Five: Major J. Cairns, Royal Engineers, late East Lancashire Regiment and Brabant’s Horse Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Wepener, Wittebergen, Cape Colony (1051 Trooper J. Cairne, 2/Brabant’s Horse) note spelling of surname; 1914 Star (Capt., E. Lancs. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1919-21 (Major, R.E.) first with edge bruise, very fine and better (5) £520-580 During the Boer War James Cairns initially served in the ranks of Brabant’s Horse. He was commissioned in January 1900 with the 1st Edinburgh Royal Garrison Artillery Volunteers and being promoted to Lieutenant in June 1901, resigned his commission in December 1903. Commissioned a Captain in the Tower Hamlets R.E. Volunteers in 1905 and from April 1906 was a Captain in the 3rd Battalion East Lancashire Regiment. Still with the battalion with the onset of the Great War, he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 September 1914 attached to the 1st East Yorkshire Regiment. He was transferred to the Royal Engineers in 1917 and served from April 1918 as Temporary Major and D.A.A.G. at H.Q., India. Cairns was promoted to Major in August 1924 and later served as Assistant Commanding the Royal Engineers with the 4th Indian Infantry Brigade. He died on 29 January 1944, aged 64 years at Fecock, Cornwall. Sold with copied research. .
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Five: Private W. Day, Royal Berkshire Regiment, late Royal Army Medical Corps Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (10596 Pte., R.A.M.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (10596 Pte., R.A.M.C.); 1914-15 Star (1466 Pte., R. Berks. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1466 Pte., R. Berks. R.) first two with some contact marks, nearly very fine and better (5) £160-200 Private Walter Day, Berkshire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 30 March 1915. Later discharged and was on the Silver War Badge list. With copied m.i.c.
Five: Serjeant F. Day, Royal Scots, late Scottish Rifles Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (5666 Pte., Scottish Rifles); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (5666 Serjt., Scot. Rifles); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (5666 Sjt., 2/Sco. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (5666 Sjt., R. Scots) first two with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine and better (5) £220-260.
Four: Warrant Officer Class 2 E. Cook, Royal Fusiliers Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (5111 Cpl., 2nd Rl. Fus.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5111 Serjt., Rl. Fusiliers); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (5111 C. Sjt., R. Fus.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (5111 W.O. Cl. 2, R.F.), mounted as worn, together with a presentation shooting cup, silver, gilt interior, hallmarks for Birmingham 1910, of bowl shape with scallop design, engraved inscription to outer front, ‘Winners of the Prince of Wales Cup, 1909 / Sgt. E. Cook’, the Boer War pair joined by a shared suspension post, light contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (Lot) £400-500 Ernest Cook was born in London and enlisted in the Royal Fusiliers at Hounslow direct from the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in October 1894, aged 18 years. Advanced to Corporal in the 2nd Battalion shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa in 1899, he remained actively employed in that theatre of war until October 1902, in which period he was promoted to Sergeant in late 1901 and qualified for the above described Medals and clasps (copy service record refers). Subsequently employed in the East Indies 1904-07, he returned to the U.K. to take up an appointment in the 6th Battalion in the latter year, and remained continuously employed in that unit until attached to the R.F.C. Cadet Wing at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea in September 1917, a period that witnessed his advancement to Colour Sergeant in August 1910 and to Company Sergeant-Major in September 1914 - and the award of his L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 117 of 1913. Cook was finally discharged in February 1919, having latterly returned to his duties in the 6th Battalion.
Pair: Private R. Major, Coldstream Guards Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (8890 Pte., Cldstm. Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (8890 Pte., Coldstream Guards) some contact marks, otherwise good very fine (2) £160-200 With copied roll extracts.
Five: Warrant Officer Class 2 M. Moore, Royal Munster Fusiliers Queen’s Mediterranean 1899-1902 (4005 Corpl., Rl. Mun. Fus.); 1914 Star, with (loose) clasp (7079 Sjt., R. Muns. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (7079 W.O. Cl.2, R. Mun. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (7079 W.O. Cl.II, R. Muns. Fus.) nearly very fine (5) £360-400 Sold with copied roll extract and m.i.c. The latter records entry into the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 August 1914 but makes no mention of the award of a clasp to the Star.
Four: Acting Corporal F. A. Tooze, Worcestershire Regiment 1914 Star , with clasp (10140 L. Cpl., 2/Worc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10140 A. Cpl., Worc. R.) B.W.M. suspension a little slack; National Fire Brigades Association L.S. Medal, 1 clasp, Ten Years (11120 Frederick A. Tooze), bronze, fine and better (4) £160-200 Frederick Arthur Tooze was born in Worcester. A General Labourer by occupation and a member of the 5th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment (Militia), he attested for the Worcestershire Regiment on 10 September 1906, aged 18 years, 1 month. He was transferred to the Army Reserve in 1912. Mobilized in August 1914 he was taken onto the strength of the 2nd Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and entered into the France/Flanders theatre of war on 12 August 1914. He was invalided back to England on 27 January 1915 having contracted certain illnesses. He was discharged because of sickness on 7 May 1917 and was awarded the Silver War Badge. In 1922 he joined the Worcester Fire Brigade and was awarded the N.F.A. Long Service Medal in 1934. Sold with copied service papers, medical papers and m.i.c.
Three: Warrant Officer Class 2 D. M. Glass, Royal Highlanders, who died on 31 March 1916 1914 Star , with clasp (1461 Sjt., R. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (1461 W.O. Cl.2, R. Highrs.); Memorial Plaque (David Menzies Glass) pitted, fine; Black Watch Prize Medal, 1 clasp, 1912, reverse inscribed, ‘Inter-Coy. Challenge Shield won by ‘D ‘Coy. Cpl. D. N.(sic) Glass’, silver and enamel, hallmarks for Birmingham 1912, minor enamel damage; good very fine except where stated (5) £250-300 David Menzies Glass was born in Newburgh, Fifeshire and enlisted at Dundee. Serving as a Serjeant in the 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 August 1914. As a Warrant Officer Class 2 with ‘D ‘Company 1st Battalion Royal Highlanders he died in France on 31 March 1916, aged 27 years. He was buried in St Sever Cemetery, Rouen. He was the son of Alexander and Christina Glass of 28 King Street, Dundee. Sold with commemorative scroll mounted on card and forwarding slips for the 1914 Star, clasp and war medals. Also with copied m.i.c. and other research.
Three: Private E. J. Stone, Royal Fusiliers 1914 Star , with clasp (10991 Pte., 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10991 Pte., R. Fus.) nearly extremely fine (3) £140-180 Private Edward J. Stone, 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 August 1914. Sold with copied m.i.c.
Three: Private J. Sheppard, Wiltshire Regiment, who died on 18 September 1914. 1914 Star , with copy clasp (7306 Pte., 1/Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (7306 Pte., Wilts. R.) extremely fine (3) £180-220 Joseph Sheppard was born in Hinton, Wiltshire, and living in Pewsey, Wiltshire, enlisted at Swindon. Serving with the 1st Battalion Wiltshire Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 22 August 1914. He died in France on 18 September 1914, aged 32 years. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. Sold with copied m.i.c. confirming clasp and other research.
