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Click here to subscribeEuroarms Model 1860 Army .44 six shot single action percussion revolver with engraved scenes of ships to the cylinder, brass trigger guard and grip strap, wooden grips and 7.75 inch barrel, overall length 37cm, serial number 36235, in original box. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT FIREARMS CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Ruger Old Army .44 six-shot single action revolver with monogram inset to the shaped wooden grips, adjustable sights and named 7.5 inch barrel, overall length 36.5cm, serial number 145-30994, with instruction manual and a large collection of tools and accessories including bullets, powder scale, nipple key, powders, percussion caps, wads etc . PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT FIREARMS CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Army & Navy CS Ltd 16 bore side by side ejector shotgun with named and engraved locks, engraved underside, trigger guard, top plate, thumb lever and fences, chequered grip and forend, carved teardrop to the wrist, vacant cartouche to the underside of the stock, double trigger and named 28 inch barrels, overall length 111.5cm, length of pull 35.5cm, serial number 58042. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Army & Navy 12 bore side by side shotgun with named and engraved locks, engraved underside, trigger guard, top plate, thumb lever and fences, chequered grip and forend, vacant cartouche to the underside of the stock, carved teardrop to the wrist, double trigger and named 28 inch barrels choked cylinder and ¾, overall length 112.5cm, length of pull 36.5cm, serial number 60094. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Army & Navy 12 bore side by side shotgun with named and engraved locks, engraved underside, thumb lever and fences, chequered grip and forend, carved teardrop to the wrist, vacant cartouche to the underside of the stock, double trigger and named 30 inch barrels choked ¾ and cylinder, overall length 117.5cm, length of pull 35.5cm, serial number 46408. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Army & Navy 12 bore sidelock side by side ejector shotgun with named and engraved locks, engraved underside, trigger guard, top plate, thumb lever and fences, blue enamel 'Safe', chequered grip and forend, carved teardrop to the wrist, vacant cartouche to the underside of the stock, double trigger and named 28 inch barrels choked ¼ and cylinder, overall length 113.5cm, length of pull 36cm, serial number 50814, in original canvas and leather case with fitted interior and 'Army & Navy Co-operative Society Ltd 105 Victoria St Westminster SW Guns, Rifles, Pistols, Fishing Tackle, Boats & Naturalist Work No 8 Gun & Sporting Department 3 Howick Place' label. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
Army & Navy 12 bore sidelock side by side ejector shotgun with named and engraved locks, engraved underside, trigger guard, top plate, thumb lever and fences, chequered grip and forend, carved teardrop to the wrist, vacant gold cartouche to the underside of the stock, double trigger and named 28 inch barrels choked cylinder, overall length 115cm, length of pull 38.5cm, serial number 45570, in fitted canvas and leather case with 'E Whistler & Co Est 1825 New & Second Hand Guns, Rifles and Revolvers of Every Description also Pneumatic Glasses by Zeiss, Goerz, Ross etc 11 Strand Charing Cross W.C.' label. PLEASE NOTE THAT A VALID RELEVANT SHOTGUN CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED TO VIEW OR PURCHASE THIS LOT AND FOR ALL SHOTGUNS OR RIFLES PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE THE RELEVANT CERTIFICATE BEFORE BIDDING.
34 Boxed plastic model kits to include examples from Tamiya, Trumpeter, Italeri, Bronco Models, etc, Tamiya Military Miniatures Famous Generals, Italeri British Tank Troops, Trumpeter WWII Soviet Red Army At Rest, Revell 1/72 UH-60A Transport Helicopter, Hobby Boss Kamov Ka-29 Helix-B, etc, all contents appearing complete and ex, boxes gd-vg overall with some showing more signs of wear (3 Boxes)
19 Boxed Dinky military diecast models to include 2 x 677 Armoured Command Vehicle, 626 Military Ambulance, 3 x 670 Armoured Car, 692 5.5 Medium Gun, 643 Army Water Tanker, 4 x 676 Armoured Personnel Carrier, etc, all diecast gd-vg overall with some paint chipping throughout in varying amounts, boxes vary in condition with end flaps missing to some and some grubbiness in places
Quantity of Mid 20th C onwards Dinky diecast models to include mainly military related models featuring Dinky Leopard Tank, Dinky Volkswagen KDF, Dinky 3 Ton Army Wagon, boxed 688 Field Artillery Tractor, boxed 676 Armoured Personnel Carrier, etc, diecast showing signs of playwear throughout, but gd overall
19th century Imperial German Army Officer's sword circa 1889, having 81.5cm single edge ribbed back bladed, marked F W Holler, Solingen, the pierced basket hilt with Prussian Eagle and having fluted grip. Together with steel scabbard. (B.P. 21% + VAT). NO POSTAGE. Fair condition overall for age, noticeable dents in the scabbard with some minor surface rust. Scabbard has dents. Dimension - scabbard - 84cm long approx. Sword Length - 97cm approx. Blade length - 82cm long approx.
Super Model - Italeri - Airfix Revell - Others - A group of 14 boxed plastic model kits covering a variety of scales and genres. Lot includes Tamiya #35068 1:35 British Army Main Battle Tank Chieftain MK.5; Super Model #10-005 1:72 CRDA Cant Z 1007 biz 'Alcione'; Italeri #126 1:72 JU-52/3 Minesweeper and similar. Four of the kits are presumed Mint being in factory sealed boxes. A random selection of the kits within the lot shows that the kits appear to be a couple Fair - mainly Good - Excellent condition, with loose parts and parts on sprues, mostly in clear sealed plastic bags, and some with parts sitting loose in boxes. The Airfix Invader appears incomplete, and the Airfix Robins kits appear part built. Kits appear to contain instructions and decals (where appropriate). Boxes overall appear to range Poor - Good some dusty with age and storage imperfections. All kits are unchecked for completeness. (This does not constitute a guarantee) (K)
An early 20thC Edwardian Army & Navy crocodile skin suitcase, with cream silk lined interior and original key, the front stamped 'ARMY & NAVY C.S.L. MAKERS LONDON', 45.5cm long, 33cm wide, 18cm deep.Condition: In overall very good condition. Some fading, scuffs, denting and wear as photographed, particularly to the extremities, as expected. Interior untorn and largely clean, noting some stains. Handle solid. Could do with some cleaning, TLC and treatment to bring up the exterior.Packing & Shipping Let us take the hassle of sorting out packing and shipping from you. Mark Hill Auctions is delighted to be able offer the buyer an in-house packing and shipping service for this lot. We use UPS for shipping and all packages are sent insured with a tracked service. We do not ship without insurance. We do not use any other service such as Royal Mail, FEDEX or DHL.Please see below for estimated packing and shipping prices: UK (Estimated): £25.52 USA (Estimated): £85.00 EU (Estimated): £30.00 R.O.W. (Estimated): £69.00In addition to these packing and shipping estimates, insurance will be charged as described below. INSURANCE We only ship with insurance. Insurance costs 1.5% of the total of the hammer price plus buyer’s premium and any applicable VAT, so you can work this cost out yourself when you have won a lot and received your invoice. As such, the price for insurance will be added to the above estimates if you request your item(s) to be shipped.HOW TO REQUEST SHIPPING To request packing and shipping, please wait for your invoice to arrive by email and click on the ‘Request Postage’ button on your invoice, or contact us by email at admin@markhillauctions.com requesting packing and shipping for your lot(s). The actual packing, shipping and insurance cost will then be added to your invoice and your invoice will be resent to you for payment. VAT All above quoted packing, shipping and insurance prices will have VAT added at 20%.IMPORTANT When you request your lot(s) to be packed and shipped, you understand and agree that you are committing to pay for packing and shipping because, in order for us to give you an accurate cost, we need to pack the lot(s) to ascertain the final weight and size. By doing that, we have already incurred cost by spending time and using materials to pack your lot(s). Therefore this charge must be paid, even if you later decide to collect your lot.Please note that this packing and shipping service is undertaken entirely at the buyer’s risk. Whilst we are careful and experienced and take the utmost care to pack items as well as we can, we cannot be held responsible for any damage to, or loss of, items packed and sent to you. By paying for our in-house packing and shipping service, the buyer agrees that any items are sent entirely at their own risk and that no compensation can be offered by us for any loss or damage. Lots must be paid for in full before they will be packed and released.MULTIPLE PURCHASES The estimates above are for this lot only. If you buy multiple lots from this auction, they can be combined where possible into one or more packages - size, shape and weight permitting. For these packages containing multiple lots, you will receive a discount of 17.5% of the total of the applicable quotes listed for those lots.IMPORT DUTIES When your item(s) arrive in your country, import duties & taxes and other service charges may be payable before goods are released to you. These duties, taxes and charges vary for each country and are entirely your responsibility and must be paid by you. Please note that we have no way of knowing what they will be. If you do not pay these charges, your item(s) will be returned to us.
