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Pictures courtesy of DNW

‘It was now the Dorsets turn and ‘E’ Company under Captain Arnold, having pushed along the reverse slope to the end of the ridge, dashed forward. They made a gallant attempt, Captain Arnold setting a splendid example, but the fire was deadly, Captain Arnold was hit in several places and nearly all the leading section fell.’

The regimental history of the Dorsetshire Regiment referring to Captain W. R. Arnold’s gallantry in the attack non the Dargai Heights in October 1897.
A fine Victorian campaign group of three awarded to Major W. R. Arnold, Dorsetshire Regiment, who was gravely wounded in the groin and both legs at the storming of the Dargai Heights in October 1897: he was duly mentioned in despatches for his gallantry by General Lockhart and a private soldier in his company - Samuel Vickery - received the V.C.

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (Captn. W. R. Arnold, 1st Bn. Dorset Regt.);
QSA (3) CC OFS Tr (Major W. R. Arnold, Dorset Rgt.);
KSA (2) (Major W. R. Arnold, Dorset R.)

William Reginald Arnold was born in Hatherleigh, Devon in August 1868, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel William Arnold and his wife Georgina Elizabeth of Nethercott House, Iddesleigh, Winkleigh, Devon. Educated at Marlborough College, he was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment from the R.M.C. Sandhurst in November 1888.

Promoted Lieutenant in July 1890, and Captain in March 1897, while serving in Malta, he was embarked for India in September of the latter year. He subsequently served with distinction in the Tirah Field Force in Punjab Frontier operations of 1897-98, not least at the storming and capture of the Dargai Heights on 20 October 1897, when he was dangerously wounded in leading the assault of ‘E’ Company, 1st Battalion - the official casualty list states ‘Dangerously wounded, gunshot right groin and both legs’. The regimental history of the Dorsetshire Regiment, by Atkinson (Vol. II), states:

‘The second attack found the tribesmen in greatly increased numbers and the position much strengthened. Many Afridis had served in the British Indian Army and had learnt how to use modern rifles the majority of them carried. It was therefore an extremely formidable task which awaited General Kempster’s men when at 0430 on 20 October they started the next advance. The 2nd Gurkhas led, with the Dorsets, less ‘G’ and ‘H’ Companies escorting the two Mountain Batteries, in support. On reaching the top of the Chagru Kotal the enemy were found In force at Dargai and the Gurkhas were sent forward, the Dorsets following. The only line of approach was little better than a bad goat path up a water course, so the men could only advance very slowly, though they were in dead ground and consequently escaped exposure to fire.

Eventually the Gurkhas were collected at the western end of the lower ridge where the connecting spur joins it. Four companies of the Dorsets ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’ and ‘D’ took position on their right to give covering fire, though they had little to shoot at, at about 1000 the Gurkhas tried a rush. About 300 yards had to be crossed to reach dead ground at the foot of the heights, with two outcrops of rocks as the only cover on the way. A terrific fire greeted the Gurkhas, and of their first two companies only a handful got across, including the C.O. Colonel Travers. Many were hit, including one British officer, and others came back most of them wounded. A second effort was no more successful, as the Gurkhas emerged into the open over the crest of the lower ridge and started to cross the connecting spur they were bowled over, the Mountain Batteries on the Chagru Kotal and the covering fire of the Dorset half Battalion being equally impotent to keep down the fire of the well sheltered Afridis.

It was now the Dorsets turn and ‘E’ Company under Captain Arnold, having pushed along the reverse slope to the end of the ridge, dashed forward. They made a gallant attempt, Captain Arnold setting a splendid example, but the fire was deadly. Captain Arnold was hit in several places and nearly all the leading section fell. The other sections following behind under Lieutenant Mercer were no more successful, and after a further attempt at advancing the rest of the Company fell back to cover. Private Vickery of ‘E’ Company who had retreated to cover saw a wounded man lying in the open exposed to fire. He ran out and carried him back to safety. He was awarded the Victoria Cross. The heights were eventually carried by a massed attack by the Gordon Highlanders with more effective artillery support, many Afridis having left the heights, their ammunition exhausted.



The Dorsets suffered ten other ranks killed with two officers and 39 other ranks wounded. On 30 January 1898 the Depot, Dorset Regiment reached Peshawar from Bangalore under the command of Captain Arnold, now recovered from his wounds.’

Arnold was mentioned in despatches - ‘Captain W. R. Arnold, 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment, who led the first rush of this Battalion’ (London Gazette 1 March 1898, refers) - and was given the Brevet Major in May 1898.