Three: Private R. W. Rogers, Rifle Brigade, killed in action, 17 September 1914 1914 Star , with copy clasp (792 Pte., 1/Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (792 Pte., Rif. Brig.) minor contact marks, good very fine and better (3) £200-250 Robert William Rogers was born and lived in and enlisted at Norwich. Serving with the 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade, he was killed in action on 17 September 1914. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial. Sold with copied research. .
Three: Private R. Hardy, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, who died of wounds, 9 November 1914 1914 Star , with clasp (16771 Pte., 2/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (16771 Pte., G. Gds.) nearly extremely fine (3) £250-350 Richard Hardy was born in Paddington, London and enlisted at London. Serving with the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 31 August 1914. He died of wounds on 9 November 1914. Having no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. .
Three: Private G. Day, Northamptonshire Regiment, killed in action at the battle of Aubers Ridge, 9 May 1915 1914 Star (9530 Pte., 1/North’n. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9530 Pte., North’n. R.); Memorial Plaque (George Day) this in card envelope, B.W.M. with scratches across King’s head, otherwise good very fine (4) £250-300 George Charles Day was born in West Kensington, Middlesex and enlisted at Northampton. Serving with the 1st Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment, he was killed in action in the battle of Aubers Ridge on 9 May 1915. He was buried in the Rue-du-Bois Military Cemetery, Fleurbaix, near Armentieres. With copied research and a modern photograph of his grave. The Northamptonshire Regiment suffered some 550 casualties in the attack on that day.
Family group: Pair: Able Seaman C. W. Uzell, Benbow Battalion, Royal Naval Division 1914 Star (234692 A.B., Benbow Bttn., R.N.D.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (234692 (CH.B.13908) A.B., R.F.R.); together with related (damaged) bronze sweetheart brooch Three: Lance-Corporal E. F. Uzell, Lincolnshire Regiment, who died of wounds on 6 May 1915 1914-15 Star (1465 Pte., Linc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1465 Pte., Linc. R.) generally very fine or better (6) £200-240 Charles William Uzzell was born in Wantage, Berkshire on 12 November 1889. A Van Boy by occupation, he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 5 September 1905 and was advanced to Boy 1st Class in March 1906. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman when on the Albermarle in November 1907 and Able Seaman when on St. George in June 1912. With the onset of war he was posted to the Benbow Battalion Royal Naval Division. Serving with the battalion in Belgium, he ended up being interned in the Netherlands for the duration of the war. Postwar he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in December 1919 and was demobilized in June 1921. Sold with copied service paper. Able Seaman C. W. Uzell was entitled to the clasp to his 1914 Star. Ernest Frederick Uzell was born at Wantage, Berkshire in 1893, and lived at West Wickham, Kent. He died of wounds in France and Flanders on 6 May 1915 whilst serving with the 5th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France. In an obituary in the Beckenham and District Times, several letters from his officers and N.C.O. were reprinted. That from Sergeant J. T. Ely read: ‘I deeply regret to tell you that your son Fred is dead. On the night of May 5th a party of us had to put up some wire entanglements between our lines and the Germans. We had not been at it long when Fred was hit with a bullet in the head. We got him and attended to him at once, but it was of no use, and by what I can learn he only lived about twelve hours. The dear lad had a decent burial, and was laid to rest by the side of some of his comrades in the cemetery .. ‘The above were brothers, sons of Stephen Uzzell of 3 Hope Cottages, West Wickham, formerly of Southlands Road, Bromley Common. Both with copied research.
Three: Private H. Brind, West Yorkshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (15097 Pte., W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (15097 Pte., W. York. R.) Three: Private T. C. Ireland, Royal Lancaster Regiment 1914-15 Star (2301 Pte., R. Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2301 Pte., R. Lanc. R.) Three: Acting Serjeant A. W. Billings, East Kent Regiment 1914-15 Star (1885 L. Cpl., E. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (1885 A. Sjt., E. Kent R.) these with some contact marks, very fine and better (9) £120-160 Private Herbert Brind, West Yorkshire Regiment, enlisted on 9 September 1914 and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 26 August 1915. He was discharged due to wounds on 2 June 1917 and was entitled to the Silver War Badge. Sold with copied m.i.c. and roll extract. Lance-Corporal Alfred W. Billings entered the France/Flanders theatre of war with the East Kent Regiment on 27 July 1915. He later served with the Royal Engineers. Sold with copied m.i.c.
Three: Private W. R. Adamson, 3rd Battalion London Regiment 1914-15 Star (2417 Pte., 3/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2417 Pte., 3-Lond. R.) Three: Private H. Broomfield, Hampshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (15338 Pte., Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (15338 Pte., Hamps. R.) good very fine and better (6) £100-120 Private William R. Adamson, 3rd Battalion London Regiment, entered the Balkan theatre of war on 13 September 1915. He later served with the Labour Corps (Pte., 473372), was entitled to a Silver War Badge and was discharged on 9 March 1919. With damaged lids of medal card boxes of issue, two associated papers - one addressed to ‘W. R. Adamson 473372, Ivy Side, Grove Road, New Southgate, N’, and with copied m.i.c. Private Harry Broomfield, 2nd Battalion Hampshire Regiment, enlisted on 19 January 1915 and entered the Balkan theatre of war on 15 June 1915. He was discharged on 25 April 1916 as a result of wounds and was entitled to a Silver War Badge. With copied m.i.c. and roll extracts.
