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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (3311 Pte. W. Bond, Devon: Regt.);
KSA (2) (3311 Corpl: W. Bond. Devon: Regt.);
1914-15 Star (9380 Sjt. Bug: E. Band [sic]. Oxf: & Bucks: L.I.);
British War and Victory Medals (9380 Sjt. W. E. Bond. Oxf. & Bucks. L.I.);
Army LS&GC GV, 1st issue (3311 L. Sjt: W. Bond. Devon: Regt.)

William E. Bond attested for the Devonshire Regiment and served with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War.

He saw further service with the 2/4th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry during the Great War on the Western Front from 20 May 1915, and was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 24 May 1918).

The Boer War DCM group to Sgt R Smerdon is here.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1854 (2) Burma 1889-92, Waziristan 1894-5, second clasp loose on riband, as issued (1925 Pte. H. Shergold 2nd. Bn. Devon. Regt.);
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (1925 Pte. H. Shergold, Devon: Regt.)

Noonan's say one officer and 8 Men from Devonshire Regiment served with the Maxim Gun Detachment during the Waziristan Expedition 1894-5 and received the Waziristan clasp. Of these nine, Private Shergold was the only man who had previously received the India General Service Medal with the clasp Burma 1889-92.

Herbert Frederick Shergold was born in Winchester, Hampshire on 8 November 1872 and attested there for the Devonshire Regiment on 28 December 1887, giving his age as 18 years 4 months, when in fact he was only 15 years and 1 month. Posted to the 1st Battalion at Aldershot he embarked with a draft for the 2nd Battalion at Rawalpindi, India, on 1 October 1889.

The 2nd Battalion entrained at Rawalpindi for Calcutta and embarked in the R.I.M. Canning for Rangoon on 7 December 1890; disembarking at Rangoon they entrained for Mandalay embarking on river steamers up the Irrawaddy for Kyouk Myoung. With Major Kelsall and 2 companies stationed at Bernardmyo, they formed the Momeik Column, patrolling and carrying out attacks on various villages against Kachin dacoits in the Manton District between 27 January and 28 March 1891. Awarded his Mounted Infantry Certificate on 15 July 1891, Shergold embarked with a draft of 445 other ranks on posting to the 1st Battalion on 11 December 1892 stationed at Rawalpindi. The Battalion arrived at Gharial, Muree Hills for hot weather quarters on 20 April 1894 and those entitled were presented with their medals for operations in Upper Burma on 14 September 1894. Subsequently 1 Officer and 8 men, including Private Shergold, joined the Waziristan Expedition as a Maxim Gun Detachment on 23 October 1894, returning on the conclusion of the expedition on 13 March 1895, having been the first men in the British Army to take the Machine Gun into action.

Shergold returned home on 3 December 1895 and transferred to the Army Reserve on 6 December 1895. Recalled to Army Service under Special Army Order of 7 October 1899 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, on 9 October 1899 and embarking on SS Manila at Southampton on 20 October 1899 he arrived at Durban on 19 November 1899. He saw active service during the Boer War and was present at the battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899, the Relief of Ladysmith on 3 March 1900, and the capture of Botha's Pass (Laing's Nek) in June 1900. He departed South Africa on 22 November 1900 and was discharged upon the Termination of his Engagement on 20 January 1901.

He died in Salisbury on 30 March 1951, aged 79.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (4118 Pte. T. Reed. 1st. Bn. Devon: Regt.);
QSA (2) Relief of Ladysmith, Tugela Heights (4118 Pte. T. Reed, Devon: Regt.);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (Staff Serjt. T. Reed Ordce. Dept.).

Together with an India Voluntary War Work 1914-19 war badge in H.M. Mint Calcutta case of issue.

