The remarkable Anglo-American group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Griffiths, United States Army, late U.S. Volunteer Infantry and Philippines Constabulary, and Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and the Royal Scots, who was killed in action as a U.S. Battalion C.O. in April 1918
United States of America, Philippine Insurrection Medal 1899, officially numbered ‘23344’, wrap-round brooch suspension, in its original numbered card box of issue, with old ink inscriptions inside, including ‘1st Sergt. 37 U.S. Inf. Vols., Richard H. Griffiths, 1899’
United States of America, Spanish War Service Medal, officially numbered ‘17531’, in its original numbered card box of issue, brooch-pin for wearing
United States of America, Philippine Congressional Medal 1899, officially numbered ‘4456’, with wrap round brooch suspension, in its original numbered card box of issue, with old ink inscription inside, ‘The President McKinley Congressional Medal, Philippines Insurrection, 1899, Richard H. Griffiths, First Sergt., 37th U.S. Inf. Vol.’
Great Britain, 1914-15 Star (Major R. H. Griffiths, Notts. & Derby. R.), in its original named card box of issue, with old ink inscriptions, including ‘Dardanelles Medal (Star), Major R. H. Griffiths (Mrs. Griffiths)’
Great Britain, British War Medal 1914-20 (Major R. H. Griffiths), in its original named card box of issue, with old ink inscription as before but ‘British War Medal 1914-1918’
United States of America, Victory Medal, slide-on clasp, Defensive Sector, with wrap round brooch suspension, in its original card box of issue, with old ink inscriptions to lid and base, ‘Victory Medal 779379 issued to Mrs. Anne M. Griffiths, widow of Lieut. Col. Richard H. Griffiths, U.S. Infantry, 12.1.21’ and ‘Given by Geo. C. Marshall, Major, 1920, in person’
United States of America, Spanish War Veterans Badge 1898-1902, bronze, with ornate bar and eagle suspension, with numbered lid of original box of issue ‘14713’ and old ink inscription, ‘Spanish Am. War Veterans Badge, U.S.W.V.’
United States of America, Philippine Campaign Veterans Badge 1898-1899, bronze, with enamelled ‘8’ to centre and ‘U.S.V.’ suspension bar and eagle above
United States of America, Purple Heart Lapel Badge, gilt and enamel, the reverse inscribed, ‘A. M. G.’,
Richard Henry Griffiths was born in Derbyshire in February 1873, his family emigrating to the United States of America whilst he was still a youngster.
On the declaration of war with Spain in April 1898, he joined the Tennessee National Guard, and in November was embarked for the Philippines, as a Sergeant in Company ‘M’ of the 1st Tennessee Volunteer Infantry. Quickly witnessing action at San Juan del Monte and the capture of the water works at Luzon, he was also present at the capture of Iloilo and Paney and in various other skirmishes.
Advanced to 1st Sergeant in Company ‘A’ of the 37th U.S. Volunteer Infantry in July 1899, Griffiths saw action at Columba, Santo Tomas, Aluminos, San Diego and elsewhere, including the capture of a wagon train, while in the following year he participated in General Schwann’s expedition through Southern Luzon, and in General Hill’s expedition to Polillo and Infanta, being recommended for a certificate of merit for gallantry displayed on 28 February 1900. Returning to the U.S.A. on the cessation of the main hostilities, he passed the examination for a 2nd Lieutenancy, but did not take up the appointment and instead, after a short period out of uniform, re-enlisted in the U.S. Army Engineers as a Private 2nd Class, in which capacity he returned to the Philippines where, in October 1901, he transferred to the local Constabulary with a commission as a Lieutenant.
Griffiths subsequently attained the rank of Major and, with the advent of hostilities in Europe in August 1914, sailed for London to offer his services. Duly commissioned in the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment in March 1915, he was advanced to the temporary rank of Major that September and seconded to command, and evacuate from Gallipoli, the badly mauled 1/5th Battalion of the Royal Scots, who had suffered heavy casualties since the landings in April. This duty done, and after a period of re-mustering in Egypt, he was embarked with the Battalion for France in March 1916, where he remained in command until relieved. Reverting to the rank of Captain, he then re-joined the 2nd Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters and was severely wounded in the Ypres Salient in June 1916, losing part of his shoulder blade.