Family group: Three: Second Lieutenant H. V. Day, 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, late 7th Battalion London Regiment, killed in action at the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917 1914-15 Star (3040 Pte., 7-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); Memorial Plaque (Hubert Victor Day) Three: Private A. E. Day, 7th Battalion London Regiment, awarded the D.C.M. for the Battle of Festubert; mortally wounded at the Battle of Loos, 25 September 1915 1914-15 Star (3064 Pte., 7-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3064 Pte., 7-Lond. R.); Memorial Plaque (Albert Eustace Day) generally extremely fine (8) £600-700 Hubert Victor Day was born on 6 July 1893 and was the second son of the Rev. John Day and Caroline Rushton Day. His father was a Wesleyan Minister and was an officiating Chaplain to the troops at Colchester. He was educated at Jersey Modern School and at the Kingswood School, Bath. He was employed as a Clerk in the Westminster Branch of the London City and Midland Bank. He joined the 7th Battalion London Regiment on 5 October 1914 and entered France on 17 March 1915. On 25 September 1915 he was severely wounded in the attack on the Double Crassier (twin mining spoilheaps near Loos) and was invalided home. This was the same attack in which his younger brother was fatally wounded. Having applied for a commission, Hubert Day was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 26 January 1916. He underwent training at Oxford and Troon and was appointed Bombing Officer whilst at Portabello Camp. He accompanied the battalion to France in September 1916 and was later recommended for a Military Cross for his work during the Aisne Offensive. He was killed in the opening day of the Battle of Arras, 9 April 1917, whilst leading an attack on Monchy-le-Preux. He was buried on the battlefield but his grave was lost during the later fighting. His name is therefore commemorated on the Arras Memorial. Sold with copied research. Albert Eustace Day was born in Louth on 5 March 1895 and was the third son of the Rev. John Day and Caroline Rushton Day. He was educated at the Kingswood School, Bath. He was employed as a Clerk at the Guildhall, employed by the City of London Corporation. He joined the 7th Battalion London Regiment, two days after his brother, on 7 October 1914 and entered France in March 1915. He won the Distinguished Conduct Medal on 16 May 1915 during the first day of the battle of Festubert. His citation (London Gazette 5 August 1915) reads: For gallant conduct during an attack on German trenches, he rescued a man, Pte. Wyld, who was unable to extricate himself from a water course, and succeeded in bringing him to safety under heavy shellfire’. In a letter from Ross Wyld to the parents of Hubert and Eustace Day, dated ‘No.12 General Hospital, Rouen, 20-5-15’, Wyld makes it clear that both brothers had a hand in his rescue, and writes: ‘Dear Mr and Mrs Day, I am taking the liberty of writing to you, to tell you what your two sons did for me on Monday last. I got stuck in the mud of a communication trench, and could not move my feet, as I was in the mud up to my knees. I dared not stand upright, or I should have got a bullet through my head. Your two sons, Hubert and Eustace, at great risk, came to my aid, and by their help I managed to get free, and was very thankful, I can tell you. In order to understand the pluck of your lads, I must tell you that to reach me they had to cross several dangerous spots, with practically no cover whatever, and that the corner where I was stuck was bespattered every now and then with earth thrown up by shells, so near were they. The man next to me was shot in the arm because he could not keep down. So altogether I think you will agree with me that your two lads were very brave. ..’ On 25 September 1915, on the opening day of the Battle of Loos, Private Eustace Day was mortally wounded whilst taking part in the attack on the Double Crassier. He succumbed to his wounds on the following day, dying at the 6th London Field Ambulance Post. He was buried in the Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery. Sold with copied research.
Five: Private H. E. Turney, 11th Battalion London Regiment 1914-15 Star (3091 Pte., 11-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3091 Pte., 11-Lond. R.); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.V.R., 2nd issue (Harold E. Turney); Serbia, Oblitch Bravery Medal, 30mm., bronze-gilt, unnamed as issued, mounted for wear, good very fine (5) £220-260 Serbia ‘Gold Medal’ London Gazette 15 February 1917. ‘3091 Rifleman Harold Edward Turney, London Regiment’. Private Turney landed at Sulva Bay, Gallipoli with the 1/11th Battalion London Regiment on 10 August 1915. Still with the Londons in January 1917 when he was given a new service number - 451018 - from the Finsbury Rifles allocated number block. At a later date he was transferred to the Royal Engineers (Service No. 549857) and remained with them until discharged to the ‘Z’ Reserve on 14 July 1919. Sold with copied service details and gazette extract.
Three: Private E. W. Rust, Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, 23 July 1915 1914-15 Star (G-321 Pte., R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-321 Pte., R.W. Kent R.) extremely fine (3) £100-140 Edward William Rust was born in Hayes and enlisted at Bromley, Kent. Serving with the 6th Battalion Royal West Kent Regiment, he was killed in action, France/Flanders, on 23 July 1915, aged 21 years. Sold with copied research including copied photograph. .
Three: Captain R. F. C. Elmslie, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) very fine (3) £120-160 Ronald Frederick Clarence Elmslie was appointed a Temporary 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Monmouthshire R.E. in September 1914 and was advanced to Temporary Lieutenant in May 1915 and Temporary Captain in November 1917. Elmslie was wounded in early 1915 when serving with No.4 Siege Company R.M.R.E. He was later posted to No.6 Siege Company R.M.R.E. in France before being withdrawn to Monmouth to command the newly formed No.8 Army Troops Company R.M.R.E. The 7th and 8th Army Troop Companies were war-time companies, commanded by a Captain and consisting of 3 officers and approximately 100 men. The 8th Company served in Trouville, France, June-October 1917; it was then moved to Arquata Scrivia, Italy. Here the unit split, with half going to the front and half remaining with Elmslie at Arquata Scriva. At the end of the war Elmslie was posted to Constantinople from whence he was despatched to Anatolia for several months in charge of water supply; he then went to Salonika to take over the large R.E. Base Store Depot until it was disposed of. The 8th Company, which suffered 2 fatal casualties, was disbanded in Italy early in 1919. Elmslie relinquished his commission whilst retaining the rank of Captain in June 1920. Sold with some copied research.
Three: Lieutenant R. H. Stacey, Royal Air Force, late King Edward’s Horse, Royal Sussex Regiment and Bedfordshire Yeomanry and Royal Flying Corps, who was seriously wounded in a combat over Bailleul in May 1918 1914-15 Star (1115 Pte., K. Edw. H.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.A.F.), generally good very fine (3) £300-350 Reginald Howard Stacey was born at Houghton, near Arundel, Sussex in October 1892 and was educated at Haileybury. Enlisting in the Royal Fusiliers in September 1914, he transferred to 2/King Edward’s Horse as a Trooper in the following month and served in the same capacity out in France from May 1915 to January 1916, when he returned to the U.K. and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2/4th Royal Sussex Regiment. Having then transferred to the Bedfordshire Yeomanry, he applied to the Royal Flying Corps for pilot training and qualified for his ‘Wings ‘in February 1917 (Certificate No. 4405). He subsequently served out in France in 29 and 11 Squadrons, May to August 1917, but was invalided home to hospital in the latter month. Returning to duty in the U.K. with No. 85 Squadron that November, he transferred to No. 41 Squadron, an S.E. 5a unit out in France, shortly afterwards, and must have flown numerous sorties prior to being seriously wounded in a combat over Ecquedecques in the early evening of 11 May 1918, most probably by enemy ace Leutnant Kurt Monnington of Jasta 18. Absolutely certain is the fact his wounds - caused by a brace of machine-gun bullets - resulted in the amputation of his left leg below the knee, and he was invalided out of the Royal Air Force in April 1919, following a special medical board held at Caxton Hall in London.
