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Lot 572
A 2014 deactivated short magazine 1939 Lee Enfield (SMLE) SHT L.E MKIII .303 bolt-action rifle with adjustable sights, storage compartment to the butt plate, sling mounts and barrel length 25 inches, overall length 112cm, serial number L76702, with deactivation certificate dated 31/01/2014, with its correct type bayonet, with scabbard, patented 105, DEP, 42cm blade.IMPORTANT NOTE THE GUN IS DEACTIVATED BUT TO PRE-2018 STANDARD ONLY AND IS ACCOMPANIED BY A PRE-2018 PROOF HOUSE DEACTIVATION CERTIFICATE. IT CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED BY A REGISTERED FIREARMS DEALER.
Lot 592
WWI framed memorial print, presented to 138796 PTE. William Johnson. 18th Machine Gun battalion, killed in action 20/09/1918, together with more in depth history paperwork and, a WWI framed memorial print, presented to Deck Hand Royal Navy Reserve. 415/SD James Henry Preston. H.M. Trawler Vitality. (2)
Lot 295
The rare 1814 K.C.B. neck Badge attributed to Captain Sir Thomas Lavie, Royal Navy, who was knighted for his command of H.M.S. Blanche upon the occasion when she captured the French frigate Guerriere off the Faroe Islands in July 1806The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s neck Badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks for London 1814, some loss of green enamel to wreath, one or two very minor chips to enamelled arms, otherwise good very fineProvenance:Spink, April 2023 when offered alongside other Orders, Decorations and Medals awarded to members of the Lavie family.Thomas Lavie, son of Germain Lavie and Ann Gregg, was born in Putney on 16 October 1765 and first appears in the Naval Service as a Lieutenant on the books of H.M.S. Astrea, a 32-gun frigate. During Lavie's time with this ship and under the command of Captain Lord Henry Paulet, she took the French 42-gun vessel Gloire in an hour-long engagement. Paulet was awarded a Naval Gold Medal for this action, and as Lavie was promoted Master & Commander a few months later it is possible he too served in this action.From 1796 through to 1800 Lavie was placed in command of several smaller vessels - namely the sloops H.M.S. Bittern and Seagull - before being promoted to Post Captain in January 1801. Though not appearing to remain actively employed during the Peace of Amiens (March 1802-May 1803) Lavie clearly enjoyed an element of patronage at the highest levels within the Admiralty - no other personage than Lord St. Vincent requested he be appointed to a ship despite being "low on the post list" (Selections from the Correspondence of Admiral John Markham During the Years 1801-4 and 1806-7, p. 3, Navy Records Society, 1904, refers) - a stroke of extremely good fortune in such difficult times for officers of the armed forces. Despite this, Captain Lavie appears to have next been employed as commander of the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Iris from the autumn of 1805, before removing in June of 1806 to H.M.S. Blanche, the 38-gun frigate in which he was shortly to make his name.A Single-Ship Action, Capture, and Later LifeLavie and Blanche were patrolling off the north-eastern coast of Britain with the objective of protecting merchant ships and trade routes from attack by French raiders and privateers when they received word of an enemy squadron in the area under orders for that very purpose. Sailing north from the Shetland Islands, on 18 July 1806 the French frigate Guerriere was spotted and Lavie made all sail to close with his opponent. The resulting battle was an exceptional result for the British captain and the men under his command: Guerriere failed to prepare for action (perhaps mistakenly believing the British frigate to be French), and by the time Guerriere began to fight back Blanche had already unleashed two broadsides into their opponent's hull. French gunnery appears to have been particularly bad on this occasion, not only did Blanche suffer minimal damage with a mere four men wounded, but conversely British gunnery was excellent, with Guerriere losing her mizzenmast in addition to having over fifty of her crew killed and wounded. Brought safely back to Britain, Lavie's reward was a knighthood and Guerriere was taken into the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Guerriere; she later met her end in a single-ship action against the famous American frigate U.S.S. Constitution.Lavie (now Sir Thomas) continued in command of Blanche and saw further active service (capturing the George Washington in January 1807), but on 4 March 1807 disaster struck. Whilst en-route from Spithead to Brest to join Sir James Saumarez's blockading squadron, Blanche hit a submerged reef during a storm and swiftly began to break up. Thankfully Lavie and most of the crew survived, but were taken prisoner and spent the remainder of the Napoleonic Wars (some seven years) in French gaols.Upon Lavie's release he was court-martialled as a matter of course for the loss of his ship, but exonerated from blame due to the court concluding that a large quantity of iron used in the interior construction of the ship, along with a significant number of firearms stored near the compass, caused an unforeseen navigational error. Though free from blame, Lavie appears not to have received another active command until the end of 1821 when he was appointed to the 74-gun H.M.S. Spencer; he was, however, one of the first naval officers to be appointed a Knight Commander of the Bath upon its' expansion in January 1815. Sadly Lavie's time in command of Spencer was short-lived as he died on 1 February 1822, aged just 56, at the Royal Naval Hospital, Plymouth, and was interred at Stoke Damerel. He had married Mary Sissmore in October 1797 and it appears that at least two of their six sons followed in their father's footsteps to become officers in the Royal Navy.…
Lot 30
East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Liwondi 1893 (W. Gilley, A.B., H.M.S. Herald.), nearly extremely fineApproximately 31 single 'Liwondi 1893' clasps were awarded to European naval officers and men from H.M. Ships Herald (15) and Mosquito (16) and the clasp remains a great rarity, with few having survived and surfaced on the market.William John Gilley was born at East Stonehouse, Devon, on 7 May 1868, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 18 November 1883. He was advanced to Able Seaman on 9 June 1889, and joined H.M.S. Herald on 1 November 1892. He served in her during the expedition along the Upper Shire River in response to the slave raids made by Yao Chief Liwondi, February to March 1893. She was commanded by Lieutenant Hope, and as Senior Naval Officer on the Zambesi River, he was given the task of transporting up river, and over land, 3 small gun boats which had been sent out from England in sections. It was the intention that they would be reassembled on Lake Nyassa and used to increase the British presence in the face of Portuguese aggression.Whilst engaged in carrying out this task, they heard that the rebel Chief Liwondi had besieged the British Commissioner, Harry Johnson, in a small stockade and at once set out to rescue him. He was joined en route by the gunboat Mosquito and the rescue was a success. Gilley did not survive much longer and was ‘discharged dead’ from malignant malarial fever on 8 August 1893.…
Lot 307
The 'Dardanelles and Bulgarian Coast Minesweeping 1918' D.S.O. group of five awarded to Commander H. de G. Lamotte, Royal Navy in command of H.M.S. CraigieHe served on the former torpedo gunboat H.M.S Seagull earlier in the war on minesweeping dutiesDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with integral top ribbon bar; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Lieut. H. De. G. Lamotte. R.N. H.M.S. Prosperine); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.), very fine (5)D.S.O. London Gazette 17 October 1919, the original recommendation states:'H.M.S. Craigie. Displayed great skill and coolness in handling the twin screw sweepers under his orders. The conditions were difficult and at times hazardous and it is largely owing to the magnificent work done by the twin screw sweepers that a channel through the Dardanelles has been cleared of mines.'Harold de Gallye Lamotte was born at Kingston on Thames on 2 December 1882, the son of barrister William de Gallye Lamotte. He joined H.M.S. Brittania as a Midshipman on 15 January 1900 and was appointed Sub. Lieutenant 15 January 1903. Given his first command appointment on 14 July 1904 Lamotte joined H.M.T.B. 45, a first-class torpedo boat, and was subsequently advanced to Lieutenant on15 January 1905.His next appointment was aboard Prosperine from July 1910 until August 1912 chasing gun runners in the Merran coast and qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal. On 15 January 1913 he was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander.Seagull and MuskerryAfter a period of training, Lamotte was given his next command appointment of H.M.S. Seagull, a former torpedo gunboat which had been converted to a minesweeper on 17 December 1914.Seagull joined the newly established Grand Fleet. The old torpedo gunboats such as Seagull were not well suited to continual use in the rough waters around Scapa Flow, and in July 1915 Seagull and sister ship Spanker were deployed to Harwich to sweep ahead of the Harwich Force when it went to sea.On 15 February 1917 Seagull was east of Aldeburgh when a periscope, probably of the German submarine UC-1, was spotted. Seagull dropped two depth charges on the wake of the periscope. He left Seagull on 22 May 1917 to command Muskerry from June 1917 until March 1918.CraigieLamotte was given command of Craigie on 26 July 1918. A Hunt-class minesweeper she was launched on 29 May 1918 and from November 1918 was based in the Adriatic arriving in Mudros on 24 May 1919 before sailing for Kephalo for further minesweeping duties. Lamotte remained aboard her until 23 November 1919 and was rewarded the D.S.O.He retired from the service at his own request on 29 September 1920 and was invested with his D.S.O. at Buckingham Place on 12 October 1920. Promoted to the rank of Commander (retired) on 2 December 1922, Lamotte was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in 1927.Lamotte died on 3 June 1960 at a nursing home in Morden; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 80
The campaign group of five awarded to Private D. Bradley, 1st Suffolk Regiment, who was killed in action on 28 June 1944 during the ferocious battle for Chateau de La Londe, a location immortalised by war correspondents as 'the bloodiest square mile in the whole of Normandy'The Battalion was involved in taking the vital Hillman Fortress, one of the toughest German fortifications Allied troops faced on D-DayIndia General Service 1936-39, clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (5826063 Pte. D. Bradley. Suff.R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-1945, the first three digits of the number officially corrected, some erasure at 3 o'clock, not affecting naming, contact marks, good very fine (5)Donald Bradley was born at Manchester and enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment as a regular soldier before the Second World War.The outbreak of the Second World War saw the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment stationed at Devonport as part of the 8th Infantry Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and served with the British Expeditionary Force in France from late 1939 to May 1940. With the rest of the B.E.F., the Battalion was evacuated from Dunkirk in 1940. The next four years were spent training in the United Kingdom for the invasion of Normandy in 1944. The 1st Battalion landed on Sword Beach just before 09.00 on 6 June 1944 and was involved in attacking and taking the vital Hillman Fortress, one of the toughest German fortifications the allied troops faced.Codenamed 'Hillman' by the British it was headquarters to the German 736th Regiment, who had 150 men and officers stationed there. It was a fortified site with 18 underground concrete bunkers linked by a series of tunnels and trenches surrounded by Tobruk machine gun pits, barbed wire and minefields. The site is located 2.3 miles inland from Sword Beach next to the village of Colleville-Montgomery and was constructed by the Germans from 1942.With a commanding. panoramic view over Sword Beach, it was the control centre for the German defences in the area. The main bunker is four meters underground, had an armoured observation cupola and housed the command headquarters, signal centre, mess rooms and sleeping quarters.Not only was Hillman larger than expected, it was also unscathed. It was supposed to have been bombed and targeted by naval gunfire before the Suffolks got there, but that hadn't happened. Assaulting it was a daunting prospect. The first attack was made by A Company of the 1st Suffolks after engineers had cleared a path through the mines and barbed wire perimeter. However, the attack was beaten off.A second attack, this time with a softening up barrage from the Royal Artillery and tank support from the 13/18 Hussars, finally overran the site by 20:15, except for two command bunkers which proved impenetrable. Even their cupolas and armour bounced anti-tank rounds from the Hussars' Sherman Firefly 17-pounder guns. Holed up inside the bunkers were 70 German troops, who spent an anxious night surrounded by enemy forces before Colonel Krug led them out to surrender in the morning.On 28 June 1944 the Regiment attacked the Chateau de la Londe and whilst they achieved their objective it came at a heavy loss of 161 men killed, wounded or missing, including Bradley. At the fall of the Chateau and its surrounding defences war correspondents described it as 'the bloodiest square mile in the whole of Normandy.'Donald is buried at the La Delivrande War Cemetery, Normandy, France.A documentary film 'The Bloodiest Square Mile' was produced as a tribute to all the Veterans of the 1st Battalion the Suffolk Regiment who fought in Normandy in 1944: thebloodiestsquaremile.comThe Imperial War Museum also has a short film dedicated to the men of the 1st Suffolk Regiment: www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/1060019494… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:The first three digits of the service number on the I.G.S.M. officially corrected’
Lot 314
The 1944 submariner's 'Far East' D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Stoker R. J. Phebey, Royal Navy, who had previously been 'mentioned' in 1943 for his services during Eastern Mediterranean war patrols in H.M.S. TaurusTaurus served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East during the Second World War, sinking several Japanese merchant vessels including the Japanese submarine I 34 and later damaging Japanese submarine I 37Phebey had previously served on the mine-laying submarine Rorqual, the first submarine to carry supplies to the beleaguered island of MaltaDistinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ch.Sto. R.J. Phebey P/KX 80408); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45 with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, very fine (7)D.S.M. London Gazette 25 July 1944, the original citation states:'For daring, endurance and resource in the conduct of hazardous and successful operations in His Majesty's Submarines against the enemy.'M.I.D. London Gazette 19 October 1943.Richard John Phebey was born at Richmond, Surrey on 10 September 1910, the son of Richard and Maud Phebey. Educated at the Vineyard School, Richmond he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd class on 5 August 1930 and was posted to the submarine base Dolphin on 13 March 1934. He was mostly shore based at submarine depots until 25 May 1939 when as Stoker Petty Officer he was posted to the mine laying submarine Rorqual.Rorqual - Mission Malta - Magic Carpet RunsSent to the Mediterranean in 1940, Rorqual began laying minefields and attacking enemy shipping. Amongst the shipping vessels lost to mines laid by Rorqual were the Italian merchants Loasso, Celio, Leopardi, and Salpi; the Italian Navy water tankers Verde and Ticino; the Italian pilot vessel F 34 / Rina Croce, the Italian torpedo boats Calipso, Fratelli Cairoli, Generale Antonio Chinotto, Altair and Aldebaran; the Italian auxiliary submarine chaser AS 99 Zuri, the German troop transport Ankara; the French merchant (in German service), P.L.M. 24; and the French fishing vessel Coligny. The Italian merchants Caffaro, Ischia and the brand-new Italian merchant Carbonello A. were damaged by mines laid by Rorqual. Rorqual was also active in attacking enemy shipping herself, torpedoing and sinking the Italian tanker, Laura Corrado; the Italian submarine Pier Capponi; the Italian merchants Cilicia and Monstella; the German tanker Wilhemsburg and the French merchant (in German service) Nantaise. Rorqual's torpedoes also damaged the Italian auxiliary cruiser Piero Foscari, unsuccessfully attacked an Italian submarine and the Italian merchant Securitas and sunk two Greek sailing vessels with gunfire.In August 1940 she attacked an Italian convoy, missing the Italian merchants Verace and Doris Ursino with torpedoes. Following this failed attack Rorqual was heavily depth charged by the Italian torpedo boat Generale Achille Papa.In January 1941 Rorqual attacked the tug Ursus and a floating battery mounted on a lighter. The lighter could not be torpedoed, as she was of too shallow draught for the normal depth setting of the torpedoes, and the only other weapon the Rorqual had was her single 4-inch gun. Rorqual surfaced at about 500 yards range. Her opening attack hit the Ursus and damaged the battery. Heavy fire from the damaged tug forced Rorqual to shift her fire from the battery and engage the Ursus again, forcing her crew to abandon her. Though badly damaged, the floating battery opened fire and forced the Rorqual to dive. She then fired a torpedo set to run on the surface, only to find that the torpedo developed a gyro failure and returned on its own tracks. Rorqual had to dive deep to avoid it. When last seen, the Ursus was sinking and the battery was on fire. The battery however did not sink and was later towed to Dubrovnik. Due to her large size and space within the mine casing, Rorqual was well suited to carrying stores and in June 1941, after loading at Alexandria, became the first submarine to carry supplies to the beleaguered island of Malta. In all she performed, at considerable risk to the submarine, 5 storing runs to Malta in 1941 from Alexandria and in 1942 from Beirut. These were known as "magic carpet runs".Phebey remaining in 'the silent service' was next posted to the T Class submarine Taurus (P 339) on 9 June 1942 shortly before her official launch on 27 June 1942.Taurus - an eventful period of serviceShe served in the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East during the Second World War. Whilst serving in the Mediterranean, she sank the small French merchant Clairette, the Spanish merchant Bartolo, the Italian merchant Derna, the French tug Ghrib and two barges, the Portuguese Santa Irene, the small Italian tanker Alcione C., the Italian sailing vessel Luigi, twenty-eight Greek sailing vessels, and the small Greek ship Romano. She also damaged a further two sailing ships and the Greek merchant Konstantinos Louloudis. It was during this period off the Greek coast she had the unusual distinction of engaging a Bulgarian cavalry unit while bombarding a small port. Phebey received a 'Mention' for his service aboard her during her Eastern Mediterranean war patrols.Taurus transferred to the Far East on 9 September 1943 where she sank the Japanese submarine I 34 10 miles off Penang Island. On 11 January 1944 she joined the 14th Submarine Flotilla to operate against the Japanese in the Malacca Straits and west coast of Thailand where she sank two Japanese tugboats, a barge and the Japanese salvage vessel Hokuan I-Go. She also laid a number of mines, which damaged the Japanese submarine I-37 and sank the Japanese transport ship Kasumi Maru. Phebey was richly rewarded with the D.S.M. for the period January to April 1944 which was presented by the King on 17 October 1944.On 10 August 1945 he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. In an email which accompanies the group, Phebey's son confirms that his father lost his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal following a motorbike accident in 1956.Subsequent careerThe war over, Phebey undertook instructor roles within the service initially with Elfin and later several spells on Trenchant being discharged on 24 July 1956. Leaving the Navy Phebey worked initially for Johnson & Johnson at Hilsea before becoming a Royal Park warden at Richmond Park. His last role was as a boiler man at Stowe school.Phebey died at Aylesbury in November 1988; sold together with an extensive archive of copied research including his copied service papers, copy patrol reports for Taurus, 6 November 1943 to 27 April 1944 and the book 'Dark Seas Above' by J.F. Gibson.…
Lot 85
A rare campaign group of four awarded to Engine Room Artificer Class I H. T. Johnson, Royal Navy, who was taken prisoner of war with H.M.S. Seal, the only British submarine surrendered to the enemy during the Second World WarInterned at Marlag Camp he joined several others - including 'Tubby' Lister of Colditz fame - in digging an escape tunnel: Johnson actually made it out of the camp but was re-captured soon after1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (M.36487 H.T. Johnson. E.A.1. H.M.S. Pembroke.), some polishing and contact marks, overall very fine (4)Henry Thomas Johnson was born at Sheerness on 4 May 1900, the son of Thomas and Florence Johnson of 67 Richmond Street, Marine Town, Sheerness. Joining the Royal Air Force as a Flying Cadet on 15 July 1918 he received no medal entitlement with them. Instead he enlisted with the Royal Navy on 4 May 1923 as Engine Room Artificer Class IV with his R.A.F. service of 176 days being carried towards his pension.Joining at Vernon on 4 May 1922 his first service afloat was with the light cruiser H.M.S. Dunedin on 19 May 1922. Appointed Engine Room Artificer Class II with Cumberland on 4 May 1928 and further advanced Engine Room Artificer Class I whilst ashore on 4 May 1933. Johnson transferred to submarine service with Dolphine on 9 June and served with a number of vessels throughout the late 30s.He was posted to the crew of Seal on 1 January 1939 not long after she was launched. This Grampus-class mine-laying submarine carried a compliment of 60 men and 50 mines as well as torpedoes and a 4-inch deck gun. When the Second World War broke out Seal was enroute to China however she was detained at Aden and launched several patrols in the area.Returning to Britain they were patrolling Norwegian waters when Germany invaded and infiltrated Stavangerfjord entering the port of Stavanger. Despite the boldness of the operation it produced few results as the harbour contained no German craft with a deep enough draft to attack with torpedoes. She returned to Britain for a brief refit before setting off back to Norway to undertake Operation DF 7.They set out of for the Kattegat Sea between Norway, Denmark and Sweden, on 29 April 1940. She had a narrow escape from a Heinkel seaplane but reached the area of operations in good time and completed her mission. As they turned for home they discovered a flotilla of anti-submarine patrol ships ahead of them, with armed trawlers behind them as well. Diving to avoid the enemy the submarine was unable to run deep owning to the shallow depth of the Kattegat Sea, instead they undertook a zig-zag pattern before settling at the bottom of the sea.Tragically they had entered a minefield and the cable from one of the mines had become caught on one of Seal's hydroplanes. The mine was pulled into the ship and detonated against the hull, causing serious damage. When the dust had settled the situation was grim, the boat had shifted ten degrees upwards due to the amount of water they had taken on, however the enemy warships had failed to notice the explosion and they left the area.Repeated attempts were made to surface as soon as it was safe however all failed, eventually they dropped their 'drop keel', making it impossible for them to dive again if they made the surface. The pressure of the situation, combined with the worsening quality of the air caused a great deal of pressure all around, Johnson however was not one to be put out by stress, as is made clear in Will Not We Fear which states:'Throughout the boat men were apathetically accepting the inevitability of death. There really seemed to be nothing left, no other possibility to be worth while trying. And in these circumstances there could be recourse only to humour and to idiosyncrasy and to routine.The petty officers' mess was the scene of a surprising amount of activity. Electrical Artificer Johnstone [SIC] began removing first the sleeves and then the trousers of his overall suit. "What the hell are you doing, Johnno?" he was asked. "Changing into my Number Ones," he replied. And as soon as he had laboriously dressed himself in his best suit he hoisted himself into his bunk and relaxed… and wait'Eventually after over a day beneath the waves they managed to refloat Seal, the crew were exhausted and light headed after the stress and oxygen depravation of the day. Making for Swedish waters the submarine came under attack by German aircraft, at this moment one of their engines failed, leaving them becalmed. The two Lewis guns they brought to the deck for protection both jammed and- under increasingly accurate fire- they were forced to surrender.Seal was the only British Submarine to strike her colours during the war, her crew were taken initially to Stalag XXA, Thorn. Soon afterwards a new camp was completed for Naval personnel called Marlag XB, attached to Stalag 10B. From there they were transferred again to Marlag und Milag Nord, here Johnson was involved in an escape attempt, as outlined in Fatal Ascent:'Lister and Johnson, Seal ratings, with Hammond of the submarine Shark and eleven others, including Lt. Trevor Beet, participated in a tunnel escape from Marlag at Sandbostel. Once they were on the outside, everybody split up, but they did not get very far before they were nabbed by guards.'His two companions, Lister and Hammond, were taken to Colditz as a result of their attempt however Johnson seems to have remained at Marlag und Milag Nord.'"After Tubby Lister and his pal Johnson got caught," commented Mickey Reynolds, "there was hell to pay, but we didn't mind, as we knew we were doing our little bit to keep Jerry occupied." Usually, the escapers and helpers were put in solitary confinement with bread and water for a few days following the Geneva Convention.'(IBID)Johnson was repatriated on 19 May 1945 and discharged to the reserve that same year. He served in the Sheerness Dockyard Smithy and lived at "Dunedin", 9 Century Road, Rainham. Johnson died at Kent County Hospital, Chatham in 1976; sold together with a copy of Fatal Ascent and Will Not We Fear along with copied service papers.…
