Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, South Africa 1901 (21928 Tpr. H. Sharpin, 28th Coy. Imp. Yeo. Paget’s Horse), last clasp loose, nearly extremely fine £200-250

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late A. A. Mount.

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28th (Bedfordshire) Company and 68th (Paget’s Horse) Imperial Yeomanry.

Hugh Sharpin was born in Bombay, India, the 5th son of Frederick Lloyd Sharpin, the Archdeacon of Bombay. Employed as a bank clerk, he attested for the Imperial Yeomanry on 28 January 1901, aged 20 years. He was killed in action at Handeville on 22 October 1901 whilst serving with the 68th Company I.Y. Paget’s Horse. A report of his death reads, ‘ The circumstances under which Trooper Hugh Sharpin of Paget’s Horse, met his death at Hardeville (sic), near Harrismith, on 22nd October last, are related in letters received last week by his father, Archdeacon Sharpin, Rector of Millbrook. His battalion, the 4th I.Y. with other troops were taking a convoy out to De Lisle’s column ... His squadron, the 28th, were in advance and after about a couple of hours hard riding , sighted De Lisle’s camp, but they could not see the tents as they were in a hollow. The Major told Lieut. Bryan to take a few men, and make certain, and he took Sharpin and a great friend of his, Trooper Mansfield, and one other. ... suddenly spotted two horses near a short piece of low wall grazing. They went straight for them as hard as they could to round them up- too late they realised the fact that the horses were owned by two Boers who were hidden behind the gateway, and opened fire upon them when five yards distant. In the charge the officer was killed right under the gate by a shot through the brain. Sharpin then dismounted, and taking what cover he could behind the stone fence post, started firing. A richochet shot first broke his left hand and carried off three fingers, after which he was shot through the body. In spite of this he still fired two shots, though naturally without effect ...’ Sold with service and family details. A lancet window and plaque dedicated to Sharpin may be found at St. Michael’s Church, Millbrook.