TOPIC:

To be sold at the next DNW auction.


Picture courtesy of DNW

DSO GV 3 Jun 19
GCH GSM (1) Bechuanaland (2716 Pte. S. Carwithen, C.M. Rif.)
QSA (4) Cape Colony, Wepener, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.)
KSA (2) (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.)
IGS 1908 (2) North West Frontier 1908, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (Lieut. S. Carwithen, R.A., 22 Derjerat Mt. By.)
1914-15 Star (Capt. S. Carwithen, R.G.A.)
BWM & VM with MID (Major S. Carwithen)

Sydney Carwithen was born at Ladpour, India, in March 1875, the son of Lieutenant-Colonel George Carwithen of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, and was educated at Blundell’s School.

First seeing action as a Trooper in the Cape Mounted Rifles during the Bechuanaland rebellion in 1897, he was similarly employed in the Boer War up until the end of April 1900, being present in operations in Cape Colony and at the defence of Wepener. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Garrison Artillery in the following month, he was next present in operations in the Transvaal and at the action of Wittebergen, and gained advancement to Lieutenant in No. 14 Company, R.G.A., in October 1901 (Queen’s Medal & 4 clasps; King’s Medal & 2 clasps).

Embarked for India in May 1903, Carwithen witnessed further active service in 22 Derjerat Mountain Battery in operations in the Zakka Zhel country on the North-West Frontier in 1908 (Medal & clasp) and, having served back in the U.K. in No. 17 Company, R.G.A., went out to the Gold Coast with an appointment in No. 50 Company in Sierra Leone, in which capacity he was advanced to Captain in May 1913.

By the outbreak of hostilities, he was serving in Malta, but he was ordered to France in March 1915 on the staff of R.A. H.Q. 16th Corps, and was advanced to Major at the end of the same year. Next embarked for Salonika, where he served from November 1915 until August 1917, Carwithen was initially a Brigade Major in 28th Division and latterly a Deputy Adjutant and Quarter-Master General in 16th Army Corps. He was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 28 November 1917, refers). Having then served back home, he went out to France in August 1918 as Brigade Major in 6th Division, in which capacity he was awarded the D.S.O. and a second “mention” (London Gazette 7 July 1919, refers).

After the War Carwithen returned to India and took command of 22 Derjerat Battery, and saw further action in the operations during the Third Afghan War (clasp). He was finally placed on the Retired List in December 1922

The QSA to Pte A Simmons, Royal Scots, wounded at Wepener


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (2) Cape Colony, Wepener (6336 Pte. A. Simmons, Royal Scots).

Hi

Nice to see Carwithen again. His group was in my collection between 1986 and 2002.

Henk

DNW have this lot in their next auction:



King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Lieut. P. E. H. Coombs, M.M.R.); together with a renamed Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Wepener, Wittebergen, Cape Colony, Transvaal (Lieut. P. E. H. Coombs, M.M.R.) first clasp a copy, medal renamed; good very fine (2) £140-180. Lieutenant P. E. H. Coombs, Midland Mounted Rifles, was slightly wounded at Doornhoek, 13 May 1901. With copied K.S.A. roll extract - shows service with the Kaffrarian Rifles. Q.S.A. clasps not confirmed.

Looking at the Wepener roll, there is a 999 Staff Sgt Coombs in the Kaffrarian Rifles entitled to the 4 clasps listed above. A note says he also served as Lt, MMR.

Having been promoted to Lt, he didn't want his NCO rank to be shown on his medal and so had one renamed. It is a shame he did not just replace the rank and number. That would have been a less damaging amendment.

Certainly not a pair that I'd rush to buy, but, I expect someone will want them!

djb wrote: DNW have this lot in their next auction:

King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Lieut. P. E. H. Coombs, M.M.R.); together with a renamed Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Wepener, Wittebergen, Cape Colony, Transvaal (Lieut. P. E. H. Coombs, M.M.R.) first clasp a copy, medal renamed; good very fine (2) £140-180. Lieutenant P. E. H. Coombs, Midland Mounted Rifles, was slightly wounded at Doornhoek, 13 May 1901. With copied K.S.A. roll extract - shows service with the Kaffrarian Rifles. Q.S.A. clasps not confirmed.

Looking at the Wepener roll, there is a 999 Staff Sgt Coombs in the Kaffrarian Rifles entitled to the 4 clasps listed above. A note says he also served as Lt, MMR.

Having been promoted to Lt, he didn't want his NCO rank to be shown on his medal and so had one renamed. It is a shame he did not just replace the rank and number. That would have been a less damaging amendment.

I know what you mean. It is a shame he felt the need to take that action.