Lot 349
A 'Mesopotamia 1917' D.C.M. group of four to Private A. H. Price, North Staffordshire Regiment,Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (8586 Pte A. H. Price. 7/N. Staff: R.); 1914-15 Star (11575 Pte A. H. Price. N. Staff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (11575 Pte. A. H. Price. N. Staff. R.), mounted as worn, light contact marks and polishing, otherwise very fine (4)D.C.M. London Gazette 29 August 1917, the original recommendation states:'For conspicuous gallantry in action. Being the only man left of a gun team except the No.1, he kept the gun supplied with ammunition all day. He was the last to leave the enemy's trench, bringing back the gun and tripod.'Albert H. Price is noted upon his M.I.C. as entering the war at Gallipoli prior to 1 January 1916, serving with the 7th Battalion of the North Staffordshire Regiment. This unit left Avonmouth on 19 June 1915 first landing in Alexandria before moving to Mudros.They landed on Cape Helles between 6-16 July 1915 to relieve the 29th Division, returning to Mudros at the end of July. The entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3-5 August 1915 and were in action at the Battle of Sari Bair, Russell's Top and Hill 60. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay, remaining there until the sector was evacuated on 19-20 December 1915. They moved to the Helles bridgehead having been rested for a week. They were then in action during the last Turkish attacks at Helles on 7 January 1916 and were evacuated between 8-9 January.The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. Posted to Mesopotamia on 12 February 1916, they joined the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. Joining Tigris Corps on 27 March they were in action in the unsuccessful attempts to relieve Kut and the Battle of Kut al Amara. They saw further fighting at the capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and the Passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad.Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad when it fell on 11 March 1917; it was around this time that Price received his award. The Division then joined 'Marshall's Column' and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the Adhaim on 18 April and engaging again at Shatt al Adhaim. Later in the year they were twice action at Jabal Hamrin and at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By 28 May 1918 the Divisional Headquarters had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures. The 39th Brigade was detached and joined the North Persia Force in July 1918 which was in Transcaspia, Russia by October 1918.Sold together with a card mounted studio photograph of him in uniform with two other colleagues - his D.C.M. riband clearly visible - the photograph taken by a studio 'George' in Baku, the reverse of this marked in coloured pencil 'From Albert To Mrs E. Price, 80 Copland St, Stoke, Staff, England'; together with a further photograph of him with young recruits c.1922/24 wearing the mounted group sold here.…
Lot 338
The remarkable Great War D.S.O., 'Attack on Pomereuil' Second Award Bar group of four awarded to Major D. Murray, 21nd Battalion (6th City), Manchester Regiment, who was wounded in action at High Wood during the Battle of the Somme and further 'mentioned' three timesDistinguished Service Order, with Second Award Bar, silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Capt. D. Murray. Manch. R.); British War and Victory Medals (Major D. Murray.), mounted court style for wear, sold together with an Exeter College Boat Club Medal engraved 'Meade Fours 1885', light enamel damage to first, overall good very fine (4)D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1919.Second Award Bar London Gazette 2 April 1919, the original citation states:'In the absence of his commanding officer he commanded his battalion throughout the operations from 22nd October to 28th October, 1918. In the attack on Pommereuil on 23rd October, when, owing to darkness and mist, units had lost direction and became intermixed, he went forward and reorganised the attack, which was then entirely successful. He showed great courage and ability to command.'Donald Murray born at Stoke Newington on 10 March 1880, the son of Robert and Ellen Murray of Hackney. His father was an agent in the sale of cotton and wool, acting on his own account, a position which Robert had joined by 1911. One the outbreak of the Great War he applied for a commission and succeeded, being Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 25 January 1915 with the 22nd Battalion (7th City), Manchester Regiment, a Pals Battalion.Promoted Lieutenant on 1 March 1915 and further advanced Captain on 1 April, he entered the war on 11 November 1915 in command of 'B' Company. It is indicative of the style in which the Pals Battalions were run that Murray served with his brother David Stanley Murray during the Battle of the Somme.Remarkably he survived the carnage of the First Day of the Somme which saw 18 officers of the Regiment become casualties - including ten killed. Unfortunately that battle was just the start of the carnage and when the Battalion was posted to High Wood in support of the South Staffordshire Regiment on 15 July Murray was wounded in action. He was evacuated to Britain and did not re-join his Battalion until July 1917.Murray re-joined the Battalion when they were transferred to the Italian front in November. At some stage he was transferred to the 21st Battalion (6th City), Manchester Regiment as Second-in-Command. They saw heavy action there but returned to France on 13 September 1918, joining the 25th Division near Canchy.The Officer Commanding the Battalion was not present for some time between September and October during the which time Murray commanded the unit. His narrative of Operations from 19-24 October includes the action for which he won the D.S.O., it states:'Advanced commenced at zero hour. Owing to heavy enemy gas shelling and ground mist great difficulty was experienced in keeping touch and direction, with the result that the progress of the attack was for a long time uncertain.(Captain J. R. Miller M.C.) on Right) reported attack held up owning to a large amount of wite and very heavy enemy machine gun fire.Objective reported taken with assistance of a tank. This report was found to be an error as line was subsequently discovered to be from 200-300 yards short of objective. Consolidation took place on this line.Patrols sent out to obtain touch on left and right.Touch obtained with 6th Division on Right. Orders received to form defensive flank-right Divisions boundary L.33.d.5.3. to L.28.d.3.2.Defensive flank completed.Orders received to withdraw troops to Pomereuil'.'Murray died in October 1951 at Marylebone, his brother also survived the war, dying in 1941; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 321
The unusual and impressive 'Inter-War' K.C.V.O., 'County of London' K.B., 'Great War' C.B.E., O. St. J., Legion of Honour group of eight awarded to Sir C. B. Levita, Royal Horse Artillery, who earned a further 'mention' during the Boer War and commanded the Royal Horse Artillery detachment during the funeral of Queen Victoria, marching alongside the Royal coffinHis remarkable career was overshadowed when he was dragged into a slander case regarding the supposed haunting of the Dalby Farmhouse - a bizarre episode recently brought to film in Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose- Levita was successfully sued for expressing his forthright opinion about the supposed hauntingThe Royal Victorian Order, Knight Commander’s (K.C.V.O.) set of Insignia, comprising neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘K543’; breast Star, silver, silver-gilt and enamel, with gold pin, the reverse officially numbered, ‘543’; Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 2nd Type breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarks for London 1933, enamel damaged and gilding worn; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander’s (C.B.E.), 1st Type neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse contemporarily engraved 'Liet Colonel Cecil B. Levita 1919', with neck cravat in Garrard, London case of issue, which is lacking internal pad; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Commander’s neck Badge, silver and enamel, in fitted case of issue; British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Lieut. C. B. Levita, R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (Major C. B. Levita, M.V.O., R.F.A.); Jubilee 1897, silver (Lieut. C. B. Levita, R.H.A.); France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Commander’s neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck cravat, minor contact marks and enamel damage, overall very fine (8)One of only 2 B.S.A.C. medals for Rhodesia issued to the Royal Artillery.K.C.V.O. London Gazette 1 January 1932.K.B. London Gazette 1 March 1929.C.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.O. St. J. London Gazette 24 June 1930.Cecil Bingham Levita was born in Manchester on 18 January 1867, the son of Emile and Catherine Levita. He came from a prestigious family of Jewish bankers and scholars related to Elijah Levita, author of Bovo-Bukh. Levita's father was a German-born Banker who emigrated to Manchester whose remarkable career saw him become Director of The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China, later the Standard Chartered Bank. His mother was the relative of Admiral James Plumridge and was herself a member of the Ree family, a Danish-Jewish family who had created an important shipping business in Denmark.Service in Africa and Queen Victoria's FuneralThe young Levita studied at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commissioned Lieutenant on 24 July 1886. Serving in the Matabele conflict in 1896 with that rank, he was one of only two members of the Royal Artillery to be entitled to the Rhodesia 1896 reverse medal for that war.Levita was later appointed to the Staff of Lieutenant-General Sir Baker Russell as an Aide-de-Camp and Special Service Officer. In this position he was part of the Relief of Ladysmith, including action at Colenso, the operations of 17-24 January 1900, and engagement at Spion Kop, as well as the actions of 5-7 February 1900, the engagement at Vaal Krantz, fighting on the Tugela Heights, and the action at Pieter's Hill. Levita was appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General for the 5th Division, Natal Field Force and was 'mentioned' for his work in this role (London Gazette 8 February 1901 refers).Promoted to Captain on 1 November 1900 and given command of 'N' Battery Royal Horse Artillery, he was an officer commanding the Royal Horse Artillery at the funeral of Queen Victoria. We know the details of this last service due to a letter he wrote to The Times in 1936. Levita mentions posting his battery to the Long Walk for the 81-gun salute and preparing the carriage for the procession, however a disaster occurred at the final moment, his states:'When the Royal coffin, weighing about 9cwt., had been placed on the carriage, drums began muffled rolls, which reverberated under the station roof, and the cortege started. Actually, when the horses took the weight, the eyelet hole on the splinter bar, to which the off-wheel trace was hooked, broke. The point of the trace struck the wheeler with some violence inside the hock, and naturally the horse plunged. A very short time would have been required to improvise an attachment to the gun-carriage. However, when the wheelers were unhooked the naval detachment promptly and gallantly seized drag ropes and started off with the load. The "gun-carriage" had been specially provided from Woolwich and was fitted with rubber tyres and other gadgets. This was due to Queen Victoria's instructions after seeing a veritable gun-carriage in use at the Duke of Albany's funeral, as also was the prohibition of the use of black horses. On February 4, in compliance with the command of King Edward, I conveyed the royal coffin, on another carriage, from Windsor to the Royal Mausoleum at Frogmore by means of the same detachment of men and horses. I may add that a few days later King Edward told me that no blame for the contretemps attached to the Royal Horse Artillery by reason of the faulty material that had been supplied to them.'The Great WarAppointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order for his service during the funeral Levita was further promoted Major on 5 January 1902. He remained in service for some time but retired in October 1909, standing for Parliament the next year for St. Ives, Cornwall in 1910 but was unsuccessful. The next year, however, he was successfully elected to the London County Council as a Municipal Reformer, later returning to military service with the Reserve of Officers on the outbreak of the Great War. Appointed an embarkation officer in 1914 he was later transferred to become General Staff Officer Grade III on 22 February 1915.Levita was advanced G.S.O. Grade II on 22 September 1915 and the next month Grade I on 22 October. Promoted Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 March 1917, his M.I.C. makes no note of any medals being issued for this service. However, it does state that he was serving at 'Port: No 1 Southampton'. After the end of the war Levita was appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire as a reward for his services.Politics, Libel and a Talking MongooseLevita once again returned to politics, being appointed Deputy Lieutenant of the County of London and a J.P. in 1924, a role he would hold for some years. Later sitting as chairman on the housing committee and later as chairman of the London County Council from 1928-1929, his appointment as a Knight Batchelor derived from this role. The award of the French Legion of Honour also followed in 1929. One of his main areas of interest was the idea of film being used for educational uses, he was also the driving force behind the foundation of the King George Hospital, Ilford, this last being the reason for his advancement to the K.C.V.O.His interest in film proved to be his downfall however due to a forthright statement made in 1936 about Richard Stanton Lambert, who was working alongside Levita's wife in the British Film Institute. Lambert was the founding editor of The Listener, published by the B.B.C. and an influential man in the world of British broadcasting. Over a lunch with the Assistant Controller of Programmes at th…
Lot 366
The 'Capture of the Canale Bianca 1945' M.M. group of six awarded to Lance Corporal J. Holton, 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who charged forward under heavy fire and swept a Bridge with his Bren gun, allowing the rest of his unit to capture the vital crossing point even as it was rigged for demolitionMilitary Medal, G.VI.R. (3976638. L/Cpl. J. Holton. R. Fus.), the number officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, slight contact marks, very fine (6)M.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945, the original recommendation states:'L/C. Holton has been conspicuous in his conduct in action during the period of the battles of the month of April.On one occasion, when a Fusiliers, L/C. Holton was moving in a section when it came under fire from a strong enemy position on the North bank of the CANALE BIANCA.Although the enemy fire from the North bank was intense and without waiting for orders L/C. Holton ran forward with his bren gun and despite snipers and Spandau fire brought such effective fire to bear on the enemy dug-in positions on the bank that his section were able to storm across and capture intact a vulnerable bridge prepared for demolition and also take the enemy position from the rear.During the whole of this engagement L/C. Holton lay in an exposed position on the floodbank and continued firing his bren gun until all his ammunition was exhausted.This is only one of many instances in which L/C. Holton has shown great gallantry and courage under heavy fire. Since he joined the Bn in January 1944 he has by his devotion to duty been an example and inspiration to his comrades.'Note the Battalion received 33 M.M.s during the Campaign in Italy.John Holton served with the Battalion in North Africa where they were in action for the first time in Tunisia at Enfidaville. They were present for the Salerno Landings and suffered severe losses at Battipaglia, afterwards they were present at the Second Battle of Monte Camino and the crossing of the River Garigliano.In action again during the breaking of the Gothic Line they finished the war in Italy, with Holton winning his award for gallantry during the final pushes of the campaign, most notably the capture of the Canale Bianca. His medals were sent to him at 42 Wellcrope Close, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 367
A very fine Korean War M.M. group of three awarded to Corporal A. Talbot, 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light InfantryA Regular soldier who shared in 'every action' in which his unit shared - including Operation 'Commando' in October 1951 - he won his M.M. for his gallantry during a fighting patrol when his Officer was severely wounded in the act of destroying an enemy bunker; Talbot sprung to action and assumed command of the Cover Party, saving the life of the stricken Subaltern by dressing his wounds and bringing down effective artillery fire to allow their coming out under a heavy hail of fire - he would go up to Buckingham Palace in March 1953 to receive his M.M. from the hands of The QueenMilitary Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (19043240 A. Cpl. A. Talbot. K.S.L.I.), minor official correction to surname; Korea 1950-53 (19043240 Cpl. A. Talbot. K.S.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, good very fine (3)M.M. London Gazette 10 October 1952. The original recommendation - from Lieutenant-Colonel Barlow D.S.O., O.B.E., CO 1KSLI and dated 6 June 1952 - states:'Cpl Talbot has been a Rifle Section Commander in "B" Company 1 KSLI for the past thirteen months.Throughout this period he has demonstrated the highest qualities of a junior NCO. Loyal, sturdy in action, and determined to carry out his orders, he has participated in every action in which the Battalion has been involved.In particular on the night of the 29th January, Cpl Talbot was second in command of a fighting patrol, which was ordered to destroy an enemy occupied bunker.The bunker was located approximately 1,200 yards from the Company position. The patrol commander, 2/Lt Whybrow, dropped off a covering party 200 yards from his objective. Cpl Talbot was left in command of the covering party, consisting of himself, a wireless operator, and a bren group. On entering the bunker, 2/Lt Whybrow was seriously wounded and he ordered his patrol to leave him and return to the Company positions. Cpl Talbot then took command of the patrol and acted with great coolness. He passed an accurate account of the situation to Company HQ, which enabled artillery fire to be brought down to cover the withdrawal of the patrol. He then proceeded forward to the objective and moved 2/Lt Whybrow into dead ground, where he dressed his wounds and stopped him bleeding. He then ordered the party, carrying 2/Lt Whybrow back across no mans land, to the foot of the Company position. He moved his party back by bounds and kept Company HQ informed of his movements thus enabling artillery fire to be placed. This undoubtedly stopped the enemy from following up the patrol. 2/Lt Whybrow's life was saved and further casualties were inflicted on this patrol.This young NCO has over a long period commanded his section with skill and bravery and his devotion to duty merits recognition.'Alfred Talbot was born in November 1922 and was a native of East Garforth, near Leeds, West Yorkshire. Having been exempted from service during the Second World War as he was a farm labourer at Manor Farm, Garforth, he joined the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry as a Regular in 1947. He was transferred to the King's Shropshire Light Infantry at Hong Kong for the Korean War. The Battalion was then sent to Korea on 13 May to take over from the Middlesex Regiment.Operation CommandoThe object was for the K.O.S.B. to capture Point 355, with the K.S.L.I. supporting the left flank, with Centurion tanks from A Squadron, 8 Hussars being available as and when required. Early on 3 October 1951, D Company attacked and occupied Point 208. B Company - with Talbot to the fore - then passed through to occupy the next hill, incurring six wounded. C Company pushed through and attacked a spur; supported by fire from B Company they captured the position with two killed and seven more wounded.These positions were consolidated and held overnight. As dawn broke on 4 October, D Company went forward with tanks following on behind. The Company was to attack Point 210. As they moved forward they came under sustained fire from a heavy Chinese Machine Gun (M.G.). A Bren was sent to a suitable feature and engage the M.G., with the words "go and find it and get rid of it." With four magazines in his pouches, Lance-Corporal Norton (who won an M.M.) set off on the right flank looking for the enemy position. As he was getting into cover he was wounded by a ricochet in his left thigh. Ignoring his wound he engaged the M.G. and successfully knocked it out; it was later found to have been manned by three Chinese. This gun is now on display at the K.S.L.I. Museum. Whybrow noted the part he and Talbot would have played:''D' Company passed through with tank support and Andrew and I tackled the twin features comprising Pt 210. A bayonet charge in true story book style resulted in 10 Chinese dead and 12 Prisoners. Three of my chaps were hit. Platoon displayed guts and determination.'The following months saw the unit throw off numerous 'human wave' attacks from the enemy in order to hold their ground. It was to be that 'Hill 227' was added to the Battle Honours, much like 'Hill 355 ' for the K.O.S.B.Fighting patrol - M.M.The events which saw Talbot take his M.M., along with Whybrow losing his leg below the knee - and an M.C. for his troubles - are well described in the official citation. However, Dawney Bancroft wrote to the family of Whybrow after the events:'Pte Tearney was the man who endeavoured to cover John into the bunker. The entrance being so narrow this proved impossible. When John was hit, he pulled him out and threw him clear of further bullets. Tearney then sent [one of the brew-up group] to Cpl. Talbot, who was covering them with a machine gun [Bren at Bd. 3].Pte Bennett, the wireless operator, then got straight on to me and gave me exact details of the situation. His coolness and prompt action enabled me to take charge and cover the patrol back by boxing off the area with fire from various weapons.This probably prevented the enemy from following up. Cpl Talbot took charge of the withdrawal, which he did magnificently. Once they got him [John] into dead ground, he placed first field dressings on his wounds, which stopped the flow of blood and then wasted no time in getting him back to me. I couldn't have wished fora better conducted withdrawal. They worked as a first class patrol should do.Most praise must go to Cpl Talbot, and to Ptes Bennet and Teamey. (...) You will be glad to hear that John's old platoon hit back [later] with good measure to the score of 7-0. It has done their morale an enormous lot of good as they were a sad-faced lot for some days after John left.'Talbot would sail home in September 1952 and was to be re-united with Whybrow in March 1953 in order to be presented his richly-deserved G.VI.R. M.M. from the hands of The Queen at Buckingham Palace. It is fitting it bears his effigy, having been earned on 29 January 1952, just a few days before the passing of King George VI at Sandringham on 6 February 1952.Talbot was married for the first time at Garforth in August 1953. He died, having re-married, in Lincolnshire in January 1997; sold together with copied research, newspaper cuttings including portrait photograph and John Whybrow's Korea 1951-52 - Some personal impressions.…
