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WWI P.O.W pair of War and Victory medals, awarded to 15602 PTE. Edward. Walters. East Yorkshire Regiment.Edward Walters, P.O.W in Germany who later died on the 10th March 1926 during a mining accident in Dawdon Colliery, together with his original photograph.

Pokemon trading cards game, 233 different trading cards inside an official Pokemon Trainers Toolkit storage box.Not the cards that would have originally come with this Toolkit, remainder of the original contents are present.Sold on behalf of Monkey World, Dorset.Thanks go to Matt Smith who donated some of the cards in this Lot.

WWI framed Death plaque, together with a pair of the War and Victory medals, presented to M. B. 623. Archibald Allan. C.M.M. R.N.V.R, together his original paperwork and photographs. Archibald Allan, Chief Motor Mechanic of the H.M.S Satellite during the 3rd December-31st December 1916 who was based in the London division and lost his life in Runswick Bay, Whitby.

Pokemon trading cards game, 233 different trading cards inside an official Pokemon Trainers Toolkit storage box.Not the cards that would have originally come with this Toolkit, remainder of the original contents are present.Sold on behalf of Monkey World, Dorset.Thanks go to Matt Smith who donated some of the cards in this Lot.

Pokemon Trading Game Cards, a bundle of 233 different cards inside a Stellar Crown box.Sold on behalf of Monkey World, Dorset.Thanks go to Matt Smith who donated some of the cards in this Lot.

Charlie Chaplin; a large lifesize scale cut-out display of Chaplin, depicted in his trademark suit with bowler hat and walking cane, double-sided, polycarbonate construction, standing 176cm tall, together with four acrylic film promotional posters 'Man In The Iron Mask and 'Amistad' (5) Sir Charles Spencer Chaplin KBE (1889-1977) was an English comic actor, filmmaker, and composer who rose to fame in the era of silent film. He became a worldwide icon through his screen persona, the Tramp, and is considered one of the film industry's most important figures. His career spanned more than 75 years, from childhood in the Victorian era until a year before his death in 1977.

Pokemon Trading Game Cards, a set of thirty Japanese cards in plastic album sleevesSold on behalf of Monkey World, Dorset.Thanks go to Matt Smith who donated the cards in this Lot.

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.…

Beaufort Rangers Cavalry VolunteersWith their HQ at Fort Beaufort and under the command of Captain Hall, who was succeeded by Captain Richards in February 1878, the unit were armed with carbines and short rifles. 10 men left for the front in October 1877 with the remainder suffering through the drought and regular patrols and ammunition escorts. Some of their number went on operations in the Perie Bush during the campaign.Approximately 62 Medals issued to the unit, 60 of them with clasp '1877-8'.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1877-8 (Tpr. E. Dyer. Beaufort R. C. Vol:), very fine…

The campaign group of three awarded to Regimental Quartermaster-Sergeant H. R. Adams, 25th (Frontiersmen) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who was 'mentioned' for his service in East Africa in 19181914-15 Star (13537 Sjt. H. R. Adams, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (13537 W. O. Cl. 2 H. R. Adams, R. Fus.), with M.I.D. oak leaves, good very fine (3)The unit earned a total of 39 'mentions' during the Great War of which only 27 went to other ranks.Henry R. Adams joined the 25th (Frontiersmen) Regiment as a Sergeant on 9 March 1915 and entered the war in East Africa on 10 April 1915. He served with them for the bulk of the war, doubtless being present for many of the Regiment's iconic actions and was at some stage advanced Quartermaster Sergeant.Adams earned his 'mention' just prior to the unit's disbandment in 1918 whereupon he was transferred to the Labour Corps; he was finally discharged due to illness on 6 February 1919; sold together with copied research.…

The mounted group of four miniature dress medals worn by Signalman W. W. Riley, Australian Military Forces, afterwards awarded a posthumous Q.P.M. for Gallantry in the New South Wales Police1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, together with two sets of old, related tunic ribands, one of them including the Police Exemplary Service Medal riband, good very fine (4)The mounted group of seven miniature dress medals representative of the awards to Sergeant 1st Class W. W. Riley, New South Wales Police, who was awarded a posthumous Q.P.M. for GallantryQueen's Police Medal, E.II.R.; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1945-75, clasp, S.W. Pacific; Police Exemplary Service Medal, E.II.R., mounted court-style for display, together with a set of related tunic ribands, good very fine (7)For his full-size awards and a biographical note, please see Lot 383.…

A rare Egypt and Sudan Medal awarded to Mr. W. Onions, Indian Government, who served as Engineer-in-Charge aboard the Government Steamer TenasserimEgypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp (Mr W. Onions. I.G.S.”Tenasserim”), suspension slightly loose, light contact marks, very fineIn addition to the 14 European members of the crew of the Indian Government Steamer Tenasserim, there were a further 122 Goanese and Lascars who were issued with unnamed medals. Amberwitch and Tenasserim were the only such vessels from India during these operations.…

United Arab Emirates, Sharjah, Police Decoration of Distinguished Service; Police Social Defence Medal; Police Employee Excellence Medal, with riband bar, in its case of issue, all by Fattorini, very fine and better (3)The Sharjah Police Decoration of Distinguished Service may be earned by military Officers and other ranks working in the Police and Security forces who have served for at least ten years and during which time they displayed good performance and good morals. The obverse features a cannon, with the state emblem of the Emirate of Sharjah to the reverse.The Sharjah Police Social Defence Medal is bestowed upon military Officers and other ranks if they achieve a specific and distinct achievement in the field of social defence against crime. The obverse face bears the scales of justice, and the reverse features the state emblem of Sharjah.The Employee Excellence Medal of the Sharjah Police features an obverse design of three symbolic employees, one with arms aloft in the foreground of a yellow, up-pointing arrow representative of success. The reverse face displays the badge of the Sharjah Police. The suspension bar bears the Arabic inscription 'Career Excellence'.…

The 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of FootThe exploits of both Battalions of the 24th Foot during the Zulu War need little introduction. They are perhaps the most storied of all regiments to set foot in South Africa during 1877-79. Scores of worthy titles are recommended, with The Washing of the Spears perhaps a good place to start for one with a new-found enthusiasm.The Zulu War Medal awarded to Private J. M. Meredith, 1st Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, who was killed in action at the disastrous Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (293. Pte. J. Meredith. 1-24th. Foot.), rod perhaps tightened at some point, very fineJohn Henry Meredith was born at Rhosyoside, Ruabon, Denbighshire on 27 December 1854, son of Henry and Ann, his father being the local tailor. Young Meredith enlisted at Manchester, Lancashire on 17 June 1874, aged 19 years. He served with 'H' Company and was killed in action at Isandhlwana on 22 January 1879, with his effects, to include the Medal & clasp '1879' were claimed by his father.Both Battalions of the 24th participated in the campaign (each fielding six companies) with the 1st Battalion forming the principal element of Number Three Column, which was under the overall command of Colonel Richard Glyn of the 1st/24th: therefore Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine was appointed to command in his stead.Upon crossing the Buffalo River on 11 January, the column (accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, General the Lord Chelmsford) found itself pitching camp nine days' later at the base of a prominent feature - the hill at Isandlwana. Chelmsford, eager to bring the campaign to a swift conclusion, departed at dawn on 22 January with half the column's strength (some 2,800 men) leaving behind Pulleine with approximately 1,300 men - five companies of the 1st/24th, one company of the 2nd/24th, 700 men of the Natal Native Contingent, two 7-pdr artillery pieces and a rocket battery.Failing to take any defensive measures to secure the camp, Pulleine's force was subsequently surprised by a vast Zulu army totalling some 20,000 warriors which, by additionally using the terrain to their advantage, swept forward to the attack using their traditional 'Horns of the Buffalo' strategy - a central advance supported by encircling forces on both flanks. Pulleine deployed the 24th Foot some way in advance of the camp in an extended firing line, aiming to subdue the Zulus with superior firepower - the young Meredith must have been one of those men in the line; what he likely thought and felt at that moment defies description.For at least an hour, the British held the Zulu warriors at bay, inflicting significant casualties with their powerful Martini-Henry rifles and aided by support from the two 7-pdr guns from N/5 Battery Royal Artillery. However, as the mounted force (commanded by Colonel Anthony Durnford) began to withdraw in the face of mounting numbers of Zulus, this exposed the right flank of the British infantry firing-line; G Company (2nd/24th) was swiftly overrun and the remainder also began a withdrawal, loading and firing as they went, back towards the camp. However, by this point the Zulu encirclement of the position had almost been completed and the remains of the British force were left with no option but to either try to fight their way out or fight to the death - the result has subsequently been recorded as one of the most famous 'Last Stands' in British military history, immortalised in paintings, books, and the 1979 major motion picture 'Zulu Dawn' starring Peter O'Toole and Denholm Elliot amongst many other household names.Of the 1,800 men at Isandlwana over 1,300 of them were killed; the bodies of the slain were afterward buried in mass graves on the battlefield, their last resting places still marked to this day by white-painted stone cairns; Private Meredith is amongst them.In July 2001, DNW sold another Medal (bearing both initials but the incorrect '1878-8-9' clasp) to this man. This Medal was inspected by John Hayward in April 2006 and the assumption that a duplicate must have been made at some time. This Medal was considered entirely as issued.…

An Escaper's M.M. group of six awarded to Lance Corporal R. Holtby, Green Howards, who - with remarkable persistence - attempted to escape no less than three times, finally succeeding on the final runHaving joined underage Holtby was to see action in France 1940, the Dunkirk evacuation and the War in the Desert before his capture; his exploits in Italy make for exiting reading as he filed open the train door and leapt from the back of speeding trucks to make his final successful bid for freedomMilitary Medal, G.VI.R. (4391447 L. Cpl. R. Holtby. Green. Howards.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (4391447 Pte. R. Holtby. Green. Howards.), light contact wear, overall very fine (6)Provenance:Glendinning's, June 1889.M.M. London Gazette 12 September 1944, the original recommendation states:'On 9 Sep 43, before the general evacuation of Camp 54, Holtby left with eleven other prisoners and went with them to Monte Flavia, from where he set off alone to cross the lines. He had only reached Settefratti when he was recaptured by Germans. About the end of October he was entrained for Germany, but after travelling for about 2 hours succeeded in escaping and reaching Sora before he was taken ill with pneumonia. Upon his recovery he decided to make for the Anzio beachhead, but at Borgo Grappa he was again arrested by Germans. Five days later, as he was being transferred to Gisterno, he jumped off the truck and travelled to San Silvanion, where he stayed two months. After the Allied attack on Terracina he met an American patrol on 23 May 44.'Roy Holtby was born at Beverley, Yorkshire on 8 August 1921, the son of Francis and Edith Holtby. Joining the Territorial Army at Beverley before the war, his obituary notes that he joined underage - his 18th birthday was in August 1939. He was serving with the 5th Battalion in France in 1940 where they took part in the Battle of Arras and later the Dunkirk evacuation.Returning to Britian the Battalion was not linger there for long before they were posted to the desert for serving in the Middle East. Their first engagement there was to be the Battle of Gazala in which the 50th Division - to which the Battalion was attached - suffered heavy losses during the Defence of the Knightsbridge box. Either during the attack or retreat Holtby was taken prisoner of war and from North Africa was transported to Italy, finding himself at Camp 54, Fara Nel Sabina in 1943.News of the Armistice with Italy arrived on 8 September 1943 and three days later the prisoners were told they would need to make their own escapes. Formed into two parties they set out, Holtby made a more determined attempt than many of his comrades, carrying on alone where they others stopped however he was soon recaptured.Put on a train in October to be transported he seized the opportunity and filed the lock on the carriage door open. Jumping from the train he was able to escape again, this did not last long before he was recaptured for the final time. Not to be discouraged he waited until he was again being transported and leapt from the back of the truck carrying him, after so much time on the run the Allies had advanced well into Italy and Holtby was able to contact the American forces not long later.Returning to Britain after the war he was awarded his Efficiency Medal in April 1946 and settled at 71 Beaver Road, Beverley. He died at Hull on 15 June 1989.After his death an obituary was posted in the local newspaper which states:'A Modest Beverly war hero has died at the age of 67.Former soldier Mr Roy Holtby who won the Military Medal, escaped three times from prisoner-of-war camps during World War Two.On the last occasion [SIC] he helped others to safety when he filed open the carriage door of a train carrying troops.Mr Holtby, who was under age when he joined up, was among those evacuated from Dunkirk.After the War, he set up in busines [SIC] as a builder in his home town of Beverley, retiring six years ago because of ill-health.'The Green Howards Gazette of September 1989 further states:'The death took place on 16th June, 1898 of Mr Roy Holtby MM. He had suffered a heart condition for a few years. Roy joined the TA in Beverely prior to the war and served with the 5th Battalion, serving in France 1940 and was evacuated from Dunkirk. He served in the Middle East throughout the Desert Campaign until he was taken prisoner at Gazala ad was sent to Italy. He escaped twice from captivity [SIC] and on one occasion he was awarded the Military Medal. He eventually escaped to Switzerland [SIC] and eventually to England and stayed in England until demobilisation. He was a builder by trade and was very well known and respected by all his many friends.'Sold together with copied research.…

