TOPIC:

DCM (Ed VII) (6591 2nd Cl: S-Sjt R. Burrows 14th Coy RAMC);
QSA (1) DoL (6591 S. Major R. Burrows RAMC);
KSA (2) (6591 Serjt-Maj. R. Burrows RAMC);
Coronation 1937 unnamed as issued;
Army LS&GC (Ed VII) (6591 Serjt. Maj. H.R. Burrows RAMC).

2nd Class Staff-Sergeant Burrows was mentioned in General White's Despatch of 23 March 1900 (LG 8 Feb 1901; p 932; copy enclosed) and again in Lord Roberts' Despatch of 4 September 1901 (LG 10 Sept 1901; p5957: copy enclosed) His DCM was gazetted on 27 Sept 1901 without a citation. However, research at the PRO has brought to light a series of RAMC Recommendations, of which the following is an extract (copy of original enclosed):

"6591 Serjt. Maj. R. Burrows: 'Good service as Wt. Officer of both the General Hospital Ladysmith and of No 15 Genl. Hosp. Howick'.. Senior Wnt Officer from Feb 1900 'Has worked zealously throughout. Showed special ability during the creation of the two hospitals in which he has done duty' Signed I.A. Clery Surgeon General ….'I concur' - Signed H. Hildyard Lt. General"

First 4 medals on brooch bar as worn, LS medal on single brooch.

Kaplan Auctions, May 2003

DCM (Ed VII) (L-Corpl. B. Smith 19th Hussars);
QSA (5) Tugela H, RoL, OFS, L Nek., Belf (4408 Corpl. B. Smith 19th Hussars);
KSA (2) (4408 Corpl. B. Smith 19th Hussars);
1914/15 Star;
BWM and Bil AVM (Burg. B. Smith Standerton Kdo.)

The QSA medal is probably unique to the 19th Hussars as the unit was besieged in Ladysmith while Cpl. Smith received the clasps Relief of Ladysmith and Tugela Heights. (QSA 1st issue type, rivets indicate bars OFS, L Nek and Belf. Added) After the Siege of Ladysmith the 19th Hussars took part in the advance to Volksrust and then in the Eastern Transvaal as far as Lydenburg. Until the end of the war the 19th Hussars were engaged in operations in the Eastern and North Eastern Transvaal.

On the outbreak of WWI, Smith joined the Standerton Commando and saw service in the 1914 Rebellion and the German South West Africa campaign 1914-1915 until he was declared unfit for further service on 12/4/1915. Research documentation by researcher Ms. Winifred Scott, included with group and confirming all medals.

A unique combination of unit. How amazing that Bernard Smith, the proud former British Regular Army Hussar received medals that were impressed in Dutch, with his rank given as "Burger" and his unit as "Kdo" and not "Cdo".

Kaplan Auctions, May 2003

DCM Ed VII (Tpr Johnson Protectorate Regt.);
QSA (3) OFS, Defence of Mafeking, Tr (Protectorate Regt.);
KSA (2) (Damants Horse,);
BWM (Pte W H L Johnson 2nd SAI).

Tpr Johnson confirmed wounded in action 26 December 1899 during the Mafeking Siege.

Kaplan Auctions December 2003.

DCM Ed VII (Cpl G Hill, Kitcheners Horse);
QSA (5) RoK Paardeberg Driefontein Joh Diamond Hill (3362 Corpl. G Hill, Kitcheners Horse.)
KSA (2) (3151 Pte. G. Hill. D.E.O.V.R.C.)

DCM LG 27 September 1901.

Kaplan Auctions February 2004

The DCMs sold well at DNW this morning:


Picture courtesy of DNW

A week ago I posted a message that the original VM to WO Barfield DCM, Notts & Derby Regiment, had surfaced. His medal group contained a renamed VM. I can report that the VM has been reunited with the medal group through the work of the purchaser and the help of DNW. It is great that these are back together again as they must have been apart for many years.