Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 2 clasps, Tugela Heights, Relief of Ladysmith (3447 Sgt. C. Worth, Devon: Regt.) edge nicks, nearly extremely fine £180-£220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore.

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Charles Worth was born in Eggesford, Devon, in 1876. A gardener by occupation, he attested at Exeter for the Devonshire Regiment on 5 February 1892. Posted to the 2nd Battalion stationed at Plymouth, he was advanced to Sergeant in November 1897, and was discharged to the Army Reserve in February 1899 as ‘a good clerk and well acquainted with accounts’. Recalled for the Boer War in October 1899, Worth rejoined the 2nd Battalion and embarked for South Africa, arriving at Durban on 19 November 1899. He took part in the actions at Colenso on 15 December 1899; Vaal Krantz on 4 February 1900; and Pieters Hill on 22 February 1900, being wounded by a Mauser Bullet in the right buttock in action near Groblers Kloof, Natal, on 24 February 1900. Admitted to Pietermaritzburg General Hospital, he was operated on in an attempt to remove the bullet, before being invalided home in the Hospital Ship Avoca and admitted to the Royal Herbert Hospital, London. Discharged due to permanent unfitness on 24 April 1902, in later life he was employed as a School Attendance Officer by London County Council. He died in Caterham on 5 January 1967, aged 90.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.