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A St Asaph, Flintshire, World Wars family medal group of 8. To a father casualty & son veteran of Battle of Denmark Strait & Survivor of sinking of H.M.S. Prince of Wales: Arrowsmith family, father (Cheshire Yeomanry/Cheshire Regiment) & son (Royal Navy)

The family group of 8 x medals comprises:

A). Father: Private James Cliffe Arrowsmith, Cheshire Regiment, late Cheshire Yeomanry

- British War Medal. Silver issue (5515 Pte. J.C. Arrowsmith. Ches. R.)
- Interallied Victory Medal (5515 Pte. J.C. Arrowsmith. Ches. R.)

Important: Private J.C. Arrowsmith, 9th Battalion Cheshire Regiment is confirmed having 'Died of Wounds' in France on 4 August 1917

Note: The 2 x medals confirmed as the recipient's full medal entitlement, per the respective medal roll of Cheshire Regiment (ref WO 329/1014) and the recipients extant Medal Index Card held at The National Archives

Biographical Research: There exists an unusually large - and well written - amount of biographical information on Private James Cliffe Arrowsmith available on the internet. Thanks to the Flintshire War Memorials 1914-1918 website, researchers and medal collectors can readily access the recipients service history at:

https://www.flintshirewarmemorials.com/

The Great War medals in uncommonly excellent condition, being virtually uncirculated / pristine

Condition: EF

B). Son: Able Seaman James Cliffe Arrowsmith, Royal Navy, late H.M.S. Prince of Wales

- The 1939-1945 Star
- The Atlantic Star
- The Africa Star
- The Pacific Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal

Important: Able Seaman J.C Arrowsmith H.M.S. Prince of Wales is confirmed witnessing the destruction of H.M.S. Hood - The Mighty Hood - during the Battle of the Denmark Strait (Atlantic Star), during which battle his ship registered damaging 'Hits' on the enemy battleship 'Bismark' , and who later served on a Malta Convoy (Africa Star) and was extremely fortunate to survive the sinking of H.M.S. Prince of Wales (Pacific Star), and avoid subsequent enemy capture - following the destruction of 'Force Z' - off the coast of Malaya, on 10 December 1941.

The Liverpool Echo issue of 9 January 1942, contains a captioned photograph of Able Seaman J.C. Arrowsmith in his Royal Navy 'Blues', with below article:

Quote,

Saw Sea Giants Sunk

A naval man who has taken part in the battle for the Atlantic and seen destroyed the world's four biggest battleships - Hood, Bismark, Repulse & Prince of Wales - is among the survivors of the latter ship. He is Able Seaman James Cliffe Arrowsmith, of, Teriyn, St Asaph. He was born at Neston, Cheshire, and previous to joining the Navy was on the staff of Barclay's Bank at Pwllheli. His father, Mr James Arrowsmith, was killed in the last war whilst serving with the Cheshire Regiment.

Unquote.

HMS Prince of Wales was a King George V-class battleship of the Royal Navy, built at the Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, England. She had an extensive battle history, first seeing action in August 1940 while still being outfitted in her drydock when she was attacked and damaged by German aircraft. In her brief but storied career, she was involved in several key actions of the Second World War, including the May 1941 Battle of the Denmark Strait against the German battleship Bismarck, escorting one of the Malta convoys in the Mediterranean, and then attempting to intercept Japanese troop convoys off the coast of Malaya when she was lost on 10 December 1941. In her final battle, which was three days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, she was sunk alongside the battlecruiser HMS Repulse by Japanese bombers when they became the first capital ships to be sunk solely by air power on the open sea, a harbinger of the diminishing role this class of ships was subsequently to play in naval warfare. The wreck of Prince of Wales lies upside down in 223 feet (68 m) of water, near Kuantan, in the South China Sea.

