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Pair: Lieutenant V. W. H. Hillyard, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, a Sopwith Camel pilot who flew on the Western Front with 70 Squadron, and was wounded and taken prisoner of war east of Aveluy Wood, 18 May 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. V. W. H. Hillyard. R.A.F.) generally very fine or better (2) £200-£240 --- Victor William Hugh Hillyard was born in June 1896, and was a native of Dublin. He was commissioned in the Royal Flying Corps in 1917, and after training was posted as a pilot to 70 Squadron (Sopwith Camels) in France in February 1918. Hillyard carried out an offensive patrol on 18 May 1918, and was last seen in combat east of Aveluy Wood going west. He was subsequently reported missing in action, and confirmed as wounded and as a prisoner of war. Hillyard was repatriated in December 1918.

Pair: Lieutenant H. Kirby, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was a F.E.2.d pilot with 20 Squadron, and was shot down over France and taken POW, 12 May 1917. He was subsequently mentioned in despatches for gallantry whilst in captivity British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. Kirby. R.A.F) mounted for wear, BWM with official corrections, toned, nearly extremely fine (2) £200-£240 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 16 December 1919: ‘For gallantry whilst Prisoners of War in escaping, or attempting to escape, from captivity, or for valuable services rendered in the prison camps of the enemy.’ Harold Kirby was a native of Coventry, and his brother Hugh served as Captain with the Royal Air Force during the Great War. Kirby was commissioned Second Lieutenant (on probation) in the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. After carrying out training as a pilot, he was posted for operational flying to 20 Squadron (F.E.2d’s) in France, April 1917. Kirby took off on a bombing operation at 6.34am, 12 May 1917. He was shot down and forced to land with his Observer Sergeant T. E. Wait. The aircraft was captured, and both airmen were taken prisoner of war. Kirby was repatriated in January 1919.

Pair: Lieutenant G. F. Lane, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who was wounded in action on 5 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. F. Lane. R.A.F.); together with a Masonic Jewel, gilt and enamel, edge bruising to BWM, otherwise good very fine and better (3) £100-£140 --- George Frederick Lane was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps on 21 October 1917, and served with 85 Squadron during the Great War over the Western Front. ‘On 5 October 1918 Captain MacGregor and Lieutenant Lane dropped 6 25lb bombs on Hautmont Station and in spite of very heavy machine gunfire from the ground continued to shoot at troops and transport around the sidings, causing many casualties, until Lieutenant Lane was badly wounded in the leg. However, he succeed in returning and landing his machine safely.’

Pair: Second Lieutenant A. Tapping, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, who served as a Handley Page O/400 pilot with 215 Squadron, Independent Force, and was taken prisoner of war during ‘Black September’ 1918 British War and Victory Medals (2/Lieut. A. Tapping. R.A.F.) remnants of adhesive to reverse of BWM, generally good very fine £200-£240 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, April 2001. Alfred Tapping was born in December 1894, and was a native of Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada, where he worked as a motor mechanic. Tapping initially enlisted as a Private in the 54th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, before transferring to the Royal Air Force as a Cadet at the beginning of 1918. Tapping was posted as a pilot to 215 Squadron (Handley Page O/400’s) as part of Independent Force operating from France. He was reported missing in action whilst on night bombing operations at Courcelles, 14/15 September 1918. Tapping and his two other crew members were all confirmed as being taken prisoner of war, and he was repatriated upon the cessation of hostilities. The month of September 1918 was known as ‘Black September’ due to the large number of losses suffered by the Allied Air Forces.

Six: Chief Petty Officer S. Bennion, Royal Navy Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (J.102723 S. Bennion. P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (J.102723 S. Bennion. P.O. H.M.S. Gallant.) minor edge bruise to last, otherwise extremely fine (6) £600-£800 --- Provenance: O. S. Lee Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 2004. M.I.D. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good services in the withdrawal of he Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.’ Samuel Bennion was born in Boston, Lincolnshire, on 14 March 1906 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in June 1921. He was awarded his Naval General Service 1915-62 Medal for services off Palestine in the destroyer H.M.S. Gallant, aboard which ship he was also awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in January 1939. He served during the Second World War, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his services aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Grenade during the evacuation of Dunkirk on 29 May 1940. Bombed and set on fire, the Grenade drifted across the harbour, grounded and blew up. When subsequently asked by his skipper to furnish a formal account of the day’s proceedings, one of the Grenade’s Midshipmen wrote: ‘Dear Sir, There was a bloody great bang. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient Servant’. Fortuitously for posterity’s sake, a fellow officer, Lieutenant-Commander E. C. Peake, later left a more informative account: ‘The morning of 29 May was beautiful, warm, with brilliant sunshine, and a flat, calm sea. On the way over, there was heavy enemy air activity. And ample evidence of their success. Wreckage, corpses. I shall never forget a red-headed woman who floated face-down. Her handbag was beside her, right on station. We arrived at Dunkirk during the forenoon and berthed at the landward end of the pier, so that other small ships such as trawlers could berth astern of us. We expected to load and get back to England as soon as possible. But for some unknown reason whilst other ships filled up with troops we were kept empty. There was a rumour that the evacuation was to be called off, and that we were being kept to take off the General Staff. We remained alongside all the afternoon whilst other ships came and went. There was intense air activity the whole time, particularly from dive bombers ... The general level of noise was incredible - not only from gunfire and explosions but from hundreds of stray dogs which had been driven to the water-front. They were a pathetic sight. All of them were terrified. We suffered a few casualties on board during the afternoon, but no damage to the ship. At about 4 p.m. Stukas made a most determined attack on us and we were hit by a stick of bombs simultaneously. Two hit aft and one went straight down the foremost funnel, not touching the funnel casing and burst in Number One Boiler. I cannot remember where the fourth hit. Number One Boiler was directly below the bridge, and its bursting caused havoc on the bridge. Onlookers ashore told me afterwards that all went up about twelve to fifteen feet. I can assure anyone that being blown up is comparatively painless. It’s the coming down that hurts! As a result of the bombs, the ship was badly on fire and the engines out of action. I went round the ship to estimate the extent of the damage and reported to the captain that in my opinion, we should abandon and then cut her adrift. There was a strong tide running under the pier, and she would drift away from the pier. he agreed ... We abandoned ship and cut her adrift and, as I knew she would, she drifted to the other side of the harbour, grounded and eventually blew up ... Altogether, aboard Grenade, we had nineteen men killed and an unknown number wounded ...’ The original recommendation for Bennion’s Mention in Despatches states that he ‘ably backed Mr. Crew, displaying marked initiative and coolness’, the latter being the ship’s Schoolmaster, who in turn was recommended for ‘rescuing ratings in distress in the oil covered water, landing with a party of survivors in Dunkirk’, where he ‘took charge and eventually navigated an old motor boat back to England.’ Bennion was advanced to Temporary Commissioned Boatswain in March 1944. Sold together with the recipient’s original Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, this cut down in size and mounted in a (cracked) glazed frame, in named OHMS transmission envelope; a photograph album containing approximately 46 black and white photographs, many with annotations; a group photograph including the recipient as part of the winning team in the 1 mile Whalers Race at the Portland Regatta 1948; the recipient’s ‘On Active Service’ Bible; Admiralty enclosures for the Second War medals and the M.I.D. oak leaf; various postcard photographs; and other ephemera and copied research.

Five: Sergeant E. A. Wood, 11th Hussars, who was killed in action in North Africa on 7 August 1941 General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (4125394 Tpr. E. A. Wood. R.A.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5) £140-£180 --- Eric Archibald Wood, a native of Bromborough, Cheshire, attested for the Royal Armoured Corps and served with the 11th Hussars in pre-War Palestine, and subsequently during the Second World War in North Africa. He was killed in action on 7 August 1941- the Regimental War Diary gives the following account: ‘At 09:10 hrs on 7 August 1941 our line was in someway penetrated by two hostile armoured cars in between 2nd Troop (commanded by Sergeant Wood) and 1st Troop (commanded by Lieutenant Petch). They were unobserved by the later and appeared to the former to be friendly Marmon Herringtons. By the time this supposition was found to be extremely improbable, the enemy Armoured Cars had approached the rear of 2nd Troop on the open flank having come straight down the Boundary Track. The enemy Armoured Cars then attacked at great speed assisted by the close co-operation of a C.R. 42 which pointed out our Troops’ position. Our Troop was taken completely by surprise on an unexpected flank. The Troop Leader’s car and the Troop Corporal’s car were knocked out and caught alight. The enemy then made off west through the wire, taking Corporal Winterbottom and Troopers Crowther and Walburn with them as prisoners. 1st Troop, which took over the patrol, buried four bodies that night: Sergeant Wood and Troopers Coles, Manning, and Banbury.’ Wood is buried in Halfaya Sollum War Cemetery, Egypt. Sold with copied War Diary extracts and other research.

Six: Chief Petty Officer J. A. Collis, Royal Navy, who was mentioned in despatches for services in H.M.S. Sheffield at the sinking of the Scharnhorst in December 1943 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; Burma Star; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.108896 J. A. Collis. P.O. H.M.S. Duncan.) good very fine (6) £300-£400 --- M.I.D. London Gazette 7 March 1944: ‘For gallantry, distinguished service and devotion to duty on the Staff of the Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet, and in H.M. Ships... Sheffield... during the action in which the Scharnhorst was engaged and sunk.’ Sold with original framed M.I.D. Certificate, dated 7 March 1944 (Chief Petty Officer James Albert Collis, H.M.S. Sheffield), together with named card box of issue for W.W.2 medals, two P.C. photographs of the recipient in uniform and two others of the Sheffield in action and of her 8-inch guns.

Five: Marine F. J. Norris, Royal Marines, who was wounded in service on 29 July 1944 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Director of Naval Pay and Pensions enclosure; together with the recipient’s original parchment Certificate of Service and a Certificate of Wounds and Hurts, dated 29 July 1944, the medals all official later issues, extremely fine Five: K. Cotterill, Royal Navy 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, with named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. K. Cotterill, 45 Pinnox Street, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire’; together with an H.M. Destroyer naval cap tally, nearly extremely fine (10) £80-£120 --- Francis John Norris was born in Ayr on 5 April 1924 and joined the Royal Marines on 8 April 1942. He was injured in service on 29 July 1944, his Certificate of Wounds and Hurts stating ‘... was engaged in loading the main magazine in H.M. LCG(L) 10, with cases of cordite. He, together with Corporal Burns, were in the act of carrying and positioning a case of cordite which was accidentally caused to trap Norris’s fingers against a protruding angle iron, causing a fracture of the middle finger of the right hand.’ He was released Class ‘A’ Reserve on 31 May 1946. Sold with an original group photograph, and a large quantity of copied research, including a typed transcript of the recipient’s diary covering part of the Second World War.

Six: Pilot Officer H. Baker, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 33 operational sorties as a Halifax Wireless Operator with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, together with Bomber Command Commemorative Medal, Normandy Commemorative Medal and R.C.A.F. lapel ephemera, very fine (lot) £200-£300 --- Harold Baker was the son of Mr and Mrs E. J. Baker of 306 Emma Street, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, and after training as a Wireless Operator was posted to the UK at the end of the following year. Baker undertook subsequent training at No. 9 A.F.U., Llandwrog, No. 24 O.T.U., Honeybourne, and No. 1664 Conversion Unit, Dishforth. He was posted for operational flying with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron (Halifaxes) at Tholthorpe in June 1944. Baker flew in at least 33 operational sorties with the squadron, including: St. Martins; Bientque; Bamieres; Foret D’Eway; Thiverny; Nucourt; Caen; Ferfay; Hamburg; Eternois, 31 July 1944, ‘Good Prang. 16 x 500 Attacked By Me.109. Corkscrewed & Evaded’; Foret De Nieppe (2); Bois De Cassair; St. Leu D’Esserent; Le Hague; Foret De Chantilly; Foret De Mont Richard; Bons Tassilly; Brussels Aerodrome; Connantre Marshalling Yards; Marquise Mimoques; Le Havre; Castrop Rauxel; Osnabruck; Keil [sic], 15 September 1944, 1 x 2000 & 12 Cans. 12 Enemy Fighters Seen. Flak Hole in Nose. Good Prang. F/Lt. Motherwell Ditched. Picked Up 16.9.44’; Boulogne; Calais (2); Bottrop; Sterkrade; Bergen Norway, Submarines & Sub Pens; Dortmund and Bochum. Baker advanced to Pilot Officer, and after completing his tour was posted to Warrington for repatriation. Sold with the following related items and documents: Royal Canadian Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (4 May 1942 - 9 October 1944); R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, with named Certificate, dated 10 February 1945; WAG R.C.A.F. Brevet, and two cloth ‘Canada’ shoulder titles; a number of photographs of recipient in uniform, including in the background during a royal visit from the King; newspaper cuttings, Christmas Cards and other ephemera.

