LT Gubbins Victorian Mounted Rifles is standing top left in group photo
Group of six; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa five clasps “Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902” (2/Lieut. S. Gubbins, Rl. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (Major S. Gubbins, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. S. Gubbins),
It appears Stamer Gubbins was born in New Zealand on passage to Australia in 1882. Gubbins family settled in Melbourne where he was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. Joining the 5th Contingent, Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1900 as a lieutenant at the age of 18, he served in South Africa during the Boer War. After serving his full tour with the 5th VMR he went on to serve in the Royal Fusiliers in 1902.
Having then been seconded to the West African Frontier Force in Nigeria 1904-09, and been advanced to Major, Gubbins was embarked for France in June 1915, where he commanded the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers from August of that year until May 1916.It was during this period that he won his D.S.O. for the Battalion’s attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt (a.k.a. The Chord) on 2 March. On that occasion, the attack was launched at 5.45 p.m. with the detonation of seven mines, the largest of which was intended to wreck the bulk of The Chord. Certainly the earth thrown up by the mines partly covered the enemy’s wire, thereby allowing Gubbins’s men - and the neighbouring 8th Battalion - to gain access to the enemy’s defences, but not without significant loss. As stated in The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, the 9th Battalion ‘found many Germans in their sector of The Chord who, though dazed, did not surrender and had to be killed. There followed a number of fierce grenade fights, the Germans rushing down from the north end of The Chord and along the trenches leading from the east into it ... but the craters were held against enemy bombing attacks during the night.’
D.S.O. London Gazette 15 April 1916:
‘This officer commanded his Battalion in an attack, the success of which was due to the excellent organisation he had established in his Battalion, and to the fighting spirit he had fostered in it.’
O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.
“For valuable service rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt”
Gubbins, who was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916, refers), later served in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, services that resulted in his award of the O.B.E. After a long adventure away from Australia, Gubbins finally returned in 1938 with his wife. He died in 1940.
Mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to wreaths on the first, otherwise good very fine SOLD
LT Gubbins Victorian Mounted Rifles is standing top left in group photo
Group of six; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa five clasps “Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902” (2/Lieut. S. Gubbins, Rl. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (Major S. Gubbins, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. S. Gubbins),
It appears Stamer Gubbins was born in New Zealand on passage to Australia in 1882. Gubbins family settled in Melbourne where he was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. Joining the 5th Contingent, Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1900 as a lieutenant at the age of 18, he served in South Africa during the Boer War. After serving his full tour with the 5th VMR he went on to serve in the Royal Fusiliers in 1902.
Having then been seconded to the West African Frontier Force in Nigeria 1904-09, and been advanced to Major, Gubbins was embarked for France in June 1915, where he commanded the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers from August of that year until May 1916.It was during this period that he won his D.S.O. for the Battalion’s attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt (a.k.a. The Chord) on 2 March. On that occasion, the attack was launched at 5.45 p.m. with the detonation of seven mines, the largest of which was intended to wreck the bulk of The Chord. Certainly the earth thrown up by the mines partly covered the enemy’s wire, thereby allowing Gubbins’s men - and the neighbouring 8th Battalion - to gain access to the enemy’s defences, but not without significant loss. As stated in The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, the 9th Battalion ‘found many Germans in their sector of The Chord who, though dazed, did not surrender and had to be killed. There followed a number of fierce grenade fights, the Germans rushing down from the north end of The Chord and along the trenches leading from the east into it ... but the craters were held against enemy bombing attacks during the night.’
D.S.O. London Gazette 15 April 1916:
‘This officer commanded his Battalion in an attack, the success of which was due to the excellent organisation he had established in his Battalion, and to the fighting spirit he had fostered in it.’
O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.
“For valuable service rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt”
Gubbins, who was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916, refers), later served in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, services that resulted in his award of the O.B.E. After a long adventure away from Australia, Gubbins finally returned in 1938 with his wife. He died in 1940.
Mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to wreaths on the first, otherwise good very fine SOLD
$15
Magars Boys, A biographical history of the 8th Light Horse By C. Simpson.
$150
MAJOR LEWIS ONE OF THREE 2/6TH TO SURVIVE BORNEO & SANDAKAN
Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to WX3338 T. T. Lewis
Major Travers Thorold (Peter) Lewis, an architect from Cottesloe, WA, enlisted on 1 May 1940 having previously served in the Militia in the RAE from 1935.
On the outbreak of war he was appointed as a Captain in the 2/2nd Field Company, then on the 14th November he was given command of the 2/6th Field Park Coy,
He embarked on to Malaya in Jun 1941, and the unit was based in Malacca in support of the two Field Engineer Company’s 8th Division located with the 27th Bde, Segamat sector.
He was promoted to Major on 24th December and after the 2/30th Battalion ambush at Gemas on 14th January 1942, 27th Bde conducted a fighting withdrawal to Singapore. The 2/6th Fd Park Coy suffered casualties from Japanese artillery and air attacks, before withdrawing to Singapore on the 9th February. A further six men of the 2/6th were killed prior to the 8th Division surrendering to the Japanese and the survivors imprisoned in Changi.
Whilst in the Changi camp he played a role in designing the Chapel before being shipped to Borneo on the Ume Maru with ‘B’ Force in July, arriving in Sandakan.
Major Lewis was tasked with building an airfield at Sandakan. The design and construction of the runway was sabotaged and deliberately delayed by the prisoners. The Kempeitai suspected him of being involved in intelligence activities and he was sent to Kuching and jailed for the remainder of the war.
When finally recovered he was suffering malnutrition and temporary blindness and was hospitalized before returning to Australia via Morotai. He was discharged in January 1946, one of 145 WA POW transported to Borneo, and one of seven to have survived. He was one of only three of the 2/6th Fd Park Coy to survive Borneo, with the remainder dying at Sandakan 1 and 2 camps, or on death marches. He returned to architecture post war, and died in Cottesloe, WA on 6 Apr 1955
EF SOLD
Medals to the Armstrong family:
Three: Private Richard Armstrong, 2nd Battalion Australian Imperial Forces, who died of wounds suffered at Gallipoli, 27 July 1915
1914-15 Star (464 Pte., 2/Bn. A.I.F.); British War and Victory Medals (484 Pte., 2-Bn. A.I.F.); Memorial Plaque (Richard Armstrong)
Pair: Driver George Armstrong, 2nd Division Ammunition Column, Australian Imperial Forces, who died on 30 October 1918
British War and Victory Medals (15630 Dvr., 2-D.A.C. A.I.F.); Memorial Plaque (George Armstrong)
Pair: Driver W. Armstrong, 2nd Division Ammunition Column, Australian Imperial Forces
British War and Victory Medals (15631 Dvr., 2-D.A.C. A.I.F.)
Note: Medals to three brothers, the sons of James and Elizabeth Armstrong, of Gossings, Road Head, Carlisle, England:
Richard Armstrong was born in Carlisle, Cumberland, England. A Carpenter by occupation, he attested for the Australian Imperial Force at Sydney, N.S.W. on 24 August 1914. Serving with the 2nd Battalion A.I.F. in Gallipoli, he was wounded in action at Gallipoli during the period 28 April-2 May 1915 - suffering a gunshot wound to the head. Evacuated to a hospital in Cairo, then Alexandria, he was at length invalided to Netley Hospital in England. He died there on 27 July 1915, aged 32 years and was buried in Netley Military Cemetery. With copied service papers.
George and W. Armstrong were the twin brothers of Richard Armstrong who enlisted together, as evidenced by their consecutive service numbers. Driver George Armstrong, 16th Battery, 6th Brigade, Australian Field Artillery, died on 30 October 1918, aged 28 years. He was buried in Etretat Churchyard Extension, Seine-Maritime, France.
