Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Talana, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (Capt. J. H. W. Tapp, 67/Bty. R.F.A.) polished, nearly very fine £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Boer War Medals to the Royal Artillery.

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James Hanson William Tapp, who was born in October 1867, was commissioned in the Royal Artillery in February 1887, and had attained the rank of Captain by the time of the outbreak of hostilities in South Africa.

Quickly embarked for that theatre of war as a member of the 67th Battery, R.F.A., he participated in the operations in Natal in 1899, including the actions at Talana and Lombard’s Kop, and the defence of Ladymith, services that won him a brace of “mentions” (London Gazette 8 January and September 1901 refer). He was also given the Brevet of Major in November 1900 and, following further active service in the Orange Free State and Transvaal, was confirmed in that rank in March 1902.

Having then been placed on the Reserve of Officers, Tapp was recalled in September 1914, when placed on the staff of H.Q., 230th Brigade, R.F.A., and after advancement to the temporary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, entered the French theatre of war in that capacity in February 1916.

He subsequently added two further “mentions” to his accolades (London Gazette 4 January 1917 and 7 July 1919 refer), and was awarded the D.S.O. for his gallant deeds in the period September to October 1918 (London Gazette 30 July 1919 refers):

‘During operations on 29 September and 3 October 1918, near Bellenglise, he commanded a Field Artillery Group with great distinction. The time available for preliminary preparation before each of these operations was very short, and it was only by his fearless reconnaissance work and tireless energy that the work was accomplished. On the occasion of the latter operations he only received his orders at 5.30 p.m. on 2 October, his batteries then being some distance west of the canal. He made a very skilful and daring reconnaissance, and by his excellent arrangement he was able to move his batteries of position two miles east of the canal, and took part in the opening barrage at 6.05 a.m. on 3 October . During the whole period of these operations the work of this officer was extremely good.’

Tapp was placed back on the Retired List as a substantive Lieutenant-Colonel in March 1919. With copied gazette extracts and other research.