The Second World War medals each with an original silk riband (with the Africa Star & Defence Medal on mismatching of ribands), that has sometime been stitched for wear and, as-worn or displayed, by the recipient or his family

Condition: GVF

Code: 20444

265.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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Italy: Commemorative Cross for the Campaign in Spain 1936-1939 (Croce Commemorativa della Campagna di Spagna)

A contemporary 'war economy' die-cast example in brass metal with ring suspension, fitted with a replacement riband

Dimension of the cross arms is approx 36.8mm

Provenance: Lot 1238 DNW 26 September 2018

The decoration was instituted in 1940, for award to members of The Corps of Volunteer Troops (Corpo Truppe Volontarie, or CTV) who had distinguished themselves in battle during the Spanish Civil War. The Corps of Volunteer Troops, or CTV, was the Fascist Italian expeditionary force sent to Spain to support the Nationalist forces under General Francisco Franco against the Spanish Republic during the Spanish Civil War. The ranks of the CTC were drawn from amongst both Italian regulars of the Italian Armed Forces, as well as Fascist Militia who had volunteered for overseas service in Spain. It is estimated that more then 78,000 x Italians served in Spain, of which more then 3,000 were killed in action and between approximately 10,500-12,000 were wounded

Condition: GF

Code: 19054

SOLD

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Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. EIIR first issue (Const. Arthur Hunter.)

Note: Attributed to Constable Arthur Hunter of the Essex County Constabulary, serving at Romford, Essex, in 1939

A digital search of the National Register for England & Wales (1939) returns only 2 x persons with name Arthur Hunter who were serving Police Contables in 1939. One was born in 1896 (and could not have qualified for a first type EIIR police LSGC) the only possible recipient being Police Constable Arthur Hunter, who was born on 27 April 1914. In 1939, Constable Arthur Hunter was resident at: Police Station, 46 South Street, Romford, Essex, England. Genalogical on-line resources record that Arthur Hunter died at Colchester, Essex, England, sometime during the second quarter of 1996

A medal of local Romford and Essex County Constabulary history

Condition: GVF

Code: 20433

SOLD

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Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. GVI issue (Const. Frank E. G. Jones)

Served either City of London Police (note he was married in City of London) or the Metropolitan Police

Frank Ernest George Jones, son of Percy Thomas Jones (an Engineer / Furnace Stoker) and Ellen Jeanetta Kate' Jones (nee Jordan) was a native of, Tongham, Surry, England, where he was born on, 29 July 1906. Frank married Doris Lila Crowfoot in the City of London, London, England, during the third quarter of 1936. The 1939 National register for England & Wales records Frank residing at, 6 East Dulwich Grove, Dulwich, Southwark, Camberwell, London, where he lived with his wife Doris Lila Jones, and is shown as employed as a 'Police Constable'. In retirement, Frank relocated to Devon, together with his wife, Doris, where they lived at Splatt Cottage, Broadwoodkelly, Winkleigh, Devon. Frank is recorded as having died at, Castle Hospital, Oakhampton, Devon, on 13 November 1967

Condition: GVF

Code: 20434

SOLD

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Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. GVI issue (Sergt. Edwin F. Lofting.)

Important: Served 'Operationally' as as Pilot (Flying Officer) with Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve circa 1944-1945

Police service: Confirmed promoted Sergeant with the Derbyshire Constabulary with effect from 14 September 1946, on which date he became Motor Patrol Sergeant at Headquarters of the Motor Patrol Police, Derbyshire County Police (Derby Daily Telegraph issue of 14 September 1946 refers)

