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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 649

A fine Second Boer War 'Battle of Belfast' D.C.M. awarded to Sergeant W. Craig, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was decorated for his part in the gallant charge which drove the Boers from Bergendal Farm at the climax of the action

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (3965 Serjt: W. Craig. Rl: Innis: Fus:), large letter reverse, officially impressed naming, extremely fine

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

W. Craig served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the Second Boer War. The Battalion sailed aboard the Catalonia on 5 November 1899, arriving at the Cape on 30 November. Posted to Durban, it joined the 5th ('Irish') Brigade under Major-General Fitzroy Hart, and was at the extreme left of General Buller's force at the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899. The Battalion suffered severely by being kept in close order, exposed to Boer marksmen, before an order finally came for the line to extend. Losses in this battle were 1 officer and 17 men killed, 10 officers and 76 men wounded. The Battalion was then heavily engaged at Venter's Spruit on 20 January 1900. During the Relief of Ladysmith it garrisoned key rail-heads. On 23 February the Battalion attacked entrenched Boer positions east of the River Langerwachte, dislodging the Boers at the point of the bayonet. The Battalion lost Colonel Thackeray, Major Sanders and Lieutenant Stuart killed, a further eight officers wounded, and 219 casualties among the rank-and-file. Craig may have been rapidly promoted as a result of the terrible casualties in this action, for which five officers were mentioned in General Buller's Dispatch of 30 March.

The Inniskillings were prominent in the Battle of Belfast on 23-27 August 1900. This combat is also called the Battle of Bergendal, because it really centred around the Boer-held Bergendal Farm, which anchored the left flank of the main Boer force at Belfast four miles away. General Buller saw this farm as the key to capturing Belfast. On 27 August, after an intense bombardment which involved the 65th Howitzer Battery, the Inniskillings, with the 2nd Battalion of the Rifle Brigade on their left, advanced up the craggy slope towards this entrenched Boer salient, defended by the Johannesburg Police. After a fierce struggle, they captured Bergendal Farm and seized a number of the Boers' prized 'Long Tom' guns. This victory, earned at the cost of 385 British casualties, caused the general dispersal of Boer forces in the region, enabling Buller to march into Machadodorp the next day. For his gallantry in the capture of Bergendal Farm, Craig was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal, announced in Army Order 15/02.

Another W. Craig, possibly this man's son, served as Private in the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers during the Great War, and was killed in action on 8 February 1917; sold with roll confirmation.

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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£950