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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 778

(x) Vallentin's Heidelburg Volunteers

During his time as Deputy Commissioner, a role which is examined in detail in Heidelbergers of the Boer War, Brevet Major J. M. Vallentin, one of the most enigmatic and impressive young officers who fought in the conflict, set about clearing Boer Commandos from the district. In order to achieve that aim, he established 'Vallentin's Heidelburg Volunteers', about which Stirling noted:

'This corps, which was largely composed of surrendered Boers, was employed on the Standerton line, their duties being chiefly to protect the line and the possessions of the surrendered Burghers in the neighbourhood. But they did more active work and, on 24 May 1901, were credited with a smart capture of a laager, when they secured nine prisoners and much stock. Major Vallentin was wounded on this occasion. On 24 July a party of scouts fell into an ambush and four were killed. Guide Gorman was mentioned in despatches on this occasion for remaining behind with Major Vallentin to cover the retirement of four dismounted men of the Burgher Corps, who would have been shot had they fallen into enemy hands.'

The gallant Vallentin, who was himself twice mentioned in despatches, fell at the head of his men in a hotly contested engagement fought at Onverwacht on 4 January 1902.

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Transvaal (124 Pte. R. Allen. Vallentin's H Burg V.), good very fine and rare award to a Burgher unit

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Sold for
£150