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

Pair: Private A. de V. Calder, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, who was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive on 24 March 1918
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. A. De V. Calder 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of both, nearly very fine

Pair: Private A. G. Goslett, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. A. G. Goslett. 4th S.A.I.); together with the recipient’s cap badge and metal wound stripe, traces of adhesive to reverse of both, good very fine

Pair: Private W. J. Inkster, 4th Regiment, South African Infantry, who died of wounds on the Western Front on 9 April 1917
British War and Bilingual Victory Medals (Pte. W. J. Inkster 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of both, minor edge bruising, good very fine (6) £100-£140

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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Alexander de Villiers Calder, a native timekeeper, was born in Germiston around 1898 and attested for the 1st South African Infantry on 5 April 1917. Disembarked at Rouen on 15 October 1917, he was reported as missing whilst serving with the 4th Regiment on 24 March 1918. His papers add: ‘accepted as dead’ a few months later. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

Alfred George Goslett was born at Claremont, Cape Colony, on 7 February 1889, and served with “A” Company on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme. Recorded as wounded in action on 15 July 1916, his papers show that he was evacuated to hospital in Rouen suffering from shell shock. Evacuated to Southampton per H.S. Gloucester Castle, he returned to active service but his second period in the trenches was cut short by bronchitis. He was discharged at Wynberg on 22 June 1918.

William James Inkster, a miner, was born in Buckie, Scotland, around 1888, and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 6 September 1915. Posted to the Western Front with “E” Company, his service papers list his qualifications as ‘sniper and machine gunner’. He was wounded in action on 16 July 1916 during the Battle of the Somme, and again on 9 April 1917. Evacuated from the battlefield to medical attention, Inkster died later that same day. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Sold with copied service records for all three recipients.