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Lot 1828
A French Louis XV style gilt brass boat shaped table centre, in the Rococo taste, pierced and applied with floral bouquets and shells, leafy scroll handles, removable liner, scroll feet, 38.5cm wide, late 19th/early 20th century; a Neo-classical Revival gilt metal table centre stand, 37.5cm wide, 19th century (2)
Lot 757
A George II silver globular tea kettle on stand, chased and cast in the Rococo taste with shells, flowers, scrolling leaves, diapers, and ribbon-tied festoons, burner en suite, shell feet, 34.5cm over cane-wrapped swing handle, Edward Feline, London 1735, 2152g grossHeraldry: Quinson impaling Adams
Lot 328
English School (19th century),Portrait of a Lady of Title,three-quarter length, lace trimmed green velvet dress, adorned in pearls and precious stones overall, standing before a crimson tasselled curtain,oil on canvas, 126cm x 100cm,contemporary gilt ribbon tied cavetto moulded frame, applied with bold shells and acanthus leaves to angles, 162cm x 134cm overall
Lot 47
A Chamberlains Worcester cup and saucer, painted with flowers within shaped gilt reserves, highlighted with gilt jewelled borders, on a pink ground, signed S. Hadley, c.1820; a Chamberlains coffee cup and saucer, painted with flowers, broad pale blue borders with peacock eye gilding, the shaped circular saucer moulded with shells, 16cm diameter, early 19th century (2)
Lot 899
TWO BOXES AND LOOSE MISCELLANEOUS to include a hand hammered brass Henry Loveridge vase height 20cm, a small Benson copper bud vase, height 8cm (s.d), a quantity of shells, a case of six onyx goblets, two sets of bowls, a boxed Amazon Alexa dot, a quantity of plated items to include a cake stand and cutlery, a miners lamp marked 'Prestwich Patent' fitted with an electricity supply, a boxed Kodak Instamatic 204 camera and a Chinon XL555 Macro video camera, a boxed Rackhams vintage dress with hand embroidered floral details and sheer sleeves, and a boxed Singer Magic Tailor sewing machine, and three loose framed pictures, etc (2 boxes and loose) (s.d/electrics untested)
Lot 160
An Edward VII sterling silver lidded cup, marked for Brook & Son, Edinburgh. With embossed decoration featuring Bacchus, putti, shells, flowers and lions, with cast handles. Hallmarked to the lid and cup for Brook and son, Edinburgh 1906, with the thistle standard mark. Base not weighted. Approximate height, with lid, 37cm. Approximate weight 2,476 grams. Condition report: Overall very good condition, with no signs of splitting or repairs. The lid sits into the rim of the cup, but superficial denting to the rim of the lid means it sits slightly awkwardly.
Lot 420
A large quantity of Paul's Model Art 'Minichamps' and similar Bentley Motor Cars die cast model vehicles and parts to include, die cast metal body shells for Edition 25 Bentley 4.25 Litre Embiricos - Hay / Wisdom Le Mans 1949, together with 1/18th scale plastic parts and die cast model cars, to include 6 1/2 Litre Gurney Nutting Blue Train (2), 1930 Bentley Speed Six, Bentley 4 1/2 Litre Le Mans Racers (3) . Lot contains six 1/18 scale cars in total together with a quantity of spare parts. Vendor states items were sourced from the Bentley Design Department in Crewe when they moved location. Viewing recommended. Generally in good order although items were used in product development so some small parts may be missing, some models have notations in pen denoting parts of the design process.
