Cox, Barry, Lifeboat Gallantry, R.N.L.I. Medals and How They were Won; Boddington, J., A., Medallic History of the Royal Life Saving Society, O.M.S.A. Monograph No.4; Catalogue of Life Saving Awards from the Collection of William H. Fevyer, booklet; Bishop, P. J., A Short History of the Royal Humane Society, 1974, booklet; Poulsom, N., The White Ribbon, A Medallic Record of British Polar Exploration; Galloway, P., The Most Illustrious Order of St. Patrick; Perkins, J., The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, a descriptive and historical account, 1913, spine damaged; Hood, F., The Chapel of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire; James, G. P. L., The Royal Family Orders, Badges of Office, Royal Household Medals and Souvenirs, illustrated booklet; Lindsay, R. S., The Royal Order of Scotland, 1971 (Masonic); Solly, F.R.S., F.S.A., E., An Index of Hereditary Titles of Honour, 1880; Trendell, H. A. P. (Editor), Dress and Insignia worn at His Majestys Court, 1921, colour plates, annotated; Rules of Ceremony approved by The Queen for Her Majestys Court, 1889 reprint; Fox-Davies, A. C., Heraldic Badges, 1907; Balmer, J. L., Regimental Medals Handbook 1745-1895, Vol. 1: Regular Army, paperback; Cole, Lieut.-Col. H. N., Coronation and Royal Commemorative Medals 1887-1977, paperback; Statutes (3): Bath, 1925; St. Michael and St. George 1911-15; 1923; other booklets (4), fairly good and mostly better condition (23) £50-70
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Joslin, E. C., Litherland, A. R., Simpkin, B. T., British Battles and Medals, 1988 edition; Litherland, A. R. & Simpkin, B. T., Standard Catalogue of British Orders, Decorations and Medals, 1990 edition; Joslin, E. C., British Orders, Decorations and Medals, 1976 edition; Hall, D., British Orders, Decorations and Medals; Dorling, H. T., Ribbons and Medals (2), 1916 and 1944 editions; Irwin, D. H., War Medals and Decorations, 1588 to 1889, 1890 edition, original embossed cover; Carter, T., British War Medals, Military & Naval How they were Won (2), Parts 3 & 4; Purves, A. A., Orders and Decorations; McInnes, I. & Webb, J. V., A Contemptible Little Flying Corps; Johnson, S. C., The Medal Collector; Hieronymusson, P., Orders, Medals and Decorations of Great Britain and Europe in Colour; James, G. P. L., The Royal Family Orders, Badges of Office, Royal Household Medals and Souvenirs, illustrated booklet, cover torn; Army Officers Awards, Napoleonic Period, Arms & Armour Press/J. B. Hayward booklet; The London Gazette (Gulf Awards), bound copy; Boddington, J., A Medallic History of the Royal Life Saving Society, O.M.S.A. Monograph No.4; Catalogue of Life Saving Awards, from the Collection of William H. Fevyer, generally in good condition (18) £50-70
Konig, K-P. & Hugo, M., Service Handguns, A Collectors Guide; Kelvin, Dr. M., Collecting Antique Firearms; Rosa, J. G. & May, R., An Illustrated History of Guns and Small Arms; [Sotherbys, Monaco], Armes Anciennes, Collection Chaharles Draeger, 1987, handback catalogue; [Numisma], Napoleao e a Guerre Peninsular, illustrated auction catalogue; Hayward, J. F., European Armour, V.& A. Museum publication, 1951, booklet; [Horniman Museum & Library], War and Chase, ... Weapons of Savage, Barbaric, and Civilised Peoples, 1929, booklet; Hamilton, E., Colours of the Regular Army Infantry of the Line, 1881-1958, Military Historical Soc. booklet; ONeil, B. H. St.J., Castles and Cannon, A Study of Early Fortifications in England; Beresford, Rear-Admiral Lord Charles & Wilson, H. W., Nelson and His Times, illustrated, half calf, front cover inscribed, W.J.W. 1898; Hardy, T. A., Remember Nelson, Campaign and Commemorative Medals etc, 2005; Eimer, C., Medallic Portraits of the Duke of Wellington; General Description of Sir John Soanes Museum, 7th edition; Cresswell, O., A Re-Examination of a Gold Medal awarded to Major Rogers for Valorous Services in 1690, B.N.J. off-print; modern books re. Napoleonic Wars (4); other booklets (5), fairly good and better condition (23) £25-35
Pair: Private Robert Bain, 55th Foot, a volunteer from the 92nd Highlanders Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Robert Bain, No. 3490. 55 Regt.) regimentally impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (3490 Pt. R. D. Bain, 55 Rt.) fitted with Crimea suspension, rivets mostly unofficial, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £250-300 Robert Bain was born at Leslie, Fife, in about 1831, and was a miner by trade. He enlisted into the 92nd at Edinburgh on 15 January 1850, and served with the regiment in Ireland, Corfu and Gibraltar. On the outbreak of war in the Crimea in 1854, it was decided not to send the 92nd to the seat of war, but that men from the regiment could chose to volunteer into one of the three other regiments then stationed at Gibraltar, all of which were to go to the Crimea. Bain was one of those that volunteered to transfer into the 55th Regiment, with effect from 1 April 1854. In January 1858, he chose to return to the 92nd who he rejoined in India on 1 April that year. He was finally discharged at Perth on 21 September 1860. Sold with full muster details.
An O.B.E. group of six attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. R. Orlebar, Norfolk Regiment and Equitorial Corps, Sudan Defence Force The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officers 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Egypt, Order of the Nile, 4th Class breast badge by Lattes, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, rosette on ribbon, slight enamel damage, all unnamed, mounted as worn; together with a corresponding mounted set of six miniature dress medals, very fine and better (14) £200-250 O.B.E. London Gazette 24 April 1953. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 April 1941, 13 January 1944. Egypt, Order of the Nile London Gazette 8 June 1945. John Hatton Rolt Orlebar was born on 19 February 1907, the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel Richard Rouse Boughton Orlebar, D.L., J.P., of Hinwick House, Bedford. Educated at Malvern and the Royal Military College, he entered the Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Norfolk Regiment in 1926. Attached to the Sudan Defence Force, 1933-45. He was promoted to Lieutenant, 1929; Captain 1937; Acting Major, January-April 1942; Temporary Major, April-November 1942; War Substantive Major, November 1942; Major 1943; Acting Lieutenant-Colonel, August-November 1942; Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, November 1942-December 1944; Lieutenant-Colonel, 1950; Temporary Colonel, 1948-51 and 1953-54; Colonel, February 1954, and local Brigadier, June 1948-May 1951. He was employed as G.S.O.2, January-August 1942; A.A.G., August 1942-March 1943; A.M.S., H.Q., B.A.O.R., September 1946-March 1947; Military Attache at Baghdad, June 1948-March 1951; A.Q.M.G. with the rank of Colonel at the War Office, September 1953-August 1956. He was appointed Commandant of the School of Infantry, Small Arms Wing in 1956. Sold with a S.D.F. button and a S.D.F. pin-backed badge and some copied research.
