We are one of Britain's foremost public auctioneers of medals. Our six sales each year contain hundreds of collections and individual medals. Our next sale takes place on Wednesday 11th February 2009.

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The sale takes place at the Court House, Warwick, and commences at 11 am.

Public viewing for this sale is available at our offices on the following dates:

• Friday 6th February
• Monday 9th February
• Tuesday 10th February
• Wednesday 11th February

However, there is no need to attend in person as bids can be placed in advance of the sale by telephone, post, fax, e-mail or via our online catalogue.

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Contemplating selling your Medals? Visit our Marketing Your Collection page.

Bugler’s MGSM makes £7,820

An 1847 Military General Service Medal, with the 11 clasps of Corunna, Busaco, Fuentes d’Onor, Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, St Sebastian, Orthes and Toulouse was awarded to W. Carden, a bugler in the 95th Foot. There were only five soldiers recorded with this rank on the roll and consequently the medal is rare. The pre-sale estimate in the December 10th auction was £4,000 and this was quickly exceeded, the final selling price being £7,820.

Several Waterloo medals were on offer and the best result of £3,105 was recorded for a medal presented to Serj. James Fenning, 2nd Batt., 73rd Reg. Foot. The battalion was present at the Battle of Ghorde in Hanover, on September 16th 1813. Serj. Fenning fought with Capt. Drewe’s company, the battalion seeing action at both Quatre Bras, on June 16th (suffering 56 dead) and Waterloo, on June 18th, losing a further 280 men, the second highest number of casualties suffered by a Foot regiment.

An 1849 Punjab Medal, with clasps of Goojerat and Chilianwalla, to John Eyre Blake, of the 14th Light Dragoons, was estimated at £400 and realised £529.

A surprise result was the realisation of £472 for an 1869 New Zealand Medal, undated, to 505 Richard Cosser, of the 58th Foot, which had been estimated at £280.

The best World War I group realised £3,105. This was paid for a WWI Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and 1914 Star trio, awarded to 9637 Sjt. J. Ellis, of the Liverpool Regiment. The London Gazette of February 6th 1918 announced the award “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He was largely responsible for the steadiness with which the men of his company met and repulsed a strong enemy counter-attack. His great courage, resource and initiative were an inspiring example to the men at a critical time.”

A KGVI George Medal, in a WWII group, awarded for action within 2 days of the Normandy landings, was the most contested group from World War II. Estimated at £3,000, the final figure was £4,255. Sjt. James S. McGowan was decorated for his part in extinguishing a fire in an ordnance dump. The medal group was offered on behalf of the soldier’s family and was supported by a large range of documentation.

Falklands Medal sells for £747

A 1982 South Atlantic medal, with rosette, awarded to Mem (L) 2 G.M. Henderson, of H.M.S. Fearless, realised £747 in the October 8th auction. H.M.S. Fearless was the amphibious HQ ship used during the landings at San Carlos Water and suffered repeated air attacks. The ship’s crew helped to shoot down 4 enemy aircraft.

In the same sale, an 1869 Abyssinian War medal, to Cornet G.E.W.G. Hammond, of the Third Dragoon Guards, realised £660. The Third Dragoon Guards were the only British cavalry unit involved in the campaign, with 200 men present. The medal was offered together with a very significant amount of research documentation, concerning the life of the titled officer.

Battle Of Omdurman Charger’s Medals Star in the August Auction

The most important medal group in the August 13th 2008 auction was an 1899 Queen’s Sudan Medal and Khedive’s Sudan Medal with Khartoum clasp, which were awarded to 3355 Pte. W. Akester, of the 21st Lancers. Pte. Akester was a confirmed charger with C squadron, at the Battle of Ondurman, on Sept 2nd 1898. What added to the attractiveness of the lot was the fact that it was supported by a large amount of documentation and photographs, including a document signed by R de Montmorency, who won the Victoria Cross at Omdurman. Estimated at £2,400, the lot eventually realised £5,750.

William Akester was born in 1873 and resident in Driffield, Yorkshire. He enlisted in the 21st Hussars (which became Lancers in 1897) aged 18 years and 3 months, on 10th October 1891, at Beverley, his trade listed as a tailor and his next of kin being his parents, William and Jane Akester, residing at Shady Lane, Driffield.

