Three: Quartermaster Sergeant A. E. Marshall, North Staffordshire Regiment, later Lancashire Fusiliers Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (3101 L/Cpl. A. E. Marshall, 1/N. Staff: R); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (5994. C. Sjt. A. E. Marshall. Lanc: Fus.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Hafir (3101 Lce. Cpl. A. E. Marshall, 1st Battn. N.S. Rgt.) mounted court-style for display, edge bruising, contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £500-£700 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2010. Arthur Ernest Marshall was born in Birmingham c. 1872. A Gun-Maker by occupation and a member of the 4th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, he attested for the North Staffordshire Regiment at Birmingham on 11 July 1890, aged 18 years. With the North Staffordshire Regiment he served in South Africa from May 1892 to April 1893; in Malta from April 1893 to October 1895; in Egypt and the Sudan from October 1895 to April 1897, and attained the rank of Corporal in April 1897. Seeing active service in Sudan with the Dongola Expedition, he was awarded the Queen’s medal and the Khedive’s medal for Hafir. Returning home, he was then transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve in July 1897, intending to join the Police. Marshall rejoined the Colours under Army Order 23 of 1898 and was transferred as a Corporal to the Lancashire Fusiliers. He was appointed Lance-Sergeant in April 1898, and was promoted Sergeant in July of the same year, and Colour Sergeant in March 1900. With the Lancashire Fusiliers he served in Malta from August 1898 to November 1901, and in Barbados from November 1901 to August 1902. He was awarded a gratuity in July 1902 and awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal with gratuity per Army Order 270 of October 1909. He was discharged at Seaford, Sussex, having given notice, on 31 October 1912, becoming a Postman in civilian life. On 8 September 1914, with the onset of war, Marshall attested for one year’s service in the Army Reserve (Special Reserve), aged 41 years, 11 months. Appointed a Quartermaster Sergeant in the Lancashire Fusiliers, he was discharged as medically unfit on 21 October 1914. He re-enlisted on 25 June 1917 and as a Company Quartermaster Sergeant in the Lancashire Fusiliers, he served at Home until discharged to the Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 4 June 1919. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers and other research.
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Five: Chief Petty Officer S. R. Gilbery, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (232663. S. R. Gilbery. L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (232663 S. R. Gilbery. P.O. R.N.); War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (232663 S. R. Gilbery. C.P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke.) mounted for wear, heavy contact marks to the Great War trio, these fair to fine, the last two better (5) £80-£100 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Sidney Richard Gilbery was born in Islington on 16 April 1889 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 18 October 1904. Advanced Leading Seaman on 1 May 1914, he served during the Great War predominately in H.M.S. Latona from 7 August 1915 to the cessation of hostilities, and was promoted Petty Officer on 1 March 1918. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in the rank of Chief Petty Officer on 18 April 1928, he was shore pensioned on 22 April 1929, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following year. Recalled for War service on 11 September 1939, he was invalided out of the service, ‘Permanently Unfit for Naval Service’, on 27 April 1942. Sold with copied record of service.
Three: Engineer Sub-Lieutenant R. L. Porteous, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine Transport 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (R. Porteous.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. S. Lt. R. L. Porteous. R.N.R.) good very fine (3) £600-£800 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- R. Porteous served as 3rd Engineer in the Elder Dempster Line’s S.S. Milwaukee.
Efficiency Medal (3), G.VI.R., 1st issue, Militia (2557166 Sgln. F. Brown. R. Signals.); E.II.R., 2nd issue (2), Territorial (22271672 Pte. G. W. White. Cheshire), in named card box of issue; T. & A.V.R. (23234635 LCpl R Carson RCT) very fine (3) £100-£140 --- F. Brown was awarded the Efficiency Medal in Army Order 190 of 1938, and a first clasp in Army Order 26/47 of 1947.
A Great War 1915 ‘Battle of Neuve Chapelle’ D.C.M., Russian Cross of St. George group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal S. Jollans, 2nd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, who was killed in action near Ypres on 9 May 1915 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8538 L. Cpl. S. Jollans. 2/Linc: Regt.); British War Medal 1914-20 (8538 Pte. S. Jollans. Linc. R.); Russia, Empire, Cross of St. George, Fourth Class, silver, reverse officially numbered ‘127208’, extremely fine (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Hayward’s Gazette, February 1979. D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1915: ‘For conspicuous gallantry when in charge of a bombing party, on which occasion a hostile trench 100 yards long was captured from the enemy.’ Russian Cross of St. George London Gazette 25 August 1915. Sydney Jollans, a native of Kirton Lindsey, Lincolnshire, was born in Hogsthorpe, also in Lincolnshire, and attested for the Lincolnshire Regiment at Lincoln. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 November 1914, and was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry at Neuve Chapelle on 10 March 1915. Jollans was killed in action near Ypres on 9 May 1915. A letter written to his parents from the Officer in Charge of his platoon states: ‘There is not an officer, N.C.O., or man who knew him that does not mourn his loss. How proud he was of his D.C.M.! He was one of the coolest and bravest of men, always ready and willing to do his duty, and any job he undertook was done satisfactorily. We all went into action on the night of 9th May, and we all had a rough time. I am not allowed to go into any detail, but it was just after a very difficult task and we were on our way to report “all correct” whey Syd was shot just below the heart from the back. All that was possible was done for him, but he only lived ten minutes. His actions all through the fighting had been splendid, and I know he had been recommended for further distinction for his valour. He died in an enemy’s trench, and of the bravest of men. All his comrades send their deepest sympathy. A report in the Lincolnshire Star announcing the recipient’s death also states: ‘Corporal Jollans had again been recommended for valour, he having previously won the D.C.M.’ One can perhaps speculate that, had he lived, he may well have received a second award Bar to his D.C.M., rather than the Russian Cross of St. George. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. Sold with copied research.
Three: Chief Engine Room Artificer S. Bryant, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (S. Bryant. E. R. Artfr. H.M.S. “Invincible.”); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (Saml. Bryant, Chf: E. R. Artfr. H.M.S. Magicienne.) impressed naming; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, last with lightly scratched letters ‘M’ and ‘R’ to reverse, mounted on card for display purposes, light pitting, generally very fine (3) £300-£400 --- Provenance: O. Stirling Lee Collection, December 2004. Samuel Bryant was born in Bradford, Wiltshire, in May 1852. He joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer in August 1876. Bryant subsequently witnessed active service with H.M.S. Invincible in the Egypt operations of 1882, including the bombardment of Alexandria, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. in August 1890. Bryant was pensioned ashore as a Chief Engine Room Artificer in August 1896. Sold with copied service papers.
