A Collection of Medals to the 13th, 18th and 13th/18th Hussars

A Boer War ‘Relief of Ladysmith’ D.C.M. group of three awarded to Corporal Alfred Levey, 13th Hussars

Distinguished Conduct Medal, E.VII.R. (4311 L.-Corpl: A. levey. 13th Hussars.); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 4 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (4311 Pte. A. Levey, 13/Hussars); King’s South Africa 1901-02, 2 clasps, South Africa 1901, South Africa 1902 (4311 Corpl: A. Levey. 13th Hussars.) edge bruising and contact marks, polished overall, therefore good fine or better (3) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 13th, 18th and 13th/18th Hussars.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 31 October 1902; Army Order 10/03; details TNA WO 108/170.

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 July 1902.

The following extract is taken from The 13th Hussars in the South African War 1899-1902:

‘On December 15th [1899] there was a remarkable eclipse of the moon.
At 4 A.M. Dundonald’s brigade, with the 7th Battery Royal Field Artillery, moved out of camp and moved off to operate against the left flank of the enemy. The 13th was halted on the high ground facing Hlangwani, while Thorneycroft’s Mounted Infantry and the South African Light Horse with the Composite Regiment went on dismounted to attack the hill. The force that could be employed at this point was insufficient, they lost heavily, and had to retire. The squadron under Major Williams was sent to help in the retirement. Lieutenant Bayley, who had been sent on with the signallers with the battery, was under heavy fire, and Private Humphrey was wounded. Another signaller, Private Wright, who was attached to the South African Light Horse, was also wounded in the attack on Hlangwani. On the left, things were going worse, and it was clear that the brigade would not reach the Tugela river that night. At 3 P.M. the order to retire was given, Major Smithson’s squadron being sent to escort the naval guns out of action. One gun was found deserted by the native drivers, and the oxen had scattered. However, some other drivers were found, the oxen collected, and the gun safely withdrawn. During the retirement news came that Colonel Long’s guns had had to be left on the field, and when the regiment arrived near Chieveley station they were ordered to go out and cover these guns, as an attempt to bring them in after dark would be made. But this order was almost immediately cancelled, and about 5 P.M. the 13th reached its camp. During the day Lieutenant-Colonel Blagrove’s horse was hit. The weather was extremely hot, there was hardly a breath of wind, and the horses had been without water since the evening before. The regimental stretcher-bearers did most excellent work during the day, one of then, Private Levey, being deserving of particular commendation. The names of the others were: Gallagher, Thompson, Twyman, Carstairs, Ellis, Meadon, and Smallwood. A regimental order 16/12/99 was issued on the subject by Major Lambkin, senior medical officer of the cavalry brigade. Had it not been for the devotion of these eight men, a number of wounded belonging to the other mounted corps engaged would have had to lie on the field wounded and unattended to for many hours.’

Alfred Levey was born in Melbourne, Australia, and attested for the 4th Hussars at London on 1 September 1892, and served with this regiment in India from September 1896 to March 1899, at the end of which month he transferred to the 13th Hussars. He was transferred to the 1st Class Army Reserve on 31 August 1899, but was recalled to Army service under Special Army Order of 7 October 1899, for service in South Africa. He was discharged on 31 August 1904, his discharge papers noting that he was subsequently paid a £20 gratuity issuable with the D.C.M. on 28 July 1908.