Good very fine and better SOLD
$20
$15
Member of the Order of Australia name erased and comes with lapel pin
VF $585
Memorial Plaque. Correct one piece cast named to James Martin Keleher.
2696 Private James Martin Keleher embarked in November 1915 with the 3rd Battalion AIF.
KIA 25th July 1916 Villers - Bretonneux
Private Keleher was sadly only 18 years when he fell.
VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque. Correct one piece cast named to John Shevland.
John Shevland was a 2nd Class Waiter with the Mercantile Marine on the R.M.S. Lusitania
The sinking of the R.M.S. Lusitania on the 7th of May 1915 by the German U-boat U-20 is seen as one of the most important events in WW1 and is often argued as the reason America entered the war. Period reports give the casualties of the Merchant Marine at roughly 400. Considering the amount that would still be with families, on graves or in museums, makes this culturally important and rare.
Note: There is only one "John Shevland" listed with the War Graves Commission, so there can be no doubt that this is his.
VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to ARTHUR PERCY MARTIN.
135 PTE Arthur Percy Martin embarked on the 18th November 1915 from Adelaide with the 32nd Battalion AIF.
He was Killed in Action on the 20th July 1916 France (Fromelles) at the age of 19
Red Cross eye witness report from L/CPL Redman gives us the following insight “He was A Company. At Fleurbaix about 6:30 in evening. 19th July 1916. I saw Martin in Enemy’s first Line of Trench. He had been wounded by shrapnel or bullet in shoulder. I helped bandage him up and had to leave him. Was conscious and was groaning a good deal. He wanted to know if his arm was off. There was heavy shelling over the trench all night. I was taken prisoner”
Memorial details: VC Corner Australian Cemetery and Memorial, Fromelles, Lille, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Place of Association: Curramulka, South Australia
Slight surface marks otherwise VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to CHARLES ALBERT KEMP.
3165 Private Charles Albert Kemp embarked on the 18 January 1916 from Fremantle with the 28th Battalion AIF.
KIA 29th July 1916 Pozierres
Villers – Bretonneux Memorial
3252 Private Ryan’s witness report states ”Kemp was killed instantly by shell fire, during an attack at Pozierres on July 29th, 1915. I was near him when he was hit by a high explosive shortly after we had “stepped over”, He was terribly injured every limb being shattered. It was not possible to bury him, and we had to leave him in no man’s land, we could not bring him in, Enemy fire was to heavy. Ground was not held. He was about 5’7 well built , fair 33 years. Was a miner from Leonora, West Australia.” (Red Cross file AWM)
Good VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to CHARLES WILLIAM WINKLER.
3968 Pte Charles William Winkler embarked on the 2nd December 1915 from Adelaide with the 10th Battalion AIF.
Private Winkler was Killed in Action on the 11th August 1918 France at the age of 21
Sgt Duncan also of 10th Battalion gave the following account of Private Winklers death, “Fritz was counter attacking at Crepey-Wood, came through a gap in our front line and 5 of us in a dug out found ourselves surrounded. A few shots were exchanged, and he was killed by a rifle shot in the body fired at point blank range. The rest of us were captured but got away about an hour later when the enemy were driven off. He died practically instantly.”
Memorial details: Heath Cemetery, Picardie, France
Place of association: Wallaroo, South Australia
Slight surface marks otherwise VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to ERNEST BENNETT.
807 SGT Ernest Bennett embarked on the 25th June 1915 from Sydney with the 18th Battalion AIF. Address at the time of embarkation was the NSW Motor Cycle Association
He was Killed in Action on the 22nd August 1915 Gallipoli (Hill 60)
Memorial details: Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli
“The fresh 18th Battalion went straight from the beach to Hill 60 and emerged with just 386 of its original 1000 men.” Max Blenkin
Comes with copy photograph
Slight surface marks otherwise VF $575
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to FRANK GREEN.
Frank Green embarked in August 1916 from Melbourne as the Australian YMCA Representative (attached 3rd Infantry Brigade).
