Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Major P. G. Sturdee, Army Service Corps, late Ceylon Mounted Infantry

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Cape Colony, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Wittebergen, South Africa 1901 (293 Cpl., Ceylon M.I.), single initial ‘P.’; 1914 Star, with clasp (2 Lieut.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Major) the first with minor contact marks, generally good very fine (4) £250-300

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to The Rifle Brigade and Affiliated Regiments from the collection formed by Michael Haines.

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The Ceylon Mounted Infantry [which comprised 125 men] joined Lord Roberts while he was advancing on Bloemfontein, in time to be present at the engagement of Poplar Grove. On 6 March 1900, Lord Roberts wired to Ceylon: “I have just ridden out to meet the Ceylon Mounted Infantry and welcome them to this force. They look most workmanlike, and are a valuable addition to Her Majesty the Queen’s Army in South Africa.” In the despatch of 15 March 1900, Lord Roberts noted that, along with the 5th and 7th Regiments of Regular Mounted Infantry and the 1st City of Grahamstown Volunteers, they formed the 4th Brigade of Mounted Infantry under Colonel Ridley.

The squadron was one of those praised by Lord Roberts in the despatch of 31 March 1900 for good work on the way to Bloemfontein. With Ian Hamilton and Ridley the corps took part in the advance to Pretoria, and was present at the battle of Diamond Hill, on 11 and 12 June. Thereafter, they were in the movement on Heidelberg under Ian Hamilton, crossed to the south of the Vaal with Hunter and Ridley, and under the latter took part in the first pursuit of De Wet to the Reitzburg Hills and into the Transvaal. The squadron was afterwards operating in the Orange River Colony. Having been taken back to the Transvaal, they were present with General Clements in the action of Nooitgedacht, on 13 December 1900, when his force suffered very severe loss. The Ceylon M.I. had 1 killed and 3 wounded. They sailed for home after about a year’s service’ (The Colonials in South Africa 1899-1902, by John Stirling, refers).