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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

BSACM Rhodesia 1896 (0) (Troop’r R. M. Newsham. B.S.A. Police.);
QSA (2) Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (484 Serjt. R. M, Newsham. Durban L.I.);
Natal 1906, (1) 1906 (Rgt. Sgt. Maj. R. M. Newsham, Natal Rangers.);
1914-15 Star (Clr. Sjt. R. M. Newsham 1st Infantry);
BWM 1914-20 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. B.D.C.);
Bilingual Victory Medal 1914-19 (2nd C/W.O. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infantry.);
Coronation 1911, unnamed as issued;
Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal, GV (No F.2347. Col. Sgt. R. M. Newsham. 1st Infy. (DLI.)

Reginald Medland Newsham was born circa. 1872 near Wisbech, Isle of Ely, Cambridgeshire. A coachbuilder by trade, he emigrated to South Africa where he served as Trooper No. 138 in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia in 1896 and in 1897. On 1 November 1897 he enlisted in the Colonial Auxiliary Forces, to the Durban Light Infantry. He was promoted Corporal in 1898, Sergeant in 1899, and Colour Sergeant in 1904. During the 1906 Natal Rebellion he served in the Natal Rangers, attaining the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major.

At the outbreak of the Great War Newsham was employed by the South African Railways as a coachbuilder and aged 44 attested for service with his old regiment the Durban Light Infantry, until he was discharged and recalled to his civilian duties in the Carriage Department of the South African Railways, in July 1918, having served as Provost Sergeant and Company Sergeant Major.

He was awarded the Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in March 1918. His discharge papers confirm service with the Base Depot Company, prior to his discharge, being the unit named on his BWM.

Picture courtesy of Spink

BSACM Rhodesia 1896 (Troopr. A. W. H. Grubb. B.S.A. Police.);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (719 Serjt. A. W. H. Grubb. S.A.C.), clasps loose;
KSA (2) (Lieut. A. W. H. Grubb. I.Y.);
British War and Victory Medals (Capt. A. W. H. Grubb.).

Buckland, Dix & Wood, July 1992.

Archibald William Henry Grubb was born on 5 December 1874 at Limerick, Ireland and served initially with the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia. During the Boer War he was with the Cape Police (District 1) from 11 October 1899-18 March 1901 and thence with the South African Constabulary from 28 March 1901-15 October 1901. Grubb was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry in October 1901 and transferred to the 5th Company, with whom he served from 14 March 1902.

Having been married in Johannesburg in March 1904 to Laura Morrell, he returned to the fold during the Great War. Grubb served in France from 3 December 1917 as a 2nd Lieutenant with the Labour Corps and was latterly a Captain on the General List. Having become Deputy Commissioner of Mines in South Africa by 1929, living at 37 Bullingham Mansions, Kensington Church Street, he died at Havant in April 1931. His estate was valued at a little over £52.

The group to Captain Grubb sold this afternoon for a hammer price of GBP 580. Totals: GBP 719. R 16,060. AUD 1,320. NZD 1,440. CAD 1,180. USD 890. EUR 800.

I bought Grubb's group and am looking forward to doing the research on him.

Well done, Rory. Look forward to reading more about him.

Very nice Rory,

Some details sent to email.

Cheers