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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

Egypt (1) The Nile 1884-85 (... J. Shea. 2/D. of Corn ...) naming partially obscured from heavy contact marks;
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (1583 Corl. J. Shea 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.);
KSA (2) (1583 Serjt: J. Shea. D. of C.L.I.);
Army LS&GC V.R (1583. L/Cpl. J. Shea. D. of Corn: L.I.);
Khedive’s Star, dated 1884-6, unnamed as issued

John Shea was born in Whitechapel, London, in 1866 and attested as a Musician for the 35th Brigade at Bodmin on 1 December 1880, aged 14. Posted to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, he served with the 2nd Battalion in Egypt and the Sudan during the Nile Expedition 1884-85, and in South Africa during the Boer War 1899-1902, and was discharged with the rank of Lance-Sergeant (Bandsman) on 5 September 1902.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1892 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, unofficial rivets between clasps (3457. Pte. T. Smith. 1/D.C.L.I.) engraved in the usual style associated with the Regiment;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose on riband, as issued (3457 Pte. T. J. Smith, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.)

Thomas James Smith was born in Birmingham in 1872 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 29 August 1891. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 20 February 1893 to 2 March 1899, and took part in the operations on the North West Frontier of India and with the Tirah Expeditionary Force in 1897-98. Returning home, he transferred to the Reserve on 5 March 1899, but was recalled to Army Service on 9 October 1899, and posted to the 2nd Battalion. He served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 5 November 1899 to 5 September 1901, and was present at the Battle of Paardeberg on 18 February 1900, when, in the ‘Cornish Charge’, the Battalion suffered total casualties of 28 killed and 52 wounded. He was evacuated from South Africa in 1901, presumably suffering from some sort of malarial fever which decimated the Battalion, and was discharged, medically unfit, on 8 October 1901, after 10 years and 45 days’ service.

Pictures courtesy of Noonan's

CMG s/g n/b;
QSA (4) Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal (Capt. H. T. Cantan. 2/ D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming;
KSA (2) (Cpt. H. T. Cantan. D. of C.L.I.) engraved naming;
1914 Star (Major. H. T. Cantan. D. of Corn: L.I.);
British War and Victory Medals, with MID (Lt. Col. H. T. Cantan.)

Together the related miniature Boer War pair, these mounted as worn.

CMG London Gazette: 23 June 1915.
MID London Gazettes 22 June 1915 and 15 June 1916.

Henry Thomas Cantan was born in Kent in 1867 and served in the ranks of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, rising to the rank of Colour Sergeant, prior to being commissioned into the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 18 May 1892. He served as Captain in South Africa during the Boer War, on duty under the Military Governor of Pretoria, and afterwards served commanding a section of 4th Mounted Infantry, where he was present at the Relief of Kimberley and took part in the operations in the Orange Free State, including the actions at Paardeberg and Driefontein. The medal roll for the QSA additionally notes that he also served attached to the South African Constabulary from December 1900 to August 1902. He was taken Prisoner of War on 31 March 1900 at Koornspruit, and was released at Waterval on 6 June 1900. In 1902 he was appointed Superintendent of Gymnasia at the Curragh.

Cantan served with the 1st Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 15 November 1914, and was promoted temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 16 December 1914, being confirmed in that rank on 1 March 1916. He was killed in action when in command of his battalion, in the front line at Arras, on 16 April 1916, and is buried at Faubourg d'Amiens Cemetery, France.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, unofficial rivets between clasps (3457. Pte. T. Smith. 1/D.C.L.I.) engraved in the usual style associated with the Regiment;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, South Africa 1901, date clasp loose on riband, as issued (3457 Pte. T. J. Smith, 2: D. of C. Lt. Inft.)

Thomas James Smith was born in Birmingham in 1872 and attested for the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 29 August 1891. He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 20 February 1893 to 2 March 1899, and took part in the operations on the North West Frontier of India and with the Tirah Expeditionary Force in 1897-98. Returning home, he transferred to the Reserve on 5 March 1899, but was recalled to Army Service on 9 October 1899, and posted to the 2nd Battalion. He served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 5 November 1899 to 5 September 1901, and was present at the Battle of Paardeberg on 18 February 1900, when, in the ‘Cornish Charge’, the Battalion suffered total casualties of 28 killed and 52 wounded. He was evacuated from South Africa in 1901, presumably suffering from some sort of malarial fever which decimated the Battalion, and was discharged, medically unfit, on 8 October 1901, after 10 years and 45 days’ service.

Having six Smethwickians who served in the 2nd Battalion DCLI of whom four took part in the Battle of Paardeberg based on the clasps attached to their QSAM's, I am very interested in the above Noonan's write up and their mention of the "famous Cornish Charge" at said battle. Investigation shows that on this Forum site the expression "famous Cornish Charge" is unique to write-ups by Noonan's. Can anybody provide me with detail on the "famous Cornish Charge" or at least point me in the right direction?

Hello Smethwick,

There is some information in Stirling's account of the events on the 18th at Paardeberg: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/im...walls-light-infantry

Quoting General Colville:

I told him [Kitchener] my only reserve was half the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, guarding the transport, and he said this half-battalion must cross over and rush the position. He asked Ewart to lead them across, and told him what he wished done. I therefore sent for Colonel Aldworth commanding the battalion, and told him the chief of the staff's wishes, and on hearing from him that his men were about to have their dinners, put off the advance till they had done, for it did not strike me as a task to be undertaken on an empty stomach. Guided by Ewart, they started at about half-past three, and crossed the river at the point where the Seaforths had done so in the morning, and then extended to the left. They were joined by the Canadians and the four Seaforth companies, and creeping steadily on till within 500 yards of the enemy, charged forward with a ringing cheer. 'By Jove! they've done it', somebody said at my side. And I own I, too, thought they had; it seemed as if nothing could stop them. But the fatal moment came for them as it had come for others, and when within 200 yards of the enemy those that were left had to halt Aldworth, gallantly leading them, was killed, and the casualties in his half-battalion were over 22 per cent. The Canadians also suffered heavily; their percentage of casualties that day was double that of either of the other two battalions, but I do not know how many of them were due to this charge ... This effort practically ended our work for the day".

The losses of the Cornwall Light Infantry on the 18th were 3 officers killed — Colonel W Aldworth, DSO, and Captains Wardlaw and Newbury — 4 officers wounded; 12 men killed and 55 wounded.

Dooner's account of the death of Colonel Aldworth notes:

He was killed in action 18 February 1900, when leading a forlorn hope at Paardeberg. Lieutenant W H Fife, 2nd Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry (who was himself killed soon afterwards by a spent bullet), wrote of Lieutenant Colonel Aldworth: "I can only say that he was the most gallant soldier I shall ever see, or wish to see, and it was owing to his splendid example that we advanced so steadily when others refused to budge. I would willingly have been killed instead of him, as I could have easily been replaced, and he cannot. I can only add that those who saw the advance said it was magnificent, and, though it has been called the Cornwalls' and the Canadians' charge, it was the Cornwalls' charge only, and Colonel Aldworth's charge in particular. His loss is quite irretrievable. He was hit in the forehead just as he had said: 'Come on, Dukes! Come on, Cornwalls!' He fell, but, raising himself on his elbow, added: 'Go on men, and finish it!'"