Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Driver A. F. Caston, Royal Horse Artillery

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 6 clasps, Relief of Kimberley, Paardeberg, Driefontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill, Belfast (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston, O Bty., R.H.A.); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston. R.H.A.); 1914 Star (93899 Dvr: A. F. Caston. R.H.A.); British War and Victory Medals (93899 Dvr. A. F. Caston. R.A.) official correction to number on Star, minor contact marks to Boer War medals, nearly very fine and better (5) £260-£300

Arthur Frank Caston was born in the Parish of Heyham, near Norwich, in 1874. A shoemaker, he attested at Woolwich for the Royal Artillery on 4 November 1892, and initially served with the 2nd Battery, 1st Depot Division, Royal Field Artillery, for which men of the Royal Horse Artillery were selected by interview and height. Attrition rates at training were high, the 13-week training course being notorious for discipline and perfect turnout.

Passed for selection to the Royal Horse Artillery, Caston was appointed Driver and posted to “F” Battery on 10 June 1893. Then transferred to “O” Battery on 15 October 1895, he travelled to South Africa per S.S. Gleneagle, arriving mid-November 1899. Here his Battery formed part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade under Lieutenant General French, witnessing early operations around Colesberg and the engagement at Klip Drift in the course of the forced march to relieve Kimberley. At Diamond Hill, “O” Battery greatly distinguished itself by remaining in action all day under a continuous and heavy fire, successfully keeping at bay the incessant attacks of Boer Commander De La Rey. Further engagements followed at Nitrals Nek and the thrust to the north of Belfast.

Returned to England in August 1902, Caston was discharged to reserve on completion of his first period of service. He returned to the Colours at the outbreak of the Great War and served in France with “C” Battery from 5 October 1914. The Battery fought at Ypres, Neuve Chapelle, Aubers Ridge, Festubert and Loos, before Caston was posted to the 7th Divisional Ammunition Column and later discharged in the autumn of 1916. His Army Service Record adds: ‘A good groom, accustomed to the care and management of horses.’

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