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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 734

(x) Natal Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment

Just 22 Medals were awarded to the unit.

The Natal Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment fought with determination and gallantry during the Boer attack on Wagon Hill at Ladysmith on 6 January 1900. When the attack commenced at 2.30 a.m., it was first directed on the centre of the southern face of Wagon Hill, from whence it spread east and west:

'It fell directly on the squadron of Imperial Light Horse, under Lieutenant G. M. Mathias, and the Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment under Lieutenant E. N. W. Walker, who clung most gallantly to their positions, and did invaluable service in holding in check till daylight the Boers who had gained a footing on the hill within a few yards of them' (London Gazette 8 February 1901, refers).

Pair: Sergeant H. C. J. Taylor, Imperial Light Horse, late Prince of Wales Light Horse and Natal Volunteer Hotchkiss Detachment

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (20 Sjt: H. J. C. Taylor. Natal Vol: H.G.D.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2685 Tpr: H. J. C. Taylor. Imp: Lt. Horse.), nearly extremely fine and very rare (2)

H. C. J. Taylor later transferred to the Prince of Wales Light Horse and the 1st Imperial Light Horse; sold with copied roll entries.

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Sold for
£800