TOPIC:

Hi
This time a single Boer War DCM to Tpr J Bentley, Rhodesian Fld Force : I wish I could find the relevant QSA issued off the roll of the Rhodesia Regt! Bentley also had service in the ILH and Warwick's Scouts



John Bentley is Mentioned by Roberts in the LG of 16 April 1901, p2612, under Warwick's Scouts for unspecified actions up to 29 Nov 1900.
However, I would very much like to think that a probable citation for Bentley's DCM can be found in the paragraphs in "Rhodesia Served the Queen" Vol II, p143-4 quoting General Orders dated 12 July (1900) by Maj-Gen R S S Baden-Powell, as follows:
[/Gallantryb] The General Officer Commanding desires to place on record gallant conduct of Trooper J Bentley, C Squadron, Rhodesia Regiment, who in the fight at Ramathlabana on March 31st, 1900, when Captain MacLaren was badly wounded, remained with him under heavy fire - he was then wounded himself but tried to crawl on his hands and knees to Ramathlabana two miles distant to get water for Captain MacLaren.
Hickman then adds a note:
It will be remembered that "The Boy" Maclaren was a close personal friend of Baden-Powell .

Bentley was taken prisoner on the same day. After his release as PoW, he served in Warwicks'Scouts. In November 1900 he joined the 1st Imperial Light Horse, was wounded at Naauwpoort Nek near Krugersdorp and died the next day

Henk

The pair to Pte McKenzie, Lovat's Scouts is back up for sale at DNW a year after it was last sold for a hammer price of £1,800.

DCM Ed VII (Pte. J. Mc.Kenzie. Lovat’s Scouts.)
QSA (4) CC Joh DH Witt (8823 Corpl: J. Mackenzie. Lovat’s Scouts.)

The catalogue entry (to date) only lists the provenance as J. B. Hayward, May 1979, but perhaps this will be update before the catalogue is finalised.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

DCM Ed VII (2479 Clr: Serjt: S. E. Kennedy. 2nd Manch: Regt);
QSA (3) CC Tr Witt (2479 C. Sejt: S. E. Kennedy, 2nd Manch: Regt);
KSA (2) (2479 Clr:-Serjt: S. E. Kennedy. 2nd Manch: Regt);
1914-15 Star (Q. M. & Lieut. S. E. Kennedy. Manch. R.);
BWM and VM (Q. M. & Lieut. S. E. Kennedy.);
Coronation 1911;
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2479 C. Sjt: S. E. Kennedy. Manch: Regt);

DCM LG 27 September, 1901
MID LG 10 September, 1901

QMS and Lt S E Kennedy, of 121 Crompton Street, Oldham, served in the Boer War as a Colour Sergeant with the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment, and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Continuing to serve with the 10th Battalion, he was promoted to Quarter Master and Lieutenant in April 1910, and saw service in the Great War. He was discharged from further service in May 1917, owing to ill health, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM VR (2731 Bty: Serjt: Major W. Smith. Elswick Bty:);
Afghan (0) (117. Ag. Br. W. Smith. L/5. R.A.);
QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA01 (7183 Bty: S. Major. W. Smith, 1st Nthld: Vol: Art:)

Provenance: Spink, November 1984.

DCM LG 27 September 1901.

W. Smith served with the Royal Artillery during the Second Afghan War, 1878-80, before advancing to Battery-Sergeant-Major and serving with the Elswick Battery, 1st Northumberland Volunteer Artillery during the Second Boer War:

‘This splendid Volunteer Battery, manned by the 1st Northumberland Volunteer Artillery, did most excellent work throughout a great part of the campaign. They were furnished with six 12-pounder naval quick-firing guns, weight about 12 cwt, on field carriages, the guns and carriages being manufactured by the Elswick firm. These guns and carriages were a present from Lady Meux to Lord Roberts. The battery [consisting of 244 officers and men] landed at Cape Town about the end of April 1900. The battery was for a time in the Orange River Colony with Colonel Hickman’s column, and was then taken to the Transvaal.

In July 1900 this battery and the Canadian Battery were the field artillery of Ian Hamilton’s force, which was on the north or left flank in the eastern advance towards Balmoral, and then was taken north-west of Pretoria towards Rustenburg, and thereafter eastwards again to Belfast. They accompanied General Pole-Carew to Koomati Poort in September 1900, and a portion operated about Rustenburg during October. Six officers and 5 non-commissioned officers and men were mentioned in Lord Roberts’ final despatch. Two officers [Major H. Scott and Lieutenant H. S. Bell] afterwards got the Distinguished Service Order and 2 men [Battery-Sergreant-Major W. Smith and Sergeant T. Howarth] the Distinguished Conduct Medal.... The weapons of the battery were admittedly very superior in range and otherwise to the ordinary field-gun, and their shooting was often most highly praised.’

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM Ed VII (2202 Pte. J. Kidd. 2nd. Northampton: Regt.);
QSA (4) Belm MR OFS Tr (2202 Pte. J. Kidd, 2nd. Northampton Regt.);
KSA (2) (2202 Pte. J. Kidd. Northampton: Regt.)

Provenance: J. B. Hayward, October 1968 and Lovell Collection, Sothebys, November 1978.

DCM LG 27 September 1901.

MID LG 10 September 1901.

John Kidd was born in Harling, near Thetford, Norfolk. He attested for the Northamptonshire Regiment at Northampton in June 1888. Kidd served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War, and distinguished himself during the Battle of Belmont, 23 November 1899:

‘Private Kidd was later awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, for saving the Maxim gun during this action; the mules of which he was in charge being shot, he placed himself in the shafts and drew the gun out of an exposed position.’ (History of the Northamptonshire Regiment 1742-1934, by Lieutenant-Colonel R. Gurney, refers).

The Northamptonshire Regiment suffered casualties of 1 man killed, 3 officers and 13 other ranks wounded during the action. Kidd was discharged 20 June 1909, having served for 21 years with the Colours.

A fire-damaged singe DCM to 3218 Lce Sgt A Scott 5th Imperial Yeomanry


Picture courtesy of ttandm4h.

Scott won his award at the battle of Hartebeestfontein, also recognised as Australia’s first battlefield engagement during the 2nd Boer War.

DCM LG 27 September 1901.
MID LG 10th September 1901, page 5694.

Page 46 of the history of the Northumberland Hussars, How Scott won his medal after significant losses “Our losses were 3 officers and 13 men killed, and 3 officers and 30 men wounded. Lieutenant Wilson, of the 15th Company, a very gallant and popular officer — son of the late Sir Samuel Wilson, for some time M.P. for Portsmouth and tenant of Hughenden—was so severely wounded that he died shortly afterwards ; and Trooper Hebeler, of the 14th Company, was killed. Sergeant Adam Scott, who acted throughout as galloper to Colonel Meyrick, had his mare—one of the few English horses left by this time—shot under him during the fight. Sergeant Scott was one of several Northumberlands to win the Distinguished Conduct Medal,”

Hartebeesfontein Poort, was the scene in February 17, 1901. The British forces, a contingent of Lord Methuen led by Captain Poison, were descending the 500 ft escarpment above town, when they were confronted by entrenched Boer forces of about double their number. From dawn to 10 o’clock the forces were deadlocked, when Lord Methuen ordered two companies of Major Murray’s convoy guard to occupy a strategic position. After some dozens of soldiers were killed on each side, the British secured the pass and captured ample Boer supplies of stock and grain.

The DCM has has been re-clawed after restoration. It was damaged in a fire which has left it with pitting – most noticeable on the reverse.

Scott was additionally awarded QSA (4) CC OFS Tr SA01.

£1,335.