Three: Private J. S. B. Gardiner, 9th Lancers, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 20 September 1914, most likely received during the 9th Lancers spectacular charge against the Germany Cavalry at Moncel on 7 September 1914, the last occasion on which a British Cavalry Regiment participated in a lance-to-lance action

1914 Star, with clasp (4663 Pte. J. S. B. Gardiner. 9/Lrs.); British War and Victory Medals (9L-4663 Pte. J. S. B. Gardiner. 9-Lrs.) extremely fine (3) £300-£400

John Sydenham Ballsdon Gardiner, a native of Hereford, attested for the 9th Lancers in 1898 and had seen 16 years’ service with the Regiment, including 11 years in India, prior to embarking for France on 15 August 1914. The Regiment carried out a charge on Elouges Ridge, near Quievrain, on the 28 August, when, under a hail of fire (the first time that Gardiner had come under fire in his 16 years’ service), it galloped over 2,000 yards of open ground into six Battalions of the enemy - the latter were supported by six Batteries. One participant later wrote, 'We simply galloped about like rabbits in front of a line of guns, men and horses falling in all directions. Most of one's time was spent in dodging the horses.’

On 7 September 1914 the 9th Lancers carried out another spectacular charge against Germany Cavalry at Moncel, this being the last occasion on which a British Cavalry Regiment participated in a lance-to-lance action. Remarkably, on this occasion, casualties were much lighter, amounting to three killed and eight wounded. Sadly Gardiner was almost certainly among the latter, dying of wounds at Charte Indre on 20 September 1914. He is buried in St. Desir War Cemetery, France.

Sold with named Record Office enclosures; Buckingham Palace enclosure; a good run of 9th Lancers Concert Party Programmes, 1902-1912; and other ephemera.