A Fine Collection of Boer War Medals to Medical Services, the Church and the Press

An extremely rare Boer War silver and gold Presentation Belt from the Natal Carbineers to Nursing Sister C. E. Thompson in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment during the Siege of Ladysmith
Silver waist belt clasp, the reverse hallmarked Birmingham 1901 and with maker’s mark ‘T&JB’, applied with gold badge of the Natal Carbineers, hallmarked 9 carat gold, with belt of eleven silver roundels linked by silver chains, two roundels inscribed, ‘Presented by the Natal Carbineers to Nurse C. E. Thompson, in recognition of her great services to the men of the Regiment’, ‘During the Siege of Ladysmith Nov. 2. 1899. to Feb. 28. 1900.’, the remaining nine roundels depicting Maritzburg Town Hall, a covered Ambulance Wagon, an Army Signaller with Observation Balloon in the distance, a Nursing Sister, the Arms of the Colony of Natal, a Mounted Trooper, two Indian bearers with dhoolie, an Artillery Gun, and Artillery Shells, the reverse of each roundel with silver mark and date letter for 1901, a little polished, otherwise very fine and extremely rare £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Boer War Medals to Medical Services, the Church and the Press.

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Another example of this rare Ladysmith nurse’s belt (awarded to Nursing Sister E. M. Early) was sold in these rooms in December 2002.

Chrissie Emma Thompson was a Civilian Nurse with the Natal Volunteer Medical Corps and served during the Defence of Ladysmith (Medal). She was mentioned in despatches by Sir George White for services during the Defence of Ladysmith (London Gazette 8 February 1901) and was appointed a Member of the Royal Red Cross for services in South Africa on 13 March 1903, the recommendation stating: ‘In recognition of the services rendered by them in tending the sick and wounded at the Volunteer Hospital, at Intombi, during the late War in South Africa.’

Sold with some copied research.