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Click here to subscribeVatican, Holy See, Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice Cross, 2nd issue, gilt, in fitted case of issue; Jerusalem Pilgrim’s Cross, silver, with top ‘Jerusalem’ riband bar; together with a Pope Leo XIII Papal Medal in silver, in fitted case; a Pope Leo XIII Papal Medal in bronze; and a copy Pope Innocent XI Papal Medal in bronze, generally very fine (5) £60-£80 --- Sold together with a Vatican belt buckle.
International, Royal, Celestial, and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy, breast Star, 89mm, silver and enamel, unmarked, with retaining hook and two additional support hooks; together with the breast star of an ephemeral Religious Order, 67mm, silver and enamel, unmarked, with retaining hook; and four filigree jewellery silver brooches based on the Cross of the Order of Malta, minor red enamel damage to centres of both Stars, otherwise generally very fine (6) £100-£140
21st (Empress of India's) Lancers, Officer’s Full Dress Shoulder Belt with Silver Fittings. A fine quality example, gold lace with central ‘French Grey’ silk stripe, all silver sections with hallmarks for Birmingham by ‘J & Co’, with date letters for 1896 or 1898, the slide and tip section currently dismounted from the belt, good condition £300-£500
2nd Battalion Somerset Rifle Volunteers Officer’s Glengarry/Shako Badge c.1880-87. A good quality example in die-stamped silver plate, St. Edward’s crown, laurels, central circle, ‘2nd Battn. Somerset Rifle Volunteers’ enclosing a strung bugle horn, two lug fasteners, good condition £100-£140
Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2799 Corpl. G. Page 52nd Foot) suspension claw re-fixed and fitted with flat silver bar suspension, good fine £100-£120 --- L.S. & G.C. issued in 1874. Also entitled to Indian Mutiny 1857-59 with clasp for Delhi, where he received a slight wound on 27 August 1857.
A Great War ‘Western Front - attack on Ronssoy 1917’ M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal Bernard Batts, 1/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry Military Medal, G.V.R. (200793 L. Cpl. B. Batts. 1/4 O. & B. L.I.-T.F.) nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 25 May 1917. The recommendation states: ‘On 5.4.1917 during the attack on Ronssoy he displayed great initiative, coolness and courage and when he became detached from his platoon he led his section through the village, driving the enemy before him until he reached the final objective some 500 yards beyond.’ Bernard Batts enlisted on 14 September 1914, aged 30, and served in France from 29 March 1915. He was discharged from wounds on 26 November 1917 and was awarded Silver War Badge No. 291799. Sold with copied pages from the battalion history, Medal Index Card and War Badge roll.
Oxford Light Infantry, regimental and Boer War interest items (3), Oxford Light Infantry 3d brass token; Irish halfpenny of 1805, the reverse engraved ‘Oxford L.I.’ and ‘Boer War’ on two scrolls with strung bugle above, pierced with small rings for suspension; Z.A.R. 1 shilling of 1895, set into an engraved silver Maltese cross with small rings for suspension, the second rather worn on obverse, otherwise very fine or better (3) £40-£80
A Second War Knight Bachelor’s group of five awarded to Captain Sir Ernest H. Thornton, R.D., R.N.R., Commodore of the Union-Castle Line 1941-47 Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1947, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. E. H. Thornton. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E. H. Thornton. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1928, gilt rather worn on the first, very fine, otherwise nearly extremely fine (5) £600-£800 --- Captain Sir Ernest Hugh Thornton, R.D., R.N.R., a former commodore Commander of the Union-Castle Line, died in Kenya at the age of 67, on 24 November 1951. Born in 1884, he went to sea as an apprentice in 1900 in the four-masted barque, Matterhorn. Later he served in the ss. Vinebranch, and upon attaining his certificate as first mate, he joined the Union-Castle Line as fifth officer in the Norman in 1906. During the 1914-18 war he served as a lieutenant, R.N.R., and was in the battles of the Heligoland Bight, the Dogger Bank, and Jutland in the battle-cruiser Lion. In 1919 he rejoined the Union-Castle Line and was appointed to the Balmoral Castle. After serving in various ships of the company as chief officer he was appointed to the command of the cargo steamer Hansa in 1929. Five years later found him in command of one of the intermediate passenger ships and late in 1937 he was appointed to the mail service. His last ship was the Capetown Castle, of 27,000 tons, in which he served from January, 1939, to July, 1946. During this period, in February, 1941, he was promoted to Commodore of the Union-Castle Line fleet, and in 1944 he received the honour of a knighthood for meritorious sea service in the Merchant Navy. He retired in January, 1947, at the age of 63 and in the course of the next year went to settle at N’gong, near Nairobi, on account of his health. He leaves a widow and two daughters. (Obituary refers) Sold with research including confirmation of entitlement to Second War medals including Atlantic, Pacific and Italy Stars.
A post-War C.B. group of eight awarded to Engineer Rear-Admiral J. E. Cooke, Royal Navy, who joined up as a fifteen year old Boy Artificer, was commissioned in 1923, served 15 months as Engineer Lieutenant in H.M.S. Hood, and was mentioned in despatches whilst Engineer Commander of the aircraft carrier Furious following her attack on the battleship Tirpitz in 1943 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with full neck cravat; British War Medal 1914-20 (M.11328 J. E. Cooke. B. Art. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, the last seven mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (8) (8) £700-£900 --- C.B. (Military) London Gazette 9 June 1955: ‘Engineer Rear-Admiral, Portsmouth Dockyard.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945: ‘Engineer Commander, H.M.S. Furious.’ John Ernest Cooke was born at Bicester, Oxfordshire, on 7 April 1899, and joined the Royal Navy from school as a Boy Artificer, aged 15, in January 1915. After training, and over eight years service as a rating, ashore and afloat, in war and peacetime, he was promoted to commissioned rank in 1923. He held the rank of Engineer Lieutenant during his fifteen months’ service in the battleship Hood from 1927-28. Further service in destroyers, cruisers and the battleship Royal Oak, saw him promoted to Engineer Commander in 1936. The early years of the Second World War saw him serving ashore but, in 1943, as Chief Engineer of the aircraft carrier Furious, he was mentioned in despatches following her attack on the battleship Tirpitz. He was promoted to Engineer Captain in 1946, and to Engineer Rear-Admiral in 1953, one of very few former ratings to achieve such high rank. He retired in 1957, and in civilian life held several senior positions in industry, mostly in connection with ship building and ship repairing. He retired in 1964 and died in 1980 at R.N. Hospital, Haslar, aged 81.
