Aberdeen Medals

Select Category

584 Items Found

Page: 1 of 59

0 Items in Basket »

click for more images

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

click for more images

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

Shortlist item

click for more images

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

click for more images

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

click for more images

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

Shortlist item

click for more images

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

Shortlist item

click for more images

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

click for more images

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Sikkim 1888' (4947 Mule Driver Nura Commt Deptt Bl)

The recipient was a native non-combatant performing the trade of 'Mule Driver' while serving employed with the Commissariat Department of the Bengal Army

The Sikkim Campaign 1888, has the distinction of having been fought at the highest altitudes ever encountered by the British and Indian Army's up to that time, and only surpassed by the higher altitudes attained by the British Indian Army during the 'Younghusband Expedition' to Tibet (1903-1904)

The Kingdom of Sikkim became an Indian Princely State in 1890, and in 1950 became a protectorate of the Republic of India

A rare campaign clasp in bronze to find on the market for the Sikkim Expedition of 1888 , and the more desirable for being in such good condition

Condition: GVF

Code: 20407

SOLD

click for more images

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Chin-Lushai 1889-90' (Cook Kyaw Win Burma Sappers & Miners)

The recipient was a native Burmese non-combatant performing the trade of 'Cook' while serving as an attested 'Follower' with the single company strength Burma Sappers & Miners

Important: The Burma Sappers and Miners were raised in 1887, they were initially referred to as the Burma Company Sappers & Miners, and were included as a separate formation under the listings for the Queens Own Madras Sappers & Miners that were published in the Indian Army Lists prior to 1903. The unit had the distinction of being the very first regular military unit raised in Burma to recruit and eventually comprise only Burmese indigenous soldiers, under command of British Officers. The other-ranks were drawn from several classes and ethnicities including, Burmans, and the Karen, Kachin and Shan hill tribes. Reference the monumental 'The Military Engineer in India' Volume I (E.W.C. Sandes, 1933), the author writes:

Quote,

One result of the war was the raising of a Burma Company of Sappers and Miners. This was authorized in July, 1887, and the unit was affiliated to the Madras Sappers and Miners. The Royal Engineer officers for the new unit were to be lent in rotation from the three Corps of Sappers and Miners, each officer being relieved after two years in Burma if he so desired. The Indian officers were to come solely from the Madras Corps. Great difficulties were encountered at once in getting recruits, only 15 of whom had enlisted by the end of 1887 when the company at Mandalay was commanded by Captain E.W Cotter, R.E. The first idea had been to form a unit of one half of which should be Burmans, one-quarter Kachins and Karens, and one -quarter Shans; but the Kachins and Shans would not come forward, and when the company reached its full strength for the first time in October, 1890, about four-fifths of the men were Burmans and the remainder Karens. In 1893 the Burma Company became an integral part of the Corps of Madras Sappers and Miners, rendering good service for a number of years until it was finally disbanded in 1929. Many officers have pleasant recollections of the jovial and intelligent Burma Sapper in his slouch hat and smart uniform in modern Mandalay.

Unquote

For a single company size unit, it was extensively deployed on active service campaigns in Burma between 1889-1894, earning several clasp issues of the Indian General Service Medal 1854. Various issues of the London Gazette, and the Calcutta published 'The Englishman's Overland Mail' (and subsequent issues of The Englishman) in the period circa 1887-1895, contains several reports of the engagements - and casualties sustained - by the Burma Sappers & Miners in that period

In 1903 the unit was restyled as 15 (Burma) Company, 2nd Queen's Own Madras Sappers and Miners, becoming 4th Burma Sappers and Miners in 1922 (in which year the unit was decoupled from any further association with the Queens Own Madras Sapper & Miners. The unit was again finally styled Burma Sappers and Miners in 1923. The unit was disbanded in 1929

A rare campaign medal in bronze to find on the market named to a Burmese follower serving with the Burma Sappers & Miners

Choice

Condition: GVF

Code: 20406

295.00 GBP

Shortlist item

Efficiency Medal. GVI 1st type legend with 'Territorial' bar (6090436. Pte. H. C. Davey. Mx.)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Sikkim 1888' (4947 Mule Driver Nura Commt Deptt Bl)

India General Service Medal 1854-95. Bronze issue & clasp 'Chin-Lushai 1889-90' (Cook Kyaw Win Burma Sappers & Miners)