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Dear All





Here is an interesting group that I acquired recently. I saw this group 26 years ago when I was visiting a dealer on a Saturday morning and the daughter and his husband brought the group in to show/sell. No deal was done with the dealer and I stood by watching this incredible group walk out the shop. The dealer had not taken any contact details. By complete luck i managed to acquire the group after 26 years,

DCM- 1909 Tpr W H Clarke 5/Regt SAMR
Ashanti - unanmed
East and West - 7145 Pte WH Chamberlin RMLI ( renamed)
QSA- CC OFS TVL - 30481 Tpr W H Clarke KImb L H
Trio - Rfm WH Clarke 5th SAMR
WW2 pair - 701182 W H Clarke
Police LSGC - 9089 (M) 1/C Const W H Clarke (DCM)

William Henry Chamberlin was born on 22 Oct 1876, joined the RMLI on 24 Oct 1893 and it appear he jumped ship on11 Feb 1901 HMS Monarch when in Simonstown.

He then joined the Kimberly LH

and then the Cape Police on 5 may 1902 and served with them under his mothers name of Clarke till Oct 1926. He won the DCM for an action under Lt Munro at Witkrantz on 16 Feb 1915 where he was captured. This a Camel Patrol attacked by the Germans.

Served in ww2 as a Sergt in the ESPC.

In 1950's when the South Africans issued identify documents he finally returns to his real name of Chamberlin.

Interesting guy who deserted, re-enlists and serves under a false name for 26 years in the Police, and goes on to win the DCM.

Pity about the Ashanti and East and West medals as I believe he just added these and they are not his.

Munroe

Chris

It looks like the Met Police badge in the group. If that is the case, Scotland Yard will have the records of all specials that have served. If you call them, they will have either the HR dept or the museum that holds the records.

Doug.

Hi everybody

With the group to Paterson I would like to pose a question : How many Boer War DSO recipients got a 2nd award in a later campaign?

The write-up by Creagh and Humphris in the "VC & DSO Book" gives a very good overview of his Boer War service. I would think that his DSO was awarded for the action at Tevreden on 16 Oct 1900. Fortunately the Citation for the WWI Bar to the DSO was published. His award of the Order of the Crown of Roumania(Commander) was gazetted in September 1919.

If anybody comes across his obituary or a photo of him, please let me know.

Henk

Hi
I bought Ewart's DCM group some years after I acquired Paterson's DSO group and was delighted to find with the extensive documentation a well-handled letter from Paterson to Ewart. In it was stated
I was so glad you got the DCM, but honestly you deserved the VC and I was very sorry I was unable to get you it. You earned it if anyone did but I am afraid I was not senior enough in rank to push it further through.
and on the second page
I always think the South Africa days were the best I ever had, and I reckon Lake Chrissie one of the most exciting; if we had been backed up as we ought it would have been a brilliant day
Ewart died in October 1930 : fortunately his widow preserved his medals and memorabilia

Henk

Henk,

Two wonderful items from your collection. Many thanks for sharing those with us.

Best wishes
David

Munroe,

It looks like the 26 year wait was well worth it! A superb group of medals.

best wishes
David