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Click here to subscribeA 1920s oak longcase clock of small proportions, with silvered chapter ring and movement striking on eight straight gongs, in panelled case and with bun feet, height 192cm.Additional InformationNo guarantees that the clock is in working order. It is a chain wind mechanism. Chapter ring with tarnishing and wear. Case with light wear but overall ok.
Pair: Private R. Whitlock, Rifle Brigade Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Alma, Inkermann (Robert Whitlock. 1st. Bn. Rifle Bde.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, plugged and fitted with a small ring suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (2) £260-£300
A rare Punjab campaign C.B. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-General James Eckford, C.B., Bengal Infantry, late Royal Navy The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1815, maker’s mark ‘IN’ for John Northam, complete with wide swivel-ring bar suspension, gold ribbon buckle and gold top suspension brooch; Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Java (J. Eckford, C.B. Lieut. & Adjt. 6th Bengal Volr. Battn.; Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Bhurtpoor (Capt. J. Eckford, 6th N.I.) short hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming; Punjab 1848-49, no clasp (Brigr. J. Eckford, Commg. 3rd Infy. Bde. 56th Bengal N.I.) good very fine or better (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 7 June 1849. James Eckford was born at Dunfermline, Fife, on 5 July 1786. Prior to joining the H.E.I. Co. forces, Eckford served as a midshipman on H.M. Frigate Greyhound with Sir Home Popham’s expedition and was present at the bombardment of Boulogne and Havre de Grace, and subsequent destruction of the French flotilla. Eckford joined the Bengal Army as a Cadet in 1804, arrived in India on 10 July 1805, and was appointed Ensign on 17 November 1805; Lieutenant, 17 September 1806; Captain 20 July 1823; Major, 18 July 1831; Lieutenant-Colonel, 11 March 1837; Colonel, 27 October 1848; Major-General, 28 November 1854; Lieutenant-General, 29 April 1861. Posted as Lieutenant to the 3rd N.I., he took part in the operations in Bundelkhand, including the capture of Chamir. He was present at the capture of Java in 1811, including the taking of Cornelis, as Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 6th Volunteer Battalion (Medal with Clasp), with whom he served in Java until 1816, including the capture of Jakarta in 1812. He commanded the Amboynese Corps in March-April 1816. As Captain he transferred to the 6th N.I. in May 1824 and was present with the 6th N.I. at the siege and capture of Bhurtpoor (Medal with Clasp). He was posted as Lieutenant-Colonel to the 6th N.I. on 4 May 1838, and was Lieutenant-Colonel commanding 6th N.I., with General Pollock’s Force, and commanding at Jellalabad from 10 November 1842 [7 months after the defence of that place and not entitled to the medal]. Was commanding 6th N.I. on escort duty during the First Sikh War. He transferred to 7th N.I. on 24 July 1847, and to the 56th N.I. on 9 May 1848, being appointed Brigadier 2nd Class in October 1848, and commanded 3rd Infantry Brigade during the Second Sikh War, including the passage of the Chenab and action at Sadoolapore (Medal and Companion of the Bath). He was Brigadier commanding at Barrackpore from August 1854, and, as Major-General, had temporary command of a Presidency Division from May 1855 till 1856. Lieutenant-General James Eckford died at St Helier, Jersey, on 2 July 1867.
