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Single: Turkish Crimea 1855, French issue, unnamed, fitted with a bar suspension.

SOLD

Single: United States Bronze Star correctly named to Charles H Brown in box of issue along with the Secretary of the Army’s award card.

A period Newspaper clipping gives an insight into Charles’s service and award

“At the time, Mr Brown was a Technician Fourth Grade, assigned to duty with the 101^st Coast Artillery Battalion (AA).

Technician Brown performed meritorious service from September to November, 1942. The citation accompanying the medal said, “He volunteered to help build the important road from Port Moresby to Ioribaiwa. This road, constructed over a very treacherous jungle mountain range, speeded up supply of the Australian Army. Technician Brown’s initiative and devotion to duty made an important contribution to the successful defense of Port Moresby.”

Antiaircraft played an important role in the Papuan Campaign. Its units were among the most forward elements and in their activity in Northern New Guinea they were involved in an operation that enveloped the enemy’s rear. The campaign was marked by close cooperation and coordination between the American and Australian Anti-Aircraft units. All American Anti=Aircraft units participating in the Papuan Campaign received the Presidential Unit Citation.

A cut of the article accompanies the medal and is framed along with the Secretary of the Army’s award card.

Good very fine $475

FAMILY GROUPING

Father

Single: Volunteer Force Long Service, V.R. correct period naming to 343 SERGT H. TAYLOR 1^ST V.B. LEICESTERSHIRE REGT.

Son

Four: 1914/15 star, British War, Victory Medal and L. S. G. C. Medal (GV) all correctly impressed to 7193 C. SJT. D. TAYLOR SCO. RIF.

Note: Colour Sergeant Douglas Taylor 18^th April 1914 disembarked 5^th (M.I.) Battalion Nigeria Regiment

Single: Waterloo 1815 JOHN GILBERT 10^th REG. HUSSARS.

Ex Sotheby’s in March 1888

Note: John Gilbert served in Captain Grey’s number 4 troop and participated in the action on the far left of the battlefield, late in the day. Major Howard, who was the only 10^th Hussar officer killed that day, could possibly  have been the last Anglo-Allied officer killed , attacking a French square on the last attack.

71 medals are recorded to exist from the unit.

Fitted with replacement clip and ring suspension. VF SOLD

Single: Waterloo 1815 RICHARD WILLIAMS 7^TH REGIMENT HUSSARS.

To best describe the 7^th Hussars on the day, the following is a quote from one of their officers printed in ‘Waterloo Letters, edited by Major General H. T. Siborne;

"We charged twelve or fourteen times, and once cut off a squadron of cuirassiers, every man of whom we killed on the spot except the two officers and one Marshal de Logis, whom I sent to the rear"

Note: 65 medals are recorded to exist from the unit.

Fitted with original steel clip and replacement ring suspension. VF SOLD

Single: Waterloo 1815 WILLIAM COTTLE, 2^nd BATT. 44^th REG: FOOT.

The Essex regimental museum website records an insight into the day’s events as follows;

“French Lancers attacked as the Regiment was forming up when it was at a disadvantage having no support on either flank and arranged in lines 2 men deep rather than the squares employed as defence against cavalry. This deployment allowed the lancers to attack from front and rear.

A French lancer made a grab for the colours with his lance but the flag was secured by Ensign Christie despite serious wounds. The Lancer then tried to escape with some of the colour still on his lance but he was killed in the attempt to get away.”

The Regiment earned great praise for their stand against the attack from Lord Wellesley-"The troops were long and severely engaged and conducted themselves with utmost gallantry".

14 other ranks were killed and 151 were wounded. Two officers were killed and 17 wounded.

Note: Only 38 waterloo medals are recorded to have surfaced for the unit making this one of the scarcest Regiments to obtain.

Fitted with replacement silver clip and bar suspension. VF SOLD

Keith Rocco's painting of the 23rd in action against French cuirassiers and Dutch lancers

Single: Waterloo Medal 1815 correctly named to William Cooksey, 23rd Reg. Light Dragoons fitted with original steel clip and later ring suspension.

23rd Light Dragoon casualties at Waterloo; 13 men killed, 5 officers & 23 men wounded, 1 officer & 31 men missing.

Served in Captain John Martin's number 2 troop. Ex Gascoigne collection March 1909. Originally sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge February 1879 and later again sold by Spink's (c1995) of where it has resided in a collection ever since.

