Three: DCM G.V.R., War medal and Victory Medal. 602 Fred Jackson. 2nd Tunnelling Company AIF.
DCM London Gazette 6th July 1917.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has shown great courage in rescuing buried men and has performed consistent good work throughout.
It is a shame that the Victory medal has been RENAMED by someone with an impressing machine.
VF $2500
Pair: South Africa 1879 one clasp 1877-8 correctly engraved in typical style, Pte. D. Cameron Queenstown Vol: Cont gt.
Second medal one clasp 1877-78-79 re-named, D. Cameron Cape Town Volunteers.
The first medal is fully confirmed with the second being self-awarded. Perhaps he felt the clasp with 1879 was a true representation of his service.
These medals came direct from the family and includes a photo of the recipient plus an original printed flyer praising the Queens Town Volunteers for “they have shown great gallantry under fire and in the presence of the enemy”. Signed by the Officer Commanding the Transkei Field Force Captain Harvey.
An interesting pair in Gd VF $1850
Single: Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Cr. Sgt. T. Burdett, North’d Fus. 2nd Sept. 1898)
D.C.M. London Gazette 15 November 1898.
Thomas Burdett was born in Bradford, Yorkshire and enlisted in the Northumberland Fusiliers in May 1883, aged 20 years. A carpenter by trade, he was also a member of the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Derbyshire Regiment. He went on to gain rapid promotion, being advanced to Corporal in December 1883 and to Sergeant in February 1885, in which latter month he arrived in India. Burdett was subsequently employed in the Hazara Expedition of 1888, gained advancement to Colour-Sergeant in September 1889 and returned home in early 1894. Then in January 1898, following a posting to Gibraltar, he participated in the operations leading to the re-conquest of the Sudan, and won his D.C.M. for bravery at Omdurman. At the end of the same year, Burdett returned home to take up an appointment with the 1st Volunteer Battalion.
In June 1899, the St. George’s Gazette reported:
‘After the inspection and drill by senior officers of the Regiment, Colonel Garstin presented the Khedive’s Medal to Sergeant-Instructor T. Burdett. On presenting the Medal Colonel Garstin complimented Sergeant-Instructor Burdett on his well-earned honour; and also drew the attention of the Brigade to the fact this N.C.O. was to receive the Medal for Distinguished Conduct in the Field, which he earned at the Battle of Omdurman, especially remarking to the Volunteers that the Medal was the next highest honour to be obtained by a soldier to the Victoria Cross.’
The following feature appeared in the same publication in December 1899:
‘At Windsor Castle yesterday afternoon, the Queen decorated Colour-Sergeant F. (sic) Burdett of the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, with the medal for distinguished conduct in the field. Her Majesty also decorated four officers with the Distinguished Service Order. Princess Beatrice accompanied the Queen, and Sir John McNeill and Colonel Carington were in attendance. When the gallant Sergeant marched up the Grand Corridor to the Queen, he found Her Majesty sitting in a low chair. Colonel Carington introduced him. Burdett dropped on one knee, and the Queen spoke a few kind words to him, congratulating him on his gallantry. She then fastened the medal on his breast. The Colour-Sergeant bowed to Her Majesty, and the little ceremony was over.’
And Burdett afterwards gave an interview to the Morning Leader:
‘Windsor Castle was magnificent and he [Burdett] was particularly interested in the Khalifa’s black flag in the Castle, riddled as it is with English bullets. Burdett possesses two other medals - the Black Mountain Expedition and the Khedive’s, and is entitled to the English war medal for Khartoum. He is now attached to the 3rd Volunteer Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. Hearing that one of the men of his regiment was the present Barrack Warden at Victoria Barracks, Windsor, Burdett paid him a visit, and the old comrades were glad to meet. Sergeant-Major Fowles of the 1st Grenadiers, also warmly welcomed Burdett as an old chum.’
