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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 452

The scarce campaign group of six awarded to Sergeant T. Rogers, Australian Forces, late King's Royal Rifle Corps, whose service took him from the Anglo-Boer War all the way through to the Second World War, but despite this proved to be far from the model soldier, being charged with stealing biscuits as well as striking an officer during his time in South Africa and later being wounded in action on 16 September 1916

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (2387 Pte T. Rogers. K.R.R.C.); 1914-15 Star (2387 Pte T. Rogers K.R.Rif:C.); British War and Victory Medals (2387 Sgt. T. Rogers K.R.Rif. C.); War Medal 1939-45 (W243298 T. Rogers); Australia Service Medal 1939-45 (W243298 T. Rogers), mounted as worn, the top two clasps on the first rivetted together but loose from the other three, some staining to the star otherwise very fine (6)

Thomas Rogers was born at All Saint's, Loughborough, Leicestershire in 1881 and attested into the King's Royal Rifle Corps on 11 December 1899, listing service in the Militia with the 3rd Leicestershire Regiment. Posted to South Africa from 18 March 1901, he was tried by Court Martial on 26 November 1901 for 'Stealing a Box of Biscuits the property of the Government'.

Rogers was further tried for 5 years penal servitude for striking a superior officer during the execution of his office on 8 February 1902, being returned to Britain on 6 March 1902. Returning to duty on 19 February 1903 he was posted to Bermuda between 16 March 1904 - 24 October 1905. He was transferred to the Army Reserve on 10 December 1907 and given permission to reside in Western Australia on 12 May 1910.

With the outbreak of the Great War Rogers was mobilised in Australia on 10 August 1914 and arrived in England on 19 December 1914. He briefly served in France from 14-30 January 1915. Rogers was promoted to Sergeant on 15 August 1916 before returning to France on 17 August. During the Battle of the Somme he was seriously wounded in the right hand and wrist as a result of a gunshot wound on 16 September 1916.

Invalided from the front he was posted to the 9th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps but his wound proved too severe, and he was discharged on 12 May 1917, being additionally entitled to a Silver War Badge (205626). Returning to Australia he re-enlisted at Subiaco, Western Australia on 22 November 1939 into the 10th Garrison Battalion. Rogers was appointed to the range staff on 19 January 1942 with the rifle ranges at Bushmead and was discharged on 26 September 1944.

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Sold for
£480

Starting price
£300