Returning to duty out in France in February 1917, Griffiths resigned his commission that November, when he accepted a Majority in the United States Army and was posted to the 18th U.S. Infantry Regiment, 1st Division, which was occupying positions north-west of Toul. Subsequently commended for his ‘cool calm and efficiency in the trying days of January and February 1918’, he was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel and given command of the 3rd Battalion, 18th Regiment. About this time, a New York Times correspondent wrote:
‘When his command was going into the line, Lieutenant-Colonel Griffiths sat astride his horse at a crossroads over which German shrapnel was bursting heavily, and was unconcerned as if a thousand miles away from the war. He spoke to his men sharply, but in a low voice, telling them not to forget who the enemy was, what he had done, and to punish him. He had been a constant visitor in the trenches and shell-holes held by his troops, taking long chances to get to all of them, making sure that they were getting everything they wanted and were well cared for.’
Griffiths was killed in action during the final days of April 1918, near Villers-Turnelle, when a German high-explosive shell landed in front of his dugout just as he had emerged.
A correspondent overheard a group of men discussing their Colonel earlier that day: “There’s the old man, and believe me, if you are looking for a soldier and a gentleman, there he is. Every man in this outfit would go straight through Hell if Griffiths gave the order to march.”
A Corporal was killed by the same shell and a number of others were wounded, the Corporal falling across his Colonel’s body. They were buried nearby.
As verified by the recipient’s MIC entry, he was never issued with the Victory Medal by the British authorities, the relevant column being endorsed: ‘Transferred to American Army. To be administered by Washington, U.S.A.’; in so far as his earlier American awards are concerned, his Philippine Congressional Medal was sent to him on 30 July 1910 (Medal No. 4456), and his Philippine and Spanish War campaign issued to his widow on 18 November 1926, the respective Serial Numbers differing to those on the above described awards.
Sold with original British Consulate (Paris) passports for both Griffiths and his wife, with portrait photographs, issued in November 1917 and July 1915 respectively; together with a file of research, including copied application forms for the American awards.
Ex. Hal Giblin Collection, Christies 10 November 1992, lot 322.
Generally good very fine and most probably unique $SOLD
The Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own) an Officer’s Black Persian Lambskin Busby. A good quality example as described in Dress Regulations complete with rifle green sewn in cap lines, coiled bugle horn badge with green oval boss, complete with black leather chin strap, sweat band and dark crimson silk lining, scarce with original black ostrich plume over black vulture lower plume with retention ring and plume tin, good condition
SOLD
The Royal Scots Officers Shoulder Belt Plate circa 1900.
THE SEVENTH COMPANY FIELD ENGINEERS - by R. H. Chatto.
$45
The South Wales 4th Volunteer Battalion Other Ranks Edwardian Period Helmet Plate, good quality die stamped white metal with applied centre and title details, complete with original fasteners, very good condition
SOLD
The Spirit of the Forty-Second By V. Brahms (Burridge reprint).
$225
The Story of a Battalion (48th Battalion AIF) by W. Devine ; drawings and maps by Daryl Lindsay 1919.
$550
The story of the Seventeenth Battalion A.I.F. in the great war By Lt. Col. K. W. Mackenzie MC (Burridge reprint).
SOLD
THE STORY OF THE TWELFTH - by L. M. Newton being a history of the 12th btn. A. I. F. 231pgs.
$64
The story of the twelfth: A Record of the 12th Battalion AIF in the great war 1914-18 by L. M. Newton 1925.
$450
The Story of the Twenty-First being the official history of the 21st Battalion, AIF. by A. R. Macneil 2008 Limited edition number 26 of 100 (SC).
SOLD
THE STUART BATES HELMET COLLECTION
Most collectors of British Military Head Dress would be aware of the Leinster Regiment avatar which appeared on numerous forums relating to the collecting of helmets. Unfortunately, our hobby has lost our great friend and mentor. His generosity to those he considered dedicated to the hobby was nothing short of amazing, giving so many of his treasures to those whom he considered friends and true collectors. Publishing books such as “Military Sun Helmets and The Wolseley Helmet”, has at least ensured his contribution to our hobby will never be forgotten. Stuart, you will be sorely missed and thanks for your friendship over many years.
The following lots are all part of his collection with many illustrated in his books.
The Suffolk Regiment, Officer’s Blue Cloth Helmet c1883-1902, the blue cloth skull complete with all gilt metal fittings, the very fine frontal plate of crowned eight pointed star pattern with gilt laurel and Garter overlays, in the centre on a ground of black velvet a three towered Gibraltar Castle and dependent Key, a silver scroll below ‘The Suffolk Regiment’, original buff leather sweatband and crimson silk lining (partly separated but all there) by ‘Hawkes & Co., London’, the plate is original to the helmet.
In good condition $1650
The Thirty Ninth by G. W. G & S. (Burridge reprint).
$275
C9 The Victorian Scottish Regiment white metal hat badge
$20
