. During the Second World War, Pearson worked as a liaison officer having been appointed a Lieutenant in the Royal Indian Naval Volunteer Reserve (Special Branch) on 4 November 1942. Sold with a small photograph of Pearson in uniform wearing the first five medals. For the recipient’s related miniature awards, see Lot 620.
A fine Great War ‘1917’ FE2d and DH4 Ace’s M.C. group of three awarded to Major H. R. Harker, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force - a skilled Flight Commander with 57 Squadron, who extricated his bomber formation from a dog fight with a vastly superior numbered German force led by Lothar Von Richthofen, 30 April 1917. A veteran of such skirmishes during ‘Bloody April’, Harker went on to claim at least 5 Victories before tragically succumbing to the Spanish Flu pandemic of 1919 Military Cross, G.V.R., reverse engraved ‘1917 Awarded To 2nd Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) H. R. Harker. R.F.C. “Consistently Set A Splendid Example To His Brother Officers” Died 27.2.1919 Major In R.A.F.’; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves, mounted upside down (Capt. H. R. Harker. R.F.C.) mounted for display, good very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 9 January 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. For nearly a year he has carried out extremely valuable work in taking aeroplane photographs and leading bombing raids far behind the enemy lines, often in the face of great opposition and trying weather conditions. On a recent occasion while returning from a successful bombing raid his formation was attacked by more than twice its number but by his fine offensive spirit and skilful leadership the enemy were dispersed. He has consistently set a splendid example to his brother officers.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 27 May 1919. Howard Redmayne Harker was born in May 1891, and was the son of Mr and Mrs J. D. Harker of Prestwich, Manchester. He was educated at Laurence House School, St. Annes-on-Sea, Rossall School and Manchester University. Harker had been a member of the university O.T.C., and upon leaving in 1913 was employed in the Experimental Department of the Royal Air Craft Factory. Eventually, despite deferment because of important war work, he successfully obtained a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps in April 1916. Harker gained his Royal Aero Club Certificate (No. 2945) in May 1916, and having completed his flying training advanced to Flying Officer the following month. He was posted for operational flying with the newly formed 57 Squadron (FE2d’s) to France, 16 December 1916. The Squadron were employed on fighter reconnaissance duties, and Harker achieved their first victory when flying with Second Lieutenant V. D. Fernauld (an American) as his observer, 24 March 1917. The Combat Report gives the following: ‘FE2d A/1954, armed with 2 Lewis guns, Pilot 2/Lt. H. R. Harker, Observer 2/Lt. V. D. Fernauld engaged a hostile aircraft at 1145, east of Lens, at 9,000ft. The H.A. was a signle seat tractor biplane with one or two fixed guns. The H.A. was engaged from above on his right side with the sun behind the FE2d. A burst of about 20 rounds was fired, from almost directly above the H.A. at a range of less than 50 yards, by the Oobserver. The tracer bullets were seen entering the engine and fuselage, and H.A. went down practically vertically, twisting about....’ The superiority of the German aircraft was to come to the fore the following month, known as ‘Bloody April’, when the Squadron lost a number of pilots in combat. Harker wrote home, 7 April 1917: ‘We are having quite a busy time of late for reasons which you will gather by the time you get this letter and see its date. We are engaged in the somewhat arduous and occasionally mildly exciting task of gaining what the politicians love to call ‘The supremacy of the air.’ I have for the third time been appointed acting Flight Commander and may possibly remain so this time. The man who relieved me of my temporary command the last time went over the line yesterday morning and the unkind Huns promptly shot him down and he landed within 50 yards of our outposts in front of the Hindenburg line. He is now in ‘Blighty’ I expect. He was luckier than the other four machines, which did not return all... This particular patrol were asked to do a well nigh impossible task which we have not been required to repeat so you need not think I am likely to follow them... It is somewhat parky in the upper atmosphere just now and many of us are suffering from mild frostbite...’ A ‘scrap’ with Lothar Von Richthofen Harker led a bombing formation, 30 April 1917, which had a brush with Lothar von Richthofen: ‘Forty minutes after his destruction of the 16 Squadron BE, Lothar Von Richthofen and his command, together with elements of Jasta 12, spotted a formation of FEs in the morning light. The FEs, led by Captain H. R. Harker (A6401), were from 57 Squadron. Earlier at 06.50 the British had spotted German fighters over Lécluse but, outnumbered as they were, had decided that discretion was the better part of valour and withdrew. At 07.00 over Vitry, they were approached by yet another formation of enemy scouts, six above them and three others at their own altitude. In the initial attack, two of the FE’s fell, one to Lothar, the other to the leader of Jasta 12, Adolf von Tutschek.... Another of the FE’s (A1966) was picked off by the three enemy scouts operating at the lower level.... An enemy machine was also hit, going down two miles SW of Douai. Yet another of the German planes went down under the fire of the FE’s, landing near to Vitry at 07.15. The German losses were soon more than made good by the arrival of reinforcements.... Still the Germans continued not to commit themselves to an all-out attack, a situation which allowed Harker and three other FE’s to edge their way slowly back to the British lines.’ (Under the Guns of the German Aces, by N. Franks and H. Giblin refers). It is highly likely that the above action is one the one referred to in the recipient’s M.C. citation. Harker advanced to Acting Captain and Flight Commander after ‘Bloody April’. The Squadron re-equipped with DH4’s in May 1917, and was tasked with long range bomber reconnaissance. It moved to Boisdinghem the following month, and joined the 27th Wing as part of V Brigade. The latter was employed in support of the British Army during the Ypres Offensive, and this new role seems to have suited Harker as he added at least another 4 enemy aircraft to his score between 18 June - 21 August 1917 (some sources credit him with 7 enemy aircraft shot down). Having completed his tour with 57 Squadron, Harker returned to the UK at the end of August 1917. Subsequent appointments included as Acting Squadron Commander of 3 I.T.S., and also instructing at No. 2 School of Navigation and Bomb Dropping, R.A.F. Andover. He advanced to Acting Major in October 1918, and tragically succumbed to the then raging Spanish Flu pandemic, dying at the Officer’s Military Hospital at Tidworth, 27 February 1919. Major Harker was mentioned in despatches for his work at Andover, and this was posthumously gazetted. He is buried in the Southern Cemetery, Manchester. Sold with a large amount of copied research, including photographic images.
A rare Second War ‘Battle of Venraij, October 1944’ M.C. and ‘River Escaut, May 1940’ M.M. group of six awarded to Major Frederick Bell, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5107913 Sjt. F. Bell. R. War. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation for an Immediate M.C., dated 23 October 1944, states: ‘Maj BELL commanded “D” Coy in the opening and subsequent phases of the battle for VENRAIJ. The initial role of this Coy on the 16th Octoberwas to make a bridge-head across a dyke through which the assaulting Coys in the attack proper would pass. The attack to make the bridge-head was a particularly difficult one. There was a great deal of opposition both from small arms and DF Mortar fire, and the approaches to and exits from the obstacle was strewn freely with Schu Mines. Maj BELL, in spite of known previous losses through Schu Mines, personally led his Coy to and across the obstacle at great risk to himself. On the other side his Coy was engaged by a tank or SP from a nearby farm. Mj Bell, by his personal action in visiting his forward Pl under heavy fire, directed PIAT and other fire upon the farm building which caused the enemy to withdraw. By this time he had lost in casualties his Second-in-Command and all his Pl officers. From then onwards he personally led the Coy, forming up in rear of the assaulting Coy. At each stage of the attack he was to be found up with the leading Pl calmly organising and supervising a plan for attack or re-organisation on the objective, quite regardless of personal risk, which was great owing to continuous enemy mortar and shell fire. Finally, on the objective in BRABANDER - Northern outskitrs of VENRAIJ, he personally supervised the layout of the whole of his Coy down to sec posts. His devotion to duty, calmness, courage, determination and cheerfulness throughout the operation, lasting from 0400 hrs until dusk were an example to all and were infectious.’ M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1940. According to Personal Diary of Captain L. T. Tomes, 2nd Batt. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, privately printed in 1946 (copy sold with Lot), Sergeant Bell was put up for the M.M. for the action at Hollain, River Escaut, on May 20th and 21st, 1940, and further good work later on up to the Battalion’s capitulation on the 28th May, 1940, in the action at Womhoudt, on the Dunkirk perimeter. Tomes was than a Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion. He was taken prisoner of war and wrote the diary ‘immediately I arrived in a permanent camp, from what I remembered from the War Diary which I had been keeping’ (accompanying letter from the author refers). Major Frederick Bell is listed as having been wounded in May 1945. Sold with a comprehensive selection of documents, news cuttings, a 3rd British Infantry Divisional commendation card for the attack on Le Blois 13th August 1944, case of issue for M.C. and accompanying named enclosure with card box and Registered envelope addressed to Major Bell, M.C., M.M., Purley, Surrey, Certificate of Service until discharged to a commission on 17 December 1940, Officers’ Release Book, his Royal Warwicks side cap, and a silver tankard, hallmarked London 1945, inscribed below regimental crest ‘Major F. Bell M.C. M.M. from all ranks of D. Company 2nd Batt Royal Warwickshire Regt British Liberation Army 1944-1945.’
