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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 181

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant

The Queen's South Africa Medal awarded to Major the Honourable L. F. G. Byng, Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, late Royal Horse Guards, a brother to the famous Field Marshal Byng who served honourably in the Guards only to return to service in South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Cape Colony (Major. Hon. L. F. G. Byng. Thorneycroft's. L.I.), note the incorrect letter on the unit, nearly extremely fine

Lionel Francis George Byng was born at Wrotham Park, South Mimms, Hertfordshire on 26 September 1858, the son of Lady Harriett and Lord George Byng, the 3rd Earl of Strafford. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 29 June 1878 with the Royal Horse Guards he was advanced Lieutenant on 4 September 1880. Joining the Regiment in Ireland he was appointed Adjutant, listed in that role as early as 1884.

Byng was advanced Captain on 18 January 1885 and remained in service, being finally promoted Major on 18 January 1891. He retire on 6 February 1895, it is not clear what the circumstances were which took him to South Africa on the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War however he was appointed Major with Thorneycroft's Mounted Infantry, joining them in the fighting on the Tugela Heights.

They saw heavy fighting at Colenso and were one of the central units involved in the Battle of Spion Kop. After the British finally managed to cross the Tugela River and relieved Ladysmith Thorneycroft commanded a column hunting Boer Guerillas. It seems likely that Byng was involved in similar work although it is perhaps notable that he did not serve in the Orange Free State and the medal roll makes clear that his Cape Colony bar was claimed after the others.

Returning to Britian he married Lady Eleanor Mary Howard, the sister of the Earl of Suffolk and Berkshire. His best man was his elder brother Colonel Charles Byng, formerly commanding officer of the 1st Life Guards. Byng retired to Avening House, Avening, Stroud with his wife and joined the Reserve of Officers, however he was not to see service again, dying on 27 May 1915; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£850

Starting price
£210