W Woolmore Collection - Australian Groups

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Lot 3564    SESSION 13 (2.30PM THURSDAY 21ST NOV)    W Woolmore Collection - Australian Groups

Estimate $5,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $4,600

TRIO: South Africa Medal 1877-79, - clasp - 1879; Egypt Medal 1882-91, (undated reverse), clasp - Suakin 1885; Khedive's Star 1884-6. Trumpr. J.Best. Lonsdale's Horse on first medal, Bugle Maj: Best, N.S.W. Infy on second medal, last medal unnamed as issued. Named medals engraved. Display mounted, all with matching silver brooch bars, contact marks especially on second medal, otherwise fine - very fine.

Together with Lord Mayor's Soudan Medal 1885 in silver (28mm) (C.1885/10), reverse inscribed, 'J.Best/Bugle Major'; C.C.C. (Collingwood Cyclists' Club) hand engraved prize fob in silver (36x46mm), no maker, ring top suspension, obverse inscribed, 'C.C.C./Road Race/16-4-97.', reverse inscribed, '3rd Prize/Presented By/S.Greene Esq/Won by/H.I.Best/21 Miles 1 Hr 3 ½ Mns'.

6 Bugle Major John Best (AKA John Alexander Clarke); Emb.03Mar1885 on SS Iberia; RTA 23Jun1885 on SS Arab.

A news article in the Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal, Wednesday 1 April 1885, p3, stated as follows, 'Some time ago a man who signed his name as 'John Alexander Clarke' sent to England for his wife and family of five children. They came by the immigrant, steamer Gulf of Mexico, but, meanwhile, 'Clarke' had enlisted in the New South Wales Contingent, in, it is alleged, the name of 'Best,' and proceeded to the Soudan in the capacity of a bugle major. It is represented that 'Clarke' was known to his friends by the name of 'Best,' and that before leaving the colony he requested a friend to look after his wife and family on their arrival. This friend waited upon the Immigration Agent, to consult him as to what it would be best to do in the interests of the immigrants. Mr Wise said that as the visitor had been authorised to look after them, they were at liberty to go out of the Immigration Depot with him. The friend, however, said he had a wife of his own to look after, and he was not prepared to accept the full responsibility of keeping the wife and family of the man who had gone away. He intended to request the secretary to the Patriotic Fund Committee to see whether the alleged change of name on the part of 'Clarke' would in any way affect the right of his wife, to receive his deferred pay, and whether the committee could render any assistance to the woman and her family.

It was also reported on 7 May 1886 in the Globe (Sydney) newspaper that at the Tasmanian Easter encampment held at Ross that more than local interest was the presentation by the Colonel Commandant of the Imperial Government Medal (Egypt Medal) to Bugle-Major J.Best, a member of the Australian Contingent in the Soudan. The Colonel made a soldierly speech as he pinned the medal on the breast of the bugler. Best was wearing the Zulu War Medal of 1879, he having served as trumpeter in that campaign with Colonel Lonsdale's Horse. He also had the medal presented by the New South Wales citizens, but was not allowed to wear this when in uniform.

With copy of page of NSW Contingent's medal roll confirming entitlement for J.Best.

Estimate / sale price does not include buyer's premium (currently 22% including GST) which is added to hammer price. All bids are executed on the understanding that the Terms & Conditions of sale have been read and accepted. For information on grading and estimates please refer to the Buying at Auction advice.

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