Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Groups

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Lot 5155    SESSION 18 (2.30PM FRIDAY 20TH APRIL)    Orders, Decorations & Medals - Aust Groups

Estimate $7,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,000

TRIO: Victoria Volunteer Long and Efficient Service Medal 1881-1893 with ribbon buckle bar; Volunteer Long Service Medal with pin back ribbon mounting bracket; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (VRI) with ribbon buckle bar. T. De.B. Twycross. 1880 on first medal, Thomas DeBlois Twycross. Capt Retired List. on second medal, Capt. T. De B. Twycross, Vict. Mil. Forces on last medal. First and last medal impressed, second medal engraved. Some hairlines, otherwise extremely fine.

Together with,

1. Victorian Local Forces Fifteen Years Badge c1880s in gold (11.22g; 53x59cm); Victorian Local Forces Ten Years Badge in gold and silver (14.05g; 46x49cm), lion missing from top; Victorian Local Forces Five Years Badge in silver (10.5g; 46x57cm).
2. An impressive silver shooting trophy hallmarked by manufacturer, 'W.Edwards, Melbourne', features a cup cradled above three crossed rifles resting on a base, one side of the cup is engraved with a garter belt and this is inscribed, 'Emerald Hill Rifle Club', inside the belt is inscribed, 'Presented/to the Club by the/Borough Council/Of/Emerald Hill/for competition/By Members of the Emerald Hill Artillery/Corps/subject to the regulations of the Club./Octr 1871/J.Nimmo. J.P./Mayor', on the other side of the cup inside an engraved shield is also inscribed, 'Competed For In 47 Matches/5 Shots Ea. 200. 500. 600 Yds./Finally Won by/Captn T.De B. Twycross 23rd Oct.1875.' Together with much research on the trophy maker, William Edwards, who is regarded as perhaps the most prolific and distinguished colonial Australian gold and silversmith who arrived in Melbourne in July 1857 from London aboard the ship, Blanche Moore. His works are much sought after.
3. Small brass figure (6.5cm) of an 1880's period soldier that fits onto a decorative, raised silver base (10cm diameter), figure loose and needs re-gluing to base.
4. Book titled, Victorian Land Forces 1853-1883 by George F.Ward, soft cover, 155pp (Capt Twycross mentioned on 2pp).
5. Small framed photo (9x12.8cm) of T de B Twycross in uniform wearing his Victoria Volunteer Long and Efficient Service Medal, one of his Years Service Badges and a Victorian Volunteer's Marksman badge.

VVL&ESM: Capt Twycross received his award at a large gathering of volunteers at Melbourne Town Hall on Wednesday evening 26 January 1881. The medals were presented by Colonel Anderson who read the following memo: 'The honour of presenting the first issue of the medals in question having devolved on the officer commanding the local forces, it is his duty to provide against mis-conceptions, which might result from a verbal address. On an occasion of so much interest and importance to the volunteer force, a clear understanding should exist as to mode in which volunteers are to prefer claims, and manner in which the medals are to be awarded. In G.O., No.77/80, it was intimated to the force that the medals would issue. After consultation with several experienced officers, the 'conditions' published on the 20th August, 1880, under the heading of 'Conditions for the issue to officers and men serving under the Volunteer Statute, 1865, of a medal 'for long and efficient service' were promulgated, and also printed on the reverse side of the 'forms' supplied to the commanding officers for claimants.' The recipients then came forward and were cheered heartily as they mounted the platform where Col Anderson pinned the medal to each man's chest.

Vol LSM: Vic Mil G.O. No.37 9/5/1898, p136 to Capt T. de B.Twycross, Retired List.

CAFLSM: CG No.44 12/9/1902, p481 to Capt Thomas de Blois Twycross, Retired List.

The award of the above shooting trophy was reported in The Age (Melbourne) Mon 8 Nov 1875 as follows,

At the weekly parade of the Emerald Hill Artillery Corps held on Friday last, a handsome silver cup, value 10 guineas, was presented to Captain Twycross, he having lately won it for the third and last time. The trophy is known as the Borough Council Cup, and was given by the local council to the Emerald Hill Artillery Corps for rifle competition as far back as October 1871, the conditions being - to be shot for monthly, under handicap, the third win to be by actual score starting from scratch; five shots at 200, 500, 600 yards; any position; W.R. carbines, or Government large-bore rifles; to become the property of the first man winning it three times. Captain Twycross scored his first win in November 1873, the second in January 1874 and finally secured the trophy on 23 October 1875 with a very good total of 45 points (see note below). The presentation was made by the Mayor of Emerald Hill (Mr J.Danks) in a brief speech, which was replied to suitably by the recipient of the prize.

Note: This report is slightly wrong in the scores for the last shoot, which was the 30th contest for the Company Cup, as Capt Twycross actually scored 67 points and after deducting his handicap of 12 points means he scored 55 points starting from scratch.

Capt Twycross was heavily involved in his local community. In the 1890s as well as his involvement with the Volunteer Force he held the following positions in Horsham, Magistrate in the Court of Petty Sessions; Mayor; Vice President of The Charities' Carnival; President of Mercantile Cricket Club; Secretary of St John's Church of England Committee; President of the Hospital Committee; President of the local branch of British and Foreign Bible Society; was a member of the MUIOOF.

With research.

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

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