Lot 313
The rare 'H.M.Y. Helga, Irish Sea 1918' D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Deck Hand E. E. Duff, Royal Navy and Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, who was in charge of Helga's gun when she was credited with sinking a German submarineDespite her Irish heritage, Helga was commandeered by the Admiralty in March 1915 and later used by the Royal Navy to shell Liberty Hall in Dublin from the River Liffey with her pair of 12-pounder naval guns during the Easter Rising of 1916Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Ldg. Dk. Hd. E. E. Duff, (A.P.) H.M.Y. Helga. Irish Sea 4. Apl 1918); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (210674. E.E. Duff, Lg. Sea. H.M.S. Highflyer.); 1914-15 Star (E.E. Duff, A.B. M.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (E.E. Duff. D.H. M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Ernest. E. Duff), good very fine (6)D.S.M. London Gazette 29 November 1918, the original citation states:'HMY Helga attack on enemy Irish Sea 4 April 1918. In charge of gun when HMY Helga sank an enemy submarine.'Ernest Edwin Duff was born at Deal, Kent on 12 April 1885. A telegraph boy, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 12 April 1903. A succession of shore and sea-based appointments followed and on 21 February 1911 he was drafted to Highflyer, serving aboard her until 29 May 1913. Later that same year he was invalided from the service with myopia on 9 October.Duff married Kathleen Power in Dublin in September 1916 and despite his disability enrolled in the Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, joining H.M.Y. Helga for service during the Great War.1916 Easter UprisingChris Shouldice takes up the story in his online article 'The Captain's Table':'HMY Helga is infamously known for its role in shelling Dublin during the 1916 Rising but before she was pressed into war service, she had a far more benign profession as a protection cruiser and research vessel for the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Built in the Liffey Dockyard in Dublin in 1908 and originally named the Helga II, her purpose was to engage in fishery patrols, monitoring the coast for any illegal fishing activity. She was also equipped with a laboratory for marine research and took part in research projects like the survey of Clare Island in 1909.As the British found themselves in an unexpectedly lengthening war in Europe, she was taken over by the Admiralty in 1915 for military purposes as an armed auxiliary patrol yacht. She was renamed the HMY Helga and served as an anti-submarine patrol vessel and an armed escort.It was however in Ireland during the 1916 Rising that the Helga's most notable acts occurred. The Helga was summoned by British forces to the capital to use artillery to root out Irish Volunteers. On the 26th of April 1916, positioned on the Liffey, she raised her 12-pound artillery guns over the Loop Line railway bridge and fired at her first target Liberty Hall, the headquarters of the Citizen Army. Her shots were less than accurate, and her shells destroyed much of the surrounding buildings and beyond. She also targeted the GPO and Bolland Mills which Eamon De Valera had occupied.1918 rescuing survivors from R.M.S. Leinster.In 1918, she successful sank a German U-Boat Submarine off the coast of the Isle of Man. This was the Helga's first and sole confirmed sinking during the war. However, the presence of U-boats continued to be a real threat to the merchant and passenger vessels in the Irish Sea.In 1917, the Germans began placing their U-boats in the Approaches, the name given to the region near the entrance and exit to the Irish Sea. This was an attempt to stifle the British attempts at Trans-Atlantic trade. The RMS Leinster was typical of their targets, a passenger ship which, along with three other sister ships, made daily crossings from Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) to Holyhead. Known for its exceptional speed, the RMS Leinster held a place of pride in Irish eyes, as it was seen to be their representative in the commercial competition over the Irish Sea. The Leinster along with its sister ships, had won the tender for the Royal Mail delivery from Ireland to the British mainland. While it provided valuable employment to the people of Kingstown and Holyhead in Wales, the requirements of this contract were strict. There was a stipulation that the post collected in Dublin had to be delivered to the mainland the following day. This meant that the RMS Leinster ran daily, and on-time no matter the circumstances.On the morning of the 9th of October (1918), the RMS Leinster set out from Dun Laoghaire, filled to capacity, for what was to be its final voyage. Despite the U-boat warnings, that morning was no different, the war had been in action for four years, and the crossings were routinely unprotected. Furthermore, the level of censorship which the British government exercised over the press meant that many civilians were largely unaware of the danger that awaited them. Lurking under the waters off Kish Island was U-boat 123, which had already sunk two boats since it left Germany days earlier. At 09:45, the first torpedo was fired, shooting past the brow of the Leinster. The second was a direct hit, and a third torpedo sunk the entire vessel.Coaling, or refuelling, that same morning in Dublin was HMY Helga, the same ship which had been shelling the city two and a half years earlier. That day however, the Helga succeeded in being first on the scene of the Leinster sinking, and managed reach it just in time to rescue approximately 90 passengers, though there is some confusion as to the exact number. These passengers were not returned to Kingstown but disembarked in Wales. Due the controls on wartime press, the British government were keen to keep any such disasters out of the public eye'.Duff died on 11 November 1935 at Dover, at the time he was employed on the Trinity House Pilot Cutter, S.S. Prudence. (The Dover Express of 22 November 1935 refers).Sold together with his silver wound badge, this numbered B158828, a copy photo of Helga, a postcard of Highflyer, copy of Helga's ships log from the National Maritime Museum for 4-5 April 1918 and a copy of Irish Naval service.…
Lot 3
Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Java (Peter Lines.), mounted on card, contact marks and heavy edge bruising with some edge knocks, otherwise very fineProvenance:Spink, 1902.Peter Lines is confirmed upon the roll with entitlement to this medal and clasp for serving as an Ordinary Seaman aboard H.M.S. President during the British invasion of Java in 1811.H.M.S. President began its life as the French Gloire-class 40-gun frigate Président. She served in the French Navy only briefly, as she was completed in 1804 and was captured by Captain Edward Hawkins on Dispatch just two years later in August 1806. She was then converted at Plymouth and brought into the service of the Royal Navy under the anglified name 'President'. Her design served as the model for a number of Seringapatam-class frigates later built for the Royal Navy.She served first for a few years in South America before being brought under the command of Captain Samuel Warren in 1810, with her course set for the East Indies early in 1811. President was sent there to join the squadron of Vice-Admiral Robert Stopford in Java, where the British were attempting to capture the island from the French-occupied Netherlands.On 31 August, President along with three other frigates were ordered to capture the port city of Cirebon. Captain Warren was ordered to negotiate the town's surrender on 4 September. The whole island was surrendered to the British by Dutch General Janssens shortly afterwards on 18 September, and President sailed back home to England as an escort to Vice-Admiral Stopford; sold together with copied medal roll. 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.
Lot 347
The 1916 D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal H. W. Lane, Grenadier Guards, later 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Corps, a former footballer who served in France from the start of the war but was tragically killed in action on 30 March 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (15585 Pte H. W. Lane. 1/G.Gds:); 1914 Star (15585 Pte H. W. Lane. 1/G. Gds:); British War and Victory Medals (15585 A.Cpl. H. W. Lane. G.Gds.), good very fine (4)D.C.M. London Gazette 14 November 1916, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He led his machine gun team forward with great courage and determination, reaching the second objective. Later, he pushed on to the third objective and accounted for large numbers of the enemy.'Henry William Lane was born at Bristol and enlisted at Cardiff and entered the war in France on 8 November 1914 with the 1st Grenadier Guards. The unit saw fighting at the First Battle of Ypres before being involved in the bloody Battle of Neuve Chappelle in March 1915, a newspaper article written at the time quotes a letter Lane wrote to his family about the engagement stating:'Gloucester Grenadier at Neuve ChapellePte. Harry Lane, 1st Grandier Guards, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lane, Elmbridge road, Barnwood, writes under date March 15th as follows: "Well, we have been in a big action and thank God I got through all right. Sorry to say we lost heavily, but we beat the Huns, and got the position we fought for. You will have read about it by this time. The artillery fire was terrible, but the boys stuck it as they always do, and we have the devils more than they bargained for." Pte. Lane is an old footballer, and played for Barnwood and the City A Team.'A letter written by Major Christie R.A. in The Daily Mail adds:'The fighting about Ypres was of the most desperate description. It was there I saw the Guards go into action, and it was there, I may tell you, that these Regiments - the Coldstream Guards, the Grenadier Guards, and the Scots Guards - covered themselves with imperishable glory, and accomplished what I believe is held to be one of the finest military feats of the war.'Lane continued to serve with them until the formation of the Guards Machine Gun Corps on 1 March 1918. Posted to the 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Corps he was stationed with them when the unit was posted to the front to try and stem the German Spring Offensive. Thrown into the Battle of Saint-Quentin on 21 March they were still engaged on 30 March 1918 when Lane was killed in action. He is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux.Letter to his mother from a Lieutenant Commanding a gun team in his Company states:'I hope you will accept my heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your husband, Corporal Lane, who was in Charge of one of my guns teams when he was hit with some others in a deep dugout. He was killed instantaneously with five others by a fearfully unlucky shell which came straight down the mouth of the dugout.I am not saying it for the sake of talking but your husband was held in the highest esteem in this Company and for myself I was proud of having such a good soldier with me.'Sold together with original letters and cards, newspaper cuttings, two photographs and a Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery Register with Corporal Lane's details.…
Lot 205
THE COLONIALSAlbany RangersThe Albany and Grahamstown men are amongst the earliest volunteers under the British regime. In 1860, the Rangers - or Grahamstown Light Horse - had a dismounted detachment and a total strength of 150 men. The mounted men served in the War of 1877, under Captain Minto and on 11 March 1878 engaged the enemy, inflicting loses of 9 Gaikas killed.52 Medals were awarded to the Albany Rangers, 47 of them with the '1877-8' clasp.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (Corpl. S. Wood. Albany Rangers), good very fineSamuel Wood remained with the Rangers and was a Sergeant by the time the Medal roll was compiled in October 1880. As he was still serving, he would have shared in the Basuto Gun War of 1880-81.…
Lot 385
A fine Second World War Coastal Command D.F.C., D-Day airborne operations A.F.C. group of nine awarded to Wing Commander C. J. Mackenzie, Royal Air Force, late Auxiliary Air ForceHaving been credited with the destruction of a U-Boat in the Western Approaches piloting a Hudson of No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron in April 1942, he transferred to glider towing duties in Dakotas of No. 233 Squadron, in which he participated in Operations 'Tonga' & 'Market Garden'Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1942'; Air Force Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (Act. Sqn. Ldr. C. J. Mackenzie, R.A.F.); Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, together with embroidered R.A.F. uniform 'Wings', very fine or better (9)D.F.C. London Gazette 28 July 1942, the original recommendation states:'Flying Officer Mackenzie has been employed in an operational squadron since the outbreak of war and has completed over 400 hours operational flying in Anson, Blenheim, and Hudson aircraft, mainly on patrols to the enemy coast. He has at all times shown courage, determination, and devotion to duty of the highest order in carrying out any task allotted to him.On the 28 April 1942, he was captain and pilot of Hudson aircraft K/500 carrying out an A./S. patrol at 4,400 feet in the Western Approaches, when he sighted a U-boat on the surface eight miles away. He made full use of all available cloud cover and sun, and made a dive-bombing attack, pulling out at 60 to 70 feet and releasing four depth charges across the forward part of the still surfaced U-boat. The attack was almost certainly a successful one, the second charge exploding within 10 feet of the hull. The depth-charge attack was followed by a front and rear gun attack, the U-boat then disappearing from sight stern first, leaving a very large patch of frothy brown disturbed water behind.Flight Lieutenant Mackenzie exploited his sighting to the maximum and made a complete surprise attack. An award to this officer is recommended in the strongest terms, both for general good work since the outbreak of war and for this excellent attack on an enemy undersea raider.'A.F.C. London Gazette 1 September 1944, the original recommendation states:'Acting Squadron Leader Mackenzie has displayed exemplary zeal and devotion to duty as a flight commander. His untiring efforts, initiative and exceptional ability have been an inspiration to all with whom he has come into contact, and enabled the flight to reach the high standard of efficiency which led to the carrying out of its airborne operations on D-Day with unqualified success.'Charles John Mackenzie, born in India on 25 May 1915, was a pre-war member of the Auxiliary Air Force who was called up in August 1939 when he joined No. 500 (County of Kent) Squadron at R.A.F. Detling in the acting rank of Pilot Officer. Initially equipped with Ansons, the squadron converted to Blenheims in April 1941, and thence to Hudsons in November 1941.In March 1942, the squadron moved to R.A.F. Stornoway for patrols over the Atlantic and the approaches to the Clyde and the Irish Sea. On 28 April, whilst the captain and pilot of a Hudson, Mackenzie convincingly attacked an enemy U-boat in the Western Approaches, approximately 350 miles due west of the Outer Hebrides, an act of skill and gallantry which resulted in the award of his Distinguished Flying Cross.Operation 'Tonga'Advanced to Squadron Leader, Mackenzie next transferred to Transport Command and was posted to No. 233 Squadron at R.A.F. Blakehill Farm. And it was from here that he was charged with glider-towing operations for Operation 'Tonga' between 5-7 June 1944, delivering paratroopers and equipment for the 6th Airborne Division. According to the squadron's Operation Record Book (O.R.B.), it was 'given the envious choice of Drop Zone 'K' - the furthest inland.'Taking off at 23:14 hours on 5 June 1944, the squadron successfully dropped 407 paratroopers complete with kit bags and containers in an area north-west of Toufreville. The O.R.B. noted much light flak being encountered along the French coast and two Dakotas failed to return to base. Mackenzie's aircraft was among those damaged the following night, when he returned to Normandy for Operation 'Rob Roy One'. But the squadron's good work had not been in vain, for on the morning of 7 June it received the following message from Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh Mallory:'Will you please convey my heartiest congratulations to 46 Group on their magnificent performance in carrying over the 6th Airborne Division in the initial operation. The fact that so successful and difficult an operation has been carried out with such complete success in so short a time after the formation of the squadrons reflects highest credit on all concerned.'For his services as a flight commander in the run-up to the Normandy Landings, and for his work on D-Day itself, Mackenzie was recommended for and received the A.F.C.Operation 'Market Garden'The squadron's next mission was Operation 'Market Garden', when in order to facilitate the Second Army's advance through Holland, the 1st Airborne Division was to be landed at several landing zones in the vicinity of Arnhem to secure bridges over the River Rhine. On 17 September, with Mackenzie piloting one of 22 squadron Dakotas, No. 233 successfully released gliders that contained 309 troops, 18 handcarts, 15 motor cycles, 10 Jeeps, 11 trailers, 5 wireless set, 11 cycles, and 1 6-pounder anti-tank gun, without any loss. On the second day they repeated this feat, with 17 aircraft from the squadron towing gliders containing 84 troops, 15 Jeeps, 7 trailers, 8 6-pounder anti-tank guns, and 3 machine-guns, but the re-supply missions were less fortunate, and the squadron lost 5 aircraft over the next three days, losses recalled by the posthumous award of the V.C. to David Lord, another Dakota pilot.The R.A.F. Memorial Flight's C-47 Dakota is currently painted up to represent a No. 233 Squadron aircraft, as flown by the likes of Charles Mackenzie over Arnhem.With the war in Europe over, Mackenzie remained in the Royal Air Force, going out to South-East Asia later in the year. He was promoted Wing Commander in July 1954 and, having settled in Eastbourne on his retirement, died in February 1970.Sold with his original 'Notice of Calling Out', dated 23 August 1939, together with his original commission warrant for the rank of Pilot Officer, dated 17 May 1940, and several photographs.For his corresponding dress miniatures please see lot: 447.…
Lot 284
Stanger Mounted RiflesRaised in 1875, the S.M.R. survived until 1887 when the corps was amalgamated with the Victoria Mounted Rifles. A small contingent served with the Southern Force under Colonel Pearson at the start of the Zulu War in 1879, by which stage the men were equipped with Swinburne Henry rifles. This weapon, manufactured by the Abingdon Gun Works, traded upon its external similarity to the British service rifle but was in effect a patent circumvention with a different but more fragile action. Perhaps its only advantage was an external cocking lever, but it did at least take the standard Martini Henry cartridge thus simplifying supply.The unit was issued with just 55 Medals were awarded to the Stanger Mounted Rifles, all bar one of them with the '1879' clasp.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Sergt. Dingley. Stanger Md. Rifles.), ex-swivel mount, suspension re-affixed, thus fine…
Lot 341