Lot 32
Essex.- Harwich.- Taylor (Silas) Samuel Dale. The History and Antiquities of Harwich and Dovercourt, first edition, 14 engraved plates, 4 folding, title very lightly browned, light occasional foxing, new endpapers, contemporary panelled calf, red morocco spine label, slightly rubbed, rebacked and recornered preserving original backstrip, 4to, C. Davis & T. Green, 1730 § Charters Granted to the Borough of Harwich by King James I and King Charles II, light occasional spotting, ink inscription to front free endpaper, endpapers renewed, contemporary calf-backed boards, a little rubbed, rebacked and recornered, Printed by W. Bulmer and Co., 1798; and 5 others, Harwich, including a second edition of Dale's Harwich, v.s. (7) *** The first includes a bibliography and plates of the cliff showing the geological strata, fossils, shells, and a 'Bottle-Head or Flounders-Head Whale' stranded above the bridge at Maldon in 1717. The second is exceptionally rare with only two copies registered on ESTC: in Cambridge University Library and the British Library.
Lot 414
A GEORGE III SILVER OBLONG SNUFFER TRAY WILLIAM TUCKER & CO., SHEFFIELD 1807 With a gadrooned border, foliage and shells to the corners, and engraved with a crest 23cm (9in) long 227g (7.3 oz) Condition Report: Marks are clear Crest lightly rubbed Wobbles Light scratches and wear commensurate with age and use Condition Report Disclaimer
Lot 645
A COLLECTION OF SILVER FLATWARE To include: a pair of George III Scottish Old English pattern table spoons, maker's mark DM, Edinburgh 1807, the handles engraved with shells, flowers and shield shaped vacant reserves, the shaped bowls with chased conforming decoration, 24cm (9 1/2in) long; another berry spoon; a cased set of five silver and enamel coffee spoons by Turner & Simpson Ltd., Birmingham 1955, with coffee bean terminals, 9cm (3 1/2in) long; a cased set of six tea knives by James Dixon & Sons Ltd., Sheffield 1954, with stainless steel blades, 18cm (7in) long; together with other silver flatware 560g (18 oz) gross weighable Condition Report: There is no condition report available for this lot and is sold as found Condition Report Disclaimer
Lot 212
CHRISTIAN DIOR, SEA SHELL EARRINGS The orange resin and gilt shells, with clip fittings verso signed Christian Dior C Parfums, with clip fittings; together with a gilt chain stamped Christian Dior Germany, suspending an associated orange paste gilt metal cherry pendant, unmarked Size/dimensions: earrings 5.3cm long Gross weight: 66.7grams Provenance: From the Collection of Victor Edelstein and Anna Maria Succi Condition Report: The earrings have some very light wear. The pendant and chain show signs of use, the gilding is rubbing off Condition Report Disclaimer
Lot 337
A Burtles Tate opalescent vaseline pressed glass flower trough Jolly Boat, the sides decorated with oak leaves and acorns, Registered Design number Rd 29106, length 18cm, together with a 19th Century Burtles Tate & Co pressed opalescent uranium glass flower trough with moulded shells and mermaids terminals, length 18cm. (2)
Lot 44
The important Great War D.S.O. group of seven awarded to Colonel Sir Thomas A. Bradford, Durham Light Infantry, the only surviving member of the ‘Bradford Boys’, the most decorated family of the Great War - between them the four brothers were awarded two Victoria Crosses, one Distinguished Service Order, two Military Crosses, and were thrice Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; together with the related miniature awards, the D.S.O. gold and enamel, lacquered, generally very fine (lot) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2017. D.S.O. London Gazette 14 January 1916. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1916. Sir Thomas Andrews Bradford was born in 1886, the eldest son of George and Amy Bradford, of County Durham, and was educated at the Royal Naval College, Eltham. Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 4th (Volunteer) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, 1906, he combined soldiering with cricket, playing for Durham between 1909-1914, including a spell as the county’s Captain, and over the five years averaged 39.97 with the bat. At the outbreak of War in 1914 he was Captain of “D” Company, 8th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Territorial Force. The Durhams left Newcastle on 19 April 1915, arriving at the Front on 24 April, and were straight into action during the Second Battle of Ypres. “A” and “D” Companies of the 8th Battalion were to occupy trenches which had been held by Canadian troops, with a few Canadians remaining to support the Durhams’ firepower with their machine guns. Daylight on 25 April revealed that the German trenches were less than 200 yards away. The trench was badly protected, and throughout the day a heavy bombardment was kept up by the enemy. What made matters worse was that the Durhams had no steel helmets, and so were particularly vulnerable to shrapnel. ‘The scene was one of chaos and destruction, with the screams of frightened and wounded men merging with the ear-shattering noise