|
DAMBUSTERS THE: Small selection of signed First Day Covers (2) etc., by various members of 617 Squadron, all of whom participated in the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943, comprising Danny Walker (1917-2001, Canadian Flying Officer, Navigator of Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L), George Chalmers (1921-2002, Scottish Flight Sergeant, Wireless Operator of Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O) individually signed First Day Covers commemorating the 44th Anniversary of the Dams Raid; David Shannon (1922-1993, Australian Flight Lieutenant, Pilot of Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L) signed 6.5 x 4.5 photograph depicting Shannon and a number of fellow 617 Squadron members standing together in full length poses outside Buckingham Palace on 22nd June 1943. Signed by Shannon in blue ink with his name alone to the verso. Some heavy traces of former mounting to the verso, only very slightly affecting the signature, and with a large tear to the image (repaired to the verso); Harold Martin (1918-1988) Australian Air Marshal of the RAF, Pilot of Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Signed and inscribed Christmas greetings card, also signed by him on behalf of his wife. FR (1), VG, 4 £100 - 150
|
|
|
DAMBUSTERS THE: Selection of unsigned 8 x 10 photographs and smaller, some printed ephemera and photocopies of documents etc., all relating to 617 Squadron and the Dambusters Raid and all previously the property of Alan Cooper, evidently gathered by him during his research for books, some of the images depicting various crew members and other individuals at reunions, including Leonard Cheshire, Geoffrey Rice, Toby Foxlee, Sydney Hobday, Len Sumpter, Bill Howarth, Harold Martin, Basil Feneron etc., images of Guy Gibson’s Lancaster bomber, 617 Squadron memorial at Woodhall Spa (1987), invitation card issued to Cooper to attend the dedication of the Guy Gibson and Jim Warwick Propeller Memorial at Steenbergen, 7th May 1990 (with a programme and farewell dinner menu for the same event) etc. Many of the photographs are annotated to the versos. G to generally VG, 27 £80 - 100
Alan Cooper - Aviation Historian and Writer whose works include The Men Who Breached the Dams: 617 Squadron The Dambusters (1982).
|
|
|
DAMBUSTERS THE: A Limited Edition 17.5 x 12.5 print depicting the 617 ‘Dambuster’ Squadron Memorial at Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, by artist K. Buckingham (1987), individually signed to the white borders by over fifty pilots of World War II associated with the Dambusters Raid and 617 Squadron, including Bill Howarth, Len Sumpter, Les Munro, James Tait, Bill Reid VC, Joe McCarthy, Ken Brown, Archie Johnstone, Harry Johnson, John Pryor, John Bell, Albert Hepworth, Colin Cole, Benny Goodman, Jock Calder, H. K. ‘Duke’ Munro, Frank Appleby, Basil Feneron, Bill Pengelly, John Sanders, Des Phillips, Arthur Joplin, Frank Tilley, Reg Spencer, Ross Stanford, Frank Cardwell, John Langston, Danny Daniel, Terry Kearns, Donald Cheney, Freddie Watts etc. Also signed by the artist and numbered 287 of 617. All have signed in bold pencil, with the exception of one ink signature. Rolled and with some light overall surface creasing, G £200 - 300
|
|
|
DAMBUSTERS THE: A colour 20 x 14 Limited Edition print of an Avro Lancaster aircraft of 617 Squadron (ED932 AJ-G, being the bomber piloted by Wing Commander Guy Gibson on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943) individually signed by sixteen members of 617 Squadron and their Commander-in-Chief, most of whom participated in Operation Chastise, comprising Arthur T. Harris (Commander-in-Chief, Bomber Command), George Chalmers (Wireless Operator with Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O), Leonard Cheshire (Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron, November 1943 - July 1944), Basil Feneron (Flight Engineer with Lancaster ED918/G AJ-F), Bertie ‘Toby’ Foxlee (Front Gunner with Lancaster ED909/G AJ-P), Raymond Grayston (Flight Engineer with Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N), Dudley Heal (Navigator with Lancaster ED918/G AJ-F), Sydney Hobday (Navigator with Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N), Bill Howarth (Front Gunner with Lancaster ED921/G AJ-W), Edward Johnson (Bomb Aimer with Lancaster ED912/G AJ-N), William Reid (Captured and made a Prisoner of War in Stalag-III whilst serving in 617 Squadron, July 1944. Victoria Cross winner for his actions during a raid on Dusseldorf, 3rd November 1943), Geoffrey Rice (Pilot of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H), David Shannon (Pilot of Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L), Len Sumpter (Bomb Aimer with Lancaster ED929/G AJ-L), James Tait (Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron, July 1944 - January 1945), Bill Townsend (Pilot of Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O) and Douglas Webb (Front Gunner with Lancaster ED886/G AJ-O). All have signed with their names alone in various coloured inks to the white background. Also signed by Keith Broomfield of the RAF Museum. The signature of Harris is faded, although legible, and the signatures of Townsend and Foxlee are a little weak, although perfectly legible. Framed and glazed in a plain silver coloured frame to an overall size of 21 x 15. Accompanied by the Limited Edition certificate (Number 556 of 1000) signed by Michael Fopp and issued by the Battle of Britain Museum and also with a copy of a photograph depicting Harris seated in a half length pose at a large table, signing a copy of the present print, and with fourteen of the other signatories standing behind him. VG £600 - 800
|
|
|
SCHUTTE KARL: ( - ) German Army Reservist of World War II, a member of the SS Flak Unit protecting the Mohne Dam with anti-aircraft guns at the time of the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A.L.S., Karl Schutte, one page, 4to, Iserlohn, 15th January 1993, to [Alan] Cooper, in German. Schutte sends his correspondent good wishes for the New Year and also thanks him for a Christmas card. He continues to add that he has misplaced a letter with details about a trip (‘I think you would like me to come on 17.4. Maybe you could confirm it once again’) and also comments ‘I am looking forward to seeing the dam’. In a postscript he informs Cooper that Mr. Huber has published a new book entitled Der Wasserkrieg (‘Battle on Water’). Accompanied by three typed copies of letters from Cooper to Schutte, largely concerning arrangements to visit the Mohne Dam and meet his correspondent in April 1993. VG, 4 £100 - 150
Alan Cooper - Aviation Historian and Writer whose works include The Men Who Breached the Dams: 617 Squadron The Dambusters (1982).