The 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of FootThe exploits of both Battalions of the 24th Foot during the Zulu War need little introduction. They are perhaps the most storied of all regiments to set foot in South Africa during 1877-79. Scores of worthy titles are recommended, with The Washing of the Spears perhaps a good place to start for one with a new-found enthusiasm.The Zulu War Medal awarded to Private J. M. Meredith, 1st Battalion, 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot, who was killed in action at the disastrous Battle of Isandlwana on 22 January 1879South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (293. Pte. J. Meredith. 1-24th. Foot.), rod perhaps tightened at some point, very fineJohn Henry Meredith was born at Rhosyoside, Ruabon, Denbighshire on 27 December 1854, son of Henry and Ann, his father being the local tailor. Young Meredith enlisted at Manchester, Lancashire on 17 June 1874, aged 19 years. He served with 'H' Company and was killed in action at Isandhlwana on 22 January 1879, with his effects, to include the Medal & clasp '1879' were claimed by his father.Both Battalions of the 24th participated in the campaign (each fielding six companies) with the 1st Battalion forming the principal element of Number Three Column, which was under the overall command of Colonel Richard Glyn of the 1st/24th: therefore Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Pulleine was appointed to command in his stead.Upon crossing the Buffalo River on 11 January, the column (accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief, General the Lord Chelmsford) found itself pitching camp nine days' later at the base of a prominent feature - the hill at Isandlwana. Chelmsford, eager to bring the campaign to a swift conclusion, departed at dawn on 22 January with half the column's strength (some 2,800 men) leaving behind Pulleine with approximately 1,300 men - five companies of the 1st/24th, one company of the 2nd/24th, 700 men of the Natal Native Contingent, two 7-pdr artillery pieces and a rocket battery.Failing to take any defensive measures to secure the camp, Pulleine's force was subsequently surprised by a vast Zulu army totalling some 20,000 warriors which, by additionally using the terrain to their advantage, swept forward to the attack using their traditional 'Horns of the Buffalo' strategy - a central advance supported by encircling forces on both flanks. Pulleine deployed the 24th Foot some way in advance of the camp in an extended firing line, aiming to subdue the Zulus with superior firepower - the young Meredith must have been one of those men in the line; what he likely thought and felt at that moment defies description.For at least an hour, the British held the Zulu warriors at bay, inflicting significant casualties with their powerful Martini-Henry rifles and aided by support from the two 7-pdr guns from N/5 Battery Royal Artillery. However, as the mounted force (commanded by Colonel Anthony Durnford) began to withdraw in the face of mounting numbers of Zulus, this exposed the right flank of the British infantry firing-line; G Company (2nd/24th) was swiftly overrun and the remainder also began a withdrawal, loading and firing as they went, back towards the camp. However, by this point the Zulu encirclement of the position had almost been completed and the remains of the British force were left with no option but to either try to fight their way out or fight to the death - the result has subsequently been recorded as one of the most famous 'Last Stands' in British military history, immortalised in paintings, books, and the 1979 major motion picture 'Zulu Dawn' starring Peter O'Toole and Denholm Elliot amongst many other household names.Of the 1,800 men at Isandlwana over 1,300 of them were killed; the bodies of the slain were afterward buried in mass graves on the battlefield, their last resting places still marked to this day by white-painted stone cairns; Private Meredith is amongst them.In July 2001, DNW sold another Medal (bearing both initials but the incorrect '1878-8-9' clasp) to this man. This Medal was inspected by John Hayward in April 2006 and the assumption that a duplicate must have been made at some time. This Medal was considered entirely as issued.…
An Escaper's M.M. group of six awarded to Lance Corporal R. Holtby, Green Howards, who - with remarkable persistence - attempted to escape no less than three times, finally succeeding on the final runHaving joined underage Holtby was to see action in France 1940, the Dunkirk evacuation and the War in the Desert before his capture; his exploits in Italy make for exiting reading as he filed open the train door and leapt from the back of speeding trucks to make his final successful bid for freedomMilitary Medal, G.VI.R. (4391447 L. Cpl. R. Holtby. Green. Howards.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R. (4391447 Pte. R. Holtby. Green. Howards.), light contact wear, overall very fine (6)Provenance:Glendinning's, June 1889.M.M. London Gazette 12 September 1944, the original recommendation states:'On 9 Sep 43, before the general evacuation of Camp 54, Holtby left with eleven other prisoners and went with them to Monte Flavia, from where he set off alone to cross the lines. He had only reached Settefratti when he was recaptured by Germans. About the end of October he was entrained for Germany, but after travelling for about 2 hours succeeded in escaping and reaching Sora before he was taken ill with pneumonia. Upon his recovery he decided to make for the Anzio beachhead, but at Borgo Grappa he was again arrested by Germans. Five days later, as he was being transferred to Gisterno, he jumped off the truck and travelled to San Silvanion, where he stayed two months. After the Allied attack on Terracina he met an American patrol on 23 May 44.'Roy Holtby was born at Beverley, Yorkshire on 8 August 1921, the son of Francis and Edith Holtby. Joining the Territorial Army at Beverley before the war, his obituary notes that he joined underage - his 18th birthday was in August 1939. He was serving with the 5th Battalion in France in 1940 where they took part in the Battle of Arras and later the Dunkirk evacuation.Returning to Britian the Battalion was not linger there for long before they were posted to the desert for serving in the Middle East. Their first engagement there was to be the Battle of Gazala in which the 50th Division - to which the Battalion was attached - suffered heavy losses during the Defence of the Knightsbridge box. Either during the attack or retreat Holtby was taken prisoner of war and from North Africa was transported to Italy, finding himself at Camp 54, Fara Nel Sabina in 1943.News of the Armistice with Italy arrived on 8 September 1943 and three days later the prisoners were told they would need to make their own escapes. Formed into two parties they set out, Holtby made a more determined attempt than many of his comrades, carrying on alone where they others stopped however he was soon recaptured.Put on a train in October to be transported he seized the opportunity and filed the lock on the carriage door open. Jumping from the train he was able to escape again, this did not last long before he was recaptured for the final time. Not to be discouraged he waited until he was again being transported and leapt from the back of the truck carrying him, after so much time on the run the Allies had advanced well into Italy and Holtby was able to contact the American forces not long later.Returning to Britain after the war he was awarded his Efficiency Medal in April 1946 and settled at 71 Beaver Road, Beverley. He died at Hull on 15 June 1989.After his death an obituary was posted in the local newspaper which states:'A Modest Beverly war hero has died at the age of 67.Former soldier Mr Roy Holtby who won the Military Medal, escaped three times from prisoner-of-war camps during World War Two.On the last occasion [SIC] he helped others to safety when he filed open the carriage door of a train carrying troops.Mr Holtby, who was under age when he joined up, was among those evacuated from Dunkirk.After the War, he set up in busines [SIC] as a builder in his home town of Beverley, retiring six years ago because of ill-health.'The Green Howards Gazette of September 1989 further states:'The death took place on 16th June, 1898 of Mr Roy Holtby MM. He had suffered a heart condition for a few years. Roy joined the TA in Beverely prior to the war and served with the 5th Battalion, serving in France 1940 and was evacuated from Dunkirk. He served in the Middle East throughout the Desert Campaign until he was taken prisoner at Gazala ad was sent to Italy. He escaped twice from captivity [SIC] and on one occasion he was awarded the Military Medal. He eventually escaped to Switzerland [SIC] and eventually to England and stayed in England until demobilisation. He was a builder by trade and was very well known and respected by all his many friends.'Sold together with copied research.…
