WW1 Book Plates

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Lance Corporal Gray Rescuing A Gassed Officer From A Mine Gallery. One edition. £10.00

Lieutenant Martin, D.S.O., R.E., And A Small Bombing Party Holding Back The Germans At Spanbroek Molen. One edition. £10.00

Betrayed By The Flames - Acting Lance-Corporal Giles Discovered And Fired On While Assisting Two Wounded Men To The Dressing Station. One edition. £10.00

Acting Lance Corporal Giles Removing Wounded From A Battery Under Heavy Fire. One edition. £10.00

The Recoil Of His Gun Often Threw Sergeant Bailey To The Ground. One edition. £10.00

So Near And Yet So Far, Private Nevilles Narrow Escape. One edition. £10.00

Private Neville Receiving A Message From A Wounded Motorcyclist. One edition. £10.00

How Sergeant Major Croft, Single Handed, Disposed Of A Party Of Germans. One edition. £10.00

How Lance Corporal C. A. Jarvis Blew Up The Bridge At Jemappes. One edition. £10.00

Company-Sergeant-Major Glover Signals The Order To Cease Firing On The Retreating Bombers. One edition. £10.00

Naik Gul Muhammad Bringing Up Reinforcements At Tsavo River Though Severely Wounded. One edition. £10.00

Private B. R. Sheil, Of The 1/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Capturing A German Patroller. One edition. £10.00

Lieutenant Lorrain Brodie And His Men Driving The Enemy From British Trenches At Becelaere. One edition. £10.00

Lieutenant N. M. S. Irwin Dashing Forward With His Men To Re-Occupy Trenches Evacuated Owing To Poison Gas. One edition. £10.00

Company-Sergeant-Major Seaman Holding Back The Germans Single Handed. One edition. £10.00

How Lance-Corporal Michael OLeary Won The V.C. At Cuinchy. One edition. £10.00

Private T. Bull Hurling Bombs At The Enemy From The Parapet Of Their Trench. One edition. £10.00

British Wounded Being Put On board A Supply Train Under Orders Of Sergeant J. Cooke. One edition. £10.00

Sepoys Bal Bahadur Chetti And Dal Bahadur Thapa Journeying In A Dug-Out With A Message To Jasin Post. One edition. £10.00

Major Ing Checking A Retirement At A Critical Moment. One edition. £10.00

Sergeant Taylor Clearing Fallen Horses From a Pontoon Bridge at Valley. One edition. £10.00

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Text for the above items :

Lance Corporal Gray Rescuing A Gassed Officer From A Mine Gallery. On April 28th 1915, poisonous fumes in a mine gallery at Kemmel overcame three officers and a sergeant. Lance-Corporal Gray, of the 4th Middlesex, ordered four of his men to descend the mine and bring them up. After two officers had been saved, he descended himself to help the third officer and the sergeant. He found the mine gallery full of fumes and the officer quite helpless, but he dragged him to the shaft, from which he was drawn to the surface. The rescuers were by this time themselves suffering agonies from the gas, but Gray descended again to help the sergeant, who was brought up, but too late. Gray was awarded the D.C.N.

Lieutenant Martin, D.S.O., R.E., And A Small Bombing Party Holding Back The Germans At Spanbroek Molen. Lieutenant Martin (56th Field Company Royal Engineers) gained his first distinction, the D.S.O., in the retreat from Mons, when he was wounded. Though wounded again during the battle of Neuve Chapelle he refused to retire, but heading a party of six volunteer bombers, he led them with such resolute bravery that they drove the enemy from a section of their trenches at Spanbroek Molen. Then after securing themselves by transposing the parapet and piling up sandbags, they awaited a counter attack. When the attack cam they held overwhelming numbers of the enemy at bay for two and a half hours. They were ultimately forced to retire, but their gallant defence was of great value in preventing German reinforcements passing through this section of the trenches. Lieutenant Martins splendid courage and energy had gained for him the V.C.

