The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord

A fine Boer War D.S.O. pair awarded to Captain D. L. Campbell, Welsh Regiment, who was decorated for his gallantry in defending a train at close quarters near Alkmaar on 20 May 1901: with just three men to support him against a force of 50 Boers, he was ‘repeatedly called on to surrender but refused’

Distinguished Service Order, V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 3 clasps, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal (Lt. D. L. Campbell, D.S.O., Welsh R.), edge bruise to the last, better than very fine (2)
£2400-2800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to Welsh Regiments formed by the Late Llewellyn Lord.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 5 July 1901:

‘For the defence of a train near Alkmaar on 20 May 1901, with four men against 50 Boers at close quarters.’

Duncan Lorn Campbell was near Murree in India in June 1881, the son of Brigadier-General L. R. H. D. Campbell, C.B., and was educated at the United Service College, Westward Ho! Gazetted to the 3rd (Militia) Battalion, Welsh Regiment in November 1900, he was embarked for South Africa, where he served on attachment to the 1st Battalion in operations in Cape Colony, Orange Free State and the Transvaal during 1901 (Queen’s Medal & 3 clasps).

His immediate award of the D.S.O. stemmed from a “mention” in Lord Kitchener’s despatch, dated in July 1901:

‘2nd Lieutenant D. L. Campbell, 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment: near Alkmaar on 20 May 1901, he most gallantly held an armoured truck for more than hour with only three men. The Boers had possession of the rest of the train and were firing into the truck from the roof of the next carriage and from the sides of the cutting. He was repeatedly called on to surrender but refused.’

Campbell and his small party held out for nearly two hours, when a mounted patrol of the Royal Welsh arrived on the scene and drove off the enemy. In Wilson’s After Pretoria: The Guerilla War, it is said the Boer Commander has just issued orders for the truck to be blown up with dynamite.

Having been seconded to the Indian Staff Corps following the Boer War, Campbell resigned his commission in November 1904 and was placed on the Special Reserve of Officers. Recalled as a Captain in August 1914, he served in the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment in Gibraltar until 1917, when, it would appear, he deserted. Certainly he faced a Court Martial there in April 1919, and was dismissed the service. As a consequence he was not awarded any campaign medals for the Great War and he died in February 1923; sold with copied research.