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Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

QSA (2) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (927 Tpr: F. E. Folwell. Natal Carbnrs:);

M&E say 'F. E. Folwell of the Natal Carbineers is confirmed on the medal roll. Also offered with an official transmission slip to 'D. C. Folwell' with entitlement to wear the Southern Rhodesia Service Medal, with two small photographs.'

Today was a rare opportunity to see so many Elandslaagte medals sell in one auction.

Here are the prices realised today. Lot 312 is especially noteworthy.

138 - Capt. P. H. Normand, D.S.O., Imp Lt. Horse. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 2,600. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 3,224. R70,200. Au$6,300. Can$5,740. US$4,090
142 - 281 Tpr: P. Addison. Natal M.R. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 2,000. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 2,480. R54,000. Au$4,850. Can$4,420. US$3,140
153 - 4810 Pte. G. Holland, Devon: Regt. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 350. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 434. R9,500. Au$850. Can$770. US$550
161 - 4881 Pte. D. Coyle, Manchester Regt. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 380. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 471. R10,300. Au$920. Can$840. US$600
185 - 10 Tptr:-Major P. Carmont, Natal M.R. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 550. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 682. R14,900. Au$1,330. Can$1,210. US$860
187 - 107 Corpl: E. R. H. Lewis. Natal M.R. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 320. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 397. R8,600. Au$780. Can$710. US$500
188 - Lieut: F.O. Stiebel, Natal M.R. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 420. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 521. R11,300. Au$1,020. Can$930. US$660
208 - 4 L.Corpl: W. Jago. Imp: Lt Horse. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 650. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 806. R17,600. Au$1,580. Can$1,440. US$1,020
212 - 237 Tpr: A Ross. Imp. Lt Horse. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 480. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 595. R13,000. Au$1,160. Can$1,060. US$750
214 - 431 L. Corpl: E. G. Palmer. Imp: Lt Horse. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 550. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 682. R14,900. Au$1,330. Can$1,210. US$860
215 - 230 Corpl: W.J. Treloar. Imp: Lt Horse. Sold for a hammer price of GBP 480. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 595. R13,000. Au$1,160. Can$1,060. US$750
281 - 165 Dvr: A. Burger. Natal F. Arty: Sold for a hammer price of GBP 550. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 682. R14,900. Au$1,330. Can$1,210. US$860
312 - 927 Tpr: F. E. Folwell. Natal Carbnrs: Sold for a hammer price of GBP 3,500. Totals (VAT UK only): GBP 4,340. R94,500. Au$8,480. Can$7,730. US$5,500

What did they know about Trooper Folwell that M&E didn't? They expected £300-500!

P-C,

Indeed.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4950, Pte. C. W. Prince. 5/Lcrs.)

Spink say 'C. W. Prince served with the 5th (Royal Irish) Lancers at the Battle of Elandslaagte, one of the few decisive victories won by the British during the Second Boer War. He then later served at the Defence of Ladysmith, where he died of enteric fever on 22 January 1900.'

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (4) Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4298. Pte. W. Steel. 5 Lcrs.);
KSA (2) (4298 Pte W. Steele. 5th Lancers.);
[ Great War medals?]

Walter Steel was born in 1872 in Fulham, Middlesex and previously worked as a labourer before he enlisted into the 4th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. He then attested into the 5th Lancers on 27 December 1893, aged 22. He served at home between December 1893 and September 1894 before then serving in India between September 1894 and March 1898. He was not entitled to the India General Service Medal. He then served in South Africa between March 1898 and August 1902 before then returning home to complete his service with the 5th Lancers between August 1902 and December 1905. In South Africa, he was posted to a number of different stations including Transvaal and Orange Free State. He also served at the Defence of Ladysmith and the Battle of Elandslaagte.

After his service in South Africa, Steel returned home and finished his service. On the 24 January 1906, he enlisted into the Army Reserve for four years. Upon leaving that in 1910, Steel enlisted into the Special Reservists on the 27 August 1914 upon the eve of the Great War. He was now 42 years old and had been working as coal porter. He was posted on four separate occasions throughout the war, with his last posting on the 31 October 1918. He survived the war and died several years later, on 3 July 1942 from pneumonia at the Royal Lancers Hospital. He was 68 years old.

Please note the variations of spelling on his varying service records - he is recorded as both 'Steel' and 'Steele' throughout his military career.