TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

[ BSACM Rhodesia 1896 ];
QSA (6) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (4031 Pte. T. W. Davey. Thorneycroft’s M.I.)

Thomas William Davey attested into the Belingwe Column Corps and served in ‘B’ Troop during the 1896 British South Africa Company campaign, and is confirmed as being taken prisoner of war during the historic Jameson Raid.

He saw later service during the Boer War with Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry and latterly the Midland Mounted Rifles, for which service he is additionally entitled to the ‘South Africa 1901’ clasp.

Private Davey's 'Jameson' QSA sold for a hammer price of GBP 1,300. Total GBP 1,674. R 37,020. AUD 3,170. NZD 3,510. CAD 2,830. USD 1,970. EUR 1,920.

Sturgy - regarding the recipient of your "tidy" medal.

I have never been further north in Scotland than Inverness (changing this is something on my bucket list). However, my research shows whilst there is a Skein Abbey in Ireland there is no such place as Skein in Scotland. However, there is a parish of Skene about 9 miles due west of Aberdeen with a parish church for which Find A Grave has 1,042 records. Amongst their number are:

6 with the surname Nicol (3m, 3f, earliest recorded birth 1790, latest recorded death 1879)
8 with the surname Greig (6m, 2f, earliest recorded birth 1851, latest recorded death 1993)

However, I believe both surnames are not uncommon in Scotland and probably if I looked at any sizeable graveyard north of the border I would find at least one Nicol & one Greig.

David.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Cape Colony (Major. Hon. L. F. G. Byng. Thorneycroft's. L.I.)

Lionel Francis George Byng was born at Wrotham Park, South Mimms, Hertfordshire on 26 September 1858, the son of Lady Harriett and Lord George Byng, the 3rd Earl of Strafford. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 29 June 1878 with the Royal Horse Guards he was advanced Lieutenant on 4 September 1880. Joining the Regiment in Ireland he was appointed Adjutant, listed in that role as early as 1884.

Byng was advanced Captain on 18 January 1885 and remained in service, being finally promoted Major on 18 January 1891. He retire on 6 February 1895, it is not clear what the circumstances were which took him to South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War however he was appointed Major with Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, joining them in the fighting on the Tugela Heights.

They saw heavy fighting at Colenso and were one of the central units involved in the Battle of Spion Kop. After the British finally managed to cross the Tugela River and relieved Ladysmith Thorneycroft commanded a column hunting Boer Guerillas. It seems likely that Byng was involved in similar work although it is perhaps notable that he did not serve in the Orange Free State and the medal roll makes clear that his Cape Colony bar was claimed after the others.

Returning to Britian he married Lady Eleanor Mary Howard, the sister of the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire. His best man was his elder brother Colonel Charles Byng, formerly commanding officer of the 1st Life Guards. Byng retired to Avening House, Avening, Stroud with his wife and joined the Reserve of Officers, however he was not to see service again, dying on 27 May 1915.

The medal to Major Byng proved popular in the auction reaching a hammer price of £850.