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The Crimea Medal awarded to Private Joseph Phillips, 4th Light Dragoons, who was mortally wounded in the Charge of the Light BrigadeCrimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann (Joseph Phillips. 4th Lt. Dragns.), officially impressed naming, minor edge bruising and a few surface marks, very fineProvenance:Sotheby's, July 1926.Spink, March 1996, Tooze collection of Crimea Medals (Lot 704).Joseph Phillips was born in Buckinghamshire circa 1832. A chair maker by trade he enlisted into the 4th Light Dragoons (4th Hussars) on 11 January 1849, and served with the regiment in the Crimea in 1854. He was mortally wounded in the charge at Balaklava and died in the Regimental Camp on 9 December 1854.…

Five: Private L. Merignac, 7th (Galloway) Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who was taken a Prisoner of War at the Battle of ArnhemGeneral Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3184987 Pte. L. Merignac. K.O.S.B.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (5)Louis Merignac was born a Newcastle-under-Lyme on 6 May 1908 and served in Palestine before the Second World War, being a post man by trade. He was present with the famous 7th (Galloway) Battalion, who went into the Battle of Arnhem on 17 September 1944. Following the ferocious fighting that followed, the remainder of the unit withdrew on 25-26 September. Merignac was not in that number as was confirmed as having been captured on 24 September. He was held at Stalag 1V B and whilst behind the wire suffered severe stomach illness, being evacuated by French Commando to Breesen and Herren Steinfeld, which resulted in two months in hospital. He refused an operation whilst in enemy hands and returned home to his wife at Berwick-upon-Tweed. The Second World War campaign medals were issued in June 1950, whilst Merignac died in 1967.…

3rd Regiment of Foot Guards (Scots Guards)No Foot Guard regiments served during the Zulu War, but the Grenadier, Coldstream & Scots Guards sent a total of 31 Officers and men that represented the entire Brigade of Guards. Two Guards officers who were on the Staff were killed in action during the campaign.The Scots Guards were issued a total of 10 Medals, 8 of these with the clasp '1879'.The very rare Zulu War Medal awarded to Private G. Grey, Scots Guards, who served attached to the 1st Battalion, 24th Foot during the campaignSouth Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (2391. Pte. G. Grey. Scots Gds.), a little polished, very fineGeorge Grey was born in New Deer, Aberdeen in 1852 and was a labourer by trade upon his joining the Scots Guards in February 1870. Married to Sarah Jane at Holy Trinity Church, South Kensington, he served in Zululand from 1 March-9 December 1879 and was attached to the 1st Battalion, 24th Foot. Grey was discharged in January 1884 to live at 15 Beaufort Gardens, Brompton; sold together with copied research.…

'My dear dear Dad, I am writing to you not Mum, so that you may break it more gently to her. Poor little Mole is dead. Oh it is too awful just Nick and then my favourite brother. I saw the whole thing at the time & had a terrible feeling that it was one of our machines and not a Hun and that if that was the case it would be him. He died protecting me.They went over to attack these Huns as they came up to the line and fought for about five minutes and then one machine broke away on fire. It was the most glorious fight for life ever put up. All who saw it say the same thing, what a wonderful Pilot he must have been.He was seen to be his by his Flight Commander before the fire started and then with the machine under control brought to down from 7,000ft to 100ft in a series of side slips so keeping the flames off himself, when it then broke up.I can't give you any hope and I think perhaps it was better for him to have been killed at the finish. I have kept nothing from you and I will leave it to you to say what you feel best to Mum.He was wonderful and loved by all. It nearly kills me to write this, but we must all try and bear up.Your broken hearted son, Lio.'Captain Woodhouse writes home to his father on the death of his brother, Lieutenant M. G. 'Mole' WoodhouseThe campaign group of three awarded to Flight Sub-Lieutenant M. G. Woodhouse, Royal Naval Air Service, who was tragically killed in action on 9 August 1917, by 37-kill Ace Leutnant Julius Buckler of Jasta 17; he had gone in to combat in order that he might save his elder brother who was also in the same aerial combatBritish War and Victory Medals (Flt. S. Lt., M. G. Woodhouse, R.N.A.S.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Mosley Gordon Woodhouse); Great War Memorial Scroll in the name of ‘Flight Sub-Lt. Mosley Gordon Woodhouse, R.N.', the V.M. with officially re-impressed naming, good very fine (3)Provenance:Glendining's, March 1990.Mosley Gordon Woodhouse - or Mole/Moley to his friends and comrades - was born on 26 October 1898. The family at that time lived at ‘Tofts’, Little Baddow, Essex.Having joined the Royal Naval Air Service as a Probationary Flying Officer at Dover 5 November 1916, he was slightly injured on 2 March 1917 when in a forced landing after engine failure on Avro 504 at R.N.A.S. Redcar. Posted to No. 3 (Naval) Squadron flying Sopwith Pups, he was advanced Flight Sub-Lieutenant on 10 June 1917 and crashed on 20 June 1917. Woodhouse joined No. 12 Squadron on 25 June 1917 at Dunkirk and sent to the front with No. 9 Squadron on 30 June 1917, equipped with Sopwith Pups, and Triplanes but by 12 July were exchanged for Sopwith Camels. On 9 August, while out on Patrol with Flight Commander Simpson and Flight Sub-Lieutenant Mellersh, took part in a fight with Albatros Scouts which were attacking an R.E.8., which turned out to be Piloted by his brother. His machine was shot down in flames by Vzfw. J. Buckler of Jasta 17, as his 12 'kill' of an eventual 35.Christopher Courtney wrote to his father on 14 August 1917:'Dear Arthur,I feel I must write to you and give my most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your boy. I was terribly shocked to hear of it, but it was some small consolation to know that he went out gallantly fighting.I wonder if your eldest son has told you that he was killed in an endeavour to protect his brother's machine from attack?He probably did not know it but there was an artillery machine being attacked and so he at once dived in order to chase off the enemy; unfortunately he was caught by several enemy scouts and shot down but he certainly succeeded in drawing them off the artillery machine in which, it afterwards turned out, was his brother.I think it was a most gallant death. I went to his funeral, a simple and straightforward one; he is buried under the shadow of the sand-dunes in a quiet and secluded spot.I feel very guilty in not having answered your letter; I am afraid I am a bad correspondent at the best of times; but I had had it in mind for some days to write and tell you that he was in a good squadron and getting on well; his Squadron Commander spoke most highly of him.'Sold together with the original - highly poignant - letter from Lio Woodhouse to his father, on the loss of 'Mole', besides forwarding letter for his campaign Medals, besides photographs and a quantity of copied research, including his Flying Log Book.…

The superb 'mine-clearance 1943' M.M. group of seven awarded to Lance-Sergeant W. F. T. Beet, Royal Engineers, who cleared 70 mines over a period of 48 hours under heavy fire without rest in North AfricaMilitary Medal, G.VI.R. (1858429 L. Sjt. W. F. T. Beet. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (1858429 Spr. W. F. T. Beet. R.E.), mounted court style for wear, light contact marks, very fine (7)M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943, the original recommendation states:'This Sgt. was attached to my Bn. from 23rd. Fld. Coy., R.E. for the attack on Pt. 134 and GRICHEL OUED on 23rd April. During the period of consolidation when it was necessary to find and clear a German minefield on the track leading to GRICHEL OUED, this Sgt. behaved with great efficiency and devotion to duty and did all and more than was demanded of him and his sub-section with complete disregard for his personal safety.The above minefield was the first German field met with by any member of 23rd Field Company R.E.When he had completed his task of gapping and marking the field, L/Sgt. Beet had been leading his sub-sec. for 48 hours without sleep, and for a large proportion of this time he was under fire. He had actually lifted 70 mines of which 26 were "booby trapped" and 16 A. Pers. Mines.On 30th April L/Sgt. Beet was in charge of a minefield gapping party near the GABGAB gap. The party was under intermittent fire, and a mortar shell eventually wounded four of his party including himself. He refused to leave the site until the other three wounded had been attended to and he received a direct order from Officer i.c work to go.'William Frederick Taylor Beet enlisted on 5 May 1921 with the Royal Engineers as a Boy. He reached his majority on 10 June 1924, being advanced Sapper and posted to 'D' Company, T.B. Royal Engineers. Seeing service over the next decade he was posted to 23rd Field Company on 14 September 1939, this formation saw action during the Fall of France in 1940.Embarking with them for North Africa on 26 March 1943 Beet was to earn his award just the next month, under the most trying circumstances imaginable. He was later to serve with the unit in Italy from December 1943 however did not join them in Palestine in 1945.…

An extremely rare Edward VII gallantry K.P.M. awarded to Senior Constable J. C. Gates, New South Wales Police Force, the first Australian police officer to be so honoured and one of just four to receive the Edwardian issueIn his gallant pursuit of an armed burglar in North Sydney in April 1909, he exchanged fire until the latter ran out of ammunition, following which he closed with him to make an arrest: in the ensuing struggle, Gates was severely beaten about the head with the burglar's empty revolver, his wounds requiring 23 stitchesKing's Police Medal, E.VII.R., on gallantry riband (J. C. Gates, Sen. Const., N.S. Wales P.), minor edge bruises, good very fineK.P.M. London Gazette 14 January 1910.James Charles Gates was born in Christchurch, New Zealand on 28 February 1885, the son of a distiller. Opting for a new life in Australia when a teenager, he was working as a blacksmith when he enlisted in the New South Wales Police as a Constable.By the time of his K.P.M.-winning exploits in North Sydney, Gates had been advanced to Constable 1st Class but, as reported in various newspapers, he was about to receive accelerated promotion to Senior Constable.The incident in question commenced in Carabella Street, on the heights overlooking Neutral Bay, when an armed burglar broke into the house of Mr. Russell Sinclair in the early morning hours of 1 April 1909. Alerted by a lodger to the burglar's presence, Sinclair gave chase and a violent struggle ensued, in which he was twice shot in the groin. The burglar then made off down the street. Here, then, the moment at which Gates arrived on the scene. A newspaper report takes up the story:'It was after his escape into the streets that the fugitive waged another fight, this time with the constable who arrested him. When Constables McDonald and J. C. Gates, having been informed of that had occurred, proceeded to the locality, Gates saw a man near Milson's Point ferry. He watched the man, and at last he accosted him near Jeffrey Street. The man, who kept his right hand in his pocket, replied that he was on his way to visit someone in Carabella Street. The constable asked him why he kept his hand in his pocket, whereupon the man drew a revolver, fired, and then bolted. The shot missed Gates, who started off after the man, who, while he ran, turned and fired again twice, but still without effect. Constable Gates then fired, and an exchange of shots was kept up. The policeman was not hit but it was afterwards shown that one of his bullets grazed the fugitive's neck, causing a slight flesh wound. Gates, still in pursuit, reached his quarry near Livingstone Lane, and a hand-to-hand fight ensued.The man hit Gates a blow with the butt end of his revolver, and partially stunned him, but the Constable never allowed his prisoner to elude him, and was all the time endeavouring to hand cuff him. The Constable was furiously attacked, blow after blow being delivered about his head with the butt end of the revolver, and at length the man actually got free, but Gates, gallantly refusing to be beaten off, followed him and was joined by a civilian who had been alarmed by the noise of the conflict. Finding the chase hot, the fugitive dashed down some steps into an area in Fitzroy Street, and here he was finally captured, the Constable getting the hand cuffs on him.'The gallant Gates was duly awarded the K.P.M. as well as being advanced to Senior Constable. He was also presented with a Testimonial by the Mayor of North Sydney. His assailant - James Frederick Crook - was sentenced to death, a sentence later commuted to life.Gates died at Ghatswood in the northern district of Sydney in July 1955; sold with copied service record and newspaper reports.…

The campaign group of seven awarded to Major J. G. Forbes, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, who took the Hong Kong Plague Medal in gold when forming part of 'The Whitewash Brigade', being called out against the 'Black Death' during 1894; Forbes was no stranger to the risks posed by this deadly disease and acted as pall-bearer to brother officer Captain Vesey, who lost his life to the bubonic plagueQueen's South Africa 1899-1901, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. J. G. Forbes. 2/Shrops. L.I.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. J. G. Forbes. Shrop. L.I.); 1914-15 Star (Major J. G. Forbes. Shrops. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. G. Forbes.); 1911 Coronation (Major J. G. Forbes), privately engraved naming; Hong Kong Plague 1894, gold issue, unmounted (Captain J. G. Forbes, S.L.I.), in red leather Wyon, Regent St, London case, the first six mounted as worn, good very fine (7)Provenance:Spink, September 1963 & August 1986.John George Forbes was born on 2 February at Melbourne, Victoria, the son of John G. Forbes, a barrister. By 1881 the family were living in Cheltenham, with young Forbes a scholar, likely at Cheltenham College. He then went to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and was commissioned into the Shropshire Light Infantry in June 1886. Joining the station at Hong Kong, being a keen horseman, he was a member of the Hong Kong Polo Club by 1893 and Adjutant of his unit.Whitewash BrigadeA virulent epidemic of bubonic plague broke out in Hong Kong in early May 1894. Recognising the danger, the Governor, Sir William Robinson, K.C.M.G., gathered all the resources available to him, both military and civil, to combat the threat. Special bye-laws were quickly passed and implemented, and temporary plague hospitals were opened. The task of finding, isolating, disinfecting and cleansing infected households was directed by Mr F. H. May, the Captain Superintendent of Police and supervised by Mr J. H. Crook the Sanitary Surveyor. To supplement the local authorities and native labour, Officers and men of the Shropshire Light Infantry and Royal Engineers were drawn in to help with the cleansing operations, and Volunteers for house-to-house visitations were sought amongst the civil population. The population in infected areas were removed and infected houses were rigorously cleansed - floors disinfected, walls, woodwork and furniture thoroughly lime-washed, and bedding, old clothing, old woodwork and general rubbish burnt. Elsewhere, doctors, nurses and ancillary staff worked heroically amongst the sick and dying.Forbes volunteered and went out on plague duties to relieve other officers as a house-to-house visitor, and doubtless would have followed the official guidelines in helping to combat the spread of the Plague:'1. Keep separate clothes for working in, which should be changed on returning off duty and kept hung up in the air and sun when not in use.2. On returning off duty wash the hands in water and Jeyes’ fluid (1 in 20), and if possible take a bath of the same solution.3. Also rinse the mouth out with Condy’s fluid and water (one teaspoonful to one quart of water).4. Saturate the handkerchief with Eucalyptus oil when going on duty and apply it frequently to the nose if in an infected house.5. Smoke.’Despite all the precautions taken, over 2,500 people, mainly Chinese, contracted the plague, with 2,317 deaths attributed to the disease, a fatality rate of over 90%. That saw a brother officer of the unit, Captain Vesey pass of the plague. Forbes was a pall bearer at his funeral on 5 June when he was buried in the Happy Valley Cemetery.The plague subsided with the arrival of cold weather, and restrictions were lifted in early September. On 28 September 1894 a public meeting was held at City Hall for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to recognise the services rendered by the community in combating the plague, and ultimately it was decided that a medal should be awarded, in both gold and silver. His name was one of approximately 13 officers who would take the medal in gold.He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Boer War in South Africa (Queen's Medal & 4 clasps, King's Medal & 2 clasps) and by 1907 was in command of the Depot Troops at Shrewsbury.With the outbreak of the Great War, Forbes would see himself proceed overseas as Second-in-Command of the 5th Battalion. They had been formed at Shrewsbury in August 1914 as part of K1 and came under orders of 42nd Brigade in 14th (Light) Division. Moved initially to Aldershot, and then went on to Chiddingfold in March 1915, they landed on 20 May 1915 at Boulogne. Forbes would remain in the front lines with his men until removed to England, having celebrated his fiftieth birthday at the start of that year. In the following years his name appears as having been involved in the prosecution of Military Court Martial proceedings at home. He was further involved in the compilation, publication and distribution of the Regimental History of the Great War. The good Major, who later lived at 51a Jermyn Street, died on 12 October 1937 as is commemorated upon a marble memorial at St Chad's, Shrewsbury.The Plague Medal - how many?No complete medal roll for the Hong Kong Plague Medal is known to exist, with much of the Colony’s archival material having been destroyed during the Second World War; consequently, the number of medals awarded is a matter of conjecture. Mr. F. Pridmore, in an article for the Spink Numismatic Circular, August 1954, states that 137 gold medals were awarded to civilians, together with 13 being awarded to the officers of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry; Jerome Platt, Maurice Jones, and Arleen Platt in The Whitewash Brigade again estimate that 137 gold medals were awarded to civilians, and increase the number awarded to the military garrison to 46, as well as giving a total of 636 silver medals awarded. It is the opinion of the cataloguer that the figure slightly shy of fifty was the total amount of awards struck and issued in gold, not in excess of one hundred.It is however the result of an incorrect transposition in a previous newspaper article that these figures have been calculated. On reflection, it would also surely have been impractical - and unlikely given the amount of individuals who would possibly qualify - for such a large distribution in gold. Many have likely to have been scrapped for the value of the gold content by now, but around 20 known extant awards in gold have been recorded over the years.Given that the medal, as the gift of a Colonial Government and not one proceeding (or depicting) the monarch, was not authorised for wear. It could be accepted and retained, but as a commemorative/gift, could not be worn in uniform and thus most gold medals remained unmounted, much like this very example; sold together with two cap badges and images of the recipient.…

The outstanding lifesaving group of five awarded to Stephen Renforth, who is said to have rescued 62 lives from the Tyne, the Clyde and in North America - he was coined 'A Gateshead Hero'Royal Humane Society, small bronze Medal (successful), with Second and Third Award clasps, 26th Jany. 1895, 13 June 1899, complete with bronze brooch bar (Stephen Renforth, 5th August 1890); Tynemouth Extension Medal, silver, rev. inscribed, ‘Presented to Stephen Renforth on the 7th August 1895 for saving life from drowning’, with semi-circular attachment allowing the medal to be rotated, this attached to an ornamental scroll, with clasp inscribed, ‘Presented by Jos. Cowen, Aug. 2 1895’; Life Saving Medal, circular, engraved, obv. Gateshead coat-of-arms; rev. inscribed, ‘Presented to Stephen B. Renforth of Gateshead by numerous subscribers, for his Heroic Conduct in Saving Twelve Lives, July 1890, John Lucas, Mayor of Gateshead’, 44mm., silver; Life Saving Medal, ‘shield-shaped’ surmounted by a lion, engraved, obv. with the cypher ‘S.R.’; rev. inscribed, ‘Presented to S. Renford (sic) by Joseph Cowen, M.P. for saving E. Dixon from drowning , and a purse of £10.0.0, 1895’, 49 x 32mm., silver; Life Saving Medal, cross, engraved, obv. inscribed, ‘Presented to S. Renforth by the Mayor of Gateshead, Mr P. Finn’; rev. inscribed, ‘For saving the life of a boy named Fisher, 15th Aug. 1899’, 41 x 36mm., silver and gold, hallmarks for Birmingham 1903, with silver brooch bars, good very fineR.H.S. Bronze Medal awarded in 1890 (R.H.S. Case No. 25070), Renforth performed a successful rescue at Gateshead on 5 August 1890.1st Clasp awarded in 1895 (R.H.S. Case No. 27537):‘At great personal risk, rescued P. Burke from drowning in the Tyne, at Gateshead, on 26th January 1895’.2nd Clasp awarded in 1899 (R.H.S. Case No. 30122):‘On the 13th June 1899, a child fell into the Tyne at Newcastle, the depth at the time being 12 feet. Renforth, who was in bad health at the time, plunged in from the quay and, at great risk, supported it till a boat came. When the boat came it was pulled right over Renforth, cutting his head open, and he was taken from the water in an exhausted state’.Stephen Renforth was born in Gateshead, Tyneside in 1852. During his life as a waterman, he gained the enviable reputation as a lifesaver and was reputed to have saved 62 lives, 46 of which were from the Tyne. It was at the age of 12 that he rescued the first of many; jumping into the Tyne and rescuing a boy who had fallen in near the Redheugh Bridge. He received the Royal Humane Society Medal in bronze in 1890 for a rescue at Gateshead and was to receive two clasps to the Medal for rescues at Gateshead and Newcastle in 1895 and 1899 respectively. At the first presentation of the Tynemouth Medals made on 7 August 1895 by the Mayor of Newcastle, Alderman W. Stephenson and Joseph Cowen, M.P., three medals were presented and the names of the recipients, numbered in order, were entered in the “Book of Heroes” - that of Stephen Renforth was the second name entered. In his latter years Renforth became blind and the Newcastle Temperance Society and some friends presented him with an organ with the object of providing him a livelihood by playing in the streets. This he played on the streets of Newcastle until his death in 1910. In addition to the above, Renforth was awarded three Royal Humane Society Certificates.…

'Now, gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter!Thus spoke Rear-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood from the deck of his flagship, H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, prior to the Battle of TrafalgarThe Naval General Service Medal awarded to Able Seaman E. Kendall, Royal NavyNaval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Edward Kendall.), good very fineProvenance:Seaby, June 1953.Spink, December 1972.Edward Kendall was born in London around 1778 and was 27 years old when he served as an Able Seaman aboard the H.M.S. Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar.Royal Sovereign was a 100-gun first rate ship of line and was launched at Plymouth in 1786, over a decade after she was laid down in 1774, and was the only ship built to her specific design. Reportedly slow and difficult to manoeuvre, she was nicknamed the 'West Country Wagon' by her crew.Prior to serving at the famed Battle of Trafalgar, Royal Sovereign enjoyed an active role during the French Revolutionary Wars. She served as part of Admiral Richard Howe's fleet during the Glorious First of June, the first fleet action of the War, where she was the flagship of Admiral Thomas Graves' vanguard squadron. This resounding tactical victory saw Admiral Howe issue the unorthodox order for his ships to turn and breach the French line, rake the enemy ships and engage them directly. Royal Sovereign pulled too far into the line and suffered a heavy pounding from enemy ship Terrible, with Admiral Graves mortally wounded and dying during the course of the battle. Terrible fell out of the line and Royal Sovereign next engaged Montagne. Seven enemy ships were sunk or captured but the British lost none.Now the flagship of Vice-Admiral William Cornwallis, Royal Sovereign was further engaged in the conflict known as 'Cornwallis' Retreat'. In June 1795, a French fleet of twelve ships of the line and eleven frigates gave chase to Cornwallis' squadron of five ships of the line and two frigates. After a day's chase the rearguard came within range of the enemy, and rather than abandon part of his squadron Cornwallis stood his ground to counterattack with all his might. The Vice-Admiral steered Royal Sovereign in between the French and British forces, meeting the enemy with a raking fire. The Battle ended when French Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse mistakenly believed the British Channel Fleet was approaching and subsequently ordered his fleet to withdraw, thus allowing Cornwallis to escape.Royal Sovereign was further involved in a notable altercation on 17 March 1796 when the transport ship Bellisarius collided with her while en route to the West Indies and sank almost instantly. The Battle of TrafalgarH.M.S. Royal Sovereign held the distinction of being flagship of Vice-Admiral Collingwood, Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson's second-in-command at that famous sea battle off the coast of Trafalgar, Spain on 21 October 1805. She led one column of warships during the conflict while Nelson led the other, and was the first ship of the fleet to enter the action.Recently re-coppered, Royal Sovereign was faster than the other ships present and was the first to break the enemy line in accordance with Nelson's unorthodox plan to approach the allied line with his fleet arranged in two columns, which would cut the allied line and force one-on-one fighting.As Royal Sovereign gallantly sailed alone towards the enemy and made to engage the massive Spanish three decker Santa Ana, Collingwood remarked to his Captain, Edward Rotheram, "What would Nelson give to be here?". At roughly the same time, his friend Nelson reportedly pointed to her and exclaimed, "See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action!".Collingwood's well-trained crew aboard Royal Sovereign fired such a rapid volley at Santa Ana that four allied ships quickly came to her aid, with Royal Sovereign first receiving fire from Fougueux before being joined by Indomptable, San Justo, and San Leandro. Despite this assistance, Santa Ana suffered nearly 240 casualties and struck her colours to Royal Sovereign at 2:20 that afternoon.Hemmed in at all sides by the enemy, Royal Sovereign suffered significant damage before she could be relieved by the remainder of the British fleet. She had lost her mizzen and main masts, most of her rigging, and suffered damage to her foremast and was no longer manoeuvrable. Even so, she continued to fire at the enemy from her port-side guns. Collingwood himself also suffered a wound to his leg whilst on deck, but was lucky in that he was only one of three officers on her quarterdeck who lived to see the end of the Battle.Following the death of Nelson at around 4:30pm, Collingwood assumed command of the fleet as commander-in-chief. Collingwood removed to H.M.S. Euryalus as a consequence of Royal Sovereign being, in his words, "perfectly unmanageable" after sustaining too much damage to continue as flagship. While Nelson's final command prior to his death had been for the fleet to anchor in advance of an oncoming gale, Collingwood disagreed and focused on those vessels still able to anchor and survive the storm. He had Royal Sovereign towed away while she was still able to stay afloat. She sustained 141 casualties over the course of the Battle.After TrafalgarFollowing the battle, missing her mizzen and mainmasts and most of her rigging, Royal Sovereign returned to Plymouth to be repaired and refitted. She thereafter returned to duty as part of the Mediterranean Fleet and participated in the ongoing blockade of Toulon. In November 1811 she was ordered to join the Channel Fleet, later being converted to harbour service as a receiving ship. Renamed Captain in 1825, she was eventually broken up at Plymouth in 1841. Four of her cannons were incorporated into the Collingwood Memorial in Tynemouth, where they may be seen to this day.Little is known about the fate of Kendall aside from his service at Trafalgar, only that he is confirmed on the roll as serving with Royal Sovereign during the battle and that he lived to claim his medal; sold together with copied medal roll.…

