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Randwick to Hargicourt. 3 Bn. By Eric Wren (Burridge reprint).

SOLD

Rare 1930’s log book and photo of Edwin Willis of 20A Kingsley Hall East Melbourne.

Address of present employer: Dunlop Perdriau Rubber Coy 108 Flinders St Melbourne.

Other than personal information his flight record covers two pages in the book with the last entry being 1937.

Note: The photo shows Edwin Willis wearing an unusual (non RAAF) winged “B” on his flight suit.

$295

RARE AFC PILOTS GROUPING

Three: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. All three correctly impressed to 1507 DVR C. A. ALISON 8/A.S.C. A.I.F. on star and 2/LIEUT. On pair. 

Colin Archibald Alison Enlisted in the 301^st Motor Transport A.S.C. on the18th September 914

Seldom seen 1914/15 Star earned whilst serving as part of the A.I.F. in France (not Gallipoli)

18^th September 1917 marched in at the rank as sergeant from France to be attached to the Australian Flying Corps training depot England

On the 4^th of January 1918 he joined Number 2 Royal Flying Corps School of Aeronautics as a cadet to qualify as a Pilot

Taken on strength in 8^th Squadron Australian Flying Corps as a pilot on the 5^th May 1918

29^th June 1918 made 2/Lieutenant as a result of graduated as a Flying Officer (Pilot) with his Commanding Officer stating, “A very good pilot, will make a good officer”.

To graduate category “A” which Alison did a pupil must have

1.     Undergone instruction at a school of Aeronautics

2.     Completed 25 hours Solo and Dual

3.     Attained Flying Standard “V” on an elementary machine

4.     Flown a Graduation Aeroplane satisfactorily

5.     Climbed to 10,000 feet, remained there for at least 15 minutes, after which he will land with his engine stopped, the aeroplane first touch the ground and coming to a halt within a marked circle 150 yards in diameter

6.     Passed the following tests:-

(a)   Formation Flying. Satisfactorily maintained his position in formation flights for a total of four hours

(b)   Forced landings. Four forced landings in fields not forming part of Aerodrome

(c)   Cloud Flying. While taking full control of machine remained three minutes in clouds with instructor.

(d)   Aerial Gunnery. While diving at a ground target taken two successful photographs of the target from 1500 feet or under.

5^th October 1918 on Command at R.A.F. Fighting School Harske from 8^th Squadron A.F.C

1^st March 1919 appointment terminated 2^nd Military District ex “Marsina”

Note: The rarity of any AFC pilots group to the market can be fully appreciated in the fact only 410 Australians served as Pilots during WW1 in the Australian Flying Corps.

VF + $2400

Rare Arundel marked Rising Sun Hat Badge

WW1 or WW2 period which has been gold plated

& converted to pin back. Looks stunning

$245

Rare collar variety with blank maker name

plates, made in the English style.

Never encountered before

SOLD

Rare diary for HMAS NIZAM. Covering the period from July 1941 to March 1943.

The diary entries go up to page 113 with multiple days being covered on most pages (due to its large size). Each page typically records the date (exact timings), the ship’s location or course, a summary of events, and many remarks or references to the day’s activities. Page one starts with the following; “Diary as from my joining the ship in Alexandria” (2^nd July 1941). No name accompanies the diary.

The diaries pages vary greatly in the amount and level of detailed information it contains from day to day. Some days in the Middle East are very active compared to others. This is a historical record of the ship’s administration, operations, and activities, and was highly frowned upon in case it fell into enemy hands.

Example of an active day’s entry;

“Sunday 23^rd

“0300 Left Alex. In/c with “Napier”, “Jackal”, “Kipling” + “Hasty” to do anti sub sweep in front of A.M.C. “Glenroy” + A/A Cruiser “Carlisle” . “Glenroy” loaded with tanks and troops for Tobruk. 1600 the two ships were attacked by torpedo bombers & “Glenroy” hit Aft. “Carlisle” took her in tow. We raced back at full speed & just before we reached scene we were attacked. Fierce barrage drove them off and they machine gunned the Jackal killing one man. Fish dropped at us but missed by a mile. Caught up with “Carlisle” + “Glenroy” + did A/S sweep around them.”

Due to the large amount of sensitive detail in this diary along with the educated manner in which it is written, one would assume this is written by a senior officer.

In conclusion, there can be no doubt that this “untouched” and “unpublished” diary is an extremely rare piece of Australian Naval history.

Great condition with all pages clear and eligible SOLD 

Rare example of a WW2 era Armoured Corps

White metal Rising Sun Hat Badge.

Note the “Halo” between the rays of the sun.

Never encountered this variety before

SOLD

Rare Flavell Rising Sun collar

SOLD

Rare H. Arendsen Melb. Rising Sun collar Pair

Rare set of Western Australian Rising Sun collar badges maker marked "SHERIDAN PERTH WA"

Rare set of Western Australian Rising Sun badges

Maker marked "SHERIDAN PERTH WA"

SOLD

Rare unmarked collar variety possibly made pre WW1 or in between WW1/2 due to no sign of being oxidised. Note long scroll & lugs close together.

