I was wondering if someone could help me out on a bit of a conundrum I’ve had for some years now. I have two medals to two quite different men, with the same surname, SHEPHERD; both medals were purchased from the same individual, at the same time and judging by the matching condition and dark toning, have always been together. They were originally purchased by Jack Webb (Abu Klea fame) outside Johnston Mathey, London (precious metal dealers) from a man queuing to scrap them for cash during the Bunker-Hunt ‘silver rush’. Jack was offering a pound for any silver medal!!
Anyway, his name is CAPTAIN CHARLES SAMUEL SHEPHERD South African Light Horse; Queen’s South Africa Medal 1898-1902 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laings Nek, Belfast.
Died 22nd July 1901 (Enteric Fever) – Springfontein. Aged 43.
I have a full summary of the doings of the SALH but the only mention I have of Shepherd is in General Dundonald’s book ‘ My Army Life’ page 129
“On the 20th Lord Dundonald ordered Colonel Byng to seize Bastion Hill. Two squadrons of the SALH were dismounted and ascended the steep ascent, the two others supporting. Captain Shepherd’s Squadron were the first to crest the ridge
‘The crest of the hill was first reached by Captain Shepherd's squadron of the S.A.L.H. (with whom was Sir Bryan Leighton) which ... The general result of Sir Charles Warren's operations of K this day was inconclusive ; the infantry, however, were ...)
So I was wondering if any forum member could shed some light on the man’s career.
Drakewood
PS…The other Shepherd (cousin, nephew?) is.
LIEUTENANT RICHARD EDMUND SHEPHERD, Mid. 3rd Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Mounted Infantry Company - Queen’s South Africa Medal 1898-1902 clasps, Diamond Hill, Johannesburg, Driefontein, Paardeberg, Relief of Kimberly.(Also entitled to clasp ‘South Africa 1901’) –Mid. 2nd April 1901.
Killed in action 31st October 1901 - Brakenlaagte (Aged 26) (The Boer destruction of Lt. Col. Benson’s Column - 20 miles North-West of Bethel)
Richard Shepherd was born in May 1875, the son of Colonel Charles Herbert Shepherd D.S.O. (late Norfolk Regt.) lately commanding 9th Regimental District, Norwich and was educated at Wellington College, where he played for the Cricket X1 1892-1894
His first commission was as 2nd Lieutenant, 4th Battalion, Essex Regiment (West Essex Militia) in April 1894, where he was promoted Lieutenant 1895 and in May 1897, advanced to the rank of Captain.
In June 1898 he decided to seek his fortune in Rhodesia where he joined the British South Africa Police (Rhodesian Police). He didn’t find South Africa to his liking and with the prospect of a regular commission in the British Army, returned to England to take up that commission on the 30th August 1899, as 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry.
Quote……. “Yet if valour alone be reinforcement the defence grew stronger as it died. A few men of the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who had escorted the Vickers-Maxim into safety, were led back at full speed into the fight by Lieutenant R. E. Shepherd, who perished at their head”.