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Click here to subscribe2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) 1871 Officer’s helmet plate A very fine and scarce example. Facetted silver twelve pointed star mounted with gilt pierced Garter on a rich blue enamel ground. To the centre, a silver “VR” cypher set on a translucent red enamel ground. Three screw posts and pair of blades to reverse. VGC
Scots Guards Piper’s 1970 hallmarked silver kilt pin. A fine die-cast example by D & N (Dalman & Narborough Ltd) bearing Birmingham hallmarks. Star of the Order of the Thistle with green enamel ground to central thistle. Reverse with two loops to facilitate silver pin with ball ends (one end detachable). Pin complete with safety chain. VGC
First Surrey Rifles Officer’s pre 1891 pouch belt plate. A fine die-stamped gilt example. Crowned wreath, half of laurel, half of palm surrounding circlet inscribed “First Surrey Rifles”. Seeded centre mounted with silver strung bugle with “1” between the cords. Three screw posts to reverse. Near VGC. Hugh King Collection
Indian Army. 128th Pioneers Officer’s pouch belt plate circa 1903-22. A good die-cast example. Brass crowned circular scroll inscribed “128 Pioneers”; silver crossed axes to domed centre. Two screw posts to reverse complete with backing plate. VGC. (as Cox 2561) 28th Bombay Pioneers became 128th Pioneers in 1903 under Kitchener’s reforms then 3rd Bn. 2nd Bombay Pioneers in 1922.
King’s Own Scottish Borderers KOSB Officer’s glengarry badge circa 1902-52. A fine die-stamped silver plated hand pierced example by Firmin, London. On a thistle wreath, the Cross of St. Andrew; across the top arms a pierced scroll inscribed “In Veritate Religionis Confido” surmounted by the Royal Crest. Within the wreath, a pierced circlet inscribed “King’s Own Scottish Borderers”. On the centre of the cross, Edinburgh Castle. Below the circlet, a tri-part scroll inscribed “Nisi Dominus Frustra”. Two loops to reverse. VGC (KK 239)
17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge`s Own) Officer’s 1946 hallmarked silver cap badge. A fine Birmingham hallmarked die-cast example by F&S (Firmin and Son). Skull and crossed bones with “or Glory” draped over the lower bones. Two loops to reverse bear Lion Passant marks. Slight service wear, generally VGC. (as KK 782) The Regiment refer to the cap badge as a “Motto”.
United States Army Air Force USAAF WW2 period Technical Observer`s silver wing. A good example by Meyer. “TO” logo flanked by outspread wings. Reverse impressed “Sterling” and with raised shield shaped Meyer, New York logo. Brooch pin to reverse. VGC Authorised 10th November 1941.
United States Army Air Force USAAF WW2 period Pilot`s and Senior Pilot’s silver wings. The first impressed “Sterling”. by LGB (L.G. Balfour, Attleboro, MA ) on brooch pin … USAAF WW2 period Senior Pilot`s silver wing by Meyer. The reverse with shield logo and NS Meyer Inc New York. Brooch pin. (2 items) VGC
RNZAF and Netherlands WW2 wings. Royal New Zealand Air Force 1944 dated due-stamped chromed pilot’s wing by M & K. W on loops ... WW2 Netherlands Pilot / Observer’s wing. A good scarce English made example. Silver-gilt eagle in flight superimposed on an orange enamelled sun; wreath below with “W” to central blue enamel. Reverse impressed “Silver”. “Toye” Brooch pin. (2 items)
4 x Irish Army Air Corps wings. 1986 hallmarked silver and enamelled pilot’s wing by JM Co bearing Dublin hallmarks. Brooch pin ... scarce early bullion pilot’s wing on khaki ground. Heavy service wear with loss of lettering ... scarce early bullion Officer aircrew wing / brevet on khaki ground. Some service wear ... later bullion Officer aircrew wing / brevet on khaki ground. VGC. (4 items)