He joined the Regiment in Canterbury in 1891, moved to Secunderabad, India, arriving on 2nd October 1893 and received 1d Good Conduct Pay on 10th October 1893. He moved to Egypt, arriving on 22nd October 1896. The Regiment was re-designated as the 21st Lancers on 31st March 1897, which necessitated a good deal of re-training with the introduction of the lance as the principle weapon. He was granted 2d Good Conduct Pay on 10th October 1897, his Account Book being signed by R de Montmorency who won the Victoria Cross during the charge at the Battle of Omdurman.

The Anglo Egyptian armies had been fighting in the Sudan on and off from 1883 with various expeditions and campaigns. The campaign of 1898 was hoped to finally end the problem and B Sqn left Cairo on 31st July as the advance party for the regiment. Pte Akester by this time was serving with C Sqn which left on 6th August traveling by train, river steamer and on land, as they progressed south, arriving in the main camp near Omdurman on the 26th August. The 21st Lancers were the only British cavalry regiment present although there were 9 squadrons of Egyptian cavalry.

The Battle of Omdurman was fought on the 2nd September 1898 against the Dervish Army. After the first Dervish attack had been repulsed the 21st Lancers were sent out on reconnaissance. After reporting retreating troops mixed in with fresh Dervish forces new orders were issued to the 21st Lancers to harass the enemy where possible. Patrols reported an estimated force of 1000 blocking the road to Omdurman. The CO’s assessment that 440 lancers could reasonably be expected to clear some 1000 infantry on open ground was logical. What was unknown was that just behind the Dervish position was a khor or dry river watercourse which concealed an additional 1800 Dervish reinforcements.

The 21st Lancers wheeled into line and C Sqn, commanded by Captain Doyne, was on the left flank of the regiment. The charge was only across ground of about 300 yards, but as the Lancers got within 50-100 yards of the enemy the khor became visible and as they closed they could see it was packed with spear and swordsmen standing 12 deep on the flanks and possibly 20 deep in the centre. Committed to the gallop it was too late to avoid the Dervish trap. On first contact the advantage was with the cavalry delivering their attack, with speed and weight of horse and rider dealing a heavy blow, but once they were jumping into and over the khor, the advantage changed, with the enemy slashing at the horses unprotected bellies and legs bringing many down and unseating their riders. There are many tales of individual heroism and remarkable escapes. The survivors fought their way through and regrouped on the other side of the khor. The estimated duration of the action in the khor was 2-4 minutes, but this would have seemed a lifetime to many.

The enemy were finally driven from their positions by the regiment using long-range rifle fire. The Lancers then returned to collect their 21 dead. The enemy casualties have never been confirmed but estimates range from 30 to 100. The 21st Lancers received 3 Victoria Crosses for this action.

The Indian Army Long Service and Good Conduct medal for Europeans was instituted in 1848 and was awarded to NCOs and other ranks of the Indian Army, on discharge, after 21 years of meritorous service. The medal bore a trophy of arms on the obverse and the reverse was engraved with the recipient’s details. However, in 1859 some 100 medals of the wrong type were sent out to India by mistake and were awarded. These medals had the Wyon profile of Queen Victoria on the obverse and the legend “FOR LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT” within an oak wreath, with a crown at the top and a fouled anchor at the foot. One of these rare medals was offered in the August 13th sale and was estimated at £400. The realisation was £575.

Rare Military General Service Medal with 4 Clasp Combination.

The Military General Service Medal, with 4 clasps, Roleia, Talavera, Busaco and Albuhera, awarded to Robert Allen of the 29th Foot was sold in our June 18th 2008 auction, where it realised £1,437.

The Sutherland Fencibles were raised for the third time in 1793 by Colonel William Wemyss and Robert Allen enlisted on the 19th April 1793. The unit served in the 1798 Irish Rebellion and was disbanded at Fort George in April 1799. On disbanding the new 93rd Regiment was recruited from the recently disbanded Sutherland Fencibles.

