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

A 'London' volunteers group of 3 & insignia: Sergeant George Groome, 9th (County of London) Battalion, London Regiment (Queen Victoria's Rifles) late 19th Middlesex (St Giles and St George’s, Bloomsbury) Volunteer Rifle Corps (the Bloomsbury Rifles)

- Volunteer Force Long Service Medal. EdVII (4753 Serjt. G. Groome, 19/Middx. V.R.C.)
- Bloomsbury Rifles Medal. Silver. Boxing under 10 stone Pte G. Groome, Feby 1890)
- Bloomsbury Rifles Regimental Medal: Centenary Medal 1897. Bronze

Sold together with;

- Pair of QVR 'Queen Victoria's Rifles' blackened brass shoulder titles, complete qwith fittings

George Groome, a long serving non-commissioned-officer of the Queen Victoria Rifles and late Bloomsbury Rifles, was a native of Marylebone, London, where he was born circa 1869. By profession a 'Button Manufacturer', he was described as being 'Retired' in the 1911 National Census for England and Wales, at which time he was residing at 'The Lodge' Wakes Colne, Essex, England, together with his wife, Anna Groome (40), son, George Groome (15) and nephew Walter Groome (13). George Groome is recorded as having died at Colchester, Essex, England on

Condition: GVF

Code: 19447Price: 150.00 GBP

A fine Yorkshire interest 'Fire Chief's' royal commemorative & long service medal group of 4: Chief Officer Samuel William Normington, Keighley Corporation Fire Brigade

- Jubilee Medal 1935
- Coronation Medal 1937
- Professional Fire Brigade Officers LSM. Sil & bar (Chief Officer S. W. Normington, 1919)
- National Fire Brigades: LSM. Silver. With 2 x bars(2963 Sam W. Normington)

Note: Both royal commemorative medals are verified as entitled from the respective 1935 Jubilee & 1937 Coronation Medal rolls, the recipient being shown on each roll as under;

- Jubilee: Sam Whitworth Normington, Chief Officer Keighley (Section U.K. 14 C.B.F.)
- Coronation: Sam Whitworth Normington, Chief Officer Keighley (Section U.K. 14 C.B.F.)

Important: Chief Officer Sam W. Normington, was the 'Fire Chief' of Keighley Corporation Fire Brigade, circa 1919-1939

Prior to being appointed as Chief Officer of the Keighley Fire Brigade in 1919, Sam Normington had been the officer in charge of the 'Ripley Dyeworks Brigade', and had spent 12 years service with the Bradford Corporation Fire Brigade

Sam Whitworth Normington, son of Samuel Normington (Clogger) & Eunice Normington (neee ), was a native of Allerton, Bradford, West Riding of Yorkshire, England, where he was born on 25 November 1879. In 1891, the National Census for England & Wales, records Sam as living with his large family, that comprising his parents and no less than 9 x other siblings. In 1891, the family was living at, 26 Prospect Terrace, Allerton, Yorkshire. By the time of the 1939 National Register, Sam is recorded as a 'Fire Brigade Chief Officer', and was living with his wife, Susan M. Normington, at 'The Garlands', 7 Wingate Avenue, Keighley, West Riding of Yorkshire, England. Sam Normington is recorded as having died in Keighley, near Bradford, on 18 February 1949

The medals mounted in the swing-style suspended form their original silk ribands (some fraying on LS medals) and as-won by the recipient. The reverse of the mounting bar retaining its original long hinged pin and clasp fittings

Condition: Toned mostly about GVF

Code: 19444Price: 235.00 GBP

A rare to regiment 'East Africa' Great War campaign medal group of 3: Private James Roy, East Africa Pay Corps

- 1914-15 Star (7019 Pte. J Roy E. Afr. P. C. )
- Brtitish War Medal. Silver issue (7019 Pte. J Roy E. Afr. P. C. )
- Interallied Victory Medal (7019 Pte. J Roy E. Afr. P. C. )

Note: All 3 x medals confirmed as entitled per respective Great War campaign medal rolls (Reference WO 329/2367) held at The National Archives. The medal rolls with remark that the medals were issued to the recipient at Nairobi, Kenya Colony, on 1 May 1923

A study of the 1914-15 Star medal roll for the East Africa Pay Corps (ref WO 329/ ) show that James Roy, first entered theatre of war 'East Africa' on 2 November 1915, and that he later transferred to the East Africa Army Service Corps, with which latter unit he was serving at the time of taking his final discharge from the Army

Important: The medal roll for the East Africa Pay Corps (WO 329)/2939 signed and dated at Nairobi, Kenya Colony, on 3 September 1919 includes supplementary inserts with enumerated remarks (the inserts all signed & dated 22 June 1922), which show that only 18 x 1914-15 Stars were actually issued named to the East Africa Pay Corps - making this an extremely rare to regiment 1914-15 Trio

