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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 34

The well-documented pair awarded to Sergeant F. Everitt, Cape Colonial Forces, a long-lived soldier who had served as a Trooper in the Pioneer Column in Mashonaland 1890

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse undated, 1 clasp, Mashonaland 1890 (Tpr. Everett, F. -Pioneers.); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4 Sjt. F. Everitt. C.C.F.), nearly extremely fine (2)

Fritz Everitt was born circa 1870 and enlisted into the Pioneer Column (Service No. 59 - Medal & clasp) under Sir John Frost. Comrades who joined at the same time included Arnott, Hay, Morris, Walker & Captain Judd - who was killed at Shangani three years later.

Everitt returned to the fold during the Boer War and served with 'D' Squadron, Cape Colonial Forces from 19 January 1901-30 June 1902 (Queen's Medal & 3 clasps).

He was one of the longest-lived members of the Pioneer Column and recalled his experiences:

'Everitt said that where possible they travelled along water courses, but often they had to hack their way foot by foot through forests, and then they had to cut out a road for the wagons which followed them. When they arrived at the place which is now Salisbury, there was not even a hut in the vast expanse, and these pioneers wrapped themselves in their blankets and slept in the grass. Along the road they had cut they then built forts.

Malaria was one of the greatest menaces of those early pioneering days and many men died. Everitt himself suffered very severely and any ideas he had of settling in the country had to be given up after three years. He then returned to Tarkastad, where his father was a Doctor. He eventually farmed in the district and later in Molteno before retiring in the Queenstown district. He has many mementoes of those early days, including Medals and Scrolls and a Boer War Medal.'

Sold together with the following original archive comprising:

i)
Rhodes Centenary Certificate, named to 'Fritz Everitt', signed by the Governor and dated 4 July 1953, together with its embossed outer leather cover.

ii)
Rhodesia Pioneers & Early Settlers Society Certificate.

iii)
Occupation Day Celebrations 1930, on the 40th Anniversary of the Occupation of Mashonaland 1890, photograph with all present identified.

iv)
1930 Pioneer Column Certificate.

v)
Cape Colonial Forces Discharge Certificate.

vi)
A selection of relevant photographs, newspaper cuttings and Pioneer Column Association documents.

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Estimate
£2,500 to £3,000

Starting price
£2000