An unusual and interesting group of nineteen awarded to Alexander Gault MacGowan, an accredited War Correspondent in the 1939-45 War, whose extraordinary career commenced with service as a subaltern in the Manchester Regiment and as an R.A.F. Observer in the Great War: having been wounded in North Africa in 1943, he was captured by the Germans in France in 1944, but escaped ‘through a series of adventures that would make a Hollywood scenarist bite his nails with envy’ - and briefly fought alongside the Maquis 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; France, Croix de Guerre 1939-1940, with bronze star on ribbon; Academic Palms, Officer’s breast badge, gilt metal and enamel, with rosette on riband; War Commemorative Medal 1914-18; Somme Commemorative Medal; Colonial Medal, 2 clasps, Algerie, Maroc; War Commemorative Medal 1939-45, 1 clasp, Liberation; Medal of Liberated France 1947; Morocco, Order of Ouissam Alaouite Cherifien, Officer’s breast badge, gilt metal and enamel, with rosette on riband; Portugal, Republic, Military Order of Christ, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; U.S.A., Purple Heart, gilt metal and enamel, the Legion of Honour severely chipped in places and the Portuguese piece less so, otherwise generally good very fine (19) £3000-3500 Ex Sotheby’s 6 March 1986. Alexander Gault MacGowan, who ‘crammed more dangerous adventures into his lifetime than most men would care to experience’, was born February 1894 and was educated at Manchester Grammar School. Mobilised as a pre-war member of the Cheshire Yeomanry on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he was commissioned into the 24th (Oldham) Battalion, Manchester Regiment in October 1915 and is believed to have been wounded by rifle-grenade fragments in the head and legs on the Somme in July 1916. Declared as ‘unfit for anything other than mounted duty’, he transferred to the Royal Air Force and went on to serve as an Observer on the Italian front in 1918. Commencing his career as a journalist in 1922, when he worked as a correspondent for the Associated Press out in India (where MacGowan also held a commission on the Indian Army Reserve of Officers), he moved to a new appointment in Mesopotamia in the following year. Indeed for much of the 1920s and 1930s he travelled extensively, working variously for The Times and Daily Express, and others newspapers, and was credited with discovering a new pass into Little Tibet, for which he received the thanks of the Survey of India, in addition to participating in the first flight over the Orinoco Delta and the Venezuelan Ilanos, between Trinidad and Maracay, and the first flight between Trinidad and British Guiana. Added to which he had further adventures during an epic motor car trip across the desert from Kurdistan and Mosul to Syria, the first of its kind. He later reported, ‘Hold ups were frequent, and an officer who tried it after me was stripped of everything and had to walk naked into the Lebanons! ‘In 1934 MacGowan joined the New York Sun, for whom he reported on the Spanish Civil War and produced two controversial features entitled ‘The Scarlet Pimpernel of Spain ‘and ‘The Red Vultures of the Pyrenees ‘, for he had no time for the Spanish loyalists and their left-wing sympathisers. He also had an assignment with the French Foreign Legion out in Algeria and Morocco in 1937, in addition to covering the coronation of George VI in the same year. In fact, MacGowan was still working in London on the renewal of hostilities, and accordingly he was assigned to cover the events of the Battle of Britain, in addition to acting as ‘Press Observer with the Commandos in the raid on Dieppe’. As an accredited War Correspondent with the American forces, he next travelled to North Africa and was with the French when they attacked Jabel Mansour in April 1943, when he was ‘wounded in the leg .. and was awarded the Purple Heart by special order of President Roosevelt. For the same incident he was cited for bravery and awarded the Croix de Guerre by General Henri Giraud.’ Both awards were announced in the New York Times. In the following year he reported on the Allied landings in Normandy and was attached to General Omar Bradley’s forces, riding in the jeep of the first American to reach the historic island of Mont Saint Michel. But, as subsequently confirmed by German radio, such scoops were shortly thereafter curtailed, for he was captured at Chatres on 15 August 1944: ‘MacGowan’s experience, following his capture, was unusual. Upon arrival at Chalons-sur-Marne with Makin [another correspondent who had been mortally wounded when their jeep was originally fired upon by two German armoured cars], he was placed in the temporary custody of a group of German war correspondents of the Presse-kompanie. They treated him well, but eventually delivered him to a prisoner of war camp on the line of the German retreat. From there he was started on a journey eastward aboard a train, en route to Germany. At 2 a.m., after six hours in the slow-moving train, and as the guards drowsed, MacGowan opened the compartment door and jumped from the car, fell and ran, with bullets flying about him. Still in France, he was fortunate in reaching a group of Maquis, or French resistance forces. Once he had established his identity, they hid him until the U.S. forces had advanced to the area in September. Interviewed for the World’s Press News after his return to England, the publication described British-born MacGowan as the only ‘British correspondent ‘ever known to have escaped after capture, with the exception of Winston Churchill in his escape from the Boers during the South African War in 1899’ (Europe Made Free: Invasion 1944 refers). Having ‘lived a life like Robin Hood’s’ with the Maquis, and accompanied them with the advancing Americans at the capture of a local town, MacGowan duly reported to the bar of the Paris hotel that served as a press H.Q. - the rest of his colleagues almost dropped their glasses, ‘for the usually immaculate MacGowan was dressed in borrowed French civilian clothes that fitted him like Europe fits Hitler - too big in some places, too tight in others’. In October he returned to the Sun’s offices in New York, for the first time in five years, where he was hailed as a conquering hero, ‘trim and fit in his war correspondent’s uniform, with a chest full of campaign ribbons and decorations from two World Wars.’ Returning to N.W.Europe in the Spring of 1945, MacGowan accompanied General Patton’s forces and visited the scene of Hitler’s ‘Eagle’s Nest ‘at Berchtesgaden at the War’s end. He subsequently reported on the ‘Big Three ‘Potsdam conference. MacGowan - a ‘tall, dark-haired man, with a ‘devil-may-care ‘look in his eyes ‘‘ - was European Manager of the New York Sun 1946-50, during which period he reported on U.N.O. and N.A.T.O. forces, and latterly editor and publisher of European Life. In so far as his foreign Honours and Awards are concerned, it would be impossible to ascertain the validity of his entitlement to the French War Comemmorative Medal 1914-18 and Colonial Medal, although given his Great War services were purely with the British, the former seems unlikely. However, relevant editions of Who’s Who do verify the following: ‘Officier de l’Instruction Publique, 1930 [a.k.a. Palms Academic]; Officer of Military Order of Christ, Portugal, 1933; Chevalier de la Legion d’Honneur, 1934; Officer of the Order of Ouissam Alaouite, Morocco, 1938; Croix de Guerre, 1943; Medaille de la France Liberee, 1949’, together with mention of his Purple Heart. Sold with an extensive file of research, including correspondence with MacGo
Seven: Acting Serjeant A. H. Stafford, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, late Liverpool Regiment and Lancashire Fusiliers 1914-15 Star (9744 Pte., L’pool. R.); British War and Victory Medals (9744 Pte., L’pool. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21 (3436681 A. Sjt., S. & T. Corps); Defence and War Medals, unnamed; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (3436681 Cpl., Lan. Fus.) contact marks, fine and better (7) £120-160 Arthur Hartington Stafford was born on 20 July 1886 and enlisted at the Depot of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 25 October 1905 and was posted to their 1st Battalion in February 1906. On 18 August 1906 he was medically discharged from the regiment. He enlisted in the Liverpool Regiment on 10 December 1906 and was posted to their 2nd Battalion in March 1907. Serving in India with the 2nd Battalion when the Great War began, he remained in India with the unit throughout the war, seeing active service at Landakai Ridge, November 1914-October 1916. In March 1918 he joined the Marri Field Force for operations lasting until May 1918. He re-enlisted in the Liverpool Regiment on 31 March 1919. In October 1919 he was appointed an Acting Serjeant and was seconded to the Indian Army Service Corps. In January 1920 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers whilst continuing his secondment to the I.A.S.C. During February-August 1920 he served with the Waziristan Field Force in operations against the Mahsud and Wana Wazir tribesmen. Stafford rejoined the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers in January 1922 and in December 1926 attained the rank of Lance-Serjeant. He was discharged on 18 September 1928. Living at 17 Blade Street, Lancaster at the time of the Second World War, on 20 December 1940 Stafford enlisted into the Royal Army Service Corps as a Private. After attaining the rank of Serjeant he was discharged, his services no longer required, on 14 February 1942. Not content to be idle in time of war, Stafford then volunteered for the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in December 1942. Attaining the rank of Leading Aircraftsman, he served at R.A.F. Castle Kenedy, Milltown and Lossiemouth. He was released from the service on 14 December 1947. Aged 60 at the time of his release, he had served 298 days in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; 12 years, 315 days with the Liverpool Regiment; 8 years, 246 days with the Lancashire Fusiliers; 84 days with the I.A.S.C.; 1 year 57 days with the R.A.S.C. and 4 years, 48 days with the R.A.V.R. Sold with copied service details.