James Roy, son of James Roy & Margaret Roy (nee Bullions), was a native of Methven, Perthshire, Scotland, where he was born 4 June 1857. By profession a Grocery Merchant, in the late Victorian era, James had been a long term resident of Glasgow, where between 1896-1902, the family resided at 4 Roclea Terrace, Roxburgh Street, Kelvinside, Glasgow, Scotland, during which time he was employed as a Manager with, Cooper & Co., tea, coffee & provision merchants, 499-515 Great Western Road, Hillhead, Glasgow. by John & Susannah had a large family, the 1901 Cenus for Scotland recording that it comprised the parents and 6 x children (2 x sons, Hugh Kettles & George, & 4 x daughters vis, Chrissie, Maggie, Daisy, Ethel & at least until 1901, the family resided at. James Roy, together with his wife Susannah (born circa 1863) and arge family migrated to Kenya Colony, sometime prior to the outbreak of the Great War, the Roy family migrated to Kenay Colony as 'Settlers'. During the Great War, James and his eldest son, both served in the local Kenya Colony Forces - Hugh Kettles-Roy served with the Nairobi Defence Force and earned a single British War Medal (he was later commissioned Major). In his reurement James and his wife were frequent visitors back to Scotland in the inter-war years, the shipping passenger manifests showin his permananent place of residence as Kenya Colony, and his occupation variously as none, or as 'Settler'. James Roy is recorded as having died at Nairobi, Kenya Colony, on 4 August 1934.

Pilot Officer Peter Hugh Kettles-Roy, a Pilot serving with 158 Squadron R.A.F. - and who was the grandson of James Roy - was serving on a Bomber Command raid, when he was Killed-in-Action, shot-down over France on, 18 April 1944. At the time of his death he was only 20 years of age. He was entitled to; 1939-1945 Star; Air Crew Europe Star and the War Medal. His obituary, courtesy of Lancing College War Memorial is provided below;

Quote,

Peter Hugh Kettles-Roy was born at Kensington in London on the 13th of January 1924 the only son of Major Hugh Kettles-Roy, an agent and company director, and Ann Bonella (nee Archibald) Kettles-Roy, of Nairobi, Kenya and of 107 Queen's Gate in London.

He was educated at the Prince of Wales' School, Nairobi and at Lancing College where he was in Seconds House from September 1937 to October 1939. On leaving school he returned to Nairobi from London on board the SS "Madura" on the 21st of October 1939.

He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, trained as a pilot and rose to the rank of Flight Sergeant. He served initially with 10 Squadron but transferred to 158 Squadron on the 25th of February 1944. He was commissioned as a Pilot Officer on the 27th of March 1944.

On the night of the 18th/19th of April 1944 171 aircraft, being 139 Halifaxes, 24 Lancasters and 8 Mosquitos, were despatched to raid the railway yards at Tergnier. A previous attack on this target on the night of the 10th/11th of April had not been a success and for this mission Pathfinder Lancasters of No. 4 Group along with Mosquitos of 105 and 109 Squadrons were to be used to visually mark the target area. Despite the clear and moonless conditions the bulk of the marker flares fell in a concentrated group to the west of the marshalling yards. As a result of the marking, although 50 railway lines were blocked, most of the bombs fell on housing to the south west of the target causing an unknown number of French casualties.

Peter Kettles-Roy and his crew took off in Halifax LV954 NP-Q from RAF Lissett at 9.03pm on the 18th of April 1944 for the operation.
They were believed to have been heard on the radio at 11.52pm and their aircraft subsequently crashed near Rosieres-en-Santerre some ten miles to the northwest of Roye in the Somme region. Two crew members bailed out and were taken prisoner.

The crew was:-

Pilot Officer Peter Kettles-Roy (Pilot)
Flight Sergeant George McEwan (Air Bomber)
Flight Sergeant Robert Wallis Wright RAAF (Wireless Operator/Air Gunner)
Sergeant Michael Madden (Mid Upper Gunner)
Sergeant Alan Francis Kneller (Rear Gunner)
Flying Officer Peter George Taylor (Navigator) prisoner of war (POW Stalag Luft 3)
Sergeant Leslie Sowden (Flight Engineer) prisoner of war (POW Camp 357)

Theirs was one of six Halifaxes which failed to return of which four are known to have fallen prey to night fighters between the target and the coast, one to flak between the target and Dieppe and one to causes unknown

Unquote.

Extremely rare to regiment medal combination - ony 18 x 1914-15 Star trios named to East Africa Pay Corps - to an early Kenya Colony 'Settler'

Condition: About GVF

Code: 19446Price: 325.00 GBP

An Askari's Great War campaign medal trio: Corporal Rehan Said, 3rd (Kenya) Battalion King's African Rifles

- 1914-15 Star (1153 L/C. Rehan Said. 3/K.A.R.)
- Brtitish War Medal. Silver issue (1153 L/C. Rehan Said. 3/K.A.R.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (1153 L/C. Rehan Said. 3/K.A.R.)

