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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 127

(x) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing's Nek, South Africa 1901 (69046 Sgt. W. E. Clich, R.F.A.), very fine

William Edwin Clinch was born at Clanfield, Hampshire in 1869. Enlisting with the Royal Field Artillery on 12 October 1888 he was posted to India on 10 October 1889, remaining there for over six years until 7 November 1895 when he returned to Britain.

Posted to South Africa on 30 September 1899 with the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column before transferring to No. 4 Ammunition Column. Finally posted to 13th Battery Royal Field Artillery, with this unit he would have been served alongside Gunner Netley, whose diary of the actions before Ladysmith and the following siege are a vital resource to any studying the period. He left South Africa on 19 September 1901.

After a further five years' service in India between 20 September 1901-12 November 1907 Clinch was invalided on 20 July 1909. He did return to the colours in 1918 seeing service with an Anti-Aircraft battery. Clinch died on 3 March 1921. He died in an accident while taking several horse into town, last seen mounted at Cade Street, Heathfield he was found unconcious in the road and passed away not long later; solf together with a copied medal roll, extract from The Boer War by Thomas Pakenham, photographs of the recipient's gravesite and an extract from his obituary.

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

Sold for
£260

Starting price
£100