|
|
|
DAMBUSTERS THE: An interesting original contemporary World War II date copy of a Damage Report prepared by the County Chief Executive of Arnsberg, seven pages, 4to, Arnsberg, 3rd June 1943. Written in English, and therefore presumably a translation of the original German document, the document is a compilational report on the breaking of the Mohnetal Dam, detailing the events of the operation (‘Some ten minutes after the nomb explosions a telephone enquiry from the Station at Arnsberg was received to enquire about bomb hits...To this Lt. Dicke replied that bombs did not fall in the town area but in the direction of the Mohnetal Dam, surmising that bombs fell in the area of the Anti-Aircraft Station. Some time later Town architect Kraft from Neiheim-Husten telephoned the police station and mentioned that there is rumour in town that the dam has been hit resulting in flooding’) and the difficulties in raising the alarm as a result of the extensive flooding, also detailing the number of fatalities and casualties, property damage (listing many factories), loss of livestock etc., also reporting on the efforts to recover bodies, clear the streets and demolish dangerous buildings and stating that a workforce of between 2000 - 4000 men will begin work on reconstructing the Mohne Dam in the next few weeks. Small staple holes to the left edges of the pages and with some slight staining, not affecting the text, otherwise VG £100 - 150
|
|
|
DAMBUSTERS THE: Lloyd Mieyette (1921-1943) Canadian Flight Sergeant who served as a Wireless Operator with 617 Squadron. Dark fountain pen ink signature (‘L. G. Mieyette, 617 Sqdn’) on a small, irregularly clipped piece. Signed to the verso by Ernest Blake (1919-1943) British Flight Sergeant who served as a Flight Engineer with 617 Squadron; Eric Hornby
( -1943) British Flight Sergeant who served as a Rear Gunner with 617 Squadron. Dark fountain pen ink signature (‘E. Hornby Sgt 617 Sqdn’) on a small, irregularly clipped piece. Neatly laid down to a small white card annotated in blue ink in the hand of a collector. Rare. G to VG, 2 £100 - 150
Mieyette, Blake and Hornby all trained to participate in Operation Chastise and were members of Flight Lieutenant Harold Sydney Wilson’s crew, but did not fly on 16th May 1943 owing to illness. All three were killed when their Lancaster bomber was shot down on the night of 15th – 16th September 1943 during the raid on the Dortmund-Ems Canal.
|
|
|
[ELLWOOD MOWBRAY]: (1922-1945) British Flying Officer with 617 Squadron, tragically killed in action at the age of 24 when the Lancaster bomber he was flying in was lost at sea during an operation to attack the floating docks at Bergen on 12th January 1945. Vintage unsigned 2.5 x 3.5 photograph, the image depicting Ellwood, in his uniform, standing outdoors in a full length pose alongside a fellow officer. Together with a second vintage unsigned 4 x 7 photograph of Ellwood standing outdoors in a full length pose, wearing his RAF uniform, alongside his parents close to some park railings. Neatly mounted (1). G to VG, 2 £80 - 100
The Stephen Burns Archive
Stephen ‘Ginger’ Burns (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant
who served with 617 Squadron and was Rear Gunner with Geoffrey Rice’s
crew on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943.
Burns was tragically killed in action on 20th December 1943,
a week before his 23rd birthday, and was described by Leonard Cheshire VC
as having had a ‘very distinguished and gallant operational record’
|
|
    |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A printed 12mo folding Christmas greetings card sent to Burns by his mother during World War II, the front cover of the card featuring a colour illustration of a pretty young lady in a long emerald coloured dress standing in a full length pose as she looks out of a window, with the printed words Kind Thoughts at the base, and with a printed Christmas verse to the inside, signed and inscribed in fountain pen ink to the inside, ‘To Steve from Mother, Dosoy and Freddie’ (his mother adding the names of his sister Dorothy and brother in her hand). About EX £80 - 100
|
|
   |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Small selection of three War date A.Ls.S. (one on a picture postcard) and a signed souvenir card by various relatives of Burns, the first letter written by his cousin Mary, thanking Burns for a basket and stating, in part, ‘When my mother took a lemon & a tangerine to work to show them, somebody persuaded her to raffle them for the Red Cross so she did & the proceeds were five pounds....We had a letter of Aunty Sally too & she says how thankful she is that you made another safe landing, we all join in with her...’, also with a postcard from Mary addressed to Burns at RAF Scampton, 3rd August 1943; the souvenir card bearing a printed religious statement and image, signed and inscribed to Burns by his Aunt Clara to the verso (‘...hoping God will guide you through always...’); and the second letter written by his cousin Charles Hinton to Burns’ parents (‘Dear Uncle Jack and Aunt Sally’) on 9th May 1944 having learnt of the death of Burns, in part, ‘It is with deep grief and sorrow that I receive the news about dear Steve. It is unbelievable that such a gay and charming personality in the bloom of manhood should be taken from our midst....Dear, noble Steve overcame so much in his early manhood. I believe he confounded everyone, for he mastered fear and himself....I pray for his brave courageous soul and that it now rests with our other glorious comrades beyond...’ . Some light age wear, G to about VG, 4 £80 - 100
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Two War date A.Ls.S. written to Burns by male friends, the first letter from Jim, two pages, small 4to, Staffordshire, n.d. (‘Friday’), to ‘Dear Ginger’, in pencil, thanking him for a welcome parcel (‘...you’ve been a better pal to me than anybody I’ve ever known...’) and stating, in part, ‘....and as for the oranges etc., I was astounded when I got in Lampitts on Monday and seen the parcel I wondered where it came from because it was wrapped up so well I think some tart must have wrapped it up for you. When I opened it I was surprised and I gave most of them to Elsie and a few to Mrs Lampitt and I finished the rest off myself, they were delicious. I’ll bet you had more weight in your aeroplane coming back from N. Africa than you had going....’; and the second letter from Bill Bannister, three pages, 8vo (folding Air Mail letter card), RAF India Command, 29th October 1943, thanking Burns for his letter, referring to mutual friends (one of whom had died from an ‘illegal operation’) and also enquiring ‘How’s the aircrew these days? Still kicking I presume’. Some light age wear, G, 2 £80 - 100
|
|
|
