A late Victorian era campaign medal pair: Lance Corporal William Thomas Masterson, 1st Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

- IGS 1895. 'PF' 'Tir 97-8' 'Samana 97' (4825 Pte. W. Masterson, 1st Bn. Ryl. Sco: Fus:)
- QSA Medal. 'Transvaal' 'South Africa 02' (4825 L. Corpl. W. Masterton. Rl. Scots Fus.)

Important: Both medals and all clasps verified as entitled per the respective campaign medal rolls of 1st & 2nd Battalions Royal Scots Fusiliers as under;

- IGS 1895 Medal and 3 x clasps: Ref WO 100/87
- QSA Medal and 2 clasps: Ref WO 100/180 (shown as Masterton)

William Masterson was a native of the parish of St Peter's, Woolwich, Kent, England, where he was born circa 1876. William enlisted in the British Army, at London, England, on 2 January 1895, at which time he claimed to be 18 years & 1 month of age, and described himself as a 'Barman'. At time of enlistment he expressed a desire to join the Royal Scots Fusiliers, which regiment he was posted to from 2 January 1895. William subsequently serv ed 5 years overseas in India and then South Africa, during which he saw action on the North West Frontier of India, and later in the closing stages of the South African War. During his service with the Royal Scots Fusiliers he served as under;

- Home: 02/01/1895-08/02/1897
- India: 09/02/1897-09/02/1902
- South Africa: 10/02/1902-13/12/1902
- Home: 14/02/1902-01/01/1907

William transferred to the Army Reserve on 20 December 1902, and took his discharge from the British Army on 1 July 1907, by which time he had completed his 12 years service contract, comprising 7 years with 'The Colours' & 5 years with the 'Army Reserve'

The medals mounted for display in the swing-style. The mounting bar retaining the original long hinged pin and clasp fittings on reverse

Condition: About GVF

Code: 18987Price: 460.00 GBP

An 'Old-Sweats' 1914 Prisoner-of-War campaign and long service medal group of 7: Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant John McDougall, Royal Scots Fusiliers, late Leinster Regiment

- 1914 Star ((8324 Sjt. J. McDougall. Leins: R.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (8324 Sjt. J. McDougall. Leins. R.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (8324 Sjt. J. McDougall. Leins. R.)
- Defence Medal
- War Medal
- Military LS&GC Medal. GV type II (7177165 C. Sjt. J. McDougall. R.S. Fus.)

Sold together with original ephemera including;

- Regular Army Certificate of Service (Red Book)
- Soldiers Release Book
- Several copied photographs
- Testimonial letters

Important: Sergeant John McDougall s confirmed 'Prisoner-of-War' (captured France & Flanders) 19 October 1914 - 17 November 1918

Note: All medals confirmed as entitled & issued per respective campaign medal rolls of the Leinster Regiment and Certificate of Service as under;

- 1914 Star (ref WO 329/2535)
- British War & Interallied Victory Medals (ref WO 329/90)
- Defence & War Medals: Reference 'Certificate of Service'
- Military LS&GC Medal:

John McDougall was a native of Shettleston near Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland, where he was born on 1 February 1887. John's early life appears to have been a particularly hard one, as the 1891 National Census for Scotland records him at the age of 4 years living in the home of his Grandfather, who was then a 57 year old un-employed 'Coal Miner', the household having three other young women resident who were the children of his Grandfather. By the time of the Scottish Census for 1901, John, was then resident at the Smyllum Orphanage, Lanarkshire - an institution run by Catholic Nuns, which sadly was exposed in later years as a place with a notorious reputation. John enlisted in the British Army at Glasgow, Scotland, on 7 June 1907, and was posted to the Leinster Regiment. John subsequently served in India from January 1908 to November 1911, during which time he was promoted to the rank of Corporal. In 1914, and by now a Sergeant, John first entered theatre of war 'France', when he landed with his battalion on 8 September 1914. During the 'Mons Campaign' of 1914 in France and Flanders, Sergeant McDougall, was captured by the enemy and became a Prisoner-of- War, on 18 October 1914 - remaining in captivity until 17 November 1918.

