Eight: MBE (Military), British War Medal, Victory Medal, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, Defence Medal and War Medal. British War and Victory Medal correctly impressed 4734 PTE P. S. KEEN 15-LOND. All other medals un-named as issued.
WW1 Service
Phillip Sydney Keen enlisted in the Civil Service Rifles 15th London Regiment as a private number 4373 (later 531823) on the 16th August 1915
Ireland; May 1916
France; June - November 1916
Wounded in action left knee 12th August 1916
Salonika/Macedonia; December 1916 – June 1917
Egypt; June - July 1917
Palestine; July – October 1917
Belgium; November 1917 – March 1919
During this time Phillip Keen is commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on the 8th March 1918 serving with the 3/13 London Regiment (Kensington’s) and then with the 1 /2 London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
France; March – October 1919 during this time he served with the 3/16 London Regiment (Queens Westrs)
Due to his fluent Italian in-between the war he was employed by the government as a translator in the Italian section clearing offices.
WW2 Service
Resigned for the Second World War on the 24th of June 1940 and appointed a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Devon Regiment.
Posted to the 7th Battalion D. C. L. I. (later the 30th Bn) in October 1940 and shortly after promoted to Lieutenant.
20th April 1942 promoted to the position of Battalion adjutant as an Acting Captain departing overseas with the 1st Army in December 1942
Made temporary Major and appointed Camp Commandant of Allied Forces Headquarters Battalion 28th October 1943
M.B.E. London Gazette 1st January 1944
Temporary L/Colonel 15th September1945
Disembarked UK 19th January 1947
Fantastic group spanning both World Wars showing Phillip Keen enlisting as a private in the Infantry and ending up a Lieutenant Colonel.
Note: All medals are confirmed on paperwork
VF $1250
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 101st 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
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 $4750
Pair: Corporal A. J. Sharp, Royal Monmouthshire Engineers, late Royal Artillery. India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1888 (32595 Gunr., No. 2 By. 1st Bde. Sc. Dn. R.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2970 Corpl., Rl. Engineers)
Note: Alfred James Sharp was born in Millbrook, Southampton. He joined the Royal Artillery on 6 July 1882, aged 19 years. He initially served in the 1st Brigade Scottish Division R.A., which later became Mountain Artillery. Served in India, September 1883-February 1890 and took part in the Black Mountain Expedition 1888. Sharp was transferred to the Army Reserve in February 1890 and discharged on 5 July 1894. His intended place of residence being given as King Street, Brynmawr. He later joined the Royal Monmouthshire Engineers Militia and served with them in the Second Boer War. With copied R.A. service papers and roll extracts on paper and C.D.
Contact marks, nearly very fine $985
Pair: India General Service 1854-95, one clasp “Hazara 1888” correct script engraving to 809 Pte D.Turner 2nd Bn. North'd Fus. and Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, “Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal & South Africa 1901” correctly impressed 809 Pte D.Turner, North'd: Fus
VF - EF $985
Single: India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Burma 1885-7, Burma 1887-89, clasp carriage altered to accommodate additional clasp (827 Lce. Corpl. W. Say. 2nd. Bn. R.W. Surr. R.)
Edge nicks, nearly very fine $525
Single: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1887-89 (1664 Pte. J White 2nd. Bn. S. Wales Bord)
Good very fine $495
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 One Clasp; "Burma 1885-7". 2373 Pte. J. Wilson. 1st Bn. Pl. Welsh. Fus.
EF $425
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 One Clasp; "Burma 1887-9". 1105 Cpl. F. Lee. 1st Bn. Ches. Rgt.
VF $525
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1854-95, one clasp "Jowaki 1877-8" impressed naming to 1521 GUNNER C. VERNEY. 13/9th R.A.
Note: Ex Trevor Bushell Taylor Collection.
Scuff marks, otherwise good VF $625
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1854 One Clasp: "Burma 1887- 89". 2812 Corpl.P. Reilly. 2nd.Chesh.Rgt.
Good VF $525
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 One Clasp; "Burma 1889-92". 342 Serjt. T. Wilkins 2nd Bn Devon RGT.
Gd VF $525
Single: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, “WAZIRISTAN 1894-5” to 2804 Pte. T. Glendinning, 2nd Bn. Border Regt.
VF $625
SINGLE: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, ” Jowaki 1877-8” correct period naming to 2725 Pte. Joseph Cook, 51st Foot
VF $675
Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 One Clasp; "Hazara 1891" 1722 Pte. E. Williams. 1st Bn R. Welsh Fus.
Gd VF $585
Single: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (1054 Pte. J. Maisy 2d. Bn. L’pool R.)
Note: J. Maisy is listed as ‘dead’ on the medal roll. Sold with copied medal roll extract (medal issued to ‘Thomas Maisy, Bluebury, Berkshire’)
Light Scratches to Queens neck VF $525
Single: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-7 (890 Pte. W. Fell 2d. Bn. L’pool R.)
Minor edge nicks, nearly extremely fine $485
Pair: Private W. Halls, 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade. Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (1st Bn. Rifle Bde.) officially impressed naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, contemporary engraved naming "W. HALLS 1ST BN RIFLE BDE"
William Halls was born in Bildestone, Suffolk. A Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Rifle Brigade at Ipswich on 15 December 1845, aged 17 years. On 4 November 1851 whilst serving at Dover, he was sentenced to 55 days imprisonment for a civil offence, being released on 27 December 1851. During January 1852- January 1854 he served in South Africa, participating in the Second Kaffier War for which he was awarded a medal. In July 1854 he embarked with his battalion for the Crimea and took part in the actions at Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol. On 27 December 1854 he was admitted to Scutari Hospital. He died there on 8 February 1855.
Good very fine $2750
Single: Crimea medal to Private Squire Baldwin, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who was killed in action at the battle of Inkermann
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (S. Baldwin. Grenadier Gds.) officially impressed naming, minor edge bruising.
Squire Baldwin served as a Private in the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards, and was killed in action at the battle of Inkermann on 5 November 1854.
The Soldiers Battle as it has become known is probably the most outstanding actions of the Crimea and a Grenadier casualty tops the list in desirability.
Gd VF $ 4250
Single : CRIMEA MEDAL1854 no clasp officially impressed Edwd.Cox 7th Regt.
Good VF $575
P63 Pair: Indian Mutiny Medal one clasp “Central India ”Ensign W F Sandwith 3rd Bombay European Regiment nicely engraved in capitals but is renamed. Afghanistan no clasp Maj. W F Sandwith 15th. BO NI. Nicely chisel sloping engraving on an untouched field suggesting original engraving. He finished up a Major General in the Indian Army.
Gd VF $950.00
Single: Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58 one clasp "LUCKNOW" impressed to W. STEPHEN 42ND RL HIGHLANDERS
Note: roll confirms 3539 William Stephen died 24th June 1858
Near EF $985
Single: Abyssinia 1867 correct raised naming to 234 SERGT. P. GILLIGAN 26TH REGT
Contact marks in central disc, otherwise good very fine $950
Single: Abyssinia 1867 (757 A. Jones H.M. 45th Regt.
Jeweller cleaned very fine $950