An outstanding 'Trench Raid' M.C. group of eight awarded to 2nd Lieutenant J. F. Thoburn, 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, later Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Army Service CorpsThoburn was photographed alongside his comrades before going into action and also wrote at length regarding the action which won his decorationMilitary Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals (2. Lieut. J. F. Thoburn.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Decoration, Territorial, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1947', good very fine (8)M.C. London Gazette 11 January 1919:'When the enemy, in a determined counter-attack, gained a footing in our trenches this Officer led his men over the top and attacked those who had got through the wire, killing several, dispersing the remainder, and capturing a machine-gun and trench mortar. The confidence inspired in his men by his example restored a critical situation.'Jack Fancourt Thoburn enlisted into the Honourable Artillery Company on 17 April 1916 and served in France with the 3rd Company, 2nd Battalion (as No. 7455) from 18 November 1916. Sharing in the action at Bucquoy in February 1917, he was wounded in action. Thoburn was subsequently commissioned 2nd Lieutenant into the Rifle Brigade, serving with the 13th Battalion in France from March 1918. He earned his outstanding M.C. for his actions on 12-13 September, when a Trench Raid captured the enemy positions around Havrincourt Wood. Poison shells were sent down and a heavy counter came the following evening. Thoburn was photographed with his comrades before going into action and also wrote of his experiences:'I am off in an hour's time to the line, Captain Jenkins and Wallis are going with me for which I am awfully glad. We three are great chums. You know that since I have been a soldier I have passed through some awfully rough times and most trying experiences, especially in the earlier stages of the war, and I am by now pretty used to being knocked about : but going again into the thick of the fighting gives one a strange sensation - an indescribable feeling - going up to face death, but one must not think of that, the same Mighty Power that kept me all through those awful Somme battles, can still keep me. I'm just going to do my duty to the very best of my ability - my safety lies in Higher Hands. God knows what I have done in the last few days. I must tell you a little of what I have been doing, in myself I am quite fit, but very tired. My hands are cut up with innumerable cuts, my feet are shooting with pain from not taking my boots off for so long, but we are all in the same boat and are feeling quite happy. It is a lovely sunny day and quite warm, all our company officers are squatting outside our little dugout writing home.Now as some time has elapsed since these episodes, I think I can give you a few details of my adventures without in any way falling foul of my duties as a censor. One comes to my mind - We were leading the Company up, preparatory to "going over the top". Wood (the Coy Commander) and myself were trying to find our way in a wood, it was pitch dark. Wood went first and he suddenly disappeared, the next moment I followed him, falling about twenty feet through bushes, thorns and brambles. At the bottom I stumbled to my feet, breathless with the fall and choked with the gas from the shells that the Boches were firing around us. I heard Wood's voice for a moment and then I lost him - I got caught among the barbed wire - round and round I ploughed until I heard to my immense relief Davis' voice. We lay there together, our men just behind us waiting for the moment. Just like a cyclone it came, with one terrific roar our barrage breaks - then clear and distinct above the rumble of the guns came the sharp crack of the Machine guns - then over we went, and did some quick work. The prisoners came trooping up in groups. I came upon a party of young boys, they were terror stricken - up went their hands the moment they saw me and actually cried like babies. Two of our officers were killed, it was awfully hard luck, they were both such jolly good chaps, one of them was married. In consequence of their death, Hunter and I went to their company to help them and which meant we were very unfortunate, because we had to do the work of both companies. When "C" Coy was in, we were, and when "D" Coy was in, we were also, getting no respite from fighting.I enclose two ribbons - the black and white is the Iron Cross, the other ribbon is foreign, probably Turkish. I cut them from the tunic of a Boche Machine gunner - with his gun he held me up for some time doing a good deal of damage. He it was who killed our two officers, anyhow he was dead when I got up to him and these ribbons were his decorations; he was an intelligent looking fellow and looked quite peaceful in death.In one of the captured trenches we had a meal off German bread and sausage, the bread was damp, heavy and nearly black - the sausage reminded me of the German Mail and their uncooked dainties. Some tried the Boche wine, but the general verdict was that it was like methylated spirits. We found some good cigars and it was really amusing to see all our men swaggering about with cigars in their mouths. But there was more serious work ahead. The afternoon of the attack I had come off duty in the advance line and was lying down at Coy Headquarters - when there was a cry, "the Boches are coming", I sprang up and rushing along by a way that I know, gained the front line. There I found Hunter with some men retiring down the trench and some twenty yards away the Germans were coming down toward us. Our men were a bit windy, but Hunter and I made them make a stand and fetch bombs. Hunter is a fine bomber, so he threw the bombs, while I carried on with a borrowed rifle and my revolver. We retired very slowly - the Boches were chucking their bombs. These bombs of theirs make an awful row, but don't do much damage unless you get too close to one. Unfortunately they had also got some of ours, which are of a different calibre. I was bringing up the rear as we retired, and was having quite a pretty little duel with the Hun Serg. Major who was leading their attack - he evidently wanted me as a prisoner, for every time we faced each other round a traverse he signed and shouted to me to put my hands up. Of course my only answer was revolver ammunition, it was not likely that I was going to put my hands up to a Boche. Well at last we got to a fair stock of bombs, so we made a halt and bombed steadily. Hunter stands 6 ft 4 in and throws bombs magnificently. This went on for about twenty minutes, and then we found that we were not being answered, so we decided to advance. First of the party came myself with my revolver - then came Hunter with bombs and one or two men. We went round two traverses then we came upon two Huns. The first was the Serg. Major - dead, the next was a young lad, he had been hit in the hand and had a nasty gash in his head. As this poor lad saw me he tried to collect himself but he was far too gone, I can see his bloodshot eyes now as he tried to raise his head - on the other side of the trench was a Boche officer, dead, As we advanced we found quite a number of dead, we had done better than anticipated - we made a rush and took six machine guns, one Minnen-werfer and coil of telephone wire. So we had managed to stop rather a large counter attack. The "D" Company Commander sent in a very good report to Battalion Headquarters about our work, which was encouraging. The Corporal and two men who backed us up have been recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal. I have written but bald facts, of course there is much more but I must not tell just yet.The German Planes a…
Lot 1
The Naval General Service Medal awarded to Rear-Admiral E. R. P. Mainwaring, who saw a remarkable forty-two years of active service and commanded the boats during the capture of the American letter-of-marque Rapid in 1814Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Egypt (E. R. Mainwaring.), note absence of third initial, good very fineEdward Reeves Philip Mainwaring was born on 16 June 1788 at Prince Edward Island, Canada. Scion of a great 'fighting' family of Whitmore, Staffordshire and with lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest, his father fought during the American War of Independence and all four brothers also entered either the Army or Royal Navy - one, Benjamin, was an officer aboard 'The Fighting Temeraire' at Trafalgar and another, Frederick, fought at Waterloo as a Lieutenant in the 51st Regiment of Foot.Young Edward entered the Navy in the summer of 1799 as a First-Class Volunteer and was appointed to the 44-gun H.M.S. Roebuck which acted as a troopship between March and September 1801 for British operations during the Egyptian campaign. In November 1801 he was appointed Midshipman in the 64-gun H.M.S. Haarlem and, as was usual for the time, continued to receive appointments to other vessels when required. He was advanced to Acting-Lieutenant in 1806 aboard the 18-gun sloop H.M.S. Espoir but shortly afterward was promoted Lieutenant (11 June 1807) and removed to the 74-gun H.M.S. Plantagenet, with which vessel he saw out the rest of the Napoleonic Wars.It was with this ship that Mainwaring appears to have experienced the most exciting days of his active service. After a deployment to the Baltic Plantagenet and her crew were next assigned to the North American and West India stations. Consequently seeing much action during the War of 1812, Mainwaring must have been aboard in July 1813 when U.S. Navy Sailing Master Elijah Mix tried to destroy Plantagenet with torpedoes designed by inventor and engineer Robert Fulton. Mix made the attempt no less than seven times; the first six all missed, and the seventh prematurely exploded. The 'Yankey Torpedo' was a known threat to officers and men of the Royal Navy, and one wonders what Mainwaring thought about being on the receiving end of such an 'ungentlemanly' way of warfare.Returning to more traditional ways of engaging with the enemy, in 1814 Plantagenet was pursuing the American latter-of-marque Rapid when both vessels were becalmed when the wind died away. Mainwaring was ordered to take command of the ship's boats and, after rowing for an astonishing 11 hours, came up with the Rapid, boarded and captured her notwithstanding a spirited defence by her crew of 40 men. For this action, Mainwaring was publicly thanked by the Commander-in-Chief of the North American Station, Admiral Sir John Borlase Warren.Despite the vast reductions in manpower and ships in the aftermath of the conflict, after a mercifully short period on half-pay (1815-18) Mainwaring was fortunate to be employed at sea once again and for the following eight years served aboard the 74-gun Ramillies and the 84-gun Ganges; in the latter vessel on the West India and Brazilian stations as well as at home. Promoted Commander on 27 May 1826, perhaps a desire to somewhat settle-down led to both an appointment with the Coast Guard service and his marriage to Miss Eliza Hill, daughter of the Reverend Hill, Rector of Snailwell in Cambridgeshire. He was employed by the Coast Guard until 1835 and four years later was given command of the 18-gun sloop H.M.S. Electra on the South America Station, returning home in 1841 on promotion to Captain. Slowly but steadily rising up the seniority list to be promoted Rear-Admiral (Retired) on 12 April 1862, Admiral Mainwaring died at Brighton on 5 October 1865 at the age of 77, with his death being noted in many local newspapers and journals - all of which specifically state that he was actively employed for more than 40 years; an impressive feat indeed during the age of sail and many years of peace in Europe.…
Lot 134
The highly emotive Great War M.C., D.F.C. group of five awarded to Captain L. M. Woodhouse, Royal Flying Corps, late Essex YeomanryHe had been forced to write to his father with the excruciating news that his younger brother 'Mole' had been killed attempting to come to his aid in an aerial combat in August 1917; the elder Woodhouse was then himself shot down and killed in action a year laterMilitary Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Awarded 3rd July 1917 1st Battle of Somme. Lieut. Lionel Mostyn Woodhouse, R.F.C., 52nd Squadron’; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R., the reverse engraved ‘Awarded 17th Sept. 1918. Capt. Lionel Mostyn Woodhouse M.C., R.A.F.’; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. L. M. Woodhouse, R.A.F.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Lionel Mostyn Woodhouse); Great War Memorial Scroll in the name of ‘Capt. Lionel Mostyne Woodhouse, M.C., D.F.C. [red ink] 59th Sqdn. Royal Air Force [blue ink], good very fine (Lot)Provenance:Glendining's, March 1990.M.C. London Gazette 25 August 1917. The original citation states:'For good work. This Officer has done splendid work whilst observing for Artillery. He Observed for over 2,000 rounds during the month of May 1917, of which 121 were O.K.’s. Thirteen emplacements were destroyed, eighteen explosions and six fires were caused.'D.F.C. London Gazette 2 November 1918. The original citation states:'For skill and gallantry. On the 22nd August 1918, this Officer carried out a Special Contact Patrol from a height of from 200 feet to 400 feet. He was throughout subjected to very heavy fire from the ground and his machine was badly shot about. He showed great daring during a heavy counter attack on Logeast Wood and flying at a height of 100 feet he shot up the advancing troops and rendered great assistance in bringing this attack to a standstill and causing very high casualties. He then continued his patrol along the whole Corps front. Throughout the recent operations he has set a very good example of courage and devotion to duty to the whole Squadron.'Lionel Mostyn Woodhouse - or Lio to his friends and comrades - was born at Brooklands, Broomfield, Essex on 10 December 1896. Educated at St. Peter’s Court, Broadstairs and Eton College from 1909-14, he joined Eton O.T.C. as a Private. Whilst at Eton, Woodhouse was in R. S. de Havilland's House, playing in the Cricket XI in 1914.With the outbreak of the Great War, he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant in the 2/1st Essex Yeomanry 1 July 1915 and was seconded to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1916. He served in No. 52 Squadron from October 1916 with R.E.8’s then B.E.2e’s and then back to R.E.8’s on 15 June 1917, returned to Home Establishment on 15 August soon after his brother’s loss six days earlier.The loss of his brother was a hugely emotional event and one which was a huge blow to the entire family. Christopher Courtney wrote on 14 August 1917:'Dear Arthur,I feel I must write to you and give my most sincere and heartfelt sympathy in the loss of your boy. I was terribly shocked to hear of it, but it was some small consolation to know that he went out gallantly fighting.I wonder if your eldest son has told you that he was killed in an endeavour to protect his brother's machine from attack?He probably did not know it but there was an artillery machine being attacked and so he at once dived in order to chase off the enemy; unfortunately he was caught by several enemy scouts and shot down but he certainly succeeded in drawing them off the artillery machine in which, it afterwards turned out, was his brother.I think it was a most gallant death. I went to his funeral, a simple and straightforward one; he is buried under the shadow of the sand-dunes in a quiet and secluded spot.I feel very guilty in not having answered your letter; I am afraid I am a bad correspondent at the best of times; but I had had it in mind for some days to write and tell you that he was in a good squadron and getting on well; his Squadron Commander spoke most highly of him.'Promoted Captain on 16 September 1917, Woodhouse Instructed for a year then on 12 August 1918 he returned to No. 59 Squadron, taking command of ‘B’ Flight on R.E.8’s. On 29 August with his Observer they shot down an enemy Scout. On 1 September they were hit by A.A. but with the Observer, Lieutenant Peel holding his Lewis gun at arms length leaning over the side, managed to help steady the R.E.8 for Woodhouse to get safely back. Peel and Woodhouse’s luck ran out on 27 September 1918 when they were shot down and both lost their lives.Sold together with original letter from his brother 'Jack' on winning the D.F.C., his cloth RFC 'Wings', besides original photographs and a remarkable archive of copied letters, these of a highly emotive and unpublished nature.…
Lot 92
An 'Arnhem P.O.W.' group of five awarded to Corporal R. S. Telford, 7th Battalion, King's Own Scottish Borderers, who went 'in the bag' on 23 September during a fierce tank attack on the Battalion's perimeter1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Cadet Forces, E.II.R. (WO. R. S. Telford. A.T.C.), sold together with the recipient's dog tags and soldier's release book, light pitting and contact marks, very fine (5)Robert Smith Telford was born on 13 June 1919, a native of Dumfriesshire and enlisted on 1 September 1939 with the King's Own Scottish Borderers. Joining the 7th (Galloway) Battalion he was with them in Scotland during the Fall of France, indeed the Battalion was not to leave Britain for some time. They transferred to the 1st Air Landing Brigade in 1943 and continued to train with them until the D-Day Landings.7th Battalion took off on 17 September 1944 for Operation Market Garden, landing in the Ede area in 1944 and initially all went well. The next day however they came under attack by several parties of German troops with armoured vehicles in support, a situation which would become increasingly familiar over the next week of fighting.Moving off they fought a sharp action at Johanna Hoeve farm but managed to repel a German attack and continue on towards Arnhem. Arriving at Oosterbeek, some 5 kilometeres west of Arnhem on 19 September they dug in there to assume their corner of the perimeter. The enemy started to probe their lines not long later, and by 09:00 on 20 September they had established the Battalion's positions allowing the battle to begin in earnest. Some of the ferocity of the fighting can be ascertained from the war diary which notes the first armoured 'kill' made by the unit:'The first "kill" was an armoured car which was blown up and set on fire by the atk gun covering the NORTH face. Later another atk gun under Lt HANNAH, and escorted by a Pl of B Coy, went out to watch the rd leading SOUTH from the rd and rly crossing at 699791. Soon after it was in posn a TIGER tk, towing a flame-throwing apparatus, appeared and a spirited action took place. As a result of the courageous behaviour of our atk gun crew, and of Cpl WATSON and Pte McWHIRTER in particular, the TIGER tk was completely knocked out and the crew killed.'Through that day and the next, 7th Battalion halted the enemy advance, unable to withdraw due to constant pressure and concern over losing their limited equipment in the dark. A break in the attacks on 22 September allowed them the chance to reform and prepare their positions for another attack, however they could not have been prepared for the forces ranged against them.A heavy barrage opened the day and at around 11:00 'B' Company came under heavy attack by a force of tanks with infantry and artillery support. Their anti-tank gun was knocked out, forcing them back from a line of buildings, however they gamely held on to their slit trenches and bunkers, fighting for every yard. Their partial withdrawal allowed the German infantry to push onto the flank of 'C' company who also came under attack from Armoured cars to their front.Soon the action became an attempt by the Germans to consolidate a piece of their hard won gains in the face of heavy fire and counter-attacks by the Battalion. They were able to prepare machine gun positions in the wood between 'B' and 'C' companies, thus keeping that gap open and completing their objective.The only option was a counter-attack which was carried out by 'C' Company, who despite several losses managed to retake the wood and capture a number of the enemy. The line re-established they managed to hold off further attacks for the rest of the day, taking a tally of German tanks, damaged or destroyed in the process. It was noted in the war diary that the Regimental Aid Post was full to bursting as the Medical Aid Post had fallen into enemy hands, suggesting that some areas of the perimeter were still occupied by the enemy.Telford is listed as being taken prisoner of war during the days fighting, it is likely he was a victim of the morning offensive which almost saw the line break. Taken to Stalag 11B at Fallingbostel he remained there until being repatriated at the end of the war. Upon his return to the British Army he was posted to a Holding Regiment, Royal Artillery but saw no service with them instead being demobilised on 11 April 1946. Later joining the Cadet Forces he was awarded the Cadet Forces medal with them. Telford died in Dumfries on 8 December 1898 and is buried at Lockerbie; sold together with copied research, a set of original dog tags and an original soldier's release book named to the recipient.…
Lot 204
StaffSome 48 Medals issued to the Staff, 3 of these to Interpreters and all with clasp '1879'.'The Border Horse now began to fire at the distant snipers, and Wood waited to see what effect the shots might have. A Zulu suddenly popped up from a rock a scant fifty yards away and fired. Wood noted that the shot seemed low, but Lloyd fell back, exclaiming, "I'm hit - badly! My back is broken!" Wood and Campbell caught him and carried him down to the stone kraal. Wood then started back up, leading his horse, but a shot struck it and killed it, and when he regained the kraal he found that Lloyd had died. Wood now ordered Weatherley to take the Border Horse up to clear the trail, but the men balked again. Campbell then picked up Lysons and four privates from Wood's escort and started up the trail in single file, making for a cave from which several Zulus were firing. The narrow passage was only two feet wide between towering rock walls, and as Campbell plunged into the mouth of the cave, a Zulu fired a shot straight into his forehead, killing him instantly. Undaunted, Lysons and Private Edmun Fowler sprang over his body, driving the Zulus into the recesses of the mountain. Lysons then held the mouth of the cave while the others dragged Campbell's body back to the kraal…'High drama on Hlobane Mountain on 29 March 1879; The Washing of the Spears by Donald R. Morris, refersThe outstanding South Africa Medal awarded to Mr. L. Lloyd, Evelyn's Wood's interpreter, who - in one of the most contentious episodes of the conflict - was mortally wounded in the disastrous action at Hlobane on 29 March 1879South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (L. Lloyd, Esq., Interpreter), suspension claw tightened, minor contact wear, very fineLlewelyn Lloyd was a prominent casualty in the disastrous action fought at Hlobane Mountain on 28 March 1879, his death being indelibly linked to that of Captain Hon. R. G. E. Campbell of the Coldstream Guards, as outlined in Colonel Evelyn Wood's much quoted despatch to Lord Chelmsford. It was an episode in which incompetence played its role, amidst charges of cowardice, and has accordingly remained the subject of ongoing debate.In fact, no history of the Zulu War would be complete without mention of this contentious chapter, some historians claiming that Wood (later Field Marshal Sir Evelyn Wood, V.C., G.C.B., G.C.M.G.) momentarily lost the plot.An excellent account of events may be found in John Young's Horror at the Devil's Pass - The Battle of Hlobane, 28 March 1879, from which the following extract has been taken:'…Dawn broke and a new horror became apparent. The Zulus were behind prepared barricades and concealed within caves that riddled the mountain, awaiting the assault. From behind their positions, the Zulus opened fire on the scaling troops. Two officers of the Frontier Light Horse, Lieutenants Otto von Stietencron and George Williams, fell dead, two troopers also fell to the fire.Wood and his escort rode to the sound of the firing. Just below the summit of the mountain plateau they chanced upon Lieutenant-Colonel Frederick Augustus Weatherley and his Border Lancers. Weatherley's unit should have been with Buller, but during the storm they had become separated and now lagged behind. Wood spied a Zulu rifleman level his gun in his direction and he expressed his contempt of the Zulu marksmanship. The Zulu fired, and his bullet found its mark, shattering the spine of Mr. Llewelyn Lloyd, Wood's Political Assistant and his interpreter, who was at Wood's side. Wood attempted to lift the mortally wounded man, but stumbled under the weight. Captain the Honourable Ronald Campbell, Coldstream Guards, Wood's chief staff officer, came to his aid and carried the dying Lloyd out of the line of fire. Again a Zulu fired at Wood, killing his lead mount. The horse fell against Wood, and caused him to stumble.A gasp went up from his men, fearing their commander wounded. Wood shouted a reassurance that he was not hit, and picking himself up, he made his way downhill to the troops' position. Angered at being pinned-down, Wood ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherley to assault the position from where the fire was coming. Weatherley in turn, addressed his men, ordering them forward, but only Lieutenant J. Pool and Sub-Lieutenant H. W. Parminter responded to the command. The remainder of the Border Horse refused to assault the position, saying that it was unassailable. Captain Campbell was horrified; this was tantamount to mutiny - if not cowardice.Campbell was of ennobled birth, the son of the 2nd Earl Cawdor. Such behaviour was unheard of within the class to which he belonged. Uttering his contempt of the fainthearted volunteers, he sprang forward towards the foe, supported by Second-Lieutenant Henry Lysons, 90th Light Infantry and four mounted infantrymen of Wood's personal escort, also drawn from the 90th. The small party advanced in a determined manner, clambering over boulders and through crevices, which led to the Zulu position. The path was so narrow that the advance could only be made in single file. Campbell gained the mouth of the cave first, only to be shot in the head at point-blank. Undeterred, Lysons and Private Edmund Fowler carried the position, forcing the Zulus to withdraw into a series of subterranean passages and, with Lysons and Fowler in pursuit, they killed all those who offered resistance, and put the others to flight.With Lysons covering the cave mouth, Campbell's body was brought down and placed alongside Lloyd, who had succumbed to his wound. Fearful of the bodies being mutilated, Wood decided to bury them on the field. Being the son of a clergyman, he wished to conduct a proper burial service, only to realise that his service book was still in the wallets of his saddle on his dead mount. He ordered his bugler, Alexander Walkinshaw, to recover the prayer book. Walkinshaw, whom Wood described as "one of the bravest men in the Army," calmly strode up, under heavy fire and recovered not only the prayer book but also the entire saddle.Wood had the two bodies removed some three hundred yards downhill, to where the soil was less rocky and the Zulus of Wood's escort dug the grave with their spears, under the watchful eye of Prince Mthonga. Their task completed, Wood committed the two bodies to the ground, reading an abridged version of the burial service from a prayer book which belonged to Captain Campbell's wife, who was the daughter of the Bishop of Rochester, Kent…'Lieutenant Henry Lysons and Private Edmund Fowler, both of the 90th Regiment, were awarded the Victoria Cross.PostscriptOn 21 May 1880, Mrs. Campbell was taken to Hlobane where a headstone was placed on the grave of her husband and Llewelyn Lloyd. Some of the party, including Empress Eugenie, actually climbed up the Devil's Pass to the summit. Finally, they reached the site where the Prince Imperial was killed. Another memorial stone was laid and the empress planted cuttings of a tree she had brought from the family estate at Camden Place in Chislehurst. The grief-stricken party returned to England by the end of July.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Clasp an old tailors copy, naming details as described. The estimate is revised to £6,000-8,000.
