Sold

A very rare Victorian silver hoof memorial inkwell to Lt. Francis Hervey Harford 10th Hussars. The base has a solid silver horse shoe and the top a fur cover opening to reveal the inkwell. There are three sets of matching hallmarks dating the piece to 1880, London. Thornhill & Co. makers, 144 Bond St. The piece in inscribed 'Bon Bon, 1st Charger, C.S.G. X. R. H. , In Memoriam F. H. H. March 31st 1879'

On the 31st of march in Afghanistan the 10th Hussars were involved in a tragic event crossing the Kabul river at Kala-i-Sak. Lt Harford, 46 N.C.O.s and men and thirteen horses were drowned in this disaster, which was subject of the famous poem by Rudyard Kipling. (below is a extract).

'Gawd 'elp 'em if they blunder, for their

boots'll pull 'em under,

By the ford o' Kabul river in the dark."

Rudyard Kipling

During the 19 century, farriers were required to remove a hoof from deceased horses as proof of death thus avoiding any suggestion of "black market" selling of horses.

SOLD

 BREASTPLATE, Early 16th century possibly German approx. 20 inches high. Roped border at neck and cod. Four articulated panels attached to main plate, complete with buckles.

Good overall condition SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 6542 O. MARTIN

Emb. 2nd October 1916 with the 5th Bn AIF

6th May 1917 Admitted to hospital with septic foot (Trench foot)

RTA 19th October 1919

Medical discharge "Influenza" 21st January 1918

These medals were issued in 1968 as Private Martin states "Have not at anytime received". Records further show that the medals were returned to sender in 1923.

Unusual late issue to the veteran himself of where rank and unit is dropped from the medals. Comes with original Dog Tags.

 EF SOLD

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 7060 PTE F. NICHOLSON 6 BN AIF

Emb. 23^rd November 1916

WIA: 4^th October 1917 "GSW Back"

RTA: 22^nd April 1919

Note: Comes with large original studio photo of Frank Nicholson and services rendered badge

Near EF SOLD

Four: 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.1914/15 Star and Victory Medal impressed to 1178 PTE W. W. STANGER 11 BN. AIF (48 BN on Victory Medal). British War Medal is named to 2631 Spr J. Stranger R.E. (brother?). Death plaque named Walter Wright Stanger.

Emb. 20th December 1914.

Evacuated from Gallipoli sick August 1915 (11th BN)

WIA. Gun Shot to the left Shoulder 11th April 1917 (48th BN)

WIA 2nd Occ. 6th July 1918. Remained on duty (48th BN)

KIA Jeancourt 18th September 1918 (48th BN)

Records show that Pte Stanger was killed instantly by "Machine gun bullet to the head"

This group appears to be the classic  family mix up either not realising the medals are named on the edge or just wanting a representative of both brothers.

Good VF SOLD

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 78 CQMS A. C. COLLYER 39/BN AIF.

EMB: 27^th May 1916

Appointed CQMS 22^nd Oct 1916

Trench fever 8^th Apr 1918

Discharged 18^th May 1919 3^rdM.D

VF SOLD

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 2930 PTE N. S. KING 59 BN AIF

Previous service listed as the 29^th INF AUST. RIFLES

Emb: 3^rd November 1916

Transferred from the 59^th Bn to the A. G. H. (underage personnel) 27^th September 1917

Transferred back to the 59^th Bn from the 2^nd Aust. Gen. Hosp. 12^th August 1918

RTA: 30^th September 1919

Note: It appears that Norman Sydney King served almost a year with the 59^th Bn before they discovered he had lied about his age and subsequently sent him to the AGH underage personnel section until he came of age. This group also comes with Norman Sydney King's original medal box.

EF SOLD

PTE CYRIL SMITH 2/32ND BN KILLED IN ACTION EL ALAMEIN

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star “8^th Army”, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All medals correctly named to WX14734 C E F SMITH

Private Cyril Edward Francis Smith, a dairy hand from Welshpool, WA, enlisted as a general reinforcement on 2 Jul 1941 posted to the 2/32^ND AIF.

