Bravery Cross, in bronze, 36mm, with original ribbon, very fine and rare.

Military Medal George VI, Indiae Imp Type, impressed (243443 Pte. B.W. O’Connor 1/2F.F.B.); 1939-45 Star, impressed (243443 B.W. O’Connor) Africa Star with 8th Army Bar, unnamed; Italy Star, impressed (243443 B.W. O’Connor); Defence Medal impressed (243443 B.W. O’Connor); 1939-45 War Medal, impressed (243443 B.W. O’Connor); Africa Service Medal, impressed (243443 B.W. O’Connor),very fine or better. Comes with copies of his service record. Benjamin William O’Connor was born on 5 Jun 1917, in Kimberley, South Africa and he joined the Union of South Africa Defence Force on 20 Jun 1940. Military Medal, London Gazette 31 Dec 1942: “For individual acts of bravery whilst under heavy enemy fire. During the night 23/24 Oct 42, whilst taking part in an attack upon an enemy posn, the P1 to which Pte. O’Connor belonged sustained heavy casualties both in killed and wounded, during an assault which brought them within 50 yds of the enemy post. The intensity of the enemy mortar and machine gun fire caused the P1 to withdraw 20 yds, and it was then possible to bring back all the wounded men. After new positions had been taken up, Pte. O’Connor, with complete disregard for his own safety, went back to the enemy wire under heavy enemy fire directed against him, and brought back a seriously wounded man, who had been lying 30 yds from an enemy machine gun position. He returned a second time and brought back another wounded man, all the time exposing himself to machine gun fire, but showing unwavering courage. Had it not been for these individual acts of gallantry on his part, the two wounded men would most assuredly have been killed. He later became a POW and was in Stalag A-Moosburg.”

Military Medal, George V.R. (21-362 Cpl. L. Sjt. – J. Wade. 21/W. York. R.); British War and Victory Medals (21-362 Cpl. L. Sjt. – J. Wade. 21/W. York. R.), swing mounted, very fine.

Private A.E. Crafts, Royal Marine Light Infantry, a participant in the attack on Fort Alexandrovsk in May 1919. Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (Pte. R.M.L.I., Caspian Sea, 1918-1919); 1914-15 Star (Pte. R.M.L.I.); British War Medal (Pte. R.M.L.I.); Victory Medal (naming erased), the first polished but generally very fine and extremely rare, with several original documents including discharge and demobilization certificates. Pair: Colour-Sergeant F.N. Crafts, Royal Marine Light Infantry, a Gallipoli Casualty, British War and Victory Medals (Cr. Sgt. R.M.L.I.), second initial ‘N’ and the first officially re-impressed, extremely fine, with original campaign medal forwarding letter. D.S.M. London Gazette 11.11.1919 “For services in the Caspian Sea 1918-1919.” Private Albert Ernest Crafts, D.S.M. was born in Hucknall, Nottingham in Jun 1879 and enlisted into the R.M.L.I. in Apr 1897, first seeing active service aboard H.M.S. Pique in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. He was subsequently employed with the Plymouth Division, R.M.L.I. in the Great War and saw service in H.M.S. Adventure between May 1915 and Nov 1917, prior to his secondment to the Caspian Sea Naval Force. In mid-May 1919, Crafts sailed aboard the Emile Nobel as part of Rear-Admiral Seymour’s Caspian Squadron, whose task was to reconnoitre Fort Alexandrovsk, which place had recently fallen to the Bolsheviks. Just one day out of port, an enemy convoy was sighted and the Emile Nobel was credited with compelling the enemy to slip a number of barges after firing a few long range shots. These were later sunk and their crews made prisoner. A few days later she was again in action, successfully engaging the enemy destroyer Caspie and claiming another barge, the latter being hit by her third salvo and rapidly catching fire amidships. By this time the enemy’s return fire was proving both accurate and heavy, the Emile Nobel being hit in the enging room and seriously damaged. Five of her crew were killed and another seven seriously wounded. Despite these losses, she rejoined the Squadron and participated in the subsequent attack on the harbour before Fort Alexandrovsk, inflicting with her consorts considerable damage on the enemy ships therein. Then on silencing the shore batteries, Seymour ordered the withdrawal of his force, stopping briefly the following morning to allow the burial of the Emile Nobel’s dead. Shortly afterwards he ordered her return to Petrovsk. In his subsequent despatch reporting the activities of the Caspian Squadron in May 1919, Rear-Admiral Seymour made special mention of the gallant Emile Nobel and among those picked out for especially good services was Albert Crafts, his rank being erroneously listed as Lance-Corporal. Crafts was finally demobilised in November 1919, having received a share of the prize money allocated for the `destruction of Bolshevik armed vessels on 21 May 1919``.Colour-Sergeant Frank Herbert Crafts, who originally entered the R.M.L.I. in Jul 1892, saw service in Dunkirk and at the Defence of Antwerp in Oct 1914, when he was twice wounded. He was subsequently killed in action in Gallipoli while serving with the Portsmouth Battalion, R.M.L.I., Royal Naval Division and his name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial. Crafts had been awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in Jul 1907.

George V.R. (DA. 6070 J.W. Grimmer, DK.HD. R.N.R. “Pride of Buchan” Aux. Patrol. 1918”), very fine, L.G. 20.9.1918.

For Italy, George V.R., impressed (45940 Pte. J. Allen. II/Nth’d. Fus.), very fine. L.G. 6.2.1918 “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Single handed he attacked an enemy strong point which was causing heavy casualties and captured a machine gun and accounted for the whole garrison. He set a magnificent example of fearlessness and initiative”.

2/Lieut. Thomas Mark Jennings, Royal Field Artillery: Military Cross, George V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (2nd Lieut.), very fine. A bookkeeper from Sunderland, England enlisted in RFA as a Gunner on 4 Mar 1915. Landed in France on 10 Jan 1916 to 26 Feb 1917 when he was transferred to England as a Cadet and was commissioned 21 Jun 1918. He returned to France on 8 Apr 1918 with 18 DAC attached to A/82nd Brigade RFA. On 7 Aug 1918 the 82nd RFA Brigade supported a counter attack near Morlancourt. It was at this point Jennings won his MC. London Gazette (21 Jan 1918) citation reads “2nd Lt Thomas Mark Jennings, RFA Spec. Res., attached A./82 Bde. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when an enemy shell set fire to an ammunition dump and wounded six men, three of whom fell amongst the burning ammunition. This officer, with a NCO immediately dashed into the flames and got out the wounded men. He displayed great courage and presence of mind.” Jennings was released at Ripon on 13 Mar 1919. Medals come with service file Activity Sheets and extracts from his units War Diary& copy of London Gazette.

