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From the next Lockdales auction.


Picture courtesy of Lockdales

QSA (1) Na (164966 A.B. A E Dugdale HMS Terrible),
China (1) Relief of Pekin clasp (A Dugdale AB HMS Terrible),
BWM (164966 A E Dugdale LG BTN RN),
Naval LSGC GV (164966 A E Dugdale LDG Boatn HM Coast Guard).

Born Newcastle, Jamaica.

Picture courtesy of DNW

SAGS (1) 1877-8-9 (292. Sergt. T. Tope. 88th Foot.);
QSA (1) Natal (2624 Sgt. T. B. Tope, 1st Connaught Rang:);
KSA (2) (2624 Serjt: T. B. Tope. Con: Rang:);
LS&GC VR (2624. Sergt. T. B. Tope. Conn. Rang:);
MSM GV (Sjt: Mr: Tlr: T. B. Tope. 1/Conn: Rang:)

MSM with Annuity of £10 awarded in AO 342 of 7 July 1915. He was recommended by O.C. 1st Battalion on 1 October 1898, when still serving with over 24 years’ service, all as Sergeant Master Tailor. He had spent 14 years 6 months overseas including both the Kaffir and Zulu campaigns of 1877-79. He died on 10 January 1941.

Always nice to see a QSA and a Chine War medal, together, to the same recipient.

djb wrote: From the next Lockdales auction.

Picture courtesy of Lockdales

QSA (1) Na (164966 A.B. A E Dugdale HMS Terrible),
China (1) Relief of Pekin clasp (A Dugdale AB HMS Terrible),
BWM (164966 A E Dugdale LG BTN RN),
Naval LSGC GV (164966 A E Dugdale LDG Boatn HM Coast Guard).

Born Newcastle, Jamaica.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Natal (678 Tpr. W. Cleaver, Natal Carbnrs.)

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2010. Hammer of £290.

William Cleaver, a native of Pietermaritzburg, Natal, was mobilised for service with the Natal Carabineers on 29 September 1899. He was wounded in action at Reitfontein on 24 October 1899, suffering gunshot wounds to his body. He died of his wounds on 28 October, and is buried in Ladysmith.

An extract from the Natal Mercury of 26 October 1899 reads: ‘Lieut. Crompton deserves to be recorded. A Carbineer named Cleaver fell while the men were clearing from an exposed position. He was shot through the body. Crompton ran back to him despite the galling fire, and said, “I will carry you under cover.” Cleaver replied, “No, let me rest”, and as he was in great pain, Crompton, after another appeal to be allowed to take him to the ambulance, left him. He was taken up shortly by the ambulance.’

Research also suggests that Regimental Sergeant-Major Bernard Malim Bowen, Natal Carbineers, took a hand in carrying the stricken Cleaver to safety.

Picture courtesy of Liverpool Medals

QSA (1) Natal (Major ....5/Lcrs);
1914-15 Star (Major H. V. Bailey);
BWM & VM (Lt. Col. H. V. Bailey)
France Legion D’Honneur, Knight’s Badge 3rd Republic,
Greece Order of the Redeemer, 4th Class Breast Badge

Award of the Legion D’Honneur LG 7th October 1919.
Award of the Greek Order of the Redeemer LG 21st August 1919

Henry Vincent Bailey was born on 9th November 1862, being the oldest son in a Military family he was educated at Cheltenham College and was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant on 29th January 1881 into the Hertford Infantry Militia, followed by service with the Seaforth Highlanders before finding his place with the cavalry upon joining the 5th Royal Irish Lancers.

By the time of the Boer War he was already a most experienced officer, having spent many years as Captain & Adjutant of the 5th Lancers, he went into the Boer War as a Major, earning his ‘Natal’ bar to his Q.S.A. medal as Commandant of the Cavalry Depot at Mooi River.

Homeward Mail from India, China and the East 27th January 1902 reads: “Major H.V. Bailey, Station Staff Officer, Fyzabad, and late officiating assistant adjutant-general, Burma District, is permitted to avail himself of special South Africa leave during 1902.

Following the end of the Boer War and having already served 22 years in the army, he retired as Major and Officer Commanding the 5th Lancers.

His retirement was interrupted when the Reserve of Officers were mobilised upon the outbreak of WW1 from 23rd September 1914, he was 52 years old and had a wealth of Army experience being assigned as a Brigade Major

He was first made Brigade Major of the 67th Infantry Brigade and arrived in France on 5th September 1915.

