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Rolls Royce Badge, Small Spirit of Ecstasy, Keyfob. Also a cast iron Michelin Bibendum figure and a Royal Army Service Corps motoring badge. (5 items)

1933 MG J2Registration number ALX 934Chassis number J4199Frame number 2767AJBlack with a red leather and vinyl interiorHood and tonneau cover are in black 'Wigan' materialDVLA declared manufactured 1978Wonderful history with the first owner being the vendors father, he spent some time looking for this car which he evenutally discovered and, as being an engineer, completely restored to better than newExtensive history file with copy of early photosPlease see the condition report online for the history of this carThe owner also has a large box containing many small parts removed, replaced or bought and not used, to be collected by the buyer from the postcode area TA13 at a mutually agreed date and timeAll lots in this sale are sold as is and bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Please read our terms and conditions With V5C, HPI clear AA badge & St Christopher on dash will be retained (shown in photos) View video Information from the owner: General History up to 2024 This car was bought new in November 1933 by my father, then a serving Flying Officer with the RAF who had just returned from a 3 year posting with No 27 Squadron in the North Western Frontier region of India (now the Pakistan/Afghanistan border areas) flying the Westland Wapiti” 2 seater Bomber/Army support aircraft and had saved enough to pay the £200 for his new J2 At the time he was based at RAF Henlow and during the 6 month guarantee period there was a good bit of correspondence between him and the MG company, I have copies of the Abingdon responses from which it seems that he had problems with performance 'maximum speed only 68 mph' and other small matters including vibration. It seems that in April 1934 a new gearbox and remote were fitted plus new front engine bearings etc. These seem to have been dealt with promptly and efficiently. Mileage by then was over 4,000 Sometime in 1934 father and friend took the car on a long tour into Southern Germany and there are several photos taken on that trip including loading (or unloading) onto channel ferry, just guessing Newhaven/Dieppe The next report is it taking part in the Great West Motor Club’s London to Bournemouth trials at the end of March 1935 and I have a photo of it taken at the Bovington Camp section. As father married later in April that year it seems unlikely that he was the entrant so he must have traded it in by then for the 2 Litre Lagonda he next had. The only clue as to its location after 1935 is a repair plate on the radiator header tank by Sercks of Maidstone, Kent and a tax disc issued by London C C expiring end of June 1938. The next phase in the story is that in 1937 or 1938 the car was bought by a young Lincolnshire man, Colin Muncaster. I was able to contact the widow of Colin’s brother, Ray, and she (Phyllis) was able to tell me quite a lot and the rest of the history comes from her and another name she mentioned, Mike Hewson, who lived very near the Muncasters in Horncastle. Mike Hewson’s father was with Colin when he bought the car and they took it to the British Grand Prix held at Donington Park in 1937 or 38. Colin was keen on some competition driving and had the car worked on by the well known MG fettler Harry Lester. The engine had a Laystall crank fitted, cylinder head modified with polished ports enlarged to 1 1/8 inch dia and bigger 1 1/8 inch carburetters fitted. The brakes were converted to hydraulic using components from a Wolseley Hornet with 9 inch drums. Ignition was by 'Scintilla' magneto. Phyllis told me that Colin and Ray were coming home from the pub when they ran off the road near Horncastle and Ray, being thrown forward, lost his front teeth on the dashboard. She asked if the marks were still there on the aluminium panel. I looked and indeed they were and still are! I imagine this was the cause of the bent chassis discovered during restoration. Apparently during the war Colin bought another MG (understood to be a J1 salonette) to use that engine to 'save' the original 'good' engine until war was over, but the car was taxed for a while in 1941 and 1943. Colin was born in 1914 but for some reason wasn’t called up for military service. He had a Garage business and after the war worked for the Council. I have photocopies of ALX 934 taken from late 1930’s on some showing his Hill Climb runs and trophies won, all presumably in the Lincolnshire general area up to about 1952 when by then it was fitted with 16 inch rear wheels. The 19 inch wheels went back on for everyday use until 1955 when it was pushed into an open ended Nissen hut until bought by Harry Dickinson of Bucknall, Lincs, in 1978 where it sat unused for another 27 years until I bought it from Harry’s widow. Before that a chance conversation with another J2 owner at a car show in 2005 led to the discovery that father’s old car still existed and was for sale. I went up to Lincolnshire to see it; very much as I would have expected after so long unused although the engine had been started and run occasionally. It seemed complete and original and there was a large amount of spare parts included. My offer was accepted and we hauled it back to Suffolk a week or so later in July. It soon became apparent that it needed much more than a tidy up and it looked like a total strip down was needed, everything that could wear was worn and the woodworm had consumed most of the plywood trim. The first thing to do was to drain and refill the engine oil, water in radiator, connect to a battery and take a fuel feed from a petrol can. Starter pushed, and engine started and ran strongly, still on its magneto, so this was encouraging. So began over 2 years of work whenever I was able. The most useful tool was the angle grinder to cut off all the rusted up nuts and bolts and with body off I could see what had to be done. The body and chassis went up to David Wall in Wroxham where he repaired and replaced any damaged and rotten timber and re panelled in steel or aluminium where necessary. The chassis was straightened and new stubs welded on the rear chassis cross members to take the spring trunnions. Other steel fittings, plates, brackets, stainless battery box etc. were made up for me by the people at the metal fabricators whom I then worked for. A trip to Sports and Vintage in Shrewsbury supplied me with all the other bits and pieces I thought I needed as well as relining the clutch plate. This was followed by a trip to Jones Springs to recondition the springs. This lot must be collected by 12.30pm on Friday 25th October. If the buyer has not collected by this time it will automatically be removed and placed into storage, incurring a removal charge of £100 + VAT, to include the first week of storage, unless otherwise noted. Storage will then be charged at £10 + VAT per day or part thereof. If collecting from storage, please provide 24 hours notice

Seaforth Highlanders Regimental cap badge on tartan backing, Lorne Scots Peel Dufferin and Halton Regiment Canadian Army with King's Crown, white metal; WWII era Cameronians Scottish Rifles Glengarry cap badge; WWII Westminster Regiment Canadian cap badge; WWII Regimental Sgt Major sleeve badge, Royal Sussex cap badge, Royal Kent West cap badge, Royal Artillery cap badge, WWI Physical Instructors cap badge, Queens Own Rifles of Canada cap badge, Royal Corps Canadian Ordnance, The Perth Regiment cap badge, The Royal Regiment of Canada cap badge, Air Training Corps cap badge; RAF cap badge, RAF white metal brooch, RAC badge, Auxiliary Territorial Service cap badge, Royal Canadian Army Service badges, Coldstreamers Association badge, The British Red Cross Society enamel badge, together with a small quantity of buttons incl. Sherwood Forrester's, Canadian brass buttons and various pips. 

WWI medal group, named to Donald Wilson James (1894-1957), 2nd Lt, Suffolk Regt. Infantry 1st Battalion, including The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) Military Cross British War Medal, Victory Medal, Territorial Force War medal, mounted to board with photographic prints of D.W.James along with an excerpt from The Times, Wednesday 5th February 1919 pg. 13, together with two Suffolk Regiment cap badges, Guards Machine Gun Corps cap badge and the Royal Artillery cap badge.  D.W James enlisted, before the outbreak of the war, as a private soldier in the Territorial Force, joining the 6th Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment (cyclist unit). He served with the battalion until early 1917, by which time he had risen to sergeant. He undertook weapons training and attended an Officer Training Cadre with a Machine Gun Corps, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Corps on 26th April 1917. Following normal form, he would then have attended a five-week course of instruction on the Vickers Machine Gun at the Machine Gun Training Centre, Belton Park near Grantham, Lincolnshire. He was eventually posted to France, and joined the 1st Battalion Machine Gun Corps, which was formed 28th February 1918.  Gallantry notes: "Near Berthaucourt 24th September 1918, after firing a barrage, he pushed his guns forward and consolidated his position under very heavy shelling. During two determined hostile counter attacks he directed his guns with great skill and courage and inflicted severe casualties on the enemy, for which he was awarded the Military Cross certified by General Rawlinson, Commander of the Fourth Army, on the 30th December 1918". Lt James was discharged in 1919, and later re-enlisted in the Territorial Army. He retired in the early 1930s as Battery Sergeant Major, in the 229 Medium Battery, Royal Artillery and was awarded the MBE in 1931. Cite: https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/079ebd94-4632-41ca-9fbb-59247cb52047. This record is held by Vickers MG Collection & Research Association. 