The rare and superb 'Operation Grapeshot' M.B.E., 'Monte Rogno' Virtuti Militi, 'Monte Cassino' Cross of Valor group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. Lipowski, 9th Heavy Artillery Regiment, Polish Army, whose remarkable life story includes a tragic episode during the Fall of Poland which saw him narrowly escape the fate of two of his comrades, who were arrested and murdered during the Katyn MassacreReturning to active service his extreme bravery attached to the 5th (Kresowa) Division in Italy saw him honoured on several occasions and even wounded during the Battle of Monte Cassino, being hit by shrapnel that had already passed through the lung of a brother Officer who stood besidePoland, Republic, Order of Virtuti Militari, breast Badge, 5th Class, silver and enamel, of wartime manufacture by Spink; Cross of Valor, with Second Award Bar; Cross of Merit, with swords, 2nd Type, silver-gilt; Army Medal; Monte Cassino Cross 1944, the reverse officially numbered '33078'; United Kingdom, The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd Type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Italy, Kingdom, Croce al Valore Militare, sold together with an archive including a named cigarette case, portrait and photograph album and the named document of issue for the award of the M.B.E., overall good very fine (9)Virtuti Militari awarded 30 June 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'During the operations 'Adriatyk', he distinguished himself by working in difficult conditions under strong and accurate enemy fire, especially at the Observation Point on Monte Regano. He cooperated perfectly with the infantry, conducting accurate and effective fire, not breaking off observation despite the fire. With his behaviour, he set an exemplary example for officers and privates at the Observation Points, as always. He fully deserves the decoration.'Cross of Valor awarded 6 August 1944, the original citation (translated) states:'At Cassino he organized an Observation Point and stayed there. On May 10-12, 1944, despite heavy enemy mortar and artillery fire, he remained at the Observation Point and continued his work. On May 12, 1944, despite heavy fire, he left the Observation Point to get better information and moved forward. He was wounded, but he did not want to stop his work.'Second Award Bar awarded 1945.M.B.E. London Gazette June 1945, the original recommendation states:'During the period 9th -21st April 1945, this officer worked with the maximum devotion as B.M., F.A. 5th Kresowa Division Artillery, which was in support of the Infantry in their operations against lines of Rivers Senio, Santerno, Sillaro, Gaina and Idice. Major Lipowski made a particularly great effort and showed special dexterity on 19th April and night 19th/20th, when Headquarters 5th Kresowa Division was faced with the task of co-ordinating the fire plans not only of the Divisions Artillery but also Artillery under command of the neighbouring RAK Force (Reinforced 2 Polish Armoured Brigade with 2 British Royal Horse Artillery and 3 Polish Field Regiment in SP). Rud Force (3rd and 4th Polish Infantry Brigades supported by 5th Polish Field Regiment and 7PHA) and AGPA.Major Lipowski's skillful [SIC] Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery on 19th April and night 19th/20th resulted in the rapid working out and co-ordination of the Artillery fire plans which effectively helped the Infantry and assisted the Armour in breaking down enemy opposition, crossing the Gaina River and approaching River Quaderno.The Staff work at HQ 5th Kresowa Division Artillery had to be completed in a limited time in order to prepare the above Artillery plans and called for great effort and extreme accuracy. Major Lipowski not only directed the Staff work most efficiently but shone as an example of adroitness and devotion to duty.'Note the number of the recipient's Monte Cassino Cross is confirmed upon the roll.Tadeusz Lipowski was born on 29 March 1904, the son of two flour mill owners. His parents were forced to produce food for the German Army during the Great War, whilst the young Lipowski attended the local grammar school. Joining the Infantry Cadet School in 1926 he transferred to the Artillery Cadet School the next year and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1929.September 1939 and escaping to fight againPosted to Bendzen, Lipowski was set to work training new recruits, he was still there when the German Army invaded Poland in September 1939. His Regiment was left in an exposed position and forced to withdraw to avoid being encircled.Lipowski was interviewed post-war and the interviewer wrote a summary of his experiences, this narrative takes up the story:'The regiment was soon split up and within three days it had been officially annihilated although splinter groups had joined other regiments to continue fighting. Tade was able to join the Le Wolf East Polish soldiers on the 21st September and together they had fought their way out of danger or so they thought. Similar situations repeated themselves throughout Poland where the soldiers fought bravely on their own without the support of their planes which had been destroyed during the first day and without the aid of advanced weaponry…'Not long later the Russians invaded as well, tightening the noose around the Polish Army, communications at the time meant that many soldiers were not even aware of the Russian attack. One of these was Lipowski who awoke in a wood one morning to the sight of a Russian soldier on patrol. Unsure of whether this man was a friend or foe he remained hidden as the unsuspecting Russian passed beneath his sights, it was not until later that he discovered how close he had come to disaster.As the Polish defences were overrun, the Regiments began to splinter in small groups either seeking to withdraw to France and carry on the fight or set up resistance organisations. Lipowski, accompanied by two brother Officers, returned to the town in which he had been at school. His sister was living in the town and while they planned their next step she concealed them in her home.His brother came up with a plan to move them to a safer location by dressing the three men in his suits and putting them in the back of a wagon driven by a friendly farmer. Lipowski was forced to borrow a suit by his brother however the two Officers with him refused as the suits were expensive and they didn't want to take them. Instead, they removed their rank pips and took on the appearance of other ranks.During the journey the travellers were stopped by a Russian soldier, the farmer attempted to explain away the soldiers in his cart however this was for naught:'The Colonel could remain silent no longer and admitted to the Russian that they were in fact Officers so that the farmer would not get into trouble. Tadek said nothing but looked straight ahead. These Officers were only two of the many who were shot at Katyn by the Soviet secret police and left to rot in the mass grave, later discovered and dug up by the Germans two years later. Tadek had once again narrowly escaped death by what he called "good luck".' (Ibid)Reaching an underground resistance organisation, Lipowski was concealed by them and on 25 December 1939 dressed as a civilian he set out for southern Poland and the border. At one point he was stopped by a German soldier and asked when he was going, for one heart stopping moment it seemed that he was caught. This was not the case however, and it turned out the German was drunk and looking for someone to share a beer with - Lipowski agreed to a drink and later the soldier even waved him off on the tr…
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 '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 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 Zulu War Medal awarded to Private H. Muldowney, Army Hospital Corps, who is understood to have been wounded in action at the Battle of Bronkhorstspruit in December 1881, during the First Boer WarSouth Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (3891. Pte. H. Muldowney. A.H.C.), contact marks overall, nearly very fineHarry Muldowney was born St Faith, Winchester in 1860 and enlisted in the Army Hospital Corps in 1878. Having served in South Africa, he saw further active service in the Egypt & Sudan 1882-89 campaign.… SALE 25001 NOTICE:Gold match safe weighs 34g. Naming of the Aero Club of America Medal now added to the Lot.
