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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM Ed VII (25864 B: Sjt: Maj: H. Golesworthy. 2nd. B: R.F.A.);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (25864 B.S. Major. H. Golesworthy, 2nd. Bty: R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (25864 B. Serjt:- Maj: H. Golesworthy. R.F.A.) QSA and KSA both partially officially corrected,

DCM London Gazette 27 September 1901. The recommendation states: ‘A very excellent N.C.O. who has rendered valuable services throughout the campaign. His services have been specially brought to notice by the Officer Commanding, 2nd Battery Royal Field Artillery.’

Harry Golesworthy was born in Gibraltar in 1867 and was educated at the Royal Military Asylum. He attested for the Royal Artillery on 31 December 1881, as a Boy, and was appointed a Trumpeter on 28 August 1882. Promoted Bombardier on 22 November 1887, Corporal on 2 May 1888, and Sergeant on 17 November 1891, he suffered burns on his hands and face whilst on duty, on 20 June 1890. Having served in South Africa from October 1883 until November 1885, and in India from September 1893 until December 1898, he was advanced to Battery Sergeant Major on 4 October 1897, and went with the Artillery to South Africa for service in the Boer War on 21 January 1900. He was finally discharged on 7 May 1903, after 21 years and 128 days’ service.

Golesworthy married Miss Matilda Twyman at St. Mary’s Northgate, Canterbury, on 6 February 1887. He died at Romsey District Hospital, Hampshire, on 27 August 1941.

Together with a trio to W. H. Golesworthy, Royal Artillery:

1914-15 Star (47047 Gnr. W. H. Golesworthy, R.F.A.);
British War and Victory Medals (47047 Gnr. W. H. Golesworthy. R.A.)

The DCM to BSM Golesworthy sold for a hammer price of GBP 750. Total GBP 966. R 21,900. AUD 1,790. NZD 1,950. CAD 1,600. USD 1,170. EUR 1,090.

Picture courtesy of Spink

DCM Ed VII (2619 Serjt: J. Metcalfe. 6th. Dragoons.);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (2619 Serjt J. Metcalf [sic]. 6/Drgns.);
KSA (2) (2619 Serjt:-Sdlr. J. Metcalfe. Innis: Drgns:);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2619 Sdlr: Serjt: J. Metcalfe. 6th. Drgns:);
Inniskilling Dragoons Retirement Medal, bronze, the reverse inscribed ‘To 2619 S.Sgt. Saddlr. J. Metcalfe on leaving the Inniskilling Dragoons after 22 Years Good Service 14.5.08’

DCM London Gazette 27 September 1901: ‘In recognition of his services during the operations in South Africa.’

James Metcalfe was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, in 1866 and was a caulker with Richardson & Dick at Stockton by trade. He attested for the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons at Middlesborough on 17 March 1886, having previously served in the 1st North Yorkshire Royal Artillery Volunteers. He was appointed Saddler on 10 October 1888, and was promoted Corporal Saddler on 10 October 1889, and Sergeant on 29 July 1896. Metcalfe served with the 6th Dragoons in South Africa during the Boer War from 24 October 1899-29 October 1902, was promoted Saddler Sergeant on 15 February 1901, and was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch of 4 September 1901 (London Gazette 10 September 1901). Besides his DCM and 'mention' for the campaign, he would probably have crossed paths with one Captain Lawrence Edward Grace 'Titus' Oates. Little more needs to be said of the exploits of Oates given his performances in the Antarctic with the ill-fated Scott Terra Nova Expedition of 1910-13, but he showed great gallantry during the Boer War with the 6th Dragoons. Oates was himself severely wounded in action and 'mentioned' (Queen's Medal & 5 clasps; Polar Medal 1904, these exhibited at Spink during 200 Years of Polar Exploration, November 2019).

Metcalfe was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1903, and was promoted Saddler Staff Sergeant on 15 February 1904. He was discharged on 14 May 1908, after 22 years and 59 days’ service. With the outbreak of the Great War, he returned to the fold and re-enlisted in October 1914 and served at home throughout. Variously with the Reserve Cavalry Regiment and the 5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regimental Depot, he was to return to his beloved 6th Dragoons with the Army of the Rhine from September 1919. He was finally discharged in February 1920.

The group to Sergeant Metcalfe sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,300 at Spink last week. Total GBP 1,612. R 37,340. AUD 2,990. NZD 3,270. CAD 2,670. USD 1,950. EUR 1,820

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM Ed VII (2069 Serjt. J. W. Hall. Manchester Regt.);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (2069 Serjt. J. Hall. Manch: Regt.);
KSA (2) (2069 Serjt. J. Hall. Manch: Regt.)

DCM London Gazette: 31 October 1902.

Joseph William Hall was born at Stoke near Guildford, Surrey, in 1868 and attested for service in 1st Battalion the Manchester Regiment at Aldershot on 25 November 1887. He subsequently served in Ireland and India, and was promoted Lance Sergeant on 23 October 1895 and Sergeant on 9 February 1897. He returned to the U.K. and was discharged to the Army Reserve on 6 November 1897.

On 14 October 1899 Hall was recalled from the Army Reserve, for a further four years service and was re-instated as Sergeant, and joined 2nd Battalion for active service in South Africa on 5 March 1900. He at some point transferred to the Mounted Infantry Company, and later served with 14th Battalion, Mounted Infantry. He was recommended for the award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his services in Brigadier General J. Spens’ Column, when serving in 14th Battalion Mounted Infantry ‘for excellent work as acting Quarter Master Sergt., and Transport Sergt., to the Battalion. He is very hard working and painstaking.’ He was discharged from the army at Ashton Under Lyne on 24 March 1903; on leaving the army, Hall resided at Miles Platting, Manchester.

Picture courtesy of Dominic Winter

DSO GV;
DCM VR;
IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-8, Tirah 1897-8 ;
QSA (5) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen;
KSA (2);
British War and Victory Medals with MID;
Army LS&GC Ed VIIl

Described as:

DSO London Gazette: 16 August 1918 ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. After his Commanding Officer and second in command were wounded, he assumed command, although severely wounded himself, and kept his men going. He set a splendid example of courage and endurance, and although in considerable pain, he remained in command until he was sent away.’

DCM London Gazette: 19 April 1901

MID London Gazette: 12 January 1918 and 12 June 1918

George Hudgell, served with the 16th Lancers, Norfolk Yeomanry and Welsh Regiment. He was wounded at Karreefontein on 23 April 1900 and Reitfontein on 24 April 1901, he was also wounded during WWI whilst serving in Mesopotamia in 1917.