Soon after his visit to Windsor Castle, Burdett was advanced to Sergeant-Major on the Permanent Staff of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion and was finally discharged at Newcastle in November 1904. Many years later he was admitted as an In-pensioner to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, where he died in April 1943, aged 84 years.
Ex DNW 2nd April 2003
engraved brackets added to date, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine $3900
Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), E.II.R., silver and enamel, no date on reverse in typical gilt embossed case with no maker’s mark.
EF $385
Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver and enamel, reverse dated ‘1943’, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue.
VF $365
Royal Red Cross, 2nd Class (A.R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver and enamel, unnamed as issued, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue.
Gd VF $350
Royal Red Cross, 1st Class (R.R.C.), G.V.R., silver-gilt, gold, and enamel, on lady’s bow riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue.
EF $750
Eight: 39-45, Africa & Pacific Stars, Defence & War Medals & Australian Service Medal ALL IMPRESSED. UN Korea impressed. Army LSGC engraved, SX8522 W. T. C. Saunders 2/43 BN.
Middle East 29 December 1940. Injured in a Land Mine incident 15 June 1941in Tobruk. RTA 28 February 1943. Morotai for Tarakan 22 April 1945 with 28 Field company engineers. BCOF 18 May 1948 then 3 RAR. Discharged 9 February 1962. With full-service details by Neil Smith.
Gd VF $1100
Six: 39-45, Africa & Pacific Stars, Defence War Medal with TWO MID’s & Australian Service Medal. ALL medals impressed, VX40510 A. D. McBean. Australian Engineers.
First MID Commonwealth Gazette No 81 27 April 1944 page 896
‘Exceptional Service in the Field in New Guinea’
Second MID Commonwealth Gazette No 34 21 February 1946 page 412
‘Distinguished Service in SW Pacific’
McBean served in Greece before his service in the SW Pacific. Double MID’s to other ranks for WW2 must be classed as extremely rare.
His MID certificate is illustrated in Australians Awarded.
Gd VF $2950
Six: 1939-45 & Pacific Stars, War Medal & Australian Service Medal. ASM 45-75 one clasp SW Pacific. ALL medals correctly named plus an original gilt Dutch War Cross & clasp unnamed. NX153403 Sig. V. C. Luther 9 Australian Div. Sigs.
Disembarked Milne Bay 1942 with later service in Borneo. He has a few charges shown and his file has a sealed section.
VF $585
Five: 1939-45 & Africa Stars, Defence, War & Australian Service Medals. ALL impressed. SX1984 R. E. Williams 2/10 Infantry Battalion. Comes with an engraved Tobruk Medal.
Wounded in Action at Tobruk 6 May 1941, Served in the post War period twice.
Gd VF $725
Four: MBE type2 (Military), MSM Commonwealth of Australia G. V. R. 59 WO 1 A. B. Webber A.I.C., 1935 Jubilee (confirmed), 1937 Coronation (un-confirmed).
MBE: London Gazette 1.1.1936
MSM: A.A.O. 256/25
Entitled to LSGC MO 535/1918. Research shows enlisted 28.3.1900 R.A.A. transferring to A.I.C. 1905. Discharged 1938 as a Second Lieutenant.
VF $875
Eight: MBE (type 2) Military, 1939-45 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army clasp & Pacific Stars (all appear to be period private engraving), Defense Medal, War Medal with MID, Australian Service Medal (all 3 impressed), Efficiency Medal “Australia” (G.VI.R.) with TWO CLASPS. NX13879 J. W. Fyfe 2/13 BN. WO1.
Comes with two named unofficial medals being Tobruk & BECOF
MID: London Gazette 6.3.47 Exceptional Service in the field in SWP Area.
MBE: Commonwealth of Australia Gazette 10.1.52.
Photos of Ming the Merciless Jim Fyfe in unit history Bayonets Abroad.
Only 140 two bar Efficiency bars awarded. A cracking senior NCO to a famous Battalion.
