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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 195

The Queen's South Africa Medal to Driver E. Shawl, Royal Field Artillery, who later served in the First World War whilst in his forties

Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast (84047 Dvr. E. Shawl, 61st Bty., R.F.A.), suspension slightly loose, contact marks, otherwise very fine

Edward Shawl was born in Cobholm Island, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk on 13 April 1872 and first attested with the Royal Artillery there on 10 March 1891 at age 18. He was posted to India, disembarking on 22 September 1893 and was stationed there for four years until returning to England on 18 December 1897. Shawl transferred to Army Reserve on 19 March 1898, but was soon recalled to service on 9 October 1898. He was later sent to South Africa, where he remained from 11 November 1899 until 3 September 1902. After returning to England, on 10 March 1903 Shawl reengaged to complete another four years. He was finally discharged upon the termination of his limited engagement on 9 March 1907 after having served for 16 years.

After his discharge, Shawl worked as a quay labourer and married Martha Coates in Great Yarmouth on 13 November 1904. Over the next fourteen years they would have two sons and two daughters, born both before and during the Great War.

Upon the outbreak of the First World War, Shawl re-attested with the Royal Field Artillery on 5 October 1914, serving as a Driver under service number 15754. Having been born in 1872, Shawl would have been in his forties while serving in World War I. He entered the war in France on 12 March 1915 and was stationed there for nearly four years, not being posted home until 30 February 1919. Shawl was transferred to the Army Reserve on 1 April 1919, and finally discharged on 31 March 1920.

Shawl is further entitled to a King's South Africa Medal with clasps 'South Africa 1901' and 'South Africa 1902', as well as 1914-15 Star and British War and Victory Medals; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£170

Starting price
£80