Medals perform above and beyond call of duty

A MENTION in dispatches this week goes to a World War I jacket and cap as worn by a Private of the Glorious Glosters, and the medals awarded to the soldier, which performed above and beyond the call of duty.

Carrying an estimate of £60 to £100, local interest and fierce bidding saw Lot 416 achieve £460 when it went under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s antiques and general sale in Cirencester on Friday, July 24.

The cap featured the regimental badge front and rear – the Glosters were the only regiment permitted to wear a badge on the rear, an honour awarded after the Battle of Alexandria when they fought whilst surrounded on all sides – whilst the jacket still had all its brass regimental buttons and ‘Glosters’ epaulettes.

The lot also included a set of two medals awarded to Private H Tuck: a British War Medal and a Victory Medal.

After all that excitement, everybody needed a sit down, which may have accounted for the sums achieved for comfy settees and chairs.

Among the best were a circa 1900 two-seater sofa in cream with foliate decoration in the Knoll-style and a large modern two-seater in beige and cream striped upholstery, both of which achieved £580.

For collectors who prefer their antiques a bit older, a 17th century oak Wainscott-type chair sold for £560, while a 19th century oak bedstead in the 17th century manner achieved £540.

Even seats that aren’t for sitting on made relatively good prices. A 1970s leather bed settee, by the world famous contemporary interior designer Joe D’Urso for Knoll International, sold for £250 even though bidders were advised ‘the item is being sold as a work of art and is not for domestic use.’

The First World War uniform and a set of medals
A 1970s leather bed settee by Joe D’Urso	A 17th century oak Waiscott-type chair