A WWI Princess Mary gift tin (empty) together with a single volume 'Kitchener's Army and the Territorial Forces' and a British Army Forage cap with REME badge, and a tie (4)

Medal group ~ Queen's South Africa medal (2 clasps Transvaal & Cape colony) + King's South African medal (2 clasps South Africa 1902 & 1901) awarded to 1888 Pte H Thompson KRRC t/w WWI trio awarded to 1888 Sjt H E Thompson K R Rif C + Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal (GV & awarded to 1888 TCS MJR H Thompson K R Rif C) + cap badge

A Rare and Historically Important OBE Medal Group of 8, to One of the Founding Members of the Special Operations Executive (S.O.E) Who Went on to Command Both F and Later DF Sections and was Responsible for Setting Up Some of the Most Successful SOE Escape Routes in Western Europe, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, 2nd type Officers Breast Badge, 1939-45 Star Medal, France & Germany Star Medal, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, France Legion D’Honneur, Officers Breast Badge, France Croix De Guerre 1939-45 with bronze palm, Belgium Order of the Crown, Officers Breast Badge. The group display mounted in a frame with an enclosed name plate. Accompanied by the following items, Bestowal document for the O.B.E. (Civil) to Lt. Colonel Leslie Alexander Longmore Humphreys dated 1st January 1946 (framed). Bestowal document for French Legion D’Honneur to Lt Col Leslie Alexander Longmore Humphreys dated 19th March 1948 (framed). Cardboard tube of issue for Legion D’Honneur document, cases of issue for O.B.E., Legion D’Honneur, Order of the Crown, cardboard postal box for Secon World War campaign medals with Army Council slip for 4 medals, addressed to LAL HUMPHREYS, UNION CLUB, 10 CARLTON HOUSE, LONDON, SW.Most Excellent Order of the British Empire London Gazette, 9th January 1946 - The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire: — To be Additional Officers of the Civil Division of the said Most Excellent Order: —Lieutenant-Colonel Leslie Alexander Longmore HUMPHREYS, Civil Assistant, War Office.Belgium, Officer of the Order of the Crown, London Gazette 14th May 1948 – Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Leslie Alexander Longmore -HUMPHREYS (108305), Special List.' London Gazette, 23rd July 1948 - DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCE REGENT OF BELGIUM, Officer of the Order of the Crown – Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Leslie Alexander Longmore HUMPHREYS, O B E. (108305), Special List (Substituted for the announcement made in the London Gazette No 38288, dated 14th May, 1948).Leslie Alexander Francis Longmore Humpreys was born in Budapest on 4th July 1904, the only son of Richard John Edward Humphreys and his wife Elizabeth Agnes Lyons. His father taught English in Budapest later becoming commercial secretary at The Hague, Budapest and Bucharest. Leslie studied at Cardinal Vaughan School and Stonyhurst College then spent a year at Faculté des Lettres in Dijon before moving to Magdalene College, Cambridge. He gained a 3rd class in modern languages in 1925 and a lower 2nd in part two of the history tripos in 1926. By this point he was virtually trilingual in French, German and Romanian.In early 1939 he joined section D of the British Secret Service, the predecessor of the Special Operations Executive making 2 operational trips to the Netherlands and 1 to Poland before the outbreak of war. In September he was sent to Paris with the rank of Major to liaise with the French Fifth Bureau, planning sabotage lines from Paris and later a sabotage network inside falling France.He was evacuated on 20th June 1940 and on the formation of the SOE in July 1940 he became head of its F Section, charged with organising subversion in France. His main principle was that communications are the essential basis of all clandestine work. In December he was moved over to work on clandestine communications (DF Section), a task well suited to his abilities. He visited Lisbon twice during the winter of 1940/41 to investigate reported lines for passing letters, parcels and people into France. Unimpressed by what he found he decided to construct links of his own designing the blueprint of a system that would serve SOE throughout Western Europe for secret travel and secret supply. His first agent landed in France in April 1941 ultimately Humphreys was responsible for establishing SOE’s biggest and best escape line.A strong administrator with a firm belief in maintaining secrecy, he kept his people inconspicuous, and this was the main reason for his DF Section’s run of successes. The effectiveness of his process was demonstrated when one of his ‘lines’ was penetrated by the German Abwher in 1943 and none of the 11 arrested sub-agents provided any exploitable information to the German forces.DF’s methods were sometimes unorthodox, by passing regular, approved channels in order to deliver results. The results of his section were remarkable with several hundred passengers carried without loss and the carrier’s casualty rate of 2 per cent was by far the lowest of any of SOE’s French sections. By the end of the war, he had attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.Post War he returned to the business world but in 1950 he accepted an opportunity to serve in the Foreign Office spending time in Frankfurt, Pusan (South Korea), Vienna and finally London. In 1964 he retired and joined the staff at Stonyhurst Preparatory School until his second retirement in 1973 when he moved to Bexhill where he lived until his death on 19th December 1976.

WW2 German Award Documents to Gefr. G. Ziegler, Grenadier regiment 121, 50. Infanterie Division, award document to the wound badge in black, infantry assault badge in silver and the iron cross 2nd class, mint condition, awarded on 26.2.1944 on the Krim fighting the red army and hand signed by Generalleutnant Friedrich Sixt, commander of the Division. This combat award documents group comes with an early Gymnasium passport with beautiful HJ uniform photo of Ziegler.

WW2 German Army / Waffen-SS Close Combat Clasp in Gold by Friedrich Linden, Lüdenscheid, zinc construction with soldered on set up and crimped in backplate. Maker marked on the reverse with the FLL logo and designer "Peekhaus". Worn condition with the majority of the gold finish faded. Small spots on the badge show the bright gilding around the hinge and catch as well as on the obverse. An interesting and original gold grade!

Royal Army Chaplains Department Officers Cap Badge by J R Gaunt, fine silver gilt and enamel example with two lug fittings to the reverse. Makers stamp to the reverse of the badge. Accompanied by matching collar badge.

WW2 German Army / Waffen-SS Infantry Assault Badge in Silver by C.E. Juncker, Berlin, nickel silver construction with soldered on set up. Early war, high quality variant by the C.E. Juncker company. Needle repaired during the period. Excellent and rarer piece!