The 5th Battalion Essex Regiment (Territorial Force) Prior to the outbreak of the Great War, there were five Territorial Battalions in the Essex Regiment. The 5th Battalion had its headquarters in Chelmsford and recruited from the bulk of the present county of Essex, particularly the central and northern parts including large rural areas. The Battalion first fought at Gallipoli from August 1915 before serving in Egypt and Palestine, where it was heavily engaged in the First and Third Battles of Gaza in March and November 1917. In the Territorial Force renumbering, men serving with the Battalion (including the 2nd and 3rd lines which had been formed) were given numbers in the block commencing 250001. The following lots are listed in order of the recipient’s service number. Three: Sergeant A. J. Spurgeon, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was taken Prisoner of War at Arras on 28 March 1918 whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion British War and Victory Medals (870 Sjt. A. J. Spurgeon. Essex R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (250038 Sjt. A. J. Spurgeon. 5/Essex R.) mounted as worn, nearly very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Alfred James Spurgeon was born at Enfield on 26 May 1891 and enlisted in the Essex Regiment at Walton-on-Naze on 27 November 1908. Appointed Lance-Corporal on 11 July 1911, he was promoted Acting Corporal on 26 July 1915, and Acting Sergeant on 28 July 1915. He was subsequently re-numbered 250038. Posted to 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment on 12 February 1918, he was captured at Arras on 28 March 1918, while serving with C Company, and was held Prisoner of War at Linberg, Germany for the remainder of the War. He was discharged on 19 July 1919, being awarded a Silver War Badge no. B283200, and was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 380 of October 1919. He died in Clacton, Essex, on 11 March 1941. Note: It is not clear why Spurgeon failed to receive the Territorial Force War Medal – either he had not committed to serving overseas by the deadline of 30 September 1914 or perhaps his eligibility was somehow overlooked.

Family Group: Three: Private B. C. Mobley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (16877 Pte. B. C. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (16877 Pte. B. C. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private G. Mobley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 16 August 1917 British War and Victory Medals (4957 Pte. G. Mobley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (5) £80-£120 --- Benjamin C. Mobley attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915. He subsequently served in the Army Service Corps, with service No. M/279272, before transferring to the Army Reserve on 23 April 1919. George Mobley attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford and served with the 1st/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was killed in action on 16 August 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial in Belgium.

Three: Corporal J. Howard, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza, 2 November 1917 1914-15 Star 2934 Pte. J. Howard. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (2934 Cpl. J. Howard. Essex R.) good very fine The British War Medal awarded to Private H. W. Smith, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza, 2 November 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (3124 Pte. H. W. Smith. Essex R.) minor edge nicks, very fine (4) £60-£80 --- John Howard, a native of Great Holland, Kirby Cross, Essex, attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment and served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915. He was subsequently re-numbered 250665. Promoted Corporal, he was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917. Henry William Smith attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment and served with them during the Great War. He was subsequently re-numbered 250715. He was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza on 2 November 1917 (Essex Chronicle of 30 November 1917 refers).

Three: Acting Corporal J. G. Blunden, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was wounded during the First Battle of Gaza, 26 March 1917 1914-15 Star (3137 Pte. J. G. Blunden. Essex R.); British War and Victory Medals (3137 A. Cpl. J. G. Blunden. Essex R.) good very fine (3) £50-£70 --- Joseph George Blunden was born at Little Clacton, Essex, on 22 May 1892 and attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment. He served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, and was subsequently re-numbered 250721. He was wounded during the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917, and, having been promoted Acting Corporal, subsequently transferred to the 2/22nd Battalion, London Regiment. He died in Little Clacton on 14 April 1979.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private A. Little, 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment, who was killed in action during the First Battle of Gaza, 26 March 1917 1914-15 Star (3152 Pte. A. Little. Essex R.) good very fine £40-£50 --- Alfred Little was born in Broxted, Essex, on 11 October 1895 and attested for the 5th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Chelmsford. He served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 9 August 1915, and was subsequently re-numbered 250728. He was killed in action during the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917, and, having no known grave, is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial.

Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (Challoner Ogle.) lightly polished, otherwise good very fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Provenance: Glendining’s, February 1940. Challoner Ogle is confirmed as a Boy serving aboard the troopship H.M.S. Europa at Egypt. The recipient's distinctive name suggests a possible connection with a family that had served with distinction in the Royal Navy since the reign of Queen Anne. Sir Chaloner Ogle (1681-1750) was Admiral of the Fleet; his nephew Chaloner (1727-1816) also rose to Admiral and received a Baronetcy. The latter officer had two sons present in the Egypt Operations: Charles (another future Admiral of the Fleet) was in command of H.M.S. Greyhound; and Thomas, who as a Major in the 58th Regiment was killed in the boats at the landings.

The ‘Heavy Brigade’ Crimea Medal awarded to Private A. McMillan, 2nd Dragoons, who died at Scutari on 5 January 1855 Crimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (A. Mc.Millan. 2nd. Dragoons.) officially impressed naming, minor edge nicks, good very fine £1,600-£2,000 --- Alexander McMillan was born in Paisley and enlisted into the 2nd Dragoons on 26 June 1839. He embarked with the regiment during April-June 1854 for service in the Crimea, and the muster rolls confirm that McMillan was on active duty with his regiment for the period 1 October to 20 December 1854, and it is most probable, therefore, that he took part in the famous charge of the Heavy Brigade at Balaklava on 25 October 1854, in which the Scots Greys had two men killed and fifty-six wounded. Seven men from the Regiment were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. McMillan was recorded sick at Scutari from 20 December 1854, and died there on 5 January 1855. It should be noted that the 2nd Dragoons were not present at Inkermann and that McMillan’s medal should technically have clasps for Balaklava and Sebastopol only. The mistake is easily explained by examining the regimental medal roll compiled ‘Camp Crimea. 11 January 1855’ (WO 100/24) which clearly shows the letter ‘I’ in the column for ‘Inkermann Novr. 5’ against many names, including McMillan, in addition to the letter ‘B’ to indicate entitlement to the clasp for Balaklava. Consequently many men of the 2nd Dragoons were officially issued with the Inkermann clasp. A separate roll was compiled in November 1855 listing those entitled to clasps for Sebastopol.

Pair: Acting Sergeant H. Thompson, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (26817 A-Sjt. H. Thompson. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private W. R. Costin, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (30807 Pte. W. R. Costin. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private A. H. Mason, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died in Salonika on 23 October 1918 British War and Victory Medals (17737 Pte. A. H. Mason. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private E. Scarrott, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (19373 Pte. E. Scarrott. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); together with a British Legion lapel badge, edge wear and loss to service number on BWM, therefore good fine (8) £100-£140 --- Arthur Henry Mason was born at Churchill, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Stow on the Wold, Gloucestershire. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 May 1915, and later served in Salonika with the 7th Battalion. He died 23 October 1918, and is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.

Pair: Corporal F. W. Collens, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (19734 Cpl. F. W. Collens. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private E. Brightman, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (22565 Pte. E. Brightman. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private A. E. Brooks, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Salonika on 9 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (23803 Pte. A. E. Brooks. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private S. G. Hunt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (266665 Pte. S. G. Hunt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frederick William Collens, a native of Islington, London, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 18 September 1915, and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 January 1916. He later transferred to 2nd Battalion, and was wounded on 8 September 1918. He was discharged on 9 April 1919. Edward Brightman, a native of Great Linford, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 4 February 1916, and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 July 1916. He subsequently transferred to the 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was demobilised on 11 March 1919. Albert Edward Brooks was born at Witney, Oxfordshire, and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War in Salonika, and was killed in action on 9 May 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece. Stanley George Hunt attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He suffered a gun shot wound to the right thigh on 8 September 1917, and subsequently transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private T. M. Clark, Royal Highlanders, who was killed in action at Tel-el-Kebir, 13 September 1882 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (792. Pte. T. M. Clark. R. Highrs:) minor edge nick, extremely fine £600-£800 --- Thomas M. Clark attested for the Royal Highlanders and was killed in action at Tel-el-Kebir on 13 September 1882, one of 13 members of the regiment either killed in action or died of wounds in the battle. Sold with copied muster lists.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Gunner G. Angus, Royal Artillery, who was killed in action at El Teb, 29 February 1884 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1884, El-Teb (25356 Gunr. G. Angus, 6/1st Sco. Div. R.A.) some edge bruising, very fine £700-£900 --- G. Angus served with the 6/1st Scottish Division, Royal Artillery, and was killed in action at El Teb on 29 February 1884 - possibly the only man of the R.A. killed in action, with three others wounded. ‘I have referred to the cool deliberation and remarkable efficiency with which the 7-pounder naval guns were worked at El Teb by the 6th Battery 1st Brigade Scottish Royal Artillery, when opposed to the heavier Krupp guns of the enemy. These guns advance with the infantry and sustained several of the enemy’s desperate charges. On one occasion those brave blacks succeeded in spite of a storm of fire from artillery and infantry, in charging up to the guns and penetrating among the gun detachments. One was knocked down by a Gunner with a rammer, another with a blow on the face from a round case which he was carrying in his hand and a third shot with a revolver.’ (an account of the battle refers). Sold with copied medal roll extract.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private J. Pont, York and Lancaster Regiment, who was killed in action at Tamaai, 13 March 1884 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, El-Teb_Tamaai (1948. Pte. J. Pont. Y & Lanc: R.) minor scratch to obverse field, nearly extremely fine £800-£1,200 --- J. Pont attested for the York and Lancaster Regiment and was killed in action at the Battle of Tamaai, 13 March 1884.

The Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Private W. Howard, 5th Lancers, who was killed in action at Suakin, 22 March 1885 Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 2 clasps, Suakin 1885, Tofrek (1770, Pte. W. Howard, 5th Lancers.) toned, nearly extremely fine and a rare casualty £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, April 1994. W. Howard attested for the 5th Lancers and was killed whilst on patrol from Suakin on 22 March 1885. Two squadrons of 5th Lancers were employed on scouting and patrol duties during the advance of Sir John McNeill's force which was so savagely mauled at Tofrek. The following account was taken from The History of the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers by Major W. T. Wilcox: ‘Early on the day during the advance from Suakin, Lieutenant Richardson of the 5th Lancers, with four of his men, had been sent on an officer’s patrol to the left of the line of advance. His horse getting knocked up after being out some hours, Richardson rode into Suakin about midday, and, on a fresh horse, returned to his patrol duties. Neither he nor his men were ever heard of again. They were no doubt cut off and slain by the Arabs during the course of the afternoon. Richardson's silver whistle was found sometime afterwards at a spot in the bush, some six miles from Suakin and a couple of miles south of the zariba. The whistle was distinctly marked with a spear thrust, and encrusted with blood; and it is only too evident that the patrol had been caught in the great Arab wave sweeping down from Tamai on the British force, and killed to a man. The only other traces found of the patrol were at the capture of Tamai, on the 3rd April, when a Lancer's scabbard and saddle were discovered.’ In addition to those mentioned above one other man of the 5th Lancers was killed at Tofrek.

Pair: Corporal H. R. Purfitt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (17227 Cpl. H. R. Puffitt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) minor edge bruising, nearly very fine Pair: Private W. E. King, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (29409 Pte. W. E. King. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private L. A. Mott, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was wounded by gun shot on the Western Front on 3 October 1916 British War and Victory Medals (17801 Pte. L. A. Mott. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private W. J. Roberts, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27493 Pte. W. J. Roberts, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) traces of verdigris to VM, otherwise very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Leonard Alfred Mott, a native of Ballsall Heath, Birmingham, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He suffered a gun shot wound to the back and thigh on 3 October 1916.

The Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Private P. C. de Sconde, Kimberley Volunteer Regiment, who was killed in action at Israel’s Farm during the Relief of Mafeking on 16 May 1900 Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Kimberley, Orange Free State (890 Pte. P. C. de Sconde. Kimberley V.R.) nearly extremely fine and a scarce combination of clasps £500-£700 --- Philip Caspar de Sconde, a farrier from Kimberley, was born in Wynberg, Cape Colony, in 1853 and served in “H” Company, Kimberley Town Guard. He joined the Kimberley Volunteer Regiment, and was killed in action at Israel’s Farm during the Relief of Mafeking on 16 May 1900. At daylight on 16 May 1900, Mahon’s north-bound Relief Column made contact with Plumer’s south-bound Relief Column at Jan Masibi’s on the Molopo River, some 18 miles east of Mafeking. At 7:30 a.m. the combined force, numbering some 2,000 troops with 14 field guns, set out on the last lap to relieve Mafeking. Shortly before 2:00 p.m. the Boers made a last attempt to block the relief column at Israel’s Farm. British losses were 7 killed and 32 wounded. Mafeking was relieved the following day. Sold with copied research.

Pair: Private F. Baulcombe, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 5 October 1915 British War and Victory Medals (16090 Pte. F. Baulcombe. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private F. T. J. Malyon, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 27 October 1917 British War and Victory Medals (26713 Pte. F. T. J. Malyon. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private E. T. Skuce, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (28623 Pte. E. T. Skuce. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) good very fine Pair: Private W. G. Smith, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27461 Pte. W. G. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Frank Baulcombe was born at Kenilworth, Warwickshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Birmingham. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 July 1915, and was killed in action on 5 October 1915. He is buried at Rue-du-Bacquerot No. 1 Military Cemetery, Laventie, France. Frederick Thomas James Malyon was born at Hitcham, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Maidenhead, Berkshire. He served with the 76th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 27 October 1917. He is buried at Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium.

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private A. R. Butler, Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment), who died in Egypt on 19 December 1915 1914-15 Star (2873. Pte. A. R. Butler, Middx. R.); Memorial Plaque (Archibald Rowland Butler) with Buckingham Palace enclosure, in card envelope, very fine (2) £70-£90 --- Archibald Rowland Butler attested for the Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment) at Willesden, Middlesex, and served with the 2nd/10th Battalion during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 18 July 1915. He died on 19 December 1915, and is buried in Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

The British War Medal awarded to Captain H. A. Wilson, a Canadian pilot who flew seaplanes with the Royal Naval Air Service and Royal Air Force, and was awarded the A.F.C. in 1918 British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. H. A. Wilson, R.A.F.) dark toned, extremely fine £100-£140 --- A.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918. Hugh Allen Wilson was born on 4 July 1896, at Westmount, Quebec. He was a student of applied science at McGill University and was appointed Probationary Flight Sub Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Air Service at Ottawa on 9 May 1916. He received instruction at Crystal Palace in June 1916, at Eastbourne in July 1916, at Cranwell in August 1916, and was posted to Felixtowe Naval Air Station, for instruction, on 30 October 1916. He remained at Felixtowe throughout 1917 and was appointed Flight Lieutenant at the end of that year. He transferred as Captain to the Royal Air Force on 1 April 1918, and as of September 1918 he was at Cat Firth Seaplane Station, Shetland Islands, and afterwards served with 231, 261 and 272 Squadrons of 23 Group until 24 March 1919, when he was posted to the Air Ministry.

The British War Medal awarded to 2nd Lieutenant H. C. Wood, Royal Air Force, a Canadian observer who was wounded in September 1918 and awarded the D.F.C. in June 1919 British War Medal 1914-20 (2/Lieut. H. C. Wood. R.A.F.) extremely fine £140-£180 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919. Belgian Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 July 1919. Henry Cawling Wood was a Canadian born observer with No. 48 Squadron, Royal Air Force, in the Poperinghe, Comines theatre of the Western Front. He was observer in a Bristol F2b which was shot up by anti-aircraft fire over Poperinghe on the evening of 6 September 1918, crash landing and injuring the pilot 2 Lt. Rycroft. Lieutenants Rycroft and Wood were both wounded on 30 September 1918, when their F2b was hit by machine gun fire from the ground.

Pair: Private A. Bowyer, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (267415 Pte. A. Bowyer. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private T. Finch, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 15 September 1916 British War and Victory Medals (24420 Pte. T. Finch. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private A. Glider, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (28986 Pte. A. Gilder. Oxf. &. Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private G. H. Lee, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (27232 Pte. G. H. Lee. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) scratch to obverse of BWM, contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Thomas Finch was born in Wigan, Lancashire, and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 15 September 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Pair: Private H. G. Cantwell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (201375 Pte. H. G. Cantwell. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private S. J. Childs, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (4793 Pte. S. J. Childs. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private W. Church, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (9007 Pte. W. Church. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly very fine Pair: Private W. Hill, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 18 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (22908 Pte. W. Hill. Oxf & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (8) £120-£160 --- Herbert George Cantwell was born at Cowley, Oxford, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 25 January 1915. Following admission to hospital he transferred to the Labour Corps and renumbered 562036. His service papers also note service with the Dorset Regiment, Gloucester Regiment and the Wiltshire Regiment. He returned to the U.K. from France for demobilisation on 7 April 1919. Stephen James Childs attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with 2/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion during the Great War. William Church attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War in the Asiatic theatre of War from 5 December 1914. William Hill was born at Chalfont St. Peters, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, serving initially with them during the Great War before later transferring to the Royal Berkshire Regiment. He died of wounds on 18 August 1918, aged 23, and is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Pair: Private C. H. Collicutt, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (4990 Pte. C. H. Collicutt. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); together with a small monogrammed hallmarked sterling silver fob medal, very fine Pair: Private A. J. Frampton, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (24989 Pte. A. J. Frampton. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) scratches to BWM obverse field, nearly very fine Pair: Private A. W. Rawlings, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 19 July 1916 British War and Victory Medals (4901 Pte. A. W. Rawlings. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine Pair: Private H. J. Underwood, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (29444 Pte. H. J. Underwood. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (8) £100-£140 --- Charles Henry Collicutt attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He was later compulsorily transferred to the 1st/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. Albert William Rawlings was born in Oxford and attested there for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on the Somme on 19 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Pair: Private W. J. Hatton, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 3 May 1917 British War and Victory Medals (26340 Pte. W. J. Hatton, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Walter James Hatton) very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Walter James Hatton was born at Bournemouth, Hampshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Slough, Buckinghamshire. He served with 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was missing, later presumed killed in action, on 3 May 1917, during the Battalion’s involvement in the Battles of Arras and the Scarpe. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Sgt. J. P. Scott R-63912) suspended from WW2 R.C.A.F. sterling silver and enamel Observer’s brevet wing badge, stamped Birks Sterling, with pin fitting, together with silver-gilt R.C.A.F. Operational wings, stamped Stephenson Sterling, with pin fitting, very fine (2) £200-£300 --- James Philip Scott, Sergeant (Air Observer) R.C.A.F., attached 22 Squadron R.A.F., was killed in action on 6 April 1942. He is buried in Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery. Sergeant Scott was navigator of Beaufort 1, N1016, OA-X, of 22 Squadron flown by Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell, R.A.F.V.R., in a suicidal but successful low-level torpedo attack on the German battle-cruiser Gneisenau in Brest harbour on 6 April 1941. Having released his ‘fish’, crippling the Gneisenau, Campbell’s Beaufort came under heavy flak and was quickly shot down killing all four airmen. Campbell was subsequently awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross, the citation stating: ‘In recognition of most conspicuous bravery. This officer was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft of Coastal Command which was detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of 6th April 1941. The aircraft did not return but it is known that a torpedo attack was carried out with the utmost daring. The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbour, protected by a stone mole bending around it from the west. On rising ground behind the ship stood protective batteries of guns. Other batteries were clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircle the outer harbour. In this outer harbour near the mole were moored three heavily-armed anti-aircraft ships, guarding the battle cruiser. Even if an aircraft succeeded in penetrating these formidable defences, it would be almost impossible, after delivering a low-level attack, to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond. This was well known to Flying Officer Campbell who, despising the heavy odds, went cheerfully and resolutely to the task. He ran the gauntlet of the defences. Coming in at almost sea level, he passed the anti-aircraft ships at less than mast-height in the very mouths of their guns and skimming over the mole launched a torpedo at point-blank range. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water-line and was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before. By pressing home his attack at close quarters in the face of withering fire on a course fraught with extreme peril, Flying Officer Campbell displayed valour of the highest order.’ It is virtually certain that Campbell, having released his torpedo, was almost immediately killed or wounded by the first predicted flak. When the aircraft was later salvaged the Germans found the body of ‘Jimmy’ Scott, the fair-haired Canadian, in the pilot’s seat usually occupied by Campbell. All four crew members were buried by the Germans in the grave of honour in Brest cemetery. Sold with copied record of service and other research including several copied news cuttings, one of which erroneously states that Scott was awarded a posthumous Distinguished Flying Medal. It is surprising, though, that Campbell’s three crewmen did not at least receive a posthumous M.I.D.

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (F.O. G. C. Hooey, D.F.C. R.A.F. 65525) very fine £100-£150 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 28 April 1942: ‘P.O. Gilbert Campbell Hooey (65525) R.A.F.V.R., 97 Squadron.’ An immediate award with group citation of one award of the D.S.O., eight awards of the D.F.C., and ten awards of the D.F.M.: ‘On the 17th April 1942, a force of twelve Lancaster heavy bombers [6 each from 44 and 97 Squadrons] was detailed to deliver an attack in daylight on the diesel engine factory at Augsburg in Southern Germany. To reach this highly important military target and return, a most daring flight of some 1,000 miles over hostile country was necessary. Soon after entering enemy territory and whilst flying at a very low level the force was engaged by 25 to 30 enemy fighters. Later, the most intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. Despite this formidable opposition 8 of the bombers succeeded in reaching the target and in delivering a successful attack on the factory. The following officers and airmen who participated, in various capacities, as members of the aircraft crews, displayed courage, fortitude and skill of the highest order.’ In addition to the above awards, Acting Squadron Leader J. D. Nettleton, 44 Squadron, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Gilbert Campbell Hooey, from Trenton and Toronto was commissioned from the ranks in April 1941 and flew Lancasters with No. 97 Squadron. He was killed in action on the night of 24/25 August, 1942, when pilot of Lancaster R5537 OF-B on a raid against Frankfurt. His aircraft was shot down by a night-fighter (Oblt. Walter Loos, 1,/NJG1) and crashed near the Trappist Abbey at Westmalle (Antwerpen). All seven crew are buried at Westmalle Churchyard. Sold with research.

Pair: Private G. Longley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (7747 Pte. G. Longley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) light staining to VM, nearly very fine Pair: Private O. Morgan, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 7 April 1917 British War and Victory Medals (6748 Pte. O. Morgan, Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) minor edge bruise to VM, good very fine Pair: Private A. J. Searle, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (20498 Pte. A. J. Searle. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) BWM partially officially re-impressed, some verdigris traces to reverse of VM, otherwise very fine Pair: Private R. Smith, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (7773 Pte. R. Smith. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) nearly extremely fine (8) £100-£140 --- Oswald Morgan was born at St. Pancras, Middlesex, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Cardiff. He served with the 2nd/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 7 April 1917. He is buried in Tertry Communal Cemetery, France. He was the son of Morgan Morgan and Jessie Morgan, of Cardiff.

The group of eleven miniature dress medals attributed to Colonel St. G. L. Steele, C.B., 2nd Bengal Lancers, Indian Army The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold and enamels, complete with gold ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Waziristan 1894-5; Queen’s Sudan 1896-98; India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98; China 1900, no clasp; British War and Victory Medals; Delhi Durbar 1911, silver; Khedive’s Star, undated; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp, display mounted, good very fine (11) £200-£300 --- C.B. London Gazette 19 June 1911: ‘On the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation’. St. George Loftus Steele was born on 31 March 1859, son of Major-General A. Loftus Steele. Educated at Marlborough College, he entered the Indian Army in 1878. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bengal Cavalry, he served in Egypt at the action of Kassassin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal and Clasp, Bronze Star). Appointed Captain in the Indian Staff Corps in 1889, he served on the North East Frontier of India in the Manipur Expedition together with Lieutenant C. J. W. Grant, I.S.C., who gained the only V.C. during this campaign. Steele was mentioned in despatches (Medal and Clasp). Still on the frontier following the attack by the Waziris on the Afghan Boundary Delimitation Party, under the command of Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, Steele was again in action gaining the Clasp to his medal. Having been previously promoted to Captain in his regiment, the 2nd Bengal Lancers, he found himself once again in the sands of the Sudan on the Dongola Expedition in 1896 with the Commissariat Transport Department of the Egyptian Army (Queen’s Sudan Medal and Egyptian Sudan Medal). He next served on the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, once again under Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, and was once again mentioned in despatches for his services as a Section Commandant on the Line of Communication (Medal and two Clasps). As a Major he next served with the British Contingent of the China Expeditionary Force 1900-01, being mentioned in despatches for good service in duties connected with the communications (Medal). Promoted to Colonel on 1 June 1907, he was subsequently Assistant Quartermaster General to the 1st Peshawur Division and was present during the King’s visit to Delhi for the Durbar in 1911 (Durbar Medal), also receiving the C.B. in the King’s Birthday Honours of that year. In 1914 he held the position of Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General on the Staff of the Indian Army. He was sent on special duty to Canada and U.S.A., 1917-18, and, being fluent in Russian, was sent to Vladivostok in 1918 as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General. In the following year he was appointed Commissioner for Holland (Russian P.O.W. Camps) with the British Red Cross Society. Colonel Steele retired from the army in 1919 after a military career spanning more than 40 years, much of which was in the Field. He latterly resided at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and died there on 13 July 1936, aged 78. For the recipient’s full size awards, see Lot 78.

