Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sid Thurgar

Sid Thurgar was always a collector, mostly of militaria and guns. He was also a shooter, both cartridge and black powder. He joined the Citizens’ Military Force (Territorials) in 1965 and served for 12 years, retiring with the rank of Sergeant. A keen member of the Fort Artillery Society, a re-enactment group that fired, among other things, a 12-ton muzzel-loading cannon, he was a founder member of the Arms and Militaria Collectors Society of New South Wales in 1973, and served as its president for 48 years.

After Australia brought in strict gun laws in 1996, Sid realised he would have to seriously reduce his collection of over 400 rifles. Having invariably picked up a few medals alongside his militaria purchases over the years, he decided instead to begin a Boer War medal collection. This became his passion for the last 25 years of his life. He joined the Orders and Medals Research Society and was a regular attendee at the O.M.R.S. Mittagong meetings and the Annual O.M.R.S. Conferences in Canberra. He read widely on the topic and acquired a deep knowledge which he was always happy to share, travelling twice to South Africa to visit Boer War sites.

This offering comprises mostly his British Queen’s South Africa Medals where every clasp is represented, as well other Boer War related items. He is sadly missed.
Malcolm Little

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