A Boer War D.C.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant-Major Walter West Hadley, Royal Fusiiers

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, E.VII.R. (3257 Clr.Serjt., R. Fusiliers); QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (C.Sgt., 2nd Rl. Fus.); KING'S SOUTH AFRICA, 2 clasps (Cr. Serjt., Rl. Fusiliers); ARMY L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (S.Mjr., Rl.Fus.) contact marks, therefore good fine and better (4)

D.C.M., London Gazette, 27 September, 1901: 'in recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.'

M.I.D., London Gazette, 10 September, 1901.

Walter West Hadley, a sealing wax maker from Lindfield, Sussex, joined the Royal Fusiliers on 7 September 1889, aged 18 years. He received rapid promotion through the ranks and by August, 1896 was a Colour-Sergeant. During the Boer War Hadley was twice wounded, once severely by a bullet in the chest and left arm on 27 February, 1900, during the operations for the relief of Ladysmith, and again, slightly, by a bullet in the neck at Rooidam on 5 May, 1900. He was also mentioned in Lord Roberts Despatches of 4 September, 1902. Hadley was a qualified Sergeant Instructor of Musketry and was promoted Quarter-Master-Sergeant in 1903, and finally to Sergeant-Major on 7 November, 1904. He was finally discharged on termination of his 2nd period of engagement on 6 September, 1910.