2/Lieut. Alexander Findlay Dunn, Royal Field Artillery: Military Cross, George V.R., unnamed as issued, in case of issue; British War and Victory Medals (2Nd. Lieut.), very fine. From New Castle enlisting in 1st Northumbrian Bde RFA 22 May 1915 as a Gunner #2054. Landed in France 3 Jul 1916 until 2 Mar 1917 when he was enrolled in the Royal Artillery Cadet School, in England. Commissioned 23 Jun 1917 and returned to France on 22 Sep 1917 with RFA (Special Reserve) 7th Bty, 2nd Brigade. Awarded the Military Cross (LG 16 Sep 1918) the citation reads: “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led up two limbers through the infantry to the forward gun position and brought away the guns. He showed fine courage under heavy fire.” DUNN returned to England on 1 Jul 1918 due to poor health contracted on active duty and placed on the Retirement List 4 Nov 1919. Sold with copies of service records.

Lieutenant Tom Anthony Nickalls, Royal Field Artillery: Military Cross, George V.R., unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.), very fine. Nickalls was born on 1 Dec 1897, the 3rd son of Hugh Patteson Nickalls, Lone Oak, Nutfield, Surrey. He was educated at Rugby School from 1912-1915, where he was a Sergeant in the Officer’s Training Corps. On 7 Dec 1915 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery, Special Reserve. From 7 Dec 1915 to 24 Jun 1916 he served in United Kingdom with 6B Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He went to France on 25 Jun 1916 and was posted to the 8th Heavy Trench Mortar Battery, R.F.A. on 24 Nov 1916. On 5 May 1917, near Peronne, France he suffered multiple gunshot wounds to:(1) the left thigh, three inch long wound which fractured the femur. (2) the right forearm; a one and a half inch wound, causing loss of sensation and power in the ring and little fingers of right hand, (3) entrance wound, two inches long, to the lower part of right leg causing weakness and loss of sensation, and (4) small gunshot wound to the back which caused no disability. Nickalls was admitted to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station on 6 May 1917. He was invalided to England on the Hospital Ship “Panama” on 8 Jul 1917 and then hospitalized at the Horton (County of London) War Hospital in Epsom. He was gazetted for the award of the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 16 Jul 1917 “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went out under very heavy fire and assisted in rescuing several wounded men. He was himself subsequently wounded.” Nickalls remained hospitalized and was assigned to 5B Reserve Brigade until he was disembodied from the Special Reserve of Officers as a substantive Lieutenant on 14 Feb 1919. After the war he was employed at the Stock Exchange and in 1921 he lived at: The Kennels, Balcombe Road, Horley, Sussex. On 29 Dec 1949, the wedding between his son, Lieutenant Hugh Nickalls, Royal Navy and Constance R. Willis, the daughter of L. Willis of 81 Cottenham Park Road, Wimbleton took place at the Lee Parish Church in Great Missenden. Nickalls had died previously to that.

Royal Field Artillery: Military Cross, George V.R., privately engraved (785528 C.F. Bowden RFA 1918); Distinguished Conduct Medal, George V.R. impressed (785528 B.S.Mjr. G.F. Bowden M.C. R.F.A.), extremely fine: M.C. London Gazette 4.2.18. Battery Sergeant Major George Fettis Bowden, Royal Field Artillery. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When, on advancing into action, the Bty. came under a heavy barrage he remained in the shelled area directing the advance of each gun team successively, until the whole Bty. had passed through the barrage. D.C.M. London Gazette 25.2.20. A/312th (W. Riding). Bde. R.F.A., T.F. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty near Neuf Mesnil on 8 Nov 1918. When his Bty. was going into action several shells burst in the midst of the column, causing numerous casualties to men and horses and threatening a stampede. He showed coolness and resource in handling the teams and dispatching them to safety. Whereabouts of Bowden’s other medals unknown.

Second Class, George VI GRI, silver and enamels, on Lady’s bow ribbon, in Garrard, London, fitted case of issue, extremely fine.

Group of nineteen awarded to Brigadier G.S. Parkinson, Royal Army Medical Corps: Distinguished Service order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Officer’s (Brother’s) breast badge, silvered-metal and enamel; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (15492 Tpr. 75th Coy. 18th Imp. Yeo.); 1914 Star (Capt., R.A.M.C.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; French Legion of Honour, Chevalier’s breast badge, silver and enamel, gold centre; French Croix de Guerre 1914-1918; French Medaille de la Reconnaissance, silver; Portuguese Military Order of St. Avis, Chevalier’s breast badge, gilt and enamel; U.S.A., Legion of Merit, Officer’s breast badge, gilt and enamel; U.S.A., Typhus Commission Medal; Italian Red Cross, Merit Medal, enamel work and arm points of the Legion of Honour damaged, otherwise very fine and better. George Singleton Parkinson was born in Oct 1880 and was educated at Bath College. Volunteering for active service in the Imperial Yeomanry on the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa on Oct 1899, he served in the 75th (Sharpshooters) Company, 18th Battalion, as a member of that unit’s original contingent of 120 men, and qualified for the above described Medal and clasps. Returning to his studies in 1902, he qualified as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons (M.R.C.S.) and as a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians (L.R.C.P.) in 1906, and was commissioned into the Royal Army Medical Corps in Aug 1908. By the outbreak of hostilities in Aug 1914, he was serving as a Captain in Southern Command, but was immediately embarked for active service in the B.E.F., in which capacity he served without respite until the Armistice in 1918, initially as Deputy Assistant Director of Hygiene and latterly as Assistant Director of Medical Services, 1st Army, not least in the Lys offensive of Apr 1918. He was awarded the D.S.O. and three times mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 1 Jan 1916, 29 May and 24 Dec 1917 refer), in addition to receiving the French Legion of Honour (Chevalier) and Croix de Guerre (London Gazette 6 Nov 1918), and Portuguese Military Order of Aviz (Chevalier) (London Gazette 21 Aug 1919). The award of his French Medaille de la Reconnaissance was also for services in the Great War, but the relevant announcement did not appear in the London Gazette until 2 Mar 1926. Parkinson served as Deputy of Hygiene and Medical Officer of Health at Gibralter 1919-23 and, on returning to the U.K., was appointed Assistant Professor of Hygiene at the Royal Army Medical college, in which latter capacity he served until being placed on the Reserve of Officers as a Lieutenant-Colonel in Aug 1928. In the following year he took up appointment as an Assistant Director and Lecturer at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, but was recalled to the R.A.M.C. in Sep 1939, when he served briefly at Millbank before returning to the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine as acting Dean, in place of Sir Wilson Jameson. Here he remained employed until 1943, when he was selected for service as Director for the Allied Military Government in Sicily and Italy, and was attached to the National Headquarters for the Armistice Control Commission in Italy 1944-45, latterly in the acting rank of Brigadier. During his tour with the Allied Military Government, he played a prominent part with the American forces in controlling the typhus outbreak that broke out in Italy – particularly in Naples where mass delousing of the civilian populace was carried out under the Commission’s supervision. He was awarded the C.B.E. (London Gazette 13 Dec 1945 refers), and the American Typhus Commission Medal (London Gazette 17 Oct 1946 refers), in addition to the Italian Red Cross ‘Croce al Merito’ in 1947 (his Who’s Who entry refers). No record, however, has been found for the award of his American Legion of Merit, and verification is still required for his Jubilee 1935 and Coronation 1937 medals. The Brigadier, who served as a Technical Adviser to the Greek Government in Athens in 1951, was advanced to Commander in the order of St. John in 1952 (London Gazette 4 Jan of that year refers, and died at Epsom, Surrey in Aug 1953, aged 72 years. U.S.A. Typhus Commission Medal is a rarely awarded and highly regarded award.