RAF Inter War Full Dress Bullion Pilot Wings. A good padded pair retaining original backing cloth. GC Bullion dulled ... Accompanied by a pair of WW2 period padded pilot wings VGC ... WW1 RFC silver & enamel sweetheart regimental brooch by TLM. GC ... Royal Artillery OSD cap badge complete with blades. Overall GC. (4 items)
10 assorted WW1 VTC and associated lapel / mufti badges. VTC Proficiency buttonhole ... another pinback ... Athletes Volunteer Force in blue ... another red ... Old Boys Corps circular ... 1914 National Volunteer Reserve ... Southfields Defence Force ... Deptford VTC (buttonhole absent) ... London Volunteer Regiment ... CLNG Scottish Company Comrades Ass. in silver and enamels. All enamelled except the OBC all with fixings unless otherwise stated. (10 items)
10 WW1 period Police Special Constable lapel / mufti enamelled badges. Bolton 1914 (HM silver) ... Boston 1914 ... Blackpool 1914 ... Co. Boro of Hastings ... East Sussex ... Gravesend ... Durham County ... Cornwall County 1915 ... City of Plymouth ... Southampton (AF). All complete with buttonhole fittings, various conditions. (10 items)
Cardiff City Special Constabulary Police WW1 insignia. Circular Cardiff City Special Constable’s red enamelled lapel badge ... Cardiff City SC Long Service enamelled lapel badge ... Cardiff City 1914-19 Special Constable’s silver plated service medal with crossed truncheons suspender (unnamed) together with copy photograph of Inspector R. Rogers in civilian attire with police peaked cap and sporting both the lapel badges.
Indian Army 2nd Madras Lancer’s Victorian Officer’s pre 1903 pouch belt. A good rare example. Two and an eighth wide tan leather lined silver lace belt with central cream silk line mounted with silver plated floral edged buckle , tip and slide as well as lobed boss and chains securing two arrow prickers which a sheathed in holders mounted on hexagonal plate. Between the boss and plate, four separate honour scrolls “Carnatic” “Shoulinghur” “Mysore” “Seringapatam”. Some service wear and stitching faults. GC Became 27th Light Cavalry in 1903.
Indian Army. Central India Horse Officer’s waist belt. A good fine maroon velvet example, by R. Govindan Naicker, Army Badge Supplier, 15, Narasingapuram St. Mount Road, Madras, ornamented by line of gold lace top and bottom. Retains rectangular silver-plated plate mounted with Prince of Wales Plumes and CIH cypher superimposed on crossed lances. VGC
Indian Medical Service Edwardian Officer’s pouch belt, pouch and waist belt. A good set. The pouch is of black patent leather, The face mounted with a gilt crown over ERI cypher and edged with two lines of bullion. The pouch belt with three bullion lines, gilt ornate buckle, tip and slide. GC gilt bright ... Accompanied by waist belt of black leather with two lines of bullion, laurel ornamented gilt clasp with silver Royal Crest to the centre. Complete with sword slings. Some service wear. GC (2 items)
Indian Army. Madras Staff Corps Officer’s waist belt. A fine scarce gold lace. crimson Morocco lined. example complete with sword slings. Fire gilt clasp with silver circlet inscribed “Madras Staff Corps”; seeded centre mounted with silver crowned VR cypher. Minor service wear. GC
Belgium, Order of Leopold II, Commander’s neck badge, A good example. Silver-gilt Maltese cross with balls to the tips set upon a laurel wreath. Mounted on the star, a circlet inscribed “L’union fait la force” on a blue enamel ground encircling the silver Lion of Belgium on a black enamel ground. The reverse bearing Leopold’s crowned cypher. Suspended by a gilt crown with neck loop. Generally VGC Established by King Leopold II on 24th August 1900.