The C.V.O., O.B.E. group of four attributed to Mr. F. E. Raikes, Senior King’s Foreign Messenger The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O., Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse officially numbered ‘C660’; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, hallmarked London 1917; Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, silver; together with mounted group of miniatures of the first four and a King’s Messenger badge, E.VII.R., silver-gilt and enamels, lacking pendant silver greyhound, very fine or better (9) £600-£800 --- C.V.O., London Gazette 31 December 1921: ‘Francis Edward Raikes, Esq., M.V.O., O.B.E.’ M.V.O. 4th Class, London Gazette 12 February 1917: ‘King’s Foreign Service Messenger.’ O.B.E. London Gazette 7 January 1918: ‘For services in connection with the War:- Francis Edward Raikes, Esq., Senior King’s Foreign Messenger.’ Francis Edward Raikes was born on 7 June 1870, 2nd son of the Right Hon. Henry Cecil Raikes. Educated at Haileybury, he held a commission in the 3rd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, 1888-91. He was Private Secretary to his father, the Postmaster General, 1890-91, and was appointed a Queen’s Foreign Service Messenger in 1892, rising to become Senior King’s Foreign Service Messenger under King George V. He resigned due to ill-health in 1921, and died at Datchet on 11 September 1922. The following obituary was published in a local newspaper: ‘It is with much regret that we have to report the death of Mr. F. E. Raikes, C.V.O., O.B.E., of Moy Lodge, Datchet, which took place there on Monday last. Second son of the late Right Hon. H. C. Raikes, formerly the Postmaster General, he was educated at Haileybury, and subsequently acted as Private Secretary to his father in his official capacity. In 1902 (sic) he became a Queen’s Foreign Service Messenger, and continued in the Messenger Service for twenty-eight years. Mr. Raikes was in Petrograd at the time of the revolution in 1916, and reached home after an arduous journey suffering from congestion of the lungs. From that time his health began to fail, but he carried on his duties as Senior Messenger, with very little rest till he was compelled to retire in 1920. He came to live in Datchet in 1905, and in 1906 married Miss Iris Veronica Sopwith, daughter of Mr. Thomas Sopwith, and sister of the well-known airman Mr. T. Sopwith.’
A Great War ‘Flag Captain’s’ C.B.E. group of eight awarded to Captain G. N. Ballard, Royal Navy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type neck badge, complete with neck cravat in its Garrard & Co Military division case of issue; China 1900, no clasp (Lieut. G. N. Ballard, R.N., H.M.S. Hermione.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Commr. G. N. Ballard, R.N., H.M.S. Philomel; 1914-15 Star (Commr. G. N. Ballard, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. N. Ballard. R.N.); Coronation 1902, silver; Coronation 1911, generally very fine or better (8) £600-£800 --- C.B.E. (Military) London Gazette 30 June 1919: ‘For valuable services as Flag Captain to the Admiral Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands.’ Admiral F. Brock’s recommendation for the C.B.E. states: ‘This officer was, at my request, appointed to Longhope as Flag Captain in 1916, having previously held a command at sea during the war. In a scattered command like that of the Orkneys and Shetlands it was naturally necessary for me to be absent from Longhope during long periods, during which important events might occur. I always felt that, with Cdr Ballard available at the Base, the situation would be satisfactorily dealt with. His duties as Flag Captain were extremely arduous, and undoubtedly largely tended to the efficiency and convenience of the fleet, and the main base of the fleet. I consider that I was fortunate in obtaining the services of an officer of such sound common sense for these duties, which he carried out exceptionally well under most arduous conditions.’ George Norman Ballard was born in London on 17 January 1874, and entered Britannia training ship on 15 January 1887. Appointed Midshipman, February 1889; Sub-Lieutenant, February 1893; Lieutenant, June 1895; Commander, June 1906; Acting Captain, July 1916; Captain (retired), October 1922. He was a Lieutenant in Hermione on the China station from April 1898 to August 1901. He was appointed Lieutenant in command of Zephyr in June 1902, and was held to blame for a collision between Zephyr and Majestic in July 1902, but owing to his inexperience no action was taken. Appointed to the command of Philomel on the East Indies station in September 1911, Ballard was engaged in anti-gunrunning operations in the Persian Gulf and received expression of appreciation of the Indian Government for the manner in which punitive measures on the Tangistan Coast in June 1913 were carried out. He was next in command of Halcyon in the North Sea from August 1914 until July 1916, when he was appointed as Flag Captain to Admiral Brock, Commanding Orkneys and Shetlands, an appointment he held until April 1919. Sold with copied record of service and detailed log of Philomel’s operations on the coast of Tangistan.
A rare ‘Rhodesia 1896’ D.S.O. group of nine awarded to Brigadier-General R. H. F. McCulloch, C.M.G., Royal Artillery, who remained with his gun after having been wounded in the attack on Skimbo in August 1896 Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar converted for mounting; British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Lieut. R. H. F. McCulloch. R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (Capt: R. F. H. McCulloch, D.S.O., R.G.A.) last letter of surname officially corrected; 1914 Star, with clasp (Major R. F. H. McCulloch. D.S.O. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Brig. Gen. R. F. H. McCulloch.); Italy, Kingdom, Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus, Officer’s breast badge, gold, silver-gilt, and enamel, with rosette on riband; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamel, with rosette on riband; Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917, mounted court style for display, nearly extremely fine (9) £4,000-£5,000 --- One of only 7 Distinguished Service Orders awarded for this campaign, this being unique to the Royal Artillery. D.S.O. London Gazette 7 May 1897: ‘In recognition of services in the recent operations in South Africa, 1896.’ Italian Order of St Maurice and St Lazarus London Gazette 12 September 1918. French Legion of Honour London Gazette 13 February 1917. French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 August 1918. Robert Henry Frederick McCulloch was born in October 1869 and joined the Royal Artillery in 1888, receiving promotion to Lieutenant in 1891. He commanded a section of 10 Mountain Battery, R. A., during the Matabeleland operations of 1896, was slightly wounded, Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the D.S.O. In his report, Major-General F. Carrington stated that McCulloch ‘worked his gun with great coolness and steadiness when the enemy were in force within 50 yards of him in the attack on Sikimbo on 5 August 1896. He remained with his gun after having been wounded.’ McCulloch's section had been operating in co-ordination with a force of men raised by the British South Africa Company. He had already witnessed a great deal of fighting during the advance on Bulawayo, which culminated with the capture of the Matabele strong holds in the Matoppo Hills. The incident referred to in Major-General Carrington’s report was probably the biggest of the campaign, five Impis being attacked by a combined Imperial Force of 800 men. The enemy were completely routed. However, at the outset of the action, when McCulloch and another gunner subaltern were ordered to detach themselves from the main force, and set up position on a ridge, the fast moving Matabele swept in for the kill, creeping up gullies under the cover of the bush. But for the prompt actions of McCulloch and his compatriot, it is probable the detachment would have been wiped out. Promoted to Captain in 1899, McCulloch served throughout most of the Boer War as D.A.A.G. on the lines of communication in Cape Colony. He afterwards became a Divisional and Militia Adjutant and held the rank of Major by the outbreak of hostilities in 1914. Picked out for command of heavy artillery, he held several senior positions, ultimately as Brigadier-General, Heavy Artillery, 11 Army Corps, France. He was created a C.M.G. in 1918, was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916 and 30 May 1918) and was decorated by the French and Italians. He retired in 1921 and died in Hayling Island, Hampshire, on 16 October 1946.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Brigadier-General F. S. Thackeray, Highland Light Infantry, attached Royal Dublin Fusiliers and West Riding Regiment, who was five times Mentioned in Despatches during the Great War, and later served as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Lincolnshire Regiment, and Commander, Shanghai Area, British Troops in China Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: F. S. Thackeray. High: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Brig. Gen. F. S. Thackeray.) mounted court-style, light contact marks, very fine (5) £2,800-£3,200 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917. M.C. London Gazette 23 June 1915. M.I.D. London Gazettes 17 February 1915; 22 June 1915; 4 January 1917; 24 May 1918; 28 December 1918. Frank Staniford Thackeray was born in Cardiff in 1880, the son of a stockbroker, and was educated at Charterhouse and Oriel College, Oxford, where he was also a keen golfer. He joined the University’s Officers Training Corps and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry on 4 December 1901. Advanced Captain on 18 December 1912, he served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. Wounded in early 1915, he was twice Mentioned in Despatches within the first year of War, as well as being awarded the Military Cross, and in July 1915 he was seconded for service as Brigade Machine-gun officer. Thackeray was promoted to temporary Major, before being attached to the 9th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers as Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1916 for some eighteen months. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in the New Year's Honours’ List of 1917, and was Mentioned in Despatches a third time in February of that year. Next attached to the 7th Battalion, West Riding Regiment as Lieutenant-Colonel in November 1917, shortly afterwards he was Mentioned in Despatches for a fourth time. Subsequently attached to the 20 (Service) Battalion, Durham Light Infantry for two months, July to August 1918, before returning to the 7/West Riding Regiment, he was a Brigadier Commander (temporary Brigadier-General) by the time the war ended, and received a fifth Mention in Despatches in December 1918. After a brief spell with the 6th and 15th Battalions, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, from April to August 1919, he was subsequently appointed Chief Instructor at the Junior Commanders School at Strensall from August to December 1919. In April 1920 Thackeray was appointed Brigadier Major, London District, a post he held until October of 1921, helping to organise the Territorial Force. He became a Colonel in 1923 enjoyed a year’s secondment in India from 1926 to 1927, before taking-up his next role as Lieutenant-Colonel of the Lincolnshire Regiment in June 1927. This he clearly enjoyed as there are many references to him in the Lincolnshire newspapers, organising and appearing at various social events. In November 1931 he was selected to command the 138th (Lincolnshire and Leicestershire) Infantry Brigade, Territorial Army. He also had his image included in the National Portrait Gallery in London in December 1931. Thackeray’s final military appointment was as Commander, Shanghai Area, British Troops in China, a posting he held from July 1933 to March 1936, and for which job he was granted the temporary rank of Brigadier and appointed an Aide de Camp to the King. He retired in August 1936, and was granted the rank of Honorary Brigadier General. He returned home and settled with his wife in Minehead in Somerset. There was clearly still a little bit of ‘commanding’ left in him, as in May 1938 he was appointed as the new Scout Commissioner for West Somerset. He died in Winchester in August 1960. Sold with a large quantity of copied research, including various photographic images of the recipient.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel V. C. Sandilands, 2nd Battalion, Scottish Rifles Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top ribbon bar; 1914-15 Star (Capt. V. C. Sandilands. Sco: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. V. C. Sandilands.) mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1917. M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January and 15 June, 1916; 4 January 1917. Vincent Corbett Sandilands was born on the 6 February 1878, the son of Edwin Charles Sandilands and his wife Alice Faber. He was baptised at St Peter & Paul in Saltwood in Kent on the 8th March 1878. He was educated at St Andrew’s School in Bradfield, Berkshire, and was first commissioned into the Scottish Rifles on 16 February 1898; Lieutenant, 3 May 1899; Captain, 20 May 1903; Major, 1 September 1915. He served in France and Belgium with the 2nd Battalion from 17 March 1915 to 5 November 1916, from 20 February to 6 June, 1917, and from 8 October 1917 to 5 November 1918. Lieutenant-Colonel Sandilands commanded the 2nd Battalion from 18 September 1915 to 5 November 1916; was commandant Divisional School from 27 February to 25 March, 1917; again commanded the 2nd Battalion from 10 April to 6 June, 1917, and from 8 May to 5 November, 1918. Lieutenant-Colonel Sandilands retired in 1924, and died at Brighton on 1 April 1961. Sold with extracts from the regimental history with numerous mentions of Sandilands.
A Great War ‘Mesopotamia’ D.S.O. group of ten awarded to Major G. E. O. De Smidt, Indian Telegraph Department, later Royal Engineers and South African Corps of Signals Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with unofficial top suspension brooch, pin lacking; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Abor 1911-12 (Asst. Supdt. G. E. O. de Smidt Telg. Dept.); 1914-15 Star (Mr. G. E. O. Desmidt, Ind. Telgph. Dept.; British War and Victory Medals (Major G. E. O. Desmidt.); War Medal 1939-45 (289698 G. E. De Smidt) officially impressed; Africa Service Medal (289698 G. E. De Smidt) officially impressed; Delhi Durbar 1911; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, these last three unnamed as issued, the first with chips and repairs to both centres, nearly very fine or better (10) £1,200-£1,600 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 25 August 1917: ‘For distinguished service in the field in Mesopotamia. Temporary Captain Gerald Ewald Overbeek De Smidt, Royal Engineers.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 15 August 1917 and 5 June 1919. Gerald Ewald Overbeck de Smidt was born in 1885, son of Abraham de Smidt and Hermine Overbeek. He is believed to have served during the Second War as Lieutenant-Colonel with the South African Corps of Signals.
A Great War ‘Aberdeen Wireless Transmission Station’ O.B.E. group of nine awarded to Commander H. J. G. Good, Royal Navy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (H. J. G. Good, Midsn. H.M.S. Theseus); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (Lieut. H. J. G. Good, R.N., H.M.S. Philomel); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. H. J. G. Good, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr H. J. G. Good, R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, privately named (Commdr. H. J. G. Good, R.N.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake 1908, silver, unnamed, mounted as worn, together with companion mounted set of nine miniature medals, very fine or better (18) £1,800-£2,200 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1919: ‘For valuable services as Officer in Charge of the Aberdeen W/T Station.’ Invested at Buckingham Palace on 27 November 1919. Henry John Graham Good was born in London on 5 August 1879, and entered the Navy aboard the Training Ship Britannia on 15 January 1894; Midshipman, 15 November 1896; Acting Sub-Lieutenant, 15 May 1900; Lieutenant, 26 June 1902; Lieutenant-Commander, 26 June 1910; Acting Commander, 22 June 1916; Commander (Retired) 22 August 1920. He served aboard H.M.S. Theseus from January 1896 to July 1897, including operations against the King of Benin (Medal with clasp). Transferred for duties with submarines in April 1903, he was seriously injured in an accident on board Submarine A5 at Queenstown on 16 February 1905, and admitted to Haulbowline Hospital ‘suffering from shock, burns and a fractured skull requiring operation.’ Lieutenant Good was in command of A5 with a sub-lieutenant and eight crew, when an explosion occurred inside A5 toward the stern, followed by a second explosion some thirty minutes later. The second explosion was located in the conning tower area. So great was the force of the explosions that members of the crew were actually blown out of the boat through the main hatch into the water. The sub-lieutenant and four ratings were killed or died of their injuries. Good was discharged from hospital on 29 March 1905 and granted 2 months sick leave suffering from perforation of the left ear drum. As a result of the enquiry into the fatal accident on Submarine A5 it was found to be due to ‘Lt. Good not having rigidly adhered to orders - Their Lordships severe displeasure passed.’ Unsurprisingly Good did not continue in the submarine branch but despite this black mark on his record he received an expression of appreciation for ‘devising and fitting experimental Telephonic system for Fire Control in Foresight’ in 1907, satisfaction at a report of an inspection of Philomel in November 1908, and of his good work during the blockade of the Somali coast by “Philomel” in August 1909. He also received the Italian Medal for services at the Messina Earthquake in December 1908 when he was one of the small party landed ashore from Philomel. In July 1914 he was lent for service with the Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve for a period of 3 years but was recalled home during his outward passage upon the outbreak of war. In December 1914 he was appointed to assist the Officer in Charge of Aberdeen Wireless Transmission Station and in March 1915 was commended for the efficiency and alertness of the stations which contributed to the success of the operations which resulted in the sinking of the German submarine U.12 on 10th March. He was appointed in charge of Aberdeen Sub-Base Intelligence Office and Wireless Transmission Station from 12 July 1918 until 17 May 1919, and duly received the O.B.E. for these services in June 1919. He was placed on the Retired List with rank of Commander on 22 August 1920, but was recalled for Naval Control Service duties on the outbreak of war in 1939, initially at Kingston, Jamaica, from 22 August 1939, and later in the U.K. at H.M.S. Cochrane (Methil) from January 1941 and H.M.S. Calliope from July 1944. He reverted to the Retired List on 12 April 1946. Sold with copied record of service.