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Small selection of War date A.Ls.S., signed greetings card (1) etc., written to Burns by various female friends, including an A.L.S. from Bridie, one page, 4to, Manchester, n.d. (3rd December 1943), to ‘Dear Steve’, thanking him for his letter and commenting ‘I can imagine the tough time you are having these days. After hearing the newse (sic) last week I decided to say a extra prayer for you and your mates. I do hope you will always have as much good luck as you have had up to now....You are always in my heart’, accompanied by the original envelope addressed to Burns at RAF Coningsby; an A.L.S. by Nora Kelly, two pages, 8vo, Ballinasloe, 2nd September 1943, to ‘Dear Steve’, introducing herself as the sister of Cathleen, to whom Burns had written, stating that she will forward his letter to her in England, and commenting ‘How often had she told me about the good old times you used to have, about you and Jimmy Grady, how you would pull her leg and how nice you were....Well Steve, I have seen your photograph in uniform. Definitely you look lovely and smart and very brave’; one incomplete letter, and also including a typed poem entitled Always and inscribed (in type) ‘To Ginger with lots of luck, Vera xxxxxx......’. Some light overall age wear, generally G, 6 £100 - 120
|
|
  |
BURNS STEPHEN: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Rare ink signature, service number and rank (‘1217692 Sgt Burns’) on an oblong 12mo piece torn from the head of an A.L.S. [to his mother], the signature being part of Burns’ address and with the blue printed emblem of the Royal Air Force at the head. Four lines of holograph text appear to the verso, stating ‘….happens to me see he gets it the registered number is Raleigh 554 remember this as otherwize (sic) it might get…’. Autographs of Burns are rare in any form due to his tragically early death at the age of 22 when he was killed in action on 20th December 1943 as a result of the aircraft, on which he was Rear Gunner, and being piloted by Geoffrey Rice, was shot down above Merbes-Le Chateau in Belgium. Some light age wear, G £200 - 300
The holograph text to the verso of the present fragment evidently refers to Burns’ bicycle which he kept with him whilst stationed at RAF Scampton. Indeed, it is mentioned in his RAF will (a copy of which is included in the present lot) and it was evidently his wish that the bicycle be given to his brother (undoubtedly his younger brother, Freddie, to whom he had also earlier given his flying gauntlets and other keepsakes).
|
|
|
BURNS STEPHEN: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. Rare ink signature, service number and rank (‘1217692 F/Sgt Burns’) and address ‘Sgts Mess, RAF Coningsby, nr Lincoln, Lincs’ in his hand to the recto of an un-used envelope. Autographs of Burns are rare in any form due to his tragically early death at the age of 22 when he was killed in action on 20th December 1943 as a result of the aircraft, on which he was Rear Gunner, and being piloted by Geoffrey Rice, was shot down above Merbes-Le Chateau in Belgium. Some light creasing and minor staining, G £200 - 300
|
|
  |
BURNS STEPHEN: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. An extremely rare A.L.S., your loving son Steve x, two pages, 8vo, RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire, n.d. (1943), to his Mother. Burns thanks her for her most welcome letter and continues ‘I will try and get you some matches as soon as possible. I have ordered a bible for our Dos [annotated ‘(me)’ in red ink by Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Burns] and will send it as soon as I receive it’, further adding that he is pleased his sister has made a good start although remarking ‘She will only be giving tickets out I expect unless it has prospects later on for her’. Burns also states that he has received letters from his father and brother John and concludes ‘I don’t suppose I will be on leave for some weeks yet. Please pack tooth-past (sic) well and see it doesn’t get damaged and please be quick’. Autographs of Burns are rare in any form due to his tragically early death at the age of 22 when he was killed in action on 20th December 1943 as a result of the aircraft, on which he was Rear Gunner, and being piloted by Geoffrey Rice, was shot down above Merbes-Le Chateau in Belgium. Some light overall creasing and minor staining, G £400 - 500
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A small 12mo portion of a scorecard, being the incomplete lower half featuring a printed grid of five columns and various individually numbered from 22 - 30 and with the words Grand Total printed to the lower border. Previously part of the personal papers belonging to Burns at the time of his death in 1943 and bearing the red ink stamp of the Sergeant’s Mess, Royal Air Force Coningsby, Lincolnshire, to the verso. Some light age wear, about VG £80 - 100
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. An official Royal Air Force Omnibus Warrant issued to Burns, two pages, 12mo, Station Headquarters, RAF Cranwell, 10th August 1943. The partially printed document, completed and signed by the issuing officer, Flight Officer M. M. S. Bates, allows 1217692 Sgt. Burns to travel on a single bus journey from Lincoln to Scampton, stating that the reason for travel is to rejoin his unit. Some light overall creasing and a few small tears to the edges, G £100 - 120
|
|
|
[CHESHIRE LEONARD]: (1917-1992) British Group Captain, Commanding Officer of 617 Squadron, 10th November 1943 - 12th July 1944. Victoria Cross winner for his flying operations during World War II. T.L., unsigned, one page, 4to, RAF Coningsby, Lincoln, 21st December 1943, to Mrs. S. Burns. The letter is a contemporary war date copy of Cheshire’s letter to the mother of Stephen Burns, informing her of the fate of her son, in part, ‘It is with the very deepest regret that I have to confirm the news that your son, F/Sgt. S. Burns, failed to return from an operational sortie last night. While on the way back his aircraft was attacked and shot down by an enemy fighter over Northern France. It was flying very high at the time and it was a few minutes before the aeroplane finally fell out of control, so that I have high hopes that the crew were able to abandon the aircraft by parachute. You son has had a very distinguished and gallant operational record. His work has at all times been of the very highest order and as a rear gunner, has been of the very greatest importance….I can assure you that his loss has been received by everyone here with the greatest sorrow and I would like to send you on behalf of the whole Squadron my most heartfelt sympathy in the anxious days of waiting which now lie ahead….’ Some light overall creasing and a few minor, small holes and splits at the folds, only very slightly affecting a few words of text, about G £80 - 100
On 20th December 1943, eight 617 Squadron crews, led by Cheshire, were sent on an operation to attack an armaments factory in Liege, Belgium. Geoffrey Rice and his Dams Raid crew, including Burns, were amongst them. On reaching their intended target, the Lancasters encountered poor visibility and Cheshire ordered them to return with their bombs. On the return journey Rice and his Lancaster came under attack and were hit by flak 14,000 feet above Merbes-Le Chateau. With his aircraft in severe trouble, Rice gave the order for his crew to bale out, but there wasn’t time and the Lancaster exploded. Amazingly, Rice was somehow thrown clear, protected by the pilot’s armoured seat and with his parachute deployed, and was the only survivor. Rice was eventually captured and made a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft III. All of his colleagues, including Burns, lost their lives and were buried in Gosselies Communal Cemetery near Hainaut in Belgium.
Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns, was later to recall in a letter (a copy of which is included in the present lot) ‘I met Leonard Cheshire VC twice....Leonard wrote 2 yrs before his death on the most unusual fact of the pilot Geoff Rice being the only survivor. Geoff died in 1987. I wish he had visited the familys (sic) of his crew. Mum and Dad thought when he was repatriated from a P.O.W. camp he would give them all the facts that he could recall after the Lanc was hit. He never came.’
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A.L.S. by an official representative of the Assessor of Income Tax at the Air Ministry, two pages, oblong 8vo, Stroud, Gloucestershire, 6th December 1943, to Flight Sergeant Stephen Burns at RAF Coningsby, on an official printed memorandum form. The letter informs Burns that his Income Tax liability for the year 1943/44, based on his pay for 1942/43, is nil and continues ‘Your Paying Officer is being instructed to refund all tax taken from your pay. Relief for a dependant relative will be granted if the annual income of the relative does not exceed £80 per annum’. Annotated at a later date in the hand of Dorothy Mundon, sister of Burns, ‘He was already dead before Tax Refund’. Together with a partially printed postcard issued by the Assessors of Income Tax at the Air Ministry acknowledging receipt of the letter from Burns on 1st December 1943. Also including a T.L.S. by O. M. Clarkson of the Ministry of Pensions, two pages, 8vo, Blackpool, Lancashire, 6th July 1944, to Mrs. S. J. Burns, mother of Stephen Burns. Clarkson responds to her application for a pension in respect of her late son and states, in part, ‘I am directed to inform you that a pension can only be granted to the parents of a deceased member of the Forces if it is established that they are in pecuniary need arising from old age, infirmity or any other adverse condition not being merely of a temporary character. Your case has been carefully considered but in view of your present circumstances it is regretted that it is not possible at present to award you a pension’. Some light overall age wear and creasing, G to VG, 3 £80 - 100
|
|
|
[MAYNARD WILLIAM]: (1923-1943) English Sergeant, Front Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A fellow crew member of Burns’, Maynard was also killed in action on 20th December 1943 as a result of the aircraft, on which he was Front Gunner, and being piloted by Geoffrey Rice, was shot down above Merbes-Le Chateau in Belgium. An A.L.S., Janet Maynard by his mother, one page, small 4to, Wandsworth, 8th October 1950, to Mrs. Burns, mother of Stephen Burns. Maynard states that she visited the cemetery at Gosselies in Belgium last month and writes ‘The wooden crosses have been replaced by iron ones painted white, the shape of the graves has been done away with and they are laid out as a rose garden. The roses (pink ones) were in bloom when we were there. The garden was very nicely kept. Indeed I feel a lot happier and comforted since I went’, further addding ‘The rose I enclose (no longer present) came from the tree by your son’s cross. I thought you would like it’. Some light overall creasing and minor age wear, G £80 - 100
|
|
|
[MACFARLANE RICHARD]: (1921-1943) British Flight Officer, Navigator of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. MACFARLANE NORMAN (1926- ) Baron Macfarlane of Bearsden. Scottish Industrialist, younger brother of Richard Macfarlane. T.L.S., Macfarlane of Bearsden, one page, 4to, Glasgow, 23rd May 1994, to Dorothy Mundon, on the printed stationery of Macfarlane Group (Clansman) PLC. Macfarlane thanks his correspondent for her letter concerning Stephen Burns ‘who was a member of the same crew on the Dambusters Raid as my brother Richard’ and continuing ‘I met Geoff Rice myself, but the only thing I ever learned was that when the plane in which our brothers were crew members was struck, it exploded and Geoff Rice never understood how he got out of the plane, but he always assumed that he was simply blown out and that the others were killed immediately’. Macfarlane further adds ‘I am sorry I am not able to give you any further news, as I can fully appreciate how anxious you are to know what happened’. Accompanied by the original envelope, annotated in ink by the recipient. EX £80 - 100
Dorothy Mundon - Sister of Stephen Burns (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943.
|
|
|
IVESON TONY: (1919-2013) British Pilot of World War II who participated in the Battle of Britain and joined 617 Squadron in 1944 with whom he piloted a Lancaster on the successful attack against the German battleship Tirpitz. T.L.S., Tony Iveson, with holograph salutation and subscription, one page, 4to, London, 7th April 1987, to Mrs. [Dorothy] Mundon, on the printed stationery of the 617 Squadron Association. Iveson invites his correspondent to the Dedication Service of the 617 Squadron Memorial at Woodhall Spa on 17th May and to attend a luncheon afterwards, continuing to explain the agenda for the day including a ‘fly-past by the RAF’s only surviving Lancaster plus four 617 Squadron Tornados’, also adding ‘We expect nearly 100 wartime Squadron aircrew including Air Marshal Sir Harold Martin and Group Captains Cheshire and Tait’. In a holograph postscript Iveson remarks ‘Bill Howarth gave me your address’. Together with a selection of printed ephemera relating to the event, and others associated with 617 Squadron, including an official printed invitation issued to Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Mundon, admittance tickets and car parking passes, printed 8vo Luncheon menu on the occasion of the Dedication of the 617 Squadron Memorial at Petwood Hotel, Woodhall Spa (signed to the verso by actor Richard Todd who portrayed Guy Gibson in the 1955 film The Dam Busters), printed 4to Commemorative Souvenir Programme for the 45th Anniversary of 617 Squadron (1988), printed 8vo Order of Service for a Memorial Service on the occasion of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of 617 Squadron at Derwent Dam, 19th May 1993 etc., and also including five candid colour photographs (6 x 4 and slightly smaller) relating to the grave etc. of Stephen Burns, the brother of Dorothy Mundon. Some very light age wear, generally VG, 18 £100 - 120
Dorothy Mundon - Sister of Stephen Burns (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943.