Pair: Rifleman R. G. Westland, Rhodesian and Zimbabwean Forces Rhodesia, General Service Medal (PR72183 Rfn R. G. Westland); Zimbabwe, Independence Medal 1980 (01681) mounted court-style for wear, good very fine Great Britain, War Medal 1939-45 (590960 S. O. Williams); Africa Service Medal (111661 K. R. Froude); Rhodesia, General Service Medal (PR106365 Rfn D. O. Williams); South Africa, Pro Patria Medal (331789); Southern Africa Medal (53422); General Service Medal (277092); Unitas Medal (260509) generally very fine (9) £80-£100
The rare and particularly fine Second War 1944 ‘Photo Reconnaissance Unit’ D.F.C., ‘Malta 1940-41’ D.F.M. group of eight awarded to Maryland and Mosquito navigator, Flight Lieutenant J. H. Spires, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, a Blenheim veteran of the Battle of Britain, who went on to distinguish himself flying with some of the most important Reconnaissance Pilots of the Second World War. Spires was posted to No. 431 (General Reconnaissance) Flight on Malta immediately after the Battle of Britain, and here he crewed up with the soon-to-become-legendary ‘Six-medal Warburton’ - who was later described as ‘the most important pilot in the R.A.F.’ by Air Marshal Tedder. Together they were to fly ‘in Maryland AR.713 affectionately known as the “Sardine Tin”... shot up in the air, holed by bomb splinters on the ground, in flight it played “Whistlers Mother.”’ Spires and Warburton provided vital reconnaissance for the Taranto Raid - plotting the positions of the Italian battleships mere hours before the Fleet Air Arm carried out their famous Swordfish attack. Warburton made three sweeps over the fleet at 500 feet and lower, even though ‘the weather was so bad that the birds were walking and the fish were at anchor..... we flew around the harbour twice and plotted the ships... when all hell let lose - Flack, tracer the kitchen sink - the lot.... We went in hugging the water, and the “Ities” were ready and tracer bullets poured towards us, I thought how in the hell can they miss us, but they did and we counted the battleships together, one, two, three, four, five.’ This was not the last of Spires’ adventures with Warburton, as the flight were tasked with carrying out the reconnaissance for Operation Colossus - the first British airborne operation of the Second World War. Warburton and crew took photographs of the Tragino viaduct near Calitri in southern Italy, which was to be the target for ‘X’ Troop, from the near-suicidal height of 25 feet! Having left Malta, Spires then converted to the blue Mosquitos of the P.R.U. and saw out the remainder of the War in the skies above North West Europe. His swan song came when flying with arguably the finest Mosquito and P.R.U. pilot of them all - Wing Commander J. R. H. Merifield, D.S.O., D.F.C. and Bar - when the pair achieved two Atlantic flying records and a trans-Canadian record, flying Mosquito PR34 RG241 'K' in October 1945 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1944’; Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (751252 Sgt. J. H. Spires. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star, 1 clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Air Efficiency Award, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Flt. Lt. J. H. Spires. R.A.F.V.R.) mounted as worn, cleaned, very fine (lot) £10,000-£15,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 7 November 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has an outstanding record as an operational navigator. Since the award of the D.F.M. he has completed many more operational sorties. He has flown on photographic reconnaissance’s over some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany and occupied Europe and has secured much valuable information. Throughout, Flight Lieutenant Spires has displayed skill, determination and great courage.’ D.F.M. London Gazette 17 June 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘While serving in Blenheims with 235 Squadron in the United Kingdom, Sergeant Spires took part in 55 operational flights which included reconnaissance flights over enemy occupied territory and escort duty. On four occasions, the aircraft met with opposition from German fighters. These flights amounted to a total of 157 hours operational flying. He was then posted to 69 Squadron based at Malta and between 1st November, 1940 and 12th February, 1941, has taken part in 38 reconnaissance flights, 28 of these flights were photographic reconnaissance of enemy territory. On seven occasions, the aircraft met with opposition from Italian fighters. He was also the Observer of the aircraft which successfully carried out the special Air Ministry reconnaissance of Southern Italy on 9th February, 1941 [the Tragino Aqueduct near Calitri, Southern Italy - prior to Operation Colossus being carried out by ‘X’ Troop, 10-11 February 1941, the latter being the first British airborne operation of the War], and again on 12th February, 1941. These flights amounted to a total of 160 hours operational flying. His total operational flying from the United Kingdom and Malta amounts to 317 hours. Without exception, the Captains of the aircraft in which Sergeant Spires has flown have the greatest faith in his abilities, which are definitely above the average. 27th May, 1941.’ John Henry Spires was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, in September 1920, and resided at 13 Montrose Avenue, Luton. He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Observer Section) at Luton in May 1939. Spires was mobilised in September 1939, and carried out training at No. 6 Air Observers Navigation School, Cheltenham, and at No. 4 B. & G.S., West Freugh. Spires was posted for operational flying with 235 Squadron (Blenheims) as part of Coastal Command on 9 March 1940. The Squadron was tasked with fighter-reconnaissance duties, flying out of Detling and Bircham Newton. When the German invasion of the Low Countries began in May 1940, the squadron flew patrols over Holland and during the Battle of Britain was engaged in convoy protection and reconnaissance missions over the North Sea. In an interview given after the War, Spires commented on this period: ‘The emotion was unmistakable as John Spires spoke of the many friends who didn’t come home. “We would all go to the pub after a mission and then someone would say ‘Where’s old Charlie?’ “Someone else would say ‘He never made it today’. You would think ‘that could have been me.’ “I lost a lot of fine friends..... At the time I don’t think it registered. Survival was everything and King and Country meant everything. We were young, inexperienced and didn’t fully realise the danger,” he said. During the Battle of Britain, Mr Spires was a navigator in a Blenheim 5 used as a bomber/fighter. “We had to intercept enemy planes when they were flying back to Europe from England. But you needed a fair amount of luck and if your gunners were killed you were in trouble,” said the man who was shot down three times. “But it was the ground crew who kept us going,” he said. “We just did what we had to do throughout the war.” Spires was flying with Pilot Officer E. H. McHardy (of 248 Squadron) and L.A.C. Heaviside as gunner, when they shot down a Me110 three miles off Blankenberge, Belgium 18 May 1940. However, it was subsequently claimed that this may have been a French Potez 631.’ After the “Battle”, new friends in Malta - ‘Warby’ Warburton Spires continued to serve with the Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain, before being posted to No. 431 (General Reconnaissance) Flight on Malta at the end of October 1940. The latter was equipped with three Martin 167F Maryland light bombers, which were to provide the island with a reconnaissance facility able to operate over defended areas. Spires soon found himself in the ‘mix’ with the Australian pilot and C/O ‘Tich’ Whiteley, and the soon-to-become-legendary ‘Warby’ Warburton (later dubbed ‘the most important pilot in the RAF’ by...
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Service Medal, Silver, English issue, the reverse engraved ‘Municipality of Esquimalt, B.C., to J. R. Owens 1967’, and officially numbered ‘1849’, suspension broken, lacquered, very fine £30-£40 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Sold with a cast copy hallmarked G.V.R. Distinguished Service Cross, the suspension broken.
Three: Sergeant G. W. Ambrose, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action during the 3rd Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917 British War and Victory Medals (1342 Sjt. G. W. Ambrose. Essex R.); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (1342 A. Sjt. G. W. Ambrose. Essex. R.) good very fine £400-£500 --- Only 7 Territorial Force War Medals awarded to the Essex Regiment where the recipient was either killed in action or died of wounds, four of them being to the 5th Battalion. This group is believed to be a unique Essex Regiment Territorial Force War Medal casualty group for the Third Battle of Gaza. George William Ambrose (also recorded in some sources as William George Ambrose) was born in Braintree, Essex, in 1897 and attested there for the Essex Regiment (Territorial Force). He served with ‘C’ Company, 1/5th Battalion during the Great War in Palestine, and was killed in action during the 3rd Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917. His death is mentioned in the battalion history: ‘The killed included … such good non-commissioned officers as Sergeants H Byles, N Bruce and D Ambrose [sic]’. (With the 1/5th Essex in the East, refers). He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery.
Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Vittoria, St. Sebastian (W. Snape, R. Arty. Drivers.) edge bruising, otherwise very fine £700-£900 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, July 1992. William Snape was admitted to a late pension in respect of being ‘injured in action Cambrai’ (WO 116/72 refers).
Pair: Private W. W. R. Southwood, 12th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, who died of wounds on 12 October 1917 British War and Victory Medals (3691 Pte. W. W. R. Southwood. 12-Bn. A.I.F.) VM officially re-impressed, very fine (2) £100-140 --- William Walter Randal Southwood was born near the town of Kadina, South Australia. A Carpenter by occupation, he attested for the Australian Imperial Force on 1 January 1917, aged 32 years, 3 months. Posted to the 9/5th Pioneer Battalion, he proceeded overseas from Adelaide on 10 February 1917, arriving at Devonport on 2 May 1917. In July 1917 he entered France and was posted to the 12th Battalion A.I.F. soon after. With the battalion in Belgium he was wounded in action in early October 1917, suffering a severe gunshot wound to the face and a fractured lower jaw. Evacuated to England, he died from his wounds and shock following an operation at Horton County London Hospital, Epsom, on 12 October 1918. He was buried in Brookwood Military Cemetery. He was the son of William and Annie Southwood and husband of Emily Elizabeth Southwood, of Adelaide House, Bond Street, Cromer, Norfolk. Sold with a quantity of copied service papers, together with copied letters to and from his widow to the military authorities following his death.
Three: Private W. A. Beck, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (9422 Pte. W. A. Beck. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9422 Pte. W. A. Beck. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, fine Seven: Driver R. Ritchie, Royal Engineers 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with Army Council enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. R. G. Ritchie, 8 Kingshill Rd., Aberdeen’; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (2079323 Dvr. R. Ritchie. R.E.) extremely fine British War Medal 1914-20 (G-11433 Pte. R. Lucas. R.W. Kent R.) officially re-impressed, good very fine (11) £100-£140 --- Walter A. Beck attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Hedjaz theatre of War from 5 December 1914. Richard Lucas attested for the Royal West Kent Regiment and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916. Transferring to the East Kent Regiment that same year, he was killed in action on the Somme on 15 September 1916, whilst serving with the 1st Battalion. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Pair: Master-at-Arms W. R. Dodd, Royal Navy China 1900, no clasp (W. R. Dodd, M.A.A. H.M.S. Endymion.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., V.R., narrow suspension (W. R. Dodd, Sh. Corpl. 1st Cl., H.M.S. Tauranga.) impressed naming, suspension claw tightened on last, generally nearly very fine or better (2) £280-£340 --- William Robert Dodd was born in Dartmouth, Devon, in November 1860. He joined the Royal Navy as a Sailmaker’s Mate in November 1881, and advanced to Master-at-Arms in May 1899. His subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Impregnable from June 1888 until May 1891 (during which time he was awarded a Testimonial on Vellum by the Royal Humane Society); Tauranga from May 1891 until June 1894 (awarded L.S. & G.C. in January 1892); and Endymion from June 1899 until July 1901. Dodd transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in May 1902, and was discharged due to age in November 1910. He tried to rejoin for service in the Great War, but was found ‘Medically Unfit’ on 27 August 1914. Sold with copied service papers.