The fascinating Victorian inkwell with a V.C. connection, fashioned from a Crimean cannonball and commissioned by Major-General Viscount R. Frankfort De Montmorency, who was recommended for the Victoria Cross at the Redan Redoubt, and whose son won the award with the 21st Lancers at OmdurmanRound Shot, 2.7 inches diameter, hollowed out, with an ornate silver cap atop, hallmarks for London 1857, the shot set on the obverse with a Crimea Medal and on the reverse with a plate engraved with the cypher of Viscount Frankfort De Montmorency, three grape-shot 'legs' 0.9 inches diameter affixed beneath, with - but not affixed to - its original wooden stand, somewhat dented in places but overall very fineRaymond Harvey de Montmorency, 3rd Viscount Frankfort de Montmorency, was born at Theydon Bower, Essex on 21 September 1835; the only son of Viscount Lodge Raymond de Montmorency, 2nd Viscount Frankfort de Montmorency and Georgina Frederica de Montmorency, the daughter of Peter Fitzgibbon Henchy Q.C. of Dublin. The young De Montmorency was educated at Eton before entering the Royal Military College at Sandhurst, being commissioned Ensign with the 33rd (Duke of Wellington's) Regiment of Foot on 18 August 1854. Further promoted Lieutenant on 12 January 1855 he was serving in that rank on the outbreak of the Crimean War. De Montmorency entered the war in the trenches of Sevastopol and was present for the storming of the Great Redan on 8 September 1855 (Medal and clasp). His gallantry during the attack, which cost the British dearly, he was recommended for the Victoria Cross - although the recommendation was not successful. Instead, his reward was an independent command and he was sent to India for the suppression of the Indian Mutiny and placed in command of a detachment in Central India (Medal and clasp).Promoted Captain on 29 March 1861, he exchanged into the 32nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry and served as Aide-de-Camp to Major-General Edward Brooke from 6 December 1861 until 31 December 1864. During this time Brooke was commanding troops in the Windward and Leeward Islands. Following this De Montmorency moved on to become Aide-de-Camp to Lieutenant General (later Field Marshal) Sir John Michel commanding the British Forces in North America during the 1866 Fenian Raids (Medal and clasp). Doubtless the logistical difficulties of organising a defence against the raids kept him busy, however he did find time to get married on 25 April 1866 to General Michel's eldest daughter Rachel in Montreal.De Montmorency also found the opportunity to travel and was in Abyssinia at the time of Napier's expedition; he volunteered privately to take part and was with the Army up to the gates of Magdala (Medal). Promoted Major on 28 September 1869 and further advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 14 June 1876, he served with the British Forces in Egypt and the Sudan from 1886-7. De Montmorency was given the local rank of Major-General in 1887 and commanded the troops at Alexandria before directing a British field column during operations on the Nile for which he received a 'mention'. Promoted Major-General in the British Army on 30 November 1889, he succeeded to the peerage on 25 December of that year upon the death of his father.Posted to India, the now-Viscount Frankfort de Montmorency was given command of a first-class district in Bengal (1890-1895) and later Dublin District from 1895-1897, retiring on 21 September 1897. The next year, his son Lieutenant Raymond de Montmorency, 21st Lancers, went on to serve at the Battle of Omdurman on 2 September 1898. During the fighting he was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in attempting to rescue Lieutenant Grenfell who had been unhorsed. Driving away the Dervishes around him he found the Lieutenant already dead, rescuing the body and placing it upon a horse; with the assistance of two other men he cut his way free. Promoted Captain on 2 August 1899, the young De Montmorency raised his own company - Montmorency's Scouts - for the Boer War but was killed in action at the Battle of Stormberg. His father died on 7 May 1902 of apoplexy at Bury Street, London and was buried at Dewlish, Dorsetshire. The titles passed to his younger son Willoughby John Horace de Montmorency; sold together with copied research including a biography of the 3rd Viscount de Montmorency and his entry in the Dictionary of National Biography, 2nd Supplement, Volume I.…
Pair: Private E. B. Fisher, 9th LancersPunjab 1848-49, 2 clasps, Goojerat, Chilianwala (E. B. Fisher, 9th Lancers); Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 3 clasps, Delhi, Relief of Lucknow, Lucknow (E. B. Fisher, 9th Lancers), minor contact wear and edge nicks, otherwise overall good very fine (2)Edward Bird Fisher was born at St. Michael, Beccles on 5 December 1821 and attested for the 9th Lancers in London on 1 December 1845. His service papers note that during the Punjab Campaign he was present for the Passage of the Chenab on 4 December 1848 and the Battles of Chillianwala and Goojerat. In the former they were one of the Regiments that did not break and instead managed to prevent the Sikh forces from turning General Gough's flank.Fisher was still with the Regiment on the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny, serving in Captain Drysdale's 'B' Troop. Their first action was the Battle of Badli-ki-Serai on 5 June 1857, which helped to clear the way to Delhi. They were present throughout the siege itself and were present for the capture of the city on 14 September.Fisher saw further action at Boolundshuhur, Alligurh and Agara as well as actions at Kanoge and Mariagung. The Regiment later joined the Army under General Sir Colin Campbell being assembled to retake Lucknow, and were present for the destruction in of the Gwalior Contingent at Cawnpore and Seria Ghat in December.They started the next year with action at Shumshabad in January 1858 during the advance on Lucknow. The 9th were present for the final recapture of Lucknow in March, as well as actions at Allegunge, Bareilly, Shahkehanpore and Mahomadee. They closed out the war with service in the Central India Campaign being present at the passage of the Gogra, the affair at Mulchlegaon and Kumb-da-Kote between 1858-59.Fisher was finally discharged on 29 February 1860 after seeing 13 years and 6 months service in India. He joined the Metropolitan Police on 11 June 1860, serving with the Holborn Division until 10 July 1878 and died on 15 March 1879; sold together with copied service papers.…
The 2-clasp Naval General Service Medal awarded to Admiral Alexander Montgomerie, Royal Navy, who served at sea for almost twenty years and participated in a number of fiercly-fought actions, not least at Barque island; the subsequent capture of Guadeloupe; and at Rugen island where he successfully defended a fort against French infantry assaultsNaval General Service 1793-1840, 2 clasps, Anse La Barque 18 Decr 1809, Guadaloupe (Alexr. Montgomerie, Lieut. R.N.), good very fineProvenance:Sotheby's, March 1995.Colin Message Collection, August 1999.Jason Pilalas Collection, July 2024.Alexander Montgomerie, of an old Scottish family, was born at Dreghorn, Ayrshire, Scotland on 30 July 1790. Joining the Royal Navy at the tender age of 12 on 27 June 1802, he was initially appointed a First-Class Volunteer aboard the 16-gun sloop H.M.S. Hazard, with which he saw brief service in the English Channel before spending the next six years with both the 44-gun frigate H.M.S. Argo and the 74-gun H.M.S. Tigre, as a member of their Midshipman's berth. With Argo (under the command of Captain Benjamin Hallowell) young Montgomerie saw his first taste of action, as this vessel participated in the captures of St. Lucia and Tobago - the former earned Hallowell and his men a very favourable 'Mention', with Admiral Hood stating: 'To Captain Hallowell's Merit it is impossible for me to give additional Encomium, as it is so generally known; but I must beg Leave to say, on this expedition, his Activity could not be exceeded; and by his friendly Advice I have obtained the most effectual Aid to this Service, for which he has been a Volunteer, and, after the final Disembarkation, proceeded on with the Seamen to co-operate with the Army.' (London Gazette, 26 July 1803, refers).When Hallowell was appointed to command the Tigre, Montgomerie followed him and this ship was part of Admiral Lord Nelson's fleet in the great hunt for the combined Franco-Spanish fleet prior to the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. Tigre, unfortunately, missed the battle due to being away at Gibraltar to take on water and escort convoys, but subsequently participated in the operations off Egypt in 1807: Montgomerie must have been aboard when Tigre captured two Ottoman frigates (the Uri Bahar and Uri Nasard) and his subsequent biography states he was then employed with 'much boat service' on Lake Mareotis - scene of British landings against French, Ottoman, and Albanian troops.In September 1809, Midshipman Montgomerie passed his Lieutenant's examination and was thence sent (though still as Midshipman) to the 36-gun frigate H.M.S. Orpheus, before shortly afterwards removing to the 74-gun H.M.S. Sceptre - the ship with which he was to earn the clasps to his Medal. Sceptre, commanded by Captain Samuel James Ballard, was part of a force ordered to capture the French-held