Robert Allen did not however join the 93rd with many of his comrades but transferred to the 29th Foot on the 29th March 1799. The 29th Foot were also in Ireland in 1798 for the rebellion and it is possible that Private Allen liked what he saw of them. In 1799 just after joining the 29th Foot they sailed for Holland and the Helder-Bergen campaign under the Duke of York where he was wounded for the first time in the left leg.
On returning from Holland the 29th Foot were stationed in Guernsey, Plymouth and Exeter before proceeding to Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1802-1807. They arrived in the Peninsula in August 1808 and took an active part in the first action of the campaign at the Battle of Rolica on 17th August 1808. The 29th Foot suffered 190 killed and wounded, the highest casualties of any British Regiment in this action. Private Allen was wounded for the second time at this battle in the left breast.

Private Allen was present at the Battle of Talavera on 27-28th July 1809 where the Allies suffered over 6,000 casualties with the 29th distinguishing itself. They succeeded in driving the French from a vital hill by charging with fixed bayonets. They captured 2 French colours but the eagles had been unscrewed prior to capture denying them the honour of capturing the first eagle of the war. The Regiment suffered 189 casualties. After the battle Wellington wrote to the Secretary of State "My Lord I wish very much that some measure could be adopted to get some recruits for the 29th Regiment it is the best Regiment in this Army.”

He was present again at Busaco on 27th September 1810 where the Allies repulsed the French attack before withdrawing to their prepared positions behind the Torres Vedras.

The Battle of Albuhera on 16th May 1811 has been described as one of the fiercest ever fought with withering volley fire being faced at very short ranges. The Allied losses were again over 6,000 with the French suffering over 8,000. James Allen was wounded for the third time in the side. During the battle the Regiment suffered heavy casualties and the colour party were all killed, but a young officer had ripped the colours from the poles and hid them in his tunic before he died and when their position was retaken by the British the colours were recovered never having fallen into the hands of the French.

On 13th October 1811 the Regiment were ordered to return to England to recover after its 3 years of campaigning. Private Robert Allen was discharged on 24th June 1817 having completed 24 years and 67 days service.

Only 5 MGSMs with this clasp combination have been issued, all to the 29th Foot.

Old Contemptible 1914 DCM group

The WWI Distinguished Conduct Medal and 1914 star trio with date bar, awarded to 10223 Sergeant William Bradford, 2nd Highland Light Infantry, was sold in our June 18th 2008 auction, where it realised £3,795.

William Bradford of Canterbury enlisted early in the 20th century in the Highland Light Infantry. The first photo is of a group of soldiers in front of bell tents with the reverse endorsed "Irish manoeuvres, Moor Park, Aug 1909".

At the outbreak of the First World War he was serving with the 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry stationed in Maida Barracks, Aldershot and were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Division. The battalion were embarked on SS Lake Michigan and landed in France on 14th August. They were quickly moved forward and came under heavy shell fire on 24th August near Paturages suffering their first casualties with 14 wounded. The rest of August and September was spent retiring or advancing on an almost daily basis while the war was still in its fluid stages. Private G Wilson won the Victoria Cross during fighting near Verneuil on 14th September.

A letter from Corporal Bradford appeared in the Kentish Gazette of 5th December giving some particulars of his arduous experiences at the Battle of Mons, when he was in the trenches for 62 hours at a stretch under heavy fire.

The battalion arrived in the Ypres area on 16th October and became quickly involved in what was to become the First Battle of Ypres and the number of casualties increased at a rapid rate. Lieutenant W.L. Brodie won the Victoria Cross while helping to repulse a German attack on 7th November. The battalion was in the line at Polygon Wood on 11th November and acted as support to the attack on Nonne Bosschen Wood and suffered heavy shelling on the 13th with 12 killed and 23 wounded. The shelling continued again the next day with a further 18 killed, 31 wounded and 5 missing.

A Canterbury newspaper article in early 1915 believed the DCM was awarded to Corporal Bradford for action near Ypres on 14th November 1914 when “He had a very narrow escape then while on patrol duty and later, nearly the whole of a trench from which he was firing was blown up by shell fire. Bradford was buried by the fall of earth and the three men next to him were blown to pieces. The two officers were also killed.”

