Sold

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to 176 Pte. C. W. Greet 60 Bn.  AIF

emb. 18 May 1916 ( spent 3 months with cyclists)

KIA 30 Aug. 1918 - missing then burried German cem. Barleux, Peronne

60 Bn impressed on medals is only found on KIA due to the Bn. being disbanded.

VF SOLD

Outstanding POW DFC group to a Pathfinder Pilot and member of the Caterpillar Club who according to a newspaper report in 1965 flew an amazing 85 missions including Black Thursday

Six: Distinguished Flying Cross (dated 1944), 1939/45 Star, Air Crew Europe Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. All campaign medals correctly impressed to 403147 J. H. Nicholls. Along with correct period gold Caterpillar Club badge with red gem eyes engraved ‘F/L J. H. Nicholls DFC

DFC London Gazette date 2^nd June 1944

“Numerous attacks on German & French Targets”.

At the time of listing these Flight Lieutenant John Harold Nicholl’s service records were still sealed. The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll and various POW websites;

“Johnny” Nicholl’s enlisted into the Royal Australian Air Force in Sydney, NSW on the 9^th December 1940.

Posted to the UK Flight Lieutenant Nicholls did nearly all of his operational flying with 97 Sq (including Black Thursday) before moving with “C” flight to form part of the new 635 Squadron at Downham Market, Norfolk.

On the night of the 30/31st March 1944, F/L Nicholls piloting Lancaster JB706 took off on his 35^th mission from RAF Downham Market, Norfolk, detailed to bomb Nuremberg (Operation: Nurnberg), but was hit by flak near Westerburg (Rheinland Pfalz, Germany). The aircraft crashed and two of the crew WO Jolley and Flt Sgt Whitehead were killed. The other five parachuted including Nicholls who earnt his Caterpillar Club badge in doing so. Once on the ground all five became Prisoners of War. The plane crashed at Mademühlen (Hessen, Germany), 2 km SW of Driedorf. Taking down the plane plane was also claimed by German night fighter (Felwebel Otto Kutzner, 5./NJG3).

Germany In a POW Report Flt Lt Nicholls stated; “An explosion in the fuselage set fire to the aircraft and damaged the elevator control and trim controls as well as loss of power in three engines. The aircraft was out of control and had commenced a stall spin with smoke issuing from the centre of the aircraft inside the fuselage. I gave the order to abandon but this was not acknowledged because the I/C was U/S. I bailed out at approx. 17,000 feet. There was no crew member injured and no crew member still in the aircraft as far as I know. The aircraft landed in a field 20 miles north east of Coblenz. I was captured 24 hours later by German farmers. I have no information re Jolley or Whitehead.”

Casualty enquiry, 18/01/1946.
“ … Questionnaires completed by F/S Ogilvie and Sgt. Smith on repatriation state that W/O Jolley bailed out but was killed to parachute failure. It was probable that F/S Whitehead did not leave the aircraft and they presumed he was killed on information given by Germans … “.

WO Jolley is buried in the Rheinberg Ware Cemetery, Locality Kamp Lintfort, Nordrhein-Westfal, Germany. Flt Sgt Whitehead is buried in the Hanover War Cemetery.

Fl/Lt Nicholls spent the remainder of the as a Prisoner of War in Stalag Luft L1 Barth Vogelsang before being repatriated in 1945.

Discharged 26^th November 1945, “97 Squadron” listed as unit on discharge.

Comes with cased unofficial Bomber Command Medal in case of issue and numbered “4610”.and original group of miniatures with miniature Pathfinders badge 

Good VF SOLD

 Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal. Correctly impressed to 2893 PTE J. H. TATTERSALL 44-BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 29th December 1916

M.I.A. 1 August 1917

 Classed as K.I.A. by a board of enquiry 8th January 1918. A Red Cross file exists going into details of his unfortunate death (see photos)

Due to there being no known grave for Private Tattersall he is honoured on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Private Tattersall enlisted in Kalgoorlie. ;;

Gd VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to LIEUT. L. D. LOBASCHER AIF