Silver medal, 51.5mm, obverse has a boy blowing an extinguished torch and Latin inscription “Lateat Scintillvia Forsan”, below is a long abbreviated Latin inscription and date 1774. Reverse has a – inscribed outside wreath “Hoc Pretivm Cive Servato Tvlit”. inside wreath is engraved: “R.H.S./D° W.H. Graves/ Vitan/ob/Restitutam/Dono Dat/1815”, extremely fine.

Military Cross, George V.R., un named as issued; British war and Victory Medals (with M.I.D.), impressed (2nd. Lieutenant A.E. REED), very fine. Lieutenant A.E. Reed was born on 26 September 1889 at Oswalds, Manchester, Lancashire; the son of Sarah Jane Reed. Before the war he was a foreign correspondent. He attested as a Gunner (Regimental Number 58141) in the Royal Garrison Artillery at Preston on 9 September 1914 and was posted to 250th Battery, Royal Field Artillery on 25 October 1915. On 24 November 1914 he was appointed an Acting Bombardier and on 29 January 1915 he was appointed as an Artillery Clerk, Royal Garrison Artillery and transferred to Headquarters, 122nd Brigade, R.G.A. He was appointed as an Acting Sergeant on 3 May 1915 and went to France on 24 December 1915. On 29 January 1916 he was promoted to Bombardier (Artillery clerk). He was posted as a clerk to Headquarters, First Army Anti-Aircraft Group on 27 November 1916, but on 26 February 1917 he reverted to Bombardier and returned to the United Kingdom with a view to a commission. On 9 September 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery Special Reserve and served in France with the 144th Heavy Battery, R.G.A.. Reed was awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 26 July 1918 “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When in command of a section and being ordered to withdraw, he extricated his guns with great skill under heavy fire. A week later he remained with the last gun of the battery, and used up the remaining ammunition of the other guns which had been withdrawn. By using stragglers and setting a fine example, he was able to withdraw the gun at the last moment. He showed great courage and powers of command.” He was promoted to Lieutenant, R.F.A. on 9 March 1919 and disembodied as a Lieutenant on 4 April 1919. After the war he lived at 456 Collyhurst Road, Manchester, Lancs. He relinquished his commission in the Special Reserve of Officers on 1 April 1920 and retained the rank of Lieutenant. Sold with copies of service records and a research file.

Military Cross, George V.R., un named as issued; British war and Victory Medals (with M.I.D.), impressed (Major W.M. Congreve); Defence Medal, privately impressed (T. MAJOR (1940-42) R.A. & TROOPER W.M. CONGREVE, 7TH. WILTS H.G. (1942-45); War Medal, privately engraved (T. MAJOR W.M. CONGREVE R.A. (1940-42); very fine or better. Major W.M. Congreve was born on 12 September 1883 the son of Walter Congreve and Mary G. Congreve of 27 Eaton Mascott Hall, Shropshire. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, RGA on 15 July 1903 and served in Singapore from June 1904 to December 1904. From 1904 to January 1906 he served in India and was promoted to Lieutenant, RGA on 15 July 1906. He served at Gibraltar from January 1910 until resigning his commission on 3 May 1911 and was appointed as a Lieutenant, R.G.A. Reserve of Officers. Congreve was re-employed on 5 August 1914, and promoted to Captain, RGA SR on 30 October 1914. He went to France on 13 September 1916 and was appointed as an Acting Major, RGA on 12 June 1917 and as a Temporary Major in the Army on 7 April 1918. On 27 April 1918 he was appointed as a Deputy Assistant Adjutant General on 27 April 1918 and continued to serve in that position until he embarked for the United Kingdom on 24 February 1919. For his services he was awarded the Military Cross in the London Gazette of 1 January 1918 and Mentioned in Despatches in the London Gazette of 5 July 1918. During World War II he served as a Temporary Major in the Royal Artillery and after being relieved from active duty due to age he joined the 7th Wilts Home Guard as a Trooper and served with them for the remainder of the war. Sold with copies of service records and a research file.

of Freedom, un named as issued, on Lady’s bow ribbon, mint condition, in case of issue, with bestowal document issued to Miss Daisy Bancroft, Philadelphia, dated July 9th, 1946 (document folded, good/fine condition).

Group of Seven: Distinguished Service Order, in silver gilt and enamels, G.V.R. Cypher, with top bar, extremely fine; Victorian Order, Member’s breast badge, M.V.O., numbered “491”, extremely fine; Egypt and Sudan Medal 1882-89, dated, without clasp, officially impressed in large capitals: SUB-LIEUT. R.A. ALLENBY, R.N., H.M.S. ACHILLES, (some medals to the Royal Navy were impressed in this style, see J. Hayward, British Battles and Medals, 2006); British War Medal, and Victory Medal (with MID), both officially impressed: V. ADML. R.A. ALLENBY; Khedive’s Star 1882, un named as issued; Prussia, Order of the Crown, Commander’s Cross Third Class, Type II, in Gold and enamels, 52mmx56mm, bottom arm engraved “W” (for Wagner), about extremely fine. Born 4th Sept. 1861, son of Major R. Allenby JP of York. First went to sea in ‘Volage’ in 1877. She was one of the old iron screw corvettes cased in wood. He served in the Achilles during the Egyptian war of 1882. Promoted to Lieut. in 1884 when in the troopship ‘Espregle’. After a commission in the ‘Audacions’, Allenby was appointed 1st Lieut. of the sailing sloop ‘Cruiser’, a training ship for ordinary seamen. Then in command of ‘Wanderer’, one of the last sailing ships used for training and the promotion came to Commander in 1897, by which time he had married in 1896, Nina, eldest daughter of the late Maj. Gen. Hugh Shaw V.C., C.B.. In 1900 he was selected for duty with the Naval Intelligence Dept., Captain 1902 then attaché to the Courts of Germany, Denmark and Holland. Later commanded the battleship ‘Centurian’, cruiser ‘Argyll’ and the battleships ‘Formidable’ and ‘Temeraire’. Promoted to Flag rank in 1913. No openings for flag rank at the beginning of the War, he resigned the Navy and joined the Army as a Lieut. Col. in 1915. In 1916 he returned to Naval duties i/c R.N. Depot in Port Said and Principal Naval Transport Office in Egypt, Vice Admiral in 1918 and Admiral in 1921. D.S.O. in 1918 and M.V.O. in 1904. Died at his home in Shanklin on the I.O.W. 18th March 1936 aged 74. Sold with various copy papers including his obituary in ‘The Times’ and two original photographs, one in Navy uniform and one as a Lieut. Col. in the Army.