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Joseph Barrit.) a few minor marks and scratches, otherwise nearly extremely fine £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: Sir Godfrey Dalrymple-White Collection, Glendining’s, July 1946. Joseph Barrit, a unique name on the roll, is confirmed as a Private Royal Marines aboard H.M.S. Leviathan. At Trafalgar the Leviathan was in the weather column: 'she was closely engaged with the French flagship Bucentaure, 80 guns, and the Spanish 140 gun Santisima Trinidad and the 74 gun San Augustin, the latter of which she easily outmanoeuvred, boarded, and carried without opposition. Lashing the Spaniard to her port side, she brought on herself a nasty fire from the French 74 gun Intrepide, until the Africa, Orion, and other ships came to the rescue. Her losses in the battle amounted to twenty-six killed and wounded. The main piece of her head was shot through, all three masts, bowsprit, and most of her lower and topsail yards wounded, her mizzen topsail yard shot away, and a great part of the rigging cut to pieces. She received eight shots between wind and water, and had three guns completely disabled' (The Trafalgar Roll, The Officers, The Men, The Ships, by Colonel R. H. Mackenzie, refers).
An impressive ‘Royal Service’ K.C.V.O. and Great War D.S.O., O.B.E. group of twelve awarded to Major Sir Edward Seymour, late Grenadier Guards, Knighted in 1934 for his services as Comptroller to Princess Victoria and successively as Extra Equerry to Queen Alexandra, King George V, King Edward VIII and King George VI; he was wounded in South Africa in May 1900, and commanded the Grenadier Guards Bearer Party at the funeral of Queen Victoria in March 1901 The Royal Victorian Order, K.C.V.O., Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘K468’; and breast star, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘468’ and fitted with gold pin for wearing; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, reverse hallmarked London 1919; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (2/Lt. E. Seymour 1/Gren: Gds.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (Lieut. E. Seymour, M.V.O., Gren. Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. E. Seymour, M.V.O. Gren. Gds.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. Seymour. G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major E. Seymour.); Coronation 1911, unnamed; Jubilee 1935, unnamed; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (2nd Lieut. E. Seymour Grenadier Guards) mounted on card for display together with an M.V.O. 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt, gold and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘1128’ [as awarded in January 1922] generally good very fine or better (14) £4,000-£5,000 --- K.C.V.O. 1 January 1934: ‘Edward Seymour, C.V.O., D.S.O., M.V.O., O.B.E., Comptroller to Princess Victoria and Extra Equerry to His Majesty.’ C.V.O. 26 November 1925: ‘Edward Seymour, D.S.O., M.V.O., O.B.E., Equerry to H.M. Queen Alexandra.’ M.V.O. 4th Class 2 January 1922: ‘Edward Seymour, D.S.O., M.V.O., O.B.E., Comptroller of the Household to H.R.H. The Duchess of Albany.’ D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917. O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919: ‘Capt. (T/Maj.) Edward Seymour, M.V.O., D.S.O., Grenadier Guards.’ M.V.O. 5th Class 19 March 1901: ‘Lieutenant Edward Seymour, Grenadier Guards. Funeral of H.M. Queen Victoria; Commanded Bearer Party.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916, 4 January 1917, and 20 May 1918. Edward Seymour was born on 10 February 1877, son of Lieutenant-Colonel L. R. Seymour. He was educated at Eton and entered the Army in 1897 as a Second Lieutenant in the Grenadier Guards. He served in the campaign in the Sudan under Sir Herbert Kitchener in 1898, and was present at the battle of Khartoum (Queen’s medal and Khedive’s medal with Clasp). Served in South African War in 1900-02, and took part in operations in Orange Free State, April to May 1900; in Orange River Colony May 1900, including actions at Biddulphsberg, 29th May-wounded-invalided 18th June 1900. Whilst convalescing from his wound in England, Seymour had the honour of commanding the Colour Party of the Grenadier Guards at the funeral of Queen Victoria in March 1901, before returning to South Africa to serve the final stages of the war in Cape Colony, December 1901 to May 1902. Promoted to Captain in the Grenadier Guards in June 1904, he resigned his commission in May 1908, and was appointed Comptroller to the Household of H.R.H. The Duchess of Albany in November of the same year. He carried the Duchess of Albany’s coronet at King George’s coronation in 1911. Recalled from the Reserve of Officers in August 1914, he was appointed Brigade Major on 28 December 1914. He served in France from 6 November 1915, was mentioned in despatches three times and awarded the D.S.O. Promoted to temporary Major (Guards) 25 February 1918, and confirmed as Major on 20 April 1919, he was created O.B.E. in June 1919. Seymour was made M.V.O. 4th Class for his services to The Duchess of Albany in January 1922, and appointed Equerry to H.M. Queen Alexandra on 1 January 1923. He was appointed to be C.V.O. in November 1925 and, shortly afterwards, on 1 December, appointed to the office of Comptroller to H.R.H. Princess Victoria and created a K.C.V.O. for these services in January 1934. He held the appointment as Extra Equerry to King George V, King Edward VIII, and to King George VI. Edward Seymour married, 29 July 1905, Lady Blanche Conyngham, daughter of 4th Marquess Conyngham. They had a daughter, Verena Mary Doyne, born 24 May 1906, and a son, John Edward, born on 18 October 1915. Sir Edward Seymour died on 28 February 1948.
Three: Captain W. R. Chew, South African Medical Corps, who was Mentioned in Despatches for services in German South West Africa 1914-15 Star (Capt. W. R. Chew. S.A.M.C.); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. W. R. Chew.) suspension claw loose on BWM, good very fine Three: Private W. H. Payne, South African Medical Corps 1914-15 Star (Pte. W. H. Payne 2nd F.B. - S.A.M.C.) unit partially officially corrected; British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. W. H. Payne. D.S.C.) suspension claw loose on BWM, very fine (6) £80-£100 --- William Roger Chew was born in Scotland in 1862 and was educated at Edinburgh University, being appointed a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He emigrated to South Africa in 1893 and practised in Grahamstown. He served with the South African Medical Corps during the Great War, being Mentioned in Despatches for his services in German South West Africa (London Gazette 22 August 1918). He died in Calcutta in 1926. Following the death of his brother, Chew looked after his niece, Miss Olive Chew. Following the Great War, she married Johannes Nicolas Grobler. They had one daughter, Eugene Mary Grobler, who married Roy Phillip Payne, the son of William Henry Payne. Sold with photographic images of both recipients, and family lineage. For the medals awarded to the recipient’s niece, see Lot 443; and for the medals awarded to other family members, see Lots 147 and 219.
Pair: Battery Quartermaster Sergeant F. R. Hardy, Royal Field Artillery Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps (90002 B.Q.M. Sgt. F. R. Hardy. 73rd. Bty., R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (90002 B. Qr:-M: Serjt: F. R. Hardy. R.F.A.) edge bruising, nearly very fine (2) £100-£140
Six: Chief Stoker R. Steed, Royal Navy, who was awarded the Naval M.S.M. for his service throughout the Great War in H.M.S. Yarmouth, a light cruiser with an impressive war record which included the hunt for the S.M.S. Emden; the Battle of Jutland; the launch of a Sopwith Pup from one of her turrets in June 1917, the first such successful ship launch of an aircraft in history; and the downing of the enemy Zeppelin L23 in August 1918 Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (300499. R. Steed, Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Perseus.); 1914-15 Star (300499 R. Steed. S.P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (300499 R. Steed. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (300499 R. Steed. Ch. Sto. H.M.S. Wild Swan.); Royal Naval Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (300499 R. Steed. C. Sto. “Yarmouth” Services During War.) mounted as worn, some contact marks and wear but generally very fine or better (6) £500-£700 --- Royal Naval M.S.M. London Gazette 21 June 1919. One of four such awards to Yarmouth. H.M.S. Yarmouth was a Town-class light cruiser launched in April 1911 from the yards of the London & Glasgow Co. On the outbreak of the Great War, Yarmouth was on the China Station and, later in 1914, she was involved in the hunt for the German commerce raider S.M.S. Emden. In October that year she captured two German colliers. She returned to home waters in December 1914 and was assigned to the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet, and in February 1915 to 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron. Whilst serving with this squadron, she took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 June 1916. On 28 June 1917, Flight Commander F. J. Rutland, R.N.A.S., took off in a Sopwith Pup from a ‘flying-off’ platform mounted on the roof of one of Yarmouth's gun turrets, the first such successful launch of an aircraft in history. On 21 August a Pup flown by Flight Sub-Lieutenant B. A. Smart flown from Yarmouth shot down the Zeppelin L 23 near Bovbjerg. H.M.S. Yarmouth was re-commissioned at Colombo, Ceylon, in June 1918, and served as part of the 3rd Light Cruiser Squadron. She re-commissioned at Colombo again in March 1919. The flag of Rear-Admiral The Hon. Edward Stafford Fitzherbert, C.B., Commander-in-Chief on the Africa Station, was flown in Yarmouth temporarily. In 1919, she stopped at Tristan da Cunha, the first ship in ten years, to inform the islanders of the outcome of World War I. After the War, she joined the 7th Light Cruiser Squadron on the South America Station. Richard Stephen George Stead (as name amended from ‘Richard Steed’ on his record of service) was born at Ramsgate, Kent, on 20 June 1881, and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 19 May 1902, a bricklayer by trade. He served aboard H.M.S. Perseus from December 1911 to September 1913, including anti-gun running operations in the Persian Gulf. Prior to the outbreak of the Great War he had advanced to Stoker Petty Officer and served aboard H.M.S. Yarmouth from 14 April 1914 until 11 July 1920, by which time he had advanced to Chief Stoker and witnessed the events outlined above. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. medal in H.M.S. Wild Swan on 23 May 1923, and was ‘Shore Pensioned’ on 29 May 1924. Sold with copied record of service.
