![Five: Private S. Philp, Devonshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (5450 Pte. J. Phelp [sic]. De](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/b10f5af9-c128-409f-9dfa-b28e00f6e5c4/c07bdf6c-dc70-4ea5-84d0-b28e00fb9b17/468x382.jpg)
Five: Private S. Philp, Devonshire Regiment Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (5450 Pte. J. Phelp [sic]. Devon: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5450 Pte. J. Philp. Devon: Regt.); 1914 Star, with clasp (5450 Pte. S. Philps [sic]. 1/Devon R.); British War and Victory Medals (5450 Pte. S. Philps [sic]. Devon. R.) edge bruising and contact marks to the Boer War pair, these nearly very fine; the Great War trio better (5) £240-£280 --- Louis Stanley Philp was born in Bodmin, Cornwall in 1881. He attested for the Devonshire Regiment on 1 October 1899 and embarked for South Africa 17 October 1900 to join the 2nd Battalion. Returning to England in 1903 he subsequently transferred to the 1st Battalion and at the outbreak of the Great War was stationed at St Helier, Jersey. The battalion embarked for France and joined the British Expeditionary Force at Le Havre on 22 August 1914. Taking part in the early actions, he was wounded leading to him being medically discharged on 29 March 1915. Returning to Cornwall he died at Lostwithiel on 6 April 1962, aged 81. Sold with photographic image of the recipient and other research.
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A Great War ‘Palestine’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private R. J. Kingwell, Devonshire Regiment, for his gallantry in bringing in a wounded officer during the raid on Umbrella Hill Military Medal, G.V.R. (241004 Pte. R. J. Kingwell. 1/5 Devon: R.-T.F.); British War and Victory Medals (241004 Pte. R. F. Kingwell. Devon. R.) good very fine (3) £240-£280 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1917: ‘For most gallant behaviour on the night of 20/21 July 1917 in connection with the raid on Umbrella Hill, Palestine – together with 2/Lt H. Mitchell he volunteered to bring in a wounded officer under heavy shell and rifle fire.’ Reginald John Kingwell was born in Torquay, Devon in 1895. Having enlisted in the 5th (Territorial) Battalion Devonshire Regiment he joined them in Lahore, India in 1916. The battalion embarked from India to join the Egypt Expeditionary Force arriving at Suez on 4 April 1917. Moving to El Arish in May 1917 they assisted in the raid on Umbrella Hill on 20 July 1917. As a member of No 8 Platoon ‘B’ Company 1/5th Devonshire Regiment Kingwell was recommended for the Military Medal for his bravery at Umbrella Hill by his company commander Captain C. N. Spooner. The battalion took part in many of the subsequent actions in Palestine culminating in the successful action at Berukin on 10 April 1918. Withdrawn from Palestine the battalion embarked for France disembarking at Marseilles on 1 June 1918 and taking part the final actions of the Great War, with their final involvement in the crossing of the River Sambre on 5 November 1918. Following his disembodiment Kingwell was employed by the Great Western Railway at Plymouth. He died at Swindon on 18 July 1959, aged 64. Sold with copied research.
Seven: Sergeant W. P. Green, Middlesex Regiment, later Royal Air Force, a recipient of the scarce clasp for Southern Desert, Iraq 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (L-10953 L.Cpl. W. R [sic]. Green. 4/Midd’x R.); British War and Victory Medals (L-10953 Sjt. W. P. Green. Midd’x R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (356491. Cpl. W. P. Green. R.A.F.); War Medal 1939-45; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (10953 Sjt: W. Green. 11/Midd’x: R.); Iraq, Kingdom, Active Service Medal, no clasp, mounted court-style for wear, light contact marks, the Great War awards slightly polished, these nearly very fine; the later awards better (7) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 4 June 1917. William Percival Green was born in East Finchley, London, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment at Mill Hill on 22 January 1906. Transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 June 1912, he was recalled to the Colours on the outbreak of the Great War, and served as a Lance-Corporal with the 4th Battalion on the Western Front from 31 August 1914, as part of a draft of reinforcements sent to the battalion following their losses at Mons. Advanced Sergeant and posted on attachment to the 32nd Light Trench Mortar Battery, his name was published in the Casualty List on 17 June 1917, and for his services he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, one of 176 awards of the Meritorious Service Medal made to the Middlesex Regiment during the Great War. Discharged on 31 March 1920, Green subsequently re-enlisted as a Corporal with the Royal Air Force, and qualified as a Cook and Butcher on 12 November 1923, being then employed as such for the remainder of his service. In 1928 when serving most probably with either No. 4 or No. 5 Armoured Car Company, he saw service in the operations against the Akhwan in the Southern Desert of Iraq, service which qualified him for the General Service Medal 1918-1962, with the rare clasp for Southern Desert, Iraq. He was discharged on 5 November 1929, and returned to live in Finchley, London. Subsequently enlisting as an Aircraftman 1st Class with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 22 March 1941, he was employed during the war at R.A.F. Medmenham in Buckinghamshire, before being discharged physically unfit for further service on 11 October 1943. He died in East Finchley in 1965. Sold with the recipient’s British Army Parchment Certificate of Service, dated 2 July 1920; Discharge Certificate, dated 31 March 1920; Army Second Class Certificate of Education, dated 29 February 1912; Royal Air Force Statement of Discharge of an Airman’s Qualifications and Employment for the trade of Cook and Butcher, dated 5 November 1929; Royal Air Force Brief Statement of Service and Certificate of Discharge, dated 17 August 1943; and other ephemera.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Company Sergeant-Major W. F. Dachtler, 23rd Battalion, London Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (700861 C.S. Mjr: W. F. Dachtler. 1/23 Lond: R.); 1914-15 Star (3268 Pte. W. F. Dechtler. 23-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (3268 W.O. Cl. 2. W. F. Dechtler. 23 Lond. R.) mounted for display, light pitting from star, otherwise good very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1918; citation published 17 April 1918:
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During an engagement he reconnoitred the enemy’s position under very difficult conditions, and obtained valuable information. He always showed great courage and determination at his work.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1917. William Frederick Dachtler was born in London on 23 April 1894, and was a wharf clerk on the River Thames prior to his enlistment into the 23rd London Regiment on 15 October 1914. He served during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 March 1915 until 24 March 1918, when he was taken prisoner. He remained a prisoner of war in German hands until released on 14 December 1918. After the war he spent some time recovering at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, and was granted a Disability Pension. He migrated with his wife to Australia in April 1928 and was afterwards an Insurance Inspector with the Colonial Mutual Life Company until retirement. He was resident at Mount Lawley, Western Australia, and had two sons: William Benjamin, who served in the Royal Australian Navy, and James Frederick, who was Australian Catamaran Champion in 1968, and a Champion Yachtsman in 1975. Sold with original Chelsea Hospital letter concerning D.C.M. Gratuity and Disablement Pension; 23rd London Regiment cap badge and shoulder title; two photographic images of the recipient; and copied research.