1st Royal Dragoons / 2nd Dragoons Boer War, WW1 Group of Five Medals. Comprising: Queen’s South Africa Medal, bearing five clasps, “Tugela Heights”, “Orange Free State”, “Relief of Ladysmith”, “Transvaal”, “Laing’s Nek” (Early issue engraved naming and ghost dates to the reverse), “3584 Pte B. Codden 1/Rl Drgns”, King’s South Africa Medal two clasps “South Africa 1901”, “South Africa 1902”, “Pte Rl Dragoons”, 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal “3584 Pte B.H. Cobden 2-Dns”. GC the medals are mounted as two groups. GC some contact wear. Private Beverley Halstead Cobden enlisted in 1893, he is confirmed as serving in South Africa and is entitled to the additional clasp “Cape Colony”. He retained the same Regimental number, but please note additional initial to the Great War medals. He landed in France on the 16th August 1914 and was discharged on the 31st May 1915 having been awarded the Silver War Badge.
WW2 Irish Guards Metropolitan Police 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal Group of Seven. Awarded to Lance Sergeant Sydney Murrant of the Irish Guards, who is believed later to have served with the Metropolitan Police Royal Proctection Force. Comprising: 1939/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, General Service Medal, clasp “Palestine 1945-48”, “14672853 L/Sjt S Murrant I.G”, EIIR 1977 Silver Jubilee Medal, Police Exemplary Service Medal (EIIR), “Const Sydney Murrant”. GC Mounted as originally worn. Information supplied by the vendor indicates that Lance Sergeant Sydney Murrant served with the Guards Armoured Division during WW2 and later with the 6th Aiborne Landing Brigade in Palestine. After discharge he joined the Metropolitan Police and was part of the Met Police Royal Protection Force despatched to Northern Ireland in 1977 to cover the Royal visit by the Queen.
WW1 Unusual Ranked RAMC Officer’s Group of Five Medals. A rare group awarded to Lieutenant William Hugh Cowie Romanis a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and Harley Street practitioner. Comprising: Officer of The Order of St John, 1914/15 Star, “Dresser W.H.C. Romanis”, British War Medal, Victory Medal, “Lieut”, Defence Medal. GC. Lieutenant William Hugh Cowie Romanis JP, MA, MB, MChir Cantab, FRCS, LRCP, FRS (Edinburgh), FZS, FRAS was born in 1889 and educated at Charterhouse, Trinity College Cambridge and later at St. Thomas’s Hospital. At the outbreak of the Great War, it is believed he was travelling or resident in India, volunteering his services, he was awarded the 1914/15 Star, with the unusual and rare rank of “Dresser”, this believed referring to a not fully qualified surgeon. The Star being issued by the India Office. Returning to Europe he once again volunteered his services to the RAMC and served with number 6 and 44 Casualty clearing stations. He was awarded the Silver War Badge, the address given on the Roll as St. Thomas’s Hospital. Following the war he opened a Harley Street practice and wrote a number of books on surgery. He was appointed Examiner in Surgery, Universities of Cambridge, London, Glasgow; Mem. Court of Examiners, RCS; Member British Acad. Forensic Sciences. JP Surrey (Chm. Godalming Petty Sessions). He died in 1972.
