British Army WW1 and WW2 father and son medals and ephemera for Captain M A O'Meara (father) Army Service Corps and M P O'Meara, Royal Tank Regiment, comprising Captain Michael Aloysius O'Meara MBE Military in Garrard & Co box, WW1 War Medal and Victory Medal both named to Capt M A O'Meara, 1914 waistcoat pocket diary and Almanac, warrant dated 6th January 1916 to be Warrant Officer Class 1, commission dated 15th January 1917 to be Second Lieutenant, Grant of the Dignity of a Member of the Military Division of the Order of the British Empire, letter from the Central Chancery, two photographs, his OSD cap badge and rank insignia. Michael Patrick O'Meara WW2 War Medal and Defence Medal, officer's Record of Service Army Book 439, photographs including one as an Air Cadet, L/Cpl in 1943 and Sandhurst 1944 etc., his RAC cap and collar badges and tommy lighters. Included with these items are family related ephemera including ID card, 8th June 1946 victory message from the King to boys and girls, pre-WW1 sketch album, 1914 dated dance cards and whist cards, cricket badges for 1877, 1880 and 1882 and two permits from the Ordnance Survey office dated 1870 and 1867
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British Army WW1 medal pair comprising War Medal and Victory Medal named to 161828 Sapper J S Mahony, Royal Engineers, together with a WW2 Defence Medal, silver War Badge, identity disc, hallmarked lodge badge, hallmarked silver football medal inscribed D Coy 5 Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment 1924 and two further hallmarked silver badges
Box containing British Brodie helmet, British beret with Belgian Army (in exile) cap badge (beret dated 1975, size 58), flying/driving goggles, photographic framed print of D89 HMS Exeter (Guided Missile Destroyer), walking cane, HMS Victory ceramic stopper and a Czech duffel bag. (B.P. 21% + VAT)
British Army Pattern small pack containing Royal Air Force WWII Service and Release books for CPL E.R. SYMES (1088178) and LACW J. SYMES (2078531), an RAF forage cap (with badge), military penknife/jackknife, blue ACME Bakelite whistle, leather handbag and collection of period ephemera. (B.P. 21% + VAT)
A GREAT WAR D.C.M. GROUP OF SIX MEDALS TO CORPORAL J. LLOYD, DORSETSHIRE REGIMENT comprising the Distinguished Conduct Medal (8662 PTE J. LLOYD. 2/DORSET: REGT), 1914-15 Star (unnamed), British War Medal and Victory Medal with Mention in Despatches emblem (both 8662 PTE. J. LLOYD. DORSET. R.), India General Service Medal, with Malabar 1921-22 clasp (5719372 CPL. J. LLOYD. DORSET. R.), and Defence Medal (unnamed as issued), bar-mounted for wearing; together with his M.I.D. Certificate; Regular Army Certificate of Service book; Soldier's Service and Pay Book; three sporting medals; five group photographs; and a woven regimental badge, mounted in a single display, framed and glazed.
A silver-mounted copper regimental photograph frame,by Horton & Allday, Birmingham 1917,shaped rectangular form, with an applied Army Service Corps cap badge, plus an Asprey electroplated photograph frame with an applied Royal Army Medical Corps cap badge and an electroplated photograph frame with an applied Royal Engineers badge, height 45.6cm. (3)
BRITISH ARMY OFFICERS CAP, WITH LOYAL REGIMENTAL BADGE AFFIXED, GOOD CONDITION, Red Vietnamese Beret, Airborne Insignia, Saigon label, UKSF Ball Cap, camo with Velcro attachments no Insignia, drab green mag pouch canvas, stable belt, small bag of Airborne related Insignia, Para etc, another small bag of Central American related Airborne Insignia, larger bag of metal and cloth Insignia (non-British) & a small envelope with Airborne/Special forces related photos and patches
'A Prussian Line Uhlan Officer czapka, Service Black lacquered leather body (cracks in finish), rounded front visor; silver front visor trim; silver officer front plate of Prussian eagle attached by two screw posts; gilt convex chin scales with rosette side posts; Imperial Officer cockade; brown leather sweatband; officer black and silver field badge, mortar board leather separation on field badge edge. Size circa 55 cm. Cf. "Buyer''s Guide for Headgear of The Imperial German Army circa 1914", James D. Turinetti, 2015-16 edition, pg. 6. USA-Los – weitere Infos hier'
A SHOE BOX CONTAINING COINS/MEDALS, to include Victoria 1897 Diamond Jubilee large Silver medal, 56mm, approximate 83 grams in case of issue, a Royal Mint cased Westminster Abbey commemorative medal 1065-1965, in box of issue, a French National Railway Celebrating Electrification Paris to Lyon 1950 in box of issue, a cased badge for the Czechoslovak Army Sept 28th 1940, 1887 Half-crown, Morgan Dollars x2 1921, Canada Dollar 1956, Bermuda Crown 1964, 1944 Half-crown, 1887, 1889 Roman Double Florins, Arabic 1887 Double Florin, 1935 Crown coins x3, 1937 Crowns x2 , Maundy coins 1d 1851, 2d 1838, 3d 1887, 4d 1855, 3x Festival Crowns, a Mombasa good grade One Rupee coin 1888
A collection of twelve pairs of sleeve links, a compass key fob, a Whittnauer Speedway metal cased stopwatch: d x 4cm, a gilt plated metal United States Army class style ring set red stone T, a vintage Ronson petrol lighter, a Kings own Borderers cap badge, a travel alarm and four various pins (a lot)
Four: Private E. H. Neal, Army Air Corps (Parachute Regiment)1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (14428811 Pte. E. H. Neal. A.A.C.), mounted as worn, very fine, together with cloth Badge and Para O.C.A Badge (Lot)E. Harry Neal was a native of Erdington, Birmingham and had his Second World War awards issued in August 1948.…
The rare and superb 'Operation Grapeshot' M.B.E., 'Monte Rogno' Virtuti Militi, 'Monte Cassino' Cross of Valor group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. Lipowski, 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment, Polish Army, whose remarkable life story includes a tragic episode during the Fall of Poland which saw him narrowly escape the fate of two of his comrades, who were arrested and murdered during the Katyn MassacreReturning to active service his extreme bravery attached to the 5th (Kresowa) Division in Italy saw him honoured on several occasions and even wounded during the Battle of Monte Cassino, being hit by shrapnel that had already passed through the lung of a brother Officer who stood besidePoland, Republic, Order of Virtuti Militari, breast Badge, 5th Class, silver and enamel, of wartime manufacture by Spink; Cross of Valor, with Second Award Bar; Cross of Merit, with swords, 2nd Type, silver-gilt; Army Medal; Monte Cassino Cross 1944, the reverse officially numbered '33078'; United Kingdom, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Italy, Kingdom, Croce al Valore Militare, sold together with an archive including a named cigarette case, portrait and photograph album and the named document of issue for the award of the M.B.E., overall good very fine (9)Virtuti Militari awarded 30 June 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'During the operations 'Adriatyk', he distinguished himself by working in difficult conditions under strong and accurate enemy fire, especially at the Observation Point on Monte Regano. He cooperated perfectly with the infantry, conducting accurate and effective fire, not breaking off observation despite the fire. With his behaviour, he set an exemplary example for officers and privates at the Observation Points, as always. He fully deserves the decoration.'Cross of Valor awarded 6 August 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'At Cassino he organized an Observation Point and stayed there. On May 10-12, 1944, despite heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, he remained at the Observation Point and continued his work. On May 12, 1944, despite heavy fire, he left the Observation Point to get better information and moved forward. He was wounded, but he did not want to stop his work.'Second Award Bar awarded 1945.M.B.E. London Gazette June 1945, the original recommendation states:'During the period 9th -21st April 1945, this officer worked with the maximum devotion as B.M., F.A. 5th Kresowa Division Artillery, which was in support of the Infantry in their operations against lines of Rivers Senio, Santerno, Sillaro, Gaina and Idice. Major Lipowski made a particularly great effort and showed special dexterity on 19th April and night 19th/20th, when Headquarters 5th Kresowa Division was faced with the task of co-ordinating the fire plans not only of the Divisions Artillery but also Artillery under command of the neighbouring RAK Force (Reinforced 2 Polish Armoured Brigade with 2 British Royal Horse Artillery and 3 Polish Field Regiment in SP). Rud Force (3rd and 4th Polish Infantry Brigades supported by 5th Polish Field Regiment and 7PHA) and AGPA.Major Lipowski's skillful [SIC] Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery on 19th April and night 19th/20th resulted in the rapid working out and co-ordination of the Artillery fire plans which effectively helped the Infantry and assisted the Armour in breaking down enemy opposition, crossing the Gaina River and approaching River Quaderno.The Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery had to be completed in a limited time in order to prepare the above Artillery plans and called for great effort and extreme accuracy. Major Lipowski not only directed the Staff work most efficiently but shone as an example of adroitness and devotion to duty.'Note the number of the recipient's Monte Cassino Cross is confirmed upon the roll.Tadeusz Lipowski was born on 29 March 1904, the son of two flour mill owners. His parents were forced to produce food for the German Army during the Great War, whilst the young Lipowski attended the local grammar school. Joining the Infantry Cadet School in 1926 he transferred to the Artillery Cadet School the next year and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1929.September 1939 and escaping to fight againPosted to Bendzen, Lipowski was set to work training new recruits, he was still there when the German Army invaded Poland in September 1939. His Regiment was left in an exposed position and forced to withdraw to avoid being encircled.Lipowski was interviewed post-war and the interviewer wrote a summary of his experiences, this narrative takes up the story:'The regiment was soon split up and within three days it had been officially annihilated although splinter groups had joined other regiments to continue fighting. Tade was able to join the Le Wolf East Polish soldiers on the 21st September and together they had fought their way out of danger or so they thought. Similar situations repeated themselves throughout Poland where the soldiers fought bravely on their own without the support of their planes which had been destroyed during the first day and without the aid of advanced weaponry…'Not long later the Russians invaded as well, tightening the noose around the Polish Army, communications at the time meant that many soldiers were not even aware of the Russian attack. One of these was Lipowski who awoke in a wood one morning to the sight of a Russian soldier on patrol. Unsure of whether this man was a friend or foe he remained hidden as the unsuspecting Russian passed beneath his sights, it was not until later that he discovered how close he had come to disaster.As the Polish defences were overrun, the Regiments began to splinter in small groups either seeking to withdraw to France and carry on the fight or set up resistance organisations. Lipowski, accompanied by two brother Officers, returned to the town in which he had been at school. His sister was living in the town and while they planned their next step she concealed them in her home.His brother came up with a plan to move them to a safer location by dressing the three men in his suits and putting them in the back of a wagon driven by a friendly farmer. Lipowski was forced to borrow a suit by his brother however the two Officers with him refused as the suits were expensive and they didn't want to take them. Instead, they removed their rank pips and took on the appearance of other ranks.During the journey the travellers were stopped by a Russian soldier, the farmer attempted to explain away the soldiers in his cart however this was for naught:'The Colonel could remain silent no longer and admitted to the Russian that they were in fact Officers so that the farmer would not get into trouble. Tadek said nothing but looked straight ahead. These Officers were only two of the many who were shot at Katyn by the Soviet secret police and left to rot in the mass grave, later discovered and dug up by the Germans two years later. Tadek had once again narrowly escaped death by what he called "good luck".' (Ibid)Reaching an underground resistance organisation, Lipowski was concealed by them and on 25 December 1939 dressed as a civilian he set out for southern Poland and the border. At one point he was stopped by a German soldier and asked when he was going, for one heart stopping moment it seemed that he was caught. This was not the case however, and it turned out the German was drunk and looking for someone to share a beer with - Lipowski agreed to a drink and later the soldier even waved him off on the tr…
