TOPIC:

Jon

Foolishly as it now transpires, I bypassed the Wagon Hill casualties on that sale. The vendor had told me he liked the Gorton medal the most, but that its over-polished condition would put off some collectors. Interestingly, its condition was acknowledged by its grading in the 2008 sale, but not the recent one. Frank's recent discoveries about the Gorton family have supported my belief that it was a loving mother who kept the medal polished, thereby adding to my appreciation of the medal, rather than detracting from it.

Regards
Brett

Hello Jon,
Now tell me, why did you choose George Howard's medal as a first choice and not the medal of Henry Gorton or George Cameron, was it just down to condition, or was there another reason?
I agree with you regarding salerooms, moreover, I find it quite extraordinary that a person can place a bid in a well known South African saleroom, have the highest bid and yet not win a particular lot.
Regards Frank

crypt wrote: Morning Brett

This medal sold on City Coins in 2008 Auction #58 Lot 346 for R11000. I placed an either or bid on this medal and Lot 348 at a maximum of R14000 and was sucessful in getting Sgt Howards medal (@R14000) who was also KIA at Wagon Hill. If not I would be the owner of Gortons QSA!!!! as the highest bidder at a price of R11000. It is a pity all bids at City Coins are not live so you can see the pattern of bidding, personally I think a postal auction benefits the seller as buyers tend to overbid to ensure they are sucessful, the problem is when you have several people overbidding that the price goes out of proportion.In this day and age surely a live bid type of scenario via internet as used by most auction houses is a better way to go?

Nice buy though even at the price you paid.

Jon

Brett,

I'm just catching up on Gorton. He has one mention in The Times.

The first from 31 Oct 1899:



and this from the Nottinghamshire Guardian, Saturday 29 Dec 1900



Regards
David

Brett,

This snippet is from the Hawaiian Star, 1 Sep 1900:

David

Thank you for those additions to Gorton's file.

I was intrigued by the one in the Hawaiian Star, which I presume really is a Pacific island newspaper. The report condenses Elandslaagte and Wagon Hill into a single battle, but the number of wounds is correct. I had not heard that Gorton was greeted on the Elandslaagte battlefield by someone on the Boer side who recognised him and who fired the shot that wounded him.

According to a report in the 'Natal Mercury', that shot wounded Gorton in the groin and it kept him in hospital for at least two months. Not long after returning to his regiment, Gorton was wounded early in the Boer assault on Wagon Hill and lay exposed for the whole of battle, being wounded 12 times in all, seven in the body and five in the head. Apart from scattered dolerite boulders, many of which had been built into sangars, there is no place to hide on the hilltop. The fact that Gorton survived the day and a few more besides says a lot for his strength and fortitude.

Regards
Brett

Brett,

That's quite a story about Gorton and yes, it really is from the paper in Hawaii.

Best wishes
David