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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 76

A Fine and Scarce Campaign Group of Seven to Company Sergeant Major S.H. Gilbert, Leicestershire Regiment and Labour Corps, Taken POW During the Boer War, 6.3.1901, He Over-Powered His Guard and Escaped
Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, four clasps, Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (11991 Tpr: S.H. Gilbert, 65th Coy. 17th Impl: Yeo:); British War and Victory Medals (240682 C.Sjt. S.H. Gilbert. Leic. R.); Territorial Force War Medal (240682 C. Sjt. S.H. Gilbert. Leic. R.); Coronation 1902, bronze; Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (615194 R.Q.M. Sgt - A.C.S. Mjr. - S.H. Gilbert. Lab: C.); Volunteer Force Long Service & G.C., E.VII.R. (7715 Serjt: S.H. Gilbert. 1/V.B. Leicester Regt.), generally good very fine, mounted for display, with two photographic images of recipient in uniform (7)

240682 Company Sergeant Major Sharrad Holland Gilbert, 'was born 10th November 1868 in a small room over his Father's Chemist shop in East Shilton. At the age of 13 he left school and joined the firm Crows Trinhlor for a seven year apprenticeship as a Hosier. During 1886 he joined the First Volunteer Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. At the outbreak of the Boer War in 1898 Sharrad applied to serve with his service company, the Leicestershire Regiment. Despite his 15 years' service with the local Volunteers his application was rejected. Being a very determined man he approached and was accepted in an unknown branch of the service and enrolled in the ranks of the Imperial Yeomanry 65th Squadron, 17th Battalion Leicestershire, and served in South Africa for a period of fifteen months during which time he saw much action and was in fact captured by the Boers at Aberdeen in Rhodesia. However, he and several other prisoners over-powered their Guard and made a daring escape. In 1901 the Imperial Yeomanry were recalled to England and Sharrad H. Gilbert's service was terminated. Immediately on his return to Hinckley he rejoined the Volunteer Battalion and remained in the 1st Battalion Volunteers until 1908 when the Volunteers were disabled and the new Territorial Army was formed. His service continued with the Territorial Army right up until the 1914/18 European War where again he saw action in France. He finally left the Army in 1921 after serving a total of 35 years.... The remainder of his civilian life was spent in and around Burbage. He lived for many years in Britannia Road and in later years almost became a recluse. Unfortunately during the latter part of his life he went deaf and blind and eventually passed away on 11th March 1961 at the Manor Hospital, Nuneaton, aged 93. He is buried in the St. Catherine's Churchyard, Burbage, in an, as yet unmarked grave.

Apart from his military service Sharrad H. Gilbert on his return from the South African War wrote an interesting account of his services in the Imperial Yeomanry. The book was published by Simpson Marshall entitled Rhodesia and After.' (Hinckley Times refers).

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Estimate
£700 to £900