A Second World War East African B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant and Quartermaster M. Reat, Royal Signals, attached Sudan Defence Force British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (2312307 R.Q.M.S. Malcolm Reat); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2312307 Sgln., R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (2312307 W.O.Cl.2, B.E.M., R. Sigs.), mounted court style for display, very fine and better (7) £500-600 B.E.M. London Gazette 16 April 1942. ... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period July, 1941, to October, 1941 ... No.3212307 Company Quarter-Master-Sergeant (acting Warrant Officer Class II (Regimental Quarter-Master-Sergeant) Malcolm Reat, Royal Corps of Signals (attached Sudan Defence Force) (Stockton-on-Tees). B.E.M. recommendation states: During the past year this N.C.O., the senior British N.C.O. in the unit, has been entirely responsible for the M.T. and Technical stores, there being no regular Quartermaster. His task has been rendered more laborious through having to deal with the S.D.F. Ordnance Depot as well as the British. By virtue of his technical trade qualifications and shortage of personnel he has also frequently been called upon to supervise and help in the Instrument Mechanics and Battery Charging Shops. Throughout the whole period he has worked very long hours and by his conscientious devotion to his duty has ensured the smooth flow of stores to sections operating in Eritrea, Abyssinia and Kufra. In particular in the last few months, in addition to his normal work, he has been called upon to produce new War Equipment tables on the reorganisation of this unit. Malcolm Reat was commissioned a Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 8 August 1945 (London Gazette 8 February 1946).
Three: Ships Corporal 1st Class C. R. Orchard, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (Sh. Corpl. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Temeraire); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Sh. Corpl. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Britannia), impressed naming; Khedives Star, 1882, unnamed, slight edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £260-300 Charles Robert Orchard was born in St. Sidwells, Exeter, on 19 January 1855. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class and Bugler in January 1873 and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in March the same year. He served on the Northumberland, October 1873-July 1875 and Black Prince, July 1875-October 1877, being promoted to Able Seaman in February 1876. He was rated as Ships Corporal 2nd Class in November 1880 when on the Royal Adelaide. He joined the Temeraire in September 1881 and saw service at the bombardment of Alexandria in July 1882. Whilst on the ship, he was promoted to Ships Corporal 1st Class in November 1882. Orchard served on the Britannia, February 1883-August 1891. He was pensioned ashore in January 1893. Sold with copied service papers.
Four: Private A. Stokes, Rifle Brigade Queens Sudan 1896-98 (3763 Pte., 2/R. Bde.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Natal, Transvaal (3763 Pte., Rifle Brigade); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (3763 Pte., Rifle Brigade); Khedives Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (4) £420-460
Three: Private C. Webster, Rifle Brigade Queens Sudan 1896-98 (3911 Pte., 2/R. Bde.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laings Nek, Belfast (3911 Pte., Rifle Brigade); Khedives Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed, last with slightly bent suspension bar, some contact marks, very fine (3) £420-460
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb-Tamaai (1720 Pte. J. Pilbeam, 1/York & Lanc. R.) minor scratches to obv., good very fine £800-900 Ex D.N.W. 2 July 2003, lot 534. 1720 Private John Pilbeam, 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment, was killed in action at the battle of Tamaai, 13 March 1884. Pilbeam was posthumously mentioned in the despatches of General Graham, V.C. as one of the men who gave their lives in trying to stem the Sudanese attack on the broken British square. The 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment formed part of the 2nd Brigade of General Grahams army. The Brigade whilst advancing in a square at Tamaai was suddenly attacked by the forces of Osman Digna. The rush of the attack was so great that the square was broken. On the right front face of the square, some 30 or 40 men of the York and Lancaster Regiment made a desperate and detirmined stand before having to give way, loosing sixteen men, including Private Pilbeam, in the process. At length order was restored and the square reformed. By the end of the day the regiment had suffered one officer and 31 men killed and two officers and 22 men wounded. British casualties for the day totalled 217 officers and men killed and wounded. Sold with copied roll extract and other research.
Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (959 L/Corp. T. Conn, 2/Essex R.) slight edge bruising and pitting, about very fine (2) £200-250 Lance-Corporal Thomas Conn was the subject of a rescue which resulted in the award of a Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze to Private Joseph Finney, 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment. 7.30 p.m. 5 August 1884, The Nile at Keneh, Upper Egypt: The Regiment was proceeding up the River in a Steamer, and 2 barges which had stopped for the night. The barges were moored about 25 yds. behind the Steamer. Corporal Conn was bathing when the current carried him between the two barges. Private Finney seeing Conn being carried under the barges and in imminent danger of drowning, dived off the bank and pulled him from underneath the boats. He succeeded in holding him up until rope was thrown to them. The Salvor was partially dressed and the current was very strong. The act of rescue was witnessed by Private J. Keys; the case recommended by Lieutenant Princep, Essex Regiment, who had lately received the Bronze Medal for a similar act; the case sent by Lieutenant-Colonel White, commanding. Sold with letter from the R.H.S. providing details; together with a Royal Humane Society Medal, small, bronze, successful, unnamed.
Queens Sudan 1896-98 (3569 Pte. W. Brown, 1/R. War. R.) about very fine £200-240 William Brown was born in Birmingham. A Tiler by occupation, he attested for service in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 6 February 1892, aged 18 years, 4 months, having previously served in the 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. With the regiment he served in Ceylon, December 1892-March 1896; Malta, March 1896-January 1897; Egypt and Sudan, January 1897-March 1899 and Malta, March 1899-March 1904. For his service in Sudan he was awarded the Queens medal and the Khedives medal with clasp for Atbara. Having previously extended his period of service, he was discharged on 24 March 1904. Sold with copied service papers.
A Great War M.C. group of six awarded to Major R. T. C. Cream, Royal Garrison Artillery Military Cross, G.V.R.; Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. R. T. C. Cream, R.G.A. (M.)); 1914-15 Star (Capt. & Adjt. R. T. C. Cream, R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major R. T. C. Cream); French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, with star riband fitment, generally very fine and better (6) £800-1000 M.C. London Gazette 27 October 1917: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great courage in removing cartridges from a burning building at the battery position under shell fire, and finally succeeded in getting the fire under control. Robert Temple Chevallier Cream, who was born in September 1882, appears to have served in the Royal Garrison Artillery (Militia) during the latter stages of the Boer War, in Cape Colony in May 1902. Appointed a 2nd Lieutenant in the R.G.A. (Regular Army) in June 1903, he was advanced to Captain in June 1906 and served in Hong Kong and China 1907-1910. Returning to the U.K., he was appointed Adjutant of the Sheerness Garrison Company in September 1912, in which capacity he was serving on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Cream was wounded in the Great War and, in addition to his M.C., was thrice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917 and 14 December 1917 refer), and awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 29 November 1918 refers).
Pair: Private R. Davidson, Imperial Yeomanry Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (503 Pte. R. Davidson, 9th Coy. 3rd Imp. Yeo.); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1900-1901 (503 R. Davidson), fitted with straight-bar suspension bearing a "South Africa 1902" clasp, the first with officially corrected number and the last with similarly corrected surname, generally very fine or better (2) £300-350 Robert Davidson served in the 9th (Yorkshire - Doncaster) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry.
Four: Warrant Officer Class 1 T. R. Wilson, Royal Engineers, late Imperial Yeomanry Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (22954 Pte. T. R. Wilson, 11th Coy. Imp. Yeo.); British War and Victory Medals (68867 W.O. Cl. 1 T. R. Wilson, R.E.); Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal 1900-1902, 3rd Battalion, South Africa 1901-1902 (22954 Pte. T. R. Wilson), very fine and better (4) £350-400 Thomas Reece Wilson served in the 11th (Yorkshire) Company, 3rd Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry.
