Pair: Korea 1950-53, U.N. Korea 1950-54 impressed to “37374 E. F. P. GIBB.”
Note: Stoker Eric Francis served in the RAN on the HMAS Warramunga (14th Aug 1950-17th May 1951) and HMAS Bataan (18th May 1951-6th June 1951).
The Warramunga was an extremely active ship in Korea, the following extract shows an insight in to her operations;
“Late on 5 February Warramunga and USS Lind detached and proceeded north to 38° 05' on the coast where LIND had previously landed an intelligence party. This party had been captured by the North Koreans who, using the team’s equipment, arranged a rendezvous with LIND. Unbeknown to the enemy, their deception was discovered and the two destroyers planned an unpleasant surprise. Right on time the enemy showed the prearranged signal.
Warramunga’s commander commented ‘USS Lind asked me if light was bright enough for an aiming mark and I replied it could be brighter. The enemy obliged by turning up to full brilliancy. We then opened up as fast as we could fire. I expended 59 rounds 4.7 inch and LIND about the same amount. The light went out. Subsequent intelligence confirmed that one North Korean company, some North Korean police and a large Intelligence team who were assembled as a reception committee were mostly killed or wounded. As the range was less than 3,000 yards and the fire was extremely rapid the result was not surprising.”
Comes with original box of issue.
Near EF SOLD
PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 2838 PTE W. B. PEBEROY 34/BN.
Previous service (no star) ENL. 4th Nov 1915
Discharged 14th Dec 1915 (varicose veins)
EMB: 25th Nov 1916 4thBN
Transferred 34thBN 10th Aug 1917
RTA: 11th Jan 1919
GOOD VF SOLD
LT Gubbins Victorian Mounted Rifles is standing top left in group photo
Group of six; Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; Queen’s South Africa five clasps “Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902” (2/Lieut. S. Gubbins, Rl. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (Major S. Gubbins, R. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Col. S. Gubbins),
It appears Stamer Gubbins was born in New Zealand on passage to Australia in 1882. Gubbins family settled in Melbourne where he was educated at Melbourne Grammar School. Joining the 5th Contingent, Victorian Mounted Rifles in 1900 as a lieutenant at the age of 18, he served in South Africa during the Boer War. After serving his full tour with the 5th VMR he went on to serve in the Royal Fusiliers in 1902.
Having then been seconded to the West African Frontier Force in Nigeria 1904-09, and been advanced to Major, Gubbins was embarked for France in June 1915, where he commanded the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers from August of that year until May 1916.It was during this period that he won his D.S.O. for the Battalion’s attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt (a.k.a. The Chord) on 2 March. On that occasion, the attack was launched at 5.45 p.m. with the detonation of seven mines, the largest of which was intended to wreck the bulk of The Chord. Certainly the earth thrown up by the mines partly covered the enemy’s wire, thereby allowing Gubbins’s men - and the neighbouring 8th Battalion - to gain access to the enemy’s defences, but not without significant loss. As stated in The Royal Fusiliers in the Great War, the 9th Battalion ‘found many Germans in their sector of The Chord who, though dazed, did not surrender and had to be killed. There followed a number of fierce grenade fights, the Germans rushing down from the north end of The Chord and along the trenches leading from the east into it ... but the craters were held against enemy bombing attacks during the night.’
D.S.O. London Gazette 15 April 1916:
‘This officer commanded his Battalion in an attack, the success of which was due to the excellent organisation he had established in his Battalion, and to the fighting spirit he had fostered in it.’
O.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1919.
“For valuable service rendered in connection with Military Operations in Egypt”
Gubbins, who was also mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 15 June 1916, refers), later served in the Egyptian Expeditionary Force as Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, services that resulted in his award of the O.B.E. After a long adventure away from Australia, Gubbins finally returned in 1938 with his wife. He died in 1940.
Mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to wreaths on the first, otherwise good very fine 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
PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 50947 PTE H. C. STEWART 35/BN AIF.
Previous service, 4 years & 5 months SNR. Cadets Holsworthy
EMB: 8th May 1918 19thBN
To join 35thBN 17th Oct 1918
RTA: 26th Aug 1919
GOOD VF SOLD
PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 2723 PTE H. R. MARKS 46/BN AIF.