Family Group: Four: Wing Commander W. E. Ennis, Royal Air Force, late Royal Engineers and Corps of Military Accountants British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. E. Ennis); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as originally worn, generally very fine or better Three: Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis, 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force, an Air Gunner whose Whitley was shot down whilst on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (7) £500-£700 --- Wilfred Edmund Ennis was the father of P. J. W. Ennis and A. S. R. E. Ennis, and resided as 136 Hale Lane, Edgware, London. He enlisted in the 15th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Prince of Wale’s Own Civil Service Rifles), and served in the ranks until his was commissioned into the Royal Engineers in March 1915. Ennis advanced to Captain and transferred to the Corps of Military Accountants, subsequently transferring to the Royal Air Force. He re-engaged as Temporary Squadron Leader in September 1940, advanced to Wing Commander and served at Coastal Command HQ, Northwood. Sold with the following items and documents: Riband bar; Letter to recipient from his A. S. R. E. Ennis from Driffield, dated 16 May 1941; Telegram informing recipient that his son P. J. W. Ennis is missing from operations; Letter from Buckingham Palace to recipient expressing condolences on the loss of two sons during the war, dated 8 August 1945; Two Air Ministry Letters addressed to recipient concerning burial and circumstances behind the death of P. J. W. Ennis, dated 26 May and 17 August 1949 respectively; Enclosure for photographs of grave of P. J. W. Ennis to recipient on behalf of the Under Secretary of State for Air, dated 23 March 1950. Patrick Joseph William Ennis was the son of the above, and the younger brother of A. S. R. E. Ennis. He was educated at Wimbledon College, and joined the Royal Air Force in 1940, carrying out his initial training as an Air Gunner/Wireless Operator at No. E. & W. S. Ennis was subsequently posted to No. 19 O.T.U., and having advanced to Sergeant, was posted for operational flying with 102 Squadron (Whitleys) at Topcliffe in June 1941. He flew in just 2 operational sorties - the first being to Bremen, 27 June 1941. Sergeant Ennis was killed in action on a raid to Essen, 3/4 July 1941, and the following detail is given by an Air Ministry Letter to his father dated 17 August 1949: ‘As you know, your son was a member of the crew of Whitley Z 6573, 102 Squadron, which took off from Topcliffe at 23.14 hours on 3rd July, 1941, for Essen. Nothing was heard during the war of the fate of any of the five occupants, and their death was presumed to have occurred on 4th July, 1941. In 1946 we found among captured German documents an index card recording the death on 4th July, 1941, of three unknown members of the crew of a Whitley and their burial in the main cemetery at Neuss, four miles west of Dusseldorf (British Zone), in Plot 5, graves 9, 10 and 11. We accordingly sent a special enquiry to the Royal Air Force Missing Research and Enquiry Unit operating in the British Zone, asking them to investigate and notifying them that Whitley Z 6573 was the only aircraft of that type not accounted for on 4th July, 1941. At the end of 1946 a report was received from the Unit to the effect that an Allied aircraft had been shot down at 01.10 hours on 4th July, 1941, at Kaarst, four miles north-west of Neuss. It had exploded with its bomb-load on crashing and identification was not possible at the time. The dead were buried at Neuss. Exhaustive interrogation of local inhabitants was not very productive but the search officer was reasonably certain that the aircraft was your son’s Whitley. In the hope of positive identification, exhumation of the graves at Neuss was ordered. Unfortunately the volume of research in the Ruhr area was so great that it was not till this year that we received the examination reports. As you will have appreciated, the nature of the crash was such that only fragmentary remains were found in the three graves but enough was found to prove that these graves contained the remains of all five members of the crew. In grave 9 were found a corroded Ronson lighter and a smashed gold ring with the initials P. J. E. This identified your son Sergeant P. J. W. Ennis. These relics were in so bad a state that they were left on the body. Had they been in reasonably good condition, then they would have been sent to us and by us to you. As we told you in Air Ministry Letter of 26th May, the graves have been moved to the British Military Cemetery, Rheinberg. Your son lies in Plot 6, Row B, Grave 9, and the other four members of his crew in Plot 6, Row B, communal graves 10 and 11.’ Sold with the following items and documents: Air Gunner’s Brevet; Royal Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (26 October 1940 - 3 July 1941) annotated ‘Death Presumed 4.7.41’; named forwarding slip for recipient’s Log Book. For the medals awarded to A. S. R. E. Ennis, see Lot 24.
Eight: Warrant Officer Class I A. Frost, Royal Army Service Corps 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (S/788162 W.O. Cl. 1. A. Frost. R.A.S.C.) minor official corrections to number and surname; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (S/788162 W.O. Cl. 1. A. Frost. R.A.S.C.) replacement ring suspension to Africa Star, good very fine and better (8) £140-£180
Pair: Craftsman A. D. Burns, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24845569 Cfn A D Burns REME) in named card box of issue; N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, no clasp, for Macedonia, unnamed as issue, with replacement ring suspension, in case of issue; together with Saudi Arabia and Kuwait medals for the Liberation of Kuwait 1991, both in boxes of issue, nearly extremely fine (4) £160-£200
Waterloo 1815 (Roger Wadmore, 11th. Reg. Light Dragoons.) fitted with replacement silver clip but lacking suspension ring, heavy contact marks partially obscuring the naming at 3 and 9 o’clock, lacquered, good fine £700-£900 --- Roger Wadmore attested for the 11th Light Dragoons and served in Captain H. Floyd’s No. 6 Troop during the Waterloo Campaign, 16-18 June 1815.
