The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry

Three: Sergeant J. W. Havers, 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry, late 91st (Sharpshooters) Imperial Yeomanry, who was severely wounded in action during the Boer War, and was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Delville Wood on 19 July 1916

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between second, third, and fourth clasps (31538 Pte. J. W. Havers. 91st. Coy. Imp: Yeo:); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Sjt. J. W. Havers. 3rd S.A.I.) mounted court-style for display, good very fine and better (3) £160-£200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry.

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James Walter Havers was born in Lowestoft, Suffolk, and attested for the Imperial Yeomanry Sharpshooters at 13 Cockspur Street (Regimental H.Q., London) on 27 February 1901. A former member of the 3rd London Rifle Volunteers, Havers arrived in South Africa on 29 March 1901 and was severely wounded in action at Tafel Kop on 20 December 1901. The recipient’s service record states: ‘G. S. Wounds in both thighs’. Returned home to England in February 1902, Havers was discharged no longer fit for further military service whilst still suffering from weakness in his left thigh.

Returning to South Africa, Havers took employment in Pretoria with the S. A. Prison Service as a head warder. He later enlisted at Potchefstroom for the 3rd South African Infantry on 9 August 1915 (his papers recording further gunshot wounds to the right forearm) and was posted to camp at Bordon in October 1915. Sent to the Western Front with the 3rd Regiment, he was captured and taken Prisoner of War at Delville Wood on 19 July 1916, and was later considered for a disability pension at Perham Down on 11 February 1919.

Sold with copied service records; an original photograph of the recipient in military uniform during the South African campaign; and a ‘Union is Strength’ lapel badge.