A Great War Transport Officer’s O.B.E. group of six awarded to Captain S. de B. Lockyer, Royal Naval Reserve, who commanded the hospital ship Simla during the Boer War The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Transport Medal 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (S. de B. Lockyer, In Command); 1914-15 Star (Commr. S. de B. Lockyer, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Commr. S. de B. Lockyer, R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1918, very fine or better (6) £1,800-£2,200 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 4 July 1919: ‘In recognition of the services of the under mentioned officers of the Royal Naval Transport Service during the War.’ Sydney de Bohum Lockyer was born in Middlesex in 1855 and took his Master’s certificate in Liverpool in 1887, while employed by the P. & O. Steamship Company. He subsequently commanded the S.S. Simla in South African waters during the Boer War, which ship had accommodation for 278 sick or wounded, and was presented with his Transport Medal & clasp by King Edward VII at a ceremony held in November 1903. Meanwhile, in his capacity as a qualified ship’s master, he had been commissioned as a Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve, and had risen to the rank of Commander before being placed on the Retired List in October 1901. Duly recalled on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he went to sea in the following year and, by the end of hostilities was serving as a Transport Officer 1st Grade, in which capacity he was awarded the O.B.E. Awarded the R.N.R. Decoration (London Gazette 14 May 1918, refers), Lockyer reverted to the Retired List, upon which he was advanced to Captain prior to his death in July 1924. Sold with copied research.
An inter-War O.B.E. group of five attributed to G. R. Storrar, Esq., Chief Engineer, Sudan Government Railways The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt hallmarks for London 1927; Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Fourth Class breast badge, silver, gold, and enamel, with silver mark and mint mark to reverse, and rosette on riband; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, unnamed as issued; Khedive’s Sudan 1910-21, 2nd issue, 1 clasp, Darfur 1916, unnamed as issued, these four mounted court-style as worn and housed in a Spink, London, case; Defence Medal (Mr. G. R. Storrar.) contemporarily impressed naming, minor red enamel damage to Medjidieh, otherwise good very fine (5) £500-£700 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 4 June 1928: George Ronald Storrar, Esq., M.B.E., Chief Engineer, Sudan Government Railways. M.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918: George Ronald Storrar, Esq., Divisional Engineer, Soudan Government Railways. George Ronald Storrar served in the pre-War period as an Assistant Engineer with the Sudan Government Railway, and for his services was awarded the Ottoman Order of the Medjidieh, Fourth Class (London Gazette 9 May 1911). He remained in the service of the Sudan Government throughout the Great War, and took part in the operations against the Sultan of Darfur, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 25 October 1916) and awarded the Egyptian Order of the Nile, Fourth Class (London Gazette 31 August 1917). For his services during the Great War he was also created a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Advanced Chief Engineer in the inter-War period, Storrar was advanced O.B.E. and was awarded the Egyptian Order of the Nile, Third Class (London Gazette 5 August 1925). Retiring to the U.K., he was subsequently commissioned Second Lieutenant, General List, on 11 March 1941.
A post-War O.B.E., Great War ‘Salonika’ M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle group of six awarded to Second Lieutenant L. B. Greaves, South Wales Borderers, late Royal Fusiliers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (P.S.2720 Pte. L. B. Greaves, R. Fus.) middle initial officially corrected; British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut. L. B. Greaves.); Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, 2nd type, Fifth Class breast badge, with crossed swords, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, very fine and better (6) £1,600-£2,000 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1950: ‘For missionary educational services in the Gold Coast’. M.C. London Gazette 1 February 1919: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty on 25th September 1918, during the ascent of Point 1472. He led the advance of the mountain scouts over the precipitous and thickly wooded ground, and when within 1,500 yards of the objective silenced enemy rifle and machine-gun fire with the help of Lewis guns, and continued to advance. His skill and judgement contributed greatly to any success achieved by his battalion. As battalion Intelligence Officer, he has previously done good work on patrol duty.’ Serbian Order of the White Eagle, Fifth Class with Swords London Gazette 16 January 1920. Lionel Bruce Greaves was born in Cardiff in 1895, and won a scholarship to Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1914, but in November of that year attested for the 21st (4th Public Schools) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 November 1915, and later as a Lance-Corporal in the 17th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. Commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Wales Borderers on 4 August 1916, he served with the 8th Battalion in Salonika. After a spell in hospital with Malaria in November 1917 he recovered, and on 25 September 1918, the 8th Battalion, as part of 65th Brigade, with the 67th Brigade in support, was ordered to attack Point 1472 near Lake Doiran. Lieutenant Greaves and the battalion scouts rushed a rocky knoll which was believed to be Point 1472 but was nearly 1000 yards N.W. of it. The regimental history continues: ‘This position was quickly made good, despite considerable opposition from riflemen and machine guns, which Lieutenant Greaves’ skilful handling of his Lewis guns soon overcame’. For his bravery and leadership in action, Greaves was awarded the M.C. and Serbian Order of the White Eagle. In civilian life Greaves had a keen interest in the church and missionary work and between 1922-1932 was Vice-Principal of the Wesley College, Kumasi, (Gold Coast), Ghana. During the period he wrote many articles and several books on Faith and Central Africa. For another five years he was a supervisor at various Methodist Schools in Africa, then Educational Advisor to Non-Roman Missions in East Africa until 1947, when he returned to management of Methodist Schools. In 1946 he had survived a plane crash, when the small plane he was travelling in was forced to land in the bush and he and the other passengers and pilot had to wait several days to be rescued. Between 1947-1950 he was General Manager of Methodist Schools, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in June 1950. He returned to the UK with his family in the mid-1950’s and continued his writing and research. After living in London for some time, his family emigrated to New Zealand, where he died in 1984. Note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card notes that the recipient’s 1914-15 Star was initially issued named ‘L. V. Greaves’, and was returned in September 1921 to be corrected to ‘L. B. Greaves’. Sold with copied research.
