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An Air-Crew 'Special Duties' Second World War 'South East Asia' Burma Star group of 3 with 'Log Book' to a Liberator 'Bomb Aimer': Sergeant D. Ashe, 357 (Special Duties) Squadron, Royal Air Force

- The 1939-45 Star
- The Burma Star
- War Medal 1939-45

Note: All medals fitted with their original silk medal ribands as issued

Sold together with below following original documentation, insignia and ephemera;

- RCAF Flying Log Book for Aircrew other than Pilot (13/08/44 - 29/09/45)
- Royal Air Force Sergeants rank chevrons insignia. Cloth
- Royal Air Force Bomb Aimers Brevet. Cloth
- Medal transmittal letter form Air Ministry
- Box for medals (D. Ashe, Esq., 20 Coldcotes Avenue, Harehills, Leeds 9)

Important: A search of the National Register for England and Wales (April 1939), records only 2 x single 'Male' residents of fighting age, with forename initial 'D' & surname 'Ashe' who were not serving in 1939, but liable for military service during the War Years, viz Donald Archibald Ashe (born 1920 and resident in Brentford, Middlesex) and Donald Ashe (born 1926, and resident in Leeds, Yorkshire). A search of male persons born in Scotland in the period 1900-1928, record only a single male person with forename initial D and surname Ashe, viz David Bowden Ashe (born 1915, Bo'ness, West Lothian). Of these 3 x men only the youngest, Donald Ashe, had residency in Leeds, West Yorkshire (his address on the medal transmittal box).

Basis above, and in the absence of having access to Royal Air Force service records we believe that these medals are those of Donald Ashe, son of Arthur Ashe (a Postman) & Harriet Ashe (nee Young), who was a native of, Hunslet, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, where he was born on 1 August 1926. At the time of the compilation of the National Register for England & Wales (April, 1939), Donald is recorded as being at school, and residing with his parents and his younger sister Eileen Ashe, at 4 Mario Street, Leeds, West Yorkshire, England

Donald enlisted into the Royal Air Force, at Weston-super-Mare, England, sometime before August 1944 (his earliest Log Book entry is 13 August 1944), under one of the specified air crew training schemes.His unique Royal Air Force service number No 1589925 (as shown on cover of his aircrew log book) was in a block of numbers 1585001-1600000 that was allocated for use from September 1941, for all enlistees who joined the Royal Air Force at Weston-super-Mare - this block of numbers was the second to be allocated for recruits at Weston-super-Mare (the earlier block also included recruits at Uxbridge) - and numbers from this second block were still being issued sequentially through to the end of the Second World War

The recipients 'Flying Log Book' shows that Leading Aircraftman Ashe had qualified as an 'Air Bomber Armament' with effect from 20 October 1944. He next qualified as 'Air Bomber' on 1 December 1944. Donald did his aircrew training overseas at No 5 Officer Training Unit located at Boundary Bay, south of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

5 OTU: Boundary Bay, located south of Vancouver, was the base of 33 EFTS prior to becoming the base for 5OTU in April 1944. 5OTU in operation from April 1944 until October 1945. An estimated 4500 students passed through 5OTU, of which at least 50% were students form the Royal Air Force - including Donald Ashe - 5OTU was primarily concerned with the training of Liberator crews for the RAF squadrons based in South East Asia and Burma

Aircraft flown with 5OTU were Mitchells (one of which was KL161 which is now based at Duxford and flies with the Fighter Collection) and Liberators. Nearly sixty Mk VI B-24 were assigned to 5OTU. A flight of P-40s (Curtiss Kittyhawks power plant Allison V-1730-33) were also stationed at Boundary Bay for fighter affiliation work. Target towing was carried out by Bolinbrooks (Canadian built Blenheim) . In August 1944 a satellite airfield was opened at Abbotsford. Abbotsford was also home to 24 EFTS operating Cornells which replaced Tiger Moths

Reference the research by Air Historian Michael DesMazes, as with any training unit there were accidents and fatalities. Altogether 84 RCAF and RAF airmen lost their lives while training at 5OTU between 1944-1945

Once qualified, Sergeant 'Bombardier' Ashe made the long journey to South East Asia, to take part in the 'War Against Japan' On 14 May 1945, he set off on his long 8 x days journey to theatre of operations in India & Burma leaving from RAF Transport Command based at Dorval, Canada. There, together with key crew members from the Ferry Unit, he would fly in a new Liberator Bomber to India. Donald flew from Dorval, Canada to Bermuda, then on to the Azores. From Laagens, he then flew to Rabat, Morocco, then on to Tripolitania, Palestine, and Shaiba in Iraq before eventually reaching Karachi, India, on 21 May 1945, and next day Allahabad