A Great War D.S.O., O.B.E. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel A. S. Hewitt, Royal West Kent Regiment, late Imperial Yeomanry Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officers 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4517 Pte. A. Hewitt, 33rd Coy. 11th Impl. Yeo.); 1914 Star (Capt. A. S. Hewitt, R.W. Kent R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. A. S. Hewitt); Italian Order of the Crown, Officers breast badge, gold and enamels; French Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, the first with somewhat recessed centre-pieces, otherwise very fine and better (8) £1000-1200 Ex Dix Noonan Webb, 5 March 1996 (Lot 306), when sold without the D.S.O., O.B.E. and Italian Order of the Crown. D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917. O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Alfred Scott Hewitt, who was born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia in September 1876 and educated at Warwick and Christ Church, Oxford, was a scholar and gifted sportsman, captaining college cricket, rugby and athletics teams, and afterwards playing rugby for the Harlequins, Hampshire and Kent. Enlisting in the 33rd Company (Royal East Kent Mounted Rifles), 11th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry on the outbreak of the Boer War, he served out in South Africa for 14 months, where he was present in the actions at Biddulphsberg, Wittebergen and Caledon River (27-29 November 1900), and was commissioned into the Royal West Kent Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1901. A Captain & Adjutant of the 4th Battalion by the outbreak of hostilities, he appears to have gone out to France in the 2nd Battalion, The Queens, with whom he served from October 1914 to March 1915. Sometime thereafter taking up a Staff appointment, and advanced to Major in September 1916, Hewitt served in France and Flanders until transferring to the Italian front in November 1917, where he remained employed until the end of hostilities, latterly as Deputy Provost Marshal in the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. Awarded the D.S.O. and O.B.E., he was four times mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917; 30 May 1918 and 5 June 1919), in addition to being awarded the French Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 18 April 1918) and the Italian Order of the Crown (London Gazette 2 March 1923). Hewitt retired to Lisle Court, Wootton on the Isle of Wight.
The rare and outstanding Gordon Relief Expedition D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Regimental Corporal-Major A. White, Royal Horse Guards, attached Heavy Camel Regiment, and afterwards a Yeoman of the Guard: decorated for his perfect coolness under fire ... notably at Abu Klea when he rendered material assistance when the Arabs got into the square, he received his decoration from the hands of the Queen at Windsor Castle in February 1886: his was the very first D.C.M. awarded to the Royal Horse Guards and remains one of about 10 won by the regiment to date - a rare distinction indeed in company with his M.S.M., one of the first non-annuity awards ever presented to the Yeomen of the Guard Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (561 Tp. Cor[pl. Maj.] A. White, Rl. Hse. Gds., 17th Jan. & 13th Feb. 85); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 3 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (561 Corpl. of Hse., Rl. H. Gds.); Jubilee 1897, bronze; Coronation 1902, bronze; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (R. Corpl.-Maj., Rl. Horse Guards); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Rgtl. Cpl. Major, Rl. Horse Gds.); Khedives Star 1882, the first with partially obscured rank details due to edge bruising and contact marks, the earlier awards good fine or better, the remainder very fine and better (7) £8000-10000 D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen 4 February 1886, relevant details being published in The Times of 24 February 1886: T.C.M. (now R.C.M.) Alfred White, Royal Horse Guards, acted as Corporal-Major of the R.H.G. detachment of the Heavy Camel Regiment; was present at every engagement, and on all occasions showed perfect coolness under fire, and set an excellent example. Notably at Abu Klea he rendered material assistance when the Arabs got into the square, and at the attack on the convoy on 13 February, displayed great coolness in assisting the wounded into the sick square. He also served in the Egyptian Campaign of 1882. Alfred White was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire in August 1851 and enlisted in the Royal Horse Guards at Regents Park in October 1870. An imposing figure for the age - standing six feet tall - he completed the advanced military equitation course and was advanced to Corporal of Horse in 1875. Active service followed in Egypt and the Sudan from May to October 1882, when he joined the composite regiment made up of the 1st & 2nd Life Guards, the 7th Dragoon Guards and the Royal Horse Guards, and participated in the "Moonlight Charge" at Kassassin on 28 August - when the cavalry squadrons swept down at sunset around a high sand ridge, taking the enemy completely by surprise - and at Tel-el-Kebir in the following month; so, too, in the Gordon Relief Expedition 1884-85, when he won his D.C.M. for bravery as a Troop Corporal-Major in the Heavy Camel Regiment at Abu Klea on 17 January 1885 and in the attack on his convoy a few weeks later. At Abu Klea, his unit flanked the Naval Brigade in the rear of the square, where, famously, the Arabs took the advantage after the exposed Gardner gun jammed, a failure compounded by a wheeling movement ordered by another six-footer from the "Blues", the colourful Colonel "Fred" Burnaby. He was slain, in addition to eight other officers and 65 men, while the wounded totalled nine officers and 85 men - many of these later dying of their injuries. Having received his D.C.M. from the hands of the Queen at Windsor Castle on 23 February 1886, White next went overseas in November 1889, as a member of a delegation to the British South Africa Companys territory in Matabeleland, when he accompanied his Adjutant, Captain V. J. F. Ferguson, Surgeon Colonel H. F. L. Melladew and batman Trooper Ross to Chief Lobengulas kraal at Bulawayo - all of them had their documents endorsed with an appreciation of their services by H.R.H. the C.-in-C. on their return in May 1890. In October 1890, White was recommended for the M.S.M. and annuity by Lieutenant-Colonel Lord Kilmarnock, an earlier submission in December 1888 having been refused, and on this occasion, since he had also been noted for the Yeomen of the Guard, it was concluded if successful for one, he will not be eligible for the other. Discharged to a pension in October 1891, a vacancy in the Guard finally occurred in February 1895, and White was subsequently present at the inspections made by Queen Victoria in 1897, and by Edward VII in June 1901, when 93 Yeomen were on parade. But he never saw the M.S.M. that had eluded him in life, for he died in February 1907, shortly before the award was announced in AO 99 of May 1907, one of the first ever granted to a Yeoman of the Guard without annuity (see The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, and The Yeomen of the Guard 1823-1903, both by Ian McInnes, for further details).
