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An unusual QSA named to Y Battery, RHA.



Details of the recipient are here.

Picture courtesy of Dominic Winter

QSA (2) Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (Lieut. H.W. Milne. R.G.A. Mil.), clasp carriage loose on ribbon;
[ Great War medals ];
1911 Delhi Durbar

Herbert Wardlow Milne (1883-1915) was born in Helensburgh, Scotland. The family home was Union Bank House, Colquhoun, Helensburgh. Milne was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Duke of Connaught's Own Sligo Garrison Artillery Militia in 1902 before transferring to the South Staffordshire Regiment and then the Indian Army in 1906. He was present during the 1911 Delhi Durbar (medal) and later served with 74th Punjabis, Indian Army. Milne was serving as adjutant to the 6th Bn, Cameron Highlanders when he was killed in action at the Battle of Loos on 27 September 1915 (posthumous MID on 1 January 1916), Milne is commemorated on the Neuve-Chapelle Memorial, France.

Hammer GBP 140.

Picture courtesy of Spink

[ CMG ];
QSA (6) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (Capt. W. C. Symon, R.F.A).;
KS (2) (Capt: W. C. Symon, R.F.A.);
1914 Star with Mons clasp (Major W. C. Symon. R.F.A.);
British War and Victory Medals with MID (Lt.Col. W. C. Symon.);
Coronation 1911;
France, Legion of Honour, Officer's breast Badge, in silver-gilt and enamel;
Belgium, Order of the Crown, Officer's breast Badge, in silver and enamel,

C.M.G. London Gazette 24 January 1917.
M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901; 25 January 1917.
France, Legion of Honour, London Gazette 7 June 1919.
Belgium, Order of the Crown, London Gazette 29 November 1918.

Walter Conover Symon was born in the United States of America in 1874. He was made Second Lieutenant 1 March 1893 and shortly after this was to suffer from a burglary on 24 July 1893 reported as follows:

JOHN KING (23) , Burglary in the dwelling-house of Walter Symon, and stealing therein a clock, two pairs of boots, and other articles. MR. TORR Prosecuted. HENRY RUTHERFORD (Detective R). On 20th June, between half-past nine and ten a. m., I saw the prisoner in Green End, Woolwich, about ten minutes' walk from the Royal Artillery Barracks-he was carrying this clock wrapped up underneath his coat-I said, "What have you got under your coat?"-he said, "A clock; I picked it up on the common at one this morning"-I took him to the station and made inquiries, and found that Mr. Symon's place had been broken into that night-the prisoner was charged at the station, and he said, "I picked it up on the common at one o'clock this morning"-these spurs were on the boots found at the "back of a lodging-house in Rope Yard Rails-he gave me his address at a common lodging-house-I made inquiry there; he had not been at home all night. WALTER SYMON . I am a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, quartered at Woolwich Barracks-I occupy a room on the ground floor-on 20th June I went to bed at 12. 30-I shut my door; it was not locked; anyone could walk in by turning the handle-I heard nothing in the night-early next morning my servant came, and I missed these articles, which had been safe when I went to bed. Prisoners Defence. I found, the things; I never committed the robbery. GUILTY of receiving. - Six Months' Hard Labour.

He was promoted to Lieutenant on 1 March 1896 and was to see lengthy service in the Second Boer War. Symon served in South Africa during the Second Boer War and was involved in Operations in the Orange Free State between February - May 1900 including Operations at Paardeberg, actions at Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Karee Sifing, Houtnek (Thoba Mountain), Vet River (5/6 May) and Zand River.

He was further involved in Operations in the Transvaal between May - June 1900 including actions near Johannesburg, Pretoria and Diamond Hill. With further Operations in the Transvaal, west of Pretoria between July to 29 November 1900. Operations in the Orange River Colony, including actions at Bethlehem and Wittebergen. Operations in Orange River Colony, 30 November to December 1900 and March 1901 - 31 May 1902. Operations in Cape Colony from December 1900 to March 1901. Symon was 'mentioned' for his service in South Africa on 10 September 1901.

He stayed in service and is confirmed on the roll for the Coronation 1911 medal under the heading "Slough & Windsor" (letter from the Privy Purse Office confirms). He remained in service and was still serving at the start of the Great War and entered the war in France on 1 November 1914 serving as a Major still with the Royal Artillery, he was later attached to the Ministry of Munitions reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel he received a CMG for his Great War service. His Great War medals were sent to him at 52 Hans Mansions, Hans Road, London SW3.

Symon died on 15 February 1949 and is buried in the Brompton Cemetery along with his wife who died on 12 August 1967.

Picture courtesy of Spink

CB (Military), gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle;
CMG, gold and enamel, with integral gold riband buckle;
Jubilee 1897, silver;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901

Provenance: Christie's, November 2000, when sold with his full-size awards.

CB London Gazette 19 April 1901.
CMG London Gazette 3 June 1918.
MID London Gazette 16 April 1901, 6 July 1918.

Arthur Spencer Pratt was born at Stamford, Northamptonshire on 26 April 1855, son of Spencer and Catherine Pratt of Stanwick House, Higham Ferrers. He was educated at Rugby School before matriculating to the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich.

Commissioned Lieutenant into the Royal Artillery on 12 August 1874 he was further advanced Captain on 11 August 1883. Appointed Instructor of the School of Gunnery on 29 July 1886 he was promoted Major on 13 March 1891. On the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War Pratt was advanced Lieutenant Colonel on 13 February 1900.

Entering the war in South Africa in command of the 82nd Battery, Royal Field Artillery in February 1900 he participated in operations in the Orange Free State and Cape Colony until May. Seeing action at Paardeberg, Poplar Grove, Driefontein, Biddulphsberg and Wittebergen until November 1900.

Taking command of the Brigade of Drivers Royal Field Artillery where he was 'mentioned' and from 3 December 1901 Pratt took command of the troops in Harrismith. For his services during the war, he was further created a Companion of the Order of the Bath. Retiring on 13 February 1905 he returned to service with the re-mounts department as an Inspector.

Awarded his CMG in 1918 Pratt received a further 'mention' to go with this however was not awarded any campaign medals. He left his position in December 1918, retiring to Stanwick where he died on 17 June 1933