A fine Second War 1943 ‘Tunisia Campaign’ M.M. group of six awarded to Regimental Sergeant Major F. G. Findley, Royal Army Service Corps, attached No. 6 Commando, who was decorated for his actions at the assault on Djebel Azag, 6 January 1943, against troops from the elite Fallschirmjäger Regiment Barenthin Military Medal, G.VI.R. (T/5041667 W.O. Cl.3. F. G. Findley. R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine (6) (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa’. The original recommendation states: ‘During the withdrawal from Djebel Azag on 6 January 1943, T.S.M. Findley repeatedly showed complete disregard for his own safety by covering his section by advancing under fire and throwing grenades. I consider that T.S.M. Findley’s actions were responsible for numerous men reaching safety. Throughout the action he showed a most excellent example to his men. He is over 40 years of age and put up a remarkable performance.’ Frederick George Findley was born in Attleborough, Warwickshire, on 24 August 1902 and attested for the North Staffordshire Regiment at Lichfield in May 1921, seeing service in Gibraltar, Turkey and India before transferring to the Army Reserve in 1928. During the Second World War, Findley served in the Royal Army Service Corps attached to 6 Commando and was decorated for his actions at Djebel Azag where an attempt was made by the British 36th Brigade Group to capture the feature known to the British as Green Hill, on 5 to 7 January 1943. Commanding the Sedjanane to Mateur road in Northern Tunisia, Green Hill was held by men from Fallschirmjäger Regiment Barenthin (German Parachute Infantry) and Witzig’s Parachute Engineers who had fortified the hill with concrete machine gun emplacements, barbed wire and mines. In his report on the ‘Attack on Djebel Azag’, Captain J. A. D. Mayne, Som. L.I., describes how ‘Mand Force’ from No. 6 Commando, comprising Force HQ, No. 1 Troop (complete), 1 Section from No. 2 Troop and one partial section from No. 5 Troop (commanded by Findley) were tasked with the following objectives:
i) To capture and hold “Djebel Azag.”
ii) To assist, by supporting fire, the attack on “Greenhill” and “Si Ayed”.
iii) To establish an Observation Post for a Forward Observation Officer to cover targets on and behind ‘Greenhill” area. Hilary St. George Saunders’ narrative of this action in the Green Beret describes the struggle between No. 6 Commando and the elite German paratroops dug in on the hill: ‘On the 5th January they took part in yet another attack on Green Hill, carried out by the 36th Brigade. Headquarters with one and a half Troops occupied Point 277 to the north-west, the object being to protect the Brigade’s left flank and to harass the enemy’s rear; while a detachment made up of two Troops under Captain Mayne seized Djebel Azag, a height which commanded the main position. To do this they made a ten mile approach march over sodden country, the men carrying heavy loads of ammunition and food for forty-eight hours. They reached their positions soon after dawn and then dug in on the summit as deeply as the rocky ground would allow. Soon after midday the enemy made two attempts to attack them, but were beaten off at long range by accurate and well-sustained small arms fire. The Germans then resorted to mortars, in the handling of which they were exceptionally proficient, and the Commando began to suffer casualties but held on.
During the afternoon Mayne observed that the enemy were forming up to deliver a counter-stroke against the brigade then engaged upon the main assault of Green Hill. His messages brought artillery fire on them and the attack did not develop. At dusk his small force, which had not been reinforced, was concentrated on the summit of the hill. At dawn Mayne’s position soon became serious, for as Lieutenant Cowper and his section were moving to their daylight positions, they were attacked at close range by Germans who had crawled up during the night. Cowper was soon engaging about two companies of the enemy strongly supported by mortars which fired a very accurate barrage. The remainder of the force was now under equally severe pressure and almost completely surrounded. Captain Davies was ordered by Mayne to withdraw headquarters and then cover a general retreat of the force, a manoeuvre which he ‘carried out extremely well.’ That evening they were all back in the tunnel near Sedjenane, the men very tired but cheerful, ‘having done magnificently.’ With a loss of thirty-five of their number they had held a key position for forty eight hours against ‘first-class troops who had been put in as stiffening.’ Though the attack on Green Hill had failed, the small action fought by Mand Force, as Mayne’s detachment was called, provides a good example of what men can accomplish who have passed through Commando training. They had been isolated for two days, in a most exposed position, and subject to galling mortar fire; but they had occupied the attention of four or five times their number who might very well have been employed elsewhere.’ Findley was a parachutist who, during his para course, landed in the top of another soldier’s parachute during a training descent which caused an injury to Findley’s back (a copy of his course report is included with the papers). Post-War he was a member of the Commando Association whose records state that his last rank attained was Regimental Sergeant Major and that he also served in No. 12 Commando. He died in 1960 in Hessingford, Cornwall. Sold with the recipient’s Soldiers’ Service and Pay Book inside which is a hand traced map of Floro, Norway with important sites and German positions marked. This map is suggestive of Findley’s participation in Operation Kitbag, a raid by British Commandos of No. 6 Commando and No. 12 Commando on the town of Floro in Norway during the Second World War - ‘Kitbag’ embarked from Scapa Flow on H.M.S. Prince Charles on 9 December 1941 but after navigational difficulties the raid was eventually called off; the recipient’s Old Comrades Association of the Special Service Brigade membership booklet, signed by the recipient and dated 9 July 1943; Pay Form No. 48 for the recipient’s Military Medal Gratuity of £20; the recipient’s Service and Casualty Form (Part I) dated 9 October 1928; copied research and a photographic image of recipient in uniform.
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An outstanding Second War ‘Burma operations 1945’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Lance Naik Mohammad Ajaib, 9th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment Military Medal, G.VI.R. (20305 L-Nk Mohd Ajaib Punjab R); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘20305 Lance Naik Mohammad Ajaib. Punjab Mussalman Ghakar, Village Changryal, District Jhelum. 9th Battalion, 14th Punjab Regiment. For very gallant services in action at mile 16.5 on the road Budalin-Monywa on 4 January 1945. On 4 January 1945, L/Naik Mohd Ajaib was in command of a standing patrol, covering the battalion defended locality, 1.5 miles to the North. At about 2330 hrs a vehicle approached from the South at great speed. Appreciating that it would be better dealt with at the road block within the defended locality, L/Naik Mohd Ajaib withheld fire, allowed the vehicle to pass and informed Battalion H.Q. by telephone. As a result of the warning given by the L/Naik the vehicle was dealt with so effectively at the road block that out of the 14 Japs in the lorry, one Jap Officer and twelve O.R.s were killed on the spot and only one with a member of the Battalion National Army broke back out of the Battalion defended area and ran towards the standing patrol. On hearing footsteps L/Naik Mohd Ajaib stood his post to, and as the leading man approached him he stepped forward, grappled with him and held him down. Hot on his heels arrived the Japanese. L/Naik Mohd Ajaib immediately handed over his captive and went for the Japanese who came at him with his bayonet. L/Naik Mohd Ajaib parried the point with his sten gun. The point was only partially deflected and the L/Naik was wounded in the head. In spite of being wounded he continued to fight and single handed killed his man, who fought with fanatical bravery. L/Naik Mohd Ajaib’s initiative in holding his fire in the first case, and timely warning of the approach of the lorry was a major contributory factor which resulted in the annihilation of the occupants of the vehicle. His grim determination and guts in capturing the Burman, and killing the last Jap soldier ensured that no news of the failure of these reinforcements to get to Budalin reached Monywa.’
A Second War ‘North West Europe’ M.M. awarded to Gunner L. K. Smith, Observation Post Signaller, 13th Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, recommended for his gallantry for service from D-Day to the Battle of Keppeln, 26 February 1945 Military Medal, G.VI.R. (M 66026 Gnr. L. K. Smith. R.C.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, campaign awards in card boxes of issue, with Canadian Army Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, generally good very fine or better (6) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘Gunner Lionel Kenneth Smith has acted as Observation Post Signaller from “D” Day, until the cessation of hostilities. As such, he has been continuously with the forward infantry troops relaying the fire orders to the guns during all the fighting. During this long period, he has consistently, under the most difficult conditions, remained at his wireless set. At times, when it was advisable for everyone else to take cover, he continued to pass the necessary orders. Every Forward Observation Officer, who worked with him, knew that when Gunner Smith was on the R/T set, if it were humanely possible, the orders would be passed. On 26 Feb 45, he was the R/T operator with the Artillery Forward Observation Officer with ‘B’ Company of the North Shore Regiment of Canada in their attack on Keppeln. This battle ranks with the toughest and finest of the war. ‘B’ and ‘C’ companies were reinforced by ‘A’ and ‘D’ companies. The Forward Observation Officer was wounded and replaced. Gunner Smith manned his set from the start to the finish of the battle. This is an example of this soldier’s steady, reliable service throughout the campaign.’ Lionel Kenneth Smith was born in Starkweather, North Dakota, USA in October 1917. He enlisted in the Royal Canadian Artillery at Edmonton, Canada in July 1941. He served with the 13th Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery during the Second War. Smith was discharged in January 1947.