Waterloo 1815 (Ensign Charles Dallas, 32nd Regiment Foot.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, small edge bruise, otherwise good very fine £3,600-£4,400 --- Charles Robert King Dallas was born in Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies, on 8 June 1794, the 2nd son of Charles Stuart Dallas, by Susan King. He was appointed Ensign in the 32nd Foot Foot on 23 March 1815. He was the junior ensign in the Regiment and was severely wounded at Quatre Bras on 16 June. Placed on half-pay as an Ensign in 1820, he quitted the service some years later and entered the Church. He married his cousin Julia Maria Dallas on 3 July 1821, in Paris and from 1826 to 1833 he was a curate in Jamaica. He returned to England in 1834 and was Rector at Stratton, Hampshire 1834-1859. He was afterwards Rector at St John's Farncombe for 21 years and died at Shackleford on 1 January 1881.
Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. James Markland, 33rd Regiment Foot.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension, minor edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise good very fine £4,000-£5,000 --- James Markland was appointed Lieutenant in the 33rd Foot on 1 June 1810, was severely wounded at Waterloo (London Gazette refers), and left the regiment in 1817. "Men fell rapidly, Halkett among them, shot through the cheeks. Lieutenants Buck and Cameron, of the 33rd, the latter carrying the regimental colours, were killed. The 33rd suffered heavily. Lieutenants Bain, Meikland [sic], Westmore and Ogle were shot down, Lieutenant Haigh was shot through the neck and died the next day, Adjutant Thain was also killed, while Captains McIntyre and Harsty were wounded, besides thirty or forty of the rank and file. As Halkett was carried to the rare, Colonel Elphinstone of the 33rd took command, and led the brigade on, in spite of the fire of grape, but suddenly the enemy’s fire relaxed, then ceased, and when the smoke had disappeared, not a man was to be seen except those who were retreating in great disorder and consternation.”
Waterloo 1815 (John Reeves, 2nd. Batt. 44th. Reg. Foot.) with original steel clip and split ring suspension, and contemporary top silver riband buckle, edge bruising, traces of lacquer, otherwise good very fine £1,800-£2,200 --- John Reeves attested for the 44th Regiment of Foot and served in Captain Bostock Jacob’s Company during the Waterloo campaign, 16-18 June 1815.
Jubilee 1897 Medal for Zulu Chiefs, 38mm, silver, the obverse featuring a veiled crowned profile of Queen Victoria facing left, the reverse inscribed ‘To commemorate the Sixtieth Year of the Reign of H.M. Queen Victoria 1897’, within a laurel wreath, with Royal Arms above and Star of India below, unnamed as issued, fitted with claw, small ring, and straight bar suspension, and fitted with riband for neck wear, minor edge bruising, good very fine, rare £200-£240 --- Natal colonial archives held in Pietermaritzburg state that about 200 of these medals were issued to Native Zulu Chiefs. Photographs of Zulu Chiefs wearing the medal exist, sometimes along with the King Edward VII Coronation Medal. It is believed that the recipient's name was written in ink on the suspension bar to facilitate an orderly distribution to the tribal regions. Sometimes the recipient scratched over the ink and the name has been thus preserved.
Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (168. Sergt. W. Spires, 1-1st Foot) with unusual added double ring suspension soldered to suspension rod, otherwise nearly extremely fine £80-£100 --- William Spires was born at Meldon, Essex in December 1840 and attested for the 1st Foot (Royal Scots) at Chelmsford in September 1857. Advanced Sergeant on 17 September 1866, he was discharged in October 1878, being unfit for further active service, after 19 years and 233 days’ service, of which 12 years had been spent soldiering in India. Sold with copied record of service.