WW2 British Royal Army Service Corps 10th Corps Battle Dress Blouse, good untouched example of a 1943 dated Canadian battle dress blouse with majors rank insignia to the shoulders, embroidered RASC shoulder titles above 10th Corps formation sign and felt arm of service strip. Interior with size stamps and issue date 1943. Accompanied by a war economy khaki wool field service cap with other ranks brass regimental cap badge. (2 items)

An Impressive Collection of Medals to 3 Members of the Sevenoaks Family Who all Served as Officers with the Indian Forces Covering Service from the 1850’s to the 1940’s, India General Service Medal with clasp Pegu, impressed naming, “C C SEVENOAKS, 3RD OFFR, “MAHANUDDY””; British War Medal, “LT. P.L. SEVENOAKS”, Victory Medal, “2. LT P. L. SEVENOAKS”, India General Service Medal with 3 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F 1919, Waziristan 1919-21 and Waziristan 1921-24 “LT. P.L. SEVENOAKS, 2/69 PJBS”, medals mounted as worn; Military Cross, GVR, unnamed as issued, British War and Victory Medals, “CAPT. C.L. SEVENOAKS”, India Service Medal, War Medal 1939-45. Accompanied by the following items case for Military Cross, Hallmarked silver (London, 1929) cigarette case with gilded interior and the exterior engraved with the intertwined initials PLS, a fine quality sweetheart badge for the 24th Punjabis, believed to be gold but not marked (or tested), contained in a fitted Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Company Limited hinged case, a pair of 16th Punjab Regt collar badges and a decorative kukri knife.Military Cross, London Gazette 15th February 1919 - Lt. (A./Capt.) Charles Lutman Sevenoaks, Ind. A., attd. 1st Bn., 152nd Ind. Infy. (EGYPT) - Citation – London Gazette 30th July 1919 - Lt. (A./Capt.) Charles Lutman Sevenoaks, Indian Army, attd. 1st Bn. -152nd Indian Inf. '(Egypt). For conspicuous gallantry on September 19th, 1918, in the attack on El Tireh. After the capture of the first objective the unit became disorganised owing to the shortage of officers. Captain Sevenoaks, who was acting adjutant, was sent by his commanding officer to take charge of the situation. On arrival, he immediately organised a large sector of the front under very heavy fire, and by his own personal example and leading rushed the enemy position at the head of the company. He continued with the advance line up to the final objective, and showed great ability and courageous leadership throughout.C C Sevenoaks – confirmed on the roll for the medal and clasp serving in the Bengal Marine on the steam vessel Mahanuddy. 115 medals issued to the ship of which 29 were to Europeans.Patick Lutman Sevenoaks – Started his service as a Private in the 28th London Regiment (Artists Rifles) serving in France from 4th November 1916. Commissioned into the Indian Army Reserve of Officers on 30th April 1918 as a 2nd Lieutenant, he carried on serving until through until he died as a Captain in 3rd Battalion 16th Punjab Regiment on 12th August 1935. His Victory medal was issued by the British Government whilst his War Medal was issued by the Government of India and this may account for the differences in the rank.Charles Lutman Sevenoaks – Born in Bangalore India on 10th March 1896. He was a Cadet at Wellington College before being commissioned into 24th Punjab Regiment on 28th April 1916. He served in India, Mesopotamia and Palestine during the Great War earning a Military Cross for bravery at El Tireh. Entitled to a pair of campaign medals for his service these were issued by the Indian Government and he retired from the service on 19th October 1922. Granted an Emergency Commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Indian Army with effect from 27th August 1940 (London Gazette 15th November 1940), he served through the Second World War and in 1944 he is recorded as a Lieutenant Colonel (Temporary) in the Indian Army Headquarters Staff, Adjutant Generals Branch as Deputy Director Prisoners of War. Released from service on 1st March 1946 he died in Maidstone, Kent in October 1971.

WW2 German Army (Heer) Shooting Lanyard, 2nd Model, zinc constructed badge with soldered on prongs. Mounted on textbook lanyard rope. Textbook example.

Royal Army Chaplain Department Cap Badge and Collar Badge by J R Gaunt, fine blackened bronze kings crown cap badge with blae fittings to the reverse. Makers mark also to the reverse. Accompanied by a single collar badge with lug fittings. Also accompanied by a pair of blackened collar badges repute to have been made by Pitt & Co. (4 items)

WW2 German Army / Waffen-SS General Assault Badge by R. Karneth, Gablonz, zinc construction with crimped in set up. Unmarked, typical Karneth manufacturing. Good condition with small signs of age.

Royal Army Chaplains Department Stole Badge by J R Gaunt, fine silver gilt and enamel example with pin fitting to the reverse. Makers stamp to the reverse of the badge. Accompanied by smaller gilt an enamel lapel / collar badge with pin fitting to the reverse.

Rare Trial Pattern Royal Army Education Corps Cap Badge, fine example in bi-metal, two lug fittings to the reverse. Accompanied by matching collar badge an two tunic buttons. All by J R Gaunt, purchase from the pattern books directly from J R Gaunt by the current vendor. (4 items)

Third Reich NSDAP Party Book & Paperwork Group to E. Pöhlmann with 1933 NSDAP Entry, group contains: NSDAP party book with uniform photo of Pöhlmann, studio photo of him in SA uniform together with his son in Hj uniform, one of him in army mountain trooper uniform and one other photo of his son in the HJ leader school. Rare membership book of the Nat. Frauenschaft to his wife, mothers cross award envelope. Several HJ membership books and the SA sports badge award document booklet to Pöhlmann himself. Large paper group to a very political engaged family!

EIIR Royal Army Chaplain Department (Jewish) Cap Badge, fine silver gilt and enamel cap badge with two lug fittings to the reverse. Accompanied by a EIIR Christian chaplains silver gilt an enamel cap badge with lug fittings. Both remain in excellent overall condition (2 items)

British Army Colonels Field Service Cap, fine coloured field service cap with bullion lion over crown cap badge. Gold bullion wire piping. General service front buttons. Black cloth lining to the interior.

WW2 Royal Signals Battle Dress Blouse with Private Snap Shot Photographs of VE Day in London 1945, good example of a Canadian made battle dress blouse with printed shoulder titles of the Royal Signals, British army in France formation signs above arm of service stripes. Good conduct / service chevrons and warrant officers sleeve insignias to the bottom section. Tunic ribbon bar for service in Africa, Italy and North West Europe. Accompanied by his general service side cap with war economy plastic regimental cap badge. Also in the pocket of the battle dress was the original owners service book, which shows the set belonged to George Attwooll Axe, from Exeter in Devon. In the back of the service book are a number of black and white snapshot photographs of him and his sweetheart, also some interesting privately taken photographs of the crowds gathering and celebrating the end of the war in Europe, famously known as VE day (8th May 1945). Some light areas of mothing but otherwise a nice battle dress with interesting unpublished private photographs of one of the most celebrated events of the 20th century.

Royal Army Chaplain Department (Jewish) Cap Badge and Collar Badge by J R Gaunt, fine blackened bronze kings crown cap badge with blade fittings to the reverse. Accompanied by a single collar badge with lug fittings. (2 items)

Document Grouping to NSKK Member and SA-Sturmführer Josef Rech from Ahrweiler “Reitersturm Brigade 52”, SA Ausweis (passport) with photo of Rech, several membership cards, NSDAP party card, 1914-1918 honour cross and wound badge in black award certificates. Interesting January 1945 document stating the slaughtering of his “SA horse” named” “Oskar” to supply meat to the civilians. Conformation document to Rech as Gefreiter in the army he was leading the first aid point in Borissow. Rech ended up the Vokssturm at the end of the war.

British Commonwealth WWII South African Army Durban Light Infantry Regiment Cap Badge, white-metal

South African Army Administrative Pay and Clerical Corps (SAAPCC SAABKD) Cap Badge, gilding metal

Italian WWII Air Force Officers Cap Badge (Army Regina Aeronautica) in brass and blue enamel

Irish Army Defence Force (1922 pattern) Republic of Ireland Cap Badge, bronze with lugs

Rhodesian Army General Service Cap Badge, cast brass with lugs

British Commonwealth South African Army WWII Orange Free State Rifle Defence Association Cap Badge

