Sold

Ephemera rated to WX2063 Private Edward Donald Calvert 2/11^th Australian Field Ambulance late Royal Engineers. Consisting of three original photographs, Australian WW2 discharge paper (showing 1200 days service outside Australia), three Australian issued soldiers pay books and Private Calvert’s Australian Record of Service book for WW2.

SOLD

COUVE BROTHERS KIA GALLIPOLI 8th BN AIF

 An outstanding and scarce pair of photo Albums of Lt Alan "father" Crawford Couve and Lt Henry Thomas Ladson Couve both of  the 8th battalion AIF. There are 161 photos in total of which were sent home to their sister. All are captioned and record their story fighting the Turks before Gallipoli (this subject is seldom written about) and includes their last photos captioned "En route to Lemnos April 1915" and "Kit parade Lemnos" as Lt Alan Couve was tragically killed on the landing by sniper fire (DOW on the 26th), with his brother being killed only two weeks later.

There are too many 8th battalion names associated with these photos to mention them all, although all would be Gallipoli veterans, possibly decorated and KIA's. This collection really demands a lot of time and research but would no doubt be a "jewel in the crown" to an 8 Bn, Gallipoli or Victorian collector.

The regimental unit history "Cobbers in Khaki" states Lt. Alan Couve was reported to have encouraged his men during the initial fighting by shouting. "Don't worry about the shells, boys; while you can hear them they won't do you any harm; it's the shells you don't hear that will do the damage".

Included with the photos are as follows;

1. 1913 dated 3 MD military map by the then Lt. Col. Monash of the Lilydale & Yarraglen districts. The map is named to Lieut A. Couve F. Company Dandenong in pencil. There are a few locations marked "HQ, 10.2.14" and similar.

2. A beautiful poem about the very first troop departure out of Albany titled "The troopships of A.N.Z.A.C. (Oct.. - Dec. 1914.). The poem mentions the Emden action and is very well written by Eileen Ramsay nee Couve.

3. An official letter mentioning the above poem, Mr Couve Snr's soldier settlement property and goes on to mention that the Couve brothers were prominant footballers. Written by the Hon. Ken. Mackenzie Wright.

This is a very important and emotional collection

 SOLD

H.M.A.S. “Otway” Christmas and New Year card. Signed  from “Bert with love to all x”. Extremely Rare to see an Australian Submarine Christmas Card

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 

SOLD

Villers-Bretonneux Memorial

Pair: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 6314 PTE S. W. PENTLOW.11 BN. A.I.F.

Stanley William Pentlow enlisted on the 11^th of April 1916 listing his address as “Railway Coffee Palace, Perth W.A.

Private Pentlow embarked on the 18^th September 1916 with the 11th Battalion A.I.F.

Tragically Private S. W. Pentlow was killed in action with the 11^th Battalion on the Western Front on 15^th April 1917. Sadly little is known about the death of Pentlow, no Red Cross file and he has no known grave being commemorated only on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Somme, France.

A very sad story that’s likely no one will ever know how poor Stan really met his end.

Nearly extremely fine SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 569 PTE A. WILSON 10/BN AIF.

EMB: 20^th October 1914

Concussion drum of left ear 20th October 1916?

RTA: 13^th February 1917

Note: There seems to be very little written on Private Wilsons service in 1915. He certainly embarked in 1914 (Gallipoli?). Unfortunately his service record is only 9 pages long.

VF SOLD

Private Burgoyne 8th Light Horse

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 3471 PTE. H. L. BURGOYNE 8. L. H. R. AIF

Emb. 2nd November 1917

RTA 10th April 1919

3471 Private Herbert Lionel BURGOYNE, a 35 year old Labourer from Elmore, Victoria.

 VF SOLD

Four: Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Tribute Medal. First three medals all correctly named to 3052 L/CPL. J. CAIN 8 BN A.I.F. (24th BN on BWM & VM).

Tribute medal, Obverse. "Romsey and district. Victoria. Reverse, He responded to his countrys call 1914-18 "Presented to J. Cain A.I.F. in recognition of his service abroad in the great war for freedom"

Emb. 26th November 1915

 DCM recommendation (downgraded to M.M.) 30th August 1918

 WIA 1st September 1918 Gassed

RTA 31st March 1919

London Gazette 14th May 1919

An extremely scarce combination with this beautifully produced quality tribute medal.

Good VF SOLD

Four: Military Medal, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly named to 2915 PTE. J. H. WARD 6 BN A.I.F.

Emb. 1 July 1915

DCM recommendation (downgraded to M.M.) 12th/13th  June 1916

Military Medal recommendation (second citation) for the 30th October 1917  Zonnebeke

WIA 26th December 1917. Multiple gun shot wounds  

London Gazette 27th June 1918  

RTA 20th September 1918 Medically unfit

This is an outstanding double citation Military Medal group with his first citation stating he killed a German with a knob-kerry in the trenches, however it appears that this was too gruesome and there is a clear line through the comment. On the 30th June 1917 at a Coy parade (field) Pte Ward struck a superior officer calling him "A bloody bastard" amongst other things and received 90 days. As his first MM still had not been awarded the second citation is not for a bar to his MM but simply a recommendation for an MM. Could his failure to receive a bar be a mistake or the result of his charge?

