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Picture courtesy of the Liverpool Medal Company

QSA (5) TH OFS RoL Tr LN (6134 PTE F. ROBERTS. TH’CROFT’S M.I.);
Natal 1906 (1) 1906 (TPR: F.W. ROBERTS, NATAL MTD. RIFLES.)

Frank White Roberts enlisted into the South African Colonial Forces for three months as a Trooper (No.6134) with Thorneycrofts Mounted Infantry on 20th October 1899, and then saw service during the Boer War. Having re-enlisted for a further three months on 10th January 1900, he was then present on operations in the relief of Ladysmith and the forcing of the Tugela Heights during February 1900, as well as on operations in the Orange Free State. He was discharged on 6th March 1900. Having then re-enlisted again, this time as a Private (No.424) with the Natal Composite Regiment, he was present on operations in the Transvaal, and in action at Laing’s Nek. Roberts then joined as a Trooper (No.84) the UItrecht Mounted Police on 18th March 1901, and saw further service on operations till discharged on 24th June 1901, before latterly seeing service with the Natal Mounted Rifles through to the end of the war.

Remaining as a Trooper with the Natal Mounted Rifles, and was one of 424 men of his unit to gain the Natal Rebellion Medal 1906.

A pair of named miniature medals from the next Morton and Eden sale

BSACM reverse Matabeleland 1893 (Lieut. G. S. D. Forbes. Staff. B.F.F.), engraved in upright capitals;
QSA (3) Rhod RoM RoL (Lieut. G. S. D. Forbes. T.M.I.) engraved in upright capitals;

"Lieutenant Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes was born in 1868, the son of General Sir J Forbes, G.C.B., of Inverness. He was mining in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1889-93; in Rhodesia as Managing Director of Companies, 1893-1900. He served through the Matabele War of 1896 on Colonel Plumer’s Staff, and then on Colonel Spreckley’s Staff at the Battle of Umyussa (Medal). In 1891 he visited the West Coast of Africa, and was for a time engaged in mining there. He served in the South African War, and, for gallantry at Spion Kop, was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: “Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes, Lieutenant, Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa”. The Insignia were presented to him by the King 3 June, 1901. He lived in Rhodesia, and was Managing Director of Companies there, his favourite recreations being steeplechasing and hunting. He was a member of the Legislative Council, Rhodesia, and was created a CMG in 1910. He served in the European War and died of wounds in France 21 May 1915.” (Creagh, Sir O’Moore & E.M. Humphris (Eds.), The V.C. and D.S.O., refers).

Forbes’s full-sized medals (named in much the same way) were sold at Spink in May, 1991.

This was the entry on the Spink May 1991 catalogue:

Group of three to Lt. G. S. D. Forbes, Armoured Train

(a) Distinguished Service Order Victorian issue, silver-gilt. In case of issue.
(b) British South Africa Company Medal for Rhodesia 1896 (Lieut, M. G. S. D. Forbes, Staff B.F.F.).
(c) Queen's South Africa Medal 2 bars Relief of Mafeking, Relief of Ladysmith (Lieut.G. S. D. Forbes, Armd. Train). Extremely fine (3) £750

FORBES, GORDON STEWART DRUMMOND, Lieut., was born in 1868, son of the late General Sir J. Forbes, G.C.B., of Inverness; He was mining in South Africa (Johannesburg) in 1889-93; in Rhodesia as Managing Director of Companies, 1893-1900. He served through the Matabele War of 1896 on Colonel Plumer's Staff, and then on Colonel Spreckley's Staff at the Battle of Umyussa (Medal). In l89l he visited the West Coast of Africa, and was for a time engaged in mining there. He served in the South African War, and, for gallantry at Spion Kop, was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order London Gazette, 19 April, 1901]: "Gordon Stewart Drummond Forbes, Lieut., Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry. In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa." The Insignia were presented to him by the King 3 June, 1901, He lived in Rhodesia, and was Managing Director of Companies there, his favourite recreations being steeplechasing and hunting. He was a member of the Legislative Council, Rhodesia, and was created a C.M.G. in 1910. He served in the European War and died of wounds in France 21 May, 1915.

See S.A. Who's Who 1909 for further details.

See Lot 150 for miniatures.

If you have £7.5k or R140,000 to spare ..

Captain Cyril Hamilton D.S.O. when in the Natal Mounted Police buried Trooper Hunter at Rorke's Drift and was with Major Black on patrol when they found the bodies of Lieutenants Melvill and Coghill, and the missing Colours, after the battle of Isandlwana

Only 8 men in Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry were awarded in the D.S.O


Picture courtesy of BidorBuy

DSO VR;
SAGS (1) 1879 (Cpl Natal M Police);
CGHGSM (1) Basutoland (Corp Natal M Police);
QSA (6) CC TH OFS RoL Tr LN (Capt TMI);
KSA (2) (Capt SAC)

A niche group but I wonder if it's priced correctly?

It is certainly a magnificent group but has yet to secure any bids at this rather high level.

www.bidorbuy.co.za/item/446169566/ZULU_W...EDAL_GROUP_INFO.html