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Picture courtesy of Spink

The Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, Companion's Badge, silver-gilt and enamel;
DSO GV, silver-gilt and enamel, with top riband bar;
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal;
China 1900, (0);
1914 Star, with clasp;
BWM and VM with MID oak leaves, mounted as worn, ribands a little frayed, very fine (7)

James Archibald Charteris was educated at Haileybury and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and was commisioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in 1897, first seeing active service in South Africa. Promoted Lieutenant in September 1900, he also served in China. Advanced Captain in March 1903 and Major in October 1914, he served France from 9 September 1914. Charteris was in command of 24 Brigade, Royal Field Artillery from 1 April 1916, being twice wounded, mentioned on four occasions (LG 1 January 1916, 4 January & 14 December 1917, 23 December 1918, refers), besides his two decorations.

A keen sportsman who loved to hunt, fish, play polo and pigstick, Charteris died on 21 November 1922, apparently as a result of a hunting accident.

Sold for a hammer price of £200. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £248. R4,900. Au$430. Can$420. US$320

Picture courtesy of DNW

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, dated reverse, (1) Suakin 1885 (4653 Pte. H. Sandy A.S.C.) clasp loose on riband, renamed;
IGS 1895 (3) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Samana 1897, Tirah 1897-98 (82178 Gunr. H. Sandy 11th Fd. By. R.A.);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (82178 Gnr: H. Sandy, 4: B, R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (82178 Gnr: H. Sandy. R.F.A.);
Khedive’s Star 1884-6, unnamed as issued

Henry Sandy was born in Clevedon, and attested for the Army Service Corps at Aldershot in October 1882. He served with the Corps in Egypt, February - July 1885, and was discharged 10 December 1888, having served 6 years and 63 days.

Sandy re-engaged for service with the Royal Artillery at Woolwich in December 1890. He transferred to the 9th Field Battery in September 1891, and served with the 11th Field Battery from December 1897. Sandy served in India, September 1891 - February 1898, and with the 4th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in South Africa, November 1899 - September 1902. He was once again discharged, 10 December 1902, this time after 12 years service.

The Clevedon Mercury and Courier carried an obituary for Sandy, 10 February 1912, in which it records the following about his Boer War service:
‘From all these engagements he fortunately escaped unhurt with the exception of a slight flesh wound received during the South African War... on the outbreak of the South African war he was again called up for active service, being one of the first of the batch of Reservists to leave Clevedon for the front. He was drafted to the 4th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and took part in the earlier operations under General Redvers Buller, General French, and later Lord Methuen... Some time afterwards he was captured by the Boers and made a prisoner of war, but was eventually released owing to the inability of the Boers to maintain their prisoners.’

The above is unsubstantiated by either the latest published transcription of the Boer War casualty roll, or the recipient’s service papers. Sandy is buried in Clevedon Cemetery.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Relief of Ladysmith (88666 Dvr: A.D. Baseley, 63rd. Bty: R.F.A.)

According to 'The Times History of the War in South Africa 1899-1902' which gives a full and detailed account of the action at Spion Kop the 19th, 28th and 63rd Batteries Royal Field Artillery acted in support of Lt-Gen. Clery's 2nd Division, taking up a commanding position on 'Three Tree Hill' from which to bombard the Boer positions. Indeed, it was from this same hill that Clery and his fellow divisional commander Sir Charles Warren observed the rough fortifications thrown up by the enemy and considered their strategy.

Unfortunately this caught the attention of the opposing Boer guns and at 1.15pm two pieces of artillery and a pom-pom opened up on the hill 'scattering the crowd of generals, staff officers and spectators there. For twenty minutes or so they engaged in an artillery duel with the six batteries on the hill...shifting from time to time to avoid the attentions of the British gunners, but never silenced' ('The Times History', refers). Driver Baseley was clearly killed during this 20-minute counter-battery engagement, having the unfortunate distinction of being the only artilleryman noted as such on the Battery rolls.

David - Baseley was KIA near Maconochie Koppies during the Venter's Spruit action on 20/1/1900 and not at Spion Kop, as described by Spink, which was fought on 24/1/1900. The confusion arises because the Natal Field Force Casualty Roll frustratingly lists many casualties for Venter's Spruit as "Spion Kop 20/1/1900".

Bearing in mind the substantial premium Spion Kop casualties attract I emailed this information to Marcus Budgen and I see Spink have now added a footnote to confirm Baseley was KIA at Venter's Spruit.

David

Many thanks for that correction, David.

The medal to Baseley, with the salesroom notice about the location of his death, sold this morning for a hammer price of £480. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £595. R11,600. Au$1,040. Can$1,000. US$790