We are one of Britain's foremost public auctioneers of Medals and Militaria. Our six sales each year contain medal groups and individual awards from early and Victorian campaigns, the Boer War and the 2 World Wars, as well as foreign medals.

Public auctions of GB and world coins and banknotes, medals and militaria, toys and die-cast models and model railways are held six times a year. The dates of our 2010 sales are as follows: April 14th, June 16th, August 11th, October 13th, December 8th.

Our next general public auction of Medals will be held at the Court House, Warwick, on Wednesday 14th April, starting at 11 am. The online catalogue will be available approximately 3 weeks before the sale. To view the online catalogue, once it is uploaded and place bids on items in the sale click here. To download a catalogue (without illustrations) click here.

The sales take place at the Court House, Jury Street, Warwick, in the ballroom, which is on the first floor. The building has a lift. The entrance to the building is in Castle Street and the nearest car park is in New Street. The nearest railway station is Warwick Town and the nearest major international airport is Birmingham. For directions please visit our How to Find Us page.

Public viewing for all of our auctions is held at our own premises, the sales being too large to transport to the auction venue. Account settlement and lot allocation takes place progressively at our premises whilst the auction continues, so as soon as the section which interests you has been knocked down, you can pay and collect your lots without waiting for the end of the sale.

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

• Friday 9th April, 09.00 – 17.00
• Monday 12th April, 09.00 – 17.00
• Tuesday 13th April, 09.00 - 17.00
• Wednesday 14th April, 08.00 onwards

There is no need to attend an auction in person, as commission bids can be placed in advance of the sale via our online facility, or by telephone, mail, fax or e-mail. For further details please visit our Online Catalogue.

If you would like to receive a free sample printed catalogue, or alternatively to apply for a catalogue subscription, please complete our catalogue enquiry form. However please remember that the printed catalogue contains far fewer illustrations of lots than the online catalogue.

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China and Afghanistan Wars pair to Major General the Honourable Alexander Stewart, son of the 9th Earl of Galloway

The Second China War and Afghanistan Medal pair to Major General the Honourable Alexander Stewart was sold in our auction on Wednesday 10th February 2010 and realised £1,610.

Alexander Stewart was born on 8th November 1838, the third son of the 9th Earl of Galloway Randolph Stewart and his wife Lady Harriet Blanche Somerset, the daughter of the 6th Duke of Beaufort. He purchased his commission of Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery on 21st June 1856.

In the Second China War (Opium War) he was present at Sinho, Tangku, actions near Tangchow and the surrender of Pekin in 1860 serving with Staff of the 2nd Brigade under Brigadier General Sutton. He obtained the rank of Captain on 6th July 1867 and Major on 22nd September 1875,

By 1879 he was serving with 1/C Battery Royal Horse Artillery in Afghanistan and was present at the Battle of Futtehabad on 2nd April 1879. A force of about 1000 British and Indian soldiers under Brigadier General Gough fought some 5000 Khugiani tribesmen. The only British artillery present were 4 RHA guns under the command of Major Stewart and were fully employed during the engagement bombarding the Khugiani in their fortified positions. By then disengaging and retiring the guns and their cavalry escort, it prompted the Khugiani to leave their defensive positions to pursue the apparently retreating British. This was Gough’s plan and as the Khugianis chased the mounted troops they rushed passed the hidden infantry who poured a withering fire into the Afghans exposed flank. British casualties were light, but the Khugianis were thought to have lost 300 plus killed and over 800 wounded. Lieutenant Walter Hamilton of the Guide’s Cavalry won the Victoria Cross during the battle for rescuing a dismounted trooper. Major Alexander Stewart was also present in the engagement at and on the Gara Heights near Kam Dakka on 22nd April 1879. He was mentioned in dispatches and granted Brevet Lieutenant Colonel in the London Gazette dated 21st November 1879 for his efforts in Afghanistan

He attained the rank of Colonel on 22nd November 1883 and Major General on 29th December 1883 and subsequently died aged 57 on 6th January 1896.

The title of Earl of Galloway was created in 1623 for Sir Alexander Stewart who was a favorite of James VI (James I of England). The Earl also holds the subsidiary titles of Lord Garlies (created 1607) and Baron Stewart of Garlies (1796). Major General the Honourable Alexander Stewart never became Earl and died before his two older brothers who became the 10th and 11th Earls in turn.

The full medal details are 1861 Second China War Medal 2 clasps Taku Forts 1860, Pekin 1860 (Ord Offr Lt Hon 2nd Brigade/Staff) and 1881 Afghanistan Medal no clasp (Maj & Bt Lt Col Hon 1/C.R.H.A.) mounted in a purpose made contemporary travel display case.

Brigadier Charles Frederic Watson CMG DSO The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment

The collection of documents, letters, photos, drawings etc relating to Brigadier Charles Frederic Watson was well received in the will be offered in the February 2010 auction. It was estimated at £600 and realised £747.

Charles Frederic Watson was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Militia Forces on 22nd January 1896. He went to South Africa and fought in the Boer War with his Regiment and was mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette dated 8th February 1901 and awarded the Distinguished Service Order as a Lieutenant announced in the London Gazette dated 27th September 1901.

He went to France with the British Expeditionary Force soon after the outbreak of World War 1 and was soon in the thick of the action as his letters detail. He was again mentioned in dispatches in the London Gazette dated 20th October 1914, and promotion followed being appointed 2nd Grade Staff Officer as Brevet Major 27th February 1915, 1st Grade Staff Officer 13th February 1916, promoted Brevet Colonel (T./Brig Gen) 9th June 1919.

