Lot
1
$200,000.00
NEW ZEALAND CROSS to Dr Isaac Earl Featherston, engraved on reverse I. E. FEATHERSTON, no date or unit, with cartouche PHILLIPS COCKSPUR ST on reverse of suspender, silver with gold embellishments, MYB25 listed immediately after the Victoria Cross, OD16, with plain black case, first time to market. Dr Isaac Earl Featherston was awarded the New Zealand Cross on 28 October 1875 for actions in the New Zealand Wars in 1865-66, and is listed eighth on the medal roll.
Acknowledged as the rarest of gallantry awards, the New Zealand Cross was awarded 23 times to volunteers in the 1860s - 1870s New Zealand Wars. The Volunteers were ineligible for the Victoria Cross, of which 15 were awarded to British troops, and so the Colonial Government instituted the award in 1869. It was approved by Queen Victoria. The number of 23 awards understates the rarity, increased by most now being in institutional collections. The last known sale of a New Zealand Cross was in England in 2011 by Dix Noonan Webb at £115,000, with a New Zealand Medal and available to international buyers.
Dr Featherston's New Zealand Cross stands out because of his importance as a statesman. Born in Newcastle, England, in 1813, the 7th of 11 children, he qualified in medicine in 1835 at Edinburgh, & migrated to Wellington as a ship's doctor in 1839, persuaded of the virtues of the settlement by Edward Gibbon Wakefield and expecting 300 acres of land.
Finding his allocated land to be a distant swamp, he established a medical practice to earn a living. Active in the community from the outset, he became President of the Wellington Club in 1841, edited a newspaper, campaigned successfully for compensation for settlers from Wakefield's New Zealand Company and for representative Government to be established. He was elected to the colonial Parliament almost continually from 1852 – 1870 and as Superintendent of the Wellington Province from 1853 to 1871, playing a huge role in provincial development. He twice held Cabinet rank in 1861 and 1869-70 and became New Zealand's Agent-General in Great Britain from 1871, dying in office in Britain on 21 June 1876.
Featherston worked to keep peace with Wellington Maori from the outset of the New Zealand Wars, but agreed to serve as leader of a Maori contingent whose members called for his leadership, from December 1865 on the North Island West Coast. His commanding officer, General Chute, wrote in support of his New Zealand Cross award: “This officer Featherston, who volunteered to accompany me on the expedition and to take charge of the Native Allies, rendered me valuable and important assistance in every respect, and on all occasions most conspicuous for his bravery and gallantry. He was present at the capture and destruction of the following Pa, viz., Okutoko, Otapawa, Ketemarae, and Waikoko, and accompanied me in the march round Mt. Egmont. I venture to bring more particularly under the notice of your Excellency and Government the intrepid devotion of this officer to the public service on the occasion of capture of that almost impregnable stronghold the Otapawa Pa, the occupants were under the delusion it could not be taken. The conspicuous gallantry displayed by this officer in the storming of that Pa, in leading the Native Contingent into action, almost at the sacrifice of his own life, not only elicited my warmest approbation, but the admiration of the whole force present on that memorable occasion.”
Two hundred Wanganui Maori were with the Government at Otapawa. Featherston’s stand with a revolver was instrumental in keeping the Wanganui Maori with him, despite a breakout by the defenders of the Pa. Thirty Maori and eleven British were killed in the battle. Although he declined a knighthood, after the award, Featherston said he valued the honour of the New Zealand Cross above any that Governments had a power to confer.
