Preview: Medals, militaria, helmets, uniforms and swords in Tamworth auction

Sale date Thursday 21st May

THE catalogue is now live online for Richard Winterton Auctioneers'  upcoming Militaria Sale.

Starting at 9.30am on Thursday, May 21, and comprising 246 lots, the auction features medals, militaria, swords, uniforms, helmets and more.

Going under the hammer are the archive of a soldier who served during the First Boer War and World War One, a Lichfield family medals group, a vintage Caterpillar Club badge, and a Japanese Shin Gunto sword with scabbard thought to be from WW2.

Clothing includes a 1907 nurse's cape, and Imperial Germany Pickelhaube helmet and a 1957 RAF flying suit.

You can view the catalogue online now or contact us to book an appointment to view in person at the saleroom in Church Street between 10am and 4pm on Wednesday, May 20.

Here are some of the highlights:

Lot 13

A Victorian two clasp Canadian General Service Medal.

This medal has a swivel suspender and the clasps are for Fenian Raids 1866 and 1870. Named to 3556 Dr J Tucker RA, it comes with a length of ribbon with a pin fastener at the top.

View online here.

Lot 17

A family group of medals with local interest spanning WW1 and WW2.

Medals include a 1914 trio correctly impressed to Lance Corporal (Acting Corporal) FW Isaac on the Star and Warrant Officer Class 2 on the British War Medal and Victory Medal. Frederick William Isaac also was a special constable and his medal comes in the original box.

The Second World War medals are attributed to his son Kenneth Isaac. These are un-named as issued but come with his original Royal Navy service record.

Records show Frederick was born and raised in London but after 1921 the family relocated to Staffordshire. Frederick later became the range warden of Whittington Barracks; Kenneth was born in 1923 and lived in Whittington and Lichfield.

Also included in this lot is a United Nations medal for Korea in its original box and an Imperial Service medal named to Herbert Barnsley, a step-relative who spent many years as a postman in Whittington following WW2. This medal comes in its original box and with certificate dated 1961.

View online here.

Lot 29

A vintage Caterpillar Club badge named to Sergeant Wallis and presented by the Irving Company. It dates from 1922 but is highly likely to have been awarded during the Second World War. This example still has its ruby eyes intact and comes in a vintage brooch box.

The lot also includes other pin badges relating to the British Legion but not connected to Sgt Wallis.

View online here.

Lot 69

A fascinating archive from a soldier who served during the First Boer War and the First World War.

Medals include a Queen's South Africa medal with clasps for Defence of Ladysmith and Talana correctly impressed to 584 SEJT TH Wain, Royal Leicestershire Regiment, and a WW1 Pair correctly impressed to 48093 Class 2 Warrant Officer Leicestershire Regiment.

Also included is Thomas Wain's Queen Victoria chocolate tin; 1915 dated trench whistle; black and white photo of Thomas; certificate of education; letter; and a red tunic from the late 19th or early 20th century belonging to Thomas.

There is also a hand-sketched picture of Thomas in a frame drawn by a schoolmaster who had been called up to the Army; the sketch was  made after they were de-mobbed in 1919.

Online records suggest Thomas was medically withdrawn out of the Army in 1900 and sent to recuperate at the Chelsea Hospital Barracks.

Eventually discharged, he received his pension in 1904 before signing up again to help fight in WW1.

"This archive has come direct from his family," said militaria valuer Jeff Clark.

"There is scope for more in-depth research to Thomas Wain.

"We believe the tunic is of late-Victorian era and was a private purchase by the wearer due to its quality."

View online here.

Lot 74

A scarce King Edward VII Prince Albert's Own Leicestershire Imperial Yeomanry Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

Struck in silver with original light-yellow ribbon and correctly named to Staff Sergeant Major F Cramp, this medal appears to be in a good condition.

A total of only 1,674 such medals were awarded to men in more than different Yeomanry regiments.

View online here.

On the day of the auction, people can bid online, in the room or by prior arranged telephone bid.

For more information or to book a free valuation of all types of medals and militaria with Jeff Clark, call 01827 217746 or email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk.

Free valuations and home visits for large collections and house clearances are also available.