Miscellaneous German Second World War Insignia. Comprising a Kuban Shield, minus its backing plate and minus its fitting pins; a Krim Shield, minus its backing plate, minus its fitting pins; a NSKOV cap badge, minus its fitting pins; a nice quality Kriegsmarine cap eagle with single pin fixing in anodised aluminium, Assmann maker marked, dated 41; a Political cap eagle in white metal with all three fixing pins present, RZM marked; an Army cap eagle, aluminium with three pins complete; a Luftwaffe cap eagle, both pins missing; and a Kriegsmarine gilded aluminium deck cap eagle, maker marked R S & S dated 40 but with single lapel pin fixing pin missing, generally good condition (8) £80-£100
A Crimean War ‘Heavy Brigade’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant J. Gilligan, 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (John Gilligan, 4th R. Irish Dn. Gds.) first two letters of Christian name and ‘G’ of Gds. carefully re-tooled due to edge bruising; Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Serjt. John Gilligan, 4th Dragoon Guards) contemporarily engraved naming, converted to fixed suspension with reverse facing forwards; Turkish Crimea, Sardinian issue (Serjt. J. Gilligan. 4th. Dragoon. Gds.) contemporarily impressed naming, pierced as issued with small ring suspension, all mounted for a triple decorative silver riband bar, edge bruising and contact marks, generally nearly very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. Recommendation dated 1 January 1855. John Gilligan attested for the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards, and served with them in the Crimea, the musters showing him effective as a Private from 1 October to 31 December 1854. He was discharged, medically unfit, on 30 June 1868; upon his discharge his character and conduct are described as ‘very good, he was when promoted in possession of five good conduct badges. Also in possession of Crimea Medal with three clasps (for Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol) and Turkish War Medal. He has also been granted a silver medal and gratuity of £5 for distinguished service in the field at the Battle of Balaklava.’ (Forgotten Heroes, The Charge of the Heavy Brigade, by Roy Dutton refers).
A Great War 1914 ‘Battle of Armentières’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal W. H. Moreby, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who was also killed in action during the battle, 25 October 1914, and posthumously Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6457 Cpl W. H. Moreby. 1/Leic: Regt); 1914 Star, with loose clasp (6457 Cpl W. H. Moreby. 1/Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (6457 Cpl. W. H. Moreby Leic. R.) generally good very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917: ‘For gallantry on 25th October in the engagement at the railway crossing near the factory south of Rue de [sic] Bois.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 17 February 1915. William Henry Moreby was born in Braunstone, Leicestershire, and attested for the Leicestershire Regiment at Leicester in August 1902. He advanced to Lance Corporal and transferred to the Army Reserve in March 1910. Moreby served as a Police Constable with the Leeds City Police, and then re-engaged for service with the 1st Battalion of his old regiment and served with them in the French theatre of war from 9 September 1914. Moreby served with ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment during the Battle of Armentières in October 1914. He both distinguished himself, and paid the ultimate sacrifice on the same day, when the Battalion were in action near the Chemical Factory south of Rue du Bois, 25 October 1914. The Regimental History gives the following for the 25/26th October: ‘At 6pm reports were received from O.C. Leicestershire Regiment that hostile shelling had compelled his battalion to evacuate this trench line from just south of the Rue du Bois to Le Quesne, that his men were lying in the open along the railway line and the the enemy’s infantry were massing in the area Le Quesne - Distillery and that he considered their attack imminent. The G.O.C. 16th I.B. and one company of the Buffs proceeded to the railway station, La Houssoie, HQ 1st Leicestershire Regiment, with the object of initiating a counter-attack. From reports on arrival such action was, however, considered impracticable, the enemy was in considerable strength, the night was very dark, and the ground very much broken. The enemy was undoubtedly in occupation of the large Distillery buildings and a group of houses east of the railway crossing south of the station. It was decided that the Leicestershire Regiment should continue to hold their ground immediately south of Rue du Bois, and bend back their line to the railway line about 250 yards off the Rue du Bois cross-roads, and continued the line along a deep ditch bordering the west of the railway to the railway crossing south of the station. At this point the defensive line was to cross the east of the railway along the bank of a shallow cutting about 18 inches deep through which the railway runs to a culvert about 500 yards south...’ The German attack came at dawn on 25 October, and raged against the Leicesters on the railway embarkment around La Houssoie station. Around the level crossing to the south, ‘D’ Company were overwhelmed with about 100 men being taken prisoner. By 9am the British forces had regained their lost trenches, and a bitter hand to hand fight ensued at the level crossing with the Germans engaging heavy artillery. The line was held throughout the day, and the casualties were two Officers wounded, 22 other ranks killed, 68 wounded and 98 missing. Corporal Moreby was amongst those killed in action, and he is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium as well as on the Leeds Town Hall Memorial, Yorkshire (a picture of him is also shown on the Regimental website).