After being posted for operational service with 357 (Special Duties) Squadron (Liberators) at Mingladon, Burma in June 1945. The Squadron was primarily tasked with supply drops to guerilla forces in Malaya and Sumatra, and Ashe flew in a number of these operational sorties between July - September 1945. Arthur's Log Book record flights made in June 1945, as a Liberator 'Bombardier' to 'China Bay' in Trincomalee, Ceylon Colony, and to Jessore in Bengal. Between July & September he made further flights to Ceylon, but moreover took part in numerous operations over enemy occupied Malaya, and Sumatra (Netherlands East Indies), primarily engaged in supply drops to resistance groups and special operations. By the time Sergeant 'Bombardier' Ashe made his last operational flight to Sumatra on 29 September 1945, he had racked up a grand total of 572 Hours & 20 Minutes 'Flying Time' of which 360 Hours & 45 Minutes was during 'Day' and 211 Hours & 35 minutes was 'Night' - an impressive record for a 19 year old, who was flying with the sensitive and often clandestine 'Special Duties' squadron

Shortly after demob and return to civilian life, Donald married Doris Butcher, at Leeds, sometime during the 3rd quarter of 1947. Donald Ashe is recorded as having died at Leeds, England, Leeds, during the last quarter of 1988

Important: No.357 Squadron was a Special Duties squadron used to support guerrilla fighters and Allied agents operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, Malaya and Sumatra between 1944-1945

The squadron was formed on 1 February 1944, with two flights. A Flight had a mix of Hudsons and Liberators and was formed from No.1576 (Special Duties) Flight. B Flight was based at Redhills Lake, Madras, and was equipped with four Catalina flying boats

Important: No.357 Squadron was a Special Duties squadron used to support guerrilla fighters and Allied agents operating behind Japanese lines in Burma, Malaya and Sumatra between 1944-1945

The squadron was formed on 1 February 1944, with two flights. A Flight had a mix of Hudsons and Liberators and was formed from No.1576 (Special Duties) Flight. B Flight was based at Redhills Lake, Madras, and was equipped with four Catalina flying boats

The new squadron used its Hudsons for short range missions, dropping supplies to guerrilla troops fighting in Burma. The Liberators and Catalinas were used for longer range missions, reaching out as far as Malaya and Sumatra. The Liberators were used for supply drops, the Catalinas to land or retrieve agents from the long coastline of Japanese occupied territory

The Catalinas didn?t stay with the squadron for long. On 21 March 1944, after just under two months, they were used to form No.628 Squadron. The Liberators remained in use through the war, while the Hudsons were replaced by Dakotas at the start of 1945. At the same time a new C Flight was formed, equipped with the Lysander. These aircraft were used to extract agents from Japanese held territory, a difficult role in the jungle filled areas it was operating over

At the end of the war C Flight split off to form the Burma Communications Flight, and the rest of the squadron was disbanded on 15 November 1945

Aircraft used by 357 Squadron;

- February 1944-January 1945: Lockheed Hudson IIIA
- February 1944-January 1945: Consolidated Liberator III
- February-March 1944: Consolidated Catalina IV
- September 1944-November 1945: Consolidated Liberator VI
- January 1945-November 1945: Douglas Dakota IV and Westland Lysander IIIA

Locations of 357 Squadron;

- February 1944-September 1945: Digri (Bengal)
- February 1944-October 1944: Detachment to China Bay (Eastern Ceylon)
- February-March 1944: Detachment to Redhills Lake (Madras)
- September-November 1945: Jessore (Bengal)
- April-May 1945: Detachment to Meiktila (Burma)
- May-September 1945: Detachment to Mingaladon (Burma)
- September-November 1945: Mingaladon

Condition: Medals EF

Code: 20079

365.00 GBP

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A 'Die-Hard's' Battle of Hong Kong & Far East Prisoner of War Group of 5: Company Quarter Master Sergeant, Thomas Bayly, late 'B Company' 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment

The group comprises:

- The 1939-1945 Star
- The Pacific Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal
- Military LS&GC. GVI Type II 'Regular Army' bar (6198031 Sjt. T. Bayly. Mx.)