Permission to export has been sought but is not guaranteed. The Cross is sharply struck, better than most, with crimson ribbon and gold embellishments, slight edge knock to lower right reverse arm edge, minor abrasions, the case in good condition except hinges are detached. EF
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Lot
2
$3,000.00
NEW ZEALAND MEDAL Group (3), NZ Medal undated, impressed in small capitals SUB. INSPR. G. O'HALLORAN. A.C., appears to be ex mount & e/k's on Rev, otherwise VF; Kings Empire Veterans Assn Cross, Rev WORRAL & SONS AUCKLAND, OD129, EF; & Armed Constabulary Badge, Oldham1/1, lugs intact, EF. George Stuart O'Halloran (7 September 1845 - 1 December 1910, Auckland) was a Captain in the Colonial Defence Force, Wellington 3/12/1863 - 5/11/1864 & in the Patea Yeomanry Cavalry (to 16/3/1868) from 1866 to 1871. With the Armed Constabulary, he served at Opotiki 1865, Ohinemutu, & Moturoa in 1868. He was one of just 33 Armed Constabulary Officers to receive the NZ Medal. Importantly, he was present at Te Ngutu-o-te-manu when von Tempsky and O'Halloran's colleague Captain Buck were killed in 1868. He wrote an important account of his life, including that incident. With a copy of O'Halloran's extensive manuscript, photos & extensive other research. VF – EF [Note: description has been updated since the catalogue was printed].
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Lot
3
$3,000.00
NEW ZEALAND MEDAL, no date, impressed HON. J.C. RICHMOND. James Crowe Richmond, an important New Zealand politician & artist, was born in 1822 in London. Richmond was apprenticed as an Engineer & served on the staff of Isambard Brunel, working on the Great Western Railway. He emigrated to NZ in 1850, reaching Taranaki & buying land which became the centre of the Richmond, Atkinson, Hursthouse & Ronald families. In 1858 he joined the Taranaki Volunteer Rifles. His unit was involved in the Battle of Waireka (28/3/1860) & the storming of the Manutahi Pā (Oct 1864). His wife and family were evacuated from Taranaki to Nelson in 1860 after his farm was raided & his house destroyed. He also moved & was editor of the Nelson Examiner. He first entered politics in the Taranaki Provincial Council in 1858, & in 1859 became Provincial Secretary. He became a member of the Nelson Provincial Council in 1864, & again was Provincial Secretary. He met the painter John Gully. They undertook at least one sketching trip together. In 1860 he became a member of the House of Representatives, & in 1865 the Legislative Council. He was in effect the Minister of Native Affairs (1866-69), urging compensation for the seizure of the Wellington reserves & the return of some confiscated land to former anti-government Māori in the Bay of Plenty & Taranaki. He also engaged in discussions on Waikato & Ngai Tahu land claims. His political career ended with the defeat of the Government in 1869. In various trips to England, he applied his painting skills. After a return in 1881 he was appointed to the Legislative Council from 1883-1892. He died at Otaki on 19/1/1898. With research, including book with colour examples of his paintings, National Art Gallery Wellington, 1991-92, & details of NZ Medal award for action as Lance Corporal Taranaki Rifle Volunteers, gazetted 1891. EF
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Lot
4
$400.00
NZ (2), Volunteer Long Service Medal, Victoria Imperatrix, engraved, impressed CAPT. & QM.R. THOMAS C. SELF. V.D. “RETIRED LIST” N.Z. VOLS. (1904), MYB257; & NZ Long & Efficient Service Medal (Kohn type), engraved QTRMASTER THOMAS. C. SELF. UNATTACHED ACTIVE LIST N.Z. VOLS. Thomas Chambers Self (Bn about 1842, London, died Auckland 1909), migrated to Auckland in 1862 & was a tailor. In 1880 he was a Sub-Lieut of the Victoria (Auckland) Rifle Voluntee. In 1883 he was promoted to Lieutenant, & was Capt & Quartermaster from 1887. The local paper reported “The promotion of this officer cannot but be gratifying to his comrades in arms, for he is an experienced drill and competent and experienced officer and the manner in which he carried out the duties of quartermaster during the encampments at Papatoetoe and Takapuna proves the appropriateness of the promotion.” gVF [Note: description has been updated since the catalogue was printed].