The above letter dated 24th September 1914: My Dearest Kiddie, At 3am on 14th, the 60th & Sussex were sent to seize a ridge – which they did, capturing 12 guns; then the Germans made a counter attack & drove them away, although they got supported later on. This was my Brigade – we got great kudos & hung on while other troops pushed upon either side. This ridge we are still holding now (10 days after) etc.

The above letter dated 2nd November 1914: My very very Dearest. I have lost count of days! – We have been fighting and words fail one at present. Only Boyd and I are left ! and 50 men!! We held an entire dud position in a salient and the Germans came on 3 sides and shelled us to pieces. Boyd and I were the last to leave. I am sending you details for you to pass on to the officers wives from me. Col Pell wounded in leg – broken – in pain left in a cafe cavern with a doctor but Germans surround us and we could not move him.

Having survived the heavy fighting on the Western Front in 1914, he commanded the 180th Brigade, 60th Division during the Palestine campaign in WW1 and is photographed outside the Jaffa Gate of Jerusalem commanding the liberators.

After the war he commanded a Royal Warwickshire Battalion from 1922-26 and served in the Indian Army 1927-31 as a Brigade and Brigade Area Commander.

This outstanding large collection of documents, letters, photos, drawings relating to Brigadier Charles Frederic Watson CMG DSO The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment included Commission Warrants 2nd Lieutenant Militia Forces dated 22nd January 1896, (thought to be his father’s - Frederic Watson 11th Foot Captain dated 26th September 1867 and Major dated 12th June 1880), bestowal documents CMG dated 1st January 1916, CMG Statutes, letter and envelope of transmission, a large quantity of photos of aerial reconnaissance, portrait photos in uniform (some with medals), officer groups, family, glass photo plates, 100-200 letters mostly to his wife from 1914-18, with detail of operations etc, wide range of censor marks and Field Post Office cancels, panoramic hand drawn and photo terrain sketches, Boer War notebook etc. An archive as complete as thi rarely comes available.

Outstanding Special Air Service WWII Distinguished Service Order group to Lieutenant Colonel John Anthony Marsh

The WWII DSO, OBE, twice MID group to Lt Col John Anthony Marsh, S.A.S, D.C.L.I. and Bermuda Regiment, was offered in our December 2009 auction, estimated at £10,000. Bidding opened at £13,000 and 4 telephone lines were in use to record bids. The final result was a staggering £33,000 hammer price. Adding in the buyer's premium, the total result was £37,950.

As an under officer in the OTC he qualified for the King’s Hundred at Bisley in 1938. When he left school he joined the Artist’s Rifles as a private before being commissioned in to the DCLI at the start of WWII. In 1942 he was posted to 1 DCLI but arrived just after the Battle of Bir-el-Harmat and found no battalion to join.

He successfully applied to transfer to the SAS and served with 1st SAS through the North African campaign and from September 1942 to February 1943 he fought with A Sqn under the famous Major Paddy Mayne raiding behind the German lines in the Western Desert. Later as right hand man to Harry Poat he took part in the Kufra raids, operating against Benghazi and as far as Tripoli West before returning to Kabrit. He is thought to have been the first Allied officer into Tripoli after the German surrender in North Africa.

After the conclusion of the North African campaign GHQ said there was no further use for the SAS and they should be disbanded. David Sterling by now was a prisoner of war and it was left to Paddy Mayne to fight for their survival. The result was the formation of the Special Raiding Squadron to be used for special assaults in support of the Army. The SRS was reduced to a strength of 300-350 with many disappointed officers and soldiers having to return to their original regiments. Captain Marsh was selected as the commander of A Section No 2 Troop in the newly formed SRS. Prior to the invasion of Italy he was in the Lebanon for ski training.

The first job for Captain Marsh and the SRS was the capture of the large coastal batteries at Capo Murro di Porco, preparing the way for the Sicily Invasion. The 6 heavy guns were entrenched on some cliffs near Syracuse with a garrison of about 700 and the battery had to be silenced before the main invasion force was to land. Landing under cover of darkness in heavy seas on the 10th July 1943, the SRS scaled the cliffs and succeeded in destroying the battery, killing some 100 Italian defenders and capturing over 200 more, this all for the loss of only 1 SRS soldier, a remarkable achievement.

They marched into Syracuse on 12th July and boarded their assault ship the Ulster Monarch. They were then almost immediately tasked with an attack on the Italian Naval Base of Augusta which was duly captured in the face of German and Italian opposition. The SRS continued planning and marching in Siciliy but the speed of the Allied advance foiled further planned raids.

The invasion of the Italian mainland commenced on 3rd September 1943 and ths SRS were soon called upon to land behind the German defensive lines at the town of Bagnara with Captain Marsh again being involved. There was heavy opposition from the German garrison but with the arrival of the main Allied forces the Germans withdrew leaving the town in Allied hands.

Three weeks later the SRS were to land and attack the port of Termoli on the Italian Adriatic coast. The aim was to disprupt German resistance to the advance of the Allied 78th Division up the coastline.

Major Marsh is mentioned in many of the SAS books including 24 pages about the Termoli attack in “These Men Are Dangerous” by D.I. Harrison an SAS officer who was in Captain Marsh’s troop.

