Tales of Wartime Heroism

The Militaria and Ethnographica Sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 10^th December will offer for sale a good selection of Medals, which tell the story of the heroism and sacrifice such as a First World War DCM Casualty Group of Four Medals, awarded to Percy Bishop of the Berkshire Yeomanry (estimate: £2,500-3,500 all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Bishop’s “conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty” was detailed in the London Gazette in 1918, recounting how he rode ahead of his unit when they came under attack from hidden positions, to draw fire and reveal where the enemy weapons were located. He was later killed in action in Palestine. Percy Watson was a 16-year-old drummer boy in the Territorials when the First World War broke out. Claiming to be 18, he enlisted in January 1914 with the Norfolk Regiment, going onto serve in France and Gallipoli, and during the Second World War with the Auxiliary Coastguards; his First World War MM Group of Four Medals will be offered with an estimate of £600-800.

Of Yorkshire interest is a British Empire Medal (Civil Division), awarded to John Stanley Smithson for his courageous actions during the Second World War (estimate: £300-400). Smithson was a farm manager from Easingwold, near York, and he and farm labourer John Taylor rushed to the aid of the crew of an aircraft that crashed in a field whilst returning from a bombing mission. The plane caught fire, and with remaining ammunition and incendiary devices exploding intermittently, the pair of farmers rushed into the burning wreckage, and on hearing cries of help extracted an injured crewman and retrieved the body of a second crewman. They were unable to reach the remaining airmen. Further interesting medals include a Most Eminent Order of the Indian Empire Companions Neck Badge (estimate: £1,500-1,800), and a First/Second World War MC Group of Six Medals awarded to Geoffrey Carr of the Shropshire Light Infantry (estimate: £2,500-3,500).

Amongst the militaria in the sale are an array of cap and other badges including a private collection of Indian Army Badges and Helmet Plates such as an Early 19^th Century Indian Army Helmet Plate to the 57^th Regiment Native Infantry (Bengal), offered with an estimate of £600-800. A further private collection of gold sweetheart brooches, given by serving men to their loved ones on departure for war, include a First World War Gold and Enamel Sweetheart Brooch to the Royal Flying Corps (estimate: £400-500). An interesting Collection of Second World War Letters and Documents relating to Warrant Officer 2 Class Fairfax Oliver (Ollie) Squirrel of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, the 5^th Tank Corps and the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (estimate: £80-120). Squirrel disappeared after the war. Having been seized by the Germans after the Italian Armistice in 1943, he was transferred to Stalag VIIIA at Gorlitz. There, he secretly manufactured a wireless whilst working on the lighting in the camp theatre; after a surprise visit from the Gestapo, he was arrested and taken away for Court Martial, and his ultimate fate was never discovered, although it is believed he may have been taken to Siberia by the invading Russian soldiers at the end of the war. Also of interest is a 19^th Century Field Surgeon’s Amputation Set by Wood & Co., York (estimate: £300-500).

A wide range of helmets and uniforms include a Second World War RAF Irvin Sheepskin Flying Jacket, which belonged to Squadron Leader Douglas Richard Jennings, a Lancaster bomber pilot with 38 Squadron, Bomber Command and later Student Air Traffic Control Officer at RAF Fairford during the Concorde trials (estimate: £400-600). A Pre-1914 Complete Dress Uniform to a Corporal 16th Lancers is offered with an estimate of £800-1,000). Highlights amongst the edged weapons in the sale include a 17^th Century Central European Rapier (estimate: £800-1,200), and a Second World War Second Pattern Commando Dagger by Wilkinson Sword (estimate: £300-400), and amongst the firearms are a Pair of Early 19^th Century Scottish All-Steel Flintlock Belt Pistols by David Ross of Edinburgh (estimate: £6,000-7,000), an 18^th Century Flintlock Duelling Pistol by Wogdon of London (estimate: £1,200-1,800), and an 18^th Century Scottish Flintlock Blued Steel Belt Pistol by John Murdoch of Doune (estimate: £1,000-1,500).

Finally, in the Ethnographica section of the sale are good tribal weapons including a 19^th Century Tongan Powai (War Club) and a Late 19^th Century Samoan Tao (Spear) (estimate: £1,500-2,000), an Early 19^th Century Australian Aboriginal Sword Club (estimate: £300-500), and an Early 19^th Century Australian Aboriginal Parrying Shield (estimate: £350-450).

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