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Picture courtesy of Woolley and Wallis

QSA (3) Transvaal, South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 (7427 PTE B. CLEAVES. RIFLE BRIGADE.).

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (1) Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (Lieut. The Hon. C. F. H. Napier, 3rd. Bn. Rif: Bde.);
QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1902 (Capt: Hon: C. F. H. Napier, Rifle Bde.) engraved naming;
British War Medal 1914-20 (Major Hon. C. F. H. Napier.)

The Hon. Charles Frederick Hamilton Napier was born in Simla, India, on 19 March 1872, the seventh son Field Marshal Sir Robert Napier, 1st Baron Napier of Magdala, who commanded the Abyssinian Expedition, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Rifle Brigade from the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, on 25 May 1892. He was promoted Lieutenant on 12 December 1894, and saw active service with the 3rd Battalion in India as part of the Tochi Field Force. Promoted Captain on 16 November 1899, he saw further service in South Africa during the Boer War, during operations in the Orange River Colony from January to May 1902, and in the Cape Colony in January 1902.

He was appointed Paymaster in the Army Pay Department, and was promoted Major on 28 July 1912. Appointed Staff Paymaster, he was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 April 1926, and retired on 19 March 1929, having attained the age limit. He died in Alton, Hampshire, on 15 June 1963, aged 91.

Lieutenant-Colonel H. M. Biddulph, Rifle Brigade, seen here wearing his QSA (DoL, LN, Belf) - thrice mentioned in despatches and wounded at Graspan.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (1) Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (1617 Pte. A. Sellar 3rd. Bn. Rif. Bde.);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (1617 Pte. A. Sellar, Rifle Brigade.);
KSA (2) (1617 Pte. A. Sellar. Rifle Brigade.);
Imperial Service Medal GV, 2nd ‘Coronation robes’ issue (Arthur Charles Sellar)

Arthur Charles Sellar was born in Paddington, London, in 1871 and attested for the Rifle Brigade in London on 24 September 1891. He served with the 3rd Battalion in India from 2 February 1892 to 1 February 190. and saw active service during the operations on the Punjab Frontier 1897-98. Transferring to the Army Reserve on 5 February 1899, he was recalled to the Colours on 9 October 1899.

He saw further service with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 28 October 1899 to 9 September 1902.

He transferred once more to the Reserve on 21 May 1903, and was discharged on 23 September 1903, after 12 years’ service. He subsequently became a postman in London, and was awarded the Imperial Service Medal upon his retirement.

Pictures courtesy of C&T Auctions

Sudan (4145 PTE G. NICHOLS 2/R. BDE:;
QSA (3) Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek and Belfast (4145 PTE G NICHOL. RIFLE BRIGADE);
KSA (2) (4145 PTE G NICHOL. RIFLE BRIGADE);
Khedive’s Sudan, unnamed as issued;
[ Great War medals[]

George Nichol was a 22-year-old Tailor from Edinburgh when he attested for the Rifle Brigade on 5th November 1895. He served for a total of 12 years spending time in Singapore, Malta, Egypt (twice), Crete and South Africa. He is listed as being dangerously wounded in the attack on the Boer gun positions on Surprise Hill, Ladysmith that took place on 11th December 1899. The attack resulted in British casualties of 11 dead and 43 wounded.

C&T say all medals and clasps are confirmed on the relevant medal roll of the 2nd Battalion Rifle Brigade, the award of the no-clasp Khedives Sudan Medal is confirmed. George Nicholls also saw service in the Great War with the Rifle Brigade (B/596) and the Royal Engineers (605407).