Ex-cricketer's medal collection sells for £74k

A former cricketer says he hopes his collection of 135 military medals brings as much pleasure to their new owners as they gave him after they fetched thousands at auction.

Ex-Gloucestershire and England wicketkeeper Jack Russell MBE's collection mostly focused on his home county's Regiment, and sold for a hammer price of £74,000.

A Military Cross medal given to Graham Bromhead Bosanquet, who was killed while fighting with the Gloucestershire Regiment in 1916 on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, fetched the highest price of the collection at £6,000.

Auction house Noonans Mayfair initially estimated the collection would make between £70,000 and £100,000.

Bosanquet, who was born in Herefordshire, was the only fatality at Ovillers‑la‑Boisselle on 1 July, 1916, Noonans previously said. His medal was bought by a collector from the US.

Stroud-born Russell retired from cricket in 2004 and is also known for his art.

He previously said he had long been passionate about military history, which he described as "an addiction".

Speaking after the auction, Russell said: "With it being my home county regiment it's not easy saying goodbye to all the individual stories of those who have earned their medals, but I've had the privilege and honour to have [the medals] in my possession.

"It's been a rewarding, priceless journey for me. Their journeys continue in the hands of other collectors.

"I sincerely hope they give as much pleasure to their new owners as they have done for me over the last 30 years."

Christopher Mellor-Hill, head of client liaison at Noonans Mayfair, said the auction house in London looks forward to discovering what Russell decides to collect next.

"The collection attracted interest from not only collectors in Gloucestershire but also around the globe which reflects the importance of the illustrious history of the Gloucestershire Regiment," Mellor-Hill said.

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