Upon the creation of the Irish Free State and the disbandment of the Southern Irish regiments of the British Army in 1922, John McDougall transferred to the Royal Scots Fusiliers, with which regiment he again served overseas in India from March 1923 to April 1930. He was discharged at Edinburgh, Scotland, holding the appointment of Colour Sergeant (C.Q.M.S.) on 6 June 1930. Retirement from the military however was destined not to be permanent, as after the outbreak of war in 1939, John re-enlisted into his old regiment at Stirling on 10 July 1940. He was finally discharged form the British Army, when he was released holding the appointment pf Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant at Annan, Scotland, on 18 June 1946

The medals mounted as-worn by the recipient in the swing-style, suspended from silk ribands. The reverse of the mounting bar retaining the long hinged pin and clasp fittings

Condition: VF

Code: 18078Price:

A 'Battle of the Somme 1916', Killed-in-Action medal group of 3 together with companion Memorial Plaque: Private James Thomson, 6/7 Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, late 7th Battalion Royal Scos Fusiliers

- 1914-15 Star (13817 Pte. J. Thomson. R. Sc: Fus:)
- British War Medal. Silver issue(13817 Pte. J. Thomson. R. S. Fus.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (13817 Pte. J. Thomson. R. S. Fus.)
- Memorial Plaque (James Thomson)

Important: Private James Thomson, is confirmed 'Killed-in-Action' on The Somme, 12 August 1916

Note: All three campaign medals verified per the respective medal rolls as under;

- 1914-15 Star: Ref WO 329/2679 (7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers)
- BWM & Victory medals: Ref WO 329/991 (7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers)

James Thomson, son of David Thomson and his wife Elizabeth Thomson (nee Petrie) was a native of Cupar, Fife, Scotland, where he was born on 6 November 1888. The 1901 Census for Scotland records that James, was a schoolboy living at home with his parents (his father was a Hostler), and his four brothers (George, Alexander, David (who were elder), and Stewart (the youngest) at the family home located at Provost Wynd, Cupar, Fife. James, had another elder brother, John, who in 1901 was living away from the family, serving with the Cameron Highlanders (No 5552) in the period 1900-1912. John's service papers provide 2 x residential addresses of his next of kin in Cupar, including the Provost Wynd address and a 32 Castlefiled, Cupar. From the age of 10, James is recorded as having been enrolled at Castlefield Primary School, Cupar, having previously been enrolled at Kirkgate School. The school registers show that the family residence was at 26 Castlefied in 1888-1900. Shortly afer the outbreak of the Great War, James is recorded as having enlisted for the British Army at Cathcart, Glasgow, and was subsequently posted to the 7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers

7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusliers was a war raised 'Service' battalion of the regiment. Formed at, Ayr, Scotland, in September 1914, 7/R.S.F. was part of 45th Infantry Brigade, 15th Scottish Division. The battalion embarked for France on 9 July 1915, disembarking at Le Havre on 10 July 1915, the latter date being the recorded date of disembarkation into an overseas theatre of war 'France' recorded on Private Thomson's entry in the 1914-15 Star medal roll. 7/R.S.F. was given very little time to adjust to overseas service before the incurred their first casualties due to shellfire on 7 August 1915, in the region of 'Philosophe'. The battalin was deployed during great battle of Loos (September 1915), and in the Spring of 1916 was involved in the German 'Gas Attacks' at Hulluch and engaged in the defence of the 'Kink' position.

On 13 May, the 7/R.S.F., amalgamated with 6th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers, to become 6/7th Battalion Royal Scots Fusiliers.

He first entered theatre of war 'France' on 10 July 1915. While serving with the 6/7th (Service) Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, James was killed in action on 12 August 1916. At the time of his death, 6/7 R.S.F., was serving as part of the 45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division on the Somme, and were involved in the ‘attack on Switch Line (12/8) - objective taken and consolidated south-eastward from Munster Alley.’ (British Battalions on the Somme, by R. Westlake, refers). Per the respective entry in the 'Register of Soldiers Effects', sometime prior to his death in action, James had nominated his mother Elizabeth P Thomson as his sole legal heir to receive his remaining belonging and effects from the British Army

After his death in action, the body of James Thomson was never recovered from the battlefield of the Somme. His life however, and the supreme sacrifice that he made, is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on a panel at the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France

The Thiepval Memorial commemorates more than 72,000 men of British and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave, the majority of whom died during the Somme offensive of 1916

Sold together with some copied research, including Medal Index Card

Condition: GVF

Code: 19205Price:

A Pipe-Majors group of 7: Pipe-Major D. 'Swank' McLeod, 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

- British War Medal. Silver issue (3-7366 Pte. D. Macleod. Seaforth)
- Interallied Victory Medal (3-7366 Pte. D. Macleod. Seaforth)
- IGS Medal 1908. GV 'North West Frontier 1930-31' (2810142 Sjt. D. Mac Leod.Seaforth)
- Defence Medal
- War Medal
- Military LSGC. GVI 'Regular Army' (2810142. W.O.Cl.2. D. Macleod. Seaforth)
- Efficiency Medal, GVI first 'Territorial' (2810142 W.O.Cl.2. D. McLeod, Seaforth)

The group court mounted for display.

