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Click here to subscribePair: Senior Aircraftsman C. P. Embleton, Royal Air Force Regiment Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (SAC C P Embleton (J8448079) RAF); Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (SAC C P Embleton (J8448079) RAF) both in named card boxes of issue, and with RAF Regiment cloth insignia, nearly extremely fine (2) £300-£400
British War Medal 1914-20 (1084 Pte. T. Harpur. N. Ir. H.) good very fine £80-£100 --- Thompson Harpur was born in Londonderry and attested for the North Irish Horse, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 28 April 1915, and later with the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He died of wounds on 18 May 1918, and is buried in Avesnes-sur-Helpe Communal Cemetery, France.
Four: Corporal A. H. M. Tuffrey, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (1524 Pte. A. H. M. Tuffrey, Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (1524 Cpl. A. H. M. Tuffrey. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Territorial Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (200091 Cpl. A. H. M. Tuffrey. 4-Oxf. &. Bucks. L.I.) better than very fine (4) £80-£100 --- Albert Henry Montague Tuffrey was born at Headington, Oxford, in 1892 and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915, and later served with 2nd/1st Buckinghamshire Battalion. He died at Oxford in 1984. Sold together with a silver shooting prize medal, hallmarks for Birmingham 1911, crossed rifles within a wreath surmounted by a central gold fronted shield, with an indistinct monogram, and ‘S & D - 1911 - M.R.L.’ to scroll below.
Four: Acting Warrant Officer Class I A. E. Fleckner, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for valuable services in Salonika 1914-15 Star (9179 Sjt. A. E. Flickner [sic]. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (9179 A.W.O. Cl. 1 A. E. Flickner [sic]. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (9179 C.S. Mjr: A. E. Fleckner. 7/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) very fine and better (4) £160-£200 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918: ‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in Salonika.’ Albert Edward Fleckner was born at Oxford and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1893, serving with them in India on the North West Frontier (entitled to the India General Service Medal 1895-1902 with clasp for Punjab Frontier and Tirah). Re-enlisting in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Haywards Heath on 1 September 1914, he was immediately promoted to Acting Corporal, and then to Acting Sergeant on 22 October 1914. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War initially on the Western Front, before proceeding to Salonika, and was appointed Acting Company Sergeant Major on 22 February 1916, and Acting Regimental Sergeant Major on 4 October 1916. For his services during the Great War in Salonika he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, and he was discharged to the Army Reserve on 5 March 1919. Sold together with a rather poor quality photographic image of the ‘Physical Training Class - Oxford, Spring, 1915’, in which the recipient is identified.
Pair: Miss Lilian A. Goldberg, British Red Cross Society and Order of St. John of Jerusalem British War and Victory Medals (L. A. Goldberg. B.R.C. & St. J.J.) toned, extremely fine British War Medal 1914-20 (Nurse E. Van Heerden.) nearly extremely fine (3) £100-£140 --- Miss Lilian Agnes Goldberg (also recorded as Agnes Lilian Goldberg) trained as a Nurse at St. George’s Hospital, Swansea from 1912-16, and subsequently served at Cedar Voluntary Aid Detachment Hospital, Wells, Somerset. She enlisted in the Trained Nurse Department of the British Red Cross Society, and served as a Sister during the Great War in France from 5 February 1917, at Boulogne Headquarters, Unit no. 10 at Le Treport; Unit no. 2 at Rouen, and Unit no. 1 at Le Touquet. She returned from France on 19 July 1918. Sold with copied research. E. van Heerden served as a Nurse with the South African Forces.
Three: Private F. Burnett, Army Service Corps British War and Victory Medals (M2-136600 Pte. F. Burnett. A.S.C.); Khedive’s Sudan 1910-21, 2nd issue, 1 clasp, Darfur 1916 (M2-136600 Pte. F. Burnett. A.S.C.) officially impressed naming, good very fine (3) £400-£500 --- Medal Index Card confirms all three medals and Darfur 1916 clasp.
A Second War ‘Italy operations’ M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Warrant Officer Class I, later Captain, C. H. Kite, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers 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; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya, G.VI.R. (7596983 W.O. Cl. 1. C. H. Kite. R.E.M.E.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (756983 [sic] W.O. Cl. 1. C. H. Kite. R.E.M.E.) mounted court-style for wear, last officially renamed, generally very fine or better (8) £200-£240 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 13 December 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The original recommendation states: ‘1 Jan 45 to 3 May 45. This WO has worked in the progress office for the last 12 months. His untiring energy and drive and unsparingness of self, in no small measure enabled the workshops as a whole to meet their heavy commitments – particularly in those months immediately preceding the final battle. During these months he worked exceedingly long hours and imbued all under his command with a spirit of willingness and service.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 29 November 1945 (Italy). Charles Herbert Kite served in the ranks during the Second War, and was commissioned Lieutenant in October 1954. He advanced to Captain in December 1959, and relinquished his commission in October 1962.
Four: Warrant Officer Class II T. Higgins, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914 Star, with later slide clasp (7825 Pte. T. Higgins. 2/Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (7825 W.O. Cl.2. T. Higgins.Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence Medal, very fine and better (4) £100-£140 --- Thomas Higgins was born on 17 November 1883 and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in 1905. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 14 August 1914, and later transferred to the 7th Battalion O.B.L.I. as Company Sergeant Major, serving with them in Salonika. Regimental records indicate that he later became a warder at Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight, and he is recorded in the 1939 Register as a prison warder residing at 5 Hewitt Crescent, Parkhurst, Isle of Wight. Sold together with several poorly photocopied photographic images of the recipient in uniform, including one as a Warder at Parkhurst Prison, Isle of Wight; several postcards of places visited by the recipient, including a Great War souvenir postcard of the O.B.L.I. listing battle honours; original field postcard sent home by Lce. Cpl. Higgins on 3 October 1914; original set of badges including white metal cap badge with slider, two brass bugle horn collar badges and a pair of ‘Oxf & Bucks’, shoulder titles in brass (gilding metal); Old Contemptibles Association lapel badge, numbered to the reverse 2036B; and a silver and enamel Patrons lapel badge of the Old Contemptibles Association.
Five: Sergeant J. B. Lowe, 2/7th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Forces 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, all officially named ‘VX 52246 J. B. Lowe’; together with large (62 mm wide) bronzed Australian Commonwealth Military Forces Forces slouch hat badge with faint maker mark for Luke, Melbourne, very fine and better Six: A. S. Snibbe, South African Forces 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, all officially named to ‘61549 A. S. Snibbe’, light contact marks, very fine (11) £80-£100 --- John Basil Lowe was born at Ballarat, Victoria, on 30 July 1920, and enlisted at Royal Park, Victoria, on 28 March 1941. He served in the Middle East, in training at Palestine, with his unit, but was subsequently withdrawn for ‘Special Duty’ in Ceylon, in 1942. He subsequently served with his unit in New Guinea. He was appointed Corporal in 1943, and Sergeant in 1945, and was discharged in November 1945. He died at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on 9 April 1990. Sold with copied research.