The rare and superb 'Operation Grapeshot' M.B.E., 'Monte Rogno' Virtuti Militi, 'Monte Cassino' Cross of Valor group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. Lipowski, 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment, Polish Army, whose remarkable life story includes a tragic episode during the Fall of Poland which saw him narrowly escape the fate of two of his comrades, who were arrested and murdered during the Katyn MassacreReturning to active service his extreme bravery attached to the 5th (Kresowa) Division in Italy saw him honoured on several occasions and even wounded during the Battle of Monte Cassino, being hit by shrapnel that had already passed through the lung of a brother Officer who stood besidePoland, Republic, Order of Virtuti Militari, breast Badge, 5th Class, silver and enamel, of wartime manufacture by Spink; Cross of Valor, with Second Award Bar; Cross of Merit, with swords, 2nd Type, silver-gilt; Army Medal; Monte Cassino Cross 1944, the reverse officially numbered '33078'; United Kingdom, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Italy, Kingdom, Croce al Valore Militare, sold together with an archive including a named cigarette case, portrait and photograph album and the named document of issue for the award of the M.B.E., overall good very fine (9)Virtuti Militari awarded 30 June 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'During the operations 'Adriatyk', he distinguished himself by working in difficult conditions under strong and accurate enemy fire, especially at the Observation Point on Monte Regano. He cooperated perfectly with the infantry, conducting accurate and effective fire, not breaking off observation despite the fire. With his behaviour, he set an exemplary example for officers and privates at the Observation Points, as always. He fully deserves the decoration.'Cross of Valor awarded 6 August 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'At Cassino he organized an Observation Point and stayed there. On May 10-12, 1944, despite heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, he remained at the Observation Point and continued his work. On May 12, 1944, despite heavy fire, he left the Observation Point to get better information and moved forward. He was wounded, but he did not want to stop his work.'Second Award Bar awarded 1945.M.B.E. London Gazette June 1945, the original recommendation states:'During the period 9th -21st April 1945, this officer worked with the maximum devotion as B.M., F.A. 5th Kresowa Division Artillery, which was in support of the Infantry in their operations against lines of Rivers Senio, Santerno, Sillaro, Gaina and Idice. Major Lipowski made a particularly great effort and showed special dexterity on 19th April and night 19th/20th, when Headquarters 5th Kresowa Division was faced with the task of co-ordinating the fire plans not only of the Divisions Artillery but also Artillery under command of the neighbouring RAK Force (Reinforced 2 Polish Armoured Brigade with 2 British Royal Horse Artillery and 3 Polish Field Regiment in SP). Rud Force (3rd and 4th Polish Infantry Brigades supported by 5th Polish Field Regiment and 7PHA) and AGPA.Major Lipowski's skillful [SIC] Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery on 19th April and night 19th/20th resulted in the rapid working out and co-ordination of the Artillery fire plans which effectively helped the Infantry and assisted the Armour in breaking down enemy opposition, crossing the Gaina River and approaching River Quaderno.The Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery had to be completed in a limited time in order to prepare the above Artillery plans and called for great effort and extreme accuracy. Major Lipowski not only directed the Staff work most efficiently but shone as an example of adroitness and devotion to duty.'Note the number of the recipient's Monte Cassino Cross is confirmed upon the roll.Tadeusz Lipowski was born on 29 March 1904, the son of two flour mill owners. His parents were forced to produce food for the German Army during the Great War, whilst the young Lipowski attended the local grammar school. Joining the Infantry Cadet School in 1926 he transferred to the Artillery Cadet School the next year and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1929.September 1939 and escaping to fight againPosted to Bendzen, Lipowski was set to work training new recruits, he was still there when the German Army invaded Poland in September 1939. His Regiment was left in an exposed position and forced to withdraw to avoid being encircled.Lipowski was interviewed post-war and the interviewer wrote a summary of his experiences, this narrative takes up the story:'The regiment was soon split up and within three days it had been officially annihilated although splinter groups had joined other regiments to continue fighting. Tade was able to join the Le Wolf East Polish soldiers on the 21st September and together they had fought their way out of danger or so they thought. Similar situations repeated themselves throughout Poland where the soldiers fought bravely on their own without the support of their planes which had been destroyed during the first day and without the aid of advanced weaponry…'Not long later the Russians invaded as well, tightening the noose around the Polish Army, communications at the time meant that many soldiers were not even aware of the Russian attack. One of these was Lipowski who awoke in a wood one morning to the sight of a Russian soldier on patrol. Unsure of whether this man was a friend or foe he remained hidden as the unsuspecting Russian passed beneath his sights, it was not until later that he discovered how close he had come to disaster.As the Polish defences were overrun, the Regiments began to splinter in small groups either seeking to withdraw to France and carry on the fight or set up resistance organisations. Lipowski, accompanied by two brother Officers, returned to the town in which he had been at school. His sister was living in the town and while they planned their next step she concealed them in her home.His brother came up with a plan to move them to a safer location by dressing the three men in his suits and putting them in the back of a wagon driven by a friendly farmer. Lipowski was forced to borrow a suit by his brother however the two Officers with him refused as the suits were expensive and they didn't want to take them. Instead, they removed their rank pips and took on the appearance of other ranks.During the journey the travellers were stopped by a Russian soldier, the farmer attempted to explain away the soldiers in his cart however this was for naught:'The Colonel could remain silent no longer and admitted to the Russian that they were in fact Officers so that the farmer would not get into trouble. Tadek said nothing but looked straight ahead. These Officers were only two of the many who were shot at Katyn by the Soviet secret police and left to rot in the mass grave, later discovered and dug up by the Germans two years later. Tadek had once again narrowly escaped death by what he called "good luck".' (Ibid)Reaching an underground resistance organisation, Lipowski was concealed by them and on 25 December 1939 dressed as a civilian he set out for southern Poland and the border. At one point he was stopped by a German soldier and asked when he was going, for one heart stopping moment it seemed that he was caught. This was not the case however, and it turned out the German was drunk and looking for someone to share a beer with - Lipowski agreed to a drink and later the soldier even waved him off on the tr…

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’

The 'Grimsby Blitz' B.E.M. awarded to Fire Guard A. R. Gordon, Grimsby Firewatching Organisation, for his bravery in the raid of 13-14 June 1943 in which the Germans for the first on Grimsby deployed their 'butterfly bombs', anti-personnel bomblets intended to target civiliansBritish Empire Medal, Civil Division, G.VI.R. (Alexander Ross Gordon), naming officially engraved upon a pre-prepared field, edge mark otherwise very fineB.E.M. London Gazette 5 November 1943, the original recommendation states:'During an air raid, incendiary bombs fell around the building where Gordon was on duty.Under his direction, fires in adjoining buildings were tackled and great efforts made to prevent the flames from spreading.When the water supply temporarily failed, Gordon salvaged important documents and carried them to safety. By this time the building was ringed with fire, but although tense, Gordon continued to fight the fires and eventually they were subdued.Gordon showed courage and it was due to his energy and leadership that the building was saved from destruction.'Alexander Ross Gordon was born at Grismby, Lincolnshire on 23 January 1902, the son of Alexander and Jenny Foster of 79 Hilda Street, Grimsby. He is listed as a member of the A.F.S. or Auxiliary Fire Service on the 1939 census while working as a cost clerk with Consolidated Fisheries Ltd.Leaving the A.F.S. upon its termination he instead joined the local fire watching organisation as a fire guard. He was on duty on the night of 13-14 June 1943, at his employer's building when the bombs began to drop. The German plan involved dropping large numbers of high explosive and incendiary bombs. In the chaos that followed they also dropped as many as 2000 butterfly bombs, which would target the Civil Defence response and any civilians who might be in the area giving aid as well.At the Consolidated Fisheries building an incendiary struck home, causing a major fire to break out. Gordon rallied the other firewatchers and they manned the hydrants turning them on the building and the others around it.A local newspaper goes into greater detail on Gordon's heroics, stating:'When there was an interruption in the supply of water and the premises seemed certain to catch fire, he organised his helpers and removed from the premises the firm's books and documents. When the water supply was restored, he and his men resumed fire fighting.Forty-one, married, Mr. Gordon was a volunteer in the A.F.S. until it was transformed into the N.F.S."What I learned there stood me in good stead." He said today, "and the three regular firewatchers, though elderly men, worked splendidly as a team."Premises all round were destroyed by fire, but the buildings of the Consolidated Company, apart from a hole made by one bomb, escaped serious damage through the men's devotion to duty.'Despite the damage and horrific death toll Gordon performed admirably with the recommendation from the Chief Constable of Grimsby noting his 'Devotion to Duty and Firefighting…'. In the event the raid claimed 114 lives, large numbers of them being civilians killed after the all-clear was sounded by the butterfly bombs. The cost was so high that the Government initially censored the figure for the sake of moral.Surviving the raid Gordon was honoured for his part in it and went on to become a fish salesman in Grimsby. He died on 22 October 1978; sold together with copied research.…

A rare Bronze Cross of Rhodesia pair awarded to Lieutenant G. J. Schrag, 2nd Rhodesian African Rifles, for his gallantry in commanding an attack on two enemy camps on 31 October 1976, when he went into a river bed alone and killed two terrorists at a range of less than ten metres; he also served in 'C' (Rhodesia) Squadron, Special Air Service RegimentRhodesia, Bronze Cross of Rhodesia (Lt. G. J. Schrag); General Service Medal, with Silver Pick Commendation (2Lt G. J. Schrag), mounted as worn, good very fine (2)Provenance:Christie's, April 1992.B.C.R. awarded 29 July 1977, the citation states:'On October 31 1976, a Platoon led by Lt.Schrag was involved in a two-phase, set-piece attack on two enemy camps, each of which included a large group of terrorists.Despite coming under heavy fire from the first camp, Schrag led the assault with great determination, forcing the enemy to break and run. Having secured the first camp, the platoon swept through the second camp, coming under close-range fire from two terrorists who had hidden in a river bed beyond the camp. The Platoon went to ground, but Lt. Schrag charged into the river bed alone and killed both terrorists at a range of less than ten metres.He then led his platoon in a sweep of very thick cover where a further four terrorists were killed. Enemy small arms and mortar fire was intense throughout the engagement.'Military Forces Commendation (Operational) awarded 31 March 1978, the citation states:'On 7 August 1977, a PATU call sign walked into Rugoyi Police Base in the Makoni TTL with radio failure, but reporting a presence of thirty CTs, the night before at locstst VQ 455454, not too far from St.Killian's Mission.Fire Force was deployed and a mixed group of CTs and civilians broke cover. The K-Car went into action and two sticks of paras were dropped in very high winds. After Platoon Warrant Officer Wilson broke a bone in his foot the drop was discontinued.Lt. Schrag co-ordinated the troops on the ground and in a series of contacts four CTs were killed. Lt. Schrag was then shot in the shoulder and acting L/Cpl G.S.Murray, of 5 Indep., took over. Lt.Schrag and L/Cpl Murray did very good work in the contact.'Graham John Schrag grew up in Umtali and served in 'C' Squadron Special Air Service, Rhodesian Signals and 2nd Rhodesian African Rifles. It was with that last unit that he served most of his time and was awarded both of his decorations, being presented the Bronze Cross on 15 March 1978.Afterwards, he was worked in various places around the world including Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Southern Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, France and the United Kingdom. Somewhere along the line he also had homes in Thailand, Andorra and Cyprus. Schrag died in Switzerland on 12 October 2012.…

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.…

The 'Gallipoli 1915' casualty's group of four awarded to Private A. A. Hook, 19th Battalion, Australian Expeditionary Force, who died of wounds received during the attack on Hill 601914-15 Star (873 Pte. A. A. Hook. 19/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (873 Pte. A. A. Hook. 19 Bn. A.I.F.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (Alfred Arthur Hook), the service number on the Victory Medal officially corrected, very fine overall (4)Alfred Arthur Hook was born at Sydney, New South Wales in 1894, the son of Alfred Hook, he was working as an engineer upon enlistment on 18 February 1915. Posted to 'C' Company, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, this unit entered the war in Gallipoli as part of the first wave of reinforcements to ANZAC Cove on 21 August 1915.They were thrown into action very quickly and Hook is noted as being wounded in the foot during an attack on Chocolate Hill. It is unclear when this happened as soon afterwards he was again much more seriously wounded during the Attack on Hill 60 which began the same day they entered the theatre.A witness to his wounding, Sergeant Norman was interviewed regarding the circumstances of his death. The interview transcript states:'Was wounded with Shrapnel in a Donga at the foot of Hill 60 about the 27th August. Was removed and died on the Hospital Ship. Informant attended to him when picked up and noticed the bullet [SIC] had penetrated his back and come out through the side of his body.'Hook lived for some time after his receiving his wound. He died at No. 16 Casualty Clearing Station on 4 September and was buried at No. 2 Outpost Cemetery, Gallipoli.…

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.…

Six: Battery Sergeant-Major W Bell, Royal Artillery, one of the few men of 10th Mountain Battery who evaded capture at Nicholson’s Nek and got back into Ladysmith on 30 October 1899, suffering a wound to the fingers of his right handEgypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, no clasp (33729 Driv: W. Bell. 2/1. So: Ir: Div: R.A.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (33729 Sgt. W. Bell, 10th M.B., R.G.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (33729 Serjt. W. Bell, R.G.A.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (33729 Sjt. W. Bell. R.H.A.) official correction to unit; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 3rd issue (Sjt. W. Bell. R.A.); Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed, mounted court-style, the Egypt pair with contact pitting, therefore good fine, otherwise very fine and better (6)William Bell was born at Brighton, Sussex in 1853 and attested on 17 July 1882. Joining the 2/1st South Irish Division he saw service with them in Egypt and was posted to 10th Mountain Battery on 1 July 1889. Joining this unit in South Africa before the Anglo-Boer War he was advanced Sergeant there on 18 January 1896.He was still present in Natal on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. As the war got underway the British withdrew their forces back towards Ladysmith with the Boer's in hot pursuit. General White decided to try and halt the Boer advance before they reached the town with a daring night march which would take them to positions above the Boer's allowing them a dawn assault. The British had three main targets, Farquhar's Farm, Pepworth Hill and- the farthest position- Nicholson's Nek.The 10th Mountain Battery was part of Colonel Carleton's column aimed at Nicholson's Nek, supported by an enormous mule train carrying their weapons and ammunition. At some stage during the march a loud noise startled the mules and they stampeded, carrying all the equipment and some of the gunners off.Carleton continued his march and made the Nek however in the dark his men set up in the wrong place. When dawn came they found themselves on a plateau overlooked by a number of Boer positions and worse yet, without much of their artillery. Swiftly surrounded by the Boer commandos large numbers of the British were taken prisoner. Around 80 men managed to escape, including Bell, but 29 officers, 898 men and 4 Mountain Guns were taken.Bell's service papers note a wound to the fingers of his right hand however no date is given to confirm that it occurred during his escape from the trap of Nicholson's Nek. He served throughout the Defence of Ladysmith and for the rest of the war, being posted to 107th Company, Royal Garrison Artillery in 1903. Discharged later that same year he returned to service at Southampton on 2 September 1914.Serving with a reserve Brigade of the Royal Garrison Artillery he was discharged in July 1918 having earned no medals for his efforts; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax. 

