A fine Order of St John group of eight awarded to Sergeant-Major T. Donnelly, Royal Army Medical Corps, late Blackpool Division, St. John Ambulance Brigade The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s breast badge, silver; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901 (877 Sply: Ofcr: T. Donnelly, St John Amb: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (61210, S. Mjr. T. Donnelly, R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (61210 W.O. Cl. 1. T. Donnelly. R.A.M.C.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (61210 S. Mjr. T. Donnelly. R.A.M.C.); St. John Medal for South Africa 1899-1902 (877. Sergt. T. Donnelly. Blackpool Div.); Service Medal of the Order of St John, silver, straight bar suspension, with three additional service bars (1st Amb: Off: Thomas Donnelly. (Blackpool Div: S.J.A.B.) 1913.) mounted court-style as worn, together with Blackpool Tribute Medal (Hibbard A5), silver and enamels, hallmarked Birmingham 1901, the reverse engraved (To 1st Officer T. Donnelly, St John Ambulance Brigade (Blackpool Division) South African War 1899 1901), good very fine (9) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919: St John’s Ambulance Brigade Hospital [France]. Thomas Donnelly was a native of Poulton-le-Fylde, Lancashire, and served in South Africa with the Blackpool Division of the St John Ambulance Brigade. As a Sergeant-Major in the Royal Army Medical Corps he served in France from 22 July 1915.
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A fine Great War ‘Battle of the Somme’ M.M. group of nine awarded to Corporal R. Taylor, Royal Horse Artillery, late Royal Field Artillery Military Medal, G.V.R. (30493 Cpl. R. Taylor. ‘Q’ By: R.H.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (30493 Tptr: R. Taylor, 88th. Bty., R.F.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (30493 Tptr: R. Taylor. R.F.A.); 1914 Star, with clasp (30493 Bmbr: R. Taylor. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (30493 Cpl. R. Taylor. R.A.); Delhi Durbar 1903, silver, unnamed as issued, lacking integral riband buckle; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (30493 Cpl. R. Taylor. R.H.A.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1914-1917, with bronze palm emblem on riband, minor contact marks to Boer War awards, otherwise good very fine and better (9) £800-£1,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 27 October 1916. Ralph Taylor was born in Chatham, Kent, in 1884. A 14 year-old drummer boy - just 4ft 10 inches in stature - he attested for the Royal Artillery in London on 4 October 1898, and served with 88th Battery, Royal Field Artillery during the Boer War. Transferred to “T” Battery, he remained in South Africa until 22 January 1904. Sent to India, Taylor was advanced Gunner on 16 March 1903, Acting Bombardier 15 July 1904, and Bombardier 14 May 1906. Later transferred to “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, Taylor was appointed Corporal on 1 January 1910 and entered the French theatre of War with this unit on 11 November 1914. Initially serving as part of the Sialkot Brigade in the 1st Indian Cavalry Division, “Q” Battery was soon in action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915, supporting 8th Division. Concentrated in a large semicircle, the guns were brought up by night with the aim of cutting the enemy wire which lay 15 yards deep in places. On 10 March 1915, the guns opened up, but the infantry attack was soon brought to a standstill by cleverly concealed German strong points. Transferred to the Somme in the early spring of 1916, Taylor likely spent much of his time maintaining the guns in the face of adverse weather and the endless mud. Awarded the Military Medal and Army L.S.G.C. Medal per Army Order 125 on 1 April 1917, his luck finally ran out on 1 July 1918 when he was wounded in action. Sent to the 1st South African General Hospital, the abrasion to his face was sufficient to necessitate evacuation to England per Hospital Ship St. Andrew. He was discharged upon termination of his second period of engagement on 3 September 1921. Sold with copied service record and extensive private research. Note: Entitlement to the Delhi Durbar 1903 Medal, the clasp to 1914 Star; and the French Croix de Guerre all unconfirmed.
A Sea Gallantry Medal group of six awarded to Leading Boatman H. O. Welch, H.M. Coast Guard Sea Gallantry Medal, E.VII.R., small 2nd issue, silver (Henry Oscar Welch, “Bessie Arnold” 28th December 1908) suspension tightened/refitted; British War Medal 1914-20 (162859 H. O. Welch, Lg. Btn., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (162859 H. O. Welch, Boatn., H.M. Coast Guard); Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Life Saving Medal, 40mm, bronze, the obverse featuring a lifeboat being rowed towards a sailing ship in distress in high seas; the reverse inscribed (name engraved) ‘To H. O. Welch, he risked his own to save another’s life’; Marine Society Reward of Merit, silver, the reverse inscribed, ‘Henry Oscar Welch, 5th June 1902’, mounted for court-style display, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine and better (6) £700-£900 --- Henry Oscar Welch was born in Chigwell, Essex on 8 May 1876. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class from the training ship Warspite on 13 September 1891 and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class in May 1903. In March 1904 he transferred to the Coastguard as a Boatman, being advanced to Leading Boatman in January 1912. He served at various Scottish stations until he was demobilised in July 1919. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. in May 1905. As a Boatman of the Coastguard at Kildonan, Welch was awarded one of 74 E.VII.R. small second type silver Sea Gallantry Medals for an incident on 28 December 1908. The official citation states: ‘The Bessie Arnold, of Whitehaven, stranded 9 miles from the Life Saving Apparatus Station at Kildonan. A rocket was fired but no one on board secured the line. A body was seen among the wreckage and Welch at great risk entered the surf and brought it ashore, where life was found to be extinct. The other three of the crew were also drowned.’ (taken from BT261/5). The Bessie Arnold had left Millom bound for Glasgow on 26 December 1908. She stranded in a severe gale at Sliddery, on the Isle of Arran. The James Stevens No.2, the lifeboat based at Campeltown was launched and approaching the ship, saw that the crew were still aboard. But as the lifeboat drew near she was thrown onto the schooner’s deck and holed and one of her crew was cast into the raging sea. Remarkably the lifeboatman was rescued and the damaged ship made its way back to Campeltown whilst the coastguardmen on shore began their rescue efforts. Sold with copied service papers and other research.
A pre-War Sea Gallantry Medal awarded to L. H. Davies, for the rescue of the Royal Party from the wreck of the S.S. Delhi off Cape Spartel, Morocco, on 13 December 1911 Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Leonard H. Davies. "Delhi" 13. Dec. 1911.) polished, very fine £300-£400 --- The 8,090-tonne Peninsular and Oriental liner Delhi with 85 first class passengers on board, including the Duke and Duchess of Fife (H.R.H. the Princess Royal) and their two daughters, Princess Alexandra and Princess Maud, was bound from London to Bombay via Marseilles. At about 2:00 a.m. on 13 December 1911, the ship ran ashore in very rough weather some two miles from Cape Spartel. There was a strong westerly wind and very heavy rain. A wireless call was immediately sent out and was picked up by the station at Cadiz and within a short time several men-of-war were speeding to the wreck. Amongst the first ships to arrive were H.M.S. London and H.M.S. Duke of Edinburgh. At about 11:00 a.m. Rear-Admiral Sir C. Cradock brought a boat from the Duke of Edinburgh alongside and with great difficulty took off the Royal Party from the Delhi. On her way back the boat was swamped not far from shore and everyone thrown into the water, Princess Alexandra having a narrow escape from drowning. Eventually all came to land safely. 6 silver and 13 bronze Sea Gallantry Medals were awarded for this action.
An inter-War Sea Gallantry Medal and Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society pair awarded to Chief Officer S. C. S. Taws, Mercantile Marine, who died on 3 March 1942 following the torpedoing and sinking of the S.S. City of Manchester off Java Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Stephen Corner Stephenson Taws "Selma Creaser" 30th October. 1927) in fitted case of issue; Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, silver (To Stephen C. S. Taws.. 2nd Off. S/S "City of Lahore." For Gallant Service. 30/10/27.) mounted on a black riband with integral top riband bar, in fitted case of issue, edge bruise to latter, very fine (2) £600-£800 --- S.G.M. London Gazette 12 March 1929: 'In recognition of gallantry displayed by them on the 30th October 1927, in saving the lives of the crew of the Newfoundland schooner Selma Creaser, which was in distress in the Atlantic Ocean. Stephen Corner Stephenson Taws, a native of Houston, Renfrewshire, was born in 1898 and was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal for the same action as his Sea Gallantry Medal; further details of that award featured in Northern Daily Mail on 10 December 1927: ‘Outward bound from New York for the Far East, the City of Lahore, sighted on October 30 last, at 5.25am, what proved to be the Newfoundland schooner Selma Creaser showing a flare and as soon as they passed the schooner fired a rocket. Passing under the stern of the schooner the steamer hailed her, and received the reply that they wished to be taken off and had no boat of their own. Heavy weather had prevailed for some considerable time and there was still a big sea running... Due to the heavy weather encountered, the Selma Creaser was badly strained and leaking so badly that her Captain deemed it advisable to set her on fire before leaving. When last seen the schooner was burning furiously.