Rare Naval Brigade Portsmouth North China 1900 / Boer War tribute medal. A fine and rare example by W.J. D. (Dowler) HM Birmingham 1901. Obverse comprises a silver laurel wreath encircling a light blue enamel circlet inscribed “Borough of Portsmouth”; within the circlet, the Borough arms set on a dark blue enamel shield. The reverse is inscribed “Naval Brigade North China 1900”. GC. See “Boer War Tribute Medals” by M.G.Hibbard (Item A21) This tribute to the Naval Brigade North China is identical to the obverse of the Boer War Tribute
Royal Pioneer Corps General Service Medal plus Other Medals. Comprising: General Service Medal, clasp “Malaya” awarded to “CEY/18037527 Pte M.L.R. Georgie RPC. Correction to number ... Victory Medal “90966 Gnr W Howlett RA” ... Defence Medal ... War Medal ... Middlesex Regiment Officer’s Bronze OSD Cap Badge, complete with two blades ... RAF Silver Sweetheart Brooch. Overall GC (6 items)
Equatorial Corps silver Regimental Sweetheart Brooch. A fine rare example of cap badge design, the reverse impressed “SILVER”. Water buffalo, facing right, on torse resting on a red ended green enamel scroll inscribed “Equatorial Corps”. Complete with pin fitting. VGC Height 25 mm
Hampshire Carabiniers Regimental Sweetheart Brooch. A fine scarce yellow metal example by S. Bros. following the design of the cap badge. Crowned oval “Hampshire Yeomanry”superimposed on crossed carbines, all resting on silver scroll “Carabiniers”; silver rose to centre. Complete with pin fitting. VGC Height 26 mm
24th Lancers war raised cavalry Regimental Sweetheart Brooch. A fine rare unmarked example, Crowned crossed lances with silver “XXIV” on the intersection. The cap of the crown and upper halves of the pennants in red translucent enamel, the lower halves in white. Complete with pin fitting. VGC Height 40 mm Raised 30th December 1940, stood down 24th July 1944 and officially disbanded in June 1948.
George VI 1930 Household Cavalry State HM Silver Trumpet. A superb and scarce example, silver Hallmarks for London 1938. The trumpet is embossed with floral decoration including roses and shamrocks. Complete with a later plated mouth piece Bearing stamped details of the hallmarks, makers details of Higham, WD Arrow 1938 and ÔH.C.4”. The trumpet remains in good condition, has been used with some small knocks and scratches.
Coldstream Guards Victoria Cross Winners Campaign Pocket Knife. This knife was carried by later Lieutenant General Gerald Littlehales Goodlake, who as a Major in the 1st Bn Coldstream Guards won the Victoria Cross when commanding his Sharpshooters at Inkerman. The penknife was retailed through Hill of 4 Haymarket London (details to the forte of the blade). Two piece horn grip, concealing a number of different blades, corkscrew, button hook etc. To one grip is a small silver panel engraved “G.L. Goodlake Coldstream Guards”, also a gold device of the Coldstreams. The knife shows some service wear. Lieutenant General Gerald Littlehales Goodlake was born in 1832 and was commissioned into the 21st Foot in 1850. He exchanged to the Coldstream Guards in 1851. He embarked with the Regiment to the Crimea and received the Crimea Medal with Four Clasps. He was awarded the Victoria Cross the citation: On 28 October 1854 at Inkerman, Crimea, Major Goodlake was in command of a party of sharpshooters which held Windmill Ravine against a much larger force of the enemy, killing 38 (including an officer) and taking three prisoners. He also showed conspicuous gallantry on a later occasion when his sharpshooters surprised a picquet and seized the knapsacks and rifles of the enemy. He later attained the rank of Lieutenant General and died in 1890
Victorian Coldstream Guards Drum Major’s Regimental Pattern Mace. A superb and rare example. A malacca shaft surmounted by a brass mushroom top, this mounted with a silver & enamel Garter Star and a sphinx resting upon a plinth with the Battle Honour Eygpt. Also a VR cypher within a wreath. Around the edge are silvered ribbons bearing Battle Honours of the Regiment. To the top a Royal Crown (orb absent). The shaft retains the silver plated chains and brass chape. Overall condition is good, but with some service and age wear.