Family group:The exceptional and poignant Q.P.M. for Gallantry group of seven awarded to Sergeant 1st Class W. W. Riley, New South Wales Police, who was murdered by a deranged gunman he attempted to apprehend in the Sydney suburb of Toongabbie in September 1971Queen's Police Medal, for Gallantry, E.II.R. (William W. Riley, Sgt. Cl. 1, New South Wales Police); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, these four officially impressed 'NX. 90169 W. W. Riley'; Australian Service Medal 1945-75, clasp, S.W. Pacific; Police Exemplary Service Medal, E.II.R. (William R. Riley), the last officially inscribed on pre-prepared ground, together with his 'Returned from Active Service' badge, officially numbered '170866', assorted N.S.W. Police Force badges (4), and a metalled nameplate from his burial service, good very fine (7)The Great War campaign group of three awarded to his father, Sergeant C. U. Riley, Gordon Highlanders1914-15 Star (S. 4226 Sjt. C. W. Riley, Gord. Highrs.), note second initial; British War and Victory Medals (S. 4226 Sjt. C. U. Riley, Gord. Highrs.), minor contact wear, very fine or better (3)Q.P.M. London Gazette 25 May 1972:'The Queen has been pleased to award the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry to the late Sergeant 1st Class William Watson Riley and the late Sergeant 3rd Class Maurice Raymond McDiarmid, both of the New South Wales Police Force, in recognition of their gallant conduct in the following circumstances:At a house in Toongabbie on 30 September 1971, Sergeants Riley and McDiarmid attempted to apprehend Ronald Desmond Clarke whom they knew to be armed and to have killed his brother and raped a woman. Sergeant McDiarmid forced an entry through the rear door of the house and Sergeant Riley gained an entry through the front door. Both policemen were armed with revolvers. In the events which followed three shots were fired by Clarke, two fatally wounding Sergeant Riley and the third inflicting grievous wounds to the head of Sergeant McDiarmid who died shortly afterwards. Neither officer fired his own revolver. Sergeant Riley and Sergeant McDiarmid both showed outstanding courage and devotion to duty and upheld the high traditions of the New South Wales Police Force.'William Watson Riley was born in Motherwell, Scotland on 22 February 1921, the son of Great War veteran Cecil Urquhart Riley. The family migrated to Australia when he was a child, and William was working as an orchardist when he enlisted in the Permanent Australian Military Forces (A.M.F.) in April 1940, aged 19.Having then served in the A.M.F. as a driver in the Australian Army Service Corps, he took his discharge in March 1942 and immediately re-enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. Posted to the Guerilla Warfare School in Melbourne, he joined the 2/6th Independent Company (Commando) in May 1942. By the time of his discharge from 2/9th Australian General Hospital in December 1945, he had served for two years on active operations in Morotai and New Guinea.Riley next joined the New South Wales Police, attending the Sydney Metropolitan Training Depot before taking up traffic duties at Camperdown and Regent Street police stations. In May 1947 he qualified as a solo motor cyclist and in August 1949 as a motor driver. In November 1950 he received his first commendation when, off duty, he rendered valuable service in combatting a fire which occurred at the railway depot at Bowenfels.Advanced to Constable 1st Class in December 1952 and to Senior Constable in July 1958, he received another commendation in the summer of 1959, his service record stating:'Commended for the excellent work performed, under adverse conditions, during the search for Bryan Thomas Bullock and Anthony James Forster who escaped from Berrima Training Centre on 29 May 1959, and were recaptured by Police near Bigga on 3 June 1959.'For much of the coming decade Riley was employed on general duties - at Bathurst, Parramatta and Blackdown stations - and he received further advancement to Sergeant 3rd Class in March 1960 and to Sergeant 2nd Class in July 1967. He was also awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal in September 1968.A 'blood bath'Of the above cited events in Toongabbie on 30 September 1971, numerous reports appeared in the Australian press. For it was indeed - as observed by an eyewitness to those events - a blood bath. There were four fatalities within a matter of hours.Riley and McDiarmid were serving at Blackdown Police Station at the time, when a distraught women rushed in and reported a shooting and her rape at 1 Mimosa Avenue. It was later ascertained that a heavily armed and desperate gunman, Ronald Clarke, aged 23, had earlier shot his brother there.Both officers were dispatched to the address in question, in order to investigate further, although it was believed the gunman had long since fled the scene. He hadn't. He was preparing to dispose of his brother's body when the two officers arrived. The offender ran to the rear of the house and McDiarmid did likewise, making a forced entry at the back door, before being fatally wounded from a shot delivered by Clarke. Riley, meanwhile, made a forced entry at the front door, only to be twice shot by Clarke with a .22 rifle, one bullet lodging in lodging in his spine and the other fracturing his skull. The wounds were fatal and he died instantly, but McDiarmid survived his wounds a little longer, dying in an ambulance on his way to Blackdown General Hospital.Clarke sped off in a getaway car but was tracked down by a pair of patrol officers in the suburb of Lurnea. They rammed the fugitive's vehicle off the road and one of the officers - on being threatened with a revolver - shot him dead.The tragic scene at 1 Mimosa Avenue was later described by a neighbour in a newspaper report:"I went around the back of the house and saw a policeman's bloody hand grasping the door," she said."It was horrible … I'll never forget it."Mrs. Roberts said that when she reached Constable McDiarmid, he was slummed in the doorway."He was sitting in the doorway with his face shot away.""He was still conscious but couldn't talk," she said."He kept pointing inside the house."When she went in, she found Sergeant Riley lying dead in the lounge room.In the bedroom, she found the body of Warren Clarke, wrapped up in sheets."The house was a blood bath from front to back," she said."I rushed out and stopped a bread delivery woman who went to contact the ambulance. Then I ran to a neighbour's house to tell her what had happened."Mrs. Roberts said she and her neighbour, Mrs. Dawn Harris, went back to the house and tried to help the dying constable until an ambulance arrived.'Both officers were buried with full police honours, as related in another newspaper report:"Blacktown came to a standstill yesterday to pay tribute to Sergeant William Riley and Senior Constable McDiarmid who were shot dead last week.A hush fell over the town and thousands of people lines the streets to watch the almost mile-long funeral cortege pass by.Others crowded windows and rooftops of buildings and the railway bridge along the route.Simultaneously, police lined up outside every police station in the State and observed two minutes silence in honour of their dead comrades … a joint funeral.'Both men were posthumously promoted and awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry, Riley to Sergeant 1st Class. He left a widow and two children.Sold with a file of comprehensive research, including numerous police, eyewitness and newspape…

A fine Second World War D.F.C. group of six awarded to Pilot Officer F. Edmondson, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, who was lucky to survive at least four separate attacks by enemy fightersThe first of those close encounters occurred during 46 sorties as a Rear Gunner in Wellingtons of No. 37 Squadron in North Africa - most of them to Tobruk or in support of the El Alamein operations - followed by a second tour as a Mid-Upper Gunner in Lancasters of No. 166 Squadron, in which he completed 25 further sorties against targets in the heart of the Reich and elsewhereDistinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1944', with Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, sold together with Flying Log Book, embroidered Air Gunner's Brevet and Warrant Officer's rank insignia, and metal R.A.F. badge, generally good very fine (9)D.F.C. London Gazette 19 September 1944, the original recommendation states:'As a Mid-Upper Gunner this non-commissioned officer has taken part in 67 sorties against the enemy, being now on his second tour, on targets ranging from the Middle East and Occupied Territory to the most heavily defended targets in the Reich.He is skilled as a gunner and his vigilant watch, maintained through so many hours over enemy territory, has enabled his crew to reach the target, attack it, and return safely to base.His cheerfulness and example have greatly contributed to the morale of the gunners and his coolness and unquestioned courage have in no small measure contributed the success of his crew.For his determination and fine offensive spirit, he is recommended for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross.'Frank Edmondson volunteered for aircrew duties in October 1940 and was called-up in March 1941 to attend a Wireless Operator's course. Shortly afterwards, however, he transferred to an Air Gunner's course, in which discipline he qualified in September 1941 after several training flights in Whitleys.Having then attended an O.T.U. at R.A.F Wellesbourne and also served in Ferry Command, he was posted in July 1942 to No. 37 Squadron, a Wellington unit in the Middle East. Thus commenced a busy tour of operations as a Rear Gunner in which he completed 46 operational sorties, largely comprising raids on Tobruk and a few months later attacks on enemy tanks and motor transport during the El Alamein offensive in October 1942.As evidenced by the entries in his Flying Log Book, not a few of these outings were of an eventful nature, a case in point being his very first sortie, in which his aircraft was attacked by a Ju88 and Edmondson returned fire. Just five days later, in a strike against Tobruk on 9 July 1942, his pilot had to undertake a forced landing in the desert, owing to the weather and a shortage of fuel, and it was not until 11 July that the crew were located and rescued.Over the coming weeks and months, Edmondson made regular references to the Tobruk's searchlights and 'extremely accurate' A.A. fire, in addition to noting two further close encounters with Ju88s.Tobruk and El Alamein missions aside, he and his crew were detailed to attack enemy airfields in the vicinity of Fuka, in addition to a brace of strikes against targets in Rhodes, and his final sortie was against enemy armour west of Derna. Tour-expired by mid-November 1942, Edmondson was rested with an appointment as a gunnery instructor.But he returned to an operational footing as a Warrant Officer in February 1944 when he joined No. 166 Squadron, a Lancaster unit at R.A.F. Kirmington, this time as a Mid-Upper Gunner.His first two sorties - to Berlin on the 15th and Leipzig on the 19th - ended with his aircraft landing at alternative airfields. And, up until June 1944, Edmondson's Operational career continued apace, with regular visits to targets of the heavily defended kind, with Cologne, Essen and Stuttgart among them. So, too, Dusseldorf, on the night of 22 April, when his Lancaster was attacked by a Fw190. In the period marking the end of his second tour, he and his crew were delegated to half-a-dozen targets in France. Finally rested at the end of June - the same month in which he was recommended for the D.F.C. - Edmondson converted to ground duties in October and was commissioned as a Pilot Officer.Sold with a quantity of original documentation, comprising:(i)The recipient's R.A.F. Observers and Air Gunners Flying Log Book, covering the period August 1941 to October 1944.(ii)Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for his award of the D.F.C.(iii)A portrait photograph, in uniform.(iv)His R.A.F. Service and Release Book and Flying Clothing Card.(v)A congratulatory letter on the award if his D.F.C. from Air Vice-Marshal E. A. B. Rice, C.B., C.B.E., M.C.(vi)A Desert Air Force 'blood chit', in Arabic.(vi)A handwritten summary of his wartime career, 4pp., signed by the recipient.…

The Boer War C.M.G. group awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. A. Swan, who commanded the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment during the South African War and was one of Lincolnshire's most popular landlords of the timeThe Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Lt: Col: C. A. Swan, C.M.G, Linc: Rgt:); Coronation 1902, silver, in Elkington & Co. Ltd. embossed case of issue, enamel damage to the C.M.G. with some less than sympathetic restoration, minor edge bruising, otherwise good very fine (3)Provenance:Noonans, July 2019.C.M.G. London Gazette 26 June 1902.Charles Arthur Swan was born on 3 October 1854 at Spilsby, Lincolnshire, the son of the Rev. Charles Trollope Swan, J.P. and resided at Sausthorpe Hall in Lincolnshire. Educated at Eton College and later at Magdalen College, Oxford, he married Ethel Conway Gordon in 1885 and together the couple had 3 children: 2 daughters and a son, Major Charles Francis Trollope Swan M.C.. He was a Justice of the Peace in Lincolnshire for 55 years and served as High Sheriff in 1895.As Lieutenant-Colonel he commanded the 3rd Battalion (The Royal North Lincolnshire Militia) 1900-09 and was Honorary Colonel of that Battalion from 17 February 1909. He served in the South African War, where he commanded the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment from 11 April 1902 to 31 May 1902 and was awarded the C.M.G. for his services.Swan generously paid for and donated Sausthorpe Village Hall to the village as well as making several philanthropic donations upon his death. Swan died at Spilsby on 9 January 1941.His obituary which appears in the Lincolnshire Echo of 11 January 1941 recalls:'Colonel Charles Arthur Swan who has died at his home Sausthorpe Old Hall, Spilsby, at the age of 86 was one of the county's most popular great landlords and until a few years ago took a very active part in public life in East Lincolnshire. He had been a Justice of the peace for 55 years and Chairman of the Spilsby Bench from 1919 to 1936. After leaving Oxford he commenced to study for the bar, but in 1882 he joined the Royal North Lincolnshire militia. This later became the 3rd Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment which he commanded for a time and of which he later became honorary Colonel. The Battalion saw active service in the Boer War and in recognition of its share in the activities its Colonel received the C.M.G.In the last war, Colonel Swan was too old for active service, but he did valuable work for recruiting and for the Soldiers and Sailors Families Association.'…

A rare ‘Edward VIII’ inter-War M.V.O., post War Order of St. John group of six awarded to Quartermaster and Captain W. R. Lines, 5th Lancers, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, who was 'mentioned' during the Great War, and was one of only 10 people awarded the M.V.O. 5th Class by King Edward VIIIThe Royal Victorian Order, Member's (M.V.O.) breast Badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered '488'; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast Badge, skeletal issue, silver; 1945-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. W. R. Lines. 5.Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. W. R. Lines.), with M.I.D. oak leaves; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3871 Sjt: W. Lines. 5/Lrs.), mounted court-style as worn, light pitting, overall good very fine (6)One of only 10 M.V.O. 5th Class awards made during the reign of Edward VIII, of which 5 were for the Funeral of King George V.M.V.O. London Gazette 23 June 1936:'Walter Reuben Lines, Honorary Secretary, Windsor Branch, British Legion.'Serving Brother of the Order of St. John London Gazette 28 May 1948.Walter Reuben Lines was born at Canterbury, Kent on 29 April 1872, the son of William and Mary Lines of St. Mary's, Northgate, Canterbury. Attesting with the 5th Lancers in 1890 he served with them for 23 years and 330 days before being commissioned Quartermaster & Lieutenant on 25 August 1914.Lines entered the war in France on 12 July 1915, joining his Regiment which was already there as part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd (Cavalry) Division. They had seen heavy action prior to his arrival however after he joined them they were not part of any major engagements for some time. Receiving his 'mention' in early 1917 (London Gazette 4 January 1917) it was not until the First Battle of the Scarpe in April 1917 that the Regiment engaged again.Not long after this action Lines was promoted Honorary Captain, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, on 25 August 1917 and subsequently served as an Assistant Inspector with the Quartermaster General's Service. Placed on half-pay on account of ill health on 3 October 1923 he retired and settled at Windsor, living at 121 Clarence Road, Windsor.Appointed a Member 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order for his services as Honorary Secretary of the Windsor Branch, British Legion, in June 1936, Lines one of the very few number of appointments to the Royal Victorian Order made by Edward VIII. He was later appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John. Lines was still living at Clarence Road when he died in Upton Hospital on 26 January 1960; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.  

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.…

The Pilot's Flying Log Book to Leading Aircraftman C. A. Pinches, Royal Air Force, who flew on Hampden Bombers with No. 50 Squadron and who on one occasion crash landed at R.A.F. Scampton on the return from a raid on Hamburg on 15 September 1941Log Book named to '1153655 LAC C. A. Pinches', some water damage to the cover and a couple of pages, otherwise in good overall conditionC. A. Pinches started his flying training on 9 September 1940 on Tiger Moths based at the de Havilland School of Flying at White Waltham, later switching to Airspeed Oxfords and Hampdens. After completing his training he was transferred to No. 50 Squadron based at R.A.F. Swinderby, Lincolnshire.Pinches's first Op was to Frankfurt on 29 August 1941, followed on 2 September 1941 with Berlin, his Log Book notes 'Landed Woolfey'. Carrying out 'Gardening' on 11 September he then undertook an Op to Hamburg on 15 September 1941, suffering a crash at Scampton upon return. He followed this up with a further raid on Hamburg on 29 September (this is logged before his entry of 15 September).Launching an Op to Cologne on 13 October 1941, Pinches set out again on 23 August to Kiel and followed with Ops to Hamburg on 29 October and to Schipol on 31 October. His final Op was on 7 November 1941 entitled 'Search Light Belt'. He then returned to No. 2 School of Air Navigation flying Ansons.For the D.F.C. and Bar group of five awarded to his brother, please see Lot 390.…

United Arab Emirates, Kosovo Peace Keeping Force 1999 Medal; Kosovo Humanitarian Force 1999 Medal, both by Eng Leong, Singapore, both mounted on pin for wear, good very fine and better, extremely scarce (2)The Kosovo Peace Keeping Force 1999 Medal was given to all ranks who served in the Albania Peace Keeping Force in 1999, which was based at Kukes on the Kosovo border. The design features the outline of Albania emblazoned with the word 'Kosovo', above which is the large U.A.E. military emblem, all encircled by palm branches.The Kosovo Humanitarian Force 1999 Medal is distinct from the Kosovo Peace Keeping Force Medal of the same year, and is conversely awarded to all ranks of the U.A.E. force affiliated with N.A.T.O. who served in the Albania conflict. Humanitarian work was part of the force's duties, which included the U.A.E. Red Crescent Commission's establishment of the Shaikh Zayed Hospital in Kosovo. The Medal features a dove holding an olive branch, the famous symbol of peace, above which is the word 'Kosovo' and the U.A.E. military emblem also bordered by palm branches.…

