A 1914 Great War 'Western Front' C.B. Group of Seven to Brigadier-General H.G. Sandilands, Royal Artillery, Commanded 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1914-17

a) The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, Military Division, Companion's (C.B.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamels, in Garrard & Co, London case of issue.

b) India General Service 1895-1902, V.R., one clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Captn. H.G. Sandilands 50th Fd. By. R.A.), small edge bruise.

c) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (Major. H.G. Sandilands. R.F.A.), contact marks to obverse.

d) 1914 Star, with Bar (Lt: Col: H.G. Sandilands. R.F.A.)

e) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (Brig. Gen. H.G. Sandilands.)

f) Coronation 1911, clasp carriages adapted for court mounted wear, very fine or better (7)

C.B. London Gazette 18.2.1915 Lieutenant-Colonel H.G. Sandilands (34th Brigade).

Brigadier-General Henry George Sandilands, C.B., born 1864; Lieutenant Royal Artillery, 1884; Captain 1893; Acting Adjutant, Peshawar District, 23.8.1897-30.9.1897; Major 1900; served as Adjutant 2nd Brigade Division Royal Field Artillery in South Africa (Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 8.2.1901); Lieutenant-Colonel 1910; Colonel 1913; Officer Commanding 34th Brigade Royal Field Artillery 1914-17, and served on the Western Front from, 17.8.1914; Brigadier-General Staff, 3rd Division 25.2.1915-18.2.1916; 54th Division 3.11.1916; served with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force, November 1916-December 1917 (C.B.; M.I.D. London Gazette 19.10.1914; 17.2.1915; 1.1.1916 and 12.1.1918); retired Brigadier-General 1919.

The Crimea War pair awarded to Honorary Major F. Fernandez, Army Hospital Corps, who served as an Apothecary with charge of the Army’s Medical Stores at Balaklava - and found Florence Nightingale ‘very, very difficult to work with’ (accompanying letter from his grand-daughter refers) .

Crimea 1854-56, 2 clasps, Inkermann, Sebastopol (Mr. F. Fernandez, Apothecary to the Forces), contemporary engraved naming; Turkish Crimea 1855, Sardinian issue, Hunt and Roskill issue (Mr. F. Fernandez, Apothecary to the Forces), contemporary engraved naming .

Sold with a fine pair of portrait miniatures, one depicting the recipient in scarlet tunic and wearing his British Crimea medal, and the other his wife, oils on ivory, approximately 4in. by 5 in and mounted together in a folding embroidered travel case of Chinese manufacture, circa 1860;together with a large “dressing bowl” approximately 16” .diameter by 4” high, reputedly as used by Florence Nightingale in the Crimea; and an original and informative letter from his grand-daughter, dated 14th December 1970.

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Other items enclosed with the collection:

Airmail letter from Wallis & Wallis, dated 29th July 1970 with conformation of the purchase of Lot No 282 A from Sale 168 of the FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ collection.

Letter and notes from Jean Harding 22 Fernwood Avenue, Streatham, S.W.16 Sent to Donald Penhall, Canada, from Mrs E. Harding whose Grandfather was FRANCISCO FERNANDEZ.

Letter from Major General A. MacLennan, O.B.E. (Retd) R.A.M.C Historical Museum. Aldershot dated 3rd November 1970. With information concerning his career.

Various notes concerning promotions, Commission of Enquiry, see http://www.crimeantexts.org.uk/sources/reports/mntev028.html etc the collection had been on display in Canada photograph enclosed, and was at one time part of the Ron Penhall collection.

Born in Zeres, Spain, September 1828. His father was a prominent sherry exporter and sent Francisco,at the age of 11, to England for schooling, initially finding employment at Squires of Bond Street, the Queen’s Apothecary.In September 1854, however ,he was appointed a Dispenser of Medicine to the British Army, in which capacity he served in the Crimea until February 1855, when he was appointed Apothecary, and where he had charge of the medical stores at Balaklava.

Fernandez was next posted to Canada, but returned to active service in 1857-60 when he was employed as an Apothecary in the Second China War. Latterly appointed a Captain of Orderlies in the Army Hospital Corps in June 1873, he served in that capacity for several years at Portsmouth, prior to his retirement in September 1886 as an Hon.Major. He died at Folkestone in November 1911.

The Battle of Gallipoli took place from between April 1915 and January 1916., A joint British and French operation was mounted to capture the Ottoman capital of Istanbul, and secure a sea route to Russia. The attempt failed, with heavy casualties on both sides.

Colonel Francis Oliffe, OBE Group of Ten Medals

Royal Inniskilling & Royal Indian Army Service Corp

O.B.E (Mil, 2nd Type)

1914/15 Star (2.Lieut, F.Oliffe.R. Innis. Fus)

British War & Victory Medals (Lt.F.Oliffe)

Indian General Service Medal Afghanistan NWF, North West Frontier 1930-31 Capt.F.Oliffe S&T Cps)

1939/45 Star

Africa Star bar 8th Army

Burma Star

Defence Medal

War Medal

Badge Royal Indian Army Service Corps.

Born 2nd October 1894 in Gibraltar, son of W.E.Oliffe, Commissioned Second Lieutenant, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (4th Battalion Reserve) 27th March 1915. Joined the 4th Battalion at Louse on the 7th April 1915 until September 1915.

Landed in Gallipoli 25th September 1915, joined 1st Battalion 1st October 1915 and served there until the 12th January attached 1st Battalion. Rejoined the 4th Battalion at Louse on the 21st April 1916 until the 5th June 1916. Posted to the 5th Battalion at Salonika on the 21st June 1916 to 22nd March 1917.

Promoted Lieutenant 27th December 1916, Arrived in India 28th April 1917, Joined the 76th Punja in India 13th June 1916 until 27th October 1917. Married at Bombay Miss H Balfour on the 1st November 1917. Appointed Quartermaster 2/76th Punjabis 8th November 1917 until 28th June 1919. Transferred to the Indian Army 13th June 1918.

Served in Operations on the North West Frontier 23rd April to 12th September 1930 (earned the clasp) North West Frontier 1930-31

Promoted Captain 27th December 1919

Passed Selection board for promotion to Lt-Col at Naini-Tal 31st May 1939

From June to August 1940 he commanded three M.T.companies of the 4th Indian Division RIASC attached to the Western Desert Force for 3rd Line Transport. He also controlled two RASC MT. Coys and the New Zealand reserve. M.T Coy at the same time, and had a letter of appreciation from General O’Connor, then commander Western Desert Force.

Lieutenant Colonel 29th January 1941 (LG 16th May 1941)

Awarded O.B.E in London Gazette 28th October 1942 for Burma (recommendation from files): Commander R.I.A.S.C., 1 Burma Division

This officer’s work, mostly under exceptionally trying circumstances, has been of the highest order throughout the campaign in Burma……

Promoted Colonel 16th April 1944

Appointed Acting Brigadier 22nd July 1945

Three pages of records promotions etc.