The award of the D.S.O. to Captain Marsh was announced in the London Gazette dated 27th January 1944 for action with the Special Raiding Squadron at Termoli in October 1943. The citation was:

“Captain Marsh, with fifty six men, was holding a front of one mile on the right flank of the Sector west of TERMOLI. At mid-day on the 5th October 1943, his positions were subjected to very heavy and accurate shelling and mortar fire, at the height of which, his position was further weakened by the transfer of one of his Sections to another Sector. At this time the enemy were developing a determined counter-attack on his left flank. Despite the intensity of enemy fire he held fast and with his own fire pinned down groups of enemy infantry which attempted to infiltrate into his own position. Later in the afternoon several of his own men were badly wounded, whilst some distance away on his right flank his remaining other Section was being gradually forced back. Although by this time Capt Marsh’s position had become untenable, he refused to move until he was able to communicate his intention to the troops on his left. Meanwhile, with his few remaining men, he succeeded in beating off further attacks on his position by German Infantry.

Striking north to join up with his right hand Section he came across two wounded men. From them he learned that he was completely cut off but pushed on, taking his wounded men with him, until finally pinned down by machine gun fire. He eventually succeeded in evacuating all the wounded men to our own lines under cover of darkness although only 150 yards from an enemy post.

Throughout Captain Marsh showed great coolness and determination. His high standard of courage and complete disregard for personal safety throughout the Operation played a decisive part in saving a very dangerous situation.”

A letter written in 1985 from the DCLI Regimental Secretary to his wife says:

“You probably know that DSOs are normally awarded to Commanding Officers or Brigade Commanders for acts of distinguished leadership. For a young lieutenant to receive a DSO usually means that he was recommended for a VC, but that this was not subsequently awarded for some technical reason. Certainly I found the citation most inspiring to read and believe that it was written with the higher decoration in mind.”

The SAS have only been awarded a single Victoria Cross since its formation and this was to Major Anders Lassen for his actions in Italy in April 1945 when he was killed in action.

After his involvement in the Italian campaign, he returned to England in preparation for D-Day. After the invasion he was parachuted behind the enemy lines in command of C Sqn 1st SAS to help the Maquis with continual raiding in heavily armed jeeps, disrupting German communications and tying down large quantities of enemy troops that were badly needed at the front. He continued through the war in Belgium, Holland, Germany and finally Norway and was twice mentioned in dispatches published in the London Gazette dated 10th May and 8th November 1945.

After the war he was posted as a Staff Captain at South West District and then to 1 DCLI in Cyprus. After a further staff appointment in Tripoli he returned to England as Training Major of 21 SAS. In 1954 he rejoined 1 DCLI as OC A Coy in Bermuda. He retired in 1957 and returned to Bermuda to work for the Trade Development Board. Six months later he was commissioned into the Bermuda Militia Artillery that he commanded until the amalgamation of the island forces when he then took command of the Bermuda Regiment. While in this position he met a number of heads of state and VVIPs in an official capacity including J.F. Kennedy, Haile Selassie etc. On his retirement he was awarded the OBE in the London Gazette dated 30th June 1970. He died on 14th November 1984 in Bermuda and was accorded a state funeral.

The group is being sold on behalf of the family and has never before been on the market.

The full medal details are WWII Distinguished Service Order, OBE (Military), 1939-1945, Africa (8th Army clasp), Italy, France and Germany stars, Defence Medal, BWM (MID oakleaf loose) and KGVI FID DEF Territorial Efficiency Medal to Lt Col John Anthony Marsh S.A.S, D.C.L.I. and Bermuda Regiment (Capt J.A. Marsh D.S.O. D.C.L.I. on Efficiency).

The group was sold together with a wealth of original photos, documents, newspapers, etc, contained in a 2 large albums.

Charge of the Light Brigade group to Private Charles Watson 17th Lancers

The famous charge of The Light Brigade took place during the Battle of Balaklava on the 25th October 1854. The lead up to the attack and who issued what orders to whom are a typical Victorian web of intrigue. The end result was that Lord Cardigan led some 670 cavalrymen of The Light Brigade along what became known as the “Valley of Death”. The valley was dominated on either side by the Fedyukhin and Causeway Heights. These heights were manned by some 20 Russian infantry battalions with over 50 artillery pieces, with further batteries in a redoubt at the end of the valley.

The 17th Lancers were on the left of the front rank of the charge with the 13th Light Dragoons on the right. The other regiments in the following ranks were the 4th Light Dragoons, 8th and 11th Hussars. They were exposed to a withering barrage of musket fire and cannon balls from 3 sides for over a mile as they charged down the valley. The charge succeeded in reaching the redoubt and driving the Russians from the position. However once the impetus of the charge was lost and heavily outnumbered, the survivors were forced to retire back down the same valley subject to a further hail of fire depleting their ranks even further.

The total casualties were approximately 156 killed or missing and 122 wounded, with over 330 horses lost. It seems remarkable that the toll was not even higher considering the volume of fire that they faced. The 17th Lancers suffered the highest number of casualties with 24 killed and 37 wounded.

Pte Watson was 1 of only 4 men from the regiment along with Regimental Sergeant Major Charles Wooden, Sergeants John Shearingham and James Nunnerly to be awarded the French Medaille Militaire for the Crimean War, given with the citation “Alma, Balaklava and Inkermann, and were never absent from their duties.”

