TOPIC:

A recent purchase from Sunday's medal fair at Wakefield.

4071 Pte.John Lowe 1st Leicesters DOD Ladysmith

John Lowe attested for the 3rd Battalion Leicester Militia on 24th April 1894 at Leicester.
He lived at 26 Ash Cottages, Snowhill, Melton Mowbray with his parents, he was 18 years and 6 months and his trade is shown as "Shoe Hand"
On the 6th June 1894 he signed for his short service with the Leicestershire Regiment again at Leicester.
John was not a model soldier frequently appearing in the Regimental Defaulter book receiving punishment on two occasions when "at home"
On arriving in South Africa his worst offence was at Wynberg where he was drunk when parading for fatique at 2pm this got him 144 days.
When at Ladysmith he received another 14 days for breaking out of Barracks.

As well documented the 1st Leicester's guarded the camp at the battle of Dundee so John was not in the thick of the action as the other distinguished Regiments.
The Leicester's made the retreat with Yule to Ladysmith




Sadly this is where Pte.Lowe spent his last days dying from Enteric Fever on 6th April 1900




Pte.Lowe is commemorated on the Leicester Memorial (Photograph courtesy of Bernice)




And also in St Mary's Church Melton Mowbray




For his service in the campaign Pte.Lowe earned the QSA with clasps Talana and Defence of Ladysmith as shown in WO100/177




Thank you for viewing

Paul

Thats a great purchase Paul. Very nice condition too.

Hello Paul,
A superb medal and one that is certainly not easy to find in the market place today, one of my very first QSA's had this clasp combination, the fellow was invalided back home after the awful siege, but, he had survived to talk about it.
Regards Frank

Thanks David,

One of my favourite clasp combinations, I now have a grand total of 2

Paul

djb wrote: Thats a great purchase Paul. Very nice condition too.

Hello Frank,

Yes I am pleased with this one.
I was lucky enough that one of our members on the forum has a table at the Wakefield fair and he always gives me first option on new to the market.

Paul

Frank Kelley wrote: Hello Paul,
A superb medal and one that is certainly not easy to find in the market place today, one of my very first QSA's had this clasp combination, the fellow was invalided back home after the awful siege, but, he had survived to talk about it.
Regards Frank

David,

I hope you don't mind me posting a page from your book.
From Talana-Account and Medal Roll by David J Biggins
Looks like my new Talana has been through a few auctions in its time
Christie's, Neate and Spink how the prices change





Paul