The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals worn by Corporal A. W. Currie, M.C., 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers Military Cross, E.II.R.; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp; Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal 2003; Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) 2001; Jubilee 2002; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994, E.II.R., mounted court style as worn, nearly extremely fine (7) --- M.C. London Gazette 23 April 2004: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Iraq during the period 1st April to 30th September 2003.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Currie was commanding a Fire Team in a Multiple, located at the Al Uzayr Security Force Base, Maysan Province, Southern Iraq on the night of 8th August 2003 when he was instructed by his Platoon Commander to deploy his team, augmented by the Quick Reaction Force, to investigate the continued and heavy weapons fire that was coming from the Southern quarter of the town. At 2115hrs Corporal Currie’s team advanced through the narrow streets and was engaged by a Heavy Machine Gun position. They immediately returned fire and began to suppress the position. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Multiple deployed to reinforce the Team, taking up positions to the South of Corporal Currie. A total of 5 enemy positions were identified; 2 machine gun and 3 rifle positions with an estimated 25 enemy at ranges less than 150 metres. During the subsequent battle Corporal Currie continuously pushed forward in order maintain contact with the enemy positions and came under effective fire on several occasions, from both small arms and machine gun fire. At around 2145 hrs Corporal Currie once again came under heavy gunfire and assessing his position to be untenable repositioned his team behind a large building to give them some cover from fire. Identification of enemy positions in the darkness was proving to be very difficult and an illumination round was called for. Corporal Currie moved forward, exposing his position in order to draw enemy fire and identify their positions. Judging that shock action would have a salutary effect Corporal Currie immediately led his men on a frontal assault into heavy small arms and machine gun fire. During the assault an unexpected enemy appeared between Corporal Currie’s team and the first position. Corporal Currie killed this enemy and maintained the momentum of the assault; clearing two buildings and wounding a further 2 enemy. The team recovered one RPG launcher, two RPG rounds and three rifles with 1000 rounds of ammunition from the buildings. Corporal Currie’s selfless courage and inspirational leadership during this action were instrumental in the success of this assault and the withdrawal and capture of the enemy who were engaging them. He led his men tirelessly, often placing himself in extreme danger to allow his men to better identify targets and engage them. For this exceptional example of leadership in the face of the enemy Corporal Currie deserves public recognition.’ Sold together with an original letter of congratulations from the Right Honourable John Reid M.P., Hamilton North and Bellshill Constituency, dated 14 May 2004. For the recipient’s full size awards, see Lot 86.

Pair: Private G. Reed, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, later King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, attached Herefordshire Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 1 November 1918 1914-15 Star (11046 Pte G. Reed. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (11046 Pte. G. Reed. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private A. C. Allen, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action in Salonika on 20 November 1916 British War and Victory Medals (13785 Pte. A. C. Allen. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private F. Hall, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (31443 Pte. F. Hall. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Pair: Private J. Mayo, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry British War and Victory Medals (15029 Pte. J. Mayo. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine (8) £100-£140 --- George Reed attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 May 1915, before transferring to the 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He died of wounds on 1 November 1918, whilst attached to the 1st/1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment, and is buried in Harlbeke Military Cemetery, Belgium. Albert Charles Allen was born at Hampstead Norris, Newbury, Berkshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Oxford. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War in Salonika, and was killed in action on 20 November 1916. He is buried in Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece. John Mayo, a native of a resident of Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Glamorgan, attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 4 September 1914, and served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915. He was discharged due to wounds on 23 December 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, No. B275089.

Three: Lance-Corporal J. Harling, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War during the retreat from Dunkirk in June 1940 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (5378266 Pte. J. Harling. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3) £100-£140 --- J. Harling attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and served as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd Battalion in Burma 1930-32. Transferring to the Army Reserve, he was recalled for service in the Second World War, serving with the 1st Battalion as part of the British Expeditionary Force. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War in June 1940, during the retreat to Dunkirk, and held at Camp 20B, Marienburg (Malbork), Poland.

Three: Private A. Ayris, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action during the retreat to Dunkirk on 28 May 1940 India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Burma 1930-32 (5379574 Pte. A. Ayris. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Arthur Ayris, a native of Bicester, Oxfordshire, was born in 1912 and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, serving with the 2nd Battalion in Burma. Transferring to the 1st Battalion, he served with them during the Second World War as part of the British Expeditionary Force, and was killed in action in the retreat to Dunkirk, on 28 May 1940. He is buried in Comines (Komen) Communal Cemetery, Belgium.

Three: Sergeant F. H. Line, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 9 October 1916 1914-15 Star (14781 Pte. F. H. Line. Oxf. & Bucks: L.I.) naming double-struck in parts; British War and Victory Medals (14781 Sjt. F. H. Line. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Frederick Herbert Line was born at Sherington, Buckinghamshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and died of wounds on 9 October 1916, a few days after the Battalion’s attack on Rainbow Trench and Bernafay Wood. He is buried at Grove Town Cemetery Meaulte, France. Sold together with a postcard photograph of the recipient in uniform, dated to the reverse ‘Oct. 1915’.

The British War Medal awarded to Private W. Jackson, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who died in India on 7 October 1916 British War Medal 1914-20 (20927 Pte. W. Jackson. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (Walter Jackson) good very fine (2) £80-£120 --- Walter Clarence Victor Jackson attested initially for the Worcestershire Regiment, before transferring to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with the 1st Garrison Battalion during the Great War in India. He died on 7 October 1916, and is buried at Trimulgherry Cantonment Cemetery, India. Note: The British War Medal is the recipient’s sole entitlement; he did not qualify for the Victory Medal.

The British War Medal awarded to Private J. T. Richards, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 April 1917 British War Medal 1914-20 (20305 Pte. J. T. Richards. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Memorial Plaque (John Thomas Williams) very fine (2) £80-£120 --- John Thomas Williams was born at Winson Green, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Birmingham. He served as a Bugler with the 2nd/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 28 April 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

A Victorian C.B. group of four awarded to General H. H. Maxwell, Bengal Artillery, who served as Interpreter to Shannon’s Naval Brigade during the Indian Mutiny and was severely wounded in the thigh at the action of Khodagunge in January 1858 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, gold (18 ct., hallmarks for London 1873) and enamel, complete with all original fixings and integral gold riband buckle; Maharajpoor Star 1843 (2nd. Lieut. H. H. Maxwell 4th Co. 4th. Bn. Beng Arty.) fitted with contemporary smooth back-plate and gold bar suspension, with top gold riband pin; Sutlej 1845-46, for Moodkee 1845, 2 clasps, Ferozeshuhur, Sobraon (1st. Lieut. H. H. Maxwell. 4th. Troop 3rd. Bde. Beng. Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Relief of Lucknow (Capt. H. H. Maxwell. “Shannon” Naval Brigade.) the campaign medals all slightly later issues, otherwise nearly extremely fine and a rare group (4) £4,000-£5,000 --- Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, September 1994. C.B. London Gazette 24 May 1873. Henry Hamilton Maxwell was born on 3 March 1824, and entered Addiscombe on 7 August 1840. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Bengal Horse Artillery on 10 June 1842, and served during the Gwalior Campaign of 1843-44, being present at Battle of Maharajpoor. Promoted to First Lieutenant, he saw further service during the First Sikh War as Deputy Assistant Quarter Master General of Artillery, and was Mentioned in Despatches. Whilst on furlough to Europe Maxwell joined the Turkish Contingent, and was present under Omar Pasha, at the battle of Oltenitza, and the Russian attacks on Kalafat during the winter of 1853-54. Returning to India he was posted to the Artillery of General Havelock's Force and then appointed to Shannon’s Naval Brigade under Captain Peel R.N. to serve as interpreter. Severely wounded at the action of Khodagunge on 2 January 1858 by a musket ball in thigh, Mate Edmund Verney of the Shannon in his letter home states, ‘When Maxwell fell, Dr. Grant galloped forward to dress his wound under heavy fire.’ He was also mentioned by Lord Roberts in Forty-One Years in India: ‘The Interpreter of the Naval Brigade Henry Maxwell, a brother officer of mine who had been standing close to me was very badly wounded in the leg.’ For his services during the Indian Mutiny Maxwell was Mentioned in Despatches and listed in the Governor General’s Order No. 1546 of 1857). Promoted Brevet Major on 27 June 1857, and Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 24 March 1858, he was advanced to Colonel on 6 October 1872, and was created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the following year’s Birthday Honours’ List. Promoted to Major-General on 1 March 1876, and to Lieutenant-General on 2 October 1877, he transferred to the Unemployed Supernumerary List on 1 July 1881, and was promoted to General on 23 May 1883. He died in Rome, Italy on 28 May 1892. Note: Maxwell’s name appears on the medal roll of H.M.S. Shannon and he is one of only 2 officers and 27 men to receive the single clasp Relief of Lucknow. For the medals awarded to Captain H. J. Hughes, who took over as Interpreter of Shannon’s Naval Brigade after Maxwell was wounded, see Lot 143.

The superb Egyptian War C.B. group of four awarded to Colonel D. Hammill, Gordon Highlanders, who led the 1st Gordons in the charge of the Highland Brigade at Tel-el-Kebir, and again commanded the regiment at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai, and in the Nile Expedition The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1857, maker’s mark ‘WN’ for William Neale, complete with swivel-ring gold bar suspension and gold ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 4 clasps, Tel-El-Kebir, Suakin 1884, El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut-Col. D. Hammill. 1/Gord: Highrs.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, Third Class neck badge, silver, gold and enamels; Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued, the first with chipping to obverse wreath, otherwise very fine or better (4) £5,000-£7,000 --- Provenance: A. J. Henderon Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2007. Denzil Hammill was born at New Brighton, Cheshire, on 11 July 1840, and was commissioned as an Ensign into the 75th Regiment on 16 January 1858. He rose steadily through the ranks to that of Lieutenant-Colonel in December 1880, when he succeeded to the command of the 1st Gordons. He served throughout the Egyptian War of 1882 in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir, when the Highland Brigade stormed the trenches in the dark, the 1st Gordons between the Camerons and the Black Watch, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, who jumped their horses over the parapet amidst a hail of fire from the enemies trenches. For his services during the campaign he was mentioned in despatches, made a Companion of the Bath and received the 3rd Class of the Medjidie. Hammill next served in the Soudan Expedition under Sir Gerald Graham in 1884, again in command of the 1st Battalion Gordon Highlanders, and was present at the battles of El-Teb and Tamaai; ‘surely soldiers never saw a finer sight than the Gordons presented when, led by Colonel Hammill and Major Boyes, both mounted, they advanced over the rifle pits to storm the battery at Teb.’ Hammill was again mentioned in despatches and received the brevet of Colonel. He subsequently commanded the 1st Gordons in the Nile Expedition in 1884-85 and with the River Column under Major-General Earle. In addition to his other honours, Hammill received the Egyptian medal with four clasps and the Khedive’s Bronze Star. He retired and was made Honorary Major-General in October 1885. Sold with full research and muster details.

