TOPIC:

From reading the biographies of the 75 men who received the Edward VII DSO (1903-1908), it is possible to identify 27 who had previously served in the Boer War.

1. Barlow, Captain C W, Essex Regt 24-Jan-05 Sokoto/Burmi Ops
2. Beresford, Major J G H H de, 7th Hussars 06-Sep-04 Somaliland
3. Birdwood, Colonel W R, Indian Army 14-Aug-08 Ops against Zakka Khel & Mohmands, 1908
4. Bridges, Captain G T M, Royal Artillery 06-Sep-04 Somaliland
5. Bru-De-Wold, Colonel H M, Local Forces, Natal 28-Jun-07 Natal Rebellion 1906
6. Chapman, Lieutenant P, Royal Fusiliers / WAFF 13-Mar-08 Ops in N Nigeria
7. Christy, Lieutenant S H, 20th Hussars 24-Jan-05 Sokoto/Burmi Ops
8. Dickinson, Major N H C, Leinster Regt 08-May-03 Capture of the ex-Emir of Kontagora
9. English, Lieutenant Colonel F H, Royal Dublin Fusiliers 14-Apr-05 Aden Boundary Commission
10. Fendall, Lieutenant P P W, Border Regt / WAFF 02-Jul-07 Sokoto, N Nig 1906
11. Foster, Major W L, Royal Artillery 07-Aug-03 Somaliland
12. Gallagher, Captain A E, KRRC / WAFF 02-Jul-07 Sokoto, N Nig 1906
13. Galloway, Lieutenant L, Royal Artillery 25-Aug-05 N Nigeria 1903-04
14. Harris, Captain C B M, Army Veterinary Department 06-Sep-04 Somaliland
15. Hogg, Captain I G, KRRC 28-Oct-04 Kano-Sokoto Exped
16. Leuchars, Lieutenant Colonel G, Umvoti Mounted Rifles 28-Jun-07 Natal Rebellion 1906
17. Macdonell, Captain I H, WAFF 02-Jul-07 Sokoto, N Nig 1906
18. Mair, Captain G T, Royal Artillery 18-Sep-06 Northern & Southern Nigeria
19. Maud, Captain C C, Somerset Light Infantry 25-Aug-05 N Nigeria 1903-04
20. Rowand, Commander A, Royal Navy 26-Jun-03 Occupation of China
21. Rudkin, Captain W C E, Royal Artillery / WAFF 13-Mar-08 Ops in S Nigeria
22. Shakerley, Captain G C, KRRC 06-Sep-04 Somaliland
23. Short, Captain P H, Gloucester Regiment 18-Sep-06 Northern & Southern Nigeria
24. Symes, Lieutenant G S, Hamp Regt 14-Apr-05 Aden Boundary Commission
25. Trenchard, Major H M, Royal Scots Fusiliers 18-Sep-06 Northern & Southern Nigeria
26. Ward, Lieutenant A C, Lanc Fus 28-Oct-04 Kano-Sokoto Exped
27. Westmorland, Major P T, Royal Warwick Regiment 14-Aug-08 Ops against Zakka Khel & Mohmands, 1908

The group to Alexander Rowand. Available to purchase with some change from £12,000.


Picture courtesy of British Medals

The campaign medals of Brigadier-General Percy Thuillier Westmorland

DNW have sold a few of this combination:

The incomplete group to F P English. CMG; DSO Ed VII; QSA (6) CC Tal TH OFS RoL Tr (Lt. Col., Rl. Dub. Fus.); KSA (2) (Lt. Col., Rl. Dub. Fus.). Dec 2002, £7,500.

The group to A C Ward. DSO Ed VII; QSA (1) CC (Lieut., Lanc. Fus.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 3 clasps, Aro 1901-1902, S.Nigeria 1902, S.Nigeria 1902-03 (Lieut., Lanc. Fus.); 1914 Star, with copy Mons bar (Capt. A. C. Ward, D.S.O., Lan. Fus.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt.) together with Bronze Memorial Plaque (Arthur Claude Ward). June 1998, £4,500

The group to L Galloway RA. DSO Ed VII; QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA01 (Lieut., 17th Coy. W. D. R. G. A.); AGS 1902 (2) N. Nigeria 1903-04, N. Nigeria 1904 (Lieut., R. A.); 1914 MONS STAR (Capt., D.S.O.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Major). Dec 1991 £1,500.

It is not often I have an opportunity to add to this thread.


Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

DSO Ed VII;
QSA (7) Cape Colony, Relief of Mafeking, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Major. G.T.M.Bridges, Imp: L. H.);
AGS 1902 (2) Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi (Bt:Maj. G.T.M.Bridges, D.S.O. R.F.A.);
1914 Star, - clasp - 5th Aug.-22nd Nov. 1914 (unnamed);
BWM (unnamed);
VM with MID (unnamed)

Together with a book titled, Alarms & Excursions, Reminiscences of a Soldier by Lieut-Gen. Sir Tom Bridges K.C.B., K.C.M.G., D.S.O., LL.D, with a foreword by The Rt. Hon. Winston Churchill P.C., C.H., M.P., hard cover, pp361.

DSO: LG 6/9/1904 to Captain and Brevet Major Goerge Tom Molesworth Bridges in recognition of services during the operations in Somaliland.

MID: 8/2/1901 and 29/7/1902 and WWI: 19/10/1914, 15/12/1914, 17/2/1915, 13/4/1915, 22/6/1915, 1/1/1916, 12/1/1916, 4/1/1917, 27/2/1918.

Also awarded Commander Legion of Honour 3rd and 4th Classes (France); Croix de Guerre with 2 Palmes (France); Order of Leopold 4th Class (Belgium); Grand Cross 1st Class and 2nd Class of the Order of the Crown (Belgium); Croix de Guerre with Palme (Belgium); Order of Danneborg (Denmark); Order of the Crown 2nd Class (Italy); Distinguished Service Medal (USA).

George Tom Molesworth Bridges, born 20Aug1871, the son of Major T.W.Bridges Royal (late Bengal) Artillery and Mary Ann Bridges (nee Philippi); joined Royal Artillery 19Feb1892; to Lieutenant 19Feb1895; to Captain 05Apr1900; served in Boer War and was given Brevet of Major 22Aug1902; served in Somaliland as Special Service Officer 1902-04; Staff Captain and later G.S.O.3, HQs of Army Feb-Nov1901; Instructor at Cavalry School Dec1907-Jun1908; to Major with 4th Dragoons 19Aug1908; served as Military Attache at The Hague, Brussels, Copenhagen and Christiania Mar1910-Mar1914; to Lt-Colonel of 4th Hussars 20Sep1914; WWI: Head of Military Mission with Belgian Field Army; CO of 19Div Dec1915-Oct1917 with a brief absence as a Military Member of Mr. Balfour's Mission to USA; to Maj-General 01Jan1917; Temp Lt-General Apr-Jun1917; Head of British War Mission to USA in 1918; Temp Lt-General Jan1919; Chief of British Military Mission to the Army of the Orient 09Jan1920.

During the Anglo-Boer War George Bridges was an officer in the Imperial Light Horse. He also was in command of the 5th and 6th West Australian Mounted Infantry from May to July 1901. He led the relief columns into both Ladysmith and Mafeking. During the war he was twice mentioned in despatches and was also severely wounded. In 1904 he was sent to Somaliland where he raised and commanded the Tribal Horse and was again severely wounded this time at the Battle of Jidballi. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order during this campaign.

At the start of WWI Bridges' unit was the first British unit to engage the Germans. He later commanded the 15th Division in France and was wounded a further three times including having his leg blown off. In 1917 he went to the United States of America with the Balfour Mission in order to consolidate American involvement in the war. He was the senior military member of the mission and was awarded the USA Distinguished Service Medal.

In 1922 he accepted an appointment as Governor of South Australia following urging by his friend and admirer, Winston Churchill. He took up the post on 4 December 1922. Bridges held very conservative views and did not get along very well with the Labor Government that was in control for some of the time of his tenure. When his term of office ended on 4 December 1927 he refused a second term as governor and returned to England. In retirement he wrote his memoirs (see book in this lot) which was published in 1938. Sir George Tom Molesworth Bridges KCB, KCMG, DSO, (known as Sir Tom Bridges), died on 26 November 1939 at Brighton, United Kingdom.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.

An addition to David’s listing of extant Edward 7th DSOs with the QSA.

The unique grouping to Charles Beresford Maule Harris of the Army Veterinary Dept./Corps.

Page 5776 of THE LONDON GAZETTE, SEPTEMBER 6, 1904.
War Office, 6th September, 1904.
The KING has also been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Distinguished Service Order, and promotions in the Army, in recognition of the services of the undermentioned Officers during the operations in Somaliland.
The promotions to bear date of 7th September, 1904:—
Captain Charles Beresford Maule Harris, Army Veterinary Department.

This is the only E.VII.R. D.S.O. to the A.V.D./A.V.C.



The group is mounted as worn in the cavalry style. I show the reverse view for those not familiar with this style.



Pete