Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

Somerset Light Infantry (Prince Albert’s Own), a very fine HM silver pen and ink tray (Birmingham 1928) the rectangular tray approx 8” x 4” has a rounded gadrooned edge and four hand and scroll feet, a well for the pens and cut out sections for the two ink-wells, these are of heavy square shaped cut-glass fitted with silver collars hinges and lids (all HM), the lids are engraved with depictions of the regimental badge a mural crown over a strung bugle horn with ‘XIII’ within the strings, a scroll above ‘Jellalabad’; the tray with presentation inscription, ‘Presented To RSM. A.COOK., DCM, MM By the Members of The Sergeants Mess, 2nd Bn. The Somerset Light Infantry, March 1930’, sold with biographical details and photographs,three minor dents to the tray and the assay cycle rubbed, a minor chip to one of the ink-wells otherwise very good condition (3) £200-250

Note. RSM Cook was a famous WWI soldier in the Somersets enlisting in 1910 and with the 1st Battalion at the outbreak of war , promoted L/Cpl 1914, Corporal a few months later and Sergeant in 1915, Col/Sgt 1916 and WOII 1917. Awarded the MM during in the fighting around Haspres during the Battle of the Selle in October 1918 and the DCM during the advance on Preseau 1 November 1918. Cook was wounded on the 2 November 1918 and evacuated to England, he had also received three Commendation Cards for gallantry in the field from General Officers commanding 4th Division. He was the only front line soldier of the 1st Battalion to serve with the BEF throughout the period 1914-18. He served with the 2nd Battalion in India and the Sudan being appointed RQMS in 1926 and RSM before the end of the year. He took his discharge in 1932 after 22 years excellent service. An instructor to the OTC Wellington College (Shropshire) and also to the Wellington Platoon of the 5th TA Battalion SLI, he obtained a vacancy at the Tower as ‘Beefeater’ in 1934 becoming Chief Warder in 1943. He was awarded the BEM in 1946, additionally he held the Armry LSGC medal and the MSM.