The rare and outstanding Second Afghan War D.C.M. group of nine awarded to Colour-Sergeant W. McDonald, 72nd Highlanders, afterwards Norfolk Regiment and a Yeoman of the Guard: decorated for his bravery in the actions at Bala-Hissar and Takht-i-Shah on 12 December 1879, he received his decoration from the hands of the Queen in a ceremony on the Isle of Wight, but was shortly afterwards severely wounded by a gunshot to his left arm at Tel-el-Kebir - he survived however to be awarded one of the first non-annuity M.S.Ms ever presented to the Yeomen of the Guard Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Cr. Sergt. W. MacDonald, 72nd Foot, 12th Decr. 1879); Afghanistan 1878-80, 4 clasps, Peiwar Kotal, Charasia, Kabul, Kandahar (1415 Cr. Sgt., 72nd Highrs.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (1415 Col. Sergt., 72nd Highlanders); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-el-Kebir (1415 Cr. Sergt., 1/Sea. Highrs.); Coronation 1902, bronze; Coronation 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R. (1150 Cr. Sgt., Norf. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.VII.R. (Clr. Serjt., 1/Seaforth Hdrs.); Khedives Star 1882, the reverse inscribed, 1415 Cr. St. W. MacDonald, 1/Sea. Hrs., surname officially corrected on the fourth, suspension bar bent on the M.S.M., contact marks, edge bruising and polished, thus good fine or better (9) £8000-10000 D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen 12 October 1881, relevant details having earlier been published in the London Gazette of 4 May 1880: On the occasion of the attack on the Bala-Hissar position and the subsequent counter-attack on the Takht-i-Shah, three non-commissioned officers - Colour-Sergeant W. MacDonald, Sergeants W. Cox and R. McIlveen, all of the 72nd Highlanders - greatly distinguished themselves, especially Colour-Sergeant MacDonald, by the cool and intelligent manner in which he superintended the construction of a breastwork under a very heavy fire. William McDonald was born at Cockpen in Midlothian in June 1850 and enlisted in the 72nd Highlanders in June 1868. Advanced to Corporal in January 1871, shortly before being embarked for India, he received rapid promotion thereafter, attaining the rank of Colour-Sergeant in January 1875, with only six and half years service and still aged only 23 years. But it would not be until the Second Afghan War that he witnessed active service, and in so far as the Seaforths were concerned it was action of the hottest kind - not least in four days of bitter fighting round Kabul in December 1879. Indeed it was in the course of these operations that McDonald won his D.C.M., namely for his cool and intelligent handling of the defences on Bila-Hissar hill during three determined enemy attacks in the early morning hours of the 12th, and for his subsequent part in the counter-attack launched against the Takht-i-Shah later that day. Of the terrain and defences of the latter place, which was persistently and most gallantly attacked by McDonald and his comrades, Lord Roberts later wrote, The slopes leading up to it were covered by huge masses of jagged rock, intersected by perpendicular cliffs, and its natural strength was increased by breastworks and stockades thrown up at differing points (Forty-One Years in India refers). His D.C.M., the only known dated issue from the Second Afghan War, and quite possibly the first ever to be so inscribed, was formally approved by Queen Victoria on 12 October 1881, the relevant document citing his gallant conduct on the occasion of the attack on the Bala-Hissar and Takht-i-Shah, near Kabul, on 12 October 1879, and in the following year, with five of his comrades from the 72nd Highlanders, in a special ceremony on the Isle of Wight, he received his award from the hands of the Queen - see Major P. E. Abbotts Recipients of the D.C.M. (2nd edition, Plate No. 2), for a photograph of these men taken at Parkhurst shortly afterwards. Following this encounter with the Queen, McDonald was embarked for Egypt, where he was among four casualties sustained by the Seaforths at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in September 1882 - in his case by a severe gunshot wound in the left arm. In early 1885, he transferred to the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Norfolk Regiment, as a Colour-Sergeant Instructor, and attended courses at the School of Musketry at Hythe, and the Small Arms School at Birmingham. Latterly serving as an Acting Sergeant-Major of the 3rd Battalion, he was finally discharged in November 1895, after 27 years with the Colours. Settling in Swaffham, Norfolk, McDonald became a member of the Norfolk Patriotic Association, and an out-pensioner of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, as a result of which he was among those presented to H.R.H. Edward, Prince of Wales, in a visit to the hospital in 1899 - he was among a group of veterans photographed for a subsequent feature published in the Navy and Army Illustrated, 27 May 1899. In January of the following year, he joined the Yeomen of the Guard, in which capacity he served until his death in October 1913, aged 63 years. In the interim, he was present at the funeral cortege of Queen Victoria on 25 June 1901, when King Edward VII made his first inspection of his Guard - 93 Yeomen were on parade, McDonald in the Fourth Division, and in July 1905 was recommended for the M.S.M. by the O.C. Eastern Group Reservists, the O.C. of the Norfolk Regiment depot, and the O.C. Highland Group Regimental District - the relevant documents revealed that McDonald had eight entries in the Regimental Defaulters Book, one for drunkenness in 1880 and the remainder for absence. Be that as it may, in AO 99 of May 1907, his award was formally announced, one of the first ever granted to a Yeoman of the Guard without annuity (see The Annuity Meritorious Service Medal 1847-1953, and The Yeomen of the Guard 1823-1903, both by Ian McInnes, for further details).
An impressive inter-war M.B.E. group of twelve awarded to Commissary & Major E. W. Newman, Indian Army, late Dorset Regiment, who was awarded an immediate M.S.M. in 1917 and thrice mentioned in despatches during his long and distinguished career (1895-1944): one of the latter distinctions was for the South Persia operations 1918-19, though he was suffering from an old wound obtained in France The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Members 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1932; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4639 Drmr., 1/Dorset Regt.), single initial E.; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (Sergt., S. & T. Corps), single initial E.; 1914 Star (S./Sergt., S. & T. Corps); British War Medal 1914-20 (Condr., S. & T. Corps). single initial E.; Victory Medal 1914-19 (Condr., S. & T.C.), single initial E.; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. Persia (Condr., S. & T. Corps); War Medal 1939-45; India Service Medal 1939-45; Delhi Durbar 1911; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (S./Sergt., S. & T. Corps); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S. Sjt., S. & T.C.), together with official duplicate issue 1914 Star (4639 S. Sjt., Dorset R.) and British War Medal 1914-20 (4639 C. Sjt., Dorset R.), the second and third renamed in small impressed capitals, generally very fine or better (14) £800-1000 M.B.E. London Gazette 4 June 1934. Eugene William Newman was born in Oatacomand, India in December 1881 and enlisted in the Dorset Regiment as a boy recruit in January 1895. Standing a little over five feet, he was appointed a Drummer in the 1st Battalion and quickly witnessed active service in the Punjab Frontier operations of 1897-98, when his battalion formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division in the Tirah Expeditionary Force. Clearly a gifted linguist, Newman went on to pass at the higher standards in Tamil and Hindustani, as well as the lower standard of Persian, 1900-03, and gained advancement to Lance-Corporal in February 1904. Shortly afterwards, in a deliberate career move, he transferred to the Supply & Transport Corps on the Punjab-Bengal Unattached List and was advanced to Staff Sergeant in November 1905. Further active service followed in the Zakka Khel operations of 1908, when he won a "mention" from the G.O.C., Mohmand Field Force, and in 1911, having passed the Warrant Officers examination, he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal, his C.O. in the 2nd Rawalpindi Division reporting that he did exceedingly good work at the Durbar Coronation deserving of special notice - the award of his L.S. & G.C. was announced in IAO 85 of 1913. Then in early November 1914, as a Staff Sergeant, he was embarked for service in France and Flanders, where he was attached to the Lucknow Cavalry Brigade and was wounded on 26 May 1915, his C.O. noting in an official report submitted in the following year, Recommended for a Commission. One of the best N.C.Os in the Army. Little else is known about his time on the Western Front, other than the fact he served as an Acting Conductor - he was advanced to substantive Sub. Conductor in July 1917 - and was awarded an immediate Meritorious Service Medal In recognition of services rendered with the Armies in the Field during the present War (London Gazette 9 July 1917 refers), in addition to another "mention" which appeared in the Gazette of India on 27 March 1920; as a result of the fact he was "on the books" of the Dorset Regiment, he was also erroneously issued with a brace of 1914 Star trios (his MIC entries refer). Newman, who returned to India in November 1917, was posted to Persia in June 1918, where he served as Acting Commandant of 145 Supply Tally Section, Bushire Field Force, from February until June 1919, and was brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services during the period April 1918 to March 1919 (London Gazette 3 February 1920 refers). This latter "mention" undoubtedly stemmed from an official report submitted by his C.O., which stated that Newman had proved invaluable at the Base Supply Depot though suffering from an old wound obtained in France. Having then enjoyed extended leave back in the U.K., he returned to India, where he held a string of appointments in the 1920s and 1930s at such locations as Calcutta, Jalapahar, Barrackpore, Bannu and Bombay. Commissioned as an Assistant Commmissary & Lieutenant in May 1928, he was advanced to Deputy Commissary & Captain in May 1931 and to Commissary & Major in May 1934, in which latter year he was awarded the M.B.E. and placed on the Retired List. Recalled in his original rank on the renewal of hostilities, Newman served as the O.C. of a supply company at Karachi until October 1941, when he assumed similar duties at a P.O.W. camp at Bangalaore. Here he remained actively employed until August 1944, when he reverted to the Retired List, thereby adding the 1939-45 War and India Service Medals to the India General Service Medal he had earned nearly 50 years earlier.