The superb Great War 'successful escapers' M.M. group of four awarded to Private H. Wilson, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who was taken Prisoner of War at the First Battle of Ypres in 1914 and whose remarkable escape is summarised in the archive of the Coldstream GuardsMilitary Medal, G.V.R. (8617 Pte. A.Cpl - H. Wilson. 1/C.Gds.); 1914 Star (8617 Pte H. Wilson. C.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (8617 A - Cpl. H. Wilson. C.Gds.), mounted as worn, light pitting, very fine (4)Henry Wilson was born in 1890, a native of Hull and enlisted on 25 February 1910, his initial service proved uneventful however he did earn an Army swimming certificate in 1911. Joining the Army Reserve he returned to Hull and joined the Police Force there. Wilson was still there when he was mobilised on 6 August 1914 for service in the Great War.Entering the war in France on 13 August 1914, he was appointed Lance Corporal after the Retreat to the Marne and took part in the Battle of the Aisne. They were stationed near Langmark when the First Battle of Ypres began and saw heavy fighting before being moved to the Menin Road on 26 October. Three days later a major German attack began in that direction, they drove back the other units in the area and, by the time reinforcements came up, the 1st Battalion had effectively ceased to exist.Wilson was wounded in the left side and taken prisoner of war, being taken to the camp of Schneidemuhl. Unfortunately, the conditions at the camp were not much better than in the trenches with typhoid rampant and the chief medical officer attempting to curb it by starving the prisoners. The only food they received came from the Red Cross via the Swiss city of Bern.Fortunately, Wilson was able to survive the camp long enough to be sent to Krehendberg camp where he was ordered to join the work parties on the local farms. He escaped one of these parties on 27 July 1917 and made his way through the mountainous area to the south of the Black Forest. After a two-day trek Wilson reached the Rhine, across the river lay neutral Switzerland and the prospect of freedom, however the river bank was patrolled and the river itself was a difficult prospect.Waiting until nightfall he removed his jacket and boots and began the swim, a strong current swept him along downriver. Wilson managed to struggle out of his trousers and thus unencumbered began to make progress, when he eventually made the Swiss bank he was two miles downriver from his start point. Encountering a Swiss civilian he was taken to a Police Station where he explained who he was and made contact with the British Legation.While there awaiting repatriation Wilson wrote a letter to the Honorary Secretary of the Coldstream Guards Prisoners Fund stating:'Dear Hon SecJust a few lines thanking you for the parcels I received from you while I was in Germany & to let you know that I shall not require any more as I have escaped from Germany. I ran away from work at 4:00pm July 27th swam across the Rhine & landed in Switzerland about 12.30 am July 30th. I am now in Bern & have to remain here for a few days at least. I hope to return to England shortly.'He was repatriated and saw Home Service for the rest of the war; sold together with copied research.The papers of Corporal Henry Wilson are available as part of the Liddle collection at the Brotherton Library, University of Leeds. A typed summary of their contents was prepared by the archive of the Coldstream Guards.…

The exceptional 3-clasp Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Colonel J. Goldie, 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, who was mentioned in dispatches and recommended for the V.C. for his exemplary leadership of a squadron at Shumshabad on 27 January 1858Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 3 clasps, Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow, Delhi (Lieut. Jas. Goldie, 9th Lancers), edge bruising, very fineJames Goldie was born at Calcutta on 5 November 1836, the first son of Colonel Alexander Goldie of the 69th Bengal Native Infantry. Colonel Goldie was an experienced officer who had served in India since the Mahratta Wars, and when he retired he took his family to England, taking up residence at Walthamstow House, Essex. In 1853 he wrote to Viscount Hardinge, Commander-in-Chief of the Forces, in the following terms:'My Lord, my only two sons are bent on following their father's profession, and I have educated them accordingly; the late General Caulfield, an East India Director, gave me hopes of appointing them Cadets, but since his death, my applications to other Directors have not been successful; in any strait I write to Your Lordship to whom I already owe so much, with an earnest request that they be allowed to purchase a Commission in His Majesty's service - either Cavalry, or Infantry - for my eldest son James Goldie who is now seventeen years of age, and is supported by Dr. Grieg of Walthamstow by whom he is being educated, to be fully prepared to pass the Engineer's examination at Addiscombe: Your Lordship knows well the difficulty we often experience in providing for our sons in the Company's service.'On 18 July 1854 young James duly paid £840 (£94,000 in today's money) for a Cornetcy in the 9th (Queen's Royal) Lancers, a Cornetcy which Viscount Hardinge directly facilitated. His father wrote again to Hardinge:'I request you will do me the favour to confess to the Right Honourable the Commander in Chief my most respectful and sincere thanks for His Lordship's sanction to the purchase of a Cornetcy for my eldest son; the purchase money is lodged with Messrs. Coutts & Co., Bankers of the Strand.'Personal tragedy and an accolade withheldGoldie joined the Regiment at Umballa, India on 15 January 1855. His father and sisters (no doubt part of the 'Fishing Fleet') travelled to India with him. The 9th Lancers had already been in India for twelve years, and were to serve with great distinction during the Indian Mutiny. Goldie was present at the Battle of Bundlekeserai on 8 June 1857, when General Sir Hope Grant led an audacious charge which evicted the rebels from their entrenchments and cleared the way to Delhi. Goldie is mentioned in Brevet-Major Anson's Letters as having volunteered to work in the advanced batteries, under heavy fire, for several days during the Siege. He was joined in this dangerous mission by Lieutenant 'Bashi' Evans (see Lot 327). After Delhi fell, Goldie fought in the actions of Bolundshuhur (28 September), Allyghur (5 October), Agra (10 October) and Kanouge (23 October).He then took part in Lord Clyde's Second Relief of Lucknow, which was followed by the Third Battle of Cawnpore on 6 December and the action at Serai Ghat three days later. Goldie commanded a Squadron at Shumshabad on 27 January 1858. The following is extracted from The Ninth (Queen's Royal) Lancers by F. H. Reynard:'On the 27th (January 1828) two squadrons of the regiment were engaged at the action of Shumshabad, and with Hodson's Cavalry pursued the enemy eight or nine miles capturing four guns, Goldie's squadron charged into 1500 of the enemy and killed 300. Lieutenant Goldie (whose father and two sisters were murdered at Furtigarh when the Mutiny broke out) was recommended for the V.C.'For his exceptional bravery and example at Shumshabad, Goldie was indeed recommended for the Victoria Cross in a letter sent to Horse Guards by Lord Clyde on 7 June 1859. This letter was itself based on the findings of an independent Board of Officers, but the Secretary of State for War never permitted the award, his Under Secretary writing the parsimonious comment: 'It does not appear that Lieut. Goldie did more than gallantly lead the squadron of his Regt. to which he was attached… might it not be proper before the Distinction is awarded, that some more particular information respecting the service should be obtained?'Goldie was at least mentioned in the Right Honble. Adrian Hope's dispatch to Lord Clyde, dated 27 January 1858 and published on 16 April 1860:'Brought to notice for having "done his duty in a very gallant and praiseworthy manner" when charging a very superior force of the enemy with a detached squadron at the action near Shumshabad.'This 'mention' also appears on Goldie's service papers. Goldie went on to serve during the summer campaign in Oudh and Rohilcund, including the capture of Bareilly on 5 May, the action at Shajehanpure, and the pursuit to Mahomdee. These events are covered in some detail in Sergeant Fuller's journal (The medals sold in these rooms in December 2020). Hostilities ended with the passage of the Gogra at Fyzabad and the affair at Kumdakoti. In all, the 9th Lancers had spent 13 months in the field, winning twelve Victoria Crosses.Goldie purchased his Captaincy on 21 February 1860, transferring to the 17th Lancers on 17 April that year, and the 16th Lancers on 25 July 1865. While on furlough he married Magdalene Agnes Goldie at St. James's Church, Piccadilly on 5 August 1865. He held several Staff appointments, including that of Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at Madras from 10 July 1868. He was appointed a Major in the 6th Dragoon Guards on 3 July 1877, rising to become its Colonel in 1885; sold with a file of copied research. Recommended reading:Anson, H. S., With H.M. 9th Lancers during the Indian Mutiny, the Letters of Brevet-Major O.H.S.G. Anson (Naval & Military Press, 2004).…

United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Interior, Long and Distinguished Service Medal, 2nd Class, silvered and enamel, with riband bar, in its case of issue; Police and Security Forces Amalgamation Medal, gilt and silvered with pearls, with riband bar, in its case of issue; Medal of Cooperative Security, 1st Class, gilt and enamel, with riband bar, in its case of issue; Badge of Appreciation, gilt, all by Fattorini, very fine and better (4)The Ministry of Interior Long and Distinguished Service Medal is in the shape of a stylised seven-pointed star in a traditional Islamic design, with the central medallion featuring an antique tower surrounded by red enamel detail. The reverse bears the badge of the Ministry of Interior. This Medal is awarded to members of the Ministry who have served faithfully and honestly for at least twenty years. The 2nd Class is given to non-commissioned Officers and individuals. The Police and Security Forces Amalgamation Medal is a seven-pointed star with a scallop rim and a pearl between each of the rays. The silvered centre displays the Ministry badge, while the reverse bears an inscription of the award's title. The Medal was awarded to those who were serving when the Police and Security forces merged on 5 December 1975. The Medal of Cooperative Security is circular containing a seven-pointed star the centre of which is the Ministry badge. The three lower rays of the star display the all-seeing eye, clasped hands, and a quill. Behind the four upper rays are the colours of the U.A.E. flag in enamel. The Medal is awarded to members of the Police and Security force for distinguished security work, with the 1st Class award given to Officers and equivalent civilian ranks.The Appreciation Badge is a stylised seven-pointed star with the central medallion featuring an open book bearing the Ministry badge under the rays of the sun, symbolic of knowledge, light, and science. This is awarded to members of the Police and Security force who display exceptional studies or training courses, and to members of the community who demonstrate remarkable cooperation with the police. The 1st Class Medal may be earned by Officers or civilians of equivalent rank.…

1/13th Prince Albert's (Somerset) Light Infantry RegimentPrior to the outbreak of the Zulu War, the 1st Battalion, 13th Prince Albert's Light Infantry, was engaged in operations against Sekukuni on the Transvaal border but, as war became imminent, it was moved south and formed part of Wood's Column, with which it remained throughout all operations.On 2 January 1879 the Column left Utrecht and reached the Blood River two days later. Having left two companies of men under Major Leet at the fortified outpost of Balte's Spruit, the Column crossed into enemy territory and constructed a fort at Tinta's Drift on the White Umvolosi; two further companies were left to garrison under Major Moysey, and the Battalion then moved on towards Zunguin Nek. It was here that the enemy was met in force on the 24th and defeated with loss.On 27 March a patrol of mounted men and natives were sent out towards Zlobane, the Native Irregulars under the command of Major Leet; such was the latter's gallantry in the retreat which ensued after the encounter with the enemy that he was awarded the Victoria Cross and promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.At the Battle of Kambula the 13th gallantly checked the enemy at the right rear of the laager. According to The South African Campaign of 1879, 'Captains Evans and Fowne's companies were posted in Leet's redoubt, the fire from which made great havoc throughout the engagement. When the attack slackened, two companies of the 13th, under Captains Thurlow and Waddy, moving to the right front of the cattle laager, did great execution amongst the retreating Zulus, who were closely followed up and cut to pieces by the Mounted Corps.' During this engagement, two officers were severely wounded, six men of the regiment were killed and nineteen more were wounded.Not long after, at the Battle of Ulundi, the 13th occupied the right of the square, within 30 yards of which numbers of the enemy's dead were subsequently found. As before, casualties were significant, with Lieutenant Pardoe killed, together with two ranks, and eleven more wounded.After a wet and trying march, the Battalion arrived at Durban and embarked for England aboard H.M.S. Euphrates, arriving home on 18 September, after 4 years and 9 months of service in South Africa.1033 Medals were issued to the 1/13th Regiment, 688 of them with the '1878-9' clasp.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1878-9 (1680. Pte. T. Dickerson. 1/13th. Foot.), good very fine…

The 'Great War' M.C. group of eight awarded to Honorary Colonel J. G. Chapple, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, later Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who served on the Western Front inspecting and repairing artillery, later becoming the Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia during the Iraqi Revolt, later he served in France during the 1940 campaignMilitary Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. I. O. M. J. G. Chapple. A.O.D.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. G. Chapple.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Major J. G. Chapple. R.A.O.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, overall good very fine (8)Provenance:Purchased Spink Numismatic Circular, March 1979.M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.John Gardiner Chapple was born in Mauritius on 11 February 1886, the son of James Chapple. He was initially schooled privately before joining the Woolwich Polytechnic in 1902 and remaining there until 1910. Chapple was initially employed as an Inspector of Royal Engineers Stores, Woolwich from 1910-1914 when he undertook a course at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich and was commissioned Lieutenant (Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class III).Entering the war in France on 30 May 1915 his application for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers lists his duties at the time which included 'Inspection & Repair of Artillery & War Material'. Advanced Captain and Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class II he was further appointed Works Manager of the Calais Workshops.Transferred to Italy in 1917 Chapple was further advanced Major and Inspector of Ordnance Class I on 7 March 1917. It was not long after this that he was awarded the M.C., likely for his services in France prior to transferring to Italy.Chapple was confirmed in the rank of Major on 5 November 1918 and remained in the Military after the war, being appointed Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia from 1920. This placed him in the region as both Senior Inspector of Ordnance Machinery and Technical Advisor during the Iraqi Revolt, remaining there until 1922.Returning to Britain he was appointed back to the Royal Engineers Stores at Woolwich as a Chief Draughtsman where he was responsible for designing new stores for the War Office. Joining the Air Ministry in 1926 Chapple was working at R.A.F. Halton as the stationed Electrical and Mechanical Officer in 1926.Still serving as a Major in 1939 whilst living in Nottinghamshire he saw service in France in 1940 however did not return to the continent in 1944. Chapple was discharged having reached the age of liability on 27 September 1946 with the honorary rank of Colonel. He retired to Portsmouth where he died in April 1972; sold together with copied research.…

The campaign group of four awarded to Captain D. J. R. Simson, Royal Navy, who was killed by a German sniper on 23 May 1940 while serving aboard H.M.S. Keith at Boulogne when the port was infiltrated by German troops; he also received a posthumous 'mention'Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Capt. D. J. R. Simson. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, these in box of issue and with named Condolence slip, extremely fine (4)M.I.D. London Gazette 27 August 1940.David James Robert Simson was born on 7 September 1892, later studying at Osborne and then Dartmouth, taking the King's Medal. He was promoted Midshipman on 15 January 1910 and served aboard Russell and Lancaster in the Mediterranean and with Lion during her first commission. Later being further advanced Sub-Lieutenant on 15 April 1913, during the Great War he served on the destroyer Acasta and battleship King George V at the Battle of Jutland.From March 1918 he first held command on Usk. Simson was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander on 15 January 1923, Commander on 30 June 1928, and between 1929-30 was the Executive Officer at the boys' training establishment at Shotley. After this time he returned to serving aboard destroyers and commanded, among other vessels, Vanquisher in the Mediterranean, Valorous in the Home Fleet, and between 1934-35 the cruiser Cumberland in China. During the Naval Review in 1935 Simson commanded Thanet before commanding Vivien and Winchelsea and from May 1936 the new destroyer Grenville. He was promoted Captain on 30 June 1936 and was later placed in command of Codrington from 24 August 1939 until 26 November and was then in charge of Keith from 15 February 1940.On 10 May 1940, the Germans launched their invasion of France and the Low Countries. That day Keith and her sister Boreas escorted the light cruisers Arethusa and Galatea as they carried bullion from the Dutch port of Ijmuiden to the United Kingdom for safe keeping. On 12 May, she returned to the Hook of Holland in the Netherlands to evacuate Allied troops. After the destroyer Whitley had to be run aground on 19 May when she was damaged by German aircraft, she was scuttled by Keith. Keith was one of three destroyers on 21 May that evacuated 468 civilians from France. Two days later she was in Boulogne-sur-Mer, loading British troops at the Gare Maritime to be evacuated and was attacked by German troops who had infiltrated the port area. Simson was shot by a sniper and several crew members and a dozen soldiers were also killed.He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Keith sailed for the UK immediately afterwards and was later active during Operation Dynamo. She was sunk off Dunkirk by German air attacks on the morning of 31 May 1940.Brigadier W. A. Fox-Pitt, who served as commander of the 20th Guards Brigade to defend Boulogne and was subsequently awarded a D.S.O., wrote to Simson's brother, Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Simson on 20 August 1946:'My only means of communication with England during the battle was through H.M. Ships so that if there was no destroyer in, I was completely out of touch. The last destroyers left Boulogne during the night of the 23/24th and I was out of touch with England until H.M.S. Keith came in about 3p.m. By this time I had ordered a withdrawal into a closer perimeter round the Harbour in order to prevent the Germans getting round my northerly flank and cutting us off.I went aboard the Keith and had a conference with Simson and discussed the situation and sent off certain signals explaining the progress of the battle. I also had a very welcome cup of tea and gave one of the officers a letter to post for me in England. We were both pretty certain then that it was a waste of life to continue to hold Boulogne as my casualties were mounting pretty rapidly.However, a signal arrived while I was on board from the Prime Minister saying "You will evacuate all non military personnel (Pioneer Corps etc), the 20th Guards Brigade will fight it out". I then left the Keith and went and saw my Battalion Commanders and gave further orders for holding the town. I was away about two hours and then returned to the Keith, for further orders. While on board I received the signal telling to evacuate. As it was getting late I went ashore immediately to get my orders out and understood that the destroyers would put out and come back again after dark for the evacuation. I had only just left the ship when the air attack started and during the attack Simson was killed. The destroyers left the port as soon as they could and I continued with my arrangements for evacuation. I did not know that Simson had been killed until the destroyers came in later. Condor of the Whitshed, was then left in command of the Flotilla. Just before dark the destroyers came in again and I was told that I must evacuate immediately. This meant putting my plan in motion very quickly, but eventually all the troops were evacuated by about 2 a.m. on the 25th.My recollections of your brother are pretty vivid. I found him most helpful in concocting signals to England. He was at all times thoroughly calm and collected and very quick to grasp the situation on shore. He realised the importance of the destroyers as my only link with Dover, and I fear it may have been for this reason that he stayed in the port so long, as the destroyers were a very tempting target. I don't remember the Germans being within small arms range of the Keith at the time of the air attack, but the aircraft were machine gunning as well as dropping bombs. The real battle between the destroyers and the land targets took place later when the destroyers completely silenced the Germans for the rest of the night and I saw a German tank knocked out by one of their guns myself.'Sold together with the following archive comprising:i)The handwritten letter to Mrs Simson from Admiral Sir B. H. Ramsay, dated 25 May, written from Dover expressing his deepest sympathy upon his death.ii)Officer's bicorn hat, epaulettes and sword belt in named tin, together with Greatcoat Epaulettes.iii)Two sets of his pre-Second World War miniature medals, with riband bars.iv)Silver Oar rowing prize for the VIIIth Flotilla Officers Race 1925 H.M.S. Venturous, silver napkin ring and silver clothes brush.v)Letter to his wife and that to his brother from Fox-Pitt, besides photographs and assorted calling cards (5), newspaper cutting, Blue Lists (2), The List 1940, black armbands (2), besides a four leaf clover and lucky heather.…

The Bronze Star group of ten to Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman) W. J. Scovil, 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry who served as part of 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)United States of America, Bronze Star with V emblem (William J. Scovil) engraved; Purple Heart; Air Medal, bronze (William J. Scovil) engraved; Commendation Medal with V and oak leaf emblems (William J. Scovil) engraved; Good Conduct Medal (William J. Scovil) engraved; National Defence Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- clasp; Vietnam, Campaign Star; Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Vietnam, Civil Action Honour Medal, mounted on a framed display, very fine (10)William James Scovil studied at Ullman High School, Birmingham, Alabama, he received a Diploma and completed his studies in 1968.Joining the United States Army at Montgomery, Alabama, on 8 April 1969 he served at 2nd Battalion 5th Advanced Infantry Training (A.I.T.) Brigade at Fort Polk, Louisiana from 15 June 1969.Posted to United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) on 16 August 1969 he saw service in Vietnam from 6 September 1969 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the role of an Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman) with the 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment (Airmobile).1st Air Cavalry Division 1969 -1970In late 1968, the Division moved and set up operations in III Corps at the other end of South Vietnam in late 1968. They were still there when Operation Cheyenne Sabre began in areas northeast of Bien Hoa in February 1969. Their actions here were to prove decisive and by the end of the year the enemy's domination of the northern areas of III Corps had been smashed - thoroughly.When Operation Rock Crusher was launched on 1 May 1970, the First Team was "First into Cambodia" hitting what was previously a Communist sanctuary. President Nixon having given the go-ahead for the surprise mission. They pushed into the 'Fish Hook' region of the border and occupied the towns of Mimot and Snoul whilst troopers scattered the enemy forces, depriving them of much needed supplies and ammunition.The men of the 2nd Brigade found an enemy munitions base that they dubbed 'Rock Island East' on 8 May. The Mission to Cambodia, ending on 30 June, far exceeded all expectations and proved to be one of the most successful operations of the First Team. All aspects of ground and air combat had been utilised and the enemy had lost enough men to yield three NVA divisions and enough weapons to equip two divisions. Further successes included a year's supply of rice and corn seized, uncommonly large quantities of ammunition taken, including 1.5 million rounds for small arms, 200,000 anti-aircraft rounds and 143,000 rockets, mortar rounds and recoilless rifle rounds. As well as 300 trucks, a Porsche sports car and a plush Mercedes Benz sedan.The campaign was to have severe political repercussions in the United States for the Nixon Administration however and pressure was mounting to remove America's fighting men from the Vietnam War. Although there would be further assault operations, the war was beginning to wind down for many troopers.Posted away from Vietnam on 5 September 1970 Scovil began his return to the U.S.A. on 22 September 1970 and on 11 October he was an Indirect Fire Crewman with the 6th Battalion of 32nd Armour based at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he completed his Army service on 8 April 1971.Sold together an original archive comprising:(i)Combat Infantryman Badge(ii)Air Assault Badge(iii)Valorous Unit Award 1st May - 29th May 1970 for "Fish Hook" region Cambodia(iv)Dress Cap Badge(v)Specialist 4th Class patch (2)(vi)Riband bar for uniform(vii)1st Air Cavalry Division patch(viii)8th Cavalry patch(ix)8th Cavalry cap badge(x)Assorted copied research which shows various service details including medal entitlement.(xi)Safe Conduct Pass(xii)A further set of uniform medal ribands…