A post-War 1949 ‘Malaya operations’ M.M. awarded to Private H. McPhee, Seaforth Highlanders, who rushed to the aide of his officer during a Company Contact in North Johore, 12 November 1949, accounting for at least 1 ‘bandit’ and probably several more Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2824888 Pte. H. McPhee. Seaforth.) officially re-impressed naming, suspension loose and the medal somewhat abrasively cleaned, therefore nearly very fine £500-£700 --- M.M. London Gazette 21 March 1950: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya.’ The recommendation states: ‘On the afternoon of 12th November, 1949, “B” Coy had a fierce encounter with a large force of bandits in a camp situated in overgrown rubber about 3 miles SW of the village of Chaah in North Johore. This was the first day of a full scale battalion operation in the vicinity of the Ma’Ckill Forest Reserve estimated to last for 7 days; the role of “B” Coy was to search a given area. On arrival in the area the Coy. Comd. took the Coy. a short distance into the jungle and there formed a temporary firm base while he himself went forward with an armed recce party of platoon strength to reconnoitre a locality where there was believed to be water for a permanent firm base. Pte. McPhee was one of those who was left at the temporary firm base with the remainder of the Coy. When the recce party had proceeded about a quarter of a mile forward of the Coy temporary firm base they bumped into the enemy in a very new and temporary camp in some overgrown rubber; they at once attacked the camp which is now known to have contained approximately 160 bandits. As they had no sentries on this occasion they were taken completely by surprise and were forced to put up a stubborn resistance to extricate themselves from the camp. A fierce battle ensued; the bandits counter attacked strongly and subjected the recce party who were in very open ground in some cleared rubber to very heavy fire. At this stage Pte. McPhee arrived on the scene with the first party of reinforcements from the temporary firm base. In the very early stages of the battle the Coy. Cmd. and 2 of the subaltern officers were killed. The only surviving officer, Lieut. Brown, was therefore left in command. Immediately Pte. McPhee arrived up, and acting on his own initiative, he made his way forward to Lieut. Brown and requested permission from him to take up a position on the left forward flank of the Coy. With complete disregard for his own safety he then doubled forward to this position, which was an extremely vulnerable one, and from it dominated the whole of the left flank. He remained in this position, firing away steadily whenever he saw any enemy movement, throughout the remainder of the battle which continued for a further hour and a quarter. He was completely unaffected by the heavy fire which he drew upon himself, and was extremely cheerful throughout the whole battle. He definitely killed at least 1 bandit and probably more. The initiative and bravery shown by Pte. McPhee were undoubtedly responsible for denying the ground on the left flank of the Coy. position to the enemy, and his cheerfulness and high morale were an inspiration and example to all those who were near.’ A picture of Hugh McPhee appears in the regimental journal Cabar Feidh for May 1950. Note: Another M.M. to this recipient, a G.VI.R. 1st issue example, was sold in these rooms in June 2021; given that this medal is a G.VI.R. 2nd issue example, and has been officially re-impressed, it is likely that it is a duplicate issue.
A Second War Air Bomber’s ‘Immediate’ D.F.M. awarded to Sergeant F. C. Bunclark, 61 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as also to the other six crew members of a Lancaster aircraft which, having completed its allotted mine-laying sortie in the Baltic, was severely damaged and set on fire by anti-aircraft fire and then attacked by enemy aircraft while crossing Denmark on the return home; the A.O.C. afterwards remarked, ‘It is almost inconceivable that any crew would have carried on for the four hundred mile sea crossing and land without further incident.’ Distinguished Flying Medal, G.VI.R. (657816 F. C. Bunclark. R.A.F.) toned, good very fine £1,800-£2,200 --- D.F.M. London Gazette 20 October 1942: Joint citation: ‘1162032 Flight Sergeant Paul CAMPBELL, No. 61 Squadron. 1390988 Sergeant Stanley Dennis GUNNELL, No. 61 Squadron. 1312943 Sergeant Ernest Humphries CORBETT, No. 61 Squadron. 657816 Sergeant Frank Charles BUNCLARK, No. 61 Squadron. 1268257 Sergeant Cyril Hugh COAKLEY, No. 61 Squadron. 1128846 Sergeant Sydney SMITH, No. 61 Squadron. 968521 Sergeant Stanley James THOMPSON, No. 61 Squadron. These airmen were members of the crew of a heavy bomber [Lancaster] detailed for an operational mission one night in September, 1942; Flight Sergeant Campbell was captain and first pilot. The allotted task was completed successfully but, whilst on the return flight, the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire. A shell exploded in the bomb compartment, starting a large fire and setting some flares and distress signals alight. Simultaneously, another shell burst in the nose of the aircraft, shattering the perspex as well as the major portion of the perspex of the pilot's cupola. The resultant rush of air through the aperture swept away all the navigational charts and maps and flung Sergeants Gunnell and Bunclark backwards on to the floor of the aircraft. Both suffered facial burns as did the pilot, the navigator, the wireless operator and the mid-upper gunner. The aircraft became full of smoke and it was attacked by 2 enemy fighters. The pilot could not see his instruments and the aircraft went out of control and fell 2,000 feet before Flight Sergeant Campbell regained control and evaded further attacks by diving and reaching cloud cover. Meanwhile the flames in the fuselage had extended, causing ammunition to explode in all directions. Despite this, Sergeants Corbett, Bunclark and Smith fought their way through the flames to the rear turret to extricate Sergeant Thompson who, despite suffering from a broken leg and being unable to operate his guns, had greatly assisted his captain by reporting the position of the attacking aircraft. Sergeant Coakley, in spite of his injuries, and with amazing skill in the circumstances, established wireless contact with base and continued to obtain bearings throughout the homeward flight. When this country was reached, Flight Sergeant Campbell, who had displayed fine captaincy, resumed the controls and landed the damaged aircraft safely with the undercarriage retracted and without the aid of flaps. Throughout this perilous flight, this gallant crew displayed conduct in keeping with the highest traditions of the Royal Air Force.’ Sergeant Bunclark’s individual recommendation dated 27 September 1942, states: ‘Sergeant Bunclark was Air Bomber to Flight Sergeant Campbell on the night of 24th/25th September 1942. When the aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, one shell burst in the nose of the aircraft when Sergeant Bunclark was actually in the nose map-reading. The force of the explosion blew out the perspex of the nose and the resultant draught blew Sergeant Bunclark out of the nose of the aircraft back beside the pilot where he was deposited on the floor of the aircraft. He received considerable facial burns and shock but immediately proceeded to the scene of the main fire in the fuselage and assisted the Navigator and mid-upper gunner in fighting the fire. He also assisted in extricating the rear gunner from the tail turret and carrying him through the fire to the rest chair. He assisted the Navigator in checking the navigation and his efforts undoubtedly contributed to the safe return of the aircraft and crew. It is considered that Sergeant Bunclark displayed outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty and contributed greatly to the safe return of the aircraft and crew. Remarks by A.O.C. After having inspected this aircraft, I most strongly support this recommendation. It is almost inconceivable that any crew would have carried on for the four hundred mile sea crossing and land without further incident.’ Flight Sergeant Campbell was an experienced Pilot having completed 22 sorties and 138.55 flying hours, and Sergeant Gunnell, Second Pilot had completed 6 sorties and 47.05 flying hours. For the remainder of the crew, however, this was only their second sortie, each having completed just 8.15 flying hours. Bunclark, Coakley and Corbett were amongst the crew of the Lancaster I ‘W4244’ of No. 61 Squadron, and flown by Pilot Officer Paul Campbell, D.F.M., which encountered extremely poor visibility on return from a sortie and following a misjudged approach to Exeter, crashed at Diamonds Farm, near Honiton on 11 November 1942, killing all seven crew. Sergeant F. C. Bunclark is buried in Lustleigh Church Cemetery. Sold with copied research including individual recommendations for each of the seven D.F.Ms.
The unique Peninsula and Waterloo group of three awarded to Colour-Sergeant Alexander Campbell, 77th Foot, General Picton’s orderly at Waterloo and considered to be ‘one of the best Non-Commissioned Officers in the service’; Picton was killed on 18th June at Waterloo but had been severely wounded at Quatre Bras on the 16th - this painful wound had been bound up and none but his manservant knew of it Military General Service 1793-1814, 2 clasps, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz (A. Campbell, Serjt. 77th Foot.); Waterloo 1815 (Serj. Alex. Campbell, 77th Regiment Foot.) fitted with replacement steel clip and ring suspension; 77th Foot Medal 1818, silver, obverse: ‘77’ with Prince of Wales’s plume above and ‘Peninsula’ on branches of laurel below; reverse: engraved ‘El, bodon Ciudad Rodrigo Badajos’, edge engraved in upright capitals (Sergeant Alexander Campbell) fitted with steel clip and small ring suspension, the second with edge bruising and contact marks, nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine and better (3) £6,000-£8,000 --- The Waterloo medal is unique to the 77th Foot. Alexander Campbell was born in Edinburgh and enlisted into the 77th Foot at Cochin, East Indies, on 25 March 1798, aged 18, for unlimited service. He served in the East Indies until 14 September 1807, having been promoted to Corporal in 1803 and to Sergeant in 1805. He was discharged as a Colour-Sergeant at Sunderland on 23 October 1821, in consequence of a reduction in the Establishment of the Regiment, having 30 years service, including East Indies service and 2 years allowance for Waterloo, where he served as orderly to Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Picton, who was killed. Picton’s death occurred whilst he was haranguing the men of his fifth division, during Count Drouet d’Erlon’s 1st Army Corps threatening assault on the right centre of Wellington’s line. Picton was shot by a French soldier. The musket ball flew into his left temple and he fell lifeless to the ground. On stripping his body for burial, it was noticed by a surgeon that he had been injured quite severely on the 16th June during the action at Quatre Bras. Another musket ball had scoured his abdominal wall, causing much bruising and breaking two ribs. This painful wound was bound up and none but his manservant knew of it. Sold with copied discharge papers which carry a particular note of high praise which states ‘I consider him to be one of the best Non-Commissioned Officers in the service.’