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…

'I wish very much that some measures could be adopted to get recruits for the regiment, it is the best Regiment in this Army, has an admirable internal system and excellent Non-Commissioned Officers.Sir Arthur Wellesley, 12 September 1809, commenting on the 29th Foot after the Battle of TalaveraThe M.G.S. awarded to Sergeant J. Bromley, 29th (Worcestershire) Regiment of Foot - one of 'those excellent N.C.O.s'Military General Service 1793-1814, 4 clasps, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera, Busaco (J. Bromley, Serjeant, 29th Foot), edge bruising, nearly very fineThe 29th Foot was one of the first British units to deploy during the Peninsular War in July 1808. It fought at Roleia & Vimeiro (1808), Talavera (1809), Busaco (1810) and Albuhera (1811), capturing two French Colours at Talavera.RoliçaColonel Lake of the 29th Foot (Centre Division, Nightingale's Brigade) made the mistake of dashing up a gully toward the French position. He arrived behind Delaborde, which cost Lake his life and most of the men in the 29th. This prompted a general attack in relief by the outnumbering British. The fight was rough and uphill with Delaborde hoping for support to arrive from Loison. He repulsed three assaults by the British until nearly 1600hrs At this time Wellesley ordered a general advance to support the 29th & 9th Foot. They swarmed up the rock face using their superior numbers to reach the French positions at the top of the hill and Ferguson arrived over the hills to the east.VimeiroBrenier's brigade, marching to the sound of battle, came on four battalions abreast. At first they enjoyed success when they surprised and drove back two British Battalions. These units had let down their guard after overpowering Solignac. Victorious, the French pressed on in column, but soon ran into the 29th Foot in line and were stopped. The 29th was joined by the other two units, who had quickly rallied. Together, the volley fire of the three British battalions soon routed Brenier's men. Though Wellesley urged him to pursue, Burrard declined to interfere with the subsequent French retreat. General Brenier was wounded in this attack and captured by the 71st Highlanders.TalaveraAfter the Battle of Grijó in May, it was engaged at Talavera in July; on 27th, with two other Battalions, it attacked French positions on the hill called Cerro de Medellin. This was taken by the evening and then held throughout the next day, despite a series of French attacks and artillery bombardment; two French colours were captured in a bayonet charge that drove the French regiments from the field. Their performance led Wellesley to offer the aforementioned quote. …

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted image of a C.B. Badge, inscribed 'George Marlay Esquire, Major in the Army and Captain in the 14th (or the Buckinghamshire) Regiment of Foot, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815.', 190mm x 114mm, corners pierced for attachment and screwed into frame, presented in a gold display frame with short biography and three short lengths of riband, minor chip to paint, otherwise very fineGeorge Marlay was born in 1791, the son of Major George Marlay of York House in Twickenham and his wife Lady Catherine Butler, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Lanesborough. Major Marlay served for many years with the 62nd Regiment of Foot, including during the American War of Independence where he was captured at the Battle of Sarasota. George Marlay Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and was made Captain on 19 October 1803 at the tender age of twelve - his commission likely being purchased by his father. Just two years later he was made Captain of the 2nd Garrison Battalion on 25 February 1805, but did not become a Captain in the 14th Foot until 14 June 1810 when he was of age.In 1809 young Marlay had been appointed Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Paget, and was promoted as Lieutenant-General Paget's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in 1812 and Assistant Adjutant General in 1813. That same year he was also advanced Major, appearing in the London Gazette on 3 July.Marlay served with his Regiment at the Battle of Waterloo as a Captain of the 3rd Battalion, which was part of the 4th Division under Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Colville. The 3rd Battalion itself was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Tidy and was notably comprised mostly of young, inexperienced soldiers. Their conduct on the field of Waterloo is noted in Richard Cannon's Historical Records of the British Army - 14th Regiment of Foot:'The battalion was composed of young soldiers, who had never before been under fire, but their bearing reflected honour on the corps to which they belonged. During the heat of the conflict, when the thunder of cannon and musketry, the occasional explosion of caissons, the hissing of balls, shells, and grape shot, the clash of arms, the impetuous noise and shouts of the soldiery, produced a scene of carnage and confusion impossible to describe, a staff officer rode up to Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy, and directed him to form square; this was scarcely completed when the glittering arms of a regiment of cuirassiers were seen issuing from the smoke. The French horsemen paused for a moment at the sight of the scarlet uniforms of the Fourteenth, and then turned to the right to attack a regiment of Brunswickers; but a volley from the Brunswick square repulsed the enemy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy, with the view of giving confidence to the young soldiers of the Fourteenth, drew their attention to the facility with which infantry could repulse cavalry. The French cuirassiers rallied, and appeared inclined to charge the Fourteenth, but were intimidated by the steady and determined bearing of the battalion.'Lieutenant-General Colville himself observed 'the very young third battalion of the Fourteenth, in this its first trial, displayed a steadiness and gallantry becoming of veteran troops.'Marlay was nominated as a Companion of the Order of the Bath just days ahead of the famous battle. He was later placed on half pay the following year on 25 March 1816, the same year during which the 3rd Battalion was disbanded, and later received his final promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 June 1817. At some stage of his service, Marlay spent a length of time in India where his heath declined and contributed to his premature demise.Marlay married Catherine Louisa Tisdall at All Souls' Church in Marylebone, London on 7 April 1828. The couple had three children from 1830-1, though their eldest son James was to tragically drown aged just fourteen. Their daughter Catherine later married the 7th Duke of Rutland, and their son Charles Brinsley donated a valuable collection of artworks to Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum, dubbed 'The Marlay Collection'.Marlay was just thirty-nine years old when he died at London on 8 June 1830 due to 'a diseased state of the lungs' and 'liver contracted in India'. He was interred alongside his mother, father, and eventually his son at St Mary's Church in Twickenham - now the public park Holly Road Garden of Rest. For unknown reasons George and his son were re-interred together in Highgate Cemetery in 1852, where they were later joined by his wife.Marlay is entitled to a Waterloo Medal and an Army Gold Cross for Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse and Orthes; sold together with copied research.…

The impressive C.B.E., M.V.O., M.S.M. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander A. W. Stone, Royal Navy, who served at the Battle of Heligoland Blight, was twice 'mentioned' during the First World War, later Royal Household Assistant Secretary and Chief Accountant of the Privy Purse, Sergeant-at-Arms to King Geroge VI and Queen Elizabeth II, who carried the mace at Her Majesty's Coronation in 1953The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd Type Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, by Garrard & Co., silver-gilt and enamel, on length of neck riband, in its case of issue; The Royal Victorian Order, 4th Class Member's (M.V.O.) breast Badge, by Collingwood Jewellers, reverse numbered '1526'; 1914-15 Star (346080, A. W. Stone, Wr. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (346080 A. W. Stone Ch. Wr. R.N.); Defence Medal; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (346080. A. W. Stone. Ch. Wtr. H.M.S. Cormorant.); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (346080. A. W. Stone, Ch. Wtr. "Curaco" Services During War.), mounted together as worn excluding C.B.E., some contact marks and a few lightly polished, otherwise very fine overall (11)M.S.M. London Gazette 24 June 1919.M.I.D. London Gazette 23 October 1914; 11 August 1917.Albert William Stone was born on 20 June 1888 in Gosport, Hampshire, the third of four children born to Private Albert Stone and his wife Rebecca. Albert Stone Senior was a Private in the Portsmouth Division of the Royal Marine Light Infantry, later dying in the service at Portsea in 1892 after having taken part in the Witu Expedition in East Africa.The younger Stone received a naval education and attended the Royal Hospital School at Greenwich, a school for the sons of poor sailors, where he learned navigation and seamanship skills. The school was known as the 'cradle of the Navy' for producing notable officers and personnel. He later enlisted into the Royal Navy in May 1903, when he was fifteen years old, as a Boy Writer with the H.M.S. Duke of Wellington naval barracks. Stone enjoyed a number of postings, including aboard Majestic, Caesar, Firequeen, Victory, Hecla, Forward, and Skirmisher as he moved through the clerical ranks. Upon the outbreak of the First World War, he was serving as a Writer 1st Class aboard H.M.S. Amethyst. Stone was likely a member of Commodore Reginald Tyrwhitt's personal staff as he followed him nearly exactly from ship to ship, thus serving with a wide variety of Harwich Force cruisers during the War.The Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914 - the first naval battle of the War between the British and the Germans - saw Stone mentioned in dispatches for service during the action whilst aboard the light cruiser H.M.S. Arethusa. Arethusa was Tyrwhitt's flagship during the battle, and played an active role in the naval engagement. She helped to sink two German torpedo boats early that morning, and was badly damaged by the German defence. By the end of the day Britain scored a decisive victory, losing just 35 men to Germany's 1,500. Stone was still serving aboard Arethusa when she was mined off the coast of Felixstowe two years later on 11 February 1916, eventually running aground and breaking up. He next served aboard H.M.S. Cleopatra while she served in the raid on the German naval airship base at Tondern, also sinking German destroyer G-194, before colliding with fellow naval ship Undaunted in March 1919. After repairs, she took part in operations against the German naval bombardment of Lowestoft in April 1916 and numbered one of Tyrwhitt's force that found the German cruisers carrying out the raid. Stone thereafter joined the Harwich Force cruiser H.M.S. Carysfort in May 1916 when she was patrolling the North Sea and the Strait of Dover. This was but a brief appointment, and he was then with Centaur that September, also in the Harwich Force, and then on to her sister-ship H.M.S. Concord in February 1917. He was with her that June when she sank the German torpedo boat S20 in the North Sea. During this time, Stone was mentioned in despatches for the second time. His final wartime posting was aboard H.M.S. Curacao, the flagship of the 5th cruiser squadron in the Harwich Force, where he earned his M.S.M. for war time services. After the close of the First World War, Stone joined H.M.S. Cormorant with whom he received his L.S. & G.C.. He was finally advanced to Chief Petty Officer Writer while serving with Victory II in 1924, and was later promoted Warrant Writer on 5 December 1927 upon his retirement from the service. The exact date Stone was appointed to the Royal Household is not known, but he served in the office of the Privy Purse until his well-deserved retirement at age 69 in July 1957. He was appointed to the 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order in January 1938 and was later promoted to the 4th Class in 1947, with the insignia being presented to him personally by King George VI. Stone was Chief Accountant but also acted as Serjeant-at-Arms under King George from 1947, and later for Queen Elizabeth II as well. He attended the Queen's Coronation in 1953, for which he carried the Mace as part of the Duke of Edinburgh's escort. He can be seen in the famous newsreel film of the event, as well as numerous photographs. Throughout his tenure with the Royal Household, Stone was awarded various foreign decorations from state visits and in January 1954 received his C.B.E..His long and illustrious career in the Royal Navy was supplemented by an equally illustrious career for the Royal Household. Stone finally retired in 1957, and later died in Durham on 27 August 1974 at Woodside House, the home of his niece with whom he was residing.Sold together with an original archive comprising:i)The recipient's dress miniatures: 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R.; M.S.M., G.V.R.; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, and Coronation 1953, mounted individually as worn, very fine (8) with some extra ribandsii)Fitted case for 4th Class M.V.O., by Collingwood Jewellersiii)Photo of Queen Elizabeth II with facsimile message and signature presented to Royal Household staff upon the occasion of her Coronation, framed but missing glassiv)The Illustrated London News, Coronation 1953 magazine with colour platesv)Booklet 'Statutes on the Order of the British Empire 1948'vi)Official Warrant for the appointment of 'Albert William Stone Esquire' to be Commander of the Order of the British Empire, signed by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philipvii)Binder of comprehensive copied research and photographs, including a newspaper cutting of a photograph of Stone holding the Mace on the St. James's Palace Balcony as part of the Coronation ceremony, wearing his medals…

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.…

A scarce General Service Medal awarded to Guardsman K. D. Robson, Scots Guards, for services with the Guards Independent Parachute Company during the Suez CrisisGeneral Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Near East (22551429 Gdsm. K. D. Robson. S.G.), mounted for wear, sold together with a London District Fencing Championship, Bayonet Team Winners Medal engraved to 'L/Cpl K Robson', good very fineA total of 90 'Near East' clasps were issued to Guards Regiments, with just 10 issued to the Scots Guards.Kenneth Dow Robson was born at Perth, Scotland on 5 July 1935 and enlisted with the Scots Guards in 1953. Volunteering for service with The Guards Independent Parachute Company, they were assigned the role of pathfinding for the Parachute Brigade, serving in this role during the Suez Crisis. Of this formation only 9 guardsmen were parachuted into the warzone with the rest going in by sea, notably the party of 9 were commanded by Captain Murray De Klee, Scots Guards.The formation was again deployed in 1958 as part of a request from King Hussein of Jordan who requested assistance to stabilise his country. However during their 3 month deployment there was no trouble. Discharged in 1958 Robson joined the Metropolitan Police as a crime scene photographer, he died on 18 February 2020 on the Isle of Wight.…

A mid-19th century Campaign box, gifted to Captain Harcourt Thomas Gammell R.N. by Admiral George Ramsay, 12th Earl of DalhousieA rectangular 'campaign-style' mahogany box, with brass-reinforced corners and bands, recessed brass handles to sides and a brass plate affixed to the top lid bearing the engraved inscription: 'This box and its contents were originally the property of the Marquis (10th Earl) of Dalhousie, Governor General of India from 1847 to 1855. He gave them to his cousin, Admiral George Ramsay, who afterwards became 12th Earl of Dalhousie and was Naval Commander in Chief on S.E. Coast of America from 1866 to 1869, and he gave them to Captain (then Commander) Harcourt Thomas Gammell, who was his Flag Lieutenant during the period of his Command', the interior with a green velvet lining and variously-sized compartments, one removable tray of compartments, the interior lid bearing a contemporary paper label stating: 'F. Pontet Junr., Importer of Foreign Pipes, Tobacco and Segars, 59 Charing Cross, London'., 700mm x 550mm x 400mm, brass inscription polished, escutcheon lacking but original key present and lock functional, two old cracks to lid (at top left and lower right respectively) but overall in very attractive, sound condition.

