Welcome to the Bygones Shop

A selection of Militaria including Victorian, WWI, WWII and post 1945 medals, plaques, cap badges, uniforms, artillery, accessories, propaganda, and unique items.

OUR SHOP

Bygones was first established in the 1980’s, from a family obsession with Railwayana and Militaria. Combining that passion created the popular family attraction Bygones, based in Torquay, Devon. Bygones is as popular as ever and still welcomes thousands of visitors through the doors every year.

Many collectors and visitors would often ask us if we would buy/sell items, or even curate items for them. With the natural growth of the internet, we decided to open our online shop where you can find a wid”e variety of military artifacts.

Bringing the past to life.

OUR SHOP

Bygones was first established in the 1980’s, from a family obsession with Railwayana and Militaria. Combining that passion created the popular family attraction Bygones, based in Torquay, Devon. Bygones is as popular as ever and still welcomes thousands of visitors through the doors every year.

Many collectors and visitors would often ask us if we would buy/sell items, or even curate items for them. With the natural growth of the internet, we decided to open our online shop where you can find a wide variety of military artifacts.

Bringing the past to life.

Latest Additions

WWI Mercantile Marine Master's Casualty Group

£375.00
-WWI War Medal -WWI Mercantile Marine Medal -Death Plaque + original card envelope All named William Philps Accompanied by original Buckingham Palace and Board of Trade letters. William Philps was the Master of S.S. Sea Serpent Leach & Co Limited London. He was drowned when the vessel hit a mine and sank 1 mile west of Folkestone Pier 23rd March 1916 whilst on a voyage from Birkenhead to Dunkirk with a cargo of corrugated iron. It will appear that his body was washed ashore and he is buried at Nunhead Cemetery, Allsaints, Camberwell. He was the husband of Julia Philps of Wimbledon and the son of Walter and Harriet Philps of Surrey. He was 49 years old. Condition as shown in photographs

A Good Distinguished Flying Medal Group Awarded to Flight Sergeant Thomas William Carr 626 Squadron

£2,995.00
-Distinguished Flying Medal George VI named 1121144 F/SGT T. W. Carr RAF. -1939-45 Star (unnamed as issued) -Aircrew Europe Star with clasp France & Germany (unnamed as issued) -Defence Medal (unnamed as issued) -War Medal (unnamed as issued) Mounted for wear. Accompanied by an extensive archive of original maps, instruction manuals, one of his log books and photographs. A comprehensive collection of his RAF WWII service. Thomas William Carr was born on 8th October 1918 in Grangetown, Sunderland. He was educated at Commercial Road School and then Sunderland Technical College. He joined the RAF on 30th October 1940. On 7th December 19142 he was posted to 44 Air School Grahamstown, South Africa for training. Further training and posting followed until his first operational flight shown in his log book to Kassel with 12 Squadron 22nd October 1943. He went on to fly 33 operational sorties and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal. The citation for his award reads as follows: 'CARR, Thomas William. 1121144 Flight Sergeant, 626 Squadron. London Gazette 15th August 1944 sorties 23, flying hours 162. Air Bomber, Air2/9632. Flight Sergeant Carr is an Air Bomber who has completed 23 successful operational sorties against the enemy on some of the most heavily defended targets in Germany. He has participated in 7 attacks on Berlin as well as the important targets of Leipzig, Magdeburg, Nuremberg and Essen. During all his operations Flight Sergeant Carr has shown himself to be a most competent and conscientious member of Air Crew displaying a high degree of courage in the face of heavy enemy opposition. His coolness and strong sense of duty have in a large measure contributed to the successful completion of operations. I have no hesitation in recommending the award of the Distinguished Flying Medal to this N.C.O.' Remarks by his Station Commander 10th May 1944. Condition as shown in photographs