Six: Sergeant S. J. Withycombe, Devonshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (10201 Pte. S. J. Withycombe. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (10201 Pte. S. J. Withycombe. Devon. R.); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (5608737 Sjt. S. J. Withycombe. Devon. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, Regular Army (5608737 Cpl. S. J. Withycombe. Devon R.) the Great War trio heavily polished and worn, therefore fair; the later awards good very fine and better (6) £240-£280 --- Sidney James Withycombe was born in Totnes, Devon in 1897. A Quarryman by occupation he enlisted into the Devonshire Regiment on 20 August 1914 and was posted to the newly formed 8th (Service) Battalion under training at Rushmoor Camp. Embarking with his battalion on 25 July 1915 for France he took part in the actions on the Somme and around Ypres during 1915-17. With the 8th Battalion he entrained for Italy on 18 November 1917 and again saw action this time on the Asiago Plateau and the crossing of the River Piave on 26 October 1918. Attesting ‘In the Field’ for a further four years’ service on 27 January 1919, he was posted to the reformed 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment and embarked for India with his battalion to serve at Quetta, Baluchistan and further extending his length of service in 1922. Posted to the Depot, Exeter in February 1927, he was shortly after posted to the 1st Battalion serving with the Shanghai Defence Force on 20 April 1927, and later in Malta. Returning to the Depot, Exeter, on 9 July 1931, he was presented with his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal by the Colonel of the Regiment on 29 July 1933. Awarded the King’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935, he was discharged to pension 2 March 1936. He was awarded his Meritorious Service Medal without gratuity per Army Order 98 of December 1953. Known within his regiment as ‘Sid’ and well respected, he died at Cullompton on 6 January 1993 aged 95, his death being recorded in the Regimental Newsletter March 1993. Sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Service (Red Book); copied service records, a copy newspaper clipping including an image of him wearing his medals, and other research.
Six: Sergeant G. Wilkinson, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, later Devonshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (202146 Pte. G. Wilkinson. D. of Corn. L.I..); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (202146 Pte. G. Wilkinson. 5-D.C.L.I.); Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial, with two Additional Award Bars (5612210 Sjt. G. Wilkinson. 5-Devon R.) mounted for wear, light contact marks, good very fine and better (6) £140-£180 --- George Rodney Wilkinson was born at Torpoint, Cornwall in 1893. A Labourer by occupation, he attested for the Territorial Army on 22 March 1910 and joined ‘B’ Company, 5th Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. Embodied with his battalion as a qualified Signaller on 4 August 1914 he embarked for France on 14 February 1917. Returning to England on 31 December 1918 he was demobilised on 11 February 1919. Moving to South Brent, Devon, and employed as Builder’s Labourer, Wilkinson again attested for the Territorial Army on 1 March 1922 and was posted to the 5th (POW) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, regularly attending the annual camps during the inter-War years. Awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in August 1922, he was promoted Sergeant in 1934 and was awarded his Efficiency Medal in 1937. Embodied during the Second World War with the 5th Battalion he served at home during the war years before being discharged ‘Permanently Unfit’ on 4 July 1945, his two additional award bars to his Efficiency Medal being awarded in 1947. He died at South Brent on 3 January 1969, aged 75. Sold with copied service records and other research.
Pair: Acting Sergeant E. C. Price, Devonshire Regiment, who was awarded the M.S.M. for valuable services in India British War Medal 1914-20 (2603 Pte. E. C. Price. Devon. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (265962 Pte. -A. Sjt.- E. C. Price. 1/6 Devon R.) extremely fine, the MSM scarce to unit (2) £100-£140 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 September 1920: ‘For valuable services in India.’ Eric Charles Price was born in Ilfracombe, North Devon in 1894. A Law Clerk by occupation he enlisted in the 6th (Territorial) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, was embodied on 4 August 1914, and embarked with his battalion for India on 9 October 1914. Remaining in India for the duration of the Great War, for his services he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. This is his sole medallic entitlement; he was not entitled to either a Star or a Victory Medal. The 1921 Census records him as a Civil Servant employed by the India Office,; the 1939 Register as a Civil Servant residing in Wandsworth; and in the final record traced he is a Customs Chairman bound for St John, Newfoundland, on 24 October 1939. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient and copied research.
A fine Second War ‘Malta operations’ O.B.E., Baltic 1919 Operations D.S.C., Order of St. John group of twelve awarded to Captain E. J. F. Price, Royal Navy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1919, the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Lieut. E. J. F. Price, R.N., “Baltic”, 1919’; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s breast badge, silver and enamel, with heraldic beasts in angles; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. E. J. F. Price, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E. J. F. Price, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display, the earlier awards with contact marks, lacquered overall, otherwise generally very fine (12) £1,800-£2,200 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: R. C. Witte Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, June 2013. O.B.E. London Gazette 6 October 1942: ‘For bravery, endurance and sustained devotion to duty at Malta and at sea during and after the passage of an important convoy’. Seedie’s roll confirms award for ‘Malta Convoy, March-April 1942’. D.S.C. London Gazette 8 March 1920: ‘Honours for services in the Baltic, 1919’. M.I.D. London Gazette 19 August 1941. Seedie’s roll confirms award for services at ‘Fire, Essex, Malta. Edward Joseph Francis Price was appointed a Midshipman in January 1907 and, having enjoyed seagoing experience in the Mediterranean, was serving as a Lieutenant in the destroyer H.M.S. Grampus by the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Ordered to the Dardanelles in the following year, Grampus was involved in one of the failed attempts to finish off the stranded submarine E-15 off Kephaz Point, in addition to supporting the landing of the 11th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, in Suvla Bay in early August 1915. Having then served in the cruiser Diamond from January 1916 to June 1918, Price joined the light cruiser Phaeton in August 1919, in which capacity he was awarded his D.S.C. for his services as her Navigating Officer in the Baltic before the year’s end - an award undoubtedly reflecting Phaeton’s part in maintaining the Allied blockade of Libau against German shipping in October-November, during which period she carried out a successful shore bombardment in support of a Latvian contingent. He was also advanced to Lieutenant-Commander in March 1920. Placed on the Retired List as a Commander in June 1933, Price was recalled on the renewal of hostilities and was appointed Sea Transport Officer in Charge in Malta during 1940. And he remained similarly employed throughout the island’s siege, latterly as Divisional Sea Transport Officer in the acting rank of Captain. He was Mentioned in Despatches for his part in the rescue operations of the M.V. Essex on the occasion she was hit by a heavy bomb while being unloaded in harbour - miraculously her cargo of thousands of tons of ammunition did not explode. He was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in October 1942 for his services as D.S.T.O. during an important convoy to Malta in March and April 1942, and was released from service in early 1945. Sold with copied research.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (R. F. Rand. Surgeon.) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- Richard Frederick Rand was born in 1858 and was educated at the University of Edinburgh. In 1890 he immigrated to South Africa and volunteered for service with the expedition to occupy Mashonaland. Appointed Medical Officer to the British South Africa Company’s Police from 1895 to 1899, he was Surgeon to the Fort Salisbury Hospital. He served with distinction during the Boer War, when he was put in charge of the Military Hospital on Robert’s Heights, and saw further service during the Great War in the campaigns in South-West Africa and in East Africa. Retiring in 1935, he returned to England and died on 3 January 1937. Sold with copied research, which states that he was reputedly offered a knighthood by Cecil Rhodes.
British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (2nd C/W/O. G. R. Nicholls. 4th S.A.I.; Sjt. J. J. Taljaard. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. J. H. C. Bell. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. G. G. Berry. 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of all, generally very fine (4) £80-£100 --- George Reginald Nicholls was born in Frome, Somerset, around 1882, and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 12 August 1915. Disembarked at Marseilles on 20 April 1916, he was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 11 August 1916, and for his services during the Great War was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 28 December 1917). Transferred to the 4th Regiment on 5 September 1918, he returned home to South Africa per Walmer Castle in May 1919. Joachim Jacobus Taljaard initially served with the 1st South African Infantry at Aruocha, Kondoa, New Moschi and M’buyuni, East Africa. Returned home suffering from malaria, he recovered and embarked for England per Caronia on 4 March 1918. He joined the 4th Regiment on the Western Front on 17 August 1918 and was discharged at Maitland in May 1919. John Henry Cleveland Bell was born in Cape Colony in 1894 and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 20 September 1915. His papers state that he suffered a shrapnel wound to the neck during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, and cordite burns to the legs and hands in March 1918. He was later captured by the Germans on 2 April 1918 and was discharged at Maitland in August 1919. George Gilbert Berry was born in Wales in 1877 and attested for the Railway Company, 1st South African Infantry, in January 1918. Posted to the Western Front with the 4th Regiment 17 August 1918, he was wounded at duty on 17 October 1918 and was admitted to hospital with boils. He was later discharged in 1919. Sold with copied service records for all four recipients.