A rare Borneo and Vietnam War Special Forces group of three awarded to Sergeant W. H. 'Bill' Roods, Australian Special Air Service (S.A.S.), a gallant and skilful patrol leader who implemented telling Claymore mine detonations against Viet Cong insurgentsGeneral Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (15340 W. H. Roods); Vietnam 1967 (15340 W. H. Roods); South Vietnam campaign service, clasp, '1960-', the reverse officially inscribed, '15340 W. H. Roods', the second with a scratch over service number and the last with slightly chipped obverse enamel, otherwise good very fine (3)William Henry Roods was born in Wauchope, New South Wales on 6 November 1939 and enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in Brisbane in August 1959. Having then served in the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, he won selection for the Australian Special Air Service in the summer of 1961, when he joined the 1st S.A.S. Company and qualified for his parachute badge.Having then served in Papua New Guinea and passed a 'Recondo' course, in addition to roping, signal and canoe/small craft handlers' courses, he was deployed to the Borneo operations as a Corporal and Patrol Leader in 2 Squadron S.A.S. in January-August 1966. In late April/early May he led a patrol to explore whether the enemy had re-established a base but could find no evidence to support that suspicion; he appears in TV footage of another S.A.S. patrol held by the Australian War Memorial.Advanced to Sergeant, he was next emplaned for operations with 1 Squadron S.A.S. in South Vietnam, in which theatre of war he remained actively employed from March 1967 to February 1968. 'Actively' being the operative word, as confirmed in Phantoms of the Jungle:'These initial ambushed had been initiated by rifle fire and had been markedly more successful than the earlier reconnaissance patrols. However, the squadron had obtained a quantity of Claymore mines and, influenced by the experience of the ex-2 Squadron men who had used mines in Sarawak, it was decided to use the Claymores in S.A.S. ambushes. At first some of the patrols had no more than two Claymores, but the increasing effectiveness of the ambushes was startling.Between 26 and 30 April [1967] five patrols (Roods, Stevenson, Farley, Hindson and Shaw) were deployed on ambush missions in an arc stretching from the north west to north east of Nui Dat out to a distance of from ten to fifteen kilometres. The first to gain success was Sergeant Bill (Chester) Roods whose five man patrol was inserted ten kilometres north west of Binh Ba. On 29 April they fired two Claymores at three Viet Cong walking along the track, killing two and wounding a third. A few seconds later more Viet Cong moved into the killing area and the third Claymore, facing down the track, was fired. The patrol quickly withdrew and was credited with five enemy killed and one wounded.'In his own patrol report, Roods described the victims thus:'The five men killed were dressed in black. Two were wearing straw hats. At least three were carrying large packs on their backs, one of which was a flower bag. One was seen to be carrying a small unidentified S.M.G., with no woodwork visible. All men were armed but their weapons were not identified. Weapons hear returning fire were of a light calibre, firing single shots.As the patrol withdrew, at least three men were heard to follow for a short distance. It isn't possible to accurately access the strength of the party, but it was probably about 10-12 including the five killed.'Accompanying copied reports testify to around a dozen more patrols led by Roods. Infiltration and extraction were by helicopter and the patrols tended to last for two or three days, invariably in harsh jungle conditions. In his report for the above firefight with the Viet Cong, Roods noted the terrain thus:'Secondary jungle thick with vines and scattered patches of bamboo. Only water was in the main creek. A few leeches were found in the area and the mosquitoes were prevalent at last light.'It is clear, too, that clandestine surveillance was the primary objective of such patrols, a case in point being the five-man team Roods commanded in the Xuyen Moc sector on 16-19 June 1967. On that occasion he was able to send a detailed report of a large Viet Cong force, including women and children. The men wore blue uniforms and were equipped with a variety of Soviet arms, arms which were brought to bear on an attacking helicopter gunship. The patrol had to be withdrawn early 'as V.C. prevented it from reaching water.'But Roods also participated in some larger scale offensive patrols, of which he was second-in-command under an officer or senior N.C.O. One such took place on 11-12 December 1967, when his team ambushed a party of Viet Cong with Claymore mines, killing seven of them - 'Patrol searched the bodies then withdrew to LZ and was extracted.'Roods took his discharge in Brisbane in August 1968 and settled in Broadwater, Western Australia. He subsequently became eligible for the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, with 'Malaysia' and 'Vietnam' clasps, the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with 'PNG' clasp, the Australian Defence Medal and the Anniversary of National Service Medal 1951-72; sold with a file of copied research, including his service record and course reports, in addition to a copy of Roods' reports for 'Patrol 13, 1 S.A.S. Squadron, during its tour of South Vietnam between 1967-68'.…

Shanghai Volunteer Corps Long Service Medal, silver, hallmarks to rim, the reverse officially engraved 'B.Q.M.S. J. A. Cheeseman. Act. 1920-1931', good very fineProvenance:Sotheby's, July 1998.James Alfred Cheeseman was born at Reading on 13 August 1893, the son of The Rev. James & Isabella Cheeseman, the sixth of nine children. Young Cheeseman was educated at Chester College School and Paradise Street School in Cambridge before going out east - described as a draper - in 1913. With the outbreak of the Great War, he volunteered with 109 fellows from Shanghai and proceeded to England to join the New Army via the Suwa Maru. Joining King Edward's Horse (No. 894), he served on the Western Front from October 1915 and whilst serving in an Observation Post with 'A' Squadron at La Bourse was wounded by a rifle grenade on 24 March 1916 (1914-15 Star Trio). His daughter later wrote how the wounds effected his lower spine and knee, partially crippling him.Returning to Shanghai in May 1919, he joined the Shanghai Volunteer Artillery Company and the Whizzbangs Shanghai Amateur Football Club. Cheeseman would likely have been called out to share in the actions with his Battery against the Chekiang Kiangsu warlords in 1924-25. Married to Kathleen, he was to face tragedy as she produced a daughter on 16 October 1926 but died the next day, with their infant passing on 20 October 1926. A second marriage several years later (see group photograph) produced another daughter, Dora, who lived until 2015.Awarded his Long Service Medal as per the Shanghai Municipal Gazette of 7 August 1931, the Artillery Battery was disbanded several years after, with Cheeseman joining the Municipal Police Specials from September 1937 - perhaps serving during the emergency. He had also been made Manager of the famous department store Lane Crawford (founded 1862) shortly before its collapse. He thence set up the Textile Import Company, with offices in the Hong Kong & Shanghai Bank Building.Promoted Sub-Inspector in the Specials in November 1939, Cheeseman was living on the Tifeng Road. Following the uncontested invasion of Shanghai by the Japanese on 8 December 1941, life continued comparatively unchanged and the Municipal Police were required to maintain the administration, under the Shanghai Provisional Council of 1941Under considerable pressure from the United States Administration, the foreign Extra Territorial Treaties, which had established the China Treaty ports in the 19th century including Shanghai (except that for Hong Kong), were abrogated on 11 January 1943 by the Treaty Between His Majesty in Respect of the United Kingdom and India and His Excellency the President of the National Government of the Republic of China for the Relinquishment of Extra-Territorial Rights in China and the Regulation of Related Matters - so that at the end of the Japanese War Shanghai, and other occupied treaty ports would be returned to the Chinese Government (KMT) in Nanking.This also had the effect of terminating the Police service contracts in March 1943. That same month, Cheeseman and other expatriate members of allied countries were put into one of the internment camps - described as Civil Assembly Centres. His family went into the Lunghwa Centre. That place held just under 2,000 people and was described thusly:'The camp was large, containing seven concrete buildings, five large wooden barracks (originally built as stables by the Japanese), and numerous outbuildings. There were fifty nine dorms and 127 rooms for families.'In addition to malnutrition, malaria and typhoid were a common problem. A fellow internee was J. G. Ballard who, in his book Empire of the Sun (later made into a Stephen Spielberg film), gives a vivid description of life in this camp. At the end of the Pacific War, when the employees of the Municipal Council, civil servants, Police, Fire etc. came out of the internment camps in August and September 1945, they were unemployed. Some managed to obtain jobs in Shanghai and Hong Kong, which it appears the Cheesemans went to. He arrived back at Liverpool in November 1950.…

'A charming & handsome old man with one arm.So wrote the niece of the gallant Colonel KnoxAn outstanding campaign pair awarded to Colonel K. Barrett, 13th Regiment of Foot (1st Somersetshire) (Prince Albert's Regiment of Light Infantry), a long-served and most gallant officer who served on campaign in the Caribbean, Upper Canada and Burma - having his arm blown off in the attack on the Great Pagoda in July 1825 in the lastMilitary General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Martinique, Guadaloupe (Knox Barrett, Ensn. 13th Foot.); Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Bt. Captn. K. Barrett, 13th Foot.), short-hyphen reverse, officially impressed naming, heavy edge bruising, very fine (2)Knox Barrett was born circa 1783, the son of William Barrett, High Sheriff of Sligo, of Culleenamore House. The Sligo Independant of July 1882 gives more detail:' He joined in 1805 from the North Mayo Militia, obtaining an ensigncy in the gallant 13th Regiment of Foot. This regiment, when in India saw much service, and Colonel Barrett, then a Lieutenant, showed much pluck and coolness on the battle field. At Rangoon, when the English army under General Dale fought well and bravely, Colonel Barrett led his Company in the thickest of the fight, and had his right arm shot off. He was specially mentioned by his Colonel, afterwards the great and good General Havelock as being a brave officer. Of course, the loss of his arm obliged him to retire from the Army, and General Havelock, whose friend and companion he was, parted from him with regret. He possessed medals and claps for Ava, Guadeloupe, Martinique, India etc. Since he left the army, he came to reside in Sligo.'Barrett has a remarkable record of service in the Caribbean, North America and in India. Having shared in the actions at Martinique in October 1809, he was present at the capture of Guadaloupe and was then subsequently posted to Upper Canada with his unit. Their Light Company was stationed at le Aux Noix and a detachment went to the blockhouse of Lacolle Mills - when they shared in the famous defence of that place in March 1814.Furthermore, Barrett would have been with his unit when they crossed Lake Champlain to attack Plattsburgh in New York, sharing in the final acts of the War of 1812. They departed the scene in July 1815. He would then share in the events in India, being unfortunate to have his '...arm blown off' during the attack on the Great Pagoda in the First Anglo-Burmese War. On 5 July 1825 the unit also suffered one man killed and seventeen other ranks wounded in action besides Barrett.Retired on account of his wounds, he was provided with a pension of £70 for his wounds. Returned to his native Sligo, he took up various posts, including as Justice of the Peace, Superintendent of the gaol, a member of the Sligo Harbor Commission and sat on the Dispensary Commission. Having married Anne Rice in 1827, the pair had no children but were always known for their generosity to their numerous nephews and nieces. The good Colonel died on 10 July 1882 and is buried in the family tomb at St John's Churchyard. His obituary notice gives the final word:'Our obituary notices of to-day announce the death of this gentleman who lived to a patriarchal age, being nearly a century old when he breathed his last at his residence, Rathanna, near this town. It may be well said that by his death a link connecting the present generation with the past – the long past – a severed, for when many grandfathers of today were leading strings Colonel Barrett was fighting for his King and country on the burning plains of India...In private life he was distinguished for his mildness of disposition and goodness of heart.'…

The superb campaign pair awarded to Colonel W. B. Aislabie, 3rd Sikh Infantry, an Australian-born Indian Army Officer, who was thanked for his services in the Jowaki Expedition 1877, seeing out all of his service on the North-West Frontier and Afghanistan, being thrice 'mentioned' in the latter campaignIndia General Service 1854-94, 3 clasps, Umbeyla, North West Frontier, Jowaki 1877-8 (Lieut. W. B. Aislabie, 3rd Sikh Infantry) unofficial connection between 1st & 2nd clasps; Afghanistan 1878-80, 2 clasps, Kabul, Kandahar (Maj. W. B. Aislabie, 3rd Sikh Infy.), good very fine (2)Ex-Brian Ritchie Collection.William Benjamin Aislabie was born at Richmond, Van Diemens Land, Australia, the son Reverend William John Aislabie and his wife Amerlia. Notably his elder brother was Rawson Aislabie - later Major General - one of only five officers to escape the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny at Delhi. His grandfather was Benjamin Aislabie, a famous cricketer and secretary of the M.C.C.. Most of the Reverend Aislabie's children appear to have been born in Australia, suggesting the family was residing there at the time. However they had returned to Britain by 1851, settling at Alpheton, Suffolk where the younger Aislabie appears upon the census.The Indian Army and North-West FrontierCommissioned into the Indian Army as an Ensign on 20 December 1859, Aislabie was advanced Lieutenant in the 3rd Sikh Infantry on 23 November 1861. Serving throughout the Umbeyla campaign of 1863, he was present for the actions of 15-16 December as well as the Hazara campaign of 1868, including the expedition against the tribes on the Black Mountain.Promoted Captain after the Hazara campaign on 29 June 1869 he was serving in that rank during the Jowaki Expedition 1877. Whilst there his commanding officer, Colonel Mocatta, succeeded to the command of the force consisting of the 1st Sikhs and 4th Punjab Infantry in addition to the 3rd Sikhs. Aislabie took command of the Regiment and led them during the campaign in which his column was to make a demonstration through the Tortung Pass towards Gumbut. The operation involved some skirmishing and cost the life of one man of the 3rd Sikhs and five wounded before returning to Kohat next day.In September Aislabie, in command of a detachment of 220 rifles, relieved a similar party of the 1st Sikhs at Gundiali and was employed for a fortnight in heavy patrolling duty from Gumbut. At the end of the month he commanded 447 rifles and, together with the 1st Sikhs, covered the building of a fort at Gundiali during which three men were wounded.In the autumn the Jowaki Afridis turned up the heat, attacking tribes between Peshawar and Kohat. Two 'Piffer' punitive columns were organised under Brigadier-Generals Keyes and Ross. The 3rd Sikhs advanced with the main force (the Kohat Column) under the former and on 1 December 1877 attacked and captured Jummoo, the principal stronghold of the Jowaki Afridis. The tribesmen fled into the hills and the Jowaki headmen sought peace. But, they found the terms unacceptable and hostilities were resumed until the tribesmen were utterly defeated by 250 British cavalry on 15 February. Aislabie was subsequently thanked for his services in Keyes despatch (GO No. 738 of 9 August 1878) in the following terms:'The command of the 3rd Sikh Infantry devolved, in the absence of Colonel Mocatta and Major Money, on Captain W. B. Aislabie, who carried out the duty in the advance on Piah, the advance on the Dargai heights and operations at Narel Kula to my entire satisfaction and with much credit to himself.'AfghanistanWith the renewal of hostilities in the Second Afghan War on 6 September 1879, Aislabie accompanied his Regiment from Bunnoo to Kurram. Orders were received for the march to the Shuturgardan Pass on the road to Kabul on 20 September which they were to defend with distinction. The pass was reached on 25 September and Aislabie was duly present at the repulses of the enemy with heavy loss on 2 October and again on 14 October.On the latter occasion, 'A large body of tribesmen had, for a short time, commanded the British position and broken its telegraphic communication with the Kuram. Major C. J. Griffiths, who went out with 250 Sikhs to dislodge the enemy, was wounded early in the engagement, but his men, led by Captain W. B. Aislabie, drove the tribesmen from the heights with the loss of their main standard, captured by Jemadar Gunesa Sing, and of two or three hundred killed and wounded, whilst, including Griffiths and Signalling-Sergeant Browne, the victors had only eight men wounded.'With this heavy engagement the Afghans were totally routed and pursued for two miles though not dispersed. For this action he was 'mentioned' in Roberts' dispatch of 15 October which states: '… and further brings to my notice the names of Major Griffiths, 3rd Sikhs, who led the attack until wounded; of Captain Aislabie, 3rd Sikhs, who succeeded to the command…'Following the abandonment of the Shutargardan on 30 October and the Regiment's arrival at Kabul, Aislabie took part in the defeat of the Afghans by Macpherson's Brigade in the Chardeh Valley on 10 December, and again on 11 December when Massy's guns were recovered. When 400 men of the 92nd Highlanders, the Corps of Guides, and 300 rifles of the 3rd Sikhs, under Brigadier-General T. D. Baker marched out from the Sherpur cantonment on 13 December to attack and carry the Takht-i-Shah peak, Aislabie went up the spur with 100 rifles as escort to No.3 Mountain Battery. For his work in this action he was again 'mentioned'.In the afternoon next day, 'the enemy attacked a strong picket left on the conical hill below Asmai heights and succeeded in driving the defenders away with the loss of 2 mountain guns, following them down into the plains. The 100 rifles under Captain Aislabie were ordered at the double to check the enemy and cover the retirement. The 3rd Sikhs formed skirmishing order, passed through our retirement, engaged the enemy and drove them up the hill ... In this affair all ranks behaved with coolness and gallantry.'Between 14 and 23 December Aislabie served in the Defence of Sherpur. Promoted to Field Rank on 20 December, he was appointed Wing Commander in his corps on the same date, vice Major Griffiths. He accompanied the regiment into the Logar, Wardak, and Maidan valleys in May 1880 to collect supplies and destroy refractory Ghilzai villages. Joining the march from Kabul to the relief of Kandahar in August he was present at the crushing defeat of Ayub Khan at the Battle of Kandahar on 1 September. For services in the Afghan War of 1878-80, he was three times mentioned in Roberts' despatches, received the Medal with two clasps and the Bronze Kabul to Kandahar Star.EpilogueThe 3rd Sikhs arrived at Dera Ghazi Khan in November 1880 and occupied the Right Infantry lines and, on the departure of Colonel Money on sick furlough to Europe, Aislabie was appointed to officiate as second in command. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 20 December 1885 he finally became Commandant of his corps in December 1887 on the retirement of Major Griffiths. 'By GGO dated 15th March, Lieutenant-Colonel W. B. Aislabie was permitted to retire from the service with effect from 18th March [1889] and was struck off the strength of the Regiment.'Returning to Britain, Aislabie was granted probate on the estate of his brother Major-General Rawson Aislabie the next year in 1890. He died at Cheltenham on 12 June 1910, his obituary in the Gloucester Journal reads:'Lieut. Colonel William Benjamin Aislabie who died on June 14th at 1, Berkeley-place, Cheltenham, retired from the Indian Army on December 20th, 1885. He served in the Frontier…

Six: Leading Seaman W. H. Harris, Royal Navy who was awarded the Russian Medal for Zeal whilst aboard the Jupiter on her epic icebreaking mission to Archangel in 1915; he served with the Metropolitan Police either side of the Great War and latterly with 'X' Division1914-15 Star (12366 W. H. Harris. L.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (12366 W. H. Harris. L.S. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (212366 (Dev.B 1735) W. H. Harris L.S. R.F.R); Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police issue (P.C., W. Harris.); Russia, Imperial, Medal for Zeal (212366 W.H. Harris Lg.Sea. H.M.S. Jupiter), impressed naming, claw and ring suspension to this last, very fine (6)William Henry Harris was born on 2 June 1884 at Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire. On enlistment into the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class, he was allocated to the Devonport Division and joined Impregnable, the Boys Training establishment, then moored in the River Tamar at Devonport. Harris spent eighteen months aboard Impregnable before being sent to Agincourt, an old cruiser that was then operating as a sea going training ship for boys. Agincourt was based at Portland and mostly spent time in the English Channel. On leaving Agincourt, Harris was rated an Ordinary Seaman and drafted to Vivid, the depot ship at Devonport. While at Devonport Harris spent time at Cambridge, the gunnery school and Defiance, the Torpedo school, being rated an Able Seaman during 1903.On 1 March 1904, Harris received his first sea going draft being posted to Andromeda, an 11000-ton cruiser that was commissioned for the China station. After serving aboard for a full commission, Harris on returning to Devonport purchased his discharge from the Royal Navy.He joined the Metropolitan Police Force on 25 February 1907, serving in 'X' Division (Warrant No. 94257). With the outbreak of the Great War, Harris was recalled for service and rated as Leading Seaman joining Talbot, part of the 12th Cruiser Squadron operating in the Western Channel. Harris only spent a short period of time aboard but might have still been aboard when Talbot captured a German merchant ship during September. Harris was next drafted to Jupiter. In January 1915 the Admiralty received a request for assistance from the Russian Government, as their icebreaker used to keep open the passage to Archangel in the White Sea had broken down. In response the Royal Navy sent out Jupiter, an old Majestic-class battleship. She departed for Archangel in February 1915, freeing en route a number of vessels stuck in the ice, occasionally by using explosive charges. She, too, sometimes became icebound, but still managed to make a major impression on the problem, improving the safe passage of numerous vessels, many of them laden with highly important war materials, among them the S.S. Thracia. The latter was taken in tow after the use of explosive charges to free her.Throughout these operations it was not unusual for the temperature to fall as low as minus 20 degrees, a hard test indeed on the morale and wellbeing of the Jupiter's crew. Her mission completed by May 1915, the Tsar expressed his gratitude by the presentation of a variety of Russian Honours and Awards to her crew, including Harris.After spending the remainder of 1915 at Devonport he was drafted to Marksman, allocated to the 12th Destroyer Flotilla which was serving with the Grand Fleet. Marksman, with Harris aboard, took an active part in the Battle of Jutland. During the battle Marksman picked up the captain of the destroyer Ardent that had been sunk taking part in the last skirmish of the battle. The following day Marksman came across the crippled destroyer Sparrowhawk, which had had her stern blown off. Marksman initially tried to tow Sparrowhawk, but the strain was too much, and the crew were taken off and the destroyer sunk.During late 1917 and early 1918 Marksman served with the Dover Patrol before returning to the Grand Fleet. The Great War over, Harris was demobilised on 19 February 1919 and returned to the Police Force, being pensioned on 29 February 1932.In the 1939 Register Harris is recorded as living at Homefield Harris Lane, Shenley, Hertfordshire, with his wife, Ellen. According to the splendid The Metropolitan Police, the men and their Medals, Volume 1 by Jim Kemp, Harris served as a Reserve Officer during the Second World War. It is possible he is entitled to a Defence Medal. 'X' Division suffered several casualties when a bomb exploded in Kilburn on 6 November 1940.…