Three: Lance-Corporal D. W. G. Wilmerson, Parachute Regiment N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, no clasp, for Macedonia, unnamed; Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (25039991 L Cpl D W G Wilmerson Para); Jubilee 2002, unnamed, mounted court-style as worn, nearly extremely fine (3) £300-£400
Indian Mutiny 1857-59, no clasp (Lieut. J. D. Vallance, 40th. Madras N.I.) good very fine £400-£500 --- Provenance: George McIlroy Collection. John Dunscomb Vallance was born at Woolborough, Devon, on 3 September 1833 and was commissioned Ensign in the 40th Madras Native Infantry on 12 December 1849. He was promoted Lieutenant on 30 November 1855, and served during the Great Sepoy Mutiny with the 40th Native Infantry in the district of Jumblepore from the end of 1857 to March 1858. ‘During this period he was present with the force which stormed and opened the Pass of Jurgotty and was also in all subsequent operations undertaken against the Jumblepore rebels by the late Major Bates. Subsequently commanded a detachment of 40th Regiment against insurgents in the Barra Basahar Hills, in March 1858 was present with a detachment of Jumhlepore Sebundy Levy in an attack on a rebel stronghold in the Zemindary of Jhoberra. From April 1858 to July following commanded a detachment consisting of details from the Shekawati Battalion and Sebundy Levy stationed for the protection of the Chandepore Frontier. During that period was constantly employed in the successful attacks on the rebel strongholds, subsequently during the same and next year was frequently employed in operations against the rebels. In December 1859 commanded a strong detachment of the late Sebundy Levy against a large number of rebels and mutineers under Rajah Soonder Rai at Hullunder. At the later end of 1859 proceeded in command of the Sebundy Levy against insurgents in the Zemindary of Kiereah.’ (Indian Mutiny Medal Roll, Jumblepore Sebundy Levy, refers). Freedom Movement in Sambalpur, by C. Mishra, gives a further account of the recipient, both during the Mutiny, and in the years that immediately followed: ‘The second phase of Surendra Sai’s war against the British began in 1857 when the great explosion occurred and it convulsed the whole country. The Raja of Bamra was suspected and was reminded of the fate of the Raja of Angul who was imprisoned and his estate confiscated for his rebellious conduct. Accordingly, Captain Woodbridge, Lieutenant Vallance and Captain Sweeny were sent to Sambalpur to meet the situation. Major Wyndham opened the Dak road to Midnapore through the territory of the Raja of Bamrah. Captain Knocker and Lieutenant Vallance hunted down the rebels in all directions. All these measures being taken for the security of the district three central posts for regular troops and eleven subordinate outposts for the men of the Ramgarh Battalion and the newly raised Sebundies were established. Accordingly on the night of 6 November 1860, Lieutenant C. B. Smith, Assistant Commissioner, with a party of armed Beldars from Raipur and Lieutenant Vallance in command of a detachment of Samhalpur Sebundy Levy numbering in all two hundred and twenty men, proceeded to Manikgarh EiIt. After detaching a party to hold in check and cut off the retreat of the rebels by Sundara Pass, Lieutenants Smith and Vallance made directly for Tirsola, a village on the Jonk River having a stone breast work thrown across its road by the rebels. They however did not stand to defend it and followed a policy of retreat. In their hurried flight they left several herd of cattle which were captured by Lieutenants Smith and Vallance. Subsequently, the rebels about 150 in number took position in a valley near Manikgarh. It was protected in the front by two breast works of “considerable strength”. It was so constructed as not easily to be turned from either flank. On 9 November 1860 Lieutenants Smith and Vallance divided their force into three parties; one to protect their camp, one sent in advance to watch the breast work from the front and the third to attack the rebels under Lieutenants Smith and Vallance. The party ascended the high and precipitous Hill of Manikgarh and attacked the rebels from the rear. The rebels gave a dogged defence but could not withstand for a longer time. They fled to Junagarh Ghat. Three of the villages built by the rebels behind their defences were set on fire and destroyed and some more cattle were captured. In order to implement the decision regarding the precautionary measures to be taken by the Raja of Khariar, Major Forster left Lieutenant Vallance as ex-officio Assistant Commissioner of Sambalpur, with a party of Sebundies to superintend the work in anticipation to the approval of the Governor General. Major Foster commended the services of Lieutenant Smith and Lieutenant Valance to the authority for recognition.’ Vallance was promoted Captain on 20 August 1863, and, after a period as District Superintendent of Police in the Central Provinces, was advanced Major on 12 December 1869. He retired in March 1873. Sold with copied research.
Three: Stoker First Class H. Hayne, Royal Navy British War and Victory Medals (281120 H. Hayne, Sto. 1 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (281120 Henry Hayne. Sto. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Southampton.) light contact marks, generally very fine and better (3) £60-£80 --- Henry Hayne was born on 13 August 1875, at Abbotsbury, Dorset. He commenced naval service as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Victory II, on 7 November 1895, and saw service in H.M.S. Duke of Wellington, H.M.S. Minotaur, and H.M.S. Leviathan, prior to being advanced to Stoker First Class in H.M.S. Excellent, on 1 July 1906. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth on 9 November 1907, and having been recalled for War Service served during the Great War in H.M.S. Racer, H.M.S. Osborne, H.M.S. Victory II, and H.M.S. Southampton. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in April 1918.
The group of three miniature dress medals worn by Conductor W. Parsons, Commissariat and Transport Staff, ‘the Real Hero’ of the Defence of Lydenburg South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp 1879; Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, no clasp; Khedive’s Star, dated 1882, mounted as worn; together with an unmounted miniature South Africa Medal 1877-79, no clasp, nearly extremely fine (4) £200-£240 --- For the recipient’s full-sized awards, see Lot 261.
Coast Life Saving Corps Long Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Andrew Cargill) together with Royal Life Saving Society bronze medal (June 1937), R.L.S.S. Award of Merit, ‘silver’ (1945), R.L.S.S. Bronze Cross (July 1947), these all named and dated as shown, and six various hallmarked swimming prize medals, all but one named, including ‘The Macdonald Glasgow Shield 1934’, ‘Portland Cup 1939’, and ‘Strathmore Cup 1939’, the first extremely fine, others very fine or better (10) £180-£220
A Great War ‘Bellewaarde Ridge 1915’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant Henry Hill, 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, who was discharged due to wounds in July 1916 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (B-681 Pte. H. Hill. 9/Rif: Bde:); 1914-15 Star (B-681 Pte. H. Hill. Rif: Brig:); British War and Victory Medals (B-681 Sjt. H. Hill. Rif. Brig.) mounted for display, very fine (4) £800-£1,000 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 16 November 1915: ‘For great bravery on the 25th September, 1915, in the action on Bellewaarde Ridge. He held a trench by himself for over one and a half hours against constant bomb attacks, which he replied to by throwing bombs from a German store and by rifle fire. Private Hill also took five prisoners in the first advance, and throughout the action exhibited the greatest courage and resource.’ Henry Hill enlisted into the Rifle Brigade on 24 August 1914, and landed in France with the 9th Battalion on 28 July 1915. He was discharged due to wounds on 12 July 1916 (per Para 392 (XVI) King’s Regulations).
