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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal (3339. Pte. E. Smith, 12 R Lrs) engraved naming;
[ KSA (2) ]

Together with a 12th Royal Lancers cap badge.

KSA listed on WO100/304p359

Edward Smith was born in Blackburn, Lancaster in 1872 and attested on 29th May 1891 in Burnley, County of Lancaster for the 12th Royal Lancers (No 3339). Edward, aged 19 years and 2 months is listed as a printer by trade. He was 5 feet 9 1/4 inches with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and Black hair. He was recalled to Army Service on 7 October 1899

He served in South Africa and earned the clasps: Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Transvaal & also the KSA

Discharged on 26 May 1903 having completed 12 years of service. He listed his parents as Richard & Elizabeth Smith & a brother, Frederick, living at 15 Bicknell Street, Blackburn, Lancaster

BOER WAR PAIR TO SIR EDMUND BEECROFT FRANCIS HEATHCOTE LACON BARONET 12TH LANCERS

Queens South Africa Medal, clasps: Cape Colony, Orange Free State and Transvaal
Named to: LIEUT SIR E.B. LACON BART.12TH RL LANCERS( naming impressed)
King's South Africa Medal, clasps: South Africa 1901 and South Africa 1902 (naming engraved)
Named to: LT.SIR E.B.F.H. LACON BT 12/LCRS


Lt. 4th (Militia) Btn., Norfolk Regt 1898-9
Served in the South Africa War 1901-2 with the 12th Lancers operations in the Transvaal,, April to July 1901, and in Cape Colony July 1901 to 31st May 1902 (Queen's Medal with three clasps, King's medal with two clasps.
He was admitted to the Russian/Dutch hospital suffering from enteric fever, along with three other officers on 12th May, two of whom subsequently died.
Hart's Army List 1909-Captain, Westmoreland and Cumberland Yeomanry

Sir Edmund Beecroft Francis Heathcote Lacon 5th
Baronet of Ormesby, Norfolk. created 1818. Eldest Son of Thomas Beecroft Usher Lacon, Esq., who died 1899,by Florence Dunbar, daughter of of the late R.G. Banks, Esq; born 26 September 1878 in Toronto, Canada, succeeded his uncle Sir Thomas Broughton Knowles Lacon, 4th Baronet, in 1899. He was baptized on 29 November 1878 in All Saints Church, Toronto.

Lacon got into severe financial trouble after unwise investments, securing his interests against the Ormesby Estate, and guarantees given to his brother officers while in the Army.
He went to British Columbia in 1909 and was tragically killed in a car accident, when his car went over a bank on 28th September 1911, just a few months after marrying his wife.

A very desirable pair of medals named to a 'Sir' and a 'Baronet'. Thank you for sharing.
Cheers Steve

A very unusually named pair with a fascinating story.

Research indicates Lancon was in the Russian/Dutch Hospital. Does anyone know anything about this hospital? Where was it and how large was it? Thanks in advance.
John