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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 221

A Boer War D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant, late Colour-Sergeant S. Hannam, Somerset Light Infantry, who served in the rank of Sergeant-Instructor of Musketry to the 2nd Battalion in South Africa

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (685 Serjt: S. Hannam. 2nd Somerset: L. I.); India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Burma 1885-87 (685 Pte. S. Hannam 2nd. Bn. Som: L. I.); India General Service 1895-1902, 1 clasp, Punjab Frontier 1897-98 (685 Pte. S. Hannam. 1st Bn. Som Lt Infy.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (985 [sic] Sejt. S. Hannam, Somerset: Lt. Inf.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (685 Serjt: S. Hannam. Somerset: L. I.); Army L.S. & G.C., E.VI.R. (685 C. Sjt. S. Hannam. Somerset L. I.), second with claw sometime neatly re-affixed, fourth with official correction to surname, contact marks overall, very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Samuel Hannam was born in July 1866 at Gillingham, Dorset and was an agricultural worker upon his enlistment at Taunton in July 1884. Having previously served in the 4th Battalion, Somerset Militia, he was posted to India from September 1885 - February 1898, seeing active service during the Third Burmese War (Medal & clasp) and during the Mohmand expedition of 1897 (Medal & clasp).

Having returned home, Hannam would see active service in South Africa from 4 November 1899 - 30 April 1903, being noted as 'Sergeant-Instructor of Musketry to Battalion'. Landed at the Cape before being transferred to Durban, the Regiment joined General Warren's 5th Division, and went with him to Springfield and Venter's Spruit. It was here the unit were engaged from 20-24 January 1900 at Venter's Spruit and Spion Kop in particular. On 21 February, during the final relief of Ladysmith, the Somersets had their heaviest actions in the rugged terrain in the hills north of Colenso. On one occasion they were forced to fight from a position which left them under fire from three sides. In the 14 days casualties amounted to 3 officers and 11 other ranks killed, with one further officer and 80 other ranks wounded. By war's end, Hannam would be granted the D.C.M. for a '...special instance of gallant conduct', besides being 'mentioned' in Lord Robert's despatch '...having rendered special and meritorious service during the campaign' (Queen's Medal & 5 clasps and King's Medal & 2 clasps).

Remaining with the Regiment until December 1908, Hannam was discharged at Malta after some 24 years 152 days in service. He had a good conduct gratuity of £5 and to go with an '...accidental slight wound to bridge of nose', no doubt a badge of honour from his time as an Instructor. His character was described by his Colonel as:

'Exemplary. A good, reliable + plucky N.C.O. in whom I have the perfect confidence.'

Sold with copied service record.

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Sold for
£4,000