The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Lot 2366    Session 8 (2.30pm Wednesday)    The Chris Thomas Collection of Boer War Medals

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au

PAIR (LATER METROPOLITAN SUPERINTENDENT OF SOUTH AUSTRALIAN POLICE): Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 (type 3 reverse), - four clasps - Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901; Jubilee Medal 1935. 151 Tpr: W.Nation. South Aus: I.B. on first medal, second medal unnamed as issued. Named medal impressed and renamed in part but contemporary. Court mounted, the first with hairlines, otherwise nearly extremely fine, the second uncirculated.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 87A (lot 5065). Recorded on Jubilee Medal roll as Wylie Nation, Inspector of Police. Wylie Nation, age 22, butcher of Eastwood, Adelaide, South Australia; Enl.23Apr1900 B Sqn 4 SAIB; to South Africa with Fourth Contingent; 05Jul1900 embarked from Cape Colony arriving at Port Adelaide on 27Jul1901; unit disbanded and men paid off; joined South Australia Police Force and on 01Oct1901 Foot Constable No 203, Wylie Nation, nicknamed 'the long fellow' because of his height, commenced on the beat; after five years promoted to Second Class Constable; 25Dec1907 Sergeant 3rd Grade; 01Feb1909 2nd Class Detective; 01Jul1916 appointed First Class Detective; was a prominent member of Torrens Rowing Club and from 1905 to 1912 was a member of the South Australian State rowing crew; WWI: Detective Nation was sent overseas with the Australian Army on special investigations; when he left Egypt for Scotland Yard he received a special commendation from the Chief Officer of the Egyptian Police Force; 14Nov1921 appointed Sergeant First Grade. 01Jul1922 Sub-Inspector; 01Jul1923 Inspector 3rd Class; 01Jul1925 appointed Inspector Second Class; 15Feb1929 promoted Inspector First Class and placed in charge of CIB; 01Jul1935 appointed Acting Metropolitan Superintendent of Police, confirmed in 01Jan1936; during his police career he was involved in many high profile cases and awarded eight honourable mentions by the Commissioner of Police; he died on 24May1937 and his funeral procession was one of the largest police funerals held and included over 250 members of the police force. At least three other members of the Nation family served in the Boer War, John Boath Nation AAMC, and Henry Albert Nation and Percy Eastwood Nation both in 5th (Imp Bushmen) Contingent. With research including various photos and a copy of the book, 4th South Australian Bushmen's Contingent Boer War 1899-1902 by Mostly Unsung Military History Research and Publications.