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.…

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (14135, Sapper M. A. Ardron, R.E.), good very fineServed in 5th Company, who had in its number a Lieutenant by the name John Rouse Merriott Chard. That Lieutenant rather distinguished himself - and the Corps - at Rorke's Drift in winning his Victoria Cross.…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantAn outstanding 1873 K.C.B. group of three awarded to Admiral Sir H. Smith, Royal Navy - who was rewarded with a C.B. for his capture of Aden in 1839, the first colonial acquisition under the reign of Queen VictoriaSmith latterly played a prominent and central role during the First Opium War in the Volage and Druid; he took the honour of firing the first shots of the conflict and was to the fore in every major engagementThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Knight Commander's (K.C.B.) set of Insignia, by R. & S. Garrard, London, comprising neck Badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks rather rubbed, with full neck riband and gold clasp; breast Star, gold centre, silver and enamel, gold retaining pin, reverse cartouche with maker's details, in slightly damaged case of issue; China 1842 (Henry Smith, Captain. H.M.S. Druid.), suspension replaced with dual loop, swivel and straight silver bar; Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued, good very fine (3)K.C.B. London Gazette 24 May 1873.[C.B.] London Gazette 13 August 1840.Henry Smith was born circa 1803 and joined the Royal Navy at the tender age of eleven in 1814, being made a Lieutenant in July 1821. He joined the Genoa on the Lisbon Station in April 1823 and then as First Lieutenant to Captain Courtenay in the Fairy, who went out to the West Indies in May 1827. The following year, Smith took command of the brig Ferret, before advancing as Acting-Captain of the Magnificent in September 1829. It was in 1831 that he was officially promoted.Aden - C.B.Removed to Volage in November 1837, it was in this vessel that he first wrote his name into history. In January 1838, the Sultanate of Lahej agreed to transfer a number of its possessions, including the town of Aden to Britain but later decided against this and opened fire on the sloop-of-war H.C.S. Coote. Smith was given command of an expedition, comprising Volage, the brig Cruizer, Coote, the schooner H.C.S. Mahé and three transports to secure Aden. Smith and his small expedition arrived at Aden on 16 January 1839 and in the morning of 18 January Volage, Cruizer, and Mahé sailed to the front of the town from where they were fired upon.At 0930hrs, the rest of the expedition arrived and the warships sailed in close to Aden's batteries to bombard them. By 1100hrs the gunnery of the ships had demolished Aden's lower batteries and destroyed a large tower, while landing parties ordered by Smith had cleared out the remaining enemy musket men in the rubble. At this point Smith ordered the main two landings of troops to take place, which were completed successfully with two naval casualties and sixteen from the army, with the defending garrison of 1,000 men suffering around fifty casualties. (The Royal Navy, a History from the Earliest Times to the Present William Clowes, refers).So it was that Smith had captured the first Colonial acquisition for Great Britain and her new sovereign, Queen Victoria. He was rewarded with an immediate C.B. and the thanks of the George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, the Governor General of India.Opium War - further firstsThe cataloguer turns to Clowes again for further details of these important events:'Provocation and outrage continued; and when, on August 30th, Volage, 22, Captain Henry Smith, reached Macao, and at once proceeded to Hong Kong, her arrival was extremely welcome. On September 4th, the refusal of the Chinese at Kowloon to permit the transit of provisions across the harbour obliged Captain Smith, in concert with Mr. James Douglas (afterwards Sir James Douglas), of the Cambridge (the Cambridge was purchased by the Chinese government after regular hostilities began), formerly of the H.E.I. Co.'s marine, to employ his boats to drive off a squadron of war-junks, and so to open a passage for the supplies. Further outrageous action induced Elliot to call upon Smith to proclaim a blockade of the port of Canton as from September 11th.Negotiations were subsequently entered into; but Elliot displayed such unwise weakness that the Chinese were only encouraged to persist in their implacable attitude. At length, the Hyacinth, 18, Commander William Warren, having joined the Volage, Elliot stiffened himself so far as to inform the Chinese, on October 28th, that if the British shipping lying below the Bogue were subjected to more of certain annoyances which had become intolerable, retaliatory measures would be adopted. The Chinese admiral, Kwan, returned first a temporising and then an insulting answer, and on November 3rd got under way with twenty-nine junks, evidently intending to attack. Smith made a further fruitless attempt to negotiate, and then, with the Volage and Hyacinth, opened fire, and in a short time won a success which would have been much more complete than it was, but for the interference of Elliot, who, when three junks had been sunk and as many more driven ashore, procured a cessation of the firing, alleging his desire to spare the lives of the Chinese. Kwan, on returning to Canton, was thus able to boast that he had been victorious; and he was rewarded accordingly.'It had been on 4 September 1839 at around 1400hrs that Smith fired the first shots, sending several in anger in the direction of some war junks in the Chinese squadron.On 30 June 1840 Smith was given command of another frigate, Druid (to which his Medal is named), in which he continued to blockade, taking eight merchant ships as prize by 10 July as Senior Naval Officer on the south of the Chinese coast. On 6 August, the missionary Vincent John Stanton was captured by the Chinese while swimming in Casilha Bay near Macao. Smith took a small avenge this, these being Druid, the sloops Larne and Hyacinth, and two smaller vessels. On 19 August Smith with 120 Royal Marines, 80 seamen, and 180 local volunteers, successfully fought the Battle of the Barrier in which he attacked the Chinese works and barracks at Portas do Cerco, including destroying seventeen guns and two junks; casualties were light, with four of the British wounded. By 1900hrs, the entire force had re-embarked on the ships and left the area ablaze, with so many cannonballs having been fired by the ships that they picked up their used shot to recycle it before leaving. It was said of Smith's actions at the battle that 'seldom has a more signal service been rendered in so short a space of time'. Druid continued after this to protect British trade and hunt down pirates, at one point having several men of a boarding party killed when the junk they were investigating blew up.Smith was again to the fore at the Second Battle of Chuenpi on 8 January 1841. With joint attacks going in on the forts at Tycocktow and Chuenpi, guarding the entrance to Canton. Smith was to attack the former and having anchored some 200 yards off, they set to their work. The firing quickly created a breach in the fort which was attacked by boats manned by the crews of the ships and quickly taken. Twenty-five cannons were destroyed and the casualties of the Chinese were suggested to be 'very severe'. Smith was praised by Commodore Bremer for his conduct during the action. The opening to Canton was now complete.During the Battle of the Bogue, on 25 February Smith took Druid in with a portion of Bremer's force to attack the Chinese batteries on the south, south-wes…

A rare post-war Malaya operations D.F.C. group of eight awarded to Squadron Leader A. F. Peers, Royal Air Force, who amassed 1400 hours of operational flying as C.O. of No. 110 Squadron, making numerous paratroop and supply dropsDistinguished Flying Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated '1953'; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (Ft. Lt. A. F. Peers, R.A.F.); Coronation 1943, sold together with the recipient's flying logbooks, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (8)D.F.C. London Gazette 6 October 1953:'In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in Malaya.'The original recommendation states:'Squadron Leader Peers has served with the Far East Transport Wing for over two years and, for the past 14 months, he has commanded No. 110 Squadron. During this period of command, he has displayed outstanding powers of leadership and a high standard of personal efficiency, both in the air and on the ground, and this has been reflected throughout the Squadron.His operational flying in Malaya has covered 1404 hours in paratroop and supply drop operations. Many of these sorties have been completed in extremely arduous and hazardous conditions which have required the utmost skill and determination. This officer's devotion to duty and courage in air operations are of the highest order. He has given outstanding service on operational flying over a long period.'Arthur Frederick Peers joined the Royal Air Force in London in July 1942 and embarked for Canada after attending an elementary flying school. He subsequently qualified as a flying instructor at Pearce, Alberta but returned to the U.K. in March 1944 and joined the Anson Flight at R.A.F. Lyneham. It was here, in the period September-November 1944, that he also flew Dakotas to France and Belgium as the campaign in north-west Europe progressed.Next ordered to India, Peers served in No. 267 Squadron in the Burma campaign from June 1945 to V.J. Day, operating out of Akyab and Rangoon. Having then been attached to a Communications Squadron in Delhi, he returned to the U.K. in August 1946.As it transpired, his next overseas posting was to another Communications Squadron, which he joined in the Far East in October 1950. A flurry of flights piloting the unit's Dakotas ensued, back and forth between Changi, Kuala Lumpur, Kai Tak, Labuan and Saigon, among other locations. Some of these flights were of a 'top brass' nature, his passengers including Sir Henry Gurney, the High Commissioner of Malaya, Lieutenant-General Sir Harold Briggs, the Director of Operations in Malaya, and General Sir John Harding, C.-in-C. Far East Land Forces.In March 1951, Peers transferred to No. 48 Squadron, piloting Valettas and undertaking his first supply drops over Malaya. Shortly afterwards he took command of No. 110 Squadron, another Valetta unit, flying his first paratrooping sortie in July 1952. The pace of Operational outings gained momentum in September-October of the same year, when he flew numerous supply drops and three further paratrooping sorties. Likewise in the period April-May 1953, when he continued to be rated as an 'Exceptional' pilot. He finally returned to the U.K. in August of that year, shortly before the award of his D.F.C. was announced.Having then entered the jet age in Meteors of No. 2 Squadron, he added Javelins to his types' flown in No. 11 Squadron in Gelsenkirchen. His other appointments in the 1950s and 1960s included No. 64 Squadron at Duxford and No. 152 Squadron at Stradishall. His final posting was to the R.A.F. Technical College at Henlow, Bedfordshire and he was placed on the Retired List as a Squadron Leader.Sold with a complete run of his R.A.F. Flying Log Books (5), covering the periods November 1942 to April 1948; April 1948 to March 1951; March 1951 to July 1956; August 1956 to March 1960, and April 1960 to October 1962.…

A Campaign decanter box, used by Ensign James Gammell during the Peninsular WarA square 'campaign-style' mahogany decanter box, with decorative brass inlay and escutcheon, brass handles to sides and a brass plate affixed to the top lid bearing the engraved inscription 'This case went through the Peninsular campaigns of 1813-1814 with its owner, Ensign James Gammell 59th Regiment, who retired from the Army (as Captain of 92nd Regiment) in 1825. He died on 25th September 1893 in his 97th year, having been the last surviving Officer of the Peninsular War.', the interior with a red leather, green baize and mahogany lining and housing four glass decanters, complete with their stoppers and each bearing a silver-plated label, 'Gin'; 'Rum'; 'Whiskey'; and 'Brandy' respectively, these likely not contemporary to the case, 215mm x 220mm, brass inscription polished, key lacking, otherwise in good sound conditionFor the recipient's medals and biography, please see Lot 104.Please note that due to the weight and contents of this Lot, postage is not available. Collection at the various Medal Fairs around the United Kingdom can be arranged.…

An Escaper's campaign group of four awarded to Sergeant W. H. Price, 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, later Military Provost Staff Corps, who was wounded and went 'in the bag' at Tournai in May 1940 only to escape from Stalag VIII-BGeneral Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (3653478. Pte. W. H. Price. Bord. R.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., Regular Army, E.II.R. (3653478 Sgt. W. H. Price. M.P.S.C.), mounted as worn, the retaining pin missing, light pitting and contact wear, very fine (4)William Herbert Price was born on 15 June 1919, the son of Isaac Price and a native of St. Luke's Avenue, Lowton, Golborne. Enlisting with the Border Regiment on 3 October 1936 he was stationed with the 1st Battalion when they in Palestine prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, returning to Britain in April 1939.Posted to France in December 1939 they were stationed on the frontline during the Phoney War and were at the front of the British advance into Belgium prior to the Ardennes Offensive in May 1940. As such they were still in Belgium when they engaged the German advance at Tournai on 20 May. They held out for that day and into 21 May however lost some ground on the second day, which is the day that Price is listed as slightly wounded and taken prisoner of war. His service papers note details of his interrogation after his capture in response to the question was, he interrogated he states:'Yes. In a wood S Tournai, May 1940 […] soup with promise of good meal & cigarettes.'It seems that Price was the subject of a gentle interrogation then despite this he was unfortunate to be taken when he was. The next day reinforcements in the shape of 1/6th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers retook the lost ground whilst the Borderers were pulled back and eventually evacuated.Price was taken initially to Marienburg and later Thorn like most British prisoners from France he was transferred to Stalag 11-B in April 1941 and from there to Stalag VIII-B at Lamsdorf. Whilst there he worked in a saw mill it was from here that he attempted his escape, noting that he and two comrades -Corporal W. B. Wren and Private Kennel- slipped out at night from the shoemakers in the camp.Unfortunately, there were retaken '…by German police man assisted by German Pole', apparently at the time Price was unfit, suggesting that they had struggled with life on the run. He also noted attempted sabotage during the attempt, they tried to damage some railway signalling equipment however this seems to have been unsuccessful.A newspaper article of the time notes that his father believed him dead in France and had held a memorial service for him. Fortunately before a planned memorial could be erected the British Red Cross informed him that his son may be alive. Price remained in the Military after the war, going on to join the Military Provost Staff Corps, responsible for staffing British Military Prisons; sold together with copied research.…

United Arab Emirates, Bravery Medal (2), by Spink & Son, 1st Class; 2nd Class; Order of Glory, 1st Type, trial piece by Spink & Son; Order of Achievement, trial piece by Spink & Son; Order of Military Glory, 2nd Class, by Fattorini, each mounted on pin for wear except Achievement Order, overall very fine to extremely fine (5)The Bravery Medal was awarded to military personnel who perform an act of sacrifice, bravery, or heroism either in combat or general service. This award was replaced in 2009 by the Order of Military Glory.The Order of Achievement is of a similar design to the Order of Glory but with the Arabic word for 'Achievement' replacing that for 'Bravery'. The Order was rescinded before any awards were issued, and was superseded by the Order of Military Glory and the Bravery Medal.The Order of Military Glory is the highest military order within the U.A.E. and is awarded to personnel who performed exceptional acts of gallantry or sacrifice. The 2nd Class is bestowed posthumously upon personnel killed during the war and non-warlike operations through the call of duty or with a multi-national force.…

Carbutts Border RangersCaptain Thomas Carbutt, a farmer near Ladysmith with previous military experience in the Natal Frontier Guard that had been disbanded in 1876, responded to the call and began to recruit volunteers from among the local settler community for the defence of Colonial Defensive District No. 1. His 30 men wore their everyday clothes and carried their own weapons.On 22 January 1879 the disaster of Isandhlwana took place, an incident that shocked the British people and establishment to the very core. A day or so after the battle the survivors and those that had missed the battle were holed up at Rorke’s Drift or at Helpmekaar. The only Regiment in central Natal thus carrying out its duties was Carbutt’s Border Rangers. The Port Elizabeth Herald gives more detail:'His Excellency the Governor General has been pleased to accept the services of several of the inhabitants of Klip River country, who have offered themselves into a corps for the purpose of protecting the district.'Once equipped and mounted the Rangers patrolled the Waschbank Valley, the Sundays River drifts and the approaches to Ladysmith but after the massacre at Isandhlwana they extended their area of operation. They arrived at Rorke’s Drift five days after the battle to find Lieutenant Chard, who had been in command, very ill and in need of medical attention. They escorted him back to Ladysmith where he was nursed back to health. Once in the field the Rangers commandeered a deserted homestead on the farm Doornkraal, between Ladysmith and the Sundays River, as their headquarters and it was reported that a troop of Natal Mounted Police who spent the night there on 20 February found Carbutt’s Rangers dining on “their habitual diet of rum and dampers” – unleavened cakes cooked in the ashes of a fire – and living up to their nickname of the “Blind Owls”Early in April the Rangers moved to their new camp at Dundee where it is recorded that they were 30 strong on 14 April. Recruiting continued and their number rose to 37. They operated between Dundee and Landman’s Drift and later marched to Rorke’s Drift where they assembled with the other troops brought together to bury the Isandlwana dead. The column crossed the Buffalo River en route for the deserted battlefield on 21 May 1879. At the scene the Rangers found the body of a Wagon Conductor, Phillipe Du Bois, who was well known to all the troop. They took the body to his farm at Helpmekaar for burial. (AngloBoerWar.com refers).23 Medals, all without clasp, issued to this unit.South Africa 1877-79, no clasp (Qr. Mr. Burchmore. Carbutts. Br. Rangers.), unofficially engraved naming, very fineName not on roll.… 25001 SALE ROOM NOTICE: 'Appears on the roll assembled by Terry Sole in For God, Queen & Colony'