Frank Green died of illness on the 27th October 1918 France at the age of 26
Memorial details: Abbeville Communal Cemetery Extension, Abbeville, Picardie, France
Place of association: Caulfield, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Attached is an fascinating account of life on the front with the YMCA written by Frank Green himself prior to his death
Slight surface marks otherwise VF $300
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to GEORGE ADOLPHUS HERBERT MORTON, along with his 1914/15 star correctly named “1411 PTE G. A. H. MORTON 18/BN A.I.F.”
1411 PTE George Morton embarked on the 25th June 1915 from Sydney with the 18th Battalion AIF. Address at the time of embarkation was Wallendbeen NSW
He was Killed in Action on the 22nd August 1915 Gallipoli (Hill 60)
Memorial details: Lone Pine Memorial Gallipoli
“The fresh 18th Battalion went straight from the beach to Hill 60 and emerged with just 386 of its original 1000 men.” Max Blenkin
Comes with copy photograph
Edge knocks to the side of the plaque otherwise VF, 1914/15 Star is EF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to GEORGE MAYNARD.
6102 PTE George Maynard embarked on the 25th October 1916 from Sydney with the 17th Battalion AIF.
He was Killed in Action on the 9th October 1917 Ypres Belgium at the age of 35
Memorial details: Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Flanders, Belgium
Place of Association: Gladesville, New South Wales, Australia
Slight surface marks otherwise VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to SAMUEL FENTON ROSE.
629 Corporal Samuel Fenton Rose embarked on the 25th June 1915 with the 18th Battalion AIF “B” Coy
KIA 4th August 1916 Villers – Bretonneux
Note: Corporal Rose next of kin is noted as Cape town, Cape Colony South Africa
VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to THOMAS CLARKE.
2041 Pte Thomas Clarke embarked on the 16th August 1914 from Thursday Island with the 41st Battalion AIF.
Private Clarke died of Illness (Cerebrospinal meningitis) on the 12th April 1916 in the Brisbane General Hospital Australia
Cemetery details: Toowong Cemetery, Toowong, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Place of association: Cairns, Queensland
Note: Private Clarke saw initial service with the ANMEF
Slight surface marks otherwise VF $245
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to WILLIAM CUNNINGHAM QUINN.
Comes with article stating the following “Private William Cunningham Quinn enlisted aged 19, on 17 May 1916, and embarked for overseas service on 30 Sept. 1916 with the 54th Battalion reinforcements. Educated at Christian Brothers’ School Balmain he was employed as an ‘indoor Messenger’, residing with his mother in Auburn, prior to enlistment. He served in France until he was returned to Australia on 16 March 18 suffering from TB, contracted in the trenches. He died of TB at the Military Hospital, North Head on 23 June, 1918. He is commemorated in perpetuity at the Commonwealth War Graves Section. Rookwood Necropolis”
Note: Rare to have a death plaque to a soldier who died on Australian soil.
Gd VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to WILLIAM HENRY PERKINS.
2971B Pte William Henry Perkins embarked on the 25th October 1916 from Sydney with the 55th Battalion AIF.
He was Killed in Action on the 15th April 1917 France with the 17th Battalion at the age of 20
Private J. C. Jones of C Company 17th Battalion gives the following account of Private Perkins death “near Bapaume on April 17th, in a surprise attack in which they were forced to retire. He was wounded in the head and very severely in the legs and he is sure that his death was instantaneous.”
Memorial details: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Place of association: Tumbarumba, New South Wales
Slight surface marks otherwise VF SOLD
Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to WILLIAM RAE.
4915 PTE William Rae embarked on the 7th March 1916 from Sydney with the 5th Battalion AIF.
William Rae died of wounds on the 14th August 1916 in France serving with the 58th Battalion at the age of 47
Memorial details: Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension, Estaires, Nord Pas de Calais, France
Slight surface marks otherwise VF SOLD
Men of Beersheba 4th Light Horse Rgt. By N. Smith.
SOLD
