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Auction: 18002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 232

(x) The 1st Battalion Rifle Brigade

The Battalion sailed from Dover on 2 January 1852. The journey proved almost as disastrous as that experienced by the men aboard the ill-fated Birkenhead, the overcrowded ship encountering severe gales and fire, before limping into Simon's Bay two months after it had set out.

Appointed to General Somerset's 1st Brigade, the Riflemen arrived in time to join the Waterkloof expedition, recording four casualties. In May and June, skirmishes accounted for two killed and seven wounded, whilst on 24 July the Battalion, under Buller's command, attacked the enemy at Mundell's Kranze; arms and ammunition were destroyed and horses and cattle captured. The Regiment saw out the war scouring the gorges for fugitive rebels and in bitter fighting against the Basutos on and around the mountain of Berea. It returned to England in October 1853 before being committed to the Crimea.

South Africa 1834-53 (Chas. Catchpole, 1st. Bn. Rifle Bde.), suspension claw neatly re-affixed, very fine


Charles Catchpole is recorded on the roll as having served during the Third War. He is also recorded as having 'Died'.

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Sold for
£350