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Private W. Bute, 1st/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, Territorial Force, who was killed in action on 12 September 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1783 Pte. W. Bute. 1/3 Lond: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1783. Pte. W. Bute, 3-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1783 Pte W. Bute. 3-Lond. R.) mounted court-style for wear, traces of lacquer, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 30 March 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in helping under very trying circumstances to get the wounded out of a trench which was being bombarded by heavy bombs.’ Wilfred Bute was born in Walthamstow and attested for the 1st/3rd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment, Territorial Force in August 1914. Serving on the Western Front from 6 January 1915, he was one of two men awarded the D.C.M. for assisting to evacuate casualties on 23 September 1915 following the explosion of an enemy minewerfer bomb in a battery of gas cylinders. Supporting research states that it was the first time that he had experienced gas. He was killed in action almost a year later at Leuze Wood on 12 September 1916; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with original cap badge and detailed copied research.
An outstanding Second War ‘El Alamein 1942’ D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Lance-Corporal H. Sleeth, 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who was several times wounded during the battle for Miteirya Ridge Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6200387 L. Cpl. H. Sleeth. Midd’x R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (7) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 4 May 1943. The original recommendation for the immediate award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal states: ‘North Africa: Battle of Alemein [action of Miteirya Ridge]. On the night of the 23rd October 1942, during the advance, Lance-Corporal Sleeth was hit in the back by a piece of shell casing which knocked him off his feet. Although carrying four belts of ammunition and a box of spare parts, he carried on for two further miles and successfully delivered his load to the gun line. The Platoon was shooting during the whole of the following morning and came under mortar fire, Lance-Corporal Sleeth was again hit, this time in the left arm but refused attention. That evening the Platoon accompanied two Companies of the 5th/7th Battalion Gordon Highlanders which went forward to reach the final object. During the following day, October 25th, the Platoon was under heavy mortar and shell fire and Lance-Corporal Sleeth was hit once more in the left arm. By October 26th the position was cut off and the Platoon had no food or water and very little ammunition. The wireless was out of order and no contact could be made to the rear, Lance-Corporal Sleeth volunteered to go back and bring up supplies by carrier. He set off in the afternoon through minefields and over ground swept by shell and Machine Gun fire and successfully reached Company H.Q. He returned at first light to the position with supplies of food, water and ammunition. He was subsequently injured by a grenade explosion and had to be evacuated. The conduct of this N.C.O. throughout the complete operation was of a very high order. His steadfastness under fire and the calm and determined manner in which he carried out his duties in spite of being wounded several times, were an inspiration to the remainder of his Platoon.’
A scarce Second War 1944 ‘Kohima operations’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 H. Beckett, York and Lancaster Regiment, attached 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment, for his gallantry on multiple occasions during the clearing and pursuit of the Japanese from defensive positions along the Kohima-Imphal Road, May - August 1944 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3658104 A.W.O. Cl. 2. H. Beckett. Y. & L. R.) unit partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear by Spink & Son, lightly cleaned, generally very fine or better (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Period 16 May to 15 August 1944. Throughout this period in the Imphal Area Sergeant Beckett has been in command of a platoon and has distinguished himself in every action which his Coy has fought. His dogged courage and skilful leadership have been most noticeable on all occasions. As an example, during an attack on a Japanese position on the Kohima Road his platoon was assigned the task of going ahead of the tanks and covering the party searching the road for anti-tank mines. The platoon immediately came under effective small arms fire but with great determination pursued their task and drove a deep wedge into the enemy’s position, inflicting a number of casualties. This enabled the mine lifters to complete their task and thus allow the tanks to get up onto the feature and complete the destruction of the enemy. The operation was one which called for grit and skilful leadership, both qualities which Sergeant Beckett never fails to display in the highest degree.’ Harold Beckett was a native of Longsight, Lancashire. He served with the York and Lancaster Regiment during the Second War, and was attached to the 2nd Battalion, The West Yorkshire Regiment as part of the 9th Indian Infantry Brigade for service during the Imphal and Kohima operations. Beckett was involved, as British and Indian troops pursued the retreating Japanese down and through hard fought defensive positions on the Kohima-Imphal road. This was a month of bitter hand to hand fighting, starting on 16 May 1944 and ending on 22 June when British and Indian troops from Kohima and Imphal met at Milestone 109, this ending the Siege of Imphal.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of six awarded to Lieutenant R. S. Lane, Royal Engineers Military Medal, G.V.R. (65630 Sjt: R. S. Lane. 126/F. Coy. R.E.); 1914-15 Star (65630 Cpl. R. S. Lane. