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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 171

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing's Nek (4205 Pte T. Smith, Scot: Rifles.), lightly polished very fine

Thomas Harry Smith was born at Salford, Manchester and noted service with the 4th (Milita) Battalion Derbyshire Regiment when he attested into the Scottish Rifles on 9 November 1891 at Leicester. Suffering from Scarlet Fever in March 1893, he was posted to India on 9 March 1894, where he had another flare up of the disease in 1895.

Returning to Britain on 4 December 1895 Smith entered the war in South Africa on 23 October 1899. Taking part in the actions at the Tugela River they saw notable action at Spion Kop, with all eight companies joining the British line later in the day and suffering heavy losses. The Battalion had Four officers and 33 men dead, with 6 officers and 49 men wounded, receiving a mention in General Buller's dispatch.

Smith suffered from Enteric Fever whilst in South Africa and left the country on 22 June 1901. He was discharged at Hamilton, New Brunswick, Canada on 8 November 1903 but re-enlisted into the Scottish Rifles (18284) at Nottingham on 10 April 1915 at the age of 41. Unfortunately, this did not last long as he was discharged on 9 June 1915 with a judgement of 'Not being likely to become an efficient soldier'. Smith is not entitled to any Great War campaign medals.

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Sold for
£120

Starting price
£120