Lummis, Brighton and Sewell all confirm he rode in the charge. Roy Dutton in Forgotten Heroes states he enlisted in 1846 and died in Secunderabad on 21st January 1864, possibly from cholera. He also notes that a single Crimea Medal named to Watson was sold by Glendinning’s in 1923, 1928, 1935 and 1936 but never with the Indian Mutiny Medal.

Private Charles Watson's medals were offered in our December 2009 auction, on behalf of the family. They had never before been on the market and realised £11,500. The details of the group are as follows: 1854 Crimea Medal 4 clasps Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol engraved in a running script style C. Watson 17th Lancers, 1855 Turkish Crimea Medal (Sardinia) un-named as issued, 1858 Indian Mutiny no clasp impressed Pte Chas Watson, 17th Lancers.

Excellent WO1 RSM Black Watch Northern Ireland Mention in Dispatches Group for 37 years service

The Northern Ireland Mention in Dispatches group to Warrant Officer Class 1 Regimental Sergeant Major William Malarky, Black Watch, was offered in our December 2009 auction, on behalf of the recipient, with an estimate of £1,700. It attracted considerable attention from the bidders and eventually realized £5,750.

William Malarky enlisted in the Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment) on 8th August 1972 in Edinburgh. He served in 5 tours of Northern Ireland in 1975, 1976-77, 1982-83, 1985-86, 1990-91, tours of Hong Kong, Brunei, Belize, Germany, Rhodesia, Canada, Italy and Berlin. It was after the 1983 tour that as a corporal, he was Mentioned in Dispatches which was announced in the London Gazette dated 28th October 1983. It was awarded for outstanding service as the Divis Flats OP commander during the Black Watch 1983 Belfast tour.

Divis Flats was a 15 storey block of flats on Divis Street in Belfast where the Army had had an Observation Post (OP) since 1969, as it dominated the surrounding built up area. Every movement into and out of the OP perched on top of the flats was a battalion operation. There was a secure lift up to the top of the flats, and then someone within the OP would open the steel trapdoor and lower a ladder to allow access. The OP was manned by a 6 man team which Cpl Malarky commanded for most of his tour from December 1982 to May 1983. This sensitive position was under constant threat with its position known to the terrorists and all movement of personnel and re-supply being a potential target.

He reached the career pinnacle of WO1 RSM of Tayforth Universities OTC and was discharged on 22nd July 1997 on completion of his engagement. The summary of his Service Record states:

I have no hesitation in recommending WO1 Malarky to any prospective employer as a man of total integrity and loyalty who is not afraid of hard work and is prepared to try his hand at anything. He is very much a team player, which has been proved not only on the sportsfield, where he has represented his country and the Army, but also on Active Service, and I would expect him to settle into any new job very quickly. The Army’s enormous loss in WO1 Malarky’s departure will undoubtedly be the gain of his new civilian employer.

However he re-enlisted immediately on 24th July 1997 in the Royal Irish Regt (Home Service Part Time) as a CSgt and served with the 4th Bn in Counties Fermanagh and Tyrone. He was awarded a GOC’s Commendation in 2002 “in appreciation of your exceptionally valuable service in Northern Ireland as a Platoon Commander from July 1997 to March 2002.” He was discharged in January 2007 on the disbandment of the Royal Irish (HS) having completed nearly 37 years service.

The full medal details are 1962 CSM Northern Ireland clasp with MID oakleaf, 1980 Rhodesia Medal, 2002 Golden Jubilee Medal, Accumulated Campaign Service Medal with 1 clasp and QEII Regular Army bar LSGC to 24293802 WO1 RSM W. Malarky BW (Pte on CSM, Cpl on Rhodesia, SSgt on ACSM & LSGC). Sold with copies of MID & GOC’s Commendation certificates, 2 certificates of service on discharge dated 1997 and 2007, 2 Confidential Reports, letters of congratulations etc. A superb record of a career professional soldier’s service.

Outstanding Woman’s World War 2 French Resistance King's Medal For Courage in the Cause of Freedom Group

The French Resistance King's Medal For Courage in the Cause of Freedom, French 1939 Croix de Guerre with star group to Madame Margueritte di Giacomo caused some excitement in our December 2009 auction. Estimated at £3,500, it eventually sold for £4,025.

Madame Margueritte di Giacomo was a member of the Shelburn Resistance Group near Paris in 1944. She was a young mother who ran a hostel for hiding escaping Allied airmen and also assisted by guiding them through German lines. The various commendations show she helped between 36 and 40 airmen to escape, a remarkable woman.

The King’s Medal was awarded at the British Embassy in Paris in November 1946 for: “Madame Di Giacomo sheltered at least 36 Allied evaders; she fed them, and cared for them in every possible way until she was able to arrange for their evacuation. She also provided false papers and identity cards. Although she has a young daughter Madame Di Giacomo’s devotion to the Allied cause was such that she not only housed Allied evaders, but also did convoy work, and in August 1944 crossed the German lines with six evaders whom she guided to safety. Madame Di Giacomo was, at all times, an inspiration to those with whom she came in touch; she showed a complete disregard for her own safety and a fine patriotic spirit.” Only approximately 3200 King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom were issued and the number issued to women is not known.

The USA Medal for Freedom was presented in February 1947 for:

“Madame Di Giacomo, French Civilian, for exceptionally meritorious achievement which aided the United States in the prosecution of the war against the enemy in Continental Europe, from December 1943 to August 1944. She distinguished herself by her great courage, ingenuity, and determination in the performance of hazardous missions. Completely disregarding her personal safety she assisted directly in the evasion of thirty eight Allied airmen, and, through her unselfish devotion to the Allied cause contributed materially to the success of the war effort, thereby meriting the praise and recognition of the United States of America.”

