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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 420

(x) The campaign group of three awarded to Bugler H. Stone, Rifle Brigade, who was wounded in action during the Attack on Surprise Hill and again severely at the Battle of Belfast/Bergendal where Rifleman Durant of the same Battalion was awarded the Victoria Cross for carrying in a wounded man under heavy fire

Queen's Sudan 1896-98 (2378 Bglr: H. Stone.2/R.Bde:); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Defence of Ladysmith, Laing's Nek, Belfast, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 (2378 Bugr H. Stone, Rifle Brigade); Khedive's Sudan 1896-1908, 1 clasp, Khartoum, unnamed as issued, contact marks, very fine (3)

Herbert Stone was serving with the Rifle Brigade during the Battle of Omdurman before later being deployed to South Africa for service in the Anglo-Boer War. They were rushed up to the front just in time to be trapped in Ladysmith with the rest of the British Army there. The Battalion garrisoned King's Post and Leicester Post to start with before also taking over Observation Post.

After the attack on Lombard's Kop on 8 December Colonel Metcalfe of the Rifle Brigade determined to attack Surprise Hill and destroy the Howitzer there. Five companies of the Battalion moved to attack the position on the night of 10-11 December, Stone amongst them. They achieved surprise but unfortunately there were several delays, the gun was not in its emplacement and had to be located, and after that the first explosive inserted failed to detonate. A second managed to disable the gun but by this time the Boers had massed in sufficient numbers to take on the British raiders.

Encircled the force seemed to be in trouble for a moment however a bayonet charge managed to clear their way. The British saw losses of 12 killed and 36 wounded with 10 taken prisoner, Stone was amongst the wounded although his injury was described as light.

The Battalion was involved in the repulse of the Boer attack on 6 January, sending reinforcements to Caeser's Camp and seeing heavy fighting. With Ladysmith relieved the Battalion joined the advance North into Boer territory, with Stone now well recovered from his wounds.

At Belfast/Bergendal they were part of the initial assault, attacking to the west of the British line towards the Bergendal Kopje. Their attack came in the teeth of heavy rifle and artillery fire but managed to push forward until the Boers withdrew. During the fighting Rifleman Durrant spotted Corporal Weller- who had been knocked down by enemy fire- disorientated and on the ground. He rushed through the fire to his comrade, lifted him and carried him safely back to British lines covering a distance of 200 yards twice under the heaviest fire.

The capture of the Kopje by the Rifle Brigade and Inniskilling Fusiliers forced the Boers to abandon their entire position and quit the field. The Battalion lost 24 dead and 70 wounded including Stone whose injuries at this juncture were described as severe. It is unclear if he was able to continue serving after this point as the medal roll describes him as invalided; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£420

Starting price
£210