In the boat sent away by the City of Lahore with the Chief Officer in charge was Mr Taws, Second Officer.’ Taws was subsequently aboard the City of Manchester when she was torpedoed by I53 off Java on 28 February 1942. Joseph Berkley, a member of the S.S. Tulsar, wrote to Mrs Taws on 19 March:
‘On the morning of the twenty eighth of February, I had the good fortune to be in the vicinity of the City of Manchester when she was torpedoed and her lifeboats were shelled by the Japanese. Among the wounded survivors received on board was your husband. My Doctor deemed his condition too critical to permit your husband's transfer to a hospital on shore. Three serious lung punctures required that he be kept quiet in order to have any chance of surviving. The following day, the first of March, which was a day of mass evacuation from Tjilatjap, Java, we left port with Mr Taws on board. In spite of three blood transfusions, oxygen and all other efforts, it was impossible to save his life. One the third of March about 6.40pm he passed away. Next day at 9.00am, I performed the funeral services and we buried him at sea. I hope you will forgive me for sending his remains to the deep, but under the circumstances it was the only thing left for me to do.’ Taws is commemorated upon the Tower Hill Memorial. Sold with an old hand-written copy of the above letter; and copied research.
A Second War R.V.M. group of eleven awarded to Warrant Officer Class I F. Wylde, Office Keeper at the Royal Mews, Buckingham Palace, late Royal Garrison Artillery 1914 Star, with clasp (26463 Cpl. F. Wylde. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (26463 W.O.Cl.2. F. Wylde. R.A.); Defence Medal; Royal Victorian Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1937, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., suspension dated ‘1913-1933’, 2 clasps, Thirty Years, Forty Years (F. Wylde); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (191770 B.S.Mjr. F. Wylde. R.G.A.); Special Constabulary Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., 1 clasp, War Service 1942 (Sergt. Frederick Wylde.) mounted court-style for display, lightly polished and lacquered, nearly very fine and better (11) £800-£1,000 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Frederick Theophilous Wylde was born in Wandsworth, London, on 29 May 1886. A ship’s steward, he attested for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Woolwich on 21 August 1903 and witnessed early service overseas in India. Advanced Corporal on 29 June 1910 and briefly transferred to the Army Reserve, he took brief employment as Gate Keeper at the Royal Mews on 1 December 1912, before being recalled to service with 7 Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, upon the outbreak of the Great War. Sent to France on 15 August 1914, Wylde was promoted Sergeant 4 January 1915 and Mentioned in Despatches on 21 May 1918. His valuable service was further recognised by the award of the M.S.M. as Battery Sergeant Major of “B” Anti-Aircraft Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, and appointment as Warrant Officer 1st Class before the cessation of hostilities. Returning to London and his former civilian employment on the Staff of the Royal Household, Wylde was made Office Keeper at the Royal Mews on 1 October 1923 and was later awarded the Faithful Service Medal with 2 clasps. He is recorded in 1939 as living with his wife at the Royal Mews, and was thus likely present on 13 September 1940 when a German raider dropped five high explosive bombs on the Palace; the Royal chapel, inner quadrangle, entrance gates and Victoria Memorial were all hit, with four members of the Palace staff wounded and one killed. In a poignant statement, Queen Elizabeth is quoted as saying, ‘I’m glad we have been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the East-End in the face’. For Wylde, his day was almost certainly spent helping to clear up the mess, followed by an evening dedicated to the service of the Special Constabulary and A.R.P. Decorated with the R.V.M. on 2 June 1943, Wylde was re-designated Clerk at the Royal Mews on 1 January 1947, before retiring on 15 September 1955. As one of the most experienced members of staff, whose service to the Crown spanned over 40 years, Wylde was one of the true ‘old guard’. He died on 21 February 1970. Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient in later life wearing his medals.
The Royal Victorian Order, K.C.V.O., Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘K278’, with full neck riband; Star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with gold retaining pin, the reverse officially numbered ‘278’, in Collingwood, London, case of issue, the case also numbered ‘K278’, extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- According to extensive research carried out by the present vendor, this set of insignia was likely awarded on 12 December 1911, at around the time of the Delhi Durbar in India.
The Royal Victorian Order, K.C.V.O., Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially numbered ‘K405’, with short section of miniature-width neck riband; Star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially marked ‘405’, with gold retaining pin, good very fine (2) £700-£900
A Great War C.M.G. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel H. T. Cantan, Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was killed in action in the front line at Arras on 16 April 1916 The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with short section of neck riband for display purposes; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. H. T. Cantan. 2/ D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 Cpt. H. T. Cantan. D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming; 1914 Star (Major. H. T. Cantan. D. of Corn: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Col. H. T. Cantan.); together the related miniature Boer War pair, these mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to the central medallions of the CMG and light contact marks to the Boer War pair, otherwise good very fine and better (6) £2,400-£2,800 --- C.M.G. London Gazette: 23 June 1915. M.I.D. London Gazettes 22 June 1915 and 15 June 1916. Henry Thomas Cantan was born in Kent in 1867 and served in the ranks of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant, prior to being commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 18 May 1892. He served as Captain in South Africa during the Boer War, on duty under the Military Governor of Pretoria, and afterwards served commanding a section of 4th Mounted Infantry, where he was present at the Relief of Kimberley and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Paardeberg and Driefontein. The medal roll for the Q.S.A. additionally notes that he also served attached to the South African Constabulary from December 1900 to August 1902. He was taken Prisoner of War on 31 March 1900 at Koornspruit, and was released at Waterval on 6 June 1900. In 1902 he was appointed Superintendent of Gymnasia at the Curragh. Cantan served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 November 1914, and was promoted temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 December 1914, being confirmed in that rank on 1 March 1916. He was killed in action when in command of his battalion, in the front line at Arras, on 16 April 1916, and is buried at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.
The historically important C.B.E. group of five awarded to Lieutenant J. E. M. Carvell, 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen’s Westminster Rifles), London Regiment, who was twice wounded during the Great War - rather than take a discharge he took a posting as an Instructor to the Portuguese Army from 1917-18, and then as a Staff Captain, HQ London District, 1918-19. A career diplomat, Carvell, when acting British Consul General in Munich in the 1930s, secured the freedom of some 300 Jews from Dachau, and in 2018 was posthumously recognised by the British Government as a ‘British Hero of the Holocaust’ The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with full and miniature width neck ribands, in DS&S case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. J. E. M. Carvell. 16/Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. E. M. Carvell); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue, the Great War trio lacquered and mounted court-style by Spink, London, the Coronation Medal loose, good very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- C.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 2 January 1950: ‘John Eric Maclean Carvell Esq., His Majesty's Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Quito.’ John Eric MacLean Carvell was born on 12 August 1894 and was educated at Berkhamsted. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 9 September 1914 and was posted to the 16th (County of London) Battalion (Queen's Westminster Rifles), London Regiment as temporary Lieutenant on 30 November 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 January 1915, and was promoted Captain on 28 April 1917. Twice wounded (on the second occasion the bullet reputedly lodged between his heart and his lung), rather than take a discharge he took a posting as an Instructor to the Portuguese Army from 1917-18, and then as a Staff Captain, HQ London District, 1918-19. He transferred to the Territorial Force Reserve on 30 July 1919. A career diplomat, Carvell had various postings, firstly as British Consul to the Republic of Haiti, at Port au Prince, in 1920, followed by postings to Finisterre, France; Munich, Bavaria; State of Rio Grande do Sul at Porto Alegre, Brazil; and again at Munich, Bavaria, in the late 1930’. He was appointed British Consul General at Algiers, in 1942; Arizona, in 1946; Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Quito, Equador, in 1948; and Sofia, Bulgaria in 1951. He retired from the Foreign Service in 1954, and died at Bungay, Suffolk on 29 April 1978. As Consul General in Munich, Carvell used his position to issue certificates to 300 Jewish men imprisoned in Dachau concentration camp for ‘race defilement’ (marrying or having relationships with non-Jewish German women). These certificates enabled the men to leave the camp and travel to British Mandated Palestine in 1937. As a result of his and his colleagues’ efforts to aid the escape of Jews from Germany, a memorial plaque was unveiled at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. The plaque reads, 'To commemorate those British diplomats who by their personal endeavours helped to rescue victims of Nazi oppression’. Carvell was posthumously awarded the title ‘British Hero of the Holocaust’ in 2018, along with his counterpart in Lithuania, Sir Thomas Preston. The title ‘British Hero of the Holocaust’ is a special award given by the British Government to people who helped or rescued Jews and others facing Nazi persecution before and during the Second World War. The award was created in 2009 following a campaign by the Holocaust Educational Trust to ensure that their actions were properly recognised; the first awards were given in 2010.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Major H. McMaster, Royal Field Artillery, who was thrice wounded, twice Mentioned in Despatches, and died of wounds on the Western Front on 2 December 1917 Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue and outer card box, the case with considerable loss to black leather finish; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in slightly damaged case of issue and with outer maroon card box; 1914 Star (Lieut: H. Mc Master. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Major H. Mc Master.) with named card boxes of issue; Memorial Plaque (Hugh Mc Master) in original card envelope and outer transmission envelope addressed to ‘Mrs Mc Master, The Camp, Steeple Clayton, Bucks’, and redirected to ‘Braydon Manor, Purton Wilts.’, and again redirected to ‘The Imperial Hotel, Exmouth’, about extremely fine (6) £2,200-£2,600 --- D.S.O., London Gazette: 1 January 1918. M.C. London Gazette: 1 January 1917: Capt. Hugh Mc Master, R.F.A. M.I.D. London Gazettes 15 June 1916 and 11 December 1917. Hugh McMaster was born in 1887 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery on 1 August 1907. He served with the 41st Battery, 42nd Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 August 1914, and was seriously wounded in both 1914 and 1916. He was mortally wounded in 1917, and consequently died on the Western Front on 2 December 1917. He is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France. Sold with the recipient’s original Commission Document, appointing Hugh McMaster, Second Lieutenant, Land Forces, dated 1 August, 1907.