Family group:The exceptional and poignant Q.P.M. for Gallantry group of seven awarded to Sergeant 1st Class W. W. Riley, New South Wales Police, who was murdered by a deranged gunman he attempted to apprehend in the Sydney suburb of Toongabbie in September 1971Queen's Police Medal, for Gallantry, E.II.R. (William W. Riley, Sgt. Cl. 1, New South Wales Police); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australian Service Medal 1939-45, these four officially impressed 'NX. 90169 W. W. Riley'; Australian Service Medal 1945-75, clasp, S.W. Pacific; Police Exemplary Service Medal, E.II.R. (William R. Riley), the last officially inscribed on pre-prepared ground, together with his 'Returned from Active Service' badge, officially numbered '170866', assorted N.S.W. Police Force badges (4), and a metalled nameplate from his burial service, good very fine (7)The Great War campaign group of three awarded to his father, Sergeant C. U. Riley, Gordon Highlanders1914-15 Star (S. 4226 Sjt. C. W. Riley, Gord. Highrs.), note second initial; British War and Victory Medals (S. 4226 Sjt. C. U. Riley, Gord. Highrs.), minor contact wear, very fine or better (3)Q.P.M. London Gazette 25 May 1972:'The Queen has been pleased to award the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry to the late Sergeant 1st Class William Watson Riley and the late Sergeant 3rd Class Maurice Raymond McDiarmid, both of the New South Wales Police Force, in recognition of their gallant conduct in the following circumstances:At a house in Toongabbie on 30 September 1971, Sergeants Riley and McDiarmid attempted to apprehend Ronald Desmond Clarke whom they knew to be armed and to have killed his brother and raped a woman. Sergeant McDiarmid forced an entry through the rear door of the house and Sergeant Riley gained an entry through the front door. Both policemen were armed with revolvers. In the events which followed three shots were fired by Clarke, two fatally wounding Sergeant Riley and the third inflicting grievous wounds to the head of Sergeant McDiarmid who died shortly afterwards. Neither officer fired his own revolver. Sergeant Riley and Sergeant McDiarmid both showed outstanding courage and devotion to duty and upheld the high traditions of the New South Wales Police Force.'William Watson Riley was born in Motherwell, Scotland on 22 February 1921, the son of Great War veteran Cecil Urquhart Riley. The family migrated to Australia when he was a child, and William was working as an orchardist when he enlisted in the Permanent Australian Military Forces (A.M.F.) in April 1940, aged 19.Having then served in the A.M.F. as a driver in the Australian Army Service Corps, he took his discharge in March 1942 and immediately re-enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force. Posted to the Guerilla Warfare School in Melbourne, he joined the 2/6th Independent Company (Commando) in May 1942. By the time of his discharge from 2/9th Australian General Hospital in December 1945, he had served for two years on active operations in Morotai and New Guinea.Riley next joined the New South Wales Police, attending the Sydney Metropolitan Training Depot before taking up traffic duties at Camperdown and Regent Street police stations. In May 1947 he qualified as a solo motor cyclist and in August 1949 as a motor driver. In November 1950 he received his first commendation when, off duty, he rendered valuable service in combatting a fire which occurred at the railway depot at Bowenfels.Advanced to Constable 1st Class in December 1952 and to Senior Constable in July 1958, he received another commendation in the summer of 1959, his service record stating:'Commended for the excellent work performed, under adverse conditions, during the search for Bryan Thomas Bullock and Anthony James Forster who escaped from Berrima Training Centre on 29 May 1959, and were recaptured by Police near Bigga on 3 June 1959.'For much of the coming decade Riley was employed on general duties - at Bathurst, Parramatta and Blackdown stations - and he received further advancement to Sergeant 3rd Class in March 1960 and to Sergeant 2nd Class in July 1967. He was also awarded his Police Exemplary Service Medal in September 1968.A 'blood bath'Of the above cited events in Toongabbie on 30 September 1971, numerous reports appeared in the Australian press. For it was indeed - as observed by an eyewitness to those events - a blood bath. There were four fatalities within a matter of hours.Riley and McDiarmid were serving at Blackdown Police Station at the time, when a distraught women rushed in and reported a shooting and her rape at 1 Mimosa Avenue. It was later ascertained that a heavily armed and desperate gunman, Ronald Clarke, aged 23, had earlier shot his brother there.Both officers were dispatched to the address in question, in order to investigate further, although it was believed the gunman had long since fled the scene. He hadn't. He was preparing to dispose of his brother's body when the two officers arrived. The offender ran to the rear of the house and McDiarmid did likewise, making a forced entry at the back door, before being fatally wounded from a shot delivered by Clarke. Riley, meanwhile, made a forced entry at the front door, only to be twice shot by Clarke with a .22 rifle, one bullet lodging in lodging in his spine and the other fracturing his skull. The wounds were fatal and he died instantly, but McDiarmid survived his wounds a little longer, dying in an ambulance on his way to Blackdown General Hospital.Clarke sped off in a getaway car but was tracked down by a pair of patrol officers in the suburb of Lurnea. They rammed the fugitive's vehicle off the road and one of the officers - on being threatened with a revolver - shot him dead.The tragic scene at 1 Mimosa Avenue was later described by a neighbour in a newspaper report:"I went around the back of the house and saw a policeman's bloody hand grasping the door," she said."It was horrible … I'll never forget it."Mrs. Roberts said that when she reached Constable McDiarmid, he was slummed in the doorway."He was sitting in the doorway with his face shot away.""He was still conscious but couldn't talk," she said."He kept pointing inside the house."When she went in, she found Sergeant Riley lying dead in the lounge room.In the bedroom, she found the body of Warren Clarke, wrapped up in sheets."The house was a blood bath from front to back," she said."I rushed out and stopped a bread delivery woman who went to contact the ambulance. Then I ran to a neighbour's house to tell her what had happened."Mrs. Roberts said she and her neighbour, Mrs. Dawn Harris, went back to the house and tried to help the dying constable until an ambulance arrived.'Both officers were buried with full police honours, as related in another newspaper report:"Blacktown came to a standstill yesterday to pay tribute to Sergeant William Riley and Senior Constable McDiarmid who were shot dead last week.A hush fell over the town and thousands of people lines the streets to watch the almost mile-long funeral cortege pass by.Others crowded windows and rooftops of buildings and the railway bridge along the route.Simultaneously, police lined up outside every police station in the State and observed two minutes silence in honour of their dead comrades … a joint funeral.'Both men were posthumously promoted and awarded the Queen's Police Medal for Gallantry, Riley to Sergeant 1st Class. He left a widow and two children.Sold with a file of comprehensive research, including numerous police, eyewitness and newspape…
The Baronet's Badge worn by Sir F. H. Newnes, 2nd Baronet Newnes of Wildcroft, a leading turn of the century newspaperman and Liberal politician, son of the 'Founding Father of Popular Journalism' Sir George NewnesBaronet's neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse inscribed 'Newnes of Wildcroft 1895', hallmarked for London 1929, good very fine, in its fitted case of issue[C.B.E.] London Gazette 10 June 1954.Frank Hillyard Newnes was born in Manchester, the son of Sir George Newnes and his wife Priscilla. His father was a Liberal Politician and founder of the publisher George Newnes Ltd., his periodicals Tit-bits and The Strand Magazine are considered forerunners of Modern Popular journalism. The younger Newnes attended Clare College, Cambridge and graduated with an M.A. and L.L.B. in 1897.He joined his father's publisher that same year and worked there for many years, also following him into politics to become the Liberal M.P. for Bassetlaw, North Nottinghamshire in 1906. He managed to take the seat from the Conservatives however lost it again in the next election in January 1910. The same year his father died and Newnes inherited the baronetcy as well as the publishing business.Newnes married Emmeline de Rutzen, the daughter of Sir Albert de Rutzen, Chief Metropolitan Magistrate at Bow Street, in 1913. After the outbreak of the Great War the next year he decided to join up, being commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in 1915. He did not remain in that service however, transferring to the Army and being advanced Captain with the 12th Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. Notably he did not see any service entitling him to Campaign medals, as such this badge is his only named entitlement.After the war Newnes became Director of a number of companies in the publishing trade, as well as Chairman of Country Life Ltd. He was the Director of his father's publication, The Westminster Gazette, a Liberal newspaper which Prime Minister Gladstone allowed to be decorated with the Party's green colours, leading to it being dubbed 'Pea-Green Incorruptible'.Outside of the political and publishing worlds, Newnes was deeply involved in matters of public health. He joined the Voluntary Hospitals Committee for London and was a member of the management committees of the Royal Free Hospital and its Medical School. He also became Chairman of the Post-Graduate Institute of Dental Surgery and the Eastern Dental Hospital, the latter being the reason for his award of the C.B.E. Furthermore, he was President of the Printers Pension Corporation and Vice President of the Periodical Proprietors Association.Newnes later died in Western Australia on 10 July 1955; sold together with copied research including a biography of Sir George Newnes (the recipient's father).…
The 'Indian Defence Force 1919' C.I.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. N. Moberly, Bombay Volunteer Rifles, later 15th Bombay Battalion, Indian Defence Force and Chief A.R.P. Warden, A.R.P. FelixstoweThe Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Companion's (C.I.E. ) neck Badge, gold and enamel; British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. C. N. Moberly.); Defence 1939-45; Delhi Durbar 1911; Indian Volunteer Forces Officers' Decoration, G.V.R. (Maj. C. N. Moberly 15th Bombay Bn I.D.F.); Jubilee 1935, the third and sixth loose, otherwise mounted as worn, good very fine (6)C.I.E. London Gazette 12 September 1919.Charles Noel Moberly was born at Clapham, London on 24 December 1880, the son of George and Sarah Moberly. Attending Rugby School between 1894-1898 he matriculated to study at Yorkshire College, Leeds between 1900-1902. During this time he specialised in electrical engineering, being listed as working with the British Electrical Engineering Company in 1898 and again later 1900-1903.Becoming an Associate Member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in February 1903 he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on 2 April 1904. Advanced Lieutenant very soon afterwards on 18 August 1904, Moberly joined the Bombay Electrical Supply Company as an Assistant Engineer while living at 81 Hornby Road, Bombay in 1906.Transferring to 5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment on 1 April 1908 he married Kate Fottrell in Bombay on 8 August 1908. Moberly resigned his commission on 1 October 1908 and joined the Bombay Volunteer Rifles as a Captain the same day. In this role he attended the Delhi Durbar as Honorary Major in 1911, being confirmed upon the role as receiving his medal from the allotment of the Adjutant General.Serving with the 1st Bombay Battalion, Indian Defence Force during the Great War the medal roll notes that Moberly was involved with 'Army Instruction (India)', he was advanced Major on 1 April 1917 whilst undertaking that task. Further promoted Lieutenant Colonel on 8 April 1919, the date was initially misprinted in the London Gazette as 8 April 1920 but later corrected. He was finally posted to the 15th Battalion, Bombay Battalion on 30 September 1920.Leaving India Moberly settled in Felixstowe in 1939 where he appears on the census listed as Chief A.R.P. Warden, Felixstowe. His son George Edward Moberly was an R.A.F. pilot during the Battle of Britain with three kills, two during the Battle, but was shot down and killed over the channel on 26 August 1940. Moberly himself died on 1 January 1969 and Teddars Lees House, Etchinghill, Kent.…
