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Auction: 12002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 23

A Superb Boer War ´Baakenlaagte´ D.C.M. Group of Four to Battery Sergeant Major J.R. Hayes, 84th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Who Despite ´Lying Wounded Across the Trail of His Gun, All the Rest of the Gun Detachment Being Killed or Wounded, Ascertained that the Gun Was Loaded, Got the Lanyard, Crawled Up the Trail and Fired the Gun, Falling Immediately After From Weakness a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (39499 Serjt: J.R. Hayes. R.F.A.) b) Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, five clasps, Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (39499 Sgt. J.R. Hayes, 84rd Bty., R.F.A.) c) King´s South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (39499 Serjt: J.R. Hayes. R.F.A.) d) Army Long Service & G.C., E.VII.R. (39499 Sergt: J.R. Hayes. R.F.A.), light contact marks overall, therefore very fine or better, mounted for wear, with the following related contemporary items: - Parchment Certificate of Discharge - Parchment Certificate of Character on Discharge - Recipient´s Account Book (4) Estimate £ 2,400-2,800 D.C.M. London Gazette 31.10.1902 39499 Sergeant J.R. Hayes, 84th Battery, Royal Field Artillery (details appear in London Gazette 25.4.1902) ´At Baakenlaagte on 30th October, 1901, lying wounded across the trail of his gun, all the rest of the gun detachment being killed or wounded, ascertained that the gun was loaded, got the lanyard, crawled up the trail and fired the gun, falling immediately after from weakness.´ 39499 Sergeant John Robert Hayes, D.C.M., born Limerick, Ireland; enlisted aged 15, Royal Artillery, 1883; advanced Corporal, 66th Battery, 1889; Sergeant 1893; served during the Boer War with the 84th Battery Royal Field Artillery, and was present with them as part of Colonel Benson´s column when it was attacked at Baakenlaagte, 30.10.1901; ´the rear-guard, which was the object of the enemy´s main attack, was composed of two companies Mounted Infantry, two squadrons Scottish Horse, two guns 84th Battery, and one company 2nd Buffs, the whole under the command of Major Anley, 3rd Mounted Infantry. The guns, the company of Buffs, and 50 Mounted Infantry were posted on a ridge, some Mounted Infantry and Scottish Horse being out as a screen. The screen was ordered to close in, but at the same time it was compelled by a strong force of enemy to retire... Two guns were with Colonel Benson when he met with his diaster at Baakenlaagte... The ridge on which the guns were placed was captured by the Boers, and when our ambulance moved out after dark to collect the wounded the guns were removed by the enemy. Colonel Benson and Colonel Guiness were both killed at the guns. The section lost 7 killed and 20 wounded. According to all accounts, the gallantry of the gunners and of the mounted infantry who strove to hold the ridge could not have been exceeded. Seven non-commissioned officers and men of the battery were mentioned by Lord Kitchener in despatches for acts of gallantry almost worthy of the "Cross"´ (British Regiments in South Africa 1899-1902, J. Stirling refers); Battery Sergeant Major, 13.4.1899; discharged 12.8.1902.

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