A rare group of three awarded to Shoeing Smith William Roberts, Royal Horse Artillery, who served with the 2nd Rocket Brigade and had the Swedish medal for Bravery for the battle of Leipsic, and was present with Major Whinyates’ (2nd Rocket) Troop of the Royal Horse Artillery at the battle of Waterloo; on its reduction in 1816 the 2nd Rocket Troop was transferred to the Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers Waterloo 1815 (Shoeing Smith W. Roborts (sic), Royal Artillery Drivers.); Royal Horse Artillery Medal for Vittoria and Leipsic 1813, silver, unnamed, 29mm, fitted with rings and silver bar suspension (Balmer R119); Sweden, Kingdom, Bravery Medal 1809, silver, for Valour in the Field, unnamed, 30mm, pierced with small ring for suspension, the first with edge bruise, otherwise nearly very fine and rare (3) £3,000-£4,000 --- William Roborts/Roberts is confirmed as a Shoeing Smith in Major Whinyate’s (Rocket) Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, at Waterloo and is understood to have been attached to the 2nd Rocket Brigade in Germany under Captain R. Bogue but this supposition is based purely on the provenance and composition of these medals and has not been confirmed in official records. The fact that his medal is named to him as a Shoeing Smith in the Royal Artillery Drivers but is shown on the medal roll as being in the Rocket Troop R.H.A. would seem to bear this out (see also extract from Duncan’s history below). The only other William Roberts in the Royal Artillery Drivers at Waterloo was a Collar Maker whose medal was in the Cleghorn Collection of 1872 and in the Whitaker Collection of 1890, as recorded in Needes’ notes. The Rocket Brigade (later designated The Rocket Troop) left England for Germany in August 1813 and played a distinguished part in the Battle of Leipsic, 16-18 October. It was the only unit of the British Army present, and was attached to the bodyguard of the Prince of Sweden. Rockets had to be fired at close range to achieve any real success. The battle of Leipsic lasted three days but the Rocket Brigade were not called upon until the third day, 18 October 1813, when Captain R. Bogue, commanding the Brigade, approached General Wintzingerode, commander of the allied army advance guard, and requested an opportunity to engage the enemy. His request was granted and he took the brigade to Paunsdorf where he successfully defeated 5 French battalions and caused them to surrender to his force of 200 gunners. He was then ordered to take his brigade to Sellerhausen. But they came under heavy fire from enemy artillery and skirmishers. Here, Bogue was killed by a musket ball from a French rifleman that entered his head just below the eye causing instant death. He was buried in the churchyard at Taucha 4 miles away and two years later a stone monument was erected over his grave. The Crown Prince of Sweden, commander of the allies, posthumously conferred the knighthood of the Swedish Royal Order of the Sword on Captain Bogue, and sent his widow a gift of 10,000 dollars. Lieutenant Strangways, who succeeded to the command of the Rocket Brigade after Bogue’s death, also received the Order of the Sword and various men of the Brigade received gold and silver bravery medals. ‘Among the many heart-breaking reductions which exasperate the Artillery student, perhaps none are more distressing, than the reduction of the 2nd Rocket Troop in 1816. The 1st Rocket Troop had never been out of England; the 2nd had done good service at Leipsic and Waterloo. Neither of them had had a long existence; but one had had a stirring, glorious history. On the 16th May, 1815, the following order had been issued:—“His Royal Highness the Prince Regent, in the name and on the behalf of His Majesty, has been pleased to command that the Rocket Troop of Royal Artillery, which was present at the Battle of Leipsic, be permitted to wear the word ‘Leipsic’ on their appointments, in commemoration of their services on that occasion.” And to the same troop the reward fell, given to those who had been at the Battle of Waterloo. Yet, when the pruning-knife came to be used, the troop which had earned these honours was selected for reduction; and, as if adding insult to injury, the word ‘Leipsic’ came actually to be worn by the surviving troop, which had never been on active service at all! On its reduction, the officers of the 2nd Rocket Troop were transferred to the Corps of Royal Artillery Drivers.’ (Captain Francis Duncan’s History of the Royal Artillery refers). Sold with copied extract from the notes compiled by E. E. Needes in the first half of the last century and listing the provenance of the Waterloo Medals to ‘Shoeing Smith W. Roborts’ and ‘Collar Maker Will. Roberts’, and with copied discharge papers for Collar Maker Roberts. Papers for the Shoeing Smith have not been found but the medal roll notes ‘Discharged’ against his name.
Pair: Sergeant C. Sturgeon, 16th Lancers, who was wounded in the Regiment’s celebrated charge at Aliwal, 28 January 1846, and died later that year Maharajpoor Star 1843 (Corpl. Charles Sturgeon, H.M. 16th Lancers) fitted with contemporary silver bar suspension; Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846, no clasp (Serjt. Chas. Sturgeon, 16th Lancers) very fine and better (2) £1,000-£1,400 --- Charles Sturgeon was born in the Parish of St John’s, Westminster, and attested for the 16th Lancers on 12 August 1833. He appears to have been present at the capture of the fortress of Ghuznee in July 1839, being noted as entitled to Prize Money for that campaign on the pay lists. He was present at the battle of Maharajpoor in December 1843, and was wounded at the battle of Aliwal in one of the 16th Lancers’ celebrated charges. The regiment sustained casualties of 59 killed and 83 wounded, more than a quarter of the total losses suffered that day. Sturgeon was lucky to be rescued by a fellow cavalryman, as related in The Memoirs of Sergeant Pearman of the 3rd Light Dragoons: ‘I ran and picked up a man named Wise, shot in the leg, and put him on our gun carriage. I then ran and picked up Sergeant Stearger [sic], shot in the neck, and put him on the gun carriage with Wise. These two men belonged to the 16th Lancers.’ When the survivors of the 16th Lancers were paraded after the battle, it was observed that the red and white pennants of their lances were so coated with dry blood that they appeared to be starched. Sergeant Sturgeon died in India on 30 December 1846, possibly of the injuries he received at Aliwal. Sold with copied research.
Three: Trumpeter J. Modget, Bengal Horse Artillery Sutlej 1845-46, for Aliwal 1846, 1 clasp, Sobraon (H: P: Trumpr J: Moget [sic] 2nd Brigade H: Ay.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier (Trumptr. J Modget. 1st Tp. 1. Bde. Bengl. Arty.); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 3 clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (Serjt. J. Modget, Bengal H. Art. 1st Bde.) light contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £1,800-£2,200 --- J. Modget attested for the Bengal Horse Artillery and served during the First Sikh War at the Battle of Aliwal on 28 January 1846, as a Trumpeter in the 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery, ansd at the Battle of Sobraon on 10 February 1846. At Aliwal, with the enemy occupying an entrenched position with their backs to the River Sutlej, the 1st and 3rd Troops, 2nd Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery rode with the 16th Lancers during their famous charge. While the infantry attacked the Sikh front, the 16th Lancers flushed the defenders out of the bastion and into the guns of the Bengal Horse Artillery. Modget saw further service on the North-West Frontier in Brigadier Sir Colin Campbell's 1852 expedition against the Utman Khels. On 20 April that year, the British-held village of Charsada was attacked by 200 Utman Khel tribesmen, who killed native government officials and looted the Treasury. Campbell's retaliation was swift, and he laid siege to the town of Pranghar on 13 May. The 1st Troop, 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery bombarded Pranghar's walls and quickly broke the enemy's resolve. Modget went on to serve with the 1st Brigade, Bengal Horse Artillery during the Great Sepoy Mutiny at the Siege of Delhi, where they formed part of Brigadier John Nicholson's force at the Battle of Nujjufghur on 25 August 1857; the Second Relief of Lucknow; and the subsequent re-capture of Lucknow by Sir Colin Campbell.
Four: Surgeon O. J. Llewellyn, Royal Navy, who landed with the Naval Brigade at the storming of the White Stockade and Dagon Pagoda India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Pegu (Owen J. Llewellyn. Surgn. “Fox”); Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued; Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued, clasp loose on ribbon as issued; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, light contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine (4) £700-£900 --- Owen Jeffries Llewellyn was appointed Assistant Surgeon on 2 September 1851, and appointed to serve aboard the following ships: Rattler, 13 September 1851; Fox, 31 January 1853; Boscawen, 3 October 1853; Poictiers, 22 November 1853; Gorgon, 12 March 1854 (Baltic and Crimea medals); Haslar Hospital, 25 March 1856; Marlborough, 20 February 1858; Alacrity, 11 October 1860 (Acting Surgeon); Hibernia, 26 March 1861 (Assistant Surgeon); Intrepid, 12 July 1861(Surgeon); Archer, 30 March 1863; Magicienne, 7 November 1864; and Hydra, 6 January 1865 until he was discharged dead on 3 August 1867. The London Gazette of 31 May 1852 records that Llewellyn landed with the Naval Brigade at the storming of the White Stockade & Dagon Pagoda during the operations in Burma.
Three: Deputy Surgeon-General E. H. Roberts, Army Medical Department, who served with the 72nd Highlanders in the Crimea and with the 79th Highlanders in the Indian Mutiny Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed as issued; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Asst. Surgn. E H Roberts, 79th Highlanders); Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, unnamed as issued, pierced and fitted with rings for suspension, mounted on card for display, light contact marks, otherwise very fine (3) £600-£800 --- Edmund Humphrey Roberts was born at Holyhead on 3 May 1832, and was appointed Assistant Surgeon, 72nd Foot, on 23 June 1854; 79th Foot, 14 July 1857; Staff, 14 June 1859; Surgeon, Staff, 7 August 1866; Royal Artillery, 2 October 1866; Staff, 5 May 1869; 9th Foot, 21 August 1872; Brigade Surgeon, 13 November 1881; Deputy Surgeon-General, 4 May 1886; retired, 14 March 1889, having latterly held the position of Principal Medical Officer of the Chatham District. Served as Assistant Surgeon with 72nd Highlanders in the Crimea 1855-56 (Medal with Clasp, Turkish medal); Assistant Surgeon with 79th Highlanders in the Indian Mutiny 1858, including siege and capture of Lucknow, attack on the fort of Rooyah, action at Allygunge and capture of Bareilly (Medal with Clasp). He died at Brighton on 24 November 1894.
Six: Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Blewitt, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, Egyptian Army and Chinese Labour Corps, who was mortally wounded in France in September 1917 India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, N.E. Frontier 1891 (Lieutt. A. Blewitt 4th Bn. K.R. Rif. C.); Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (Bimbashi Blewitt 3/Bn. E.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. A. Blewitt.); Ottoman Empire, Order of Mejidieh, Third Class neck badge, silver, gold and enamel; Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 5 clasps, Sudan 1897, Abu Hamed, The Atbara, Khartoum, Sudan 1899 (El Kaim Blewitt Bey. E.A.) clasps mounted in order as listed, nearly extremely fine (6) £3,600-£4,400 --- Order of Medjidieh London Gazette 11 March 1902. M.I.D. London Gazette 25 January 1898: ‘3rd Battalion Egyptian Army.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 24 May and 30 Sept. 1898: ‘brevet Major.’ Arthur Blewitt was born at Pinner, Middlesex, on 19 February 1861. He was educated at Eton and was gazetted to his first commission in the West Yorkshire Militia in 1881 and transferred to the 4th Battalion 60th Rifles later, in 1883 at Ferozepore, India. He served in India and Burma until 1893, having in 1891 taken part in the Manipur Expedition. In 1897 Blewitt was selected for service with the Egyptian Army, and took part in the Nile Expedition of 1897, being present at the action of Abu Hamed (mentioned in despatches), also the Nile Expedition of 1898 and was present at the battle of Atbara and capture of Khartoum (twice mentioned in despatches). He again served in the Nile Expedition of 1899, when he received the third class Order of the Medjidieh. He was selected by Lord Kitchener as Governor of Fashoda 1900-02 and Gezira 1902 - a post he held with much success until 1903, when he re-joined his regiment at Malta and retired in 1905. Blewitt was a keen sportsman, big game hunter and traveller, frequently having shooting expeditions in India, Burma, Tibet, North America, South Africa and New Zealand. He was so attracted to New Zealand that he settled there, buying a farm at Teneko in 1905. Being a gallant Englishman, he returned to England to the call of duty at the outbreak of the Great War and volunteered for service. In September 1914, he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel to command 13th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifles, which he successfully did in the U.K. until June 1915. He was in charge of training camps and was subsequently sent to China to recruit a team of coolies to work in France, bringing them back to Europe in a chartered steamer. Lieutenant-Colonel Blewitt died of wounds received in an air raid while commanding a Chinese Labour Battalion at Andrique, France on 4th September 1917, aged 56. Sold with research saved to CD and an original portrait photograph by Russell & Sons of Southsea.
Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (G. Williams. 77th. Regt.) officially impressed naming, minor edge nicks, about extremely fine £260-£300 --- Two men of the name George Williams appear on the latest published transcript of the casualty roll for the 77th Regiment of Foot: 3096 Private George Williams, who was killed in action before Sebastopol on 3 September 1855; and 3043 Private George Williams, who was dangerously wounded before Sebastopol on 20 August 1855.
Pair: Private C. Gibb, Cameron Highlanders, who was wounded in action at the Battle of Atbara on 8 April 1898 Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (3811 Pte. C. Gibb, 1/Cam: Hdrs.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 2 clasps, The Atbara, Khartoum (3811 Pte., C. Gibb 1 Cam. Highrs.) contemporarily engraved in the usual Regimental style, light contact marks, very fine (2) £500-£700 --- Charles Gibb was born in Elgin, Morayshire, in 1878 and attested for the Cameron Highlanders at Inverness on 30 June 1896. He served with the 1st Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan from October 1897 to March 1900, and was wounded in action at the Battle of Atbara on 8 April 1898, during which action the Regiment suffered 44 casualties, including 3 officers killed and 1 wounded. Gibb saw further service in South Africa during the Boer War from March 1900 to October 1902 (also entitled to the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902). He transferred to the Army Reserve in June 1908, and was discharged on 29 June 1912, after 16 years’ service. Sold with copied research.
Family Group: Four: Private T. Nicholson, Imperial Yeomanry, later 28th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 190229424 Tpr: T. Nicholson. 24th. Coy. Imp: Yeo:); 1914-15 Star (673 Pte. T. Nicholson. 28 Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (673 Pte. T. Nicholson. 28 Bn. A.I.F.) cleaned, nearly very fine and better Three: Private F. Nicholson, 11th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, who landed at Gallipoli on ANZAC Day, 25 April 1915 1914-15 Star (1028 Pte. F. Nicholson. 11/Bn. A.I.F.) officially re-impressed naming; British War and Victory Medals (1028 Pte. F. Nicholson. 11 Bn. A.I.F.) cleaned, very fine (7) £600-£800 --- Thomas Nicholson was born in Penrith, Westmorland, in 1871 and attested there for the Imperial Yeomanry on 1 March 1901. He served with the 24th (Westmorland and Cumberland) Company in South Africa during the Boer War from 16 March 1901 to 31 August 1902, and was discharged on 7 September 1902. He emigrated to Australia just prior to the Great War, and attested for the Australian Imperial Force at Perth on 8 March 1915. He served with the 28th Battalion in Gallipoli from 10 September 1915, and then to the Western Front. He was admitted to hospital with bronchitis on 6 April 1916, and was evacuated to England. He returned to Australia for home service on 24 June 1916, and was discharged, medically unfit, on 16 August 1916. He subsequently re-enlisted, and having sailed for England was discharged there, medically unfit, on 9 October 1917. He died in Perth, W.A., on 10 December 1938. Francis William Nicholson, the son of the above, was borne in Penrith, Westmorland, on 3 February 1892 and having emigrated to Western Australia along with his father just prior to the Great War attested for the Australian Imperial Force on 17 September 1914, declaring previous service with the 4th Battalion, Border Regiment. He served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War at Gallipoli from the first day of action, 25 April 1915, and was evacuated on 22 July 1915, suffering from a perforated eardrum and a cut hand due to shell concussion. He was invalided home on 16 September 1915, and subsequently served with the S.C.R. Staff Recruitment Section. He died in Albany, W.A., on 24 July 1964. He is mentioned twice in the book Game to the Last by James Hurst. Sold with an Australia Returned Sailors and Soldiers Imperial League badge; and copied research.
Five: Company Sergeant Major J. Tennant, 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, late Coldstream Guards, who was wounded and taken prisoner of war at St. Julien, 24 April 1915. He died of his wounds whilst in captivity 4 days later Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast (1704 Pte J. Tennant. C. Gds.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1704 Pte J. Tennant. C. Gds.) top lugs removed; 1914-15 Star (23345 Col: Sjt J. Tennant. 7/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (23345 C. S. Mjr. J. Tennant. 7-Can. Inf.) VM renamed, remnants of adhesive, generally good very fine (5) £260-£300 --- Joseph Tennant was born in Kelloe, Durham, England in September 1880. He served with the Coldstream Guards for 12 years prior to emigrating to Canada, where he resided in Nelson, British Columbia. Tennant served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Company Sergeant Major Tennant was wounded in the chest and back at St. Julien, where he was also taken prisoner of war, 24 April 1915. He died of his wounds whilst as a prisoner of war, 28 April 1915, and is buried in the Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium. Company Sergeant Major Tennant is also commemorated on the Nelson Cenotaph, British Columbia. Sold with copied research.
Three: Corporal J. McDowell, Grenadier Guards, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 22 July 1917 1914 Star, with copy clasp (13062 Pte. J. Mc.Dowell. 2/G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (13062 Cpl. J. Mc Dowell. G. Gds.) good very fine (3) £120-£160 --- James McDowell attested for the Grenadier Guards and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 (clasp confirmed). Advanced Lance-Sergeant, he died of wounds on 22 July 1917, whilst serving with the 3rd Battalion, and is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Pair: Private F. W. Brain, Northamptonshire Regiment, who died on the Western Front on 2 August 1916 1914 Star, with clasp (6966 Pte. F. W. Brain. 1/North’n R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (6966 Pte. F. W. Brain. North’n. R.) very fine (2) £80-£100 --- Frederick William Brain attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 27 August 1914. He died on 2 August 1916, whilst serving with the 6th Battalion, and is buried in Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France.
Three: Stoker First Class A. Scott, Collingwood Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Navy, who was captured and taken Prisoner of War in 1914 1914 Star (293661. A. Scott, Sto. 1Cl. Collingwood Bttn. R.N.D.); British War and Victory Medals (293661 A. Scott. Sto. 1. R.N.) BWM officially re-impressed, edge bruise, good very fine (3) £120-£160 --- Alexander Scott was born at Brechin, Forfarshire, on 20 February 1880 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 31 October 1899. He was advanced Stoker First Class on 1 July 1905, and was shore demobilised on 1 February 1907. He re-enrolled on 17 July 1911, and served with the Collingwood Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 17 September 1914. He was captured and taken Prisoner of War prior to 20 December 1914, and was held for most of the rest of the War in Germany. Repatriated on 1 March 1918, he was invalided out of the service on 5 September 1918.
A ‘Q-Ship’ group of four awarded to Stoker Petty Officer W. J. Birch, Royal Navy, who was serving in H.M.S. Farnborough, ‘Q5’, when she sank the German submarine U-83 on 17 February 1917, an action for which her captain, Gordon Campbell, was awarded the Victoria Cross 1914-15 Star (135711, W. J. Birch, S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (135711 W. J. Birch S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (135711. W. J. Birch, Sto. H.M.S. Colleen.) official correction to ‘M’ on LSGC, very fine (4) £500-£700 --- William James Birch was born in Portsmouth, Hampshire, on 5 November 1865 and attested for the Royal Navy on 1 December 1885. Advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 1 July 1906, he was shore pensioned on 10 September 1908 and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. Recalled for service during the Great War, he was borne on the books of the Irish depot ship H.M.S. Colleen when he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 October 1916, having joined H.M.S. Farnborough, the converted Q-Ship ‘Q5’, on 9 November 1915, under her Captain Gordon Campbell. He was present in Q5 on 17 February 1917 when off the west coast of Ireland at 9:45 a.m., Campbell, following proscribed Q-ship tactics, turned into the track of an enemy torpedo so as to allow it to hit Q5 aft by the engine-room bulkhead. The ‘panic party’ made a convincing departure in boats as the ship began to settle by the stern. Campbell and the guns’ crews, meanwhile, lay prone in their hiding places on the upper deck as the barely submerged U-boat, U-83 commanded by Hoppe, closed to within twenty yards. At 10:05 the submarine broke surface 300 yards off the port bow, but in a position where none of Q5’s guns could bear. Gradually, however, the submarine passed down the port side with the intention of securing the ship’s papers from the ‘crew’ in the boats. As U-83 motored abeam of Q5, Campbell could see that she was fully surfaced, with the conning tower open and Hoppe on the bridge. At 10:10 he gave the order to open fire. The guns’ crews got off forty five rounds at point blank range, nearly all of which hit. U-83 sank with the loss of all hands save for one officer and a seaman. Q5 in sinking condition was taken in tow by the destroyer H.M.S. Narwhal and the sloop H.M.S. Buttercup and eventually beached. Birch was one of the few crew members to leave Q5 on 24 February 1917, when he did not elect to follow Gordon Campbell to his next command, another Q-Ship, H.M.S. Pargust, which later sank UC-29, leading to the award of two Victoria Crosses under Rule Thirteen, with Lieutenant Stuart being selected by ballot as the representative officer and Seaman William Williams as the representative rating. Serving ashore for the rest of war, he was invalided from the service on 20 November 1918. Sold with copied service records, medal roll extracts and research.
