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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 185

The Queen's South Africa Medal awarded to Private T. Cain, 1st Battalion, Border Regiment, who was wounded in the thigh on the Second Day of the Battle of Middlefontein

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1902 (5928 Pte T. Cain. 1:Bord:Regt.), contact marks, very fine

Note, the recipient is further entitled to clasps for the Relief of Ladysmith and Tugela Heights as well as a K.S.A. however neither the clasps nor suspension have signs of tampering, it appears as issued.

Thomas Cain was born at Preston, Lancashire in 1879 and served at Home from 9 May 1898 with the Border Regiment. Posted to South Africa on 27 September 1899 he saw service with them during the crossing of the Tugela River. They were stationed at Rustenburg, North West Provence in 1901 under the command of General Cunningham in 1901 when General French ordered them to march on Vlakfontein, part of a sweep to capture Koos de la Rey.

They encountered some resistance but by the night of 23 January they had made good progress and set up camp near the farm of Middlefontein. The first they knew of a Boer attack was when the advanced pickets came under attack, the British responding with artillery and an increased infantry presence. The 2nd Worcestershire Regiment attacked a Boer held hill and managed to drive the enemy from it, strengthening the British position.

In the night de la Rey arrived and by the morning the British position was in much more dire straights. Fortunately for the Cunningham's command they still had heliograph contact with the rest of their forces and a column was directed to relieve them. This would not arrive until the next day however which left them under the sights of the Boer's for the entire day, under constant attack.

The men of the Border Regiment took the brunt of the casualties however later in the day they managed to secure an unoccupied Kraal, turning it into a defensive position. During the action Cain was wounded in the thigh, becoming one of 23 men of the Regiment wounded in action at Middlefontein.

The Boers became aware of the approaching relief column during the night and began to withdraw, though they kept up a desultory fire throughout the day. They withdrew completely at midday, Cain survived his wounds and continued to serve, being posted to India on 22 September 1902. He returned to South Africa on 31 December 1904, but left again on 8 February 1906 and returned to Briain, joining the Army Reserve on 8 May.

Cain remained with the reserves throughout the Great War but was recalled to the colours in 1919. He was once again demobilised in 1920.

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Sold for
£160

Starting price
£100