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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 145

The campaign pair awarded to Private W. B. R. Craven, Black Watch, who was taken prisoner at Magersfontein when his Regiment led the attack into terrible Mauser fire and suffered appalling casualties

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (7013 Pte W. Craven, 2nd Rl Highldrs:); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7013 Corpl: W. B. Craven. Rl: Highrs:), good very fine (2)

Walter Brown Renton Craven was born at Thurso, Caithness, Scotland in 1875 and attested with the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) on 3 August 1899. Posted to South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War he arrived there on 22 October 1899.

They were part of General Lord Methuen's advance towards Kimberley and were at the head of the Highland Brigade under General Wauchope on 11 December 1899. However they were marching into a trap, General De La Rey had forgone the usual tactic of occupying the hills but instead dug trenches at the foot of the hills.

The British troops had therefore not deployed for battle when the Boers opened fire but were still in close order. The impact was appalling and the death of General Wauchope was a serious blow not just for the loss of a brilliant commander but also because it paralysed the British attack, preventing them from deploying properly.

The Brigade broke up in confusion with limited attacks made locally by certain troops, most of these made no headway however, instead being shot or taken prisoner. Craven seems likely to have been one of these as he was taken prisoner of war that day, only being released on 6 June 1900 at Waterval.

He continued to serve, being advanced Lance Corporal on 29 October 1900 and was finally discharged on 24 September 1902. Interestingly he settled locally, marrying at Cape Town and living as a farmer with his death reported at Pretoria on 27 May 1929; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£300 to £400

Starting price
£240