TOPIC:

Single clasp medal to Staff Sergeant-Major E. G. Adames, British South Africa Police, a ‘Jameson raider’ who died in the Boer War


Picture courtesy of DNW

BSA CM reverse Rhodesia 1896 (Corpl. E. C. Adams. B.S.A. Police)
QSA (1) Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Rhodesia (539 S. Sjt: Maj: E. G. Adames. B.S.A. Police)

Ernest Gribbon Adames was born at Chichester, Sussex, on 7 January 1869. He served as a Trooper in “A” Troop, Mashonaland Mounted Police, and took part in the Jameson raid in 1895-96. He was amongst those captured by the Boers at Doornkop, Transvaal, on 2 January 1896, and was repatriated to England from Durban aboard the Harlech Castle later that month. He embarked at Southampton for Cape Town aboard the Dunottar Castle on 21 March 1896, citing his occupation as a prospector. In November 1896 he enlisted into the British South Africa Company‘s Police as a Corporal in “G” Troop, and took part in the Matabele Rebellion.

During the Boer War he served as a Staff Sergeant-Major with No. 2 (Bulawayo) Division, B.S.A. Police, in operations in Rhodesia. He died of typhoid fever at Bulawayo on 4 December 1899, and is buried in Bulawayo General Cemetery.

A sadly incomplete group on sale at Lockdales, 16 May 15:

Group to 598 Tpr G E Clarke B.S.A. Police (pair named Gnr G E Clarke S.A.H.A.). QSA with single bar Rhodesia, KSA with bars SA01 & SA02, BWM & South African Victory Medal. Collectors notes with lot indicate that he is also entitled to the BSA Company Medal for Mashonaland 1897, and that he was twice Wounded during WW1 5/9/1918 Gassed and 23/9/1918 Dangerous GSW. With cap badge. Small verdigris marks VF (4). Estimate £340 - £360

Clarke's QSA and KSA are verified on the rolls.

The group above to Adames sold for a hammer price of £3,000.

David

Am I right in thinking that was an unexpectedly high price for the Adames medals? It is at times such as this that I realise many of my 'wants' will remain unfulfilled!

Regards
Brett

Brett,

Yes, the estimate for Adames had been £800-1,000. It must be the Jameson factor.

Compare this group that sold in the DNW auction after Adames:

BSA CM reverse Matabeleland 1893, 1 clasp, Rhodesia 1896 (Corpl., Raaff’s Column)
QSA (5) CC OFS Tr 01 02 (690 Tpr., S. Rhod. Vols.) some copy clasps.

He is entitled to the Rhodesia clasp too. Hammer price £490.


Picture courtesy of DNW


It looks like single Rhodesia QSA are selling for around £500 now.