island of Guadeloupe. On 18 December 1809, a British squadron (including Sceptre) attacked two French ships (the Loire and Seine, variously described as 'frigates' or 'flutes') anchored at Anse a la Barque and protected by batteries of artillery ashore. Notwithstanding a spirited defence, in fairly short order both French vessels had been dismasted and surrendered - though they were subsequently abandoned, caught fire, and blew up. The attack was under the overall command of Captain Hugh Cameron of H.M.S. Hazard, and after destroying the Loire and Seine the British force next landed ashore to silence the batteries: this objective was also achieved but in the moment of victory Cameron was killed, one report stating that after personally hauling down the French tricolour he wrapped it around his body before being accidentally shot by a British sailor who mistook him for the enemy. It seems likely that Montgomerie played a very active part in this action, as the very next day he was appointed Acting Lieutenant of H.M.S. Freija/Freya, which was confirmed by official commission on 4 May 1810, and during the intervening time also appears to have been equally active in the ships' boats in minor actions against further French shore batteries around Guadeloupe.Returning home, after three months in command of H.M.S. Magnanime on 28 January 1811 he was appointed Lieutenant aboard the 32-gun frigate H.M.S. Aquilon, with which vessel he served until 1814, concluding his time aboard her as First Lieutenant. This period of his career also saw much active service - but rather than the tropical Caribbean, this time in the distinctly cooler North Sea and Baltic in the supression of enemy trade and coastal traffic, and the escorting of British and allied convoys. Though little further information appears immediately available, his service biography states that: 'When in the Baltic in 1812, and engaged with the boats under his orders in an attempt to bring some vessels off from the island of Rugen, he greatly distinguished himself by his conduct in capturing a temporary fort occupied by a superior number of troops, whom, on their being reinforced and endeavouring to recover their loss, he several times repulsed.' (A Naval Biographical Dictionary - Montgomerie, Alexander, W.R. O'Byrne, p.774, refers).Promoted Commander on 7 June 1814 on his return from the South America station, despite theoretical appointment to H.M.S. Racoon she was off the coast of Brazil and he never joined her. With the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars Montgomerie had to wait until 21 March 1818 for his next command - the 18-gun brig-sloop H.M.S. Confiance, which position he held for two years until moving in July 1820 to the 26-gun H.M.S. Sapphire as Acting-Captain. This was a fortuitous change as, two years later, Confiance was wrecked off Ireland with the loss of the entire crew. Returning home in September 1821, he does not appear to have received another seagoing appointment but nevertheless remained on the Active List until his official (and well-earned) retirement on 1 October 1856.By virtue of longevity, Montgomerie moved slowly up the seniority list; promoted Rear-Admiral in 1852, then Vice-Admiral in 1857, he reached the rank of Admiral on 27 April 1863. Admiral Alexander Montgomerie appears to have remained a bachelor throughout his life and died in January 1864 at Skelmorlie, Ayrshire, not far from where he was born 73 years earlier.Sold together with a small quantity of copied research.…
The 'Great War' M.C. group of eight awarded to Honorary Colonel J. G. Chapple, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, later Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who served on the Western Front inspecting and repairing artillery, later becoming the Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia during the Iraqi Revolt, later he served in France during the 1940 campaignMilitary Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. I. O. M. J. G. Chapple. A.O.D.); British War and Victory Medals (Major J. G. Chapple.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Iraq (Major J. G. Chapple. R.A.O.C.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, overall good very fine (8)Provenance:Purchased Spink Numismatic Circular, March 1979.M.C. London Gazette 4 June 1917.John Gardiner Chapple was born in Mauritius on 11 February 1886, the son of James Chapple. He was initially schooled privately before joining the Woolwich Polytechnic in 1902 and remaining there until 1910. Chapple was initially employed as an Inspector of Royal Engineers Stores, Woolwich from 1910-1914 when he undertook a course at the Royal Military Academy Woolwich and was commissioned Lieutenant (Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class III).Entering the war in France on 30 May 1915 his application for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers lists his duties at the time which included 'Inspection & Repair of Artillery & War Material'. Advanced Captain and Inspector of Ordnance Machinery Class II he was further appointed Works Manager of the Calais Workshops.Transferred to Italy in 1917 Chapple was further advanced Major and Inspector of Ordnance Class I on 7 March 1917. It was not long after this that he was awarded the M.C., likely for his services in France prior to transferring to Italy.Chapple was confirmed in the rank of Major on 5 November 1918 and remained in the Military after the war, being appointed Officer in Command of all Ordnance Workshops in Mesopotamia from 1920. This placed him in the region as both Senior Inspector of Ordnance Machinery and Technical Advisor during the Iraqi Revolt, remaining there until 1922.Returning to Britain he was appointed back to the Royal Engineers Stores at Woolwich as a Chief Draughtsman where he was responsible for designing new stores for the War Office. Joining the Air Ministry in 1926 Chapple was working at R.A.F. Halton as the stationed Electrical and Mechanical Officer in 1926.Still serving as a Major in 1939 whilst living in Nottinghamshire he saw service in France in 1940 however did not return to the continent in 1944. Chapple was discharged having reached the age of liability on 27 September 1946 with the honorary rank of Colonel. He retired to Portsmouth where he died in April 1972; sold together with copied research.…
A very fine 1917 D.C.M., 1916 M.M. group of five awarded to Acting Warrant Officer Class II C. E. Nicol, 4th Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.), later 150th Company, Machine Gun Corps, who was further 'mentioned' for his services in 1916 before being tragically killed in action during the Spring Offensive in 1918Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (23495 Sjt. C. Nicol. 150/Coy M.G.C.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (2028 Sjt: C. Nichol. 4/York: R.-T.F.); 1914-15 Star (2028 Pte. C. Nicol, York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (2028 A. W. O. Cl. II. C. E. Nicol. York. R.), mounted court style for wear, sometime lacquered, overall good very fine (5)D.C.M. London Gazette 18 July 1917, the original citation states:'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He covered the withdrawal of an exposed flank until his ammunition was all used. On the same day he volunteered and took up one gun to the threatened flank under heavy barrage, and remained there until relieved next day.'M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 15 June 1916.Charles Edward Nicol was born in 1892, the son of James and Fanny Nicol of Hornby Castle Gardens, Bedale, Yorkshire. Enlisting at Richmond, Yorkshire he entered the war on 17 April 1915, they went into action less than a week later when the German Army struck a surprise blow at the Second Battle of Ypres. They suffered heavy casualties around Armagh Wood and Hill 60 between February-March 1916 when a mine was detonated beneath it in February and their C.O. was killed in action by a sniper the next month.The Battalion was stationed at Kemmel when the Somme Offensive began and it was there that Nicols was 'mentioned', possibly for good service at the start of the year around Hill 60. They joined the Battle at Flers-Courcelettes in September, advancing alongside tanks for the first time towards Martinpuich. Unfortunately they found their flanks exposed to heavy fire from the German positions in High Wood and suffered severe losses to heavy shell fire from that position. Despite this, they stuck to the advance and managed to take Martinpuich, with High Wood falling several hours later. Nicol's M.M. was awarded the next month, likely as a result of his service at Kemmel rather than the Somme given the dates involved. However, the exact reason for the award is unknown.Transferred to the Machine Gun Corps in late 1916, Nicol was serving with 150 Company when his D.C.M. was awarded. 150 Company was the Brigade Company for 150th (York and Lancaster) Brigade so he was serving alongside his old Battalion at the time, either in the latter stages of the Somme Offensive or early in the Battle of Arras. The formation was amalgamated in March 1918 to form part of the 50th Machine Gun Battalion, serving the entire Division rather than a single Brigade.Nicol was posted as missing on 10 April 1918, shortly after the opening blows of the Battle of Lys. His death was officially accepted on 27 May 1918 and he is commemorated upon the Ploegstreet Memorial.…
