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Auction: 18001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 554

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

A scarce Boer War Militia D.S.O. group of four awarded to Major M. A. Foster, 4th Battalion, Prince Albert's Somerset Light Infantry

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Jubilee 1897, silver; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, one clasp, Cape Colony (Capt. & Adjt. M. A. Foster, D.S.O., Som. L.I.), 'D.S.O.' and unit officially corrected; King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. & Adjt. M. A. Foster. D.S.O., Som. L.I.), last three mounted as worn, minor enamel damage to the first, otherwise very fine or better (4)


D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901:

'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

Montagu Amos Foster was born on 19 March 1861, the son of William Foster of Wilbury Road, Brighton, Sussex. Gazetted to the Somerset Light Infantry in January 1882, he was promoted Captain in September 1887 and served as an Adjutant in the Militia from May 1899 until February 1904.

More specifically, he served as Adjutant to the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry in the Boer War, in which period he was present in operations in Cape Colony from April 1900 until April 1902, initially serving south of the Orange River (April-November 1900). Garrison duties aside, he would have been employed in mobile columns and it was likely just such work that resulted in the award of his D.S.O. He was also twice mentioned in despatches (London Gazettes 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902, refer).

A large contingent of officers and men of the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry returned to the U.K. aboard the S.S. Sicilia in April 1902 and Foster was probably among them. He had, however, previously returned home to receive his D.S.O. from the King at an investiture held on the 29 October 1901.

Foster, who was advanced to Major in April 1902, was placed on the Retired List in March 1909. He married, in 1898, Ida Frances, daughter of Brigadier-General W. G. Thompson, C.M.G., D.S.O. - see Lot 559 for his Honours & Awards.

Please see Lot 428 for the recipient's miniature dress medals.


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Sold for
£2,200