Five: Sick Berth Petty Officer Frederick Lee, Royal Navy 1914-15 Star (351612, F. Lee, S.B.S.2., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (351612 F. L.ee. S.B.S. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Iraq 1919-1920 (351612 F. Lee. S.B.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (351612 Frederick Lee, S.B.S. H.M.S. Triad.) mounted on card for display, polished, otherwise nearly very fine and rare (5) £2,200-£2,600 --- Frederick Lee was born at Rotherhithe, London, on 4 January 1886, and was a licensed victualler before joining the Sick Berth branch of the Royal Navy in January 1906 as a probationary Sick Bert Attendant, being confirmed in that rate in the following September. He was advanced to 2nd Sick Berth Steward in October 1911, becoming Sick Berth Steward in April 1916, and Sick Berth Petty Officer in August 1920, whilst serving aboard H.M.S. Triad which ship he had joined on 1 December the previous year. Whilst serving in Triad he was one of 44 officers and ratings of the ship to be awarded the rare ‘Iraq 1919-1920’ clasp. It was one of just 129 clasps awarded in total to those who, while serving aboard H.M. Ships, were detached for service in various tenders, tugs and river craft operating within the boundaries of Iraq in the period 17 July 1919 to 17 November 1920. The 9 officers, 103 ratings and 17 Royal Marines came from the following H.M. Ships: Clio (49), Espeigle (36) and Triad (44). Whilst also serving in Triad, Lee received his L.S. & G.C. medal on 2 March 1921. He left Triad in December 1921 and served the remainder of his time ashore at Pembroke II, apart from a period aboard Repulse from July 1926 to September 1927. He was finally pensioned to shore on 7 January 1928. Sold with copied medal roll extract and record of service For the recipient’s related miniature medals, see Lot 525.
Five: Leading Seaman E. W. Burridge, Royal Navy, later H.M. Coast Guard, who was landed from H.M.S. Boxer to assist in the relief work on the occasion of the earthquake at Messina in December 1908 1914-15 Star (206076, E. Burridge, L.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (206076 E. W. Burridge L.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (206076 E. W. Burridge. Lg. Btn. H.M.C.G.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake Medal 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, generally very fine (5) £240-£280 --- Edgar Willie Burridge was born at Shoreditch, London, on 1 March 1884 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 29 August 1899. Advanced Able Seaman on 1 March 1902, he served in H.M.S. Boxer (whilst borne on the books of H.M.S. Orion I) from 1 June 1908 to 20 December 1909, and was landed from H.M.S. Boxer to assist in the relief work on the occasion of the earthquake at Messina in December 1908 (medal roll confirms). Advanced Leading Seaman on 1 May 1910, Burridge transferred to H.M. Coast Guard as Boatman at Boscastle on 25 March 1913. He was recalled for service during the Great War, and served in H.M.S. Doris from the outbreak of War to 15 January 1917. He returned to the Coast Guard on 20 November 1917, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 10 March 1923. He was shore discharged, on the reduction of the Coast Guard, on 31 March 1923, and died in Cornwall on 4 March 1934. Sold with copied research.
Four: Able Seaman J. Lightfoot, Royal Navy, who was landed from H.M.S. Sutlej for relief work at Messina in December 1908 1914-15 Star (226165, J. Lightfoot, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (226165 J. Lightfoot. A.B. R.N.); Italy, Kingdom, Messina Earthquake 1908, silver, unnamed as issued, edge bruising and minor contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £140-£180 --- John Lightfoot was born as Lansallos, Cornwall, on 13 December 1887 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 25 May 1903. Advanced Able Seaman on 28 March 1907, he served in H.M.S. Sutlej from 7 May 1908 to 8 March 1909, and was landed from the ship to assist in the relief work on the occasion of the earthquake at Messina in December 1908. He served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, and was shore pensioned on 12 December 1927, joining the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day. He did not qualify for a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Pair: Able Seaman T. Slee, Royal Navy, who died after he accidentally shot himself in the abdomen when cleaning a revolver on board H.M.S. Fury at Scapa Flow on 28 November 1914 1914-15 Star (185983 T. Slee. A.B. R.N.); Victory Medal 1914-1919 (185983 T. Slee. A.B. R.N.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Richard Slee) extremely fine (3) £80-£100 --- Thomas Slee was born in King's Nympton, North Devon, on 10 June 1880, the son of William and Priscilla Slee, later of Charlton Kings, near Cheltenham. The second forename, Richard, which appears on the memorial plaque does not appear in his Service Record. He joined the Navy as a Boy 2 Class, H.M.S. Impregnable, on 11 October 1895, having been a labourer before this. He advanced to Boy 1 Cass, on 11 June 1896, and to Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Renown on 10 June 1898, to Able Seama, on 16 October 1900, and remained in this rate for the remainder of his naval career. He became a Seaman Gunner on 23 July 1907 and a Gun Layer 3rd Class on 9 December 1907. He joined H.M.S. Fury, a tender to the Depot Ship H.M.S. Blake on 1 December 1912, and at some stage thereafter perhaps undertook the duties of Gunner's Yeoman or Armourer's Mate, amongst whose duties would have been the cleanliness of small arms, for it was whilst cleaning a revolver at 08.35 on 27 November 1914, that he accidentally shot himself in the abdomen whilst H.M.S. Fury was in Scapa Flow. At 09.30 he was transferred to the Hospital Ship H.M.S. Soudan and died the following morning at 10.50 on 28 November 1914. He was buried in Osmondwall Cemetery, Isle of Hoy, Orkney Islands. He left a widow, Fannie A Slee of 36 Victory Street, Keyham, Devonport, to whom his medals and Memorial Plaque were eventually sent. His parents later lived at Charlton Kings near Cheltenham, where his younger brother was also born in about 1900. His name appears on the War Memorial outside St Mary's Church, Charlton Kings near Cheltenham. He is additionally entitled to the British War Medal. Sold with copied research and two photographs of the War Memorial at St. Mary’s Church, Charlton King’s, near Cheltenham.
Three: Lieutenant S. D. Wilmot-Sitwell, Royal Marines, who was killed in action at Gallipoli on 14 July 1915 1914-15 Star (Lieut. S. D. Wilmot-Sitwell. R.M.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. S. D. Wilmot-Sitwell R.M.); Memorial Plaque (Stanton Degge Wilmot-Sitwell) all housed on a contemporary display frame insert, some staining/ rusting to medals at points of contact with mounting pins, otherwise good very fine (4) £300-£400 --- Stanton Degge Wilmot-Sitwell was born in London on 25 July 1896 and was educated at Malvern College. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Portsmouth Battalion, Royal Naval Division, Royal Marines on 29 August 1914, and was promoted Lieutenant on 27 March 1915. ‘He served during the Great War with the Royal Naval Division as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, and landed at Gaba Tepe with the Anzacs, and was killed in action on the slopes of Achi Baba on 14 July 1915’ (The Roll of Honour, by The Marquis de Ruvigny refers). He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
Four: Lieutenant H. D. Jones, Royal Engineers, late Royal Marines, who was attached to the British Mission Portuguese Corps and was Mentioned in Despatches 1914-15 Star (Deal 633-S- Act. Sgt. H. D. Jones. R.M.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. H. D. Jones.); Portugal, Republic, Military Order of Aviz, Knight’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with top slide bar, good very fine and a scarce combination (4) £600-£800 --- Harold Duniam Jones was born in August 1886 and enlisted in the Royal Marines Divisional Engineers in October 1914, having previously worked as a Railway Construction Engineer in Brazil before the war. Formed into three companies, the men of R.M.D.E. were transferred en bloc to the Royal Engineers after Gallipoli, forming 247, 248 and 249 Field Companies, R.E. Commissioned a Lieutenant in October 1915, he was invalided from Gallipoli due to sickness in December 1915. Subsequently attached to the British Mission, Portuguese Corps, he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 7 April 1918) and awarded the Military Order of Aviz (London Gazette 21 August 1919). Sold with the recipient’s original M.I.D. certificate, inscribed to ‘T./Lt. H. D. Jones, Attd. Brit. Mission Portuguese Corps’, and dated 7 April 1918, mounted for display; and copied research
Three: Private J. Richardson, Northumberland Fusiliers, who was killed in action in Salonika on 27 February 1917 1914-15 Star (3-7949 Pte. J. Richardson. North’d Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (3-7949 Pte. J. Richardson. North’d Fus.) extremely fine Three: Private H. McLauchlan, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1914-15 Star (S-6629. Pte. H. Mc Lauchlan. A. & S. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-6629 Pte. H. Mc Lauchlan. A. & S. Highrs.) very fine (6) £80-£100 --- John Richardson was born in West Hartlepool and attested for the Northumberland Fusiliers. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 23 November 1914 (thereby missing out on the award of a 1914 Star by a matter of hours), and subsequently in Salonika, and was killed in action on 27 February 1917. He is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece. Henry McLauchlan attested for the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 May 1915. He was discharged Class ‘Z’ Reserve on 22 February 1919.
Family Group: Three: Private E. J. Osborne, Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 6 May 1915 1914-15 Star (12804 Pte. E. J. Osborne. Suff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (12804 Pte. E. J. Osborne. Suff. R.); Memorial Plaque (Edward James Osborne) the plaque somewhat polished, otherwise nearly extremely fine Three: Private B. Osborne, Suffolk Regiment, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 15 November 1918 1914-15 Star (12861 Pte. B. Osborne. Suff. R.); British War and Victory Medals (128061 Pte. B. Osborne. Suff. R.); Memorial Plaque (Bertie Osborne) the plaque somewhat polished, otherwise nearly extremely fine (8) £220-£260 --- Edward James Osborne, of Bury St. Edmund’s, Suffolk, attested for the Suffolk Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 January 1915. He was killed in action on 6 May 1915, and is buried in Wytschaete Military Cemetery, Belgium. Bertie Osborne, the brother of the above, attested for the Suffolk Regiment and served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1915. He died of wounds on 15 November 1918, and is buried in Brebieres British Cemetery, France, the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Roll of Honour also recording that he served with the 1st/1st Battalion, Cambridgeshire Regiment. Sold with copied research.
Family group: Three: Private J. Hughes, Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 23 April 1917 1914-15 Star (12760 Pte. J. Hughes, York: R.); British War and Victory Medals (12760 Pte. J. Hughes. York. R.) good very fine Pair: Private V. H. Hughes, 1st Battalion, London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (635486 Pte. V. H. Hughes. 1-Lond. R.) very fine Pair: Private A. D. Hughes, 21st Battalion, London Regiment British War and Victory Medals (4886 Pte. A. D. Hughes. 21-Lond. R.) very fine (7) £80-£100 --- John Hughes attested for the Yorkshire Regiment and served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 July 1915. He was killed in action on 23 April 1917; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Sold with original transmittal slip and named card box of issue for the 1914-15 Star.