EMB: 20th Oct 1916
W.I.A: 11th Apr 1917 (shell shock)
RTA: 26th Sep 1917
EF SOLD
Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 3972 PTE G. V. R. WILLIAMS. 22 BN AIF
Emb. 8th February 1916
Accidently injured. 28th March 1917. "scalded left leg"
WIA 4th October 1917 G. S. W. Left shoulder
2nd WIA 19th May 1918 G. S. W. Face
3rd WIA 23rd July 1918 Gassed
4th WIA 12th October 1918 G. S. W Abdomen
RTA 1st July 1919 due to termination of period of enlistment (not medically unfit!)
Not surprisingly with being wounded in action FOUR times Private Williams record states "Died after discharge".
Very impressive service to say the least.
BWM suspender repaired with wire. VF SOLD
Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All medals correctly named to VX147459 G. W. JACOBS
Sapper Glen William Jacob signed up on the 15th of October 1943 with the WW2 nominal roll interestingly shows the following as his location on enlistment
|
IN THE FIELD, NEW GUINEA |
The roll shows that he discharged as part of the 4th Aust Dock’s Opp Coy on the 30th of October 1945. At the time of listing these medals, Glen William Jacob’s service records were still sealed and as a result no further information is available about his Pacific service until his file is opened.
Note: With the curious comment stating enlistment in New Guinea, this group has great potential for a fascinating story with further research.
Near EF SOLD
Three: 1914-15 Star; British War and Victory Medals all correctly impressed to 253 PTE J. A. DAVENPORT 16/BN. A.I.F.;
Private J. A. Davenport, 16th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force
J. Allan Davenport, originally from Liverpool, served with the 16th Battalion. The following article appeared in the Liverpool Daily Echo in 1915:
‘Bugler J. Allen Davenport, formerly of the Liverpool Scottish, and now with the Second Contingent Australian Force writes: “I left Egypt months ago for the ‘do’ and have been wallowing in slaughter ever since. Oh, the sights I have seen and taken part in! It is marvellous how I escaped death. I have been fighting in the worst trench on the battlefield, and been in three bayonet charges. I volunteered to throw bombs, and threw a lot until I saw a fellow hold one in his hand a minute too long, and had his arm and hand blown off, so I thought discretion that better part of valour and gave it up.
One night an order came to charge the Turks’ trench, which was only 15 yards from ours, and the space between was filled with hundreds of our gallant Australians and Turks- mostly Turks. Anyway we charged and took the trench- they don’t like the bayonet- and held it till dawn. In the meantime the Turks had, under cover of darkness, got a couple of machine guns on each end of the trench, and when it grew light they opened fire. Those who survived came through a communication trench, dug overnight.
Another charge I was in was to take a hill where the Turks were entrenched. This hill is very steep. The 16th Battalion were ordered to take it. We had to creep up a narrow gully until we reached the hill. The slaughter that followed! I was one of the lucky ones. I was in the thick of the charge and yet I came out without a scratch, yet men were shot down all round me.”’
Davenport survived the War, and immigrated to Perth, Western Australia.
Note: Comes with the recipient’s aluminium identity tag; two cap badges; a Returned from Active Service lapel badge, the reverse officially numbered ‘123183’; and the recipient’s Returned Soldiers’, Sailors’, and Nurses’ Association of Western Australia lapel badge, gilt and enamel, the reverse numbered ‘39726’, with corresponding membership card,
Good very fine SOLD
BOER WAR DIARY & EPHEMERA
A very rare collection of Ephemera including a portrait of Lieut. W. R. Finlayson M.C. 21 Bn AIF, 2 official papers relating to his discharge (3MD). A WW1 recommendation he had written for 6840 Pte. R. J. Knight (subsequently awarded), A 1918 officers photo signed by all 10 officers. 3 small portrait photos in uniform, plus a short but very interesting Diary in which he served with the 3rd Bushmans Contingent (Victorian) under Major Vialls (W.A.) of whom he speaks very highly. This is the first Boer War Diary to an Australian we have ever owned.
Important note: Lieut Finlayson was one of the 133 soldiers reccommended for the Victoria Cross in the First World War
SOLD
Photograph album containing 48 original WW1 photos taken in France. The Album undoubtedly has an Australian Artillery connection with one caption stating "Group NCO's OF 31st BTY". A SGT Major Erskine (8th FAB and also a Belgian Croix De Guerre winner) is also mentioned. Numerous photo's of Guns, Planes Tanks and various places (including Villers Bretonneux and Plug Street 1917). All photos are captioned circa 1917/18.
SOLD
Photograph album containing 23 original WW1 period photos belonging to an Australian Soldier named “Arch”. The Album cover is titled “Snapshots taken by Arch. On active service 1916”.
