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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 381

(x) Pair: Private J. Clarke, 2nd Battalion, Shropshire Light Infantry

Hong Kong Plague 1894 (Private J. Clarke, S.L.I.), Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Paardeberg, Driefontein (2931 Pte. J. Clarke, 2nd Shropshire Lt Iny), some contact wear to second, overall very fine (2)

James Clarke was born at Shrewsbury, Shropshire and enlisted there on 20 November 1888. Posted to the 2nd Battalion early the next year on 20 February 1889 he joined them in Malta on 17 November 1890. After a brief time there he was posted to Egypt and from thence to Hong Kong when he arrived on 2 December 1891. He was still there some years later when the Hong Kong Plague - otherwise known as the bubonic plague - occurred in early 1894.

The role of the K.S.L.I. is outlined well by an article on the Soldiers of Shropshire Museum website which states:

'Those responsible for conducting house inspections, as well as disinfecting them, became known as the Whitewash Brigade – and this is where the KSLI came into action. Due to being stationed out in Hong Kong at the time of the outbreak, KSLI volunteers sprang into action to begin supressing the disease. Amongst other things, the KSLI were responsible for spraying/fumigating houses, whitewashing walls with lime and even clearing corpses out of houses. Those having their houses inspected would be given clean clothes and their own clothes would be sent to a disinfecting station. An article from the 1939 Hong Kong Press wrote that although the job of the KSLI was "gruesome", it was "not altogether unpopular with the soldiers. Military discipline of the Barrack Square had to disappear and with a generous rum ration, given with a view to warding off infection, they carried out their strange duties with the utmost cheerfulness".'

Their job was difficult, dangerous and in some cases resulted in clashes with a largely mistrustful local community. As a reward for their service the soldiers were presented with the Hong Kong Plague medal. Clarke was posted to India, remaining there until 2 January 1897 when he returned to Britain, joining the Army Reserve four days later.

Mobilised for service on the outbreak of the Boer War, Clarke arrived at South Africa again on 7 November 1899. He was to see action during the Battle of Paardeberg, where the battalion earned high praise for pressing close to the Boer defences. Later they were to see heavy fighting at Thoba Mountain in May 1900, however Clarke was not long in South Africa and returned to Britain on 25 June. He remained mobilised until the next year, being finally discharged on 19 November 1901; sold together with copied service papers.

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

Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£950