A post-War O.B.E. group of nine attributed to Colonel A. A. Duncan, Welsh Guards; a keen sportsman, he played First Class cricket for Glamorgan, and captained the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup golf team in 1953 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1977, unnamed as issued; Belgium, Kingdom, Order of Leopold II, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, French motto, with bronze palm on riband; Croix de Guerre, L.III.R., bronze, with bronze palm on riband, mounted as worn, enamel damage to motto on Leopold II, otherwise good very fine (9) £400-£500 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1959. Belgian Order of Leopold II and Croix de Guerre London Gazette 25 September 1947. The original Recommendation states: ‘Major A. A. Duncan was Brigade Major, 231 Infantry Brigade, from July 1944 to February 1945 during which time he had to issue many orders and instructions for important, fast, and long advances in face of enemy opposition which necessitated him being under fire for long periods. On 2 September 1944, the Brigade arrived at Arras, having advanced from Amiens on the same day. On arrival orders had to be got out for the advance of the Brigade Group (mechanised) to Brussels, a distance of 90 miles. This entailed a great deal of work and organisation to get all units rested and re-fulled and tactically disposed. Hardly had this been planned when the 1st Belgian Brigade Group came under command. Late at night very strenuous efforts had to be made to get sufficient supplies of all kinds (petrol, food, and ammunition) in order that the Brigade Group could carry out its task early the next morning so that both British and Belgian Groups were able to reach the outskirts of Brussels the next evening despite heavy fighting. This great triumph was greatly due to the magnificent staff-work, tack, drive, and courage of Major Duncan, who later became Brigade Major, 6th Guards, Armoured Brigade, and completed the victorious advance of this Brigade to its final objective in Germany.’ Anthony Arthur ‘Tony’ Duncan was born in Cardiff on 10 December 1914, the son of Newspaper Proprietor, John Duncan. Educated at Rugby and Balliol College, Oxford, he was a successful schoolboy batsman, scoring 58 and 94 against Marlborough at Lord’s in 1933, and played three First Class matches, two for Glamorgan, and one for Oxford University. However, it was as an amateur golfer that he made his name, and was awarded a Blue in each of his three years at Oxford, later winning the Army Golf Championship at Princes in 1937 and Muirfield in 1938. The Welsh Amateur Championships came his way, as well as a place in the international team for the annual amateur home nations championship. In May 1939 he reached the final of the British Amateur Championship at Hoylake, Liverpool, losing to Alexander Kyle of Scotland. Whilst at Oxford, Duncan joined the Officer Training Corps and at the end of his studies proceeded to Sandhurst, from where he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Welsh Guards in 1936. Initially on the outbreak of war, Duncan found himself on home duties. In 1941 he was appointed adjutant to the 2nd Armoured Brigade, Welsh Guards, later joining the 231 (Malta) Infantry Brigade in Normandy in June 1944 as a Brigade Major. In July of 1944 he was part of Operation Market Garden as part of XXX Corps, which struck from Belgium through Holland towards the bridge at Arnhem. His organisational work during the period July 1944 to February 1945 came to the notice of the Belgian allies and he was made a Chevalier of the Order of Leopold II (with palm) and awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre with palm. Duncan was in the thick of most of the actions as Brussels was retaken, then into 1945 with actions at Haversum, Kassel and Hassum amongst others before returning to the UK in March. Duncan later became Brigade Major to 116 Royal Marine Brigade, then after the war to 6/Guards Tank Brigade. Between 1947-50 he was regimental adjutant, Welsh Guards. In 1947 he commanded a parade at Windsor Castle with the 2/Welsh Guards and was advanced to Major in 1948. Duncan continued to play top-level amateur golf through the post war years and in 1953 was chosen as the captain of the Great Britain and Ireland Walker Cup Golf team to play the United States of America in Massachusetts. He later acted as a judge in many major golf tournaments around his home area of Surrey, and on one occasion incurred the wrath of Jack Nicklaus. Between 1950-53 Duncan was an instructor at the Staff College, Camberley, then later became non-NATO staff officer to the chairman of the British defence staffs in Washington DC, including being secretary of the British delegation to the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations. During 1956-58 he was manager for the rebuilding of the new Guards Chapel at Wellington Barracks, as well as Chelsea and Knightsbridge Barracks. He also fulfilled the role of Assistant Quarter Master General for the London District between 1957-1960, and was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the New Year’s Honours’ List of 1959. Advanced Colonel in June 1960, Duncan was later Army representative to the RAF Staff college at Bracknell, and between 1968-1970 he was commandant of the Nuclear, Biological & Chemical Warfare School. He retired in 1970, but remained at the Staff College in Camberley until 1979. He died in Farnham, Surrey, on 3 January 1998. Sold together with the recipient’s Bestowal Document for the O.B.E.; Central Chancery enclosure for the O.B.E.; named Certificates for the Coronation and Jubilee Medals; the recipient’s Officers Training Corps Certificate; a group photograph and a photographic image of the recipient; a gold Staff Officer’s Baton, E.II.R.; the recipient’s riband bar and various buttons and rank insignia; various newspaper obituaries; and a large quantity of copied research, the majority dealing with his golfing exploits. For the recipient’s brother’s medals, see Lot 418.
A most unusual Second War ‘Station Master’s’ M.B.E. and Great War ‘Railway Operations Division’ D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant James Bridger, Royal Engineers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, in its Royal Mint case of issue; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast badge, silver and enamels, in its case of issue; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (WR-269264 Sjt: J. Bridger, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (256771 C.Q.M. Sjt. J. Bridger. R.E.); Defence Medal; France, Third Republic, Order of the Black Star of Benin, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamels; Romania, Kingdom, Order of the Star, 2nd type, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamels, the last six mounted semi-court style as worn, good very fine (8) £1,200-£1,500 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 4 January 1943: ‘James Bridger, Esq., D.C.M., Station Master, Victoria and Battersea Park, Southern Railway Company. For services to Civil Defence.’ Order of St John, Serving Brother, London Gazette 6 January 1956. D.C.M. London Gazette 1 January 1919; citation London Gazette 3 September 1919: ‘WR/269264 Sjt. J. Bridger, Rly. Oper. Div., R.E. (Dulwich). He was i/c of Vlamertinghe station from August, 1917, to April, 1918. Throughout this period, and particularly in April, 1918, when his station was regularly bombed and shelled, he showed a fine example of devotion to duty and courage. Since April he has been stationed at Berguette, where he has also displayed his fine qualities under trying conditions.’ Sold with original Diploma and Buckingham Palace letter granting permission to wear insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Star of Roumania conferred upon him by His Majesty the King of Roumania on the occasion of his recent State visit to this country’, dated 12th December, 1938; and with Buckingham Palace letter granting permission to wear insignia of Chevalier of the Order of the Black Star of Benin conferred upon you by the President of the French Republic, dated 9th May, 1939. James Bridger was born in London on 1 August 1890, and entered the service of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway as Learner in 1904; War Service 1916-1919; appointed Assistant Station Master, Victoria, 1927; Deputy Chief, Freight Section, Waterloo, S.R. 1928; Yard Master, Norwood Marshalling Yard, 1929; Station Master, Guildford, 1935; Station Master, Victoria, 1938; Assistant Divisional Superintendent, Redhill, afterwards redesignated District Traffic Superintendent, Southern Region,1945. James Bridger, M.B.E., D.C.M., retired on 31 July 1955.
A Second War M.B.E. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer W. J. Towner, Royal Air Force, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, in Royal Mint case of issue and outer card box; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (347753. F/Sgt. W. J. S. Towner. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine (4) £180-£220 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1944: Warrant Officer Walter John Towner (347753), Royal Air Force. M.I.D. London Gazettes 24 September 1941 and 11 June 1942.
