Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 664

Six: Trooper C. Greetham, East African Mounted Rifles, late Lieutenant, Field Intelligence Department and Sergeant Major, Kimberley Light Horse

Mayor of Kimberley’s Star 1899-1900, hallmark ‘d’; Queen's South Africa 1899-1901, 5 clasps, Defence of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Relief of Mafeking, Rhodesia, Transvaal (Sergt. Major C. Greetham Kimberley Lt. Horse); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Lt. C. Greetham Field Intelligence Dept.); 1914-15 Star (217 Tpr. C. Greetham. E. Afr. M. Rif.); British War and Victory Medals (217 Tpr. C. Greetham. E. Afr. M. Rif.), mounted for display in this order, the second and third officially engraved in 'B.S.A. Company Medal' style, local rivets to the second, otherwise good very fine and a rare combination (6)

Just 151 combinations known of the 'Defence of Ladysmith' and 'Paardeberg' clasps.

Charles George Greetham initially served with the Kimberley Light Horse during the Boer War, at the rank of Troop Sergeant Major and Pay Sergeant to the unit. He was mentioned in Lord Roberts' despatch (London Gazette 17 June 1902, refers), an account of which is given in The Colonials in South Africa:

'At Edenkop, Eastern Transvaal, 30th June, he twice went out under heavy fire to bring in his brother, who was stunned by [a] fall of his horse.'

Greetham was subsequently transferred and commissioned as a Lieutenant in the Field Intelligence Department for the remainder of the war.

At the onset of the Great War, he enlisted in the East African Mounted Rifles on 9 September 1914, and served in East Africa, his MIC noting 'Theatre 4A'. He was discharged medically unfit on 4 November 1914 and was issued with a Silver War Badge (The Story of the East African Mounted Rifles, refers).

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