Fine Group of Seven, display mounted: The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, Companion’s breast badge , C.B., in Gold and enamels, hallmarked 1887, with gold suspension and ribbon clasp, nearly extremely fine; Companion of the Star of India, in Gold and Diamonds, with finely carved cameo and Brooch Bar)(1881), extremely fine; Jubilee 1897 (Silver Un-named), good very fine; Abyssinia Medal (Embossed: Lieut M PROTHEROE. MADRAS SAPPs & MINRS), very fine; Afghanistan 1878-1880: Clasp: Kandahar (officially engraved: MAJOR M PROTHEROE. MAD:S.C.,nearly extremely fine; Kandahar Star: (Impressed: MAJOR M. PROTHEROE. MADRAS S.C.), nearly extremely fine; India General Service Medal 1854-1895: Clasps Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89 and Chin-Lushai 1889-90 (Script Engraved: Colonel M. Protheroe M. S.C.), nearly extremely fine. Montague Protheroe was born in Pancras, London on 25 Jan 1841, the son of Evan Protheroe, a wine merchant of Haverstock-Hill and Henrietta Foote Protheroe (nee Smith). He attended Blackheath Preparatory School before entering the Honourable East India Company’s Academy at Addiscombe in 1857. Upon graduation, his first unit was the 45th Madras Native Infantry Regiment, where he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on Jan 1858. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 9 Mar 1860. He served as ADC to Major-General Sir Orfeur Cavanagh, the Governor Straits Settlements from 1861 to 1867. He was subsequently appointed to conduct a revenue survey of the Andaman and Nicobar islands. Lieutenant Protheroe participated in the Abyssinian expedition of 1867-68, serving with the Madras Sappers and Miners. He was promoted to Captain on 4 Jan 1870, transferring to the Madras Staff Corps. He was promoted to Major on 4 Jan 1878. During the Afghan War, he served as ADC to Lieutenant-General Sir Donald Stewart, Commanding Kandahar Field Force and took part in operations in the Kama District and Besud. He accompanied Sir Frederick Roberts in the march from Kabul to Kandahar. He took part in the battle for Kandahar, for which he was mentioned in despatches, and subsequently appointed a Companion of the Order of the Star of India (CSI) in 1881. He received the decoration personally from Queen Victoria on 24 Mar 1881. He was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel on 4 Jan 1884 and took part in the Burma expedition of 1885-87, for which he was again mentioned in despatches and promoted to Colonel on 17 May 1886, in recognition of his service in Burma. Major-General Sir George White VC commended Protheroe’s service in the Upper Burma Field Force during 1887. Sir George wrote: ‘Colonel M. Protheroe, CSI has been Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster-General of Force during the time I commanded it. His zeal, ability and untiring powers of work are well known to all the officers of high rank who have commanded in Upper Burma, and have been invaluable to me and to the force at large. I hope that his excellent service may receive some further mark of approval. He was subsequently appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1887. Colonel Protheroe took part in the Chin-Lushai expedition of 1889-90. As Brigadier-General, he commanded the Haiderabad contingent from 1890-1895. Returning to London from India, he was served as Aide De Camp to Queen Victoria from 1894-1897, receiving the Jubilee medal. Following this appointment he was promoted to Major-General on 30 Apr 1897, and appointed Assistant Military Secretary for Indian Affairs. He returned to India at the end of 1898, and was appointed Commander of Burma District on 4 Jan 1899, and appointment he held until 1903. He retired in Feb 1903, and returned to London. In retirement he was involved with the Royal United Service Institute. He was appointed Honorary Colonel of the 94th Infantry Regiment (Russell’s Infantry) on 13 May 1904. Major-General Protheroe never married, and died on 2 Jul 1905, aged 64. In 1908, his collection of ethnographical items from the Andaman Islands were donated to the Horniman Museum in London, and remains a prominent part of the Asian Collection to this day. Sold with extensive copies of research papers, copy of the photograph. Provenance: Christies, as lot 34, July 1989.

of five attributed to Flight Lieutenant Peter Brown, 103. Squadron Royal Air Force: Distinguished Flying Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘‘1944’ and privately engraved, “Peter Brown Fg. Offr. 103. Sqdn. R.A.F.”; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, clasp “France and Germany”; Defence and War Medals, these four privately engraved “Boots-style”, “ FLT. LT. PETER BROWN D.F.C. R.A.F.”; display mounted, generally good very fine or better. D.F.C. London Gazette 25 May, 1943.

