Homes and Interiors, to include Arms and Militaria – Tuesday 5th March 2019
On Tuesday 5th March, Sworders will sell the selected contents of Riber Manor, Matlock, the former home of Colonel Dennis Walton MC, a veteran of World War II who saw action in the Battles around Monte Cassino in 1944.
On Tuesday 5th March, Sworders will sell the selected contents of Riber Manor, Matlock, the former home of Colonel Dennis Walton MC, a veteran of World War II who saw action in the Battles around Monte Cassino in 1944.
Walton served with the 58th Suffolk Medium Regiment during the epic campaign that saw Allied forces launch four major attacks to destroy Nazi forces at the site near Rome in terrible conditions, knowing that they or their comrades would likely be killed.
The World War II hero was awarded the Military Cross for his courageous actions during the attack and was given a Royal thank you from Prince Harry at a commemorative ceremony in Rome on 19 May 2014.
After the war, he completed his degree and joined Tootal Broadhurst Lee, a Manchester based textile firm, as a production management trainee. He left, as special adviser to the board, after 17 years to join Dalkeith Knitting Mills, Alfreton, as Managing Director.
While at Dalkeith, Walton became President of the Nottingham and District Hosiery Manufacturers' Association and remained a member of the Territorial Army until 1967.
His private papers are held by the Imperial War Museum and reflect on his time in service.
A fully illustrated catalogue will be available to view on www.sworder.co.uk from Friday 1 March.
Recent News
Scenes of a Changing India
The term ‘Company School’ refers to a genre of painting that emerged in India in the late 18th and 19th centuries, flourishing under the patronage of British East India Company officials, their families, and other European residents in India. Sworders Asian & Islamic Art department is pleased to present a curated selection of these wonderfully insightful works in their next auction on Friday 15 May.
20 April 2026
From the Sir Thomas Longmore Library
A fascinating group of 42 lots from the Sir Thomas Longmore library feature in our Books, Manuscripts and Maps auction, offering a rare insight into Victorian military medicine and reform. Highlights include two letters by Florence Nightingale, alongside annotated books and personal volumes from Longmore’s own collection.
16 April 2026
A Scholar’s Library
A remarkable group of books from the library of Professor C.J.F. Dowsett will feature in our April Books, Manuscripts and Maps sale. The collection reflects a lifetime of scholarship in Armenian, Iranian and Near Eastern studies.
16 April 2026