Emb. 30th October 1916 as "O. C. troops"

RTA 22nd November 1919

Comes with an original letter of recommendation from Beaconsfield state school where he attended, dated 1907. Also an engraved watch presented to him by the 32nd Battalion Association in appreciation of his services as Honourary secretary 1-9-1936

 VF SOLD

Group of six : QSA  five clasps " CC,OFS,T SA 01,SA 02" (K.R.R.C) top two clasps loose. 1914 -15 STAR, BRITISH WAR & VICTORY MEDALS impressed  2387 Pte/Sgt T.Rogers K.R.R.C. 1939 WAR & AUST.SERVICE MEDALS impressed W243298  T.Rogers.

A nice rare Boer War to WW2 group with his final period still being active service in the 18 Maint. Platoon RAE, Western Australia.

AVG VF  SOLD

Family grouping, Group One: Military Cross, 1914/15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal.

Military Cross period engraved to "LIEUT. T. N. W. B. STEELE 49TH BATT. A.I.F. MOUQUET FARM SEPT 1ST - 6TH 1916". 1914/15 star impressed to 74 PTE T. N. W. B. STEELE 11/L. H. RGT. A.I.F. British War Medal and Victory Medal impressed to Captain T. N. W. B. Steele AIF.  Pacific Star, War medal and Australian Service Medal 1939/45 all impressed in the early small capital letter issue to NX137273 T. N. W. B. Steele.

Emb. 2 June 1915

Transferred to the 2nd Light Horse 29th August 1915 whilst on Gallipoli

Transferred again after Gallipoli to the 49th Bn. as an Officer.

Wins the Military Cross September 1916 "Mouquet Farm"

London Gazette 14th November 1916

RTA 16th April 1918

Captain Steeles WW2 record states that he was part of Eastern Command when he discharged after having been to the Pacific theatre of war.

A very important group to a soldier who rose through the ranks with the light horse in Gallipoli, recognised for his leadership and gallantry and then went on to serve overseas in WW2.

Complete with various silver pens, vesta, lighter and card case. All with initials or monogram.

Second group to the son of Captain Steele M.C.

Group of four 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star (late style period official engraved),War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service Medal (officially impressed) to NX51099  R.B.Steele who served in the 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment who with their tanks were involved in the actions at Buna and Sanananda.

He is noted on the roll of the Regimental book "The Vital Factor" which gives an excellent account of Australia's first tank action for WW2 in PNG making his group of 4 that much more interesting.

Complete with excellent photo, Discharge paper and one of his colour patches.  

Good VF SOLD

Pair: British War Medal and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 6084 PTE G. F. E. SMITH 2 BN.  A.I.F.

Emb. 22nd August 1916

 Died. Suffocation by immersion (found in river Seine)

 Buried at St. Sever (Rouen) "Accidently drowned"

We have attached a copy of the Witness report surrounding the circumstances of Private Smith's death. It is very hard to imagine this as an accident?

Near EF SOLD 

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 4746 PTE. A. BRYANT 8 BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 29th May 1916

WIA 18th August 1916 G.S.W. Foot/right

 2nd WIA  11th October 1917 G.S.W. Knee

3rd WIA 28th August 1918 Gassed

RTA 23rd March 1919

London Gazette 14th May 1919

 Very strong service with the award of the Military Medal and three times wounded.

Good VF SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3280 PTE. E. R. BRIMSON 11/BN AIF.

EMB: 2nd November 1915 and posted to “C” Coy

27^th March sprained ankle

KIA: 9th April 1917 During the German counter attack at Louverval (Where Pope won his VC)

Cemetery details: Morchies Australian Cemetery, Morchies, Arras, Nord Pas de Calais, France NOK West Leederville

Note: Records show Ernest Richard Brimson’s British war medal was returned to sender and sent out again

VF SOLD

Six: 1939/45 Star, Africa Star (North Africa 1942-43), Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Defence Medal, War Medal and Australian Service Medal all correctly named to J. G. SISSONS R.A.N.V.R. Stars for Navy casualties, regardless of cause or location of death, were issued unnamed.

