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Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 59

King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (1566 Tpr. B. F. O. Oexle. Steinaecker's Horse.), very fine

Bertie Frederick Oscar Oexle was born at Brixton in 1879 and was a cycle fitter by trade. He serve with the 2nd Company, Wiltshire Imperial Yeomanry and serving with them he was taken prisoner on 15 June 1900, location not stated, but was later released. He served as a Trooper (No. 175) in the Provisional Transvaal Constabulary and the South African Constabulary. Enlisted in Steinaecker's Horse at Durban on 27 November 1901, Oexle transferred to the South African Constabulary and then to the Transvaal Police (No.845) on 3 January 1903 and served with them until 31 January 1911. In 1909 he was with the Eastern Frontier Guard and died in 1920. A letter which was sold online stated:

'18 Gantner St.
Forest Hill
Johannesburg
24-10-[19]20
My Dear Will,

It is with a heavy heart I write you these few lines.

Bert died last Wednesday morning at 4am [on] 20/10/[19]20 was buried Thursday morning 10 oclock at Pretoria will full military honours.

He had a touch of pneumonia but really died of exhaustion he was very weak, & the end very quiet it was a great shock & I cant realise yet that he is dead.

He was ill 3 years 11 months. I think Will it is all for the best as there was no hope of recovery.

Im enclosing a cutting out of the Sunday Times.

We were married 8 yrs 11 mths Joan is a fine girl she is now 8 yrs old she is doing very well at school poor child.

I hope you are all keeping well have not heard from you for ages am writing Elsie by this mail too, & asking her to let the others know as I dont know their addresses.

I must now close with kind regards to you all.

In sorrow
Helen & Joan Oexle.'

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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£30