Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 599

A fascinating leatherbound album compiled by Lady Ventry to record the exploits of her son, Captain The Honourable F. R. W. E. De Moleyns, later 5th Baron Ventry, 4th Hussars, in Mashonaland and Matabeleland in 1896-7.

Red morocco notebook, 186 x 168 x 20mm, gilt borders and marbled inner covers, by Day, 96 Mount St., generally in good condition

The album contains 60 newspaper cuttings relating to the Matabeleland campaign, extracted from South African and Irish newspapers. It is signed 'J. Ventry June 1st 1897' on the first page. Enclosed is a photograph of Captain De Moleyns seated alongside General Sir F. Carrington and Colonel Baden-Powell. In addition there are 3 photographs of African native infantry being drilled by British soldiers. Enclosed is a congratulatory signed letter sent to Lady Vestry from her brother, Colonel A. G. Wauchope, dated 6 August 1896 which gives Freddy '...a very good chance of V.C. and a brevet to boot.' Wauchope would be killed in action at Magersfontein in 1899. Another from Field Marshal Wolseley, 9 August 1896, states '...you have every reason to be proud of your gallant son.'

Frederick 'Freddy' Rossmore Wauchope Eveleigh De Moleyns was born in December 1861 and educated at Harrow School. Commissioned into the 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars, he served in the Second Matabele War (1896-97) and was twice mentioned in despatches, receiving the Distinguished Service Order (London Gazette 11 May 1897). On 8 February 1914, having retired from the Army, he succeeded to his father's title and became the 5th Baron Ventry. Also Deputy Lieutenant of County Kerry, he died on 22 November 1923.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£400