The Croix de Guerre with star was granted on 17th March 1945 again for her assistance to Allied airmen.

The full medal details are King's Medal For Courage in the Cause of Freedom (Ladies Bow), French 1939 Croix de Guerre with star, 1939-45 Combat Volunteers Cross and USA Medal of Freedom with bronze palm to Madame Margueritte di Giacomo (all un-named as issued). Sold with copies of superb range of named supporting documents including British Deputy SCAEF certificate for helping Allied airmen, USA Presidential certificate for helping Allied airmen and tube of transmission, 2 Award certificates and citation for Croix de Guerre and star, French certificates for helping Allied airmen with Diploma of General de Gaulle, Diploma of L’Union Nationale des Evades, original citation and translation of King’s Medal, invitation to British Embassy to receive King’s Medal, Ministry of Defence attestation stating she served in Shelburn Resistance Group in 1944, list of 41 airmen she helped to escape, silk parachute with details of escapees typed on etc.

World War I Western Front DCM & MM group to CSM Rubery 1/6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment

The WWI Distinguished Conduct Medal and Military Medal group to Company Sergeant Major John Henry Rubery, 1/6th Royal Warwickshire Regiment, was offered in Warwick & Warwick’s auction on Wednesday 14th October 2009. It was estimated at £2,500 and realised £3,335.

John Henry Rubery enlisted on 1st March 1912 in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The 1/6th Warwicks disembarked in Le Havre, France on 23rd April 1915. It is likely that Pte/LCpl Rubery arrived with the battalion. The battalion spent late 1915 and first half of 1916 in the Hebuterne and Foncquevillers area of operations.

On 1st July 1916, the 1/6th and 1/8th Warwicks were in the lead attack of the 11th Infantry Brigade, 4th Division on the quadrilateral close by Munich Trench. Both battalions succeeded in reaching the quadrilateral and the cutting beyond, but suffering very heavy casualties they were unable to hold on and in the evening they were ordered to withdraw. The battalion remained on the Somme for the rest of the year.

On the 3rd February 1917 the battalion was in the line south of Biaches when they were subject to a very heavy bombardment and trench raid by the 1st Prussian Guards, who succeeded in getting into the British trenches where severe fighting took place. The battalion history records “No comment is needed except that eleven decorations awarded to the Battalion for that single action.” Division Routine Orders dated 27th April 1917 announced the award of the Military Medal to Sergeant Rubery, this was then confirmed in the London Gazette dated 26th May 1917. It is highly likely therefore that the MM was awarded for this action.

By the end of July 1917 the battalion had moved to the Ypres front in preparation for the Third Battle of Ypres. It suffered heavy casualties in August and after a rest returned for the Battle of Langemarck attack on 4th October. The battalion captured their initial objectives and by the end of the day had captured over 300 prisoners, 10 machine guns and 2 anti-tank guns, but this success came at a price with the battalion suffering 33 killed and 158 wounded. The battalion was later withdrawn to the Vimy Ridge area and then in November headed off to Italy.

The London Gazette dated 6th February 1918 announced the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal to Acting Company Sergeant Major Rubery “For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When his officers became casualties during and advance he took command of all the men in the neighbourhood and led them forward to the company’s objective, which he consolidated, capturing a large number of prisoners and several machine guns. His leadership and example were of the greatest value.” The DCM is highly likely to be for the Battle of Langemarck.

Company Sergeant Major John Henry Rubery was discharged on 29th March 1919.

The group is being sold on behalf of the family and has never before been on the market.

The full medal details are WWI Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal and 1914-15 star trio to 243115 W.O. Cl 2 J.H. Rubery R. War R. (1547 LCpl on star, Sjt 1/6 - T.F. on MM, A.C.S.Mjr 1/6 - T.F. on DCM) very fine and better. With copies of London Gazette, certificate of demobilization dated 29th March 1919, photo in uniform with wife, 2 photos later in life, 24 WWI greetings postcards mostly silks including Royal Warwickshire Regiment silk card, part of Birmingham Daily Mail dated 9th February 1918 announcing DCM etc.

Outstanding World War I DFC group to Lieutenant Spurling Royal Flying Corps

“A hero, straight from the pages of W.E. Johns”, is how one of our staff described the member of the Royal Flying Corps, whose medals we sold in our August 2009 auction. The WWI Distinguished Flying Cross and 1915 Star trio group to Lieutenant Arthur Rowe Spurling, Bermudan Volunteer Rifle Corps and Royal Flying Corps, estimated at £3,000, realised the magnificent figure of £12,650, including the buyer’s premium.

Arthur Rowe Spurling was born in Hamilton, Bermuda, on 19th May 1896. He attested in the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps (BVRC) on 11th February 1915 with number 989 and sailed with the first War Contingent of 1 officer and 88 NCOs and men for England on 8th May 1915. They were posted to the Lincolnshire Regiment, where Pte Spurling was allocated the number 17150.

A postcard, dated 1916, is addressed to “Ethel”

Dear Ethel, At last I am in England again but I had to go back to the line again after getting wounded in the hand on July 3rd and on the 13th I was wounded in the foot & buried for a few hours, so I was sent down to hospital with shell shock & wounded in the foot but now I have just come out of hospital in London & I am on leave.

