Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare ‘double issue’ Long Service Medal group of five awarded to Captain J. Whelan, 35th (Jhelum) Pack Battery, Indian Army, late Royal Garrison Artillery

British War and Victory Medals (Capt. J. Whelan.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (9698 C.S. Mjr: J. Whelan. R.G.A.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. J. Whelan, 35 Pack. Bty.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (34177 B.S. Mjr: J. Whelan. R.G.A.) the first three mounted as worn, the latter two loose, generally good very fine and better (5) £160-£200

Joseph Whelan attested for the Royal Artillery at Fort Westmorland on 6 March 1899. Posted to India from 2 October 1910 to 17 September 1918, he was awarded the L.S.G.C. Medal with gratuity on 1 October 1918. Discharged to a commission in the Indian Army on 17 September 1918, he was appointed to the Indian Army Reserve of Officers the following day and was soon involved in operations on the North West Frontier with the 35th Pack Battery.

A hand-written note accompanying the lot adds: ‘M.I.D. L.G. 4 Jan. 1917. Captain Whelan was involved in fighting a fire caused by a spontaneous explosion - He, along with others, entered the smouldering magazine and extinguished the fire, knowing full well that a further explosion might take place at any moment, from which there would be no escape. Whelan was ill afterwards due to breathing cordite fumes. He recuperated in Aden and was granted 2 months home leave. Also suffered broken leg when his horse bolted, slipped and fell on his leg. Both incidents are well documented.’

Sold with an array of original documents, including a copy of a typed letter to the O.C. Royal Artillery, Aden, confirming the explosion in a magazine at Fort Norbut, and the ‘gallant conduct’ of Captain J. Whelan, R.G.A.; A hand-written witness statement by the Doctor treating Captain Whelan, who noted ‘Patient was for two hours fighting a cordite fire’, dated 25.7.18, at Aden; Army Form A Furlough and Leave, confirming two months of leave at Kirkee, dated 26 July 1918; Army Form A.45B. Proceedings of a Medical Board, confirming fracture of the left femur in consequence of the horse bolting at Quetta on 13 October 1915, the latter document torn and extremely fragile.

Withdrawn