A rare ‘Edward VIII’ inter-War M.V.O., post War Order of St. John group of six awarded to Quartermaster and Captain W. R. Lines, 5th Lancers, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, who was 'mentioned' during the Great War, and was one of only 10 people awarded the M.V.O. 5th Class by King Edward VIIIThe Royal Victorian Order, Member's (M.V.O.) breast Badge, silver and enamel, the reverse officially numbered '488'; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Serving Brother’s breast Badge, skeletal issue, silver; 1945-15 Star (Q.M. & Lieut. W. R. Lines. 5.Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Capt. W. R. Lines.), with M.I.D. oak leaves; Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3871 Sjt: W. Lines. 5/Lrs.), mounted court-style as worn, light pitting, overall good very fine (6)One of only 10 M.V.O. 5th Class awards made during the reign of Edward VIII, of which 5 were for the Funeral of King George V.M.V.O. London Gazette 23 June 1936:'Walter Reuben Lines, Honorary Secretary, Windsor Branch, British Legion.'Serving Brother of the Order of St. John London Gazette 28 May 1948.Walter Reuben Lines was born at Canterbury, Kent on 29 April 1872, the son of William and Mary Lines of St. Mary's, Northgate, Canterbury. Attesting with the 5th Lancers in 1890 he served with them for 23 years and 330 days before being commissioned Quartermaster & Lieutenant on 25 August 1914.Lines entered the war in France on 12 July 1915, joining his Regiment which was already there as part of the 3rd Brigade, 2nd (Cavalry) Division. They had seen heavy action prior to his arrival however after he joined them they were not part of any major engagements for some time. Receiving his 'mention' in early 1917 (London Gazette 4 January 1917) it was not until the First Battle of the Scarpe in April 1917 that the Regiment engaged again.Not long after this action Lines was promoted Honorary Captain, attached 1st Royal Dragoons, on 25 August 1917 and subsequently served as an Assistant Inspector with the Quartermaster General's Service. Placed on half-pay on account of ill health on 3 October 1923 he retired and settled at Windsor, living at 121 Clarence Road, Windsor.Appointed a Member 5th Class of the Royal Victorian Order for his services as Honorary Secretary of the Windsor Branch, British Legion, in June 1936, Lines one of the very few number of appointments to the Royal Victorian Order made by Edward VIII. He was later appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John. Lines was still living at Clarence Road when he died in Upton Hospital on 26 January 1960; sold together with copied research.… 25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted image of a C.B. Badge, inscribed 'George Marlay Esquire, Major in the Army and Captain in the 14th (or the Buckinghamshire) Regiment of Foot, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815.', 190mm x 114mm, corners pierced for attachment and screwed into frame, presented in a gold display frame with short biography and three short lengths of riband, minor chip to paint, otherwise very fineGeorge Marlay was born in 1791, the son of Major George Marlay of York House in Twickenham and his wife Lady Catherine Butler, daughter of the 2nd Earl of Lanesborough. Major Marlay served for many years with the 62nd Regiment of Foot, including during the American War of Independence where he was captured at the Battle of Sarasota. George Marlay Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and was made Captain on 19 October 1803 at the tender age of twelve - his commission likely being purchased by his father. Just two years later he was made Captain of the 2nd Garrison Battalion on 25 February 1805, but did not become a Captain in the 14th Foot until 14 June 1810 when he was of age.In 1809 young Marlay had been appointed Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant-General Sir Edward Paget, and was promoted as Lieutenant-General Paget's Deputy Assistant Adjutant General in 1812 and Assistant Adjutant General in 1813. That same year he was also advanced Major, appearing in the London Gazette on 3 July.Marlay served with his Regiment at the Battle of Waterloo as a Captain of the 3rd Battalion, which was part of the 4th Division under Lieutenant-General Sir Charles Colville. The 3rd Battalion itself was commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Tidy and was notably comprised mostly of young, inexperienced soldiers. Their conduct on the field of Waterloo is noted in Richard Cannon's Historical Records of the British Army - 14th Regiment of Foot:'The battalion was composed of young soldiers, who had never before been under fire, but their bearing reflected honour on the corps to which they belonged. During the heat of the conflict, when the thunder of cannon and musketry, the occasional explosion of caissons, the hissing of balls, shells, and grape shot, the clash of arms, the impetuous noise and shouts of the soldiery, produced a scene of carnage and confusion impossible to describe, a staff officer rode up to Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy, and directed him to form square; this was scarcely completed when the glittering arms of a regiment of cuirassiers were seen issuing from the smoke. The French horsemen paused for a moment at the sight of the scarlet uniforms of the Fourteenth, and then turned to the right to attack a regiment of Brunswickers; but a volley from the Brunswick square repulsed the enemy, and Lieutenant-Colonel Tidy, with the view of giving confidence to the young soldiers of the Fourteenth, drew their attention to the facility with which infantry could repulse cavalry. The French cuirassiers rallied, and appeared inclined to charge the Fourteenth, but were intimidated by the steady and determined bearing of the battalion.'Lieutenant-General Colville himself observed 'the very young third battalion of the Fourteenth, in this its first trial, displayed a steadiness and gallantry becoming of veteran troops.'Marlay was nominated as a Companion of the Order of the Bath just days ahead of the famous battle. He was later placed on half pay the following year on 25 March 1816, the same year during which the 3rd Battalion was disbanded, and later received his final promotion to Lieutenant-Colonel on 21 June 1817. At some stage of his service, Marlay spent a length of time in India where his heath declined and contributed to his premature demise.Marlay married Catherine Louisa Tisdall at All Souls' Church in Marylebone, London on 7 April 1828. The couple had three children from 1830-1, though their eldest son James was to tragically drown aged just fourteen. Their daughter Catherine later married the 7th Duke of Rutland, and their son Charles Brinsley donated a valuable collection of artworks to Cambridge's Fitzwilliam Museum, dubbed 'The Marlay Collection'.Marlay was just thirty-nine years old when he died at London on 8 June 1830 due to 'a diseased state of the lungs' and 'liver contracted in India'. He was interred alongside his mother, father, and eventually his son at St Mary's Church in Twickenham - now the public park Holly Road Garden of Rest. For unknown reasons George and his son were re-interred together in Highgate Cemetery in 1852, where they were later joined by his wife.Marlay is entitled to a Waterloo Medal and an Army Gold Cross for Nivelle, Nive, Toulouse and Orthes; sold together with copied research.…
Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantAn outstanding 1873 K.C.B. group of three awarded to Admiral Sir H. Smith, Royal Navy - who was rewarded with a C.B. for his capture of Aden in 1839, the first colonial acquisition under the reign of Queen VictoriaSmith latterly played a prominent and central role during the First Opium War in the Volage and Druid; he took the honour of firing the first shots of the conflict and was to the fore in every major engagementThe Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Knight Commander's (K.C.B.) set of Insignia, by R. & S. Garrard, London, comprising neck Badge, gold and enamel, hallmarks rather rubbed, with full neck riband and gold clasp; breast Star, gold centre, silver and enamel, gold retaining pin, reverse cartouche with maker's details, in slightly damaged case of issue; China 1842 (Henry Smith, Captain. H.M.S. Druid.), suspension replaced with dual loop, swivel and straight silver bar; Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued, good very fine (3)K.C.B. London Gazette 24 May 1873.[C.B.] London Gazette 13 August 1840.Henry Smith was born circa 1803 and joined the Royal Navy at the tender age of eleven in 1814, being made a Lieutenant in July 1821. He joined the Genoa on the Lisbon Station in April 1823 and then as First Lieutenant to Captain Courtenay in the Fairy, who went out to the West Indies in May 1827. The following year, Smith took command of the brig Ferret, before advancing as Acting-Captain of the Magnificent in September 1829. It was in 1831 that he was officially promoted.Aden - C.B.Removed to Volage in November 1837, it was in this vessel that he first wrote his name into history. In January 1838, the Sultanate of Lahej agreed to transfer a number of its possessions, including the town of Aden to Britain but later decided against this and opened fire on the sloop-of-war H.C.S. Coote. Smith was given command of an expedition, comprising Volage, the brig Cruizer, Coote, the schooner H.C.S. Mahé and three transports to secure Aden. Smith and his small expedition arrived at Aden on 16 January 1839 and in the morning of 18 January Volage, Cruizer, and Mahé sailed to the front of the town from where they were fired upon.At 0930hrs, the rest of the expedition arrived and the warships sailed in close to Aden's batteries to bombard them. By 1100hrs the gunnery of the ships had demolished Aden's lower batteries and destroyed a large tower, while landing parties ordered by Smith had cleared out the remaining enemy musket men in the rubble. At this point Smith ordered the main two landings of troops to take place, which were completed successfully with two naval casualties and sixteen from the army, with the defending garrison of 1,000 men suffering around fifty casualties. (The Royal Navy, a History from the Earliest Times to the Present William Clowes, refers).So it was that Smith had captured the first Colonial acquisition for Great Britain and her new sovereign, Queen Victoria. He was rewarded with an immediate C.B. and the thanks of the George Eden, 1st Earl of Auckland, the Governor General of India.Opium War - further firstsThe cataloguer turns to Clowes again for further details of these important events:'Provocation and outrage continued; and when, on August 30th, Volage, 22, Captain Henry Smith, reached Macao, and at once proceeded to Hong Kong, her arrival was extremely welcome. On September 4th, the refusal of the Chinese at Kowloon to permit the transit of provisions across the harbour obliged Captain Smith, in concert with Mr. James Douglas (afterwards Sir James Douglas), of the Cambridge (the Cambridge was purchased by the Chinese government after regular hostilities began), formerly of the H.E.I. Co.'s marine, to employ his boats to drive off a squadron of war-junks, and so to open a passage for the supplies. Further outrageous action induced Elliot to call upon Smith to proclaim a blockade of the port of Canton as from September 11th.Negotiations were subsequently entered into; but Elliot displayed such unwise weakness that the Chinese were only encouraged to persist in their implacable attitude. At length, the Hyacinth, 18, Commander William Warren, having joined the Volage, Elliot stiffened himself so far as to inform the Chinese, on October 28th, that if the British shipping lying below the Bogue were subjected to more of certain annoyances which had become intolerable, retaliatory measures would be adopted. The Chinese admiral, Kwan, returned first a temporising and then an insulting answer, and on November 3rd got under way with twenty-nine junks, evidently intending to attack. Smith made a further fruitless attempt to negotiate, and then, with the Volage and Hyacinth, opened fire, and in a short time won a success which would have been much more complete than it was, but for the interference of Elliot, who, when three junks had been sunk and as many more driven ashore, procured a cessation of the firing, alleging his desire to spare the lives of the Chinese. Kwan, on returning to Canton, was thus able to boast that he had been victorious; and he was rewarded accordingly.'It had been on 4 September 1839 at around 1400hrs that Smith fired the first shots, sending several in anger in the direction of some war junks in the Chinese squadron.On 30 June 1840 Smith was given command of another frigate, Druid (to which his Medal is named), in which he continued to blockade, taking eight merchant ships as prize by 10 July as Senior Naval Officer on the south of the Chinese coast. On 6 August, the missionary Vincent John Stanton was captured by the Chinese while swimming in Casilha Bay near Macao. Smith took a small avenge this, these being Druid, the sloops Larne and Hyacinth, and two smaller vessels. On 19 August Smith with 120 Royal Marines, 80 seamen, and 180 local volunteers, successfully fought the Battle of the Barrier in which he attacked the Chinese works and barracks at Portas do Cerco, including destroying seventeen guns and two junks; casualties were light, with four of the British wounded. By 1900hrs, the entire force had re-embarked on the ships and left the area ablaze, with so many cannonballs having been fired by the ships that they picked up their used shot to recycle it before leaving. It was said of Smith's actions at the battle that 'seldom has a more signal service been rendered in so short a space of time'. Druid continued after this to protect British trade and hunt down pirates, at one point having several men of a boarding party killed when the junk they were investigating blew up.Smith was again to the fore at the Second Battle of Chuenpi on 8 January 1841. With joint attacks going in on the forts at Tycocktow and Chuenpi, guarding the entrance to Canton. Smith was to attack the former and having anchored some 200 yards off, they set to their work. The firing quickly created a breach in the fort which was attacked by boats manned by the crews of the ships and quickly taken. Twenty-five cannons were destroyed and the casualties of the Chinese were suggested to be 'very severe'. Smith was praised by Commodore Bremer for his conduct during the action. The opening to Canton was now complete.During the Battle of the Bogue, on 25 February Smith took Druid in with a portion of Bremer's force to attack the Chinese batteries on the south, south-wes…
