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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 194

The tragic Queen's South Africa Medal awarded to Battery Quarter Master Sergeant W. Lednor, who having been accused of a crime he denied, committed suicide in South Africa, leaving a letter to his fiancé alongside his body

The announcement of his mention in despatches was published after his death

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Relief of Kimberely, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen (39944 Bty:Qr: Serjt: W. Lednor. R.Bty: R.H.A.), very fine

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 July 1902.

William Edward Lednor who was born at Ramsgate, Kent was a 19-year-old labourer when he enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 19 November 1883. He served in South Africa from October 1899 until 24 June 1902 where he committed suicide whilst temporarily insane.

Notice of his death was reported in the East Kent Times & District Advertiser of 11 February 1903, which states:

'Lednor a Sergeant Major in the Royal Horse Artillery went to the war and was found dead when on the way to Pretoria. By his dead body was a revolver and a letter to a Miss Kate Ball, an Irish lady, to whom he was engaged and in which he left her his belongings'.

The contents of his letter were reported in the Irish Times on 10 February 1903:

'Dear Katie, I have been accused of a crime I never committed. It is too much for me. In a moment more I shall be gone. I wish you to have all my money, and also anything that my belongings will fetch. Good bye - Yours, Willie'.

He is additionally entitled to the King's South Africa medal and Long Service and Good Conduct medal.

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Sold for
£210

Starting price
£100