TOPIC:

It was sold a few months ago in a Kaplan auction, Rory.

Picture courtesy of City Coins

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (349 Tpr: A. Irwin. Kitchener’s F. S.)

Albert Irwin severely wounded near Graaff-Reinet on 17 March died of his wounds on 5 April 1901.

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Lieut. D. S. Jopling. Kitchener’s F. S.) Engraved naming.

Sold with copied Rolls which note service with 5th Manchester Regt.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Orange Free State, Transvaal (311 Tpr: P. Barber. Kitchener's F. S.), suspension somewhat slack, contact marks, edge bruising, overall very fine

Spink say Percy Barber was born in 1870, the son of Mrs S. Barber of Croydon, England. He served in the 1st Matabele Campaign and worked as an engineer in South Africa prior to the Second Anglo-Boer War. Enlisting with Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts in Durban on 5 August 1901 he served with them as a Trooper. This unit – under the command of Johan Wilhelm Colenbrander, Cecil Rhodes' guide into Rhodesia – saw heavy fighting during the Guerrilla phase of the war. Their reputation for hard fighting and riding as well as their famed clashes with Christiaan F. Beyers’ Commando left them feared in the Transvaal. Their record in terms of convoys and prisoners however spoke for itself.

OFS and Tr on WO100/257p89. SA01 and SA02 on WO100/257p168.

Served in 2nd KFS. Joined Durban 5 Aug 01 Discharged 2 Jul 02 time expired

There is a Percy Barber who earned BSACM Mashonaland 1890 (1) Matabeleland 1893 as 1893: Tpr. Victoria Col. and BSAP.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (357 O.R. Serjt: C. F. Jensen. Kitchener's F.S.);
KSA (2) (Lieut: C. F. Jensen. Kitchener's F.S.)

C. F. Jensen entered the war in South Africa as Orderly Room Sergeant, a non-commissioned officer’s rank which placed him under the command of the Adjutant. The medal roll for the King’s South Africa Medal notes that he was commissioned Lieutenant with Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts and also saw service with the British South African Police and Southern Rhodesia Volunteers.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (1346 Tpr. G. Estment. 1-Kitchener's F. Scts.);
1914-15 Star (Cpl. G. Estment 1st S.A.M.R.);
British War and Victory Medals (Cpl G. Estment. 1st S.A.M.R.)

Gordon Edward Estment was born at Cradock, Cape Colony and enlisted with Kitchener's Fighting Scouts at Port Elizabeth on 1 July 1901. They saw action during the guerrilla phase of the Anglo-Boer War against the Boer Commandos still fighting. Estment was discharged on 9 December 1901 with the comment that he was 'inefficient', despite this he was to join the Cape Mounted Rifles at King William's Town on 3 May 1905 with the regimental number 4424.

Prior to the outbreak of the Great War, he was stationed as a Corporal with 'E' Squadron of the South African Mounted Rifles at Hopdale. When the war began Esment was part of the Force A, the British column which invaded German South-West Africa from the south. Sandfontein fell quickly, however despite last minute reinforcements the garrison there numbered no more than 300 men.

They were surrounded by a German force of approximately 1,700 men and soon came under heavy attack. Engaged on all sides by fast moving cavalry, they were unable to check an assault by enemy infantry on their flank. With no chance of breaking out the bulk of the South African force were taken prisoner. Estment was one of these captured on 26 September 1914