Aberdeen Medals

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United Nations Medal: UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus 1964-)

The United Nations record that the below following member states have contributed military observers& peacekeepers to UNFICYP and have qualified for the medal;

- Austria, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Hungary, India, Ireland, the Kingdom of Netherlands, Slovenia, Sweden, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the following countries provide civilian policemen: Australia, Austria, Denmark, New Zealand and Sweden

Medal riband fitted with intricate hinged pin mounting bar

Important: This is an early 1960's-1970's era quality strike of the medal, with fine matt gilt finish

Condition: EF

Code: 17878

25.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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United Nations Medal: UNAVEM I, II, III, IV (United Nations Angola Verification Mission(s) 1989-1999)

The United Nations record that the below following member states have contributed military observers to the four separate UNAVEM missions and have qualified for the medal;

- Argentina, Bangladesh, Brazil, Bulgaria, Congo, Egypt, Fiji, France, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, India, Italy, Jordan, Kenya, Korea, Malaysia, Mali, Namibia, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, the Russian Federation, Senegal, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Ukraine, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Uruguay, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

Medal riband fitted with mounting bar that retains it's hinged pin and clasp as issued

Condition: GVF

Code: 18787

15.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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Delhi Durbar Medal 1911. Silver issue (1911 No 2384 Hav Rabel Singh 57 R FF)

Important: Recipient was later Subadar-Major 'Wounded-in-Action' and decorated with M.B.E. & MID

The recipient was serving as a Havildar (Sergeant) with the 57th Wildes Rifles (Frontier Force) an infantry regiment of the Indian Army

Note: The medal is regimentally impressed in heavy gauge font, typical for medals awarded to members of 57th Wilde's Rifles (Frontier Force). As Rabel Singh's name is not included in the published Delhi Durbar medal roll of the 57th Rifles, the medal was presumably allocated to him while serving 'extra employed' at the Durbar ceremony

Important: The recipient ended his military career circa 1925 (last appears in IA List of October 1924) as 'Subadar-Major', of 4th Battalion 13th Frontier Force Rifles. He was twice 'Wounded-in-Action'. He was first wounded during the First Battle of Ypres (Belgium) where in 3 days fighting between, 29 October to 1 November 1914, the 57th Wilde's Rifles suffered losses (killed, missing & wounded) of 286 x 'All-ranks' (British & Indian). He was wounded a second time, circa 1921 during the Waziristan operations on the North West Frontier of India. Rabel was also decorated on for distinguished services, with Mention in Despatches for East Africa 1918 & the award of an M.B.E. in 1925, this latterly was specifically for services during the Waziristan Operations

The recipients 'War Services' entry in the Supplement to the Indian Army List, January 1924, are given below;

Quote,

- N.-W.F. of India, 1908 - Operations in Zakka Khel and Mohmand Country

- The War of 1914-21 - (Operations in France & Belgium, 26 Sept. 1914 to 27 Feb. 1915. Operations in East Africa, 29 Sept. 1916 to 28 Sept. 1917. Despatches, Ind Gaz., 3 June 1918, and Lond Gaz., 6 March 1918. Wounded.

- Afghanistan, N.W.F., 1919

- Waziristan, 1919-21. Wounded

Unquote.

Rabel Singh first enrolled in the Indian Army on 15 August 1902. He received his first appointment as a Vicreoy's Commissioned Officer, when he was commissioned as Jemadar on 15 August 1914; appointed Subadar on 5 December 1915 and created Subadar-Major on 17 September 1920

The award of the Member of the Order of the British Empire (Military Division) was published in the London Gazette issue of 13 March 1925. The award preamble is shown below;

Quote,

The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for valuable services rendered in the field in connection with military operations in Waziristan, 21st April, 1923 to 31st March, 1924.....

Unquote

Note: The recipients family name is variously recorded inter-alia as Singh & Sing in the respective Indian Army Lists, War Diary, London Gazettes & Regimental Histories circa 1914-1925

Condition: Small silver 'Bazaar Wallah' test mark on reverse rim o/w VF

Code: 20215

125.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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United States: Vietnam Civilian Service Medal (1959-1973)

Medal riband fitted with a crimp brooch mounting bar that retains the original hinged pin and clasp fittings, as issued

The reverse of the crimp brooch with Federal Contractors marks for 'G27'

The Vietnam Civilian Service Award is a discontinued award of the United States Foreign Service. It was presented to employees of the U.S. State Department, USAID and USIA assigned to diplomatic and consular facilities in Vietnam, members of the CIA, and other specified civilian service in the airspace or territorial waters of Vietnam, greater than a year

A most interesting issue, not least as the retrospective qualifying dates, goes ack to 1959, long before the US military were formally involved with American troop deployments in Vietnam.

