A good Boer War D.S.O. group to Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. N. Hastings, Manchester Regiment

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, V. R., in silver-gilt and enamel; EAST AND WESTAFRICA 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Sierra Leone 1898-99 (Capt., Manch. R.); QUEEN'S SOUTHAFRICA 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Transvaal, Wittebergen (Lieut., Manch. Regt.); KING'S SOUTH AFRICA, 2 clasps (Lt., Manch. Rg.), this officially corrected; 1914 MONS STAR (Capt., D.S.O., Manch. R.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS (Lt. Col.), mounted court style, generally good very fine (7)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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D.S.O., London Gazette, 31 October, 1902 'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfred Charles Norrington Hastings originally entered the South Wales Borderers but transferred into the Manchester Regiment in 1899, the year in which he had been wounded while seconded to the Sierra Leone Frontier Force for the duration of the Karene or 'Hut Tax War' (medal and clasp). He next saw active service with the Manchesters during the Boer War, and was present at the actions of Biddulphsberg and Wittebergen, being mentioned in despatches and awarded the D.S.O. Hastings was seconded to the West African Frontier Force from 1903 to 1909, originally with the 1st Battalion Northern Nigeria Regiment, and participated in the Mumshi Expedition of 1906. During the Great War, following service in France in 1914, Hastings returned to Africa to take command of the Sierra Leone Battalion, West African Frontier Force, and took part in the Cameroon Campaign of 1915-1916. What effect Hastings' pastimes might of had on the enemy is unclear, but it is worth noting that boxing was among them!