October 2005 Medal Newsletter

AUCTION NEWS

The catalogue for our 24 November auction has now gone to print and subscribers will be receiving their copies in the post in due course. In the meantime we are able to bring you details of a few of the most interesting items in a sale totalling 481 lots.

A particular highlight is the magnificent Collar and Badge of the Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Knight Grand Commander (GCSI), awarded to General His Highness Al-Haj Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan, Abassi, Bahadur, Nawab of Bahawalpur. On his accession in 1907, he reigned under a Council of Regency until he came of age and was invested with limited administrative powers in 1922; he became President of the Council of Regency in May 1923, and almost a year later was invested with full ruling powers at Bahawalpur by His Excellency the Marquess of Reading, Viceroy of India. He acceded to the Dominion of Pakistan in 1947 and merged his state into the province of West Pakistan in 1955.

Aged seven, His Highness Al-Haj Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan attended the Delhi Durbar 1911, where he commanded his state troops. He also attended the coronations of both George VI 1937 and Elizabeth II 1953. He served in the Great War and the Third Afghan War 1919; was ADC to the Prince of Wales 1921-22; and again served in the Second World War. General His Highness Al-Haj Sir Sadiq Muhammad Khan, Abassi, Bahadur, Nawab of Bahawalpur died London in 1966 (estimate £20,000-25,000).

We will also be offering a superb Most Noble Order of the Garter, Knight Companion’s (KG) Sash Badge (Lesser George), with central detailed onyx cameo of St George slaying the dragon in high relief. The piece is signed 'Santarelli' in the exergue and is surrounded by a gold garter. The reverse centre is plain with a similar garter around and has an integral ornate gold suspension formed as a wreath and knotted ribbon with engraved gold suspension ring. In gold and enamel (a hairline flaw in the cameo above St George), the Sash Badge is otherwise extremely fine and comes in a in Mortimer and Hunt, London case. It was probably made either for Henry, 5th Duke of Beaufort, for use on the occasion of his installation at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor in 1801, or for his son Henry Charles, 6th Duke of Beaufort, who was installed in 1805.

Sold by Christie's in 1989 as part of the Beaufort Garter Jewels (estimate £25,000-28,000).

A fine quality pair from the Napoleonic era is the Royal Guelphic Order, Military Division, Knight’s (KH) breast Badge, with Swords, and Waterloo Medal Pair to Major P. Bishop, 1st Battalion, 40th Regiment, who had served earlier in the Peninsula wars where he was severely wounded at Nivelle on 10 November 1813 (estimate £4,500-5,000).

A scarce and interesting pair is that to Colonel R.H. Jennings, Royal Engineers; comprising a Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, Companion’s (CSI) breast Badge in gold and enamel, with a fine quality central cameo of a young head Queen Victoria and diamond-set motto and Afghanistan Medal 1878-80, no clasp, mounted cavalry-style.

Colonel Robert Henry Jennings, CSI (1852-1909), born Cork, Ireland, was posted to India in 1875. He served in the Second Afghan War 1878-80 with the Quetta Column as Assistant Field Engineer in the Scinde Reserve Division, and afterwards as Chief Political Officer with the Mari Expedition (Mentioned in Despatches). Employed with the Toba Column 1882, he went on to play a full part in the ‘Great Game’, exploring large parts of Persia, Baluchistan and Helmund, work that earned him the thanks of the Commander-in-Chief and the ‘high approval’ of the Government of India.

He became Resident, Jaipur 1898; Resident, Indore 1899-1902; and Resident, West Rajputana States 1903-05, where he represented His Excellency George Nathanial Curzon, Viceroy of India, as host to the King of Afghanistan’s eldest son during his tour of India (estimate £3,800-4,200).

A Great War Seaplane Pilot's gallantry group with a fine story behind it is that to Squadron Leader J.E.A. Hoare, Royal Air Force, Late Flight Lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service, which was awarded for sinking A U boat off the Scillies. The group of six comprises Distinguished Service Cross, 1914-15 Star (S. Lt. J.E.A. Hoare, RNVR), British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J.E.A. Hoare. R.A.F.), Defence and War Medals with MID Oak Leaf, with associated miniature awards.