Four: Captain L. M. McCoy-Hill, Indian Army, late Middlesex Regiment 1914-15 Star (2 Lieut., Midd’x. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. Persia (Capt. C. M. McCoy-Hill, 55-Rifles) note different initials, nearly extremely fine (4) £200-240 Lancelot McCoy McCoy-Hill was commissioned into the Middlesex Regiment in 1915 and was advanced to Lieutenant in the following year. After serving in France with the regiment he transferred to the Indian Army in 1918. With the 55th Coke’s Rifles he served in South Persia, 1918-19 and retired with a gratuity on 25 June 1922. Sold with some copied service and campaign details.
Three: Private T. Parker, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 1914-15 Star (200248 Pte., L.N. Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1298 Pte., L.N. Lanc. R.), mounted as worn, together with his identity discs (4th Battalion), regimental badges (2), embroidered overseas chevrons (4 years) and Active Service Testament 1918, generally good very fine and better (Lot) £60-80 Tom Parker first entered the French theatre of war in early May 1915, so would have witnessed heavy fighting with the 4th Battalion on the Somme in August-September 1916.
Three: Private H. Fourro, 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, one of the ‘Fighting Fourro ‘brothers from Burwood, New South Wales, who died of wounds in France in October 1917 1914-15 Star (2364 Pte., 20/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (2364 Pte., 20 Bn. A.I.F.), together with related Memorial Plaque (Harry Fourro), in their card boxes of issue, together with wartime local newspaper death announcement cutting, and a silk 20th Battalion uniform patch, extremely fine (5) £200-250 Harry Fourro was born in England but came to Australia with his parents at an early age, where they settled at Burwood in New South Wales, and was one of five brothers who enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force - hence their local sobriquet ‘The Fighting Fourros ‘and a feature published in the Sydney Mail in April 1917 (relevant photocopy included). Harry enlisted in July 1915 and, via the Egyptian theatre of war, where he joined the 20th Battalion, arrived in France. Severely wounded near Ypres on 18 October 1917, he died a few days later at No. 83 General Hospital and was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Sergeant R. G. Wiles of No. 7 Platoon later stated that he ‘saw a shell hit him and he fell badly wounded - his own stretcher bearers picked him up and took him to a Casualty Clearing Station’, while the C.O. of No. 83 General Hospital reported that Fourro was admitted with severe head wounds: ‘He was but semi-conscious on admission. The X-ray showed the presence of as many as 13 foreign bodies in the cranium. His condition was far too unsatisfactory for an operation to be attempted and was hopeless. He remained semi-conscious until his death on 21 October 1917.’.
Three: Private R. H. Dempster, 5th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force 1914-15 Star (1061 Pte., 5/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1061 Pte., 5/Bn. A.I.F.), very fine or better (3) £100-120 Raymond Harvey Dempster enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force at Broadmeadow, Victoria in September 1914, aged 33 years, stating that he had previous service of six years in the Royal Australian Artillery. Embarked for Gallipoli, where he served from April 1915, he was admitted to hospital in Mudros that September, suffering from pleurisy and influenza. Later moved to Egypt, he was invalided home in April 1916 and discharged on his return.
Five: Flight Serjeant W. C. Reeves, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service 1914-15 Star (F. 3123 P.O.M., R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (203123 F. Sgt., R.A.F.); Defence; Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R., 1st issue (William C. Reeves) good very fine (5) £140-180 M.S.M. London Gazette 11 July 1919. Recommended by Major R. F. Redpath, C.O. No.209 Squadron. Recommendation states: ‘For conspicuous devotion to duty. Joined Squadron February 2nd 1917’. M.I.D. (2) London Gazette 26 April 1918. ‘.. to Officers and Men of the Royal Naval Air Service in recognition of their services at Dunkirk’. ‘C.P.O., 3rd Gr. (E), O.N. F3123’. Recommendation states, ‘For zeal and ability in his duty’. & 11 July 1919. ‘203123 Flt. Sjt., 12th Wing’. William Charles Reeves was born in Horsham, Sussex on 15 May 1892. A Chauffeur by occupation, he entered the R.N.A.S. as Petty Officer Mechanic (E) on 15 January 1915. Based at Pembroke III and thence President II, he served in Armoured Cars, 5 February 1915-1 February 1917; serving in France and 2 February 1917-31 January 1918, based at Dunkirk and the Somme. On 1 January 1918 he was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and on 1 April was transferred to the newly formed R.A.F. as a Flight Serjeant. He was mentioned in despatches for his ‘zeal and ability’ as C.P.O. employed in Engineering with No. 9 Squadron based at Dunkirk and he was again mentioned as a Flight Serjeant with the R.A.F. with 12th Wing. He was recommended for the M.S.M. as a Chief Mechanic in 209 Squadron. Sold with copied service papers and rolls.
Three: Lance-Corporal H. F. Palmer, Royal Fusiliers 1914-15 Star (GS-3004 L. Cpl., R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (G5-3004 Pte., R. Fus.) last two polished and worn British War and Victory Medal pairs (2) (GS-8395 Pte. J. H. Hughes, R.W. Kent R.; 23615 Pte. A. W. Baker, Wilts R.) Three: Marine Edward W. Mitchell, Royal Marines 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed as issued Pair: G. A. Campbell, South African Forces War and African Service Medals, both officially impressed (230040G. A. Campbell) very fine and better except where stated (12) £80-100 Marine Edward William Mitchell, Royal Marines, died/was killed on 25 April 1943, aged 18 years, when serving on H.M.L.C.G.(L) 15. The son of William Bates Mogg and Florence Mogg of St. Paul’s, Bristol; he was buried in Milford Haven Cemetery. Medals to ‘Mitchell’ in card forwarding box to ‘Mrs F. Mogg, 14, Hill St., St. Pauls, Bristol’, and with condolence slip named to ‘Edward W. Mitchell’. Medals to Augustus William Baker with copied m.i.c.