He was commissioned on 29th July 1917, posted to the Royal Flying Corps School of Instruction at Hendon on 30th July 1917 and joined 89 Sqn on 30th August 1917. He graduated from the Military Wing and qualified for service in the RFC on 26th September and was posted to 40 Training Sqn Croydon on 7th October 1917. He was posted to France and joined 49 Sqn on 13th July 1918.

The award of the DFC was announced in the London Gazette dated 2nd November 1918.

On his return from a recent bombing raid, this officer was separated from his formation owing to clouds. After flying for some twenty minutes, and thinking that he was over our lines, he came down to find his position; seeing an aerodrome, he was preparing to land when, at 2000 feet, a Fokker biplane attacked his machine; Lieut Spurling than observed some thirty machines of the same type heavily camouflaged; with great gallantry he dived through the centre of the formation, shooting down one machine in flames; two others were seen to be in a spin, one of which crashed. Five of them then closed on his machine, but by skilful manoeuvring Lieut Spurling enabled his observer to shoot down two of these in flames. The three remaining aircraft broke off the combat and disappeared in the mist. A fine performance, reflecting the greatest credit on this officer and his observer. His observer, Sgt F.W. Bell, received the Distinguished Flying Medal for this action.

The Bermuda Colonist newspaper dated 18th October 1918 provides more detail.

A formation of British machines had been carrying out some important operations well over the German lines. On the return journey the weather suddenly became hazy, and one of the pilots lost touch with the formation in the clouds. The British pilot set his course due west, and flew on for some time. Having made what he thought was sufficient allowance for the distance to the British lines, he put down the nose of his machine and saw beneath him an aerodrome. The wind, however, freshened considerably, and so far as covering the ground was concerned he had been making only half the speed shown on airspeed indicator. As he circled over the aerodrome, preparing to land, a German Scout machine suddenly appeared from the clouds above him, and immediately to attack. Marveling at the unusual temerity of the German in daring to attack over an English aerodrome, the British pilot checked his descent and opened fire on his attacker. At this moment he became aware that no fewer than thirty German machines were actually climbing towards him from the aerodrome. Realising now that he was over an enemy aerodrome, he dived towards the first group of German squadrons, both he and his observer firing on every machine upon which they could get their guns to bear. The enemy pilots appeared too bewildered by the outstanding audacity of the British airmen to attack them effectively at first, and their own tremendous numerical superiority seemed further to confuse them. One German plane burst into flames in the air, two more went down spinning and side slipping completely out of control. Four enemy scouts had by this time got into position to attack, clinging to the tail of the British machine. Two of these were sent blazing to earth. Shaking himself clear of the remainder, the British pilot opened his throttle and sped homewards leaving on that German aerodrome three blazing wrecks, and two other crashed machines as a highly satisfactory outcome of what might have proved a fatal mistake.

He was credited with 6 victories, the 5 Fokker D.VIIs on 23rd August mentioned in the DFC citation and a further D.VII on 25th July 1918 all while flying a D.H.9 bomber. He was transferred to the unemployed list on 19th September 1919 and returned to a hero’s welcome in Bermuda on 22nd September. On March 3rd 1920 General Sir James Willcocks, the Bermudan Governor presented his DFC in the Hamilton Council Chambers.

In WWII he obtained his commission again and served in Canada with RAF Ferry Command. The Mid Ocean News newspaper dated 27th October 1942 records

Rowe Spurling, former Extra Revenue Officer, later in charge of transport censorship at Darrell’s Island and now Security Officer of RAF Ferry Command at Dorval with the rank of Flight Lieutenant, is credited with unearthing a Nazi spy, a radio operator, in the Ferry Command. Flt Lt Spurling learned from a woman enemy alien that her knowledge of the movements of aircraft came from English-born Brian Percy Pettit who represented himself to her as a member of the German Gestapo and had offered her a $100 a week job in California.

The group was sold on behalf of the family and had never before been on the market.

The full medal details are WWI Distinguished Flying Cross and 1914-15 star trio to Lieut A.R. Spurling R.A.F. (17150 Pte Linc R on star) good very fine to good extremely fine. Sold with a superb range of supporting documents including 1917 Commission Warrant, RFC Graduation certificate dated 26th September 1917, DFC case of issue, box envelope and transmission slip for pair, aviator’s certificate, soldier’s pay book, Training Brigade Transfer Card, hand written book of flying notes, set of 16 gilt RFC buttons, 10 silver coloured RAF buttons, 2 ribbon bars, typed notes for directing artillery fire from the air, RFC wings altered to RAF, RAF wings, 10 Bermuda newspapers all relating to Lt Spurling, etc.

Outstanding World War II Burma Wounded in Action MM group, to Corporal, later Major, P.D. Kelley, South Wales Borderers

The WWII Military Medal group to Acting Corporal and later Major Peter Douglas Kelley South Wales Borderers was offered in our auction on Wednesday 12th August 2009 and it realised £2,875.

The 6th SWB arrived in India in October 1942. They were involved in action from March 1944 onwards. The battalion was involved in a five-day battle with the Japanese 128th Infantry Regiment at Pinwe in mid November 1944. It was during this battle that Corporal Kelley was recommended for a commission for “gallantry and initiative at the Battle of Pinwe”, during which the battalion suffered over 150 casualties.

On the 14th February 1945 the Japanese launched a series of attacks against the Allied bridgeheads across the Shweli River. It was during these actions that Corporal Kelley earned the award of the Military Medal.