The 'Spanish Flu 1919' O.B.E., 'Egypt' M.C. group of five awarded to Major W. F. T. Haultain, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 29th Lancers, a graduate of Cambridge University's Officers' Training Corps, who was further 'mentioned' by General Allenby for his serviceHe went on to serve as the Zone Medical Officer with the Edinburgh Home GuardThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Officer's (O.B.E.) Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. F. T. Haultain.), with M.I.D. oak leaves; Defence Medal 1939-45, minor contact wear, overall very fine (5)O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:'… for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt.'M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919:'… for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt.'M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919.William Francis Theodore Haultain was born at Edinburgh on 14 January 1893, the son of Francis W. N. Haultain, a well-known obstetrician and gynaecologist. The younger Haultain studied at Edinburgh Academy before joining Caius College, Cambridge and graduated with a B.A. in 1914.He joined the Red Cross as a Dresser in August 1914 and worked with the 2nd Scottish General Hospital until April 1915 when he returned to Edinburgh to study as a Surgeon. He graduated M.B., B. Chir. in 1916, qualifying as a Surgeon. Commissioned Lieutenant from the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps on 5 August 1916 he entered the war in France on 25 August 1916.Haultain was attached to 29th Lancers as Medical Officer, at the time the unit was serving in the trenches as Infantry. They were transferred back into their more traditional role in Palestine in February 1918 where they were in action at the Battle of Magiddo. After the war he was posted to the 31st C.C.H. with the acting rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His service papers note that he was granted specialist pay whilst a 'Surgical Specialist at 31 C.C.H.'His obituary in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology states:'He was awarded the M.C. later the Battle of Cambrai in 1918 and a Mention in Lord Allenby's despatches and the O.B.E. followed the excellent work he did in 1919 during the malaria-influenza epidemic in Palestine.'Going on to work at Aberdeen University he was elected to a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1922, joining 2nd Highland Field Ambulance as Major during the 1921 strike. Haultain was further noted as serving as Major with the City of Edinburgh Battalion, Home Guard as Zone Medical Officer.In his professional career he was the author of Ante Natal Care and Handbook of Midwifery and Gynaecology and was a lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology to the School of Medicine of the Edinburgh Royal Colleges. After this he became a founder member of the College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Fellow of that College as well as the College of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1945. Haultain retired in 1958, his obituary in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology reads:'In everything Haultain did there was an expression of his genuine love for and interest in his fellow men. His delight was to help, be the need great or small and the needy young or old, rich or poor. His thoughtfulness, his understanding and his unobtrusive personal contribution to the smoothing and brightening of many a path for student, colleague and friend were characteristic of his kindliness and generosity. Many will miss but remember with gratitude, this kind man.'…

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.…

Cyprus Military Police Long & Good Service, G.V.R., crowned head bust, good very fineEstablished by King George V in October 1929. The Silver Medal was awarded to members of the Cyprus Military Police who received 3 good conduct awards, provided 6 years of exemplary service since the award of the third badge, and who accrued a minimum of 15 years of efficient service. Officers who were promoted from the ranks were also eligible for the award. The Medal was only awarded to 7 Officers and 54 other ranks before it was replaced by the Colonial Police Long Service Medal in 1934.…

'It is always good to know some of us survived the War, it is a long time now but looking back we were very fortunate to get into Oosterbeek at all! And then to live to tell the tale is remarkable, many of our fellow Glider Pilots didn't survive that 10 days of chaos. How you managed to get over the Rhine at the evacuation is a marvel.'So wrote Sergeant Thomas, 2nd Pilot, to Sergeant Cawthray.The well-documented Battle of Arnhem campaign group awarded to Sergeant Pilot G. Cawthray, 23 Flight, 'G' Squadron, Glider Pilot RegimentA pre-War professional cricketer who turned out for Yorkshire, Cawthray successfully went into action on Op Mallard - 6 June 1944, D-Day - and Op Market Garden, the Battle of Arnhem, sharing fully in the action over those famous days1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (4)George Cawthray was born on 28 September 1913 at Selby, Yorkshire and from a young age excelled as a cricketer, in perhaps the most important county for that game in England. Such was his skill that Cawthray shone for Brayton School, Hull Cricket Club and eventually the Second & First XI for the 'White Rose' County.With the outbreak of the Second World War however, he joined the Glider Pilot Regiment (No. 4695914) and became a Sergeant Pilot, going through 21 EFTS during 1943 and having some 178hrs 25mins on his Flying Log Book by early May 1944 and having taken his 'Wings'.Op MallardSo it was that on 6 June 1944, flying with 23 Flight, 'G' Squadron, Glider Pilot Regiment he clocked up 2hrs of Night Flying in PW661, landing near Zetten, with Sergeant Thomas as 2nd Pilot, taking in a jeep & trailer and two motorcycles for the 1st Parachute Brigade, on D-Day itself. Little more need be said of the importance of the work of this embryonic unit on that fateful day. Cawthray was also called on as 2nd Pilot of Stirling 'B' on 26 August for an Op to France to assist the Special Operations Executive. He logged 6hrs 55mins and landed back at Harwell the next day.Op Market GardenThe unit were of course to be kept plenty busy in September 1944, Cawthray went in with Sergeant Thomas again, taking Horsa PW656 on 18 September for their fateful three hour flight by day. Cawthray got them down and then shared in the epic events that followed. His name features in the diary of Lieutenant Mike Dauncey:'18 September -S/Sgt. Cawthray of our Sqdn arrived in great form - he had landed south of the Rhine and got his party with jeep over by the ferry - a good show.Spent a shocking night hiding in our trenches on the banks of the Rhine waiting for an attack which did not materialise. Extremely cold. Had difficulty in keeping chaps awake as we were not to move about.'He gives a good flavour of what Cawthray would have shared in on 25 September:'Things started fairly early Monday morning, particularly on our left. The old tigers started coming down the road once more and I thought that if they did not have a little opposition they would go right through, so with one paratroop I took THE gammon bomb and set off through the gardens a little up the road andsettled down to wait for them at the side of a house by the road. We could hear them too clearly though they were moving very cautiously and obviously had plenty of ammunition. After a few minutes the chap with me belted off, so my local protection wasn’t too good. Eventually the tank crept into view and I waited until it was exactly level with me and ran forward and let fly with the bomb.The result was disappointing. The fuze was quite a long one so I wondered if it would work however eventually after a long pause, there was a loud explosion and lots of dust but when it had all settled down the tiger looked very much the same as before. As I only had a pistol there wasn't much future in staying put so I made my way back to my house which had been evacuated. A little further down the road there was a sort of barn complete with outhouses etc. where there were about 4 chaps rather wondering what to do We arranged a little ambush around here (after a little hand grenade duel) as of course they were quite close. I was told that they had broken through on the other side of the road and indeed this wasthe case and we had a slogging match across the street using the Bren and pistols.Just then someone shouted "Look out here they come" and two chaps darted off. However luckily it wasn’t true. However I was then shot through the thigh. The two other chaps with me one of them wounded in the face were very good. We all got down one man looking out for the jerries and the other helped me to dress my leg. We had just done that and were deciding on the next step when something came over the corner of the outhouse and landed about 3 feet away. I turned to see what it was and the grenade exploded immediately in my face. The two paraboys were excellent and put a shell dressing over my mouth. I could think clearly but felt very weak. The two chaps then helped me to the RAP which unfortunately wasso full that I couldn’t get inside. I was left outside by the side of a dead manwhere I stayed for some time until awakened by the rain when I managed to pull the dead man’s blanket partly over myself. I couldn’t get to that house though and stayed there until someone came outside and I managed to attract his attention.The MO had been hit and it was impossible for the orderly and Padre to do anything as there must have been at least 300 chaps there. The drill was get a blanket, find a spot to lie down and a cup of char (tea) but unfortunately this came out again through the hole in my chin which I have since heard from other people was a most amazing sight. The padre then did a very good thing - I don’t know the time but fighting was going on all around with the tigers knocking all the houses for six as usual and he went outside with the Red Cross flag and told the tank commander the situation with the result that we were left alone.'Cawthray was lucky not to go 'in the bag', as recalled in a letter by Sergeant Thomas:'...It is always good to know some of us survived the War, it is a long time now but looking back we were very fortunate to get into Oosterbeek at all! And then to live to tell the tale is remarkable, many of our fellow Glider Pilots didn't survive that 10 days of chaos. How you managed to get over the Rhine at the evacuation is a marvel.'The Log Book confirms his flight from Brussels to Northolt on 29 September as 2nd Pilot on Dakota DK866, no doubt glad to have a break from the controls. Cawthray then transferred out to India.25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:A newspaper report in the Sunday Mirror of 17 December 1944 gives moving details on how Cawthray swam the Rhine out of Arnhem, carrying a letter for his good friend, Sergeant Pilot Stanley Lewis, which he carried home to his wife and children to let them know he was thinking of them. Cawthray stated: "I am very lucky to be alive myself, having had my nose and both lips shot away, as well as bullet wounds in the head. Once again, please don't worry about Stanley - he's being well cared for."

The 'South Persia 1918' M.M. awarded to Lance Corporal P. Batson, 21st Lancers, attached South Persia RiflesMilitary Medal, G.V.R. (1940 L.Cpl. P. Batson. 21/Lrs:), heavy polishing and contact wear overall, nearly very fineM.M. London Gazette 10 September 1918.Percy Batson entered the war at Hafiz on 5 September 1915 with the 21st (Empress of India's) Lancers, he would doubtless have taken part in the Regiment's famous V.C. winning action at Shabqadar. However he is unlikely to have remained there for long being attached to the South Persia Rifles. This unit was formed in response to the chaos which infected Persia in the wake of the outbreak of the Great War. The local tribes were restive at the best of times, especially with the Government becoming increasingly unpopular and worse they were being incited to revolt by German agents.In order to combat this threat, the British persuaded the Persian Government to allow them to raise a force of 11,000 men with the goal of stabilising the situation around the vital oil fields. Commanded by Sir Percy Sykes the unit consisted of local Persians trained and commanded by British officers and N.C.O.s, they were supported by Indian troops and later by Dunsterforce and Norperforce in North Persia.It appears that Batson- who is listed as attached to the formation on his M.M. medal card- was serving with them likely as a British N.C.O. training and leading part of the cavalry detachment. His service here further entitled him to a General Service Medal with a South Persia Clasp. Notably Batson is further entitled to an India General Service Medal with a clasp for Afghanistan 1919 where he is listed as attached to the 'Persian Gendarmerie'. This unit- set up by Swedish Officers in 1910- had been largely superseded by the South Persia Rifles however when the latter unit was disbanded it again became the primary tool for keeping order in the Persian hinterlands.Batson was discharged in 1919 but re-joined almost at once on 26 July 1919, listing his address as Chiswick where he was working as a machinist. Joining the Royal Tank Corps he served until 7 December 1928 when he was finally discharged; sold together with copied research.Further entitled to a 1914-15 trio, a G.S.M. with South Persia Clasp and I.G.S.M. with Afghanistan 1919 clasp.…

The 'Trench Raid' 1916 M.M. group of five awarded to Private C. Murray, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, a Gallipoli veteranWounded in the neck during the second attempt on the Maze trench in November 1916, he survived and went on to become a famous artist in AustraliaMilitary Medal, G.V.R. (1073 Pte. C. Murray. 19/Aust:Inf:Bn:); 1914-15 Star (1073 Pte C. Murray. 19/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1073 Pte C. Murray. 19 Bn. A.I.F.); Gallipoli Star 1914-15, marked to the reverse 'Collector's Item' and thus an unofficial award, light pitting and contact wear overall, very fine (5)M.M. London Gazette 21 September 1916, the original recommendation states:'For conspicuous bravery during period 25/28 July, 1916. During 48 hours intense bombardment of Pozieres, Pte Murray displayed great gallantry and ability in attending to wounded and carrying them in by night and day. For him to do this it was necessary from him to move outside the front line on the parados and also to bring his wounded men across open ground. He carried out his work with the utmost coolness under shell fire'Originally recommended for the D.C.M.Christopher William Murray was born at Geelong, Victoria on 8 September 1885, the son of John and Jane Murray, both native of Ireland. The young Murray's parents both died before he was ten leaving himself and his older brother as orphans. Made a ward of a state as a result he was placed at St. Augustine's Orphanage in Geelong where he learned the trade of boot making. He was also a member of the famous St. Augustine's band, discovering a love for music and art which would remain with him for the rest of his life. He studied art firstly at Geelong before joining the Melbourne Art Gallery and finally the Slade School of Art in London.Enlisting on 28 May 1915 in New South Wales, Murray stated his trade as 'Artist' and was initially posted to 7/1st Battalion, A.I.F. However Murray's musical flare came to the fore and he applied to join the Band of 'C' Company, 19th Battalion. Joining them on 15 June 1915 he embarked upon the Ceramic and travelled to Egypt before entering the war at Gallipoli on 21 August 1915.On the first day in the field the Battalion entered the Battle of Hill 60, they were later also engaged at Pope's Hill. 19th Battalion finally withdrew during the evacuation in January 1916 and returned to Egypt for a turn on the Suez Canal Defences. Once they had re-organised, they proceeded to France on 18 March 1916.Not long after they arrived in France Murray was one of a small group who volunteered to undertake a trench raid near Pozieres where they would shortly go into action in the Battle of the Somme. Just 6 officers and 65 other ranks took part, the raid was considered extremely dangerous and in recognition of their gallantry in undertaking it each man who took part had a note of recognition made in their service papers.It was during the Battle of Pozieres the following month that Murray was to earn his laurels. However, his luck ran out and he was seriously wounded by a gunshot in the neck near Guedecourt, North Flers on 5 November 1916. At the time the Battalion was engaged in a major attack against the Maze feature, and he was successfully recovered from the battlefield and taken to hospital.The severity of the wound required some years of recuperation after which Murray was detached to No. 3 Australian Auxiliary Hospital on 17 February 1918. He remained serving there until the end of the war, not long after his detachment he was granted leave to study figure painting at the Slade School of Art in London. Murray returned to Australia on 22 August 1919 and was discharged on 7 December 1919, becoming a well-known artist in Australia as stated in his obituary, written on 2 January 1959:"He was a painter known to the Melbourne Art Club, and praised by some critics, as 'artist's artist'. He was a musician who built himself a "cello" of Australian wood and he was a bootmaker. Born at Geelong 73 years ago, he became an orphan early in life. At the orphanage he learned the trade of boatmaking, and was a member of the famous St. Augustine's band which, under the direction of the well-known band leader, travelled all over Australia. He studied painting at Geelong, the Melbourne Art Gallery and the Slade School of Art in London.He served in the 1st world war as a stretcher bearer, and won the Military Medal for gallantry in the trenches of France. After the war he made his living as a musician. He loved to work with his hands and occupied the last years of his life making the thousands of bricks of his home and studio at Emerald."Murray died at Emerald, Queensland in January 1959; sold together with copied research.…

