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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 424

(x) Six: Company Quartermaster Sergeant R. Howse, Royal Fusiliers

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela River, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (7241 Pte R. Howse, 2nd Royal Fus:); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7241 Corpl: R. Howse. Rl: Fusiliers.); Tibet 1904, clasp, Gyantse (7241 Corpl. R. Howse. 1st Bn. Ryl. Fusiliers.); British War and Victory Medals (GS-5889 W. O. Cl. 2 R. Howse. R. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (7241 Sjt: R. Howse. R. Fus.), contact marks, overall very fine (6)

Provenance:
Spink September 1981.

Reuben Howse was born at Windsor in 1874 and enlisted at London on 17 November 1892. Posted to the 2nd Battalion he saw Home Service with the Shropshire Light Infantry until 24 November 1898 when he joined the Army Reserve. Howse was not to remain a reservist for long however, returning to the colours and joining the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers on 15 March 1899.

He was still with this unit on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War, entering the conflict on South Africa on 22 October 1899. The Battalion was present for the Battle of Colenso although not heavily engaged, but they were to see a great deal of action during the increasingly frantic attempts to breach the Tugela Line. They were later to see action with the British columns during the Guerrilla phase of the conflict.

Posted back to Britain on 22 October 1902 it was less than a year before Howse was again posted far afield. This time he was sent to join the 1st Battalion in India, arriving on 2 October 1903. Here he was to take part in the Tibet Expedition the following year, the Royal Fusiliers were particularly heavily engaged during the Storming of Gyantse Dzong.

Howse returned to Britain on 23 January 1905 and remained there until 1913 when he was discharged. Despite this his career was not over and with the outbreak of the Great War the next year he again returned to the colours. Entering the war in France as a Colour Sergeant on 31 May 1915, with the 9th Battalion. He soon put his experience to good work being 'mentioned' after six months (London Gazette 1 January 1916).

His age and physical condition saw him posted to the Regimental Depot as Company Quartermaster Sergeant and later Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant. However the war took its toll on Howse and he was invalided before its conclusion on 6 March 1917; sold together with copied medal rolls and service papers.

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

Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£550