Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Q.S.A. ‘double issue’ group of five awarded to Company Quartermaster Sergeant G. Taylor, King’s Royal Rifle Corps, later Hampshire Regiment, who was wounded in action at Spion Kop on 24 January 1900

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, Relief of Ladysmith (7352 Cpl. G. Taylor, K.R.R.C.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Cape Colony, South Africa 1902 (7352 Serjt: G. Taylor, K.R.R.C.); British War and Victory Medals (24133 C. Sjt. G. Taylor. Hamps. R.); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (24133 C.Q.M. Sjt: G. Taylor. 1/Garr: Bn: Hants: R.) edge bruise to BWM and minor official correction to surname on MSM, otherwise nearly extremely fine (5) £400-£500

M.S.M. London Gazette 17 June 1918:
‘In recognition of valuable services rendered with the Forces in France during the present war.’

George Taylor was born in Small Heath, Birmingham, in 1872 and attested for the King’s Royal Rifle Corps in Birmingham on 12 April 1892, a cricket bat maker by trade, having previously served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment. He was promoted Corporal on 15 November 1894 and appointed Lance-Sergeant on 15 June 1897, before transferring to the Army Reserve on 23 December 1897. He was recalled to the Colours on 9 October 1899, and served with the 3rd Battalion in South Africa during the Boer War from 4 November 1899 to 2 February 1900, being wounded in action at Spion Kop on 24 January 1900. Repatriated home he served again in South Africa with the 4th Battalion from 3 May 1902 to 11 April 1904. He was discharged on the latter date, after 12 years’ service, but re-enlisted in the Hampshire Regiment during the Great War and served as a Company Quartermaster Sergeant with the 19th (Garrison) Battalion on the Western Front, being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal.

Sold with copied medal roll extracts that clearly show the recipient receiving two Queen’s South Africa Medals, one with the 3rd Battalion, and the other with the 4th Battalion; and copied research.