A Collection of Medals to the York & Lancaster Regiment

A fine Boer War D.C.M. group of three for the battle of Pieters Hill awarded to Colour Sergeant J.J. Miller

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, V.R. (Sgt., 1st York & Lanc. Regt.); QUEEN'S SOUTH AFRICA 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Cape Colony, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal (Sgt.); KING'S SOUTH AFRICA, 2 clasps (Clr. Serjt.), some contact marks, otherwise very fine (3)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the York & Lancaster Regiment.

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D.C.M., London Gazette, 19th April 1901: (A0163-1901) for gallant conduct at Pieters Hill, 27th February, 1901. The regiment disembarked in Durban on 3rd January, 1900, and joined the 11th Brigade on 4th January, reaching the Tugela on the 13th. After being involved in the actions at Spion Kop, the battle of Pieters Hill was the regiment’s next major engagement. Sergeant Miller was the first man to win a gallantry award in the Boer War, one of only 9 D.C.M.'s won by the regiment. Colonel Kitchener commanding the brigade at Pieters Hill reported that, ‘He did excellent work under my personal observation. His gun was under heavy fire, and he never slacked off or made a mistake; its coming into action on our right rendered advance possible.’ Sergeant Miller was in command of the regimental Maxim gun, the only regimental Maxim in action that day. It had been laboriously dragged up a precipitous ascent and was used with splendid effect against the enemy, many of whom, when found next day, testified by their wounds to its efficiency.