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.…
The Great War D.S.O., M.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel C. R. Bates, Royal Field Artillery, who served as Brigade Major with the 4th Australian Division on the Western Front, suffered a gunshot wound to his right arm and was thrice 'mentioned'Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R. (Major C. R. Bates, R.F.A. France, 1915.); 1914 Star, clasp (Capt: C. R. Bates. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals with M.I.D. oak leaves (Major C. R. Bates), slight chipping to reverse of D.S.O. enamel, Victory Medal well-polished, otherwise very fine overall, housed in contemporary wood display frame (5)D.S.O. London Gazette 1 January 1918, the original recommendation states:'Marked devotion to duty and conspicuous ability as Brigade-Major 4th Australian Divisional Artillery during period in France from July 7th 1916 to July 30th 1917, especially operations before the Hindenburg Line at Bullecourt during April and May 1917, and operations before Messires during May and June 1917.Signed E.H. Sinclair Maclagh, Brigadier-General, commanding 4th Australian Division.'M.C. London Gazette 14 January 1916.M.I.D. London Gazette 31 December 1915; 15 May 1917; 7 December 1917. One original recommendation states:'Marked devotion to duty and conspicuous ability as Brigade-Major, 4th Australian Divisional Artillery, during period in France from July 7th 1916 to February 25th 1917, especially during operations opposite Fromelles in conjunction with 5th Australian Division on July 19th 1916; during operations in Ypres Sector from August 27th 1916 to November 10th 1916, and during operations on the Somme, from November 25th 1916 to February 25th 1917.Signed William Holmes, Major-General, commanding the 4th Australian Division.'Cecil Robert Bates was born at Wavertree, Lancashire on 3 February 1882. He was the third of seven sons of Sir Edward Percy Bates, 2nd Baronet, and his wife Constance Elizabeth Graves of the wealthy Bates shipping family. He was additionally the grandson of conservative Member of Parliament Samuel Robert Graves. It is worth also noting the illustrious life of Bates’ elder brother Sir Percy Elly Bates, 4th Baronet. An honorary Captain of the Royal Naval Reserve, Percy Bates was throughout his busy life the longtime Chairman of the Cunard-White Star Line, High Sheriff and Justice of the Peace for Cheshire, and was made a G.B.E. in 1920 for his services as Director of Commercial Services in the Ministry of Shipping.The young Bates was educated at Winchester and the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich. His was an active military family, with his brother Frederic later becoming a Major in the Royal Air Force and winning an A.F.C., and his other brother Denis an Army Colonel who was mentioned in despatches and also received an M.C.Bates was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery on 6 January 1900 as a Second Lieutenant. He was advanced Lieutenant on 3 April 1901 and a few years later in 1904 was transferred to the Royal Horse Artillery. In August of that year Bates was sent to India, where he served until returning home in December 1907. He found himself promoted Captain on 16 June 1908 and continued to serve with the Royal Horse Artillery until 1911. Bates retired to the Reserve of Officers on 27 August 1913.He was not to enjoy his retirement for long, however, and was recalled to service on the outbreak of World War I. Bates disembarked at the Western Front on 14 September 1914 and was to serve overseas for much of the war. He suffered a gunshot wound to his forearm and was subsequently sent home and admitted to Queen Alexandra's Military Hospital at Millbank on 13 April 1916. It must not have been terribly serious as he was released just a few days later. He was appointed Brigade-Major of the Australian Imperial Force, 4th Division, on 8 July 1916. Bates found himself again at hospital in 1918, when he was admitted to 2nd General Hospital from the Royal Field Artillery Training School on 10 December complaining of ‘stiff joints’. Prior to the close of the war, on 27 June 1918 Bates was married to Hylda Madeleine Heath, daughter of Sir James Heath, 1st Baronet. Hylda was a widow at the time, having been married to Captain George Millais James of The Buffs (East Kent) Regiment, who was killed in action on the Western Front in 1914. Their two daughters, Eileen and Daphne, were subsequently adopted by Bates. Together the newly married couple also had two children; Audrey Cecil Bates and Sir Geoffrey Voltelin Bates, 5th Baronet, who would go on to receive a M.C. of his own while serving as Second Lieutenant of the 8th King’s Royal Irish Rifles in the Western Desert in September 1942.Soon after the end of war Bates relinquished his command on account of ill-health on 4 January 1919, retaining the rank of Major (London Gazette 6 May 1919, refers). He then returned home to his family residing at Oxendon Hall in Great Oxendon, Northamptonshire, and became the managing director of the West African Trading Company.Bates later died at age 53 on 5 March 1935, suffering heart failure while salmon fishing in the River Dee in Banchory, Scotland. The Northampton Mercury reported that only moments before his death he had caught a 17 lb salmon. Bates left behind an estate worth £133,110 - the equivalent of over £12 million today. His widow Hylda later died in 1960; sold together with a binder of copied research, including copied photographs.…
A fine Georgian portrait miniature of a potentially-identified junior British infantry officer, circa 1814Portrait miniature, likely gouache on ivorine, of a youthful infantry officer in the British Army, facing half-right wearing a red coat with green facings, a single gold epaulette to the right shoulder, gold buttons and lacing to the buttonholes, and a white leather crossbelt with an oval plate bearing a Crown and numerals '49' in silver, faced with glass and contained within an old and extremely decorative gilded frame set with a floreate pattern, the reverse with traces of its original paper backing, the reverse of the portrait bearing the handwritten text in ink: 'Pinxit 1824' and a (now illegible) name and London address, the portrait proper measuring 67mm x 88mm, including frame overall 250mm x 270mm, some minor chipping to gilding on frame, otherwise good very fine and a most attractive imageThe sitter is likely Captain Harcourt Morton, who on 15 October 1814 married Martha Gammell, sister of Ensign James Gammell. Morton's military career encompassed commissioned service in the 14th, 49th, and 85th regiments of Foot and action in both the Peninsular War at the Battle of Fuentes de Onoro (May 1811), and in the War of 1812 at the Battle of Chrystler's Farm (11 November 1813). Morton retired as a Major, claimed a Military General Service Medal with two clasps for the above-mentioned battles (a unique combination) as a Lieutenant in the 85th Foot, and died on 4 June 1854 at the age of 68.…
A rare campaign group of six awarded to Serjeant R. H. Aldridge, Cameron Highlanders later Royal FusiliersEgypt and Sudan 1882-89, no clasp, dated reserve (1418 Pte R. H. Aldridge. Cameron Highlanders.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1891 (141[...] Aldridge 2nd Bn. Sea. Highrs.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (9006 Pte. R, Aldrige. 2nd Rl. Fus:); British War and Victory Medals (58970 Sjt. R. H. Aldridge R. Fus); Khedive's Star, undated, unnamed, sometime lacquered, pitting, contact marks, edge bruising, overall nearly very fine (6)One of 28 no-clasp Egypt and Sudan Medals awarded to the Cameron Highlanders.Robert Henry Aldridge was born at St. Pancras, London in 1884 and attested on 6 August 1884 with the Cameron Highlanders. Posted to join the 1st Battalion in India- where they had been stationed since 1881- Aldridge was became one of 28 men of the Regiment to earn a no-clasp Egypt and Sudan Medal. Arriving on 3 March 1885 he was to see further service there with the Hazara 1891 expedition. Returning to Britain on 22 February 1892 he was posted to the Army Reserve on 1 March 1892 and was discharged in 1896.Finding work as a Carman Aldridge returned to service in 1900 during the Anglo-Boer War which saw him re-attest at London on 23 January 1900. Entering the war in South Africa on 3 April 1900 with the 2nd Battalion he was discharged on 4 July but- not to be denied- joined the Imperial Yeomanry and returned to the country in 1902. Re-entering the war there he served with 173 Squadron, 39th (Berkshire) Battalion from May before returning to Britain and being again demobilised.Remarkably, despite a seeing so much service over the course of his youth Aldridge returned to the colours yet again on the outbreak of the Great War, joining the 17th (Empire) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 9 September 1914. Initially he served at home, being posted to the 27th (Reserve) Battalion in 1915 however after the Somme Offensive he was given the opportunity to serve in France. Aldridge was posted to the 3rd Battalion, entering the war in France on 29 September 1916 and served there until 2 March 1917.Seeing service at home until November he was finally discharged as permanently unfit on 23 November; sold together with copied service papers.25001 SALEROOM NOTICE:Lot is NOT subject to 5% Import Tax.