Slight edge bruising VF SOLD

Near EF SOLD

Light contact marks otherwise VF SOLD

Single;  Maori War medal to Private William Williamson, 1st Waikato Regiment, killed in action at Titi Hill, Mauku, in October 1863, a native of Bendigo, Victoria. reverse undated  with the naming engraved in the correct period style to W. Williamson, Pr. 1st Waikato Regt

On the morning of the 23rd October 1863 firing was heard in the direction of Bald Hills. Lieutenant D. H. Lusk, who commanded the church stockade, sent out two scouts to reconnoitre. They discovered Maoris shooting cattle in the valley between the hills. On receiving their report Lieut. Lusk sent to the river stockade for reinforcements and at the same time dispatched a mounted orderly to Drury. The river stockade was in charge of Lieut. J. S. Perceval, an impulsive and inexperienced young officer. Disobeying his orders to join the church garrison he led a party of 13 men to the right, heading for the crest of Titi Hill, hoping to take the Maoris in the rear. The Maoris came skirmishing over the hill and rapidly outflanked Perceval’s party on both sides, pinning them down in some felled timber. About this time they were joined by Lieut. T. Norman who had just returned from Drury with the men’s pay.

Lieut. Lusk, observing the predicament of Lieut. Perceval, led his men in a foray up Titi Hill to join him. A desperate close-quarter battle followed, with repeated charges by about 150 Maori warriors. It was during this hand to hand fighting that the Militia casualties occurred; first Lieut. Perceval fell, then Lieut. Norman and several of the men. Falling back and clearing his right flank Lusk got his men into the cover of the bush. Retiring in good formation keeping to the cover of the forest and maintaining accurate shooting by sections, the party reached the church stockade without further casualties.

The fight was broken off and the Maoris headed for the Waikato River taking their wounded with them. Their dead were estimated at 30. During all this time the mounted orderly was having trouble convincing the Imperial officers in charge at Drury of the state of affairs at Mauku. Finally they dispatched two companies of Waikato Militia who arrived at Mauku that evening - too late to be of assistance.

An early morning reconnaissance discovered the bodies of the slain Militiamen, stripped and laid out in a row. They had all been tomahawked and a white haversack on a stick had been erected to mark their location.

Those killed were: Lieutenants John Perceval and Thomas Norman, Corporal M. Power, Privates W. Beysick, George O’Born, Farquhar McGillavray, and William Williamson, all of the 1st Waikato Regiment, and Private William Worthington of the Forest Rifles. Worthington was buried at Mauku but the bodies of the others were taken to Drury for burial where, in the overgrown churchyard of St. John’s, is still standing the forlorn monument to Australia’s first war dead which was erected by their comrades of the 1st Waikato Regiment (Ref. Australians in the Waikato War, L. L. Barton, Sydney, 1979).

Sold with further details including the roll of the 1st Waikato Regiment awarded the medal under the terms of N.Z.Gazette No. 63 of 1869, and copies of official correspondence to his brother who claimed his estate and to whom this medal was issued in 1872.

Near EF SOLD

Single; Crimea medal one clasp "Alma". Officially Impressed to J. YOUNG 55th REGT. On the roll as wounded in Alma and subsequently died at Scutari in 1854.

Comes with a letter home of 4 pages of stop start writing, almost like a diary where he describes the arrival of the wounded from the Charge of the Light Brigade to Scutari. Also included is an official disbursement of his assets, An official letter regarding the medal plus an Official envelope addressed to his Sister in Easey Street Collingwood Melbourne Australia.

A choice Crimea to a casualty with extremely rare Ephemera and a bonus Australian connection

Small EK at 6 o'clock otherwise EF SOLD

Single; Crimea medal one clasp "Alma". Officially Impressed to J. YOUNG 55th REGT. On the roll as wounded in Alma and subsequently died at Scutari in 1854.

Comes with a letter home of 4 pages of stop start writing, almost like a diary where he describes the arrival of the wounded from the Charge of the Light Brigade to Scutari. Also included is an official disbursement of his assets, An official letter regarding the medal plus an Official envelope addressed to his Sister in Easey Street Collingwood Melbourne Australia.

A choice Crimea to a casualty with extremely rare Ephemera and a bonus Australian connection.

Small EK at 6 o'clock otherwise EF SOLD

Single; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial correctly named to 750767 Gnr. J. D. Mc Neil. R.A.