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. S. Lane.); Defence Medal; Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Reginald S. Lane) light contact marks, good very fine (6) £360-£440 --- M.M. London Gazette 6 January 1917. Reginald Surrey Lane was born at Godshill, Isle of Wight, on 8 December 1891 and attested for the Royal Engineers on 26 January 1915. Advanced Corporal on 7 July, he served with the 126th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 September 1915, and was promoted Sergeant on 29 March 1916. Awarded the Military Medal, most likely for operations on the Somme, he returned to the United Kingdom to attend an Officer Cadet course on 26 August 1917, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 15 December 1917. In 1920 he is listed as a Lieutenant in Palestine with the 42nd Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. He served during the Second World War with the Special Constabulary on the Isle of Wight, and died in June 1972. Sold with copied research.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private G. H. Young, 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action at the battle of Fontaine on 3 May 1917 Military Medal, G.V.R. (9-12900 Pte. G. H. Young. 9/Leic: R.); 1914-15 Star (12900 Pte. G. H. Young. Leic: R.); British War and Victory Medals (12900 Cpl. G. H. Young. Leic. R.) together with Memorial Plaque (George Herbert Young) and a 14k gold plated open-faced keyless watch, the inner lid of the case inscribed ‘Presented to Corporal G. H. Young by his Bakestone Moor admirers on winning the Military Medal’, good very fine (6) £600-£800 --- M.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916. George Herbert Young landed in France with the 9th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, on 29 July 1915. He was killed in action on 3 May 1917 at the battle of Fontaine, aged 22, and is commemorated by name on the Arras Memorial. He was the son of Mr and Mrs George Young, of 6, Wandsworth Terrace, Bakestone Moor, Whitwell, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. Sold with a gilt double-sided locket with small photograph of the recipient and his sister or loved one.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private J. Taylor, Hampshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (16416 Pte. J. Taylor. 14/Hants: R.); 1914-15 Star (16416. Pte. J. Taylor. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (16416. Pte. J. Taylor. Hamps. R.) mounted court-style for wear, minor edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917. John Taylor attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 14th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 June 1915. Awarded the Military Medal, he subsequently transferred to the Shropshire Light Infantry, and was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 25 February 1919. Sold with copied Medal Index Cards.
A Great War M.M. and Belgian Croix de Guerre pair awarded to Sergeant T. Moore, North Staffordshire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (13400 Sjt: T. Moore. 4/N. Staff: R.); Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., bronze, edge bruising to first, generally very fine (2) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 March 1918. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 12 July 1918. Thomas Moore attested for the North Staffordshire Regiment and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 July 1915. As well as receiving the Military Medal and the Belgian Croix de Guerre, he was also awarded a Silver War Badge.
The remarkable and rare Second War 1942 ‘escape and evasion’ M.M., and 1944 ‘North West Europe’ Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Sergeant J. D. Coutts, No. 52 Commando and York and Lancaster Regiment. Coutts, fighting as part of ‘D’ Battalion, ‘Layforce’, was taken prisoner of war at the fall of Crete, 1 June 1941. Having been transported to mainland Greece, he effected his escape from a German POW camp via a sewer - twice getting stuck along the narrow route during the process. Evading capture with two other escapees, Coutts lost both of his comrades to malaria and exhaustion. Despite this, and by sheer bloody determination he carried on and made four attempts via boat to leave Greece for Turkey. Meeting up with other escapees along the way, including Lieutenant W. B. Thomas who went on to publish his memoirs about the eventual escape, Coutts finally made it in May 1942. He had numerous brushes with German patrols, a seaplane, and an E-boat just as Turkey loomed into sight. The war was not done with him, however, and he went on to distinguish himself with the Hallamshire Battalion in Normandy, June - July 1944. In particular during the attack on the fortified position at Barbee Farm, near Vendes, 16 July 1944, when he was in action with both a Bren Gun and a Mortar, personally accounting for a large number of enemy troops despite being wounded himself Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (4746052 Cpl. J. D. Coutts. Y. & L. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4746052 Pte. J. D. Coutts. Y. & L. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (7) £8,000-£12,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 24 September 1942. The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Coutts was captured at Sphakia on 1 June 1941, moved to Maleme and thence to Salonika. There were escapes nearly every day. The morning after a successful escape would be spent by the remainder on parade in the sun. Those caught escaping would not be seen again. One night the Germans decided to prevent any escapes by crowding prisoners into the centre of the camp. This suited the plans that Corporal Coutts and others had made that afternoon. They had noticed the opening of a sewer in the centre of the camp and had seen that it was wide enough for a man to crawl through. A Greek workman promised to take off the lid of another opening several hundred yards from the camp as soon as it was dark. They blocked the pipe from the latrines to the sewer and turned on all the taps there and in the wash-house and left them on all afternoon. The fact that all the prisoners of war had been pushed by the sentries