Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 673

The Meritorious Service Medal awarded to Company Sergeant-Major C. Ivens, Royal Engineers, who survived the Siege of Eshowe and served through the Great War

Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R. (C. S. Mjr. C. Ivens. R.E.), good very fine

Charles Ivens was born at Woodford, Kettering in 1854. Attesting with the rank of Sapper on 19 December 1876 and assigned the Regimental number 14011; he was deployed to the Cape of Good Hope on 2 December 1878 to fight in the Anglo-Zulu War where he formed part of No. 1 Column under Colonel Pearson. This - very likely - places him with No. 2 Field Company which was assigned to the formation. With this unit Ivens saw action at Inyezane on 22 January 1879 when a Zulu Impi attacked the column only to be thrown back by disciplined fire and the ferocious effects of a Gatling gun. The column entered the Missionary Fort at Eshowe the next day on 23 January only to receive news of the massacre at Isandlwana. Colonel Peason dug his troops in and they soon came under attack. Having driven the Zulus off the British troops found themselves under siege - however it was clear that their enemy couldn't take the Fort, leaving the opposing sides at an impasse. The Column was relieved on 3 April after months of siege, and Ivens went on to serve in the run-up to the advance on Ulundi.

Returning to Britain on 11 May 1880 Ivens remained there for the next eleven years, being promoted 2nd Corporal on 19 December 1888. Posted to Axim on the Gold Coast on 16 December 1891 he served there until 13 July 1892 before again returning to Britain. Here Ivens saw another five years of service. He is listed as Discharged on 19 December 1897 with the rank of Company Sergeant-Major. It seems that Ivens was either involved in the Army Reserve or was the recipient of a very late award as his M.S.M. is a George V issue; sold together with copied service papers.

Further entitled to the South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879, and the Army L.S. & G.C.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£270

Starting price
£80