The group acquired over a lifetime provided many four-figure results, such as £4200 (estimate £400-450) for the Distinguished Conduct Medal and trio to Sapper AW Pim – who had one of the most dangerous tasks on the Western Front.
The intrepid communications line repairman showed conspicuous gallantry in repairing telephone lines, especially at Hooge on the night of April 24, 1915, when he made no fewer than eight separate journeys repairing the lines under very heavy and continuous shell fire.
Canadian defence
War of 1812 ‘Chateauguay’ bar Military General Service medal to Pierre Gontier – £5200 at Lockdales.
Another highlight was the £5200 result for the “rare and superb” War of 1812 ‘Chateauguay’ bar Military General Service medal to a Canadian militiaman. Estimated at £1800- 2000, this was correctly named (P. Gontier, Canadn Militia) and had been sold at Dix Noonan Webb in December 2007. Lockdales noted that Pierre Gontier is shown on the roll of the 1st Select Embodied Militia of Lower Canada.
In the Battle of Chateauguay a mixed British and Canadian force comprised of regulars, volunteers, militia and native Americans from Lower Canada, commanded by Charles de Salaberry, threw back an American force of about 2600 regulars which was trying to invade Lower Canada and eventually attack Montreal.
The MGS medals were awarded retrospectively in 1848 for earlier campaigns from 1793-1814 and clasps were given to signify different campaigns or actions.
Jutland survivor
Medals and ephemera awarded to Walter Lingen Allen, who commanded HMS Broke at the Battle of Jutland in 1916 – £6000 at Lockdales.
The auction also attracted a £6000 bid – four times the high estimate – for the medals of Walter Lingen Allen, who commanded HMS Broke at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
Lockdales said: “His hand-written night orders book was included along with other accessories, and this was a true ‘sleeper’, and a privilege to administer the sale of.”
HMS Broke was very badly damaged and casualties great, but the ship successfully steamed back to port.
Allen’s group included a 1902 Coronation Medal (silver), Russian Order of St Stanislaus (gold and enamel) and French Legion of Honour and certificate, with matching miniatures, many original documents such as his Night Order Book for HMS Broke 1915-16 and telescope engraved 1st Admiralty Prize, Seamanship Mt W L Allen HMS Britannia July 1892.
