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In celebration of the anniversary of the battle of Elandslaagte


Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3357 Pte. W. H. Knight 1st. Bn. Devon Regt.);
QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast (3357 Corpl: W. H. Knight. Devon: Regt.);
KSA (2) (3357 Corpl: W. Knight. Devon: Regt.)

William Henry Knight was born at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in March 1873 and attested for the Devonshire Regiment on 9 November 1891.

He served with the 1st Battalion in India from 17 December 1892 to 20 September 1899, and then in South Africa during the Boer War from 21 September 1899 to 18 January 1902. He was present at the Battle of Elandslaagte, where the Battalion made the final bayonet charge of the battle.

He was discharged on 8 November 1912, after 21 years’ service.

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (160 Gnr: B. Irvin. Natal F. Arty:)

Verified on WO100/260p3

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast (3114 Pte J. Lockeridge, Manchester Regt)

Verified on WO100/198p49

From the City Coins auction, 4 November 2022

QSA (3) Defence of Ladysmith, Elandslaagte, South Africa 1901 (160 Tpr: D. Scully Natal M. R.)

Some surface marks and edge knocks.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (39 Q.M.Sjt: H. Higgs. Natal M.R.)

H. Higgs served as Quarter-Master Sergeant of the Natal Mounted Rifles from 29 September 1899-31 May 1902.

Clasps confirmed on WO100/260p20

Picture courtesy of Spink

IS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98 (3767 Pte. W. Gliddon 1st Bn. Devon. Regt.);
QSA (4) Elandslaagte, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Belfast (3767 Pte. W. Gliddon, Devon: Regt);
KSA (2) (3767 Pte W. Gliddon. Devon Regt.);
1914-15 Star (15415 Pte. W. H. Gliddon. Devon R.);
British War and Victory Medals (15415 Pte. W. H. Gliddon. Devon. R.)

William Henry Gliddon served with the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment and was with them in India during their service on the Northwest Frontier and during the Tirah expedition. The Battalion was one of those rushed to South Africa in the build-up to the Second Anglo-Boer War, marching north to reinforce General White after hostilities commenced. Gliddon is confirmed as having been dangerously wounded at the Battle of Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899. Here the unit formed part of the left centre of the British line, they assaulted two detached hills, the Boer lines and then pushed past their guns. They were one of the units taken by surprise when many of the Boers disregarded the call to surrender and kept fighting after the white flag was raised. On that day, four Officers and 29 other ranks of the Battalion were wounded during the fighting with only two listed as 'dangerously wounded'. Gliddon's Relief of Ladysmith clasp suggests that he was not part of the force trapped in that city, perhaps evacuated due to his injuries and instead fought with Buller's troops on their advance over the Tugela.

On the outbreak of the Great War, Gliddon returned to the fold and served in France with the 2nd Battalion from 14 April 1915. They saw heavy fighting at Ypres before moving to the Italian front in 1917 and later returning to Italy for battles at Lys, on the Somme and the Hindenburg Line. At the end of the war Gliddon was posted to the Rifle Brigade, Base Depot and here he was awarded a Silver War Badge (No. 509437). He was finally discharged on 1 January 1919.