J. D. McNeil was awarded his Efficiency Medal per Army Order 33 on 28 February 1937.

Minor edge bruise, nearly extremely fine SOLD

SINGLE; General Service Medal 1962-2007 clasp Malay Peninsula (23782257 L/Cpl/ J. S. Fish. RE.)

Comes in named card box of issue with original envelope addressed to ‘Mr. J. S. Fish, 5 Duckmanton Road, Duckmanton, Chesterfield, Derbyshire’.

extremely fine $125

A Great War 1918 ‘Western Front’ M.M. awarded to Corporal A. L. Fraser, 60th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for his repeated gallantry during a night raid on July Farm, east of Wytschaete, 13/14 March 1918. He was wounded in action on the Western Front, 2 September 1918

Single; Military Medal, G.V.R. impressed to 1940 Cpl A. L. Fraser. 60/Aust: Inf:

M.M. London Gazette 25 April 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous bravery and initiative during a raid on July Farm, east of Wytschaete, on the night of the 13th/14th March 1918. This NCO accompanied Lieutenant John Charles Moore [M.C. and Bar, M.M.] and helped him to get the men into position. When the barrage lifted, he was one of the first to enter the enemy’s position and received the prisoners from Lieutenant Moore. During the whole action he showed a daring and disregard for his own personal safety which was a distinct encouragement to his men and of great assistance to Lieutenant Moore. He stayed behind with Lieutenant Moore and helped this officer to carry in a wounded man under heavy machine gun fire. His work in helping with the organisation of the party and in the training previous to the raid went far to ensure its ultimate success. Strength of raiding party - one officer and twenty other ranks.’

Albert Leopold Fraser was born in Bendigo, Victoria in 1896. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Melbourne, 15 January 1915. Fraser served with the 8th Australian Infantry Battalion in Gallipoli, and was evacuated to hospital with frostbite, 8 December 1915. He transferred to the 60th Australian Infantry Battalion in July 1916, and served with them in the French theatre of war from that month.

Fraser advanced to Corporal in February 1917, and was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry at July Farm, east of Wytschaete, Ypres, 13/14 March 1918. He was wounded in action, 2 September 1918. Fraser returned to Australia in December 1918, and was discharged in January 1919.

Suspension claw re-pinned, nearly very fine $2000

A good Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. awarded to Private F. B. O’Donnell, 3rd Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for the capture of 4 machine guns and 45 prisoners during the attack near Hargicourt, 18 September 1918

Single; Military Medal, G.V.R. impressed to 6802 Pte F. B. O’Donnell 3/Aust. Inf.

M.M. London Gazette 17 June 1919. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty at Hargicourt on 18th September 1918. With his Platoon Sergeant and Section Leader, Pte. O’Donnell under heavy machine fire rushed an enemy machine gun and helped to capture four machine guns and 45 prisoners. He killed the crews of two of the guns. Prior to this action he single handed captured a small enemy post and a garrison of eight. He did excellent work throughout and set a fine example of determination and fearlessness.’

The following additional detail is given in the Official History of Australia in the War 1914-1918, Vol. VI:

‘Lieut. Lord, to advance quickly, split his platoon into two, half led by Sgt. McMillan. Half way up the northern slope of the spur the left stopped by machine gunners in a knot of trenches. Leggett’s platoon on the north side of the valley was sniping across at these when it saw three Australians coming from the south towards the nest of guns. They were Sgt. McMillan and two of his men (L/Cpl Bradford and Pte F. B. O’Donnell). Following closely on the barrage, they had seen a machine gun firing on the troops on the left, and they hurried to work round into the trench full of Germans, putting on a bold face on their surprise they hurled their bombs. The whole trench-full surrendered, whereupon all the other Germans in the valley fled to the rear.’

Francis Bernard O’Donnell was born in Haymarket, Sydney in 1888. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Liverpool, New South Wales, 6 November 1916. O’Donnell was subject to court martial on two separate occasions - firstly for striking a superior officer, 23 April 1917, and latterly for fighting and drunkenness in the field, 11 June 1918.

O’Donnell served with the 3rd Battalion Australian Infantry Battalion in the French theatre of war from October 1917. He was awarded the M.M. for his gallantry near Hargicourt, Somme, 18 September 1918 (Sergeant McMillan’s D.C.M. was sold in these rooms in February 2019). On the latter date the Battalion War Diary records losses of 1 officer and 7 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 71 other ranks killed, whilst giving 60 Germans killed, approximately 200 captured, along with 22 guns and 20 machine guns captured during the attack. O’Donnell returned to Australia in May 1919.

