South African War National Commemorative Medal 1899-1900, by F. Bowcher, manufactured by Spink, London, the obverse depicting a wounded soldier with standing right, rifle at the ready, ‘The National Commemorative Medal 1899-1900’, the reverse depicting a Union flag enveloping a stalk of wheat, rose, thistle and shamrock, ‘The Queen God Bless Her, This Medal Commemorates the Magnificent Response of Britain’s Sons to the Empire’s Call to Arms! Transvaal War 1899-1900’, below, ‘Daily Mail Kipling Poem’ (Sergeant Mitchell, 4th V.B.D.R.) 45mm, silver, fitted with a swivel ring suspension, edge bruise, good very fine £70-£90

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Referenced in British Historical Medals 3690; Eimer 1851a.

Frederick Bird Mitchell was born in Chulmleigh, North Devon in 1868. A Clerk to a Corn Merchant by occupation and a Corporal in ‘G’ Company, 4th Volunteer Battalion, Devonshire Regiment he attested for one year with the colours to serve in South Africa with the Volunteer Company Devonshire Regiment on 24 April 1900, being awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with clasps for Orange Free State, Natal and South Africa 1901. He died following an accident at Chulmleigh on 14 March 1908, aged 39.

Sold with copied research