An original member of ‘D’ Company, he fought at Tobruk, the capture of ‘Trig 22’ and during the subsequent German armoured counter-attack at El Alamein. On the 1^st November 1942 when the 24th Brigade relieved the 26th Brigade at ‘the saucer’, Private Smith was killed from German tank machine gun fire during the heaviest fighting

Private Cyril Edward Francis Smith is buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. †

Note: Comes with high quality digital photos

EF SOLD

ESCAPE & EVASION

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal with Mentioned in despatches oak leaf and Australian Service Medal. Stars un-named as often issued, with remaining three correctly impressed to NX3735 W. H. SCHOFIELD

NX3735 William Henry Schofield  enlisted into the Australian Army as a Signalman on the 23^rd October 1939 at Paddington NSW

His date for embarkation was the 14^th September1940 bound for the Middle East returning on the 19^th March 1942

M.I.D. awarded for “Distinguished Service in the Middle East during the period of February 1941 to July 1941”. London Gazette 35396 dated the 30^th of December 1941 page 7361 at position 68

Embarking again this time to confront the Japanese and bound for New Guinea he left on the 24^th of April 1944. Finally Schofield returned on the 16^th September 1945 for discharge which took place on the 19^th October 1945 due to the conclusion of the war. It is nice to see he went on to live a healthy long life passing away on the 28^th September 2001.

Interestingly Schofield’s name comes up on the Freeman website (dedicated to soldiers who have escaped the enemy) with the following reference “Greece NX3735 SCHOFIELD William Henry 2/2 Bn” then it mentions the ship “Victoria Huon” he used in the final leg of his escape from the island of “Skyros” also mentioned.

“Purple over Green” the unit history on the 2/2^nd Battalion (who Schofield was attached to) gives us an insight into Schofields fascinating escape telling the story of one of Schofield’s companions for part of his escape. We do not know what Schofield endured over the first nine days whilst on the run evading the Germans until the late hours of the 27^th where the book specifically mentions him meeting other escaping soldiers forming a group of no less than 14 in all. Several days were then spent in hiding whilst trying to negotiate with the local Greek villagers for a boat to further their escape. Finally a boat large enough was acquired and the 14 of them were able to sail to the island of Skopelos, then the next day to the island of Skandura, then on to Skyros. The escape was far from over and days past on the island along with another group that had made it. The group waited and hoped until the night of the 13^th of May when they sighted a 30 foot boat and after much negotiation with the skipper it was agreed he would take the whole party of now 30 men. The cost for this was an exorbitant sum that the group was to obtain from the British Consul at Smyrna in Turkey, their projected destination. The book tells of further close calls as the group hides under blankets as the German planes fly over until arriving in Turkey. Once in Turkey arrangements had to be made for the group to travel to Palestine where the Australian troops were located. They finally reached their fellow comrades on the 24^th of May now a group of no less than 48 men made up of both Australian and New Zealand soldiers.

When we compare the dates for which Schofield is awarded his MID, along with the dates the Germans invaded and the dates we now know he escaped, we see they are the same, making this award a seldom seen award for escape and evasion. A truly fascinating story which further research could only make better.

VF SOLD

Single: India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Major F. A. Blyth. 10th. Bl. Lcrs.) with later silver Oak Leaf with M.I.D. inscribed.

Note: Frederick Augustus Blyth was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia, in 1857. He was the son of Major-General F. S. Blyth, C.B., who commanded the 40th Foot when stationed in Australia. F.A. Blyth was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 40th Foot, in February 1875. He transferred to the 73rd Foot in December of the same year, before being posted as a Lieutenant to the Indian Staff Corps in January 1881.

Blyth was appointed a Squadron Officer of the 10th Bengal Lancers in January 1882, and served with the Regiment during the Zhob Valley Expedition of 1884. He served as Adjutant, January 1885 - February 1886, advancing to Captain in the latter year. He served as Major, and officiating Commandant of the Regiment for the campaign on the North West Frontier under Sir William Lockhart, with the Buner Field Force in 1898 (M.I.D. London Gazette 22 April 1898). He commanded the Regiment, October 1901 - May 1907, having been appointed Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1904. Blyth died in February 1919.

