A Fine Collection of Medals for the First Boer War

Three: Colour Sergeant J. Hardwick, 21st Regiment of Foot, later Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was slightly wounded at Zwartkoppies during the Siege of Pretoria on 5 January 1881

South Africa 1877-79, 1 clasp, 1879 (2037. Cr. Sergt. J. Hardwick. 2-21st. Foot.); Army L.S. & G.C., V.R., 3rd issue, small letter reverse (2037. Cr. Sergt. J. Hardwick. R. Sco: Fus:); Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (S. Mjr. J. Hardwick. R. Sc: Fus:); together with a silver shooting medal, the reverse engraved ‘A.Y.R M.H. Rifle Club, Sergt. Major J. Hardwick, R.S.F. 1885.’, contact marks and edge bruising, nearly very fine, the MSM better (4) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals for the First Boer War.

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Joseph Harwick served with the 21st Regiment of Foot (Royal Scots Fusiliers) in South Africa, and was slightly wounded at Zwartkoppies on 5 January 1881, during the Siege of Pretoria. On this date, a force of 462 men from the besieged garrison attacked a Boer laager in a bend of the Pienaars river; 2 Boers were killed, 3 wounded, and 15 taken prisoner, on the only occasion during the siege when an attack was pushed to a successful conclusion, but the cost to the garrison was high - 6 men dead and 12 wounded, with the Boers inflicting more than three times their own losses on the attackers.

Hardwick was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, together with an annuity of £10, per Army Order 114 of 1920, and died in 1922.

Sold with copied medal roll extract.