TOPIC:

They are certainly most attractive little medals, but, well in excess of three hundred quid?

djb wrote: A top suspender-less 'a' hallmarked Star at DNW yesterday sold for a total cost of £310.

Picture courtesy of DNW

They are very attractive medals as you say, Frank, especially when the top suspender is included. They continue to demand a high price, no doubt from all those single DoK QSAs looking for completion.

Quite frankly David, it just seems an awful lot of money, in particular, with commission and vat added, do you remember when you could just go out with a hundred quid and bring a good example back, happy days indeed, sadly now long gone!

The September 2020 OMRS Journal includes an article by Phillip O'Sea, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary about a group of medals purchased by the author over 50 years ago.


Picture courtesy of the OMRS

QSA (3) ‘CAPE COLONY’, ‘TRANSVAAL’, ‘WITTEBERGEN’ (3171 SGT. W. HALL. MUNSTER FUS.)
KSA (2) (3171 SERJT. W. HALL. RL: MUNSTER FUS.)
Army LS&GC Ed VII (3171 SJT: W. HALL. RL. MUNSTER FUS.)
Kimberley Star, 'c'

It seems unlikely that the Star was awarded to the recipient by the authorities. The author explains its presence saying 'British Battles and Medals does not list the Royal Munster Fusiliers as present at the defence or relief of Kimberley or qualifying for an appropriate clasp. The 1st Battalion, however, was present at Kimberley and it may be assumed that Hall qualified for the star'.

I would certainly be interested to know how Sergeant Hall qualified for a star, it seems a little unusual and begs the question how many more stars were granted to his regiment, they could not have been worn in uniform actually on duty and serving within the regiment.

djb wrote: The September 2020 OMRS Journal includes an article by Phillip O'Sea, New Zealand Herald of Arms Extraordinary about a group of medals purchased by the author over 50 years ago.

Picture courtesy of the OMRS

QSA (3) ‘CAPE COLONY’, ‘TRANSVAAL’, ‘WITTEBERGEN’ (3171 SGT. W. HALL. MUNSTER FUS.)
KSA (2) (3171 SERJT. W. HALL. RL: MUNSTER FUS.)
Army LS&GC Ed VII (3171 SJT: W. HALL. RL. MUNSTER FUS.)
Kimberley Star, 'c'

It seems unlikely that the Star was awarded to the recipient by the authorities. The author explains its presence saying 'British Battles and Medals does not list the Royal Munster Fusiliers as present at the defence or relief of Kimberley or qualifying for an appropriate clasp. The 1st Battalion, however, was present at Kimberley and it may be assumed that Hall qualified for the star'.

Frank,

Stirling omits to mention Kimberley in his write-up of the regiment. The article includes a picture of the 1st RMF in Kimberley in 1902, long after the window for entitlement to the star closed.