Sir John Michel, G.C.B., Colonel of the 86th Foot, who commanded the Malwa Field Force in the pursuit of Tantia Topee in Central India, and in China commanded the 1st Division which burned the Summer Palace at Peking in retaliation for the murder of European captives. The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, G.C.B. (Military) Knight Grand Cross set of insignia by R. & S. Garrard & Co., comprising sash badge in 18 carat gold and enamels, hallmarked London 1870; and breast star in silver, gold and enamels, one green enameled stalk lacking; South Africa 1834-53 (Lieut. Colonel John Michel, 6th Regt.) renamed; Indian Mutiny 1857-59, 1 clasp, Central India (Majr. Genl. Jno. Michel, C.B.) ‘Jno.’ re-engraved otherwise officially impressed naming; China 1857-60, 2 clasps, Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Major Genl. Sir J Michel, K.C.B. 1st Dvn. Staff) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea, British issue, unnamed; Order of the Medjidie, 2nd class set, comprising breast star in silver, gold and enamel, 94mm; and badge in silver, gold and enamels, 57mm, this lacking suspension, the star with old repair to red enamel and other minor chips; Field-Marshal’s Baton, the surviving staff only of the Field-Marshal’s Baton presented by the Queen to Michel in 1886, comprising velvet covered wooden staff with fourteen gold lions, the original gold finials apparently lost in a burglary and replaced with silver-gilt caps to each end, these hallmarked London 1946, velvet worn overall, the campaign medals with contact marks but generally very fine or better. John Michel was born on 1 September 1804, eldest son of General John Michel by his second wife, Anne, daughter of the Hon. Henry Fane, M.P., and granddaughter of the eighth Earl of Westmoreland. John was educated at Eton and obtained an ensigncy in the 57th Foot by purchase on 3 April 1823, passing through the 27th to the 64th Foot, joining that corps at Gibraltar, and obtaining his lieutenancy in it on 28 April 1825. He purchased an unattached company in December 1826, and in the following February exchanged back to the 64th Foot at Gibraltar. In February 1832 he entered the senior department of the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and in November 1833 passed his examination and received a first certificate. He then rejoined his regiment and served with it in Ireland until February 1835, when he exchanged to the 3rd Buffs in Bengal, where he was aide-de-camp to his uncle, General Sir Henry Fane, G.C.B., while commander-in-chief in India in 1835-40. In May 1840 Michel was promoted to a majority by purchase in the 6th Foot, over the heads of many old officers in the regiment, an appointment which provoked much criticism at the time, and in April 1842, a few weeks after the arrival of the regiment in England, he purchased the lieutenant-colonelcy. He commanded the 6th Foot at home and at the Cape of Good Hope until 1854. He was in command of a brigade during the Kaffir war of 1846-47, and during part of the war of 1852-53 was in command of the 2nd division of the army in the Waterkloof (medal). At the close of the campaign he was made C.B. ‘for distinguished service in the Kaffir wars of 1846-7 and 1851-3.’ He became brevet colonel in January 1854 and was appointed to command the York recruiting district, but exchanged to half-pay in the 98th Foot, on appointment as Chief of Staff of the Turkish Contingent. With local rank of Major-General in Turkey, he held this post until the end of the Crimean war (2nc class of the Medjidie and Turkish medal). In 1856 he was appointed to a brigade at Fort Beaufort, Cape of Good Hope, at a time of great danger and threatened war, owing to the expected fulfilment in February 1857 of an old Kaffir prophecy of the destruction of the whites. The danger was hardly over before Michel was ordered to China for a command there. He was shipwrecked in the Transit steamer in the Straits of Sunda on 10 July 1857, and carried to Singapore. His services were subsequently diverted to India and he was placed on the Bombay Staff in February 1858. In June of that yera the troops in Rajputana were concentrated at Nusseerabad and Nimach, under Major-General H. G. Roberts, Bombay Army, those at Mhow consisting of a brigade under Brigadier Honner. The latter, reinforced from Bombay, were formed into a division, as the Malwa Field Force, under Michel, the command of the troops in Rajputana being added thereto in August 1858, when Roberts was promoted to the command in Gujerat. Michel became Major-General on 26 October 1858. Impressed with the necessity of cutting off from the towns the bodies of rebels under Tantia Topee, Rao Sahib, and other leaders, and compelling them to seek the jungles, Michel adopted a strategy which proved eminently successful, despite serious physical obstacles, for the rains at this season had converted the soil at Malwa into a sea of black mud, and the heat was phenomenal. He distributed his troops in lightly equipped columns at salient points in Rajputana and Malwa, with orders to follow the rebels without intermission. Starting himself from Mhow, Michel came up with Tantia Topee at Beorora on 5 September 1858. Tantia and the cavalry fled, pursued by the British cavalry. The infantry and guns made a stand, but did not await the British onset, and leaving thirty guns behind them, eight thousand well trained troops were put to flight without the loss of a man. Michel again defeated Yantia at Mingrauli on 9 October, marched against Rao Sahib the next day, and defeated him at Sindwaha on 15 October. On 5 December he anihilated one wing of Tantia’s force near Saugor, the other escaping across the Narbada into Nagpur. Other defeats of bodies of rebels followed and they began to lose heart and creep away to their homes. Between 20 June 1858 and 1 March 1859, the field force traversed an aggregate distance of over three thousand miles, of which Michel himself marched seventeen hundred miles. The operations ended with the capture of Tantia Topee, who was taken by a small column under Brigadier Meade, was at once tried by court-martial, and was hanged on 18 April 1859 for being in arms against the British. The legality of the sentence was questioned but he was admitted to have been one of the most bloodthirsty of Nana Sahib’s advisers. Michel, who was made K.C.B., remained in command of the Mhow division untilo the end of 1859, when he was appointed to the army under Sir James Hope Grant, proceeding to the north of China. Michel commanded the 1st Division at the action at Sinho, and at the occupation of Pekin on 12 October 1860. On 18 October his division burned the Summer Palace at Pekin, in return for the treacherous treatment of Mr (afterwards Sir Harry) Parkes and some other captives. The palace had already been looted by the French and most of the Imperial treasures which found their way to England were bought from French soldiers. Sir John Michel was appointed Colonel of the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment (later 2nd Royal Irish Rifles) on 19 August 1862. From 1865 to 1867 he commanded the British troops in North America, becoming lieutenant-general in June 1866, and general in March 1874. He was advanced to G.C.B. in 1871, and selected to command the troops in the first ‘autumn manoeuvres’ in the south of England in 1873. In 1875 he was appointed commander of the forces in Ireland, and was sworn of the Irish privy council. He held the Irish command from 1875 to 1880, his social qualities and ample means rendering him extremely popular. He was a J.P. for Dorset and was made a Field-Marshal on 27 March 1885. Sir John Michel died at his seat, Dewlish, Dorset, on 23 May 1886, aged 82. The medals are accompanied by an ivorine label which records the original inscription on the base of Michel’s baton: ‘From Her Majesty Alexandra Victoria Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland to Field Marshal The Rt. Honbl. Sir John Michel, G.C.B. 1886’.

Corporal H. S. Pilbro, Rifle Brigade: Military Medal, G.V.R. (S-27917 Cpl. H. S. Pilbro, 16/Rif. Bde.); British War and Victory Medals (S-27917 Cpl., Rif. Bde.), contact wear and edge bruising, thus nearly very fine: M.M. London Gazette 14 June 1918. Henry S. Pilbro’s MIC entry confirms entitlement to only the British War and Victory Medals.

to Squadron Leader L. J. Brown, Royal Canadian Air Force, late Royal Fusiliers: Military Medal, G.V.R. (K-1451 Pte. L. Brown, 22/R. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (K-1451 Pte., R.Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (K-1451 Sjt., R.Fus.); Canadian Volunteer Service Medal; War Medal, silver; Coronation 1937, privately named; Royal Air Force L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (C2281 S/L L. J. Brown MM) cleaned and mounted court style, the Great War medals with pitting and contact wear, otherwise nearly very fine or better. M.M. London Gazette 17 April 1917. L.S. & G.C. Canada Gazette 28 September 1946. Lionel James Brown was born on 11 September 1893, at Welland, near Malvern, Worcestershire. He served in the Royal Fusiliers from April 1915 to February 1919, and was in France from November 1915. After demobilization in 1919 he re-enlisted into the Corps of Military Police but was discharged after 1 year 10 days service in June 1921. In 1926 he moved to Canada where, in November of that year, he enlisted into the Permanent Force of Canada and served with the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps until discharged at his own request in April 1928. Brown then enlisted intoi the Royal Canadian Air Force, Permanent Force, becoming Squadron Leader in June 1943. He retired in September 1946 and died on 10 September 1958, aged 64. Sold with his original ‘R.A.F. Pocket Book 1937’, full record of service and copy photograph of the recipient in R.C.A.F. uniform.

operations M.M. group of five awarded to Naik Mohd. Sadiq, 8th Punjab Regiment, who, having led a charge across a canal bridge - and run out of ammunition - forced the surrender of a brace of German Spandau gunners by thumping them with his Tommy gun: Military Medal, G.VI.R. (19042 Nk. Mohd. Sadiq, Punjab R.), officially impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, the first with officially corrected unit, test mark at 9 o’clock and edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine or better. Just 20 men of the 8th Punjab Regiment were awarded the M.M. in the 1939-45 War, around ten of them for Italy. M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states: ‘On the night of 10-11 April 1945, ‘A’ Company, 3rd Battalion, 8th Punjab Regiment took part in the attack on the strongly held Scolo Tratturo, a canal, just west of the Senio river. As soon as ‘A’ Company had secured its objective, the enemy counter-attacked on the extreme right flank with approximately ten men in an attempt to destroy a footbridge. The men in the immediate vicinity of the bridge were pushed back, so Naik Mohd Sadiq, commanding the section holding this area, together with two other men of his section, charged across the bridge firing as they went. This sudden charge upset the enemy plan, one Spandau party thereupon taking up position in a nearby trench and the remainder being cleared from the bridge. To prevent a second attempt to destroy the bridge, Naik Mohd Sadiq left two men to guard it while he alone stalked the enemy Spandau which was by then firing on the bridge area. Having got close to the post, he rushed it firing his T.S.M.G. and killing the enemy gunner. His ammunition then ran out so he threw two grenades he had with him, thereby killing a second. The two remaining Germans tried to run away but Naik Mohd Sadiq determined to finish the job and ran after them and by hitting them with his T.S.M.G. induced them to surrender. This Naik’s devotion to duty and courage prevented the enemy from destroying the bridge and prevented them from establishing themselves on ‘A’ Company’s right flank, where they would undoubtedly have caused ‘A’ Company heavy casualties. His example and complete disregard for his own safety were an inspiration to all ranks.’