Victory medal returned to sender and then re-sent to him (NOT A DOUBLE ISSUE)

There can be no doubt that this soldier was a tough man and certainly lives up to the fighting Anzac spirit.

An outstanding group.;  

Good VF SOLD

FAMILIY GROUPING TO TWO BROTHERS

GROUP 1: Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3723 PTE. R. EDDY 7/BN AIF.

EMB: 23RD November 1915 (18 years old)

Transferred to the 60th Battalion on the 18th March 1916

REPORTED MISSING: 19TH July 1916

Board of enquiry concluded that Private Richard Eddy was shot through the head in "the charge" of July 19th at Fleurbaix. His body was sadly left in no-man's land. See Red Cross file on AWM website.

Group 2: Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 4799 PTE. R. EDDY 38 BN AIF.

EMB: 21ST June 1917 (29th Bn)

Transferred to 38th Bn. 18th December 1917

WIA: 26th August 1918 "S. W. left arm"

RTA: 4th July 1919

Note: It appears Robert answered the call to arms after he learnt of the death of his brother Richard. A sad story of two fighting brothers. Robert Eddy's medals were returned to sender in 1923 and re-sent in 1928.

National Archives records have Charles Latham Williams file incorrectly numbered as 649 when researching

VF – EF SOLD

GROUP OF ELEVEN: Military Cross (GVR); 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal 1914-19; 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; British War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal 1939-45; Coronation Medal 1953; Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (EIIR). 553 Pte C. McI. Potts 13/Bn A.I.F. on star, Lieut C. McI. Potts A.I.F. on third and fourth medals, NX 12434 C. M. Potts on seventh, eighth and ninth medals, Clarence McIntosh Potts on eleventh medal. MC unnamed, second, third and fourth medals impressed, fifth and sixth medals unnamed, seventh, eighth and ninth medals impressed, tenth medal unnamed, last medal impressed. All correct to issue and mounted as worn.

Clarence Potts enlisted 8th September 1914 as a Private number 553 with the 13th Bn (later being commissioned with the 45th Bn having come up through the ranks).

Proceeded to join M.E.F. Gallipoli and in his own words from his service record "Landed Gallipoli 25th April 1915" and "In rear-guard at evacuation"

Records state the following "3/12/1915 to be Lance Corporal. Heart complaint in Greek Hospital. Wounded." (This shows possibly another wound at Gallipoli making it a total of three wounding's)

WIA: France 8th August 1916 (G.S.W. back and arm) and also states (multiple Gunshot wounds, severe)

2nd WIA: 17th August 1918 (Multiple bomb wounds)

MILITARY CROSS. L.G.: 29th November 1918 C.G.: 23th May 1919 'For conspicuous gallantry and good leadership in an attack. He led his company with great skill, capturing 150 prisoners and a battery of 5.9 guns. Later, after making a daring reconnaissance he advanced his line 2,000 yards and consolidated his position under heavy fire. He set a splendid example of coolness and determination to his company'

R.T.A. 1st May 1919.

WW2. NX12434 Captain Potts Enlisted 20th May 1940

Taken POW at the fall of Singapore and Interned by the Japanese in a Malay camp for over three and a half years.

Returned to Australia after the Japanese surrender arriving in Sydney 29th October 1945.

Comes with research, photocopies of service records, an extract from the War Diary of Alexandria Hospital Malaya 14th February 1942 giving explicit details of the Japanese actions in the hospital, copy of telegram from the Minister for the Army notifying Mrs Potts of Captain Potts being a P.O.W., New South Wales Police Department Certificate to certify C. Mc. Potts served in the N.S.W. Police Force.

Note: Captain Pott's medals were initially sold by Noble Numismatics in 2006 for $8,700 plus buyer's premium (19.75%) of $1675 which equals $10,375. Ten years later we are proud to offer such an outstanding officers fighting gallantry group covering two conflicts, multiple wounds and a POW of the Japanese.

VF SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.1914/15 Star and Victory Medal impressed to 30 T-SGT J. E. BAKER 12 L. H. RGT AIF

Emb. 13th June 1915

WIA Shrapnel wound hand, Gallipoli 25 October 1915

Posted on strength at the charge of Beersheba (31 October 1917)

Reported as having Malaria 28th June 1918

RTA 2nd January 1918

An outstanding group to an early enlistment, regimental number "30". Wounded at Gallipoli, promoted to sgt and at the iconic charge of Beersheba. Comes with his trench art caddy spoon.

VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal. Correctly impressed to 4872 PTE. C. J. WHITE 48-BN. A.I.F.

Previous service "15 days A.I.F. Exhibition" "15 days war service"

Emb. 23rd June 1917

WIA 5th April 1918 (Bomb wound, chest). Private White was taken to 13th Field Ambulance where he died of his wounds that day.

