Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (Tpr. J. A. Mc.Master, Transvaal Rangs.) polished, with traces of lacquer, very fine and a rare medal to a confirmed participant of the Battle of Hlobane £1,600-£2,000

Approximately 243 Medals awarded to the Transvaal Rangers (of which 133 were returned), 122 with clasp 1879.

Joseph A. McMaster (also recorded as Masters and McMasters) attested for the 32nd Regiment of Foot and served with them in South Africa from 1871, taking his discharge in 1877. Joining the Transvaal Rangers in early 1879, the Transvaal Rangers were attached to Rowland’s Column, but were transferred to Wood’s Column after the disaster of Isandhlwana. They served with distinction at the Battles of Hloband, Khambula, the Skirmish of the White Mfolozi River, and at the Battle of Ulundi. McMaster is mentioned as one of the known men of this unit to have served at the Battle of Hlobane (of 142 medals to this unit, only 71 men actually took part in the battle, and as no roll exists only a handful of ‘mentioned’ men are confirmed as having been present); he was probably also present at Khambula and Ulundi.
Following the Disbandment of the Transvaal Rangers McMaster subsequently served with the Border Horse in the Sekukuni campaign, and was dangerously wounded at Sekukuni’s Town on 28 November 1879.

Sold with copied medal roll extracts and other research.