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Lot
5
$400.00
NZ (3), Queen's South Africa Medal, clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 & 1902, hand to F, impressed 3383 PTE H. ANDERSON. N: ZEALAND M.R.;
Police LSGC, White type, NO. 1139 CONST. H. ANDERSON N.Z.POLICE. 1918; & RSA Badge numbered 3383S.A (Oldham 11/38). Henry Anderson (1880 -1922) was a farmer.
He enlisted on 14/1/1901 with the 17th Coy, 6th contingent of the Mounted Rifles. While in South Africa his mother enquired, noting that he was suffering from "Enteric".
He was discharged on 15th May 1902 but in July still had “a chill resembling influenza”. He was granted a temporary pension and some medical care at home.
He was working as a police constable by 1904 & was on the Army Reserve roll for WW1. gVF
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Lot
6
$300.00
NZ Queen's South Africa Medal, 4 clasps, Orange Free State, Transvaal & South Africa 1901 and 1902, hand to F, impressed 4160 TPR. L. M. ESPAGNE. 7th N. Z'LAND M. R. Leo Mylin Espagne, born 30 May 1875, a Schoolmaster in Hawera, served overseas with the 7th contingent from 6 April 1901 until 25 June 1902. He was promoted to Pay Sergeant at the end of his service in South Africa. He also enlisted for WWI, serving at Featherston under no. 84257 as a Gunner. He died on 4 February 1966. gEF
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Lot
7
$3,000.00
NZ Rare & outstanding Husband & Wife Groups of 7 & 4; Group of 7, 1914-15 Star (modern naming), BWM & VM all impressed to 1/543 MAJOR G. E. SIMEON. NZEF; Colonial Aux Forces Officer's Decoration, KGV, impressed MAJOR G. E. SIMEON RETD. LIST. (hallmarked 1919); NZ Long & Efficient Service, impressed CAPT (TEMP MAJOR) G. E. SIMEON UNATTACHED. LIST (b) (1916), 2nd White Variety; NZ Territorial 12 Year Service, impressed CAPT G. E. SIMEON 5th (W’GTON) REGT 1914, first White variety; & Best Shot in Dist - Otago 1893, engraved WON BY No 281 Act Bomb. G. E. Simeon No. 4 Batt: Permanent Artillery DUNEDIN Best Shot in District. 1893; gVF; & Group of 4, 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM all impressed to H. SIMEON. V.A.D.; & Red Cross War Service, unnamed, YB171A. George Ernest Simeon (Bn Agra, India 11/12/1862, died Auckland 7/7/1943), married Harriet Sandlands in Dunedin in 1893 & worked in Wellington as a clerk. He joined the Armed Constabulary as a Gunner from 11/6/1886 (no. 2813) & served until 31/8/1896. He became Col. Sergt with the Kelburn Rifles (1/3/1902-12/12/1905), Lieutenant with the 5th Wellington Regt until 25/3/12 & unattached as a Captain from 1912 to 1/3/1920.
He enlisted as a Captain on 10/8/1914. From 12/8/1914 to 21/3/1915, he was in Samoa with the Advance Force. On 9/10/1915 he went with the 1st NZ Rifle Brigade to Egypt & Western Europe. On 21/3/1916, he was promoted to Major in Egypt. On 19/11/1917, he became a Quartermaster with the rank of Major, by then over 50 & not fit to serve at the front. Discharged on 24/5/1919, he joined the Territorials as a Major (service no 23/28). Harriet Sandland (Bn Dunedin 16/11/1871, died Auckland 15/8 /1966) paid for her passage to England in June 1915. Armed with a letter of introduction from the New Zealand Prime Minister, she was appointed as a nurse to the 1st VAD detachment with the British Red Cross Society (service no 6393) & sent to Alexandria on 20 Oct 1915 to serve at the No. 19 General Hospital. She was in Egypt until Oct 1916, then Wales at the Bangor Military hospital until May 1917, & in Rouen, France at the Infectious Disease Hospital. On 26/4/1918 she was appointed to the W.R.A.F. (service no 12908) as Quartermistress, first at Birmingham & then for all Scotland. From 16/3/1919 she was promoted to Area Commandant in charge of the S.E Area of the W.R.A.F. which included about 300 officers and 5-6,000 women. After protesting being required to remain in the UK in her role, she was discharged on 13 Dec 1919 with the rank of Deputy Assistant Commandant, Women’s Royal Air Force. With extensive service records, correspondence & copy of a portrait of Harriet by NZ artist Colin McCahon, 1945. gVF [Note: description has been updated since the catalogue was printed].