Very fine SOLD

PAIR: British War and Victory Medal, both correctly impressed to 5732 PTE W. K. SHARPLES 59/BN AIF.

EMB: 4^th May 1916 14^thBN

Transferred to the 59^thBN 1^st Jun 1916

Trench feet 14^th Dec 1916

W.I.A: 25^th Apr 1918 (G.S.W face)

W.I.A: (2^nd occurrence) 2^nd Sept 1918 (shell right leg)

Discharged 7^th Dec 1919 3^rdM.D

Note: Medals returned to sender and resent in 1924.

VF SOLD

Trio: 1914-15 Star correct impressed style to 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F. (unit details are faint due to weak striking); British War and Victory Medals correctly impressed 1556 Pte. L. H. B. Hudd, 9........[A]I.F.

This group comes with a beautifully designed certificate of service outlining the following;

"Leslie Hilland Bruce Hudd was born in McLaren Vale, South Australia. A Lithographer by occupation and a member of the Public Service Rifle Club, he enlisted into the 9^th Light Horse Regiment A.I.F. on 3 September 1915. He embarked for overseas service at Adelaide, aboard the Geelong, 18 November 1915, as part of the 12^th Reinforcements to the 9^th Light Horse and landed at Egypt. With the unit Hudd served in the raid on the Turkish outpost of Jifjafa in the Sinai, April 1916. On 5^th August 1916 he served in the mounted attack on the Turks occupying the high ridge at Hamisah and on 9^th August took part in the heavy fighting at Bir el Abd, where the light horsemen were attacked by near overwhelming numbers of Turks. The stubborn steadiness of the Light Horsemen, fighting throughout, in the heat of the day, saved the retreat from becoming a route. Casualties were heavy with eight officers and sixty-five other ranks killed and thirty-three officers and two hundred and ten other ranks wounded. In October 1916 Trooper Hudd was transferred to the H.Q. of the 3^rd Light Horse. This unit later took part in the actions at Mazar, El Arish, Magdhaba and Rafa. His papers record that Hudd had several run-ins with authority - noting 'neglect of duty' in failing to clean his rifle, in May 1917 and 'failing to salute an officer', in August 1918. Hudd returned to Australia aboard the Delta on 2 August 1919."

Nearly VF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal correctly impressed to VX18985 C. W. Mucklow,

Sergeant Charles William Mucklow a native from Nathalia, Victoria enlisted on 6 Jun 1940. The 2/2nd  Pioneer Battalion fought as companies during the Syrian campaign, but when the Vichy French counter-attacked Merdjayoun on 15 Jun 1941, the 2/2nd regrouped to hold the Litani Bridge and prevent further enemy advance.

On 17 Jun, the 2/2nd participated in the attack on Fort Merdjayoun. French machine-gun fire quickly stopped the attack and the Australians suffered 27 killed, 29 captured, and 46 wounded.

In early 1942 the 2/2nd sailed on the Orcades reaching Oosthaven in Sumatra before going to Batavia. The troops aboard Orcades combined as ‘Blackforce’ to defend Java. The Japanese landed on Java on 28 February 1942. Blackforce went into action at Leuwiliang near Buitenzorg on 4 March fighting against the Japanese for two days but was ordered to lay down arms the day after Dutch surrender on the 8^th of March. The majority of the 2/2nd survived the fighting and spent the rest of the war as prisoners. Of these, 258 men died, most while working on the Burma-Thailand railway.

Mucklow was part of Williams Force, who worked the Burma end of the railway. He died of beri beri at Tha Makham camp, Thailand, on 29 Jan 1944. His body was recovered at the end of the war and reinterred in the CWGC cemetery at Kanchanaburi, Thailand.

 EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, Australian Service Medal correctly impressed to 400969 R. F. Cripps

Flight Sergeant Cripps a native from Glenferrie Vic, enlisted on the 7th of December 1940.

On 9 Jan 43, Cripps was tasked as bomb aimer aboard Lancaster W4371 of 12 Sqn, Bomber Command. The aircraft took off from RAF Station Wickenby, to carry out a mine laying operation in the Saint Peter’s Head area of the West Frisian Islands, near the Danish coast. Nothing was heard from the aircraft after take-off and it the Lancaster and crew failed to return to base.