WWI Military Cross Queen's Westminster Rifles

£995.00
-WWI Military Cross George V unnamed as issued -WWI War Medal named Major P.L. Cockerill -WWI Victory Medal named Major P.L. Cockerill with MID Oakleaf Mounted in attractive felt and wooden frame. Including ribbon bar. Major P.L Cockerill M.C. 2nd Battalion 16th London Regiment Queen's Westminster Rifles. Percy Lawrence Cockerill was born in 1882. The 1891 census recorded the family as living at 40 Howard House in Westminster. He is listed in the London Gazette 12th March 1912 as being appointed as a Lieutenant in the Queen's Westminster Rifles from 20th January (page 1834). He is shown again in London Gazette same rank September 1914. He was promoted to Captain temporarily 3rd October 1914. London Gazette January 1916 shows him with the same rank. Supplement to the London Gazette April 1917 promotes him to temporary Major. Supplement to the London Gazette 21st November 1917 confirms him as being attached to Headquarter units. Confirmed Military Cross awarded London Gazette 1st January 1919. The Times of London 27th June 1919 confirms his appointment to Messrs. Grenfell & Company Stock Brokers from 1st July. After the War he was involved in a high profile divorce case. Egerton v Egerton and Cockerill (before Mr Justice Hill). In an undefended suit, Major V.C. Egerton sued for divorce from his wife Ivy on the grounds of her adultery with Percy Cockerill a Stock Broker (formerly an Officer in the Army.). The Egertons married June 1903. In October 1914 Egerton introduced Cockerill to his wife and invited him to his house. In October 1918 he came home on leave and found his wife seemed worried and cold to him. While he was staying in Southsea with her he found an affectionate letter from Cockerill dated August 1918. His suspicions were aroused and he tied his wife with infidelity. She assured him there was no cause for anxiety but he spoke to Cockerill and demanded an explanation. In which he assured him that their relations were perfectly innocent. In November 1918, he was deployed to Salonika. At some point he received a letter from Cockerill in which he said 'I fully realise how great my sin is...suffering to a man especially to a man, guilty of such a crime which I am not to be considered but one must think of Ivy in this respect. One thing you may be certain of on your return that you will find our lives just as harmless as when you went away.' On his return from Salonika and Palestine, he took his wife and children on holiday to Southsea. During August he was obliged to return to London for a few days and afterwards discovered that Cockerill had taken advantage of his absence to go to Southsea to commit adultery with his wife. At this point he consulted a solicitor. Mr Justice Hill assessed damages at £2000 and he pronounced the Decree Nisi with full costs against Cockerill and Egerton the custody of the 2 children. He ordered that the damages to be paid into court within 14 days. The above details are from the High Court, court minutes, petition filed 28th October 1919, Degree Nici issued 20th May 1920 confirmed 20th November 1920. Egerton had claimed £5000 damages. He appears to have continued to be a Stock Broker until his retirement October 1950. During WWI he served in the 2nd Battalion 16th London Regt. (Queen's Westminster Rifles in the 179th Brigade 2/2nd London division.) The 2/2nd London Division was formed from the Home Service of the Territorial Force. Percy arrived in France on 22nd June 1916 with the rank of captain. His address at the time was recorded as 3 London Wall buildings, London EC2. He was awarded the Military Cross London Gazette 1st January 1919 and was twice mentioned in Dispatches London Gazette 28th November 1917 and 14th June 1918. In civilian life he was a Stock Broker. With copy research and London Gazette entries. Condition as shown in photographs

FEATURED ITEMS

Crediton Born Edwardian Long Service Medal Royal Garrison Artillery

£115.00
Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Edward VII 56955 Gnr. R. Lake. RGA. Robert was born in Crediton in 1862 according to his attestation papers however 'Genes Reunited' record his birth in 1858. He enlisted on 20th September 1886 in Devonport, Devon aged 23yrs and 10 months giving his trade as a 'labourer'. He was 5ft 6" tall, fair complexion, blue eyes and auburn hair. It is stated his religion was Church of England joining the Royal Garrison Artillery. 28th August 1887 he was posted to Gibraltar and on 27th August 1894 he married Caroline Moore at the Presbyterian Church in Gibraltar. Their daughter Margaret was born 23rd February 1894 in Gibraltar and in September 1894 he re-engaged to complete 12 years with the colours. In March 1896 their second daughter Caroline was born also in Gibraltar. He and his family returned to England January 1897 and their third daughter Rose Victoria was born in Kent 29th July 1897. In September 1897 the family and himself returned for service in Gibraltar. He then appears to have been transferred to serve in Malta returning to England October 1902 where his son Robert Ernest was born July 1903 whilst the family were living in Cambridge Barracks. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 13th July 1907 whilst serving with no. 37 company Royal Garrison Company with a £5 gratuity.  He was discharged on 19th September 1907 with a pension of 13d per week for life. His character had been exemplary and his intended place of residence was stated to be 59 Collingwood Road, Southsea, Hampshire. Sadly just over 2 years later he dies in Portsmouth. Accompanied by a file of service and family copy documentation. Condition as shown in photographs

Every item tells a story

All of our items are 100% genuine artifacts, the medals once worn with pride, earned from defending one’s country with the guns, swords, and uniforms also on display. Costume jewellery and perfume bottles, worn by our ancestors to prepare for an evening out.

Items in our shops, some of which would have been bought with ration books during and following the wars. Shoes fixed by the cobbler or handcrafted toys that were once loved and played with by our Great Great relatives.

Browse all our categories

Latest Additions

Victorian

World War 1

World War 2

Post World War 2

Medals

cap badges

police & civilian

Long Service & Jubilee

Miniatures & Miscellaneous

Uniforms & accessories

Previously Sold

ITEMS SOLD OVER THE YEARS

Previously Sold Items

Heres a collection of our previously sold items from over the years gone by, ranging from very exclusive medals to rare uniforms and accessories.