Important: Thomas Bayly is confirmed having been captured by the Imperial Japanese Army on Christmas Day 25 December 1941, on which date the British Far East Colony of Hong Kong surrendered to the Japanese

Years of Captivity as Far East Prisoner of War: During his near 4 years of captivity, Thomas Bayly was incarcerated at POW Camps in in Hong Kong, and later in Japan:

- Hong Kong: Shampshuipo, 25-12-42 to 14-12-43
- Japan: Nagoya, 15-12-43 to 10-06-45
- Japan: Toyama, 11-06-45 until 'Liberation'

Thomas Bayly, son of Robert John Bayly & Kathleen Anne Bayly (nee Mullen, from King's County, Ireland) was a native of Aldershot, Hampshire, England, where he was born on 22 November 1909. Thomas enlisted in the British Army on 21 September 1927, and on enlistment was posted to the family regiment - the Middlesex Regiment - being posted to 1st Battalion. 1/Middlesex was one of two British Army infantry regiments in the Hong Kong Colony garrison when the Pacific War broke out on 8 December 1941

Thomas Bayly is recorded as having died at Bournemouth, Dorset, England, sometime in 1985

Note: A true 'Die Hard' group - Tommy was 'Born Into the Regiment' as his father was a long serving professional soldier and senior NCO of the Middlesex Regiment (No 7549 who served with 4/Middlesex and holding rank of Colour Sergeant was captured at Mons on 23 August 1914, and held thereafter at Soltau POW Camp in Germany). Such was the Bayly family pride in serving with the 'Die-Hards' that Tommy's father had named their family residence 'Albuhera' (in 1939 the family residence was 'Albuhera, Slisbury Road, Amesbury, Wiltshire, England). Albuhera being the greatest of all 'Die-Hard' battles and where the nickname of the regiment had its origins

Note: The Second World War campaign issues on original silk ribands in greaseproof packets of issue

A most desirable Battle of Hong Kong veteran's group - 'named' medals to Middlesex Hong Kong veterans being extremely hard to find on the market

Condition: EF

Code: 20417

SOLD

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A rare 'Boer Gunner's' campaign & police medal group of 3: First Class Constable W. J. Groenewald, Foot Police, Orange Free State Division, South African Police late Artillerist Staats Artillerie

The group comprises:

1). Union of South Africa: Anglo-Boer War Medal / Medalje voor de Anglo-Boere Oorlog (Artlst. W.J. Groenwald)

2). Union of South Africa: Police Good Service Medal. 1st type (No 2265 (F) 1/C Constable. W.J. Groenewald.)

3). Union of South Africa: South Africa War Service Medal 1939-1945

Important: The recipient W. J. Groenewald is confirmed in the nominal roll of the Staatsartillerie van de Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek (State Artillery of the South African Republic), or Staatsartillerie / Staats Artillerie, (eng States Artillery) the only regular military unit of the Boer Republic, in which unit he is confirmed as having served in the 1st Battery Staats Artillerie, from June 1899, and in which he held the badge number 432 (on-line records held at the ABO Museum, Bloemfontein refer).

On, 1 April 1913, the South African Police Force was established, the personnel being mostly drawn from amongst the hitherto separate existing police forces of the respective states of the Union. At establishment, each member of the South African Police Force was allocated a unique service number in the range 1 to 4011. For each of the 5 x Divisions of the South Africa Police, or SAP, a unique block of 'Force Numbers' was allocated for Constables, and the block 2116-2456 was allocated to the Orange Free State Division of the South African Police. From the naming on his Police Good Service Medal the recipient has been positively identified as having been on the original muster of the 'Foot Police' of the Orange Free State Division, South African Police, in 1913, and by the time he was awarded his Police Good Service Medal he was holding the rank of 1st Class Constable

The South African Police Faithful Service Medal was first instituted in 1923 - and the first type issue with obverse legend 'Police Service' in English & 'Politie Dienst' Dutch languages was only awarded through to 1932. The medal could have been awarded for either 18 years exemplary service, or bestowed for a specific act of gallantry or distinguished conduct

A rare combination of Union of South Africa medals to a former Boer Gunner

Condition: About GVF

Code: 20416

425.00 GBP

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Battle for Hong Kong & Lisbon Maru Hellship Casualty group of 3: Sapper Alfred Llelwyn Thomas, 22 (Fortress) Company Royal Engineers