He wrote to his parents on New Year’s Day after being informed of the award of the DCM, “My Company Sergeant-Major has also been awarded the DCM. All the men – 13 in all – who were left in the trench with me have congratulated me saying I saved their lives by making them hold the position under an artillery fire which was nothing more nor less than murderous.” The DCM was announced in the London Gazette dated 1st January 1915.

When the battalion was pulled out of the line on 16th November they had suffered 346 casualties in November alone. They went back into the line at Richebourg St Vasst on 27th December. In the same letter home he wrote, “The weather during the whole of the time was very bad, it was very cold and we had a lot of rain. The first night I was put in charge of an advanced post, with six men, quite near to the German trenches. To go to this post we had to go through a small trench and we were up to our knees in mud and water; we all got smothered from head to foot in mud, and when returning last night, I must say we looked pretty objects. On the morning of the 30th, at daybreak, I spotted a German running across a trench, so I waited for him coming back to have a snipe at him. I think I caught him all right, as he fell down quick enough. I expect he thought we were not good shots. I am proud to say that my regiment has not lost an inch of ground during the whole of the war. We have officers whom anyone should be proud of. I am sorry that so many of our promising ones have been killed.”

William Bradford must have been promoted to Sergeant in 1915. Included with the lot is a postcard with the title For England’s Glory printed by the Kent Messenger with 1915 handwritten on the reverse.

The final photograph with the lot is with Sergeant Bradford lying in a hospital bed with a nurse and 7 patients gathered round and marked Craigleith Hospital Nov 1917 on the reverse. It is not known if he was wounded or suffering from an illness.

WWI Distinguished Service Medal Group realises £4,255

The Word War I D.S.M. group awarded to S/Ldr G.L. Wright, R.A.F., which was offered in our April 2008 auction, realised £4,255, after spirited bidding. Squadron Leader Wright’s seaplane crashed into the North Sea and he and the pilot survived for 6 days, clinging to one of the plane’s floats before being rescued. For a full account of this award, please go the Articles Library page.

An 1851 Army of India medal, with clasps of Nepaul and Capture of Deig, awarded to Maj. Gen. James Cook, was offered together with 6 pages of research, which, without doubt, contributed to the fine realisation of £4,600.

An 1847 M.G.S.M., with clasps of Corunna, Badajoz, Vittoria and St. Sebastian, awarded to James Preese, of the 4th Foot, made £1,840. Research had shown that he saw service from 1799 to 1821 and that he also saw action in Holland, Copenhagen, Washington, New Orleans and Bladensburg. He was not entitled to the Waterloo medal, as he was on commissary guard.

Late Victorian Campaign Medals Popular

The sale held on February 13th 2008 contained a number of medals awarded during the various British Empire campaigns of the late 19th century.

1879 South Africa Medal, with 1879 clasp and Army small reverse lettering LSGC to 1248 Pte J. Ellis, 57th Foot (Midd’x R on LSGC), very fine, mounted on a later style mounting bar with photo of recipient in civilian clothes wearing medals. Estimate £500; realisation £661.

1882-89 Egypt Medal, undated, with 2 clasps: Toski 1889 and Gemaizah 1888, un-named as issued to Egyptian troops, nearly extremely fine. Estimate £200; realisation £265.

1882 Egypt Medal, undated, with Suakin 1885 clasp and 1882 Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, to 5989 Pte A. Shaw, 2/Scots Gds (Star engraved 5989 S.Gds on reverse), fine/good fine. Estimate £180;realisation £253.

1900 Cape of Good Hope GSM, with Basutoland clasp, 1899 QSA, with 4 clasps of Cape Colony, Wepener, Transvaal, Wittebergen and 1902 29mm Natal coronation medal disc (unnamed, as issued), to 69 Pte J.G. Townshend, Cape M.R. (C.M. Rifn on CGH, without number), extremely fine, together with the rare wooden box of issue of the CGH and a copy of QSA medal roll. Estimate £750; realisation £748.

1895 India Medal, with 5 clasps of Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Malakand 1897, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 and Relief of Chitral 1895, to 1216 Sepoy Chaudu 38th Bl Infy, about very fine. Estimate £250; realisation £345.

