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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 460

(x) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Defence of Kimberley (Mr. G. J. Watt. Post Office Corps.), good very fine and rare

Maurice's History of the War in South Africa, Vol 4 gives some detail on this unit:

'At the beginning of the campaign the strength of this Corps was three Officers, eighty-nine other ranks, composing one Company of the 24th Middlesex (Post Office) Volunteers. These men, like all the 24th Middlesex, were drawn from the London Post Offices, and were those who had been specially enlisted for a period of six years in the Army Reserve to render them available for foreign service. This original force, which proceeded to the seat of War in October, 1899, soon became totally inadequate to the growing needs of the Army. Reinforcing drafts followed rapidly, drawn at first from the 24th Middlesex, but later from the postal services of all the provinces of Great Britain, and even to a small extent from those of Canada, Australia, Cape Colony and India. The greatest strength attained at the height of the campaign was ten Officers, a Warrant Officer, and 396 other ranks, with, in addition, twenty civilian clerks and 100 soldiers attached for orderly duties.'

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£420

Starting price
£220