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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (23654 Dr. R. Melling. Q.B., R.H.A.);
KSA (2) (23654 Dvr: R. Melling. R.H.A.);
1914-15 Star (41674 Gnr: R. Melling. R.F.A.);
BWM and VM (41674 Gnr: R. Melling. R.A.)

Ralph Melling attested for the Royal Horse Artillery and served with ‘Q’ Battery in South Africa during the Boer War. He was wounded at Modder River on 15 February 1900.

He saw further service with the Royal Field Artillery during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 November 1914, and was appointed Lance-Bombardier.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (1) Relief of Kimberley (77267 Dr W. Seviour, Q.B., R.H.A.);
1914 Star (89634 Gnr. W. Seviour. R.F.A.);
British War and Victory Medals, (89634 Gnr. W. Seviour. R.A.)

Private William Seviour, of Wimborne, Dorset, served initially with “Q” Battery, Royal Horse Artillery during the Boer War, and was wounded in action at Modder River on 15 February 1900. He was later invalided on 14 April 1900, as shown on the QSA Medal Roll (with entitlement as above). Serving once again during the Great War in 1914 with the 50th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, he died on 10 April 1916, and was buried at Wimborne Minister Cemetery.

WO100/139p154

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (76198 Dr. J. Smith. Q,B., R.H.A.)

Jacob Smith was born in East Hendred, near Wantage, Berkshire, on 6 December 1869. A labourer by trade, he attested at Woolwich for the Royal Artillery on 21 December 1889, serving at “A” Depot, Royal Horse Artillery, from 2 January 1890. Transferred to “L” Battery, Smith served in India from 23 September 1892 to 21 January 1898, before being recalled home.

Recalled to service under Special Army Order of 7 October 1899, Smith joined “Q” Battery on 27 November 1899 and sailed for South Africa aboard the Manchester Corporation in December 1899. In action at Klip Drift on 15 February 1900, “Q”, “T” and “U” Batteries faced heavy shrapnel fire with approximately 21 officers and men killed or wounded. Situation restored by cavalry charge, Smith and the Gunners of “Q” Battery accompanied Brigadier General Broadwood to Thabanchu, but were ambushed at Sanna’s Post on 30 March 1900 in one of the most famous engagements of the conflict.

Severely wounded during the action, Smith was invalided home on 22 June 1900, and was discharged from the Colours on 19 December 1901. In total, the British suffered 155 men killed or wounded at Sanna’s Post, with a further 428 men, 7 artillery pieces and 117 wagons captured. The Boers in comparison suffered 3 killed and five wounded, testament to the potency of ambush from well-concealed positions and the quality of Boer marksmanship.

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 900. Totals: GBP 1,159. R 26,630. AUD 2,150. NZD 2,310. CAD 1,900. USD 1,410. EUR 1,310

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Driefontein, Transvaal (15103 Dr. A. Delooze, Q. B., R.H.A.);
KSA (2) (15103 Bomb: A. Delooze. R.H.A.)

Alfred Delooze was born in India and attested for the Royal Artillery in Manchester on 24 April 1896, aged 22 years 9 months, a barman by trade. Posted to the Field Artillery Depot as a Driver, he transferred to Q Battery Royal Horse Artillery, on 23 October 1896, serving as a Driver with that battery in South Africa from 19 December 1899 to 6 October 1902. His papers confirm that he was ‘Seriously wounded at Sanna’s Post 31/3/00’, received the Queen’s medal with 3 clasps, and the King’s medal with 2 clasps. Delooze was appointed Acting Bombardier on 6 September 1900, and was posted to one-pounder Maxims on 6 March 1902. Transferred to 1st Class Army Reserve in April 1903, he was discharged on 23 April 1908.

Resulting from De Wet’s ambush of General Broadwood’s Brigade at Korn Spruit (Sanna’s Post), 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 with such heroism that day. As a result, Major Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Edward Haydon Parker, Gunner Isaac Lodge, and Driver Horace Henry Glassock were each awarded the Victoria Cross. Driver Arthur Delooze’s name would have been in the ballot for the Victoria Cross to the ‘Driver’.

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QSA (4) Cape Colony, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (54820 Dr: P. O’Connor. Q, B, R.H.A.) official correction to initial

Verified on WO100/139p152

The group of 6 to Bomb Hurley ( www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...y-rha?start=12#63085 ), which sold at Spink 5 years ago for £900 is on offer at Military Antiques, Toronto, for £2,500.

The same seller is offering the group to Gnr Howard ( www.angloboerwar.com/forum/5-medals-and-...ry-rha?start=6#62560 ) for £3,350.