GROUPS AND PAIRS WITH ORDERS AND DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY OR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE |
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The G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I. Group of Eight to Trooper Sir M.G. Hallett, Chota Nagpur Regiment and Indian Civil Service, Governor of Bihar and the United Provinces a) The Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire, Knight Grand Commander's (G.C.I.E.) set of Insignia, sash Badge, 90mm including crown suspension x 60mm, gold and enamel; Star, 92mm, silver, silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, with gold retaining pin, with full sash riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue b) The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Knight Commander's (K.C.S.I.) set of Insignia, neck Badge, 81mm including star suspension x 51mm, gold, silver, and enamel, with a fine quality central onyx cameo of a youthful Queen Victoria, the motto illuminated with diamonds; Star, 84mm, silver, gold, and enamel, the motto illuminated with diamonds, with gold retaining pin, with full and miniature-width neck ribands, in Garrard, London, case of issue c) The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Knight's set of insignia, neck Badge, 54mm, silver and enamel, lions and unicorns in angles; Star, 70mm, silver and enamel, lions and unicorns in angles, with neck riband, in damaged case of issue d) Delhi Durbar 1911, silver e) Jubilee 1935 f) Coronation 1937 g) Coronation 1953 h) Volunteer Force Long Service & G.C., G.V.R. (Tpr. M.G. Hallett, Chota Nag R., A.F.I.), minor official corrections to last, otherwise good very fine, the G.C.I.E. and K.C.S.I. extremely fine, the medals mounted as originally worn, together with the following documents &c.: - Bestowal Document for the G.C.I.E., dated 1.1.1943 - Bestowal Document for the K.C.S.I., dated 9.2.1937, with Central Chancery letter - Bestowal Document for the C.S.I., dated 4.6.1934 - Bestowal Document for the C.I.E., dated 1.1.1930 - Illuminated Bestowal Document for the Order of St. John, Knight, dated 14.7.1939, in embossed scroll-box holder - Programme of the Ceremony on the occasion of the assumption of the Office of Governor of Bihar by Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett, 11.3.1937 - Covenant of M.G. Hallett, Member of the Civil Service of India, dated 18.10.1909 - Portrait photograph of the recipient in full G.C.I.E. robes (11) £12,000-15,000
Footnote: G.C.I.E. London Gazette 1.1.1943 Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., Governor of the United Provinces.
C.I.E. London Gazette 1.1.1930 Maurice Garnier Hallett, Esq., Indian Civil Service, Bihar and Orissa.
K.C.S.I. London Gazette 9.2.1937 Maurice Garnier Hallett, Esq., C.S.I., C.I.E., Indian Civil Service, Governor-Designate of Bihar.
C.S.I. London Gazette 4.6.1934 Maurice Garnier Hallett, Esq., C.I.E., Indian Civil Service, Secretary to the Government of India, Home Department.
Order of St. John, Knight London Gazette 2.1.1940 His Excellency Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., I.C.S.
Sir Maurice Garnier Hallett, G.C.I.E., K.C.S.I., was born at Priors Hardwick, Warwickshire, in October 1883, the son of the Rev. John Hallett, vicar of Priors Hardwick, and was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford, where he read Greats. He arrived in India in November 1907, as a member of the Indian Civil Service, and his first service posting was in Bengal as an Assistant Magistrate and Collector. In 1912 he moved to the newly created province of Bihar and Orissa (which formerly had been part of Bengal), and between 1913 and 1915 served as Under-Secretary to the Government of Bihar and Orissa in the Political, Appointment, and Education Departments.
In 1916 Hallett was promoted Magistrate and Collector, and four years later was appointed Secretary to Government of Bihar and Orissa in the local Self-Government Department. After a short spell as Officiating Commissioner of Bhagalpur in 1929, he returned to Bihar as Chief Secretary, and was created a Companion of the Order of the Indian Empire. In 1932 he moved to New Delhi, having as Secretary, Government of India, Home Department, in which post he was created a Companion of the Order of the Star of India, and in 1936 he was elected a Member of the Council of State. In 1937 he returned to Bihar (the province by now having been split in two, with Orissa a separate entity), as Governor, for which role he was advanced Knight Commander of the Order of the Star of India. Two years later, in 1939, he transferred to the Governorship of the United Provinces, in which post he served throughout the Second World War. Having been appointed Knight Grand Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire in 1943, Hallett retired in December 1945 to Winchester, Hampshire, where he died in May 1969.
Like many of his contemporaries in the Indian Civil Service, Hallett enlisted in the Auxiliary Force, and served as a Trooper in the Chota Nagpur Regiment, a cavalry unit based in Bihar, the Province in which he was later Governor.
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The Gold Kaisar-i-Hind Pair to Gladys, Lady Hallett a) Kaisar-i-Hind Medal, G.VI.R., First Class, gold (63.70g), with integral top riband bar, on lady's bow riband, in case of issue b) The Most Venerable Order of St. John, Commander's Badge, 41mm, silver and enamel, lions and unicorns in angles, on lady's bow riband, in case of issue, nearly extremely fine, together with the related miniature award for the Kaisar-i-Hind Medal, gold, with integral top riband bar; and the following related documents &c.: - Illuminated Bestowal Document for the Order of St. John, Commander, dated 17.11.1939 - Formal group photograph including Lady Hallett, sat next to her husband, Sir Maurice Hallett (2) £1,200-1,500
Footnote: Kaisar-i-Hind, First Class London Gazette 1.1.1941 Gladys, Lady Hallett (wife of Sir Maurice Hallett, K.C.S.L, C.I.E., Governor of the United Provinces) 'For Public Services in India.'
Order of St. John, Commander London Gazette 2.1.1940 Gladys Constance Mabel, Lady Hallett.
Gladys Constance Mabel, Lady Hallett, married Sir Maurice Hallett in November 1914.
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The K.C.M.G. Group of Three to Sir I.P. Garran, H.M. Ambassador to Mexico, 1960-64, and to the Netherlands, 1964-70 a) The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Knight Commander's (K.C.M.G.) set of Insignia, neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Star, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, with gold retaining pin, with full and miniature width neck ribands, in Spink, London, case of issue b) Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, in card box of issue c) Netherlands, Kingdom, Commemorative Medal for the Wedding of Princess Beatrix 1966, nearly extremely fine, together with the related miniature awards (4) £1,000-1,400
Footnote: K.C.M.G. London Gazette 10.6.1961 Isham Peter Garran, Esq., C.M.G., Her Majesty's Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Mexico City.
C.M.G. London Gazette 1.1.1954 Isham Peter Garran, Esq., Inspector of Her Majesty's Foreign Service Establishments.
Sir (Isham) Peter Garran, K.C.M.G., (1910-1991), the son of Sir Robert Garran, G.C.M.G., Solicitor-General of Australia; educated at Melbourne Grammar School and Trinity College, University of Melbourne; joined the Foreign Office, 1934; foreign posts included Belgrade, 1937-41; Lisbon, 1941-44; Berlin, 1947-50; The Hague, 1950-52; Appointed Inspector in H.M. Foreign Service, 1952; Minister (Commercial), Washington D.C., 1955-60; H.M. Ambassador to Mexico, 1960-64; H.M. Ambassador to the Netherlands, 1964-70.
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The C.B., Second War O.B.E. Group of Seven to Chaplain of the Fleet The Rt. Rev. J. Armstrong, Royal Navy, Honorary Chaplain to H.M. The Queen and Later Lord Bishop of Bermuda a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with full and miniature width neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issue b) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt c) 1939-1945 Star d) Atlantic Star, with France and Germany Bar e) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf f) Coronation 1953, good very fine, together with the following related items: - Honorary Chaplain to the Queen's Badge, E.II.R., gilt and enamel - The recipient's miniature width riband bar - Bestowal Document for the Coronation Medal - Letter to the recipient appointing him Honorary Chaplain to the Queen, dated 15.6.1958 - Letter to the recipient appointing him Chaplain of the Fleet, dated 15.3.1960 - Central Chancery enclosure for the C.B. (lot) £800-1,200
Footnote: C.B. London Gazette 1.1.1962 The Venerable Archdeacon John Armstrong, O.B.E., Q.H.C., Chaplain of the Fleet
O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1942 The Reverend John Armstrong, Chaplain, Royal Navy
M.I.D. London Gazette 28.6.1940 The Reverend John Armstrong, Chaplain, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Punjabi 'For daring, resource, and devotion to duty in the second Battle of Narvik.'
The Rt. Rev. John Armstrong, C.B., O.B.E., born 4.10.1905, and educated at Durham School and the Australian College of Theology, Sydney, NSW; ordained Priest, 1932; Commissioned Chaplain, Royal Navy, 28.8.1935; appointed Chaplain, H.M.S. Somali, 19.10.1939; served during the Second World War, and present in H.M.S. Punjabi at the Second Battle of Navrik, 13.4.1940, where the Punjabi was fired upon by the German destroyers prior to the comprehensive British victory (Mentioned in Despatches); subsequently served with HQSS Group; appointed Honorary Chaplain to H.M. the Queen, 15.6.1958; promoted Chaplain of the Fleet, 15.3.1960; consecrated Lord Bishop of Bermuda, 1963; retired, 1970; died, 30.12.1992.
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An 1885 'Egyptian Campaign' C.B. Group of Seven to Colonel E.S. Walcott, Bombay Infantry, Later Honorary Colonel, 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) breast Badge, gold (Hallmarks for London 1882) and enamel, split-ring suspension replaced with small soldered claw to facilitate mounting, with integral gold riband buckle b) China 1857-60, no clasp (Lieutt. E.S. Walcott. 5th. Bombay, N.I.), a post-1873 later issue c) Afghanistan 1878-80, one clasp, Kandahar (Maj. E.S. Walcott. Act: Dy. C. Gl.) d) Egypt 1882-89, undated, one clasp, Suakin 1885 (Col: & A.C. Gen: E.S. Walcott. Bom: Comt. Dept.) e) Coronation 1902, silver f) Territorial Decoration, E.VII.R., silver and silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1909), with integral top riband bar g) Khedive's Star 1884-6, backstraps on both clasps replaced to facilitate mounting, light contact marks to campaign medals and minor green enamel damage to reverse wreath on C.B., otherwise good very fine, mounted court-style (7) £2,000-2,500
Footnote: C.B. London Gazette 25.8.1885 Colonel Edmund Scopoli Walcott, Bombay Infantry
T.D. London Gazette 3.5.1910 Colonel (retired, Indian Army; Lieutenant-Colonel and Honorary Colonel, retired, Volunteers) Edmund Scopoli Walcott, C.B., Honorary Colonel, 6th Battalion, The Devonshire Regiment
Colonel Edmund Scopoli Walcott, C.B., T.D., born Castle Caldwell, Co. Fermanagh, Ireland, 1842; Commissioned Ensign, Bombay Infantry, March 1860; Promoted Lieutenant, May 1862; Captain, October 1869; Major, March 1880; served as Acting Deputy Commissariat General during the Second Afghan War, and Mentioned in Despatches for the Siege of Kandahar (London Gazette 3.12.1880); promoted Lieutenant-Colonel 'in recognition of his services during the late Afghan Campaign', March 1881; Colonel, March 1885; served in the Sudan Expedition with the Bombay Commissariat Department, Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 25.8.1885), and appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath; retired from the Indian Army and transferred to the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, November 1889; Appointed Sheriff for the County of Devonshire, and Deputy-Lieutenant, 1902; Honorary Colonel, 6th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, April 1908. Colonel Walcott died at home in Exeter, October 1923.
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The Great War C.M.G., 1918 'Western Front' D.S.O. Group of Seven to Lieutenant-Colonel G.S. Tovey, Royal Field Artillery a) The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband b) Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar c) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. G.S. Tovey, R.F.A.) d) King's South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (Capt. G.S. Tovey, R.F.A.) e) 1914 Star, with Bar (Major G.S. Tovey, R.F.A.) f) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Lt. Col. G.S. Tovey), the Boer War pair with edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise generally good very fine (7) £1,400-1,800
Footnote: C.M.G. London Gazette 3.6.1918 Lt.-Col. George Strangways Tovey, D.S.O., R.A. 'For services rendered in connection with Military Operations in France and Flanders.'
D.S.O. London Gazette 14.1.1916 Major George Strangways Tovey, Royal Artillery
Lieutenant-Colonel George Strangways Tovey, C.M.G., D.S.O., born September 1875, the son of Colonel H. Tovey, Royal Engineers, and educated at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, March 1896; promoted Lieutenant, March 1899; served during the Boer War with 65th Battery, Royal Field Artillery; later attached to 'O' Section Pom-Poms, and served as Assistant Military Secretary to G.O.C., South Africa (Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 10.9.1901); promoted Captain, 20.1.1902; served as Adjutant, Royal Artillery, August 1905 to January 1907; promoted Major, 1.1.1913; appointed Assistant Military Secretary to Lieutenant-General Murray, 18.2.1914; on the outbreak of the Great War posted to 23 Battery, Royal Field Artillery, 29.8.1914, and served during the Great War on the Western Front as a Battery Commander from October 1914 (wounded, awarded the D.S.O., and five times Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazettes 22.6.1915 (for Neuve Chapelle), 1.1.1916, 15.6.1916, 4.1.1917, and 20.5.1918); later in the War served as Brigade Commander in the 19th Divisional Artillery, and as Commanding Officer of 232 Army Artillery Brigade with the 3rd Army. Promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 2.2.1917; placed on half pay on account of ill health caused by wounds, 29.4.1920; retired, 21.3.1921; died, 13.1.1943. One of his brothers, John Cronyn Tovey, later became Admiral of the Fleet and C-in-C Home Fleet during World War Two.
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The Important C.V.O., Second War 1944 'D-Day' D.S.O., O.B.E. Group of Twelve to Colonel R.A.G. Bingley, 11th Hussars, Who Raised and Commanded the Inns of Court Armoured Car Regiment, Leading it Ashore Under Fire on Juno Beach, 6.6.1944 a) The Royal Victorian Order, Commander's (C.V.O.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially numbered 'C826', with neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issue b) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated '1945', with integral top riband bar c) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt d) The Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer's Badge, silvered and enamel e) 1939-1945 Star f) France and Germany Star g) Defence and War Medals h) Coronation 1953 i) Luxembourg, Grand Duchy, Order of Civil and Military Merit of Adolph of Nassau, Military Division, Commander's neck Badge, with crossed swords and without crown suspension, 47mm, silver-gilt and enamel, minor enamel damage to motto on obverse and restoration work to reverse central medallion, with neck riband, in case of issue j) Netherlands, Kingdom, Order of the House of Orange, Commander's neck Badge, 68mm x 55mm, gilt and enamel, in Koninklijke Begeer, Voorschoten, case of issue k) Netherlands, Kingdom, Coronation Medal 1948, silver, nearly extremely fine, the British awards mounted court-style for display purposes (12) £2,500-3,000
Footnote: C.V.O. London Gazette 1.1.1954 Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Albert Glanville Bingley, D.S.O., O.B.E., Assistant Military Secretary, HQ Eastern Command 'For services in the Royal Mews Department on State Occasions'
D.S.O. London Gazette 1.2.1945 Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Robert Albert Glanville Bingley (24309), 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own), Royal Armoured Corps (Andoversford) 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.'
