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

Three: Captain H. M. Hirtzel, 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry, late Witwatersrand Rifles and South African Constabulary, who was capture and taken Prisoner of War at Delville Wood in July 1916

1914-15 Star (Lt. H. M. Hirtzel 10th Infantry); British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Capt H. M. Hirtzel.) minor edge bruise, traces of adhesive to reverse of all, very fine (3) £120-£160

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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Henry Melchior Hirtzel was born around 1870, the son of George Hirtzel of 12 Louisa Terrace, Exmouth, Devon. He originally attested for the South African Constabulary as Trooper 3rd Class on 20 November 1900, and re-engaged at Harrismith on 20 January 1903 for a further 2 years as Police Staff Sergeant in No. 14 Troop. Discharged 18 January 1905, Hirtzel served in German South West Africa as Lieutenant in the Witwatersrand Rifles from 19 October 1914 to 24 July 1915. Two months later he embarked for England in the Durham Castle with the 3rd Regiment, South African Infantry. Advanced Temporary Captain on 1 May 1916, he was initially reported as killed in action on the Somme on 20 July 1916; this was later confirmed to be an error, the recipient having been taken Prisoner of War by the Germans at Delville Wood, and sent to camp at Crefeld. Transferred to Solingen and Furstenberg, Hirtzel was released from internment in Holland on 22 November 1918 and was demobilised at Maitland in April 1919.

Sold with extensive copied service record and private research.