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Auction: 1006 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 21

A ´Relief of Ladysmith´ Boer War D.C.M. Group of Five to Private J. Cottle, Durham Light Infantry, Later Warrant Officer Class II Royal Irish Fusiliers a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (Pte. J. Cottle. Durham Lt. Infy.) b) Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, five clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing´s Nek, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between State and Date clasps (2792 Pte. J. Cottle. Durham Lt. Infy.) c) 1914-15 Star (13105 Sjt. J. Cottle. R. Ir. Fus.) d) British War and Victory Medals (13105 W.O. Cl.2 J. Cottle. R. Ir. Fus.), contact marks, nearly very fine (5) Estimate £ 2,500-3,000 D.C.M. London Gazette 8.2.1901 2792 Private J. Cottle 1st Bn. Durham Light Infantry, in joint citation with 4154 Private G. Bennett and 5754 Private J.S. Parker ´On the 24th February, when the enemy would not allow us to remove our wounded, and fired heavily on any one who tried to do so, these three men all brought in wounded men.´ 13105 Warrant Officer Class II James Cottle, D.C.M., born Bristol, Gloucestershire; enlisted 1st Battalion Durham Light Infantry, 1887; served with the regiment in South Africa 24.11.1899-7.7.1901, during this period Cottle´s battalion took part in the storming of Vaal Krantz (5.2.1900), ´Their final charge that day was carried through in a way worthy of the battalion. The words of Sir Redvers Buller are, "The men would not be denied." Their losses were heavy: 2 officers and 12 men killed, 6 officers, including Colonel Fitzgerald, and 76 men wounded....... The battalion took part in the last and successful attempt to relieve Ladysmith, and was almost constantly engaged between 13th and 27th February. On the 18th the battalion and the 1st Rifle Brigade attacked and carried the ridge between Monte Cristo and Green Hill, and losing no time, captured the Boer laager. The 4th Brigade were on the left in the final assault on the 27th. The battalion´s losses during the fourteen days were approximately 2 men killed and 51 wounded. Six officers and 13 men were mentioned in despatches for good work in the relief operations, 3 men getting the distinguished conduct medal, - another man of the Mounted Infantry got that medal for excellent work at Alleman´s Nek, - and in General Buller´s final despatch 12 officers were mentioned.´ (British Regiments in South Africa 1899-1902, J. Stirling refers); discharged 13.7.1901; re-engaged for the Great War and served with the Royal Irish Fusiliers in the Gallipoli theatre of War from 7.8.1915 (wounded, entitled to Silver War Badge no. 988); Regimental Quarter Master Sergeant 25.1.1916; discharged 23.10.1918; died in Dublin 1947.

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£3,200