The citation stated:

On 16th February, 1945, during the action fought on the west bank of the Shweli River to cover the withdrawal of another Brigade Headquarters, this NCO led his section in an attack on a strong enemy road block between his company and Battalion Tactical Headquarters. During a bayonet charge on a Japanese light machine gun post, he was wounded and was evacuated to Company Headquarters for dressings. Later, he came back to his platoon, bandaged in several places, and reported to his Platoon Commander who was still engaged in attacking the road block. The Platoon Commander asked him what he was doing and where his equipment was. Corporal Kelley replied that he had returned to lead his section again, and that, if he had been seen picking up his equipment, his company Commander would not have allowed him to return. He rejoined his section, and after a quick reconnaissance ordered another attack on the same post, which was quickly captured in spite of heavy casualties. In this attack, Corporal Kelley personally accounted for four Japanese killed, but was himself again wounded, this time very severely. The personal courage and leadership of the NCO, both in this action and throughout the whole campaign, have been of the highest order.

N.B. Several weeks previously he had been recommended for a commission for “gallantry and initiative at the Battle of Pinwe.” His papers confirming the recommendation and posting him to Bangalore arrived at Battalion Headquarters a few days after the incident described above. The severe wounds received in this engagement however, have detained him in hospital for seven months and have so far prevented his proceeding with his commission as directed.

The medal group was offered together with a copy of a letter extract from Major D.C.W. Lord, 6th South Wales Borderers, South East Asia Command.

….Peter has always been a good keen soldier, far above the average intelligence and I am very sorry that he was unable to proceed to OCTU before he was wounded. The Commanding Officer was at the time loath to lose good leaders so his application was held up for a while whilst the C.O. attempted to obtain immediate commissions; unfortunately he failed. Peter is of course far too modest as it was his own personal example, leadership and bravery that gained his award; I only submitted what I saw. He was with me when I was the platoon commander of a special platoon, “Guerillas”, which consisted of potential officers and NCOs. During the time we were together I always found him one of the most reliable members of the platoon and certainly the coolest under fire. On the many patrols I did I always found Peter dressed ready and waiting to go out with me irrespective of which platoon was responsible for providing the patrol; that alone was a perfect example to all present, especially as conditions were very difficult at the time. He won his M.M. at Myitson at a later date but I expect he will tell you about his experiences when he arrives home. I only mentioned the above in an attempt to show you that he has most certainly earned every inch of ribbon he has won.

Included with the group was an exercise book with 42 complete pages of hand written notes on his service in Burma, containing fascinating details on jungle life. A brief extract follows.

To round off my picture without a mention of the men with whom it was my privilege to fight would be to leave this tale sadly incomplete. Of John, need more be said? Yes, one thing only and that is his complete disregard for personal danger in tight spots. To sum up, I saw him once sitting in a one man fox-hole reading “The Stars Look Down”. The Japs were about to attack again but John calmly sat there and told a signaler to “ring ‘em up and tell ‘em to hold everything ‘till I’ve finished the chapter!” Can you beat it? Besides John and myself there was – “Griff”, a devil-may-care young Welshman, he was lance corporal in charge of my light machine gun. He courted danger in the same light hearted manner in which he courted his sweetheart in South Wales, and it earned him a periodical MM for gallantry and devotion to duty. A former miner, he took life – and death – very casually….

The group was sold on behalf of the family and had never before been on the market.

The full medal details are WWII Military Medal, 1939-1945, Burma Stars, Defence Medal, BWM, QEII DEI GRATIA Cadet Forces Medal and Order of St Lazarus to Major P.D. Kelley MM ACF (6104867 A.Cpl S. Wales Bord on MM) very fine and better, some chipping to enamel on St Lazarus. Also sold with a letter from Rev Sparrow dated August 1945 to Mrs Kelley, Buckingham Palace letter of MM transmission, photo in uniform and an exercise book with 42 complete pages of hand written notes on his service in Burma.

Unique Boer War, World War I DSO group to RNAS Armoured Car Squadron

The Boer War, WWI Distinguished Service Order, 1914 Star trio and 3 Russian awards group to Major Wells-Hood was sold in our auction held on Wednesday 17th June 2009 and realised £70,150, including the buyer’s premium, after fierce bidding on 4 phone lines, including calls from Hungary and Belarus.

Private William Wells Hood served with the 66th Company Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry in the Boer War in South Africa and was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with Cape Colony, Transvaal and Wittebergen clasps and also the 66th Company Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal.

Before the start of World War I he had obtained a commission in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and was a Sub Lieutenant in 1914 in the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). It was the RNAS who raised the first British Armoured Car Squadrons in WWI with 6 squadrons of 12 vehicles each.

The London Gazette, dated 2nd May 1916, announced the award of The Order of St Anne Third Class to Lieutenant-Commander William Wells-Hood by His Majesty the Emperor of Russia in recognition of valuable services rendered. The London Gazette, dated 11th August 1917, announced the award Mention in Dispatches.

The award of his Distinguished Service Order was announced in the London Gazette, dated 17th May 1918 - “This officer joined the Armoured Cars at the outset of war, and served with them in Belgium, South-West Africa, France, the Caucasus, Armenia, the Dobrudja, and Galicia. Throughout the Galician retreat he fought every day and night, under every sort of difficulty, always cheerful and ready, and inflicted very heavy casualties on the enemy. His last fights round Gusiatyn were very severe, and drew the praise of the Russian General in command. In the last day’s fight he brought down an enemy aeroplane.”