During the Salonika campaign he was made Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and served as Base Commandant in Itea & Bralo.

London Gazette 10th January 1918 reads: “Base Commandant - (Grade for purposes of pay as D.A.A. & Q.M.G.) Major H.V. Bailey, Reserve of Officers, from a D.A.A. & Q.M.G., 28th September 1917.

Army and Navy Gazette 3rd August 1918: “Lancers - Brevet Lieut Col H.V. Bailey, Reserve of Officers, late Lancers, was recently promoted to his present rank for distinguished service in connection with military operations in Salonika.”

He lived to the old age of 99 and died on 2nd October 1961.

His Obituary from 1961:

“The late Lieut-Col H.V. Bailey A Distinguished Soldier

The death of Lieut-Colonel Henry Vincent Bailey, Chevalier Legion D’Honour, occurred on October 2nd, at the home of his son in law and daughter (Mr and Mrs Young) in Preston Candover.

Born on November 9th 1862, Colonel Bailey was the eldest son of a military family, and received his education at Cheltenham College. He had a distinguished military career, being commissioned into the Seaforth Highlanders, subsequently transferring to the Cavalry, the 5th Royal Irish Lancers.

After a period in India, he saw active service in South Africa, where he served on the Staff, receiving the Queen’s Medal with Clasp. He retired from the army after the South African War, but was recalled as a Reserve Officer in the 1914-18 War as a Brigade Major, 67th Infantry Brigade, 22nd Division, and subsequently served as a Senior Staff Officer, L. of C. in Greece (Itea and Bralo) and was decorated by both the French and Greek Governments.

Colonel Bailey had lived in Preston Candover for the past ten years and was a familiar figure taking his morning walk, which he did with an amazing alacrity for a man of his years. A keen churchman all his life, he was a regular attendant at church, especially at Holy Communion, which in his last illness he continued to receive at home.

Almost to the last his mind was alert. He was keenly interested in world affairs, but the loss of his eye sight five years ago deprived him of the pleasure of reading, which, hitherto, had occupied much of his time.

It was at this time that his daughter and his son (Major Bailey) took to reading The Times to him each day. He was a great lover of music, and, in his blindness, found pleasure in listening to the radio programmes.
Cricket was another of his interests, and he followed, most closely, the broadcast Test Match scores.

It may well be said that this gallant old gentleman remained young at heart, his admirable willpower time and again during recent years triumphing over physical weakness. Throughout his prolonged illness he was blessed with the constant loving care of his family, to whom much sympathy has been extended.

The funeral service was on Friday of last week in Preston Candover Church, followed by interment in Tadley Churchyard. The Rev G.P. Bewley officiated, and, in a brief address, paid fitting tribute to the Late Colonel Bailey. Miss G.M. Coakes at the organ accompanied the 23rd Psalm, the hymn “Holy father, cheer our way” and the Nunc Dimittis, which was chanted as the cortege left the church.

The family mourners were Mr and Mrs W.A. Young (son-in-law and daughter), Major and Mrs Bailey (son and daughter-in-law), Group Captain and Mrs Morice (brother in law and sister), Mrs Mortimore (niece) and Mr A Young and Mr R V Smith (grandsons). Also present were Mrs H J Nitch-Smith, Mrs Keep and Mrs Cosier”

Are the badges the reason why this QSA is so expensive?

A scarce Queen’s South Africa Medal 1899-1902, 1 Clasp: Natal, awarded to Private B. Baker, Army Post Office Corps, serving on attachment from the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers - the Post Office Rifles, and a postman from Barnsbury who saw service during the Boer War on operations in the Natal and died of enteric fever at Ladysmith on 29th April 1900. Sold together with the original Queen’s crown pouch belt and cap badge for the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers - the Post Office Rifles.

QSA (1) Natal; (453 PTE B. BAKER. POST OFFICE CORPS)

Condition: Extremely Fine.

Together with an original Queen’s crown pouch belt and cap badge for the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers - the Post Office Rifles, both with complete fittings.

Benjamin Baker was born in Barnsbury, Middlesex, and having worked as a postman and seen service in the Volunteer Force as a Rifleman with the 24th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers - the Post Office Rifles, then with the outbreak of the Boer War, attested for service at London on 18th January 1900, joining as a Private (No.453) the Army Post Office Corps. Posted to South Africa, he took part in the operations in the Natal, and died of enteric fever at Ladysmith on 29th April 1900.

£695.


Picture courtesy of the London Medal Co