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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 447

Five: Private T. Ewan, 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars, late 8th (Royal Irish) Hussars, whose son flew in the Dambuster's raid

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Belfast (4411. Pte. T. Ewan. 8/Hussars.); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4411 Tptr. F. Ewan. 8th Hussars), note incorrect initial; 1914 Star (4411 Pte. T. Ewan. 4/Hrs.), with clasp and rosette; British War and Victory Medals (4411 Pte. T. Ewan. 4-Hrs.), light contact marks, edge bruising to first and second, overall good very fine (5)

Thomas Ewan was born at Great Bridge, Staffordshire in 1881 and enlisted with the 8th (Royal Irish) Hussars on 7 March 1899 at Birmingham. Entering the war in South Africa on 16 May 1900 he was appointed Trumpeter on 5 December 1902, returning to Britain on 18 November 1903. Seeing Home Service until 7 March 1907 when he joined the Army Reserve.

Ewan was still with the reserve on the outbreak of the Great War in 1914 and was mobilised with the 4th (Queen's Own) Hussars on 5 August. Entering the war in France on 15 August he was present for the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau where the Regiment saw heavy fighting. They fought a number of rearguard actions during the retreat, notably at Basnel, Villequier and Roye St. Nicholas. Further details may be found on the website of the Regimental Museum: https://www.qrhmuseum.com/4th-hussars-mons-23rd-24th-aug-1914-retreat-from-mons-23rd-5th-sep-1914-le-cateau-26th-aug-1914.

Ewan continued to serve until 4 March 1916 when he was posted to the Regimental Depot. He was discharged as time-expired at Dublin two days later on 6 March; sold together with copied service papers.

For the medals attributed to his son, Flight Sergeant E. Ewan, see Lot: 658.

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Sold for
£700

Starting price
£140