The scarce Sergeant-Pilot's group of eight awarded to Sergeant F. E. Nash, Royal Air Force, later Major, Royal Artillery, who shot down German Ace Paul Felsmann in 1918 and then became a Prisoner of War in the same action, coming away with a number of interesting photographs of his captivity and later wrote a diary of his experiences during the Second World WarBritish War and Victory Medals (10206. Sgt. F. E. Nash. R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Territorial Decoration, dated to the reverse '1945' with second award bar dated '1949'; France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, with Palme, mounted court-style for wear, overall good very fine (8)Croix de Guerre confirmed in an amendment of The Chronicles of 55 Squadron R.F.C. - R.A.F.Frank Elliot Nash was born at Kington, Herefordshire on 26 November 1897 and settled in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire later in life. Enlisting with the Royal Flying Corps on 19 October 1915 as an Armourer he underwent Pilot Training with No. 8 Squadron being awarded his Wings on 2 April 1918. Re-mustering as a Sergeant Mechanic on 2 April 1918 he joined No 55 Squadron as a pilot flying D.H.4.s on 8 July 1918.Crash LandingWith this unit he launched a bombing mission over the Oberndorf Mauser Munitions Works on 20 July 1918 with Sergeant W. E. Baker as his observer. The Squadron was attacked by Albatros fighters with one D.H.4.- piloted by Lieutenant R. A. Butler being shot down- Baker shot down the Albatros immediately after its victory. This was likely Offizierstellvertreter Paul Felsmann, of K4b who was listed as killed in action at the same area that day.Even as they Baker emptied his weapon into Felsmann's aircraft, a second Albatros attacked, stitching the aircraft with rounds, hitting the fuselage and killing Baker. Nash's radiator was holed and hot water and steam splashed over his legs however despite this he was unharmed and managed to keep flying. The Albatros continued to press the attack with Nash remaining in formation as long as possible but, with his Observer dead, he was open and couldn't defend himself.Bullets tore through his shoulder and parts of the fuel tank lodged in his back, these wounds also knocked him unconscious and the D.H.4. dropped into a dive. Nash regained consciousness at 7,000 feet and managed to pull himself out of the plunge despite his wounded arm. This was made more difficult by the body of Baker which had fallen against his emergency stick.He levelled out only a few feet above the ground but was certainly still going down, Nash picked out a small field and attempted to lose some height. Unfortunately he hit a small ridge which tore the undercarriage out from his aircraft and he was deposited from 15 feet onto the ground. Emerging uninjured it is a mark of Nash's character that his first act was to try and remove Baker's body as he didn't want to burn it with the aircraft.His victor- either Vizefeldwebel Happer or Offizierstellvertreter Pohlmann- landed next to him and took him prisoner, offering him a 'particularly nasty cigarette' in consolation. As is often the case with bomber pilots, he needed to be protected from the citizens of the town he was bombing and it was in front of an angry mob that Nash was taken to Oberndorf Hospital, being put in the basement for his own safety. This proved to be a stroke of good luck however as he was sheltered from the second raid his squadron launched the next day when 200 tons of bombs were dropped.Prisoner of WarWhilst at the hospital he was able to attend the funeral of his observer Sergeant Baker and Lieutenant Young- whose aircraft was shot down before his- at Oberndorf cemetery. Butler, Young's observer, was not found for several weeks, having jumped from the aircraft to escape the flames. Nash was photographed at the funeral, wearing his uniform with a borrowed German cap.Taken to Tubingen Hospital he was treated there for the next two months, slowly recovering from the bullet and shrapnel wounds he had taken to his back and shoulder. Repatriated on 20 December 1918 he was further discharged on 26 March 1919.Return to the Colours - FranceNash was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 26 May 1937 with 42nd (Foresters) Anti-Aircraft Battalion. Further advanced Lieutenant after the outbreak of war on 1 August 1940, photographs sold with the lot make it clear that he was managing searchlights during this period.Promoted Captain in 1944 he joined the British Army on the continent on 22 June, his diary of events during the war describes his first sight of France stating:'Cannot accurately described the sight of Utah Beach. Literally thousands of craft of all shapes and sizes. Big battle in progress towards Caen, columns of black and purple smoke and very heavy artillery duel going on.'He goes on to describe his role in France which appears to have been rather unusual and certainly included some intelligence work:'Busy time on job. Jack-of-all-trades Interpreter, water engineer, undertaker, questioners of "Collaborators", etc. Giver out of permits to travel. Everything tranquil except for Boche night bombers thousands of prisoners going back all day to cages. Did an interrogation for Yanks, (65 P.O.W.s) could only find two who spoke German, others were Russians in German Uniforms!!'He was present for the Liberation of Paris and marvelled at the calm of the crowds, pouring into the streets and waving allied flags even as the Battle continued in the city. He gives a hair-raising account of one sticky moment when the fighting caught up with him quite alarmingly:'Moved baggage into billet about 14-00. 16-00 hours a terrible fusillade started all over the city. (De Gaulle came from Ave du [….] to Notre Dame.) Jerries and Milice arrived firing down from rooftops. About 17-30 our hotel attacked from courtyard at rear and adjoining roofs. Hardly a window left after 5 mins. Mons le Patron, wife and family very frightened. Returned fire with all available weapons Sgt Walsh (.45 Tommy) knocked one Boche from roof top into courtyard! Situation saved by arrival of platoon of F.F.I.'GermanyAdvancing swiftly through France and Belgium via Arras and Lille he was soon into Germany. Here the diary depicts yet more tension as Nash describes the reaction of the frightened and hostile population to their presence and sleeping with a loaded revolver under his pillow.He was reassigned to the Military Government Department in Diest, Belgium, being assigned to the village of Binkom. Posted to 229 (P) Military Government Department as a Staff Officer Nash was sent into Germany to help ease the administrative problems surrounding the Allied Invasion, encountering if anything greater tension than ever before. On one occasion the town in which he was billeted was strafed by several M.E.109s, with the townspeople finding themselves not only occupied but under attack by their own Luftwaffe.Stationed in Hanover he was ordered to help maintain order in the city which had been heavily damaged in its capture. Nash's diary takes up the story:'Incredible sight in Rathaus Platry [Rathausplatz], thousands milling around all wanting something! Very large proportion being German civilians reporting that (a) they had no food on accommodation, (b) their houses or what was left of them, had been plundered by DP's (c) someone had been murdered.'A volunteer police force had been recruited from the local population to try and keep order however Nash relates that '90%' of them had been killed by the time of his arrival. He cornered the leading civilian official in the town, a Dr Knibbe and 'Ordered him implicitly (Knibbe) to …
* DOUGLAS PHILLIPS (SCOTTISH 1926 - 2012), SWEET NIGHT AIR oil on board, signed, titled labels versomounted, framed and under glass image size 15cm x 19cm, overall size 32cm x 36cm Handwritten artist's label versoExhibition label verso: The Art Of Giving, Christmas Exhibition, December '87, The Scottish Gallery, EdinburghNote: Douglas Phillips was born and brought up in Dundee. He studied at the former Dundee Art College in Bell Street before being called up to the army towards the end of the Second World War for service in India and Ceylon. On returning to Dundee he began work in the art department of DC Thomson where he illustrated for The Rover and The Victor, amongst others. After leaving D C Thomson’s went on to illustrate over 100 books but also continued to maintain a connection with the company, featuring in more than one thousand issues of The People’s Friend as the pen and brush of J Campbell Kerr. He also documented old Dundee with his lively pen and ink drawings and book collaborations with the late journalist, broadcaster and Courier columnist Ron Thompson. Latterly he followed in the footsteps of two artists he greatly admired, Joan Eardley and his good friend Lil Neilson, producing vibrant, expressive paintings of Catterline and the East Coast of Scotland which he loved so much. His work is held in public and private collections worldwide.