Five: Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Smith, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Kosovo; Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (Maj J S Smith REME); Jubilee 2002; Jubilee 2012; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24371679 WO2 J S Smith REME) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (5) £300-£400 --- John Stanley Smith served as a Warrant Officer Class II prior to being commissioned in April 1995. He advanced to Major in 2002, and retired as Lieutenant Colonel in September 2013.
Five: Corporal F. G. Powell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was an Olympic triallist for the 400 metres in 1920 1914-15 Star (15845 L.Cpl. F. G. Powell. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (15845 Cpl. F. G. Powell. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Defence Medal; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Inspr. F. G. Powell) the last unofficially re-named, generally very fine and better (lot) £120-£160 --- Frederick G. Powell attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, and served with the 8th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 September 1915. A member of the Wycombe Phoenix Harriers Athletics Club, he participated in the Olympic Trial Test for the 400 metres in May 1920, but was placed third. Sold together with several athletic and sports medals, silver fob medal for athletics engraved to reverse (’C’ Company 8th O.B.L.I.); shooting prize medal, this unnamed; Large bronze medal for the Irish Command Sports Association 1919 (2nd O.B.L.I.) and (100 Yards Relay Race 1st Sergt. F. G. Powell); Three Berkshire Amateur Athletic Association bronze fob medals, one unnamed,two engraved (1920 1 Mile Relay Champion - 2nd) and (1920 440 Yds. Champion - 3rd - F. G. Powell); Buckinghamshire A.A.A., hallmarked silver and enamel prize medal, unnamed; Amateur Athletic Association Olympic Triallist bronze medal (Olympic Trials - 1920 - F. G. Powell); Bucks. Constabulary Athletic Sports medal, 12 August 1922, One mile Relay Race (Open) 3rd, this unnamed; Bucks Constabulary Athletic Sports 12 August 1922, large heavy un-hallmarked but marked silver (40g) sports medal, Tug of War (Open) 1st, this unnamed.
Pair: Chief Ship’s Cook W. J. Couzens, Royal Navy, who was killed in action at the battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916 Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (340014. W. J. Couzens, Sh. Ck. H.M.S. Mohawk); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (340014. W. J. Couzens, Ch. Sh. Ck. H.M.S. Vengeance.) both later impressed duplicate issues, good very fine (2) £260-£300 --- Walter James Couzens was born at Portsmouth on 21 May 1875, and joined the Royal Navy as a 2nd Cook’s Mate on 24 January 1894; Cook’s Mate, 12 November 1895; Acting 2nd Ship’s Cook aboard H.M.S. Powerful, 1 September 1899 to 8 May 1900, including service in South Africa at the Defence of Ladysmith (Medal with clasp - duplicate issued); Ship’s Cook, 21 May 1901; H.M.S. Mohawk, 8 January 1903 to 13 July 1904, including operations in Somaliland (Medal with clasp - duplicate issued); Chief Cook, 8 September 1905; Chief Ship’s Cook, 1 October 1907; H.M.S. Vengeance, 13 October 1908, recommended for Medal and Gratuity, 31 December 1908; served aboard H.M.S. Invincible from 3 August 1914, taking part in the battle of Heligoland Bight and in the battle of the Falkland Islands. He was killed in action at the battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, when Invincible was destroyed by a magazine explosion during the battle after the armour of one of her gun turrets was penetrated. He is also entitled to the 1914-15 Star trio and is commemorated by name on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Surgeon Llewelyn Rl. Scots Greys) contemporarily engraved naming, 18mm, nearly extremely fine £600-£800 --- Note: The recipient’s full sized medals (comprising Crimea Medal with 4 clasps; Indian Mutiny Medal with clasp for Central India; and Turkish Crimea Medal) were sold in these rooms as part of the Colonel D. G. B. Riddick Collection of Medals to the Medical Services in September 2006. Jenkin Homfray Llewelyn was born in Calcutta on 21 July 1821. Appointed an Assistant Surgeon with the 44th Foot in March 1848 and with the 7th Dragoon Guards in January 1850, he was promoted to Staff Surgeon 2nd Class in February 1855. He served throughout the Crimean War, including the battles of the Alma, Balaklava, and Inkermann, and the siege of Sebastopol, and was appointed Surgeon to the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) in January 1856. He transferred to the 8th Hussars in August 1858 and served in the Indian Mutiny, being present at the action at Boordah. He died at Tunbridge Wells on 15 May 1867.
Seven: Sergeant J. M. Hardy, Scots Guards, awarded the M.S.M. in 2011 General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (24788855 Gdsm J M Hardy SG); Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24788855 LCpl J M Hardy SG); Iraq 2003-11, 1 clasp, 19 Mar to 28 Apr 2003 (24788855 Sgt J M Hardy SG); Jubilee 2002; Accumulated Campaign Service Medal 1994, E.II.R. (24788855 Cpl J M Hardy SG); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (24788855 Sgt J M Hardy SG); Army Meritorious Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (WO2 J M Hardy SG 24788855) the first six mounted court-style as worn, the last in named case of issue, the gilt a little worn on Jubilee medal, otherwise good very fine, the last extremely fine (7) £700-£900 --- M.S.M. London Gazette 5 July 2011. L.S. & G.C. awarded 9 August 2002 (London Gazette 18 February 2003).
Pair: Kingsman G. F. Kenny, Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (25179449 Kgn G F Kenny Lancs) in named card box of issue; Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (Kgn G F Kenny Lancs 25179449) in named plastic case of issue, extremely fine (2) £300-£400
Family Group: Four: Petty Officer D. R. Singleton, Royal Navy South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (RO1(SM) D R Singleton D175785E HMS Spartan); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia, unnamed as issued; Jubilee 2002, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, with Second Award Bar (RO(SM)1 D R Singleton D175785E RN) mounted as worn, light contact marks, good very fine Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (J960048 D. F. Singleton. PO HMS Oracle.) extremely fine (5) £800-£1,000 --- Douglas Robert Singleton joined the Royal Navy in January 1979 and after completing Basic Training at H.M.S. Raleigh moved onto H.M.S. Mercury for Part Two Communications Training, and then to H.M.S. Superb for Part Three Training. He joined H.M.S. Spartan in 1980, and served in her until December 1986, including in the South Atlantic during the Falklands campaign. From 1986 to 1990 he was employed by the Command of the Second Submarine Squadron in Plymouth, before joining H.M.S. Turbulent in 1990, transferring to H.M.S. Torbay in 1991. Between 1994 and 1996 Singleton was based at N.A.T.O. Headquarters in Naples, Italy, and for his services there was awarded two Commendations and received the N.A.T.O. Medal for services in Former Yugoslavia. Upon returning to the U.K. in late 1996, he re-joined H.M.S. Spartan, before transferring to H.M.S. Vigilant in 2000. His final appointment was at the Main Communications Centre at H.M. Naval Base Faslane from 2004 until his retirement in May 2010. Sold together with the recipient’s N.A.T.O. Medal bestowal certificate; Admiralty Board letter of appreciation on the recipient’s retirement; and three photographs.