The Recommendation, dated 28.8.1944, states: 'Lt. Col. Bingley commands the Inns of Court Regiment. A detachment of his unit, under his personal command, landed in Normandy on D day and achieved a very deep penetration of the enemy defences, reaching Tilly sur Seulle. During this action he came under very heavy fire and his detachment suffered very heavy losses. Ever since this day his unit has been engaged in battle. Every detachment has shown the same thrust and determination as was displayed by Lt. Col. Bingley to penetrate the enemy defences, report on his doings, and disorganise and demoralise his rear areas. I consider this spirit due to the splendid example set by Lt. Col. Bingley both on D day and thereafter and strongly recommend that he be awarded the D.S.O.'
O.B.E. London Gazette 13.6.1946 Lieutenant-Colonel Robert Albert Glanville Bingley, D.S.O. (24309), 11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own), Royal Armoured Corps.
Order of St. John, Officer London Gazette 6.1.1956 Colonel Robert Albert Glanville Bingley, C.V.O., D.S.O., O.B.E
Colonel Robert Albert Glanville Bingley, C.V.O., D.S.O., O.B.E, born 15.11.1902, the son of Major R.N.G. Bingley, O.B.E.; educated at Charterhouse and Royal Military College Sandhurst; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 11th Hussars, 1.2.1923; promoted Lieutenant, 1.2.1925; Captain and Adjutant, 28.8.1933; appointed Adjutant, Inns of Court Regiment, 23.4.1936; promoted Major, 1.2.1940; Assumed Command of the Inns of Court Regiment, as acting Lieutenant-Colonel, 1.12.1940, and raised and commanded the newly-established Inns of Court Armoured Car Regiment; served with the Regiment during the Second World War in North West Europe from 6.6.1944, leading 'C' Squadron of the Regiment ashore on Juno Beach on D-Day, and advanced as far inland as Tilly-sur-Seulle by nightfall- a remarkable achievement for a Regiment embarking on its first bout of active service, and indeed being the only Armoured Car unit to land on D-Day; post D-Day 'C' Squadron acted as a 'Phantom' wireless unit, and then, as part of 11th Armoured Division, became the reconnaissance asset of I Corps, and was heavily engaged in the fierce encounters of the bocage and the Arnhem relief operations; subsequently appointed Assistant Military Secretary to Field Marshal Montgomery, 21 Armoured Group, June 1945, for which role he was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire; promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 27.9.1945; appointed GSO, British Military Mission Belgium, 3.4.1946; Military Attaché, HM Embassy, The Hague, 15.5.1947; Appointed Assistant Military Secretary, Eastern Command, 12.7.1951; retired with the rank of Colonel, 28.2.1955; in later life became a Director of the St. John Ambulance Association; he died, 5.7.1976.
provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, 15.12.2011 (when sold accompanied by a quantity of original documentation, including the Bestowal Documents for the C.V.O., D.S.O., and O.B.E.)
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The Second War 'North West Europe' D.S.O., '1938' M.B.E. Group of Eight to Colonel J. Bell, Royal Engineers a) Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse of suspension bar officially dated '1946', with integral top riband bar, in Garrard, London, case of issue b) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, in Royal Mint case of issue c) 1939-1945 Star d) France and Germany Star e) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf f) Coronation 1953 g) Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., silver and silver-gilt, reverse officially dated '1945', with two Additional Award Bars, E.II.R., both officially dated '1953', with top 'Territorial' riband bar, the two top riband bars both pierced for sewing onto riband, generally nearly extremely fine, with the recipient's related miniature awards, lacking M.I.D. Oak Leaf; riband bars; various Royal Engineers cap badges, rank insignia, and Lowland Division cloth badges; and the following Bestowal Documents &c., all of which are mounted in glazed display frames: - Commission appointing James Bell a Second Lieutenant in the Territorial Army, dated 27.12.1929 - Bestowal Document for the D.S.O., named to Major James Bell, M.B.E., T.D., and dated 24.1.1946 - Bestowal Document for the M.B.E., named to Captain James Bell, and dated 9.6.1938 - Bestowal Document for the Coronation Medal 1953, named to Colonel James Bell, D.S.O., M.B.E., T.D. - The recipient's Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, dated 9.8.1945 - Heraldic Map, showing the Training and Active Service of the 52nd (L) Division during the Campaign in North West Europe 1939-1945 - Second Army Thanksgiving Service booklet, on the Conclusion of the Campaign in North West Europe - Portrait photograph of the recipient, this mounted but not framed; and a photograph of the recipient inspecting a Guard of Honour in Scotland (lot) £1,200-1,600
Footnote: D.S.O. London Gazette 24.1.1946 Major James Bell, M.B.E., T.D., B.Sc., A.R.I.B.A. (44574), Corps of Royal Engineers 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.'
The Recommendation, dated 1.7.1945, states: 'In the South Beveland campaign Major Bell landed in the assault wave and organised the engineer work off the beaches and the clearance of mines. It was his men's first appearance in action as well as his own and he led them cooly and steadied them through the first difficult days. The mines were particularly troublesome in this campaign, being sown broadcast and with untried troops, casualties from them were severe at first but he encouraged his men in their dangerous task by his own example, and his coolness and foresight kept the casualties to a minimum. In clearing the Roer pocket, he again was in support of the Infantry Brigade opening the assault, and it was due to his determination that a crossing was in fact made for the armour over the tank obstacle covering Stein though the thaw conditions prevented its exploitation. He supported his Brigade in the assault on Alpon, where he took his sappers and his bulldozer into the town when the armour was itself held up by fire. He cleared a way through working and encouraging his men under heavy fire. In the crossing of the Rhine, his company was under command of 4 GHQ Transport Engineers and took part in the assault crossing. In the attack on Bremen he was in support of the leading Brigade all the way from Verdun, into the city itself, remaining in the van when the Infantry Brigades relieved each other. Once more he led and encouraged his men as they cleared the road forward under heavy fire and faced new dangers from an unknown and remote controlled aerial bomb used as demolition charge, which destroyed one of the Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers under his command. Throughout the campaign Major Bell has been continually under fire and has led his troops superbly through many difficult and dangerous phases, inspiring them by his own personal example of coolness and contempt for danger. He has ably supported the Brigade he was with on every occasion and no call has ever been made on his sappers in vain.'
M.B.E. London Gazette 9.6.1938 Captain James Bell, B.Sc., A.R.I.B.A., 52nd (Lowland) Divisional Engineers, Royal Engineers, Territorial Army.
T.D. London Gazette 12.4.1945 Capt.-(T/Maj.) J. Bell, M.B.E. (44574), Corps of Royal Engineers
T.D. Second Award Bar London Gazette 31.3.1953 Lt-Col. & Bt. Col. J. Bell, D.S.O., M.B.E., T.D., B.Sc., A.R.I.B.A. (44574), Corps of Royal Engineers
T.D. Third Award Bar London Gazette 31.3.1953 Lt-Col. & Bt. Col. J. Bell, D.S.O., M.B.E., T.D., B.Sc., A.R.I.B.A. (44574), Corps of Royal Engineers
M.I.D. London Gazette 9.8.1945 Maj. (temp.) J. Bell, M.B.E., B.Sc., A.R.I.B.A. (44574), Corps of Royal Engineers 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe'
Colonel James Bell, D.S.O., M.B.E., T.D., educated at Kelvinside Academy, Glasgow; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 52nd (Lowland) Divisional Engineers, Royal Engineers (Territorial Army), 1.1.1930; advanced Captain, and served with the 52nd (Lowland) Division during the Second War in North West Europe in the South Beveland campaign, and present at the assault on Alpon, the crossing of the Rhine, and the attack on Bremen (awarded D.S.O. and Mentioned in Despatches); promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 1.5.1947; Brevet Colonel, 1.5.1950; appointed Honorary Colonel, 124 (Lowland) Field Engineer Regiment, Royal Engineers (Territorial Army), 30.12.1950; retired, October 1958.
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The Second War O.B.E. Group of Six to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir K.W. Hogg, Bt., Irish Guards a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt b) 1914-15 Star (2. Lieut. K.W. Hogg. I.Gds.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. K.W. Hogg) d) Defence and War Medals, generally very fine, mounted as worn, together with the recipient's related miniature awards, the 1914-15 Star replaced with a 1914 Star, these mounted court-style as worn (6) £500-600
Footnote: O.B.E. London Gazette Lieutenant-Colonel (temporary) Kenneth Weir Hogg (9625), Irish Guards.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Kenneth Weir Hogg, Bt. (1894-1985), educated at Haileybury College and Christ Church, Oxford; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 5.10.1914; posted from the Special Reserve to the Irish Guards, 4.10.1915, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 26.5.1915 (wounded); promoted Lieutenant, 17.2.1916; Captain, 2.12.1918; served during the Second World War as Assistant Adjutant-General, Directorate of Recruiting and Demobilisation, War Office; retired, 18.10.1945, with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.
Upon the death of his cousin, Ronald McGarel-Hogg, 4th Baron Magheramorne and 5th Baronet, in April 1957, Hogg succeeded to the Baronetcy as 6th Baronet (the peerage having becoming extinct). The baronetcy had originally been created for his great grandfather, James Weir Hogg, M.P., Chairman of the Honourable East India Company. Another cousin, Lord Hailsham, served as Lord Chancellor.
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A 1953 'Coronation' O.B.E. Group of Six to Lieutenant C.W. Thomas, Middlesex Regiment, who as a Sculptor and Medal Artist Designed the 1953 Coronation Medal a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt b) British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. C.W. Thomas.) c) Defence and War Medals d) Coronation 1953, traces of lacquer, slightly tarnished throughout, very fine, mounted for wear (6) £200-240
Footnote: O.B.E. London Gazette 1.6.1953 Cecil Thomas, Esq., Sculptor and Medal Artist
Lieutenant Cecil Walter Thomas, O.B.E., born Shepherd's Bush, London, March 1885, the son Mr. John Thomas, a seal and gem engraver; educated at the Central School of Arts and Crafts, Heatherly's, and the Slade; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Middlesex Regiment, and served during the Great War on the Western Front from 22.1.1917; promoted Lieutenant, 1.7.1917; after the War continued his civilian career as a sculptor and engraver, whilst also undertaking a number of commissions for the Royal Mint; served during the Second War as a Flying Officer, Royal Air Force; in 1953 designed the Coronation portrait of H.M. The Queen that was used on the Coronation medal, and as a result was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (and awarded the medal); he subsequently produced a number of portraits of H.M. The Queen used on overseas coins and British and Commonwealth stamps; exhibited at the Royal Academy and elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of British Sculptors; received the RBS Gold Medal, 1973; died, 16.9.1976.
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A Second War '1944' O.B.E. Group of Seven to Wing Commander A.T.G. James, Royal Air Force a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt b) India General Service 1936-39, one clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (Fg. Off. A.G.T. James R.A.F.) c) 1939-1945 Star d) Burma Star e) France and Germany Star f) Defence and War Medals, good very fine, mounted as originally worn (7) £240-280
Footnote: O.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1944 Wing Commander Arthur Gladdish Trevenen James (37181), Reserve of Air Force Officers.
Wing Commander Arthur Gladdish Trevenen James, O.B.E., Commissioned Pilot Officer, General Duties Branch, Royal Air Force, 16.4.1935; promoted Flying Officer, 16.10.1937; Flight Lieutenant, 16.10.1939; Squadron Leader, 16.4.1941; Wing Commander, 1.3.1942.
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An O.B.E. Pair Attributed to Major H.C.E. Smithett, York and Lancaster Regiment, Late Seaforth Highlanders a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Military Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1919) b) Coronation 1902, silver, unnamed as issued, good very fine, with the related miniature awards (2) £150-200
Footnote: O.B.E. London Gazette 3.6.1919 Smithett, Maj. Henry Cecil East, r.p. York and Lanc. R. (R. of O.) 'For valuable services rendered in connection with the War.'
Major Henry Cecil East Smithett, O.B.E., (1860-1932), born Windsor, Berkshire; Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal London Militia, February 1881; enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders, May 1883, and advanced Colour-Sergeant; Commissioned Lieutenant, York and Lancaster Regiment, July 1886; appointed Adjutant, 1st Battalion, July 1888; appointed Inspector of Musketry, Hythe, February 1895; promoted Captain, August 1895; Major, 1.7.1904; placed on retired pay, 18.11.1908; served during the Great War as DAAQMG, Wessex Division, and subsequently in command of a Group, Machine Gun Training Centre, and later Commandant, Machine Gun Schools, Grantham; temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, 26.4.1916.
provenance: Sworders, September 2014 (sold alongside his son's named British War and Victory Medals).
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An M.B.E. Group of Four to Major C.T. Wilson, Royal Irish Fusiliers a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver b) 1914-15 Star (R-5852 Pte. C.T. Wilson. K.R. Rif: C.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Capt. C.T. Wilson), nearly very fine or better, mounted as originally worn, together with the recipient's cigarette case, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1916), the initials 'C.T.W.' engraved inside, and the crests of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Irish Fusiliers on the outside (4) £180-220
Footnote: M.B.E. London Gazette 1.6.1953 Major Conrad Thomas Wilson, Branch Secretary, Officers' Association
Major Conrad Thomas Wilson, M.B.E., Commissioned Second Lieutenant, 3rd Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers, 21.5.1915; subsequently transferred to the Inns of Court O.T.C., Territorial Army.
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A 'Civil Division' M.B.E. Group of Four to R.E.8 Pilot, Major E.C. Stonehouse, Royal Flying Corps and Royal Air Force, Late Royal Army Service Corps, Wounded in Action, 25.2.1918 a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Civil Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver and enamel, in Royal Mint case of issue b) 1914-15 Star (Capt. E.C. Stonehouse. A.S.C.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Major E.C. Stonehouse. R.A.F.), nearly extremely fine, together with the recipient's related miniature awards (4) £250-300
Footnote: M.B.E. London Gazette 13.6.1959 Eric Childe Stonehouse, Esq., J.P., Chairman of Committee, No. 127 (Wakefield) Squadron, Air Training Corps.
Major Eric Childe Stonehouse, M.B.E. (1886-1967); a native of Wakefield; educated at Sedbergh School; commissioned Captain 1st West Riding Brigade Company, Army Service Corps (T.F.), 16.6.1910; advanced Major, Royal Army Service Corps, 1.6.1916; seconded for duty with the Royal Flying Corps, 4.8.1917; after training was posted as a pilot to 42 Squadron (R.E.8's), on the Austro-Italian front; he was wounded in action, whilst flying B5099, 25.2.1918; after a period of recuperation in hospital he returned to operational flying with 16 Squadron (R.E.8's), Complain L'Abbe, July 1918; posted as Major (Flying) to 'Room 426, Air Ministry', October 1918; posted as a Flight Commander to 12 Squadron (R.E.8's), Duren, Germany, March 1919; relinquished Temporary Commission, 18.1.1921; re-engaged for service during the Second War as Acting Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 1.2.1941.
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A Second War 1940 'Dunkirk Evacuation' D.S.C. Group of Six to Engineer J.L. Crockart, Royal Naval Reserve a) Distinguished Service Cross, reverse officially dated '1940' and additionally privately engraved 'Dunkirk. L.J. [sic] Crockart.', silver (Hallmarks for London 1940), in Garrard, London, case of issue b) 1914-15 Star (Asst. Eng. J.L. Crockart, R.N.R.) c) 1939-1945 Star d) Atlantic Star e) Defence and War Medals, extremely fine (6) £700-900
Footnote: D.S.C. London Gazette 16.8.1940 Mr. James Lang Crockart, Engineer, H.M. Transport Biarritz 'For good service in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.'
