Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 76

(x) Five: Captain and Paymaster C. D. Kettle, Durban Light Infantry, who was commissioned in 1914 and later saw service in the Rand Rebellion

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Transvaal (98 Serjt: C. Kettle. Durban L. I.); Natal 1906, 1 clasp, 1906 (Col. Sgt: C. Kettle, Durban Light Infantry.), edge wear to rank; British War Medal 1914-20 (Capt. C. D. Kettle.); Colonial Auxiliary Forces Officer's Decoration, the reverse engraved Captain C. D. Kettle. Sup. List A.C.F.; Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal (No. 98 Cr. Sgt. C. D. Kettle. Durb. L. Infy.), mounted as worn, minor contact marks and edge bruising to first two, overall very fine (5)

Clarence Drayner Kettle was born on 7 January 1874 and worked as an accountant. First joining the Maritzburg Rifles in March 1892 he joined the Durban Light Infantry the next year being advanced Sergeant in 1897. Kettle was clearly quite the sportsman having four sporting medals with the first stretching back to 1892.

Serving as part of General Buller’s column during the Anglo Boer War his reminiscences make for interesting reading with an extract from Tide of Invasion Turned stating:

‘Another service perhaps not so justified. The late Capt. C. D. Kettle, who was served of “B” Company at the time, and who at the age of 91 preserved a good memory even as to initials and Christian names recalled that Pte. George Clayton of the Regiment had to travel everywhere with Sir Redvers Buller to set up his billiard table. Clayton was an expert employed by Thurston’s in peace time’

Surviving the war Kettle went on to serve in the Natal Revolt of 1906 continued to serve, being awarded his Colonial Auxiliary Forces Long Service Medal in 1913 while a Colour-Sergeant. Commissioned Lieutenant and Paymaster on 1 August 1914 Kettle’s service papers not ‘Served in German South West Africa’ however do not state any entitlement to the 1914-15 Star.

Advanced Captain and remaining Paymaster he was to prove integral to the running of the Regiment. A letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Molyneux, Durban Light Infantry underlines this point, stating:

‘I ask that some means should be thought out to retain Capt. Kettle on the active list: non-continuous training in a non-existent pay corps need not be too strenuous; why not gazette him to the pay corps, if such is to exist; and so not force him on to the reserve.’

Despite these please Kettle was placed upon the Supernumerary List on I July 1921, although this was not to be the end of his career. A memorandum from the Chief Paymaster and Accountant to the Adjutant General makes note of his services in the Rand Rebellion, stating:

‘Approval is hereby conveyed for the payment of his rank to Captain and Paymaster C. D. Kettle, Supernumerary List, A.C.F., for the period 9th March, 1922 to 15th April, 1922 during which period he was employed on service in connection with the recent industrial disturbances on the Rand.’

Sent to the Reserve of Officers on 15 April 1922 Kettle joined the Pay Branch on 4 May 1925. He was finally placed upon the retired list having reached the age-limited on 6 January 1934; sold together with four sporting medals named to the recipient and copied research comprising, medal rolls, service papers and an extract from Tide of Invasion Turned.


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

Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£800