TOPIC:

Cracking medal Chris.

Just one small point. The 21st Battery were in action at Farquhar's Farm (sometimes referred to as Lombard's Kop) on the same day as Nicholson's Nek. The two actions took place only a few miles apart. The only artillery at Nicholson's Nek were the 10th Mountain Battery RGA.

David

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

IGS 1895 (2) Punjab Frontier 1897-98, Tirah 1897-98, clasp carriage refurbished, with unofficial rivets between clasps (4187 Pte. F. Britton 1st. Bn. Devon: Regt.);
QSA (3) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Transvaal, unofficial rivets between second and third clasps (4187 Pte. F. Britton. Devon: Regt.);
KSA (2) (4187 Pte. F. Britton. Devon: Regt.);
1914 Star (2780 Pte. F. Britton. R. War. R.);
BWM and VM (2780 Pte. F. Britton. R. War. R.)

Frank Britton was born at Woodplace, near Tiverton, Devon, in 1872, one of eleven children of a local farmer, and attested for the Devonshire Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion in India and then in South Africa during the Boer War, before transferring to the Army Reserve in 1903. He saw further service with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment during the Great War on the Western Front from 11 November 1914, subsequently transferring to the Army Service Corps (Motor Transport). He died in Barnstaple in 1942.

Noonan's note: The recipient’s Medal Index Card for his Great War medals originally shows the spelling of his surname as ‘Brittain’ and that his 1914 Star was originally issued with this name; the Star was returned and re-issued with the correct spelling on 11 November 1921.

Delayed response David. Sorry about that. But many thanks for this additional information which is much appreciated.
Chris

Chris,

We see single clasps Elandslaagte QSAs rarely these days so it was very nice to see your example.

Picture courtesy of Spink

[ IGS 1895 (2) ]
QSA (2) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4250 Pte. C. Foreman, Devon: Regt.)

Charles Foreman served with the 1st Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on the North-West Frontier of India (Medal & 2 clasps) before joining them in the concentration of forces in South Africa prior to the outbreak of the Second Anglo-Boer War. This unit too part in the fierce battle at Elandslaagte where a British Column was able to overrun a Boer Commando with the Devons playing a crucial role, launching a fierce bayonet charge directly into the heart of the Boer Camp. Despite the victory the rapid Boer advance forced them back to Ladysmith which was soon brought under siege.

During this the Devonshire Regiment manned a number of outposts around the British positions, under constant threat from snipers and artillery. They were heavily involved in the action on 6 January 1900, with one detachment fighting off a diversionary assault on Observation Hill. The rest of the unit then launched a counter attack against the captured British outpost of Wagon Hill, driving the victorious Boers from the summit and re-establishing the defensive line. Tragically Foreman was killed in action during the fighting that day.

The medal to Private Foreman sold at Spink yesterday for a hammer price of GBP 800. Totals: GBP 992. R 21,450. AUD 1,780. NZD 1,890. CAD 1,610. USD 1,200. EUR 1,090.

While the write-up explains the role of the the Devons on Waggon Hill on the day of his demise, there is doubt that this is where he met his end.