Boer War 1st Bn Leicestershire Regiment Defence of Ladysmith Defenders 1900 Chocolate Tin & Letter. A scarce attributed grouping to a defender, Private E. Blount. Comprising” 1900 Queen Victoria Christmas tin complete with chocolates ... Also in the tin a hand written letter dated 13th April 1900 Ladysmith to a member of his family. It describes the siege and the eating of mules and horses to survive and also gives mention to the Regiments engagement at Lombards kop prior to the seige. The letter covers four sides ... Blue silk fund raising armband “Siege of Ladysmith” fragile ... Kruger silver shilling ... four postage stamps. Tin remains in good bright condition. (5 items) Private E Blount is confirmed as being present during the Siege of Ladysmith. He earned the QSA with 4 clasps
Lord Nelson Commrative Silver Spoon. This silver teaspoon is decorated to the bowl decorated with a scene from the Battle of Trafalgar, the twist shank terminating in the head and shoulders of Lord Nelson. Bearing silver hallmarks for Birmingham 1904. GC ... Accompanied by a brass circular box / snuff box. The lid with the head and shoulders of Lord Nelson. Polished some damage. (2 items)
62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment Napoleonic War Period Officer’s Miniature Portrait. This head and shoulder study depicts a young Officer wearing scarlet coatee, with yellow facings and to his baldric a Regimental pattern shoulder belt plate, to the shoulder a silver bullion epaulette. Water colour on paper, mounted into an ebony frame GC. Detail good Circa 1810.
Napoleonic War Period Derbyshire Militia Miniature Portrait Attributed to Frederick Buck. A fine quality head and shoulder study of an Officer, wearing scarlet coatee, with yellow facings to the collar. To his white baldric he wears a square silver shoulder belt plate mounted with a crowned rose. Now mounted into an ebony frame. GC colour and detail good. The style of the portrait would suggest by the artist Richard Buck.
Royal Horse Guards George V / VI Period Officer’s helmet A good example, the skull of German silver decorated with gilt brass laurel and oak leaf design. Gilt rose pattern ear bosses support a gilt brass leather backed chin chain. To the front, helmet plate of half laurel/half oak leaf wreath surrounding the collar of the Order of the Garter and surmounted by a post 1901 Crown. Mounted to centre is a cut silver star of the Order of the Garter. The gilt pierced Garter is set onto blue enamelled ground, to the centre, the Cross of St. George in red enamel (small chip). To top of the helmet a gilt acanthus leaf holder supports the red plume. Complete with light blue silk lining (part shot). The overall condition is good, gilt bright.
Royal Dragoons Victorian Officer’s 1871 pattern helmet. A good restored example. The silvered skull surmounted by a gilt metal crosspiece and plume socket supporting a black hair plume with gilt rose boss. Skull ornamented with a laurel wreath above the front peak and an oak leaf band rising from the edge of the neck piece and terminating under the crosspiece at the top. To the front a gilt hobnail eight pointed star mounted with silver oval strap inscribed “The Royal Dragoons”; gilt Victorian Royal Crest to centre. Gilt rose pattern ear bosses support the velvet backed, plain burnished chinchain. Complete with replacement faux silk quilted lining. Some service wear, peak trim split at the point. A good display item.
First Surrey Rifles Victorian Officer’s regimental pattern helmet circa 1860. An extremely fine and rare example unique to this unit. One piece black fur felt skull with pronounced front and rear peaks surmounted by a slender gilt cruciform with supports the large fluted gilt spike. To the front a gilt crowned wreath, half laurel half palm, surrounding a circlet inscribed “First Surrey Rifles”. To the centre, a silver strung bugle with “1” between the cords. Across the top of the peak, attacked to the gilt lion’s head bosses which support the velvet backed chinchain, a narrow band of gilt metal. To each side, equidistant to the cruciform base and lion’s head, a small gilt rose. To the reverse, a slightly bigger rose with hook to support the chinchain in the upright position. Lightly quilted crimson silk adjustable wide sweatband. A few stitching faults to chinchain otherwise generally VGC. Formed as South London RVC 14th June, 1859 at Camberwell. From February, 1860 shown as 1st Surrey RVC. It would appear this was Surrey’s answer to the leather head-dress by 32nd Middlesex RVC known as “Six-foot Volunteer Guards”. Provenance. It is believed this was firstly in the late E.J Absolon`s Collection, and then in the late Bill Dear`s Collection.