Lot 4
The 2-clasp Naval General Service Medal awarded to Admiral Alexander Montgomerie, Royal Navy, who served at sea for almost twenty years and participated in a number of fiercly-fought actions, not least at Barque island; the subsequent capture of Guadeloupe; and at Rugen island where he successfully defended a fort against French infantry assaultsNaval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Anse La Barque 18 Decr 1809, Guadaloupe (Alexr. Montgomerie, Lieut. R.N.), good very fineProvenance:Sotheby's, March 1995.Colin Message Collection, August 1999.Jason Pilalas Collection, July 2024.Alexander Montgomerie, of an old Scottish family, was born at Dreghorn, Ayrshire, Scotland on 30 July 1790. Joining the Royal Navy at the tender age of 12 on 27 June 1802, he was initially appointed a First-Class Volunteer aboard the 16-gun sloop H.M.S. Hazard, with which he saw brief service in the English Channel before spending the next six years with both the 44-gun frigate H.M.S. Argo and the 74-gun H.M.S. Tigre, as a member of their Midshipman's berth. With Argo (under the command of Captain Benjamin Hallowell) young Montgomerie saw his first taste of action, as this vessel participated in the captures of St. Lucia and Tobago - the former earned Hallowell and his men a very favourable 'Mention', with Admiral Hood stating: 'To Captain Hallowell's Merit it is impossible for me to give additional Encomium, as it is so generally known; but I must beg Leave to say, on this expedition, his Activity could not be exceeded; and by his friendly Advice I have obtained the most effectual Aid to this Service, for which he has been a Volunteer, and, after the final Disembarkation, proceeded on with the Seamen to co-operate with the Army.' (London Gazette, 26 July 1803, refers).When Hallowell was appointed to command the Tigre, Montgomerie followed him and this ship was part of Admiral Lord Nelson's fleet in the great hunt for the combined Franco-Spanish fleet prior to the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Tigre, unfortunately, missed the battle due to being away at Gibraltar to take on water and escort convoys, but subsequently participated in the operations off Egypt in 1807: Montgomerie must have been aboard when Tigre captured two Ottoman frigates (the Uri Bahar and Uri Nasard) and his subsequent biography states he was then employed with 'much boat service' on Lake Mareotis - scene of British landings against French, Ottoman, and Albanian troops.In September 1809, Midshipman Montgomerie passed his Lieutenant's examination and was thence sent (though still as Midshipman) to the 36-gun frigate H.M.S. Orpheus, before shortly afterwards removing to the 74-gun H.M.S. Sceptre - the ship with which he was to earn the clasps to his Medal. Sceptre, commanded by Captain Samuel James Ballard, was part of a force ordered to capture the French-held island of Guadeloupe. On 18 December 1809, a British squadron (including Sceptre) attacked two French ships (the Loire and Seine, variously described as 'frigates' or 'flutes') anchored at Anse a la Barque and protected by batteries of artillery ashore. Notwithstanding a spirited defence, in fairly short order both French vessels had been dismasted and surrendered - though they were subsequently abandoned, caught fire, and blew up. The attack was under the overall command of Captain Hugh Cameron of H.M.S. Hazard, and after destroying the Loire and Seine the British force next landed ashore to silence the batteries: this objective was also achieved but in the moment of victory Cameron was killed, one report stating that after personally hauling down the French tricolour he wrapped it around his body before being accidentally shot by a British sailor who mistook him for the enemy. It seems likely that Montgomerie played a very active part in this action, as the very next day he was appointed Acting Lieutenant of H.M.S. Freija/Freya, which was confirmed by official commission on 4 May 1810, and during the intervening time also appears to have been equally active in the ships' boats in minor actions against further French shore batteries around Guadeloupe.Returning home, after three months in command of H.M.S. Magnanime on 28 January 1811 he was appointed Lieutenant aboard the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Aquilon, with which vessel he served until 1814, concluding his time aboard her as First Lieutenant. This period of his career also saw much active service - but rather than the tropical Caribbean, this time in the distinctly cooler North Sea and Baltic in the supression of enemy trade and coastal traffic, and the escorting of British and allied convoys. Though little further information appears immediately available, his service biography states that: 'When in the Baltic in 1812, and engaged with the boats under his orders in an attempt to bring some vessels off from the island of Rugen, he greatly distinguished himself by his conduct in capturing a temporary fort occupied by a superior number of troops, whom, on their being reinforced and endeavouring to recover their loss, he several times repulsed.' (A Naval Biographical Dictionary - Montgomerie, Alexander, W.R. O'Byrne, p.774, refers).Promoted Commander on 7 June 1814 on his return from the South America station, despite theoretical appointment to H.M.S. Racoon she was off the coast of Brazil and he never joined her. With the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars Montgomerie had to wait until 21 March 1818 for his next command - the 18-gun brig-sloop H.M.S. Confiance, which position he held for two years until moving in July 1820 to the 26-gun H.M.S. Sapphire as Acting-Captain. This was a fortuitous change as, two years later, Confiance was wrecked off Ireland with the loss of the entire crew. Returning home in September 1821, he does not appear to have received another seagoing appointment but nevertheless remained on the Active List until his official (and well-earned) retirement on 1 October 1856.By virtue of longevity, Montgomerie moved slowly up the seniority list; promoted Rear-Admiral in 1852, then Vice-Admiral in 1857, he reached the rank of Admiral on 27 April 1863. Admiral Alexander Montgomerie appears to have remained a bachelor throughout his life and died in January 1864 at Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, not far from where he was born 73 years earlier.Sold together with a small quantity of copied research.…
Lot 111
'Now, gentlemen, let us do something today which the world may talk of hereafter!Thus spoke Rear-Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood from the deck of his flagship, H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, prior to the Battle of TrafalgarThe Naval General Service Medal awarded to Able Seaman E. Kendall, Royal NavyNaval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Trafalgar (Edward Kendall.), good very fineProvenance:Seaby, June 1953.Spink, December 1972.Edward Kendall was born in London around 1778 and was 27 years old when he served as an Able Seaman aboard the H.M.S. Royal Sovereign during the Battle of Trafalgar.Royal Sovereign was a 100-gun first rate ship of line and was launched at Plymouth in 1786, over a decade after she was laid down in 1774, and was the only ship built to her specific design. Reportedly slow and difficult to manoeuvre, she was nicknamed the 'West Country Wagon' by her crew.Prior to serving at the famed Battle of Trafalgar, Royal Sovereign enjoyed an active role during the French Revolutionary Wars. She served as part of Admiral Richard Howe's fleet during the Glorious First of June, the first fleet action of the War, where she was the flagship of Admiral Thomas Graves' vanguard squadron. This resounding tactical victory saw Admiral Howe issue the unorthodox order for his ships to turn and breach the French line, rake the enemy ships and engage them directly. Royal Sovereign pulled too far into the line and suffered a heavy pounding from enemy ship Terrible, with Admiral Graves mortally wounded and dying during the course of the battle. Terrible fell out of the line and Royal Sovereign next engaged Montagne. Seven enemy ships were sunk or captured but the British lost none.Now the flagship of Vice-Admiral William Cornwallis, Royal Sovereign was further engaged in the conflict known as 'Cornwallis' Retreat'. In June 1795, a French fleet of twelve ships of the line and eleven frigates gave chase to Cornwallis' squadron of five ships of the line and two frigates. After a day's chase the rearguard came within range of the enemy, and rather than abandon part of his squadron Cornwallis stood his ground to counterattack with all his might. The Vice-Admiral steered Royal Sovereign in between the French and British forces, meeting the enemy with a raking fire. The Battle ended when French Admiral Villaret de Joyeuse mistakenly believed the British Channel Fleet was approaching and subsequently ordered his fleet to withdraw, thus allowing Cornwallis to escape.Royal Sovereign was further involved in a notable altercation on 17 March 1796 when the transport ship Bellisarius collided with her while en route to the West Indies and sank almost instantly. The Battle of TrafalgarH.M.S. Royal Sovereign held the distinction of being flagship of Vice-Admiral Collingwood, Rear-Admiral Horatio Nelson's second-in-command at that famous sea battle off the coast of Trafalgar, Spain on 21 October 1805. She led one column of warships during the conflict while Nelson led the other, and was the first ship of the fleet to enter the action.Recently re-coppered, Royal Sovereign was faster than the other ships present and was the first to break the enemy line in accordance with Nelson's unorthodox plan to approach the allied line with his fleet arranged in two columns, which would cut the allied line and force one-on-one fighting.As Royal Sovereign gallantly sailed alone towards the enemy and made to engage the massive Spanish three decker Santa Ana, Collingwood remarked to his Captain, Edward Rotheram, "What would Nelson give to be here?". At roughly the same time, his friend Nelson reportedly pointed to her and exclaimed, "See how that noble fellow Collingwood carries his ship into action!".Collingwood's well-trained crew aboard Royal Sovereign fired such a rapid volley at Santa Ana that four allied ships quickly came to her aid, with Royal Sovereign first receiving fire from Fougueux before being joined by Indomptable, San Justo, and San Leandro. Despite this assistance, Santa Ana suffered nearly 240 casualties and struck her colours to Royal Sovereign at 2:20 that afternoon.Hemmed in at all sides by the enemy, Royal Sovereign suffered significant damage before she could be relieved by the remainder of the British fleet. She had lost her mizzen and main masts, most of her rigging, and suffered damage to her foremast and was no longer manoeuvrable. Even so, she continued to fire at the enemy from her port-side guns. Collingwood himself also suffered a wound to his leg whilst on deck, but was lucky in that he was only one of three officers on her quarterdeck who lived to see the end of the Battle.Following the death of Nelson at around 4:30pm, Collingwood assumed command of the fleet as commander-in-chief. Collingwood removed to H.M.S. Euryalus as a consequence of Royal Sovereign being, in his words, "perfectly unmanageable" after sustaining too much damage to continue as flagship. While Nelson's final command prior to his death had been for the fleet to anchor in advance of an oncoming gale, Collingwood disagreed and focused on those vessels still able to anchor and survive the storm. He had Royal Sovereign towed away while she was still able to stay afloat. She sustained 141 casualties over the course of the Battle.After TrafalgarFollowing the battle, missing her mizzen and mainmasts and most of her rigging, Royal Sovereign returned to Plymouth to be repaired and refitted. She thereafter returned to duty as part of the Mediterranean Fleet and participated in the ongoing blockade of Toulon. In November 1811 she was ordered to join the Channel Fleet, later being converted to harbour service as a receiving ship. Renamed Captain in 1825, she was eventually broken up at Plymouth in 1841. Four of her cannons were incorporated into the Collingwood Memorial in Tynemouth, where they may be seen to this day.Little is known about the fate of Kendall aside from his service at Trafalgar, only that he is confirmed on the roll as serving with Royal Sovereign during the battle and that he lived to claim his medal; sold together with copied medal roll.…
Lot 352
The 'Trench Raid 1918' D.C.M., 'Asiago Plateau August 1918' Al Valore group of five awarded to Company Sergeant-Major H. Loughman, 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, who rushed and cleared two machine gun posts during a raid in 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (6445 C.S.Mjr: H. Loughman. 2/Bord:R.); 1914-15 Star (6445 Sjt. H. Loughman. Bord. R.); British War and Victory Medals (6445 W.O.Cl.2. H. Loughman. Bord. R.); Italy, Kingdom, Al Valore Militare, silver issue (Altipiano D'Asiago H. Loughman 8-9 Agosto 1918), good very fine (5)D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1918, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid. He was with the leading platoon, and when the first lines of his company were held up by hidden wire and very heavy machine-gun fire, he dashed forwardwith a few men and rushed two machine guns one after another, killing or capturing the teams. This action enabled his company to reform and successfully rush the objective. He showed magnificent courage and rendered most valuable service.'Al Valore Militare London Gazette 29 November 1918.Herbert Loughman entered the war in France on 22 March 1915 with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. The unit saw action at the battles of Neuve Chappelle, Aubers Ridge and Festubert, Loughman was noted as wounded in action in the Lancashire Evening Post casualty list of 15 October 1915. They saw heavy action on the Somme and at Passchendaele before being posted to Italy in 1918.There they were present for the Second Battle of the Piave River and later the fighting on the Asiago Plateau. It was there that Loughman won his Al Valore and likely also the D.C.M. The Whitehaven Advertiser and Cleator Moor and Egremont Observer in October 1918 states that he was awarded the D.C.M. and Al Valore for services in Italy. The Battalion was later in action at Vittorio Veneto and finished the war in Italy.Loughman was demobilised and appears in the newspapers not long after the war being fined for keeping a machine pistol as a souvenir, possibly something he picked up on a trench raid; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 348
A very fine 1917 D.C.M., 1916 M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Warrant Officer Class II C. E. Nicol, 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.), later 150th Company, Machine Gun Corps, who was further 'mentioned' for his services in 1916 before being tragically killed in action during the Spring Offensive in 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23495 Sjt. C. Nicol. 150/Coy M.G.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2028 Sjt: C. Nichol. 4/York: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2028 Pte. C. Nicol, York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2028 A. W. O. Cl. II. C. E. Nicol. York. R.), mounted court style for wear, sometime lacquered, overall good very fine (5)D.C.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He covered the withdrawal of an exposed flank until his ammunition was all used. On the same day he volunteered and took up one gun to the threatened flank under heavy barrage, and remained there until relieved next day.'M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.Charles Edward Nicol was born in 1892, the son of James and Fanny Nicol of Hornby Castle Gardens, Bedale, Yorkshire. Enlisting at Richmond, Yorkshire he entered the war on 17 April 1915, they went into action less than a week later when the German Army struck a surprise blow at the Second Battle of Ypres. They suffered heavy casualties around Armagh Wood and Hill 60 between February-March 1916 when a mine was detonated beneath it in February and their C.O. was killed in action by a sniper the next month.The Battalion was stationed at Kemmel when the Somme Offensive began and it was there that Nicols was 'mentioned', possibly for good service at the start of the year around Hill 60. They joined the Battle at Flers-Courcelettes in September, advancing alongside tanks for the first time towards Martinpuich. Unfortunately they found their flanks exposed to heavy fire from the German positions in High Wood and suffered severe losses to heavy shell fire from that position. Despite this, they stuck to the advance and managed to take Martinpuich, with High Wood falling several hours later. Nicol's M.M. was awarded the next month, likely as a result of his service at Kemmel rather than the Somme given the dates involved. However, the exact reason for the award is unknown.Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in late 1916, Nicol was serving with 150 Company when his D.C.M. was awarded. 150 Company was the Brigade Company for 150th (York and Lancaster) Brigade so he was serving alongside his old Battalion at the time, either in the latter stages of the Somme Offensive or early in the Battle of Arras. The formation was amalgamated in March 1918 to form part of the 50th Machine Gun Battalion, serving the entire Division rather than a single Brigade.Nicol was posted as missing on 10 April 1918, shortly after the opening blows of the Battle of Lys. His death was officially accepted on 27 May 1918 and he is commemorated upon the Ploegstreet Memorial.…
Lot 86
A 'Last Stand at Cassell 1940' P.OW. group of three awarded to Trooper A. E. Kettener, 1st East Riding Yeomanry1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (7889318 Tpr. A. E. Kettener. E. Riding Yeo.), the first three numbers officially corrected, sold together with his service and pay book, light contact marks, very fine (3)Alfred Edward Kettener was born on 15 May 1919 and worked as a Railway Messenger with L.N.E.R. when he enlisted on 14 February 1938 with the Territorial Army. The next year the East Riding Yeomanry was reconstituted as a result of the threat of war and formed into an armoured unit. Kettener was posted to them and entered the war with the formation in France on 2 March 1940.Ordered to joined 145th Brigade they moved through the town of Cassel in late May 1940, meeting the first German thrust outside the town. Holding there alongside the 140th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery they were forced back on 28 May to the town of Cassell itself. They came under repeated and heavy attack there over the next day with their vehicles being targeted, slowing their capacity to manoeuvre as well as their headquarters being hit by a shell.It was concluded by 29 March that a withdrawal was going to be necessary so the Regiment mounted up and at 21:30 commenced the breakout from Cassell. Progress was slow to start with due to the congestion on the roads and they were further delayed by the troops on foot failing to reach their positions in time. As a result they were not clear of Cassell until after midnight and were not underway properly until 01:00 on 30 March.This delay proved fatal as the Germans reached the village of Drogland ahead of the British, colliding with the 2nd Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Word went back that the enemy were ahead of them and the Yeomanry separated with 'A' Squadron pushing north towards Herzeele with the O.C. Unfortunately the rest of the column was under heavy attack and needed to reform which they did under the 2 i/c, leading the 'A' Squadron becoming separated from the rest of the unit.At Herzeele they found themselves facing a large force of German infantry with armoured support which soon mopped up the exhausted and strung out Yeomanry formation. Those few members of 'A' Squadron that escaped were armed only with rifles and pistols with a few hand grenades, they scattered and attempted to make for the coast.Meanwhile 'B' Squadron came under attack by German tanks, they gave good account of themselves but were unable to rejoin 'A' Squadron. Pushing first North and later East they made for the town of Watou, reported to be in British hands. The Regimental Headquarters Tank Valient was knocked out by an anti-tank gun near the town which proved to be occupied by the Germans, they had taken it on 28 May.'C' Squadron, was the last in line pushed directly East towards Watou, taking heavy losses all the while including Major Radcliffe their commander. Near the town they encountered other British troops who confirmed that it had been taken however by this stage the Squadron was down to three armoured carriers. They attempted to push north but all the vehicles were soon put out of action, from this point they ceased to exist as a coherent unit.Initially taken to Stalag XXA, Thorn, with most of the British troops taken in France Kettener was moved to Marienburg in September 1940 and set to work at Mewe Barracks. In December his role changed to road construction and finally in September 1941 he was set to farm work which continued for the rest of the war. As the Allies closed in in 1945 he was moved to Greidswald and finally liberated at Barth.Remaining with the Yeomanry he was awarded his efficiency medal the next year in 1946 and his campaign awards in 1948 at 145 Ella Street, Newland Avenue, Hull; sold together with copied research and the recipient's original service and pay book.…
Lot 360
A good immediate 'Tobruk 1941' M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal G. Guthrie, 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, for his conspicuous gallantry in commanding a mortar detachment in a Bren Carrier during the capture of 'Dalby Square' on 23 November 1941 during Operation CrusaderHe subsequently served in Orde Wingate's Second Chindit Expedition, Operation Thursday, in 1944Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4745714 Cpl G. Guthrie Y.& L.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine and better (6)M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942, the original recommendation states:'On 23 November 1941, during operations outside Tobruk, Corporal Guthrie was commanding a Mortar detachment in a Bren Carrier supporting the attack by a rifle Company on an enemy post, when about 500 yards from the objective the company came under very heavy Machine Gun and Mortar Fire. The Carrier was turned sideways to enable the mortar to come into action behind it; whereupon it immediately came under heavy and accurate Machine Gun Fire. In spite of this Corporal Guthrie immediately proceeded to unload the mortar and ammunition himself and got his mortar into action. When short of bombs he made several journeys to the enemy side of the carrier to obtain more bombs although the enemy fire had not been subdued. During the whole operation Corporal Guthrie maintained his mortar in action and by his coolness and disregard of the enemy fire set an excellent example to the men under his command.'The recommendation was additionally endorsed by the Brigadier Commanding 14th Infantry Brigade:'Recommended for an immediate award of the Military Medal for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty under fire.'George Guthrie was a native of Leeds, a mill worker at Pool, Lorrimer and Tabbener's prior to the war. He attested as a regular soldier in the York and Lancaster Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second World War initially in North Africa. Awarded the M.M. for his gallantry on 23 November 1941, he was with 'B' Company, 2nd Battalion, under Captain Northover when he was given the task of capturing 'Dalby Square', a large enemy post on the western side of Tobruk:'The attack was across flat country devoid of cover. The enemy put up a very strong resistance. He was holding his post with a large number of machine guns and light automatics, which his defensive artillery fire was intense and accurate. About 400 yards from the objective "B" Company was held up. Two Bren carriers with 3-inch mortars were then brought forward, and using the carriers as cover, both detachments opened up on the enemy. This had the immediate effect of reducing the enemy's small-arms fire. "B" Company then advanced again and rushed the position with the bayonet.' (The Regimental History refers).After serving in the Western Desert, Guthrie proceeded to India and saw further service with the 2nd Battalion as part of Orde Wingate's second Chindit Expedition, Operation Thursday, in early 1944 where the 2nd Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment was part of 65 and 84 Columns; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 421
The exceptional gold Prince of Wales’ Visit to India Medal awarded to Maharaja Jam Shri Sir Vibhaji, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, K.C.S.I.Prince of Wales’ Visit to India 1875-76, gold (100g), by Phillips Brothers, London, 56mm x 83mm, the edge officially numbered ‘No. 10’, and additionally inscribed ‘H.H. Jam Shri Vibhajee Jam of Nawanagar’, good very fine and a true rarity of British IndiaApproximately 48 Medals struck in gold for distribution to the Indian Rajas by the Prince of Wales during his visit to India, Ceylon and Nepaul. Puddester 875.1.3.In return for the award of this Medal, the Jam Sahib presented the Prince of Wales with a very fine shield fashioned from rhinoceros hide, with lacquer, gold, emeralds, rubies, diamonds, velvet, gold and silver thread and gold sequins, which now proudly resides in the Royal Collection (RCIN 11458 refers).His Highness Maharajadhiraj Maharaja Jam Shri Sir Vibhaji Ranmalsinhji Jadeja, Maharaja Jam Sahib of Nawanagar was born at Jamnagar on 8 May 1827, fifth and eldest surviving son of H.H. Maharajadhiraj Jam Shri Ranmalsinhji Sataji Jadeja [Ranmalji Sahib], Jam Sahib of Nawanagar, by his second wife, H.H. Rani Shri Soniba Kunverba Sahiba. He succeeded on the death of his father in February 1852 and was granted a permanent salute of 11-guns in 1866. Having met the Prince of Wales during the 1875-76 visit, Vibhaji attended the 1877 Durbar (Gold Medal) and was granted a personal salute of 15-guns and the personal title of Maharaja, together with his K.C.S.I. on 1 January 1877.He had no less than twenty-two wives over the course of his life and following several poisoning attempts on his life, sought to adopt. As a result, Ranjitsinhji Jadeja (please see Lot 42 for his Gold British War Medal 1914-20), whose grandfather was a cousin, was sent off to be educated and made heir apparent to the throne in December 1878 after he decided to disinherit his son, Kalubha, on charges of misdemeanor.This would be his only officially named Medal.…SALE 25001 NOTICE:Tests as 98% gold under XRF gun, with no obvious evidence of plating. Only destructive testing would give further detail. Weight matches similar gold issues observed on the market. Indian Tour Gift Book of the Prince of Wales Visit to India suggests issued a silver Medal - this perhaps being a publication/transcription error.