Three: Captain R. A. Morrison, Army Education Corps British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (Lieut., A.E.C.); together with a mounted set of three miniature dress medals, good fine (6) £120-160 Robert Archy Morrison was born on 24 March 1892. During the Great War he served in France/Flanders, February-April 1917 and was wounded. Served as Education Officer in Turkey with the temporary rank of Captain, May-December 1920. Appointed a Lieutenant in the Army Education Corps in January 1921 and promoted to Captain in February 1931. With riband bar.
Six: Lance-Corporal H. A. Hart, East Kent Regiment, late Machine Gun Corps British War and Victory Medals (42405 Pte., M.G.C.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (42405 Pte., M.G.C.); Defence; Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (1437 Pte.-L. Cpl. 4/E. Kent R.); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Henry A. Hart) the ‘Great War’ medals and T.F.E.M. mounted as worn, nearly very fine and better (12) £140-180 Sold with six metal badges and copied m.i.c. showing service with the M.G.C., Labour Corps and Royal Fusiliers.
Seven: Bombardier R. V. Merry, Royal Artillery, afterwards a member of the Southern Rhodesian Forces British War and Victory Medals (949 Bmbr., R.A.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (949 Bmbr., R.A.); Southern Rhodesia Medal for War Service 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, generally good very fine and rare combination of awards (6) £400-450 Ralph V. Merry, a member of the Royal Field Artillery (Territorials), arrived in Southern Rhodesia in April 1928, where he initially settled with his brother at Banket. He subsequently served in the Army in the 1939-45 War and qualified for the Southern Rhodesia Medal for War Service. His Jubilee and Coronation Medals require verification.
Four: Gunner H. C. B. Allis, Royal Artillery British War and Victory Medals (876193 Gnr., R.A.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Herbert Charles Allis) British War and Victory Medal pairs (3) (1497 J. Murphy, R. Ir. Regt.; 38171 Dvr. E. Clarke, R.A.; M2-101404 Cpl. A. Robinson, A.S.C.) good very fine and better (10) £60-80.
British War and Victory Medal pairs (5) (G-31495 Pte. W. Budgen, R.W. Kent R.; G-10896 Pte. T. Howes, R.W. Kent R.; G-23469 Pte. J. Jenner, R.W. Kent R.; G-25840 Pte. L. D. R. Nineham, R.W. Kent R.; G-20332 Pte. H. G. Wheeler, R.W. Kent R.) very fine and better (10) £120-160 Private T. Howes listed as wounded in the April 1917 edition of the Queen’s Own Gazette; Private L. D. R. Nineham listed as wounded in the January 1918 edition and Private H. G. Wheeler listed as wounded in the August 1918 edition. All except ‘Jenner’ with copied m.i.c.
British War and Victory Medal pairs (5) (2 Lieut. C. H. Mason; 54502 Pte. W. H. Cooper, Durh. L.I.; 30871 Pte. J. Kay, E. Lan. R.17495 Pte. D. W. Woods, R.W. Kent R.; 2387 Pte. W. G. Young, Hamps. R.) medals to ‘Kay’ with contact marks, nearly very fine; others good very fine and better (10) £120-160 Medals to ‘Mason’ - two men with this name and rank appear on the C.W.G.C. list: 2nd Lieutenant Charles Harold Mason, 7th Battalion Royal West Surrey Regiment, killed in action, 6 July 1917, and 2nd Lieutenant Charles Henry Mason, 3rd Battalion London Regiment, died of wounds, 10 September 1918. Medals to ‘Cooper’ with copied m.i.c. showing service in the Durham Light Infantry and Labour Corps; those to ‘Kay’ with copied m.i.c. and a roll extract showing service in the 2/5th and 11th East Lancashire Regiment; those to ‘Young’ with copied m.i.c. showing service in the Hampshire and Wiltshire Regiments.
British War and Victory Medal pairs (4) (301322 Pte. F. H. Gladwin, 5-Lond. R.; 453649 Pte. G. Bennett, 11-Lond. R.; 5654 Pte. F. P. Davison, 20-Lond. R.; 7275 Pte. F. T. Barstead, 23-Lond. R.) good very fine and better (10) £100-140 Medals to ‘Gadwin’ with two silver crosses, hallmarks for Birmingham 1919 and 1920 respectively; obverse inscribed, ‘Blackheath Harriers’, reverse inscribed, ‘S.C.C.C.C. 1920 F. H. Gladwin, 10th in B.H. Team’, and ‘S.C.C.C.C. 1921 F. H. Gladwin, 9th in B.H. Team’. With some copied research. Medals to ‘Bennett’ with copied m.i.c. and roll extract; with damaged card box of issue and registered envelope addressed to the recipient at 57 King Street, Camden Town’. Medals to ‘Davison’ with copied m.i.c. showing service in the 20th London Regiment and Royal West Kent Regiment.
Pair: Private E. J. Day, 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), who died of wounds on 9 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (554048 Pte., 16-Lond. R.) extremely fine (2) £60-80 Edgar Joseph Day was born at Chelsea and lived at Battersea. He died of wounds in France and Flanders on 9 August 1918, aged 20 years, whilst serving with the 16th Battalion, London Regiment (Queen’s Westminster Rifles) and was buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, France. He was the son of Walter and Harriet Jane Day of Westminster, London.
Four: Company Quartermaster-Sergeant J. A. Eley, 23rd Battalion London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (3160 C. Sjt., 23-Lond. R.); Jubilee 1897, bronze, unnamed, in Wyon, London case of issue; France, Medal of Honour, with swords, bronze, unnamed, in case of issue, extremely fine (4) £180-220 France, Medal of Honour, with swords, bronze London Gazette 15 December 1919. ‘700805 Company Quartermaster-Sergeant John Arthur Eley, 2/23rd Battalion London Regiment (Clapham Junction)’. J. E. Eley enlisted on 26 September 1914. He was discharged from the 23rd Battalion London Regiment on 7 December 1919 due to sickness and was awarded the Silver War Badge. Sold with original forwarding slip from the Infantry Record Office, London, for the French Medal of Honour; also with copied m.i.c. and gazette and roll extracts. Jubilee 1897 not confirmed. .
Pair: Lieutenant R. B. Donald, Royal Air Force, late Royal Flying Corps, a pilot in No. 1 Squadron who was twice compelled to return to base in his damaged S.E. 5a during the German Spring Offensive British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.A.F.), edge nicks, very fine or better (2) £200-250 Ronald Bellamy Donald, who was born in July 1898, was appointed a Cadet in the Royal Flying Corps in May 1917, and attended aviation schools at Farnborough and Reading prior to joining the strength of No. 85 Squadron on the home establishment that September. Advanced to Flying Officer in February 1918, while attending a gunnery school, he was posted to No. 1 Squadron, an S.E. 5a unit, in France, in early April, this time in the rank of Lieutenant in the newly established Royal Air Force, and quickly saw action in the desperate fighting of the German Spring Offensive. In fact his aircraft was shot up over Bailleul on the 12th, less than a week after his arrival, thereby compelling his early return to base - this was the day Haig issued his famous order for every position to be held to the last man, the R.A.F. responding in kind with a record number of operational hours flown and some 50 enemy aircraft claimed as destroyed. Back in action on the 18th, Donald was again compelled to return to base after damage sustained in a low-level bombing operation, while on the 22nd, the day following von Richthofen’s demise, he was severely injured in a crash-landing, most probably as a result of further damage sustained by his aircraft in another combat. He was admitted to No. 24 General Hospital in Etaples, saw no further action and was invalided from the Royal Air Force in February 1919. N.B. The only other R.A.F. officer with these initials does not appear to have witnessed active service and was discharged in the rank of 2/Lieutenant.
