Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (1923 Pte. W. Mills, 1 Essex Regt.), nearly very fine £160-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brian Kieran Collection.

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William Mills was born in Colchester and enlisted in the Essex Regiment in September 1886, aged 18 years. He subsequently witnessed active service out in South Africa from November 1899 until October 1900, including the relief of Kimberley operations, Paardeberg and Driefontein.

At Paardeberg, the Essex suffered losses of 12 men killed and two officers, including their Colonel, and 20 men wounded, while one of their number, Lieutenant F. N. Parsons, was awarded the V.C. Later still, at Driefontein, the regiment participated in a well-known bayonet charge alongside the Welsh, and suffered losses of two officers, including Parsons, V.C., and 14 men killed, and two officers and 70 men wounded. Seven officers and 10 men were subsequently mentioned in despatches by Lord Roberts in March 1900.

Mills, who was awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in AO 68 of 1905, was discharged in September 1907.