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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 151

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps Relief of Kimberly, Paardeberg (3846 Pte. F. Birch, Oxford: Lt Inft), good very fine

Frederick William Birch was born in January 1874 at Chesham, Buckinghamshire, the son of Frederick and Rebekah Birch of 84 Church Street, Chesham. Working as a Bootmaker by 1891 he enlisted the next year at High Wycombe. He saw home service for the next five years before transferring to the Army Reserve on 23 February 1897. Mobilised for service in the Anglo-Boer War Birch entered the conflict in South Africa on 22 December 1899.

The Oxfordshire Light Infantry was deployed in the pursuit of General Conje's forces after the Relief of Kimberly and saw heavy fighting at Paardeberg. After this action the Battalion saw service with the British Columns moving about South Africa and did not face heavy fighting. Birch returned to Britain on 22 August 1900 and served there until 28 April 1902 when he returned to the Reserve. He died at Fulham, London in March 1912; sold together with copied research comprising, census data, medal rolls and service papers.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£120