A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Captain G. la C. Baudains, 9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), London Regiment, attached 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2132 Pte. G. Baudains, 2-Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. G. La C. Baudains.); together with British Expeditionary Force, Recreational Training silver fob prize medal, engraved ‘4th Army Infantry School, Individual Bayonet Competition, won by Cpt. G. La. C. Baudains M.C., 9th Roy. Fus.’, very fine and better (5) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.S.O. London Gazette 26 July 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action. When in command of the right front company of his battalion, a heavy enemy attack drove back the battalion on his right, leaving his flank exposed. In spite of this, he held his support line position against greatly superior numbers, and inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. Subsequently he was entirely cut off, but continued to hold on until he judged that the troops in his rear had had time to take up a new position, when he fought his way out, being wounded while so doing. By his splendid courage and coolness he set a fine example to all with him.’ M.C. London Gazette 18 October 1917. M.I.D. London Gazette 30 December 1918. George La Croix Baudains was born at St. Helier, Jersey, in 1892 and was educated at Jersey Modern School and King’s College, London. He served initially with the 2nd (City of London) Battalion, London Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 6 January 1915, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), London Regiment on 25 October 1916, and served as a Lieutenant and Captain attached to the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. He resigned his commission on 21 April 1921. He later served as an Assistant Inspector of Taxes, Inland Revenue Department, and died in Clapham, London, in October 1942.
A Great War ‘Minesweeping’ D.S.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant F. Ellis, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who subsequently received a scarce Portuguese Institute for Lifesaving’s Silver Medal Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1917, unnamed as issued; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. F. Ellis. R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (Francis Ellis); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. F. Ellis. R.N.R.); mounted as worn together with a Portuguese Institute For Lifesaving Medal for Humanity, Courage and Selflessness for saving life at sea, silver and enamel, unnamed, with silver slide bar on riband, suspension broken and re-affixed; together with the related miniature awards for the four British medals, these similarly mounted as worn and housed in an Ince, Newport, jeweller’s case; and riband bars, oxidisation to the obverse of the third and fourth medals, otherwise very fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 5 October 1918: ‘For very good service as officer in command of a group of minesweepers.’ Francis Ellis was born in 1872. A Merchant Seaman, he obtained his Board of Trade Certificate of Competency as Second Mate in October 1893, and as First Mate, in July 1895, and as Master Mariner in March 1897. He was commissioned Temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 March 1917, and was promptly sent on a course to learn minefield sweeping. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Halcyon, for service in the Armed Trawler Kinoki, and for his services in command of a group of minesweepers was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He was demobilised from H.M.S. Victory on 24 April 1919. Remaining in the Mercantile Marine, he subsequently received the Portuguese Institute for Lifesaving’s Silver Medal in the 1920s, and died in Bristol in January 1948. Sold together with the following family medals: Pair: H. F. Ellis, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Harold F. Ellis) very fine Harold Francis Ellis was born in Dinas Powys, Glamorganshire in 1898, the son of the above, and passed his Board of Trade Certificate of Competency as Second Mate on 18 January 1919. He died at Bath, Somerset, in 1971.
A Great War M.C. group of four awarded to Captain F. E. Douglas, West Yorkshire Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. F. E. Douglas. W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. F. E. Douglas.) with unusual narrow silver and enamel ‘1918’ riband brooch to the BWM, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.C. London Gazette 19 November 1917; citation published 22 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his company with great courage and ability to its objective, and organised it for the assault so well that all objectives were attained and consolidated in less time than expected. He personally killed three of the enemy in the advance. He set a fine example of coolness and serenity to all ranks not only in attack but in the heavy work of digging in.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919 (Italy). Francis Eric Douglas was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the West Yorkshire Regiment on 7 December 1914, and served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 25 August 1915, being both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Military Cross. He died in Canterbury, Kent, in 1973.
A fine Great War ‘Western Front’ M.C., D.C.M., Russian Cross of St. George group of six awarded to Second Lieutenant W. H. Brace, 19th (Glamorgan Pioneers) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, late 16th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment and 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion, Welsh Regiment Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (22053 Pte. W. H. Brace. 16/Ches: R.); British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. W. H. Brace.); Defence Medal, with Army Council enclosure, in named card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. W. H. Brace, 54 Pen y Dre, Rhiwbina, Cardiff’; Russia, Empire, Cross of St. George, Fourth Class, silver, reverse officially numbered ‘807673’, good very fine (6) £5,000-£7,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1919; citation published 4 October 1919: ‘For marked courage and initiative in command of a platoon attached to a company of infantry for consolidation of the final objective in the operations of 20 October 1918, north-east of Le Cateau. When the attack was checked by wire he joined the infantry, reorganised the attack, and captured the position. He mopped up enemy positions and dug-outs in a quarry, and later caught up the advance and rendered valuable assistance in taking, the final objective.’ D.C.M. London Gazette 20 October 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry during operations. As C.O.’s runner he carried messages to all parts of the line. When the adjutant, signalling officer and assistant adjutant became casualties he did splendid work, and though only a boy knew exactly what was going on all along the line. He was twice blown off his legs during the day close to his C.O.’ Russian Cross of St. George, Fourth Class London Gazette 19 February 1917. William Herbert Brace attested for the Cheshire Regiment and served with the 16th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from January 1916. Awarded the D.C.M., he was subsequently posted to the 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, prior to being commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 19th (Glamorgan Pioneer) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, on 31 October 1917. He relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921. The 1920 Army List, as is the case with some D.C.M. recipients, also credits him with the award of a Mention in Despatches on 20 October 1916, which is the date of the D.C.M. award, although no further trace of a ‘Mention’ has been found. Brace was again commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 16th Glamorganshire Battalion (Cardiff), Home Guard on 16 February 1941. He was a member of the Welch Regiment Officers Association and in 1957 carried the Colour of his old Battalion at the laying up ceremony in the Regimental Chapel. He died on 16 January 1962. Sold with a Welsh Regiment other ranks cap badge; aluminium wrist I.D. tag on steel chain (W. H. Brace 22053, 16 Ch. Bapt.); riband bar for the first two; Welsh Regiment officers bladed cap badge; original London Gazette pages containing the citation for the M.C.; several original press cuttings; copy hand-written note, being an Extract from Army Orders, regarding the award of the D.C.M. and Russian Cross of St. George, this split to folds and part lacking; and original citation for Russian Cross of St. George to Officer Cadet W. H. Brace, which reads the same as the D.C.M. citation.
A Great War A.R.R.C. group of four awarded to The Hon. Georgina M. Cross, Voluntary Aid Detachment, who was additionally Mentioned in Despatches Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, with lady’s bow riband but adjusted and worn from a straight riband with additional suspension ring; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Hon. G. M. Cross. V.A.D.), in named card boxes of issue, and outer O.H.M.S. transmission envelope addressed to ‘The. Honble. Georgina M. Cross, Ash House. Broughton-in-Furness’; Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Miss G. M. Cross, Ash House, Broughton-in-Furness, Lancs.’, nearly extremely fine (4) £500-£700 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 25 May 1918. The Hon. Georgina Marjorie Cross was born on 6 September 1886, the daughter of the Hon. William Henry Cross, and the granddaughter of Richard Assheton Cross, 1st Viscount Cross, sometime Home Secretary. She served during the Great War as an Assistant Nurse with the Royal Red Cross (Cumberland 10) from 8 July 1916 to 10 November 1919, landing in France on 8 July 1916, and for her services was both Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the A.R.R.C., being invested with her Royal Red Cross insignia by H.M. the King on 12 July 1919. In the 1939 Register she describes herself as an Artist, and also British Red Cross Society, Nursing Auxiliary. She died unmarried on 4 February 1958 and is buried at St. Anne’s Church, Thwaites, Cumberland. Sold with a possibly related enamelled British Red Cross pin badge, Red Cross Proficiency in Nursing enamelled medal (28990 I. M. E. Cross) and British Red Cross Society County of Cumberland pin badge (010329 E. M. Riley).
A Great War A.R.R.C. pair awarded to Mrs. Nesta F. Williams, Voluntary Aid Detachment, later Commandant, Monmouth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, on lady’s bow riband; Voluntary Medical Service Medal, silver, with two additional ‘Geneva cross’ award bars (Nesta F. Williams) good very fine (2) £240-£280 --- A.R.R.C. London Gazette 5 August 1919. Mrs Nesta Faith Williams commenced service as a V.A.D. Volunteer Nurse at the Monmouth Red Cross Hospital in February 1915, becoming Officer in Charge and Commandant of the Monmouth Red Cross Auxiliary Hospital. Her home address was at Chippenham House, Monmouth.