Three: Private C. W. Barber, 20th Hussars British War and Victory Medals (31633 Pte. C. W. Barber. 20-Hrs.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Charles William Barber) good very fine Pair: Private G. E. Clarke, Coldstream Guards British War and Victory Medals (22076 Pte. G. E. Clarke. C. Gds.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine Pair: Private S. Smith, South Staffordshire Regiment British War and Victory Medals (9507 Pte. S. Smith. S. Staff. R.) VM officially re-impressed, good very fine (7) £80-£100
1914-15 Star (2) (31 Pte. W. Bird 25/Bn. A.I.F.; 2/1389 Cpl. R. Bestall. N.Z.E.F.) traces of verdigris to obverse of first, very fine (2) £90-£120 --- William Bird was born in London and having emigrated to Brisbane, Australia, attested there into the 25th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force and served during the Great War at Gallipoli from September 1915. Later serving on the Western Front, he was killed in action on 25 December 1917 and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Robert Bestall, a bushman from Wanganui, New Zealand, was born in the Transvaal, South Africa. He attested into the New Zealand Field Artillery and served during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre, before seeing later service on the Western Front. He died of wounds on 7 July 1917 and is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Sold with an Australian Commonwealth Military Forces cap badge and copied research.
Five: Sergeant R. G. Elderfield, Royal Engineers 1914-15 Star (1272 Spr. R. G. Elderfield, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (1272 Spr. R. G. Elderfield, R.E.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (2200045 Sjt. R. G. Elderfield. R.E.); Special Constabulary Long Service, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Reginald G. Elderfield) the first three mounted as worn, generally very fine and better (5) £80-£100 --- Reginald G. Elderfield attested for the Royal Engineers and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from January 1915. He was awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in November 1930. Sold with the recipient’s riband bar.
Pair: Private J. Stell, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment Ashanti Star 1896 (2127 Pte. J. Stell 2. W. Yorks R.) reverse inscribed in the usual Regimental style; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (2127 Pte. J. Stell, W. Yorkshire Regt.) mounted court-style for wear, reverse of Star harshly cleaned, light contact marks, very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2007.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Wittebergen (2635 Sejt. R. Morrison, 2: Sea: Highrs:) good very fine £200-£240 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- R. Morrison was wounded at Jagersfontein on 24 December 1900.
A post-War B.E.M. awarded to Acting Sergeant R. W. Bray, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (22525036 A/Sgt. Robert W. Bray, R.E.M.E.) edge prepared prior to naming, and number partially officially corrected, suspension claw slightly loose, nearly extremely fine £140-£180 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1953. The original Recommendation, dated August 1952, states: ‘Sergeant Robert William Bray No. 4 General Workshop, R.E.M.E., Donnington, Shropshire, is the N.C.O. in charge of Regimental Courses of Instruction. In carrying out his main tasks of training potential junior N.C.O.s he has shown a devotion to duty far in excess of that which could reasonably be expected. He has not spared himself, and has worked for long periods beyond his normal duty hours in order to improve he standard of Regimental training. By his personal endeavours he has this greatly assisted the unit by helping to make good the deficiency of N.C.O.s. He has also shown the same exceptional devotion to duty in connection with the training of Supplementary Reserve Units and Class ‘Z’ Reservists during the years 1951 and 1952, and has been highly commended by the Officers responsible for these units for his part of this task. In addition to his excellent qualities as an Instructor he has shown an unusual combination of tack and firmness, and has been able successfully to impart his specialised knowledge whilst at the same time retaining the respect and liking of the men concerned. It is therefore submitted that his record of outstanding efficiency, successful achievement, and selfless devotion to duty warrants the grant of the award recommended.’
Pair: Private E. Saines, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment British War and Victory Medals (3573 Pte. E. Saines. Essex R.) mounted court-style for display, lacquered, good very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (1399 Pte. G. A. Studd. Essex R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2101 Pte. F. Ralph. Essex R.) very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Ernest Saines, a native of Little Dunmow, was born in Finchingfield on 12 March 1898 and attested for the Essex Regiment (Territorial Force) on 22 May 1915. He served with the 1/5th Battalion during the Great War in Egypt from 7 March 1916, and was twice hospitalised with fever. He was disembodied on 3 April 1919, and died in 1973. George Arthur Studd was born Tendring in 1889 and attested for the Essex Regiment, serving with the 1/5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 1 October 1915. He saw further service with the Labour Corps, and was disembodied on 14 April 1919. He died in Colchester in 1966. Frederick Ralph was born in Beckenham, Kent, and attested for the Essex Regiment at Chelmsford. He served as a Lance-Corporal with ‘A’ Company, 5th Battalion during the Great War in Gallipoli from 9 August 1915, and was killed in action during the 1st Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.
Pair: Private R. Elliss, Royal Marines Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Syria (Richd. Elliss.); St. Jean d’Acre 1840, bronze, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and light contact marks, very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Richard Elliss was born at Bratton Clovelly, Tavistock, Devon, and attested for the Royal Marines at Plymouth on 12 February 1834. He served in H.M.S. Princess Charlotte during the operations on and off the coast of Syria in 1840, and was discharged at his own request, on payment of £20, on 23 August 1841.
The Australia Service Medal awarded to Lance Corporal R. Noble, 25th Australian Infantry Battalion, who was Mentioned in Despatches, and killed in action at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 17 March 1945 Australia Service Medal (NX194204 R. Noble) light scratches, very fine £140-£180 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2009. M.I.D. London Gazette 14 February 1946 (Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 21 February 1946). Robert Noble was born in Brunswick, Melbourne, Victoria, on 26 January 1910. A Porter by occupation, living at Bondi, New South Wales, he attested for war service at Waverley Park on 29 January 1942. He served as Private N220251, later NX194204, in the 25th Australian Infantry Battalion. As a Lance-Corporal in the unit he was Mentioned in Despatches and was killed in action at Bougainville, Solomon Islands, on 17 March 1945. His remains were later reburied in the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery. He was the son of James Colquhoun Noble and Kathleen Helena Noble and husband of Thelma May Noble of Bondi. Sold with copied service and other papers.
An unusual group of five miniature dress medals, in the form of a bracelet, attributed to Colonel C. J. R. Rayment, Army Veterinary Department Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885; India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1894-5; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Chitral 1895, Punjab Frontier 1897-98; Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, mounted in the form of a bracelet, with the clasps affixed to enamel ‘ribands’, and housed in a fitted Spink, London, tooled leather case, nearly extremely fine (5) £400-£500 --- George Joseph Robert Rayment was commissioned Veterinary Surgeon in the Army Veterinary Department on 24 July 1872, and served in the Second Afghan War in 1880, including the expedition against the Atchakzais (Medal). He saw further service during the Egyptian campaign of 1882, and was present at the engagement at Mahsama (Medal, and Khedive’s Star). He subsequently served in the Sudan campaign in 1885 (Clasp), and then with the Waziristan Delimitation Escort under Brigadier General Turner in 1884 (Mentioned in Despatches), and with the Waziristan Field Force under Sir William Lockhart in 1894-95 (Medal with clasp). He saw further service with the Chitral Field Force under Sir Robert Low in 1895 (Mentioned in Despatches, Medal with clasp), and then in the campaign on the North West Frontier of India in 1897-98 with the Tochai Field Force as Inspecting Veterinary Officer (Clasp). He was advanced Veterinary Lieutenant-Colonel on 4 August 1898. Sold with two original letters, and a portrait photographic image believed to be of the recipient.