to the centre of the camp provided an excuse for their presence by the sewer opening, and Coutts and seven others climbed down and crawled along. It took them two hours. Corporal Coutts is broadly built and twice stuck in particularly narrow spots. The artificial washing down they had given it made a considerable difference to the conditions, but even so two of them passed out as soon as they reached the opening and fresh air. They waited till they came round and then split up into parties of two and three. Corporal Coutts joined Corporal Ward and Trooper Nicholas. They knocked at the door of a house and were taken in. From there they gradually made their way down to Agion Oros peninsula, going north first to Langadas and then down through Evangelismos and Zagliveri receiving food and shelter wherever they stopped. Trooper Nicholas got malaria badly and through weakness and lack of medical attention died on 7 October 1941. Corporals Coutts and Ward stole a boat near Smerna and made for Imbros. Ten miles away bad weather forced them to go back. The effort was too much for Ward who died on 10 November 1941. Corporal Coutts spent most of the winter in a hut he built on the hills. With spring his strength began to return and he joined up with Lieutenant Thomas and Corporal Peacock in April. On 5 April they got a boat at Klephttikon and sailed for Imbros. Bad weather forced them to go back. On 16 April they tried again from Nea Skete, but had to return as round the point a strong light was flashed on them and they heard voices. They were joined by 2 Cypriots and a Greek officer on 2 May 1942 and on the same day Private Theodoros Georgiou, No. 4230, 232 Company, R.A.S.C., who has been recommended for a D.C.M., reached them. On 4 May 1942 they left with him and arrived at Turkey on 6 May 1942. Corporal Coutts not only did an excellent escape, but in spite of the death of his two companions - which must have been hard blows to bear - his frustrated attempt to reach Turkey and his own personal weakness, he struggled on in Greece alone. Finally with L/Cpl. Peacock and Lt. Thomas he made two more attempts to reach Turkey and only just failed owing to bad weather. He escaped thanks to sheer dogged courage.’ M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 21 December 1944. The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states: ‘On 16 July 1944 Sergeant Coutts was commanding a platoon of a company ordered to reinforce Barbee Farm. His platoon HQ was twice attacked with grenades, and on both occasions he beat off the attack with his own grenades. Almost immediately afterwards he killed four of the enemy with a Bren Gun as they attempted to infiltrate into his platoon positions. Later, during the action when the members of his posts were killed or wounded and the post was occupied by the enemy, who were able to infiltrate another platoon position, he personally dealt with them with a 2 inch mortar. During the day the position was under direct fire from enemy riflemen and LMGs, and was frequently mortared. Quite regardless of his own personal safety Sergeant Coutts moved to and fro in platoon position, organising its defence and the evacuation of wounded, and encouraging his men. When the company was ordered to evacuate Barbee Farm Sjt. Coutts platoon was given the task of protecting the left flank. The Bren group detailed by him to cover his own flank was under fire from three directions. He remained with this gun and was wounded. He refused to leave his position until his platoon was clear from Barbee Farm. Throughout the day Sergenat Coutts displayed complete disregard for his personal safety and set an example of leadership and fighting spirit of the highest order.’ John Davie Coutts served with the York and Lancaster Regiment in Palestine, and during the initial stages of the Second World War. He volunteered for service with No. 52 Commando, which was formed in the Middle East. In February 1941 the latter amalgamated with other commando units to form ‘Layforce’, under the command of Colonel R. Laycock. No. 52 Commando formed part of ‘D’ Battalion, and as such fought during the Battle of Crete, 20 May - 1 June 1941. Coutts was taken prisoner of war by the Germans at the fall of Crete, 1 June 1941. He was transported to a prisoner of war camp in Greece, and from here successfully escaped (see recommendation above). One of the men whom he finally escaped with was Lieutenant W. B. Thomas, and the latter went on to publish his memoirs called Dare To Be Free. Coutts, or ‘Coote’ as he is referred to, features extensively in the book from the point at which they met in April 1942: ‘Well, it’s certainly nice to be able to speak English again,’ said the tall, fair lad as he came in the door, holding his hand out to me in greeting. ‘My name is John, Sergeant John Coote, of the Middle East Commandos, and I am very glad to meet you, I’m sure!’ I [Thomas] i...
A rare Second War ‘Sudan 1941’ M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal F. W. Fretwell, West Yorkshire Regiment, who led a bayonet charge on the enemy position during the raid on J. Defeis for which he was originally recommended for the D.C.M.; he was killed in action in Libya the following year Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4534213 A/Cpl. F. W. Fretwell, W. York R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 18 July 1941. The recommendation, originally for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, states: ‘Raid on J. Defeis [Sudan] on the 10 January 1941. Lance-Corporal Fretwell was commanding a Section in the above raid. They were held up by machine-gun fire at close range, whereupon Lance-Corporal Fretwell dashed forward and silenced the gun with a grenade. On meeting further opposition, Lance-Corporal Fretwell led a bayonet charge on the enemy position, which put them to flight. Throughout the raid, this N.C.O. displayed great coolness and courage.’ Frederick William Fretwell was killed in action on 5 June 1942 in Libya. He was aged 27 years, the son of T. E. Fretwell, Esq., of Fairweather Green, Bradford, Yorkshire, and is buried in the Knightsbridge War Cemetery, Acroma, Libya.