The 'Spanish Flu 1919' O.B.E., 'Egypt' M.C. group of five awarded to Major W. F. T. Haultain, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached 29th Lancers, a graduate of Cambridge University's Officers' Training Corps, who was further 'mentioned' by General Allenby for his serviceHe went on to serve as the Zone Medical Officer with the Edinburgh Home GuardThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st Type, Officer's (O.B.E.) Badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. W. F. T. Haultain.), with M.I.D. oak leaves; Defence Medal 1939-45, minor contact wear, overall very fine (5)O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919:'… for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt.'M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919:'… for valuable services rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt.'M.I.D. London Gazette 5 June 1919.William Francis Theodore Haultain was born at Edinburgh on 14 January 1893, the son of Francis W. N. Haultain, a well-known obstetrician and gynaecologist. The younger Haultain studied at Edinburgh Academy before joining Caius College, Cambridge and graduated with a B.A. in 1914.He joined the Red Cross as a Dresser in August 1914 and worked with the 2nd Scottish General Hospital until April 1915 when he returned to Edinburgh to study as a Surgeon. He graduated M.B., B. Chir. in 1916, qualifying as a Surgeon. Commissioned Lieutenant from the Cambridge University Officer Training Corps on 5 August 1916 he entered the war in France on 25 August 1916.Haultain was attached to 29th Lancers as Medical Officer, at the time the unit was serving in the trenches as Infantry. They were transferred back into their more traditional role in Palestine in February 1918 where they were in action at the Battle of Magiddo. After the war he was posted to the 31st C.C.H. with the acting rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. His service papers note that he was granted specialist pay whilst a 'Surgical Specialist at 31 C.C.H.'His obituary in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology states:'He was awarded the M.C. later the Battle of Cambrai in 1918 and a Mention in Lord Allenby's despatches and the O.B.E. followed the excellent work he did in 1919 during the malaria-influenza epidemic in Palestine.'Going on to work at Aberdeen University he was elected to a Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 1922, joining 2nd Highland Field Ambulance as Major during the 1921 strike. Haultain was further noted as serving as Major with the City of Edinburgh Battalion, Home Guard as Zone Medical Officer.In his professional career he was the author of Ante Natal Care and Handbook of Midwifery and Gynaecology and was a lecturer in obstetrics and gynaecology to the School of Medicine of the Edinburgh Royal Colleges. After this he became a founder member of the College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Fellow of that College as well as the College of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh in 1945. Haultain retired in 1958, his obituary in the International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology reads:'In everything Haultain did there was an expression of his genuine love for and interest in his fellow men. His delight was to help, be the need great or small and the needy young or old, rich or poor. His thoughtfulness, his understanding and his unobtrusive personal contribution to the smoothing and brightening of many a path for student, colleague and friend were characteristic of his kindliness and generosity. Many will miss but remember with gratitude, this kind man.'…
The rare 'H.M.Y. Helga, Irish Sea 1918' D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Deck Hand E. E. Duff, Royal Navy and Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, who was in charge of Helga's gun when she was credited with sinking a German submarineDespite her Irish heritage, Helga was commandeered by the Admiralty in March 1915 and later used by the Royal Navy to shell Liberty Hall in Dublin from the River Liffey with her pair of 12-pounder naval guns during the Easter Rising of 1916Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Ldg. Dk. Hd. E. E. Duff, (A.P.) H.M.Y. Helga. Irish Sea 4. Apl 1918); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (210674. E.E. Duff, Lg. Sea. H.M.S. Highflyer.); 1914-15 Star (E.E. Duff, A.B. M.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (E.E. Duff. D.H. M.F.A.); Mercantile Marine War Medal (Ernest. E. Duff), good very fine (6)D.S.M. London Gazette 29 November 1918, the original citation states:'HMY Helga attack on enemy Irish Sea 4 April 1918. In charge of gun when HMY Helga sank an enemy submarine.'Ernest Edwin Duff was born at Deal, Kent on 12 April 1885. A telegraph boy, he enlisted in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 12 April 1903. A succession of shore and sea-based appointments followed and on 21 February 1911 he was drafted to Highflyer, serving aboard her until 29 May 1913. Later that same year he was invalided from the service with myopia on 9 October.Duff married Kathleen Power in Dublin in September 1916 and despite his disability enrolled in the Merchant Fleet Auxiliary, joining H.M.Y. Helga for service during the Great War.1916 Easter UprisingChris Shouldice takes up the story in his online article 'The Captain's Table':'HMY Helga is infamously known for its role in shelling Dublin during the 1916 Rising but before she was pressed into war service, she had a far more benign profession as a protection cruiser and research vessel for the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction. Built in the Liffey Dockyard in Dublin in 1908 and originally named the Helga II, her purpose was to engage in fishery patrols, monitoring the coast for any illegal fishing activity. She was also equipped with a laboratory for marine research and took part in research projects like the survey of Clare Island in 1909.As the British found themselves in an unexpectedly lengthening war in Europe, she was taken over by the Admiralty in 1915 for military purposes as an armed auxiliary patrol yacht. She was renamed the HMY Helga and served as an anti-submarine patrol vessel and an armed escort.It was however in Ireland during the 1916 Rising that the Helga's most notable acts occurred. The Helga was summoned by British forces to the capital to use artillery to root out Irish Volunteers. On the 26th of April 1916, positioned on the Liffey, she raised her 12-pound artillery guns over the Loop Line railway bridge and fired at her first target Liberty Hall, the headquarters of the Citizen Army. Her shots were less than accurate, and her shells destroyed much of the surrounding buildings and beyond. She also targeted the GPO and Bolland Mills which Eamon De Valera had occupied.1918 rescuing survivors from R.M.S. Leinster.In 1918, she successful sank a German U-Boat Submarine off the coast of the Isle of Man. This was the Helga's first and sole confirmed sinking during the war. However, the presence of U-boats continued to be a real threat to the merchant and passenger vessels in the Irish Sea.In 1917, the Germans began placing their U-boats in the Approaches, the name given to the region near the entrance and exit to the Irish Sea. This was an attempt to stifle the British attempts at Trans-Atlantic trade. The RMS Leinster was typical of their targets, a passenger ship which, along with three other sister ships, made daily crossings from Kingstown (now Dún Laoghaire) to Holyhead. Known for its exceptional speed, the RMS Leinster held a place of pride in Irish eyes, as it was seen to be their representative in the commercial competition over the Irish Sea. The Leinster along with its sister ships, had won the tender for the Royal Mail delivery from Ireland to the British mainland. While it provided valuable employment to the people of Kingstown and Holyhead in Wales, the requirements of this contract were strict. There was a stipulation that the post collected in Dublin had to be delivered to the mainland the following day. This meant that the RMS Leinster ran daily, and on-time no matter the circumstances.On the morning of the 9th of October (1918), the RMS Leinster set out from Dun Laoghaire, filled to capacity, for what was to be its final voyage. Despite the U-boat warnings, that morning was no different, the war had been in action for four years, and the crossings were routinely unprotected. Furthermore, the level of censorship which the British government exercised over the press meant that many civilians were largely unaware of the danger that awaited them. Lurking under the waters off Kish Island was U-boat 123, which had already sunk two boats since it left Germany days earlier. At 09:45, the first torpedo was fired, shooting past the brow of the Leinster. The second was a direct hit, and a third torpedo sunk the entire vessel.Coaling, or refuelling, that same morning in Dublin was HMY Helga, the same ship which had been shelling the city two and a half years earlier. That day however, the Helga succeeded in being first on the scene of the Leinster sinking, and managed reach it just in time to rescue approximately 90 passengers, though there is some confusion as to the exact number. These passengers were not returned to Kingstown but disembarked in Wales. Due the controls on wartime press, the British government were keen to keep any such disasters out of the public eye'.Duff died on 11 November 1935 at Dover, at the time he was employed on the Trinity House Pilot Cutter, S.S. Prudence. (The Dover Express of 22 November 1935 refers).Sold together with his silver wound badge, this numbered B158828, a copy photo of Helga, a postcard of Highflyer, copy of Helga's ships log from the National Maritime Museum for 4-5 April 1918 and a copy of Irish Naval service.…