Condition: About EF

Code: 20294

25.00 GBP

Shortlist item

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A rare South African 'War Against Japan' medal group of 4 to a 'Springbok': Able Seaman Russell Kenderdine Beardmore, South African Naval Force attached Royal Navy, late H.M.S Nigella

- The 1939-1945 Star (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- The Pacific Star (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- War Medal (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- Africa Service Medal. Silver (586471 R.K. Beardmore)

Note: All medals are officially impressed named medals as struck and issued by the Pretoria Mint

Very Scarce: Only an estimated 472 x Pacific Stars were awarded to South African personnel, from all branches and services (Ref South Africa and the War Against Japan 1941-1945 (Cdr W. E. Bisset, South African Naval Museum, Simons Town, published Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 25, Nr 2, 1995

Important: All medals are confirmed and enumerated on accompanying hard-copy service papers and original ephemera

Sold together with:

- Original O.H.M.S. registered letter addressed to Dr R.K. Beardmore, 55 Alexandra Rd, Pietermaritzburg, Natal

- Original 4 x marked manila paper envelopes of issues form the Pretoria Mint

- Original named and dated discharge certificate

- Photocopied hard set of service papers confirming all medals earned

Russell Kenderdine Beardmore, son of Ernest Beardmore K.C., B.A., L.L.B. Attorney General Orange Free State, was a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was born on 26.8.1925. He attested for service in the South African Naval Force 24.1.1944. with rating of 'Ordinary Seaman', at Durban Detachment, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 24 July 1944. Russell was seconded for service with the British Royal Navy with which latter service he served from 10 October 1944. On transfer to the Royal Navy, the first vessel he was posted to was H.M.S. Nigella (Flower Class Corvette) serving in the East Indies as part of the Escort Force. During the time Russell was on the musters of H.M.S. Nigella, the ship provided escort service in the Indian Ocean to from Ceylon (Colombo & Trincomalee Ports), took part in Anti-Submarine operations and deployed on air-sea rescue service on the equator line and in Southern Indian Ocean covering the air-routes from Ceylon / India to Western Australia, including a voyage to the Cocos / Keeling Islands. The Nigella served in South East Asia through to the end of 1945. In 1947, H.M.S. Nigella was decommissioned from the Royal Navy and sold. After being converted into a freighter, and renamed the 'Nigelock' it plied the South China Seas, where she led a perilous life carrying cargos. She was thrice attacked by Nationalist gun boats or junks and once had to be rescued from attack by a British Navy ship. On March 10th, 1955, on a voyage from Shanghai to Foochow with general cargo, she stranded and sank off Foochow.

Russell Beardmore's postings shown on his service records include:

- Durban Fort Detachment: 24 January 1944 to 25 January 1944
- Cape Town Detachment: 26 January 1944 to 31 March 1944
- Durban Detachment: 1 April 1944 to 9 October 1944
- Seconded to Royal Navy: With effect from 10 October 1944
- H.M.S. Assegai: 10 October 1944 to 17 October 1944
- H.M.S. Nigella (Escort Force): 18 October 1944 to 30 September 1945
- H.M.S. Mayina (Ceylon Shire Base): 1 October 1945 to 4 October 1945
- H.M.S. Rangani (for H.M.S. Assegai): 5 October 1945 to 9 November 1945
- Discharged / Demobilized from service 16 February 1946

A rare named 'War Against Japan' medal group to a South African who is confirmed as being awarded 'The Pacific Star'

Condition: Mostly about EF

Code: 20479

395.00 GBP

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A South African 'War Against Japan' WW2 medal group of 5 to a 'Springbok': Able Seaman Garth Hugh Mundell, attached Royal Navy, late Combined Operations & H.M.S Indomitable (Aircraft Carrier)

- The 1939-1945 Star (586409 G.H. Mundell)
- The Burma Star. With 'Pacific' clasp (586409 G.H. Mundell)
- Defence Medal (586409 G.H. Mundell)
- War Medal (586409 G.H. Mundell)
- Africa Service Medal. Silver (586409 G.H. Mundell)

Note: All medals are officially impressed named medals as struck and issued by the Pretoria Mint

Rarity: Only an estimated 1932 x Burma Stars confirmed awarded to South African personnel, of which only an estimated 295 x earned the clasp 'Pacific' (Ref South Africa and the War Against Japan 1941-1945 (Cdr W. E. Bisset, South African Naval Museum, Simons Town, published Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 25, Nr 2, 1995. http://scientiamilitaria.journals.ac.za )