1899 Queen’s Sudan Medal and 1897 Khedive’s Sudan Medal 1896-1908, with 2 clasps, The Atbara and Khartoum, to 4320 L/Cpl J. Clarkson 1/R. War R. (4230 Private 1st Roy Warwickshire Regt on Khedive’s), good very fine. Estimate £450; realisation £414.

For reports of two important WWII groups, offered in this sale, please refer to the Articles Library page.

WWI Discharge Certificate in Poor Condition Realises £265

A discharge certificate for a soldier who served in World War I, in poor condition, realised the remarkable figure of £265 in our November 14th 2007 auction. However the soldier in question was no ordinary soldier, in that he had been awarded the Victoria Cross for bravery. 532895 Cpl James Hutchinson, Lab Corps, was awarded the Victoria Cross while serving as 2579 Pte in 2/5th Lancashire Fusiliers. He enlisted at Bury on 28th September 1914 and was discharged on 17th December 1918 being no longer physically fit for war service. The VC was won on 28th June 1916 opposite Ficheux and was in the London Gazette 9th September 1916

For most conspicuous bravery. During an attack on the enemy’s position this soldier was the leading man, and, entering their trench, shot two sentries and cleared two of the traverses. After our object had been gained and retirement ordered, Private Hutchinson, on his own initiative, undertook the dangerous task of covering the retirement, and he did this with such gallantry and determination that the wounded were removed into safety. During all this time this gallant soldier was exposed to fierce fire from machine-guns and rifles at close quarters.

The best World War II group in the sale was lot 813.

WWII Military Medal, India GSM North West Frontier, with 1936-37 clasp, WWII 1939-1945, Burma Stars, Defence Medal, BWM, KGVI Regular Army bar LSGC and 1953 Coronation Medal to 3908192 W.O. Cl 2 N.C.S. Gowen, S. Wales Bord. (IGSM Pte, WWII all engraved to SWB, LSGC M.M. R.E.M.E., Coronation R.E.M.E.) good very fine, mounted as worn, in small display case (removable).

The typed extract of the London Gazette entry, dated 13 September 1945, for Burma, while attached to King’s African Rifles reads Continual display of bravery and fine leadership earned the Military Medal for 3908192 CSM Gowen of the South Wales Borderers, attached to the 2nd Bn. The Kings African Rifles (Nyasaland). On many occasions he led his Platoon on successful patrols from brief reconnaissance in face of enemy strongpoints to protracted long range patrols behind the enemy lines, bringing back clear and detailed information. On November 23rd he fought his way into a strong enemy position, obtained information of the highest value and withdrew his men in good order.

Offered together with transmission letters for the military medal and coronation medal and a photo of the soldier in tropical uniform, the group realised £3,795.

Blitz George Medal Group makes £4,485

A George Medal, awarded to a policeman, Thomas Edward Mahir, for action during the WWII London blitz, made £4,485 in the Warwick and Warwick August 8th sale. The group consisted of the George Medal, C.B.E., Order of St. John of Jerusalem, B.W.M. and Defence Medal and 1953 Coronation Medal. The April 25th 1941 London Gazette recorded the following:
“ When a bomb demolished two houses…Station Inspector Mahir and Junior Station Inspector Gott tore away debris and found a hole down which Mahir crawled. A man, buried up to the chin…informed them that a friend was below him…A lot of rubble had fallen and the strain on the two inspectors was greatly increased. The whole of the pile was nearly brought down on to the three men when those outside tried to dig through to them. Mahir and Gott used the broken rafter to shore up the cavity… eventually releasing the victim who was only slightly injured. Mahir, Gott and Sneddon were, throughout, subject to the risk of being crushed by shifting rubble and in danger from leaking gas. At one time water from the burst main in the crater outside threatened to overflow into the hole….”

Other interesting results from the sale were as follows:

1815 Waterloo Medal, to Joseph Broomfield, 7th Regiment Hussars, very fine, with smaller suspension ring. The regiment suffered 178 casualties from a force of 380. Estimated at £1,500, it realised £1,897.

