Sold

CHARGE OF THE HEAVY BRIGADE

Pair : Crimea Medal three clasps "Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol" and Turkish Crimea (Sardinian issue). Crimea medal impressed F. GRAY. 2ND DRAGNS.  Sardinian Crimea depot impressed in upright capitals F. GRAY 2ND DRAGOONS.

Confirmed on roll and records show that at no stage was Private Francis Gray sick during the Crimean war. His service being stated as 1 year and eleven months in the Crimea. Roy Duttons book "Forgotten Heroes" has 1099 Pte. Gray as "probably rode in the charge". Great group to Gray of the Grey's.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The book "Charge of the Heavy Brigade" by Roy Dutton on page 359 reproduces an article by "the Aberdeen weekly" October the 27th 1896 which reports on the Scots Greys annual reunion in which Troopers W. Swanson, Gray and Berland are guests of honour being original chargers. This clearly illustrates that Gray being the only trooper on the nominal roll can now be classed as a "confirmed charger".

Ex Glendining's September 1977

Some contact marks, otherwise near VF SOLD

Passport photo of Thomas McConville and his wife

Four: R.Q.M.S. Thomas McConville M.S.M. Royal Irish Fusiliers

1914-15 Star (14516 SJT T. McCONVILLE. R. IR. FUS); British War (14516 SJT T. McCONVILLE. R. IR. FUS); VICTORY MEDAL (14516 SJT C. McCONVILLE. R. IR. FUS); Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (14516 C.Q.M. SJT T.  McCONVILLE 9/R. IR. FUS). There is a minor initial error on the Victory Medal, but all surrounding information including service number is the same.

M.S.M. London Gazette 18 January 1919.

Thomas McConville was born on the 9^th August 1895 in Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland and enlisted with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1915, serving with the 9th Battalion (Lurgan) during the Great War. A Genealogy extract on Lurgan has his final rank as Regimental Quartermaster showing the following “McConville, Thomas, 120, Victoria Street, R.Q.M.S., 9th R.I.F., M.S.M”. He and his wife along with their baby daughter migrated to Australia in 1926.

Nearly extremely fine SOLD

A superb example of a Scots Guard Sgt in the Crimea

Trio : Distinguished Conduct Medal (VR), Crimea Medal four clasps "Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann, Sebastopol" and Turkish Crimea (British issue). DCM impressed CORPL G. THOMSON. SCOTS FUSR GDS. Crimea Medal contemporary engraved capitals CORPL GEOE THOMPSON SCOTS FUSR GDE. Turkish Crimea in upright engraved capitals SGT G. THOMPSON (unofficial Crimea suspension). Note: the DCM has omitted the "P" in Thompson.

Period records show that Sgt.Thompson was recommended on the 26th March 1855 by the Officer Commanding the Royal Scots Fusilier Guards "Under the Warrant of 4th December 1854" for "Distinguished conduct in the field". The medal was sent to the Adjutant General in the Crimea on the 14th May 1855 for issue in the field.

The Scots Guards were awarded four Victoria Crosses and a number of Distinguished Conduct Medals in Heavy fighting in the Alma and Inkermann. As this DCM was awarded prior to the creation of the Victoria Cross and was issued in country, there is unfortunately no citation. One thing is for sure he would have been involved in several bayonet charges and a good deal of bloody hand to hand fighting. It even raises the question whether the original DCM winners would have been eligible for the Victoria Cross if it had been instituted at the time.

Some contact marks otherwise near VF SOLD

Keith Rocco's painting of the 23rd in action against French cuirassiers and Dutch lancers

Single: Waterloo Medal 1815 correctly named to William Cooksey, 23rd Reg. Light Dragoons fitted with original steel clip and later ring suspension.

23rd Light Dragoon casualties at Waterloo; 13 men killed, 5 officers & 23 men wounded, 1 officer & 31 men missing.

Served in Captain John Martin's number 2 troop. Ex Gascoigne collection March 1909. Originally sold by Sotheby, Wilkinson & Hodge February 1879 and later again sold by Spink's (c1995) of where it has resided in a collection ever since.

Slight edge bruising VF SOLD

Light contact marks otherwise VF SOLD

INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 one clasp : "Burma 1885 - 7" named in running script to: 1162 Pte. T. Keohane 2nd Bn.Rl.Muns.Fus.

This medal was originally found on the Geraldton rubbish tip - north of Perth. It appears the Keohane family came to Western Australia in the early 1900's.

Worthy of further research

Good VF SOLD

Single: India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, North West Frontier impressed to 578 DRIVR. W. J. SMITH, D By. F Bde. R.A.