Pair: Private R. J. McGaffin, 15th Battalion Australian Imperial Forces, killed in action, Gallipoli, 8 August 1915 British War and Victory Medals (630 Pte., 15-Bn. A.I.F.) good very fine (2) £260-300 Robert John McGaffin was born in Kaiapoi, New Zealand and was a Policemen by occupation, having served five years with the New Zealand Police Force. Enlisting at Brisbane, Queensland, he served as a Private in the 15th Battalion A.I.F. He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915, aged 30 years. His name is commemorated on the Lone Pine Memorial. He was the son of John and Mary Ann McGaffin of Kaiapoi, New Zealand. A note on his Roll of Honour of Australia entry, states that his uncle Richard Shepherd of Aukland was the first man in New Zealand to receive the Victoria Cross [he was actually a recipient of the New Zealand Cross]. Sold with some copied details.
British War and Victory Medal pairs (3) (51471 Pte. C. H. Bullard, Worc. R.; 965974 Gnr. J. V. Barker, R.A.; 38374 Cpl. P. Slack, W. York. R.) last pair very fine; others nearly extremely fine and better (6) £60-80 Charles Henry Bullard of 72 Pond Road, West Ham attested for service in the Army at Stratford, London on 21 May 1917, aged 17 years, 11 months. After service with the Worcestershire Regiment, he was discharged suffering from Neurasthenia on 1 December 1919. Bullard died of tuberculosis on 3 August 1924. Sold with copied service papers and m.i.c. Corporal Peter Slack, West Yorkshire Regiment, discharged to Class Z Reserve, 14 February 1919. Sold with copied m.i.c.
Three: Acting Sergeant S. J. Davis, 2nd Norfolk Regiment British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (35307 A.Sjt. S. J. Davis, Norf. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (35307 Pte.-A.Sjt. S. J. Davis, 2/Norf. R.) extremely fine (3) £160-180 M.I.D. requires confirmation.
Three: Private R. Wilson, South African Infantry, later Southern Rhodesia Forces British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte., 2nd S.A.I.); Southern Rhodesia Medal for War Service 1939-45, good very fine and better and rare (3) £250-300 Radcliffe Currie Wilson settled in Rhodesia after the Great War and died at Salisbury in April 1959, aged 57 years. Sold with a portrait photograph, a copy of his marriage certificate, his wife’s ‘Loyal Service’ certificate for the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland 1953-63, signed by Federal Prime Minister Sir Roy Welensky, and an original ‘In Loving Memory’ card. Also see Lot 906 for the campaign awards of his Father-in-Law.
Seven: Signalman J. Addlesee, Royal Signals India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1935 (2322363 Sgln., R. Signals); India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (2322363 Sgln., R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, first with edge bruise, very fine and better (7) £180-220.
Four: Private E. Pinkney, West Yorkshire Regiment, killed in action, North Africa, 9 June 1942 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4538228 Pte., W. York. R.) official correction to one digit of service number; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine and better (4) £180-220 Private Edward Pinkney, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, a native of Balby, Doncaster, was killed in action 9 June 1942, aged 32 years, in the unsuccessful British attempt to bring help to the Free French who were surrounded at Bir Hacheim. He was buried at Halfaya-Sollum War War Cemetery, Libya.
Five: Major A. H. James, Worcestershire Regiment, who was taken P.O.W. at Tobruk: his father, Major H. James, was awarded the V.C. for Gallipoli General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2 Lieut., Worcs. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style as worn, together with a set of related miniature dress medals, good very fine (10) £250-300 Anthony Howard James was born in September 1917, the son of Major Herbert James, V.C., M.C., and was commissioned in his father’s old regiment in January 1939. Posted to the 1st Battalion out in Palestine shortly before the outbreak of hostilities, he went on to witness active service in Eritrea and in the Western Desert, where he was taken P.O.W. at Tobruk in 1942. Liberated from Stalag O. 79 at Braunschweig at the War’s end, he was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 4 April 1946 refers) and advanced to Captain in the 1st Battalion in Germany in July 1946, in which capacity he also served in Trieste and Pola. Having then attended Staff College at Camberley, he was advanced to Major in January 1952 and served as a Rifle Company Commander back in Germany, before taking command of ‘C’ Company, 1st Battalion in British Guiana in 1957. His final appointment was as D.A.A. and Q.M.G., Headquarters, Caribbean Area; also see Lot 1162 for his father’s Honours and Awards.
Seven: Petty Officer R. H. Miller, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oakleaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.107444 A.B., H.M.S. Drake) contact marks Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (57657 Pte. V. G. Gibson, Worc. R.; 52828 Pte. J. H. Holmes, W. York. R.) last lacking suspension ring; Memorial Plaque (Sidney John White) nearly very fine and better (10) £90-110 M.I.D. London Gazette 13 October 1942. As a Petty Officer aboard the minelayer Abdiel, for service in the Mediterranean from April 1941. M.I.D. London Gazette 14 December 1943. As a Petty Officer aboard the minelayer Abdiel, when the ship was mined and sunk off Taranto on 10 September 1943. The Abdiel, commanded by Captain D. Orr-Ewing, D.S.O., was sunk by mines off Taranto on 10 September 1943, two days after the Italian capitulation. The vessel was being used as a fast transport employed in ferrying men of the British 1st Airborne Division (6th Royal Welsh Battalion) to the Italian mainland. The ground mines had just been laid a few hours earlier by two German torpedo boats as they vacated the harbour of their former ally. Shortly after midnight, two mines detonated beneath Abdiel and the minelayer sank in just three minutes with great loss of life amongst both soldiers and sailors. The Airborne Division lost 58 killed with some 150 injured; the Royal Navy lost six officers and 42 ratings killed. There was a suggestion that the ship’s degaussing equipment had been turned off to allow troops below decks to sleep better with less noise.
Six: Warrant Officer Class 2 D. W. Regan, Royal Signals 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (2328953 W.O. Cl.2, R. Sigs.) minor correction to rank, slight edge bruising, good very fine (12) £60-80 Together with a mounted set of six miniature dress medals.