Engineer James Lang Crockart, D.S.C., Commissioned Assistant Engineer, Royal Naval Reserve, 3.4.1915.
The S.S. Biarritz was a 2,500 ton cross-channel ferry, owned by the Southern Railway Company. During the Second War she served as a troop transport ship, and at the Evacuation from Dunkirk she made five trips, carrying a total of 6,200 men to safety; on one of her trips she came under fire from shore batteries off the French coast off Gravelines; on the 20th June 1940 she evacuated service personnel and civilians from Guernsey, and in June 1944 served as a troop ship during the Normandy Landings. The 1914-15 Star to Officers in the Royal Naval Reserve was administered separately from the British War, Mercantile Marine, and Victory Medals. There is no evidence that Crockart ever applied for, or received, any other Great War Medals.
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A Good Great War 1918 'Battle of Ramicourt' M.C. Group of Four to Major G.S. Brown, Royal Army Medical Corps, Attached Leicestershire Regiment a) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued b) 1914 Star (Lieut. G.S. Brown. R.A.M.C.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Major G.S. Brown.), very fine (4) £700-900
Footnote: M.C. London Gazette 8.3.1919 T./Capt. Gavin Stiell Brown, M.B., R.A.M.C., attd. 1/4th Bn., Leic. R., T.F. 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty whilst tending the wounded on the morning of the attack of 29th September, 1918, near Bellenglise, under very heavy shell fire. He showed an absolute disregard for personal danger, both at that time and subsequently during the action.'
Major Gavin Stiell Brown, M.C., educated at Edinburgh University; after a period in General Medical Practice he held hospital appointments in Birmingham; Commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Army Medical Corps, August 1914; promoted Captain, August 1915; Major, November 1918; awarded the Military Cross for tending the wounded during the Battle of Ramicourt, September to October 1918, whilst attached to the 13th General Hospital, Boulogne. After the Great War Brown went into private practice in Hull, and was ultimately consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist to the Hull group of hospitals. He was also an early pioneer of the Flying Squad, and was for many years the sole medical member of the Hull squad (recipient's obituary in the British Medical Journal refers). He died in February 1976.
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A Great War 1918 'Salonika' M.C. Group of Four to Chaplain to the Forces Fourth Class the Rev. J.M. Bold, Army Chaplains' Department a) Military Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued b) 1914-15 Star (Rev. J.M. Bold A.C.D.) c) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Rev. J.M. Bold.), very fine, mounted court-style for display purposes (4) £800-1,200
Footnote: M.C. London Gazette 3.6.1918 The Rev. Joseph Morris Bold, T./Chaplain to Forces, 4th Class, A.C. Dept. 'For distinguished service in connection with Military Operations in Salonika.'
M.I.D. London Gazette 21.7.1917 Bold, Rev. J. M., Temp. Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class, Army Chaplains' Department 'For distinguished service rendered during the past six months with the British Salonika Force.'
Chaplain to the Forces Fourth Class the Rev. Joseph Morris Bold, M.C., born Runcorn, Cheshire, 1887; subsequently served as Minister of the Dome Mission, Dorset Gardens Methodist Church, Brighton.
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A Fine Second War '1943' Night-Fighter's D.F.C. Group of Six to Blenheim and Beaufighter Pilot, Squadron Leader I.K.S. Joll, 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron, Auxiliary Air Force, Who Was Shot Down Over Holland, 10.5.1940, Before Returning To England Via A Fishing Vessel; He Flew In John 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham's Flight Throughout The Battle Of Britain, And Claimed 1 Damaged During The Battle. Joll Went On To Be Accredited With At Least 4 Destroyed, And 2 Damaged. On 1.11.1940, Whilst Flying With Jimmy Rawnsley, His Aircraft 'Iced-Up' And Went Into What Looked To Be A Fatal Spin; Joll Managed To Pull Out Of The Spin And Land Safely, But Not Before Rawnsley And Another Crew-Member Had Bailed-Out a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated '1943' b) 1939-1945 Star, with Battle of Britain Bar c) Air Crew Europe Star d) Defence and War Medals e) Air Efficiency, G.VI.R. (Act. Sqn. Ldr. I.K.S. Joll. A.A.F.), generally very fine, with the following related material: - Three R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books, covering the period 26.3.1939-26.2.1942; 17.3.1942-30.9.1943 and 3.10.1943-24.7.1948, the first with signatures of 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham in his capacity as Flight Commander - Oil painting, 'Squadron Leader I.K.S. Joll DFC, 604 Squadron RAuxAF, Over Chawleigh, Devon, 5th May 1943', signed 'J. Crisp 1993'; with portrait photographic image of recipient in uniform (lot) £7,000-9,000
Footnote: D.F.C. London Gazette 26.10.1943 Acting Squadron Leader Ian Kenneth Sefton Joll (09051), Auxiliary Air Force, 604 Squadron 'This officer has undertaken very many sorties and has destroyed 4 enemy aircraft and damaged several more. He is an exceptionally keen and skilful leader, whose personal example has been reflected in the high morale of the flight he commands. In spite of trying experiences, his enthusiasm remains unabated.'
Squadron Leader Ian Kenneth Sefton Joll, D.F.C. (1920-1977), born East Grinstead. He was educated at Hustpierpoint College prior to being employed as a Trainee at Harraps publishers. Aged 18 Joll joined the Auxiliary Air Force, and became a 'part-time' flyer with 604 (County of Middlesex) Squadron, in March 1939. Having been mobilised he carried out pilot training at No. 8 F.T.S., Montrose, October 1939-March 1940. The squadron was predominantly officered by independently wealthy gentlemen, and Joll was expected to behave like one, 'he used to recount with some self-deprecation an incident at his first dinner night in the mess. Sitting at the far end of the table, as befitted the most junior officer in the squadron, and I suspect somewhat overawed by the occasion, the decanter of port ground to a halt in front of my father. After some minutes, the Adjutant leaned forward, fixed him with an icy glare and demanded: "Joll, do you know Smith?" "No," my father replied. "Well you bloody well should do," growled the Adjutant, "he doesn't pass the port either." (extract from typed biography included with lot refers)
Shot Down Over Holland - Back In Time For Tea. 604 Squadron was equipped with Blenheims and designated as a night-fighter squadron. Although primarily tasked with trying to perfect night interception with very rudimentary aids, the squadron was also occasionally deployed on other operational sorties. Joll took part in the squadron's first action on 10.5.1940. On the latter date 604 acted as escort for a daylight raid on German transport aircraft on the beach at Wassenar near the Hague. Joll's Log Book gives the following, 'Kenley To Wattisham. Wattisham To Dutch Coast For Raid On Bomber Transports. Stbd. Engine Shot Up. Crashed In Holland. 1 Ju. 52 Destroyed.'. On completion of the raid Joll decided to carry out a low-level strafe of the beach. His Blenheim 'was hit by ground fire in the starboard engine and forced to crash land. In the pre-mission briefing, all pilots had been reminded that under no circumstances were they to allow the ultra-secret interception radar set to fall into enemy hands. So, although my father managed to land his Blenheim in one piece on the dunes, he now faced a problem. The Blenheim was intact and the fire in starboard engine had been extinguished by the landing. The radar set, screwed into its mountings, was too heavy to move any distance and clearly had to be destroyed. The obvious answer was to set fire to the aircraft but, despite numerous attempts, it refused to catch alight. In exasperation, my father threw caution to the winds and, at some considerable personal danger, fired his Verey pistol into the main fuel tank. Fortunately, that worked. The next challenge was to get back to England. After a long trek along the beaches they [Joll and his gunner, LAC Pickford] met up with a Dutch fisherman and persuaded him to take them to the English coast; this was just 16 days before the start of the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk. After an uneventful crossing, my father and his navigator arrived in Gravesend where, by chance, my father's parents were then living. Logic, not to say filial courtesy, demanded that they call in on my grandparents for a cup of tea. My grandmother answered the door and promptly fainted. Not ten minutes before she had received a telegram from the Air Ministry stating: "Regret to have to inform you, Pilot Officer Joll missing believed killed." She thought he was a ghost.' (extract from typed biography included with lot refers). Joll was reunited with his squadron at Manston, and later in the month was engaged in patrolling the Dunkirk beaches by day and night. In July the squadron moved to Middle Wallop. Joll served with 604 Squadron throughout the Battle of Britain, and during this period the squadron was intensively engaged with work on the newly installed A.I. system. Joll flew in 'B' Flight, and was under the command of the newly appointed Flight Commander, John 'Cat's Eyes' Cunningham. The airfield at Middle Wallop was a hive of activity with the Spitfire and Hurricane squadrons fully engaged in the Battle of Britain. By day Joll carried out tests on flights with the "Magic Boxes", whilst at night he was engaged in patrols off the south coast. This was the formative stage of night fighting, carrying on secretly in the background whilst the Battle of Britain raged in the foreground. At this stage of the war there was little night time activity for the squadron to be involved in, however, they still went out on night patrols. Joll's Log Book gives, 10.10.1940, 'Night Patrol. 'Freelance'. 1 He. III Damaged.' The action took place south of Bournemouth.
A Nasty Experience With Jimmy Rawnsley In Tow. On 1.11.1940 Joll carried out a night patrol with Jimmy Rawnsley as an extra crew member. Rawnsley (Cunningham's gunner) was 'B' Flight's Senior Gunner and paid a close interest in the development of the A.I. equipment. Having sat in on what should have been a routine patrol he received a nasty surprise when Joll's Blenheim iced up at 4,000 feet. Joll's Log Book records that the aircraft went into a spin, with the two crewmen having to bail-out. Joll somehow managed to pull the aircraft up out of the spin and land it safely. By the end of 1940 the squadron had re-equipped with Beaufighters. Joll appreciated the change of aircraft and the steady improvement of the A.I. After attending a course at No.1 B.A.S. Watchfield in Spring 1941, he returned to the squadron to add to his score. He was partnered with Sergeant A. O'Leary as his A.I. operator, and after a number of chases and contacts with enemy aircraft throughout April they were finally successful 1/2.5.1941, 'Night Patrol Sopley G.C.I. 1 He. III Damaged. A/C Damaged By E/A Fire. Operator Injured. R.T. Useless. Homed 75 Miles To Mother.' (Ibid). The contact had taken place just north of Swindon. As Joll's Beaufighter had closed in on the Heinkel it managed to get off a burst of return fire. Once again Joll managed to pilot a damaged aircraft home, this time whilst looking after his seriously wounded radar operator. The Summer of 1941 was to prove far more productive for Joll, and indeed his new radar operator Sergeant R.W. Dalton. Joll's Log Book gives the following additions to his score:
5/6.5.1941, 'Night Patrol. Exminster G.C.I. 1 Ju.88 Destroyed At Chawleigh. Devonshire.'(See watercolour included in lot)
6/7.6.1941, 'Night Patrol. 1 He. III Damaged. Over Poole Harbour. E/A & Wireless P. Hit.' (This was actually a Ju. 88 of 5/KG, that was claimed as Damaged but subsequently confirmed as Destroyed)
8/9.6.1941, 'Night Patrol. He. III Intercepted & Damaged. Jettisoned Bombs Near Botley, Hants & Returned Home.'
4.7.1941, 'Fighter Patrol. Sopley G.C.I. 1 He. III Destroyed At Oakford, Devon.'
The successful partnership came to an end a week later when Joll was posted as an Instructor to No. 54 O.T.U., Church Fenton. Shortly after this Dalton was successfully recommended for an Immediate D.F.M., for which Joll is mentioned in citation. In April 1942 Joll was posted to the recently reformed 153 Squadron. Based at Ballyhalbert he was tasked with assisting the unit with conversion from Defiants to Beaufighters. He returned to 604 Squadron, at Middle Wallop, in October 1942. He was subsequently promoted Squadron Leader and made Flight Commander. Despite flying numerous patrols there was very little contact due to the Germans focusing on the Russian front. On the 21.9.1943 Joll recorded his final victory, when he Destroyed a Do. 217 60 miles east of Spurn Head. The following month he was awarded the D.F.C. In November 1943 Joll was posted to Combined Operations Headquarters, 'the organisation led by Lord Louis Mountbatten, where he was involved in planning the parachute landings for D-Day and where he remained until after the invasion of France in June 1944. In later years, his time at Combined Operations gave rise to many anecdotes including the tale of the "Giant Panjandrum". Part of the difficulty of staging a successful landing on the Normandy coast were the large number of beach obstacles that had been erected by the Germans to prevent landing craft from getting to the beaches and tanks from operating on them. Clearly these obstacles would need to be destroyed in the very early stages of the invasion. The challenge was put to the boffins at Combined Ops and the result was the "Giant Panjandrum": a large wooden cable laying drum filled with high explosive and powered by rockets arranged around its wheels. The idea was that these devices would be launched from landing craft and, powered by the rockets, would trundle through the shallows until they encountered an obstacle. On contact they would blow up, destroying the obstacle and thereby clearing a path on to the beach. A demonstration of this weapon for very senior officers was organised by the Combined Ops staff on the beach at Westward Ho. With keen anticipation, an assorted crowd of Generals, Admirals and Air Marshals took up their positions on the dunes. A landing craft duly hove into view, the front was lowered and, with a woosh from the rockets, out trundled the "Giant Panjandrum". It headed with faultless precision straight for the nearest obstacle, struck it, failed to explode, turned sharp right, then sharp left and proceeded at increasing speed up the beach and directly for the assembled "brass", who promptly fled for their lives.' (extract from typed biography included with lot refers). Joll's final posting was to New Delhi, where once again he was employed at the Directorate of Combined Operations. This time he was involved in the planning for the invasion of Burma.
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A Fine Second War Fighter Pilot's '1944' D.F.C. Group of Six to Wing Commander P. V. 'Decoy' Ayerst, A Veteran Of The Battle of France, The Battle of Britain, The Western Desert and Operations Over Northwest Europe 1944-45, He Was Accredited With At Least 3 Destroyed, 2 Shared Destroyed, 1 Probable, And 3 Damaged; With Victories In Both Hurricanes and Spitfires, He Achieved The Unusual Distinction Of Sharing In The Destruction Of A German Aircraft During the Battle of Britain, Whilst Serving As An Instructor At No. 7 O.T.U., Hawarden. After Completing Nearly Four Wartime Operational Tours He Went On To Be Employed As A Test Pilot At Vickers, Castle Bromwich and During an Impressive Post War Career Flew in Meteors, Venoms, Vampires and Lightnings a) Distinguished Flying Cross, reverse officially dated '1944' b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star, with France and Germany Bar d) Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 Bar e) Defence and War Medals, polished, therefore nearly very fine, mounted as originally worn, with the following related items: - The recipient's associated miniature awards; and various commemorative medals - Six R.A.F. Pilot's Flying Log Books, covering the periods 6.10.1938-28.10.1941; 15.11.1941-2.7.1943; 8.8.1943-25.7.1945; 27.7.1945-31.3.1954; 2.4.1954-29.6.1962 and 5.7.1962-26.4.1973, well annotated - Letter of congratulation upon the award of the D.F.C. from Air Marshal Sir Roderic Hill, K.C.B., M.C., A.F.C., dated 27.11.1944 - Named Enclosure for D.F.C. - A fine, and well annotated, photograph album covering recipient's service in the Western Desert - A copy of Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, by Hugh Thomas, and signed by the recipient; together with newspaper cuttings and other ephemera (lot) £5,000-7,000
Footnote: D.F.C. London Gazette 21.11.1944 Flight Lieutenant Peter Vigne Ayerst (41362), R.A.F.O., 124 Squadron
The Recommendation states: 'Flight Lieutenant Ayerst has a long and fine record of operational flying. He served in the Battle of France from August, 1939 to May, 1940 and then took part in the Battle of Britain. In January, 1942, he participated in operations in the Western Desert theatre of war and more recently he has flown in low level operations, during which he has inflicted much damage on the enemy's mechanical transport. He has destroyed at least four enemy aircraft in the air and three on the ground. Since the outbreak of war this officer has displayed a fine fighting spirit, gallantry and devotion to duty worth of the highest praise.'