Seven: Warrant Officer A. R. Gale, 8th Regiment, South African Infantry, later Union Defence Force British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. A. R. Gale. 8th. S.A.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these all officially impressed ‘14265 A. R. Gale’; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st (bilingual) issue, Union of South Africa (W.O. 2 A. R. Gale G.S.C.); together with a Masonic Ear Medal, bronze, with bronze star on riband, generally very fine (8) £70-£90
Pair: Private W. Jenkinson, Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916; on this date temporary Major S. W. Loudoun-Shand, of the same battalion, was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross British War and Victory Medals (19119 Pte. W. Jenkinson. York. R.) good very fine (2) £180-£220 --- Wilfred Jenkinson was born in York on 26 April 1893, and attested for the Yorkshire Regiment at Leeds. He served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On this date, the battalion was involved in support of the main attack at Fricourt; it was here that temporary Major S. W. Loudoun-Shand, leading ‘B’ Company, and seeing that his men were experiencing difficulty in leaving their trenches, immediately leapt onto the parapet and assisted them over the top. In the face of enemy machine gun fire the officer helped and encourage his man but soon fell mortally wounded. For his conspicuous bravery and leadership, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Jenkinson was amongst those killed; he has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with copied research.
A rare Second War ‘Coastal Command - Film Production Unit’ Boston Pilot’s D.F.C., ‘Malta’ Blenheim Pilot’s D.F.M. group of seven awarded to Flying Officer R. E. Gillman, Royal Air Force, who served as Officer Commanding the R.A.F.’s Film Production Unit in 1944, and later, as Chief Training Captain, British European Airways Corporation, was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (1260024 Sgt. R. E. Gillman. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, good very fine (7) £6,000-£8,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 10 October 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘During June, July and August 1944, F/O Gillman, of the Film Production Unit of the Directorate of Public Relations, while temporarily attached to Coastal Command, carried out a number of operations in company with Beaufighters of Nos. 16 and 19 Groups. On several of these sorties he flew a Boston I aircraft, armed only with two Vickers guns and with no self-sealing fuel tanks, against heavily defended enemy convoys and also carried out a number of reconnaissance sorties un-escorted in search of enemy U-Boats, which had previously been attacked by Coastal Command aircraft. F/O Gillman's crew consisted of one Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and two cameramen. Consequently, F/O Gillman had to do his own D.R. navigation although his aircraft was equipped with no modern navigational aids. The extreme endurance of the aircraft was less than four hours and on nearly every occasion he landed with only 15/20 minutes petrol left. On several sorties unique films were obtained by the cameramen thanks largely to the skill with which F/O Gillman presented them with targets in spite of the danger from flak. At all times, both on the ground and in the air, he showed himself outstandingly keen, capable and persevering. These films certainly would not have been obtained without his patience and persistence in waiting until the right opportunity presented itself and then pressing in despite opposition from the enemy.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 2 December 1941: ‘In November, 1941, this airman participated in a shipping sweep over the Ionian Sea. Two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer were observed and, despite intense fire from all 3 vessels, 1 of them was attacked at mast height. Sergeant Gillman pressed home his attack and, although his aircraft was hit several times by shell-fire, he scored 2 direct hits on the ship which caught fire and became enveloped in thick black smoke. This airman displayed great courage and determination throughout the attack.’ The original Recommendation, for an Immediate award, gives some additional details: ‘On 17th November 1941 in company with six other Blenheims on a shipping sweep over the lonian Sea, the formation sighted two merchant vessels escorted by a destroyer. During the run-up at mast height to attack one of the merchant vessels, there was intense fire from the merchant vessels, also from the destroyer. In spite of the opposition, Sergeant Gillman pressed home his attack and though his aircraft was hit several times, he scored two direct hits. The ship shortly afterwards was enveloped in thick black smoke which rose to a great height. Last seen, the ship was on fire with a pall of smoke to 2,000 feet. As a result of this courageous action one ship is claimed as seriously damaged and probably sunk.’ Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 2 June 1962: Captain Ronald Edward Gillman, D.F.C., D.F.M., Senior Training Captain, British European Airways Corporation. Ronald Edward Gillman was born at Thornton Heath, Surrey, on 31 January 1921 and joined the Royal Air force in November 1940. Posted to 17 Operational Training Unit (Blenheims) at Upwood in May 1941, he received his first operational posting to 114 Squadron in July 1941, based at R.A.F. West Roynham. His first operational sortie, as Pilot of Blenheim Mk IV 2224, was attacking a convoy off the French coast on 8 September 1941; a week later he attacked a convoy off the Frisian Islands, scoring a direct hit on a 5,000 ton merchant vessel. Posted to 107 Squadron, based at R.A.F. Luqa, Malta, at the beginning of November 1941, Gillman took part in the attack on a convoy in the Mediterranean on 8 November, attacking and sinking a 3,000 ton merchant vessel, with his aircraft being hit by machine gun fire. On 17 November he attacked a convoy consisting of one Destroyer and two Merchant Vessels; he claimed three direct hits on one of the merchant vessels, which subsequently sunk, and for the leader of the attack he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. Further operational sorties that year included an attack on Tripoli harbour on 19 December, during which he encountered fighter opposition and intense flak. Gillman subsequently chronicled his wartime experiences as a Blenheim pilot in Malta in his book ‘The Shiphunters’; reviewed by Group Captain Leonard Cheshire, V.C., Cheshire wrote: ‘It takes one almost into the aircradft itself and enables one to appreciate in remarkable detail what their crews must have experienced. An utterly convincing book, written in a vivid, gripping style.’ Posted to No. 13 Operational Training Unit, R.A.F. Bicester, as a Blenheim Instructor in April 1942, Gillman was commissioned Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 3 February 1943, before being posted to the Royal Air Force’s No. 1. Film Production Unit, based at R.A.F. Benson, on 3 March 1944. The R.A.F’s Film Production Unit had been established in August 1941, No. 1 F.P.U. being the H.Q. unit based at Pinewood Studios, from whence emerged No. 2 F.P.U. to cover operations in the Middle East, No. 3 F.P.U. to cover the Far East and, finally, in April 1944, No. 4 F.P.U. to cover the Normandy landings and operations in North-West Europe. Given that part of their brief was to accompany aircraft on operations, the cameramen shared fully in the risks undertaken by regular aircrew, with 13 R.A.F. P.R.U. cameramen to losing their lives, in addition to others who were taken Prisoner of War. By the War’s end the R.A.F’s cameramen had shot over 1,640,000 feet of newsreels; much of that footage today survives in the collection of the Imperial War Museum. Temporarily attached to Coastal Command, Gillman’s first operational sortie with this unit, flying a Boston 1 aircraft armed only with two Vickers guns, was an attack on enemy destroyers off Ilse de Bas with 404 and 114 Squadrons on 9 June 1944; further operational sorties included ‘filming convoy attack off Frisian Islands’ on 6 July 1944, during which ‘2 Beaus shot down. Flak intense’; ‘Shipping in Les Sables d’Olonne’ on 8 August 1944, ‘Flak intense and accurate. 1 Beau lost’; ‘Operations Den Helder’ on 23 September 1944, ‘Gasometer set afire. Radio station beaten up’; and ‘Operations Den Helder’ on 25 September 1944, ‘Flak intense. 5 aircraft lost.’ For his services as with the Film Production Unit, Gillman was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Advanced Flying Officer on 23 December 1944, Gillman relinquished his commission in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve following the cessation of hostilities, and subsequently took up employment with British European Airways Corporation. Ultimately serving as B.E.A.’s Chief Training Captain, he was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air. He subsequently chronicled his ...
