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

British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (Pte. G. L. S. Hobbs 3rd S.A.I.; Pte. C. D. Rosa. 3rd S.A.I.; Pte. T. F. Simmonds. 3rd S.A.I.; Pte. A. V. Slater. 3rd S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of all, very fine and better (4) £80-£100

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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George Lucius Seth Hobbs was born in Hampshire in 1886 and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 26 August 1915. He served in France from 15 April 1916 and is recorded as a ‘Prisoner in German hands’ from 1 August 1916. He was demobilised in March 1919.

Charles David Rosa was born in Manchester in 1879 and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 6 September 1915. Posted to the Western Front with “B” Company, he was wounded in action on 18 July 1916 and sent to No. 8 Stationary Hospital at Wimereux; Rosa was discharged as medically unfit on 16 November 1916.

Thomas Frederick Simmonds was born in Kroonstadt in 1896 and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 3 August 1915. Posted to the Western Front and attached to the 28th Company, M.G.C., from 9 August 1916, his active service was marred by illness and minor breaks in military discipline; he was later evacuated to England per Aberdonian in March 1917 suffering from a parasitic infection.

Arthur Victor Slater was born at Alice, Cape Colony, around 1887, and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 30 August 1915. He disembarked at Marseilles on 20 April 1916 and was erroneously reported as ‘Killed in Action’ on 19 July 1916. The recipient’s service record later states: ‘Now: Prisoner of War, 5.9.16’. Repatriated at the cessation of hostilities, he returned to Leith on 11 December 1918.

Sold with copied service records for all four recipients.