The 1911 Coronation C.B. group of eleven awarded to Colonel St. G. L. Steele, 2nd Bengal Lancers, Indian Army The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with ribbon buckle; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut: St. G. L. Steele. 2nd Bengal Cavy.); India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, N.E. Frontier 1891, Waziristan 1894-5 (Capt. St. G. L. Steele S.C.); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Cpt. St. G. L. Steele Cmt. Trnspt Dpt E.A.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Captn. St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl: Lcrs:); China 1900, no clasp (Major St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl. Lcrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Col. St. G. L. Steele.); Delhi Durbar 1911, silver (Colonel St. G. L. Steele, A.Q.M.G., 1st Pesh. Div.) privately named; Khedive’s Star 1882, unnamed as issued; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp (Capt. St. G. L. Steele 2d Bl. Lcrs.) the last ten mounted court-style for display, the second with contact pitting from star, good fine, otherwise generally very fine and better (11) £2,000-£2,600 --- C.B. London Gazette 19 June 1911: ‘On the occasion of His Majesty’s Coronation’. St. George Loftus Steele was born on 31 March 1859, son of Major-General A. Loftus Steele, and was educated at Marlborough College and later the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. He was commissioned in 1878 and transferred to the Indian Army in 1880. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in the 2nd Bengal Cavalry, he served in Egypt at the action of Kassassin and at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir (Medal and Clasp, Bronze Star). Appointed Captain in the Indian Staff Corps in 1889, he served on the North East Frontier of India in the Manipur Expedition together with Lieutenant C. J. W. Grant, I.S.C., who gained the only V.C. during this campaign. Steele was mentioned in despatches (Medal and Clasp). Still on the frontier following the attack by the Waziris on the Afghan Boundary Delimitation Party, under the command of Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, Steele was again in action gaining the Clasp to his medal. Having been previously promoted to Captain in his regiment, the 2nd Bengal Lancers, Steele found himself once again in the sands of the Sudan on the Dongola Expedition in 1896 with the Commissariat Transport Department of the Egyptian Army (Queen’s Sudan Medal and Egyptian Sudan Medal). He next served on the Tirah Expedition of 1897-98, once again under Lieutenant-General William Lockhart, and was once again mentioned in despatches for his services as a Section Commandant on the Line of Communication (Medal and two Clasps). As a Major he next served with the British Contingent of the China Expeditionary Force 1900-01, being mentioned in despatches for good service in duties connected with the communications (Medal). Promoted to Colonel on 1 June 1907, Steele was subsequently Assistant Quartermaster General to the 1st Peshawur Division and was present during the King’s visit to Delhi for the Durbar in 1911 (Durbar Medal), also receiving the C.B. in the King’s Birthday Honours of that year. In 1914 he held the position of Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General on the Staff of the Indian Army. He was sent on special duty to Canada and U.S.A., 1917-18, and, being fluent in Russian, was sent to Vladivostok in 1918 as Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General. In the following year he was appointed Commissioner for Holland (Russian P.O.W. Camps) with the British Red Cross Society. Colonel Steele retired from the army in 1919 after a military career spanning more than 40 years, much of which was in the Field. He latterly resided at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, and died there on 13 July 1936, aged 78. For the recipient’s miniature awards, see Lot 500.

A Great War Divisional Cavalry Commander’s C.B. and Boer War group of twelve awarded to Major-General R. L. Mullens, who served with the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) in South Africa and was severely wounded at Leeukop in April 1902; he later commanded the 4th (Royal Irish) Dragoon Guards in France in 1914 where it was the first British regiment to engage German troops in the Great War, and afterwards commanded the 1st Cavalry Division until April 1919 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (Capt: & Adjt: R. L. Mullens, 2/Drgn: Gds:); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. & Adjt. R. L. Mullens. 2/Drgn. Gds.); 1914 Star (Lt: Col: R. L. Mulens. 4/D. Gds.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Maj. Gen. R. L. Mullens.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1911; Belgium, Order of the Crown, Commander’s neck badge, gilt and enamels, of recent manufacture; Belgium, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R.; France, Croix de Guerre, avec Palmes, campaign medals mounted court-style for display, good very fine or better (12) £4,000-£5,000 --- C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1917. M.I.D. London Gazette 20 October 1914; 9 December 1914; 17 February 1915; 1 January 1916; 4 January 1917; 11 December 1917; and 20 December 1918. Richard Lucas Mullens was born on 25 February 1871, and educated at Eton. He was commissioned into the 16th Lancers in 1890, transferred to the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queen’s Bays) in 1896, and was promoted to Captain in 1899. He served in South Africa as Adjutant of the regiment and was present in operations on the Orange Free State, including actions at Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River and Zand River. Operations in the Transvaal in May and June 1900, including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill. Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria, including action at Elands River. Operations in Orange River Colony, including actions at Bethlehem and Wittebergen. Operations in Cape Colony, south of Orange River 1899-1900, including actions at Colesburg. Operations in the Transvaal, March to April 1902; Operations in Orange River Colony, January to March 1902, April 1902; Operations in Cape Colony, December 1901 to January 1902, April to May 1902. He was severely wounded and mentioned in despatches for valuable work in action at Holspruit (Leeukop) on 1 April 1902 (Despatches, London Gazette 10 September 1901, and 18 July 1902; Brevet of Major; Queen’s medal with 4 clasps; King’s medal with 4 clasps). From 1903 to 1905 he was at the Staff College, and after holding an appointment as a Brigade Major was given command of the 4th Dragoon Guards in 1911. On the outbreak of war in 1914 he took the 4th Dragoon Guards to France where, on 22 August 1914, C Squadron of the Regiment became the first unit of the B.E.F. to engage the enemy in action. On this date they charged a column of Uhlans outside Mons, Belgium, capturing a number of prisoners. Two days later, the 9th Lancers and the 4th Dragoon Guards attempted a charge across an open field at Audregnies. Facing an unbroken German line of rifle, machine-gun and artillery fire, their ranks were decimated. Within two months  Mullens was selected to command 2 Cavalry Brigade (4th Dragoon Guards, 9th Lancers, and 18th Hussars) and, after 12 months in this command he was promoted to the command of 1 Cavalry Division, and retained the appointment until April 1919. He was made a C.B. in January 1917, and retired in 1920. Sold with comprehensive research including copied Medal Index Card which possibly suggests that Great War medals were replaced ‘11/11/83’ but the trio offered above appear to be original issues.

The post-War C.B., 1953 Coronation C.V.O. pair awarded to Eric Bedford, Esq., who served as Chief Architect to the Ministry of Works from 1950-70, and designed the Post Office Tower which was, on its completion, the tallest building in Britain The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Civil) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt, with neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issue; The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O., Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘1165’, with neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issue; together with the related miniature awards mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £600-£800 --- C.B. London Gazette 13 June 1959. C.V.O. London Gazette 1 June 1953: ‘On the occasion of Her Majesty’s Coronation.’ Eric Bedford was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, on 23 August 1909 and was educated at Thornton Grammar School, before becoming an apprentice with a firm of architects in Leicester. In 1934 he won a Royal Institute of British Architects competition for the design of a railway terminal, and two years later joined the Ministry of Works, becoming its youngest Chief Architect in 1950, at the age of 41. In 1953 Bedford was given responsibility for the design of the backdrop to the 1953 Coronation. The project, for which he was appointed a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order, included four steel arches, surmounted by gold and silver lions, white unicorns, and a coronet, was popular and well received. He was also responsible for the Post Office Tower (now known as the BT Tower) in central London, which upon its completion in 1964 was, at 177 metres, the tallest building in Britain. Described by Pevsner as ‘a notable 1960s landmark’, some of his other government buildings were less aesthetically pleasing, with his (now-demolished) Marsham Street development in Westminster being described by the same authority as ‘ruthlessly logical, but a spectacular failure, the very image of faceless bureaucracy’. Bedford was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1959 Birthday Honours’ List, and retired in 1970. He died in Worcester on 28 July 2001. Sold together with the Bestowal Documents for both awards, both mounted in matching glazed display frames; and copied research.

A fine Great War D.S.C. group of four awarded to Gunner, later Lieutenant-Commander, F. Grinney, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant part in the celebrated ‘Swift and Broke’ action of April 1917; he saw further service during the Second World War and died in service on 8 February 1944 Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1916, the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘F. Grinney, H.M.S. Broke. 21.4.17’; 1914-15 Star (Gnr. F. Grinney. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Gnr. F. Grinney. R.N.) mounted as worn, very fine (4) £1,800-£2,200 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 10 May 1917: ‘Awards for services in the action between H.M. Ships Swift and Broke and German destroyers on the night of 20th - 21st April 1917 ... Gnr. (T.) Frederick Grinney, R.N. (”Broke”) gave orders for the firing of the torpedo which struck one of the enemy destroyers.’ Of the events on the night of 20-21 April, Taffrails’ Endless Story recounts: ‘The vessels on both sides were now a blaze of gun-flashes, which made it very difficult to see what was happening, and Peck, in the Swift, was temporarily blinded by the flame of the 6-inch gun on the forecastle. Losing sight of the enemy for several seconds, and now travelling at full speed, he passed astern of the German line, though not before firing a torpedo at the fifth ship in the opposing line, which probably took effect. Altering course out of the wake of the Swift, Evans, in the Broke, held his fire for a moment to bring the sights of the torpedo director on the bridge on their target. Despard, the First Lieutenant, actually fired it, and after an interval it, or the Swift’s torpedo, fired at much the same time, struck the fifth ship in the enemy line full amidships, to explode in an upheaval of smoke and whitened spray which glowed redly in the blaze of gun-flashes. Both sides were steaming fast. Things were happening in seconds, and once more the Broke’s foremost guns had opened fire. Evans had been steering to ram; but, seeing the ship he was aiming for - G. 85 - struck by the torpedo, realised it was now unnecessary, put his helm to port, and swung outwards for a few seconds to give himself room to swing back again and ram the destroyer astern of G. 85. “If you put the helm over now, sir, you’ll get this next one all right, sir,” said Hickman, the Broke’s navigator, to his captain, who himself was conning the ship. Under heavy fire, and in a coruscation of gun-flashes and the sparkle and smoke of exploding shells, Evans put his helm over and drove straight for his enemy at 27 knots. There was hardly time to breathe, let alone to think coherently. The German, G. 42, increased speed, smoke and showers of sparks pouring from her funnels as she strove to escape. But it was too late. With a grinding thud, and the screech of tearing steel, the Broke’s bow crashed into her opponent’s port side abreast the after funnel. The terrific impact hurled the German practically over on her beam-ends as the Broke’s ram pushed her bodily through the water. It is impossible to describe the sensations of those on board both these ships as the collision occurred - the Broke’s grimly triumphant; the Germans filled with terror-stricken amazement and horror. It was a dreadful moment; but worse was yet to come. Man were screaming and shouting for help as the Broke’s guns, at their maximum depression, pumped shell after shell at a few yards’ range into the mass of men huddled on the deck of her stricken enemy. One of the German’s torpedo-tubes had stuck into the Broke’s side and was torn off its mounting. The anti-aircraft 2-pounders added to the din with their stuttering uproar, while the British seamen that remained alive in the forepart of the ship, with rifles and fixed bayonets, and revolvers and naked cutlasses, headed by Mr. Midshipman Donald Gyles, R.N.R., already wounded by a shell splinter in the eye, swarmed forward on to the Broke’s forecastle to repel boarders. They were taking no chances. No quarter was given. Every German who clambered over the bows was shot or bayoneted. A deadly small-arm fire was poured from the forecastle into the terrified men on G. 42’s deck. Even the officers on the Broke’s bridge used their automatic pistols. Few of their enemies survived the storm of lead and nickel. But the Broke did not escape unpunished. When things were happening every second, it is impossible to describe events in their strict chronological sequence; but early in the action, which cannot have lasted more than a few minutes, a shell explosion on the forecastle had hurled a box of 4-inch cartridges into the air to scatter them round about the bridge, where they burnt with the fierce red glow and leaping flames of consuming cordite. She was also blazing amidships. Illuminated like a beacon, she made a conspicuous target. A hostile destroyer slammed in salvo after salvo until she disappeared into the night. It was nearly impossible to miss at so short a range. In the space of a few moments the Broke was converted into a smoking shambles. In places, her decks were literally running in blood. She sustained 57 casualties, of whom 21 were killed outright, and no part of the ship was immune. Two shells had hit the bridge structure, to kill a signalman, and seriously to wound the helmsman and a man at the engine-room telegraphs. But the former, Able Seaman William George Rawles, who afterwards received the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal for his bravery, continued to steer the ship until G. 42 had been rammed. Then he collapsed from loss of blood. Many casualties had occurred among the guns’ crews of the forecastle through two enemy shells, one of which had detonated projectiles in a ready rack. All the electric cables and voice-pipes from the bridge had been shot away, while the after compass, after wireless-room, and searchlight were demolished. The foremost funnel was pierced through and through by splinters until it resembled a huge nutmeg-grater. A shell passing in through the side above the waterline had penetrated a coal-bunker, to explode in the boiler-room beyond, killing or wounding every man in the compartment and severing the main steam-pipe, from which the steam escaped with a deafening roar. And, besides the damage from enemy shell, the British flotilla-leader had a badly bent and crumpled bow, and two huge gashes forward above the waterline. Dead and wounded lay everywhere. With her bows locked in G. 42, she still steamed ahead, her speed gradually diminishing. Every man in sight on the German’s deck had been killed or wounded. Her stern portion was gradually sinking. Finally it disappeared altogether as the Broke ground her way clear. For a time Evans and his officers thought their ship was about to sink; but, once clear of G. 42, they set about trying to inflict further damage upon the flying enemy. Two were still in sight, one ahead and one to starboard, with the Swift in chase, long flames pouring from the funnels of all three as they steamed at full speed. But the Broke’s speed was dropping fast, and presently an engineer-officer arrived on the bridge with the sad news that the loss of feed-water was so great that she could not steam more than half-speed. He also pointed out that the ship must eventually come to a standstill. Evans accordingly turned and steamed slowly back towards the two sinking destroyers. About a mile from the spot, they passed through a number of German seamen in the water, who cried “Save!  Save!” But at any moment the enemy might return to continue the fight. The Broke could not affo...