Wing Commander Peter Vigne Ayerst, D.F.C., was born at Westcliff on Sea, Essex, in 1920, and was educated at Chalkwell Hall School, and Westcliff Grammar School, winning school colours at Rugby and Athletics at the latter. Ayerst was particularly keen on rugby, and his first coach (Harry Crabtree) was a regular for Richmond and the Barbarians in addition to representing Essex at Cricket. Crabtree inspired his young charges to an unbeaten season with his cricket bat, 'Crabtree brandishing the cricket bat, especially on Mondays: 'Now boys, who played for the Junior XV on Saturday?' A few hands went up. 'What was the score?' 'Oh Sir, we lost, 15-3.' 'What's three from fifteen?' 'Twelve, Sir.' 'Right! Bend over!'. It had the desired effect... the team never lost a game afterwards.' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). After a brief period of employment in the City, Ayerst applied for a short-service commission in the Royal Air Force. He was accepted, and reported for pilot training at No. 19 Elementary & Reserve Flying Training School, Gatwick, in 1938. Having carried out initial training in Magisters he was posted to No. 12 F.T.S., Grantham, January 1939. Ayerst completed his training in Harvards, and was posted as a pilot to 73 (Fighter) Squadron (Hurricanes), Digby, in August 1939. Three other pilots from his course were posted to the squadron, and five years later Ayerst was the only one left alive.
73 Squadron - France, 1939. Ayerst was only at Digby for four weeks. The squadron was operational by the time the war broke out and moved to France with 1 Squadron as the Hurricane Wing of the Advanced Air Striking Force. Ayerst was part of 'B' Flight under the command of Ian Scoular, with Edgar 'Cobber' Kain (who was to become the first Allied fighter ace of the Second World War) as his section leader. Ayerst had been inside a Hurricane cockpit only three times, and as he said himself had 'bugger-all experience', before being pitched into operational flying in France. Moving around France 73 squadron was involved in recconaissance and defensive patrols. It settled at a small airfield near Rouvres in October 1939.
First Contact With the Enemy - 27 versus 1 - Hardly a Fair Fight. On the 6th November 1939 twenty-four Hurricanes from 73 and 1 Squadrons were due to take part in the first Allied fighter offensive patrol of the war. On that day, Ayerst as one of the more inexperienced pilots, was tasked with aerodrome defence. Similar 'to a state of readiness, it was a role that required observation, reconnaissance and the possibility of a little combat if an enemy aircraft was spotted in the vicinity. He [Ayerst] looked out over the airfield. The sun was warm and there were blue skies everywhere. No one would to attack on a day like this. He looked at his watch. Not quite 2.30. A voice brought him back from his thoughts. 'Sir! Sir! For Christ's sake, get going; the red flag's waving!' He looked to his right, over to the little road and the early warning post. The poilus were waving the flag with enthuisasm. Then he looked up at the sky... and there it was. A little dot travelling in a westerly direction, high up in the azure blue. This was the enemy aircraft he was supposed to chase. But then the aircraft decided to fly over the airfield, high up at about 20,000ft. The Rolls-Royce Merlin engine roared into life and Peter hurtled over the grass.... The take-off went on and on. Peter increased the throttles, climbing as hard as he could... It took him about ten minutes to match the enemy aircraft in height. 'Hang on, what's he doing? Why has he changed direction? Why's he heading east? Perhaps he's seen me take off.'
Time seemed to drag. The throttle was still on maximum.... As an operationally inexperienced pilot, he was intent on chasing the enemy raider, determined to have a crack at him... 'Good, matching his height. Closing in on him... still over half a mile away... not too long now... Keep going... Christ!... Where the bloody hell am I?... Easterly... I'm too far east!... Jesus!... I'm over Germany!'. What Peter had omitted to do in all the excitement was to keep a weather eye on his compass and make a mental note of where he was. He now realised that by flying in an easterly direction for so long, he was well over Germany. 'Hang on... what's he doing now? Diving, making for cloud cover... Balls, won't get a shot at him... right, lets head back.'. He turned back on a reciprocal heading; at least he was now heading back towards France.... he looked down over his starboard wing. Inside his turn - and below him - there were nine aircraft, in line astern formation, turning in precisely the same direction. Peter hadn't seen any sign of either his squadron or 1 Squadron. Surely he could hardly miss twenty-four Hurricanes in the vicinity? 'Good, there they are. The boys want me to join on formation.'. .So Peter tacked on the end of the line astern formation with the other aircraft at 18,000ft. But something didn't seem quite right. They looked unfamiliar. Were they Hurricanes? No. Perhaps they were French? What the hell were they? Whatever they were, they had black crosses on them. Large, ugly, bloody great black crosses painted on either wing. 'Sweet Christ! Bloody Messerschmitts.'. Peter gave a quick squirt from his guns towards the tail-end Charlie, and shoved the stick forward so that the Hurricane flew into a very steep dive towards some broken cloud 3,000-4,000ft below.... Nine Me. 109's peeled off and began to chase him. The Hurricance was fitted with a special booster on the throttle called the tit... Heart pulsating, throat dry, eyes wide, Peter broke the wire and the booster tit. What he didn't know at that time, but was told by witnesses after his ordeal, was that there were another eighteen Me. 109's on patrol, scattered all over the November sky. Having seen nine of their comrades peel off after something, they in turn decided to investigate. So, in effect, there were not just nine on Peter's tail, but twenty-seven. How was Peter feeling at this point? Does he recall panicking? No, he replies; he was a pilot in the RAF, but he does admit to being more than a little scared. As he says, at the time he was 'shitting his knickers'. He tucked himself into his pilot's seat, ducking in front of the armour plate that protected the back of his head. Darting and nipping in between the broken cloud, he kept an ever-watchful eye on the direction bearing of the compass. It pointed west.... He was back over France but he didn't have the foggiest idea precisely where. Twenty-seven Me. 109'S were still chasing one under-powered Hurricane flown by one green, scared, very nervous pilot. Peter prefers to think of it as one Hurricane leading twenty-seven Messerschmitts towards a group of French fighter aircraft. Never had Peter been more relieved to see a bunch of Moraine-Saulnier 406's and Curtiss P-40 Hawks. Salvation had arrived. This was to be the first genuine dogfight of the Second World War, with a total of over thirty aircraft fighting over the French border. Nine Me. 109's were shot down by nine French aircraft.'. Ayerst landed just as his fuel ran out. His Log Book records, 'Interception of Enemy Aircraft and Met 27 Messerschmidt 109's In German Territory. Landed at Nancy. 9 E/A Shot Down. Several Bullet Holes in Tailplane.'. He returned to Rouvres the following day, with his exploits preceeding him. In light of his evasive flying Ayerst acquired the nickname 'Decoy' from his mess mates. The dogfight received coverage in the War Illustrated News (22.11.1939), and in the Daily Mail and the Mirror. Ayerst carried on with flying patrols, and on the 8th November 'Cobber' Kain claimed the squadron's first victory. On the 23rd, Ayerst was in action on a 'Interception Of Three Enemy Aircraft. He.III's. Chased He. III's Back Across The Frontier.' (Ibid)
Recuperation with 'Cobber'. Winter weather limited flying over Christmas and into the New Year. The advent of January brought a measles epidemic to the village of Rouvres, and Ayerst and Kain were the only pilots of 73 Squadron to contract it. They 'were packed off to convalesce in nearby Epernay, recuperating in a château that had been requisitioned by the British Army.... Peter and Cobber were shown into a ward on arrival... They were hospitalised for a couple of weeks until they were given the all-clear by the doctors. The château-hospital was some 90 miles from Rouvres, so Peter rang their unit at about 11am one morning. 'Hello. It's Peter. Got any transport for Cobber and me?' 'Here's the situation. We don't have any spare transport at present. Sorry. The only thing we can possibly send for you is an ambulance, but it won't be with you for another five hours.'. He told Cobber. They looked at each other. What were they going to do for the next five hours?. They ambled out of the château-hospital into the avenue. It was the first time they had noticed there were large, elegant, beautiful châteaux in the rue. One particular château lay directly opposite the hospital and the pair noticed three words engraved on a plaque: Mo't et Chandon. The same thought struck each patient... Cobber and Peter were taken into the cellars that went on for miles and miles lying deep underneath. Down one wall were wooden racks bearing millions and millions of bottles, the necks of which sloped downwards... Word had got around that two RAF airmen were in the building. The managing director heard that they were in his cellars and summoned them to his office, where hands were shaken a little stiffly. 'Have some champagne', said the managing director, and he proceeded to pour some of the finest champagne the boys had tasted - and over the past few months they had tasted some! It was certainly the best medicine they had received over the last two weeks. Cobber and Peter chatted with the MD in his office for a couple of hours or so, then they thanked him for his hospitality and walked, a little unsteadily, outside to wait for some transport. Eventually, the ambulance from Rouvres turned up. It was, in fact, the most suitable transport the unit at Rouvres could have sent because, as Peter says, they were both so drunk. They returned to Rouvres laid out on stretchers in the back of this ambulance!' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers)
RAF Poster Boy. Throughout February and March Ayerst was engaged on defensive patrols, and despite frequently sighting enemy aircraft they would not come out to 'play'. In April the squadron's patrols were now livening up, and as recorded in his Log Book Ayerst was in the thick of it. He undertook three patrols on the 7th, recorded thus, 'Defensive Patrol With 6 A/C At 23,000 On Left Front. Met 6 Me. 109's. Me. 109's Immediately Turned Back For Home When They Sighted Hurricanes. Several Pilots Fired Their Guns But At Long Range. No E/A Confirmed. Self, One Damaged, Since Confirmed' and 'Offensive Patrol Between Thionville - Boulay With 9 A/C At 26,500 Encountered Approx 20 Me. 109's. Shot Down One, It Crashed Near Boulay' and finally 'Defensive Patrol With 6 A/C At 22,000 On Left Front. Chased Two E/A Back To Reims, They Were Shot Down By Moranes.'. He added to his score, 21.4.1940, 'Defensive Patrol At 25,000 On Right And Left Fronts. S/Ldr More Led Nine Aircraft And We Ran Into Me 110's And Me. 109's, About 30 In All, 3 109's And 2 110's Shot Down. F/O Walker Wounded In The Shoulder. Self One 109 Shot Down.'. As the war continued to gather momentum so to did the need for RAF recruits. In light of this and 'to raise awareness of the diverse roles available within the Air Force, the publicity department began producing recruiting pamplets. The front page bore the title: On His Majesty's Service, The Commanding Officer, Royal Air Force Recruiting Office. A photograph of a man from each trade smiled contentedly and the accompanying slogan said that 'The Royal Air Force needs men like these Now!' Inside the pamphlet, a headline stated where recruits should enrol, followed by a column of recruiting centres all over Britain. And in the centre of the pamphlet, flanked by Swansea to Skegness, Glasgow to Gravesend, was a photograph of Peter in his aircraft, looking towards the photographer. He got quite a shock when he first saw it. 'Bugger me! I was smiling at the camera, complete with Irvin jacket, flying helmet, sitting astride the canopy of my Hurricane.' It was one of many taken by the Daily Mirror's Stanley Devon, a classic image of a fighter pilot. Evidently this was the view shared by the RAF publicity department, who saw this photo as a shot of a nineteen year old to whom aspiring pilots could relate. Peter had become the face of the RAF.' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). Ayerst was taken ill at the start of May and taken off flying to recuperate. With the Battle of France now raging, and the squadron under constant retreat Ayerst travelled to Paris. From Paris he managed to hitch a lift on a potato lorry to Cherbourg, where he found that it was every man for himself. He managed to clamber aboard a ship and returned to the UK in June.
Battle of Britain. On the 11th June, Ayerst and three other surviving pilots (including his former flight commander - Ian Scoular) from the squadron arrived at RAF Digby. Upon arrival an immediate meeting was arranged with the AOC 12 Group Air Vice Marshal Trafford Leigh-Mallory. He 'met them in a small room in the officers' mess at Digby. He told them that things were crucial at present in regard to the invasion and they were going to find themselves in a very accute position in the future. The survivors had been in France for nine months, they had been through hell. Not surprisingly, they thought that leave might be granted and asked him. Acording to Peter his terse reply was: 'You can have fours days. Then I want you to report to some new units which we are forming.' 'They are to be called Fighter Operational Training Units, OTUs. We have two at the moment: one at Sutton Bridge where Hurricanes are being used, and Aston Down where they have both Spitfires and Hurricanes. As far as you chaps are concerned, I want you to got to Sutton Bridge.' (Ibid). Ayerst was only at Sutton Bridge for three weeks before being posted to the recently formed No. 7 OTU at Hawarden. At the latter he was introduced to the Spitfire. The purpose of the OTU's was to draw on the operational experience of the instructors so that they could impart this to their young charges, however this was somewhat ironic in Ayerst's case as he was still only 19 years of age. Despite his youth Ayerst instructed a number of students who quickly went on to become legendary pilots, including: Paddy Finucane, Paddy Barthrop and 'Johnnie' Johnson. In the case of Barthrop, 'it may have been his Irish roots, but Peter thinks it is fair to say that he was a bit of a wild one... It was not unusual to see Peter and Barthrop enjoying several beers in the mess: a rare occasion of pupil socialising with instructor.' (Ibid). Ayerst flew fifty-six flying hours in August, the average flight being just under an hour's duration. In addition to their instructing, instructor pilots still had to carry out patrols on a regular defensive pattern. And despite his posting being a non-operational one, on the 14th August 1940, Ayerst joined a select band of around 6 fighter pilots who were not members of officially designated Battle of Britain squadrons and who achieved confirmed victories against German aircraft during the Battle, without being made eligible for the Battle of Britain clasp. A quite extraordinary anomaly. On the latter date Ayerst's Log Book rather simplistically gives, 'Chased He. III. Shot Down Near Chester. W/Cdr Hallings-Potts And S/Ldr Maclean Were The Other Two Pilots In The Section.'. Battle Over Britain adds further detail to the background of the action, 'another raid had struck Southampton, where the main railway line was temporarily blocked. Three small formations of KG 27 Heinkels managed to penetrate right through Brand's 10 Group fighter screen undetected and flew on northwards towards the West Midlands. The airfield at Colerne (where the Hurricanes of the Maintenance Unit were understandably mistaken for operational fighters) was bombed but no appreciable damage was caused. Three Heinkels even reached the airfield at Sealand in Cheshire (home of No. 30 Maintenance Unit), where rather more damage was caused - but of a temporary nature. As the German bombers flew northwards, anti-aircraft gunfire betrayed their presence to the flying instructors at No. 7 Operational Training Unit based at Hawarden, fifteen miles south of Birkenhead. Three staff pilots [see above], belonging to an ad hoc local denfence flight of Spitfires, took off and shot one of the Heinkels down near Chester.'