Three: Private R. S. Armour, Royal Army Medical Corps 1914-15 Star (288 Pte, R.S. Armour. R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves [not entitled] (288 Pte. R. S. Armour. R.A.M.C.), mounted for wear alongside a ‘self-awarded’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (288 Stf./Sgt. R. S. Armour. R.A.M.C.) renamed; together with the related miniature awards, again with D.C.M. and M.I.D., and the 1914-15 Star with a Special Constabulary ‘The Great War 1914-18’ slide clasp, very fine (4) £100-£140 --- Robert Sinclair Armour, a native of Glasgow, was born around 1894. He attested into the Royal Army Medical Corps in 1914 for service during the Great War and served in the Balkans theatre from 21 June 1915. He was discharged on 26 April 1919. Sold with copied research. Note: No trace has been found of either a D.C.M. or a M.I.D. being awarded to this recipient.
Pair: Edith M. R. Brown, British Red Cross and Order of St. John of Jerusalem British War and Victory Medals (E. M. R. Brown. B.R.C. & St. J.J.) very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Edith Mary Rosetta Brown, a member of the British Red Cross, or Order of St. John of Jerusalem, served during the Great War as a Nursing Sister on the Western Front, before transferring into Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve, with whom she served at Home from 4 September 1917.
Five: Shipwright First Class W. R. Smith, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Amethyst throughout the ‘Yangtze Incident’ Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Yangtze 1949 (MX758980 W R Smith A/Shipt 4 RN); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (MX758980 W R Smith Shipt 3 RN); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Malay Peninsula (MX758980 W R Smith Shipt 1 RN); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (MX758980 W R Smith Shipt 1 HMS Triumph RN) mounted as worn, the British medals all official replacements stamped ‘R’, suspension bar lug slightly bent on first, polished, nearly extremely fine (5) £600-£800
Three: Lieutenant W. Hughes, Royal Warwickshire Regiment and Machine Gun Corps 1914-15 Star (2410 Pte. W. Hughes. R. War. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. W. Hughes.) very fine (3) £70-£90 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 30 January 1919 Wilfred Hughes attested into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Territorial Force and served during the Great War on the Western Front with the 1/6th Battalion from 22 March 1915. Discharged to a commission on 20 November 1915, he was later Mentioned in Despatches in the rank of Temporary Lieutenant, whilst serving with the 3/6th Battalion, attached to the Machine Gun Corps. Sold with the recipient’s original (slightly torn) M.I.D. award certificate, mounted on card.
Six: Company Quartermaster Sergeant G. W. Percy, Telegraph Battalion, Royal Engineers Ashanti Star 1896, unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (47931 Sjt. G. W. Percy. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (47931. C.Q.M. Sjt. G. W. Percy. R.E.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (22307 Serjt: G. W. Percy. R.E.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (47931 C.Q.M. Sjt: G. W. Percy. ‘G’ C.S. Coy. R.E.) mounted court-style for wear, good very fine and better (6) £400-£500 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war.’ George W. Percy attested for the Royal Engineers, and served as one of 11 non-commissioned officers and men of the 2nd Division (London) Telegraph Battalion in the Ashanti from 14 December 1895, under the command of Captain R. S. Curtis, Director of Telegraphs. He saw further service with “G” Cable Section Company, Royal Engineers, during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 July 1915, and for his services was awarded an Immediate Meritorious Service Medal. Sold with copied research.
Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (108. Qr. M. Sgt. W. D. Blythe. R. Mil: Coll:) suspension slack, edge bruising, nearly very fine, scarce £140-£180 --- Walter Donald Blythe was born in Largs, Ayrshire, Scotland. He attested for the 64th Foot at Glasgow in November 1874, and advanced to Sergeant in October 1875. Blythe was appointed Temporary Clerk for three years at the Royal Military College, Sandhurst in May 1878. He transferred as Colour Sergeant to The Staff of the Army in January 1879, and advanced to Quartermaster Sergeant, Staff Clerk in July 1881. Blythe transferred to the Corps of Military Staff Clerks, Sandhurst in December 1883, before permanently transferring to the Royal Military College in March the following year. He was discharged to pension in November 1904, having served for 30 years. Sold with copied service papers.
A fine C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel W. Adye, Royal Irish Rifles, who was recommended for the V.C. in the Second Afghan War and was taken Prisoner of War at Nicholson’s Nek in the Second Boer War - ‘the most humiliating day in British military history since Majuba’ The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 18 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1882, complete with swivel-ring suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Afghanistan 1878-80, 1 clasp, Kandahar (Lt. W. Adye. Trans. Dep.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (Major W. Adye. R. Irish Rifles); Coronation 1902, silver, white enamel chipped on one arm of C.B., otherwise, good very fine or better (4) £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2005, when sold with a silver-gilt C.B. badge (£3200). Walter Adye was born in November 1858, the son of Major-General Goodson Adye of Milverton, Warwick, and was educated at Leamington College and Sandhurst. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 83rd Regiment (The Royal Irish Rifles) in January 1878, he was advanced to Lieutenant at the end of the same year, and quickly witnessed active service in the Second Afghan War. Adye was, in fact, detached for special duties, and ‘served throughout the second campaign, firstly as Transport Officer on the Kandahar line, having charge, for six months, of the stations of Dozan and Darwaza in the Boland Pass, and afterwards as Brigade Transport Officer, 1st Division, Kandahar F.F., at Kandahar, where he performed garrison duty throughout the siege. During the retirement of troops from the sortie to Deh Khwaja, he distinguished himself by carrying, under a heavy fire, two of the wounded to places of safety. He was present in the reconnaissance of 31st August, and the battle of Kandahar. He proceeded to India in November 1880, to rejoin his regiment prior to embarkation for Natal. He was recommended by H.E. the Commander-in-Chief, and by General Primrose, for the Victoria Cross’ (Shadbolt refers): Adye actually descended by a rope ladder from the Kabul Gate when sallying out to rescue the second man. Having witnessed further active service - back with his regiment - in the First Boer War 1881, Adye was advanced to Captain in November 1884 and served as Adjutant of the Auxiliary Forces 1885-90. Further promotion followed in March 1893, with his appointment as Major, and by the eve of the Second Boer War he was serving as D.A.A.G. to the Army. He subsequently joined Sir George White’s staff out in Natal at the commencement of hostilities, and quickly made his mark with his senior, being described by him as a ‘capital officer’ who knew ‘every inch of the ground’ - the latter accolade presumably on the back of his earlier experiences in the First Boer War of 1881. Be that as it may, and having witnessed the costly affair at Lombard’s Kop, Adye was instrumental in persuading White to let him take a column to Nicholson’s Nek to protect the west flank of the infantry who were assigned the storming of Pepworth, and to block off the enemy’s line of retreat. In the event, the column was commanded by Adye’s regimental C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel Carleton, which from a career point of view was probably as well, for the whole met with disaster: ‘... From earliest daybreak Boer scouts were reconnoitring, and about 8 o’clock mounted Boers could be seen galloping in small groups to the cover at the reverse of the hill on the west. Later, two strong parties of mounted men took position on the far side of the two hills commanding the kopje from the west. About 9 o’clock these two parties had crowned the hills and opened a heavy fire at short ranges right down upon the plateau. Our men made a plucky attempt to return this fire, but it was impossible; they were under a cross-fire from two directions, flank and rear. The two companies of Gloucesters holding the self-contained ridge were driven from their shelter, and as they crossed the open on the lower plateau were terribly mauled, the men falling in groups. The Boers on the west had not yet declared themselves, but about 200 marksmen climbed to the position which the two companies of Gloucesters had just vacated. These men absolutely raked the plateau, and it was then that the men were ordered to take cover on the steep reverse of the kopje. As soon as the enemy realised this move, the men on the western hill teemed on to the summit and opened upon our men as they lay on the slope. They were absolutely hemmed in, and what had commenced as a skirmish seemed about to become a butchery. The grim order was passed round - “Faugh-a-Ballaghs, fix your bayonets and die like men!” There was the clatter of steel, the moment of suspense, and then the “Cease Fire” sounded. Again and again it sounded, but the Irish Fusiliers were loth to accept the call, and continued firing for many minutes. Then it was unconditional surrender and the men laid down their arms...’ (The Transvaal War refers). Adye was one of 954 officers and men to be taken Prisoner of War that day, a bitter blow to Sir George White, and a day that one historian has described as ‘the most humiliating in British military history since Majuba’: it is said that the officers of the Royal Irish Rifles were ‘so exasperated at the exhibition of the white flag that they set to work and smashed their swords rather than give them up’. Adye was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 8 February 1901 refers) and, on being released, served as D.A.A.G. at Army H.Q. from July 1900 until February 1904. He was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel in the latter year, when he was appointed a General Staff Officer, and thence to substantive Colonel in October 1907. Appointed C.B. in 1909, he served briefly as Deputy Assistant Inspector of Remounts, Eastern Command, from 1914 until his death in September 1915.