operations M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant R. S. Bennett, Royal Artillery, who was decorated for his gallant deeds as a member of 100 Army Radar Battery, a unit of Horrocks’ famous XXX Corps - among them his part in the destruction of a Nebelwefer rocket gun near Goch in February 1945: Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1467654 Sjt. R. S. Bennett, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; FRance and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, good very fine: M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Bennett has been in charge of a Counter-Mortar Radar Detachment and throughout the campaign has set an example to his men worthy of the highest praise. His detachmant was invariably deployed in close proximity to the enemy and on may occasions he displayed courage and coolness which were an example and inspiration to his men. On 21 February 1945, they were deployed in close proximity to the enemy north of Goch, close to a road which was the main axis of advance. The enemy commenced very heavy shelling and mortaring of this road and finally when a Nebelwerfer opened fire, traffic on the road was forced to stop. The Nebelwerfer projectiles were falling close around Sergeant Bennett’s position but he refused to allow the work of his detachment to be interfered with and largely by his coolness and example the Nebelwerfer was accurately located and destroyed by artillery. Traffic was then resumed and a serious hold up averted, largely by this N.C.O’s exemplary conduct and coolness. This example of Sergeant Bennett’s devotion to duty is not an isolated one but is typical of his leadership throughout the campaign.’ Raymond Stanely Bennett’s Radar Battery was part of 100 A.A. Brigade, R.A., XXX Corps and, by virtue of the fact his recommendation twice refers to him having shown bravery ‘throughout the campaign’, it would be fair to conclude he was present in the bitterly contested advance of XXX Corps to Arnhem in September 1944. The Nebelwurfer was a particularly vicious piece of artillery, being manned by a crew of four and equipped with six barrels capable of firing 75lb. 5.9-inch rockets to a range of 7,500 yards - the resultant impact and blast of these projectiles was particularly effective against infantry, both physically and psychologically.

group of six awarded to Lance-Serjeant R. Drummond, Black Watch, whose successful bayonet assault on an enemy position enabled his Company to reach the final objective: Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2753674 L. Sjt., Black Watch); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; together with an erased Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, mounted court style for display, good very fine and better: Ex Sampson Collection of Medals to the Black Watch, Glendining’s 19 June 1991. M.M. London Gazette 25 February 1943. ‘During the night attack on 23/24 October. The Pl. of which the Section, which Cpl. Drummond commanded formed part, was held up by a strong enemy position surrounded by wire and from which a large number of stick grenades were being thrown. The Pl. Commander was killed and the Pl. Sgt. seriously wounded and the attack at this point was in imminent danger of being held up; Cpl. Drummond immediately took command of the Pl. and led a successful bayonet assault over the wire and into the enemy position - the surviving enemy thereupon surrendering. He thereafter reorganized the Pl. without delay and continued the advance. But for Cpl. Drummond's action, his Pl. would undoubtedly have suffered heavy casualties from the enemy post referred to and the attack would have been held up at that point. This action very materially assisted in enabling his Coy. to reach the final objective.’ Robert Drummond was born at 93 Golfdrum Street, Dunfermline on 14 September 1914, the son of Alfred Drummond, Coal Miner and Jane Neilson Drummond (maiden surname Coutts). He enlisted into “C” Company (Dunfermline) 6th/7th Black Watch (T.A.) on 19 April 1932 and was embodied on 2 September 1939. Having a reserved occupation of Coal Miner, he was discharged to Civil Employment on 4 October 1939. He re-enlisted in the 7th Black Watch in November 1939, was posted to France with the 6th Black Watch in January 1940, and transferred to the 7th Black Watch in Shetlands in September 1940. At El Alamein with 12th Pl. “B” Coy. 7th (Fife) Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) formed part of the 154th (Highland) Infantry Brigade. Drummond was awarded the M.M. for bravery in action in an early phase of the battle of El Alamein. He died on 11 May 1980, aged 65 years, at 8 Wilson Street, Townhill, Dunfermline.

to Sergeant A. Wagstaffe, King’s Own Scottish Borderers and Machine Gun Corps: Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (15482 Sjt. A. Wagstaffe, 30/M.G.C.); 1914-15 Star (16631 Pte., K.O. Sco. Bord.), surname spelt ‘Wagstaff’; British War and Victory Medals (16631 Sjt., K.O.S.B.), together with his father’s Territorial Force Efficiency Medal, G.V.R. (173 Cpl. J. E. Wagstaffe, 6/Ches. Regt.), this with minor official correction to surname, generally very fine or better. D.C.M. London Gazette 3 September 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. This N.C.O. was Sergeant of a section of guns which took part in the two days heavy fighting. He started by long range fire on the enemy advancing over a ridge, but soon had to shift, two guns having to be left behind owing to the violence of the barrage. In the evening, he took out a party and fetched in these two guns and ammunition. Shortly after the section officer was severely wounded and, owing to heavy casualties, only one gun could be manned. The next day, after further heavy bombardment, the enemy again attacked, and he kept his gun in action till they were within fifty yards, when he got his gun away, the company officer being killed.’ Alfred Wagstaffe, a native of Hyde, Cheshire, where he was educated at the local day school, was the son of Joseph Wagstaffe, late of the Cheshire Regiment (Territorials). Young Alfred enlisted in the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in November 1914, went out to France with the 9th Battalion in July 1915, and received a bullet wound in the thigh in the Battle of Loos that September. Returning to active service in early 1916, he transferred to 30/Machine Gun Corps, was advanced to Sergeant and won his D.C.M. for gallant deeds near Ypres on 25-26 April 1918; sold with several copied local newspaper features from which the above information has been taken.

awarded to Corporal F. Bowling, Royal Garrison Artillery; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (293525 Bmbr. F. Bowling, 136/Hy. By. R.G.A.); Military Medal, G.V.R. (293525 Cpl. F. Bowling, D.C.M., R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (2525 Cpl., R.A.), very fine and better. D.C.M. London Gazette 3 June 1918: “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has constantly repaired telephone wires under heavy shell fire and has maintained battery communications under most difficult conditions. His example of gallant conduct under fire has been worthy of all praise.” M.M. London Gazette 11 February 1919. Frederick Burnaby, a native of Stockport, was also awarded his M.M. in respect of services in 136th Heavy Battery, R.G.A. Sold with a handwritten copy of his D.C.M. citation, on parchment, with official R.G.A. Record Office stamp and dated 29 October 1918, together with an inter-war photograph of the recipient on his motorcycle, and copied MIC entry confirming entitlement to only the British War & Victory Medals.