Important: All medals and clasp confirmed and enumerated on accompanying hard-copy service papers and original ephemera

Sold together with:

- O.H.M.S. registered letter addressed to recipient in South Africa
- 6 x marked manila paper envelopes of issues form the Pretoria Mint
- Original named and dated discharge certificate
- Letter to Commander Bisset itemising medals & clasp earned
- Photocopied hard set of service papers confirming all medals earned

Hugh Garth Mundell son of Hugh Mundell was a South African of British descent who was born at Mount Frere, East Griqualand, Union of South Africa, on 17 April 1925. Prior to volunteering to join the South African Naval Force at Durban, Natal, on 28 July 1943 (at age 18 years 3 months), Hugh had been employed as a 'Shop Assistant'. On 28 July 1943, he took his 'Oath' to volunteer for 'Service Anywhere'. Garth's service sheet lists his subsequent Second World War postings in order:

- Durban Port Detachment: 27 July 1943 to 30 July 1943
- Cape Town Detachment: 31 July 1943 to 1 October 1943
- H.M.S. Afrikander: 2 October 1943 to 12 October 1943
- Seconded to Royal Navy: With effect from 1 October 1943
- H.M.S. Assegai: 13 October 1943 to 15 December 1943
- H.M.S. Braganza (Bombay Shore Base): 16 December 1943 for 'Combined Operations'
- H.M.S. Indomitable (Aircraft Carrier): Served from July 1944
- H.M.S. Kongoni (Durban Shore Base): 17 December 1945
- Ceased to be seconded to Royal Navy: 25 January 1946
- Discharged from South Africa Naval Force 28 January 1946

H.M.S. Indomitable - Aircraft Carrier - after a passage to Trincomalee, joined the Eastern Fleet on 5 July 1944. At which time Hugh appears (the service papers have clipped dates showing **y 1944 (?)) to have been posted from H.M.S. Braganza / Combined Operations for service aboard Indomitable. While it is possible that Hugh's service with 'Combined Operations' (Landing Craft) may have prior earned him the Burma Star for service in the Bay of Bengal, the only warship shown on Hugh's service sheet that is definitely known to have served in the Bay of Bengal & Indian Ocean (qualifying for the Burma Star) and later deployed to join the Pacific Fleet in 1945, was the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Indomitable

H.M.S. indomitable together with H.M.S. Victorious launched bombers against Sumatra in August and September 1944. They later bombed the Nicobar Islands, after which Indomitable joined up with Illustrious to attack Medan and Sumatra again on 20 December 1944 The following year, Indomitable joined the British Pacific Fleet. On 4 January 1945 she, her sister ship Victorious and another fleet carrier Indefatigable attacked Medan. Subsequent actions were taken against Palembang and Sumatra, later in January. On 4 May 1945 she was hit by a kamikaze, but her armoured flight deck saved her from serious damage. In August, with the war ending, Indomitable supported the liberation of Hong Kong, arriving after a landing party from HMCS Prince Robert had taken the Japanese surrender. Her aircraft flew the carrier's last combat missions of the war and of her career on 31 August and 1 September against Japanese suicide boats which were attacking British forces

A very scarce named 'War Against Japan' medal group to a South African who served with 'Combined Operations' (in support of Royal Marine Commandos) in India later aboard the British Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. in operations against the Japanese in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and strikes against Sumatra Island, and later served in the Pacific including being present at the Liberation of Hong Kong

Condition: GVF

Code: 20443

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United Nations Medal: UNFICYP (United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus 1964-)

United Nations Medal: UNAVEM I, II, III, IV (United Nations Angola Verification Mission(s) 1989-1999)

Delhi Durbar Medal 1911. Silver issue (1911 No 2384 Hav Rabel Singh 57 R FF)

United States: Mexican Service Medal (1911-1917). United States Marine Corps reverse

United States: Vietnam Civilian Service Medal (1959-1973)

A rare South African 'War Against Japan' medal group of 4 to a 'Springbok': Able Seaman Russell Kenderdine Beardmore, South African Naval Force attached Royal Navy, late H.M.S Nigella

A South African 'War Against Japan' WW2 medal group of 5 to a 'Springbok': Able Seaman Garth Hugh Mundell, attached Royal Navy, late Combined Operations & H.M.S Indomitable (Aircraft Carrier)

The Air Crew Europe Star

The Burma Star

The Italy Star