Three: Fleet Engineer G. Hunt, Royal Navy Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Alexandria 11th July (G. Hunt. Ch. Engr. R.N. H.M.S. “Sultan”.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidieh, Third Class neck badge, silver, gold appliqué, and enamel, unmarked, with full neck riband; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, about extremely fine (3) £400-£500 --- George Hunt was advanced Fleet Engineer on 17 February 1886, and is confirmed in the 1885 Navy List as receiving the Order of the Medjidieh, Third Class.
A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Sergeant P. Wray, Yorkshire Regiment and Machine Gun Corps Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (5195 Sjt. P. Wray. 37/M.G.C.); British War and Victory Medals (5195 A. Sjt. P. Wray. M.G.C.); together with an Independent Order of Oddfellows Manchester Unity Jewel, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Scarborough District - P. Wray 1961’, very fine and better (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1919; citation published 11 March 1920: ‘For great courage and good leadership in the attack on Louvignies and Jolimetz in October, 1918. When his section came under very heavy shell fire, one limber being knocked out and the section badly shaken, he showed great coolness in reorganising the section and pushing forward to support the attacking infantry.’ Percy Wray, a native of Harrogate, Yorkshire, attested for the Yorkshire Regiment, and served with the 37th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps during the Great War on the Western Front. Awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry in the final push to Victory, he was transferred to Class ‘Z’ Army Reserve on 15 February 1919. Sold with copied research.
Six: Captain J. Bostick, Royal West Surrey Regiment and Northampton Regiment, late Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who was awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for saving life at Devil’s Point, Plymouth in 1888 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (1131 Boy. J. Bostic [sic]. 2/D. of Corn: L.I.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (4701 Sejt. J. Bostick. Rl: Wt. Surrey Regt.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (...Serjt. J. Bostick. The Que...); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. Bostick.); Royal Humane Society, small bronze medal (successful) (Jas. Bostick. Bandsman 2nd Bn. Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infty 17 Augt: 1888) with integral top riband buckle; together with a silver presentation fob watch, with key, hallmarks for London 1888, maker marked ‘AJW’ for Arthur James Walker of Coventry, and inscribed ‘Presented by the Officers, 2nd Bn. D.C.L.I. to 1131 Pte. James Bostick (2nd. Batt. D.C.L.I.) For Gallantry in saving Life at Devil’s Point. Plymouth on the 17th August 1888., the first five medals mounted as worn from a contemporary quintuple top brooch bar, heavy contact marks especially to the first three, therefore about fine; the Great War pair very fine (6) £700-£900 --- R.H.S. Case Number 24,112: ‘To James Bostick, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, for saving a man who attempted suicide at Devils Point, Stonehouse, on 17 August 1888 having jumped off a rock he resisted, and indeed fought at, a man who tried pull him into his boat. Devil’s Point is a notoriously dangerous place, but Bostick, who saw the struggle from the shore, went into the sea, and after great trouble brought out the man who had been half an hour in the water.’ James Bostick was born on 22 February 1871 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry as a Boy soldier in October 1883, serving with them in Egypt and the Sudan as part of the Nile Expedition (also entitled to a Khedive’s Star). Appointed Lance Sergeant in August 1893, he transferred to the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment in December 1894, and served with the 3rd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War. Commissioned Temporary Captain on 8 February 1915, he first served in the Egyptian theatre during the Great War, and subsequently transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, being entitled to a Silver War Badge, No. 451934. He was discharged from 1st Garrison Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on 1 November 1919, suffering from debility, and died in Walthamstow on 25 January 1939. Sold with copied research.
Four: Private J. Townsend, Royal Warwickshire Regiment India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1908 (8838 Pte. J. Townsend. 1st R. War. R.); 1914 Star, with clasp (8838 Pte. J. Townend [sic]. R. War: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8838 Pte. J. Townsend. R. War. R.) mounted as worn, IGS somewhat polished, with slightly slack suspension, generally nearly very fine (4) £240-£280 --- John Townsend attested for the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 17 July 1902 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 August 1914. He was discharged due to wounds on 16 June 1915 and received a Silver War Badge No. 72725.
Four: Sergeant J. Morgan, 20th Hussars 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (6796 L. Cpl. J. Morgan. 20/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (8796 Sjt. J. Morgan. 20-Hrs.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (538831 Sjt. J. Morgan. 14 20 H.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (4) £160-£200 --- James Morgan attested for the 20th Hussars at Manchester on 24 January 1911 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 August 1914. He was wounded on 18 February 1916, and subsequently spent some time at home in the U.K. serving with 13th Reserve Cavalry Brigade and the 5th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. He was transferred to Class “B” Army Reserve in May 1919, but rejoined the 20th Hussars in September 1920. He had subsequent service attached to 5th Cavalry Depot, 14/20th Hussars, and 1st King’s Dragoon Guards in 1931, and was discharged at Canterbury in July 1934. Sold with a presentation silver cigarette case with gilt interior, inscribed ‘Presented to Sergt. J. Morgan. By 2nd Troop, “B” Squad. 13th Res. Cavy. Brigade. Aug. 25th. 1916.’
Three: Private J. E. S. Peck, Royal Fusiliers 1914 Star, with clasp (SR-1342 Pte. J. E. Peck. 4/R.Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (SR-1342 Pte. J. E. S. Peck. R. Fus.) polished, edge bruising and contact marks, therefore good fine (3) £100-£140 --- Josiah Edward Seamons Peck was born in Brixton in 1892 and attested for the Royal Fusiliers on 12 March 1910. He served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 November 1914 and was discharged from the 9th Battalion due to wounds on 25 March 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. 347931. He died at Ealing, Middlesex, in October 1951.
Three: Private T. Hurley, Worcestershire Regiment 1914 Star (11128 Pte. T. Hurley, 3/Worc: R.); British War and Victory Medals (11128 Pte. T. Hurley. Worc. R.) mounted for wear with a silver rosette on the riband of the 1914 Star, traces of verdigris to VM, edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Thomas Hurley attested for the Worcestershire Regiment in 1905, and served with the 3rd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 12 August 1914. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, he was discharged due to wounds on 22 October 1918, aged 29, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. B.31059.
Three: Sergeant S. J. Wilcox, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp, the clasp unusually affixed by two silver rosettes, one sewn to each end of clasp (11528 Sjt. S. J. Wilcox. 2/Notts: & Derby: R.); British War and Victory Medals (11528 Sjt. S. J. Wilcox, Notts. & Derby. R.) polished, very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Sidney John Wilcox attested for the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 September 1914. He later served with 53rd (Young Soldiers) Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment and was re-numbered 6197 and 64907. Sold with an empty Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin; and a Sherwood Foresters coloured silk cigarette card.
Three: Private G. Hadfield, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was captured and taken prisoner of war at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star (10863 Pte. G. Hadfield. Yorks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (10863 Pte. G. Hadfield. Yorks. L.I.) mounted for wear with silver rosette sewn on to the riband of the 1914 Star, light contact marks, good very fine (3) £120-£160 --- George Hadfield was born at Sheffield on 12 August 1894 and attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He served with “D” Company, 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 10 August 1914, and was taken Prisoner of War at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914, being imprisoned at Doberlitz Camp, Germany.
Three: Private W. Black, Wiltshire Regiment 1914 Star, with clasp (3-15 Pte. W. Black. 2/Wilts. R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-15 Pte. W. Black. Wilts. R.) suspension loose on BWM, heavy pitting and contact marks, fine (3) £80-£100 --- William Black, a native of Easton Rolls, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, attested for the Wiltshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 November 1914. He is recorded as being in hospital at Boulogne on 4 December 1914 suffering from frost bite. He was also later received a gunshot wound to the foot and, having also had his finger amputated, he was discharged no longer physically fit for active service on 29 September 1916, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. 1102839.
Four: Private C. Rose, Manchester Regiment, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914 1914 Star, with clasp (2633 Pte. C. Rose. 2/Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (263 Pte. C. Rose. Manch. R.); Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Charles Rose) in Royal Mint case of issue, very fine and better (4) £120-£160 --- Charles Rose was born in London in 1892 and having attested for the Manchester Regiment served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 August 1914. He was reported missing and wounded by 26 August 1914, and was later confirmed as having been taken Prisoner of War at Le Cateau on 26 August 1914, being imprisoned at Munster II Prisoner of War camp. He was repatriated in December 1918, and discharged in February 1919, ‘no longer physically fit for active service’, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. B126635. He was subsequently employed by the Post Office as a Sorter in the London Postal Region, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement (London Gazette: 27 January 1953).
Three: Acting Sergeant D. Duncan, Gordon Highlanders 1914 Star (9803 Pte. D. Duncan. 1/Gord. Highrs; British War and Victory Medals (9803. A.Sjt. D. Duncan. Gordons.) mounted as worn with silver rosette sewn on the riband of the 1914 Star, light contact marks, very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Douglas Duncan attested for the Gordon Highlanders and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 August 1914.
