Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Sub-Conductor J. Calvert, Commissariat Transport Department, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in South Africa during the Boer War

India General Service 1854-95, 1 clasp, Hazara 1888 (sergt. J. Calvert, Comt. Dept. Bl.; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Elandslaagte, Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Laing’s Nek, Belfast (Sub:- Conductor. J. Calvert.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (Serjt. J. Calvert Commsstt Transpt. Deptt.) engraved naming, light contact marks, polished, generally good very fine, the Elandslaagte clasp rare to unit (3) £800-£1,000

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2011.

One of only ten Queen’s South Africa Medals awarded to the Commissariat Transport Department with the clasp for Elandslaagte.

John Calvert was born in Bermondsey, London, in 1860 and attested for the East Surrey Regiment in September 1879, having previously served in the Militia. Transferring to the Indian Commissariat Department, he re-engaged for further service in 1889, and was promoted to Sub-Conductor on 20 November 1900. He served with the unit in South Africa during the Boer War, ands was Mentioned in General White’s Despatch of 23 March 1900 (London Gazette 8 February 1901, where he is erroneously listed as Sub-Conductor W. Calvert). He was also entitled to the King’s South Africa Medal, but is is not clear from the roll if this was ever awarded.

Sold with copied medal roll extracts and other research.