The rare and remarkable 'Tiddim Defence of Point 6052' M.C. and 'Battle of Imphal' Second Award Bar group of five awarded to Captain C. F. V. Martin, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light InfantryMilitary Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated '1944', with Second Award Bar dated 1944; 1939-1945 Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, sold together with the named Buckingham Palace forwarding slip for the Military Cross and Second Award Bar and a further archive, good very fine (5)M.C. London Gazette 18 May 1944, the original recommendation states:'While in command of a company on pt. 6052 on the 26th of January 1944, the enemy put in a persistent attack from 1745 hours to 1830 hours, which was repulsed with heavy losses. At 2300 hours the enemy again attacked with even more determination but was again driven back. During both these attacks, Captain Martin ran from post to post in the open, directing the fire and encouraging the men, regardless of his personal safety. Throughout the 27th and the 28th, the enemy sent frequent harassing parties to wear down our defences and to prevent our men from sleeping. On the 29th of January, our position was again very heavily attacked, this time by two enemy companies, from 0530 hours to 1030 hours. Although the position was thinly held, our casualties equivalent to one platoon, and the men tired through three sleepless nights, the enemy was driven back time and again with very heavy losses estimated at 200 killed and wounded. Although completely without sleep during these four days, Captain Martin went from trench to trench, encouraging the men and urging them to hold on, despite close range grenade, small arms and very heavy mortar fire. When the enemy broke through the wire and threatened to swamp the defences, he personally organised and led a counterattack which, by determined hand to hand fighting wiped out all the enemy who had broken in. Captain Martin's splendid example of personal gallantry and leadership in the face of heavy odds, his spirit of endurance and determination to hold out, inspired all ranks to resist at all costs, over a period of four days, a persistent enemy attempt to capture a position of extreme tactical significance'Second Award Bar London Gazette 5 October 1944, the original recommendation states:'On the morning of the 26th of May 1944, Captain Martin was leading a Company taking part in the attack on Red Hill RK 224488.In the initial stages of this attack Captain Martin was wounded leading his Company under heavy MMG fire on to the objective, but ignoring his wounds this officer personally led a grenade throwing party to wipe out a Japanese Bunker, which was holding up the advance of his company. With complete disregard for his own safety and despite his wounds this officer approached the bunker, the occupants of which had been catching our grenades and throwing them back, and by waiting 3 seconds after the cap of the grenade had been struck before he threw it, succeeded in wiping out the bunker and thereby clearing the way for the advance. In doing this Captain Martin was again wounded, but continued to lead his Company forward until he collapsed from loss of blood.This magnificent example of gallantry and selfless devotion to duty under heavy fire was not only a supreme inspiration to every man in the Company, but a vital contributory factor in the success of the attack.'Clifford Frederick Victor Martin was born in Oxfordshire on 17 July 1919, the son of Captain Victor and Rose Martin. Granted a Regular Army Emergency Commission and gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant with the number 113619, he joined the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 16 January 1940.Martin then saw service out in India and Burma when on attachment to the Indian Army and serving with the 7th Battalion, 10th Baluch Regiment. He likely received his attachment to the 7th Battalion in the aftermath of the retreat from Burma in 1942, during which the Battalion had formed part of the 46th Indian Brigade in the 17th Indian Division. After withdrawing from Burma, the 17th Division then found itself stationed in Assam.They were not part of the failed First Arakan Offensive of late 1942 into the spring of 1943, but instead undertook intensive training to learn from the mistakes of the previous year in readiness to take the offensive against the Japanese in 1944 and 1945.The Defence of Point 6052Their first major operation occurred in January 1944, and it was Martin - then commanding a composite formation of 'A' and 'C' companies - who bore the brunt of it. It was for this period while serving as a temporary Captain that he was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry during the defence of Point 6052.Martin's composite company was established on Point 6052, seven miles south of Tiddim, to form a patrol base. They launched several patrols to engage and identify the Japanese in the area and the perimeter of the base was at one point attacked but the company was able to hold on. This attack occurred on 26 January 1944, the day Martin earned his first Military Cross.It was estimated that the 7/10th Baluch killed more than 200 Japanese in the area, while themselves suffering only 3 killed and 10 wounded over the course of the month. The positions were dug in all round defences on ground of the 7/10th Baluch's choosing. This enabled them to repel the Japanese attacks, unlike at Pa-an in 1942, and showed that the retraining of the past 18 months had paid dividends.In the aftermath of his honour, Martin received a personal letter from General Slim, commander of the 14th Army, stating: 'I am very pleased to hear that your gallant action has been rewarded, and sent you my warmest congratulations on a well deserved honour.'The Battalion continued to send out patrols in the areas in front of and around Point 6052 in February and March, with the men and officers gaining valuable experience in operating as light infantry during this period. The Battalion, along with the 4/12th Frontier Force Rifles, withdrew along the Tiddim Road on 4 April in the face of increasing pressure during the Japanese advances and the repositioning in readiness for the Battle of Imphal.ImphalHaving retreated onto the Imphal Plain, they were sent to protect the Panel airstrip. The Battalion took over positions in the 'Catfish Box' area on 5 April, also at this point receiving reinforcements to create a fourth company and bring it up to strength as an ordinary infantry unit.A Company, under the command of now acting-Major Martin, was sent to Point 5846 on the Bishenpur-Silchar Road while the rest of the Battalion took the opportunity to re-organise and to incorporate the new company. The 7/10th Baluch moved to the 17th Divisional Box at Chingphu, north of Bishenpur, in mid-May as a response to increased Japanese pressure on the entrance to the Imphal Plain from the Bishenpur region.Red Hill PimpleThey began to dig in immediately upon arrival in their capacity as a protection of the divisional HQ. A series of patrols were sent out around the area as reports arrived of Japanese forces coming from the west, and a major clash ensued on 20 May involving one platoon on a ridge overlooking the divisional area. This force managed to hold out for more than 8 hours and successfully held up a major Japanese group. On 25th May, the Battalion was ordered to carry out an attack on Point 2926, 'Red Hill Pimple'. That evening, 3 Companies - A, B and C, respectively - moved to their jumping off positions, which included the ridge itself, without being heard or noticed by the Japanese.The A and C Companies were to attack the Japan…

The 'Trench Raid 1918' D.C.M., 'Asiago Plateau August 1918' Al Valore group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major H. Loughman, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, who rushed and cleared two machine gun posts during a raid in 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6445 C.S.Mjr: H. Loughman. 2/Bord:R.); 1914-15 Star (6445 Sjt. H. Loughman. Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6445 W.O.Cl.2. H. Loughman. Bord. R.); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver issue (Altipiano D'Asiago H. Loughman 8-9 Agosto 1918), good very fine (5)D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1918, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid. He was with the leading platoon, and when the first lines of his company were held up by hidden wire and very heavy machine-gun fire, he dashed forwardwith a few men and rushed two machine guns one after another, killing or capturing the teams. This action enabled his company to reform and successfully rush the objective. He showed magnificent courage and rendered most valuable service.'Al Valore Militare London Gazette 29 November 1918.Herbert Loughman entered the war in France on 22 March 1915 with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. The unit saw action at the battles of Neuve Chappelle, Aubers Ridge and Festubert, Loughman was noted as wounded in action in the Lancashire Evening Post casualty list of 15 October 1915. They saw heavy action on the Somme and at Passchendaele before being posted to Italy in 1918.There they were present for the Second Battle of the Piave River and later the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. It was there that Loughman won his Al Valore and likely also the D.C.M. The Whitehaven Advertiser and Cleator Moor and Egremont Observer in October 1918 states that he was awarded the D.C.M. and Al Valore for services in Italy. The Battalion was later in action at Vittorio Veneto and finished the war in Italy.Loughman was demobilised and appears in the newspapers not long after the war being fined for keeping a machine pistol as a souvenir, possibly something he picked up on a trench raid; sold together with copied research.…

THE WATCHES & ARCHIVE OF SHEILA SCOTT O.B.E. (1922-88), 'BRITAIN'S QUEEN OF THE AIR'Given all that could be written about this remarkable aviatrix, the cataloguer turns firstly to Encyclopedia Britannica:'Sheila Scott was born on 27 April 1922 at Worcester, Worcestershire and was a British aviator who broke more than 100 light-aircraft records between 1965 and 1972 and was the first British pilot to fly solo around the world.After attending a Worcester boarding school, Scott became a trainee nurse at Haslar Naval Hospital (1944), where she tended the wounded during World War II. In London she appeared in small roles for theatre, film, and television and worked as a model (1945–59). In 1960 she earned her pilot’s license, bought an old biplane from the Royal Air Force, and won several races, capturing the De Havilland and Jean Lennox Bird trophies for that year. To pay for her flying, she became a demonstrator for Cessna and Piper aircraft.Scott first flew around the world in 1966, covering about 31,000 miles (50,000 km) in 189 flying hours. She set world records when she flew between London and Cape Town (1967) and across the North Atlantic Ocean (1967), the South Atlantic Ocean (1969), and from the Equator to the Equator over the North Pole (1971). After her record polar flight, she made a third around-the-world solo flight, earning her 100th world-class record. She wrote I Must Fly (1968) and On Top of the World (1973; U.S. title Barefoot in the Sky, 1974). Scott was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE; 1968), and she received the Royal Aero Club’s Gold Medal (1972). She died at London on 20 October 1988.'Further notice should be made the fact that Scott was likely the inspiration to Ian Fleming for the alluring 'Pussy Galore' in Goldfinger, played by Honor Blackman in the 1964 movie.Her flights with NASA in 1971 are also worth mention:'Sheila Scott is pictured here with her Piper Aztec 'Mythre', in which she made her world and a half flight in 1971. On this flight, she became the first person to fly over the North Pole in a single engine plane. She carried special NASA equipment for a communications experiment testing the Interrogation Recording and Location System (IRLS) of the Nimbus polar orbiting satellite. The IRLS equipment, a Balloon Interrogation package, transmitted data on Scott’s location during the 34,000 mile (~55,000 kilometer) flight to the Nimbus satellite, which relayed it to NASA’s ground station at Fairbanks, Alaska and then to a computer center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Sheila Scott’s record-making, historic flight confirmed the satellite’s ability to collect location data from remote computerized and human-operated stations with a unique “mobile platform” location test.'She was Roy Plomley's castaway on Desert Island Discs in January 1967, her luxury being tobacco seeds to ensure a never-ending supply of smokes. Scott was always seen as a somewhat quirky individual and flew barefoot, claiming she could feel the controls better. She always signed of 'Happy Landings!' and we hope these treasures will find much the same.Sheila Scott's famous Rolex GMT-Master 'Pepsi' stainless steel automatic dual time wristwatch, first worn on her famous 1966 record-breaking long-distance flightRolex, stainless steel automatic dual time wristwatch with date and leather bracelet, this rather worn, Ref. 1675, GMT-Master 'Pepsi', with bakelite bezel, stainless steel Oyster case, screw-down crown and back the reverse engraved 'SHEILA SCOTT', blue and red 24-hour calibrated bezel, No. 1255812, the applied triangular and dot indexes upon the face 'factory' luminated with radium marker, 40mm, in running condition at time of cataloguing but would likely benefit from a service, a most historic object, very fineProvenance:Philips, December 1989 (Sold by Order of Sheila Scott O.B.E.).Scott wore this very watch on her famous flights. Her image - and this watch - was the first to ever market sports watches for wear by women. Scott commented that it was '...a marvelous watch.'It is no surprise that 'Pussy Galore' also wore a 'Pepsi' in Goldfinger.…

A very fine 1917 D.C.M., 1916 M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Warrant Officer Class II C. E. Nicol, 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.), later 150th Company, Machine Gun Corps, who was further 'mentioned' for his services in 1916 before being tragically killed in action during the Spring Offensive in 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23495 Sjt. C. Nicol. 150/Coy M.G.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2028 Sjt: C. Nichol. 4/York: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2028 Pte. C. Nicol, York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2028 A. W. O. Cl. II. C. E. Nicol. York. R.), mounted court style for wear, sometime lacquered, overall good very fine (5)D.C.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He covered the withdrawal of an exposed flank until his ammunition was all used. On the same day he volunteered and took up one gun to the threatened flank under heavy barrage, and remained there until relieved next day.'M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.Charles Edward Nicol was born in 1892, the son of James and Fanny Nicol of Hornby Castle Gardens, Bedale, Yorkshire. Enlisting at Richmond, Yorkshire he entered the war on 17 April 1915, they went into action less than a week later when the German Army struck a surprise blow at the Second Battle of Ypres. They suffered heavy casualties around Armagh Wood and Hill 60 between February-March 1916 when a mine was detonated beneath it in February and their C.O. was killed in action by a sniper the next month.The Battalion was stationed at Kemmel when the Somme Offensive began and it was there that Nicols was 'mentioned', possibly for good service at the start of the year around Hill 60. They joined the Battle at Flers-Courcelettes in September, advancing alongside tanks for the first time towards Martinpuich. Unfortunately they found their flanks exposed to heavy fire from the German positions in High Wood and suffered severe losses to heavy shell fire from that position. Despite this, they stuck to the advance and managed to take Martinpuich, with High Wood falling several hours later. Nicol's M.M. was awarded the next month, likely as a result of his service at Kemmel rather than the Somme given the dates involved. However, the exact reason for the award is unknown.Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in late 1916, Nicol was serving with 150 Company when his D.C.M. was awarded. 150 Company was the Brigade Company for 150th (York and Lancaster) Brigade so he was serving alongside his old Battalion at the time, either in the latter stages of the Somme Offensive or early in the Battle of Arras. The formation was amalgamated in March 1918 to form part of the 50th Machine Gun Battalion, serving the entire Division rather than a single Brigade.Nicol was posted as missing on 10 April 1918, shortly after the opening blows of the Battle of Lys. His death was officially accepted on 27 May 1918 and he is commemorated upon the Ploegstreet Memorial.…

South Africa 1877-79, disc only (Tr. P. Harrod. Natal Md. Police.), ex-brooch mounted, fineEntitled to Medal without clasp - as issued to the HQ and Reserves who didn't cross.…

The 'Gallipoli Evacuation 1916' D.S.C. group of four awarded to Lieutenant H. J. Carnduff, Royal Navy who also added a 'mention' for his service during the evacuation of Suvla BayA talented rugby player, he was selected for the Royal Navy's team in a number of national games after the war, before tragically drowning under unusual circumstances whilst aboard ValiantDistinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1915; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. J. Carnduff. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. J. Carnduff. R.N.), very fine (4)D.S.C. London Gazette 14 March 1916, the original citation states:'For meritorious service in H.M.S. Swiftsure in operations in the Dardanelles. Lieutenant Carnduff performed good service during the evacuation of Sulva and Helles, being specially selected for the evacuation from Helles in view of his good service during the evacuation of Sulva 'M.I.D. London Gazette 14 March 1916.Herbert Julian Carnduff was born on 13 July 1892, the son of Sir Herbert Carnduff, C.I.E, a High Court judge in India. Educated at Danesbury Prep School, Bengeo, Hertford he entered the Royal Navy as a cadet on 15 January 1905, passing out as Midshipman on 15 September 1909. He served on a number of shore bases and vessels prior to the Great War; elevated to Lieutenant he was appointed to Swiftsure on 2 February 1914.During the Great War, Swiftsure escorted Indian troop convoys from Bombay to Aden from September-November 1914, when the destruction of the German light cruiser S.M.S. Emden, which had been raiding in the Indian Ocean, made this escort duty unnecessary. She was then transferred to the Suez Canal Patrol on 1 December to help defend the Canal, although she remained East Indies Station flagship while at Suez. From 27 January-4 February 1915 the ship helped to defend the Canal near Kantara during the First Suez Offensive by Ottoman forces.Swiftsure was relieved as East Indies Station flagship by the armoured cruiser Euryalus later in February 1915 and transferred to the Dardanelles for service in the Dardanelles Campaign. She joined the Dardanelles Squadron on 28 February 1915 and took part in the attack on Fort Dardanos on 2 March. She and Triumph were detached from the Dardanelles on 5 March for operations against forts at Smyrna, returning to the Dardanelles on 9 March. She participated in the main attack on the Narrows forts on 18 March and supported the main landings at West Beach at Cape Helles on 25 April and subsequent landings, including the attack on Achi Baba on 4 June. On 18 September, a German submarine unsuccessfully attacked her while she was on a voyage from Mudros to Suvla Bay. She took part in the bombardment of Dedeagatch on 18 January 1916. Swiftsure left the Dardanelles in February 1916.Carnduff left Swiftsure on 13 January 1916, joining Ribble for a two-month appointment followed by Mosquito for the next four months ending 13 July. A number of shore-based appointments followed after which he was posted to command the patrol boat P59 from 19 February 1917 until 7 September followed by command of P45. The Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, considered Carnduff 'much to blame' in a grounding of P45 and Carnduff was cautioned to be more careful in future.He was next appointed to command the destroyer Lucifer on 28 January 1918 serving aboard her until the end of the war. Carnduff married Nina Iris Grahame Chambers in 1918, sister of Pansy Chambers, a Great War poet. Nina was credited with launching the fashion trend of adorning a lady's arm with a fancy-coloured butterfly tattoo in 1919; quite risqué at the time!Appointed to Valiant on 1 September 1921, Carnduff drowned at Plymouth 'under mysterious circumstances' on 13 April 1922. He had gone ashore to play rugby, and was seen in Plymouth at 11.20pm, 'sober and normal'. His body was found the next day off Bull Point. It was thought that he might have fallen into the water while trying to find a boat that could take him back to the battleship.Carnduff's brother, Captain K.M. Carnduff, was killed in action on 12 January 1916 whilst serving with the 2nd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers; sold together with an extensive archive of copied research.…

'The C.O., Michael, and John had each destroyed an Me. 110, while Mac [McArthur] shot down two Junkers 87 dive-bombers. He would have got an Me. 110 also and got his sights on it, but nothing happened when he pressed his trigger. His ammunition was finished. So a very lucky Me. 110 lived to fight another day. Mac was very pleased about this fight, and certainly a bag of two for one's first action is very good. But it made him rather over-confident, and for the next few days he regarded the German Air Force rather as an organization which provided him with a little target practice and general harmless amusement. He soon learnt better!'One of numerous references to J. H. G. 'Butch' McArthur in David Crooks's wartime account of No. 609 Squadron in the Battle of Britain; Spitfire Pilot, refers.The outstanding Battle of Britain ace's immediate D.F.C. group of seven awarded to Wing Commander J. H. G. 'Butch' McArthur, Royal Canadian Air Force, late Royal Air ForceA superb airman, who had honed his flying skills in the Experimental Section of the Royal Aircraft Establishment in the lead up to hostilities, he claimed 8 confirmed 'kills' and 3 'probables' as a Flight Commander in Spitfires of No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron at the height of the Battle, on one occasion closing the range to just 10-20 yardsHis numerous combats, and those of his fellow pilots in 609 Squadron, are vividly recounted in the pages Flight Lieutenant D. M. Crook's famous wartime publication Spitfire PilotPost-war, and having served in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the time of the Korean conflict, his remarkable flying career ended in tragedy during a pleasure flight over Las Vegas in May 1961: both he and his passenger - a croupier from the famous Horseshoe Club - were killed when their aircraft inexplicably dived into the groundDistinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1940'; 1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; U.N. Korea 1950-54 (30386 McArthur J. H. G.), officially inscribed Canadian issue; Canadian Forces Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, the reverse of the suspension bar officially inscribed 'F/L J. H. G. McArthur', mounted as worn, good very fine (7)Provenance:Sotheby's, 6 March 1986 (Lot 628), when sold by the recipient's sister.D.F.C. London Gazette 22 October 1940:'This officer has led his flight and squadron with skill and determination. His brilliant leadership has been reflected in the high standard of morale in the flight. He has destroyed at least seven aircraft.'The original recommendation, for an immediate award which was approved by Dowding, states:'This officer has been a great asset to the Squadron since he joined it on 1 August 1940. His flying has been of the highest standard and he always leads his flight with skill and determination. On the occasions that he has led the Squadron he has displayed a sound sense of leadership and initiative. Individually he has always been keen and energetic in his desire to engage the enemy.To date he has destroyed 7 (confirmed) and 2 (unconfirmed) enemy aircraft and has severely damaged 2 others.'Covering remarks:'An outstanding fighter pilot who has now destroyed 8 enemy aircraft (confirmed) and 3 others probably, besides damaging a further 2.His brilliant and inspiring leadership has raised the morale of his flight to a very high standard since he took it over.'James Henry Gordon McArthur - or "Butch" to his friends and comrades - was born in Tynemouth on 12 February 1913 and was educated at West Jesmond Council School and Rutherford College, prior to attending the Marine School in South Shields. He subsequently found employment with the Marconi Company as a seagoing Radio Officer, in addition to obtaining certificates for Aircraft Radio Operation and Navigation.The latter qualifications led to his participation in the England to Australia 'MacRobertson Air Race' in 1934, when he flew with Captain Neville Stack, A.F.C., as his Radio-Navigator but their attempt ended in Athens - under controversial circumstances.On his return home, McArthur qualified for his Aero Certificate (No. 12614) at Redhill Aero Club in March 1935 and then teamed up with Captain T. Campbell-Black for an attempt on the London to Cape Town return record. Having flown non-stop from Hatfield to Cairo in their De Havilland Comet G-ADEF 'Boomerang', they took off for another refuelling stop in Kenya but, due to a problem with the aircraft, they were compelled to bale out north of Khartoum. Both landed safely in the desert and, on being rescued, gained membership of the famous Caterpillar Club, McArthur then being the youngest member.Brief employment as a First Officer in British Continental Airways having followed, McArthur was granted a short service commission in the Royal Air Force in May 1936. Confirmed in the rank of Pilot Officer after attending a course at R.A.F. Thornaby, he was posted to the Station Flight at Aldergrove and thence, in May 1938 to the Experimental Section at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough as a Flying Officer and test pilot.McArthur was likewise employed on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939 and, on being advanced to Flight Lieutenant, attended a refresher course at No. 7 O.T.U., Hawarden in July 1940. A subsequent posting to No. 238 Squadron was short-lived, however, for he was called back to Farnborough. But he continued to press for an operational posting.Battle of BritainThat wish was granted on 1 August 1940, when McArthur joined No. 609 (West Riding) Squadron, an Auxiliary Air Force unit, as a Flight Commander at Middle Wallop. Commanded by Squadron Leader H. S. Darley, D.S.O., 609 was largely manned by a pre-war class of weekend gentlemen fliers, among them Noel "Aggy" Agazarian and John Dundas; the latter's brother, Hugh, flew as wingman to Douglas Bader throughout the Battle.Over the coming weeks, on being 'scrambled' out of Middle Wallop and the satellite airfield at Warmwell, McArthur's 'brilliant leadership' of his flight - and on occasion the squadron - undoubtedly left its mark on such men. In writing to his mother in October 1940, John Dundas reported with pride that 609 was finally gaining recognition, listing McArthur's award of the D.F.C. as a case in point. He also noted that he had been given command of 'B' Flight, owing to McArthur being in hospital. More on that, later.Meanwhile, McArthur opened his operational account on 8 August 1940, when he destroyed a brace of Ju. 87s in a dogfight over the Isle of Wight-Weymouth sector. His combat report takes up the story:'…I dived on the outside of the Ju. 87 from just over 5,000 feet, fired a 7 second burst and saw him turn on his back and go into the sea. The formation then split up and I regained 4,000 feet very quickly. Height of Ju. was about 100 feet. I then dived again and gave a long burst of 10 seconds on another Ju. 87 which started to emit black smoke and dive into the sea. I then found the Me. 110. I climbed up a bit and was coming in at him from the port side and slightly above him. I turned quickly away from him and after a turn or two found myself quickly on his tail. I then found I had no more ammunition so pulled the override and hurried home … 'In Spitfire Pilot, David Crook recalls the squadron's 'bag' thus:'The C.O., Michael, and John had each destroyed an Me. 110, while Mac [McArthur] shot down two Junkers 87 dive-bombers. He would have got an Me. 110 also and got his sights on it, but nothing happened when he pressed his trigger. His ammunition was finished. So a very lucky Me. …