On 27th May 1917 a U Boat sighting was reported off the Scillies, as a result of which Flight Lieutenant Hoare and Chief Petty Officer J.P. Tadman were sent out in a seaplane to investigate. While piloting the plane, Hoare spotted the U Boat and closed in to engage the enemy vessel. He dropped four 100 pound bombs, managing two direct hits. The doomed U Boat, however, managed to fire off its machine gun at the seaplane before it sank; hitting the radiator for the starboard engine. At this point Chief Petty Officer Tadman climbed out onto the wing of the seaplane to plug the leak in the radiator, he maintained this position for 20 minutes whilst Hoare safely piloted the plane back to base. Tadman was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, sharing the same 'London Gazette' with Hoare (estimate £2,000-2,500).

An especially noteworthy gallantry group is the extremely rare ‘Crowned Head’ Inter-War Palestine Distinguished Conduct Medal with campaign medals to Lieutenant L.L. Gasson, Cheshire Regiment. Accompanying the DCM group is a General Service Medal 1918-62 (GVIR), one clasp, Palestine, 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star with 8th Army bar; Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal with MID Oak Leaf, and Army Long Service & Good Conduct Medal (GVIR).

The Recommendation for the DCM states: ‘On the night of the 21/22nd June, 1936, Sergeant Lyle Leavey Gasson of the Cheshire Regiment was in command of the Railway Patrol Train from Jerusalem to Artuf, with a party of one Corporal and eight other ranks. On arrival at Kilo 64, the line was found to be blocked, and when the party started to remove the block, Arabs opened fire on them at close range, Sgt. Gasson being wounded in the eye. The Arabs then commenced to block the line to the rear of the Patrol Train. Sgt. Gasson engaged the Arabs with Lewis guns, under cover of which the blocks on the line were removed. The Arabs, who were in strength and had surrounded the train, were eventually driven off, after five of their number had been killed or wounded. Sgt. Gasson then took the Patrol Train to Deir-es-Sheikh Station, which he placed in a state of defence, and at dawn, in spite of his wound and the reluctance of the native engine driver and fireman, continued the patrol to Artuf and back to Jerusalem’. This is one of only 14 GVR ‘Crowned Head’ type Distinguished Conduct Medals awarded (estimate £6,500-7,000).

For further information, contact Richard Bishop on 020 7563 4053, Mark Quayle on 020 7563 4064, or our consultant John Hayward on 020 7563 4049.

Spink Host London Branch Meetings of the Orders and Medals Research Society

Enquiries about the Branch and its activities should be addressed to: Bob Barltrop (01582 715472) or Stan Bates (01226 790723/email stanbates@aol.com).

New Reference Work for Medal Collectors

Below are details of a recently privately published work of reference that will interest collectors:

A MANUAL FOR THE WEARING OF ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MEDALS
by Andrew Hanham
London: Spink Ltd, 2005. Softback, 130 pages, b&w illustration

This updated new Manual continues the fine tradition of its predecessors and presents a wealth of detailed but clear information on the often complex matter of the wearing of orders, decorations and medals. Previous publications have been of great help to those required to wear awards on formal occasions as well as to collectors. Due to a number of changes in the British awards system since the last publication, this updated Manual has been eagerly awaited. Compiled by Andrew Hanham, who has a great deal of knowledge of this subject, the new volume will remain as a pre-eminent work of reference.

MAYHEM IN THE MED: A CHRONICLE OF THE CYPRUS EMERGENCY
by Richard G.M.L. Stiles
London: Savannah Publications, 2005. Hardcase, 392 pages, ISBN 1 902366 38 7, b&w photographs. Price: £28

This title has been produced to mark the 50th anniversary of the commencement of that troubled period known as the Cyprus Emergency 1955-60. The book takes the form of a daily newspaper which allows the reader to experience events as unfolding news stories. Editorial comment provides a fuller context and the background information necessary for the complete comprehension of this conflict. As the sovereign power, Britain's response was to conduct an anti-terrorist operation. This involved troops from all the British armed services - Army, Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Air Force - as well as the British Police Force. These operations in Cyprus were especially dependent upon young national servicemen.

Over the five-year Emergency, many regiments, squadrons, ships and other units were deployed and are often mentioned in the text. The work is illustrated by a number of photographs, some previously unpublished and many provided by those who served in Cyprus at the time. This volume will be of great interest to those who were on the island during this period, as well as to historians and military collectors.

Appendices include: Honours and Awards, including Mentions-in-Despatches (about 900 names); Roll of Honour (about 400 names); Unit Deployments

Prices Realised

Catalogues

Buying Medals on the Spink Website

Please note that items cannot be reserved and will remain on the site available for purchase until a firm sale has been completed.

Auction Service

Selling Medals at Spink

•Click here to browse a selection of medals online