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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 56

(x) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (782 Trooper R. H. Vallance. 3rd. N.Z.M.R.), contemporary engraved naming, nearly very fine

Robert Hugh Vallance was born around 1882 at Sefton, Canterbury, New Zealand, the son of Hugh Vallance. A butcher by trade, Vallance was drafted from the Rangiora Rifles for service with the 3rd Contingent, New Zealand Mounted Rifles, at Addington on 31 January 1900. He subsequently sailed from Lyttelton on 17 February 1900 and served in South Africa until 8 May 1901 with the 3rd and 8th Contingents. Vallance was discharged at Wellington on 8 June 1901 in consequence of completion of his term of service, returning home to live at Sefton, Canterbury; sold with copied service record confirming clasp entitlement.

Due to an administrative error, men of the 2nd and 3rd Contingents were issued their medal unnamed as they left South Africa for home. As a consequence, it was not uncommon for one man to gather medals belonging to his comrades and have these named by a local jeweller. The wording on these medals was engraved and usually takes up the whole rim, resulting in variations to rank, unit titles and styles. Previously disregarded by collectors, such medals are rare today. A few men of the 2nd and 3rd Contingents who remained in South Africa until later in the war or travelled from South Africa to England before returning home, usually received medals with officially impressed naming (Rough Riders at War by author Richard Stowers, refers), but that would not be applicable to this recipient.

For further details please see:
http://medals.nzdf.mil.nz/category/h/h2.html


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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£170