Three: Private A. W. Avis, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (2929 Pte. A. W. Avis. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (2929 Pte. A. W. Avis. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine Three: Private A. E. Berry, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, later Hampshire Regiment, who died in Mesopotamia in 1915 1914-15 Star (8565 Pte. A. E. Berry. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (8565 Pte. A. E. Berry. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine and better Three: Private T. Tolley, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1914-15 Star (14031 Pte. T. Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); British War Medal 1914-20 (14031 Pte. L. [sic] Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-19 (14031 Pte. T. Tolley. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.) very fine (9) £120-£160 --- Albert William Avis attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 14 September 1914 and served with the 1st/4th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 March 1915. He was discharged due to sickness with trench fever, on 4 September 1916, and was issued with Silver War Badge No. 21910. Albert Edward Berry was born in Bladon, Oxfordshire, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry at Witney, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 29 November 1914. He transferred to the Hampshire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion in Mesopotamia. He died on 4 November 1915; he has no known grave and is commemorated on the Angora Memorial at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. He is included in an unverified War Office list as a possible Prisoner of War. Thomas Tolley was born in Headington, Oxford, and attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served with the 7th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 21 September 1915, before being posted to Salonika, arriving there on 24 November 1915, and then to Bulgaria from 30 September 1918. He transferred to the Army Reserve on 16 April 1919.
Pair: Lieutenant R. S. G. Higgins, 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, who later became a tea planter in Ceylon Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 date clasp block loose on riband, as issued (Lieut. R. S. G. Higgins, 3/Oxf. L.I.) engraved naming, unit officially corrected; Ceylon Volunteer Service Medal 1914-18 (R. S. G. Higgins) edge bruise to first and suspension claw re-pinned, generally very fine (2) £240-£280 --- Robert Seton Graeme Higgins was born in 1882 at Eton, Buckinghamshire, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Oxfordshire Light Infantry, on 25 December 1899. He was promoted Lieutenant in October 1900 and served with the Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War, before resigning his commission in May 1903. He emigrated to Ceylon on or before 1907, in which year he is recorded as having joined a Masonic Lodge at Kandy. From 1912 to 1930 he is recorded as the owner and manager of the Ellagalla Tea Plantation, Galaha, Hantane, Ceylon. He returned to the U.K. after the outbreak of the Great War and was commissioned into the Worcestershire Regiment on 10 December 1917, serving in 1st Reserve Garrison Battalion. He relinquished his commission on 17 December 1920. He saw no active service overseas and was not awarded any medals for his service in the Great War. He died on 20 January 1941 and is buried at Weybridge Cemetery, Elmbridge, Surrey.
Three: Private A. M. Pringle, Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, who was killed in action in the Dieppe Raid in August 1942 1939-45 Star; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, these all unnamed as issued, together with Canadian Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (B.37414 Pte. A. M. Pringle); Birks Memorial Bar (Pte. A. M. Pringle. R.H.L.I. Died in his Country’s Service 19 Aug. 1942) nearly extremely fine (5) £300-£400 --- Alfred Meredith Pringle served as a Private with the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry and was killed in action in the Dieppe Raid, Operation Jubilee, on 19 August 1942. He is commemorated by name on the Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Surrey. Sold with small group photograph of five soldiers, R.H.L.I. cap badge, ‘The Beaver Club, London, named membership card, named enclosure slip for campaign medals, and enclosure letter for Memorial Bar.
Silver Medal with ball and ring suspension attached to a bar inscribed ‘N.W. Provs. & Oude’, 35mm, the obverse featuring a five pointed star with crown on top, with central shield inscribed ‘The Provincial Medal awarded to the Best Shot among the Volunteers in the Province’, laurel wreath around, the reverse engraved ‘1904-05 Won by Lieut. R. Moodie Cawnpore Volunteer Rifles 57 Points’ within laurel wreath, the edge plain, suspended from a green riband, nearly extremely fine £40-£50
Five: Sapper A. E. Styants, Postal Section, Royal Engineers, late Royal Scots Fusiliers India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (4305 Pte. A. Styants , 1st Bn, Ryl. Sco: Fus:); 1914 Star (30084 Sapr: A. E. Styants. R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (30084 Spr. A. E. Styants. R.E.); Imperial Service Medal, G.V.R., Circular issue, 2nd ‘Coronation robes’ issue (Albert Ernest Styants.) very fine and better (5) £400-£500 --- I.S.M. London Gazette 3 September 1935: ‘Styants, Albert Ernest, Sorter, London Postal Service.’ Albert Ernest Styants served with the Postal Section, Royal Engineers, in France and Flanders from 21 November 1914. Sold with copied Medal Index Card and London Gazette entry.
Pair: Chief Stoker E. E. Pope, Royal Navy British War Medal 1914-20 (154583 E. E. Pope. Ch. Sto. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (E. E. Pope, Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Euryalus.) good very fine (2) £80-£100 --- Ernest Edward Pope was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire on 12 September 1870. He commenced naval service as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Asia, on 23 April 1890. He then served in H.M.S. Serapis, H.M.S. Volage, and H.M.S. Victory II, and was advanced to Leading Stoker Second Class on 16 October 1894, and Leading Stoker First Class, H.M.S. Victory II, on 28 October 1895. He was further promoted to Acting Chief Stoker, H.M.S. Trafalgar, on 2 April 1902, and was confirmed as Chief Stoker, H.M.S. Wellington, on 2 April 1903. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1905. He continued in naval service including service in H.M.S. Bafleur, H.M.S. Formidable and H.M.S. Illustrious, until he was shore pensioned from H.M.S. Victory in April 1912. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Portsmouth the same month, for service during the Great War in H.M.S. Victory and H.M.S. Excellent, and was demobilised in October 1917.
