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Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (4) Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (3544 Pte. W. Crooks, 1: Leic: Regt), the number officially corrected;
KSA (2) (3544 Pte G. Crooks. Leicester; Regt), note initial

William Crooks was born at Sheffield, Yorkshire in 1873 and attested at Leicester on 24 September 1892. Posted to Jamacia on 17 January 1894 with the 1st Battalion.

Arriving in December 1895, the Battalion was present at Talana in 1899 when the Anglo-Boer War began. They were in reserve for the Battle of Talana but saw heavy action at the Battle of Ladysmith on 30 October. They were on station throughout the siege and were later in on the action at the Battle of Belfast.

Posted to the Army Reserve on 1 August 1902 in Pretoria, Crooks remained in service for several years before being discharged on 23 September 1904.

Picture courtesy of Charterhouse Auctions

QSA (3) (5021 Cpl P Fitzpatrick Royal Irish Fusiliers);
KSA (2) (5021 Sgt Fitzpatrick Royal Irish Fusiliers);
MSM (S Mjr);
Army LS&GC (S Mjr)

Taken prisoner at Nicholson's Nek, 30 October 1899

QSA: WO100/205p20 KSA: WO100/345p28

The officially re-impressed QSA to Private Roscoe, Dundee Town Guard, sold for a hammer price of GBP 480. Total GBP 595. R 13,250. AUD 1,130. NZD 1,240. CAD 1,030. USD 730. EUR 690.

The group of four to Sergeant Fitzpatrick, RIF, sold for a hammer price of GBP 700. Total GBP 910. R 20,130. AUD 1,710. NZD 1,880. CAD 1,560. USD 1,110. EUR 1,050.

I found this to be an extraordinary price for a Talana clasp to the Dundee Town Guard. Medals to the Leicester Regiment for the same action were fetching lower than this. Is there any reason why Roscoe's went so high?

Rory,

No, not that I know of.

I double checked in Pat Rundgren's book and there is only a single line entry for him. It says 'Present at Talana. His QSA sold on eBay in January 2009'.