War Medals

QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA MEDAL. KING'S ROYAL RIFLE CORPS, WOUNDED AT SPION KOP

Bars, 'Cape Colony', 'Tugela Heights', 'Orange Free State', 'Relief of Ladysmith', 'Transvaal', officially impressed naming - 1024 Pte. J. MARTIN, KRRC. (The 3rd. Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps played a pivotal, yet ultimately undermined role at the Battle of Spion Kop on 24 January 1900, when it successfully stormed the crucial 'Twin Peaks' position to the east of Spion Kop, but were inexplicably ordered by General Buller to withdraw, thus negating a key victory. "Leaving Spearman's Hill at 10am the Battalion crossed the Tugela River and advanced in widely extended order against the Twin Peaks north-east of Spion Kop, the right half of the Battalion attacking the right hill, called Sugar-Loaf Hill, and the left half Battalion the other hill. Both hills and the Nek between them were strongly held but by 4.45pm the Sugar Loaf Hill was carried, "the Boers only leaving as the men's swords came over the crest line." Shortly afterwards the left hill was also carried. Though still under a galling fire from both flanks, the Rifles were able to stop the fire of the machine-guns some 150 yards to their front, and also to keep down the fire of the Boers being directed onto the right flank of the British troops holding the main ridge of Spion Kop. However at about 6.30pm the Battalion received the order to retire and by midnight it had recrossed the Tugela River practically unmolested. The Battalion suffered losses of seventeen killed with sixty-one wounded. The recipient was among those wounded and was subsequently transferred to 4th.Battalion KRRC. The withdrawal of the KRRC from their position on Twin Peaks was a major factor in the overall failure of the British at Spion Kop.) : Sold with verification and copy Casualty Roll entry : Recipient also entitled to the King's South Africa Medal. Scarce NEF - £795