Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An interesting and rare Boer War D.C.M. group of three awarded to Trooper J. McKenney, Roberts’ Horse, later Johannesburg Mounted Rifles and a Sergeant in the Canadian Scouts

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (971 Tpr. J. McKenney. Roberts’ Horse) surname officially corrected; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Orange Free State, Johannesburg (971 Tpr: J. McKenney. Roberts Horse); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (36817 Serjt: J. McKenney. Candn: Scts:) mounted as worn from rather frayed ribbons, toned, good very fine (3) £1,200-£1,600

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901: ‘Trooper J. McKinry Chadwick, Roberts’ Horse.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 16 April 1901: ‘No. 971 Trooper J. McKuiry Chadwick, Roberts’s Light Horse.’

Q.S.A. roll for Roberts Horse confirms ‘971 Trooper J. McKenny’ with clasps as listed above and marginal notes ‘issued 9-7-13 also D.C.M. & K. medal. 667 JM Rifles. 36817 Can: Scouts.’

John McKenny/McKenney is recorded as being both an English National and an Australian National with a brother, Alfred, listed as next of kin living at Reefton, South Island, New Zealand. The London Gazette entry for the D.C.M. appears to be a confusion of Leonard Chadwick and John McKenney (McKinry/McKuiry). Chadwick was also a Trooper in Roberts Horse and was one of the four recipients of Queen Victoria’s scarves. His entry in the D.C.M. files at The National Archives reads ‘Chadwick, J. McKinry, Trooper 971 Roberts Horse’ but Chadwick has been crossed through with a note ‘should be McKenney. This is not Leonard Chadwick, Roberts Horse who was awarded one of the Queen’s scarves. Medal returned by O.C. Discharge Depot, Cape Town 12/11/04, no trace.’ Thus, from amongst all this confusion, McKenney finally received his D.C.M. in 1913, one of only five awarded to the regiment according to the London Gazette. McKenney had served with Roberts Horse for 14 months and with the Johannesburg Mounted Rifles for 6 months before enrolling in the Canadian Scouts on 19 September 1901.

Sold with copied research including service records, medal rolls and a considerable amount of correspondence relating to the unravelling of this confused story.