* Crichton-Stuart (John Patrick, 3rd Marquis of Bute, 1847-1900). Court dress in tin trunk, comprising: a black wool tailcoat by Meyer & Mortimer, 36 Conduit Street, London, with their printed label at nape annotated in contemporary manuscript 'Marquess of Bute', 6 self buttons to front, 3 to each cuff, and 2 to reverse, black braid to front, cuffs, and ornamental pocket flaps, black silk rosette to reverse of neck, and ribbon bows to shoulders, black silk lining; black wool breeches, knees with self buttons, buckles, and black grosgrain ribbon bows, a few tiny holes in rear; a black silk bicorn hat by Meyer & Mortimer, embellished with interwoven black braid, and grosgrain ribbon with matching button, black silk lining, with maker's name in gilt, some light spotting to crown; a black wool and silk waistcoat by Meyer & Mortimer, with their label to verso of rear belt annotated in contemporary manuscript 'Marquess of Bute', with pockets, and 5 self buttons, lined with ivory silk; a long white cotton shirt by Thresher & Glenny Outfitters, 152 Strand, London, with their oval printed label at nape, cuffs with lace frill, a 'B' surmounted by a coronet embroidered in red cross-stitch to right side of front, foxed in places; 5 silk bow ties; and 3 pairs of silk stockings, one pair with 'B' surmounted by a coronet embroidered in pink thread, generally in good condition, various sizes, all contained in a large black metal trunk, with engraved brass plaque lettered 'Marquess of Bute' below the badge of H. Poole & Co., Army & Navy Tailors, 52 Saville[sic] Row, and 4 Old Burlington St, London, height 12 cm (4.75 ins), length 104 cm (41 ins), depth 32 cm (12.75 ins) QTY: (1)NOTE:Provenance: Private Collection, Derbyshire.John Patrick Crichton-Stuart acceded to the title 3rd Marquess of Bute at the tender age of six months, whereupon it was said that his inheritance made him the richest person in the world. He became an industrial magnate, antiquarian, scholar, philanthropist and architectural patron. His collaboration with architect William Burges led to the creation of two of the finest examples of late Victorian Gothic Revival architecture, Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch. When he died at the age of 53 his heart was buried on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem. He was a Knight Grand Cross of the Holy Sepulchre, Knight of the Order of Saint Gregory the Great and Hereditary Keeper of Rothesay Castle.Prestigious bespoke tailors Meyer & Mortimer, Thresher & Glenny, and Henry Poole are all still in operation today.

Selection of fifteen unusual military badges in a velvet-lined display box to include a Royal Navy Air Service Armoured Car Division badge, BBC WWII war correspondent badge, an early U.S. Marine Corps pin, three British Army Jewish Chaplain badges, a Reconnaissance Corps badge, WWI Jewish Battalion of Royal Fusiliers cap badge etc.

Selection of military cap badges including 3rd Gurkha Rifles, a hallmarked silver Scottish clan badge, a Dutch Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery Corps cap badge, Lovitt & Lovitt Scout badge etc.

Large collection of military and civilian cap badges, buttons, and pins including French Paratrooper cap badge, Royal Dragoons badge, Dutch Army Medical Corps badge, vintage ASE union, a King's royal Rifle Corps badge, a Kuwait Army cap badge etc.

An interesting collection of mostly military and civilian badges, early to mid-20th century - including two Kings Shropshire Light Infantry cap badges (one in silver, the other plated); a Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry cap badge; a British Army Marksman's sleeve badge; a 'The Metropolitan' police whistle; a plated metal Oxfordshire Constabulary helmet badge and two O.C. coat buttons; a handmade WW2 machined aluminium toy Hawker Hurricane; a painted, cast lead African 'Nomori' figure etc.

Two army jackets, one with buttons and insignia relating to the 14th/20th King's Hussars and a Royal Navy badge by J B Johnstone Ltd of 34 Sackville Street London, dated 3rd January 1944, the other a Navy blue tunic with all buttons and insignias removed together with a mink fur coat and a bag containing various fur stoles, tippets etc

Postcards, Silks, 3 embroidered silks of The Salvation Army, inc. shield shaped banner captioned 'The Salvation Army', with caption below 'The sign of comfort, care and blessing' (crease to reverse); Red flag on staff with yellow star to centre and blue border and 'The Salvation Army' on banner below. Also Salvation Army badge with 'Blood and Fire' to centre (2 cards mainly gd)

Postcards, Silks, 4 military/patriotic embroidered silk cards. Includes Y.M.C.A in red triangle captioned 'Souvenir de France'; A.V.C (Army Veterinary Corps) with AVC to centre of badge and horses head either side; vertical card with kangaroo and Australian flag above 'Australia' on banner below, and 'Souvenir d'Ypres' showing church (some light age toning o/w gd)

Postcards, Silks, 3 regimental embroidered silk cards, inc. C.M.C 1914-1916 Canadian Army Medical Corps; A.V.C (Army Veterinary Corps) with horses heads either side of badge with AVC to centre; also Royal Scots Greys, Waterloo with eagle badge above regimental banner (gd)

A small quantity of military badges, buttons, etc and a small quantity of other pin badges, medallions, etc, including a set of six railway related buttons, a British Army belt buckle, a Great War medal, St. John's ambulance medallion, Royal Engineers badge, two BSA enamel badges, etc (1 bag)

Three WWII medals named to Pte R P Towse, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, comprising The France and Germany Star, War Medal, and George VI General Service Medal, with Palestine 1945-48 clasp, a 4th Infantry Division cloth formation badge, D.C.L.I cloth badges, chevron, cap badge, and a pencil written diary of service between 31st August 1944 and March 1948, as part of 21st Army Group, detailing service in Belgium and Palestine.

Silver plated pocket watch and Albert chain and Royal Army Services Corp badge.

Militaria - a quantity of military items including naval brass buttons, a WWI war medal, issued to Josef Gonsalves (possibly Portuguese), WWII star medal, Gloucester Regiment Egypt cigarette card silk, US Army technician 5th grade rank stripes, ribbon bars, marksmanship badge, allied military currency, etc (qty)

Military and civilian medallions. A good selection on Victorian and Edwardian Military medallions including Army Temperance Association and British Army in India sporting medallions including enamel, white metal and bronze medallions and fobs, a large unmarked silver Army Temperance Medal India, ‘1897’ on a green ribbon, an East Indian Railway Volunteer Rifles, Extended Order Competition ‘1903-04’ (Volunteer H Ricketts), a Minto Fancy Fete Calcutta 1897 bronze five pointed star toped with a King’s crown above the city crest, a temperance medal for merit, a Temperance Fidelity Medal, an HRH George Prince of Wales ‘1905-1906 tour of India Royal tour medallion, etc., together with a good selection of military and civilian medallions and badges including sweetheart badges, rank and collar badges, fobs, etc., including a Fine Woman of Australia issued service badge, numbered (161010), in blue enamel and silver, a South African sporting medallion The Barnato Trophy, Winning Team (Pte G. Cheyne. ‘1890’. 3rd Dragoons), an RLSS, Life Saving Medal (S Bunn, Nov 1932), a Red Cross medallion, an XXX Corps Wartime honours medallion, a Scottish coronation medallion 1902, a pair of General’s shoulder rank with crossed baton and swords, etc., generally good condition (lot) £120-£160

A French Great War Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre pair awarded to Lieutenant R. Berger, 109th Regiment of Infantry, French Sixth Army, who captured 18 Germans on the Western Front whilst under ‘very violent’ machine gun fire France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel; Croix de Guerre, bronze, with bronze palm and star, mounted from period continental wearing pins in large glazed frame, with original French Army Citation for the Croix de Guerre, approx. 58cm x 47cm (framed), blue enamel loss to first, nearly very fine and better (2) £70-£90 --- The official citation for the Croix de Guerre, as recommended by General Paul A. M. Maistre, French XI Army, reads (in French): ‘Monsieur René Berger, Lieutenant 109th Regiment of Infantry. During the fighting from October 24th to 25th 1917, he demonstrated the finest military qualities of bravery. He co-operated in the capture of 17 Germans and 1 officer, whom he interrogated on the very line of combat and was subjected to very violent machine gun fire. He was able to immediately provide the reconnaissance commander with important information, which enabled him to successfully carry out the mission entrusted to him as a very young officer, hard working and brilliant from all points of view. 12 December 1917.’

