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As Stirling says, the 1st South Staffordshires were 'not engaged in any big battle, and, like the rest of Rundle's force, had few opportunities of earning distinction'.



Major-General Sir Herbert Aveling Raitt, K.C.I.E, C.B. (1858-1935), son of E.R. Raitt of Broughton’s, Newnham, Gloucestershire, was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the 80th Foot in 1878. He served with the regiment in the South African War of 1878-79, including the operations against the Sekukuni and the storming and capture of their stronghold. He was Adjutant of the 2nd Batt from February 1881 - June 1884. He served in Sir Charles Warren's peaceful expedition into Bechuanaland in 1884-85, where he commanded a troop of Diamond Fields Horse. He next served with the Egyptian Army under Lord Kitchener for two years from 1894 and he was advanced to Major in 1896. He served in the Boer War, Commanding the 1st Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment, from December 1900 to 1902 (C.B.; M.I.D. LG 10.9.1901). Promoted to Colonel in 1904 he Commanded the South Midland Division from 1908-11. Advanced to Major-General on the 4 Sep1912, he was posted to India as the GOC of the Mandalay Brigade from 1913-14. As GOC Burma Division he commanded the troops during the Kachin Rising of January-February 1915; the punitive operations were mentioned in the despatch of General Sir Beauchamp Duff, G.C.B., C-in-C India, (LG 4 July1916) thus, ‘Unrest, which had been brewing for some time among the Kachins, came to a head in December, 1914, and January, 1915, when punitive operations were undertaken. The columns originally consisted of Burma Military Police, but as the disturbance appeared more general and likely to spread, regular troops were ordered up to Myitkyina.... In February, Major-General H. A. Raitt, C.B., Commanding Burma Division, proceeded to Myitkyina to direct operations. In the Kamaing and Mogaung Jurisdictions, and the adjoining un-administered territory, six columns operated during January and February.... Opposition encountered was in all cases successfully overcome, the rebel stockades captured, and the implicated villages destroyed. In the country north of Myitkyina two columns were employed during the latter end of January and throughout February and these were equally successful in punishing the recalcitrant tribesmen. The country in which these operations were carried out is of a particularly dense and difficult nature. Major-General Raitt especially commends a night march carried out by a detachment of the 64th Pioneers over intricate country, followed by a successful attack on a rebel village’; Major-General Raitt retired from his command in November 1918 and was appointed K.C.I.E in 1919.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2880 Serjt: Dmr: G. Stokes. S. Staff: Regt.);
Militia LS&GC EdVII (2280 Serjt. Dmr. G. Stokes. 3rd Stafford Regt. Mil.)

Provenance: Lovell Collection, Sotheby’s, November 1978.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Orange Free State, South Africa 1902, unofficial retaining rod affixing clasps (6081 Pte. J. Baker. S. Stafford: Regt.);
1914-15 Star (10765 Pte. J. Baker. S. Staff: R.),;
[ BWM and VM ]

Special Constabulary Long Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Wilfred Marshall);
together with an Italian Vittorio Emanuele III Royal Household Memorial Medal, bronze,

John Baker attested for the South Staffordshire Regiment and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and during the Great War on the Western Front from 4 May 1915. He was disembodied on 15 October 1916, and was awarded a Silver War Badge.

Sold together with a Copper Powder Flask by Dixon & Sons, 195mm in length with fluted decoration, the action broken.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (2717 BD:MR: J. Matthews. S. Stafford Reg.);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2717 Bandmaster J. Matthews. S. Staff. Regi);
Army Meritorious Service Medal GV (BndMstr. J. Matthews. S. Staff. R.)

James Matthews was born at Portsmouth, Hampshire in 1858. He is confirmed on the medal roll of 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment for the Second Boer War. Discharged on 13 December 1912.

Spink say 'further entitled to Kings South Africa 1902' but this is incorrect. He is entitled to SA01.

One of the earliest listings of a medal for sale by City Coins, list #9, September 1969.

QSA (0). (Pte T.H.Spiers S.Stafford Regt)

Estimate R7

From the next DNW auction


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Transvaal (4965 Pte. P. Urell, S. Stafford: Regt.) unofficial rivets between top two clasps;
KSA (2) (4965 Dmr: P. E. Urell. S. Stafford: Regt.)

Patrick Edward Urell. Born 1881. From Derby, Derbyshire, England. Service papers extant.