A post-War B.E.M. and rare Zoological Society of London Bronze Medal pair awarded to Mr. E. B. Tanner, Overseer of Birds, Zoological Society of London, who served with the Royal Naval Air Service as a Rigger on Airships during the Great War British Empire Medal, (Civil) E.II.R. (Edward B. Tanner) in Royal Mint case of issue; together with the recipient’s Zoological Society of London Bronze Medallion (Edward B. Tanner, B.E.M. For Long and Devoted Service 1908-1956.) in fitted case; together with the small companion medal for wear, bronze, with top riband bar inscribed ‘Zool: Soc: Lond:’ and engraved ‘E. B. Tanner, B.E.M.’, in fitted case, extremely fine; the Z.S.L. award rare (3) £600-£800 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 26 May 1953. Edward Bradstock Tanner was born in Kensington, London, on 27 July 1890, and served with the 9th Battalion, London Regiment from 23 January 1911. Transferring to the Royal Naval Air Service on 9 March 1916, he served during the Great War as a Rigger on airships, and was discharged on 20 February 1919. Two postcards included with the lot feature Sea Scout Zero airships; the main role of these craft during the Great War was to escort convoys ands to scout or search for German U-Boats. In civilian life Tanner was employed by the Zoological Society of London, as a Bird Keeper, in due course rising to become Overseer of Birds, and received the Society’s Bronze Medal upon his retirement in 1956. He died in London on 14 June 1977. The Zoological Society of London’s Medal was designed by Thomas Landseer in 1837, and is awarded in Gold, Silver, and Bronze, with the Bronze Medal being awarded exclusively to Z.S.L. Staff. Tanner was the 22nd recipient of the Bronze Medal, and his award was the first time that the medal had been awarded for Long and Devoted Service; previous awards had typically been for the success in breeding and rearing of young endangered species. Sold with copied research.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Belmont, Modder River (282365, Sto: G. W. Keeler, H.M.S. Monarch.) engraved naming, nearly extremely fine £200-£240 --- George William Keeler was born in Horsford, Norfolk, on 11 February 1877 and joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class on 17 April 1896. Advanced Stoker on 23 September 1897, he was posted to H.M.S. Monarch on 6 October 1899, and served as a member of Monarch’s naval brigade that landed for active service during the Boer War. Transferring to H.M.S. Venerable on 12 November 1902, his service was regularly punctuated by various periods in the cells, and on 6 November 1903 he was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour for improperly leaving his ship and striking his superior officer. He was released and dismissed from the service on 6 November 1904, with the corner of his Parchment Certificate of Service being cut off. Sold with copied medal roll extract.
Royal Household Faithful Service Medal, G.V.R., suspension dated ‘1912-1932’ (Amelia Rawlings) mounted as worn on lady’s bow riband, toned, nearly extremely fine £260-£300 --- Amelia Rawlings ‘joined the Royal Household as Housekeeper at Windsor Castle on 19 April 1912. Over the years her duties were extended to include responsibility for the Royal Pavilion at Aldershot and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. She retired on 1 November 1939. Following her retirement Mrs. Rawlings moved, as Caretaker, to Adelaide Cottage in the Home Park, Windsor. In 1940, ill health necessitated her move to Frogmore Cottage where she was visited by both Queen Mary and Sir Owen Morshead, The Librarian, Windsor Castle. Mrs. Rawlings died on 25 March 1944.’ (Royal Archives refers). For her services Mrs. Rawlings was awarded the Royal Victorian Medal on 1 January 1943, as well as receiving both the 1935 Jubilee and 1937 Coronation Medals. She is mentioned in Counting One’s Blessings: The Collected Letters of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, edited by William Shawcross as ‘a formidable figure who was devoted to Queen Mary, who thought highly of her. In retirement lived in Windsor Home Park.’
Pair: Sergeant R. Bland, 34th Regiment Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Lucknow (R, Bland. 34th Regt.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (4309. Sergt. R. Bland, 34th Foot) edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine or better (2) £400-£500 --- Richard Bland was born in Lancaster and attested for the 34th Regiment at Preston on 10 December 1855, aged 15 years, a weaver by trade. He served as a Boy, under age, until appointed as a Private on 1 April 1857. He was appointed Drummer on 1 July but reverted to Private on 6 October 1857, and remained ‘under age’ until 10 December 1858. Promoted to Corporal in July 1861, he was tried and reduced to Private in February 1862. He re-engaged on 11 September 1867, being promoted to Corporal in February 1868, and to Sergeant on 11 August 1867. Despite his previous misdemeanour he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal with £5 gratuity on 1 May 1879. Sergeant Bland was discharged at Carlisle on 3 February 1880, having served a total of 21 years 56 days, including 6 years 5 months in India; he served a further 14 days before joining the Staff of the 1st Royal Lancaster Militia. His discharge papers relate that ‘he is in possession of the Medal for long service and good conduct, and the Indian Mutiny Medal and clasp for Lucknow.’ Sold with copied discharge papers.
A Documented Belgian Second War ‘Intelligence’ pair awarded to N. A. G. Stilman, ‘Zero Group’, Belgian Resistance Belgium, Kingdom, War Commemorative Medal 1940-45, bronze, with ‘Crossed Lightning Bolts’ emblem on riband; Medal of the Resistance 1940-45, bronze; together with the related miniature awards, good very fine (2) £200-£240 --- Nestor Achille Ghislain Stillman was born at Rièzes on 18 April 1894 and is confirmed as having been an ‘Intelligence Agent’ who served with ‘Zero Group’ of the Belgian Resistance during the Second World War. The ‘Crossed Lightning Bolts’ emblem was only awarded for Intelligence Work, and his entitlement to this emblem is confirmed on his Award Document. Sold together with the Award Document for the War Commemorative Medal, named to Monsieur Nestor A. G. Stillman, and dated 1 October 1946; the Award Document for the Medal of the Resistance, named to Monsieur Nestor Achille Ghislain Stillman, and dated 1 October 1946; and some copied research.
A scarce Second War ‘North-West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant T. H. E. Walters, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, for his repeated gallantry in an Armoured Recovery Vehicle extricating flaming tanks from battle positions and uncleared minefields Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7588463 Sjt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Talana Herbert Edward Walters) edge prepared prior to naming; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. M.M. R.E.M.E.) number officially corrected on last, light contact marks, generally good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘On 8 January 1945 “A” Squadron was detached to support 8 Infantry Brigade in the attack on Wanssum Wood, and Sergeant Walters in command of the Squadron A.R.V. accompanied it. A tank received a direct hit in Wanssum, and Sergeant Walters went up to it in its battle position under extremely heavy D.F. fire and towed it out although it was still on fire. He then went down to help the Canadians recover seven “Kangaroos” which were blown up on an uncleared minefield, and were under direct observed fire from the other side of Maas. Subsequently he went back to recover one of the Squadron’s tanks from the same minefield, but was driven back by the accuracy of the fire from the further bank; however, he returned after nightfall and worked on it until 02:00 the following morning in spite of continuing harassing fire and enemy patrols. During the period Sergeant Walters was in command of the only available A.R.V. and throughout displayed outstanding initiative in his efforts to recover the maximum number of vehicles and a complete disregard for his own safety.’ Talana Herbert Edward Walters was born on 2 December 1921 and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War. In civilian life he was employed at the Ministry of Defence, and was awarded the Imperial Service medal upon his retirement in 1987 (London Gazette 13 February 1987). He died in 1995.
Five: Corporal A. C. Black, Lothians and Border Horse Yeomanry 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (420372. Cpl. A. C. Black. Lothians.) generally very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- The 2nd Battalion Lothians and Border Horse, served in 26th Armoured Brigade, part of the newly formed 6th Armoured Division, equipped with Crusader tanks. The regiment embarked on troopships for Tunisian Campaign at the end of 1942, and thereafter served during the Italian campaign until the end of the war.
Three: Flight Lieutenant C. J. Pridham, Royal Air Force War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Borneo, Malay Peninsula (Fg. Off. C. J. Pridham. R.A.F.) 2nd clasp secured by thread; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (Act. Flt. Lt. C. J. Pridham. R.A.F.) mounted as originally worn, generally very fine or better (3) £140-£180
Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (5373325 C. Sjt. G. C. Richards. Oxf. & Bucks.) extremely fine £70-£90 --- George Cecil Richards attested for the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1934. He appears on the 1935 Jubilee Medal Roll for India, as Company Sergeant Major, 2nd Battalion O.B.L.I., and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal without annuity per Army Order 98 of 1953.