Betrayed By The Flames - Acting Lance-Corporal Giles Discovered And Fired On While Assisting Two Wounded Men To The Dressing Station. There was plenty of work for No.6 Field Ambulance, the unit to which Acting-Lance-Corporal Giles (Royal Army Medical Corps) was attached, during the desperate fighting round Ypres in October and November 1914. On one occasion it was imperative that the wounded should be removed from the First Aid Post to the Ambulance. Giles had already carried one man back into safety, and was making a second journey, supporting two others, when Zonnebeke church was set on fire by a shell, and the three men were plainly revealed to the enemy, who opened a heavy fire. They sheltered in a ditch for twenty minutes, and then resumed their journey, and though a bullet tore Giles coat he was not hit.

Acting Lance Corporal Giles Removing Wounded From A Battery Under Heavy Fire. On the next day, Giles (Royal Army Medical Corps) showed no less coolness and heroism in directing the work of stretcher-bearers who were removing wounded from a battery a severe bombardment. He brought up several stretcher-squads, and in spite of casualties the work was performed with as much speed and precision as if the affair were a mere demonstration. For his highly commendable conduct, Giles received the D.C.M., and has since been promoted to the rank of sergeant.

The Recoil Of His Gun Often Threw Sergeant Bailey To The Ground. On the 1st November 1914, at Ypres, when the guns of the 150th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, were being continually employed in shelling the enemy, a breech mechanism of a gun at which Sergeant D. B. Bailey was working became overheated and resulted in premature firing, causing the carriage to recoil. Sergeant Bailey was thrown to the ground by this on several occasions, and showed most gallant spirit in working his gun after regaining consciousness. Again on the next day he continued to work his gun after being wounded in the head by a shrapnel bullet. For his bravery on this occasion and on many others, he was awarded the D.C.M.

So Near And Yet So Far, Private Nevilles Narrow Escape. The next day, October 29th, Neville (15th Hussars) was sent with another message. He had to make his way to a point in the British lines marked by a windmill, a prominent object in the landscape, but as the road had become impassable through the enemys attention, he had no alternative but to strike across country. When within five hundred yards of his objective, a huge howitzer shell hurled out of space, landed a few feet away, and threw man and horse to the ground with the force of the explosion. Neville could only lead the frightened animal to a farm and complete his journey in a crawl.

Private Neville Receiving A Message From A Wounded Motorcyclist. For the third day in success Private Neville (15th Hussars) had an opportunity to proving his resource in a critical situation. He was riding to the headquarters of an infantry brigade when he came upon a motorcyclist lying wounded by the roadside. The wounded man had been charged with an urgent verbal message, the failure to deliver which was causing him more agony than his wound. Neville immediately took the message to its destination, and thus was intrumental in averting a disaster.

How Sergeant Major Croft, Single Handed, Disposed Of A Party Of Germans. While the 5th Dragoon Guards were in the trenches near Zillebeke, at the end of February 1915, the German snipers in a wood were becoming a serious nuisance. Sergeant Croft made up his mind to get rid of this, and one evening he made his way slowly and cautiously through the wood. Suddenly he heard voices quite close to him, and there just ahead of him was a trench in which was a party of Germans. Croft had brought with him a couple of revolvers, and drawing these, he took cover behind a tree and began blazing away at the astonished Germans. Shrieks and cries told him that at least some of these shots had not been wasted, and soon the enemy, evidently under the impression that a big party had surprised them, abandoned the trench and ran off to their own line. From that time the 5th Dragoon Guards ceased to be troubled by snipers in this direction.

How Lance Corporal C. A. Jarvis Blew Up The Bridge At Jemappes. The duties of the Engineers are more manifold than those of any other part of the forces, and include making roads, bridges and railways, working telegraphs telephones, balloons, preparing camps, water supply, field work for attacking or defence, and for the demolition of those of the enemy. In the present war the Royal Engineers have nobly lived (and died) up to their great traditions, and several of their number have already won the V.C. by daring deeds, one of which is here illustrated. Lance Corporal Jarvis, of the 57th Field Company, royal Engineers, won his V.C. for great gallantry at Jemappes, which is three miles west of Mons, on the 23rd of August 1914. He worked for three and a half hours under a most deadly fire in full view of the enemy, and eventually was successful in laying a fire charge for the demolition of a bridge.