An excellent 'Burma 1944' M.M. awarded to Sapper J. Ghag, Bombay Sappers and Miners Group, Indian Engineer Corps, who was extremely unlucky to have his award downgraded from the I.D.S.M.Military Medal, G.VI.R. (53241 Spr. Jaising Ghag Bombay S & M G R I E), heavy contact marks, very fineM.M. London Gazette 16 November 1944, the original recommendation states:'At Phalbung near Palel on the 25th of April 1944 No. 53241 Sapper Jaising Ghag was a member of a Patrol- Part of the patrol- was surrounded in open ground by the enemy- Jemadar Bajrang Kale with four men, including Sapper Jaising Ghag, were detailed to give covering fire to the remainder whilst they escaped. The Jemadar and his party then found themselves cut off so they had to withdraw by another route which was blocked by a party of Japanese. Without hesitation they charged again but being outnumbered were all overpowered and left for dead- Jemadar Bajrang Kale was killed by the sword of a Japanese officer. Sapper Jaising Ghag received a blow from a sword which cut the back of his neck from ear to ear severing the muscle and bone from the back of his skull and leaving it hanging loose down his back. After about two days Sapper Jaising Ghag, recovering consciousness found himself lying amongst a number of dead Japanese, without his boots and part of his clothing. He took some boots off a dead Japanese and searching the bodies obtained a valuable identification. After five days, during which time he was without food, he met a Gurkha Patrol which brought him in.By his gallant action and devotion to duty Sapper Jaising Ghag not only helped to kill several Japanese but also brought in a valuable identification which was the object of the Patrol.'Jaising Ghag was serving with No. 402 (R.B.) Indian Field Company, Indian Engineers when he won his award, attached to 80 Brigade, 20th Division. He was recommended for the I.D.S.M. but was downgraded to the M.M.; sold together with copied research.…

The 94th RegimentThe 94th Regiment was stationed at Aldershot when a sudden order was received on 12 February 1879, directing it to Natal. All officers and men were recalled at once, with a further 350 volunteers joining to bring the Regiment to war strength. The men embarked from Southampton aboard the S.S. China and arrived at Durban on 2 April.Forming part of Newdigate's Division, the 94th formed at advance post at Conference Hill, where they built two forts and a stone laager under the direction of officers from the Royal Engineers.At the battle of Ulundi, the 94th was the only regiment in Newdigate's Division that had six companies present; in the engagement, two of its men were killed and one officer and eighteen men were wounded. Following Ulundi, the Regiment retired to Entonjaneni and subsequently assisted in disarming the Zulus and dismantling Sekukini's stronghold. It also bore the grim duty of burying those who fell at the Zlobane on 28 March.During the opening clash of the First Boer War in 1880, A & F Companies of the 94th Foot were attacked in the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit where they would take significant casualties losing 156 men killed or wounded with the rest taken as Prisoners of War. The other 6 Companies would end up under siege for the rest of the war.992 Medals were issued to the 94th Regiment, 948 of them with the '1879' clasp.South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (...Patk. Lacey. 94th Foot.), attempted erasure over most of naming, thus fineConfirmed as Quartermaster of the 94th Foot upon the roll.…

The outstanding Second World War C.B., 'Southern Desert, Iraq' O.B.E., Great War Fighter "Aces" D.F.C. mounted group of fourteen miniature dress medals worn by Dolphin Pilot Air Commodore F. Woolley, Royal Air ForceCredited with 4 victories, but possibly as many as 8 from July to November 1918, he served as a Special Service Officer with Air Staff Intelligence in Iraq where he spent three years in the desert with Bedouin tribesmen collating intelligenceDuring the Second War he served as Chief Intelligence Officer, Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces 1943-45The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion's (C.B.) Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) Badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals 1914-18; General Service 1918-62, G.V.R., 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with rose on riband; Pacific Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; United States of America, Legion of Merit, gilt and enamel, with miniature Star on riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, mounted as worn, slight wear to enamel on Order of the Bath, overall very fine (14)His full-size medals sold in these rooms in April 2014.C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1946.O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1931. The original recommendation reads:'This Officer has been a Special Service Officer in Iraq since March 1928. Although occupying the most lonely and isolated post in the whole Command, he has consistently displayed, under extremely trying conditions, a tact, patience, and perseverance which are worthy of the highest praise.'D.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.M.I.D. London Gazette 2 June 1943.United States, Legion of Merit London Gazette 27 November 1945. The original recommendation reads:'Air Commodore Frank Woolley, Royal Air Force, as Chief Intelligence Officer, Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces from February 1943 to May 1945, displayed wise judgment and unqualified devotion to duty in the successful fulfilment of his assignment. Called upon to furnish a synthesis of all intelligence information regarding conduct of operations and to integrate the Anglo-American intelligence structure of the headquarters, he overcame many obstacles to provide source information of high value and veracity and at the same time achieved a smoothly functioning, closely knit intelligence organization. Commodore Woolley's exceptional ability was of great benefit to the conduct of air operations.'Belgium, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 July 1919.Frank Woolley was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire in 1899 and was educated at the County Secondary School. He joined the Army straight from his school O.T.C. on his 18th birthday, and was accepted for a Commission in the Territorial Forces Association. Posted to the 7th Training Reserve Battalion at Rugeley, he subsequently applied to join the Royal Flying Corps, and after initial tutoring at Denham was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the R.F.C. on 7 November 1917.Woolley went to France in July 1918 where he was posted to No.1 Aero Supply Depot before receiving his first operational posting on 14 July with No. 79 Fighter Squadron (Sopwith Dolphins), based at St. Marie Cappel east of St. Omer, with whom he fought and flew for the rest of the War. He was without doubt heavily engaged with the enemy for the next four months, '...and the local papers in his home town of Ilkeston credited him with eight victories, and recorded that he himself had been shot or forced down no fewer than three times, evidence of an exciting four months' flying.' (Winged Warriors, Derbyshire Fighter Pilots in World War I, by Barry Marsden refers).His first victory occurred on 27 September, when, according to an account that appeared in the Ilkeston Advertiser, 'he was on readiness at his home base when word was received that an enemy two seater was busy on a reconnaissance over the British front line. He was ordered to intercept the hostile aircraft, and, piloting a Dolphin, sighted it below him somewhere north-west of Armentieres. The first burst from his twin Vickers killed the enemy observer, and the subsequent running battle took both warplanes over the town, where the observation machine suddenly dived away to smash through the roof of a building. When Frank landed back at his home airfield his delighted CO praised his "splendid effort", and promised that "the facts would be reported to the proper quarter".' (ibid). Woolley's own account of the action confirms this: 'I was at 2,000 feet among the clouds South West of Armentieres when I saw a hostile 2-seater, probably an Albatros, about 1,000 feet below me. On being engaged the enemy aircraft dived towards Armentieres. I dived after him and fired two bursts into him at close range. The enemy aircraft spun and crashed into a house in Armentieres.' (recipient's combat report refers).The following day Woolley shot down another aircraft: 'I saw 10 Fokker Biplanes attacking a Bristol Fighter. I climbed into a cloud at 6,000 feet whilst Lieutenant McNeaney attacked the enemy machines. A dog fight ensued in which I saw two Fokkers go down after which Lieutenant McNeaney went down, followed by a Fokker. I attacked this enemy aircraft and fired a short burst at point blank range, and saw him go down and crash.' (Ibid).A month later on 26 October, Woolley despatched an L.V.G. two-seater at 3,000 feet south-east of Renaix before recording his final confirmed victory on 4 November, when 'at 9,000 feet I spotted a Halberstadt two-seater working over Renaix. I flew north and then east and so got east of him and in the sun. I then dived on the enemy aircraft who turned west and then north. I fired a burst at very close range. The enemy aircraft went into a vertical dive and crashed in a gulley between Sulsique and Renaix.' (Ibid).After the Armistice Woolley took up adjutant duties with the Squadron and became a Flight Commander, the Squadron became part of the Allied Occupation Force in December and moved to Cologne. Here he accepted the opportunity to fly numerous surrendered German aircraft, including Fokker DVIIs, Rumplers, and Halberstadts. Whilst stationed in Germany he learnt of the award of his D.F.C. and also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre, having the latter pinned on his chest by King Albert himself. He transferred to the unemployed list in October 1919, but was recalled to a short-service Commission the following June and served at R.A.F. Lee-on-Solent and Calshot. Qualifying as a pilot flying seaplanes and multi-engined flying boats, he fell in love with the Solent area, and wrote to tell his fiancée: 'I am sure that you will love this place too, and if I live long enough to retire this is where we shall live.'Southern Desert, Iraq - With the BedouinIn July 1927 Woolley was appointed to a permanent Commission in the General Duties branch of the Royal Air Force and, having been promoted Flight Lieutenant in January 1928, he embarked upon a course in Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies in London. After completing the course in March he was immediately posted to HQ Iraq as a Special Service Officer with Air Staff Intelligence, and for the next three years was responsible for the collection of intelligence in the vast unmapped desert west of Basra, spending the time living with the Bedouin tribesmen, 'sharing the hardships of their primitive, nomadic lifestyle, enduring searing heat, frequent dust and sandstorms, plagues of flies, and living off revolting food and foul water.' (Win…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe very complete 1985 C.B.E. and 'Arctic Convoys' group of nine awarded to Sub Lieutenant J. R. S. Homan, Royal Navy, who served on the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Tracker, latterly Industrial Director of the National Economic Development OfficeThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd Type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver and silver-gilt, with full and miniature neck ribbons, in case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Arctic Star, with its named box of issue; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these five mounted as worn; together with Russia, Soviet Union, Ushakov Medal, reverse officially numbered '5182' with accompanying named certificate in case of issue; Russia, 70th and 75th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War Medals, with accompanying named award certificates, good very fine (9)C.B.E. London Gazette 15 June 1985.John Richard Seymour Homan - or "Dick" to his friends and comrades - was born at Burley, Hampshire on 7 January 1925, the son of Captain Charles Edward Homan. He was initially educated at a pre-prep school in London then to St. Wilfrid's, Seaford in Sussex and in 1938 he attended Radley College before entering the Royal Navy in 1943 as a Midshipman. Classified as an 'Executive Special' he was posted to the Admiralty in London working in the personnel department. Requesting active service, he was posted to Tracker, an aircraft carrier, where he was given the job of plotting U-boat locations.Tracker served as an escort during 1943-1944 for North Atlantic and Arctic convoys. She originally carried Swordfish torpedo-bombers and Seafire fighters of No. 816 (Naval Air) Squadron, in January 1944, switching to the Grumman Avengers and Grumman Wildcats of No. 846 (Naval Air) Squadron. In April 1944, her aircraft, together with those from Activity were responsible for the sinking of the U-288 east of Bear Island, during convoy JW-58.On 10 June 1944, while part of the antisubmarine screen of the Western Approaches Command for the D-Day landings, she collided with a River-class frigate of the Royal Canadian Navy, Teme, causing damage to both ships. Tracker continued operations despite stove-in bows until 12 June 1944. Thereafter, she was repaired and partially refitted in Liverpool, until 7 September 1944. On 8 December 1944, the ship sailed to the United States to be used as an aircraft transport and spent the remainder of the war ferrying aircraft and personnel in the Pacific.Homan recounted her tenth and last convoy patrol to Murmansk in October 1944, in an interview he gave in 2020:'We escorted a Russian convoy to Murmansk. The Germans could by this time no longer use the west coast of France because of the Allied invasion, and so many U boats were sent to the Arctic. We were in a powerful convoy with three aircraft carriers, 25 other warships and about 28 merchant ships. Many of the merchant ships came from the U.S.A., carrying food and military equipment for the Russians, everything from planes, tanks, guns and ammunition down to boots.Despite the size of the convoy the U boats didn't know we were there until we got to the north of Norway, so the first part was peaceful. I say peaceful but, at that time of year, it was dark most of the day and pretty stormy and very cold. Twilight was about 1pm. We would fall back from the convoy to fly off our aircraft. The bravery of those pilots was incredible.Many were in exposed open cockpits and would have to take off from their carrier surging up and down in a rough sea. One of our aircraft got lost and had to break radio silence. That alerted Berlin who sent a wolf pack of U boats after us. We were heading due east and Berlin anticipated, quite correctly, that we would change our course to southeast, which is where the U boats went. However, London picked up Berlin's signal and instructed us to continue travelling east. The U boats missed us. It was not a complete triumph.Sending our aircraft after the U boats we were equipped with some wonderful new secret weapon, which unfortunately bounced harmlessly off the conning tower. I remember one disappointed pilot coming back and saying, "there goes my DSC". It was quite unusual that the convoy completed its journey there and back without loss of a single ship. I didn't realise until after the war that the Admiralty instruction to change from our original course was based on information from Bletchley. We had been unaware of Bletchley's existence.'U.S. Navy loan: December 1944 - July 1945Tracker left Greenock on 8 December 1944 and reached New York in time for Christmas, she was to stay there until New Year's Eve when she put to sea headed for the Panama Canal and reached San Diego on 17 January 1945. Here the ship's company received the same levels of hospitality they had enjoyed at Portland while the ship was being built. Books, magazines, music, sports kit, and more were donated to the ship for the men's 'comforts' by the Red Cross and U.S. Armed Forces Institute.After a week in San Diego, Tracker moved to San Pedro for the next five days, and opportunity was taken for the crew to experience Hollywood and film stars 'popped in' to visit the ship. By the end of January, she was full of aircraft and passengers bound for Hawaii and American bases in the Pacific. Her first voyage in the transport role took her to the Admiralty Isles and New Guinea in then back in San Diego, arriving back there on 20 March, a round trip of 13,424 miles taking two months. On the return trips Tracker carried U.S. personnel and casualties back to Pearl Harbour.Her second transport run was to Guam and Saipan in the Mariana Islands in April, during this trip the news of President Roosevelt's death reached the ship and her passengers, a memorial service was held on board. V.E. day, 8 May 8, was celebrated on the last leg from Hawaii three days out from San Diego and the end of a 13,020-mile trip.Tracker's third trip took her to the Marshal Islands and back, a shorter, 10,000 miles haul from 12 June-8 July. This was her last operation for the U.S. Navy, she had ferried 300 aircraft and 100 passengers in her three voyages and had steamed 36,000 miles across the Pacific. After storing ship Tracker was to proceed back to Britain, leaving San Diego on 13 Friday having exchanged a few crew members with her sister C.V.E. Atheling, also on transport duties; those men on Atheling who qualified for release under the recently announced 'Age & Service Release Scheme', with Tracker's 'newbies' filling their billets. She reached Norfolk, Virginia on 27 July and New York three days after.Homeward boundThis was to be Tracker's last east bound crossing, carrying on board American wives of British Naval personnel, evacuated children, and over a hundred members of the Fleet Air Arm from the Air Station in New Brunswick which was closing down. She made Greenock on 9 August and disembarked her passengers; work began almost immediately de-storing Tracker in preparation for her final voyage, her return to the U.S. Navy, her service with the Royal Navy ending.The war over, Homan read classics at Christ Church College, Oxford from 1946 graduating with a degree in philosophy, politics and economics. A keen oarsman during his time at the House was part of the team who won Head of the River in 1948. He was a lifelong member of Christ Church Boat Club.Homan joined the I.C.I. with whom he spent the bulk of his working career. He married The Hon. Mary Graham Buckley, daug…

Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe unique and superbly well-documented 'Far East Communication Squadron 1950' A.F.M. group of seven awarded to Master Signaller J. B. C. Browne, Royal Air Force, who was awarded his Nuclear Test Medal for the 'Christmas Airways' flights to Christmas Island during Operation GrappleBrowne's remarkable career saw him flying during the Second World War, earning his A.F.M. in the east for flights which included missions to China redacted from his service papers and flying the Royal Couple during their 1961 Royal Tour of NepalAir Force Medal, G.VI.R. (571907 Sig. I. J. B. C. Browne. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, Arabian Peninsula (571907 Sig. I.A. J. B. C. Browne. R.A.F.), the second detached in its named box of issue; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (M. Sig. J. B.C. Browne. (571907) R.A.F.); Nuclear Test Medal, unnamed as issued, the first six mounted as worn, the last in its named box of issue, sold together with a large archive including the recipient's flying log books, minor contact wear to sixth, overall good very fine (7)A.F.M. London Gazette 8 June 1950, the original recommendation states:'Signaller I Browne joined the Squadron in October, 1948, having been in Japan from October, 1947, and has been employed as a V.I.P. Signaller. He is a first class non-commissioned officer with exceptional technical ability, having consistently held an 'A' category since August, 1946. During the last six months he has completed 300 flying hours on some of the most important flights assigned to this Squadron, and he has also extended his 'A' category to cover York aircraft as well as the Dakota, the type in which he is primarily signaller and, on numerous long distance flights during his tour of duty in the Far East Communication Squadron, he has carried out his duties in an exemplary manner. He has shown ability, coolness and enthusiasm and is an outstanding non-commissioned officer.'Note the Recipient's Flying Log Book for the period of 1947-1952 is missing, it is believed to have been recalled owning to a redacted mission in China rather than misplaced or lost.John Blake Cameron Browne (who later changed his surname to Howard) was born in Kensington, London on 19 February 1922, the son of Andrew and Wilhelmina 'Billy' Browne. His father was a former professional soldier who served as a Sergeant-Major with the Essex Regiment and was seriously wounded in the leg at Gallipoli. He appears to have suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and left the family in 1929 leaving his wife to raise the children herself. The young Browne received only a basic education however this was enough for him to pass the entrance tests for an apprenticeship at R.A.F. Halton on 24 August 1937.He was initially posted to the Electrical and Wireless School before transferring to No. 2 Wireless School on 26 March 1938. He must have proven himself a quick learner as he was soon selected to leave Halton for Cranwell, where he specialised as a Signaller. He was still there on the outbreak of the Second World War on 3 September 1940, they spent the day dispersing the aircraft around the perimeter of the airfield in case of air raids.The Second World WarQualifying as Wireless Electrical Mechanic on 29 January 1940, Browne reached his majority the next month on 19 February and was appointed Aircraftman Class I the same day. Posted first to No. 29 Squadron and advanced Leading Aircraftman on 1 April 1940 he served with them at R.A.F. Digby. Here he was on the receiving end of several bombing raids, being promoted Corporal on 31 December 1940. The Squadron re-equipped with Bristol Beaufighters to replace their old Blenheims not long later.Transferring to R.A.F. Pembury he undertook an air gunner's course, becoming qualified on 6 January 1943 and advanced Sergeant on 7 January. Joining No. 10 Radio School Carew Cheriton, he served there until 17 February 1943 when he was posted to Coastal Command's 131 Operational Training Unit which was located on Loch Erne in Northern Ireland. There he had his first flight on a Catalina flying boat on 18 February.Having qualified, Browne was posted to the newly formed 265 Squadron based in Northern Madagascar. After a gruelling journey across Africa, he finally reached the posting in early June and began to undertake fleet escort and search and rescue missions as Wireless Operator/Air Gunner. Racking up increasing Operational flying time in December he had 250 hours and was advanced Flight Sergeant on 6 January 1944.Over the next year he was to continue in this role, adding Meteorological Flights to his duties. The last of Browne's wartime flying was with 265 Squadron having undertaken 562 hours of Operational flight with them and an impressive 1076 hours in total. Posted to R.A.F. Wymeswold on 5 May 1945, he arrived on 8 May - V.E. Day - to discover the station all but deserted, the guard on the front gate informed him that everyone was celebrating in the pub.V.I.P. Flying, a Redacted Mission and a Crash LandingBrowne retrained with Douglas Dakotas and was soon posted to 147 Squadron, flying for Transport Command. This Squadron flew from Britain to Europe allowing Browne to assemble a collection of European banknotes which he stuck into his log books.Joining 24 Squadron for V.I.P. transport flights in October 1946 he was posted to the British Commonwealth Air Force in Japan the following year. The next year Browne again moved, this time to the Far East Communications Squadron. Two months after he joined them a period of one week on his service records is redacted, this combined with his missing log book covering this period is suggestive of a clandestine mission. The cataloguer must leave it to the reader to imagine the nature of this work however it occurred at a time that Browne was known to have been flying to China, then embroiled in the Civil War.Returning to Britain in April 1950 he was awarded the Air Force Medal at R.A.F. North Luffenham for his work with the Far East Communication Squadron. His work there had also entitled him to the Malaya bar for his General Service Medal however this would not be issued at the time and Browne was to receive the G.S.M. for a separate campaign. Joining 242 Operational Conversion Unit as a Trainer and he was recommended a Commission at that point however he rejected the offer, feeling that he preferred his role as a Warrant Officer.Returning to No. 24 Squadron on 6 December 1953 he rang in the new year with a promotion to Master Signaller on 31 December. One of his early flights here on 22 May 1954 was transporting Anthony Eden (then Foreign Secretary) and Lord Ismay (then Secretary General of Nato) from Geneva to Paris and thence to Britain. A further flight in July almost led to disaster as the crew lost their way between Suffield, Alberta and Britain. An S.O.S. signal was sent out and after a tense period of waiting were picked up by a passing liner which was able to give them their co-ordinates, with their available fuel they were just able to make an emergency stop at the Azores Islands.That same year he performed trips to Australia which included the transport of material and personnel involved in the developing Nuclear programme. During one routine training mission the next year out of R.A.F. Abingdon the Hastings aircraft Browne was flying in crashed on landing. Fortunately the crew were all unharmed although the aircraft itself lost a wing. The next year he transferred to No. 47 Squadron flying mostly to the Middle East, Cyprus and Malta.Christmas Island Airways and Operation GrappleBrowne had alr…

A fine 'Battle of Jutland 1916' D.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer 1st Class F. Dymond, Royal Navy, who served on H.M.S. Temeraire being rewarded with both the D.S.M. and a commendation for his services and later a 'mention'Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (268895. F. Dymond, C.E.R.A.1.Cl. H.M.S. Temeraire. 31 May - 1 June 1916.); British War and Victory Medals (268895. F. Dymond. C.E.R.A. 1. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (268895 Frank Dymond, C.E.R.A.1cl., H.M.S. Suffolk.), mounted as worn, light contact marks, good very fine (4)D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 September 1916.Frank Dymond was born at Dunchideock, Devon on 24 April 1875 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting C.E.R.A. 4th Class on 4 January 1897. After a succession of shore and sea-based appointments and advancement to C.E.R.A. 1st Class in 1909, he joined H.M.S. Temeraire on 30 September 1913 and served in her throughout the Great War. He was with her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May to 1 June 1916, for which action he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. His service papers further note a commendation for his actions during the Battle.On 31 May 1916, Temeraire was the fifteenth ship from the head of the battle line after deployment. During the first stage of the general engagement, the ship fired five salvos from her main guns at the crippled light cruiser S.M.S. Wiesbaden from 18:34, claiming two or three hits. At 19:17, the ship fired seven salvos at the battlecruiser S.M.S. Derfflinger, but did not make any hits. About ten minutes later, Temeraire engaged several German destroyer flotillas with three salvos from her main armament without result. This was the last time that the ship fired her guns during the battle. She received no damage and fired a total of 72 twelve-inch shells (all high explosive) and 50 shells from her four-inch guns during the battle.Dymond was shore pensioned on 2 June 1919.…

The campaign group of six awarded to Private W. R. P. Seymour, Gloucestershire Regiment, late Royal West Kent RegimentSeymour was wounded in action in Italy in October 1944 and went on to be one of the 'Glorious Glosters' who was taken a Prisoner of War with 8 Platoon, 'C' Company at the Battle of Imjin River, April 19511939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Korea 1950-53 (3959731 Pte. W. R. P. Seymour. Glosters.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, mounted court-style as worn, good very fine, together with his United States Presidential Unit Citation riband (6)William R. P. Seymour was born in Dublin in 1923 and during the Second World War served in the 5th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment. He was wounded in action on 20 October 1944, when the unit were thrown to attack the Gustav Line. He was transferred to the Army Reserve, by this time his family living at Ravenhill Avenue, Belfast.Recalled to the Army with the outbreak of the Korean War, Seymour would served with the 8 Platoon, 'C' Company, 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. He shared in the actions at taken Prisoner of War at the Battle of Imjin River, 22-25 April 1951.As part of the United Nations Forces, the 1st Battalion was despatched to Korea in 1950 when the Communist North Koreans invaded South Korea without warning. Later, a Chinese Communist Army came to the assistance of the North Koreans. ln April 1951 the British 29th Infantry Brigade was holding a wide defensive position behind the lmjin River. The Glosters occupied a vital part of this front, astride the main track to Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, which was the traditional invasion route from the north.For days a Chinese attack had been expected and on the evening of 22 April, small parties of the enemy were observed approaching and then crossing the wide river bed. A patrol of 'A' Company at "Gloucester Crossing" did great execution to these parties, but soon the trickle of Chinese became a flood, and by 2330hrs the patrol had used up all its ammunition and was recalled.By 0300hrs on the morning of the 23rd, St George’s Day, 'A' Company’s position on a commanding feature named Castle Hill was under extremely heavy attack, as was 'D' Company on their right, and an hour later 'B' on the right of 'D' was equally engaged. After six hours fighting, much of it hand to hand, 'A' Company was driven back from Castle Hill and a desperate but unsuccessful counter-attack was launched to retake it, during which Lieutenant Curtis lost his life but gained a posthumous Victoria Cross. 'D' Company’s position was now untenable, so it was later withdrawn after further fighting, together with the remnants of 'A'. 'B' Company was later pulled back, and the whole Battalion now took up position on the hills around the village of Solma-Ri.The Chinese did not closely follow up this withdrawal, but meanwhile very large numbers of them had crossed the river and infiltrated past the Glosters. Their attacks on other parts of the front had been equally severe, and now the other United Nations units on their flanks had been forced back so that by mid-day the Glosters were completely separated from the rest of the Division, and indeed almost surrounded.That night 'B' and 'C' companies were heavily attacked, the former being reduced to one officer and 20 other ranks. Early the following morning, Colonel Carne decided to concentrate the remnants of his Battalion on the top of a steep and rugged feature known as Hill 235 on the map, but now as Gloster Hill (presumably one and the same 'Battalion Hill as recalled by Seymour). On the 24th no major attack developed against the Battalion, but two relieving columns of armour and infantry, sent forward by Division, failed to fight their way through. The Glosters were now completely cut off, but although short of ammunition and water they were in good heart and determined to hold out for as long as possible.ln the very early hours of the 25th, the Chinese launched an all-out attack on the hill wave after wave of shooting, screaming men surged forward, regardless of the defenders fire. Chinese trumpets directed them and encouraged them. ln order to confuse them it was decided that one of the British bugles should be blown. The adjutant then ordered Drum Major Buss to sound his bugle and on being asked what calls, replied everything except Retreat. Of all the calls the Long Reveille was the one which made the deepest impression. The battle continued with every weapon involved, and then at 9 o'clock a highly successful air strike was delivered by the US Air Force which for the time being halted the Chinese decisively. lt was during this pause that the Colonel received instructions over the wireless to fight his way out, his job done, and Brigadier Brodie wrote in the Operations log book at Brigade HQ 'Nobody but the Glosters could have done this.'The Battalion split up into groups which tried to work their way back independently, but the United Nations forces were now consolidating after their withdrawal fully seven miles to the rear, and only one party succeeded in reaching them, the rest being killed or captured. Out of 750 men of the Battalion only 150, including the rear echelon, remained on which to rebuild the unit. Lieutenant Colonel Carne, who survived his harsh imprisonment, later received the V.C., and the Battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation to commemorate its magnificent stand. The Queen graciously granted permission for the emblem of the Citation to be worn by all members of the Regiment.Having been captured, Seymour was one of a band of British and American captives who were (probably) forced to sign a Statement of Protest against the bombing og a POW Camp in North Korea, their names being broadcast on Peking Radia at 0900hrs on 9 November. After his return home on his debrief he gave two statements:'My reason for my statement is that Pte. R. T. Othen was in my Squad and was taken to Hospital where he died.''Pte. E. K. Gudge was wounded on C. Coy. 8 Plt. position and when we had to withdraw back to what was so called Batt Hill [Gloster Hill] he was taken to the RAP where he died on the 24.4.51. Who was with him when he died I have forgot. Best we were told that he had died before we moved to the last position.'Sold together with a letter from RHQ and copied research.…

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.…

The Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of nine awarded to Hon. Brigadier T. I. Dun, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was wounded during the course of protracted service in France and Flanders, thrice 'mentioned' and served with armoured cars between the wars, authoring a book on his experienceDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R.; The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Officer's breast Badge, silver and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Capt. T. I. Dun, R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major T. I. Dun); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, enamel work slightly chipped, very fine and better (9)Provenance:Spink Numismatic Circular, May 1987.D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1919.M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1917.Thomas Ingram Dun was born at Kelvin, Glasgow on 1 May 1892 and studied medicine at Glasgow University and Anderson Medical School.Qualifying on the eve of the Great War, he was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps in September 1914 and went on to witness active service in France and Flanders from May 1915 to November 1918, being wounded and twice decorated. He was also advanced to the acting rank of Major and thrice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916, 25 May 1918 and 30 December 1918, refer).Remaining in the Regular Army between the wars, Dun specialised in obstetrics and served in India (1919-24) and Egypt (1929-35) in addition to appointments in the UK. It appears he was at one time attached to an armoured unit during his time in Egypt, or certainly one 'Thomas Ingram Dun' is the credited author of From Cairo to Siwa: Across the Libyan Desert with Armoured Cars, which was first published in Cairo in 1933.A Lieutenant-Colonel on the staff of the Louise Margaret Hospital in Chatham on the eve of hostilities, Dun was quickly embarked for India where he served as C.O. of the Combined Military Hospital in Quetta (1940-42), and as C.O. of the 35th (1942-43) and 126th (1943-45) General Hospitals. He held the acting ranks of Brigadier and Major-General in the same period, the latter while acting as Deputy Director of Medical Service in India's Eastern Command.Post-war, Dun served as Assistant Director of Medical Services, Salisbury Plain (1946-48) and as Officer in Charge of Medical Services for the A.T.S. and W.R.A.C. (1948-53). Appointed an Officer of the Order of St. John in the summer of 1952, his final post was as President of the Standing Medical Board at Aldershot, and he was placed on the Retired List in the honorary rank of Brigadier in May 1955. He died in September 1975.…