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Lot
8
$500.00
NZ Group (4), 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, impressed 6/709 SJT, S. B. QUINTRELL. N.Z.E.F., & Imperial Meritorious Service Medal, impressed 6-709 SJT.S.B.QUINTRELL. C.I.R. N.Z. F. Sydney Ball Quintrell, bn Belfast, Canterbury in 1892, died Huntly 1974, was a mining foreman. He enlisted as a Private in the Canterbury Infantry Regt on 13/08/1914 & served in Egypt (1914-16), Gallipoli (1915), & Western Europe (1916-19) until discharged on 8/06/1919, moving to a West Coast accounting role. His MSM, LG 17 Jan 1919, was awarded “in recognition of the valuable service rendered with the Armies in France and Flanders” With records, court mounted. EF
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Lot
9
$100.00
NZ 1914-15 Star impressed 8/2128 PTE. G. SHEEDY. N.Z.E.F. George Sheedy, (15/2/1878 - 23/12/1928 at Liverpool, Australia) originally from Marton, enlisted as a Labourer, giving a Sydney address, was wounded in action at Gallipoli on 12 June 1915, & served in Egypt & the Western Front before discharge with war wounds to New Zealand on 7/5/1917. EF
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Lot
10
$1,500.00
NZ WWI Trio, 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM, impressed 10/1764 PTE. J. BUSSELL. N. Z.E.F. James Bussell, a farmer from Colyton, Feilding, took part in the assault by the Wellington Regiment on Chunuk Bair & was captured there by Turkish forces with seven others, amongst very few prisoners taken alive at Gallipoli. With service papers, photos & details of captivity on 8 August 1915, recording his head and leg wounds & death in Turkish captivity on 17 October 1916. Swing mounted. aEF
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Lot
11
$900.00
NZ Military Medal Trio, MM impressed 32724 E. W. PULLAR I/OTAGO R. (sl e/k Rev, gVF); BWM & VM impressed 32724 PTE. E. W. PULLAR N.Z.E.F., (aEF & VF). Edward William (Ted) Pullar was born in Melbourne in 1892 & was a bricklayer in Eastern Bush, Southland, when he enlisted as a Private with the 1st Bn, Otago Regiment on 26/7/1916. Serving in Western Europe, he was awarded the MM on 21 May 1917. His citation read:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On 2nd October 1917, in the Sector east of Ypres, Private Edward William Pullar was in action as a Company Runner. On the day referred to, this runner, in clear daylight, while under heavy shellfire and while being sniped at by the enemy, took an urgent message to the Front Line over open ground (there being no communication trenches) and returned to the Company Headquarters. Immediately afterwards he carried an urgent report back again 500 yards across the open ground through heavy enemy shellfire.” He was killed in action in the First Battle of Passchendaele on 12 Oct 1917. His father who was part of the same line assisted at the last rites. With research & service records. VF - aEF
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Lot
12
$200.00
NZ Pair, BWM 1914-1920 & VM 1914-1919, to 42936 Sapper W. McANULTY. Born in Onehunga 1893, died 1923, he was accepted on 8/01/1917 in the 24th reinforcements, having been a fitter in Gisborne. Wounded in Western Europe on 31/01/1918, he rejoined his unit on 11/02/1918 & was discharged on 5/08/1919. Court mounted. gVF
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Lot
13
$350.00
NZ Memorial Plaque to Roy Butler. Butler (bn Palmerston North, 1895), was a clerk with the Post Office, enlisting at 17 as a Rifleman with H. Coy of the 3rd Battalion of the NZ Rifle Brigade on 26/6/1916 (service no 28426). On 1/8/1917, he qualified as a Signal Instructor at a Signalling Course, Weymouth. He died of wounds on 12/10/1917. EF
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Lot
14
$6,000.00