Time For A Half, And A Heinkel. Spirit Of The Blue gives Ayerst's personal perspective on the action, 'on one notable occasion at about half-past seven during the evening of 14th August, the instructors had packed up flying for the day and sat in the marquee, by the bar, with a beer in hand. It was a pleasant evening and this was a welcome chance to relax. Suddenly, they heard loud bangs, followed by firing which seemed to be getting louder. They looked at each other, then made for the flap of the marquee. Someone said, 'What the hell's that?' Away in the direction of RAF Sealand, they saw an aircraft flying in the distance about 5 miles away. The bangs were bombs dropped by the aircraft over the Training School. Three of the instructors, Wg Cdr Hallings-Pott, Sqn Ldr McLean and Peter started to run towards the Spitfires nearest to them, one of them shouting, 'Get three aircraft started. Get them going! NOW!'. It was an unintentional scramble. The ground crew had just begun to put covers over the Spitfires but whipped them off immediately they heard the call, turning the Merlin engines so that the aircraft burst into life. The three dashed towards the aircraft, pulling on their parachutes as they ran, jumped into the purring Spitfires and tore off over the airfield in pursuit of the lone bomber. They picked up the Heinkel He III at about 2,000ft over Sealand, just as it began a second bombing run. Hallings-Pott and McLean lined the Heinkel up in their sights, pressing the button on their D-ring. Both instructors scored direct hits but it pressed on. It was Peter's turn. He went in at about 200yds astern of the Heinkel, carefully choosing his moment. He could see some bullet holes in the German's tailplane but nothing more; no fire nor flames. He could also see the rear gunner firing back and missing. Peter pressed the gun button, firing directly into the fuselage. He must have hit the engines as the bomber rapidly lost height in the dusk. The other two Spitfires had broken away and had returned to Hawarden but Peter stayed with the stricken Heinkel, watching it sink lower and lower until it crash-landed. A sixteen-year-old boy had been playing the cornet in the Alhambra Theatre, Shotton. At about 9pm, he stood at the top of Salisbury Street, chatting to a friend. Suddenly the Heinkel shot across the bottom of the street, 20ft above the ground, closely followed by Peter's Spitfire. It was quite a sight for them. The sixteen-year-old was to become the well-known orchestra leader, Syd Lawrence. The pilot made a wonderful job of landing the plane, flying under electric pylons (quite a feat for a bomber!), wheels up, stopping 50yds short of a farmhouse. The four crew members had survived the attack and were taken prisoner, but before they left the wrecked Heinkel one of the crew had placed detonators in the fuel tank. As they surrendered, the aircraft exploded, cockpit and wings ablaze. Only the tail unit and half of the fuselage remained. The following day day, Peter, McLean, Hallings-Pott and others travelled the 5 miles from Hawarden to see the wreckage. The Heinkel crew remained in Britain as POWs for two months before being shipped to Canada. Some forty-eight years later, Peter met them again in less confrontational circumstances. They thanked him for shooting them down because they had been given better food in Canada than in Britain!'. Ayerst, however, did make good use of his 'down-time' in other ways. He often liberated of one the unit's Fairey Battles 'to good effect when he went on a jolly, piling six bodies into the back: one pilot and five in the back, flying down to Hendon airfield for a night out on the town. They frequented the Liaison Club in the Prince's Arcade between Piccadilly and Jermyn Street. It was during the autumn of 1940 when London had to 'take it', suffering under Luftwaffe bombs in what was the beginning of the Blitz. Peter and his colleagues were in the Liaison Club when the first of these bombing raids struck. As the bombs dropped all around them, Peter and the others slept on the sofas, covering themselves with tablecloths.' (Ibid)
A Return To Ops. Ayerst undertook a parachute course at Weeton in October 1940, before 'the decision was taken by Gp Capt Seward, the Commanding Officer at Hawarden, along with the Officer in Charge of Flying, Wg Cdr Hallings-Pott, to post instructors to operational squadrons in order to keep pace with any changes. Peter was attached to 54 Squadron at Catterick.' (Ibid). At the end of November Ayerst transferred to No. 57 OTU, also at Hawarden. He stayed with the unit in an instructorial capacity until June 1941, upon which date he was posted to 145 Squadron (Spitfires) at Tangmere. Ayerst relished his return to operational flying and throughout June and July carried out numerous forays providing high cover for bombers attacking targets in France. These included, 7.7.1941, 'High Cover Wing For Bombers Attacking Aircraft Factory Near Albert. Shot Up A Flak Ship, On Way Home'; 8.7.1941, 'High Cover Wing For Bombers Attacking Chemical Plant Near Bethune. Flight Attacked 9 Me. 109's. One Seen To Go Down With A Glycol Leak. Accurate A/A Fire' and 11.7.1941 when he added a Probable Me. 109 Destroyed to his score, 'Sweep Over Marshalling Yards At Hazebrouck. Stirlings Attacked. Several Me. 109's Were Seen And Attacked. Shot Up One 109, Believe It Crashed.' (Log Book refers). A week later Ayerst was involved in a car crash, and as a result of a head-on collision his car was flipped over. He escaped from the crash with concussion, however, he was hospitalised as a consequence. After a month of convalescence Ayerst 'was told the news that he had been dreading. It had firmly been decided that he was not going back to operational duties with a fighter squadron in the light of his recent condition, at least for the moment... the doctors could not be certain that he was totally cured. They did not want to be responsible for the loss of a valuable pilot having a dizzy spell at 20,000ft, blacking out and killing himself in the process.' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). Ayerst was posted on a senior navigation course to No. 2 School of Air Navigation at Cranage. Having qualified as a Senior Instructor, and there being no return of dizzy spells, Ayerst was posted to No. 58 OTU, Grangemouth, in November 1941. He was given a clean bill of health in June 1942, and tasked with jointly establishing a new squadron along with Squadron Leader A.E. Johnson. Ayerst, now with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, was appointed Senior Flight Commander. His time at Ouston was shortlived, as his experience was required elsewhere. At the end of July 1942 he was posted for operational flying overseas and departed for the Middle East.
Western Desert - El Alamein. Ayerst arrived at AHQ in Cairo at the beginning of September 1942. He was to be posted to 243 Wing, and attached to 33 Squadron (Hurricanes) as a supernumary whilst he gained experience in desert flying. In the month that Ayerst was with the squadron it must have brought back memories of France for him, as the squadron moved twice within that period in order to keep up with the fluid desert fighting. The squadron were tasked with patrolling over the El Alamein line. Whilst the surroundings were alien to Ayerst it did not take him long to acclimatise. On 9.10.1942 he added two aircraft Destroyed on the ground to his tally, 'Wing Strafe Of The Daba Aerodromes L.G. 104 & L.G. 121. 4 Squadrons Participated 33, 213, 238 & 1 S.A.A.F. Very Intense Light Flak And Some Heavy. 15+ 109's Jumped Us As We Went In At Zero Feet - Bags Of Panic. I Was Hit In The Fuselage Behind The Cockpit. Self 1 109 Destroyed, 1 Fiessler Storch Destroyed And 1 Tent Destroyed. 9 Pilots Missing.' (Log Book refers). The pace was intense, with the squadron being scrambled several times daily. This culminated in the Second Battle of El Alamein (23rd October-11th November 1942), or as Ayerst records it in his Log Book "The Putsch". During this period Ayerst Destroyed one Me. 109 and Damaged three others. The 23rd October 'was to mark the beginning of an intense bout of combat fighting for him. He was asked by Jack Finnis, his commanding officer, to carry out a reconnaissance of the northern sector area on this date, reporting back with a suitable landing ground for the entire Wing that was closer to the Axis lines. It was a measure of his maturity and experience - despite the fact that he had flown in the desert for no more than twenty-one days - that he was tasked with finding, and found, an airstrip that he thought might be appropriate. This airstrip became known as LG 172. In the afternoon of that day, 243 Wing moved to LG 172, in anticipation of the intended drive by the Allied Forces. The first British shells were fired at half-past eight in the evening, and thereafter the British artillery unleashed a barrage of incredible intensity... At the crack of dawn on 24th October, 243 Wing patrolled the line, providing aerial cover for the British ground forces from the German dive-bombers. The four squadrons were positioned at different height intervals, the top and middle flights providing cover by engaging fighters, while the bottom flight protected the ground forces by attacking diver-bombers. On that particular day 33 Squadron had been designated 'bottom squadron', and as such was the closest to the activity on the ground.' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). Ayerst's Log Book offers the following for the battle, 24.10.1942, 'Patrol Of The Line. Intercepted By 15 109's & 202's On Reaching Alamein. Terrific Dog Fight Ensued. Self 1 109 Damaged. Everybody Ok. Bags Of Activity On The Ground'; 3.11.1942, 'Patrol Of The Line. Met 30+ Stukas And 20 109 G's. Very Heavy A.A. Followed By Stuka Party. Had Several Squirts At 109's And Probably Damaged Two'; and 4.11.1942, 'Scramble For Stuka Party. Missed Stukas But Caught Up With The 109 Escort. There Were 12+ 109's In The Area. 1 109 Destroyed And 1 109 Damaged. Got Shot Up Three Times By Heavy A/A And Numerous Times By Light A/A. Forced Landed 5 Miles Inside The "Bomb Line" Near The Australians. Sgt. Blatchford Baled Out Over Enemy Territory.'
A Birthday Let Off. Due to the high number of casualties Ayerst had in fact been posted on the 1st November as Senior Flight Commander of 238 Squadron (also participating in the battle). On the 4th he was 'probably at about 7,000-8,000ft when he got hit by flak, his Hurricane being hit in the tail and in the starboard wing, as well as in the engine. The damage in the wing didn't prevent him from using the ailerons but he had problems controlling the plane fore-and-aft because of the damage to the tail. He wasn't aware that the engine had been hit until he saw plumes of white smoke streaming out of the exhaust manifolds on both sides of the fuselage... The engine coughed and spluttered, time was running out and Peter knew he had to put the aircraft down soon. But where? He was well over the enemy lines at this time and he knew that he was flying in the right direction. He needed to travel eastwards, putting as much distance as possible between him and the Germans, maintaining some height if he was to escape. If he lost height, then he lost distance. All he could do was to fly straight in an easterly direction. It dawned on him that he was not going to make the British lines; the Hurricane was losing too much height and the Germans were firing at him with everything they had. He tried to manoeuvre the aircraft with what little power was left but it proved unresponsive. A track appeared on the sandy ground ahead of him, part of the great Qattara track. There was nothing for it - he had to land on that track and make a wheels-up crash-landing. He came in, the engine whining as the light sandy track came up to meet him. The landing was a trifle heavy as the Hurricane hit the ground, wheels up, slewing along the sandy track until it came to a dusty halt. Peter was down; his gamble had paid off. But he couldn't afford to relax. As soon as the aircraft had come to a halt and the engine had died, he was aware of a sharp metallic sound. Bullets and shells were pinging against the body of the Hurricane. Leaping out of the cockpit, he lay flat on the ground, sheltering along the fuselage as the Germans continued to fire in his direction. With his radio broken, there was nothing he could do but remain there. The bright intensity of day turned into a heady richness of red twilight. The glaring heat of the day cooled to a pleasing temperature... ill prepared for an evening in the desert, he weighed up what he should do - stay by the Hurricane in case his colleagues came looking for him, or walk across the desert...The twilight came and passed into darkness. Peter sighed and stood up. 'There's only one thing for it,' he thought, 'continue to walk in an easterly direction. That's all I can do.' He was just about to set off when he thought he heard the drone of a motor vehicle coming towards him. He thought about the possibilities of escape. Could it be Allied? More likely to be a German lorry, and the chance of him being interned in a prisoner-of-war camp for the rest of the war. He was thus very surprised and pleased to hear a voice in a language he understood. It had a twang to it and it was slightly nasal. At that moment, it was the best slightly nasal twang he could ever wish to hear. 'Anybody there?' 'Yes', he replied. 'Hurry. Jump in!'. Peter jumped in quickly and the engine of the jeep rose to a crescendo, tearing off and away, following the track as best it could in the dark. When they were in a safe area, he discovered that the twang belonged to an Australian major, who told him what had happened. The Australian and his driver had watched Peter's aircraft being hit by flak and followed it down but they had to wait until the cover of darkness before they could rescue him; they hadn't dared come out sooner, otherwise the Germans would have picked them off. The Australian left him with a final sobering thought. 'Of course, you know that track you landed on was the only place you could have landed.' 'Sorry, what do you mean?' 'That track... the one you landed on. It is the only piece of land that you could have attempted a landing: the surrounding sand on either side is heavily mined for miles!'. Peter recalls this well - it happened on his birthday!' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). It took Ayerst three days via various modes of transport to return to the squadron. He returned to find out that he had been listed as missing in action, and upon his reappearance he was informed that he was now a member of the Late Arrivals Club. As the Second Battle of El Alamein neared a conclusion the squadron flew to a desert landing ground behind enemy lines, where it strafed the German rear communications for a week. Attacking targets including Aghela Aerodrome the squadron accounted for a large amount of transport vehicles.
