Lockdales Auction 172 25-26 January 2020

30 594: Military Cross + Bar, BWM & Victory Medal (Major R R Stokes) served RFA, 1953 Coronation Medal, Croix de Guerre 1914-1918. Mounted as worn, tiny correction to naming noted, confirmed by the MIC. MC L/G 18th Oct 1917 2nd Lieut RFA 'For conspicuous gallantry to duty. After the F.O.O. of his battery had been killed, he took his place and restored communication with the battery under intense fire. Accompanied by a gunner, he went out several times on a most exposed ridge and mended the telephone lines, which were being repeatedly cut. Each time they returned they carried a wounded man to cover'. Bar to the MC L/G 18th Sept 1918 'xx This officer, who was acting in command, was engaged in withdrawing the battery in accordance with orders he had received, when they were suddenly caught by a very heavy "barrage" from the enemy, who launched an attack. Notwithstanding many difficulties and very bad ground he managed to get a section away, and in spite of heavy casualties withdrew the detachments of the other guns after rendering them unserviceable to the enemy. He afterwards brought his guns back into action again, handling them with great courage and skill under difficult circumstances, and by the observations he made personally in exposed places he was able to give valuable support to the infantry'. Croix de Guerre L/G 2nd Dec 1918. Awarded the Order of the Nile, Neck badge, cased, for his companies work on the Aswan Dam, Egypt. Richard Rapier Stokes MP (1897-1957) was the 2nd son of Phillip Folliot Stokes who was a brother of Wilfred Stokes, previous chairman and MD of Ransomes and Rapier, Ipswich. R R Stokes was Captain of the school at Downside. His uncle was the inventor of the Stokes Mortar, Gazetted as a Major when just 20 years old. After obtaining his degree and a Rugby Blue at Trinity College, Cambridge, he entered the family business of Ransomes and Rapier Ltd, becoming its chairman in 1927 aged 30. In addition he was MD of R & R Ltd and of Cockran & Co (Annan) Ltd. Mr Stokes was also Labour MP for Ipswich wining the by-election in 1938 holding the seat until his death. Outspoken, he would say what he thought, he was active in opposition to the Coalition Government all through the war years, and was particularly critical of the supply of Tanks. His name even appears on the Gestapo Invasion Arrest List WW2. He criticised the Labour Government of 1945-50 with equal vigour when he differed on policy, notably in connection with the Middle east, the American Loan, and the administration of West Germany. In 1950 R R Stokes become Minister of Works, appointed Lord Privy Seal April 1951, and Minister of Materials in July 1951. He died in 1957 following a car crash at Stanway, Essex. The lot also includes: two sets of original miniature groups, and 12 commemorative and prize medals, some of which very rare, comprising: Two 9ct gold athletics prize fobs of the Ipswich Engineers Sports Organisation, these to the 100 Yds and 440 Yds Championship Winner 1921 (type previously unknown to John Sadler, author on Ipswich numismatics) EF; Egypt, Extension of the Aswan Dam Medal 1939 silver d.51mm lightly cleaned EF; Institution of Civil Engineers, Telford Medal (incorp 1828) Eimer 1206 in silver d.57.5mm by W. Wyon, named to 'Telford Premium 1874. Richard Christopher Rapier. Assoc. Inst. C. E.' lightly cleaned EF, edge knock (a piece of Ipswich industrial history); a cased set of three Christ's Hospital School Medals named to Richard Christopher Rapier, these: Silver-gilt 42mm 'The First Proficient in Arithmetic 16 Novr 1849' VF, a typical Edward VI portrait silver d.35mm named on edge 1852 cleaned EF (hairlines), and another silver-gilt 'For Eminence in Arithmetic THE PRIZE 14 Novr 1850' to the same, VF; International Inventions Exhibition 1885 silver medal d.45mm by L.C. Wyon, unnamed, cleaned nEF (hairlines) with original case; a Trinity College Athletic Club medal bronze d.50.5mm for 'Trinity v Jesus (colleges) 100 Yds R.R. Stokes Oct 1921' GVF cased; a Cambridge University O.T.C. medal bronze d.38mm for 'Tournament 1921' EF cased; a British Empire Exhibition 1925 Exhibitor's Medal bronze d.51mm, Eimer 1997, unnamed as issued GEF, cased; and a gilded key 66mm in a presentation case inscribed on lid: 'Presented to The Rt. Hon. R. R. Stokes M.P., M.C. by Mr. D. R. Williams, Apprentice Master, To commemorate the opening of one of the stone houses built under the Pontardawe Apprentice Master Scheme. 21st. April. 1951.', altogether an important group of items. (Qty) Estimate: £3000 - £3500