TOPIC:

‘It is scarcely neccessary for me to allude at any length to the work done by ‘Q’ Battery during the present war. You are not likely to forget the Sannah’s Post affair, when the little force to which we were attached was completely surprised in the early hours of the morning. As at Kushab, in 1857, the effectiveness of the fire of the guns, and the heroism and steadiness shown by all ranks of the battery, helped in no small degree to extricate the force from the dangerous position in which it was placed’
Lord Roberts’ speech upon presenting Medals to ‘Q’ Battery at Woolwich on 13 January 1902


Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (7) RoK Paar Drie Joh DH Witt SA01 (70829 Gnr. H. Knibbs, Q. B. R.H.A.)

Harry Knibbs was born at Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire in 1869. Enlisting in the Royal Horse Artillery at Woolwich on 5 February 1889, he served with ‘Q’ Battery, Royal Horse Artillery in South Africa. As a result of De Wet’s ambush of General Broadwood’s Brigade at Korn Spruit (Sannah’s Post) on 31 March 1900, ‘Q’ Battery Royal Horse Artillery behaved with great gallantry and managed to save four of its guns from an apparently hopeless situation. The conduct of the battery was praised by Brigadier-General Broadwood in his report on the action. As a result of this report, Lord Roberts took the unusual step of ordering the battery to ballot for the Victoria Cross, to choose one officer, one non-commissioned officer, one gunner and one driver to receive the coveted award, there being no other fair way to choose four from so many who performed so heroically on that day. As a result, Major Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Edward Haydon Parker, Gunner Isaac Lodge, and Driver Horace Henry Glasock were each awarded the Victoria Cross.

Living in his native Buckinghamshire, Knibbs is noted as the Akeley Cricket Captain and church violinist (Buckingham Advertiser and Free Press, 4 May 1929 and 21 October 1933, refers). He died at Bognor Regis on 14 September 1956.

The QSA to Knibbs beat its estimate of £600-£800 and hammered at £1,100.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) RoK Paar Drie (10083 Bomb. J. Stoddart, Q, B., R.H.A.)

Joseph Stoddart was born at Elswick, Newcastle in 1871. A horsekeeper by trade, he enlisted in the Royal Horse Artillery in June 1895 and was promoted Bombardier in April 1899. Stoddart served with 'Q' Battery in South Africa, being severely wounded at Sannah's Post. During De Wet's ambush of General Broadwood's Brigade at Korn Spruit (Sannah's Post) on 31 March 1900, 'Q' Battery Royal Horse Artillery behaved with great gallantry and managed to save four of its guns from an apparently hopeless situation. The conduct of the battery was praised by Brigadier-General Broadwood in his report on the action. As a result of that report, Lord Roberts took the unusual step of ordering the Battery to ballot for the Victoria Cross, to choose one officer, one non-commissioned officer, one gunner and one driver to receive the coveted award, there being no other fair way to choose four from so many who performed so heroically on that day. As a result, Major Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Edward Haydon Parker, Gunner Isaac Lodge, and Driver Horace Henry Glasock were each awarded the Victoria Cross.

Invalided home on 11 June 1900, Stoddart went on to serve in China, November 1900 to October 1901 (Medal). Having been promoted Sergeant on 10 March 1904 and posted to 'P' Battery, he was discharged in June 1913, whilst also in receipt of his LS&GC.

The QSA to Stoddart hammered at £700.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) RoK Paar Drie (82613 Dr. J. Durkin, Q. B., R.H.A.)

J. Durkin served during the Second Boer War with Q Battery (of Sanna’s Post fame) Royal Horse Artillery. The medal roll shows him as ‘Invalided 28 June 1900’.

Here is another Q Battery RHA.....

13026 Gunner James McDonnell, “Q” Battery - Royal Horse Artillery

Enlisted: January 3rd, 1896
Age: 18 Years – 0 Months
Parish of: St. Thomas
Town and County of: Dublin
Occupation: Farm Labourer
Previous Service: Micklow Artillery (SDRA) – (Released for Transfer into Regular Army)
Height, Weight, Chest: 5’ 7” – 133 Lbs – 35/37 Inches
Declared Fit for Duty

STATEMENT OF SERVICE:

Enlisted: Crown Hill: 10-1-96
Posted: Royal Horse Artillery (Depot)
Transferred: “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 23-10-96
Granted: GC Pay 03-01-98
Transferred: “U” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 01-12-01
Granted: GC Pay 03-01-02
Promoted: Gunner 05-09-02
Transferred: “T” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery – 10-09-02



Mike