VF ON HOLD
A French PARTIZAN circa 1700. Believed to be from the town of Lyon with its coat of arms being three Fleur-de-lis over a rampant lion with pretruding tongue beside what is possibly a rack number "164" (see photo). Very typical of style with toggle at right angle to spear face. What is particularly pleasing is that the fluted haft is original with many studs and Fleur-de-lis (a couple missing) at both the top and bottom. Haft has a small amount of old wood worm holes, however given how few retain original wood, this is a small price to pay. Overall legth 77.25 inches.
Good condition SOLD
Another example of the 1796 Heavy Cavalry Disc Hilt sword. No real distinguishing marks to the sword other than a proof mark which I believe to be the crown over 4. The scabbard is stamped 8 over F41. The disc has not been cut down and both langets are present. The point of the blade has been converted from hatchet to point which some say could indicate Waterloo service.
Other than a few small dings to the scabbard and some pitting the sword is in good condition and rare. SOLD
A slightly heavier 1796 Blue & Gilt Officers Light Cavalry Sword. True to pattern with excellent steel scabbard maker marked Durs Egg Haymarket London in cartouche (1788-1804). A extremely good wire bound hilt. Blue & Gilt showing withdrawal from scabbard marks and wear.
Good overall condition SOLD
A very scarce 1853 British Cavalry trooper’s sword marked in the classic style for the state of Victoria. Complete with scabbard. Hilt clearly marked Va 201 and the scabbard is Va 207.This pattern sword is believed to be the first edged weapon to be marked with Colonial markings in Australia. This is an extremely scarce sword and has been purchased from a very old established collection.
Overall condition is extremely good SOLD
1908 Pattern Trooper’s Cavalry Sword marked to the 7th Dragoon Guards, the 88 cm straight blade with single fuller marked at the forte with the broad arrow EFD crown over 36 over E and various other markings, the plated scabbard marked M 11.13 and 7/DG 232, complete with brown leather sword knot, the hand grip of chequered composition, Matching hilt and scabbard numbers .
good overall condition SOLD
A very rare Elcho bayonet by Gustav Felix. True to pattern but missing bottom scabbard mount and spring catch. Probably the rarest of all British bayonets, this honest example is the first I have had in 40 years. Interestingly the largest bayonet collector I know’ s examples all have the bottom scabbard mount missing.
SOLD
Scottish Basket Hilt Backsword Circa 1730, true to to style with very good wire bound fishskin grip. Blade Length 33.5 inches.
Good condition SOLD
Kukri of the Kothimoda type. Circa 1850. Bone handle and clean blade mounted in a superb worked scabbard. Close examination of this silver scabbard shows quality workmanship and design with gold plaque and rose overlay. These special knives were used by senior ranking Gurkhas and are of the highest rarity. When one considers the price of gold and silver today, I believe it is very reasonably priced.
Good condition overall SOLD
1822 Pattern Infantry Officers Sword. Blade by H. Hart, Pall Mall, London etched with the crowned "VR" cypher and scrolling foliate panels, standard gilt brass gothic hilt incorporating the crowned "VR" cypher, wire bound fish skin grip in its field rank brass scabbard, complete with a continental gold lace and bullion sword knot.
Good condition overall SOLD
1831 Pattern General Officers Mameluke Hilted Sabre. A Victorian period example, unfullered blade with clip and pipe back point by Thurkle of Soho London etched with crowned "VR" cypher crossed sword and baton crossed laurel and palm sprays and other scrolling foliage, brass mounted hilt with crossguard, this with foliate ecussian incorporating crossed sword and baton within laurels, two piece ivory grip in its brass scabbard complete with gold and crimson lace sword knot, the blade retains the majority of original polish.
Very good condition overall SOLD
A very good Cromwellian Lobster Tail Helmet from the English Civil War 1642-1651. True in every respect for what you would expect from this period example.
Four Lame fully articulated neck guard plus original nasal bar marked M (Nicholas Marshall?). Wing nut with good thread. Ear flap leather has been replaced at some time which is to be expected. A truly lovely example of a helmet over 350 years old.
Very good condition SOLD
