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The group to James Dyas sold for a hammer price of £5,000 this morning. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £6,440. R124,400. Au$10,910. Can$9,420. US$6,820

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (3437 Pte C.I. Ralph. Rl: Warwick: Regt)

Entitled to SA01.

Charles Isaac Ralph 1st R. War R. also entitled to the Sudan Medal for taking part in the operations in Sudan (1897) and the expedition to Khartoum (1898). He served from 25 September 1895, Home, Malta, Egypt (Sudan medal bar Atbara) Home, South Africa, Bermuda, Home.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (7335 Pte R. Pugh; Rl: Warwick; Regt.)

Served in the 6th Battalion. Two clasps verified on WO100/170p373

The second cheapest QSA at Noonan's yesterday. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 95. Totals: GBP 122. R 2,660. AUD 220. NZD 240. CAD 200. USD 150. EUR 130

I don't normally collect uncommon medal groups but this one caught my attention.

This medal group is to William Hughes, 4722, of the Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

He attested with them in July 1896 at 20 years old; he served with the 1st Battalion in the Sudan campaign in Egypt of 1898 at the Battles of The Atbara and then at Khartoum.

In January 1899, along with a few others, was sent to England and transfered to the 2nd Battalion.

1899 was not a good year for William as he deserted with his name appearing in the Police Gazette in January/February 1899.

His troubled year can be seen from his statement of service:



In November 1899 he was sent with the 2nd Battalion to South Africa where he saw service with the regiment.

In August 1901 the battalion was transferred to Bermuda to guard the Boer prisoners thus making them ineligible for the King South Africa Medal.

However, a number of the regiment stayed in South Africa and transferred to the 4th Mounted Infantry thus allowing them to receive the KSA.

It appears as if 1899 was a stand out year for his infringement's as he continued to serve with the regiment in Bermuda and Gibralta and completing his 12 years service in 1908 without anymore black marks against his name.

In summary to earn the Sundan and QSA pairs a soldier had to serve with 1st Battalion, transfer to the 2nd Battalion and then transfer again to the 4th Mounted Infantry (or any other regiment).