Company-Sergeant-Major Glover Signals The Order To Cease Firing On The Retreating Bombers. So terrible had been the effect of the artillery bombardment and the mine explosions that nearly the whole British line had been driven from its trenches, and soon Glover and his men (2nd Royal Irish Fusiliers) were almost surrounded. Standing in the trench with his hand raised, whilst high explosive shells burst all around shaking the ground as if convulsed by an earthquake, Glover signalled to his men to cease firing on the retreating bombers that they might husband their ammunition. He then stationed men to defend the trench on a new front, and four or five were told off to fire from the extreme right of the original front, which was defended by the remaining men. Though compelled to defend themselves against attacks from every side, the little party stood their ground with indomitable gift and courage until. The splendid services of Sergeant-Major Glover were rewarded with the D.C.M. and the Medaille Militaire of France was also conferred upon him.

Naik Gul Muhammad Bringing Up Reinforcements At Tsavo River Though Severely Wounded. The splendid services of the Indian soldiers in every country ravaged by the War have been rightly recognised. Their brave conduct in action has given much pleasure, especially to the King-Emperor, by whose command many awards have been destroyed. It was during the fighting in British East Africa, at Tsavi River, on September 6th 1914, that Naik Gul Muhammad, of the 29th Punjabis, was awarded the Indian Order of Merit for conspicuous gallantry, resourcefulness and pluck. He shown a fine sense of his duty in bringing up reinforcements, during which undertaking he was severely wounded.

Private B. R. Sheil, Of The 1/8th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, Capturing A German Patroller. Covering such a long extent, as do the lines of the British and Germans in their course through Belgium, it happens that both sometimes verge on woods, which offer the same cover. For this reason it is necessary to keep a sharp look out on the enemy, and patrols, listening for sounds of the enemys movements, are always active in such places. On the night of April 18th 1915, while forming one of a listening patrol of four men in a wood at Steenbecque, near Wulverghem, Private Sheil encountered a similar patrol of the enemy. Creeping up he seized one of the patrollers from behind; but the others, being put on their guard, opened fire and shot dead a British patroller. With great pluck, however, Sheil held on to his man, and his bravery was afterwards rewarded with the D.C.M.

Lieutenant Lorrain Brodie And His Men Driving The Enemy From British Trenches At Becelaere. On attacking the British line at Becelacre, on November 11th 1915, the enemy succeeded in capturing part of the trenches. A dangerous situation was created by their presence, as they held their ground with a strong force of men, and it appeared probable that the advantage gained would be followed by another attack in company with troops from the main German line. At a moment, therefore, when a leader of great dash and determination was required, Lieutenant Brodie took command. As usual in such an encounter, the men fixed bayonets, then rushing forward through the trench they bayoneted or shot, as they went no less than eighty Germans, besides capturing fifty-one prisoners. Lieutenant Brodie high courage and determination was rewarded with the V.C.

Lieutenant N. M. S. Irwin Dashing Forward With His Men To Re-Occupy Trenches Evacuated Owing To Poison Gas. About 3 p.m. on May 2nd 1915, a greenish-yellow cloud, betokening the terrible poison gas, came drifting forward from the German lines northeast of Ypres, and as it reached the British front men were seen to leave the trenches. Lieutenant Irwin and his men occupied a support trench six hundred yards behind the fire trenches, and on realising the danger to the retiring men he sent out a party to cover their retreat. Seeing, however, that the retirement was extending, he recalled them, and dashing in front of the support trench, gave the order to advance. Rushing forward amidst rifle and artillery fire with another officer and about forty N.C.O.s and men, they re-occupied the abandoned trenches. On entering them, about four hundred yards were found unoccupied except by an officer. Captain Pechell, who received the Military Cross, a Sergeant who received the D.C.M., and ten privates. Lieutenant Irwin is only twenty-three years of age, but the skill and determination as a leader of infantry have won for him early promotion and he was rewarded on this occasion with the Military Cross.

Company-Sergeant-Major Seaman Holding Back The Germans Single Handed. When the railway was reached, it was discovered that further progress was blocked by a culvert which the Germans had barricaded in such a way that only one man could pass through the opening at a time. It was also discovered that the Germans had no intention of waiting to be attacked, but were attempting to outflank and cut off the party. It was essential that they should not use the opening in the culvert, and for an hour and a half Seaman (2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards) stationed himself by the arch, shooting down those who tried to pass through the gap. He was wounded by a bomb, fortunately not seriously enough to incapacitate him. The other party largely owing to seamans display of courage and determination eventually recaptured the lost trench. He received the D.C.M., as also did Privates D. White, F. Richardson and S. B. Leslie for their gallant conduct in bombing the enemys position.