The crew was listed as missing in action, and an investigation determined the crew was killed in flying battle. Two other planes were also listed as missing at the same time.

Official report states “It is presumed to have been lost owing to enemy action over the target which it was detailed to attack”

Historian Alan Storr states “Following post war investigations and enquires, it was recorded in 1949 that the missing crew had lost their lives at sea”.

This is a rare Air Crew Europe Killed in Action group to an Australian and seldom seen on the market.

 Near EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, War Medal (M.I.D.) and Australian Service Medal 1939/45 to an Officer of the 2/43rd Btn. AIF. War Medal and ASM are correctly impressed to SX6994 R. B. Davis. Stars un-named as often found.

MID London Gazette 24-6-1943. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 16-3-1944 "Award for El Alamein"

WIA 10/8/1941 Tobruk.

Promoted to be Lieutenant 3/1/1943.

Comes with large quantity of research. Original train ticket and Battalion Car Badge for the 2/43rd, plus old period plastic coated ribbon bar, pre ASM award.

EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly impressed to VX34115 C. V. SPEERS. Comes with box of issue

Enlisted 11^th July 1940 and posted to the 2/3^rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

The unit embarked for the Middle East in December 1940

Sydney Morning herald 18^th June 1941 has Gunner Speers as “Previously reported missing now believed killed”

Records indicate that VX34115 Cyril Speers was at one stage held at an officers camp at Sulmona (Campo PG78)

Discharged 31^st August 1945

Note: The majority of POW’s of the 2/3^rd L. A. A. Rgt were taken during the evacuation of Crete. The approximate figure of Australians in Italian POW camps during the war is 2000 soldiers.

EF SOLD

Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to WX284 G. J. STRAUGHAN. Stars un-named as often issued.

At the time of listing these medals Sergeant George James Straughan’s service records were still sealed.

The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll;

Enlisted 7^th November 1939 into the Australian Army at Subiaco, WA

Discharged 1^ST March 1944

Unit on discharge listed as “2/11^TH BATTALION 6 DIVISION”

Note: With the service number WX284 we know that Sergeant Straughan enlisted on the very first day of enlistment in 1939. The “Western Mail” newspaper dated the 9^th January 1941 lists a “Virgilian Honour Roll” giving us an insight of his service and shows us he was still overseas at that time.  “Cocky's Offsider" WX284 Sgt G. I. Straughan, A/A Platoon, Headquarters Coy.. 2/11 Battalion. AIF. Abroad”

The “Mirror” newspaper dated 31^st October 1942 in relation to Georges wedding had stated the following; “George took everything Hitler’s men could throw at him overseas, and returned to claim his sweet heart. “(First WAAAF wedding in Geraldton)

With the newspaper clipping showing his marriage in Australia in 1942 and knowing the majority of the 2/11^th were taken Prisoners on Crete, it appears that Sergeant Straughan may have been one of the lucky few who were able to make a daring escape off the island. Further research can only enhance this group.

VF SOLD

Three: Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All medals correctly named to VX131045 H J W SEWELL

Henry Joseph William Sewell was born on the 1^st May 1910 Leichhardt, NSW.

Enlisted in the Militia 1^st July 1928 (36^th Infantry Bn)

To 57/60^th Infantry Bn 1^st July 1935

Enlisted in the Permanent Forces 13^th August 1936 (Ordnance Corps)

Posted to Midland Junction workshops, Western Australia as Sergeant 1938

posted to duty 3^rd Heavy Brigade of Artillery, Rottnest Island and promoted to Warrant Officer Class II shortly after.

Joined A.I.F. November 1940 and continued to be posted to Rottnest Island, Midland Junction (as Armament Artificer) and various other locations in WA before posted to Queensland 13^th Advanced Workshops towards the end of 1944.

Embarked Brisbane for Morotai, Borneo and operations against the Japanese per Transport “Sea Barb” 1945

Enplaned Morotai for Melbourne 18^th January 1946 and to Officer Cadet training.