The group comprises:

- The 1939-45 Star. No clasp (1872659 Spr A L Thomas R E)
- The Pacific Star. No clasp (1872659 Spr A L Thomas R E)
- War Medal (1872659 Spr. A. L. Thomas R E)

The medals all fitted with their original silk ribbons (these with minor soiling)

Note: The medals are all contemporary engraved by the 'Next of Kin'

Alfred Llewelwyn Thomas, son of Alfred Thomas & Margaret Thomas was a native of Ebbw-Vale, Wales, United Kingdom, where he was born on 17 January 1916. Alfred was serving as a Sapper in 22nd (Fortress Company) Royal Engineers, when he was captured at Hong Kong Colony on Christmas Day 1941. He is confirmed being held as a Far East Prioner of War in Hong Kong in 1942, and had the misfortune to be transported on the requisitioned N.Y.K. freighter S.S. Lisbon Maru, for destination Japan, on which ship he sailed from Hong Kong in September 1942. En-route on evening 1/2 October 1942, the ship was attacked, torpedoed and sunk by a United States Navy submarine. Sapper Thomas was one of the many hundreds of British Army personnel who were killed at the sinking.....

At the time of the death of Sapper Thomas, his parents were living at:

39 Stanfield Street
Ebbe-Vale
C.W.M.
Monmouthshire
Wales

Some minor soiling on reverse of the original silk ribands

Condition: EF

Code: 20415

SOLD

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China Station 'River Gunboat' group of 4: Stoker 1st Class Walter John Hildrow, Royal Navy late H.M.S. Tern

- 1914-15 Star (K.11332. W.J Hildrow. Sto. 1., R.N.)
- British War Medal (K.11332. W.J Hildrow. Sto 1 R.N.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (K.11332. W.J Hildrow. Sto 1 R.N.)
- Naval LS&GC Medal. GV issue ((K.11332. W.J Hildrow. Sto.1. H.M.S. Tern.)

Important: A digital search of the on-line Royal Navy LS&GC rolls (ADM 171/151) show that only 18 x Naval LSGC medals were awarded to China River Gunboat H.M.S. Tern

Destruction of German U Boat 'U.104' 25 April 1918, by H.M.S. Jessamine: Recipients service papers show that he was posted to H.M.S. Colleen which was the HQ vessel "Depot and Receiving ship" at Queenstown, Cork, Ireland, which was also the flagship of the Commander-in-Chief for the Coast of Ireland (especially the Western Approaches) between 11 March 1916 to 31 March 1919, during which time he was posted to H.M.S. Jessamine a mine-hunter / sloop

Note: All medals confirmed as entitled per the respective campaign and long service medal rolls:

- Ref ADM 171/105 Great War trio sent to H.M.S. Hercules
- Ref ADM 171/142 Naval LS&GC Medal issued 16 March 1932 aboard H.M.S. Tern

Walter John Hildrow, son of Alfred Norman Hildrow (a Book-binder) and Fanny Eliza Hildrow Hildrow (nee Cooper) was a native of Islington, London, England, where he was born on 13 February 1893. Prior to joining the Royal Navy on 23 May 1911, he was described as having been a 'Scholar', Walter John Hildrow is recorded as having died in, London, England, on 20 April 1961

Note: The recipient was awarded the Royal Navy Long Service Medal while serving on the China Gunboat H.M.S. Tern, while patrolling the waters of the West River in China in 1931-1932

H.M.S. Tern was one of group of four modern 'Gunboat' vessels that were introduced to the China Station by the Royal Navy in 1927-1928. The new gunboats were of similar appearance, equipped with 2 x 3-inch HA 'High Angle' guns and eight single machine-guns. H.M.S. Tern and H.M.S. Seamew were slightly smaller and shorter than the other two, at 262 tons compared to 310 tons. Draughts were 5 feet for H.M.S. Tern and H.M.S. Seamew. H.M.S. Tern together with H.M.S. Seamew & H.M.S. Ganet were allocated for patrol service on the waters of the West River in China. On 19 December 1941, H.M.S. Tern was destroyed when she was scuttled off Hong Kong Colony, during the Battle for Hong Kong

Less well-known than the Yangtze River, but still significant for foreign trade, was the area of the West River, the Xijiang, west of Canton (now Guangzhou), in south China's Guangdong province. This waterway was the main tributary of the Pearl River, and the main commercial waterway of the region, fed by several other smaller rivers. Like the Yangtze, fluctuating water levels and fast rapids made navigation in these waters a significant challenge. The Royal Navy, United States Navy, and French Navy all maintained ships in this area at various periods

