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Auction: 21001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals (conducted behind closed doors)
Lot: 591

Three: Corporal C. M. Tofte, 7th South African Infantry, late General Botha's Bodyguard

1914-15 Star (Const. C. M. Tofte G.O.C.Bdy.Gd.); British War and bi-lingual Victory Medals (Cpl C M. Tofte. 7th S.A.I.), minor good very fine (3)

Christian Miller Tofte was born in Johannesburg and prior to the outbreak of war he worked as a Police Officer. When war broke out it was decided that General Botha should be accompanied by a bodyguard made up of South African Police Officers. Tofte was one of these volunteers who accompanied Botha during the Boer Revolt and the German South West Africa campaign which he did with the rank of Constable. Their position as a General's Bodyguard did not keep this unit from the action and they often found themselves in the firing line - particularly against Fourie's Commando during the Boer Revolt. He embarked upon the Galway Castle on 5 February 1915, a ship which travelled in the same fleet as General Botha to the German port of Swakopmund.

After the conclusion of the campaign he joined the 7th South African Infantry on 6 December 1915 with the rank of Corporal. Unfortunately from the 22 February 1917 he suffered severely from malaria, severe enough that on 29 November 1917 he was discharged, unfit for tropical service; sold together with copied research including MIC, attestation and disability records.

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Sold for
£80

Starting price
£60