Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1834-53 (Bt. Major W. E. Bewes. 73rd Regt.) contact marks, otherwise very fine £1200-1400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals formed by the late John F. Goodwin.

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Wyndham Edmund Bewes, from an old Cornish family, was born in 1822, the fourth son (of five) of Thomas Bewes, M.P. He was appointed Ensign in the 45th Regiment on 19 June 1840, becoming Lieutenant by purchase in July 1842 and Captain, also by purchase, in August 1849. He transferred to the 73rd Regiment in April 1850 and joined the regiment in the following September to assume command of the Grenadier Company. He served with the 45th in the Kaffir War of 1846-47, and with the 73rd throughout the Kaffir War of 1850-53. He commanded the 73rd on the patrol under Colonel Eyre in Stock’s Country, and in operations in the Fish River Bush; also in the expedition beyond the Orange River, including the battle of Berea. He was mentioned in several despatches and given brevet of Major on 28 May 1853. He was afterwards posted to the School of Musketry at Hythe, in the rank of Major, becoming Colonel in June 1863. He was placed on half pay in May 1867, retired by the sale of his commission in 1869 and died in 1884.