Four: Colour Sergeant W. A. Chamberlain, 13th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Louise’s Kensington Battalion), London Regiment, late 4th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps, who was commissioned Temporary Captain in the Scottish Rifles in 1916 1914 Star, with clasp (29 C. Sjt. W. A. Chamberlain. 1/13 Lond. R.); British War and Victory Medals (29 A/W.O. Cl. II. W. A. Chamberlain. 13-Lond. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (29 C. Sjt. W. A. Chamberlain. 13 Lond: Regt.) nearly extremely fine (4) £360-£440 --- William Angel Chamberlain was born at Hammersmith in 1880. He attested for service in 13th (County of London) Battalion (Princess Louise’s Kensington Battalion), London Regiment at Kensington on 2 April 1908, at the age of 27, declaring prior service with the 4th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps, and served with the Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 3 November 1914. He was wounded in action by gun shot to the left leg in May 1915 and was evacuated to England, his home address being at Elgin Crescent, North Kensington. He was discharged in 1916 ‘on termination of his period of engagement’. Chamberlain was subsequently commissioned Captain in the 20th Battalion, Scottish Rifles, on 15 December 1916, for home service, and was appointed to the 16th Scottish Rifles (Transport Workers Battalion) to be a Courts Martial Officer on 29 August 1919. He relinquished his commission on 6 January 1920, and died at Battersea in October 1952. Sold with a 4th Middlesex Volunteer Rifle Corps bronze fob medal in gilt embossed fitted case, dated 1905; two additional named and hallmarked silver prize fob medals, one dated 1895-6 and another dated 1901-1902; two named sterling silver hallmarked crested shield badges, one for ‘Territorial Course No. 29’, the other for ‘Regular Soldiers Course 1913’; also with a cased un-attributed gilt metal and enamel pin back ‘Stewards Badge’ with pendant ribbon; St. John Ambulance, attendance at training fob, named to reverse ‘A. 58451 W. A. Chamberlain’; and an almost empty Princess Mary 1914 Christmas Tin, with Christmas Card and ‘Best Wishes’ card.
Five: Lieutenant C. A. Easton, 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), London Regiment, late Honourable Artillery Company, later Royal Army Service Corps 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (1074 Pte. C. A. Easton. H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. A. Easton); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the Great War awards mounted as worn, the Second War awards loose; together with the three Great War related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, nearly extremely fine (5) £180-£220 --- Cyril Albert Easton joined the Honourable Artillery Corps and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 September 1914 to 14 December 1914. He was commissioned Lieutenant in the 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), London Regiment, for service in India and Waziristan, on 5 March 1915, and served as Unit Transport Officer and an Instructor at the Motor Transport School, before contracting malaria whilst still serving in India in 1919. His career was very much based on the engineering maintenance of commercial vehicle fleets, and he was an Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering. Following the outbreak of the Second World War, Easton was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps on 18 March 1940, and was mainly employed with driver training units, and as Transport Officer. He died at Fordingbridge, Hampshire, in 1961. Sold with a 25th (County of London) Battalion (Cyclists), London Regiment, white metal King’s Crown collar badge; a Royal Army Service Corps (George VI) O.S.D. collar badge; Army Council issue slip for the Second War medals; a group photograph of N.C.O. Instructors, R.A.S.C., at Ramsden Hall, February 1944, believed to include the recipient; and a satin- and velvet-lined small casket with intricate metal appliqué inspired by Indian design, including two depictions of the goddess Shiva, the letters ‘H.A.C.’ and applied 25th County of London Cyclist Battalion collar badge and a white metal (possibly silver) engraved plaque reading ‘From Cyril to Gwen - Christmas, India 1916.’
Three: Private J. Gray, 3rd (King’s Own) Hussars 1914 Star (2078 Pte. J. Gray. 3/Hrs.); British War and Victory Medals (2078 Pte. J. Gray. 3-Hrs.) minor contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £120-£160 --- John Gray attested for the 3rd Hussars on 10 January 1906 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914, but by November 1914 he had been hospitalised with rheumatic fever. He was discharged from the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment, aged 33, on 23 January 1919, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. B97992.
Three: Acting Sergeant F. Robinson, Grenadier Guards 1914 Star (16204 L.Cpl. F. Robinson. 2/G. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals (16204 Cpl. F. Robinson. G. Gds.) mounted for wear, good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Frederick Robinson was born in 1893 and attested for the Grenadier Guards, serving with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914. He was wounded by gun shot to the left lung, and was discharged with the rank of Acting Sergeant on 20 February 1918, being awarded a Silver War Badge No. 321480.
Three: Private R. Harrison, Royal Lancaster Regiment 1914 Star (6627 Pte. R. Harrison, R. Lanc. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6627 Pte. Pte. R. Harrison. R. Lanc. R.) surface abrasions to obverse of 1914 Star, contact marks and edge wear, nearly very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Robert Harrison was born at Stockport, Cheshire, in 1880 and attested for the Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment at Manchester on 19 November 1900. He transferred to the Army Reserve in 1903, but re-engaged in 1912, and was mobilised for active service on 5 August 1914. He served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914, and is recorded as having sometime been a Prisoner of War at Doberitz in Germany. He received a gun shot wound to the head and was discharged, no longer physically fit for active service, on 20 November 1917, receiving a Silver War Badge No. 278764.
Three: Private A. Gooderham, Yorkshire Regiment 1914 Star (9962 Pte. A. Gooderham. 2/York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (9962 Pte. A. Gooderham. York. R.) mounted for wear, very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Arthur Gooderham attested for the Yorkshire Regiment on 4 January 1912 and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 October 1914. He was discharged due to wounds on 16 January 1916, and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. 71552.
![Family Group: Five: Sergeant C. H. Rose, Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1914 Star (10512 [sic] Sjt. C. Rose. 2/R.W. Fus.); British Wa](https://cdn.globalauctionplatform.com/a65fb3d8-f8b4-438f-abec-afe401067efb/0d06b8ff-9b96-4f4f-ab3f-b0a101130afc/468x382.jpg)
Family Group: Five: Sergeant C. H. Rose, Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1914 Star (10512 [sic] Sjt. C. Rose. 2/R.W. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (10152 Sjt. C. H. Rose. R.W. Fus.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Waziristan 1919-21, Waziristan 1921-24, unofficial retaining rod between clasps (4180284 Sgt. C. H. Rose. R.W. Fus.); Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. C. H. Rose, 1 Fernbank Avenue, Huyton, Liverpool, Lancs.’, good very fine Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. T. H. Rose, 67 Hob Moor Road, Small Heath, Birmingham, 10.’, extremely fine (6) £160-£200 --- Charles Howard Rose attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 August 1914. There are three medal index cards for Charles H. Rose, which confirm that the 1914 star was issued with the single initial ‘C’, and with the incorrect number, 10512, also noting that his correct service number was 10152. The medal index cards also confirm his service with additional service numbers, 101228 and 4180284. Following the Great War Rose re-enlisted into 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Prees Heath on 1 February 1919, at the age of 33. His entry in the Enlistment Register for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers confirm his entitlement to the two clasps to the India General Service Medal, and both clasps are confirmed on the medal roll. He was discharged on 22 February 1923. Sold with riband bar for the first four medals with silver rosette on riband of the 1914 Star; and copied research.
Three: Private H. Clancy, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry 1914 Star (756 Pte. H. Clancy. Yorks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (756 Pte. H. Clancy. K.O.Y.L.I.) very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Harry Clancy attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry on 7 July 1911 and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 7 October 1914. He later served in the Durham Light Infantry with Service No. 79889, and received a gunshot wound to the right arm. He was discharged on account of his wounds on 24 June 1919 and was awarded a Silver War Badge No. B.281283.
Three: Private C. Holmes, Manchester Regiment, later Liverpool Regiment 1914 Star (8081 Pte. C. Holmes. 1/Manch: R.); British War and Victory Medals (8081 Pte. C. Holmes. Manch. R.) edge bruise to BWM, otherwise good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- Charles Holmes attested for the Manchester Regiment at Ashton-under-Lyne on 14 October 1902 and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 August 1914. Having been wounded, he was transferred to a Garrison Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment, and was discharged from the Depot on 30 November 1915, being awarded a Silver War Badge No. B33642. Sold with original enclosure slip for the 1914 Star, from the Records Office, Fulwood Barracks, Preston, dated July 1919 and original parchment certificate of discharge (Army Form B.2070) relating to his later service with the Garrison Battalion the King’s Liverpool Regiment, all contained in a black leather pouch.
Four: Major A. Houghton, Army Service Corps, who was awarded the Serbian Order of the White Eagle for his services in the Salonika campaign 1914 Star (2. Lieut: A. Houghton. A.S.C.) with rosette on riband; British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major. A. Houghton.) all in named card boxes of issue; Serbia, Kingdom, Order of the White Eagle, Fifth Class breast badge, with swords, silver-gilt and enamel, in Huguenin Freres, Le Locle, case of issue, some chipping and loss to blue enamel ‘ribbon’ to reverse of the Serbian Order, otherwise nearly extremely fine (4) £400-£500 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1917. Serbian Order of the White Eagle, with Swords, Fifth Class, London Gazette 26 February 1920. Alfred Houghton was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps on 19 September 1914 and served with the Special Reserve during the Great War on the Western Front from 8 October 1914. Proceeding to Salonika, he was advanced temporary Major on 27 January 1918 and was demobilised on 24 January 1919. He resigned his commission on 12 February 1920, and was granted the honorary rank of Major. Sold with War Office statement of services.
