Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Natal, Transvaal, South Africa 1901, unofficial rivets between state and date clasps (2451 Gnr: J. Burns, Durham R.G.A.) wear to obverse of date clasp, edge bruising, cleaned, nearly very fine £70-£90

John Burns was born in Jarrow in 1870 and attested at Hartlepool on 3 May 1894 for the Durham (Militia) Royal Garrison Artillery. Embarked for service in South Africa 24 March 1900, he is recorded as slightly wounded on 26 September 1901 at Fort Prospect; strongly attacked in the early hours by a force of 400 burghers commanded by Major-General J. J. C. Emmett, the small complement of 50 men of the Durham Militia Artillery - bolstered by 35 men of the Mounted Infantry and a small party of Zululand Police - successfully held out against a superior Boer force. The stoic defence was later recognised with the award of the D.S.O. to Captain Rowley and D.C.M. to Company Sergeant Major Young.