The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Lot 2351    Session 8 (2.30pm Wednesday)    The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Estimate $20,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $14,000

GROUP OF FIVE TO RENOWNED PROPONENT OF MILITARY ARTS AND KIA WITH LHR AT GALLIPOLI: Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, (type 2 reverse with ghost dates), - six clasps - Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill; King's South Africa Medal 1900, - two clasps - South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18, Victory Medal 1914-19. 303. S:S:M: H:Robson. N.S.W.Lrs: on first medal, Lieut: R.Robson. N.S.W.M.R. on second medal, 2/Lieut. H.Robson. 6/L.H.Rgt A.I.F. on third medal, Lieut. H.Robson. A.I.F. on last two medals. First medal engraved, other medals impressed. Court mounted style on display board, good very fine - extremely fine.

Together with Royal Military Tournament silver prize medals (2), the first inscribed on reverse, 'Sword v Sword/Colonials/1st Prize/Won By/S.S.M.Robson/N.S.W.Lrs', the second inscribed, 'Lance v Bayonet/Colonials/1st Prize/Won By/Sergt. Major Robson/N.S.W.Lrs'; also A.S.C. Athletic Sports prize medal in silver, reverse inscribed, 'Half Section/Tent Pegging/S.S.M.Robson/N.S.W.Lancers/1899'. A.S.C (Army Service Corps) Athletic Sports was held at the recreation ground of the Corps. The most anticipated event was the half-section tent pegging which was won by the NSW Lancers team of Sgt Maj H.Robson and Cpl Dooley who were loudly cheered for good riding and clever work. The victory was the most popular seen at Aldershot for many a year. Henry 'Harry' Robson, stock and station agent (auctioneer), age 47 born at the family farm at Tucki, Lismore, Richmond River, New South Wales on 19Apr1867. In 1888 he joined detachment of E Troop NSW Lancers at Coraki and became proficient in the military arts and started to travel to tournaments far and wide becoming a competitor with a formidable reputation. After 1890, he transferred to Lismore Lancer troop. In 1893 promoted to Corporal and selected in a Lancer team of 17 men to represent the NSW Lancers at Military Tournaments in England. A London Daily Telegraph report on the procession of troops preceding the opening of the Imperial Institute stated, 'It was upon the NSW Cavalry that the eye rested longest and most admiringly. These lithe and active fellows from the Antipodes in their brown uniforms, which are at once good-looking and serviceable, seemed in appearance at any rate, the very ideal of what cavalry ought to be. The sat their horses with ease and grace and bore their lance aloft like some strange new order of knights come fresh from a youthful world.' In 1899 a force of 105 Lancers went to England for full-time regular training with regular detachments. They also competed in military tournaments. At one tournament at Islington, Harry Robson's arm was nearly broken in the Lance V Bayonet event and despite the doctor's recommendation that he should withdraw, he continued with his arm heavily bandaged from wrist to elbow and won the event receiving a standing ovation for several minutes from the huge crowd. Harry was one of the volunteers to go to the war in South Africa and went straight into action. On one occasion, he rushed out under heavy fire and caught a horse carrying a wounded trooper. He helped the doctor bid up the wounds until a shell explosion nearby blew them both of their feet. The doctor told him to get the man back. Robson got the man onto his horse and was about to gallop off when another shell burst nearby and blew his helmet in two, but he still managed to get the man away. After a year the Lancers returned to Australia for Federation celebrations. Harry then returned to South Africa as Transport Officer in 3 NSWMR for Colonel Cox and earned great praise for his work. While on active service he had been promoted to Hon Lt in the CMF at home and when he arrived home he was placed on the Retired List. WWI: Enlisted and appointed 2nd Lieutenant 6LHR 09Oct1914 (CAG No.87 24/10/1914); Emb.21Dec1914; promoted Lieutenant 01May1915 (CAG No.103 4/9/1915); appointed Acting Quartermaster 15May1915; KIA 24Jul1915 by a piece of shrapnel to the chest at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli; such was the disbelief that he had been killed that it wasn't until Col Cox went to see for himself and uttered the words 'Robbo's killed!' that reality struck home.; buried at Shell Green Cemetery No.1 Gallipoli about 1,150 yards south of Anzac Cove at 11pm of the night of his death and in attendance were Brig Gen Ryrie, Col Cox, Col Harris and a large number of officers and men. A Presbyterian memorial service was held for him at the village of Wyrallah near Lismore which included the Mayor and members of Lismore Council, President and councillors of Gundurimba Shire, representatives of many community organizations, Major Taylor with a detachment from Lismore and Casino Half Squadrons and the Lismore Town Band which led a march form the hall to the church. The occasion was so big that the Church of England and Methodist services for the day were cancelled so that all could attend the service. Mentioned in Under Furred Hats by Berrie, Australians in the Boer War by Wallace and The Royal NSW Lancers 1885-1985 by Vernon. With research including copies of various photos and newspaper cuttings and pages from books featuring Harry Robson.