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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 11

(x) South Africa 1834-53 (E. Clark. 91st Regt.), pitting, bruised, nearly very fine

Ebenezer Clark was born at Old Cumlock, Ayrshire in 1820. Enlisted with the 91st (Argyllshire) Highlanders on 11 March 1842 with the rank of Private and the regimental number 1418. Posted to the newly formed Reserve Battalion, he embarked for South Africa in June 1842. This journey almost ended in disaster when their ship was struck by a storm in Table Bay and broke apart. Fortunately for the regiment boats were brought up to aid in their disembarkation and 700 people, including camp followers reached dry land.

The 91st was deployed during the Seventh Xhosa War in 1846, taking part in the Amatola expedition facing heavy fighting, most notably on 16 April when they were almost overwhelmed. The war ended in December 1847 but the 91st remained on the frontier and in 1848 they sent two companies to fight the Boers at the battle of Boomplaats. These detachments returned to their previous role of garrisoning the frontier in time of the outbreak of the Eighth Xhosa War in 1850. The regiment fought in a number of skirmishes during this conflict, notably they were involved in the killing of rebel chief Hermanus Matroos at Fort Beaufort. Later they also played a role in the final stages of the conflict in the Waterkloof mountains.

Clark was invalided on 29 February 1852, his medical details described him as suffering from amentia (congenital metal disability). It was recommended that he be sent to a Military Lunatic Asylum in England. He is listed on the Chelsea Pensioner rolls from 1852-1857; sold together with copied research including an extract from a history of the 91st Regiment in Cape Colony, service records and pension records.

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Sold for
£400

Starting price
£190