TOPIC:

I too looked in the rolls for Ure and Vine without success. It does seem odd. Anyone who knew the person in the portrait would likely know their military history too so I cannot work our what the intention behind this was.

The group to Private W. Bushell, 21st Lancers


Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM VR (Pte. W. Bushell. 21st. Lancers. (2nd. Septr. 1898));
Sudan (3710. Pte. W. Bushell. 21/Lancers.);
QSA (3) CC, OFS, Tr (5184 Cpl. W. Bushell. 16th Lancers);
KSA (2) (3710 Serjt: W. Bushell. 16th. Lancers.) suspension claw re-pinned;
Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, (1) Khartoum (3710. Lce. Cpl. W. Bushell 21st. Lcrs.)

DCM LG 15 November 1898.

William Bushell was born at Ramsgate, Kent, in 1868 and attested for General Service in the Cavalry on 19 October 1886 at Canterbury. Posted to the 7th Dragoon Guards, he transferred to both the 8th and 18th Hussars, before joining the 21st Hussars in 1893, then serving in India. He went with the Regiment to Egypt in October 1896, and, having been re-designated the 21st Lancers the following year, served during the Sudan War. He took part in the celebrated charge at Omdurman on the 2 September 1898, as part of Major J. Fowle’s ‘B’ Squadron, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal- one of 7 D.C.M.s (together with 3 Victoria Crosses) that were awarded to the Regiment for Omdurman. ‘B’ Squadron was clearly in the thick of the action, suffering 9 killed and 26 wounded, and indeed received the lions share of the awards, with 3 of the 7 D.C.M.s and all 3 V.C.s.

Bushell subsequently served with the 21st Lancers in South Africa during the Boer War from 25 November 1899, and was promoted Corporal on 28 February 1900. Transferring again to the 16th Lancers, 21 June 1902, he was promoted Sergeant on 1 April 1903, before finally taking his discharge on 18 October 1907, after 21 years’ service.

Note: A DCM and Sudan pair named to this man was offered for sale at Glendining’s in February 1980, but the complete original group offered here has been in just two collections since offered for sale by J. B. Hayward, now a consultant of this house, almost 50 years ago.

Bushell's group just sold for a hammer price of £19,000.

Picture courtesy of Morton and Eden

*An Omdurman Charger’s Sudan, Boer War and Great War Group of 6 awarded to Sergeant W. Robins, ‘D’ Squadron, 21st Lancers, who is confirmed as having taken part as a Private during this famous charge. He served for time in the Great War with the 17th Lancers and 21st Lancers before transferring as Flight Sergeant with the Royal Air Force, comprising:

Queen’s Sudan (4048. Pte W. Robins. 21/ L/Cers.);
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4048. Pte W. Robins, 21st Lancers.);
1914 Star (4048 Sjt W. E. Robins. 17/Lrs.);
BWM & VM (21L-4048 Sjt. W. Robins. 21-Lrs.);
Khedive’s Sudan (1) Khartoum (4048. Pte W. Robins, 21st Lcrs.);

Group swing-mounted as worn, first, second and sixth medals are contemporary renamed medals.

Sergeant W. Robins is confirmed in the book ‘Forgotten Heroes – The Charge of the 21st Lancers and Omdurman’ by Roy Dutton, as having taken part in the famous cavalry charge at Omdurman. It also includes a small, copied portrait of the recipient. He also took part in the Boer War, and in the Great War with the 17th and 21st Lancers, before transferring to serve as a Flight Sergeant with the Royal Air Force.

The group to Robins sold for a hammer price of £400.