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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 148

(x) Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith (4325. Pte. W. M. Scott. 5/Lcrs.), edge bruise, very fine

William Murch Scott was born at St Andrews, Portland, Dorset in 1874 and enlisted at London on 22 January 1894 listing past experience with the 19th Middlesex Rifle Volunteers. Posted to India with this unit in September 1894 he was there for over three years before being ordered to South Africa on 5 March 1898. This placed them with General Sir George White's forces early in the Anglo-Boer War at the Battle of Elandslaagte on 21 October 1899.

Here the 5th Lancers and 5th Dragoons launched a charge at the height of the Battle as the Boer defences were breached and they began to withdraw. This succeeded in closing with the notoriously elusive Boers and broke the back of their army. Elandslaagte was one of few truly indisputable British victories in the early phase of the war with two field guns taken and 350 of the enemy cut down.

The Regiment remained with General White's Army becoming part of the force besieged in Ladysmith. During this the cavalry largely fought in the defences as infantry especially later in the siege when their horses began to suffer drastically due to lack of food.

Scott returned to Britain on 21 December 1901 and remained there for a year before being transferred to the Army Reserve on 27 October 1902. He was discharged on 21 January 1906; sold together with copied medal roll and service papers.

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

Sold for
£800

Starting price
£210