TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Defence of Ladysmith (8161 Pte. A. Mather. K.R.R.C.)

2nd KRRC. Verified on WO100/196p193 and WO100/196p203.

Picture courtesy of Woolley and Wallis

QSA (2) Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: F. W. L. EDWARDS, K.R.R.C.), engraved.

Francis William Lloyd Edwards, second son of the Archbishop of Wales served in South Africa from 1901 to 1902. Seconded to the Egyptian Army in 1913, he was employed with the Australians at Gallipoli. Returning to Egypt he served in the Sudan from 1914 to 1916. Twice mentioned in Despatches, awarded the Order of the Nile 4th Class and the OBE.

Picture courtesy of the London Medal Co

QSA (4) Relief of Mafeking, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, Transvaal; engraved naming; (LIEUT. R.B. BERGNE. K.R.R.C.);
[ KSA (2) ];
914-1915 Star; (CAPT. R.B. BERGNE. LEINS. R.);
British War Medal and Victory Medal; (MAJOR R.B. BERGNE.)

Robert Brodribb Bergne was born on 8th November 1877 and would serve a period of 157 days with the South Rhodesia Volunteers, before later serving with 9th Battalion – King’s Royal Rifle Corps (North Cork Militia). He would serve in South Africa during the Boer War being present during the Rhodesia operations from 11th October 1899 through to 17th May 1900 including the relief of Mafeking, and then went on to take part in the subsequent operations in Transvaal and Orange Free State. He was accidentally wounded at Colesberg on 15th April 1901. During he campaign he served as an Officer on the Railway Staff.

He would be promoted to Captain on 3rd July 1912. During the Great War, he served as a Captain, later Major with the Leinster Regiment on the Western Front from 19th April 1915. He would be severely wounded at Ypres on 26th April 1915 suffering a gun shot wound to the right, and subsequently being found unfit for 6 months from 14th June 1915. He was specially employed by the War Office from 23rd August to 15th October 1915.

Appointed Brigade Major on 21st October 1915, and then General Staff Officer, 3rd Grade from 3rd April 1916 until 19th December 1916. He would serve as a Brigade Major from 20th December until 22nd March 1917 and then from 11th July 1917 onwards. He would be discharged on 17th February 1919 after 18 years and 363 days service.

He later petitioned for active service during the Second World War writing a letter on the outbreak of war stating that he would like to be considered for employment with a Pioneer Unit, as I have qualifications for this work unit, 3 years articled to a Civil Engineer, Railway Construction Work in Southern Ireland and Portuguese East Africa (Beira Railway). He had been working in Building Construction and Estate Work between the wars, and although he was at the time 62 years of age, he would like the opportunity to have his physical condition tested.

He would later die in Lansdown Grove Nursing Home on 15th April 1945.

From WO100/207p237

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

SAGS (1) 1879 (1230 Pte. F. Seymour, 3/60th Foot)

Frederick Seymour was killed in action at Ingogo River on 8 February 1881.

The following extract is taken from Rifleman and Hussar, by Colonel Sir Percival Marling, V.C., C.B.:

‘About 2.30 p.m. Sir George Colley sent Captain McGregor, R.E., to Colonel Ashburnham with a message that he was to send a company of the 60th Rifles out to the left, as he thought the Boers were going to rush the position. Colonel Ashburnham pointed out to the Staff Officer that ‘I’ Company were the only reserve he had, and asked would not half a company be sufficient. The Staff Officer replied “My orders are, sir, from the General, that you are to send a company, and if you will let me have them I will show you where to go. This company, ‘I’, was commanded by Lieutenant Garrett, the other subaltern being Lieutenant Beaumont. The Staff Officer, Captain McGregor, went out with them, mounted. There is no doubt that he took them farther than he should have done. Captain McGregor, R.E., was himself killed. It was inevitable, considering the mark he presented. ‘I’ Company and the Boers were now only about 50 yards apart. Garrett was killed quite early, and every man in the company except 9 was either killed or wounded. Nothing could have been more gallant than their behaviour, many of them being quite young soldiers.’

Casualties in the 3/60th at Ingogo River amounted to 4 officers and 61 other ranks killed or died of wounds, a few of whom were drowned. A further 2 officers and 53 other ranks were wounded.

Pictures courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (768 Pte. S. Sutcliffe, K.R.R.C.);
KSA (2) (768 Pte. S. Sutcliffe, K.R.R.C.);
AGS 1902 (2) Somaliland 1902-04, Jidballi (768 Pte. S. Sutcliffe, K.R.R.C.);
British War and Victory Medals (S. Sutcliffe. Asst. Ck. M.F.A.);
Imperial Service Medal GVI, 1st issue (Sam Sutcliffe)

Together with two National Rifle Association Rifle Clubs bronze medals, both unnamed, one in Elkington, London, case.

Sam Sutcliffe was bon in Stainland, near Halifax, Yorkshire, in July 1878. He attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps on 12 February 1898, and was posted to the 4th Battalion. Transferring to the 2nd Battalion in October 1899, he served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and saw further service in Somaliland 1902-04, including the action at Jidballi, 10 January 1904. Transferring to the Reserve in 1906, he re-engaged for a further four years in 1910, and was finally discharged on 11 February 1914, after 16 years’ service.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Sutcliffe served with the Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary as an Assistant Cook in the hired yacht HMS Eileen, as part of the Royal Navy Yacht Patrol, from 16 June 1916 until the cessation of hostilities. In civilian life he was a postman in Winchester and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement. He died in 1955.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

South Africa 1834 (Serjt. Wm. Cragg, 2nd Bn. 60th Rifles);
Army LS&GC VR, 3rd issue, small letter reverse (1537 Color Sergeant William Craggs, 2.B. 60. Rifles. 13 April 1859)

William Cragg was born in Quorndon, Loughborough, Leicestershire in 1820. He attested for the 60th Rifles at Nottingham on 23 October 1840. He was promoted to Corporal in December 1845; Sergeant in July 1848; Colour Sergeant in April 1855 and attained the rank of Sergeant-Major in January 1860, when he appointed to the 7th (Rifle) Depot Battalion. With the 2nd Battalion 60th Rifles he served in Jamaica, 19 years, 6 months; Canada, 3 years, and the Cape of Good Hope, 1 year, 11 months.

He saw service in the Third Kaffir War 1851-53. Awarded the Army L.S. & G.C. with a gratuity and discharged with a pension after 21 years service on 14 February 1862. Latterly served as Sergeant Drill Instructor with the 1st Westmoreland Rifle Volunteers and died in 1872.