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (14 Q.M. Sjt: R. Dampier. N. Eng: Mtd: Rif:) polished and worn, good fine £160-£200 --- Robert Dampier served with the New England Mounted Rifles during the Boer War, and was taken Prisoner of War, along with 10 others, at Glen Almond on 22 June 1901.
Three: Private A. Mackay, 14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish), London Regiment 1914 Star (1750 Pte. A. Mackay. 14/Lond: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1750 Pte. A. Mackay. 14-Lond. R.) good very fine (3) £70-£90 --- Angus Mackay attested for the 14th (County of London) Battalion (London Scottish), London Regiment, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. He subsequently transferred to the Army Service Corps.
1914 Star (1761 Pte. G. H. Avis. 1/Manch: R.) very fine £60-£80 --- George Harold Avis was born in Wrotham, Kent in 1879. He attested into the Manchester Regiment around 1897 and served in Ireland and India as a Bandsman, before service during the Great War with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 27 August 1914. He died of wounds on 12 March 1915 and is buried in the Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, France. He is further commemorated on the Bromley (Kent) War Memorial. Sold with the original named bestowal slip for the award of the British War Medal and Victory Medals, this torn; and copied Medal Index Card and other research.
Family Group: Four: Private W. B. Cherry, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, later South African Corps of Signals (Pigeon Service) British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. W. B. Cherry. 4th S.A.I.); War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these both officially impressed ‘240619 W. B. Cherry’, traces of adhesive to reverse of all, nearly very fine and better Pair: Airman R. J. Cherry, South African Air Force War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, these both officially impressed ‘543385 R. J. Cherry’, very fine (6) £100-£140 --- William Bird Cherry was born in Port Elizabeth in 1886 and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 7 September 1915. Disembarked at Marseilles on 20 April 1916, he was wounded in action during the Battle of the Somme on 13 July 1916. Admitted to the 3rd General Hospital the following day suffering from shell shock, he returned to the trenches on 24 November 1916 and later suffered a barbed wire wound to the knee in September 1917. Returned home to his wife at Port Elizabeth, Cherry returned to service from 3 September 1941 with the South African Corps of Signals. Transferred to the South African Corps of Signals Pigeon Service 22 February 1943, his record confirms entitlement to the War and Africa Service Medals. Ronald James Cherry, an apprentice wood machinist, was born on 5 February 1923, the son of the above, and attested for the South African Air Force on 24 April 1942, training as a wireless operator. Posted to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Regiment on 4 January 1943, he was discharged at his own request 4 months later. Sold with copied service records for both father and son.
Six: Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer R. W. G. Steggles, Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (MX.49384 R. W. G. Steggles. S.B.C.P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke.) mounted as worn, the M.I.D. emblem fitted with pin-back suspension, nearly extremely fine (6) £100-£140 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1941 (for service in H.M.S. Kelvin). Sold with copied research.
General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (2), (14436070 Spr. R. Heseldin. R.E.; T/6216989 W.O. Cl. 2. L. J. Smith. R.A.S.C.) number officially corrected on the first, very fine (2) £50-£70 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK ---
India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1891 (Lieutt. H. R. F. Anderson S.C.) official correction to first letter of unit, otherwise extremely fine £180-£220 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2006. Horace Robert Francis Anderson was born in August 1863 and commissioned into the Yorkshire Regiment in August 1883. Transferred as Lieutenant to the Lancashire Fusiliers in October 1883, he was appointed to the Indian Staff Corps in January 1885. In 1891 he served on the Staff Corps in the operations against the Hassanzais and Akazais tribesmen and was awarded a medal and mentioned in despatches. Advanced to Captain in August 1894 and Major in August 1901, he died on 20 August 1903 on board S.S. Oriental en route to Aden.
Four: Supply Officer F. R. Cooper, Preston Corps, St. John Ambulance Brigade, later Royal Army Medical Corps Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (1364 Sply: Ofcr: F. R. Cooper. St. John Amb: Bde:); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (1364. Sergt. F. R. Cooper. Preston Corps) minor official correction to rank; British War and Victory Medals (79328 Pte. F. R. Cooper. R.A.M.C.); together with a St. Jon Ambulance Association silver prize medal, the reverse engraved ‘N.E.L. County Corps Ambulance Review Preston June 17th. 1899 Cup Winners F. R. Cooper.’; a St. John Ambulance Brigade silver fob medal; and the recipient’s St. Jon Ambulance Association Re-examination Cross, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘No. Frank R. Cooper 71263’, nearly very fine and better (7) £300-£400
Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Corunna, Barrosa, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Toulouse (I. Sampson, R. Waggon Train.) nearly extremely fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Glendining’s, July 1927 and December 1965; Spink, April 1971. Unique combination of clasps to M.G.S. medal.
Four: Private D. Zinn, South African Forces, late Brabant’s Horse Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (39134 Tpr: D. E. Zinn. Brabant’s Horse; 1914-15 Star (Dvr. D. Zinn S.A.S.C.-T.&R.); British War Medal 1914-20 ((Pte. D. Zinn 9th. Infantry.); Bilingual Victory Medal (Dvr. D. Zinn S.A.S.C. T.&R.) very fine (4) £120-£160
A Great War 1915 ‘Neuve Chapelle’ D.C.M., ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of nine awarded to Company Sergeant-Major, later Lieutenant-Colonel, C. A. Warmer, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment, who was twice wounded Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10831 L. Cpl. C. A. Warmer. 1/N. & D. Regt.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (10831 A.C.S. Mjr. C. A. Warmer. 1/N. & D.R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (10831 Sjt. C. A. Warmer. 1/Notts. & Derby. R.); British War and Victory Medals (10831 W.O. Cl. 2. C. A. Warmer. Notts. & Derby. R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, edge bruising, contact marks, good fine and better (9) £2,000-£2,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.C.M. London Gazette 23 June 1915; citation published 30 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry as a stretcher bearer, showing great devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle in searching for and bringing in wounded, even close to the enemy’s line. Also during 10th to 14th March 1915 this non-commissioned officer was commended for tending to the wounded while exposed to the fire of snipers. He was severely wounded, but volunteering again, re-joined his unit after seven weeks.’ M.M. London Gazette 2 November 1917. Charles Arthur Warmer attested for the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 November 1914 to 5 January 1915, and again from 17 February 1915 to 14 October 1917. Twice wounded, which caused him to be invalided to England, for his wartime services he was awarded both the D.C.M. and the M.M. Warmer was commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster) of the 2nd Battalion on 22 March 1923, then based at Rawapindi, India, and was promoted to Captain in March 1931, Major in March 1938 and Lieutenant-Colonel in August 1940, finally retiring in 1946. Sold with copied research including two photographic images of the recipient.