Red & White Diamond 24^th Bn. By W.J. Harvey (Burridge cover, scuffed).

SOLD

Reverend Bradley middle row, third from the right

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to HON CAPT J L BRADLEY

John Leo Bradley, born September 14^th 1886 in Ashbourne Derbyshire joined CEF embarking from Montreal for overseas service on the 8^th July 1916.

Posted to 238^th Bn (Forestry) 2^nd October 1916 France

3^rd February 1917 taken on strength “D. of C. Hp.” as Roman Catholic Chaplain. followed by postings at various casualty clearing stations, the 5^th Can. Div, Artillery Brigade, Witley Camp then 4^th Can. Div Artillery Brigade.

Transferred to Imperial Chaplains Services, C. Gen. Depot. S’cliffe on the 5^th August 1918

Research shows post war service in the Canadian Militia, Ottawa, Ontario.

Note: Comes with original Canadian Chaplin’s badge and research suggesting that Reverend Bradley was reverend to King George VI. The ribbon at the end of his medal group represents the “Royal Warrant Holders Association Medal” and further supports this. Further research is required to ascertain the relationship with King George VI.

VF SOLD

Riders of Destiny 4^th LH Field Ambulance by P. M. Hamilton       

SOLD

Trio: 1914-15 Star correct impressed style to 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F. (unit details are faint due to weak striking); British War and Victory Medals correctly impressed 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F.

This group comes with a beautifully designed certificate of service outlining the following;

"Leslie Hilland Bruce Hudd was born in McLaren Vale, South Australia. A Lithographer by occupation and a member of the Public Service Rifle Club, he enlisted into the 9^th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. on 3 September 1915. He embarked for overseas service at Adelaide, aboard the Geelong, 18 November 1915, as part of the 12^th Reinforcements to the 9^th Light Horse and landed at Egypt. With the unit Hudd served in the raid on the Turkish outpost of Jifjafa in the Sinai, April 1916. On 5^th August 1916 he served in the mounted attack on the Turks occupying the high ridge at Hamisah and on 9^th August took part in the heavy fighting at Bir el Abd, where the light horsemen were attacked by near overwhelming numbers of Turks. The stubborn steadiness of the Light Horsemen, fighting throughout, in the heat of the day, saved the retreat from becoming a route. Casualties were heavy with eight officers and sixty-five other ranks killed and thirty-three officers and two hundred and ten other ranks wounded. In October 1916 Trooper Hudd was transferred to the H.Q. of the 3^rd Light Horse. This unit later took part in the actions at Mazar, El Arish, Magdhaba and Rafa. His papers record that Hudd had several run-ins with authority - noting 'neglect of duty' in failing to clean his rifle, in May 1917 and 'failing to salute an officer', in August 1918. Hudd returned to Australia aboard the Delta on 2 August 1919."

Nearly VF SOLD

Mathew Watters is remembered on the Helles Memorial

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War and Victory medal correctly impressed to 7310 PTE M. WATTERS R. SC: FUS: Watters is incorrectly spelt with one "T" on BWM & VM which is how it is spelt on the British War and Victory Medal roll of the Royal Scots Fusiliers (copy included).

Mathew Watters was tragically killed whilst "A" Coy (1/5th R.S.F) re-occupied their trench line on the peninsular during heavy fighting on the 12th July 1915. The battalion diary states that the total casualties of the Battalion in the two days were as follows, KILLED; 6 Officers. 61 men. WOUNDED; 1 Officer, 139 men, MISSING; 8 men. (Copy included)

"Information was received by Mr and Mrs H. Watters 164 Rankinston on the 9th inst. That their son, L/CPL Mathew Watters 7310 "A" Coy 1/5th R.S.F. has been killed in action on the 12th July in the Dardanelles. Young Mr Watters who was a miner to trade, joined in August of last year and left with the battalion in May for the Dardanelles." Ayrshire Post 20th August 1915 (typed extract included)

VF SOLD 

rio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3234 PTE. G. A. THORNBERRY. 52ND/ AUST INF: (MT-DVR shown as rank on BWM)

Emb.23rd December 1916

Military Medal London Gazette 17th December 1917

WIA 5th April 1918 (Shrapnel Wound Left Thigh)

Discharged 1 September 1919

Interesting to note that his occupation in 1916 was as a Motor Driver. Also mentioned in Neville Browning's "The 52nd Battalion A. I. F." page 159 "The enemy bombardment constantly damaged the signal line from Brigade and Battalion Headquarters to the front line companies...... Whenever the lines were broken, runners had to deliver messages by hand and Privates E.J. O'Neill and G.A. Thornbury were awarded Military Medals for this work"

Near EF SOLD

$235

Numerous copies of 5 MAI 1915 were made throughout the UK. This example is not common being nonmagnetic white metal.

VF $135