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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 340

(x) A scarce Boer War Militia Officer's D.S.O. group of four awarded to Major M. A. Foster, 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, who was further twice 'mentioned'

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Jubilee 1897, silver, unnamed as issued; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (Capt. & Adjt. M. A. Foster, D.S.O., Som. L.I.), unit officially corrected to include post-nominals; King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (Maj. & Adjt. M. A. Foster. D.S.O., Som. L.I.), the last three mounted as worn in this order, minor enamel damage to D.S.O. and contact wear overall, very fine (4)

Provenance:
Spink July 2018.

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

Montagu Amos Foster was born on 19 March 1861, the son of William Foster of Wilbury Road, Brighton, Sussex. Foster was privately educated and became a notable linguist over the course of his life. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Second East Norfolk (Militia) on 10 December 1879, he was gazetted to a regular commission with the Somerset Light Infantry on 28 January 1882, with the rank of Lieutenant. Promoted Captain while there in September 1887, Foster returned to Britain on 10 November 1891.

Foster also returned to the Militia, serving as Captain and Adjutant with the 4th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. It was with this role that he appears upon the roll for the Jubilee Medal. Later entering the Boer War, with the Battalion sailing on the Kildonan Castle in Spring 1900, upon arrival they were split up with the majority of the unit divided along the lines of communication between East London and Queenstown, Cape Colony, while some officers were detached to the Staff. Foster's role would likely have been with one of the mobile columns that operated in the region hunting down the Boer Commandos - a role for which he was further 'mentioned' twice on 10 September 1901 and 29 July 1902.

Foster certainly came home to receive his D.S.O. in an investiture on 29 October 1901 - however he returned to South Africa, being promoted Major in April 1902 and is listed as stationed there until 13 May. Seeing further service in the East Indies between 1902 and April 1904, Foster returned to Britain on 16 April and served at home until March 1909 when he was placed upon the retired list. Foster had married Ida Frances, the daughter of Brigadier-General W. G. Thompson, C.M.G., D.S.O. and had two children with her, Mary and Cecil William Foster; sold together with copied research comprising a C.D. containing research and photographs, a copied caricature and career summery as well as a Record of Service, medal rolls and extracts from the London Gazette and West Somerset Free Press.

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

Sold for
£1,700

Starting price
£1200