Lot 375
A scarce 'Mohmand Operations' I.D.S.M. awarded to Subedar-Major M. Bakhsh, 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment, a long-served Indian officer who additionally received a 'mention' for the Loe-Agra Operations on the North-West FrontierIndian Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R., 2nd 'Crowned Head' Type (Subdr. Maj. Maula Bakhsh, 3-2 Punjab R.), minor official correction to last initial of first name, good very fineJust 98 of this 'Crowned Head' G.V.R. type issued.I.D.S.M. G.G.O. 309 of 1936.M.I.D. G.G.O. 166 of 1936.Maula Bakhsh enlisted for service with the 3rd Battalion, 2nd Punjab Regiment on 24 May 1909 and rose steadily through the ranks during a career spanning some 27 years. He was made Jemadar in August 1918, Subedar in June 1923, and was finally promoted Subedar-Major on 12 June 1934 - this rank was the aspiration for any Indian soldier wanting to make a career out of the Army. The Subedar-Major was the most senior Indian rank in the Battalion.Bakhsh likely received his 'mention' for one of two events during the Loe-Agra Operations between 23 February-13 April 1935, either for his personal participation in a 'well arranged ambush of a sniping party' undertaken by two platoons of the 3rd Battalion, or an attack on a picquet. On the first instance, after an exceptionally detailed reconnaissance that afternoon, the same evening the troops involved (almost certainly with Subedar-Major Bakhsh) left camp to take up their positions. Official History takes up the story:'The party was in position by 2030 hours. Owing to the excessive darkness visibility was difficult beyond ten to fifteen yards.At 2245 hours a party of approximately twenty five enemy snipers came down the track immediately north of the Jindai Khwar from a westerly direction, and it transpired later that there was another party of ten following behind them. The section north of the Khwar opened fire on the leading party at a range of about five yards. This was immediately followed by rapid fire from the remainder of the ambush party. The enemy scattered and taking cover behind rocks and walls began a heavy but futile fire at close range on the ambush party. The firing ceased at 2330 hours, during which time, the enemy collected their casualties. They then moved off to the north west, making much noise and shouting abuse at each other and at the troops.The enemy losses in this successful affair were one killed and four wounded, of whome two died of their wounds. There were no casualties among the troops.' (Official History of Operations on the North-West Frontier of India 1920-1935, p. 177, refers).The second possible occasion is also worth noting in detail; the attack on Kila Hari has been described as 'one of the most ferocious and sustained attacks that was ever inflicted by tribesmen in the history of the North-West Frontier'. The night defence of the Kila Hari post in the Loe-Agra operations of the Nowshera Brigade in April 1935 by a party of the 72nd Punjabis (3/2nd Punjab Regt) is an epic - a small detachment was attacked by an unexpectedly-well-led tribal lashkar of some 1,000 Shamozais. The picquet was almost overwhelmed in the hand-to-hand fighting which involved revolvers, bayonets, stones and knives and lasted an incredible ten hours; this piquet consisted of one rifle company and a machine-gun platoon drawn from the 3/2nd Punjabis. An intelligence report, received during the afternoon of 5 April, stated that a large enemy lashkar had been sighted and was intending to launch an attack on Kila Hari Post from the east, but this report was considered unreliable and not given credence.The unexpected attack began about 7.30 p.m. when Shamozai swordsmen attempted to rush the machine-gun post. This resulted in severe hand-to-hand fighting but the tribesmen's attack, although pressed home with considerable ferocity, was beaten back. The enemy made further assaults at approximately 15-minute intervals until midnight, but all were repulsed. At about 9.30 p.m. the lower post on the ridge was heavily attacked, followed by other attacks against other posts which were also beaten off. The tribesmen surrounded the position and kept it under constant fire until just before dawn, when they withdrew. It was then confirmed that during this night attack 28 tribesmen had been killed and almost certainly a far larger number wounded.As for Bakhsh's I.D.S.M., the Official History makes no reference to any specific actions by the 3/2nd Battalion during the Mohmand operations, but it is worthy of note that this is a unique award to the Regiment for that campaign; sold together with copied service history extracts, Indian Army lists, Gazette entries, a compact disk of copied research, and official histories - also a copy of an article written by the recipient in 1936 for the Duke of Wellington's Regiment journal, 'Comrades in Arms: Friendship Between British and Indian Troops in Nowshera' (The Iron Duke, No. 35, October 1936, p. 217-218 refers).…
Lot 358
The 'First Day of Amiens 1918' M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. A. Wood, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial ForceMilitary Medal, G.V.R. (1204 Sjt: C. A. Wood. 19/Aust:Inf:); 1914-15 Star (1204 Pte C. A. Wood. 19/Bn A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1204 T-WO-2 C. A. Wood. 19 Bn. A.I.F.), mounted as worn, minor pitting, overall very fine (4)M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919, the original recommendation states:'On the morning of the 8th August 1918 during the attack east of Viller Bretonneux, east of Amiens, Sgt Wood displayed great gallantry in dealing with enemy machine gun position. He personally attacked three enemy posts in succession, and by his remarkable courage and daring captured 14 prisoners and 2 machine guns. His example proved a fine incentive to the other members of his platoon.'Charles Albert Wood was born at Calvert via Rosewood, Queensland on 22 February 1888, the son of James and Margaret Wood of One Mile Estate, Ipswich, Queensland. Working as a butcher prior to enlisting on 22 February 1915 he used the alias of Leonard Hayes on his attestation. Embarking at Sydney on 25 June 1915 with 'D' Company he landed at Gallipoli on 16 August alongside the Battalion which went into action at Hill 60 on 21 August.Leaving Gallipoli with the rest of the Battalion in 1916 he was briefly hospitalised on 16 March 1916 while they were part of the Suez Canal defences. Embarking at Alexandria in August 1916 Wood was posted to the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot on 21 August and re-entered the war in France on 16 September.They came into action the next month at the Battle of Pozieres, after which Wood was advanced Sergeant on 21 December 1916. Returning to Britain for instructional duties he was further advanced Company Sergeant Major on 9 January 1917 and returned to France in September that same year. He returned to the 19th Battalion on 25 September, seeing action with them in the V.C. winning engagement at Hangard Wood in April 1918.Wood's own moment of glory came on the first day of the Battle of Amiens, at the start of the Hundred Days Offensive, the 'black day of the German Army' as German Chief of Staff Ludendorff had it. The extreme success of the offensive triggered the eventual collapse of the German defences, however Wood was not present to see it.He was seriously wounded in the left hand and wrist just four days after his medal winning action on 11 August, seeing his left finger amputated as a result. Returning to Australia on 20 November 1918, Wood was discharged there as a result of his wound on 22 March 1919; sold together with two 'Imperial League of Australia' badges and one A.I.F. 'Return from Active Service' badge.…
Lot 31
The scarce 'Benin 1897' casualty's East and West Africa Medal awarded to Gunner A. A. Targett, Royal Marine Artillery, who was specially recommended for his service in the expedition, having been seriously wounded while manning a Maxim Gun outside Benin CityEast and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin 1897 (A. A. Targett, Gr R.M.A., H.M.S. St George.), slight contact wear, very fineAlred Arthur Targett was born at Portsmouth in June 1869 and attested with the Royal Marine Artillery at Eastney Barracks on 9 March 1888. He served with a number of shore establishments before being posted to Royal Arthur on 2 May 1893 and served with her for three years. Joining St. George on 24 January took part in the Benin Punitive Expedition, helping to crew a Maxim gun.In this role he was present for the attack on Benin City which occurred on 18 February 1897. Targett's service papers note, 'Feb 197 Present at attack on Benin Specially Recommended'.Unfortunately there was stiff opposition to the advance and Targett was to suffer as a result:'-shot by a man in a tree while storming Benin - when trying to remove the bullet it was found that the pubic bone was shattered & the bullet impacted - also bullet wound of chest (which was removed).'(IBID)It should be noted that the diary of Private Lewis (OMRS Journal March 2019) states that Targett continued firing the Maxim despite his wounds. The Globe and Laurel quotes the journal of Corporal Rogerson, R.M.A. which describes the role of the Maxim's during the Battle, stating:'Water was being served out, our guns put down, and we were lying about, glad of a rest, when, suddenly, fire was opened on us. "Mount the gun," was the order, and mounted it was, and in action, in less than thirty seconds, on the bush to the right, while the infantry fired volleys. The St. George's bluejackets, the 1st Section of the Marine Battalion, under Captain Byrne, our two maxims and their thirteen men, were the only troops in front, Lieut. Robertson, with the 2nd Section of the Marine Battalion being with the carrier column, in the rear. As soon as the bush to the right. Everything was stopped, as before, by the carriers burying their heads in the earth. The respective Nos. I shouldered the guns, another picked up the tripods, and the rest of the guns' crews brought up the belt boxes, but it was with difficulty that any advance was made as the coolies laid down on, and hid, the ammunition.Meanwhile the Bluejackets and Marines had left us about 200 yards in rear, while desultory firing from the right bush was still going on. This became so hot that Sergeant Turner halted and mounted his gun in a position just in front of the hot spot and backed by a large tree, I came up and took up a position and mounted three yards on his right and immediately opened fire. We had not been there five minutes before Gunners Howlett, Targett and Sinister were wounded- Captain Byrne was shot through the right side and Private Varndell in the open during the advance, while Gunners Jones and Denman were wounded slightly. An incessant fire came from the trees opposite, scarcely fifty yards away and as the guns had not sufficient elevation to clear them, I directed Gunner Flatman to place boxes under front legs…'They held their ground until the rearguard came up and then brought their guns forward to the now captured Benin City. Targett was posted to S.S. Malacca on 3 March 1897, his wound was clearly severe however despite this he was able to continue serving until March 1909 with a number of ships and shore establishments. Targett returned to service in August 1914 and served at Dunkirk before being transferred to Holm in the Orkneys in October 1915; sold together with copied research including service papers, a copy of Globe and Laurel and a casualty roll.Further entitled to a 1914 Star Trio.…
Lot 137
'On Tuesday May 27th, the crew of the NC-4 was up before dawn. The engines and radio was checked out and on the signal from Read, Elmer Stone advanced the throttles and the big flying boat lifted off in the early morning for Lisbon Portugal. Another chain of destroyers extended between the Azores and Lisbon. The weather was good and as the NC-4 passed over each destroyer the ship radioed a message of her passage to the base ship Melville at Ponta Delagada and the cruiser Rochester in Lisbon who in turn reported to the Navy Department in Washington. At 19:30 the flashing light from the Coba da Roca lighthouse was spotted and the NC-4 passed over the coastline. The big aircraft turned southward toward the Tagus estuary and Lisbon. At 20:01 on May 27, 1919, the NC-4s keel sliced into the waters of the Tagus. The welcome was tumultuous. A transatlantic flight, the first one in the history of the world, was an accomplished fact!Early in the morning of 30 May the NC-4 departed Lisbon for Plymouth England. The NC-4 sat down in the Mondego River to investigate an overheating engine. The radiator had developed a leak and was repaired but because of a low tide condition it became too late in the day to take off and reach Plymouth before dark so Read proceeded to Ferrol in northern Spain to spend the night. They were back in the air the next morning and as they approached Plymouth a formation of Royal Air Force seaplanes escorted the NC-4 into the harbour. A British warship fired a 21 gun salute as the NC-4 circled. The Lord Mayor of Plymouth received Commander Read and his crew and from Plymouth they went to London where they were decorated by the King of England. President Wilson, who was at the Peace Conference in Paris, sent for them, congratulated them for their outstanding achievement and introduced them to all present…'The triumphant closing stages of the NC-4's pioneering trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919; the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' website refers.The important Aero Club of America Aviation Medal of Merit, Artefacts and Archive appertaining to Walter T. Hinton, United States Navy, who co-piloted Curtiss Flying Boat 'NC-4' in the first ever trans-Atlantic flight in May 1919, a pioneering achievement for which he was awarded the Navy Cross and later the Congressional Gold Medal(i)Aero Club of America, Aviation Medal of Merit, bronze, obverse, an albatross over the globe, reverse officially engraved, 'W. K. Hinton, Pilot NC4, commemorating the Trans Atlantic Flight. May 8th to 31st 1919', 34mm., integral loop and ring suspension, complete with upper 'Aviation Medal of Merit' suspension device, and small length of original riband; accompanied by a signed declaration by Hinton, in which he gifts the award to a friend in 1978(ii)The recipient's 'match safe' vesta box, gold (marked 14K.), with black and green stripe enamel decoration and central monogram 'JPM', 47mm. by 60mm., contained in a felt-lined burgundy leather case, with lid inscription in gilt lettering, 'Walter Hinton Gold Match Box Carried on NC-4 Flight'; believed to have been another gift to Peter C. Carlson(iii)A commemorative plaque for Wilbur and Orville Wright's pioneering flight, bronze, rectangular, by Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, for the U.S. Mint, obverse, conjoined busts of the brothers with inscription, 'In recognition and Appreciation of Their Ability, Courage and Success in Navigating the Air', reverse, a winged female figure holding a torch, with upper inscription, 'Shall Mount Up with Wings as Eagles', 55mm. by 80mm., somewhat discoloured by old lacquer(iv)American Aeronautical Society, bronze disc commemorating the First Annual Dinner, New York, 27 April 1911, 40mm., together with a small medallet with aircraft in flight and reverse inscription, '1954 3rd', on a black riband(v)A significant photographic archive (approximately 70 images), of aircraft, personnel and related subject matter, covering Haiti 1915, Mexico 1917, the crash of the NC-2 at Atlantic City in 1919, the take-off and in-flight of the trans-Atlantic flight, subsequent scenes from Lisbon and London - the latter including a photograph of the Prince of Wales and Winston Churchill - his triumphant return to the U.S.A., thence his Long Island to Hudson Bay flight in 1920, U.S.A. to Brazil flight in 1922-23 and take-off from the Amazon in 1925, together with images of Charles Lindbergh and Eddie Rickenbacker.(vi)A postal telegraph from Charles Lindbergh in New York, sent to Hinton in Paris in May 1919, 'Thanks for your kind invitation. Regret impossible to make definitive plans at this time'; together with a quantity of Hinton's calling cards and home stationery. (Lot)Walter T. Hinton was born in Pleasant Township, Van Wert County, Ohio on 10 November 1888, where he was raised on a farmstead. An adventurous soul, he was motivated by a poster urging young men to 'Join the Navy and See the World' and did just that, entering the United States Navy in February 1908 and seeing action at the occupation of Veracruz in Mexico in 1914.But it was in naval aviation that he was to make his mark, having become one of the first enlisted men gain a place at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida. He became an instructor on gaining his 'Wings', one of his pupil pilots being Richard E. Byrd, afterwards the famous polar aviator.Of his subsequent exploits as co-pilot with Elmer Stone of the Curtiss NC-4's trail blazing trans-Atlantic crossing in May 1919, much has been written, including The Flying Firsts of Walter Hinton, by Benjamin J. Burns. In addition, numerous website sources bear testament to the epic nature of the flight, a particularly detailed account appearing on the U.S. Coast Guard's 'Aviation History' site:https://cgaviationhistory.org/1919-nc-4-transatlantic-flight/Of the three flying boats that set out from Rockaway Beach, New York on 8 May 1919, only NC-4 made it safely to Lisbon, via ports of call in Nova Scotia and the Azores in a journey lasting 19 days. The subject of rapturous receptions over the coming weeks - not just in Lisbon, but in London and Paris too - Hinton and his crew enjoyed further accolades by way of reward, among them honours bestowed by the Portuguese and British governments, in addition to those presented them on returning to America; Hinton's Navy Cross was later surpassed by a Congressional Gold Medal awarded him in 1929.During the 1920s, he continued his pioneering work, exploring the Arctic by balloon, including a wayward flight in Navy Balloon A-5598 from Rockaway Naval Air Station to Moose Factory, Ontario, a winter trip which ended with a month-long hike back to civilisation. He also made the first flight from North America to South America, where he explored the Amazon forest by hydroplane; his first attempt at that feat nearly ended in disaster, when he was compelled to take to the wing of his aircraft in shark infested waters off Cuba.A noted speaker on aviation matters, Hinton was President and founder of the Aviation Institute of the U.S.A., and published a number of periodicals, including Pioneers in Aviation, Aviation Progress and Wings of Opportunity.Retiring to Pompano Beach, Florida - where he delighted in sharing his memories with all and sundry - his glittering career was crowned by a supersonic flight in Concorde, when, as a special guest, the Atlantic crossing took less than four hours. After his death in 1981, his ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. SALE 25001 NOTICE:Gold match safe weighs 34g. Naming of the Aero Club of America Medal now added to the Lot.