A Great War ‘Battle of Cambrai’ M.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant R Hale-White, Army Service Corps, attached King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was severely wounded during his gallant action on the first day of the Battle of Cambrai, 20 November 1917 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘R. Hale-White, A.S.C., Att 2/4 K.O.Y.L.I., 62nd. Divn., 1st Battle of Cambrai, Nov. 20. 1917’, in case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. R. Hale-White. A.S.C.) in named card box of issue; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. Hale-White.) in named card boxes of issue, good extremely fine (4) £700-£900 --- M.C. London Gazette 5 July 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He rushed an enemy machine-gun under very heavy fire, clearing the enemy post, and pressed forward under very heavy fire until severely wounded close to the enemy’s wire.’ Reginald Hale-White was commissioned temporary Second Lieutenant in the Army Service Corps on 12 December 1914 and was promoted temporary Lieutenant on 1 June 1915. He served during the Great War initially in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 25 July 1915, before proceeding to the Western Front, and was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry at the Battle of Cambrai on 20 November 1917, whilst attached the the 2nd/4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He relinquished his commission on account of ill-health caused by his wounds on 17 February 1918, and was granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant.

The Second War 1945 North West Europe ‘Paarlo’ M.C. group of eleven awarded to Captain Robert Maxwell, Queen’s Royal Regiment, who fought across Europe from the Normandy Landings to the capture of Berlin. Later rising to prominence as a flamboyant and controversial media magnate, Member of Parliament, fraudster and suspected spy - his mysterious drowning off the Canary Islands in 1991, ruled accidental by a subsequent inquest, left behind financial scandal and a fallen business empire and continues to excite speculation and conspiracy theories Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Poland, Republic, Cross of Valour 1944, bronze, unnumbered; Czechoslovakia, Republic, Military Medal for Merit; War Commemorative Medal 1939-45; Bulgaria, People’s Republic, Order of Stara Planina, First Class neck badge, 68mm, silver, gilt and enamel, in (damaged) case of issue; Finland, Republic, Order of the White Rose, Second Class set of insignia, by Tillander, Helsinki, comprising neck badge, 51mm, silver-gilt and enamel, and breast star, 78mm, silver, with gilt and enamelled centre and gilt retaining pin; Poland, People’s Republic, Order of Merit of the People’s Republic, Second Class set of insignia, comprising neck badge, 60mm, silver-gilt and enamels, and breast star, 81mm, silver and gilt, with silver and red enamelled centre; together with the related miniature awards, these also including Swedish Order of the Polar Star, the four campaign medals all official later issues, generally extremely fine (lot) £6,000-£8,000 --- Provenance: Sotheby’s, January 1993, when sold by direction of the Joint Court-appointed Receiver to the Estate of the late Robert Maxwell, M.C. M.C. London Gazette 12 April 1945: ‘For gallant and distinguished service in North West Europe’ The original recommendation states: ‘During the attack on Paarlo on 29 January 1945, Lieutenant Maxwell was leading his Platoon when a heavy artillery concentration fell on and near the Platoon killing and wounding several men. The attack was in danger of losing momentum but this Officer, showing powers of leadership of the highest order, controlled his men with great skill and kept up the advance. During the night another Platoon of the Company was counter attacked and partially overrun. An attempt to restore the position with another Platoon failed but Lieutenant Maxwell repeatedly asked to be allowed to lead another attempt; this request was eventually granted. This Officer then led two of his Sections across bullet swept ground with great dash and determination and succeeded in contacting the Platoon who had been holding out in some buildings. Showing no regard for his own safety he led his section in the difficult job of clearing the enemy out of the buildings, inflicting many casualties and causing the remainder to withdraw. By his magnificent example and offensive spirit this officer was responsible for the relief of the platoon and the restoration of the situation.’ Robert Maxwell was born Ján Ludvîk Hyman Binyamin Hoch in 1923 in the small town of Slatinské Doly in Carpathian Ruthenia, Czechoslvakia (later Hungary and now Solotvyno, Ukraine). He was one of seven children born into a poor Yiddish speaking Orthodox Jewish family, many members of which died in Auschwitz after the occupation of Hungary by the Nazis in 1944. Having left home for France in 1939, aged 16, Maxwell joined the Czechoslovak Army in exile in Marseilles in May 1940 but after the fall of France and evacuation of the British Army, he transferred in Britain to the Pioneer Corps and subsequently in 1943 to the North Staffordshire Regiment. He served throughout the campaign across Europe from the Normandy Landings to the fall of Berlin, was commissioned into the Queen’s Royal Regiment in January 1945 and the same month won the Military Cross at Paarlo, Netherlands: 'During the night 29th/30th [January 1945] about fifty enemy crossed the river in assault boats and, preceded by heavy shelling and mortaring, made an unexpected counter-attack on “A” Company in Paarlo. The Germans got into the houses held by 8 Platoon (Lieutenant M. L. Baker) and there was fierce fighting in the dark. In one house Lance-Corporal Dennis most gallantly held them at bay with his Sten gun until 7 Platoon, splendidly led by Second-Lieutenant R. Maxwell, counter-attacked with tank support and cleared the enemy from the village. Our artillery then took a heavy toll as the Germans withdrew across the river. Ten prisoners were taken and there were numbers of other casualties, including the enemy company commander. Our losses were seven killed and wounded...’ (History of the Queen's Royal Regiment. Vol VIII 1924-1948, compiled by Major R. C. G. Foster, M.C. refers). Maxwell received his award from Field Marshall Montgomery. He achieved the rank of Captain by the end of the war and afterwards for two years was a press censor for the foreign office in Berlin, becoming a British citizen in in 1946 and changing his name to Robert Maxwell in 1948. Using contacts gained during the Allied occupation, Maxwell made a start in business by becoming the British and United States distributor for Springer Verlag, a publisher of scientific books. In 1951 he bought a controlling stake in Butterworth Springer, renamed it Pergammon Press and rapidly built it into a major publishing house. By the 1960s, Maxwell’s business success had made him hugely wealthy and in 1964, representing the Labour Party, he was elected Member of Parliament for Buckingham, holding the seat until 1970. In 1984, he acquired Mirror Group Newspapers, giving him control of six British Newspapers, including the pro-Labour Daily Mirror, and precipitating a media war between himself and Rupert Murdoch, the proprietor of the News of the World and The Sun. Maxwell rescued the third division football club Oxford United from bankruptcy in 1982. As chairman, he helped to lead them to the top flight of English football in 1985 and the club won the League Cup the following year. By 1991 Maxwell’s business empire was heavily in debt and struggling to remain solvent. On 5 November 1991, he was found to be missing from his yacht, Lady Ghislaine (named after his youngest daughter) which was cruising off the Canary Islands. His naked body was later recovered from the Atlantic Ocean. The official ruling at an inquest held in December 1991 was death by a heart attack combined with accidental drowning although three pathologists at the inquest had been unable to agree on the cause of death. Maxwell was afforded a lavish funeral on the Mount of Olives, Jerusalem. The ceremony, which had all the trappings of a state occasion, was attended by many dignitaries and politicians and no fewer than six serving and former heads of Israeli intelligence listened while Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir eulogised him stating ‘he has done more for Israel than can today be told’ (Gideon’s Spies: The Secret History of the Mossad by Gordon Thomas refers). Robert Maxwell’s death triggered the complete collapse of his publishing empire. As lenders rushed to call in their debts, it emerged that Maxwell had used hundreds of millions of pounds from his companies’ pension funds in an unauthorised attempt to save his businesses from bankruptcy. In 2003, Foreign Office papers were released which revealed that British intelligence officers had suspected Maxwell of being a Soviet agent with one report describing him as ‘a thoroughly bad character and almost certainly financed by Russia’. ...

The superb ‘Iraq 2003’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Corporal A. W. Currie, 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers who, coming under heavy machine gun fire near Al Uzayr security base on the night of 8 August 2003, led his team forward in a prolonged fire fight with over 20 enemy gunmen operating from 5 different positions. Finally assessing his position to be untenable, he called for an illumination round to aid identification of the enemy positions in the darkness before leading his men in a frontal assault on the Iraqi gunmen who were armed with machine-guns, AK47 rifles and RPG7 rocket-propelled grenade launchers. During the assault, another Iraqi gunman appeared suddenly between the British soldiers and the Iraqi positions, threatening the momentum of the British attack. Corporal Currie shot the Iraqi dead and then cleared two buildings, wounding two other Iraqis. His men subsequently recovered one RPG7 launcher, two RPG grenades and three rifles as well as 1,000 rounds of ammunition. The following morning, when again required to confront heavy machine gun and small arms fire from an enemy in a number of well prepared positions, Currie took a leading role as his Multiple cleared the insurgents through a combination of suppressing fire and direct assault. Currie’s involvement in this action - which led to the award of the C.G.C. to Corporal S. G. Jardine - is well documented in Jardine’s personal account which appears in the book In Foreign Fields by Dan Collins Military Cross, E.II.R. (Cpl 25026173 Cpl A W Currie KOSB); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25026173 Pte A W Currie KOSB); Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (25026173 Cpl A W Currie KOSB); Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal 2003 (Anthony Currie) with Royal Mint fitted box of issue; Civilian Service Medal (Afghanistan) 2001 (Anthony W Currie) with Worcestershire Medal Service Limited fitted box of issue; Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994, E.II.R. (25026173 Cpl A W Currie MC KOSB) mounted court style as worn, extremely fine and a unique combination of awards (7) £15,000-£20,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 23 April 2004: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Iraq during the period 1st April to 30th September 2003.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Corporal Currie was commanding a Fire Team in a Multiple, located at the Al Uzayr Security Force Base, Maysan Province, Southern Iraq on the night of 8th August 2003 when he was instructed by his Platoon Commander to deploy his team, augmented by the Quick Reaction Force, to investigate the continued and heavy weapons fire that was coming from the Southern quarter of the town. At 2115hrs Corporal Currie’s team advanced through the narrow streets and was engaged by a Heavy Machine Gun position. They immediately returned fire and began to suppress the position. Meanwhile, the remainder of the Multiple deployed to reinforce the Team, taking up positions to the South of Corporal Currie. A total of 5 enemy positions were identified; 2 machine gun and 3 rifle positions with an estimated 25 enemy at ranges less than 150 metres. During the subsequent battle Corporal Currie continuously pushed forward in order maintain contact with the enemy positions and came under effective fire on several occasions, from both small arms and machine gun fire. At around 2145 hrs Corporal Currie once again came under heavy gunfire and assessing his position to be untenable repositioned his team behind a large building to give them some cover from fire. Identification of enemy positions in the darkness was proving to be very difficult and an illumination round was called for. Corporal Currie moved forward, exposing his position in order to draw enemy fire and identify their positions. Judging that shock action would have a salutary effect Corporal Currie immediately led his men on a frontal assault into heavy small arms and machine gun fire. During the assault an unexpected enemy appeared between Corporal Currie’s team and the first position. Corporal Currie killed this enemy and maintained the momentum of the assault; clearing two buildings and wounding a further 2 enemy. The team recovered one RPG launcher, two RPG rounds and three rifles with 1000 rounds of ammunition from the buildings. Corporal Currie’s selfless courage and inspirational leadership during this action were instrumental in the success of this assault and the withdrawal and capture of the enemy who were engaging them. He led his men tirelessly, often placing himself in extreme danger to allow his men to better identify targets and engage them. For this exceptional example of leadership in the face of the enemy Corporal Currie deserves public recognition.’ Anthony William Currie was born on 12 October 1973. He enlisted into the Regular Army in January 1994 and after completing basic training he joined the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers in April 1994. During his 13 years of service he was employed in Iraq, Canada, Cyprus, Northern Ireland and and Mainland United Kingdom. He was awarded the General Service Medal for operational service in Northern Ireland and the Iraq 2003-11 Medal for operational service in Iraq as well as the Military Cross for actions on Operation TELIC 2. King’s Own Scottish Borderers on Operation TELIC 2 Corporal Currie deployed to Iraq with the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Scottish Borderers on Operation TELIC 2 after the initial invasion in mid-June 2003. A week after their arrival in Basra, six Royal Military Policemen were murdered in Al Majar Al Kabir, a town 100 miles to the north and so earlier than planned the 1st KOSB was fast tracked to move up to Camp Abu Naji near Al Amarah with a remit to find the killers and reinforce British Army control in the region. Corporal S. G. Jardine, C.G.C., in command of another fire team in the same battalion worked in close co-operation with Currie during this period and describes this opening phase of the deployment: ‘We made our way up through Basra towards Camp Abu Naji. The way it worked was we rotated on a four week basis...The fourth week was spent down at the Al Uzayr Security Force Base, an out station roughly 70 or 80 km south of Al Aamarah and the same distance north of Basra. It was a very small camp, an old police station in the shape of a squared-off figure eight, with courtyards in the middle. Around the whole compound, five or ten metres from the building, there was a perimeter wall. If you looked over the wall you would see Al Uzayr itself. Its a pretty poor place sitting on the banks of the Tigris there in the middle of the marshland that runs down to the Iranian border which isn’t far away at all... We would patrol the immediate area of the village and then strike out into the other villages and the marshland round about. We were just showing a presence, and obviously looking for weapons and insurgents. You have to remember, Saddam’s own police and Army had sort of vanished, so there wasn’t that much formal law and order apart from us.’ (In Foreign Fields by Dan Collins refers) Military Cross action On the night of 8 August 2003, whilst stationed at Al Uzayr Security Force Base, Corporal Currie, commanding a fire team augmented by Jardine’s Quick Reaction Force, was deployed to investigate the continued and heavy weapons fire coming from the southern quarter of the town. Coming under heavy machine gun fire, Currie led his team forward in a prolonged fire fight with an estimated 25 enemy gunmen operating from 5 different positions. Finally assessing his position to be untenable he called for an illumination round to aid identification of the enemy posi...