Pair: Private R. Dorby, Seaforth Highlanders Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (58B/2023 Private R. Dorby 72nd. Highlanders); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘393 Pte. R. Dorby 1/Sea: Hrs.’, nearly very fine (2) £260-£300 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Robert Dorby was born in Stirlingshire in 1860 and attested for the 78th Highlanders on 29 November 1878, having previously served with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Militia). He served with them overseas in India and Afghanistan from 22 December 1879 to 1 August 1882, seeing active service during the Second Afghan War (also entitled to an Afghanistan Medal with clasp Kandahar). Subsequently proceeding to Egypt, he saw further service during the Egyptian campaign from 2 August to 1 November 1882 (also entitled to an Egypt and Sudan Medal with clasp for Tel-el-Kebir). Returning home, he was discharged on 28 November 1890, after 12 years’ service. Sold with copied service papers, medal roll extracts, and other research.
Pair: Corporal J. Brown, M.S.M., 4th Regiment, South African Infantry 1914-15 Star (Cpl. J. Brown 8th Infantry); Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (Cpl. J. Brown. 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of both, nearly very fine 1914 Star (Pte. A. S. Carlton 4th S.A.I.) very fine The British War Medal awarded to Lance-Corporal R. Wilson, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, who was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive on 24 March 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (L/Cpl. R. Wilson. 4th S.A.I.); Memorial Plaque (Robert Wilson) traces of adhesive to reverse of both, good very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- James Brown was born in Northumberland around 1877, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 30 August 1915. Posted to France 15 April 1916, he was granted a First Class Certificate as Bomb Throwing Instructor on 14 June 1917, and was later awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (London Gazette 3 June 1919). He was discharged at Maitland on 6 June 1919. Robert Wilson was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 20 August 1898, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Durban on 5 March 1917. Embarked from Cape Town to England per Euripidies on 20 April 1917, he was reported missing whilst serving with the 4th Regiment on 24 March 1918, and was later reported as dead by the German Authorities. He has no known grave and is commemorated upon the Pozieres Memorial, France. Sold with copied service records for the above two recipients. Note: At least two men of the name ‘A. S. Charlton’ served with the 4th Regiment, South African Infantry.
Six: Colonel E. Roseveare, Devonshire Regiment, who served with the St John Ambulance Brigade during the South Africa War 1899-1900 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 copy clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (191 Sply: Ofcr. E. Roseveare. St. John Amb: Bde:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. E. Roseveare.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Capt. E. Roseveare. Devon. R.); Defence Medal; Territorial Decoration G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919, with integral top riband bar, mounted court-style as worn; together with a Devonshire Regiment Old Comrades label badge and an ARP silver label badge, edge bruise to QSA, light contact marks, generally very fine and better (6) £500-£700 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, March 1994. M.I.D. London Gazette 18 May 1918: ‘For operations against the Mahsuds, March-August 1917’ Edwin Roseveare was born in Plymouth in 1873 and was educated at Queen’s College, Taunton. As a Sergeant in the Newton Abbot Division St. John Ambulance Brigade, attached 20th Field Hospital Royal Army Medical Corps, he volunteered for service in South Africa and served as a Supply Officer in 1900. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd (Prince of Wales’s) Volunteer Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 29 January 1902, he was appointed Captain of the 5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on the formation of the Territorial Army on 1 April 1908. Embodied for Great War service with the 5th Battalion, Roseveare embarked for India on the Staff of Wessex Division and was appointed Railway Transport Officer at Lahore on 14 February 1916. Appointed Assistant Director Railway Transport, Waziristan Field Force, on 13 June 1917, for his valuable services rendered in Waziristan and on the North West Frontier he was Mentioned in Despatches. Awarded the Territorial Decoration the following year (London Gazette 15 July 1919), he was disembodied in London on 13 April 1920 and was restored to the establishment of the 5th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. Appointed Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 5th Battalion on 1 September 1921, Roseveare relinquished command on 1 September 1925 and was promoted Brevet Colonel on transfer to the Reserve of Officers. During the Second World War he was appointed Divisional Warden ARP, Division 4, Millbay, Plymouth, serving in the heart of Plymouth Docks during the blitz. Subsequently President of the 5th Devons Old Comrades Association, he died at Plymouth on 30 May 1957, aged 84. Sold with a two handled silver presentation cup (100mm diameter x 90mm height), engraved ‘5th (P.O.W.) Devon Regt. Rifle Club Officers Cup 1911 Won By Capt. E. Roseveare’; and copied service records and other research.
An highly unusual Boer War pair awarded to Conductor R. W. Manley, Army Service Corps, late Driscoll’s Scouts Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Wepener, Transvaal, Wittebergen (416 Serjt. R. W. Manley. Driscoll’s Scouts.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, no clasp (Condr. R. W. Manley. A.S.C.) good very fine (2) £400-£500 --- R. W. Manley attested into Driscoll’s Scouts on 19 March 1900 and served during the Boer War as a Transport Sergeant. He was discharged on 30 November 1901 and reenlisted into the Army Service Corps, serving as a Conductor. Sold with copied medal roll extracts confirming all clasps on his Queen’s South Africa Medal together with further entitlement to a ‘South Africa 1901’ clasp, and confirmation of the award of a no clasp King’s South Africa medal. Highly unusual.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. and French Medaille Militaire group of five awarded to Company Sergeant Major, later Lieutenant, A. E. Whitty, Devonshire Regiment, who was four times wounded in action and was later injured in an aeroplane accident whilst training to be a pilot with the Royal Flying Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (9607 Sjt. A. E. Whitty. 1/Devon: R.); 1914 Star (9707 L. Cpl.. A. E. Whitty. 1/Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (9707 W.O. Cl. II. A. E. Whitty. Devon. R.); France, Third Republic, Medaille Militaire, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, with trophy of arms suspension, in case of issue, good very fine and better (5) £400-£500 --- M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917. French Medaille Militaire London Gazette 24 February 1916. Albert Edward Whitty was born in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire in 1893. A Gardener by occupation he attested for the Special Reserve in June 1912 before attesting for the Devonshire Regiment on 12 October 1912. At the outbreak of the Great War he was serving with the 1st Battalion stationed at St Helier, Jersey. The battalion embarked for France and joined the British Expeditionary Force at Le Havre on 21 August 1914. Whitty was first wounded in action at Givenchy in the right shoulder whilst acting as a Scout in ‘D’ Company on 17 October 1914. Promoted to Acting Sergeant, he received a gun shot wound to the right forearm at Wulverghem on the Ypres Salient on 18 November 1914. Presented with his Medaille Militaire at Acheux by the Army Commander on 7 November 1915, he was Mentioned in Sir John French’s Despatche of 30 November 1915 (London Gazette 1 January 1916). Whilst in action at Leuze Wood on 4 September 1916 he was wounded again this time in the left shoulder. Re-joining the 1st Battalion in the field on 15 March 1917 he received his fourth wound at La Coulotte, Arras on 23 April 1917, this time in the left leg and right arm; it is likely this was the action for which he was subsequently to be awarded the Military Medal. Promoted to Company Sergeant Major, Whitty returned to England to be posted to No. 16 Officer Cadet Battalion at Rhyl on 6 July 1917. Receiving a permanent commission as Second Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment on 28 August 1917 he was next posted to the Royal Flying Corps for training as a pilot only to be injured in the face and nose in an aeroplane accident on 29 May 1918. Found to be unfit for further instruction he was struck off the strength the Royal Air Force and re-joined the Devonshire Regiment at Devonport on 14 November 1918. He was appointed Officer in Charge of the Devonshire Regiment party (1 officer and 12 men) at the Victory Parade March in London 19 July 1919. He retired as Lieutenant with a gratuity on 6 August 1920. Subsequently changing his name by Deed Poll from Whitty to Whitley on 23 March 1925 he was employed by the Ministry of Labour at Plymouth. He was called up for service at Exeter on 1 September 1939 but rejected by the Army Medical Board due to his disability following gun shot wounds and nasal injury sustained in the Great War. He died at Exeter on 19 January 1968, aged 78. Sold with photographic images of the recipient, copied service records and other research.
