The medals that belonged to the late Stanley Rothney of the 1st battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), were being offered for sale on everyone's favourite auction site. There was strong bidding with four days to go but it seems that the item is no longer available for sale, presumably because the seller has accepted an offer outside of the auction. Sad to see that the medals of a brave soldier sold out of his family but also slightly miffed that the chance to bid for them has been lost. I only hope that they have been sold to someone who will appreciate them for their true value rather than their financial value. Simon
Somewhat surprised that they were up for sale... he had a daughter and a granddaughter, afaik... died on his 90th birthday and would have been 93 later this year... I was in regular communication with him for a few years and that's why I'm surprised they were for sale... there's quite a bit of material I have on him in my manuscript on the 111th and 90 Col, 1st Cameronians... you'll find some notes on his comms with me in my "That Damned Pack" thread above this one... I was alerted to these being up by Bamboo and there were bids on them, so as general rule you can't pull an auction once bidding has started... Possibly an irregularity, hence them being pulled... will keep a scan on the Aberdeen press...
As HC says, we had all noticed the auction. Looks like someone has made a behind the scenes bid and the seller has been tempted. Chindit medals with definite provenance are rare on eBay, and these were likely to be sold for the high hundreds, but even with that as the case, I still do not understand why a family would part them for such little gain.
As you say, it makes little sense for the family to have parted with them for such little financial reward. There are a fair few press articles about Stanley Rothney's life and work on the internet and he was a well known and respected figure who will be remembered. Scattering his effects to the four winds seems rather sad especially if he had family to leave them to. With regard to the recent Chindit panic map that I bought on ebay, Patrick McQuade seems to never have married and presumably his possessions were cleared on his death. That his paperwork and panic map turned up on ebay 20 years later and were recognised for their Chindit connections has ensured that his name will not be forgotten by those of us who are keen to preserve the Chindit legacy. Ebay seems very much to be a two edged sword. What I think we need is a website regarding Operation Thursday to complement Chindit Chasing where we can create an online legacy for those who took part in both Chindit operations. A massive undertaking I know, but one well worth considering.
I'm hoping that the Chindit Society will produce a website, that will at least go some way in recording the deeds and achievements of the men from 1944. But, as you rightly suggest, this is a large undertaking and probably too much for just one or two souls.
I'll eventually have a wealth of material for my section of such a site... I have quite a bit of unpublished material of Stanley's that he cleared for use, even the name of the mule that got eaten at Mokso Sakan... he was 90 Columns saddler but was held back at Indawgyi to care for the mules... did see out events to the very end, mind you and some nice cross-referencing material provided, much of it with a humerous edge... He was able to give me the names of almost all the people in a pic dad was in and knew which one dad was... remembered him there...
I would love to contribute to an Operation Thursday website. I do not have a great deal which could be recorded.However, what I have I would share.I can't say that I am the fastest learner. It has taken me years to get this far. Just don't ask me to consult any maps! I have several. Which belonged my Dad (A Chindit) My daughter, a qualified Skipper has tried her very best to teach me in the past. I have decided whilst she still has hair, not to pursue any more attempts at reading the b---dy things. Veronica.
Your last comment made me giggle Veronica. I was useless at map-reading at school (still am really), on a Geography field trip in 1980, I almost led my orienteering team to disaster across Snowdonia. Even now, when searching for locations and Burmese villages, I am using instinct and memory, rather than any co-ordinates I might possess. You are not alone.
Working on the maps didn't pose too great a problem as I was able to cross-reference from them to goggle-erf for that project above... I have reasonable images of the most important of them from Barton's stuff... B43... what have you started now...? :biggrin:
I would love to see a site for operation Thursday , but have to say my organizational skills are not developed enough...constantly losing what I have...one for you to share HC and bamboo I think...with occasional input from those of us on the edges.
Hi High Wood, I think you were the first to post about Stanley Rothney's Chindit medals. I'm actually one of his granddaughters, and while sitting with my mum (Stanley's daughter) we are both gobsmacked. This is news to us as neither us would ever dream of selling them! We are all very proud of him, and actually saddened to hear this, as we were notified from one of Stanley's nephews from Canada. I don't suppose anyone remembers the eBay username or any details regarding these being up for auction? You can get me on xkayleyrose@outlook.com if needed. Thanks in advance!
Hello Kayley, I still have the original ebay cancellation notice that I can send you if you pm me your email address. (Don't post it in this thread but send me a personal message). The seller's name was PennyLaneUK and she is based in Aberdeen. The item number was 391437329183. Simon.
