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From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (1993 Pte A. Turner. Manch: Regt)
[ KSA (2) ]

Sold with a four-page biography. Augustus Turner known as Gustavus born in Pimlico in 1867 he joined the ranks of the Manchester Regt in 1887. Copies of two census pages, six-page Short Service Attestation document, twelve-page Short Service and 1st Class Army Reserve document, another four-page Army Reserve (Special Reservists) One Year’s Service document, copied Roll.

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (1993 Pte A. Turner. Manch: Regt)

Augustus Turner known as Gustavus born in Pimlico in 1867 he joined the ranks of the Manchester Regt in 1887. Copies of two census pages, six-page Short Service Attestation document, twelve-page Short Service and 1st Class Army Reserve document, another four-page Army Reserve (Special Reservists) One Year’s Service document, copied Roll.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Defence of Ladysmith (5251 Pte. R. Bibby, Manchester Regt.)

He attested for the Manchester Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War.

He was killed in action at Ladysmith on 6 January 1900.

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 950. Total GBP 1,224. R 25,650. AUD 2,060. NZD 2,270. CAD 1,910. USD 1,420. EUR 1,330

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: P. G. White, Manch: Rgt:);
1914 Star, with clasp (Capt: P. G. White. Midd'x R.);
British War and Victory Medals (naming not given).

Pierce Grove-White was born on 13 October 1882 at Stanmore, Middlesex, the son of Colonel James Grove-White and was educated at Haileybury. During the Boer War he served as a Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment and thence as a Lance-Corporal (No. 697) in the Port Elizabeth Town Guard (Medal & four clasps issued in March 1904). Thence serving in the East Indies in 1905, Grove-White was in Aden from October 1912-December 1913.

With the outbreak of the Great War, he served in France with the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment from 11 August 1914. Posted to be Second-in-Command of a Battalion of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment from 14 April 1917, he Commanded that Battalion from 8-25 May 1917. He latterly returned to the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment and applied for his Medals whilst serving in Singapore. Living at Hythe, Kent in retirement, Grove-White died on 8 August 1953.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast, Cape Colony, Orange Free State (5049 Pte S. Hill, Manchester Regt);
KSA (2) (5049 Pte S. Hill. Manch: Regt.)

Samuel Hill was born at Taxal, Whaley Bridge, Cheshire in 1877, the son of Samuel Hill, a coal miner from Bridge Mont, Taxal. The younger Hill attested for the Manchester Regiment on 12 March 1897, being posted to the 1st Battalion on 7 July that same year. He also undertook a signalling course in October, the month before his first overseas service joining the Gibraltar Garrison on 18 November 1897. It was not until the build up of British forces in South Africa prior to the Anglo-Boer War that the Battalion left the garrison. Arriving in South Africa on 23 August 1899, they were present with Sir George White's forces in Natal upon the outbreak of hostilities and saw action at Elandslaagte - although Hill himself appears not to have been present.

During the Siege of Ladysmith the Battalion formed part of General Ian Hamilton's Brigade. They were not well positioned here and suffered heavily from Boer attacks, notably on 9 November when the perimeter was stormed near the Manchester's position at Caesar's Camp on Wagon Hill. They were finally driven away but only at great cost after a full day of heavy fighting.

The Boer's were not done with the Battalion however and their next major attack- on 6 January 1900- fell again on Wagon Hill and Caesar's Camp. They were able to get close into the British positions before being engaged by the picquets and in short order a portion of the hill had fallen. The Manchesters hung on grimly from the cover of their rock sangers and after a gruelling fifteen hour battle managed to drive the enemy off the hill. They paid dearly for the feat however suffering 4 officers and 33 other ranks killed and 37 wounded. Notably Private's from the Battalion, Robert Scott and James Pitts were awarded the Victoria Cross for their bravery in holding an exposed position without food or water for the duration of the battle.

When Ladysmith was finally relieved the Manchester's joined Buller's column advancing on Lydenburg. They were also deployed in the Battle of Belfast were they were stationed to protect the British Artillery as it came in close to the Boer positions. As the war entered its final stage the set-piece engagements gave way to Guerrilla fighting between columns of British troops and fast moving Boer Commandos. The Battalion saw continuous service and a good deal of action through those months although none as hard fought as the combat at Caesar's Camp.

With the end of hostilities Hill remained in South Africa for a year before heading to Singapore on 11 March 1903. After two years in the East he was posted back to Britain, being posted to the Depot upon his arrival on 21 January 1905. Joining the Army Reserve on 11 March 1905 Hill was finally discharged on 11 March 1909 and went on to work as a servant and coachman.

Picture courtesy of Noble Numismatics

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (Lieut: H.J.F.Wallis, Manch. Rgt.);
1914-15 Star (Captain H.F.Wallis. 2 I.B.H.Q. A.I.F.);
British War Medal and Victory Medal (Lt. Col: H.J.F.Wallis).

Note: The 1914-15 Star was administered by the Department of Defence, Australia and the British War Medal 1914-18 and Victory Medal 1914-19 were administered by the War Office in England.

Herbert (James) Feriman Wallis, soldier, born 30 Sep 1881 at Cheltenham, England; served in South Africa with Manchester Regt; 2Lieut 17 Jun 1903, Wiltshire Regt; Lieut 10 Aug 1907; Capt Wallis was ADC to the Governor of NSW, Sir Gerald Strickland 09 Mar-18 Aug 1914; Capt H.F.Wallis, appt'd Orderly Officer to CO 2 Infy Bde HQs 18 Aug 1914; Emb. 21 Oct 1914; Appt'd Staff Captain 05 Jan 1915; to Gallipoli where he was present at the landing on 25 Apr 1915; WIA 27 Apr 1915, GSW left hip, Gallipoli; rejoined unit 07 Jun 1915; to hospital with gastroenteritis 08 Aug 1915; to England 25 Aug 1915; resigned commission with AIF on being appointed to a commission in Imperial Army 30 Nov 1915; Dep Asst Adjt and Qr Mr-Gen 30 Nov 1915 to 31 Aug 1916; T/Lt-Col 4Bn The Leicestershire Regt 17 Sep 1916 to 20 Jul 1917; Special Staff Appt 11 Mar to 20 Jun 1918; A/Mjr, Service Bns, The North Staffordshire Regt 21 Jun - 17 Aug 1918; Major 18 Aug 1918; Adjt Territorial Force 28 Apr 1920 to 05 Jun 1921; 20 Apr 1922 1914-15 Star forwarded to Capt H.F.Wallis, 2Bn Wiltshire Regt, Hong Kong, China; Commandant Malay States Vol R (Lt-Col 17 Jul 1925); Retired as Lt-Col 29 Jun 1927.