Very Fine $2350

Six: 1939-45 & Pacific Stars, War Medal & Australian Service Medal. ASM 45-75 one clasp SW Pacific. ALL medals correctly named plus an original gilt Dutch War Cross & clasp unnamed. NX153403 Sig. V. C. Luther 9 Australian Div. Sigs.

Disembarked Milne Bay 1942 with later service in Borneo. He has a few charges shown and his file has a sealed section.

VF $585

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star (North Africa 1942-43), Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to J. G. SISSONS R.A.N.V.R. Stars for Navy casualties, regardless of cause or location of death, were issued unnamed.

Enlisted in the RANVR in Sydney 20^th May 1941 service number S/V95 (Sydney Volunteer 95)

Commenced training under the “Dominion Yachtsman Scheme” as a potential Officer

Embarked for the UK on the 16^th October 1941

Between December 1941 to October 1942 saw service on the Minesweeper HMAS Collingwood, HMS Victory, Minesweeper HMS Llandudno, HMS King and back to the London Depot before making  Sub Lieutenant 9^th October 1942

Posted as Sub Lieutenant to the HMS Quebec for Combined Operations Depot Inveraray 15^th November 1942

Posted to HMS Copra (Combined Operations Depot) 1^st April 1943 and duty with the Motor Launch 1038 near North Africa

Sub Lieutenant Sissons was killed in action 11^th July 1943 during raiding operations South of Syracuse, Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation “Husky” and the invasion of Sicily.

The crew of HDML1038 were tasked with undertaking “raiding operations” with members of the specially trained 41 Commando, Royal Marines. The objective of HDML 1038 was to land the Commandos south of Syracuse for a pre-emptive strike for when the main landing to occur after.

Sub Lieutenant Sissons is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Panel 84, Column 2 as his body was not recovered.  

Note: Comes with Four Allied Military (Italy) 1 Lira notes, Female Relatives Badge numbered N3598, Mothers and Widows Badge numbered N1450 and the rare RAN Killed in Action next of kin gold lapel pin “This lapel pin is presented by the Chief of Navy in recognition that your loved one, who was a valued member of the Royal Australian Navy, died in Service. May you look upon this in remembrance and wear it with pride”

Near EF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal and Greek War Medal (un-named as issued). All Commonwealth Medals correctly named to SX1922 A H WHYTE

Arthur Henry Whyte enlisted on the 4^th March 1940 into the 2/3^rd Field Regiment at Adelaide

Embarked 13^th August 1940 for the Middle East

Served in Libya, Greece and Crete during which time he was Court Marshalled three times serving a total of 139 days in field prison.

A copy of a letter written by Private Whyte (included) gives us the following insight into his Crete service;

‘On Crete about 15^th or 16^th of May 1941 I was charged before the Regimental Orderly Room and sentenced to 21 days detention. The charge was for being A.W.L. for 13 ½ hours. After serving 4 days of this sentence the Blitz for Crete started. I with many others, was told that we could either stay and serve our sentences or go to the front lines. I decided to take the latter course. I was then released without prejudice”.

Discharged 26^th October 1942 on compassionate grounds.

Comes with research and original documents.

VF $575

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal and Unofficial Tobruk Medal. All official medals correctly impressed to WX7280 M. G. RYAN

Occupation on enlistment “Prospector”, Next of Kin Busselton WA

Previous service: 1 year 11 Bn C.M.F.

Taken on strength of the 2/28^th BN and embarked on the 4^th Jan. 1940 for the Middle East.

After more than two years’ service in the Middle East including Tobruk (April-August 1941), Private Ryan was discharged medically unfit due to dysentery and fever (along with other symptoms). He also states the location where the symptoms first occur was “Tobruk”

Note: Comes with copy of service record

 VF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to NX16377 R. G. FLANNERY

Richard Gerard Flannery enlisted 22^ND May 1940 into the Australian Army at Paddington, residing at Woollahra, NSW

Injury prior to embarkation in Bathurst whilst on leave described as “wantonly attacked by an unknown civilian, frac nose”

Embarked 14^th November 1940 for the Middle East with the 2/6^th Field Regiment

15^th November 1941 records show promotion to A/Sgt with a clear line marked through

RTA on the 23^rd March 1942

13^th June 1942 Gnr Flannery was charged with negligently drove an army vehicle. This charge was over turned by his commanding officer.