Family group: A well documented Second War pilot’s D.F.C. group of six awarded to Squadron Leader T. C. Wood, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who shot down a Junkers 88 over Kent in March 1943 and was decorated for his services following the completion of a large number of night intruder sorties in Mosquitos of 29 Squadron over enemy occupied Europe in 1944-45, culminating in a raid on Horsching and Wels in April 1945 in which 4 enemy aircraft were destroyed or damaged on the ground Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (F/Lt. T. C. Wood. D.F.C. R.A.F.) mounted as worn, good very fine Pair: Gunner T. Wood, Royal Garrison Artillery, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 14 October 1917 British War and Victory Medals (157613 Gnr. T. Wood. R.A.) extremely fine (8) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 14 September 1945 Thomas Cyril Wood was born in 1916 in Nottingham and before the war was employed by the Hull Corporation as a test engineer. Having been earlier commissioned Second Lieutenant in the the East Riding unit of the Royal Engineers (T.A.) in July 1939, he began training as a pilot at No. 15 Elementary Flying Training School Carlisle in November 1941 and was granted an emergency commission as a Pilot Officer in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 20 August 1942. Upon completion of his training at the end of the year he was posted to No. 29 Squadron (Beaufighters) at West Malling. Wood piloted his first operational patrol on 26 January 1943 and on 3 March he destroyed a Junkers 88 over south-east England. In reference to Wood’s feat, the Hull & Yorkshire Times reported: ‘Searchlights helped him to find the German bomber flying over Kent. Although the enemy was “jinking“ to escape detection, the Hull pilot never lost track of him and by the light of the searchlight was able to identify it as a Junkers 88. Pilot Officer Wood opened fire from 300 yards’ range and after only two bursts with cannon and machine-gun the German machine burst into flame and hit the ground.’ Wood’s own combat report (copy with lot) describes the enemy aircraft bursting into a mass of flames and hitting the ground near Maidstone. Regular patrols with his navigator, Sergeant (later Flight Lieutenant) Evans, continued initially in Beaufighters and, from June 1943, in Mosquitos. Wood was transferred to an instruction role in November 1943 but returned to 29 Squadron in June 1944, during which month he completed a number of beach head patrols. For the remainder of the war Wood mostly conducted intruder patrols over enemy occupied Europe, his log book recording a raid to Venlo in which he damaged a barge in the mouth of the Scheldt on 9 September 1944. He also documents ‘anti-diver’ sorties and notably mentions ‘patrol cover for airborne landings in Arnhem Area’ on 17 September 1944. Wood’s final sortie of note was a night intruder patrol to Horsching and Wels on 25 April 1945 in which he destroyed 2 enemy aircraft on the ground and damaged 2 more. The details of this sortie, which was conducted together with a Mosquito VI of the ‘Fighter Experimental Flight’ (Call-sign Beauty 60), are recorded in his ‘pilot’s personal combat report’, (copy with lot), stamped ‘SECRET’, and which contains the following extract: ‘We then flew on to Horshing airfield and at 0100 hours Beauty 60 released two flares from 3000 feet over the S.E. corner illuminating the whole airfield. I positioned myself for attack, selecting 3 T/E aircraft on the south side of the airfield. Diving from 1500 to 0 feet from S-N I fired a 5 second burst. Strikes were seen on the first aircraft which caught fire immediately behind the cockpit. Almost immediately the fire was extinguished. This aircraft I claim as damaged. Fire was concentrated on the second aircraft and I observed numerous strikes on the fuselage and all over the wing area. This aircraft caught fire immediately and burnt furiously. On leaving the target 15 minutes later it was still burning. I claim this aircraft as destroyed. Carrying on and lifting my nose slightly, my Navigator observed strikes on a third aircraft. Crossing the airfield at zero feet, and as no opposition was observed, I positioned myself for a third second attack which was made from E-W along the Main runway. I attacked at 0103 hours from 500 - 0 feet firing a 4 second burst on a U/I/T/E aircraft standing on the runway facing west. This aircraft had a number of men standing round it. Strikes were observed and the aircraft caught fire and was still burning when I left the target nine minutes later. I claim this aircraft as destroyed. On this run my observer saw a small fire burning in the last a/c attacked on the previous run. I claim this aircraft as damaged. Intense light flak was experienced on my second run from the airfield and its vicinity. Beauty 60 called up on the R/T and stated he was making an attack, in spite of persistent flak. I decided to remain in the vicinity to see what went on. He made an attack on the airfield and was hosed by flak. A few seconds later he called up and said, “They’ve got me but I’m still going”, and requested a homing from me to the nearest friendly territory. I gave him one to Switzerland. At 0116 hours he called up again stating he would have to bale out. I asked him if both were able to bale out, he said “Yes, I think so” and whilst transmitting I heard his navigator’s voice. At 0119 hours he stated he was baling out. This was the last I heard and estimate his position to be 30-40 miles S.W. of Linz.’ At the end of the report a handwritten note signed by Wood reads: ‘Navigator of Beauty 60 subsequently released from German hospital wounded. Pilot went in with a/c.’ Wood was promoted acting Squadron Leader in 1945 and was awarded the D.F.C. having flown as a pilot during a long period of operations which saw him credited with the destruction of 3 enemy aircraft and with damaging a further 2. He was appointed Officer Commanding 29 Squadron in 1946, and went on to fly Meteors and Vampires post war with 56 Squadron, receiving advancement to Squadron Leader in 1951 and retiring in 1958. Post service he flew with a variety of international airlines between 1958 and 1981. He died at Worthing, West Sussex in 2004. Sold together with the recipient’s Royal Air Force Flying Log Books: 3 volumes in good condition covering the entirety of his flying career from November 1941 to December 1980; the recipient’s miniature awards, mounted as worn; the recipient’s riband bar, as worn; 2 sets of R.A.F. cloth wings; Intelligence and personal combat reports (2) relating to Wood’s victories on 4 March 1943 and 25/26 April 1945 respectively; silver serving tray with supporting feet, 190mm x 190mm, hallmarks for Sheffield 1940, engraved ‘Presented to 2/Lt. T. C. Wood, R.E. by the officers, W.O., N.C.O.s, and men of the East Riding (F) Royal Engineers on the occasion of his marriage, 31st August 1940.’; silver salver with ornate edge and decorative engraving, 200mm diameter, Sheffield hallmarks for Henry Wilkinson and Co., the centre engraved with the badge of 29 Squadron and with the words ‘Presented to Squadron Leader T. C. Wood, D.F.C., Officer Commanding No. 29 Squadron, R.A.F. by the officers of the squadron on his posting, September 1946.’; silver cigarette box with wood lining, 146mm x 90mm x 33mm, hallmarks for Birmingham 1947, engraved to the front, ‘Presented to Sq...

A well-documented Second War 1944 Halifax pilot’s D.F.C. group of six awarded to Flight Lieutenant H. Brawn, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 35 operational sorties with 429 (Bison) Squadron, the first of which being to attack the gun emplacements at Merville on D Day, 6 June 1944 Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, mounted as worn, generally very fine (6) £1,600-£2,000 --- D.F.C. London Gazette 16 January 1945: ‘This officer has completed a large number of operational sorties during which he has taken part in attacks on a wide variety of targets in Germany and France including such heavily defended targets as Stuttgart, Hamburg, and the Ruhr. Throughout his tour he has always shown exceptional skill and fortitude in pressing home his attacks, often under the greatest opposition. He is an inspiring leader and captain of aircraft who has encouraged and trained his crew so that they have invariably carried out their duties satisfactorily. It is considered that this officer’s fine operational record, offensive spirit and devotion to duty fully merit the award of the D.F.C.’ Harry Brawn enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in March 1941, and after carrying out initial pilot training in Canada he was posted overseas to No. 2 Flying Instructors School, Montrose. Having carried out the course Brawn was posted as an Instructor to No. 15 (P) A.F.U., Kirmington, Lincolnshire in June 1942. He advanced to Pilot Officer and moved with the unit to Ramsbury. Brawn advanced to Flying Officer before being posted to 82 O.T.U., Ossington in March 1944. He converted to Halifax aircraft at No. 1664 H.C.U., Dishforth, and was posted for operational flying with 429 (Bison) Squadron at Leeming in June 1944. Brawn flew in at least 35 operational sorties with the squadron, with his first of the war being 5/6 June 1944 ‘ “D” Day Ops to Merville Francais. Gun Emplacements’ (Log Book refers) Other operational sorties included: Conde sur Noireau, Rail and Road Junctions, 6 June 1944; Versailles; Boulogne (2); Sautrecourt; Oisement en Bois (2); Gorenfos; Siracourt; Ardouval; Acquet; Caen; Wesseling; St. Nazaire; Stuttgart; Hamburg; Coeqercours; L’Hey; Foret de Nieppe; Bois D’Amont; St. Ew D’Esserent; Kiel (2); Brest; Marquis; Emden; Le Havre; Oslo (2); Sterkrade, 27 September 1944, ‘Oil Plant 10/10 Cloud. Raid a Shambles & Most Amusing. Motor Failure’ (Ibid); Cap Gris Nez; Dortmund and Wanne Eickel, 12 October 1944, ‘Oil Plant. Predicted H/F [Heavy Flak], holed lost s.i. [starboard inner engine]’ (Ibid). Having advanced to Flight Lieutenant, Brawn returned to Canada in September 1945 and was discharged in October of the same year. Sold with the following original related items and documents: Royal Canadian Air Force Pilot’s Flying Log Book (21 August 1941 - 13 September 1945) spine damaged; R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, with named Certificate, dated 1 February 1945; Certificate of Service; Letter of congratulation on the occasion of the award of the D.F.C. to recipient addressed to ‘Mr and Mrs F. Brawn, 151 Wellington Avenue, Victoria, British Columbia’, from the Minister of National Defence for Air, dated 25 January 1945; R.C.A.F. cloth wings, and two cloth ‘Canada’ shoulder titles; a piece of metal labelled ‘German Flak 1944’; R.C.A.F. lapel ephemera; a number of annotated photographs of recipient in uniform, and over 500 pages of letters sent home by recipient between 1941-1944, covering his military career from flight training in Canada, service as a flight instructor in England, and finally operations with interesting comments throughout, including frustration on assignment as flight instructor on arrival in England in late 1942 and later comments about operations in 1944.