An impressive and early Great War D.C.M. group of twelve awarded to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel and Quarter-Master F. Snow, Manchester Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (888 C.S. Mjr. F. Snow, 2/Manch. R.); 1914 Star, with copy clasp (888 Sjt., 2/Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (888 W.O. Cl. 1, Manch. R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (888 W.O. Cl. 1, Manch. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (Lieut., D.C.M., Manch. R.); Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935, privately inscribed, Lieut. F. Snow, D.C.M., Manch. Regiment; Coronation 1937, privately inscribed, Capt. F. Snow, D.C.M., Manch. R.; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (3512219 W.O. Cl. 1, (D.C.M.), Manch. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (888 C.S. Mjr., A.R.S. Mjr., D.C.M., 2 Manch. R.), the earlier awards with contact wear, edge bruising and polished, good fine, the remainder generally very fine or better (12) £1800-2200 Ex Fevyer Collection (Spink, November 1998, Lot 1192). D.C.M. London Gazette 14 January 1916: For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He, with great bravery and determination, carried a wounded man to a place of safety under heavy shell fire. Frederick Snow, who was born in Dumfries in March 1888, originally enlisted in the Scots Guards, but transferred to the Manchester Regiment in 1913. Posted to the 2nd Battalion that October, in the rank of Lance-Sergeant, he was embarked for France on 15 August 1914, where he fought in the retreat from Mons - the 2nd Manchesters sustained around 225 casualties at Les Trois Maisons on 20 October and fought with distinction at Festubert on the 29th, winning two Victoria Crosses. For his own part, Snow was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 17 February 1915 and 22 June 1915), in addition to adding the D.C.M. to his accolades for rescuing a wounded comrade under fire later in the same year. Indeed he remained on active service in France and Flanders for the remainder of the War, sharing in the Battalions many battle honours - the "Somme 1916" and "St. Quentin Canal 1918" among them - and was advanced to Company Sergeant-Major in March 1915 and to Regimental Sergeant-Major in June 1918. An immediate M.S.M. followed, about the time the Battalion was based in Tipperary, sparring with the Sinn Feiners (London Gazette 18 January 1919 refers). The 2nd Manchesters were next ordered to Iraq, where, on 20 July 1920, near Hillah, they suffered serious casualties - namely four officers and 137 men killed, 60 wounded and 76 taken prisoner by the Arabs. The Battlion also added another V.C. to its accolades, namely the posthumous award granted to Captain G. S. Henderson, D.S.O., who led three bayonet charges on the same occasion. In December 1920, the Battalion was embarked for India, where it remained stationed for the next 12 years, a period that witnessed it being sent to Nagpur on two occasions in aid of the Civil Power and participating in the Burma operations of 1930-32. In the interim, Snow won assorted revolver championship cups and was commissioned as a Lieutenant and Quarter-Master in June 1927. Having risen to Major and Quarter-Master by the eve of hostilities in 1939, Snow served at the Regimental Depot at Ashton under Lyne until November 1944, when he was placed on the Retired List in the rank of Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. He died in 1961.
A rare Second World War prisoner of wars M.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer 1st Class R. "Ronnie the One" MacDonald, Australian Regular Army, late Cameron Highlanders: having been taken P.O.W. near Abbeville in June 1940, he proved uncompromising in his attitude to his captors and was regularly incarcerated in the "cooler" for persistent escape attempts - he displayed a similar attitude towards the recruits he had to train after joining the Australian Army in the 1950s, a fact confirmed by Clive James in his Unreliable Memoirs - and was awarded the Commonwealth of Australia M.S.M. for his troubles Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2927087 W.O. Cl. 2 R. MacDonald, Camerons); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf; U.N. Korea; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (2927087 W.O. Cl. 1, M.M., Camerons); Commonwealth of Australia Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R. (24767 W.O. 1, A.R.A.), the sixth with officially corrected number, contact marks, very fine and better (7) £2000-2500 M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945. The original recommendation states: Captured at St. Valery on 12 June 1940, Company Sergeant-Major MacDonald first attempted to escape while on the march to Germany. He slipped away from the column unobserved and hid in an empty building. Later the same evening the Germans made a search of the premises and he was discovered. In April 1942, whilst imprisoned in a working camp at Sernberg, he and a companion escaped by cutting the bars of the hut bathroom. They had made maps and compasses and planned to make their way to Greece and thence to Turkey. Eight days later, on the outskirts of Bratislava, they were arrested by German police. For three years MacDonald was in charge of the other ranks at Oflag IX A/Z and did valuable work for the Escape Committee. He has been highly commended for this work by the Senior British Officer and two other officers. Ronald MacDonald was born at Aird, North Uist in March 1912 and enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Cameron Highlanders (Territorials) in March 1930, prior to transferring to the Regular Army in June of the following year. Having gained advancement to Company Sergeant-Major by the outbreak of hostilities, he went out to France in B (Islands) Company of the 4th Camerons in 1940, and was taken P.O.W. at "Hedgehog Ridge", Abbeville that June: The Germans, by unlucky coincidence, had also mounted an attack for the morning of the 4th, and on their left - our right - their infantry moved out a few minutes before our barrage opened. When B Company of the 4th Camerons advanced upwards towards the "Hedgehog", they encountered, in a field of rye well in front of the hill, a German battalion quite unscathed by gunfire. There was stern fighting there. The Germans had sited numerous machine-guns in the corn, and B Company had many casualties ... Among those killed was B Companys C.O., Captain the Viscount Fincastle, and in his ensuing years in captivity MacDonald kept his late C.O.s clan kilt, eventually returning it to the officers widow at Dalness, North Argyll, at the end of the War. Latterly held at Oflag 9A at Spagenburg, MacDonald was completely uncompromising in his attitude to the Germans and his resistance earned him six months in solitary confinement ... He was liberated before the end of the War and is believed to have served in N.W. Europe, this qualifying him for the France and Germany Star (accompanying regimental letter refers). He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 February 1946), and received his M.M. from the hands of General Auchinleck at a special parade held in January 1946. After the War, MacDonald was R.S.M. of the 1st Battalion in India and Japan, 1946-47, and again from 1949-50, in which latter year he retired. But his military career was not yet over, for having emigrated to Australia he joined the Regular Australian Army and was quickly back in harnass as a Regimental Sergeant-Major, this time at Duntroon Military Academy and other training establishments, where he gained a reputation for being a disciplinarian and the sobriquet "Ronnie the One". No better illustration of this chapter in his career may be recommended than Clive James Unreliable Memoirs, in which he makes frequent reference to MacDonalds ferocious temperament (When Ronnie was really annoyed his face swelled up and turned purple like the rear of an amorous baboon). His orders, too, were delivered in a high-pitched almost supersonic scream, the more terrifying ones ending in a verb, but he led by example - His brass gleamed like gold and his leather like mahogany. On one occasion, after a young recruit had put a live mortar round upside down in the barrel, everyone was seen to scatter for cover - some tried to dig themselves into the earth. Some started climbing trees. But most of us ran. But not "Ronnie the One", who picked up the mortar, base plate included, shook out the live round and promptly ordered the offending recruit to go back through the motions - The mortar coughed. There was a crackle in the sky and a blast on the hill. Then we all marched thoughtfully back to camp. MacDonald, who was awarded the M.S.M. (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 30 August 1962, refers), settled in Adelaide and died there in October 1993; sold with a large file of research.