An ‘Immediate’ Second War ‘Italy theatre’ M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant L. W. Etheridge, Hampshire Regiment, for his action at White Cross Hill, Salerno, on 17 September 1943. He subsequently died on 5 November 1944 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5501813 A. Col. L. W. Etheridge. Hamps. R.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style for wear, extremely fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- M.M. London Gazette 13 January 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘White Cross Hill, Salerno. This N.C.O. was in charge of the ‘18 Set at Company H.Q. of a Company taking part in an attack at approximately 01.30 hours on 17 September 1943. Throughout the attack, under machine gun fire, he maintained contact with Battalion H.Q. enabling the Acting Brigadier to keep in touch with the Company. Later, when the Company was ordered to withdraw, he went forward under fire and passed on the order. He remained with the covering party, still in contact with Battalion H.Q., and enabled the Company to withdraw successfully, through Artillery was being brought down on the enemy positions. His personal courage throughout was an example to all ranks.’ Leslie Wallace Etheridge attested for the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 5th Battalion during the Second World War in Italy. He died on 5 November 1944, and is buried in Meldola War Cemetery, Italy.
A Second War ‘Normandy, June 1944’ Immediate M.M. group of eleven awarded to Sergeant R. Hey, 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3386258 Sjt. R. Hey. Durh. L.I.). ; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (3386258 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Hey. M.M. D.L.I.); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue, with additional service bar (Lt. R. Hey MM CCF.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (11) £1,800-£2,200 --- M.M. London Gazette 31 August 1944. The recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states: ‘On 14 June 1944 one and a half companies of the Battalion captured the village of Lingevres. Sergeant Hey’s platoon was ordered to occupy a ridge just forward of the village while the rest of the force was in a reverse slope position in rear. This platoon was attacked repeatedly for a period of seven hours and eventually had four tanks between them and the main position. The platoon did not waver at any time and continued to fight on when surrounded. This was largely due to Lieutenant Dunn, the platoon commander, and when he was killed, due to Sergeant Hey the platoon sergeant. He showed great personal courage and was an inspiration to the men in the platoon. By holding his platoon in this position he was largely responsible for enabling the rest of the force to hold on until relieved by another Battalion.’ Robert ‘Bob’ Hey was born in 1920 and enlisted into the East Lancashire Regiment at Blackburn on 3 March 1939. He transferred to the Lancashire Fusiliers in December 1942, and to the Durham Light Infantry on 30 March 1943, serving with them in the Middle East and North Africa until 7 November 1943, when he returned Home. He served with the 9th Battalion in the North West Europe campaign from 3 June to 11 August, 1944. Transferring to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry in June 1949, he served with that regiment in East Africa, with the British Army of the Rhine, Korea and Japan until 28 May 1953, when he rejoined the Durham Light Infantry in Korea, serving there until 16 August 1953. He afterwards served with M.E.L.F. and at Home until 2 March 1961, when he was discharged in the rank of WO1 (R.S.M.) from the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. An accompanying news cutting (undated) reporting his memorial service states: ‘Later he worked with the army cadets at Barnard Castle School for 23 years, and in semi-retirement he drove for Carters Cabs in the town. He lived at Dial House at Whorlton crossroads and later at Stainton Grove. He went to live at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in 1990. Sold with Regular Army Certificate of Service (confirming service medals), metal identity disc, various R.A.O.B. certificates and D.L.I. Association membership cards.
