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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 80

A scarce campaign group of five awarded to Private A. Lyne, 1st Battalion Hampshire Regiment, who was present at the Battle of Jidballi which was fought on 10 January 1904 against an army of 8,000 Dervishes under the command of the 'Mad Mullah'

Africa General Service 1902-56, 2 clasps, Somaliland 1902-02, Jidballi (4853 Pte A. Lyne. 1st Hamp: Regt.); 1914 Star, clasp (4853 Pte. A. Lyne. 1/Hamps: R.); British War and Victory Medals (4853 Pte. A. Lyne. Hamps. R.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (4853 Pte. A. Lyne. Hamps. R.), contact marks and edge bruising to first, nearly very fine otherwise lighting pitting and contact marks, overall very fine (5)

Albert Lyne was born at Ringwood, Hampshire on the 13 July 1877, the son of William and Love (nee Leat) Lyne. The family are recorded in the 1881 Census Return residing at 'The Kennels', in the hamlet of Sandford near Ringwood, where William Lyne's occupation is given as 'Game Keeper'. The family are again recorded in the 1891 Census Return, residing in the village of Ripley, near Sopley, where Albert Lyne, now 13 years of age is described as a 'General Labourer'.

Lyne initially volunteered for service with the 3rd (Militia) Battalion Hampshire Regiment at Ringwood on 17 March 1896, declaring his age to be 18 years 3 months, and his occupation as 'Labourer' in the employment of Mr Bramble. His next-of-kin was given as his widowed mother. Discharged from the Militia on transfer to the Regular Army, Lyne attested at Winchester on 1 June 1986 for a term of 7 year's Colour service and 5 years in the Army Reserve. On enlistment he declared his age to be 18 years 11 months, and stated his occupation as 'Labourer'. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he was transferred to the 1st Battalion in 1898, and gained his Mounted Infantry qualification in 1899.

His pension records confirms his military service to be Home from June 1896-February 1897; India from February 1897-February 1903; Aden from February 1903-June 1903. Extending his service to complete 12 year's Colour Service in 1903 he served in Somaliland from June 1903-July 1904. Here he was present for the Battle of Jidballi, the Royal Hampshire Regiment Website provides a description of the action, stating:

‘By January 1904, General Egerton, now commanding in Somaliland, decided to advance on Jidballi, which was 40 miles east of Eil Dab where the Mullah’s men were gathering. The ensuing battle for the Hampshire Regiment lasted only 40 minutes from the opening fire, as the trained soldiers were more accurate shooters than the Somali troops, who retreated with British mounted troops in pursuit.’

Returning to Britain in July 1904 he re-engaged for 21 years in 1908 and is recorded in the 1911 Census Return serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion, which at the time was stationed at Badajoz Barracks, Aldershot.

Entering the Great War in France in August 1914 Lyne was medically classified as PB (Permanent Barracks) in May 1915, at the age of 38 years, and PU (Permanently Unfit for Duty) in August 1917, although he remained on active service in France until the Armistice. Leaving France on 24 January 1919 he was discharged to pension in February 1919 on termination of his second period of service.

Lyne died at Cheltenham in 1956, aged 79 years.

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Sold for
£550

Starting price
£320

Sale 23003 Notices
Photograph incorrect please refer to description