Sold Gallery
These pages display a number of the rare items that I have had the pleasure of selling. To view more details and a larger photograph please click on the thumbnail picture.
WW2 Artillery Officers Maroon Para Beret.
This was brought into me by the veterans son, his father just having passed away in the Cowbridge area near Cardiff, there is some history which will be mentioned at the end. The beret itself is of classic WW2 manufacture, all components as seen from the pictures are from the period. The condition is very good concidering it was used in the far east. The body has a couple of tiny moth nips to the front area and the nap of the cloth is worn but no thinning to the material. The bottom leather band is in well used condition as you might expect from use in hotter climes, back cloth ''tie'' is present. Both brass grommets to the side are still tight in the fabric and are not pulled through.The front officers bullion Artillery badge is in used but complete condition. The inside lining is dirty from usage and has a couple of small frays to the edging, the leather backing to the grommet area is still attatched. Im afraid that all markings have gone thru use, pity but its no suprise with such a heavely used cap. Displays very well. The beret is priced as a nice used WW2 example without the veterans details below. I have also listed his 1945 dated beret which appears to have little use, unlike this example that he obviously used during his wartime service Now for some details on the veteran, the son told me his name and a couple of stories from his dad, including a story his father allways talked about, being an attack he had to make on an allied ship in India were the troops had mutinied. The veterans name was Captain John Marshal, part of 159 Parachute Regiment Light artillery, who was shipped to Burma late in the war, his regiment was being readied for the invasion of Japan. Shortly after the end of the war he was sent to Karachi as an officer of 15th para C troop, were they were used for security. His unit was charged in putting down a mutiny on an Indian warship called HMIS Hindastan, he was in command of this unit when it attacked the ship for 20 minutes before the Indian soldiers surrendered. A few of his command were injured and a couple of the soldiers on the ship were killed. A quick google search of the ship Hindastan and the whole story can be found including an eyewitness account from Captain Marshal, including having to observe the ship from a clock tower were he was open to fire from the mutinous soldiers, something his son said his dad was allways annoyed about. The son said he would return with more details and perhaps his dads medals if the rest of the family agreed, im afraid this has not happend to date, so as mentioned the beret is being sold on its own merit. By the way i do have his American military binoculrs he used during this raid on the ship.
1940 Dated MKII Combat Helmet, Ex POW.
A very fine MKII combat lid that was issued to an ex British POW. The helmet is dated 1940 and once had the early choc brown finish, this can be seen to the inside and certain areas on the outside. At one point the outside was repainted in the late war rough finish with a regimental flash to the side, this was scrapped off at some point. The inside second pattern liner is again dated 1940 and sized 7 1/2, a good large size. The liner is in very good supple condition. Chinstrap is again in good condition and is named to a member of the signal corps who was once a POW. The helmet is in untouched condition. When i purchased this helmet over the weekend i managed to see a small grouping to the same man, His paybook was a replacement dated 1945, he recived his last training in 1942 and had 3 days ex POW leave in January 1945 . His medal goup included the 39, Africa and Italy star. My humble conclusion, he was captured after 1942 perhaps in Italy and after being released managed to do some wartime service just before the end of WW2, the helmet IMHO was most probably the one issued to him after his release from the POW camp. Im sure some research can be done on finding more info on this veteran.
The Welch Regiment Shoulder Insignia.
Cut off the sleeve of Battle Dress, both title and printed insignia have been machine stitched to the material, the stripes have been hand sewn but interesting is the machine stitch to the underside were he removed his previous stripes after promotion.
WW1 Boxed RAF Medal Pair, Lieut H.L.Smith.
Still contained in the boxes of issue and found in the original envelope these medals are in very nice condition. Recent purchase from a local solicitor handling the estate of a deceased family member of Smiths.
Flanders XX Division 1916 Dated Almanack.
A cartoon Almanack dated 1916 and printed in Paris. Condition is good, cartoon is hand painted.
Paris Panther Tank Photo.
Large period photo taken at the end of the war of a Panther tank that was knocked out on display in Paris.
Italian 4th Blackshirt Division, Divisione CCNN 4
A very nice cigarette case that belonged to a member of the 4th Blackshirt Division who fought in Lybia.Owners initials to the right hand corner. Condition is very good with no dents or knocks, front opening clasp and back hinge in working order. Found recently in the Cardiff area during a house clearance.
South Staffs 1916 Dated Wooden Pipe Rack.
Found recently amongst the belongings of a South Staffs veteran is this very nice hand carved pipe rack. Condition is very good. Pte Gamson was sent home from France at the end of 1915 being hospitalised with rehmatic fever, this might well have been made by him during his recovery as i do know he became an art teacher and a local Newport artist.
WW1 British Trench Lantern, 1915 Dated.
Made by the firm Hinks & Sons and dated 1915 this lantern appears to have never been used. All the glass is complete without damage and no wax residue can be found inside. The metal carry box is complete and dated only damage being the leather carry strap. The lantern is marked with a broad arrow and letter''U'', perhaps issued to a South African unit.
WW2 British Magnetized Escape Button.
As worn on the battle dress trousers this button has been magnetized, when the button is held by a length of cotton the two holes on the back point north. Over time the luminous paint has gone from the holes.