Three: Engineering Officer W. S. Thorburn, Mercantile Marine, who received the Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, for services as an Engineer in S.S. Ophir British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (William S. Thorburn); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, in embossed fitted case, nearly extremely fine (3) £200-£240 --- William Stanley Thorburn was born on 3 July 1886 at Liverpool and served as Engineering Officer in the S.S. Ophir. An unattributed press cutting with the lot states: ‘At a meeting of the Local Marine Board, held in Glasgow yesterday, medals were presented from the King of Italy to Mr. W. S. Thorburn, an engineer, and Mr. James B. Wylie, a member of the crew of the British steamer Ophir, in recognition of services rendered in connection with the Messina Earthquake of 1908. It may be recollected that the Ophir put about to Messina, on learning of the earthquake, and embarked 700 survivors of the disaster for Italy.’ Thorburn died at Scotstoun in September 1924. Sold with an original letter addressed to the recipient at Norse Road, Scotstoun, Glasgow, from the Secretary of the Glasgow Local Marine Board, advising him that he had been awarded a medal by the King of Italy in respect of his services at the Messina Earthquake in 1908, and inviting him to attend for its presentation, this split in two parts and with tears to folds.
Pair: Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Stewart, 71st Foot, who was slightly wounded at Fuentes D’Onor, at which battle he arranged a truce to carry off our wounded from the enemy’s lines Military General Service 1793-1814, 1 clasp, Fuentes D’Onor (C. Stewart, Lieut. 71st Foot); Waterloo 1815 (Lieut. Charles Stewart, 71st Reg. Foot.) fitted with original steel clip and silver bar suspension, light edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine, the first better (2) £5,000-£7,000 --- Charles Stewart was born at Callert, Inverness, on 24 March 1788. He was appointed Ensign in the 71st Foot on 24 March 1808; Lieutenant on 29 December 1808; Captain on 27 July 1820; Major unattached on 20 May 1836; Lieutenant-Colonel on 9 November 1846; and was put on half-pay on 24 April 1838. He served in the Peninsula with the 71st from September 1810 to June 1813, including in the action at Sobral, battle of Fuentes D’Onor (slightly wounded), and actions at Arroyo de Molino and Almaraz. He served also the campaign of 1815, and was present at the battle of Waterloo. He is mentioned in the following extract about Fuentes D’Onor on 4 May: ‘Soon as it was light the firing commenced and was kept up until about ten o’clock, when Lieutenant Stewart, of our regiment, was sent with a flag of truce for leave to carry off our wounded from the enemy’s lines, which was granted; and, at the same time, they carried off theirs from ours.’ (Journal of a Soldier of the Seventy-First refers). Lieutenant Stewart served in the Netherlands and France from 15 April 1815 until 31 October 1818, including the battle of Waterloo, and afterwards with the Army of Occupation. He served in Canada as a Captain from June 1824 until June 1830. Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart died on 24 December 1851.
Three: Private Godfrey Tronier, 1st Light Dragoons, King’s German Legion Military General Service 1793-1814, 3 clasps, Salamanca, Vittoria, Toulouse (Godfrey Tronier, 1st Lt. Dgns. K.G.L.); Waterloo 1815 (Godfry Tronier, 1st Reg. Light Drag. K.G.L.) fitted with original steel clip and ring suspension; King’s German Legion Medal for 16 years’ service, silver, named on edge (Tronier) fitted with clip and small ring suspension, light contact marks, otherwise generally very fine (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, January 1903; Hawkes Field Collection 1950; Elson Collection 1963. Godfrey Tronier served in Captain Hans Hattorf's Company No. 3 at Waterloo.
An interesting C.B. group of eight awarded to Paymaster Rear-Admiral Henry Horniman, Royal Navy The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (Paymaster H. Horniman, H.M.S. Barracouta.); 1914-15 Star (Ft. Payr. H. Horniman. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Payr. Commr. H. Horniman. R.N.); Jubilee 1935; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, silver-gilt and enamels, these last six mounted as worn; Russia, Empire, Order of St Stanislas, Second Class neck badge with swords, 48mm, by Eduard, St Petersburg, gilt and enamel, some minor enamel chips, otherwise good very fine (8) £2,200-£2,600 --- Henry Horniman was born in 1870, the son of Paymaster-in-Chief William Horniman, R.N. After attending Christ’s Hospital School, he entered the Royal Navy in January 1887, as an assistant clerk in the paymaster’s department. He spent the next year in various ships and establishments on the Mediterranean station, including the battleship Dreadnought. Here he first came into contact with Prince Louis of Battenberg, for whom he acquired a lasting admiration. In December 1888 he joined the cruiser Amphion, whose other officers included George Warrender and R. F. Scott (of Antarctic fame), for a three year commission with the Pacific Squadron. After further service in Home waters, he was appointed in January 1896 to the Ramillies, the flagship of the Mediterranean Fleet. His next appointment, in October 1897, was to the Surprise, a despatch vessel used as the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean's yacht, and so he was able to study Sir John Fisher, who assumed command of the station in 1899, at close quarters. Horniman was never impressed by Fisher and was at a loss to understand the "extraordinary ascendancy Fisher exercised over his contemporaries.” In 1901 Horniman was appointed to the 3rd class cruiser Barracouta on the Cape station, but the ship, which was kept as smart as a millionaire's yacht, was only intermittently involved with the military operations ashore. Further service in Home waters followed until, in 1906, he joined the battleship Duncan, the flagship of the Atlantic Fleet. From 1908 to November 1912, Horniman served successively in the battleships Venerable and Implacable, the cruiser Shannon and the battle cruiser Indomitable, but none of these commissions was especially eventful. He was then appointed to the battle cruiser Inflexible (Captain A N Loxley), the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief Mediterranean, Admiral Sir Berkeley Milne. On 4 August 1914 Inflexible encountered the German battle cruiser Goeben and the light cruiser Breslau but, not being yet at war with Germany, Milne shadowed the Germans until ordered home on 18 August. Inflexible afterwards took part in the battle of the Falkland Islands, the Dardanelles campaign and the battle of Jutland. From 1917-19, Horniman was Paymaster at the Admiralty Controllers’ Department, and then joined Iron Duke, as Paymaster Commander and Fleet Accountant Officer on the Mediterranean station from March 1919, and took part in the post-armistice operations in the Black Sea during the Russian civil war. He was created C.B. in 1922, and was placed on the retired list in 1925. He died at Worthing on 21 May 1956. Sold with photocopies of ‘Sailing Through, The Autobiography of Henry Horniman, Royal Navy’, 142pp typescript, and ‘Diary of Henry Horniman, Fleet Paymaster R.N. Kept while serving in H.M.S. Inflexible 4 Nov 1914 to 25 April 1915 - Together with a narrative of the first part of the Ship’s Commission from 4 Nov 1912 to 4 Nov 1914’, 73pp typescript transcript. The originals of both are held by the Imperial War Museum Department of Documents. The papers ‘include very interesting assessments of several distinguished officers under whom he served, notably Admirals of the Fleet Lord Fisher of Kilverstone, Prince Louis of Battenberg, Sir Doveton Sturdee, Sir Somerset Gough-Calthorpe and Sir John de Robeck and Admirals Sir Assheton Curzon-Howe, Sir Ernest Troubridge and Sir Richard Phillimore, while they also reflect his life long admiration for the lower deck.’
The important campaign group of six awarded to Vice-Admiral C. S. Cardale, Royal Navy, who was second-in-command of the Naval Rocket Brigade in the Abyssinian Expedition Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Abyssinia 1867 (Lieut. C. S. Cardale, H.M.S. Satellite); Egypt & Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Capt. C. S. Cardale, R.N., H.M.S. “Euphrates”); Jubilee 1897, silver; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882; Ottoman Empire, Order of Osmanieh, 2nd class set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver, gilt and enamels, the badge with chips to most arms, contained in its original damaged case of issue with neck cravat, the first five mounted court-style on card for display, generally very fine or better (7) £5,000-£7,000 --- Charles Searle Cardale was born in London on 21 April 1841, 5th son of John Bate Cardale. He was educated at Rottendean, near Brighton, and entered the Navy in 1854, seeing service in the Baltic in the James Watt during the Russian War 1854-55 (Baltic Medal). As First Lieutenant of Satellite he served against pirates on the east coast of the Malay Peninsula and in the Nicobar Expedition 1867.
Cardale landed with the 100-strong Naval Rocket Brigade in Abyssinia in 1868, and as Senior Lieutenant and second-in-command to Commander T. H. B. Fellowes, R.N., he joined the advance division and was engaged at the battle of Arogee, and at the taking of Magdala.
The battle on Arogee plateau, beneath the rising rock mass leading through Fahla to the fortress of Magdala, took place on 10 April 1868. The First Brigade approached this plain by two steep routes, with the 4th Regiment committed to a most difficult perpendicular track, and the Rocket Brigade and baggage train allowed the easier but still precipitous King’s Road. Unfortunately the wrong column arrived first, to come under artillery fire from the heights of Fala, and to the sight of thousands of would-be plunderers rushing down from the rocky slopes across the plateau. The Commander-in-Chief was on the spot to see this scene, and promptly directed the Rocket Brigade to form up on a commanding position, dismount their batteries and open fire on the enemy. Commander Fellowes later reported that: “Such was the ease with which the rocket tubes could be handled and brought into action, that the Royal Naval Brigade were enabled to return the first shot.”