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A pale brown leather wallet belonging to Burns, the pocket sized bi-fold wallet featuring several pockets to the inside and with a colour stamped design to both the front and the back, one bearing the word Maroc (Morocco) and with a star above. Some light overall age wear, about VG £200 - 300
Burns acquired the present wallet when 617 Squadron stopped over in Ras-el-Ma in French Morocco in July 1943. One of the few personal possessions the Rear Gunner kept with him whilst on active service, Burns listed the wallet in his RAF will (a copy of which is included with the present lot, and is illustrated above).
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present wallet is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A most emotive original wooden painted model of an Avro Lancaster bomber, made by Richard MacFarlane and given by him to his friend and colleague Stephen Burns as a gift. The model features four engines with propellers (one now missing) and windows for the crew, bomb aimer, mid gunner and rear gunner, the wings and tail fins featuring painted Royal Air Force markings and with the squadron code DX-X to each side. The model measures 8” in length and has a wingspan of almost 12” and stands on a plain wooden plinth loosely attached by a piece of thin metal. Some light overall age wear, minor damage to one tail fin and the paint scratched in places (most notably to the underside of the aircraft and the plinth), G £1000 - 1500
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present model aeroplane is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct. Also included is a copy of a newspaper article written about Burns, prior to his involvement in the Dambusters Raid, in a provincial newspaper in which it states that the Rear Gunner has returned home to Dudley on leave with a model of the Lancaster in which he regularly flies.
Richard MacFarlane (1921-1943) Scottish Flight Officer, Navigator of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943.
MacFarlane joined 57 Squadron on 9th December 1942 where he met up with Rear Gunner Stephen Burns (who had been attached to the Squadron a month earlier) as well as wireless operator Bruce Gowrie, bomb aimer John Thrasher, flight engineer Edward Smith and air gunner William Maynard. The crew were without a pilot until Geoffrey Rice arrived in February 1943. MacFarlane, Burns and their colleagues flew on nine operations before being posted together from 57 Squadron to the new 617 Squadron being formed to undertake training for a special mission.
Whilst at 57 Squadron Burns flew in the Avro Lancaster DX-X W4252 upon which the present model is based. Included in the lot is a copy of a page from his log book recording his flight, as a mid-upper gunner, on 5th February 1943 from RAF Wyton to RAF Scampton, piloted by Flight Sergeant Langley.
Avro Lancaster DX-X W4252 remained with 57 Squadron although was shot down in an operation over Kiel on 4th/5th April 1943 whilst being piloted by Squadron Leader S. N. T. Wallace. He and the six crew members all lost their lives and are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial (Source: RAF Bomber Command Losses of the Second World War, 1943, edited by W. R. Chorley, Volume IV, 1996)
The original aircraft clock from the Lancaster
flown by Rice on the Dambusters Raid
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. An original MKII D Air Ministry aircraft clock removed by Burns from Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H following its return from the Dambusters Raid, the 8 Day clock in a bakelite casing and with the serial number stamped to the face. The clock features a second hand and two setting tags mounted through a central hole in the glass dial. The adjustment knob is no longer present and one of the mounting holes is partially broken, otherwise about VG £2000 - 3000
It is documented that, when navigator Richard MacFarlane saw his friend and colleague Burns removing the present clock from their Lancaster, he told him not to worry about it, however Burns replied ‘Waste not, want not’.
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present clock is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
Original artefacts (especially those with exceptional provenance) from any of the eleven Lancaster bombers which successfully returned to RAF Scampton at the conclusion of Operation Chastise very rarely appear at auction and are highly desirable.
|
|
|
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. An original embroidered Royal Air Force Air Gunners brevet issued to Burns, his ‘wings’ featuring the off-white thread embroidered letters AG at the centre of a brown thread wreath and with an off-white thread wing to the right, all embroidered to a plain black cloth. Some light age wear, G £200 - 300
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present brevet is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
|
|
|
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A pair of flying goggles used by Burns during World War II, the Mark IIIA goggles issued by the Air Ministry and featuring perspex lenses contained in a painted brass surround, with a central hinge and dark brown leather nose cover, also with ram air and exhaust vents (slightly damaged). The goggles have a brown felt backing and the adjustable leather and elastic strap is still present. With the Air Ministry stamp and serial numbers 22C/62 88926/39 to the strap. Some age wear, G £300 - 400
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present goggles are listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A flying helmet used by Burns during World War II, the dark brown leather helmet made by H. Bednall of Walsall and bearing their label (additionally printed with the size No.3 7 1/8 - 7 3/8 and year 1938) to the inside, with two adjustable straps to the rear, chin strap and zipped ear covers, the inside principally chamois and with a felt forehead strip and padded chamois leather rings for the ear receivers. Also featuring two chamois straps and studs attached to either side at cheek level (for securing communication equipment leads). Bearing several ink marks and numbers to the inside including S.G.F. 4. Some age wear, G £1500 - 2000
The present lot is accompanied by a copy of a photograph of Burns wearing this flying helmet.
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present helmet is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
Gauntlets worn by Burns on the Dambusters Raid
|
|
  |
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. A pair of dark brown leather flying gauntlets used by Burns during World War II, and being the gloves worn by him on the Dambusters Raid. The gauntlets were issued by the Air Ministry and each feature official stamps and markings to the inside, the right hand glove with the clearer markings and featuring the date 1940. The gauntlets measure 14.5” in length and have straight working zips with the original oval leather pullers attached. Interestingly, and somewhat poignantly, the left hand glove bears the ink ownership name of W[illiam]. A[lbert]. Gillen. Some overall age wear, G £2000 - 3000
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present gauntlets are listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct, and further stating that ‘flying gloves worn by Steve in Dams Raid’ are included.
William Albert Gillen (1917-1943) Canadian Flight Sergeant who served with the RAF in 57 Squadron at the same time as Burns. Gillen was killed in action on 9th January 1943.
