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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 408

The Campaign group of six awarded to Private W. J. Harrison, 15th Hussars, late 65th (2nd Leicestershire) Company, 17th Battalion, Imperial Yeomanry, who was wounded in South Africa during the Boer War

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Rhodesia, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (12123 Tpr. W. J. Harrison. 65th Coy 17th Impl: Yeo::); King's South Africa 1901-02, 2 claps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, naming crudely erased; 1914 Star, clasp (16663 Pte W. Harrison. 15/Hrs:); British War and Victory Medals (16663 Pte. W. J. Harrison. 15-Hrs.); Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, contact marks, overall very fine (6)

William James Harrison was born circa 1875 in Botcher Gate, Carlisle, Cumberland and attested with the Imperial Yeomanry in February 1900 at Leicester. He was posted to South Africa in the 65 (2nd Leicestershire) Company, 17th Battalion Imperial Yeomanry that April and was later wounded in action on 14 February 1901 near Houtkraal. The next day, a Boer Column under General de Wett was attacked by General Plummer's column while crossing the Houtkraal railway and seriously mauled. It is likley that Harrison was wounded in the skirmishes leading up to this engagement.

He returned home in June 1901 and was discharged the following month, his character cited as being 'very good'. At some point, Harrison re-enlisted with the 15th Hussars and entered the First World War in November 1914, serving for the duration of the conflict. He also served as part of the Military Mounted Police during the Great War under number P5551, and after the war was transferred to the Class Z Army Reserve.

Harrison is confirmed upon the Queen's South Africa roll with entitlement to the medal and clasps. He also appears on the roll with entitlement to the 1914 Star and British War and Victory Medals. There is no indication that Harrison was entitled to the King's South Africa medal, and he was not present in South Africa in 1902. Furthermore, there is no documentation supporting Harrison's participation in the Second World War; sold together with copied research and medal rolls.

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Sold for
£280

Starting price
£200