Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Transvaal, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, unofficial rivets between first and second clasps (7130 Pte. J. Gunshon. Vol. Coy. Manch: Regt.); together with a scarce 5th Volunteer Battalion Manchester Regiment ‘Welcome Home’ tribute fob medallion of cruciform design, bearing the coat of arms of the City of Manchester to the obverse and inscribed to the reverse ‘Presented by Col. Lloyd & Officers (5th (A) V B M R for Services in South Africa’, minor edge bruising, very fine and better (2) £200-£240

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Robert Barltrop Collection of Medals to the Manchester Regiment.

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John Gunshon was born in Manchester in 1880 and enrolled in the 4th (Militia) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment in September 1896; unusually, in April 1898 he also enrolled in 5th (Ardwick) Volunteer Battalion. He transferred to the Militia Reserve in 1899, but remained a Volunteer. He joined the 2nd Volunteer Service Company and left for South Africa on 17 March 1900; the 2nd V.S.C. spent most of the South African War on convoy escort and garrison duties returning to the U.K. in May 1902, and Gunshon was discharged on 12 June 1902. His clasps are all confirmed on the medal rolls which note that the medal was issued initially with Transvaal clasp only, and a later medal roll confirms the additional clasp entitlement.

Following the outbreak of the Great War Gunshon re-enlisted at the Depot at Ashton Under Lyne and in due course was posted to ‘A’ Company of the 12th (Service) Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, being promoted Corporal on 16 February 1915. He landed in France on 16 July 1915 and was later promoted Sergeant. He was seriously wounded, possibly during the attack of Fricourt Wood on 6 July 1916; his right leg was amputated above the knee and he was repatriated to the U.K. He was discharged from the army on 16 June 1917 and awarded Silver War Badge No. 133780. He is entitled to a 1914-15 medal trio.

Sold with copied service papers and other research.