A post-war M.B.E. group of five awarded to Mr R. E. Manly, Air Traffic Control Officer at London Airport, formerly a Sergeant in the Royal Air Force who flew Spitfires with No. 129 (Mysore) Squadron The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, in its Royal Mint case of issue with instructions for wearing; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these all unnamed with their named card box of issue addressed to Manly at London Airport, together with the ‘Gundabherunda’ silver medal presented to the pilots of 129 Squadron by the Maharaja of Mysore in 1942, named on the reverse ‘Sgt. R. E. Manly’ and hallmarked Birmingham 1941, in its presentation case, nearly extremely fine (6) £400-£500 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 31 May 1956: ‘Richard Edward Manly, Air Traffic Control Officer II, London Airport.’ The Operations Record Book for No. 129 (Mysore) Squadron for the period January to April, 1942, based at Westhampnett, has the following mentions of Sergeant Manly: Jan. 7 - Sgt. Manly reported for flying duties. Feb. 14 - 2 Spitfires Mark VB, Sgt. Tucker, Sgt. Manly. Scramble to investigate X raid over the Isle of Wight but plot faded and they were recalled. Mar. 12 - 4 Spitfires Mark VB, including Sgt. Manly take off for patrol over damaged Destroyer with escort making for Portsmouth. Mar. 22 - Captain Binstead, the Trade Commissioner for Mysore, Mr Goodchild of the India Office, and Sir Frank Brown of the East India Company visited the squadron, and after lunch with the Station Commander at Chopwyke House proceeded to the Dispersal where after speeches by Capt. Binstead and Sir Frank Brown, the latter presented Mysore Medallions to new pilots and to the 10 Senior N.C.O’s. Mar. 25 - 6 Sections, each of 2 Spitfires Mark VB, including Sgt. Manly, ordered to patrol over Newhaven area to intercept possible enemy Rhubarb but nothing seen to report. Apl. 10 - ... in the evening the Squadron took part in a Rodeo in the Hardelot-Desires area. They provided high cover on the instructions of the Wing Leader, while many dog-fights took place below them, in the course of which the Wing Leader (Wing Commander Robinson) and the C.O. of 340 Squadron were lost. Sgt. Manly of “B” Flight had to return on the way out owing to engine failure and crash landed between Brighton and Lewes, his aircraft being Cat. E. and he himself being severely shaken and bruised. He was post N/E. sick to Tangmere and admitted to Sick Quarters. Sold with relevant copied O.R.B. extracts.
A post-War M.B.E. group of four awarded to Matron Miss Mildred F. Hughes, President of the Royal College of Nursing 1944-46 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type badge, silver; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Voluntary Medical Services Medal, with two Additional ‘Geneva Cross’ Award Bars (Miss Mildred F. Hughes) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s British Red Cross Society State Registered Nurse Badge, gilt and enamel, nearly extremely fine (5) £240-£280 --- Miss Mildred F. Hughes trained at the Evelian Hospital for Children, and at Guy’s Hospital, London, where she subsequently held several residential posts. She was President of the Leicester Royal Infirmary Nurses’ League, and was employed as a Matron at Leicester Royal Infirmary during the Second World War. She was President of the Royal College of Nursing from 1944 to 1946.
A fine St John Ambulance Brigade group of five awarded to Honorary Surgeon H. C. Howard, M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P., holder of the Honorary Associate’s badge of the Order of St John Honorary Associate’s Badge of the Order of St John, silver; Jubilee 1897, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Hony. Surg. H. C. Howard); Coronation 1902, St. John Ambulance Brigade (H. C. Howard Hon. Sur.); Coronation 1911, St. John Ambulance Brigade (Hon. Surg. H. C. Howard.) Service Medal of the Order of St John, Silver, ring suspension (Hon. Surg. Heaton C. Howard. 1906) mounted ‘cavalry’ style as worn, together with related ribbon bar, extremely fine and a scarce group (5) £400-£500 --- Heaton Clark Howard was appointed an Honorary Associate of the Order on 31 July 1906, as an Honorary Surgeon. This was not actually a grade in the Order of St John and did not confer membership but was a favoured and usual way of rewarding people of a certain social standing such as doctors who performed good service for the Order. In 1926 this Honorary award ended with a Royal Charter and living holders of the Badge were offered the privilege of becoming Officers of the Order. Dr Heaton Howard died in 1923 and the following obituary notice appeared in First Aid in April 1923: ‘Dr Howard was born in Lancashire in 1855 and took his medical degree in 1880. The cyclist division of the old Metropolitan Corps was founded in 1889 by Mr Alan Palmer in conjunction with Dr Howard, who was appointed its Hon. Surgeon. The late Dr Howard carried on practise in Stockwell, where he was known as the friend of the poor. His surgeries in Clapham-road and Wandsworth-road have been for years the refuges of the sick, the outcast, and the distressed, while the pauper and the orphan knew that the brave old man would respond to their call at any hour of the night. Dr Howard fell victim to blood poisoning and died in St George’s Hospital where he had been a student 43 years before.’
A Boer War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Warrant Officer Class I G. F. Walker, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4145 Lc. Serjt: G. Walker, 1/L.N. Lanc: R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (4145. Cpl. G. F. Walker. 1st. L.N. Lnc: Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4145 Serjt: G. Walker. L.N. Lanc: Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (4145 C.Sjt: G. F. Walker. L.N. Lanc: Regt.) contact marks and minor edge bruising throughout, therefore nearly very fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 1999. D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. George Frederick Walker was born in Beckton, Eseex, in 1874 and attested for the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment at Woolwich on 21 July 1893, having previously served in the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 7 February 1895 to 19 February 1896; in Ceylon from 20 February 1896 to 10 February 1899; and in South Africa from 11 February 1899 to 17 September 1902, being promoted Corporal on 29 December 1897. He served with the Mounted Infantry Company during the Boer War, was promoted Sergeant on 15 September 1900, and was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch of 4 September 1901, as well as being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Promoted Colour-Sergeant on 16 March 1907, he was awarded his Long Service Medal per Army Order 104 of 1912, and was discharged on 20 July 1914, after 21 years’ service. Re-enlisting into the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment following the outbreak of the Great War on 28 September 1914, Walker spent the entire War at home, being advanced Warrant Officer Class I. He was finally discharged on 8 February 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. Sold with a Loyal North Lancashire Regiment cap badge; and copied research.