A group comprising the Military Cross (un-named as issued), 1911 Delhi Durbar Medal (silver), 1909 India G.S.M., with North West Frontier 1908 clasp, 1914 Star trio with copy clasp, MID oak leaf and Egypt Order of the Nile (Officers and Chevaliers), to Major D.H. Acworth 55/Rfls, good very fine, estimated £1,200 realised £2,128. MID - Gen Murray’s dispatch for Egypt dated 28th June 1917, in London Gazette 12th January 1918. The 55th Rifles remained in India during the war, but half the unit was sent to Europe as reinforcements.

Lot 846 was an 1869 Abyssinian War Medal, to Lg Seaman T. Rowe, H.M.S. Octavia, nearly extremely fine. It was offered together with 7 copied pages of his service record, which showed that he enlisted as a boy. The realisation of £1,437 was more than 4 times the estimate.

Another surprising result was the £690 paid for a WWI Star trio, to 15-1351 L Cpl W. Saynor W. York R., who was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, whilst serving with the 15th Battalion (“Leeds Pals”). He is commemorated on the Thiepval memorial.

1665 War with Holland Medal makes £1,265

A scarce naval reward medal, commemorating the Battle of Lowestoft, in the1665 War with Holland, 62mm, silver, by J.Roettier, extremely fine, estimated at £300, realised £1,265, more than 4 times estimate, in our May 9th auction.

The 1783 General Eliott’s Defence of Gibraltar medal, very fine, estimated £600, realised £552.

Tremendous interest was generated by lot 559, an 1815 Waterloo medal, to Paymaster J.Mackenzie, of the 1st Battalion, 95th Regiment of Foot, nearly very fine, together with confirmation. Estimated at £1,250, the medal finally sold at £3,680.

An 1854 Crimea medal, with clasps of Alma, Balaklava, Inkerman and Sebastopol, to Private Martin Lodge, 13th Light Dragoons, who took part in the Charge of the Light Brigade, was estimated at £800 and realised £1,092. The medal had been previously sold by Sothebys, in 1896 and was offered together with copied pages of his service record.

An 1869 New Zealand medal, undated, to Capt. J. Percy, Wanganui Y.C., extremely fine, estimated £350, sold for £747.

Only 4 1890 British North Borneo Company bravery bronze crosses are known to have been issued. Lot 602 was un-named, as issued and was graded extremely fine. It made £494.

Many groups achieved excellent results and some are detailed on the Articles Library page.

Charge of the Light Brigade Fatality

A Crimea medal awarded to a soldier killed in the famous Charge of the Light Brigade realised £1,610 in the February 14th 2007 sale. The medal, with the 3 clasps of Alma, Balaklava and Sebastopol, was awarded to Edward Loftus of the 17th Lancers. Only 23 men from the 17th Lancers were listed as killed during the charge. For further information please click here.

A group of 4 medals, comprising 1854 Crimea with Sebastopol clasp, 1855 Turkish Crimea, British issue, 1858 Indian Mutiny, with clasps of Lucknow and Relief of Lucknow and 1854 India G.S.M. with Umbeyla clasp, awarded to Pte James Robertson of the 93rd Highlanders, estimated at £1,000, made £2,760.

A 1902 Africa G.S.M., with the 2 clasps of S. Nigeria 1903 and S. Nigeria 1905, awarded to Captain H. R. Elliot of the S. Nigeria Regiment, proved popular and realised £1,207, almost 5 times pre sale estimate!

Amongst the post World War II offerings, a 1964 G.S.M., with 4 clasps of Borneo, Malay Peninsula, South Arabia and Northern Ireland, to Pte A. Mac D. Sloss A. & S. H., estimated £200, made £506.

During the 1982 Falklands conflict, HMS Yarmouth, a type 12 Rothesay class anti submarine frigate provided part of the air defence screen to the fleet. She went to the rescue of the sinking HMS Ardent, in San Carlos Water and also towed the damaged HMS Sheffield. The 1982 South Atlantic medal, with rosette and Royal Navy QE II Dei Gratia L.S.G.C., awarded to one of her crew, APOWEM(O) A. Bell, estimated at £400, sold for £776.

The interesting 1829 silver medal awarded for services during the Great Flood of the River Findhorn, in Scotland, realised £310. For further details click here.