Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Q.S.A. awarded to Shoeing-Smith A. H. Mackey, 14th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, who was wounded at the battle of Colenso, 15 December 1899 - in the efforts to save the abandoned guns of the 14th & 66th Batteries, 6 Victoria Crosses were won

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (31343 Sh. Sth. A. H. Mackey, 14th Bty. R.F.A.) edge bruising, very fine £300-400

Arthur Henry Mackey was born near Barnsley. A Farrier by occupation, he attested for the Royal Regiment of Artillery at Pontefract on 1 November 1898, aged 20 years. Served with the 14th Battery R.F.A. in South Africa, October 1899-October 1902. Driver Mackey was wounded at the battle of Colenso, 15 December 1899.

The 14th and 66th Batteries R.F.A. were galloped too close to the Boers in advance of the infantry by Colonel Long. In the face of withering fire from the Boers across the river, the officers and men of the batteries fought their guns to the last. The 14th Battery suffered seven other ranks killed and one officer and 13 other ranks wounded - amongst them Driver Mackey. With the guns of the two batteries abandoned on the veldt, General Buller asked for volunteers to save the guns. In the ensuing action, six Victoria Crosses were won.

Mackey recovered from his wounds and continued to serve in South Africa, earning the Queen’s Medal with five clasps and the King’s Medal with two. He then went on to serve in India, October 1902-November 1908, after which he was transferred to the Army Reserve and then discharged in November 1910. With copied service papers and other research.