TOPIC:

Spree Farm, can you explain a bit more about your tunic and its connection to the South African War?

Rod D.

The tunic was owned by A/WO1 Robert Isaac Furman Middlesex Regiment whose medals were shown I added the tunic

Thought it might be of interest to some people but obviously, not you

Now you explain it, that's fascinating!

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (0) (Bandmaster J.R. Calthorpe Midd'x Regt)

Warwick and Warwick say he served with 3rd Bn in St Helena guarding Boer POWs.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DSO GV;
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. D. C. Owen, Midd’x Rgt.);
British War and Victory Medals with MID (Lt. Col. D. C. Owen.)

DSO London Gazette 3 June 1917.

MID London Gazettes 4 January 1917; 15 May 1917; and 20 May 1918.

Douglas Charles Owen was born on 17 December 1880 and was educated at Rugby. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Middlesex Regiment on 4 May 1901, having previously served with the 4th Volunteer Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War in 1902, being promoted Lieutenant on 24 September 1902. Advanced Captain on 26 August 1909, and Major on 4 May 1916, he served during the Great War on the Western Front on the Staff from 22 February 1916, and for his services was three times mentioned in Despatches and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order.

Owen was given the command of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, on 18 October 1918, and commanded them for the final three weeks of the Great War, during which the Battalion, as part of the 33rd Division, distinguished themselves at the crossing of the River Sambre on 5 November 1918. He died in 1949, and is buried in Thurston, Suffolk.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM GV (5433 C.S. Mjr:-A.R.S. Mjr: W. G. Rice. 21/Middx: R.);
QSA (6) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, Cape Colony (5433 Pte. W. Rice, Middx: Regt.) clasps mounted in order listed, unofficial rivets between top two clasps;
KSA (2) (5433 Corpl: W. Rice. Middlesex Regt.);
British War and Victory Medals (Q.M. & Lieut. W. G. Rice.);
Army LS&GC GV, 1st issue (L-5433 C. Sjt: W. G. Rice. Midd’x: R.) the Boer War medals with edge bruising and contact marks

DCM London Gazette 28 March 1918: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in keeping the front line companies supplied with ammunition and grenades during two days’ operations. He personally visited the forward positions under heavy fire to ascertain if they were in need of more supplies.’ Annotated gazette states: ‘Bourlon Village, 23-24 November 1917.’

William George Rice, from Finchley, served with the 2nd Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, during the Boer War of 1899-1902. During the Great War he landed in France on 30 August 1917, and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant-Major of the 21st (Service) Battalion (Islington), Middlesex Regiment, on 8 September 1917. Rice was commissioned at Quartermaster and Lieutenant on 10 June 1918, with the 10th (Service) Battalion (Kent County), Royal West Kent Regiment.