Sgt Liddell remained in his exposed position, which was now attracting fire, with complete disregard for his own safety and attempted to eliminate the machine gun with his grenades, at the same time waving to the platoon to advance..."
*With utter disregard for his personal safety, he carried the wounded man to a ditch, helped to dress his wounds and personally helped him back to the nearest aid post...
These vivid accounts of bravery might read like heroic scenes from dramatic war films, but they're accounts of real soldiers' lives - just a few glimpses of the awe-inspiring histories behind every antique military medal.
“The aesthetics of medals appeal but, for most collectors myself included it’s the history of the recipient that really excites, explains Adam Chapman, medal dealer at Harland Military Antiques, collector and consultant at Duke’s Auctioneers.
“When somebody puts a set of medals on your desk and you start to research the person who was awarded them, you often uncover an incredible story. It’s like being a detective.’ Adam has been hooked on antique medals since he was six, when his grandparents let him rifle through a large box of garage 'junk' destined for the tip and he found a number of medals from his grandfather's RAF days. This sparked a hobby that evolved into a career and a lifelong addiction'.
Expert medal dealer Chris Dixon of Dixons Medals has been obsessed with medals for a long time, too -55 years, in fact. 'I bought my first medal - a Waterlod one - for £5 when I was 21,' he recalls. 'I'd just opened my first shop. I sold it a few days later for £7 and I was hooked from that moment onwards.'
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra November 2022-utgaven av Homes & Antiques.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Collecting Dioramas MINIATURE WORLDS
From elaborate taxidermy museum displays to humble folk art creations, a diorama can transport us to another time and place
Pride of place LEEDS CREAMWARE
In its heyday the pre-eminent rival to Wedgwood's Queens ware, Leeds creamware is still much revered by collectors for its understated elegance
Bohemian Rhapsody
An exuberant approach to decor, with rooms enveloped in colour and pattern, has brought this historic home merrily into the 21st century...
THE ANTIQUES THAT SHAPED ME Rory Hutton
The accessories designer on his love of silver spoons and Sévres porcelain
European HERITAGE B&Bs
Is there anything more inspiring than staying somewhere that's both beautifully stylish and imbued with history? Rhiannon Batten explores five gems across Europe, from Sweden to Spain...
STAR SALES
A Hitchens painting, a museum-quality teapot and a Parisian chocolate box are all top of the lots
Textile designs by artists
Influential 20th-century fine artists and sculptors, from Picasso to Barbara Hepworth, gained additional status as textile designers until decline set in during the 1970s
Period DRAMA
A painstaking renovation has brought this 1725 former Huguenot silk weaver's house in London's Spitalfields back to life
An artist's RESIDENCE
Rustic details and a restrained palette lend a sense of simplicity to this lovingly restored Friesian bakery
Carefully Curated LIVING
This lovingly restored Gustavian manor has become both home and showroom for its owners, Maria & Jan Åke, who deal in European antiques
