Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

British South Africa Company Medal 1890-97, reverse Rhodesia 1896, no clasp (Troopr. E. Soman. Gwelo Vol.) edge bruise, good very fine £280-£320

Edward Soman was born in Leeds, Yorkshire, and arrived in Matabeleland from the Transvaal in 1895. He worked first in Bulawayo, then Selukwe, and then Gwelo. He died in Gwelo on 13 September 1896- the next day the Bulawayo Chronicle carried the following obituary:
‘Trooper Edward Soman, a native of Leeds, died from fever yesterday [13th September 1896], and was buried the same afternoon. The deceased was only in the country about one year, but previously had been several years in the Transvaal. He had done very well financially.’