TOPIC:

The pair to Jensen sold for a hammer price of GBP 230. Totals: GBP 285. R 6,570. AUD 520. NZD 550. CAD 460. USD 340. EUR 320.

Estment's medals sold for a hammer price of GBP 420. Totals: GBP 521. R 12,010. AUD 950. NZD 1,010. CAD 850. USD 630. EUR 580

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (6) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, Relief of Ladysmith, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between most clasps, with the clasp carriage slightly damaged (548 L.Cpl: F. Nicks. Kitchener’s F.S.) edge bruising

Frank Nicks was born in America in 1871, and enlisted at Durban for the 2nd Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts. A mechanical engineer by trade, he witnessed extensive service during the Boer War before being discharged from H Squadron at Netley on 10 December 1901, having been found unfit for for further service.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (297 Tpr: F. J. Hart. Kitchener’s F.S.)

CC, OFS and Tr on WO100/257p41. SA01 from KFS on WO100/256p230.

Also served Bearer, NVAC.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

Described as:

Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, handcrafted brass slouch hat badge. Good very fine.

1592 SADDLER CORPORAL JOHN COURTNEY IRWIN: 1ST BATTALION KITCHENER'S FIGHTING SCOUTS

John Courtney Irwin was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland in 1878 and was 23 years old when he attested to the 1st Battalion of Kitchener's Fighting Scouts on 26th August 1901 at Durban Drill Hall.
He claimed no previous military service, and to be British.
His occupation was that of Carriage Painter.
He stood 5' 7", weighed 140 lbs, had a fair complexion, blue eyes and dark hair.
His next of kin was his brother R. C. Irwin who resided at 5832 Wabash Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.
He was discharged from the regiment on 21st March 1902, and was awarded the Queen's South Africa with clasps Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 & 1902 (WO100/256) for his service.


Queen's South Africa medal awarded to 1592 Saddler Corporal J. C. Irwin



Impressed naming to the rim.

Impressed regimental naming to the rim

Please note the erasure of the SADDLER/SADLR/SADD part of the rank of the officially impressed naming. Perhaps John was not too keen on being a 'SAD' Corporal and had this portion of his rank erased and re-engraved with a simple scroll, which in all honesty was rather well done and adds something to this QSA.

John married Lily Elizabeth Paxton in the year 1909 at Durban in Kwazulu- Natal. During their union they were blessed with two children namely Robert Courtney Irwin and Eunice Lilian Irwin. Ethel Kenyon (born Paxton and likely Lily's s daughter from a previous marriage) was an adopted child of the union.

John died at the age of 76 in the Entabeni Nursing Home in Durban on 30th May 1949. His home address was recorded as 150 Northway, Durban North, Natal.

Steve,

Thank you for this bipgraphy of John Irwin. As you say, the removal of the Saddler part of his rank was very nicely done.