A Fine Collection of Queen's South Africa Medals to Scout Units

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Belmont, Modder River, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg (Capt. L. Hartwell-Grier. Rimington’s Guides) good very fine and rare £400-£500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Queen's South Africa Medals to Scout Units.

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Whilst it is generally accepted that men who served in Rimington’s Guides received medals named to Damant’s Horse, the above medal with four clasps is verified and issued off a roll headed ‘Rimington’s Guides’ (AG2/M/4845 refers). The roll contains one name only ‘Capt. L. Hartwell Grier’ and is signed by none other than ‘M. F. Rimmington, Colonel Comdg Column’, dated Kroonstadt 17.9.01. The medal itself was issued on 30 August 1902. The medal roll for ‘Damant’s Horse (late Rimington’s Guides)’ also lists ‘Captn. L. H. Grier’ as entitled to the medal and 6 clasps with Driefontein and Transvaal in addition to those on the above medal. However, there are two marginal notes: one indicating that these last two clasps were returned on 15 January 1907, and the second that the other four clasps were issued off another roll, namely AG2/M/4845. Whilst this proves that this medal is correctly (and probably uniquely) named to Rimington’s Guides, it also raises the possibility that a second medal could have been issued named to Damant’s Horse, although there is no reference on the roll of such a medal having been issued.

Lyndon Hartwell Grier was born at Marylebone, London, in July 1865, son of William Magee Grier and Georgina Elizabeth Hartwell. Following his service in the South African War with Rimington’s Guides (popularly known as ‘Rimington’s Tigers’ from the piece of leopard skin worn around the slouch hat), Grier was employed as a railway engineer with the South African Railways. During the Great War he served in the South African Engineer Corps and was mentioned in despatches (L.G. 22 August 1918) for German South West Africa, ‘For exceptional services performed in the destruction of the Railway on the night of 26th April 1915.’ Grier was subsequently transferred to the Royal Engineers and served in France from 15 October 1917, with the Miscellaneous Trades Company, attached 1st S.A. Infantry Brigade. He relinquished his commission on 1 April 1920, and was granted the rank of Captain (entitled to 1914-15 Star trio). Lyndon Hartwell Grier died on 8 December 1927, at St Marks, Shafton Grange, Howick, South Africa.