A Great War Western Front M.M. pair awarded to Serjeant J. Nicholls, Worcestershire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (5157 Sjt., 4/Worc. R.); Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (5157 Corpl., Worcester. Regt.) second with edge bruising and contact marks, good fine; first good very fine (2) £300-350 M.M. London Gazette 11 November 1916. Joseph Nicholls was born in Dudley, Worcestershire and enlisted into the Worcestershire Regiment in March 1893 and was to remain with them for the rest of his life. He served in South Africa where he gained the QSA and two clasps. In 1903 the Battalion went to Malta, in 1905 to India and in 1909 to Burma. Nicholls was present when the 4th Battalion was stationed at Bareilly, and took part in the Grand Parade in Delhi to mark the visit of King George V. For this participation he was awarded the Delhi Durbar Medal. After the tour in Burma the Battalion returned to England on 1 February 1915 ready for action in the First World War. The 4th Battalion left Avonmouth on 21 March 1915 as part of 88th Brigade, 29th Division. After passing through Egypt the Battalion, including Nicholls, arrived at Gallipoli on 24 April 1915 and went ashore under heavy fire. The battalion at that time consisted of 29 officers and 931 other ranks. Part of X Company reached the River Clyde and attempted to land at V Beach, but most were killed or wounded. The remainder of the Battalion landed on W Beach and formed up with Z and Y Companies in front, and X and Y Companies in support. They then moved forward using the bayonet to clear the enemy from Hill 138. In the advance towards Krithia, the Battalion again launched a bayonet charge and by the end of April had suffered 35 killed, 199 wounded and 74 missing. During May the Battalion continuously fought along the firing line between the Krithia Nullah and Gully Ravine and by the end of the month their strength was reduced to 11 officers and 483 other ranks. In June and July the Battalion took part in the Third Battle of Krithia and during this time Lieutenant H. James earned his VC for outstanding courage in defence and leading attacks. From July to December the Battalion was rarely out of action. In September they suffered heavily at Sulva Bay and amongst those killed was Lieutenant James shot by a sniper. In October all 20 officers in the Battalion were Second Lieutenants and it was not till the 26th that Captain Kerans took command of the Battalion. On the night of 7/8 January 1916 the Battalion embarked from W Beach and sailed back to Egypt. They had been in action from the beginning of the campaign to the very end and had lost 64 officers and 1550 other ranks killed, wounded or died from other causes. A total of 1614 dead. From Egypt the Battalion was posted to France, arriving at Marseilles on 20 March 1916, still part of 88 Brigade, 29th Division. In France/Flanders they fought in every major battle until the 11th November 1918, including the Somme from 1 July to the 18 November 1916, then at Albert, Le Transloy, Arras, Scarpe, Ypres 1917, Langemarck, Polcappelle, Cambrai, Estaires, Lys, Bailleul, Kemmel, Ypres 1918 and finally at Courtrai in October 1918. For his services in France, Nicholls was awarded the Military Medal. Company Sergeant-Major Joseph Nicholls died on 30 January 1919, aged 38 years, and was buried at the Holy Trinity Church, Amblecote. He was the son of Mrs May Nicolls who lived at 36 High Street, Amblecote. Sold with copied research.
Five: Corporal G. Cox, East Yorkshire Regiment, promoted a Kings Corporal for Gallantry in the Field, 19 October 1901; killed in action at Tekke Tepe, Suvla Bay, 9 August 1915 Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4340 Pte., 2 E. York. Regt.); Kings South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (4340 Corpl., E. York. Regt.); 1914-15 Star (3-6811 Cpl., E. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-6811 Cpl., E. York. R.), first two with edge bruising and contact marks, very fine and better (5) £300-400 George Cox was born in Walsall, Staffordshire. A Labourer by occupation he attested for service in the East Yorkshire Regiment on 9 August 1893, whilst still serving in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. Serving with the 2nd Battalion he landed in South Africa on 3 April 1900. On 19 December 1901 in a sharp action at Hollands Farm near Standerton (at Kaffirspruit in service papers), Cox with three others held a drift to cover the retirement of 20 other soldiers. After they had been successfully withdrawn, Cox noticed a wounded officer lying to the front, and so led a horse back to where he lay and, under severe fire rescued Lieutenant B. A. W. C. Moeller of the 2nd Battalion Middlesex Regiment. For this rescue, Cox was promoted Corporal for Gallantry in the Field. Lieutenant Moeller died of his wounds on 23 December 1901. George Cox was thereafter known in the regiment as Kings Corporal Cox. The appointment of a Kings Corporal for Gallantry in the Field was only used during the South African War. The tradition amongst the soldiers of the period was that a Kings Corporal could only be reduced in rank by the King himself! Kings Corporal Cox retired from the Army on 21 August 1905 at the termination of his period of engagement and then served four years in the Army Reserve. His Discharge Certificate states that his trade at this time was a Porter and that his intended place of residence was to be 75 Alica Street, Hull. In 1914 with the outbreak of war, Cox volunteered for the Army but at 44 years of age was deemed too old. He therefore falsified his age to gain entry and was successful in returning to the Depot of the East Yorkshire Regiment at York. On arrival however an officer recognised him, he was marched in front of his C.O. and promptly ordered to put back the two stripes he had won in the Boer War. With the 6th (Service) Battalion (Pioneers) East Yorkshire Regiment, he was posted to Gallipoli. Sailing on the Franconia, the regiment arrived there on 7 August 1915, landing from H.M.S. Theseus at C Beach at Suvla Bay and digging in on the S.E. slopes of Lala Baba. During the next day the battalion moved forward through dense scrub under heavy shellfire and perpetual sniping. On 9 August 1915 Corporal Cox was killed in action in the attack upon Tekke Tepe: About midnight on the 8th although utterly exhausted the Battalion was ordered into another attack. Colonel Moore gathered up one company and together with his Battalion HQ fought their way to the summit of Tekke Tepe. A position farther east on the heights above Suvla Bay than any other British troops. But these few men were surrounded and Colonel Moore had no choice but to surrender. As he sat down a Turkish soldier treacherously ran him through the back with a bayonet. By dawn on the 9th after a "Brilliant feat of arms, the East Yorks had penetrated to the key position - Tekke Tepe." But they were not supported, and after suffering terrible casualties had to withdraw. The other companies had moved forward in the dark to a nullah but as they entered open ground "They were met by a withering fire and to make matters worse they were enfiladed badly up the nullah from a range of hills. Men and officers dropped fast." The Turks then brought up two divisions to face this attack and "swarmed in thousands" from the foot of Tekke Tepe. The 6th Battalion held their ground but the battle for the high ground was lost. As the Regimental History states "Sufficient to say that the 6th East Yorkshire did their duty with all the strength that was in them. They alone had penetrated to the key position, with them alone lies that honour". That night the remnants of the 6th Battalion bivouacked on Beach A near the "Cut". At roll call it was found that out of 26 officers and about 800 other ranks, only 7 officers and about 300 men remained. Later many men rejoined having remained in the firing line with other units - but amongst the dead was Corporal George Cox. George Cox was the husband of Christina Cox of 3 Vallance Place, Blanket Row, Hull. His name is commemorated on the Hellas Memorial. Sold with Parchment Certificate of Discharge, dated York, 20 August 1909. On it his two Boer War medals are listed and it further states, Promoted Corporal for gallantry in the Field 19.10.1901; South Africa Army Orders of 8.1.1902. Also with a copied photograph of the recipient, copied service papers and copied research.