How Lance-Corporal Michael OLeary Won The V.C. At Cuinchy. On February 1st 1915, in the brisk action at Cuinchy, the Germans captured a trench held by the Irish and Coldstream Guards. A tremendous storm of gun and rifle fire was poured upon the trench with a view to its recapture. During the action, Lance-Corporal O'Leary spotted a German machine gun which would play havoc with our men when they advanced. Orders were given for the Irish to go forward, but OLeary meanwhile had not forgotten the machine gun. He put on his best pace, and within a few seconds found himself in a corner of the German trench on the way to his goal. Immediately ahead of him was a barricade, but its five defenders quickly paid with their live the penalty of standing between an Irishman and his hearts desire.

Private T. Bull Hurling Bombs At The Enemy From The Parapet Of Their Trench. At 5 a.m. on May 9th 1915, the British artillery began to bombard the German lines at Rouges Bancs. Half an hour later the attack was begun. The British went forward with great dash, capturing the enemys first line trenches and a few points beyond. But the German line was very strong, and from numerous fortified positions the enemy directed a withering fire against the British. With an officer and four men, Private T. Bull, of the Northamptonshire Regiment, succeeded in reaching the parapet of the enemys trench at a particular point in their lines, and all except Bull lay down. He was the only bomb thrower of the party, and the only man to survive. For his conspicuous gallantry and determination he was awarded the D.C.M.

British Wounded Being Put On board A Supply Train Under Orders Of Sergeant J. Cooke. The most critical day in the retreat from the Marne was August 26th 1914. The dogged resistance of the British under General Smith-Dorrien at Le Cateau broke the force of the German pursuit, but as the enemy came steadily onwards, Northern France was seized with chaos. At Boue, Sergeant of the Sanitary Squad, Royal Army Medical corps, had to take forcible possession of and remove a supply train, which was filled with wounded to Etreux. Here the driver escaped with his engine, leaving to Cooke the business of commandeering another. For the conspicuous gallantry resource and initiative which he showed at a most trying time, he was rewarded with the D.C.M.

Sepoys Bal Bahadur Chetti And Dal Bahadur Thapa Journeying In A Dug-Out With A Message To Jasin Post. Jasin Post, twenty miles within German East African territory was occupied in December 1914. A German attack on January 12th 1915 was beaten off, but six days later the enemy returned in great strength. On the night of January 18th Bal Bahadur Chetti and Dal Bahadur Thaps, of the 2nd Kashmir Rifles, volunteered to carry a message to the British Force. It was a most dangerous errand, nevertheless the two Indians set out in a dug out through the mangrove swamps. As they reached the enemys outposts which formed a close ring all round Jasin Post, they were fired upon, an found it impossible to get through. They remained out, however, all night and came back with most useful information. Their cool and courageous conduct was rewarded with the Indian Order of Merit.

Major Ing Checking A Retirement At A Critical Moment. On May 13th 1915, during the second Battle of Ypres, the British line gave way before the tremendous bombardment of the enemy, and as the huge high explosive shells burst on the parapets, completely shattering the trenches, survivors of the ordeal hastily retired. Seeing men falling back, Major George Harold Absell Ing, of the 2nd Dragoon Guards (Queens Bays), came back from his trench in the front line and standing with resolute courage on a road exposed to an appalling shellfire, ordered about forty bewildered men in the act of retiring, to join his section of the defence. His gallant action had far reaching results, and he was deservedly awarded the D.S.O.

Sergeant Taylor Clearing Fallen Horses From a Pontoon Bridge at Valley. The passage of the Aisne was begun on Sunday, September 13th 1914, when the 8th British Brigade made the crossing at Vailly. On the following day the enemy made a counter attack at this point, and for a time the communications of the 3rd Division appeared to be in danger of being cut. No reserves were available except cavalry, but this proved sufficient in repelling the attack after hard fighting. As the 5th Cavalry Brigade was retiring across the river at Vailly, shells burn in quick succession over the pontoon bridge, and falling horses began to cause confusion. Sergeant Taylor, of the 57th Company Royal Engineers, however, rushed forward and did most gallant and effective work in clearing them away. He was awarded the D.C.M.