After WW2 posted to Army Headquarters Master General of the Ordnance Branch, Albert Park Melbourne 1947 and rose up through the ranks as a junior officer before being discharged with the Honorary rank of Major in 1965

Note: Regimental numbers he was given are 10/281681, 3753, VX131045 and 3470

Comes with WW2 Dog Tags, REME rifle competition awards (engraved medallion and plaque), both his original Warrant and also his Commission, along with a beautiful letter from Major-General Canet, CB CBE on Major Sewell’s retirement and his “Record of Service Book” which confirms the three medals as his full issue of medals. Research included

Good VF SOLD

FAMILY GROUPING

GROUP 1: Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 14021 PTE J. CLARKE WORC. R.

Note: Unclear as to relationship of both groups but not father & Son. Medals came together and we do not split families

 GROUP 2: Five: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to VX48050 L. L. CLARKE Stars un-named as often found with early issue.

Enlisted 4^th July 1940 to 8^th Battalion as V58019

Enlisted A.I.F. at Caulfield 30^th July 1940 2/23^rd Battalion

Embarked Sydney for the Middle East 8^th March 1941

To Corps of Sigs Section 8^th July 1941

To 2/23^rd Battalion Garrison duty against Vichy French in Syria 19^th February 1942

AWOL with 120 days detention and then posted on further operations in North Africa and service at Gaza and Palestine with the 2/23^rd Battalion.

Embarked Suez per “L4” 31^st January 1943

Discharged medically unfit 27^th September 1943 (Malaria)

Note: Comes with Colonel Neil Smiths research

First group near EF second VF SOLD

PTE BROWN 51 BN KILLED IN ACTION BELGUIM

PHOTO CORTESY OF AWM WEBSITE

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3731 PTE. E. H. BROWN 11BN AIF

Private Edward Huxley Brown, a blacksmith’s striker from Westonia, WA, enlisted on 18 Sep 1915.

On joining the 11th Battalion in Egypt in December it was not long before Private Brown was transferred to the newly raised 51^st Battalion becoming an original member of ‘C’ Company in Mar 1916.

Renown as a champion boxer, it is no surprise being a fighter that he became a machine gunner and took part in the 51st attacks at Mouquet Farm and Noreuil.

On the 10^th June 1917, as a volunteer stretcher-bearer and having just completed his duties he returned to the front-line trench at Messines. Suddenly a German shell landed in his dug-out and both he and another soldier were instantly killed. He is recorded as being buried, but unfortunately his body never recovered post war,

Private Brown is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial in Ypres, Belgium. †

VF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45, Queens Korea Medal and United Nations Korea Medal. WW2 medals are all unnamed as issued. Korea Pair correctly impressed to 3/10957 W. J. Whitford.

T/Sgt William John Whitford served with the English army in WW2 (service number 14922415), before enlisting into the Australian army and serving in Korea with 2 RAR

Comes complete with Australian Military Forces Certificate of Discharge (Korean overseas service of 1 year and 44 days). Royal Australian Regiment shoulder title, Ribbon Bar and both medal entitlement cards (WW2 and Korea) confirming all awards.

Near EF SOLD 

Trio: British War Medal, Victory Medal and Coronation medal (QE11). WW1 pair impressed to 31692 DVR S. H. HATTON 36 - H. A. G. AIF. Coronation unnamed as issued.

Comes with a copy of Dvr Hattons photo and profile of service (as pictured).

"Driver Samuel Howard Hatton (31692) enlisted on the 2nd October, 1916, and embarked on the 23rd December with the 9/25th F.A.B. He was in action with the 54th Siege Battalion near Nieuport, and also Polygon Woods, Ypres, Menin Woods, and the Passchendaele stunt. He was slightly gassed at the latter place, and returned to Australia on the 13th May, 1918.

Also comes with coronation roll, confirming that Samuel Hatton was an official guest at the coronation service.

An extremely rare WW1 group to an enlisted man with the QE11 coronation medal

Gd VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 6109 Pte. F. L. Macey 3 F.A.B. Pk. Sec. AIF

emb.29 Dec.1916  discharged 19 Dec 1919

VF SOLD