VF+ SOLD

Single: INDIA GENERAL SERVICE MEDAL1854 One Clasp; "Hazara 1888" 1156 Pte. E. Goddard 2nd Bn. Sussex Reg't. VF

Good VF SOLD

Single: Crimea 1854-56, 4 clasps, "Alma, Balaklava, Inkermann and Sebastopol" contemporary engraving to CORPL. R. GRACIE SCOTS FUSR GDS

Good VF SOLD

Single: Crimea 1854-56, 1 loose clasp, Sebastopol, unnamed

Note: With French Imperial award document for the British Crimea Medal with clasp Sebastopol, awarded to Fusilier Jean Gueyrouil (?), 47^th Regiment dated 1 December 1856. Document creased and repaired.

Good very fine SOLD

Reverend Bradley middle row, third from the right

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to HON CAPT J L BRADLEY

John Leo Bradley, born September 14^th 1886 in Ashbourne Derbyshire joined CEF embarking from Montreal for overseas service on the 8^th July 1916.

Posted to 238^th Bn (Forestry) 2^nd October 1916 France

3^rd February 1917 taken on strength “D. of C. Hp.” as Roman Catholic Chaplain. followed by postings at various casualty clearing stations, the 5^th Can. Div, Artillery Brigade, Witley Camp then 4^th Can. Div Artillery Brigade.

Transferred to Imperial Chaplains Services, C. Gen. Depot. S’cliffe on the 5^th August 1918

Research shows post war service in the Canadian Militia, Ottawa, Ontario.

Note: Comes with original Canadian Chaplin’s badge and research suggesting that Reverend Bradley was reverend to King George VI. The ribbon at the end of his medal group represents the “Royal Warrant Holders Association Medal” and further supports this. Further research is required to ascertain the relationship with King George VI.

VF SOLD

Trio: British war medal, Mercantile Marine and 1935 Jubilee Medal. First two impressed to MARY MC FARLANE. Jubilee un-named as issued

Mary McFarlane was born in Kennington in 1880

Medals confirmed and issued 26^th August 1919 and sent to 86 Thrush St, Walworth SE17

Note: Jubilee medal comes in box with female bow ribbon. Rare Female grouping.

VF SOLD

Trio: British war medal, Defence Medal and Italian War Medal impressed to REV. P. N. MAITLAND

Reverend Peregrine Neave Maitland born 2^nd November 1884, educated at Harrow School, Harrow, London and Trinity Hall, Cambridge University

Awarded British War Medal (Civilian List Rol 101/A) Page 20. Theatre of War first served in France, 9/1917

The following extract referring to Reverend Maitland’s WW2 activity was taken from the following website and would support the issue of his Defence Medal

www.coleshillhouse.com/specialdutiesbranch/bradwell-sd-out-station.php

“The only information currently available comes from a 1944 map of the Special Duties network. This shows an outstation in the vicinity of Bradwell-on-Sea. It is likely that the set was in or around the village itself as the land is extremely flat and the village is the highest point in the surrounding area. Even today the area is relatively sparsely populated

Doctors and the clergy were picked as wireless operators and with the church tower of St Thomas's being the highest structure in the area, it may be that the Reverend Peregrine Neave Maitland was involved. He had moved from Loughton in April 1940, his former parishioners giving him a 10hp car as a leaving gift. He had served in France during the First World War with the Church Army.”

Peregrine Neave Maitland Rector of Loughton, Essex died in 1954.

Note: Italian WW1 War medal unconfirmed. Comes with original period miniatures

VF SOLD

Single: Turkish Crimea 1855, British issue, unnamed, pierced with rings for suspension

SOLD

Near EF SOLD 

Single: Indian Mutiny Medal 1857-58 one clasp "CENTRAL INDIA" impressed naming to COLR SERJT J. F. STEVENS. 86TH REGT.

Confirmed on medal roll as Colour Sergeant J. Stephens

Near EF SOLD

 Single : INDIAN MUTINY MEDAL 1857 one clasp "Delhi" Impressed B.Cogan 52nd L.I.. The 52nd were in the thick of the fighting at Delhi.

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 5^th 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

Germany, Prussia, Iron Cross 1813, 2nd Class, Rare “stepped iron center” first issue

King Friedrich Wilhelm III instituted the Iron Cross on 10 March 1813 as an award for bravery, available to all ranks, both combatant and non-combatant. By the Supreme Cabinet Order of 12 March 1815, combatants whose bravery in action had been brought to the attention of the King but had not been awarded an Iron Cross as a result, were permitted to ‘inherit’ an Iron Cross 2nd Class when, following the death of a recipient, the cross was returned. A deceased officer’s Iron Cross being awarded to another officer, in similar other rank’s crosses were awarded again to other ranks. A single Iron Cross could therefore be awarded to several combatants. This continued until the 1830’s when it was decided clear the backlog and to award an Iron Cross to those still waiting to ‘inherit’ one. This required a new batch of Iron Crosses to be produced. Those manufactured differed from the earlier versions like this example in being slightly larger and in having flat centre plates without a peripheral step, in general resembling subsequent issues of the cross.