Important: All 3 x medals confirmed as entitled per respective Great War campaign medal rolls of the 3rd King's African African Rifles (Reference WO 329/2366) held at The National Archives. The medal rolls with remark that the medals were issued to the recipient at Nairobi, Kenya Colony, on 16 June 1923

Note: A study of the above referenced Great War medal roll for 3/KAR indicate that only an estimated 182 x 1914-15 Stars were issued to 'Other Ranks' of 3rd (East Africa) Battalion The King's Africa Rifles

During the Great War 3rd (East Africa) Battalion The King's African Rifles served in East Africa in the long running campaign against the German Colonial forces led by the famous enemy commander Paul Erich von Lettow-Vorbeck

KAR casualties in the First World War (all battalions) have been estimated to have been 5,117 killed and wounded with another 3,039 dying from various diseases

The group in unusually fine condition for awards to the King's African Rifles. The Askari's of the K.A.R. being renowned for their smart turn-out on parade wearing gleaming polished medals.....

Condition: GVF

Code: 19445Price: 195.00 GBP

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: 1110.00 GBP

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 Driver while serving with the 4th Mountain Battery of the British Indian Army - a 'Mountain Gunner'

Condition: VF

Code: 18978Price: 185.00 GBP

An officer's Battle of El Alamein 'Killed-in-Action' medal group to the 51st Highland Division: Lieutenant Donald Maciver, 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders, 51st Highland Division

- The 1939-1945 Star
- The Africa Star. With Royal Mint '8th Army' clasp
- War Medal

Sold together with

- Army Council Condolence transmittal letter named 'Lieutenant D. Maciver'
- Card box of issue for the medals addressed to the mother as nominated next-of-kin;

Mr M. A. Maciver
6 Avenue Park Street
Glasgow N.W.

Important: Lieutenant Donald Maciver 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders is confirmed as having been 'Killed-in-Action' at the Battle of El Alamein, on, 24 October 1942

Note: The positively attributed medals of the recipient's brother, William Charles Maciver, are being sold under separate listing see Item code

Speaking of the great 'Desert' victory at the Battle of El-Alamein, Britain's legendary war-time leader, Winston Churchill said;

Quote,

"Now this is not the end; it is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning." After the war, he wrote: "Before Alamein we never had a victory. After Alamein, we never had a defeat.

Unquote.

Donald Maciver was the son of Donald and Mary A. Maciver, 6 Avenue, Park Street, Glasgow, Scotland. Donald was a native of Glasgow, where he was born in 1917. The Glasgow Electorial Register for 1936 records Donald as living at home at the family residence together with his parents, and his two brothers, John & William. Donald was given an Emergency Commission when he was appointed 2nd Lieutenant on 1 March 1941 and posted to 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlander. Appointed Acting Captain 10 November 1941; Appointed War Substantive Lieutenant, 1 September 1942.

By descent a 'Lewis Man', Donald, was the son of parents who had been born and raised in, Laxay, Lochs, Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides, or 'Western Isles' - hence his commission in the family's local regiment of his forefathers, 'The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders'. After his death in action, the below notice was posted in the local 'Stornaway Gazette' issue of 27 November 1942;

Quote,

It has come as a shock to the innumerable friends of the late Lieut. Donald Maciver to learn that he has paid the supreme sacrifice in the Battle of Egypt.

Donald, as he was affectionately known, was loved by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance, and his many friends in Aberdeen, where he was widely known in connection with the sporting activities of his regiment "The Camerons" will mourn the loss of a "real sport and a gentleman".

His many relations and friends in the Isle of Lewis (his father comes from Laxay, Lochs), will mourn the passing of a boy they knew and loved and for whom he so gladly gave his life.

Too good to live
But oh, so young to die

Unquote.

The body of Lieutenant Donald Maciver lies interred at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission 'El Alamein War Cemetery', in Egypt, where his grave is located at reference grave XIX. C. 14

A scarce seen & desirable 51st Highland Division officer casualty group for the Battle of El Alamein

Condition: EF

Code: 19443Price:

A positively attributed Second World War '8th Army' campaign medal group of 5: William Cumming Maciver, late Royal Corps of Signals

- The 1939-1945 Star
- The Africa Star. With Royal Mint issue '8th Army' clasp
- Defence Medal
- War Medal

Sold together with

- Army Council Transmittal Letter
- Original named card box of issue for the medals with feint rubber stamp of 'Records Office, Reading, Royal Corps of Signals' and addressed to;

Mr W. C Maciver
6 Avenue Park Street
Glasgow N.W.

Note: The recipient was the brother of Lieutenant Donald Maciver, 5th Battalion Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders who was killed-in-Action' at the Battle of El Alamein on, 24 october 1942, and whose medals are being sold separately see Item Code

William Charles Maciver was the son of Donald and Mary A. Maciver, 6 Avenue, Park Street, Glasgow, Scotland. William was a native of Glasgow, where he was born in 1912. The Glasgow Electorial Register for 1936 records William as living at home at the family residence together with his parents, and his two brothers, John & Donald.

The medals all supplied with their original silk ribands and contained in their grease proof paper envelopes, virtually near uncirculated

Condition: EF

Code: 19442Price: 75.00 GBP