of exploding shells which rained down upon them. The dwindling number of officers and NCOs vainly tried to make themselves heard above the din. There was nothing the men could do but take this hell that broke over them, cowering in what little shelter the disintegrating breastworks could give. There was no way they could fight back. Some men, a few, cowered against the breastwork, their nerves shattered, unable to control their shaking limbs and the tears streaming down their faces - all they could do was curse, cry, and pray. Men were literally blown out of existence. Those badly wounded tried to crawl to shelter in the dugouts already crowded with Canadian wounded. Comrades tried to stem the flow of blood from ugly, gaping wounds with inadequate shell dressings.’ (Harry Moses, The Fighting Bradfords refers). Despite all this, Bradford continued to lead his men, moving back and forth along the trench with complete disregard for his own safety, and rallied those still standing so effectively that during the course of the day they beat off three Germany infantry attacks. By evening, though, “D” Company had only 30 men left fit to fight; were virtually out of ammunition; and were completely isolated. As the enemy began to move around their left flank, Bradford gave the order to withdraw, moving out through “A” Company’s position on their right. Of the 200 men he had led into the line that morning, 7 officers and 173 NCOs and men had been killed, were wounded, or were missing. On 24 May, the remnants of the Battalion were in an advance, when they found that their path was blocked by wire entanglements on the railway line. Bradford crawled ahead under heavy fire, cut a path through, and his men were able to dash across and take shelter under the railway embankment. He then led on across the line, and despite suffering casualties from enemy fire, managed to relieve the 3rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. For the rest of the year his company was continuously chosen to lead the Durhams into difficult situations, and the following January he was awarded the D.S.O. Having been promoted Staff Captain, and then a Brigade Major in 1916, Bradford was wounded, and whilst recovering, he took a regular commission in the York and Lancaster Regiment, and was sent to Fermoy in Ireland as an instructor training young officers. The War over, Bradford left the army, and took up farming back in County Durham. He stood twice for Parliament, losing on both occasions, and in 1939 was knighted ‘for political and public services in the County of Durham’ (London Gazette 2 January 1939). In 1942 he was High Sheriff of County Durham, and throughout his retirement worked for the DLI Regimental Association. He died in 1966, fifty years after his three brothers, George Nicholson Bradford, V.C. (1887-1918), James Barker Bradford, M.C. (1889-1917), and Roland Boys Bradford, V.C., M.C. (1892-1917). V.C. London Gazette 17 March 1919: Lieutenant-Commander George Nicholson Bradford, Royal Navy
‘For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When Iris II proceeded alongside the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders before the ship was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkins (late Erin) managed to get one ladder in position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crashed to pieces just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieutenant-Commander Bradford climbed up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the derrick crashing on the Mole; waiting his opportunity he jumped with the parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after hooking on the parapet anchor Lieutenant-Commander Bradford was riddled with bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship. Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieutenant-Commander Bradford’s action was one of absolute self-sacrifice; without a moment’s hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming parties to land.’ M.C. London Gazette 17 April 1917: Temporary Second Lieutenant James Barker Bradford, Durham Light Infantry
‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He gallantly led his men into the enemy’s trench, capturing many prisoners and two machine guns. He himself killed three of the enemy. Later, he succeeded in repelling a determined enemy counter-attack.’ V.C. London Gazette 25 November 1916: Lieutenant (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Roland Boys Bradford, M.C., Durham Light Infantry
‘For most conspicuous bravery and good leadership in attack, whereby he saved the situation on the right flank of his Brigade and of the Division. Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford’s Battalion was in support. A leading Battalion having suffered very severe casualties, and the Commander wounded, its flank became dangerously exposed as close quarters to the enemy. Raked by machine-gun fire, the situation of the Battalion was crucial. At the request of the wounded Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Bradford asked permission to command t...
