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Group to Sgt I Barton, Manchester Regiment.


Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM, E.VII.R. (2908 Serjt. J. Barton, 2nd Manch. Regt.)
QSA (4) CC, Joh, DH, Witt (2908 Sejt. J. Barton, Manch. Regt.)
KSA (2) (2908 Serjt. I. Barton, Manch. Regt.)
Army LS&GC EdVII. (2908 C. Sjt. I. Barton, Manch. Regt.), note varying initials

Of the 27 DCMs won by members of the Manchester Regiment during the Boer War, just two were in respect of services in the Mounted Infantry.

DCM LG 27 September 1901.

Isaac Barton was born in Ely, Cambridgeshire, and enlisted in the Manchester Regiment in June 1890, aged 18 years, direct from the 4th (Militia) Battalion. Embarked for India in early 1892, he served there until returning home as a recently promoted Sergeant at the end of 1898, but saw no active service. In March 1900, however, he was embarked for South Africa in the 2nd Battalion, where he was actively employed in the Mounted Infantry and awarded the DCM, in addition to gaining entitlement to the clasps for Joh and DH - regimentally rare distinctions verified on his service record.

Advanced to Colour-Sergeant in October 1905, Barton added the LS&GC Medal to his accolades in 1908 (AO 554 of 1908 refers), and was finally discharged at Grouville Arsenal, Jersey in June 1911.

Picture courtesy of Harpers

[DCM LG 27.9.1901]
[Queen's Sudan]
QSA (4) Paar Drie CC 01
Khedive’s Sudan (1) Khartoum (67953 Gr N. McLeod 37th Fld Bty RFA)

Norman McLeod was born on the Isle of Harris, Tarbert, Inverness, and, a tailor, enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1888, aged 21. He went absent without leave twice in 1889 and was imprisoned for 20 days, In 1895 he qualified as a 'Master Tailor to a battery of Artillery'. Posted to 65th Battery and promoted Bombardier in April 1900, he was awarded the DCM . He was discharged in August 1901 and admitted to Chelsea in 1944. Norman McLeod, a Master Tailor, retired, died aged 78 in 1946 in Hornchurch, Essex.

On offer at Charlies Medals for £3,500.

[MC]
DCM (3513 LSGT A COLLIER 18TH HUSSARS)
[QSA]
[KSA]
[1914 Star]
[BWM]
[VM]
[LS&GC]

Arthur Collier was born at Astbury in 1869 and was a labour when he joined up. He joined the 14th Hussars from Nov 1887 till Oct 1889 and then transferred to the 18th Hussars. Until Nov 1889 he was based in the UK. He was then sent to India until Oct 1898. He then sent to South Africa till Oct 1902. During his time in South Africa he was awarded the KSA & QSA with clasps South Africa 1901 & 1902, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Talana. It was at this battle that he was captured on 20th Oct 1889 and made a prisoner of war but released or escaped on 24th Oct 1889. The action for this was "Turning now to our cavalry, the 18th Hussars received orders at 5.40 am to get round the enemy's right flank and be ready to cut off his retreat. They were accompanied by a portion of the Mounted Infantry and a machine-gun. Making a wide turning movement, they gained the eastern side of Talana Hill. Here Lieutenant Colonel Moller halted with one squadron 18th Hussars, the machine-gun, and Mounted Infantry, sending his two other squadrons farther to the east. These two latter squadrons took part in the pursuit of the enemy, who retreated eastward; but Lieutenant Colonel Moller and the troops with him appear, so far as can be ascertained, to have pursued in a northerly direction, to have come in contact with superior forces not previously engaged, and to have been surrounded and forced to surrender while endeavouring to return to camp round the north of Impati Mountain". 'The Times' historian states that Colonel Moller arrived at a strong defensible position from which he could have stampeded the whole of the Boers' ponies and commanded their line of retreat; that Major Knox begged to be allowed to fire on the ponies, but instead was ordered to advance with two squadrons right in rear of the Boer position. This and the rest of Colonel Moller's proceedings are inexplicable. After exhibiting great rashness he seems to have become unnerved. Knox with difficulty got back with his two squadrons. The others were taken prisoners. In his evidence before the court of inquiry Colonel Moller gave his reasons for taking the road he did, but Captain Lonsdale of the 2nd Dublin Fusiliers Mounted Infantry stated that he had informed the colonel he was taking the wrong road. The officers and men were exonerated, but Lord Roberts did not allow Colonel Moller to rejoin his regiment.

In the London Gazette 19th April 1901 he was awarded the DCM for gallant conduct in South Africa.