All photos are captioned in detail showing Australian soldiers and naming most of them. A few photos also cover several parts of the UK including the zoo whilst presumably on leave. A good researcher may be able to work out exactly who Arch is with the other names and clues given by the soldier throughout.
Good overall condition with captions and photos all being clear SOLD
WWI LARGE SURVEY MAPS ON LINEN BACKING FRANCE ISSUE TITLED NORTH WEST EUROPE 30
With very heavy folds, moisture affected and aged as to be expected of maps carried in the line.
Very good - fine and scarce. SOLD
CAPTAIN JAMES HENRY MOORE 38TH BN AND CAPTAIN ERNEST WILLIAM DIXON D.S.O 10TH L.H. & 3RD ANZAC BN. IMPERIAL CAMEL CORPS (15TH L.H.)
These two photo albums contain a mixture of over 250 photos of both Captain Moore & Captain Dixon. The albums were put together by their friend Eileen Ramsay and are all very detailed. They include;
1. The embarkation of the 38th Bn AIF from Melbourne on the HMAT Runic. in June 1916. This is a most comprehensive detail of all the Officers (HQ's and all Coy's) naming each individually. With various other identities on the ship including Lieut. Orchard (Geelong footballer) and various other officers who would later become KIA, commanding Officers and or highly decorated to name just a few.
2. General photos of the battalion on board the ship ie. "looking for submarines", boxing "Heavy weight Championship" and general drill
3. Several photos of a visit by General Monash with Major Story (later the C.O. of the 37th who was later controversially dismissed as a result of the mutiny) and Brigadier McNicol D.S.O. for example.
4. Hospital photos. Nurses and wounded (Named)
5. Two portrait photos of Australian Flying Corps pilots (signed), one of which is Will Dixon brother to Ernest, the other name is hard to read and needs further research. Also various plane photos and a group photo of the AFC pilots in 1918 (pictured left), most likely related to Will.
6. Numerous photos related to Captain Dixon a Jnr Officer D.S.O. and twice mentioned in despatches. The photos start in Perth in February 1915 including naval officers, HMAT Kyarra (twice torpedoed, although not his ship he travelled on), then in the Middle East with various officers and men (named), horses (named), Light Horse Warrent Officers, signalers, 8th Light Horse Sgt, Soldiers doing gas mask training, despatch riders, Turkish officers surrendering, too many to name. These photos cover the early stages of Captain Dixons service when he was part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade Train A.A.S.C. hence his association with so many different units whilst working out of HQ. He was then made R.S.M. of 10th Light Horse and then transfered with a commission to the Camel Corp (15th L.H.). This is when the then Lt. Dixon wins a Gallant D.S.O defending the post that would later be known as "Dixons Post" for his command of the position when the Turks make a last ditch effort to re-take Beersheba.
Both "mixed" albums are extremely fascinating and have so many avenues to research. As with the above two lots of photos, they are well documented, clear and represent a researchers dream. There are so many outstanding names that appear, that I have no doubt that many of these photos will eventually end up in publications.
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
A Christmas Gift with Christmas Greetings to the Men of Canterbury, N. Z. Fighting for the Empire. From the Editor and Readers of “The Press” Christchurch, New Zealand Christmas 1915.
SOLD
Souvenir Guide of South Australia’s Fighting Men of the A.I.F. The history, achievements and colors of the various units. Compiled for the citizens and business men’s committee by SGT-MJR H. H. Hannam late A.I.F.
100 pages packed with interesting and important information to do with South Australian’s in the war. An absolute must for any South Australian collector.
SOLD
Ephemera rated to WX2063 Private Edward Donald Calvert 2/11th 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” (2nd 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 23rd
“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
NURSES CLEARING STATION PHOTO ALBUM FOR GALLIPOLI, MIDDLE EAST & SALONIKA CASUALTIES
This nurses photo album contains 50 photos in total with various examples of the captions as follows;
Observation Balloon, Gully ravine Gallipoli, Sisters bathing, various Stationary Hopitals and Casualty Clearing Station names, Turkish Quarters, Wounded Tommies, Hospital ship (and other ships),Turkish trenches Egypt and more.
A very interesting nursing sisters album, who was obviously there from the beginning.
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 11th of April 1916 listing his address as “Railway Coffee Palace, Perth W.A.
Private Pentlow embarked on the 18th September 1916 with the 11th Battalion A.I.F.
Tragically Private S. W. Pentlow was killed in action with the 11th Battalion on the Western Front on 15th 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: 20th October 1914
Concussion drum of left ear 20th October 1916?
RTA: 13th 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