A Great War ‘Gallipoli’ D.C.M. group of nine awarded to Acting Regimental Sergeant Major D. Christie, Highland Light Infantry, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry under fire during the Occupation of Crete in September 1898, and received a further Mention during the Great War. Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (4737 A.R.S. Mjr: D. Christie. 1/6 H.L.I. -T.F.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Wittebergen, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between third and fourth clasps (4737 Sgt. D. Christie, 1st. High: Lt. Infy.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4737 Clr:-Serjt: D. Christie. Highland L.I.); 1914-15 Star (4737 C.Sjt. D. Christie. High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (4737 C-Sjt. D. Christie. High. L.I.); Coronation 1937 (David Christie.) contemporarily engraved naming; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (4737 C.Sjt: D. Christie. H.L.I.); Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (David S. Christie.) edge bruising to the QSA and KSA pair, light contact marks throughout, generally very fine and better (9) £800-£1,200 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 19 August 1916: ‘For conspicuously good work rendered during the performance of a difficult operation. He has set a fine example to his Battalion.’ David Christie was born in Edinburgh in 1874 and attested there for the Royal Scots on 20 June 1892. He transferred to the Highland Light Infantry on 30 November 1892, and served with them during the Occupation of Crete, 31 July to 26 December 1898, being Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 24 January 1899). Major I. C. Conway-Gordon, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, was an eye-witness to Christie’s act of gallantry, and later wrote the following testimonial: ‘On 6 September 1898 fire was suddenly opened on the troops stationed at Kandia, Crete, by the Bashie Bazouks. Sergeant D. Christie immediately turned out “A” Company, 1st Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, of which Captain A. G. Balfour was in command. Captain Balfour took up a position with his Company and shortly afterwards Private Walton was wounded. The Hospital was situated about 100 yards from the position occupied by “A” Company, and the ground between was open all the wire to fire. Sergeant Christie volunteered to take Private Watson to the Hospital. He succeeded in doing so although exposed to a heavy fire from the enemy. Against the advice of the Medical Officer he returned across the zone of fire and rejoined his Company. I was an eye-witness of this action on the part of Sergeant Christie and consider he showed the utmost bravery and coolness under fire in carrying out the duty he had volunteered for. Throughout the remainder of the action he continued to display the same gallant spirit and much assisted and encouraged the men by his example.’ Christie saw further action in South Africa during the Boer War from 23 October 1899 to 11 January 1903, and received the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Wittebergen, and Transvaal (his entitlement to the Transvaal clasp appearing on a supplementary roll), as well as the King’s South Africa Medal with both date clasps. Remaining with the Regiment, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, before transferring to the permanent staff of the 6th Battalion (Territorial Force), and served with them during the Great War in Gallipoli from 2 July 1915 as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major. For his services in Gallipoli he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, as well as being once more Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 25 September 1916). Embarking for England from Alexandria on 3 September 1916, he was discharged at Hamilton on 20 October 1916, after 24 years and 123 days’ service, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.
A K.P.F.S.M. and ‘double’ Medal of the Society for the Protection of Life From Fire group of nine awarded to Superintendent G. A. Bainbridge, Cardiff City Fire Brigade King’s Police and Fire Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, for Distinguished Service (George A. Bainbridge. Div. Offr. No. 20 F.F.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935 (Supt. G. A. Bainbridge. 1935) contemporarily engraved naming; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Cardiff City Watch Committee Conspicuous Bravery Medal, silver, the reverse engraved ‘Supt. C. A. Bainbridge. 11 March 1929.’; Medal of the Society for the Protection of Life From Fire, silver (Superintendent Bainbridge, Cardiff, 21-2-37.) rank corrected; Medal of the Society for the Protection of Life From Fire, silver (C. [sic] A. Bainbridge, Cardiff. 6-3-40.); Association of Professional Fire Brigade Officers Long Service Medal, silver, with two ‘10 Years’ award bars (Supt. G. A. Bainbridge. 1916); National Fire Brigades Association Long Service Medal, silver, with one ‘Twenty Years’ and four ‘Five Years’ bars (6086 George A. Bainbridge.) all mounted for display purposes in a Spink wooden frame, generally good very fine (9) £600-£800 --- K.P.F.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1945. George Allen ‘Dick’ Bainbridge was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire in 1879 and worked first in Sheffield for the City Police and Fire Brigade (1900-10) before moving to Eccles (1910-15), and then St. Helens, Lancashire (1915-20). However, it was the move to Cardiff in 1920 that was to make his name: some twenty five years of service and three bravery awards that saw him attend countless fires. He transferred to the Pontypridd area in 1941 as part of the National Fire Service, and was awarded the King’s Police and Fire Service Medal in January 1945 as Divisional Officer (part-time), No. 20 (Cardiff) Fire Force. The inventor of various implements for use by fire fighters, he died in Cardiff in 1969. Sold with a large quantity of copied research, giving details of some of the fires that he attended as a Superintendent; and various photographic images of the recipient.
A Second War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer W. Foster, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. W. Foster. D/J112980), with named Buckingham Palace enclosure; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, with Admiralty enclosure; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.112980. W. Foster. P.O. H.M.S. Foliot.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s silver Anti-submarine and Minesweeping Badge, nearly extremely fine (6) £800-£1,200 --- D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1946. William Foster was born in Cogan, Penarth, in 1909 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in 1924. During the Second World War he served exclusively on minesweeping duty, being awarded the coveted Silver Anti-submarine and Minesweeping badge in June 1940. He was based at the Minesweeping base at Hartlepool and on the MS Trawler Lilac, and later returned to Drake, where he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1943, by which time he was an Acting Petty Officer. Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services during the Second World War, he subsequently served at the shore establishment on the Firth of Forth, H.M.S. Lochinvar, and in January 1947 was commended in a Special Order of the Day. His final posting was to H.M.S. Goldcrest, the Royal Navy Air Direction School at Haverfordwest. He left the Navy at the end of 1949 and died in Newport in 1986. Sold together with the recipient’s original Parchment Certificate of Service; various Naval testimonials; and copied research,
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Bombardier W. W. Robinson, 13th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (316971 Gnr:-A. Bmbr:- W. W. Robinson. Can: F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (316971 Bmbr. W. W. Robinson. C.F.A.); Canadian Centennial Medal 1867-1967, silver, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £300-£400 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919: ‘316971 Gnr. (A/Bmdr.) Robinson, W. W., 13th Bde., Can. F.A.’
An R.V.M. group of three awarded to Deputy Superintendent F. L. Clifford, Aden Police, late Indian Medical Department Royal Victorian Medal, G.V.R., silver, unnamed; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Suakin 1885 (Clerk F. Clifford. Ind. Med. Dept.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, good very fine (3) £180-£220 --- R.V.M. (Silver) awarded on 27 July 1911, on the occasion of the visit of H.M. King George V to Aden. Mr Frederick Lakeland Clifford was then Deputy Superintendent of Police in Aden. Frederick Lakeland Clifford was probably born in India around 1861 where his father William Walter Clifford was a District Superintendent of Police. He appears to have been a Clerk in the Indian Medical Department and took part in the operations at Suakin in 1885, where clerks would have been engaged writing up records of casualties, pay, stocks, etc. At the time of his marriage at Poona on 28 December 1886, he was described as being an Inspector of the Abkari Department, India’s equivalent of customs and excise, and would have been engaged in tax collection. Subsequently living at Surat in 1887, where they had a son who died aged 2, and Bombay in 1889, by 1892 they had moved to Poona, where they had a second son. Information is very scant and it is not possible to prove that the Clifford in the Indian Medical Department is one and the same as the Clifford who later became Deputy Superintendent of Police in Aden but the geography fits well. The Royal Commission on the Public Service in India, published by H.M.S.O. in 1916, includes a discourse on pay and allowances by one F. L. Clifford, who states ‘The Aden appointment, which is recruited from the Deputy Superintendents of the Bombay Presidency, is one that causes infinite hardship. It is an appointment which has nothing to do with the Bombay District Police.’ Sold with research.
The Most Noble Order of the Garter, K.G., an early 19th Century Knight’s embroidered Garter, silver-gilt wire on blue silk, the plain gold buckle with polished steel pin, 47cm overall, worn in parts but generally presentable and good condition for age £500-£700 --- Sold with a rather tenuous but entirely plausible note of provenance to the Duke of Wellington (Knight of the Garter 1813-52), who would have worn and used a good many such Garters during his life. Another very similar example is known with provenance to his valet, John Mugford.