Three: Private J. Ince, Hampshire Regiment 1914-15 Star (330208 Pte. J. Ince. Hamps. R.); British War and Victory Medals (1379 Pte. J. Ince. Hamps. R.) mounted as worn, very fine Three: Sergeant H. Sheridan, Middlesex Regiment, who was taken Prisoner of War British War and Victory Medals (L-9080 Cpl. H. Sheridan Midd’x R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (6188392 Sjt. H. Sheridan. Midd’x R.); together with a Middlesex Regiment cap badge and a postcard photograph of the recipient, good very fine (6) £80-£100 --- Henry Sheridan attested for the Middlesex Regiment and served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914 (also entitled to a 1914 Star). His Medal Index Card notes that he was captured and taken Prisoner of War; most likely he was taken Prisoner of War at Mons in 1914, one of 397 ‘Regulars’ of the Regiment (approximately half a Battalion) who were taken Prisoner of War prior to Christmas Day 1914.
Three: Private F. Lawrence, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, later Labour Corps, who died at home on 1 July 1918 1914-15 Star (2246. Pte. F. Lawrence, Yorks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2246 Pte. F. Lawrence. Yorks. L.I.) with two named card boxes of issue, nearly extremely fine Pair: Private E. F. Hollands, East Kent Regiment British War and Victory Medals (G-15792 Pte. E. F. Hollands. E. Kent R.); together with a ‘Chapel Fields Philanthropic Institution’ silver Presidential Star, engraved ‘E. F. Hollands, President, 1936’, good very fine 1914-15 Star (15363 Pte. W. Huson. N. Staff. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (204553 Cpl. E. Hawkins. E. Kent R.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (4302 Pte. A. Taylor. Essex R.) nearly very fine and better (9) £100-£140 --- Francis Lawrence was born in Shoreham, Suffolk, and attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry at Doncaster. He died at home on 1 July 1918 while serving in the Labour Corps and was buried at Scunthorpe Cemetery. Sold with original transmittal letters.
Four: Private J. Beech, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, who was wounded in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, 1 July 1916, and was wounded and taken Prisoner of War at the Battle of Arras on 3 May 1917 1914-15 Star (R-1118 Pte. J. Beech. K.R. Rif: C.); British War and Victory Medals (R-1118 Pte. J. Beech. K.R. Rif. C.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (James Beech); together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse numbered ‘439070’, good very fine (5) £100-£140 --- James Beech was born in Birmingham on October 1895 and attested there for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 2 September 1914. He served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1915, and was present at the Battle of Loos. He saw further service at the Battle of the Somme, and was wounded in action at Roclincourt on the first day of the Battle, 1 July 1916: ‘At 10:50pm, the Germans exploded a mine under the Battalion’s forward trenches (creating a crater 160 feet wide) and launched an attack supported by heavy artillery fire with 5.9's, 4.2's and trench mortars on the front and communication trenches. The Germans entered the front trenches and commenced to bomb their way forward but were “bombed out” of the trenches by the Battalion’s bombers and a battle developed over the mine crater lips. Breastworks were constructed in the shattered trenches and crater whilst this was going on, with the work parties building it under heavy machine gun and trench mortar fire. By dawn the position was defensible. Casualties were 8 other ranks killed, and 3 Officers and 25 other ranks wounded.’ Beech was again wounded (gun shot wound to the right arm) and taken prisoner of war at the Battle of Arras on 3 May 1917, on which date Battalion casualties were 10 Officers and 270 other ranks. Repatriated to England on 5 May 1918 he was admitted to the King George Hospital, London with his wound still being classified as severe. As a result of his wound, he was medically discharged on 12 August 1918 and was awarded a life disability pension at 30%, as well as receiving a Silver War Badge. He subsequently worked as a telephone mechanic, and was awarded his Imperial Service Medal on retirement in 1960. Sold with copied research, including a photographic image of the recipient.
Three: Sergeant J. R. Vance, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action in Gallipoli on 7 August 1915 1914-15 Star (343 Sjt. R. [sic] Vance. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (343 Sjt. J. R. Vance. Manch. R.) very fine (3) £70-£90 --- John Robert Vance attested for the Manchester Regiment and served as a Sergeant with the 1st/8th Battalion during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of War from 25 September 1914. He was killed in action in Gallipoli on 7 August 1915; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey.
Three: Private T. Naismith, Gordon Highlanders, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 18 June 1915 1914-15 Star (S-8939 Pte. T. Naismith. Gord. Highrs.); British War and Victory Medals (S-8939 Pte. T. Naismith. Gordons.) good very fine Pair: Private A. C. Park, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders 1914-15 Star (S-7483 Pte. A. C. Park. A. & S. Highrs.); British War Medal 1914-20 (S-7483 Pte. A. C. Park. A. & S. Highrs.) polished and worn, therefore fair to fine, the naming all completely legible British War Medal 1914-20 (1554 Pte. R. Thomson. Sco. Rif.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (3675 Pte. J. T. Ballantyne. Sco. Rif.; 11214 Pte. R. Henderson. High. L.I.) naming very faintly impressed on last, generally very fine (8) £100-£140 --- Thomas Naismith attested for the Gordon Highlanders at Hamilton and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 May 1915. He died of wounds on 18 June 1915 and is buried at Brown’s Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France.
Pair: Jemadar Gul Akhmad, 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force), who was killed in action during the Relief of Kut on 14 January 1916 1914-15 Star (Jemdr. Gul Akhmad, 53/Sikhs F.F.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Jemdr. Gul. Akhmad, 53 Sikhs.) nearly very fine Pair: Sepoy Chhajja Singh, 30th Punjabis, who was killed in action in East Africa on 18 October 1917 1914-15 Star (No. 104 Sepoy Chhajja Singh, 1/30/Punjabis.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (104 Sepoy Chhajja Singh. 1-30 Pjbis) minor official correction to VM, nearly very fine 1914-15 Star (2) (No. 1891 Sep. Lala. 41-Dogras.; No 1099 Sepoy Lal Khan, 46/Punjabis); British War Medal 1914-20 (11440 Nk. Abdul Sattar, R.A.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (0267 Sepoy Blawal Khan, 2 Guides Infy.) generally good fine (8) £100-£140 --- Gul Akhmad was killed in action during the Relief of Kut on 14 January 1916 and is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq. Chhajja Singh, a native of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, was killed in action in East Africa on 18 October 1917 and is commemorated in the Dar Es Salaam Memorial.
Family group: The 1914-15 Star and Memorial Plaque awarded to Sapper J. Pow, 1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 3 August 1916 1914-15 Star (5170 Spr: J. Pow. Can: Eng:); Memorial Plaque (John Pow) good very fine Pair: Sapper T. Pow, Canadian Engineers, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 28 April 1917 British War and Victory Medals (428776 Spr. T. Pow. C.E.) good very fine (4) £100-£140 --- John Pow was born in Fala, Midlothian, Scotland in January 1882. He served during the Great War with the 1st Field Company, Canadian Engineers on Western Front. Sapper Pow was killed in action, 3 August 1916, when he was in charge of a large infantry working party engaged in the construction of a new trench in the support line, North East of Reninghelst, and was hit in the back of the head by a piece of shell and instantly killed. Sapper Pow is buried in the Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, Reninghelst, Belgium. Thomas Pow was born in Edinburgh, Scotland in March 1886, and was the younger brother of the above. He served during the Great War with the Divisional Engineers, Canadian Engineers. Sapper Pow was killed in action on the Western Front working east of Vimy near Arleux-en-Gohelle, 28 April 1917, and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Three: Private R. Coumbe, 3rd Canadian Mounted Rifles, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 1 December 1915 1914-15 Star (108168 Pte R. Coumbe. 3/Can: Mtd: Rif:); British War and Victory Medals (108168 A. Cpl. R. Coumbe. 3-C.M.R.) very fine Pair: Private F. J. Wilson, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, who received a gun shot wound to his left leg, 1 November 1918 British War and Victory Medals (3132689 Pte. F. J. Wilson. 47-Can. Inf.) with Silver War Badge (C52737), 3 identity discs, collar titles and Wound Stripe, nearly extremely fine (lot) £120-£160 --- Rundle Coumbe was born at Underhill Farm, Cornwall, England in April 1892. He served for six months with the 19th Alberta Dragoons, Canadian Militia prior to serving with the 3rd Regiment Canadian Mounted Rifles during the Great War. Private Coumbe was killed in action on the Western Front, 1 December 1915, and is buried in the Berks Cemetery Extension, Comines-Warneton, Belgium. Francis Jordan Wilson was born in Avonbank, Ontario, Canada in March 1891. He served during the Great War with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was wounded in action, 1 November 1918. Wilson was discharged in London, Ontario in March 1919. Sold with three photographs of Wilson in uniform, and his Parchment Discharge Certificate.
Three: Lieutenant W. H. Pollard, 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, late Rifle Brigade, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 28 September 1918 1914-15 Star (16609 Sjt W. H. Pollard. 7/Can: Inf:); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. H. Pollard.); Memorial Plaque (Walter Henry Pollard) good very fine (4) £200-£300 --- Walter Henry Pollard was born in London in February 1879. He served with the Rifle Brigade during the Boer War (entitled to Q.S.A.), and emigrated to Canada where he attested for the 11th Regiment, Irish Fusiliers of Canada. Pollard was serving with the latter at the outbreak of the Great War, and transferred as a Sergeant to the 7th Battalion (1st British Columbia), Canadian Infantry for service on the Western Front. He was commissioned into the same unit, and was killed in action on the Western Front, 28 September 1918. Lieutenant Pollard was aged 39, and is buried in the Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.
Three: Lieutenant C. Pestalozzi, Australian Imperial Force, who within a matter of weeks survived the sinking of both the Royal Edward and the Southland, both of which were torpedoed by the German submarine U-14 1914-15 Star (6261 Sjt. C. Pestalozzi. 16/A.S.C. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C. Pestalozzi. A.I.F.); together with the recipient’s Silver War Badge, the reverse numbered ‘A36737’, good very fine (3) £140-£180 --- Conrad Pestalozzi was born in Davos, Switzerland, in 1883, and having emigrated to Australia attested for the Australian Imperial Force at Perth on 10 March 1915. Posted to the 16th Army Service Corps Company, he was promoted Sergeant and embarked from Melbourne for Egypt on 22 May 1915. Promoted Staff Sergeant on 1 August 1915, he was aboard the freighter the Royal Edward when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-14 in the Aegean Sea and sank with the loss of 864 men; a contemporary newspaper account states that the recipient was in the water for close to 4 hours before being picked up. On 30 August 1915, Pestalozzi embarked in the Southland from Egypt bound for Gallipoli. On the morning of 2 September 1915, 65km south of Lemnos, the ship was torpedoed, again by the U-14, and sank with the loss of 36 lives. Picked-up, he landed at Gallipoli, and was hospitalised with dysentery on 15 October 1915. Recovering, Pestalozzi proceeded to France, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 12 August 1916. He was promoted Lieutenant with the 7th Australian Remount Unit on 13 October 1916, and having been hospitalised again, this time with malaria, he was discharged on medical grounds on 19 December 1917, and was awarded a Silver War Badge. He died in Perth, W.A., in 1966. Sold with a ‘Rising Sun’ cap badge; Imperial League Returned Sailors and Soldiers Badge, the reverse numbered ‘28860’; an A.I.F. Returned from Active Service Badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘76684’; and copied research.
