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Auction: 12002 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 63

Pair: Driver J. Saunders, Royal Field Artillery, Mentioned in Despatches for His Gallantry at Baakenlaagte, 30.10.1901, Where He Was Also Dangerously Wounded Queen´s South Africa 1899-1902, five clasps, Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (31307 Dr. J. Saunders, 84th Batt. R.F.A.); King´s South Africa 1901-02, two clasps (31307 Dvr; J. Saunders. R.F.A.), top lugs of last neatly removed, edge bruising, therefore nearly very fine (2) Estimate £ 250-300 M.I.D. London Gazette 25.4.1902 31307 Driver J. Saunders, 84th Battery, R.F.A [in joint citation with Acting Bombadier H. Cook, Driver G. Lillio, Driver E. Lloyd and Driver T. Hopkins] ´At Baakenlaagte on 30th October, 1901, seeing the men and horses at the gun shot down, on his [Cook] own initiative, unlimbered the wagon which was about 100 yards in rear and with the help of the other men mentioned took the limber up, but before they reached the gun, they and all their horses were shot down.´ 31307 Driver J. Saunders, born Tunbridge Wells; enlisted Royal Sussex Regiment, August 1898; transferred Royal Artillery, November 1898; 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, during which he was dangerously wounded; ´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) Bombardier 29.3.1910; discharged 8.8.1910.

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£400