Pipe-Major Donald 'Swank' Macleod served during the Great War with the 2nd and 7th Battalions Seaforth Highlanders, the former''s Pipers (of which Macleod is listed in the Regimental records) were, ''largely employed as runners, orderlies, etc., and suffered very heavy casualties. On several occasions during the open fighting they were employed in the attack as pipers. Of 23 pipers who went to France with the battalion 6 were killed and 10 wounded in the first year of the war. The opinion of the officers is that only the difficulty of reinforcements limits the employment of pipers in action.''

Provenance: Matt Taylor Collection, Christies (London) 1983

Research: The medals accompanied with some copied research including photograph of recipient in uniform, as part of the 'Highland Brigade Gathering Cawnpore, 1931 - Pipe Majors'

Condition: Great Wars medal polished GF, others GVF

Code: 10967Price: 1975.00 GBP

A regimentally unique full entitlement campaign medal pair combination for Iraq and India service: Private A. G. Walker, 1st Battalion Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment)

- GSM 1918. GV first type with clasp 'Iraq' (30406 Pte. A. Walker. R. Highrs.)
- IGS Medal 1908. GV 'Waziristan 1921-24' (2745852 Pte. A. G. Walker. Black Watch)

The IGS medal is a 'Royal Mint' issue

Important: The recipient did not serve overseas during the Great War. The respective campaign medal rolls confirm the two medals listed above, and here offered, as the recipients full and only medal entitlment. The GSM 1918 and clasp per medal roll (ref WO 100/G5/415) signed at Dera Ismail Khan, North West Frontier Province, India, and the IGS 1908 and clasp per medal roll (ref WO 100/I25/491) signed at Quetta, India, on 20 December 1925. The medal rolls show that Private Walker had been attached to 32nd Divisional Signal Company (which became "B" Divisional Signals), and was returned to his unit, 1/Black Watch on 1 May 1922. Private Walker took his discharge on 28 January 1923

Note: A study of both the GSM and IGS medal rolls confirm that a total of only 3 x 'Other Ranks' of the regiment qualified for both of the above medals and clasps while serving on attachment. However only Private Walker has the distinction of having earned the 'pair only' as a full medal entitlement - the other 2 x recipients each additionally earned Great War British War & Interallied Victory Medals, and one of those recipients - Private Cunningham - is recorded as having been issued 'Replacement' GSM & IGS medals

A unique full medal entitlement campaign medal pair to the Black Watch

Sold together with some copied medal roll entries and medal index cards

Condition: GVF

Code: 15484Price:

A North West Frontier of India, campaign medal pair to a 'Mountain Gunner': Driver Adalat Khan, 4th Mountain Battery, Indian Army

- IGS 1908. GV issue 'North West Frontier 30-31' (39732 Driver Adalat Khan, 4 Mtn. Bty.)
- IGS 1936 Medal. 'North West Frontier 1936-37' (39732 Driver Adalat Khan, 4 Mtn. Bty.)

Important: Reference 'The History of the Indian Mountain Artillery' (Graham, 1957), it is confirmed that4th Mountain Battery served in both of the campaigns commemorated on the respective medal clasps

The recipient was an Indian soldier holding the rank of Naik (Corporal) while serving with the 4th Mountain Battery of the British Indian Army - a 'Mountain Gunner'

Condition: VF

Code: 18978Price: 185.00 GBP

A 'Bearer's' double North West Frontier of India campaign medal pair: Bearer Rakhmat Shah, 5th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment

- IGS 1908. GV 'Mohmand 1933' 'N.W.F. 1935' (Br. Rakhmat Shah, 5/12 F.F.R.)
- IGS 1936. 'N.W.F. 1936-37' 'N.W.F. 1937-39' (Bearer Rakhmat Shah, 5/12 F.F.R.)