Victorian Rifles Officer’s astrakhan rifle cap. A good example of black lambs wool by Hawkes & Co. of Piccadilly. To the front a swag of plaited mohair cord, which rises to either side and secured by a small blacked strung bugle device. To the front, a blackened curled bugle device, above a black cord boss bearing a Victorian Crown, the boss supporting a vulture and ostrich feather plume, with blacked silver ring. The crown of the cap is of dark green melton cloth ornamented with mohair cord. The interior with leather sweatband and silk lining. Complete with black patent leather chin strap. GC clean condition.
King’s Shropshire Light Infantry Victorian Field Officer’s Forage Cap A rare example of the peaked pillbox, of green cloth with black oakleaf lace band and black purl button to top, edged with eight eyes of narrow black braid. Gold cord piping to crown-seam and patent leather peak edged with gold embroidery. Very fine badge of eight pointed white metal star bearing a silver bugle horn with regimental initials in the strings, on a translucent green enamel ground within a gilt circlet inscribed SHROPSHIRE. Roan leather internal headband with initials EMW, and quilted lining to top. Some stitching faults and moth damage, a small chip to enamel of badge. The initials EMW may well be those of Major (Hon Lt Col) Edward M Wakeman of the 3rd (Shropshire Militia) Battalion KSLI.
Royal Sussex Regiment (Cinque Ports Battalion) Field Officer’s Peaked Forage Cap A rare example by the Army & Navy Stores; blue cap with scarlet band and crown seam, silver embroidery to peak, and quilted lining. Good chinstrap buttons mounted with the Arms of the Cinque Ports. Badge absent
South Staffordshire Regiment Officer’s Peaked Pillbox Cap A rare example of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion. Blue cap with narrow silver embroidered edging to peak. Black oakleaf lace band and top ornament, originally of black purl button (now absent), edged by a row of mohair braid eyes. Fine white metal Victorian Crowned badge of the Stafford Knot within a circlet inscribed “3rd VOLr. BATTn. SOUTH STAFFORDSHIRE”. Crimson silk lining with name of Samuel Brothers, Ludgate Hill. Some moth damage.
Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) Victorian Officer’s helmet circa 1881-1901. A fine scarce example of the Home Service pattern blue cloth helmet complete with gilt metal spike, furniture and velvet backed chin chain (some stitching faults). To the front, a gilt crowned star mounted with full laurel wreath and silver Maltese Cross with applied gilt oak wreath and scrolls “The” “Derbyshire” “Regt” to the arms of the cross. To the centre, a silver Stag set on translucent blue enamel ground. To the base of the laurel wreath, an applied bi-part silver scroll inscribed “Sherwood Foresters”. Retains deep cream leather sweatband topped with crimson silk. Generally VGC. Housed in its japanned transit / storage tin (faint name). Sherwood Foresters (Derbyshire Regiment) redesignated Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment) in 1902.
12th Royal Lancers Officer’s lance cap circa 1910-14. A GvR restored example. The skull of black patent leather with the upper portion of scarlet melton cloth, with gold gimp cord across the top and down the angles. To the left side is a gold bullion rosette with embroidered GvR Cypher onto a velvet ground. This supports a gilt plume cup (incorrect Hussar pattern) and original scarlet stitched swans feather drooping plume. Lace around the base of the top replaced. The gilt lance cap plate is mounted with silver King’s Crown Royal Arms, battle honours the last for South Africa 1899-1902. Replacement leather peak with gold bullion lines. Two gilt metal lion head boss’s support an associated leather backed chinchain. Adjustable silk sweatband, crimson lining. Plume dusty and faded.