A Great War ‘Salonika operations’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Captain and Quartermaster R. Ashton, Royal Army Medical Corps The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 1st type breast badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1919, with Garrard, London, case of issue; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, unofficial rivets between first and second clasps (11303 Cpl. R. Ashton. R.A.M.C.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (11303 Serjt: R. Ashton. R.A.M.C.); 1914 Star (11303 S.Mjr. R. Ashton. R.A.M.C.); British War Medal 1914-19 (Q.M & Capt. R. Ashton); Victory Medal 1914-19, erased, mounted court-style for display purposes, light contact marks to Boer war medals, generally very fine (6) £260-£300 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 12 December 1919. Robert Ashton initially served during the Boer War as a Corporal at No. 15 Stationary Hospital at Heidelberg. Equipped with 150 beds, it operated from 13 July 1900 to 31 May 1902, one of 42 Stationary Hospitals which proved instrumental in saving the lives of wounded men and those suffering from disease. Advanced Sergeant Major on 10 August 1914, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 August 1914 and was appointed to a commission as Honorary Lieutenant and Quartermaster in the R.A.M.C. on 5 June 1915. Advanced Captain and Quartermaster, for his valuable service as part of the British Salonica Force he was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 1919. Sold with copied research.
Pair: S. G. Hayward, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Sidney G. Hayward) good very fine Pair: Pioneer R. Mortimer, Royal Engineers British War and Victory Medals (99593 Pnr. R. Mortimer. R.E.) both in named card boxes of issue, extremely fine Pair: Private G. H. Tyler, Worcestershire Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 23 September 1917 British War and Victory Medals (40798 Pte. G. H. Tyler. Worc. R.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Corporal R. Heath, Rifle Brigade British War and Victory Medals (S-30952 Cpl. R. Heath. Rif. Brig) nearly extremely fine British War Medal 1914-20 (A.A.1224 E. C. Bennett. P.O. R.N.V.R.) nearly extremely fine (9) £120-£160 --- George Henry Tyler attested forthe Worcestershire Regiment at Worcester, and served with the 10th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He died of wounds on 23 September 1917, and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Six: Lance-Corporal C. F. May, Devonshire Regiment, later Lieutenant, 25th Battalion (Ilfracombe) Devon Home Guard British War and Victory Medals (1416 Pte. C. F. May. Devon. R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1416 Pte. C. F. May. Devon. R.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (265170 L/Cpl. C. F. May. Devon R.); Defence Medal; Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (265170 Pte-L/Cpl. C.F. May. 6-Devon. R.) mounted for wear, light contact marks, good very fine (6) £300-£400 --- Charles Faulkes May was born in Ramsgate, Kent in 1895. A Carpenter by occupation now living in Braunton, North Devon, he enlisted into the 6th (Territorial) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment in April 1911. Embodied as a Drummer with ‘B’ Company he embarked with his battalion for India on 9 October 1914. Following intensive training in India the 1/6th Battalion disembarked at Basra, Mesopotamia on 6 January 1916 and then commenced a 230 miles march on foot up the banks of the River Tigris to El Orah. The battalion took part in the attempted relief of Kut during the action at Es Sinn Dujailah Redoubt on 8 March 1916. Returning to India in 1919, May took part in the Third Afghan War attached to 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment between May and September 1919. Disembodied on 22 November 1919 he was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in November 1921. Returning to his employment as a carpenter in Braunton he enrolled for the Local Defence Volunteers on 29 May 1940 and was appointed Assistant Section Commander 25th Battalion (Ilfracombe) Devon Home Guard. Commissioned Second Lieutenant on 28 February 1944 and promoted Lieutenant the following October, he was discharged on disbandment of the Home Guard 31 December 1945. He subsequently served as a Lieutenant with the Devon Army Cadet Force, relinquishing his commission in September 1949. He died in Braunton on 12 June 1968, aged 75. Sold with photographic images of the recipient and other research. For the recipient’s Great War Wolseley Pattern Helmet, see the following lot.
A Great War ‘Messines Ridge 1917’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal W. McLeod, South Lancashire Regiment Military Medal, G.V.R. (8470 L.Cpl. W. Mc.Leod. 2/S. Lanc: R.) edge bruising, very fine £240-£280 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- M.M. London Gazette 28 July 1917. Walter McLeod attested for the Seaforth Highlanders and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914. He was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry during the operations on the Messines Ridge in June 1917, whilst attached to the 25th Divisional Signal Company, Royal Engineers. Sold with copied research.
Nine: Flight Lieutenant W. F. Diggins, Royal Air Force, late Middlesex Regiment and East Surrey Regiment, a recipient of the scarce clasp for Southern Desert, Iraq, who was subsequently Mentioned in Despatches for his services in Burma British War and Victory Medals (240465 Sjt. W. F. Diggins. Midd’x R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (2776 Pte. W. F. Diggins. Midd’x R.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq (358877. Cpl. W. F. Diggins. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, this with reverse pin; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (358877. F/Sgt. W. F. Diggins. R.A.F.) all housed in a glazed display frame, polished, minor edge bruising, nearly very fine and better (9) £1,200-£1,600 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 14 January 1944: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ Walter Frederick Diggins was born in Paddington, London, on 31 October 1890, and attested for the Middlesex Regiment (Territorial Force) on 22 January 1909. Mobilised on the outbreak of the Great War, he initially served with the 2/8th Battalion, and was stationed in Gibraltar from September 1914 to March 1915. Advanced Sergeant on 10 July 1915, he transferred to the 7th Battalion on 19 July 1917, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 October 1917. Four days later he transferred as a Sergeant to the East Surrey Regiment, and was posted to the 1st Battalion. It was during the Third Battle of Ypres on 6 November 1917 that Diggins was wounded in action, receiving a gunshot wound to the left leg, that necessitated his evacuation for treatment via No. 2 Canadian Casualty Clearing Station to No. 22 General Base Hospital, and then to England with Cambridge Hospital at Aldershot. Diggins did not see any further active service during the war, but was reduced to Corporal after being found guilty by a District Court Martial for absence without leave on two occasions, the first time from 21 to 27 December 1917, when he then admitted himself for treatment to the Hounslow Military Hospital, and for the second time between 5 and 23 January 1918, being reduced to Corporal on 13 February 1918. He was disembodied on demobilisation on 20 March 1919. Diggins subsequently re-enlisted as a Corporal in the Army Reserve on 2 September 1922, and remained as such until he enlisted as an Aircraftman 2nd Class into the Royal Air Force on 17 November 1924. Posted from the Depot to the Armament and Gunnery School on 26 February 1925, he was promoted to Leading Aircraftman on 31 December 1925, and then joined 99 Bomber Squadron on 6 January 1926, before being posted to the School of Technical Training on 13 July 1926, and then to ‘M’ Depot Squadron from 5 November 1926. Posted out to Iraq on 7 December 1926, he joined No. 4 Armoured Car Company on 27 December 1926. Having transferred to the Armoured Car Wing in Iraq on 1 April 1927, and been promoted to Corporal on 1 March 1928, he rejoined No. 4 Armoured Car Company on 3 April 1928, and was at some staged attached to No. 5 Armoured Car Company. 