S. Africa Colonial Singles

Lot 1441    SESSION 6 (9.30AM TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST)    S. Africa Colonial Singles

Estimate $1,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,500

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL 1899, (type 3 reverse), - five clasps - Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902. 26333 Tpr: H.Grey. Scot: Horse. Impressed. Nicely toned, extremely fine.

26333 Trooper Harold Grey confirmed on nominal roll for Scottish Horse. Enlisted 08Jan1901, and Discharged 15Mar1901 at Pietermaritzburg as Insubordinate. Also on medal roll for Bushveldt Carbineers (later Pietersburg Light Horse).

Information from the book titled The Bushveldt Carbineers and the Pietersburg Light Horse by William (Bill) Woolmore, p196, 'Grey Harold, Trooper No.130/544 (BVC/PLH): English. Previous service as No.21 Scout with Driscoll's Scouts from 21 August 1900 to 11 December 1900, and as Trooper No.26333 in the 1st Scottish Horse from 8 January 1901 to 28 February 1901 when he was discharged as 'undesirable'. He had an insubordination problem in the Scottish Horse which explains his short stay in that unit. Enlisted in the BVC at Maitland on 25 March 1901 - age 26, farrier, single, Church of England, height 5'8", 160 lbs, 37" chest, fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, tattoo - crossed flags on right arm. NOK: mother, Mrs M.Grey, 48 Dymham Rd, West Hampstead, London, England. While serving with the BVC in the Spelonken he had participated in the drinking of the detachment's looted rum supply near Dwars River. He then absconded to Pietersburg where Colonel Hall demanded his resignation. Discharged from BVC on 16 October 1901. Re-enlisted in the PLH (Pietersburg Light Horse) at Green Point on 17 February 1902 with number 544. He qualified for the QSA medal with clasps Cape Colony, OFS, Transvaal, SA 1901 & SA 1902. On 28 April 1905 his medal and clasps were sent to his brother E.C.Grey, 32 Dynham Rd, West Hampstead, N.W.'

Author's additional notes indicate that it appears Trooper Grey could not be traced after the war. He also notes that Grey was called as a witness against the BVC Officers Morant and Handcock.

With research and b&w photo of Trooper Grey.

Ex. W (Bill) Woolmore Collection.