Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

Five: Lieutenant-Colonel A. Dibley, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, dangerously wounded through the head in the gallant charge up Talana Hill in October 1899, later commanding 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers

East and West Africa 1887-1900, 2 clasps, 1898, 1897-98 (Captain, Rl. Dublin Fus.) second clasp loose as issued; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Talana (Capt., Rl. Dub. Fus.); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Col., R. Dub. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col.) mounted as worn, the first two with contact marks, otherwise very fine or better and a rare group (5) £1600-1800

Athelstan Dibley was born on 18 October 1867, and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant, from the Militia, into the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 8 June 1889. He became Lieutenant in August 1892, Captain in June 1898, and was employed with the West African Frontier Force from November 1897 to January 1899. During this period he took part in the operations on the Niger, and with the expedition under Colonel Pilcher to Lapai and Argeyah. He next served in the South African War 1899-1900, and took part in the operations in Natal in 1899, including action of Talana where he was dangerously wounded (mentioned in despatches London Gazette 10 September 1901, medal with clasp).

Captain Dibley commanded ‘B’ Compant in the action at Talana on 20 October 1899. The Dublin Fusiliers suffered heavy casualties in the first assault up the hill: ‘Captain Dibley was almost on the top of the hill when hit. He had a dim recollection of the gallant Adjutant of the Royal Irish Fusiliers racing up almost alongside him and within a few paces of the summit, when he suddenly saw an aged grey-bearded burgher drawing a bead upon him at a distance of a few paces only. He snapped his revolver at him, but only to fall senseless next moment with a bullet through his head. Marvellous though it seems he made a comparatively speedy recovery, and was able to ride into Ladysmith, at the head of his company, in the following February, having been in the hospital in the besieged town in the interval. Evidence of the temporary nature of the discomfort caused by a bullet through the head is afforded by the fact that he is to-day one of the best bridge-players in the regiment.’

In the March 1915 Army List Dibley is shown as Commanding Officer of the 7th Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers.