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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 680

(x) Field Intelligence Department

The Field Intelligence Department played a crucial role in bringing the conflict to a close. At the beginning of the conflict, the maps and general knowledge of the vast areas to be fought over were sketchy and the creation of an Intelligence Department became of vital necessity. The Guides and Agents infiltrated the countryside and towns and allowed the Head Quarters to keep subversives and rebels in a closer check than would otherwise have been possible. The F.I.D. was created by Major (later, General Sir) David Henderson who summarised their role thus:

'In November 1900 the strength of the Field Intelligence Department was approximately 30 officers and 250 white subordinates. On 31 May 1902 the strength was 132 white officers and 2,321 white subordinates. Apart from any share which they may have had in the captures made by columns, the Intelligence employees while in search of information, have, in the last six months of the war, killed 88 and captured 550 of the enemy. A very large proportion of surrenders have also directly been due to the influence of Intelligence agents.

Many small expeditions have been organised and sent out from Head Quarters to the outlying parts of the theatre of operations to gain information and interrupt the enemy's communications and sometimes to investigate particular matters which have been reported. There has been no lack of suitable volunteers for these dangerous enterprises, and they have, in most cases, been skilfully carried out, with valuable results. In more than one case, a small party of this kind has exercised considerable influence on the enemy's plans and movements.'

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Guide D. C. Van der Merwe. F.I.D.), minor edge nicks, good very fine and a rare Ex-Burgher's award

D. C. Van der Merwe, a native of Senekal, served with the National Scouts, Orange River Colony Volunteers and later the Field Intelligence Department in South Africa. His name appears in The Dynamics of Treason: Boer Collaboration in the S.A. War of 1899-1902, by Albert Grundlingh, as part of Annex 1: List of Ex-Burghers of the late O.V.S. who have served the British Army.

Sold with copied F.I.D. roll noting the issue of two Medals and 6 clasps to Van der Merwe and Scout J. L. Bedford on 17 January 1908.


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Sold for
£190