Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

A fine Great War ‘Battalion Commander’s’ casualty group of five to Lieutenant Colonel Reginald Alexander, Rifle Brigade

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (Capt., Rifle Bde.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps (Capt., Rifle Bde.); 1914 Star, with clasp (Lt.. Col., Rif. Brig.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.-Col.) first two with some contact wear and a little polished, therefore about nearly very fine, otherwise good very fine or better (5) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of of Great War Medals to the Rifle Brigade.

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Reginald Alexander, “Jullunder” in the regiment, was probably the greatest regimental character of his era. He was a high spirited practical joker, story teller, bon viveur and fearless soldier. He served the regiment in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Africa, Egypt, Ireland, France and Belgium. Stories abound of his exploits in action and out. According to a brother officer in South Africa “He was a great character and tremendous talker. His lurid language and stories were not uttered in a whisper. They echoed and re-echoed over the wide and open veldt, where there was room for them.” Another officer who served with him wrote: “Major Reginald Alexander… was one of the best-known men in the British Army, a fine judge of racing though he never bet a penny, large, loud-voiced, and possessed of a fund of unrepeatable stories and a strong dislike for going to bed as long as there was someone to talk to and a mess waiter to bring him whiskies and sodas.” At Malta in 1905: “Quex Hampton acquired a little motor boat while we were at Manoel and this came to the ears of Jellundur, who decreed that now was the time to call on the Fleet in style. He ‘warned’ me to be of the party and one hot day Jellundur, Quex and I put forth in patrol jackets, overalls, crossbelts, swords, and all the rest. The first couple of ships went well. Jellundur pranced up the companion way, saluted the Quarter Deck with a flourish, and was led chatting volubly to the wardroom. But the ‘old bird’ was no flincher before the bottle, and when we left ship number two it was obvious he had just about ‘had his load on board.’ The ascent to ship number three’s deck was not conducted with quite the same dignity, the spurs and scabbard interfering a little. And when Jellundur did reach the deck he saluted the wrong end, the Master-at-Arms and the Midshipmite in rapid sucession. Quex and I then took him home.”

“Jullunder” was educated at Eton and gazetted to the Rifle Brigade via the Militia in 1889. He was Adjutant of the 1st Bn. 1894-1898, promoted Captain 1897 and served with the 2nd Bn. In South Africa 1900-1902. He was at Laing’s Nek, 6-9 June 1900 and was wounded leading his “F” Company in the charge at Bergendal, 27 August 1900. He was Commandant of Uitkyk from 22 July 1901 and Oliphant’s River, 3 September to 20 November 1901. Mentioned in Despatches by Lord Roberts, 10 September 1901 and Lord Kitchener, 23 June 1902; He was promoted Major in 1905 and Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the 3rd Bn. in 1913. Took the battalion to France 8 Sept. 1914, was in action at the Aisne in September then wounded by shrapnel on 13 October while advancing to the attack east of Bailleul. He rejoined on 22 November 1914 and was again wounded on 26 December 1914 near Armentieres and Died of his Wounds in the Clearing Station at Bailleul on the 29th. One of his officers wrote: “Poor Colonel Alexander, he was always so jolly and merry, but I often trembled for his safety when he came to our trenches. He was fairly tall and his head and shoulders showed easily over the parapet. We all miss him.” He is buried in Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension.

Sold with copy photographs and further research. Also see group photograph above lot 228.