Three: Signaller A. H. Harvey, Royal Navy and Mercantile Marine British War Medal 1914-20 (J.59912 A. H. Harvey. Sig. R.N.); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Arthur H. Harvey); Victory Medal 1914-19 (J.59912 A. H. Harvey. Sig. R.N.) very fine Pair: Second Hand H. S. Farrow, Royal Naval Reserve, who was killed in action on 15 February 1918 whilst serving in H.M.D. Golden Rule, during an enemy raid into the Dover Straits British War and Victory Medals (1237SA. H. S. Farrow. 2. Hd. R.N.R.) both medals lacquered, otherwise very fine Pair: G. L. Poingdestre, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (George L. Poingdestre) very fine Pair: F. Byrne, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Francis Byrne) very fine (9) £100-£140 --- Arthur Herbert Harvey, a Merchant Seaman from Chelsea, London, was born on 27 February 1907. He attested as a Boy into the Royal Navy on 30 September 1916 and saw service during the Great War in H.M.S. Newcastle. Appointed Ordinary Signaller on 4 June 1917, he was advanced Signaller on 9 May 1918 and was medically discharged on 5 November 1919. Henry Samuel Farrow was born on 29 March 1884 in Beccles, Suffolk and attested for service with the Royal Naval Reserve during the Great War. He was killed in action on 15 February 1915 whilst serving in H.M.D. Golden Rule, when she was severely damaged in the enemy raid into the Dover Straits. Her Skipper, John Turrell, one of four severely wounded crew members, was subsequently awarded a D.S.C. for his great courage and energy in giving orders to the three remaining uninjured hands. Henry Farrow is buried in Dover (St. James’s) Cemetery, Kent. George Louis Poingdestre was born in Leyton, Essex on 24 October 1899 and saw service in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War, as a Steward in H.M.T Tagus. He appears in the 1939 Register as a Head Waiter residing in Worthing, Sussex. He died in Slough, Berkshire, in 1981. Two men of the named Francis Byrne served in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War.
Five: Donkeyman G. Kindson, Mercantile Marine, who was killed in action when S.S. Birtley hit a mine on 15 September 1941 British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (George Kidson); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine Pair: Genkichi Hasegawa, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Genkichi Hasegawa); together with two R.A.O.B. jewels, both named ‘Bro. Z. Hasegawa’, and dated ‘21st. Nov. 1944’ and ‘Decr. 18th. 1945.’, very fine Pair: Charles Mintram, Mercantile Marine British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (Charles Mintram) very fine Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (John Hutchings) very fine (12) £140-£180 --- George Kidson, a native of Hartlepool, was killed in action when S.S. Birtley hit a mine on 15 September 1941, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Pair: Second Lieutenant R. E. Higginbotham, Royal Field Artillery, late Company Sergeant Major, Canadian Army Service Corps, who was killed in action in Salonika, 29 September 1918 British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. R. E. Higginbotham.); Memorial Plaque (Robert Edward Higginbotham) last in card envelope of issue, remnants of adhesive labels on all, good very fine or better (3) £180-£220 --- Robert Edward Higginbotham was born in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada in January 1893. He was a law student who initially served during the Great War in the ranks with the 1st Divisional Ammunition Sub-Park, Canadian Army Service Corps in the Salonika. Having advanced to Acting Company Sergeant Major, Higginbotham was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery. Second Lieutenant Higginbotham was killed in action whilst serving with ‘B’ Battery, 115th Brigade in Salonika, 29 September 1918. He is buried in the Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece.
Pair: Driver T. Patchett, Royal Field Artillery, who died in France on 21 February 1919 British War and Victory Medals (895765 Dvr. T. Patchett. R.A.); Memorial Plaque (Thomas Patchett) in card envelope, significant verdigris to both VM and Plaque, therefore fair to fine 1914-15 Star (76769 Spr. F. C. Young. R.E.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Major S. D. Sewell); Victory Medal 1914-19 (148123 Spr. P. A. Clarke. R.E.) good very fine (6) £100-£140 --- Thomas Patchett died on 21 February 1919 while serving with 158th Brigade Ammunition Column and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France. Sidney Davies Sewell was born in London on 12 October 1875 and was educated at Tonbridge School. He was commissioned into the Royal Engineers (Volunteers) in June 1892 and was advanced Major in April 1910, in which rank he was awarded the Territorial Decoration in 1912. He commanded the 3rd London Field Company (Territorial Force) and commanded the company in France from January 1915. He was killed in action near Ypres on 18 February 1915; an account that appeared in a London paper told how on the night of 18 February, at the cost of heavy casualties, his Company succeeded in digging a trench under heavy fire within 25 yards of the German advanced trenches, but that Major Sewell and three other officers of the Company were killed. He is buried in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium.
Pair: Private J. Spackman, Grenadier Guards, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 1 June 1918 British War and Victory Medals (26635 Pte. J. Spackman. G. Gds.); Memorial Plaque (John Spackman) traces of verdigris to plaque, otherwise good very fine (3) £80-£100 --- John Spackman was born in Tockenham, Swindon, Wiltshire, and attested for the Grenadier Guards at Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset. He served with the 4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 1 June 1918. He is buried in Anzac Cemetery, Sailly-sur-la-Lys, France. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Sergeant G. S. Powell, Royal West Surrey Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 16 October 1916 British War and Victory Medals (G-10968 Sjt. G. S. Powell. The Queen’s R.) good very fine Pair: Private N. McSween, 67th (Pioneer) Battalion, Canadian Infantry British War and Victory Medals (102338 Pte. N. McSween. 67-Can. Inf.) with identity disc, good very fine (4) £60-£80 --- George Sydney Powell was born in British Columbia, Canada, and attested for the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment at Lambeth, London. He served with the 11th (Service) Battalion (Lambeth) during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 16 October 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France. Sold with copied research. Neil McSween was born on the Isle of Skye, Scotland in September 1884. He served during the Great War with the 67th (Pioneer) Battalion, Canadian Engineers on the Western Front.
Five: Private M. V. Steele, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders British War and Victory Medals (2927 Pipr. M. S. Steele. 9 Q.O.C.H.) these both renamed; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 (2921944 M. V. Steele. Cameron Hdrs.) these both privately impressed; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, with Second and Third Additional Award Bars (2921955 Pte. M. V. Steele. Camerons) mounted as worn, nearly very fine Three: Signalman D. P. Hawkins, Royal Corps of Signals, who died in North Africa on 30 December 1942 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs. D. G. Hawkins, 13, Parsons Green Lane, Fulham, London, SW6’, good very fine Five: Attributed to Private T. H. Jones, Royal Army Service Corps 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with the recipient’s Soldier’s Service and Pay Book, good very fine Six: Attributed to P. O. Bell 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn; together with a Lagos Caledonian Society Past Chieftain’s Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘P. O. Bell 1970/71, 1971/72’, good very fine One: E. G. Brotherhood, Home Guard Defence Medal; together with the recipient’s Home Guard Certificate, named to Edgar Geoffrey Brotherhood, and dated 7 November 1941 to 31 December 1944; and various postcard photographs. extremely fine One: I. Johnson Defence Medal, with Home Secretary’s enclosure, in named card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. I. Johnson, 71 Southover, Bromley, Kent’; together with the recipient’s St. John Re-examination Cross, silvered, the reverse engraved ‘A108538 Isaac W. Johnson’, with 13 bronze date bars for 1950 to 1962 inclusive, good very fine (22) £100-£140 --- Douglas Percy Hawkins was born in Fulham, London, and served with the Royal Signals during the Second World War in North Africa. He died on 30 December 1942 and is buried at Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.
Pair: Captain Sir John Charrington, Army Service Corps, who was Mentioned in Despatches, and was later knighted for his work in the coal industry British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Capt. J. Charrington.) nearly extremely fine (2) £80-£100 --- Sir John Charrington was born in 1886 and was educated at Haileybury. He served with the Army Service Corps during the Great War on the Western Front from June 1916, latterly as a Captain, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 14 June 1918). He went into the family business and was chairman of Charrington, Gardner, Locket & Co. (1940-67) and president from 1964 until his death in 1977. He was president of the Coal Merchants Federation of Great Britain (1930-31 and 1947-49); the National Society for Clean Air and the Coal Utilisation Council (1967-68); and was a member of the Carlton Club. For his services to the COal Industry he was knighted in the 1949 Birthday Honours’ List. (London Gazette 3 June 1949). Sold with a copy of Two Centuries in the London Coal Trade: the story of Charringtons by Elspet Fraser-Stephen, privately published in 1952, the inside inscribed by Sir John Charrington.
Pair: Lieutenant J. A. Rutherford, Royal Air Force, late 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry, who served as Equipment Officer with 47 Squadron in Southern Russia in 1919 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. A. Rutherford. R.A.F.) BWM with official corrections, good very fine (2) £180-£220 --- John Allan Rutherford was the son of a mining engineer, and was born in Spokane River, Washington, USA in April 1893. He was educated at Hillhead High School, Allan Glens School and the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, Scotland. Rutherford was subsequently employed as a Land Surveyor in British Columbia, Canada, and attested for the 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry in August 1915. He advanced to Corporal, and applied for a British Army commission in March 1916. Rutherford was commissioned in the Royal Horse Artillery in April 1916, and transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August the following year. He was posted for pilot training to the Aerial Fighting School, Heliopolis, and suffered an injury from a flying accident during which he ‘stalled on turn and nosedived’ in December 1917. Rutherford was found ‘unfit for flying duties’ in April 1918, and was designated as an Equipment Officer. He served in the latter capacity with 47 Squadron in Southern Russia during the Russian Intervention in 1919. Rutherford was demobilised in June 1920, and awarded a wound gratuity. Sold with copied research and service papers.
