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Picture courtesy of Spink

CB (MIlitary) n/b;
CMG n/b;
DSO VR;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Elandslaagte, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Capt. & Adjt: W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O, Manch: R.), one rivet repaired between fourth and fifth clasps;
KSA (2) (Cpt. W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O. Manc. Rgt.);
1914 Star, clasp (Major W. P. E. Newbigging. D.S.O. Manch. R.);
British War and Victory Medals, with MID (Col. W. P. E. Newbigging.);
France, Republic, Croix de Guerre, with Palme upon riband, reverse dated '1914-1916'

CB London Gazette 1 January 1919.

CMG London Gazette 1 January 1917.

DSO London Gazette 27 September 1901.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 5 November 1920.

William Patrick Eric Newbigging - or 'Biggings' to his friends and comrades - was born in Bengal, India on 31 May 1871, son of Lieutenant-Colonel Newbigging, Manchester Regiment, of 124 Lexham Gardens, London. He was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Manchester Regiment on 23 March 1892 and was made Lieutenant on 28 July 1895. He was appointed Adjutant of the 1st Battalion from 2 November 1898-1 November 1902, becoming Captain on 18 March 1899.

Newbigging shared in the actions of the Boer War and was present at the operations in Natal during 1899, including being at the Battle of Elandslaagte, on which occasion he was severely wounded by a bullet to the left shoulder. He was employed with Mounted Infantry, and was present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including operations on Tugela Heights (14-27 February 1900). Newbigging was also in the action at Pieter's Hill and was present for the operations in Natal, March-June 1900, in the Transvaal during 1902. For his part in the Boer War, he was twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazette, 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902, refer), received the Queen's Medal & 5 clasps, King's Medal & 2 clasps besides being made a DSO, which was invested by The King on 18 December 1902. He was also the co-author of Rough Diary of the Doings of the 1st Battn. Manchester Regt. During the South African War 1899-1902.

Made Adjutant of the Volunteers, 15 December 1902-31 July 1908, he was promoted Major on 22 April 1911. He was made an Instructor at the School of Signalling, 3 July 1912-4 August 1914 and with the outbreak of the Great War proceeded to France on 25 August 1914. During that conflict he was Deputy Director of Army Signalling, British Armies in France, 6 February 191-15 May 1918, Chief Signalling Officer, British Armies in France, 16 May 1918-8 April 1919 and finally Signalling Officer-in-Chief, British Army of the Rhine, 9 April 1919. Unsurprisingly he further gilded his laurels during the Great War, adding the CB, CMG, French Croix de Guerre, besides being 'mentioned' on no less than six occasions (London Gazette 9 December 1914, 7 February 1915, 1 January 1916, 9 April & 11 December 1917, 20 December 1918, refers).

Appointed Commandant of the Signals Training Centre, Catterick in 1922; was made Brigadier-General, and died in 1940.

The group to Brigadier general Newbigging sold for a hammer price of £5,200. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £6,448. R127,900. Au$11,040. Can$10,050. US$7,550

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Belfast (4668 Pte F Ellis, Devon Regt);
KSA (2) (4668 Pte T. Ellis. Devon: Regt);
British War and Victory Medals (2926 Pte T. Ellis. Devon. R.).

Group mounted in a framed a glazed display, with a black and white photo of the recipient in old age, regimental badges either side, and brass title plaque below, toned, minor correction and bruise near initial of first.

Private Thomas Ellis (1877-1968) was born in 1877 in Harberton, Totnes, Devon, and attested for service with the 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment in 1896 at the age of 19. He saw service in the Boer War in South Africa for almost two and a half years, where the Devonshire Regiment played a prominent part in several key battles and engagements. The 1st Battalion Devonshires fought with distinction at Elandslaagte, but suffered the loss of 4 officers and 29 men wounded in the attack. They also took part in the battle of Wagon Hill, and in the famous Defence of Ladysmith (service papers confirm this entitlement, and interestingly, the QSA Roll shows the initial ‘F’ written in error for his Christian name).

After two years’ service in India he was transferred to the Army Reserve on 25 January 1904, and was discharged on 21 January 1908, only to return for further service in the Great War with the Devonshire Regiment and the Northumberland Fusiliers (MIC confirms entitlement to a Great War pair).

The framed group to Private Ellis sold at Morton and Eden yesterday for a reasonable hammer price of £500. Totals (inc VAT on the commission for the UK only): £620. R12,300. Au$1,060. Can$970. US$730

Picture courtesy of Bill Friar

QSA (3) ELANDSLAAGTE, DEF OF LADYSMITH, BELFAST (5099 PTE R ROBINSON MANCHESTER REGT.)
[ KSA (2) ]

Also entitled to CC and OFS.



£645

Confirmed single clasp QSA - Elandslaagte.
Gunner 89806 Charles John Andrews, 21st Battery, Royal Field Artillery.
Born London circa 1869.
Wounded at Nicholson's Nek on the 30th of October 1899.