A rare 1914 ‘Bombardment of Scarborough’ Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross First Class in Bronze group of three awarded to Patrol Leader P. Robertshaw, 3rd Scarborough Troop, later Private, Royal Army Medical Corps British War and Victory Medals (101998 Pte. P. Robertshaw, R.A.M.C.); Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 1st Class, 1st issue, bronze, the reverse inscribed, ‘Percy Robertshaw, Scarboro., 16-12-14’, with ring suspension and integral top riband bar, in its original J. A. Wyllie, London, red leather case of issue, generally very fine or better (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- The Boy Scouts’ Headquarters Gazette of March 1915 confirms that Robertshaw received his Bronze Cross for stopping a runaway horse. He appears to have received his award, ‘the highest of the Association for gallantry’, in February 1915. Although not mentioned in the official citation, the date on the cross provides ample reason for any horse to gallop away in a panic. In the early morning of 16 December 1914 the German battlecruisers Derfflinger and Von der Tann emerged from the mist off Scarborough and bombarded the North Yorkshire seaside town, whilst the accompanying light cruiser Kolberg laid mines. Some 500 shells were fired at the castle barracks and town, killing 17, injuring 80 and causing damage to property and to British prestige (and upsetting at least one horse!). At the same time, the battlecruisers Seydlitz and Moltke and heavy cruiser Bluecher bombarded the port of Hartlepool; later still the seaside town of Whitby was shelled by the squadron.
Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, 1st issue, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘H. Motton. May. 1909’, with ring suspension and integral top riband bar, in its original J. A. Wyllie, London, blue leather case of issue, traces of the Cross having sometime been lightly gilded, therefore nearly very fine £400-£500 --- Harold Motton, a Boy Scout with the 1st Longford Troop, Shetford, was awarded the Cross for saving the life of Teresa Fulgone, by extinguishing her burning dress, on 29 May 1909.
A Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Second Class group of three awarded to Pack Leader B. C. Finch, later Mercantile Marine, for his gallantry in saving a child from drowning at Broadstairs, Kent, on 4 April 1916 British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Bernard C. Finch); Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 2nd Class, 1st issue, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘P/L B. Finch 11th. East Ham 4.4.16’, with ring suspension and top slide riband bar, good very fine (3) £500-£700 --- Bernard C. Finch, a Pack Leader with the 11th East Ham Troop, was awarded the Cross for saving the life of a child from drowning at Broadstairs, Kent, on 4 April 1916.
A well documented Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross Third Class awarded to J. D. Glenny, for saving a man from drowning at South Shields on 7 December 1917 Boy Scouts Association Gallantry Cross, 3rd Class, 1st issue, silver-gilt, the reverse inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, for saving a drowning man, South Shields Docks, 17.12.17 [sic]’ around scout emblem, with ring and straight bar suspension; Royal Life Saving Society Proficiency Medal, bronze, the reverse re-inscribed, ‘J. D. Glenny, December 1917’, first with some contact marks, very fine (2) £600-£800 --- ‘On 7th December 1917 Albert V. Dodds was working on the offside of a vessel alongside Messrs. Readhead’s Quay at South Shields, when he overbalanced and fell into the Tyne. In his fall he was hit on the head and apparently rendered unconscious. John D. Glenny was working on the boat from which Dodds had fallen, and he immediately ran from his fire on deck and dived into the water, a distance of about 8 feet. After swimming a distance of about 15 yards he got hold of Dodds and swam back with him to the ship’s side. One of the workmen climbed down the side of the ship and fastened a rope to Dodds’ belt. Glenny then swam to a launch which had arrived on the scene and was about to be taken on board when the workman shouted that Dodds had sunk again as the belt by which they were pulling him out of the water had broken. Glenny at once left the launch side and again dived and brought Dodds to the surface. Both rescuer and rescued were assisted into the launch. At the place where the rescue occurred the River Tyne is fully 200 yards wide and about 30 feet deep. There were strong currents running and the water is foul.’ John D. Glenny was awarded the Boy Scouts Association Gilt Cross for this rescue, as well as the Royal Humane Society’s Bronze Medal, case no. 43,913 (not with lot), and a Carnegie Hero Fund Certificate. It was also reported that because of family circumstances, ‘a sum of £10 was to be sent to Mayor to be applied in the best interests of the rescuer.’ Sold with the following documents: i) A colourful award document to accompany the Gilt Cross, this named to 2nd Class Scout John D, Glenny, The South Shields Congregational Troop. Awarded the Gilt Cross of the Boy Scouts for ‘Saving a man from drowning in the West Docks, South Shields, on December 7th 1917’, dated 25.1.1918’ [signed] ‘Robert Baden-Powell’ Chief Scout’, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 530mm x 440mm ii)Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Certificate, ‘Presented by the Trustees in Recognition of Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life, to John D. Glenny, South Shields, 7th December, 1917’, dated 28 February 1918, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 490mm x 400mm; together with the Carnegie Hero Fund Trust annual report for 1918. iii) Royal Life Saving Society certificate, awarded to ‘John G. [sic]. Glenny, So. Shields Sch. S.A., for knowledge of Rescue, Releasing one’s-self from the Clutch of the Drowning, also ability to render aid in Resuscitating the Apparently Drowned’, dated December 1913’, minor tear marks, mounted in a glazed display frame approx. 480mm x 420mm.
