A Collection of Boer War Medals to the Royal Artillery ROYAL FIELD ARTILLERY
257
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Johannesburg (Major F. B. Johnstone, D.S.O., R.F.A.) clasp backstraps removed and fixed side-carriages for mounting purposes, otherwise very fine
£400-500
Francis Buchanan Johnstone, who was born in February 1863, was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in February 1882, and was serving as a Major and Divisional Adjutant, R.A. by the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa.
Quickly embarked for that theatre of war, he participated in the actions at Belmont, Enslin, Modder River and Magersfontein and, following the relief of Kimberley, the operations in Orange Free State (February to May 1900), including Paardeberg (17-26 February); so, too, in the actions at Poplar Grove, Karee Siding, Vet River (5-6 May) and Zand River, and the operations in the Transvaal (May to June), including the actions near Johannesburg and Pretoria. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 10 September 1901) and awarded the D.S.O. ‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa’ (London Gazette 27 September 1901 refers), which insignia he received from the King on 29 October 1901.
Johnstone, who was advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel in January 1908 and to Colonel in October 1911, commanded R.A. Lowland Division, Scottish Command from April 1913, prior to taking command of the R.A. 52nd Division in the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force until December 1915. Next appointed a Brigadier-General of R.A. 12 Corps, in which capacity he served in the Mediterranean theatre of war until February 1916. Having then been wounded in the Balkan operations, he returned to the U.K. later that year, and subsequently served as C.O. of R.A. 72nd Division, Home Defences from November 1916 until March 1918.
258
QUEEN’S SOUTHAFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (82951 Gnr: J. O’Hara, 4th Bty: R. F.A.) good very fine
£100-140
This Battery received an Honour Title for “Cole’s Kop” in recognition of their hauling two 15-pounder guns some 800 feet up the precipitous sides of this hill. From this elevated position the battery was able to open fire on the rear of the Boer positions and fired over 2,000 shells, all of which had to be hauled up the cliffs. At the end of the action one gun was successfully lowered down again but the second gun had to be thrown over the cliff after time ran out.
259
This Battery was equipped with 4.7-inch Naval guns. Sold with copy medal roll entry which confirms Transvaal clasp issued separately. QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen, Transvaal (31907 Dr. W. Craggs, 5th Bty: R.F.A.)
good very fine £100-140 260
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (85687 Bomb. J. J. Wright, 7th Bty. R.F.A.) contact marks and some edge bruising, nearly very fine
£70-90 261 Pair: Bombardier G. Gibson, 8th Battery Royal Field Artillery
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (22011 A. Br., 8th Batt. R.F.A.); KING’S SOUTH AFRICA 1901-02, 2 clasps (22011 Bomb., R.F.A.) minor contact marks, very fine(2)
£120-160 262 Four: Corporal A. Harrington, 13th Battery Royal Field Artillery
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901 (17300 Gnr., 13/Bty. R.F.A.) correction to ‘13’; 1914 STAR, with clasp (17300 Gnr., R.F.A.) clasp with brooch fitting; BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS (17300 Cpl., R.A.) very fine and better (4)
£300-350 263
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 7 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901 (70833 Bomb. Whlr. T. Kirkwood, 14th Bty. R.F.A.) surface scratches, severe edge bruising and heavily polished, fair
£220-250
Talbot Kirkwood enlisted in the Royal Artillery at Woolwich in February 1889 and was posted as a Gunner to 46th Field Battery, R.F.A., in which capacity he served in India from 1890-94. Advanced to Bombardier Wheeler back in the U.K. in the latter year, he was embarked for South Africa as a member of 14th Battery, R.F.A. in October 1899 and subsequently won entitlement to the above described Medal & clasps (T.N.A. WO A7/5293 refers), and a mention in despatches (London Gazette 8 February 1901 refers), the latter quite possibly in respect of the famous “V.C. action” at Colenso. Returning to the U.K. as a newly promoted Corporal Wheeler in late 1901, he was discharged with a war gratuity of £7 in February 1902. With copied research.
264
QUEEN’S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (78500 Dvr. H. Bullock, 17th Bty. R.F.A.) very fine
£60-80
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