Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptional Tugela Heights D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Colour Sergeant W. Roberts, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Distinguished Conduct Medal, V.R. (4085 L.Sgt., 1st Rl. Welsh Fus.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (4085 Corpl., R. Welsh Fus.); King’s South Africa, 2 clasps (4085 Serjt., Rl. Welsh Fus.); 1914-15 Star Trio (4085 C.Sjt., R.W. Fus.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (4085 Sjt., R. Welsh Fus.) together with a large contemporary framed hand-coloured portrait photograph of him in uniform wearing his D.C.M. and Boer War medals, the first three with contact marks, otherwise nearly very fine and better (7) £1000-1200

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 April 1901, details London Gazette 8 February 1901: ‘For gallantry at Tugela Heights, 27th February, 1900.’

In the fighting around the Tugela, the Fusilier Brigade was especially distinguished, and on the 27th February, 1900, gained their commander’s warmest praise for the manner in which they attacked, captured, and held under a galling fire, the first of the heights which barred the way to Ladysmith. In this action Lieutenant Salt and Corporal Roberts were mentioned for conspicuous gallantry in keeping the maxim gun in action until the foresight was shot away. Lieutenant Salt had a bullet through his helmet, Corporal Roberts was dangerously wounded, and there were 51 bullet marks on the gun carriage. Roberts was later taken prisoner, with 12 other men, at Honingspruit on 21 July 1900, but subsequently rejoined on 9 September.