A German Great War Iron Cross Group and a Second World War Iron Cross Group. A group of five comprising a 1914 Iron Cross Second Class, Landwehr Long Service Award 3rd Class, Oldenburg award, Third Reich awarded 1914-18 War Honour Cross with swords, and Third Reich Luftschutz Medal 2nd Class. Accompanied by a group of three comprising a 1939 Iron Cross Second Class, unnumbered ring, Armed Forces 4 year Long Service Medal, and West Wall Medal, both groups mounted as worn, generally good condition (8) £160-£200
A German Second World War Order of the German Eagle Third Class. A very fine condition Order of the German Eagle Third Class, with swords, totally undamaged white enamel to both sides of the Maltese Cross with good white enamel within the arms of the swastikas, good gilt to all other fitted parts, with its original ribbon and dress retaining pin, suspension ring marked 900 21. Fitted into its presentation box, the gilt lettering to the upper inner imitation silk reads correctly. Two ink stains to the right hand side of the inner upper silk, the exterior of the box having good proud gilded eagle and swastika and gilt edge line but some rubbing to the corners with what appears to be ink stain to the top left hand corner of the box, very good condition £500-£700
A German Second World War German Cross in Gold. A classic No.20 C.F. Zimmermann production, good gilt to the gold wreath with some rubbing to the high spots, all of the finish to the ray and star good with undamaged red enamel ring, the brushed aluminium finish behind the enamel swastika good without any damage to the enamels of the swastika itself. On the reverse side the standard No.20 four domed hollow rivets. The wide tapering pin all intact with its original hook and hinge, stamped number 20 under the pin, good condition £1,000-£1,400
A German Second World War German Cross in Silver. A Superb quality convex shaped Deschler & Sohn produced German Cross in Silver, this is the heavy unmarked version. Totally undamaged enamels to the central swastika, slight rubbing to the dark patinated finish of the ray, the silver star all good, undamaged red enamel to the ring below the silver 1941 dated wreath, slight toning to the area between the arms of the swastika, with its classic four domed rivets by Deschler. Wide tapering pin, original hook and hinge, extremely good condition £2,000-£2,400
A German Second World War German Cross in Silver. A very nice example of the cased German Cross in silver. Manufacturer number 20, C.F. Zimmermann & Company. This is the classic example, the most commonly encountered manufacturer of all the German Crosses both gold and silver. Number 20 stamped to the underside of the pin. Four slightly raised hollow rivets. Typical straight tapering pin. Original hook and hinge. Totally undamaged enamel to the black swastika. Very slight rubbing only to the surface of the silver wreath with its 1941 date. All of the finish to the star and ray intact. The red enamel ring is undamaged with slight toning to the silvered finish within the arms of the swastika. Fitted into its correct silver lined box, the silver lining has turned to a hue of gold over the years but is definitely a silver version. The box itself has some slight scuffing, some minor biro marks on the inner imitation silk in the area of the hinge with some scuff marks and what appears to be a paint stain to the top front section of the lid itself, very good condition £1,800-£2,200
A German Second World War Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross A fine example of the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, missing its loop, the remainder in excellent condition, fully magnetic centre. All of the black finish to the central core complete with its original Forman lead seal having the micro 800 Steinhauer & Luck of Ludenscheid hallmark beneath the eyelet ring, with a short section of riband for display purposes, very good condition £5,000-£7,000
A German Second World War Iron Cross Second Class. A nice condition Iron Cross Second Class, ring stamped with a faint number that appears to be 119, all the black finish remaining to the centre of the award, complete with its black and white ribbon, in an attractive case with plain exterior, some rubbing to the finish, to the interior the Iron Cross mounted in a raised mound on a grey velvet, good condition £80-£100
A German Second World War SS 8 Year Long Service Medal. A very nice example, cased, of the SS 8 Year Long Service Medal, all of its bronze finish remaining. Correct teardrop suspension ring with raised ridge to the ring attached to the award, with its blue watered silk ribbon. Fitted into its fragile cardboard case of which the paper hinge on the back has broken and two edges of the outer lid corners have broken but it is all complete with a good silver outline of the SS runic symbol to the lid itself, slight losses to that silver finish, good condition £300-£400
