The Bernard Harris Collection of Medals to the 4th Regiment, South African Infantry

British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (2nd C/W.O. J. A. Scott 4th S.A.I.; Pte. A. A. Dreyer. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. A. E. Smith. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. J. Donaldson 4th S.A.I.) last officially re-impressed, traces of adhesive to reverse of all, minor edge bruising, 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 4th Regiment, South African Infantry.

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James Alfred Scott was born in County Armagh, Ireland, around 1877, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 26 August 1915. Disembarked at Boulogne per Princess Victoria on 4 June 1916, he was reported Missing on 10 July 1916. An eyewitness account by C.S.M. Peter Keith, recalls: ‘Informant states that on July 10. 1916 at Trones Wood, about 200 yards south east of the wood they were holding the position when Cpl. Scott was killed with another Corporal by a shell. He was never officially buried, as the position was lost.’ Keith - when asked to describe Scott, adds: ‘Tall, well built, dark, brown moustache, known as “Jimmy”’. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

Adrian Albert Dreyer was born in Ladybrand, around 1896, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 3 September 1915. Posted to the Western Front on 9 June 1916, he was sent to a Casualty Clearing Station suffering from shell shock on 17 October 1916. He rejoined his unit on 13 February 1917 and was killed in action on 9 April 1917. He is buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez, France.

Albert Edward Smith was born in Somerset around 1885, and attested for the 1st South African Infantry at Durban on 1 February 1917. Posted to France on 20 May 1917, he transferred to the 4th Regiment on 17 August 1918 and was admitted to hospital a short while later suffering from a back injury. He was later demobilised at Maitland on 22 May 1919.

James Donaldson was born in Perth, Scotland, around 1899, and attested for the South African Infantry at Johannesburg on 29 April 1918. Posted to England with the 4th Regiment, he died of influenza at Woking Military Hospital on 25 October 1918. He is buried at Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey.

Sold with copied service records for all four recipients.