Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1834-53 (Bt. Major G. A. L. Blenkinsopp, 45th Regt.) lacks suspension, slight edge bruising, some scratches to obverse and reverse, very fine £700-900

George Anthony Leaton Blenkinsopp purchased the rank of Ensign in the 45th Regiment on 4 September 1835 and was further advanced in rank by purchase to Lieutenant in May 1839 and Captain in March 1844.

With the 1st Battalion he entered the Cape Province in May 1843 and thence to the newly proclaimed province of Natal in July. Captain Blenkinsopp served in the 2nd Kaffir War and in January 1847, with 84 officers and other ranks, he was sent from Pietermaritzburg to join a force of 300 men patrolling the south of Natal. Their objective was to protect some weaker chiefs from Chief Foto. After defeating a party of his warriors, Foto’s Kraaal was destroyed and fine of cattle was imposed. In March 1848 the land between the Orange and Vaal Rivers was annexed by Britain. A revolt by the Boers under Andries Pretorius culminated in the battle and defeat of the Boers at Boomplatz, 29 August 1848. Captain Blenkinsopp commanded the detachment (2 Companies) of the 45th present at the battle. For his services he was granted the Brevet of Major on 22 December 1848.

Blenkinsopp was further advanced to Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel in June 1856 and attained the rank of Colonel upon his retirement in March 1861.