pilot’s M.C. group of eleven awarded to Air Commodore H. J. F. Hunter, Royal Air Force, late Rifle Brigade and Royal Flying Corps, who, having been wounded as a young infantry officer in France in 1915, transferred to the R.F.C., won the M.C. for numerous missions flown over the Somme in 1916, commanded No. 9 Squadron in the Ypres salient in 1917 and No. 42 Squadron from the “German Spring Offensive” until the War’s end: very much a C.O. who led from the front, he was however unable to turn the tide of war as A.O.C. (Bombers) in the face of the Japanese invasion of Sumatra in February 1942 - but did win the C.B.E. for his courage under attack as a Station C.O. in the U.K. The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Military Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (Major, R.A.F.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star, clasp, Burma; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, very fine and better. C.B.E. London Gazette 24 September 1941. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has commanded an operational station with two heavy bomber squadrons since September 1939, when he took over command of the R.A.F. Station, Driffield. After severe bombing and successive attacks which necessitated the transfer of the two squadrons, he opened up R.A.F. Topcliffe and has continued operations under most difficult conditions. He has shown unfailing loyalty, keenness and devotion to duty and does not spare himself in directing, guiding and encouraging his crews. The fact that the station and squadrons are full of fight is due a great deal to the example of steady courage and calm control of Group Captain Hunter during bombing attacks, one of which was more severe than on any other station in England.’ M.C. London Gazette 20 October 1916: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and skill. He has done fine work for the artillery and has accounted for many enemy guns. On one occasion, when a heavy storm drove all other machines back to their aerodromes and the enemy guns took the opportunity to become active, he remained up and did fine work.’ Henry John Francis Hunter was born in December 1893 and was educated at Eton and the Royal Military College, Sandhurst. Commissioned in the Rifle Brigade as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1913, he was wounded in the legs by a bomb explosion near Poperinghe in September 1915, while serving in the 1st Battalion, at which point, following his recovery, he successfully applied for pilot training in the Royal Flying Corps. Awarded his “Wings” after attending courses at Reading and Castle Bromwich in May 1916, he flew out to France with No. 34 Squadron, the unit’s B.E. 2e aircraft causing much mirth on arrival at St. Omer, on account of ‘the number of suitcases and odd parcels tied to the under-carriage struts and also alongside the fuselages’ (his extensive Staff College ‘service experiences’ submission refers). A day or two later, No. 34 arrived at Lilbourne, and quickly commenced work as an artillery co-operation unit over the Somme, a period later described by Hunter in his Staff College submission, from which the following extracts have been taken: “Archie”: ‘I well remember one morning I was on the line at dawn and found some lorries behind the village of Martinpoich. Very pleased with myself I was going down to drop my four 25lb. bombs, which were carried on all trips, when “Archie” with his first round broke most of my top plane extension and cut the aileron controls.’ On machine-gun and rifle fire: ‘I was very impressed with the German M.G. and rifle fire. It seemed to be very well organised. Ammunition was rarely wasted if one was over 2,000 feet, but the moment one came down below that height, one was kept under continuous fire. M.Gs seemed to be organised in batteries behind the lines and between them and the rifles our expenditure in wings and tail planes was very heavy.’ In January 1917, the Squadron moved to Villers Bretonneux and worked on the front from Peronne southwards, this time in R.E. 8s. Here, Hunter recalled: ‘We soon had our first experience of looking for the enemy’s troops in more or less open warfare. It did not take us long to discover the difficulties of locating troops in small numbers and of determining the general position of the enemy’s front line. The method generally resorted to was to fly low and get fired at with rifles from a number of points, and then drop the information to our advanced cavalry and forward headquarters.’ In May 1917, Hunter was appointed to the command of No. 9 Squadron, in which capacity he participated in the Passchendaele offensive in support of XIV Corps. He continues: ‘Casualties were heavy in the Squadron, 135 officers going through in four months. Two aircraft were destroyed by direct hits from A.A. on the first day we were on the sector. However, in spite of the heavy casualties and hard work, the morale of the Squadron kept very high, and during my time in command, that is to November 1917, we got two D.S.Os, two Bars to the M.C., and 17 M.Cs, which speaks very well for the general keenness and devotion to duty of the pilots ... During the whole time I had been in France, I had been very much impressed with the necessity of watching pilots very carefully and if at all possible of sending them on leave as soon as they showed signs of strain. Working with an army co-operation squadron on a battle front, it was a rare occurrence to find a pilot fit for more than three months continuous work. Fourteen days leave, given in time, invariably put a man right again.’ In October 1917, Hunter was recommended for a mention in despatches, a distinction duly announced in the London Gazette on 11 December: ‘As a Corps Squadron Commander from the beginning of June 1917 till this date, Major Hunter has done fine work, keeping his squadron most efficient and maintaining a very high morale and standard of work.’ Returning to the U.K. for duties as an instructor in November 1917 - as a result of ‘stress of service’ - Hunter was posted back to France to take command of No. 42 Squadron in April 1918, which unit ‘was in a very bad state having got into trouble in Italy ... most of them were drinking far too much ... it required constant supervision from the air and from battery positions’. Added to which the moving front caused by the “German Spring Offensive” made the task of locating targets difficult in the extreme. At length, however, the tide of war changed, Hunter’s leadership from the front resulting in some notable successes: ‘For the last few days before the Armistice we got a lot more ground straffing as now the enemy were retiring in great confusion. On 9 November, I remember finding a column on a straight road composed of four gun teams, about a battalion of infantry and what I thought was a lorry. By flying up and down the road we managed to inflict a large number of casualties. What I thought was a lorry turned out to be an A.A. gun but it was of course practically useless at our height.’ ‘Just after the Armistice, I examined several positions again against which I had carried out shoots. As guns had been in the open it was difficult in most places to verify damage but in one position in particular, in the wooded grounds of a convent, I was much interested. The C.B. office had given it as two big howitzers, 8-inch I think, and I had had what I thought was a pretty successful shoot. In the grounds of the convent I found an old priest and asked him if he remembered a rather heavy bombardment on a certain day. He was delighted and told me that both the guns had been destroyed, all the horses killed, as well as 16 Germans and two nuns. On my expressing due sympathy over the nuns, he told me that they were very old and it didn’t matter a bit!’ For his work as C.O. of No. 42 Squadron, Hunter was again recommended for a mention in despatches, a distinction duly announced in the London Gazette on 11 July 1919: ‘For continuous good work, both as an organiser on the ground, and while on artillery and contact patrol work in the air, during the operations preceding the Armistice.’ Between the Wars, Hunter served for several years on attachment to the Fleet Air Arm, and enjoyed a succession of Squadron and Station Commands, latterly at R.A.F. Finningley, from which post he was placed on the Retired List as a Group Captain in June 1939. Quickly recalled, he commanded bomber operations from R.A.F. Driffield, and, after crippling air raids, at Topliffe, which inspiring leadership won him his C.B.E., but in January 1942, he was posted to Singapore, taking passage in a Catalina alongside Air Vice-Marshal Peirse, the newly appointed C.-in-C. Far East. A hasty meeting having then been held at Flagstaff House, where General Percival was present, Hunter was given immediate command of No. 225 (Bomber) Group in Sumatra. Confronted with a much depleted force, and the threat of a major Japanese onslaught, he did his best to restore order and morale, but in the event the enemy arrived in force in mid-February, Java’s main airfield being captured by parachutists in a matter of hours. Many acts of gallantry were enacted by his aircrew over the coming days and weeks, but the fall of Sumatra - and Java - was inevitable. Hunter afterwards served as A.O.C. No. 221 Group in India and Burma and was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 2 June 1943 and 14 January 1944 refer). Placed on the Retired List in the rank of Air Commodore at the War’s end, he settled in Beaford, Devon, where he died in September 1966.