Denbighshire Yeomanry Officer’s Albert Pattern Helmet. An extremely rare example of this short lived pattern of helmet, worn by the Regiment from 1840 until the adoption of the busby in 1863. The skull of black japanned metal mounted to the front wit a silver plated helmet plat of square end ray form, mounted to the centre with the Prince of Wales Plumes, this flanked by a title scroll “Denbighshire Yeomanry”. The skull is also decorated with silver plated laurel leaves and to each side large lion head bosses support a silvered interlinked chinchain with velvet backing. To the crown an acanthus leaf plume holder supports and scarlet plume with flower head boss. The interior with soft leather lining. The overall condition is very good, but the helmet has been professionally restored to museum exhibition standard. The plume is later. This pattern of helmet was adopted by the Officers of the Regiment in 1840 and the Other Ranks in 1841.
Victorian Royal Fusiliers Volunteer Officer’s Peaked Forage Cap A good example of dark blue melton cloth with scarlet cap band. This is mounted with a Regimental pattern flaming grenade device. The black patent leather peak, with a band silver bullion. The interior with leather sweatband and crimson silk lining, this with gold tooled tailor’s details of Edwards and Sons Hanover Square London. Overall GC some age wear.
Glider Pilot Regiment Pilot’s Battledress Blouse, Log Book etc, An Arnhem POW. This is a rare grouping of items attributed to 1442239 Sergeant Lawrence Richard Thomas who successfully landed his glider at Arnhem and was then taken prisoner. Comprising: 1940 pattern Battledress blouse retaining the following original insignia Flat 1st Pilot wings, medal ribbons of the 1939/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal. To each arm “Glider Pilot Regiment” printed shoulder title, printed Pegasus badge, Sergeant’s chevrons. To each shoulder strap is a maroon cloth bar. Issue label dated 1945 ... Pilot’s Log Book. One of the first pages to this log is written “Previous Log Book left at Fairford G Squadron GPR being a POW after Arnhem September 1944” Signed and dated 29.11.45. The log records flights from December 1945 to December 1946, flying as both and 1st and 2nd Pilot ... Medal Group 1939/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal., War Medal ... Glider Pilot Regiment plastic economy beret badge ... Silver and enamel sweetheart brooch ... metal box from aircraft. .. Plus a quantity of original ephemera. Overall Good Condition, the blouse remains in near VGC, but with some service wear. Sergeant Lawrence Richard Thomas enlisted into the Royal Artillery (T) in February 1939. He transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment on the 1st December 1942 and took part on the D-Day landings on the 6th June 1944. Returning back to the UK he was briefed along with other G Squadron Pilots for Operation Market Garden the airborne landings at Arnhem. On the 18th September 1944 a Sterling Bomber tug dragged his glider into the air, his load been a jeep, trailer and members of the 1st Parachute Bn signals Company. Not far from the release point the Sterling was hit by flak and the tow was cut. The glider landed close to Randwijk. The glider was quickly unloaded with the help of local Dutch people. one of which took photographs, copies of these are included. Mounted onto the jeep the group headed for the main drop zone and joined the landing Brigade. Sergeant Thomas was captured around the 25th September and with other POW’s was sent to Stalag XIB. This proved to be a hellhole of a camp, the German Guards picking out the Arnhem captives for additional punishments. One case being the shooting of Sgt Hollinghamaged 22 GPR in front of Thomas; in Thomas’s own words “For nothing more than lifting his feet and not being able to run fast enough” Thomas moved to help his friend, only to be told if he did he would get the same. Conditions in the camp deteriorated in the 6 months Thomas was held here, then one day rumours flourished that the Russians were close. Hiding in the large baking ovens as the camp was evacuated he was able to escape. Seeing the Russians rounding up stray British and American POW’s and treating them in a similar way the Germans had, he made his way in the opposite direction. He eventually made it to Odessa on the Black Sea and returned to the UK. He remained with the GPR after the war and was finally discharged in February 1947. In later life he was a member of the GPR Association, membership cards etc included and corresponded with a number of Dutch people interested in the Battle for Arnhem. This correspondence is also included in the lot. Lawrence Richard Thomas passed away in 1995.