Cardale was twice Mentioned in Despatches and promoted to Commander for these services (Abyssinian Medal). He was Captain of Euphrates during the Egyptian Expedition in 1882 (Medal and Khedives Star), and subsequently commanded the Iris (1885-87), Agamemnon (1887- Oct. 1890), and Iron Duke (1891-92). He was Aide-de-Camp to Queen Victoria from January 1891 to 5 April 1892, on which date he was promoted to Rear-Admiral. He served as Hon. Secretary of the Royal British Female Orphan Asylum and as Chairman of the Royal Sailors’ Home. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral in January 1899, retired in March 1900, and died on 1 June 1904.
Pair: Captain G. D. Fitzroy, Royal Navy Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Royal Humane Society, large silver medal (successful) (Lieut. G. Fitzroy. R.N., H.M.S. Termagant, 19. Jan. 1861) with ring and straight bar suspension, minor edge bruising, good very fine (2) £600-£800 --- Provenance: Spink Medal Circular, No. 9, April 1998. George Dartmouth Fitzroy entered the Royal Navy as a Mate in July 1851 and served in the Baltic operations in H.M. Ships Caesar and Majestic, being promoted to Lieutenant in November 1854. Appointed to H.M.S. Termagant in February 1859, he was commended in February 1861 by Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Maitland for his gallant conduct in jumping overboard in order to save the life of a seaman ‘under circumstances of great peril’, which led to him being awarded the Royal Humane Society’s silver medal under case no. 16,632: ‘At Latitude 6.26.S., Longitude 90.58.W., shortly after the retreat was beaten from evening quarters, Frederick Pringle, Ordinary Seaman, fell overboard from the starboard quarter, and being unable to swim could not reach the life-buoy which had been let down close to him. As the people were nearly all below at the moment of shifting clothing, there was some delay before a lifeboat could be lowered, when Lieutenant G. D. Fitzroy, R.N., jumped overboard, swam to him, and grasped him by the hair as he was sinking. Pringle then seized Lieutenant Fitzroy round the neck and both were sinking, when William Metters, who had jumped overboard immediately after Lieutenant Fitzroy, reached the spot, disengaged Lieutenant Fitzroy, and both kept Pringle afloat until the boat reached them.’ Promoted to Commander in March 1863, Fitzroy was next employed on Coast Guard duties, but in July 1869 he was reported for ‘irregular proceedings’ by Admiral Keppel and tried by Court Martial the following September. His conduct was ‘highly disapproved of’ by the latter and he was ordered to be superceded in consequence. Nonetheless, Fitzroy went on to win the thanks of the Dutch Government in January 1870 for settling a dispute between a Pilot and one of their Captains, and was subsequently placed on the retired list with the rank of Captain. He died in December 1899.
Pair: Sergeant G. Ripley, Royal Horse Artillery Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (George Ripley. I. Troop R.H.A.) Regimentally impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, French issue (Serjt. G. Ripley. R.H.A.) impressed naming, mounted for wear from an attractive T. B. Bailey, Cheltenham, silver brooch bar (lacking pin), heavy contact marks and polishing, about fine (2) £300-£400 --- George Ripley was born at Escrick, Yorkshire, in 1826 and attested at Kingston upon Hull for the Royal Horse Artillery on 18 March 1848, and served in Crimea for 2 years 6 months with “I” Troop, under the command of Captain G. A. Maude. Attached to the cavalry division under General Lord Lucas, “I” Troop had the privilege of firing the first salvoes of the campaign; were present at the affair of the Bulganak; and, together with “C” Troop, were the only men of the Royal Horse Artillery to qualify for all four clasps. Transferred to “A” Battery at Aldershot, Surrey, Ripley enjoyed steady advancement to Battery Sergeant Major before discharge at Maidstone on 6 April 1869. Sold with copied research.
Three: General W. C. F. Gosling, Royal Horse Artillery, late Turkish Contingent and Madras Horse Artillery Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Captn. W. C. F. Gosling, F. Tp. H Bde. Madras Art.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, Fourth class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel; Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed as issued, the first mounted on ornate contemporary wearing brooch, the second and third mounted together on a larger foliate design brooch, contact marks to Mutiny Medal, this nearly very fine, the Ottoman awards good very fine (3) £700-£900 --- William Clarke Francis Gosling was born in Bath, Somerset, on 9 August 1822. He joined the Army of the Honourable East India Company and was appointed to a commission in the Madras Artillery on 11 June 1840. He was raised Lieutenant on 31 December 1842, Brevet Captain on 11 June 1855, and Captain on 9 October 1856. Gosling was employed in the Crimean Campaign of 1855-56, subsequent to the fall of Sebastopol, for which service he obtained the Order of Medjidie 4th Class and the Turkish Crimea medal whilst Assistant Adjutant General in the Turkish Contingent. Gosling witnessed further service with General Whitelock’s Field Force in Bundelcund, being present at the Battle of Banda on 19 April 1858, and the affair at Jheengan. He was further promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 11 February 1865, Lieutenant-General on 12 May 1882, and General in 1883. He died at Folkestone on 14 June 1885. Sold with copied research.
A scarce Honourable East India Company M.S.M. pair awarded to Sergeant-Major W. Wilson, Madras European Veterans, late Madras Native Infantry and Madras Artillery Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Serjt. Major W, Wilson, 19th. Madras N.I.) with top silver riband buckle; Indian Army Meritorious Service Medal, V.R., H.E.I.C. issue (Serjt. W. Wilson Eur: Vets.) with top silver riband buckle, minor edge nicks, very fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- William Wilson was born around 1816 and attested at London on 12 September 1836 for unlimited service with the Army of the Honourable East India Company. A former plasterer, Wilson was sent on 16 September 1836 to the recruit depot at Brompton Barracks, Chatham, and assigned to the Madras Artillery. Embarking for India aboard the Bombay on 13 May 1837, he was initially appointed Gunner, Horse Brigade, Madras Artillery, and is later recorded in the muster of 1 January 1854 as Sergeant with the 3rd Madras Artillery. Transferred as Sergeant-Major to the Madras Effective Supernumeraries (Unattached List) on 31 May 1854, Wilson served during the Indian Mutiny with the 19th Madras Native Infantry in Central India under Major-General Whitlock. Remanded back to the Madras Artillery on 25 September 1858, having failed to qualify for the duties required of him by rank under General Order Commander in Chief, Wilson transferred to the Madras European Veterans at Pallaveram, appearing on the annual musters from January 1862 to January 1881 as Sergeant, No. 2774. Awarded the Indian Army M.S.M., with annuity of up to £20, Wilson died from disease of the bladder and prostate on 14 July 1881, after almost 45 years of service to the H.E.I.C. Sold with copied research.
Three: Captain A. W. Bremner, Master of the Guion Mail Steamer Nevada Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Mr. A. W. Bremner, “Nevada”); Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, unnamed as issued, both with contemporary top silver brooch bars; Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 1st type large silver medal, 73mm, glazed as issued with frosted finish (Capt. A. W. Bremner of the Guion Mail Steamer “Nevada” 24th Dec. 1884) contained in its damaged presentation case, generally nearly extremely fine and rare (3) £1,000-£1,400 --- Arthur Wellesley Bremner was Master of the M.V. Nevada, hired by the British Government as a Transport Vessel during the Egyptian War of 1882. One hundred and five such vessels were hired during the war, only the Master of the ship being eligible for the medal; consequently each medal is therefore unique for that vessel. Captain Bremner was awarded Lloyd’s Silver Medal ‘as an honorary acknowledgement of his extraordinary exertions on the occasion of the fire on board the Nevada in October 1884 on a voyage from New York to Liverpool.’ The date inscribed on the medal relates to the entry in the Committee Minutes Book in relation to the letter received by the Committee from the London Provincial Marine Insurance Co., dated 11 December, respecting the Captain of the Nevada. The fire on the S.S. Nevada ‘The first outbreak occurred on 15 October, about 475 miles from Queenstown. It broke out among cotton and hops in the steerage deck amidships leading to the forward stoke-hole. The captain immediately ordered the main hatches to be taken off and the cargo to be shifted for the purpose of getting at the fire. The work was continued with very great difficulty until two o'clock on the following morning, when all the fire that could be got at from the forward end was extinguished. He then closed the main hatches, and lifting the after ones, passed two branches down. The men had to go about 60 feet from the hatch along the deck before getting to the fire; but they succeeded in doing this, and after about three hours’ hard battling managed to subdue it. This all happened on the starboard side of the vessel only, and the port side was apparently cool and all right. After this the men were engaged until noon of Thursday, 16 October, lifting the smouldering bales and throwing them overboard. At two o'clock on that afternoon fire was discovered in the bales on the port side. They struggled with it until six in the evening, when they were driven out by the smoke, which was very thick, and then, as a last resource, the captain was obliged to batten all down and turn on the steam jets. He also had water poured in through some holes he had had cut in the ion deck, immediately above the burning bales, and eventually cooled the ship down. On the Wednesday afternoon all engaged in extinguishing the fire suffered terribly from the smoke, and some officers and seamen became unconscious. Captain Bremner himself was three times in that state, and it required the united efforts of the ship’s surgeon and a lady nurse who was a passenger on board to bring him to by artificial respiration. When the upper-deck hatches were battened down the smoke was driven into the coal-bunkers through the coaling-hatches, which were on the same deck as the fire, thus making it extremely difficult for the trimmers to get coal, and the engineers had themselves to enter the bunkers for the purpose of encouraging the men. Captain Bremner spoke in the highest terms of the behaviour of all ranks on board during that anxious time. He also expressed his gratitude to the passengers for their orderly behaviour and their valuable assistance. Captain Shaw, of the Metropolitan Fire Birgade, who carried out the subsequent investigation, added that he had thoroughly investigated all the circumstances connected with the fire, and he considered that the whole proceeding, after the first alarm was raised, was a most satisfactory example of the highest qualities which could distinguish the commander of a vessel and his crew. They seemed to have shown a perfect combination of energy, skill, discipline, courage, persistency, and endurance, and to present a noble example for all persons who found themselves suddenly called upon to deal with frightful difficulties. Captain Bremner, having shaken hands with the various officers, said he should always look back to the eulogistic terms used by Captain Shaw on that occasion as among the happiest recollections of his life.’ (The Star, Guernsey, 13 November 1884 refers). Fewer than 50 of these large silver medals were awarded between 1837 and December 1896, when the small silver medal was introduced. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Ordinary Seaman H. E. Dye, H.M.S. Terrible, Royal Navy Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (H. E. Dye, Ord. H.M.S. Terrible.); China 1900, no clasp (H. E. Dye, Ord., H.M.S. Terrible.); together with the recipient’s Borough of Portsmouth Tribute Medal 1899-1900, silver (hallmarks for Birmingham 1902) and enamel, the reverse inscribed, ‘Naval Brigade, H. E. Dye, South Africa 1899-1900; North China 1900’, mounted from a fob chain, light blue enamel lacking from last, minor edge bruising and contact marks, generally very fine (3) £400-£500 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Herbert Ernest Dye was born at Tidal Basin, London, on 19 March 1881 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 24 July 1898. He was posted to H.M.S. Terrible on 5 September 1899, and served with them as part of the Naval Brigade in South Africa and China. He was promoted Able Seaman on 14 April 1901, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 17 June 1905. He was discharged, time expired, on 18 March 1911.
