The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Lot 2362    Session 8 (2.30pm Wednesday)    The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Estimate $6,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PAIR TO WIA AND SUBJECT OF CONTROVERSIAL INCIDENT: Queen's South Africa Medal 1899, (type 2 reverse), - five clasps - Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal; King's South Africa Medal 1902, - two clasps - South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902. 27 Tpr: O.A.Taylor, Australian Horse on first medal, Lieut: O.Taylor. N.S.W.M.R. on second medal. Both medals impressed. Court mounted, well polished, good fine.

Wounded at Driefontein. On 10 March 1900 at the Battle of Driefontein the 3rd NSWMR moved off with the Royal Scots Greys at daybreak and occupied two kopjes in succession and used volley-firing at long ranges, which had the effect of stopping the independent firing and causing the Boers to open fire with artillery. In advancing across some open country, mounted, some Vicker-Maxim shells (pom-poms) dropped between the 2nd and 3rd troops. One horse was killed and Trooper Owen Taylor wounded in the shoulder. Trooper Parry, whose horse was killed, had his leg broken. Sergeant Taylor A Sqn 3rd NSW Mounted Rifles was promoted to Lieutenant in February 1901. Later, he was subject to a claim of Conduct Violation by Colonel Rimington CB, Assistant Adjutant General Colonial Forces who stated that he believed Lieut Taylor and Lieut Waters were in charge of the rear guard troops who had looted and set on fire the houses of two Boer women and robbed them of their money and groceries as his Column marched through Villiersburg from south to north on 13 May 1902. These two Boer women had been helpful to His Majesty's Forces and they claimed that when they showed the two officers the protecting passes they had been given by my Intelligence Officer that they threw them to one side. One of the women had a cross in her house which had been left by the Officer-in-charge of 3rd NSWMR to put over a grave of a man of his regiment who had been buried in the neighbourhood. This had the man's name and regiment painted on it and was shown to the officers in question. Colonel Rimington stated that the officer temporarily in charge of the Column gave the two officers a public reprimand and further stated that if he had been present he would have had both of them tried by a Field General Court Martial. After a thorough investigation, Lieut Col Cox stated in a letter dated 5 May 1902 that Lieut Waters should be exonerated from blame and in no way be prejudiced regarding further employment in South Africa as another officer, Lieut M.R.Mecham, had made a statement, supported by statements from Capt P.McDonald and Sergt P.Edge that establishes a complete alibi for Lieut Waters. Lieut Mecham and Lieut Taylor, the two officers responsible for the incident, have now returned to Australia. With research including copy of roll confirming clasps and full details of the investigation into the above incident.