The recipient, a Punjabi Muslim, was an attested 'Follower' who performed the trade of 'Bearer' (an officers servant, or mess steward) while serving attached to the 5th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Own Corps of Guides) 12th Frontier Force Regiment 'Guides'

Condition: VF

Code: 17929Price: 125.00 GBP

A South Rhodesian volunteers Second World War campaign medal group of 4: Corporal A. V. Schneeberger, Price Alfred's Guard, 6th South African Armoured Division, late Southern Rhodesia Armoured Car Regiment

​- The 1939-45 Star
- The Africa Star
- War Medal
- South Africa: Africa Service Medal (SR.598022 A. V. Schneeberger)

Note: Recipient is a confirmed 'Italy' campaign theatre 'Battle Accident' casualty, and additionally entitled to receive un-named Italy Star and Defence Medals (service papers confIrm length of qualifying overseas service and entry into 'Theatre of War' Italy, in 1944)

Important: As per the naming protocols for Rhodesian residents who served with the South African Forces in the Second World War only the South Africa issue War Service Medal was issued officially named, and impressed with the distinctive SR prefix for 'Southern Rhodesia'. All other Second World War campaign medals that Rhodesian residents were entitled to, were all issued by the Rhodesian authority from un-named campaign medals issued and struck at the Royal Mint, London. The service papers of Rhodesians who served in South African Forces only ever confirm the award of the ASM - and any ribbons instituted and worn by the recipient 'before' the conclusion of the war

Albert Victor Schneeberger, a married man was a resident of 83 Jameson Street, Bulawayo, Rhodesia. Albert had been born in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 13 August 1906, from where he subsequently migrated to Southern Rhodesia. In Bulawayo, Albert, had been employed as Salesman. Shortly afterthe outbreak of the Second World War, Albert volunteered for overseas service initially serving with the Southern Rhodesia Armoured Car Regiment from December 1942, and in which regiment he held the rank of Corporal from 1 December 1942. On 19 January1943, Corporal Schneeberger embarked at Durban aboard the troopship 'New Amsterdam' for destination North Africa. Albert arrived in theatre of war 'North Africa' on 30 January 1943, when he disembarked at Suez, Egypt. On 9 May 1943, he was transferred to Prince Alfred’s Guard (Armoured Tanks), a constituent unit of the 6th South African Armoured Division. Albert is later confirmed as having embarked for the 'Allied Army in Italy' on 15 April 1944, where he subsequentl landed with the rest of his regiment, and in which campaign theatre he saw active service in the fielf. It was in Italy, while serving on the 'Gothic Line' that he is recorded as having received a 'Battle Accident' on 19 December 1944. Corporal Albert Schneeberger was discharged from the South African Army on 7 October 1946, after which he returned to his Bulawayo, Rhodesia

Sold together with hard-copy set of recipients service papers confirming all of above

The medals have been mounted for display on a flock backed board for display

Condition: GVF

Code: 19347Price: 85.00 GBP

A South African female officer's Second World War campaign medal group of 5: 2nd Lieutenant Iris Elaine Wallace, Women's Auxiliary Army Service, South African Army

- The 1939-1945 Star (W 297424 I.E. Wallace.)
- The Africa Star (W 297424 I.E. Wallace.)
- Defence Medal (W 297424 I.E. Wallace.)
- War Medal (W 297424 I.E. Wallace.)
- South Africa: Africa Service Medal (W 297424 I.E. Wallace.)

Note: All medals officially impressed. The prefix letter 'W' denoting an award to a 'Woman' recipient

Important: All medals confirmed as entitled per the recipients accompanying copied service records

Iris Elaine Wallace, was a South African of Scottish descent. Iris was the daughter of, Lorimer L Wallace & Ida P Wallace, and was a native of, Queenstown, South Africa, where she was born on 15 December 1910. By 1939, Iris, a Short-Hand Typist, was residing with her family in Grahamstown, where the family lived at, 11 African Street, P.O. Box 25, Grahamstown, South Africa. Iris enlisted as a Volunteer in the Union Defence Force in 1941, and was posted as a Private in the Womens Auxiliary Army Service. On 9 August 1941, Iris embarked from Durban for 'Overseas War Service', when she boarded the 'New Amsterdam', disembarking at the Suez Canal, two weeks later. Iris, received steady promotion throughout her army service; Lance-Corporal 1942; Corporal 1943; T/Sergeant 1943 and from 11 September 1944 was appointed to commissioned rank as an officer, holding the appointment of T/2nd/Lieutenant. After being commissioned as an officer, from 11 September 1944, 2nd Lieutenant Wallace served in Egypt as a Personal Assistant 'Personal Assistant' to the Director-General (Land), Mediterranean Expeditionary Forces in Middle East. Lieutenant Wallace took her final discharge from the South African Army (Union Defence Force) in 1946. Sometime after his discharge from the Uniond Defence Force, Iris married and became Mrs Iris E. Shinn