Group of Seven, Distinguished Service Order, George VI; British War and Victory Medals, impressed (MID. A.D. MERRIMAN, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star with France and Germany clasp; Italy Star; 1939-45 War Medal, court mounted on long pin. London Gazette 14 April 1941: “His Majesty has also been graciously pleased to give orders for the following Appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and to approve the following Awards formastery, determination and skill in action against the German Battleship Bismarck: Commander (E) Arthur Duncan Merriman (H.M.S. Suffolk)” On 21/22 May the C-In-C Home Fleet received word that The German Battleship Bismarck in company with Prinz Eugen had left the Baltic port of Gotenhafen with the intention of preying on the merchant ships that carried supplies and war materials from Canada and the U.S.A. to Britain. The passage to the Atlantic is known as the Denmark Straight. HMS Suffolk was immediately advised of the situation and ordered to locate the two German ships. Suddenly on the morning of 23 May, lookouts aboard HMS Sheffield noted the presence of Bismarck and Prinz Eugen making their way to the southwest along the ice at a fast rate of speed. HMS Suffolk immediately changed course to hide in the Arctic mist and began forwarding a series of course and speed reports to Admiral Tovey. She was shortly joined by HMS Norfolk who also took up a shadowing position. Based on the reports coming from the shadowing ships, the Admiral dispatched the Battle Cruiser Force of HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales with orders to engage the enemy. The Admiral sailed from Scapa Flow with the Battleships HMS King George V and HMS Repulse. HMS Victorious (carrier) and other cruisers and destroyers accompanied the Admiral’s force. On the morning of 24th May Bismarck was engaged by HMS Hood and HMS Prince of Wales in the North Atlantic. Much to the shock of the Royal Navy and the British people the Bismarck succeeded in sinking the “Mighty Hood” in a battle that lasted approximately six minutes. HMS Hood went down with almost all hands, there being only three survivors from a complement of 1419 men. During the battle the Bismarck had been hit by HMS Prince of Wales causing damage to her fuel tanks and disabling one of her engines. In the meantime, Churchill had given orders to “Sink the Bismarck”. HMS Suffolk had lost contact with the German ships at 03:00 on the 25th and a massive search was begun. The Bismarck had disappeared! The Royal Navy ordered almost every capital ship into the area in order to prevent Bismarck from reaching port. She was finally sighted the following morning at 10:30 by RAF Coastal Command. Bismarck was approximately 700 miles northwest of Brest. With Admiral Tovey’s forces still some 150 miles to the north, something had to be done to slow the German Battleship. The ships of Force H, which had been diverted from Gibraltar on the 23rd, were now positioned to intercept the Bismarck before she was able to reach port. These three ships were the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, the cruiser HMS Renown and the light cruiser HMS Sheffield. HMS Ark Royal launched a Swordfish Torpedo raid against the Bismarck. Later that evening a second Swordfish raid was launched resulting in two torpedo hits on the Bismarck. One of the hits was minor, but the other had damaged the steering and jammed the rudder. With Bismarck slowed by the damage, four British and one Polish destroyers launched further torpedo attacks harassing the Bismarck continually during the night. The following morning (27th) HMS King George V and HMS Rodney arrived and engaged the Bismarck from approximately 16,000 yards range. After a one and a half hour battle, Bismarck was reduced to a shambles. She was eventually scuttled by her crew.

B.E.M., GVIR, for Meritorious Service (C.P.O. ROBERT JOHN HAMILTON. P/J 33875); 1914-15 Star (impressed: J. 33875. R.J. HAMILTON, BOY. 1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (impressed: J.33875 R.J. HAMILTON, A.B. R.N.), polished, plated, nearly very fine. B.E.M. London Gazette 2 June 1943.

V.R., impressed (CORPL. WILLIAM SINCLAIR. 93RD. HIGHLANDERS.), contact marks and edge bruises, about very fine. Sold with copies of research papers.

Royal Artillery; Distinguished Service Order, in silver gilt and enamels, G.V.R. Cypher, with top bar, extremely fine; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, breast badge, M.B.E., type II, Military; 1914-15 Star, impressed (2.LIEUT. A.W. RYAN. R.G.A.); British War and Victory Medals (with MID), impressed (MAJOR A.E. RYAN); Defence Medal; War Medal (last two un named as issued), swing mounted as worn, very fine to extremely fine, in Spink & Son, London, case. Ambrose William Ryan, born: 20 th Dec. 1880; Joined the Army in 1889, at age 18, and served in the ranks for 15 years and 56 days; RANKS: 2nd Lieutenant : 15 th nov. 1914 : Royal Artillery; Lieutenant : 9th jun. 1915: Royal Artillery; Actg. Captain : 4th Nov. 1916 – 30 th Jan. 1917: R.G. A.; Captain : 3rd Nov. 1917 – 3rd. Jul.1919 : R.G.A.; Major : 19 th jul. 1923 : Reserve of Officers: R.A. ; Major : 20 th . Dec. 1920 : Army Rank and retired; Staff service: Adjutant, R.A. : 12 th. May – 2nd. Nov.1916; Adjutant, R.A.: 5th . Aug.1919 – 14 th .Sep. 1920; Adjutant, T.A. : 7 th Oct. 1922; War service: World War 1, 1914 -1918 ; served overseas; (1914 – 15 Star, B.W.M., V.M. and oakleaves, D.S.O.); Mentioned in despatches; Awarded the Distinguished Service Order, L.G. 4 th. Jun.1917; M.B.E. for W.W.II. Sold with copies of records, indicating Ambrose William Ryan served in the R.A.F. during WWII.

Thomas Daly, 5th Division Ammunition Column, Attached to X/5th Trench Mortar Battery: Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. impressed (36605 BMBR. T. DALY. R.F.A.): “For marked gallantry and great work. During the advance to the Sambre river he took a section of trench mortars into action into the village of Pont-Sur-Sambre under a very heavy machine gun and 5.9 barrage. At this time the mortars were urgently required, as only half the village was occupied by our infantry. Though wounded, he returned a second time and succeeded, under very heavy shell fire, in getting rations up to the detachments serving the mortars in action. The village was cleared of the enemy shortly afterwards.” (Dublin)”(LG, 2 Dec 1919).