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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (5674 L. -Corpl W. Sharpe. Hampshire Regt)

W. Sharpe was stationed with the 2nd Hampshires in March 1902, when they were involved in Guarding railway lines and other key posts; two companies were at Barberton but had been ordered back to Pretoria. The first left on 24 March and the other departed on the 30 March but was involved in the Barberton railway accident where over 40 were killed. There was a further Hampshire company with the 7th Mounted Infantry at the end of the war that was subsumed into the 27th Mounted Infantry, the last one to be formed, to give it experienced men.

Sharpe was in the Mounted Infantry and was captured about 30 miles from Klerksdorp. He was kept about a fortnight and treated well. His capture, internment, and subsequent release are described in Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir A Soldier's Diary.

'Another man named Sharpe fell out in the wood where I saw the two Boers, and as soon as he was left he was amongst the Boers. They were riding just behind us. We had passed within 300 yards of their laager, where they had three or four guns! He said they were in rather a stew - didn't know where to go - so kept following us to see where we were going. They took Sharpe's horse and made him ride on a gun carriage, so he got a beautiful view of proceedings. As I say, they followed us all night; and at daybreak, when we had got as far as we were going, and were extending to meet the columns on either side to drive back to the line, they dodged through some hilly country between our column and the next. probably we saw them and took them for our side. Sharpe said it was a near thing several times they would come round a hillock almost on to a company of ours, and dodge back and around the other side; and once they sat their horses in a clump in a steep hollow, expecting every movement to see our helmets over the rise, as they had seen a mob coming straight for them, but they went into the next kloof. of course, Sharpe was given to understand that to make any sign would not be health for him. They kept him a fortnight and treated him pretty well.'

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 260. Totals: GBP 322. R 7,320. AUD 600. NZD 650. CAD 540. USD 400. EUR 370.

Fortunately, I was the high bidder on Sharpe’s pair. Does anyone know where I can obtain a copy of Murray Crosby Jackson's memoir A Soldier's Diary?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks, John

I picked up a copy from eBay for twelve quid not long ago. Not too difficult to pick up a copy I wouldn't have thought.
A good read aswell, with plenty of pencil line drawings by the author.
A nice medal...congrats!!

Just found a copy on Am…’ and see the regimental museum is selling them for £9 plus postage. Thanks again, John

The QSA to Lt Geary sold this morning for a hammer price of GBP 1,400. Totals: GBP 1,837. R 41,690. AUD 3,390. NZD 3,670. CAD 3,080. USD 2,240. EUR 2,070.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1854 (2) Burma 1889-92, Burma 1887-89, clasps mounted in this order, with top lugs removed (1207 Pte. W. Wright 1st. Bn. Hamps.R.);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill (1207 Pte. W. Wright. 2nd. Hampshire Regt.)

William Wright was born in Salisbury in 1865 and attested for the Hampshire Regiment at Winchester on 1 November 1883. A groom by trade, he served one year and 170 days in Malta before joining operations in Burma from 9 January 1886 to 21 April 1891. Transferred to Army Reserve after 12 years with the Colours, he returned to service during the Boer War and was present in central Transvaal at the Battle of Diamond Hill on 11-12 June 1900 which was later described by Sir Ian Hamilton as the ‘turning point’ in the South African campaign.