The Great War R.R.C. attributed to Sister Miss Dorothy Jones, Territorial Force Nursing Service Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue, gilding slightly rubbed, nearly extremely fine £300-£400 --- R.R.C. London Gazette 9 April 1919: Miss Dorothy Jones, Sister, T.F.N.S., 1st S. Gen. Hosp., Birmingham. Sold with a photographic image of the recipient.
Pair: Sergeant William Read, 52nd Light Infantry Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (W. Read, 52nd L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2492. Sergt. Wm. Read, 52nd Regt.) mounted on a contemporary silver brooch pin as worn, very fine (2) £400-£500 --- L.S. & G.C. awarded 21 June 1870.
Pair: Private William Marra, 52nd Light Infantry Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Delhi (W. Marra, 52nd L.I.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1423. W. Marra. 52nd Regt.) mounted on a contemporary silver brooch pin as worn, minor edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better (2) £400-£500 --- L.S. & G.C. awarded 19 August 1860.
1914 Star, with clasp (14.(S) Driver A. MacDonald. R.M. Brigade.) good very fine £80-£120 --- Arthur MacDonald was born in Cork, Ireland in 1882. A motor driver by trade, he enlisted in the Royal Marine Artillery in London on 1 October 1914 and proceeded with them to Dunkirk, serving there as a Motor Transport Driver from 7 to 18 October. He was discharged - services no longer required for the war - on 1 September 1915, and subsequently made an application for a Silver War Badge in 1917.
Three: Sapper D. O’Connor, 1st Siege Company, Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Special Reserve) 1914 Star, with clasp (385635 Sapr: D. O’ Conner. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (385635 Spr. D. O’Connor. R.E.) very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Daniel O’Connor was born in St. Anne’s, Lancashire in 1884 and attested for the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers (Special Reserve) in 1908. He served with the 1st Siege Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 November 1914, and was hospitalised and repatriated to England in both 1915 and 1916. Having transferred to the Labour Corps, he was discharged, no longer physically fit for war service, on 3 January 1918 and awarded a Silver War Badge. His medal roll entries and medal index card also refer to service with the 1st Battalion, Liverpool Regiment and the Royal Army Service Corps.
Pair: Company Sergeant Major G. W. T. Price, 5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (1274 W.O. Cl.2. G. W. T. Price. 5-Lond. R.) in named card box of issue, with outer OHMS transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mr. Norman L. T. Price, 28 Warley Road, Brentwood, Essex’; Memorial Plaque (Gerald William Tudor Price) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure; Memorial Scroll, ‘Coy. Serjt. Maj. Gerald William Tudor Price, London Regt.’, extremely fine (4) £240-£280 --- Gerald William Tudor Price was born in Forest Gate, London, and prior to the Great War had served for nine years as a Volunteer and Territorial in the London Rifle Brigade, where he was a crack shot. He re-joined the 5th Battalion (London Rifle Brigade), London Regiment in November 1914, was promoted Colour Sergeant Instructor of Musketry, and for three and a half years was kept in England training recruits. He proceeded to France on attachment to the 1st Battalion on 10 May 1918, was promoted Company Sergeant Major, and was killed in action on the Western Front on 29 August 1918, being shot through the head by a sniper whilst in the trenches. He is buried in the Honourable Artillery Company Cemetery, Escoust-St. Mein, France. Sold with the recipient’s silver vesta case, inscribed ‘L.R.B. G. Coy. Pte. C. W. T. Prices 1905’; a London Rifle Brigade Shako badge; named Record office enclosure; a Musketry Instruction Book; copy of ‘The War Record of the Northern Assurance Co. Ltd. 1914-1918’, containing a portrait photograph of the recipient’; Northern Assurance Co. Ltd. card Roll of Honour; and copied research.
A scarce Napoleonic Wars group of three awarded to Private J. Gosnell, 42nd Highlanders, who was severely wounded at Toulouse, and by a lance at Waterloo Military General Service 1793-1814, 5 clasps, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse (Jas. Giosnell, 42nd. Foot.); Waterloo 1815 (James Gosnell, 42nd or R.H. Reg. Infantry.) with hinged silver straight bar suspension; 42nd Foot Medal 1819, by Parkes, 32mm, silver, the obverse featuring St. Andrew with his cross at top, legend above, ‘Nemo Me Impune Lacessit’, with soldiers marching through mountainous country below, the reverse featuring the winged figure of Fame above the battle honours, ‘Corunna, Fuentes d’Onor, Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, Toulouse, Peninsula’, with ‘42 R.H.Rt.’ below, the edge impressed (Js. Gosnell) with hinged silver straight bar suspension, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better and a scarce group (3) £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, July 1940 and September 1953. James Gosnell was born in Durrus, co. Cork, and attested for the 42nd Highlanders at Limerick on 14 May 1811, aged 25, having previously served as a volunteer in the South Cork Militia. He served with the Regiment in the Peninsula, and in Captain Alexander Fraser’s Company during the Waterloo campaign, 16-18 June 1815, and was discharged on 24 August 1821 on reduction of the Regiment, after 12 years and 103 days’ service. His discharge papers state that he ‘was severely wounded in the side at Toulouse - also received a [wound] from a lance in the right leg at Waterloo and has been frequently in hospital at Clonmel with pulmonic complaints.’ These papers bear the stamp ‘Royal Kilmainham Hospital 12 Sep 21’. Gosnell subsequently re-enlisted at Naas, co. Kildare, into the 1st Royal Regiment of Veterans on 25 December 1821, and served in that regiment until its disbandment on 24 April 1826, after a further 4 years and 121 days’ service. Sold with a 42nd Highlanders badge and copied research.
A Great War M.C. group of three awarded to Major H. J. Bennett, 2/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was taken prisoner in March 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (Major H. J. Bennett.); together with an unofficial St John badge, silver-gilt and enamels, very fine and better (4) £600-£800 --- M.C. London Gazette 3 June 1918. Herbert John ‘Jack’ Bennett served with the 2/4th Battalion in France from 25 May 1916. He had been commissioned as Lieutenant on 14 September 1914, was appointed Temporary Captain on 9 December 1914, promoted to Captain on 1 June 1916, and appointed Acting Major on 22 April 1917. He was captured near Marcelçave on 30 March 1918, whilst attempting to rejoin his men in the trenches before the village which, unknown to him, were no longer being fought for. ‘Near the railway bridge he ran straight into the enemy as they swarmed towards the village and was captured.’ In the Oxford Times of 25 May 1918, Major H. J. Bennett was reported as P.O.W in German hands. Sold with Buckingham Palace letter for returned prisoners of war and a photocopied group photograph of Bennett and other officers of the 2/4th Battalion.
Four: Major S. R. Field, Royal Artillery, late Volunteer Company, Oxfordshire Light Infantry Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (7356 Pte. S. R. Field.Vol: Cot. Oxford: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Major S. R. Field); Territorial Force War Medal 1914-19 (Major S. R. Field. R.A.) mounted as worn, good very fine £200-£260 --- Major Sydney Reach Field served in France with the 43rd Battery R.F.A. from 25 May 1916. Sold with copied Medal Index Card which confirms T.F.W.M. and entitlement to Silver War Badge No. B.45003.
An Edwardian silver standish, by Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co Ltd, London 1903, the oval facetted clear glass well with a silver monogrammed hinged cover, on a pierced long oval silver stand with reed, ribbon and leaf border, with bracket supports, 19cm long, 120g (3.8 troy ozs) gross
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