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Picture courtesy of Bonhams

QSA (2) Orange Free State, Transvaal (3316 Tpr:R.E.Wallin. Imp: Lt Horse.)

OFS and Tr verified on WO100/250p134.

SA02 on WO100/250p163.

Picture courtesy of Bill Friar

QSA (4) NATAL, RELIEF OF MAFEKING, TRANS, SA1901 (736 S.Q.M. SJT. C.H.B. EDENBOROUGH. IMP LT HORSE.)

£750

QSA verified.

This pair was highlighted as new stock by the London Medal Company yesterday but is no longer on their website:



SAGS (1) 1879 (Trooper C.S. Mann, Durban Mounted Rifles)
QSA (3) Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal (653 Tpr Imperial Light Horse)

Described as:

The interesting and extremely rare South Africa Colonial Forces Zulu War and Second Anglo-Boer War Defence of Ladysmith and Relief of Mafeking pair awarded to Trooper C.S. Mann, Durban Mounted Rifles, later “E” Squadron, Imperial Light Horse. Mann was a well travelled man, having worked for the Peninsula and Oriental Steamship Company, and spent time in India, he journeyed to South America, where in 1873, he was an assistant in a saladera, and also did some cattle driving. In 1877, owing to friction between the native South American Indians and the whites, he left for England, and in the following year went to South Africa. It was then that he got caught up with the Zulu War, and joined the South African Colonial Forces as a member of the Natal Volunteer Force in the Durham Mounted Rifles. He was one of 76 men of his unit under Captain Shepstone who served in No.1 Column, therefore gaining entitlement to the ‘1879’ clasp, and is known to have been present in action at the Battle of Inyezane on 22nd January 1879, but owing to the disaster at Isandhlwana, was with the force which recrossed the Tugela to defend the border of Natal. Mann was then one of only three men of his unit to find themselves present at the Battle of Gingindhlovu on 3rd April 1879, and the relief of the garrison at Eshowe, however their presence was in an unconventional manner. Fearing that they would be left behind on the border of Natal when Chelmsford formed a column to relieve Eshowe, and smarting at not being allowed to volunteer for the field raised Natal Volunteer Guides, Mann and three others ‘decided to take French leave and to follow up after the force had marched. Trooper C.G. Smith broke his leg by falling into a donga shortly before the conspirators decided to leave, but the other three carried out their purpose, followed up after a risky ride during which they were directed and assisted by John Dunn, the Englishman who was Chief of a large Zulu tribe in Zululand, and they overtook the force in time to take part in the severe engagement at Gingindhlovu. They were then arrested and sent back under escort and were tried by court martial for desertion, but were found guilty of absence without leave, and, in the circumstances, were reprimanded.’

After the Zulu War, Mann became a publican in the Johannesburg area, and also a famous big game hunter, travelling far and wide in pursuit of his quarry, ‘hunting in Sabie, Biera, and British East Africa including Uganda… There is nothing in the country that he has not brought down, rhinoceros and lions having fallen to him as well as the diminutive bluebok.’

Returning to uniform on the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War as a Trooper in “E” Squadron of the Imperial Light Horse, he ‘distinguished himself for his cool courage and skill with the rifle’. Mann was also one of only a very small number of men who was present at both the defence of Ladysmith and the relief of Mafeking. Of his time during the war, he maintained a diary, which is a most useful reference for the siege of Ladysmith, and specifically makes reference of his involvement in the battle of Waggon Hill on 6th to 7th January 1900, which despite being a failure for the Boers, would lead Mann to comment that it was “one of the bravest attacks that could have been made by any Nation”. Mann was ultimately wounded in action on 9th September 1900 at Silverkop, noting in his diary that “I got shot through the neck.” An account of Mann’s wounding is found in the book ‘The Story of Imperial Light Horse in South African War 1899-1902’ by Gibson. It reads: ‘Trooper C.S. Mann, the well-known big game hunter, was sitting, as he thought, under cover, nibbling his meagre ration for the day (Biscuit. Army. One), when a stray bullet passed through his throat, doing little serious damage but causing him to regurgitate. His comrades, horrified at the appalling waste of food while on famine rations, were about to do him violence, unsportingly disregarding his patriarchal beard, when they realised the cause of the upheaval. Thereupon they bandaged Mann as gently as they could, but it must be recorded, that the remainder of his precious biscuit was not wasted.’

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Capt: & Paymr: C. S. Wakeford, Imp: Lt: Horse.) engraved naming;
KSA (2) (Cpt. C. S. Wakeford. Imp. L.H.) engraved naming

Picture courtesy of City Coins

QSA (3) Relief of Mafeking, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal (649 S. Q-MR: Serjt: A. Gay. Imp: Lt Horse.)
[ KSA (2) ]

Andrew Gay served with the 1st Imperial Light Horse till 12 October 1900. The Field Intelligence Department Roll signed Pretoria 14 September 1906 shows Lieut. Gay, A, served in 1st Imp L. H. (Tpr), National Scouts (Lieut) as entitled to two bar KSA.

The Imperial Light Horse. This fine Volunteer Regiment has done admirable service in the Natal campaign; notable at Elandslaagte, where its gallant Colonel was killed. It also suffered severely at Colenso. The men have all been carefully selected and every one has been tested for riding, shooting and a knowledge of the veldt. As a result a compact handy regiment of scouts has been formed which has been equal to any demands made upon it.

Source: www.angloboerwar.com/forum/11-research/3...9-1900?start=0#88756