A well-documented Second World War Commando’s group of six awarded to Trooper T. R. Jones, Royal Artillery, attached No. 3 Commando, who captured an Italian flag during the first raid on Sicily and was taken prisoner but escaped after the desperate fight at the Punto Malati 13-14 July 1943, later renamed ‘3 Commando Bridge ‘on the orders of General Montgomery 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, very fine and better (6) £600-800 Thomas Richard Jones, who was born in Shrewsbury in 1922, fought with No. 3 Commando from late 1941 to the end of the war. During the first Commando raid on Sicily in 1943 he captured an Italian flag, as related in an accompanying copy of a wartime Shrewsbury newspaper report, which includes a photograph of Jones: ‘An Italian flag that can be seen flying in a shop window in the borough in connection with ‘Salute Week ‘is one of the first two captured from the enemy in the Sicilian campaign. It was taken by Trooper Thomas Richard Jones, aged 22, of the Commandos, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. T. G. Jones, 13, Old Heath Square, Harlescott. In the town where the Commandos landed two Italian flags were flying, and the one captured by Jones was over the post office. Jones came home early this year bringing the trophy with him and, in view of the ‘Salute ‘campaign, it was lent to the Mayor. Jones was one of a force which captured a vital bridge in Sicily and held it until nightfall but eventually they were taken prisoner, and Jones, with others, was held under a German guard in a wood for 36 hours. When our guns shelled the wood the prisoners overpowered the guard, and Jones was one of the men who escaped. Before the outbreak of war he was employed by the Chatwood Safe Company and in August 1939, joined the Royal Artillery. As he was too young to go overseas he was posted to an anti-aircraft unit and nearly two years later volunteered for the Commandos.’ No. 3 Commando was the first Army Commando to be raised during the Second World War and took part in all the great raids, Dieppe among them, spearheaded the invasion of Sicily, fought through Italy, and landed in France on D-Day to link up with the Airborne. Fortunately for posterity’s sake, two of the best Commando memoirs of the 1939-45 War were written by ex-3 Commando Commanding Officers - Commando by Brigadier ‘Jock ‘Durnford Slater, D.S.O. and Bar, and Storm from the Sea by Brigadier Peter Young, D.S.O., M.C. and two Bars; see, too, the catalogue entry for the M.M. won by Troop Sergeant-Major E. G. ‘Lofty ‘King (Dix Noonan Webb, 5 April 2006), an entry with full details regarding the Commando’s activities at Dieppe and on D-Day, for Jones was surely present in these operations, in addition to the costly engagements in Sicily. At Dieppe, the Commando was charged taking an enemy battery near Bernaval Le Grand, a small village about half a mile from the sea, but, as it transpired, only a few of them ever reached the beaches, their Eureka landing craft and H.Q. ship running into five E-Boats. As one survivor put it, ‘Our flotilla was dispersed over a wide area, smoke and the smell of cordite was everywhere, dawn was breaking and a heavy curtain of fire was coming from the shore where the enemy had been alerted. We were sitting ducks.’ Only six of their landing craft eventually put men ashore on Yellow Beach 1, where they assaulted the enemy batteries until overwhelmed. The Commando suffered 140 casualties during the raid. Sicily and No. 3 Commando Bridge No. 3 Commando's opening raid on Sicily was made with the objective of destroying the coastal battery and defences near the town of Cassibile, thus allowing the vanguard of the 8th Army to land - a successful operation carried out on the night of 9-10 July 1943, but only after carrying out a frontal assault on the battery and much bitter fighting. And it was in Cassibile that Trooper Jones captured his Italian flag. The Commando was then re-embarked on the Prince Albert for its next task - the capture of the Punta dei Malati Bridge - Durnford Slater being given just a few hours notice of a plan that also involved a separate attack on another bridge at Primasole by the Airborne. Moreover, he was dubious about intelligence reporting ‘some easily discouraged Italian toops’ as the only opposition, for if the bridge was worth taking, it was equally worth defending - and he was right, his Commando eventually running into the 1st German Parachute Division after landing under fire several miles behind enemy lines at Agnone at 2200 hours on 13 July. First of all, however, operations at the bridge went well, the defenders being knocked out and the 350-strong Commando deployed in captured pill-boxes, surrounding orange groves and ravines. But, as Robin Neilland's The Raiders - The Army Commandos 1940-46 explains, elite German forces were on their way to do battle: ‘Until dawn 3 Commando had a marvellous time, shooting up everything which came along, until the road approaches to the bridge were littered with overturned or burning vehicles, but their arrival had been detected and the Germans began to mortar their positions heavily and, never slow to react, soon brought up a Tiger tank, which began to flay the Commando positions with its 88mm gun, while staying sensibly out of range of their only anti-tank weapon, the infantry PIAT. A party, sent to stalk the tank could not get close enough over the open ground, and German paratroopers were moving up to box in the troops, causing a steady stream of casualties. By 0430 hours, with no sign of 50th Division, the Commando position was becoming untenable. They had many wounded, their positions in the open valley could be overlooked and enfiladed, enemy infantry were arriving in ever increasing numbers and the tank kept rumbling about behind the ridges, appearing at regular intervals to put down more fire. The only thing missing was 50th Division, held up by the enemy at Lentini some miles away. Around 0500 hours, Durnford Slater gave the order to withdraw from the bridge in small parties, either to lie up in the hills until the Eighth Army finally arrived or, if possible, infiltrate back to their own lines. Widely deployed and still under tank fire, the Commando withdrew. They were forced to leave the wounded behind, to be captured by parachute troops from the 4th Brigade of the Hermann Goering 1st Parachute Division, who looked after them well - a kindness No. 3 Commando was able to repay a few weeks later at Termoli.’ No. 3 Commando, which was slowly reformed over the next few days, lost a total of five officers and 23 men killed, four officers and 62 men wounded and eight officers and 51 men missing - some 45% of the unit’s strength. So impressed was Montgomery, that he later ordered Durnford Slater to have a slab of stone, carved with the unit name, cemented into the Punta dei Malati Bridge, where it remains to this day. D-Day and beyond After seeing more action in Italy, particularly at Termoli, No. 3 Commando returned to the U.K in January 1944, in readiness for the coming Allied invasion at Normandy. The Commando’s allotted task on D-Day was to land with 1st Commando Brigade at La Breche to the west of Ouistreham. They were then meant to advance four miles to the bridges over the River Orne, and if the bridges had been destroyed, they were to ferry themselves over in rubber boats. They were then to continue their advance in a north-easterly direction, seizing the high ground near Le Plein. And what actually happened to the Commando on that memorable day, and in the period following until it was withdrawn to the U.K., is vividly described by Peter Young, the run-in to the beach attracting enemy fire that was ‘far too accurate to be pleasant’ - three of the Commando’s landing craft received direct hits from high-velocity shells, causing 20 casualties before
Family group: Five: Alfred Turner, Special Constabulary, late British Army 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; Special Constabulary Long Service, E.II.R. (Alfred Turner), mounted as worn, generally good very fine Rhodesian General Service Medal (PR75667 Rfn. R. J. Turner), good very fine (6) £30-50.
Five: Private J. McCarter, Camerons 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2939632 Pte., Camerons) surname re-impressed Pair: Warrant Officer Class 2 R. Lewis, Royal Artillery General Service 1962, 1 clasp, Borneo (880478 W.O. Cl.2, RA); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (8800478 Sgt., R.A.) good very fine and better (7) £80-100.
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