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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 460

(x) Three: Quartermaster Sergeant T. R. Baldock, 2nd Dragoons, late 3rd London Rifle Volunteers.

Queens South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Transvaal, (3075 S. Qr:-Mr:-Serjt: T. Baldock. 2nd Dragoons); Kings South Africa 1902, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (3075 S. Qr:-Mr:-Serjt: T. Baldock. 2nd Drgns:); Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.V.R. (3075 Q. M. Serjt. T. R. Baldock. 2/Dgns.), contact wear, very fine (3)

Thomas Richard Baldock was born in March 1968 at St. Pancras, London. Served with the 3rd London Rifle Volunteers while working as a decorator prior to enlisting with the regular army. Enlisted with 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) in Brighton on 14 February 1988. Promoted Lance-Corporal on 1 April 1889 and later Corporal on 17 May 1894. Appointed Lance-Sergeant on 18 January 1893 and promoted Sergeant on 3 February 1894. Appointed Sergeant Instructor of Fencing for the 2nd Dragoons on 9 November 1895. Two years later he married Edith Sara Creswell at Clifton, Hampden on 27 December 1897.

Promoted Squadron Quartermaster-Sergeant just prior to his deployment to South Africa on 18 February 1899. Embarked for South Africa on 6 November 1899 to take part in the Second Boer War. The 2nd Dragoons (Royal Scots Greys) were part of General Porter's 1st Cavalry Brigade during the Relief of Kimberly. Almost immediately afterwards they were part of the army which advanced over Klip Drift in order to assault General Conje's troops at the battle of Paardeberg. This bloody battle finally resulted in the surrender of Conje and over 4000 men. The British then advanced upon Bleomfontein, one of the Boer capitals, before taking part in the push towards Poplar Grove which took de Wet's forces by surprise. Finally for the active phase of the conflict Baldock took part in the battle of Driefontein, after which the war became a guerilla conflict. Baldock embarked for Britian on 19 September 1900 for a brief stay before rejoining his regiment on 12 March 1901. Here he was involved in anti-guerrilla activities, a role which continued in until the end of the war.

Embarked for England on 9 May 1904. Promoted Quarter-Master Sergeant on 1 July 1905. Baldock took part in a shooting match between the Royal Scots Greys and the Highland Light Infantry at some stage after July 1905. Although the Highland Light Infantry won the match it was Baldock who scored the most individual points, with an overall total of 81 out of the 573 awarded to his team.

Discharged on 7 December 1909, with his service listed as 'Exemplary'. Upon retirement he ran a Tobacconist shop at 69 High Street, Andover. T. Baldock died of a cerebral haemorrhage aged 71 on 23 December 1939 at the War Memorial Hospital, Andover; sold together with photographs, copied service records and medal rolls as well as two letters from the recipient's son.

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Sold for
£280

Starting price
£140

Sale 21001 Notices
Baldock's L.S. & G.C. medal is confirmed as an Edward VII issue (as per image), not George V issue as per catalogue description.