Pair: Private A. E. Davis, Wiltshire Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 11 April 1918 British War and Victory Medals (36095 Pte. A. E. Davis. Wilts. R.) very fine 1914-15 Star (15938 Pte. F. Cooper. Yorks: L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (5) (Lt. Col. E. W. Powell.; Lieut. W. Dean.; Lieut. H. Knight.; 2. Lieut. J. R. W. Saunders.; 4186 Cpl. A. G. Arnott. K.O. Sco. Bord.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army, Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; together with a Silver War Badge, the reverse numbered ‘B178173’, edge bruising, nearly very fine (13) £120-£160 --- Arthur Ernest Davis was born in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, and attested for the Wiltshire Regiment at Devizes, Wiltshire. He served with the 6th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front, and was killed in action on 11 April 1918, aged 18. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Fred Cooper attested for the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry ands served with the 9th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 September 1915. Posted as Missing in Action on 27 May 1918, he returned to his unit and was discharged Class ‘Z’ following the cessation of hostilities. Arthur George Arnott attested for the King’s Own Scottish Borderers on 10 May 1909 and was promoted Corporal on 26 September 1914. He served with the 1/5th Battalion during the Great War with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 24 May 1915, and was wounded by gun shot to the right shoulder on 16 July 1915. He was discharged on 19 May 1916, after 7 years and 10 days’ service. Sold with copied research.

1914 Star (J. L. Ramsay. B.R.C.S.); 1914-15 Star (Nurse M. White, V.A.D.) ‘Nurse’ unofficially recently engraved; British War Medal 1914-20 (Nurse. B. Braby.) half-hearted attempt to obliterate naming but all details perfectly legible; Victory Medal 1914-19 (2) (S. Nurse H. M. Learner.; C. M. Turner. V.A.D.) nearly very fine Four: Attributed to Sister G. E Hancock, Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Army Nursing Service 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately engraved ‘Sr. G. E. Hancock Q.A.I.A.N.S.’, the Stars both later issues, mounted court-style for display, very fine Miniature Medals: The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s badge (2), both silver and enamel, one on lady’s bow riband; together with a lapel rosette badge; and a St. John Ambulance Priory in Southern Africa War Work badge, very fine (11) £120-£160 --- John Liviustine Ramsay was born on 12 April 1890 and served initially as an Orderly with the British Red Cross Society during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 October 1914. He subsequently attested as a Private in the Highland Light Infantry, and was killed in action whilst serving with the 2nd Battalion on the Western Front on 3 May 1917. He is buried in Roclincourt Valley Cemetery, France. Miss Marion White served as a Nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment during the Great War on the Western Front from 26 October 1915 to 25 May 1916. Miss Beatrice Braby served as a Nurse with the South African Medical Nursing Service from 16 December 1916 to 20 November 1917. Miss Hilda Mary Learner was born in North Walsham, Norfolk, in 1883 and served as a Staff Nurse with Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserve. Miss Catherine Mary Turner served with the Voluntary Aid Detachment.

Three: Private S. W. Acock, Royal West Surrey Regiment, who died on the Western Front on 6 February 1916 1914-15 Star (3913 Pte. S. W. Acock. The Queen’s R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-3913 Pte. S. W. Acock. The Queen’s R.) very fine Three: Private J. W. Banner, Royal Fusiliers, who was severely wounded at Gallipoli in July 1915 1914-15 Star (9214 Pte. J. Banner. R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-9214 Pte. J. W. Banner. R. Fus.) very fine Pair: Private G. Metcalfe, Machine Gun Corps British War and Victory Medals (89884 Pte. G. Metcalfe. M.G.C.) very fine (8) £120-£160 --- Sidney W. Acock was born in Horsell, Surrey, in 1880. He attested for the Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment at Guildford on 16 December 1914 and served with the 1s Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front. He died on 6 February 1916 and is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Pas de Calais, France. John William Banner was born in 1895 and attested at Stoke on Trent for the Royal Fusiliers on 10 November 1914. Sent to Gallipoli with the 2nd Battalion, he suffered a severe gunshot wound to the face and neck in July 1915 which necessitated evacuation to Mansoura Hospital and effectively ended his war. George Metcalfe joined the British Army on 31 January 1911. He was discharged no longer physically fit for war service and issued a Silver War Badge on 23 September 1918.

A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Driver W. Owens, Army Service Corps Military Medal, G.V.R. (T4-069798 Dvr: W. Owens. A.S.C.) edge bruising, very fine £180-£220 --- M.M. London Gazette 19 November 1917. William Owens attested for the Army Service Corps at Merthyr Tydvil on 8 April 1915 and served with 334th Company during the Great War on the Western Front. Awarded the Military Medal whilst attached to the Special Company, Royal Engineers, he was discharged due to wounds on 18 June 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge no. 523905.

A French Royal and Military Order of St. Louis attributed to Général de Brigade Jean-Pierre Piat; a Baron of the Empire and a staunch Bonapartist, he was wounded on five occasions, including at the Battle of Ligny during the Waterloo campaign on 16 June 1815 France, Kingdom, Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, Knight’s breast badge, 42mm x 36mm, gold and enamel, ball finials, with small gold mark to one obverse fleur-de-lys, with original fragmentary riband with bow rosette, contained in brown leather case, slight enamel damage, good very fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, May 2016. Jean-Pierre Piat was born in Paris on 6 June 1774. He entered the army as a 2nd Lieutenant on 10 January 1792 in the 56th Regiment of Infantry - later the 88th Line Infantry demi-brigade. With them he served in the Northern Army during 1792-93 and was wounded in the hand at the battle of Neerwinden, 18 March 1773. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 10 Vendémiaire year II. Served in the wars of Years II-IV with the Army of the Sambre and Meuse. Went to Italy and was appointed Captain of Grenadiers on the field of battle on 26 Ventôse Year V, for his conduct at the passage of the Tagliamento. He then served with the Eastern Army in Egypt. He distinguished himself at the battle of Sedenian, 17 Vendémiaire Year VII and was appointed Battalion Commander on 8 Frimaire Year VII. Piat was wounded in action at Bénéhadi, 19 Germinal Year VII, with a shot to the kidneys, was wounded in the face during the siege of Cairo and received a knee injury at Alexandria, 30 Ventôse Year IX. Returning to France in Year X, the 88th went into garrison in Phalsbourg. On 11 Brumaire Year XII he was appointed Major of the 2nd Line Infantry and was created a Legionnaire of the Legion of Honour. Piat then served in the campaigns of the Grande Armée during the period Year XIV-1807. Was promoted to an Officer in the Legion of Honour on 15 December 1808 and was advanced to Colonel of the 85th Infantry Regiment on 7 April 1809. With the Grande Armée he served in Russia where he was granted the title of Baron. Served in Saxony during 1813. On 2 April 1813 the Emperor appointed him a Brigadier-General and as such he served in Italy. Following the first abdication of Napoleon, Piat returned to France in 1814 and on 27 November 1814 he was appointed a Knight of the Order of St. Louis by King Louis XVIII. Notwithstanding his royalist order, he like many others returned fully supported the return of Napoleon as Emperor of France. In 1815 he commanded a brigade in the Girard division of the 2nd Corps and was wounded in action at the battle of Ligny, 16 June 1815. Following the second abdication of the Emperor Piat was placed in the reserve until his retirement on 5 April 1824. After the July Revolution 1830, he commanded the Var Département; was awarded the Commander Class of the Legion of Honour on 16 November 1832, then commanded the haute-Alpes Département, 1833-37. Then after a period of service with the General Staff he retired once more in August 1836. With the February Revolution 1848 he became active in the support of Prince Louis Napoleon. For his services he was appointed a Grand Officer in the Legion of Honour in 1850 and became a Senator in the Upper House from March 1852. General Piat died in Paris on 12 April 1862. Sold with the original parchment bestowal document for the Royal and Military Order of St. Louis, signed ‘Louis’ and dated 27 November 1814; together with the booklet, Some Aspects of the Order of St. Louis and its Insignia, by Robert J. Sadlek; and copied research.

