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Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 66

Pair: Driver J. G. Morgan, Royal Field Artillery

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Wittebergen (77144 Dvr. J. G. Morgan, R.F.A.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (77144 Dvr. J. G. Morgan. R.F.A.), official correction to initials upon the first, good very fine (2)

Joseph Griffin Morgan was born in 1870 and was a jute grinder upon his enlistment on 15 January 1902. He served in India (Medal & clasp) before further active service in South Africa during the Boer War from 4 November 1899-13 March 1902, being discharged on 1 October 1902.

Serving with 79 Battery he was severely wounded in the left knee in the action at Tweefontein (or Krismiskop) on 25 December, 1901, Gazetteer refers:

'A farm in the Orange Free State (Harrismith district; Free State), 35 km east of Bethlehem. A force of some 500 men of the Imperial Yeomanry with a gun (79 btty) and maxim all under the command of Maj F.A. Williams, 1st South Staffordshire regiment, was in camp on the farm protecting the head of a blockhouse line under construction from Harrismith to Bethlehem. The detachment was camped on a hill, Groenkop, with precipitous sides to the west and south and a gentle, well entrenched slope to the east. On the night of 24/25 December 1901, detachments from eight commandos comprising some 500 burghers under the command of Chief-Cmdt C.R. de Wet silently scaled the steep west face in stockinged feet taking the defences completely by surprise. Led by Cmdt W. Mears and Cmdt G.A. Brand, the burghers completely overran the camp within an hour. De Wet left at dawn with some 240 prisoners as well as two guns, 20 waggons, supplies of ammunition and tents, and 500 horses and mules.'

British casualties were 57 killed (including Williams) and 88 wounded; the Boers lost 14 killed and 30 wounded. The Digest of Service for 79 Battery records the gun was fought to the last until rushed by the Boers.

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Sold for
£350

Starting price
£110