Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 21103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 4
Lot: 82

Six: Serjeant E. A. Hall, South African Service Corps, late Northumberland Fusiliers

Queen’s Sudan 1896-98 (4024 Pte. E. Hall, 1/Northd. Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4024 Pte. E. Hall, North’d. Fusd.), official correction to surname; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4029 Pte. E. A. Hall, North’d. Fus.), official correction to service number; British War and bi-lingual Victory Medals (Sjt. E. A. Hall, S.A.S.C.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum (4024 Pte. E. A. Hall, 5th Fusers.), note variation in service number, good very fine (6)

Edward Albert Hall was born at Newcastle in August 1875 and was a labourer also serving with the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers upon his enlistment on 19 December 1893. He served in Singapore and Gibraltar before seeing active service in Egypt & Sudan from 17 January-1 November 1898 and in South Africa during the Boer War from 4 November 1899-24 August 1902.

A member of the Mounted Infantry Hall was captured at Mostert's Hoek on 4 April 1900, Gazetteer refers:

'A farm in the Orange Free State (Reddersburg district; Free State), six km east of Reddersburg*. Three companies of the 2nd The Royal Irish Rifles (424 men) and two companies of mounted infantry (167 men, Capt W.P. Dimsdale, Royal Irish Rifles) left Dewetsdorp* on 2 April 1900 for Reddersburg under Capt W.J. McWhinnie, Royal Irish Rifles. In heavy rain the column made slow progress, the horses were not fit and needed resting. The column halted at 5:45 p.m. Early the next morning the column started out, at about 10 a.m. the advance scouts reached a ridge on the farm Mostert's Hoek (Mostertshoek) and came under fire. McWhinnie occupied three kopjes, a front of 3/4 mile which was too long for his force. Immediately, Chief-Cmdt C.R. de Wet called on McWhinnie to surrender because he was seriously outnumbered; this was turned down. Four guns were brought into action to shell the British troops.'

Surrounded and without water the British positions were rushed on the morning of 4 April, the Boers had crept to within 30 yards of the Mounted Infantry. As McWhinnie consulted with his officers one infantry Company on a kopje waved white handkerchiefs and two men near McWhinnie also waved white handkerchiefs. McWhinnie was compelled to surrender; losses were ten killed, 35 wounded and 540 taken prisoner. Hall was released from the Waterval Camp on June 6 1900 and latterly served in the South African Service Corps during the Great War.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£600

Starting price
£400