Important: No 1594153 Sergeant Edwin Francis Lofting, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, received an appointment to commission, effective, 22 September 1944, when he was promoted to Flying Officer (185035) per the announcement published in the London Gazette issue of 7 November 1944. On-line nominal rolls for 12th Operational Training Unit, Royal Air Force have a listing for F/O Tipping (no initials shown) showing that he was a Pilot, who completed his training in September 1944. He served operationally as Pilot Aircrew with the Royal Air Force (Pilot / Aircrew almost certainly with Bomber Command) and is recorded as having "took part in many operational flights over Europe" during the Second World War, that would have earned him at least a France and Germany Star quartet of campaign medals if operating in North West Europe (or an Italy Star quartet if flying operational from Italy). Reference the Derby Daily Telegraph issue of 14 September 1946 that refers to his Police promotion and Wartime RAF service). Flying Officer Lofting relinquished his commission on 10 February 1954, retaining the rank of Flying Officer from that date

FYI: There were only two other LOFTING's commissioned and serving as a Pilots in Royal Air Force during WW2, both of whom were commissioned in March 1944 (6 months before Edwin Francis Lofting was commissioned), viz , Patrick John Deane Lofting (172373) & Raymond George Lofting (159038) the latter being awarded an Air Force Cross (London Gazette 13 June 1957) and retiring as a Wing Commander in the post-war years

Edwin Francis Lofting, was eldest son of Francis William Lofting (a Railway Coach Finisher) and Elizabeth Sophia Lofting (nee Cooke) was a native of, Derby, Derbyshire, England, where he was born on, 6 June 1907. A career Policeman, Edwin was already a serving Constable in the Derbyshire Constabulary when he married Elsie May Fearn in Derby on, 11 May 1931 (Derby Daily Telegraph of that date refers). Edwin served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve during the Second World and post-war took his discharge (retaining the rank of Flying Officer) and returned to duty with the Derbyshire Police. Edwin Francis Lofting is recorded as having died in, Derby, England, sometime during the first quarter of 1973

An scarce opportunity to buy an officially named medal to a Policeman who is confirmed as being a Royal Air Force commissioned officer who flew operationally, as a Pilot, during the Second World War

Condition: GVF

Code: 20435

275.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902,. Silver issue with clasp 'Natal (7327 Pte. G. H. McIlroy, R. Welsh Fus:)

Important: The recipient confirmed as a Great War casualty 'Home Service', who died on 8 December 1918 (he did not qualify for any Great War medals), and was buried in his native Holyhead, where he is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission

Note: Medal and clasp verified as the recipient's only medal entitlement per the campaign medal roll of Volunteer or 'L' Company 1st Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers (ref WO 100/195). Shown as invalided at Kimberley at the time the medal roll was compiled and signed at Wreham, Wales, on 5 July 1901

Rarity: Only an estimated 38 x RWF 'Volunteers' of the 1st Volunteer Service Company Royal Welsh Fusiliers are shown on the referenced medal roll as being entitled to the single clasp 'Natal' QSA medal

A very scarce regimental medal with single clasp 'Natal'

George Henry McIlroy, son of Jamess McIlroy and Sarah Anne McIlroy (nee Green) was a native of Holyhead, Anglesey, Wales, where he was born circa 1876. George declared his age as 23 years & 4 months of age when he volunteered for One Year Short Service Contract 'With the Colours' at Wrexham, Wales, on 23 January 1900. At time of attestation he declared his trade as being a 'Timekeeper' with the London and North Western Railway. George embarked for South Africa with 1st Volunteer Service Company of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 11th February 1900. He was invalided at Kimberley, and returned to United Kingdom on 1 August 1900, having spent 172 days in 'The Field' on active service.

George Henry McIlroy is recorded as having volunteered and served on 'Home Service' in the United Kingdom during the Great War. Firstly as No G/83962 Staff Sergeant with 29th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, later transferred to the Labour Corps in which unit he held the regimental number 153193

The body of Staff Sergeant McIlroy was transported to his home town of Holyhead, where his body is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission at Holyhead (Maeshyfryd) Burial Board Cemetery. The cemetery holds the remains of 64 service personnel commemorated by the CWGC

Several sets of the recipient's service papers are extant and held at the National Archives

A most uncommon occurrence of a single clasp QSA for 'Natal' colony awarded to a later casualty of the Great War, and of considerable Holyhead interest