A 'Last Stand at Cassell 1940' P.OW. group of three awarded to Trooper A. E. Kettener, 1st East Riding Yeomanry1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (7889318 Tpr. A. E. Kettener. E. Riding Yeo.), the first three numbers officially corrected, sold together with his service and pay book, light contact marks, very fine (3)Alfred Edward Kettener was born on 15 May 1919 and worked as a Railway Messenger with L.N.E.R. when he enlisted on 14 February 1938 with the Territorial Army. The next year the East Riding Yeomanry was reconstituted as a result of the threat of war and formed into an armoured unit. Kettener was posted to them and entered the war with the formation in France on 2 March 1940.Ordered to joined 145th Brigade they moved through the town of Cassel in late May 1940, meeting the first German thrust outside the town. Holding there alongside the 140th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery they were forced back on 28 May to the town of Cassell itself. They came under repeated and heavy attack there over the next day with their vehicles being targeted, slowing their capacity to manoeuvre as well as their headquarters being hit by a shell.It was concluded by 29 March that a withdrawal was going to be necessary so the Regiment mounted up and at 21:30 commenced the breakout from Cassell. Progress was slow to start with due to the congestion on the roads and they were further delayed by the troops on foot failing to reach their positions in time. As a result they were not clear of Cassell until after midnight and were not underway properly until 01:00 on 30 March.This delay proved fatal as the Germans reached the village of Drogland ahead of the British, colliding with the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Word went back that the enemy were ahead of them and the Yeomanry separated with 'A' Squadron pushing north towards Herzeele with the O.C. Unfortunately the rest of the column was under heavy attack and needed to reform which they did under the 2 i/c, leading the 'A' Squadron becoming separated from the rest of the unit.At Herzeele they found themselves facing a large force of German infantry with armoured support which soon mopped up the exhausted and strung out Yeomanry formation. Those few members of 'A' Squadron that escaped were armed only with rifles and pistols with a few hand grenades, they scattered and attempted to make for the coast.Meanwhile 'B' Squadron came under attack by German tanks, they gave good account of themselves but were unable to rejoin 'A' Squadron. Pushing first North and later East they made for the town of Watou, reported to be in British hands. The Regimental Headquarters Tank Valient was knocked out by an anti-tank gun near the town which proved to be occupied by the Germans, they had taken it on 28 May.'C' Squadron, was the last in line pushed directly East towards Watou, taking heavy losses all the while including Major Radcliffe their commander. Near the town they encountered other British troops who confirmed that it had been taken however by this stage the Squadron was down to three armoured carriers. They attempted to push north but all the vehicles were soon put out of action, from this point they ceased to exist as a coherent unit.Initially taken to Stalag XXA, Thorn, with most of the British troops taken in France Kettener was moved to Marienburg in September 1940 and set to work at Mewe Barracks. In December his role changed to road construction and finally in September 1941 he was set to farm work which continued for the rest of the war. As the Allies closed in in 1945 he was moved to Greidswald and finally liberated at Barth.Remaining with the Yeomanry he was awarded his efficiency medal the next year in 1946 and his campaign awards in 1948 at 145 Ella Street, Newland Avenue, Hull; sold together with copied research and the recipient's original service and pay book.…

Six: Major L. F. Scott, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, late North Nigeria Regiment, who served as A.D.C. to Sir George Chardin Denton in Lagos and later A.D.C. to the Governor of GambiaEast and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, 1897-98 (Lieut. L. F. Scott. N. Nigeria R.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. L. F. Scott. Oxford. L.I.), rank corrected; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Capt. L. F. Scott. Oxford L.I.); 1914-15 Star (Capt. L. F. Scott. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L. F. Scott.), good very fine (6)Lionel Folliott Scott was born at Arlesley, Bedfordshire, on 23 October 1870 the son of the Reverend Richard Scott of Bennett's Farm, Arlesley and his wife Emily. He attended Repton School and joined the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment. From there he was commissioned Lieutenant on 26 April 1893 with the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.Advanced Lieutenant with them in 1897, he saw service with the West African Field Force in the Lagos Hinterland. In the aftermath of prolonged wars between the mainland Yoruba states, the Lagos Colony established a protectorate over most of Yorubaland between 1890 and 1897. Lagos Colony was a British colonial possession centred on the port of Lagos in what is now Southern Nigeria. Lagos was annexed in August 1861 and declared a colony on 5 March 1862.Sir George Chardin Denton K.C.M.G., Colonial Secretary of Lagos and in 1900 was appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief, who was in office from 1900 until 1911. Scott was appointed his Aide-de-Camp, attached to the North Nigeria Regiment for a period between 1897-8.Returning to his Regiment he saw service with the 1st Battalion Oxfordshire Light Infantry throughout the Second Boer War. As a Special Service Officer he served in the Relief of Kimberley; operations in the Orange Free State, February-May 1900, including service at Paardeberg; Poplar Grove and Driefontein; and operations in the Orange River Colony, May 1900-May 1902.An article in the Bucks Herald on 24 November 1900 states:'Lieutenant Lionel Scott has been promoted to the rank of Captain in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry, in succession to Major Fairtlough, who is Adjutant of the Bucks Militia Battalion. Captain Scott commenced his career in the old West Suffolk Militia, and has for some time past been employed in South Africa as a Special Service Officer.'Still in Africa after the war he was appointed A.D.C. to the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gambia in 1902, serving there until 1906. His replacement in the role was a man by the name of Edward Kirkpatrick whom Scott befriended, he was later to marry his sister Florence.Becoming the Adjutant of the Special Reserve Battalion in 1908 Scott served in that role for some time before retiring in October 1912. He joined the Reserve of Officers and as such was recalled to service in the Great War, being placed in command of 'D' Company, 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 13 December 1914.Initially serving as Railway Transport Officer in Britian he later entered the France on 7 December 1915. Tragically his brother-in-law Captain Kirkpatrick was killed in action in 1915. Scott served at the front until February 1917, being appointed Regimental Transport Officer alongside his other duties. He returned to Britian and served as a Major in the Labour Corps. He died at Quarry House, Headington, Oxford on 7 January 1941; sold together with copied service papers.…

Four: Major C. E. H. Heyman, Royal Artillery who was mentioned in despatches as a Staff Officer for Boer War prisonersEgypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, 1 clasp, Tel-El-Kebir (Lieut: C. E. H. Heyman. A/1....); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Major C. E. H. Heyman. R.A.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Major C. E. H. Heyman. R.G.A.); Khedive's Star, dated 1882, the first with edge bruising and pitting from star and some loss to unit, fine, otherwise good very fine (4)M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901.Charles Edward Hamilton Heyman was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in June 1877, seeing action not long later at the Battle of Tel-el-Kebir in 1882. Further advanced Captain in December 1885 he was appointed a Military Instructor at Woolwich in 1888. Promoted Major in May 1895 he served in South Africa during the Anglo Boer War as a Staff Officer with responsibility for Prisoners of War. It was for this latter duty that he was 'mentioned'.…

United Arab Emirates, Ministry of Interior, Zayed Order for Distinguished Security, 1st Class neck Badge, by Fattorini, silver-gilt and enamel with pearl-tipped ends, in its Fattorini case of issue, on length of riband, scarce; Order of Gallantry, 1st Type breast Badge, with riband bar, in its case of issue, nearly extremely fine (2)The Order of Zayed is named after the first president of the U.A.E., Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the Zayed Order for Distinguished Security is bestowed upon those working for the Police and Security force who prove their distinctiveness and superior skills in dealing with and arresting criminals who represent a threat to life and property. The 1st Class is given to Officers. The award takes the shape of a seven-pointed star, with the tip of each ray crowned by a pearl, with a scallop shell in between each arm of the star. The pearls and scallop shells are symbolic of the U.A.E.'s historic pearl and maritime trade. The suspension, in the form of a stylised helmet, bears an Arabic inscription meaning 'In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious and The Most Merciful'.The Order of Gallantry is awarded to Officers, non-commissioned Officers, and individuals working for the Police and Security forces who demonstrate great courage. The obverse of the seven-pointed star award displays a traditional medieval Arab cavalry with arms.…

Three: Surgeon J. A. McMunn, Royal Horse Artillery, who latterly became Physician and Surgeon to the Royal Hospital Chelsea from 1862-96Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Asst. Surjn. J. M. McMunn. R. Arty.), contemporarily engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 2 copy clasps, Lucknow, Relief of Lucknow (Asst. Surgn. J, A, McMunn, F Tp. R. H. Arty.); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian die, very fine (3)John Alexander McMunn was born on 30 October 1827 and was appointed an Assistant Surgeon in October 1853. He was present at Sebastopol in 1 Field Battery, No. 2 Captain Mercer's Company of the 8th Battalion, Royal Artillery (Medal & clasp) and thence served during the Indian Mutiny, his memorial at the Royal Hospital Chelsea stating '...with 'F' Troop R.H.A. at the Relief and Capture of Lucknow.'Returning home, he was Surgeon at the Royal Hospital from 1862 and appointed Physician and Surgeon on 4 November 1868, a position he held until 1896. McMunn died on 14 December 1899; sold together with copied research.…

The 1960 C.B.E. group of four to Captain W. R. J. Redman, Royal Navy, who pre-war served as a Gunnery Specialist and later served as a member of the Ordnance Board and eventually became Chief Inspector of Naval OrdnanceThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Defence and War Medals 1939-1945; Coronation 1953, the campaign medals mounted as worn, very fine or better (4)C.B.E. London Gazette 31 December 1960.William Richard Jeffries Redman was born on 27 October 1905 and joined the Royal Navy in September 1923 as a Naval Cadet (Special Entry). Promoted to Midshipman in 1924, he served on Royal Sovereign and Versatile and then went to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich in December 1926. Redman was promoted Lieutenant in 1928 and saw service on Venomous, Verity, Pembroke and Tiverton. In September 1931 he saw service at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and later served at Excellent and carried out a qualifying course for specialism in Gunnery.He became an Instructor of Gunnery at the Royal Naval Gunnery School based at Chatham in July 1934 and, after a brief spell on Cairo, served at the Naval Ordnance Inspectorate at Woolwich as Assistant Inspector of Naval Ordnance and during his time there was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. By March 1940 he was based at Headquarters Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance as Assistant to the Chief of Naval Ordnance and had reached the rank of Commander. In November 1943 he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment based at Pendine, South-West Wales and served as the Deputy Superintendent.After the war, he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment this time based at Inchterf as Deputy Superintendent in Charge before being sent to the Naval Ordnance Department Headquarters at Bath in June 1948 where he served as Assistant to the Director of Naval Ordnance. By November 1954 he was serving with the Ordnance Board having the responsibility for the Board's work on guns for all services (this shared with the Army). Redman was attached to the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance in June 1958 with the position of Deputy C.I.N.O. and became Chief Inspector in February 1962 a position he held until April 1966. He became Captain (Retired) and was re-employed as Naval Ordnance Inspecting Officer Group B, based at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed, South-East Wales, a position he held until August 1968. Redman later died at Bath in 1971.Sold together with an archive comprising:(i)Certificate for the C.B.E. in Central Chancery envelope.(ii)Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue for the C.B.E.(iii)Certificate for the Coronation 1953 medal.(iv)Officers Training Corps Certificate, Dover College dated "A" 18 July 1923.(v)Warrant for Promotion to Sub-Lieutenant dated 28 February 1928.(vi)Certificate for Instruction in Gunnery dated 30 September 1932.(vii)Results of Examinations Lieutenants "G" Qualifying 1932.(viii)Certificate for Member of the Institution of Engineering Inspection, dated 14 October 1959.(ix)Book: A History of the Order of the British Empire.(x)Statutes of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 1957.(xi)Service of Dedication in St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Jubilee of the Order, dated 24 May 1967.(xii)A large amount of correspondence to include details relating to his Investiture, numerous letters of congratulation from both Military and Civilian.(xiii)A large number of photographs, both professionally and amateurly shot to include one taken outside Buckingham Palace after his Investiture, together with a family album of photographs.(ix)A prize medal from H.M.S. Royal Sovereign (Arbuthnot Trophy Race. 1924. 8th Man Home.).(x)A copy of his record of service.A photocopy of the Official History of the Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance.(xi)A quantity of assorted letters to his wife, housed in an attache case.(xii)A brass door plaque named (W. R. J. Redman R.N. No 1.)For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 444.…

A scarce 'Mohmand Operations' I.D.S.M. awarded to Subedar-Major M. Bakhsh, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment, a long-served Indian officer who additionally received a 'mention' for the Loe-Agra Operations on the North-West FrontierIndian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd 'Crowned Head' Type (Subdr. Maj. Maula Bakhsh, 3-2 Punjab R.), minor official correction to last initial of first name, good very fineJust 98 of this 'Crowned Head' G.V.R. type issued.I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 309 of 1936.M.I.D. G.G.O. 166 of 1936.Maula Bakhsh enlisted for service with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment on 24 May 1909 and rose steadily through the ranks during a career spanning some 27 years. He was made Jemadar in August 1918, Subedar in June 1923, and was finally promoted Subedar-Major on 12 June 1934 - this rank was the aspiration for any Indian soldier wanting to make a career out of the Army. The Subedar-Major was the most senior Indian rank in the Battalion.Bakhsh likely received his 'mention' for one of two events during the Loe-Agra Operations between 23 February-13 April 1935, either for his personal participation in a 'well arranged ambush of a sniping party' undertaken by two platoons of the 3rd Battalion, or an attack on a picquet. On the first instance, after an exceptionally detailed reconnaissance that afternoon, the same evening the troops involved (almost certainly with Subedar-Major Bakhsh) left camp to take up their positions. Official History takes up the story:'The party was in position by 2030 hours. Owing to the excessive darkness visibility was difficult beyond ten to fifteen yards.At 2245 hours a party of approximately twenty five enemy snipers came down the track immediately north of the Jindai Khwar from a westerly direction, and it transpired later that there was another party of ten following behind them. The section north of the Khwar opened fire on the leading party at a range of about five yards. This was immediately followed by rapid fire from the remainder of the ambush party. The enemy scattered and taking cover behind rocks and walls began a heavy but futile fire at close range on the ambush party. The firing ceased at 2330 hours, during which time, the enemy collected their casualties. They then moved off to the north west, making much noise and shouting abuse at each other and at the troops.The enemy losses in this successful affair were one killed and four wounded, of whome two died of their wounds. There were no casualties among the troops.' (Official History of Operations on the North-West Frontier of India 1920-1935, p. 177, refers).The second possible occasion is also worth noting in detail; the attack on Kila Hari has been described as 'one of the most ferocious and sustained attacks that was ever inflicted by tribesmen in the history of the North-West Frontier'. The night defence of the Kila Hari post in the Loe-Agra operations of the Nowshera Brigade in April 1935 by a party of the 72nd Punjabis (3/2nd Punjab Regt) is an epic - a small detachment was attacked by an unexpectedly-well-led tribal lashkar of some 1,000 Shamozais. The picquet was almost overwhelmed in the hand-to-hand fighting which involved revolvers, bayonets, stones and knives and lasted an incredible ten hours; this piquet consisted of one rifle company and a machine-gun platoon drawn from the 3/2nd Punjabis. An intelligence report, received during the afternoon of 5 April, stated that a large enemy lashkar had been sighted and was intending to launch an attack on Kila Hari Post from the east, but this report was considered unreliable and not given credence.The unexpected attack began about 7.30 p.m. when Shamozai swordsmen attempted to rush the machine-gun post. This resulted in severe hand-to-hand fighting but the tribesmen's attack, although pressed home with considerable ferocity, was beaten back. The enemy made further assaults at approximately 15-minute intervals until midnight, but all were repulsed. At about 9.30 p.m. the lower post on the ridge was heavily attacked, followed by other attacks against other posts which were also beaten off. The tribesmen surrounded the position and kept it under constant fire until just before dawn, when they withdrew. It was then confirmed that during this night attack 28 tribesmen had been killed and almost certainly a far larger number wounded.As for Bakhsh's I.D.S.M., the Official History makes no reference to any specific actions by the 3/2nd Battalion during the Mohmand operations, but it is worthy of note that this is a unique award to the Regiment for that campaign; sold together with copied service history extracts, Indian Army lists, Gazette entries, a compact disk of copied research, and official histories - also a copy of an article written by the recipient in 1936 for the Duke of Wellington's Regiment journal, 'Comrades in Arms: Friendship Between British and Indian Troops in Nowshera' (The Iron Duke, No. 35, October 1936, p. 217-218 refers).…

The campaign group of three awarded to Major F. C. Griffin, Royal Artillery, who was killed in the attack on the fortified village of Ambiokh during the Bhootan campaign, when an enemy shell hit an open gunpowder cask in the midst of his small battery, killing three officers and four gunners outrightCrimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (Lieut. F. C. Griffin Royal Artillery) contemporary engraved naming; India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Umbeyla, Bhootan (Major F. C. Griffin. R.A.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed, fitted with silver swivel-bar, recently mounted court-style, suspension, lightly polished otherwise good very fine or better (3)Frederick Cockburn Griffin was born at Budock, Cornwall on 26 February 1832, the son of Cahterine and Captain Charles Griffin, Royal Navy. Joining the Royal Artillery as a Cadet on 28 January 1947 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 19 December 1849, being advanced Lieutenant on 3 October 1851.In that rank he served with No. 1 Battery, 9th Battalion, Royal Artillery in the Crimea where he was one of two Lieutenants. This unit was present for the final bombardment of Sebastopol and eventually its fall, Griffin must have performed well during the campaign as he was advanced 2nd Captain not long later on 23 February 1956.Further promoted Captain on 19 January 1961 he was posted to India in command of half of 'C' Battery, 19 Brigade R.A. Whilst there Griffin took part in the Umbeyla expedition- this was planned as a swift strike at a force of hostile tribesmen on what the British believed to be friendly ground. Sadly they were mistaken and the campaign became a slow slog with the same patches of ground being repeatedly fought over costing the British 1,000 casualties.Again Griffin must have performed well during the fighting as he was advanced Brevet Major on 5 August 1864. That same year he was involved in the Bhootan campaign in command of two Armstrong Mountain guns which accompanied the Daling Column along with two 8-inch Mortars. This Column- one of four launched into Bhutan - left on 28 November 1864 under the command of Major C. J. S. Gough, V.C., and Major J. R. Pugh.Their first major engagement was an attack on the fortified village of Ambiokh on 6 December 1864. This fortified village was located upon a thickly wooded hill below the fort of Dhalimcote- or Dalinkote, the name given upon Griffin's service papers- and defended by a solid stockade. As the British approached the Bhutanese could be seen removing the woodwork from the walls and tours in order to mitigate the effects of British artillery.As the guns opened fire the infantry advanced, only to find themselves attacked by Bhutanese troops hidden in the forests. The village was soon taken in the face of heavy resistance and the attack continued towards the fort, which posed a tougher challenge. It was situated at the top of the hill, above a steep slope and proved a difficult proposition for both infantry and artillery. The mountain guns were brought up as closely as possible and began a covering fire for the infantry struggling up the hill and suffering heavy casualties in the face of a furious fire. The mortars were brought up to add to the covering fire and Griffin joined them to measure out the charges, British Battles on Land and Sea relates the tragedy that follows, stating:'By this time, our mortars had been dragged to the ridge below the fort, and placed in position there, "The charge of powder," says Dr Rennie, "contained in the made-up cartridges being too great for so short a range, it was necessary to weigh out charges specially suited for it, and a barrel of gunpowder was opened for the purpose. At the second round from the mortars, one of the shells burst at the muzzle, and caused the explosion of the powder-cask. Major Griffen, who at the time was weighing the charges out, Lieutenant Anderson and Waller of the Royal Artillery, and four gunners of the same corps were killed by the explosion, while Lieutenant Collins of the Royal Engineers, and several artillerymen, were severely mutilated."Brigadier Dunford had a narrow escape from being also a victim.'Three of the four artillery officers, Major Griffin, Lieutenants E. A. Anderson and E. Waller, together with four of the gunners were killed outright, and Lieutenant W. H. Collins R.E. and a number of men were wounded. Fortunately the mountain guns were still in action and well manned, they breached the walls and the infantry poured into the fort, taking it and winning the battle.Griffen is commemorated on a memorial at St. Paul's Cathedral, Calcutta alongside other officers killed during the Bhootan expedition; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

The named pair of mounted miniature dress medals worn by Major C. B. Wilkinson, Essex Rifles, late 68th Regiment of Foot (Durham Light Infantry), who was present at every major engagement of the Crimean WarCrimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol, 'C. Brice Wilkinson. Capt. 68th Lt. Infy.', contemporarily engraved around rim; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, 'C. Brice Wilkinson. Capt. 68th Lt. Infy. 1854-5', contemporarily engraved around rim, '-5' a later addition, mounted together as worn on riband buckle with gold retaining pin by Hunt & Roskell, light contact wear, very fineChristopher Brice Wilkinson was born on 9 September 1835 in Bisham, Yorkshire and purchased a commission as Ensign in the 68th Regiment of Foot (Durham Light Infantry) on 11 October 1853. He was embarked to Crimea with his Regiment in 1854 and was promoted Lieutenant just one month prior to the Battle of the Alma. The 68th Foot fought with distinction during the Crimean War, with the Regiment winning its first Victoria Cross at the Battle of Inkermann in November 1854. As a point of interest, Wilkinson reportedly collected a Russian bugle from the battlefield at Inkermann, among other relics, which he later sold.After the close of the Crimean Campaign, he was advanced Captain in January 1857 and at some stage transferred to the Essex Rifles with whom Wilkinson was made Major on 6 September 1858. It is unlikely that he followed his Regiment to India in 1857, as he does not appear on the roll with entitlement to an Indian Mutiny Medal. Upon his retirement from the service, Wilkinson moved to Bath where he worked as a police constable, becoming Chief Constable of the Bath Police by 1882.He was at some point married, and in 1891 the retired Army Major and his wife Margaret were raising their three daughters at their home on 296 Creswick Road in Acton, London. Wilkinson lived into a ripe old age, dying on 8 October 1922 aged 87 and was interred at St. Smithin's Church, Walcot in Bath; sold together with copied London Gazette entries and copied photograph of Wilkinson circa 1880.…

The Military General Service Medal awarded to Sergeant T. Harris, 5th Regiment of Foot, who was slightly wounded in the Battle of Bergen 1799Military General Service 1793-1814, 6 clasps, Vimiera, Corunna, Salamanca, Vittoria, Orthes, Toulouse (T. Harris, 5th Foot.), minor pitting, very fineProvenance:Whitaker Collection 1890.One of 33 Medals with 6 clasps to the Regiment, 2 of this combination.Thomas Harris was a native of Gloucester, Gloucestershire and attested for service on 20 May 1799. Entering the Napoleonic War in Holland his service papers note 'Wounded slightly on the breast in Holland 19 September 1799'. This was the date of the Battle of Bergen where an Anglo-Russian army was defeated by a Franco-Batavian force.Here the Regiment, both the 1st and 2nd Battalions, were part of the centre-right column under General Dundas. Their role was to take and hold the village of Warmenhuizen, which they did alongside three Russian Regiments, holding it for the duration of the Battle. They suffered 345 other ranks and 22 Sergeants wounded in action, given how recently Harris had attested it is very likely he was a Private at the time.He went on to serve with the Regiment through much of the Peninsula Campaign, earning himself a 6-clasp medal. He was discharged on 11 September 1821, his conduct described as 'very good'. Harris is further entitled to a silver medal of merit; sold together with copied service papers.…

