Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria including the collection to Naval Artificers formed by JH Deacon

An extremely rare Boer War silver and gold Presentation Belt from the Natal Carbineers to Nursing Sister H. Galloway in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment during the South African War 1899-1900

Silver waist belt clasp, the reverse hallmarked Birmingham 1901 and with maker’s mark ‘T&JB’, applied with gold badge of the Natal Carbineers, hallmarked 9 carat gold, with belt of eleven silver roundels linked by silver chains, two roundels inscribed, ‘Presented by the Natal Carbineers to Nurse Galloway, in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment’, ‘During the S. African War 1899-1900’, the remaining nine roundels depicting Maritzburg Town Hall, a covered Ambulance Wagon, an Army Signaller with Observation Balloon in the distance, a Nursing Sister, the Arms of the Colony of Natal, a Mounted Trooper, two Indian bearers with dhoolie, an Artillery Gun, and Artillery Shells, the reverse of each roundel with silver mark and date letter for 1901, the whole contained in its original Forsyth & Coy, Maritzburg fitted presentation case, the case scuffed, otherwise in excellent original condition £2000-3000

See Colour Plate I

The belt is sold with three original letters, these laminated for preservation, which read as follows:

1. From the Maritzburg Association for Aid to Sick and Wounded, Parliament Hospital, Pietermaritzburg, dated 8th October, 1900: ‘Dear Sister Galloway. I have to request, under due authorisation, your acceptance of the enclosed cheque for Ten Guineas, both as a token of appreciation of services rendered on the Nursing Staff of the Volunteer Hospital, and also as some proportion of compensation in respect of differential salary. I trust that you will feel neither scruple nor diffidence in receiving this enclosure but that you will regard it, in the spirit in which it is granted, as a tribute of approbation of patient and assiduous ministration in the care of the Sick and Wounded.’

2. From the same, dated 8th November, 1900: ‘Dear Mrs Galloway. I am desired, in terms of a resolution of my committee, to request your acceptance of the enclosed cheque for Eleven Pounds Five Shillings (£11.5), as a token of their approval and appreciation of the excellent services which you, in common with the other members of the nursing staff, have rendered during your connection with the Parliament House Hospital, and which services have contributed so materially to the successful record of the institution, which is now about to close.’

3. From the Captain & Adjutant of the Natal Carbineers, dated 16th June 1902: ‘Dear Madam. It is my pleasant duty to ask, on behalf of the Officers, N.C.O.’s & Men of the Natal Carbineers, that you will accept from them the silver belt, which is being sent you by this post, as a slight recognition of the great services rendered by you to the members of this Regiment during the late War. These services will never be forgotten by every man of this Regiment, by every man of the Natal Volunteers, and by the whole Colony. With the Regiment’s sincere wishes for your future welfare & happiness.’