Lot 155
Three: Wireman First Class H. J. Lockwood, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Collingwood at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 1914-15 Star (M.12384 H. J. Lockwood. Wmn. 2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M.12384 H. J. Lockwood. Wmn. 1. R.N.) with flattened named card box of issue for the BWM and VM, nearly extremely fine (3) £80-£100 --- The dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Collingwood was launched on 7 November 1908 and served as part of the 1st Battle Squadron at the Battle of Jutland, where she fired a total of 84 twelve-inch shells and 35 four-inch shells during the battle. Sub-Lieutenant H.R.H. The Prince Albert (later H.M. King George VI) commanded her forward turret during the Battle.

Henry John Lockwood was born in Southwark, London, on 31 January 1884 and joined the Royal Navy as Armourer’s Crew in March 1915. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Collingwood from September 1915 until the cessation of hostilities, and was present in her at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. He was shore pensioned in February 1919, and died in Camberwell, London, in March 19854.
Lot 61
A fine ‘Abu Klea Wells’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Private T. Griffin, 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (2154. Pte. T. Griffin. 2/K.R. Rif: C. 17th. Feb: 1885.); Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Ahmed Khel, Kandahar (2154. Pte. T. Griffin. 2/60th. Foot.); Kabul to Kandahar Star 1880 (2154 Private Thos: Griffin 2/60 Foot); Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, The Nile 1884-85, Abu Klea (2164. Pte. T. Griffin. 2/K.R. Rif: C.); Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and heavy pitting and contact marks, generally fine (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- D.C.M. recommendation submitted to the Queen, 25 August 1885 (‘recent operations in the Soudan’); G.O. 109/85. 3 Officers and 29 other ranks of the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps served with the Camel Corps at Abu Klea. Thomas Griffin was born in Tralee, County Kerry, in 1851 and attested for the 60th Regiment of Foot at Westminster on 9 September 1869. He served overseas in the Second Afghan War of 1878-80, taking part in the battle of Ahmed Khel, the famous march from Kabul to Kandahar, and the decisive battle of Kandahar. Subsequently serving in Egypt and the Sudan, he took part in the Nile Expedition of 1884-85, and was one of the 3 Officers and 29 men from the 2nd Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps (as the 60th Regiment of Foot had been redesignated) selected for the Mounted Infantry Regiment of the Camel Corps that formed the Desert Column. He was present at the action at Abu Klea on 176 January 1885, and the subsequent action at Abu Klea Wells on 16-17 February 1885. A contemporary account of the action at Abu Klea Wells states: ‘We started from Metemmeh on 14th February, and halted at Abu Klea Wells, which turned out to be a series of holes in the sand on the valley bed. We had been followed, and were attacked by the enemy on the 16th February, who took up a position on some hills, and kept up a sharp fire all night at about 800 yards range. We formed a zereba, and got under cover without firing a shot in return - but the next day, 17th February, we had to go out as a covering party to those filling water tanks at the Wells. They peppered us as we were crossing the open - the shots were dropping among us quite thick - and put two shells among us, which did not burst. We had a long distance fight of about five hours that day, when they retired and allowed us to scrape some water together for the march. The men behaved with great control, quietly waiting their turn and carefully ensuring that their camels were also properly watered. The march back was something horrible, 33 days it took us, and it was all done on foot, as we had not sufficient camels to bring back supplies, and ammunition.’ For his gallantry at Abu Klea Wells, Griffin was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, one of two D.C.M.s awarded to the Regiment for this action. He was discharged at Winchester on 30 June 1891, after 21 years’ service, of which 12 years and 306 days were spent soldiering overseas. Sold with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Discharge; and copied research.