Five: Engineer Commander P. M. Kelt, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who survived the loss of the S.S. Aden in June 1897, spending 17 days on the wreck, and later received his Transport Medal from the hands of H.M. King Edward VII Transport 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (P. Mc.L. Kelt.); British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Peter Mc.L. Kelt.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1911; Persia, Empire, Order of the Lion and the Sun, Fifth Class breast badge, silver and enamel, unmarked but most likely of French manufacture, mounted for wear, lightly polished, very fine and better (5) £1,200-£1,600 --- Peter McLaren Kelt was born in Musselburgh on 22 May 1871 and joined the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company. He was serving as 4th Engineer in the S.S. Aden when, on the night of 8-9 June, en route from Yokohama to London, she struck a submerged reef off the island of Socotra at the southern entrance to the Red Sea during a heavy gale. Various lifeboats were got away, but these were all smashed and lost, and after the Captain had been washed overboard, Kelt became the senior surviving Officer. The remaining survivors, 36 crew and 9 passengers, then spent 17 days on the stricken wreck, during which time they subsisted partly on Barcelona nuts and suffered great hardships, before they were rescued by the Royal Indian Marine’s S.S. Mayo and conveyed to Aden. Kelt qualified for his Transport Medal as 3rd Engineer in the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company’s Simla, receiving his Medal from H.M. The King at Buckingham Palace on 4 November 1903. He joined the Royal Naval Reserve as an Engineer on 15 January 1903, and was promoted Senior Engineer (subsequently redesignated Engineer Lieutenant-Commander) on 18 July 1914. He was awarded the Royal Naval Reserve Decoration in 1916 (London Gazette 4 January 1916), and transferred to the Retired List with the rank of Engineer Commander in January 1920. He was awarded the Persian Order of the Lion and the Sun in June 1920 (receiving Restricted Permission to wear in on 24 June 1920), and died in Edinburgh on 2 August 1949. Sold with copied research, including various newspaper cuttings.
A Lloyd’s Meritorious Service Medal pair awarded to 2nd Engineer A. Charters, Mercantile Marine Transport 1899-1902, 1 clasp, S. Africa 1899-1902 (A. Charters); Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service, 1st issue, bronze star, unnamed as issue, in fitted case of issue, extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2011. Alexander Charters served as 2nd Engineer Officer aboard the Cunard steamship Pavonia, 5,588 tons. Employed on the Liverpool-Boston service, she suffered damage due to a severe gale on 3 February 1899 which caused her boilers to be dislodged from their mountings. With a complete loss of power the ship drifted helplessly for 11 days until she was taken in tow by the Wolfiston who brought her to the sheltered waters of the Azores. There she was patched up and eventually made it back to Liverpool where she was repaired. Having been laid down in 1881, the Pavonia was deemed suitable for disposal by Cunard but this was delayed by the Boer War and her final two voyages before going to the scrap yard in 1900 were made carrying troops to and from South Africa. For their actions in saving both life and ship during the incident of February 1899, the Captain and some of the officers of the ship were awarded medals by the Mercantile Marine Service Association and the Corporation of Lloyd’s. Captain Aitken of the Pavonia received the M.M.S.A. Illuminated Address and the Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life in silver with certificate; Chief Officer Taylor received the M.M.S.A. Silver Medal and the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service in Bronze with certificate; Chief Engineer Duncan received the M.M.S.A. Silver Medal and the Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life in silver with certificate, and 1st Officer Firth, 2nd Officer Bryce, 2nd Engineer Officer Charters and 3rd Engineer Officer Bain were each awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service in Bronze. Charters was also awarded the Transport Medal for service aboard the same ship in transporting soldiers to and from South Africa, 1899-1900. Sold with copied research.
Four: Driver A. H. Elphick, Royal Field Artillery 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (24335 Dvr. A. H. Elphick. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (24335 Dvr. A. H. Elphick. R.A.); Defence Medal, mounted for wear, contact marks, very fine Three: Gunner W. McGuire, Royal Field Artillery 1914 Star (35150 Dvr. W. McGuire. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (35150 Gnr. W. McGuire. R.A.) very fine (7) £100-£140 --- Alfred H. Elphick attested into the Royal Field Artillery and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 August 1914. William McGuire attested into the Royal Field Artillery on 22 August 1904 and served during the Great War with the 44th Brigade on the Western Front from 16 August 1914. He was discharged as a consequence of wounds on 28 July 1916 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 175712. The clasp to his 1914 Star is confirmed on his Medal Index Card.
Three: Sapper A. H. Andrews, Royal Engineers 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (9998 Sapr: A. H. Andrews. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (9998 Spr. A. H. Andrews. R.E.) very fine Three: Private H. Day, Army Service Corps 1914 Star (M-27749 Pte. H. Day. A.S.C.); British War and Victory Medals (M-27749 Pte. H. Day. A.S.C.) some polishing, good fine (6) £80-£100 --- Alfred Harold Andrews attested into the Royal Engineers and served with the 9th Field Company during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 August 1914. The award of the clasp to his 1914 Star is confirmed on his Medal Index Card. Henry Day, a tractor engine driver from Swindon, Wiltshire, attested into the Army Service Corps on 2 July 1909. He served during the Great War with the 5th Ammunition Park on the Western Front from 16 August 1914 until 21 October 1914, before returning to the U.K. due to a fracture of his left ulna. Afterwards serving at home, he was discharged due to sickness on 28 December 1915 and awarded a Silver War Badge, No. 233,593.
Five: Trumpet Major W. N. L. Pardoe, Royal Horse Artillery 1914 Star (29878 Tptr: W. N. L. Pardoe. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (29878 Dvr. W. N. L. Pardoe. R.A.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (29878 Tptr. W. N. L Pardoe. R.H.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (1019768 Tptr. W. N. L. Pardoe. R.H.A.) contact marks and wear, nearly very fine (5) £180-£220 --- Wilfred Noel Lloyd Pardoe was born in Weedon, Northamptonshire, on 20 February 1889. Following in the footsteps of his father, he attested for the Royal Horse Artillery at Weedon on 23 April 1903, and was appointed Trumpeter on 9 January 1907. Sent initially to India with “T” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery, he transferred to “N” Battery at Ambala and witnessed the Delhi Durbar of December 1911. Sent to “W” Battery on 30 November 1913, Pardoe returned home to England on 3 September 1914 with Askwith’s Brigade, 2nd Indian Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery. Later posted to “V” Battery, he disembarked at Marseilles on 7 November 1914 and fought at Bellewaarde and Hooge, the latter involving the enemy use of flame throwers for the first time. Transferred with “V” Battery to Mesopotamia in June 1916, Pardoe was awarded the Army L.S.G.C. Medal in October 1921, and was discharged in the rank of Trumpet Major on 22 February 1929. Sold with the recipient’s original Regular Army Certificate of Service, which adds: ‘exemplary conduct. Smart, honest, sober, hardworking and in every way reliable and trustworthy. For the past four years has been employed as Trumpet Major in charge of boys, and would make a useful marshal or caretaker in any big school.’
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