Lot 306
'H.M.S. Eclipse was escorting a Northern convoy on 29th March 1942 when in Arctic weather she fought an action with German destroyers of the Narvik class. In a running fight in the snow she badly damaged one of the enemy, hitting her six times with 4.7 shells. As the Eclipse was about to finish off this ship with a torpedo attack two other German destroyers appeared, and the Eclipse was hit. She hit one of the enemy, which did not pursue them, and she proceeded to Murmansk. She had been handled throughout with great skill and determination in very severe conditions, with one of her guns out of action owing to ice.'(The remarkably exciting award recommendation for Eclipse's crew following her life and death struggle in Artic Waters)An exciting Post-War C.V.O. group of nine awarded to Commander D. L. Cobb, Royal Navy, who was 'mentioned' as gunnery officer of Eclipse during a remarkable destroyer action in March 1942 which saw her cripple a German destroyer only to be engaged by two more enemy vessels and drive them offLater 'mentioned' again for good service in the Aegean including his bravery in the tragic sinking of Eclipse, Cobb went on to command Cockade when she brought relief to those affected by the 1957 Sri Lankan Floods and was heavily involved in implementing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award while a Deputy LieutenantThe Royal Victorian Order, Commander's (C.V.O.) neck Badge, silver and enamel, in its Collingwood box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Korea 1950-53 (Lt Cdr. D. L. Cobb R.N.), officially re-impressed; U.N. Korea 1950-54; Jubilee 1977, the last eight mounted court-style as worn, overall very fine (9)C.V.O. London Gazette 31 December 1977.David Laurence Cobb was born in March 1922 in Hendon, London, the son of Samuel and Mary Cobb. He joined the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet on 1 May 1939 and was advanced Sub-Lieutenant during the Second World War. Posted to H.M.S. Eclipse he was 'mentioned' for his services during a convoy escort mission with her (London Gazette 23 June 1942). The award recommendation includes greater detail stating:'As Gunnery Control Officer, controlled a steady and accurate fire on the enemy, hitting him repeatedly, under very difficult conditions.'Still with her when she was transferred to the Aegean, Cobb received further plaudits for his cool and effective gunnery. This gunnery was put to the test during the Gaetano Donizetti action on 22 September 1943. This Italian freighter had been seized by the Germans to carry arms to Rhodes, escorted by the torpedo boat TA10. Eclipse encountered the convoy and attacked immediately, her guns were worked immaculately, sinking Gaetano Donizetti in minutes and damaging TA10 so heavily that she was scuttled days later.Cobb was again 'mentioned' for 'Operations in Dodecanese Islands culminating in the sinking of Eclipse on 24 October 1943' (London Gazette 4 April 1944 refers). The recommendation adds:'A painstaking and efficient G.C.O., always cheerfull [SIC] in adversity and setting a high example. His handling of the gun armaments was responsible for the successful outcome of two engagements in the Dodecanese against surface craft.'Still with her the next month Cobb was present for the horrific sinking of Eclipse, when she struck a mine on 24 October and broke in two, sinking within five minutes. Of the ships complement of 145 men there were only 36 survivors and tragically at the time she was also carrying 'A' Company, 4th Battalion, Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), who lost 134 men out of 170.Cobb was extremely lucky to survive the sinking and joined the complement of Beaufort on 18 December 1943. This vessel was stationed in the Aegean as well and was present for the bombardment of Kos and later the failed attempt to halt the German invasion of Leros.Post war Cobb continued to serve being promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 16 February 1950 and later Commander in 1953. Posted to command H.M.S. Cockade in 1957, taking part in relief efforts of the Sri-Lankan Floods of 1958. That same year Cobb took part in the Navy Pageant at the Royal Tournament.Placed upon the retired list on 2 January 1961 and was appointed assistant secretary of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme. Appointed Deputy Director of the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme in 1977 and the same year Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London. It was likely for his work with the Duke of Edinburgh Awards that he was awarded his C.V.O.. Cobb died at Sydney, Australia on 29 January 1999; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 26
The Indian Mutiny Medal awarded to Able Seaman J. Kennedy, Royal Navy, one of Captain Peel's famed 'Shannons'Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (Jas Kennedy, A.B. H.M.S. Shannon), suspension somewhat slack, light contact marks, very fineJames Kennedy served with H.M.S. Shannon with the number 344 and appears as a Leading Seaman on the roll. The Shannon was an imposing Liffey-class steam frigate armed with 51 guns. Originally intended for service in China, she left Hong Kong in company with the Pearl when news broke of the Indian Mutiny. When she docked at Calcutta in August 1857 she was, at that time, the largest vessel to have navigated so far up the River Hooghly. Her Captain William Peel V.C., C.B., took a considerable risk in moving her into such shallow water, but subsequent events were to prove him a man undaunted by any danger.Sir Patrick Grant, who was then acting Commander-in-Chief at Calcutta, knew that British forces in Oudh were woefully short of heavy guns. He ordered Peel to form a Naval Brigade comprising 'Bluejackets' from both the Shannon and the Pearl. The contingent from Pearl numbered 175 men, bringing the Naval Brigade's total strength to 408 officers and men, including Marines from both ships.This force was armed with: ten 8-inch 68-pounders with 400 rounds of shot and shell per gun, four 24-pounders, four 12-pounders, a 24-pounder howitzer, and eight rocket tubes. 800 bullocks were required. For the voyage up the Ganges, the men and guns were to be transported in a steamer called the Chunar, as well as a flat-bottomed transport. The force left Calcutta on 29 September, heading straight towards 'The Devil's Wind'.On 10 October, the contingent from Pearl stopped at Buxar on the Ganges, and thenceforward operated separately under the command of Captain E. S. Sotheby. The remainder of Peel's Naval Brigade, already nicknamed 'The Shannons', continued up the Ganges to Cawnpore, where British forces were gathering for the Second Relief of Lucknow. Peel kept the men occupied with constant drilling and manoeuvres. He knew that in battle, the guns would have to be moved using drag ropes, eighteen men to each gun.Sir Colin Campbell was greeted with a great cheer when he arrived at Cawnpore on 31 October, assuming command of the army. His force only amounted to 3,400 men, made up of detachments from HM 8th, 23rd, 53rd, 82nd, 90th and 93rd Foot, the 2nd and 4th Punjab Infantry, and the 9th Lancers. Peel's Naval Brigade thus proved invaluable when the force arrived before Lucknow on 15 November.The next day, Peel's guns and two heavy guns of the Royal Artillery began a fierce bombardment of the Sikanderabagh, a huge rebel-held building, 130 yards square, with a thick, brick, loopholed wall 20 feet high, flanked by bastions at the corners. After firing for 90 minutes, the guns had created a small hole, three feet high and three and a half feet wide. As their pipers struck up the Highland Charge 'Haughs of Cromdale', men of the 93rd Highlanders surged forward in the hope of being the first to enter this 'breach', and won six Victoria Crosses.Although losses at the Sikanderabagh were severe, the stormers were able to trap about 2,000 mutineers in a corner of the building. Remembering earlier atrocities, particularly the massacre of women and children at Bibighar, Cawnpore on 15 July (the gore at Bibighar lay undisturbed, creating a nightmarish scene for troops passing through), the stormers killed every man they found. Lord Roberts later recalled:'There they lay, in a heap as high as my head, a heaving, surging mass of dead and dying inextricably tangled.'The capture of the Sikanderabagh enabled Campbell's army to reach the beleaguered Residency compound, but having lost 45 officers and 496 men, Campbell realised he could not possibly hold Lucknow against the vast rebel armies in the region.On 19 November, the evacuation of the Residency began. Women and children who for six months had suffered unimaginable terrors emerged from its shattered ramparts and filed towards Dilkushah, under the protection of the 9th Lancers. Campbell organised the evacuation so that the enemy never suspected a British withdrawal. The Naval Brigade was pivotal to this conceit: while Peel's guns and rockets pounded the Kaiserbagh as if in preparation for an assault, women and children were silently extricated from the Residency compound, under the noses of a distracted foe. Part of the rearguard, Peel's Bluejackets were among the last to quit Lucknow on the night of 22 November; it was many hours before the mutineers realised that the Residency was empty.Return to CawnporeJust before leaving Cawnpore for Lucknow, Sir Colin Campbell had left 500 men to defend the city under the command of General Windham. Included in this garrison were fifty Bluejackets of the Shannon, with two 24-pounders, led by Lieutenant Hay and Naval Cadets Watson and Lascelles. Cawnpore lay on the Grand Trunk Road, its bridge of boats over the Ganges a vital artery for British supply and communication. Most of Campbell's reinforcements arrived via Cawnpore (hence why the massacre there had such impact).On 19 November, Windham's tiny garrison was invested by 25,000 mutinous sepoys of the Gwalior Contingent, led by Tantia Tope. Windham's men, including the Bluejackets, dug entrenchments at each end of the bridge of boats and managed to hold it for ten days. Since Kennedy was not awarded the 'Relief of Lucknow' clasp, he may very well have been a part of this 50-strong detachment at Cawnpore.Hearing of Windham's plight, Campbell left Sir James Outram with a small force to hold the Alum Bagh, near Lucknow. With the remainder of his army, including the Naval Brigade, Campbell dashed southwards. When heavy gun-fire could be heard from Cawnpore on 27 September, Campbell pressed ahead with his cavalry and horse artillery. He linked up with Windham's entrenchments the following day, and to his great relief, the bridge of boats remained intact.The Naval Brigade arrived on the northern bank of the Ganges two days later. The mutineers had massed their artillery on the southern bank, aiming to destroy the bridge of boats, but Peel's guns quickly silenced them. Over subsequent days, Campbell arranged for the sick, wounded and non-combatants from Lucknow (over 2,000 souls) to be escorted to Allahabad, thence to Calcutta. This left him free to conduct offensive operations. He received reinforcements, including a wing of the 42nd Foot, bringing his total force to 600 cavalry, 5,000 infantry and 35 guns. On 6 December, he launched a full-scale assault across the river. In The Devil's Wind: The Story of the Naval Brigade at Lucknow (1956), G. L. Verney tells how the Naval Brigade lifted morale when the assault began to falter:'Every attempt at forward movement was met by a storm of shot, shell and bullets, the slow rate of fire of the [rebel] muskets being compensated by the large number of men handling them. Each rush cost a few lives and it looked bad. In the clouds of dust and smoke which billowed across the plain, it was hard for commanders to see what was happening or why the advance in that area was making so little progress. To those in front, it seemed that increased artillery support was their only hope.Suddenly, however, the men of the 53rd Foot and the 4th Punjab Infantry, lying down near the bridge and extended short of the bank of the Canal, heard a rumble of wheels behind them, and there they saw Captain Peel, followed by a 24-pounder gun, hand-drawn and double-crewed, some forty Seamen, running hard, followed by a limber. "Action Front" shouted Peel, an…
Lot 266
‘I am glad to learn that the Government has granted an increase of the pension allowed to ex-Lieut. Charles Jenkins, a native of Ventnor, of the Cape Mounted Rifles ... for distinguished conduct in the field during the Zulu War of 1879. Lieut. Jenkins daringly made the charge single-handed with revolver and sword upon a number of Zulus who were defending their own kraal, but were forced by him to retreat, seven of the enemy being left dead ... It was owing to the action of Lieut. Jenkins that an army of Zulus who were coming over the hill at the battle of Inyazana ... were successfully put to flight ... Lord Chelmsford afterwards recommended the soldier for promotion from Sergeant-Major to Lieutenant.’A newspaper extract refers.The outstanding campaign group of three awarded to Lieutenant C. Jenkins, Natal Native Contingent, late Royal Navy and Cape Mounted Rifles; he was the only man to earn a field commission from Lord Chelmsford during the Zulu War - that gallantry latter earned him a pension for 'for distinguished Conduct in the field'Baltic 1854-54 (C. J. Jenkins, Boy 2nd C. H.M.S. Ajax); South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8-9 (Lieut. C. Jenkins, 4th Battn. N.N.C.), re-engraved naming; Cape of Good Hope General Service 1880-97, 1 clasp, Basutoland (Pte. C. Jenkins. C. M. Rif.), mounted on silver bar as worn, very fineCharles Jenkins was born at Brading, Isle of Wight in 1840 and served in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in the Baltic operations (Medal), leaving home for a new life in South Africa in 1858. He joined the Cape Mounted Riflemen but returned home in 1868, being married on Christmas Day that year and taking work as a warder at Portsea. Little more needs to be said of his exploits during the Zulu campaign, but his record would appear to be a unique one.His final campaign would be in the Basuto Gun War of 1881, when serving with the Cape Mounted Rifles, although it took until 1903 for his Medal to reach him back on the Isle of Wight (Isle of Wight Mercury refers). Jenkins served in the Bechuanaland expedition as Interpreter to Sir Charles Warren and was 'disabled by accident on duty' in July 1885. This was further detailed in a 1904 letter from Major-General Sir F. Carrington:'I have much pleasure in testifying to the good services of Sgt. Major Charles Jenkins. He served under my command in the Basuto War in the Cape mounted Rifles and afterwards in the 2nd Mounted Rifles during Sir. C. Warren’s expedition in Bechuanaland where he was promoted to Sgt. Major for his efficiency and general good service. He unfortunately met with a severe accident when on duty by his horse backing into one of our wagons he was escorting – the horse being killed and Sgt. Major Jenkins having his collarbone and six ribs broken. He was taken to Mafeking Hospital where for some time he lay in a precarious state. He is in possession of the Baltic medal, Zulu War medal, Cape general Service medal and clasp for Basutoland. He is, I know, in most needy circumstances never having regained sufficient strength to do much work.'By April 1906 Major-General Hart Symot had taken up the case to assist in getting an increase in pension:'...I remember your gallant fighting in the critical action with the 2nd Zulu Army on the 22nd January at Inyazana, and your promotion from Non Commissioned Officer to Lieutenant in our NNC by Lord Chelmsford, upon my report.'The reply followed by letter from the Royal Hospital Chelsea in November 1906:'Sir,I am directed by the Lords and others, Commissioners of this hospital, to acquaint you that having taken into consideration all the circumstances of your case they have been pleased to increase your pension from nine pence to fifteen pence per diem. The additional 6d per day is awarded for ‘distinguished Conduct in the Field’.'The gallant old soldier died on 7 November 1919 and is buried at Ventnor.…
Lot 353
A good 'Operation Olive September 1944' immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant R. A. G. Smith, 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment), who led the charge on an enemy machine-gun nest with a small band of comrades to great success, later the same day he went off hunting alone and single-handedly pulled off a repeat, this time bringing home the enemy prisoners under their own gunDistinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6472861 L. Sjt. R. A. G. Smith. R. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style, very fine (6)D.C.M. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The recommendation, for an immediate award approved by Alexander, states:'On the night 6-7 September 1944, 'W' Company, 8 Royal Fusiliers was ordered to attack the enemy and consolidatethe position in the area of the village of Croce.L-Sgt Smith was Platoon Sergeant of the Leading Platoon. On his own initiative he went forward of his Platoon with a small party of men, overran many of the enemy and cleared up a large area of enemy resistance. Alone, showing complete disregard for his own personal safety, he attacked an enemy MG post and killed the crew with his TMC, captured the MG and returned to his Platoon.Later, now single handed, he went forward to another MG post, he captured the enemy gun crew and with their weapon brought them back to our line. Had these enemy MGs not been silenced they would have taken very heavy toll on L-Sgt Smiths Company, which in turn may well have prejudiced the security of the whole of the Croce feature.Apart from these two outstanding incidents, L-Sgt Smith set a very high example of leadership and military qualities and his whole conduct was in the very highest tradition of the Service.'Ronald Arthur George Smith was born on 8 April 1920 at Hornsey, London and was a cabinet maker upon his joining the Territorial Army in June 1940. He was to join the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers in October 1940.Smith served with his unit in Iraq, joining PAIFORCE as Lance-Corporal in November 1942. Having served through the Middle East, the unit landed in Italy on 10 September 1943. It was present in the Volturno crossing of October 1943 - being photographed going into action through the mud by Ronald Lambert of No. 2 Army Film & Photo Unit (IWM NA 7876, refers) - and they also shared in Operation 'Shingle' at the Battle of Anzio in January 1944.Little more needs be said about his services in winning his D.C.M. during Operation 'Olive', for his part at Croce, but more can be read of the wider events in the article Autumn Assualt in Italy (Warfare History Network, refers). Smith was made Sergeant on 10 November 1945, transferred to the Gordon Highlanders and was released in September 1946. He took work as a projects manager in Oxfordshire and died in Adderbury in February 1999; sold together with newspaper cutting and copied research.…
Lot 67
A rare campaign group of four awarded to Stoker Petty Officer B. J. Taylor, Royal Navy, who was present for the Battle of Cocos between H.M.A.S. Sydney and S.M.S. Emden on 9 November 1914 whilst loaned to the Royal Australian Navy1914-15 Star (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (296629 B. J. Taylor. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (296629 B. J. Taylor, S.P.O. H.M.S. Adventure.) together with H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal 1914, silver, 32mm, presented by the people of Western Australia, named on the reverse (B. J. Taylor. Stoker P’y Off’r) fitted with usual ring for suspension; and H.M.A.S. Sydney - S.M.S. Emden Medal, 9 November 1914, silver Mexican 8 Réales dated ‘1876’, mounted by W. Kerr, Sydney, small chop marks to both sides, this last nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine (6)Benjamin James Taylor was born at Garston, Lancashire on 30 August 1881 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 14 January 1901. His first service afloat was with Magnificent in July 1901 and he was still with her the next year when advanced Stoker on 18 February 1902. Further advanced Stoker 1st Class on 1 July 1906 and Leading Stoker on 7 September 1911 while stationed with Indus.Transferring to Vivid II Taylor was finally promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 10 September 1912. The next year he was loaned to the nascent Royal Australian Navy on 1 March 1913, arriving at H.M.A. London Depot that same day.Sydney - EmdenTaylor was posted to Sydney on 27 June 1913 and was still with her when the war began as she steamed north to join the battlecruiser H.M.A.S. Australia. They were assigned to the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force which seized New Guinea in September 1914. With the Pacific swiftly secured Australian troops were to be deployed to Egypt and Sydney was ordered to escort the first convoy out in November 1914.At the same time Emden was coming to the end of her epic voyage of destruction through the Indian Ocean. Her next target was the Communications station on the Cocos Islands which she succeeded in knocking out on 9 November, however not before a distress signal was sent. The troop convoy picked up this signal and Sydney was sent out to investigate the disturbance.Newly constructed Sydney had superior speed, armour and firepower to Emden however Captain Jessop was not aware of his opponents' capabilities. As such he agreed with the gunnery officer to open fire at a range of 9,500 yards which he believed to be outside her range. This was not the case however and it was Emden which opened the batting, opening fire and scoring hits on her fourth volley, damaging the aft rangefinders.Emden's only hope was to cause as much damage as possible while the surprise of her attack lasted. However Sydney was in the fight now, the obvious decision would be to use her superior speed to increase the range and batter Emden from afar however the damage to her rangefinders meant that increasing the range would reduce the accuracy of her gunnery. As such she missed with her first two salvoes, destroying Emden's wireless office and her forward gun.As the battle continued Sydney's speed and firepower began to tell, soon destroying the German vessel's steering gear and knocking out a number of guns. Another volley toppled the forward funnel and a shell landed in her aft magazine, forcing the Emden's crew to flood it. Eventually with only one gun still firing, both funnel's collapsed and the engine room ablaze Emden beached on North Keeling Island. Captain Glossop ordered Sydney to ceasefire and signalled the troop convoy 'Emden beached and done for'.Epilogue Taylor continued to serve with Sydney for much of the rest of the war, being returned to the Royal Navy on 23 January 1918. Posted to Adventure on 27 August he saw convoy duty with her until 11 August 1919 and went ashore for the final time. He was finally discharged on 9 June 1922, having earned a war gratuity for his service including the Emden action; sold together with copied service papers.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.