He arrived home Nov 1902 and was awarded a LS&GC medal in 1907 by now a Staff Sgt Major. In 1908 he was made Sgt Instructor.

When WW1 started he was attached to the 1st/1st Queen's Own Oxford Hussars and was sent to France on 20th Sept 1914 and became the first territorial unit to land and see action.

He was awarded a Bar to his DCM in the London Gazette 14th Jan 1916 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion - he brought in six wounded men from the front trenches under a heavy fire, the men having been left out from the previous day's engagement. He has invariably shown great bravery and coolness under fire, and set a fine example to all ranks". Subsequently this bar to his DCM is cancelled in the London Gazette 17th April 1917 and replaced by the Military Cross.

The Regimental History shows that in October 1914 when the regt was at St Omer A.Collier was SSM (Squadron Sergt Major) of 'C' Squadron (Henley -on-Thames). In February 1916 he was appointed RSM when the previous RSM (Pearce) went back to England due to ill-health. On 20th November 1916 "Mr Collier, the RSM, had to go to hospital in England. He had almost completely lost his voice, and although he seemed quite confident that he would get right and come out again, he died of consumption in June 1917." He is buried in Henley-on-Thames cemetery.

"During the first 18 months of the war he [Collier] had been a pillar of strength to 'C' squadron, and a constant help and support, first to Major Nicholl, and then to Major Val Fleming [brother to Ian Fleming - James Bond] his squadron leaders, who always thought very highly of him. His promotion to be RSM in February 1916, at the same time as Major Fleming became Second-in-Command of the Regiment, was a serious loss to his old squadron, but he never forgot his old friends there and always took a special interest in their welfare and efficiency. The perpetual office work at Headquarters was not much to his taste; his greatest wish was for real cavalry fighting and a chance to use his sword, failing which, he was happiest in the front trenches. If perhaps he seemed rather stern and grim to those who did not know him well, especially to young officers and men, he was always popular with the sergeants and respected by the senior officers. He was a fine soldier and a brave man."

Michael reported today that a Boer War DCM group to Bursford was stolen, presumably in Johannesburg, over the weekend. No more details available.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM, E.VII.R. (Tpr: F. Stringer. S.A. Lt. Horse);
QSA (6) CC, TH, OFS, RoL, Laing’s Nek, Belf (1169 L. Corpl. T. W. Stringer, S.A. Lt. Horse), note incorrect first initial;
KSA (2) (Guide F. W. Stringer F.I.D.);
Natal 1906, (1) 1906 (Cpl. F. W. Stringer, Tr Mtd. Rifles);
BWM and VM (Capt. F. W. Stringer);
Territorial Force War Medal 1914-18 (Capt. F. W. Stringer, Hamps. R.)

DCM LG 25 April 1902: ‘Trooper F. Stringer, South African Light Horse. For single-handed capture of a Boer, under circumstances of gallantry on 5 February 1902.’

Frederick William Stringer was born in Horton, Dorset on 13 July 1873, the son of the Rev. Thomas Stringer of Purbrook, Cosham, Hampshire.

When he applied for a commission in the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment on 23 December 1911, he stated that he had previously served for seven years in the South African Light Horse; one year in the Imperial Light Horse; three years in the Hants Volunteers and one year in the Canadian Artillery. As an ex-rancher, he also appears to have served in the Corps of Cattle Rangers during the Boer War. It was however for the above cited deed as a Trooper in the South African Light Horse, that he won his D.C.M. His old C.O., Lieutenant-Colonel Barker, wrote the following letter of reference in August 1906:

‘I have great pleasure in certifying to the fact that the bearer, Mr. F. W. Stringer, served as a Trooper in the S.A.L.H. during the late war, under my command from November 1899, when the Corps was raised, until October 1900. He afterwards rejoined and during this second period served in a specially selected scouting corps from members of the Regiment.

During the recent rebellion in Natal & Zululand he served under my command in the Transvaal Mounted Rifles.

He is a very steady, reliable man, a good soldier, and has on several occasions displayed conspicuous gallantry in the field, one act of his coming under the notice of the Commander-in-Chief, and his name afterwards appeared as mentioned in despatches.’

During the Great War Stringer served with the 7th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment in India, from November 1914 until January 1918, and in Aden from January 1918 until January 1919

Frederick William Stringer served in the Corps of Cattle Rangers as number P315 (address Pretoria, Transvaal) and was discharged 30th November 1901.
The Buxton FID book shows his entry for the KSA and notes previous service with SALH and ASC.
A very nice group, indeed.
Regards
IL.