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

British War Medal 1914-20 (4) (2nd C/W/O. G. R. Nicholls. 4th S.A.I.; Sjt. J. J. Taljaard. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. J. H. C. Bell. 4th S.A.I.; Pte. G. G. Berry. 4th S.A.I.) traces of adhesive to reverse of all, generally very fine (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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George Reginald Nicholls was born in Frome, Somerset, around 1882, and attested for the 3rd South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 12 August 1915. Disembarked at Marseilles on 20 April 1916, he was appointed Acting Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 11 August 1916, and for his services during the Great War was Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazette 28 December 1917). Transferred to the 4th Regiment on 5 September 1918, he returned home to South Africa per Walmer Castle in May 1919.

Joachim Jacobus Taljaard initially served with the 1st South African Infantry at Aruocha, Kondoa, New Moschi and M’buyuni, East Africa. Returned home suffering from malaria, he recovered and embarked for England per Caronia on 4 March 1918. He joined the 4th Regiment on the Western Front on 17 August 1918 and was discharged at Maitland in May 1919.

John Henry Cleveland Bell was born in Cape Colony in 1894 and attested for the 4th South African Infantry at Potchefstroom on 20 September 1915. His papers state that he suffered a shrapnel wound to the neck during the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, and cordite burns to the legs and hands in March 1918. He was later captured by the Germans on 2 April 1918 and was discharged at Maitland in August 1919.

George Gilbert Berry was born in Wales in 1877 and attested for the Railway Company, 1st South African Infantry, in January 1918. Posted to the Western Front with the 4th Regiment 17 August 1918, he was wounded at duty on 17 October 1918 and was admitted to hospital with boils. He was later discharged in 1919.

Sold with copied service records for all four recipients.