He next witnessed active service in South Africa in the period June 1900 to July 1902, where he was onetime Commandant at Karee Siding, and served in both the 1st and 2nd Battalions. Having then served in India in the period March 1903 to December 1904, he was placed on half-pay in December 1905.

Arnold retired to Iddesleigh where he became a J.P. in 1915. Volunteering his services in the Great War, he served at home with the 5th Battalion, Royal Defence Corps. He died in Iddesleigh in December 1935

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

11 JUNE 1900 ALLEMAN NEK

On 11 June Maj-Gen Lord Dundonald’s 3rd Mounted Brigade discovers Gen Joachim Fourie’s burghers preparing trenches on both sides of the Vrede-Volksrust road where it passes through Alleman Nek and initiates a preliminary skirmish, but they are stopped by shelling from four Boer guns and pom-poms. Gen Hildyard postpones his attack until the Infantry Brigades are in position. At 14h30 the British frontal assault starts, but the men of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, forming the front ranks, are pinned down in a dry gulley by Boer crossfire from the heights. However, the burghers in their half-completed trenches are subjected to a heavy barrage from more than 30 guns and when Maj-Gen Coke’s 10th Infantry Brigade joins the action, Fourie’s men start falling back. At 17h00 the infantrymen charge the heights commanding the pass, but skilful rear-guard actions by the Boers prevent the cavalry from overtaking them. British losses were 26 killed and died of wounds with 126 wounded. Boer losses are not known accurately but are believed to be less than 10 men killed.

QSA (5) TugH, OFS, RoL, Tvl, L Nek: 4110 Pte. J. McNeill, Dorset Rgt.
Engraved naming.

The Boer guns limbered up and the Boer marksmen could be seen bolting for their lives. At this moment the Dorsets, with magnificent dash, rushed across the nek and struck the crest of the ridge. The Boers facing them saw their glinting bayonets and did not wait. British casualties in this battle were not heavy, total 26 killed and 126 wounded except with the Dorsets who lost 9 killed and 55 wounded out of approximately 600 men: a big percentage of the total.
“With the Flag to Pretoria” Vol II, p684-5.

McNeill was wounded at Alleman Nek, died of wounds 14 June at Charlestown and buried in Newcastle.

Picture courtesy of eBay

QSA (5) TUGELA HEIGHTS, ORANGE FREE STATE, RELIEF OF LADYSMITH, TRANSVAAL, LAING’S NEK (CAPT. C. B. TUGWELL. DORSET RGT.’);
KSA (2) (CAPT. C. B. TUGWELL. DORSET RGT.);
[ Trio ]
Turkey, Order of Medjidie, 4th Class

Claude B. Tugwell was born on 9 May 1863. Commissioned as a Lieutenant from the Militia into the 1st Battalion Dorset Regiment on 5 May 1885. Promoted a Captain in April 1892, he left the Army on that date to take employment with the Egyptian Constabulary until October 1899. In recognition of his services to the Egyptian Government, Tugwell was awarded the Order of the Medjidie (London Gazette 30 July 1895). On the outbreak of the Boer War, Tugwell joined the Reserve of Officers, retaining his previous rank of Captain, he then transferred to the 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment. During the Boer War he was present in the operations in the Relief of Ladysmith, 17-24 January 1900; at the action at Spion Kop, 5-7 February 1900; Vaal Kranz; operations on Tugela Heights, 14-27 February 1900; and the action at Pieters Hill. He served in Natal, March-June 1900, including the action at Laing’s Nek, 6-9 June; in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, June 1900. Captain Tugwell retired from the Army at the end of the Boer War.

At the outbreak of the Great War, Tugwell was recalled to service, initially serving as a Brigade Major and Deputy Asst Adjutant and Quarter Master General in Colchester. In 1916 he was posted to Sierra Leone as a Staff Officer

But returned home in August that year. He was admitted to the Queen Alexandria Military Hospital, London, and reportedly died of wounds on 28 March 1917, aged 53 years.

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (2679 Pte T. Moult. 2/ Dorset Rgt.) Engraved naming

Invalided home.

Verified on WO100/189p49

Picture courtesy of Spink

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4066 Lce. Cpl. W: Wilford 1st Bn Dorset Rgt);
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (4066 Cpl: W. Wilford. Dorset. Rgt:);
KSA (2) (4066 Pte W. Wilford. Dorset: Regt).

Together with a together with a Shooting Medal, this engraved 'Inter Platoon 1902 RSM. Wilford. J.'

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (4197 Pte. T. Williams. Dorset: Regt.);
KSA (2) (4197 Pte. J. [sic] Williams. Dorset: Regt.) edge bruising