Sold together hard-copy of recipients Royal Navy 'Service Sheet' and extract page from respective Naval LS&GC medal register

Important:

A rare & DESIRABLE medal group containing a Long Service Medslnamed to China Station 'River Gunboat' H.M.S. Tern

Condition: About VF

Code: 20410

Reserved

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A Great War & Shanghai Emergency campaign medal group of 4: Private John Francis Holloway, Army Service Corps later Scottish Company, Shanghai Volunteer Corps

The group comprises four medals:

- 1914-15 Star (M2-104101 Pte. J. F. Holloway. A.S.C.)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (M2-104101 Pte. J. F. Holloway. A.S.C.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (M2-104101 Pte. J. F. Holloway. A.S.C.)
- Shanghai Municipal Council: Emergency Medal 1937

Sold together with:

- A regimental medal of the Shanghai Scottish. Obverse of medal with insignia & legend of the Shanghai Scottish. Reverse plain with makers marks 'TC' for Shanghai medallists Tuck Chang

The British campaign medals all verified as issued per the respective campaign medal rolls of the Army Service Corps:

- 1914-15 Star (Ref WO 329/2888)
- British War & Victory Medal (Ref WO 329/2032)

The extant Medal Index Card for the recipient, John Francis Holloway, shows that he first entered theatre of war 'France' on 17 July 1915. Private Holloway took his discharge from the British Army when he was transferred to the Army Reserve Class Z on 3 April 1919

Sold together with some hard copy copied research including:

- Medal Index Card
- Medal roll extracts for the Great War Medals

The campaign medals each fitted with a long length of original silk weave ribands. These together with the Shanghai Scottish regimental medal are display mounted on a card strip

Condition: GVF

Code: 20409

795.00 GBP

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An 'Immediate' Meritorious & Long Service medal pair for 'India': Acting Regimental Sergeant Major Robert Edgar Loftus, Middlesex Regiment, late Indian Unattached List, Mussoorie Rifles & Bangalore Rifle Volunteers

- MSM. GV Type I (L-4864 Sjt. - A.R.S. Mjr. - R. E. Loftus. 3/Midd’x R.)
- Army LSGC. GV Type I (Colr Serjt Instr R. E. Loftus Bangalore Rifle Voltrs.)

Provenance: Cross Collection, J.B. Hayward, January 1973

Important: The 'Immediate Award' of the Meritorious Service Medal for service in 'India' was published in the London Gazette issue of 20 October 1920

LS&GC: The Miltary Long Service & Good Conduct Medal was published per Indian Army Order No 130 of 29 March 1915

Note: The recipient was entitled to a British War Medal only for service in India during the Great War, per the respective medal roll of the Middlesex Regiment (ref WO 329/1516). The medal was unlikely issued to the recipient, as neither the Medal Roll or the corresponding Medal Index Card include any references or remarks to record that the medal was ever physically issued

Robert Edgar Loftus, son of Robert Thomas Loftus ( a 'Groom') and Eliza Loftus (nee Pursey) was a native of the Paddington, London, Middlesex, England, where he was born on 3 February 1879. Robert mis-declared his age as 19 years & 3 months when he attested for full-time military service with the British Army, at Hounslow, Middlesex, on 4 June 1896. Prior to enlistment in the Regular Army, Robert had been employed as a 'Labourer' and in addition cited prior military service in the 3rd (Militia) Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. On enlistment, Robert was posted to the Regimental Depot of the Middlesex Regiment and after completion of his basic training was posted to the Provisional Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment, until on 16 December 1896, being transferred to 1st Battalion Middlesex Regiment on 16 December 1896, at the start of that battalions long period of overseas service. In total Robert Loftus served 24 years and 24 days with the British Army and the Indian Unattached List, of which a staggering 20 Years and 205 days was spent in British India including service in Burma. Robert's impressive service history is recorded below:

- Home: 04/06/1896 - 15/12/1896 (195 Days)
- South Africa: 16/12/1896 - 08/04/1898 (1 Year & 114 Days)
- British India (inc Burma): 09/04/1898 - 28/07/1902 (4 Years & 111 Days)
- Home: 29/07/1902 - 26/11/1903 (1 Year & 121 Days)
- British India (inc Burma): 27/11/1903 - 28/02/1920 (16 Years & 94 Days)
- En-route: 29/02/1920 - 28/03/1920 (29 Days)
- Home: 29/03/1920 - 26/06/2020 (90 Days)