The outstanding Second World War C.B., 'Southern Desert, Iraq' O.B.E., Great War Fighter "Aces" D.F.C. mounted group of fourteen miniature dress medals worn by Dolphin Pilot Air Commodore F. Woolley, Royal Air ForceCredited with 4 victories, but possibly as many as 8 from July to November 1918, he served as a Special Service Officer with Air Staff Intelligence in Iraq where he spent three years in the desert with Bedouin tribesmen collating intelligenceDuring the Second War he served as Chief Intelligence Officer, Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces 1943-45The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Companion's (C.B.) Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) Badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; British War and Victory Medals 1914-18; General Service 1918-62, G.V.R., 1 clasp, Southern Desert, Iraq; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with rose on riband; Pacific Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; United States of America, Legion of Merit, gilt and enamel, with miniature Star on riband; Belgium, Kingdom, Croix de Guerre, mounted as worn, slight wear to enamel on Order of the Bath, overall very fine (14)His full-size medals sold in these rooms in April 2014.C.B. London Gazette 1 January 1946.O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1931. The original recommendation reads:'This Officer has been a Special Service Officer in Iraq since March 1928. Although occupying the most lonely and isolated post in the whole Command, he has consistently displayed, under extremely trying conditions, a tact, patience, and perseverance which are worthy of the highest praise.'D.F.C. London Gazette 3 June 1919.M.I.D. London Gazette 2 June 1943.United States, Legion of Merit London Gazette 27 November 1945. The original recommendation reads:'Air Commodore Frank Woolley, Royal Air Force, as Chief Intelligence Officer, Headquarters Mediterranean Allied Air Forces from February 1943 to May 1945, displayed wise judgment and unqualified devotion to duty in the successful fulfilment of his assignment. Called upon to furnish a synthesis of all intelligence information regarding conduct of operations and to integrate the Anglo-American intelligence structure of the headquarters, he overcame many obstacles to provide source information of high value and veracity and at the same time achieved a smoothly functioning, closely knit intelligence organization. Commodore Woolley's exceptional ability was of great benefit to the conduct of air operations.'Belgium, Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15 July 1919.Frank Woolley was born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire in 1899 and was educated at the County Secondary School. He joined the Army straight from his school O.T.C. on his 18th birthday, and was accepted for a Commission in the Territorial Forces Association. Posted to the 7th Training Reserve Battalion at Rugeley, he subsequently applied to join the Royal Flying Corps, and after initial tutoring at Denham was Commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the R.F.C. on 7 November 1917.Woolley went to France in July 1918 where he was posted to No.1 Aero Supply Depot before receiving his first operational posting on 14 July with No. 79 Fighter Squadron (Sopwith Dolphins), based at St. Marie Cappel east of St. Omer, with whom he fought and flew for the rest of the War. He was without doubt heavily engaged with the enemy for the next four months, '...and the local papers in his home town of Ilkeston credited him with eight victories, and recorded that he himself had been shot or forced down no fewer than three times, evidence of an exciting four months' flying.' (Winged Warriors, Derbyshire Fighter Pilots in World War I, by Barry Marsden refers).His first victory occurred on 27 September, when, according to an account that appeared in the Ilkeston Advertiser, 'he was on readiness at his home base when word was received that an enemy two seater was busy on a reconnaissance over the British front line. He was ordered to intercept the hostile aircraft, and, piloting a Dolphin, sighted it below him somewhere north-west of Armentieres. The first burst from his twin Vickers killed the enemy observer, and the subsequent running battle took both warplanes over the town, where the observation machine suddenly dived away to smash through the roof of a building. When Frank landed back at his home airfield his delighted CO praised his "splendid effort", and promised that "the facts would be reported to the proper quarter".' (ibid). Woolley's own account of the action confirms this: 'I was at 2,000 feet among the clouds South West of Armentieres when I saw a hostile 2-seater, probably an Albatros, about 1,000 feet below me. On being engaged the enemy aircraft dived towards Armentieres. I dived after him and fired two bursts into him at close range. The enemy aircraft spun and crashed into a house in Armentieres.' (recipient's combat report refers).The following day Woolley shot down another aircraft: 'I saw 10 Fokker Biplanes attacking a Bristol Fighter. I climbed into a cloud at 6,000 feet whilst Lieutenant McNeaney attacked the enemy machines. A dog fight ensued in which I saw two Fokkers go down after which Lieutenant McNeaney went down, followed by a Fokker. I attacked this enemy aircraft and fired a short burst at point blank range, and saw him go down and crash.' (Ibid).A month later on 26 October, Woolley despatched an L.V.G. two-seater at 3,000 feet south-east of Renaix before recording his final confirmed victory on 4 November, when 'at 9,000 feet I spotted a Halberstadt two-seater working over Renaix. I flew north and then east and so got east of him and in the sun. I then dived on the enemy aircraft who turned west and then north. I fired a burst at very close range. The enemy aircraft went into a vertical dive and crashed in a gulley between Sulsique and Renaix.' (Ibid).After the Armistice Woolley took up adjutant duties with the Squadron and became a Flight Commander, the Squadron became part of the Allied Occupation Force in December and moved to Cologne. Here he accepted the opportunity to fly numerous surrendered German aircraft, including Fokker DVIIs, Rumplers, and Halberstadts. Whilst stationed in Germany he learnt of the award of his D.F.C. and also received the Belgian Croix de Guerre, having the latter pinned on his chest by King Albert himself. He transferred to the unemployed list in October 1919, but was recalled to a short-service Commission the following June and served at R.A.F. Lee-on-Solent and Calshot. Qualifying as a pilot flying seaplanes and multi-engined flying boats, he fell in love with the Solent area, and wrote to tell his fiancée: 'I am sure that you will love this place too, and if I live long enough to retire this is where we shall live.'Southern Desert, Iraq - With the BedouinIn July 1927 Woolley was appointed to a permanent Commission in the General Duties branch of the Royal Air Force and, having been promoted Flight Lieutenant in January 1928, he embarked upon a course in Arabic at the School of Oriental Studies in London. After completing the course in March he was immediately posted to HQ Iraq as a Special Service Officer with Air Staff Intelligence, and for the next three years was responsible for the collection of intelligence in the vast unmapped desert west of Basra, spending the time living with the Bedouin tribesmen, 'sharing the hardships of their primitive, nomadic lifestyle, enduring searing heat, frequent dust and sandstorms, plagues of flies, and living off revolting food and foul water.' (Win…
The Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of nine awarded to Hon. Brigadier T. I. Dun, Royal Army Medical Corps, who was wounded during the course of protracted service in France and Flanders, thrice 'mentioned' and served with armoured cars between the wars, authoring a book on his experienceDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R.; The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Officer's breast Badge, silver and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Capt. T. I. Dun, R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Major T. I. Dun); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, enamel work slightly chipped, very fine and better (9)Provenance:Spink Numismatic Circular, May 1987.D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1919.M.C. London Gazette 1 January 1917.Thomas Ingram Dun was born at Kelvin, Glasgow on 1 May 1892 and studied medicine at Glasgow University and Anderson Medical School.Qualifying on the eve of the Great War, he was appointed Lieutenant in the Royal Army Medical Corps in September 1914 and went on to witness active service in France and Flanders from May 1915 to November 1918, being wounded and twice decorated. He was also advanced to the acting rank of Major and thrice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 15 June 1916, 25 May 1918 and 30 December 1918, refer).Remaining in the Regular Army between the wars, Dun specialised in obstetrics and served in India (1919-24) and Egypt (1929-35) in addition to appointments in the UK. It appears he was at one time attached to an armoured unit during his time in Egypt, or certainly one 'Thomas Ingram Dun' is the credited author of From Cairo to Siwa: Across the Libyan Desert with Armoured Cars, which was first published in Cairo in 1933.A Lieutenant-Colonel on the staff of the Louise Margaret Hospital in Chatham on the eve of hostilities, Dun was quickly embarked for India where he served as C.O. of the Combined Military Hospital in Quetta (1940-42), and as C.O. of the 35th (1942-43) and 126th (1943-45) General Hospitals. He held the acting ranks of Brigadier and Major-General in the same period, the latter while acting as Deputy Director of Medical Service in India's Eastern Command.Post-war, Dun served as Assistant Director of Medical Services, Salisbury Plain (1946-48) and as Officer in Charge of Medical Services for the A.T.S. and W.R.A.C. (1948-53). Appointed an Officer of the Order of St. John in the summer of 1952, his final post was as President of the Standing Medical Board at Aldershot, and he was placed on the Retired List in the honorary rank of Brigadier in May 1955. He died in September 1975.…
A fine 1953 A.F.C. and wartime pilot's group of seven awarded to Squadron Leader L. K. Grzybowski, Royal Air Force, late Polish Air ForceA a Pilot in No. 131 Polish Fighter Squadron, he quickly saw action in September 1939 when he was credited with the destruction of two German aircraft, actions for which he was later awarded the Virtuti Militari, 5th ClassSubsequently taken P.O.W. by the Russians, he was released for service in the Polish Army in Russia and the Middle East, prior to reaching the U.K. and undertaking a protracted tour of 56 sorties of a 'Ramrod' nature in Mustangs of No. 306 Squadron in 1944-45, gallant work that won him the Cross of Valour and BarAir Force Cross, E.II.R., the reverse officially dated '1953'; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; Poland, Virtuti Militari, 5th Class, GR Tech type as issued in late 1944-45; Poland, Cross of Valour, with Bar, mounted as worn, together with his Polish Pilot's Badge, by J. R. Gaunt, embroidered R.A.F. uniform wings and Flying Log Books, generally very fine or better (9)A.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1953.King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air London Gazette 1 January 1952.Leszek Kazimierz Grzybowski was born in Dabrowa Gornicza, Kielce, Poland on 20 December 1915 and entered the Polish Air Force College in August 1935.Duly qualified as a pilot, he joined No. 131 Polish (Fighter) Squadron at Poznan in October 1938 and was likewise employed at the outbreak of hostilities. As cited, he was quickly credited with the destruction of two German aircraft, namely a share in a He111 on 3 September and a Me110 on 9 September. He may also have contributed to the destruction of a Ju86. More certain, however, is the fact he was taken P.O.W. by the advancing Russian Army in the same month and remained behind wire until April 1942, when he was released for service in the Polish Army in Russia and the Middle East.Having then reached the U.K. in February 1943, he undertook a succession of training courses and joined No. 306 (Polish) Squadron in August 1944. Here, then the commencement of a protracted operational tour in which he flew 56 sorties in the unit's Mustangs over Austria, Belgium, Germany and Holland, the majority being of a 'Ramrod' nature and including numerous outings to the Ruhr and one to Arnhem in support of 'Market Garden' in September 1944. But he also flew several 'anti-diver' (V-weapon) sorties off the English coast in March 1945, And his final sortie, flown on 25 April 1945, was a trip to the Nazi playground of Berchtesgaden, home to Hitler's 'Eagle's Nest'.According to records held by the Sikorski Museum, he was awarded the Polish Cross of Valour in April 1945, a Bar in August 1945, and the Virtuti Militari, 5th Class on 25 July 1945, 'for actions in the Polish campaign in 1939, when serving in 131 Fighter Squadron'. He also appears to have been entitled to the Polish Air Medal and 2 Bars.Post-warGrzybowski retained his commission in the R.A.F. after the war and remained on the strength of 306 Squadron until January 1947, when he was posted to the Polish Re-settlement Corps in Framlingham, Suffolk. Several months later he joined a communications unit at R.A.F. Tangmere, about which time he was married to Joan Fleming at Carshalton Beeches, Surrey.Two further stints with the Re-settlement Corps having followed, he joined an instructor's course at South Cerney in early 1949, thereby shaping the future of his R.A.F. career and adding to his laurels the A.F.C. and King's Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air for services in the Central Flying School 'Refresher Squadron' at R.A.F. South Cerney.He continued to fly after his retirement from the R.A.F. in December 1970 and died in Tadcaster, Yorkshire in August 1992.Sold with a quantity of original documentation and photographs, comprising:i)The recipient's R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books (4), covering the periods September 1943 to December 1950, January 1951 to December 1957, January 1958 to November 1970, and June 1971 to January1976, the first with ink endorsement regarding missing Polish Air Force log book and some 500 hours.ii)A small selection of career photographs, including a studio portrait in uniform and a card-mounted group photograph of 'B Flight, No. 4 Squadron' in June 1943, with multiple signatures to reverse.iii)A large selection of wartime and later correspondence, mainly in Polish, and including Red Cross communications from a Polish P.O.W., exchanges with fellow pilots in the U.K., and a reference from a former C.O. at R.A.F. Coltishall, dated 20 May 1947.…
