Single: Arny of India medal 1803-26 with short hyphen, one clasp “POONA’ of which there were only 75 issued. Unfortunately, it is name erased but still represents an extremely scarce medal suitable for a type collector as a representation at a fraction of the price.
Gd VF $1500
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
Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol Private J. Hughes, 63rd Regiment officially impressed naming.
James Hughes was born in Lancaster. A Shoemaker by occupation, he enlisted on 1 July 1852. Died at Scutari on 31 January 1855. With some copied roll extracts.
Good VF $1750
SINGLE: Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol C. Mintram. Scts. Fusilr. Gds. officially impressed naming,
A superb example of a “Sandbag Barrier” defender.
Gd VF $2850
Single: Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Private Patk. Finlay 46th. Foot) Hunt & Roskell engraved naming, minor edge nicks, good very fine and a scarce 4-clasp award to the 46th Foot,
Only a detachment of the Regiment, 6 Officers and 225 men, made up of Sir George Cathcart’s Honour Guard and two companies of the Advance Party, were present at the Battle of the Alma on 20 September 1854, and the subsequent actions at Balaklava and Inkermann.
Gd VF $1550
P24 SINGLE: Indian Mutiny Medal 1858 one clasp; ‘LUCKNOW’ impressed Pte. 179 C. New 9th Lancers.
Gd VF $975
SINGLE: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla 425 M. McLean, H.M.S. 71st Regt. Impressed.
Near EF $580
P22 SINGLE: India General Service Medal 1854 one clasp; ‘N. E. FRONTIER 1891’ running script 1603 Pte. F. Jenell 4th K. R. R. C.
EF $525
P19 SINGLE: India General Service Medal 1854 one clasp; ‘CHIN – LUSHA 1889-90’ running script 2238 Pye. T. Ryan. K.O.S.Board.
With research.
EF $525
P18 SINGLE: India General Service Medal 1854 one clasp; ‘BURMA 1887-9’ impressed 834 Pte T. Fowler 2-CHES. RGT.
Gd F $365
P17 SINGLE: India General Service Medal 1854 one clasp; ‘BURMA 1885-7’ running script 1733 Pte. W. Greenfield 2nd Bn Hamps. R.
Gd VF $400
P15 SINGLE: India General Service Medal 1854 one clasp; ‘PERAK’ engraved capitals 1116 PTE. S. ROSS 1/3RD FOOT
Gd VF $425
SINGLE: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Umbeyla 256, Sergt. T. Richardson, H. M. S 71st Regt Impressed.
VF $580
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
