Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (7724 Pte. A. Chilvers. Essex Regt.) minor edge bruise, very fine and scarce to the 4th (Militia) Battalion £120-£160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A small collection of medals to the Essex Regiment.

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A scarce example of a Queen’s South Africa Medal to a serving member of the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Essex Regiment - only 4 officers and 27 other ranks from the Battalion to receive the medal.

Arthur Henry Chilvers was born in Ardleigh on 3 May 1882 and enlisted in the 4th (Militia) Battalion, Essex Regiment, on 18 December 1899. Mobilised on 2 May 1900, he embarked ‘for service with MI Company in South Africa’ on 25 June 1901, and is noted on the medal roll as having served with the 10th Mounted Infantry, one of 2 officers and 7 other ranks from his Battalion so employed.

Chilvers subsequently enlisted in the Regular Army, joining the Royal Artillery on 14 May 1903. He transferred to the Army Veterinary Corps on 25 June 1907, and returned to the Army Reserve in May 1911. Mobilised on 5 August 1914, he served with the Army Veterinary Corps as part of the British Expeditionary Force during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 August 1914 to 28 October 1915; then with the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force from 21 November 1915 to 27 May 1916; and finally with the Egyptian Expeditionary Force from 3 July 1916 to 9 June 1919. He was promoted Corporal on 1 January 1915; Sergeant on 20 November 1915; and Temporary Staff Sergeant on 7 January 1918. He was finally discharged on 18 July 1919. He died in Chelmsford on 19 November 1947.