There could be a number of reasons why Burns was later to wear the gloves of his flying colleague, although it would appear most plausible that Burns would have subsequently been handed the gloves for his own use following the tragic death of Gillen. Following Burns’ involvement in the Dambusters Raid he returned home to Dudley for a short period of leave during which time he gave the gloves to his younger brother, Freddie.
Burns flew as Rear Gunner in Pilot Officer Geoffrey Rice’s crew for the Dambusters Raid of 16th May 1943 and the near fatal events of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H are well documented, not least by Alan Cooper in his book The Dam Buster Raid - A Reappraisal 70 Years On (2013), in which he wrote ‘Geoff [Rice] himself was not immune from trouble as he reached the Zyder Zee, hugging the surface of the water which was dark and unforgiving, he hit the water. He pulled up the stick but the damage was already done. The underside of the Lancaster was torn out and with it the bomb. So much water came in that Sergeant Burns, his rear gunner, was up to his knees in water and at one time the water came over his turret. The tailwheel had been forced up into the aircraft, breaking the main spar of the tailplane and finishing up near the Elsan toilet, which was near the rear door’
It has also been written that Burns, to avoid drowning, smashed the Perspex windows of the rear turret, evidently whilst wearing the present flying gauntlets, so that the water could drain out, having remarked to Rice ‘Christ! It’s wet at the back, Skipper’.
Items of flying clothing (especially those with exceptional provenance) used by any of the crew members from the eleven Lancaster bombers who successfully returned to RAF Scampton at the conclusion of Operation Chastise very rarely appear at auction and are highly desirable.
|
|
|
[BURNS STEPHEN]: (1921-1943) British Flight Sergeant, Rear Gunner of Lancaster ED936/G AJ-H of 617 Squadron on the Dambusters Raid, 16th May 1943. The Royal Air Force Service Dress issued to and worn by Burns, comprising his tunic tailored in a blue-grey fabric and featuring an embroidered Air Gunners brevet above the medal ribbons for the 1939-43 Star awarded to Burns, two bellow pockets to the skirt and two chest pockets, brass buttons and a belt with brass buckle, and with the rank badge of a Flight Sergeant, Volunteer Reserves, to each sleeve; the tailored blue-grey fabric trousers and a blue-grey field service side cap featuring two brass buttons and a brass RAF insignia attached to one side. With a label bearing the date 1940, serial number B.148533/40/C.1.B, and ink initials (‘SB’) of Burns, stitched to the inside. VG £800 - 1200
The present uniform was kept by Burns at his mother’s home for the occasions when he returned there on leave. Included in the lot is a copy of a letter written and signed by Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Burns, in which she makes direct reference to the present uniform and writes, in part, ‘When we had the telegram Dec 20th 43 and Soldier Dad & Brother John (Navy) had to be telegrammed by me to come home on compassionate leave (no phones then)...I was in deep shock, of course my mother much worse had collapsed she just asked me to place that same dress uniform beside her in her bed to hold close in her grief. She kept saying “it will comfort me Dorothy” so I placed it beside her as she sobbed’.
Provenance: Accompanied by a copy of a typed inventory of the Burns Archive prepared by a previous owner in 2001 when he acquired the material from Dorothy Mundon, the sister of Stephen Burns. The present uniform is listed on the inventory, and also included in the lot is a copy of a handwritten letter from Mundon to the previous owner explaining that she has been through the inventory and that it is correct.
AVIATION
|
|
|
GRAHAME-WHITE CLAUDE: (1879-1959) English Pioneer Aviator. Vintage signed postcard photograph of the aviator standing outdoors in a full length pose, wearing his flying cap, and writing his signature in an autograph album as a small crowd of admirers stand close to him. A printed caption to the lower border indicates that the image was captured in Rugby during the London to Manchester flight on 23rd April 1910. Signed by Grahame-White in bold black fountain pen ink at the head of the image and dated 1910 in his hand. Some light overall surface and corner creasing, G £80 - 100
|
|
|
PRIER PIERRE: (1886-1950) French Pioneer Aviator & Designer, the first pilot to fly non-stop from London to Paris, 12th April 1911. Vintage fountain pen ink signature (‘Pierre Prier’) on a 12mo page removed from an autograph album. Prier has added the words ‘Flight from London to Paris on 12 April 1911’ in his hand beneath his signature. To the verso appears a signed piece by Thomas W. Burgess (1872-1950, English Swimmer) neatly laid down to the page. VG £80 - 100
|
|
|
OMLIE PHOEBE: (1902-1975) American Aviation Pioneer, noted for her accomplishments as an early aviatrix who also performed flying aerobatic stunts for the film serial The Perils of Pauline. T.L.S., Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie, one page, 4to, Memphis, Tennessee, 3rd May 1932, to Miss. Frances A. Norris, on the printed stationery of Mid-South Airways Inc. Omlie states that her correspondent’s letter was waiting for her on her return from the Detroit Air Show and continues to write ‘We are always interested in hearing from anyone who is contemplating work in aviation. After all, women in aviation have stimulated interest, because of the far-fetched idea that aviation is so difficult. It isn’t, but the layman always is ready to believe wild reports that have been so evident in many of the daily journals in the past few years. So, when more women become interested it is only natural for the general public to accept it’. About VG £100 - 120
|
|
|
DALLAS RODERIC: (1891-1918) Australian Fighter Ace (32 victories) of World War I. Rare D.S., R. S. Dallas, in bold pencil, one page, 4to, n.p. (France), 12th April 1918. The typed document is a Combat Report relating to an attack on a blue camouflaged Albatross Scout aircraft, the narrative stating, in part, ‘Saw 7 Albatross Scouts flying low from West, so dived on formation from sun and fired a burst of 50 rounds at one E[nemy] A[ircraft]. Saw a second E.A. attacked by Capt. Horsley land....Pulled off to adjust guns and saw another E.A. circling over the E.A. forced to land by Capt. Horsley. Fired 70 rounds at E.A. which was forced to land....and which, in landing, ran into a hedge and crashed...’. The statement relates to the fighter ace’s 25th victory. Signed by Dallas at the foot in his capacity as Major, Commanding No. 40 Squadron, R.A.F. Autographs of Dallas are rare in any form as a result of his untimely death at the age of 26 when he was killed in action. VG £400 - 600
|
|
|
