Group to Sergeant H Poole, Scottish Rifles, wounded and taken prisoner of war at Blood River Poort, 17 September 1901
Picture courtesy of DNW
DCM VR (Cpl W. [sic] Poole, 2nd Scottish Rifles);
QSA (5) TH, OFS, RoL, Tr, Laing’s Nek (4142 Corl H. Poole. Scot: Rifles);
KSA (2) (4142 Serjt: H. Poole. Scot: Rifles.);
1914-15 Star (1926 Sergt. H. Poole Essex Regiment) renamed;
BWM and VM (1926 Sjt. H. Poole. Essex R.);
Coronation 1911, silver
Provenance: Spink, November 1984.
DCM LG 19 April 1901.
Henry Poole was born in Burdett Road, London, and attested for the Scottish Rifles (having previously served with the 4th Battalion Essex Regiment) at Hamilton, in October 1891. He advanced to Corporal in October 1898, and Sergeant in January 1901. He served with the 2nd Battalion during the Second Boer War, October 1899 - September 1902, and was wounded and taken prisoner of war at Blood River Poort, 17 September 1901. He was discharged 1 October 1903, having served 12 years with the Colours.
Poole returned to East London, and was employed with the Leyton and District Council Tramway, prior to attesting as Sergeant with the 7th Battalion, Essex Regiment at Leyton, in February 1913. He served during the Great War with the 7th Battalion, and was part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, from July 1915. He was discharged in December 1917.
Poole is erroneously listed with the intial ‘W’ in both the London Gazette and Abbot’s Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1855-1909, his service papers give him as ‘Harry’ and ‘Henry’.