A rare Knight’s breast badge of the Order of St Ferdinand and of Merit awarded to Captain Sir Francis Le Hunt, Royal Navy Italy, Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, Order of St Ferdinand and of Merit, Knight’s breast badge, gold and enamels, circa 1814, original ribbon, nearly extremely fine and a very rare piece of insignia £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Bonhams, April 2014, from a family source with note (no longer present) stating presented to Captain Francis Le Hunte, Royal Navy. The Order of St. Ferdinand and of Merit was instituted by His Majesty Ferdinand the Fourth on 1 April 1800, the first recipient being Vice-Admiral Horation Nelson, K.B., Duke of Bronte. At first it consisted only of two Classes, Grand Crosses and Commanders but, on 25 July 1810, His Majesty added to it, Knights, as a third Class, the lesser cross to be worn suspended from the button-hole of the cape of the coat, with a riband, one third part narrower in breadth than that of the Commanders. Carlisle’s Foreign Orders of Knighthood, of 1839, lists all the British recipients - 9 of the Grand Cross, including Nelson, Exmouth and Wellington; 18 Commanders, and 14 Knights. Francis Le Hunte, of Artramont, County Wexford, entered the Royal Naval Academy on 1 November 1800, and, after a course of more than four years’ study at that institution, embarked, 18 April 1805, as a Volunteer, on board the Nemesis 28, Captain Philip Somerville, stationed in the Channel, where, from September 1806 to April 1808, he cruised as Master’s Mate in the Narcissus 32, Captain Charles Malcolm. The next nine months were employed by this officer in the Pallas 32, Captain George Erasmus Seymour, on the coast of Spain. In July 1811, exactly two years after he had passed his examination, he received, with the rank of Acting-Lieutenant, an appointment to the Sicilian flotilla at Messina. His confirmation took place 26 September following, and, on 15 February 1813, we find him serving on shore in command of a party of seamen, and co-operating with the troops under Brigadier Hall (Captain Robert Hall, R.N., and a Brigadier in the Army of King Ferdinand, died 7 February 1818), in an attack upon a strong body of the enemy, consisting of a complete battalion, with two troops of cavalry and two pieces of artillery, located at Pietra Nera, on the Calabrlan coast. On that occasion he stormed and carried, in a very gallant style, several obstinately defended batteries, and by his exemplary conduct attracted as well the admiration of the Brigadier as the observation both of soldiers and sailors. The enemy at Pietra Nera had upwards of 150 men killed and wounded, and 163 taken prisoners. The loss to the British was very trifling (Vide Gazette 1813 p. 726). He was afterwards sent with a division of gun-boats to guard the island of Ponza; and in March and April 1814, being attached to the expedition against Genoa and its dependencies, he particularly distinguished himself by his gallant and able conduct at the reduction of the enemy’s forts in the Gulf of Spezia (Vide Gazette 1814 p. 984). During the short war of 1815, Commander Le Hunte, who had been advanced to that rank on 15 June in the preceding year, was selected to serve in the river Scheldt with a brigade of seamen under the orders of Captain Charles Napier. After the overthrow of Napoleon he assumed command, 20 June 1815, of the Erebus 16, and retained it, in the Downs, until 4 September following. He was advanced to Captain on the Retired List on 1 July 1851, and died at Atramont House in October 1859.

Collar Badges, Badges, Buttons and Rank Insignia. A good selection of Victorian & Edwardian Other Rank’s British Army Collar Badges and British and Commonwealth Badges, Buttons and Rank insignia including Territorial Other Rank’s Badges, including South Staffordshire Regiment (2). Royal Berkshire Regiment (2), Royal Scots Fusiliers, Royal Army Medical Corps (2), 9th Lancers, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, Highland Light Infantry (2), Northumberland Fusiliers (4), Essex Regiment (2), Lancashire Fusiliers, West Riding Regiment (2), Leinster Regiment (2), Somerset Light Infantry (2), Royal Dublin Fusiliers (2), a Royal Artillery Cap Badge with slider, Royal Artillery large cannons (2), Victorian Band Badges, a matching pair of Victorian Canadian Collar Badges, assorted Crowns, Pips and Buttons, A King’s (Liverpool) Regiment Officer’s Badge in silver and gilt, a Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) Sporran Badge, etc., some mismatched pairs and fixings missing, generally good condition and better (lot) £80-£100

A post-War ‘Civil Division’ B.E.M. group of twenty-one awarded to Mr. W. W. WÄ™glewski, Polish Forces Poland, Republic, Order of Polonia Restituta, Fourth Class breast badge, gilt and enamel, with rosette on riband; Order of Polonia Restituta, Fifth Class breast badge, gilt and enamel; SPK Combatant’s Cross, silver and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘3.5.87 W. W. Weglewski 21.8.87’; Cross of Merit, silvered and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘3.5.1971 W. W. WÄ™glewski Londyn’; Army Medal, bronze, with two Additional Award oak leaf Bars on riband; Air Force Medal, silvered, lacking all enamel, the reverse engraved ‘193860 W. W. WÄ™glewski’, with three Additional Award oak leaf Bars on riband; Cross of Merit, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘Walter Wladyslaw WÄ™glewski London 11th November 1970’; SPK Veterans’ Cross, gilt; SPK Cross for the Campaign of September 1939, silvered, the reverse engraved ‘0312 Choi Lot W. W. WÄ™glewski’; SPK Veterans’ Cross, silvered-bronze; Great Britain, British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R. (Walter Wladyslaw Weglewski); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, these four all engraved ‘793860 W. W. Weglewski’; European Confederation of Combat Veterans Cross, gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Walter Wladyslaw WÄ™glewski 1976’; Belgium, Kingdom, Commemorative Cross of the Royal Federation of Veterans of King Albert I of Belgium, gilt, with bronze, silver, and gold palms on riband; France, Fifth Republic, Combatant’s Cross, gilt; Combat Volunteer’s Cross 1939-45, gilt, the reverse engraved ‘5145 W. W. W. 59452’; War Medal 1939-45, gilt, 2 clasps, Liberation, France, mounted court-style for wear; together with a Hungarian Veterans’ Order, Second Class set of insignia, comprising neck badge, gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Walter W. Weglewski W.1.82’; and breast Star, gilt and enamel, the reverse engraved ‘Walter Wladyslaw Weglewski 27.6.1982’, a number of the awards of modern manufacture, generally nearly very fine and better (22) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 12 June 1976: Walter Wladyslaw Weglewski. For services to the community, State of New South Wales, Australia.

The Great War O.B.E. awarded to Major M. J. Long, Royal Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type, breast badge, silver-gilt hallmarks for London 1918, privately engraved to arms of reverse ‘5th. Nov Maj. M. J. Long. R.A. 1918’, the top wearing pin further engraved ‘For services with Anti Aircraft 1916-17-18’, light polishing to gilt finish, otherwise extremely fine and most attractive engraving £120-£160 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 7 June 1918: ‘Anti-Aircraft Defences, Home Forces.’ Michael John Long was born in Fermoy, County Cork, Ireland, on 13 November 1853, and attested for the Royal Artillery at Shoeburyness on 13 May 1869. Raised Sergeant 15 September 1875, and transferred to the School of Gunnery the following month, he is recorded in 1891 as a Captain in the Royal Artillery and residing at Toxteth Park in Liverpool. Advanced Major in the UK, British Army Records and Lists of October 1915, he was later decorated for his work in combating the German Zeppelin and Gotha bomber raids using the world’s first integrated air defence system; in total 10 airships and 22 aircraft were brought down by the Home Forces air defences.