Thomas Henry Reed was born in Bristol in 1876. A Labourer by occupation he attested for the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in 1893, later attesting for the Devonshire Regiment at Bristol on 1 January 1895. Posted to the 2nd Battalion in Plymouth he was drafted to the 1st Battalion then serving in Peshawar, India on 15 October 1896. With the Tirah Field Force he received a gunshot flesh wound to the back in action at Khangarbur on 28 October 1897. His embarkation on 8 December 1899 for South Africa was delayed due to a hernia, and he subsequently joined the 2nd Battalion involved with the Natal Field Force. Invalided home due to ‘Continuous Fever’ he was posted to the 4th (Militia) Battalion in Jersey. On recovery and promoted to Lance Sergeant he was posted to the 1st Battalion in India in November 1903, before transferring to the Bombay Unattached List for employment in the Ordnance Department in May 1904. Promoted to Sergeant, Indian Ordnance Department, Kirkee Arsenal, in April 1912 he was promoted to Sub-Conductor the following year. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in April 1913 he moved to Ferozepore in October 1915. Specially promoted to Conductor in recognition of the services rendered in India in connection with the War on 1 January 1917, he was Mentioned for valuable services rendered in India on June 1918. Sent down from Bannu, North West Frontier due to malaria and debility on 4 December 1919 he was invalided home due to Neurasthenia on 18 March 1920, being transferred to the Pension Establishment with 40% disability pension on 10 April 1921 after 26 years and 3 months’ service. Retiring to Twickenham he died on 14 January 1959, aged 82.

Sold with copied service record, considerable original documentation including amongst others 1) named photograph of the European Staff, Ferozepore Arsenal October 1915, 2) Retirement Certificate of an Indian Department Warrant Officer on parchment, 3) signed hand written list of stations in which he served and 4) official letter from Secretary to the Government of India dated 18 March 1921 forwarding the India Voluntary War Work 1914-19 war badge and other research.

Pictures courtesy of Spink



MC GV;
QSA (3) Transvaal, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (5382 Corpl: W. Chandler, Devon: Regt.) the top two clasps loose on ribbon, old repair to suspension;
KSA (2) (5382 Corpl. W. G. Chandler. Devon: Regt.);
1914 Star, with slide clasp (5382 C.S. Mjr. W. G. Chandler. 1/Devon: R.);
British War and Victory Medalswith MID (Major W. G. Chandler.)

MC London Gazette 3 June 1919.
MID London Gazette 27 December 1918.

William George Chandler was born in Frensham, near Farnham, Surrey on 5 September 1880. A farm labourer, he enlisted into the Devonshire Regiment on 5 July 1899. He served with them in the Boer War and was awarded the Queen's medal with clasp for Transvaal and the King's medal with two clasps. Advanced Company Sergeant-Major in October 1913. On 2 March 1915 he was appointed to a Commission as 2nd Lieutenant, for services in the field, and posted to the Suffolk Regiment.

The History of The Suffolk Regiment 1914-1927, by Lieut.-Colonel C.C.R. Murphy confirms Major Chandler as being wounded at Ypres on 25 April 1915, and again on 8 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme. The former is doubtless the bullet wound to the hand referenced in his pension application which notes bullet between the forefinger and 2nd finger of the left hand. The Regimental History further states that he commanded the 2nd Battalion during the advance to the Rhine, when:

'On 11 December 1918 with bayonets fixed, colours flying, and the drums and fifes playing the regimental march, the battalion crossed the frontier and entered Germany, marching past the Corps and Divisional Commanders assembled to receive them.'

Chandler was placed on Retired Pay with the rank of Major on 11 June 1919 and was also appointed to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers. He ceased to belong to the Reserve in September 1930 and died on 17 June 1937.

Sold together with an archive of original material comprising:

i) A brass military issue marching compass, dated 1916, contained in its original leather case, this inscribed 'Major Chandler'.

ii) Original M.I.D. certificate (Lt. (A. Maj.), 2nd Bn., Suffolk Regiment)

iii) Commission document (2nd Lieutenant, Suffolk Regiment, 2 March 1915)

iv) Battalion Orders, dated 12 December 1918 'By Major W. G. Chandler, Commanding 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment'

v) Two character reports referring to Major Chandler.

vi) An interesting certificate, inscribed:
'At a meeting of the Council of the Borough of Bury St Edmund's held in the Council Chamber on the 12th day of November 1918, it was unanimously resolved that the Town Council of the Borough of Bury St Edmund's beg to express their best thanks to the officers of the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment for their proposed gift of four field guns and one howitzer very recently captured by them from the Germans, and that they will have much pleasure in receiving them as trophies of the gallantry and bravery of the Suffolk Regiment, and to exhibit them in a suitable place in the Borough. The Council congratulate them upon the successful termination of the war and upon the fresh laurels they have won which have maintained the traditional bravery of the Suffolk Regiment..'.

vii) Three original photographs of recipient.

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,200. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 1,488. R32,400. Au$2,720. Can$2,660. US$1,930.