A fine Second War ‘Normandy Landings, June 1944’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal R. E. Jermey, 224th Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 6 Airborne Division H.Q at Le Bas de Ranville Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7377858 Cpl. R. E. Jermey. R.A.M.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On 9 June 1944 Divisional Headquarters at 1073 (France 1/100,000, Sheet 7F) was heavily shelled and mortared from 1920 to 2030 hours. About 20 casualties were sustained. Corporal Jermey, after attending to one of these casualties who was bleeding badly from a leg wound, carried the casualty on his own, using the Firemans Lift, to the Main Dressing Station, 500 yards away as no vehicles with stretchers were available at the time. Although shells were literally bursting all round him he never faltered. On two occasions he and his patient were knocked down by the blast of the shells but he collected his patient and carried on immediately. In this case he undoubtedly saved the patient’s life as the nature of the wound was such that immediate surgical interference was necessary. His complete disregard for personal safety combined with his coolness and determination has been an example to all ranks.’ D-Day June 1944 - Airborne Landings On D-Day, 6 June 1944, Corporal Robert Jermey, Royal Army Medical Corps attached to 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, leapt into the void from the Dakota carrying him and other elements of R.A.M.C. airborne personnel and successfully parachuted into the apple orchards of Normandy, France. There then ensued a hectic time of setting up a Casualty Clearing Station and dealing with numerous Airborne casualties which inevitably streamed in from the Airborne and Airlanding troops desperately trying to hold their various outlying positions. Three days after the initial invasion, 6th Airborne Divisional HQ came under intense German artillery and mortar fire, during which Corporal Jermey, his position straffed by exploding shells, courageously left cover to go to the aid of a stricken comrade who was badly wounded in the legs. With complete disregard to his own safety, he firstly applied field dressings then despite shells falling to left and right, hoisted the man onto his back and although knocked down twice from the blasts of exploding shells he, encumbered by the dead weight of his stricken comrade, finally managed to cover the 500 yards to the comparative safety of the Casualty Collection Post and in so doing, certainly saved the man’s life. For his outstanding bravery, he was rewarded with the well earned award of the Military Medal. 6th Airborne Divisional HQ, D-Day - Operation Mallard At 03:35, the 6th Airborne Division headquarters landed by glider in the landing-zone cleared by sappers. Only a few gliders missed the landing-zone, due to the poor weather and errors in navigation. Once the headquarters staff and accompanying airborne troops had been gathered together, the headquarters was moved to the Le Bas de Ranville area and set up there. Contact was established with the headquarters of 5th Parachute Brigade at 05:00, and with the headquarters of 3rd Parachute Brigade at 12:35, and the division linked up with 1st Special Service Brigade as it advanced from the invasion beaches at 13:53. Mallard was the final wave of the 6th Airborne Division’s landings and consisted of 220 Horsa and Hamilcar gliders, carrying the 6th Airlanding Brigade and other units. The gliders arrived at their landing-zone, coming under heavy small-arms and mortar fire from nearby German positions as they landed. Casualties were light and within ninety minutes the glider-borne troops had gathered at their rendezvous points. By 00:00 7 June, the entire 6th Airborne Division had been fully deployed on the eastern flank of the invasion beaches (with the exception of 12th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment – part of 6th Airlanding Brigade – that was due to arrive by sea on 7 June). The division ended the day with the 3rd Parachute Brigade holding a 4-mile (6.4 km) front, with 9th Parachute Battalion at Le Plein, 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion at Les Mesneil, and the 8th Parachute Battalion in the southern part of the Bois de Bavent. The 5th Parachute Brigade had the 12th Parachute Battalion occupying Le Bas de Ranville, and the 13th Parachute Battalion holding Ranville, while the 7th Parachute Battalion had been moved into reserve. The 6th Airlanding Brigade was poised to commit its two battalions to extend the bridgehead. The 1st Special Service Brigade, which had temporarily came under the command of the division, was holding villages to the north and north-east of DZ N. The 6th Airborne Division suffered a total of 800 casualties between 5 June and 7 June, out of the 8,500 men deployed. Robert Jermey was born on 8 August 1917, and later lived at South Wigston, Leicestershire. His occupation in 1939 was that of a carpenter at Lewes Prison, Sussex. He had previously seen active service in North Africa before being selected for Airborne training. He died in July 1993, aged 75, at Brentwood, Essex. The Airborne R.A.M.C. units attached to 6th Airborne Division on 6 June 1944, were 195 Airlanding Field Ambulance RAMC, 224 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC, and 225 Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC
An outstanding Second War 1944 ‘Burma operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Naik Manbahadur Limbu, 1/7th Gurkha Rifles, for his gallantry when in command of a road block on the Tiddim Road as part of the Battle of Imphal. The latter coming under a heavy night-time attack, 17/18 May 1944, during which he led the counter-attack and personally accounted for 12 of the enemy by a combination of grenades; and a Bren gun firing from the hip Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2962 Nk Manbahadur Limbu G R); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal, campaign awards officially impressed ‘2962 Nk. Manbahadur Limbu, 7 G.R.’, mounted for wear, M.M. on incorrect riband, nearly very fine (5) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 28 June 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Period 16 May to 15 August 1944. Naik Manbahadur Limbu was in command of a section at the road block at Mile 33 on the Tiddim Road. On the night of 17/18 May ‘44 the enemy attacked in strength, Naik Manbahadur Limbu thereupon left his bunker and counter attacked the enemy with grenades, killing 7. Himself wounded in the shoulder, he then went to one of the bunkers, took a Bren gun and firing from the hip killed a further 5 enemy, the remainder fleeing. Throughout this action and in the fighting during the next ten days this NCO set a magnificent example of leadership, initiative and offensive spirit in his determination to close with and destroy the enemy.’ Manbahadur Limbu was a Hindu from Phaben village, in the district of Dhankhuta. He served with the 1/7th Gurkha Rifles as part of the 17th Indian Light Division in Burma during the Second World War.
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