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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 621

(x) THE SCOUTS

Border Scouts

Raised at Upington in May 1900 on the right bank of the Orange River, the Border Scouts came about through the disembodiment of an existing volunteer irregular unit, Orpen's Light Horse, many of whose officers were transferred to the new unit under Major John Birkbeck, late of the 4th Battalion, the Cameronians. Destined to operate in the large magisterial district of Kenhardt, the Scouts, consisting largely of local farmers and professional hunters, were raised as convoy guards and highly mobile columns designed to observe and control Boer incursions.

Proud of their name, the Scouts were to prove a match for the Boers in every way. They excelled at horsemanship, shooting and living off the land, while their skill with tracking was unrivalled (Bastards of the Boer War, by Brian J. Barker, Medal News June-July 2006, refers). At Kenhardt and Keimoes in October 1901, the Scouts doggedly held their positions against determined rebel opposition, whilst John Stirling in The Colonials in South Africa, indicates several bravery awards to men of the northern Cape units of Scouts - but none was ever actually granted.

Three: Private A. Turner, 8th South African Infantry, late Border Scouts

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Cape Colony (801 Sjt. A. Turner. Border Scouts.); British War and bi-lingual Victory Medals (Pte. A. H. Turner. 8th S.A.I.), nearly very fine (3)

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Sold for
£130