NZ Group of Seven: Distinguished Conduct Medal impressed 8-2614 SJT: G. HAYTON. M.M. 1/OTAGO R.; Military Medal impressed 8-2614 L. CPL G. HAYTON. 1 OTAGO R; 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM impressed 8-2614 SJT. G. HAYTON. N.Z.E.F., War Medal 1939-45 & NZ War Service Medal. Gilbert McLean “Shorty” Hayton (Bn 22/6/1886, Yorkshire – 2/3/1964, Silverstream), an Auckland carpenter, enlisted in 1914 for WWI, serving in Egypt, Gallipoli & the Western Front. Initially a Private, he reached L/Corp on 27/2/1917, Sgt on 6/12/1917 & Provost Sergeant (in charge of the regimental police) on 21/10/1918. By WWII, he was living in Petone when enlisting on 24 October 1940, service number 824137. He served as Sergeant Major First Class, at Trentham Military training camp.
He was awarded the MM for “Acts of Gallantry in the Field” on 15/10/1917 when his unit was part of Operation Gravenstael at Passchendaele between 1/10 & 5/10/1917. The citation included:
“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. On the night of the 2nd/3rd October ... the enemy placed a barrage round Battalion Headquarters ... cut the wires on three separate occasions so that telephonic communication with the Front Line Companies was cut off. ... Lance Corporal Hayton went out through the barrage on three occasions and successfully repaired the wire although the barrage was placed so close to Headquarters that the roof was twice hit by a 5.9 shell, and a third similar shell fell right at the entrance. It was wholly owing to the bravery and devotion to duty of this Non-Commissioned Officer that Headquarters was able to keep the necessary touch by telephone with the front at such a period.” He was also injured with gas on 19/2/1918.
His citation for the D.C.M. was:
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during an attack and through severe machine gun barrage he laid a telephone wire forward. The NCO in Charge became a casualty and Sgt Hayton at once took command of all the Battalion Signal communications and when his post was severely damaged by shell fire, he established contact over an area continually swept by heavy shell fire. For two days he maintained all his lines as well as visual station to brigade headquarters, and by his organization of the means at his disposal he displayed high powers of leadership and resource."
He was discharged on 12/4/1919 & resumed work as a carpenter in Petone.
He enlisted as a S/Sgt for WWII on 24/10/1940 (service no 824137), serving as Sergeant Major First Class, at Trentham Military training camp. He was discharged on 8/10/1945. With 1918 postwar card copy from Cologne. DCM, MM & BWM heavily cleaned. VF
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Lot
15
$6,000.00
NZ DCM Group of 7, Distinguished Conduct Medal, impressed SEGT J. DAVIDSON PIET RETIEF COMMANDO; Queen's South Africa Medal, hand to R, clasps Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, & Transvaal, impressed 1377 PTR. J. DAVIDSON. NEW ZEALAND M.R.; 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM (Bilingual), engraved King's South Africa Medal, clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902, impressed 1377 SERGT: J. DAVIDSON N. ZEALAND M. R.; 1914-15 Star, BWM & VM (Bilingual), all impressed SJT J.DAVIDSON PR CDO; & RAOB Attendance Jewel, engraved BIRMINGHAM LODGE XI. To BRO. J. DAVIDSON JULY 1. 1903. Just 170 KSA medals were awarded to NZ contingent members. From Balclutha, Otago & originally a butcher, John Davidson (born 5/10/1872, educated in Balclutha, died South Africa,11/3/1922), went to South Africa with the NZ Mounted Rifles, 4th Contingent. He transferred to the 7th contingent as 4670 Quarter-Master Sergeant. He received an MID with Colonel Rutherford for gallantry in bringing wounded men out of action under close fire on 5 October 1901.