A fine Napoleonic war and Waterloo pair awarded to Private Samuel Green, 2nd Battalion, 95th Foot (Rifles) Military General Service 1793-1814, 10 clasps, Fuentes D’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (Samuel Green, 95th Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Samuel Green, 2nd Batt. 95th Reg. Foot.) fitted with replacement silver clip and steel ring suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (2) £5,000-£7,000 --- Samuel Green was born in the Parish of Pershore, Worcestershire, and enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, 95th Foot (Rifle Brigade) at Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 3 April 1809, aged 21, for unlimited service, a labourer by trade. He served 22 years 350 days, including 2 years for Waterloo, and was discharged at Devonport on 9 March 1830, in consequence of ‘chronic rheumatism and cough.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.
Pair: Major-General Albert Goldsmid, 12th Light Dragoons, one of the first Jewish officers to serve in the British Army Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, Nive (A. Goldsmid, Cornet 12th Lt. Dgns.); Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. Albert Goldsmid. 12th Light Dragoons) contemporarily re-engraved naming in upright serif capitals, fitted with replacement ring suspension, this with contact pitting and edge bruising, fine, both dark toned, suspension post on first in need of re-affixing, otherwise good very fine (2) £3,000-£4,000 --- Albert Goldsmid was born in 1794, the son of Benjamin Goldsmid, who, with his brother, occupied an important financial position in the City of London at the end of the eighteenth century. Albert and his brother, Lionel Prager Goldsmid, established a new tradition in the family by entering the Army, an example which was followed later by other members of the family. Albert entered the army on 30 April 1811, as a Cornet in the 12th Light Dragoons, aged 17, his commission purchased, as indeed were all his subsequent positions up to the rank of Major, either ‘by purchase’ or ‘by paying the difference’. Promoted to Lieutenant in the regiment on 20 February 1812, he went on active duty in Spain in May, where he continued to serve until the close of the war in April 1814. He was present at the cavalry affairs of Castrajon, Quintare de Puerta, and Monasterio, and at the battles of Salamanca, Vittoria, Nivelle, and Nive, and was awarded the silver medal and four clasps. Throughout the Peninsula the 12th Light Dragoons served with distinction under Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. F. C. Ponsonby. At Castrajon, the 12th safeguarded Wellington from a French attack. Goldsmid lost two horses during the campaign, and was present at the siege of St Sebastian but did not qualify for that clasp. The 12th was known for consistently volunteering for outpost duty and had the honour of being the advance guard of the Army on its entry into Bordeaux. “The 12th can boast of never losing a man by surprise nor a man deserted it tried by court martial, a magnificent record”, wrote Vandeleur. With the escape of Napoleon from Elba, the regiment was ordered to France in April 1815, and quartered at Oudenarde as part of Major-General Vandeleur’s Brigade along with the 11th and 16th Light Dragoons. On 8 May the Brigade moved to Denderwinde and was in place at Enghien on 16 June. On 18 June at Waterloo, Ponsonby had orders to act on his own discretion and he led a charge of the 12th Light Dragoons against a body of French infantry to relieve the Union Brigade. Whilst the charge of the 12th L.D. was successful in achieving its objective, they were in turn attacked by French Lancers during which Colonel Ponsonby was severely wounded and a considerable number of men were killed or wounded, almost a squadron. It was an expensive affair, though Wellington called it ‘beautiful’. Captain Barton’s squadron, in which Goldsmid served, charged again towards the end of the day, sabreing and capturing a sizeable body of enemy infantry. At Waterloo the 12th had three officers and 43 other ranks killed, and two officers and 58 other ranks wounded or missing. Goldsmid was briefly placed on the half-pay of the 72nd Foot in 1816, but was able to obtain a Captaincy in his old regiment on 22 February 1816, by paying the difference, and in the following year the 12th was converted to a lancer regiment, becoming the 12th (or Prince of Wales’s) Royal Regiment of Lancers. He was again placed on half-pay on 26 October 1820, this time to the 60th Regiment, but transferred to the 34th Regiment on 22 December 1825, and finally retired as a Major unattached on 10 January 1826. He was gazetted Lieutenant-Colonel on 23 November 1841; Colonel, 20 June 1854; and Major-General, 26 October 1858. Major-General Albert Goldsmid, one of the first Jewish officers in the British Army, died in London on 6 January 1861. Sold with copied research including colour portrait of an oil painting of Captain Goldsmid in Light Dragoon uniform wearing his Waterloo medal, circa 1816-17, originally published in the Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research (Vol. 22, 1943-44).