JONES JAMES: (1896-1960) British Fighter Ace (37 victories) of World War I. D.S., J. I. T. Jones, one page, 4to, n.p. (France), 29th June 1918. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a Combat Report (headed Combats in the Air), the narrative stating, in full, ‘I observed this E[nemy] A[ircraft] with 5 others diving end on at my formation. S.E. engaged this E.A. who appeared to be the leader and fired about 100 rounds, when he was observed by other members of the patrol to go down out of control and crash just east of Comines. The remainder of E.A. formation turned tail and dived east.’ The statement relates to the fighter ace’s 22nd victory when he destroyed a Fokker DVII aircraft. Signed by Jones in his capacity as Captain, Royal Air Force, and countersigned at the foot by Keith Caldwell (1895-1980) New Zealand Fighter Ace (25 victories) of World War I who later served as an Air Commodore in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War II. Signed by Caldwell in pencil in his capacity as Major, Commanding 74 Squadron. Three file holes to the left edge and upper corner, neatly trimmed and with a few small tears to the lower right edge, none of which affect the text or signature, about VG £300 - 400
|
|
|
PORTAL CHARLES: (1893-1971) British Marshal of the Royal Air Force, Commander-in-Chief of Bomber Command 1940. Portal served as a Flight Commander during World War I. D.S., C F A Portal, in his capacity as Major, R.F.C., Commanding 16 Squadron, one page, 4to, n.p. (France), 18th February 1918. The partially printed document, completed in typescript, is a Combat Report (headed Combats in the Air) relating to an aerial operation by Lieutenant R. L. Clapp (pilot) and Lieutenant W. J. Blitch (observer), the narrative stating, in full, ‘While patrolling over Lens at 8.30 a.m. encountered one E[nemy] A[ircraft] two-seater at about 7,000 feet and fired one drum at it from Lewis Gun. E.A. immediately returned to his own lines firing a few rounds from rear gun as it went’. Signed by Portal at the foot. A few small tears and slight creasing at the head of the page, only very slightly affecting the printed heading, but not the text or signature, about VG £300 - 400
|
|
|
POWERS FRANCIS GARY: (1929-1977) American Pilot whose Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) U-2 spy plane was shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace, causing the 1960 U-2 incident. The negotiations to repatriate Powers are dramatised in the movie Bridge of Spies (2015). Signed 5.5 x 4 magazine photograph, the image depicting two U-2 aircraft in flight. Signed (‘Francis Gary Powers’) by Powers in bold black ink to a clear area at the head of the image. Neatly mounted, VG £100 - 120
|
|
|
ARMSTRONG NEIL: (1930-2012) American Astronaut, Commander of Apollo XI (1969). The first man to walk on the moon. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph, the NASA image depicting Astronaut standing in a three quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit. A large image of the moon can be seen in the immediate background. Signed by Armstrong with his name alone to a clear area of the image. The signature is somewhat faded although legible. Some slight traces of former mounting to the verso, otherwise EX £400 - 500
|
|
|
ALDRIN BUZZ: (1930- ) American Astronaut, Lunar Module Pilot of Apollo XI (1969). The second man to walk on the moon. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Aldrin standing in a three quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit. A large image of the moon can be seen in the immediate background. Signed (‘Buzz Aldrin’) in bold black ink to a clear area at the centre of the image, also adding the words and date ‘Apollo XI LMP Moonwalker July 16 - 24, 1969’ in his hand beneath his signature. EX £100 - 150
|
|
|
COLLINS MICHAEL: (1930- ) American Astronaut, Command Module Pilot of Apollo XI, 1969. Signed colour 8 x 10 photograph of Collins standing in a three quarter length pose wearing his white spacesuit. A large image of the moon can be seen in the immediate background. Signed (‘Michael Collins’) in bold blue ink to a clear area of the image, adding Apollo XI in his hand beneath his signature. EX £200 - 300
|
|
|
APOLLO XI: An excellent, large vintage signed colour 19 x 15 photograph by all three crew members of Apollo XI individually comprising Neil Armstrong (1930-2012, Commander, the first man to walk on the moon), Buzz Aldrin (1930- , Lunar Module Pilot, the second man to walk on the moon) and Michael Collins (1930- , Command Module Pilot). The image depicts the boot of Armstrong leaving a footprint in the moondust at Tranquility Base on 20th July 1969. Signed by each of the astronauts in bold black inks with their names alone to clear areas, partially across the left border of the photographer’s mount and the edge of the image. Inscribed in an unidentified hand to the upper photographer’s mount, ‘To His Excellency Ambassador Mario Gibson Barboza, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rio de Janeiro’. Matted in white and framed and glazed in the original plain metal frame to an overall size of 23 x 20. Some very light, minor age wear, VG £2000 - 3000
Mario Gibson Barboza (1918-2007) Brazilian Diplomat and Ambassador.
| MILITARY & NAVAL LEADERS |
|
|
    |
PROBYN DIGHTON: (1833-1924) English General, Victoria Cross winner for his numerous actions during the Indian Mutiny 1857-58. Keeper of the Privy Purse, Secretary to Edward, Prince of Wales and Comptroller of the Household. A.L.S., D. M. Probyn, four pages, 8vo, Sandringham, Norfolk, 20th January 1894, to Sir William Broadbent. Probyn announces ‘The Prince & Princess of Wales have desired me to write and invite you to pay Their Rl. Highnesses a friendly visit (No illness this time, thank goodness!) at Sandringham’, adding that the visit will be from the 27th - 29th, giving details of the best train (‘what we call our “Saturday Special”‘) to take from St. Pancras and also remarking ‘If you bring a servant with you (but there is not the slightest necessity for you to do so) perhaps you may like to send him with your luggage….’. VG £80 - 100
William Broadbent (1835-1907) English Neurologist, Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
|
|
  |
ROBERTS FREDERICK: (1832-1914) British Field Marshal, Victoria Cross winner for his actions at the Indian Mutiny on 2nd January 1858. Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in South Africa, 1900. A.L.S., Roberts, two pages, 8vo, The Royal Hospital, Dublin, 9th April 1899, to Sir William Broadbent. Roberts states that he would have supported his correspondent’s brother’s application for the appointment of Military Secretary to the India Office had he not already written in favour of another candidate, also adding ‘Another reason is that (I am told) Sir Oliver Newmarch’s succession has been decided upon. I gather that my nominee is not the lucky man, in which case I hope your brother has been selected, as I believe him to be well fitted for the position’. Some light dust staining to the edges of the first page. Together with Redvers Buller (1839-1908) British General, Victoria Cross winner for his actions at Zululand on 28th March 1879. A.L.S., Redvers Buller, one page, 8vo, Crediton, Devonshire, 23rd December 1879, to Lady Northcote. Buller states that it was kind of his correspondent to allow him to delay in replying to her invitation, which he now adds he will be glad to accept. With blank integral leaf (slight traces of former mounting to the verso). Generally VG, 2 £100 - 150
William Broadbent (1835-1907) English Neurologist, Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
Oliver Newmarch (1834-1920) British Major General, Military Secretary to the India Office 1889-99. He was succeeded in the post by General Sir Edward Stedman (1842-1925).