Pair: Second Lieutenant J. F. Kidd, Royal Air Force, an Observer with 20 Squadron, who was killed in action when his Bristol F2B was shot down near Le Quesnoy on 1 November 1918 British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. F. Kidd. R.A.F.) extremely fine (2) £140-£180 --- James Forrest Kidd was born in Edinburgh on 27 June 1897 and initially served as a Lance-Corporal with the 2nd/9th Battalion, Royal Scots. He was commissioned into the 12th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 13 September 1917, and transferred to the Royal Air Force for Observer duties on 28 May 1917. He was posted to 20 Squadron, stationed in France, on 30 September 1918, and was killed in action when his Bristol F2B, piloted by Lieutenant Phillip Segrave, was shot down whilst flying a patrol over le Quesnoy. Kidd is buried alongside his pilot in Pont-sur-Sambre Communal Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Corporal H. Smith, Royal Air Force British War and Victory Medals (36025. Cpl. H. Smith. R.A.F.) nearly extremely fine Four: Leading Aircraftman D. Stirling, who died at home on 25 September 1945 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Air Council enclosure and medal entitlement ‘ticker tape’, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. E. C. Stirling, 15 Bowling Green Street, Leith, Edinburgh, 6, Scotland’, extremely fine (6) £50-£70 --- David Stirling served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World War, and died at home on 25 September 1945. He is buried under a C.W.G.C. headstone in Edinburgh (Seafield) Cemetery. His medals were sent to his mother, Elizabeth Stirling.
Pair: Lieutenant S. Booth, Royal Canadian Dragoons, late Royal North West Mounted Police, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 8 August 1918 British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. S. Booth) with named card box of issue; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Lieut. S. Booth) good very fine (3) £160-£200 --- Stephen Booth was born in Plumstead, Kent in January 1894. He emigrated to Canada, and served with the Royal North West Mounted Police for a year prior to the Great War. Booth served as a Lieutenant with the Royal Canadian Dragoons on the Western Front, and was killed in action on the Western Front, 8 August 1918. Lieutenant Booth is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France.
Pair: Private E. S. Blachford, Canadian Light Horse, Canadian Cavalry, who died on the Western Front, 29 July 1917 British War and Victory Medals (115705 Pte. E. S. Blachford. Can. Cav. Bde.) with named card box of issue; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (115705 Pte E. S. Blachford) in case of issue with enclosure, nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Ernest Sydney Blachford was born in February 1886, and was the son of Mr and Mrs A. Blachford of Rushington Lane, Totton, Southampton, England. He served during the Great War with the Canadian Light Horse on the Western Front. Private Blachford died on the Western Front, 29 July 1917, and is buried in the Villers Station Cemetery, France.
Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Defence of Lucknow (D. Somerville, 32nd L.I.) toned, very fine £800-£1,000 --- David Somerville is confirmed on the roll as an original defender who died at Lucknow on 27 July 1857. His name is given as Summerville in Kevin Asplin’s published roll. Sold with copied medal roll extract (WO 100/37)
Pair: Private A. Fraser, 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, a stretcher-bearer who was killed in action whilst trying to save a wounded comrade in a shell-hole on the Western Front, 31 March 1917 British War and Victory Medals (790564 Pte. A. Fraser. 47-Can. Inf.); Memorial Plaque (Alexander Fraser) with a neat drill hole at 12 o’clock; Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (790564 Pte A. Fraser.) with recipient’s identity disc, nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- Alexander Fraser was born in Kinloch Rannoch, Perthshire, Scotland in February 1885. He was educated at the Glassary Public School, Kilmichael. Fraser emigrated to Canada, and was employed as a Gardener at the Stanley and Strathcona Parks, Vancouver. Prior to the Great War he attested for the 104th Regiment, Westminster Fusiliers of Canada. Fraser served with the 47th Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was killed in action, 31 March 1917. Private Fraser is buried in the Villers Station Cemetery, France. A comrade wrote: ‘On the night of 31 March we had a raid on the German trenches, and your boy was one of the stretcher-bearers to volunteer to go over and do his bit, and it was while doing his duty he was killed. We had been over and were on our way back, when your boy came across a wounded comrade in a shell-hole. He stayed behind to assist him, and that was the last we saw of him till the following night, when our scouts went out to bring him. It seems as if a shell had burst and buried them. Your boy seems to have scrambled out, but no one knows for sure, but nothing was seen of the comrade whose wounds he was dressing. On 3 April he was buried in the Canadian Military Cemetery, Carency.’ Sold with copied service papers, and research.
Pair: Lance Corporal F. J. Forrest, 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 1 March 1917 British War and Victory Medals (760623 A. L. Cpl. F. Forrest. 54-Can. Inf.) nearly extremely fine British War Medal 1914-20 (478031 Pte. C. R. Woodford. 11-Can. Inf.; 3775 Pte. G. Rhodes. H.L.I.; 43757 A. Bmbr. W. McPhee. C.F.A.) first with Silver War Badge, reverse numbered ‘C496’, generally very fine or better (5) £70-£90 --- Frederick John Forrest was born in Uddingston, Lanarkshire, Scotland in April 1886. He was the son of Mr and Mrs T. Forrest of 63 Havelock St., Mayfield, Newcastle, N.S.W., Australia. Forrest served during the Great War with the 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front, and was killed in action, 1 March 1917. Lance Corporal Forrest is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, Pas de Calais, France. Grant Rhodes was born in Canada and served during the Great War with the 1/5th (City of Glasgow) Battalion, Highland Light Infantry in the Egyptian theatre of war. Private Rhodes was killed in action in Palestine, 30 November 1917, and is buried in the Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. William McPhee was born in Dalhousie Township, Ontario, Canada in July 1876. He served during the Great War as a Driver with 1st Divisional Ammunition Column, Canadian Field Artillery on the Western Front. McPhee Died (Accidental Injuries) - while on duty on the morning of 13 April 1916, between the hours of 6 and 7 o'clock, he was found lying on the floor of a stable in great pain, having been kicked in the abdomen by a horse. He was placed on a stretcher and evacuated to No. 10 Casualty Clearing Station where he died two days later at 1.45 p.m. from wound of abdomen caused by a kick from a horse resulting in a ruptured kidney and internal haemorrhage. Driver McPhee is buried in the Lijjsenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Sold with copied research.
Pair: Lance Corporal O. E. Johnson, 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry, who was killed in action on the Western Front, 21 February 1917 British War and Victory Medals (160189 L. Cpl. O. E. Johnson. 54-Can. Inf.); Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (160189 L/Cpl. O. E. Johnson) generally good very fine (3) £80-£120 --- Oswald Edwin Johnson was born in Millom, Cumberland, England in April 1890. He served during the Great War with the 54th Battalion (Kootenay), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Lance Corporal Johnson was killed in action on the Western Front, 21 February 1917, and is buried in the Villers Station Cemetery, France.
Pair: Private H. Richardson, 60th Battalion (Victoria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry, who died on the Western Front, 14 April 1917 British War and Victory Medals (775553 Pte. H. Richardson. 60-Can. Inf.) with named card box of issue; Memorial Plaque (Herbert Richardson); Memorial Scroll (Pte. Herbert Richardson Canadian Infantry Bn.) scroll slightly damaged, generally good very fine or better (4) £80-£120 --- Herbert Richardson was the son of Mrs M. H. Richardson of 37 Midland Road, Raunds, Northamptonshire. He served during the Great War with the 60th Battalion (Victoiria Rifles of Canada), Canadian Infantry on the Western Front. Private Richardson died on the Western Front, 14 April 1917, and is buried in the Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France.
Pair: Nursing Sister I. L. Kealy, Canadian Army Medical Corps, who died of Pneumonia, 12 March 1918 British War and Victory Medals (N. Sister I. L. Kealy) very fine, scarce (2) £300-£400 --- Ida Lilian Kealy was born in Anerley, Surrey in June 1879. She was a professional nurse by occupation, and served during the Great War with the Canadian Army Medical Corps at No. 1 Canadian General Hospital. Nurse Sister Kealy died of pneumonia in the UK, 12 March 1918, and is buried in Bramshott (St Mary) Churchyard, Hampshire, England. She is commemorated on the "Women of the Empire" memorial panels in York Minster, and on the Nurses memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum. Sold with photographic image of recipient in uniform.
Five: Attributed to Able Seaman P. J. Wood, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Hecla was sunk by U.515 on 11 November 1942, off Cape St. Vincent 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-4, all unnamed as issued but accompanied by named Admiralty enclosure for 4 medals (Percy John Wood), the Africa Star of a differing tone, otherwise good very fine (5) £100-£140 --- Percy John Wood was born on 31 August 1921, at Wickwar, Gloucestershire. He was the son of Percy John and Edith Sarrie Wood and nephew of Mr G. Wood of Kingswood, Gloucestershire. He was a ‘house boy’ before joining the Navy on 10 January 1938, as a Boy 2 Class, H.M.S. Ganges. He advanced to Boy 1 Class on 30 October 1938, and to Ordinary Seaman on 31 August 1939, when he engaged for 12 years with Official No. JX 156488. He advanced to Able Seaman on 30 April 1940, and served in H.M.S. Nimrod for a few weeks in the summer of 1940, but was finally drafted to H.M.S. Hecla in early 1942, although he was loaned to other ships during that year. He was reported ‘missing presumed killed’, at the age of 22, in action when Hecla was torpedoed and sunk on 11/12 November 1942. The vendor states that the Africa Star has been added to the group to represent the recipient’s correct entitlement, even though it was not issued to the family.
Three: Able Seaman W. B. Watson, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M. Submarine Oxley was accidentally torpedoed and sunk by H.M.S. Triton on 11 September 1939 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr. J. Watson, Avonlea, Aberoer, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, Denbighshire, N. Wales’, extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- William Bradford Watson was killed when H.M. Submarine Oxley was accidentally sunk by H.M.S. Triton about 28 nautical miles south-west of Stavanger, Norway, in the Royal Navy’s first major friendly-fire incident of the war. There where only two survivors. One of the very first casualties of the Second World War, Watson is commemorated on Plymouth Naval Memorial. Sold with modern ‘H.M. Submarines’ cap-tally and copied research.
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