Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 12002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 254

Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (71077 B.Q.M. Sgt A. Riches, 87th Bty., R.F.A.), light contact marks, very fine Estimate £ 120-160 71077 Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant Arthur Riches, born Harleston, Norfolk, 1867; enlisted Royal Artillery, 1889; Corporal 1894; B.Q.M.S. July 1899; served with the 87th (Howitzer) Battery, Royal Field Artillery during the Second Boer War, and was mentioned in Lord Roberts´ despatch, 29.11.1900 (London Gazette 10.9.1901); the battery ´arrived [in South Africa] on 20th February 1900, and joined General Clements near Norval´s Pont in March. Got to Bloemfontein in April, and was part of the garrison there till end of August, when two sections went to Johannesburg and one to Springfontein. About the end of 1900 one gun joined Colonel Allenby´s column and one Colonel Pulteney´s column, both of which were in the big operations in the Eastern Transvaal. In December 1901 the personnel of the battery was, like those of many others, converted into mounted rifles, and under Colonel Dunlop took part in many great drives both in the Orange River Colony and the Transvaal.´ (British Regiments in South Africa 1899-1902, J. Stirling, refers); awarded Long Service & G.C. Medal, 1907; Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant, 21.7.1908; posted Reserve Brigade, 21.8.1914, and served at home until his discharge, 3.7.1919, after 30 years and 136 days service.

Sold for
£140