The unique Great War C.B.E., ‘Niger Sudan Campaign 1897’ D.S.O. group of six awarded to Colonel A. J. Arnold, 3rd Hussars The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 1st type, neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamels, with integral top riband bar, pin removed from this; East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Niger 1897 (Lieut. A. J. Arnold. 3/Hussars); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Rhodesia (Lt. Colonel A. J. Arnold. 3/Drgn: Gds:); British War Medal 1914-20 (Bt. Col. A. J. Arnold); Royal Niger Company Medal 1886-97, 1 clasp, Nigeria 1886-1897, silver issue (Brevet Lt-Col. A. J. Arnold D.S.O.) the last five mounted as worn, the first with chips to white enamel and minor losses to both wreaths, otherwise better than very fine (6) £6,000-£8,000 --- Only 36 known British army recipients of the rare Royal Niger Company medal in silver. The medal was awarded to Africans in bronze with clasp ‘Nigeria’ and numbered on the edge. The only D.S.O. awarded for the ‘Niger Sudan Campaign 1897’. Alfred James Arnold was born in Manchester on 10 April 1866, third son of Alfred Rr Arnold, and Durnvilia, daughter of W. J. Taaffe, County Dublin. He was educated at a private school, and at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and originally enlisted into the 5th Dragoon Guards in 1886. He was gazetted Second Lieutenant, 3rd Hussars, in 1893, and joined the Royal Niger Constabulary in 1894. He commanded the same from 1895 to 1899 and commanded troops throughout the Niger Sudan Campaign operations of 1895-96, including the battles of Egbon, Bida and Ilorin in 1897, being mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 11 June 1897) promoted to Captain and Brevet Major. He received the Medal and clasp, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 15 June 1897): “Alfred James Arnold, Lieutenant, 3rd Hussars, commanding the Forces of the Royal Niger Company; In recognition of services during the Niger Sudan Campaign.” The Galloping Third by Hector Bolitho records: ‘When the regiment returned to Aldershot, in May 1895, Lieutenant Chaworth-Musters took his detachment, with their wigs and costumes and ancient matchlocks, to the Royal Tournament at the Agricultural Hall in Islington. Eighteen months later, this 'most promising' young officer, 'an excellent rider, and a good sportsman', was leading the mounted troops of the Royal Niger Company, during one of the little wars waged by the European Powers in the 'scramble for Africa'. In this instance, the enemy was the powerful Mahommedan emir of Nupe, 350 miles up the Niger. The 3rd Hussars deserve some credit for the success of the expedition: another of their officers, Major A. J. Arnold, was in command of the 500 Hausas who defeated upwards of 20,000 of the emir's troops at Bida, on January 26, 1897, and then marched to Illorin, where all the district submitted to the authority of the Company. The journals of the time recall the wild outburst of joy among the negroes who had thus been ‘secured from slave-raiding’. Major Arnold received the D.S.O.: Lieutenant Chaworth-Musters, who had been ‘foremost in setting an example to the native levies’, was unfortunately ‘stricken down with fever’ and he died on the ship that was bringing him home.’ Arnold became Captain, 3rd Dragoon Guards, on 3 March 1898, and served on the Niger in 1899, on the Expedition to Siama, being promoted to Major and given the Brevet of Lieutenant-Colonel, 8 July 1899.  For his services in the Transvaal War of 1901 he was mentioned in Despatches on 7 March 1899, and received the Medal with clasp.  He was given the Brevet of Colonel on 8 July 1905.  Colonel Arnold retired on 14 November 1906.  He was ‘Inspector of Exploitation for the Portuguese Chartered Company at Beira, Mozambique in East Africa, 1899-1913, receiving an annual salary of £1500 from the Mozambique government, whilst drawing no pay as an officer of the British Army. During the Great War he commanded the 20th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, at home, 1914-15, and the 1st Volunteer Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, at Gibraltar from August 1915, being mentioned for services during the war in 1918, and created Commander of the Order of the British Empire on 1 January 1919. The British War Medal is confirmed as his sole entitlement for the Great War. Colonel Arnold was also a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. Sold with some copied research including Medal Index Card.

A fine Second War ‘Italian theatre’ M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Major L. C. Downing, Royal Artillery The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Capt. L. C. Downing (M.B.E.) R.A.) good very fine (7) £200-£240 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 24 August 1944. The original recommendation states: ‘Italy. 5th Sept. 1943 to 31st Dec. 1943. This officer has rendered invaluable service continually over a period of many years, more especially during the period under review. During the Trigno, Sangro and Ortona Battles, the Regiment were deployed in an AA and Medium Role in the Forward areas. The Battery under his command was at all times most ably and efficiently led, inflicting considerable casualties upon the enemy both in the air and on the ground. His application of field gunnery was most noteworthy. During the period under review he worked incessantly both by night and by day, without personal thought, under trying and most difficult conditions, in face of great danger, between his troops, thereby encouraging them to still greater success. At all times this officer carries out his duties in a most soldierly like manner and sets a magnificent example to all Ranks under his command.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 13 January 1944. Leonard Charles Downing was born in Islington in 1909 and attested for the Royal Artillery as Gunner on 9 April 1940. Appointed to a commission soon thereafter, he was Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the M.B.E. for service with the 51st (London) H.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Assigned to 6th Army Group (Royal Artillery), the 51st were heavy involved in airfield and railhead defence duties, followed by intense periods of assault in support of 1st Canadian Division; encouraged by Brigadier Murray MacIntyre, the Gunners were increasingly called upon to use their versatile 3.7-inch H.A.A. guns for ground support tasks, even wire cutting. This unconventional deployment proved so successful that during the winter of 1943-44, over two thirds of available H.A.A. guns were deployed in forward areas to harass the enemy. Employing HF (Harassing Fire), CB (Counter Battery) and CM (Counter Mortar) shoots, the 51st H.A.A. Regiment also developed a technique known as ‘Honey Combing’; the use of this method which involved the firing of accurate air bursts over enemy A.A. positions later proved highly valuable during the assault on the Gothic Line.

