TOPIC:

Rory,

Here is the link I used just now: www.dixonsmedals.co.uk/british-south-afr...k7oooi3ufmrit7ca2ho3

Thanks David

The group is now shown as sold. Did you get it Rory? If so, well done. It's a cracking group.

David

Picture courtesy of DNW

BSACM Mashonaland 1897 (0) (279 Troopr. A. H. Lyon, B.S.A. Police)
[ QSA ]
[ BWM & VM ]

Alfred Herbert Lyon was born in 1873, the son of Alfred Lyon, a Landowner and Magistrate, living at Middlecott in Ilsington, Devonshire. Alfred Herbert Lyon first served as a young Lieutenant in the 4th Derby (Sherwood Forresters) Militia, from which he resigned in 1894 ‘on taking up other professional duties’. In November 1896 he embarked for Salisbury, Rhodesia, and attested for the British South Africa Police in December, signing on for 12 months. He served as a Trooper at Umtalli and Melsetter through the Mashonaland Rebellion, and was discharged in December 1897 when his period of engagement expired.

The Imperial Yeomanry was established in December 1899, and the first contingent attracted members of the gentry, who had to provide their own horses, clothing, saddlery and accoutrements. Lyon, then employed as a Schoolmaster, signed on as Private 6520 with the 27th (Devonshire) Company of the 7th Battalion which served in South Africa from February 1900 to Mid-1901. His papers show service at ‘Constanta’ and ‘Wepener’. Returning to England, by 1906 Lyon was married and was employed as a Teacher at Arden School in Tormoham.

During the Great War, Lyon applied for a commission in January 1917, was accepted to the Officer Cadet Battalion at Cambridge. In August 1917 he was granted a temporary commission with the Labour Corps and entered France in March 1918. In June he was transferred to the 11th Battalion Cameron Highlanders, and in November was appointed Acting Captain and given command of a Labour Corps Company detailed to guard prisoners-of-war. Demobilised on 29 October 1919, he was permitted to retain the rank of Captain.

He died of a cerebral haemorrhage in 1939, at the hospital in College Lane, Chichester. At that time he was a Private Schoolmaster, living at Wiston Rectory.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM GV (633 L. Cpl. H. Salter. MMP.);
British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, (1) Mashonaland 1897 (..2 Pte. H. J. Salter. 7th Hus..) suspension loose, contact marks;
QSA (7) Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (4121, L. Cpl. H. J. Salter, 9/Lcrs.);
KSA (2) (4121 Pte. H. J. Salter. 9th Lancers);
1914 Star (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. MMP.);
BWM and VM (633. L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. MMP.);
Army LS&GC EdVII (633 L. Cpl. H. J. Salter. MMP.)

DCM LG 5 August 1915:

‘For great bravery and consistent good work from the 9th to 28th May, 1915, near Ypres. He was employed, both day and night in collecting stragglers, directing traffic and collecting war material. During the 24th May he assisted to places of safety several hundred men, who were suffering from gas poison. Most of the time, and especially on the 24th and 25th May, the town was being heavily shelled.’

Henry James Salter was born in Lambeth, London in July 1874. He attested for the 7th Hussars at Canterbury in November 1890. Salter transferred to the 9th Lancers in December 1897, and advanced to Lance Corporal in March 1899. He served with the Regiment in South Africa, October 1899 - April 1902. Salter transferred to the 5th Lancers in March 1902, and transferred to the Military Mounted Police in January 1905 (awarded LS&GC in 1909). He was discharged, 25 November 1911, having completed 21 years service.

Salter resided at 63 Woodcock Street, Birmingham and was employed as a Commissionaire at Hulford Cycle Co., Ltd, Moor Street. He re-engaged for service during the Great War with the 7th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, 8 September 1914, transferring later that month as Lance Corporal to the Military Mounted Police. He served with the MMP. in the French theatre of war from 4 October 1914, and advanced to Acting Sergeant in August 1917. Salter was discharged, 14 March 1919, having served for a total of 25 years and 205 days.

1 of 34 DCM’s to the Military Mounted Police for the Great War.

Source: medalsgonemissing.com/military-medal-blo...-missing-war-medals/

I came across this picture of the group to Captain Percy Thornhill Clements (Cape Police) as part of my research into Mafeking defenders. He had a varied military career and was also a Jameson Raider.

The family is seeking to reacquire the medals.