Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of four miniature dress medals attributed to Colonel H. W. Pearse, East Surrey Regiment

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Afghanistan 1878-80, no clasp; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Rel. of Ladysmith, Transvaal; King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902, mounted as worn; together with a silver pocket watch, the reverse engraved ‘Robert Pearse 1891. Hugh Pearse 1910.’, nearly extremely fine (4) £240-£280

D.S.O. London Gazette 27 September 1901:
‘In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa.’

Hugh Woodhouse Pearse was born on 13 August 1855, the son of the Reverend Robert Pearse, and was commissioned Ensign in the 70th Regiment of Foot on 11 February 1875 and joined the Regiment in India, serving with them during the Second Afghan War. Appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant General, Commissariat and Transport Staff, on 13 August 1881, he was promoted Captain on 30 June 1883, and was Adjutant of the Volunteers from 15 January 1889 to 13 January 1894. Promoted Major on 12 July 1892, he served in South Africa during the Boer War from 1899 to 1902, being present at the Relief of Ladysmith, including the action at Colenso; the operations of 17 to 24 January 1900, and the action at Spion Kop; the operations of 5 to 7 February 1900, and the action at Vaal Kranz; and the operations on Tugela Heights, and the action at Pieter's Hill. Promoted Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel on 29 November 1900, he was appointed to the command of the 2nd Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (as the 70th Foot had become) on 20 February 1901, after Colonel Harris had been wounded, and saw further service during the operations in the Transvaal from 30 November 1900 to 31 May 1902; and the operations in the Orange River Colony in May 1901. For his services in South Africa he was twice Mentioned in Despatches (London Gazettes 8 February 1902 and 29 July 1902), and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. Subsequently promoted Brevet Colonel on 10 February 1904, and confirmed in that rank on 25 February 1907, he served from that latter dated as Assistant Director of Dress and Clothing, H.Q. of Army, and finally retired on 25 February 1911, after 36 years’ service. In retirement he was the author of The History of the East Surrey Regiment 1702-1914, and he died in October 1919.

Note: The recipient’s full-sized medals, together with other family medals, are held by the Queen’s Royal Surrey Regiment Museum.

Sold with a watercolour portrait of Colonel Pearse, in uniform, inscribed ‘To Col. Pearse D.S.O. from L. G. F. Aug. 2. 1915.’, mounted in an attractive gilt glazed frame.