Lot 401
1914-15 Star (277811, R. Reeves, Ch. Sto., R.N.) very fine £60-£80 --- Richard Charles Reeves was born in London on 29 March 1875 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class in September 1894. Advanced Chief Stoker in September 1913, he was posted to H.M.S. Queen Mary and served in her from the outbreak of the Great War. He was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. During the battle H.M.S. Queen Mary, under the command of Captain C. I. Prowse, engaged the Derfflinger, putting one of her turrets out of action, and then scored four hits on SMS Seydlitz. The German battlecruiser hit back striking ´Q´ turret before sending more 12 inch shells to hit near ´A´ and ´B´ turrets before scoring another hit on ´Q´ turret. Queen Mary´s forward magazine exploded, the ship listed to port and began to sink amid more explosions. 1,266 of the crew went down with her, with only 18 men surviving. Reeves is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Lot 66
‘Kingsmill, who was following Esmonde, flew so low that he was hit by ricochets from the surface of the sea as he pressed through the smoke and bursting shells. He watched Esmonde’s aircraft erupt in a ball of fire and then his friend Brian Rose crash into the sea, before he turned towards the Prinz Eugen at a range of 2.000 yards. Kingsmill had received the first of several wounds, a hit in the back. His observer, “Mac” Samples, had blood running from his boots, and his leading telegraphist air gunner, Don Bunce, had his seat shot away, so that he had to brace his legs to avoid falling into the sea. Swordfish W5907 had one wing on fire, it had engine damage, and the controls were becoming increasingly sluggish as Kingsmill turned full circle to avoid enemy fighters, then steadied up for his torpedo drop. Prinz Eugen manoeuvred violently to comb the torpedo track which just missed astern. As Kingsmill turned away, his Swordfish was hit again, detonating its distress flares. Trailing ragged fabric streamers and with gaping holes in virtually every part of its wings, fuselage and tail, he tried to prevent it stalling before ditching.’ The fate of Swordfish W5907 on 12 February 1942, as described in the obituary notice of the pilot, Pat Kingsmill; The Daily Telegraph, January 2003, refers. The unique ‘Channel Dash’ C.G.M. group of six awarded to Chief Petty Officer (Air) D. A. ‘Don’ Bunce, a Telegraphist Air Gunner in 825 Naval Air Squadron, Fleet Air Arm Already a veteran of a celebrated Swordfish attack against the Bismarck in May 1941, when his pilot dropped to 100 feet in the face of a ‘very vigorous and accurate barrage of heavy and light A.A. fire’ – and indeed of the loss of the Ark Royal – Bunce added to his laurels in a supreme act of defiance in 825’s suicidal strike against enemy capital ships in the English Channel in February 1942 Amidst curtains of flak, and in the face of relentless cannon shell fire from Fw 190s, his armament amounted to a ‘feeble’ .303 Vickers machine-gun and ‘every Naval swear word I could muster’ Of the six Swordfish that went in, none returned, just five airmen out of 18 living to tell the tale. The force’s leader, Lieutenant-Commander Eugene Esmonde, D.S.O., R.N., was awarded a posthumous V.C., a distinction which recognised the valour of all of 825’s participating aircrew: ‘Their aircraft shattered, undeterred by an inferno of fire, they carried out their orders, which were to attack the target. Not one came back. Theirs was the courage which is beyond praise’ Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.VI.R. (FAA/SFX. 631 D. A. Bunce, Naval Aimn. 1.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, minor edge bruise to first, nearly extremely fine (6) (6) £80,000-£100,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- C.G.M. London Gazette 3 March 1942: ‘Naval Airman First Class Donald Arthur Bunce, FAA/SFX. 631, who was Air Gunner in the Swordfish aircraft piloted by Sub-Lieutenant Kingsmill. With his machine on fire, and the engine failing, he stayed steadfast at his gun, engaging the enemy fighters which beset his aircraft. He is believed to have shot one of them down. Throughout the action his coolness was unshaken.’ Donald Arthur Bunce was born in Oxford on 27 May 1921 and joined the Fleet Air Arm as a Naval Airman Second Class in January 1940, when he commenced training as a Telegraphist Air Gunner (T.A.G.). Bismarck action – Loss of Ark Royal Posted to 825 Naval Air Squadron (N.A.S.) at Campbeltown in mid-April 1941, he and the squadron were embarked in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Victorious a month later, shortly before the famous pursuit of the Bismarck. Bunce subsequently took part in all the sorties flown by 825 N.A.S. during the pursuit, achieving over 14 hours airborne in less than one and a half days. The first of these sorties was flown on 24 May 1941, when nine Swordfish aircraft set-off to attack the Bismarck under Lieutenant-Commander E. K. Esmonde, R.N. Bunce’s aircraft, part of the first wave, was piloted by Lieutenant N. G. MacLean, R.N.V.R., and went into the attack at midnight, in the face of a ‘very vigorous and accurate barrage of heavy and light A.A. fire’, and dropped a torpedo off Bismarck’s port beam from 100 feet. It - in common with all but one of the ‘fish’ dropped by the squadron - was artfully dodged by Bismarck’s helmsman, but vital damage was inflicted by a hit obtained amidships by another Swordfish. The flight back to the Victorious was by no means a foregone conclusion, the homing beacon aboard the carrier being unserviceable. Moreover, the searchlights deployed by Victorious’s captain to guide in Esmonde’s flight were swiftly shut down by command of Rear-Admiral Curteis. Nonetheless, all the Swordfish made it back safely, landing between 0200 and 0230 hours. The squadron’s strike role now concluded, 825 N.A.S. was nonetheless called upon to carry our ongoing search patrols - two on the 25th and one on the 26th, and Bunce participated in all three, flying as T.A.G. to Esmonde in the last of them. However, he was not among those decorated or mentioned in despatches in the subsequent list of awards granted to the squadron in September 1941, a list which included a D.S.O. for Esmonde, and four D.S.C.s and three D.S.M.s. No matter; Bunce would shortly be the recipient of a much rarer distinction. Meanwhile, in the first week of June 1941, he and 825 N.A.S. were embarked on the Ark Royal. Fresh, too, from the Bismarck action, the Ark was deployed to the Malta run, and lent valuable support in Operations ‘Substance’ and ‘Halberd’. On 13 November 1941, however, disaster struck in the form a fatal torpedo strike, her demise famously captured on film. Mercifully, all but one of her crew survived. The Channel Dash In early 1942, and having re-mustered at Lee-on-Solent, 828 N.A.S. was ordered to R.A.F. Manston, as part of Operation ‘Fuller’, the much-flawed plan to counter the anticipated breakout of enemy capital ships from Brest, namely the battle cruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau, and the heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen. When indeed the German ships made their bid for freedom - in what became known as the Channel Dash - the response mounted by air and sea proved entirely inadequate. Apart from anything else, the breakout was daringly enacted in daylight, whereas ‘Fuller’ had been planned around a nocturnal breakout. Moreover, the Germans had assembled a formidable defensive screen, the three capital ships being covered by six destroyers and 34 E-boats, in addition to a mass of Me 109s and Fw 190s. Nonetheless, gallant attempts were made to counter the enemy fleet’s progress, including those mounted by elements of our Coastal Forces - but of all such endeavours one stood out above the rest: the strike mounted by six aircraft of 828 N.A.S. under by Lieutenant-Commander Eugene Esmonde, D.S.O., R.N. ‘In my opinion,’ wrote Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsay, Flag Officer Dover, ‘the gallant sortie of these six Swordfish constitutes one of the finest exhibitions of self-sacrifice and devotion to duty that the war had yet witnessed.’ Admiral Otto Ciliax of the Kriegsmarine was equally impressed, writing in his diary: ‘The mothball attack of a handful of ancient planes was piloted by men whose bravery surpasses any other action by e...