Enlisted in the RANVR in Sydney 20^th May 1941 service number S/V95 (Sydney Volunteer 95)

Commenced training under the “Dominion Yachtsman Scheme” as a potential Officer

Embarked for the UK on the 16^th October 1941

Between December 1941 to October 1942 saw service on the Minesweeper HMAS Collingwood, HMS Victory, Minesweeper HMS Llandudno, HMS King and back to the London Depot before making  Sub Lieutenant 9^th October 1942

Posted as Sub Lieutenant to the HMS Quebec for Combined Operations Depot Inveraray 15^th November 1942

Posted to HMS Copra (Combined Operations Depot) 1^st April 1943 and duty with the Motor Launch 1038 near North Africa

Sub Lieutenant Sissons was killed in action 11^th July 1943 during raiding operations South of Syracuse, Mediterranean Sea as part of Operation “Husky” and the invasion of Sicily.

The crew of HDML1038 were tasked with undertaking “raiding operations” with members of the specially trained 41 Commando, Royal Marines. The objective of HDML 1038 was to land the Commandos south of Syracuse for a pre-emptive strike for when the main landing to occur after.

Sub Lieutenant Sissons is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial on Panel 84, Column 2 as his body was not recovered.  

Note: Comes with Four Allied Military (Italy) 1 Lira notes, Female Relatives Badge numbered N3598, Mothers and Widows Badge numbered N1450 and the rare RAN Killed in Action next of kin gold lapel pin “This lapel pin is presented by the Chief of Navy in recognition that your loved one, who was a valued member of the Royal Australian Navy, died in Service. May you look upon this in remembrance and wear it with pride”

Near EF SOLD

Pair: Private R. H. King, 20th Battalion, Australian Imperial Forces, who was killed in action on the Western Front on 28 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (5689. Pte. R. H. King. 20-Bn. A.I.F.); Memorial Plaque (Robert Henry King) in card envelope, with Buckingham Palace enclosure.

Footnote

Provenance: Acquired by the vendor directly from the recipient’s family.

Robert Henry King was born in Clerkenwell, London, and having emigrated to Australia attested for the Australian Imperial Force at North Sydney, New South Wales. He served with the 20th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 22 May 1916, and in a letter home, dated 26 August 1917, he writes: ‘According to the way that the Germans keep retreating I think that he is fed up with it and will soon turn it in and the sooner he does the better for all of us.’

King was killed in action on 28 October 1917. A comrade from the same unit stated: ‘I saw Private King killed at Halfway house at Ypres. He was out delivering rations when he was caught by a shell, which killed him instantly.’ He is buried in Perth Cemetery, Zillebeke, Belgium.

Sold with a quantity of ephemera, including silk postcards and letters written by the recipient to his wife; a small coloured portrait of the recipient housed in a silver pendant; two Australian Military Forces ‘For Australia’ memorial silk; cap badge; and an A.I.F. ‘To the Women of Australia. For Duty Done’ lapel badge, reverse numbered ‘189350’; together with official telegram and letter notification of death; a portrait photograph of the recipient and a photograph of his original grave; and a large quantity of copied research.

Nearly extremely fine SOLD

Pair: War Medal and Australian Service Medal. Both medals correctly named to WX30071 H. E. WALTERS

At the time of listing these medals Private Herbert Edward Walter’s service records were still sealed. The following was taken from the WW2 nominal roll;

Enlisted 15^th July 1942 into the 16^th Battalion Australian Army at Bellevue, Western Australia

Discharged 3^rd November 1944 (possibly injury?)

Further research required

VF SOLD

Pair: British War and Victory Medal both correctly impressed to 9656 SGT. J. L. PAPPIN 11 F. C. E. AIF.

