Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Boer War ‘Modder River’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Bombardier A. Bentley, 75th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, later Conductor, Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps, who received a gunshot wound to the face during the battle, 28 November 1899, and was also Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (20498 A. Bomb: A. Bentley. R.F.A.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Paardeberg, Johannesburg, South Africa 1901 unofficial rivets between date and state clasps (20498 Bomb: A. Bentley, 75th Bty: R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (34805 Condr. A. Bentley. C.O.C.); Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (Pte. A. Bentley. D.C.M. R.C.D.); with Silver War Badge (C49413) and Tug of War prize medal in silver (hallmarks for Birmingham 1915) with ‘A.B.’ engraved on obverse and ‘Tug of War, Ashford, 1916’ engraved on reverse, generally nearly very fine or better, scarce combination (5) £1,400-£1,800

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 September 1901.

Alfred Bentley was born in Leeds, Yorkshire in January 1877. He served with the West Yorkshire Volunteer Artillery prior to attesting for the Royal Artillery at Dewesbury in June 1897. Bentley served with the 75th Battery, Royal Field Artillery in South Africa, from September 1899 to November 1901 (wounded in action [gunshot wound to the face] at Modder River, 28 November 1899). He advanced to Bombardier in November 1901, and to Corporal in May 1905. Bentley transferred to the Army Reserve in February 1908, and was discharged, 9 June 1909 after 12 years service. He emigrated to Canada and resided with his wife at 232 Britain Street, St. John, New Brunswick. Bentley joined the Permanent Staff of the Royal Canadian Ordnance Corps and advanced to Staff Sergeant. He served during the Great War with the Canadian Ordnance Corps in the UK from 1914, and in France from 8 May 1916. Bentley was hit on the head by an aeroplane propeller in June 1917, which affected his memory, and he returned to Canada in May 1918. Bentley was discharged at Halifax in May 1919, only to re-enlist in the Canadian Dragoons in February 1922 (awarded Permanent Forces of the Empire L.S. & G.C. in December 1922). He was discharged to Pension in April 1931, and died in May 1948.

Sold with a large file of original documents and copied research, including: original Parchment Certificate of Service; various Canadian Certificates of Military Instruction; Character Certificate on Discharge; Permanent Force Discharge Certificate, other ephemera and photographic images of recipient in uniform.