Four: Troop Sergeant Major J. Switzer, 5th Dragoon Guards, later a Yeoman Warder, H.M. Tower of London Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (No. 775 Serjt. J. Switzer. 5th. Dragoon Guards.) contemporarily engraved naming; Jubilee 1887, bronze, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (775 Troop Sergr. Mjr. John Switzer 5th. Dgn. Gds.) impressed naming, suspension claw re-affixed; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue (No. 775. T.S.M. Jno Switzer. 5th. Dragoon Gds.) contemporarily impressed naming, ‘z’ of surname corrected, plugged and fitted with small ring suspension; all with Bailey, Coventry, to silver laurel riband bars; together with two unofficial Golden Jubilee 1887 badges, heavy edge bruising and contact marks to first, the naming details partially obscured, this fair to fine, the rest better (6) £500-£700 --- John Switzer was born in Killeen, Co. Limerick, Ireland, on 21 April 1821 and attested for the 5th Dragoon Guards on 31 May 1842. Promoted Corporal on 1 October 1848, and Sergeant on 1 November 1853, he served with the Regiment in the Crimea during the latter half of 1855, and was promoted Troop Sergeant Major on 12 November 1857. He was discharged at Curragh Camp on 13 March 1867, after 24 years and 295 days’ service, and subsequently served as a Yeoman Warder (a ‘Beef-eater’) at the Tower of London, in which capacity he was awarded the Jubilee Medal. He died on 11 May 1891. Sold with copied research.
Five: Lieutenant-Colonel H. H. Stevenson, 79th Cameron Highlanders Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Sebastopol (Captn. Henry H. Stevenson. 79th. Highlanders) Hunt & Roskell engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Brig. Majr. Hy. Holford Stevenson.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fifth Class breast badge, by Hunt & Roskell, London, silver, gold, and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Bt. Major H. H. Stevenson 79th Highlanders’, with manufacturer’s name around reverse central plate, and additional reverse retaining pin; Sardinia, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Captn. Hy. Holford Stevenson 79 Regt.’; Ottoman Empire, Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, a contemporary tailor’s copy by ‘J.B.’ (Bt. Major H. H. Stevenson 79th. Highlanders) Hunt & Roskell engraved naming, with small ring suspension, minor edge bruising, generally good very fine and better (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- Henry Holford Stevenson was commissioned Ensign in the 79th Cameron Highlanders from Sandhurst on 29 June 1849 and was promoted Lieutenant on 24 December 1852, and Captain on 29 December 1854. He served with the Regiment throughout the entire Crimean War (one of only 8 Officers of the Regiment to do so), including the battles of Alma and Balaklava, and the siege and fall of Sebastopol; the assaults of 18 June and 8 September 1855; and the expeditions to Kertch and Yenikale. For his services in the Crimea he was awarded the Sardinian Al Valore Militare, and the Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh Fifth Class. Stevenson saw further service in India during the Great Sepoy Mutiny, including at the siege and capture of Lucknow; and acted as Brigade Major from February 1858. For his services during the Mutiny he was Mentioned in Despatches, and was promoted Brevet Major. He was subsequently appointed Aide-de-Camp to General Sir Duncan Cameron Commanding the Forces in Scotland, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 25 March 1869. He died at Llangorse, Brecknockshire, on 7 May 1892. Sold with copied research. For the Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to his cousin, Lieutenant H. P. Holford, see Lot 382.
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