TOPIC:

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (2) Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (3146 Pte. W. Thomas. S. Lanc: Regt.)

William Henry Thomas was born in 1871 and was a labourer upon his enlisting in the South Lancashire Regiment at Warrington on 30 July 1890. Thomas was tried and imprisoned on three separate occasions between 1891-2. He was discharged medically unfit on 27 July 1903.

Verified on WO100/189p184; Tr issued in 1904.

KSA (2) on WO100/333p317.

Cropped picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

DCM GV (13814 Sjt J. Murphy A.151/Bde R.F.A.);
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, OFS, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (5282 Pte J. Murphy S. Lanc Regt,);
KSA (2) (5282 Pte J. Murphy S. Lanc Regt,);
1914-15 Star (L-13814 B.Q.M. Sjt J. Murphy R.F.A.);
BWM (L-13814 B.Q.M. Sjt J. Murphy R.A.);
VM with MID erased

Mounted in glass fronted display case with service details.

James Murphy died of wounds serving with C Bty 148th Bde on 15th May 1918 and is buried in Hondeghem Churchyard, near Hazebrouck, there are only 9 CWGC casualties in this cemetery. His DCM was announced in the London Gazette dated 13th February 1917, "For conspicuous gallantry in action. Although wounded, he continued in command of his gun for two days. At a later date, he worked his gun for a period of two days with only one gunner." His MID was announced in the London Gazette dated 11th December 1917 With copied MIC, CWGC, Soldiers Died, DCM extract and DCM and MID cards. Ex Chris Dixon 2006.

The DCM group to Private Murphy was sold by Warwick and Warwick today for a hammer price of GBP 725. Total GBP 899. R 19,640. AUD 1,740. NZD 1,920. CAD 1,570. USD 1,110. EUR 1,060.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (6) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek, South Africa 1901 (2629 Pte. R. Dixon. S. Lan. R.) a somewhat later issue with fixed suspension.

Reissued medal was despatched on 19 September 1929.

Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (5326 Pte B. Parker. S. Lanc: Regt:);
[ KSA (2) ]

Benjamin Parker was born at Liverpool in 1879 and attested on 9 June 1897, listing previous service with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion. Posted to South Africa on 30 November 1899 the South Lancashire Regiment saw heavy fighting there, particularly at Venter's Spruit from 20-22 January and Spion Kop the next day. Parker left South Africa on 23 January 1903 for India where he served until returning to Britain on 7 January 1905. He joined the reserve on 10 January and was finally discharged on 8 June 1909.

KSA listed on WO100/333p292.