On A Wing And A Prayer. The El Alamein line was broken and the Germans were in full retreat. This coincided with 238 Squadron's commanding officer (Squadron Leader R. Marples) being posted to another squadron - an occaison that had to be marked properly. To do so required a supply of alcohol and a means of transporting it in the desert. On the 23rd November Ayerst's Log Book records, 'El Adem To Aboukir. Aboukir To El Adem. Beer Trip For C.O's Farewell "Do".' This laconic entry rather underplays the ingenuity employed, as Marples remarked one morning: 'Come on, Pete. I'm pissed off with drinking tea all the time. I need some alcohol. Let's go and grab some beer.' 'Ah, do I feel a trip to Alexandria coming on?' 'Got it in one! Follow me!'. Peter and Marples and a third pilot knew where they could obtain some supplies. It was a brief easterly flight from LG 172; the trio decided to fly three Hurricanes to a large RAF base at nearby Aboukir where the large brick-built mess played a central part in the lives of the service personnel there and consequently was well stocked. Moreover, Roy and Peter knew that, with a smile and a bit of charm, supplies of American beer would be winging their way back to the boys in 238 Squadron. Supply was therefore not a problem, but how did they transport it back to base? The solution was ingenious: the wings of a Hurricane Mk IIC are thick; they have to be in order to accomodate the twin cannon in each wing. In keeping with these cannon, the drum containers holding the rounds of 20mm ammunition are also large. Roy and Peter would unscrew the ammunition panels from both port and starboard wings before leaving LG 172 and dispose of any ammunition before placing the cases of tinned beer in the ammunition pans. Without any further interruptions, the trio would hurriedly fly back - three operational aircraft in flight loaded with an armanent of beer.' (Ibid). Ayerst continued flying with the squadron until the end of March 1943. He was then posted as an Instructor (i/c Air Firing Squadron) to No. 73 OTU, Abu Sueir. Subsequent postings that year included to 216 Group at Heliopolis and with No. 1 Air Delivery Unit. Ayerst was posted to South Africa for instructional duties at No. 62 Air School, C.F.S., Bloemfontein, September 1943. After a restful period, 'he wanted a change; things had become too sedantary and it was all too routine. That restless drive and boundless energy he possessed throughout his life was just as strong and it was time to move on. The wind was blowing in a different direction. Word had got to South Africa that the whole of southern England was swarming with British and American troops, preparing for something. Something was happening - and when it did, Peter wanted to be on the winning side.' (Ibid)
124 (Baroda) Squadron. Ayerst's request for a posting back to the UK came through, and he left South Africa in February 1944. He was posted for operational flying to 124 (Baroda) Squadron (Spitfires), Bradwell-on-Sea, April 1944.The squadron was mainly tasked with high altitude interceptions, and offensive patrols over the Channel. 124 Squadron 'found that their patrols were getting longer towards early June. And then, on 6 June 1944, came news. D-Day was announced.' (Ibid). Over the next few days Ayerst was kept busy, albeit mainly on defensive patrols, and added to his score, 12.6.1944 'Patrol Griz Nez-North Foreland. Destroyed Me. 109G With F/Lt Hibbert 20 Miles East Of North Foreland, Pilot Baled Out. Saw Air Sea Rescue Launches For Hun Pilot.' (Log Book refers). Throughout the remainder of the Summer, and into September 1944, Ayerst was very active on bomber escort missions including on V1 sites. At the end of September the squadron moved to Manston and from here ground strafing missions intensified as the Allies pushed deeper into France and the Low Countries. Ayerst escorted heavy bombers on daylight raids as they penetrated deep into Germany, 'Targets were concentrated in the German industrial area of the Ruhr. Whenever the bombers made a pass over one of these targets, the area was highly defended by the anti-aircraft crews and the flak was very intense. Peter recalls that the flak was so thick that when the stream of bombers passed over, all you saw over the Ruhr area, which was 30 miles long by 10 miles wide, was just one black cloud. He admits that it was a terrifying experience, not least because pilots just didn't know from where or when the flak would arrive. They could at least take action with an enemy aircraft but the flak was quite literally a case of hit or miss. "I can't remember hearing the shells burst; I was concentrating on height and location of the nearest bomber. We also had our flying helmet which was a tight fit and that, coupled with the roar of the Merlin engine precluded any sound of flak, thank God.... They used tape to demonstrate the routes along which we were to escort the bombers. When we saw the tape, we thought Christ! They're sending us to those highly defended areas? You nearly shit yourself in the briefing room, let alone the mission!" (Ibid). Ayerst also took part in Operation Market Garden, as his Log Book records, 17.9.1944 'Escort Patrol Over Holland To Aircraft Returning From Airborne Landing. Bandits Reported But Not Seen. Plenty Of Parachutes And Gliders Strewn Around', 18.9.1944 'Escort And Anti-Flak Patrol To Liberators Dropping Supplies To Airborne Troops Near Eindhoven, Also Escort To Tugs And Gliders. Plenty Of Light Flak, Several A/C Hit, To Be Expected When Flying at 1,000ft Over Eastern Holland' and 25.9.1944 'Ramrod. Escort To 12 Mitchells Bombing Flak Positions Near Arnhem. W/C Checketts Destroyed An Me. 109.' Early in October Ayerst was part of the escort for King George VI and other VIPs on a trip to Eindhoven. The remainder of October through to December was occupied with bomber escort duties of great intensity over heavily defended German targets, including 5.12.1944 'Withdrawal Escort To 100 Lancasters Bombing Hamm (Ramrod). Intense Accurate Flak North Of The Ruhr. 200+ 190's And 109's Reported, Saw 20 109's In Combat With 91 Sqdn But Was Unable To Attack. 91 Got 3.'
Test Pilot. The advent of January marked the completion of nearly four tours of operations for Ayerst. He had done his share and it was time for something different, 'the call had come through that he was to visit HQ No. 11 Group based at Uxbridge. Facing a panel of officers in well-fitting tunics, he was asked what he wanted to do.... He replied that he didn't know, in fact he didn't have a clue. What was there? 'Well,' one of the panel began, 'there are a couple of things we think you'd be best suited for. The best one is to test-fly Spitfires at the Vickers factory. You see, we think you possess all the necessary amount of experience required for the role. We've had a word with your CO at Manston... Scott, isn't it? He recommended you straight away. Anyway, think about it.' Peter mulled it over and decided to accept... He agreed... the job allowed him to continue his passion for flying Spitfires in an arena that proved interesting, exciting, challenging and motivating. He was well aware that the testing was going to prove... testing. He knew what he didn't want to do, and that was ferrying planes back and forth.' (Spirit Of The Blue, Peter Ayerst - A Fighter Pilot's Story, H. Thomas refers). Ayerst arrived at the Vickers Factory at Castle Bromwich, 13.2.1945, 'and by the afternoon he was test-flying on two separate occasions, with the legendary Chief Test Pilot of Vickers, Alex Henshaw.... Peter's first two flights on 13th February were not in a Spitfire but in a Lancaster. Alex Henshaw told him: 'As you haven't flown production aircraft from the factory before, I'll show you the sort of standards we're looking for here, from our pilots as well as our machines.'. Peter had a pad with a pencil in the top of the clip, strapped to his right knee. The pencil was attached to a piece of string, very handy when the pencil dropped out of the clip... Sitting in the cockpit of the Lancaster, Henshaw explained to Peter what they were going to do. 'We'll take off, climb up at normal climbing speed, checking the engine temperatures as we go, pressures and so on. Make notes on your pad at various altitude interval. We'll get to normal operating height with the engines set.' 'Fine, Alex,' Peter responded. One by one, the four Merlin engines burst alive... They took off and climbed steadily. When they reached 15,000ft, Alex said, 'We'll do a level run.' He increased all four throttles to maximum so that the Lancaster ran at full power, then adjusted the revs, enabling maximum performance. Peter watched the speed build up. Once the speed had been reached, he noted the pressures on his pad. He also kept an eye on the aircraft controls as the aircraft flew at full speed - checking the ailerons, elevators and rudder. Henshaw's voice was calm and level: 'All right. Now we'll put the Lanc into a dive.' Peter noticed the needle of the airspeed indicator creep up to 390mph, incredibly dangerous for a lumbering four-engined bomber. He also noticed that the angle of attack was steep; probably about 45 degrees. 'Let me tell you why we dive. We need to test the controls in any case but we also need to look for up-float on the ailerons. You'll be aware that at high speeds, you get an up-float on each aileron. See that white painted line on the aileron? We have this line on the inner edge of each aileron to act as a guide. If the up-float comes above that line, it needs to be rectified. The only way we can test this is in a dive.' They looked at the lines of ailerons. 'That's fine. The up-float's in the designated mark.'. They were still in a dive. Peter noticed that they were down to 7,000ft. Suddenly Henshaw put the Lancaster into a 45 degree angle of climb. 'Good!' thought Peter, catching his breath, 'he's knocking off the speed.' They continued to climb. In an instant, the Lancaster banked sharply to the right. Henshaw had executed a barrel-roll, while the plane was still climbing. Peter didn't believe what was happening. It was his first time in a Lancaster in any case, but he never realised that an aircraft as large and unwieldy as this was capable of such maneouvres. Henshaw had a remarkable understanding of what aircraft could and could not do. To execute a barrel-roll in a bomber was incredible enough, but to perform one without any effect from G-force was something else!' (Ibid). With the standard set Ayerst embarked on his new role, 'the test-flying day normally started at about half-past eight in the morning, ending at about six. Most of the flight team retired to the local in Sutton Coldfield to relax and unwind. The art - or science - of test-flying was dramatically different from operational flying. Most squadron flying involved formation-flying towards a specific, defined objective. Test-flying was in many respects harder and it required more discipline and restraint. Up in the air, the testing and analysing was down to Peter and him alone; the buck stopped with him. In addition, the workload was greater and there were a number of objectives to define, test, respond to and analyse.' (Ibid). The Vickers Factory closed, 11.7.1946, 'Henshaw had left by this point and Peter was the last test pilot to leave the factory. His final entry in 31 January 1946. For two months, he flitted between HQ Fighter Command and HQ 11 Group at Uxbridge assisting with staff duties. A deputy station commander vacancy arose at his old base at Manston in late March 1946 and he accepted it for three and a half months. He was now flying a desk in charge of administration. In effect, he says, the role actually took on the task of station commander, as the CO was hardly ever present.' (Ibid). Ayerst left the RAF at the beginning of July 1946. He became a publican and ran the Three Compasses pub in Canterbury. Despite enjoying this change of direction he missed flying, and in 1948 he joined the R.A.F.V.R. After reacquainting himself with flying at No. 24 R.F.S. Rochester he applied for a second short service commission. He was immediately accepted but had to drop in rank from Squadron Leader to Flight Lieutenant. Subsequent postings for Ayerst included at No. 61 Group, R.A.F. Kenley, 1950-52; No. 22 F.T.S., Syerston; No. 210 A.F.S. (Meteors), Tarrant Rushton, and No. 229 O.C.U. (Vampires), Chivenor. Upon completion of a course at Chivenor Ayerst returned to operational flying. He was posted as a Flight Commander to 16 Squadron (Vampires), 2nd TAF, Butzweilerhof, Germany, September 1953. In January 1954 he was posted as Squadron Leader, Officer Commanding, 5 Squadron (Venoms), Wunsdorf. He led the squadron until 1956, when he returned to England and served in a variety of appointments, including at the Air Ministry and NATO, until his retirement in 1973. His final posting had been as Deputy Station Commander at RAF Wattisham. Here he was introduced to the Lightning interceptor, Britain's only supersonic fighter. Despite being in charge of the Administrative Wing he managed to rack up nine flights in the Lightning adding to his already impressive tally of aircraft flown throughout his career.
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A Second War 1944 'Stirling Rear Gunner's' D.F.C. Group of Six to Flight Lieutenant R. Brewer, 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve; Whose Varied Career Included Being A Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Policeman and Restaurateur a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944', and contemporarily engraved in sans-serif capitals 'F/Lt. R. Brewer 90 Squadron Bomber Command' b) 1939-45 Star c) Air Crew Europe, with France and Germany Bar d) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf e) Police Long Service & G.C., G.VI.R. (Const. Ronald Brewer), last officially renamed, generally very fine, with the following related items and documents: - Air Gunner's Brevet; R.A.F. Sweetheart's Broach, sterling silver and enamel - National Registration Identity Card (Police), complete with photograph of recipient in uniform - Letter to recipient from the Metropolitan Police, Pensions Branch, dated 4.12.1951 - Several photographs of recipient in uniform, and a copy of the Morning Advertiser, dated 10.1.1969 (lot) £1,000-1,200
Footnote: D.F.C. London Gazette 15.9.1944 Flying Officer Ronald Brewer, 90 Sqn, R.A.F.V.R. (148509)
The Recommendation states: 'This Officer has taken part in 30 operational sorties against the enemy. His initiative, determination and coolness in action have contributed largely to the successful completion of many operations. He is 39 years of age and his devotion to duty and outstanding example of keenness and efficiency have been an inspiration to the whole Squadron and I strongly recommend him for the award of the D.F.C.'
M.I.D. London Gazette 8.6.1944 Sergeant R.W. Brewer, R.A.F.V.R. (750660)
Flight Lieutenant Ronald Brewer, D.F.C., born Ewhurst, Sussex, 1905; Brewer 'as a youth, joined the Royal Horse Guards Blues, but after four years bought himself out to become a merchant seaman. He then joined the Metropolitan Police and did a year's beat-pounding. As an ex-cavalryman he transferred to the mounted branch and spent the next 22 years on the equitation staff, breaking and training police horses at the famous establishment at Inver Court, Thames Ditton. It was not easy to leave the police in war-time. But when the age limit was raised - Mr Brewer was then 39 - he was accepted as a gunner in the RAF. After training he was commissioned as a flying officer and as rear-gunner made 32 operational flights with 90 Bomber Squadron. He won the DFC for gallantry in action and was demobilised with the rank of flight lieutenant. Returning to the Mounted Police, he had a neck injury while horse-training and was prohibited from further riding, so he retired on pension, having completed 23 years' police service. During his time in Worthing, Mr and Mrs Brewer have established and maintained the Spaniard Hotel as one of the town's premier dining rendezvous, with special reference to the high quality of the dining room steaks.' (Article from the Morning Advertiser included with lot refers). Brewer retired from the Metropolitan Police, with a disability pension of £178 per annum, 20.12.1951. He ran the Spaniard Hotel in Worthing for 14 years.
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A Second War 1944 'Lancaster Bomb Aimer's' D.F.C. Group of Four to Flight Lieutenant J.C. Bell, 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Flew in At Least 26 Operational Sorties, Mostly Over Heavily Defended German Targets, Including to Berlin and Back 8 Times a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944' b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star d) War Medal, generally good very fine with R.A.F. (D.D. 461 A.) Observer's and Air Gunner's Flying Log Book (4.7.1942-18.9.1945), and photograph from his first operational sortie (lot) £1,600-2,000
Footnote: D.F.C. London Gazette 2.6.1944 Pilot Officer John Colin Bell (169466), R.A.F.V.R., 106 Squadron
Flight Lieutenant J.C. Bell, D.F.C., served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second War; carried out initial training as an Air Gunner at No.45 Air School, Oudtshoorn, South Africa, June 1942, and No.43 Air School, from October 1942; having returned to the UK he carried out training as a Bomb Aimer at No. 29 O.T.U., North Luffenham and 1661 Conversion Unit, Winthorpe; posted for operational flying to 106 Squadron (Lancasters), Syerston, July 1943; he flew in 26 operational sorties with the squadron including: Hamburg (4); Essen; Remscheid; Milan; Leverkusen; Berlin (8); Gladbach; Hanover; Mannheim; Danzig; Munich; Frankfurt; Stuttgart; Modane; Stettin and Brunswick; commissioned Pilot Officer, 21.11.1943; served as an Instructor to No. 12 O.T.U., Edgehill, from April 1944; qualified as Bombing Leader, May 1944; advanced Flight Lieutenant, 21.11.1945.
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A Good Second War 1944 D.F.C. Group of Four to Lancaster Air Gunner Flight Lieutenant J.M. Denton, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, Who Shared in the Dest ruction of an Me.110 Whilst on a Raid Over Berlin a) Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944' and additionally privately engraved 'Pilot Officer John Martin Denton 174700 R.A.F.V.R. 207 Squadron', in Royal Mint case of issue b) 1939-1945 Star c) Air Crew Europe Star d) War Medal, nearly extremely fine, with the related miniature award for the D.F.C. (4) £1,000-1,400
Footnote: D.F.C. London Gazette 19.9.1944 Pilot Officer John Martin Denton (174700), R.A.F.V.R., No.207 Sqn.
The Recommendation, dated 27.6.1944, states: 'This Officer has been on 26 successful attacks against enemy targets including 5 on Berlin. He has proved himself to be a keen and reliable gunner, and a worthy member of his crew. On one occasion when attacking Berlin he was jointly successful in shooting down a Me.110 which made a determined attack against his aircraft. He has displayed outstanding keenness at all times and has been a decided asset to his Captain. This keenness has not only been confined to his operational activities; he has displayed an energetic interest in the training of other members of his Section.'