Lot 131
Three: Brigadier-General W. E. Edwards, C.M.G., Director of Inspection of Munitions (Canada), late Royal Artillery, who served with distinction in Ghana and Nigeria and was twice wounded; subsequently serving at the War Office and Ministry of Munitions his contribution in raising the efficiency of overseas ‘war factories’ resulting in the award of the C.M.G. in 1918 Ashanti 1900, no clasp (Capt. & Bt: Maj: W. E. Edwards. R.F.A.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, S. Nigeria (Bt. Major W. E. Edwards. R.F.A.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Col. W. E. Edwards.) the first two mounted as worn, the last loose, good very fine and better (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1918. William Egerton Edwards was born in Mauritius on 25 June 1875, the son of C. F. Edwards, Registrar-General. Educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, from 1892-94, he graduated from the 1st Class as Senior Cadet of the Royal Artillery. Awarded the Tombs’ Memorial Scholarship with £28 gratuity, he was appointed to a commission on 1 April 1894 and posted to India. Transferred to the West African Frontier Force, 1899-1901, he participated in operations in Ashanti against Yaa Asantewa and was severely wounded; for his service in quelling the rebellion he was mentioned in despatches and raised Brevet Major. Transferred to South Nigeria to maintain British control, Edwards is listed as ‘dangerously wounded’. Returned home to England to recuperate, he passed an advanced ordnance course in 1903 and is recorded in the Army and Navy Gazette of 5 March 1904 as Secretary of the Explosives Committee. Raised Staff Captain to the Director of Artillery, War Office, he served as Deputy Assistant Director of Artillery from 1907 to 1909 and is stated in the London Evening Standard of 23 January 1911 as a specialist in the development of armour plate. Appointed to the Inspection Staff at Woolwich from 1910 to 1916, Edwards was raised Assistant Deputy Director General of Inspection at the Ministry of Munitions in 1916 and served as Director of Inspection of Munitions (Canada) until the tutelage of Sir R. Sothern Holland; it was in the latter capacity that he crossed the North Atlantic in the winter of 1916 with the brief of achieving the same standards of efficiency in Canadian war factories as achieved back home. With control of a staff of over 4,000 personnel, Edwards took a keen eye to the manufacture of aeroplanes, high explosives, steel shells, high explosive shells, shrapnel shells, fuses, and rounds of ammunition; in recognition of services rendered in this capacity, he was appointed C.M.G. Raised Brigadier-General 9 October 1918, Mr. A. H. Collinson, Director General of Inspection, was particularly praiseworthy in a post-war letter of recommendation: ‘Colonel (sic) Edwards possesses considerable technical knowledge, as well as exceptional organising and administrative abilities. In the course of his duties he had to deal with many difficult problems requiring tact, initiative and energy, in handling all of which he displayed marked success. He possesses a fine sense of duty and responsibility...’ Called back home to Woolwich, Edwards took employment as Superintendent of Designs at the Royal Ordnance Factory, Woolwich Arsenal. He died not long thereafter on 25 July 1921, aged 46 years, his body later conveyed with military honours to Charlton Cemetery for interment. Sold with a fine archive of original documentation including R.M.A. Academic Reports for 1892 and 1894; Commission Certificate appointing W. E. Edwards, Gent: 2nd Lieutenant, Land Forces, Royal Artillery; Chancery of the Order of Saint Michael and Saint George Award Certificate, dated 21 October 1918; Grand Lodge of Scotland Master Mason Award Certificate, Victoria Lodge, dated 15 July 1898; with a group graduation photograph at the R.M.A., Woolwich, and copied research.
Lot 75
A PAIR OF ITALIAN BRONZE TRIPOD STANDS 19TH CENTURY in the 16th century style, dark brown/black patina, the upper tiers on three lion mask monopodia, the lower part of tripartite form supported on crouching satyrs and beaded edge, raised on satyr mask legs joined by laurel swags and shells (2) 17.5cm high
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