Australian Groups

Lot 3998       Australian Groups

Estimate $10,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $27,000

GROUP OF SEVEN: Distinguished Service Order (VR); Queen's South Africa Medal 1899 - four bars - Cape Colony; Rhodesia; Orange Free State; Transvaal; King's South Africa Medal - two bars - South Africa 1901; South Africa 1902; 1914-15 Star; British War Medal 1914-18; Victory Medal; Colonial Auxillary Forces Decoration (VR). Decoration unnamed, Major L.F.Clarke Victorian M.R. on first medal, Lt Col L.F.Clarke D.S.O. Victoria M.R. on second medal, Lt-Col L.F.Clarke 12/Bn A.I.F. on WWI trio, Major L.F.Clarke Victorian Military Forces on last medal. D.S.O. unnamed, first medal and trio impressed, second and last medals engraved. Very good - very fine, a rare and important group.

Major Lancelot Fox Clarke, born 15 June 1858. He served in the South African War, 1900-02, with the Victorian Imperial Regt., Rhodesian Field Force. O.C.N., Western Districts, and as Administrator, No.13 Martial Law Area, Cape Colony District. He served in Command of 4th Victorian Mounted Rifles 23 Feb to 23 June, 1901, and took part in operations in the Transvaal. He was mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette, 23Apr1901), received the King's Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette, 23Apr1901): 'Lancelot Fox Clarke, Major, Victorian Bushmen. For able command in operations against De Wet'. The Insignia were presented to him in South Africa. He became Colonel, commanding the 91st Infantry (Tasmanian Rangers), Commonwealth Military Forces. Commanding Officer 12th Battalion A.I.F., K.I.A. the first day of the landing at Gallipoli 25Apr1915. Together with a group of four miniatures D.S.O., Q.S.A., K.S.A., C.D.