Indian Unattached List: On 4 October 1910, Robert was transferred to the Indian Unattached List on appointment as Colour Sergeant Instructor, ad was posted to the Bangalore Rifle Volunteers. In 1917 he transferred to instruct the Mussoorie Rifles

During his long service in British India and Burma, Robert obtained numerous training certificates including:

- Transport Certificate: 3 October 1900
- Cold Shoeing Certificate: 24 March 1902
- Victualling Duties: 18 September 1907
- Certificate to remedy all simple failures in Machine Guns: 5 March 1909
- Qualified in Machine & Maxim Guns: 2 July 1909

Basis his military qualifications, Robert was amply qualified as an Instructor to the Volunteer Battalions of the Indian Defence Force

Very good sets of service and medical papers are extant for the recipient and these are held and accessible at The National Archives

Condition: GVF

Code: 20408

285.00 GBP

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China Station 'River Gunboat' group of 4: Chief Engine Room Artificer, William George White, Royal Navy late H.M.S. Widgeon

- 1914-15 Star (M.4008. W. G. White. E.R.A.3. R.N.)
- British War Medal (M.4008. W. G. White. Act. C.E.R.A.2 R.N.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (M.4008. W. G. White. Act. C.E.R.A.2 R.N.)
- Naval LS&GC. GV (M.4008. W. G. White. C.E.R.A. 1 H.M.S. Widgeon)

Important: All medals verified as entitled and issued per the respective campaign and long service medal rolls:

- Ref ADM 171/118 for Great War trio sent to H.M.S. Carysfort
- Ref ADM 171/149 for Naval LS&GC Medal sent to recipient in 1927

William George White, son of Samuel George White and Elizabeth Ann White was a native of Stonehouse, Devon, England, where he was born on 9 November 1886. Prior to joining the Royal Navy on 16 January 1912, he had been employed as a 'Boilermaker'.

While serving on the China Station in the inter-war years, William saw considerable service patrolling the waters of the Yangtze River, his Naval Service Sheet recording postings on below Gunboats:

- H.M.S. Mantis (for H.M.S. Widgeon): 11 February 1925 to 30 September 1925
- H.M.S. Bee: 1 October 1925 to 31 March 1927

William's 'Yangtze' service was during a very troubled period, that witnessed numerous Gunboat Actions along the Yangtze, including the Wanhsien Incident of 1926. During 1926 alone, In fifteen British, nine US, ten Japanese and six French gunboats regularly patrolled the Yangtse river. These and other warships were constantly in action throughout 1926

Sold together with a hardcopy of the recipients Royal Navy 'Service Sheet'

The medals are mounted in the swing-style, suspended from old silk weave medal ribands. The reverse of the mounting brooch retaining the original long-hinged pin and clasp fittings

A scarce and desirable medal group to a famous China Station 'Yangtze River' Gunboat, H.M.S. Widgeon

Condition: Contact marks about VF

Code: 20411

Reserved

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A rare to ship Second World War and Long Service medal group of 5: Petty Officer Stoker Mechanician, Clifton Bingham, H.M.S. Fetlar

The medal group comprises:

- The 1939-45 Star. No clasp
- The Atlantic Star. With clasp 'France and Germany'
- The Africa Star
- War Medal
- Naval LSGC. GVI (KX.83117 C. Bingham. P.O. Sto. Mech. H.M.S. Fetlar)

Important: Medal confirmed issued to recipient at H.M.S. Pembroke II on 22 October 1948 (ref ADM 171/153 & ADM 171/158)

An excessively rare medal named to H.M.S. Fetlar, and quite possibly a unique GVI issue. A digital search of the respective Royal Navy Long Service Medal Rolls & Application Books for 'Fetlar' gives only 2 x positive returns, both EIIR issue medals issued respectively 'Off' H.M.S. Osprey to 'Fetlar' in 1955 & 1957 respectively!

