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The 1st Dragoon Guards were quite late to the Boer War, arriving in January 1901.


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4900 Pte A. Hughes. 1st Dgn: Gds:) unofficial rivets between 2nd and 3rd clasps, suspension slack;
1914-15 Star (P. 901 L. Cpl. A. Hughes. MMP.);
BWM and VM (P-901 Sjt. A. Hughes. MMP.);
Defence Medal;
Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C. A. Hughes.);
MSM GV (P-901 Pte - A. Sjt - A. Hughes. MMP.)

MSM LG 3 June 1919 (France).

Andrew Hughes served during the Great War with the Military Mounted Police in the French theatre of war from 9 May 1915.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4301 Pte C. R. Benner. 1st Dgn: Gds:) unofficial rivets between State and Date clasps, suspension slack;
1914-15 Star (P. 1006 L-Cpl. C. R. Benner, MMP.);
BWM and VM (P-1006 L. Cpl. C. R. Benner. MMP.);
Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C. C. [sic] Benner.)

C. R. Benner served during the Great War with the Military Mounted Police in the French theatre of war from 20 September 1915. He was discharged, 30 March 1918 (entitled to Silver War Badge).

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between second and third clasps (3786 Corpl: R. M. Barrs. 1st. Dgn: Gds:);
Coronation 1911, Metropolitan Police (P.C. R. Barrs.)

Together with a Metropolitan Police Band Championship shield medallion, silver-gilt, inscribed ‘R. M. Barrs P.C.367A. Band Championship “A” Divn. Metron. Police’

Robert Middleton Barrs was born in Westminster in 1876 and attested for the 1st Dragoon Guards in London on 13 July 1894. He served with the Regiment in South Africa during the Boer War from 8 January 1901 to 26 June 1902, and was promoted Corporal on 24 January 1901.

He transferred to the Army Reserve on 5 September 1902, and was discharged on 12 July 1906, after 12 years’ service. He subsequently served with “A” Division, Metropolitan Police.

Picture courtesy of Cultman Collectables

[ CB ]
[ CMG ]
QSA (6) Relief of Mafeking, Belmont, Modder River, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (Capt. & Bt: Maj: J.A. Bell-Smyth. 1/ Drgn: Gds.);
1914 Mons Star (Lt.Col: J.A. Bell-Smyth. 1/ D.Gds.);
British War Medal (Brig. Gen. J.A. Bell-Smyth.);
Victory Medal with MID (Brig. Gen. J.A. Bell-Smyth.);
1902 Coronation Medal unnamed as issued
Austria, Order of the Iron, 3rd Class in gold, with Rothe hallmark, early issue.

CB London Gazette 3 June 1919
CMG London Gazette 14 January 1916
MID (x 4) London Gazette 16 April 1901, 1 January 1916, 11 December 1917, and 5 July 1919
Brevet Colonel London Gazette 1 January 1918

John Ambard Bell-Smyth was born on 6 December 1868 in Trinidad and commissioned into the King’s Dragoon Guards on 21 December 1887. He served as Adjutant in the regiment from 1890 to 1893. In 1896, Queen Victoria appointed Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria to be Colonel-inChief on the regiment. Bell-Smyth was one of three officers who traveled to Vienna to present the Emperor with the old regimental standard. For this service, Bell-Smyth was awarded the Order of the Iron Crown, 3rd Class, which he was granted unrestricted permission to wear.

Bell-Smyth served as Aide de Camp to Lord Methuen during first several months of the Boer War, being present at Belmont, Modder River, and Magersfontein. Bell-Smyth next appointments were as Adjutant of the Kimberley Mounted Corps on 4 March 1900 and Brigade Major of the Mafeking Relief Column on 1 May 1900. Bell-Smyth was present at the relief of Mafeking on 17 May 1900. Bell-Smyth served as Second in Command, Brabant’s Horse from 20 November 1900, and as Commandant, Middleburg from 2 January to 5 February 1901 before rejoining his regiment as Adjutant upon their arrival in South Africa. Bell-Smyth departed for England on 8 October 1901. For his Boer War service, Bell-Smyth was breveted Major, mentioned in despatches, and awarded the Order of Leopold, 3rd Class by the Emperor Franz Joseph.

Between wars, Bell-Smyth led the contingent representing the King’s Dragoon Guards at the Coronation of King Edward VII on 9 August 1902. He attended the wedding of Prince Alexander George of Teck (whom he met during the relief of Mafeking) at Windsor Castle on 10 February 1904. He served on the staff on the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, from 1 January 1908 to 21 January 1911. After completing his appointment at Sandhurst, Bell-Smyth passed through Staff College, Camberley, 1911-12.

Bell-Smyth was appointed Commanding Officer, King’s Dragoon Guards on 14 June 1914. The regimental history states that he received the G.M.G. for distinguished service while sub-sector leader during the battle of Chateau Hooge, 1-2 June 1915. He was promoted Brigadier General in command of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade on 16 October 1915 and remained in that position for the rest of the War.

In addition to the CMG, Bell-Smyth received the CB, was breveted Colonel, and mentioned in despatches three times for his Great War services. He retired on 12 May 1920 and died on 24 March 1922.

Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

QSA (3) Cape Colony, OFS, Transvaal (3880 Pte S. Fennell 1st Dgn Gds)

Sydney Fennell. Entitled to SA01. Other clasps verified.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Orange Free State (4396 Pte. H. Ireson, 1st. Dgn: Gds:);
1914 Star (4396 Pte. H. J. Ireson. 1/D. Gds.);
British War and Victory Medals (4396 Sjt. H. J. Ireson. 1-D. Gds.)

Henry J Ireson attested for the 1st Dragoon Guards and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War, and subsequently during the Great War on the Western Front from 19 August 1914. He later served with the Machine Gun Corps and the County of London Yeomanry.

QSA (2) verified on WO100/112p82. SA01 and SA02 on WO100/112pa32.