Three: Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer H. Hassett, Royal Navy British War and Victory Medals (M.2096 H. Hassett. 2 S.B.S. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M.2096 H. Hassett. S.B.P.O. H.M.S. Concord.) contact marks especially to obverse of BWM, otherwise very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Harry Hassett was born on 20 June 1888, at Stonehouse, Devon. He commenced naval service as a Probationary Sick Berth Attendant in H.M.S. Vivid I, on 1 June 1910. He served in several R.N. Hospitals and ships, including R.N. Hospital Plymouth, H.M.S. H.M.S. Talbot, R.N. Hospital Hong Kong, and H.M.S. Doris, being advanced to Sick Berth Attendant, on 30 December 1910, and Leading Sick Berth Attendant, at R.N. Hospital Plymouth on 5 August 1920. Promoted Sick Berth Petty Officer on 2 September 1920, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in August 1925, and was advanced to Sick Berth Chief Petty Officer in H.M.S. Vivid II (Plymouth Hospital) on 14 September 1929. Discharged to pension in May 1932, he was recalled for war service in November 1939, serving in H.M.S. Drake II (Plymouth Hospital) and H.M.S. Eaglet. He was invalided from the service in July 1943.
Four: Captain E. J. V. Baumgartner, Royal Engineers, later Royal Welsh Fusiliers British War and Victory Medals (Capt. E. J. V. Baumgartner); France, Republic, Academic Society of International History (2), neck badge, 83mm including wreath suspension x 60mm, gilt and enamel, with neck riband; Medal, bronze, with rosette on riband; together with the related miniature awards, very fine (4) £70-£90 --- Eric Jocelyn Vane Baumgartner was born in Ceylon on 20 April 1887 and was educated at Bedford Grammar School. Commissioned into the Royal Engineers, he served with them during the Great War in Egypt from March 1916, before transferring to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was advanced Captain. In civilian life he was employed by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation. Following the outbreak of the Second World War he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Royal Army Service Corps on 14 June 1940, before resigning his commission on 3 October 1940. He changed his surname by Deed Poll to Percy on 18 October 1940, and died in Risborough, Buckinghamshire, on 6 January 1962. The circumstances concerning how he earned the French awards are not known. Sold with copied research.
Five: Private H. Williams, South Wales Borderers, who was reported missing in action in the Western Desert in June 1942, but subsequently re-joined his battalion India General Service 1936-39, 2 clasps, North West Frontier 1936-37, North West Frontier 1937-39 (3908466 Pte. H. Williams. S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, suspension claw re-riveted on IGS, minor edge bruise, otherwise very fine and better (5) £100-£140 --- Howard Williams enlisted into the South Wales Borderers on 21 August 1933, and he is confirmed on the medal roll for the India General Service Medal with the North West Frontier 1936-37 clasp, but entitlement to the North West Frontier 1937-39 clasp has not been confirmed. He was discharged to the Army Reserve in 1939, but was recalled for service in the Second World War, and served in the Western Desert. Reported missing in action on 21 June 1942, he subsequently re-joined his unit.
Three: Regulating Petty Officer W. P. Payne, Royal Navy British War and Victory Medals (J.46190 W. P. Payne Ord. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (M,39782 W. P. Payne, A/R. P.O. H.M.S. Vivid.) contact marks and edge bruising, generally nearly very fine (3) £60-£80 --- Wiliam Pretoria Payne was born on 21 May 1900, at Kingstown, Dublin. He commenced naval service as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges, on 5 November 1915, and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman, H.M.S. Valiant, on 21 January 1918, and Able Seaman, H.M.S. Vivid I, on 13 September 1918. He was further advanced to Leading Seaman, H.M.S. Valiant on 15 April 1921. He passed the examination for advancement to Petty Officer in in March 1925, and was appointed Acting Petty Officer in H.M.S. Malaya on 10 November 1930, being confirmed in that rate in H.M.S. Bee (Cockchafer) on 10 November 1931. He was appointed Acting Regulating Petty Officer, H.M.S. Vivid I, on 16 March 1933, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in June of that year. He was confirmed as Regulating Petty Officer, H.M.S. Drake II, on 16 March 1934. He was shore pensioned on 20 March 1940, but was recalled the following day for war service. He saw service in the Second World War, and was paid a war gratuity in respect of service in H.M.S. Forth. He was released from naval service in November 1945.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (3565 Pte. J. Beale. Oxford L.I.) suspension claw tightened, edge bruising, nearly very fine £70-£90 --- James Beale was born at Witney, Oxfordshire, in 1872 and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry at Oxford on 21 January 1891. He was appointed to be Bugler in the 1st Battalion on 5 January 1893, and served with the Battalion in India from 4 December 1893 to 10 February 1902, seeing service on the North West Frontier of India with the Mohmand Field Force (entitled to the India General Service Medal with clasp Punjab Frontier 1897-98). Promoted Corporal on 26 June 1899, he was tried by Regimental Court Martial on 22 September 1899 for ‘using insubordinate language’, and reduced to Private. He saw further service in South Africa during the Boer War from 11 February to 4 October 1902, and was discharged on termination of his period of engagement on 20 January 1903. Sold with copied service papers.
A scarce Second War ‘North-West Europe’ M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant L. E. Chappell, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, for the repeated recovery of stranded and damaged tanks under enemy shell fire Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14207232 Sjt. L. E. Chappell, R.E.M.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.M. and War Office enclosure, Campaign Medals enclosure and newspaper cuttings, generally very fine (4) £1,000-£1,400 --- M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945. The original recommendation states: Sgt Chappell has been in command of the Recovery Crews of his section throughout the campaign. During recent operations, recovery tasks were carried out under extremely difficult conditions but Sgt Chappell displayed organising and technical skill of a very high order. Tanks were bogged in soft mud, their recovery necessitated Sgt Chappell being exposed for considerable lengths of time in full view and range of the enemy. On numerous occasions he successfully effected the recovery of tanks under fire. During times of danger his coolness and cheerfulness, coupled with a complete disregard for his personal safety, inspired the crews working under him to give their last ounce, thus achieving the recovery of many tanks which would otherwise have been lost. His work has been outstanding.’ Leonard Edwards Chappell was a native of Sutton, Surrey. He was educated at Mina Road School, Camberwell, and served during the Second War with 836 Heavy Recovery Section, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.
Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (4799 Serjt. E. Betts. Oxford: L.I.) light polishing, nearly very fine £100-£140 --- Ernest Betts was born at Ashenden, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1876 and attested for the Oxfordshire Light Infantry at Aylesbury on 30 May 1894. He served with the 1st Battalion in India on the North West Frontier with the Tirah Expeditionary Force, and the Mohmand Field Force (entitled to the India General Service Medal 1895-1902 with clasps for Punjab Frontier 1897 - 98, and Tirah 1897-98). He saw further service in South Africa during the Boer War from 9 January to 15 October 1902, and was appointed Lance Sergeant on 9 February 1902. He was discharged on termination of his engagement on 29 May 1906. Sold with copied record of service and medal roll extracts.
