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The British Red Cross Society was formed in 1870: www.angloboerwar.com/unit-information/ot...sh-red-cross-society


Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Mr. H. J. B. Payne, B.R.C. Society) officially impressed naming

Sold with contemporary arm or hat white silk Red Cross band, and copied medal roll of the ‘British Red Cross Society’, which contains 16 names under Colonel J. S. Young and Sir John Furley.

Noonan's say Henry Payne’s medal is unique with these three clasps but this is not the case as the roll below shows.

WO100/205p225:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Natal (Mr. C. W. J. Chepmell, B.R.C. Society) officially impressed naming;
Transport 1899-1902, (1) S. Africa 1899-1902 (C. Chepmell.) officially impressed naming;
BWM 1914-20 (Charles W. J. Chepmell);
[ Mercantile Marine War Medal ]

Charles William James Chepmell was born in 1860 and completed his studies in medicine at the University of Edinburgh in 1887. In 1889 he was awarded the degree MD with distinction by the University of Brussels (Belgium) and was also admitted as a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in England.

His war service started when he landed at Cape Town on 8 January 1900, in his capacity as Assistant Commissioner for Natal for the Central British Red Cross Society. This body had been officially recognised as being responsible for organising ‘the reception and forwarding of the various gifts and voluntary supplies of clothing, comforts and luxuries to the sick and wounded in all parts of the country.’ Chepmell proceeded to Pietermaritzburg and carried out his duties with great energy and success until being obliged by illness to resign his post in June 1900. For these services he received the QSA Medal.

He subsequently joined the P&O Shipping Line as a Surgeon and was appointed to the SS Manila on 5 March 1901. He was in medical charge of troops and prisoners-of-war in South African waters for a number of months, and subsequently received the Transport Medal.

After service on other P&O liners, he also served in a hospital in Malaya. In 1902 he served on the SS Australia, but resigned, having been reported for insobriety in June 1902. He returned to England and was in private practice in London.

For services during WWI he received the British and Mercantile Marine War Medals.

He died in 1935.

The results of today's auction.

The group to Dr Chepmell sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,700. Totals: GBP 2,190. R 48,180. AUD 4,020. NZD 4,370. CAD 3,590. USD 2,720. EUR 2,460.

The single QSA to Mr Payne sold or a hammer price of GBP 380. Totals: GBP 489. R 10,770. AUD 900. NZD 980. CAD 800. USD 610. EUR 550.