1i 1928 he saw service in the operations against the Akhwan in the Southern Desert of Iraq, service which qualified him for the General Service Medal 1918-1962, with the rare clasp for Southern Desert, Iraq. Posted back to the Armoured Car Wing on 24 October 1928, Diggins was posted to Headquarters Middle East on 14 November 1928, and then to No. 2 Armoured Car Company on 13 November 1928. Promoted Sergeant on 1 December 1932, he was posted home on 26 April 1934. After a period of leave, and also a spell in hospital, he was posted to the Air Armaments School on 28 August 1934, and was then posted back out to the Middle East on 9 April 1935, where he joined 45 Bomber Squadron on 20 April 1935. After service in Egypt, where he was promoted to Flight Sergeant on 1 February 1937, he was posted back to the home establishment on 1 April 1937. Posted to No. 1 Air Armaments School at Eastchurch on 22 April 1938, he moved with the unit to Manby on 15 August 1938, where he was serving on the outbreak of the Second World War, being promoted to temporary Warrant Officer on 23 September 1939, his award of the Royal Air Force Long Service and Good Conduct Medal was announced on 7 November 1939. Diggins was posted to 263 Squadron on 4 November 1939, a fighter unit equipped with Gloster Gladiators which then operated out of R.A.F. Filton near Bristol. Germany invaded Norway on 9 April 1940 and 263 Squadron was soon instructed to prepare for a move. On 20 April, the aircraft were flown, via R.A.F. Sealand, to Scapa Flow, where Fleet Air Arm pilots landed them on the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glorious and 18 Gladiators sailed for Norway. On 24 April, after two days sailing, the Squadron flew its aircraft off the carrier to a landing strip on the frozen lake Lesjaskogsvatnet in Oppland in central southern Norway. Unfortunately for the enterprise, the squadron was extremely short of ground staff and equipment and few of its Gladiators had been prepared for combat, when the Luftwaffe struck with Heinkel 111s shortly after daybreak on 25 April. By the end of 26 April, although 263 Squadron had managed to destroy two Heinkels, all of its aircraft had been destroyed or rendered unserviceable and by the end of the month the squadron was ordered home. The re-equipped squadron returned to the far north of Norway on 21 May, flying from Bardufoss airfield, near Narvik, reinforced by 46 Squadron whose Hurricanes arrived a few days later, using an airstrip at Skånland. Due to unsuitable ground at Skånland, 46 Squadron moved so that both were operating from Bardufoss by 27 May. The squadrons had been ordered to defend the fleet anchorage at Skånland and the military base at Harstad on the island of Hinnoya. Action was short but intense before the squadrons were instructed on 2 June to prepare for evacuation; 263 Squadron had flown 249 sorties and claimed 26 enemy aircraft destroyed. 263's ten surviving Gladiators were landed on H.M.S. Glorious on 7 June. Glorious sailed but was intercepted by the German battleships Gneisenau and Scharnhorst. She was sunk and along with the aircraft from four squadrons. 263 Squadron lost its CO, S/Ldr John W Donaldson, F/Lt Alvin T Williams and P.O. Sidney Robert McNamara along with seven other pilots. Posted to another fighter unit, 79 Squadron, on 2 March 1942, Diggins then moved with the squadron to India, arriving there in May 1942, where the squadron flew primarily ground attack missions, initially with later mark cannon armed Hurricanes. It was for his services whilst still a Warrant Officer that Diggins was Mentioned in Despatches. Commissioned Flying Officer on 10 August 1943, and posted to the Technical Branch, he saw service out in Burma, and was promoted to Flight Lieutenant on 10 August 1946. He transferred to the Retired List on 6 March 1947. Sold with the recipient’s original M.I.D. Certificate; and copied research.
Seven: Sergeant C. H. Upperton, Army Air Corps, late Royal Sussex Regiment India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (6395606 Pte. C. H. Upperton. R. Suss. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (6395606 Sjt. C. H. Upperton. A.A.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (6395606 Pte. C. H. Upperton. A.A.C.) minor edge nicks, nearly extremely fine (7) £240-£280 --- Charles Henry Upperton was born on 4 March 1909 and attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment at Chichester on 13 January 1928. He served with the 2nd Battalion in India, and subsequently as a Drummer with the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, being wounded in France on 22 May 1940. Recovering from his wounds he saw further service in Africa and was present at the Battle of El Alamein. He volunteered for the Airborne forces when the 2nd Suffolks became the 10th Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Transferring to the Army Air Corps he saw further service in post-War Palestine, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged in January 1949. Sold with copied medal roll extracts and other research.
Three: Lance-Corporal J. T. Marney, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 1914-15 Star (16798 L.Cpl. J. T. Marney. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (16798 Pte. J. T. Marney. Essex R.) mounted court-style for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400 --- Jack Thomas Marney was born at Forest Gate, London, on 24 June 1896, and attested for the Essex Regiment following the outbreak of the Great War. He served with the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front from 15 May 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On that date the battalion was involved in an attack between Beaumont Hamel and Serre; the Battalion War Diary gives the following account: ‘At 8.36 am A and D Companies advanced from their assembly trenches and immediately came under very heavy machine gun fire and Artillery barrage. At about 9.30 am the 10th Brigade were holding a line about 50 yards short of the German 2nd line and some parties had forced their way through and got as far as Pendant Copse. The main line tried to consolidate themselves in the line of craters but this work was practically impossible owing to the intense machine gun fire brought to bear on them from the direction of Serre on the left flank and Beaumont Hamel on the right ... About 4.00 pm the line was forced to retire to the German front line ... Casualties 22 Officers and about 400 Other Ranks.’ Marney was amongst those killed. He has no known grave and his commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Sold with copied research.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal R. J. Lloyd, Shropshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on 18 April 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (9718 Cpl. R. J. Lloyd. 1/Shrops: L.I.); 1914 Star (9718 Pte. R. J. Lloyd. 1/Shrops: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9718 Cpl. R. J. Lloyd. Shrops. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Richard James Lloyd) slight edge dig to first, otherwise very fine (5) £900-£1,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 November 1916. ‘For conspicuous gallantry and presence of mind. When distributing bombs prior to attack a fuzed bomb without a safety pin commenced to burn, and the man holding the bomb dropped it. Cpl. Lloyd, grasping the situation, ordered the men under cover, picked up the bomb, and threw it away. It exploded almost as it left his hand. His prompt courage undoubtedly saved many lives.’ Richard James Lloyd, from Dolgelley, Merioneth, living in Betton Strange, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, attested into the Shropshire Light Infantry and served during the Great War with the 1st Battalion on the Western Front from 10 September 1914. Advanced Lance Sergeant, he was killed in action on 18 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and copied research.
British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (Pte. R. L. Meikle. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. F. A. Oddy. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. D. Ogilvie 4th S.A.I.; Pte. J. H. Paterson. 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of all, very fine and better (4) £80-£100 --- Robert Letham Meikle was born in Lanark, Scotland, around 1879, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Johannesburg on 9 March 1917. Recorded as Missing on 24 March 1918, he was later confirmed as a German Prisoner of War. Repatriated, he was discharged at Maitland on 14 September 1919. Fred Arnold Oddy was born in Manchester around 1897, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 8 December 1915. Embarked for England 28 February 1916, his papers record that he was gassed on 19 March 1918 and evacuated to Convalescent Hospital in Eastbourne. He was later discharged at Maitland in May 1919. Donald Ogilvie was born in Stutterheim, Cape Province, around 1897, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 19 October 1916. Posted to France 20 January 1917, his papers record a gunshot wound to the tibia on 10 April 1917. He was later discharged medically unfit at Maitland on 9 October 1919. John Herman Paterson was born in Kimberley around 1889, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 26 January 1916. Reported as Missing on the Western Front 24 March 1918, he was later confirmed as a German Prisoner of War. Repatriated on 10 December 1918, he was demobilised on 3 June 1919. Sold with copied service records for all four recipients.