An outstanding Great War ‘Zonnebeke 1917’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Private H. G. Chamberlain, 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who personally accounted for six enemy snipers ‘stalking them when they declared themselves’ and subsequently died of severe wounds in April 1918 Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (20655 Pte. H. G. Chamberlain. 2/Suff: R.); British War and Victory Medals (20655 Pte. H. G. Chamberlain. Suff. R.) together with Memorial Plaque (Henry George Chamberlain) nearly extremely fine (4) £1,400-£1,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 26 November 1917; citation London Gazette 6 February 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During operations, an enemy aeroplane flew over our lines and fired a white light, which was answered by a hostile sniper near by. Entirely on his own initiative he went in search of the sniper, found three in a shell-hole, killed them all, and returned with Very lights and a trench lamp. He afterwards accounted for three more snipers, lying out for hours in No Man’s Land and stalking them when they declared themselves.’ Annotated gazette states ‘Zonnebeke 20 [or 26] September 1917’, while contemporary news reports give a slightly longer citation, adding ‘He also entered a German pill-box and killed twelve more Germans single-handed.’ Henry George Chamberlain was born at Pirton, Hertfordshire, was resident at Hitchin and enlisted there into the Suffolk Regiment. He served with the 12th, 11th, 9th and, finally, 2nd Battalions in France and Flanders, part of the 76th Brigade in the 3rd Division. He died of severe wounds received in action on 20 April 1918, aged 39. His next of kin is noted as being an aunt, Elizabeth Gazely, of Pirton, Hitchin. Private Chamberlain is buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France. Sold with copied research including two extracts from The North Herts Mail, and war diary extracts.
Forfarshire Constable’s Medal, 44mm, in silvered pewter, the obverse with St. Edward’s crown ‘GIVR’ script cypher, ‘Forfarshire Constable’ around the top rim and ‘No. 242’ at the bottom, the reverse plain, pierced with small ring suspension, nearly extremely fine, rare £200-£240 --- Referenced in John C. Green’s ‘Scottish Insignia as used by Old Police Forces’, p.89. Prior to the formation of the county constabulary in 1840, many Scottish authorities employed constables to Keep the Peace. This medal was presumably worn by the recipient when on duty to signify his rank.
‘I was particularly pleased and proud to hear the splendid news of your thoroughly well-deserved Conspicuous Gallantry Cross and very much wanted to drop you a line to send you my most heartfelt congratulations. To say that I am full of admiration for your truly exceptional courage, initiative and endurance, not to mention your selfless commitment to protect your comrades, is a serious understatement.’ (HRH The Prince of Wales in a letter dated 8 October 2013) The outstanding ‘Afghanistan 2013’ C.G.C. group of five awarded to Corporal J. E. H. Griffiths, 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment, late Cheshire Regiment, who, having suffered a broken back and shrapnel fragments to his face in a bomb attack at Camp Folad, Helmand, Afghanistan in 2013, attended to other wounded men first despite his own debilitating injuries before confronting a party of insurgents which had entered the base throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons - dressed in light fatigues without protective equipment, he found a light machine-gun and engaged the enemy in a prolonged close range fire fight, thus allowing the wounded to be evacuated before leading an assault on the insurgents and clearing them from the base, only afterwards accepting medical treatment for his wounds, the seriousness of which necessitated his evacuation to the U.K. Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, E.II.R. (Cpl. J. E. H. Griffiths Mercian 25230885 2013) with its Royal Mint case of issue; General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Northern Ireland (25230885 Pte J E H Griffiths Cheshire); Iraq 2003-11, no clasp (25230885 Pte J E H Griffiths Mercian); Operational Service Medal 2000, for Afghanistan, 1 clasp, Afghanistan (LCp. J E H Griffiths Mercian 25230885); Jubilee 2012, unnamed as issued, nearly extremely fine (5) £100,000-£120,000 --- C.G.C. London Gazette 4 October 2013. The original recommendation states: ‘On the evening of 25 March 13, with no warning, a massive Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED), tore through the outer wall of the joint Afghan National Army (ANA) and International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF) base. Estimated to be made up of half a tonne of explosives, the VBIED left a 40m gap in the perimeter wall, exposing the base to a well organised and complex attack. The cookhouse, where Corporal Griffiths and his fellow soldiers had been eating their evening meal was destroyed as was the operations room, which had been hit by 2 Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs); resulting in casualties. Realising that a small number of determined insurgents had already gained entry into the patrol base and were less than 50m away from him and the other casualties, despite being seriously injured and wearing no protective equipment, Griffiths rallied the dazed soldiers around him. Armed with a light machine gun that he had grabbed in the chaos, Griffiths faced down the enemy who were throwing grenades and firing automatic weapons, placing himself and one other soldier between the casualties and the insurgents. His immediate actions halted the insurgents at the northern wall of the base, allowing the casualties from the initial explosion to be extracted. As other uninjured soldiers began to arrive, Griffiths who could have stepped back to receive treatment for his injuries, shrugged off his injuries and aided by the Sergeant Major, led a small team of soldiers as they charged forward in order to secure the base. Griffiths’ actions certainly saved the lives of his wounded comrades and contributed significantly to the successful defence of the base.’ Josh Edward Hayden Griffiths from Eastham, Wirral, Merseyside joined the British Army in September 2006. Having served previously in Afghanistan as well as Iraq and Northern Ireland, Griffiths was deployed with C Company (Cheshire), 1st Battalion, Mercian Regiment to Afghanistan as part of Herrick 17 on 6 October 2012. On 25 March 2013 at ISAF Patrol Camp Folad, Nad-e Ali, Helmand, Afghanistan, Corporal Griffiths was 23 days from the end of his tour and preparing to eat his evening meal when a pick-up truck packed with half a tonne of explosives was driven by a suicide bomber through the wall of the base. The resulting explosion tore a 40m gap in the perimeter wall; it was the start of an attack that was to last for several hours: ‘I was thrown around as well as everyone else and the next thing I remember it was dark and I was on my back. I heard one of the lads scream out.’ The cookhouse was utterly destroyed by the blast, as was the operations room. Griffiths’ back had been broken by the blast and grenade fragments were embedded in his face, just millimetres from his left eye. He was one of fifteen casualties (of whom one later died): ‘My first instinct was to see who was hurt and help. One of the lads was shouting that another was badly injured. We had to crawl through the debris in the dark to get him out... I heard one of the lads scream out, so I approached him and helped and then I climbed out of the tent to see if there were more casualties. When I did that, there were rounds snapping past and I thought, “That's a bit close.”’ Still disorientated, dressed in a combat shirt and fatigues without protective equipment, he grabbed a light machine gun and leaving the collapsed cookhouse, he was immediately confronted with a group of insurgents inside the walls of the base launching grenades and assaulting his position with automatic weapons less than 50m from him and the other casualties: ‘The job just took over and I pushed forward... I think adrenalin kicked in. Around me there were a lot of casualties. As soon as I was out in the open air, bullets where whizzing past my head, missing me by millimetres... I turned left and there were the insurgents standing there... they were also firing rocket propelled grenades. All I could think was ‘I have to stop them or they’ll kill me and my mates... I knew my friends were in trouble so I thought I’ve got to go out there and take the fight to them before anything happens to my lads.’ For some time an intense fire fight ensued at a range of just 25m. Despite his debilitating injuries, Griffiths killed one insurgent and his immediate response halted the insurgents at the northern wall of the base, allowing his injured comrades to be extracted: ‘I thought I’ve got to stay there... rather than me getting killed or my mates getting killed I wanted to kill them first.’ Inspired by Griffiths’ instinctive courage and leadership, other uninjured British soldiers began to arrive and join the fray, launching grenades back at the insurgents. Griffiths then, having consulted with the Sergeant-Major, decided that the best way to protect the base was to lead an attack on the enemy. With utter disregard for his own safety, he and the Sergeant-Major then led a small team as they charged forward and defeated the insurgents. Only once the base was secure did Griffiths agree to step back and receive medical treatment for his wounds. It was only afterwards that he realised he not only had damaged his eye, but had also broken the fourth vertebrae in his back in the original explosion when the vehicle hit the base. He later reflected: ‘When I got taken back to Camp Bastion and was lying in a hospital bed I thought about what happened – replaying what happened in my head... I was devastated we had lost a soldier. It is an amazing honour to receive the award and I am very proud but I’d much rather it hadn’t happened and he was still with us.’ Griffiths was later evacuated back to the UK due to the seriousness of his injuries. To be sold with the following original letters and...
