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From the next Spink auction.

QSA (2) CC OFS (1454. Pte. F. Parslow, 1/Oxfd. L.I.)

Frederick Parslow was born in 1871 at Lacey Green, Buckinghamshire. He enlisted in the Oxfordshire Light Infantry in February 1889, at which point he was illiterate, simply signing his Militia Attestation papers with ‘his mark’. Having served with the Regiment in South Africa from 5 February-30 August 1900 it would appear his character descended. A man of his name was charged together with two others for the shocking murder of Railway Detective Thomas Hibbs on the Birmingham Canal. Having chased and drawn his truncheon upon the three men he suspected of stealing coal on 10 August 1901, the trio turned upon him and beat him with his own truncheon before tossing him into the canal to drown (Faringdon Advertiser and Vale of the White Horse Gazette, 31 August 1901 refers). At the trial, a mixture of indirect evidence and contradictory statements left the case unsolved, with all three being cleared.

Parslow continued his foray into criminality and was sentenced for his part in night poaching in Monckton Wood, upon the estates of the Earl of Buckinghamshire on 4 December 1905 (Bucks Herald, 13 January 1906 refers). Parslow was seen firing three shots by a gamekeeper, the prize of a pigeon being picked up by his brother, after which the pair were apprehended. He received a sentence of fourteen days, or settling £1 together with fees;

There is a good selection of 22 QSAs to the OLI in the next DNW auction on 3 December. The items are from the Oxfordshire Museum.

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

Klip Drift, 16 February 1900

The Oxfordshire Light Infantry had, along with the Buffs and Gloucesters, sharp fighting with Cronje’s rear-guard on 16th February 1900. The enemy were found to be occupying a large kopje on the right bank of the Modder River for the purpose of covering the retreat of their main body and convoy. With difficulty the Oxford Light Infantry got across and then advanced to the attack of the position. Several companies got within 200 yards of the enemy, while the West Riding Regiment endeavoured to turn the enemy’s flank, but the Boers held on stubbornly till darkness. The Oxford Light Infantry lost 10 killed and about 40 wounded.
Stirling: “Our Regiments in South Africa”.

QSA (2) RoK, OFS (2619 Pte. J. Boyce, Oxford Lt Infy)
KSA (2) (2619 Pte. J. Boyce, Oxford Lt Infy)

Pte Boyce was among the 40 odd men wounded in the fight at Klip Drift.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM GV (16140 L. Cpl. W. Compton. 1/O. & B.L.I.);
QSA (4) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (5241 Pte. R. W. Compton. Oxfd. [L].I.) small loss to unit from edge bruising;
KSA (2) (5241 Pte. R. Compton. Oxford L.I.);
1914-15 Star (16140 L. Cpl. W. R. Compton. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.) note initials;
BWM and VM with MID oak leaves (16140 Cpl. W. R. Compton. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.)

DCM LG 12 December 1917.

MID LG 24 August 1916.

‘The following were recommended by Major-General Townshend for distinguished service during the defence of Kut al Amara, covering the period from the 19th January to the 30th April 1916.’

6 officers and 13 O.R.’s are mentioned including Lance-Corporal R. W. Compton. Five of these men were awarded the DCM, including Compton, none of which were gazetted with a citation. (Regimental History refers).

R. W. Compton enlisted in November 1893, and was discharged to pension on 4 June 1913, after 19 years 7 months service. He was recalled from the reserve to serve during the Great War. He was awarded the DCM for his actions during the defence of Kut Al Amara and was subsequently a prisoner of war of the Turks. He is listed as one of the 68 from the 1st Battalion O. & B.L.I. who survived captivity.

Picture courtesy of DNW

The Dalzell Medal, 1st Batt. Oxfordshire Light Infantry, South Africa 1899-1902 (4512 Sergt. F. Burridge Oxford Lt. Infy.)

Corporal F. Burridge was taken prisoner of war at Schotland West on 20 April 1902, and later released.

Frederick Burridge was born in April 1874 at Crediton, Devon, and enlisted into the Oxford Light Infantry on 7 June 1893, a tailor by trade. Unpaid Lance-Corporal 21 January 1898; Corporal, 24 October 1899; Sergeant, 20 February 1902. He transferred to the Royal Berkshire Regiment on 8 October 1908 (army number 9005) and was appointed Sergeant-Tailor on 9 October 1908. He was discharged on 14 September 1911, and is entitled to the Q.S.A. with 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein and Transvaal, and the K.S.A. with 2 clasps.

The Dalzell Medal 1 December 1902, for ‘Good Service in the Field.’

The Commanding Officer (Lieutenant-Colonel Hon. A. E. Dalzell) desires to place on record and to bring to notice of their comrades the names of the following NCO’s and men of the Battalion who distinguished themselves by good service in the field during the South African war, and whose names were duly submitted by him for the reward of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. It is of course impossible to reward every man who's name is submitted, but the fact that such men are not rewarded by the authorities in no way deflects from the honour to which they are entitled and which they have so nobly earned and the CO desires that their good service and soldier-like conduct be generally known and appreciated by all ranks of the Battalion. He hopes to be able to make arrangements for the bestowal on each of these NCO’s and men of a Regimental medal and to obtain the sanction of the War Office for these medals to be worn in all respects similar to those issued by government. 30 names, including Sergeant F. Burridge, were listed.

Picture courtesy of DNW

IGS 1854 (1) Burma 1889-92 (3273 Pte. E. Cadwallader 2d Bn. Oxf. L. Infy.);
QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (3273 Pte. E. Cadwallader. 1/Oxfd: L.I.);
KSA (2) (3273 Pte. E. Cadwallader. Oxford L.I.)

Edward Cadwallader was born in Marylebone, Middlesex in January 1867 and enlisted at Oxford on 27 October 1889, aged 22 years 9 months. He was discharged to army reserve in February 1898 but re-joined on 4 December 1899, and went to South Africa. He was discharged on 24 August 1902, having passed the examination for Corporal on 24 July 1893 and was awarded a Certificate in Electric Telegraphy, and a 2nd Class Certificate of Education.