Border HorseThe Border Horse was raised originally as Weatherley's Horse, after its Colonel, Frederick Augustus Weatherley. On the death of his father-in-law, Weatherley inherited a large sum of money, the majority of which he invested in the recently formed Transvaal Gold Mining Company Limited. The company was formed in London after the discovery of gold on the farm Eerstelling in the Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (later to become the Transvaal). The mine failed to flourish and on being told that it was about to be shut down, Weatherley decided towards the end of 1875 to go to South Africa to see if it could be rescued; first resident in Pretoria, thereafter Eerstelling in early 1876, he took charge as Managing Director. With one eye on mineral rights over Government land in Zoutpansberg, Weatherley joined President Burger's Force as a staff officer, and then was appointed by Chelmsford, much in need of mounted troops, to raise one hundred and fifty Volunteers; the public became aware of the formation of the Regiment with the appearance of an advertisement placed in the Transvaal Argus and Commercial Gazette on 20 November 1878.Colonel Weatherley and 38 of his men would fall at Inhlobane on 28 March 1879. Sprawled on top of his body lay that of his 14-year-old son Rupert, who was serving under him as a Sub Lieutenant. When last seen, the Colonel was 'supporting his son on one arm, while with the other he was slashing right and left furiously at the Zulu around them.'This famous mounted contingent was heavily engaged at Kambula the next day, and at Sekukini's Town in the following November.246 Medals were issued to the Border Horse, 58 of them without clasp and 158 with the '1879' clasp.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Pte. J. Walsh. Border Horse.), brooch marks to obverse and suspension re-affixed, nearly very fine…

The scarce 'Benin 1897' casualty's East and West Africa Medal awarded to Gunner A. A. Targett, Royal Marine Artillery, who was specially recommended for his service in the expedition, having been seriously wounded while manning a Maxim Gun outside Benin CityEast and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (A. A. Targett, Gr R.M.A., H.M.S. St George.), slight contact wear, very fineAlred Arthur Targett was born at Portsmouth in June 1869 and attested with the Royal Marine Artillery at Eastney Barracks on 9 March 1888. He served with a number of shore establishments before being posted to Royal Arthur on 2 May 1893 and served with her for three years. Joining St. George on 24 January took part in the Benin Punitive Expedition, helping to crew a Maxim gun.In this role he was present for the attack on Benin City which occurred on 18 February 1897. Targett's service papers note, 'Feb 197 Present at attack on Benin Specially Recommended'.Unfortunately there was stiff opposition to the advance and Targett was to suffer as a result:'-shot by a man in a tree while storming Benin - when trying to remove the bullet it was found that the pubic bone was shattered & the bullet impacted - also bullet wound of chest (which was removed).'(IBID)It should be noted that the diary of Private Lewis (OMRS Journal March 2019) states that Targett continued firing the Maxim despite his wounds. The Globe and Laurel quotes the journal of Corporal Rogerson, R.M.A. which describes the role of the Maxim's during the Battle, stating:'Water was being served out, our guns put down, and we were lying about, glad of a rest, when, suddenly, fire was opened on us. "Mount the gun," was the order, and mounted it was, and in action, in less than thirty seconds, on the bush to the right, while the infantry fired volleys. The St. George's bluejackets, the 1st Section of the Marine Battalion, under Captain Byrne, our two maxims and their thirteen men, were the only troops in front, Lieut. Robertson, with the 2nd Section of the Marine Battalion being with the carrier column, in the rear. As soon as the bush to the right. Everything was stopped, as before, by the carriers burying their heads in the earth. The respective Nos. I shouldered the guns, another picked up the tripods, and the rest of the guns' crews brought up the belt boxes, but it was with difficulty that any advance was made as the coolies laid down on, and hid, the ammunition.Meanwhile the Bluejackets and Marines had left us about 200 yards in rear, while desultory firing from the right bush was still going on. This became so hot that Sergeant Turner halted and mounted his gun in a position just in front of the hot spot and backed by a large tree, I came up and took up a position and mounted three yards on his right and immediately opened fire. We had not been there five minutes before Gunners Howlett, Targett and Sinister were wounded- Captain Byrne was shot through the right side and Private Varndell in the open during the advance, while Gunners Jones and Denman were wounded slightly. An incessant fire came from the trees opposite, scarcely fifty yards away and as the guns had not sufficient elevation to clear them, I directed Gunner Flatman to place boxes under front legs…'They held their ground until the rearguard came up and then brought their guns forward to the now captured Benin City. Targett was posted to S.S. Malacca on 3 March 1897, his wound was clearly severe however despite this he was able to continue serving until March 1909 with a number of ships and shore establishments. Targett returned to service in August 1914 and served at Dunkirk before being transferred to Holm in the Orkneys in October 1915; sold together with copied research including service papers, a copy of Globe and Laurel and a casualty roll.Further entitled to a 1914 Star Trio.…

'On Tuesday May 27th, the crew of the NC-4 was up before dawn. The engines and radio was checked out and on the signal from Read, Elmer Stone advanced the throttles and the big flying boat lifted off in the early morning for Lisbon Portugal. Another chain of destroyers extended between the Azores and Lisbon. The weather was good and as the NC-4 passed over each destroyer the ship radioed a message of her passage to the base ship Melville at Ponta Delagada and the cruiser Rochester in Lisbon who in turn reported to the Navy Department in Washington. At 19:30 the flashing light from the Coba da Roca lighthouse was spotted and the NC-4 passed over the coastline. The big aircraft turned southward toward the Tagus estuary and Lisbon. At 20:01 on May 27, 1919, the NC-4s keel sliced into the waters of the Tagus. The welcome was tumultuous. A transatlantic flight, the first one in the history of the world, was an accomplished fact!Early in the morning of 30 May the NC-4 departed Lisbon for Plymouth England. The NC-4 sat down in the Mondego River to investigate an overheating engine. The radiator had developed a leak and was repaired but because of a low tide condition it became too late in the day to take off and reach Plymouth before dark so Read proceeded to Ferrol in northern Spain to spend the night. They were back in the air the next morning and as they approached Plymouth a formation of Royal Air Force seaplanes escorted the NC-4 into the harbour. A British warship fired a 21 gun salute as the NC-4 circled. The Lord Mayor of Plymouth received Commander Read and his crew and from Plymouth they went to London where they were decorated by the King of England. President Wilson, who was at the Peace Conference in Paris, sent for them, congratulated them for their outstanding achievement and introduced them to all present…'The triumphant closing stages of the NC-4's pioneering trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919; the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' website refers.The important Aero Club of America Aviation Medal of Merit, Artefacts and Archive appertaining to Walter T. Hinton, United States Navy, who co-piloted Curtiss Flying Boat 'NC-4' in the first ever trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919, a pioneering achievement for which he was awarded the Navy Cross and later the Congressional Gold Medal(i)Aero Club of America, Aviation Medal of Merit, bronze, obverse, an albatross over the globe, reverse officially engraved, 'W. K. Hinton, Pilot NC4, commemorating the Trans Atlantic Flight. May 8th to 31st 1919', 34mm., integral loop and ring suspension, complete with upper 'Aviation Medal of Merit' suspension device, and small length of original riband; accompanied by a signed declaration by Hinton, in which he gifts the award to a friend in 1978(ii)The recipient's 'match safe' vesta box, gold (marked 14K.), with black and green stripe enamel decoration and central monogram 'JPM', 47mm. by 60mm., contained in a felt-lined burgundy leather case, with lid inscription in gilt lettering, 'Walter Hinton Gold Match Box Carried on NC-4 Flight'; believed to have been another gift to Peter C. Carlson(iii)A commemorative plaque for Wilbur and Orville Wright's pioneering flight, bronze, rectangular, by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, for the U.S. Mint, obverse, conjoined busts of the brothers with inscription, 'In recognition and Appreciation of Their Ability, Courage and Success in Navigating the Air', reverse, a winged female figure holding a torch, with upper inscription, 'Shall Mount Up with Wings as Eagles', 55mm. by 80mm., somewhat discoloured by old lacquer(iv)American Aeronautical Society, bronze disc commemorating the First Annual Dinner, New York, 27 April 1911, 40mm., together with a small medallet with aircraft in flight and reverse inscription, '1954 3rd', on a black riband(v)A significant photographic archive (approximately 70 images), of aircraft, personnel and related subject matter, covering Haiti 1915, Mexico 1917, the crash of the NC-2 at Atlantic City in 1919, the take-off and in-flight of the trans-Atlantic flight, subsequent scenes from Lisbon and London - the latter including a photograph of the Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill - his triumphant return to the U.S.A., thence his Long Island to Hudson Bay flight in 1920, U.S.A. to Brazil flight in 1922-23 and take-off from the Amazon in 1925, together with images of Charles Lindbergh and Eddie Rickenbacker.(vi)A postal telegraph from Charles Lindbergh in New York, sent to Hinton in Paris in May 1919, 'Thanks for your kind invitation. Regret impossible to make definitive plans at this time'; together with a quantity of Hinton's calling cards and home stationery. (Lot)Walter T. Hinton was born in Pleasant Township, Van Wert County, Ohio on 10 November 1888, where he was raised on a farmstead. An adventurous soul, he was motivated by a poster urging young men to 'Join the Navy and See the World' and did just that, entering the United States Navy in February 1908 and seeing action at the occupation of Veracruz in Mexico in 1914.But it was in naval aviation that he was to make his mark, having become one of the first enlisted men gain a place at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He became an instructor on gaining his 'Wings', one of his pupil pilots being Richard E. Byrd, afterwards the famous polar aviator.Of his subsequent exploits as co-pilot with Elmer Stone of the Curtiss NC-4's trail blazing trans-Atlantic crossing in May 1919, much has been written, including The Flying Firsts of Walter Hinton, by Benjamin J. Burns. In addition, numerous website sources bear testament to the epic nature of the flight, a particularly detailed account appearing on the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' site:https://cgaviationhistory.org/1919-nc-4-transatlantic-flight/Of the three flying boats that set out from Rockaway Beach, New York on 8 May 1919, only NC-4 made it safely to Lisbon, via ports of call in Nova Scotia and the Azores in a journey lasting 19 days. The subject of rapturous receptions over the coming weeks - not just in Lisbon, but in London and Paris too - Hinton and his crew enjoyed further accolades by way of reward, among them honours bestowed by the Portuguese and British governments, in addition to those presented them on returning to America; Hinton's Navy Cross was later surpassed by a Congressional Gold Medal awarded him in 1929.During the 1920s, he continued his pioneering work, exploring the Arctic by balloon, including a wayward flight in Navy Balloon A-5598 from Rockaway Naval Air Station to Moose Factory, Ontario, a winter trip which ended with a month-long hike back to civilisation. He also made the first flight from North America to South America, where he explored the Amazon forest by hydroplane; his first attempt at that feat nearly ended in disaster, when he was compelled to take to the wing of his aircraft in shark infested waters off Cuba.A noted speaker on aviation matters, Hinton was President and founder of the Aviation Institute of the U.S.A., and published a number of periodicals, including Pioneers in Aviation, Aviation Progress and Wings of Opportunity.Retiring to Pompano Beach, Florida - where he delighted in sharing his memories with all and sundry - his glittering career was crowned by a supersonic flight in Concorde, when, as a special guest, the Atlantic crossing took less than four hours. After his death in 1981, his ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. SALE 25001 NOTICE:Gold match safe weighs 34g. Naming of the Aero Club of America Medal now added to the Lot.

An outstanding posthumous Gold Al Valore Militare awarded to Commander P. Paiette, II Garibaldi Assault Brigade, a gallant Italian partisan who was Killed in Action with a German patrol in February 1944Italy, Republic, Al Valore Militare, Gold issue, silver-gilt, marked 'A-800' (Paietta Pietro (M) M. Carlo. (Vercelli) 24-2-944.), good very fineCitation states:'Organizer of the first partisan detachments in the Biella area. Commander of the Garibaldi Brigade, he bravely led his men in the bitter battles against an enemy superior in numbers and means. Always first in the fray, always present where the danger was greatest, an example and an incitement, he sustained numerous battles at the head of his unit, inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. During a reconnaissance he clashed with a German unit and although in inferior conditions he refused to surrender and with weapons in hand accepted the fight until he fell riddled with bullets. Heroic commander and passionate animator, he made his holocaust a warning and example to the people . – Monte Casto (Vercelli), 24 February 1944.'Pietro Paietta was born on 7 February 1914 in Taino. He attended middle school in Novara and found employment as an accountant in the local branch of the Stipel Company. Enlisted in 1935 in the 4th Bersaglieri Regiment of the Trento Motorized Division, mobilized for AO (East Africa) needs, he was in Libya from December 1935 until August 1936. Repatriated and discharged with the rank of Corporal Major eligible for the rank of Sergeant, he entered the Bank of Luino which he left the following year to enlist as a Volunteer in the Garibaldi International Brigade during the Civil War in Spain. Wounded and mutilated of an arm in the Battle of the Ebro on 18 March 1938, he moved to France.After the capitulation of the French army to Germany in the spring of 1941, he took part in the resistance movement as a commander of groups of francs tireurs. On 8 September 1943, having returned to Italy and taken refuge in the Biella area, he was the organiser of the first partisan groups that were later to form the II Garibaldi Assault Brigade, of which he held command. (https://www.combattentiliberazione.it/m-o-v-m-dall8-settembre-1943/paietta-pietro, refers)…

A tragic Dunkirk perimeter casualty group of three awarded to Private C. E. Parkin, Royal Army Service Corps, late Royal Artillery, who died of wounds sustained prior to the evacuationGeneral Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (840179 Gnr. C. E. Parkin. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (3)Charles Edward Parkin attested initially with the Royal Artillery in 1934, serving in Palestine before being transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps with the number T/840179. He appears on the roll of the men missing for 18 Motor Coach Company which states:'Dunkirk. P.M. 27.5.40, this man had his left foot blown off, and severe fracture of right leg, he was conveyed to St. Mary's Hospital.'St. Mary's hospital was a small civilian hospital situated just outside Dunkirk, it is assumed that Parkin was there were the German forces arrived. Unfortunately he was not to survive his injuries; sold together with copied research.…

A '1928' C.B., '1923' C.B.E. group of seven awarded to Colonel C. H. K. Chauncy, Indian Army, who was thrice 'mentioned' for his services during the Great War in Mesopotamia and Egypt also earning the Order of St. Stanislas in 1917The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in its Garrard, London case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, 1st Type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, small ring on top of suspension slightly bent, with neck riband, in its Garrard, London case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Maj. C. H. K. Chauncy. 124/Infy.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. C. H. K. Chanucy,) minor official correction to last two letters of surname; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Bt. Lt. Col. C. H. K. Chauncy.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21 (Lt-Col. C. H. K. Chouncy [sic], 2-127 Baluchis.); Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Stanislas, Military Division, 3rd Class breast Badge, by Dimitri Osipov, St. Petersburg, with crossed swords, 40mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, with maker's mark on reverse and 1908-17 kokoshnik marks on tips of swords, mounted court-style as worn, generally nearly extremely fine (7)C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1928.C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1923.Russian Order of St. Stanislas London Gazette 15 May 1917.Charles Henry Kemble Chauncy was born on 21 December 1873, the son of Charles Henry Chauncy, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment on 7 December 1895. Promoted Lieutenant on 20 March 1897, he transferred to the Indian Army on 13 August 1898 and was posted to the 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan Infantry. Promoted Captain on 7 November 1904 and then Major on 7 December 1913, Chauncy served with the 124th Baluchistan Infantry during the Great War in Mesopotamia and Egypt. There, he was three times 'mentioned' (London Gazettes 19 October 1916, 15 August 1917, and 5 June 1919) and was promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.Appointed Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, 127th Queen Mary's Own Baluch Light Infantry on 16 February 1918, Chauncy served with them in the Derajat Sector during the operations in Waziristan from October 1919 to December 1921, and for his services was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1923 New Year's Honours List. Promoted Colonel, his final appointment was as Deputy Director, Movements and Quartering, Army HQ India, and he was additionally created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1928 New Year's Honours List. In the 1939 census Charles is recorded as an Air Raid Warden at Teignmouth, Devon. He died at Shaldon, Devon on 19 September 1945.…

The 'Gallipoli 1915' casualty's group of three awarded to Private A. H. Pert, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who was shot through the abdomen during the attack on Hill 60 and mortally wounded1914-15 Star (1387 Pte. A. H. Pert. 19/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1387 Pte. A. H. Pert. 19 Bn. A.I.F.), overall very fine (3)Alexander Horace Pert was born at Sydney in 1897, the son of Amy Pert of Whangaroa, Kyle Street, Arncliffe, New South Wales. He was still living there and working as a fitter's apprentice when he enlisted into 'D' Company, 19th Battalion, A.I.F. on 26 May 1915. Embarking aboard Ceramic on 25 June he was posted first to Egypt and from their entered the war at Gallipoli on 21 August 1915.The Battalion was thrown into action immediately at Hill 60 where they suffered heavy losses. Pert survived the Battle however he was mortally wounded by a gunshot wound to the Abdomen on 8 August 1915. He survived long enough to be evacuated to No 19 General Hospital, Alexandria only to die there on 31 August.His service papers include a note by the sister who treated him which states:'Died on the 31st, the day after he came into hospital. He was shot through the abdomen. It was a very bad case, and the doctors considered an operation useless. He was conscious up to a little while before he died. He was buried in the Military Cemetery.'Pert was buried at the Chatby War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. His cousin Gunner Stanley Pert also died of wounds in France on 23 July 1916; sold together with copied service papers.…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe outstanding Czech War Cross & Czech Bravery Medal group of ten awarded to Flight Lieutenant A. Vrana, Royal Air Force, late Czech Air Force and French Foreign Legion l'Armee de l'Air Groupe de Chasse 1/5Vrana had the admirable record of one kill and two probables during the Battle of France, having then transferred to Britain, he flew in the Hurricanes of No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron during the Battle of Britain as just one of just 88 Czech Pilots1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Flt. Lt. A. Vrana. R.A.F.); France, Republic, Legion of Honour, silver and enamel; Croix de Guerre, reverse dated '1939', with Palme upon riband; Czechoslovakia, Republic, Czechoslovak War Cross 1939, with three further Award Bars; Bravery Medal, with Second Award Bar; Military Merit Medal, silver; Army Commemorative Medal, 1st Type, mounted court-style as worn by Spink & Son, St James's, London, good very fine (10)Adolf Vrana - or Ada to his friends and comrades - was born at Nová Paka, Bohemia in October 1907. Having come of age, Vrana undertook his national military service and joined the Czechoslovak Air Force. First in the ground crew at Prague-Kbely and Hradec Králove fields, he was then selected for Pilot training. Vrana passed though in 1931 and was assigned to the 41st Fighter Squadron as a fighter pilot.He further gained skill in night flying, observation and also qualified on seaplanes, going to the Hranice Military Academy in 1934. Made Pilot Officer in 1936, he was with the 91st Squadron, at that time the only night fighter Squadron. Vrana thence trained as an instructor and a test pilot.Following the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, all its personnel found themselves without employment. Thus Varan and many of his colleagues made a break for it, arriving to the Consulate in Krakow some months later. The plan would be to make for Franch, which was completed via a coastal cruiser that took him to Calais.The French Foreign Legion was the option open, with the understanding that should a Second World War be declared, those in the service would then join Regular French Units. Some who had joined were fortunate to be transferred onto the most usual postings in Africa which were commonplace with the Foreign Legion, Vrana was still in France when War was declared. He was duly released to the l'Armée d'Air and went out to Chartres air field.Battle of France - first bloodHaving undergone familiarisation with the French systems and aircraft, Vrana operated the Curtiss Hawk 75 from Suippes, near Rheims with the Groupe de Chasse 1/5.The Battle of France saw Allied airmen gain significant experience in aerial combat, which would come to the fore in a few short months. Vrana wasn't to know that at the time, for they were regularly 'scrambled' to action on multiple occasions. Of his own record, Vrana was shot down on 13 May 1940 by a Me109, his life being saved by parachute after having bailed out. He shared in the destruction of a He111 on 26 May 1940 and shared in the probable destruction of a Hs126 and a He111 on 7 June 1940. As the German advance came on apace, the Group found itself moving to safety on numerous occasions.After the French collapse, Vrana and other Czechs flew their Hawks from Clermont-Ferrand to Algiers on 17 June. They made their way to Oran, at that point learning that France had fallen. Whilst at that place, together with four other gallant airman, Vrana was presented with his two French awards for his gallantry during the previous period of action. They then went to Casablanca, from where they went by boat to Gibraltar, where they joined a convoy bound for Britain, answering the call of Churchill that they would be welcomed to Britain to continue the fight.Battle of BritainProcessed into the Royal Air Force, he joined No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron at its formation at Duxford on 29 August 1940. They were to be equipped with Hurricane Mark I's. They moved to Speke in September as part of the defence of Liverpool and her precious docks.Of his Ops with No. 312 Squadron, the Operational Record Books provide the following, all 'Scrambles':21 October - P3810 1135hrs.22 October - P3810 1620hrs.24 October - V6810 1310hrs.22 November - V6926 1040hrs.26 November - V6926 1155hrs.27 November - V6926 1625hrs.28 November - P3612 1250hrs.5 December - P3759 1120hrs.Further flightsBesides this, Vrana then assisted in transferring four of their aircraft on 8 December and would have been back in time for the visit of the Czech President on 17 December, who toured the Squadron and met the Pilots. At the end of his operational tour in April 1941, Vrana was posted to 3 ADF at Hawarden. Variously serving with No. 310 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in the Operations Room as a Flight Control Officer, he returned to No. 312 Squadron for a further Operational Tour in June 1942. Tour expired the following year, Vrana then went to serve at the Czechoslovak Inspectorate General and as Czechoslovak Liaison Officer at HQ Fighter Command, Bentley Priory.Returned to his homeland at the end of the conflict, he learned that his parents were lucky indeed to have survived time in a Concentration Camp. He rejoined the Czech Air Force when it was being rebuild and became Commanding Officer of the Research Institute and Testing Unit. His Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 with Three Bars followed in September 1945, being promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander at Prague-Kbely field. When the communists took over in February 1948, he saw the way in which those who had served the Allied forces treated. It was clearly not a risk he wanted to take and Vrana escaped with his wife. Having been granted leave from the Air Force, he made it across to West Germany in late 1949. Vrana once again returned to the United Kingdom and rejoined the Royal Air Force. Having seen further campaign service in Cyprus (Medal & clasp), he retired Flight Lieutenant in May 1961. Granted the rank of Colonel in the Czechoslovak Air Force, he died in Wiltshire on 25 February 1997.His name is recorded on the National Battle of Britain Memorial and the London Battle of Britain Memorial, besides a memorial plaque in his home town and upon the Winged Lion Monument at Klárov, Prague.Sold together with an impressive archive of original material comprising:i) His riband bar, removed from his uniform, with gilt rosette upon 1939-45 Star denoting 'Battle of Britain'.ii) His R.A.F. Pilot's 'Wings'.iii) Czech Air Force Epaulettes.iv) Czech Pilot's dagger, marked 'Wlaszlovits, Stos', brass hilt with inlay, brass and leather scabbard, the blade of steel.v) Croix de Guerre aiguillette.vi) Data plate removed from an aircraft, marked 'Curtiss H75A-1 No. 43 1-39'.vii) Czech Pilot's Badge, by V. Pistoira, Paris, 1940, a rare award of French manufacture, numbered to the reverse 'F121'.With thanks to Simon Muggleton for accessing the ORB's.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.SALE 25001 NOTICE:'Now offered together with his French Pilot's Badge, this officially numbered '33644', photographs available via SpinkLIVE.'

The Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Bates, Royal Field Artillery, who served as Brigade Major with the 4th Australian Division on the Western Front, suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm and was thrice 'mentioned'Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R. (Major C. R. Bates, R.F.A. France, 1915.); 1914 Star, clasp (Capt: C. R. Bates. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major C. R. Bates), slight chipping to reverse of D.S.O. enamel, Victory Medal well-polished, otherwise very fine overall, housed in contemporary wood display frame (5)D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918, the original recommendation states:'Marked devotion to duty and conspicuous ability as Brigade-Major 4th Australian Divisional Artillery during period in France from July 7th 1916 to July 30th 1917, especially operations before the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt during April and May 1917, and operations before Messires during May and June 1917.Signed E.H. Sinclair Maclagh, Brigadier-General, commanding 4th Australian Division.'M.C. London Gazette 14 January 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 31 December 1915; 15 May 1917; 7 December 1917. One original recommendation states:'Marked devotion to duty and conspicuous ability as Brigade-Major, 4th Australian Divisional Artillery, during period in France from July 7th 1916 to February 25th 1917, especially during operations opposite Fromelles in conjunction with 5th Australian Division on July 19th 1916; during operations in Ypres Sector from August 27th 1916 to November 10th 1916, and during operations on the Somme, from November 25th 1916 to February 25th 1917.Signed William Holmes, Major-General, commanding the 4th Australian Division.'Cecil Robert Bates was born at Wavertree, Lancashire on 3 February 1882. He was the third of seven sons of Sir Edward Percy Bates, 2nd Baronet, and his wife Constance Elizabeth Graves of the wealthy Bates shipping family. He was additionally the grandson of conservative Member of Parliament Samuel Robert Graves. It is worth also noting the illustrious life of Bates’ elder brother Sir Percy Elly Bates, 4th Baronet. An honorary Captain of the Royal Naval Reserve, Percy Bates was throughout his busy life the longtime Chairman of the Cunard-White Star Line, High Sheriff and Justice of the Peace for Cheshire, and was made a G.B.E. in 1920 for his services as Director of Commercial Services in the Ministry of Shipping.The young Bates was educated at Winchester and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. His was an active military family, with his brother Frederic later becoming a Major in the Royal Air Force and winning an A.F.C., and his other brother Denis an Army Colonel who was mentioned in despatches and also received an M.C.Bates was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery on 6 January 1900 as a Second Lieutenant. He was advanced Lieutenant on 3 April 1901 and a few years later in 1904 was transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery. In August of that year Bates was sent to India, where he served until returning home in December 1907. He found himself promoted Captain on 16 June 1908 and continued to serve with the Royal Horse Artillery until 1911. Bates retired to the Reserve of Officers on 27 August 1913.He was not to enjoy his retirement for long, however, and was recalled to service on the outbreak of World War I. Bates disembarked at the Western Front on 14 September 1914 and was to serve overseas for much of the war. He suffered a gunshot wound to his forearm and was subsequently sent home and admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank on 13 April 1916. It must not have been terribly serious as he was released just a few days later. He was appointed Brigade-Major of the Australian Imperial Force, 4th Division, on 8 July 1916. Bates found himself again at hospital in 1918, when he was admitted to 2nd General Hospital from the Royal Field Artillery Training School on 10 December complaining of ‘stiff joints’. Prior to the close of the war, on 27 June 1918 Bates was married to Hylda Madeleine Heath, daughter of Sir James Heath, 1st Baronet. Hylda was a widow at the time, having been married to Captain George Millais James of The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front in 1914. Their two daughters, Eileen and Daphne, were subsequently adopted by Bates. Together the newly married couple also had two children; Audrey Cecil Bates and Sir Geoffrey Voltelin Bates, 5th Baronet, who would go on to receive a M.C. of his own while serving as Second Lieutenant of the 8th King’s Royal Irish Rifles in the Western Desert in September 1942.Soon after the end of war Bates relinquished his command on account of ill-health on 4 January 1919, retaining the rank of Major (London Gazette 6 May 1919, refers). He then returned home to his family residing at Oxendon Hall in Great Oxendon, Northamptonshire, and became the managing director of the West African Trading Company.Bates later died at age 53 on 5 March 1935, suffering heart failure while salmon fishing in the River Dee in Banchory, Scotland. The Northampton Mercury reported that only moments before his death he had caught a 17 lb salmon. Bates left behind an estate worth £133,110 - the equivalent of over £12 million today. His widow Hylda later died in 1960; sold together with a binder of copied research, including copied photographs.…

The Crimea Medal awarded to Private J. Boothby, 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, who was killed in action at the Battle of InkermannCrimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (J. Boothby. Coldstream Gds.), officially impressed naming, with cast copy wreath clasp, good very fineNote the recipient's entitlement to the Sebastopol clasp remains unconfirmed however the clasp itself is genuine.John Boothby was serving with the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards during the Battle of Inkermann. During the battle the 2nd Division bore the brunt of the initial engagement and as they held the line against overwhelming Russian forces they were reinforced by the Guards. The Brigade led by Brigadier Pennefeather made Home Ridge in time to prevent a breakthrough, they later moved to support Brigadier Adams' troops holding the sandbag battery. This position faced an attack by a force of 7,000 Russian troops and changed hands on several occasions throughout the day.The Official Casualty return quoted in the London Gazette has '8 officers, 3 serjeants, 59 rank and file, killed; 5 officers, 6 serjeants, 2 drummers, 108 rank and file, wounded.' This included Boothby who was killed in action during the bloody fighting; sold together with copied research.…

'H.M.S. Eclipse was escorting a Northern convoy on 29th March 1942 when in Arctic weather she fought an action with German destroyers of the Narvik class. In a running fight in the snow she badly damaged one of the enemy, hitting her six times with 4.7 shells. As the Eclipse was about to finish off this ship with a torpedo attack two other German destroyers appeared, and the Eclipse was hit. She hit one of the enemy, which did not pursue them, and she proceeded to Murmansk. She had been handled throughout with great skill and determination in very severe conditions, with one of her guns out of action owing to ice.'(The remarkably exciting award recommendation for Eclipse's crew following her life and death struggle in Artic Waters)An exciting Post-War C.V.O. group of nine awarded to Commander D. L. Cobb, Royal Navy, who was 'mentioned' as gunnery officer of Eclipse during a remarkable destroyer action in March 1942 which saw her cripple a German destroyer only to be engaged by two more enemy vessels and drive them offLater 'mentioned' again for good service in the Aegean including his bravery in the tragic sinking of Eclipse, Cobb went on to command Cockade when she brought relief to those affected by the 1957 Sri Lankan Floods and was heavily involved in implementing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award while a Deputy LieutenantThe Royal Victorian Order, Commander's (C.V.O.) neck Badge, silver and enamel, in its Collingwood box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Korea 1950-53 (Lt Cdr. D. L. Cobb R.N.), officially re-impressed; U.N. Korea 1950-54; Jubilee 1977, the last eight mounted court-style as worn, overall very fine (9)C.V.O. London Gazette 31 December 1977.David Laurence Cobb was born in March 1922 in Hendon, London, the son of Samuel and Mary Cobb. He joined the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 1 May 1939 and was advanced Sub-Lieutenant during the Second World War. Posted to H.M.S. Eclipse he was 'mentioned' for his services during a convoy escort mission with her (London Gazette 23 June 1942). The award recommendation includes greater detail stating:'As Gunnery Control Officer, controlled a steady and accurate fire on the enemy, hitting him repeatedly, under very difficult conditions.'Still with her when she was transferred to the Aegean, Cobb received further plaudits for his cool and effective gunnery. This gunnery was put to the test during the Gaetano Donizetti action on 22 September 1943. This Italian freighter had been seized by the Germans to carry arms to Rhodes, escorted by the torpedo boat TA10. Eclipse encountered the convoy and attacked immediately, her guns were worked immaculately, sinking Gaetano Donizetti in minutes and damaging TA10 so heavily that she was scuttled days later.Cobb was again 'mentioned' for 'Operations in Dodecanese Islands culminating in the sinking of Eclipse on 24 October 1943' (London Gazette 4 April 1944 refers). The recommendation adds:'A painstaking and efficient G.C.O., always cheerfull [SIC] in adversity and setting a high example. His handling of the gun armaments was responsible for the successful outcome of two engagements in the Dodecanese against surface craft.'Still with her the next month Cobb was present for the horrific sinking of Eclipse, when she struck a mine on 24 October and broke in two, sinking within five minutes. Of the ships complement of 145 men there were only 36 survivors and tragically at the time she was also carrying 'A' Company, 4th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), who lost 134 men out of 170.Cobb was extremely lucky to survive the sinking and joined the complement of Beaufort on 18 December 1943. This vessel was stationed in the Aegean as well and was present for the bombardment of Kos and later the failed attempt to halt the German invasion of Leros.Post war Cobb continued to serve being promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 16 February 1950 and later Commander in 1953. Posted to command H.M.S. Cockade in 1957, taking part in relief efforts of the Sri-Lankan Floods of 1958. That same year Cobb took part in the Navy Pageant at the Royal Tournament.Placed upon the retired list on 2 January 1961 and was appointed assistant secretary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Appointed Deputy Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1977 and the same year Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. It was likely for his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards that he was awarded his C.V.O.. Cobb died at Sydney, Australia on 29 January 1999; sold together with copied research.…

A poignant Second World War D.F.C. group of four awarded to Flight Lieutenant D. A. Buchan, Royal Air Force, late Royal Tank Corps, who was decorated for his leadership of a Blenheim flight from No. 59 Squadron in a daylight raid against the marshalling yards at Hazebrouck in July 1941By the time of the announcement of his resultant award of the D.F.C., he had been posted missing after a sortie to CherbourgDistinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1941', in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with his Air Council condolence slip in the name of 'Flight Lieutenant D. A. Buchan, D.F.C.' and boxing prize medals (4), from Epsom College, the O.T.C. Aldershot, Sandhurst and the Royal Tank Corps, three of them named 'D. A. Buchan' and in their boxes of issue, generally good very fine (8)D.F.C. London Gazette 28 July 1942, the original recommendation states:'On 24 July 1941, Flight Lieutenant Buchan was detailed to lead his flight of nine Blenheim aircraft with fighter escort to attack by day the railway marshalling yards at Hazebrouck. The attack took the defences by surprise and direct hits were scored on the railway yards and neighbouring buildings. The success of this operation was due to his leadership and initiative displayed by Flight Lieutenant Buchan, and to the careful preparations he made and tactics he planned before the flight.Flight Lieutenant Buchan has carried out nearly 60 operational sorties during the last nine months, several of them being bombing raids. He has displayed dash and enthusiasm of a high order and has commanded a Flight with marked success.'David Adye Buchan was born on 22 October 1919, the son of Brigadier David Buchan, D.S.O., of Clonmore in Co. Louth, Ireland, and was educated at Epsom College and the R.M.C. Sandhurst.Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Tank Regiment in August 1937, he transferred to the Royal Air Force in April 1940 and qualified for his 'Wings' in July 1940.Initially posted to the Army School of Co-operation, Buchan commenced a tour of operations in No. 59 Squadron in November 1940, a Coastal Command general reconnaissance unit operating in Blenheim aircraft out of Thorney Island.And, as per the above cited recommendation, he had flown nearly 60 operational sorties by September 1941, latterly as a Flight Commander. Those sorties undoubtedly included anti-shipping strikes, as well as low-level attacks on port installations.Sadly, however, having attended a conversion course for Lockheed Hudsons, Buchan was posted missing on 24 October 1941 when his aircraft failed to return from a mission to Cherbourg.Aged 24, he was the husband of Josephine Buchan, of Winchmore Hill, Middlesex, and is buried in Cherbourg Old Communal Cemetery, where his war graves headstone is inscribed: 'The bravest is he who realises what lies before him and goes out to meet it.'…

The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Able Seaman J. Kennedy, Royal Navy, one of Captain Peel's famed 'Shannons'Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Jas Kennedy, A.B. H.M.S. Shannon), suspension somewhat slack, light contact marks, very fineJames Kennedy served with H.M.S. Shannon with the number 344 and appears as a Leading Seaman on the roll. The Shannon was an imposing Liffey-class steam frigate armed with 51 guns. Originally intended for service in China, she left Hong Kong in company with the Pearl when news broke of the Indian Mutiny. When she docked at Calcutta in August 1857 she was, at that time, the largest vessel to have navigated so far up the River Hooghly. Her Captain William Peel V.C., C.B., took a considerable risk in moving her into such shallow water, but subsequent events were to prove him a man undaunted by any danger.Sir Patrick Grant, who was then acting Commander-in-Chief at Calcutta, knew that British forces in Oudh were woefully short of heavy guns. He ordered Peel to form a Naval Brigade comprising 'Bluejackets' from both the Shannon and the Pearl. The contingent from Pearl numbered 175 men, bringing the Naval Brigade's total strength to 408 officers and men, including Marines from both ships.This force was armed with: ten 8-inch 68-pounders with 400 rounds of shot and shell per gun, four 24-pounders, four 12-pounders, a 24-pounder howitzer, and eight rocket tubes. 800 bullocks were required. For the voyage up the Ganges, the men and guns were to be transported in a steamer called the Chunar, as well as a flat-bottomed transport. The force left Calcutta on 29 September, heading straight towards 'The Devil's Wind'.On 10 October, the contingent from Pearl stopped at Buxar on the Ganges, and thenceforward operated separately under the command of Captain E. S. Sotheby. The remainder of Peel's Naval Brigade, already nicknamed 'The Shannons', continued up the Ganges to Cawnpore, where British forces were gathering for the Second Relief of Lucknow. Peel kept the men occupied with constant drilling and manoeuvres. He knew that in battle, the guns would have to be moved using drag ropes, eighteen men to each gun.Sir Colin Campbell was greeted with a great cheer when he arrived at Cawnpore on 31 October, assuming command of the army. His force only amounted to 3,400 men, made up of detachments from HM 8th, 23rd, 53rd, 82nd, 90th and 93rd Foot, the 2nd and 4th Punjab Infantry, and the 9th Lancers. Peel's Naval Brigade thus proved invaluable when the force arrived before Lucknow on 15 November.The next day, Peel's guns and two heavy guns of the Royal Artillery began a fierce bombardment of the Sikanderabagh, a huge rebel-held building, 130 yards square, with a thick, brick, loopholed wall 20 feet high, flanked by bastions at the corners. After firing for 90 minutes, the guns had created a small hole, three feet high and three and a half feet wide. As their pipers struck up the Highland Charge 'Haughs of Cromdale', men of the 93rd Highlanders surged forward in the hope of being the first to enter this 'breach', and won six Victoria Crosses.Although losses at the Sikanderabagh were severe, the stormers were able to trap about 2,000 mutineers in a corner of the building. Remembering earlier atrocities, particularly the massacre of women and children at Bibighar, Cawnpore on 15 July (the gore at Bibighar lay undisturbed, creating a nightmarish scene for troops passing through), the stormers killed every man they found. Lord Roberts later recalled:'There they lay, in a heap as high as my head, a heaving, surging mass of dead and dying inextricably tangled.'The capture of the Sikanderabagh enabled Campbell's army to reach the beleaguered Residency compound, but having lost 45 officers and 496 men, Campbell realised he could not possibly hold Lucknow against the vast rebel armies in the region.On 19 November, the evacuation of the Residency began. Women and children who for six months had suffered unimaginable terrors emerged from its shattered ramparts and filed towards Dilkushah, under the protection of the 9th Lancers. Campbell organised the evacuation so that the enemy never suspected a British withdrawal. The Naval Brigade was pivotal to this conceit: while Peel's guns and rockets pounded the Kaiserbagh as if in preparation for an assault, women and children were silently extricated from the Residency compound, under the noses of a distracted foe. Part of the rearguard, Peel's Bluejackets were among the last to quit Lucknow on the night of 22 November; it was many hours before the mutineers realised that the Residency was empty.Return to CawnporeJust before leaving Cawnpore for Lucknow, Sir Colin Campbell had left 500 men to defend the city under the command of General Windham. Included in this garrison were fifty Bluejackets of the Shannon, with two 24-pounders, led by Lieutenant Hay and Naval Cadets Watson and Lascelles. Cawnpore lay on the Grand Trunk Road, its bridge of boats over the Ganges a vital artery for British supply and communication. Most of Campbell's reinforcements arrived via Cawnpore (hence why the massacre there had such impact).On 19 November, Windham's tiny garrison was invested by 25,000 mutinous sepoys of the Gwalior Contingent, led by Tantia Tope. Windham's men, including the Bluejackets, dug entrenchments at each end of the bridge of boats and managed to hold it for ten days. Since Kennedy was not awarded the 'Relief of Lucknow' clasp, he may very well have been a part of this 50-strong detachment at Cawnpore.Hearing of Windham's plight, Campbell left Sir James Outram with a small force to hold the Alum Bagh, near Lucknow. With the remainder of his army, including the Naval Brigade, Campbell dashed southwards. When heavy gun-fire could be heard from Cawnpore on 27 September, Campbell pressed ahead with his cavalry and horse artillery. He linked up with Windham's entrenchments the following day, and to his great relief, the bridge of boats remained intact.The Naval Brigade arrived on the northern bank of the Ganges two days later. The mutineers had massed their artillery on the southern bank, aiming to destroy the bridge of boats, but Peel's guns quickly silenced them. Over subsequent days, Campbell arranged for the sick, wounded and non-combatants from Lucknow (over 2,000 souls) to be escorted to Allahabad, thence to Calcutta. This left him free to conduct offensive operations. He received reinforcements, including a wing of the 42nd Foot, bringing his total force to 600 cavalry, 5,000 infantry and 35 guns. On 6 December, he launched a full-scale assault across the river. In The Devil's Wind: The Story of the Naval Brigade at Lucknow (1956), G. L. Verney tells how the Naval Brigade lifted morale when the assault began to falter:'Every attempt at forward movement was met by a storm of shot, shell and bullets, the slow rate of fire of the [rebel] muskets being compensated by the large number of men handling them. Each rush cost a few lives and it looked bad. In the clouds of dust and smoke which billowed across the plain, it was hard for commanders to see what was happening or why the advance in that area was making so little progress. To those in front, it seemed that increased artillery support was their only hope.Suddenly, however, the men of the 53rd Foot and the 4th Punjab Infantry, lying down near the bridge and extended short of the bank of the Canal, heard a rumble of wheels behind them, and there they saw Captain Peel, followed by a 24-pounder gun, hand-drawn and double-crewed, some forty Seamen, running hard, followed by a limber. "Action Front" shouted Peel, an…

'Dispatch Rider Posed As Italian - Gave Nazis Slip'(The Manchester Evening News 15 October 1943, refers)A superb 'Escaper's' M.M. group of seven awarded to Private J. Chatham, 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, a dispatch rider who went 'in the bag' at the Battle of the Knightsbridge Box in June 1942Held in the same camp as S.A.S legend "Gentleman Jim" Almonds, Chatham's escape appeared on the same list of recommendations as Almonds' Second Award BarChatham's journey through Italy saw him briefly re-captured while trying to board a ship, again escaping and he managed to obtain passes by pretending to be ItalianMilitary Medal, G.VI.R. (4123232 Pte. J. Chatham. Ches R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, light contact marks, very fine (7)M.M. London Gazette 27 April 1944, the original recommendation states:'Both captured in Jun 1942 near Knightsbridge. Subsequently imprisoned at Capua and then Campo 70 (Monturano). After the Armistice P/W were forbidden by the Senior British Officer to attempt escape, and armed British picquets were posted to support the Italian guards. Gill and Chatham, however, escaped by getting over the outer wall and knocking out a sentry obtained civilian clothes, and made their way to Termoli. Here they were caught by Germans when boarding a ship, and locked up in a house. They escaped from here through a window at night, boarded the boat again, and so reached Istonio. They walked to Manfredonia but found they could not leave the town without passes. They went to German H.Q. and speaking Italian asked for passes to Bari, which they received. They met British troops near Andria on 23 Sep 43.'Jack Chatham was a native of Manchester and enlisted in the Cheshire Regiment, serving with the 2nd Battalion during the Second World War. They saw action at the Battle of the Knightsbridge Box starting on 10 June 1942, part of the Battle of the Gazala. Unfortunately, the Battle went poorly for the British and the Cheshire Regiment - serving with the 50th Division - were cut off, forcing them to break through an encircling cordon of Italian troops.During the chaos of the breakthrough Chatham, serving as a dispatch rider, was taken prisoner of war - listed as going in the bag on 16 June. Alongside him at the time was Private J. E. Gill who, along with many others, were taken with Chatham to Capua, after which they were transferred to Campo 70 at Monturano.Not long later another P.O.W. arrived at the camp, Sergeant (later Major) John "Gentleman Jim" Almonds, who had been captured at Benghazi on 14 September. He attempted to escape very quickly, with several companions; he distracted the Italian guards with coffee, remained longer than was allowed in the Red Cross hut and when darkness fell emerged to disable the sentry. The escape was successful however when several members of the group fell sick they had no choice but to give themselves up.In the meantime the Allied advance gained pace, Sicily fell and Italy was invaded, this in turn triggered the Italian Armistice on 3 September 1943. As Campo 70 was an Italian camp this caused some confusion and eventually the Italian Guards deserted.It was at this moment that a number of prisoners including Chatham and Gill decided to escape, they managed to get out of the camp but this was just the start of their adventures, a report on Gill's escape in The Cheshire Observer provides further detail:'They made their way down the East side of the peninsula and, to escape detection at one point took advantage of an Italian's offer to buy a rowing boat, and managed to do 50 miles by water in about 10 hours. At one stage of the journey the two men were recaptured by the Germans. They were put in a small room for the night and were told they would be dealt with in the morning. When morning came, there seemed to be no sentry about so they hopped out of the window and were on their way again!'This is added to from Private Chatham's perspective in the Manchester Evening News on 15 October 1943 which states:'He had nerve enough to "wangle" a pass to go South out if the Nazis who stopped him and his friend when they were posing as Italians, and to travel about 150 miles on foot before they "wangled" a fishing boat to finish the last 50 miles to join their comrades.'Sold together with copied research.…