EMB: 31^st May 1916

John Llandaff Pappin was the Farrier Sergeant of the 11^th Field Company Engineers

RTA: 12^th March 1918

Note: Comes with Original Discharge paper, Eastern and Australian Steamship Co., Ltd. S.S. “AUSTRALIAN” 9^TH MAY 1906 passenger list booklet from Australia to Japan confirming Pappin as a passenger, Two Australian Consolidated Commonwealth Government Stock Certificates to Mrs Mary Eliza Pappin, Glenelg SA both to the value of 3500 pounds, The Last Will and Testament of John Llandaff Pappin dated 1935 and listing John as a Coachbuilder in South Australia, and two letter/receipts dealing with the cost and arrangement of his funeral along with two grave site photo postcards. 

VF SOLD

Newspaper article showing McLachlan as Professional golfer prior to his death at the hands of the Japanese

Four: 1939/45 Star, Pacific Star, War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939/45. All medals officially impressed to NX23783 J McLACHLAN

James was born in Millport on the Isle of Cumbrae, Scotland moving to Australia prior to the war as a professional golfer at Glenelg Golf Club, Adelaide in 1929  (where a tournament for the Jimmy McLachlan Memorial Trophy is still held).

Enlisted: 12^th June 1941 2/18^th Battalion

The 2/18th Battalion participated in the unsuccessful defence of Singapore in early February 1942 where the men were taken as prisoners of war. Jimmy McLachlan died as a POW in 1942.

Date of Death: 11^th July 1942. Initially classed as missing and then classed as died of illness which is how each prisoner’s death was recorded to the Red Cross.

Cemetery/memorial: James Sawers McLachlan was buried in the Kranji War cemetery, Singapore plot 2 row B grave number 16 inscribed “Always remembered” (In 1946, the graves from Changi were also moved to Kranji, many of them during the construction of the Burma-Thailand railway).

Note: Comes with a photograph of Pte McLachlan’s war grave in the Singapore Military Cemetery, four medal documents / letters, a photograph of Pte McLachlan pre-war, newspaper cuttings, Glenelg Golf Club program the “Jimmy McLachlan Memorial Trophy” dated 1948, 1914/18 Red cross medallion and two buttons.

The ‘Jimmy Mac’ is a 36 Hole Stroke Play Championship, open to all Full, Provisional, Intermediate and Junior male members of the Club with a G.A. handicap of 10.1 or less (both amateurs and professionals).

EF SOLD

Pair: Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 “Vietnam” clasp and Vietnam Medal to 4720718 W. S. BRIDGEWATER with both medals correctly named.

4720718 Sapper William Sydney Bridgewater a Royal Engineer National Serviceman from Henley Beach South Australia

Service shown as;

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1356 Clive Steele) 17/12/1969-02/03/1970

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1353 Harry Chauvel) 21/05/1970-06/06/1970

32 Small Ship Squadron (AV 1353 Harry Chauvel) 11/11/1970-15/12/1970

Note: Sapper Bridgewater is not entitled to the Vietnam Star due to 128 days in country (less than the 6 months service in country needed).

VF SOLD

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 6405 PTE B. H. TUCKETT 24 BN. A.I.F.

Emb: 23^rd November 1916

WIA: 4th October 1917 (G.S.W. Left Elbow)

2^nd WIA: 22^nd March 1918 (Gassed)

3^rd WIA: 1^st September 1918 (B. W. Leg Rt)

Awarded Military Medal London Gazette 17^th June 1919

 ‘This man acted as stretcher bearer throughout the attack on Mt. St. Quentin near Peronne on 1 September 1918, and displayed a courage and devotion to duty which were of the highest order. Undeterred by incessant machine-gun and shell fire, he continued his work of rescuing the wounded, and he worked unremittingly until every casualty was removed from the field. During the operation his company trench was heavily shelled by 6.9s and among the casualties were two wounded men who had been buried. Though the bombardment still continued Tuckett, without hesitation, worked and dug these men out, tended their wounds, and carried them back to safety. His utter disregard for his own safety was instrumental in saving the lives of many of his comrades.’