Alice Maude Stephen (d.1934) Lady Northcote. Wife of Henry Stafford Northcote (1846-1911) 1st Baron Northcote. British Politician and Colonial Administrator, Governor-General of Australia 1904-08.
|
|
  |
WOOD EVELYN: (1838-1919) British Field Marshal, Victoria Cross winner for his actions during the Indian Mutiny, 19th October 1858, to Sir William Broadbent. Wood thanks his correspondent for their letter and reflects, ‘I must admit, when I look into my own mind, that I have spent a long life in learning how to kill people, and been less usefully employed than you, who have devoted your energies to prolonging the life of suffering mankind’, although continuing ‘However, there is one consoling thought, that I have tried to teach Soldiers to kill the King’s enemies only, and that his own troops may live and conquer’. A letter of good content. VG £80 - 100
William Broadbent (1835-1907) English Neurologist, Physician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.
|
|
|
CHARD JOHN: (1847-1897) British Colonel, Victoria Cross winner for his actions during the defence of Rorke’s Drift in Zululand, 22nd/23rd January 1879. Rare A.L.S., John R M Chard, one page, 8vo, Devonport, 17th February 1880, to George R. Brown. Chard writes, in full, ‘I thank you for your kind letter and good wishes’. Neatly laid down and with some light age toning and minor chipping (causing a few small areas of paper loss) to the edges, not affecting the text or signature, G £800 - 1000
|
|
  |
FITZJAMES JAMES: (1670-1734) 1st Duke of Berwick. Anglo-French Military Leader, the illegitimate son of King James II and Arabella Churchill, the sister of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Berwick was a successful General in the pay of King Louis XIV of France. L.S., Berwick, two pages, small 4to, Paris, 20th July 1732, to Count De Monseimar (?), in French. The Duke states that, since his correspondent set sail, he has learnt from Spain that the Count has been made a Captain General, remarking ‘I flatter myself that your Excellency be persuaded of the joy that I have felt. I therefore send you my compliments and I wish you all the best, from my heart (and) all sorts of happy success....’ With blank integral leaf. One very small circular stain at the head of the page, not affecting the text or signature, VG £200 - 300
|
|
|
LUCAS JEAN JACQUES ETIENNE: (1764-1819) French Naval Captain, famous for his role in the Battle of Trafalgar. A.L.S., J: Lucas, one page, 4to, Paris, 2nd October 1809, to Denis Decres, in French. Lucas informs his correspondent ‘The deterioration of my health from various injuries that I received during our most recent events, from which I have poorly recovered, has put me absolutely out of condition to go to Toulon to follow the itinerary that Your Excellency gave me’ and asks to be allowed six weeks period of rest in Paris to continue his recovery, further remarking ‘I pray your Excellency to kindly take into consideration that in thirty three years that I have had the honour of serving, it is the first time that I see myself forced into circumstances where I find myself asking not to follow the itinerary that has been prescribed for me’. VG £400 - 500
Denis Decres (1761-1820) French Naval Officer and Count, later Duke of the First Empire. Minister of Marines and the Colonies 1801-14, 1815.
The present letter was written in the months following the Battle of the Basque Roads during which Lucas was grounded in his ship Regulus for two weeks and heroically managed to repel four attacks by the British.
|
|
   |
NELSON THOMAS: (1786-1835) 2nd Earl Nelson, nephew of Admiral Horatio Nelson, hero of the Battle of Trafalgar. A.L.S., Nelson, three pages, 8vo, Mundesley, 8th July n.y., to a gentleman. Nelson thanks his correspondent for having sent an account of a Lieutenant’s services (‘which are indeed meritorious’) and continues ‘I have not seen the letters you refer to written by him in the Naval & Military Gazette but shall certainly take the first opportunity of looking at them knowing the interest which you take in everything concerning my great Uncle & the navy’. VG £100 - 150
|
|
|
ABERCROMBY RALPH: (1734-1801) Scottish Lieutenant General, noted for his services during the Napoleonic Wars. Commander-in-Chief, Ireland, 1798. D.S., Ra: Abercromby, one page, large oblong folio, Barbados, 28th March 1796. The manuscript document is addressed to Louis Druault and is a military commission appointing him to be a Major Commandant of the Principal Corps of Guadaloupe Rangers and Captain of a Company in the same Corps. Signed by Abercromby at the foot alongside a plain red wax seal. Some very slight age wear and a few minor stains and a few small tears to the edges of folds, about VG £100 - 120
|
|
   |
DUCKWORTH JOHN: (1748-1817) British Admiral who served during the Seven Years’ War, the American War of Independence, and the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. L.S., J T Duckworth, three pages, folio, Newfoundland, 20th October 1810, to the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. The manuscript letter is marked Duplicate, and Duckworth writes to inform his correspondents of some Bills which have been drawn for the purpose of paying the salaries due to the Officers of the Supreme Court and Surrogates of Newfoundland, continuing to list thirteen individuals and the amounts that they have received. Duckworth also states that he has drawn a Bill in favour of James Macbraine, Captain Commandant of the Loyal Volunteers of St. John’s, in payment of rations for the corps and another to John Bland, High Sheriff of Newfoundland. Some small tears to the edges and a few long, neat splits at the folds, and some light, minor staining, only very slightly affecting a few words of text but not the signature, G £100 - 150
Duckworth served as Commodore Governor of Newfoundland from 1810-12.
|
|