‘I am glad to learn that the Government has granted an increase of the pension allowed to ex-Lieut. Charles Jenkins, a native of Ventnor, of the Cape Mounted Rifles ... for distinguished conduct in the field during the Zulu War of 1879. Lieut. Jenkins daringly made the charge single-handed with revolver and sword upon a number of Zulus who were defending their own kraal, but were forced by him to retreat, seven of the enemy being left dead ... It was owing to the action of Lieut. Jenkins that an army of Zulus who were coming over the hill at the battle of Inyazana ... were successfully put to flight ... Lord Chelmsford afterwards recommended the soldier for promotion from Sergeant-Major to Lieutenant.’A newspaper extract refers.The outstanding campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant C. Jenkins, Natal Native Contingent, late Royal Navy and Cape Mounted Rifles; he was the only man to earn a field commission from Lord Chelmsford during the Zulu War - that gallantry latter earned him a pension for 'for distinguished Conduct in the field'Baltic 1854-54 (C. J. Jenkins, Boy 2nd C. H.M.S. Ajax); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (Lieut. C. Jenkins, 4th Battn. N.N.C.), re-engraved naming; Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Basutoland (Pte. C. Jenkins. C. M. Rif.), mounted on silver bar as worn, very fineCharles Jenkins was born at Brading, Isle of Wight in 1840 and served in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in the Baltic operations (Medal), leaving home for a new life in South Africa in 1858. He joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen but returned home in 1868, being married on Christmas Day that year and taking work as a warder at Portsea. Little more needs to be said of his exploits during the Zulu campaign, but his record would appear to be a unique one.His final campaign would be in the Basuto Gun War of 1881, when serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles, although it took until 1903 for his Medal to reach him back on the Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight Mercury refers). Jenkins served in the Bechuanaland expedition as Interpreter to Sir Charles Warren and was 'disabled by accident on duty' in July 1885. This was further detailed in a 1904 letter from Major-General Sir F. Carrington:'I have much pleasure in testifying to the good services of Sgt. Major Charles Jenkins. He served under my command in the Basuto War in the Cape mounted Rifles and afterwards in the 2nd Mounted Rifles during Sir. C. Warren’s expedition in Bechuanaland where he was promoted to Sgt. Major for his efficiency and general good service. He unfortunately met with a severe accident when on duty by his horse backing into one of our wagons he was escorting – the horse being killed and Sgt. Major Jenkins having his collarbone and six ribs broken. He was taken to Mafeking Hospital where for some time he lay in a precarious state. He is in possession of the Baltic medal, Zulu War medal, Cape general Service medal and clasp for Basutoland. He is, I know, in most needy circumstances never having regained sufficient strength to do much work.'By April 1906 Major-General Hart Symot had taken up the case to assist in getting an increase in pension:'...I remember your gallant fighting in the critical action with the 2nd Zulu Army on the 22nd January at Inyazana, and your promotion from Non Commissioned Officer to Lieutenant in our NNC by Lord Chelmsford, upon my report.'The reply followed by letter from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in November 1906:'Sir,I am directed by the Lords and others, Commissioners of this hospital, to acquaint you that having taken into consideration all the circumstances of your case they have been pleased to increase your pension from nine pence to fifteen pence per diem. The additional 6d per day is awarded for ‘distinguished Conduct in the Field’.'The gallant old soldier died on 7 November 1919 and is buried at Ventnor.…

The campaign group of four awarded to Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman B. J. Sandoe, Royal Navy, who served during the Falklands War with H.M.S. Intrepid, upon whose deck the Argentine surrender papers were signed South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (AB (R) B J Sandoe D171525K HMS Intrepid); Gulf 1990-91 (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN), mounted as worn, light contact marks, very fine (4)Barry John Sandoe was born on 10 October 1960 and worked as a bakery assistant prior to beginning his career with the Royal Navy on 9 May 1978, initially enrolling to complete a twelve-year period of engagement. He completed his seamanship and general training at H.M.S. Raleigh and then went on to H.M.S. Dryad for his radar training. From January 1979 Sandoe was posted to patrol ship H.M.S. Orkney, patrolling the Iceland Faroes gap and the North Sea to protect fisheries. Orkney was involved in the arrest of two fishing boats for illegal nets and overfishing, the recovery and return of an oil rig buoy, and the destruction of a cargo container carrying cigarettes. His next posting was aboard Leander-class frigate H.M.S. Diomede from May 1979 until January 1981, and was promoted Able Seaman (Radar) with her.After serving again with Dryad for a short time, Sandoe joined the assault-class H.M.S. Intrepid on 23 June 1981. She was being prepared for decommission when Argentina invaded the Falklands, bringing her back into action. Her engines were reattached and she went on to serve a key role in the Falklands campaign, where she was used as a headquarters for S.A.S. and at one point 14,000 Argentinian prisoners were taken onboard. Upon the end of the conflict, the Argentine surrender papers were signed on her deck.Following the conclusion of the Falklands campaign, Sandoe was transferred in late September 1982 to the batch 2 county class destroyer H.M.S. Fife, with whom he returned to the Falklands for a six-month patrol. Sandoe was advanced Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) with her before relinquishing to Able Seaman (Radar) with H.M.S. Dryad from May 1984. He took and passed his aircrew aptitude training with H.M.S. Seahawk, and after passing his training was promoted Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) once again. Sandoe joined H.M.S. Edinburgh in July 1985 whilst awaiting his draft to the Aircrewman branch, during which time he was rated Leading Seaman (Radar) before joining the Fleet Air Arm training establishment at H.M.S. Daedalus in May 1986. Sandoe was drafted to the Aircrewman school to complete basic, advanced, and operational flying training courses at Seahawk, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Upon his successful completion of the course he was awarded his flying wings and promoted Leading Aircrewman.He served with 820 Naval Air Squadron, flying in the SeaKing H.A.S. Mk V, and embarked on H.M.S. Ark Royal for an exercise trip known as Outback 88. In June 1989 Sandoe joined the 810 Naval Air Squadron, a training squadron, whereupon he became an Aircrew Instructor. He was there only briefly before rejoining 820 Naval Air Squadron in August 1990. Once again aboard Ark Royal, Sandoe served in the Gulf War on the Mediterranean side. While there, Sandoe was involved in dramatic episode in which he was in a helicopter that ditched into the sea due to a computer malfunction. The pilot overrode for manual control before the helicopter rolled over, making them the only crew at the time to have successfully carried out a water take-off in a real scenario.Sandoe was returned to the 810 Naval Air training Squadron in November 1992 and was loaned to I.B.M. for a period to do a training analysis of their new helicopter. In 1994 he was finally promoted Petty Officer Aircrewman. Sandoe's last experience in a front-line squadron came upon his return to 820 Naval Air Squadron in April 1995, where he was posted to the Adriatic Sea conducting operations in the former Yugoslavia aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious.He returned to Seahawk in December 1996 where he was involved in the development of the new software of the SeaKing. There, he was also promoted Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman. Despite Sandoe's desire to continue to serve at the front-line, he was transferred to a desk job at D.E.R.A. in Hampshire. Sandoe's fine naval career ended one day prior to his fortieth birthday on 9 October 2000. Sold together with folder of copied and original research, including photographs and certificates, as well as flying wings and original flying logbook. For the recipient's miniature medals, please see Lot 457. …

A good 'Operation Olive September 1944' immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant R. A. G. Smith, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who led the charge on an enemy machine-gun nest with a small band of comrades to great success, later the same day he went off hunting alone and single-handedly pulled off a repeat, this time bringing home the enemy prisoners under their own gunDistinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6472861 L. Sjt. R. A. G. Smith. R. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style, very fine (6)D.C.M. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The recommendation, for an immediate award approved by Alexander, states:'On the night 6-7 September 1944, 'W' Company, 8 Royal Fusiliers was ordered to attack the enemy and consolidatethe position in the area of the village of Croce.L-Sgt Smith was Platoon Sergeant of the Leading Platoon. On his own initiative he went forward of his Platoon with a small party of men, overran many of the enemy and cleared up a large area of enemy resistance. Alone, showing complete disregard for his own personal safety, he attacked an enemy MG post and killed the crew with his TMC, captured the MG and returned to his Platoon.Later, now single handed, he went forward to another MG post, he captured the enemy gun crew and with their weapon brought them back to our line. Had these enemy MGs not been silenced they would have taken very heavy toll on L-Sgt Smiths Company, which in turn may well have prejudiced the security of the whole of the Croce feature.Apart from these two outstanding incidents, L-Sgt Smith set a very high example of leadership and military qualities and his whole conduct was in the very highest tradition of the Service.'Ronald Arthur George Smith was born on 8 April 1920 at Hornsey, London and was a cabinet maker upon his joining the Territorial Army in June 1940. He was to join the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in October 1940.Smith served with his unit in Iraq, joining PAIFORCE as Lance-Corporal in November 1942. Having served through the Middle East, the unit landed in Italy on 10 September 1943. It was present in the Volturno crossing of October 1943 - being photographed going into action through the mud by Ronald Lambert of No. 2 Army Film & Photo Unit (IWM NA 7876, refers) - and they also shared in Operation 'Shingle' at the Battle of Anzio in January 1944.Little more needs be said about his services in winning his D.C.M. during Operation 'Olive', for his part at Croce, but more can be read of the wider events in the article Autumn Assualt in Italy (Warfare History Network, refers). Smith was made Sergeant on 10 November 1945, transferred to the Gordon Highlanders and was released in September 1946. He took work as a projects manager in Oxfordshire and died in Adderbury in February 1999; sold together with newspaper cutting and copied research.…

The Second World War D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Petty Officer Cook A. V. E. Smithurst, Royal Navy who won his award serving on H.M.S. LondonLondon was the flagship for the escort force that failed to safeguard convoy PQ17 resulting in the loss of two thirds of the convoys vesselsDistinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.P.O. Cook (S) A Van Eck Smithurst. C/M. 33903); British War and Victory Medals (33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. CK.R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (MX.33903 A.V.E. Smithurst. C.P.O. CK.R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (M 33903 A.V.E. Smithurst C.P.O. CK. H.M.S. Enterprise), contact marks, good very fine (9)D.S.M. London Gazette 14 June 1945.Allan Van Eck Smithurst was born on 7 September 1900 at Grantham, Lincolnshire, the son of Percy Smithurst. A baker, Smithurst enlisted in the Royal Navy on 10 September 1918, he was shore based for the duration of the Great War. Remaining in service after the war he served variously on Calypso, Ceres, and Cumberland in 1927 by which time he had been promoted to Leading Cook. On 24 November 1930 he was promoted to Petty Officer Cook and on 22 October 1933 whilst serving on Enterprise he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Promoted to Chief Petty Officer Cook on 7 November 1934 he was posted to Sussex for service in the Mediterranean qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal.Shore based at the beginning of the Second World War he was posted to London on 7 February 1941 and served aboard her for the duration of the war.London was involved in the pursuit of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941. During this time at sea, many cracks appeared in her upper deck and hull, due to the weight of the new superstructure causing stresses. She entered a commercial shipyard on the River Tyne in October 1941 and was under repair until February 1942. London then spent March-November 1942 in the North Atlantic on convoy protection duties in the company of several US Navy warships.Convoy PQ 17On 27 July 1942, convoy PQ-17 departed Iceland for the Soviet Union. Out of 34 merchant ships, only 11 would make it to port. At first, things seemed to be going well for the convoy as they beat off multiple German air attacks with relative ease. But, on 4 July, everything went wrong. An order arrived from Admiral Sir Dudley Pound, the First Sea Lord himself, reading 'Convoy is to scatter'. Fearing an imminent attack from German surface ships like Tirpitz the escort ships fled west while the merchant ships made for the Soviet Union.But the Tirpitz was nowhere near the convoy, in fact, it was still at its moorings in northern Norway. Instead of saving the convoy from disaster, Admiral Pound's order had doomed PQ-17 to destruction. Over the following week, two thirds of the convoy were sunk by German aircraft and U-Boats. It was the biggest loss to a British convoy of the Second World War.This period of operations in the heavy North Atlantic seas caused hull cracks and popped rivets in her lower hull, necessitating the ship again going into the dry-dock in December 1942 for strengthening of the hull and for the fitting of newer and more refined radar, and of more light anti-aircraft guns. This refit rectified her hull and was completed in May 1943, with the ship ready for sea in July. After sea trials and loading of ammunition, she was assigned to operate off the South African coast and then to the Eastern Fleet for the rest of the war.The story of H.M.S. London is the subject of a book written by Iain Ballantyne, ' From Fighting Sail to The Arctic Convoys & Tomorrow's War.', which relates the following about PQ17, stating:'Relentless air attacks by bombers flying from German airbases in northern Norway, coupled with incendiary attacks by submarines operating in Wolf packs, began to take a heavy toll on the merchant ships with losses increasing daily. On 4 July the First Sea Lord Admiral Pound, expecting a German surface attack in superior strength on the close support group, ordered the cruisers and escort destroyers to turn back to the west and instructed the convoy to scatter. Between 4 and 6 July, 18 freighters were sunk by surface ships, submarines and land-based aircraft. On 7 July three further ships were torpedoed by submarines. On 10 July three ships were bombed and sunk by aircraft. Only when the surviving ships of the convoy began to straggle onto Archangel did it become apparent that the convoy had suffered catastrophic loses. Nine ships of 56,611 tons were sunk by U-Boats; eight ships of 40,376 tons were sunk by the Luftwaffe; and eight ships which were damaged during air attacks were finished off by U-Boats. A total of 24 ships totalling 143,977 tons were lost, along with 3,350 military vehicles, 430 tanks, 210 aircraft and 99,316 tons of war supplies.'Smithurst was shore pensioned on 1 August 1945. He died at Hastings, Sussex in 1974; sold together with copied research.…

The Crimea Medal awarded to Private H. Turner, 41st Regiment of Foot, who was twice wounded in action before Sebastopol, the second time so severely that he was invalided from serviceCrimea 1854-56, 3 clasps, Alma, Inkermann, Sebastopol (H. Turner. 41st Foot), officially impressed naming, double struck, slight edge bruise, otherwise very fineHenry Turner was born at Barnstaple, Devon in 1818 and attested with the 41st Regiment of Foot on 25 June 1840. He served for over sixteen years, including over five abroad with two years and nine months of that spent in India. Arriving in the Crimea with the rest of the Regiment in the summer 1854, he saw action at the Battle of the Alma where the Battalion formed part of the 2nd Division, supporting the French attack on Telegraph Hill.Later taking part in the Battle of Inkermann they captured a set of Russian drums during the confused and bloody battle. Turner was twice wounded during the fighting, slightly on 21 April 1855 and then again severely later on 17 August of the same year. The second injury is likely the one referenced in his discharge papers 'a severe gunshot wound on the left thigh received while he was at Sevastopol which now renders him unfit for service.'Turner was invalided from service on 30 December 1856; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

The 'Battalion of Passchendaele 1917' D.S.O, M.C. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. A. Rochford, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, late Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and Grenadier Guards, awarded a field commission in 1915 he served with distinction, losing an arm in the same action which won him the D.S.O. he remarkably continued to serve and was responsible for the defence of Avonmouth docks and Filton Aerodrome during the Second World WarDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R. silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; 1914 Star, with clasp (13664 Sjt: R. A. Rochfort. 1/G.Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. R. A. Rochfort.), with M.I.D. oak leaves; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (6)D.S.O. London Gazette 15 April 1915, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the Battalion, on its way up to the line, was heavily bombarded with gas and other shells and was in danger of losing its way in the gas masks in the darkness, he placed himself at the head and guided it to its forming -up place in time. Although severely wounded the following day while leading his men, he remained with them for nearly two hours, until forced to desist through sheer exhaustion. He showed splendid determination and resource.'M.C. London Gazette 17 April 1917.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 23 May 1918.Richard Adair Rochfort, whose middle name is sometimes spelled Adare, was born at Dulwich in December 1880, the son of Marcus and Mary Rochfort. His father was a mining engineer in India and returned to Britian just prior to his son's birth, settling at Roslwyn, Lewisham. He himself was married at Forest Hill, Lewisham in 1907, his career listed as farmer.Rochfort entered the war in France on 6 October 1914 with the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards in the rank of Serjeant. Detached to serve with the Army Cycling Corps, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 15 April 1915 with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Further advanced Captain on 12 October 1915 Rochfort was later transferred again to the Royal Warwickshire Regiment and began to serve attached to the 6th Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment.Rochfort was attached to that Regiment when he was awarded his M.C., so it is likely that he joined them at some stage in 1916. They saw action during the taking of the Schwaben Redoubt from 25-27 September before leaving the line over Christmas 1916. Leaving their billets for action in early 1917 they were heavily involved in the Battle of Boom Ravine from 17-18 February, and it was likely for one of these two actions that Rochfort was awarded the M.C.Remaining with the Regiment he was still with them at the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. They were severely mauled attacking Sanctuary Wood, and during the course of that action one member of the unit, Medical Officer Harold Akroyd, was awarded the Victoria Cross. Their final engagement was at Poelcappelle, starting on 9 October, during which the C.O. Lieutenant-Colonel Longhurst was killed in action. Rochfort succeeded in leading the Battalion into action two days later however his wounds were severe enough his arm was had to be amputated.Despite this injury he remained in service until the end of the war. He was accused of passing a bad cheque in 1923 while Adjutant of the London Regiment, but was subsequently acquitted of the crime. His obituary in the Eastbourne Gazette gives further details to his career stating:'Col. Rochfort, who served with the Grenadier Guards, was responsible for the defence of the Avonmouth docks and Filton aerodrome during the last war.'It goes on to note that Rochfort retired at the end of the Second World War and died at the Royal Victoria Hospital, Netley on 23 July 1954; sold together with copied research.…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe Greek Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia bestowed upon J. Brittain-Jones, the uncrowned 'Queen of Greece' who was the great love of King George II of GreeceGreece, Kingdom, Royal Family Order of Saints Olga and Sophia, Badge, 58mm including crown suspension x 43mm, silver-gilt and enamel, by Spink & Son Ltd., London, mounted on its bow and tails' riband, nearly extremely fine, in its embossed fitted case of issueA few words from our vendor:'Joyce was my maternal grandmother. She was a calm, generous, attentive and caring person. I enjoyed her visits to me at school, arriving in her Ford Popular when she would take me out for tea. I spent many school holidays at her home. Joyce's relationship with George was a profoundly loving one until his unexpected death in 1947 when he was waiting for her to join him in Greece. They experienced turbulent times together due to George's duties and obligations to his country as the Greek monarch. They were steadfast in their love and commitment to each other even though they did not marry. I am sure that Joyce's quiet, unfussy and calm demeanour coupled with her commitment to George provided the support and stability he needed. In recognition of her importance to him, he awarded her the honour of this Order. 'The Order is a dynastic one reserved for women only and was the third highest honour of the Greek State and Crown after the Order of the Redeemer and the male-only Order of Saints George and Constantine. It was instituted in January 1936 by King George II in the memory of his grandmother (Queen Olga) and his mother (Queen Sophia). Crown Prince Pavlos is the present Sovereign of the Order and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal is the Grand Mistress. It is bestowed extremely sparingly and was last awarded to Princess Nina of Greece and Denmark in 2020.Emerald Joyce Henrietta Brittain Jones (née Wallach) was born in Allahabad, Utter Pradesh, India. Her father, William Wallach, was a Barrister in India. On 19 January 1924, she married Captain Jack Brittain Jones (1899-1975) of the Black Watch, at a society wedding at Middle Temple Church in London. In 1927, the couple had a daughter, Pauleen Victoria. By 1931, Jack and his family were living in India where Jack was Aide-de-Camp to Lord Willingdon, Viceroy of India.In 1931, George II of Greece (1890-1947) visited India where he met Jack and Joyce. From 1934, the correspondence from Joyce to George is loving and affectionate, clearly indicating that a deep and meaningful personal relationship had developed between them. In 1935, George II was divorced by his estranged wife, Princess Elisabeth of Romania (1894-1956), who cited desertion. Joyce and Jack also divorced in 1935, citing Jack's adultery.George II had become King of Greece in 1922, but in 1924 Greece declared itself a Republic and the monarchy was abolished. Eventually the Greek monarchy was restored in 1935, with George returned as King. Joyce and the King then began to lead a very private life together in Greece, often at the Tatoi Palace, the Royal family's summer residence situated thirty miles from Athens, where George was able to indulge his love of farming. Joyce reportedly knitted, read and sat quietly. She was well-liked by George's sister-in-law, Katherine, and regarded as one of the family.It is reported that Joyce refused to marry George II because she believed that a morganatic marriage, like that of Edward VIII and Mrs Simpson (also divorced), would be damaging to George's position as monarch.In 1941, Germany occupied Greece and George fled to Crete, facing many dangers including his potential capture. A British destroyer transported him into exile in Cairo, Egypt. Later in 1943, Joyce accompanied George to the United States of America as his quiet and inconspicuous companion. Joyce also accompanied George on a visit to South Africa. They had then moved to London, where Joyce engaged in war work as a Fire Warden. Joyce was a particular friend of Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent who was a Greek Princess by birth and a British Princess by marriage to Prince George, Duke of Kent.In 1946, a referendum restored the monarchy, and George II again returned to Greece as King. He desperately wanted Joyce to accompany him to Greece and put pressure on the British Government to permit her to join him. However, the Government was concerned to avoid political difficulties in Greece and refused permission. Princess Katherine suggested that Joyce could live in Greece as her lady in waiting. Sadly, whilst waiting for a resolution and missing each other, George II died of a heart attack in his office in the Royal Palace in Athens and was buried at Tatoi Palace.… SALE 25001 NOTICE:Now accompanied by her Foreign Office letter for Unrestricted Permission to Wear, for the Officer of the Order of St Olga & St Sophia, dated 27 November 1947, together with its original postage envelope.

A rare campaign group of four awarded to Stoker Petty Officer B. J. Taylor, Royal Navy, who was present for the Battle of Cocos between H.M.A.S. Sydney and S.M.S. Emden on 9 November 1914 whilst loaned to the Royal Australian Navy1914-15 Star (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (296629 B. J. Taylor. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O. H.M.S. Adventure.) together with H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal 1914, silver, 32mm, presented by the people of Western Australia, named on the reverse (B. J. Taylor. Stoker P’y Off’r) fitted with usual ring for suspension; and H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican 8 Réales dated ‘1876’, mounted by W. Kerr, Sydney, small chop marks to both sides, this last nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (6)Benjamin James Taylor was born at Garston, Lancashire on 30 August 1881 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 14 January 1901. His first service afloat was with Magnificent in July 1901 and he was still with her the next year when advanced Stoker on 18 February 1902. Further advanced Stoker 1st Class on 1 July 1906 and Leading Stoker on 7 September 1911 while stationed with Indus.Transferring to Vivid II Taylor was finally promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 10 September 1912. The next year he was loaned to the nascent Royal Australian Navy on 1 March 1913, arriving at H.M.A. London Depot that same day.Sydney - EmdenTaylor was posted to Sydney on 27 June 1913 and was still with her when the war began as she steamed north to join the battlecruiser H.M.A.S. Australia. They were assigned to the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force which seized New Guinea in September 1914. With the Pacific swiftly secured Australian troops were to be deployed to Egypt and Sydney was ordered to escort the first convoy out in November 1914.At the same time Emden was coming to the end of her epic voyage of destruction through the Indian Ocean. Her next target was the Communications station on the Cocos Islands which she succeeded in knocking out on 9 November, however not before a distress signal was sent. The troop convoy picked up this signal and Sydney was sent out to investigate the disturbance.Newly constructed Sydney had superior speed, armour and firepower to Emden however Captain Jessop was not aware of his opponents' capabilities. As such he agreed with the gunnery officer to open fire at a range of 9,500 yards which he believed to be outside her range. This was not the case however and it was Emden which opened the batting, opening fire and scoring hits on her fourth volley, damaging the aft rangefinders.Emden's only hope was to cause as much damage as possible while the surprise of her attack lasted. However Sydney was in the fight now, the obvious decision would be to use her superior speed to increase the range and batter Emden from afar however the damage to her rangefinders meant that increasing the range would reduce the accuracy of her gunnery. As such she missed with her first two salvoes, destroying Emden's wireless office and her forward gun.As the battle continued Sydney's speed and firepower began to tell, soon destroying the German vessel's steering gear and knocking out a number of guns. Another volley toppled the forward funnel and a shell landed in her aft magazine, forcing the Emden's crew to flood it. Eventually with only one gun still firing, both funnel's collapsed and the engine room ablaze Emden beached on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop ordered Sydney to ceasefire and signalled the troop convoy 'Emden beached and done for'.Epilogue Taylor continued to serve with Sydney for much of the rest of the war, being returned to the Royal Navy on 23 January 1918. Posted to Adventure on 27 August he saw convoy duty with her until 11 August 1919 and went ashore for the final time. He was finally discharged on 9 June 1922, having earned a war gratuity for his service including the Emden action; sold together with copied service papers.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.