Flight Lieutenant John Martin Denton, D.F.C., enlisted in the Royal Air Force, and served during the Second World War as an Air Gunner with No.207 Squadron (Lancasters), Langar; his first operational sortie was an attack on Berlin, 23.8.1943; further operational sorties included Mannheim, Hannover, Leipzig, Kassel, Berlin (4, including the 'Last Great Raid over Berlin', 24.3.1944), Stuttgart (2), and Frankfurt (2); Commissioned Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 29.3.1944; Denton continued with No.207 Squadron, and took part in further operational sorties over France in the run up to D-Day, his last being over Amiens, 19.5.1944; by the end of the War the entire crew of his Lancaster had all been awarded the D.F.C.; promoted Flight Lieutenant, 29.3.1946.
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A Boer War D.C.M. Group of Three to Colour Sergeant I. Mossop, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (1657 Clr.-Serjt; I. Mossop. N. Lancs: Regt.) b) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, five clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1657 Sgt. I. Mossop, 1st. L.N. Lanc: Regt. M.I.), initial officially corrected; King's South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (1657 Clr:- Sjt: I. Mossop. L.N. Lanc: Regt.), light contact marks, nearly very fine (3) £1,200-1,600
Footnote: D.C.M. London Gazette 27.9.1901 Colour-Sergeant I. Mossop, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment 'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'
1657 Colour Sergeant Isaac Mossop, D.C.M., born Whitehaven, Cumberland, 1867; enlisted in the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, July 1886; promoted Corporal, November 1890; Sergeant, February 1893; Colour Sergeant, November 1899; served with the 3rd Battalion, 5th Division Mounted Infantry in South Africa during the Boer War; Mentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 10.9.1901; discharged, 12.8.1905, after 19 years and 15 days with the Colours.
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A Great War D.C.M. Group of Five to Sergeant A.L. Adams, Royal Engineers a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (56226 Sjt: A.L. Adams. 11/D.S. Coy. R.E.) b) 1914-15 (56226. Cpl. A.L. Adams. R.E.) c) British War and Victory Medals (56226 Sjt. A.L. Adams. R.E.) d) Imperial Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Arthur Lauder Adams. D.C.M.), good very fine (5) £700-900
Footnote: D.C.M. London Gazette 17.4.1918 56226 Sjt. A.L. Adams, R.E. (Edinburgh) 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action as Brigade Signal Sergeant. By his exceptional tact and fearlessness he has always set a splendid example to all under him, and it was largely owing to his skill and endurance that communications were maintained.'
56226 Sergeant Arthur L. Adams, D.C.M., served with the Royal Engineers during the Great War in the Egyptian theatre of War from 7.8.1915.
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A Fine and Very Complete Great War '1918 Battle of Arras' D.C.M. Group of Four to Company Sergeant Major J.R. Martin, Manchester Regiment, Who Died of Wounds, 28.3.1918 a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (250371 C.S.Mjr: J.R. Martin. 1/6 Manch: R.), minor official correction to number b) 1914-15 Star (2128 Pte. J.R. Martin. Manch. R.) c) British War and Victory Medals (250371 W.O.Cl.2. J.R. Martin. Manch. R.), nearly extremely fine, with Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque 'John Robert Martin', Memorial Scroll (all housed in two contemporary glazed wooden frames), and several annotated photographs of recipient in uniform (lot) £1,800-2,200
Footnote: D.C.M. London Gazette 3.9.1918 250371 CSM J.R. Martin 1/6 Manchester Regiment (Manchester) 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. During three days especially this warrant officer was of the greatest assistance to his company officer. Wherever the shelling was heaviest he went about placing the men to the best advantage. He was seriously wounded, but continued his work until again wounded. He showed the highest courage and determination.'
250371 Company Sergeant Major John Robert Martin, D.C.M., born Padiham, Lancashire; son of Mr and Mrs M. Martin of 5 Fairbourne Road, Levenshulme, Manchester; served with the 1/6th Manchester Regiment during the Great War; landed with the battalion in Egypt, September 1914; served in the Gallipoli theatre of operations, May-December 1915, before being evacuated to Mudros and then Egypt; served on the Western Front, 1917; he died of wounds, 28.3.1918; on the latter date the 1/6th Battalion were engaged, as part of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division, in the defence of Rossignol Wood during the Battle of Arras; they had moved into the line on the night of the 23rd March, and having repelled numerous attacks over the following days, on the 28th,'Northwards the Germans in their efforts to swing round, with Hébuterne as a pivot, attacked in a more desperate manner. At 8.15am, after two hours' shelling of the 42nd Divn (Major-General A. Solly-Flood) on the left, an attack was launched against it from Ablainzevelle, only to be stopped by fire. The bombardment was then renewed and widened so as to include the 62nd Divn (Major-General W.P. Braithwaite, C.R.A., Br.-General A.T. Anderson), still holding Bucquoy, which commands the ground on all sides. Soon after 9am attacks were made simultaneously without success against Hébuterne, Rossignol Wood and Bucquoy, held by the 4th Australian Brigade (Br. General C.H. Brand), the 187th Bde (Lieut.-Colonel C.K. James, acting), and 185th Bde (Br.-General Viscount Hampden) respectively. Elsewhere, too, the Germans displayed great activity and a concentration opposite the 186th Bde (Br.-General J.L.G. Burnett, between the 187th and 185th) was dispersed by the accurate divisional artillery barrage. Hardly had this been accomplished than an attack was made on the 126th Bde (Br.-General W.W. Seymour), on the extreme left. This was also dispersed by the combined fire of guns, machine guns and rifles. At 10.30am the Germans made a second attempt opposite the 186th Bde; time after time they advanced up on the open slope, only to fall and melt away. Undeterred by losses, at 11.15am large forces advanced from Logeast Wood against the 126th and 127th (Br.-General Hon. A.M. Henley) Bdes, where the troops left their trenches the better to mow down their opponents. Some Germans, nevertheless, managed to penetrate the line, but were expelled by an immediate counter-attack of the 6th and 8/Manchesters; they were all shot down except an officer and one man, who were taken prisoner. For three hours the enemy had been held off and it was not until between midday and 2pm that he gained a success, pushing through Rossignol Wood into the gap between the 4th Australian Brigade and the 187th Bde, thus forcing the right of the latter to fall back.' (Official History of the War, France and Belgium 1918, Volume 2 refers)
Company Sergeant Major Martin is buried in Gezaincourt Communal Cemetery, Somme.
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A Fine G.M. Group of Three to Mr. G.H. Platt, For Gallantry in Helping to Rescue Five Girls From the Fourth Floor of Graftons Department Store, Glasgow, During a Terrible Fire, 4.5.1949, Leading Them to Safety Along a Five Inch Wide Ledge Fifty Feet Above The Street With Flames Raging and Smoke Swirling Behind Them a) George Medal, G.VI.R. (George Hamil Platt), minor official correction to middle name, in Royal Mint case of issue b) Corporation of Glasgow Bravery Medal, 2nd type, silver (Hallmarks for Birmingham 1949), the reverse engraved 'George Platt. 1949', with integral top riband bar c) Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Medal, bronze, 90mm, edge engraved 'George H. Platt. Glasgow 4th May 1949', the reverse inscribed 'For Heroic Endeavour to Save Human Life 1949', in case of issue, extremely fine, together with the following related items: - A presentation salver, 305mm in diameter, silver (Hallmarks for London 1940), engraved 'Presented to George Hamil Platt, G.M., by the Staff of Morrisons Associated Companies Ltd. in Grateful Recognition of his Outstanding Heroism in saving the lives of five members of the staff during the tragic fire at 43, Argyle Street, Glasgow, on Wednesday, 4th May, 1949.' - Letter to the recipient from the Prime Minister's office informing him of the award of the George Medal, dated 28.7.1949 - Letter to the recipient from the Secretary of State for Scotland, congratulating him on the award of the George Medal, dated 30.7.1949 - Letter to the recipient informing him of the award of the Corporation of Glasgow Medal for Bravery, dated 18.11.1949 - Copy of the London Gazette listing the award of the George Medal - Letter to the recipient from the Royal Society of St. George, dated 4.8.1949, and a copy of the Society's Monthly Message, November 1949 - Various contemporary newspapers from the period detailing the incident (lot) £3,000-4,000
Footnote: G.M. London Gazette 2.8.1949 George Hamill [sic] Platt, Clerk, Morrison's Associated Companies, Ltd., Glasgow (in a joint citation with Solomon Winetrobe, Manager, Morrison's Associated Companies, Ltd., Glasgow.) 'A fire which broke out on the ground floor of a four storey building in Glasgow quickly spread to the remainder of the building. Platt and Winetrobe were working with thirty-five women on the top floor when the alarm was raised and they assisted the women to the fire escape. A number of women reached safety in this manner but others were forced back by fire and smoke from the lower floors. The two men then decided that the only possible escape was along a narrow ledge which led from the building to a nearby cinema. This ledge was about five inches wide and fifty feet above the street. Platt made his way to the cinema and Winetrobe remained halfway across the ledge holding on to a pipe. Winetrobe encouraged a woman to step out from the window on to the ledge and supported her until she was able to reach Platt who helped her to safety. Four other women were then encouraged to cross the ledge in this way. Winetrobe remained in this position until forced back himself by dense clouds of smoke. Platt and Winetrobe, in circumstances of extreme danger, showed great courage and did not hesitate to face risks in order to save life.'
The Argyle Street Fire 'On the afternoon of the 4th May, 1949, a terrible fire suddenly broke out at Graftons, a fashion specialist store in Argyle Street, Glasgow. The building erupted in flames and smoke within minutes. The elevator shaft acted like a chimney stack and the fire roared up it, cutting off the escape routes. On the top floor, 34 girls in the invoice department had just resumed work after the tea break. Winetrobe, an ex-paratrooper, was in charge of the department, and Platt was his assistant. Both were 29 years old. They heard the warning cries of "Fire" almost at the same time as smoke poured through the elevator shaft and up the stairway. Some of the girls were helped get away down the fire escape, but that way out was quickly blocked. The stairway was cut off and the offices were rapidly filling with smoke. Winetrobe and Platt took charge of the girls that were left and tried to calm them down. While Winetrobe lined the girls up against a wall furthest from the source of the smoke, Platt looked out of a window and decided that here lay a hope of safety. "There's a way out here", he called. It was a five-inch ledge running beneath the window to the edge of the building and led to the top of the Argyle Cinema next door. From the ledge there was a sheer drop of 40 feet to the ground. Platt opened the window and inched his way along the precarious ledge where one slip meant death. He reached the edge of the building and hauled himself onto the cinema roof to act as a receiving agent, leaning over the terrifying drop to haul the others to safety. Winetrobe followed, and standing on the narrow ledge by the window, gripping a vertical drain pipe with his right hand, he spoke quietly and confidently through the window to the girls, as smoke swirled around him. Winetrobe helped the first girl out of the window with his left hand. Hardly daring to breathe, he passed the girl gently between his body and the wall, and then changing his hand grip on the drain pipe helped her along the ledge and handed her over to Platt. Platt then hauled her up to the cinema roof. Watched by hundreds packing the street below they got four girls along their escape route. The fifth to come out, Mrs. Sloan, was in a "very distressed condition", and this was the most crucial moment of all. Mrs. Sloan lost her foothold and slipped from the ledge between Winetrobe's legs. Miraculously he gripped her with his knees and prayed that the drain pipe would take the strain of the sudden double weight. Gingerly he eased her back to the ledge and helped her along to Platt. He waited outside the window for other girls, calling for them, but there were no replies to his shouts. Only thick, swirling, choking smoke poured through the window. There was nothing else he could do except make his own way along the ledge and join Platt on the cinema roof. At the subsequent fire enquiry Sheriff J. Wellwood Johnston said to Winetrobe: "When you were getting those girls out you were depending on a drain pipe. If it had given way, that was you...?" The answer Winetrobe gave to the sheriff's silent interrogation was a whispered "Yes." Both he and Platt were given the highest commendation at the inquiry for their heroism Thirteen of the girls died in the blaze. The Firemaster, in his report said: "In the whole of my 27 years' service I have never seen a fire of this nature develop with such tremendous speed and to have simultaneously entered and covered every floor of the building." (Scottish Daily Express account refers). For their great gallantry in rescuing five of their female colleagues, Platt and Winetrobe were both awarded the George Medal, which they received from H.M. The King at Buckingham, Palace, 14.3.1950, as well as the Corporation of Glasgow Medal for Bravery, which was presented to them by the Lord Provost of Glasgow, and a Carnegie Hero Fund Trust Medal. 'The Lord Provost, congratulating the two men, said: "I have studied the reports and photographs of the fire, and feel you will all agree that the action these two men took on that day is worthy of the highest praise. Not many would have done what you did under similar circumstances." Winetrobe disagreed: "It was the natural thing to do. Any man in our position would have tried to save the lives of those girls." And Platt agreed: "Our greatest reward has been to see the girls we helped save back at the office working alongside us."' (<@Footnote italic>ibid).
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A Great War 1916 'Western Front' M.M. and Bar Group of Four to Corporal A. Fielding, Royal Engineers a) Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (83269 L.Cpl. A. Fielding. 200/F.Coy. R.E.) b) 1914-15 Star (83269 L.Cpl. A. Fielding. R.E.) c) British War and Victory Medals (83269 A.Cpl. A. Fielding. R.E.), nearly very fine, mounted court-style for display purposes, together with a group photograph of 200th Field Company, Royal Engineers (4) £600-800
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 19.12.1916 83269 L./C. A. Fielding, R.E.
M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 17.6.1919 83269 Cpl. A. Fielding, M.M., 200th Fd. Coy., R.E. (Manchester).
83269 Corporal Alfred Fielding, M.M., served with the 200th Field Company, Royal Engineers during the Great War on the Western Front from 9.11.1915.
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A Great War 1917 'Western Front' M.M. and Bar Group of Four to Sergeant F.J. Weedon, Royal Fusiliers a) Military Medal, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar (11956 Sjt: F.J. Weedon. 3/R. Fus:) b) 1914-15 Star (L-11956 Pte. F.J. Weedon. R. Fus.) c) British War and Victory Medals (L-11956 Sjt. F.J. Weedon. R. Fus.), minor edge bruise to MM, contact marks, nearly very fine or better (4) £600-800
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 28.9.1917 11956 Sjt. F.J. Weedon, R. Fus. (New Southgate)
M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 20.8.1919 11956 Sjt. F.J. Weedon, M.M., 3rd Bn., R. Fus. (King's Cross).
11956 Sergeant Frederick J. Weedon, M.M., served during the Great War with the Royal Fusiliers on the Western Front from 18.1.1915.
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A Great War 'Western Front' M.M. Group of Four to Private C.W. Wymer, East Yorkshire Regiment a) Military Medal, G.V.R. (220464 Pte. C.W. Wymer. 1/E. York. R.) b) 1914-15 Star (2931 Pte. C.W. Wymer. York. R.) c) British War and Victory Medals (2931 Pte. C.W. Wymer. York. R.), light pitting, nearly very fine, mounted court-style for display purposes (4) £240-280
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 24.1.1919 220464 Pte. Wymer, C.W., 1st Bn. East Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.) (North Walsham).
2931 Private Cecil Willie Wymer, M.M., born Banningham, Norfolk, 1891; enlisted in the Yorkshire Regiment, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 9.10.1915; subsequently transferred to the East Yorkshire Regiment; died in Norfolk, 1969.