The Bronze Star group of ten to Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman) W. J. Scovil, 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry who served as part of 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile)United States of America, Bronze Star with V emblem (William J. Scovil) engraved; Purple Heart; Air Medal, bronze (William J. Scovil) engraved; Commendation Medal with V and oak leaf emblems (William J. Scovil) engraved; Good Conduct Medal (William J. Scovil) engraved; National Defence Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960- clasp; Vietnam, Campaign Star; Vietnam, Cross of Gallantry with Palm; Vietnam, Civil Action Honour Medal, mounted on a framed display, very fine (10)William James Scovil studied at Ullman High School, Birmingham, Alabama, he received a Diploma and completed his studies in 1968.Joining the United States Army at Montgomery, Alabama, on 8 April 1969 he served at 2nd Battalion 5th Advanced Infantry Training (A.I.T.) Brigade at Fort Polk, Louisiana from 15 June 1969.Posted to United States Army Pacific (USARPAC) on 16 August 1969 he saw service in Vietnam from 6 September 1969 as part of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) in the role of an Indirect Fire Infantryman (Mortarman) with the 2nd Battalion 8th Cavalry Regiment (Airmobile).1st Air Cavalry Division 1969 -1970In late 1968, the Division moved and set up operations in III Corps at the other end of South Vietnam in late 1968. They were still there when Operation Cheyenne Sabre began in areas northeast of Bien Hoa in February 1969. Their actions here were to prove decisive and by the end of the year the enemy's domination of the northern areas of III Corps had been smashed - thoroughly.When Operation Rock Crusher was launched on 1 May 1970, the First Team was "First into Cambodia" hitting what was previously a Communist sanctuary. President Nixon having given the go-ahead for the surprise mission. They pushed into the 'Fish Hook' region of the border and occupied the towns of Mimot and Snoul whilst troopers scattered the enemy forces, depriving them of much needed supplies and ammunition.The men of the 2nd Brigade found an enemy munitions base that they dubbed 'Rock Island East' on 8 May. The Mission to Cambodia, ending on 30 June, far exceeded all expectations and proved to be one of the most successful operations of the First Team. All aspects of ground and air combat had been utilised and the enemy had lost enough men to yield three NVA divisions and enough weapons to equip two divisions. Further successes included a year's supply of rice and corn seized, uncommonly large quantities of ammunition taken, including 1.5 million rounds for small arms, 200,000 anti-aircraft rounds and 143,000 rockets, mortar rounds and recoilless rifle rounds. As well as 300 trucks, a Porsche sports car and a plush Mercedes Benz sedan.The campaign was to have severe political repercussions in the United States for the Nixon Administration however and pressure was mounting to remove America's fighting men from the Vietnam War. Although there would be further assault operations, the war was beginning to wind down for many troopers.Posted away from Vietnam on 5 September 1970 Scovil began his return to the U.S.A. on 22 September 1970 and on 11 October he was an Indirect Fire Crewman with the 6th Battalion of 32nd Armour based at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he completed his Army service on 8 April 1971.Sold together an original archive comprising:(i)Combat Infantryman Badge(ii)Air Assault Badge(iii)Valorous Unit Award 1st May - 29th May 1970 for "Fish Hook" region Cambodia(iv)Dress Cap Badge(v)Specialist 4th Class patch (2)(vi)Riband bar for uniform(vii)1st Air Cavalry Division patch(viii)8th Cavalry patch(ix)8th Cavalry cap badge(x)Assorted copied research which shows various service details including medal entitlement.(xi)Safe Conduct Pass(xii)A further set of uniform medal ribands…
A rare Borneo and Vietnam War Special Forces group of three awarded to Sergeant W. H. 'Bill' Roods, Australian Special Air Service (S.A.S.), a gallant and skilful patrol leader who implemented telling Claymore mine detonations against Viet Cong insurgentsGeneral Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Borneo (15340 W. H. Roods); Vietnam 1967 (15340 W. H. Roods); South Vietnam campaign service, clasp, '1960-', the reverse officially inscribed, '15340 W. H. Roods', the second with a scratch over service number and the last with slightly chipped obverse enamel, otherwise good very fine (3)William Henry Roods was born in Wauchope, New South Wales on 6 November 1939 and enlisted in the Australian Regular Army in Brisbane in August 1959. Having then served in the 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Royal Australian Regiment, he won selection for the Australian Special Air Service in the summer of 1961, when he joined the 1st S.A.S. Company and qualified for his parachute badge.Having then served in Papua New Guinea and passed a 'Recondo' course, in addition to roping, signal and canoe/small craft handlers' courses, he was deployed to the Borneo operations as a Corporal and Patrol Leader in 2 Squadron S.A.S. in January-August 1966. In late April/early May he led a patrol to explore whether the enemy had re-established a base but could find no evidence to support that suspicion; he appears in TV footage of another S.A.S. patrol held by the Australian War Memorial.Advanced to Sergeant, he was next emplaned for operations with 1 Squadron S.A.S. in South Vietnam, in which theatre of war he remained actively employed from March 1967 to February 1968. 'Actively' being the operative word, as confirmed in Phantoms of the Jungle:'These initial ambushed had been initiated by rifle fire and had been markedly more successful than the earlier reconnaissance patrols. However, the squadron had obtained a quantity of Claymore mines and, influenced by the experience of the ex-2 Squadron men who had used mines in Sarawak, it was decided to use the Claymores in S.A.S. ambushes. At first some of the patrols had no more than two Claymores, but the increasing effectiveness of the ambushes was startling.Between 26 and 30 April [1967] five patrols (Roods, Stevenson, Farley, Hindson and Shaw) were deployed on ambush missions in an arc stretching from the north west to north east of Nui Dat out to a distance of from ten to fifteen kilometres. The first to gain success was Sergeant Bill (Chester) Roods whose five man patrol was inserted ten kilometres north west of Binh Ba. On 29 April they fired two Claymores at three Viet Cong walking along the track, killing two and wounding a third. A few seconds later more Viet Cong moved into the killing area and the third Claymore, facing down the track, was fired. The patrol quickly withdrew and was credited with five enemy killed and one wounded.'In his own patrol report, Roods described the victims thus:'The five men killed were dressed in black. Two were wearing straw hats. At least three were carrying large packs on their backs, one of which was a flower bag. One was seen to be carrying a small unidentified S.M.G., with no woodwork visible. All men were armed but their weapons were not identified. Weapons hear returning fire were of a light calibre, firing single shots.As the patrol withdrew, at least three men were heard to follow for a short distance. It isn't possible to accurately access the strength of the party, but it was probably about 10-12 including the five killed.'Accompanying copied reports testify to around a dozen more patrols led by Roods. Infiltration and extraction were by helicopter and the patrols tended to last for two or three days, invariably in harsh jungle conditions. In his report for the above firefight with the Viet Cong, Roods noted the terrain thus:'Secondary jungle thick with vines and scattered patches of bamboo. Only water was in the main creek. A few leeches were found in the area and the mosquitoes were prevalent at last light.'It is clear, too, that clandestine surveillance was the primary objective of such patrols, a case in point being the five-man team Roods commanded in the Xuyen Moc sector on 16-19 June 1967. On that occasion he was able to send a detailed report of a large Viet Cong force, including women and children. The men wore blue uniforms and were equipped with a variety of Soviet arms, arms which were brought to bear on an attacking helicopter gunship. The patrol had to be withdrawn early 'as V.C. prevented it from reaching water.'But Roods also participated in some larger scale offensive patrols, of which he was second-in-command under an officer or senior N.C.O. One such took place on 11-12 December 1967, when his team ambushed a party of Viet Cong with Claymore mines, killing seven of them - 'Patrol searched the bodies then withdrew to LZ and was extracted.'Roods took his discharge in Brisbane in August 1968 and settled in Broadwater, Western Australia. He subsequently became eligible for the Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75, with 'Malaysia' and 'Vietnam' clasps, the Australian Service Medal 1945-75 with 'PNG' clasp, the Australian Defence Medal and the Anniversary of National Service Medal 1951-72; sold with a file of copied research, including his service record and course reports, in addition to a copy of Roods' reports for 'Patrol 13, 1 S.A.S. Squadron, during its tour of South Vietnam between 1967-68'.…
The 1960 C.B.E. group of four to Captain W. R. J. Redman, Royal Navy, who pre-war served as a Gunnery Specialist and later served as a member of the Ordnance Board and eventually became Chief Inspector of Naval OrdnanceThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Defence and War Medals 1939-1945; Coronation 1953, the campaign medals mounted as worn, very fine or better (4)C.B.E. London Gazette 31 December 1960.William Richard Jeffries Redman was born on 27 October 1905 and joined the Royal Navy in September 1923 as a Naval Cadet (Special Entry). Promoted to Midshipman in 1924, he served on Royal Sovereign and Versatile and then went to the Royal Naval College at Greenwich in December 1926. Redman was promoted Lieutenant in 1928 and saw service on Venomous, Verity, Pembroke and Tiverton. In September 1931 he saw service at the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and later served at Excellent and carried out a qualifying course for specialism in Gunnery.He became an Instructor of Gunnery at the Royal Naval Gunnery School based at Chatham in July 1934 and, after a brief spell on Cairo, served at the Naval Ordnance Inspectorate at Woolwich as Assistant Inspector of Naval Ordnance and during his time there was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. By March 1940 he was based at Headquarters Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance as Assistant to the Chief of Naval Ordnance and had reached the rank of Commander. In November 1943 he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment based at Pendine, South-West Wales and served as the Deputy Superintendent.After the war, he served at the Proof and Experimental Establishment this time based at Inchterf as Deputy Superintendent in Charge before being sent to the Naval Ordnance Department Headquarters at Bath in June 1948 where he served as Assistant to the Director of Naval Ordnance. By November 1954 he was serving with the Ordnance Board having the responsibility for the Board's work on guns for all services (this shared with the Army). Redman was attached to the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance in June 1958 with the position of Deputy C.I.N.O. and became Chief Inspector in February 1962 a position he held until April 1966. He became Captain (Retired) and was re-employed as Naval Ordnance Inspecting Officer Group B, based at the Royal Ordnance Factory at Glascoed, South-East Wales, a position he held until August 1968. Redman later died at Bath in 1971.Sold together with an archive comprising:(i)Certificate for the C.B.E. in Central Chancery envelope.(ii)Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue for the C.B.E.(iii)Certificate for the Coronation 1953 medal.(iv)Officers Training Corps Certificate, Dover College dated "A" 18 July 1923.(v)Warrant for Promotion to Sub-Lieutenant dated 28 February 1928.(vi)Certificate for Instruction in Gunnery dated 30 September 1932.(vii)Results of Examinations Lieutenants "G" Qualifying 1932.(viii)Certificate for Member of the Institution of Engineering Inspection, dated 14 October 1959.(ix)Book: A History of the Order of the British Empire.(x)Statutes of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 1957.(xi)Service of Dedication in St. Paul's Cathedral to celebrate the Jubilee of the Order, dated 24 May 1967.(xii)A large amount of correspondence to include details relating to his Investiture, numerous letters of congratulation from both Military and Civilian.(xiii)A large number of photographs, both professionally and amateurly shot to include one taken outside Buckingham Palace after his Investiture, together with a family album of photographs.(ix)A prize medal from H.M.S. Royal Sovereign (Arbuthnot Trophy Race. 1924. 8th Man Home.).(x)A copy of his record of service.A photocopy of the Official History of the Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance.(xi)A quantity of assorted letters to his wife, housed in an attache case.(xii)A brass door plaque named (W. R. J. Redman R.N. No 1.)For his miniature dress Medals, please see Lot 444.…