Note: The 1813 Iron Cross is in the British section as they were allies at the time of the Peninsular Wars.

Very Fine SOLD

Single: New Zealand 1845-66, reverse dated 1863 to 1866 (2783 Cr. Sergt. Saml. Manning, 1st Bn. 12th Regt.),

The 12th Regiment arrived at Sydney in 1854 and served in New Zealand from 1860-66. It was engaged in the first Taranaki War, being present at No. 2 Redoubt and was in action throughout the Waikato War. It sustained losses at Rangiriri and fought at Gate Pa. The Headquarters moved to Napier in December 1865 and then moved to Tauranga in 1866, where part of the regiment took part in the Tauranga bush campaign.

As per the following report from The Hobart Mercury, 10 August 1861, Manning served as a Drill Instructor to the local volunteers in Tasmania in 186-61:

‘Yesterday evening a presentation of a purse of twenty sovereigns by the members of the First Rifles, S.T.V., to Acting Sergeant-Major Manning of H.M. 12th Regiment, who since the formation of the Corps, has filled the post of Drill Instructor, took place at the Town Hall.

Lieutenant-Colonel Russell, Field Officer, commanding Volunteers, and the whole of the officers of the Second Rifles were present; Mr. Manning holding the office of Drill Instructor to that corps. Several ladies also graced the scene with their presence and numerous spectators filled the gallery and lower part of the Hall. Acting Sergeant-Major Manning arrived shortly after eight o'clock, and the Corps being drawn up in subdivisions facing each other, Captain Solly spoke as follows:

“Sergeant Manning - The pleasing duty has devolved upon me, as the Captain Commanding the First Rifles, to convey to you, on the part of the Corps, the expression of their appreciation of your services as Drill Instructor. We feel, that to your unwearied assiduity and never failing patience, the present state of efficiency, which without boasting I may say is second to no corps in the Colony, is in great measure owing to you. I have now the pleasure of presenting to you this purse as a token of the good feeling entertained by the Corps towards you, and the high place you hold in their esteem. l am quite sure that wherever duty may call you, you will not forget the First Rifles, and you will ever carry with you the best wishes of the members of the Corps.

Sergeant Manning said:

“Officers, non-commissioned officers, and members of the First Rifles. I thank you most heartily for the very handsome present which you have made me. It has always been my anxious desire to do my duty faithfully as your Drill Instructor. I shall ever feel it a great pleasure to assist in any way the members of the First Rifles; and any information that I may possess connected with their instruction as Volunteers I shall be most happy to afford. I may be called away shortly, or I may remain here for many years, but wherever I am I shall always remember the time I have spent with you and hope and trust you will ever maintain the position you now hold in the Rifle Corps of Tasmania.”

Sergeant Manning then withdrew and Colonel Russell, who had been present at the drill, requested Captain Solly to convey to the Corps his satisfaction at the manner in which they had gone through their evolutions.’

Officially impressed naming, edge bruise, otherwise very fine SOLD

Single: Canada General Service 1866-70, 1 clasp, Fenian Raid 1866. Correct impressed naming to PTE. E. De VILLERS, 17th BATTALION

VF+ SOLD

Five: Military Medal, Mons Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Belguim Croix de Guerre. First four medal correctly impressed to D-19927 L.CPL R. SEAL. 3/D.GDS on the Military medal and then a change of service number 5228 shown on the remaining three . Croix de Guerre un-named as issued.

All medals are officialy confirmed.

Military Medal London Gazette 16.7.1918

Belgium Croix de Guerre London Gazette 15.4.1918 No 30631

It is understood thar R. Seal participated the the famous Cavalry charge at Villeselve in March 1918 and was a good pal of Captain A. B. P.L. Vincent MC & Bar who was decorated for his roll in that charge and who’s medals were sold in our last list. Researching gallantry awards to the 3^rd Dragoon Guards indicates very little has ever been sold relating to such an amazing feat of arms which must go down as one of the last horse back chargers on the western front in WW1. Extremley rare.

bsp;Overall group is VF SOLD

Single: Abyssinia 1867 correct raised naming to J. Warner A.B. H.M.S. Nymphe 

Good very fine SOLD