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The trio to Patrick Sharkey sold for a hammer price of GBP 13,000. Total GBP 16,744. R 349,970. AUD 28,220. NZD 31,000. CAD 26,090. USD 19,460. EUR 18,160

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

DCM VR (Driv: A. Pead. R.A. 22nd Jany. 1881.);
SAGS (1) 1879 (4754. Driv: A. Pead. 5th Bde. R.A.)

City Coins Postal Auction, September 2003.

DCM Recommendation submitted to the Queen, 21 September 1882; Royal Artillery Regimental Order No. 59 of December 1882: ‘Her Majesty, on the recommendation of His Royal Highness the Field-Marshal Commanding in Chief, has been pleased to approve of the grant of... silver medals (without annuity or gratuity) to the undermentioned men in recognition of gallant conduct performed by them during the investment of Potchefstroom by the Boers, viz.:-

No. 10205, Driver R. Gibson, N Battery, 4th Brigade, Royal Artillery.
No. 10127, Trumpeter N. H. Martin, N Battery, 4th Brigade, Royal Artillery.
No. 16832, Driver A. Pead, T Battery, 1st Brigade, Royal Artillery.’

In a report submitted by Major C. Thornhill, Officer Commanding the Royal Artillery at Potchefstroom, dated 23 March 1881, he records as follows:

“Further I have to bring to your attention the conspicuous gallantry of Drivers Gibson and Pead and Trumpter Martin, who on the occasion of the attack on the trenches on the 22nd January went out under the very heavy fire, and at great Personal risk carried in 2 wounded men. In the first instance Dvr. Gibson and Trumpeter Martin carried in Dvr. Walsh N/5 R.A. who I regret to say has since died of his wounds - and in the second instance Dvr. Gibson and Dvr. Pead carried in Private Colvin 2/21st Royal Scots Fus. - Dvr. Gibson thus being present in both instances which occurred within a few moments of each other. These acts speak of themselves without any further comment of mine.”

Driver Alfred Pead was subsequently wounded at Potchefstroom on 1 February 1882.

The medal was presented by the Queen at Windsor Castle on 8 December 1882, the following report being published in The Ipswich Journal, on 12 December:

‘THE GARRISON - On Friday last, Mr Pead, late driver F Battery 1st Brigade Royal Artillery, and formerly stationed here, received instructions to proceed to Windsor to receive the medal for distinguished conduct in the field, for an act of bravery performed during the late campaign in South Africa. The following is a brief account of the circumstances - In February (sic), 1881, a small detachment of the British Forces of the Royal Artillery and 21st Fusiliers occupied at fort at Potchefstroom. The Boers held a sap not far off and greatly troubled our small detachment. Volunteers were called for to try and dislodge the enemy. Twenty men, under command of Lieut. Hay, 21st Fusiliers, immediately came forward. The attack was on the whole successful. One man was severely wounded when Drivers Pead and Gibson and Trumpeter Martin, under very heavy fire from the enemy, succeeded in bringing the wounded man into the fort in safety. Driver Gibson and Trumpeter Martin shared the honour of each receiving a medal at Windsor. Mr Pead is, we believe, a native of Ipswich.’

Alfred Pead attested for the Royal Artillery on 13 October 1870, aged 19, and was posted to “F” Battery, 18 Brigade. He subsequently transferred to “M” Battery, 2 Brigade (No. 1899) and then to “A” Battery, 5 Brigade on 1 March 1879 (No. 4754); to Cape of Good Hope, 11 March 1879, and joined N/5 Brigade in South Africa, ‘being engaged against the Zulus’.

“A” Battery subsequently became “T” Battery, 1 Brigade, and Pead served with this battery during the First Boer War (No. 16832) until invalided from South Africa on 3 June 1881, aboard the mail steamer Castle Duart to Netly Hospital and then to Depot 5 Brigade at Woolwich. On 7 October 1882, Pead was discharged time expired to Ipswich.

The pair to Driver Pead sold yesterday for a hammer price of GBP 7,500. Totals: GBP 9,660. R 217,840. AUD 17,480. NZD 19,120. CAD 15,600. USD 11,860. EUR 10,790. The estimate was £8-10k.