Page 229 of Neville Brownings book "Leane's Battalion" states the following " as they marched along the Amiens to Albert road, a shell exploded amongst the column and killed Sergeant M.H. Macloy and Private N. Oma and wounded Privates S. W. Howells and H. M. Martin. Tentative roll calls revealed that CQMS F. A. Rochow, Corporal D. O. Rogers , Lance Corporals A. C. MacKenzies and J. Scott and Privates W. R. Baker, E. Blackman, S. H. Chandler, B. E. Chellew, H. M. Drummond, M. S. McCombe, T. McGowan, P. O'Sullivan, S. R. Tudor and C. J. White had also been killed during the battle."

Cecil Johnson White was a local identity of Renmark in South Australia and amongst his talents is mention of his artistic ability. With this group comes a beautiful original characterture of "The flag Lieutenant" (signed C.J.W) of which we presume is from his embarkation. Also with his original AIF booklet of his Grave, a photo of him and a single collar badge.

An impressive and emotive grouping.; 

Medals Near EF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 3396 Cpl. C. W. Harris 53 Bn.  AIF

emb. 24 Jan.1917  RTA 14 Sept. 1919

Near VF SOLD

A rare Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers Member of the British Empire (MBE) group for North West Europe the recipient being in addition Mentioned in Despatches for North West Europe and Korea later serving in Malaya

Nine: Member of the British Empire (MBE) 2nd type Military 1939/45 Star, France & Germany Star, Defence & War Medals with Mentioned in Despatches Oak leaf Queen's Korea Medal with MID Major J R Matthews MBE REME, General Service Medal E2 bar Malaya Major J R Matthews MBE REME, United Nations Medal for Korea Queen Elizabeth 2 Coronation Medal 1953 – mounted as worn

MBE London Gazette 11 October 1945

'For gallant & distinguished service in NW Europe'

MID London Gazette 23 March 1945

'For gallant and distinguished service in NW Europe'

MID London Gazette 7 September 1952 'For gallant and distinguished services in Korea during the period 1 January to 30 June 1951'

With copy Medal roll entry for Elizabeth 2 Coronation Medal and MBE recommendation as Deputy Assistant Director of Mechanical Engineering 8th Corps stating 'This officer has held the appointment of D.A.D.M.E since the early days of the Corps in February 1943. His untiring application has played a great part in the work which REME have been able to undertake. Throughout the operation from HOLLAND to SCHLESWIG he has put in a degree of work that has enabled the branch to function normally in spite of severe reductions in personnel from accidents and sickness'.

Second Mentioned in Despatches was awarded commanding the 11th Infantry Brigade REME Workshop in Korea.

John Rose Matthews, MBE, MA was born 21 June 1914 and obtained an Honours Degree in Mechanical Sciences at Cambridge University commissioned Lieutenant 23 March 1940 promoted Captain 11 January 1943 and acting Major from 11 October 1942 and War Services substantive Major 8 November 1945 and acting Lt Colonel 8 August 1945 to 7 November 1945 and Temporary Colonel 8 November 1945 to 23 May 1947. Reverted to substantive Major on the 21 June 1950 from acting rank of Lt Colonel. Retired 21 June 1969 and granted the hon rank of Lt Colonel. John Ross Mathews died in Chichester in 1999

Note: Johnathan Collins, Warsash Hampshire 1st June 2008 £1150

GVF - NEF SOLD

Army of India 1799-1826, 1 clasp, Ava (Serjt. R. Whittan, 45th Foot) short reverse hyphen, officially impressed naming, 

Obverse shows proud polishing with excellent reverse, EK so Good, Fine SOLD

Single: Maharajpoor Star 1843 James Devine HM 39^th Regt. With service docs, transferred to the Royal Canadian Rifles after 20 years service with the 39^th.

Near VF SOLD

Single: St. Jean d’Acre 1840, bronze, unnamed, pierced with ring suspension

SOLD

Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL 1854 One clasp:. "Burma 1889-92". 1583 Pte.R.Kilgannon. Devon.Rgt. Later impressed naming.

 Good VF SOLD

Baltic 1854-55, unnamed as issued, 

Good very fine $395

 Single : BALTIC MEDAL 1854 un named as issued

Small EK at 7 o'clock otherwise near EF SOLD

Single: BALTIC MEDAL 1854 un-named as issued

 VF SOLD

Four: Crimea 1854-56, clasp, "Sebastopol" Depot impressed to 2495 * WILLIAM * BRYAN * 34^TH * REGT *, Indian Mutiny Medal impressed Wm BRYAN, 34^TH REGT, Army L.S. & G.C., (V.R. 3^rd type), impressed 2495 SERGT Wm BRYAN, 34^TH FOOT. and a un-named Turkish Crimea 1855 medal, Sardinian issue.

Note: William Bryan was born in Clarendon, near Hurley, Warwicks. He enlisted on the 27^th July 1845 at Coventry aged19. Depot Rolls for the 34^th Foot (WO67) show “2495 Private Bryan, William; - Severe Wound, 1^st Attack on the Redan 18^th June 1855 Crimean War”. Discharged 15^th August 1871,

Comes with research. A superb long service, Crimean Casualty and Mutiny group

Good VF SOLD