Condition: GVF

Code: 20436

SOLD

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India General Service Medal 1895-1902, Silver issue with 4 x clasps 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98', 'Samana 1897', 'Tirah 1897-98' & 'Waziristan 1901-2' (1307 Sepoy Chaba Singh, 36 Sikhs)

The recipient was an Indian soldier of the Sikh faith who served as a Sepoy (Private) with the 36th Sikhs, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army

The medal is officially impressed in the proper naming style for this regiment (Ref 'British Battles & Medals' (7th Edition, 2006))

Important: 36th Sikhs, now 4/Sikh of the Indian Army, is revered as 'SARAGARHI' Battalion, having earned a unique battle honour 'Samana' for their outstanding collective gallantry between 12-14 September 1897, on the 'Samana Ridge', in the Afridi foothills of the North West Frontier. In the early weeks of September 1897, the regiment was scattered and variously deployed at Fort Lockhart (from where the relief force was deployed), Fort Gulistan and at the tiny 'Heliographic' outpost at Saragarhi. Afridi 'lashkars' numbering more than 10,000 armed hostiles mounted sustained attacks against Fort Gulistan, and the heliographic post at Saragarhi. On 12 September 1897, the post at Saragarhi was besieged and ultimately annihilated - but not before the 21 gallant Sikh defenders at 'Saragarhi' had fought to their last round and last man, inflicting a death toll of several hundreds amongst their more prolific enemy. Emboldened by their victory at Saragarhi the Afridis then pressed their attacks on Fort Gulistan on 13-14 September 1897, but the 2 x company's of Sikhs holding the fort, managed to defend their position and keep their attackers at bay until being relieved by the relief force that arrived on 14 September. 'Saragarhi' has since become an un-paralleled episode of collective gallantry on the North West Frontier, where the widows of every soldier present was subsequently admitted to receive pensions for the Indian Order of Merit.

The descendent unit of 36 Sikhs, is 4th Battalion Sikh Regiment, and 12 September is celebrated every year as a Regimental Battle Honours Day in the Sikh Regiment, and the day commemorated and celebrated by Sikhs throughout the Indian Armed Forces

Note: Only raised in 1887, the medal recipient Sepoy Chaba Singh would have served either in the defence of Fort Gulistan, or in the relief force that fought it's way from Fort Lockhart to Gulistan & Saragarhi on 14 September 1897. We can also assume that he knew most, if not all, of his fellow Sikh comrades-in-arms that were killed at Saragarhi

A most desirable campaign medal to the 36 Sikhs, for participation in the fighting on the Samana ridge during the most famous of all Sikh fights on the North West Frontier of British India

Condition: About VF

Code: 20437

SOLD

A St Asaph, Flintshire, World Wars family medal group of 8. To a father casualty & son veteran of Battle of Denmark Strait & Survivor of sinking of H.M.S. Prince of Wales: Arrowsmith family, father (Cheshire Yeomanry/Cheshire Regiment) & son (Royal Navy)

Italy: Commemorative Cross for the Campaign in Spain 1936-1939 (Croce Commemorativa della Campagna di Spagna)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. EIIR second issue (Const. John Owen.)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. EIIR second issue (Const. Alfred Vinter.)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. EIIR first issue (Const. Arthur Hunter.)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. GVI issue (Const. Frank E. G. Jones)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. GVI issue (Sergt. Edwin F. Lofting.)

Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902,. Silver issue with clasp 'Natal (7327 Pte. G. H. McIlroy, R. Welsh Fus:)

India General Service Medal 1895-1902, Silver issue with 4 x clasps 'Punjab Frontier 1897-98', 'Samana 1897', 'Tirah 1897-98' & 'Waziristan 1901-2' (1307 Sepoy Chaba Singh, 36 Sikhs)

Police Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. EIIR second issue (Sergt. Joseph Richardson.)