Lot 310
Sold by Order of the Recipient'We swing between the steel gates to see sabotaged cranes lying toppled and half-immersed in the foul thickness of what was once water - like the skeletons of prehistoric creatures preserved in their death throes...Their only light relief is when they are allowed to blow up the massive stocks of light ammunition left behind by fleeing Iraqis...My team is working just inside the main harbour wall; those not diving or supervising are huddled around a brazier in whatever layers of clothing they can fit over their uniform. They look like a group of down-and-outs surviving inner city decay on an English winter's day.I am met by their CO, Lieutenant Peter Williams, once a carefree Sub Lieutenant with me in Avenger. He now looks drawn and a good deal older - but I dare say so do I. His exploits will rightly win him a Distinguished Service Cross...I inspect their 'goodies', row upon row of Iraqi ordnance: booby traps extracted from dark corners; abandoned shells and grenades; flares and machine-gun bullet bandoliers and weapon cases. They are all stacked neatly into little symmetrical pyramids along the jetty.'Captain Craig brings to life the scenes in the Gulf in Call for FireAn outstanding Gulf War Bomb Disposal 1991 D.S.C. group of twelve awarded to Commander A. P. Williams, Royal Navy, who led Fleet Diving Unit B during Operation 'Granby'He led 'utterly from the front' with a cool confidence to the task, keeping a detailed - and hitherto unpublished - diary of events during those pivotal days and 'personally led several countermining sorties - by day and night - against some of the 1,500 Iraqi mines' and latterly in the post-War efforts in 'appalling and hazardous conditions to clear the Kuwaiti harbours' - thus adding a scarce 'Kuwait' clasp to his laurels for his work commanding Fleet Diving Unit B & NP1037Distinguished Service Cross, E.II.R., the reverse engraved 'Lt A P Williams RN', with its Royal Mint case of issue; Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (Lt A P Williams RN); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Kuwait (Lt A P Williams RN); N.A.T.O. Medal, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; N.A.T.O. Medal, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., with 2 Additional Service Bars (Lt Cdr A P Williams DSC RN), with the named box of issue; Oman, Sultanate, Sultan's Commendation Medal (Midal ut-Tawsit), with emblem upon riband; 45th Anniversary National Day Medal; Saudia Arabia, Kingdom, Kuwait Liberation Medal; Kuwait, Emirate, Liberation Medal, silver grade, mounted court-style as worn, these last two separately as per Order of Wear, good very fine, in a case used by the recipient, the lid blocked 'Commander Peter Williams DSC' (12)Approximately 11 D.S.C.s awarded in the post-Second World War era for actions relating to Minewarfare, Diving and EOD work.Just 7 D.S.C.s awarded for Operation 'Granby'.D.S.C. London Gazette 29 June 1991:'Williams arrived in the Northern Arabian Gulf on 1 February 1991 as Deputy Officer in Charge of Fleet Diving Unit B (FDU B). He moved into action immediately, co-ordinating training, refining techniques on new equipment, establishing an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) cell and overseeing inspections for Improvised Explosive Devices (lEDs) in ships of the RN Task Group as they arrived in Bahrain.During hostilities Williams was the supervisor of an airborne EOD team and of diving operations from Gemini craft, spending many hours in helicopters in the front line of Naval operations, often within ten miles of the enemy coast. Insisting on putting himself in the way of danger before his men, he showed remarkable courage and stamina by leading personally on countermining sorties, placing charges on live buoyant mines and diving for protracted periods, often at night, on live ground mines in order to bring them to the surface for exploitation. In addition he conducted the unenviable task of recovering dead bodies from the sea into helicopters. He led a team of two men on an inspection of HMS Gloucester to search for a mine reportedly entangled in her propeller shafts.Moving ashore on 5 March to Mina Ash Shuaybah he took over as Officer In Charge of FDU B. He established a base camp and helped co-ordinate EOD operations with American and Australian Units for clearing the ports of Mina Al Ahmadi, Mina Ad Dohah and Faylakah Island. The work involved rendering safe unstable live ordnance, beached mines, booby traps and lEDs, clearing buildings and oil tankers of ordnance and collecting dead bodies from the harbour waters. Often these jobs required him and his team to first reach the scene through areas of antipersonnel mines and barbed wire. Throughout this extremely dangerous operation he showed an implacable professionalism and positive leadership which was beyond his experience. At all times his men saw him in the leading role, tirelessly taking on the most hazardous tasks himself.The conditions under which FDU B operated were atrocious. With no infrastructure ashore the men lived in cargo containers on a jetty with no light, sanitation or potable water, in an atmosphere heavy with acrid smoke and toxic fumes from the oilfield fires burning inland, and diving in water with zero visibility due to the thick oil pollution.All the time they were at risk from random gunfire from uncontrolled factions of the local population. Williams's conspicuous leadership, resolute professionalism and boundless energy ensured that his Unit's effectiveness remained at peak levels from start to finish and that his men's morale was of the highest order in the face of dire adversity.'Personel Report covering the dates 1 February-23 April 1991, as Officer in Charge Fleet Diving Unit B & NP1037 to Commander Task Group 321.1, from Commodore C. J. S. Craig, Commander Task Group 321.1:'This is to certify that Lieutenant Williams has conducted himself to my entire satisfaction.Williams came into theatre after two weeks has elapsed of the Gulf War, becoming Deputy Officer in Charge of a Fleet Diving Unit. Initially a supervisor of the airborne EOD teams, he personally led several countermining sorties - by day and night - against some of the 1500 Iraqi mines.Shortly after the war finished he took over he took over as the Officer in Charge of the combined diving team which worked for several weeks in appalling and hazardous conditions to clear the main Kuwaiti harbours - a task which was completed ahead of time and thankfully without any casualties. Throughout this period Williams has led courageously, and utterly from the front, has shown stamina, cheerfulness and professionalism, and has set a fine example to his people. He has briefed clearly, shown economical style with his signalled reports and demonstrated an ability to organise events sensibly and wisely.I have recommended his without reservation for transfer to the General List and would see him developing his professional potential through further command for which I also have recommended him.Altogether Williams can be extremely proud of his achievements in peace and war in the Gulf.'SALE 25001 NOTICE:Now offered together with his Royal Navy Divers Log (Form S. 1627), covering the periods 12 February 1985-8 March 2004, including his Ops during the Gulf War, a terrific resource with a plethora of detail. Further accompanied by his SBS RN Officers MCD Advanced EOD Course Certificate (9 June-25 July 1986) and MCD Officer Qualification Certificate (3 November 1986) and Minewarfare brochure, featuring Williams as OIC FDU2.
Lot 237
Frontier Light HorseRaised by Lieutenant F. Carrington at King Williams Town, Cape Colony, in 1877. Command soon passed to Major Redvers Buller, K.R.R.C., under whom the F.L.H. served in the final stages of the Ninth War, suffering casualties. In July 1878, the unit, 276 of all ranks, marched from King Williams Town to Pietermaritzburg in Natal, and from there to Sekukuniland in the Transvaal. During September and October the corps saw service against the Sekukini and in November returned to Natal and fought through the Zulu War of 1879 with Wood's Column.At Hlobane on 28 March 1879, the F.L.H. acted as the rear-guard during the withdrawal and subsequently lost nearly 20% of the 156 all ranks engaged. Their Commanding Officer was killed and was succeeded by Captain C. D'Arcy, who on reconnaissance with Sergeant O'Toole would both go on to win the Victoria Cross. The unit was armed with Martini-Henry carbines with a short sword bayonet.478 Medals were awarded to the Frontier Light Horse, 179 of them with clasp '1879'.The Zulu War Medal awarded to Trooper A. Whitecross, Frontier Light Horse, who gallantly saved the life of Trooper Patterson at Hlobane Mountain - for which he was 'mentioned' by Lieutenant-Colonel BullerSouth Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (209, Tpr. A Whitecross, Frontr. L. Horse), very fineAlexander Whitecross was born in Scotland circa 1837 and served with Pulleine's Rangers in 1877-8 before joining the Frontier Light Horse, with whom he served from 14 July 1878-8 August 1879.A good account of his gallantry is offered by Greaves in Crossing the Buffalo:'So steep was the descent down the Devil's Pass that many of Buller's men and horses fell to their deaths; for the survivors, their ordeal was to become even more serious as the Zulus from the main force now reached the lower reaches of the pass and began closing in on both sides. The Zulus began firing at point-blank range into the desperate soldiers while others darted among them, stabbing and spearing to death.Trooper Patterson had managed to lead his horse safely down the pass and had just mounted up when he was speared from his horse leaving him defenceless. As the Zulus closed to kill the injured rider, Trooper Whitecross drove them off by using his rifle as a club. Patterson was hauled to safety and both lived to tell the tale.'His named was 'mentioned' by Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Buller in the despatches of 29 March 1879.It is understood he served in Prince Alfred's Volunteer Guard during the Basuto Gun War of 1880-81 but died in November 1893 and did not live to claim a Medal (Frontier Light Horse in the Anglo-Zulu War 1879, refers).…
Lot 2
A rare 'Banda Neira' Naval General Service Medal awarded to Sailmaker's Mate R. Cheeseman, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M.S. Caroline and with her participated in the impressive action of 18 October 1806, fought pirates in the Persian Gulf, took part in the heroic capture of Banda Neira under Captain Cole, was wounded by a musket ball to his left arm near Java, and later as Captain of the Afterguard served off the coast of Canada in the War of 1812Naval General Service 1793-1840, 1 clasp, Banda Neira (Robert Cheeseman.), light contact marks and a slight edge bruise, otherwise good very fineProvenance:Whitaker Collection, 1890.Glendining's, June 1986.Noonan's, July 2021.Robert Cheeseman is confirmed on the roll with entitlement to this medal and clasp for his service as Sailmaker's Mate aboard H.M.S. Caroline during the capture of Banda Neira. He is one of only 68 recipients of this clasp, and the sole Sailmaker's Mate.Cheeseman was born at Deptford, London circa 1783 and found work as a bricklayer prior to entering the Royal Navy on 23 March 1803, aged twenty. His first posting was aboard the 36-gun fifth-rate frigate H.M.S. Caroline, launched at Rotherhithe in 1795. Initially ranked as a Landsman upon his enlistment, Cheeseman must have been a capable sailor as he found steady promotion to positions of responsibility throughout his eleven years of service.Caroline was captained by Benjamin William Page when joined by Cheeseman, and set sail for the East Indies in May 1803 with secret orders to bring news of the start of the Napoleonic Wars. Whilst en route she captured a number of vessels, including the Dutch Haasje which had been carrying dispatches from Napoleon. Haasje was sent in to the remote island of St. Helena, which would of course later host the exiled French Emperor, bringing the news of war. She arrived in the East Indies on 6 September and spent the next several months escorting East India Company convoys and capturing French privateers. For Caroline's success in the capture of many enemy privateers, the grateful merchant communities of Madras and Bombay presented Captain Page with swords worth 500 guineas, no small sum with a value of over £60,000 today.At an unknown date Cheeseman was wounded by a musket ball to his left arm while serving in the South Seas in the Strait of Sunda, between the islands of Java and Sumatra. The circumstances surrounding this wound are unknown, but it was later noted in his pension register.East Indies and the Action of 18 October 1806Cheeseman had his first promotion to Ordinary Seaman on 1 January 1805, with command of Caroline transferred in April to Captain Peter Rainier - who was only twenty years old at the time of his appointment. It is worthy to also note that until mid-1805 James Johnson, later physician extraordinary to King William IV, was acting as the ship's surgeon and his time aboard her was essential in gathering material for his influential publications on tropical diseases.Caroline found great success during the Java Campaign of 1806-7, and with young Captain Rainier at her helm fought the action of 18 October 1806 against a Dutch squadron. While patrolling off the coast of Batavia Caroline captured a small Dutch brig, whose crew informed Rainier that the frigate Phoenix was under repair and vulnerable nearby. The captain resolved to bring her out, but while on approach was spotted by two small warships. Caroline then captured the 14-gun brig Zeerop without firing a single shot, while the other escaped by hugging the coast. Phoenix took the opportunity of the delay to sail to the well-defended Batavia harbour. Whilst in pursuit of Phoenix, Caroline sighted at anchor in the Batavia Roads the 36-gun frigate Maria Reijersbergen along with three smaller warships.Facing a force significantly stronger than Caroline and with the ability to call on the harbour gunboats for aid, the confident Rainier immediately made for Maria Reijersbergen. The gallant Captain himself takes up the story in his report to Rear-Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge:'As I distinctly made out the frigate to be the largest ship in the road, I ran for her with springs on both cables [allowing her to easily turn at anchor]; the enemy commenced firing at us as soon as we were within gun-shot, which was not returned till we came as close as the wind would allow us, which was within half-pistol-shot, when we opened our fire. The action continued about half an hour, when the enemy hauled down her colours. On boarding, she proved to be the Dutch republican frigate Maria Reygersbergen, of 36 guns, 18-pounders on the main-deck, and 270 men, commanded by Captain Jager, second in command. The Maria was launched in 1800, and is a fast sailing ship. We had to encounter, besides the frigate, the William of 20 guns, Patriot 18, and Zeeplong 14, with several gun-boats; and there were thirty gunboats lying in shore, which did not attempt to come out. I beg leave to state, that when the action commenced we were short of complement, by men away in prizes, sick at hospitals, &c. 57 in number.'The British suffered only three killed and eighteen wounded, while the enemy sustained over fifty casualties. The shallow water did not allow her to safely attack the others but the enemy ships, as well as a further six merchant vessels, nevertheless ran themselves aground to escape capture by Caroline. Maria Reijersbergen was later brought into the service of the Royal Navy as H.M.S. Java.Cheeseman was advanced Able Seaman a couple of months after the engagement on 15 December. Caroline was next involved in an exciting exchange on 27 January 1807 after convoying near the Philippine Islands. Spotting a strange sail, she made chase and when within range the 16-gun ship raised Spanish colours and opened fire. Rainier opened fire in turn and forced her surrender after inflicting twenty-seven casualties. The mystery vessel's identity was revealed as St. Raphael sailing under the alias Pallas, carrying a valuable cargo which included £500,000 of bullion coin and 1,700 quintals of copper. In capturing this treasure ship Caroline suffered but seven men wounded.By June, Caroline joined the squadron of Rear-Admiral Edward Pellew. She was sent along with the frigate H.M.S. Psyche on a mission to find Dutch ships which escaped destruction at the Batavia Roads. The two captured a smaller enemy vessel near Surabaya in August, who revealed to the British that there were a number of Dutch ships of the line in a state of disrepair at the port of Griessie. After a reconnoitre of Griessie, Psyche and Caroline destroyed a number of merchant ships and shared in the capture of Dutch corvette Scipio, later brought into Royal Naval service as H.M.S. Samarang.In September, command of Caroline passed to Captain (later Rear-Admiral) Henry Hart who sailed her along with the rest of Pellew's squadron back to attack the ships at Griessie. During the attack, Caroline was for some time used as Pellew's flagship after the grounding of Culloden. Hart was charged with orchestrating the landing parties and he successfully coordinated the raid on Griessie and the destruction of the port's infrastructure. This action brought to an end the presence of an active Dutch navy in the East Indies. 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.
Lot 105
Baltic 1854-55 (H. T. Gammell. Lieut. R.N. H.M.S. Ajax), unofficially engraved in upright capitals and mounted upon a three-pronged silver riband buckle, together with an Edinburgh Academy Homer Medal, silver (Harcourt T. Gammell, Classis Quintae, Dux, MDCCCXLIII), both contained within a bespoke fitted leather case, the top lid tooled in gilded letters stating 'Medals of Capt H. T. Gammell R.N.', traces of old lacquer, good very fineHarcourt Thomas Gammell, third son of Captain James Gammell, was born at Beech Hill, County Down, on 29 April 1829. In the early 1830s the family relocated to Edinburgh and young Harcourt attended Edinburgh Academy from 1838-43 where, in his final year, he was awarded the school's Homer Medal in silver. Destined for a life at sea, Gammell entered the Royal Navy immediately after leaving Edinburgh Academy (September 1843) and six years later was appointed a Mate aboard H.M.S. Excellent, the gunnery training vessel at Portsmouth Dockyard. Promoted Lieutenant in November 1853, he was next posted to the 74-gun H.M.S. Ajax, and as a member of her ship's company saw action in the Baltic at the Bombardment of Bomarsund in August 1854.Further postings to various other vessels followed over the next 20 years, but with the general peace throughout Europe in the wake of the Crimean War men such as Gammell had little opportunity to distinguish themselves - indeed, he unfortunately did exactly the opposite and was officially admonished when, as Officer of the Watch, the 100-gun H.M.S. Conqueror ran aground and was wrecked off the Bahamas - thankfully without loss of a single life. Promoted Commander in 1869, Gammell retired in 1874 and was further advanced Retired Captain in 1884. He and his wife Lucy resided mostly in the West Country, around Bath and Weston-super-Mare, and inherited the vast sum of £40,000 when his father died in 1893. Harcourt Gammell himself died on 25 September 1904 and was clearly a well-regarded local figure in the community, with the Bristol Times and Mirror noting in his obituary of 1 October that year: 'The deceased, who formerly served on H.M.S. Hector, will be greatly missed by the poor of the town, as he was ever ready with his purse to help any deserving case.' The Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette of 29 September 1904 further notes: 'His friends in Bath will hear with regret of the death of Captain Harcourt Gammell R.N....he entered the Royal Navy at the age of 14, going direct to sea, as in those days there were no training ships. His period of service was 35 years, during which he was with the Baltic Fleet in what is known as the Crimean War, and for services then rendered he received the silver medal. He took no part in public affairs, but in private life he was a liberal donor, and by his demise a large number have lost a generous friend'...For the medals of his father, Captain James Gammell see Lot 104; for the medals of a brother, Captain William Gammell, see Lot 106; and for the medals of his son Sergeant Kensington Gammell, see Lot 107.…
Lot 42
The British War Medal issued in gold awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel His Highness Sir R. Vibhaji. Maharaja of Navanagar - the legendary cricketer affectionately known as 'Ranji', the first person of colour to play Test Cricket for England in a most successful career of over 300 First Class MatchesBritish War Medal 1914-20, gold issue (37g) (Lt. Col. H.H. Sir R. Vibhaji. Maharaja of Navanagar.), extremely fineThe cataloguer could happily spill litres of ink on the printing press on the remarkable life of Colonel Kumar Sri Sir Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji II, Jam Sahib Maharaja of Nawanagar, and urges the reader to delve into the numerous online and printed references. Thankfully the Open University have been called upon to offer an abridged version:'Ranjitsinhji was a cricketer for England and a Prince of Nawanagar State in India, known as 'Ranji' to his cricketing fans. As a child, he was chosen as heir to a distant relative, Vibhaji, the Jam Sahib of Navanagar, but then discarded. He studied at the Rajkumar College in Rajkot and then in 1888, at sixteen, Ranjitsinhji went to Britain. He joined Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1889. It was not until 1893, having played in the meantime for local clubs on 'Parker's Piece', that Ranji gained a place in the Cambridge University cricket team. He was the first Indian to win a cricket Blue. In 1895, Ranji began to play regularly for Sussex. Having faced opposition to his inclusion into the University side, there was now a growing public debate as to whether Ranji should be allowed to play for the England national side. In 1896, Ranji made his debut for England against Australia at Old Trafford. In 1897, Ranjitsinhji produced a book on the evolution of cricket in England called The Jubilee Book of Cricket. In the winter of 1897-8, Ranji toured Australia with the England team.In 1904, Ranji returned to India as he was no longer playing for England and could not financially support himself in Britain. However, he continued to return to England at regular intervals and play for Sussex. In 1906, the new Jam Sahib of Navanagar, the son of Vibhaji, died and with no other formal heir, Ranjitsinhji assumed the throne. When war broke out in 1914, Ranji helped the imperial effort, by converting his house in Staines into a hospital for wounded soldiers, by donating troops from Navanagar and going to the Western Front himself. Ranji also had a lakeside castle at Ballynahinch, on the west coast of Ireland. In August 1915, he lost his right eye in a shooting accident in Yorkshire, and played his last game for Sussex in 1920. As an Indian Prince, Ranjitsinhji took up many political responsibilities: he represented India twice at the League of Nations, and was a delegate to the Round Table Conference sessions in 1930. He died in 1933 in one of his palaces in Jamnagar.'A few lines must be mentioned on his cricketing credentials and remarkable records that stand to this day. He played in 307 first class matches and scored a shade under 25,000 runs at 56.37, including 72 centuries and a top score of 285 not out. Some feat in the era of uncovered pitches. That average puts him above names like Wally Hammond, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid of the former players and above all of 'Fab Four' in the current game, these being Joe Root, Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson and Steve Smith. He was also the first person of colour to play for England.His contribution to the Great War should also not be forgotten, they were clearly considered worthy of the praise of his being issued the British War Medal in gold.…SALE 25001 NOTICE:Tests as 96% gold under XRF gun, with no obvious evidence of plating. Only destructive testing would give further detail.
Lot 798
CDs - Over 100 mainly rock and indie albums to include Muse, Terrorvision, Wishbone Ash, Blackstone Cherry, Grateful Dead, Nirvana, Billy Idol, Gun, The Animals, Bon Jovi, Green Day, The Beatles, Manfred Mann, The Fall, Rage Against The Machine, Beck, Paul Weller, The Verve, James and many more.
Lot 222
Vinyl - 11 Jimi Hendrix recent release / reissue LPs including ltd edns including numbered and coloured vinyl to include Machine Gun, First Rays Of The New Rising Sun, Experience Hendrix, Rainbow Bridge, In The West, Stone Free, Freedom, Miami Pop Festival (with 7"), The Ultimate Experience, Live At Monterey, Radio One. At least Ex with 8 sealed examples.
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