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A Great War 1917 'Western Front' M.M. Group of Four to Driver H. Smith, Australian Field Artillery, Australian Imperial Force a) Military Medal, G.V.R. (1360 Dvr. H. Smith. 41/By: Aust: F.A.) b) 1914-15 Star (1360. Pte. H. Smith. 15/Bn. A.I.F.) c) British War and Victory Medals (1360 Dvr. H. Smith. 15-Bn. A.I.F.), good very fine, mounted court-style, together with the recipient's riband bar; ANZAC bronze medallion (H. Smith) in fitted box of issue, with named lapel miniature; Soldier's Pay Book; Certificate of Discharge; recommendation for the award of the M.M.; and newspaper obituary (4) £500-700
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 1.2.1918 1360 Dvr. H. Smith, F.A., Australian Imperial Force
The Recommendation, dated 31.10.1917, states: 'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the 6th October 1917, and again on the 7th October 1917 near Tokio (east of Ypres) this Driver was carrying ammunition to his Battery. His pack mules on each occasion were put out of action by shell fire. He personally at great labour and with a total disregard of danger and through a heavy barrage, carried his ammunition up to the guns.'
1360 Driver Herbert Smith, M.M., born Bradford, West Yorkshire, 1893; emigrated to Australia, 1911; enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 6.11.1914; served during the Great War with the 15th Battalion, A.I.F. at Gallipoli, where he was wounded by a gun-shot wound to the upper extremities, 8.5.1915; transferred to the 4th Divisional Artillery, 16.3.1916; discharged at Brisbane, Queensland, 2.7.1919. After the War he became a milkman on Dame Nellie Melba's farm.
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A Great War M.M. Group of Three to Private H. Kendrick, Northumberland Fusiliers a) Military Medal, G.V.R. (267133 Pte. H. Kendrick. 6/North'd Fus:) b) British War and Victory Medals (4-6302 Pte. H. Kendrick. North'd Fus.), nearly extremely fine, mounted court-style for display purposes, together with the recipient's Certificate of Identity, and group photograph (3) £240-280
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 6.8.1918 267133 Pte. H. Kendrick, North'd Fus. (Bardon Mill).
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A Great War 1918 'French Theatre' M.M. Group of Three to Sergeant H.L.L. Marrian, Royal Fusiliers a) Military Medal, G.V.R. (B-19987 Pte. H.L.L. Marrian. 13/R. Fus:) b) British War and Victory Medals (B-19987 A. Sjt. H.L.L. Marrian. R. Fus.), nearly extremely fine, mounted court-style for display purposes, together with the recipient's Certificate of Transfer to the Reserve (3) £240-280
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 29.8.1918 B/19987 Pte. H.L.L. Marrian, R. Fus. (Birmingham).
B-19987 Sergeant Herbert Leslie L. Marrian, M.M., served with the 13th Battalion Royal Fusiliers during the Great War; awarded the Military Medal for gallantry in action during the period 1-6.4.1918 at Bucquoy, France; transferred to the Army Reserve, 19.3.1919.
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A Second War Western Desert 'Wireless Operators' M.M. Group of Six to Gunner W.R. Soutar, Royal Artillery a) Military Medal, G.VI.R. (993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar. R.A.), surname officially corrected b) 1939-1945 Star c) Africa Star d) Burma Star e) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf, the campaign stars and medals official later issues, extremely fine, with the following related items: - The recipient's two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 5.4.1945 and 27.9.1945 - Named Buckingham Palace enclosure for the M.M., and Defence Council enclosure for the Campaign Medals - The recipient's Record of Service, Soldier's Release Book, and National Registration Identity Card - Two letters to the recipient from Hugh (later Lord) Cudlipp, Editorial Director of the Daily Mirror - Letter to the recipient from the Press Secretary, Clarence House - Copy of Twelve Legions of Angels, by H.C.T. (later Lord) Dowding, this slightly damaged - Portrait photograph of the recipient, together with four more photographs - Various copies of the Daily Mirror covering the death and funeral of H.M. King George VI, partly designed by the recipient - Hand-drawn card presented to the recipient on his retirement from the Daily Mirror - Copy of the recipient's obituary in The Times, 12.1.2009 (lot) £800-1,200
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 19.3.1942 No. 993647 Gunner William Richard Souter [sic], Royal Horse Artillery (Scarborough) 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.'
The Recommendation states: 'This man performed the duties of W/T Operator in his Battery Commander's truck. He showed exceptional devotion to duty and disregard of his own safety. He remained calmly at his wireless set sending situation reports whilst others were taking shelter from heavy shell fire. Although his truck was hit with splinters more than once, he remained unperturbed. It was largely due to this man's outstanding behaviour that much valuable information reached the Divisional Commander.'
M.I.D. London Gazette 5.4.1945 993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar, M.M., Royal Regiment of Artillery 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.'
M.I.D. London Gazette 27.9.1945 993647 Gnr. W.R. Soutar, M.M., Royal Regiment of Artillery 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.'
993647 Gunner William Richard Soutar, M.M., was born in London, 9.4.1920, and joined the Daily Mirror as a messenger boy in 1934. On the outbreak of the Second World War he enlisted in the Royal Artillery, 15.8.1940, and trained as a driver/ signaller; posted to Palestine to a Mountain Artillery Regiment, he and his battery commander were later transferred to North Africa to join 8 Field Regiment Royal Artillery, serving with the 1st New Zealand Division. Whilst with them he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the Western Desert in late 1941, remaining at his radio sending situation reports while under intense enemy artillery fire. According to his Times obituary, 'he was furious when his tea caddy was penetrated by a shell splinter.' He subsequently served in India and Burma, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches 'for courage in his duties as a signaller, again under fire' (Times obituary refers). His last posting, appropriately for a newspaper-man, was on the staff of the 49th Division newspaper, Polar News, in the British Army of occupation in Germany, before he was discharged, 20.10.1946. After the War, Soutar returned to the Daily Mirror, 'and secured a position on the newspaper's picture desk. Over the following decades he was promoted to picture editor, art editor, executive editor and, finally, strips editor. 'A shared love of boats saw him form a lifelong friendship with [Daily Mirror Editor Hugh] Cudlipp, with Soutar acting as chief mechanic and navigator on annual summer cruises with Cudlipp. A favourite route was across the English Channel from Hamble to Honfleur.' (ibid). He died 6.12.2008, aged 88.
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Family Group: A Well-Documented Korean War B.E.M. Group of Eight to Corporal J.R. Andrews, Royal Army Service Corps a) British Empire Medal, Military Division, G.VI.R. (T/6028520 Cpl. John R. Andrews R.A.S.C) b) 1939-1945 Star c) France and Germany Star d) Defence and War Medals e) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (6028520 LCpl. J R Andrews RASC) f) Korea 1950-53, 1st 'Britt: Omn:' type (6028520 Cpl. J. Andrews R.E.M.E) g) United Nations Medal for Korea, light contact marks, good very fine, mounted court-style as worn, with the following related items: - The recipient's miniature awards and riband bars - The recipient's metal identity tags - Royal Mint case of issue for the B.E.M. - Named card box of issue for the General Service Medal - Commander-in-Chief's Certificate of appreciation - The recipient's Army Certificate of Service, Soldiers Release book, and two Soldiers Service & Pay Books - Various letters and congratulatory correspondence relating to the award of the B.E.M. - A large number of dated and annotated photographs spanning the Second War to the Korean War including service in Egypt, Germany, Holland, France, Belgium, Palestine, Cyprus, Eritrea and Korea - A number of related buttons, cloth R.A.S.C. badges and cap badges - An inscribed copy of Marks of Courage, by Ashley Cunningham-Boothe - A Most Excellent Order of the British Empire Diamond Jubilee 1917-77 bone china plate - Various newspaper cuttings and other ephemera
Pair: Private T.H. Andrews, Royal West Surrey Regiment British War and Victory Medals (27742 Pte. T.H. Andrews The Queen's R.), good very fine (lot) £600-800
Footnote: B.E.M. London Gazette 29.4.1952 T/6028520 Corporal John Richard Andrews, Royal Army Service Corps 'In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea during the period 1st July to 31st December, 1951.'
The Recommendation, dated 27.9.1951, states; 'Ever since 26 Field Ambulance landed in Korea in November, 1950, Corporal Andrews has been employed as the Senior Vehicle Mechanic of the unit. During this period no Ambulance Cars have ever been delayed on the road through mechanical failure and the loss of vehicles through mechanical breakdowns has been one of the lowest in 29 Brigade. This fine record has been almost entirely due to the untiring efforts and skill of Corporal Andrews who has on many occasions worked day and night in every condition of extreme cold and wet to keep the vehicles on the road. Completely without thought of self his conduct has been an example to all and has been worthy of the best traditions of his Corps.'
T/6028520 Corporal John Richard Andrews, B.E.M. (1922-97), born Poplar, London, the son of Private T.H. Andrews; served during the Second War with the Essex Regiment from 5.8.1940; transferred to the Royal Army Service Corps, 3.5.1943 and completed training as a Vehicle Mechanic; transferred to the Army Reserve, 30.10.1947; Re-enlisted in the R.A.S.C. 9.8.1950; served with 26 Field Ambulance during the Korean War, and awarded the B.E.M. 29.4.1952; re-transferred to the Army Reserve, 6.2.1952, his testimonial stating: 'Corporal Andrews is without question the best Vehicle Mechanic I have met in 17 years' service. He has exceptional mechanical skill and knowledge with an equally high sense of duty and is utterly without regard for self when there is urgent work to be done. No job is ever too difficult for him to tackle.'
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The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, Companion's (C.M.G.) breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, nearly extremely fine, converted for neck wear, in original Garrard, London, fitted case of issue £280-320
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The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Civil Division, Officer's (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1919), good very fine, in Garrard, London, case of issue The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, extremely fine (2) £140-180
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The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 1st type, Civil Division, Officer' (O.B.E.) breast Badge, silver-gilt (Hallmarks for London 1919), extremely fine, in Garrard, London, case of issue £70-90
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The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Member's (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver, nearly extremely fine, in Garrard, London, case of issue Imperial Service Medal (3), G.V.R., 2nd 'coinage head' type (John Augustus Parkes.); G.VI.R. (Cecil Norman Terry); E.II.R. (Leslie Sterling Parkes), generally extremely fine, first and last in cases of issue £100-140
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Indian Order of Merit, Military Division, 1st type (1837-1912), Third Class, Reward of Valor, silver and enamel, an early flat-backed badge without retaining nut, the reverse engraved in three lines '3rd. / Class / Order of Merit', and additionally engraved 'No.1589 Sepoy Harnam Singh 36th Sikhs', enamel completely lacking, suspension ring re-affixed and offset 90 degrees, with simple ring suspension, lacking top riband buckle, fine £500-700
Footnote: I.O.M. No.1589 Sepoy Harnam Singh 'For conspicuous gallantry at Fort Cavagnari on the 13th September 1897, on which occasion he took part in a daring sortie. The party, with the assistance of a reinforcement under Havildar Sundar Singh, drove the enemy from their sangars at the point of the bayonet, and captured three of their standards.'
1589 Sepoy Harnam Singh, I.O.M., served with the 36th (Sikh) Regiment, Bengal Infantry during the Samana Campaign, 1897; slightly wounded by a bullet to the forehead at Gulistan, 13-14.9.1897, and awarded the Indian Order of Merit Third Class for his service during this action.
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Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1945', extremely fine, in Royal Mint case of issue £600-800
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Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1944', nearly extremely fine, in Royal Mint case of issue £800-1,200
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Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (1477 Pte. D. Thistle 2nd. Northampton Regt.), nearly very fine £700-900
Footnote: D.C.M. London Gazette 27.9.1901 Private D. Thistle, The Northamptonshire Regiment
1477 Private D. Thistle, D.C.M., served with the 2nd Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment during the Boer War, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 10.9.1901).
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Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (1869 Pte. A.G. Elmes. 4/Rif: Bde:), edge bruise, light pitting, nearly very fine £400-500
Footnote: D.C.M. London Gazette 11.12.1916 R.B./1869 Rfn. A.G. Elmes, Rif. Brig. 'For conspicuous and consistently good work at all times. He has proved his ability to overcome difficulties and has set a fine example to his section.'
1869 Sergeant Arthur G. Elmes, D.C.M., served with the Rifle Brigade during the Great War on the Western Front from 26.9.1914; awarded the D.C.M. whilst attached to the Royal Engineers.
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A Scarce K.P.M. to Acting Commissioner R. MacTier, Bombay Police King's Police Medal, G.V.R., 1st 'coinage head' type (Robert MacTier, Act. Commr., Bombay Police.), reverse slightly worn, very fine, scarce to rank, in case of issue £300-400
Footnote: K.P.M. London Gazette 1.1.1914 Robert MacTier, Acting Commissioner, Bombay Police
Acting Commissioned Robert MacTier, K.P.M., educated at Cheltenham College; joined the Indian Police Department, 1883, and served in Bombay; promoted District Superintendent, May 1892; advanced Acting Commissioner, Bombay Police, May 1913; retired, May 1915.
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Military Medal, G.V.R. (294851 Gnr: W.J. Saunders. R.G.A.), good very fine £180-220
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 13.3.1919 294851 Gnr. Saunders, W.J., 147th Hy. By., Royal Garrison Artillery (Rickmansworth)
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A Great War 1916 'French Theatre' M.M. to Private J. Dixon, Coldstream Guards Military Medal, G.V.R. (7501 Pte. J. Dixon. 2/C. Gds.), nearly very fine £240-280
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 3.6.1916 7501 Pte. J. Dixon, 2nd Bn., C. Gds 'For Distinguished Service in the Field.'
7501 Private J. Dixon, M.M., served with the 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards during the Great War on the Western Front from 12.8.1914; also entitled to Silver War Badge.
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Military Medal, G.V.R. (30359 L.Cpl. W.A. Sharpe. 1/R. Lanc: R.), good very fine £140-180
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 21.10.1918 30359 L./C. W. A. Sharpe, R. Lan. R. (Shadwell).
30359 Corporal Wallace Alfred Sharpe, M.M, awarded the Military Medal whilst serving with the 1st Battalion Royal Lancaster Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front.
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Military Medal, G.V.R. (6754 L. Cpl. J. Davidson. 1/Cam: Hdrs.), number officially corrected, nearly very fine £160-200
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 1.9.1916 6754 L./C. J. Davidson, Cam'n Highrs.
6754 Sergeant John Davidson, M.M., served with the 1st Battalion Cameron Highlanders during the Great War on the Western Front from 14.8.1914.
Note: Davidson was additionally Gazetted for a Second Award Bar to his Military Medal (London Gazette 20.10.1919); this was subsequently cancelled as an 'Erroneous award' (London Gazette 13.7.1920).
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Military Medal, G.V.R. (G-2953 Cpl. C. Layton. 12/Middx: R.), good very fine £180-220
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 21.12.1916 G/2953 Cpl. C. Layton, Midd'x R.
G-2953 Sergerant Cecil Layton, M.M., served with the 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 25.7.1915; subsequently transferred to the 2nd London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers), and advanced Sergeant.
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A Great War '1916' French Theatre M.M. to Private T.C. French, Durham Light Infantry, Killed in Action 10.4.1918 Military Medal, G.V.R. (4225 Pte. T.C. French. 7/Durh: L.I.-T.F.), nearly very fine £200-240
Footnote: M.M. London Gazette 9.12.1916 4225 Pte. T.C. French, Durh. L.I.
4225 Private Thomas Christopher French, M.M., born Sunderland; served with the 7th Battalion Durham Light Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front from 1916; killed in action, 10.4.1918, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
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