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Two Talana QSAs from the next Warwick and Warwick sale

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (4770 Pte H. Bryan 1 Leic Regt)
KSA (2) (4770 Pte H. Bryan 1 Leic Regt)
1914-15 Star trio to (SS-20216 A.S.C.)

With 4 copied pages of service record and MIC, Harry Bryan was born in Leicester, enlisted 3/9/96, discharged 2/9/08, landed Egypt 15/11/15.

QSA (3) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith (this is a copy), OFS (92760 Dvr H. Hayward 13/Bty R.F.A.) 13 officially re-named

Casualty roll shows he was reported missing and released POW at Battle of Talana Hill 20/10/99 (casualty roll shows Dundee). With 8 copied pages of service record, roll and research, Henry Hayward was born in Holloway, enlisted 10/9/92 in 2nd Bty, transferred to 13th Bty 8/10/92, suffered horse kick to head 22/6/94, roll marked to England as non-combatant under Geneva Convention 6/5/00, granted furlo to join SAC 25/3/01, served South Africa with E Division SAC 26/4/01 to 25/2/03, discharged from AR 10/11/08. Does not appear to be entitled to Defence of Ladysmith clasp and also issued KSA with SAC.

Picture courtesy of the London Medal Co

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing’s Nek, Belfast; (2915 SEJT. T. WRIGHT, 1: LEIC: REGT.);
KSA (2) (2915 SERJT: T. WRIGHT. LEICESTER: REGT);
Army LS&G Ed VII (2915 C.SJT: T. WRIGHT. LEIC: REGT.)

Thomas Wright was born in Hickley, Leicestershire, and having worked as a shoe finisher, then attested for service with the British Army at Leicester on 11th December 1890, joining as a Private (No.2915) the Leicestershire Regiment. Appointed a Lance Corporal with the 2nd Battalion on 8th June 1892, he was tried, convicted and reduced to Private for conduct prejudice to good order and sentenced to 14 days hard labour and imprisonment on 25th May 1893, though the sentence was immediately reduced to 7 days. Released back to his unit and returned to duty on 1st June 1893, he was appointed to Lance Corporal again on 18th October 1894, and promoted to Corporal on 4th April 1896.

Transferring to the 1st Battalion out in South Africa on 24th December 1898, he was promoted to Lance Sergeant on 30th March 1899, and was serving in South Africa on the outbreak of the war. As such he was present in action at the battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, before being present during the defence of Ladysmith from 3rd November 1899 through to 28th February 1900. Promoted to Sergeant during the siege on 20th February 1900, Wright was later present in action at Laing’s Nek from 2nd to 9th June 1900, and at Belfast on 26th to 27th August 1900.

Posted to India on 7th November 1902, he was appointed the Regimental Sergeant Instructor in fencing and gymnastics on 3rd December 1902, and was promoted to Colour Sergeant on 8th May 1906, being posted home on 10th November 1906. Transferred to the Depot on 15th March 1907, he then transferred back to the 1st Battalion on 12th October 1909, and in the same month, was awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in Army Order No.270 of October 1910, and was eventually discharged on 10th December 1911.

Having then gone to work as a gymnastics instructor and living in Farncombe, Surrey, with the outbreak of the Great War, Wright then attested for short service for the duration of the war at Aldershot on 15th April 1915, and joining as a Private (No.124) the Army Gymnastics Staff. Promoted to Company Sergeant Major and Warrant Officer 2nd Class on the same date, he was discharged medically unfit on 7th December 1917 having seen home service throughout. Wright latterly lived in Farncombe near Godalming, Surrey, and died on 29th December 1949.

Picture courtesy of the London Medal Co

QSA (5) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek; (89458 GNR: J.H. STATHAM, 69: B. R.F.A.);
KSA (2) (89458 GNR: J.H. STATHAM. R.F.A.),

Mounted swing style as worn on an attractive silver mounting bar which is engraved: ‘South Africa 1899 to 1902’.

Together with a photograph of the recipient in uniform, this a studio portrait taken by the photographer Whitlock of Birmingham.

John Henry Statham was born in Tenbury Wells, Herefordshire, now Worcestershire, and having worked as a labourer, then attested for service with the British Army at Birmingham on 18th March 1892, and being posted as a Gunner (No.89458) to the Depot of the Royal Field Artillery, and was then posted for service with the 69th Field Battery from 12th April 1892. Statham was the posted with his battery to South Africa on 13th May 1897. As such Statham was out in South Africa on the outbreak of the Boer War in October 1899.

Statham was present as a Sergeant with the 69th Field Battery at the Battle of Talana on 20th October 1899, when his battery was one of three present. Having then taken part in his battery’s engagement at Lombard’s Top on 30th October 1899, when, along with the 21st Battery, they were sent to support General French and gave most valuable service, he was then present during the defence of Ladysmith from 3rd November 1899 through to 28th February 1900. After the relief of Ladysmith, he took part in operations in the Transvaal and fought at Laing’s Nek on 2nd to 9th June 1900.

Whilst on service in South Africa, he transferred to the 42nd Field Battery on 1st November 1901, and was then posted to the 1st Depot in South Africa on 3rd September 1902, before transferring to the Army Reserve on 9th July 1903, and being posted home on 13th October 1903 and discharged on 17th March 1904.

Picture courtesy of DNW

DCM GV (R-5633 S.Mjr: A. Davies. 13/K.R.R.C.);
India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 (3480 Sergt. A. Davies 1st Bn. K.R. Rif. C.);
India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (3480 Color Sergt. A. Davies 1st Bn. K.R. Rifle Corps);
Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing's Nek, Belfast (3480 Clr: Serjt: A. Davies. K.R.R.C.);
King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3480 Cr:-Serjt: A. Davies. K.R.R.C.);
1914-15 Star (R-5633 S.Mjr. A. Davies. K.R. Rif: C.);
British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (R-5633 W.O. Cl. 1 A. Davies. K.R. Rif. C.);
Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (3480 C/Sjt. A. Davies (D.C.M.) K.R.R.C.);
Army L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (3480 C. Serjt: A. Davies. K.R.R.C.)

DCM London Gazette 4 June 1917; citation 9 July 1917: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He has consistently performed good work during a long period and has at all times set a splendid example.’

MID London Gazette 10 September 1901 and 15 June 1916.

MSM recommended by O.C. Rifle Regiment, 20 July 1905; approved with annuity, 21 March 1945.

Arthur Davies was born on 11 May 1867. He served 19 years 4 months with 14 years 8 months as Sergeant and having 12 years 3 months abroad, including Hazara and Miranzai in 1891 and Isizai in 1892 (Medal and clasps Hazara and Samana), Chitral in 1895 (Medal and clasp Relief of Chitral 1895), South Africa 1899-1902 (Mentioned in despatches, Queen’s Medal with 6 clasps and King’s Medal with 2 clasps). Served in France from 30 July 1915, as Regimental Sergeant-Major, 13th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps.

Warwick and Warwick are re-advertising the QSA to Hayward, 13th RFA, which last appeared in their August sale. The lighting in the image makes the clasps looks more suspicious they they are and the previous image they used was better, in my opinion.


Picture courtesy of Warwick and Warwick

On today, the 120th anniversary of the battle of Talana Hill, it is very fitting to show this single clasp medal from the next DNW auction


Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Talana (4546 Pte. B. Lewitt, 1: Leic: Regt.)

Private B. Lewitt was wounded at Farquhar’s Farm on 30 October 1899.