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Picture courtesy of Spink

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (4380 Pte W. Elms. Somerset L.I.);
[ KSA (2) ]

Sold for a hammer price of GBP 85. Totals: GBP 105. R 2,370. AUD 190. NZD 210. CAD 180. USD 130. EUR 120.

My grandfather's Boer War medals.
Pte 5252 Arthur George Rayson Somerset Light Infantry.
QSA: Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal.
KSA: 1901 & 1902 bars.
Medals at the Museum of Somerset.



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Glenn,

There is a good chance your grandfather is somewhere in this photograph. It shows the Somerset Light Infantry during a lull in the fighting on the Tugela Heights. Unusually, it is not heavily posed, and gives a good idea of what it was like in the British forward positions when things were quiet.






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Picture courtesy of Aubrey's

QSA (1) Cape Colony (5275 Pte William Bell Somerset Lt Infy);
KSA (2) (5275 Pte William Bell Somerset L.I.).

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (1) Cape Colony (572 Pte. W. Corfield, Somerset: Lt. Infy.);
KSA (2) (572 Pte. W. Corfield. Somerset: L.I.)

William Corfield, a Mason’s Labourer from St. Phillp’s, Bristol, was born around 1867. He attested into the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, on 15 April 1884 and saw service in South Africa during the Boer War. He was discharged on 14 April 1902 with a £5 war gratuity.

Picture courtesy of Noonan's

QSA (3) Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (2324 Sejt. J. Alford, Somerset: Lt. Inf.)

George James Alford, a Labourer from St. Peter’s, Carmarthen, was born around 1870. He attested into the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry before further attesting into the 2nd Battalion on 20 September 1888. He served in India from December 1891 to October 1892. Advanced Corporal on 21 March 1895, he transferred to the Army Reserve on 19 September 1895 and was recalled for service in South Africa during the Boer War on 9 October 1899. Invalided to England on 19 April 1900 he continued to serve and was advanced Colour Sergeant on 7 July 1907. Discharged on 19 September 1909, his trade was given as a Musician, with his intended place of residence being listed as Sherborne, Dorset.