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An interesting item from the next Spink sale


Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Natal, Transvaal (6366. Pte. J. Gallagher, 1/Manchester Regt.) renamed

WO100/198p103 lists his clasps as Transvaal, SA01 and SA02 with a note saying his original medal was returned 23 March 1908 having been forfeited on account of misconduct.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Defence of Ladysmith (5060 Pte. A. Mitton, Manchester Regt.)

A. Mitton, 1st Manchester Regiment was a member of “A” Company and was killed in action at Wagon Hill, 6 January 1900, when the regiment was heavily engaged. Under Colonel Curran, Caesar’s Camp was manned by the Manchesters and the 42nd Battery R.F.A., Naval and Natal Brigade Volunteers. The Boers occupied part of the area and there was bitter fighting for most of the day. Only after some 15 hours of combat were the Boers driven from the hill. The fighting took its toll of the Manchesters with casualties amounting to 33 killed and 41 wounded. For this action, Privates R. Scott and J. Pitts, both of “D” Company, were awarded the V.C. for ‘holding out in their sangar for fifteen hours without food or water, all the time keeping a sharp look-out, although the enemy occupied some sangars on their immediate left rear.’

Two pictures of the Manchesters training on Salisbury Plain in the summer of 1899.

The first is titled 'defending a position'



in the second, they are enjoying 'a quiet half hour'



Source: The Graphic 26 August 1899

Corporal Leech's QSA sold for a hammer price of £1,700 this afternoon. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £2,190. R41,100. Au$3,730. Can$3,290. US$2,570

Private Mitton's sold for a hammer price of £550. Totals (inc VAT for UK only): £708. R13,300. Au$1,210. Can$1,060. US$830

From the next Baldwin's auction:

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen, (2547 Pte G. H. Sant. Manchester Regt);
KSA (2) (2547 Pte G.H. Sant. Manchester: Regt),

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM GV (7755 A.R.S. Mjr: S. Gibson. 6/R. Lanc: R.);
QSA (3) Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (6648 Pte. S. Gibson, Manch: Regt.);
1914-15 Star (7755 C.Q.M. Sjt. S. Gibson. R. Lanc: R.);
BWM and VM (7755 W.O. Cl.1. S. Gibson. R. Lanc. R.);
MSM GV (7755 A.R.S. Mjr: S. Gibson. 6/R. Lanc: R.)

DCM LG 29 August 1917: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty. He has done consistent good work under fire, and has set a fine example of duty to those under him.’

MSM LG 16 August 1917 (Mesopotamia).

Samuel Gibson was born in Manchester and enlisted into the Manchester Regiment on 14 March 1901, aged 19 years 8 months. He served with the Manchester Regiment in South Africa from 9 November 1901 to 8 April 1903 (QSA (3)).

He transferred to the Royal Lancaster Regiment on 26 February 1903, and served in India from February 1904 for nearly five years, returning home to the UK on 7 January 1909, when he transferred to the Army Reserve as a Lance-Sergeant.

He was appointed paid Lance-Sergeant upon mobilisation into the 6th King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment on 13 August 1914, and promoted to Sergeant nine days later. He was appointed Company Quarter-Master Sergeant in February 1915 and proceeded overseas with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force on 13 June 1915. Promoted W.O. 2 and appointed Company Sergeant-Major in August 1915, he was appointed Acting Regimental Sergeant-Major the following month and served in that capacity with the 6th Battalion in Mesopotamia from 13 February 1916, until August 1918. He was finally discharged on 17 November 1919.