Seven: Acting Squadron Leader V. C. Humphrey, Auxiliary Air Force, late London and Hampshire Regiments 1914-15 Star (3018 Pte., 9-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Act. Sqn. Ldr., A.A.F.), mounted on two bars as worn; together with a mounted set of seven miniature dress medals, good very fine (14) £160-200 Victor Charles Humphrey, 9th Battalion London Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 18 August 1915. By the end of the war he had been commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the Hampshire Regiment. Sold with copied m.i.c. and some service papers.
Five: Private T. Martin, Royal Irish Rifles, latterly a Constable in the Ulster Special Constabulary 1914-15 Star (124 Pte., R. Ir. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (124 Pte., R. Ir. Rif.); Special Constabulary Long Service, E.II.R., Ulster reverse (Thomas Martin); France, Somme Medal, bronze, unnamed, mounted as worn, fine and better (5) £140-180 Private Thomas Martin, 16th (Service) Battalion (2nd Co. Down) (Pioneers) Royal Irish Rifles, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 2 October 1915. Later transferred to the Labour Corps, he was discharged sick on 22 November 1918 and was entitled to a Silver War Badge (Number B/208503 on the S.W.B. list). Sold with copied m.i.c. and other research.
Pair: Lieutenant F. R. Meeson, Royal Field Artillery, late Malay States Volunteer Rifles, wounded at Courtrai, 16 October 1918; died 4 November 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.) good very fine (2) £120-160 Fitz-Allen Ridware Meeson was born in the Parish of Kemptown, Brighton on 9 December 1891. He was the son of Alfred Wreford Meeson, who was an engraver of gold and silver and Mary Meeson. He was educated at St Dunstans College, Catford and on leaving school became an accountant living at 33 Manor Park, Lee, London until he emigrated to Kuala Lumpur in the State of Selangar, Malay Federated States. On 9 February 1909 he became a Private in the West Kent Yeomanry but retired from this unit at his own request on 21 November 1911, in order to join the Malay States Volunteer Rifles, which he did on 29 January 1913. On 12 July 1916 he resigned from the Malay States Volunteer Rifles and returned to England and attested in Lewisham on 8 November 1916. On 10 November 1916 he joined the Royal Artillery Cadet School in Exeter and was gazetted as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery (Special Reserve) on 3 March 1917. On 18 May 1917 he was posted to 13th Battery, 17th Brigade, 29th Division in France. Throughout 1917 and 1918 he had two home leaves and was in hospital twice, once for "Debility" and once for "Gastritis". He returned from his last leave on 1 September 1918 and took part in the last battle fought by the 29th Division at Courtrai. In action on 16 October, Lieutenant Meeson received a "Severe Gun Shot Wound to the Left Thigh". He was evacuated to No 8 British Red Cross Hospital and then on 22 October moved, via Boulogne, to Worsley Hall Hospital, Worsley, Manchester. On 4 November, aged 24, he died of pneumonia. Seventeen days later on the 21st November 1918 he was gazetted to be a Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery with effect from 4 September 1918. His body was moved to London and was buried in Lewisham (Hither Green) Cemetery. Sold with original Casualty Form and copied service papers.
Vietnam 1964 (57011 R. A. Grey) extremely fine £300-400 The recipients South Vietnam Medal 1964 was sold by D.N.W. 27 June 2007, lot 118. D.S.O. London Gazette 21 December 1971; Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16 December 1971. M.I.D. London Gazette 13 December 1966. Ronald Alwyn Grey was born in Perth, Western Australia on 2 July 1930. Entering the Australian Army with the service number 57011, he served in the Korea War as a Lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, 13 June-23 July 1952 and 14 August 1952-12 June 1953. In 1962 he attended the Staff College at Camberley. As a Major in the Army Service Corps he served in the Borneo confrontation and was mentioned in despatches. During the Vietnam War he was a Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 7th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment in Phuc Tuy Province, February 1970-March 1971, for which services he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In 1973 he was appointed Australian Army Representative in Australia House, The Strand, London. He retired from the Australian Army as a Major-General. In 1988 Major-General Grey was commissioned to undertake a comprehensive review of the rescue services in New South Wales. The recommendations of the study were implemented by the N.S.W. Government in 1989. The medal was a gift to the recipient who received two named examples.
A Great War Western Front M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant L. Henshaw, South Lancashire Regiment, late Manchester Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed; 1914-15 Star (2027 Pte., Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. (Lieut.), contained in glass-fronted fitted case, last with slight edge bruising, very fine and better (4) £800-900 M.C. London Gazette 10 December 1919. T/Lt., 11th Bn. S. Lan. R. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in bridging operations near Landrecies on the 4th November 1918. His behaviour throughout the whole operation was largely responsible for his sections success in bridging the Sambre-Oise Canal. Although early on in the operations he was wounded in the shoulder he remained at duty and saw that the infantry were ferried across. M.I.D. London Gazette 24 December 1917 Lindley Henshaw entered the Balkan theatre of war as a Private with the Manchester Regiment on 5 May 1915. He was discharged to a commission on 19 June 1916. Sold with copied m.i.c. and gazette extracts.