Victorian Royal Engineer Volunteers Officer’s Uniform A rare example of a Field Officer’s Full Dress tunic, scarlet cloth with blue velvet collar, cuffs and edging. The collar with gold embroidered grenades and edged with silver lace and cord. The pointed cuffs edged with wide Staff pattern silver lace, and ornate figured decoration in silver Russia braid. Good Victorian silvered buttons to front and waist-seam. Twisted silver shoulder-cords with Engineer wings. Quilted lining with label of Hobsons, Lexington St, named to Colonel J.W. Savage. Badges of rank absent, collar grenades in relic condition, scarlet cloth slightly faded, with minor moth damage, otherwise GC.
Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars Officer’s Regimental pattern Mess Jacket. This example is attributed to Lieutenant Colonel H.A.G Vanderfelt. The jacket of stable pattern form dark green cloth with scarlet coloured facings to the collar. The cuffs are dark green. Silver bullion shoulder cords, bearing the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. The jacket is edged with Regimental silver flat lace, which is padded to the chevron design to the cuff. The interior with white quilted cotton lining, bearing tailor’s label with ink name. GC bullion slightly dulled
Imperial Japanese Officer’s Full Dress Uniform and Shako. A good and impressive example. Comprising: Shako, this of dark cloth with gold cord decoration to the body and crown. To the front a large gilt chrysanthemum device, this supports a red and white feather plume. Black patent leather peak and to the interior a leather sweatband ... Frock coat, tunic three quarter length of dark cloth with blue facings to the collar and cuffs, each with gold lace and cord decoration. The plastron front with a double row of gilt buttons and to the right side a metal Pilots badge. The gold bullion shoulder cords with two silver stars. The interior with a quilted cotton lining ... Red and white tasselled sash ... Full dress sword belt of black leather with gilt metal clasp and complete with sword slings. Overall GC bullion remains bright GC (5 items)
US Navy Important Full Dress Uniform Attributed to Admiral Edward Clifford Kalbfus, Who was a member of the Board tasked with the investigation into the Pearl Harbour attack of December 1941. Comprising: Cocked hat of black beaver skin, edged with a wide band of gold lace, to the front a black silk rosette and a loop of gold bullion lace. The interior with leather sweatband and pleated lining ... Tailcoat of black cloth, with gold lace rank to the cuff, indicating Admiral. To the shoulders, box pattern epaulettes, the strap with a Naval anchor and within the crescent three silver bullion stars. To the left breast his set of miniature medals ... Matching Overalls ... Sword belt , complete with gilt metal clasp. The overall condition is good with some dulling to the gold bullion. The hat and epaulettes are contained in their original brown leather case. Admiral Edward “Old Dutch” Clifford Kalbfus was born in 1877 and was commissioned into the US Navy in 1901 following two years sea service. During the Great War he received his first command, the transport ship Pocahontas, which ferried troops to Europe as part of the Cruiser-Transport Force. On May 2, 1918, Pocahontas was attacked by a German submarine that bombarded her with 5.9-inch shells. Kalbfus ordered return fire, but the submarine was outside the range of Pocahontas` guns, so the transport set an evasive zigzag course, then fled at full speed, setting a record 16.2 knots (30.0 km/h) that allowed Pocahontas to outrun the submarine twenty minutes after the attack began. For saving the ship Kalbfus was awarded the Navy Cross. In 1918 he was given command of the Battleship Iowa, then joined the Staff of Destroyer Commanders. In 1930 he was promoted to Rear Admiral and from 1938 commander of the Battle Force of the United States Fleet a post he held until 1939. On the 1st December 1941, reaching retirement age he transferred to the retired list, but was quickly recalled for service following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour. He became a member of the General Board of the Navy, a small panel of senior advisors to the Secretary of the Navy and in 1944 he became a board member of the Pearl Harbour Court of Inquiry. He once more retired in 1946 and died at the age of 76 in 1954.
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