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Auction: 20003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 276

A 1918 D.C.M. group awarded to Sergeant R. Currie, South African Engineers, late Durban Light Infantry and Rand Light Infantry

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (Sapr. R. Currie. S A, Eng; Corps.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Transvaal, Relief of Ladysmith, Orange Free State (745 Pte. R. Currie. Durban L. I.); 1914-15 Star (Sjt R. Currie S.A.E.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Sjt R. Currie. S.A.S.C.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service (I. 7299. Sgt. R. Currie. 11th Inf. (Rand Lt. Inf.)), good very fine (6)

D.C.M. London Gazette 22 August 1918:

'During the reconstruction of the line a number of land mines were found laid in the formation. Between (…) and (…) 16 mines were discovered; only two of them exploded, each slightly injuring one native. Lieut Sutherland on my staff found 9 mines and Sapper Currie S.A.E.C. also removed 9 mines. I recommend them both for some consideration for spotting and removing these hidden death traps. Duty calling for courage of a high order.'

Robert Currie served with the Durban Light Infantry during the Boer War, where they saw action during Relief of Ladysmith during the course this campaign they participated in the Battle of Colenso. Several members of the regiment were also present at the armoured train whose seizure on 15 November 1899 saw Winston Churchill taken prisoner.

After the war Currie remained with the Colonial Auxiliaries, transitioning to the 11 (Rand) Light Infantry and receiving a promotion to Sergeant; it was here also that he relieved his Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal after over twenty years of service.

At the outbreak of the Great War he joined the South African Engineers Corps and participated in the Campaign in German South West Africa. In the course of this he was awarded with the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his role in mine clearance. However he began to suffer from ill health, finally diagnosed as malaria and was discharged, being labelled unfit for tropical service but only temporarily unfit for non-tropical service; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£1,200

Starting price
£700

Sale 20003 Notices
Victory Medal unnamed.