TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM VR (1389 R. Sgt. Maj: B. Turner. 10th. Hussars 16th. Feb. 1885.) ‘R’ in rank corrected;
Afghan (0) (1389. Lce. Corpl. B. Turner. 10th. Rl. Hussars.);
Egypt (1) The Nile 1884-85 (1389, R.S. Maj: B. Turner, 10th. Husrs.);
QSA (5) CC OFS Tr 01 02 (Capt: Ridg: Mr: B. Turner, 6/Drgn: Gds:) date clasps both tailor’s copies;
Khedive’s Star, unnamed as issued

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2000.

DCM awarded for action at Abu Klea, 16 February 1885. Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 25 August 1885, details appearing in The Times 26 November 1885:
‘Troop Sergeant Major B. Turner, 10th Hussars - At all times showed the most remarkable coolness and zeal in his responsible position (Regimental Sergeant Major), and during the night of the 16th of February at Abu Klea was continually under fire.’

Benjamin Turner served with the 10th Hussars during the Second Afghan War 1878-80, and was present during the Koorum and Kost Expeditions, the reconnaissance of Peiwar Kotal, and took part in the actions of Matun and Futtehabad. Having advanced to Troop Sergeant Major, Turner was attached as Regimental Sergeant Major for service with the Light Camel Regiment for the Nile Expedition of 1884-85.

Turner was awarded the D.C.M. for gallantry at Abu Klea, but not for actions during the Battle of Abu Klea which took place 17 January 1885. After the battle of Abu Klea the main body of troops marched on to Metammeh and the Nile River. Intermittent fighting continued all along the 25 mile march, with the Column’s progress being halted upon news of General Gordon’s death. A withdrawal from the Sudan was ordered, and the troops were forced into staging a fighting rearguard action. A six day halt was called at Abu Klea, and it was there, during the numerous attacks made by the Arabs that Turner distinguished himself on the night of 16 February.

On 25 November 1885 Turner attended Windsor Castle where he was presented with the D.C.M. by Queen Victoria. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 6th Dragoon Guards, 29 July 1891. Turner served as Honorary Captain and Riding Master with the Regiment during the Second Boer War (entitled to QSA (5)). He retired in 1903, and died in Margate, 2 February 1944.

A photo of Officers of the 6th Dragoon Guards including recipient taken just before travelling to South Africa.

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (4) RoK Paar Drie Joh (Capt Hon Lonsdale R.D. Gray 6/Drgn Gds)

Richard Douglas Gray died of enteric fever at Johannesburg 10th June 1900. He was the son of Baroness Gray, born March 1870, educated at Uppingham and Pembroke College, Cambridge, entered 6th Dragoons from 5th BN Rifle Bde Feb 1893, promoted Lieut July 1895, Capt May 1900 when appointed ADC to OC 1st Cav Bde, mentioned in Lord Roberts dispatch dated 4/9/01.

The estimate is £350

From the next City Coins auction, November 2020

Vredes Verdrag is a farm in the Orange Free State, 11 km west of Hennenman (Ventersburg Road). In the action on the Zand River on 10 May 1900, a squadron of the 6th Dragoons, one of the 2nd Dragoons, one of Australian Horse and two troops of the 6th Dragoon Guards were sent to attack Boer positions on a ridge which commanded a wide area. Although the crest of the southern end was gained, the force retired in the face of a strong counterattack. The position was taken later in the day when Maj-Gen Dickson’s 4th Cavalry Brigade turned its flank and the burghers were forced to retire.

British casualties were high with at least 20 killed or died of wounds and some 30 men wounded.
Gazetteer; Jones & Jones.

[ QSA (6) ]
KSA (2) (2764 S.Serjt.-Far. W. Wellock. 6th Drgn. Gds.)
Army LS&GC EdVII (2764 F.Q.M.Sjt. W. Wellock. 6/Dgn. Gds.)

Both medals with some rim damage.

Wellock was wounded in the Vredes Verdrag skirmish. Eighteen months later, on 14 November 1901, he was severely wounded at Rietfontein.

He was entitled to a 6-clasp QSA medal which is unfortunately missing.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (3165. Pte. G. Dixon. 6/Drgn. Gds.)

George Dixon was born in Northumberland in 1873.

QSA verified on WO100/113p91

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (4) Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4513 Pte. A. Kirtland. 6th Dragoon Gds.) suspension claw re-pinned and the suspension a little slack, edge bruising and the middle two clasps a little bent

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3101 Pte. J. J. Spearing. 6 D. Gds.);
KSA (2) (3101 Pte. J. J. Spearing. 6 D. Gds.) numbers partially officially corrected on both
[ MSM LG 30 May 1919 ]

James Joseph Spearing was born in Westminster in 1870 and served with the 6th Dragoon Guards in South Africa during the Boer War. He was discharged, time expired, on 24 July 1902. Following the outbreak of the Great War he enlisted at Finsbury, on 12 October 1914, and served as Company Quartermaster Sergeant of the 90th Field Company Royal Engineers. He only appears to have served ‘at Home’ during the Great War, and his sole medallic entitlement for the Great War was the Meritorious Service Medal. He was released from service in March 1919.