Clifton Bingham, was a native of South Shields, Co. Durham, England, where he was born sometime during the third quarter of 1913. Clifton is recorded as marrying twice. Firstly he wed Doris R. Brown at, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, sometime in the last quarter of 1934. He secondly married Gladys Beatrice Fellows, at, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England sometime during the third quarter of 1950. Clifton Bingham is recorded as having died at the Hotel Paris Liccione, Italy, on 26 September February 1963. At the time of his death his United Kingdom residence was, 153 Stubbington Avenue, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. Clifton was succeeded by his widow Gladys Beatrice Bingham, who inherited Clifton's estate

H.M.S. Fetlar was an Isles Class 'Mine Sweeper Trawler' built at Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd, Selby, United Kingdom. The vessel was ordered on 16 November 1940; Laid down 1 April 1941; Launched 10 July 1941; Commissioned 9 January 1942. Her 'Pennant' was T 202. Fetlar was scrapped in Belgium on 2 June 1960

The Isles-class trawlers were a class of naval trawler used by the Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Navy and Royal New Zealand Navy during World War II

During the Second World War, H.M.S. Fetlar had a complement of 4 x Officers and 36 x Men and was mainly used on minesweeping and harbour defence duties. Most of the Isles Class 'MS Trawlers' were armed with one 12-pounder gun (76mm) and three or four 20 mm Oerlikon AA guns with 30 depth charges.

Postwar, H.M.S Fetlar was disarmed and kept in service as a Wreck Dispersal Vessel and general duties work as a Royal Navy Trawler with the Royal Navy Home Command

Medals all mounted as-worn in the Navy 'Swing-style'. The mounting bar retaining the original long hinged pina and clasp fittings

Condition: Mostly GVF

Code: 20285

190.00 GBP

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A late Victoria era campaign medal pair for service in the Indian Empire of the British Raj and during the South African War: Private Thomas Rennie 1st Battalion Kings Own Scottish Borderers

The pair of medals comprise:

- IGS 1854. Silver issue with clasp 'Chin-Lushai 1889-90' (942 Pte. T. Rennie. 1st Bn K.O. Sco. Bord.)

- QSA Medal. Silver & 3 x clasps 'CC' 'Pa' & 'Jo' (942 Pte. T. Renny. K.O. Scot: Bord:)

Important: Private Thomas Rennie (sic) is verified as entitled to both medals and all 4 x clasps per the respective medal rolls of the 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers, as under:

- IGS 1854 Medal (ref WO 100/74). With remarks for service with 'Gangaw Column' in Chin-Lushai operations (Burma) between 15 November 1899 to 30 April 1890

- QSA Medal: (ref WO 100/182)

Note: Private Thomas Rennie (sic Renny on QSA medal roll and medal named exactly as issued form the medal roll) is verified as entitled to all 3 x clasps on the QSA Medal, per the respective medal roll of 1st Battalion King's Own Scottish Borderers (ref WO 100/182) that was compiled and signed in-the field, at Rooidraai, Cape Colony, on, 2 February 1902, at which time the roll is annotated opposite the entry for Private Renny with the remark 'Discharged'. A later supplementary page in the same medal roll (that was compiled and signed more than 2 x years later, on 3 May 1904) confirms the recipient's entitlement to a further single dated clasp 'South Africa 1901'. Whether the dated clasp was ever forwarded to the recipient, or received by him is not known

Thomas Rennie, son of Robert Rennie - who as next of kin is recorded as living at Wilsons Court, Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland - was a native of Edinburgh, Scotland, where he was born on 28 August 1865. On 24 April 1884, Thomas attested for the Kings Own Borderers at, Edinburgh, Scotland. At enlistment he was described as having been previously employed as a' Labourer', and that he was 18 years and 8 months of age. Thomas was posted to the Kings Own Borderers (later King's Own Scottish Borderers), with which regiment he subsequently completed a total of 17 years and 30 days service by the time that he took his final discharge from the British Army, on 24 June 1901. During his service 'With The Colours' Thomas Rennie fought in 2 x campaigns, for which he earned 2 x campaign medals, vis an India General Service Medal with clasp 'Chin Lushai 1889-90' (ref WO 100/74), for service in the 'Chin-Lushai' hills bordering Burma and India, and a Queens South Africa Medal (ref WO 100/182) for his services in the South African War. Thomas had served overseas as under;

- India: 02/10/1885 - 02/11/1889
- Burma: 03/11/1889 - 06/02/1891
- South Africa: 05/01/1900 - 22/04/1901

The recipients service papers are extant and are held and accessible at The National Archives

Sold together with hard-copy extract pages from the respective campaign medal rolls confirming all medald and clasp

Condition: GVF

Code: 20267

425.00 GBP

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