A Q.G.M. awarded to Constable J. R. Young, Metropolitan Police, for tackling armed and violent persons in London and Swanley, Kent, in November 1973 Queen’s Gallantry Medal (John Raymond Young) nearly extremely fine £1,800-£2,200 --- Q.G.M. London Gazette 17 December 1974: ‘John Raymond Young, Constable, Metropolitan Police. In the early hours of the morning Constable Young, with another officer [Constable Anthony Roy Beer], was on duty in plain clothes in an unmarked police van when they saw three men in a car who were acting suspiciously. The two policemen decided to follow the car which accelerated away quickly when the occupants realised they were being followed. The officers continued the pursuit for some distance until the men abandoned their car and ran off. Constable Young chased one of the men into a school playground; he shone his torch on the man and shouted “Stop, Police”. The man stopped, turned round and the Constable saw that he was armed with a double-barrelled sawn-off shotgun. The man fired at the officer from a distance of 15 yards and wounded him in the left leg. Constable Young took cover behind a nearby pile of sand and the man ran away once more. In spite of his wound, the officer took up the chase again, shining his torch on the offender. While still running, the gunman turned and fired another shot but fortunately missed Constable Young. The officer switched off his torch and continued to follow the man until he lost sight of him. All three men escaped but the gunman was subsequently caught and arrested. In his determined pursuit of a man who had already shot and wounded him Constable Young displayed devotion to duty and courage of a very high order.’ Constable A. R. Beer was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct: ‘For services leading to the arrest of an armed criminal who had fired his weapon at two police officers. This incident occurred in November 1973. In January 1996, John Raymond Young QGM, who had left the police and was working as a private detective, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for jury tampering in a case of armed robbery and kidnapping. Sold with copied London Gazette entry and citation, together with two original contemporary news cuttings and another copied cutting, and copied Downing Street and Whitehall letters advising of the award of the Q.G.M.
Six: Able Seaman, later Steward A. E. Bonnett, Royal Navy British War Medal 1914-20 (J.86735 A. E. Bonnett. Boy I R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (L.15174 A. E. Bonnett. Std. H.M.S. Victory.) very fine and better (6) £60-£80 --- Arthur Edmund Bonnett was born on 24 July 1902, at Shoreham, Sussex. He commenced naval service as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges on 19 February 1918. He was advanced to Boy First Class on 26 October 1918, then serving in H.M.S. Pembroke I, and H.M.S. Courageous. He subsequently served in H.M.S. Victory I, H.M.S. Galatea, H.M.S. King George V, and H.M.S. Malaya, being appointed Ordinary Seaman on 24 July 1920, and Able Seaman, H.M.S. Columbine (Vanity) on 7 September 1922. He then served in several ships including H.M.S. Vampire, H.M.S. Egmont, H.M.S. Barham, and H.M.S. Assistance. He transferred in July 1930 to become Officers Steward Fourth Class, and his service number was changed to L.15174. He was appointed Assistant Steward, H.M.S. Fisgard, on 1 October 1931, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in August 1935. Promoted Steward, H.M.S. Victory II on 1 May 1939, he was rated Temporary Leading Steward, H.M.S. Pyramus, on 29 April 1943, and was released from naval service in November 1945.
A Group of Imperial German Bestowal Documents. A group of bestowal documents to Leutnant Herman Schlinder, comprising Bavarian Military Service Order Fourth Class, dated March 1915; Bavarian Landwehr Service Award Second Class; and the Bavarian Prince Regent Luitpold Medal in bronze with jubilee band awarded 1911; together with the 3 patents, the last patent pen signed by King Ludwig of Bavaria, good condition (6) £80-£100
The Victory Medal awarded to Miss Ethel Bankart, who served as an Orderly with the Serbian Relief Fund 1915-18 Victory Medal 1914-19 (E. Bankart.) extremely fine, scarce to unit £60-£80 --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006. Miss Ethel Rose Bankart served in Serbia with the Serbian Relief Fund from 1 April 1915 to November 1918. Sold with copied medal roll extract.
A Great War O.B.E. group of three awarded to Major D. A. D. Sewell, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Order of the Crown of Italy The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut: D. A. D. Sewell. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.); Victory Medal 1914-1919 (Lieut. D. A. D. Sewell) generally very fine (3) £180-£220 --- O.B.E. London Gazette 12 December 1919. M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1920. Italian Order of the Crown, Knight London Gazette 1 April 1919. Douglas Arden Dalrymple Sewell was born at Madras, India in 1895 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry on 8 August 1914. Appointed Adjutant of the 7th Battalion on 26 October 1914, he served during the Great War on the Western Front from 16 March 1915, and was wounded. He was promoted Lieutenant on 10 June 1916, and subsequently served as Adjutant of the 14th Infantry Base Depot. Seconded for service with the Tank Corps on 22 January 1917, he was promoted Staff Captain on the Military Secretary’s Staff on 6 December 1918, and promoted Temporary Major on 1 May 1919. For his services during the Great War he was Mentioned in Despatches, appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, and was created a Knight of the Italian Order of the Crown. Sewell is recorded in the October 1943 Army List as Major, O.B.L.I. (Reserve of Officers), with Seniority from 29 August 1922. Having exceeded the age limit he ceased to belong to the Reserve of Officers on 18 May 1948, and died at Bournemouth, Hampshire, in 1959.
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