Lot Archive

Lot

№ 1153

.

28 March 2002

Hammer Price:
£1,600

A Relief of Ladysmith D.C.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant-Major H. Lacey, Rifle Brigade

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4651 Clr.-Serjt., 1st Rifle Bde.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (4651 Cr. Serjt., Rifle Bde.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4651 Sjt.-Maj., Rifle Brigade); Coronation 1911 (Serjt. Major, Rifle Bde.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., small letter reverse (4651 Cr. Sgt., Rif. Bde.) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (5) £2000-2500

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 September 1901. Army Order 15/02 (Relief of Ladysmith). Sergeant-Major Lacey was mentioned in Buller’s despatch of 30 March 1900, and in Roberts’ despatch of 4 September 1901.

Henry Lacey was born at Devizes, Wiltshire, and enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Rifle Brigade, on 27 September 1881, aged 19 years 1 month. He served overseas in East India from September 1888 to November 1894; at Hong Kong from November 1894 for two years; and at Singapore from November 1896 until February 1898, when he returned home in the rank of Colour-Sergeant. He served during the Boer War in South Africa from 28 October 1899, received his L.S. & G.C. medal in March 1900, and was promoted to Sergeant-Major in August 1901. He was twice mentioned in despatches for services during the Boer War and awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Returning home in October 1902, Lacey was posted to the General Staff of the Royal Military School of Music at Kneller Hall, where he remained for the rest of his army career, being discharged from there on 31 July 1912.