RTA: 23^rd March 1919 (Medically unfit)

Contact marks (polished) Nearly VF SOLD

Pair: A Great War 1918 ‘Somme’ M.M. pair awarded to Private P. O’Sullivan, 44th Australian Infantry Battalion, Australian Imperial Force, for single-handedly capturing a machine-gun, an officer and 20 men, during an attack on Hamel, 4 July 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (61 Pte. P. O’Sullivan. 44/Aust: Inf:); British War Medal 1914-20 (61 Pte. P. O’Sullivan  44 Bn. A.I.F.)

M.M. London Gazette 1 October 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘On the 4th July 1918 during the attack on Hamel, this man on reaching the final objective saw an enemy machine gun being mounted for action. He immediately rushed forward, bombed and killed the crew and captured the gun. He then bombed the adjacent dugout and captured an Officer and 20 men. During the whole of this operation this man showed conspicuous bravery and set a very high example of devotion to duty to his comrades.’

P. O’Sullivan was born in Warren Island, County Kerry, Ireland. He enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, 10 January 1916, and embarked for France on H.M.A.T. Suevic, 6 June 1916. O’Sullivan served with the 44th Australian Infantry Battalion as part of the 11th Australian Brigade, 3rd Australian Division in the French theatre of war. He was awarded his M.M. for gallantry in operations on the Somme, in particular during the attack on Hamel, 4 July 1918. During the attack on Hamel, 12 German officers and 350 other ranks were captured, together with 20 machine-guns. O’Sullivan’s battalion suffered 22 other ranks killed, 5 officers and 113 other ranks wounded, and 13 other ranks missing.

O’Sullivan returned to Australia in H.T. Plassy in September 1919, and was discharged 10 December 1919.

Note: The BWM was re-united recently (2018) giving hope that the Victory Medal will eventually turn up

Very fine SOLD

Trio: 1914/15 star, British War and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 3146 DVR. J. F. DAVIS 1/F.A. BDE AIF.

Previous Military service stated as “Rifle Club Tumbarumba”

EMB: 21^st November 1914

Admitted hospital Mena 4^th April 1915 “Sick”

Transferred to 1^st Battery 11^th July 1915 Gallipoli Peninsula

RTA: Invalided on the 3^rd September 1915 “for discharge in Australia”

Discharged: 27^th December 1915 2^nd Military District

Note: Due to Driver Davis’s early discharge he becomes a member of the initial RSL club the “Returned Servicemen’s Association” (RSA) of New South Wales of which his rare original badge numbered 548 is included. Also included is a Political Labor League (NSW) 1915 silver jubilee badge/fob and a 1937 Coronation medallion both belonging to him.

Good VF SOLD

Pair: British war medal and Victory medal impressed to 4892 DVR L. J. RAYMOND 1 ANZ CYC BN AIF (1 CYC. CPS AIF on Victory Medal).

Emb. 7th March 1916 with the 6^th Battalion

Transferred to the 1^st ANZAC Cyclist Bn. 9^th July 1916

RTA: 22^nd May 1919 3^rd Military District

Note: Victory medal was returned to sender in 1921 and in 1928 a new victory medal was sent out, hence the different unit naming on the Victory Medal (Not a broken group). A rare group to the Cyclist Corps

VF SOLD

Memorial Plaque: Correct one piece cast named to CHARLES ALBERT KEMP.

 3165 Private Charles Albert Kemp embarked on the 18 January 1916 from Fremantle with the 28th Battalion AIF.

 KIA 29th July 1916 Pozierres

Villers – Bretonneux Memorial

3252 Private Ryan’s witness report states ”Kemp was killed instantly by shell fire, during an attack at Pozierres on July 29^th, 1915. I was near him when he was hit by a high explosive shortly after we had “stepped over”, He was terribly injured every limb being shattered. It was not possible to bury him, and we had to leave him in no man’s land, we could not bring him in, Enemy fire was to heavy. Ground was not held. He was about 5’7 well built , fair 33 years. Was a miner from Leonora, West Australia.” (Red Cross file AWM)

Good VF SOLD

Trio: 1915/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Correctly impressed 2526 PTE J. NOBLE 17/AUST INF (L-CPL on pair) 

Previous service: 7 years Royal Navy – Naval Brigade NSW & Naval Contingent from NSW to China – on active service (purchased discharge)

Emb: 5^th October 1915 (age 45 years)

Transferred to the 5^th Pioneers 18^th March 1916

Discharged 13^th September 1916, 2^nd M.D. (senility)

Note: Joseph Noble died on the 5th January 1928 at the Prince of Wales Hospital Randwick. According to the contents of a letter from the NSW State Trustees Office, Noble also had home service as a Private in the Australian Army Medical Corps.