The 'First Day of Amiens 1918' M.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant C. A. Wood, 19th Battalion, Australian Imperial ForceMilitary Medal, G.V.R. (1204 Sjt: C. A. Wood. 19/Aust:Inf:); 1914-15 Star (1204 Pte C. A. Wood. 19/Bn A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (1204 T-WO-2 C. A. Wood. 19 Bn. A.I.F.), mounted as worn, minor pitting, overall very fine (4)M.M. London Gazette 14 May 1919, the original recommendation states:'On the morning of the 8th August 1918 during the attack east of Viller Bretonneux, east of Amiens, Sgt Wood displayed great gallantry in dealing with enemy machine gun position. He personally attacked three enemy posts in succession, and by his remarkable courage and daring captured 14 prisoners and 2 machine guns. His example proved a fine incentive to the other members of his platoon.'Charles Albert Wood was born at Calvert via Rosewood, Queensland on 22 February 1888, the son of James and Margaret Wood of One Mile Estate, Ipswich, Queensland. Working as a butcher prior to enlisting on 22 February 1915 he used the alias of Leonard Hayes on his attestation. Embarking at Sydney on 25 June 1915 with 'D' Company he landed at Gallipoli on 16 August alongside the Battalion which went into action at Hill 60 on 21 August.Leaving Gallipoli with the rest of the Battalion in 1916 he was briefly hospitalised on 16 March 1916 while they were part of the Suez Canal defences. Embarking at Alexandria in August 1916 Wood was posted to the 2nd Australian Divisional Base Depot on 21 August and re-entered the war in France on 16 September.They came into action the next month at the Battle of Pozieres, after which Wood was advanced Sergeant on 21 December 1916. Returning to Britain for instructional duties he was further advanced Company Sergeant Major on 9 January 1917 and returned to France in September that same year. He returned to the 19th Battalion on 25 September, seeing action with them in the V.C. winning engagement at Hangard Wood in April 1918.Wood's own moment of glory came on the first day of the Battle of Amiens, at the start of the Hundred Days Offensive, the 'black day of the German Army' as German Chief of Staff Ludendorff had it. The extreme success of the offensive triggered the eventual collapse of the German defences, however Wood was not present to see it.He was seriously wounded in the left hand and wrist just four days after his medal winning action on 11 August, seeing his left finger amputated as a result. Returning to Australia on 20 November 1918, Wood was discharged there as a result of his wound on 22 March 1919; sold together with two 'Imperial League of Australia' badges and one A.I.F. 'Return from Active Service' badge.…
A '1928' C.B., '1923' C.B.E. group of seven awarded to Colonel C. H. K. Chauncy, Indian Army, who was thrice 'mentioned' for his services during the Great War in Mesopotamia and Egypt also earning the Order of St. Stanislas in 1917The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in its Garrard, London case of issue; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, 1st Type, Commander's (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, small ring on top of suspension slightly bent, with neck riband, in its Garrard, London case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Maj. C. H. K. Chauncy. 124/Infy.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lt. Col. C. H. K. Chanucy,) minor official correction to last two letters of surname; Victory Medal 1914-19, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Bt. Lt. Col. C. H. K. Chauncy.); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Mahsud 1919-20, Waziristan 1919-21 (Lt-Col. C. H. K. Chouncy [sic], 2-127 Baluchis.); Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Stanislas, Military Division, 3rd Class breast Badge, by Dimitri Osipov, St. Petersburg, with crossed swords, 40mm, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, with maker's mark on reverse and 1908-17 kokoshnik marks on tips of swords, mounted court-style as worn, generally nearly extremely fine (7)C.B. London Gazette 2 January 1928.C.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1923.Russian Order of St. Stanislas London Gazette 15 May 1917.Charles Henry Kemble Chauncy was born on 21 December 1873, the son of Charles Henry Chauncy, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Wiltshire Regiment on 7 December 1895. Promoted Lieutenant on 20 March 1897, he transferred to the Indian Army on 13 August 1898 and was posted to the 124th Duchess of Connaught's Own Baluchistan Infantry. Promoted Captain on 7 November 1904 and then Major on 7 December 1913, Chauncy served with the 124th Baluchistan Infantry during the Great War in Mesopotamia and Egypt. There, he was three times 'mentioned' (London Gazettes 19 October 1916, 15 August 1917, and 5 June 1919) and was promoted brevet Lieutenant-Colonel.Appointed Commandant of the 2nd Battalion, 127th Queen Mary's Own Baluch Light Infantry on 16 February 1918, Chauncy served with them in the Derajat Sector during the operations in Waziristan from October 1919 to December 1921, and for his services was created a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1923 New Year's Honours List. Promoted Colonel, his final appointment was as Deputy Director, Movements and Quartering, Army HQ India, and he was additionally created a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1928 New Year's Honours List. In the 1939 census Charles is recorded as an Air Raid Warden at Teignmouth, Devon. He died at Shaldon, Devon on 19 September 1945.…
Sold by Order of a Direct DescendantThe outstanding Czech War Cross & Czech Bravery Medal group of ten awarded to Flight Lieutenant A. Vrana, Royal Air Force, late Czech Air Force and French Foreign Legion l'Armee de l'Air Groupe de Chasse 1/5Vrana had the admirable record of one kill and two probables during the Battle of France, having then transferred to Britain, he flew in the Hurricanes of No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron during the Battle of Britain as just one of just 88 Czech Pilots1939-45 Star, clasp, Battle of Britain; Air Crew Europe Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (Flt. Lt. A. Vrana. R.A.F.); France, Republic, Legion of Honour, silver and enamel; Croix de Guerre, reverse dated '1939', with Palme upon riband; Czechoslovakia, Republic, Czechoslovak War Cross 1939, with three further Award Bars; Bravery Medal, with Second Award Bar; Military Merit Medal, silver; Army Commemorative Medal, 1st Type, mounted court-style as worn by Spink & Son, St James's, London, good very fine (10)Adolf Vrana - or Ada to his friends and comrades - was born at Nová Paka, Bohemia in October 1907. Having come of age, Vrana undertook his national military service and joined the Czechoslovak Air Force. First in the ground crew at Prague-Kbely and Hradec Králove fields, he was then selected for Pilot training. Vrana passed though in 1931 and was assigned to the 41st Fighter Squadron as a fighter pilot.He further gained skill in night flying, observation and also qualified on seaplanes, going to the Hranice Military Academy in 1934. Made Pilot Officer in 1936, he was with the 91st Squadron, at that time the only night fighter Squadron. Vrana thence trained as an instructor and a test pilot.Following the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, all its personnel found themselves without employment. Thus Varan and many of his colleagues made a break for it, arriving to the Consulate in Krakow some months later. The plan would be to make for Franch, which was completed via a coastal cruiser that took him to Calais.The French Foreign Legion was the option open, with the understanding that should a Second World War be declared, those in the service would then join Regular French Units. Some who had joined were fortunate to be transferred onto the most usual postings in Africa which were commonplace with the Foreign Legion, Vrana was still in France when War was declared. He was duly released to the l'Armée d'Air and went out to Chartres air field.Battle of France - first bloodHaving undergone familiarisation with the French systems and aircraft, Vrana operated the Curtiss Hawk 75 from Suippes, near Rheims with the Groupe de Chasse 1/5.The Battle of France saw Allied airmen gain significant experience in aerial combat, which would come to the fore in a few short months. Vrana wasn't to know that at the time, for they were regularly 'scrambled' to action on multiple occasions. Of his own record, Vrana was shot down on 13 May 1940 by a Me109, his life being saved by parachute after having bailed out. He shared in the destruction of a He111 on 26 May 1940 and shared in the probable destruction of a Hs126 and a He111 on 7 June 1940. As the German advance came on apace, the Group found itself moving to safety on numerous occasions.After the French collapse, Vrana and other Czechs flew their Hawks from Clermont-Ferrand to Algiers on 17 June. They made their way to Oran, at that point learning that France had fallen. Whilst at that place, together with four other gallant airman, Vrana was presented with his two French awards for his gallantry during the previous period of action. They then went to Casablanca, from where they went by boat to Gibraltar, where they joined a convoy bound for Britain, answering the call of Churchill that they would be welcomed to Britain to continue the fight.Battle of BritainProcessed into the Royal Air Force, he joined No. 312 (Czechoslovak) Squadron at its formation at Duxford on 29 August 1940. They were to be equipped with Hurricane Mark I's. They moved to Speke in September as part of the defence of Liverpool and her precious docks.Of his Ops with No. 312 Squadron, the Operational Record Books provide the following, all 'Scrambles':21 October - P3810 1135hrs.22 October - P3810 1620hrs.24 October - V6810 1310hrs.22 November - V6926 1040hrs.26 November - V6926 1155hrs.27 November - V6926 1625hrs.28 November - P3612 1250hrs.5 December - P3759 1120hrs.Further flightsBesides this, Vrana then assisted in transferring four of their aircraft on 8 December and would have been back in time for the visit of the Czech President on 17 December, who toured the Squadron and met the Pilots. At the end of his operational tour in April 1941, Vrana was posted to 3 ADF at Hawarden. Variously serving with No. 310 Squadron at Martlesham Heath in the Operations Room as a Flight Control Officer, he returned to No. 312 Squadron for a further Operational Tour in June 1942. Tour expired the following year, Vrana then went to serve at the Czechoslovak Inspectorate General and as Czechoslovak Liaison Officer at HQ Fighter Command, Bentley Priory.Returned to his homeland at the end of the conflict, he learned that his parents were lucky indeed to have survived time in a Concentration Camp. He rejoined the Czech Air Force when it was being rebuild and became Commanding Officer of the Research Institute and Testing Unit. His Czechoslovak War Cross 1939 with Three Bars followed in September 1945, being promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel and Commander at Prague-Kbely field. When the communists took over in February 1948, he saw the way in which those who had served the Allied forces treated. It was clearly not a risk he wanted to take and Vrana escaped with his wife. Having been granted leave from the Air Force, he made it across to West Germany in late 1949. Vrana once again returned to the United Kingdom and rejoined the Royal Air Force. Having seen further campaign service in Cyprus (Medal & clasp), he retired Flight Lieutenant in May 1961. Granted the rank of Colonel in the Czechoslovak Air Force, he died in Wiltshire on 25 February 1997.His name is recorded on the National Battle of Britain Memorial and the London Battle of Britain Memorial, besides a memorial plaque in his home town and upon the Winged Lion Monument at Klárov, Prague.Sold together with an impressive archive of original material comprising:i) His riband bar, removed from his uniform, with gilt rosette upon 1939-45 Star denoting 'Battle of Britain'.ii) His R.A.F. Pilot's 'Wings'.iii) Czech Air Force Epaulettes.iv) Czech Pilot's dagger, marked 'Wlaszlovits, Stos', brass hilt with inlay, brass and leather scabbard, the blade of steel.v) Croix de Guerre aiguillette.vi) Data plate removed from an aircraft, marked 'Curtiss H75A-1 No. 43 1-39'.vii) Czech Pilot's Badge, by V. Pistoira, Paris, 1940, a rare award of French manufacture, numbered to the reverse 'F121'.With thanks to Simon Muggleton for accessing the ORB's.Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.SALE 25001 NOTICE:'Now offered together with his French Pilot's Badge, this officially numbered '33644', photographs available via SpinkLIVE.'
