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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Rhodesia, Relief of Mafeking, Transvaal (203 Tpr: A. McDonald. Rhodesia Regt.)

Arthur McDonald, B Squadron. SA02 from Nesbitt's Horse (WO100/266p251)

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (2) Rhodesia, Relief of Mafeking (Lieut. F. W. Milligan, Rhod: Regt:) unofficial rivets between clasps, minor official correction to ‘d’ of unit.

Frank William Milligan was born on 19 March 1870, educated at Eton (Mr Coles’), and was a famous Yorkshire cricketer. He played 81 matches for Yorkshire 1894-98, and took part in the tours to America under Mitchell in 1895, and to South Africa under Lord Hawke in 1898-99; besides two test matches for England in 1898-99.

Serving with the Rhodesia Regiment, he formed one of a relieving force, under Colonel Plumer, endeavouring to reach Mafeking, but, being fiercely attacked by the Boers at Ramathlabama on 31 March 1900, he was killed in action. Brought down from his horse by Boer rifle fire, he had to be left by his fellow skirmishers. Whilst en route to Mafeking the following May, ‘Plumer’s column came across the skeleton of Frank Milligan, the county cricketer who had been presumed killed in the sortie from Sefetili to Ramathlabama. A hand was uplifted, as though to shield the eyes from the sun...’

Sold with three rare silver cricketing badges, one large, 12.5cm x 10cm, hallmarked London 1895; and two smaller (l & r), 9cm x 7cm, these hallmarked London 1894, all with screw stud fittings to reverse.