An Indian Mutiny C.B. pair awarded to Brigadier-General Edward Brice, a veteran of the Coorg Expedition of 1834, who commanded ‘F’ Troop, Madras Artillery, throughout the campaign in Central India in 1858-59 The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s breast badge, 22 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1859, makers mark ‘WN’, complete with correct gold swivel bar suspension and ribbon buckle; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Bt. Major E. Brice, F. Tp. Madras Art.) good very fine (2) £3,000-£3,600 --- C.B. (Military) London Gazette 1 March 1861. Edward Brice was appointed Second Lieutenant, Madras Artillery, on 16 June 1826; First Lieutenant, Madras Artillery, 25 February 1828; Captain, by Brevet, 16 June 1841; Captain, Madras Artillery, 3 July 1845; Major, by Brevet, 20 June 1854; Lieutenant-Colonel, by Brevet, 20 July 1858; Lieutenant-Colonel, Madras Artillery, 5 November 1858; Colonel, Royal (Madras) Artillery, 25 September 1861; Inspector of Artillery with rank of Brigadier-General, from 1 November 1862. Served in the expedition to Coorg in 1834 - was present at affair at crossing of the river, and Ramasamy, Kanaway, Beebaby, and Hunninghy; served also with the Saugor Field division under Major General Whitlock in 1858, was present at the affair at Kubrai 17th April 1858, and at the battle of Banda 19th April 1858. Brice commanded ‘F’ Troop, Madras Artillery, throughout the campaign in Central India. The following extract is taken from the Memoirs of David Dinwiddie, who was Major Brice’s troop sergeant major: ‘To show you that all native troops during this time were not in open mutiny, I may mention that this very ‘F’ Troop when under the Command of Major Brice, in Secunderabad, was the means, under his well ordered plans, of keeping the large city of Hyderabad in awe and order, and under Providence, saved also the southern part of India from the fate of Bengal. For this important service, I believe, Major Brice received his military honours, and now, 1864, holds a good situation as Inspector of Artillery. Just think of the respect the native Mussel-men of this Troop must have held their Commanding Officer in, when they fired at and killed a number of their own caste and countrymen at a moment when the whole city of fanatics were ready to break out at the slightest success of their leaders, and murder every man, woman, and child of European descent belonging to the garrison of Secunderabad, which is situated a few miles from the Residence of their King or Rajah, the Nizam. If the Sepoys in Hyderabad city had not been held in check by this native troop at this critical moment, the entire people of the country from Cape Comorin to the river Nurbuddah, might have committed themselves, under the example of the Madras Native Army, which had been hourly expected to break out in open rebellion as had been the case in Bengal, in May and June the preceding year, viz., 1857.’ Troop Sergeant-Major Dinwiddie makes many mentions of Brice in his memoirs and also describes a close escape from an exploding gun-limber in May 1858: ‘Previous to finally quitting my troop; it was ordered out one morning, with a few of the 12th Lancers to reconnoitre the surrounding country, and to let the villagers know that they would be protected from the rebels, provided they would stay at home and cultivate the soil as heretofore. This being done, after a few hours fast riding, with the guns and Cavalry across country, we were on our way home, when an accident occurred, which proved more dangerous than the field of battle, viz., the blowing up of a gun-limber full of shot, shell and powder. On the leading gun-limber two unfortunate natives sat, whom we had taken with us from Bandah as guides to show the way from village to village. The ground was rough over which we passed at a quick pace, this shook the limber boxes in which was packed the ammunition, which ignited through friction, a rather uncommon occurrence, but it should be remembered the weather was very hot. The ammunition had been carefully packed a few days previously. First a single loud report was heard, when we looked over our shoulders to see what was the cause; quick as thought three shells burst in succession. The next moment, the guides before mentioned were blown up in the air, torn into pieces, their clothing on fire, portions of their bodies, being afterwards found half-roasted; the guns and cavalry, which were all in the rear had timely seen the danger, and halted. The six horses, yoked to the doomed limber, two of them within a yard of it, on the first report rushed to the front in terror, the drivers having no control over them, and they were only brought to a stand, when the pole horses sank exhausted, having been burnt by the explosion and wounded by the splinters of the carriage and limber, which were blown to a thousand pieces. Major Brice who commanded the party, and who was selected for this duty, on account of his knowledge of the language, Lieutenant Sewel, one of the subalterns of the Native troops, the Quarter Master Sergeant and myself were riding close in front of the leading horses. On the report of the explosion, our horses also stretched out at a full gallop in terror, but were closely followed by the exploding limber. We expected to have our bodies riddled by balls or splinters of wood and iron. In this case the strongest resistance to the force of the powder was from below, viz., from the strong frame of the carriage and axle tree-bed on which the two ammunition boxes were fixed, the consequence was, all the missiles of danger flew, sloping upwards over our heads, so we in front escaped uninjured: but the leading driver at the moment he was looking over his shoulder was struck on the mouth by a stray foot of one of the unfortunate guides, his lips were swollen for a few days; the centre driver, next in the rear, died of wounds received in his skull and neck; the pole driver, recovered of his wounds, which were (wonderful to say) very slight, he being next to the guides at a distance of two yards. One pole horse was shot to put him out of misery, the other five were soon fit for duty, a new limber was supplied from the large Park of Artillery, packed as its predecessor with ammunition, and the gun was again ready for action in a few hours after the accident. I shall always remember the blowing up of the limber, and thank God I escape. The families of the guides were paid a certain sum of money as compensation, and the widow of the unfortunate driver pensioned for life. Major Brice had, previous to the accident of the limber, been suffering from his chest and the extreme heat; he was now unable to do effective duty, so his Medical man recommended a change of climate. Doctor Ford doing duty with the force, was also seriously ill at the same time, thus they both left the Army a few days after the limber affair on sick leave to Madras, to enjoy the cool and bracing breeze of the Neilgherry [Nilgiri] Hills; I was likewise ordered to accompany the two sick officers, and have an eye to their wants as far as Madras, and then join my new appointment at Palavaram. Accordingly I bid farewell to camp life for a time, and made the best of my way down the valley of the Ganges to Calcutta.’ Sold with copied research including the above-mentioned ‘memoirs’.

A Great War ‘Palestine’ M.C. group of five awarded to Captain E. Hammick, 17th Infantry, Indian Army, who died of wounds on 8 October 1918 Military Cross, G.V.R., the reverse contemporarily engraved ‘20th. Sept. 1918 Capt. Eustace Hammick. 17th. Regt. I.A. Palestine’; 1914-15 Star (Capt. E. Hammick. 1/17/Infy.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt. E. Hammick.); Belgium, Kingdom, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, tiny green enamel chip to wreath on last, extremely fine (5) £1,600-£2,000 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2013. M.C. London Gazette 4 October 1919.
The original Recommendation states: ‘He commanded the ‘advance guard’ of the covering force on the night of the 18/19th September 1918, across Wadi Samieh and led his Company in a charge against the enemy’s position on Wye Hill, near El Mugheir. By his fine leadership and skill the operation was a complete success. On 20th September he led his Company to the attack on Kh. Jibeit and although severely wounded during the charge, he remained with his Company until he was too weak to carry on. He set a magnificent example to his regiment.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 6 August 1918. Belgian Order of the Crown, 5th Class London Gazette 29 November 1918. Eustace Hammick was born on 19 November 1888, the second son of Stephen Hammick and Constance Hammick, née Schneider and the grandson of Sir St. Vincent Love Hammick, 3rd Baronet Hammick. Educated at Tonbridge School and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion South Lancashire Regiment on 19 September 1908. He joined the regiment in India and was promoted to Lieutenant in December 1910. In July 1914 he transferred to the 17th (The Loyal) Regiment, Indian Army and in October that year accompanied them to Mauritius, from whence in May 1915, he was detached for duty with the Indian Expeditionary Force in France. On the withdrawal of the Indian troops from France towards the end of that year, he rejoined his own regiment which was then in German East Africa. Hammick was promoted to Captain in September 1916. As Adjutant of the Regiment, he took part in the operations throughout 1916-17 against the German forces under General P. E. von Lettow-Vorbeck. He and his eldest brother, Major St. Vincent Frederick Hammick, 13th Rajputs, were both ‘mentioned’ in General Sir J. L. Deventer’s Despatches, ‘for distinguished services during the operations from May to December 1917’; he was also awarded the Order of the Crown by the King of the Belgians. After returning to India for a short rest and recruitment, the regiment then embarked for Egypt and in September 1918 joined the forces fighting in Palestine. A brother officer wrote, ‘He had done very good work on patrol and was given the responsible job of advance guard and covering party to the Battalion in a difficult night march in precipitous country. He did this work very successfully and the Commanding Officer, Colonel Fagan, being hit while we were attacking, he took command of the Battalion and did sterling work until our second in command arrived.’ At the commencement of the Battle of Megiddo on 20 September 1918, the enemy held the high ground of Khan Jibeit which was taken in a bayonet charge by the Cape Corps but who in turn were forced back by a heavy counter-attack. The 17th Infantry having been ordered to retake the lost ground at all costs were led by Captain Hammick. The Official History of the Great War, Military Operations Egypt & Palestine states, ‘... From 12.25 to 12.45 p.m. Khan Jibeit was again bombarded and then recaptured by a brilliant assault carried out by the 17th Infantry, who took 155 prisoners and 3 machine-guns, at a cost of 73 casualties.’ Towards the end of the day, while assisting one of his men who had been wounded, Captain Hammick was himself severely wounded by a bullet from a machine-gun. He was evacuated by hospital ship to Cairo, where he died on 8 October 1918. He was buried in the Cairo War Cemetery. Sold with a fine portrait photograph of the recipient.

Various pin badges, including Smith's I'm Helping the Animals, Army Museum Chelsea, Yorkshire Museum, Grantham The Apple of My Eye, The Great Rutland Cavern Nester's Mine, I'm For Wildlife, Michael Jackson pin badge, Culture Club pin badge, I Belong to the Curly Wurly Club, etc. (1 tin)

A Second World War British Army despatch rider's unofficial qualification badge together with Air Despatch and three other items of cloth insignia