Sold together with a copied set of service papers confirming all medals and above details

Condition: About EF

Code: 19345Price: 110.00 GBP

A most interesting Canadian Volunteer 'Bigg's Boy' Second World War medal group of 7, to a Canadian who served in France 1940, was posted 'Missing' at the Fall of France, and later served in North Africa: Corporal John 'Jack Weedon Vidal, Royal Canadian A

​- The 1939-45 Star
- The Africa Star. With clasp 'North Africa 1942-1943'
- The Italy Star
- ​Defence Medal: Canada silver issue
​- Canada: Canadian Voluntary Service Medal. Silver. With 'Overseas' clasp
- War Medal: Canada silver issue
- Canada: Canada Decoration. GVI issue (Cpl J. W. Vidal)

Important: Corporal John 'Jack' Weedon Vidal served with Royal Air Force during the Second World, having been a pre-war colonial volunteer - one of all-volunteer 'Biggs Boys' who with war clouds gathering in Europe, left their native Canada, to volunteer in the Royal Air Force. In 1940, Jack served in France with 150 Squadron Royal Air Force, and was for a time posted 'Missing' at the Fall of France. The book 'The Biggs' Boys: The story of young Canadians who paid their way to England to join the Royal air Foce during World War Two (Ken Stoffer, 1995) refers;

Quote,

Biographies of The Vidal Brothers

Ron and Jack Vidal lived at Maple Bay near Duncan on Vancouver Island. With the threat of an approaching war they considered joining up together

Biography of Jack Vidal

Ground Crew, No. 150 Squadron, RAF

I was 18 years old when my brother Ron and I, after discussions with Captain Biggs, left on September 11th, 1938 to join the RAF. We went by boat from Victoria to Seattle and then by bus to New York, then the Cunard Liner the Acquatania to Southampton. There were only a few passengers on board. People were aware a war wasn't far off and did not want to be caught in England. We third-class passengers had the run of the ship. We arrived in Southampton on September 20th

After enlisting Ron and I were separated. I joined up at Uxbridge on the 23rd of September, 1938. I completed an aero engine course at St. Athan, Wales and was posted to about three stations in England during my career.

The day before war started I was flown to France in a Imperial Airways Ensign. A wild party that night in a farmer's wine cellar was where we heard that war had been declared

In France we worked on Fairey Battles of #150 R.A.F. Squadron. As the Germans advanced we moved our airfield every second night and slept in ditches or barns. Finally all the planes that could fly left for England. About 30 of the ground crew headed for Dunkirk, but enemy action forced me and my group towards Brest

The only ship in port was the Dutch Motor Ship S.S. Zealand. There were only eight seamen aboard, the Chief Steward being the ranking officer, so with our help and his know-how we took the ship to Plymouth. We had already been listed as missing in action. A church service had been held for us

Soon after I was sent on a R.A.F. Commando Course and then posted to Gibraltar where I spent several months putting Spitfires together, unloading them from huge crates. I spent a short time at Freetown, Sierra Leone, West Africa, on Sunderlands. Then on November, 1942 the invasion of North Africa

Unquote.

Note: Jack served with a different Royal Air Force Squadron while based in North Africa

John 'Jack' Weedon Vidal, was the fourth son of Hugh Francis Vidal and Lilian Vidal (nee Allan a native born Scot). By profession, a Dentist, Jack's father and had been born 29 Oct 1878 in Dapoli, Bombay Presidency, India, and was baptized on 16 Jan 1879 in St. John's Church, Dapoli, Bombay Presidency, India. Hugh Vidal died on 6 Mar 1941 in Canada at age 62. Jack was born in Beamsville, Ontario, Canada, in 1919. 'Jack' had three other older sibling brothers, vide Charles William Vidal (1905-1980), Kenneth George Vidal (1904-1984) and Ronald Hugh Vidal (1915-1988). At the time of the 1921 Canada Census, the Vidal family, including 'Jack was residing at Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada. By 1938, the family residence was then located in Duncan, British Columbia, Canada

The medals mounted as-worn in the court-style and as-worn by the recipient. The medal mounting bar retaining the original long hinged pin and clasp fittings

The medals have been professionally plated in the Canadian style, as typically preferred by Canadian veterans

Condition: Plated GVF

Code: 19346Price: 215.00 GBP