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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 585

(x) Three: Private J. H. Van Der Walt, 4th South African Infantry, late Van Tonder's Horse, who twice joined underage only to die of wounds sustained during the efforts to recover the dead sustained in the closing days of the Battle of Passchendaele

British War and Victory Medals (Pte. J. H. Van Der Walt. 4th S.A.I.); Great War Bronze Memorial Cross (Johannes Hendrik Van Der Walt), contact marks, edge bruising, somewhat polished, overall nearly very fine (3)

Johann Hendrick Van Der Walt was born in 1899, the son of Jan Huren and Cristan Willimina Van Der Walt, of Sterkfontein, Transvaal. Enlisting with No. '6' Company, Van Tonders Horse on 14 October 1914 at the age of 15 with the regimental number 532. Discharged on 12 December 1914 he re-attested with the South African Service Corps Transport, on 3 May 1915 but was discharged on 4 June, while the reason for his discharge was not stated it is likely that his age was discovered.

Re-enlisting on 10 January 1917 he joined his unit in the field on 2 July 1917 and was posted to 'D' Company. The Battalion was posted to Cambrai not long after a major engagement there and was engaged in probing attacks against German positions while they attempted to straighten their line. Van Der Walt was wounded during this action and died of these wounds on 23 December 1917; sold together with copied service records and an extract from Pyramids and Poppies along with a picture of the recipients gravestone.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£150

Starting price
£100