A Great War D.C.M. group of five awarded to Corporal H. Holcroft, South Lancashire Regiment, originally recommended for the Victoria Cross, for gallantry at Festubert on 10 April 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (241694 Pte., 1/5 S. Lan. R.); 1914-15 Star (4152 Pte., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (4152 Cpl., S. Lan. R.); France, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918, bronze star on ribbon, good very fine (5) £1400-1800 D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918, 241694 Pte. (A./Cpl.) H. Holcroft, S. Lanc. R. (nr. Wigan). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. While a platoon of his company was moving forward to counter-attack a party of the enemy on the right flank this man rushed out of a trench on his own initiative and single-handed attacked a machine gun and its crew which was checking the advance. He killed two, capturing the gun and four prisoners. He afterwards went out several times under heavy fire bringing in wounded. Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 July 1919. Harry Mad Ginger Holcroft was born in Crawford Village, near Rainford. A miner by occupation, he volunteered for service in the Army at the outbreak of the Great War, giving a false date of birth, being 17 years of age at the time. He joined the 5th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment and entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 28 October 1915. He was recommended for the Victoria Cross and awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry at Festubert on 10 April 1918. The original recommendation states: Rfn. Holcroft. H. is strongly recommended for reward for excellent work and devotion to duty throughout the last tour of duty in the line and particularly for his epic gallantry when during an enemy attack on Loisne Central Keep on 10th inst. he attacked single handed and on his own initiative an enemy machine gun and crew which was holding up and inflicting losses on our counter attacking platoon. He killed two and captured four others and the machine gun thereby facilitating the operations of the counter attack. Afterwards he repeatedly patrolled up to the enemy trench clearing our own dead and wounded and securing documents and identifications from the enemy dead. Also at great personal risk, locating the body of Lt. Dymond who was killed on the enemy wire whilst exploiting the success of the counter attack and securing from his person very valuable company documents. A further recommendation continues: On the night of the 19 /20 June/18 while taking part in a raid on the enemy lines, the above (Holcroft) showed a great example to his comrades by his magnificent bearing throughout the operation. He also helped to get the wounded back to a place of safety under very heavy machine gun fire. Prior to the raid this man did good patrol work & brought back very useful information about the enemy ... For the above actions he was additionally awarded the French Croix de Guerre. Holcroft was discharged on 30 January 1919 and was awarded the Silver War Badge. After the war he was for some time the landlord of the Colliers Arms at Kings Moss, and was for a number of years employed by Pilkington Glass. He died in St. Helens, Lancashire, at the age of 92 years. Sold with a folder of copied research including a photocopied photograph of the recipient; copied m.i.c., copied handwritten reports of his gallantry by his commanding officers; copied recommendations; copied gazette extracts; photographs of the recipient in later life and newspaper cuttings with his obituary.
A Great War Western Front D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 T. Dearden, South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (240533 C.S. Mjr., 1/5 S. Lan. R.); 1914-15 Star (2327 Pte., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2327 W.O. Cl.2, S. Lan. R.), mounted for wear, good very fine (4) £1200-1400 D.C.M. London Gazette 11 March 1920. 240533 C.S.M. T. Dearden, 1/5th Bn. S. Lan. R., T.F. (St. Helens) For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September, 1916, at Delville Wood, when in command of a bombing section, he enabled his section to establish an advanced bombing block in a trench occupied by the enemy. It was due to him that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting. Sold with two copied recommendations: (a) For consistent gallantry and devotion to duty in the field since February 1915. This Acting Warrant Officer has invariably shewn a fine fighting spirit and marked gallantry in many engagements. His keeness, energy, and disregard of personal danger, have at all times been of the highest value to his Company. He has been wounded twice, on one occasion remaining at duty. (b) For gallantry in action on many occasions. In September 1916 at Delville Wood when acting N.C.O. i/c Bombing Section this W.O. by his gallantry and resourcefulness enabled his section to establish an advanced Bombing Block in a trench held by the enemy. It was due to his gallantry and initiative that the block was held through five hours continuous fighting, and he did not leave his post till the battalion was relieved six days later when the position was handed over firmly established. On the 9th of April near La Bassee after the first shock of the enemy attack this N.C.O. who was then commanding a platoon was sent up to hold a forward trench. For four days he held the trench under constant and heavy shell fire and during this time his example and gallantry inspired his platoon to maintain a stubborn resistance and offensive spirit. This W.O. has acted as C.S.M. for five months and has always proved himself resourceful and set a fine example to the men of his Company. He has not previously been decorated, though recommended for rewards on at least two occasions. Also with copied m.i.c. and other research and with three original postcards - one inscribed, postmarked Dartford 28 June 1915, in which he writes from hospital to his mother at 116 Peter Street, St. Helens, Lancashire.
A Great War Western Front D.C.M. group of three awarded to Serjeant J. Martin, South Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (12313 Cpl.-A. Sjt., 1/5 S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (12313 Sjt., S. Lan. R.) some edge bruising, contact marks, fine (3) £700-900 D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919. 12313 Cpl. (A./Sjt.) J. Martin, 1/5th Bn., S. Lan. R. (T.F.) (Warrington). For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near La Bassee on the 20th September, 1918. When the enemy attempted to work round the right flank of his company, this N.C.O. led two sections from a pill-box they were holding to a position commanding the approaches from the right flank. This movement was carried out under heavy fire, several of his men being killed or wounded. Handling a Lewis gun with great skill, he inflicted great loss on the enemy and frustrated the attempt to outflank his company. On several occasions he has carried out cool and daring reconnaissances. Private James Martin entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 18 July 1915 and was entitled to a 1914-15 Star. He was placed in Class Z Reserve on 13 February 1919. Sold with copied m.i.c. and copy of citation.
A Great War Western Front M.M. group of ten awarded to Serjeant E. Carr, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (3325 L. Cpl., 1/5 S. Lanc. R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (3325 Pte., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3325 Sjt., S. Lan. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, slight contact marks, generally very fine (10) £400-450 M.M. London Gazette 16 November 1916. Edward Carr was born in St. Helens, Lancashire. A Miner by occupation, he enlisted into the 5th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment at St. Helens on 9 November 1914, aged 19 years 10 months. With the 1/5th Battalion he served in France, 6 May 1915-3 August 1917. He was promoted to Lance-Corporal in September 1915 and Corporal in August 1916. For his bravery in action, he was awarded the Military Medal in November 1916. Carr gained the rank of Acting Serjeant in December 1916 and was confirmed in that rank on 23 July 1917. He received a gunshot wound to the right shoulder on 31 July 1917 for which he was evacuated to England. He was discharged on 6 January 1919 and was a recipient of the Silver War Badge. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers.
A Great War Western Front M.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Corporal R. Price, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (240303 L. Cpl., 1/5 S. Lanc. R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1901 Pte., S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1901 Pte., S. Lan. R.) good very fine (4) £350-400 M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917.
Family group: A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Private W. H. Wilson, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (43882 Pte.-L. Cpl, 5/S. Lan. R.); British War and Victory Medals (43882 Pte., S. Lan. R.) Three: Able Seaman T. Wilson, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (J.36503 Boy, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.36503 A.B., R.N.), first group good very fine; second group with contact marks, fine (6) £320-360 M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. William Hawman Wilson came from Whitby, North Yorkshire.
A Great War Western Front M.M. awarded to Corporal J. H. Clarke, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (2514 Cpl., 1/5 S. Lanc. R.-T.F.) slight contact marks, very fine £200-240 M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916. Private James H. Clarke, South Lancashire Regiment, entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 13 February 1915. He later served in the Royal Engineers and was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
A Great War Western Front M.M. awarded to Private W. Kelly, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (241205 Pte., 1/5 S. Lanc. R.-T.F.) some edge bruising and contact marks, good fine £160-200 M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917. William Kelly came from St. Helens. With the South Lancashire Regiment he entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 8 August 1915. Entitled to the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory Medals.
A R W Martin & Brothers stoneware double face jug One side a merry happy gentleman the reverse looks debauched and the victim of self indulgence, (from the moral ‘If sinners entice thee, Consent thou not!’ proverbs 1 V10), the moulded and incised design with an all over salt glaze, marked to base R. W. Martin & Bros London Southall, 222mm high
A Medal Group, comprising 1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, Africa Star with bar North Africa 1942-43, a Burma Star with Pacific bar, British War Medal, Naval General Service Medal with bars Malaya and South East Asia 1946-46 and Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, the latter named to EX670867 S R Selley Acting Petty Officer HMS Simbang See illustration
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