Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Queen’s South Africa Medal awarded to Driver J. Smith, Royal Horse Artillery, who was severely wounded whilst fighting with “Q” Battery in the ‘V.C. Action’ at Sanna’s Post

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein (76198 Dr. J. Smith. Q,B., R.H.A.) extremely fine £400-£500

Jacob Smith was born in East Hendred, near Wantage, Berkshire, on 6 December 1869. A labourer by trade, he attested at Woolwich for the Royal Artillery on 21 December 1889, serving at “A” Depot, Royal Horse Artillery, from 2 January 1890. Transferred to “L” Battery, Smith served in India from 23 September 1892 to 21 January 1898, before being recalled home.

Recalled to service under Special Army Order of 7 October 1899, Smith joined “Q” Battery on 27 November 1899 and sailed for South Africa aboard the Manchester Corporation in December 1899. In action at Klip Drift on 15 February 1900, “Q”, “T” and “U” Batteries faced heavy shrapnel fire with approximately 21 officers and men killed or wounded. Situation restored by cavalry charge, Smith and the Gunners of “Q” Battery accompanied Brigadier General Broadwood to Thabanchu, but were ambushed at Sanna’s Post on 30 March 1900 in one of the most famous engagements of the conflict.

Having behaved with great gallantry, and managing to save four of its guns from an apparently hopeless situation, the conduct of the battery was praised by Brigadier-General Broadwood in his report on the action. As a result of this report, Lord Roberts took the unusual step of ordering the battery to ballot for the Victoria Cross, to choose one officer, one non-commissioned officer, one gunner and one driver to receive the coveted award, there being no other fair way to choose four from so many who performed with such heroism on that day. As a result, Major Edmund John Phipps-Hornby, Sergeant Charles Edward Haydon Parker, Gunner Isaac Lodge, and Driver Horace Henry Glasock were each awarded the Victoria Cross. Smith’s name would have been in the ballot for the Victoria Cross to the ‘Driver’.

Severely wounded during the action, Smith was invalided home on 22 June 1900, and was discharged from the Colours on 19 December 1901. In total, the British suffered 155 men killed or wounded at Sanna’s Post, with a further 428 men, 7 artillery pieces and 117 wagons captured. The Boers in comparison suffered 3 killed and five wounded, testament to the potency of ambush from well-concealed positions and the quality of Boer marksmanship.

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