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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 159

(x) An exciting Q.S.A. awarded to Battery Sergeant-Major P. R. Olverson, Royal Horse Artillery, who was wounded at Basberg on 16 February 1902 and later won the M.M. in the Great War

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (9783 Gnr: P. R. Olverson. R Bty., R.H.A.), slight edge bruise, very fine

[M.M.] London Gazette 19 February 1917.

Peter Read Olverson was born at Liverpool, Lancashire in 1877 and enlisted there on 5 June 1895. Posted as a Gunner to the Royal Horse Artillery he entered the Anglo-Boer War in South Africa on 24 October 1899 with 'R' Battery. He was not to serve with them for long however, being attached to 1/1 PomPom Section on 1 February 1900 and it was with them that he found himself near Basberg in the Orange Free State. The Gazetteer refers to the following events, stating:

'On 16-17 February 1902 a British column was attacked resulting in one dead, one wounded and three other missing or captured who later rejoined their units.'

The wounded man was Olverson whose service papers note a slight wound. Promoted Bombardier on 1 December 1902 he was ordered back to Britain on 31 May 1903 and remained there until 1907 when he joined the Army Reserve.

Returning to the colours in 1915 as a Sergeant he arrived in France on 19 May 1915. Arriving in Salonika on 10 December 1915 he was to serve there for the rest of the war, being wounded in action on 18 November 1916 and was awarded the M.M. around the same time. Appointed Battery Sergeant-Major on 31 May 1917 he served in this rank until 7 June when he reverted to Sergeant. Olverson suffered from ill health throughout 1918 and was discharged on 8 April 1919; sold together with copied service papers and medal roll.

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

Sold for
£200

Starting price
£170