The rare Gold Albert Medal group of five awarded to Mr A. T. Shuttleworth, Deputy Conservator of Forests (Bombay District), late Indian Navy Albert Medal, 1st Class, for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea, gold and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘No. 14’ and inscribed (Presented in the name of Her Majesty to A. T. Shuttleworth. Wrecks of the “Berwickshire” “Die Vernon” and “Terzah” 1866 and 1867) the reverse of the crown with maker’s cartouche ‘Phillips Cockspur S’, fitted with silver-gilt riband buckle; India General Service 1854-94, 1 clasp, Persia (A. T. Shuttleworth, Captns. Clk. Ferooz S.F.) fitted with silver riband buckle; Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society, gold (Allen Shuttleworth, Esqr. 1867) fitted with silver-gilt riband buckle; Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 1st large type glazed silver medallion, 73mm (Allen Thornton Shuttleworth Esq. late Indian Navy. 25th September 1867) lacking reverse lunette; Royal Humane Society, large bronze medal (Successful), (Mr A. T. Shuttleworth, 1 August 1866) fitted with bronze riband buckle, generally good very fine (5) £12,000-£16,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Brian Ritchie Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2005. Allen Thornton Shuttleworth, the son of Digby Edward Shuttleworth, Indigo Planter, was born in the Meerpore district of Pubna on 21 October 1839. He was educated under Mr J. Whitely at Woolwich Common and was nominated for the post of Captain’s Clerk in the Indian Navy by Captain John Shepherd on the recommendation of his uncle. Shuttleworth was admitted into the Indian Navy on 12 December 1855, and having taken the oath ‘to be true and faithful to the said Company, and faithfully and truly execute and discharge the trust reposed in me, to the utmost of my skill and power. So Help me God’, he left Gravesend on the Cairngorm on the 24th. In a letter dated ‘31 December off the Isle of Wight’, the captain of the Cairngorm reported that they had commenced their voyage to Bombay. Shuttleworth landed after a four month voyage on 21 April 1856, and was appointed Captain’s Clerk on the 8-gun H.E.I. Company’s Steam Frigate Ferooz. He was then one of twenty-four Captain’s Clerks in the Service and was paid Rs. 50 per month, which if he attained the rank of Captain in 30 to 35 years time could be expected to rise to rise to Rs. 600-800 per month. During the build up to war with Persia in 1856, Commander Rennie of the Ferooz was ordered to sail to Bushire with despatches for the Political Resident. The Ferooz left on 19 September 1856, but on reaching the Persian coast, Commander Rennie was advised to abandon his mission on account of ‘the excited state of the population’. Despite the warning, Rennie resolved to deliver his despatches on shore. C. R. Low, the author of the History of the Indian Navy, who was then a shipmate and contemporary of Shuttleworth’s, later recalled, ‘We remember, being then a Midshipman on board the Ferooz, how this judicious, as well as gallant, officer [Commander Rennie], who had ‘an eye to business’ whenever any fighting was on the tapis, took advantage of this last opportunity of reconnoitring Bushire, to take careful soundings both in going ashore and returning, to be of use in eventualities.’ Having returned to Bombay the Ferooz sailed again for Bushire in late November, this time towing two transports containing men of Major-General Stalker’s division. In the absence of any response to the British ultimatum demanding the Persian withdrawal from Herat, war was declared. The Union flag was hoisted at Kharrack for the first time in sixteen years and a Royal salute fired from the guns of the Ferooz. Offensive operations began in November with the capture of Bushire. Troops were landed at Hallilah Bay under covering fire from eight gun boats, and proceeded to storm fort of Reshire. That night Commander Rennie sent a boat with muffled oars to buoy a fourteen-foot channel off the batteries which next day enabled the Ferooz to take up a position 300 yards closer in shore than the other vessels. In the ensuing action the Ferooz was engaged in a duel with the Persian shore batteries until they were silenced and a breach effected in Bushire’s walls, whereupon the enemy flagstaff was hauled down and the garrison surrendered. The Ferooz then returned to Bombay while Lieutenant-General Sir James Outram led the expeditionary force in land and defeated the Persians at the battle of Khoosh-Ab. Again returning to the Persian Gulf, the Ferooz was next involved in silencing the heavily fortified position at Mohammerah, on the junction of the Karoon and Shatt-ul-Arab, where a Persian Army, thirteen thousand strong, had assembled under the Shahzada. Batteries had been erected of solid earth, twenty feet thick, eighteen feet high, armed with heavy ordnance placed to sweep the entire river at the junction of the Karoon with the Shatt-ul-Arab. An attempt to place a mortar battery on an island failed when the island turned out to be a swamp, but the ingenious Commander Rennie, in defiance of the engineers who said the first shot would smash it, constructed a raft of casks and studding-sail booms, which, armed with two 8-inch and two 5-inch mortars manned by the Bombay Artillery, was towed into position opposite the forts. The ships of war were given the first task of silencing the batteries, which they accomplished at point blank range under heavy fire, then landed parties of seamen to storm the southern and northern forts. To quote General Havelock ‘the gentlemen in blue had it all to themselves, and left us naught to do’. The British loss was only ten killed and thirty wounded, owing largely to Rennie’s ‘happy thought’ of placing trusses in the sides of the Ferooz, from which vast numbers of bullets were shaken out. The bold step of closing at point blank range also took them under the elevation of the Persian guns. Shuttleworth was not actively engaged in the Mutiny, but served in supporting naval operations in the 1800-ton H.E.I.C. Steam Frigate Assaye as Assistant Paymaster. Promoted Paymaster and transferred to the 300-ton Steam-gun boat Clyde in which he served the last three years of his career in the Indian Navy, Shuttleworth next took part in operations against the piratical Waghurs, who, having seized the island fort of Beyt and the fort of Dwarka, were levying large imposts from the pilgrims who came to worship at the great temple dedicated to Krishna. An expedition was mounted including H.M’s 28th Foot, 6th N.I. and a Marine Battalion, accompanied by the Ferooz, Zenobia, Berenice, Victoria, Clyde, Constance and the Lady Falkland. On 5 and 6 October, the fort at Beyt, with earthwork walls 18-40 feet thick and 30-40 feet high, and lofty, massive towers with guns, was under continual bombardment from the naval ships. Troops were landed in an attempt to storm the fort, with boats’ crews and field pieces in support, but failed in the face of heavy fire from the defenders. The Waghurs, however, evacuated the fort soon after dark and it was occupied the next day. To launch the attack on Dwarka, the force then moved to Roopon Bunder, two miles up the coast to the only place where the surf permitted a landing. The beach, however, was covered by the guns of an imposing fort. On the 19th, the Clyde, towing a naval landing party in cutters from the Ferooz, Zenobia and Berenice, opened a bombardment, and successfully put the sailors ashore. Much to the surprise of the Colonel commanding the field force,...
Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (2), V.R., narrow suspension (Geo. Trice. W. R. Cook. H.M.S. Duncan.) impressed naming, surname crudely corrected, and fitted with a replacement non-swivel suspension; E.II.R., 2nd issue (L.932540 T. Hinchcliffe. P.O. Std. H.M.S. Revenge); Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (A2386394 Cpl. N. J. Aldous. R.A.F.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension (12859. Pte. G. A. Daniel. Liverpool Sth. Div. No4 Dis. S.J.A.B. 1934.) generally good very fine or better (4) £120-£160 --- Sold with copied research.
1914 Star (9210 Pte. D. Leary. 2/S. Staff: R.); 1914-15 Star (PS-2421 L. Cpl. J. C. Bennet. R. Fus.); British War Medal 1914-20 (7025 Dvr. J. Moodie. R.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (William H. Giles) suspension claw bent on last, otherwise very fine (4) £120-£160 --- James Cecil Bennet attested into the Royal Fusiliers for service during the Great War and served on the Western Front with the 21st (Public Schools) Battalion from 14 November 1915. He was commissioned into the Royal Irish Fusiliers on 4 August 1916 and served as a Second Lieutenant with the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. He claimed his Great War Medals in 1921, which were sent to him at 80 University Road, Belfast. James Moodie, was born around 1888 in Ratho, Bonnington, Midlothian, and attested into the Royal Field Artillery for service during the Great War. He served on the Western Front from 17 December 1915 and was advanced Acting Bombardier. Awarded the Military Medal (London Gazette, 29 August 1918), he died on Armistice Day, 11 November 1918, and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Sold with a contemporary miniature British War Medal 1914-20, and copied research.
Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Dacres C. Beadon, May. 14. 1906) lacking integral top riband buckle, nearly extremely fine £100-£140 --- R.H.S. Case no. 34,609: ‘At 10 pm on the 14th May, 1906, owing to a sling becoming detached while a boat was being hoisted on board a ship off the mouth of the Tyne, W. C. Mason was knocked overboard. The night was dark, with a strong wind and heavy sea. At great risk, D. C. Beadon went over the side and succeeded in saving him. Beadon, unfortunately, died 2 1/2 hours later.’ The following additional detail is provided by the The Evening Chronicle of 16 May 1906: ‘Sad Death of a Tyne Works Manager, Through an Attempt to Save a Workman. At Hebburn last night, Mr A. T. Shepherd, deputy coroner, held an inquest into circumstances of the death of Mr Dacres Caris Beadon, outside manager at the St. Peter’s works of Messrs. R. and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Co. Ltd who died on board the Russian Volunteer Fleet steamer Smolensk, after immersion at sea on Monday night. Sir Benjamin Chapman Browne, chairman of Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie and Co. Ltd., gave evidence of identification, and said the deceased was outside manager at the engine works. He was 48 years of age, and resided at Monkseaton. He left the Tyne in charge of the engines of the Smolensk on Monday night. Witness was told yesterday morning that Mr. Beadon had died from the effects of being immersed in the sea. William Matheson, manager of the shipyard of Messrs. Hawthorn, Leslie and Co. Ltd., said he was on board the Smolensk, which left the Tyne between 5 and 6 o’clock on Monday evening. Between 8 and 9 preparations were made to transfer the workmen from the ship to a steam tug. There was a ground swell, and after one boat had been despatched from the steamer to the tug it was deemed inadvisable to send any more. The captain gave orders for the boat to be hoisted and while this was being done the stern tackle slipped in consequence of the lurching of the ship, and the boat dropped into the sea. There were three or four men in the boat, one of whom named Mason, was in difficulties. Mr Beadon descended a rope ladder to the bottom to get hold of Mason and while he was hanging on he was frequently immersed in the sea. The deceased and Mason were hauled on board as soon as possible and taken to the hospital on the steamer. They were attended to by the ship’s doctor and his assistants. Mr Beadon was unconscious when he was bought aboard. Hot water bottles were applied, and everything possible was done to revive him. He partly recovered consciousness, but shortly after half-past 12 a change came over Mr Beadon and he died.... The Coroner remarked it was a very melancholy occurrence indeed. Mr Beadon seemed to have lost his life entirely through his endeavours to save another man. One could not but feel the greatest sympathy with the deceased’s family and everyone connected to him.... The fifteen or twenty minutes frequent immersion in the cold sea had evidently been too much for his strength, and caused paralysis of the heart from which he died.....’ Sold with copied research.
A fine Great War ‘Havrincourt Wood, September 1918’ D.C.M. and ‘Western Front’ M.M. and Second Award Bar group of seven awarded to Private J. Schlencker, 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (10913 Pte. J. Schlencker. M.M. 4/Midd’x R.); Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (10913 Pte. J. Schlencker. 4/Middx: R.); 1914-15 Star (G-10913 Pte. J. Schlencker. Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-10913 Pte. J. Schlencker. Midd’x R.); Defence Medal; Service Medal of the Order of St John, silvered base metal (1524 Cpl. J. Schlencker, London S.J.A.B. 1951) mounted court-style for display, good very fine (7) £2,800-£3,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 January 1919: ‘On the 9th/10th/11th September, 1918, in Havrincourt Wood. Under very heavy fire of all descriptions he attended to wounded men and dressed their injuries during these days’ hard fighting, working with a gallantry and self-sacrificing devotion to duty that was a splendid example to all.’ M.M. London Gazette 28 September 1917: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty East of Oosttaverne during operations on the 31st of July 1917... The following Congratulations have been received:- “The G.O.C. 37th Division, wishes to convey to the Officers, NCOs & Men of this Battalion his appreciation of their steadfastness and gallantry during the recent operations. He considers that they have fully maintained their name of ‘Die Hards’.”’(4th Middlesex War Diary refers) M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 25 April 1918. An award for the German Spring Offensive. John Schlencker was a native of High Barnet and proceeded to France with the 4th Middlesex Regiment on 19 October 1915. Sold with copied research including War Diary entries for actions of July 1917 and September 1918.
A fine Boer War D.S.O. group of three awarded to Colonel F. R. Twemlow, North Staffordshire Regiment, who commanded the 4th Battalion in South Africa and later at home - and following the outbreak of the Great War, raised the 3/6th Territorial Battalion Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lt. Col. F. R. Twemlow, D.S.O., N. Staff: R.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 Lt. Col. F. R. Twemlow. D.S.O. N. Staff. R.) engraved naming, mounted ‘cavalry style’, and housed in a Spink, London, red leather case, about extremely fine (3) £1,600-£2,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Spink Numismatic Circular, January 1983. D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901: ‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’ Francis Randle Twemlow was was born at Smallwood, Cheshire, on 20 December 1852, the son of the Reverend Francis Cradock Twemlow of Peatswood, Staffordshire, and was educated at Winchester and Christ Church, Oxford. Joining the Militia on 8 August 1874, he served in South Africa during the Boer War from March 1900 to May 1902 - including as Commandant, Fraserburg District, from December 1900 to August 1901, and as Officer Commanding, 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, from August 1901 to February 1902 (in the absence of Colonel Mirehouse, C.M.G., on sick leave). For his services in South Africa he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901), and was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Twemlow was invested with his insignia by H.M. the King on 24 October 1902. Twemlow commanded the 4th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment, from 13 December 1905 to 29 August 1908 and was promoted Honorary Colonel on 14 December 1906. Following the outbreak of the Great War he was commissioned to raise a new Territorial Battalion (3/6th North Staffordshire Regiment) on 4 April 1915, and was gazetted to the Territorial Force Reserve on 14 December 1915. Sold with two original letters sent to the recipient from Field Marshal Lord Roberts, V.C., K.G. &c.. The first hand written, dated Sefton House, Sefton Park, Liverpool, 30 January 1906, and reading: ‘Dear Colonel Twemlow, I will, with pleasure, present you at the Levée on the 20th instant. Believe me, yours very truly, Roberts’ With original envelope addressed to ‘Colonel Twemlow, D.S.O., Peatswood, Market Drayton’ The second typed, dated Englemere, Ascot, Berkshire, 5 October 1914, and reading: ‘Dear Colonel Twemlow, Please accept my best thanks for your handsome gift for the use of the Cavalry Reserve Regiments. I hope you may feel rewarded for your generosity by the knowledge that you are facilitating the training of the reinforcements which are needed to support our gallant soldiers at the seat of war. I am, yours very truly, Roberts, F.M.’
Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Martinique (S. Bailey, R. Arty) in original named card box of issue, cleaned, good very fine £1,200-£1,600 --- Samuel Bailey was born in the Parish of Clonfeckle, Co. Tyrone, and enlisted into the Royal Artillery on 24 September 1803. He served for 15 years 84 days as a Gunner, and for 2 years 8 days as a Bombardier, including 4 years 60 days in the West Indies, and was discharged from the 7th Battalion, Royal Artillery, on 30 September 1820, in consequence of incipient phthisis, and was admitted on the Pension List at 1/6 per day from 1 October 1820. The Vigors & Macfarlane roll confirms service in Captain St Clair’s Company, 7th Battalion, Royal Artillery, at the capture of Martinique. 37 medals with this clasp were issued to the Royal Artillery, including 17 to St Clair’s Company. Sold with copied discharge details.
Five: Private G. W. Shipley, Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Staff, later Warrant Officer Class II, Middlesex Regiment, who died of disease on 2 December 1915 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Pte. G. W. Shipley. I.Y. Hp. Staff.); 1914-15 Star (2594, C.S. Mjr. G. W. Shipley. Middx. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2594 W.O. Cl. 2 G. W. Shipley. Midd’x R.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (289 Pte. G. W. Shipley. Met. Corps) some staining to Star and VM, otherwise very fine and better (5) £500-£700 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- George William Shipley served in South Africa during the Boer War with the Imperial Yeomanry Hospital Staff, and then during the Great War with the 2nd/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 18 July 1915. He died of disease on 2 December 1915, and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military Cemetery, Egypt.
