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Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 190

(x) A rare Africa campaign service group of five awarded to Sub. Inspector S. H. Edwards, British South Africa Police, late King's Royal Rifle Corps

British South Africa Company's Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1897 (7804 Corpl. S. Edwards, 4/K.R.R. Corps); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Mafeking, Transvaal, Rhodesia (248 Sjt.-Maj. S. H. Edwards, B.S.A. Police); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (248 T.S. Major S. Edwards, B.S.A. Police); Defence Medal 1939-45; Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (Sub.-Inspr. Sidney Herbert Edwards, Brit. S. Africa Police), together with the recipient's B.S.A.P. officer's gilt cap badge and shoulder titles, minor contact marks, very fine and better (8)

Sidney Herbert Edwards was born at Netherbury, Dorset in December 1874 and enlisted in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in October 1892. Posted to the 4th Battalion on completion of his basic training, he was advanced to Corporal in October 1895.

Rhodesia: Rifleman - Mounted Infantry

In April 1896, he was among those hand-picked to form a Mounted Infantry force for service in South Africa, in his case as a member of No. 7 (Rifle) Mounted Infantry Company under Captain A. V. Jenner, D.S.O., of the 4th Rifle Brigade.

Shortly after the force's arrival in South Africa, the Mashona uprising broke out in Rhodesia and Captain Jenner's No. 7 Company was called to arms, initially taking up residence at the police barracks at Umtali. Edwards and his comrades subsequently played an active part in the operations undertaken by the Mashonaland Field Force, mounting regular patrols in Mazoe district in October 1896 (Medal).

British South Africa Police - Mashonaland and the Boer War

In common with other riflemen seeking a new life, Edwards purchased his discharge at Umtali at the year's end, when he enlisted in the British South Africa Police. Promoted to 3rd Class Sergeant in February 1897, he quickly witnessed further active service in the Mashonaland operations; on applying for the clasp for his Medal in April 1900, he stated that he had served in patrols under Lieutenant-Colonel de Moleyns, B.S.A.P., in Chiqudquas, Mashonjanika and Matako.

Having in the interim been advanced to 2nd Class Sergeant, he next saw action in the relief of Mafeking operations, when he formed part of a 100-strong B.S.A.P. contingent under Major R. C. Nesbitt, the whole 'dramatically mounted on greys.' Among other clashes with the Boers, two troops from Nesbitt's force came under a heavy fire on the banks of the Molopo River on 16 May 1900, but Edwards was not among the resultant casualties.

Following the relief of Mafeking, he and his comrades were employed in the Transvaal, in support of Lord Roberts's advance on Pretoria, and Edwards was rewarded by promotion to 1st Class Sergeant (Troop Sergeant-Major) in January 1901. Later still, he became one of about 160 members of the B.S.A.P. to qualify for the King's South Africa Medal.

In the summer of 1902, Edwards accompanied the Rhodesian Coronation Contingent to London, not as an official member of the contingent but rather in an administrative role. He passed his time wisely, wooing the affections of one Frances Tyler of Deal, whom he married in August 1902.

Further accolades

Back in Rhodesia Edwards settled down to his regular policing duties and, having been given charge of the sub-district at Rusape, was promoted to Sub. Inspector in April 1914. As such, he did not witness active service in the Great War.

In March 1916, he added the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas L.S. & G.C. to his accolades, and in March 1917 he was given the temporary rank of Lieutenant. Three months later, he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the territory of Southern Rhodesia.

On his retirement in March 1923, Edwards and his wife settled at 'Inyanga' at Perranporth, Cornwall, where he was one of the first to join the Local Defence Volunteers - afterwards Home Guard - on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939. Otherwise known for his efficient stewardship of Perranporth Golf Club, he died in January 1958; sold with a selection of Victorian Rhodesian Arms Stamps (11), together with an extensive file of copied research, from which the above biographical entry has been taken.



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Sold for
£2,300