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Offered for sale by Spink yesterday but did not sell.

QSA (1) Belmont (8941 Pte. W. Ogle, Scots Gds.), good very fine

The officers and men of the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards were heavily engaged at Belmont on 23 November 1899, Lord Methuen reporting that 'they carried out their instructions to the letter, and gained the heights at the point of the bayonet.' As a consequence, the battalion's losses were severe, being 10 men killed and three officers and 34 men wounded. Colonel Paget and three of his officers were highly praised by Lord Methuen and General Colvile.

William Ogle is commemorated on the Household Cavalry and Guards memorial in Holy Trinity, Windsor. He left a widow, Sarah Anne Ogle, a shirt maker, and a 2-year old daughter, Elizabeth Violet, who were living in Pomeroy Street, Camberwell, London at the time of his death.


Picture courtesy of Spink

Pictures courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Belmont (Lieut: & Adjt: F. L. Fryer, Gren: Gds:)
Jubilee 1897

Francis Lyall Fryer, Grenadier Guards, was killed in action at Belmont on 23 November 1899.



He was a son of Sir Frederick Fryer, K.C.S.I., Indian Civil Service, and was born in August 1873. He was educated at Charterhouse and entered the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in November 1892. He was transferred to the Grenadier Guards in January 1893, and promoted to Lieutenant in March 1897. Lieutenant Fryer was Adjutant of the 3rd battalion of his regiment at the time of his death, and fell while leading some of the men of his battalion. Sir H. Colville, in his report, states: ‘During the assault on Gun Hill, Lieut. and Adjt. Fryer, who was leading the men with extraordinary gallantry, was killed.’ His name is inscribed on the tablet in the War Memorial Cloister at Charterhouse.

Lieutenant Fryer was the only Grenadier officer to be killed at Belmont, the regiment’s first action in the Boer War.

What a superb pair those are.

djb wrote:

Pictures courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Belmont (Lieut: & Adjt: F. L. Fryer, Gren: Gds:)
Jubilee 1897

Francis Lyall Fryer, Grenadier Guards, was killed in action at Belmont on 23 November 1899.

He was a son of Sir Frederick Fryer, K.C.S.I., Indian Civil Service, and was born in August 1873. He was educated at Charterhouse and entered the King’s Own Scottish Borderers in November 1892. He was transferred to the Grenadier Guards in January 1893, and promoted to Lieutenant in March 1897. Lieutenant Fryer was Adjutant of the 3rd battalion of his regiment at the time of his death, and fell while leading some of the men of his battalion. Sir H. Colville, in his report, states: ‘During the assault on Gun Hill, Lieut. and Adjt. Fryer, who was leading the men with extraordinary gallantry, was killed.’ His name is inscribed on the tablet in the War Memorial Cloister at Charterhouse.

Lieutenant Fryer was the only Grenadier officer to be killed at Belmont, the regiment’s first action in the Boer War.

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Belmont (6820 Pte. F. Doran, R:M:L:I: H.M.S. Doris)

Private F. Doran died of wounds received at the battle of Graspan (Enslin), near Belmont, on 25 January 1899. He was Major Plumbe’s servant and died of his wounds on the way down to Simonstown (Naval Brigades in the South African War refers).

At the Battle of Graspan the Naval Brigade carried out the only infantry attack of the Boer War made by men of the Royal Navy:

‘Captain R. C. Prothero, R.N., led the advance, and Major J. H. Plumbe, R.M.L.I., Captain A. E. Marchant, R.M.L.I., and Colour-Sergeant Dyson were in advance of the various marine companies.

Midshipman T. F. J. L. Wardle acted as A.D.C. to Major Plumbe and accompanied that officer. In some places the line was somewhat crowded and ‘bunched,’ but the average extension was about four paces... The officers lost heavily. Commander Ethelston, Major Plumbe and Captain Senior were shot dead, Captain Prothero, R.N., and Lieut. Jones were both severely wounded, and Mishipman Huddart was mortally wounded whilst struggling to advance after being twice hit.’

‘Midshipman Wardle also showed great gallantry, and remained with Major Plumbe and several dead and wounded men, and attended to them and dressed their wounds under a heavy fire.’ (London Gazette 30 March 1900). Wardle was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross.

Sold for £800

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Belmont (5093 Pte. J. H. Cole. L.N. Lanc. Regt.)

Private J. H. Cole was killed in action at Graspan on 24 November 1899. Casualty roll gives initial as ‘D’.

Another second type reverse on a medal that could be expected to have a first.

djb wrote:

Picture courtesy of DNW

QSA (1) Belmont (5093 Pte. J. H. Cole. L.N. Lanc. Regt.)

Private J. H. Cole was killed in action at Graspan on 24 November 1899. Casualty roll gives initial as ‘D’.