The Ashanti Star was awarded in 1896 to those members of the expedition under Colonel Sir Francis Scott, against the Ashantis under King Prempeh, from 26 December 1895 to 4 February 1896. The expeditionary force consisted of 420 Officers and men of the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment; a composite battalion made up of between 16 and 26 men from the three regiments of Foot Guards and eight Infantry Regiments; detachments of Royal Artillery, Royal Engineers, Army Medical Corps, Army Ordnance Corps, and Army Service Corps; the 2nd West India Regiment; and locally recruited Hausa forces. The Ashanti Star was designed by Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter H.R.H. Princess Beatrice, Princess Henry of Battenberg, whose husband died of fever during the campaign, and was issued unnamed; however, Colonel A. J. Price, the Commanding Officer of the 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, had the Stars awarded to his battalion engraved on the reverse at his own expense. A Boer War ‘Advance on Laing’s Nek’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant A. Walmsley, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, for his gallantry whilst in charge of the Maxims of the Battalion Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (3325 Serjt: A. Walmsley. W. Yorkshire Regt.); Ashanti Star 1896 (3325 L. Cpl. A. Walmsley 2. W. Yorks R.) reverse inscribed in the usual Regimental style; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (3325 Corl. J. [sic] Walmsley, W. York: Regt.) initial officially corrected, mounted court-style for wear, heavy pitting and contact marks, suspension on QSA broken and crudely repaired, therefore fine and better (3) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Earlier details in the London Gazette, 8 February 1901 state: ‘No. 3325 Lance-Sergeant J. [sic] Walmsley, who distinguished himself [at the advance on Laing’s Nek on 12 June 1900] in charge of the Maxims of the Battalion.’ Arthur Walmsley was born in Blackburn, Lancashire, in 1873 and attested for the West Yorkshire Regiment at Preston on 3 October 1892. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Ashanti campaign from 11 December 1895 to 23 February 1896, and was promoted Corporal on 1 May 1898. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 3 October 1899, after seven years with the Colours, he was recalled to the Colours less than a week later on 9 October 1899, and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 20 October 1899 to 15 August 1901, and then again from 11 January 1902 to 10 September 1902 (also entitled to a King’s South Africa Medal with the two date clasps). Promoted Sergeant on 7 February 1901, for his services during the advance on Laing’s Nek on 12 June 1900 he was both Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901) and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. After further service in India from 21 January 1904 to 8 December 1906, he was finally discharged at his own request after 18 years’ service on 30 November 1910, after a total of 18 years and 59 day’s service. Sold with a group photographic image of the Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeant, and Sergeants of the 1st Battalion, West Yorkshire regiment, 1906 (in which the recipient is identified, and is wearing his four medals); copied record of services; and other research.
A particularly fine I.G.S. 1908-35 with Waziristan 1921-24 clasp awarded to Sergeant W. H. Fearn, Royal Air Force, who served as a DH9A air gunner with 27 Squadron on bombing operations against the hill tribes of Waziristan - and remarkably survived being shot down and captured in enemy territory. Fearn also survived various other abortive flights, only for his luck to run out on 25 April 1930, when he was killed in a flying accident whilst serving as a pilot instructor at R.A.F. Cranwell India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Waziristan 1921-24 (328556. L.A.C. W. H. Fearn. R.A.F.) mounted for display purposes, good very fine £400-£500 --- William Henry Fearn was born in Buxton, Derbyshire, in November 1901. He enlisted as a Boy in the Royal Air Force in March 1919, and two weeks after arriving at the Recruit Depot (Boys Section) he moved to the newly formed School of Technical (Boys) Halton. The apprenticeship scheme was, at that stage, still in embryo form, and Fearn spent only six weeks there before before moving to another boys’ establishment at Eastchurch to continue his training as a Fitter Aero Engine. Fearn returned to Halton in order to complete his training, and did so in November 1920. Within a month he was posted to the Aircraft Depot, Lahore, after which he spent a further six months at the Aircraft Park also based there. Fearn was posted to the R.A.F. School at Ambala in October 1921, before being posted as an AC1 to 27 Squadron (DH9A’s) at Risalpur in October 1922. The Squadron was operational, and at this point was heavily engaged in bombing raids against the hill tribes in Waziristan. Fearn found himself employed as an Air Gunner on the squadron’s DH9As. He moved with the Squadron to Razmak in December 1922, and 21 January 1923, whilst flying with Flying Officer R. J. M. St. Leger, he found adventure that few survived: ‘While I was having tea at Dardoni I was told that Flying Officer St. Leger and Leading Aircraftman Fearn, who had been shot down and taken prisoner, had now returned from the Military Post at Ladha, where they had been staying for a few days after being released. During our raids on the Abdullai villages in the Razmak area a few weeks back, before they had come to terms, the machine St. Leger was flying was hit by rifle fire and he had to make a forced-landing in enemy territory; his second forced-landing in Waziristan within 12 months. When the raids for the day were over and we had no news of them, we feared the worst because this is terrible country to crash in. The day after, we were told that they had been captured by the Mahsuds. Fearn told me, when I saw him later this evening, that after crashing, though badly shaken, they were unhurt. They escaped from the pursuing Abdullais after an exciting chase, but were captured by another section of the Mahsuds. Seeing that it was impossible to escape from this second party and that they were being attacked by tribesmen carrying dangerous knives, St. Leger probably saved their lives when they were being approached at the end of the second chase. By a flash of wit he calmly walked up to the leading pursuer and asked him, speaking in Urdu, how much he wanted for his knife - “Churi, kitni pice hait?” As it happened, the tribesman thus addressed understood Urdu, and the incongruity of the situation must have amused him, for from that moment instead of being a deadly foe he became a friend. He put away his knife and conducted these mad, and brave Englishmen, for neither of them was armed, to his village, where they remained until contact had been made with the Political Agent and their release arranged. During the days they were in captivity their fate hung in the balance, owing to the demands of other sections of the tribesmen for revenge. Eventually they were handed over the Military Authorities at Ladha, where a ransom of 5,000 rupees was paid to their captors, from whom they parted on quite friendly terms. Two knives, similar to those the tribesmen were carrying when the chase was on, were presented to St. Leger and Fearn on their departure from the village.’ (With The First In The Field, by A. E. Cowton - a N.C.O. in 27 Squadron at the time - refers) Having survived that ordeal Fearn had a further brush with death on 15 July 1924. On take-off at Risalpur, his pilot, Flight Officer C. A. Mason, throttled back too early and the aircraft crashed on rough ground. Fortunately both survived without significant injury. Fearn was posted for pilot training at No. 4 F.T.S., Abu Sueir, Egypt in January 1925. In gained his ‘Wings’ and advanced to Sergeant in January the following year. Fearn was subsequently posted as an Instructor at R.A.F. Cranwell in August 1928, and it was here that he met an untimely death. On 25 April 1930, Sergeant Fearn was carrying out a test in an Avro 504N with A.C.1 Charlton in the other seat. According to the evidence given at the inquest, the aircraft was approaching for what appeared to be a normal landing. At about 50ft, it suddenly reared upwards, with black smoke coming from the underside. The aircraft then stalled, and went in to a short spin before hitting the ground. Both airmen were killed, and are buried in the Churchyard in Cranwell village. Their names are also listed on the Roll of Honour displayed in the Church in the grounds of the R.A.F. College. Sold with copied service papers and research.
Three: Leading Aircraftsman D. R. Gallagher, Royal Australian Air Force Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, all officially named ‘128787 D. R. Gallagher’, generally very fine British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. N. D. R. Bruce.) with campaign card box issue for War Medal 1939-45 addressed to ‘Capt. N. D. R. Bruce, 9 Pembroke Avenue, West Worthing, Sussex’, this partially crossed, with another illegible address written in pencil in its place; with enclosure, very fine (4) £60-£80 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2009 (when sold with an additional War Medal 1939-45). Dennis Robert Gallagher was born in Melbourne on 5 May 1912. Living at Toorak, he enlisted in Melbourne on 13 April 1943. He was based at 6 RAAF Hospital at the time of his discharge on 24 October 1945.
1914 Star, with copy clasp (62469 Gnr: J. W. Balmer. R.F.A.); 1914-15 Star (6900 Spr. J. Probert. R.E.); British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (13522 Pte. A. Martin S. Staff. R.; A-3043 Pte. E. Martin. K.R. Rif. C.; 242549 Pte. W. Pollard. Y. & L.R.; 42419. 2.A.M. H. Hill. R.A.F.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Frank Pinkard); Victory Medal 1914-19 (16545 Pte. R. E. Fox. S. Staff. R.); together with a mounted group of three miniature dress medals, comprising 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-20; and Victory Medal 1914-19, generally very fine and better (lot) £120-£160
Five: Private E. Walker, 2nd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, later Rifle Brigade Ashanti Star 1896 (4662 Pte. E. Walker 2. W. Yorks R.) reverse inscribed in the usual Regimental style; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (4662 Pte .E. Walker, Wt: York: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4662 Pte. E. Walker. W. York: Regt.); British War and Victory Medals (936 Pte. E. Walker. Rif. Brig.) mounted court-style for wear, reverse of Star harshly cleaned and QSA polished, light contact marks, generally nearly very fine and better (5) £600-£800 --- Sold with a photographic image of the recipient in old age wearing his medals (although mounted in the reverse order); and a contemporary letter.
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