* BILL WRIGHT RSW RGI DA (SCOTTISH 1931 - 2016), STORM BEACH watercolour on paper, signed, titled label versomounted, framed and under glassimage size 25cm x 33cm, overall size 47cm x 53cm Artist's label verso.Note: Bill Wright's talent first became evident when he was a boy, drawing endlessly for amusement while bedbound with illness. He went on to study painting at Glasgow School of Art and became an award-winning watercolourist, constantly inspired by was seascape and ever-changing sky on the Kintyre peninsula where he had a second home. Glasgow-born Wright, the son of a shipyard plater, was brought up in Partick and started his schooling at the city’s Dowanhill Primary before being evacuated to Dunoon during the Second World War. After returning home he attended Hyndland Senior Secondary and despite being discouraged by his parents, who would have preferred him to have a “proper job”, in 1949 he began his studies at Glasgow School of Art. They were interrupted by national service – a duty he felt hindered the progression of his art career. He served at Catterick army garrison but was a pacifist who abhorred war and dismissed the opportunity to be promoted to Sergeant as an army career held no interest. His first teaching post was at East Park School in Glasgow’s Maryhill. He then moved in 1965 to St Patrick’s High School in Dumbarton where he spent two years before becoming art adviser for the area at the age of 36. Over the next two decades he fostered the idea of instilling a cultural interest in art among pupils. He formed working groups to reform teaching of first and second-year students, encouraged forward-looking principal teachers and recruited many young teachers. His ethos was that teachers were not just there to create artists but to give all children a good art experience. He also established a residential art course for school children, at the Pirniehall residential educational facility at Croftamie in Dunbartonshire, where youngsters from different backgrounds could investigate the idea of furthering an art career through experiencing a range of different mediums in an art camp environment. And he is said to have been instrumental in encouraging the implementation of Scotland’s Standard Grade art and design qualification. However, he suffered from the chronic arthritic condition ankylosing spondylitis which, by the age of 55, forced him to take early retirement from his post in the education department of Strathclyde Regional Council. Meanwhile, as he had strived to enthuse youngsters with his own passion for art, he had been elected, in 1977, to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour. A member of the Glasgow Arts Club for many years, he was also an elected member of the Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts and Paisley Art Institute, served as president of the Scottish Artists’ Benevolent Association for 14 years and was a Scottish Arts Council lecturer, touring the country discussing art. But perhaps his own greatest inspiration was the view from a cottage he stumbled upon half a century ago, seven miles from Campbeltown on the Mull of Kintyre. He rented the property at Bellochantuy and set up a studio there where he drew on the vistas stretching 180 degrees, encompassing sea, beach, rocks and sky. He was utterly smitten by the area and was ultimately bequeathed the cottage by the owner who had become a close family friend. Over the years he came to know the area intimately and was fascinated by the constantly changing moods of the sea and light of the sky which formed the majority of his output. One large body of work, "Towards Islay", focused on the view from the back of the cottage. He captured the patterns and waves of the sea, sometimes adding a bird, limpit, mermaid’s purse, rock lines or some seaweed. But at times his works were very abstract and symbolic, concentrating on themes of nature and transience. He was hung in all the major shows in Scotland and in galleries across the country from Aberdeenshire to Edinburgh, Glasgow and south of the border. His work also features in public collections of Stirling and Strathclyde Universities, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh and the Educational Institute of Scotland. And he was recognised with The Laing Prize for Landscape and Seascape and the RSW’s Sir William Gillies Award.
* ROBERT HENDERSON BLYTH (BRITISH 1919 - 1970), VILLAGE watercolour on paper, signedmounted, framed and under glassimage size 27cm x 35.5cm, overall size 52cm x 56cmNote: Born in Glasgow he studied at the Glasgow School of Art from 1934 to 1939. In 1941, Henderson Blyth joined the Royal Army Medical Corps and served with them until the end of the Second World War. During the war, Henderson Blyth continued to paint and sketch despite being on active service, producing works often influenced by his experiences. Four paintings produced from this period were acquired by the War Artists' Advisory Committee. In 1946, Henderson Blyth began teaching at the Edinburgh School of Art and became an artist in residence at the acclaimed Hospitalfield House. In 1954, Henderson Blyth moved to Aberdeen to take a post at Gray's School of Art, where he became Head of Drawing in 1960, a post he maintained until his death in 1970. The Scottish Arts Council organised a memorial exhibition to Blyth which toured Scotland during 1972. 35 of his paintings are held in UK public collections.
Britains - Set No. 1512 - A Pair of Army Ambulances. Comprising 1 x 1937 version, boxed & 1 x 1948 version, unboxed. Include drivers, patients & stretchers (post war version has JoHillCo stretcher & patient & driver has heavy paint loss). Conditions generally appear Good Plus overall. Box is generally Good overall (some damage to lid and tear to label end). See photos.
Britains & Other Makers - A Group of WWII Boxed Sets. Comprising: Britains Set No. 17460 'Panzer IV Tank (Number 501)'; 17388 'German 6th Army...'; Corgi CC59153 '"Bomber" Harris' & Coleman's Cheshire 'Merrill's Marauders', Boxed (one figure snapped at ankles). Conditions generally appear Near Mint overall (except damage stated), contained in generally Good Plus to Excellent Plus set boxes. See photos.
A Group of WWII German Army Personal Letters. Five letters in envelopes, all postmarked 'Feldpost' (Field post) along with the emblem of the German Army, dated between 28/11/43 and 13/01/44. Also marked 'Velopost' (Bicycle post). Appear to be from a German soldier stationed in Paris to his wife (Käthe Reiner (sic)) & family (town/city unclear). Conditions generally appear Good overall. See photos.
Britains - A Pair of Sets 146a 'Royal Army Service Corps Wagon (Service Dress)'. One appears to be 1916 version, the other (probably) 1931. Conditions generally appear Fair to Good overall (one seated figure has loose head, one horse has damaged rear legs, one wagon missing seated figures). See photos.
Britains - A Pair of U.S. Military Boxed Sets. Comprising: Limited Edition Set No. 5391 'The United States Army Band of Washington D.C.' & 9179 'U.S.A. Air Corps Marching' (1960 version). Conditions generally appear Near Mint overall, contained in generally Good (9179) to Near Mint (5391) set boxes plus outer carton for 5391. See photo.
Britains & Ducal - A Group of Boxed Sets. Comprising: 'The Band of the Royal Marines' Presentation Set (Cat. nos 3097, 3098, 3099 & 3100 (includes certificate)); 00318 Hamleys Limited Edition 'Hussars Regiments...' (two mounted figures have detached arms (present) & foot figures are missing); 8819 & 5861. Also includes Ducal 'Salvation Army Band'. Conditions generally appear Good to Near Mint overall, contained in Good to Near Mint set boxes (00318 & Ducal have dents). See photos.
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