He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps (Motor) as a temporary major on 1st June 1918, with seniority backdated to 3rd April 1916. He finally relinquished his commission on 17th December 1920 and retained the rank of major.

The group was sold on behalf of the family, who live locally and has never before been on the market.

The full medal details are WWI KGV Distinguished Service Order, 1899 QSA 3 clasps Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, 66th Company Yorkshire Imperial Yeomanry Medal, 1914 star trio and bar with MID oakleaf, Russian Order of St George 4th Class, Order of St Vladimir Medal with Swords, Order of St Anne 3rd Class, WWII Defence Medal and BWM.

British North Borneo Company's Medals from the Collection Of Alan Cathery

Five of these very rare Silver Crosses, and four in Bronze were issued to those serving in the North Borneo Armed Constabulary, for gallantry during a number of small police actions between 1884 and 1915. These involved the pursuit of bandits and rebels, largely via rivers meandering through mangrove swamps and the across jungle clad hills, in tropical rainstorms (with rainfall up to 200 inches a year, mostly in the afternoons) with ambushes and much sweat and toil by British Company officers, with Sikh and Malay (Sugat) police, Dyak guides and local Dusan and Kadazan porters.

An example of the circumstances resulting in these awards is given on Owen Rutters British North Borneo 1922, describing the attack on Mat Sallah's Ranau fort near Tambunan on 13th December 1897, during which Mr Jones and 4 Sikhs were killed and 9 wounded. "Throughout the action the Indian police behaved splendidly, even after the severe handling they had received, and were anxious to make a second attempt. During the action, Sergt. Natna Singh, although himself seriously wounded, succeeded after two attempts in picking up Mr Jones's body and carrying it back to a place of safety, after which he returned to the attack. For this gallant action in face of a point-blank fire he was given a commission and the Company's Cross for Valour".

They were made by Joseph Moore Ltd of Birmingham, and the hallmark is that for 1890.

The medal was unsold in our June 2009 auction, but realised £529 when reoffered in our August 2009 sale.

British North Borneo Company Medal, bar 'PUNITIVE EXPEDITION'

This, originally issued unnamed, was awarded to those who took part in "punitive expeditions in 1897-98, including actions at Inanam, Ranau, Ambong, Labuk and Sugat, western British North Borneo" (now Sabah, Malaysia). Source: The Medals Collector by S.C.Johnson 1920.

In July 1897 Mat Salleh attacked a small Government post on Gaya Island, just offshore from Jesselton, capital of the West Coast, (now Kota Kinabalu). He killed a Sikh policeman and captured Mt. Neubronner. Three days later, a small force under Mr Hewitt, the resident of Labuan, recaptured Gaya and with 78 police and Sikh police and Dyaks, blocked the Inanam river mouth, captured 2 forts and recovered much loot and Mr Nuebronner, unharmed. Salleh escaped, but again sallied forth, raiding Ambong. He then retreated to Ranau, in the shadow of Mt. Kinabalu (13,455 feet), and was attacked by Hewitt along with 38 Sikh, Sugat and Pathan police and a 7 pounder gun. Mat Salleh again fled but was later cornered and killed at Tambunan near Ranau in December 1897.

Spinks records 13 silver and 75 bronze medals as being awarded with this bar. The silvers were named to officers, and the bronzes, issued unnamed, were in some cases engraved, both officially and privately, and in 1906 could be exchanged for a new silver issue.

The medal was offered in our June auction and realised £460.

Victorian Campaign Medals Popular.

Victorian campaign medals were well received at the auction held on April 8th 2009. The following results were obtained.

• 1849 Punjab Medal, with Mooltan clasp, to Archd Donaldson, 32nd Foot, with repaired suspender and plug, together with 1859 War Office letter accompanying the medal and research, estimated at £200, realised £299.
• 1899 Canada G.S.M., with Fenian Raid 1866 clasp, to Pte C.L. Sanders Barrie I. Co, estimated at £220, realised £299.
• 1879 South Africa Medal, with 1878 clasp, to 1850 Pte F. Allen 80th Foot, estimated at £250, realised £380.
• 1885 North West Canada Medal, without clasp, engraved to Sergt Thos Salons, estimated £240, realised £276.

• Group consisting of 1896 India Medal, with 2 clasps of Punjab Frontier 1897-98 and copy of Tirah 1897-98, together with 1899 QSA with 3 clasps of OFS, Transvaal and South Africa 1902 and WWI 1914 Star trio and clasp, to L – 4408 Pte F. Stanesby, The Queen’s R., estimated at £350, realised £690.
• 1899 Queen’s Sudan Medal, to 957 Pte J. Murphy 2 / R. Bde, estimated £240, realised £299.

• 1900 China War Medal, with Relief of Pekin clasp, together with WWI B.W.M., to 4193 Pte W. Thomas 2nd RI Welsh Fus, estimated at £400, realised £448.
• 1902 Coronation (Police Ambulance Service) Medal, to Pte A. Taylor, estimated at £150, realised £391.

• 1903 Transport Medal, with 2 clasps of China 1900 and S. Africa 1899 – 1902, to J.W. Ross (only 178 issued with both clasps), estimated at £900, realised £1,552.
• A Boer War Distinguished Conduct Medal group realised £3,795 and a full report appears on our Articles Library page.