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QSA (4) Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (3059 Sgt. J. R. Gittins. Rl. Dublin Fus:)

John Robert Gittins was born in Birmingham in 1867 and attested there for the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 17 August 1888. Promoted Corporal on 3 Octoebr 1889, and Sergeant on 16 March 1893, he transferred to the Army Reserve on 17 August 1895, but was recalled to the Colours on 9 October 1899, and served with the 1st Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War. He was discharged at Naas on 16 August 1901, after 13 years’ service.

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CMG n/b s/g;
CBE Military, 1st Tyoe;
QSA (5) Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Capt. C. C. Todd. Rl. Dub. Fus.) engraved naming;
British War Medal (Lt. Col. C. C. Todd.) t

Together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, the CMG in gold and enamel, the CBE a 1st type in silver-gilt and enamel, on 2nd type riband, these mounted as worn; and also with a Royal Dublin Fusiliers commemorative Medal 1662-1911, bronze, the edge engraved ‘Major C. C. Todd’, with riband bar engraved ‘1892-98’, and integral top ‘Old Toughs’ brooch bar.

CMG London Gazette 24 January 1917.
CBE London Gazette 3 June 1930.



Charles Campbell Todd was born on 6 May 1870 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 4th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles on 18 April 1889. He transferred to the Regular Army with a commission in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers on 28 September 1892, and was promoted Lieutenant on 10 July 1895. He transferred further to the Army Pay Department as Captain and Paymaster on 12 May 1898, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War. Promoted Major and Staff Paymaster on 9 November 1898, he was advanced Lieutenant-Colonel on 9 November 1913, and following the outbreak of the Great War he was appointed temporary Colonel and Chief Paymaster. For his services during the Great War he was appointed a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St, George in January 1917. Promoted Colonel on 8 June 1920 and appointed Chief Paymaster, he was further honoured by being appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 1930 Birthday Honours’ List, and retired in 1931. He died, tragically, in a house fire at his home in Southsea, Hampshire, on 27 December 1956.

Together with the recipient’s original Bestowal Document for the Order of St. Michael and St. George, together with a copy of the statutes of the order; various portrait photographs of the recipient; and other ephemera and copied research.

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MBE (Military), 1st type, HM 1918;
QSA (5) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between State and date clasps (675 Corpl: E. W. Dawkins, A.P.D. [sic]);
Defence Medal;
Jubilee 1935, unnamed as issued;
Army LS&GC GV, 1st issue (675 S.Q.M. Sjt: E. W. Dawkins. A.P.C.)

MBE London Gazette 12 December 1919.

Ernest Walton Dawkins was born in Southampton on 24 December 1876 and attested for the Hampshire Regiment on 2 April 1895, having previously served in the Regiment’s 2nd Volunteer Battalion. He transferred to the Army Pay Corps on 30 June 1897, was promoted Corporal on 30 June 1898, and served with them in South Africa during the Boer War from 19 January 1901.

He was promoted Sergeant on 30 June 1903; Staff Sergeant on 30 June 1905; and Staff Quartermaster Sergeant on 30 June 1908. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal per Army Order 333 of 1913. Promoted Staff Sergeant Major on 9 May 1914, he was commissioned Lieutenant in the Army Pay Department on 12 February 1915, and was promoted Captain on 12 February 1918. For his services during the Great War at home he was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire. Promoted Major on 12 February 1930, he retired on 1 November 1935, and died in Salisbury on 10 December 1952.