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Auction: 26002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 53

(x) South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (1050, Pte. C. Woods, 1st Dn Gds.), slightly loose suspension, light contact wear, very fine

Note 719 Medals were issued to the 1st King's Dragoon Guards, 641 of them with the '1879' clasp.

Charles Woods was born at Great Swaffham, Cambridge in 1848 and enlisted at Westminster Police Court on 7 October 1870. Seeing home service for almost a decade he was posted to South Africa on 27 February 1879.

One of the Regiment's first tasks in the country was the grim task of identifying and burying the dead at the Battlefield of Isandlwana. Engaged in reconnaissance for a time thereafter, on 6 June the K.D.G.s were involved in a particularly savage exchange at Erzungayan: The Zulus were found strongly posted in a wood which was intersected with dongas, and in front of which was a line of four large kraals and from here they poured a heavy fusillade upon men under the command of Colonel Buller and those of the 17th Lancers under Colonel Lowe. Seeing this, and fearing the Zulus might rush out upon the horses, the K.D.G.s formed up on the flank and right rear of the 17th; the Zulus however remained completely concealed in the wood, and General Marshall had little choice but to give the order to retire. Realising their opportunity and following in skirmishing order, the Dragoon's had barely crossed the Upoko, in which there were quicksands, when a brisk fire was opened upon them.

Thereafter, the Regiment was employed on regular reconnaissance and skirmishing duties, using Fort Newdigate as a staging post; in these raids scores of native villages were destroyed. On the night of 7 August 1879, a detachment marched to Emptonjaneni, twelve miles distant from Ulundi. In the night a fearful storm of wind and rain smashed into the camp and continued until 11 a.m. the next morning. Lightning strikes, shock and the sheer ferocity of the weather left 360 transport bullocks dead in the camp, with approximately 90 more being discovered dead in the surrounding bushes.

On 18 August Major Marter marched with a squadron of K.D.G.s under orders to establish a chain of outposts to St. Paul's, 40 miles distant, and to keep up communications throughout the line by patrolling day and night in order to prevent the King from breaking across. The men subsequently joined Clarke's Column and on 27 August the expedition commenced which resulted in the capture of the King.

After the war Woods was posted to India on 29 September 1880 and severed there for a little over two years before he returned to Britain on 21 December 1882 and was discharged the next year on 3 April 1883.

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

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320