Three: Private F. Haynes, Royal Fusiliers, later Royal West Surrey Regiment and Monmouth Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (L-16018 Pte. F. Haynes. 4/R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (16018 Pte. F. Haynes. R. Fus.) contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Francis Haynes attested for the Royal Fusiliers and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1914. He transferred to the Royal West Surrey Regiment on 26 November 1916, and then later to the Monmouth Regiment.
Pair: Private T. Ovall, East Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front from 1 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (48324 Pte. T. Ovall. E. Surr. R.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Ovall) this housed in circular frame; Memorial Scroll \Pte. Thomas Ovall, E. Surrey Regt.’, extremely fine (4) £140-£180 --- Thomas Ovall was born at South Weald, Billericay, Essex, on 7 September 1896 and attested for the East Surrey Regiment, serving with the 12th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was killed in action on 1 October 1918, and is buried in Hooge Crater Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium. Family tradition has it that he defied his parents to volunteer from his reserved occupation as a young farm labourer in the dying days of the Great War, and was killed in action a few days after his arrival on the Western Front. Sold with a quantity of original documents and ephemera, including the recipient’s original birth certificate; a pre-Great War photograph; his letters home from the front; official notification of death; original photograph of wooden cross and accompanying letter from Imperial War Graves Commission; and other research.
Three: Private F. McConnon, Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916 1914-15 Star (14421 Pte. F. Mc.Connon. York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (14421 Pte. F. Mc Connon. York. R.) some staining to Star, generally very fine and better (3) £300-£400 --- Francis McConnon was born at Ormseby, Yorkshire on 13 October 1888, and attested for the Yorkshire Regiment following the outbreak of the Great Wall. He served with the 7th Battalion on the Western front from 13 July 1915, and was killed in action on the first day of the battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916. On this date, the battalion was involved in an attack on Fricourt, and suffered total casualties of over 350. McConnon was amongst those killed, and he is buried in Fricourt British Cemetery, Somme, France. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient, and copied research.
Six: Warrant Officer Class II R. Muston, Royal Engineers 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (14499915 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Muston. R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (14499915 W.O. Cl. 2. R. Muston R.E.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £140-£180
Three: Sergeant W. Barron, Royal Scots Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (6001 Sergt. W. Barron. Royal Scots) partially renamed; British War and Victory Medals (4297 Sjt. W. Barron. R. Scots.) mounted incorrectly, the first renamed with number, rank and name unofficially engraved, edge bruising, contact marks, verdigris stain to third, otherwise generally good fine (3) £70-£90 --- William Barron attested into the Royal Scots and served in South Africa as a Lance Sergeant with the 3rd Battalion during the Boer War. Entitled to a Queen’s South Africa medal with the clasp ‘South Africa 1901’, he was discharged ‘Time expired’ on 28 October 1901. He reenlisted into his old regiment for service during the Great War and saw further service with the Labour Corps.
A Second War ‘Italian campaign’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant F. T. Roberts, Royal Signals Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2582617 A. Sjt. F. T. Roberts. R. Signals.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (2582617 Sgt. F. T. Roberts. M.M. R. Sigs.) mounted as worn in the incorrect order; together with three commemorative medals, for Dunkirk 1940; the Royal Federation of Veterans of King Albert I of Belgium; and the European Confederation of Combat Veterans, these three all with their related miniature awards, generally good very fine (10) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 26 October 1944 The original recommendation states: Sergeant Roberts was responsible for laying lines in the Trocchio area and forwards. During the period 11 May to 18 May [1944] he spent on the average five hours a day in the open repairing lines under shell fire and mortar fire. This was apart from the many hours repair work which had to be undertaken on lines which were not at the time under shell fire, and the time spent in laying new lines. In particular during the period from 1550 hours on 12 May to 2355 hours on 13 May, he line from Purple Sector Control to 99 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was constantly broken by shelling and mortar fire, and Sergeant Roberts was employed for 21 hours on this line during this period. On one occasion fifty-seven breaks were mended. This line was of the greatest importance as it provided the only communication to the regiment responsible for smoking the River Gari. In addition, during the day of 16 April, Sergeant Roberts laid two lines from 10 Brigade exchange across the river to the D.M.A. During the laying of these lines there was considerable shell and mortaring and their construction was of the greatest assistance in providing communication across the river both for brigades and for the D.M.A. Doing the whole of this period Sergeant Roberts, working very long hours and in very adverse conditions, remained cheerful, tireless, and a fine example to his men. His example did much to ensure good line communication within his area of responsibility.’
Three: Private C. Cerff, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, late Brand’s Free State Rifles and Botha’s Horse 1914-15 Star (Pte. C. Cerff. Brands F.S.R.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. C. Cerff. 4th S.A.I.) mounted as worn, traces of adhesive to reverse of all, nearly very fine Three: Private C. H. R. Clarke, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, late 6th Regiment 1914-15 Star (Pte. C. H. R. Clarke 6th Infantry); British War Medal 1914-20 (Pte. C. H. R. Clarke. 4th S.A.I.); Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (Pte. C. H. R. Clarke. 6th Infantry.) all in named card boxes of issue, nearly extremely fine (6) £80-£100 --- Conrad Cerff was born in Caledon, Cape Province, around 1896, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Cape Town on 11 October 1916, his papers stating previous service with Botha’s Horse in German South West Africa. Initially posted to No. 11 Entrenching Battalion on the Western Front 26 March 1917, his records add that he received a gunshot wound to the knee on 20 September 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele. Listed as missing 24 March 1918, he is later confirmed in May 1918 as having been captured and taken Prisoner of War. Repatriated to England, he was demobilised on 26 May 1919. Cecil Henry Richmond Clarke was born in Bloemfontein in 1884 and attested for the South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 28 August 1915. He initially served with “C” Company, 6th Regiment, before transferring to “F” Company, 4th South African Infantry on 14 September 1918. Sold with copied service records for both recipients.
Three: Sergeant F. G. Copeman, Royal Signals General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (22771404 Sgtr. F. G. Copeman R. Signals); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP riband; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (22771404 Sgt. F. G. Copeman. R. Signals.) mounted as worn, good very fine (3) £80-£100
Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (unsuccessful) (Wilmot J. Bethell. 3rd Sept 1910.) with integral bronze riband buckle, in Elkington, London, case of issue, nearly extremely fine £100-£140 --- R.H.S. Case No. 37,863: ‘At 4.15 p.m. on 3 September 1910 on the Erme at Pamflete, South Devon W. J. Horne aged 22 and F. E. Thomas aged 16 were bathing at a dangerous part of the river and were carried away by the tide. Bethell swam out and diving tried to find them but failed and only got out with difficulty.’ Wilmot John Bethell was born at Burghill, Herefordshire in 1886. Employed as Butler to Captain Charles R. Staveley of Pamflete House, Holberton, South Devon he attempted to rescue W. J. Horne from the river Erme at Pamflete on 3 September 1910 for which he was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal. He subsequently enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps for the duration of the War on 27 April 1916 and as an Air Mechanic 2nd Class embarked for France on 2 January 1917; he was invalided home on 14 March 1918 suffering from Otitis Media. Transferring to the newly formed Royal Air Force as a founder member on 1 April 1918 he was discharged as medically unfit on 5 July 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. RAF 729. Returning to his pre-war occupation as a Butler he died at South Harrow, Middlesex, on 15 October 1955, aged 71. Sold with copied service records and other research.
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