Originally from Balclutha, he stayed in South Africa after the War. His DCM was earned for distinguished service in the field in the campaign in German South West Africa 1914-15, in the Northern Army, 3rd Mounted Brigade, Right Wing Piet Retief Commando (LG 22/8/1918). The recommendation from his Commanding Officer was: “A brave soldier and good disciplinarian. On the 7th July 1915 at Tsumeb his personal example and courage steadied his men until the Commandant reached him. I recommend him for reward DCM." Ribbon on jewel weak, medals EF. [Note: description has been updated since the catalogue was printed].
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Lot
16
$2,500.00
NZ Military Cross, Le Quesnoy award, KGV, Rev engraved Nov. 4th. M. G. LUXFORD. 1918. Maurice (Maurie) George Luxford was born 2 April 1894 in Ashburton, dying in the USA in 1971, when his pall bearers included General Omar Bradley, Andy Williams, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby & Glen Campbell. He excelled at music, speech and sport at Palmerston North Technical School & Wanganui Collegiate in 1894, later representing Manawatu at cricket & rugby. Luxford won his MC during New Zealand's liberation of Le Quesnoy as a Lieutenant. After the War, he moved to the USA, participating in the Californian acting set, becoming friends with Bing Crosby, Bob Hope & organising an important charitable golf tournament for many years. One notable event was accidentally driving a golf ball into the rear of President Eisenhower. With extensive research on the colourful life of Luxford and his equally colourful divorced wife, Nola Luxford, who played an important role in hosting NZ soldiers in New York during WWII, receiving the OBE & QSM. Provenance ex the estate of his widow, April 1999. With more details online, extensive vendor records, magazines, & other items including USA WWII silver fundraising medallion, & a named golf accessory, "Maurie Luxford, Mr Golf". EF
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Lot
17
$1,600.00
NZ Military Cross Group of 5, MC unnamed as issued, 1914-15 Star BWM & VM all impressed 6/645 2/LIEUT N R HARPER. N.Z.E.F., & Memorial Plaque named Norman Robert Harper. Harper, a Surveyor, enlisted from Waiuta, Westland, on 13/8 1914, & left New Zealand on 16 October 1914 as a Lance Sergeant. He served with the Canterbury Regiment & 28th Reinforcements in Egypt, Gallipoli, & the Western Front. His MC was for "conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He showed great promptitude & skill in filling a gap in the line & organising the new line until severely wounded in the head. His courage & leadership inspired his men, & materially contributed to the success of the operation." He was wounded in action on 14 April 1918 & died of wounds the next day. With photo & vendor records, scroll and King's message with Memorial Plaque. gVF - EF
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Lot
18
$800.00
NZ Military Medal Group of 3, MM impressed 22326 CPL. R.J.CUTHILL. 2/ WELL: R.; BWM & VM impressed 22326 CPL. R. J. CUTHILL. N.Z.E.F. Robert James Cuthill, born Innerleithen, Scotland 1887, a butcher, enlisted as a Private with the 16th Reinforcements on 3/5/1916, L/Cpl by 30/5/1918 & Corporal 14/9/1918. He was discharged on 29/5/1919 having spent the war in Western Europe.
He received his MM on 30/9/1918 “For Acts of Gallantry in the Field”. He died at Mosgiel, Dunedin in 1950. gVF
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Lot
19
$200.00
NZ & GB Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, First type, Britannia, Military Breast Badge. EF
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Lot
20
$150.00
NZ WWI Pair, BWM & VM, impressed 57104 RFLMN O. H. LISTER N.Z.E.F. Oswald Herbert Lister (Bn 30/11/1896, Greytown), a baker from Martinborough, attested 7 February 1917. He was killed in action in France on 30 August 1918. With service record papers. EF
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