Further information is given on a medical form (in his AIF record) stating “Was at the bombardment of Alexandria 1881 and Boxer Rebellion”. The AWM has Noble Able Seaman Noble embarking on the SS Salamis and returning on the SS Chingtu. The China medal roll states his medal was sent to the “C in C Australia 6 Feb 03”. Due to the Australian government not issuing all the China medals at this stage we are unsure if his medal was actually presented to him.

Looking further into the Royal Navy records there appears to be a J. Noble on the HMS Monarch for the Sudan campaign listed as the “Asst. Engr” which could possibly be him however this would make him ten years old (roughly) going off his enlist age given in the first world war. Further research is required.

VF SOLD

Stoker Petty Officer J. S. Andrews, Royal Navy, who was serving in H.M.A.S. Encounter when she became the first Australian Naval Vessel to fire a shot in anger, on 14 September 1914

Four: 1914-15 Star (S.S. 109965 J. S. Andrews. Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (S.S.109965 J. S. Andrews. S.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (K.58497 J. S. Andrews S.P.O. H.M.S. Victory.)

Joseph Sidney Andrews, a labourer from Hull, Yorkshire was born on 6 March 1891. Enlisting in the Royal Navy on 13 July 1910, his Great War service included service in H.M.A.S. Encounter, a ship that was transferred to the Royal Australian Navy, on the Pacific Station, until May 1917, and he was serving in her when Encounter became the first Australian ship to fire a shot in anger, at Toma Ridge, New Guinea on 14 September 1914. Promoted Stoker Petty Officer on 1 March 1918, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 3rd October 1925, and was invalided from the service due to general paresis on 23 November 1931.

Mounted as worn, contact marks, nearly very fine SOLD

RECOMMENDED FOR THE VICTORIA CROSS

Trio: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 6572 L/CPL G. G. ROBERTSON 7 BN. A.I.F.

Emb. 2nd October 1916

WIA 4th October 1917 G.S.W. Thigh

Awarded Military Medal 24th October 1918

RTA 27th July 1919

Cpl Roberston was one of the 133 (AWM website) that in WW1 were recommended for The Victoria Cross (including those awarded). It seems in Robertsons case, that he got himself into a minor prank involving souveniring womens knickers. It could be argued that this stupid prank may well have cost him, his countries highest honour.

Interesting note: When one examines the Victoria Cross recommendations in the AWM, 233 recommendations are listed. Exactly 100 duplicate examples are amongst these (where a soldier has been resubmitted, or a variation is present). So the true number of people recommended for the Victoria Cross in WW1 was 133 (66 of these were awarded).

Good VF SOLD

Eight: Military Medal, British War Medal and Victory Medal all correctly impressed to 2228 PTE F. ROBERTSON 58 BN. A.I.F. 1939/45 Star, Africa star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939/45 and Australian Service medal 1939/45 all correctly impressed to VX44370 E. J. ROBERTSON

Emb. 1st May1916

WIA 25th April 1918 G.S.W. Neck

London Gazette 17th June 1919

RTA 5th August 1919

Due to his WW2 records being unopened (at this stage) we can only see an outline of his Africa service of which he served with the pay corp as a sergeant.

Francis appears to have changed his name to Eric (most likely due to his age) on enlistment in WW2 and this is backed up by his WW1 records that states that he has "No relatives living", The difference in age is roughly 5 years between the records and therefore can not be a son. These medals have all come together from a very old collection and is worthy of further research. A strong citation and a very impressive grouping.

Good VF SOLD