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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 570

Four: Corporal G. Estment, South African Mounted Rifles, late Kitchener's Fighting Scouts, who was taken prisoner at the Battle of Sandfontein

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (1346 Tpr. G. Estment. 1-Kitchener's F. Scts.); 1914-15 Star (Cpl. G. Estment 1st S.A.M.R.); British War and Victory Medals (Cpl G. Estment. 1st S.A.M.R.), contact wear overall, minor polishing, very fine (4)

Gordon Edward Estment was born at Cradock, Cape Colony and enlisted with Kitchener's Fighting Scouts at Port Elizabeth on 1 July 1901. They saw action during the guerrilla phase of the Anglo-Boer War against the Boer Commandos still fighting. Estment was discharged on 9 December 1901 with the comment that he was 'inefficient', despite this he was to join the Cape Mounted Rifles at King William's Town on 3 May 1905 with the regimental number 4424.

Prior to the outbreak of the Great War, he was stationed as a Corporal with 'E' Squadron of the South African Mounted Rifles at Hopdale. When the war began Esment was part of the Force A, the British column which invaded German South-West Africa from the south. Sandfontein fell quickly, however despite last minute reinforcements the garrison there numbered no more than 300 men.

They were surrounded by a German force of approximately 1,700 men and soon came under heavy attack. Engaged on all sides by fast moving cavalry, they were unable to check an assault by enemy infantry on their flank. With no chance of breaking out the bulk of the South African force were taken prisoner. Estment was one of these captured on 26 September 1914; sold together with extracts from the National Archives and Kitchener's Fighting Scouts.

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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£140