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Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 167

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (8019 Pte. C. Harbord, Cldstm: Cds:), good very fine

George Harbord was born at St. Heigh, Norwich in 1871 and worked as a Butcher prior to enlisting with the Coldstream Guards at Newcastle on 1 March 1890. Seeing home service until 1 March 1894 when he was posted to the Army Reserve, Habrod was recalled to the colours on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War. Joining 2nd Battalion on 9 October 1899 he entered the war in South Africa on 21 October 1899, in time to join Colville's Guards Brigade in the push to relieve Kimberly.

They faced heavy fighting during the advance, being on the extreme right of the British line at the Battle of Belmont they took Razor Back and Sugar Loaf Hills in face of Boer rifle fire. They were again on the right flank at Modder River, spending all day on the firing line under gruelling attack. The Battalion suffered 69 casualties at the end of the day. Finally they supported the Gordons during the failed advance at Magersfontein. The advance ground to a halt and the Battalion was not engaged again until the British breakthrough on the Tugela.

Harbord went on to see further heavy fighting when the Brigade was engaged at Diamond Hill under General Pole-Carew; fending off a Boer counter-attack towards Pretoria. His final action was at Belfast on 27 August 1900 after which he was engaged with British columns in the Johannesburg area. Harbord left South Africa on 20 July 1902 (King's South Africa Medal and two clasps) and was transferred to 3rd Battalion on 21 July. He was discharged on the same day; sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£230

Starting price
£110