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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM VR (3215 Pte. R. Allen. Leicester: Regt.);
[ QSA ];
[ KSA (2) ]

Noonan's say one of 8 DCMs awarded to the Leicestershire Regiment for the Boer War.

DCM London Gazette 27 September 1901; Army Order 15 of 1902.

Richard Allen attested for the Leicestershire Regiment and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War. For his services he was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 8 February 1901 and 10 September 1901), and was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, being presented with his medal by the General Officer Commanding, North East District, at the Cavalry Barracks, York, on 30 August 1902.

Pictures courtesy of Spink

DCM Ed VII (2977 Serjt: G. Powell. Shropshire L.I.);
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg (2977 Serjt: G. Powell. Shropshire L.I.);
KSA (2) (2977 Clr:-Serjt: G. Powell. Shrops: L.I.);
Army LS&GC Ed VII (2977 C.Sjt: G. Powell. Shrops: L.I.)

DCM London Gazette 27 September 1901.
MID London Gazette 10 September 1901.
Spink say one of 8 D.C.M.s awarded to men of the Shropshire Light Infantry during the Anglo-Boer War.

George Powell was born at Aston Ingham, Ross, Herefordshire in 1871, he attested at Ross on 29 January 1889. He was promoted Corporal on 30 May 1891 while serving at home and Sergeant on 1 April 1895. In this rank he was posted to South Africa for service in the Anglo-Boer War on 7 November 1899.

The Battalion played a key role in the British victory at Paardeberg, holding 'Gun Hill' under heavy fire, not long after this Powell was advanced Colour-Sergeant on 23 October 1900. They were again in action at Toba Mountain and Colliery Hill through 1900-1901. After this they were largely employed with the British Columns fighting Boer Commandos across the country.

After the war Powell was posted with the rest of the Battalion to India on 7 January 1903 serving there until he was posted back to Britain on 4 November 1909. He was finally discharged on 28 January 1910.

The DCM to Sergeant George Powell, Shropshire Light Infantry, sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,500. Totals: GBP 1,860. R 40,690. AUD 3,580. NZD 3,890. CAD 3,170. USD 2,390. EUR 2,040.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM Ed VII (Pte. C. Olsson. 2/K.F.S.) slightly later officially impressed naming, with fragmentary ribbon and contemporary suspension brooch, suspension re-pinned and a little slack;
[ QSA (5) CC OFS Tr SA01 SA02]

DCM London Gazette 31 October 1902. One of just 3 such awards to Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts and unique to 2nd KFS (Recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, by P. E. Abbott, refers).

Carl Olsson was of Scandinavian ancestry. He served briefly as Trooper 230 with the Utrecht-Vryheid Mounted Police, and then enlisted as Private 540 into the 2nd Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts, 31 August 1901, and was slightly wounded at Boschbult on 31 March 1902.

‘In the beginning of March Wilson’s column was, with other troops taken to the Western Transvaal, where, it will be remembered, Lord Methuen had met with disaster. The 2nd KFS were placed under General Walter Kitchener, and were present at the fiercely fought action of Boschbult on 31st March 1902, when they lost 1 killed and 7 wounded. They took part in the final great drives, under General Ian Hamilton, towards the Mafeking railway and back to Klerksdorp.

Kitchener’s Fighting Scouts took the field when the war was far advanced, but during the whole of the second phase of the campaign they did splendid work. Judged by the losses inflicted on the enemy, no corps could point to a finer record, and they are an an outstanding example of what can be made in a very short time of Colonial material, provided that officers suitable for irregulars can be found.’

Carl Olsson was discharged on 7 July 1902.

Noonan's say the style of naming and regimental designation ‘2/K.F.S.’ rather than the usual ‘Kitchener’s F.S.’ would suggest that this is a later or official replacement award.

The QSA roll (WO100/257p117) suggests a two clasp QSA was issued but the roll have been modified and is unclear. Date clasps on WO100/257p147.