Family group:Four: Warrant Officer Class I G. E. Hanley, Royal Army Medical CorpsThe Most Venerable Order of St. John, Serving Brother's breast badge, silvered-metal and enamel; Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 6 Jan. to 28 Feb. 1991 (24278205 W.O. 1 G. E. Hanley, R.A.M.C.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R. (24278205 W.O. 1 G. E. Hanley, R.A.M.C.); Kuwait Liberation Medal, 4th Grade, in its case of issue with named card sleeve, the remainder mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (4)Three: Sergeant A. W. L. Finnie, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing CorpsGulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 6 Jan. to 28 Feb. 1991 (Q1014682 Sgt. A. W. L. Finnie, Q.A.R.A.N.C.); Efficiency Medal, Territorial, E.II.R., on T.& A.V.R. riband (Q/1014682 Sgt. A. W. L. Finnie, Q.A.R.A.N.C.); Kuwait Liberation Medal, 4th Grade, in its case of issue with named card sleeve, the first two mounted court-style as worn, good very fine (7)Godfrey Evans Hanley was appointed a Serving Brother of the Order of St. John with effect from 7 July 1982 (London Gazette 11 January 1983, refers). He married Annie Finnie in North Yorkshire in September 1999; sold with O. St. J. letter of appointment, dated 14 September 1982; Saudi letters for the Liberation Medals and T.A. retirement letter for his wife.…
The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s, Chapel Stall Plate, gilded brass with engraved and painted image of a C.B. Badge, inscribed 'Edward Lowther Crofton Esquire, Post Captain in the Royal Navy, Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath, Nominated 4th June 1815.', reverse with maker's stamp for Hughes, 8 Peterboh. Co.., Fleet Str., London, 191mm x 114mm, corners pierced for attachment, very fineThis stall plate was produced between 1826 and 1838, during which time Hughes copper and steel plate makers was headquartered at Peterborough Court, Fleet Street.Edward Lowther Crofton was born on 24 November 1783, likely in County Roscommon, Ireland, the son of John Frederick Lowther Crofton and the grandson of Anglo-Irish politician Sir Marcus Lowther Crofton, 1st Baronet. Crofton embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, with whom he was commissioned Lieutenant in March 1804, Commander in February 1805 and was promoted Post Captain on 4 March 1811.Crofton was active during the War of 1812 and served as Post Captain in the Naval Brigade of Rear-Admiral Sir George Cockburn during the Battle of Baltimore in September 1814. Following the British burning of the enemy capital at Washington D.C., they returned to their ships and travelled up river towards Baltimore, Maryland and proceeded to bombard the harbour's Fort McHenry in an attempt to take the city. The fort was well-defended and stood up to the 25-hour bombardment after which the British fleet departed. The conflict notably inspired the American national anthem.Crofton's conduct during the engagement was praised by the Rear-Admiral in his public letter, in which he stated: '...the brigade of seamen with small arms, commanded by Captain Edward Crofton, assisted by Captains Sulivan, Money, and Ramsay, who commanded divisions under him, behaved with a gallantry and steadiness which would have done honour to the ablest troops, and which attracted the admiration of the army.'A year after the battle, Crofton was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath in June 1815. The following year he married Mary Leader on 23 April 1816 and the couple went on to have issue of at least one son and one daughter, who was born at Putney Hill in Surrey on 10 September 1818. Their son, also named Edward Lowther Crofton, was a Captain in the 77th Regiment of Foot who died of cholera in the Crimea on 27 September 1854 during the march from Alma to Balaclava.Crofton died just a few years after his award of the C.B. in September 1818; sold together with copied research. …
An unassociated trio of First World War medals, consisting of 1914-15 Star inscribed on the back SE2099 Private WG Knights Army Veterinary Corps, with original silk ribbon, British War medal inscribed around the edge SE-1445 Sergeant H Morrallee Army Veterinary Corps, and a Victory medal inscribed around the edge SE-17616 Private A Latham Army Veterinary Corps, together with a First World War period Army Veterinary Corps cap badge, and copies of facsimile research, Medal Index cards, etc.
An unassociated pair of First World War medals, consisting of a British War medal inscribed around the edge SE-5065Private J Rayburn, and a Victory medal inscribed around the edge SE-11881 Acting Sergeant James Fox, together with some research and facsimile Medal Index cards, and an enamelled sweetheart badge for the Army Veterinary Corps.
the leather body with two internal compartments with leather divider, front shallow pouch, the whole secured by multiple copper rivets, top flap with applied oval brass CS badge, adjustable shoulder strap. Discovered on the Isle of Man, it is believed to have been brought back by one of the Islanders serving with the Union Army. Together with a further 19th Century Cartridge box. (2)
A collection of approximately twenty WWI and WWII cap badges including The King's Own Scottish Borderers, The West Riding, Royal Winnipeg Rifles, Fear Naught cap badge, Royal Engineers, Army Service Corps Officer's cap badge, Hampshire Regiment, East Lancashire Regiment Officer's cap badge, Royal Engineers cap badge, Royal Army Ordnance Corps cap badge, Royal Military Police, Worcestershire Regiment WWII cap badge etc, also a small quantity of military buttons, sundry all world coins and a mid 20th century ornate brass cased dagger with scabbard, length of blade 10cm, overall length 20cm, length including scabbard 21cm, also a miniature 44mm size type block inscribed with The Lord's Prayer.
A German 1870-71 War Commemorative Medal (combat veteran), a WW1 Veteran's League Campaign Service Medal and a Maginot Line service badge, a Border Regiment cap badge, a British Army silver bullion embroidered 'Skill at Arms' patch and a bullion formation sign patch flash; lot also includes a Victorian gilt metal commemorative medallion - 'Auto-Music Company Ltd. Blackpool Gigantic Wheel', by Henry Grueber, 37.5mm diameter (7)
Four: Lance-Sergeant C. E. Duly, Royal Sussex Regiment 1914-15 Star (5-1180 Pte. C. E. Duly. R. Suss: R.); British War and Victory Medals (1180 Cpl. C. E. Duly. R. Suss. R.); Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (240039 Cpl. -L.Sjt.- C. E. Duly. 4/R, Suss: R.) edge bruising, polished and worn, generally fine and better (4) £80-£100 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Charles E. Duly attested for the Royal Sussex Regiment (Territorial Force) on 1 April 1910 and served with the 5th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 18 April 1915. He was discharged due to sickness on 4 September 1918, and was awarded a Silver War Badge, no. B1102. He was awarded his Territorial Force Efficiency Medal per Army Order 23 of 1 February 1920.
A particularly fine Kaffir War, Crimean War and Indian Mutiny campaign group of five awarded to Captain G. Robertson, who witnessed extensive conflict overseas with the 12th (East Suffolk) and 95th (Derbyshire) Regiments of Foot and was decorated by the Turkish authorities having endured considerable hardship in the trenches before Sebastopol South Africa 1834-53 (Ensign G. Robertson, 12th. Regt.); Crimea 1854-56, 1 clasp, Sebastopol (G-Robertson- Lieut. 95th. Foot.) contemporary engraved naming; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Lieut. G. Robertson, 95th. Regt.); Ottoman Empire, Order of the Medjidie, Fifth Class breast badge, silver, gold and enamel, privately engraved to reverse ‘Lieut. G. Robertson. 95th. Regt.’, minor red enamel loss to crescent suspension; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue (Lieut. G Robertson. 95th. Regt.) contemporary engraved naming, all five fitted with period unmarked silver top wearing pins, with matching contemporary miniature awards, these mounted from Hunt & Roskell silver riband buckles, all contained within an attractive two-drawer silk and velvet lined fitted case with brass lock and key, named to top lid in gilt lettering ‘Captain Robertson, 95th Derbyshire Regiment’, contact marks to first and second, these good fine, the remainder very fine and better (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- George Robertson was born in Montreal, Canada, on 30 September 1831, and attested for the 12th (East Suffolk) Regiment of Foot as Ensign by purchase on 17 June 1851, aged 19 years and 8 months. Posted to South Africa, he served during the Eighth Kaffir War from 1851 to 1853 in operations against Xhosa and Khoikhoi forces. The campaign later became regarded as one of the most bitter and brutal in the series of Xhosa wars, the tide turned by the successful deployment of British reinforcements via Cape Town, including drafts of the 12th Foot. Exchanged into the 95th (Derbyshire) Regiment of Foot 5 November 1854, Robertson was promoted Lieutenant (without purchase) on 9 February 1855, and joined the Regiment before Sebastopol from 26 January 1855 to 8 September 1855. His experiences during this time were later detailed in 1929 by Colonel H. C. Wylly, C.B., in Extracts from the History of the Sherwood Foresters, Notts & Derby. 95th Regiment, Volume 2: ‘Another officer of the 95th whose siege diary is available for reference, was Lieut. Robertson, who joined the Service Companies in January, 1855, and he gives the following figures: “The admissions for disease to hospital in December, 1854, amounted to 48 per cent of the strength present; in January, 1855, to 57 per cent, and the deaths exceed 8 per cent; in February, to 39 per cent; and in March to 37 per cent, and the deaths to 19 per cent of the strength present. This is accounted for by the men being, in the fullest sense of the word, ‘worn out’ by numerous and continuous hardships previously endured.”’ Robertson was later keen to point out the attachment of officers to other regiments for trench duty, such was the impact of disease and state of exhaustion in the British Army. On 23 February 1855, The Times published a letter from a Captain of the 95th, written on the second of that month, in which he adds: ‘The weather has been very severe and the Regiment has, I am sorry to say, suffered greatly; on some days we buried as many as five out of our thinned ranks. In fact we are now very nearly hors de combat... Another fortnight will, I fear, reduce us altogether.’ Briefly returned home to England on 18 June 1856, just a couple of months before his 25th birthday, Robertson landed in India with his Regiment on 1 November 1857. He served with the 95th Foot throughout the Mutiny, including the Siege and Capture of Kotah under Major-General Roberts, C.B., on 30 March 1858; early that morning three columns, each of 500 men, attempted to breach the town’s walls, the lead assault being led by Lieutenant-Colonel Raimes of the 95th Foot. The victory came via a clever flanking movement which resulted in the capture of 70 guns of various calibres and a gallant charge by the 8th Hussars. Major-General Roberts, in thanking the Brigade, was keen to note that he had been in field fights, he had been in storming parties, but he had never seen men go steadier: ‘It was more like men upon a parade, or on a field day, than men who were facing death.’ Advanced Captain by purchase on 16 December 1859, Robertson returned home and exchanged to the 2nd Battalion, 25th (King’s Own Scottish Borderers) Regiment of Foot by purchase on 18 May 1860. Confirmed upon the recipient’s Army Service Record as awarded the Turkish Order of Medjidie, he left the Army a short while later and does not appear in Hart’s Army List of 1865. Sold with copied Service Record and a small contemporary envelope containing original silk ribands for the full-size awards.
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