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Picture courtesy of Charterhouse Auctions

Described as 'A group of five medals, awarded to 19266 Sjt G E Hooper Devon Regiment;

QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek;
KSA (2) (3442 Pte G E Hooper 2/Dorset);
1914-15 Star trio

Picture courtesy of Spink

Egypt, undated (2) El-Teb-Tamaai, The Nile 1884-85 (802 Pte. E. Lamb. 1/Gord. Highrs.);
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (2366 Pte. E. Lamb. 2/Dorset Rgt.);
KSA (2) (2366 Pte. E. Lamb. Dorset Regt.);
Army LS&GC VR (2366 Pte. E. Lamb. Dorset R.);
Khedive's Star 1884

Edwin Lamb was born at Sherborne, Dorset in 1863 and enlisted with the 39th Brigade in February 1881. Posted to the Gordon Highlanders that same July, he served in the 1st Battalion from November 1882. This unit was part of the Gordon relief force in 1884, taking part in the Battles of El-Teb and Tamaai during that time. At El-Teb they were notably at the front of the British Square, taking the brunt of the Mahdist charge. Later they were part of the 1st brigade whose square was unbroken at the Battle of Tamaai.Leaving Egypt after the failure of the Expedition in September 1885, Lamb later transferred to the Army Reserve in February 1887. He returned to the Colours as a Private in the Dorsetshire Regiment that April, serving with the 2nd Battalion in South Africa from November 1899. They saw heavy fighting on the Tugela River including bloody reverse at Laing's Nek and Colenso, and whilst there Lamb was awarded his LS&GC (AO of July 1899 refers).

Lamb left the country in October 1902 and was finally discharged in March 1903

Pictures courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901 (1156, Pte. R. Maggs. 2/Dorset Rgt.)

Together with Boer War Tribute Medal in the form of a 9 carat gold fob, 6.47g, obverse inscribed ‘Pte R Maggs 2nd Dorset Regt’, reverse hallmarked Birmingham 1900, maker’s mark ‘WHH’, and inscribed ‘Presented by friends from the Quay Penzance on his return from Active Service in South Africa August 1901’.



The following reports have been extracted from local newspapers including The Cornishman:

‘Mr Philip Nicholle, Trinity pilot, of Penzance, has received a letter from Private Richard Maggs. 2nd Dorset Regiment. dated Pietermaritzburg, May 11th. in which he says:
There is one thing I can't forget, and that is the way the old Quay boys treated me. They couldn't do more for one of their old town boys, and the only thing I can do to repay their kindness is to distinguish myself in the field, and if there is half a chance I am going to do it. In fact all the old boys of my regiment call me Penzance, and if I do anything of note in the field, it will read ‘Richard Maggs, of Penzance.’ and I am proud of it.’

‘Presentation to a Returned Penzance Soldier.

An interesting ceremony took place in the Sailor's reading room, the Quay, Penzance, on Wednesday evening, when Signaller Richard Maggs, a reservist attached to the 2nd Dorset regiment, and who has seen 15 months' active service in South Africa, was the recipient of a token of esteem from his admirers in that part of the town. There was a large number present.

Mr. J. Gaudion, of the Trinity-house, who arranged the presentation, said they thought among themselves that they would like to do something by way of recognition of Private Maggs’ services to his country, and it needed very little trouble to collect sufficient money to buy a gold albert and pendant, suitably inscribed, (Applause.)

The Ex-Mayor (Councillor R. Pearce Couch) who was well received, said it afforded him a great deal of pleasure to make the presentation. They did not need to be told that England had been at war two years. It was a righteous and very proper war, and during its progress many things bad happened. It was a matter for pride when the reservists responded so nobly to the call of duty, among them being Private Maggs in whom they had not been disappointed. He was drafted into Natal and followed General Buller, a gallant soldier who had not yet received due recognition of his sterling services. All who fought under General Buller spoke most highly of him as a commander. (Applause.) He (Mr. Crouch) was glad to welcome Private Maggs back, and to note that he stood so high in the estimation of his fellows. He had had the privilege of fighting under two sovereigns. It was a real pleasure to hand to him a handsome gold chain and medallion, the latter bearing the inscription:- “2nd Dorset regiment, Private R. Maggs, presented by his friends from the Quay, Penzance, on his return from active service in South Africa, September, 1901.” He had done his duty as a soldier and a man, and they were proud of him. He had had the good fortune not to have a day’s sickness, and had escaped without a scratch, though he had been in the thick of the fight several times.’

Hammer GBP 800