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Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM EdVII (2619 Serjt: J. Metcalfe. 6th. Dragoons.);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (2619 Serjt J. Metcalf [sic]. 6/Drgns.);
KSA (2) (2619 Serjt:-Sdlr. J. Metcalfe. Innis: Drgns:);
Army LS&GC EdVII (2619 Sdlr: Serjt: J. Metcalfe. 6th. Drgns:)

Together with the recipient’s Inniskilling Dragoons Retirement medal, bronze, the reverse inscribed ‘To 2619 S.Sgt. Saddlr. J. Metcalfe on leaving the Inniskilling Dragoons after 22 Years Good Service 14.5.08’.

DCM LG 27 September 1901: ‘In recognition of his services during the operations in South Africa.’

James Metcalfe was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, in 1866 and attested for the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons at Middlesborough on 17 March 1886, having previously served in the 1st North Yorkshire Royal Artillery Volunteers. He was appointed Saddler on 10 October 1888, and was promoted Corporal Saddler on 10 October 1889, and Sergeant on 29 July 1896. He served with the 6th Dragoons in South Africa during the Boer War from 24 October 1899 to 29 October 1902, was promoted Saddler Sergeant on 15 February 1901, and was Mentioned in Lord Roberts’ Despatch of 4 September 1901 (LG 10 September 1901). For his services during the Boer War he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

Metcalfe was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 1903, and was promoted Saddler Staff Sergeant on 15 February 1904. He was discharged on 14 May 1908, after 22 years and 59 days’ service.

Picture curtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (3281. Cpl. P. E. Balderstone. 6. Drgns.), minor official correction to rank and initials
[ KSA (2) ]

No service paper available.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast, South Africa 1901 (Major E. S. Jackson. 6/ Drgns);
British War and Victory Medals (Major E. S. Jackson)

Edmund Sylvester Jackson was born on 31 December 1865. He joined the North Staffordshire Regiment as a Lieutenant on 29th August 1885, transferring to the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons on 6 February 1889. Promoted Captain on 4 March 1898

The 6th Dragoons joined the British forces in South Africa at the outbreak of the Boer War but Jackson did not reach them until 28 June 1900. This was due to his being delayed with remounts for the regiment. Over the following months he took part in repeated patrols including one on 21 August 1900 which was ambushed and suffered losses of one man and five horses. On 2 September 1900 he led a night patrol over the Komati river to Bonnefoi, only to discover that there was an enemy commando in the area. This was noted as 'a difficult and dangerous reconnaissance, well executed' (With the Inniskilling Dragoons 1899-1902, refers).

Jackson served as Provost Marshal on the staff of Colonel Allenby, later Viscount Allenby from 16 January 1901. While with this command he took a patrol, on 22 April 1901, to the farm of a Boer who had surrendered the previous evening near Klipstale, intending to bring in his family. During this duty his command was ambushed and one of his men was shot from his horse, which promptly bolted. Jackson caught the horse and went, with his three remaining men to help the injured soldier. A fierce firefight developed with Jackson's party outgunned before the heavy guns at the rear Allenby's column, which was moving away from the scene, opened up in support. This allowed the British troops to withdraw, however during the firefight Jackson "had his arm badly shattered by an explosive bullet" (With the Iniskilling Dragoons 1899-1902, refers). He was reported dead but in fact survived his wound and went on to be promoted Major on 2 August 1902.

Jackson was transferred to the Reserve of Officers on 14 October 1905. He was responsible for authoring a regimental history; "The Inniskilling Dragoons, The Record of An Old Heavy Cavalry Regiment", published by Arthur E. Humphrey's in London, 1909.

However when the First World War broke out, he returned to service on 6 August 1914 and serving in the 4th (Western) Cavalry Depot. Appointed Second-in-Command of the 2nd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry on 13 November 1914. Finally appointed Deputy Assistant Quartermaster General on the Staff on 6 June 1917.

He was again released to the Reserve of Officers in 1920. Jackson died on 16 November 1932 at North Cheriton House, Templecombe, Somersetshire.

Sold for a hammer price of £500. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £620. R12,100. Au$1,090. Can$1,040. US$830

QSA (5) Orange Free State, Transvaal, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4276 Pte. F. Fellows. 6th Dragoons.), unofficial rivets between second and third clasps


Pictures courtesy of Spink

Frank Fellows was born at Birmingham in 1880 and was a chair maker upon his joining the 6th Dragoons on 28 December 1899. He served in South Africa from 15 November 1900-29 October 1902 and was discharged on 10 November 1904.

Sold together with recruiting leaflet for the 5th Dragoon Guards, offering 'Unequalled opportunities for Sport and Sightseeing in Europe'

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between third, fourth, ands fifth clasps (4234 Pte. F. [sic] Smith. 6th Dragoons.);
1914 Star (4234 Pte. W. A. Smith. 6/Dns.);
BWM and VM (6DN-4234 Pte. W. A. Smith. 6-Dns.);
together with an unrelated Silver War Badge added for display purposes, the reverse officially numbered ‘177201’

William Alfred ‘Fred’ Smith was born in Birmingham in 1880 and attested there for the 6th Dragoons on 28 August 1899. He served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and was charged by a Field General Court Martial on 4 August 1901, of ‘Leaving his C.O., to go in search of plunder’. Found guilty of looting, he was imprisoned for one year, returning to duty in August 1902. He remained in the Dragoons of the Line and re-engaged in 1911, serving with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 August 1914. He was discharged due to sickness in March 1915, no longer physically fit for active service, and was awarded Silver War Badge No. 79008.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4277 Pte. J. Bradnock. 6th Dragoons.);
KSA (2) (4277. Pte. F. J. Bradnock 6th Dragoons), unofficially re-engraved naming;
6th Dragoons Good Service Medal, 45mm, bronze, the reverse impressed 'To 4277 Pte. F. Bradnock on leaving the Inniskilling Dragoons after 8 Years Good Service 26.12.07'