A good Boer War D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Sergeant J. Barfield, Royal Warwickshire Regiment Section, Malta Horse, late Derbyshire Regiment, who was twice Mentioned in Despatches for his services during the Boer War, and subsequently served during the Great War as Warrant Officer Class I, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment and Labour Corps Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (5572 Serjt: J. Barfield. R. Warwick: Regt.); India General Service 1895-1902, 2 clasps, Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (2780 ..ce. Corpl. J. Barfield 2d. Bn. D... Regt.) retaining rod loose; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (... Cpl. J. Barfield . Rl. Warwick: Regt.) unofficial rivets between second and third clasps, ‘Regt’ partially officially corrected; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5573 Serjt; J. Barfield. Rl: Warwick: Regt.); 1914-15 Star (6438. C.S.Mjr. J. Barfield. Notts. & Derby R.); British War and Victory Medals (6438 W.O. Cl.1. J. Barfield. Notts. & Derby. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (122021 C.S. Mjr: J. Barfield. Lab: C.) heavy contact marks to first four, these worn, therefore good fine, the Great War awards good very fine (8) £1,800-£2,200 --- Provenance: Mike Minton Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, December 1994; Dix Noonan Webb, February 2019, when sold with an officially renamed Victory Medal but now reunited and sold with the original Victory Medal together with the renamed example. D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902. M.I.D. London Gazette 9 July 1901: ‘Near Vet River, Orange River Colony, on 7th April 1901, with only a native scout, pursued six armed Boers and rode down one, and shot him when he refused to surrender. He behaved with great dash. (Mentioned in General Tucker’s special despatch of 9th April 1901).’ M.I.D. London Gazette 18 July 1902: ‘For several acts of gallantry in action, and especially for single-handed capture of Boers on 20th April 1902.’ John Barfield was born in Leicester in 1871 and attested for the Derbyshire Regiment at Derby on 17 April 1890, having previously served in the Regiment’s 5th (Militia) Battalion. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he served with the Regiment in India from 11 November 1891 to 23 March 1898, and took part in the Tirah Campaign as pat of the 1st Brigade of the main column. Their first action was at the Battle of Dargai, 20 October 1897, in which the Battalion was awarded a Victoria Cross and two Distinguished Conduct Medals. Throughout the campaign, the Derbyshires suffered casualties in encounters at Dargai, Karappa, Grandakai, Matsura, Waran Valley, Sappri Pass, Barg, and Karamna. Appointed Lance-Corporal on 9 October 1897, Barfield survived the six-month campaign unscathed, and on returning home transferred to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 28 March 1898. Promoted Corporal on 1 July of that year, he served with the 3rd Battalion in Malta from that date, before proceeding to South Africa as a member of the Warwickshires’ section in the Malta Horse for service during the Boer War on 20 February 1900. Disembarking at East London on 1 April 1900, the Malta Horse was employed principally on duties as advance guards, flank patrols, and scouts, as well as night-time forays and intelligence gathering activities. Most of their operations took place in the Orange Free State. Their first casualties were incurred on 15 April 1900 when they were acting as part of the advance guard in the relief of Wepener. The Warwickshires’ section of the Malta Horse were moved to the Vet River on 16 January 1901, by which time they had been reduced to just 15 men by means of casualties, illness, and reassignments. They remained at this location for just over four months, and were particularly active in numerous scouting expeditions, forays, and skirmishes along the Boers’ line of communications. It was during this period that Barfield, having been promoted to Sergeant on 5 February 1901, received his first Mention in Despatches (see above). Moving to the Kroonstad district in the latter part of 1901, after having performed several successful night excursions from Winberg, they continued to be employed on night expeditions. Their last action took place on 20 April 1902, when they were attached to the 9th Battalion, Mounted Infantry. The Battalion attacked a group of about 80 Boers of Nigil’s Commando at the town of Scotland West, and for his gallantry in this action Barfield was again Mentioned in Despatches- unable to re-load his rifle, he was ‘singularly successful with the butt-end of his rifle. Five Boers were killed and 20 taken prisoner.’ (The Antelope, the Journal of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, September 1902 refers). For his services in South Africa Barfield was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, almost certainly as a result of the gallantry that he had shown on the two occasions when he was Mentioned in Despatches. Having been discharged on 21 August 1902, Barfield re-enlisted at Derby in the Royal Garrison Regiment on 10 March 1903, and saw further service in Malta and South Africa. He was discharged at Bloemfontein on 15 April 1905, with the stated intention of joining the South African Constabulary. Attesting for the South African Constabulary 29 April of that year, he was posted to ‘G’ Troop, and served in the Ladybrand District. he was discharged on the reduction of the establishment on 29 February 1908, and returned to England. Following the outbreak of the Great War, Barfield re-enlisted in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Regiment (as his old Regiment had become) at Derby on 2 September 1914. Promoted Company Sergeant-Major on 5 October 1914, he served during the Great War on the 14 July 1915, and was advanced Warrant Officer Class I on 4 August 1916. Transferring to the 17th Labour Battalion, Labour Corps, as Acting Regimental Sergeant Major in August 1916, he was elevated to the same position at Headquarters, 12th Labour Group, on 14 May 1917. He returned to England on 9 September 1918, and was discharged as ‘being no longer physically fit for war service’ on 6 February 1919. He was awarded his Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, together with a gratuity of £5, on 3 February 1920. Sold with a quantity of copied research, including a copy of an article written about the recipient for the December 2003 edition of the Orders and Medals Research Society Journal.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Bombardier E. J. Fisher, Royal Field Artillery Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6960 Bmbr: E. J. Fisher. A. By: 82/Bde: R.F.A.) nearly extremely fine £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 14 November 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action, when he worked on a telephone line for hours, under a very heavy shell fire, and in the evening dug out two men who had been buried by a shell, although he was himself suffering from shell concussion.’ Eric John Fisher attested for the Royal Field Artillery and served with 82nd Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 24 July 1915.

A good Great War ‘Third Battle of Ypres’ D.C.M. awarded to Private J. Allen, Northumberland Fusiliers, who ‘single handed attacked an enemy strong point which was causing heavy casualties and captured a machine gun’ Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (45940 Pte. J. Allen. 11/Nth’d: Fus:) initial officially corrected, polished, good very fine £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Single-handed he attacked an enemy strong point, which was causing heavy casualties, and captured a machine gun and accounted for the whole garrison. He set a magnificent example of fearlessness and initiative. ‘ James Allen, a native of Fenton, Staffordshire, attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers and served with the 11th Service Battalion during the Great War on the the Western Front. He was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his gallantry during the Third Battle of Ypres, before the Battalion moved to Italy in November 1917.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ D.C.M. awarded to Lance-Sergeant T. Jackson, Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on 4 May 1917 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (Z-1562 Pte. T. Jackson. 1/Rif: Bde:) ‘Z’ prefix to number unofficially corrected, nearly extremely fine £500-£700 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 11 December 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry in action. With another man on two separate occasions he went forward to reconnoitre. On one occasion they killed two of the enemy and destroyed a machine gun. Later, they killed four of the enemy and used a hostile machine gun with good effect.’ Thomas Jackson was born in Hulme, Manchester, and attested for the Rifle Brigade. He served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 5 January 1915, was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, and was advanced Lance-Sergeant. He was killed in action on 4 May 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Sold with copied research. Note: The London Gazette notification for the D.C.M. gives the recipient’s number incorrectly as 2-1562, rather than Z-1562, which no doubt explains the minor correction to the medal.

A Great War ‘Italian theatre’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Lance-Sergeant F. Williams, Army Cyclist Corps, late Hampshire Regiment, who was wounded at Gallipoli, and was decorated for his gallantry in leading a patrol that swam the River Piave in the middle of winter Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (2579 Cpl. F. Williams. XIV. C.C. Bn: A.C.C.); 1914-15 Star (2579 Pte. F. Williams, A. Cyc. Corps.); British War and Victory Medals (2579 Cpl. F. Williams. A. Cyc. Corps.); together with an Army Cyclist Corps cap badge, pitting and light contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £700-£900 --- Provenance: Glendinining’s, March 1974. D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918; citation published 21 October 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After taking part in severe operations, during which he was twice wounded, he joined the Corps Cyclist Battalion, and invariably displayed conspicuous courage and coolness under fire. He was the senior non-commissioned officer of the first patrol which volunteered to swim a river in the depth of winter.’ Frederick Williams was born in Cowes, Isle of Wight, in 1890 and attested for the Hampshire Regiment at Winchester on 19 November 1908, having previously served in the Regiment’s Special Reserve. He transferred to the Army Cyclist Corps on 6 February 1915, and served with them during the Great War in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 29 April 1915, suffering a slight shell wound to the left arm on 29 June 1915. Williams subsequently served on the Western Front from 27 March 1916, and saw action on the Somme and at Ypres, being promoted Corporal on 29 January 1917. In November 1917 he proceeded with the 14th ‘Cavan Corps’ Battalion to Italy, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal almost certainly for his gallantry in leading a patrol which swam the River Piave in the depth of winter in order to obtain information on enemy positions. Appointed Lance-Sergeant on 19 October 1918, he transferred back to the Hampshire Regiment on 2 February 1920, and was was discharged on 18 November 1920, after 12 years’ service. Sold with copied research.

The landmark posthumous George Medal awarded to Sergeant D. J. ‘Aaron’ Garside, 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, Parachute Regiment, who sustained fatal injuries in saving the life of a recruit under his supervision during live hand grenade training in July 1979 - it was the first posthumous award of the George Medal following the amendment of the Royal Warrant in 1977 George Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (23913522 Sgt. David J. Garside, Para.) in Royal Mint fitted case of issue, extremely fine £4,000-£5,000 --- G.M. London Gazette 25 March 1980. The original recommendation - for a Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct (Posthumous) - states: ‘On 11th July 1979, during recruit cadre training at Sennybridge, Sergeant Garside, a Territorial Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer in the 10th (Volunteer) Battalion, Parachute Regiment, was supervising live grenade throwing. During the live grenade throwing an incident took place when a recruit, in the act of preparing to throw a live grenade, allowed the striker level to spring off prematurely, and at the same time appeared to freeze with the grenade in his hand. At this point Sergeant Garside, acting with total disregard for his own safety and with great resource, took preventive action to move the recruit to safety whilst at the same time endeavouring to get him to either throw the grenade or drop it. It was in the course of this action, whilst Sergeant Garside was pushing the recruit to safety that the grenade dropped to the ground and exploded underneath Sergeant Garside. As a result of the explosion Sergeant Garside sustained fatal injuries and the recruit received superficial injuries. It is clear that Sergeant Garside acted with great coolness and presence of mind, and with complete disregard for his own safety, and in so doing gave his life saving the life of a recruit. His act was one of great bravery, sacrifice and coolness.’ David John Garside, known to his friends as ‘Aaron’, was born on 12 October 1946 at Bombay, India and joined the Territorial Army in 1972. He was civilly employed as a manager (Motor Accessories) in Basingstoke, Hampshire. Garside, a Sergeant and Training Wing Instructor in the 10th Volunteer Battalion, Parachute Regiment, T.A., saved the life of Private D. V. Willoughby in carrying out the acts described in the above citation. He died the same day at Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny and was posthumously awarded the George Medal - the first such occasion a posthumous George Medal was awarded following the amendment of the Royal Warrant in 1977. Sold together with a poignant archive of original documents and photographs comprising: (i) Six press photographs of the recipient’s funeral with representative’s from the Parachute Regiment in attendance. (ii) The recipient’s Original Death Certificate dated 1 October 1979 stating cause of death to be shock and compound fracture of leg and soft tissue injuries caused by hand grenade explosion. (iii) Original Marriage Certificate dated 29 January 1973. (iv) Certificate of Registration of Death dated 5 October 1979. (v) Letter to the recipient’s wife from employers Brown Brothers Limited of Swindon expressing shock and deep sympathy in her bereavement, dated 12 July 1979. (vi) Letter to the recipient’s wife from employers Inductron Limited of Basingstoke expressing shock and sadness upon learning of the ‘dreadful accident’ which took her husband’s life, dated 24 July 1979. (vii) Letters (2) from Amery-Parkes & Co., solicitors, dated 11 January and 14 February 1980.