Embarked for the Pacific 6^th September 1942

“At approx. 0930 on 28.2.43 at the position of C Tp, 12^th Fd Bty, 2/6 Fd Regt, south of Gona. The pistol was a regulation U.S. Army pattern and was in the possession of NX65742 Gnr Pinnington D. M. at the time of the accident. Two shots were fired from the pistol.” Resulting in Gun Shot Wounds to Gnr Flannery’s right flank and liver.

Returned to Australia and subsequently discharged on the 12^TH January 1944 as Medically unfit

VF SOLD

ESCAPE & EVASION

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal with Mentioned in despatches oak leaf and Australian Service Medal. Stars un-named as often issued, with remaining three correctly impressed to NX3735 W. H. SCHOFIELD

NX3735 William Henry Schofield  enlisted into the Australian Army as a Signalman on the 23^rd October 1939 at Paddington NSW

His date for embarkation was the 14^th September1940 bound for the Middle East returning on the 19^th March 1942

M.I.D. awarded for “Distinguished Service in the Middle East during the period of February 1941 to July 1941”. London Gazette 35396 dated the 30^th of December 1941 page 7361 at position 68

Embarking again this time to confront the Japanese and bound for New Guinea he left on the 24^th of April 1944. Finally Schofield returned on the 16^th September 1945 for discharge which took place on the 19^th October 1945 due to the conclusion of the war. It is nice to see he went on to live a healthy long life passing away on the 28^th September 2001.

Interestingly Schofield’s name comes up on the Freeman website (dedicated to soldiers who have escaped the enemy) with the following reference “Greece NX3735 SCHOFIELD William Henry 2/2 Bn” then it mentions the ship “Victoria Huon” he used in the final leg of his escape from the island of “Skyros” also mentioned.

“Purple over Green” the unit history on the 2/2^nd Battalion (who Schofield was attached to) gives us an insight into Schofields fascinating escape telling the story of one of Schofield’s companions for part of his escape. We do not know what Schofield endured over the first nine days whilst on the run evading the Germans until the late hours of the 27^th where the book specifically mentions him meeting other escaping soldiers forming a group of no less than 14 in all. Several days were then spent in hiding whilst trying to negotiate with the local Greek villagers for a boat to further their escape. Finally a boat large enough was acquired and the 14 of them were able to sail to the island of Skopelos, then the next day to the island of Skandura, then on to Skyros. The escape was far from over and days past on the island along with another group that had made it. The group waited and hoped until the night of the 13^th of May when they sighted a 30 foot boat and after much negotiation with the skipper it was agreed he would take the whole party of now 30 men. The cost for this was an exorbitant sum that the group was to obtain from the British Consul at Smyrna in Turkey, their projected destination. The book tells of further close calls as the group hides under blankets as the German planes fly over until arriving in Turkey. Once in Turkey arrangements had to be made for the group to travel to Palestine where the Australian troops were located. They finally reached their fellow comrades on the 24^th of May now a group of no less than 48 men made up of both Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

When we compare the dates for which Schofield is awarded his MID, along with the dates the Germans invaded and the dates we now know he escaped, we see they are the same, making this award a seldom seen award for escape and evasion. A truly fascinating story which further research could only make better.

VF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45, Queens Korea Medal and United Nations Korea Medal. WW2 medals are all unnamed as issued. Korea Pair correctly impressed to 3/10957 W. J. Whitford.

T/Sgt William John Whitford served with the English army in WW2 (service number 14922415), before enlisting into the Australian army and serving in Korea with 2 RAR

Comes complete with Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge (Korean overseas service of 1 year and 44 days). Royal Australian Regiment shoulder title, Ribbon Bar and both medal entitlement cards (WW2 and Korea) confirming all awards.

Near EF SOLD 

Six: 39-45, Africa & Pacific Stars, Defence War Medal with TWO MID’s & Australian Service Medal. ALL medals impressed, VX40510 A. D. McBean. Australian Engineers.

First MID Commonwealth Gazette No 81 27 April 1944 page 896

‘Exceptional Service in the Field in New Guinea’

Second MID Commonwealth Gazette No 34 21 February 1946 page 412

‘Distinguished Service in SW Pacific’  

McBean served in Greece before his service in the SW Pacific. Double MID’s to other ranks for WW2 must be classed as extremely rare.

His MID certificate is illustrated in Australians Awarded.

Gd VF $2950